Thisdone，heturnedtowardhissecretdwelling。
Ashewalkedrapidlyandnoiselesslythroughthehiddenvalleysandalongthesingingstreams，henoticedfreshsignsofthedeer，elk，andotherwildtribesamongwhomhehadchosentoabide。\"Theyshallbemypeople，\"hesaidtohimself。
Behindagroupofcedarshepausedtorec—
onnoiter，andsawthepine—boughwigwamlikeagiantplant，eachrowofboughsoverlappingtheprecedingcircularrowlikethescalesofafish。Stasuwassittingbeforeituponabuffalo—
robe，attiredinherbestdoeskingown。Herdelicateovalfacewastouchedwithredpaint，andherslenderbrownhandswereoccupiedwithamoccasinmeantforhimtowear。Hecouldscarcelybelievethatitwasamortalwomanthathesawbeforehiminbroadday——theprideofNoMan’sTrail，forthatiswhattheCrowIndianscallthatvalley！
\"Ho，ho，kechuwa！\"heexclaimedasheapproachedher，andherheartleapedinrecog—
nitionofthemagneticwordsoflove。
\"Itisgoodthatwearealone！IshallneverwanttogobacktomypeoplesolongasIhaveyou。Icandwellherewithyouforever，un—
lessyoushouldthinkotherwise！\"sheexclaimedinherowntongue，accompaniedbygraphicsigns。
\"Ho，Ithinkofnothingelse！Icanseeineverycreatureonlyfriendlywaysandgoodfeeling。Wecanlivealonehere，happily，un—
lessyoushouldfeeldifferently，\"herepliedinhisownlanguagewiththesigns，sothathisbrideunderstoodhim。
Theenvironmentwasjustwhatitshouldbewhentwopeopleareunitedinmarriage。TheweddingmusicwasplayedbyNature，andtrees，brooks，andthebirdsoftheaircontributedtheirpeculiarstrainstoagreatharmony。AllofthepeopleonNoMan’sTrailwerepolite，andunderstoodthereservesoflove。Thesetwohadyieldedtoasimpleandnaturalim—
pulse;butitsonlyjustificationtotheirmindswasthemysteriousleadingofthetwinspirit！
Thatwasthesumtotaloftheirexcuse，anditwasenough。
Beforetherigorofwinterhadsetin，Tatokabroughttohisbridemanybuffaloskins。Shewasthoroughlyschooledintheartsofsav—
agewomanhood;infact，everyIndianmaidwastrainedwiththisthoughtinview——thatsheshouldbecomeabeautiful，strong，skillfulwifeandmother——themotherofanobleraceofwarriors！
Inashorttimewithinthatgreenandpine—
scentedenclosuretheresmiledalittlewildpara—
dise。Hardbythepine—boughwigwamtherestoodanewwhitebuffalo—skinteepee，tanned，cut，sewed，andpitchedbythehandsofStasu。
Awayinthewoods，downbytherushingbrook，washertannery，andnotfaraway，inasunny，openspot，shepreparedhersun—curedmeatsforwinteruse。Herkitchenwasastonefireplaceinashadyspot，andherparlorwasthelodgeofevergreen，overhungontwosidesbyinac—
cessibleledges，andboundedontheothertwobythesparklingstream。Itwasasecretplace，andyetacitadel;asilentplace，andyetnotlonely！
Thewinterwascoldandlong，butthepairwerehappyinoneanother’scompany，andac—
ceptedtheirstrangelotasonethatwaschosenforthembythespirits。Stasuhadinsisteduponherhusbandspeakingtoherinhisownlanguage，thatshemightlearnitquickly。Inalittlewhileshewasabletoconversewithhim，andwhenshehadacquiredhislanguageshetaughthimhers。
WhileAntelopewasoccupiedwithhuntingandexploringthecountry，alwayskeepinginmindthedangerofdiscoverybysomewander—
ingscoutorhunter，hiswifegrewwellac—
quaintedwiththewildinhabitantsofNoMan’sTrail。Thesepeopleareasfullofcuriosityasman，andastheSiouxneverhuntednearhishome，theywereentirelyfearless。ManycametothedoorofStasu’slodge，andshewasnotafraid，butofferedthemfoodandspoketothemkindly。Allanimalsjudgebysignsandarequickinreadingtonesandgestures;
sothattheReegirlsoonhadgrandfathersandgrandmothers，aftertheIndianfashion，amongthewolvesandbearsthatcameoftenestforfood。
Herhusbandinthefieldhadalsohisfellow—
huntersandfriends。Whenhekilledthebuf—
falohealwaysleftenoughmeatforthewolves，theeagles，andtheravenstofeastupon，andthesewatchedforthecomingofthelonelywildman。Morethanoncetheytoldhimbytheiractionsofthepresenceofadistantcamp—
fire，butineachinstanceitprovedtobeasmallwar—partywhichhadpassedbelowthemonthetrail。
Againitwassummer。Neverhadthemoun—
tainslookedgranderormoremysterioustotheeyesofthetwo。Thevalleywasfullofthemusicandhappinessofthewingedsummerpeo—
ple;thetreesworetheirsummerattire，andthemeadowitsgreenblanket。Thereweremanyhomesmadehappybythecomingoflittlepeo—
pleeverywhere，butnopairwashappierthanStasuandherhusbandwhenonemorningtheysawtheirlittlebravelyingwrappedinsoftdeerskins，andheardforthefirsttimehisplaintivevoice！
Thatmorning，whenAntelopesetoutonthehunt，hestoppedatthestreamandlookedathimselfseriouslytoseewhetherhehadchangedsincethedaybefore。Hemustnowappearmuchgraver，hesaidtohimself，becauseheisthefatherofanewman！
Inspiteofhimself，histhoughtswerewithhisownpeople，andhewonderedwhathisoldgrandmotherwouldhavesaidtohischild！HelookedawayofftowardtheBlackHills，totheSiouxcountry，andinhishearthesaid，\"Iamacoward！\"
Theboygrewnaturally，andneverfeltthelackofplaymatesandcompanions，forhismotherwasingeniousindevisingplaysforhim，andinwinningforhimtheconfidenceandkindnessoftheanimalfriends。HewastheyoungchiefandtheheroofNoMan’sTrail！
Thebearsandwolveswerehiswarriors;thebuffaloandelkthehostiletribesuponwhomhewenttowar。Smallashewas，hesoonpre—
ferredtoroamaloneinthewoods。Hispar—
entswereoftenanxious，but，ontheotherhand，theyentertainedthehopethathewouldsomedaybe\"wakan，\"amysteriousorsupernaturalman，forhewasgettingpowerfromhiswildcompanionsandfromthesilentforcesofnature。
Oneday，whenhewasaboutfiveyearsold，hegaveadanceforhiswildpetsuponthelittleplateauwhichwasstilltheirhome。HehadclothedMato，thebear，inoneofhisfather’ssuitsasagreatmedicine—man。Waho，thewolf，waspaintedupasabrave;andtheyoungbuffalocalfwasattiredinoneofhismother’sgowns。Theboyactedaschiefandmasterofceremonies。
Thesavagemotherwatchedhimwithun—
disguisedpride，mingledwithsorrow。Tearscourseddownherduskycheeks，althoughatthesametimeshecouldnothelplaughingheartilyatthestrangeperformance。Whentheplaywasended，andshehadservedthefeastatitsclose，Stasuseemedlostinthought。
\"Heshouldnotliveinthisway，\"shewassayingtoherself。\"Heshouldknowthetra—
ditionsandgreatdeedsofmypeople！Surelyhisgrandfatherwouldbeproudoftheboy！\"
Thatevening，whiletheboyslept，andMatolayoutsidethelodgeeagerlylisteningandsnif—
fingthenightair，theparentssatsilentandillatease。AfteralongtimeStasuspokehermind。
\"Myhusband，youaskmewhyIamsad。
ItisbecauseIthinkthattheGreatMysterywillbedispleasedifwekeepthislittleboyfor—
everinthewilderness。Itiswrongtoallowhimtogrowupamongwildanimals;andifsicknessoraccidentshoulddeprivehimofhisfatherandmother，ourspiritswouldneverrest，becausewehadlefthimalone！Ihavedecidedtoaskyoutotakeusback，eithertoyourpeo—
pleortomypeople。Wemustsacrificeourpride，or，ifneedsbe，ourlives，forhislifeandhappiness！\"
ThisspeechofStasu’swasasurprisetoherhusband。Hiseyesresteduponthegroundashelistened，andhisfaceassumedtheproverbialstoicalaspect，yetinittherewasnotlackingacertainnobleness。Atlastheliftedhiseyestohers，andsaid：
\"Youhavespokenwisewords，anditshallbeasyouhavesaid。Weshallreturntoyourpeople。IfIamtodieatthehandsofthean—
cientenemyoftheSioux，Ishalldiebecauseofmyloveforyou，andforourchild。ButI
cannotgobacktomyownpeopletoberidiculedbyunworthyyoungmenforyieldingtoloveofaReemaiden！\"
TherewasmuchfeelingbehindthesewordsofAntelope。Therigidcustomsofhispeoplearealmostareligion，andthereisonethingaboveallelsewhichaSiouxcannotbear——thatistheridiculeofhisfellow—warriors。Yes，hecanendureseverepunishmentorevendeathatthehandsoftheenemyratherthanasinglelaughofderisionfromaSioux！
Inafewdaysthehousholdarticleswerepacked，andthethreesadlyturnedtheirbacksupontheirhome。Stasuandherhusbandwereverysilentastheytraveledslowlyalong。Whentheyreachedthehillcalled\"Born—of—Day，\"
andshesawfromitssummitthecountryofherpeoplelyingbelowher，shecriedaloud，weep—
inghappytears。Antelopesatnearbywithbowedhead，silentlysmoking。
Finallyonthefifthdaytheyarrivedwithinsightofthegreatpermanentvillageofthethreetribes。Theysawtheearthlodgesasofold，thicklyclusteredalongtheflatsoftheMis—
souri，amongtheirrustlingmaize—fields。Ante—
lopestopped。\"Ithinkyouhadbettergivemesomethingtoeat，woman，\"hesaid，smil—
ing。ItwastheSiouxwayofsaying，\"Letmehavemylastmeal！\"
Aftertheyhadeaten，Stasuopenedherbuck—
skinbagsandgaveherhusbandhisfinestsuit。
Hedressedhimselfcarefullyinthefashionofhistribe，puttingonallthefeatherstowhichhewasentitledasawarrior。Theboyalsowasdeckedoutingalaattire，andStasu，thematron，hadneverlookedmorebeautifulinhergownofceremonywiththedecorationofelks’teeth，thesamethatshehadwornontheeveningofherdisappearance。
Asshedressedherself，theunwelcomethoughtforceditselfuponher，——\"Whatifmyloveiskilledbymyowncountrymenintheirfrenzy？Thisbeautifulgownmustthengiveplacetoapoorone，andthishairwillbecutshort！\"forsuchisthemourningofthewidowamongherpeople。
Thethreerodeopenlydownthelongslope，andwereinstantlydiscoveredbythepeopleofthevillage。Soontheplainwasblackwiththeapproachingriders。Stasuhadbeggedherhus—
bandtoremainbehind，whileshewentonalonewiththeboytoobtainforgiveness，buthesternlyrefused，andcontinuedinadvance。
WhentheforemostReewarriorscamewithinarrow—shottheybegantoshoot，towhichhepaidnoattention。
Butthechildscreamedwithterror，andStasucriedoutinherowntongue：
\"Donotshoot！Iamthedaughterofyourchief！\"
Oneofthemreturnedthereply：\"SheiskilledbytheSioux！\"Butwhentheleaderssawherplainlytheywereastounded。
Foratimetherewasgreatconfusion。Someheldthattheyshouldalldie，forthewomanhadbeenguiltyoftreasontoherpeople，andevennowshemightbeplayingatrickuponthem。WhocouldsaythatbehindthathilltherewasnotaSiouxwar—party？
\"No，no，\"repliedothers。\"Theyareinourpower。Letthemtelltheirstory！\"
Stasutolditsimply，andsaidinconclusion：
\"Thisman，oneofthebravestandmosthonorablemenofhistribe，desertedonthenightoftheattack，andallbecausehelovedaReemaiden！Henowcomestobeyourbrother—in—law，whowillfighthenceforthforyouandwithyou，evenifitbeagainsthisownpeople。
\"Hedoesnotbegformercy——hecandareanything！ButIamawoman——myheartissoft——Iaskforthelivesofmyhusbandandmyson，whoisthegrandsonofyourchief！\"
\"Heisacowardwhotouchesthisman！\"
exclaimedtheleader，andathunderofwar—
whoopswentupinapprovalofhiswords。
Thewarriorsformedthemselvesintwogreatcolumns，ridingtwentyabreast，behindandinfrontofthestrangers。Theoldchiefcameouttomeetthem，andtookhisson—in—
law’shand。Thustheyenteredthevillageinbattlearray，butwithheartstouchedwithwon—
derandgreatgladness，dischargingtheirar—
rowsupwardincloudsandsingingpeace—songs。
II
THEMADNESSOFBALDEAGLE
\"Itwasmanyyearsago，whenIwasonlyachild，\"beganWhiteGhost，thepatri—
archaloldchiefoftheYanktonnaisSioux，\"thatourbandwasengagedinades—
peratebattlewiththeReesandMandans。Thecauseofthefightwasapeculiarone。Iwilltellyouaboutit。\"Andhelaidasidehislong—
stemmedpipeandsettledhimselftotherecital。
\"AtthattimetheYanktonnaisnumberedalittleoverfortyfamilies。WewerenicknamedbytheotherbandsShunkikcheka，orDomesticDogs，becauseofourowninglargenumbersoftheseanimals。Myfatherwastheheadchief。
\"Ourfavoritewinteringplacewasatim—
beredtractnearthemouthoftheGrandRiver，anditwasherethatwemettheBlackfootSiouxinthefallhunt。OntheoppositesideoftheriverfromourcampwasthepermanentvillageoftheReesandMandans，whosehouseswereofdirtandpartlyunderground。Forahun—
dredyearsbeforethistimetheyhadplantedlargegardens，andwewereaccustomedtobuyofthemcorn，beans，andpumpkins。Fromtimetotimeourpeoplehadmadetreatiesofpeacewiththem。EachfamilyoftheReeshadoneortwobuffaloboats——notround，astheSiouxmadethem，buttwoorthreeskinslong。Intheseboatstheybroughtquantitiesofdriedbeansandothervegetablestotradewithusforjerkedbuffalomeat。
\"Itwasagreatgatheringandatimeofgen—
eralfestivityandhospitality。TheSiouxyoungmenwerecourtingtheReegirls，andtheReebraveswerecourtingourgirls，whiletheoldpeoplebarteredtheirproduce。Alldaytheriverwasalivewithcanoesanditsbanksrangwiththelaughteroftheyouthsandmaidens。
\"Myfather’syoungerbrother，whosenamewasBigWhip，hadaclosefriend，ayoungmanwhoeveraftertheeventofwhichIamabouttotellyouwasknownasBaldEagle。Theywerebothdaringyoungmenandveryambitiousfordistinction。TheyhadbeenfollowingtheReegirlstotheircanoesastheyreturnedtotheirhomesintheevening。
\"BigWhipandhisfriendstoodupontheriverbankatsunset，onewithaquiverfullofarrowsuponhisbackwhiletheothercarriedagununderhisblanket。Nearlyallthepeo—
pleoftheothervillagehadcrossedtheriver，andthechiefoftheRees，whosenamewasBaldEagle，wenthomewithhiswifelastofall。Itwasaboutduskastheyenteredtheirbullhideboat，andthetwoSiouxstoodtherelookingatthem。
\"SuddenlyBigWhipexclaimed：’Friend，letuskillthechief。Idareyoutokillandscalphim！’Hisfriendreplied：
\"’Itshallbeasyousay。Iwillstandbyyouinallthings。Iamwillingtodiewithyou。’
\"AccordinglyBaldEaglepulledouthisgunandshottheReedead。Fromthatdayhetookhisname。Theoldmanfellbackwardintohisboat，andtheoldwomanscreamedandweptassherowedhimacrosstheriver。Theotheryoungmanshotanarrowortwoatthewife，butshecontinuedtorowuntilshereachedtheotherbank。
\"Therewasgreatexcitementonbothsidesoftheriverassoonasthepeoplesawwhathadhappened。ThereweretwocampsofSioux，theBlackfootSiouxandtheYanktonnais，orourpeople。OfcoursetheMandansandReesgreatlyoutnumberedus;theircampmusthavenumberedtwoorthreethousand，whichwasmorethanwehadinourcombinedcamps。
\"TherewasaSiouxwhosenamewasBlackShield，whohadintermarriedamongtheRees。
HecamedowntotheoppositebankoftheMis—
souriandshoutedtous：
\"’OfwhichoneofyourbandsisthemanwhokilledBaldEagle？’
\"OneoftheBlackfootSiouxreplied：
\"’ItisamanoftheYanktonnaisSiouxwhokilledBaldEagle。’
\"Thenhesaid：’TheReeswishtodobattlewiththem;youhadbetterwithdrawfromtheircamp。’
\"AccordinglytheBlackfeetretiredaboutamilefromusuponthebluffsandpitchedtheirtents，whiletheYanktonnaisremainedontheflats。Thetwobandshadbeengreatrivalsincourageandtheartofwar，sowedidnotaskforhelpfromourkinsfolk，butduringthenightwedugtrenchesaboutthecamp，theinneroneforthewomenandchildren，andtheouteroneforthementostayinanddobattle。
\"Thenextmorningatdaybreaktheenemylandedandapproachedourcampingreatnum—
bers。Someoftheirwomenandoldmencamealso，andsatuponthebluffstowatchthefightandtocarryofftheirdeadandwounded。TheBlackfeetlikewisewerewatchingthebattlefromthebluffs，andjustbeforethefightbeganoneBlackfootcameinwithhiswifeandjoinedus。HisnamewasRedDog’sTrack，butfromthatdayhewascalledHe—Came—Back。HiswifewasaYanktonnais，andhehadsaidtoher：’IfIdon’tjoinyourtribeto—day，mybrothers—in—lawwillcallmeacoward。’
\"TheSiouxwerewellentrenchedandwellarmedwithgunsandarrows，andtheiraimwasdeadly，sothattheReescrawledupgradu—
allyandtookeveryopportunitytopickoffanySiouxwhoventuredtoshowhisheadabovethetrenches。InlikemannereveryReewhoex—
posedhimselfwassuretodie。
\"Uptothistimenoonehadseenthetwomenwhomadeallthetrouble。Therewasanaturalhollowinthebank，concealedbybuffaloberrybushes，verynearwheretheystoodwhenBaldEagleshottheRee。
\"’Friend，’saidBigWhip，’itislikelythatourownpeoplewillpunishusforthisdeed。
Theywillpursueandkilluswherevertheyfindus。Theyhavetherighttodothis。Thebestthingistodropintothiswashoutandremainthereuntiltheyceasetolookforus。’
\"Theydidso，andremainedhiddenduringthenight。But，afterthefightbegan，BigWhipsaidagain：’Friend，wearethecauseofthedeathsofmanybravementhisday。Wecom—
mittedtheacttoshowourbravery。Wedaredeachothertodoit。Itwillnowbecomeusaswarriorstojoinourband。’
\"Theybothstripped，andtakingtheirweap—
onsinhand，rantowardthecamp。Theyhadtopassdirectlythroughtheenemy’slines，buttheywerenotrecognizedtilltheyhadfairlypassedthem。Thentheywerebetweentwofires。Whentheyhadalmostreachedtheen—
trenchmenttheyfacedaboutandfiredattheRees，jumpingaboutincessantlytoavoidbeinghit，asistheIndianfashion。Bulletsandar—
rowswereflyingallaboutthemlikehail，butatlasttheydroppedbackunhurtintotheSiouxtrenches。Thusthetwomensavedtheirrepu—
tationforbravery，andtheirpeopleneveropenlyreproachedthemfortheeventsofthatday。Youngmenareoftenrash，butitisnotwelltoreproveoneforabravedeedlesthebecomeacoward。
\"Manywerekilled，butmoreoftheReesthanofourband。Aboutthemiddleoftheafternoontherecameacoldrain。Itwasinthefalloftheyear。Thebow—stringswerewet，andthegunswereonlyflint—locks。Youknowwhentheflintbecomeswetitisuseless，anditlookedasifthefightmustbewithknives。
\"ButtheReesweremuchdisheartened。
Theyhadlostmany。Thewomenwereallthetimecarryingoffthewounded，andthereweretheBlackfootSiouxwatchingthemfromthehills。Theyturnedandfledtowardtheriver。
TheSiouxfollowedlikecrazywolves，toma—
hawkingthetiredandslowones。Manywerekilledattheboats，andsomeoftheboatswerepuncturedwithshotandsank。SomecarriedaloadofSiouxarrowsbackacrosstheriver。
Thatwasthegreatestbattleeverfoughtbyourband，\"theoldmanconcluded，withadeepsighofmingledsatisfactionandregret。
THESINGINGSPIRIT
I
\"Homysteed，wemustclimbonemorehill！Myreputationdependsuponmyreport！\"
Anookasanaddressedhisponyasifhewereahumancompanion，urgedonlikehimselfbyhumanneedandhumanambition。Andyetinhishearthehadverylittlehopeofsightinganybuffalointhatregionatjustthattimeoftheyear。
TheYanktonSiouxwereordinarilythemostfar—sightedoftheirpeopleinselectingawintercamp，butthisyearthelatefallhadcaughtthemratherfareastoftheMissouribottoms，theirfavoritecamping—ground。TheupperJimRiver，calledbytheSiouxtheRiverofGrayWoods，wasusuallybareoflargegameatthatseason。Theirstoreofjerkedbuffalomeatdidnotholdoutastheyhadhoped，andbyMarchitbecameanurgentnecessitytosendoutscoutsforbuffalo。
Theoldmenatthetiyoteepee（councillodge）heldalongcouncil。Itwasdecidedtoselecttenoftheirbravestandhardiestyoungmentoexplorethecountrywithinthreedays’
journeyoftheircamp。
\"Anookasan，uyeyo—o—o，woo，woo！\"Thusthetenmenweresummonedtothecouncillodgeearlyintheeveningtoreceivetheircommis—
sion。Anookasanwasthefirstcalledandfirsttocrossthecircleoftheteepees。Ayoungmanofsomethirtyyears，oftheoriginalnativetype，hismassiveformwaswrappedinafinebuffalorobewiththehairinside。Heworeastatelyeaglefeatherinhisscalp—lock，butnopaintabouthisface。
Asheenteredthelodgealltheinmatesgreetedhimwithmarkedrespect，andhewasgiventheplaceofhonor。Whenallwereseatedthegreatdrumwasstruckandasongsungbyfourdeep—chestedmen。Thiswasthepreludetoapeculiarceremony。
Alargeredpipe，whichhadbeenfilledandlaidcarefullyuponthecentralhearth，wasnowtakenupbyanoldman，whosefacewaspaintedred。Firstheheldittothegroundwiththewords：\"GreatMother，partakeofthis！\"
Thenheheldittowardthesky，saying：\"GreatFather，smokethis！\"Finallyhelightedit，tookfourpuffs，pointingittothefourcornersoftheearthinturn，andlastlypresentedittoAnookasan。Thiswastheoathofoffice，administeredbythechiefofthecouncillodge。
Theothernineweresimilarlycommissioned，andallacceptedtheappointment。
Itwasnolighttaskthatwasthusreligiouslyenjoineduponthesetenmen。Itmeantattheleastseveraldaysandnightsofwanderinginsearchofsignsofthewilybuffalo。Itwasapublicduty，andapersonaloneaswell;onethatmustinvolveuntoldhardship;andifover—
takenbystormthemessengerswereinperilofdeath！
Anookasanreturnedtohisteepeewithsomemisgiving。Hisoldcharger，whichhadsooftencarriedhimtovictory，wasnotsostrongashehadbeeninhisprime。Ashismasterapproachedthelodgetheoldhorsewelcomedhimwithagentlewhinny。Hewasalwaystetherednearby，readyforanyemergency。
\"Ah，Wakan！weareoncemorecalledupontododuty！Weshallsetoutbeforeday—
break。\"
Ashespoke，hepushednearerafewstripsofthepoplarbark，whichwasoatstotheIndianponyoftheoldentime。
Anookasanhadhisextrapairofbuffaloskinmoccasinswiththehairinside，andhisscantyprovisionofdriedmeatneatlydoneupinasmallpacketandfastenedtohissaddle。Withhiscompanionshestartednorthward，uptheRiveroftheGrayWoods，fiveontheeastsideandalikenumberonthewest。
Thepartyhadseparatedeachmorning，soastocoverasmuchgroundaspossible，havingagreedtoreturnatnighttotheriver。Itwasnowthethirdday;theirfoodwasallbutgone，theirsteedsmuchworn，andthesignsseemedtoindicateastorm。Yetthehungeroftheirfriendsandtheirownprideimpelledthemtopersist，foroutofmanyyoungmentheyhadbeenchosen，thereforetheymustprovethem—
selvesequaltotheoccasion。
Thesun，nowwelltowardthewesternhori—
zon，castoversnow—coveredplainsapurplishlight。Nolivingcreaturewasinsightandthequestseemedhopeless，butAnookasanwasnotonetoacceptdefeat。
\"Theremaybeanoutlookfromyonderhillwhichwillturnfailureintosuccess，\"hethought，ashedughisheelsintothesidesofhisfaith—
fulnag。Atthesametimehestarteda\"StrongHeart\"songtokeephiscourageup！
Atthesummitoftheascenthepausedandgazedsteadilybeforehim。Atthefootofthenextcoteauhebeheldastripofblack。Hestrainedhiseyestolook，forthesunhadal—
readysetbehindthehilltops。Itwasagreatherdofbuffaloes，hethought，whichwasgraz—
ingonthefoot—hills。
\"Hihi，uncheedah！Hi，hi，tunkasheedah！\"
hewasabouttoexclaimingratitude，when，lookingmoreclosely，hediscoveredhismistake。
Thedarkpatchwasonlytimber。
Hishorsecouldnotcarryhimanyfurther，sohegotoffandranbehindhimtowardtheriver。Atduskhehailedhiscompanions。
\"Ho，whatsuccess？\"onecried。
\"Notasignofevenalonebull，\"repliedan—
other。
\"YetIsawagraywolfgoingnorththisevening。Hisdirectionispropitious，\"re—
markedAnookasan，asheledtheothersdowntheslopeandintotheheavytimber。Theriverjustheremadeasharpturn，formingadenselywoodedsemicircle，intheshelterofahighbluff。
Thebraveswerealldownheartedbecauseoftheirill—luck，andonlythesanguinespiritofAnookasankeptthemfromutterdiscourage—
ment。Theirslightrepasthadbeentakenandeachmanhadprovidedhimselfwithabundanceofdrygrassandtwigsforabed。Theyhadbuiltatemporarywigwamofthesamemate—
rial，inthecenterofwhichtherewasagen—
erousfire。Eachmanstretchedhimselfoutuponhisrobeintheglowofit。Anookasanfilledtheredpipe，and，havinglightedit，hetookoneortwohastypuffsandheldituptothemoon，whichwasscarcelyvisiblebehindthecoldclouds。
\"GreatMother，partakeofthissmoke！
MayIeatmeatto—morrow！\"heexclaimedwithsolemnity。Havingutteredthisprayer，hehandedthepipetothemannearesthim。
Foratimetheyallsmokedinsilence;thencameadistantcall。
\"Ah，itisShunkmanito，thewolf！Thereissomethingcheeringinhisvoiceto—night，\"
declaredAnookasan。\"Yes，Iamsureheistellingusnottobediscouraged。Youknowthatthewolfisoneofourbestfriendsintrou—
ble。Manyaonehasbeenguidedbacktohishomebyhiminablizzard，orledtogamewhenindesperateneed。Myfriends，letusnotturnbackinthemorning;letusgonorthonemoreday！\"
Nooneansweredimmediately，andagainsilencereigned，whileonebyonetheypulledthereluctantwhiffsofsmokethroughthelongstemofthecalumet。
\"Whatisthat？\"saidoneofthemen，andalllistenedintentlytocatchthedelicatesound。
Theywerefamiliarwithallthenoisesofthenightandvoicesoftheforest，butthiswasnotlikeanyofthem。
\"Itsoundslikethesongofamosquito，andonemightforgetwhilehelistensthatthisisnotmidsummer，\"saidone。
\"Ihearalsothemedicine—man’ssingledrum—
beat，\"suggestedanother。
\"Thereisatradition，\"remarkedAnookasan，thatmanyyearsagoapartyofhunterswentuptheriveronascoutlikethisofours。Theyneverreturned。Afterward，inthesummer，theirboneswerefoundnearthehomeofastrangecreature，saidtobealittleman，buthehadhairalloverhim。TheIsanteescallhimChanotedah。OuroldmengivehimthenameOglugechana。Thissingularbeingissaidtobenolargerthananew—bornbabe。Hespeaksanunknowntongue。
\"ThehomeofOglugechanaisusuallyahol—
lowstump，aroundwhichallofthenearesttreesarefelledbylightning。Thereisanopenspotinthedeepwoodswhereverhedwells。Hisweaponsaretheplumesofvariousbirds。Greatnumbersofthesevariegatedfeathersaretobefoundinthedesertedlodgeofthelittleman。
\"ItistoldbytheoldmenthatOglugechanahasaweirdmusicbywhichhesometimesbe—
witcheslonetravelers。Heleadsthemhitherandthitherabouthisplaceuntiltheyhavelosttheirsenses。Thenhespeakstothem。Hemaymakeofthemgreatwar—prophetsormedicine—
men，buthiscommandsarehardtofulfill。Ifanyoneseeshimandcomesawaybeforeheisbewildered，themandiesassoonashesmellsthecamp—fire，orwhenheentershishomehisnearestrelativediessuddenly。\"
Thewarriorwhorelatedthislegendassumedtheairofonewhonarratesauthentichistory，andhislistenersappearedtobeseriouslyim—
pressed。Whatwecallthesupernaturalwasasrealtothemasanypartoftheirlives。
\"Thisthingdoesnotstoptobreatheatall。
Hismusicseemstogoonendlessly，\"saidone，withconsiderableuneasiness。
\"Itcomesfromtheheavytimbernorthofus，underthehighcliff，\"reportedawarriorwhohadsteppedoutsideoftherudetemporarystructuretoinformhimselfmoreclearlyofthedirectionofthesound。
\"Anookasan，youareourleader——telluswhatweshoulddo！Wewillfollowyou。I
believeweoughttoleavethisspotimmediately。
Thisisperhapsthespiritofsomedeadenemy，\"
suggestedanother。Meanwhile，theredpipewasrefilledandsentaroundthecircletocalmtheirdisturbedspirits。
Whenthecalumetreturnedatlasttotheoneaddressed，hetookitinapreoccupiedmanner，andspokebetweenlaboredpullsonthestem。
\"Iamjustlikeyourselves——nothingmorethanflesh——withaspiritthatisasreadytoleavemeaswatertorunfromapuncturedwater—bag！Whenwethinkthus，weareweak。
Letusratherthinkuponthebravedeedsofourancestors！Thissingingspirithasagentlevoice;Iamreadytofollowandlearnifitbeanenemyorno。Letusallbefoundto—
gethernextsummerifneedbe！\"
\"Ho，ho，ho！\"wasthefull—throatedre—
sponse。
\"Allputonyourwar—paint，\"suggestedAnookasan。\"Haveyourknivesandarrowsready！\"
Theydidso，andallstolesilentlythroughtheblackforestinthedirectionofthemysterioussound。Clearerandcleareritcamethroughthefrostyair;butitwasaforeignsoundtothesavageear。Nowitseemedtothemalmostlikeadistantwater—fall;thenitrecalledthelowhumofsummerinsectsandthedrowsydroneofthebumblebee。Thump，thump，thump！wastheregularaccompaniment。
Nearerandnearertotheclifftheycame，deeperintothewildheartofthewoods。Atlastoutofthegray，formlessnightadarkshapeappeared！Itlookedtothemlikeahugebuf—
falobullstandingmotionlessintheforest，andfromhisthroatthereapparentlyproceededthethumpofthemedicinedrum，andthesongofthebeguilingspirit！
Allofasuddenasparkwentupintotheair。
Astheycontinuedtoapproach，therebecamevisibleadeepglowaboutthemiddleofthedarkobject。Whateveritwas，theyhadneverheardofanythinglikeitinalltheirlives！
Anookasanwasalittleinadvanceofhiscom—
panions，anditwashewhofinallydiscoveredawalloflogslaidoneuponanother。Halfwayupthereseemedtobestretchedapar—fleche（raw—hide），fromwhichadimlightemanated。
HestillthoughtofOglugechana，whodwellswithinahollowtree，anddeterminedtosur—
priseandifpossibletooverpowerthiswonder—
workingoldman。
Allnowtooktheirknivesintheirhandsandadvancedwiththeirleadertotheattackupontheloghut。\"Wa—wa—wa—wa，woo，woo！\"
theycried。Zip，zip！wentthepar—flechedoorandwindow，andtheyallrushedin！
Theresatamanuponaroughlyhewnstool。
Hewasattiredinwolfskinsandworeafox—
skincapuponhishead。Thelargerportionofhisfacewasclothedwithnaturalfur。Arudelymadecedarfiddlewastuckedunderhisfurredchin。Supportingitwithhislefthand，hesaweditvigorouslywithabowthatwasnotunlikeanIndianboy’sminiatureweapon，whilehismoccasinedleftfootcamedownuponthesodfloorintimewiththemusic。Whentheshrillwar—whoopcame，andthedoorandwin—
dowwerecutinstripsbytheknivesoftheIn—
dians，hedidnotevenceaseplaying，butin—
stinctivelyheclosedhiseyes，soasnottobeholdthehorrorofhisownend。
II
Itwaslongago，upontherollingprairiesouthoftheDevil’sLake，thatamotleybodyofhuntersgatherednearamightyherdofthebison，intheMoonofFallingLeaves。ThesewerethefirstgenerationoftheCanadianmixed—bloods，whosprangupinsuchnumbersastoformalmostanewpeople。
Thesesemi—wildAmericanssoonbecameane—
cessitytotheHudsonBayCompany，astheywerethegreatesthuntersofthebison，andmademoreuseofthiswonderfulanimalthaneventheiraboriginalancestors。
Acuriousraceofpeoplethis，intheirmake—upandtheircustoms！Theirshaggyblackhairwasallowedtogrowlong，reachingtotheirbroadshoulders，thencutoffabruptly，makingtheirheadslooklikeathatchedhouse。Theirdarkfaceswereinmostcaseswellcoveredwithhair，theirteethlargeandwhite，andtheireyesusuallyliquidblack，althoughoccasionallyonehadatiger—brownorcold—grayeye。Theircos—
tumewasabuckskinshirtwithabundanceoffringes，buckskinpantaloonswithshortleg—
gins，agaysash，andacapoffox—fur。Theirarmsconsistedofflint—lockguns，hatchets，andbutcher—knives。Theirponiesweresmall，butashardyasthemselves。
Asthesemengatheredintheneighborhoodofanimmenseherdofbuffaloes，theybusiedthemselvesinadjustingthegirthsoftheirbeautifullybeadedpillow—likesaddles。Amongthemtherewereexceptionalridersandhunters。
ItwassaidthatfewcouldequalAntoineMich—
audinfeatsofridingintoandthroughtheherd。Therehestood，allalone，theobservedofmanyothers。Itwashishabittogivesev—
eralIndianyellswhentheonsetbegan，soastoinsureasuccessfulhunt。
Inthisinstance，Antoinegavehisusualwhoops，andwhentheyhadalmostreachedtheherd，heliftedhisflint—lockoverhisheadandplungedintotheblackmovingmass。Withasoundlikethedistantrumblingofthunder，thosetensofthousandsofbuffalohoofswerepoundingtheearthinretreat。ThusAntoinedisappeared！
Hiswildsteeddashedintothemidstofthevastherd。Fortunatelyforhim，theanimalskeptclearofhim;butalas！thegapthroughwhichhehadenteredinstantlyclosedagain。
Heyelledfranticallytosecureanoutlet，butwithouteffect。Hehadtiedaredbandannaaroundhisheadtokeepthehairoffhisface，andhenowtookthisoffandswungitcrazilyabouthimtoscatterthebuffalo，butitavailedhimnothing。
Withsuchamightyherdinflight，thespeedcouldnotbegreat;thereforethe\"BoisBrule\"
settledhimselftothesituation，allowinghisponytocanteralongslowlytosavehisstrength。
Itrequiredmuchtactandpresenceofmindtokeepanopenspace，forthefewpacesofob—
structionbehindhadgraduallygrownintoamile。
Themightyhostmovedcontinuallysouth—
ward，walkingandrunningalternately。Asthesunnearedthewesternhorizon，itfiredtheskyabovethem，andallthedistanthillsandprairieswereintheglowofit，butimmediatelyaboutthemwasathickcloudofdust，andthegroundappearedlikeafire—sweptplain。
SuddenlyAntoinewasawareofatremendouspushfrombehind。Theanimalssmelledthecoolwaterofaspringwhichformedalargeboginthemidstoftheplain。Thissolitarypondormarshwasawatering—placeforthewildanimals。Allpushedandedgedtowardit;itwasimpossibleforanyonetowithstandthecombinedstrengthofsomany。
Antoineandhissteedwereinimminentdan—
gerofbeingpushedintothemireandtrampledupon，butamerechancebroughtthemuponsolidground。Astheywerecrowdedacrossthemarsh，hisponydrankheartily，andhe，forthefirsttime，letgohisbridle，puthistwopalmstogetherforadipper，anddrankgreedilyofthebitterwater。Hehadnoteatensinceearlymorning，sohenowpulledupsomebulrushesandateofthetenderbulbs，whiletheponygrazedasbesthecouldonthetopsofthetallgrass。
Itwasnowdark。Thenightwaswell—
nighintolerableforAntoine。Thebuffalowereabouthimincountlessnumbers，regardinghimwithviciousglances。Itwasonlybyreasonofthenaturaloffensivenessofmanthattheygavehimanyspace。Thebellowingofthebullsbecamegeneral，andtherewasamarkeduneasinessonthepartoftheherd。Thiswasasignofapproachingstorm，thereforetheun—
fortunatehunterhadthisadditionalcauseforanxiety。Uponthewesternhorizonwereseensomeflashesoflightning。
Thecloudwhichhadbeenamerespeckuponthehorizonhadnowincreasedtolargepropor—
tions。Suddenlythewindcame，andlightningflashesbecamemorefrequent，showingtheun—
gainlyformsoftheanimalslikestrangemon—
stersinthewhitelight。Thecolossalherdwasagaininviolentmotion。Itwasablindrushforshelter，andnoheedwaspaidtobuffalowallowsorevendeepgulches。Allwasinthedeepestofdarkness。Thereseemedtobegroaninginheavenandearth——millionsofhoofsandthroatsroaringinunison！
Asashipwreckedmanclingstoamerefrag—
mentofwood，soAntoine，althoughalmostexhaustedwithfatigue，stillstucktothebackofhisequallypluckypony。Deathwasimmi—
nentforthemboth。Asthemadrushcon—
tinued，everyflashdisplayedheapsofbisonindeathstruggleunderthehoofsoftheircom—
panions。
FromtimetotimeAntoinecrossedhimselfandwhisperedaprayertotheVirgin;andagainhespoketohishorseafterthefashionofanIndian：
\"Bebrave，bestrong，myhorse！Ifwesur—
vivethistrial，youshallhavegreathonor！\"
Thestampedecontinueduntiltheyreachedthebottomlands，and，likearushingstream，theircoursewasturnedasidebythesteepbankofacreekorsmallriver。Thentheymovedmoreslowlyinwidesweepsorcircles，untilthestormceased，andtheexhaustedhunter，stillinhissaddle，tooksomesnatchesofsleep。
Whenheawokeandlookedabouthimagainitwasmorning。Theherdhadenteredthestripoftimberwhichlayonbothsidesoftheriver，anditwasherethatAntoineconceivedhisfirstdistincthopeofsavinghimself。
\"Waw，waw，waw！\"wasthehoarsecrythatcametohisears，apparentlyfromahumanbeingindistress。Antoinestrainedhiseyesandcranedhisnecktoseewhoitcouldbe。
Throughanopeninginthebranchesaheadheperceivedalargegrizzlybear，lyingalonganinclinedlimbandhuggingitdesperatelytomaintainhisposition。Theherdhadnowthor—
oughlypervadedthetimber，andthebearwaslikewisehemmedin。Hehadtakentohisunac—
customedrefugeaftermakingabravestandagainstseveralbulls，oneofwhichlaydeadnearby，whilehehimselfwasbleedingfrommanywounds。
Antoinehadbeenassiduouslylookingforafriendlytree，bymeansofwhichhehopedtoeffecthisescapefromcaptivitybythearmyofbison。Hishorse，bychance，madehiswaydirectlyundertheverybox—elderthatwassus—
tainingthebearandtherewasaconvenientbranchjustwithinhisreach。TheBoisBrulewasnottheninanaggressivemood，andhesawataglancethattheoccupantofthetreewouldnotinterferewithhim。Theywere，infact，companionsindistress。Antoinetriedtogiveawar—whoopashesprangdesperatelyfromthepony’sbackandseizedthecrosslimbwithbothhishands。
Thehunterdangledintheairforaminutethattohimseemedayear。Thenhegatheredupallthestrengththatwasinhim，andwithonegrandefforthepulledhimselfuponthelimb。
Ifhehadfailedinthis，hewouldhavefallentothegroundunderthehoofsofthebuffaloes，andattheirmercy。
Afterhehadadjustedhisseatascomfort—
ablyashecould，Antoinesurveyedthesituation。
Hehadatleastescapedfromsuddenandcer—
taindeath。Itgrievedhimthathehadbeenforcedtoabandonhishorse，andhehadnoideahowfarhehadcomenoranymeansofreturningtohisfriends，whohad，nodoubt，givenhimupforlost。Hisimmediateneedswererestandfood。
Accordinglyheselectedafatcowandemp—
tiedintohersidesonebarrelofhisgun，whichhadbeenslungacrosshischest。Hewentonshootinguntilhehadkilledmanyfatcows，greatlytothediscomfitureofhisneighbor，thebear，whilethebisonvainlystruggledamongthemselvestokeepthefatalspotclear。
Bythemiddleoftheafternoonthemainbodyoftheherdhadpassed，andAntoinewassurethathiscaptivityhadatlastcometoanend。Thenheswunghimselffromhislimbtotheground，andwalkedstifflytothecarcassofthenearestcow，whichhedressedandpreparedhimselfameal。Butfirsthetookapieceofliveronalongpoletothebear！
Antoinefinallydecidedtosettleinthere—
cessesoftheheavytimberforthewinter，ashewasonfootandalone，andnotabletotravelanygreatdistance。Hejerkedthemeatofalltheanimalshehadkilled，andpreparedtheirskinsforbeddingandclothing。TheBoisBruleandAmi，ashecalledthebear，soonbe—
camenecessarytooneanother。Theformerconsideredthebearverygoodcompany，andthelatterhadlearnedthatman’sbusiness，afterall，isnottokilleveryanimalhemeets。Hehadbeenfedandkindlytreated，whenhelplessfromhiswounds，andthishecouldnotforget。
Antoinewassoonbusyerectingasmallloghut，whiletheotherpartnerkeptasharplook—
out，and，afterhishurtswerehealed，oftenbroughtinsomesmallgame。Thetwohadaperfectunderstandingwithoutmanywords;atleast，thespeechwasallupononeside！InhisleisuremomentsAntoinehadoccupiedhimselfwithwhittlingoutarudefiddleofcedar—wood，strungwiththegutsofawildcatthathehadkilled。Everyeveningthatwinterhewouldsitdownaftersupperandplayalltheoldfamiliarpieces，variedwithimprovisationsofhisown。
Atfirst，themusicandtheincessantpoundingtimewithhisfootannoyedthebear。Attimes，too，theCanadianwouldcalloutthefiguresforthedance。AllthisAmibecameaccustomedtointime，andevenshowednosmallinterestinthebuzzingofthelittlecedarbox。Notinfre—
quently，hewasoutintheevening，andthehumanpartnerwasleftalone。Itchanced，quitefortunately，thatthebearwasabsentonthenightthattheredfolkrudelyinvadedthelonelyhut。
Thecalmnessofthestrangebeinghadstayedtheirhands。Theyhadneverbeforeseenamanofotherracethantheirown！
\"IsthisChanotedah？Isheman，orbeast？\"
thewarriorsaskedoneanother。
\"Ho，wakeup，koda！\"exclaimedAnooka—
san。\"Maybeheisoftheporcupinetribe，ashamedtolookatus！\"
Atthismomenttheyspiedthehaunchofvenisonwhichswungfromacross—stickoverafinebedofcoals，infrontoftherudemudchimney。
\"Ho，kodahassomethingtoeat！Sitdown，sitdown！\"theyshoutedtooneanother。
NowAntoineopenedhiseyesforthefirsttimeuponhisunlooked—forguests。Theywereahaggardandhungry—lookingset。Anookasanextendedhishand，andAntoinegaveitaheartyshake。Hesethisfiddleagainstthewallandbegantocutupthesmokingvenisonintogen—
erouspiecesandplaceitbeforethem。Allatelikefamishedmen，whilethefirelightintensifiedtheredpaintupontheirwildandwarlikefaces。
Whenhehadsatisfiedhisfirsthunger，Anookasanspokeinsigns。\"Friend，wehaveneverbeforeheardasonglikethatofyourlittlecedarbox！Wehadsupposedittobeaspirit，orsomeharmfulthing，henceourattackuponit。Weneversawanypeopleofyoursort。Whatisyourtribe？\"
Antoineexplainedhisplightinthesamemanner，andthetwosooncametoanunder—
standing。TheCanadiantoldthestarvinghun—
tersofabuffaloherdalittlewaytothenorth，andoneoftheirnumberwasdispatchedhome—
wardwiththenews。IntwodaystheentirebandreachedAntoine’splace。TheBoisBrulewastreatedwithkindnessandhonor，andthetribegavehimawife。SufficeittosaythatAntoinelivedanddiedamongtheYanktonsatagoodoldage;butAmicouldnotbrooktheinvasionupontheirhermitlife。Hewasneverseenafterthatfirstevening。
IV
THEFAMINE
OntheAssiniboineRiverinwesternManitobatherestandsanold，his—
torictrading—post，whosecrumblingwallscrownahighpromontoryintheangleformedbyitsjunctionwithatributarystream。
ThisisFortEllis，amistressofthewildernessandlodestoneofsavagetribesbetweentheyears1830and1870。
HitheratthatearlydaytheIndiansbroughttheirbuffalorobesandbeaverskinstoexchangeformerchandise，ammunition，andthe\"spiritwater。\"Amongtheotherstherepresentlyap—
pearedabandofrenegadeSioux——theexiles，astheycalledthemselves——underWhiteLodge，whosefather，LittleCrow，hadbeenaleaderintheoutbreakof1862。Nowthegreatwar—
chiefwasdead，andhispeoplewereprisonersorfugitives。TheshrewdScotchtrader，Mc—
Leod，soondiscoveredthattheSiouxwereskilledhunters，andthereforeheexertedhim—
selftobefriendthem，aswellastoencourageafeelingofgoodwillbetweenthemandtheCa—
nadiantribeswhowereaccustomedtomaketheoldforttheirsummerrendezvous。
Nowtheautumnhadcome，afteralongsum—
meroffeastsanddances，andthethreetribesbrokeupanddispersedasusualinvariousdi—
rections。WhiteLodgehadtwindaughters，veryhandsome，whoseearshadbeenkeptburn—
ingwiththeproposalsofmanysuitors，butnonehadreceivedanydefiniteencouragement。Therewereoneortwowhowouldhavebeenquitewillingtoforsaketheirowntribesandfollowtheexileshadtheynotfearedtoomuchtheridiculeofthebraves。EvenAngusMcLeod，thetrader’seldestson，hadneedofallhispatienceandcaution，forhehadneverseenanywomanheadmiredsomuchasthepiquantMagaskawee，calledTheSwan，oneofthesebellesoftheforest。
TheSiouxjourneyednorthward，towardtheMouseRiver。Theyhadwinteredonthatstreambefore，anditwasthenthefeedinggroundoflargeherdsofbuffalo。Whenitwasdiscoveredthattheherdsweremovingwest—
ward，acrosstheMissouri，therewasnolittleapprehension。Theshrewdmedicine—manbe—
cameawareofthesituation，andhastenedtoannouncehisprophecy：
\"TheGreatMysteryhasappearedtomeinadream！Heshowedmemenwithhaggardandthinfaces。Iinterpretthistomeanascarcityoffoodduringthewinter。\"
Thechiefcalledhiscounselorstogetherandsetbeforethemthedreamofthepriest，whoseprophecy，hesaid，wasalreadybeingfulfilledinpartbythewestwardmovementofthebuffalo。
Itwasagreedthattheyshouldlayupallthedriedmeattheycouldobtain;butevenforthistheyweretoolate。Thestormswereal—
readyathand，andthatwinterwasmoreseverethananythattheoldmencouldrecallintheirtraditions。Thebraveskilledallthesmallgameforawidecircuitaroundthecamp，butthebuffalohadnowcrossedtheriver，andthatcountrywasnotfavorablefordeer。Themoreenterprisingyoungmenorganizedhuntingex—
peditionstovariouspartsoftheopenprairie，buteachtimetheyreturnedwithemptyhands。
The\"MoonofSoreEyes，\"orMarch，hadcomeatlast，andWazeah，theGodofStorm，wasstillangry。Theirscantprovisionofdriedmeathadheldoutwonderfully，butitwasnowallbutconsumed。TheSiouxhadbutlittleam—
munition，andthesnowwasstillsodeepthatitwasimpossibleforthemtomoveawaytoanyotherregioninsearchofgame。Theworstwasfeared;indeed，someofthechildrenandfeebleoldpeoplehadalreadysuccumbed。
WhiteLodgeagaincalledhismentogetherincouncil，anditwasdeterminedtosendames—
sengertoFortEllistoaskforrelief。AyoungmancalledFace—the—Windwaschosenforhisexceptionalqualitiesofspeedandenduranceuponlongjourneys。Theoldmedicine—man，whoseshrewdprophecyhadgainedforhimtheconfidenceofthepeople，nowcameforward。
Hehadcloselyobservedtheappearanceofthemessengerselected，andhadtakennoteofthestormanddistance。Accordinglyhesaid：
\"Mychildren，theGreatMysteryisof—
fended，andthisisthecauseofalloursuffering！
Iseeashadowhangingoverourmessenger，butIwillpraytotheGreatSpirit——perhapshemayyetsavehim！——GreatMystery，bethoumerciful！Strengthenthisyoungmanforhisjourney，thathemaybeabletofinishitandtosendusaid！Ifweseethesunofsummeragain，wewillofferthechoicestofourmeatstothee，anddotheegreathonor！\"
Duringthisinvocation，asoccasionallyhap—
pensinMarch，aloudpealofthunderwasheard。Thiscoincidencethrewtheprophetal—
mostintoafrenzy，andthepoorpeoplewereallofatremble。Face—the—Windbelievedthattheprayerwasdirectlyanswered，andthoughweakenedbyfastingandunfitforthetaskbe—
forehim，hewasencouragedtomaketheat—
tempt。
Hesetoutonthefollowingdayatdawn，andonthethirddaystaggeredintothefort，lookinglikeaspecterandalmostfrighteningthepeople。HewastakentoMcLeod’shouseandgivengoodcare。Thepoorfellow，deli—
riouswithhunger，fanciedhimselfengagedinmortalcombatwithEyah，thegodoffamine，whohasamouthextendingfromeartoear。
Whereverhegoesthereisfamine，forheswal—
lowsallthathesees，evenwholenations！
ThelegendhasitthatEyahfearsnothingbutthejinglingofmetal：sofinallythedyingmanlookedupintoMcLeod’sfaceandcried：
\"Ringyourbellinhisface，Wahadah！\"
Thekind—heartedfactorcouldnotrefuse，andasthegreatbellusedtomarkthehoursofworkandofmealspealedoutuntimelyuponthefrostyair，theIndianstartedupandinthatmomentbreathedhislast。Hehadgivennonews，andMcLeodandhissonscouldonlyguessatthestateofaffairsupontheMouseRiver。
Whilethemenwereincouncilwithherfather，Magaskaweehadturnedoverthecon—
tentsofherwork—bag。Shehadfoundasmallrollofbirch—barkinwhichshekeptherporcu—
pinequillsforembroidery，andpulledthedeli—
catelayersapart。TheWhiteSwanwasnotaltogethertheuntutoredIndianmaiden，forshehadlivedinthefamilyofamissionaryintheStates，andhadlearnedbothtospeakandwritesomeEnglish。Therewasnoink，nopenorpencil，butwithherboneawlshepresseduponthewhitesideofthebarkthefollowingwords：
MR。ANGUSMcLEOD：——
WearenearthehollowrockontheMouseRiver。ThebuffalowentawayacrosstheMissouri，andourpowderandshotaregone。Wearestarving。Good—bye，ifIdon’tseeyouagain。
MAGASKAWEE。
Thegirlentrustedthislittlenotetohergrandmother，andsheinturngaveittothemessenger。Buthe，asweknow，wasunabletodeliverit。
\"Angus，telltheboystoburythepoorfel—
lowto—morrow。IdaresayhebroughtussomenewsfromWhiteLodge，butwehavegottogotothehappyhunting—groundstogetit，orwaittilltheexilebandreturnsinthespring。
Evidently，\"continuedMcLeod，\"hefellsickontheway：orelsehewasstarving！\"
ThislastsuggestionhorrifiedAngus。\"I
believe，father，\"heexclaimed，\"thatweoughttoexaminehisbundle。\"
Asmalloblongpacketwasbroughtforthfromthedeadman’sbeltandcarefullyun—
rolled。
Therewereseveralpairsofmoccasins，andwithinoneoftheseAngusfoundsomethingwrappedupnicely。Heproceededtounwindthelongstringsofdeerskinwithwhichitwassecurelytied，andbroughtforthathinsheetofbirch—bark。Atfirst，thereseemedtobenoth—
ingmore，butacloserscrutinyrevealedtheim—
pressionoftheawl，andthebitofnature’sparchmentwasbroughtnearertohisface，andscannedwithazealequaltothatofanystudentofancienthieroglyphics。
\"Thistellsthewholestory，father！\"ex—
claimedtheyoungmanatlast。\"Magaska—
wee’snote——justlisten！\"andhereaditaloud。
\"Ishallstartto—morrow。Wecantakeenoughprovisionandammunitionontwosleds，withsixdogstoeach。Ishallwantthreegoodmentogowithme。\"Angusspokewithdeci—
sion。
\"Well，wecan’taffordtoloseourbesthunt—
ers;andyoumightalsobringhomewithyouwhatfursandrobestheyhaveonhand，\"washisfather’sprudentreply。
\"Idon’tcareparticularlyfortheskins，\"
Angusdeclared;butheatoncebeganhurriedpreparationsfordeparture。
Inthemeantimeaffairsgrewdailymoredesperateintheexilevillageonthefar—awayMouseRiver，andasortofIndianhopelessnessandresignationsettleddownuponthelittlecommunity。Therewerefewwhoreallyex—
pectedtheirmessengertoreachthefort，orbe—
lievedthatevenifhedidso，reliefwouldbesentintimetosavethem。WhiteLodge，thefatherofhispeople，wasdeterminedtosharewiththemthelastmouthfuloffood，andeverymorningWinonaandMagaskaweewentwithscantyportionsintheirhandstothosewhosesupplyhadentirelyfailed。
Ontheoutskirtsofthecamptheredweltanoldwomanwithanorphangrandchild，whohadbeendenyingherselfforsometimeinorderthatthechildmightlivelonger。Thispoorteepeethegirlsvisitedoften，andoneoneachsidetheyraisedtheexhaustedwomanandpouredintohermouththewarmbroththeyhadbroughtwiththem。
ItwasontheverydayFace—the—WindreachedFortEllisthatayounghunterwhohadventuredfurtherfromthecampthananyoneelsehadthelucktobringdownasolitarydeerwithhisbowandarrow。Inhisweaknesshehadreachedcampverylate，bearingthedeerwiththeutmostdifficultyuponhisshoulders。
ItwasinstantlyseparatedintoasmanypiecesastherewerelodgesofthefamishingSioux。
Thesedeliciousmorselswerehastilycookedandeagerlydevoured，butamongsomanytherewasscarcelymorethanamouthfultotheshareofeach，andthebraveyouthhimselfdidnotreceiveenoughtoappeaseintheleasthiscrav—
ing！
OntheeveofAngus’departurefortheexilevillage，ThreeStars，adevotedsuitorofWi—
nona’s，accompaniedbyanotherAssiniboinebrave，appearedunexpectedlyatthefort。Heatonceaskedpermissiontojointhereliefparty，andtheysetoutatdaybreak。
Thelead—dogwastheoldreliableMack，whohadbeeninserviceforseveralseasonsonwin—
tertrips。Allofthewhitemenwerecladinbuckskinshirtsandpantaloons，withlongfringesdownthesides，furcapsandfur—linedmoccasins。Theirgunswerefastenedtothelong，toboggan—likesleds。
Thesnowhadthawedalittleandformedanicycrust，andoverthisfreshsnowhadfallen，whichanorthwestwindsweptoverthesurfacelikeashesafteraprairiefire。Thesunappearedforalittletimeinthemorning，butitseemedasifhewerecuttingshorthiscourseonaccountofthebleakday，andhadprotectedhimselfwithpaleringsoffire。
Thedogslaidbacktheirears，drewintheirtails，andstruckintotheircustomarytrot，butevenoldMacklookedbackfrequently，asifreluctanttofacesuchaprickingandscarifyingwind。Themenfeltthecoldstillmorekeenly，althoughtheyhadtakencaretocovereverybitofthefaceexceptoneeye，andthatwascom—
pletelyblindedattimesbythegranulatedsnow。