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