Thesunearlyretreatedbehindawallofcloud，andthewindmoanedandwailedlikealivingcreatureinanguish。Atlasttheyapproachedthecreekwheretheyhadplannedtocampforthenight。Therewasnothingtobeseenbutafewstuntedwillowshalfburiedinthedrifts，butthebanksofthelittlestreamaffordedsomepro—
tectionfromthewind。
\"Whoa！\"shoutedtheleader，andthedogsallstopped，sittingdownontheirhaunches。
\"Come，Mack！\"（withawaveofthehand），\"leadyourfellowsdowntothecreek！\"
Theolddogstarteddownattheword，andalltherestfollowed。Aspacewasquicklyclearedofsnow，whileonemanscouredthethicketsinsearchofbrushforfuel。Inafewminutesthetentwasupandafirekindledinthecenter，whilethefloorwasthicklystrewnwithtwigsofwillow，overwhichbuffalorobeswerespread。ThreeStarsattendedtosupper，andsooninthemidstofthesnappingwillowfireakettlewasboiling。Allpartookofstrongtea，driedmeatofbuffalo，andpemmican，amix—
tureofpoundeddriedmeatwithwildcherriesandmeltedfat。Thedogs，towhomone—halfthetentwasassigned，enjoyedaheartymealandfellintoadeepsleep，lyingoneagainstan—
other。
AftersupperJerrydrovetwosticksintotheground，oneoneachsideofthefire，andcon—
nectedthetwobyathirdoneovertheblaze。
Uponthisallhungtheirsockstodry——mostofthemmerelysquarepiecesofblanketcuttoservethatpurpose。Sooneachmanrolledhim—
selfinhisownbuffalorobeandfellasleep。
Allnightthewindraged。Thelonelytee—
peenowandthenshudderedviolently，asastrongerblastthanusualalmostlifteditfromtheground。Noonestirredexceptfromtimetotimeoneofthedogs，whogotupsnarlingandsniffingthecoldair，turnedhimselfroundseveraltimesasifonapivot，andfinallylaydownforanothernap。
Inthemorningthetravelersonebyoneraisedtheirheadsandlookedthroughthesmoke—hole，thenfellbackagainwithagrunt。
Alltheworldappearedwithoutformandvoid。
Presently，however，thelightofthesunwasseenasifthroughapaintedwindow，andbyafternoontheywereabletogoon，thewindhavingpartiallysubsided。Thiswasonlyatasteoftheweatherencounteredbythepartyontheirunseasonabletrip;buthaditbeententimesharder，itwouldneverhaveoccurredtoAngustoturnback。
Onthethirddaytherescuersapproachedthecampoftheexiles。Therewasanominousquiet;nocreaturewastobeseen;butthesmokewhichascendedintotheairinperpendicularcolumnsassuredthemthatsome，atleast，werestillalive。Thepartyhappenedtoreachfirsttheteepeeofthepooroldwomanwhohadbeensofaithfullyministeredtobythetwinsisters。
Theyhadnolongeranyfoodtogive，buttheyhadcometobuildherfire，ifsheshouldhavesurvivedthenight。Attheverydoorofthelodgetheyheardthejingleofdog—bells，buttheyhadnottimetoannouncethejoyfulnewsbeforethemenwereinsight。
InanotherminuteAngusandThreeStarswerebesidethem，holdingtheirwastedhands。
V
THECHIEFSOLDIER
Justoutsideofafinelargewigwamofsmoke—tannedbuffalo—skinsstoodTawasu—
ota，veryearlyuponanAugustmorningoftheyear1862。Behindthewigwamtheremighthavebeenseenathriftypatchofgrowingmaize，whosetall，gracefulstalksresembledasmanywarriorsindancing—dressesandtasseledhead—gear。
\"Thanksbetothe’GreatMystery，’Ihavebeensuccessfulinthefortunesofwar！NonecansaythatTawasuotaisacoward。Ihavedonewell;sowellthatourchief，LittleCrow，hasofferedmethehonoredpositionofhischiefsoldier，taakich—itah！\"hesaidtohimselfwithsatisfaction。
ThesunwasjustovertheeastembankoftheMinnesotaRiver，andhecoulddistinctlyseeuponthelevelprairiethedwellingsoflogswhichhadsprungupthereduringtheyear，sinceLittleCrow’slasttreatywiththewhites。
\"Ugh！theyaretakingfromusourbeautifulandgame—teemingcountry！\"washisthoughtashegazeduponthem。
Atthatmoment，outoftheconicalwhiteteepee，inshapelikeanew—bornmushroom，therebursttwolittlefriskyboys，leapingandwhooping。Theywerecladgracefullyingar—
mentsoffinedeerskin，andeachworeaminia—
turefeatheruponhishead，markingthemaschildrenofadistinguishedwarrior。
Theydancednimblyaroundtheirfather，whilehestoodwithallthedignityofabuckelk，viewingthelandscapereddenedbysunriseandthedwellerstherein，theoldandthenew，theredandthewhite。Henoticedthattheywerestillunmingled;theriverdividedthem。
Atlasthetookthedancinglittleembryowarriorsoneineitherhand，andliftedthemtohismajesticshoulders。Thereheplacedtheminperfectpoise。Hishaughtyspiritfoundamoment’shappinessinfatherhood。
SuddenlyTawasuotasetthetwoboysonthegroundagain，andsignedtothemtoentertheteepee。Apparentlyallwasquiet。ThecampsandvillagesoftheMinnesotareservationwereundisturbed，sofarashecouldsee，savebytheawakeningofnature;andtheearlyrisersamonghispeoplemovedaboutinseemingse—
curity，whilethesmokeoftheirmorningfiresaroseonebyoneintotheblue。Stillthewar—
riorgazedsteadilywestward，uptheriver，whencehisquickearhadcaughtthefaintbutominoussoundofadistantwar—whoop。
TheridgebeyondtheWahpetonvillageboundedtheview，andbetweenthispointandhisownvillageweretheagencybuildingsandthetraders’stores。TheIndian’skeeneyesweptthehorizon，andfinallyalightedoncemoreuponthehomeofhisnewneighboracrosstheriver，theflaxen—hairedwhitemanwithmanychildren，whowithhiswhitesquawandhislittleonesworkedfromsunrisetosunset，muchlikethebeaverfamily。
Ah！thedistantwar—whooponcemoresalutedhisear，butthistimenearerandmoredistinct。
\"What！theRiceCreekbandiscominginfullwar—paint！CanitbeanotherOjibwayat—
tack？Ugh，ugh！Iwillshowtheirwarriorsagainthisdaywhatitistofight！\"heexclaimedaloud。
ThewhitetradersandGovernmentemploy—
ees，thoseofthemwhowereupandabout，heardandsawtheadvancingcolumnofwar—
riors。Yettheyshowednosignofanxietyorfear。MostofthemthoughtthattheremightbesomereportofOjibwayscomingtoattacktheSioux，——anotuncommonincident，——andthatthosewarriorswereontheirwaytotheposttoreplenishtheirpowder—horns。AfewoftheyoungermenweredelightedwiththeprospectofwitnessinganIndianfight。
Onsweptthearmedband，innumbersin—
creasingateveryvillage。
ItwastruethattherehadbeenagrowingfeelingofdistrustamongtheIndians，becausetheirannuitieshadbeenwithheldforalongtime，andthemoneypaymentshadbeendelayedagainandagain。Thereweremanyingreatneed。Thetradershadgiventhemcredittosomeextent（chargingthemfourtimesthevalueofthearticlepurchased），andhadlike—
wiseinducedLittleCrowtosignovertothemninety—eightthousanddollars，thepurchase—priceofthatpartoftheirreservationlyingnorthoftheMinnesota，andalreadyoccupiedbythewhites。
Thisacthadmadethechiefveryunpop—
ular，andhewasreadyforadesperateven—
turetoregainhisinfluence。CertainwarriorsamongtheupperbandsofSiouxhadeventhreatenedhislife，butnoonespokeopenlyofabreakwiththewhites。
When，therefore，thenewscametoLittleCrowthatsomerovinghuntersoftheRiceCreekbandhadkilledinabrawltwofamiliesofwhitesettlers，hesawhisopportunitytoshowonceforalltothedisaffectedthathehadnoloveforthewhiteman。Immediatelyhespranguponhiswhitehorse，andpreparedtomaketheircauseageneraloneamonghispeople。
Tawasuotahadscarcelyfinishedhishastypreparationsforwar，bypaintinghisfaceandseeingtotheloadingofhisgun，whenheheardthevoiceofLittleCrowoutsidehislodge。
\"Youarenowmyheadsoldier，\"saidthechief，\"andthisisyourfirstduty。LittleSixandhisbandhaveinauguratedthewaragainstthewhites。Theyhavealreadywipedouttwofamilies，andarenowontheirwaytotheagency。
Letmychiefsoldierfirethefirstshot。
\"ThoseIndianswhohavecuttheirhairanddonnedthewhiteman’sclothingmaygivethewarning;somakehaste！Ifyoufallto—day，thereisnobetterdayonwhichtodie，andthewomenofourtribewillweepproudtearsforTawasuota。Ileaveitwithyoutoleadmywarriors。\"Withthesewordsthewilychiefgallopedawaytomeetthewar—party。
\"HerecomesLittleCrow，thefriendofthewhiteman！\"exclaimedawarrior，asheap—
proached。
\"Friendsandwarriors，youwilllearnto—daywhoarethefriendsofthewhiteman，andnonewilldareagaintoinsinuatethatIhavebeenagainsttheinterestsofmyownpeople，\"hereplied。
Afterabriefconsultationwiththechiefsheadvisedthetraders：
\"Donothesitatetofillthepowder—hornsofmywarriors;theymaybecompelledtofightallday。\"
SoonloudyellswereheardalongtheroadtotheIndianvillage。
\"Ho，ho！Tawasuotauyedo！\"（Heiscoming;heiscoming！\"）shoutedthewarriorsinchorus。
Thefamouswar—chiefdismountedinsilence，guninhand，andwalkeddirectlytowardthelargerstore。
\"Friend，\"heexclaimed，\"wemaybothmeetthe’GreatMystery’to—day，butyoumustgofirst。\"
Therewasaloudreport，andtheunsuspect—
ingwhitemanlaydead。ItwasJamesLynd，oneoftheearlytraders，andagoodfriendtotheIndians。
NosoonerhadTawasuotafiredthefatalshotthaneveryotherIndiandischargedhispiece。
Hitherandthitherranthefranticpeople，seek—
ingsafety，butseekingitinvain。Theywerewhollyunpreparedandatthemercyofthefoe。
ThefriendlyIndians，too，weretakenentirelybysurprise。Theyhadoftenheardwildtalkofrevolt，butithadneverhadtheindorsementofintelligentchiefs，orofsuchanumberastocarryanyweighttotheirminds。ChristianIn—
diansrushedineverydirectiontosave，ifpos—
sible，atleastthewivesandchildrenoftheGov—
ernmentemployees。Meanwhile，thenewwhitesettlementsalongtheMinnesotaRiverwereutterlyunconsciousofanydanger。Notasouldreamedoftheterriblecalamitythateachpass—
ingmomentwasbringingnearerandnearer。
Tawasuotasteppedaside，andtookuphispipe。Heseemedalmostobliviousofwhathehaddone。Whilethemassacrestillragedabouthiminallitsawfulcruelty，hesatsmokingandtryingtothinkcollectedly，buthismindwasconfused，andinhissecretthoughtsherebelledagainstLittleCrow。Itwasacowardlydeedthathehadbeenorderedtocommit，hethought;forhehadwonhisreputationsolelybybravedeedsinbattle，andthiswasmorelikemurderingoneofhisowntribesmen——thiskill—
ingofanunarmedwhiteman。Uptothistimethekillingofawhitemanwasnotcountedthedeedofawarrior;itwasmurder。
Thelesserbravesmightnowsatisfytheirspiteagainstthetraderstotheirhearts’con—
tent，butTawasuotahadbeenuponthebestoftermswithallofthem。
Suddenlyaringingshoutwasheard。Thechiefsoldierlookedup，andbeheldawhiteman，nearlynude，leapfromtheroofofthelargerstoreandalightuponthegroundhardbyhim。
Hehademptiedonebarrelofhisgun，and，ifhechosetodoso，couldhavekilledMyrickthenandthere;buthemadenomove，exclaim—
ing：
\"Ho，ho！Ninaiyaye！\"（\"Run，run！\"）
Awayspedthewhitemaninthedirectionofthewoodsandtheriver。
\"Ah，heisswift;hewillsavehimself，\"
thoughtTawasuota。
AlltheIndianshadnowspiedthefugitive;
theyyelledandfiredathimagainandagain，asiftheywereshootingatarunningdeer;butheonlyranfaster。Justashehadreachedtheveryedgeoftheshelteringtimberasingleshotrangout，andhefellheadlong。
Aloudwar—whoopwentup，formanybe—
lievedthatthiswasoneofthemenwhohadstolentheirtrustfunds。
Tawasuotacontinuedtositandsmokeintheshadewhilethecarnageandplunderthathehadsetonfootproceededonallsidesofhim。
Presentlymenbegantoformsmallpartiestocrosstheriverontheirmissionofdeath，butherefusedtojoinanyofthem。Atlast，severaloftheolderwarriorscameuptosmokewithhim。
\"Ho，nephew，\"saidoneofthemwithmuchgravity，\"youhaveprecipitatedadreadfulca—
lamity。Thismeansthelossofourcountry，thedestructionofournation。Whatwereyouthinkingof？\"
ItwastheWahpetonchiefwhospoke，ablood—relationtoTawasuota。Hedidnotatoncereply，butfilledhispipeinsilence，andhandedittothemanwhothusreproachedhim。
Itwasajustrebuke;forhewasabraveman，andhecouldhaverefusedtherequestofhischieftoopenthemassacre。
AtthismomentitwasannouncedthatabodyofwhitesoldierswereonthemarchfromFortRidgeley。Alargebodyofwarriorssetouttomeetthem。
\"Nephew，youhavespilledthefirstbloodofthewhiteman;go，joininbattlewiththesol—
diers。Theyarearmed;theycandefendthem—
selves，\"remarkedtheoldchief，andTawasuotareplied：
\"Uncle，youspeaktruth;Ihavecommittedtheactofacoward。ItwasnotofmyownwillIdidit;nevertheless，Ihaveraisedmyweapon，andIwillfightthewhitesaslongasIlive。IfIamevertaken，theywillfirsthavetokillme。\"Hearose，tookuphisgun，andjoinedthewar—party。
Thedreadfuldayofmassacrewasalmostended。TheterrifiedSiouxwomenandchildrenhadfleduptheriverbeforetheapproachingtroops。Longshaftsoflightfromthesettingsunpaintedeveryhill;onesideredaswithblood，theotherdarkastheshadowofdeath。
Acloudofsmokefromburninghomeshungoverthebeautifulriver。EventhepermanentdwellingsoftheIndianswereempty，andalltheteepeeswhichhaddottedwiththeirwhiteconesthewestbankoftheMinnesotahaddis—
appeared。Hereandthereweresmallgroupsofwarriorsreturningfromtheirbloodywork，andamongthemwasTawasuota。
Helookedlongatthespotwherehishomehadstood;butitwasgone，andwithithisfamily。Ah，thebeautifulcountryofhisan—
cestors！hemustdepartfromitforever，forheknewnowthatthewhitemanwouldoccupythatland。Sadlyhesangthespirit—song，andmadehisappealtothe\"GreatMystery，\"ex—
cusinghimselfbythepleathatwhathehaddonehadbeeninthepathofduty。Therewasnogloryinitforhim;hecouldwearnoeaglefeather，norcouldheeverrecountthedeed。Itwasdreadfultohim——thethoughtthathehadfireduponanunarmedandhelplessman。
Thechiefsoldierfollowedthebroadtrailofthefleeinghost，andaftersomehourshecameuponacamp。Therewerenowar—songsnordancesthere，aswastheirwontafterabat—
tle，butastrangestillnessreigned。Eventhedogsscarcelybarkedathisapproach;every—
thingseemedconsciousoftheawfulcarnageoftheday。
Hestoppedatatentandinquiredafterhisbeautifulwifeandtwolittlesons，whomhehadalreadytrainedtoupholdtheirfather’srepu—
tation，butwasdirectedtohismother’steepee。
\"Ah，myson，myson，whathaveyoudone？\"
criedhisoldmotherwhenshesawhim。
\"Comein，comein;letuseattogetheroncemore;forIhaveaforebodingthatitisforthelasttime。Alas，whathaveyoudone？\"
Tawasuotasilentlyenteredthetentofhiswidowedmother，andhisthreesistersgavehimtheplaceofhonor。
\"Mother，itisnotrighttoblameourbrother，\"saidtheeldest。\"Hewasthechief’sheadsoldier;andifhehaddisobeyedhisorders，hewouldhavebeencalledacoward。Thathecouldnotbear。\"
Foodwashandedhim，andheswallowedafewmouthfuls，andgavebackthedish。
\"Youhavenotyettoldmewheresheis，andthechildren，\"hesaidwithadeepsigh。
\"Myson，myson，Ihavenot，becauseitwillgiveyoupain。Iwantedyoutoeatfirst！ShehasbeentakenawaybyherownmothertoFari—
bault，amongthewhitepeople。Icouldnotpersuadethemtowaituntilyoucame。Herpeo—
pleareloversofthewhites。Theyhaveevenacceptedtheirreligion，\"grievedthegoodoldmother。
Tawasuota’sheaddroppeduponhischest，andhesatsilentforalongtime。Themotherandthreesisterswerealsosilent，fortheyknewhowheavyhisgriefmustbe。Atlasthespoke。
\"Mother，Iamtooproudtodesertthetribenowandjoinmywifeamongthewhitepeople。
Mybrother—in—lawmaylieinmybehalf，andsaythatmyhandsarenotstainedwithblood;
butthespiritsofthosewhodiedto—daywouldrebukeme，andtherebukewouldbejust。No，ImustfightthewhitesuntilIdie;andneitherhaveIfoughtwithoutcause;butImustseemysonsoncemorebeforeIgo。\"
WhenTawasuotalefthismother’steepeehewalkedfastacrossthecircletowardthecoun—
cillodgetoseeLittleCrow。Hedrewhisblanketcloselyabouthim，withhisgununder—
neath。Thekeeneyeofthewilychiefdetectedthesevereexpressionuponthefaceofhisguest，andhehastenedtospeakfirst。
\"Therearetimesinthelifeofeverygreatmanwhenhemustfacehardshipandputselfasideforthegoodofhispeople。Youhavedonewellto—day！\"
\"Icarelittleformyself，\"repliedTawasu—
ota，\"butmyheartisheavyto—night。Mywifeandtwoboyshavebeentakenawayamongthewhitesbymymother—in—law。Ifearfortheirsafety，whenitisknownwhatwehavedone。\"
\"Ugh，thatoldwomanistoohastyinac—
ceptingthewaysofthestrangerpeople！\"ex—
claimedthechief。
\"Iamnowonmywaytoseethem，\"declaredTawasuota。
\"Ugh，ugh，Ishallneedyouto—morrow！
MyplanistoattackthesoldiersatFortRidge—
leywithastrongforce。Therearenotmany。
ThenweshallattackNewUlmandothertowns。WewilldrivethemallbackintoSaintPaulandFortSnelling。\"LittleCrowspokewithenergy。
\"Youmuststay，\"headded，\"andleadtheattackeitheratthefortoratNewUlm。\"
Forsomeminutesthechiefsoldiersatinsilence。
Atlasthesaidsimply，\"Iwilldoit。\"
Onthefollowingdaytheattackwasmade，butitwasunsuccessful。ThewholeStatewasnowalarmed，andallthefrontiersettlersleftalivehadflockedtothelargerandmorepro—
tectedtowns。IthadalsodevelopedduringthedaythattherewasalargepartyofSiouxwhowerereadytosurrender，therebyshowingthattheyhadnotbeenpartytothemassacrenorin—
dorsedthehastyactionofthetribe。
AteveningTawasuotasawthattherewouldbealongwarwiththewhites，andthattheIn—
diansmustremovetheirfamiliesoutofdanger。
ThefeelingagainstallIndianswasgreat。
Nighthadbroughthimnoreliefofmind，butitpromisedtoshieldhiminahazardousunder—
taking。Heconsultednoone，butsetoutforthedistantvillageofFaribault。
HekepttotheflatsbackoftheMinnesota，awayfromthewell—traveledroads，andmovedonatagoodgait，forherealizedthathehadtocoverahundredmilesinasfewhoursaspossible。Everydaythatpassedwouldmakeitmoredifficultforhimtorejoinhisfamily。
Althoughhekeptasfarashecouldfromthesettlements，hewouldcomenowandthenuponasolitaryframehouse，razedtothegroundbythewar—partiesofthedaybefore。Themem—
bersoftheill—fatedfamilyweretobeseenscat—
teredinandabouttheplace;andtheirwhite，upturnedfacestoldhimthathisracemustpayforthedeed。
Thedogthathowledpitifullyoverthedeadwasoftentheonlysurvivorofthefarmer’shousehold。
OccasionallyTawasuotaheardatadistancethewagonsofthefugitives，loadedwithwomenandchildren，whilearmedmenwalkedbeforeandbehind。Thesecaravanswereusuallydrawnbyoxenandmovedslowlytowardsomelargetown。
Whenthedawnappearedintheeast，thechiefsoldierwascompelledtoconcealhimselfinasecludedplace。Herolledupinhisblanket，laydowninadrycreek—bedamongtheredwillowsandimmediatelyfellasleep。
Withthenexteveningheresumedhisjour—
ney，andreachedFaribaulttowardmidnight。
EvenhereeveryapproachwasguardedagainstthepossibilityofanIndianattack。Buttherewasmuchforest，andheknewthecountrywell。
Hereconnoitred，andsoonfoundtheIndiancommunity，butdarednotapproachandenter，fortheseIndianshadalliedthemselveswiththewhites;theywouldbechargedwithtreach—
eryifitwereknownthattheyhadreceivedahostileSioux，andnoneweresohatedbythewhitepeopleasLittleCrowandhiswar—chief。
Hechoseaconcealedpositionfromwhichhemightwatchthemovementsofhiswife，ifshewereindeedthere，andhadnotbeenway—
laidandslainonthejourneyhither。
Thatnightwasthehardestonethatthewar—
riorhadeverknown。Ifheslept，itwasonlytodreamofthewar—whoopandattack;butatlasthefoundhimselfbroadawake，thesunwellup，andyes！therewerehistwolittlesons，play—
ingoutsidetheirteepeeasofold。Thenextmomentheheardthevoiceofhiswifefromthedeepwoodswailingforherhusband！
\"Oh，takeus，husband，takeuswithyou！letusalldietogether！\"shepleadedassheclungtohimwhomshehadregardedasalreadydead;forsheknewofthepricethathadbeenputuponhishead，andthatsomeofthehalf—
breedslovedmoneybetterthanthebloodoftheirIndianmothers。
Tawasuotastoodforaminutewithoutspeak—
ing，whilehishugeframetrembledlikeamightypinebeneaththethunderbolt。
\"No，\"hesaidatlast。\"Ishallgo，butyoumustremain。Youareawoman，andthewhitepeopleneednotknowthatyourlittleboysaremine。BringthemheretomethiseveningthatImaykissthemfarewell。\"
Thesunwashoveringamongthetreetopswhentheymetagain。
\"Atay！atay！\"（\"Papa，papa！\"）thelittlefellowscriedoutinspiteofhercautions;butthemotherputherfingertoherlips，andtheybecamesilent。Tawasuotatookeachboyinhisarms，andheldhimcloseforafewmoments;
hesmiledtothem，butlargetearsrolleddownhischeeks。Thenhedisappearedintheshad—
ows，andtheyneversawhimagain。
Thechiefsoldierlivedanddiedawarriorandanenemytothewhiteman;butoneofhistwosonsbecameinafter—yearsaministeroftheChristiangospel，underthe\"Long—HairedPrayingMan，\"BishopWhipple，ofMinnesota。
VI
THEWHITEMAN’SERRAND
UponthewidetablelandthatliesatthebackofacertainIndianagency，acampofathousandteepeeswaspitchedinacircle，accordingtotheancientusage。Inthecenterofthecirclestoodthecouncillodge，wherethereweregatheredtogetherofanafternoonallthemenofyearsanddistinction，someinblank—
ets，someinuniform，andstillotherscladinbeggarlywhiteman’sclothing。Butthemindsofallwerealikeuponthedaysoftheiryouthandfreedom。
Aroundthecouncilfiretheypassedandre—
passedthepipeofpeace，andwhenthebigdrumwasstrucktheysangtheaccompanimentwithsadyetpleasantthoughtsofthelifethatispast。
Betweenthesongsstoriesofbravedeedsanddangerousexploitswererelatedbytheactorsinturn，withasmuchspiritandzestasiftheywerestilllivinginthosedays。
\"Tum，tum，tum，\"thedrumwassounded。
\"Oow，oow！\"theyhootedinajoyouschorusatthecloseofeachrefrain。
\"Ho！\"exclaimedfinallythemasterofcere—
moniesfortheevening。\"ItisZuyamani’sstoryofhisgreatridethatweshouldnowhear！Itwasnotfarfromthisplace，upontheMissouriRiver，andwithintherecollectionofmanyofusthatthisoccurred。Yeyoungmenmusthear！\"
\"Ho，ho！\"wasthereadyresponseofallpres—
ent，andthedrumwasstruckonceaccordingtocustom。ThepipewasfilledandhandedtoZuy—
amani，whogravelysmokedforafewmomentsinsilence。Thenherelatedhiscontributiontotheunwrittenhistoryofourfrontierinthesewords：
\"Itwasduringthewinterfollowingthatsum—
merinwhichGeneralSibleypursuedmanyofourpeopleacrosstheMuddyRiver（1863），thatweHunkpatees，friendlySioux，werecampingataplacecalled’Hunt—the—Deer，’abouttwomilesfromFortRice，DakotaTerritory。
\"TheChiefSoldierofthegarrisoncalledonedayupontheleadingchiefsofourband。Toeachonehesaid：’Lendmeyourbravestwar—
rior！’Eachchiefcalledhisprincipalwarriorstogetherandlaidthematterbeforethem。
\"’TheChiefSoldieratthisplace，’theyex—
plained，’wantstosendamessagetoFortBer—
thold，wheretheReesandMandanslive，toan—
otherChiefSoldierthere。ThesoldiersoftheGreatFatherdonotknowtheway，neithercouldanyofthemgetthroughthelines。Heasksforabravemantocarryhismessage。’
\"TheMandansandtheReeswereourhered—
itaryenemies，butthiswasnottheprincipalrea—
sonforourhesitation。Wehaddeclaredalle—
giancetotheGreatFatheratWashington;wehadtakenourstandagainstthefightingmenofourownnation，andthehostileSiouxwereworsethanenemiestousatthistime！
\"Eachchiefhadonlycalledonhisleadingwarriors，andeachinturnreportedhisfailuretosecureavolunteer。
\"ThentheChiefSoldiersentagainandsaid：
’Istherenotayoungmanamongyouwhodarestofacedeath？Ifhereachesthefortwithmymessage，hewillneedtobequick—wittedaswellasbrave，andtheGreatFatherwillnotforgethim！’
\"Nowallthechiefstogethercalledalltheyoungmeninagreatcouncil，andsubmittedtothemthedemandoftheGreatFather’sservant。
WeknewwellthatthecountrybetweenusandFortBerthold，aboutonehundredandfiftymilesdistant，wasalivewithhostileSioux，andthatifanyofusshouldbecaughtandrecognizedbythem，hewouldsurelybeputtodeath。Itwouldnotbeeasytodeceivethembyprofessinghostil—
itytotheGovernment，fortherecordofeachindividualIndianiswellknown。Thewarriorswerestillunwillingtogo，fortheyarguedthus：
’Thisisawhiteman’serrand，andwillnotberecordedasabravedeeduponthehonorrollofourpeople。’Ithinkmanywouldhavevol—
unteeredbutforthatbelief。Atthattimewehadnotahighopinionofthewhiteman。
\"Sincealltherestweresilent，itcameintomymindtooffermyservices。Thewarriorslookedatmeinastonishment，forIwasaveryyoungmanandhadnoexperience。
\"Ourchief，TwoBears，whowasmyownuncle，finallypresentedmynametothecommand—
ingofficer。Hepraisedmycourageandbeggedmetobevigilant。TheinterpretertoldhimthatIhadneverbeenuponthewar—pathandwouldbeknockedoverlikearabbit，butasnooneelsewouldgo，hewasobligedtoacceptmeashismessenger。Hegavemeafinehorseandsaddle;alsoarifleandsoldier’suniform。I
wouldnottakethegunnorwearthebluecoat。
Iacceptedonlyarevolver，andItookmybowandquiverfullofarrows，andworemyusualdress。Ihidtheletterinmymoccasin。
\"Isetoutbeforedaybreakthenextmorning。
Thesnowwasdeep。Irodeuptheriver，onthewestbank，keepingaveryclosewatchalltheway，butseeingnothing。Ihadbeenprovidedwithapairoffieldglasses，andIsurveyedthecountryonallsidesfromthetopofeveryhill。
Havingtraveledalldayandpartofthenight，IrestedmyhorseandItookalittlesleep。
\"Aftereatingasmallquantityofpemmican，Imadeaveryearlystartinthemorning。ItwasscarcelylightwhenIheadedforanear—byridgefromwhichtosurveythecountrybeyond。JustasIascendedtheriseIfoundmyselfalmostsur—
roundedbylooseponies，evidentlybelongingtoawintercampofthehostileSioux。
\"Ireadjustedmysaddle，tightenedthegirths，andpreparedtorideswiftlyaroundthecamp。
Isawsomemenalreadyoutafterponies。Nooneappearedtohaveseenmeasyet，butIfeltthatassoonasitbecamelightertheycouldnothelpobservingme。Iturnedtomakethecircuitofthecamp，whichwasaverylargeone，andassoonasIreachedthetimberedbottomlandsIbegantocongratulatemyselfthatIhadnotbeenseen。
\"AsIenteredthewoodsatthecrossingofadrycreek，Inoticedthatmyhorsewasnervous。
Iknewthathorsesarequicktodiscoveranimalsormenbyscent，andIbecamenervous，too。
\"Theanimalputhisfourfeettogetherandalmostsliddownthesteepbank。Ashecameoutontheoppositesideheswervedsuddenlyandstartedtorun。ThenIsawamanwatchingmefrombehindatree。Fortunatelyforme，hecarriednoweapon。Hewasoutafterponies，andhadonlyalariatwoundupononeshoulder。
\"Hebeckonedandmadesignsformetostop，butIspurredmyhorseandtookflightatonce。
Icouldhearhimyellingfarbehindme，nodoubttoarousethecampandsetthemonmytrail。
\"AsIfledwestward，Icameuponanotherman，mounted，anddrivinghisponiesbeforehim。
Heyelledandhootedinvain;thenturnedandrodeafterme。Twoothershadstartedinpur—
suit，butmyhorsewasagoodone，andIeasilyoutdistancedthematthestart。
\"AfterIhadfairlycircledthecamp，Iturnedagaintowardtheriver，hopingtoregainthebot—
tomlands。Thetravelingwasbad。Sometimeswecametodeepgulchesfilledwithsnow，wheremyhorsewouldsinkinuptohisbodyandseemunabletomove。WhenIjumpedoffhisbackandstruckhimonceortwice，hewouldmakeseveraldesperateleapsandrecoverhisfooting。
Mypursuerswereequallyhindered，butbythistimethepursuitwasgeneral，andinordertoterrifymetheyyelledcontinuallyandfiredtheirgunsintotheair。NowandthenIcametoagulchwhichIhadtofollowupinsearchofaplacetocross，andatsuchtimestheygainedonme。Ibegantodespair，forIknewthatthewhiteman’shorseshavenottheenduranceofourIndianponies，andIexpectedtobechasedmostoftheday。
\"FinallyIcametoaravinethatseemedim—
possibletocross。AsIfolloweditup，itbecameevidentthatsomeofthemhadknownofthistrap，andhadcutinaheadofme。IfeltthatI
mustsoonabandonmyhorseandslidedownthesteepsidesofthegulchtosavemyself。
\"However，Imadeonelastefforttopassmyenemies。Theycamewithingunshotandseveralfiredatme，althoughallourhorsesweregoingatfullspeed。Theymissedme，andbeingatlastclearofthem，IcametoaplacewhereI
couldcross，andthepursuitstopped。\"
WhenZuyamanireachedthispointinhisrecital，thegreatdrumwasstruckseveraltimes，andallthemencheeredhim。
\"Thedaysareshortinwinter，\"hewentonafterashortpause，\"andjustnowthesunsankbehindthehills。Ididnotlinger。Icontinuedmyjourneybynight，andreachedFortBertholdbeforemidnight。IhadbeensothoroughlyfrightenedandwassomuchexhaustedthatI
didnotwanttotalk，andassoonasIhadde—
liveredmyletterstothepostcommander，Iwenttotheinterpreter’squarterstosleep。
\"Theinterpreter，however，announcedmyarrival，andthatsamenightmanyRee，GrosVentre，andMandanwarriorscametocalluponme。AmongthemwasagreatchiefoftheRees，calledPoorDog。
\"’Youmustbe，’saidhetome，’eitheraveryyoungman，orafool！Youhavenottoldusaboutyourcloseescape，butarunnercameinatduskandtoldusofthepursuit。Hereportedthatyouhadbeenkilledbythehostiles，forheheardmanygunsfiredaboutthemiddleoftheafternoon。Thesewhitemenwillnevergiveyouanycreditforyourwonderfulride，norwilltheycompensateyoufortherisksyouhavetakenintheirservice。Theywillnotgiveyousomuchasoneeaglefeatherforwhatyouhavedone！’
\"ThenextdayIwassentfortogotohead—
quarters，andthereIrelatedmyall—daypursuitbythehostileSioux。Thecommandingofficeradvisedmetoremainatthefortfifteendaysbeforemakingthereturntrip，thinkingthatbythattimemyenemiesmightceasetolookforme。
\"Attheendofthefortnighthewrotehisletters，andItoldhimthatIwasreadytostart。
’Iwillgiveyou，’hesaid，’twentyReesandGrosVentrestoescortyoupastthehostilecamp。’Wesetoutveryearlyandrodeallday，sothatnightovertookusjustbeforewereachedthecamp。
\"Atnightfallwesenttwoscoutsahead，butbeforetheyleftustheytooktheoathofthepipeintokenoftheirloyalty。Youallknowtheancientwarcustom。Alightedpipewasheldtowardthemandeachonesolemnlytouchedit，afterwhichitwaspassedasusual。
\"Wefollowedmoreslowly，andataboutmidnightwecametotheplacewhereourscoutshadagreedtomeetus。Theyweretoreturnfromareconnaissanceofthecampandreportonwhattheyhadseen。Itwasalonelyspot，andthenightwasverycoldandstill。Wesatthereinthesnowywoodsnearalittlecreekandsmokedinsilencewhilewewaited。Ihadplentyoftimetoreflectuponmyposition。TheseGrosVentresandReeshavebeenourenemiesforgenerations。Iwasonemantotwenty！
Theyhadtheirordersfromthecommanderofthefort，andthatwasmyonlysafeguard。
\"Soonweheardthehowlofawolfalittletothewestward。Immediatelyoneofthepartyansweredinthesamemanner。Icouldnothavetolditfromthehowlofarealwolf。Thenweheardahootingowldownthecreek。Anotherofourpartyhootedlikeanowl。
\"Presentlythewolf’svoicesoundednearer，whiletheowl’shootcamenearerintheoppositedirection。Thenweheardthefootstepsofponiesonthecrisp，frostyair。Thescoutwhohadbeenimitatingthewolfcameinfirst，andtheowlsoonfollowed。Thewarriorsmadearingandagainfilledthepipe，andthescoutstooktheoathforthesecondtime。
\"Aftersmoking，theyreportedatrailgoingupastreamtributarytotheMissouri，butwhethergoingoutorcominginitwasimpos—
sibletotellinthedark。Itwasseveraldaysold。Thiswasdiscussedforsometime。Thequestionwaswhethersomehadgoneoutinsearchofmeat，orwhethersomeadditionalmenhadcomeintocamp。
\"TheBunchofStarswasalreadyalittlewestofthemiddleskywhenwesetoutagain。Theyagreedtotakemeashortdistancebeyondthiscreekandthereleaveme，astheywereafraidtogoanyfurther。Onthebankofthecreekwetookafarewellsmoke。Therewasafaintglowintheeast，showingthatitwasalmostmorning。Thewarriorssanga’StrongHeart’
songformeinanundertoneasIwentonalone。
\"Itriedtomakeawidecircuitofthecamp，butIpassedtheirponiesgrazingalloverthesidehillsataconsiderabledistance，andIwentasquietlyaspossible，soasnottofrightenthem。
WhenIhadfairlypassedthecampIcamedowntotheroadagain，andIletmyhorsefly！
\"Ihadbeencautionedatthepostthatthecrossingsofthecreeksoneithersideofthecampwerethemostdangerousplaces，sincetheywouldbelikelytowatchformethere。Ihadleftthesecondcrossingfarbehind，andIfeltquitesafe;butIwastiredandchilledbythelongride。Myhorse，too，begantoshowsignsoffatigue。Inadeepravinewheretherewasplentyofdrywoodandshelter，Iclearedthegroundofsnowandkindledasmallfire。ThenIgavethehorsehislastrationofoats，andI
atethelastofthepemmicanthattheReescoutshadgivenme。
\"Suddenlyheprickeduphisearsinthedi—
rectionofhome。Heateamouthfulandlistenedagain。Ibegantogrownervous，andIlistened，too。SoonIheardthefootstepsofhorsesinthesnowataconsiderabledistance。
\"HastilyImountedandtookflightalongtheravineuntilIhadtocomeoutupontheopenplain，infullviewofapartyofaboutthirtySiouxinwar—paint，comingbackfromthedirectionofFortRice。Theyimmediatelygavechase，yellingandflourishingtheirgunsandtomahawksovertheirheads。Iurgedmyhorsetohisbestspeed，forIfeltthatiftheyshouldovertakeme，nothingcouldsaveme！Myfriend，WhiteElk，here，wasoneofthatwar—
party。
\"IsawthatIhadafairleadandthebesthorse，andwasgaininguponthem，whenabouttwomilesoutImetsomemoreofthepartywhohadlingeredbehindtherest。Iwassur—
rounded！
\"Iturnedtowardthenorth，toadeepgulchthatIknewIshouldfindthere，andIledmyhorsealonganarrowandslipperyridgetoadeephole。HereItookupmyposition。I
guardedthepasswithmybowandarrows，andtheycouldnotreachmeunlesstheyshouldfol—
lowtheridgeinsinglefile。Iknewthattheywouldnotstormmyposition，forthatisnottheIndianwayoffighting，butIsupposedthattheywouldtrytotiremeout。Theyyelledandhooted，andshotmanybulletsandarrowsovermyheadtoterrifymeintosurrender，butIre—
mainedmotionlessandsilent。
\"Nightcame，withafullroundmoon。AllwaslightasdayexcepttheplacewhereIstood，halffrozenandnotdaringtomove。Thebot—
tomofthegulchwasasblackasawellandalmostascold。Thewolveshowledallaroundmeinthestillness。
AtlastIheardthefootstepsofhorsesre—
treating，andthennoothersound。StillIdarednotcomeout。Imusthaveslept，foritwasdawnwhenIseemedtohearfaintlytheyellingofwarriors，andthenIheardmyownname。
\"’Zuyamani，tokiyanunkahuwo？’（Whereareyou，Zuyamani？）theyshouted。Apartyofmyfriendshadcomeouttomeetmeandhadfollowedourtrail。IwasscarcelyabletowalkwhenIcameout，buttheyfilledthepipeandheldituptome，asisdoneinrecognitionofdistinguishedservice。Theyescortedmeintothepost，singingwarsongsandsongsofbravedeeds，andthereIdelivereduphisletterstotheChiefSoldier。\"
AgainthedrumwasstruckandtheoldmencheeredZuyamani，whoadded：
\"IthinkthatPoorDogwasright，fortheGreatFathernevergavemeanycredit，nordidheeverrewardmeforwhatIhaddone。YetIhavenotbeenwithouthonor，formyownpeoplehavenotforgottenme，eventhoughI
wentuponthewhiteman’serrand。\"
VII
THEGRAVEOFTHEDOG
Thefullmoonwasjustclearofthehighmountainranges。Surroundedbyaringofbluishhaze，itlookedalmostasifitwerefrozenagainsttheimpalpableblue—
blackoftherecklessmidwintersky。
Thegamescoutmovedslowlyhomeward，wellwrappedinhislongbuffalorobe，whichwassecurelybeltedtohisstrongloins;hisquivertightlytiedtohisshoulderssoasnottoimpedehisprogress。Itwasenoughtocarryuponhisfeettwostrongsnow—shoes;forthesnowwasdeepanditscrusttoothintobearhisweight。
Asheemergedfromthelowlandsintotheupperregions，heloomedupagiganticfigureagainsttheclear，moonlithorizon。Hispic—
turesquefoxskincapwithallitstrimmingswasincrustedwithfrostfromthebreathofhisnos—
trils，andhislaggingfootfallsoundedcrisply。
Thedistancehehadthatdaycoveredwasenoughforanyhumanendurance;yethewasneitherfaintnorhungry;buthisfeetwerefrozenintothepsay，thesnow—shoes，sothathecouldnotrunfasterthananeasyslipandslide。
Atlasthereachedthemuch—covetedpoint——
thecrownofthelastascent;andwhenhesmelledfireandthesavoryodorofthejerkedbuffalomeat，itwell—nighcausedhimtowaver！Buthemustnotfailtofollowthecustomofuntoldages，andgivethegamescout’swolfcallbeforeenter—
ingcamp。
Accordinglyhepauseduponthehighestpointoftheridgeandutteredacrytowhichthehungrycryofarealwolfwouldhaveseemedbutacoyote’syelpincomparison！Thenitwasthattherestofthebuffalohuntersknewthattheirgamescoutwasreturningwithwelcomenews;fortheunsuccessfulscoutentersthecampsilently。
Asecondtimehegavethecalltoassurehishearersthattheirearsdidnotdeceivethem。Thegraywolvesreceivedthenewswithperfectun—
derstanding。Itmeantfood！\"Woo—o—o—o！
woo—o—o—o！\"camefromalldirections，especiallyfromtheoppositeridge。Thustheghostly，cold，weirdnightwasenlivenedwiththemusicfrommanywildthroats。
Downthegradualslopethescouthastened;
hisfootfallwastheonlysoundthatbrokethestillnessaftertheanswerstohiscallhadceased。
Ashecrossedalittleridgeanimmensewolfsuddenlyconfrontedhim，andinsteadofretreat—
ing，calmlysatupandgazedsteadfastlyintohisface。
\"Welcome，welcome，friend！\"thehunterspokeashepassed。
Inthemeantime，thehuntersatthetemporarycampwerearousedtoahighpitchofexcitement。
Someturnedtheirbuffalorobesandputthemoninsuchawayastoconvertthemselvesintomake—believebison，andbegantotreadthesnow，whileothersweresingingthebuffalosong，thattheirspiritsmightbecharmedandalluredwithinthecircleofthecamp—fires。Thescout，too，wassinginghisbuffalobullsonginaguttural，lowingchantashenearedthehuntingcamp。Withinarrow—shothepausedagain，whiletheusualcere—
monieswereenactedforhisreception。Thisdone，hewasseatedwiththeleadersinachosenplace。
\"Itwasalongrun，\"hesaid，\"buttherewerenodifficulties。Ifoundthefirstherddirectlynorthofhere。Thesecondherd，agreatone，isnortheast，nearShellLake。Thesnowisdeep。
Thebuffalocanonlyfollowtheirleaderintheirretreat。\"
\"Hi，hi，hi！\"thehuntersexclaimedsolemnlyintokenofgratitude，raisingtheirhandsheaven—
wardandthenpointingthemtowardtheground。
\"Ho，kola！onemoreroundofthebuffalo—
pipe，thenweshallretire，torisebeforedaybreakforthehunt，\"advisedoneoftheleaders。Si—
lentlytheypartookinturnofthelong—stemmedpipe，andonebyone，withadignified\"Ho！\"
departedtotheirteepees。
Thescoutbetookhimselftohislittleoldbuf—
faloteepee，whichheusedforwinterhuntingexpeditions。HisfaithfulShunka，whohadbeenallthistimeitsonlyoccupant，methimattheentranceasdogsaloneknowhowtowelcomealifelongfriend。Ashismasterenteredhestretchedhimselfinhisold—timeway，fromthetipofhistailtothatofhistongue，andfinishedbycurlingbothendsupward。
\"Ho，mitashunka，eatthis;foryoumustbehungry！\"Sosaying，thescoutlaidbeforehiscaninefriendthelastpieceofhisdriedbuf—
falomeat。Itwasthesweetestmealevereatenbyadog，judgingbyhislongsmackingofhislipsafterhehadswallowedit！
Thehuntingpartywassoonlostinheavyslumber。Notasoundcouldbeheardsavethegnawingoftheponiesuponthecottonwoodbark，whichwasprovidedfortheminsteadofhayinthewintertime。
AllaboutShellLakethebisonweregatheredingreatherds。Theunmistakablesignsoftheskyhadwarnedthemofapproachingbadweather。Themoon’srobewasgirdledwiththerainbowwampumofheaven。Theverymusicofthesnowundertheirfeethadgiventhemwarning。OnthenorthsideofShellLaketherewereseveraldeepgulches，whichwerethehomesofeverywandereroftheplainsatsuchatimeatthis。Whentherewasachangetowardsevereweather，allthefour—footedpeopleheadedforthislake。Herewasaheavygrowthofreeds，rushes，andcoarsegrass，makinggoodshelters，andalsosprings，whichaffordedwaterafterthelakewasfrozensolid。Hencegreatnumbersofthebisonhadgatheredhere。
WhenWapashaw，thegamescout，hadrolledhimselfinhiswarmbuffalorobeandwassoundasleep，hisfaithfulcompanionhunter，thegreatEsquimauxwolfdog，silentlyroseandagainstretchedhimself，thenstoodquietforamomentasifmeditating。Itwasclearthatheknewwellwhathehadplannedtodo，butwasconsideringhowheshoulddoitwithoutarousinganysus—
picionofhismovements。Thisisadog’sart，andthenighttricksandmaraudingmustalwaysbethejoyandsecretofhislife！
Softlyheemergedfromthelodgeandgaveasweepingglancearoundtoassurehimthattherewerenonetospyuponhim。Suspiciouslyhesniffedtheair，asiftoascertainwhethertherecouldbeanydangertohissleepingmasterwhileheshouldbeaway。
Hispurposewasstillasecret。Itmaybethatitwasnotentirelyaselfishone，ormerelythesatisfyingofhisinheritedtraits。Havingfullyconvincedhimselfofthesafetyoftheunguardedcamp，hewentforthintothebitingcold。Themoonwasnowwellupontheprairiesofthesky。
Therewerenocloudhillsinthebluefieldabovetoconcealherfromview。Herbrilliantlightsetonfireeverysnowgemupontheplainsandhillsidesaboutthehunters’camp。
Upthelongascenthetrottedinanortherlydirection，yetnotfollowinghismaster’strail。
Hewaslargeandformidableinstrength，com—
biningthefeaturesofhiswildbrothersoftheplainswiththoseofthedogswhokeepcompanywiththeredmen。Hisjet—blackhairandsharpearsandnoseappearedtoimmenseadvantageagainstthespotlessandjeweledsnow，untilpres—
entlyhisownwarmbreathhadcoatedhimwithheavyfrost。
AfteratimeShunkastruckintohismaster’strailandfolloweditalltheway，onlytakingashortcuthereandtherewhenbydoginstinctheknewthatamanmustgoaroundsuchapointtogettohisdestination。Hemetmanytravelersduringthenight，butnonehaddaredtoapproachhim，thoughsomefewfollowedatadistance，asiftodiscoverhispurpose。
AtlasthereachedShellLake，andtherebe—
heldagreatgatheringoftheherds！Theystoodingroups，likeenormousrocks，nolongerblack，butwhitewithfrost。Everyoneofthememittedawhitesteam，quicklyfrozenintoafinesnowintheair。
Shunkasatuponhishaunchesandgazed。
\"Wough，thisisit！\"hesaidtohimself。Hehadkeptstillwhenthegamescoutgavethewolfcall，thoughthecampwasinanuproar，andfromtheadjacenthillsthewildhunterswereequallyjoyous，becausetheyunderstoodthemeaningoftheunwontednoise。Yethiscurios—
itywasnotfullysatisfied，andhehadsetouttodiscoverthetruth，anditmaybetoprotectorservehismasterincaseofdanger。
Atdaybreakthegreatdogmeeklyenteredhismaster’srudeteepee，andfoundhimalreadypre—
paringfortheprospectivehunt。Hewasfillinghisinsidemoccasinsfullofbuffalohairtoserveasstockings，overwhichheputonhislargebuf—
falomoccasinswiththehairinside，andadjustedhiswarmleggings。Hethenadjustedhissnow—
shoesandfilledhisquiverfullofgoodarrows。
Thedogquietlylaydowninawarmplace，mak—
inghimselfassmallaspossible，asiftoescapeobservation，andcalmlywatchedhismaster。
\"Ho，ho，ho，kola！Enakanee，enakanee！\"
shoutedthegameherald。\"Itisalwaysbesttogetthegameearly;thentheirspiritscantakeflightwiththecomingofanewday！\"
Allhadnowdonnedtheirsnow—shoes。Therewasnofoodleft;thereforenodelaytopreparebreakfast。
\"Itisverypropitiousforourhunt，\"oneex—
claimed;\"everythingisinourfavor。Thereisagoodcrustonthesnow，andthepromiseofagoodclearday！\"
Soonallthehunterswererunninginsinglefileuponthetrailofthescout，eachIndiancloselyfollowedbyhistrustyhuntingdog。InlessthantwohourstheystoodjustbackofthelowridgewhichroundedthesouthsideofShellLake。
Thenarrowstripoflandbetweenitstwindivisionswasliterallyfilledwiththebison。Inthegulchesbeyond，betweenthedarklinesoftimber，therewerealsoscatteredgroups;butthehuntersatoncesawtheiradvantageovertheherduponthepeninsula。
\"Hechetu，kola！Thisiswell，friends！\"ex—
claimedthefirsttospeak。\"Thesecanbeforcedtocrosstheslipperyiceandthemirearoundthesprings。Thiswillhelpustogetmoremeat。
Ourpeoplearehungry，andwemustkillmanyinordertofeedthem！\"
\"Ho，ho，ho！\"agreedallthehunters。
\"Anditisherethatwecanuseourcompanionhuntersbest，fortheshunkaswillintimidateandbewilderthebuffalowomen，\"saidanoldman。
\"Ugh，heisalwaysright！Ourdogsmusthelpushere。Themeatwillbetheirsaswellasours，\"anotheradded。
\"Tosh，kola！Thegamescout’sdogisthegreatestshunkaofthemall！Hehasamindnearlikethatofaman。Lethimleadtheattackofhisfellows，whilewecrawlupontheoppositesideandsurroundthebuffaloupontheslipperyiceandinthedeceitfulmire，\"spokeupathird。
SoitwasagreedthatthegamescoutandhisShunkashouldleadtheattackofthedogs。
\"Woo，woo，woo！\"wasthehoarsesignalfromthethroatofthegamescout;buthisvoicewasdrownedbythehowlingandbarkingofthesavagedogsastheymadetheircharge。Inamomentallwasconfusionamongthebuffalo。
Somestartedthisway，othersthat，andthegreatmassswayedtoandfrouncertainly。Afewwerereadytofight，butthesnowwastoodeepforacounterchargeuponthedogs，saveontheicejustinfrontofthem，wherethewindhadalwaysfullsweep。Thereallwasslipperyandshining！Intheirexcitementandconfusionthebisonrusheduponthisuncertainplain。
Theirweightandthemomentumoftheirrushcarriedthemhopelesslyfarout，wheretheywereagainconfusedastowhichwaytogo，andmanywerestuckinthemirewhichwasconcealedbythesnow，excepthereandthereanopeningaboveaspringfromwhichthereissuedasteamingvapor。Thegamescoutandhisvaliantdogledontheforceofcanineswithdeafeningwar—cries，andonecouldseeblackheadshereandtherepop—
pingfrombehindtheembankments。Astheherdfinallyswepttowardtheoppositeshore，manydeadwereleftbehind。Piercedbythear—
rowsofthehunters，theylaylikeblackmoundsupontheglassyplain。
Itwasagreathunt！\"Oncemorethecampwillbefed，\"theythought，\"andthisgoodfor—
tunewillhelpustoreachthespringalive！\"
Achantofrejoicingrangoutfromtheop—
positeshore，whilethegamescoutunsheathedhisbigknifeandbegantheworkwhichiseverthesequelofthehunt——todressthegame;al—
thoughthesurvivorsoftheslaughterhadscarcelydisappearedbehindthehills。Thedogshadallrunbacktotheirrespectivemasters，andthisleftthescoutandhiscompanionShunkaalone。Somewereappointedtostartacampinaneighboringgulchamongthetrees，sothatthehuntersmightbringtheirmeatthereandeatbeforesettingoutforthegreatcampontheBigRiver。
Allwerebusilyskinningandcuttingupthemeatintopiecesconvenientforcarrying，whensuddenlyahuntercalledtheattentionofthosenearhimtoanominouschangeintheatmos—
phere。
\"Therearesignsofablizzard！Wemusthurryintothenearwoodsbeforeitreachesus！\"
heshouted。
Someheardhim;othersdidnot。Thosewhosaworheardpassedonthesignalandhurriedtowardthewood，whereothershadalreadyar—
rangedrudesheltersandgatheredpilesofdrywoodforfuel。
Aroundtheseveralcamp—firesthehunterssatorstood，whileslicesofsavorymeatwerebroiledandeatenwitharelishbythehalf—starvedmen。
\"Ho，kola！Eatthis，friend！\"saidtheytooneanotherasonefinishedbroilingasteakofthebisonandofferedittohisneighbor。
Butthestormhadnowfairlyenvelopedtheminwhirlingwhiteness。\"Woo，woo！\"theycalledtothosewhohadnotyetreachedcamp。
Oneafteranotheransweredandemergedfromtheblindingpallofsnow。AtlastnoneweremissingsavethegamescoutandhisShunka！
Thehunterspassedthetimeineatingandtell—
ingstoriesuntilalatehour，occasionallygivingaunitedshouttoguidethelostoneshouldhechancetopassneartheircamp。
\"Fearnotforourscout，friends！\"finallyex—
claimedaleaderamongthem。\"Heisabraveandexperiencedman。Hewillfindasaferest—
ing—place，andjoinuswhenthewindceasestorage。\"Sotheyallwrappedthemselvesintheirrobesandlaydowntosleep。
Allthatnightandthefollowingdayitwasimpossibletogivesuccor，andthehuntersfeltmuchconcernfortheabsent。Lateinthesecondnightthegreatstormsubsided。
\"Ho，ho！Iyotanka！Riseup！\"Sothefirsthuntertoawakenarousedalltheothers。
Asaftereveryotherstorm，itwaswonderfullystill;sostillthatonecouldheardistinctlythepoundingfeetofthejack—rabbitscomingdownovertheslopestothewillowsforfood。Alldryvegetationwasburiedbeneaththedeepsnow，andeverywheretheysawthiswhite—robedcrea—
tureoftheprairiecomingdowntothewoods。
Nowtheairwasfullofthewolfandcoyotegamecall，andtheywereseeningreatnumbersupontheice。
\"See，see！thehungrywolvesaredraggingthecarcassesaway！Harkentothewarcriesofthescout’sShunka！Hurry，hurry！\"theyurgedoneanotherinchorus。
Awaytheyranandoutuponthelake;nowuponthewind—sweptice，nowuponthecrustedsnow;runningwhentheycould，slidingwhentheymust。Therewascertainlyagreatconcourseofthewolves，whirlinginfranticcircles，butcon—
tinuallymovingtowardthefartherendofthelake。Theycouldheardistinctlythehoarsebarkofthescout’sShunka，andoccasionallythemuf—
fledwar—whoopofaman，asifitcamefromundertheice！
Astheyapproachednearerthescenetheycouldhearmoredistinctlythevoiceoftheirfriend，butstillasitwerefromunderground。
Whentheyreachedthespottowhichthewolveshaddraggedtwoofthecarcassesofthebuffalo，Shunkawasseentostandbyoneofthem，butatthatmomenthestaggeredandfell。Thehunt—
erstookouttheirknivesandrippedupthefrozenhidecoveringtheabdominalcavity。Itrevealedawarmnestofhayandbuffalohairinwhichthescoutlay，wrappedinhisownrobe！
Hehadplacedhisdoginoneofthecarcassesandhimselfinanotherforprotectionfromthestorm;butthedogwaswiserthantheman，forhekepthisentranceopen。Themanlappedthehideoveranditfrozesolidly，shuttinghimse—
curelyin。WhenthehungrywolvescameShunkapromptlyextricatedhimselfandheldthemoffaslongashecould;meanwhile，slidingandpulling，thewolvescontinuedtodragovertheslipperyicethebodyofthebuffaloinwhichhismasterhadtakenrefuge。Thepoor，faithfuldog，withnocareforhisownsafety，stoodbyhisimprisonedmasteruntilthehunterscameup。
Butitwastoolate，forhehadreceivedmorethanonemortalwound。
Assoonasthescoutgotout，withafacemoreanxiousforanotherthanforhimself，heex—
claimed：
\"WhereisShunka，thebravestofhistribe？\"
\"Ho，kola，itisso，indeed;andherehelies，\"
repliedonesadly。