It soon grew so cold in the forest that at last one of the men declared they could walk no more , unless they could manage to warm themselves . ` That is easily done , ' said the leader , giving a kick to a large tree . Flames broke out in the trunk , and before it had burnt up they were as hot as if it had been summer . Then they started off to the place where the goats and deer were to be found in the greatest numbers , and soon had killed as many as they wanted . But the leader killed most , as he was the best shot . ` Now we must cut up the game and divide it , ' said he ; and so they did , each one taking his own share ; and , walking one behind the other , set out for the village . But when they reached a great river the young man did not want the trouble of carrying his pack any further , and left it on the bank . ' I am going home another way , ' he told his companions . And taking another road he reached the village long before they did . ` Have you returned with empty hands ? ' asked the old man , as his son opened the door . ` Have I ever done that , that you put me such a question ? ' asked the youth . ` No ; I have slain enough to feast us for many moons , but it was heavy , and I left the pack on the bank of the great river . Give me the arrows , I will finish making them , and you can go to the river and bring home the pack ! ' So the old man rose and went , and strapped the meat on his shoulder ; but as he was crossing the ford the strap broke and the pack fell into the river . He stooped to catch it , but it swirled past him . He clutched again ; but in doing so he over-balanced himself and was hurried into some rapids , where he was knocked against some rocks , and he sank and was drowned , and his body was carried down the stream into smoother water when it rose to the surface again . But by this time it had lost all likeness to a man , and was changed into a piece of wood . The wood floated on , and the river got bigger and bigger and entered a new country .
There it was borne by the current close to the shore , and a woman who was down there washing her clothes caught it as it passed , and drew it out , saying XXXXX herself : ` What a nice smooth plank !
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