ashes, crying aloud. On the other side was
Maujeekewis, his other brother; his face was also blackened, but his
head was covered with feathers and swan's down; he looked so odd, that
the young man could not keep from laughing, for he appeared and
pretended to be so absorbed with grief that he did not notice his
brother's arrival. The eldest jumped up and shook hands with him, and
kissed him, and felt very happy to see him again.
Odjibwa, after seeing all things put to rights, told them that he had
brought each of them a wife. When Maujeekewis heard about the wife, he
jumped up and said, "Why is it just now that you have come?" and made
for the door and peeped out to see the woman. He then commenced jumping
and laughing, saying, "Women! women!" That was the only reception he
gave his brother. Odjibwa then told them to wash themselves and
prepare, for he would go and fetch them in. Maujeekewis jumped and
washed himself, but would every now and then go and peep out to see the
women. When they came near, he said, "I will have this one, and that
one;" he did not exactly know which--he would go and sit down for an
instant, and then go and peep and laugh; he acted like a madman.
As soon as order was restored, and all seated, Odjibwa presented one of
the women to his eldest brother, saying, "These women were given to me;
I now give one to each; I intended so from the first." Maujeekewis
spoke, and said, "I think three wives would have been _enough_ for
you." The young man led one to Maujeekewis, saying, "My brother, here
is one for you, and live happily." Maujeekewis hung down his head as if
he was ashamed, but would every now and then steal a glance at his
wife, and also at the other women. By and by he turned toward his wife,
and acted as if he had been married for years. "Wife," he said, "I will
go and hunt," and off he started.
All lived peaceably for some time, and their town prospered, the
inhabitants increased, and everything was abundant among them. One day
dissatisfaction was manifested in the conduct of the two elder
brothers, on account of Odjibwa's having taken their deceased father's
magic arrows: they upbraided and urged him to procure others if he
could. Their object was to get him away, so that one of them might
afterward get his wife. One day, after listening to them, he told them
he would go. Maujeekewis and himself went together into a sweating
lodge to purify themselves. Even there, although it was hel
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