One night, as Manabush was lying on the ground in the thick woods, he heard strange voices. "This is no common enemy," he said to himself. But he lay motionless and listened.

The evil spirits were plotting to take his life. By his magic power he was able to defend himself from their attacks, and they slipped away unseen.

In the morning he went to the open shore. There he saw a canoe drawn up on the beach. Coming near, he found a man in the bow and another in the stern. They had been changed into stone images as a punishment for their wicked deeds.

The canoe was the largest and finest that Manabush had ever seen. It was full of bags of the most beautiful clothing and stores of the rarest food.

Manabush carried all the treasures into the wood and concealed them in a cave. Then he took the magic canoe and hid it among the rocks.

A voice was heard from one of the stone images: "In this way will the canoes of your people be loaded when they pass again along this coast."

Manabush returned to his two young companions, bidding them arise and cook. He showed them the abundance of meat and fish, the bags of maple sugar and dried berries, and other foods liked by the Indians.

Then he thought of his aged father and mother, who had fled far from their homes. Danger seemed past, and he wished them to return and share his gifts.

Westward he sailed in the magic canoe. He needed no paddles, for his wishes guided him, and the boat flew through the water with amazing speed.

Before daylight he was at the lodge of his parents. He found them asleep, and he carried them to his canoe so gently that they did not awaken.

When they awoke in the morning, they could hardly believe their eyes. They had left behind hunger and a barren lodge. They found themselves in their own country, with abundance all about them.

Food was placed before them. Then the bags were opened. There were beaded dresses for the mother and war bonnets for the father. There were moccasins and warm blankets. There were skins as soft as the most skilled work could produce.

Manabush built his parents a lodge near the cornfield and filled it with every comfort. Then he brought ears of corn and pumpkins and laid before them. He told them of his wrestling with Mondamin, and he showed them the field where the corn stood in its garments of green and yellow, waving its red plumes.

The secret of the magic canoe, the stone images, and the wonderful gifts was shared by Manabush with his father and mother.

When spring returned a large cornfield grew and prospered. The exiled tribe came back, and from that time they were noted for their fine crops of maize.