Glooscap the great chief, and other stories - ElectricCanadian.com

WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 111
The man went about his work. In the
autumn he thought about the threat of the Ice-
King and he prepared for battle. First, he
built a wigwam in a place where fuel and water
Then he laid in a good supply of
were plenty.
wood, chopping down dry old trees, and cutting
the fuel fine. Oil he prepared, too, to use in
case of need.
And he made ready a great sup
ply of winter clothing.
Winter came at last, and with it came the Ice-
King. Everywhere his breath could be felt
stiffening the lakes and river, and covering the
ground with frost and snow. The air became
colder and colder, until at last, one day, the Ice-
King walked boldly into the wigwam, and took
his seat opposite the place where the man was
sitting. So cold was his body and breath that
the fire almost went out, and the Indian was
nearly benumbed by the cold.
Yet he had still the power to bestir himself,
and with all the energy he possessed, he began
to pile the wood upon the fire. The fire roared,
and crackled, and blazed higher and higher, and
the Ice-King moved back. Soon he moved back
still farther, and then again, until he was
against the wall of the wigwam and could go
no farther. Then he began to melt and grow
smaller and weaker. At last he was obliged to
cry out for mercy.