Early the next morning, Maidwa set out to fulfil his promise; and in the afternoon, when the sun hangs toward home, he heard the shouts of a great many people. He was in a wood at the time, and saw, as he thought, only a few men, but as he went on they increased in numbers. When he emerged upon the plain, their heads appeared like the hanging leaves, they were so many.
In the middle of the plain he perceived a post and something waving at its top. It was the wampum scalp; and every now and then the air was rent with the war-song, for they were dancing the war-dance in high spirit around it.
Before he could be observed, Maidwa changed himself into a humming-bird, and flew toward the scalp. When he passed some of those who were standing by, he came close to their ears; as they heard the rapid whirr or murmur which this bird makes when it flies, they jumped aside and asked each other what it could be. Maidwa by this time had nearly reached the scalp, but fearing that he should be perceived while untying it, he again changed himself into the down that floats lightly on the air, and sailed slowly on to the scalp. He loosened it, and moved off heavily, as the weight was almost too great for him to carry. The Indians around would have snatched it away had not a lucky current of air just then buoyed him up. As they saw that it was moving away they cried out:
"It is taken from us! it is taken from us!"
Maidwa was borne gently along but a little way above their heads; and as they followed him, the rush and hum of the people was like the dead heating of the surges upon a lake shore after a storm. But the good wind, gaining strength, soon carried him beyond their pursuit. A little further on he changed himself into a hawk and flew swiftly off with his trophy, crying, "Ka-kak! ka-kak!" till the hawk cry resounded with its shrill tone throughout the whole country, far and wide.
Meanwhile the magician had remembered the instructions of Maidwa, placing his head outside of the lodge as soon as he heard the ka-kak cry of the hawk.
In a moment Maidwa came past with rustling wings, and as he flew he gave the magician a severe blow on the head with the wampum-scalp. The old man's limbs extended and quivered in pain, but the scalp adhered, just as Maidwa, in his own person, walked into the lodge and sat down, feeling perfectly at home.
The magician was so long in recovering from the stunning blow which had been dealt him, that Maidwa feared he had destroyed his life in restoring the crown of his head. Presently, however, he was pleased to see him show by the motion of his hands and limbs that his strength was returning; and in a little while he rose and stood upon his feet. What was the delight of Maidwa to behold, instead of a withered old man far advanced in years and stricken in sorrow, a bright and cheerful youth, who glittered with life as he stood up before him.
"Thank you, my friend," he said. "Your kindness and bravery of heart have restored me to my former shape. It was so ordained, and you have now accomplished the victory."
They embraced, and the young magician urged the stay of his deliverer for a few days. This invitation Maidwa was glad to accept and they formed a strong attachment to each other.