On this day there was to be a series of contests among the lads of the village to decide which of them was most worthy to become Bow-bearer to Micco, their chief and his father.

This was considered a most honorable position to occupy, and he who succeeded in winning it and filling it satisfactorily for a year was, at the expiration of that time, granted all the privileges of a warrior.
The contests were to be in shooting with bows and arrows, hurling the javelin, running, and wrestling.

Has-se had set his heart upon obtaining this position, and had long been in training for the contests.

His most dreaded rival was Chitta; and, while Has-se felt ready to meet the snake in the games of running, shooting, and hurling the javelin, he feared that with his greater weight the latter would prove more than a match for him in wrestling.

Could Ta-lah-lo-ko advise and help him in this matter?
"Ay, that can I, Has-se, my lad," cried Rene; "thou couldst not have hit upon a happier expedient than that of asking advice of me.