He resolved to find it
out. So he watched her all the time. He kept his eye on her by night
and by day.
It was summer, and she proposed to go into the woods to pick berries,
and to camp there. By and by, when they were in the forest, she
suggested that he should go on to the spot where they intended to
remain and build a wigwam. He said that he would do so. But he went a
little way into the woods and watched her.
As soon as she believed that he was gone, she rose and walked rapidly
onwards. He followed her, unseen. She went on, till, in a deep, wild
place among the rocks, she came to a pond. She sat down and sang a
song. A great foam, or froth, rose to the surface of the water. Then in
the foam appeared the tail of a serpent. The creature was of immense
size. The woman, who had laid aside all her garments, embraced the
serpent, which twined around her, enveloping all her limbs and body in
his folds. The husband watched it all. He now understood that, the
venom of the serpent having entered the woman, she had saved her life
by transferring it to others, who died.
He went on to the camping ground and built a wigwam. He made up two
beds; he built a fire. His wife came. She was earnest that there should
be only a single bed. He sternly bade her lie by herself. She was
afraid of him. She laid down, and went to sleep. He arose three times
during the night to replenish the fire.
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