The gifts of tobacco after this came in even more freely than they had at first; and as each giver brought his bundle to the lodge of Wassamo, he asked for the usual length of life, for success as a hunter, and for a plentiful supply of food. They particularly desired that the sand-hills might be kept quiet, so that their lands might be moist and their eyes clear of dust to sight the game.
Wassamo replied that he would mention each of their requests to his father-in-law.
The tobacco was stored in sacks, and on the outside of the skins, that there might be no mistake as to their wants, each one who had given tobacco had painted and marked in distinct characters the totem or family emblem of his family and tribe. These the old Sand-Spirit could read at his leisure and do what he thought best for each of his various petitioners.
When the time for his return arrived, Wassamo warned his people that they should not follow him or attempt to take note how he disappeared. He then took the moose-skin sacks filled with tobacco and bade farewell to all but Netawis. The latter insisted on the privilege of attending Wassamo and his wife for a distance, and when they reached the sand-banks he expressed the strongest wish to proceed with them on their journey. Wassamo told him that it could not be; that only spirits could exert the necessary power, and that there were no such spirits at hand.
They then took an affectionate leave of each other, Wassamo enjoining upon his cousin, at risk of his life, not to look back when he had once started to return.
The cousin, sore at heart but constrained to obey, parted from them; and as he walked sadly away, he heard a gliding noise as of the sound of waters that were cleaved.
He returned home and told his friends that Wassamo and his wife had disappeared, but that he knew not how. No one doubted his word in anything now.
Wassamo with his wife soon reached their home at the hills. The old Sand-Spirit was in excellent health and delighted to see them. He hailed their return with open arms; and he opened his arms so very wide, that when he closed them he not only embraced Wassamo and his wife, but all of the tobacco-sacks which they had brought with them.
The requests of the Indian people were made known to him; he replied that he would attend to all, but that he must first invite his friends to smoke with him. Accordingly he at once despatched his pipe-bearer and confidential aid to summon various Spirits of his acquaintance, and set the time for them to come.
Meanwhile he had a word of advice for his son-inlaw, Wassamo. "My son," said he, "some of these Manitos that I have asked to come here are of a very wicked temper, and I warn you especially of that Island Spirit who wished to marry my daughter. He is a very bad-hearted Monedo, and would like to do you harm. Some of the company, however, you will find to be very friendly. A caution for you. When they come in, do you sit close by your wife; if you do not, you will be lost. She only can save you; for those who are expected to come are so powerful that they will otherwise draw you from your seat and toss you out of the lodge as though you were a feather. You have only to observe my words and all will be well."