But what was her surprise, as they were about to pass a hollow log, to see him suddenly dart into its open end and almost immediately come from the farther end--not old and bent, but the youngest, the strongest, and the most active of all the warriors in the company. Then he took the hand of the youngest sister, and together they led the way to his lodge. The eyes of the youngest sister were bright with happiness, but the older sisters were dumb with astonishment. When they entered the lodge of Osseo, they found a feast prepared. The food was plain, and the dishes were of wood. The lodge, too, seemed shabby and poor. But while they ate, the lodge began gently to rise from the ground. Up and up it went, and its shabby sides began to gleam like silver. The food became the richest and choicest, and the dishes became like shells of radiant colors. Up and up the lodge continued to go, until at last it reached the Sky Land, and stopped before the doorway of the Evening Star. The Evening Star greeted them and spoke to Osseo. Then the sisters and their husbands, who had scoffed at Oweenee, knew that the old man whom she had married was no other than Osseo, the Son of the Evening Star. And Evening Star said, “You and your beautiful bride are welcome to my lodge, but these others who have scoffed at her and at you may not come inside. They may stay at the lodge door.” Then the lodge of Osseo became a wonderful silver cage, and the sisters and their husbands were changed into singing birds, with plumage of brightest colors, blue, and red, and orange, and scarlet. And they flew about in their silver cage, and sang to Osseo and his bride. Now Osseo grew stronger and more manly day by day, and his bride grew sweeter and lovelier to look upon. After many moons had come and gone there came to Osseo and his wife a little son. As the boy grew he seemed brighter than the starlight, and Osseo and Oweenee loved him dearly; but his grandfather, the Evening Star, loved him best of all. One day Evening Star said to Osseo, “You must be careful not to let the light beams from the small Star that dwells near by fall upon the cage of singing birds, or upon yourself, or your wife, or your son. The Star is an evil spirit, and the light beams are his enchanted arrows. They change the form of all those upon whom they fall.” So Osseo promised to be careful. But after many moons had passed, he forgot about the light beams of the Star neighbor. He made a bow and arrows for his little son, who loved to play at shooting. Then one day the boy said, “I want to shoot some living thing. How shall I learn to be a hunter if I have no game to shoot?” “I will open the silver cage,” said Osseo, “and you may shoot at the flying birds.” Then the little boy was pleased, and he drew his bow, and Osseo opened the door of the cage.