Inlovingmemoryofmymother，MARYGRAHAMBUISSON，atwhosekneemostofthestoriescontainedinthislittlevolumeweretoldtome，thisbookisaffec-
tionatelydedicatedTABLEOFCONTENTS
DedicationForewordTheForgottenEarofCornTheLittleMiceThePetRabbitThePetDonkeyTheRabbitandtheElkTheRabbitandtheGrouseGirlsTheFaithfulLoversTheArtichokeandtheMuskratTheRabbit，andtheBearwiththeFlintBodyStoryoftheLostWifeTheRaccoonandtheCrawfishLegendofStandingRockStoryofthePeacePipeABashfulCourtshipTheSimpleton’sWisdomLittleBraveandtheMedicineWomanTheBoundChildrenTheSignsofCornStoryoftheRabbitsHowtheRabbitLostHisTailUnktomiandtheArrowheadsTheBearandtheRabbitHuntBuffaloTheBraveWhoWentontheWarpathAloneandWontheNameoftheLoneWarriorTheSiouxWhoMarriedtheCrowChief’sDaughterTheBoyandtheTurtlesTheHermit，ortheGiftofCornTheMysteriousButteTheWonderfulTurtleTheManandtheOakStoryoftheTwoYoungFriendsTheStoryofthePetCrowThe"Wasna"（PemmicanMan）andtheUnktomi（Spider）
TheResuscitationoftheOnlyDaughterTheStoryofthePetCraneWhitePlumeStoryofPrettyFeatheredForeheadTheFourBrothersorInyanhoksila（StoneBoy）
TheUnktomi（Spider），TwoWidowsandtheRedPlumsFOREWORD
Inpublishingthese"MythsoftheSioux，"IdeemitpropertostatethatIamofone-fourthSiouxblood。Mymaternalgrandfather，CaptainDuncanGraham，aScotchmanbybirth，whohadseenserviceintheBritishArmy，wasoneofapartyofScotchHighlanderswhoin1811arrivedintheBritishNorthwestbywayofYorkFactory，HudsonBay，tofoundwhatwasknownastheSelkirkColony，nearLakeWinnipeg，nowwithintheprovinceofManitoba，Canada。SoonafterhisarrivalatLakeWinnipegheproceededuptheRedRiveroftheNorthandthewesternforkthereoftoitssource，andthencedowntheMinnesotaRivertoMendota，theconfluenceoftheMinnesotaandMississippiRivers，wherehelocated。Mygrandmother，Ha-za-ho-ta-win，wasafull-bloodoftheMedawakantonBandoftheSiouxTribeofIndians。Myfather，JosephBuisson，bornnearMontreal，Canada，wasconnectedwiththeAmericanFurCompany，withheadquartersatMendota，Minnesota，whichpointwasformanyyearsthechiefdistributingdepotoftheAmericanFurCompany，fromwhichtheIndiantradeconductedbythatcompanyontheupperMississippiwasdirected。
IwasbornDecember8，1842，atWabasha，Minnesota，thenIndiancountry，andresidedthereatuntilfourteenyearsofage，whenI
wassenttoschoolatPrairieduChien，Wisconsin。
IwasmarriedtoMajorJamesMcLaughlinatMendota，Minnesota，January28，1864，andresidedinMinnesotauntilJuly1，1871，whenIaccompaniedmyhusbandtoDevilsLakeAgency，NorthDakota，thenDakotaTerritory，whereIremainedtenyearsinmostfriendlyrelationswiththeIndiansofthatagency。MyhusbandwasIndianagentatDevilsLakeAgency，andin1881wastransferredtoStandingRock，ontheMissouriRiver，thenaveryimportantagency，totakechargeoftheSiouxwhohadthenbutrecentlysurrenderedtothemilitaryauthorities，andbeenbroughtbysteamboatfromvariouspointsontheupperMissouri，tobepermanentlylocatedontheStandingRockreservation。
HavingbeenbornandrearedinanIndiancommunity，IatanearlyageacquiredathoroughknowledgeoftheSiouxlanguage，andhavinglivedonIndianreservationsforthepastfortyyearsinapositionwhichbroughtmeveryneartotheIndians，whoseconfidenceI
possessed，Ihave，therefore，hadexceptionalopportunitiesoflearningthelegendsandfolk-loreoftheSioux。
ThestoriescontainedinthislittlevolumeweretoldmebytheoldermenandwomenoftheSioux，ofwhichImadecarefulnotesasrelated，knowingthat，ifnotrecorded，thesefairytaleswouldbelosttoposteritybythepassingoftheprimitiveIndian。
Thenotesofasongorastrainofmusiccomingtousthroughthenightnotonlygiveuspleasurebythemelodytheybring，butalsogiveusknowledgeofthecharacterofthesingeroroftheinstrumentfromwhichtheyproceed。Thereissomethinginthemusicwhichunerringlytellsusofitssource。Ibelievemusicianscallitthe"timbre"ofthesound。Itisindependentof，anddifferentfrom，bothpitchandrhythm;itisthetextureofthemusicitself。
The"timbre"ofapeople’sstoriestellsofthequalitiesofthatpeople’sheart。Itisthetextureofthethought，independentofitsformorfashioning，whichtellsthequalityofthemindfromwhichitsprings。
Inthe"timbre"ofthesestoriesoftheSioux，toldinthelodgesandatthecampfiresofthepast，andbythefiresidesoftheDakotasoftoday，werecognizetheverytextureofthethoughtofasimple，grave，andsincerepeople，livinginintimatecontactandfriendshipwiththebigout-of-doorsthatwecallNature;aracenotyetunderstandingallthings，notproudandboastful，buthonestandchildlikeandfair;asimple，sincere，andgravelythoughtfulpeople，willingtobelievethattheremaybeineventheeverydaythingsoflifesomethingnotyetfullyunderstood;aracethatcan，withoutanylossofnativedignity，gravelyconsiderthesimplestthings，seekingtofathomtheirmeaningandtolearntheirlesson——equallywithoutvain-gloriousboastingandtriflingcynicism;anearnest，thoughtful，dignified，butsimpleandprimitivepeople。
Tothechildrenofanyracethesestoriescannotfailtogivepleasurebytheirvividimagingofthesimplethingsandcreaturesofthegreatout-of-doorsandtheepicsoftheirdoings。Theywillalsogiveanintimateinsightintothementalityofaninterestingraceatamostinterestingstageofdevelopment，whichisnowfastrecedingintothemistsofthepast。
MARIEL。McLAUGHLIN（Mrs。JamesMcLaughlin）。
McLaughlin，S。D。，May1，1913。
THEFORGOTTENEAROFCORN
AnArikarawomanwasoncegatheringcornfromthefieldtostoreawayforwinteruse。Shepassedfromstalktostalk，tearingofftheearsanddroppingthemintoherfoldedrobe。Whenallwasgatheredshestartedtogo，whensheheardafaintvoice，likeachild’s，weepingandcalling：
"Oh，donotleaveme！Donotgoawaywithoutme。"
Thewomanwasastonished。"Whatchildcanthatbe？"sheaskedherself。"Whatbabecanbelostinthecornfield？"
Shesetdownherrobeinwhichshehadtieduphercorn，andwentbacktosearch;butshefoundnothing。
Asshestartedawaysheheardthevoiceagain：
"Oh，donotleaveme。Donotgoawaywithoutme。"
Shesearchedforalongtime。Atlastinonecornerofthefield，hiddenundertheleavesofthestalks，shefoundonelittleearofcorn。Thisitwasthathadbeencrying，andthisiswhyallIndianwomenhavesincegarneredtheircorncropverycarefully，sothatthesucculentfoodproductshouldnoteventothelastsmallnubbinbeneglectedorwasted，andthusdispleasetheGreatMystery。
THELITTLEMICE
Onceuponatimeaprairiemousebusiedherselfallfallstoringawayacacheofbeans。Everymorningshewasoutearlywithheremptycast-offsnakeskin，whichshefilledwithgroundbeansanddraggedhomewithherteeth。
Thelittlemousehadacousinwhowasfondofdancingandtalk，butwhodidnotliketowork。Shewasnotcarefultogethercacheofbeansandtheseasonwasalreadywellgonebeforeshethoughttobestirherself。Whenshecametorealizeherneed，shefoundshehadnopackingbag。Soshewenttoherhardworkingcousinandsaid：
"Cousin，Ihavenobeansstoredforwinterandtheseasonisnearlygone。ButIhavenosnakeskintogatherthebeansin。Willyoulendmeone？"
"Butwhyhaveyounopackingbag？Wherewereyouinthemoonwhenthesnakescastofftheirskins？"
"Iwashere。"
"Whatwereyoudoing？"
"Iwasbusytalkinganddancing。"
"Andnowyouarepunished，"saidtheother。"Itisalwayssowithlazy，carelesspeople。ButIwillletyouhavethesnakeskin。
Andnowgo，andbyhardworkandindustry，trytorecoveryourwastedtime。"
THEPETRABBIT
Alittlegirlownedapetrabbitwhichsheloveddearly。Shecarrieditonherbacklikeababe，madeforitalittlepairofmoccasins，andatnightsharedwithitherownrobe。
Nowthelittlegirlhadacousinwholovedherverydearlyandwishedtodoherhonor;sohercousinsaidtoherself：
"Ilovemylittlecousinwellandwillaskhertoletmecarryherpetrabbitaround;"（forthusdoIndianwomenwhentheywishtohonorafriend;theyaskpermissiontocarryaboutthefriend’sbabe）。
Shethenwenttothelittlegirlandsaid：
"Cousin，letmecarryyourpetrabbitaboutonmyback。ThusshallIshowyouhowIloveyou。"
Hermother，too，saidtoher："Ohno，donotletourlittlegrandchildgoawayfromourtepee。"
Butthecousinanswered："Oh，doletmecarryit。Idosowanttoshowmycousinhonor。"Atlasttheylethergoawaywiththepetrabbitonherback。
Whenthelittlegirl’scousincamehometohertepee，someroughboyswhowereplayingaboutbegantomakesportofher。Toteasethelittlegirltheythrewstonesandsticksatthepetrabbit。Atlastastickstruckthelittlerabbitupontheheadandkilledit。
Whenherpetwasbroughthomedead，thelittlerabbit’sadoptedmotherweptbitterly。Shecutoffherhairformourningandallherlittlegirlfriendswailedwithher。Hermother，too，mournedwiththem。
"Alas！"theycried，"alas，forthelittlerabbit。Hewasalwayskindandgentle。Nowyourchildisdeadandyouwillbelonesome。"
Thelittlegirl’smothercalledinherlittlefriendsandmadeagreatmourningfeastforthelittlerabbit。Ashelayinthetepeehisadoptedmother’slittlefriendsbroughtmanypreciousthingsandcoveredhisbody。Atthefeastweregivenawayrobesandkettlesandblanketsandknivesandgreatwealthinhonorofthelittlerabbit。Himtheywrappedinarobewithhislittlemoccasinsonandburiedhiminahighplaceuponascaffold。
THEPETDONKEY
Therewasachief’sdaughteroncewhohadagreatmanyrelationssothateverybodyknewshebelongedtoagreatfamily。
Whenshegrewupshemarriedandtherewereborntohertwinsons。
Thiscausedgreatrejoicinginherfather’scamp，andallthevillagewomencametoseethebabes。Shewasveryhappy。
Asthebabesgrewolder，theirgrandmothermadeforthemtwosaddlebagsandbroughtoutadonkey。
"Mytwograndchildren，"saidtheoldlady，"shallrideasisbecomingtochildrenhavingsomanyrelations。Hereisthisdonkey。Heispatientandsurefooted。Heshallcarrythebabesinthesaddlebags，oneoneithersideofhisback。"
Ithappenedonedaythatthechief’sdaughterandherhusbandweremakingreadytogoonacampingjourney。Thefather，whowasquiteproudofhischildren，broughtouthisfinestpony，andputthesaddlebagsonthepony’sback。
"There，"hesaid，"mysonsshallrideonthepony，notonadonkey;
letthedonkeycarrythepotsandkettles。"
Sohiswifeloadedthedonkeywiththehouseholdthings。Shetiedthetepeepolesintotwogreatbundles，oneoneithersideofthedonkey’sback;acrossthemsheputthetravoisnetandthrewintoitthepotsandkettlesandlaidtheskintentacrossthedonkey’sback。
Butnosoonerdonethanthedonkeybegantorearandbrayandkick。
Hebrokethetentpolesandkickedthepotsandkettlesintobitsandtoretheskintent。Themorehewasbeatenthemorehekicked。
Atlasttheytoldthegrandmother。Shelaughed。"DidInottellyouthedonkeywasforthechildren，"shecried。"Heknowsthebabiesarethechief’schildren。Thinkyouhewillbedishonoredwithpotsandkettles？"andshefetchedthechildrenandslungthemoverthedonkey’sback，whenhebecameatoncequietagain。
Thecampingpartyleftthevillageandwentontheirjourney。Butthenextdayastheypassedbyaplaceovergrownwithbushes，abandofenemiesrushedout，lashingtheirponiesandsoundingtheirwarwhoop。Allwasexcitement。Themenbenttheirbowsandseizedtheirlances。Afteralongbattletheenemyfled。Butwhenthecampingpartycametogetheragain——wherewerethedonkeyandthetwobabes？Nooneknew。Foralongtimetheysearched，butinvain。Atlasttheyturnedtogobacktothevillage，thefathermournful，themotherwailing。Whentheycametothegrandmother’stepee，therestoodthegooddonkeywiththetwobabesinthesaddlebags。
THERABBITANDTHEELK
Thelittlerabbitlivedwithhisoldgrandmother，whoneededanewdress。"Iwillgooutandtrapadeeroranelkforyou，"hesaid。
"Thenyoushallhaveanewdress。"
Whenhewentouthuntinghelaiddownhisbowinthepathwhilehelookedathissnares。Anelkcomingbysawthebow。
"Iwillplayajokeontherabbit，"saidtheelktohimself。"I
willmakehimthinkIhavebeencaughtinhisbowstring。"Hethenputonefootonthestringandlaydownasifdead。
Byandbytherabbitreturned。Whenhesawtheelkhewasfilledwithjoyandranhomecrying："Grandmother，Ihavetrappedafineelk。Youshallhaveanewdressfromhisskin。Throwtheoldoneinthefire！"
Thistheoldgrandmotherdid。
Theelknowsprangtohisfeetlaughing。"Ho，friendrabbit，"hecalled，"Youthoughttotrapme;nowIhavemockedyou。"Andheranawayintothethicket。
Therabbitwhohadcomebacktoskintheelknowranhomeagain。
"Grandmother，don’tthrowyourdressinthefire，"hecried。Butitwastoolate。Theolddresswasburned。
THERABBITANDTHEGROUSEGIRLS
Therabbitoncewentoutontheprairieinwintertime。Onthesideofahillawayfromthewindhefoundagreatcompanyofgirlsallwithgreyandspeckledblanketsovertheirbacks。Theywerethegrousegirlsandtheywerecoastingdownhillonaboard。Whentherabbitsawthem，hecalledout：
"Oh，maidens，thatisnotagoodwaytocoastdownhill。Letmegetyouafineskinwithbanglesonitthattinkleasyouslide。"
Andawayherantothetepeeandbroughtaskinbag。Ithadredstripesonitandbanglesthattinkled。"Comeandgetinside，"hesaidtothegrousegirls。"Oh，no，weareafraid，"theyanswered。
"Don’tbeafraid，Ican’thurtyou。Come，oneofyou，"saidtherabbit。Thenaseachhungbackheaddedcoaxingly："Ifeachisafraidalone，comealltogether。Ican’thurtyou<i>all</i>。"
Andsohecoaxedthewholeflockintothebag。Thisdone，therabbitclosedthemouthofthebag，slungitoverhisbackandcamehome。"Grandmother，"saidhe，ashecametothetepee，"hereisabagfullofgame。WatchitwhileIgoforwillowstickstomakespits。"
Butassoonastherabbithadgoneoutofthetent，thegrousegirlsbegantocryout：
"Grandmother，letusout。"
"Whoareyou？"askedtheoldwoman。
"Yourdeargrandchildren，"theyanswered。
"Buthowcameyouinthebag？"askedtheoldwoman。
"Oh，ourcousinwasjestingwithus。Hecoaxedusinthebagforajoke。Pleaseletusout。"
"Certainly，deargrandchildren，Iwillletyouout，"saidtheoldwomanassheuntiedthebag：andlo，thegrouseflockwithachuck-a-chuck-achuckflewup，knockingovertheoldgrandmotherandflewoutofthesquaresmokeopeningofthewinterlodge。Theoldwomancaughtonlyonegrouseasitflewupandheldit，graspingalegwitheachhand。
Whentherabbitcamehomewiththespitsshecalledouttohim：
"Grandson，comequick。TheygotoutbutIhavecaughttwo。"
Whenhesawwhathadhappenedhewasquiteangry，yetcouldnotkeepfromlaughing。
"Grandmother，youhavebutonegrouse，"hecried，anditisaveryskinnyoneatthat。"
THEFAITHFULLOVERS
Thereoncelivedachief’sdaughterwhohadmanyrelations。Alltheyoungmeninthevillagewantedtohaveherforwife，andwerealleagertofillherskinbucketwhenshewenttothebrookforwater。
Therewasayoungmaninthevillagewhowasindustriousandagoodhunter;buthewaspoorandofameanfamily。Helovedthemaidenandwhenshewentforwater，hethrewhisrobeoverherheadwhilehewhisperedinherear：
"Bemywife。IhavelittlebutIamyoungandstrong。Iwilltreatyouwell，forIloveyou。"
Foralongtimethemaidendidnotanswer，butonedayshewhisperedback。
"Yes，youmayaskmyfather’sleavetomarryme。Butfirstyoumustdosomethingnoble。Ibelongtoagreatfamilyandhavemanyrelations。Youmustgoonawarpartyandbringbackthescalpofanenemy。"
Theyoungmanansweredmodestly，"Iwilltrytodoasyoubidme。
Iamonlyahunter，notawarrior。WhetherIshallbebraveornotIdonotknow。ButIwilltrytotakeascalpforyoursake。"
Sohemadeawarpartyofseven，himselfandsixotheryoungmen。
Theywanderedthroughtheenemy’scountry，hopingtogetachancetostrikeablow。Butnonecame，fortheyfoundnooneoftheenemy。
"Ourmedicineisunfavorable，"saidtheirleaderatlast。"Weshallhavetoreturnhome。"
Beforetheystartedtheysatdowntosmokeandrestbesideabeautifullakeatthefootofagreenknollthatrosefromitsshore。Theknollwascoveredwithgreengrassandsomehowastheylookedatittheyhadafeelingthattherewassomethingaboutitthatwasmysteriousoruncanny。
Buttherewasayoungmaninthepartynamedthejester，forhewasventuresomeandfulloffun。Gazingattheknollhesaid："Let’srunandjumponitstop。"
"No，"saidtheyounglover，"itlooksmysterious。Sitstillandfinishyoursmoke。"
"Oh，comeon，who’safraid，"saidthejester，laughing。"Comeonyou——comeon！"andspringingtohisfeetheranupthesideoftheknoll。
Fouroftheyoungmenfollowed。Havingreachedthetopoftheknollallfivebegantojumpandstampaboutinsport，calling，"Comeon，comeon，"totheothers。Suddenlytheystopped——theknollhadbeguntomovetowardthewater。Itwasagiganticturtle。Thefivemencriedoutinalarmandtriedtorun——toolate！Theirfeetbysomepowerwereheldfasttothemonster’sback。
"Helpus——dragusaway，"theycried;buttheotherscoulddonothing。Inafewmomentsthewaveshadclosedoverthem。
Theothertwomen，theloverandhisfriend，wenton，butwithheavyhearts，fortheyhadforebodingsofevil。Aftersomedays，theycametoariver。Wornwithfatiguetheloverthrewhimselfdownonthebank。
"Iwillsleepawhile，"hesaid，"forIamweariedandwornout。"
"AndIwillgodowntothewaterandseeifIcanchanceuponadeadfish。Atthistimeoftheyearthehighwatermayhaveleftonestrandedontheseashore，"saidhisfriend。
Andashehadsaid，hefoundafishwhichhecleaned，andthencalledtothelover。
"Comeandeatthefishwithme。Ihavecleaneditandmadeafireanditisnowcooking。"
"No，youeatit;letmerest，"saidthelover。
"Oh，comeon。"
"No，letmerest。"
"Butyouaremyfriend。Iwillnoteatunlessyoushareitwithme。"
"Verywell，"saidthelover，"Iwilleatthefishwithyou，butyoumustfirstmakemeapromise。IfIeatthefish，youmustpromise，pledgeyourself，tofetchmeallthewaterthatIcandrink。"
"Ipromise，"saidtheother，andthetwoatethefishoutoftheirwar-kettle。Fortherehadbeenbutonekettlefortheparty。
Whentheyhadeaten，thekettlewasrinsedoutandthelover’sfriendbroughtitbackfullofwater。Thistheloverdrankatadraught。
"Bringmemore，"hesaid。
Againhisfriendfilledthekettleattheriverandagaintheloverdrankitdry。
"More！"hecried。
"Oh，Iamtired。Cannotyougototheriveranddrinkyourfillfromthestream？"askedhisfriend。
"Rememberyourpromise。"
"Yes，butIamweary。Gonowanddrink。"
"Ek-hey，Ifeareditwouldbeso。Nowtroubleiscominguponus，"
saidtheloversadly。Hewalkedtotheriver，sprangin，andlyingdowninthewaterwithhisheadtowardland，drankgreedily。Byandbyhecalledtohisfriend。
"Comehither，youwhohavebeenmyswornfriend。Seewhatcomesofyourbrokenpromise。"
Thefriendcameandwasamazedtoseethattheloverwasnowafishfromhisfeettohismiddle。
Sickatheartheranoffalittlewayandthrewhimselfuponthegroundingrief。Byandbyhereturned。Theloverwasnowafishtohisneck。
"CannotIcutoffthepartandrestoreyoubyasweatbath？"thefriendasked。
"No，itistoolate。Buttellthechief’sdaughterthatIlovedhertothelastandthatIdieforhersake。Takethisbeltandgiveittoher。Shegaveittomeasapledgeofherloveforme，"
andhebeingthenturnedtoagreatfish，swamtothemiddleoftheriverandthereremained，onlyhisgreatfinremainingabovethewater。
Thefriendwenthomeandtoldhisstory。Therewasgreatmourningoverthedeathofthefiveyoungmen，andforthelostlover。Intheriverthegreatfishremained，itsfinjustabovethesurface，andwascalledbytheIndians"FishthatBars，"becauseitbar’dnavigation。Canoeshadtobeportagedatgreatlaboraroundtheobstruction。
Thechief’sdaughtermournedforherloverasforahusband，norwouldshebecomforted。"Hewaslostforloveofme，andIshallremainashiswidow，"shewailed。
Inhermother’stepeeshesat，withherheadcoveredwithherrobe，silent，working，working。"Whatismydaughterdoing，"hermotherasked。Butthemaidendidnotreply。
Thedayslengthenedintomoonsuntilayearhadpassed。Andthenthemaidenarose。Inherhandswerebeautifularticlesofclothing，enoughforthreemen。Therewerethreepairsofmoccasins，threepairsofleggings，threebelts，threeshirts，threeheaddresseswithbeautifulfeathers，andsweetsmellingtobacco。
"Makeanewcanoeofbark，"shesaid，whichwasmadeforher。
Intothecanoeshesteppedandfloatedslowlydowntherivertowardthegreatfish。
"Comebackmydaughter，"hermothercriedinagony。"Comeback。
Thegreatfishwilleatyou。"
Sheanswerednothing。Hercanoecametotheplacewherethegreatfinaroseandstopped，itsprowgratingonthemonster’sback。Themaidensteppedoutboldly。Onebyoneshelaidherpresentsonthefish’sback，scatteringthefeathersandtobaccooverhisbroadspine。
"Oh，fish，"shecried，"Oh，fish，youwhoweremylover，Ishallnotforgetyou。Becauseyouwerelostforloveofme，Ishallnevermarry。AllmylifeIshallremainawidow。Takethesepresents。Andnowleavetheriver，andletthewatersrunfree，somypeoplemayoncemoredescendintheircanoes。"
Shesteppedintohercanoeandwaited。Slowlythegreatfishsank，hisbroadfindisappeared，andthewatersoftheSt。Croix（Stillwater）werefree。
THEARTICHOKEANDTHEMUSKRAT
Ontheshoreofalakestoodanartichokewithitsgreenleaveswavinginthesun。Veryproudofitselfitwas，andwellsatisfiedwiththeworld。Inthelakebelowlivedamuskratinhistepee，andintheeveningasthesunsethewouldcomeoutupontheshoreandwanderoverthebank。Oneeveninghecameneartheplacewheretheartichokestood。
"Ho，friend，"hesaid，"youseemratherproudofyourself。Whoareyou？""Iamtheartichoke，"answeredtheother，"andIhavemanyhandsomecousins。Butwhoareyou？"
"Iamthemuskrat，andI，too，belongtoalargefamily。Iliveinthewater。Idon’tstandalldayinoneplacelikeastone。"
"IfIstandinoneplaceallday，"retortedtheartichoke，"atleastIdon’tswimaroundinstagnantwater，andbuildmylodgeinthemud。"
"Youarejealousofmyfinefur，"sneeredthemuskrat。"Imaybuildmylodgeinthemud，butIalwayshaveacleancoat。Butyouarehalfburiedintheground，andwhenmendigyouup，youareneverclean。"
"Andyourfinecoatalwayssmellsofmusk，"jeeredtheartichoke。
"Thatistrue，"saidthemuskrat。"Butmenthinkwellofme，nevertheless。Theytrapmeforthefinesinewinmytail;andhandsomeyoungwomenbiteoffmytailwiththeirwhiteteethandmakeitintothread。"
"That’snothing，"laughedtheartichoke。"Handsomeyoungwarriors，paintedandsplendidwithfeathers，digmeup，brushmeoffwiththeirshapelyhandsandeatmewithouteventakingthetroubletowashmeoff。"
THERABBITANDTHEBEARWITHTHE
FLINTBODY
TheRabbitandhisgrandmotherwereindirestraits，becausetherabbitwasoutofarrows。Thefallhuntwouldsoonbeonandhisquiverwasallbutempty。Arrowstickshecouldcutinplenty，buthehadnothingwithwhichtomakearrowheads。
"Youmustmakesomeflintarrowheads，"saidhisgrandmother。"Thenyouwillbeabletokillgame。"
"WhereshallIgettheflint？"askedtherabbit。
"Fromtheoldbearchief，"saidhisoldgrandmother。Foratthattimealltheflintintheworldwasinthebear’sbody。
SotherabbitsetoutforthevillageoftheBears。Itwaswintertimeandthelodgesofthebearsweresetundertheshelterofahillwherethecoldwindwouldnotblowonthemandwheretheyhadshelteramongthetreesandbushes。
Hecameatoneendofthevillagetoahutwherelivedanoldwoman。Hepushedopenthedoorandentered。Everybodywhocameforflintalwaysstoppedtherebecauseitwasthefirstlodgeontheedgeofthevillage。Strangerswerethereforenotunusualintheoldwoman’shut，andshewelcomedtherabbit。Shegavehimaseatandatnighthelaywithhisfeettothefire。
Thenextmorningtherabbitwenttothelodgeofthebearchief。
Theysattogetherawhileandsmoked。Atlastthebearchiefspoke。
"Whatdoyouwant，mygrandson？"
"Ihavecomeforsomeflinttomakearrows，"answeredtherabbit。
Thebearchiefgrunted，andlaidasidehispipe。Leaningbackhepulledoffhisrobeand，sureenough，onehalfofhisbodywasfleshandtheotherhalfhardflint。
"Bringastonehammerandgiveittoourguest，"hebadehiswife。
Thenastherabbittookthehammerhesaid："Donotstriketoohard。"
"Grandfather，Ishallbecareful，"saidtherabbit。Withastrokehestruckoffalittleflakeofflintfromthebear’sbody。
"Ni-sko-ke-cha？Sobig？"heasked。
"Harder，grandson;strikeoffbiggerpieces，"saidthebear。
Therabbitstruckalittleharder。
"Ni-sko-ke-cha？Sobig？"heasked。
Thebeargrewimpatient。"No，no，strikeoffbiggerpieces。I
can’tbehereallday。Tankakaksawo！Breakoffabigpiece。"
Therabbitstruckagain——hard！"Ni-sko-ke-cha？"hecried，asthehammerfell。Butevenashespokethebear’sbodybrokeintwo，thefleshpartfellawayandonlytheflintpartremained。Likeaflashtherabbitdartedoutofthehut。
Therewasagreatoutcryinthevillage。Openmouthed，allthebearsgavechase。Butasherantherabbitcried："Wa-hin-han-yo（snow，snow）Ota-po，Ota-po——lotsmore，lotsmore，"andagreatstormofsnowsweptdownfromthesky。
Therabbit，lightoffoot，boundedoverthetopofthesnow。Thebearssunkinandflounderedabouthelpless。Seeingthis，therabbitturnedbackandkilledthemonebyonewithhisclub。Thatiswhywenowhavesofewbears。
STORYOFTHELOSTWIFE
ADakotagirlmarriedamanwhopromisedtotreatherkindly，buthedidnotkeephisword。Hewasunreasonable，fault-finding，andoftenbeather。Franticwithhiscruelty，sheranaway。Thewholevillageturnedouttosearchforher，butnotraceofthemissingwifewastobefound。
Meanwhile，thefleeingwomanhadwanderedaboutallthatdayandthenextnight。Thenextdayshemetaman，whoaskedherwhoshewas。Shedidnotknowit，buthewasnotreallyaman，butthechiefofthewolves。
"Comewithme，"hesaid，andheledhertoalargevillage。Shewasamazedtoseeheremanywolves——grayandblack，timberwolvesandcoyotes。Itseemedasifallthewolvesintheworldwerethere。
Thewolfchiefledtheyoungwomantoagreattepeeandinvitedherin。Heaskedherwhatsheateforfood。
"Buffalomeat，"sheanswered。
Hecalledtwocoyotesandbadethembringwhattheyoungwomanwanted。Theyboundedawayandsoonreturnedwiththeshoulderofafresh-killedbuffalocalf。
"Howdoyouprepareitforeating？"askedthewolfchief。
"Byboiling，"answeredtheyoungwoman。
Againhecalledthetwocoyotes。Awaytheyboundedandsoonbroughtintothetentasmallbundle。Initwerepunk，flintandsteel——stolen，itmaybe，fromsomecampofmen。
"Howdoyoumakethemeatready？"askedthewolfchief。
"Icutitintoslices，"answeredtheyoungwoman。
Thecoyoteswerecalledandinashorttimefetchedinaknifeinitssheath。Theyoungwomancutupthecalf’sshoulderintoslicesandateit。
Thusshelivedforayear，allthewolvesbeingverykindtoher。
Attheendofthattimethewolfchiefsaidtoher：
"Yourpeoplearegoingoffonabuffalohunt。Tomorrowatnoontheywillbehere。Youmustthengooutandmeetthemortheywillfallonusandkillus。"
Thenextdayataboutnoontheyoungwomanwenttothetopofaneighboringknoll。Comingtowardherweresomeyoungmenridingontheirponies。Shestoodupandheldherhandssothattheycouldseeher。Theywonderedwhoshewas，andwhentheywereclosebygazedatherclosely。
"Ayearagowelostayoungwoman;ifyouareshe，wherehaveyoubeen，"theyasked。
"Ihavebeeninthewolves’village。Donotharmthem，"sheanswered。
"Wewillridebackandtellthepeople，"theysaid。"Tomorrowagainatnoon，weshallmeetyou。"
Theyoungwomanwentbacktothewolfvillage，andthenextdaywentagaintoaneighboringknoll，thoughtoadifferentone。Soonshesawthecampcominginalonglineovertheprairie。Firstwerethewarriors，thenthewomenandtents。
Theyoungwoman’sfatherandmotherwereoverjoyedtoseeher。Butwhentheycamenearhertheyoungwomanfainted，forshecouldnotnowbearthesmellofhumankind。Whenshecametoherselfshesaid：
"Youmustgoonabuffalohunt，myfatherandallthehunters。
Tomorrowyoumustcomeagain，bringingwithyouthetonguesandchoicepiecesofthekill。"
Thishepromisedtodo;andallthemenofthecampmountedtheirponiesandtheyhadagreathunt。Thenextdaytheyreturnedwiththeirponiesladenwiththebuffalomeat。Theyoungwomanbadethempilethemeatinagreatheapbetweentwohillswhichshepointedouttothem。Therewassomuchmeatthatthetopsofthetwohillswerebridgedlevelbetweenbythemeatpile。Inthecenterofthepiletheyoungwomanplantedapolewitharedflag。
Shethenbegantohowllikeawolf，loudly。
Inamomenttheearthseemedcoveredwithwolves。Theyfellgreedilyonthemeatpileandinashorttimehadeatenthelastscrap。
Theyoungwomanthenjoinedherownpeople。
Herhusbandwantedhertocomeandlivewithhimagain。Foralongtimesherefused。However，atlasttheybecamereconciled。
THERACCOONANDTHECRAWFISH
Sharpandcunningistheraccoon，saytheIndians，bywhomheisnamedSpottedFace。
Acrawfishoneeveningwanderedalongariverbank，lookingforsomethingdeadtofeastupon。Araccoonwasalsooutlookingforsomethingtoeat。Hespiedthecrawfishandformedaplantocatchhim。
Helaydownonthebankandfeignedtobedead。Byandbythecrawfishcamenearby。"Ho，"hethought，"hereisafeastindeed;
butishereallydead。Iwillgonearandpinchhimwithmyclawsandfindout。"
Sohewentnearandpinchedtheraccoononthenoseandthenonhissoftpaws。Theraccoonnevermoved。Thecrawfishthenpinchedhimontheribsandtickledhimsothattheraccooncouldhardlykeepfromlaughing。Thecrawfishatlastlefthim。"Theraccoonissurelydead，"hethought。Andhehurriedbacktothecrawfishvillageandreportedhisfindtothechief。
Allthevillagerswerecalledtogodowntothefeast。Thechiefbadethewarriorsandyoungmentopainttheirfacesanddressintheirgayestforadance。
Sotheymarchedinalongline——firstthewarriors，withtheirweaponsinhand，thenthewomenwiththeirbabiesandchildren——totheplacewheretheraccoonlay。Theyformedagreatcircleabouthimanddanced，singing：
"Weshallhaveagreatfeast"Onthespotted-facedbeast，withsoftsmoothpaws：
"Heisdead！
"Heisdead！
"Weshalldance！
"Weshallhaveagoodtime;
"Weshallfeastonhisflesh。"
Butastheydanced，theraccoonsuddenlysprangtohisfeet。
"Whoisthatyousayyouaregoingtoeat？Hehasaspottedface，hashe？Hehassoft，smoothpaws，hashe？I’llbreakyouruglybacks。I’llbreakyourroughbones。I’llcrunchyourugly，roughpaws。"Andherushedamongthecrawfish，killingthembyscores。Thecrawfishwarriorsfoughtbravelyandthewomenranscreaming，alltonopurpose。Theydidnotfeastontheraccoon;
theraccoonfeasted<i>onthem！</i>
LEGENDOFSTANDINGROCK
ADakotahadmarriedanArikarawoman，andbyherhadonechild。
Byandbyhetookanotherwife。Thefirstwifewasjealousandpouted。Whentimecameforthevillagetobreakcampsherefusedtomovefromherplaceonthetentfloor。ThetentwastakendownbutshesatonthegroundwithherbabeonherbackTherestofthecampwithherhusbandwenton。
Atnoonherhusbandhaltedtheline。"Gobacktoyoursister-in-law，"hesaidtohistwobrothers。"Tellhertocomeonandwewillawaityouhere。Buthasten，forIfearshemaygrowdesperateandkillherself。"
Thetworodeoffandarrivedattheirformercampingplaceintheevening。Thewomanstillsatontheground。Theelderspoke：
"Sister-in-law，getup。Wehavecomeforyou。Thecampawaitsyou。"
Shedidnotanswer，andheputouthishandandtouchedherhead。
Shehadturnedtostone！
Thetwobrotherslashedtheirponiesandcamebacktocamp。Theytoldtheirstory，butwerenotbelieved。"Thewomanhaskilledherselfandmybrotherswillnottellme，"saidthehusband。
However，thewholevillagebrokecampandcamebacktotheplacewheretheyhadleftthewoman。Sureenough，shesattherestill，ablockofstone。
TheIndiansweregreatlyexcited。Theychoseoutahandsomepony，madeanewtravoisandplacedthestoneinthecarryingnet。Ponyandtravoiswerebothbeautifullypaintedanddecoratedwithstreamersandcolors。Thestonewasthought<i>"wakan"</i>（holy），andwasgivenaplaceofhonorinthecenterofthecamp。Wheneverthecampmovedthestoneandtravoisweretakenalong。Thusthestonewomanwascarriedforyears，andfinallybroughttoStandingRockAgency，andnowrestsuponabrickpedestalinfrontoftheAgencyoffice。FromthisstoneStandingRockAgencyderivesitsname。
STORYOFTHEPEACEPIPE
Twoyoungmenwereoutstrollingonenighttalkingofloveaffairs。
Theypassedaroundahillandcametoalittleravineorcoulee。
Suddenlytheysawcomingupfromtheravineabeautifulwoman。Shewaspaintedandherdresswasoftheveryfinestmaterial。
"Whatabeautifulgirl！"saidoneoftheyoungmen。"AlreadyI
loveher。Iwillstealherandmakehermywife。"
"No，"saidtheother。"Don’tharmher。Shemaybeholy。"
Theyoungwomanapproachedandheldoutapipewhichshefirstofferedtothesky，thentotheearthandthenadvanced，holdingitoutinherextendedhands。
"Iknowwhatyouyoungmenhavebeensaying;oneofyouisgood;
theotheriswicked，"shesaid。
Shelaiddownthepipeonthegroundandatoncebecameabuffalocow。Thecowpawedtheground，stuckhertailstraightoutbehindherandthenliftedthepipefromthegroundagaininherhoofs;
immediatelyshebecameayoungwomanagain。
"Iamcometogiveyouthisgift，"shesaid。"Itisthepeacepipe。Hereafteralltreatiesandceremoniesshallbeperformedaftersmokingit。Itshallbringpeacefulthoughtsintoyourminds。YoushallofferittotheGreatMysteryandtomotherearth。"
Thetwoyoungmenrantothevillageandtoldwhattheyhadseenandheard。Allthevillagecameoutwheretheyoungwomanwas。
Sherepeatedtothemwhatshehadalreadytoldtheyoungmenandadded：
"Whenyousetfreetheghost（thespiritofdeceasedpersons）youmusthaveawhitebuffalocowskin。"
Shegavethepipetothemedicinemenofthevillage，turnedagaintoabuffalocowandfledawaytothelandofbuffaloes。
ABASHFULCOURTSHIP
Ayoungmanlivedwithhisgrandmother。Hewasagoodhunterandwishedtomarry。Heknewagirlwhowasagoodmoccasinmaker，butshebelongedtoagreatfamily。Hewonderedhowhecouldwinher。
Onedayshepassedthetentonherwaytogetwaterattheriver。
Hisgrandmotherwasatworkinthetepeewithapairofoldworn-outsloppymoccasins。Theyoungmansprangtohisfeet。
"Quick，grandmother——letmehavethoseoldsloppymoccasinsyouhaveonyourfeet！"hecried。
"Myoldmoccasins，whatdoyouwantofthem？"criedtheastonishedwoman。
"Nevermind！Quick！Ican’tstoptotalk，"answeredthegrandsonashecaughtuptheoldmoccasinstheoldladyhaddoffed，andputthemon。Hethrewarobeoverhisshoulders，slippedthroughthedoor，andhastenedtothewateringplace。Thegirlhadjustarrivedwithherbucket。
"Letmefillyourbucketforyou，"saidtheyoungman。
"Oh，no，Icandoit。"
"Oh，letme，Icangointhemud。Yousurelydon’twanttosoilyourmoccasins，"andtakingthebucketheslippedinthemud，takingcaretopushhissloppyoldmoccasinsoutsothegirlcouldseethem。Shegiggledoutright。
"My，whatoldmoccasinsyouhave，"shecried。
"Yes，Ihavenobodytomakemeanewpair，"heanswered。
"Whydon’tyougetyourgrandmothertomakeyouanewpair？"
"She’soldandblindandcan’tmakethemanylonger。That’swhyI
wantyou，"heanswered。
"Oh，you’refoolingme。Youaren’tspeakingthetruth。"
"Yes，Iam。Ifyoudon’tbelieve——comewithme<i>now！</i>"
Thegirllookeddown;sodidtheyouth。Atlasthesaidsoftly：
"Well，whichisit？ShallItakeupyourbucket，orwillyougowithme？"
Andsheanswered，stillmoresoftly："IguessI’llgowithyou！"
Thegirl’sauntcamedowntotheriver，wonderingwhatkeptherniecesolong。Inthemudshefoundtwopairsofmoccasintracksclosetogether;attheedgeofthewaterstoodanemptykeg。
THESIMPLETON’SWISDOM
Therewasamanandhiswifewhohadonedaughter。Motheranddaughterweredeeplyattachedtooneanother，andwhenthelatterdiedthemotherwasdisconsolate。Shecutoffherhair，cutgashesinhercheeksandsatbeforethecorpsewithherrobedrawnoverherhead，mourningforherdead。Norwouldsheletthemtouchthebodytotakeittoaburyingscaffold。Shehadaknifeinherhand，andifanyoneofferedtocomenearthebodythemotherwouldwail：
"Iamwearyoflife。Idonotcaretolive。Iwillstabmyselfwiththisknifeandjoinmydaughterinthelandofspirits。"
Herhusbandandrelativestriedtogettheknifefromher，butcouldnot。Theyfearedtouseforcelestshekillherself。Theycametogethertoseewhattheycoulddo。
"Wemustgettheknifeawayfromher，"theysaid。
Atlasttheycalledaboy，akindofsimpleton，yetwithagooddealofnaturalshrewdness。Hewasanorphanandverypoor。Hismoccasinswereoutatthesoleandhewasdressedinwei-zi（coarsebuffaloskin，smoked）。
"Gotothetepeeofthemourningmother，"theytoldthesimpleton，"andinsomewaycontrivetomakeherlaughandforgethergrief。
Thentrytogettheknifeawayfromher。"
Theboywenttothetentandsatdownatthedoorasifwaitingtobegivensomething。Thecorpselayintheplaceofhonorwherethedeadgirlhadsleptinlife。Thebodywaswrappedinarichrobeandwrappedaboutwithropes。Friendshadcovereditwithrichofferingsoutofrespecttothedead。
Asthemothersatonthegroundwithherheadcoveredshedidnotatfirstseetheboy，whosatsilent。Butwhenhisreservehadwornawayalittlehebeganatfirstlightly，thenmoreheavily，todrumonthefloorwithhishands。Afterawhilehebegantosingacomicsong。Louderandlouderhesanguntilcarriedawaywithhisownsinginghesprangupandbegantodance，atthesametimegesturingandmakingallmannerofcontortionswithhisbody，stillsingingthecomicsong。Asheapproachedthecorpsehewavedhishandsoveritinblessing。Themotherputherheadoutoftheblanketandwhenshesawthepoorsimpletonwithhisstrangegrimacestryingtodohonortothecorpsebyhissolemnwaving，andatthesametimekeepinguphiscomicsong，sheburstoutlaughing。
Thenshereachedoverandhandedherknifetothesimpleton。
"Takethisknife，"shesaid。"Youhavetaughtmetoforgetmygrief。IfwhileImournforthedeadIcanstillbemirthful，thereisnoreasonformetodespair。Inolongercaretodie。I
willliveformyhusband。"
Thesimpletonleftthetepeeandbroughttheknifetotheastonishedhusbandandrelatives。
"Howdidyougetit？Didyouforceitawayfromher，ordidyoustealit？"theysaid。
"Shegaveittome。HowcouldIforceitfromherorstealitwhenshehelditinherhand，bladeuppermost？Isanganddancedforherandsheburstoutlaughing。Thenshegaveittome，"heanswered。
Whentheoldmenofthevillageheardtheorphan’sstorytheywereverysilent。Itwasastrangethingforaladtodanceinatepeewheretherewasmourning。Itwasstrangerthatamothershouldlaughinatepeebeforethecorpseofherdeaddaughter。Theoldmengatheredatlastinacouncil。Theysatalongtimewithoutsayinganything，fortheydidnotwanttodecidehastily。Thepipewasfilledandpassedmanytimes。Atlastanoldmanspoke。
"Wehaveahardquestion。Amotherhaslaughedbeforethecorpseofherdaughter，andmanythinkshehasdonefoolishly，butIthinkthewomandidwisely。Theladwassimpleandofnotraining，andwecannotexpecthimtoknowhowtodoaswellasonewithgoodhomeandparentstoteachhim。Besides，hedidthebestthatheknew。Hedancedtomakethemotherforgethergrief，andhetriedtohonorthecorpsebywavingoverithishands。"
"Themotherdidrighttolaugh，forwhenonedoestrytodousgood，evenifwhathedoescausesusdiscomfort，weshouldalwaysrememberratherthemotivethanthedeed。Andbesides，thesimpleton’sdancingsavedthewoman’slife，forshegaveupherknife。Inthis，too，shedidwell，foritisalwaysbettertoliveforthelivingthantodieforthedead。"
ALITTLEBRAVEANDTHEMEDICINE
WOMAN
AvillageofIndiansmovedoutofwintercampandpitchedtheirtentsinacircleonhighlandoverlookingalake。Alittlewaydownthedeclivitywasagrave。Chokecherrieshadgrownup，hidingthegravefromview。Butasthegroundhadsunksomewhat，thegravewasmarkedbyaslighthollow。
Oneofthevillagersgoingouttohunttookashortcutthroughthechokecherrybushes。Ashepushedthemasidehesawthehollowgrave，butthoughtitwasawashoutmadebytherains。Butasheessayedtostepoverit，tohisgreatsurprisehestumbledandfell。Madecuriousbyhismishap，hedrewbackandtriedagain;
butagainhefell。Whenhecamebacktothevillagehetoldtheoldmenwhathadhappenedtohim。Theyrememberedthenthatalongtimebeforetherehadbeenburiedthereamedicinewomanorconjurer。Doubtlessitwashermedicinethatmadehimstumble。
Thestoryofthevillager’sadventurespreadthruthecampandmademanycurioustoseethegrave。Amongothersweresixlittleboyswhowere，however，rathertimid，fortheywereingreataweofthedeadmedicinewoman。ButtheyhadalittleplaymatenamedBrave，amischievouslittlerogue，whosehairwasalwaysunkemptandtossedaboutandwhowasneverquietforamoment。
"LetusaskBravetogowithus，"theysaid;andtheywentinabodytoseehim。
"Allright，"saidBrave;"Iwillgowithyou。ButIhavesomethingtodofirst。Yougoonaroundthehill<i>that</i>way，andIwillhastenaround<i>this</i>way，andmeetyoualittlelaternearthegrave。"
Sothesixlittleboyswentonasbiddenuntiltheycametoaplacenearthegrave。Theretheyhalted。
"WhereisBrave？"theyasked。
NowBrave，fullofmischief，hadthoughttoplayajestonhislittlefriends。Assoonastheywerewelloutofsighthehadspedaroundthehilltotheshoreofthelakeandstickinghishandsinthemudhadrubbeditoverhisface，plastereditinhishair，andsoiledhishandsuntilhelookedlikeanewrisencorpsewiththefleshrottingfromhisbones。Hethenwentandlaydowninthegraveandawaitedtheboys。
WhenthesixlittleboyscametheyweremoretimidthaneverwhentheydidnotfindBrave;buttheyfearedtogobacktothevillagewithoutseeingthegrave，forfeartheoldmenwouldcallthemcowards。
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