WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 9
tion from which the sound came. At last the sister said:
“Do you see my brother?”
Oochigeaskw looked eagerly up the lake,
“Yes! I see him!” she said at length.
“Of what is his shoulder strap made?” the sister asked.
Oochigeaskw looked again searchingly.
“Why, it is made of a rainbow!” she cried.
“Ah, you have seen my brother! Now let us hasten to the lodge, that I may prepare you to meet him when he comes.”
The two maidens hurried to the lodge, and the sister opened a large chest full of the most beautiful clothing Oochigeaskw had ever seen. Then the sister prepared to bathe her; and O‘ochigeaskw hung her head for shame because of her scars and burns. But, as soon as the wa- ter touched her—such a wonderful thing hap- pened! The scarred and burned flesh disap- peared, and beautiful fresh skin appeared in its place.
Then the sister began arranging her hair. When Oochigeaskw thought of her scorched, stubby hair she felt like crying, for every In- dian bride prides herself upon her long braids of hair; and Oochigeaskw’s hair was burned close to her skin. When the sister began to brush it, there came fine beautiful, glossy, black hair from under the brush, and soon the