He was painfully aware that he had tried two of his charms without effect, and that he had only two more left. But he now professed to be more friendly with his son-in-law than ever, and the very next day he said to Owasso:
"Come, my son, you must go with me to procure some young eagles. We will tame them and have them for pets about the lodge. I have discovered an island where they are in great abundance."
They started on the trip, and after traversing an immense waste of water, at last reached the island. Mishosha led Owasso inland until they came to the foot of a tall pine-tree, upon which the nests were to be found.
"Now, my son," said Mishosha, "climb up this tree and bring down the birds. I think you will get some fine ones up there."
Owasso obeyed. When he had with great difficulty got near the nest, Mishosha cried out, addressing himself to the tree, and without much regard for the wishes of Owasso:
"Now stretch yourself up and he very tall."
The tree, at this bidding, rose up so far that Owasso would have imperiled his neck by any attempt to get to the ground.
"Listen, ye eagles!" continued Mishosha. "You have long expected a gift from me. I now present you this boy, who has had the presumption to climb up to your nests in order to molest your young. Stretch forth your claws and seize him."
So saying, the old magician turned his back upon Owasso, and going off in the canoe, left his son-in-law to shift for himself.
But the birds did not seem to be so badly minded as the old magician had supposed; for a very old bald eagle, quite corpulent and large of limb, alighted on a branch just opposite, opened conversation with Owasso by asking what had brought him there.