oke a second time. "My friend," he said, "have courage! To-morrow will
be your last trial." And he disappeared from Wunzh's sight.

On the third day the stranger came as before, and the struggle was
renewed. And Wunzh, though fainter in body, grew strong in mind and
will, and he determined to win or perish in the attempt. He exerted all
his powers, and, lo! in a while, he prevailed and overcame the stranger.

"O Wunzh, my friend," said the conquered one, "you have wrestled
manfully. You have met your trial well. To-morrow I shall come again
and you must wrestle with me for the last time. You will prevail. Do you
then strip off my garments, throw me down, clean the earth of roots and
weeds, and bury me in that spot. When you have done so, leave my body in
the ground. Come often to the place and see whether I have come to life,
but be careful not to let weeds or grass grow on my grave. If you do all
this well, you will soon discover how to benefit your fellow creatures."
Having said this the stranger disappeared.

In the morning Wunzh's father came to him with food. "My son," he said,
"you have fasted long. It is seven days since you have tasted food, and
you must not sacrifice your life. The Master of Life does not require
that."

"My father," replied the boy, "wait until the sun goes down to-morrow.
For a certain reason I wish to fast until that hour."

"Very well," said the old man, "I shall wait until the time arrives when
you feel inclined to eat." And he went away.

The next day, at the usual hour, the sky stranger came again. And,
though Wunzh had fasted seven days, he felt a new power arise within
him. He grasped the stranger with superhuman strength, and threw him
down. He took from him his beautiful garments, and, finding him dead,
buried him in the softened earth, and did all else as he had been
directed.

He then returned to his father's lodge, and partook sparingly of food.
There he abode for some time. But he never forgot the grave of his
friend. Daily he visited it, and pulled up the weeds and grass, and kept
the earth soft and moist. Very soon, to his great wonder, he saw the
tops of green plumes coming through the ground.

Weeks passed by, the summer was drawing to a close. One day Wunzh asked
his father to follow him. He led him to a distant meadow. There, in
the place where the stranger had been buried, stood a tall and graceful
plant, with bright-colored, silken hair, and crowned by nodding gre