"Ifoundthisfeather，grandmother，andI
　　couldnotmakeoutwhattribewearfeathersinthatshape。"
　　"Ugh，Iamnotaman;youhadbetteraskyouruncle。Besides，youshouldknowityourselfbythistime。Youarenowoldenoughtothinkabouteaglefeathers。"
　　Ifeltmortifiedbythisreminderofmyignor—
　　ance。ItseemedareflectiononmethatIwasnotambitiousenoughtohavefoundallsuchmattersoutbefore。
　　"Uncle，youwilltellme，won’tyou？"Isaid，inanappealingtone。
　　"Iamsurprised，myboy，thatyoushouldfailtorecognizethisfeather。ItisaCreemedicinefeather，andnotawarrior’s。"
　　"Then，"Isaid，withmuchembarrassment，youhadbettertellmeagain，uncle，thelan—
　　guageofthefeathers。Ihavereallyforgottenitall。"
　　Thedaywasnowgone;themoonhadrisen;
　　butthecoldhadnotlessened，forthetrunksofthetreeswerestillsnappingallaroundourtee—
　　pee，whichwaslightedandwarmedbytheim—
　　menselogswhichUncheedah’sindustryhadpro—
　　vided。Myuncle，WhiteFoot—print，nowunder—
　　tooktoexplaintomethesignificanceoftheeagle’sfeather。
　　"Theeagleisthemostwar—likebird，"hebe—
　　gan，"andthemostkinglyofallbirds;besides，hisfeathersareunlikeanyothers，andthesearethereasonswhytheyareusedbyourpeopletosignifydeedsofbravery。
　　"Itisnottruethatwhenamanwearsafeatherbonnet，eachoneofthefeathersrepresentsthekill—
　　ingofafoeorevenacoup。Whenamanwearsaneaglefeatheruprightuponhishead，heissup—
　　posedtohavecountedoneoffourcoupsuponhisenemy。"
　　"Well，then，acoupdoesnotmeanthekillingofanenemy？"
　　"No，itistheafter—strokeortouchingofthebodyafterhefalls。Itissoordered，becauseoften—
　　timesthetouchingofanenemyismuchmoredif—
　　ficulttoaccomplishthantheshootingofonefromadistance。Itrequiresastronghearttofacethewholebodyoftheenemy，inordertocountthecouponthefallenone，wholiesundercoverofhiskinsmen’sfire。Manyabravemanhasbeenlostintheattempt。
　　"Whenawarriorapproacheshisfoe，deadoralive，hecallsupontheotherwarriorstowit—
　　nessbysaying：’I，FearlessBear，yourbrave，againperformthebravedeedofcountingthefirst（orsecondorthirdorfourth）coupuponthebodyofthebravestofyourenemies。’Naturally，thosewhoarepresentwillseetheactandbeabletotestifytoit。Whentheyreturn，theheralds，asyouknow，announcepubliclyallsuchdeedsofvalor，whichthenbecomeapartoftheman’swarrecord。Anybravewhowouldweartheeagle’sfeathermustgiveproofofhisrighttodoso。
　　"Whenabraveiswoundedinthesamebattlewherehecountedhiscoup，hewearsthefeatherhangingdownward。Whenheiswounded，butmakesnocount，hetrimshisfeatherandinthatcase，itneednotbeaneaglefeather。Allotherfeathersaremerelyornaments。Whenawarriorwearsafeatherwitharoundmark，itmeansthatheslewhisenemy。Whenthemarkiscutintothefeatherandpaintedred，itmeansthathetookthescalp。
　　"Abravewhohasbeensuccessfulintenbat—
　　tlesisentitledtoawar—bonnet;andifheisarec—
　　ognizedleader，heispermittedtowearonewithlong，trailingplumes。Alsothosewhohavecountedmanycoupsmaytiptheendsofthefeath—
　　erswithbitsofwhiteorcoloreddown。Some—
　　timestheeaglefeatheristippedwithastripofweaselskin;thatmeansthewearerhadthehonorofkilling，scalpingandcountingthefirstcoupupontheenemyallatthesametime。
　　"ThisfeatheryouhavefoundwaswornbyaCree——itisindiscriminatelypainted。AllotherfeatherswornbythecommonIndiansmeannoth—
　　ing，"headded。
　　"Tellme，uncle，whetheritwouldbeproperformetowearanyfeathersatallifIhavenevergoneuponthewar—path。"
　　"Youcouldwearanyotherkindoffeathers，butnotaneagle’s，"repliedmyuncle，"althoughsometimesoneiswornongreatoccasionsbythechildofanotedman，toindicatethefather’sdig—
　　nityandposition。"
　　Thefirehadgonedownsomewhat，soIpushedtheemberstogetherandwrappedmyrobemorecloselyaboutme。Nowandthentheiceonthelakewouldburstwithaloudreportlikethunder。
　　Uncheedahwasbusyre—stringingoneofuncle’soldsnow—shoes。Thereweretwodifferentkindsthathewore;onewithastraighttoeandlong;
　　theothershorterandwithanupturnedtoe。Shehadoneoftheshoesfastenedtoedown，betweensticksdrivenintotheground，whilesheputinsomenewstringsandtightenedtheothers。AuntFourStarswasbeadinganewpairofmoccasins。
　　Wabeda，thedog，thecompanionofmyboy—
　　hooddays，wasintroublebecauseheinsisteduponbringinghisextraboneintotheteepee，whileUncheedahwasdeterminedthatheshouldnot。
　　Isympathizedwithhim，becauseIsawthematterashedid。Ifheshouldburyitinthesnowout—
　　side，IknewShunktokecha（thecoyote）wouldsurelystealit。IknewjusthowanxiousWabedawasabouthisbone。Itwasafatbone——Imeanaboneofafatdeer;andallIndiansknowhowmuchbettertheyarethantheotherkind。
　　Wabedaalwayshatedtoseeagoodthinggotowaste。Hiseyesspokewordstome，forheandI
　　hadbeenfriendsforalongtime。WhenIwasafraidofanythinginthewoods，hewouldgetinfrontofmeatonceandgentlywaghistail。Healwaysmadeitapointtolookdirectlyinmyface。
　　Hiskind，largeeyesgavemeathousandassur—
　　ances。WhenIwasperplexed，hewouldhangaboutmeuntilheunderstoodthesituation。
　　ManytimesIbelievedhesavedmylifebyutter—
　　ingthedogwordintime。
　　Mostanimals，eventhedangerousgrizzly，donotcaretobeseenwhenthetwo—leggedkindandhisdogareabout。WhenIfearedasurprisebyabearoragreywolf，IwouldsaytoWabeda："Now，mydog，giveyourwar—whoop："andimmediatelyhewouldsituponhishaunchesandbark"tobeattheband"asyouwhiteboyssay。Whenabearorwolfheardthenoise，hewouldbeapttoretreat。
　　SometimesIhelpedWabedaandgaveawar—
　　whoopofmyown。Thisdrovethedeerawayaswell，butitrelievedmymind。
　　Whenheappealedtomeonthisoccasion，there—
　　fore，Isaid："Come，mydog，letusburyyourbonesothatnoShunktokechawilltakeit。"
　　Heappearedsatisfiedwithmysuggestion，sowewentouttogether。
　　Weduginthesnowandburiedourbonewrappedupinapieceofoldblanket，partlyburned;thenwecovereditupagainwithsnow。
　　Weknewthatthecoyotewouldnottouchany—
　　thingburnt。IdidnotputitupatreebecauseWabedaalwaysobjectedtothat，andImadeitapointtoconsulthiswisheswheneverIcould。
　　IcameinandWabedafollowedmewithtwoshortribbonesinhismouth。Apparentlyhedidnotcaretoriskthosedelicacies。
　　"There，"exclaimedUncheedah，"youstillin—
　　sistuponbringinginsomesortofbone！"butI
　　beggedhertolethimgnawtheminsidebecauseitwassocold。Havingbeengrantedthisprivilege，hesettledhimselfatmybackandIbecameab—
　　sorbedinsomespeciallynicearrowsthatunclewasmaking。
　　"O，uncle，youmustputonthreefeatherstoallofthemsothattheycanflystraight，"Isug—
　　gested。
　　"Yes，butifthereareonlytwofeathers，theywillflyfaster，"heanswered。
　　"Woow！"Wabedautteredhissuspicions。
　　"Woow！"hesaidagain，andrushedfortheentranceoftheteepee。Hekickedmeoverashewentandscatteredtheburningembers。
　　"Ennahena！"Uncheedahexclaimed，buthewasalreadyoutside。
　　"Wow，wow，wow！Wow，Wow，wow！"
　　Adeepgutturalvoiceansweredhim。
　　OutIrushedwithmybowandarrowsinmyhand。
　　"Come，uncle，come！Abigcinnamonbear！"I
　　shoutedasIemergedfromtheteepee。
　　Unclesprangoutandinamomenthehadsentaswiftarrowthroughthebear’sheart。Theani—
　　malfelldead。HehadjustbeguntodigupWabeda’sbone，whenthedog’squickearhadheardthesound。
　　"Ah，uncle，WabedaandIoughttohaveatleastalittleeaglet’sfeatherforthis。Itoosentmysmallarrowintothebearbeforehefell，"Iex—
　　claimed。"ButIthoughtallbearsoughttobeintheirlodgesinthewintertime。Whatwasthisonedoingatthistimeoftheyearandnight？"
　　"Well，"saidmyuncle，"Iwilltellyou。Amongthetribes，somearenaturallylazy。Thecinnamonbearisthelazyoneofhistribe。Healonesleepsoutofdoorsinthewinterandbecausehehasnotawarmbed，heissoonhungry。Sometimeshelivesinthehollowtrunkofatree，wherehehasmadeabedofdrygrass;butwhenthenightisverycold，liketo—night，hehastomoveabouttokeephimselffromfreezingandasheprowlsaround，hegetshungry。"
　　Wedraggedthehugecarcasswithinourlodge。
　　"O，whatniceclawshehas，uncle！"Iexclaimedeagerly。"CanIhavethemformynecklace？"
　　"Itisonlytheoldmedicinemenwhowearthemregularly。Thesonofagreatwarriorwhohaskilledagrizzlymaywearthemuponapub—
　　licoccasion，"heexplained。
　　"Andyouarejustlikemyfatherandarecon—
　　sideredthebesthunteramongtheSanteesandSis—
　　setons。Youhavekilledmanygrizzliessothatnoonecanobjecttomybear’s—clawsnecklace，"I
　　saidappealingly。
　　WhiteFoot—printsmiled。"Myboy，youshallhavethem，"hesaid，"butitisalwaysbet—
　　tertoearnthemyourself。"Hecuttheclawsoffcarefullyformyuse。
　　"Tellme，uncle，whetheryoucouldweartheseclawsallthetime？"Iasked。
　　"Yes，Iamentitledtowearthem，buttheyaresoheavyanduncomfortable，"hereplied，withasuperiorair。
　　Atlastthebearhadbeenskinnedanddressedandweallresumedourusualplaces。Uncheedahwasparticularlypleasedtohavesomemorefatforhercooking。
　　"Now，grandmother，tellmethestoryofthebear’sfat。Ishallbesohappyifyouwill，"I
　　begged。
　　"Itisagoodstoryanditistrue。Youshouldknowitbyheartandgainalessonfromit，"shereplied。"ItwasintheforestsofMinnesota，inthecountrythatnowbelongstotheOjibways。
　　FromtheBedawakantonSiouxvillageayoungmarriedcouplewentintothewoodstogetfreshvenison。Thesnowwasdeep;theicewasthick。
　　Farawayinthewoodstheypitchedtheirlonelyteepee。Theyoungmanwasawell—knownhunterandhiswifeagoodmaidenofthevillage。
　　"Hehuntedentirelyonsnow—shoes，becausethesnowwasverydeep。Hiswifehadtowearsnow—shoestoo，togettothespotwheretheypitchedtheirtent。Itwasthawingthedaytheywentout，sotheirpathwasdistinctafterthefreezecameagain。
　　"Theyoungmankilledmanydeerandbears。
　　Hiswifewasverybusycuringthemeatandtry—
　　ingoutthefatwhilehewasawayhuntingeachday。Intheeveningsshekeptontryingthefat。
　　Hesatononesideoftheteepeeandsheontheother。
　　"Oneevening，shehadjustloweredakettleoffattocool，andasshelookedintothehotfatshesawthefaceofanOjibwayscoutlookingdownatthemthroughthesmoke—hole。Shesaidnothing，nordidshebetrayherselfinanyway。
　　"Afteralittleshesaidtoherhusbandinanat—
　　uralvoice：’Marpeetopah，someoneislookingatusthroughthesmokehole，andIthinkitisanenemy’sscout。’
　　"ThenMarpeetopah（Four—skies）tookuphisbowandarrowsandbegantostraightenanddrythemforthenextday’shunt，talkingandlaugh—
　　ingmeanwhile。Suddenlyheturnedandsentanarrowupward，killingtheOjibway，whofelldeadattheirdoor。
　　"’Quick，Wadutah！’heexclaimed;’youmusthurryhomeuponourtrail。Iwillstayhere。Whenthisscoutdoesnotreturn，thewar—
　　partymaycomeinabodyorsendanotherscout。
　　Ifonlyonecomes，IcansoondispatchhimandthenIwillfollowyou。IfIdonotdothat，theywillovertakeusinourflight。’
　　"Wadutah（Scarlet）protestedandbeggedtobeallowedtostaywithherhusband，butatlastshecameawaytogetreinforcements。
　　"ThenMarpeetopah（Four—skies）putmoresticksonthefiresothattheteepeemightbebright—
　　lylitandshowhimtheway。Hethentookthescalpoftheenemyandproceededonhistrack，untilhecametotheupturnedrootofagreattree。
　　Therehespreadouthisarrowsandlaidouthistomahawk。
　　"SoontwomorescoutsweresentbytheOjib—
　　waywar—partytoseewhatwasthetroubleandwhythefirstonefailedtocomeback。Heheardthemastheyapproached。Theywereonsnow—
　　shoes。Whentheycameclosetohim，heshotanarrowintotheforemost。Asfortheother，inhisefforttoturnquicklyhissnow—shoesstuckinthedeepsnowanddetainedhim，soMarpeetopahkilledthemboth。
　　"QuicklyhetookthescalpsandfollowedWa—
　　dutah。Heranhard。ButtheOjibwayssus—
　　pectedsomethingwrongandcametothelonelyteepee，tofindalltheirscoutshadbeenkilled。
　　TheyfollowedthepathofMarpeetopahandWa—
　　dutahtothemainvillage，andthereagreatbattlewasfoughtontheice。Manywerekilledonbothsides。ItwasafterthisthattheSiouxmovedtotheMississippiriver。"
　　IwassleepybythistimeandIrolledmyselfupinmybuffalorobeandfellasleep。
　　II：AdventuresofMyUncleITwasabeautifulfallday——’agopher’slastlookback，’asweusedtosayofthelastwarmdaysofthelateautumn。Wewereencampedbesideawildricelake，wheretwomonthsbeforewehadharvestedourwateryfieldsofgrain，andwherewehadnowreturnedfortheduck—hunting。
　　Allwaswellwithus。Duckswerekilledincount—
　　lessnumbers，andintheeveningsthemenhunteddeerincanoesbytorchlightalongtheshoresofthelake。Butalas！lifeismadeupofgoodtimesandbadtimes，anditiswhenweareperfectlyhappythatweshouldexpectsomeoverwhelmingmisfortune。
　　"Soitwasthatuponthispeacefulandstillmorn—
　　ing，allofasuddenaharshandterriblewar—crywasheard！Yourfatherwasthenquiteayoungman，andaveryambitiouswarrior，sothatIwasalwaysfrightenedonhisaccountwhenevertherewasachanceoffighting。ButIdidnotthinkofyouruncle，MysteriousMedicine，forhewasnotoverfifteenatthetime;besides，hehadnevershownanytasteforthefield。
　　"Ourcampwasthrownintogreatexcitement;
　　andasthewarriorsadvancedtomeettheenemy，Iwasalmostovercomebythesightofyouruncleamongthem！Itwasofnouseformetocallhimback——IthinkIprayedinthatmomenttotheGreatMysterytobringmyboysafelyhome。
　　"Ishallneverforget，aslongasIlive，theeventsofthatday。Manybravemenwerekilled;
　　amongthemtwoofyouruncle’sintimatefriends。
　　Butwhenthebattlewasover，myboycameback;
　　onlyhisfacewasblackenedinmourningforhisfriends，andheboreseveralwoundsinhisbody。
　　Iknewthathehadprovedhimselfatruewarrior。
　　"Thiswasthebeginningofyouruncle’scareer，Hehassurpassedyourfatherandyourgrand—
　　father;yes，allhisancestorsexceptJinglingThun—
　　der，indaringandskill。"
　　Suchwasmygrandmother’saccountofthemaidenbattleofherthirdson，MysteriousMed—
　　icine。Heachievedmanyothernames;amongthemBigHunter，LongRifleandWhiteFoot—
　　print。HehadafavoriteKentuckyriflewhichhecarriedformanyyears。Thestockwasseveraltimesbroken，buthealwaysmadeanother。Withthisgunheexcelledmostofhiscontemporariesinaccuracyofaim。HeusedtocalltheweaponIshtahbopopa——aliteraltranslationwouldbe"Pops—the—eye。"
　　Myuncle，whowasafathertomefortenyearsofmylife，wasalmostagiantinhispropor—
　　tions，verysymmetricaland"straightasanarrow。"
　　Hisfacewasnotatallhandsome。Hehadveryquietandreservedmannersandwasamanofactionratherthanofunnecessarywords。BehindtheveilofIndianreticencehehadaninexhausti—
　　blefundofwitandhumor;butthispartofhischaracteronlyappearedbeforehisfamilyandveryintimatefriends。Fewmenknownaturemorethoroughlythanhe。Nothingirritatedhimmorethantohearsomenaturalfactmisrepresented。I
　　haveoftenthoughtthatwitheducationhemighthavemadeaDarwinoranAgassiz。
　　Hewasalwaysmodestandunconsciousofselfinrelatinghisadventures。"Ihaveoftenbeenforcedtorealizemydanger，"heusedtosay，"butnotinsuchawayastooverwhelmme。OnlytwiceinmylifehaveIbeenreallyfrightened，andforaninstantlostmypresenceofmind。
　　"OnceIwasinfullpursuitofalargebuckdeerthatIhadwounded。Itwaswinter，andtherewasaveryheavyfalloffreshsnowupontheground。AllatonceIcameuponthebodyofthedeerlyingdeadonthesnow。Ibegantomakeahastyexamination，butbeforeIhadmadeanydiscoveries，Ispiedthetipsoftwoearspeep—
　　ingjustabovethesurfaceofthesnowabouttwentyfeetfromme。Imadeafeintofnotsee—
　　inganythingatall，butmovedquicklyinthedirectionofmygun，whichwasleaningagainstatree。Feeling，somehow，thatIwasabouttobetakenadvantageof，Isnatchedatthesamemo—
　　mentmyknifefrommybelt。
　　"Thepanther（forsuchitwas）madeasuddenanddesperatespring。Itriedtododge，buthewastooquickforme。Hecaughtmebytheshoulderwithhisgreatpaw，andthrewmedown。
　　Somehow，hedidnotretainhishold，butmadean—
　　otherleapandagainconcealedhimselfinthesnow。
　　Evidentlyhewaspreparingtomakeafreshattack。
　　"Iwaspartiallystunnedandgreatlyconfusedbytheblow;thereforeIshouldhavebeenaneasypreyforhimatthemoment。Butwhenheleftme，Icametomysenses;andIhadbeenthrownnearmygun！Iaroseandaimedbetweenthetipsofhisears——allthatwasvisibleofhim——andfired。Isawthefreshsnowflyfromthespot。Thepantherleapedaboutsixfeetstraightupintotheair，andfellmotionless。Igavetwogoodwar—
　　whoops，becauseIhadconqueredaveryformid—
　　ableenemy。Isatdownonthedeadbodytorest，andmyheartbeatasifitwouldknockoutallmyribs。Ihadnotbeenexpectinganydanger，andthatwaswhyIwassotakenbysurprise。
　　"Theothertimewasontheplains，insummer。
　　Iwasaccustomedtohuntinginthewoods，andneverbeforehadhuntedbuffaloonhorseback。Be—
　　ingayoungman，ofcourseIwaseagertodowhat—
　　everothermendid。ThereforeIsaddledmyponyforthehunt。Ihadaswiftponyandagoodgun，butonthisoccasionIpreferredabowandarrows。
　　"Itwasthetimeofyearwhenthebuffalogoinlargeherdsandthebullsarevicious。Butthisdidnottroublemeatall;indeed，Ithoughtofnothingbuttheexcitementandhonorofthechase。
　　"AvastplainneartheSourisriverwasliterallycoveredwithanimmenseherd。Thedaywasfair，andwecameupwiththemveryeasily。Ihadaquiverfullofarrows，withasinew—backedbow。
　　"Myponycarriedmeinfaraheadofalltheoth—
　　ers。Ifoundmyselfinthemidstofthebullsfirst，fortheyareslow。Theythrewtowardmeviciousglances，soIhastenedmyponyontothecows。
　　SoonIwasenvelopedinathickcloudofdust，andcompletelysurroundedbytheherd，whowerebythistimeintheactoffleeing，theirhoofsmakinganoiselikethunder。
　　"Icouldnotthinkofanythingbutmyownsit—
　　uation，whichconfusedmeforthemoment。Itseemedtometobeadesperateone。Ifmypony，whichwasgoingatfullspeed，shouldstepintoabadgerhole，Ishouldbethrowntothegroundandtrampledunderfootinaninstant。IfIweretostop，theywouldknockmeover，ponyandall。
　　Again，itseemedasifmyhorsemustfallfromsheerexhaustion;andthenwhatwouldbecomeofme？
　　"AtlastIawoketoacalmrealizationofmyownpower。Iutteredayellandbegantoshootrightandleft。Verysoontherewereonlyafewoldbullswhoremainednearme。Theherdhadscattered，andIwasmilesawayfrommycompanions。
　　"Itiswhenwethinkofourpersonaldangerthatweareapttobeatalosstodothebestthingun—
　　derthecircumstances。Oneshouldbeunconsciousofselfinordertodohisduty。Weareveryapttothinkourselvesbrave，whenwearemosttimid。
　　Ihavediscoveredthathalfouryoungmengivethewar—whoopwhentheyarefrightened，becausetheyfearlesttheirsilencemaybetraytheirstateofmind。Ithinkwearereallybravestwhenmostcalmandslowtoaction。"
　　Iurgedmyuncletotellmemoreofhisadven—
　　tures。
　　"Once，"saidhe，"Ihadasomewhatpeculiarexperience，whichIthinkIneverrelatedtoyoubefore。Itwasatthetimeofthefallhunt。OneafternoonwhenIwasaloneIdiscoveredthatIwastoofarawaytoreachthecampbeforedark，soI
　　lookedaboutforagoodplacetospendthenight。
　　ThiswasontheUpperMissouri，beforetherewereanywhitepeoplethere，andwhenwewereincon—
　　stantdangerfromwildbeastsaswellasfromhos—
　　tileIndians。Itwasnecessarytouseeverypre—
　　cautionandtheutmostvigilance。
　　"Iselectedaspotwhichappearedtobewelladaptedtodefense。Ihadkilledtwodeer，andIhunguppiecesofthemeatatcertaindistancesinvariousdirections。Iknewthatanywolfwouldstopforthemeat，Agrizzlybearwouldsome—
　　timesstop，butnotamountainlionorapanther。
　　ThereforeImadeafire。Suchananimalwouldbeapttoattackasolitaryfire。Therewasafullmoonthatnight，whichwasmuchinmyfavor。
　　"Havingcookedandeatensomeofthevenison，Irolledmyselfinmyblanketandlaydownbythefire，takingmyIshtahbopopaforabedfellow。I
　　huggeditveryclosely，forIfeltthatIshouldneeditduringthenight。IhadscarcelysettledmyselfwhenIheardwhatseemedtobetenortwelvecoyotessetupsuchahowlingthatIwasquitesureofavisitfromthem。Immediatelyafter—。
　　wardIheardanothersound，whichwaslikethescreamingofasmallchild。Thiswasaporcupine，whichhaddoubtlesssmelledthemeat。
　　"Iwatcheduntilacoyoteappeareduponaflatrockfiftyyardsaway。Hesniffedtheairineverydirection;then，sittingpartlyuponhishaunches，swungroundinacirclewithhishindlegssawingtheair，andhowledandbarkedinmanydifferentkeys。Itwasagreatfeat！Icouldnothelpwon—
　　deringwhetherIshouldbeabletoimitatehim。
　　Whathadseemedtobethevoicesofmanycoy—
　　oteswasinrealityonlyoneanimal。Hismatesoonappearedandthentheybothseemedsatisfied，andshowednosignsofawishtoinviteanothertojointhem。Presentlytheybothsuddenlyandquietlydisappeared。
　　"Atthismomentaslightnoiseattractedmyat—
　　tention，andIsawthattheporcupinehadarrived。
　　Hehadclimbeduptothepieceofmeatnearestme，andwashelpinghimselfwithoutanycere—
　　mony。Ithoughtitwasfortunatethathecame，forhewouldmakeagoodwatchdogforme。
　　Verysoon，infact，heinterruptedhismeal，andcausedallhisquillstostandoutindefiance。I
　　glancedaboutmeandsawthetwocoyotesslylyapproachingmyopencampfromtwodifferentdi—
　　rections。
　　"Itookthepartoftheporcupine！Iroseinasittingposture，andsentaswiftarrowtoeachofmyunwelcomevisitors。Theybothranawaywithhowlsofsurpriseandpain。
　　"Theporcupinesawthewholefromhisperch，buthismealwasnotatalldisturbed，forhebeganeatingagainwithapparentrelish。Indeed，Iwassoonfurnishedwithanotheroftheseunconsciousprotectors。Thisonecamefromtheoppositedi—
　　rectiontoapointwhereIhadhungasplendidhamofvenison。Hecaredtogonofurther，butseatedhimselfatonceonaconvenientbranchandbeganhissupper。
　　"Thecanonabovemewasfullofrocksandtrees。
　　Fromthisdirectioncameastartlingnoise，whichcausedmemoreconcernthananythingIhadthusfarheard。Itsoundedmuchlikeahugeanimalstretchinghimself，andgivingagreatyawnwhichendedinascream。Iknewthisforthevoiceofamountainlion，anditdecidedmetoperchuponalimbfortherestofthenight。
　　"Igotupandclimbedintothenearestlargetree，takingmyweaponswithme;butfirstIrolledashortlogofwoodinmyblanketandlaiditinmyplacebythefire。
　　"AsIgotup，thetwoporcupinesbegantode—
　　scend，butIpaidnoattentiontothem，andtheysoonreturnedtotheirformerpositions。VerysoonIheardahissingsoundfromoneofthem，andknewthatanintruderwasnear。Twogreywolvesappeared。
　　"Ihadhungthehamsbythehamstrings，andtheywerefullyeightfeetfromtheground。Atfirstthewolvescameboldlyforward，butthewarn—
　　ingoftheporcupinescausedthemtostop，andhesitatetojumpforthemeat。However，theywerehungry，andbegantoleapsavagelyforthehams，althoughevidentlytheyprovedgoodtargetsforthequillsofthepricklyones，foroccasionallyoneofthemwouldsquealandrubhisnosedes—
　　peratelyagainstthetree。
　　"Atlastoneofthewolvesburiedhisteethtoodeeplyinatoughportionoftheflesh，andhavingjumpedtoreachit，hisownweightmadeitim—
　　possibleforhimtoloosenhisupperjaw。Therethegreywolfdangled，kickingandyelping，untilthetendonofthehamgaveway，andbothfellheavilytotheground。Frommyhiding—placeI
　　senttwoarrowsintohisbody，whichendedhislife。Theotheroneranawaytoalittledistanceandremainedtherealongtime，asifwaitingforhermate。
　　"Iwasnowveryweary，butIhadseenmanygrizzlybears’tracksinthevicinity，andbesides，I
　　hadnotforgottenthedreadfulscreamofthemountainlion。Ideterminedtocontinuemywatch。
　　"AsIhadhalfexpected，therecamepresentlyasuddenheavyfall，andatthesametimetheburn—
　　ingemberswerescatteredaboutandthefirealmostextinguished。Myblanketwiththeloginitwasrolledoverseveraltimes，amidsnarlsandgrowls。
　　Thentheassailantofmycamp——apanther——leapedbackintothethickunderbrush，butnotbeforemyarrowhadpenetratedhisside。Hesnarledandtriedtobiteofftheshaft，butafteratimebe—
　　cameexhaustedandlaystill。
　　"Icouldnowdistinguishthegreydawnintheeast。Iwasexceedinglydrowsy，soIfastenedmyselfbyaropeofraw—hidetothetrunkofthetreeagainstwhichIleaned。Iwasseatedonalargelimb，andsoonfellasleep。
　　"Iwasrudelyawakenedbythereportofagundirectlyunderme。Atthesametime，Ithoughtsomeonewastryingtoshakemeoffthetree，InstantlyIreachedformygun。Alas！itwasgone！Atthefirstshakeofthetreebymyvisi—
　　tor，agrizzlybear，thegunhadfallen，andasitwascocked，itwentoff。
　　"Thebearpickeduptheweaponandthrewitviolentlyaway;thenheagainshookthetreewithallhisstrength。Ishouted：
　　"’Ihavestillabowandaquiverfullofarrows;
　　youhadbetterletmealone。’
　　"Herepliedtothiswitharoughgrowl。Isentanarrowintohisside，andhegroanedlikeamanashetriedhardtopullitout。Ihadtogivehimseveralmorebeforehewentashortdistanceaway，anddied。Itwasnowdaylight，soIcamedownfrommyperch。Iwasstiff，andscarcelyabletowalk。Ifoundthatthebearhadkilledbothofmylittlefriends，theporcupines，andeatenmostofthemeat。
　　"Perhapsyouwonder，Ohiyesa，whyIdidnotusemyguninthebeginning;butIhadlearnedthatifIoncemissedmyaimwithit，Ihadnosecondchance。Ihavetoldofthisparticularad—
　　venture，becauseitwasanunusualexperiencetoseesomanydifferentanimalsinonenight。I
　　haveoftenbeeninsimilarplaces，andkilledoneortwo。Onceacommonblackbearstoleawholedeerfrommewithoutwakingme。Butallthislifeisfastdisappearing，andtheworldisbecomingdifferent。"
　　VII
　　TheEndoftheBearDanceITwasoneofthesuperstitionsoftheSanteeSiouxtotreatdiseasefromthestandpointofsomeani—
　　malorinanimatething。Thatpersonwho，accordingtotheirbelief，hadbeencommissionedtobecomeamedicinemanorawarchief，mustnotdisobeythebearorothercreatureorthingwhichgavehimhiscommission。Ifheeverventuredtodoso，theoffendermustpayforhisinsubor—
　　dinationwithhislife，orthatofhisownchildordearestfriend。Itwassupposedtobenecessarythatthesupernaturalordersbecarriedintoeffectataparticularageandacertainseasonoftheyear。Occasionallyaveryyoungman，whoex—
　　cusedhimselfonthegroundofyouthandmod—
　　esty，mightbeforgiven。
　　Oneofmyintimatefriendshadbeenasuffererfromwhat，Isuppose，musthavebeenconsump—
　　tion。He，likemyself，hadagrandmotherinwhomhehadunlimitedfaith。Butshewasaveryambitiousandpretentiouswoman。Amonghermanyclaimswasthatofbeingagreat"medicinewoman，"andmanyweredeceivedbyit;butreallyshewasafraud，forshedidnotgiveanymedicine，but"conjured"thesickexclusively。
　　Atthistimemylittlefriendwasfastlosingground，inspiteofhisgrandmother’sgreatpreten—
　　sions。AtlastIhintedtohimthatmygrand—
　　motherwasaherbalist，andaskilfulone。Buthehintedbacktomethat’mostanyoldwomanwhocoulddigrootscouldbeaherbalist，andthatwith—
　　outasupernaturalcommissiontherewasnopowerthatcouldcopewithdisease。Idefendedmyidealonthegroundthattherearesupernaturalpowersintheherbsthemselves;hencethosewhounder—
　　standthemhavethesepowersattheircommand。
　　"But，"insistedmyfriend，"onemustgethisknowledgefromtheGreatMystery！"
　　Thiscompletelysilencedmyargument，butdidnotshakemyfaithinmygrandmother’sability。
　　Redhornwasagoodboy，andIlovedhim。I
　　visitedhimoften，andfoundhimgrowingweakerdaybyday。
　　"Ohiyesa，"hesaidtomeoneday，"mygrand—
　　motherhasdiscoveredthecauseofmysickness。"
　　Ieagerlyinterruptedhimbyshouting："Andcanshecureyounow，Redhorn？"
　　"Ofcourse，"hereplied，"shecannotuntilI
　　havefulfilledthecommandment。IhaveconfessedtoherthattwoyearsagoIreceivedmycommis—
　　sion，andIshouldhavemadeaBearDanceandproclaimedmyselfamedicinemanlastspring，whenIhadseenthirteenwinters。Yousee，Iwasashamedtoproclaimmyselfamedicineman，beingsoyoung;andforthisIampunished。However，mygrandmothersaysitisnotyettoolate。But，Ohiyesa，Iamasweaknowasarheumaticoldman。
　　Icanscarcelystandup。TheysaythatIcanap—
　　pointsomeoneelsetoactforme。Hewillbetheactivebear——Ishallhavetoremaininthehole。
　　Wouldyou，Ohiyesa，bewillingtoactthebearforme？Youknowhehastochasethedancersawayfromhisden。"
　　"Redhorn，"Irepliedwithmuchembarrass—
　　ment，"IshouldbehappytodoanythingthatI
　　couldforyou，butIcannotbeabear。IfeelthatIamnotfit。Iamnotlargeenough;Iamnotstrongenough;andIdon’tunderstandthehabitsoftheanimalwellenough。Idonotthinkyouwouldbepleasedwithmeasyoursubstitute。"
　　Redhornfinallydecidedthathewouldengagealargerboytoperformforhim。Afewdayslater，itwasannouncedbytheheraldthatmyfriendwouldgiveaBearDance，atwhichhewastobepubliclyproclaimedamedicineman。Itwouldbethegreateventofhisshortexistence，forthedis—
　　easehadalreadyexhaustedhisstrengthandvital—
　　ity。Ofcourse，weallunderstoodthattherewouldbeanactiveyouthtoexhibittheferociousnatureofthebeastafterwhichthedanceisnamed。
　　TheBearDancewasanentertainment，arelig—
　　iousrite，amethodoftreatingdisease——allinone。
　　Astrangethingaboutitwasthatnowomanwasallowedtoparticipateintheorgies，unlessshewasherselfthebear。
　　Thedenwasusuallydugabouttwohundredyardsfromthecamp，onsomeconspicuousplain。
　　Itwasabouttwofeetdeepandsixfeetsquareandoveritwasconstructedanarborofboughswithfouropenings。Whenthebearmansang，allthemenandboyswouldgatheranddanceabouttheden;andwhenhecameoutandpursuedthemtherewasahastyretreat。Itwassupposedthatwhoevertouchedthebearwithoutbeingtouchedbyhimwouldovercomeafoeinthefield。Ifonewastouched，thereversewastobeexpected。Thethingwhichcausedmostanxietyamongthedancerswasthesuperstitionthatifoneofthemshouldaccidentallytripandfallwhilepursuedbythebear，asuddendeathwouldvisithimorhisnearestrelative。
　　Boysofmyageweredisposedtorunsomeriskinthisdance;theywouldtakeeveryopportunitytostrikeatthebearmanwithashortswitch，whiletheoldermenshothimwithpowder。ItmayaswellbeadmittedthatonereasonformydecliningthehonorofferedmebymyfriendRedhornwasthatIwasafraidofpowder，andImuchpreferredtobeoneofthedancersandtakemychancesoftouchingthebearmanwithoutbeingtouched。
　　Itwasabeautifulsummer’sday。Theforestbehindourcampwassweetwiththebreathofblossomingflowers。Theteepeesfacedalargelake，whichwecalledBedatanka。Itsgentlewavescooledtheatmosphere。Thewater—fowldisportedthemselvesoveritssurface，andthebirdsofpass—
　　ageoverheadnoisilyexpressedtheirsurpriseattheexcitementandconfusioninourmidst。
　　Theherald，withhisbrassyvoice，againwenttherounds，announcingtheday’seventandthetardyfulfillmentoftheboy’scommission。Thencamethebustleofpreparation。Theout—doortoiletofthepeoplewasperformedwithcare。I
　　cannotdescribejusthowIwasattiredorpainted，butIamundertheimpressionthattherewasbutlittleofmybrownskinthatwasnotuncovered。
　　Theothersweresimilarlydressedinfeathers，paintandtinklingornaments。
　　Isoonheardthetom—tom’sdolefulsoundfromthedirectionofthebear’sden，andafewwar—
　　whoopsfromthethroatsoftheyouthfulwarriors。
　　AsIjoinedthemotleyassembly，Inoticedthatthebearman’sdrumwasgoinginearnest，andsoonafterhebegantosing。Thiswastheinvitationtothedance。
　　Anoldwarriorgavethesignalandweallstartedfortheden，verymuchlikeagroupofdogsat—
　　tackingastranger。Franticallyweyelledandwhooped，runningaroundtheshelteringarborinahop，skipandjumpfashion。Inspiteoftheapparentconfusion，however，everyparticipantwasonthealertfortheslightestmovementofthebearman。
　　Allofasudden，abravegavethewarning，andwescatteredinaninstantoverthelittleplainbe—
　　tweenthedenandourvillage。Everybodyseemedtoberunningfordearlife，andIsoonfoundmy—
　　selfsomeyardsbehindtherest。Ihadgoneinboldly，partlybecauseofconversationswithcer—
　　tainboyswhoproposedtoparticipate，andwhomIusuallyoutdistancedinfootraces。ButitseemedthattheyhadnotcarriedouttheirintentionsandIwasleftalone。Ilookedbackonceortwice，al—
　　thoughIwasprettybusywithmylegs，andIim—
　　aginedthatmypursuer，thebearman，lookedtwiceasfearfulasarealbear。Hewasdressedandpaintedupwithaviewtoterrifythecrowd。
　　IdidnotwanttheotherstoguessthatIwasatalldismayed，soItriedtogivethewar—whoop;
　　butmythroatwassodryatthemomentthatI
　　amsureImusthavegivenitverypoorly。
　　JustasitseemedthatIwasabouttobeover—
　　taken，thedancerswhohaddesertedmesuddenlyslackenedtheirspeed，andenteredupontheamusementoftormentingthebearmanwithgun—
　　powderandswitches，withwhichtheytouchedhimfarfromgentlyuponhisnakedbody。Theynowchasedhiminturn，andheagainretreatedtohisden。
　　Weresteduntilweheardthetom—tomandthesongoncemore，andthenwerushedforthwithfresheagernesstothemimicattack。ThistimeI
　　observedallnecessaryprecautionsformyownsafety。Istartedinmyflightevenbeforethewarningwasgiven，forIsawthebearmangather—
　　inghimselfuptospringuponthedancers。ThusIhadplentyofleewaytoobservewhatoccurred。
　　Thebearmanagainpursuedtheyellingandre—
　　treatingmob，andwasdealtwithunmercifullybytheswift—footed。Hebecamemuchexcitedashedesperatelychasedamiddle—agedman，whooccasionallyturnedandfiredoffhisgun，butwassuddenlytrippedbyanant—hillandfelltotheground，withtheotherontopofhim。Theex—
　　citementwasintense。Thebearmanreturnedtohiscompanion，andthedancersgatheredinlittleknotstoexchangewhispers。
　　"Isitnotamisfortune？""Themostsure—
　　footedofusall！""Willhedie？""Musthisbeautifuldaughterbesacrificed？"
　　Themanwhowasthesubjectofallthiscom—
　　mentdidnotspeakaword。Hisheadhungdown。Finallyheraiseditandsaidinaresolutevoice：
　　"Weallhaveourtimetogo，andwhentheGreatMysterycallsuswemustanswerascheer—
　　fullyasatthecallofoneofourownwar—chiefshereonearth。Iamnotsadformyself，butmyheartisnotwillingthatmyWinona（first—borndaughter）shouldbecalled。"
　　Noonereplied。Presentlythelasttom—tomwasheardandthedancersralliedoncemore。
　　Themanwhohadfallendidnotjointhem，butturnedtothecouncillodge，wherethewiseoldmenwereleisurelyenjoyingthecalumet。Theybeheldhimenterwithsomesurprise;buthethrewhimselfuponabuffalorobe，andrestinghisheaduponhisrighthand，relatedwhathadhap—
　　penedtohim。Thereupontheagedmenex—
　　claimedaswithonevoice："Itneverfails！"
　　Afterthis，hespokenomore。
　　Meanwhile，wewerehilariouslyengagedinourlastdance，andwhenthebearmanfinallyre—
　　tired，wegatheredaboutthearbortocongratulatethesickbearman。But，tooursurprise，hiscom—
　　paniondidnotre—entertheden。"Heisdead！
　　Redhorn，thebearman，isdead！"Weallrushedtothespot。Mypoorfriend，Redhorn，laydeadintheden。
　　Atthisinstanttherewasanothercommotioninthecamp。Everybodywasrunningtowardthecouncillodge。Awell—knownmedicinemanwasloudlysummonedthither。But，alas！themanwhofellinthedancehadsuddenlydroppeddead。
　　Tothepeople，anotherIndiansuperstitionhadbeenverified。
　　VIII
　　TheMaidens’FeastTHEREweremanypeculiarcus—
　　tomsamongtheIndiansofanearlierperiod，someofwhichtendedtostrengthenthecharac—
　　terofthepeopleandpreservetheirpurity。Perhapsthemostuniqueofthesewastheannual"feastofmaidens。"
　　Thecasualobserverwouldscarcelyunderstandthefullforceandmeaningofthisceremony。
　　ThelastonethatIeverwitnessedwasgivenatFortEllis，Manitoba，abouttheyear1871。UponthetablelandjustbackoftheoldtradingpostandfullyathousandfeetabovetheAssiniboineriver，surroundedbygroves，therewasanaturalamphitheatre。Atoneendstoodtheoldfortwheresince1830thenortherntribeshadcometoreplenishtheirpowderhornsandleadsacksandtodisposeoftheirpelts。
　　Inthisspottherewasareunionofalltherene—
　　gadeSiouxontheonehandandoftheAssini—
　　boinesandCrees，theCanadiantribes，ontheother。Theywerefriendly。Thematterwasnotformallyarranged，butitwasusualforallthetribestomeethereinthemonthofJuly。
　　TheHudsonBayCompanyalwayshadagoodsupplyofred，blue，greenandwhiteblankets，alsoclothofbrilliantdye，sothatwhentheirsummerfestivaloccurredtheIndiansdidnotlackgaylycoloredgarments。Paintswereboughtbythematpleasure。Shortsleeveswerethefashionintheirbuckskindresses，andbeadsandporcupinequillsweretheprincipaldecorations。
　　Whencircumstancesarefavorable，theIndiansarethehappiestpeopleintheworld。Therewereentertainmentseverysingleday，whicheverybodyhadthefullestopportunitytoseeandenjoy。Ifanything，thepoorestprofitedthemostbytheseoccasions，becauseafeatureineachcasewasthegivingawayofsavagewealthtotheneedyinhonoroftheevent。Atanypublicaffair，involv—
　　ingtheprideandhonorofaprominentfamily，theremustalwaysbeadistributionofvaluablepresents。
　　Onebrightsummermorning，whilewewerestillatourmealofjerkedbuffalomeat，weheardtheheraldoftheWahpetonbanduponhiscalicoponyasherodearoundourcircle。
　　"WhiteEagle’sdaughter，themaidenRedStar，invitesallthemaidensofallthetribestocomeandpartakeofherfeast。ItwillbeintheWahpetoncamp，beforethesunreachesthemiddleofthesky。Allpuremaidensareinvited。RedStaralsoinvitestheyoungmentobepresent，toseethatnounworthymaidenshouldjoininthefeast。"
　　Theheraldsooncompletedtheroundsofthedifferentcamps，anditwasnotlongbeforethegirlsbegantogatheringreatnumbers。Thefortwasfullyalivetotheinterestofthesesavageen—
　　tertainments。Thisparticularfeastwaslookeduponasasemi—sacredaffair。Itwouldbedese—
　　crationforanytoattendwhowasnotperfectlyvirtuous。Henceitwasregardedasanopportunetimefortheyoungmentosatisfythemselvesastowhowerethevirtuousmaidsofthetribe。
　　Therewereapttobesurprisesbeforetheendoftheday。Anyyoungmanwaspermittedtochallengeanymaidenwhomheknewtobeun—
　　worthy。Butwoetohimwhocouldnotprovehiscase。Itmeantlittleshortofdeathtothemanwhoendeavoredtodisgraceawomanwithoutcause。
　　Theyouthshadasimilarfeastoftheirown，inwhichtheeligibleswerethosewhohadneverspokentoagirlinthewayofcourtship。Itwasconsideredridiculoussotodobeforeattainingsomehonorasawarrior，andthenovicespridedthemselvesgreatlyupontheirselfcontrol。
　　Fromthevariouscampsthegirlscamesinglyoringroups，dressedinbright—coloredcalicoesorinheavilyfringedandbeadedbuckskin。Theirsmoothcheeksandthecentralpartoftheirglossyhairwastouchedwithvermilion。Allbroughtwiththemwoodenbasinstoeatfrom。Somewhocamefromaconsiderabledistanceweremounteduponponies;afew，forcompanyornovelty’ssake，rodedouble。
　　Themaidens’circlewasformedaboutacone—
　　shapedrockwhichstooduponitsbase。Thiswaspaintedred。Besideittwonewarrowswerelightlystuckintotheground。Thisisasortofaltar，towhicheachmaidencomesbeforetakingheras—
　　signedplaceinthecircle，andlightlytouchesfirstthestoneandthenthearrows。Bythisoathshedeclaresherpurity。Wheneveragirlapproachesthealtarthereisastiramongthespectators，andsometimesarudeyouthwouldcallout：
　　"Takecare！Youwilloverturntherock，orpulloutthearrows！"
　　Sucharemarkmakesthegirlsnervous，andes—
　　peciallyonewhoisnotsureofhercomposure。
　　Immediatelybehindthemaidens’circleistheoldwomen’sorchaperons’circle。Thissecondcircleisalmostasinterestingtolookatasthein—
　　nerone。Theoldwomenwatchedeverymove—
　　mentoftheirrespectivechargeswiththeutmostconcern，havingpreviouslyinstructedthemhowtheyshouldconductthemselvesinanyevent。
　　Therewasneveramoregorgeousassemblyofthekindthanthisone。Thedaywasperfect。TheCrees，displayingtheircharacteristichorseman—
　　ship，cameingroups;theAssiniboines，withtheircuriouspompadourwellcoveredwithredpaint。
　　ThevariousbandsofSiouxallcarefullyobservedthetraditionalpeculiaritiesofdressandbehavior。
　　Theattachesofthefortwerefullyrepresentedattheentertainment，anditwasnotunusualtoseeapale—facemaidentakepartinthefeast。
　　Thewholepopulationoftheregionhadassem—
　　bled，andthemaidenscameshylyintothecircle。
　　Thesimpleceremoniesobservedpriortotheserv—
　　ingofthefoodwereinprogress，whenamongagroupofWahpetonSiouxyoungmentherewasastirofexcitement。Allthemaidensglancedner—
　　vouslytowardthesceneofthedisturbance。Soonatallyouthemergedfromthethrongofspectatorsandadvancedtowardthecircle。Everyoneofthechaperonsglaredathimasiftodeterhimfromhispurpose。Butwithasteadystephepassedthembyandapproachedthemaidens’circle。
　　AtlasthestoppedbehindaprettyAssiniboinemaidenofgoodfamilyandsaid：
　　"Iamsorry，but，accordingtocustom，youshouldnotbehere。"
　　Thegirlaroseinconfusion，butshesoonrecov—
　　eredherself—control。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"shedemanded，indig—
　　nantly。"Threetimesyouhavecometocourtme，buteachtimeIhaverefusedtolistentoyou。
　　Iturnedmybackuponyou。TwiceIwaswithMashtinna。Shecantellthepeoplethatthisistrue。ThethirdtimeIhadgoneforwaterwhenyouinterceptedmeandbeggedmetostopandlisten。IrefusedbecauseIdidnotknowyou。
　　Mychaperon，Makatopawee，knowsthatIwasgonebutafewminutes。Ineversawyouany—
　　whereelse。"
　　Theyoungmanwasunabletoanswerthisun—
　　mistakablestatementoffacts，anditbecameap—
　　parentthathehadsoughttorevengehimselfforherrepulse。
　　"Woo！woo！Carryhimout！"wastheorderofthechiefoftheIndianpolice，andtheaudaciousyouthwashurriedawayintothenearestravinetobechastised。
　　Theyoungwomanwhohadthusestablishedhergoodnamereturnedtothecircle，andthefeastwasserved。The"maidens’song"wassung，andfourtimestheydancedinaringaroundthealtar。
　　Eachmaidasshedepartedoncemoretookheroathtoremainpureuntilsheshouldmeetherhusband。
　　IX
　　MoreLegendsI：ALegendofDevil’sLakeAFTERthedeathofSmokyDay，oldWeyuhawasregardedasthegreateststory—telleramongtheWahpetonSioux。
　　"Tellme，goodWeyuha，ale—
　　gendofyourfather’scountry，"I
　　saidtohimoneevening，forIknewthecountrywhichisnowknownasNorthDakotaandSouth—
　　ernManitobawastheirancienthunting—ground。
　　IwaspromptedbyUncheedahtomakethisre—
　　quest，aftertheoldmanhadeateninourlodge。