“The two girls, after seeing how contented and happy the rabbit seemed to be as it warmed itself by the fire, again returned to their duties in different parts of the large wigwam.  The rabbit soon after hopped a little nearer to the fire, that he might be able to seize hold of a burning stick or brand, but as he moved the ground shook and trembled under him so that it awoke the old man, who had fallen into a heavy sleep.  Thus disturbed, he called out to his daughters in alarm: 

“‘My daughters, what was it that caused the ground to tremble?’

“The girls replied that they did not know.  They had done nothing beyond their usual work except to bring in to warm a poor little shivering half-frozen rabbit that they had found outside.  At first the old man was a little suspicious and, rolling over, he took a good look at Nanahboozhoo.  But he had made himself into such a poor little wretched half-drowned rabbit that the old man’s suspicions were completely dispelled, and he turned over again and went to sleep.

“Nanahboozhoo was pleased to hear the old man snoring again, and he only waited now until the two girls should both be busy in the wigwam on the opposite side from the door; then he suddenly changed himself into a fleet young Indian runner, and quickly seizing hold of a burning stick he dashed out of the wigwam and away he rushed toward the place where he had left his canoe.

“Of course there was instant pursuit.  The two daughters, although they were magicians, like their father, well knew that they would be punished by the superior evil spirits if they allowed any of the sacred fire to be stolen, and they were furious at the cunning and deceitful Nanahboozhoo, whom they now recognized, for playing such a trick upon them.  Shouting to their father, to arouse him, they immediately ran after the retreating Nanahboozhoo, who with the burning brand in his hand was speeding rapidly over the trail.  But, fleet as he was, he soon discovered that the two girls, by their magic, were rapidly gaining upon him.  They were the fleetest of runners, even if they were girls, and it was for that reason that they and their father were intrusted with the sacred fire.  Great honors were to be theirs if they guarded it to the satisfaction of those who had intrusted it to them, while, on the other hand, great would be their disgrace if they failed in their duty.

“When they found that they were gaining on Nanahboozhoo, and were likely to regain possession of the firebrand, with shouts and threats they declared that severe indeed would be his punishment, when he fell into their hands, for his abuse of their kindness and his trickery.