As he went down the river he saw the maiden was watching him from the top of the house; so he started forward and ran until he was out of sight, to show how fine a runner he was and how good a hunter; because he was reputed to be a very strong and active young man. He hunted and hunted, but did not find any deer, nor even any tracks.
Meanwhile, the maiden went up the stream as before and kept watch of the corral; and he fared as the other young man had fared. At night he came home, not quite so downcast as the other had been, because he was a young man of more self-reliance.
She asked, as she met him: “Haven’t you got any deer today?”
He answered: “No.”
She said: “I am sorry, but under the circumstances I don’t see how we can become husband and wife.”
So he carried his bundle home.
The next day there was a young man in the City of Salt who heard of this,—not all of it, but he heard that day after day young men were going to the home of this maiden to court her, and she turned them all away. He said: “I dare say they didn’t take enough with them.” So he made up two bundles and went to the home of the maiden, and he said to himself: “This time it will be all right.”
When he arrived, much the same conversation was gone through as before with the other young men, and the girl said, when she lighted him to the door of his room: “My young friend, if you will find a deer for me tomorrow I will become your wife and rest my hope only on you.”
“Mercy on me!” thought the young man to himself, “I have always been called a poor hunter. What shall I do?”
The next morning he tried, but with the same results.