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In a moment Maidwa came past with rustling wings, and as he flew by, giving the magician a severe blow on the head with the wampum scalp, his limbs extended and quivered in an agony, the scalp adhered, and Maidwa, in his own person, walked into the lodge and sat down, feeling perfectly at home.
Now it happened when the chief was thus speaking that there was a foolish fellow in the lodge, who had thought to have got this chief's daughter for a wife; and he jumped up, saying: "Who is he," looking grimly at Maidwa, "that he should take her for a few presents? I will kill him." And he raised a knife which he had in his hand, and gave it a mighty flourish in the air.
He would interrupt his discourse, at times, with sudden groans, and say: "Oh, how shamefully they are treating it." Maidwa listened to all the old magician had to say with solemn attention. The magician renewed his discourse, and inquired of Maidwa as to his dreams, or what he saw in his sleep, at such times as he had fasted and darkened his face to procure guardian spirits.
After several days' travel, Maidwa and his friends came in sight of his home. The others rested within the woods while he went alone in advance to see his brothers. He entered the lodge. It was all in confusion and covered with ashes. On one side, sitting among the cinders, with his face blackened, and crying aloud, was his elder brother.
He traveled with a light heart, as he now expected to meet the one who was to give him directions how to proceed to get the Red Swan. Toward night-fall Maidwa reached the lodge of the third old man. Before coming to the door he heard him saying: "Grandchild, come in;" and going in promptly he felt quite at home.
He felt ashamed to think that he had done so, but before he could speak the old man said: "Eat, nay grandchild; eat, eat!" and soon after he again said "Help yourself from the pot." Maidwa was surprised, on dipping in his ladle, to see that it was full; and although he emptied it a second time, it was still again filled and refilled till his hunger was entirely satisfied.
What was the delight of Maidwa to behold, instead of a withered old man, far advanced in years and stricken in sorrow, a bright and cheerful youth, who glittered with life as he stood up before him. "Thank you, my friend," he said. "Your kindness and bravery of heart have restored me to my former shape. It was so ordained, and you have now accomplished the victory."
He will show you the course to take, and if you feel inclined, as I see that you do, go forward, my son, with a strong heart; persevere, and I have a presentiment that you will succeed." Maidwa answered, "I will try."
"The bird is mine," said Maidwa, to himself; but to his great surprise, instead of seeing it droop its neck and drift to the shore, the Red Swan flapped its wings, rose slowly, and flew off with a majestic motion toward the falling sun.
He was again told to enter the lodge of the chief, and his reception was in every respect the same as on the previous night; except that the young woman was more beautiful, and that she entertained him very kindly. Although urged to stay with them, the mind of Maidwa was fixed on the object of his journey.
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