"I am ready," said Monedowa.
The starting shout was given, and they set off at high speed, the manito leading and Monedowa pressing closely after. As he closed upon him, the old manito began to show his power, and changing himself into a fox he passed the young hunter with ease, then went leisurely along.
Monedowa now, with a glance upward, took the shape of the strange bird of red and deep-blue plumage, and with one flight, which took him some distance ahead of the manito, resumed his mortal shape.
The Mudjee Monedo espied his competitor before him. "Whoa! whoa!" he exclaimed; "this is strange," and he immediately changed himself into a wolf and sped past Monedowa.
As he galloped by, Monedowa heard a noise from his throat and knew that he was still in distress from the birch-bud which he had swallowed.
Monedowa again took wing, and shooting into the air, descended suddenly with great swiftness and took the path far ahead of the old manito.
As he passed the wolf he whispered in his ear:
"My friend, is this the extent of your speed?"
The manito began to be troubled with bad forebodings, for on looking ahead he saw the young hunter in his own manly form, running along at leisure. The Mudjee Monedo, seeing the necessity of more speed, now passed Monedowa in the shape of a deer.
They were now far around the circle of the lake and fast closing in upon the starting-post, when Monedowa, putting on his red and blue plumage, glided along the air and alighted upon the track far in advance.