172 THE BIG CANOE

has such a treasure been seen within the memory of
man; never has such a magic arrow been looked upon
before. Your father is very proud and happy.”

“So am I,” Kadonah murmured drowsily. “Also
my tongue, which was very crooked, is now very
straight. It will never be crooked again.”

As Shim finished speaking there were sighs and
murmurs of approval from the intently listening
throng. The violence of the blizzard had increased,
but they did not know it. The north wind howled
madly around the lodge, turning the smoke back
down the smoke hole, filling the room with drifting
acrid smoke clouds to which they paid no attention.

To them, it was still springtime in the land of the
Niskas, land of broad rivers and crystal caves, of
mountain-goats and prowling wolves, where Thaim-
shim the Wonder-worker had roamed since ancient
times.