When it began to be dark, some one crept up to the window hole and said, “Hello.” It was the kind man, and happy indeed was the poor little boy to hear the voice of his friend.
The man was very much surprised to hear the boy’s answering “Hello,” and very much pleased, and said, “Last night, the wicked shaman transformed himself into a snake and went out. In the morning he came crawling back without his stomach, and died. You killed that shaman, I am sure. Now tonight your uncle sent for the very highest shaman of all, and told him he must kill you himself. I am afraid he will succeed this time, with his great magic. You must try your very best to save yourself any way.”
Leaving some food and water, the kind man went away, and the boy, shivering with cold and fright, crept back into his bag.
Pretty soon he heard a great noise by the door, and there was a bigger snake than before; a real monster this time. My! How scared that poor little boy was!
He looked about for a weapon to fight the snake with, but there was none.
Nearer and nearer came the horrible creature, with his mouth wide open.
Then the boy’s eyes fell upon the big stone lamp. It was very heavy, but he took it in his hands and went right up to the snake.
“If you are going to eat me, Snake,” he said, “open your mouth as wide as you can, and swallow me quick.” The snake hissed loudly, and opened his mouth very wide, and the boy threw the lamp right down the monster’s throat. When the snake had swallowed the lamp, he thought it was the boy and went out. After that the boy got into the bag as before and slept until morning.
As soon as it was daylight the chief came to see if the shaman had obeyed his command. He looked down through the window and saw the boy standing there looking up at him. He surely was surprised.
“How dare you be alive?” said he. “This is the last day for you anyway. If the shaman can’t kill you, I will do it myself.”
Long after the uncle had gone, when it began to be dark, some one came to the window hole and shouted, “Hello!” It was his friend, and how happy it made the little boy to hear that kind voice!
“I am thankful that you are alive,” said the voice. “When the shaman came back last night, he said he had something heavy inside of him, and this morning he was dead. I am sure you killed the wicked shaman, but I fear you will be dead tomorrow yourself. Your uncle has told every man to try to kill you, but I brought you a little spear, and a bow, and a crown; also a warm parka, and some oil. When you put on your clothes, take some of this oil and grease yourself all over, then take some coals from one of the lamps and blacken your face. When you have done this, sit still until your uncle calls you; then go out.”
