[Illustration: "'Will you carry us over the river?' she asked"] "Will you carry us over the river?" she asked at length. "Willingly," replied the Crane, who was very susceptible to flattery, and he ferried them across the river. They were just in time. Scarcely had they reached the opposite bank when Lox appeared on the scene, very angry and out of breath. "Ferry me across, Old Crooked-legs," said he, and added other still more uncomplimentary remarks. The Crane was furious, but he said nothing, and bore Lox out on the river. "I see you," cried Lox to the trembling fairies. "I shall have you soon!" "You shall not, wicked one," said the Crane, and he threw Lox into the deepest part of the stream. The fairies turned their faces homeward and saw him no more. {176} The Malicious Mother-in-Law An Ojibway or Chippeway legend tells of a hunter who was greatly devoted to his wife. As a proof of his affection he presented her with the most delicate morsels from the game he killed. This aroused the jealousy and envy of his mother, who lived with them, and who imagined that these little attentions should be paid to her, and not to the younger woman. The latter, quite unaware of her mother-in-law's attitude, cooked and ate the gifts her husband brought her. Being a woman of a gentle and agreeable disposition, who spent most of her time attending to her household duties and watching over her child and a little orphan boy whom she had adopted, she tried to make friends with the old dame, and was grieved and disappointed when the latter would not respond to her advances. The mother-in-law nursed her grievance until it seemed of gigantic proportions. Her heart grew blacker and blacker against her son's wife, and at last she determined to kill her. For a time she could think of no way to put her evil intent into action, but finally she hit upon a plan. One day she disappeared from the lodge, and returned after a space looking very happy and good-tempered. The younger woman was surprised and delighted at the alteration. This was an agreeably different person from the nagging, cross-grained old creature who had made her life a burden! The old woman repeatedly absented herself from her home after this, returning on each occasion with a pleased and contented smile on her wrinkled face. By and by the wife allowed her curiosity to get the better of her, and she asked the meaning of her mother-in-law's happiness. {177} The Death-Swing "If you must know," replied the old woman, "I have made a beautiful swing down by the lake, and always when I swing on it I feel so well and happy that I cannot help smiling." The young woman begged that she too might be allowed to enjoy the swing.