"Whatisthetrouble，grandchild，"criedtheoldwoman。Buttheboycouldnotanswer。"Didyouseeanythingunnatural？"Heshookhishead，"no。"Hemadesignstothegrandmotherthathislungswerepressingsohardagainsthissidesthathecouldnottalk。Hekeptbeatinghissidewithhisclenchedhands。Thegrandmothergotouthermedicinebag，madeaprayertotheGreatSpirittodriveouttheevilspiritthathadenteredhergrandson’sbody，andaftershehadappliedthemedicine，theprayermusthavebeenheardandanswered，astheboycommencedtellingherwhathehadheardandseen。
Thegrandmotherwenttothechief’stentandtoldwhathergrandsonhadseen。Thechiefsenttwobravewarriorstothelaketoascertainwhetheritwastrueornot。Thetwowarriorscrepttothelittlehillclosetothelake，andthere，sureenough，thelakewasswarmingwithlittlemenswimmingabout，splashingthewaterhighupintotheair。Thewarriors，too，werescaredandhurriedhome，andinthecouncilcalledontheirreturntoldwhattheyhadseen。Theboywasbroughttothecouncilandgiventheseatofhonor（oppositethedoor），andwasnamed"WankanWanyanka"（seesholy）。
ThelakehadformerlybornethenameofTruthLake，butfromthistimeonwascalled"Wicasa-bde"——ManLake。
THEHERMIT，ORTHEGIFTOFCORN
Inadeepforest，farfromthevillagesofhispeople，livedahermit。Histentwasmadeofbuffaloskins，andhisdresswasmadeofdeerskin。Farfromthehauntsofanyhumanbeingthisoldhermitwascontenttospendhisdays。
Alldaylonghewouldwanderthroughtheforeststudyingthedifferentplantsofnatureandcollectingpreciousroots，whichheusedasmedicine。Atlongintervalssomewarriorwouldarriveatthetentoftheoldhermitandgetmedicinerootsfromhimforthetribe，theoldhermit’smedicinebeingconsideredfarsuperiortoallothers。
Afteralongday’srambleinthewoods，thehermitcamehomelate，andbeingverytired，atoncelaydownonhisbedandwasjustdozingofftosleep，whenhefeltsomethingrubagainsthisfoot。
Awakeningwithastart，henoticedadarkobjectandanarmwasextendedtohim，holdinginitshandaflintpointedarrow。
Thehermitthought，"Thismustbeaspirit，asthereisnohumanbeingaroundherebutmyself！"Avoicethensaid："Hermit，Ihavecometoinviteyoutomyhome。""How（yes），Iwillcome，"saidtheoldhermit。Wherewithhearose，wrappedhisrobeabouthimandfollowed。
Outsidethedoorhestoppedandlookedaround，butcouldseenosignsofthedarkobject。
"Whoeveryouare，orwhateveryoube，waitforme，asIdon’tknowwheretogotofindyourhouse，"saidthehermit。Notananswerdidhereceive，norcouldhehearanynoisesasthoughanyonewaswalkingthroughthebrush。Re-enteringhistentheretiredandwassoonfastasleep。Thenextnightthesamethingoccurredagain，andthehermitfollowedtheobjectout，onlytobeleftasbefore。
Hewasveryangrytothinkthatanyoneshouldbetryingtomakesportofhim，andhedeterminedtofindoutwhothiscouldbewhowasdisturbinghisnight’srest。
Thenexteveninghecutaholeinthetentlargeenoughtostickanarrowthrough，andstoodbythedoorwatching。Soonthedarkobjectcameandstoppedoutsideofthedoor，andsaid：
"Grandfather，Icameto——，"butheneverfinishedthesentence，fortheoldmanletgohisarrow，andheheardthearrowstrikesomethingwhichproducedasoundasthoughhehadshotintoasackofpebbles。Hedidnotgooutthatnighttoseewhathisarrowhadstruck，butearlynextmorninghewentoutandlookedatthespotaboutwherehethoughttheobjecthadstood。Thereonthegroundlayalittleheapofcorn，andfromthislittleheapasmalllineofcornlayscatteredalongapath。Thishefollowedfarintothewoods。Whenhecametoaverysmallknollthetrailended。Attheendofthetrailwasalargecircle，fromwhichthegrasshadbeenscrapedoffclean。
"Thecorntrailstopsattheedgeofthiscircle，"saidtheoldman，"sothismustbethehomeofwhoeveritwasthatinvitedme。"
Hetookhisboneknifeandhatchetandproceededtodigdownintothecenterofthecircle。Whenhehadgotdowntothelengthofhisarm，hecametoasackofdriedmeat。NexthefoundasackofIndianturnips，thenasackofdriedcherries;thenasackofcorn，andlastofallanothersack，emptyexceptthattherewasaboutacupfulofcorninonecornerofit，andthatthesackhadaholeintheothercornerwherehisarrowhadpiercedit。Fromthisholeinthesackthecornwasscatteredalongthetrail，whichguidedtheoldmantothecache。*
Fromthisthehermittaughtthetribeshowtokeeptheirprovisionswhentravelingandwereoverloaded。Heexplainedtothemhowtheyshoulddigapitandputtheirprovisionsintoitandcoverthemwithearth。BythismethodtheIndiansusedtokeepprovisionsallsummer，andwhenfallcametheywouldreturntotheircache，andonopeningitwouldfindeverythingasfreshasthedaytheywereplacedthere。
Theoldhermitwasalsothankedasthediscovererofcorn，whichhadneverbeenknowntotheIndiansuntildiscoveredbytheoldhermit。
*Hidingplace。
THEMYSTERIOUSBUTTE
Ayoungmanwasoncehuntingandcametoasteephill。Theeastsideofthehillsuddenlydroppedofftoaverysteepbank。Hestoodonthisbank，andatthebasehenoticedasmallopening。Ongoingdowntoexamineitmoreclosely，hefounditwaslargeenoughtoadmitahorseorbuffalo。Oneithersideofthedoorwerefiguresofdifferentanimalsengravedintothewall。
Heenteredtheopeningandthere，scatteredaboutonthefloor，laymanybracelets，pipesandmanyotherthingsofornament，asthoughtheyhadbeenofferingstosomegreatspirit。Hepassedthroughthisfirstroomandonenteringtheseconditwassodarkthathecouldnotseehishandsbeforehisface，sobecomingscared，hehurriedlylefttheplace，andreturninghometoldwhathehadseen。
Uponhearingthisthechiefselectedfourofhismostdaringwarriorstogowiththisyoungmanandinvestigateandascertainwhethertheyoungmanwastellingthetruthornot。Thefiveproceededtothebutte，andattheentrancetheyoungmanrefusedtogoinside，asthefiguresoneithersideoftheentrancehadbeenchanged。
Thefourenteredandseeingthatallinthefirstchamberwasastheyoungmanhadtold，theywentontothenextchamberandfounditsodarkthattheycouldnotseeanything。Theycontinuedon，however，feelingtheirwayalongthewalls。Theyfinallyfoundanentrancethatwassonarrowthattheyhadtosqueezeintoitsideways。Theyfelttheirwayaroundthewallsandfoundanotherentrance，solowdownthattheyhadtocrawlontheirhandsandkneestogothroughintothenextchamber。
Onenteringthelastchambertheyfoundaverysweetodorcomingfromtheoppositedirection。Feelingaroundandcrawlingontheirhandsandknees，theydiscoveredaholeinthefloorleadingdownward。Fromthisholecameupthesweetodor。Theyhurriedlyheldacouncil，anddecidedtogonofurther，butreturntothecampandreportwhattheyhadfound。Ongettingtothefirstchamberoneoftheyoungmensaid："Iamgoingtotakethesebraceletstoshowthatwearetellingthetruth。""No，"saidtheotherthree，"thisbeingtheabodeofsomeGreatSpirit，youmayhavesomeaccidentbefallyoufortakingwhatisnotyours。""Ah！
Youfellowsarelikeoldwomen，"saidhe，takingafinebraceletandencirclinghisleftwristwithit。
Whentheyreachedthevillagetheyreportedwhattheyhadseen。
Theyoungmanexhibitedthebracelettoprovethatitwasthetruththeyhadtold。
Shortlyafterthis，thesefouryoungmenwereoutfixinguptrapsforwolves。Theywouldraiseoneendofaheavylogandplaceastickunder，bracingupthelog。Alargepieceofmeatwasplacedaboutfivefeetawayfromthelogandthisspacecoveredwithpolesandwillows。Attheplacewheretheuprightstickwasput，aholewasleftopen，largeenoughtoadmitthebodyofawolf。Thewolf，scentingthemeatandunabletogetatitthroughthepolesandwillows，wouldcrowdintotheholeandworkinghisbodyforward，inordertogetthemeat，wouldpushdownthebraceandthelogthusreleasedwouldholdthewolffastunderitsweight。
Theyoungmanwiththebraceletwasplacinghisbaitunderthelogwhenhereleasedthelogbyknockingdownthebrace，andthelogcaughthiswristonwhichheworethebracelet。Hecouldnotreleasehimselfandcalledloudandlongforassistance。Hisfriends，hearinghiscall，cametohisassistance，andonliftingthelogfoundtheyoungman’swristbroken。"Now，"saidthey，"youhavebeenpunishedfortakingthewristletoutofthechamberofthemysteriousbutte。"
Sometimeafterthisayoungmanwenttothebutteandsawengravedonthewallawomanholdinginherhandapole，withwhichshewasholdingupalargeamountofbeefwhichhadbeenlaidacrossanotherpole，whichhadbrokenintwofromtheweightofsomuchmeat。
Hereturnedtothecampandreportedwhathehadseen。Allaroundthefigurehesawmarksofbuffalohoofs，alsomarkeduponthewall。
Thenextdayanenormousherdofbuffalocameneartothevillage，andagreatmanywerekilled。Thewomenwerebusycuttingupanddryingthemeat。Atonecampwasmoremeatthanatanyother。Thewomanwashangingmeatuponalongtentpole，whenthepolebrokeintwoandshewasobligedtoholdthemeatupwithanotherpole，justastheyoungmansawonthemysteriousbutte。
EverafterthattheIndianspaidweeklyvisitstothisbutte，andthereonwouldreadthesignsthatweretogoverntheirplans。
Thisbuttewasalwaysconsideredtheprophetofthetribe。
THEWONDERFULTURTLE
NeartoaChippewavillagelayalargelake，andinthislaketherelivedanenormousturtle。Thiswasnoordinaryturtle，ashewouldoftencomeoutofhishomeinthelakeandvisitwithhisIndianneighbors。Hepaidthemostofhisvisitstotheheadchief，andontheseoccasionswouldstayforhours，smokingandtalkingwithhim。
Thechief，seeingthattheturtlewasverysmartandshowedgreatwisdominhistalk，tookagreatfancytohim，andwheneveranypuzzlingsubjectcameupbeforethechief，hegenerallysentforMr。Turtletohelphimdecide。
Onedaytherecameagreatmisunderstandingbetweendifferentpartiesofthetribe，andsoexcitedbecamebothsidesthatitthreatenedtocausebloodshed。Thechiefwasunabletodecideforeitherfaction，sohesaid，"IwillcallMr。Turtle。Hewilljudgeforyou。"
Sendingfortheturtle，thechiefvacatedhisseatforthetimebeing，untiltheturtleshouldhearbothsides，anddecidewhichwasintheright。Theturtlecame，andtakingthechief’sseat，listenedveryattentivelytobothsides，andthoughtlongbeforehegavehisdecision。Afterthinkinglongandstudyingeachsidecarefully，hecametotheconclusiontodecideinfavorofboth。Thiswouldnotcauseanyhardfeelings。Sohegavethemalengthyspeechandshowedthemwheretheywerebothintheright，andwoundupbysaying：
"Youarebothintherightinsomewaysandwronginothers。
Therefore，Iwillsaythatyoubothareequallyintheright。"
Whentheyheardthisdecision，theysawthattheturtlewasright，andgavehimalongcheerforthewisdomdisplayedbyhim。Thewholetribesawthathaditnotbeenforthiswisedecisiontherewouldhavebeenagreatsheddingofbloodinthetribe。Sotheyvotedhimastheirjudge，andthechief，beingsowellpleasedwithhim，gavetohimhisonlydaughterinmarriage。
ThedaughterofthechiefwasthemostbeautifulmaidenoftheChippewanation，andyoungmenfromothertribestraveledhundredsofmilesforanopportunitytomakelovetoher，andtrytowinherforawife。Itwasalltonopurpose。Shewouldacceptnoone，onlyhimwhomherfatherwouldselectforher。Theturtlewasveryhomely，butashewasprudentandwise，thefatherchosehim，andsheacceptedhim。
Theyoungmenofthetribewereveryjealous，buttheirjealousywasalltonopurpose。Shemarriedtheturtle。Theyoungmenwouldmakesportofthechief’sson-in-law。Theywouldsaytohim：
"Howdidyoucometohavesoflatastomach？"Theturtleansweredthem，saying：
"Myfriends，hadyoubeeninmyplace，youtoowouldhaveflatstomachs。Icamebymyflatstomachinthisway：TheChippewasandSiouxhadagreatbattle，andtheSioux，toonumerousfortheChippewas，werekillingthemoffsofastthattheyhadtorunfortheirlives。IwasontheChippewasideandsomeoftheSiouxwerepressingfiveofus，andweregainingonusveryfast。Comingtosomehighgrass，Ithrewmyselfdownflatonmyface，andpressedmystomachclosetotheground，sothepursuerscouldnotseeme。
TheypassedmeandkilledthefourIwaswith。Aftertheyhadgoneback，Iaroseandlo！mystomachwasasyouseeitnow。SohardhadIpressedtothegroundthatitwouldnotassumeitsoriginalshapeagain。"
Afterhehadexplainedthecauseofhisdeformitytothem，theysaid："TheTurtleisbrave。Wewillbotherhimnomore。"ShortlyafterthistheSiouxmadeanattackupontheChippewas，andeveryonedesertedthevillage。TheTurtlecouldnottravelasfastastherestandwasleftbehind。Itbeinganunusuallyhotdayinthefall，theTurtlegrewverythirstyandsleepy。Finallyscentingwater，hecrawledtowardsthepointfromwhencethescentcame，andcomingtoalargelakejumpedinandhadabath，afterwhichheswamtowardsthecenteranddiveddown，andfindingsomefinelargerocksatthebottom，hecrawledinamongthemandfellasleep。Hehadhissleepoutandarosetothetop。
Swimmingtoshorehefounditwassummer。Hehadsleptallwinter。
Thebirdsweresinging，andthegreengrassandleavesgaveforthasweetodor。
HecrawledoutandstartedoutlookingfortheChippewacamp。Hecameuponthecampseveraldaysafterhehadlefthiswinterquarters，andgoingaroundinsearchofhiswife，foundherattheextremeedgeofthevillage。Shewasnursingherbaby，andasheaskedtoseeit，sheshowedittohim。Whenhesawthatitwasalovelybabyanddidnotresemblehiminanyrespect，hegotangryandwentofftoalargelake，wherehecontentedhimselfwithcatchingfliesandinsectsandlivingonseaweedtheremainderofhislife。
THEMANANDTHEOAK
ThereoncelivedaSiouxcouplewhohadtwochildren，aboyandagirl。Everyfallthisfamilywouldmoveawayfromthemaincampandtakeuptheirwinterquartersinagroveoftimbersomedistancefromtheprincipalvillage。Thereasontheydidthiswasthathewasagreathunterandwhereavillagewaslocatedforthewinterthegamewasusuallyveryscarce。Therefore，healwayscampedbyhimselfinordertohaveanabundanceofgameadjacenttohiscamp。
Allsummerhehadroamedaroundfollowingthetribetowherevertheirfancymighttakethem。Duringtheirtravelsthisparticularyeartherecametothevillageastrangegirlwhohadnorelativesthere。Nooneseemedveryanxioustotakeherintotheirfamily，sothegreathunter’sdaughter，takingafancytothepoorgirl，tookhertotheirhomeandkepther。Sheaddressedherassister，andtheparents，onaccountoftheirdaughter，addressedherasdaughter。
Thisstrangegirlbecamedesperatelyinlovewiththeyoungmanofthefamily，butbeingaddressedasdaughterbytheparents，shecouldnotopenlyshowherfeelingsastheyoungmanwasconsideredherbrother。
Inthefallwhenthemainvillagemovedintoalargebeltoftimberfortheirwinterquarters，thehuntermovedontoanotherplacetwodays’travelfromthemainwintercamp，wherehewouldnotbedisturbedbyanyotherhunters。
Theyoungmanhadatentbyhimself，anditwasalwayskeptniceandcleanbyhissister，whowasverymuchattachedtohim。Afteralongday’shuntinthewoods，hewouldgointohistentandliedowntorest，andwhenhissupperwasreadyhissisterwouldsay，"Mybrotherissotired。Iwillcarryhissuppertohim。"
Herfriend，whomsheaddressedassister，wouldnevergointotheyoungman’stent。Alongtowardsspringtherecameonenightintotheyoungman’stentawoman。Shesatdownbythedoorandkeptherfacecoveredsothatitwashiddenfromview。Shesattherealongtimeandfinallyaroseandwentaway。Theyoungmancouldnotimaginewhothiscouldbe。Heknewthatitwasalongdistancefromthevillageandcouldnotmakeoutwherethewomancouldhavecomefrom。Thenextnightthewomancameagainandthistimeshecamealittlenearertowheretheyoungmanlay。Shesatdownandkeptherfacecoveredasbefore。Neitherspokeaword。
Shesatthereforalongtimeandthenaroseanddeparted。Hewasverymuchpuzzledovertheactionsofthiswomananddecidedtoascertainonhernextvisitwhoshewas。
Hekindledasmallfireinhistentandhadsomeashwoodlaidonitsoastokeepfirealongtime，asashburnsveryslowlyandholdsfirealongtime。
Thethirdnightthewomancameagainandsatdownstillnearerhisbed。Sheheldherblanketopenjustatrifle，andhe，catchinguponeoftheembers，flasheditinherface;jumpingupsheranhurriedlyoutofthetent。Thenextmorninghenoticedthathisadoptedsisterkeptherfacehiddenwithherblanket。Shechancedtodropherblanketwhileintheactofpouringoutsomesoup，andwhenshedidsohenoticedalargeburnedspotonhercheek。
Hefeltsosorryforwhathehaddonethathecouldeatnobreakfast，butwentoutsideandlaydownunderanoaktree。Alldaylonghelaytheregazingupintothetree，andwhenhewascalledforsupperherefused，sayingthathewasnothungry，andforthemnottobotherhim，ashewouldsoongetupandgotobed。
Farintothenighthelaythus，andwhenhetriedtoarisehecouldnot，asasmalloaktreegrewthroughthecenterofhisbodyandheldhimfasttotheground。
Inthemorningwhenthefamilyawoketheyfoundthegirlhaddisappeared，andongoingoutsidethesisterdiscoveredherbrotherheldfasttotheearthbyanoaktreewhichgrewveryrapidly。Invainwerethebestmedicinemenofthetribesentfor。Theirmedicinewasofnoavail。Theysaid："Ifthetreeiscutdowntheyoungmanwilldie。"
Thesisterwaswildwithgrief，andextendingherhandstothesun，shecried："GreatSpirit，relievemysufferingbrother。AnyonewhoreleaseshimIwillmarry，beheyoung，old，homelyordeformed。"
Severaldaysaftertheyoungmanhadmetwiththemishap，therecametothetentaverytallman，whohadabrightlightencirclinghisbody。"Whereisthegirlwhopromisedtomarryanyonewhowouldreleaseherbrother？""Iamtheone，"saidtheyoungman’ssister。"Iamtheall-powerfullightningandthunder。Iseeallthingsandcankillatonestrokeawholetribe。WhenImakemyvoiceheardtherocksshakelooseandgorattlingdownthehillsides。Thebravewarriorscowershiveringundersomeshelteratthesoundofmyvoice。Thegirlwhomyouhadadoptedasyoursisterwasasorceress。Shebewitchedyourbrotherbecausehewouldnotlethermakelovetohim。OnmywayhereImethertravelingtowardsthewest，andknowingwhatshehaddone，Istruckherwithoneofmyblazingswords，andsheliestherenowaheapofashes。Iwillnowreleaseyourbrother。"
Sosayingheplacedhishandonthetreeandinstantlyitcrumbledtoashes。Theyoungmanarose，andthankedhisdeliverer。
Thentheysawagreatblackcloudapproaching，andthemansaid：
"Makeready，weshallgohomeonthatcloud。"Asthecloudapproachedneartothemanwhostoodwithhisbride，itsuddenlyloweredandenvelopedthemandwithagreatroarandamidstflashesoflightningandloudpealsofthunderthegirlascendedanddisappearedintothewestwithherThunderandLightninghusband。
STORYOFTHETWOYOUNGFRIENDS
TherewereonceinaverylargeIndiancamptwolittleboyswhowerefastfriends。Oneoftheboys，"Chaske"（meaningfirstborn），wasthesonofaveryrichfamily，andwasalwaysdressedinthefinestofclothesofIndiancostume。Theotherboy，"Hake"
（meaninglastborn），wasanorphanandlivedwithhisoldgrandmother，whowasverydestitute，andconsequentlycouldnotdresstheboyinfineraiment。Sopoorlywastheboydressedthattheboyswhohadgoodclothesalwaystormentedhimandwouldnotplayinhiscompany。
Chaskedidnotlookattheclothesofanyboywhomhechoseasafriend，butmingledwithallboysregardlessofhowtheywereclad，andwouldstudytheirdispositions。Thewelldressedhefoundwerevainandconceited。Thefairlywelldressedhefoundselfishandspiteful。Thepoorlycladhefoundtobegenerousandtruthful，andfromallofthemhechose"Hake"forhis"Koda"
（friend）。AsChaskewasthesonoftheleadingwarchiefhewasverymuchsoughtafterbytherestoftheboys，eachonetryingtogainthehonorofbeingchosenforthefriendandcompanionofthegreatchief’sson;but，asIhavebeforesaid，ChaskecarefullystudiedthemallandfinallychosetheorphanHake。
ItwasaluckydayforHakewhenhewaschosenforthefriendandcompanionofChaske。Theorphanboywastakentothelodgeofhisfriend’sparentsanddressedupinfineclothesandmoccasins。
（WhentheIndians’sonsclaimanyoneastheirfriend，thefriendthuschosenisadoptedintothefamilyastheirownson）。
ChaskeandHakewereinseparable。Whereonewasseentheotherwasnotfardistant。Theyplayed，hunted，trapped，ateandslepttogether。Theywouldspendmostofthelongsummerdayshuntingintheforests。
Timewentonandthesetwofastfriendsgrewuptobefinespecimensoftheirtribe。Whentheybecametheagetoselectasweethearttheywouldgotogetherandmakelovetoagirl。Eachhelpingtheothertowintheaffectionoftheoneofhischoice。
Chaskelovedagirlwhowasthedaughterofanoldmedicineman。
Shewasverymuchcourtedbytheotheryoungmenofthetribe，andmanyahorseloadedwithrobesandfineporcupineworkwastiedatthemedicineman’stepeeinofferingforthehandofhisdaughter，butthehorses，ladenaswhentiedthere，wereturnedloose，signifyingthattheofferwasnotaccepted。
Thegirl’schoicewasChaske’sfriendHake。Althoughhehadnevermadelovetoherforhimself，hehadalwaysusedhoneyedwordstoherandwasalwaysloudinhispraisesforhisfriendChaske。Onenightthetwofriendshadbeentoseethegirl，andontheirreturnChaskewasveryquiet，havingnothingtosayandseeminglyindeepstudy。Alwaysofabright，jollyandamiabledisposition，hissilenceandmoodyspellgrievedhisfriendverymuch，andhefinallyspoketoChaske，saying："Koda，whathascomeoveryou？Youwhowerealwayssojollyandfulloffun？YoursilencemakesmegrieveforyouandIdonotknowwhatyouarefeelingsodownheartedabout。Hasthegirlsaidanythingtoyoutomakeyoufeelthus？"
"Wait，friend，"saidChaske，"untilmorning，andthenIwillknowhowtoansweryourinquiry。Don’taskmeanythingmoretonight，asmyheartishavingagreatbattlewithmybrain。"
Hakebotheredhisfriendnomorethatnight，buthecouldnotsleep。Hekeptwonderingwhat"PrettyFeather"（thegirlwhomhisfriendloved）couldhavesaidtoChasketobringsuchachangeoverhim。Hakeneversuspectedthathehimselfwasthecauseofhisfriend’ssorrow，forneverdidhehaveathoughtthatitwashimselfthatPrettyFeatherloved。
Thenextmorningaftertheyhadeatenbreakfast，Chaskeproposedthattheyshouldgooutontheprairies，andseeiftheywouldhavethegoodlucktokillanantelope。Hakewentoutandgotthebandofhorses，ofwhichtherewereoverahundred。Theyselectedthefleetesttwointheherd，andtakingtheirbowsandarrows，mountedandrodeawaytowardsthesouth。
Hakewasoverjoyedtonotethechangeinhisfriend。Hisoldtimejollityhadreturned。Theyrodeoutaboutfivemiles，andscaringupadroveofantelopetheystartedinhotpursuit，andastheirhorseswereveryfleetoffootsooncaughtuptothedrove，andeachsinglingouthischoicequicklydispatchedhimwithanarrow。Theycouldeasilyhavekilledmoreoftheantelope，butdidnotwanttokillthemjustforsport，butforfood，andknowingthattheyhadnowallthattheirhorsescouldpackhome，theydismountedandproceededtodresstheirkill。
Aftereachhadfinishedpackingthekillonhishorse，Chaskesaid：
"Letussitdownandhaveasmokebeforewestartback。Besides，IhavesomethingtotellyouwhichIcantellbettersittingstillthanIcanridingalong。"Hakecameandsatdownoppositehisfriend，andwhiletheysmokedChaskesaid：
"Myfriend，wehavebeentogetherforthelasttwentyyearsandI
haveyetthefirsttimetodeceiveyouinanyway，andIknowIcantruthfullysaythesameofyou。NeverhaveIknownyoutodeceivemenortellmeanuntruth。Ihavenobrothersorsisters。Theonlybrother’sloveIknowisyours。Theonlysister’sloveIwillknowwillbePrettyFeather’s，forbrother，lastnightshetoldmeshelovednonebutyouandwouldmarryyouandyouonly。So，brother，Iamgoingtotakemyantelopetomysister-in-law’stentanddeposititatherdoor。Thenshewillknowthatherwishwillbefulfilled。Ithoughtatfirstthatyouhadbeenplayingtraitortomeandhadbeenmakinglovetoherforyourself，butwhensheexplaineditalltomeandbeggedmetointercedeforhertoyou，IthenknewthatIhadjudgedyouwrongfully，andthat，togetherwithmylostlove，mademesoquietandsorrowfullastnight。Sonow，brother，taketheflowerofthenationforyourwife，andI
willbecontenttocontinuethroughlifealonelybachelor，asneveragaincanIgiveanywomantheplacewhichPrettyFeatherhadinmyheart。"
TheirpipesbeingsmokedouttheymountedtheirponiesandChaskestartedupinaclear，deepvoicethebeautifullovesongofPrettyFeatherandhisfriendHake。
Suchisthelovebetweentwofriends，whoclaimtobeasbrothersamongtheIndians。Chaskegaveuphisloveofabeautifulwomanforamanwhowasinfactnorelationtohim。
Hakesaid，"Iwilldoasyousay，myfriend，butbeforeIcanmarrythemedicineman’sdaughter，Iwillhavetogoonthewarpathanddosomebravedeed，andwillstartintendays。"Theyrodetowardshome，planningwhichdirectiontheywouldtravel，andasitwastobetheirfirstexperienceonthewarpath，theywouldseekadvicefromtheoldwarriorsofthetribe。
OntheirarrivalatthevillageHaketookhiskilltotheirowntent，whileChasketookhistothetentoftheMedicineMan，anddepositeditatthedoorandrodeofftowardshome。
ThemotherofPrettyFeatherdidnotknowwhethertotaketheofferingornot，butPrettyFeather，seeingbythisofferingthathermostcherishedwishwastobegranted，toldhermothertotakethemeatandcookitandinvitetheoldwomenofthecamptoafeastinhonoroftheson-in-lawwhowassoontokeepthemfurnishedwithplentyofmeat。Hakeandhisfriendsoughtoutalloftheoldwarriorsandgainedalltheinformationtheydesired。
EveryeveningHakevisitedhisintendedwifeandmanyhappyeveningstheyspenttogether。
Themorningofthetenthdaythetwofriendsleftthevillageandturnedtheirfacestowardthewestwherethecampsoftheenemyaremorenumerousthaninanyotherdirection。Theywerenotmountedandthereforetraveledslowly，soittookabouttendaysofwalkingbeforetheysawanysignsoftheenemy。Theoldwarriorshadtoldthemofathicklywoodedcreekwithintheenemies’bounds。Theoldmensaid，"Thatcreeklookstheidealplacetocamp，butdon’tcamptherebyanymeans，becausethereisaghostwhohauntsthatcreek，andanyonewhocampsthereisdisturbedallthroughthenight，andbesidestheyneverreturn，becausetheghostisWakan（holy），andtheenemiesconquerthetravelerseverytime。"
Thefriendshadextramoccasinswiththemandoneextrablanket，asitwaslateinthefallandthenightswereverycold。
Theybrokecampearlyonemorningandwalkedallday。Alongtowardsevening，thecloudswhichhadbeenthreateningallday，hurriedlyopenedtheirdoorsanddowncamethesnowflakesthickandfast。Justbeforeitstartedsnowingthefriendshadnoticedadarklineabouttwomilesinadvanceofthem。Chaskespoketohisfriendandsaid："IfthisstormcontinueswewillbeobligedtostayovernightatGhostCreek，asInoticeditnotfaraheadofus，justbeforethestormsetin。""Inoticeditalso，"saidHake。
"Wemightaswellentertainaghostallnightastolieoutontheseopenprairiesandfreezetodeath。"SotheydecidedtoruntheriskandstayintheshelteringwoodsofGhostCreek。Whentheygottothecreekitseemedasiftheyhadsteppedinsideabigtepee，sothickwasthebrushandtimberthatthewindcouldnotbefeltatall。Theyhuntedandfoundaplacewherethebrushwasverythickandthegrassverytall。Theyquicklypulledthetopsofthenearestwillowstogetherandbyintertwiningtheendsmadethemfast，andthrowingtheirtentrobeoverthis，soonhadacosytepeeinwhichtosleep。Theystartedtheirfireandcookedsomedriedbuffalomeatandbuffalotallow，andwerejustabouttoeattheirsupperwhenafigureofamancameslowlyinthroughthedoorandsatdownnearwherehehadentered。Hake，beingtheonewhowasdoingthecooking，pouredoutsometeaintohisowncup，andputtingapieceofpoundedmeatandmarrowintoasmallplate，placeditbeforethestranger，saying："Eat，myfriend，weareonthewarpathanddonotcarrymuchofavarietyoffoodwithus，butIgiveyouthebestwehave。"
Thestrangerdrewtheplatetowardshim，andcommencedeatingravenously。Hesoonfinishedhismealandhandedthedishandcupback。Hehadnotutteredawordsofar。Chaskefilledthepipeandhandedittohim。Hesmokedforafewminutes，tookonelastdrawfromthepipeandhandeditbacktoChaske，andthenhesaid：
"Now，myfriends，Iamnotalivingman，butthewanderingspiritofaoncegreatwarrior，whowaskilledinthesewoodsbytheenemywhomyoutwobraveyoungmenarenowseekingtomakewarupon。ForyearsIhavebeenroamingthesewoodsinhopesthatImightfindsomeonebraveenoughtostopandlistentome，butallwhohavecampedhereinthepasthaverunawayatmyapproachorfiredgunsorshotarrowsatme。ForsuchcowardsastheseIhavealwaysfoundagrave。Theyneverreturnedtotheirhomes。NowIhavefoundtwobravemenwhomIcantellwhatIwantdone，andifyouaccomplishwhatItellyoutodo，youwillreturnhomewithmanyhorsesandsomescalpsdanglingfromyourbelts。Justoverthisrangeofhillsnorthofus，alargevillageisencampedforthewinter。Inthatcampisthemanwholaidinambushandshotme，killingmebeforeIcouldgetachancetodefendmyself。Iwantthatman’sscalp，becausehehasbeenthecauseofmywanderingsforagreatmanyyears。Hadhekilledmeonthebattlefieldmyspiritwouldhaveatoncejoinedmybrothersinthehappyhuntinggrounds，butbeingkilledbyacoward，myspiritisdoomedtoroamuntilIcanfindsomebravemanwhowillkillthiscowardandbringmehisscalp。ThisiswhyIhavetriedeverypartywhohavecampedheretolistentome，butasIhavesaidbefore，theywereallcowards。Now，Iaskyoutwobraveyoungmen，willyoudothisforme？"
"Wewill，"saidthefriendsinonevoice。"Thankyou，myboys。
Now，Iknowwhyyoucamehere，andthatoneofyoucametoearnhisfeathersbykillinganenemy，beforehewouldmarry;thegirlheistomarryismygranddaughter，asIamthefatherofthegreatMedicineMan。Inthemorningtherewillpassbyinplainsightofherealargeparty。Theywillchasethebuffalooveronthatflat。Aftertheyhavepassedanoldmanleadingablackhorseandridingawhiteonewillcomebyonthetrailleftbythehuntingparty。Hewillbedrivingaboutahundredhorses，whichhewillleaveoverinthenextravine。Hewillthenproceedtothehuntinggroundsandgetmeatfromthedifferenthunters。Afterthehuntershaveallgonehomehewillcomelast，singingthepraisesoftheoneswhogavehimthemeat。Thismanyoumustkillandscalp，asheistheoneIwantkilled。Thentakethewhiteandblackhorseandeachmountandgotothehuntinggrounds。Thereyouwillseetwooftheenemyridingaboutpickingupemptyshells。
KillandscalpthesetwoandeachtakeascalpandcomeovertothehighknollandIwillshowyouwherethehorsesare，andassoonasyouhandmetheoldman’sscalpIwilldisappearandyouwillseemenomore。AssoonasIdisappear，itwillstartinsnowing。
Don’tbeafraidasthesnowwillcoveryourtrail，butnevertheless，don’tstoptravelingforthreedaysandnights，asthesepeoplewillsuspectthatsomeofyourtribehavedonethis，andtheywillfollowyouuntilyoucrossyourownboundarylines。"
Whenmorningcame，thetwofriendssatinthethickbrushandwatchedalargepartypassbytheirhidingplace。Sonearweretheythatthefriendscouldhearthemlaughingandtalking。Afterthehuntingpartyhadpassed，asthespirithadtoldthem，alongcametheoldman，drivingalargebandofhorsesandleadingafinelookingcoalblackhorse。Thehorsetheoldmanwasridingwasaswhiteassnow。Thefriendscrawledtoalittlebrushcoveredhillandwatchedthechaseaftertheshootinghadceased。Thefriendsknewitwouldnotbelongbeforethereturnoftheparty，sotheycrawledbacktotheircampandhurriedlyatesomepoundedmeatanddranksomecherrytea。Thentheytookdowntheirrobeandrolleditupandgoteverythinginreadinessforahurriedflightwiththehorses。Scarcelyhadtheygoteverythinginreadinesswhenthepartycameby，singingtheirsongofthechase。Whentheyhadallgonethefriendscrawleddowntothetrailandlaywaitingfortheoldman。Soontheyheardhimsinging。Nearerandnearercamethesoundsofthesonguntilatlastatabendintheroad，theoldmancameintoview。Thetwofriendsaroseandadvancedtomeethim。
Onhecamestillsinging。Nodoubthemistookthemforsomeofhisownpeople。Whenhewasveryclosetothemtheyeachsteppedtoeithersideofhimandbeforehecouldmakeanoutcrytheypiercedhiscowardlyoldheartwithtwoarrows。Hehadhardlytouchedthegroundwhentheybothstruckhimwiththeirbows，winningfirstandsecondhonorsbystrikinganenemyafterhehasfallen。Chaskehavingwonfirsthonors，askedhisfriendtoperformthescalpingdeed，whichhedid。Andwantingtobesurethatthespiritwouldgetfullrevenge，tookthewholescalp，earsandall，andtiedittohisbelt。Thebuffalobeefwhichtheoldmanhadpackedupontheblackhorse，theythrewonthetopoftheoldman。Quicklymountingthetwohorses，theyhastenedoutacrossthelongflattowardsthehuntinggrounds。Whentheycameinsightofthegroundstheretheysawtwomenridingaboutfromplacetoplace。
Chasketookaftertheoneontheright，Haketheoneontheleft。
Whenthetwomensawthesetwostrangemenridinglikethewindtowardsthem，theyturnedtheirhorsestoretreattowardsthehills，butthewhiteandtheblackweretheswiftestofthetribe’shorses，andquicklyovertookthetwofleeingmen。Whentheycameclosetotheenemytheystrungtheirarrowsontothebowstringanddrovethemthroughthetwofleeinghunters。Astheywerefallingtheytriedtoshoot，butbeinggreatlyexhausted，theirbulletswhistledharmlesslyovertheheadsofthetwofriends。Theyscalpedthetwoenemiesandtooktheirgunsandammunition，alsosecuredthetwohorsesandstartedforthehighknoll。Whentheyarrivedattheplace，therestoodthespirit。Hakepresentedhimwiththeoldman’sscalpandthenthespiritshowedthemthelargebandofhorses，andsaying，"Ridehardandlong，"disappearedandwasseennomorebyanywarparties，ashewasthusenabledtojoinhisforefathersinthehappyhuntinggrounds。
Thefriendsdidasthespirithadtoldthem。Forthreedaysandthreenightstheyrodesteadily。Onthefourthmorningtheycameintotheirownboundary。Fromthereontheyrodemoreslowly，andletthebandofhorsesrestandcropthetopsoflonggrass。Theywouldstopoccasionally，andwhileoneslepttheotherkeptwatch。
Thustheygotfairlywellrestedbeforetheycameinsightofwheretheircamphadstoodwhentheyhadleft。AllthattheycouldseeoftheoncelargevillagewasthelonetentofthegreatMedicineMan。Theyrodeupontoahighhillandfartherontowardstheeasttheysawsmokefromagreatmanytepees。Theythenknewthatsomethinghadhappenedandthatthevillagehadmovedaway。
"Myfriend，"saidChaske，"IamafraidsomethinghashappenedtotheMedicineMan’slodge，andratherthanhaveyougothere，Iwillgoaloneandyoufollowthetrailofourpartyandgoonaheadwiththehorses。IwilltaketheblackandthewhitehorseswithmeandIwillfollowonlater，afterIhaveseenwhatthetroubleis。"
"Verywell，myfriend，Iwilldoasyousay，butIamafraidsomethinghashappenedtoPrettyFeather。"Hakestartedonwiththehorses，drivingthemalongthebroadtrailleftbythehundredsoftravois。Chaskemadeslowlytowardsthetepee，andstoppingoutside，stoodandlistened。Notasoundcouldhehear。TheonlylivingthinghesawwasPrettyFeather’sspottedhorsetiedtothesideofthetent。Thenheknewthatshemustbedead。Herodeoffintothethickbrushandtiedhistwohorsessecurely。Thenhecamebackandenteredthetepee。Thereonabedofrobeslaysomeoneapparentlydead。Thebodywaswrappedinblanketsandrobesandboundaroundandaroundwithparflecheropes。Thesehecarefullyuntiedandunwound。Thenheunwrappedtherobesandblanketsandwhenheuncoveredtheface，hesaw，ashehadexpectedto，thefaceofhislostlove，PrettyFeather。Ashesatgazingonherbeautifulyoungface，hisheartachedforhispoorfriend。Hehimselfhadlovedandlostthisbeautifulmaiden，andnowhisfriendwhohadwonherwouldhavetosuffertheuntoldgriefwhichhehadsuffered。
Whatwasthat？Couldithavebeenaslightquiveringofthenostrilsthathehadseen，orwasitmadfancyplayingatrickonhim？Closerhedrewtoherface，watchingintentlyforanothersign。Thereitwasagain，onlythistimeitwasalong，deepdrawnbreath。Hearose，gotsomewaterandtakingasmallstickslowlyforcedopenhermouthandpouredsomeintoit。Thenhetooksomesage，dippeditintothewaterandsprinkledalittleonherheadandface。Thereweremanyparflechebagspiledaroundthetepee，andthinkinghemightfindsomekindofmedicinerootswhichhecouldusetoreviveherhestartedopeningthemoneaftertheother。Hehadopenedthreeandwasjustopeningthefourth，whenavoicebehindhimasked："Whatareyoulookingfor？"Turningquickly，hesawPrettyFeatherlookingathim。Overjoyed，hecried，"WhatcanIdosothatyoucangetupandridetothevillagewithme？MyfriendandIjustreturnedwithalargebandofhorsesandtwoscalps。Wesawthistentandrecognizedit。
Myfriendwantedtocome，butIwouldnotlethim，asIfearedifhefoundanythinghadhappenedtoyouhewoulddoharmtohimself，butnowhewillbeanxiousformyreturn，soifyouwilltellmewhatyouneedinordertoreviveyou，Iwillgetit，andwecanthengotomyfriendinthevillage。""Atthefootofmybedyouwillfindapieceofeaglefat。Buildafireandmeltitforme。
Iwilldrinkitandthenwecango。"
Chaskequicklystartedafire，gotoutthepieceoffatandmeltedit。Shedrankitatonedraught，andwasabouttoarisewhenshesuddenlysaid："Rollmeupquickandtakethebuffalohairropeandtieitaboutmyspottedhorse’sneck;tiehistailinaknotandtiehimtothedoor。Thenrunandhidebehindthetrees。Therearetwooftheenemycomingthisway。"
Chaskehurriedlyobeyedherorders，andhadbarelyconcealedhimselfbehindthetrees，whentherecameintoviewtwooftheenemy。Theysawthehorsetiedtothedoorofthedesertedtent，andknewthatsomedeadpersonoccupiedthetepee，sothroughrespectforthedead，theyturnedoutandstartedtogothroughthebrushandtrees，soasnottopassthedoor。（TheIndiansconsideritabadomentopassbythedoorofatepeeoccupiedbyadeadbody，thatis，whileintheenemy’scountry）。SobymakingthisdetourtheytraveleddirectlytowardswhereChaskewasconcealedbehindthetree。Knowingthathewouldbediscovered，andtherebeingtwoofthem，heknewtheonlychancehehadwasforhimtokilloneofthembeforetheydiscoveredhim，thenhestoodabetterchanceatanevencombat。Ontheycame，littlethinkingthatoneofthemwouldinafewminutesbewithhisforefathers。
Chaskenoiselesslyslippedacartridgeintothechamberofhisgun，threwitintoactionandtookdeliberateaimatthesmallerone’sbreast。Aloudreportrangoutandtheonehehadaimedatthrewuphisarmsandfellheavilyforward，shotthroughtheheart。
ReloadingquicklyChaskesteppedoutfrombehindthetree。Hecouldeasilyhavekilledtheotherfromhisconcealedposition，but，beingabraveyoungman，hewantedtogivehisopponentafairchance。Theotherhadunslunghisgunandaduelwasthenfoughtbetweenthetwolonecombatants。Theywouldspringfromsidetosideliketwogreatcats。Thenadvanceoneortwostepsandfire。
Retreatafewsteps，springtoonesideandfireagain。Thebulletswhistledpasttheirheads，toreuptheearthbeneaththeirfeet，andoccasionallyonewouldhititsmark，onlytocauseafleshwound。
Suddenlytheenemyaimedhisgunandthrewitupontheground。Hisammunitionwasexhausted，andslowlyfoldinghisarmshestoodfacinghisopponent，withafearlesssmileuponhisface，expectingthenextmomenttofalldeadfromabulletfromtherifleofChaske。Notso。Chaskewastoohonorableandnobletokillanunarmedman，andespeciallyonewhohadputupsuchabravefightashadthisman。Chaskeadvancedandpickeduptheemptygun。TheToka（enemy）drewfromascabbardathisbeltalongbowieknife，andtakingitbythepointhandedit，handlefirst，toChaske。
Thissignifiedsurrender。ChaskescalpedthedeadTokaandmotionedforhisprisonertofollowhim。InthemeantimePrettyFeatherhadgottenupandstoodlookingattheduel。Whensheheardthefirstshotshejumpedupandcutasmallslitinthetentfromwhichshesawthewholeproceedings。Knowingthatoneorbothofthemmustbewounded，shehurriedlygotwaterandmedicineroots，andwhentheycametothetentshewaspreparedtodresstheirwounds。
Chaskehadabulletthroughhisshoulderandonethroughhishand。
Theywereverypainfulbutnotdangerous。Theprisonerhadabulletthroughhisleg，alsoonethroughthemuscleofhisleftarm。PrettyFeatherwashedanddressedtheirwounds，andChaskewentandbroughttheblackandwhitehorsesandmountingPrettyFeatheruponthewhitehorse，andtheprisoneronherspottedone，thethreesoonrodeintothevillage，andtherewasagreatcryofjoywhenitwasknownthatPrettyFeatherhadcomebacktothemagain。
Hake，whowasinhistentgrieving，wastoldthathisfriendhadreturnedandwithhimPrettyFeather。HearingthisgoodnewsheatoncewenttotheMedicineMan’stentandfoundtheMedicineManbusilydressingthewoundsofhisfriendandastranger。TheoldMedicineManturnedtoHakeandsaid：
"Son-in-law，takeyourwifehomewithyou。Itwasfromgriefatyourabsencethatshewentintoatrance，andwe，thinkingshewasdead，leftherforsuch。Hadn’titbeenforyourfriendhere，shewouldsurelyhavebeenacorpsenow。Sotakeherandkeepherwithyoualways，andtakeasapresentfrommefiftyofmybesthorses。"
Hakeandhisbeautifulbridewenthome，wherehisadoptedmotherhadafinelargetentputupforthem。Presentsofcookingutensils，horses，robesandfinelyworkedshawlsandmoccasinscamefromeverydirection，andlastofallChaskegaveasapresenttohisfriendtheTokamanwhomhehadtakenasprisoner。Onpresentinghimwiththisgift，Chaskespokethus：
"Myfriend，Ipresenttoyou，thatyoumayhavehimasaservanttolookafteryourlargebandofhorses，thismanwithwhomIfoughtatwohours’duel，andhadhisammunitionlastedhewouldprobablyhaveconqueredme，andwhogavemethesecondhardestfightofmylife。
ThehardestfightofmylifewaswhenIgaveupPrettyFeather。
Youhavethemboth。TotheToka（enemy）bekind，andhewilldoallyourbiddings。ToPrettyFeatherbeagoodhusband。"
Sosaying，Chaskeleftthem，andtruetohisword，livedtheremainderofhisdaysaconfirmedbachelor。
THESTORYOFTHEPETCROW
Onceuponatimetherecametoalargevillageaplagueofcrows。
Sothickweretheythatthepoorwomenweresorelytriedkeepingthemoutoftheirtepeesanddrivingthemawayfromtheirlinesofjerkedbuffalomeat。IndeedtheygotsonumerousandweresuchagreatnuisancethattheChieffinallygaveorderstohiscampcriersorheraldstogooutamongthedifferentcampsandannouncetheordersoftheirChief，thatwarshouldbemadeuponthecrowstoextermination;thattheirnestsweretobedestroyedandalleggsbroken。Thewarofexterminationwastocontinueuntilnotacrowremained，excepttheyoungestfoundwastobebroughttohimalive。
Foraweekthewaronthecrowscontinued。Thousandsofdeadcrowswerebroughtindaily，andattheendoftheweeknotabirdofthatspeciescouldbeseenintheneighborhood。Thosethatescapedthedeadlyarrowofthewarriors，flewaway，nevertoreturntothosepartsagain。
Attheendofthewarmadeuponthecrows，therewasbroughttotheChief’stepeetheyoungestfound。Indeed，soyoungwasthebirdthatitwasonlythegreatmedicineoftheChiefthatkepthimaliveuntilhecouldhopaboutandfindhisownfood。TheChiefspentmostofhistimeinhislodgeteachingtheyoungcrowtounderstandandtalkthelanguageofthetribe。Afterthecrowhadmasteredthis，theChiefthentaughthimthelanguagesoftheneighboringtribes。Whenthecrowhadmasteredthesedifferentlanguagesthechiefwouldsendhimonlongjourneystoascertainthelocationofthecampsofthedifferentenemies。
WhenthecrowwouldfindalargeIndiancamphewouldalightandhopabout，pretendingtobepickingupscraps，butreallykeepinghisearsopenforanythinghemighthear。Hewouldhangaroundallday，andatnightwhentheywouldallgatherinthelargecounciltent（whichalwaysstoodinthecenterofthevillage）todetermineupontheirnextraid，andplanforahorsestealingtrip，Mr。Crowwasalwaysnearbytohearalltheirplansdiscussed。Hewouldthenflyawaytohismaster（theChief）andtellhimallthathehadlearned。
TheChiefwouldthensendabandofhiswarriorstolieinambushfortheraidingparty，and，astheenemywouldnotsuspectanythingtheywouldgoblindlyintothepitfallofdeaththussetforthem。
Thusthecrowwasthescoutofthischief，whosereputationasaWakan（Holyman）soonreachedallofthedifferenttribes。TheChief’swarriorswouldintercept，ambushandannihilateeverywarpartyheadedforhiscamp。
So，finallylearningthattheycouldnotmakewaronthischief’speopleunbeknowntothem，theygaveupmakingwaronthisparticularband。Whenmeatwasrunninglowinthecampthischiefwouldsendthecrowouttolookforbuffalo。Whenhediscoveredaherdhewouldreturnandreporttohismaster;thenthechiefwouldorderoutthehuntersandtheywouldreturnladenwithmeat。
Thusthecrowkeptthecampallthetimeinformedofeverythingthatwouldbeofbenefittothem。
Onedaythecrowdisappeared，overwhichtherewasgreatgriefamongthetribe。Aweekhadpassedaway，whenMr。Crowreappeared。
Therewasgreatrejoicinguponhisreturn，butthecrowwasdowncastandwouldnotspeak，butsatwithadroopingheadperchedatthetopofthechief’stepee，andrefusedallfoodthatwasofferedtohim。
Invaindidthechieftrytogetthecrowtotellhimthecauseofhissilenceandseeminggrief。Thecrowwouldnotspeakuntilthechiefsaid："Well，Iwilltakeafewofmywarriorsandgooutandtrytoascertainwhathashappenedtocauseyoutoactasyoudo。"
Uponhearingthis，thecrowsaid："Don’tgo。IdreadedtotellyouwhatIknowtobeafact，asIhavehearditfromsomegreatmedicinemen。Iwastravelingoverthemountainswestofhere，whenIspiedthreeoldmensittingatthetopofthehighestpeak。Iverycautiouslydroppeddownbehindarockandlistenedtotheirtalk。Iheardyournamementionedbyoneofthem，thenyourbrother’snamewasmentioned。Thenthethird，whowastheoldest，said：’inthreedaysfromtodaythelightningwillkillthosetwobrotherswhomallthenationsfear。’"
Uponhearingwhatthecrowstatedthetribebecamegriefstricken。
Onthemorningofthethirddaythechieforderedanicetepeeplaceduponthehighestpoint，farenoughawayfromthevillage，sothatthepealsofthunderwouldnotalarmthebabiesofthecamp。
Agreatfeastwasgiven，andafterthefeastingwasovertherecameinsixyoungmaidensleadingthewarhorsesofthetwobrothers。
Thehorseswerepaintedanddecoratedasifforachargeontheenemy。Onemaidenwalkedaheadofthechief’shorsebearinginherhandsthebowandarrowsofthegreatwarrior。Nextcametwomaidens，oneoneithersideoftheprancingwarsteed，eachholdingarein。Behindthechief’shorsecamethefourthmaiden。Likethefirst，sheboreinherhandsthebowandarrowsofthechief’sbrother。Thenthefifthandsixthmaidenseachholdingarein，walkedoneithersideoftheprancinghorseofthechief’sbrother。
Theyadvancedandcircledthelargegatheringandfinallystoppeddirectlyinfrontofthetwobrothers，whoimmediatelyaroseandtakingtheirbowsandarrowsvaultedlightlyupontheirwarsteeds，andsingingtheirdeathsong，gallopedoffamidagreatcryofgrieffromthepeoplewholovedthemmostdearly。
Headingstraightforthetepeethathadbeenplaceduponthehighestpoint，adjacenttothevillage，theysoonarrivedattheirdestinationand，dismountingfromtheirhorses，turned，wavedtheirhandstotheirband，anddisappearedwithinthetepee。Scarcelyhadtheyenteredthelodgewhentherumblingsofdistantthundercouldbeheard。Nearer，andnearer，camethesound，untilatlastthestormoverspreadthelocalityinallitsfury。Flashuponflashoflightningburstforthfromtheheavens。Deafeningpealsofthunderfollowedeachflash。Finally，oneflashbrighterthananyoftheothers，onepealmoredeafeningthanthoseprecedingit，andthestormhadpassed。
Sadlythewarriorsgatheredtogether，mountedtheirhorsesandslowlyrodetothetepeeonthehighpoint。Arrivingtheretheylookedinsidethelodgeandsawthetwobrotherslyingcoldandstillindeath，eachholdingthelariatofhisfavoritewarhorse。
Thehorsesalsolaydeadsidebysideinfrontofthetent。（Fromthiscamethecustomofkillingthefavoritehorseofadeadwarriorattheburialoftheowner）。
AstheIndianssadlyleftthehilltoreturnhome，theyheardanoiseatthetopofthetepee，andlookinguptheysawthecrowsittingononeofthesplinteredtepeepoles。Hewascryingmostpitifully，andastheyrodeoffheflewuphighintheairandhispitiful"caw"becamefainterandfaintertillatlasttheyhearditnomore。Andfromthatday，thestorygoes，nocrowevergoesnearthevillageofthatbandofIndians。
THE"WASNA"（PEMMICAN）MANANDTHE
UNKTOMI（SPIDER）
Onceuponatimethereappearedfromoutofalargebeltoftimberamanattiredinthefatofthebuffalo。Onhisheadheworethehoneycombpartofthestomach。Tothiswasattachedsmallpiecesoffat。Thefatwhichcoveredthestomachheworeasacloak。Thelargeintestinesheworeasleggings，andthekidneyfatashismoccasins。
Asheappearedhehadthemisfortunetomeet"Unktomi"（spider）
withhishundredsofstarvingchildren。Uponseeingthefat，Unktomiandhislargefamilyatonceattackedtheman，who，inordertosavehislife，startedtorunaway，butsocloselydidUnktomiandhisfamilypursuehimthatinordertomakebettertimeandalsogetalittlebetterstart，hethrewoffhisheadcovering，whichtheUnktomifamilyhastilydevoured，andwereagainclosinginuponhim。Hethenthrewoffhiscloakandtheydevouredthat，andwerecloseuponhimagain，whenhethrewoffhisleggings。
Thesewerehastilyeatenup，and，astheydrewneartoalake，themanthrewoffthekidneyfat，and，runningtotheedgeofthelake，diveddownintothewaterandkeptbeneaththesurface，swimmingtotheoppositeshore。AftertheUnktomifamilyhadeatenthekidneyfattheycametothewater’sedge，andthegreasewasfloatingonthesurfaceofthewaterwhichtheylappedup，untiltherewasnotagreasespotleftfloatingonthesurface。
Thesmallmorselshadonlysharpenedtheirappetites，andastheysawthemansittingontheoppositeshore，Unktomiandhisfamilyproceededaroundthelakeandcameupontwomensittingontheshore。Unktomisawthattheothermanwas"Wakapapi"（poundedbeef）。ThefamilysurroundedthetwoandUnktomiorderedthemtofight。FearingUnktomiandhislargefamily，theyatoncecommencedtofightandPoundedMeatwassoonkilled。Thehungryfamilyatoncefelltoeatinghim。Sobusyweretheythatnonenoticedthefatmansneakoffanddisappear。
Whentheyhadfinishedthepoundedbeefmantheylookedaroundtofalluponthefatman，butnowherecouldhebeseen。Unktomisaid，"IwilltrackhimandwhenIfindhim，Iwillreturnforyou，sostayhereandawaitmyreturn。"
Hefollowedthefatman’stracksuntilfarthereastontheshoreofthelakehefoundthefatmanintheactofskinningadeer，whichhehadkilled。（Hehadheldontohisbowandarrowswhenhejumpedintothelake）。"My，"saidUnktomi，"thiswillmakeafinemealformyhungrychildren。Iwillgoafterthem，sohurryandcutthemeatupintosmallpiecessotheyeachcanhaveapiece。"
"Allright，goaheadandgetyourfamily，"saidFatMan。DuringUnktomi’sabsence，thefatmanhurriedlycutthemeatupintosmallpiecesandcarriedthemupintoatreethatstoodneartotheshore。Whenhehadcarrieditalluphethrewsandanddirtupontheblood，andsoleftnotraceofthedeer。
OnthearrivalofUnktomiandhisfamily，nosignsofthefatmanorthedeercouldbefound。Theywanderedaboutthespotlookingfortrackswhichmightleadthemtowherethefatmanhadcachedthemeat，asUnktomisaidhecouldnothavecarrieditveryfar。
Nowthefatmanwasupinthetreeandsatwatchingthem。Thereflectionofthetreewasinthewater，andsomeofthechildrengoingclosetotheshore，discovereditastheylookedatthereflection。Thefatmancutapieceofmeatandextendingittowardsthem，drewbackhishandandputthemeatintohismouth。
"Comequick，father，hereheiseatingthemeat，"saidthechildren。Unktomicameandseeingthereflection，thoughtthefatmanwasdowninthelake。"Wait，Iwillbringhimupforyou。"Sosaying，hediveddown，butsoonarosewithoutanything。Againandagainhetried，butcouldnotreachthebottom。Hetoldthechildrentogatherrockforhim。Thesehetiedaroundhisneckandbody，anddiveddownforthelasttime。Thelastthechildrensawoftheirfatherwasthebubbleswhicharosetothesurfaceofthelake。Therocksbeingtooheavyforhim，heldhimfasttothebottom，andsomehungryfishsoonmadeafeastoutofthebodyofpoor"Unktomi。"
THERESUSCITATIONOFTHEONLY
DAUGHTER
Thereoncelivedanoldcouplewhohadanonlydaughter。Shewasabeautifulgirl，andwasverymuchcourtedbytheyoungmenofthetribe，butshesaidthatshepreferredsinglelife，andtoalltheirheart-touchingtalesofdeepaffectionforhershealwayshadoneanswer。Thatwas"No。"
Onedaythismaidenfellillanddayafterdaygrewworse。Allthebestmedicinemenwerecalledin，buttheirmedicineswereofnoavail，andintwoweeksfromthedaythatshewastakenillshelayacorpse。Ofcoursetherewasgreatmourninginthecamp。Theytookherbodyseveralmilesfromcampandrolleditinfinerobesandblankets，thentheylaidheronascaffoldwhichtheyhaderected。（ThiswasthecustomofburialamongtheIndians）。Theyplacedfourforkedpostsintothegroundandthenlashedstrongpoleslengthwiseandacrosstheendsandmadeabedofwillowsandstoutashbrush。Thisscaffoldwasfromfivetosevenfeetfromtheground。Afterthefuneraltheparentsgaveawayalloftheirhorses，finerobesandblanketsandallofthebelongingsofthedeadgirl。Thentheycuttheirhairoffclosetotheirheads，andattiredthemselvesinthepoorestappareltheycouldsecure。
Whenayearhadpassedthefriendsandrelativesoftheoldcoupletriedinvaintohavethemsetasidetheirmourning。"Youhavemournedlongenough，"theywouldsay。"Putasideyourmourningandtryandenjoyafewmorepleasuresofthislifewhileyoulive。Youarebothgrowingoldandcan’tliveverymanymoreyears，somakethebestofyourtime。"Theoldcouplewouldlistentotheiradviceandthenshaketheirheadsandanswer："Wehavenothingtolivefor。Nothingwecouldjoininwouldbeanyamusementtous，sincewehavelostthelightofourlives。"
Sotheoldcouplecontinuedtheirmourningfortheirlostidol。
Twoyearshadpassedsincethedeathofthebeautifulgirl，whenoneeveningahunterandhiswifepassedbythescaffoldwhichheldthedeadgirl。Theywereontheirreturntripandwereheavilyloadeddownwithgame，andthereforecouldnottravelveryfast。
Abouthalfamilefromthescaffoldaclearspringburstforthfromthesideofabank，andfromthistrickledasmallstreamofwater，moisteningtherootsofthevegetationborderingitsbanks，andcausingagrowthofsweetgreengrass。Atthisspringthehuntercampedandtetheringhishorses，atoncesetabouthelpinghiswifetoerectthesmalltepeewhichtheycarriedforconvenienceintraveling。
Whenitbecamequitedark，thehunter’sdogssetupagreatbarkingandgrowling。"Lookoutandseewhatthedogsarebarkingat，"
saidthehuntertohiswife。Shelookedoutthroughthedoorandthendrewbacksaying："Thereisthefigureofawomanadvancingfromthedirectionofthegirl’sscaffold。""Iexpectitisthedeadgirl;lethercome，anddon’tactasifyouwereafraid，"saidthehunter。Soontheyheardfootstepsadvancingandthestepsceasedatthedoor。Lookingdownatthelowerpartofthedoorthehunternoticedapairofsmallmoccasins，andknowingthatitwasthevisitor，said："Whoeveryouare，comeinandhavesomethingtoeat。"
Atthisinvitationthefigurecameslowlyinandsatdownbythedoorwithheadcoveredandwithafinerobedrawntightlyovertheface。Thewomandishedupafinesupperandplacingitbeforethevisitor，said："Eat，myfriend，youmustbehungry。"Thefigurenevermoved，norwouldituncovertoeat。"Letusturnourbacktowardsthedoorandourvisitormayeatthefood，"saidthehunter。Sohiswifeturnedherbacktowardsthevisitorandmadeherselfverybusycleaningthesmallpiecesofmeatthatwerehangingtothebacksinewsofthedeerwhichhadbeenkilled。
（ThistheIndiansuseasthread。）Thehunter，fillinghispipe，turnedawayandsmokedinsilence。Finallythedishwaspushedbacktothewoman，whotookitandafterwashingit，putitaway。
Thefigurestillsatatthedoor，notasoundcomingfromit，neitherwasitbreathing。Thehunteratlastsaid："Areyouthegirlthatwasplaceduponthatscaffoldtwoyearsago？"Itboweditsheadtwoorthreetimesinassent。"Areyougoingtosleepheretonight;ifyouare，mywifewillmakedownabedforyou。"
Thefigureshookitshead。"Areyougoingtocomeagaintomorrownighttous？"Itnoddedassent。
Forthreenightsinsuccessionthefigurevisitedthehunter’scamp。Thethirdnightthehunternoticedthatthefigurewasbreathing。Hesawoneofthehandsprotrudingfromtherobe。Theskinwasperfectlyblackandwasstuckfasttothebonesofthehand。Onseeingthisthehunteraroseandgoingovertohismedicinesackwhichhungonapole，tookdownthesackand，openingit，tookoutsomerootsandmixingthemwithskunkoilandvermillion，saidtothefigure：
"Ifyouwillletusrubyourfaceandhandswiththismedicineitwillputnewlifeintotheskinandyouwillassumeyourcomplexionagainanditwillputfleshonyou。"Thefigureassentedandthehunterrubbedthemedicineonherhandsandface。Thenshearoseandwalkedbacktothescaffold。Thenextdaythehuntermovedcamptowardsthehomevillage。Thatnighthecampedwithinafewmilesofthevillage。Whennightcame，thedogs，asusual，setupagreatbarking，andlookingout，thewifesawthegirlapproaching。
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