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

"WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 141
was the terrible Cavern of Darkness, that they
were about to enter.
"I must guide the canoe now," Kitpooseagunow
said. calm and have no "Be fear, for
this is a great trial of our "
strength.
At that moment the canoe was drawn under
neath the earth. Through the dark place they
were drawn swiftly along, the foam beating
in their faces and sharp rocks jutting out
against them. But at last light came to them
from a distance, and soon they were in quiet
water where the sun was shining.
"Now we will come to the land of the Por
"
cupines, Kitpooseagunow said,
"and their
chief will try to kill us; for he is one of the
wicked people I have come to destroy."
When they reached the place they landed
and entered the wigwam. An old woman of
the Porcupine tribe met them with pretended
kindness. Now Kitpooseagunow saw at once
that this was really the wicked sorcerer whom
he had come to destroy. He knew that she
would try to kill him, and so he made himself
strong in his magical power.
The wigwam they entered was a cave of
stone; and the old woman s plan was to build
such a fire as would smother them to death.
She made a roaring fire of hemlock bark. As
the place grew hot and thick with smoke, the
brother of Kitpooseagunow fell over dead, for