Erelong they
heard the sound of a paddle, and then the noise of a canoe being drawn
ashore. And there came in a youth of fine form and features and well
clad, bearing weapons as if from hunting who addressed the old woman as
_Kejoo_, or mother, and told her that he had brought game. And
with sore ado--for she was feeble--the old dame tottered out and
brought in four beavers; but she was so much troubled to cut them up
that the elder, saying to the younger man _Uoh-keen_! (M.), "My
brother," bade him do the work. And they supped on beaver. So they
remained for a week, resting themselves, for they were sadly worn with
their wearisome journey, and also utterly ragged. And then a wondrous
thing came to pass, which first taught them that they were in an
enchanted land. For one morning the elder man bade the younger wash
their mother's face. And as he did this all her wrinkles vanished, and
she became young and very beautiful; in all their lives the travelers
had never seen so lovely a woman. Her hair, which had been white and
scanty, now hung to her feet, dark and glossy as a blackbird's breast.
Then, having been clad in fine array, she showed a tall, lithe, and
graceful form at its best.
And the travelers said to themselves, "Truly this man is a great
magician!" They all walked forth to see the place. Never was sunshine
so pleasantly tempered by a soft breeze; for all in that land was fair,
and it grew fairer day by day to all who dwelt there.
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