The young brave forthwith proceeded to carry these instructions into effect. First of all he killed the old woman, and disposed of her remains in accordance with her bidding. In the morning he put on the magic moccasins which she had provided for him, and with one great step he reached the distant headland. Here he met an old man, who received the paper from him, and then, giving him another pair of moccasins, directed him to a far-off point where he was to deliver another piece of paper to a man who would await him there. Turning the first moccasins homeward, the young brave put the second pair to use, and took another gigantic step. Arrived at the second stage of his journey from the Snake's lodge, he found it a repetition of the first. He was directed to another distant spot, and from that to yet another. But when he delivered his message for the fourth time he was treated somewhat differently. [Illustration: "With one great step he reached the distant headland"] "Down there in the hollow," said the recipient of the paper, "there is a stream. Go toward it, and walk straight on, but do not look at the water." The youth did as he was bidden, and shortly found himself on the opposite bank of the stream. He journeyed up the creek, and as evening fell he came upon a place where the river widened to a lake. Skirting its shores, he suddenly found himself face to face with the Snake. Only then did he remember the words of the old woman, who had warned him that in the evening the Snake would overtake him. So he turned himself into a little fish with red fins, lazily moving in the lake. {281} The Snake's Quest The Snake, high on the bank, saw the little creature, and cried: "Little Fish! have you seen the person I am looking for? If a bird had flown over the lake you must have seen it, the water is so still, and surely you have seen the man I am seeking?" "Not so," replied the Little Fish, "I have seen no one. But if he passes this way I will tell you." So the Snake continued down-stream, and as he went there was a little grey toad right in his path. "Little Toad," said he, "have you seen him for whom I am seeking? Even if only a shadow were here you must have seen it." "Yes," said the Little Toad, "I have seen him, but I cannot tell you which way he has gone." The Snake doubled and came back on his trail. Seeing a very large fish in shallow water, he said: "Have you seen the man I am looking for?" "That is he with whom you have just been talking," said the Fish, and the Snake turned homeward. Meeting a musk-rat he stopped. "Have you seen the person I am looking for?" he said. Then, having his suspicions aroused, he added craftily: "I think that you are he." But the Musk-rat began a bitter complaint. "Just now," said he, "the person you seek passed over my lodge and broke it." So the Snake passed on, and encountered a red-breasted turtle.