"'How came we to this place?' she asked.
"'By the magic of the moccasins of the wind,' he told her, pointing down at the gaily beaded shoes on his feet.
"She trembled and hid her face. 'It was like death,' she said.
"Then the youth understood that to endure the tremendous flight of the moccasins one must also be possessed of their strength. For hours they wandered about in search of shelter and food. In unhurried motion the young man's feet experienced none of the magic. He was thankful for that. At last the girl sank on the ice, faint for want of food and drink. Then the man bethought him of the red arrow, and, fitting it to his bow, fired it at a distance.
"'Its virtue is so great,' he thought, 'that it may bring a fowl or a fish to me, to keep this woman from death.' In a second the arrow was at his feet, and midway on the red shaft hung the wallet of plenty. Thankfully they ate and drank, and hearts and bodies recovered strength.
"Many moons later the possessor of the red arrow, accompanied by the beautiful young woman, approached the lodges of his own people. At his belt, securely wrapped in water-tight skins, he carried the moccasins of the wind and the wallet of plenty. He was an honest man, and wished to return them to the rightful owners uninjured. A mile from the village they met the second brother—the man who had chosen the wallet of plenty from among the three gifts. Upon his shoulders he carried a great stick of maple-wood. In appearance he had changed surprisingly since the other's departure. The muscles stood out on his lean arms and legs, and his eyes were merry; whereas of old his limbs had been heavy with fat and his eyes dull.
"'Why do you carry that great log?' asked the wanderer, after they had exchanged brotherly greetings.
"'To split and store away, for the making of paddles and arrow-shafts in the stormy days of winter,' replied the other.
"The wanderer handed him the wallet of plenty—but, upon opening it, they found that it was empty.
"''Tis better so,' remarked the maker of paddles, as he hoisted the stick of maple back to his shoulders.