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