ContentsI
　　EARLIESTRECOLLECTIONS
　　I：Hakadah，"ThePitifulLast"
　　II：EarlyHardshipsIII：MyIndianGrandmotherIV：InIndianSugarCampV：AMidsummerFeastII
　　ANINDIANBOY’STRAINING
　　III
　　MYPLAYSANDPLAYMATES
　　I：GamesandSportsII：MyPlaymatesIII：TheBoyHunterIV
　　HAKADAH’SFIRSTOFFERING
　　V
　　FAMILYTRADITIONS
　　I：AVisittoSmokyDayII：TheStoneBoyVI
　　EVENINGINTHELODGE
　　I：EveningintheLodgeII：AdventuresofMyUncleVII
　　THEENDOFTHEBEARDANCE
　　VIII
　　THEMAIDENS’FEAST
　　IX
　　MORELEGENDS
　　I：ALegendofDevil’sLakeII：Manitoshaw’sHuntingX
　　INDIANLIFEANDADVENTURE
　　I：LifeintheWoodsII：AWinterCampIII：WildHarvestsIV：AMeetingonthePlainsV：AnAdventurousJourneyXI
　　THELAUGHINGPHILOSOPHER
　　XII
　　FIRSTIMPRESSIONSOFCIVILIZATION
　　I
　　EarliestRecollectionsI：Hadakah，"ThePitifulLast"
　　WHATboywouldnotbeanIndianforawhilewhenhethinksofthefreestlifeintheworld？Thislifewasmine。Everydaytherewasarealhunt。Therewasrealgame。
　　Occasionallytherewasamedicinedanceawayoffinthewoodswherenoonecoulddisturbus，inwhichtheboysimpersonatedtheirelders，BraveBull，StandingElk，HighHawk，MedicineBear，andtherest。Theypaintedandimitatedtheirfathersandgrandfatherstotheminutestdetail，andaccuratelytoo，becausetheyhadseentherealthingalltheirlives。
　　Wewerenotonlygoodmimicsbutwewereclosestudentsofnature。Westudiedthehabitsofanimalsjustasyoustudyyourbooks。Wewatchedthemenofourpeopleandrepresentedtheminourplay;thenlearnedtoemulatetheminourlives。
　　Nopeoplehaveabetteruseoftheirfivesensesthanthechildrenofthewilderness。Wecouldsmellaswellashearandsee。Wecouldfeelandtasteaswellaswecouldseeandhear。Nowherehasthememorybeenmorefullydevelopedthaninthewildlife，andIcanstillseewhereinIowemuchtomyearlytraining。
　　OfcourseImyselfdonotrememberwhenI
　　firstsawtheday，butmybrothershaveoftenrecalledtheeventwithmuchmirth;foritwasacustomoftheSiouxthatwhenaboywasbornhisbrothermustplungeintothewater，orrollinthesnownakedifitwaswintertime;andifhewasnotbigenoughtodoeitherofthesehimself，waterwasthrownonhim。Ifthenew—bornhadasister，shemustbeimmersed。Theideawasthatawarriorhadcometocamp，andtheotherchil—
　　drenmustdisplaysomeactofhardihood。
　　Iwassounfortunateastobetheyoungestoffivechildrenwho，soonafterIwasborn，wereleftmotherless。Ihadtobearthehumiliatingname"Hakadah，"meaning"thepitifullast，"untilI
　　shouldearnamoredignifiedandappropriatename。Iwasregardedaslittlemorethanaplay—
　　thingbytherestofthechildren。
　　Mymother，whowasknownasthehandsomestwomanofalltheSpiritLakeandLeafDwellerSioux，wasdangerouslyill，andoneofthemedi—
　　cinemenwhoattendedhersaid："Anothermedicinemanhascomeintoexistence，butthemothermustdie。Thereforelethimbearthename’MysteriousMedicine。’"Butoneoftheby—
　　standershastilyinterfered，sayingthatanuncleofthechildalreadyborethatname，so，forthetime，Iwasonly"Hakadah。"
　　Mybeautifulmother，sometimescalledthe"Demi—Goddess"oftheSioux，whotraditionsayshadeveryfeatureofaCaucasiandescentwiththeexceptionofherluxuriantblackhairanddeepblackeyes，heldmetightlytoherbosomuponherdeath—bed，whileshewhisperedafewwordstohermother—in—law。Shesaid："Igiveyouthisboyforyourown。Icannottrustmyownmotherwithhim;shewillneglecthimandhewillsurelydie。"
　　Thewomantowhomthesewordswerespokenwasbelowtheaverageinstature，remarkablyac—
　　tiveforherage（shewasthenfullysixty），andpossessedofasmuchgoodnessasintelligence。Mymother’sjudgmentconcerningherownmotherwaswellfounded，forsoonafterherdeaththatoldladyappeared，anddeclaredthatHakadahwastooyoungtolivewithoutamother。SheofferedtokeepmeuntilIdied，andthenshewouldputmeinmymother’sgrave。Ofcoursemyothergrandmotherdenouncedthesugges—
　　tionasaverywickedone，andrefusedtogivemeup。
　　Thebabewasdoneupasusualinamovablecradlemadefromanoakboardtwoandahalffeetlongandoneandahalffeetwide。Ononesideofitwasnailedwithbrass—headedtackstherichly—embroideredsack，whichwasopeninfrontandlacedupanddownwithbuckskinstrings。
　　Overthearmsoftheinfantwasawoodenbow，theendsofwhichwerefirmlyattachedtotheboard，sothatifthecradleshouldfallthechild’sheadandfacewouldbeprotected。Onthisbowwerehungcuriousplaythings——stringsofartis—
　　ticallycarvedbonesandhoofsofdeer，whichrattledwhenthelittlehandsmovedthem。
　　InthisuprightcradleIlived，playedandsleptthegreaterpartofthetimeduringthefirstfewmonthsofmylife。WhetherIwasmadetoleanagainstalodgepoleorwassuspendedfromaboughofatree，whilemygrandmothercutwood，orwhetherIwascarriedonherback，orcon—
　　venientlybalancedbyanotherchildinasimilarcradlehungontheoppositesideofapony，Iwasstillinmyoakenbed。
　　Thisgrandmother，whohadalreadylivedthroughsixtyyearsofhardships，wasawondertotheyoungmaidensofthetribe。SheshowednolessenthusiasmoverHakadahthanshehaddonewhensheheldherfirst—born，theboy’sfather，inherarms。Everylittleattentionthatisduetoalovedchildsheperformedwithmuchskillandde—
　　votion。Shemadeallmyscantygarmentsandmytinymoccasinswithagreatdealoftaste。ItwassaidbyallthatIcouldnothavehadmoreatten—
　　tionhadmymotherbeenliving。
　　Uncheedah（grandmother）wasagreatsinger。
　　Sometimes，whenHakadahwakenedtooearlyinthemorning，shewouldsingtohimsomethinglikethefollowinglullaby：
　　Sleep，sleep，myboy，theChippewasArefaraway——arefaraway。
　　Sleep，sleep，myboy;preparetomeetThefoebyday——thefoebyday！
　　ThecowardswillnotdaretofightTillmorningbreak——tillmorningbreak。
　　Sleep，sleep，mychild，whilestill’tisnight;
　　Thenbravelywake——thenbravelywake！
　　TheDakotawomenwerewonttocutandbringtheirfuelfromthewoodsand，infact，toperformmostofthedrudgeryofthecamp。Thisofneces—
　　sityfelltotheirlot，becausethemenmustfollowthegameduringtheday。Veryoftenmygrand—
　　mothercarriedmewithherontheseexcursions;
　　andwhilesheworkeditwasherhabittosuspendmefromawildgrapevineoraspringybough，sothattheleastbreezewouldswingthecradletoandfro。
　　ShehastoldmethatwhenIhadgrownoldenoughtotakenotice，Iwasapparentlycapableofholdingextendedconversationsinanunknowndialectwithbirdsandredsquirrels。OnceIfellasleepinmycradle，suspendedfiveorsixfeetfromtheground，whileUncheedahwassomedis—
　　tanceaway，gatheringbirchbarkforacanoe。A
　　squirrelhadfounditconvenienttocomeuponthebowofmycradleandnibblehishickorynut，untilheawokemebydroppingthecrumbsofhismeal。
　　Mydisapprovalofhisintrusionwassodecidedthathehadtotakeasuddenandquickflighttoanotherbough，andfromtherehebegantopourouthiswrathuponme，whileIcontinuedmyob—
　　jectionstohispresencesoaudiblythatUncheedahsooncametomyrescue，andcompelledtheboldintrudertogoaway。Itwasacommonthingforbirdstoalightonmycradleinthewoods。
　　Myfoodwas，atfirst，atroublesomequestionformykindfoster—mother。Shecookedsomewildriceandstrainedit，andmixeditwithbrothmadefromchoicevenison。Shealsopoundeddriedvenisonalmosttoaflour，andkeptitinwatertillthenourishingjuiceswereextracted，thenmixedwithitsomepoundedmaize，whichwasbrownedbeforepounding。Thissoupofwildrice，poundedveni—
　　sonandmaizewasmymain—stay。Butsoonmyteethcame——muchearlierthanthewhitechildrenusuallycuttheirs;andthenmygoodnursegavemealittlemorevariedfood，andIdidallmyowngrinding。
　　AfterIleftmycradle，Ialmostwalkedawayfromit，shetoldme。Shethenbegancallingmyattentiontonaturalobjects。WheneverIheardthesongofabird，shewouldtellmewhatbirditcamefrom，somethingafterthisfashion：
　　"Hakadah，listentoShechoka（therobin）call—
　　inghismate。Hesayshehasjustfoundsome—
　　thinkgoodtoeat。"Or"ListentoOopehanska（thethrush）;heissingingforhislittlewife。Hewillsinghisbest。"Whenintheeveningthewhippoorwillstartedhissongwithvim，nofurtherthanastone’sthrowfromourtentinthewoods，shewouldsaytome：
　　"Hush！ItmaybeanOjibwayscout！"
　　Again，whenIwakedatmidnight，shewouldsay：
　　"Donotcry！Hinakaga（theowl）iswatch—
　　ingyoufromthetree—top。"
　　Iusuallycoveredupmyhead，forIhadperfectfaithinmygrandmother’sadmonitions，andshehadgivenmeadreadfulideaofthisbird。Itwasoneofherlegendsthatalittleboywasoncestand—
　　ingjustoutsideoftheteepee（tent），cryingvigor—
　　ouslyforhismother，whenHinakagaswoopeddowninthedarknessandcarriedthepoorlittlefellowupintothetrees。ItwaswellknownthatthehootoftheowlwascommonlyimitatedbyIndianscoutswhenonthewar—path。Therehadbeendreadfulmassacresimmediatelyfollowingthiscall。Thereforeitwasdeemedwisetoimpressthesoundearlyuponthemindofthechild。
　　Indianchildrenweretrainedsothattheyhardlyevercriedmuchinthenight。Thiswasveryex—
　　pedientandnecessaryintheirexposedlife。Inmyinfancyitwasmygrandmother’scustomtoputmetosleep，asshesaid，withthebirds，andtowakenmewiththem，untilitbecameahabit。Shedidthiswithanobjectinview。AnIndianmustal—
　　waysriseearly。Inthefirstplace，asahunter，hefindshisgamebestatdaybreak。Secondly，othertribes，whenonthewar—path，usuallymaketheirattackveryearlyinthemorning。Evenwhenourpeoplearemovingaboutleisurely，weliketorisebeforedaybreak，inordertotravelwhentheairiscool，andunobserved，perchance，byourenemies。
　　Asalittlechild，itwasinstilledintometobesilentandreticent。Thiswasoneofthemostim—
　　portanttraitstoforminthecharacteroftheIndian。
　　Asahunterandwarrioritwasconsideredabso—
　　lutelynecessarytohim，andwasthoughttolaythefoundationsofpatienceandself—control。Therearetimeswhenboisterousmirthisindulgedinbyourpeople，buttheruleisgravityanddecorum。
　　Afterall，mybabyhoodwasfullofinterestandthebeginningsoflife’srealities。Thespiritofdaringwasalreadywhisperedintomyears。Thevalueoftheeaglefeatheraswornbythewarriorhadcaughtmyeye。Oneday，whenIwasleftalone，atscarcelytwoyearsofage，Itookmyuncle’swarbonnetandpluckedoutallitseaglefeatherstodecoratemydogandmyself。Sosoonthelifethatwasaboutmehadmadeitsimpress，andalreadyIdesiredintenselytocomplywithallofitsdemands。
　　II：EarlyHardshipsONEoftheearliestrecollectionsofmyadventurouschildhoodistherideIhadonapony’sside。
　　Iwaspassiveinthewholemat—
　　ter。AlittlegirlcousinofminewasputinabagandsuspendedfromthehornofanIndiansaddle;butherweightmustbebalancedorthesaddlewouldnotremainontheanimal’sback。Accordingly，Iwasputintoanothersackandmadetokeepthesaddleandthegirlinposition！Ididnotobjectatall，forIhadaverypleasantgameofpeek—a—
　　boowiththelittlegirl，untilwecametoabigsnow—drift，wherethepoorbeastwasstuckfastandbegantoliedown。Thenitwasnotsonice！
　　Thiswastheconvenientandprimitivewayinwhichsomemotherspackedtheirchildrenforwinterjourneys。Howevercoldtheweathermightbe，theinmateofthefur—linedsackwasusuallyverycomfortable——atleastIusedtothinkso。IbelieveIwasaccustomedtoallthepre—
　　cariousIndianconveyances，and，asaboy，Ien—
　　joyedthedog—travauxrideasmuchasany。Thetravauxconsistedofasetofrawhidestripssecure—
　　lylashedtothetent—poles，whichwereharnessedtothesidesoftheanimalasifhestoodbetweenshafts，whilethefreeendswereallowedtodragontheground。Bothponiesandlargedogswereusedasbeastsofburden，andtheycarriedinthiswaythesmallerchildrenaswellasthebaggage。
　　Thismodeoftravellingforchildrenwaspossi—
　　bleonlyinthesummer，andasthedogsweresome—
　　timesunreliable，thelittleoneswereexposedtoacertainamountofdanger。Forinstance，when—
　　everatrainofdogshadbeentravellingforalongtime，almostperishingwiththeheatandtheirheavyloads，aglimpseofwaterwouldcausethemtoforgetalltheirresponsibilities。Someofthem，inspiteofthescreamsofthewomen，wouldswimwiththeirburdensintothecoolingstream，andIwasthus，onmorethanoneoccasion，madetopartakeofanunwillingbath。
　　Iwasalittleoverfouryearsoldatthetimeofthe"Siouxmassacre"inMinnesota。Inthegeneralturmoil，wetookflightintoBritishColumbia，andthejourneyisstillvividlyremem—
　　beredbyallourfamily。Ayokeofoxenandalumber—wagonweretakenfromsomewhitefarmerandbroughthomeforourconveyance。
　　HowdelightedIwaswhenIlearnedthatweweretoridebehindthosewise—lookinganimalsandinthatgorgeouslypaintedwagon！Itseemedalmostlikealivingcreaturetome，thisnewvehiclewithfourlegs，andthemoresowhenwegotoutofaxle—greaseandthewheelswentalongsquealinglikepigs！
　　Theboysfoundagreatdealofinnocentfuninjumpingfromthehighwagonwhiletheoxenwereleisurelymovingalong。Myelderbrotherssoonbecameexperts。Atlast，Imusteredupcourageenoughtojointheminthissport。Iwassuretheysteppedonthewheel，soIcautiouslyplacedmymoccasinedfootuponit。Alas！beforeIcouldrealizewhathadhappened，Iwasunderthewheels，andhaditnotbeenfortheneighborimmediatelybehindus，Imighthavebeenrunoverbythenextteamaswell。
　　Thiswasmyfirstexperiencewithacivilizedvehicle。Icriedoutallpossiblereproachesonthewhiteman’steamandconcludedthatadog—
　　travauxwasgoodenoughforme。Iwasreallyrejoicedthatweweremovingawayfromthepeoplewhomadethewagonthathadalmostendedmylife，anditdidnotoccurtomethatI
　　alonewastoblame。IcouldnotbepersuadedtorideinthatwagonagainandwasgladwhenwefinallyleftitbesidetheMissouririver。
　　Thesummerafterthe"Minnesotamassacre，"
　　GeneralSibleypursuedourpeopleacrossthisriver。NowtheMissouriisconsideredoneofthemosttreacherousriversintheworld。Evenagoodmodernboatisnotsafeuponitsuncertaincurrent。Wewereforcedtocrossinbuffalo—skinboats——asroundastubs！
　　TheWashechu（whitemen）werecomingingreatnumberswiththeirbigguns，andwhilemostofourmenwerefightingthemtogaintime，thewomenandtheoldmenmadeandequippedthetemporaryboats，bracedwithribsofwillow。
　　Someoftheseweretowedbytwoorthreewomenormenswimminginthewaterandsomebyponies。
　　Itwasnotaneasymattertokeepthemrightsideup，withtheirhelplessfreightoflittlechildrenandsuchgoodsaswepossessed。
　　Inourflight，welittlefolkswerestrappedinthesaddlesorheldinfrontofanolderperson，andinthelongnightmarchestogetawayfromthesoldiers，wesufferedfromlossofsleepandinsuf—
　　ficientfood。Ourmealswereeatenhastily，andsometimesinthesaddle。Waterwasnotalwaystobefound。Thepeoplecarrieditwiththeminbagsformedoftripeorthedriedpericardiumofanimals。
　　Nowwewerecompelledtotrespassuponthecountryofhostiletribesandwereharassedbythemalmostdailyandnightly。Onlythestrictestvigilancesavedus。
　　OnedaywemetwithanotherenemyneartheBritishlines。Itwasaprairiefire。Weweresur—
　　rounded。Anotherfirewasquicklymade，whichsavedourlives。
　　Oneofthemostthrillingexperiencesofthefollowingwinterwasablizzard，whichovertookusinourwanderings。Hereandthere，afamilylaydowninthesnow，selectingaplacewhereitwasnotlikelytodriftmuch。Foradayandanightwelayunderthesnow。Unclestuckalongpolebesideustotelluswhenthestormwasover。
　　Wehadplentyofbuffalorobesandthesnowkeptuswarm，butwefounditheavy。Afteratime，itbecamepackedandhollowedoutaroundourbodies，sothatwewereascomfortableasonecanbeunderthosecircumstances。
　　Thenextdaythestormceased，andwedis—
　　coveredalargeherdofbuffaloesalmostuponus。
　　Wedugourwayout，shotsomeofthebuffaloes，madeafireandenjoyedagooddinner。
　　Iwasnowanexileaswellasmotherless;yetI
　　wasnotunhappy。Ourwanderingsfromplacetoplaceaffordedusmanypleasantexperiencesandquiteasmanyhardshipsandmisfortunes。Thereweretimesofplentyandtimesofscarcity，andwehadseveralnarrowescapesfromdeath。Insav—
　　agelife，theearlyspringisthemosttryingtimeandalmostallthefaminesoccurredatthisperiodoftheyear。
　　TheIndiansareapatientandaclannishpeople;
　　theirloveforoneanotherisstrongerthanthatofanycivilizedpeopleIknow。Ifthiswerenotso，Ibelievetherewouldhavebeentribesofcannibalsamongthem。Whitepeoplehavebeenknowntokillandeattheircompanionsinpreferencetostarving;butIndians——never！
　　Intimesoffamine，theadultsoftendeniedthemselvesinordertomakethefoodlastaslongaspossibleforthechildren，whowerenotabletobearhungeraswellastheold。Asapeople，theycanlivewithoutfoodmuchlongerthananyothernation。
　　Ioncepassedthroughoneofthesehardspringswhenwehadnothingtoeatforseveraldays。I
　　wellrememberthesixsmallbirdswhichconsti—
　　tutedthebreakfastforsixfamiliesonemorning;
　　andthenwehadnodinnerorsuppertofollow！
　　Whatareliefthatwastome——althoughIhadonlyasmallwingofasmallbirdformyshare！Soonafterthis，wecameintoaregionwherebuffaloeswereplenty，andhungerandscarcitywerefor—
　　gotten。
　　SuchwastheIndian’swildlife！Whengamewastobehadandthesunshone，theyeasilyforgotthebitterexperiencesofthewinterbefore。Littlepreparationwasmadeforthefuture。TheyarechildrenofNature，andoccasionallyshewhipsthemwiththelashesofexperience，yettheyareforgetfulandcareless。Muchoftheirsufferingmighthavebeenpreventedbyalittlecalculation。
　　Duringthesummer，whenNatureisatherbest，andprovidesabundantlyforthesavage，itseemstomethatnolifeishappierthanhis！Foodisfree——lodgingfree——everythingfree！Allwerealikerichinthesummer，and，again，allwerealikepoorinthewinterandearlyspring。However，theirdiseaseswerefewerandnotsodestructiveasnow，andtheIndian’shealthwasgenerallygood。
　　TheIndianboyenjoyedsuchalifeasalmostallboysdreamofandwouldchooseforthemselvesiftheywerepermittedtodoso。
　　Theraidsmadeuponourpeoplebyothertribeswerefrequent，andwehadtobeconstantlyonthewatch。Irememberatonetimeanightattackwasmadeuponourcampandallourponiesstam—
　　peded。Onlyafewofthemwererecovered，andourjourneysafterthismisfortunewereeffectedmostlybymeansofthedog—travaux。
　　Thesecondwinterafterthemassacre，myfatherandmytwoolderbrothers，withseveralothers，werebetrayedbyahalf—breedatWinnipegtotheUnitedStatesauthorities。AsIwasthenlivingwithmyuncleinanotherpartofthecountry，Ibe—
　　cameseparatedfromthemfortenyears。Duringallthistimewebelievedthattheyhadbeenkilledbythewhites，andIwastaughtthatImustavengetheirdeathsassoonasIwasabletogouponthewar—path。
　　Imustsayawordinregardtothecharacterofthisuncle，myfather’sbrother，whowasmyad—
　　viserandteacherformanyyears。Hewasamanaboutsixfeettwoinchesinheight，veryerectandbroad—shouldered。HewasknownatthattimeasoneofthebesthuntersandbravestwarriorsamongtheSiouxinBritishAmerica，wherehestilllives，fortothisdaywehavefailedtopersuadehimtoreturntotheUnitedStates。
　　HeisatypicalIndian——nothandsome，buttruthfulandbrave。Hehadafewsimpleprinci—
　　plesfromwhichhehardlyeverdeparted。SomeoftheseIshalldescribewhenIspeakofmyearlytraining。
　　Itiswonderfulthatanychildrengrewupthroughalltheexposuresandhardshipsthatwesufferedinthosedays！Thefrailteepeepitchedanywhere，inthewinteraswellasinthesummer，wasalltheprotectionthatwehadagainstcoldandstorms。Icanrecalltimeswhenweweresnowedinanditwasverydifficulttogetfuel。Wewereoncethreedayswithoutmuchfireandallofthistimeitstormedviolently。Thereseemedtobenospecialanxietyonthepartofourpeople;theyratherlookeduponallthisasamatterofcourse，knowingthatthestormwouldceasewhenthetimecame。
　　Icouldonceendureasmuchcoldandhungerasanyofthem;butnowifImissonemealoraccidentallywetmyfeet，IfeelitasmuchasifI
　　hadneverlivedinthemannerIhavedescribed，whenitwasamatterofcoursetogetmyselfsoak—
　　ingwetmanyatime。Eveniftherewasplentytoeat，itwasthoughtbetterforustopracticefast—
　　ingsometimes;andhardexercisewaskeptupcontinually，bothforthesakeofhealthandtopreparethebodyfortheextraordinaryexertionsthatitmight，atanymoment，berequiredtoundergo。Inmyownremembrance，myuncleusedoftentobringhomeadeeronhisshoulder。Thedistancewassometimescon—
　　siderable;yethedidnotconsideritanysortofafeat。
　　Theusualcustomwithuswastoeatonlytwomealsadayandthesewereservedateachendoftheday。Thisrulewasnotinvariable，how—
　　ever，forifthereshouldbeanycallers，itwasIndianetiquettetooffereithertobaccoorfood，orboth。Theruleoftwomealsadaywasmorecloselyobservedbythemen——especiallytheyoungermen——thanbythewomenandchildren。
　　ThiswaswhentheIndiansrecognizedthatatruemanhood，oneofphysicalactivityandendurance，dependsupondietingandregularexercise。NosuchsystemispractisedbythereservationIndiansofto—day。
　　III：MyIndianGrandmotherASamotherlesschild，Ialwaysre—
　　gardedmygoodgrandmotherasthewisestofguidesandthebestofprotectors。ItwasnotlongbeforeIbegantorealizehersu—
　　perioritytomostofhercontempo—
　　raries。Thisideawasnotgainedentirelyfrommyownobservation，butalsofromaknowledgeofthehighregardinwhichshewasheldbyotherwo—
　　men。Asidefromhernativetalentandingenuity，shewasendowedwithatrulywonderfulmemory。
　　Noothermidwifeinherdayandtribecouldcom—
　　petewithherinskillandjudgment。Herobser—
　　vationsinpracticewereallpreservedinhermindforreference，assystematicallyasiftheyhadbeenwrittenuponthepagesofanote—book。
　　Idistinctlyrecalloneoccasionwhenshetookmewithherintothewoodsinsearchofcertainmedicinalroots。
　　"Whydoyounotuseallkindsofrootsformedicines？"saidI。
　　"Because，"shereplied，inherquick，charac—
　　teristicmanner，theGreatMysterydoesnotwillustofindthingstooeasily。Inthatcaseevery—
　　bodywouldbeamedicine—giver，andOhiyesamustlearnthattherearemanysecretswhichtheGreatMysterywilldiscloseonlytothemostworthy。Onlythosewhoseekhimfastingandinsolitudewillreceivehissigns。"
　　Withthisandmanysimilarexplanationsshewroughtinmysoulwonderfulandlivelyconcep—
　　tionsofthe"GreatMystery"andoftheeffectsofprayerandsolitude。Icontinuedmychildishquestioning。
　　"Butwhydidyounotdigthoseplantsthatwesawinthewoods，ofthesamekindthatyouarediggingnow？"
　　"Forthesamereasonthatwedonotliketheberrieswefindintheshadowofdeepwoodsaswellastheoneswhichgrowinsunnyplaces。Thelatterhavemoresweetnessandflavor。Thoseherbswhichhavemedicinalvirtuesshouldbesoughtinaplacethatisneithertoowetnortoodry，andwheretheyhaveagenerousamountofsunshinetomaintaintheirvigor。
　　"SomedayOhiyesawillbeoldenoughtoknowthesecretsofmedicine;thenIwilltellhimall。
　　Butifyoushouldgrowuptobeabadman，I
　　mustwithholdthesetreasuresfromyouandgivethemtoyourbrother，foramedicinemanmustbeagoodandwiseman。IhopeOhiyesawillbeagreatmedicinemanwhenhegrowsup。Tobeagreatwarriorisanobleambition;buttobeamightymedicinemanisanobler！"
　　Shesaidthesethingssothoughtfullyandim—
　　pressivelythatIcannotbutfeelandrememberthemeventothisday。
　　Ournativewomengatheredallthewildrice，roots，berriesandfruitswhichformedanimpor—
　　tantpartofourfood。Thiswasdistinctivelyawoman’swork。Uncheedah（grandmother）under—
　　stoodthesemattersperfectly，anditbecameakindofinstinctwithhertoknowjustwheretolookforeachediblevarietyandatwhatseasonoftheyear。ThissortoflaborgavetheIndianwomeneveryopportunitytoobserveandstudyNatureaftertheirfashion;andinthisUncheedahwasmoreacutethanmostofthemen。Theabilitiesofherboyswerenotallinheritedfromtheirfather;indeed，thestrongerfamilytraitscameobviouslyfromher。Shewasaleaderamongthenativewomen，andtheycametoher，notonlyformedicalaid，butforadviceinalltheiraffairs。
　　Inbraverysheequaledanyofthemen。Thistrait，togetherwithheringenuityandalertnessofmind，morethanoncesavedherandherpeoplefromdestruction。Once，whenwewereroamingoveraregionoccupiedbyothertribes，andonadaywhenmostofthemenwereoutuponthehunt，apartyofhostileIndianssuddenlyap—
　　peared。Althoughtherewereafewmenleftathome，theyweretakenbysurpriseatfirstandscarcelyknewwhattodo，whenthiswomancameforwardandadvancedalonetomeetourfoes。
　　Shehadgonesomedistancewhensomeofthemenfollowedher。Shemetthestrangersandofferedherhandtothem。Theyacceptedherfriendlygreeting;andasaresultofherbraveactwewereleftunmolestedandatpeace。
　　Anotherstoryofherwasrelatedtomebymyfather。Mygrandfather，whowasanotedhunter，oftenwanderedawayfromhisbandinsearchofgame。Inthisinstancehehadwithhimonlyhisownfamilyofthreeboysandhiswife。Oneevening，whenhereturnedfromthechase，hefoundtohissurprisethatshehadbuiltastockadearoundherteepee。
　　Shehaddiscoveredthedanger—signinasinglefoot—print，whichshesawataglancewasnotthatofherhusband，andshewasalsoconvincedthatitwasnotthefoot—printofaSioux，fromtheshapeofthemoccasin。Thisabilitytorecognizefoot—
　　printsisgeneralamongtheIndians，butmoremarkedincertainindividuals。
　　ThiscourageouswomanhaddrivenawayapartyoffiveOjibwaywarriors。Theyapproachedthelodgecautiously，butherdoggavetimelywarning，andshepouredintothemfrombehindherdefencesthecontentsofadouble—barrelledgun，withsuchgoodeffectthattheastonishedbravesthoughtitwisetoretreat。
　　IwasnotmorethanfiveorsixyearsoldwhentheIndiansoldierscameonedayanddestroyedourlargebuffalo—skinteepee。Itwaschargedthatmyunclehadhuntedalonealargeherdofbuffaloes。
　　Thiswasnotexactlytrue。Hehadunfortunatelyfrightenedalargeherdwhileshootingadeerintheedgeofthewoods。However，itwascustom—
　　arytopunishsuchanactseverely，eventhoughtheoffensewasaccidental。
　　Whenwewereattackedbythepolice，Iwasplay—
　　ingintheteepee，andtheonlyotherpersonathomewasUncheedah。Ihadnotnoticedtheirapproach，andwhenthewar—crywasgivenbythirtyorfortyIndianswithstronglungs，Ithoughtmylittleworldwascomingtoanend。Instantlyinnumerableknivesandtomahawkspenetratedourfrailhome，whilebulletswentthroughthepolesandtent—fasteningsupaboveourheads。
　　IhardlyknowwhatIdid，butIimagineitwasjustwhatanyotherlittlefellowwouldhavedoneunderlikecircumstances。Myfirstclearrealiza—
　　tionofthesituationwaswhenUncheedahhadadisputewiththeleader，claimingthatthematterhadnotbeenproperlyinvestigated，andthatnoneofthepolicemenhadattainedtoareputationinwarwhichwouldjustifythemintouchingherson’steepee。Butalas！ourpoordwellingwasalreadyanunrecognizableruin;eventhepoleswerebrokenintosplinters。
　　TheIndianwomen，afterreachingmiddleage，areusuallyheavyandlackagility，butmygrand—
　　motherwasinthisalsoanexception。ShewasfullysixtywhenIwasborn;andwhenIwassevenyearsoldsheswamacrossaswiftandwidestream，carryingmeonherback，becauseshedidnotwishtoexposemetoaccidentinoneoftheclumsyroundboatsofbull—hidewhichwereriggeduptocrosstheriverswhichimpededourway，especiallyinthespringtime。Herstrengthandendurancewereremarkable。Evenaftershehadattainedtheageofeighty—two，sheonedaywalkedtwenty—fivemileswithoutappearingmuchfa—
　　tigued。
　　Imarvelnowatthepurityandelevatedsenti—
　　mentpossessedbythiswoman，whenIconsiderthecustomsandhabitsofherpeopleatthetime。
　　Whenherhusbanddiedshewasstillcompara—
　　tivelyayoungwoman——stillactive，cleverandindustrious。Shewasdescendedfromahaughtychieftainofthe"DwellersamongtheLeaves。"
　　Althoughwomenofherageandpositionwereheldtobeeligibletore—marriage，andshehadseveralpersistentsuitorswhoweremenofherownageandchiefs，yetshepreferredtocherishinsolitudethememoryofherhusband。
　　IwasverysmallwhenmyunclebroughthometwoOjibwayyoungwomen。Inthefightinwhichtheywerecaptured，noneoftheSiouxwarpartyhadbeenkilled;thereforetheyweresympathizedwithandtenderlytreatedbytheSiouxwomen。
　　Theywereapparentlyhappy，althoughofcoursetheyfeltdeeplythelossessustainedatthetimeoftheircapture，andtheydidnotfailtoshowtheirappreciationofthekindnessesreceivedatourhands。
　　AsIrecallnowtheremarksmadebyoneofthematthetimeoftheirfinalrelease，theyap—
　　peartomequiteremarkable。Theylivedinmygrandmother’sfamilyfortwoyears，andwerethenreturnedtotheirpeopleatagreatpeacecouncilofthetwonations。Whentheywereabouttoleavemygrandmother，theelderofthetwosistersfirstembracedher，andthenspokesomewhatasfollows：
　　"Youareabravewomanandatruemother。
　　Iunderstandnowwhyyoursonsobravelycon—
　　queredourband，andtookmysisterandmyselfcaptive。Ihatedhimatfirst，butnowIadmirehim，becausehedidjustwhatmyfather，mybrotherormyhusbandwouldhavedonehadtheyopportunity。Hedidevenmore。Hesavedusfromthetomahawksofhisfellow—war—
　　riors，andbroughtustohishometoknowanobleandabravewoman。
　　"Ishallneverforgetyourmanyfavorsshowntous。ButImustgo。IbelongtomytribeandIshallreturntothem。Iwillendeavortobeatruewomanalso，andtoteachmyboystobegenerouswarriorslikeyourson。"
　　HersisterchosetoremainamongtheSiouxallherlife，andshemarriedoneofouryoungmen。
　　"IshallmaketheSiouxandtheOjibways，"
　　shesaid，"tobeasbrothers。"
　　Therearemanyotherinstancesofintermar—
　　riagewithcaptivewomen。Themotherofthewell—knownSiouxchieftain，Wabashaw，wasanOjibwaywoman。Ionceknewawomanwhowassaidtobeawhitecaptive。Shewasmarriedtoanotedwarrior，andhadafinefamilyoffiveboys。ShewaswellaccustomedtotheIndianways，andasachildIshouldnothavesuspectedthatshewaswhite。Theskinsofthesepeoplebe—
　　camesosunburnedandfullofpaintthatitre—
　　quiredakeeneyetodistinguishthemfromtherealIndians。
　　IV：AnIndianSugarCampWITHthefirstMarchthawthethoughtsoftheIndianwomenofmychildhooddaysturnedpromptlytotheannualsugar—
　　making。Thisindustrywaschieflyfollowedbytheoldmenandwomenandthechildren。Therestofthetribewentoutuponthespringfur—huntatthissea—
　　son，leavingusathometomakethesugar。
　　Thefirstandmostimportantofthenecessaryutensilswerethehugeironandbrasskettlesforboiling。Everythingelsecouldbemade，butthesemustbebought，beggedorborrowed。A
　　mapletreewasfelledandalogcanoehollowedout，intowhichthesapwastobegathered。Littletroughsofbasswoodandbirchenbasinswerealsomadetoreceivethesweetdropsastheytrickledfromthetree。
　　Assoonastheselaborswereaccomplished，weallproceededtothebarksugarhouse，whichstoodinthemidstofafinegroveofmaplesonthebankoftheMinnesotariver。Wefoundthishutpartiallyfilledwiththesnowsofwinterandthewitheredleavesoftheprecedingautumn，anditmustbeclearedforouruse。Inthemeantimeatentwaspitchedoutsideforafewdays’occupancy。Thesnowwasstilldeepinthewoods，withasolidcrustuponwhichwecouldeasilywalk;forweusuallymovedtothesugarhousebeforethesaphadact—
　　uallystarted，thebettertocompleteourprepara—
　　tions。
　　Mygrandmotherworkedlikeabeaverinthesedays（orratherlikeamuskrat，astheIndianssay;
　　forthisindustriouslittleanimalsometimescollectsasmanyassixoreightbushelsofediblerootsforthewinter，onlytoberobbedofhisstorebysomeofourpeople）。Iftherewasprospectofagoodsugaringseason，shenowmadeasecondandevenathirdcanoetocontainthesap。Thesecanoeswereafterwardutilizedbythehuntersfortheirproperpurpose。
　　Duringourlastsugar—makinginMinnesota，be—
　　forethe"outbreak，"mygrandmotherwasatworkuponacanoewithheraxe，whileayoungauntofminestoodby。Weboyswerecongregatedwith—
　　inthelarge，ovalsugarhouse，busilyengagedinmakingarrowsforthedestructionoftherabbitsandchipmunkswhichweknewwouldcomeinnumberstodrinkthesap。Thebirdsalsowerebeginningtoreturn，andthecoldstormsofMarchwoulddrivethemtoourdoor。Iwasthentooyoungtodomuchexceptlookon;butIfullyen—
　　teredintothespiritoftheoccasion，andrejoicedtoseethebiggerboysindustriouslysharpentheirarrows，restingthemagainsttheendsofthelongstickswhichwereburninginthefire，andoccasion—
　　allycuttingachipfromthestick。Intheireager—
　　nesstheypaidlittleattentiontothiscircumstance，althoughtheywellknewthatitwasstrictlyfor—
　　biddentotouchaknifetoaburningember。
　　Suddenlyloudscreamswereheardfromwithoutandweallrushedouttoseewhatwasthematter。
　　Itwasaseriousaffair。Mygrandmother’saxehadslipped，andbyanupwardstrokenearlysev—
　　eredthreeofthefingersofmyaunt，whostoodlookingon，withherhandsfoldeduponherwaist。
　　Asweranouttheoldlady，whohadalreadyno—
　　ticedandreprovedourcarelessnessinregardtotheburningembers，pursueduswithloudreproachesandthreatsofawhipping。Thiswillseemmys—
　　terioustomyreaders，butiseasilyexplainedbytheIndiansuperstition，whichholdsthatsuchanoffenseaswehadcommittedisinvariablypunishedbytheaccidentalcuttingofsomeoneofthefamily。
　　Mygrandmotherdidnotconfineherselftocanoe—making。Shealsocollectedagoodsupplyoffuelforthefires，forshewouldnothavemuchtimetogatherwoodwhenthesapbegantoflow。
　　Presentlytheweathermoderatedandthesnowbe—
　　gantomelt。ThemonthofAprilbroughtshow—
　　erswhichcarriedmostofitoffintotheMinnesotariver。Nowthewomenbegantotestthetrees——
　　movingleisurelyamongthem，axeinhand，andstrikingasinglequickblow，toseeifthesapwouldappear。Thetrees，likepeople，havetheirindi—
　　vidualcharacters;somewerereadytoyielduptheirlife—blood，whileothersweremorereluctant。Nowoneofthebirchenbasinswassetundereachtree，andahardwoodchipdrivendeepintothecutwhichtheaxehadmade。Fromthecornersofthischip——atfirstdropbydrop，thenmorefreely——
　　thesaptrickledintothelittledishes。
　　Itisusualtomakesugarfrommaples，butsev—
　　eralothertreeswerealsotappedbytheIndians。
　　Fromthebirchandashwasmadeadark—coloredsugar，withasomewhatbittertaste，whichwasusedformedicinalpurposes。Thebox—elderyieldedabeautifulwhitesugar，whoseonlyfaultwasthattherewasneverenoughofit！
　　Alongfirewasnowmadeinthesugarhouse，andarowofbrasskettlessuspendedovertheblaze。Thesapwascollectedbythewomenintinorbirchenbucketsandpouredintothecanoes，fromwhichthekettleswerekeptfilled。Theheartsoftheboysbeathighwithpleasantantici—
　　pationswhentheyheardthewelcomehissingsoundoftheboilingsap！Eachboyclaimedonekettleforhisespecialcharge。Itwashisdutytoseethatthefirewaskeptupunderit，towatchlestitboilover，andfinally，whenthesapbecamesirup，totestituponthesnow，dippingitoutwithawoodenpaddle。Sofrequentweretheseteststhatforthefirstdayortwoweconsumednearlyallthatcouldbemade;anditwasnotuntilthesweetnessbegantopallthatmygrandmothersetherselfinearnesttostoreupsugarforfutureuse。
　　Shemadeitintocakesofvariousforms，inbirch—
　　enmolds，andsometimesinhollowcanesorreeds，andthebillsofducksandgeese。Someofitwaspulverizedandpackedinrawhidecases。Beingaprudentwoman，shedidnotgiveittousafterthefirstmonthorso，exceptuponspecialocca—
　　sions，anditwasthusmadetolastalmosttheyeararound。Thesmallercandieswerereservedasanoccasionaltreatforthelittlefellows，andthesugarwaseatenatfeastswithwildriceorparchedcorn，andalsowithpoundeddriedmeat。Coffeeandtea，withtheirsubstitutes，wereallunknowntousinthosedays。
　　Everypursuithasitstrialsandanxieties。Mygrandmother’sspecialtribulations，duringthesugaringseason，weretheupsettingandgnawingofholesinherbirch—barkpans。Thetransgres—
　　sorsweretherabbitandsquirreltribes，andwelittleboysforoncebecameuseful，inshootingthemwithourbowsandarrows。Wehuntedalloverthesugarcamp，untilthelittlecreatureswerefairlydrivenoutoftheneighborhood。Oc—
　　casionallyoneofmyolderbrothersbroughthomearabbitortwo，andthenwehadafeast。
　　ThesugaringseasonextendedwellintoApril，andthereturningbirdsmadetheprecinctsofourcampjoyfulwiththeirsongs。Ioftenfollowedmyolderbrothersintothewoods，althoughIwasthenbutfourorfiveyearsold。UpononeoftheseexcursionstheywentsofarthatIventuredbackalone。Whenwithinsightofourhut，Isawachipmunksittinguponalog，andutteringthesoundhemakeswhenhecallstohismate。Howgloriousitwouldbe，Ithought，ifIcouldshoothimwithmytinybowandarrows！StealthilyandcautiouslyIapproached，keepingmyeyesupontheprettylittleanimal，andjustasIwasabouttoletflymyshaft，Iheardahissingnoiseatmyfeet。Therelayahorridsnake，coiledandreadytospring！ForgetfulthatIwasawarrior，Igavealoudscreamandstartedbackward;butsoonrecollectingmyself，lookeddownwithshame，althoughnoonewasnear。However，Iretreatedtotheinclinedtrunkofafallentree，andthere，asIhaveoftenbeentold，wasoverheardsoliloquiz—
　　inginthefollowingwords："Iwonderifasnakecanclimbatree！"
　　IrememberonthisoccasionofourlastsugarbushinMinnesota，thatIstoodonedayoutsideofourhutandwatchedtheapproachofavisitor——abentoldman，hishairalmostwhite，andcarryingonhisbackalargebundleofredwillow，orkinnikinick，whichtheIndiansuseforsmoking。
　　Hethrewdownhisloadatthedoorandthussalutedus："Youhaveindeedperfectweatherforsugar—making。"
　　Itwasmygreat—grandfather，CloudMan，whoseoriginalvillagewasontheshoresofLakesCalhounandHarriet，nowinthesuburbsofthecityofMinneapolis。HewasthefirstSiouxchieftowelcometheProtestantmissionariesamonghispeople，andawell—knowncharacterinthosepio—
　　neerdays。Hebroughtuswordthatsomeofthepeacefulsugar—makersnearusontheriverhadbeenattackedandmurderedbyrovingOjib—
　　ways。Thisnewsdisturbedusnotalittle，forwerealizedthatwetoomightbecomethevictimsofanOjibwaywarparty。Thereforeweallfeltsomeuneasinessfromthistimeuntilwereturnedheavyladentoourvillage。
　　V：AMidsummerFeastITwasmidsummer。EverythingthattheSanteeSiouxhadunder—
　　takenduringtheyearhadbeenun—
　　usuallysuccessful。Thespringfur—huntershadbeenfortunate，andtheheavywinterhadprovedproductiveofmuchmaplesugar。Thewomen’spatchesofmaizeandpotatoeswerealreadysuffic—
　　ientlyadvancedtouse。TheWahpetonwanbandofSioux，the"DwellersamongtheLeaves，"werefullyawakenedtothefactthatitwasalmosttimeforthemidsummerfestivitiesoftheold，wilddays。
　　Theinvitationswerebundlesoftobacco，andacceptancesweresentbackfromthevariousbands——the"LightLodges"，"DwellersbackfromtheRiver，"andmanyothers，insimilarfashion。
　　BlueEarth，chiefofthe"DwellersamongtheLeaves，"wasthehost。
　　Thereweretobemanydifferentkindsofath—
　　leticgames;indeed，thefestivalwassomethinglikeaStatefair，inthatthereweremanysideshowsandcompetitiveevents。Forinstance，sup—
　　posingthat（Miss）WhiteRabbitshoulddesiretogivea"maidens’feast，"shewouldemployacriertogoamongthedifferentbandsannouncingthefactinasing—songmanner：
　　"MissWhiteRabbitwillreceivehermaidenfriendsto—dayatnoon，insideofthecircularen—
　　campmentoftheKaposiaband。"
　　Again，should（Mr。）SleepyEyewishtohavehischild’searspiercedpublicly，hewouldhavetogiveawayagreatdealofsavagewealth——namely，otter，bearandbeaverskinsandponies——orthechildwouldnotbeconsideredasbelongingtoafamilyingoodstanding。
　　Buttheoneall—importanteventoftheoccasionwasthelacrossegame，forwhichithadbeencus—
　　tomarytoselectthosetwobandswhichcouldboastthegreaternumberoffastrunners。
　　TheWahpetonwanvillageonthebanksoftheMinnesotariverwasalivewiththenewly—arrivedguestsandthepreparationsforthecomingevent。
　　Meatofwildgamehadbeenputawaywithmuchcareduringthepreviousfallinanticipationofthisfeast。Therewaswildriceandthechoicestofdriedvenisonthathadbeenkeptallwinter，aswellasfreshlydugturnips，ripeberriesandanabundanceoffreshmeat。
　　Alongtheedgeofthewoodstheteepeeswerepitchedingroupsorsemi—circles，eachbanddis—
　　tinctfromtheothers。TheteepeeofMankatoorBlueEarthwaspitchedinaconspicuousspot。
　　Justovertheentrancewaspaintedinredandyel—
　　lowapictureofapipe，anddirectlyoppositethistherisingsun。Thepaintingwassymbolicofwelcomeandgoodwilltomenunderthebrightsun。
　　Ameetingwasheldtoappointsome"medi—
　　cineman"tomaketheballsthatweretobeusedinthelacrossecontest;andpresentlytheheraldannouncedthatthishonorhadbeenconferreduponoldChankpee—yuhah，or"KeepstheClub，"
　　whileeveryothermanofhisprofessionwasdis—
　　appointed。Hewasapowerfulmanphysically，whohadapparentlywontheconfidenceofthepeoplebyhisfinepersonalappearanceandbyworkinguponsuperstitiousminds。
　　Towardseveningheappearedinthecircle，leadingbythehandaboyaboutfouryearsold。
　　Closelythelittlefellowobservedeverymotionoftheman;nothingescapedhisvigilantblackeyes，whichseemedconstantlytogrowbrighterandlarger，whilehisexuberantglossyblackhairwasplaitedandwoundaroundhisheadlikethatofaCelestial。Heworeabitofswan’sdownineachear，whichformedastrikingcontrastwiththechild’scomplexion。Furtherthanthis，theboywaspaintedaccordingtothefashionoftheage。Heheldinhishandsaminiaturebowandarrows。
　　Themedicinemandrewhimselfupinanad—
　　mirableattitude，andproceededtomakehisshortspeech：
　　"Wahpetonwans，youboastthatyourundowntheelk;youcanoutruntheOjibways。Beforeyouall，Idedicatetoyouthisredball。Kaposias，youclaimthatnoonehasalighterfootthanyou;
　　youdeclarethatyoucanendurerunningawholedaywithoutwater。ToyouIdedicatethisblackball。EitheryouortheLeaf—Dwellerswillhavetodropyoureyesandbowyourheadwhenthegameisover。IwishtoannouncethatiftheWahpetonwansshouldwin，thislittlewarriorshallbearthenameOhiyesa（winner）throughlife;butiftheLightLodgesshouldwin，letthenamebegiventoanychildappointedbythem。"
　　Thegroundselectedforthegreatfinalgamewasonanarrowstripoflandbetweenalakeandtheriver。Itwasaboutthreequartersofamilelongandaquarterofamileinwidth。Thespec—
　　tatorshadalreadyrangedthemselvesallalongthetwosides，aswellasatthetwoends，whichweresomewhathigherthanthemiddle。Thesoldiersappointedtokeeporderfurnishedmuchoftheentertainmentoftheday。Theypaintedartisticallyandtastefully，accordingtotheIndianfashion，notonlytheirbodiesbutalsotheirponiesandclubs。
　　Theyweresostrictinenforcingthelawsthatnoonecouldventurewithsafetywithinafewfeetofthelimitsofthefield。
　　Nowalloftheminoreventsandfeasts，occupy—
　　ingseveraldays’time，hadbeenobserved。Her—
　　aldsonponies’backsannouncedthatallwhoin—
　　tendedtoparticipateinthefinalgamewerere—
　　questedtorepairtotheground;alsothatifanyoneboreagrudgeagainstanother，hewasim—
　　ploredtoforgethisill—feelinguntilthecontestshouldbeover。
　　Themostpowerfulmenwerestationedatthehalf—wayground，whilethefastrunnerswereas—
　　signedtotheback。Itwasanimpressivespectacle——afinecollectionofagileforms，almoststrippedofgarmentsandpaintedinwildimitationoftherainbowandsunsetskyonhumancanvas。SomehadundertakentodepicttheMilkyWayacrosstheirtawnybodies，andoneortwomadeaboldattempttoreproducethelightning。Otherscon—
　　tentedthemselveswithpaintingthefigureofsomefleetanimalorswiftbirdontheirmuscularchests。
　　ThecoiffureoftheSiouxlacrosseplayerhasoftenbeenunconsciouslyimitatedbythefashion—
　　ablehair—dressersofmoderntimes。Somebangedandsingedtheirhair;othersdidalittlemorebyaddingpowder。TheGrecianknotwaslo—
　　catedonthewrongsideofthehead，beingtiedtightlyovertheforehead。Agreatmanysimplybrushedbacktheirlonglocksandtiedthemwithastripofotterskin。
　　Atthemiddleofthegroundwerestationedfourimmensemen，magnificentlyformed。Afifthap—
　　proachedthisgroup，pausedamoment，andthenthrewhisheadback，gazedupintotheskyinthemannerofacockandgaveasmooth，clearoper—
　　atictone。Instantlythelittleblackballwentupbetweenthetwomiddlerushers，inthemidstofyells，cheersandwar—whoops。Bothmenen—
　　deavoredtocatchitintheair;butalas！eachin—
　　terferedwiththeother;thentheguardsoneachsiderusheduponthem。Foratime，ahundredlacrossesticksviedwitheachother，andthewrig—
　　glinghumanfleshandpaintwereallonecouldseethroughthecloudofdust。Suddenlythereshotswiftlythroughtheairtowardthesouth，towardtheKaposias’goal，theball。Therewasageneralcheerfromtheiradherents，whichechoedbackfromthewhitecliffontheoppositesideoftheMinnesota。
　　Astheballflewthroughtheair，twoadver—
　　sarieswerereadytoreceiveit。TheKaposiaquicklymettheball，butfailedtocatchitinhisnettedbag，fortheotherhadswunghisuplikeaflash。Thusitstrucktheground，buthadnoop—
　　portunitytoboundupwhenaWahpetonpounceduponitlikeacatandslippedoutofthegraspofhisopponents。Amightycheerthunderedthroughtheair。
　　Thewarriorwhohadundertakentopilotthelittlespherewasriskingmuch，forhemustdodgeahostofKaposiasbeforehecouldgainanyground。
　　Hewasalertandagile;nowspringinglikeapanther，nowleapinglikeadeeroverastoopingopponentwhotriedtoseizehimaroundthewaist。
　　Everyopposingplayerwasuponhisheels，whilethoseofhisownsidedidallintheirpowertoclearthewayforhim。Butitwasallinvain。
　　Heonlygainedfiftypaces。
　　Thusthegamewent。Firstoneside，thentheotherwouldgainanadvantage，andthenitwaslost，untiltheheraldproclaimedthatitwastimetochangetheball。Novictorywasinsightforeitherside。
　　Afterafewminutes’rest，thegamewasresumed。
　　Theredballwasnowtossedintheairintheusualway。Nosoonerhaditdescendedthanoneoftherusherscaughtitandawayitwentnorthward;
　　againitwasfortunate，foritwasadvancedbyoneofthesameside。Thescenewasnowoneofthewildestexcitementandconfusion。Atlast，thenorthwardflightoftheballwascheckedforamomentandadesperatestruggleensued。Cheersandwar—whoopsbecamegeneral，suchaswereneverequaledinanyconcourseofsavages，andpossiblynowhereexceptatacollegegameoffoot—
　　ball。
　　Theballhadnotbeenallowedtocometothesurfacesinceitreachedthispoint，forthereweremorethanahundredmenwhoscrambledforit。
　　Suddenlyawarriorshotoutofthethrongliketheballitself！Thensomeoftheplayersshouted：
　　"LookoutforAntelope！LookoutforAntelope！"
　　Butitwastoolate。ThelittlespherehadalreadynestledintoAntelope’spalmandthatfleetestofWahpetonshadthrowndownhislacrossestickandsetadeterminedeyeuponthenortherngoal。
　　Suchaspeed！Hehadclearedalmostalltheopponents’guards——therewerebuttwomore。
　　ThesewereexceptionalrunnersoftheKaposias。