` They are the children of my sister who has been on a long journey , ' replied his wife , ` and now that she knows you are my husband she wants to kill you . ' ` Oh , well , let her try , ' replied Ball-Carrier . ` It is not the first time people have wished to do that . And here I am still , you see ! ' ` Be careful , ' said the wife , ` she is very cunning . ' But at this moment the sister-in-law came up . ` How do you do , brother-in-law ? I have heard of you so often that I am very glad to meet you . I am told that you are more powerful than any man on earth , and as I am powerful too , let us try which is the strongest . ' ` That will be delightful , ' answered he . ` Suppose we begin with a short race , and then we will go on to other things . ' ` That will suit me very well , ' replied the woman , who was a witch . ` And let us agree that the one who wins shall have the right to kill the other . ' ` Oh , certainly , ' said Ball-Carrier ; ' and I do n't think we shall find a flatter course than the prairie itself -- no one knows how many miles it stretches . We will run to the end and back again . ' This being settled they both made ready for the race , and Ball-Carrier silently begged the good spirits to help him , and not to let him fall into the hands of this wicked witch . ` When the sun touches the trunk of that tree we will start , ' said she , as they both stood side by side . But with the first step Ball-Carrier changed himself into a wolf and for a long way kept ahead . Then gradually he heard her creeping up behind him , and soon she was in front . So Ball-Carrier took the shape of a pigeon and flew rapidly past her , but in a little while she was in front again and the end of the prairie was in sight . '
A crow can fly faster than a pigeon , ' thought he , and XXXXX a crow he managed to pass her and held his ground so long that he fancied she was quite beaten .
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