The Wendigo

It belongs in the dark wild woodlands of Native America and Canada

They nest in damp dark places, and are said to be cannibal?

What does that mean, as they'd be no threat to people if they 

ate themselves? Blackwood's story is about a man being carried off by 

the Wendigo. However he may have become the Wendigo himself.

Like werewolves, if they are taken by the spirit, they become transformed.

The idea is that if people lost in the wilderness resort to cannibalism, 

then they will become wendigos.

A little like werewolves.

"Simpson for the first time hesitated, then, 

ashamed of his alarm and indecision, took a few hurried steps ahead; 

 the next instant stopped dead in his tracks.

Immediately in front of him all signs of the trail ceased;

 both tracks came to an abrupt end. On all sides, for a hundred yards or more,

he searched in vain for their continuance. There was -- nothing."

He hears the guide crying out in the distance far away.

What is it that drives man to extremes, in order to survive, in the 

immense, tractless and terrible wilderness?