Then while they smoked and
talked, the Man of the House, seeing the skin of _Hespuns_, or
that of the Raccoon, in the other's belt, said, "Well, that is a fine
pelt! Where did you get it, brother?" And he, answering, told all the
story of the Dancing Man and Wife; whereupon he of the House became
mightily anxious to buy it, offering one thing after another for it,
and at last the House, which was accepted. And, examining it, the buyer
was amazed to find how many rooms it contained, and how full it was of
good furniture. "Truly," said he, "I can never carry this as you do!"
"Yes, you can," replied the _Pil-wee-mon-soo-in_ (P., one who
belongs somewhere else,--a stranger). "Do but try it!" So he essayed
and lifted it easily, for he found it as light as any _bassinode_
or basket.
So they parted and he went on carrying his cabin till night-fall, when
coming to a hard-wood ridge, near a good spring of water, he resolved
to settle there. [Footnote: A hard-wood ridge; that is, where there is
plenty of birch, ash, and such trees as are necessary for baskets,
dishes, canoes, and other Indian wants. Hence it is mentioned in many
tales as a desirable place to live.] And, searching, he found a room in
which there was a very fine bed, covered with a _white bear-skin_.
[Footnote: A sure indication of sorcery.] And as it was very soft, and
he was very weary, he slept well.
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