She cried to her master that someone had stolen both the bag and the bridge , and the Bad One rushed in , mad with anger , and bade her go and seek for footsteps outside , that they might find out where the thief had gone . In a few minutes she returned , saying that he must be in the house , as she could not see any footsteps leading to the river , and began to move all the furniture in the room , without discovering Ball Carrier . ` But he must be here somewhere , ' she said to herself , examining for the second time the pile of buffalo skins ; and Ball-Carrier , knowing that he could not possibly escape now , hastily wished that the Bad One should be unable to eat any more food at present . ` Ah , there is a slit in this one , ' cried the servant , shaking the skin ; ` and here he is . ' And she pulled out Ball-Carrier , looking so lean and small that he would hardly have made a mouthful for a sparrow . ` Was it you who took my gold and bridge ? ' asked the Bad One . ` Yes , ' answered Ball-Carrier , ` it was I who took them . ' The Bad One made a sign to the woman , who inquired where he had hidden them . He lifted his left arm where the gold was , and she picked up a knife and scraped his skin so that no gold should be left sticking to it . ` What have you done with the bridge ? ' said she . And he lifted his right arm , from which she took the bridge , while the Bad One looked on , well pleased . ` Be sure that he does not run away , ' chuckled he . ` Boil some water , and get him ready for cooking , while I go and invite my friends the water-demons to the feast . ' The woman seized Ball-Carrier between her finger and thumb , and was going to carry him to the kitchen , when the boy spoke : ' I am very lean and small now , ' he said , ` hardly worth the trouble of cooking ; but if you were to keep me two days , and gave me plenty of food , I should get big and fat . As it is , your friends the water-demons would think you meant to laugh at them , when they found that I was the feast . ' ` Well , perhaps you are right , ' answered the Bad One ; ' I will keep you for two days . ' And he went out to visit the water-demons . Meanwhile the servant , whose name was Lung Woman , led him into a little shed , and chained him up to a ring in the wall .
But food was given him every hour , and at the end of two days he was as fat and big XXXXX a Christmas turkey , and could hardly move his head from one side to the other .
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