When, however, he had arrived among them, they spoke him fair, saying he was a brave man and would do brave things. Their object was to encourage him, so that he would be bold to engage in some foolhardy trial of strength.
Without paying much heed to their fine speeches, White Feather went fearlessly into their lodge; and without waiting for invitation, he challenged them to a foot-match. They agreed; and by way of being easy at first, told him to begin the race with the smallest of their number.
The point to which they were to run was a peeled tree toward the rising sun, and then back to the starting-place, which was a war-club of iron. Whoever won this stake was empowered to use it in despatching the defeated champion. If White Feather should overcome the first giant, he was to try the second, and so on, until they had all measured speed with him. To this the giants agreed without a thought that he would survive the first trial. But White Feather feared nothing and, by a dexterous use of the vine, gained the race, struck down his competitor, and cut off his head.
The next morning he raced with the second giant, whom he also outran, killed and beheaded.
He went on in this way for five mornings, always conquering by the aid of his vine, and lopping off the heads of the vanquished.
Finally the last of the giants who was yet to run with him acknowledged his power, but prepared secretly to deceive him. By way of parley, he proposed that White Feather should leave the heads with him, and offered to give him a handsome start for odds. This White Feather declined, as he preferred to keep the heads as trophies of his victory.
On his way to the giant's lodge the sixth morning, White Feather met his old counsellor in the woods. He was standing rooted in the earth, as before. He told White Feather that he was about to give him a word of warning.
"On your way this morning," he said, "you will meet the most beautiful woman in the world, but do not trust her or pay the least attention to her. As soon as you catch her eye you must wish yourself changed into an elk. The change will take place immediately. Do not look at her again."
White Feather thanked his kind adviser, who even as he spoke was disappearing as before, then proceeded toward the lodge. He had not gone far before he met the maiden, who was, indeed, as lovely as the morning's light. This was White Feather's first sight of a maiden, and he was greatly disposed to linger. But remembering the counsellor's words, he lost no time in becoming an elk. At this the maiden began to reproach him that he had cast aside the form of a man so that he might avoid her.
"I have traveled a great distance," she said, "to see you and to become your wife; for I have heard of your great achievements and admire you very much."