[Frontispiece: THE WINDMAKER]

_MACMILLAN'S LAKESIDE SERIES_

THIRTY INDIAN LEGENDS

BY

MARGARET BEMISTER

TORONTO

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD. 

1917

COPYRIGHT, CANADA, 1912, BY

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD. 

PREFACE

For the most part the legends here told are drawn from originalsources. Many of the stories are printed for the first time; othershave been adapted from well-known authorities. The author wishes toacknowledge in this latter connection help received from thecollection, "The Indian in his Wigwam. " Thanks are also due to Mr. G. H. Dunn, St. Andrew's Locks, Manitoba, for the "Sleep Fairies"; to Mr. C. Linklater, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, for the "Adventures ofWesakchak"; to Mr. J. S. Logie, Summerland, British Columbia, for "TheChief's Bride"; to the Okanagan chief, Antowyne, for the other Okanaganlegends; and to a paper read before the Royal Society of Canada by Mr. G. M. Dawson, for "The Old Stump. "

The last story in the book, "A Battle with the Sioux, " although not alegend of the Indians, has been inserted as a true picture of Indianlife and customs, and an interesting account of their contact with andrelation to the white men. 

WINNIPEG, CANADA, September 15, 1912. 

CONTENTS

 THE GIANT BEAR THE SUMMER MAKER THE SLEEP FAIRIES SHINGEBISS THE QUEER LITTLE ANIMAL THE DORMOUSE THE WINDMAKER MOOWIS THE DAUGHTERS OF THE STAR KOTO AND THE BIRD THE HUMPBACKED MANITOU THE TRIBE THAT GREW OUT OF A SHELL THE STORY OF THE INDIAN CORN THE MAGICIAN OF LAKE HURON THE FAIRIES' CLIFF THE STONE CANOE THE WHITE FEATHER THE LONE LIGHTNING THE ENCHANTED MOCCASINS THE FIVE WATER-SPIRITS THE CANOE BREAKER THE OLD STUMP THE CLIFF OF SINIKIELT THE STRANGE DREAM BIG CHIEF'S CONQUEST THE RED SWAN THE WHISPERING GRASS THE LEGEND OF MACKINAC ISLAND

 THE ADVENTURES OF WESAKCHAK I. THE WONDERFUL BALL II. A WONDERFUL JOURNEY III. THE GRAY GOOSE IV. LITTLE BROTHER RABBIT V. THE BALD-HEADED EAGLES

 A BATTLE WITH THE SIOUX

 PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY

THIRTY INDIAN LEGENDS

THE GIANT BEAR

In the far north there was a village where many warlike Indians lived. In one family there were ten brothers, all brave and fearless. In thespring of the year the youngest brother blackened his face and fastedfor several days. Then he sent for his nine brothers and said to them:

"I have fasted and dreamed, and my dreams are good. Will you come on awar journey with me?"

"Yes, " they all said readily. 

"Then tell no one, not even your wives, of our plan. " They agreed tomeet on a certain night so that no one should see them go. One brotherwas named Mudjekeewis, and he was very odd. He was the first topromise that he would not tell. The next two days were spent inpreparations for the journey. Mudjekeewis told his wife many times toget his moccasins for him. 

"And hurry. " he said; "do hurry. "

"Why do you want them?" she asked. "You have a good pair on. "

"Well, if you must know, we are going on a war journey, " he answered. 

When the night had come which the leader had named, they met at hiswigwam and set out on their long journey. The snow lay on the ground, and the night was very dark. 

After they had travelled some miles, the leader gathered some snow andmade it into a ball. He threw it in the air and said, as it fell, "Itwas thus I saw the snow fall in my dreams to cover our footmarks, sothat no one may follow us. "

The snow began to fall heavily and continued for two days. It was sothick that they could scarcely see each other, though they walked veryclosely together. 

The leader cheered his brothers by telling them they would win in theirbattle. At this Mudjekeewis, who was walking behind, ran forward. Heswung his war-club in the air and uttered the war-cry. Then bringinghis war-club down, he struck a tree, and it fell as if hit by lightning. 

"See, brothers, " he said, "this is the way I shall serve our enemy. "

"Hush, Mudjekeewis, " said the leader. "He whom we are going to fightcannot be treated so lightly. "

Then they travelled on for several days, until at last they reached theborders of the White Plain, where the bones of men lay bleaching. 

"These are the bones of men who have gone before us. No one has everreturned to tell of their sad fate. " Mudjekeewis looked frightened atthis and thought, "I wonder who this terrible enemy is. "

"Be not afraid, my brothers, " said the leader. Mudjekeewis then tookcourage, again jumped forward, and uttering the war-cry, brought hiswarclub down on a small rock, and split it into pieces. "See, I am notafraid, " he cried. "Thus shall I serve my enemy. " But the leaderstill pressed onward over the plain, until at last a small rise in theground brought them in sight of the enemy. Some distance away, on thetop of the mountain, a giant bear lay sleeping. 

"Look, brothers, " said the leader. "There is the mighty enemy, for heis a Manitou. [1] But come now, we need not fear, as he is asleep. Around his neck he has the precious wampum, [2] which we must take fromhim. "

They advanced slowly and quietly. The huge animal did not hear them. Around his neck was a belt which contained the wampum. 

"Now we must take this off, " said the youngest brother. One after theother tried, but could not do it, until the next to the youngest tried. He pulled it nearly over the bear's head. Then came the turn of theyoungest, and he pulled it the rest of the way. He put the beltquickly on the back of the oldest brother. 

"Now we must run, " said the leader, "for when he awakens, he will misshis belt. "

They all hastened away. The wampum was very heavy, so they had to taketurns in carrying it. They kept looking back as they ran, and hadalmost reached the edge of the plain before the bear awoke. He slowlyrose to his feet and stood for a moment before he noticed that the beltwas gone. Then he uttered a roar that reached to the skies. 

"Who has dared to steal my belt?" he roared. "Earth is not so largebut that I shall find him. "

Saying this, he jumped from the mountain, and the earth shook with hisweight. Then with powerful strides he rushed in pursuit of thebrothers. 

They had passed all the bones now and were becoming very tired. 

"Brothers, " said the leader, "I dreamed that when we were hard pressedand running for our lives, we saw a lodge where an old man lived, andhe helped us. I hope my dream will come true. "

Just then they saw, a short distance away, a lodge with smoke curlingfrom the top. They ran to it, and an old man opened the door. 

"Grandfather, " they gasped, "will you save us? A Manitou is after us. "

"Who is a Manitou but I?" said he. "Come in and eat. " They enteredthe lodge and he gave them food. Then, opening the door, he looked outand saw the bear coming with great strides. Shutting the door, hesaid, "He is indeed a mighty Manitou and will take my life; but youasked for my help and I shall give it. When he comes, you run out ofthe back door. "

Going to a bag which hung from a tree, he took out two small, black, dogs. He patted the sides of the dogs, and they began to swell untilthey filled the doorway. The dogs had strong, white teeth and growledfiercely. The bear had now reached the door, and with one bound thefirst dog leaped out, followed by the second. The brothers ran out ofthe back of the lodge. They could hear the howls of the animals asthey fought, and looking back, they saw first one dog killed, then theother, and at last the shrieks of the old man came to them as the beartore him in pieces. They doubled their speed now, as they saw the bearbeginning to follow them again. The food they had eaten gave them newstrength, so they were able to run very swiftly for a time. But atlast they all felt their strength fail again, for the bear was closebehind them now. 

"Brothers, I had another dream, " said the leader. "It was that an oldManitou saved us. Perhaps his lodge is near us now. "

Even as he spoke, they came in sight of another lodge, and as they ranup to the door an old man opened it. 

"Save us from the Manitou, " they cried as they rushed in. 

"Manitou?" he said. "Who is a Manitou but I? Come in and eat, " and heclosed the door. He brought food for them; then he looked out of thedoor. The bear was only a few yards away now. Hastily closing thedoor, he said, "This is indeed a mighty Manitou. You have broughttrouble to me, my children; but you run out the back way and I shallfight him. "

He then went to his medicine sack and drew out two war-clubs of blackstone. As he handled them they grew to an immense size. He opened thedoor, and as he did so, the brothers ran out the back way. They couldhear the blows like claps of thunder as he hit the bear on the head. After that came two sharp cracks, and they knew the clubs were brokenwith the force of the blows. Then came his shrieks, as he met the fateof the first old man. They tried to run faster than ever now, for theyknew the bear must be after them again, but their strength was nearlygone. 

"Oh, brother, " they asked, "have you no other dream to help us?"

"Yes, I dreamed, when we were running like this, that we came to a lakeand on the shore of it was a canoe with ten paddles in it waiting forus. We jumped in and were saved. "

As he spoke, there appeared in front of them a lake just as he haddreamed, and a canoe waiting. Getting in, they quickly paddled to themiddle of the lake, and waited to see what the bear would do. 

He came on with his slow, powerful strides until he reached the water'sedge. Then, rising on his hind legs, he took a look around. Droppingdown, he waded into the water, but slipped and nearly fell. He wadedout and began to walk around the lake. When he reached the spot he hadstarted from, he bent down his head and began to drink the waters ofthe lake. He drank in such large mouthfuls that the brothers could seethe water sinking, and the current began to flow so swiftly towards hismouth that they could not keep their canoe steady. It floated in thecurrent straight to him. 

"Now, Mudjekeewis, " said the leader, "this is your chance to show ushow you would treat your enemy. "

"I shall show you and him, " said Mudjekeewis. Then, as the canoe camenear the big mouth, he stood up and levelled his war-club. Just as theboat touched the bear's teeth, Mudjekeewis uttered the war-cry anddealt the animal a mighty blow on the head. This he repeated, and thebear fell stunned. As the animal fell, he disgorged the water withsuch force that it sent the canoe spinning to the other side of thelake, where the brothers landed and ran ahead as fast as they could. They had not gone far when they could hear the bear coming behind them. 

"Do not be afraid, brothers, " said the leader, as he noticed howfrightened they all looked. "I have one more dream. If it fails us, we are lost, but let us hope that it will come true. I dreamed we wererunning, and we came to a lodge out of which came a young maiden. Herbrother was a Manitou and by his magic she saved us. Run on and fearnot, else your limbs will be fear-bound. Look for his lodge. "

And sure enough, behind a little clump of trees, stood a lodge. Asthey ran to it a maiden came forth and invited them in. 

"Enter, " she said, "and rest. I shall meet the bear, and when I needyou, I shall call you. "

Saying this, she took down a medicine-sack, which was hanging on thewall near the door. They entered, and she walked out to meet the bear. The animal came up with angry growls and swinging strides. The maidenquickly opened the medicine-sack and took out some war feathers, paint, and tufts of hair. 

As the bear came up, the girl tossed them up in the air, saying, "Behold, these are the magic arrows of my dead brother. These are themagic war paints of my dead brother. This is the eagle's feather of mydead brother, and these are the tufts of hair of wild animals he haskilled. "

As she said these words and the things fell on the ground near theanimal, he tottered and fell. She called the brothers, and they rushedout. 

"Cut him into pieces quickly, " she said, "or he will come to lifeagain. "

They all set to work and cut the huge animal into small pieces, whichthey tossed away. When they had finished, they saw, to their surprise, that these pieces had turned into small, black bears, which had jumpedup and were running away in every direction. And it is from thesebears that the bears called the Makwas had their beginning. 

[1] A manitou is the spirit of an Indian who has been killed. Manitousoften take the forms of animals when they come back to life. 

[2] Wampum; long, narrow beads, sometimes made of shells. They wereusually blue and white and were often woven into a belt. They weregreatly treasured by the Indians. 

THE SUMMER-MAKER

Once in the far north there lived a Manitou whose name was Ojeeg, orthe fisher. He and his wife and one son lived on the shore of a lakeand were very happy together. 

In that country there was never any spring or summer, and the snow laydeep on the ground all the year round. But this did not daunt thefisher. 

He went forth every day and always brought back plenty of game. 

The son wished to be a great hunter like his father, so he often tookhis bow and arrows and went out to kill birds. But he nearly alwaysreturned with benumbed hands and crying with cold. 

One day, as he was returning, feeling very discouraged and ready tocry, he noticed a red squirrel on the top of a tree. As he reached forhis arrows to shoot him, the squirrel spoke:

"Put away your arrows and listen to me. I see you go forth each dayand always return nearly frozen and with never a bird. Now, if youwill do as I tell you, we shall have summer all the time instead of thesnow. Then I shall have plenty to eat, and you may kill all the birdsyou wish. When you go home, you must cry and sob. When your motherasks you what is the matter, do not answer, but throw away your bow andarrow and cry harder than ever. Do not eat any supper, and when yourfather comes home, he will ask your mother what is the matter with you. She will say that she does not know, that you only sob and cry, andwill not speak. When he asks you to give the reason of your sorrow, tell him that you want summer to come. Coax him to get it for you. Hewill say it is a very hard thing to do, but will promise to try. Nowremember all this and do as I tell you. "

As the squirrel finished speaking, he disappeared, and the son returnedhome. Everything happened as the little squirrel had said, and whenthe son asked his father to get summer for him, Ojeeg replied, "My son, this is a hard task you have given me. But I love you and so shall tryfor your sake. It may cost me my life, but I shall do my best. "

Then he called together all his friends, and they had a feast. A bearwas killed and roasted, and they arranged to meet on Thursday to begintheir journey. 

When the day came, they all gathered; there was the otter, the beaver, the lynx, and the wolverine. Ojeeg said good-bye to his wife and son, and the party set out. For twenty days they travelled through thesnow, and at last came to the foot of a mountain. The animals were allvery tired by this time, all but Ojeeg. He was a nimble little animaland used to long journeys. 

As they began to go up the mountain, they noticed footprints and marksof blood, as if some hunter had gone before them with an animal he hadkilled. 

"Let us follow these tracks, " said the fisherman, "and see if we canget something to eat. "

When they reached the top of the mountain, they noticed a small lodge. 

"Now be very careful and do not laugh at anything we see, " said Ojeeg. 

They knocked at the door, and it was opened by a very strange man. Hehad a huge head, big, strong teeth, and no arms. He invited them tocome in and eat. There was meat cooking in a wooden pot on the fire. The man lifted it off when they were not looking, and gave them allsomething to eat. They wondered how he could do this, and how he hadkilled the animal, but they soon learned the secret. He was a Manitou!

As they were eating, the otter began to laugh at the strange movementsof the Manitou, who, hearing a noise, turned quickly and threw himselfon the otter. He was going to smother him, as this was his way ofkilling animals. But the otter managed to wriggle from under him, andescaped out of the door. 

The rest remained there for the night. When they were going in themorning, the Manitou told them what path to take and what to do whenthey reached the right spot. They thanked him and started on again. 

For twenty more days they travelled, and then they reached anothermountain. They climbed to the top of this, and they knew by certainsigns it was the spot the Manitou had described. So they seatedthemselves in a circle and filled their pipes. They pointed to thesky, the four winds, and the earth; then they began to smoke. As theylooked up at the sky they were silent with awe, for they were on such ahigh mountain that the sky seemed only a few yards off. They thenprepared themselves, and Ojeeg told the otter to have the first trialat making a hole in the sky. With a grin the otter consented. He madea spring, but fell down the side of the hill. The snow was moist, sohe slid all the way to the bottom. When he had picked himself up, hesaid, "This is the last time I shall make such a jump; I am goinghome, " and away he went. The beaver had the next turn, but did nobetter, The lynx had no better luck. Then came the turn of thewolverine. 

"Now, " said Ojeeg to him, "I am going to depend on you; you are braveand will try again and again. "

So the wolverine took a jump, and the first time nearly reached thesky; the second time he cracked it, and the third time he made a holeand crawled in. Ojeeg nimbly followed, and they found themselves on abeautiful, green plain. Lovely shade trees grew at some distance, andamong the trees were rivers and lakes. On the water floated all kindsof water-fowl. Then they noticed long lodges. They were empty, exceptfor a great many cages filled with beautiful birds. The spirits wholived in these lodges were wandering among the trees. As Ojeeg noticedthe birds, he remembered his son. He quickly opened the doors of thecages, and the birds rushed out. They flew through the air and downthrough the opening in the sky. 

The warm winds, that always blow in that heavenly place, followed thebirds down through the opening and began to melt the snows of thenorth. Then the guardian spirits noticed what was happening, and ranwith great shouts to the spot where all were escaping. But Spring andSummer had nearly gone. They struck a great blow and cut Summer intwo, so that only part of it reached the earth. The wolverine heardthe noise and raced for the hole, getting through before they couldclose it. But the fisher was farther away and could not reach the holein time. The spirits closed up the opening and turned to catch him. He ran over the plains to the north, going so fast that he gained thetrees before they could catch him. He quickly climbed the largest one, and they began to shoot at him with their arrows. 

There was only one place in the fisher's body where he could behurt, --a spot near the tip of his tail; so the spirits kept shooting along time before an arrow struck that spot. At last one did, and hefell to the ground. As it was now nearly night, the spirits went backto their lodges and left him there alone. He stretched out his limbsand said:

"I have kept my promise to my son, though it has cost me my life. ButI shall always be remembered by the natives of the earth, and I amhappy to think of the good I have sent them. From now on they willhave different seasons, and eight to ten moons without snow. "

In the morning they found him lying dead with the arrow through histail, and to this day he may be seen in the northern sky. 

THE SLEEP FAIRIES

A hunter was once going through a forest with his dogs. After he hadgone some distance he missed them. He called and whistled, but theydid not come, so he turned back to find them. Going some distancefarther, he thought he saw one lying under some low bushes, and when hereached the spot, he saw his three dogs lying there fast asleep. Hetried to waken them, but they would open their eyes only for a moment, then fall asleep again. Soon he began to feel a strange, sleepyfeeling coming over him. He shook himself and tried to keep awake. Just then he noticed a very large insect on a branch of a tree. It hadmany wings on its back, which kept up a steady, droning noise. When itnoticed the hunter looking at it, the insect said, "I am Weeng, thespirit of sleep. Your dogs came too near my home, and so they havefallen under my spell. In a few minutes you will be asleep yourself. "

"Must I go to sleep?" said the hunter. "I would like to go back to mylodge. "

"You are a brave chief and have always been kind to the forest insects, so this time I am going to let you go. Take a leaf from yonder littletree, chew it and swallow the juice. "

The hunter did as he was told and at once the sleepy feeling was gone. Then the strangest thing happened. He saw all around him queer, littlefairies, each one with a tiny war-club. They peeped from out the barkof the trees, from amidst the grass, and even from out his pouch. 

"What are these?" he asked Weeng. 

"They are my sleep fairies, and are called 'Weengs. ' Now you may wakenyour dogs and go. " And before the hunter had time to reply the insecthad gone. 

He turned and roused the dogs, who followed him, still looking verystupid. As he went he saw the Weengs all around the trees, and manyseemed to be coming with him. When he reached his lodge, he saw thelittle creatures run to the men and climb up their foreheads; then withtheir war-clubs they began to knock them on the head. Soon the Indiansbegan to yawn and rub their eyes, and in a little while they all layasleep. 

Then the hunter began to feel his own head grow heavy. He tried tokeep awake, but could not, so he stretched himself beside the fire andwent to sleep. When he awakened and looked around, there were nofairies to be seen. 

The hunter determined to go into the forest and see if he could findthe little tree from which he had plucked the leaf. But before hewent, he carefully tied up his dogs, for he did not wish them to followhim and again fall under the spell of Weeng. They whined when he leftthem and pulled at their ropes, but he was soon lost to their sightamong the trees. Making his way slowly through the forest, he kept asharp lookout for the little tree with the magic leaves. But he couldsee nothing that looked like it. For many hours he tramped on, and atlast he threw himself down on the ground to rest. 

As he lay there, he heard a droning noise above his head. He looked upquickly, and there sat Weeng on the farthermost branch of the tree. 

"Good-morning, great hunter, " said the insect. "You have beensearching for my little tree, have you not?"

"Yes, " replied the hunter. "How did you know?"

"I know many things, " said Weeng; "but listen, to me. Yonder is thetree. " As he spoke, he pointed to a little tree not two yards away. "Pluck one of the leaves, but do not chew it until sunset. At thathour I utter my sleep call, which bids all the insects fly home torest. When you hear the call, you may chew the leaf, for I want you tosee what happens then. "

"Is anything strange going to happen?" asked the hunter. 

"Great hunter, " said Weeng, "if you will remain in this forest behindthat large oak tree, you may see it all. One hour before sunset, theRed Squirrel and all his army are coming to attack me. "

"Why are they going to do that?" asked the hunter, in surprise. 

"Because the Red Squirrel wishes to have my branch for his home. Heordered me to get down, and I refused. So, one hour before sunset, heand his army are coming to drive me from my home. "

"What are you going to do?" asked the hunter. "Can I help you?"

"I and my winged friends, " said Weeng, "are going to fight them whenthey come. Yes, great hunter, you can help us by remaining to see thatthe battle is fair. The Red Squirrel knows that if he can once touchme, I must fall. But my insects have sharp swords, and they can keepthe army back till sunset. "

"And what will happen then?" asked the hunter. 

"Then the insects must go to their homes. But, if you swallow thejuice of the leaf, you will see the end of the battle. Now go and hidebehind the oak tree. In a few minutes my army will be here. "

The hunter did as he was bidden and took his place behind the tree. From here he could see Weeng quite plainly, but he was himself hidden. In a few minutes the insects began to assemble. First came the wasps, looking fierce and warlike. Then came the bees, buzzing along withindignation. Then dozens of flies, bluebottles, sand-flies, andbull-flies, all ready for the fight. Then followed the moths, ladybugs, butterflies, and mosquitoes. 

Lastly, with a great noise, came a regiment of hornets and took theirplaces on the branch directly in front of Weeng. The others hadgathered in a huge circle around him, and in the midst of the bodyguardhe sat, like a general ready for the attack of the enemy. He had notlong to wait, for somewhere in the forest the Red Squirrel hadassembled his army, and now he brought them forward in one body to thefoot of the tree. All the red squirrels were in front, next came thegray squirrels, then the chipmunks. 

The Red Squirrel gave the command, and up the tree his army began toclimb. Out on the branch they came, where Weeng sat at the farthestend. But the hornets were ready for them, and as they advanced thesharp swords of the defenders pricked their noses, eyes, and bodies. Backward they tumbled, some falling from the limb, others clingingdesperately to the under side. Then the gray squirrels pushed forward, and in spite of many wounds, broke through the ranks of the hornets. They had nearly reached Weeng when the bees, buzzing more indignantlythan ever, made one fierce dash at them. The gray squirrels foughtbravely, but at every turn they met terrible, stinging blows. At lastthey could not see what they were doing, and, like the red squirrels, many of them fell from the limb. 

While this part of the battle was going on, the chipmunks had beenwaging a war of their own with the wasps, who had attacked them. Thebattle had been a sharp one, and many soldiers of both armies lay deadon the ground below the tree. But the chipmunks had won the victory, and now made their way along the branches towards Weeng. Their leader, a large, bold-looking chipmunk, made a fierce rush at Weeng, and almosttouched him. But just as he did so, with a noiseless swoop, down camethe mosquitoes upon him. They covered his head, until not a part of itwas to be seen. He slapped wildly at them, lost his hold on thebranch, and fell to the ground. With redoubled fury on rushed theother chipmunks and the red squirrels, who had by this time recovered. They were met by a solid wall of insects bristling with sharp swords, for the wasps, the hornets, and flies had placed themselves acrosstheir path. Then came the hottest part of the battle, and in oneconfused mass they struggled and fought on the slender branch. In themidst of this there sounded a soft, sweet call. It was the sleep callof the fairy Weeng. At once all the insects sheathed their swords, andturning, fluttered slowly home to bed. As each one departed, heuttered a soft good-night to Weeng. 

The hunter, who was watching all this anxiously, wondered that althoughthe Red Squirrel's army was still fighting it was making no headway. He wondered how this could be. Suddenly he remembered the leaf in hispocket. At once he chewed it, and he then saw the reason for thesquirrels' defeat. At the call of Weeng his sleep fairies had comeforth, and now with their clubs were knocking their enemies on thehead. Blow after blow they struck. The squirrels resisted bravely, but it was useless. In a few minutes they were driven back and off thebranch of the tree, and were glad to escape to their homes. As thedarkness gathered and the magic of the leaf began to wear away, thehunter could just dimly see Weeng sitting in the midst of his sleepfairies, like a great general who has won his battle. 

SHINGEBISS

Once there was a little duck, whose name was Shingebiss. He lived byhimself in a small lodge, and was very contented and happy. This lodgewas built on the shore of a lake. When the cold winter days came, andthe lake was frozen over, all the other ducks flew away to a warmerland. But Shingebiss was not afraid of the cold. He gathered fourlarge logs and took them into his lodge. Each log was big enough toburn for a month, and as there were only four cold months, there wouldbe enough to last him through the winter. 

Then each morning he would go to the lake, and hunt for places wherethe rushes came through the ice. He would pull these out with hisstrong beak, and catch fish through the openings. 

Kabibonokka, the north wind, saw him, and said to himself, "What astrange person this is. He sings and is out on the coldest days. ButI shall stop his singing. "

So he blew a cold blast from the north-west, which froze the ice on thelake much deeper. Still Shingebiss came out in the morning, caught hisfish, and went home singing. 

"How strange, " said the north wind, "I cannot freeze him; I shall goand visit his lodge. Perhaps I can put out his fire. "

So he went and knocked at the door of the lodge. Shingebiss waswithin. He had cooked and eaten his fish, and now was lying on oneside in front of the fire, singing a song. He heard the north wind atthe door, but he pretended that he did not. He went on singing inquite a loud voice:

 "Windy god, I know your plan, You are but my fellow-man. Blow you may your coldest breeze, Shingebiss yon cannot freeze; Sweep the strongest wind you can, Shingebiss is still your man. Heigh, for life--ho, for bliss, Who so free as Shingebiss?"

The north wind heard him and was very angry. He blew his coldest blastunder the doorway, Shingebiss felt it, but still went on singing. Thenthe north wind opened the door, and walked in. He took a seat besidethe fire, and Shingebiss pretended not to see him. He just went onsinging, and after a while took his poker and stirred the logs. Thismade them blaze brightly, and in a few minutes tears began to run downKabibonokka's cheeks. He pushed his chair away from the fire and triedto blow his icy breath on the blazing log. But the warm air pushed thecold breeze back and wrapped Kabibonokka around like a cloak. Thetears were running in streams down his cheeks now, and the heavy froston his long beard and hair had melted and made pools of water on thefloor. He could stand it no longer. Rising, he hastily passed out thedoor, saying to himself, "I cannot put out his fire, but I shall freezethe lake so deep that he will not be able to catch any more fish. "

So that night he blew his coldest breath. Next morning the ice on thelake was very thick. Brave little Shingebiss went from one place toanother trying to find a thin spot. At last a bunch of rushes came outas he pulled, and, looking in the hole, he saw several fine fish. Hesang merrily as he caught them, and the north wind heard the song. Looking out of his lodge, he saw what Shingebiss was doing. At firsthe was very angry, then he began to feel afraid. 

"This duck must be helped by some Manitou, " he said. "I shall leavehim in peace after this. "

Then Kabibonokka went in and closed his lodge door and Shingebiss neversaw him again. 

THE QUEER LITTLE ANIMAL

An Indian was once wandering across the prairie. He was tired andhungry and very lonely, too, for he had not seen a human being for manyweeks. He lay down on the ground and fell asleep. While he was lyingthere, he dreamed that a small voice said, "My grandson, " to him. Hewakened with a start and again heard the voice. It came from the grassnear him, but he could see nothing. 

"Pick me up, " said the voice, "and I shall be your friend forever. Putme in your belt and never lay me aside, and you will always havesuccess. "

The Indian looked closely in the grass and saw a tiny creature. It wasabout the size of a baby mouse, and had no hair on its skin excepting alittle bunch on the tip of its tail. He picked it up and sewed it inhis belt. Then he travelled on until he came to a village where atribe of Indians lived. A broad road ran through the centre of thevillage, but the strange thing was, that the lodges on one side of theroad were empty, while those on the other side were filled withIndians. He walked boldly into the village. The people ran out tomeet him, crying, "Here is the being of whom we have heard so much. Welcome, Anishinaba. "

The chief's son was very kind to him and took him to his father'slodge. The people of this tribe spent most of their time in games andtrials of strength. The trial they liked best was called The FreezingWater Trial; that was, they had to lie down in icy, cold water and letit freeze around them. The man who could stay the longest wasconsidered the bravest. The next night they asked Anishinaba to trythe test with them. He was quite willing and went with them to theplace where the test was to be made. He kept on his belt, and so feltvery comfortable, for the little animal made everything easy for him. The water began to freeze and the Indians called out, "How are youfeeling?" He did not answer them. 

About midnight, he noticed they had stopped talking. He called out, "How are you feeling now? I am very warm. " They did not answer him, so he arose and walked to where they were lying. They were frozenstiff. He went back to the camp and told the other Indians. Everybodydeclared that he was the bravest warrior, since he had not been frozen. The chief was so pleased with him that he gave him his daughter. TheIndians went to fetch the bodies of the frozen men, but were surprisedto find them changed into buffaloes. These animals went to live in theother side of the village; and after that, every one Anishinaba killedwas changed into some kind of an animal and went into that part of thevillage to live. Very shortly the empty lodges were filled. 

One day Anishinaba lay down on the grass to have a sleep. He had takenoff his belt, and it lay in the long grass beside him. When hewakened, he forgot about it. This was the first time he had ever gonewithout the little animal since he came to the village. That nightsome Indians who were unfriendly to him, asked him to try the freezingtrial again. He consented, for he was not at all afraid. But still hedid not think of his belt, and so the freezing water benumbed his bodyand in a short time he was frozen stiff. His enemies then cut his bodyinto many pieces and scattered them over the village. His wife weptbitterly for many days. Then suddenly she remembered his belt, andwent in search of it. She found it in the grass where he had slept. As she picked it up, the tiny voice said, "Unpin me. " She opened thelittle seam where the animal lay and out he came. He began to shakehimself, and at each shake grew larger, until at last he was the sizeof a small dog. 

The queer-looking animal ran away then as fast as he could go. Allaround the village he went, gathering up the pieces of his master'sbody. When he had them gathered, he laid them together in their rightplaces. Then he uttered a loud howl, and the pieces joined together. He uttered another, and the body began to breathe. Then he uttered onethat reached to the skies, and his master arose and stood before him. The animal then spoke. "You should not have parted with me, " he said. "That was why you lost your life. Now, I shall reveal myself to you. "He began shaking himself like a dog, and at each shake he grew larger, until at last he was immense. Then a long snout grew from his head, and two big, shining teeth from his mouth. His skin was still smooth, without one hair excepting the bunch on the end of his tail. 

"I am going to give my gift to you, " said the wild boar. "After thisyou shall live on the meat of animals, instead of the animals eatingyou. But you and all mankind must respect me and must not eat my fleshnor that of any of my kind. "

THE DORMOUSE

Many years ago the animals ruled the earth. They had killed every onebut a brother and a sister. These two lived in a lodge far away in theforest, where the animals could not find them. The boy was a tiny, little fellow, --he had never grown any larger than a baby, --so the girlhad to do all the work. Each day she would go out into the bush andgather wood for the lodge fire. She always took her brother with her, for he was too small to leave alone. A big bird might fly away withhim. 

One day she gave him a little bow and arrows, and said, "You stay herewhile I take the wood home. When the snow-birds come to get the wormsout of the wood, see if you can shoot one. " So she went home and lefthim. He did not come until nearly evening. He looked very sad andtired, for he had been unable to shoot even one bird. 

"Never mind, " said the sister, kindly. "Try again to-morrow. "

The next day he went again with her, and when he came back in theevening, he said, "I shot this bird, and now, sister, strip the skinoff it, stretch, and cure it. Then when I have killed enough birds, Ishall have a coat made of the skins. " At last when he had ten skins, his sister made him a coat of them. He was so tiny that it fitted himnicely. Of course he was very proud of it. 

One day he said, "Sister, is there no one living in this world exceptourselves?"

"Yes, " she answered. "Many miles from here live the animals we areafraid of. But never go near their village, for they will kill you. "

"Oh, I am not afraid, " he said; and in spite of all her coaxing he madeready to go on his journey. 

One morning he set out, and by noon had walked quite a distance. Hefelt very tired and threw himself down on a plot of grass where the sunhad melted the snow. He fell asleep, and while he was lying there thehot sun dried the skins of his bird coat. When he awoke, he felt asthough he were buttoned up in a coat much too small for him. 

He was very angry at the sun, for he knew it had done this. "I shallpunish you, " he cried up to it. "You think you are so high up there, and I am so small, that you do not care, but I shall show you. "

Then he went home to his sister and showed her the coat, and told herall about it. She begged him not to feel so angry. He would notlisten to her, but went and lay down on the bed. For ten days hestayed there without eating a bite. Then he turned over on his otherside and lay for ten days more. 

At last he arose and said, "Sister, please make me a snare. I want tocatch the sun. " She told him she had nothing with which to make thesnare. He nearly cried when she said this. Then she remembered somebits of deer sinew that were in the lodge. She made a snare of this, but he said, "That will not do, " and began to cry again. Then sheasked him if her hair would do. 

"No, it will not, " he said. 

"Well, I have nothing else, " she told him, and went out of the lodge. She thought and thought, and at last she said to herself, "I shall usemy hair, and perhaps he will never know. " So she made a snare like theone used to catch moose. When she took it in to him, and asked, "Willthis do?" he looked very pleased, and said, "Oh, yes, that is the verything. " He took it, and drew the threads through his lips. Theychanged at once into red, metal cords, which he wound around his waist. 

Then he made ready for his journey, and about midnight he set out. Hewalked on for a long time, until he came to the spot where the sun cameup. He fixed the snare, and then hid behind some bushes. 

In a little while the sun began to rise, and was at once caught in thesnare. 

The animals, who ruled the earth, were greatly excited because themorning did not come. They knew it was time for the sun to be up, sothey called a council. 

"What is to be done?" asked the bear. 

"Some one must go and see what has happened, " replied the wolf. 

"Let the dormouse go, " said the beaver, "as he is the largest of usall. "

In those days the dormouse was very large. He looked like a mountainwhen he stood up. 

"Yes, " said the wolf, "let the dormouse go. He is proud of his sizeand his strength. Let him show us what he can do when there is dangerbefore him. "

They all looked around for the dormouse, but there was no sign of him. 

"He thinks that we shall send him to find the sun, " said the fox. "Heis afraid and has hidden himself. "

"Not so, " returned the beaver. "The dormouse is not a coward. Let uscall him. He cannot be far away. "

With that, they all began to call the dormouse. In a moment there wasa crackling of branches and the sound of heavy footsteps, and a hugefigure loomed up in the darkness. 

"Brother dormouse, " said the fox, "you are so brave that we have chosenyou to go in search of the sun. What is your answer?"

"I am quite ready to go, " replied the dormouse, "and if I cannot findthe sun and send it to you, I shall not return myself. "

At once the dormouse started towards the sun. As he came close to it, the hot rays began to burn his back, but he kept on, and began to chewthe cords, which bound it. In a few minutes the top of his back was aheap of ashes, and he felt himself shrivelling with the heat. He kepton bravely, and at last the cords were sundered and the sun free. Butby this time the dormouse was a very small animal, and has remained soever since. 

All this time the brother, who was lying hidden, had been watching whatwas happening. As the dormouse began to smoke, he grew a littlefrightened, and when it began to shrivel he was terrified. All hewished for was to escape from this glaring sun, which surely wouldquickly consume him too. 

Lying flat on the ground, he wriggled through the bushes for a longdistance along the bank. Reaching the plain, he made a dash for home. His face and arms were scratched and bleeding, and when he told hissister what had happened, she was grieved to think that she had madethe snare which had brought so much sorrow to the innocent dormouse. 

THE WINDMAKER

Once there was a tribe of Indians who had always lived in themountains. Their village was built at the foot of a very largemountain, and their lodges were made from branches of the pine-trees, covered with the skins of animals. 

One day one of their hunters followed a bear's track for many miles. By evening he found himself a great distance from the village. Henoticed that the hills around him were much smaller than those he hadleft, so he made up his mind to continue in the direction he had beengoing, which was eastwards, to see if the hills would grow smaller ashe went. He rested during the night, and when the sun rose nextmorning, he continued walking towards the east. For several days hetravelled, and at last he found himself on the edge of a very largeplain. Miles and miles of green prairie lay before him, and hewondered what was beyond, on the other side of this vast plain. 

He travelled back joyfully to the village and told the others of thetribe what he had discovered. As they listened they became anxious tosee this great prairie and what lay beyond it. So they went to theirchief and begged him to let them all go and travel until they shouldreach the other side of the prairie. The chief told them that this wasa wrong thing to ask, because they were mountain Indians and so wouldnever be happy away from the mountains. Still they begged and coaxed, and at length he said:

"I shall grant your request, my children, because my greatest wish isto see you happy. To-morrow we shall all make ready for our journey tothis great prairie. I shall go with you, although it grieves me verymuch to leave my mountains, but your wish shall be granted. "

By evening the next day the tribe was ready for the journey. They hadtaken down their lodges, and the branches of the pine-trees and theskins of the animals were packed on the mountain ponies. The chiefrode in front on a small, white pony. His face looked very sad as theyset out. 

For many days they travelled, and at length they reached the edge ofthe prairie, as the hunter before them had done. They were all muchastonished to see the great plain of green grass, and they told theirchief that this land was much more beautiful than their mountains. Hedid not make them any reply. For several days they travelled acrossthe prairie in the daytime and camped at night. Each morning they saidas they prepared to move forward, "To-day we shall surely reach theother side of this prairie. "

Each night, however, found them with as many miles in front of them asthere were behind them. At last they grew weary, and began to wonderhow long they would have to travel before they could see what wasbeyond this prairie. They had made their camp for the night on thebank of a river. This river was too wide and deep for them to cross, and they did not know what they would do. During the night a strangething happened. Their lodges were caught as if by unseen hands, liftedhigh in the air, and tossed into the river. The little children clungto their mothers in terror, while these unseen hands seemed trying topull them away and toss them after the lodges. The Indians, terrified, gathered around their chief. 

"What is this?" they cried. "What is this awful thing that has suchstrength and which we cannot see?"

"It is the wind, my children, " said the chief. "Far up on the mountainlives the Windmaker. This is his message to us, to tell us that he isangry, because we have left our mountain home. Let us all go back toour home and be happy once more. "

But the Indians murmured at this. They did not wish to go back to themountains. They wished to see what was beyond the great prairie. Thechief sadly shook his head and said, "Well, my children, you mustsuffer what the Windmaker sends us. "

Then up spoke a young warrior named Broken Arrow. He had long wishedfor a chance to show the chief that he was brave, for he loved thechief's daughter and knew he could not wed her until he had proven hisbravery. 

"Oh, chief, " he said, "let me go to this Windmaker. Let me shoot mysharpest arrows at him, so that I may kill this wicked one who iscausing so much sorrow. "

The chief smiled at the brave youth and said, "My son, you may go, butit is a useless quest. This Windmaker cannot be killed. "

Broken Arrow replied proudly, "We shall see. My arrows carry far andfly straight. This Windmaker shall feel their point. "

The women of the tribe put food in a bag and several pairs ofmoccasins, and the young warrior set out on his journey. Day and nighthe travelled, and at last, after his food was all gone and his lastpair of moccasins was nearly worn out, he reached the foot of the greatmountain where the Windmaker lived. Looking up, he saw the monster, --agreat, gray creature that seemed a part of the mountain itself. Hishead was crowned with snow-white hair that lay around his shoulderslike drifts of snow. His huge ears stood out from the sides of hishead, and as he waved them, a breeze came down the mountain side thatalmost took the warrior off his feet. Fitting an arrow into his bow, he let it fly. It was aimed for the Windmaker's heart, and was goingstraight there, when the monster moved one ear and the arrow flew toone side. The same fate overtook the next arrow, and the next. Stillthe warrior shot bravely on, but as each one came near the monster hewaved his ears and blew it aside. At last every arrow had been spent, and the Windmaker was uninjured. There was nothing for the youngwarrior to do but to go back and tell of his failure. Sadly he turnedaway, and after many days' travelling he arrived at the camp, faintwith hunger, and with bare and bleeding feet. 

The chief smiled proudly as he saw him. "Welcome, my son, " he said. "Do not feel sad. You have done nobly, and have proven to me how greata warrior you are. You shall be my son, and I am proud to call youthat. "

After the wedding feast that night, the chief told the Indians that onthe morrow he was going to the mountain to see if he could kill theWindmaker. 

When they heard this, there was great weeping, and they begged him notto go. But he was firm, so they said, "Then we shall go with you. Where our chief goes, we go too, and we shall watch you fight thiswicked one. "

So, after many days' travelling, they all reached the foot of the greatmountain where the Windmaker lived. Looking up, they could see himjust as Broken Arrow had told them they would. The chief turned tothem and said, "My children, you must remain here at the foot of thismountain, while I climb up to the top. There is no use in trying toshoot this great monster, for he will but blow my arrows away, so Imust climb up and strike him with my tomahawk. "

Again they begged him not to go, but again he was firm, and they sadlywatched him begin to climb up the rocky side of the mountain. Littleby little, he ascended the steep, rough hill, until at last he wasalmost at the feet of the Windmaker. All this time the monster hadbeen perfectly still. Then suddenly, just as the chief was withinreach of him, he waved both his ears, and a terrible gale tore down themountain side, carrying rocks and stones with it. It caught the chief, lifted him off his feet and carried him down. When he reached thebottom he lay as if insensible for a few moments. Then, recovering hisbreath, he began to climb again. Once more the Windmaker let himnearly reach his feet before he made a movement. This time he sent acurrent of air against a large boulder resting on a narrow ledge. Thechief leaped just in time, for it fell with a terrible noise on thevery spot where he had stood. 

Angered by this, the chief grasped his tomahawk more firmly, anddashing up a few paces, aimed a blow at the monster's feet. But beforeit fell, the Windmaker waved both ears again. With a roar like thunderthe gale swept down, carrying the brave chief with it. It tossed himin the air, turned him around two or three times, and hurled him into aclump of fir-trees at the foot of the mountain. The Indians ranfrantically to the spot and picked him up, but he was quite dead. Theyburied him sadly where he had fallen, at the foot of the tender firs. Then they went quietly back to their village in the mountains and havebeen content to live there ever since. 

MOOWIS

In a certain tribe in the far West there was a maiden who was verybeautiful. Many warriors loved her, but she would listen to none ofthem. 

In the same tribe there was a young man who was called Beau-man, because he was so beautifully dressed. He was very handsome too, andso when he fell in love with the maiden, he felt sure she would lovehim also; but when he came to see her, she would not listen, and whenhe tried to make her hear, she made a motion with her hand which meanscontempt. This made him feel very mean. All his friends laughed athim, and this made him so very angry that he went away to his tent andlay down. He remained without eating anything for many weeks. Hisparents and friends all coaxed him to get up, but he would not. 

At length the time came for the tribe to move camp, as this was just ahunting trip, and when the summer arrived they always went back to thevillage. They asked Beau-man to come with them, but still he would notmove. So they lifted the tent, and left him lying there in his bed allalone. 

The next day he got up, for he had thought of a splendid plan to haverevenge on the maiden. He knew a spirit who would help him when asked. 

He began to gather all the bits of colored cloth, old beads, andfeathers that were lying on the ground where the camp had been. Mostof them were very dirty, and some were wet with snow. But he put themall in one pile, and then with the help of the spirit, he made them alllook clean. Then he made beaded moccasins from some of the scraps;leggings and a coat from some others. At last a frontlet with featherssticking in it for the head. He gathered up snow and dirt, and filledthe moccasins and the rest of the suit with it. The spirit changed thewhole thing into a man, --a fine-looking warrior, to whom was given thename Moowis. The Beau-man at once took him to the village where themaiden lived. 

Moowis was kindly received by the chief, who invited him into hislodge. He was finely dressed, and held himself so proudly that themaiden fell in love with him. The chief asked him to sit near thefire. But he could not sit there very long, as the heat began to meltthe snow, and soon he would have been a pile of rags. He put a boybetween himself and the fire, and kept moving away until he was nearthe door. 

Then the chief came and asked him to sit in the bridegroom's chair. This meant that he was married to the maiden. When it became evening, Moowis said he must go now, as he had a long journey to make. Themaiden begged to go with him, but he told her she could not. Still shecoaxed so hard that he asked the Beau-man what he should do. "Let hergo with you, " he answered; "it will serve her right. "

In a little while they set out. Moowis walked so fast that the maidenhad to run to keep up, and in a short time she was very tired. Stillhe walked on so swiftly that he was soon far ahead. They walked allnight, and when the sun rose the bridegroom was almost out of sight. As the day grew warm, his snow began to melt, and as it did so, hisfine clothes began to turn back into rags. Then they began to falloff. First the maiden found his mittens, next his moccasins, then shepicked up his coat. She walked on calling, "Moowis, where are you?"But all she could find was bits of rags, beads, and feathers scatteredover the fields. She wandered on from one village to another calling, "Moowis, Moowis, oh, Moowis, where have you gone?"

The village maidens turned her cry into a song, and used to chant it asshe passed. She never saw anything more of him, although she wanderedon for years, always calling, "Moowis. "

THE DAUGHTERS OF THE STAR

There once lived, in a deep forest, a hunter named Waupee, or the WhiteHawk. Every day he returned from the chase with birds and animalswhich he had killed, for he was very skilful. 

One day he walked through the forest till at last he reached the edgeof it, and there before him lay the wide prairie. The grass was sosoft and green, and there were so many flowers, that he wandered on fora while. He could see that no one lived there, as no trace offootsteps was to be seen. Suddenly he came to a circle on the prairie. It looked as if people had run around in a ring until the grass wastrampled down. As he could see no marks of footsteps leading away fromthe ring, he wondered very much whose feet could have marked out thecircle. Then he made up his mind to hide, so that he might see if anyone came. 

After awhile, he heard the sound of beautiful music. It seemed to comefrom the sky. As he looked up he saw something coming down through theair, and the music sounded like the singing of girls. As the objectcame closer, he saw that it was a wicker basket, and in it were twelvebeautiful maidens. When the basket reached the ground, they all jumpedout and began to dance around the circle. They were all verybeautiful, but Waupee picked out the youngest as the one he liked best. He watched them as long as he could, then ran out to clasp the youngestin his arms. But as soon as the maidens saw the figure of a man, theyran to the basket, jumped in, and were at once drawn up to the sky. 

Waupee was left alone on the prairie, and he felt very sad to think hehad frightened away the beautiful maidens. He went back slowly to hislodge, but could not rest all night. The next day he came again to themagic circle. 

This time he changed himself into an opossum. He had not waited longwhen the wicker basket again floated down. The sisters jumped out andbegan the same dance. Waupee crept towards them; but when they sawhim, they at once ran to the basket and climbed in. It began toascend, but stopped when a short distance up. 

"Perhaps, " said the oldest sister, "he has come to show us the way themortals dance. "

"Oh, no!" said the youngest; "let us go up quickly. " They all began tosing their sweet song, and the basket rose out of sight. 

Again Waupee was sad, but he made up his mind that the next day hewould act more wisely. So, when he came back, he found the stump of atree where a family of mice lived. He moved the stump over near thecircle and changed himself into one of the mice. Again the sisterscame, and began their dance. 

"Look, " said the youngest sister, "that stump was not there before. "But the other sisters laughed at her and ran over to it. Then out cameall the mice, Waupee among them. The sisters began to chase and killthe mice, and at last only one was left alive. The youngest sister ranafter it, and was just about to hit it, when it changed into Waupee. He clasped her in his arms, while the other sisters sprang for thebasket and were drawn up to the sky. 

The maiden wept at being left alone, but Waupee wiped away her tearsand took her home to his little lodge. He was very good to her and atlast she grew very happy. But a few years afterwards, when her littleson was able to walk, she took him to the magic ring. She felt verylonely when she thought of her sisters and of her father, the Star. Soshe made up her mind to go back to them. She made a basket of reeds, and putting her little son in it, she seated herself and began to singthe old chant. The basket at once rose in the air and floated out ofsight. 

When Waupee was coming home, he heard this sweet song. He knew it wasone the sisters used to sing, so he ran at once to the magic circle, but the basket had almost disappeared. He called and called, but noanswer came down to him, and at last it was gone. 

He threw himself down on the ground and wept. Then, when night came, he rose and went home to his empty lodge. 

As the years went on the maiden was very happy in her old home, but theson wished to go and see his birthplace. The grandfather heard him, and said to the maiden, "Go down to the earth and show your son hisbirthplace, and when you are coming back, bring your husband with you. But when he comes, tell him to bring a part of each kind of bird andanimal he has killed. "

This the maiden did. Waupee was delighted to have them return, and atonce set to work to hunt and kill one of every kind of bird and animal. It took him many days to do this, but at last all were gathered. Hetook a claw of some birds, a wing of others, a tail of some animals, and the feet of others. Then they all stepped into the basket and ittook them up to the sky. 

The Star grandfather was so pleased with Waupee's gift, that he calledall his people to a feast. After it was over, he told them to choosewhat they liked best from the earthly things. Some chose a wing, others a paw, and so on, and as they did so they were at once changedinto an animal or bird like the one they had chosen. 

Waupee was pleased with this idea and chose the feather of a whitehawk. His wife and son chose the same, and all were changed into thesegraceful birds. They slowly spread out their white wings and floatedaway towards the earth. 

Passing through the clouds they found themselves above the snow-cappedmountains. They flew on, until at length they saw the green tops oftrees far below them. In great circles they began to descend, and in afew minutes alighted in the topmost branches of a tall tree. 

Waupee then spoke: "We shall build our nest in this tree, and into itwe shall weave parts of our old lodge, where we lived so happilytogether. Let us go now and gather these; then we shall begin ournest. "

KOTO AND THE BIRD

Once there was a little Cree boy named Koto. His father was a chiefand a great hunter, and Koto always longed for the time when he wouldbe able to hunt like his father and bring back large game to thewigwam. One summer day the chief and all the hunters were away on ahunting trip. There was no one left in the camp but a few of the womenand some children. Koto wandered around, not knowing what to do, whensuddenly he thought of a very daring thing. One pony had been leftbecause it had been lame, and now Koto made up his mind that he wouldget on its back and gallop over the prairie. He knew that the pony'sfoot was nearly better, and he thought that one gallop could not hurtit. 

So he jumped on the pony's back, waved his arms, and called out to itto run, and away they went. Koto's long, dark hair and the pony's maneblew in the wind, and they both were enjoying the gallop when somethingterrible happened. The pony caught his foot in a badger hole and fellheavily to the ground. Koto was tossed in the air, and then fell withone foot pinned under him. 

For a long time the two sufferers lay there in the hot sun on theprairie. At length Koto's mother, who had missed him, found them. Shecarried Koto back to the wigwam and laid him on his bed of skins. Shetold him that his leg was broken and that the pony's leg was brokenalso, and that the hunters would have to kill it when they returned. Poor Koto wept bitterly. He did not mind his own broken leg, but tothink that he had really killed the little pony nearly broke his heart. For many days he lay on his bed, and at last he was able to get up andmove around with the help of a little crutch, which his father had madefrom the branch of a tree. 

When winter came, the Indians moved their camp to the woods along thebank of the Assiniboine River. Koto was not able to walk well, soremained in his lodge until all the camp had been moved. Then hisfather came to carry him to the camp that was protected from the coldnorth wind. 

"My son, " he said, as he walked along with Koto in his arms, "I have asurprise for you. You shall not live in a wigwam this winter. "

"Why not?" asked Koto. "I like my wigwam. It is warm and keeps thecold wind away. "

"Wait, and you shall see, " said his father. "You will like your newlodge much better. "

When they reached the camp, Koto saw what the chief had meant. Duringthe summer some white men had camped there and had built a log cabinfor themselves. Then they had gone away, leaving the little cabindeserted, and now the chief had taken it for his lodge. Koto was verymuch pleased with his new home, and the door which opened on hinges wasalways a great surprise to him. He was not able to go out during thatlong winter, but he was never lonely, for the first day they were inthe cabin a strange visitor came. It was a little, brown bird whichhad been deserted by its mate, and it flew in to get away from thecold. All winter it remained with Koto, feeding from his food atmealtime, and hopping around him during the day as he was weaving hisbaskets. At night it slept on a little board that was nailed to thewall near Koto's bed of skins. 

When springtime came and the door was left open, Koto noticed that thebird's mate had returned. It flew to the bushes near the house andcalled to Koto's bird, but she would not go, and at last her mate cameto the doorway. Again he called, and this time she went out, but shecame back at mealtime and remained with Koto all night. Every dayafter that she would fly out in the morning and come back three or fourtimes during the day, while her mate would never come past the doorway. Then one day she did not come back. Koto watched and waited for her. The long day passed and evening came, still there was no sign of thebird. The next day went by, and the next, and little Koto began tolook very sad as he sat at the door watching for her. 

At last he hobbled out and sat very quietly under the trees. In alittle while he came back as quickly as he could, his face shining forjoy. When he entered the cabin, he looked around eagerly. Then hisface grew sad again. 

"She is not here, " he said sadly. "My little bird is not here. "

"No, she is not here, " said his mother, "Did you think she was?"

"Yes, I saw her fly in, but she is not here. "

Koto went out again and seated himself under the trees once more, buthe saw no sign of his bird all the rest of that day. The next day hewent to the same place to watch, and not long after he came hobbling ineagerly with his face shining for joy as before. He looked around thecabin, and again he grew sad, for there was no bird to be seen. 

Each day after that the same thing happened. As he sat under the treeshe saw the little bird fly into the cabin, but when he entered therewas no bird to be seen. He grew sadder and looked so thin that thechief became sad, too. 

"My son, " he said, "you must not think of this bird. It has flownaway. It will not come back. This is a spirit bird that you see enterthe cabin. Try not to think of it and be happy. "

But the little Cree boy only shook his head and said, "I saw her go inand she does not come out and she is not in the cabin. Where is she?Where is my little bird?"

So the chief made up his mind that he would watch and see if the littlebird really did fly into the cabin. The next day he watched with Kotounder the trees, and in a few minutes the little boy grasped his hand. 

"Look, " he said, "look, there is my little bird. " And there in a treenear them were two brown birds, one of them Koto's pet. They flew awaytogether; then one, when it reached the side of the cabin, suddenlydisappeared. Quickly seizing his father's hand, Koto and the chiefreached the door of the little home. They looked eagerly around theroom, but there was not a bird to be seen. They searched every place, for the chief was sure that he had seen it enter. There was no traceof it any place. Going out, he looked at the side of the little house, and there was a hole between the logs where the bird might easilyenter. Coming in, he looked for the hole on the inside, but could notfind it. Then he noticed that an old, gray jacket, which had been leftthere by the white men, was hanging where the hole ought to be. 

He took down the jacket and Koto gave a cry of delight. For from apocket of the coat peaked the head of his little bird, and there wasthe hole between the logs, where the coat had hung. The bird seemedquite pleased that they had found her, and after a while flew off hernest to peck from Koto's hand. After some days her eggs were hatched, and then the father bird consented to enter the cabin and help feed theyoung ones. When the little birds grew large enough, they flew awaywith the father bird, but for the rest of the summer Koto's littlebrown friend remained with him, watching him weave his baskets, andseemed very pleased when at last he was able to walk a little. 

When fall came, she went away with the other birds, but this time Kotowas not sad, for he knew she was happy, and he was happy, too, becausehe could now walk. 

THE HUMPBACKED MANITOU

Bokwewa and his brother lived in a lodge in the forest, far away fromthe rest of the world. They were both Manitous and could do manywonderful things. Bokwewa had the most gifts and knew all the secretsof the woods, but his body was deformed. The brother was veryhandsome. His body was very straight, and he could run and do manythings that Bokwewa could not do. But he was not as wise as thehumpbacked Manitou. Bokwewa used to tell his brother how to hunt andshoot and fish. Then the brother would go and get the food, and bringit back to the lodge. Bokwewa did not go out very much, of course. 

One day the brother said, "Bokwewa, I am tired of living so quietly. Where are all the rest of the people? I am going away to find them andto get a wife. "

Bokwewa tried to coax him not to go, but the brother was determined. He made ready for his journey, and departed. In a few days hereturned, bringing a beautiful maiden with him. Bokwewa was very kindto His brother's wife and she was good to him, so they became greatfriends. One day the brother was away hunting. Bokwewa was sitting byone side of the fire in the lodge; the wife was sitting on the otherside. Suddenly the door was opened, and a strong, tall man entered. He seized the maiden and began to pull her to the door. She screamed, and tried to get away from him; but he held her fast. Bokwewa pulledand fought with all his strength. The tall man pushed him against thedoor and hurt his back. Then he dashed out with the maiden, and tookher away with him. 

When the brother returned, he found Bokwewa weeping with sorrow; andwhen he heard what had happened, he wept also. Bokwewa tried tocomfort him, but the brother only lay on the bed, refusing to eatanything, and weeping bitterly. For several days he stayed there. Atlength he arose and said, "Bokwewa, I am going to the village wherethat mighty Manitou lives. He has stolen my wife. "

"Oh, do not go, " said Bokwewa, "for that village is many miles to thesouth. The people who live there are idle and know only of pleasure. They have many snares set by the roadside to catch you. Do not try togo amongst them, for you will become like them and think only ofpleasure. "

"I am not afraid of anything, " said the brother. "I must go. "

"Well, then, " said Bokwewa, "I shall tell you of two dangers that liein the path. When you first start, you will find a grape-vine acrossyour path. Do not eat any of its fruit, for it is poisonous. It willmake you become very careless. Then, farther on you will come acrosssomething that looks like bear's fat. It is clear, like jelly. Do noteat of it, for it is frogs' eggs and will make you forget your home. "

The brother promised to remember these warnings, and set out for thevillage. 

He had not gone very far when he noticed a grape-vine lying across theroad. The grapes were beautiful and juicy, so he ate some. Somedistance on he came to a jellylike mass, and he ate it. This was thefrogs' eggs, and he at once forgot his home and brother, and even hiswife. He travelled on for two days, and towards evening came in sightof the large village. The people in it seemed to be having a goodtime. Some were dancing and singing, and many of the women werebeating corn in golden dishes. When they saw him coming, they ran out, shouting, "Here comes Bokwewa's brother to visit us. "

They welcomed him with joy, and led him into the village. In a shorttime he was beating corn with the women. That is the surest sign tothe Indians that a warrior has lost his bravery. 

Days and weeks went by, and still he did not try to find his wife, although she was living in that same village. Bokwewa waited at home, hoping each day that his brother would return. At length, when someyears had gone by, he set out to find him. As he travelled along thesame road, he passed the grape-vine and the frogs' eggs. But they heldno danger for him, as he did not taste them. When he came in sight ofthe village, he felt sorry for the people, who were wasting their livesin idle games and other pleasures. As he came closer, the people ranout, shouting, "Oh, Bokwewa has come to visit us! The good Bokwewa ofwhom we have heard so much! Welcome to our village!"

Bokwewa entered with them and found his brother. He was still beatingcorn with the women, and seemed very happy. Bokwewa coaxed him to comehome, but he would not listen. He seemed content to stay there and dono work. This made Bokwewa very sorry, for he knew his brother was nolonger a brave warrior. When evening came Bokwewa went down to theriverside. There he changed himself into one of those hair snakessometimes seen in running water. After a while, the wife came downwith a pitcher to get some water. 

"Pick me up, " said the hair snake, "and leave me in your pitcher. "

The wife did as she was told, and took the pitcher to her lodge. 

That night the Manitou who had stolen her wanted a drink. In the darkhe did not see the hair snake in the water, so drank it. In a fewminutes he was dead. Then Bokwewa returned to his former shape. Hewent again to his brother and tried to make him come home. But thebrother refused. Bokwewa told him that these pleasures would not lastforever, and his tears fell as he saw that his brother would not come. So he said good-bye to him and disappeared. 

After Bokwewa had gone, the brother seemed to remember parts of hispast life. He looked around and saw his wife at a little distance. Atonce he remembered everything, and going to her, he wept and begged herto forgive him and his neglect. She kissed him fondly, and then handin hand they walked away from the treacherous land of pleasure, back tothe lodge where Bokwewa waited for them. 

THE TRIBE THAT GREW OUT OF A SHELL

Once, when the land along the Missouri River was uninhabited, save bythe beaver and other animals, a snail lay asleep on the bank of theriver. One day the waters began to rise, and soon came up to where helay. They swept him out, and he was carried some miles down by thecurrent. When the waves lowered, he found himself bedded deep in themud. He tried to free himself, but he could not. He was hungry andtired, and at last became so discouraged that he would not try any more. 

Then a strange thing happened. He felt his shell crack, and his headbegan to rise upright. His body and legs grew and lengthened, and atlast he felt arms stretching out from his sides. Then he stoodupright--a MAN. 

He felt very stupid at first, but after a while some thoughts came tohim. He knew he was hungry and wished he were a snail again; for heknew how to get food as a snail, but not as a man. He saw plenty ofbirds, but did not know how to kill them. He wandered on through theforest, until he became so tired that he lay down to rest. 

He heard a gentle voice speaking to him, and looking up, he saw theGreat Spirit, who was seated on a snow-white horse. His eyes shonelike stars, and his hair like threads of gold. 

"Wasbashas, why are you trembling?"

"I am frightened, " replied the man, "because I stand before the One whoraised me from the ground. I am faint from hunger, for I have eatennothing since I left the shell in the bank of the river. "

"Look, Wasbashas, " said the spirit, as he drew forth a beautiful bowand arrow. Putting an arrow into the bow, he aimed at a bird in a treenear by. He shot, and the bird fell. A deer passed just then, and thespirit shot it, also. 

"Now, Wasbashas, " said the spirit, "I shall show you how to skin thisdeer, and show you how to make a blanket. Then you must learn to cookthe flesh. I shall give you the gift of fire. For now that you are aman, you must not eat raw food. You shall be placed at the head of allthe animals and birds. "

After the spirit had shown him the things he had promised, both horseand rider arose in the air and vanished. 

Wasbashas walked on down the river until he came to a place where abeaver was lying. 

"Good-day, " said the beaver. "Who are you?"

"I am a man. The Great Spirit raised me from a shell, and now I amhead of all the animals. And who are you?"

"I am a beaver. Will you come with me until I show you how we buildour lodges?"

Wasbashas followed the beaver and watched him cut down a tree with histeeth. Then the animal showed him how they dammed up the river, byletting the trees fall across it and filling the spaces between withmud and leaves. 

"Now will you come and visit my lodge?" said the beaver chief. He ledWasbashas to his neat lodge made of clay and shaped like a cone. Thefloor was carpeted with mats. The beaver's wife and daughter receivedthe stranger kindly. They busied themselves getting a meal ready, andsoon brought dishes of peeled poplar and alder bark. Wasbashas did notlike the taste of it, but managed to eat a few pieces. The beaversseemed to enjoy the meal very much. 

Wasbashas had been watching the daughter, and he liked her nice, tidyways and the respect she showed her father. In the evening he askedthe chief if he would give the maiden to him for his bride. The chiefwas very pleased at the idea, for he liked Wasbashas. 

The beaver invited all the animals to the feast, which was to be heldthe next day. Early the following morning they began to arrive. Firstcame the beavers, each bringing a present of a lump of clay on his flattail. Next came the otters, each bringing a large fish in his mouth. Later in the morning came the minks, the water-rats, and the weasels, all very proud to accept the invitation of the great chief of thebeavers. 

When the animals had all assembled, the beavers held a council amongthemselves. After talking for some time they invited the other animalsto follow them. And going a short distance down the river bank, theystopped. Each beaver took the lump of clay he had brought with him andplaced it near the water's edge. Then they began to build adome-shaped lodge of small pieces of trees and the clay. After severalhours of steady work it was finished, and then they went to the chief'slodge, where the feast was to be held. 

When the meal was over the snail man and the beaver maiden were led totheir lodge, which was the wedding-gift of the beavers. Here theylived happy ever after. Many years later their descendants were calledthe Osages tribe of Indians. 

THE STORY OF THE INDIAN CORN

Some years ago the Ottawa Indians inhabited the Manatoline Islands. Their enemies were the Iroquois Indians, who lived on the lake shorenear the islands. One night they came and attacked the Ottawas. Thetwo tribes fought for a long time, but at last the Iroquois won, andthe Ottawas were driven away from their islands. They wandered offtowards the Mississippi River, where they settled near a small lake, many miles away from their home. 

The Manatoline Islands were now uninhabited, except by an Indianmagician, whose name was Masswaweinini. He remained behind to act assentry for his tribe. He guarded the beautiful islands and kept aclose watch on their enemy, the Iroquois. Two young boys stayed withhim to paddle his canoe. In the daytime they used to paddle close tothe shore, so that the Iroquois could not see them, and at night theyslept in the deep woods. 

One morning Masswaweinini rose early and left the two boys asleep. Hewalked a long distance through the woods, hunting for game. At last hefound himself on the edge of a wide prairie. He began to walk acrossit, when a man suddenly appeared in front of him. He was very tiny andhad some red feathers in his hair. "Good-morning, Masswaweinini, " hesaid. "You are a very strong man, are you not?"

"Yes, " replied the magician. "I am as strong as any man, but nostronger. "

The tiny man then pulled out his tobacco-pouch and pipe. 

"Come and smoke with me, " he said, "and then we must have a wrestlingmatch. If you can throw me, you must say, 'I have thrown Wagemena. '"

So they smoked together, but when the little man was ready to wrestle, the magician did not like to do it, for he was afraid he might hurt thetiny fellow. But the other insisted, and so they began to wrestle. The magician soon found that the little man was very strong and quick, and he felt himself growing weaker every moment. But at last hesucceeded in tripping the man with the red feathers, and he fell. Thenthe magician said, "I have thrown you, Wagemena. " At once the littleman vanished, and in his place lay an ear of corn, with a red tasselwhere the feathers had been. As he stood staring at it, the cornspoke. "Pick me up, " it said, "and pull off my outer covering. Thentake off my kernels and scatter them over the ground. Break my cobinto three parts and throw them near the trees. Depart, but come backafter one moon, and see what has happened. "

The magician did exactly as the corn had told him, and went away. Atthe end of the time he came back. To his surprise, he found greenblades of corn coming through the ground where the kernels had beenscattered. And near the trees pumpkin-vines were growing where thecobs of the corn had been thrown. 

He had not told the young boys of his adventure with the tiny man, sohe did not tell them anything of the growing corn. All the rest ofthat summer he busied himself in closely watching the Iroquois, whowere still prowling near the islands. Very often he killed a deer, andthe boys would cook the meat over their camp-fire. One day, when thesummer was nearly over, he paddled his canoe around the island till hecame near the wrestling ground. He stepped ashore, and left the twoboys to watch the canoe, while he walked to the field. To his greatastonishment, he found the corn in full ear, and the pumpkins of animmense size. He pulled some ripened ears of corn and gathered somepumpkins. Then a voice spoke to him from the corn. "You haveconquered me, Masswaweinini, " it said. "If you had not done so, youwould have been killed yourself. But your strength made you win thevictory, and now you shall always have my body for food. It will benourishment for you and your tribe. "

Thus the Ottawa Indians were given the gift of the maize; and to thisday their descendants are noted for the care that they take of theirimmense fields of corn. 

THE MAGICIAN OF LAKE HURON

The Manatoline, or Spirit, Islands were supposed to be a favorite abodeof the Manitous, or spirits. Perhaps that is why many strange thingshappened there. One night, as Masswaweinini, the magician, was lyingasleep, a sound of voices wakened him. "This is Masswaweinini, " saidthe first voice; "we must have his heart. "

"How shall we get it?" said the second voice. 

"I shall put my hand into his mouth, " said the first, "and pull it outthat way. "

The magician felt a hand being slipped between his teeth. He waiteduntil the fingers were all in his mouth, then he bit them hard and theycame off. He heard a cry, then the strangers disappeared. In themorning he arose, but could find no trace of any one. But when he camedown to the water's edge, he saw a canoe with two people in it. Theywere sitting at each end of the canoe, with their arms stretched out. When he came close to them, he saw they were fairies, and that they hadbeen turned to stone. One of them had lost the fingers of one hand, sohe knew they were his enemies of the night before. The canoe was ladenwith bags of all kinds of treasures, and it was the most beautiful boathe had ever seen. He lifted out the stone figures and put them in thewoods. As he turned away, one of the figures spoke to him. 

"Masswaweinini, " it said, "the canoes of the Ottawa Indians will, afterthis, always be well laden like our canoe. Your tribe was driven fromtheir land by their cruel enemies, but they shall be rewarded for theirbravery. The Mighty Spirit will help them, and they shall be givenmany treasures in their new home. "

The magician then went back to the boat and lifted out the bags. Hecarried the boat and hid it among the trees. When he opened the bags, he found meat and fish and many other things, and took them to his camp. 

As he rested in his lodge that night, he would have been very happy, ifhe had not been so sorry for his old father and mother. He thought ofthem many miles away with none of the comforts he had. "I shall go andbring them, " he said. He had only to think of going when at once hecould move like the wind. So before morning he found himself at thepoor, little camp of his parents. They were still asleep, so withoutmaking any noise, he took them in his arms and carried them back to hislodge. When they awakened in the morning, they were delighted to findthemselves with their son. All day long they wandered through thefields and by the shore, and were as happy as children. As the daysand weeks went by, they seemed to grow happier still. But one nightthe magician saw his old father look in his tobacco-pouch and then sigh. 

"I know what it is you want, my father, it is tobacco; you have not hadany for many moons. Now I shall get some. "

"How can you do that?" asked the father, in surprise. "You aresurrounded by enemies and cut off from all supplies. "

"I shall make my enemies give me some, " said the magician. 

That night he set out on a long journey across the frozen lake. Soswiftly did he travel, that by morning he had reached the village ofhis enemies. They were surprised to see him, but invited him intotheir lodges. "I thank you, " he said, "but I shall not go into anylodge. I shall build a fire on the shore of the lake. "

He made himself a tent with the branches of trees, built a fire, andsat beside it. 

"Why have you come to visit us?" asked the chief. 

"I want some tobacco for my father, " replied the magician. 

"Is that all?" said the Indian. "You shall have it;" and he opened histobacco-pouch and gave some tobacco to Masswaweinini. The otherIndians did the same, so now the magician had a large supply to takehome. When it became dark, he lay down to sleep beside his fire. Inthe middle of the night, the chief and some Indians rushed in, shouting, "You are a dead man. "

"No, I am not, " said the magician, "but you are. " With his tomahawk hehit left and right. In a few minutes six lay dead beside him. Then hewrapped his blanket around him, gathered up his tobacco, and set off. By evening he had reached his father's lodge, and spread out his giftbefore him. The old man was delighted with the present, and thankedhim many times for his kindness. When spring came, the magician builta beautiful lodge for his parents on the edge of the wrestling ground, and all through the summer they watched the corn and pumpkins grow. 

THE FAIRIES' CLIFF

An Indian chief once had ten daughters. They were all very beautiful, especially the youngest. When they grew to be women, nine of themmarried handsome, young warriors. But the youngest maiden would notlisten to any of the young men who came to see her at her father'slodge. After a while, she married an old man with gray hair, and sofeeble that he could hardly walk. Her father and sisters were veryangry, but she would not listen to them. She said only, "I am veryhappy, and so nothing else matters. "

One evening, the father asked his ten daughters and their husbands tocome to his lodge for a feast. On the way there, the nine sisters keptsaying, as they looked at the youngest maiden and her husband: "Ourpoor sister, is it not a pity she is married to such an old man? See, he can hardly walk. Would it not be a good thing if he were to falland kill himself?"

As they were saying this, they noticed that the old man kept looking upat the Evening Star, and every once in a while he would utter a lowcall. 

"See, " said one of the sisters, "he thinks the Evening Star is hisfather and is calling to him. "

Just then, they were passing a hollow log which lay by the roadside. When the old man noticed it, he suddenly dropped on his hands and kneesand crawled in at one end. When he came out at the other end, he wasno longer an old man; he had been changed into a tall, handsome, youngchief. But his wife was no longer a beautiful maiden. She had beenchanged into a bent, old woman, hobbling along with a stick. The younghusband was very kind to her and took good care of her all the rest ofthe way to the father's lodge. He seemed very sorry that she had beenchanged like this, but he loved her just the same as before. Duringthe feast the young husband heard a voice speak to him. It seemed tocome from the skies. Looking up, he saw the Evening Star shining inthrough a crack in the roof. 

"My son, " the Star said to him, "many years ago an evil spirit changedyou into an old man, but that spirit has now lost its power. You arefree, and may come home and live with me. Your wife shall be beautifulonce more, and you shall have everything you can wish for. "

The others had not heard this voice, so they were very much surprisedwhen they felt the lodge begin to rise in the air. As it floatedupwards, the bark changed into beautiful silver gauze. It was now alodge made of wings of insects. The young chief looked at his wife andsaw that she was a beautiful maiden once more. Her dress was changedinto one of shining, green silk, and her stick became a silver feather. The sisters and their husbands had been changed into birds withbright-colored feathers. Some were parrots, some blue jays, somesinging birds that flew around and sang their sweet songs. At the sideof the lodge was a large cage for the birds. Upwards, the lodgefloated till they found themselves in the Evening Star. Everything wassilvery white here and very peaceful. The Star was very glad to seehis son. 

"Hang up that cage of birds which you have brought with you by thelodge door, and then come and sit down while we talk. "

The young chief did as he was told. He sat on one side of his father, while his wife sat on the other, and the Star father told them manystories. 

"You must be careful, " he said, "not to let the beams of the next starshine on you. That is the Evil Star which turned you into an old man. If it shines on you again, you might once more be changed, so be verycareful. "

The young chief promised to remember his father's warnings, and healways kept away from the Evil Star. They lived happily together forseveral years. Then one day their young son wanted to learn to hunt. He had heard that the people on the earth could shoot with bow andarrows, and he wished to learn. The Evening Star did not like torefuse his young grandson anything, so he made him a little bow andarrows. He showed him how to use them; then said, "I shall open thebird-cage and let out the birds. You may try to shoot them, if youlike. "

This delighted the young boy, and so for many days he tried to shoot abird. His arrows always fell to one side. But he kept on trying, andone day the arrow sank deep in the breast of one of the birds. The boywas very proud, but what was his surprise, when he went to pick up thebird, to find that it had changed into a beautiful maiden with an arrowsticking in her breast. It was one of his aunts, who had been changedback into her earthly form. As her blood fell on the ground of thispure and spotless planet, the spell was broken. 

The boy felt himself sinking down through the air. He fell slowly, asif he had wings. At last his feet touched the ground, and he foundhimself on a high, rocky island. He was delighted to see his aunts anduncles all following him. They floated down through the air until atlast they too reached the rock. Then came the silvery lodge, with hisfather and mother, with its bark looking like the shining wings ofinsects. The lodge sank down until it reached the cliff, and therethey all made their home. They had been given back their earthlybodies, but were only the size of fairies. 

The top of the cliff, which had been bare before, now grew soft withgreen grass. In the grass, bright flowers blossomed, and tiny pools ofwater glistened here and there. The fairies were all very happy tohave been given such a beautiful home, and, looking up, they thankedthe Evening Star. His soft beams fell on them and they heard hisgentle voice say, "Be happy, my children, until I call you again toyour home in the sky. I shall keep watch over you until then. " Sofrom that time they have been very contented. 

On calm summer evenings, they always come out on top of the rock todance and sing. And when the moon is shining very brightly, you maysee the silver lodge on the very highest part of the cliff; you mayalso, if you listen very hard, hear the voices of the happy littledancers. 

THE STONE CANOE

Once a beautiful Chippewa maiden died on the day she was to havemarried a brave, young warrior. He was very brave, but this sorrow wasalmost too great for him to bear. He sat down at the door of his lodgeand would not go hunting with the other Indians. 

All that he could think of was the dead maiden, and he wished andwished that he might go to the Land of Souls, where he knew she nowlived. But he did not know where this land was. All that the oldpeople could tell him was that it lay to the south. So, aftersorrowing for many days, he made up his mind to try to find it. He putsome food in a bag, gathered up his arrows and bow, and calling his dogto him, started off. On he went for many days, and everything lookedthe same as in the land he had left--forests, hills, and valleys, withsnow lying thick on the ground and matted in the trees. Then graduallythe snow began to vanish, and as he went on he saw trees with leavesbudding on them, and could hear the songs of birds. At the end of afew more days, he had reached the southern land, where all is warm andbright. There he saw a narrow path leading through a forest and up ahill. 

He followed this path, and at the top of the hill found a lodge. Atthe door of the lodge stood an Indian, dressed in a robe of bearskins. He was a very old man, but his eyes were bright and soft. 

"Come in, my grandson, " he said. "I have been expecting you. Themaiden whom you seek passed here a few days ago. You may follow herand enter the Land of Souls, but you must leave your body behind withme. My lodge is the gateway into that beautiful land, and you do notneed your body there, nor your arrows, nor your bow. Leave them withme and I shall keep them safe for you. Look yonder! Do you see thatdeep gorge and the beautiful plain beyond? That is the Land of Souls, and the one you seek is already there. "

Suddenly the young man felt himself grow very light, and his feet beganto run as though they were winged. Everything looked the same to him, only more beautiful, and the little animals did not seem afraid. Theyseemed to know that he would not kill them. As he went on swiftlythrough the forest, he noticed that the trees did not stop him. Heseemed to pass right through them, and he saw then that they were onlyimages of trees. 

At last he came to a beautiful lake, whose waters were clear andsparkling. In the centre of this lake was an island, with green grassand flowers and birds. Then, to his joy, he noticed a canoe tied tothe shore of the lake. It was made of shining, white stone and hadpaddles that shone, also. He climbed in and pushed away from theshore, and, to his surprise, he saw the maiden whom he loved, in acanoe exactly like his, floating beside him. They kept close togetherand began to cross the lake. Its waves seemed to be rising, and at adistance looked ready to swallow them up. But when the huge waves drewclose, they passed by and left them unharmed, and the maiden and herlover saw that they were only the shapes of waves. But another thingfrightened them. It was _the clearness of the water_, for as theylooked down, they could see the bodies of people who had been drowned. And in the water all along, there were men and women of all agesstruggling and sinking in the waves. Only the canoes of the littlechildren floated on in safety. 

At last their canoes reached the shore of the island, and jumping out, they roamed joyfully over the soft grass. They felt that the very airwas food, and thought only of great things. For there was nothing thatwas sad here in this land, no cold winds, no hunger--only brightnessand joy. 

As the warrior, wandered by the maiden's side, he heard the voice ofthe Master of Life speaking to him. "Go back, " he said, "to the landwhence you came. Your work is not completed yet. Go back and be agood man, and do all the work that I send to you. You must leave thespirit whom you love, but she shall wait here for you, for she isaccepted, and shall always remain young and happy. When your work isfinished, I shall call you also from the land of hunger and tears, tocome to this beautiful Land of Souls. "

So the young man said farewell to the maiden, and getting into thecanoe, he was carried across the lake. In a few minutes, he was at thelodge of the old man. The Indian smiled when he saw him. 

"Enter, my grandson, " he said, "and you will find your body within. "

The young man obeyed, and when he came forth he felt as when he hadfirst arrived. But his heart was brave now. The Indian smiled againat him. 

"I see how brave and strong you are, " he said, "and my message to youis: always remain cheerful and brighten every sad life that you see. "

The young man promised to obey the message, and, with one long look atthe Land of Souls, he turned and began his journey towards his home. 

THE WHITE FEATHER

An old man and his grandson once lived together on an island. Thelittle boy had no father, nor mother, nor brothers, nor sisters. Theyhad all been killed by six giants, who lived many miles away. Thelittle boy had never seen any person but his grandfather. They livedvery happily together. The old man loved the boy and was kind to him. As the little fellow grew tall and strong, the old man taught him howto hunt, so that by the time he was a young man he was a good hunter. 

One day when he was walking in the woods, he heard a voice calling tohim. He turned in surprise, for he had never heard any one but hisgrandfather speak. He could see no one, but again he heard the voice. It was saying, "You will some day be the wearer of the White Feather. "

He looked all around him, and then noticed something that he had takenfor a withered tree. It was a man who was made of wood from his breastdown to his feet. He seemed to be very old, and was fastened to theground. When he saw the young man was looking at him, he said, "Comehere, I wish to tell you something. There was an old belief in yourtribe that some day a boy would grow up to be a very great warrior. Hewas to wear a white feather as a sign of his bravery and great skill. You are that boy. When you go home, you will find there a whitefeather, a pipe, and a tobacco-pouch. Put the white feather in yourhair. Then smoke the pipe, and you will find that the smoke will turninto pigeons. This is another sign that you will be wise and good. "

The old man ceased speaking, and the young grandson returned home tohis lodge. He found the feather and the pipe both lying there. He didas the old man told him, and when he smoked, blue and white pigeonsflew away from his pipe. His grandfather saw the pigeons fly out ofthe lodge door, and he felt very sad. For he knew that his littlegrandson was a young man now, and would soon be leaving him. Then hewent in, and they talked together for a long time. He told the youngman all about the six giants who had killed his brothers and sisters, and White Feather said, "I shall go at once in search of them and killthem, because they were so cruel to all our tribe. "

"No, do not go yet, " said the old grandfather. "Wait awhile until yougrow a little more and are stronger. "

The young man promised to wait for a few months. 

One day he was again hunting in the woods, when he passed near thewooden man. He heard him speak and say:

"White Feather, listen to me. In a few days you must go in search ofthe giants. They live in a high lodge in the centre of this wood. When you reach there, you must ask them to race with you, one at atime. Take this vine, " handing him at the same time a thin, greenvine. "It is enchanted, so they will not be able to see it. When youare running, throw it over their heads and they will trip and fall. "White Feather thanked the old man, and took it home and showed it tohis grandfather. 

A few days later he set out in search of the giants. He had notjourneyed far when he saw their lodge. When they saw him coming, theycalled out, "Oh, here comes White Feather. Here is the little man whois going to do such brave deeds. " But when he came closer to them, they pretended they liked him, and told him how brave he was. They didthat to make him think they were friends, but he did not believe them, as he knew they were his enemies. He asked them if they would racehim, and they said, "Yes. "

"Begin with the smallest of us, " said the biggest giant. So theybegan. They had to run to a peel-tree and back again to thestarting-point. This point was marked by an iron club, and whoever wonthe race was to take up the club and kill the other one with it. Whenthey had nearly reached the peel-tree, White Feather threw the vineover the youngest giant's head. He tripped and fell. Then WhiteFeather ran up and seized the club and killed the giant. The next dayhe raced the second youngest, and killed him in the same manner. Eachday he did this, until only the biggest giant was left. Now this giantwas the most dangerous of them all. He knew that, if he ran, WhiteFeather would kill him, too, so he made up his mind that he would notrace. White Feather said he was going home to see his grandfatherbefore he ran this last race. As he was passing through the woods, thewooden man called to him. 

"Listen to me, " he said. "That tall giant is going to play a trick onyou. When you are on your way back to his lodge, you will meet a mostbeautiful maiden. Do not listen to her, but change yourself into anelk. Remember this and obey me. " The young man promised to remember. He spent the day with his grandfather, then made his way back to thegiant's lodge. He had nearly reached it, when he saw the beautifulmaiden coming towards him. She called to him, but he did not listen. He changed himself into an elk, and began eating the grass. Then shetold him how mean he was to change himself into an elk, just becauseshe was coming. He felt very sorry that she should think he was rude, and he wished he were a man again. At once he became himself, andbegan to talk to the maiden. Now she was really the big giant, who hadchanged himself into this form. After a while White Feather grew tiredand lay down on the grass to sleep. When he was sound asleep, themaiden drew forth an axe and broke his back. She then changed him intoa dog and herself back into the giant, who made the dog follow at hisheels. 

On the way to the giant's lodge, there was an Indian village where twosisters lived. They had heard of White Feather, and both wished thathe would choose her for his wife. They looked out and saw the giantcoming with the white feather in his hair, for he had taken the featherand put it in his own hair. They thought he was the brave warrior ofwhom they had heard so much. The elder sister had made her lodge lookvery gaudy, and had dressed herself in all her beads and quills. Theyounger sister had left her tent just as it was, and was dressedneatly. When the giant came along, he chose the elder sister. Shewould have nothing to do with the dog, but the younger sister feltsorry for it and let it come and live in her lodge. 

The giant used to go hunting each day, but he never succeeded inkilling very many animals. The dog used to go out also, and he alwaysbrought back a beaver, a bear, or some other animal for food. Thismade the giant and his wife jealous. So they made up their minds thatthey would tell the chief that his younger daughter was treating a dogwith too much kindness. When they had gone, the dog made signs to themaiden for her to sweat him the way the Indians do. She made a lodgefor him just big enough to hold him. Then she heated some stones untilthey were very hot. She put these stones in the lodge beside him, andpoured water on them. In a minute the lodge was full of steam. Sheclosed the door and left him there. After a while he came forth, ahandsome, young man, but he could not speak. 

When the giant and his wife told the chief about the dog who was such agreat wonder, he felt sure there was some magic in it. So he gathereda band of young men, and sent them to bring the daughter and the dog tohis lodge. What was their surprise to find a handsome, young maninstead of the dog. They all went together to the lodge of the chief, who had gathered together all the other men of the village, the giantamong them. When the young man entered, he made a sign to put thewhite feather in his hair. The chief took it from the giant's head, and put it on the young man's. At once he was able to talk. He thentold them to smoke from his pipe. It went around the circle until itreached him. When he began to smoke, blue and white pigeons flew fromthe pipe. Then everybody knew that he was the great warrior, WhiteFeather. 

The chief asked him to tell them all about himself. He did so verytruthfully, and when the chief learned how wicked and cruel the gianthad been, he ordered that he should be changed into a dog and let loosein the village, where the boys were to stone him to death. This orderwas carried out. A few days afterwards, White Feather said good-bye tothe good old chief, and he and the kind maiden returned to hisgrandfather. 

They found him waiting for them in the forest near the wooden man. Thegrandfather wept for joy when he heard that the last giant was dead. And the wooden man said, "Now my work is ended;" and with that hechanged into a gnarled oak-tree with withered branches, which seemed totalk as the wind whistled through them. 

THE LONE LIGHTNING

There once lived a lonely little boy whose father and mother were dead. His uncle took care of him, but did not treat him kindly. He made himwork very hard and gave him little to eat. The little fellow grew verythin, and began to pine away. 

Then his uncle changed his way of treating him, and began to fattenhim. He pretended that he was doing this to make the boy grow strong. But he really intended to kill him after a while. He told his wife togive the boy lots of bear meat to eat. He made him eat a lot of thefat as well. This is supposed to be the best part of the bear's meat. 

One day the boy did not want to eat the fat. His uncle pushed somedown his throat and nearly choked him. He managed to get away from hisuncle, and ran out of the lodge. He ran as fast as he could, and bynight he was many miles away. He found himself in a bush and wasafraid to lie down on the grass for fear the wild beasts would come andeat him, so he climbed to the top of a tall pine-tree, and rested inits branches. 

As he was sleeping he had a dream. He thought a spirit came from theupper world and said, "My dear child, I have seen how cruel your unclehas been to you, and how brave you are, so I have a deed I want you todo; come with me. " Then the boy wakened and followed the spirit. Theywent high up in the sky and then the spirit said:

"Over in the north there live many Manitous. They are bad spirits andunfriendly to all that are good. Here are twelve magic arrows; shootthem at these spirits, and see if you can kill them. "

He gave the arrows to the boy, and he at once began to shoot. 

His first arrow did not hit any one, and as it flew through the air along, single streak of lightning showed where it had gone. The nextarrow was the same, so he kept on till eleven arrows had been shot. Bythis time the bad spirits were very angry. The chief of them calledout, "I shall punish you for daring to aim your arrows at us. " Justthen the boy aimed the last arrow at the chief. As it came near, thespirit changed himself into a rock, and the arrow sank deep into itsstony side. But at this instant the boy was changed into the lonelightning which may be seen in the northern sky on autumn nights. 

THE ENCHANTED MOCCASINS

Once on Mackinac Island there lived a little Indian boy and his sister. They saw only the birds and animals, for no human beings were there butthemselves. The little boy, instead of playing with his sister, usedto go into the forest and think. So she thought that he would grow upto be a very wise man and do some wonderful deeds. She called him OnweBahmondoong, which means, the boy that carries a ball on his back. 

As he grew up, he was very anxious to know where the people lived. Hissister told him that many miles away there was a village, wherehundreds of warriors and hunters lived. He asked her to make him sixpairs of moccasins, so that he could go and find the village. He thenput some food in a bag, took his war-club, and, when the moccasins werefinished, set out on his journey. As he was saying good-bye to hissister, she told him that one pair of the moccasins was enchanted. 

On he went quickly, over miles of prairie, across little streams, andthrough the bush. When he grew tired, he would lie down and sleep. When he was rested, he would get up and go on. So he travelled manydays, and when one pair of moccasins wore out, he put on another pair. 

At last he came to a wigwam, in which sat an old woman. When she sawhim, she called, "Come in, my grandchild. "

He entered, and sat down at her feet. 

"Where are you going?" she asked him. 

"I am going to find the village of the hunters, " he answered. 

"Oh, beware, my child, " she cried. "Many a brave one of your tribe hastried to find that village, and none has ever come back. Take carethey do not kill you, also. "

"I am not afraid, " the boy replied, his eyes shining. 

"Well, listen to me, " she said in a low voice. "I shall give you twobones which the medicine men use. They will help you very much. " Thenshe told him many things which he was to do when the time came. Whenshe had finished, he thanked her, and went his way. 

He travelled for two days more, and at last came in sight of thehunters' village. It looked as the old woman told him it would. Inthe centre of the village stood a lodge, where the chief, lived. Infront of this lodge, a tall tree grew. This tree was stripped of itsbark and branches, and hanging from it, about halfway up, was a smalllodge, wherein lived the chief's two daughters. It was in this smalllodge that all the Indians had been killed, after they had found thevillage. 

The boy remembered what the old woman had told him, so he changedhimself into a squirrel. He ran up the smooth side of the tree. Butwhen he had nearly reached the lodge, the tree shot quickly up into theair, carrying the little house with it. The boy climbed up higher. Again the tree shot up in the air. And the higher he climbed, thehigher the tree went, until at last it stopped. It could go nofarther, for it had reached the arch of heaven. 

When the boy saw this, he changed himself from the squirrel back into aboy, and entered the lodge. The two sisters were squatted on thefloor. He asked them their names. The one on the left said hers wasAzhabee, which means, one who sits behind. The girl on the right saidhers was Negahnahbee, which means, one who sits before. When he spoketo the girl on the left, the tree began to sink down. Then when hespoke to the other sister, it began to shoot up into the air again. When he noticed this, he continued talking to the girl on the left, andthe tree kept on sinking lower, until at last it was down as it hadbeen at first. Then the boy drew out his war-club. 

"I am going to kill you, " he said to the sisters, "for you have been socruel to all my relatives. " Swinging his club, he brought it down ontheir heads and killed them both. Then he jumped from the lodge to theground. 

As he stood there, he remembered that these two sisters had a brotherand a father, who would be sure to kill him, when they found what hehad done. So he turned, and ran very quickly. He had not gone far, when the father and brother returned. When they saw the dead girls, they were very angry. The father told the brother to follow the boy. 

"It must be that boy who killed them, " he said, "for he is the onlystranger here. Follow him, and do not eat until you have killed him. If you eat, your power is gone. "

The brother started off, running even faster than the boy. When theboy heard him coming, and knew that he would be caught, he climbed atree. Then he began to shoot magic arrows back at the brother. Butthis did not seem to hurt him. So the boy got down from the tree, andran on again. Now he could tell that the brother was very close tohim. So he changed himself into a dead moose, and lay down on thegrass. He drew out the enchanted moccasins, and whispered to them, "Travel on and on till you come to the end of the earth. " Away theywent, because they were enchanted, leaving their marks behind them. 

When the brother came up he saw only a dead moose, with footmarksleading away from him. He followed on, until he came to the end of theearth. Then he saw that he had been fooled, that he had been followingonly a pair of moccasins. He was so very angry that he did not knowwhat to do. And he felt tired and hungry. He thought surely he musteat now. Then he remembered his dead sisters, and said, "No, I shallfind that boy yet, and kill him. " So he turned back till he came tothe spot where the dead moose had been. To his surprise it was gone, and footsteps led away in the opposite direction. 

He followed them until he came to a beautiful, old garden, with fruittrees and flowers in it. In the garden stood an old house covered withvines, where a very old man lived. He was so very old that his twodaughters did everything for him. Now this old man was really the boy, who had changed himself this way. The daughters saw the brother coming. 

"Father, " they said, "there is such a tired-looking traveller coming upthe road. May we ask him in?"

"Yes, invite him to enter, " answered the father, "and give himsomething to eat. "

The daughters called to the brother, and invited him in. He was gladto enter the cool, shady garden. They cooked him some hot food andother nice things, and when he smelt the meal, he could not refuse toeat, for he had been without food for such a long time, and hadtravelled so many miles. He ate of the food, and as he did so, heforgot all about his dead sisters, forgot even his home. A strange, sleepy feeling came over him, and he fell into a sound sleep. 

When the old man saw this, he changed himself back into a boy, and thegarden, house, and daughters disappeared. Only the sleeping brotherlay there. The boy quickly drew the ball around from his back, whichturned out to be a magic war-club. With this he put an end to thebrother. As he journeyed homewards through the forest he heard thesound of footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw nothing; but the soundwas coming nearer. In a moment a pair of moccasins appeared on thepath. It was the enchanted moccasins returning from the ends of theearth. The boy quickly picked them up and put them in his bag. Thenhe continued gladly on his way and soon reached the lodge, where hissister came forth to meet him. She was very proud of his brave deed, and she and the boy always treasured the enchanted moccasins. 

THE FIVE WATER-SPIRITS

Once upon a time a gray, old man lived on the top of a mountain, wherehe could see glimpses of the sea. He had a lodge made of birch barkthat shone like silver in the sun. 

He had five beautiful daughters, whose names were Su, Mi, Hu, Sa, andEr. [1]

One day the youngest said, "My sisters, come and we will go and playnear the broad, blue sea, where the waves beat against the rocks. " Soaway they ran out of the lodge and down the mountain side. They wereall dressed in robes of snow-white foam, that fluttered far behind themas they ran. Their sandals were of frozen water-drops, and their wingsof painted wind. On they scampered over valley and plain, until theycame to a tall, bare rock as high as a mountain. 

Then the youngest cried, "Sisters, here is a dreadful leap, but if weare afraid, and go back, our father will laugh at us. " So, like birds, they all plunged with a merry skip down the side of the rock. Then"Ha-ha, " they cried, "let us try again. " So up to the top theyclimbed, laughing with joy, and down once more they went, nor everstopped, laughing like girls on a holiday. 

The day wore on till sunset, and still they laughed and played. Theround moon came up, and by its silvery light they sprang from the tall, bare rock, and climbed joyously up its side again. 

Next morning, when the sun arose, the rock was no longer bare. Overits stony side poured great sheets of foaming water, and in the foamstill played the five sisters. They never reached the sea, and therethey still play, giving to us the beautiful Niagara Falls. Sometimes, if you look closely, their forms may be seen in the white foam, butalways in the sunny spray you may see their sandals and their wings. 

[1] Su, Superior; Mi, Michigan; Hu, Huron; Sa, St. Clair; Er, Erie. 

THE CANOE BREAKER

Once in a certain tribe there was a young man who had no name. For itwas the law in that tribe that every youth had to do some deed thatwould give to him his name. This young man had tried in many ways todo something that would make the chief tell him that he was a greatwarrior. Several times he had tried to kill a bear, but had failed. He had gone forth in battle, hoping to kill some powerful enemy, but noone had fallen under his tomahawk. He had gone on long hunting trips, hoping to bring home the skin of some wild animal, but had alwaysreturned empty-handed. So his brave, young heart felt very sad, forthe young men of the tribe laughed at him for not having won a name forhimself. 

One summer day, the tribe left their camp on the lake shore and wentback among the hills on a hunting trip. After they had gone somedistance, the young man left the others and wandered off by himself, hoping that this time he would kill some animal, and so be no longerscorned by his companions. He tramped for many hours through theforest and over the hills, without catching sight of anything. Atlength, he climbed one hill which was higher than the others, and fromhere he could see the small creek which flowed through the hills downto the lake. As he was looking at it, he thought he saw some darkobjects along the shore of the creek. They seemed about the size ofcanoes. He scanned the hills anxiously, and at length could see a bandof Indians making their way along the trail made by the hunters in themorning. 

At once the young man knew there was great danger ahead, for theseIndians, the Shuswaps, were the enemies of his tribe and now werefollowing their trail, and when they found them, they would kill them. Quickly the young man made his way down the hill, and through theforest to the spot where the hunters had camped for their evening meal. Running up to them, he cried, "Return at once to your lodges. Ourenemies are now on our trail. They are in the forest on the other sideof this hill. I shall return and delay them while you reach yourlodges in safety. "

Then, without waiting for a reply, he turned and ran back in thedirection from which he had come, By short cuts through the hills, hemade his way to the creek and found, as he expected, that the Indianshad left their canoes tied at its mouth. Seizing his tomahawk, hebegan to break the canoes, and soon had a hole made in all of themexcept one. Leaving the creek, he mounted the hill and from therecould see the Shuswaps. He began to wave his arms and call wildly toattract their chief. At last they noticed him and began to make theirway towards him. The young man was delighted, for now he knew that histribe could escape in safety, while their enemies were returningtowards the creek. Soon the Shuswaps neared the top of the hill, andhe knew he must think of some plan to delay them here. Suddenly hedropped to the ground and lay there as though insensible. With a runthe Shuswaps gained the summit and surrounded him. He lay facedownwards with his arms stretched out. They turned him over on hisback and peered into his face. Not a muscle moved; not even hiseyelids quivered. Then the chief bent over him and felt his heart. "He has not gone to the Happy Hunting Ground, " he said, "but the GreatSpirit has called his spirit to go on a long journey. It may not beback for many moons. Let us place his body under the pine-trees, thereto await the return of the spirit. "

The Indians lifted the body of the young man, carried it to a clump ofpine-trees and laid it down. Then they walked some yards away and helda council. 

As soon as they were a safe distance away, the young man jumped up. Heran down the hill, and reaching the canoes, jumped into the unbrokenone and began to paddle down the creek. 

The Shuswaps turned and saw him. With fierce cries, they began to racedown the hillside, and when they arrived at the spot where they hadleft their canoes, and saw what had happened, they filled the air withtheir angry yells. The young man was now out on the lake in the canoe, and they were unable to follow him, as all the other canoes werewrecked. They ran angrily along the lake shore, thinking he would landon their side, but instead, he made his way across the lake to theother side. 

When the young man reached the shore, he again seized his tomahawk, andthis time broke the canoe with which he had saved his life. Thedefeated Shuswaps, standing on the shore, saw him do this, and againthey filled the air with their angry yells. There was nothing for themto do but to return to their camp, while the young man made his wayalong the lake shore to the village of his tribe. When he reachedthere, he found that he was no longer a man without a name. His bravedeed had won for him the name of Kasamoldin, --the canoe breaker, --andever afterwards in his tribe, and to others, he was known by this name. 

THE OLD STUMP

Long ago there was an old woman called Grizzly Bear. She had neitherhusband nor children, and lived all alone in a lodge on the hillside. 

As the days went by, she became very lonely, and so she made up hermind to find a daughter for herself. She took some pitch and fashioneda girl out of it. Then she put this figure out beside the river, andit began to move and speak. 

"You are my daughter now, " Grizzly Bear said to the girl, "and youshall live with me in my lodge. Every day you may bathe in the river, but, when you have finished, you must come at once into the shade ofthe lodge, instead of drying yourself in the sunshine. "

The girl promised to do this and for three days she obeyed her mother'scommands, but on the fourth day she thought she would see what wouldhappen to her, if she sat on the bank in the sunshine. So, when shehad finished bathing, she seated herself on a stone by the river. Thesun was very hot, and in a few minutes the young girl had melted anddisappeared. 

When Grizzly Bear learned what had happened, she felt very sorrowful, but she was still determined to find another daughter for herself. 

This time she took some clay and fashioned a girl from it. When thegirl moved and spoke, she told her she might bathe in the river everyday and might seat herself in the sunshine to dry, but she must not rubherself while in the water. This command the girl obeyed for threedays. On the fourth day, she thought she would see what would happento her if she rubbed herself while she was in the water. So, when shewent in to bathe, she began to rub herself and at once broke intopieces and melted away. 

When Grizzly Bear saw what had happened, she again was very sorrowful, and this time she made up her mind to make a daughter who could notdestroy herself. So, taking a block of wood, she fashioned a girl fromit. When the wood came to life, Grizzly Bear told her that she mightbathe every day in the river and bask in the sun if she liked. 

The daughter did this for three days, and on the fourth, as she wasstanding by the riverside, she saw a large trout leap out the water. 

"What a beautiful trout, " said the girl to herself. "How I wish I hadit. "

Three times the trout leaped out of the water, and the fourth time itlanded on the shore by her feet. At once it changed into a handsome, young man. 

"Come with me, " he said to the girl. "I have a beautiful home beneaththe water. Come with me and be my wife, and you shall live happy allthe rest of your days. "

The girl said she would go. Then he told her to get on his back and toshut her eyes as he leaped into the water. She must keep them shutuntil he told her to look. She promised to obey him, but, scarcelywere they beneath the water, when she opened her eyes to see where theywere. At once she found herself alone on the bank of the river. 

The next day the same thing happened. She opened her eyes before theyhad reached the underwater world, and again she found herself alone onthe bank. This happened once more on the third day, but on the fourthshe succeeded in keeping her eyes closed until her husband told her toopen them. 

She found herself in a beautiful country, much like the one she hadcome from. There were homes and gardens and children here, and sheknew she would be very happy. 

As the years went by, two children were born, a boy and a girl. Oneday they came to their mother and told her that the other children hadtaunted them with having no grandmother. 

"Yes, you have a grandmother, " she replied. "She lives in a lodge nearthe river. You may go above the water to-day and visit her home, butyou must make sure first that she is digging roots on the hillside, forshe must not see you. "

The children promised and went at once above the water. They saw thelodge, and an old woman digging roots. Very quietly, they made theirway to the home of their grandmother. They found some food on thetable and helped themselves. Then they went back to tell their motherall they had seen. 

Three days they did this, but Grizzly Bear had missed the food eachday, and knew that no one but grandchildren would enter her lodge thisway and take her food. So, the fourth day, she commanded an old stumpto look like an old woman digging roots, and to move as the childrenpassed. Going back to her lodge, she prepared some powerful medicine, and then hid herself behind some deerskins. 

In a little while the children entered and began to eat the food. Theold woman quickly sprang out and threw the medicine over them. The boywas completed covered with it, while only a few drops fell on the girl. At once the boy changed into his proper form, and was a handsome youngIndian; while the girl was changed into a little black dog. 

Grizzly Bear told the boy that she was his grandmother, and that hemust live with her now, but she did not tell him that the dog was hissister. She only said, "You must take great care of this little dog, and never beat or ill use it. "

The boy promised, and every day he would go forth with his bow andarrows to shoot birds, while the little dog ran beside him. One day hewas shooting red-headed woodpeckers. Three times he had killed a bird, and the little dog ran ahead and ate it before he could reach her. Theboy became very angry at this, and, when she did it for the fourthtime, he struck her a hard blow with his arrow. 

At once the dog cried, "Why are you treating me thus, and I am yoursister?" As soon as she had said this, she ran away. The boyfollowed, but before he could catch it, the dog had turned into achickadee and had flown away. The sorrowing boy returned to hisgrandmother, and told her everything that had happened. 

"Why did you not tell me that the dog was my sister?" he asked. 

"If I had told you, " she replied, "you would have been more sorrowfulthan you are now. " Then she added, "Listen to me, my grandson; whenyou are shooting, if an arrow should lodge in a tree where it is toohigh for you to reach, do not climb to get it. "

The boy promised to remember this command, and three times when anarrow pierced a tree above his reach, he gave it up as lost, but thefourth time he forgot the command. Seeing his arrow only a few inchesabove his head in the bark of the tree, he began to climb for it. Justas his hand touched it, the arrow moved farther up. He climbed higherand, as he reached it, again it moved up. This went on until the arrowand the boy were out of sight in the clouds. 

Neither the boy nor his sister was ever seen again, and Grizzly Bear, who had been watching from the ground, was left there all alone. Andthere she still stands, looking just like the stump of an old tree, butthe Indians know who it is, and as they pass by, they place an offeringon the withered stump. 

THE CLIFF OF SINIKIELT

Once long ago there was a chief of the Okanagan Indians called Tserman. He was very brave and very daring, and he stopped at nothing when hewanted to have his own way. The village of the Okanagans lay in abeautiful valley; to the north-west lay the hunting grounds of theNicolas, who had been enemies of the Okanagans for years. Now thechief of the Nicolas had a lovely daughter, Lalita, and Chief Tsermanfell in love with this beautiful maiden. He knew there was no useasking her father to give him Lalita, so he made up his mind to stealher. 

One dark night he saddled his black pony, which could run faster thanany other horse of the tribe, and, under cover of the darkness, he madehis way over the hills and down the valley until he came to the camp ofthe Nicolas. All was very still in the camp, for it was late and theIndians were all tired, for they had just returned from a long huntingtrip. Tserman could see the small, white lodge of Lalita close besidethat of her father. 

Leaving his horse standing beside a tall pine-tree, he crept cautiouslytowards Lalita's wigwam. When he reached the opening, he remained verystill and listened. There was not a stir or sound of any one moving inthe camp. Throwing aside the curtain, he quickly entered the lodge, snatched Lalita from her couch, and in an instant had her beside him onhis horse and was galloping rapidly back to the village of theOkanagans. 

The Nicolas, roused by the sound of the horse's hoofs, jumped uphastily. At once they knew what had happened, for the curtain ofLalita's lodge was still thrown back. The chief ordered his warriorsto mount their ponies and quickly follow in pursuit. And soon, in thedarkness, the sound of their ponies could be heard as they raced wildlyafter the flying chief. But Tserman's horse could run much faster thanany horse in the mountains, and before the Nicolas were halfway to thevillage, he and Lalita were safe within his lodge. On came theNicolas, and at last only one hill lay between them and the village oftheir enemies. To go around this hill would be many miles, so, leavingtheir horses at the foot, they began to climb its slippery side. Atlength they reached the top, but they did not know that this was asheer cliff they had climbed, and that at its foot, between them andthe Okanagan village, there flowed a deep river. 

One of their warriors, Sinikielt, wanted to go ahead and find out thebest way to reach the village and surround it. He crept forward in thedarkness, and with a wild cry fell over the steep cliff into the riverbeneath. His cry rang out through the night and was heard by theOkanagans on the other side of the river. Quickly the camp wasaroused, and going forth, the warriors encircled the hill. When themorning came, the Okanagans began to climb the hill to attack theirenemies. The Nicolas saw them coming and knew there was nothing forthem but certain death. The Okanagans were many and strong and werewell armed. The Nicolas were only a few warriors, and if they remainedto fight, they were sure of being either killed or taken prisoners. There was only one thing for them to do. Turning their backs on theirfast-approaching enemies, they made one running leap from the cliff tothe river below and sank forever in its waters. 

Many years after, when Tserman had gone to the happy hunting ground andhis son Lemichin was made chief in his stead, there came sad days toLalita. Lemichin was a great warrior and strong and handsome like hisfather, but he cared nothing for the good of his tribe. His onlythought was his own pleasure. Little by little he gambled away all hispossessions, until nothing was left but his saddle-horse. Then onenight that was lost, too. Lalita begged him to turn from his evilways, but he made her no reply. Going forth from the lodge, he madehis way to the hills and remained there for one moon. At the end ofthat time he returned to the tribe. Going to his mother, he said:

"Lalita, when I was in the hills, I fasted and then I slept, and in mydreams my father came to me. He told me what to do to make my evillife turn into a good one. First, I must make peace with the Nicolas. After that I must win my way back until I am a great chief, like myfather was before me. "

"My son, " said Lalita, "this is indeed a happy thing you have told me, and great indeed is the spirit of your father which has come to you andtold you what to do. "

The next day Lemichin sent a messenger of peace to the Nicolas. Theirold chief, Lalita's father, sent back word that there would be no morefighting between the tribes, but that the Nicolas and the Okanaganscould never be friends. Lemichin made no answer when this message wasbrought to him. Going forth, he began gambling again. Lalita followedhim and begged him to return with her, to forsake these evil ways. Butto her also he made no reply. Day after day he gambled, but now he wasnot losing his possessions, but was winning them back again. At lastthey were all won, and then Lemichin called a council of his wisestwarriors. He told them he wished to win the friendship of the Nicolas, and that he and Lalita would go to their village and take with them alarge number of the herd as a gift. The next morning they setout, --Lemichin and Lalita riding ahead and three herd-boys, driving thegreater part of the herd, followed behind. When they reached thevillage of the Nicolas, Lemichin told his mother to wait with theherd-boys, and dismounting from his pony, he went alone and on foot tothe lodge of the old chief. Kneeling before the old warrior, he gavehimself up to make reparation for the deed of his father Tserman. 

The old chief was very angry at first and called his warriors to bindLemichin and kill him. But Lemichin asked him to let him speak first. Then he told him how sorry his father had been for what he had done. How much he wished that the two tribes might become friends, and howanxious Lalita was to win the love of her father again. Then he askedhim to accept the herd which he had brought with him. The old chieffelt his anger fade away when the young man talked, and now, when hesaw what a great gift he had brought with him, he felt that he couldnot kill so generous and manly a warrior. So, taking Lemichin by thehand, he walked with him to where Lalita sat on her pony. 

When she saw her father Lalita uttered a cry of joy. The old manfondly embraced his daughter and said:

"My daughter, many moons ago you left your father's lodge and joinedthe tribe of our enemies. But this day your son has proven to me thatour enemies can be brave and generous. My heart has been lonely allthe summers and winters since you went away. Come now, you and yourbrave son, and live with the old chief so that his heart and his lodgeshall no longer be empty. " And weeping for joy, the old man led Lalitaand Lemichin to his lodge. Thus friendship between the Nicolas and theOkanagans was established. 

That was many years ago, but yet in the night the wild cry of Sinikieltanswers the cry of the loon, and is echoed from the cliff far outacross the river. 

THE STRANGE DREAM

A warrior and his wife once had a beautiful boy, for whom they mademany plans. But when he grew up, and reached the right age, he wouldnot consent to the fast. They wished him to blacken his face withcharcoal, and not to eat anything for three days. But he threw awaythe charcoal, and when they denied him food, he ate birds' eggs and theheads of fish which had been cast away. 

At length one day he came home, and, taking some coals, blackened hisface. Then he went out of the lodge and lay down on the grass tosleep. As he lay there, he had a wonderful dream. He thought abeautiful maiden came to him, and said, "Onawataquto, come with me. Step in my tracks. " He arose and did so, and felt himself mounting upover the tree-tops, until he reached the sky. 

The maiden entered through a small opening, and he followed her. Looking around, he found himself on a beautiful, grassy plain. A talllodge stood in the distance. She led him to it, and he saw that it wasdivided into two parts. In one end there were bows, arrows, clubs, andspears, and other things that belong to a warrior. In the other endwere strings of colored beads, bright pieces of cloth, and fancymoccasins, such as belong to a maiden. On a frame was a broad belt, beautifully colored, that she was weaving. 

"My brother will soon be home, " she said, "and I do not wish him to seeyou, so come until I hide you. " She put him in a corner and spread thebelt over him. 

In a short time the brother returned, and sat down in his end of thelodge. He took down his pipe, and began to smoke. Then, in a littlewhile, he said, "Sister, when are you going to stop this practice? Doyou forget that the Greatest of the Spirits has forbidden you to takethe children of the earth? I know whom you have behind that belt. Come forth, Onawataquto. "

When the young man came forth, he presented him with bows and arrowsand a pipe of red stone. Now this meant that he was married to themaiden. 

After that the brother used to take him with him over the beautifulplains, and he found everything very peaceful. Then he began to noticethat the brother left the lodge each morning, and did not return untilnight. He asked him what he did when he was away. 

"Come with me, and I shall show you, " said the brother. 

So they set off early next morning, and walked on for a long time. Atlast Onawataquto began to feel hungry. 

"Wait a few minutes, " said the brother, "and I shall show you how I getfood. "

When they reached a spot where they could see down to the earth below, he said, "Now sit down and watch. " And Onawataquto did so. 

When he looked down, he could see the earth quite plainly. In onevillage he saw a war party getting ready. In another he saw themdancing, and in another, a group of children playing beside a lodge. 

"Do you see that beautiful boy down there?" asked the brother. 

"Yes, " he replied. Suddenly the brother darted something from his handat the child, and he fell senseless. 

The parents rushed out and carried him into the lodge, and made greatwailing. Then they saw people gather around the lodge, and themedicine man arrived. He addressed himself to the spirit brother, andasked him what sacrifice he desired. 

"I shall allow the boy to get better if you will make me the sacrificeof a white dog, " answered the brother, through the opening in the sky. 

They at once caught a white dog, and killed and roasted it. The meatwas then put on dishes, which at once floated up to the spirit brother. 

"Now eat, " he said to Onawataquto. "This is the way I get all mymeals. "

After a while the young man grew tired of the quiet days, and desiredto go back to the earth. His wife was angry when she heard him saythis, and said she would not let him go. But after a while sheconsented, and said, "You may go; but remember you are not to marry anyof the earth maidens, for at any time I can draw you back here. "

Next morning Onawataquto found himself lying on the grass by hisfather's lodge, with his face still blackened. His father and motherand all his friends were standing near him in glad surprise. They toldhim he had been away a year. 

For some days he went around very quietly; then he began to forget hisdream. After a while he could hardly remember it at all. 

In a few months, he married one of the maidens of the tribe. Thatnight he went out of his father's lodge, and was never seen again. 

It is said that the spirit maiden had drawn him back to her home in thesky. 

BIG CHIEF'S CONQUEST

Once in the long ago there lived a great warrior named Milkanops. Helived in a land of high, rocky mountains, and to the far north therelived a tribe of fierce, warlike Indians who were the enemies of histribe. Many battles were fought between the two tribes, but Milkanopsalways won. At last, one autumn day, they fought from sunrise tosunset, and although Milkanops won the victory once more, he receivedhis death wound. The poisoned arrow pierced his side just as thebattle was won. 

His warriors carried him to his lodge and laid him on his couch ofdeerskins. 

"Send for my son, " he told them. "Send for Aseelkwa. " At once theybrought the young warrior to his father's side. 

"My boy, " said the dying chief, "I have been called to the happyhunting ground, and soon my spirit will be wandering with the happyones there. Before I go, I wish to ask one thing of you. Promise methat you will not be a warrior as I have been, but will live to be agreat chief, for that is what your name means, --Aseelkwa, Big Chief. Yonder to the north are enemies, and they will want you to go to warwith them, as I have done many times. Do not listen to theirchallenges, but try to keep peace between the tribes and make yourtribe great and good, rather than strong and warlike. "

The young boy, weeping, promised his father to obey his commands, andnot long after, the spirit of Milkanops started on its journey to thehappy hunting ground. 

As the months went by the enemies of Aseelkwa made many attempts toengage in war with him and his tribe, but to all of these challenges hegave no reply. A few years went by, and now the young boy was afull-grown warrior, but he did not call himself one. To all who spokeof him as a warrior, he would make answer that he was a chief and wouldnot engage in battle. His enemies could not entice him, so they saidhe was a coward, and taunted him and said he was afraid to fight them. 

One day one of the wise men came to Aseelkwa and said, "Oh, Big Chief, Hahola, the Rattlesnake, is a traitor. He has told our enemies thatyou are indeed a coward, as they say you are, and they have planned toattack our camp when the moon has faded to a narrow band in the sky. "

"And Hahola, is he going to help them?" asked the chief, in a sternvoice. 

"Yes, O Great Chief. He will let them know when you are fast asleep inyour lodge. Then, in the darkness, they will surround it and take youprisoner. "

"It is well you have told me, " said the chief. "Now I must fast anddream and see what I am to do. "

So for nine days he fasted and dreamed. Then, after that time, hecalled his medicine men and said, "I have fasted and dreamed, and in mydreams I saw the spirit of my father Milkanops. He told me that I mustnot fight these enemies, but that I and my tribe must journey to thefar south and there find a new hunting ground. "

Early the next morning Aseelkwa and the tribe set out on their journey. For many days and many nights they travelled. They crossed rivers andclimbed steep hills, and at length they reached a land where the hillswere lower and greener than their rocky mountains had been. In frontof them lay a very long, narrow valley with low hills on either side, and, just behind these, there rose one larger than the others, a tall, rocky mountain. 

"In my dreams, " said Aseelkwa, "I saw this long, narrow valley and thattall hill, and the spirit of my father told me that here we must makeour new camp and hunt in these green hills. "

The Indians were glad to know they had reached the end of theirjourney, for they were footsore and weary. Quickly they built theirlodges on the hillside and went forth in search of food. 

That night Aseelkwa called his medicine men to go with him to the topof the high hill, and there hold a council. He knew that Hahola, theRattlesnake, would have told of their departure, and by this time thenorthern Indians would be well on their way in pursuit. Aseelkwaseated himself at the foot of a tall pine-tree, and the medicine menplaced themselves in a circle around him. The night was dark, for themoon was only a narrow band in the sky. They had made no fire, forfear their enemies might see it. Scarcely had Aseelkwa begun to speakwhen a slight noise was heard. It sounded like some loosened stonesfalling down the mountain side. At once every warrior was on his feetand peering through the darkness. 

"Look, " said Aseelkwa. "There at the foot of the hill creeps awayHahola, the Rattlesnake. Our enemies are in hiding. Let us go down tothem. "

Down the hill they came, but before they reached the bottom, frombehind every pine-tree and every stone there leaped a warrior, withfiendish yells. Out rang the war-whoop of Aseelkwa, and from everylodge there sprang forth the warriors who had fought for Milkanops, hisfather. Then, in the darkness, there followed a terrible battle. Manywarriors fell on both sides, struck down with tomahawks. For some timeit seemed as if the enemy must win. Then, little by little, Aseelkwa'sarmy began to drive them back. At last they had them at the entranceto the narrow valley, and there was fought the fiercest part of thebattle. But at last the enemy were forced out of the valley, and oncein the open, they turned and vanished in the darkness. During thislast fight Aseelkwa had been missing, and now his warriors began tosearch for him among the wounded. At last they found him, and there athis side lay Hahola, dead. 

"Lift me up, " said Aseelkwa, "and carry me to the high hill, and therelay me under the pine-tree. " They did as he commanded, and after theylaid him down he turned to them and spoke in a very weak voice. 

"My warriors, " he said, "in a few moments my spirit shall have gone tojoin that of my fathers in the happy hunting grounds. I dreamed ofthis battle, and everything has been just as I dreamed. Our enemiesare defeated, and Hahola, the traitor, is dead. Bury him where he fellin the valley. By morning you will find that the Great Spirit hasplaced a barrier between you and your enemies, over which they cannever cross. And remember, my brave warriors, that although I am notwith you, that always shall the spirit of Aseelkwa watch over histribe. You shall fight no more battles, but instead shall cultivateand make fruitful these hills. "

Then he sank back upon the grass, and his spirit passed to the happyhunting grounds. 

The warriors buried him where he lay, and then, as he had commandedthem, buried Hahola in the narrow valley. When the sun rose nextmorning, they knew what Aseelkwa had meant, for where the valley hadbeen the night before, there now was a long, narrow lake, whose still, blue waters told nothing of its great depth, for in the centre of thislake, just where Hahola was buried, there is no bottom to be found. Then the warriors looked up on the high hill, and again they knew whatAseelkwa had meant. For, from the topmost point of the high rock, Aseelkwa's face, carved in stone, looked down over the lake and valley. There, calm and serene and peaceful, it still watches over the hillsthat have been made fruitful, over the tribe that is always at peace, and over the lake whose deep, blue waters are always ready to frown onthe canoes of their enemies. 

THE RED SWAN

Three brothers, who were hunters, once lived together in a forest. They were very skilful and always returned well laden from the chase. One day they all agreed to go hunting. They were each to kill theanimals that they usually killed, and then see who could get back tothe lodge first and have the game cooked. So they took their finestarrows, and off they went. 

The youngest brother, whose name was Odjibaa, had not gone far when hesaw a bear. Now this was one animal that he was not supposed to kill, but he forgot his bargain and shot it. Then everything seemed to growred, and he heard a queer noise. He followed it, and as he tramped on, the noise seemed closer. At last he came to the edge of the lake andthere, floating on the water, was a beautiful Red Swan. Every once ina while it uttered the queer noise he had been hearing. He shot anarrow at the bird, but it flew past her. He shot another and another. They all fell near her, but she was quite unharmed. She swam around inthe water, bending her head and arching her neck and not even noticingOdjibaa. This made him want her more than ever, so he shot the rest ofhis arrows. Still she was untouched. 

Then he remembered that, in his dead father's medicine sack, there werethree magic arrows, so he ran back at once to the lodge and took them. When he again reached the shore of the lake, he put one in his bow. Hetook good aim and shot. It came close to the bird. The second arrowcame closer, and the third went through her neck. She did not fallinto the water, but rose slowly into the air, and flew away towards thesetting sun, with the arrow still in her neck. 

Odjibaa waded into the lake and picked up the two magic arrows whichwere floating on the water. When he reached the shore again, he setout to follow the Red Swan. He was a great runner, for when he shot anarrow ahead of him, he could run so fast that it fell behind him. 

So now he ran at his greatest speed. But the Red Swan was already outof sight. On he went through the forest, across streams, and over theprairie. At nightfall he reached a town where many Indians lived. Thechief made him welcome and let him stay the night. In the morning, heset out once more, and by night he had reached a second town. Hestayed there till morning and then continued his race. 

By the next night, he had reached a lodge where a magician lived. Theold man treated him very kindly. He made him sit down by the fire. Then he spoke a few words, and a metal pot with legs walked out andstood by the fire. He spoke a few more words and put one grain of cornand one berry into the pot. At once it became full of porridge. Hetold Odjibaa to eat this, and when he had done so, the pot became fullagain. It continued to do this until Odjibaa had eaten all he could. Then the magician told the hunter to lie down and rest, and in themorning he said to him:

"My grandchild, you are in search of the Red Swan. Be brave and travelon, and at last you will be successful. When you near the end, youwill come to a lodge of another magician, and he will tell you what todo. "

Odjibaa thanked the old man, and went once more on his way. 

When he had gone some distance, he shot an arrow ahead of him and itfell behind him, so he knew that he was still going his best. He wenton for some days and at last saw the lodge of the magician. Thissecond old man was as kind as the first and treated him in much thesame way. He gave him food from a magic kettle exactly like the first, and then bade him stay the night. Then in the morning he said to him:

"My grandchild, you are following the Red Swan. Many a hunter has donethe same and has never returned. For she is the sister of a greatchief. He once had a wampum cap which was fastened to his scalp. Oneday some warriors came and told him that the daughter of their chiefwas very sick. She said the only thing that would cure her was thiscap of wampum and that the sight of it would make her better at once. The chief did not like to lend his cap, for if he took it off, his headwould be bare and bloody. But he thought again of the sick girl and atlast gave it to the warriors. 

"That is many years ago, but they have not returned the cap yet. Theywere cheats and are keeping it to make fun of it. They carry it fromone village to another to dance around it, and at every mean thing theysay, the old man groans with pain. Many young men have tried to get itfor him, but all have failed. He has offered many gifts to the one whogets it, and even the Red Swan will belong to the successful one. Sheis a very beautiful maiden, and for her many young men have riskedtheir lives. You are very brave and will face great dangers. Go asyou have come, and you will be the one to win the precious wampum. "

So Odjibaa travelled for several more days. At last he saw a lodge, but before he came up to it he could hear the groans of some oneinside. Coming up to the door, he knocked, and a voice bade him comein. On entering he saw a very old man seated in one corner. His facewas withered and his head bare and bloody. He seemed to be in greatpain. 

The young man spoke kindly to him and asked him how he lost his scalp. Then the old man told his story: how the young men had cheated him, andhow they were abusing the scalp now. Odjibaa looked very sorry, andwhen the old man saw this, he began to coax him to try and get it back. He promised him blankets and many other things that make an Indianrich. But he did not mention the Red Swan. Odjibaa noticed that awall divided the lodge into two parts. He guessed that the Red Swanwas behind the wall, for he thought he heard her dress rustle. Afterhe had talked with the old man, and had learned many things about theunfriendly Indians, he said:

"I shall go in search of the cap. When you hear the noise of a hawk, put your head out of the door, so I may put the scalp on you quickly. "

Early next morning he set out, and before the day was over had comenear the Indian village. As he drew near he could hear the sound ofmuch shouting, and in a few minutes could see hundreds of warriorsdancing and yelling around a pole. On the top of this pole was thescalp. He changed himself into a humming-bird and flew by their heads. When they heard the soft, humming noise, they said, "What is that?" Heflew on, until he came near the pole. Then he changed himself into ablue butterfly and fluttered up to it. He took the scalp in his mouthand lifted it from the pole. A mighty shout went up from the Indianswhen they saw what was happening. But they could not reach thebutterfly, as it was so high up in the air. It began to float slowlyaway with the scalp. This was hard work, and the load was almost tooheavy for Odjibaa, but he hung on until he was safe outside thevillage. Then he changed himself into a hawk and flew rapidly away. When he came near the lodge of the old man, he uttered the cry of thehawk. The old man put his head out, and with a great blow Odjibaaclapped his scalp on. The old man fell senseless and lay very stillfor a long time. 

Odjibaa entered the lodge and sat down to wait. At length the old manopened his eyes and arose. But he was no longer an old man. Insteadthere stood a handsome, young warrior. He reached out his hand toOdjibaa and said:

"I can never thank you for all you have done for me. See, you havegiven me back my youth and strength. Now I shall never grow old. Youmust stay and live with me and I shall make you a great chief. "Odjibaa replied:

"No, I must go back to my brothers. I shall leave early to-morrowmorning. " Then the magician began to get ready a bundle for Odjibaa. He put blankets, beads, feathers, and paints in it, but he said no wordabout the Red Swan, and Odjibaa did not like to ask him. The nextmorning the hunter said good-bye to the magician and prepared to go. 

"Wait, my friend, " he said, as he opened the door in the wall. Abeautiful maiden stepped forth. "This is my sister, Red Swan. She isto be yours, as you saved my scalp. "

Odjibaa was overjoyed at this. He thanked the magician again; thentaking the maiden by the hand, they set out for his home. 

THE WHISPERING GRASS

Once, many long years ago, there was a green hill covered with longgrass, which whispered and talked as the wind blew through it. It wasthe great friend of all the animals, especially the wild deer, the graywolf, and the fox. 

One summer day the whispering grass was very excited. The south windhad brought strange news to it, and now, as the sun rose up to noonday, they could see this strange thing for themselves. It meant greatdanger to their friends the animals, and they must send a message towarn them. So the grass called to the butterflies, and told them to goat once to the deer, the wolf, and the fox, and tell them to come tothe green hill. Away flew the butterflies, and soon the animals hadgathered to hear what this message might mean. 

"Listen, my brothers, " said the whispering grass. "There is greatdanger for you this day, for across the prairie there comes a band ofhunters to take your lives. "

"Hunters? What are they?" asked the animals. "We have never heard ofsuch things. "

"They are Indians, " returned the grass, "with bows and arrows--deadlyarrows that will pierce your hearts. These hunters are very near, andonce they see you they will shoot their arrows at you, and that is yourend. "

"What must we do?" asked the animals. "You are wise, whispering grass;tell us what we may do to save ourselves. "

"Go to your homes, " answered the grass, "and remain there until sundownto-morrow. If all is safe, I shall send my messengers, thebutterflies, to you at that hour to tell you to come to me. "

The animals did as they were commanded, and by the time the huntersreached the foot of the hill, there was nothing living to be seen butsome dainty butterflies that hovered above the grass. The remainder ofthat day and all the next the hunters searched for game in the hills, but not a deer could they see, not a wolf, not a fox. In the lateafternoon they returned to their camp at the foot of the hill. Theywere tired and very hungry, for they had not brought food with them, asthey expected to find game. 

"Let us return, " said one hunter. "There is no game in this land, andI am hungry. Let us go back to our village. "

"Not so, " said the second hunter. "Let us wait until to-morrow. Perhaps to-morrow we shall see game. "

"Yes, let us wait until to-morrow, " said a third hunter, "and to-nightwe shall eat grass. See, yonder is a hill well covered with grass. Ifthe animals eat it, why can not we?"

"But it is whispering grass, " said the first hunter, in a low voice. "And he who eats of whispering grass can no longer kill anything withhis arrows. "

"Not so, brother, " said the second hunter. "It is not whisperinggrass. Listen; there is a west wind blowing through it, and yet we canhear no sound of whispering. "

They all listened intently, and as the second hunter had said, therewas no sound of whispering. The wind was waving the grass blades andbending them low, and not a sound came from them. 

"You are right. It is not whispering grass, " said the first hunter, "and I am hungry; let us eat. "

So they all gathered many handfuls of the green grass, and putting itinto a pot, they boiled it, then gathering around the pot, they ate thegrass with much relish. Then, rolling themselves in their deerskins, they fell asleep. 

It was now the sunset hour; so, calling the butterflies to it, thewhispering grass gave them a message for the animals. 

"Go to your brothers, " it said, "and tell them all is safe now; that atsunrise to-morrow morning they may come forth from their homes andwander as usual among the hills. Their enemies, the hunters, will tryto shoot them with their arrows, but they must not be afraid, for nowthese arrows can never touch them. "

The butterflies flew away quickly and gave the message to the deer, thewolf, and the fox. 

At sunrise the next morning the animals came forth gladly, and they hadnot gone far, when they saw the hunters coming towards them. Remembering the message of their friend, the grass, they did not fearto remain, and soon saw that the grass had been right. The huntersaimed their arrows at them and shot, but every arrow flew through theair and fell harmlessly at their feet. All day this strange thinghappened, and at last the hunters, tired and discouraged, went back totheir camp at the foot of the hill. 

"My brothers, " said the first hunter, "that was indeed whispering grasswhich we ate last night. For see, all day our arrows have failed tohit their mark, though the game has been many. "

"Why did the grass not whisper, then?" asked the second hunter. "Itdeceived us. "

"Yes, it deceived us, " said the third hunter. "It kept silence whilewe listened, so that we might be tempted to eat of it. Now we havelost our power of hunting and shall be laughed at by the other hunters. "

"We must fight this whispering grass, " said the first hunter. "Let usgo and pull it up by the roots, so that never again it may be able todeceive any hunter. "

"Let us wait until the moon rises high in the sky, " said the secondhunter. "Then, indeed, we shall uproot the whispering grass and leavethe green hill bare and naked. "

The butterflies, who had been hovering near, heard what the Indianswere saying, and now they flew with all speed to the animals and toldthem what was going to happen to the whispering grass. 

"Oh, my brothers, " said the butterflies, "your enemies, the hunters, have planned to kill the whispering grass to-night. Can you not saveit?"

"We must save it, " said the deer. "The whispering grass is our friend. It saved our lives, and now we must save it. " Turning to the fox, thedeer said, "Oh, brother, you are wise and great. Can you not think ofa plan to save the grass?"

"I am not wise enough for that, " said the fox, "but I know one who iswise. You, my brothers, remain here, while I run with all speed to theDark Hills where the Manitou of the Bright Fire lives. He is wise andgreat, and he will help us. "

Saying this, the fox ran at full speed in the direction of a long lineof hills, and it was not long before he reached a small opening whichled down under them. Entering this, he found himself in a longpassage, at the end of which a red light could be seen. When hereached the end of the passage, he found himself in a large, low cave. In the centre of this cave a bright red fire glowed, and by its lighthe could see a dark figure seated on the floor near the fire. Itturned its face as the fox entered, and he saw the kind face of theManitou of the Bright Fire. 

"You have come to me for help, " said the Manitou, in a deep, softvoice. "What is wrong, my brother?"

"Our friend, the whispering grass, is going to be uprooted to-night bythe hunters, " said the fox. "Can you tell us how to save the grass, for it has been kind and has saved us from these same hunters?"

"My brother, " said the Manitou, "do you see these things which looklike dark stones?" As he said this, he pointed to where a heap ofblack objects resembling stones was lying on the floor of the cave. "Ihave gathered these from the bowels of the earth. Many years agoGitche Manitou, the Mighty Spirit, put them there. He took pieces ofthe midnight sky and mixed with each piece a million sunbeams. Then Hehid these deep in the earth, where man would find them when he neededlight and heat. I shall place some of these dark stones in my fire, while you return to your brothers, the wolf and the deer. Bid themreturn with you, and when you again reach my cave these stones shall beready for you. Now go, and waste no time, for you must have everythingready before the hunters awaken. "

The fox needed no second bidding. Away he went like the wind. When hereached the deer and the wolf, he found them anxiously waiting for him. Quickly giving them the Manitou's message, they all ran back to thecave. When they reached it, they found that the Manitou had placed anumber of the dark stones in his fire, and that now they were no longerdark stones but bright red ones. 

"My children, " said the Manitou, "take these burning coals and placethem in a circle on the hillside among the whispering grass. They willnot harm the grass and their heat will not burn you as you journeyback. But after this, always beware of a glowing fire, for I can giveyou my protection this time only. "

The animals at once seized as many of the burning coals as they couldcarry and raced back to the hill. The night was dark, as the moon hadnot yet risen, and when at length they gained the hillside, they sawthat the hunters still slept. Obeying the Manitou, they placed thecoals in a circle on the side of the hill, and then hid behind sometrees. 

Scarcely had they done this, when the hunters awakened. At once theynoticed the strange, glowing circle on the hillside. They rubbed theireyes and looked again; it was still there, burning and yet having noflame. Terrified, they gazed at it, not daring to climb the hillside. At last one said:

"My brothers, let us return at once to our village. This whisperinggrass must be a great friend of Gitche Manitou, and we have done wrongto eat of it. Let us return and warn our brothers. "

"You are right, my brother, " said the other hunter. "We will returnand tell of this strange, terrible warning which Gitche Manitou hassent to us. "

So saying, they turned and disappeared rapidly in the darkness, whilethe circle on the hillside glowed brightly until the sun rose. Whendaylight came there was nothing to be seen of the coals, but on thehillside where they had been there was a large, brown circle, whichcould be seen quite plainly from the valley. And there it can be seento this day. 

On climbing the hill, the circle vanishes, and not a spot of burntgrass is to be found, but always from the valley below the brown circlecan be seen. And the animals from that night have been afraid ofglowing fire, for they know the Manitou cannot give his protectionanother time. 

But he has been their greatest friend ever since that night. When theyare in any trouble they go at once to the Dark Hills, and, creepingthrough the long passage, reach the cave where the bright fire glows. There they tell the kind Manitou all that makes them sad, and hecomforts them. In the autumn he tells the deer where to hide in thehills, so that the hunters cannot kill them. In the long, cold winterhe tells the hungry gray wolf where to find food, and in the summer heshows the red fox how to double on his trail so that none may catchhim. And to all of them he has taught the secret of the glowing fire, that its brightness means danger, save when they rest beside it in hiscave under the Dark Hills. 

THE LEGEND OF MACKINAC ISLAND

Many years ago, a party of wild Ojibwa Indians were resting on theshore of Lake Huron. The story-tellers of the tribe were telling manyof their magic tales. One of them spoke, and said, "A wigwam stands inthe deep. At the bottom of the lake a big turtle lies asleep in thiswigwam. Around him swim white fish and trout, and the slow-worm goescreeping by. The scream of the sea gull and the shouts of the roversdo not waken him. Nothing can disturb his slumber but the magic song. "

Then one of the Indians spoke, "Let us sing the magic song. Let uswaken this big turtle from his long sleep. "

So they all began to sing a strange, wild song. The sound floated outover the quiet waters of the lake. Suddenly the waves began to riseand roll to the shore, although there was no wind blowing. The centreof the lake seemed to rise higher; then slowly there appeared above thewaters the curved back of the big turtle called Mishini-Makinak, toiling up to answer their call. Then the dragging tail appeared likea fleshy cape, and the jowl like a headland of dark rock. The Indiansstood along the shore, staring in frightened surprise, as the monsterarose like an island in the midst of the waves. 

As the days went by, the turtle called his children from their silenthomes to come and play around him. Up the lake and down over the fallscame the dappled trout and the white fish, to play in the silvery tide, and by night the fairies danced on the rocky cliffs. For many days thered men watched eagerly, afraid to go to the magic island, but at lastthey paddled their birch-bark canoes across the waves to the pebblybeach. From that time Mishini-Makinak was their home. 

THE ADVENTURES OF WESAKCHAK

I. THE WONDERFUL BALL

Wesakchak was once the only person living. He found himself floatingall alone on the water. Above him was the sky, and all around andabout stretched water. He called aloud, but no one answered. Then henoticed a little, dark object floating near him. It was a rat. 

"My little brother, " said Wesakchak, "we are all alone in this world ofsky and water. "

"Yes, " said the rat. "But I am not afraid, for you are with me. Areyou afraid?"

"No, " said Wesakchak, "for the Mighty One will take care of us both. Do you go below and see if you can find any land. "

The rat quickly obeyed Wesakchak and sank down through the water insearch of dry land. He was gone a long time, and Wesakchak began towonder if he were ever coming back. At last he floated up, but he wasdead, and in his paws there was a little bit of clay. Wesakchak wasvery sorry when he saw that his little comrade was dead. He took theclay from the rat's paws and breathed upon it. Now Wesakchak wasgreater than a human being; he was really a spirit. So when hebreathed upon the clay, it formed itself into a ball and began to grow. He rolled the ball in his hands, and when it grew a little larger, hesaid a few words over it. At once there came forth a little mouse, whobegan running around the ball. The mouse was just the color of theearth. Wesakchak said to it, "Your name shall be The Mouse and youshall always live amid the people, and your color shall be the color ofthe earth. " So to this day we find the mouse in the homes of people, and it always is the same dark gray color. 

As the mouse continued running, the ball kept growing. In a fewminutes Wesakchak said some more words and out ran a little chipmunk. He began chasing around the ball too, but he could not stay on as wellas the mouse. He slipped and nearly fell off several times. Wesakchakcaught him and put him safely on again, but in doing so left the marksof his fingers on the chipmunk's back. And there they have remainedever since, and look like dark brown stripes. 

The two little animals kept on running and Wesakchak now brought fortha red squirrel. There was a strong wind blowing, and the squirrelseemed timid. He would run for a little distance and then sit down. The wind would catch his bushy tail and blow it up over his head as hesat there, and so ever afterwards the squirrel curled his tail up whenhe sat down. 

The ball kept growing larger and larger, and Wesakchak brought forthone animal after another. The rabbit, the fox, the wolf, the bear, andall the rest of them came out as they were called, until at last theball was as big as the earth. Then he called forth the moose, and whenit came and saw miles and miles of prairie, it ran for five mileswithout stopping. To this day the moose, when chased, always runs fivemiles before it stops. 

When Wesakchak had all the animals on the earth, he gave them all theirhomes. Some were to live in the forests, some among the mountains, andothers were to live on the prairies. He made little creeks to flow todivide their feeding-grounds, and they were told not to cross thesewater lines. The water in the creeks was not clean. It had greenslime floating on the top, and reeds and rushes grew thickly amongstit. He made the water this way because he did not wish the animals todrink it. Then he made beautiful, clear rivers flow through the landto be their drinking water. In the rivers he made fish swim, andcalled all the animals who lived on fish to come and live near thebanks of the rivers. In the trees he told the birds to build theirnests, and soon all the animals and birds were happy and contented intheir homes. 

They all loved Wesakchak, for he was so wise and good. He was kind tothem all and called them his brothers. He knew the secrets of theanimals: why the moose is ungainly and has no flesh on his bones, whythe rabbit's ears are long and have each a little roll of flesh behindit, and why the rat has no hair upon its tail. He understood all thelanguages of the animals, and each came to him when it was in trouble. 

There was one animal who was very smart and clever. He was about thesize of the wolf and was called the wolverine. He had beautiful, softfur, long, straight legs, and firm feet. But he was not liked by theother animals, for he was very conceited. He was always talking abouthis beautiful fur and his long legs. He would ask the other animals torace with him, because he knew he could always win. Then he wouldlaugh at them for not being able to run as fast as he could. He wasalways getting into mischief, too, and never seemed happy unless he wasplaying a trick on some other animal. The other animals often came andtold Wesakchak how mean the wolverine was to them. He would tell themto try to be patient, and then he would scold the wolverine for beingso unkind. The wolverine would pretend he was very sorry, but the verynext day he would do some more mean tricks. 

One day he came past the wigwam of Wesakchak. Looking in, he saw thatit was empty, and that the Fire Bag, where Wesakchak always kept hissteel and flint and his pipe and tobacco-pouch, was hanging on thewall. The wolverine looked around and saw that no one was near, so hesneaked in and grabbed the bag. He ran away through the bush with ituntil he came to a tall tamarac tree. He climbed the tree and hung thebag on one of the branches. Then he jumped down and ran away, laughingto himself at the trick he had played on Wesakchak. 

When Wesakchak returned home, it was nearly evening, and he was tiredand hungry. He looked around for his Fire Bag, for he wished to make afire. The way they got a spark in those days was to strike the steeland flint together; a spark would fly forth and set the dry bark onfire. But Wesakchak could not find his bag. He looked all over thewigwam, still he could not find it. Then he noticed footmarks on theground near the door. Looking closely, he saw whose they were. "It isthat mischief-maker, the wolverine, who has taken my bag, " he said. "Ishall go in search of it. And if I meet him, I shall punish him wellfor all his mischief-making. " He set forth in search of the preciousbag. All night he wandered through the forest, but could not find it. When the morning came, he went back to his wigwam and sat down to thinkwhat he was to do. "If I had my pipe, " he said to himself, "I wouldnot feel so sad. "

As he sat there, he thought he heard a noise like the wolverine behindhis lodge. Going out quickly, he saw the scamp among the trees. Wesakchak followed, but could see nothing more of the animal. Hetramped on until he was tired, then turned homewards again. 

As he was passing near a tall tree, he looked up, and there was hisFire Bag hanging from one of the highest branches. The tree was smoothand tall, and as Wesakchak began to climb he found himself slippingdown very often. Then he would catch hold quickly with his feet andhands. After very hard work he succeeded at last in reaching the bag. Then he slid quickly down the tree. But when he looked up at it, hesaw that its bark was hanging in torn pieces where he had caught itwith his feet and hands. So, to this day, the tamarac bark hangs intattered shreds to show that Wesakchak once climbed it. 

On the way home he heard the wolverine, who was just trying to sneakaway among the bushes. 

"Come forth here, brother wolverine, " called Wesakchak. "I want totalk to you. "

The wolverine came out and stood in front of him. He did not look abit sorry for what he had done. 

"You are always getting into mischief, " said Wesakchak. "Now, I amgoing to punish you for playing so many mean tricks. After this yourlegs will be very short and crooked, and you will not be able to run asfast as you did before. "

As he said this, the wolverine's legs grew short and bent, and with anangry growl the animal disappeared among the trees. 

II. A WONDERFUL JOURNEY

One day Wesakchak decided to go on a long journey. He knew thatsomewhere, many miles away, there was a village where people lived, andhe made up his mind to go and see them. 

The birds all loved Wesakchak, so a great many of them had given himtheir feathers to make into a suit. When it was finished, it was verybeautiful. The vest was of snow-white feathers from the pigeons'breasts, the coat, of shining blue ones, given by the bluebirds. Theleggings were made of black and brown feathers, which the blackbirdsand thrushes had gladly sent to him. Around his neck and wrists he putbright yellow feathers, the gift of the canaries. In his hair he worethe eagle's feathers, for he was a great chief. 

He set off early one morning, and as he travelled on, the birds andanimals whom he passed all spoke to him. By and by he met aprairie-chicken. In those days the prairie-chicken was a pale graycolor. 

"Good-morning, brother prairie-chicken, " said Wesakchak. "I have beenhearing strange tales about you. The animals tell me that you are veryproud of the way that you can startle them. "

"But I only remain still in the grass until they come close to me andthen fly up suddenly, " replied the prairie-chicken. "I do not mean tofrighten them, but it is great fun to see them jump. "

"That may be so, " said Wesakchak. "But it is not kind of you to fly upin their faces. Then I hear that you are so proud of this, that youcall yourself 'Kee-koo, ' or the Startsome Bird. "

The prairie-chicken did not reply to this, but remained still in thegrass. 

"Why do you not fly up in front of me?" asked Wesakchak. Still theprairie-chicken did not move or speak. Suddenly Wesakchak leaned downand gathered a handful of little stones. 

"Start now, " he said, as he threw them at the chicken. The smallpebbles lit on its back and it flew up suddenly. The stones rolledoff, but their marks remained, and so after that the prairie-chickenwas always speckled. 

Wesakchak continued his journey, and late in the afternoon he came to acreek. The water of the little stream was not clean enough to wadethrough, for green slime floated on the top and reeds grew in its boggymud. It was rather too wide to jump, but Wesakchak decided to make arunning jump and see if he could get across. He ran back a pace onthe prairie, then forward to the bank, but the prairie-grass was solong that his feet became entangled, so he went back to start again. He did this two or three times, and at last had the grass packed downenough so that he could make a good run. Then he came forward at agreat speed and made a leap. But just as he did so, theprairie-chicken flew up at his feet, and he fell face downwards in theswampy water. 

Wesakchak was very vexed, and he called out to the prairie-chicken, "This is a mean trick you have played on me, and in punishment youshall not be able to fly very well after this. " The prairie-chickenheard him and began to fly towards the forest, but its wings seemedshorter than they used to be and it fluttered away amid the tall grass. 

As Wesakchak waded out through the reeds, each bent before him, makinga path that has remained there ever since. When he reached the shore, it look him a long time to clean his beautiful suit, and by the time hewas ready to go on, it was nearly evening. He was anxious to reach thevillage before nightfall, so he hurried on, wishing he could find someone to take him the rest of the way, for he was feeling tired. 

After a time he came in sight of a little lake, and there saw two swansfloating on the water. He called to them, but they did not seem tohear, so he jumped into the water and dove down to the bottom. Then hecame up under the swans and caught each one by the legs. They flew upwith him hanging to their feet. 

"Take me to the village that is built on the river bank, " Wesakchaksaid to them. They did not answer, but flew rapidly through the air. 

After they had gone some miles, he noticed they were not taking theright direction. He called to them and told them to turn to the east, but they did not reply. When he saw they were not going to obey, hehung on tightly by one hand, and reaching up, he caught one swan by theneck. He tried to pull its head down so that he could talk to it, butthe harder he pulled, the firmer it held its head up, until at last itsneck was turned into a curve. He then tried the other swan, but withno more success, so now both birds had their beautiful, white neckscurved like the letter S. When Wesakchak saw they would not listen tohim, and that they were taking him in the wrong direction, he let gohis hold of their feet and dropped like a stone through the air. Helanded on a hollow stump, and with such force that he sank deep intothe soft wood. Not a sign of him could be seen; he had disappearedentirely. After some time two squaws came to get the soft, yellow woodfrom the stump. They use this wood to smoke their buckskins, becauseit gives the skin a nice color. They had brought axes with them tochop down the stump. As they began chopping, they heard a noise likegroans coming from within the stump. They were very frightened andthought it was a bear. Just as they were turning to run away Wesakchakcalled to them. 

"It is no bear, " said the first woman. "It is the wise man, Wesakchak, who is coming to visit us. "

"It is, indeed, he, " said the second woman. "We must chop him out. "

So they set to work with their axes, and in a little while had choppedopen the stump and set him free. They were overjoyed when they saw itwas really Wesakchak whom they had freed, and they took him with themto the village, where all came forth to welcome him. 

III. THE GRAY GOOSE

Many years ago, when Wesakchak was the only man upon the earth, therewas a being, the Evil Spirit, who did not love him. This spirit wasvery wicked, and when he saw how much the animals loved Wesakchak, hemade up his mind to carry out a cunning scheme, for he wanted to becomethe master of the animals himself, and it made him very jealous to seehow they obeyed Wesakchak. 

But the North Wind, when it was passing by his wigwam, heard the EvilSpirit say what he was going to do. The wind passed on, and when itcame to the birch-tree, it told her. She told it to her leaves, andthey rustled in the wind, as they listened to the terrible plan. "Oh, North Wind, " said the birch-tree, "will you carry my leaves to thewigwam of Wesakchak, and they will tell him of his danger?" So theNorth Wind took the dried leaves of the birch-tree and carried themmany miles, until they reached the wigwam of Wesakchak. There itdropped them at his door. 

Wesakchak was sitting by the fire, and he heard the rustling leaves. "Listen!" they said to him, "We have a message for you. " Then theytold him of the terrible plan the North Wind had overheard. It was inthe spring the Evil Spirit was going to carry out his purpose. 

Wesakchak hunted all winter in the forest. When spring came, he wasnear the edge of the woods one day, and as he stepped out into theprairie, he heard a little rustle at his feet. He looked down and sawsome leaves of the birch-tree. "Remember the message we carried toyou, O Master, " they said. Wesakchak answered, "Yes, I remember. Itis now spring, and I shall go back to my wigwam for my bow and arrows. Then I shall go in search of the Evil Spirit, my enemy. "

The next day Wesakchak left his lodge and travelled over the prairie. Towards nightfall he reached a low valley. He saw that the snow wasmelting and that some feet of water lay in the valley. But he did notstop for this. He walked on through the water, never resting even whenthe darkness descended. But when the sun rose next morning, he sawthat the plan of the Evil Spirit was being carried out, for all aroundhim lay water. The Evil Spirit had melted the snow during the night, and now every little stream was swollen as big as a river, and thevalley was full of water to the brim. 

Wesakchak had to swim, and after he had gone some miles, he began tofeel very tired. Then the jackfish swam up to him and said, "MyMaster, get on my back and I shall take you safely to the land. "Wesakchak at once did as he was told, and the jackfish, who was strongand a swift swimmer, soon brought him safely to the dry land. 

Then Wesakchak went home to his lodge. It was not far away, and hecould see it rising out of the water like an island, for the land onwhich it was built was a tiny hill. He was very glad to be inside hiswigwam and to sit down beside the fire; but as he looked out throughthe open door, he saw the water rising steadily, and knew that bymorning it would be in his lodge, and that he, if no help came, wouldbe drowned. 

Wesakchak was very tired, and as he sat there thinking, he fell asleep, and he had a strange dream. He thought Nihka, the wild goose, flewinto the wigwam and around and around near the top, napping her wingsand crying. She seemed to say, "Give me a message! Give me a message!And I shall save you. " Around and around she flew, and at last lightedin the ashes of the smouldering fire and disappeared. 

Then Wesakchak wakened, and as he looked around the wigwam, he knewthat Nihka must have been there, for everything had fallen on the flooras if struck by her wings, and the floor of the lodge was covered withashes. The fire was out, and in the centre of it lay the quill of agoose. Wesakchak picked it up, and saw that a little piece of birchbark was rolled inside. He pulled it out, and as he did so, he heardthe honk-honk of a wild goose, and Nihka flew in at the door. 

"Write on the birch bark, " she said, "and I shall take it to yourfriend the beaver. "

Wesakchak did as she told him. He wrote a message on the birch barkand slipped it in the hollow end of the quill. As he gave it to Nihka, he saw that she was no longer white as she had been, but was gray withthe ashes of the fire, and marked with black specks where the cindershad touched her. Her breast was still white, and a small patch underher wings. 

Nihka took the quill and flew off at once. It was not long beforeWesakchak saw the beaver coming to him through the water. When he cameclose, Wesakchak saw that he carried mud in his paws and on his broad, flat tail. When he reached the door of the lodge, he put the mud downand patted it smooth and hard with his tail. Then he swam away andbrought back more, and this he did until he had made a path across thewater. Wesakchak had stood watching the beaver as he worked, and nowas it was finished, he said:

"Brother Beaver, this is a wonderful bridge you have made for me. Howdid you learn to do it? Surely the Great Spirit has taught you this, to make a path of land in the midst of the water. "

"Yes, Master, " answered the beaver, "the Great Spirit has taught me howto do this, that you might escape the wicked snares of your enemy. Ifyou cross to the other side, you will be safe. "

"Thank you, Brother Beaver, " said Wesakchak, "I shall do as you say, "and stepping out on the mud bridge, he walked safely to dry land. 

Then, in memory of this kindness, Wesakchak told the beaver that fromthat time he might always build a path across the water to remind hischildren of what he had done. Then, turning to the goose, he told herthat he wished her to wear always her dress of gray and black, so thatthe world might not forget her loving service. 

Each spring, the Evil Spirit, who is the spring flood, grows wild withrage, as he remembers how his plan was spoiled, and he tries to wastethe lands of Wesakchak and his children. But this is always in vain, for the Evil One can never win. 

IV. LITTLE BROTHER RABBIT

One autumn Wesakchak felt very sad. All through the summer there hadbeen no rain. The prairie grass was burnt brown and dry. The littlestreams had grown smaller and narrower, until at last not a drop ofwater was left. The animals, finding no grass to eat and no water todrink, had all gone to the far north-west, where the Great River camedown from the mountains. For they knew that along its banks they wouldfind grass to eat. Wesakchak wondered if the Great Spirit were angrywith the people of the plains when He sent them these long, hot daysand nights. Why did He let the animals go away from them, leaving thehunters no game to kill? The little children were crying for food, andthe warriors had grown thin and sad during this summer. And now thefever had come, and in the lodges many sick were lying. 

Wesakchak felt that he must do something for his people, so he askedthe Great Spirit to show him where the animals lived, so that he mighttell his hunters and save the lives of all in the tribe. ThenWesakchak took his canoe and carried it until he came to the GreatRiver. Getting in, he paddled for many days and many nights. Hewatched all the time, to see if any game came near the banks, but hesaw no sign of any. 

At last, after he had gone many hundreds of miles, he felt so tiredthat he knew he must rest. He drew his canoe up to the side of theriver and made a lodge from the branches of trees. Here he sleptduring the night, and when morning came, he arose quite rested. Beforehe had gone to sleep that night he had noticed that the clouds hunglow, and he had wondered if there would be snow in the morning. Now, when he came forth from his lodge, he saw that all the land was white. During the night a heavy fall of soft snow had come, and all the treesand the prairie were covered with it. 

Wesakchak was greatly pleased, for this was just what he had hoped for. Now he would be able to see the marks of the animals and trace them totheir homes. Going down to the river, he was delighted to find thetrail of deer, who had been down for a drink. There were also themarks of the other animals, and now Wesakchak made up his mind tofollow these trails and find where the animals were living. He setout, and tramped for many miles. The sun arose and shone on the snow, making everything a dazzling white. But Wesakchak did not mind, andtramped on. At length he knew he was near the place where the animalswere living. He took a good look at the trees, so that he could tellthe hunters where to find them. Then he turned to hurry back, for hewished to let them know as soon as possible. He tramped on again for along time, but he did not seem to be getting any nearer to the river. He stopped and looked around. Everything was glistening white, andnowhere could he see a river or a tree. He wondered if he were lostand what he would do, for he knew that if the sick people did not getfood soon, they would die. He turned in another direction andtravelled for some time. Then stopping, he looked around once more. Again all was glistening white, dazzling his eyes so much that he couldsee nothing. He knew now that he was snowblind, and felt very sadindeed, for how could he get the news to the hunters in time to savethe sick ones, when he could not find the river and his canoe? If onlythere was something to guide him, --some dark object that he could see;but everything was a dazzling whiteness. 

Just then he noticed a little, brown object in front of him. As helooked at it, it hopped a few steps ahead and then stopped. 

"Oh, Brother Rabbit, " called Wesakchak, "I am so glad to see you. Icannot find the river and I want to get back and tell the hunters wherethe game is living. "

"Let me guide you, " said the rabbit. "Keep watching me, and you cansee my dark fur against the white snow. "

As he said this he hopped away, and Wesakchak, looking only at thelittle, dark body, was able to follow, till at last they reached thebank of the river. The canoe was there, and Wesakchak stepped in atonce, glad that he would now be able to carry the good news to thewarriors and hunters. Before he paddled away he turned to the rabbitand said:

"My little Brother Rabbit, you have been very kind to me, indeed, andthrough your kindness the lives of our tribe will be saved. In returnfor this your brown fur shall become white as the first snowfall, sothat no one will be able to see your body against the snow. In thisway you may protect yourself, and people will know how kind the rabbitwas to Wesakchak. "

As he spoke, the rabbit's fur suddenly became pure white, and it lookedlike a little ball of snow near the bushes. Wesakchak smiled when hesaw this and said:

"Your enemies will need to have sharp eyes now, little Brother Rabbit, for you will give them many a long chase over the winter prairies. "

V. THE BALD-HEADED EAGLES

One day Wesakchak was seated at the door of his lodge, when he noticedtwo eagles circling high in the air above him. 

"Come down, my brothers, " he called. "I wish to speak to you. "

The eagles slowly descended, and Wesakchak said, "I wish you to take meon your backs for a ride. This is a very warm day and I know it mustbe cool high up in the air where you fly. "

"But we are going home to our nests, " replied the eagles. "It is on avery high cliff many miles from here, and you will not care to gothere. "

"Yes, I shall, " replied Wesakchak. "I should like to see your nest andyour young eaglets. Take me on your backs with you. "

The eagles did not seem very eager to take him, but Wesakchak, withoutwaiting for any more words, jumped on their backs, and they began tomount in the air. Up and up they went, until at last they were as highas the clouds. Wesakchak now began to feel rather cold and asked themto fly lower, but they gave him no answer. On and on they went, andWesakchak clung tightly to their backs, for he felt very dizzy, beingup so high in the air. At last he began to wonder where their nestcould be, for he could see no sign of rocks or cliffs of any kind. After what seemed to be hours to him, the eagles began to descend, andin a few minutes they alighted on the top of a very high crag. Wesakchak slipped from their backs and looked around, him. Near himwas the nest of the eagles, and in it were the young, crying loudly forfood. 

Below, Wesakchak could see the ground, which seemed miles away; abovehim the clouds, which looked low and stormy. The eagles fed theiryoung, and after Wesakchak had waited awhile he said, "Now, mybrothers, please take me to my home. "

"You are tired of our cliff?" asked the eagles. "Well, you must gohome yourself, for we are not going away for some hours. "

"Oh, I cannot stay here that long, " said Wesakchak. "Besides, I amtired and very hungry, and there is nothing here but bare rock. Youmust take me home. "

The eagles did not dare to disobey Wesakchak, so they let him mount ontheir backs. Then they began to fly slowly away. After a while itseemed to him that they were going in the wrong direction. He couldsee snow-capped mountains, and, as his lodge was built on the prairies, he said:

"My brothers, you are not taking me to my lodge. You are going in thewrong direction. Turn and fly the other way. " But the eagles, insteadof answering, only flew more rapidly towards the mountains. AgainWesakchak called to them and again they did not reply. He now saw thatthey did not intend to take him home, and he began to wonder what hecould do. 

In a few moments the eagles slowly circled around the top of a mountainfrom whose summit a large piece of ice was just ready to slip. Whenthe eagles were directly above the ice, they suddenly turned with ajerk and hurled Wesakchak from their backs. Down, down he fell, alighting on the ice, which at once slipped from its place and began todescend the mountain side with terrible rapidity. Wesakchak clungdesperately to the icy block, and felt himself going with it and theloose pieces of rock and the small trees which it uprooted on its way. As they came down, the speed became greater, until at last they werebounding over huge stones and across chasms, and with one terrible leapWesakchak flew through the air and alighted on the ground at the footof the mountain. Behind them their pathway down the mountain side wasmarked by a deep ravine cut in the rocky sides of the hill. And aroundWesakchak lay ice and stones and uprooted trees. 

He lay perfectly still, for he was rendered insensible with theterrible force with which he had fallen. After several hours he openedhis eyes, but was too weak to move. He could hear the voices of twowolves near him. One was saying, "He is dead. Let us go and eat him, for I am very hungry. " Then the other wolf answered, "No, he is notdead, and I think he is Wesakchak, for look, see his suit made of thefeathers of birds. It is only Wesakchak who has a suit like that. "

Wesakchak heard all this, but he could not move or speak. 

As he lay there with his eyes open, he noticed two eagles circling highin the air above him. This aroused him, and he called to the wolves ina faint voice, "My brothers, come near to me. " The wolves seemedsurprised, but they came slowly to his side. 

"You were arguing a moment ago as to whether I was dead, " saidWesakchak to them. "Now you can see I am not dead, but I wish you topretend to be eating me, for I want those eagles to come down, and ifthey think I am dead, they will come so that they can make a meal offme, too. "

The wolves did as he asked them and pretended to be eating him. Whenthe eagles saw this, they hovered lower for a moment or two, thendarted down. Wesakchak was lying with his two arms stretched out atfull length, and now the eagles began to peck at the palms of hishands. At once he grabbed them by the feathers on their heads. 

"Now I have you, " he said. "You shall be punished for playing such atrick as this on me. "

The eagles pulled desperately to try and get away, and Wesakchak clungjust as desperately to their heads. At last, with one mighty jerk, they pulled their heads free, but Wesakchak still held the feathers inhis hands and their heads were bald. 

"This shall be your punishment, then, " said Wesakchak, very sternly. "From this day you and all your race shall have no feathers on yourheads, so that every one may know how unkind you have been toWesakchak. "

And so it has been. From that day the two eagles and all theirchildren have been bald-headed. 

A BATTLE WITH THE SIOUX

Less than sixty years ago, the vast tracts of land which are now largecities and cultivated farms were prairie and forest. Numerous tribesof Indians camped on these prairies in summer-time, and when the coldwinter came, they sought the shelter of the forest. Most of thesetribes were very warlike and fought with one another, but sometimes thewhite people were attacked by the savages. The most warlike tribe wasthe Sioux, and the white settlers, who were very few in number, werealways on the alert against their attacks. 

In June, 1851, a party of three hundred hunters set out on their annualbuffalo hunt. With them went the grave, kindly-faced missionary, whohad given up his life to work in the western wilds. They travelled tothe westward, keeping a sharp lookout for Indian tribes, as their routenow lay through the Sioux territory. After about three weeks' journeyover the prairies, they decided to separate into two bands, as this isthe usual way in buffalo hunting. But the older men thought this wasnot safe, because they would need all their numbers if attacked by theIndians. They talked it over for some time, and finally sixty-fivehunters with their wives and children separated from the larger partyand decided to go in a different direction. Each party was to take thedirection of the Big Hill. 

After some time, two scouts came riding back from the larger party totell the others that a tribe of Sioux had been seen by them, and to bevery watchful. The hunters kept a watch, but saw nothing of theIndians, and at last, after about six days' journey, reached the BigHill. Their chief sent five of the officers to have a look around andfind out the best place to pitch their camp, and also to see if therewere Indians in the neighborhood. The five men rode to the top of thesmall ridge, and from there could see a camp in the distance. Theycould not tell whether it was their friends or the Indians, so theyrode on, and on reaching the top of the higher ridge saw it was a campof Sioux Indians. Instead of going back to warn the hunters, they rodeon, and the Indians, who had sighted them at once, came forward to meetthem. The Indians appeared very friendly, but while talking to theofficers they closed in, and the men saw that they were prisoners. Twoof them at once put spurs to their horses and made a dash for liberty. Before the Indians could stop them, they had escaped, and had riddenback to the party. 

When the missionary and the hunters heard what had happened, they atonce pitched camp and began to fortify it. They knew they could notsave the prisoners, and decided that it was better to defend themselvesthan for all to lose their lives. 

They had scarcely begun these preparations when two Sioux Indians rodeup. They said they had been sent to tell the hunters not to worryabout their companions. The Indians would not harm them and wouldbring them back in safety the next day. After delivering this message, the Sioux rode away. The hunters were not at all reassured, for theyknew the Indians did not speak the truth, and had merely come as spiesto find out how large their camp was. 

During the night the hunters continued their preparations. Theyarranged their carts in a circle, putting the shafts of one into thewheels of the next, so fastening them together. Then they dug a holein the centre of this fortification and in it put the women andchildren. They threw the earth in little mounds, behind which theycould crouch and shoot. By morning the fortification was complete. The sentries, who had been watching all night, now gave warning that aband of Indians was approaching. Thirty of the hunters mounted androde forward to meet them. Some of the Indians were in advance andhalted when the hunters reached them. Suddenly a man on horseback camedashing past. It was one of the officers who had been made prisoner. 

"There is nothing but death for us all, " he shouted. "They are twothousand strong and intend to massacre every one of us. " But thehunters did not let this daunt them; they rode up to the chief andpretended they thought the Indians were friendly. They gave them a fewpresents and asked them to journey back. But the Indians, who now sawwhat an easy victory they could have, would not listen to this. Thehunters, seeing they meant to fight, turned their horses and gallopedback to the camp. Scarcely were they within the fortification when theIndians dashed up. They had not waited for the main band to overtakethem, but with one fierce yell came on, expecting to overturn thecarts. But the hunters, crouching behind the little mounds of earth, aimed and fired. Every shot was true, and the foremost warriors fellfrom their ponies. The men reloaded and fired, and again the Indiansbit the dust. Those in the rear now withdrew to the top of the ridgeto wait for the remainder of the band. Another horseman came dashingup then, his horse all covered with foam. It was the fourth prisoner. His guard had been among the whites, and had allowed him to escape, firing in the air as the prisoner escaped from the rear of the warparty. The savages now came in sight, an immense number, confident ofvictory because they were so strong. The missionary said, "Mychildren, the Indians are very strong and great in number. But fightbravely. You have a Father above who sees this battle. Trust in Him. Die if you must, but die bravely. "

With fierce yells the savages surrounded the little camp. They did notdream that a handful of men behind a barricade of wooden carts couldcause them to retreat after killing the bravest of their warriors. Forfive hours bullets whistled back and forth over the heads of the menkneeling in the shelter of the carts. The Indians had begun the battleconfident of victory, but as the time went on and warrior after warriorwas killed, their courage grew faint. Late in the afternoon they said, "Let us go back; it is of no use to fight them. They have a Manitouwith them. "

They began to retreat, and by evening all was peaceful where the battlehad been. But the hunters knew that on the morrow the attack would berenewed, and so did not let this deceive them. All through the nightthey could hear the hideous yells of the savages. They decided tostart back in the morning, hoping to meet their friends, for they hadsent two scouts, when the firing began, to tell them of the attack. 

They arranged the carts in four rows and divided the hunters into fourparties. One party was to ride in front of the carts, another at theback, and the other two on the sides. Then, if they sighted theIndians, they were to give the warning by two horsemen riding past eachother on the top of the ridge. 

They set out by daylight, and had not gone many miles when they saw twohorsemen ride past each other in their rear. This was the signal of afresh attack. At once the party was halted; two rows of carts went toone side, two to the other. Then the ends were filled in, and thecircle was complete. They began to dig a hole in the centre and throwup the mounds of dirt. The women and children were hidden, and thehunters with loaded guns went behind their ramparts. The large band ofIndians advanced. They were not so numerous as the day previous, butwere quite fierce for the fight. 

For five hours the two fought. At the end of that time the Indianchief advanced and signalled that the battle was over. The hunters didnot believe him at first, but suddenly the tribe of Indians with theirhorses at full gallop came dashing close to the camp. They wereyelling fiercely, and discharged their guns into the air as they rodeby. The noise was most hideous since the battle had begun, and for asecond the hunters were fear-bound. Then, as they realized that thiswas really the end of the fight, their shouts of joy rang out in answerto the Indians' yells. The Indians now retreated, and hardly had theydisappeared when the big party of hunters galloped up. They wereaccompanied by two hundred Saultaux who had joined them to help todrive back the Sioux. At first they were all going to follow, butfinally they decided they had had enough of fighting and would go on insearch of the buffalo. 

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