entered her home, and said: 'Will you marry me?'

The young woman was so surprised at this question that she
dropped the beaded slipper she was making, and stared at the
turtle. She felt inclined to laugh--the idea was so absurd; but
she was kind-hearted and polite, so she looked as grave as she
could, and answered:

'But how are you going to provide for a family? Why, when the
camp moves, you will not even be able to keep up with the rest!'

'I can keep up with the best of them,' replied the turtle,
tossing his head. But though he was very much offended he did
not let the girl see it, and begged and, prayed her so hard to
marry him that, at last, she consented, very unwillingly.

'You will have to wait till the spring, though,' she said; 'I
must make a great many slippers and dresses for myself, as I
shall not have much time afterwards.'

This did not please the turtle; but he knew it was no use
talking, so all he answered was:

'I shall go to war and take some captives, and I shall be away
several months. And when I return I shall expect you to be ready
to marry me.'

So he went back to his hut, and at once set about his
preparations. The first thing he did was to call all his
relations together, and ask them if they would come with him and