Then again the good old Chief fell sick, because now the nights were pitch dark; and he asked Little Bear if she could help him.
Little Bear said: "Yes, I will bring back the moon, if you will give me two handsful of salt and your next oldest son."
The Chief agreed. Little Bear took the salt and went again to the old woman's wigwam, doing as she had done before. She tossed the salt into the kettle of soup, and when the old woman tasted it she made a face and said: "Ugh! This soup is too salt. I must get some more water to put in the kettle."
As soon as the old woman was out of the way, Little Bear ran in and seized the moon, which was hidden in a corner. She tossed it up into the night sky, where it hung like a lovely lantern, and every one grew happy again.
Immediately the old Chief became well, and was glad enough to keep his promise and to give Little Bear his second son. But she did not want him for herself. She married the young man to her younger sister; and they were very happy.
This time the old woman was very angry indeed. She came by night to the village and stole the Chief's beautiful horse, all covered with little tinkly bells. At this misfortune the old Chief fell ill once more; for he was very sensitive.
Once more Little Bear offered to help him if he would give her two handsful of maple sugar and two handsful of salt, and his youngest, handsomest son. Of course, the old Chief agreed.
A third time Little Bear went to the old woman's wigwam and found her making soup. She did just as she had done twice before; only this time the sugar and the salt together made a horrid mess! When the old woman went out to get more water for a quite new soup, Little Bear slipped into the tent and found the horse. As a precaution she first took off his little bells, so that he should not make a noise to bring back the hag. She removed all the little bells but one, and that one she missed, it being hidden under a lock of his mane.
Gently she led the horse away. But alas! The one little bell which she had overlooked began to tinkle as they fled. Tink! Tink! Tink! Through the wood the old woman heard it and pricked up her ears. Hop, hop, hop! Along she came, hobbling after them faster than any horse could gallop, and she caught Little Bear before she could escape.
"Now I will be even with you for all that you have done!" cried the old woman.