WEENDIGO, wInd-ig6 (meaning 'canni bal') mythical tribe of Indians believed in by the Algonquin and other eastern races. The Chippewa and the Ottawa thought they in habited an island in Hudson Bay; while certain other tribes placed than indefinitely in the far north country. Indian stories tell of a terrible Weendigo with two faces and monstrous ears. who could see and hear everything. The 'great weendigo' was a monster so huge that his step shook the earth. So terrible was his gaze that no one looked upon him and continued to lire. For this reason no one could accurately describe him. He lived far within the forest; but, for the same reason, no one knew exactly where. Like the forest Indians, he was much of a wanderer, and consequently was found, now in one place, now in another. For this reason be was the more to be feared, as one was liable to come upon him suddenly when least expected. But though no one had lived to describe him. there were many who had heard his tramp as it shook the forest and his terrible voice as he roared in rage. Sometimes the Great Ween digo makes himself small and induces the un wary warrior or hunter to follow him: but be who does so never returns. He is much taller
than the tallest wigwam ever built, and his ears stick out like those of a mountain cat. These he uses for hunting hags: and in them he stores. for the time being all he does not care to eat. The Great Weendigo is supposed to be espe cially fond of children and to keep a supply of them constantly in his great ears. Sometimes children thus imprisoned have escaped from the Weendigo, when the proper magic has been brought to bear upon the giant. A customary way of frightening Algonquin children into be ing good was to tell them the Weendigo would catch them and put them in his ears, or roast them and cat them. Numerous mythical folk tales have grown up about the Weendigo, many of uh:ch are imaginative and dramatic. The Great Weendigo had the power of self-trans formation; and he frequently changed his form lo gain his ends. The Weendigo was firmly believed in from the Hudson Bay to the head of Lake Superior and throughout all the Al gonquin country from this line eastward.