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} - dl.int dt {margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } - dl.int dd {margin-left:2em; } -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Treasury of American Indian Tales, by -Theodore Whitson Ressler - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Treasury of American Indian Tales - -Author: Theodore Whitson Ressler - -Release Date: August 5, 2020 [EBook #62855] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TREASURY OF AMERICAN INDIAN TALES *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="img"> -<img class="cover" id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Treasury of American Indian Tales" width="500" height="754" /> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<h1>TREASURY -<br /><span class="smallest">OF</span> -<br />AMERICAN INDIAN TALES</h1> -<p class="center">BY THEODORE WHITSON RESSLER</p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p2.jpg" alt="{Logo}" width="178" height="89" /> -</div> -<p class="center"><span class="large">BONANZA BOOKS · NEW YORK</span></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_iv">iv</div> -<p class="center"><span class="ss"><i>517110660</i></span></p> -<p><span class="ss"><i>Copyright © MCMLVII by National Board of Young Men’s Christian -Association. Library of Congress Catalog Number: 57-5046. -All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or -utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, -including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage -and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. -Inquiries should be addressed to: BONANZA BOOKS, a -division of Crown Publishers, Inc., 419 Park Avenue South, New -York, New York 10016.</i></span></p> -<p class="center"><span class="ss"><i>This edition is published by BONANZA BOOKS, -<br />a division of Crown Publishers, Inc. -<br />by arrangement with The Association Press. -<br />a b c d e f g h -<br />Manufactured in the United States of America.</i></span></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_v">v</div> -<p class="tb"><span class="sc">To William Frederick, My Son</span></p> -<blockquote> -<p>I dedicate this book to you, my -son. The ways of the Indian were -good. Honesty and truth were sacred -to them; courage, a part of -their lives, as much as eating and -sleeping. May this book prove to -bring you many joyful hours of -reading, for constantly were you -with me during its writing, not -only in person but in spirit.</p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_vii">vii</div> -<h2>THE 44 STORIES FROM 27 TRIBES</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dd><a href="#c1"><i>Introduction</i></a> ix</dd> -<dt>1. ADVENTURE</dt> -<dd><a href="#c2"><i>Little Rabbit Discovers a Secret of Strength</i>, <span class="sc">Pueblo</span></a> 3</dd> -<dd><a href="#c3"><i>Atagahi—The Secret Lake</i>, <span class="sc">Cherokee</span></a> 10</dd> -<dd><a href="#c4"><i>Quarter Moon and Little Elk</i>, <span class="sc">Iroquois</span></a> 13</dd> -<dd><a href="#c5"><i>A Kitten Brings a Boy His Feather</i>, <span class="sc">Nez Percé</span></a> 20</dd> -<dd><a href="#c6"><i>Little Thunder Finds a Friend</i>, <span class="sc">Wyandot</span></a> 23</dd> -<dd><a href="#c7"><i>How Not to Catch a Fish</i>, <span class="sc">Bella Coola</span></a> 29</dd> -<dd><a href="#c8"><i>Little Fire Cloud’s Dream</i>, <span class="sc">Delaware</span></a> 33</dd> -<dd><a href="#c9"><i>The Cry of the Horned Owl</i>, <span class="sc">Cayuga</span></a> 38</dd> -<dd><a href="#c10"><i>The Dream That Led to Victory</i>, <span class="sc">Apache</span></a> 42</dd> -<dt>2. HUNTING AND FISHING</dt> -<dd><a href="#c11"><i>Grey Calf Learns to Hunt Buffalo</i>, <span class="sc">Crow</span></a> 53</dd> -<dd><a href="#c12"><i>Little Fox and the Golden Eagle</i>, <span class="sc">Apache</span></a> 60</dd> -<dd><a href="#c13"><i>How Long Moose Became a Brave</i>, <span class="sc">Powhatan</span></a> 65</dd> -<dd><a href="#c14"><i>How a Fishing Trip Taught Loyalty to a Boy</i>, <span class="sc">Iroquois</span></a> 71</dd> -<dd><a href="#c15"><i>Little Bear’s First Hunt</i>, <span class="sc">Apache</span></a> 79</dd> -<dd><a href="#c16"><i>Crying Eagle Sees a Great Battle</i>, <span class="sc">Iroquois</span></a> 84</dd> -<dd><a href="#c17"><i>Spotted Tail and the Ghost Wolf</i>, <span class="sc">Mohawk</span></a> 89</dd> -<dt>3. CUSTOMS</dt> -<dd><a href="#c18"><i>The Tribes Gather</i>, <span class="sc">Cree</span></a> 99</dd> -<dd><a href="#c19"><i>Singing Eagle’s First Clothes</i>, <span class="sc">Huron</span></a> 105</dd> -<dd><a href="#c20"><i>The New Tepee</i>, <span class="sc">Blackfoot</span></a> 108</dd> -<dd><a href="#c21"><i>Little Dove Learns to Weave</i>, <span class="sc">Winnebago</span></a> 112</dd> -<dd><a href="#c22"><i>Red Cloud’s Dream</i>, <span class="sc">Algonquin</span></a> 117</dd> -<dd><a href="#c23"><i>Broken Tooth and the War Bonnet</i>, <span class="sc">Apache</span></a> 127</dd> -<dd><a href="#c24"><i>Grey Squirrel Hears His Name</i>, <span class="sc">Oneida</span></a> 129</dd> -<dt>4. HEROISM</dt> -<dd><a href="#c25"><i>Little Fawn and the Wolves</i>, <span class="sc">Choctaw</span></a> 139</dd> -<dd><a href="#c26"><i>The Island</i>, <span class="sc">Iroquois</span></a> 144</dd> -<dd><a href="#c27"><i>A New Bow for Tani</i>, <span class="sc">Cherokee</span></a> 149</dd> -<dd><a href="#c28"><i>Singing Waters and the Medicine Well</i>, <span class="sc">Teton-Dakota</span></a> 153</dd> -<dd><a href="#c29"><i>The War That Should Not Have Happened</i>, <span class="sc">Comanche</span></a> 160</dd> -<dd><a href="#c30"><i>Little Horse and the Painted Arrow</i>, <span class="sc">Delaware</span></a> 174</dd> -<dd><a href="#c31"><i>Falling Water Earns a Feather</i>, <span class="sc">Dakota-Sioux</span></a> 192</dd> -<dd><a href="#c32"><i>The Race with Death</i>, <span class="sc">Apache</span></a> 197</dd> -<dd><a href="#c33"><i>The Storm</i>, <span class="sc">Algonquin</span></a> 210</dd> -<dt>5. CHARACTER</dt> -<dd><a href="#c34"><i>Sleeping Bear Makes a Mistake</i>, <span class="sc">Montagnais</span></a> 217</dd> -<dd><a href="#c35"><i>The Lesson of the Elm Tree</i>, <span class="sc">Cherokee</span></a> 220</dd> -<dd><a href="#c36"><i>The Race</i>, <span class="sc">Oneida</span></a> 225</dd> -<dd><a href="#c37"><i>Little Thunderbird Tells the Truth</i>, <span class="sc">Blackfoot</span></a> 241</dd> -<dd><a href="#c38"><i>The Prize No One Could See</i>, <span class="sc">Kickapoo</span></a> 247</dd> -<dd><a href="#c39"><i>The Mysterious Pony Raiders</i>, <span class="sc">Blackfoot</span></a> 253</dd> -<dd><a href="#c40"><i>The Canoe Race</i>, <span class="sc">Ottawa</span></a> 263</dd> -<dd><a href="#c41"><i>Standing Fawn Makes a Doll</i>, <span class="sc">Shawnee</span></a> 269</dd> -<dd><a href="#c42"><i>Black Cloud Remembers</i>, <span class="sc">Seneca</span></a> 274</dd> -<dd><a href="#c43"><i>The Miracle of the Pine Grove</i>, <span class="sc">Iroquois</span></a> 281</dd> -<dd><a href="#c44"><i>Crooked Arrow Finds a Friend</i>, <span class="sc">Shawnee</span></a> 286</dd> -<dd><a href="#c45"><i>The Boy and the Warrior Chief</i>, <span class="sc">Seneca</span></a> 300</dd> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_ix">ix</div> -<h2 id="c1"><span class="h2line1">INTRODUCTION</span></h2> -<p>This is a collection of American Indian tales for pre-teen -boys and girls, a fact that does not obviate the -possibility of their interest to parents and youth leaders, -as well. All have been tested by the author-compiler with -youngsters in many settings—in homes, in church, Scout -and Y groups, by the campfire, in meeting rooms, and -even in buses.</p> -<p>Those stories which the author has created are based -upon Indian lore and customs. Many of the traditional -stories were related to him by his Indian friends, descendants -of the braves who first recounted them many generations -ago. Both the original and the traditional tales are -set down within the general context of Indian history, but -without any pretense that the events actually took place.</p> -<p>Authenticity, however, in the life, customs, and moral -standards of the Indians has been striven for in each -story. Throughout, an attempt has been made to impart, -without “preaching” at youngsters, three major ethical -values common to all American Indians—courage, honesty -in dealing with others, and truthfulness in speech.</p> -<p>The tales are of varying length, but all are short to -conform with the interest span of average pre-teeners—and, -hopefully, to leave them eager for the next story -session.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_x">x</div> -<p>It will be noted that both Indian boys and girls play -leading roles. The author has found that the appeal of -each story has been equal for both sexes irrespective of -whether it has a young hero or heroine.</p> -<p>Parents and youth leaders will observe, too, that stress -is placed in several stories upon the close father-son and -mother-daughter relationship—completely true in Indian -culture, and as much coveted in the formative pre-teen -years of our own children today.</p> -<p>Whether read to children, or adapted and retold to -them, or read by children themselves, it is hoped that -these stories will be cherished as much by them as by the -hundreds of boys and girls who helped, unwittingly, to -select them for this book.</p> -<p><span class="jr"><span class="sc">Theodore Whitson Ressler</span></span></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_1">1</div> -<h2><span class="h2line1">1. ADVENTURE</span></h2> -<div class="pb" id="Page_3">3</div> -<h2 id="c2"><span class="h2line1">LITTLE RABBIT DISCOVERS A SECRET OF STRENGTH</span></h2> -<p>Little Rabbit was a young Pueblo brave who lived a -very happy and carefree life. There was nothing very -special about Little Rabbit unless you were to say that his -spirits were never dampened by a sad turn of events. -When something went wrong and people were unhappy, -Little Rabbit usually found his way to their side, and -would offer words of encouragement.</p> -<p>The village in which Little Rabbit was born was like -all the Pueblo adobe villages of centuries before him. -Little Rabbit had to climb a ladder in order to enter his -home, because all ground floor rooms had only a roof -entrance. By pulling up the ladder at night, families made -their homes hard to enter.</p> -<p>Little Rabbit had once watched several families make -an adobe building, several levels high. The walls were -made of a mixture of yellowish clay and sand, called -adobe; the roofs were made of a heavy layer of the same -adobe laid over a strong frame of log beams, crisscrossed -with poles, willow branches, sticks, grass, and desert -brush. The Spaniards had taught the Pueblos how to -mold the adobe into bricks. Small holes were made for -windows and doorways. Each family had one large room, -and the ground floor room (without windows or a doorway) -was used by all the families for storage, initiation -of the boys into secret societies, and for religious ceremonies.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_4">4</div> -<p>Because each floor was set back the depth of the -room below, each level had a porch which was used by -the Pueblo women for making corn bread, pottery, and -baskets, and by the men to weave rugs and blankets. -When religious ceremonies, dances, and games were -taking place, these porches gave the whole family the -best possible point from which to watch.</p> -<p>Such was the village in which Little Rabbit had grown -to the age of twelve, a strong and tall young brave.</p> -<p>One day he had just finished playing some running -games with his friends and was returning to his home -when one of his friends called to him, “Come, Little -Rabbit, we are going to walk the ledges.”</p> -<p>Now walking the ledges was a very difficult game and, -most of the time, was forbidden by the parents. But occasionally -some of the more daring young braves, willing -to chance their necks, would organize a game of ledge -walking. The idea was something like “Follow the -Leader,” but far more dangerous. The boys would walk -right on the edge of the roofs—along the first floor and, -if successful and daring enough, along the second, and -then along the third floor roof. As the boys went higher, -fewer and fewer would take part; a fall from any one of -the roofs would be bad, but a fall from the second or -third could cause great injury or even death.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_5">5</div> -<p>Now Little Rabbit was not a coward, but he hesitated -to play the game because his father had told him that he -was not to go without his father’s permission, and Little -Rabbit knew that this was one game his father would -not permit him to play. So with sadness in his heart he -shouted back to the other boys that he had work to do, -and continued on his way home.</p> -<p>Several days passed, and each day a few of the older -boys would gather to walk ledges, and each day they -would ask Little Rabbit to take part, and each day Little -Rabbit would say no. Finally it got to be too much for -even Little Rabbit. The next time he was asked he answered -yes, and soon was playing the very dangerous -game.</p> -<p>The boys had all completed the first ledge of the -round floor and were starting for the second. Just as -Little Rabbit reached the second ledge, a voice called out, -“Little Rabbit, my son, what are you doing?”</p> -<p>The rest of the braves scattered, but the surprise at -hearing his father’s angry voice near by frightened Little -Rabbit for a moment, and he lost his balance. He tried -to straighten up, but went tumbling down the side of the -dwelling. He managed to break his fall by grasping at -the ladder but was not able to hold on. When he landed, -his leg was doubled under him and a sharp pain shot -through his body, and then he fainted.</p> -<p>When Little Rabbit awoke, he found he was stretched -on his own bed, and his father and mother were standing -over him.</p> -<p>“I am sorry, my son,” his father said softly. “I did not -mean to startle you so. But I was afraid for you, and the -fear in my heart gave harshness and anger to my voice. -If I had waited until you were safely over the edge and -then called to you, this terrible thing might not have -happened.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_6">6</div> -<p>“Do not blame yourself,” said Little Rabbit. “It is I -who made the mistake. I disobeyed my father. I am truly -sorry for that. If I had not been doing something wrong, -I would not have been startled when you called. It was -a foolish thing for me to do. I let the other boys tease -me into playing. It would have been braver for me to -tell them no. Truly I am ashamed, my father.”</p> -<p>“You must rest, my son. Your leg has been badly -injured. When you have rested we shall talk of this.” -With that, Little Rabbit’s father left the house to continue -his work.</p> -<p>For many days Little Rabbit lay in pain from his hurt -leg; but more than his leg, his heart and mind were hurt -from the unhappiness he had brought to his father by -disobeying. He tried to talk with his mother about how -he felt but all his mother would say was, “Do not worry -so, Little Rabbit. Your father has forgiven you.”</p> -<p>But this was not what concerned Little Rabbit. His -father now had to carry on the work of farming the corn -and brans and cotton all alone for the family. This made -Little Rabbit feel very unhappy. He wanted to do his -share of the work, and he liked to see crops grow.</p> -<p>His leg began to heal, and soon Little Rabbit was able -to hobble around with the aid of a stout staff. He began -to help around the house as much as he could. Before -long, he was able to limp out to the garden after his father -and work a little there, too.</p> -<p>Many moons passed and his leg healed and became -strong. But it was twisted so that when Little Rabbit -walked or ran he would limp rather badly. The other -young braves felt sorry for Little Rabbit. Even though -he could move about rather easily with his twisted leg, -he really could not keep up with the other young braves -in the many games they played. Soon he found that he -was not being asked so often to play the really exciting -games.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_7">7</div> -<p>One day as Little Rabbit was seated in front of his -home, his father was returning from the garden. As he -came to where Little Rabbit was seated, he stopped and -spoke gently.</p> -<p>“Why do you sit here so sad and forlorn, my son? -Always you have been gay and happy, but lately you have -become quiet and sad. Tell your father what it is that -troubles you.”</p> -<p>And so Little Rabbit explained that because he could -not keep up with them in the games of speed and skill, -the other boys no longer invited him to play.</p> -<p>“My son, if you are going to sit here and let your life -pass you by because your leg will not obey every command -it is given, you will soon become very unhappy -and bitter. You will be of no use to anyone, even yourself. -You must turn your thoughts to other things. If you -cannot run fast, you must practice. If you cannot jump, -you must practice.”</p> -<p>“I have tried, my father, but it seems to do no good. -My leg is strong, but the way it is twisted causes me to -limp. If I try to run my leg bends under me. I have tried -day after day but it is of no use.”</p> -<p>“You cannot sit here and think of the world as a sad, -unhappy place. Such thoughts will make your leg feel -even more twisted than it really is. You must be thankful -for your opportunity to raise yourself to be more than -just an ordinary Indian brave. You have a battle inside -yourself now that calls for great courage and wisdom. -How you will overcome it I do not know, but you must -try, my son.”</p> -<p>That night Little Rabbit could not go to sleep because -he was thinking about what his father had said. Maybe -he had not been working hard enough to make his leg -do what he commanded. Tomorrow he would try harder.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_8">8</div> -<p>And so every day Little Rabbit practiced very hard. -For many hours each week, he would exercise his leg. -Finally one day he awoke feeling strong and fit. After -breakfast he went forth from his home to find his friends -for a game. When he located them, they were beginning -a foot race which would take them around the village. -Without waiting to be asked, Little Rabbit trotted into -line just as the race started. The other boys were off to -a big lead, but that didn’t worry Little Rabbit. He remembered -what his father had said and, with each running -step, he repeated the words, “I must try.”</p> -<p>The race was going strong. Soon, to his own surprise, -Little Rabbit began to pass the other boys one after -another. What he had lost in ability, he made up in -stamina—the strength to go on and on. His many days -of practice were now proving valuable. As the other boys -began to tire and drop back, Little Rabbit passed the -leading young brave. Then he began to widen the gap -between himself and the next runner until nearly one -hundred paces separated him from the second place -runner when he crossed the finish line.</p> -<p>When all the runners had come panting to the finish -line, they gathered around Little Rabbit, slapping his -shoulders and congratulating him upon his victory. -Finally, one of the young braves asked, “How did you -manage to stay so fresh to the very end?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div> -<p>“Well, you see,” said Little Rabbit quietly, “when I -fell from the ledge that day and broke my leg, I was -sure that I was being punished for disobeying my father’s -wishes. After my leg healed and I began to play again, -I found that I could not keep up with you in your games. -Once again I thought that I was still being punished. -But my father told me I must try harder. This brought -me courage. Once again I began practicing every day to -learn to run and jump even though my leg was twisted. -I do not have the skill that I used to have, but I now have -endurance which may stand me in very good stead later -on as it has here today.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_10">10</div> -<h2 id="c3"><span class="h2line1">ATAGAHI—THE SECRET LAKE</span></h2> -<p>Somewhere in the high ridges of the Great Smokies -there was believed to be a lake called Atagahi, the Secret -Lake. Few people had heard of it, and this is a story of -a young Cherokee brave and his sister who enjoyed the -secret of this beautiful lake nestled in the Great Smokies.</p> -<p>Utani placed his bright, shiny, new knife on the ground -next to his new moccasins and admired the gleaming of -the blade in the sun. He was a young Cherokee brave, -rather tall for his age but very powerfully built and with -sharp penetrating black eyes. He was too busy admiring -the glint of the metal in the sun to notice the approach -of Netani, his sister, until the shadow of her body crossed -the knife blade and shut off the sun.</p> -<p>“Get out of the way of the sun,” cried Utani. “You are -blocking the rays from shining on my knife.” Netani -made no effort to move and so Utani repeated his request.</p> -<p>Netani could not understand Utani’s demand that she -move, but he was her big brother and so she must obey. -As she stepped aside she inquired of Utani why he -watched so intently the blade of his knife in the sun.</p> -<p>Utani, of course, now being a man, did not want to -give a childish answer such as, “I am watching the blade -shine in the sun.” So he quickly gave another answer: -“I am receiving a message from the sun.”</p> -<p>“What sort of message?” asked Netani.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_11">11</div> -<p>“Oh, the sun is telling me where Atagahi is and maybe -if I study the blade long enough the sun will tell me just -where to find it.”</p> -<p>This, Utani thought, would satisfy his little sister. But -her curiosity was too great, and she asked that Utani take -her to the secret lake, Atagahi.</p> -<p>Now, Utani realized he had gone a little too far in his -bragging; but being very stubborn, he refused to tell his -sister that he really could not find the secret lake by -looking at the knife blade in the sun. Utani made up his -mind that he would have to find the secret lake, Atagahi. -He rose and placed his knife carefully in his belt and, -taking his sister’s hand, started toward the ridges of the -Great Smokies. For two hours, Utani and Netani climbed -higher and higher into the mountains; but as the day wore -on, Utani began to feel a bit frightened, for they were a -long way from home and had come upon nothing that -looked like a lake. Finally Netani stopped a few feet -behind Utani and called out.</p> -<p>“Let us rest here for a while, big brother. I am getting -tired. Besides it is late and I am hungry. Let us go back -to the village and look tomorrow.”</p> -<p>Of course, Utani secretly thought that was a wonderful -idea, for he was tired and hungry too. He agreed to -follow his little sister’s idea.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_12">12</div> -<p>As he grasped his sister’s hand to start home, his foot -kicked a small stone which rolled off the side of the trail -and down a small embankment of earth and landed at -the bottom with a splash. Utani and Netani looked at -each other with great surprise and then carefully stepped -to the edge of the path. Utani pushed aside the branches -that grew along the side of the trail, and they both peered -down into the waters of a beautiful blue green lake -nestled among the trees and rocks that hid it from human -eyes along the trail. They had found it! They had found -Atagahi! It was fast growing dark, so the two children -decided to return to their village and come back the -following day to the secret lake. When they returned to -their village the older braves wanted to know where they -had been. Netani said, “We looked at Utani’s knife blade -in the sun, and the sun told us where to find Atagahi.”</p> -<p>The older Cherokee braves all laughed and laughed -very loudly. But Netani and Utani did not laugh, for they -knew where Atagahi was and they could go there any -time they pleased. They never told anyone their secret, -but every once in a while if you looked very carefully up -the trail into the mountains, you might see two Indian -children kicking stones off the side of the trail.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_13">13</div> -<h2 id="c4"><span class="h2line1">QUARTER MOON AND LITTLE ELK</span></h2> -<p>“Quarter Moon! Where are you, Quarter Moon?”</p> -<p>Little Elk was shouting for his friend as he trotted -through the quiet Iroquois village.</p> -<p>It was July, and many of the older braves had gone -off to fish and hunt. There were few left in the village -except the women, the old men, and the children. Little -Elk was now twelve and he was feeling like a big warrior -more and more each day.</p> -<p>Finally just as Little Elk was about to give up, he -heard his friend answering him from behind his father’s -wigwam. “Why do you call so loudly, Little Elk?”</p> -<p>“Because my mother said that I could go fishing this -day and I would like you, my friend, to go with me. I -have a great deal of good fishing equipment, and there -is still one canoe left at the shore of the great lake. Can -you come with me?”</p> -<p>Quarter Moon thought for a moment, especially of the -work he was supposed to do that day. Finally he said, -“Wait, I will go and ask my mother.”</p> -<p>With that he disappeared into the wigwam and in a -moment was out again, smiling.</p> -<p>“My mother says that I may go, but that I must be -back when the sun has climbed to the highest point in -the sky. For any day now, my father is expected back and -I have not completed the chores he gave me to do when -he left.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_14">14</div> -<p>“Come then,” said Little Elk. “We must hurry.”</p> -<p>The two boys ran to the lake shore and, after placing -their fishing equipment in the canoe, they stepped in and -pushed away from the shore.</p> -<p>“We will paddle along the shore,” said Little Elk.</p> -<p>The Indians of the Northeast made fishing tackle from -young basswood saplings and made their hooks from -bone. With these they were able to catch the mighty muskellunge -of the northern waters and supplemented their -fresh meat diet with lake fish.</p> -<p>The boys paddled for quite some time before they -dropped their lines into the water. They had picked a good -spot because in a matter of minutes they had several fish -in the floor of the canoe. Suddenly, Little Elk noticed -that the canoe had been drifting and he spoke to his -friend about it.</p> -<p>“We should start for home, Little Elk,” Quarter Moon -said. “The sun is climbing high in the heavens. We have -many fine fish, and our mothers will be proud.”</p> -<p>As they picked up their paddles once again, Little -Elk looked around to make sure that they were headed -in the right direction. They had been so busy with their -fishing that they had drifted far from where they had -started. Little Elk wasn’t quite sure which direction they -should take to go homeward, for the two boys had never -been off by themselves fishing and for a moment he was -confused. Then, looking at the sun, he decided that they -had turned completely around and would have to turn -their canoe once again to be headed in the right direction. -And after he told Quarter Moon, the two boys turned -the canoe around and began to paddle in the direction -they were sure was right.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div> -<p>They paddled past several islands and toward the -main shore, when Quarter Moon cried out, “Little Elk, -our canoe has sprung a leak.”</p> -<p>Little Elk looked down at his moccasins. The water -was beginning to rise in the canoe. Then Little Elk knew -why this old canoe had been left at the shore of the lake. -The bottom was not considered safe. So the canoe had -been left to be repaired and used later on.</p> -<p>“Quarter Moon, we are not too far from the shore. -Paddle harder and we will be able to reach the shore -before the canoe fills so full that we cannot move it.”</p> -<p>So the boys paddled with all their strength and soon -felt the bow of the canoe scrape against the sandy bottom -of the lake shore. Jumping out, the two boys pulled the -leaking canoe ashore and up onto the brush. Looking -around, the boys realized that they were in unfamiliar -territory. Neither boy had ever been this far along the -shore, but now, by looking out upon the lake, they -guessed that they were some distance north of their -village.</p> -<p>“Well,” said Little Elk, “at least we are not lost, for -by following the shore south, we will come to our village. -Come, Quarter Moon! We will put our fish upon some -green sticks and take them with us.”</p> -<p>The boys took their knives and cut out two young -branches from nearby trees; by running the branch -through the gills of the fish and out through the mouth, -they were able to carry them comfortably. The boys -then started to follow the shore for home. By this time -the sun was beginning to lower in the sky, and the boys -knew that it was getting quite late. So they hurried along -the shore carrying their prize catch of muskellunge.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_16">16</div> -<p>When they had gone less than halfway to the village, -Quarter Moon suddenly called out to his faster companion.</p> -<p>“Wait, Little Elk, do not run so fast. I cannot keep up -with you. I must rest.”</p> -<p>The two boys seated themselves on the side of the lake -to catch their breath. It was then that they suddenly -heard a noise. Turning around, Little Elk saw several -feathers through the trees. He was about to call out when -a warrior came into his sight and he realized that these -were not Iroquois, but a roving band of Abnakes. Quickly -he threw himself to the ground and pushed Quarter -Moon down beside him. Quarter Moon almost cried out -because he was so startled, but Little Elk motioned him -to be still. He pointed into the woods and Quarter Moon -could see why Little Elk had motioned him to be quiet. -Then Little Elk counted the Abnakes who were moving -quietly along the trail in single file, headed in the direction -of his village. There were fourteen of them, all tall, -strong, young warriors, each carrying a stout bow and a -quiver of arrows.</p> -<p>When the band had passed, Little Elk turned to Quarter -Moon and whispered:</p> -<p>“We must hurry. They are headed in the direction of -our village and with our warriors all gone, there are none -but the old men, women, and children. We must warn -the village.”</p> -<p>They jumped up and began to run as fast as they -could along the shore toward their village, forgetting all -about their fish and fishing gear, in their haste to get to -their village and warn their people.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>Soon they saw smoke from campfires only a few hundred -paces ahead. Even though both boys felt as if their -hearts would burst, they forced themselves to continue -running until the wigwams of the village were in sight. -The boys slowed to a trot, and entered the village all out -of breath. They ran straight to the wigwam of Quarter -Moon’s uncle and tried, between gasps for breath, to tell -him what they had seen. Finally Quarter Moon’s uncle -raised his hand. “Wait! Wait! My boy, get your breath -and then tell me what has brought you to my wigwam -breathing so heavily and looking like a frightened deer.”</p> -<p>The boys took several deep breaths and then Little Elk -told his story to the old man.</p> -<p>“But we are not at war with the Abnakes and surely -we have nothing they would want in our village. But if -this is an attack, we must warn the others. Go through -the village and tell all the others to gather at the medicine -lodge. There are some of us left who can handle weapons. -Rather than give our few supplies or our women to an -attacking band of Abnakes, we will gather every able-bodied -man and woman and fight if we have to.”</p> -<p>Word was sent out through the village, and soon everyone -gathered at the medicine lodge. Quarter Moon was -ready to repeat to all what he had told the old brave -when Little Elk looked through the fringe in the trees -and spotted some warriors approaching. He was about to -shout a warning when he saw his father in the lead of the -party. Little Elk ran to his father, shouting that the -Abnakes were near by. And then he saw, standing next -to his father, a very tall and handsome Abnake. For -some reason, Little Elk felt that this was no ordinary -warrior. Then his father spoke.</p> -<p>“Wait, Little Elk, my son. What is this you say about -our village being invaded?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_18">18</div> -<p>Little Elk was embarrassed and looked down at the -ground. “My father, when Quarter Moon and I were -returning from our fishing trip, we saw some Abnakes -through the trees. They carried many bows and quivers -of arrows, and they were moving swiftly and quietly -toward our village. Quarter Moon and I ran as fast as we -could to warn the village.”</p> -<p>“You did well, my son. But come, I want you to -welcome a friend of mine. This is Chief Big Running Fox -of the Abnakes. With him are fourteen of his finest -hunters. Our hunting party searched far and wide for -game but with little success. After many days of searching, -we were ready to start for home, sad and empty -handed, when we were met by Chief Big Running Fox. -After explaining to him our presence in Abnake lands, -we were invited to their village, where we received food -and shelter for the night. The next morning Chief Big -Running Fox explained that the bad weather this past -spring had driven the game north. The Abnakes had -plenty, but knew that their neighbors to the south would -not have much game. So Chief Big Running Fox let us -hunt on the Abnake grounds to get plenty of meat for -our tribe. In return we have invited them here for a feast -to thank them for this great kindness.”</p> -<p>“I am sorry, great chief, that I thought you were going -to attack our village,” said Little Elk, feeling very much -ashamed.</p> -<p>Chief Big Running Fox placed his hands upon the -boy’s shoulders. “Do not feel ashamed. It could have -been an unfriendly visit and you were right to warn your -people of strangers near your home. Your father can be -proud to have you for a son, and we are glad to have you -as a friend.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div> -<p>The hunting party of Iroquois and Abnakes moved -into the village side by side. That night, instead of war -dances, there were happy dances celebrating their good -hunting and finding a new friend. Right in the center of -all the excitement sat Little Elk and Quarter Moon, the -heroes of the day.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_20">20</div> -<h2 id="c5"><span class="h2line1">A KITTEN BRINGS A BOY HIS FEATHER</span></h2> -<p>Between the swift running Snake River and the rumbling -Grande Ronde in the beautiful Valley of Winding -Waters, there lived a band of Indians called the Wallows, -a branch of the Nez Percé tribe.</p> -<p>Little White Wolf was one of the young boys who was -trying to earn his first feathers which would show that -he had become a full-fledged brave. Often he would wander -from the camp into the forests that covered the slopes -of the valley. There he would try to think of things he -could do to get his feather—an act of bravery or great -hunting skill. Two summers had passed since he first -tried to win his feather. His little friends, Swift Owl and -Gray Frog, had earned their feathers and now strutted -proudly through the village to call attention to their -feathers. They both took special care to spend most of -their time playing near Little White Wolf, no doubt to -make him jealous of their awards.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_21">21</div> -<p>One day, when Little White Wolf was watching his -mother mold a small bowl from clay, he caught sight of -his father, Big White Wolf, striding into the village with -a large brown animal slung over his shoulders. Little -White Wolf knew that his father had made a kill. The -boy raced forward excitedly to greet his father. As his -father came nearer, the boy saw the large claws of a -mountain lion. He was thrilled and proud and asked -impatiently for his father to tell him the story of the kill. -But his father only shook his head and put his hand on -Little White Wolf’s shoulder to quiet him.</p> -<p>“My son,” he told him, “you will have to wait until -the big fire tonight when I tell the tale for all to hear.”</p> -<p>That night as the braves gathered around the evening -fire, Little White Wolf settled as close as he could to -the spot where his father would stand to tell his tale of -adventure. After the other braves had told their stories, -Little White Wolf’s father walked with long, firm steps -to the center of the circle and began to speak. While -Little White Wolf listened, he thought that his father -looked unusually strong and tall.</p> -<p>Big White Wolf told how he had been tracking a deer -in a small glen at the southern end of the valley when he -heard a snarl. Turning quickly, he saw a large female -puma poised to spring at him from a tree. Just as the -cat leaped, Big White Wolf shot his arrow. The cat fell -dead at his feet. He could not explain why the big cat -had been roused unless he had been close to a lair of -kittens which this mother cat had been guarding.</p> -<p>Little White Wolf leaned forward listening intently. -Suddenly a thought flashed through his mind. He could -not sleep soundly that night because he kept thinking of -his secret plan. As dawn broke, Little White Wolf arose -silently and gathered his bow and arrow and a small -pouch of food. Then he started off for the southern end -of the valley. He came soon to the place where his father -had killed the big cat. The boy began to search every -nook and cranny for the little kittens that must be here. -He felt sure his father had been right in guessing why the -cat had sprung at him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_22">22</div> -<p>Finally, after many hours of searching, Little White -Wolf was about to give up when he heard a faint cry -coming from his right. He moved behind a small tree and -parted the branches to see what had made the sound. -Just a few paces away in the hollow of a rock lay a small -ball of brown fur. Now Little White Wolf must carry out -his plan to bring the puma kitten back to camp alive. He -moved slowly and quietly so that he would not frighten -the kitten. The little puma was looking away from Little -White Wolf.</p> -<p>When the boy was only two paces away, the kitten -heard him. The animal jumped up quickly and started to -run. But the Indian was too fast. He leaped and caught -the kitten by the scruff of the neck. Then he lifted the -little puma gently and began to scratch its head and pet -it. In a few moments, the animal was curled up in Little -White Wolf’s arms, leaning contentedly against the boy’s -chest. The boy started back to camp with his prize.</p> -<p>No one had known why he had left or where he had -gone, so Little White Wolf was greeted excitedly by the -other boys as he marched into the camp. Even Swift Owl -and Gray Frog praised him for having rescued the little -puma and for having braved a possible attack from some -grown puma.</p> -<p>That night Little White Wolf told his story. With great -dignity, the Chief awarded the boy his feather. He was a -very proud young brave. Now he could strut with Gray -Frog and Swift Owl throughout the camp.</p> -<p>Little White Wolf never realized how thankful his -father was that his son had returned safely. Big White -Wolf knew that the father cat might have returned while -the boy was taking the kitten. If that had happened, there -might have been no feather award council fire that night.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_23">23</div> -<h2 id="c6"><span class="h2line1">LITTLE THUNDER FINDS A FRIEND</span></h2> -<p>Little Thunder was always the first one awake in his -woodland Wyandot village, running about doing many -chores before his parents were even awake. He would -build up the breakfast fire and make sure there was -enough wood to keep it going during the day. He would -take the water bags to the cool spring and refill them with -fresh water for that day and do many other little chores.</p> -<p>Finally when the rest of the village began to stir, -Little Thunder would rush about gathering up his many -small treasures and lay them all out in front of him on -the ground to choose the ones he would carry with him -that day. He had pieces of flint, a deer’s horn, colored -stones from the brooks, birch bark on which he had -burned pictures, and many other things important to an -Indian boy. Then his mother would call him in to eat. -When breakfast was over, his father and mother would -explain the family’s plans for the day. Then each would -set about doing his share of the work.</p> -<p>One morning just before Little Thunder’s father was -to go off on a hunt with the other warriors of the village, -he called Little Thunder to him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_24">24</div> -<p>“You must take care of your mother while I am away,” -Big Thunder told the boy. “You must be the man of the -house now. You must protect your mother and your -home and see that all of the work is done.” He smiled -and pressed his son’s shoulders. “You will soon be a man -and then we can go on the big hunt together. But you are -man enough now to watch over your mother while I am -away.”</p> -<p>Little Thunder felt very proud of the way his father -had spoken to him. When all was in readiness and the -hunters had left the village, Little Thunder turned to his -mother and stood very straight as he looked at her.</p> -<p>“Do not be afraid, for I will watch over you, mother,” -he promised. “To show that I can get all the food we -need, I will go into the woods and bring us a fine fat -rabbit for supper.”</p> -<p>Now Little Thunder had a good hunting bow which -his grandfather had made for him many moons ago. It -was of stout hickory and had an even curve to it when -the sinew string was pulled tight. Little Thunder had -worked carefully to make straight, strong arrow shafts. -He had chosen the best willow shoots from which be -peeled the bark. Then he seasoned and straightened them -over the fire, and rubbed them smooth with sandstone. -His arrowpoints were made of flint which he had chipped -with a piece of deer’s antler after much practice under the -eyes of his father. These were his best arrows and he was -saving them for the time he would go with his father on -the hunt.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_25">25</div> -<p>Little Thunder laid these big-game arrows aside and -picked up the set he had made for use now as a young -Indian boy. They had bone points which he had ground -sharp and bound into the split end of the shaft with wet -sinew that tightened as it dried. On the other end he had -glued and tied carefully trimmed goose and turkey -feathers to help the arrow fly straight to its mark. He -selected several arrows and tested his bow. Little Thunder -knew he would find plenty of game because the -Indians never killed without needing the food or skin of -an animal. Having finished all preparations for the hunt, -he said good-bye to his mother and started off to find the -fat juicy rabbit he had promised her.</p> -<p>Little Thunder trotted along the forest trails at a fast -jog, looking in all directions for signs of game. He -moved softly on his toes and the balls of his feet, as his -father had taught him, so that he would not frighten the -creatures of the forest.</p> -<p>Soon he came out of the forest into a large clearing -that he believed would yield the game he was after. He -had walked watchfully only a short while when, not -seven paces from him, he saw a rather large clump of -tall grass move. He dropped to the ground, pressed his -body flat against the earth and waited. The grass did not -move again. He tested the slight breeze by wetting a -finger in his mouth and holding his finger in the air. The -side of his finger away from him felt cool and he knew -that the breeze was blowing toward him. Whatever was -in the grass ahead of him would not be able to catch his -scent. He crept forward softly. When he was about three -paces from the clump of grass, he stood up with bow and -arrow ready to shoot.</p> -<p>But before he let the arrow fly, he stopped short. -There, nestled in the grass, was a young fawn which -appeared to have been born only a short while ago. The -fawn, frightened by Little Thunder, lay perfectly still, his -coat blending in almost perfectly with the grasses and -shrubs around him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_26">26</div> -<p>Little Thunder put the arrow back in his quiver. He -moved toward the animal slowly. The fawn struggled to -his spindly little legs and wobbled slightly. Then his legs -gave way and he fell to the ground. Little Thunder could -not help laughing at the awkward little animal. This -scared the fawn even more and he rose to his feet again -and tried to run but again tumbled to the ground. Little -Thunder ran forward to where the fawn lay, fearful that -the fawn might have hurt himself. When he reached the -side of the fawn he knelt down and placed his hands -along the soft silky neck. The fawn trembled but he -made no attempt to move. Gently, Little Thunder stroked -his neck and head and back and soon the little fawn -quieted down. It was not too long before a rough little -tongue reached up and swiped at Little Thunder’s face. -Little Thunder laughed again and the fawn trembled. -Speaking softly, Little Thunder told the fawn that everything -was all right and that no one would harm him.</p> -<p>Little Thunder realized that the mother deer must not -be too far off, because only rarely would a mother deer -leave her young—and then only to get a drink of water -or find a new place to hide her fawn. Little Thunder rose -from the ground and decided to look around for the -fawn’s mother. Walking to the opposite edge of the -clearing, he looked down through the forest and saw a -lake. Winding his way through the trees and brush, he -was soon standing upon the shore of the lake. There he -found fresh tracks of a full-grown deer. Then he saw -some blood on the shore near more deer tracks, but he -could find no further trace of the deer. Then he spotted -the prints of a pair of moccasins. He realized that a -warrior from a neighboring tribe in search of food had -probably come upon the doe while she was drinking, -shot her, and carried her away. He knew his guess was -right when he saw a deer’s stubby tail tied to the branch -of a low-hanging tree—a sign always left by an Indian -near the place where he had killed an animal for food or -clothing.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_27">27</div> -<p>Little Thunder ran back quickly to the little fawn, -still nestled in the tall grass. Even though he trembled -as Little Thunder came near, he soon became calm as -the young Indian petted him gently.</p> -<p>“Your mother has been killed, little one,” Little Thunder -murmured to the fawn. “That leaves you with no -one to look out for you. Do not worry. I, Little Thunder, -will be your friend. But first we must get you to a safer -place, for there are many animals that would make life -dangerous for you here in the open.”</p> -<p>Little Thunder lifted the young fawn in his arms and -carried him into the woods where he found a small -thicket. Hiding the fawn in the thicket, he returned to -the lake and brought some water to the fawn. Then -picking up his bow and arrows, he trotted swiftly toward -home to tell his mother of his adventure. On the way, a -plump rabbit ran across his path. Little Thunder’s shot -was easy and accurate. So he brought his mother the big -rabbit he had promised—and a big but true story, too.</p> -<p>For many days after that, Little Thunder went back -with food to his newly found friend. The young fawn -soon became strong and was able to frisk about. Soon -Little Thunder and the fawn were playing games together -in the clearing. He even taught the fawn to come -when he whistled.</p> -<p>At last, his father returned from the long hunting trip -and Little Thunder told him all about his adventure with -the young fawn.</p> -<p>“This I will have to see for myself,” Big Thunder told -the boy. “Tomorrow we shall go together to the thicket -in the forest.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_28">28</div> -<p>So the next morning Little Thunder took his father to -the forest, but when they reached the thicket, it was -empty. Big Thunder smiled at his son as if to say that the -boy had dreamed the whole adventure.</p> -<p>“He is probably out frisking in the clearing,” Little -Thunder said hastily, “or he’s down at the lake having a -drink. He will be back soon. Come, father, we will sit -over here and wait.”</p> -<p>Though they waited patiently long into the afternoon, -the deer did not return. For several days after that, Little -Thunder came back to the forest and clearing and lake, -but there was no sign of his animal friend. Little Thunder -lost all hope of finding the fawn and soon forgot all about -him, until one day about twelve moons later.</p> -<p>Little Thunder had gone hunting that day and found -himself on the trail of a young buck. He followed the -buck all morning and just as he was about to give up -the trail and return home, he saw the clearing where he -had found the fawn. Approaching quietly he looked out -across the clearing. At first he could see nothing. Then -as he gazed along the side of the clearing near the forest, -his eyes stopped at the small thicket. Something moved. -Could it be the fawn, he wondered hopefully.</p> -<p>Slowly he stood up and moved toward the thicket. -Then something stirred again. A beautiful young buck -stood up in the thicket. The buck turned to run. Little -Thunder whistled and called out softly. The buck -stopped, turned and looked at the boy. Then, without -fear, the buck ran forward to where Little Thunder stood -with his hand outstretched. The animal’s tongue licked -the Indian’s hand, and Little Thunder reached up and -scratched the young buck’s head. The boy knew that his -friend had come back at last. He would have much to -talk about to the buck—and even more to tell his father.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_29">29</div> -<h2 id="c7"><span class="h2line1">HOW NOT TO CATCH A FISH</span></h2> -<p>The Bella Coola were a tribe that lived along the -Northwest coast. Like most of the Indians in this part of -the land, they were fishermen and woodcarvers. Some of -the most beautiful carvings in the world have come from -these tribes. Their chief source of food was fish. Each -year at the time the salmon were running, the Indians -would go out to the great rivers with spears and fish nets -to make large catches. Each salmon was then split and -dried and stored.</p> -<p>As soon as the Bella Coola boys were old and strong -enough, they were taken out to the rivers and taught how -to throw the fish spear with its long line attached. They -were also taught the use of the large fish nets. Both the -spear and the net were hard to handle and sometimes -dangerous.</p> -<p>One day Little Twig (who had that name because of -his size and the thinness of his body when he was born) -begged his father to take him on the salmon hunt. All the -men of the tribe were getting ready to head for the river -steps where the salmon would be leaping. But Little -Twig’s father stooped beside his son and spoke slowly to -him.</p> -<p>“My son, I would like to take you along, but this is -man’s work and you are still a young boy with much to -learn. Stay here in the village and play with the other -children. Your day of hunting and spearing the great -salmon will come before you know it. But this time the -answer must be No.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_30">30</div> -<p>Little Twig watched his father leave the village. When -all the other fishermen had left, Little Twig went in -search of his friend, Running Turtle. He found him -carving a new handle for his knife.</p> -<p>“Running Turtle, let us go and watch our fathers fish -for the great salmon,” he said. “We can go far above -them on the river and watch from the ledge. We will stay -only for a short while and will be back in the village -before we are missed. I have never seen them fish for -the great salmon because my father says that it is too -dangerous for Indian boys. Will you go?”</p> -<p>“My father will not let me go to fish with the men of -the village either. But he never said that I could not -watch the men as they fish. Come, Little Twig, let us -hurry. The men are probably already there.”</p> -<p>The two boys set out swiftly after the fishing party. -Soon they could hear the river roaring just ahead of -them. They stopped at the trees that grew close to the -river shore. Peering through the branches, they could see -the men of the tribe spread out on both sides of the river, -some with nets and some with spears. At the feet of each -fisherman were large baskets into which he threw the -fish he caught.</p> -<p>The boys worked their way around and above the -fishermen until they were about three hundred paces -upstream from the fishermen. Edging close to the side -of the river near the top of the waterfalls, the boys crept -out on a sloping ledge of rock that was only an arm’s -length from the rushing water. They were so close that -the spray wet their faces as they gazed downstream at -the fishermen.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_31">31</div> -<p>Soon Little Twig became so excited by what he was -watching that he stood up and began to pretend that -he was fishing for salmon, too. But he was not used to -the slippery rocks as the men were, and he suddenly -found that he was losing his balance. He called to Running -Turtle to help him, but before Running Turtle -could grab him Little Twig was tumbling into the rushing -river. His body was caught in the great swirling -waters that swept him downstream. He choked as his eyes -and nose and ears filled with water. Just as he began to -think he would die, he felt his body being lifted from the -water, and heard a voice shouting.</p> -<p>“Look at this fine fish that I have caught,” someone -yelled, laughing.</p> -<p>Then Little Twig realized that one of the fishermen -had reached out with his net and snatched him from the -river. Little Twig sputtered and coughed and rubbed his -eyes as strong hands set him on his feet. There he was, -in the middle of a circle of grinning warriors from the -village. He began rubbing all the sore spots where river -rocks had struck his body. Suddenly he recognized his -father’s face. Instead of wearing the stern look which -Little Twig had expected, his father was smiling.</p> -<p>“Were you so eager to take a swim that you dove into -the river?” he asked the boy. “Or did you hope to catch -brother salmon with your bare hands?”</p> -<p>“I disobeyed you, my father, and I am truly sorry. I -was a foolish young boy to come to the river when you -told me to stay at home. Now I know why I have not -been brought on the fishing trips. This is truly a job for -men.”</p> -<p>Little Twig looked toward the ground. His father -reached down and lifted the lad into the air.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div> -<p>“Yes, my son, this is a job for men. Someday soon -you will join us in hunting the swift salmon with spear -and net. But for now, be happy to remain in the village -with your friends. You were lucky that my brother had -his net where he did, or we might have missed you and -your body would have been carried away. Come, we will -go back to the village to tell your mother of your swim -this fine day.”</p> -<p>Then he laughed again. Little Twig laughed this time, -too, and all the braves joined in the laughter. No one -would speak harshly to him about his foolish act even -though it had brought him near death. Indians believed -that angry words make people sick. So Indian parents, -like Little Twig’s father, always tried to speak happily.</p> -<p>Just then Running Turtle came out of hiding, and he -started to laugh with the others.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_33">33</div> -<h2 id="c8"><span class="h2line1">LITTLE FIRE CLOUD’S DREAM</span></h2> -<p>The Delawares were a peaceful tribe, hunting and -fishing in their rich valley and not bothering their neighbors, -for they had plenty and needed little more than -they were able to obtain themselves with their strong -bows and sharp arrows and their well-kept fishing gear.</p> -<p>It was late spring, and one day as Little Fire Cloud -romped and played in the village his father called to him.</p> -<p>“Come, Little Fire Cloud, it is time we built a new -canoe. Shortly we shall be needing a new canoe and if -we do not start work now it will not be ready when the -time comes to leave camp.”</p> -<p>So father and son started out to gather the materials to -make a fine new canoe.</p> -<p>The Indians of the forest and lakes depended a great -deal upon the canoe and were wise enough to construct -them of material that was easy to obtain. Light cedar -made the ribs and the planking of the canoe, and over -this the Indians stretched a tight cover of birch bark. -Then they took spruce roots and split them and these they -used to sew the seams of the canoe together. They then -would calk the spaces with a tarlike substance which -was made from pine pitch and soot. When finished the -product was firm and sturdy, but above all if the canoe -should become injured in any way, the materials were -always handy in the forest with which to make repairs.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_34">34</div> -<p>Finally Little Fire Cloud and his father had gathered -all the necessary equipment together and the work on the -canoe was started. Father and son worked very hard at -the job, and a few days later the canoe was completed. -As the two finished their work they stood back to admire -the job and Little Fire Cloud said,</p> -<p>“Is it not beautiful, father? It is the most beautiful -canoe I have ever seen either in our own village or any -of our neighbors.”</p> -<p>“Yes, Little Fire Cloud, it really is a beautiful canoe -and one which we can be proud of.”</p> -<p>For the rest of that day that remained, Little Fire -Cloud could talk of nothing else but the beautiful canoe -that he helped his father to build. Finally supper was -over, and it was time to retire.</p> -<p>That night as Little Fire Cloud fell asleep his head -was all full of visions of canoes and rapids and great -lakes and rivers. Soon the confusion of many things -became one thing, and Little Fire Cloud found himself -standing on the shore of a great lake. He did not know -how he got there or what lake it was, but the water was -a beautiful blue green and it was calm and smooth. It -was daytime and, as Little Fire Cloud looked upon the -lake, in the distance he saw a canoe coming toward him. -In the bow of the canoe stood a great warrior, his arms -folded across his chest and his eyes looking right at -Little Fire Cloud.</p> -<p>In the stern of the canoe, a young warrior softly paddled -the canoe forward toward the shore, directly to -where Little Fire Cloud was standing. As the canoe drew -closer, Little Fire Cloud saw that it was made of shimmering -silver birch bark and it looked so clean and new.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_35">35</div> -<p>As the bow scraped the shore, the warrior stepped -from the canoe and walked to where Little Fire Cloud -was standing.</p> -<p>“Come, Little Fire Cloud, step into the canoe, and we -shall take a short trip.”</p> -<p>“I do not know if I should,” said Little Fire Cloud -overcome by the great warrior who stood before him. -“My father might wonder where I had gone.”</p> -<p>“Do not worry about your father for you will be gone -only a short while and we shall return you to this point -on the shore. I have something I want to show you.”</p> -<p>So Little Fire Cloud feeling a warmth toward this great -warrior stepped in and seated himself in the middle of the -canoe. Then the great warrior stepped in and pushed -away from shore. The warrior in the stern turned the -canoe toward the middle of the lake and began to paddle -steadily, his blade cutting the water neatly and hardly -making a ripple.</p> -<p>The canoe glided softly and smoothly across the water. -Up ahead a mist had settled upon the water, and soon -the canoe had entered this mist and was gliding softly -through the water with nothing on any side but the -cloudy white mist. All that Little Fire Cloud could see -was water right next to the canoe.</p> -<p>Little Fire Cloud called to the warrior.</p> -<p>“Where are you taking me, O great warrior of the -lake?”</p> -<p>“You shall see, little brave,” said the great warrior -without turning in the canoe.</p> -<p>Soon the mist lifted, and there surrounding the canoe -was a beautiful pool of water with many streams running -off in different directions.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_36">36</div> -<p>The Indian who was paddling guided the canoe into -one of these streams, and as the canoe moved forward -the warrior pointed toward the shore. There along the -shore, Little Fire Cloud could see many beaver working -diligently at gathering material for their homes. As the -canoe continued along the stream, Little Fire Cloud saw -many beautiful flowers and plants, and occasionally a -deer could be seen drinking at the water’s edge. Little -Fire Cloud was quick to notice that the animals seemed -to pay no attention to the canoe when it sailed past -where they stood except to lift their heads and look at this -craft as it moved smoothly along the stream under the -expert hands of the brave in the stern.</p> -<p>Little Fire Cloud noticed that there were no weapons -in the canoe.</p> -<p>Soon they had reached a fork in the stream, and again -the canoe was guided into one of the openings and the -trip continued. Many more wild flowers and animals were -observed by Little Fire Cloud until suddenly they were -in the mist once again and all the beauty was behind -them as they moved swiftly through the mist.</p> -<p>When they broke from the cloud, Little Fire Cloud -could see the shore of the lake once again and he realized -that they must have traveled in a circle. Soon the canoe -scraped the shore and the warrior stepped out and assisted -Little Fire Cloud. When the boy was safely ashore -the warrior said, “Did you enjoy your trip?”</p> -<p>“Oh, yes,” answered Little Fire Cloud. “Everything -was so beautiful. Thank you very much for the nice -ride and for showing me all the beautiful things of -nature.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div> -<p>“Yes, Little Fire Cloud, there are many many beautiful -things in nature that can be seen if one travels quietly -and peacefully in a good canoe. Nature is our friend and, -if we remember this, many pleasant hours will be spent -seeing nature. Do not do anything to spoil this picture -which will remain with you always. If you never raise -your bow to kill unless you have need for food or clothing -game will always be plentiful. But if you wasted this -beauty which is given to the Indian you yourself and -your people would soon die from hunger and cold. To -kill for the sake of killing is cruel and wasteful. Now I -must say good-bye, for I have many miles to travel. -Good-bye, Little Fire Cloud, and remember your trip -into the misty lake.”</p> -<p>With that the warrior stepped into the canoe, and soon -the canoe turned and disappeared into the distance.</p> -<p>Suddenly Little Fire Cloud felt a hand upon his shoulder -and someone was shaking him.</p> -<p>“My son, my son, wake up, you have been dreaming.”</p> -<p>When Little Fire Cloud opened his eyes he was lying -on his bed, and his father was standing over him.</p> -<p>“Oh, father, I had the most beautiful dream. A great -warrior came and took me for a ride in a beautiful canoe -and showed me the wonders of nature in all their splendor.”</p> -<p>And Little Fire Cloud went on to tell his dream in all -the beautiful detail that he could remember. His father -was a good father and so he listened patiently to his son; -and when Little Fire Cloud had finished telling about the -dream, his father said, “Yes, my son, it was a beautiful -dream, and in the dream you learned a great lesson concerning -the creatures of the wild which I hope you will -always remember.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_38">38</div> -<h2 id="c9"><span class="h2line1">THE CRY OF THE HORNED OWL</span></h2> -<p>Little Beaver was full of excitement, for soon the winter -would be over and he and his friend Jumping Rabbit -would once again be able to take their little canoe and go -to the lake and streams to catch the fine fish that waited -in the early spring for the bait to be cast.</p> -<p>The Cayuga village had weathered the winter well, and -now the first signs of spring were beginning to show. -With the bursting forth of the spring flowers and the -green shoots of plants and grass and the green leaves the -Cayuga village seemed to come alive.</p> -<p>One of the first tasks was the uncovering of the canoes. -(When winter approached, the canoes were all hauled -far above the lake water’s edge and covered completely -with mounds of sand. This kept them from drying out -and cracking during the cold winter.) Finally all the -canoes had been uncovered, and the Indians took to the -lakes and the streams again, fishing and hunting to replenish -the food supply that had been used during the -winter.</p> -<p>One morning Little Beaver searched for his friend -Jumping Rabbit for a long time and when he could not -find him, he decided to go off by himself. Walking to the -edge of the lake he found that his father had uncovered -his canoe for him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div> -<p>Stepping into the canoe he paddled across the lake to -the mouth of a stream which was new to him. This -stream led to the Lake of the Rushes where the girls and -women gathered the rushes each spring to make new -mats for the platforms of the wigwam. Here he had not -been before.</p> -<p>As Little Beaver paddled he saw many signs of spring, -but he was searching for big game. He wanted to be the -first young boy to bring a deer back to the village.</p> -<p>Soon he beached his canoe on the side of the Rush -Lake and moved inland searching for signs of the deer. -Suddenly he came upon the tracks of what seemed to be -a fine big buck. Following carefully along the track of -the deer he noticed that the deer was moving slowly. -Then suddenly the spaces between the tracks became -bigger and he knew that the deer had begun to move -faster.</p> -<p>Suddenly the noises of the woods ceased and it was -very quiet. Up ahead a shadow flitted across the trail. -Little Beaver dropped upon his belly and then he heard -it—the cry of the great horned owl. But still he knew -that the owl would not cry at this time of day and from a -short distance off the trail he heard an answering cry.</p> -<p>Through the fading light among the trees up ahead, -he saw a small group of warriors gather. One of these -warriors placed his hand alongside his mouth, and the -cry of the horned owl once again was heard and from -another direction an answer.</p> -<p>Then Little Beaver knew that these were unfriendly -Indians from the north and they had invaded the land of -the Cayugas. They could be here for one reason only, to -raid his village.</p> -<p>“I must return at once to the village and warn my -people of this danger.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div> -<p>Little Beaver turned and retreated down the path to -where he had left his canoe. Pushing it out into the lake -he immediately began paddling as fast as his arms could -go for the mouth of the stream that would lead into the -next lake and to the shore of his village. He reached the -mouth of the stream just as the dark storm clouds started -to gather over the lake.</p> -<p>And then it was raining and raining hard. This would -slow up the attackers, but it would not stop them and -Little Beaver had to get to his village quickly to warn his -people of the danger. He dipped his paddle deep into the -waters of the lake and the canoe moved forward. But -now the wind was getting stronger and his arms began to -ache from the effort. He paddled harder and harder but -soon his arms became weak and he was still a great distance -from the shore. Besides the danger of the storm it -was fast approaching nightfall, and ahead Little Beaver -could see the friendly fires of his village being lit one at a -time.</p> -<p>These would act as beacons of direction for the enemy.</p> -<p>He chanced a glance behind and then he heard it -again. The cry of the horned owl. The cry was coming -from almost directly behind and in the dusk he could see -the canoes of the enemy slipping from the stream into -the lake.</p> -<p>The storm passed and the waters became calm, and -now Little Beaver’s job was easier, but so was that of -the enemy. He paddled with all his might though he felt -his arms would fall off.</p> -<p>Finally he reached the shore and he leaped out onto -the sand. Without waiting to pull his canoe ashore he -rushed for the village. He turned to glance at the lake -once more and he could see the canoes of the enemy -drawing along the shore, closer to the village with each -stroke.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_41">41</div> -<p>He rushed to his father and quickly told him what he -had seen. His father dashed from the wigwam and -glanced toward the lake. Just then they both heard it -once again. The cry of the great horned owl. His father -stopped and listened and then placing his own hand to -the side of his mouth he answered the whistle. Then he -turned to his son.</p> -<p>“It is all right my son. These are friends come to join -in a great celebration. It is your uncle and his people -from the north. Be not afraid, for they are friends.”</p> -<p>Little Beaver looked at his father. He smiled and taking -his father’s hand they walked toward the lakeside. -Stepping from the canoes were a number of Cayuga warriors -and they came with many bundles.</p> -<p>The two groups greeted each other and then the leader -of the visitors came forward.</p> -<p>“Your father has explained that you thought we were -unfriendly Indians come to call. I, for one, am glad that -you are not a grown warrior right now, for your arrow -shaft might have found its place in my heart in the forest. -We had hoped to surprise your people with our visit but -when we saw your canoe glide away from the Lake of the -Rushes we knew we had been seen. And so, my little -brave, let me congratulate you on a fine job of paddling. -You came across the lake in a storm without slowing your -stroke. I have told my brother that if we had been the -enemy you would have reached the village far ahead of -us and we would now be walking the trail of the happy -hunting ground.”</p> -<p>That night Little Beaver slept very soundly. He had a -great adventure on his first trip to the Lake of the Rushes -and it would be a long time to come before he would go -alone again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_42">42</div> -<h2 id="c10"><span class="h2line1">THE DREAM THAT LED TO VICTORY</span></h2> -<p>Singing Fire, the young Apache brave, rode swiftly -through the hills toward the village of his people. He had -been hunting and now was returning to his tepee to join -his family in a hearty evening meal. His hunger made him -urge his pony to an even faster pace. Soon he could see -the smoke of the fires in the village. It was only a few -moments later that Singing Fire brought his pony to a -quick stop on the very edge of the village. To ride his -horse through the village this evening would have been -unkind. The summer had been very dry, and his pony’s -hoofs would have raised much dust that would settle in -the cooking pots.</p> -<p>Walking through the village, the young brave waved -and called to his friends. He laughed when they joked -with him about his empty hands. He had been unable to -find any game that he felt was worth bringing to the -village. Soon he reached his father’s tepee and was welcomed -warmly by the family.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<p>When supper was finished, Singing Fire went to talk -with his friend, Many Painted Ponies. The two braves had -always been together since they were very young and just -learning to walk. Now whenever they had time, they -would sit and talk about their future together as great -leaders of the Apache tribe. He found his friend working -at making new arrow tips.</p> -<p>“Hello, my good friend, Many Painted Ponies, and -how are you this fine evening?”</p> -<p>“My stomach is full and my heart is happy, Singing -Fire. Could a brave ask much more of life? I have been -very fortunate in having such a fine father and mother -who have made my life such a pleasure. As I saw you -ride in from the hunt, I noticed you carried no game. -Was there no game where you rode? Usually you do not -return empty-handed.”</p> -<p>“Today was bad for the hunt. The largest game knew -that I was hunting and ran for cover, and I was not as -quick as they to find the hiding places.”</p> -<p>The two young men laughed and then spent some time -talking until darkness came. Each young man went back -to his tepee for a well-earned sleep.</p> -<p>The next day there was great excitement in the village. -As young Singing Fire stepped from his tepee, he saw that -people were gathering in the center of the village to hear -a tall Apache warrior who was talking loudly and rapidly -to the chief of the village. As Singing Fire drew near, he -was able to catch some of the words spoken by the -warrior.</p> -<p>“It is true, my Chief, the Comanches have been seen in -our land. If we are not careful they will raid our pony -herds and make off with many of our best mounts. I have -seen them to the east, and they skulk like the lowly wolf -in the night.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_44">44</div> -<p>The great chief listened quietly until the young warrior -had finished. Then he motioned to the older men of the -tribe to gather in his tepee. When they were all inside, -Singing Fire, Many Painted Ponies, and the other young -braves stood outside waiting impatiently for what the -elders of the tribe would decide. They could hear the -young brave who had first reported to the chief repeating -his story for those who had come late. He said that while -trailing some ponies that had strayed from the herd he -had come upon the coals of a recent fire. Because the -marks in the sand were not Apache, he had followed the -tracks made when the group broke camp. Traveling at a -rapid pace, he soon had come upon the band of Comanches -in a small gully. After watching them for a -short while, the brave had mounted his pony and ridden -as fast as he could to the village to tell the chief of this -threat to their property and peace, within such a short -distance of their camp.</p> -<p>Finally the Chief came out from his tepee and spoke to -the young warriors.</p> -<p>“The Comanches have entered our hunting grounds. -Not only have they broken the law, but they dare to ride -within a short distance of our camp. We will gather a war -party and go in search of these thieves of the night. We -will give them a sound lesson by whipping those wild -dogs so badly that they will return to their own land -with their tails between their legs—if there are any left to -return when we have met them upon the field of battle.”</p> -<p>With low shouts of agreement, everyone ran to prepare -for the warpath.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_45">45</div> -<p>Singing Fire and Many Painted Ponies returned to -check their weapons and when preparations were completed -returned to where the chief sat astride a great -white horse. When everyone had assembled, the party left -camp in search of the invading Comanches. For several -days the party searched but no sign was found other than -the old fire, that anyone had been in the vicinity. At last -the chief turned to his men and said, “They have seen our -strength and afraid have returned to their own land. They -respect the might and fighting ability of the Apaches. -Come, we will return to our village.”</p> -<p>The party started for home, but as Singing Fire and -Many Painted Ponies rode along, Singing Fire was quiet.</p> -<p>“What is it, my friend, Singing Fire? You are so -quiet.”</p> -<p>“I was just thinking, my friend, that the Comanches are -not known as cowards; they surely would not turn from a -fight. I do not believe they have left our land.”</p> -<p>“But, Singing Fire, for three days we have searched the -land and no sign do we see of the Comanches. Certainly -the earth did not open and swallow them up.”</p> -<p>“That is just the point, my friend. What has happened -to the party? The brave reported seeing them and took us -to where they had their fire. The tracks led away but -suddenly stopped, and we have seen nothing to indicate -that they returned to their own lands across the great -river. I just am not satisfied that they have left.”</p> -<p>Nothing more was said for the remainder of the trip -back to the village, and that evening after supper, Singing -Fire went to sleep thinking about the hunt for the -Comanches.</p> -<p>As he slept, he dreamed there were Comanche warriors -mounted upon fast horses and they all seemed to be -riding toward a solid wall. Singing Fire suddenly awoke -recalling seeing that wall before.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_46">46</div> -<p>About a day’s ride from their village was a small valley -which they called the valley of the snake because it -twisted and turned between the mountains. As the thundering -riders neared the wall, it seemed to open up and -they had disappeared within. Then the walls closed again -and there was silence. Singing Fire leaped from his bed -and rushed to his father’s side.</p> -<p>“My father, I must speak to our chief. It is of great -importance that I see him now.”</p> -<p>“But it is late, my son, and certainly what you have to -say can wait until tomorrow.”</p> -<p>“No, father, I must speak to him now.” With that, -Singing Fire left his tepee and soon was standing before -the tepee of the Great Chief. He made his presence known -and was invited into the tepee.</p> -<p>The chief invited him to sit and then asked, “What -brings you to my tepee so late, young Singing Fire?”</p> -<p>“Tonight, O Great Chief, in a dream I was drawn to -the painted hill which stands guard over our village. Here -I stood troubled in heart and mind because of what has -been reported to our tribe.” Then Singing Fire proceeded -to tell in complete detail of the dream he had had. When -he finished, he waited for the chief to speak.</p> -<p>“What importance do you attach to this dream you -have had, young Singing Fire?”</p> -<p>“I do not know, Great Chief, but I would like your -permission to take Many Painted Ponies and ride to this -place I have seen in the dream. I would like to see what -can be found there and then I will return to my village.”</p> -<p>The Indians placed a great deal of faith in dreams, and -so the chief gave his permission and early the next morning, -Many Painted Ponies and Singing Fire set out for the -valley that Singing Fire had seen not only in his dream, -but many times on his hunting trips.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_47">47</div> -<p>They traveled all day, and when the sun was setting in -the west, they found themselves but a short distance from -the entrance to the valley. They camped for the night, -not lighting a fire, in case there should be any unfriendly -Indians in the vicinity.</p> -<p>As dawn drew near, the two young men crawled to -the mountainous heights overlooking the twisting valley. -There they lay and watched the valley below. For almost -an hour they sat until finally about noontime a small -band of warriors could be seen riding into the valley. -They rode straight up the middle of the valley twisting -and turning as the valley turned but finally about midway -up the valley they swung sharply to the left and seemed -to disappear into the very walls surrounding the valley.</p> -<p>“Come,” said Singing Fire, “we must investigate this -strange occurrence.”</p> -<p>It took them most of the afternoon to reach a vantage -point overlooking where the warriors had disappeared. -Crawling carefully to the very edge, the two young -braves looked carefully over the edge. Below them lay a -fantastic sight. A tremendous Comanche encampment -was being formed in a small box canyon. The entrance -to the box canyon was a mere crack in the wall which was -just about wide enough for one horse and rider to enter at -one time. Now Singing Fire could see why a rider going -through the valley would not see the opening for it was -actually hidden from view by a turn in the trail. If one -were not looking for it, one would not find it except by -accident.</p> -<p>“This is why we have not seen the Comanches except -for that one small party. Under cover of night or early -dawn they have been entering our land in small parties, -gathering here until their force is large enough to make -war upon our people.”</p> -<p>Singing Fire tapped his friend upon the shoulder, motioning -him away from the edge.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_48">48</div> -<p>“Many Painted Ponies, one of us must ride for all he is -worth to reach our village and tell of this plan to our -people. You must tell the chief to gather the Apaches -together and we can trap the scheming Comanches in -their own camp.”</p> -<p>Many Painted Ponies rose to leave. “Be careful, my -friend, for if they should suspect that you are here your -scalp will soon hang from their medicine lodge and they -will break from their camp fearing the trap we will set -for them. Now I will ride for our village and may your -prayers go with me.” With that, Many Painted Ponies left -and mounting his pony he rode off toward home.</p> -<p>Singing Fire kept careful watch for the next day and -night and when dawn approached he saw the dust of -many horses approaching. Riding forth to meet his people, -a plan formed in his mind. In council with the chiefs -a short time later the plan was outlined. The best marksmen -of the Apaches were placed around the box canyon -on the walls overlooking the unsuspecting camp of the -Comanches. Other warriors would ride into the valley to -stand guard at the only entrance or exit to the canyon to -make sure none escaped.</p> -<p>Soon all was in readiness. The signal was given. Like -an attacking horde of eagles, the Apaches began firing -down upon the Comanche encampment. The battle was -long and bloody. In confusion the Comanches mounted -their ponies and headed for the exit. Here they were met -with a hail of arrows which drove them back into the -canyon.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_49">49</div> -<p>When the Comanche forces were thoroughly disorganized, -the chief signaled the Apaches to charge -through the entrance and soon the two tribes were -locked in hand to hand combat. The victory was complete -and soon the last of the Comanches had fallen before -the knives and war clubs of the attacking Apaches.</p> -<p>In triumph the tribe returned to the village where -great celebrations marked the next few days and nights. -The hero of the affair was praised before the council, and -Singing Fire was honored for his part in the great victory.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_51">51</div> -<h2><span class="h2line1">2. HUNTING AND FISHING</span></h2> -<div class="pb" id="Page_53">53</div> -<h2 id="c11"><span class="h2line1">GREY CALF LEARNS TO HUNT BUFFALO</span></h2> -<p>Grey Calf opened his eyes to greet the warmth of the -early spring day. There was a great deal of excitement -in his Crow village as he rolled out from under his buffalo -robe. At just that moment, his father entered the -tepee.</p> -<p>“Come, my son,” he said. “We must dress and eat right -away. The village is broken down, for we are going to -move again. Your mother is waiting to take down our -tepee. Come, you must prepare to help load the travois.”</p> -<p>Grey Calf learned as a very young Crow that whenever -his tribe had to move to follow the buffalo herds, the -whole village was packed and loaded upon travois drawn -by the horse or horses of each family. Everything the -family owned was made to be carried easily in rawhide -containers that could be folded and put away when the -family had settled in a new place. Furniture was made -so that it could be folded, too.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_54">54</div> -<p>Many times, Grey Calf had watched his mother make -the travois. She would take two of the tepee poles and -fasten them together with a rawhide thong, just a short -way from one end. Then she would pull the poles apart -at the opposite end and set them, at the point where -they were crossed and tied, upon the shoulders of their -horse. The longer ends of the crossed poles would stretch -outward and rest on the ground behind their horse on -each side. Then she would run a long strip of rawhide -through the knot that joined the poles over the horse’s -shoulders, and tie it around the horse’s chest like a light -harness. Finally, she would stretch and tie strips of rawhide -across the poles behind the horse, to make a frame -on which their family goods were loaded.</p> -<p>Grey Calf’s father had told him once that many years -ago, before the white man had brought horses to the Indians’ -land, the travois had been fastened to their strong -dogs. But the dogs were not so strong as horses, so the -loads had to be much smaller and lighter. Even their -tepees were smaller in those days because larger ones -would have weighed too much for any one dog to pull -on the travois.</p> -<p>These thoughts passed rapidly through Grey Calf’s -mind as he listened to his father. Then he yawned and -asked, “Must we move so soon again, father? It seems -such a short while ago that our tribe set up its village -here.”</p> -<p>“My son, the buffalo are on the move,” his father -answered patiently. “You know that we would not have -our tepees, our best food and clothing, and little of -anything else without the great buffalo. When they -decide to move, we must move with them. The scouts -who have been watching the herd tell us that it has -started to leave for new feeding grounds.”</p> -<p>Without another word, Grey Calf got up quickly and -began helping his mother gather their belongings. He -helped her take down the tepee. Then she built the -travois rapidly, and he helped her pack and load their -belongings onto it.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_55">55</div> -<p>Soon, where once a proud village had stood, hardly -anything was left standing. The men set out ahead on -their horses, followed by the women and children on -horses, the smaller children sometimes riding on the -travois, their mothers and the older children riding astride -the horses’ backs. Grey Calf, like many other of the -older boys, was riding his own pony near his mother.</p> -<p>The scouts were far ahead of them, keeping close -touch with the wandering buffalo herd, and signaling the -tribe to tell the braves which way to lead their families. -The scouts were also watching carefully for roving bands -of the Crows’ enemies, for they were near Cheyenne -territory, but they saw none.</p> -<p>Just as Grey Calf was ready to ask his mother if the -buffalo herd would never stop roaming, a scout raced -his horse back to tell the braves that the herd was -circling around, ready to settle down near fresh water -and food. The Chief gave the signal, and all the families -went to work busily setting up their tepees. Before too -long, smoke was rising lazily from the fires which circled -their new village. The trek had taken most of the day, and -the women were beginning to cook the evening meal.</p> -<p>The braves were watering their thirsty horses, and then -would put them out to graze. Grey Calf did all he could -to help his mother get their meal ready quickly because -he was very hungry. When all the small chores had been -completed, the families gathered at their tepees, to eat -the food that smelled so good to all the children.</p> -<p>It wasn’t long after Grey Calf had eaten that he began -to feel drowsy. Saying goodnight to his father and mother, -he went into the tepee, rolled himself in his warm buffalo -robe (because the prairie night would be cool), and was -soon sound asleep.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_56">56</div> -<p>The next day dawned as one of great excitement, for -word came to the tepee of Grey Calf that today One -Horn, the great buffalo hunter, was going to take the -young braves on their first buffalo hunt.</p> -<p>Like other Crow boys, Grey Calf had spent many -days preparing patiently for this great event. His father -had taught him how to ride his pony and to shoot the -bow and arrow. He had learned how to ride into a herd -and to shoot from beneath his pony’s neck. And now -that great day was here. One Horn, the greatest of -buffalo hunters in the tribe, would give the young braves -their last lesson before taking them out onto the prairie -for the actual hunt.</p> -<p>When the young braves had gathered, One Horn -stepped to the center of the circle and gave his final -instructions, warning them not to be too eager but to -take their time and make sure of their shot. And above -all, he warned them, as soon as they had made their shot -they must swerve away from the herd. In this way they -would be out of danger if the herd should spread out to -avoid trampling its fallen members.</p> -<p>When One Horn finished, he asked if there were any -questions. The young braves had none. So One Horn told -them that the time of the hunt would be midafternoon. -The boys were told to return to their tepees and get -everything ready.</p> -<p>Grey Calf sped back to his tepee to tell his family -breathlessly all that had happened. For the rest of the -morning he worked carefully over each of his arrows and -his strong bow. In fact, he was so busy that his mother -had to call him three times before he came to lunch.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_57">57</div> -<p>The sun seemed to move very slowly for all the Crow -boys. But soon a young brave on a frisky pony rode -swiftly through the village to tell them to gather for the -hunt.</p> -<p>Grey Calf leaped upon his pony’s back and sped to -the edge of the village where the other young braves -were gathering. When all had gathered and were seated -on the ground, One Horn spoke.</p> -<p>“A small group of buffalo has wandered away from -the main herd,” he said. “It is from this small group that -we shall choose our targets. I will inspect each young -brave’s weapons in turn. When all are satisfactory, we -shall move out in the direction of the small herd. Do -not ride hard but move your pony slowly. Buffalo will -not go far in this heat. We shall have plenty of time to -come near them, take our positions quietly, and then -attack together without warning.”</p> -<p>When One Horn had finished examining each young -brave’s weapons, the small band moved out in single file. -Soon they sighted the buffalo. One Horn gave hand -signals to the young braves to spread out and take their -positions silently, but above all to wait for the signal from -One Horn to attack.</p> -<p>As slowly and quietly as possible, each young brave -moved into position. All eyes were on One Horn, and -suddenly he gave the signal. The air was torn apart as -wild yelps leaped from the throats of the eager young -hunters. The buffalo were startled and began running -about wildly. The boys dug their heels into their ponies’ -sides and headed into the group of buffalo. Soon the -dust clouds were so heavy that one could not tell the -hunters from the hunted, but the young braves rode -swiftly, each hunter picking out his buffalo carefully and -with an eye to size. This was to be the first of many -buffalo kills, and each young brave hoped that his would -be the largest of the beasts brought down.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_58">58</div> -<p>Buffalo after buffalo began to stumble and fall before -the accurate shooting of the young hunters. The ponies -were magnificent in their performance, for each had been -carefully trained for this day.</p> -<p>As quickly as the hunt had started it was over. One -by one the young braves returned to One Horn who had -seen their great success. Soon they were once again at -their starting point. They knew that the remaining buffalo -would tire and, knowing they were no longer being -chased, would begin to mill and settle down once again.</p> -<p>One Horn gazed proudly upon the field of battle. -Twelve plump shaggy beasts lay dead upon the prairie. -Every brave had made his kill. There would be much -rejoicing in the village that evening. One Horn told the -young braves how to prepare their kills for the return to -the village, and they went to work immediately. Their -adventure this afternoon would mean much food for the -tribe and new clothing for the coming winter and horns -and tails to decorate their costumes and tepees.</p> -<p>As One Horn rode from dead buffalo to dead buffalo, -watching the young braves at work, he was quick to -praise each lad for his part in the hunt that day. Soon -all had completed their tasks and a triumphant band -returned to the village.</p> -<p>That evening each young brave in turn told how he -had made his kill and there was a great deal of celebrating. -The honor of the biggest kill went to Grey Calf. As -the last of the families were going into their tepees for -the evening, Grey Calf’s father came to sit by his side.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_59">59</div> -<p>“My son, your father is proud. Not only has my son -killed his first buffalo but it was by far the largest of the -beasts killed today. Today you had success and triumph, -but life will not always be that simple. The trail ahead -is hard. There will be many difficult times, but if you -learn your lessons well you shall one day be a great and -respected warrior of the tribe.”</p> -<p>When Grey Calf’s father had finished speaking, he -looked down upon his son and smiled. The tired young -brave had fallen asleep.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_60">60</div> -<h2 id="c12"><span class="h2line1">LITTLE FOX AND THE GOLDEN EAGLE</span></h2> -<p>Little Fox, a member of the Apache Tribe, was a shy -Indian lad who was rather small. When he was born he -was a very tiny baby and his face was thin and pointed -like that of a fox. For this reason he was given the name -of Little Fox.</p> -<p>As Little Fox grew older, he dreamed of the day he -would be able to wear the feathers of the Great Golden -Eagle, the most respected bird of the American Indian. -It was believed that there was great power in the thirteen -tail feathers and in the pinion feathers on the wings of -the Great Golden Eagle.</p> -<p>One day Little Fox was seated in his mother’s wickiup, -when his father entered. Without a word Little Fox’s -father went to a case made of deerskin and carefully -removed the cover. Then with great care he removed -from the case a most beautiful feather bonnet, at which -Little Fox gazed with great longing. His father, Swift -Deer, was an honored brave in the tribe and had become -privileged to wear the bonnet of eagle feathers for his -many brave deeds and the telling of these deeds before -the Council of Chiefs. Swift Deer had been granted the -right to place additional eagle feathers in his headdress. -Suddenly, Swift Deer turned to Little Fox, and said, -“Why do you look so sad, my son?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_61">61</div> -<p>Little Fox turned slowly to his father and said, “It is -because I, Little Fox, have not been able to do anything -that the Council would recognize as a deed worthy of -the wearing of the feathers of the Great Golden Eagle.”</p> -<p>“Little Fox,” said his father, “you seek too hard for -a deed to compete for this honor. Tell me, do you have -any eagle feathers that you could wear, in case you -should do a deed which would be considered worthy?”</p> -<p>“No, my father,” said Little Fox, “but by the rising -of the next new moon, I shall have many eagle feathers, -for tomorrow I start in search of the Great Golden -Eagle. It has been told by Great Moose that beyond the -three hills many Golden Eagles have been seen.”</p> -<p>Swift Deer was proud. He knew that though his son -was small he had in his breast a brave heart, for to go -in search of the Great Golden Eagle took a great deal -of courage. Once again Swift Deer took his son aside -and told him the many dangers of eagle hunting, but -praised him for his bravery in going to get the tail -feathers of the Great Golden Eagle.</p> -<p>The following morning, Little Fox took some food. -Then taking a long strong thong of deerskin, he looped -it several times around his waist and tied the food pouch -to it. Strapping a knife also to the thong, he started for -the place where the Great Golden Eagles had been seen.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<p>On the way he stopped just long enough to snare a -plump young rabbit which he would use for bait. When -he reached the place where the eagles were to be found, -he started digging a deep hole, large enough for him to -stand in. Then he placed branches over the hole to hide -it, with a small space for him to reach through and grasp -the tail feathers of the eagle. To the top of this cover he -tied the plump young rabbit with a piece of thong. After -all was in readiness, Little Fox lifted the edge of his cover -and slid into the hole, resting his foot on a thick root -which stuck out of the earth into the hole. Placing his -back against the side of the hole, he waited patiently for -the Golden Eagle.</p> -<p>An hour passed and then two and three, and Little -Fox began to feel his muscles tighten up and his body -start to grow stiff. He began to feel impatient. Suddenly, -he heard the rabbit begin to move about uneasily, then -tug in panic against the thong that held him. Surely the -Golden Eagle must be close by. Little Fox felt relaxed; -the stiffness in his body was gone. Now excitement rushed -into his body as he waited for the Golden Eagle to come -to rest on the top of his hiding place.</p> -<p>All at once, Little Fox felt the ground tremble and -he heard what sounded like the low rumble of a waterfall. -Then he knew that what he had heard was the low -growl of a bear. He peered through a crack in the cover -over the hole and saw the bear’s towering form. Fear -gripped the heart of Little Fox. Many were the stories -he had heard of Indians who had lost their lives while -hunting for the prized feathers of the Golden Eagle.</p> -<p>The bear, with the swiftness of a fleeting arrow, made -one sweep with his huge paw and the rabbit went sprawling. -The bear paused as though he were thinking about -the problem before him. Here was one of his enemies -trapped beneath his feet. How would he reach his enemy? -With an angry growl he ripped at the boughs which -covered the hiding place of Little Fox until he had -uncovered the top of the hole.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_63">63</div> -<p>Holding his breath and his heart beating wildly, Little -Fox crouched far down in the hole and waited for the -final moment when he, instead of the Golden Eagle, -would fall victim in his own trap. The bear lunged but -missed his mark. Little Fox suddenly realized that the -top of the hole was too small for the bear to get his paw -and his head in at the same time. Again and again the -bear lunged, but without success. The more he lunged -and failed, the angrier he became. He thrust first his -paw and then his head into the hole; but Little Fox, -by pressing down against the bottom of the hole, was able -to keep just out of reach of the flailing paws and gnashing -teeth. All of a sudden, the bear pulled back away from -the hole as if to consider his next move. In this instant, -Little Fox thought of a way that might save his life. -He quickly untied the long leather thong around his -waist, made a loop of it, and as slowly and quietly as -possible placed the loop just below the opening, holding -it in place all around by pressing the thong into the -earth. Little Fox tied the other end to the root on which -he had been standing.</p> -<p>Now the bear was returning. Little Fox waited, holding -tight to the leather thong. As the bear placed his head -in the hole and so into the loop, Little Fox pulled hard -on the thong, which immediately came loose from the -earth and tightened around the throat of the bear.</p> -<p>In angry surprise, the bear pulled back from the hole -only to be stopped short as the thong drew tight. Then -he began a series of noises which Little Fox remembered -for many moons. The bear’s growls gradually grew to -roars, and then turned to cries of pain. The harder the -bear pulled, the tighter the thong gripped his throat, until -the cries became coughs and gasps. Then all was quiet. -The bear’s thrashing around had ceased, but still Little -Fox waited.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<p>Little Fox slowly raised himself until he could see just -over the edge. There, not two feet from the hole, lay a -huge bear, quite still and dead. Little Fox quickly pulled -himself from the hole and started at a run for the village.</p> -<p>He reached the village and, not stopping to answer any -questions, ran straight to his father’s wickiup. He began -telling his story, still panting and talking so fast that his -father made him stop to get his breath and then speak -slowly. When Little Fox had finished, Swift Deer gathered -some of the other warriors and went to the place -where this adventure had taken place. With great pride, -Swift Deer helped to skin the bear and bring it back to -the village. Not long after, Little Fox stood in the Council -meeting before the elders of the tribe and recounted -his tale of courage. And when all his words had been -heard, the Council voted that Little Fox should wear in -his headband not one, but two of the most treasured tail -feathers of the Great Golden Eagle.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_65">65</div> -<h2 id="c13"><span class="h2line1">HOW LONG MOOSE BECAME A BRAVE</span></h2> -<p>The Powhatan Indians were a great tribe whose hard -work each year was rewarded with large supplies of food -and clothing.</p> -<p>Long Moose was growing up among his people happily, -doing his share of the tribe’s work. He had become -very tall and awkward. He had great strength, too, which -he hadn’t learned yet to use well. During games and -contests, Long Moose often forgot how strong he was -and, not meaning to, would hurt his friends, sometimes -rather badly.</p> -<p>Long Moose was still trying over and over to learn -how to make hunting tools when winter came. It was a -bitter, cold, northern winter. Both his mother and father -became very sick and died after only a few days, leaving -his younger sister and himself alone without near relatives -to help them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_66">66</div> -<p>Because Long Moose was not a skillful young brave, -his sister had little respect for him. He spent many days -thinking sadly about his parents, but doing nothing to -get food and keep their shelter tight against the wind and -snow. Soon their small supply of food and fuel was nearly -gone, and Long Moose had brought no hides for making -clothes or repairing their home. He had also failed to -give his share of food and hides for all the tribe, as every -warrior was expected to do. Not only his sister but all the -tribe began to feel that Little Moose was not a good -Powhatan.</p> -<p>His sister’s harsh looks at him and his own growing -hunger and cold made Long Moose think about how -and why he was not a good brother or a good brave. He -had to admit to himself that there was only one real -reason besides his poor hunting tools and bad marksmanship: -he did not want to hunt or make good hunting -tools because he did not want to kill any animals.</p> -<p>He thought about how often he had gone out to hunt -and even when, without looking for them, he had run -across deer near by, he would still come back without -having shot a single arrow. Long Moose knew that he -loved all wild animals as much as he had loved his -parents, and loved his sister and his friends now.</p> -<p>Driven by his hunger, the cold, his shame, and his real -love for his sister, Long Moose set out several times to -hunt. Each time he made a kill, but he was nearly as sad -when he had done so as he had been when his parents -died. To add to his sorrow, his sister would scold him -for his poor skill, and taunt him by saying that he would -never grow to be a real brave.</p> -<p>All the tribe could see that Long Moose and his sister -were hungry most of the time. Their clothes were shabby -and their home now was beyond repair.</p> -<p>One day in early spring, Long Moose went down to -the edge of the lake to be away from the unkind glances -of his sister and his friends—and to think. As he sat on -a cold rock, staring out at the ice on the lake, an old -man of the tribe came up and stood quietly beside him, -waiting for Long Moose to speak.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_67">67</div> -<p>“Nantesi, my friend,” Long Moose said, wondering if -he still were his friend, “what brings you here to me?”</p> -<p>“My friend, Long Moose, for nearly two moons now -there has been hunger in your home. Your clothes are -worn out, and your sister is afraid to leave your home, -because she is ashamed of her clothes. She has told some -of the women that you are afraid to hunt the wild game -because of the bear that lurks in the woods. Some of the -other families have given her food and skins from time -to time. But they can give her no more. The next winter -may be hard again and each family will need every bit of -its food and skins. You must not fear the bear. Your arms -are strong, your legs are swift, and surely you have the -strength of three men. You should be able to bring back -more than is needed in your own home. Will you continue -to lose the respect of your tribe, or will you become a -man and take your place with the other braves of the -tribe?”</p> -<p>Long Moose thought carefully about each word the -old brave had spoken.</p> -<p>“Nantesi,” he said after a long silence, “let them think -what they will. I do not fear the wagging tongues of my -neighbors, and I do not fear the great bear of the forest. -There is a good reason why I do not bring more home -for my sister and myself with some left over for the tribe. -Never have I feared the creatures of the forest. Instead, -I have loved them much as I love my own people. That -is why, when on the hunt, my arrows do not bring death. -I cannot shoot these creatures who live so happily -among the trees and streams. Is it wrong to love these -creatures so much? Nantesi, do you not know the feeling -I have when a deer licks my hand, or a rabbit plays at -my feet while I rest in the shade of a great oak tree? -These things have happened to me. The wild creatures -trust me and come right to my hand. I cannot bring -death upon those who trust me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_68">68</div> -<p>Nantesi said nothing. He understood now the feelings -within this strange young man. He rose to leave.</p> -<p>“Wait, Nantesi, my friend. My heart is heavy. What -can I do? I know that what I believe is wrong in the -eyes of many, for ours is a tribe of great hunters. What -am I do? I must live among my people, but I cannot be -happy unless I live my life the way I honestly believe I -should.”</p> -<p>“Long Moose, I am an old man. Some of our tribe -think I am wise. But this time they might not believe that -what I say is wise. Go into the hills with your troubled -thoughts. Think calmly in the quiet woods, far away from -us. Only in this way can your heart give you the true -answer that all of nature has been given to man that he -may give food and shelter to those he loves and to himself.” -Then Nantesi left as quickly as he had come.</p> -<p>The following morning, many in the tribe watched the -lonely figure of Long Moose leaving the village, as he -headed toward the distant hills. At last, after three weeks -had passed, all eyes were turned toward the far end of -the village. Entering the camp, a fine buck upon his -shoulders, was Long Moose standing taller than ever -before. His clothes were tattered and torn, but there was a -proud smile on his face.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_69">69</div> -<p>Going straight to his sister’s house, Long Moose set -the fat buck at his sister’s feet without a word. Smiling, -he put one hand on her shoulder as she stared at him in -surprise. Many of the villagers crowded around asking -questions, but Long Moose said nothing and looked -over their heads for Nantesi. Then he saw the old man -sitting contentedly before his home, looking kindly in his -direction. Walking over to where the old brave sat, Long -Moose asked if he could talk with him. Nantesi rose -slowly, and greeting Long Moose warmly, invited the -young man into his home. When both were seated, Nantesi, -as before, waited for Long Moose to speak.</p> -<p>“Nantesi, my friend, for a long time I have been away -from my tribe. As you said would happen, my mind is no -longer troubled. Up in the hills I made a campsite for -myself. I lived on nuts and berries and plants and the cool -water of the mountain streams. Each night I wrapped -myself in my blanket and slept a troubled sleep.</p> -<p>“But three nights ago, when I had finished my evening -prayer, I rolled myself in my blanket and rested my -head upon a soft bed of pine needles. Sleep came suddenly, -and for the first time in three weeks I slept peacefully -until the moon had risen high in the sky. I awoke -with a start knowing I had the answer that you had said -I would find in the forest.</p> -<p>“Suddenly, I knew that I had watched the very creatures -that I love struggle with each other for life here -in the forests and in the fields and the streams. I had -never thought that this was wrong. Right at this very -moment, the struggle for life is going on in many parts -of the forest. Before the sun brings the dawn of a new -day, many of our forest creatures will have died because -others must live. The strongest or the wisest live. Now I -knew what I had hidden from myself that if some wild -creatures did not die to provide food for others, many of -the same animals that I love so much would die. I knew -that I should not kill just for the sake of killing. The -animals themselves kill only when they are hungry or -their lives are in danger. I, too, could follow their example -and be a good brave.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_70">70</div> -<p>“The truth had come to me from life itself. I sat up -and gazed into the fire trying to decide whether I had -been dreaming. Suddenly my heart was happy once -again. I went back to sleep and in the morning started -my trip back to the village. Halfway here I came upon a -buck. My aim was good. I have brought fresh meat for -my sister to cook and store away, and a hide for her to -make into a new dress. I shall go out again tomorrow -and bring back my share for the tribe.</p> -<p>“I have found the answer I had been searching for. -Now I can return to my tribe with pride. That is my -story, Nantesi, and I wanted to tell you first about it. It -is good to be back. It is good to be a Powhatan.”</p> -<p>Nantesi smiled across at his young friend. “It is good -to have you back. Welcome, brave!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_71">71</div> -<h2 id="c14"><span class="h2line1">HOW A FISHING TRIP TAUGHT LOYALTY TO A BOY</span></h2> -<p>It was a bright morning in the village of the Iroquois. -Maseca, the little Indian brave, awoke to the sound of -the birds of the woodland. Today Maseca and Chincho -were going fishing and that was always a great adventure, -for they never knew exactly what would happen as -they strode through the forest or out along the wild -streams.</p> -<p>Maseca gathered up his fishing gear and he carefully -went over it all to see that it was in good shape. Then -he sat down to eat some food his mother had prepared -for him. But he was impatient to get under way. So -he arose and, stuffing some dry deer meat into his pouch, -started off in search of Chincho.</p> -<p>Because Chincho was a little older than the other -children with whom he and Maseca played, he would -sometimes be the bully in the group. But only on rare -occasions did he bully Maseca. Such an occasion occurred -when he boasted to everyone that he could beat -Maseca in a foot race. Maseca had accepted the challenge -and had beaten the older boy quite badly. Since -then, even though Chincho and Maseca had been close -friends, Chincho would let jealousy get the best of him -and thought of ways to teach Maseca a lesson for having -beaten him in a foot race.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_72">72</div> -<p>Sometimes Chincho even found himself wishing that -Maseca would break his leg or suffer some other injury -which would make him a cripple. But whenever these -thoughts entered his mind, Chincho would drive them -out, and dream about the many wonderful times he and -Maseca had had together, wandering through the forests -and fishing in the streams.</p> -<p>On this bright morning Chincho bolted the last of his -breakfast as he heard the hurrying footsteps of Maseca -approaching his father’s wigwam. Placing his deer meat -in a leather pouch which his mother had made for him -and gathering up his fishing gear, Chincho quickly left -the wigwam to join Maseca and together they swiftly -trotted off through the forest. They wanted to be the -first ones to the stream and get the best spots for fishing. -They did not speak as they trotted, for they knew that -that would only shorten their wind and their speed, and -that the other boys of the village might get there before -them. Finally, they reached the stream and settled down -to catch the lazy fish that swam unaware of the presence -of the two boys.</p> -<p>Early in the afternoon, having caught several good-sized -fish, they decided to hang their catch in a tree and -do a little exploring upstream. So they started out in a -direction they had never gone before, remembering the -warnings of the elders to walk softly and not too far -from familiar ground, because one could get lost very -easily in the green forest. This was especially true in the -summer when the leaves often hid landmarks that would -be easy to remember.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_73">73</div> -<p>As they traveled farther and farther upstream, gazing -at all the beauties of nature around them, Chincho -suddenly stopped and threw himself flat on the ground -behind a big birch tree. Maseca, not knowing the reason, -but realizing that Chincho was not playing a game, did -the same thing. Maseca started to speak but Chincho -motioned for him to remain silent. Then Chincho pointed -up ahead. About a hundred paces ahead standing in a -little clearing taking a drink from the stream was a -tremendous buck deer. Maseca had never seen so large -a deer and he could not help gasping in surprise. Chincho -turned and frowned at him and Maseca quickly stifled -all other exclamations. Then Chincho crawled close to -Maseca.</p> -<p>“Maseca,” he whispered, “do you think we could get -near enough to that deer to kill him? Wouldn’t it be -wonderful to bring that buck back to the village?”</p> -<p>Maseca nodded that he thought it a wonderful idea -and they agreed quickly that they would try to take the -big deer as a prize. After making sure that the wind was -blowing toward them, carrying their scent away from the -deer, they began to move quietly and slowly on their -stomachs toward the unsuspecting deer. Chincho rose to -his knees and, fitting a new arrow to his bow, stopped -some thirty paces short of the deer, drew back on the -bowstring, and let the arrow fly. The boys heard the -arrow whistle as it flew and the thud as it struck its -target. But Chincho’s aim had not been accurate. The -deer bounded away, the arrow sticking in his side but not -in a vital place.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<p>Chincho knew that he must obey the law of his tribe -regarding any animal a brave has wounded. He must -track the wounded deer until he either came upon him -dead or could get close enough to make the kill. Long -ago the tribe had ruled wisely that it was cruel to let a -wounded animal wander the forest in pain, possibly -suffering so much that it would injure other animals, and -possibly dying from loss of blood or from a sickness from -the wound. Chincho was tempted not to follow the deer -into the unknown woods, when he felt Maseca’s gaze -upon him.</p> -<p>“Chincho, you do not plan to leave without finding the -wounded deer. It is the law of our tribe.”</p> -<p>Chincho looked guilty and said, “It is not a bad -wound. The arrow barely scratched him. He will be all -right. Come, let us return to the village before it is dark.”</p> -<p>“No,” Maseca insisted, “we must follow the deer until -we bring him down. You must not leave a wounded -animal to suffer. It is the law.”</p> -<p>Chincho knew that Maseca was right, and yet in his -heart he was afraid. So he tried to excuse his cowardice -by saying, “But it is also the law of our tribe that we -shall not wander too far from the familiar parts of our -land. We could become lost here in the green forest. -We should turn back.” As he started to turn, Chincho -saw a challenging look in Maseca’s eyes and he waited as -Maseca spoke.</p> -<p>“You may return to the village claiming that the law -says one should not wander too far, but I will follow the -deer and make sure of his death. I will mark my trail -plainly so that by night or by day I can follow it back -to my starting place. Go, Chincho. Return to your -father’s home and see if you can sleep peacefully when -you think of the deer you have wounded.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_75">75</div> -<p>Even while he was speaking, Maseca realized that his -friend’s fear was very great, and that it would be a -mistake to force Chincho to follow the buck. Maseca -would have to worry as much about calming Chincho’s -fear as he would have to worry about finding the way -back for both of them.</p> -<p>Chincho thought that Maseca would laugh at him and -insisted now on going with Maseca to trail the deer. So -they started to follow the drops of blood they found on -the plants as they went through the forest. Maseca broke -branches and cut slices of bark from the sides of trees -to mark the path they were taking.</p> -<p>For awhile the big buck had run straight ahead as -fast as he could in spite of the wound. Then the crushed -grass showed where he had lain down to rest for a -moment. But the grass was rising up straight again, -which told the boys that the deer had not rested long, -sensing the danger close by. Soon they saw fewer blood -spots, and they knew that the blood was starting to clot. -Now, Maseca knew the deer could live for some time yet.</p> -<p>“It grows late,” he warned Chincho. “We must hurry -if we are to catch up with the deer and claim our kill. -We have only a short while left before the sun will sink.”</p> -<p>Just at that moment Chincho saw something off to the -side of the trail, lying half-hidden in the brush. It was -brown. As Chincho looked more closely, he saw it -moving rhythmically as an animal does in breathing. -He touched Maseca lightly on the shoulder and pointed -toward the brush. They both realized that this must be -the wounded buck. Just as they were trying to decide -what to do, the deer made up their minds for them. With -a bellow, he leaped from his hiding place and headed -straight for Chincho. Chincho stood rooted to the spot -with fright. His eyes bulged as he saw the huge beast, -his antlers held low in attack, bearing down upon him. -Maseca raised his bow, and with all the courage and -calmness he could muster, drew back and let go the -string. As his arrow whished straight toward the onrushing -buck, Maseca knew that his aim had been straight. -As the arrow struck, the deer leaped into the air toward -Chincho. The buck’s action was so quick that Chincho -failed to move in time. As it fell, one of its antlers cut -deeply into Chincho’s leg. The boy gasped in pain and -slumped to the ground, next to the dead buck.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_76">76</div> -<p>Maseca ran quickly to his side and held his head in his -arms. Then he looked down at the nasty wound in -Chincho’s leg and saw the blood pouring out. Hurriedly, -he gathered some large leaves, wet them in a nearby -stream, and placed them against the wound. Then he -pulled a leather thong from his leggings and used it to -bind the leaves in place. When he saw that the wound -had nearly stopped bleeding, he spoke quietly to Chincho.</p> -<p>“I must go for help, Chincho. You must lie still and -quiet until I return.” With that Maseca pulled up all the -strength that was left in his tired body and started running -at top speed along the trail he had marked.</p> -<p>As the sun sank behind the hills of the quiet valley, -Chincho prayed that Maseca would hurry. The pain was -getting worse and, though the blood had stopped flowing -from the wound, Chincho was beginning to lose strength. -Suddenly, from down the trail, the boy heard the voices -of many braves. Then he heard his father shouting his -name.</p> -<p>“Over here! Over here!” Chincho called weakly. His -father ran to him and knelt at his son’s side. Soon -Chincho was surrounded by many of the older braves -who looked first at him and then at the dead buck. He -searched among the faces for that of his friend.</p> -<p>“Where is Maseca?” he asked his father.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_77">77</div> -<p>“Back in the village resting, my son,” his father said -softly. “You see, Maseca ran so fast through the forest -to seek help for you that he caught his foot in a root and -twisted his leg badly. He wouldn’t stop even though he -was barely able to hobble into camp. He had just enough -strength left to tell us where you were before he fainted.”</p> -<p>Chincho began to feel very guilty about the many -times he had hoped that Maseca would be injured some -day just because Maseca had beaten him in the foot race.</p> -<p>“He will be well again soon, won’t he, father? He will -be able to run as fast as before?” His father smiled down -at Chincho.</p> -<p>“Is that what you want, my son?” he asked.</p> -<p>“Oh, yes, father. He must be well again. Because he -won the foot race fairly, I have often wished that he -would be hurt. Now that it has really happened, I am -sorry. I will never wish harm for any friend again. Only -then will I be a true son to my father and a true Iroquois -brave.”</p> -<p>While Chincho and his father were talking, the other -braves cut two saplings and tied branches across them to -make a stretcher to carry the boy. Chincho’s father held -his son’s hand as the other braves lifted the boy onto the -stretcher.</p> -<p>“You have spoken wisely, my son. Do not worry. -Maseca will soon be well enough to race and hunt and -fish again with you.”</p> -<p>Chincho smiled up at his father and turned his head -to look proudly at the large buck that two braves were -carrying, hung by its feet from a sapling stretched across -their shoulders.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_78">78</div> -<p>The next night there was a special council fire. Two -young braves were lying on stretchers, side by side, at -the place of honor. At their sides, stood their fathers. -Then the Chief told the tribe about the bravery and -hunting skill and strength of these two boys. “They will -be great braves, worthy of the Iroquois nation,” he said -solemnly.</p> -<p>Chincho’s and Maseca’s fathers glanced proudly down -at their sons.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_79">79</div> -<h2 id="c15"><span class="h2line1">LITTLE BEAR’S FIRST HUNT</span></h2> -<p>Little Bear opened his eyes and looked around his -wickiup home. As the sleep left his eyes, he noticed that -his father’s bed was empty and that he was alone. Quickly -he threw off his buffalo robe and ran to the door of the -wickiup. Pushing aside the deerskin he looked out into -the small Apache camp.</p> -<p>There was quite a bit of activity. Everyone was hurrying -about. Although it was still very early, the cooking -fires were burning brightly, and the women of the tribe -were busy preparing a hot meal. Then he remembered -that today was the day of the big hunt.</p> -<p>Little Bear ran quickly through the village searching -for his father, Swift Eagle. Finally after asking several of -his friends, he was told that his father could probably be -found at the corral. Soon he saw his father looking over -the horses. Swift Eagle was telling young braves which -horses to select for his use on the hunt.</p> -<p>“Father,” called Little Bear, “why did you not waken -me when the dawn came? There has been much excitement -since the sun first broke through the night, but you -did not wake me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_80">80</div> -<p>“My son, I wanted you to rest, for today is the day of -the big hunt. Soon the warriors will be gathering and -we will be ready to leave for the feeding grounds of the -great buffalo. Now I must check the horses, for we must -take only the young and the strong. This will be a long -and hard Journey.”</p> -<p>Little Bear suddenly realized that this was to be a real -test for him. When a young Apache is considered a -young brave, he is taken on his first big buffalo hunt -along with the older warriors of the tribe. He must prove -himself worthy of being called a hunter. Little Bear had -waited a long time for this great day. He felt his heart -beating a little faster than usual and he was filled with -excitement and a little fear. Little Bear’s fear left when -his father placed his hand upon his son’s shoulder and -said, “Be not afraid, my son, for you were born an -Apache and Apaches fear nothing. You will make a great -hunter, and a true Apache.”</p> -<p>Together they walked back to their wickiup where -Little Bear’s mother had prepared a fine breakfast. When -they had all eaten, they heard that the hunting party -was beginning to form. Soon all was in readiness, and -the great hunting party rode out from the village. The -scouts had reported that a rather large herd of buffalo -had stopped to graze only half a day’s ride from their -camp. So it was for this herd that the hunting party had -made its plans.</p> -<p>As they rode along, Little Bear began to think of how -he would make his first kill of buffalo, the largest of the -wild game hunted by the Apaches. Little Bear had -hunted before but only for rabbits and other small game. -This was to be his day of triumph, and he was excited. -Soon the caravan of hunters halted to rest and replenish -their water supply from a spring near by. The scouts were -sent ahead once again to see if the herd had shifted -position.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_81">81</div> -<p>As Swift Eagle and his son sat by the cool spring, -Little Bear stared toward the horizon hoping to be the -first of the party to see the returning scouts. His father -had been watching him with a kindly eye, and said, “Do -not be too eager, my son. When excitement grows within -the body, the hand becomes unsteady. You must control -our body and your mind, or you will find that your aim -will not be true. Your arrow, instead of striking its mark, -will do nothing but chew up the dust of the prairie.”</p> -<p>Little Bear listened quietly to his father; as so many -times before, he realized the wisdom in his father’s words.</p> -<p>There was little conversation for a while, until the -scouts returned to report that the herd had not moved -and that a short ride would bring the party to within -striking distance. The hunting party moved on until the -signal was passed that the herd was just over the next -rise. Instructions were given and the party quickly spread -out into an attacking formation, each brave hoping to -have the best spot to ride down the buffalo herd. As -soon as everyone was in position, they waited for the next -signal of the leader.</p> -<p>Little Bear could feel the excitement mounting in his -body and, remembering the words of his father, fought -off the tenseness that was filling his arms and legs. The -rise in front of him, which separated the hunting party -from the herd, seemed to be very far away. Just as Little -Bear felt he could not control his pony or himself any -longer, the signal was given. The braves, with shouts -rising from their throats, raced over the rise. Soon there -was a mixture of running, frightened buffalo, and riding, -yelling warrior hunters, and clouds of dust that rose from -the hundreds of hoofs churning the prairie.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_82">82</div> -<p>Little Bear drew an arrow from his quiver. Following -the patient teaching of his father, he calmly placed the -arrow to the bow string. Leaning forward on the neck of -his pony, holding tight with his knees pressed against his -pony’s sides, he peered into the dust and quickly spotted -his quarry. A large bull buffalo was lumbering along a -little wide of the herd. Carefully taking aim, Little Bear -let go his arrow. The last thing he saw before the dust -welled up again to block his sight was his arrow protruding -from the side of a stumbling buffalo.</p> -<p>Little Bear swerved his pony rapidly away from the -herd. When the pony was able to check his forward -speed, pony and rider withdrew to the side of the battleground -to watch the rest of the hunt in safety. As the -herd disappeared across the prairie, the members of the -hunting party turned their horses and began the ride back -to where the herd had been grazing. When the dust had -cleared, Little Bear saw scattered across the prairie the -bodies of many buffalo which had fallen before the -accurate shooting of the hunters. Each brave would be -able to tell his kill, for each arrow bore the mark of its -owner.</p> -<p>Little Bear galloped toward the spot where he thought -his buffalo had fallen. While he rode, his heart beat very -fast. He tried to show little excitement as he drew near -to a group of hunters who stood looking down at an -object upon the ground. As Little Bear drew close, he -slowed his pony. His father turned and smiled. Dismounting, -Little Bear walked to his father’s side. Lying on the -ground at the feet of the older braves was a bull buffalo -of tremendous size. And there was the arrow of Little -Bear exactly where the arrow of a good hunter should be. -He had hit the buffalo in a vital spot.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_83">83</div> -<p>Swift Eagle placed his arm across the shoulders of his -son. Amid the many grunts and exclamations of approval -coming from the warrior hunters, Little Bear heard the -deep calm, proud voice of his father.</p> -<p>“You have done well, my son. This is a fine buffalo, -one which we are sure will prove to be the largest one -killed this day. The many hours spent in teaching you -were not wasted. This you have proven today. You will -return to our village a hero and tell of your exploits at -the council tonight. No longer will you have to stay -behind when the hunters go in search of food. Today -you have become a hunter and earned the right to ride -with the hunting party. Your father is proud.”</p> -<p>And so the procession, after attending the buffalo and -stripping the hides and packing the fresh meat for the -return trek, headed for home. At the front of the party -rode Swift Eagle and Little Bear, a proud father and an -even prouder son. Today the young brave had succeeded -in his first hunt.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_84">84</div> -<h2 id="c16"><span class="h2line1">CRYING EAGLE SEES A GREAT BATTLE</span></h2> -<p>It was a dark winter evening in the small Iroquois -village. The cries of the wolf echoed in the forest as -Great Eagle, war leader of the Iroquois, was preparing -for bed. He stopped to take a last look for the night at -his young son, Crying Eagle, and smiled at his boy who -slept so peacefully. As he pulled the warm robe up -around his son’s neck to keep the cold from seeping in -and disturbing his sleep, he thought to himself,</p> -<p>“How lucky I am to have been blessed with such a -son. Truly, he will be a leader among his people. Not -because he is the son of Great Eagle, war chief of the -Iroquois, but because he will be tall and strong and brave -and will learn well the ways of the tribe. Soon he will be -ready to be a leader and when that day comes, I will -be proud to stand forth and say, ‘This is my son.’”</p> -<p>Great Eagle slept warm and soundly that night and -arose with the dawn of the next day. Today his son was -to go on a trek with him to learn the ways of the wild -game in winter time.</p> -<p>Great Eagle moved to his son’s bed and called softly -to him, “Come, my son, for we have a long way to travel -and much to do today.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_85">85</div> -<p>Crying Eagle got up quickly, put on his warm winter -clothes, and sat with his father at breakfast. As soon as -breakfast was over, they gathered their weapons and left -the protection of the Iroquois village and headed toward -the forest. As they walked along the trail, Great Eagle -pointed out different signs. Here the snow had been -scraped by a deer nosing for anything green under the -snow. There was a squirrel nest bulging with its store of -winter food. And everywhere there were the tracks of -many wolves. This had been a hard winter, and the -hungry wolves were moving in packs to seek out easy -prey. Many animals would not find enough food to keep -them at full strength. Unless one were very careful, -escape from an attack by these forest marauders would -be impossible.</p> -<p>Crying Eagle began to get tired and his father motioned -toward a small glen in the forest off to the side -of the trail. There were some fallen logs upon which -they could sit and have their lunch of jerked venison and -water. As they sat eating slowly, Great Eagle watched -the forest around them for any signs of game. But all was -quiet except for the singing of the few winter birds that -lived there, even in the coldest weather. Suddenly, they -heard the crackling of some dry timber in the distance -and Great Eagle raised his head.</p> -<p>“A buck leaping through the brush,” he said.</p> -<p>“How can you tell, father?”</p> -<p>“Listen, my son! You will discover that there is a -moment of silence between each crackling of brush. That -tells you that whatever makes the noise is leaping, and -the heavy crashing of brush tells you that the animal is -large. Because it leaps, you know it is not a bear. So we -can be almost sure that it is a buck.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_86">86</div> -<p>Just as Great Eagle stopped speaking, they saw a large -buck moving in long leaps among the brush and small -trees. Suddenly, he stopped and sniffed the air. Great -Eagle and his son stood perfectly still. The buck looked -directly toward them. The breeze was blowing toward -the buck and he had caught their scent. Crying Eagle -raised his bow but felt his father’s hand upon his shoulder.</p> -<p>“No, my son. The buck is truly beautiful. But our -wigwam is full of venison, and we have enough fine -clothes to last for a long time. We do not kill the forest -animals unless we really need to. Truly, I know how -much you want to make a kill and tell your friends of -the fine buck your steady hand brought down, but that -must wait for another day. We are here to learn the way -animals live during the winter, so that when you must -hunt for your family, you will find it easy.”</p> -<p>The buck seemed to wait for Great Eagle to speak -with his son. Then he leaped away through the forest. -Great Eagle and his son spent the rest of the afternoon -studying other signs of wild life. As the sun began to -sink low in the west, Great Eagle turned and started on -the trail for home. After they had gone a ways, Great -Eagle halted and motioned for his son to be still. Together -the two Indians crouched low and Great Eagle -pointed through the trees. There, only three hundred -paces away in a clearing, stood a large buck. Off to the -right of the buck stood a beautiful brown doe and further -on through the trees was another buck, moving slowly -forward through the trees.</p> -<p>“Why do we stop, father?” asked Crying Eagle, still -crouching low in the snow.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_87">87</div> -<p>“Because, son, I believe that we are about to see -something very rarely seen by humans. The buck in the -clearing is standing guard over his bride, the doe on our -right. The buck coming through the trees is young and -wants the doe, too. So he is challenging the old buck to -a duel. The winner will get the doe. In a moment they -will face each other in the clearing. They will meet head -on and the battle will be on. The buck that gives up first -and turns from the battle will be the loser, and the other -will claim his bride.”</p> -<p>Soon, as Great Eagle had said, the younger buck -entered the clearing. The two faced each other, the -younger pawing at the ground while the older stood -surveying this young challenger of his right to the doe, -who lay watching them calmly from the brush to the side -of the clearing. Then the two bucks began to circle. They -stopped and almost at once the young one charged. The -older buck met the attack head on and there was a loud -crash as their antlers met and locked. They pushed and -pulled and wrenched until suddenly their antlers were -free. They were almost equally matched, for even though -the younger buck seemed faster, the older was a veteran -of many such battles and knew more tricks in fighting.</p> -<p>Again they locked horns but unlocked quickly this -time. Then the older buck’s antlers slashed into the side -of the young buck. Back and forth the battle waged and -then, as suddenly as it had started, it was over. The young -buck had had enough. He tossed his head into the air -and leaped off into the forest, to lick his wounds and wait -for another doe. The old buck walked with what looked -like pride to his doe. She rose to her feet and, side by -side, they began pushing their noses into the snow to -smell out food.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_88">88</div> -<p>“Come,” said Great Eagle, “let us leave them in peace. -You have seen one of the great events in the life of wild -animals. Remember it well for you may be called upon -to defend the persons and things you love, even when -you think the enemy is stronger. Remember how strength -alone is not enough. You must know how to fight well -in order to win.”</p> -<p>Crying Eagle was thinking about each word his father -had spoken as they headed home. They moved rapidly -because they wanted to reach the village before dark. -Soon through the trees they could see the flickering of -many campfires. In a few moments they were in the camp -and at home. A hot meal of stew was waiting for them, -and father and son ate heartily. When they had finished, -Crying Eagle spoke to his father.</p> -<p>“My father, you opened my eyes today to many new -things. I hope that I have learned my lesson well and will -always obey your teaching.”</p> -<p>Crying Eagle kept his promise well. Some years later -there was trouble between his village and the neighboring -tribes. While the young bucks shouted for blood and the -scalps of their neighbors, Crying Eagle called for peace -and talk. Like his father in battle, he was a brave warrior, -but where talk around the council fire could save lives, -Crying Eagle was a great leader and peacemaker.</p> -<p>Crying Eagle lived to a very old age, but he never -forgot that walk through the winter forest with his father -Chief Great Eagle, war chief of the mighty Iroquois.</p> -<hr /> -<blockquote> -<p>Based on a story told to the author by John Fitch, Vermont -farmer, 1937.</p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_89">89</div> -<h2 id="c17"><span class="h2line1">SPOTTED TAIL AND THE GHOST WOLF</span></h2> -<p>The Mohawk village of bark houses nestled along the -river, and all was peace and contentment in the village. -Spotted Tail and his family lived in peace and contentment -in the village, for they were a happy people. The -hunting and fishing were good and there was little sickness -among the people of his tribe and all was made so -that the people would be happy.</p> -<p>When young Spotted Tail had reached his fifteenth -summer, something happened to his tribe. Suddenly the -game of the forest became scarce. The deer began to -disappear and even the smallest of game was becoming -hard to find. This concerned the council, for never before -had this happened to their hunting grounds. And then -one day while the warriors were busy preparing to go out -on the hunt, a young Mohawk warrior staggered into the -camp. Blood dripped from his body and as he reached -the center of the village he collapsed.</p> -<p>Eager hands lifted him and carried him to his house -and when his wounds had been bathed the great chief of -the Mohawks came to talk with him.</p> -<p>“What has happened to you, my brother? Surely this -is the work of some great savage beast that you have -encountered in the green forest.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div> -<p>“O Great Chief, my companion and I had been following -the tracks of a deer and feeling we were quite lucky -to have come upon such a find. Suddenly as we trotted -along the trail following the deer there was a horrible -snarling from off to the side of the trail. We stopped and -looked toward the side of the trail, and there before our -very eyes was a pack of ferocious-looking wolves. Before -we could even draw our bowstrings they were upon us. -My companion and I fought them, but soon they had -dragged my companion to the ground. They began to -fight among themselves over one of their wounded comrades, -and it was then that I crawled off into the brush -and when I saw my chance I ran as fast as I could -toward our village. I could hear the snarls of the pack -behind me but I ran as fast as my legs could carry me -and soon I heard them no more. But one thing I will -always remember is the leader of the pack, a white wolf -of tremendous size. He had a beautiful white coat and -was much larger than the rest of the pack. I am tired, I -must rest now.”</p> -<p>And with that the warrior closed his eyes and slept.</p> -<p>The chief immediately called a council of his warriors -and among them was Spotted Tail’s father. Now the -reason for the lack of game was known. The winter -further north had been very severe and so the wolf pack -had come further south seeking food. But now that they -had been roaming so free for so long they decided to stay.</p> -<p>The chief rose before the council and said:</p> -<p>“We must set out on the hunt immediately, but we -must hunt this pack of wolves and destroy them before -they cause all the deer to disappear. If we fail, our smoke -racks will become empty and our people will starve.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<p>So party after party of warriors were sent out in -search of the wolf pack, but they always returned disappointed; -for they had often come upon the pack but never -had been able to get close enough to do any real damage.</p> -<p>Finally Sleeping Water, one of the young warriors, -Suggested that instead of going in large parties they ought -to go out in pairs or three at a time and when sighting -the pack send word to a larger hunting party and they -in turn could surround and destroy the pack.</p> -<p>The council approved of this method and so the -warriors began to go out in pairs. It was now that Spotted -Tail began his adventure which was to be spoken of in the -lodges for many moons to come.</p> -<p>Spotted Tail was chosen by Sleeping Water to go as -his companion, and the two braves started on the hunt. -They ranged far and wide and finally picked up the trail -of the pack. Sleeping Water knelt by the tracks of the -wolves and could tell that they were fairly fresh tracks.</p> -<p>Quickly the two braves trotted along the trail in -pursuit of the pack and soon through the trees ahead -Sleeping Water spotted the pack moving stealthily -through the trees as if stalking an animal. Turning to -Spotted Tail he said, “Spotted Tail, you will keep the -pack in sight and follow them as they move, marking -your trail. I will return and fetch a large hunting party -and we shall destroy this pack of wolves. You are not -afraid to keep watch?”</p> -<p>Spotted Tail felt it a great honor to be asked to do -such an important job and he told Sleeping Water that -he would keep close watch on the pack and if he moved -he would mark his trail well.</p> -<p>When Sleeping Water departed, Spotted Tail kept close -watch on the pack as it milled around. Evidently the -hunt they were on was ended, for many of the wolves -were circling in the snow and finding resting places.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_92">92</div> -<p>It was fast growing dark and Spotted Tail hoped that -they would not decide to move in the dark or he would -surely lose them before the dawn. Then he saw him—the -giant white leader of the pack—standing off to one -side of the pack as if on guard. He was truly a majestic -animal, fully half a foot taller at the shoulder than the -other wolves and his coat was a shimmering white as -pure as the snow.</p> -<p>As night settled, a bright moon came out and the -night was shattered by the baying of the wolves at the -moon.</p> -<p>On a rock pinnacle overlooking the wolves’ bedding -ground, the great white leader stood guard, his eyes never -still, moving from side to side as he watched for any -approaching danger. Spotted Tail remained awake as -long as he could, but soon his eyes felt very tired. He was -about to drop off to sleep when he noticed the pack -stirring. He gazed out into the shadows of the night and -the leader seemed to be staring right through the brush -and trees into Spotted Tail’s hiding place.</p> -<p>Then Spotted Tail saw the reason for the movement: -a deer had wandered to within a short distance of the -wolves, and now the pack was preparing to kill this -unsuspecting victim.</p> -<p>The leader seemed to bark instructions and suddenly -the pack was up and circling the deer. There was a mad -rush and suddenly the excitement was over, the booty -was shared, and the pack settled down once again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<p>Spotted Tail breathed a sigh of relief, for the pack in -chasing the deer had come too close for comfort to his -hiding place in the thick brush. Dawn was fast approaching, -and now the pack was on the move once again. -Spotted Tail followed as close as he dared, making sure -that he kept downwind from these lean hungry wolves -that had caused death and starvation to come to his -People. Then he got an idea.</p> -<p>If he could get a good shot in and wound or even -kill the leader, it might have the same effect as if a chief -died, the pack would be without a leader and might be -so disorganized that the hunters from his tribe, who he -was sure were fast approaching, would be able to make -easy work of the rest of the pack.</p> -<p>Then the opportunity came his way. There standing -off to the side of the pack was the large white leader. -Spotted Tail settled himself upon one knee in the snow -and drawing careful aim with his bow, he let fly. The -arrow seemed to go right through the great beast and he -leaped high in the air. Spotted Tail was about to shout -of his great shot to the heavens when he saw that the -wolf had come to rest on all fours and was turned now -in his direction, his teeth bared and a terrible snarl coming -from deep within his throat.</p> -<p>Gathered behind the great white wolf like an army, -was the rest of the pack, snarling and waiting for the -orders from their leader, but the leader seemed to warn -them away—this was his kill—and slowly began moving -toward Spotted Tail.</p> -<p>Spotted Tail stood firm and placed another arrow to -his bowstring. He fired again, and the arrow again -seemed to go straight to its mark but still the beast kept -moving forward. Now the wolf began to run in a steady -loping trot toward the Indian and suddenly he was -leaping.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -<p>Spotted Tail drew his knife, but in mid-air the wolf -seemed to stop and try to turn and return from whence -he had come, and then the body was crashing to the -ground, an arrow quivering in his side. Then there were -howls and yells and cries from many points of the forest -and arrows came flying into the wolf pack. Beast after -beast fell under the onslaught of deadly shafts being fired -by revenge-seeking Mohawk warriors until suddenly the -whole pack lay dead in the quiet of the winter forest.</p> -<p>It all happened so quickly that before Spotted Tail -realized what had happened, Sleeping Water was lifting -him from the snow smiling.</p> -<p>“You have done well, my young brother, you have -been brave this day. You left very clear signs for our -party to follow and because of that we were able to wipe -out this pack of beasts which have killed so much game.”</p> -<p>“But the leader of the pack—I fired an arrow into him -and it went right through him. Twice I saw this happen. -He must have been a ghost and yet I saw his body hit -the ground with the arrows of my brothers. How do you -explain this, Sleeping Water?”</p> -<p>“Come, Spotted Tail, I will show you.” Together they -walked to where the great beast lay.</p> -<p>“You see, his coat was such a pure white that it -blended with the snow and when you fired it seemed as -though you hit him but actually you missed. It is no -shame, for it was a long and a difficult shot and when you -fired a second time as he was moving toward you, the sun -on the snow caused reflection to make you misjudge your -shot.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_95">95</div> -<p>“We observed all this from our hiding places, for we -came upon you just as you were preparing to make your -first shot. But, please, Spotted Tail, do not take a chance -like that again. It is very foolish to try something so -dangerous when you are alone and especially when you -knew that help was on the way. But this adventure has -ended well, and you will have much to tell in the medicine -lodge tonight, of the great ghost wolf that hunted these -lands.”</p> -<p>And so the pack was destroyed and soon the game -returned once again to the hunting ground of the Mohawk -and once again all was peaceful and happy along -the Osage River.</p> -<hr /> -<blockquote> -<p>This story was told to the author by Jim Nutley of the Canadian -Forest Ranger Service.</p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_97">97</div> -<h2><span class="h2line1">3. CUSTOMS</span></h2> -<div class="pb" id="Page_99">99</div> -<h2 id="c18"><span class="h2line1">THE TRIBES GATHER</span></h2> -<p>The Cree were plains Indians. Today their village was -full of activity. A hunting party had just returned after -a very successful hunt. The braves were already around -the great council fire, telling of their exploits. Among -these warriors was Slow Tongue, whose bravery and -courage among the Cree was never questioned.</p> -<p>When all the celebrating was over, Slow Tongue returned -to his tepee and his family. His young son, Swift -Hawk, had waited up for him and, with pride in his eyes, -he looked up into his father’s face and said, “I am very -proud to have you for my father.”</p> -<p>“My young son, it is long past your bedtime and you -should have closed your ears to the night noises of the -prairie many hours ago. But I must also say that I am -proud to have you as a son and tomorrow we shall talk -and I shall tell you all about the hunt.” Slow Tongue -turned to leave his son’s side when he heard a noise at -the entrance of his tepee.</p> -<p>“Slow Tongue,” a voice called quietly, “it is I, Seeing -Bear. Come, I must speak with you.”</p> -<p>Slow Tongue left the tepee. “Why do you call me from -my tepee so late in the night, Sleeping Bear,” he asked. -“I am tired and my buffalo robe beckons to me to come -and wrap myself in its warm folds, for my body aches.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_100">100</div> -<p>“Look, Slow Tongue! Look to the north! At first I -thought the heat of the day had made me see things that -do not exist. But now I am sure it has not. Look and tell -me what you see.”</p> -<p>Slow Tongue turned his head to the north and gazed -out into the darkness of the night. Far in the distance he -saw a red glow which disappeared, appeared again, and -disappeared many times.</p> -<p>“What can it mean, Slow Tongue?”</p> -<p>“It is a message, Seeing Bear. The fire signal tells that -the tribes of the plains are gathering for the Sun Dance. -Truly this is great news. Tomorrow we must break camp -and leave for the northern meadow of the Blue Star, for -it is there that the great celebrations will be held. You go -to the southern part of the village and I will go to the -northern part, and we will spread the word. It is late and -many are asleep, but surely this is news for which they -will be glad to be awakened.”</p> -<p>The next morning there was great excitement in the -Cree village. The gathering for the Sun Dance not only -meant gathering to celebrate the greatest religious ceremony -of the plains Indians, but it also meant that it -would be a time for great feasts, mock battles, ceremonial -hunts, and the recounting of the past year’s experience -with many old friends. And, of course, the men looked -forward to smoking the ceremonial pipes which was also -a part of this great occasion.</p> -<p>The tribe had soon broken down its village and packed -and the great procession headed north toward the -meadow of the Blue Star.</p> -<p>For two days and two nights the Cree village moved -northward. Their progress was slow but steady, and there -was much gaiety. There was much to look forward to, -and many of the younger braves could hardly be kept -from rushing on ahead of the tribe.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_101">101</div> -<p>Soon other tribes began to join the Cree in their trek -north. In all directions smoke signals could be seen, sent -up by eager messengers reporting the movements of the -tribes as they converged on the sacred grounds.</p> -<p>It was very clear to Swift Hawk now that friend and -enemy were walking side by side. This was one time -during the year when the burning desire to strike out at -your enemy was replaced by a stronger desire to do worship -together in the hope of a good year to come.</p> -<p>Soon the meadow of the Blue Star was reached, and -the tribe of Swift Hawk chose a place to set its village in -the great circle with the tribe’s sacred tepee as its center. -Campfires began to burn merrily, and the smell of cooking -food filled the air. Old and young warriors walked -about to renew old acquaintances and talk about what -had happened during the past year. Dancers could be -seen here and there practicing seriously for the time of the -great ceremony.</p> -<p>Soon word spread through the encampment that there -were to be riding contests at the far west side of the -meadow on the following day. These contests would be -open to young braves who had made their first buffalo -kill during the last year. This made Swift Hawk leap and -shout for joy. Just last month he had brought down his -first buffalo. This meant he could enter the riding contest. -For many years now Swift Hawk had watched the contests -from afar. Each year he promised himself that next -year he would enter and win. Each year his father told -him to be patient and that his time would come.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_102">102</div> -<p>It was a very difficult contest to test the skills of the -young warriors. Each boy was to start his ride from the -top of a hill that sloped sharply down into the meadow. -At every one-hundred-yard point along a twisting path -down the steep slope, for a distance of five hundred yards, -were four sets of poles, two poles to each set. Each set -was driven in the ground a buffalo’s length apart until -they stood between four and five feet above ground. Between -these two poles a buffalo hide was stretched to look -like a buffalo running directly toward the sloping path, -his flank toward the young warriors as they rode down.</p> -<p>Each young brave was allowed a bow of his choice, -four arrows, and a quiver. The brave, when given the -signal to go, would race down the slope at full speed. -Drawing an arrow from the quiver and bending his body -down under the neck of his pony and holding on with -his feet, he would aim his arrow under the neck of the -pony and shoot the arrow into the buffalo hide. He would -do this with each of the four arrows.</p> -<p>Such a contest would surely test the strength and -courage of any young brave. But young Indians were -brought up to fear little and to welcome a test like this. -For this reason it was no surprise to the great chieftains -when a rather large group of young braves gathered at the -starting point the next morning. Each boy sat astride a -fine looking pony, usually the gift of his father or some -other leading member of the tribe. Each boy had his bow, -his quiver, and four very special arrows which had been -worked over and cared for like a pet or one of the family.</p> -<p>Final instructions were given to the young braves, and -the riding contest was on! There was a great cheer from -all who were watching as each rider left the starting point. -This was a friendly match among boys from many tribes -that often fought each other the rest of the year. Down -the steep slope a lone warrior could be seen stationed at -each buffalo hide. Here he could not only retrieve arrows -but help to judge the young braves as they rode by and -fired at the target.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_103">103</div> -<p>Soon it was Swift Hawk’s turn. Remembering all that -his father had taught him, he dug his heels into his pony’s -sides and started his fast and dangerous ride. Carefully he -drew an arrow from the quiver; then bending under the -pony’s neck, he placed the arrow to the bow, and as the -target came into view, Swift Hawk let his arrow fly! He -heard the plunk as the arrow struck the hide. With his -head still under the pony’s neck and riding so hard, he -could hardly have seen where it had landed. But a loud -cheer told him that he had made a good shot. Down the -steep, winding course, Swift Hawk swiftly shot his arrows -at the three other targets, and went back toward the -starting point.</p> -<p>As he reached the hilltop he heard a great shout go up. -Looking down the course he saw a young Crow brave -just turning his pony to return to the starting point. The -loud cheer meant that he had ridden well and made many -good hits.</p> -<p>One by one each of the other young braves made his -attempt but none could equal the riding and skill of the -young Crow Indian. And so it was when the last contestant -had made his ride and fired no better than the -rest that the Crow brave was announced as the winner. -Swift Hawk was one of the first to reach his side and congratulate -him on his victory. Deep in his heart, Swift -Hawk was sad. But he was also very happy for this young -brave. Surely the young man had deserved to win; and, -above all, Swift Hawk realized how happy the young -brave and his family must be that he had won.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_104">104</div> -<p>The contest over, Swift Hawk returned to his home -and his father, disappointed but not unhappy now. There -would be other contests, and this was a time of celebration -and joy. His father found him sitting beside a tree -stump.</p> -<p>“You did very well, my son,” Slow Tongue said, -placing his hands upon Swift Hawk’s shoulders. “The -Crow boy who won did just a little bit better, but all the -Cree are proud of you. There will be other contests and -many games. Soon your turn will come. But even if it -should not, remember what I have told you. As long as -you play fair with your fellow braves and obey the rules, -there is nothing to be ashamed of when you lose to someone -who plays fair and has great skill.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, father, I shall always remember that.”</p> -<p>Games and new contests were beginning. Just as Swift -Hawk’s father had told him, his time would come and -sooner than he expected. In the foot race he ran much -faster than any of his fellow braves, winning easily. -Swift Hawk was as good a winner as he had been a good -loser, boasting to no one about his victory.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_105">105</div> -<h2 id="c19"><span class="h2line1">SINGING EAGLE’S FIRST CLOTHES</span></h2> -<p>The Huron tribe were a rather typical tribe of the -Eastern woodlands. They were a hunting and fishing -tribe, and when their villages were built they were built -to last for a long time.</p> -<p>In this particular village of the Hurons, there lived a -young boy by the name of Singing Eagle. Now as was -the custom among most of the tribes of that area, a young -Indian child did not own any clothes at all until he -reached the age of ten.</p> -<p>This particular day was to be a great one for Singing -Eagle, but when he woke that late summer morning, it -was just another day for him.</p> -<p>After eating his breakfast, he dashed away to play with -the other children. Meanwhile back at the wigwam, Singing -Eagle’s mother, Early Dawn, was very busy indeed. -For many days and nights she had been working quite -hard making Singing Eagle his first real set of clothing.</p> -<p>Singing Eagle’s father had hunted the big brown buck -early last spring and his long chase had finally been rewarded, -when he was able to shoot and kill a very fine -large buck. Carefully skinning the buck, he had returned -both the skin and the meat to his wigwam, where his wife -immediately set to work tanning the skin in preparation -for making it into a winter outfit for young Singing -Eagle.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_106">106</div> -<p>When the skin had been carefully tanned, Singing -Eagle’s mother had fashioned from it a pair of leggings. -The leggings of the woodland Indian were made in -matched pairs. They covered the whole leg and fitted -rather snugly and were held up with a thong fastened to -the waistbelt. The buckskin was sewn together with -threads of sinew.</p> -<p>The shirt, which Singing Eagle’s mother was so proud -of, had long sleeves and would reach to Singing Eagle’s -knees, but above all the shirt was beautifully decorated -with painted pictures. When Singing Eagle grew up, the -paintings would be upon his future shirts and beadwork -would also be added. The shirt was of buckskin.</p> -<p>Finally Singing Eagle’s mother proudly held up, for her -husband to see, the beautiful moccasins. The moccasins -of the woodland Indian were fashioned from one piece of -skin and were soft-soled and often these too were decorated -with beadwork. Here Singing Eagle’s mother had -decided not to wait until her son grew any more, but had -put a beautiful beaded design on the toe of each moccasin. -This was to be a truly wonderful day.</p> -<p>After lunch, Singing Eagle lay down to rest, for he -had been playing very hard that morning with the other -children. When he awoke, he looked around and his eyes -fairly jumped from his head. There at the foot of his bed -was his first suit of clothing. Quickly he grasped them to -him and hugged them, feeling how soft and pliable they -were, following the many days of work.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_107">107</div> -<p>Quickly he slipped into the clothes and when he was -completely dressed, ran from the wigwam to find his -father and show him his beautiful clothes. Soon he found -his father at the edge of the village talking with two other -braves of the tribe. All excited, he pulled at his father’s -sleeve until his father turned and noticing the clothes, -quickly changed his expression from anger to one of -surprise.</p> -<p>“How handsome you look, my son. Your mother has -done a fine job on your clothes. I wish that my shirts -were as beautiful as the one you now wear upon your -back. You look very much like a man now, my son.”</p> -<p>Singing Eagle was very proud that his father had noticed -his clothes and given him such fine compliments. -But time was wasting. As was customary when a young -Indian boy received his first full set of clothing to wear, -the rest of the day was spent in showing off his new -clothes to his many friends. And so that day, in a matter -of a couple of hours, the whole Huron village knew that -Singing Eagle had his first real Indian suit, made from a -fine buck that his father had shot just for him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_108">108</div> -<h2 id="c20"><span class="h2line1">THE NEW TEPEE</span></h2> -<p>The Blackfoot village was all astir to greet the new -day. It was late in the springtime, and the great hunters -of the tribe had been off to hunt the buffalo. Word had -just reached the village that the hunt was over and the -hunting party was on the way home.</p> -<p>This made Little Bird very happy, for she knew that -her husband, Big Red Bear, would be returning to the -tepee and that there would be much celebrating in the -tribe. Everything must be made ready to greet the hunters.</p> -<p>The women of the village began dashing around preparing -for the arrival of the hunting party. There was -much to be done and much work lay ahead, now that the -buffalo had been killed. The meat must be stored and -some of it smoked, and the hides must be turned into new -tepee covers and robes. All this would take place after -the celebration, but still the women of the tribe knew -they had a long job ahead.</p> -<p>The news was good. The hunt had been successful, and -many buffalo had fallen before the weapons of the hunters. -The buffalo had a good winter and were not thin or -ragged. The grass had been full-grown and rich. Enough -rain had fallen to provide the food and water necessary to -make the buffalo fat and a good target for expert bowmen.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_109">109</div> -<p>Soon all was in readiness and everyone waited impatiently -for the first signs of the returning hunters. And -then the signal came! A young brave on a shaggy brown -pony came dashing through the village, announcing the -arrival of the hunters.</p> -<p>Everyone was out to greet them and shout thanks and -praise. Husbands and wives, fathers and children greeted -each other warmly. The tribe was filled with joy.</p> -<p>Night came swiftly. Before long the beating drums told -the people that the dancing and feasting was to begin. -This celebration often lasted all night and sometimes into -the next day; then as dancers tired, they would wander off -to their tepees for the first really peaceful sleep since the -hunting party had left the village.</p> -<p>Little Bird and her husband enjoyed the great feast and -celebration. The next day Little Bird set to work on the -buffalo skins for her family tepee. It had been a hard -winter and the weather had damaged many Blackfoot -homes. There were more than enough skins brought back -by the hunters, so that those tepee coverings that had -become worn and tattered could be replaced. So Little -Bird set to work with the women of the tribe who were -busy preparing and sewing together the buffalo hides to -make new covers for the tepees.</p> -<p>One day Little Bird learned that a new tepee was to be -built in the village. The old tepee of the chief had been -damaged so badly by the winter snow and ice, and the -poles had become so rotted, that the tribe agreed to build -him a new tepee. The building of a new tepee was important -because everybody in the tribe helped to make it. -All the friends and neighbors would be invited to attend -a great feast and when the feast was over, the women -would begin sewing the skins together.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_110">110</div> -<p>Little Bird and her husband went to the feast. When -it was over, Little Bird sat down with the rest of the -women and, taking up her bone needle, began to sew two -buffalo hides together. The cutting of the skins had been -entrusted to Slow Water, the wife of Black Fox, the tribe’s -best hunter, since she had great skill in judging the number -of skins needed by their size and shape. They used no -patterns, so only a woman with this kind of skill was -asked to do the cutting.</p> -<p>As the sewing continued and the tepee walls began to -take shape, even more whispering went on around Little -Bird. When Little Bird asked one of her friends what it -was all about, her friend would only say, “Be patient, -Little Bird, for soon we shall all know what they have -been whispering about.”</p> -<p>The next day the women who had been working on -the skins came to the tepee of Little Bird. Because her -husband was away, Little Bird invited the women to sit -and talk. There was a great deal of laughter as the women -sat down. Slow Water, the skillful cutter, had been chosen -to speak to Little Bird for all of them.</p> -<p>“Little Bird,” she began, “we are here to ask you to -do something for our tribe. You always have a smile for -everyone wherever you go in the village. As you know, -we must choose someone who is always cheerful to work -on the smoke flaps for the new tepee. We are here to ask -you, Little Bird, to work on the smoke flaps of the new -tepee, so that your happy spirit will be woven into the -flap and the smoke will depart from the tepee evenly and -smoothly.”</p> -<p>Little Bird smiled. Her heart was happy. This was truly -a great honor. Now she understood why all the whispering -had been going on the last couple of days.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_111">111</div> -<p>“I will be happy to help sew the smoke flaps of the -new tepee. It is a great honor for which I thank you from -the bottom of my heart.”</p> -<p>And some say that as long as that tepee stood, the chief -never had to worry about the smoke rising out of the tepee -easily, even on stormy, windy nights. The Indians believed -that the happy spirit of Little Bird really lived in -that flap.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_112">112</div> -<h2 id="c21"><span class="h2line1">LITTLE DOVE LEARNS TO WEAVE</span></h2> -<p>When Little Dove, a Winnebago baby girl, was born -she had everything a new-born baby could ask for. First -of all, her father was chief of the Winnebagos, and her -mother was considered one of the most beautiful women -in the tribe.</p> -<p>There were many relatives who came to view the new -child and left many precious gifts for her.</p> -<p>When she was born, Little Dove was strapped to a -cradle board and carried by her mother in this fashion. -Each day her mother would unwrap her and clean her -body all over and massage her little limbs. Then she was -wrapped once again on the board, and life continued this -way until the baby was able to walk.</p> -<p>She was always fed when she was hungry and was -never but a few feet from her mother’s side. But soon -Little Dove began to walk and so she left the cradle board -and began to run and play with the other children in the -out of doors.</p> -<p>Everyone was affectionate and indulgent toward the -girl as Indians always were toward their children. Soon, -however, they realized that Little Dove was beginning to -grow up. Little Dove was already ten summers old, when -her mother called her to the side of their home to talk -with her.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_113">113</div> -<p>“Little Dove,” she commenced, “you must start to -prepare for your life later on as a wife and a mother. -If you are to be a good wife, you must learn the work that -all Indian women must do.”</p> -<p>Most Indian girls welcomed this advice from their -mothers, but Little Dove was different. Because she was -the chief’s daughter some people had given her the idea -that she would be waited upon for the rest of her life—if -not by her mother or other women of the tribe, then -eventually by her husband. When she told this to her -mother, her mother tried to explain, but Little Dove did -not want to listen and simply walked away.</p> -<p>Soft Feather, her mother, was very much concerned -and went to talk to her husband. But just as many fathers -do even today, the chief said,</p> -<p>“Be patient, she is young and she will learn.”</p> -<p>Soft Feather was quite disturbed and each day she -would ask Little Dove to come and begin to learn, but -each day Little Dove would run off to play with the -younger children while the older children were busy learning -the work that goes with adult life.</p> -<p>One day young Little Dove noticed an Indian boy that -she had seen several times sitting by himself shaping a -bow.</p> -<p>“What are you doing?” she asked.</p> -<p>“I am shaping a bow so that when I marry I will have -a fine weapon with which to bring down the running -deer.”</p> -<p>For a long while Little Dove sat with the young boy, -and nothing more was said. Finally the young brave rose -and, bidding good-bye to Little Dove, started for his -home.</p> -<p>Little Dove was now twelve and each day she would -see the young boy at work or play. Finally she went to -her mother.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_114">114</div> -<p>“Mother, the young boy who has the pretty belt and -bone-handled knife, who is he?”</p> -<p>“That, my daughter, is your father’s best friend’s son, -Straight Arrow. Why, do you like him especially?”</p> -<p>“I like him a lot.”</p> -<p>Several weeks passed, and one day as Little Dove was -idling her time away dangling her feet in a stream, young -Straight Arrow came to the water’s edge to wash some -dirt from his arms and legs. He had been working in the -garden with his father and now was going to clean up. -Little Dove looked directly at him and said,</p> -<p>“Are you planning on taking a wife very soon, Straight -Arrow?”</p> -<p>“I suppose so, Little Dove, for I am almost sixteen -and my father said that I should be married now.”</p> -<p>“I too am planning to be married soon,” said Little -Dove.</p> -<p>“Can you cook, or sew, or weave baskets?”</p> -<p>“No, I cannot do those things. Will I have to?”</p> -<p>“Well, I do not know about you but any girl that I -marry must be able to do that and lots more. Well, I -must be going now. It is time for lunch and I am very -hungry and my sister is a very good cook.”</p> -<p>With that, Straight Arrow left the side of the stream -and he left behind a very angry Little Dove.</p> -<p>Little Dove rushed home and told her mother what -had happened. When she had finished blurting out her -story, her mother said,</p> -<p>“And now what do you want me to do about it, my -Little Dove?”</p> -<p>“Mother, will you teach me to weave baskets and sew -and cook?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_115">115</div> -<p>So the lessons began that very afternoon. The cooking -was easy but when it came to the weaving, that was a -little more difficult and it was a long time before Little -Dove could weave a basket that looked like a basket.</p> -<p>First, she and her mother would gather some thin ash -and linden trees. These had to be straight and free of -knots. They they would strip them of the bark. These -they pounded until they came apart in long splints. Then -these were dyed and woven into baskets. Also Little Dove -learned how to make shredded basswood fibers. These -were made almost the same way except that they were -made into a strong thread by twisting them and rolling -them against the thigh of one’s leg. These threads were -used to weave belts and tump lines and square bags.</p> -<p>Soon Little Dove had become quite expert at cooking -and sewing and weaving, and once again she looked for -Straight Arrow. She found him one day seated by a small -stream that ran near the village. She sat down and began -throwing pebbles into the stream.</p> -<p>“I have learned to cook and to weave and to sew, -Straight Arrow,” she said rather quickly.</p> -<p>“That is good,” he answered, “for now you will make -someone a good wife.” With that he rose and walked -slowly back to the village. Little Dove sat and cried. -When she could cry no longer she sat and looked into the -water until it was dark, and then she returned to the -village. Her mother was waiting for her.</p> -<p>“Your father wishes to speak with you, Little Dove.”</p> -<p>“Yes, my father, you sent for me?”</p> -<p>“Little Dove, today a young brave came to see me. -He wants you for his wife and he has offered me many -fine horses. I think he will make you a good husband, so -in four moons’ time you will be married, my daughter.”</p> -<p>Little Dove felt her heart sink.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_116">116</div> -<p>“Who is it that has asked to marry me, father?”</p> -<p>“Straight Arrow, son of Big Bow, my daughter, for -today you told him you could weave.”</p> -<p>Father and daughter smiled at each other, and then -Little Dove left to talk with her mother and tell her how -wrong a foolish young Indian girl could be.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_117">117</div> -<h2 id="c22"><span class="h2line1">RED CLOUD’S DREAM</span></h2> -<p>Red Cloud was a young Algonquin lad who played and -romped in his village along with the other young Indian -braves and girls. He was a tall Indian for his age and -quite good looking.</p> -<p>As was the custom among the Algonquins, however, -no child, boy or girl, would be considered mature until -he or she had a dream in which the powers of nature -promised success and courage in his or her adult life.</p> -<p>Red Cloud entered adolescence and he knew that the -time was fast approaching when he would be required to -spend many lonely nights in the forest, fasting and waiting, -until the Thunderbird, the Sun, or other powers of -nature had spoken to him.</p> -<p>Each day Red Cloud would awake and expect his -father to call him to inform him that today was the day. -But many days passed, and still Great Cloud did not call -for his son. Soon with the excitement of the games and -the learning of lessons from his father concerning the use -of weapons and tracking, the problem of coming into -maturity left the mind of Red Cloud and going off alone -into the forest was the farthest thing from his mind.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_118">118</div> -<p>Each day in the beginning as he had padded along the -trail with his father he had expected to be told of the -ordeal he must go through, but as each day passed and -nothing was said, Red Cloud began to look forward to -his lessons and to forget even the possibility of anything -else on these daily walks.</p> -<p>Several months passed, and Red Cloud became quite -a good hunter and tracker and his ability with the bow -was unchallenged. His father was very proud of him and -each day as they returned along the trail, Great Cloud -walked with his arm lovingly across the shoulders of his -son.</p> -<p>One afternoon when they had returned from tracking -a deer, Great Cloud summoned Red Cloud to his wigwam. -Red Cloud thought that he might have done something -on the hunt which displeased his father, but he -entered the wigwam walking straight and proud as his -father had taught him. Great Cloud motioned for his son -to be seated and when he had done so, Great Cloud began -to speak.</p> -<p>“My son, in your dreams have any of the powers of -nature appeared to you promising success and courage in -your adult life? Now think hard, for this is very important.”</p> -<p>Then and only then did Red Cloud realize that the time -had come for him to be put to the test. Now he realized -that his father was asking him whether he was a mature -Indian brave or whether he was still a child.</p> -<p>“No, father, I have had no dream in which the powers -of nature appeared.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_119">119</div> -<p>“Then you know, my son, what you have to do,” -answered Great Cloud. “These many weeks you have -probably wondered why I have not called you to me -before. It was because I felt that you were not ready to -bear the ordeal of spending many lonely nights in the -forest alone. When one retires to the deep green of the -forest to await the voice of the Thunderbird or the Sun -or other powers of nature, one must go alone with just -his weapons. Your education has been such that you -would not have been able to survive in the forest very -long before now, and that is why I have so carefully -trained you in the many ways of nature and the forest -these past few weeks. As you know, before you may be -considered a mature Indian in the Algonquin tribe you -must first hear the voice of one of the powers of nature -promising you courage and success in your adult life. -Are you now prepared to go into the great forest and -endure this ordeal?”</p> -<p>Red Cloud hesitated, for he knew that his answer -must be a straightforward one and honest, for truth was -a sacred thing to the Indians.</p> -<p>“O my father, I must be truthful, for so you have -taught me in my younger days. I have listened and -watched patiently each day as I trotted at your heels -along the trail and I have locked away in my heart and -in my mind all the careful little bits of information you -have given to me which would make me a boy worthy -to be called the son of Great Cloud. The forest has been -a friendly place to me, for I have spent many happy -hours there with you. Now I am faced with a decision -which I must make here and now, and all I can say to -you, father, is that I, Red Cloud, your son, am ready -to go into the great forest to await the word from the -powers of nature.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_120">120</div> -<p>Great Cloud placed his hands upon the shoulders of -his son and smiling at him said, “You have spoken well, -my son. Tomorrow you shall leave for the forest and -look for a place where you will not be disturbed. Take -with you your weapons and your blanket, but no other -goods such as food, for you must fast while you await -the dream.”</p> -<p>With that Red Cloud departed from the wigwam to -prepare for his journey the following morning.</p> -<p>There was no sleep for the young Red Cloud that -evening, as he thought of his coming trip into the big -forest. Finally the early light of dawn peeked through the -door of the wigwam and before most of the village was -even astir, Red Cloud was up from his bed and had gathered -his precious weapons and his blanket for the trip.</p> -<p>He bade good-bye to his mother, Morning Star, and -his father, Great Cloud, and started for the forest.</p> -<p>It was a beautiful morning. The bright sun shone down -through the leaves of the great green trees of the forest -and the spring flowers were all in gay bloom, dressed in -their finest colors of reds, blues, yellows, purples, and -oranges. As he trotted along the trail Red Cloud could -hear overhead the many different calls and songs of the -forest birds. Occasionally there was a rustle along the -side of the trail or a rabbit would scamper across the -path of Red Cloud.</p> -<p>Once through the branch of a low-hanging birch tree, -Red Cloud saw the magnificent body of a full-grown -buck with six points. Oh, how he regretted that he was -not upon a hunting trip, for wouldn’t that buck have made -a beautiful trophy to bring back to the village?</p> -<p>The buck, too, seemed to be aware of the reason for -Red Cloud’s journey, for though the boy moved carefully -he did stir the leaves as he walked and though the buck -turned his majestic head he did not move from his spot -in the glen of the forest.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_121">121</div> -<p>Red Cloud smiled to himself, recalling words of his -father, “Sometimes the wild animals seem to sense the -reason for your journey and fear not the approach of a -warrior who is not on a hunt.” At the time Red Cloud -had not thought much about the statement but here -beside the trail it had been proved to him by the actions -of the majestic buck.</p> -<p>Soon Red Cloud felt that he had journeyed deep -enough into the forest along the well-known trails, so he -turned from the path to go into the forest where no trail -was known to him. It was not easy going, for he had to -cut small brush from his path. Occasionally he would -take a small piece of bark from the side of a tree to -mark the direction he had taken in order to find his way -back to the main trail.</p> -<p>Soon he came to a stream and stooped to drink of the -cool refreshing water. As he stood up once again he gazed -up through the opening in the trees and noticed that -evening was fast approaching and soon it would be dark. -So he moved on more rapidly and he noticed that his -direction was taking him up the side of a small ridge. -Finally, tired and realizing that darkness would soon be -upon him, Red Cloud decided to stop and make his -camp. He found that where he had chosen to stop, there -was a small formation of rocks which provided a natural -shelter from the cool evening breezes.</p> -<p>Within the shelter of these rocks he built himself a -small fire and then, wrapping his blanket around him, -settled down to sleep through the comforting night, hoping -as all boys do that the dream would come to him on -this, his first night and that he could return to the warmth -and shelter of his friendly wigwam and his family on the -following day. But also Red Cloud was prepared to spend -many days, if the need arose and many nights, for he had -been taught endurance by his father.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_122">122</div> -<p>The night passed quickly, and suddenly Red Cloud -opened his eyes to the rays of the sun and a new day. -Climbing from under the folds of his blanket he realized -that he was quite thirsty and hungry. Water he could -seek and drink, but he realized that until he had the -dream he was to partake of no food regardless of how -long he must wait. Unless, of course, he desired to return -to the village and report that the spirits had not spoken -to him in a dream and then as was the custom of his -tribe he would be considered a poor unfortunate person -with little hope of success in life. So Red Cloud put the -thoughts of food from his mind and started in search of -water.</p> -<p>In the great forest one did not have to look too far for -water because all through the great forest there ran many -streams of clear cool water. So it was not long before -Red Cloud found such a stream and, after splashing the -icy cold water in his face to chase the sleep from his eyes, -he drank deeply until his thirst was satisfied. Then turning -from the stream he started back toward his camp.</p> -<p>When he arrived back at his blanket, he spread it on -the ground and then lay down to gaze up into the sky -through the openings in the trees. He passed an hour or -more making wonderful pictures in his mind from the -formation of clouds that floated overhead across the -heavens. Billowy white puffs of smoke they seemed to be, -and Red Cloud marveled at how soft and pure they -looked. But soon his restless heart made him rise from -the blanket and he decided to explore. He started for the -top of the ridge many miles away and when he had -reached there he knelt, turning his head toward the -heavens and raising his arms. And so as if reaching for -the sun he made his prayers to the great Wakanda.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_123">123</div> -<p>When he had knelt in this position for an hour or -more he rose to start down the ridge toward his campsite -again, planning to go in another direction from the campsite -and eventually explore the whole surrounding area. -It was then that he noticed a slight stirring in the brush. -Quickly Red Cloud dropped behind a shelter of rock and -watched the spot in the brush. He did not know what to -expect, for this part of the forest was strange to him and -he did not know what might be hidden in the brush. -Then as he watched the brush he realized that the slight -breeze that was blowing would be carrying his scent right -toward whatever was concealed in the patch of brush.</p> -<p>Then he saw it was a tremendous brown bear which -was six feet tall on its hind feet. Evidently the bear had -been eating blueberries from the bushes which covered -the side of the ridge and had suddenly become aware of -the presence of someone or something which was foreign -to him. The bear was now raised up on his hind paws in -order to look over the tops of the bushes and see if he -could discover this thing which had invaded his feeding -grounds.</p> -<p>Red Cloud crouched even lower behind the rock, for -he knew that a brown bear could be very mean, especially -when he was hungry. Then Red Cloud thought of his -weapons. In seeking water he had left his weapons at -the campsite and had nothing with him but his hunting -knife, which he felt would do him little good against a -mad full-grown brown bear. So the best thing he could -do was to attempt to circle the bear and get downwind -from him so that the bear could no longer smell him. But -he must do it by keeping out of sight.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_124">124</div> -<p>Slowly Red Cloud edged himself out from behind the -rock, keeping his body pressed close to the ground. -Before he started to move he noticed that the bear had -settled down to feeding once again. The breeze had died -down but there was always the danger of a quick gust -again and Red Cloud realized he was still in a dangerous -position. He hugged the ground as hard as he could and -continued to squirm away from and around this dangerous -bear.</p> -<p>Then Red Cloud was aware of another danger. Having -gone without food for almost two whole days, he was not -the strong lad that he would have been when eating two -hearty meals a day. He wondered, if the bear did see him, -whether he would be able to run fast enough to get away -from the bear. But getting downwind was the most important -thing at this time, so Red Cloud continued to crawl -and the rough stones on the forest floor cut through his -shirt and into his skin, scraping it raw; but the more it -hurt the harder Red Cloud pressed his body against the -friendly earth.</p> -<p>He slowly raised his head and realized that he was now -almost completely downwind from the bear and that the -big fellow had gone back to munching the berries. For -what seemed like hours, Red Cloud lay quietly in hiding -behind a great oak tree, not daring to look out for fear -the bear would be looking around just at the time he -peeked out from behind the tree.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_125">125</div> -<p>And then it happened. Red Cloud had been lying so -still, afraid to move, that suddenly he felt his leg go numb -and he realized that his leg had gone to sleep. He moved -it slightly to bring circulation and life back into it and in -so doing he dislodged a fairly large stone which began its -noisy fall down the side of the ridge and as it rolled it -would click against other stones and they too would join -the miniature landslide. Red Cloud huddled behind the -tree and then he heard a low growl. He decided he had -better take a chance and glance from behind the tree, and -as he did his heart leapt, for the bear was looking almost -right at him. The bear let out another terrible growl, and -then from above where Red Cloud lay in hiding, the -young brave heard another growl.</p> -<p>Slowly turning his head so that he could look up the -ridge, he saw the reason for the bear’s sudden anger. His -berry patch had been invaded by another large brown -bear who was now growling out a challenge. If either -bear had spotted Red Cloud, he was forgotten now, for -they had eyes only for each other and possession of the -berry patch was the prize which they both sought.</p> -<p>With mighty growls they dropped to all fours and -charged at each other. Red Cloud, at first fascinated by -this battle between two creatures of the forest, stood -rooted to his hiding place, but then thought more wisely -of it and taking the chance offered him by the two bears -being involved in a battle to the death, ran as swiftly as -he could down the ridge and away from the danger that -threatened his very life.</p> -<p>He did not stop running until he had reached his campsite -miles away and then, throwing himself flat on the -ground, thanked the great Wakanda for sparing him from -this danger which had threatened and for bringing him -safely to his campsite.</p> -<p>Once again he offered his prayers to the powers of -nature and then, wrapping himself in his blanket and -building up the fire, he settled down for the night.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_126">126</div> -<p>It was during the warm sleep of that evening brought -on by the fatigue of his day’s adventure that Red Cloud -had his dream. In his dream the great Thunderbird -appeared to him telling him that he would have much -courage added to the courage already in his heart and -that as an adult in the tribe he would have a great deal of -success in all he attempted. Upon awakening at the first -rays of the dawn, Red Cloud felt suddenly refreshed. He -had been visited in his dreams and now could return to -the village.</p> -<p>Gathering his weapons he put out the embers of the -fire he had made and scattered the dead ashes. Then with -a light heart and a quick step he started back upon the -path he had blazed until he reached the main trail. There -he quickened his step and just as dusk was beginning to -fall, entered the village, being welcomed warmly by his -many friends. His father and several of the lesser chiefs -were at the door of his father’s wigwam and that evening -a council was held at the central lodge.</p> -<p>There Red Cloud rose before the male members of his -tribe and recounted his adventures in the great forest, -closing by repeating his dream. As he finished there were -many grunts of approval and words of praise.</p> -<p>But Great Cloud said nothing, and Red Cloud wondered -about this until he looked into the eyes of his great -father; and there he saw the fire of pride burning brightly -and in his heart he was very happy. Together father and -son left the central lodge that evening, and true to the -dream, Red Cloud grew in the tribe to become one of its -greatest warriors.</p> -<hr /> -<blockquote> -<p>This story is based upon an incident in the life of Red Cloud, an -Algonquin warrior, as told to the author by John Fitch, a farmer -from Vermont.</p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_127">127</div> -<h2 id="c23"><span class="h2line1">BROKEN TOOTH AND THE WAR BONNET</span></h2> -<p>The Apache warriors had been waiting a long time for -this revenge upon the maurauding Kiowas and now the -time had come. The leader of the Apache band raised his -hand and the attack was on. The Apache war party swept -down the hillside into the midst of the Kiowa camp. The -camp had been caught off guard and the raiding Apaches -were making short work of the few Kiowa braves who -would stand and fight.</p> -<p>Broken Tooth, one of the most honored warriors of -the Apache tribe, rode down to a Kiowa brave and -touched him with his coup stick. Then he rode on a short -ways, turned abruptly and sent an arrow into the Kiowa’s -chest.</p> -<p>The battle was short and furious. The Apache raiders -withdrew from the village and slowly returned home to -count their coup and to sing of their victory at the great -council. As they rode, Broken Tooth was thinking ahead -to the great council that night. After this raid today a -great event would take place in his tepee on the morrow.</p> -<p>The party entered the camp and there was much -rejoicing. Finally, the evening meal was eaten and the -word was sent out that the council would meet to hear the -deeds of the day.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_128">128</div> -<p>When all the men of the tribe had gathered in the -council lodge, they rose one by one to recount their deeds -of the day. Finally, Broken Tooth rose and told of his -riding down upon the Kiowa warrior and touching him -with his coup stick. He then related his other exploits of -the day. The great chief rose from his place and then he -spoke, “Broken Tooth, you have been a brave warrior and -you have earned many honors. Today you have added -even more honors for your brave deeds.”</p> -<p>The council then broke up, but the following day word -was passed that Broken Tooth was on that day going to -make a new headdress. As was the custom, the men of -the tribe gathered that afternoon in the tepee of Broken -Tooth and all his feathers were spread upon the ground. -They were then sorted according to size, and the making -of the headdress began. As each feather was being prepared -for the headdress, Broken Tooth recounted for the -men the story of the deed that had won him that feather. -The men would listen and smoke and grunt approval -after each story. Finally, the bonnet was finished and -there was no more beautiful piece of handiwork in the -whole village.</p> -<p>The following day there were reports from the scouts -that the Arapaho were banding together and would be -attacking in force. The Apaches gathered their warriors -and rode forth to meet the enemy. A large plain between -the two villages was picked as the place of battle and the -tribes met in both hand-to-hand and long-range battle. It -was a hard-fought battle and soon both tribes withdrew, -bearing their dead and wounded.</p> -<p>Among the dead was Broken Tooth. As his body was -borne back to the Apache village many praised the beauty -of the war bonnet which had been worn so proudly by -its owner for a single day.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_129">129</div> -<h2 id="c24"><span class="h2line1">GREY SQUIRREL HEARS HIS NAME</span></h2> -<p>The Oneidas were a tribe of the Iroquois Nation which -had swept north to invade the lands of the Algonquins, -spreading death and destruction. After having beaten all -the surrounding Algonquin tribes badly, the Iroquois -tribes fell to fighting among themselves—the Onondagas, -Mohawks, Cayugas, and Senecas, as well as the Oneidas. -This constant bloodshed in the Mohawk valley in time -weakened the tribes so that they were always in danger of -attack from the revenge-seeking Algonquins.</p> -<p>It was during this unhappy time that a young brave, -Grey Squirrel, lived among the Oneida people. He was -not an unusual Indian. He was of average build with -average good looks and average abilities. He took part in -only the things the average young man in his tribe enjoyed—hunting, -fishing, trapping, and doing all the things they -did. However, there was one difference that set Grey -Squirrel aside from his brothers of the tribe: Grey Squirrel -had never heard his name spoken by the chiefs of the -tribe. All the other braves of his age had either heard the -chiefs call their names while on the hunt, at a tribal ceremony, -or while walking in the woods or swimming in the -stream.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_130">130</div> -<p>So Grey Squirrel began to wonder whether he had ever -done anything which, in the eyes of the chiefs, made him -unworthy. He had fought in great battles, but he had -never been cowardly. So cowardice could not be the -reason. He had never failed to hunt well, to keep his -wigwam warm and sturdy, and to see that there was -enough food for all the family. He could see no way in -which he had been unworthy of the chiefs’ notice. Often -Grey Squirrel would walk by the quiet stream and ponder -the reason for his being a brave forgotten by the chiefs.</p> -<p>As Grey Squirrel’s heart grew troubled, he sought the -wise advice of his father, Grey Owl. One evening, he -approached his father’s wigwam and asked if he might -speak with him about something which tormented his -mind. Grey Owl invited him into his home and they both -sat cross-legged around the small fire in the center of the -wigwam. There was a long period of silence and then -Grey Owl spoke.</p> -<p>“What is it that troubles you so deeply, my son? I have -often watched you wander from the village to the near-by -stream and sit and ponder. I have watched you return -with a downcast look from the hunt or battle when you -should have been joyful that your bow had proven -straight and true in whatever task you set for it.” His -father paused. “Speak, my son, unburden your heart to -your father who has loved you and guided you from -babyhood to fine young manhood.”</p> -<p>Grey Squirrel looked long at his father and as he -watched his father’s eyes, his face softened and he said, -“O wise and kind father, many years I walked the forest -trails at your heels carefully watching every move, imitating -all that you taught me to the best of my ability. Many, -many hours we spent together beneath the sheltering -branches of the towering oak trees, listening with our ears -to the voices of the forest. You taught me how to listen -and what to listen for, so that my ears have grown very -keen. Today the deer may not tread the forest floor that -I do not hear, nor the rabbit scurry for cover that I -cannot uncover the entrance to his home, nor the bluebird -set his wings for flight that I cannot immediately see his -starting place. And yet, dear father, there is one sound I -have listened for and have not heard.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_131">131</div> -<p>Grey Owl had been listening calmly to all that his -young son had to say. Surprise crossed his face with his -son’s last words, and then a gentle smile came upon his -lips. “Tell me, Grey Squirrel, what is this sound you -listen so hard for but cannot hear?”</p> -<p>“O father,” Grey Squirrel said, “I have listened for the -voices of our great chiefs calling my name, but to this -day I have not heard them. Am I not in favor with those -who watch over our tribe and guide our feet along the -safe paths? Tell me, father, why do I not hear my name -spoken by them? I have listened along the forest trails -or in the din of battle. I have lain awake in the quiet of -my wigwam listening for just a whisper. All the other -braves of our village are proud that they have heard their -names repeated by the chiefs. I alone have not. What is -wrong, father? I have come to you to seek your wise -answer.”</p> -<p>Grey Owl lowered his eyes to the ground as he -searched his thoughts for the right reply. Then he lifted -his head slowly and studied his son’s face. He began to -speak slowly and kindly. “My son, you have made one -very great mistake. Without having meant to do so, you -have done the one thing which could have prevented you -from hearing the chiefs call your name.”</p> -<p>“Tell me, father,” Grey Squirrel said impatiently, “tell -me what it is!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_132">132</div> -<p>Grey Owl rose and walked behind his son. Placing his -hands upon the young man’s shoulders, he said, “Because -you have walked in search of their praise you have spent -many hours expecting to hear them praise you. Do not -listen so hard, my son. Live your life the best you know -how. One day you shall be rewarded by hearing the -voices of the chiefs who watch over our tribe. Do not be -troubled any longer. Return to your wigwam and your -family and continue to be a good husband and father. If -you allow it to worry you greatly, it will soon hurt your -whole life. You are young, my son. You have not been -forgotten.”</p> -<p>Grey Squirrel rose then, and faced his father. “Father,” -he said, “your words are of little comfort. But I will -follow your advice, for it has been wise and good -through the years of my youth.” With that, Grey Squirrel -turned and left his father’s wigwam.</p> -<p>He returned to his own home and was greeted warmly -by his good wife, Morning Star, who had prepared a fine -meal for him. All through his dinner, Grey Squirrel -thought carefully about his father’s words. But when he -went to bed that evening, he decided that he should drive -these troubled thoughts from his mind. The weeks that -followed were very pleasant for Grey Squirrel. The hunting -and fishing were good. Everything was going well. -The people of the village saw the sudden change in Grey -Squirrel and the fact that he no longer appeared worried. -Grey Squirrel felt better, greeting each new day happily.</p> -<p>One day Grey Squirrel shouldered his bow and chose -his best arrows. Bidding his family good-bye, he started -toward the forest to hunt for fresh meat for his family. -He trotted easily along the forest trail, stopping now and -then to study the ground and look for signs of moving -game.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_133">133</div> -<p>He had been on the trail for a while when he came to -a narrow stream. Stooping to drink of the fresh, cool -water, he stopped with his hand halfway to his mouth. -He blinked his eyes and looked again into the stream, not -moving a muscle. There, in a quiet pool next to his reflection -was that of the head and antlers of a beautiful deer. -Slowly the brave lifted his head until he was looking -straight into the eyes of a magnificent buck standing -directly across the stream, almost within reach. As Grey -Squirrel straightened up slowly, the buck shied a little and -backed off. Many thoughts passed through Grey Squirrel’s -head, but the one which puzzled him most was why -the buck shied only a little and then stood and watched -him without any sign of fear after that.</p> -<p>Grey Squirrel lowered a hand slowly to reach for his -bow which he had placed upon the ground as he was -kneeling to drink. Grasping the bow firmly, he fitted an -arrow onto the bow string and took careful aim. The -great buck’s eyes stayed his hand from releasing the -arrow and made him lower the bow. His mind told Grey -Squirrel that this buck would provide good food, but his -heart told him to stop. Then he noticed that the deer was -favoring his right hoof and realized that the buck had an -injury. The leg just above the hoof was swollen to almost -twice its normal size. Grey Squirrel dropped his bow and -arrow to the ground, and with careful and even steps, -waded across the stream toward the buck.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_134">134</div> -<p>The animal suddenly turned as if to spring into the -forest, but his leg collapsed under him and he fell to the -ground. Grey Squirrel guessed that the deer must have -already used up his strength in escaping from whatever -had caused the injury, had come to the stream to bathe -the injured leg, and could go no further. Now the buck -was struggling to rise and Grey Squirrel jumped quickly -to his side. Firmly but gently, the Indian placed one knee -against the buck’s side, one hand on the animal’s chest, -the other on the buck’s neck to hold him steady. The animal -was frightened and trembled. Grey Squirrel spoke -softly to the buck and began to stroke its side, each time -managing to bring his hand a little closer to the injured -hoof. Finally the buck seemed to sigh and relaxed as -though he understood that this man wanted to help him.</p> -<p>Grey Squirrel leaned over to look at the injured leg -more closely. The buck apparently had run into some -heavy brambles and a large thorn had lodged in the soft -part of the leg just above the hoof, which had become -infected and had begun to fester. Grey Squirrel took his -knife from his belt and pressed the point of the blade into -the flesh beside the thorn. The buck’s leg quivered -slightly. Then the thorn and a misty fluid spurted from -the wound. Grey Squirrel took wet leaves and mud from -the bed of the stream and laid them over the wound. All -through this operation the buck lay still, allowing Grey -Squirrel to do as he pleased. The animal continued to lie -there quietly as though waiting for any more help the -Indian might gave him.</p> -<p>Grey Squirrel went back to the stream and, cupping his -hands, brought some cool water for the animal. The buck -drank it eagerly. A long time passed while Grey Squirrel -kept vigil over the resting buck. Occasionally as he moved -to another position, the buck would follow him with his -eyes; when Grey Squirrel settled down again, the buck -would put his head back on the earth and he too would -rest again. Finally, dusk drew near and it began to -darken in the forest. As if by signal, the buck arose, -tested his injured leg, glanced at Grey Squirrel, and -started for the protection of the dense trees. Grey Squirrel -called and the buck stopped at the edge of the woods and -turned to look back. He cocked his head to one side as if -to say “thank you,” and then moved into the thick woods -and out of sight.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_135">135</div> -<p>Grey Squirrel suddenly became angry with himself and -shouted aloud, “What a fool you are, Grey Squirrel! -There, before you, was food for your family for a whole -week. But you let the buck make you feel sorry for him. -You cared for his injury, and now he has left you empty-handed -after a whole day of hunting, with only the story -of a deer who let you pet him—as if anyone would believe -you! You are a fool, Grey Squirrel!”</p> -<p>Then there was a loud rustling near by. All of a sudden, -Grey Squirrel heard a voice, calling his name.</p> -<p>“Grey Squirrel!” the voice boomed, echoing in the forest. -“Don’t be angry with yourself. I witnessed what you -did today. Your tribe will honor you. It takes courage to -travel in the forests alone in search of food. But it takes -greater courage to forget to be a hunter when his prey is -so easy a target because of an injury. You sacrificed time -and food for your family’s table to help the injured buck. -If you had killed the animal, you would have felt cowardly. -Return to our village, hold your head high, and tell -of your deed today. Do not worry if they do not believe -you at first. Your heart is happy for your kindness. Go, -Grey Squirrel, it grows late. I will ask the chiefs to hear -your story at the council fire tonight.”</p> -<p>In quiet wonder, Grey Squirrel stood gazing at Strong -Heart, the great war chief of the Oneidas, who stepped -out of the woods only a few paces from the spot where -the buck had stopped briefly to gaze back at him. Lifting -his bow from the ground, Grey Squirrel started back to -his family and his wigwam. In his heart were a warmth -and peace that he had never felt before.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_137">137</div> -<h2><span class="h2line1">4. HEROISM</span></h2> -<div class="pb" id="Page_139">139</div> -<h2 id="c25"><span class="h2line1">LITTLE FAWN AND THE WOLVES</span></h2> -<p>It had been a very poor hunting year for the Choctaw -Tribe. Little Fawn, daughter of Wolf’s Tooth, sat in her -wigwam, thinking about her hunger. Not just Little Fawn, -but everyone in the village was beginning to feel the -pangs of hunger. One month still remained before the ice -would thaw in the lakes, and the fish would begin to swim -again, and the young green sprouts of grass would burst -through the earth and draw the game back to the hunting -ground. A grave decision had to be made. When the -Council had gathered, Wolf’s Tooth rose up and spoke.</p> -<p>“We need food. If we are not to starve, we must organize -a strong hunting party, and travel south to seek -out the animals that have wandered from our hunting -grounds.”</p> -<p>There were many grunts of approval. The decision was -made that a great hunting party would leave the following -day for the south. There was much dancing and -preparation for the hunt. Tough hickory bows were tested -again and again for weak spots. Sinew cords that were -old or might have weak spots were cast aside, and new -ones strung on the hickory bows. Knives and tomahawks -were made ready. The tension mounted until dawn when -the hunting party started from the village toward the -south.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_140">140</div> -<p>Little Fawn gazed slowly around the encampment and -immediately noticed that all the strong young braves were -gone. All that remained were the old men, the sick, the -women and children. This bothered Little Fawn, until she -thought to herself, “What could happen? Nothing. We -will be safe as long as we stay in our village.”</p> -<p>Before the men left on the trip, they had been so confident -they would bring back home an ample supply of meat -that they gave their families extra rations of meat and -greens which they had been guarding well. Some of the -families were careful and, though given plenty, still used -the extra food sparingly; but many of the families could -not resist the temptation to feast, and built up fires to -cook the extra meat and greens. It was just this mistake -that nearly cost many of the remaining Choctaw people -their lives.</p> -<p>Just as the families were sitting down to eat, a howl -echoed from out of the forest and then another and another -from different directions. The women became -frightened and some of the children began to cry. Some -of the men began to cry too, because they realized that -they were old and sick and could give little help to the -women and children against the danger that was now -just outside their village.</p> -<p>How well they knew the sounds which came from the -forests on the edge of the camp! The wolves were hungry, -for their hunting season had been a poor one too. -These lean and starving savage beasts had been drawn to -the outskirts of the village by the smell of the large quantities -of meat cooking in the many vessels throughout the -village. The howling continued, and it grew louder as -many more voices joined the circle of wolves slowly closing -in on the village.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_141">141</div> -<p>Food and hunger were forgotten by the older squaws -as they hurried to carry their children to the comparative -safety of the wigwam. Suddenly, all were stricken with -panic except Little Fawn. Though her little heart pounded -in her breast, Little Fawn searched her mind for a solution -to this threat of death to her people. She ran quickly -to her home and there found her younger brother, Flying -Squirrel, crouched in the corner of the wigwam, shaking -with fear. Slowly she explained to him that he must stop -shaking and listen carefully. Though only a young boy, -she told him, he must now become a man. He must leave -immediately upon the trail of the hunting party to bring -help to the village while she, Little Fawn, stayed behind -to do whatever she could to help her people.</p> -<p>Flying Squirrel knew the job he must do. So he immediately -set out upon the trail of the hunting party, helped -by the bright moon and driven on by thoughts of his brave -young sister who was staying behind to face this howling -menace of a pack of wolves. Both fear and courage lent -wings to his feet as he sped through the circle of wolves -and down the trail in pursuit of the hunting party.</p> -<p>Meanwhile, Little Fawn called two other young Indian -girls to her and explained that the only reason the wolves -were staying as far from the village was their fear of the -many fires which still burned brightly in the village.</p> -<p>“So,” Little Fawn said, “it is our job to keep those fires -burning all night, and to make torches and light them on -the edge of the village to keep the wolves away.” Reluctantly -the girls agreed, and fires were built up. The three -girls made torches of pine knots and placed them in a -wide circle at the edge of the village.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_142">142</div> -<p>All night they kept the fires burning, and all night the -howling of the wolves kept up. With the coming of dawn, -however, the wolves scurried back into the forest. Only -then did the girls who had helped Little Fawn decide to -take a much needed rest. But Little Fawn could not rest -because she was so worried about her little brother, -Flying Squirrel. At just about this time, he reached the -hunting party and, after explaining what had happened, -collapsed in the arms of his father.</p> -<p>Wolf’s Tooth chose a half dozen warriors and immediately -started home for the village which was almost a -full day’s journey away.</p> -<p>Back at the village, Little Fawn was busy gathering -wood for the fires that coming evening. Soon many -willing hands were helping in this task. As the day wore -on, Little Fawn anxiously watched the south trail for -signs of the returning warriors. As the sun began to set, -Little Fawn began to wonder if Flying Squirrel had been -able to reach Wolf’s Tooth and his band. Little Fawn -knew that the wolves would be back after the sun set.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_143">143</div> -<p>It grew dark fast. Little Fawn went to look at the -many torches around the village, lighting any that had -gone out and preparing once again for the long wait. As -she reached to set another torch ablaze, she heard a low, -threatening growl almost beside her. Turning slowly -around, Little Fawn found she was gazing into the sharp -eyes of a hungry wolf who must have followed her right -to this spot. Little Fawn drew back in fear until her back -pressed against a hickory tree as the wolf crouched to -spring. There was no escape and Little Fawn faced the -wolf trembling. The wolf leaped. There was the sudden -twang of a bowstring. A howl of agony came from the -throat of the wolf as the arrow struck home. The rescue -party had arrived just in time. Wolf’s Tooth’s arrow had -found its mark. The rescue party killed most of the -wolves and drove off the rest of the pack. All the next -day Little Fawn and her brother, Flying Squirrel, were -thanked and praised by her tribe.</p> -<p>Wolf Tooth told them: “I am very proud of my children. -My son moves even more swiftly than a flying -squirrel. My daughter may be as gentle as a little fawn, -but she is braver than a pack of wolves.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_144">144</div> -<h2 id="c26"><span class="h2line1">THE ISLAND</span></h2> -<p>White Eagle was a young Iroquois boy. His favorite -friend was Shining Star, a young Indian girl from his -tribe. The small village in which they lived stood on the -shore of a large and beautiful lake that could become very -dangerous in a sudden storm.</p> -<p>Scattered in the lake were many small islands. When -parents were sure that their children could handle the -tribe’s canoes safely in the lake, they allowed them to -explore these islands. A favorite sport of White Eagle and -Shining Star was to paddle to one of these islands to -search for berries and other wild fruit.</p> -<p>One sunny summer day, White Eagle and Shining Star -decided to take a canoe trip to one of the islands farthest -from their village. As far as White Eagle knew, the island -they planned to visit was at the other end of the long -lake. Excitedly, the two children went down to the shore -and set out on their adventure across the calm, blue lake. -They enjoyed paddling in the sun because its beams -seemed to warm them to their hearts.</p> -<p>They had been paddling gaily and laughing a great -deal for some time when Shining Star suddenly turned to -White Eagle with an unhappy look on her pretty face.</p> -<p>“White Eagle,” she said sadly, “I am getting tired. I -think we should visit one of the islands nearer home. -I don’t think I can help you paddle all the way across -this great lake and back again.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_145">145</div> -<p>“Very well,” said White Eagle kindly, “there is an -island over there that we have never visited before. We -will go ashore there and hunt for berries.”</p> -<p>Without saying any more, the children turned their -canoe and headed for the island about one hundred -paces away. Soon their canoe was scraping bottom on a -sand bar that seemed to lead from the island into the -water. Stepping from the canoe, White Eagle steadied it -while Shining Star stepped ashore. Finally, he pulled the -canoe up onto the shore so that it would not be carried -away from the island into the lake and leave them -stranded. Then, hand in hand, the children began to -explore.</p> -<p>Now these islands were not small and, if one were not -careful, he could really get lost for a little while. So the -children were careful to mark their trail with broken -branches as they went. In their eagerness to explore this -island they forgot what they had actually come for.</p> -<p>“We have never been on this island before,” said -White Eagle. “At least, I don’t remember having been on -it before now.”</p> -<p>“No,” answered Shining Star. “We have never been -here before.”</p> -<p>“Well, the only thing to do is look around.” Maybe -White Eagle was thinking of himself as an Indian warrior -when he added, “Let’s see if we can find any enemies.”</p> -<p>“Oh, don’t be silly, White Eagle! We won’t find any -enemies on this island,” Shining Star said, laughing and -forgetting how tired she had been.</p> -<p>“Don’t fool yourself, Shining Star. My father tells me -that sometimes the enemy will set up camp on an island -near a village to keep watch on the tribe. Then when -they feel that the village is off guard, they attack.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_146">146</div> -<p>White Eagle said this with such a serious face that -Shining Star became frightened. “Let’s go home, White -Eagle, I’m afraid.”</p> -<p>“Don’t be silly, little one, I was only fooling.” (Now -he played the part of a warrior again.) “There is probably -no living thing upon this island but ourselves. Come on! -We’re wasting time. Let’s start exploring.”</p> -<p>The two children continued to investigate the island, -always making sure that they were leaving a plain trail -so that they could return to their canoe in safety. After -several hours, they decided that there were no berries on -this island so they might as well return home. They -turned around and started back for the shore, trying to -follow their trail carefully.</p> -<p>Sooner than he had expected, White Eagle could see -the lake waters, but when they reached the shore he -realized that this was not where they had landed. And -there was no canoe. Looking out across the water, White -Eagle knew that they were on another side of the island. -Perhaps they had followed a fresh trail someone else had -left.</p> -<p>Shining Star seated herself on a log about ten paces -from the shore to rest and wait for White Eagle to make -a decision.</p> -<p>“Come, Shining Star,” he said confidently, “we will -walk along the shore until we reach our canoe.”</p> -<p>So taking hands once again, the children started along -the shore of the island. Suddenly, the sky became black, -a strong wind came up, and dark storm clouds started -moving in over the lake.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_147">147</div> -<p>“Hurry, Shining Star!” he said with just a touch of fear -in his voice. “A storm is coming over the lake. We must -hurry if we are to reach home before the waves get so -high that we can’t paddle our canoe.”</p> -<p>Shining Star started to run, but stumbled and fell, -twisting her ankle. She cried out in pain and White Eagle -knelt by her side.</p> -<p>“Oh, I’ve hurt my ankle,” Shining Star told him, -holding back her tears.</p> -<p>White Eagle lifted the young girl in his arms and -started carrying her. Soon they reached the place where -the canoe was beached. Placing her gently into the canoe, -White Eagle shoved the canoe into the water and climbed -inside.</p> -<p>The sky had become very dark. They could hear thunder -and see flashes of lightning across the lake. Rain was -beginning to fall fast. Now even White Eagle was afraid, -but he tried his best to hide his fear from Shining Star. -Using all the strength he could muster, he paddled furiously -toward home, but the winds now were pounding -the light canoe and seemed to drive him further and -further from their village. Shining Star lay quietly in the -bow of the canoe. She was too brave an Indian girl to -cry but her eyes, peering through the driving rain toward -White Eagle’s face, pleaded with him to get them safely -home.</p> -<p>And then, without warning, a great gust of wind -caught the bow of the canoe and swung it hard. White -Eagle leaned in the opposite direction to balance the -canoe. Suddenly, the wind shifted. Before White Eagle -had a chance to turn the bow into the wind, it caught the -canoe again and, with a loud swish, turned it over into -the lake.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_148">148</div> -<p>Amidst his surprise and confusion White Eagle’s first -thought was for Shining Star. He heard the girl sputtering -and coughing. He looked to see her head just appearing -above the water beside the canoe. Reaching his hand out, -he grasped her arm and pulled her to him. Then grasping -the underside of the overturned canoe, he pulled Shining -Star so that her arms rested on the canoe and she was -able to grasp the keel.</p> -<p>Thus the two children hung on for what seemed like -hours but actually was only a few minutes. The water -was cold. White Eagle began to shiver, not so much -because the water was cold, but because the rain was -colder and the biting wind made it even worse.</p> -<p>And then as quickly as the storm had come, it was -gone. White Eagle tried, but did not have the strength to -hold on to Shining Star and turn the canoe. Just when -he was giving up any chance of getting to shore, strong -hands gripped his arms. It was then that White Eagle -realized that he was losing consciousness. Everything -went black.</p> -<p>When he finally woke, he found that he was in his bed -in his own wigwam. His mother was kneeling by him with -a cup of hot broth. Slowly he sipped. And then he could -hold back no longer.</p> -<p>“My mother, what of Shining Star?”</p> -<p>“She is all right, my son. You have done well this day. -It was feared that you children would be caught in the -storm, so your father and Shining Star’s father set forth -in their canoes and reached you both just as you were -slipping from the canoe. You are a brave lad, White -Eagle, and your father is proud as is the father of Shining -Star. You saved her life and she was brave, as you were.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_149">149</div> -<h2 id="c27"><span class="h2line1">A NEW BOW FOR TANI</span></h2> -<p>Tani was a small Cherokee lad who lived during the -great Hundred Years’ War between the Northern and -Southern tribes. When he was twelve years old, Tani’s -only wish was to own a bow like his father’s—a strong -hickory bow with a stout hide thong and a quiver of -straight strong arrows.</p> -<p>Each time he would approach his father about owning -such a bow, his father would laugh, and placing his hand -on his son’s head, tell him in a kindly voice that he was -still a little too young to handle a man-sized hickory bow. -This always made Tani feel a little sad because, being a -boy of twelve, he thought he was man enough to own one.</p> -<p>One day Tani’s father called Tani to him and told him -they would be going on a hunting trip and asked if he -would like to go along. Tani was overjoyed and all he -could think about for the next three days was the forthcoming -trip with his father. When the time finally arrived, -Tani prepared for the trip just as his father did and -noticed his father place war paint on his face and chest -and arms. Tani said good-bye to all, and when he said -good-bye to his mother he noticed she was crying. He -did not understand, for his father had not told him that -the hunting trip they were going on was to seek out -Talitanigska, one of the great Cherokee Chieftains, and -report to him the movements of a large band of Seneca -Indians. This was a very dangerous journey, for the -Seneca Indians were deadly enemies of the Cherokee -Tribe.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_150">150</div> -<p>As Tani and his father traveled swiftly along the back -paths of the vast forests toward the encampment of -Talitanigska, one thought kept rushing through the little -brave’s mind: What great adventure was his father leading -him into? Tani soon learned the answer to this question. -That evening, as Tani and his father were seated at -a small guarded fire off to the side of the trail, Tani’s -father told him the nature of their task.</p> -<p>The little brave’s heart pounded as he learned the -reason for their journey. That night as they rolled in -their blankets and slept, Tani dreamed of many Seneca -Indians attacking his father and himself and of his standing -back to back with his father, beating off the attackers.</p> -<p>When the dawn broke, Tani and his father were on -their way. They were careful to avoid any soft earth that -might leave signs for roving Senecas to find and follow.</p> -<p>About midafternoon Tani’s father turned into a shallow -stream and started north against the current. Suddenly, -his father slipped and fell heavily head first into the -stream. Tani reached his father’s side and found his father -could not stand. He helped him ashore and seated him -against the trunk of a tree on the bank. A gash was red -with blood across the forehead of Tani’s father. Tani saw -that his father’s ankle was badly twisted. Not a word was -spoken, but Tani built a small fire and made his father as -comfortable as possible.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_151">151</div> -<p>For several hours as the sun slowly sank behind the -hills, Tani’s father worried about the situation he and -his son were in. He was tired and he must have dozed, -for he woke with a start as he felt his bow being lifted -from his fingers. He watched in silence as Tani fitted an -arrow to the bow, pulled back the string and let fly. The -arrow buried itself in a near-by bush. There was a thud, -followed by a terrifying scream. A Seneca sprang up and -fell dead across the path. Tani rushed forward and, -having made sure their enemy was dead, returned to his -father’s side. Without a word he continued his sleepless -watch.</p> -<p>The night passed without incident but as dawn approached, -Tani heard a rustle in the near-by bush. He -raised his bow ready to fire, but recognized the head -feathers of his Cherokee brothers and let the bow drop -to the ground. He leaped forward with a happy cry. The -two braves were from Talitanigska’s camp. They quickly -made a sling hammock to carry Tani’s father and soon -the four of them set forth for the great Chieftain’s camp.</p> -<p>Once safely within the camp, Tani’s father was well -cared for and soon was able to stand once again on his -injured foot. Two weeks after their arrival at Talitanigska’s -camp a great council fire was held to celebrate the -victory of the Cherokees over their enemies, the Senecas. -As the festivities came to a close, Talitanigska stepped -to the center of the ring and asked that Tani step forward. -Then, in front of the great Cherokee Chieftains, Talitanigska -took his stout hickory bow from his shoulder and -placed it in Tani’s hands.</p> -<p>“This is for you, Tani,” he said, “for you are a great -brave and now a man among men. You stood full of -courage in the face of great danger. Because of your -quick thinking, you saved your father’s life and made it -possible for your father to bring me the valuable information. -This information helped our fellow tribesmen to -meet and defeat the Senecas, our enemies.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_152">152</div> -<p>Tani did not know what to say; but the following -morning, as he and his father prepared to leave, he -stepped in front of Chief Talitanigska and thanked him -for the gift. He said he would always cherish the great -hickory bow and remember the great kindness shown him -by one of the great Chiefs of the Cherokee nation. Tani -had his bow, just like his father’s. There was no happier -brave alive as he tramped closely behind his father on the -path home.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_153">153</div> -<h2 id="c28"><span class="h2line1">SINGING WATERS AND THE MEDICINE WELL</span></h2> -<p>Singing Waters’ work as an Indian maiden in the -Teton-Dakota tribe was typical of the work of Indian -maidens across the continent. Each year she would make -new clothing for her family and each day of the year she -would cook and do the many little things that were the -duty of a good Indian squaw. The work was hard but -Singing Waters did not mind, for she loved her husband -and her children and was very happy and proud to be -able to help them.</p> -<p>When she found that she had some free time, Singing -Waters would join the other women of the tribe to boast -about her husband’s great deeds on the hunt and in battle. -This was a favorite pastime of all the squaws. They -would spend many hours throughout the years to talk, -over and over again about the adventures of their braves. -Each time they would repeat the stories with even more -enthusiasm.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_154">154</div> -<p>One day, all the tribe’s braves had left to hunt down -a great buffalo herd for food and clothing for the tribe. -Singing Waters was seated in front of her tepee, teaching -her two daughters how to cook, when the morning sky -grew suddenly very black. A great quiet fell upon the -village. Even the dogs that seemed to spend their day -barking for no good reason were silent. Singing Waters -heard only the wind as it whispered through the village.</p> -<p>Then from the distance, there came a rumble that -seemed to come slowly nearer and nearer to the village. -Singing Waters realized quickly that a dust storm was -heading for her village. The other squaws had heard it, -too, and were rushing to gather their children into their -tepees and bind the skins across the entrances as tightly -as they could. The dogs whimpered and scattered for -whatever shelter they could find. The village did not have -to wait long, for the winds were soon lashing against the -tepees, straining their fastenings, and the dust was whipping -through the village like a flood tide rushing over -the rocks on the seashore.</p> -<p>The dust reached into every opening in Singing -Waters’ tepee. It wasn’t long before a fine coating of it -covered everything and everyone inside. Her two daughters -huddled close to her, crying slightly because of their -fear of the storm. But soon the wind blew out of the -village, and the last dust clouds settled to the ground. -One by one the flaps of the tepees swung back. Mothers, -children and old men began to come out. They found -that many things, left outside in the haste of escaping -from the storm, were covered with coats of light brown -dust. Everyone began cleaning up the village and sweeping -away the dust which had piled up against the sides -of the tepees.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_155">155</div> -<p>While this was happening a young boy, named Fat -Buffalo because he was short and very fat, came running -through the village, crying that his mother was lost. -Singing Waters halted him and shook him a little to -make him stop his screaming. When he had quieted, she -was able to learn that Brown Fawn, the boy’s mother, -had left the tepee early that morning to seek fresh water. -She had been gone only a little while when the storm -struck. Now she was not back in the tepee and Fat Buffalo -was frightened.</p> -<p>Singing Waters was worried, but did not tell Fat -Buffalo. She knew that an Indian woman out in such a -storm might easily fall under the stinging pelting of the -sand, only to be smothered by it. She might never be -found unless, years later, new storms should blow away -the dust and reveal the dry bones of a skeleton and a few -bits of her clothing. Though Singing Waters felt panic in -her heart, she quieted herself and spoke calmly to Fat -Buffalo.</p> -<p>“Go back to your tepee, Fat Buffalo, and wait. Your -mother probably found shelter from the storm. Now that -it has stopped she will be home soon. If it will make you -feel better, I will go and look for her. Return now to your -tepee. I wouldn’t be surprised if your mother were there -already.”</p> -<p>How Singing Waters hoped that Brown Fawn was back -in the village by now! It would be almost an impossible -task to find her here on the plains if she were dead or -even hurt. First, Singing Waters would not know in which -direction to start. The water hole that she and most of -the tribe used was to the south, but there were many -water holes in many directions from the village. Singing -Waters decided that she should go to Brown Fawn’s tepee -and find out if anyone else in the family knew in which -direction she had gone.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_156">156</div> -<p>After warning her two daughters to stay close to home, -saying that she would be back shortly, Singing Waters -ran swiftly through the village. Reaching Brown Fawn’s -tepee, she opened the tent flap and stepped inside. As her -eyes grew used to the darkness, she saw Fat Buffalo -kneeling in the far corner of the tepee, crying. Approaching -slowly, Singing Waters saw that there was someone -else in the tepee and that Fat Buffalo was kneeling next -to that person. As she drew near, her heart was happy, -for she thought that Brown Fawn had returned and was -comforting Fat Buffalo. She was about to turn and leave -when she suddenly realized that this woman was not -Brown Fawn, but Fat Buffalo’s grandmother, Little -Otter, who held the boy’s head on her lap.</p> -<p>Singing Waters approached quietly and spoke softly -to Little Otter. “Has Brown Fawn returned yet with the -water?” she asked with slight hope in her voice.</p> -<p>“No,” said Little Otter, “and it was because of me -that she went in search of water. We have some water -here in the tepee. But I have not been feeling well, and -Brown Fawn thought that herbs brewed in fresh spring -water from the rocks on the near-by hills might make a -tea which would help my sickness to leave.”</p> -<p>“But,” said Singing Waters, “the hills where the streams -flow are many miles from here. If Brown Fawn left when -the sun rose, then she might just have reached the spring -when the storm came. She is probably on her way back to -the village right now.”</p> -<p>The sad news about Brown Fawn soon reached everyone -in the village. Many anxious eyes watched the trail -that led from the hills. Each person hoped to be first to -catch sight of Brown Fawn and bring happiness to Little -Otter and Fat Buffalo.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_157">157</div> -<p>Later that afternoon, Singing Waters came once again -to Brown Fawn’s tepee. She talked quietly with Little -Otter and then hurried back to her tepee and placed a -warm buffalo jacket across her shoulders. Then taking -her two little daughters, she went to her sister’s tepee and -asked if she might leave the children there for supper -while she went in search of Brown Fawn. Her sister -looked at her and asked, “Why do you not wait until the -warriors return? They should be coming any time now, -and they could go in search of Brown Fawn! You have -two little children to think about.”</p> -<p>“Yes,” said Singing Waters, “I have two little children -to think about, but we do not know when the warriors -will be back. If the hunting is good they may not return -for another week. Brown Fawn may not be too far from -the village.” Nothing Singing Waters’ sister could say to -her would change her mind. So she set out from the village -toward the mountain spring known to the members -of her tribe as the medicine well. It was getting late in -the day, and Singing Waters knew that she must hurry -if she were to reach the medicine well before sunset. She -knew the trail well. As a girl she had followed it many -times, for there always seemed to be some sickness in her -village.</p> -<p>Singing Waters finally came in sight of the ridge beyond -which lay the medicine well, still having found no -trace of Brown Fawn. Tirelessly, she trotted on until she -had climbed the ridge and had worked her way to the -place from which the water flowed into the medicine well. -As Singing Waters approached the medicine well, she -called Brown Fawn’s name softly, but heard no answer. -Then she began to call more loudly. Suddenly, from far -ahead she heard a voice answer. Now Singing Waters -began to run, for she feared that Brown Fawn was in -serious trouble. She ran until she reached the side of the -medicine well, but still did not see Brown Fawn. Then -she called again and the voice answered. “Help me, I -am over here.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_158">158</div> -<p>The voice was coming from beyond the medicine well. -Singing Waters ran on further; then she stopped and -called again. The voice replied again, and Singing Waters -knew that she was closer. Brown Fawn’s voice seemed to -be coming from just behind a rise ahead of her. She ran -swiftly to the top of the rise, and there she found a water -bag. As she looked down the side of the rise through the -gathering gloom she could make out Brown Fawn’s figure -down the side of the hill. She sat leaning against a boulder, -and she called out to Singing Waters to help her. -Singing Waters slipped and slid in her haste down the side -of the hill until she was at the side of Brown Fawn. -Brown Fawn was so glad to see her that she cried, great -tears rolling down her now pale cheeks.</p> -<p>Singing Waters could see that Brown Fawn had twisted -her ankle. As she began to lift the injured woman, Singing -Waters asked her how she had hurt herself and how she -had escaped the storm. Brown Fawn told how she had -reached the medicine well just as the dust storm had -broken. After filling her water bag, she had turned quickly -to go and had fallen, twisting her ankle. When she was -once again able to rise, putting her weight on her other -ankle, she found that she had lost all sense of direction -and had started hobbling in the wrong direction.</p> -<p>“Why didn’t you lie down among the rocks until the -storm passed?” Singing Waters asked.</p> -<p>“I wanted to rest,” Brown Fawn replied, “but then I -would think of my mother and son and I felt I must -return to her and Fat Buffalo immediately with the -medicine water.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_159">159</div> -<p>“But,” said Singing Waters, “you are safe now. Now -we must return to the village while there is still a little -light or we may become lost out here on the prairie far -away from the warmth of our tepees. Come, Brown Fawn, -lean upon me and I will help you to walk.”</p> -<p>So Brown Fawn placed her arm across Singing Waters’ -shoulders. Together they slowly started back to the village. -It was dark by the time they had reached the fringe -of the village, but bright fires had been lighted to show -them the way home. There was much rejoicing as Singing -Waters entered the village half carrying Brown Fawn. -Gentle hands grasped Brown Fawn and placed her gently -upon the buffalo robe in her tepee. Soon her eyelids -flickered and she opened them wide, looking around for a -face which meant much to her. But Singing Waters had -returned to her own home and her children and was -recounting for them the adventure she had just had. They -smiled, knowing that their mother was a woman of great -courage. They were very proud.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_160">160</div> -<h2 id="c29"><span class="h2line1">THE WAR THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED</span></h2> -<p>Little Turtle was a young Comanche who lived happily -with his mother, father, and two older brothers on the -great prairies. His father was well respected by the tribe, -above all for having three sons who would grow to -manhood and bring honor to the Comanche name.</p> -<p>Each day was a new adventure for Little Turtle and -he welcomed each dawn with great excitement. He never -knew just what was planned for him or what the other -children of the village would decide to do, but he was -always ready to take part in whatever would happen.</p> -<p>For some time now, Little Turtle, who had just turned -ten, had been in the complete charge of his father. On -certain days his father would take him far from the -village to hunt and learn how to stalk wild game and -find their signs. He learned his lessons well. At night in -the tepee, he would sit next to his father because he was -the youngest, and he would listen carefully while his -father explained many things a young brave must know -to become a strong and great Comanche warrior.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_161">161</div> -<p>Because the Comanche village had been at peace for -the last three years, Little Turtle had only love in his -heart for everyone he knew or met. Sometimes his -brothers and his father would speak to him of the hated -Apache and Kiowa and the many reasons the Comanches -had for hating them. But this meant very little to the lad. -He never let such thoughts of war spoil his fun.</p> -<p>One evening after the three boys were asleep, Little -Turtle’s father spoke with his mother.</p> -<p>“Blue Star,” he said, “for many days now I have talked -to our youngest son of the Apaches and the Kiowas, but -he does not seem to understand. I have told him of their -many cruel ways and about our warriors who have fallen -under the arrow and the tomahawk of the Apaches and -the Kiowas. Still he refuses to speak harshly of such -neighbors. Maybe Little Turtle is right. Maybe I am -wrong in hating these neighbors to the north. You are -wise, Blue Star. Your advice is often sought. Tell me now -what I should teach our son. Shall I teach him to hate the -horse stealers from the north? Or shall I not speak even -their names in our daily talks?”</p> -<p>Blue Star thought for a moment and then said, “My -husband and great warrior of the Comanches, hatred is -a word which Little Turtle will learn soon enough. Now -he is young and innocent. He enjoys the coming of each -new day for the adventures that it will bring in his world -of dreams. He is a happy child and to us a very wonderful -boy. Do we want to change this wonderful boy to a -grown warrior filled with hate? He knows nothing but -love. Possibly peace will be a long time upon our village. -We, his parents, would not want to spoil that happy -world in which he lives.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_162">162</div> -<p>Great Hawk thought long about his wife’s words. Then -he left the tepee to walk alone and solve this problem -which lay so heavily upon his heart. Since his early days, -Great Hawk had been taught to hate the Apaches and the -Kiowas. His own father had lost his life in a battle with -the Apaches. His brother’s hair now hung from the tepee -of Grey Wolf, the Kiowa chieftain who sat at the head of -the council lodge. And Grey Wolf was a cruel leader of a -tribe that always looked for enemies to kill.</p> -<p>Great Hawk knew that he had strong personal reasons -for hating the tribes to the north. But was it right for -him to think of punishing his son for not hating them, -too, in the way he did? Until he had talked with Blue -Star, he had planned to question his son tomorrow about -the Apaches and Kiowas, and if his son did not show a -growing hatred toward them, then he would punish him. -But now he was not sure. No, he would wait and be -patient. After all, as Blue Star had said, there had been -peace for three years now. Thoughts of war were kept -alive only by the young bucks of the tribe who were eager -for battle and glory. War was far from the minds of the -older and wiser men of the tribe. They knew that peace -had brought them prosperity and happiness, but war -made them poor and brought them hunger and pain and -the death of friends.</p> -<p>Great Hawk began thinking about Crooked Leg, one -of the chieftains. He was the only member of the council -of Comanche chieftains who was not happy that war had -not come again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_163">163</div> -<p>Early in his youth Crooked Leg had fallen into the -hands of the Kiowas and had been tortured badly. When -his body was found being dragged by a Kiowa pony that -had been turned loose, he had been beaten and twisted -so badly that he lay close to death for many months. He -had lived, but his leg had never healed straight. He -always rose in pain and could never run again. Crooked -Leg had stayed behind in the village during all later -battles. His hate for the Kiowa had grown until he now -thought about it all the time. At council meetings, he -would always argue that the Comanches should once -again take to the warpath against the Apaches and -Kiowas. Each time he spoke, only a few council members -would agree with him. So Crooked Leg was asked to be -quiet while the council talked about tribal business. But -the young bucks who thirsted for the taste of battle would -carry his words through the village after each council -meeting. For many days, the village would talk for war -and against war. Soon the wise council members would -win out, the bucks would quiet down, and Crooked Leg -would be left to grumble in his tepee alone and forgotten -for awhile.</p> -<p>Crooked Leg’s life had a lesson for Great Hawk. As -he was returning to his tepee, he promised himself that -he would not speak of hatred again to his son. He must -not allow hatred to run his life as it had run Crooked -Leg’s. If he did, even his friends might forget him and he -would be of little use to anyone.</p> -<p>The following day promised little peace. Dawn brought -a roaring storm that smashed at the Comanche village. -The pounding rain had soon churned the ground into -deep mud. Families remained indoors and fathers sat -around their fires teaching sons how to make stout bows -and straight arrows, knives, tomahawks, and other handmade -tools a young brave needs to survive. Great Hawk -used the time to talk to Little Turtle of the great powers -of nature and peace and the Comanche people.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_164">164</div> -<p>“As you grow,” he told Little Turtle, “remember to -stay straight and true and do all things that are right, and -you shall live a rich and happy life in our tribe. The -Comanches have been favored greatly. We have lived in -peace for the past three years and though it has been -very dry, we have never been without water. Now the -sky has opened and allowed the rains to fall so that we -have water for our families and our horses. We have not -suffered from great thirst since the great drought visited -our land when we were last at war. After two years the -supply of water was so small that our people were dying -more from the great thirst than from the arrows of the -enemy. Before long our chiefs sat down in council with -our enemies to smoke the peace pipe. Now peace reigns -over our people and they have plenty of food and water.”</p> -<p>Little Turtle had listened carefully while his father was -speaking, then turned to his mother and said, “Mother, -I am a very lucky boy to be a Comanche and to have -such a wonderful family. I have a strong, wise, and kind -father. You have cared for me as a baby and given me -good food so that my bones would grow strong and -straight. And I have two brothers of whom I am very -proud.”</p> -<p>Blue Star smiled happily and began to make lunch. -While the family was eating, the rain stopped. Soon the -sun broke through the dark clouds and began to dry the -earth. In the middle of the afternoon, Great Hawk rose -and touched his son upon the shoulder.</p> -<p>“Come, Little Turtle,” he said. “It is time you learned -to ride a horse. We will go to my string of ponies and -pick one that you may ride and call your own. If you are -to go on the hunt and take part in the many other riding -events in the village, you must learn to ride well.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_165">165</div> -<p>Little Turtle’s heart leaped excitedly. He had been -looking forward to the day his father would teach him to -ride. Slowly Great Hawk and his son walked to where -the tribe’s ponies were kept tied. Great Hawk began to -look amongst the herd for a special pinto pony he had -planned to give Little Turtle. It was small but strong and -could run for a long time without getting winded. Great -Hawk saw quickly that something was wrong. He began -counting and discovered that three of his string, including -the pinto, were gone. At first he thought that the storm -had frightened them and they had broken loose from the -main line which held the whole string. But as he reached -the main line where the three ponies should have been -tied, he saw the dangling ends of ropes that had been cut -by a knife.</p> -<p>The pony guard must have left the herd to seek shelter -during the storm. So it was easy for someone to steal his -three ponies. Without thinking of Little Turtle, Great -Hawk knelt in the mud to look closely at the clear tracks -that the thieves had left. He rose to his feet quickly.</p> -<p>“The Apaches have stolen my ponies!” he cried out -defiantly. “I shall ride after them and bring the ponies -back even if blood must be shed!”</p> -<p>Then he remembered Little Turtle. “Go, Little Turtle,” -he ordered. “Return to the tepee and explain to your -mother what I must do. The Apaches have stolen three -of my best ponies. I must ride fast to catch up with them -before they get too far into the hills. I shall not rest until -the ponies are back in our village or the scalps of the -Apache thieves hang in our tepee.”</p> -<p>Then Great Hawk jumped onto a pony and sped off -toward the hills.</p> -<p>Little Turtle ran home and told his mother and -brothers what had happened.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_166">166</div> -<p>Little Turtle’s brothers had been two of the young -bucks who had agreed with Crooked Leg’s war talk. So -they rushed out of the tepee, happy for this chance to -fight. They stopped outside their tepee just long enough -to pick up their weapons and shout the news to other -young bucks of the tribe. Many of the young braves -rallied quickly, grabbed their weapons, and dashed -toward their ponies. This was just what Great Hawk had -wanted to prevent. He thought that if he could overtake -the thieves he would be able to bring them back as prisoners. -Then the council of chieftains would decide how -their stealing should be punished.</p> -<p>Only three Indians—not a large Apache band—were -fleeing with the ponies. Great Hawk saw this clearly from -the tracks he was following. He thought it might be three -young Apache bucks who wanted to start trouble and -had turned to stealing horses as a way of making the -Comanches angry enough to fight. He must hurry, for if -he did not reach the thieves before they got to the safety -of the hills, he would have to report their escape to the -council. Even the older Comanche chieftains probably -would decide that war was the only answer.</p> -<p>When he reached the base of the hills, Great Hawk lost -the trail of the thieves in the rocks. Slowly, he turned his -mount and started for the village. This would now mean -war. Great Hawk turned back toward the hills. Shaking -his fist at the Apaches’ stronghold, he swore vengeance -upon them. As he headed for home again, he met the -war party of young Comanche bucks, led by his two sons.</p> -<p>“Wait!” he said, raising his hand. “Why do you ride so -hard?”</p> -<p>“We ride to avenge the theft of your horses,” Great -Hawk’s oldest son replied. “We will catch the Apache -party and soak the foothills with their blood. No matter -how many they are, we shall defeat them!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_167">167</div> -<p>“Wait!” Great Hawk pleaded. “There were only three -men. They are already in the hills. We will lose many men -if we try to attack them here. We do not know this -ground, but the Apaches know it well. We must take this -problem to our council.”</p> -<p>Just as Great Hawk spoke of the council, Crooked Leg -rode out from amidst the young warriors. Great Hawk -had not seen the old warrior who rode up close to Great -Hawk.</p> -<p>“Out of the way, old and weak one,” Crooked Leg -screamed. “You are afraid of these thieving vultures who -steal from us under cover of a great storm. We are not -afraid and we will go on until we find them. We have sat -back too long getting fat and lazy on the buffalo meat. -We have closed our eyes to the Apaches’ great war plans -against our village!”</p> -<p>There were many shouts of approval from the young -bucks, who were starting to move about impatiently.</p> -<p>“Wait!” shouted Great Hawk above the yelling of the -young Comanche braves. “This long-planned war plan -against our village was carried out by just three braves, -as the trail will show you. They did not attack. They -killed no one. They only stole three horses. This was no -attack by the Apache tribe. It was probably the work of -three young bucks, like many of you here, who could -not be held back. They went off on their own to try to -stir up trouble between our two tribes. They baited the -trap and you are riding right into it. What has happened -here must be settled by our council. Do not let Crooked -Leg drive you into something you will regret the rest of -your lives—if you live to regret it!”</p> -<p>The young men grew quiet as Great Hawk was -speaking.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_168">168</div> -<p>“And now I speak directly to my two sons,” he continued. -“I, your father, order you to return with me to -our tepee.”</p> -<p>But the fire that Crooked Leg had been building for -so long burst into flame again as he urged the young -bucks to go on. They surged forward toward the hills. -Great Hawk was forced to rein his pony aside to avoid -being run into. He knew that if Crooked Leg succeeded -in clashing with the Apaches, he, Great Hawk, would -lose importance in the tribe. But if Crooked Leg were -defeated at the hands of the Apaches, the council would -deliver fair judgment and punishment.</p> -<p>The young Comanche men had never fought before -and might be defeated easily. So for the sake of his sons, -Great Hawk turned his pony and fell in with the young -bucks. When they saw that he had joined them, they -urged their ponies ahead at a faster pace.</p> -<p>Soon they were deep in the hills of the Apaches. The -party halted, and Great Hawk moved to the front. Grasping -the bridle on Crooked Leg’s pony he swung the animal -around sharply.</p> -<p>“You will ride no farther,” he told the old warrior. -“I command you to go back to our village now. We have -no idea where the horse thieves are. You are willing to -gamble the lives of these brave young Comanches to -satisfy a hate that burns deeply in your heart and mind.”</p> -<p>While Crooked Leg watched him angrily, Great Hawk -spoke to the young men.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_169">169</div> -<p>“Your wish to see justice done is good,” he began. -“But the Apache has great strength, even greater here in -his own home. We are few and most of us have never -fought. If we fight here, our scalps will hang in the tepee -of the Apaches before nightfall. Do not follow Crooked -Leg any longer. What he suggests can bring only death -to yourselves and much sadness to your families. We must -return to the council and seek the wise advice of our -chieftains.”</p> -<p>Great Hawk could see that his words were beginning -to have an effect. He continued talking to the young -bucks until their ranks began to break as a few turned -their mounts toward home. Others followed, and -Crooked Leg started screaming at them to come back -and follow him to glory in the defeat of the Apaches. -Then, just as the last few braves were heading back down -the trail, the hills suddenly bristled with Apache warriors, -each aiming an arrow at a young Comanche brave. As -Great Hawk looked slowly around, he saw that there were -twenty times more Apache than Comanche warriors.</p> -<p>The Comanche party was stunned. No one moved. -Then one brave made a grab for his tomahawk. Great -Hawk slapped his arm, saying, “Do not be a fool. You -would be dead before your hand touched the tomahawk -handle. Right now at least a dozen arrows are aimed at -your body. Your tepee will be unhappy tonight if you -are so foolish.”</p> -<p>Then Great Hawk rode out a little apart from the -rest of the band. Raising his empty hands, he called to -the Apaches.</p> -<p>“Who among you is the leader, for it is with him that -I wish to talk?”</p> -<p>A tall, strong brave stepped from behind a boulder and -made his way to the circle of warriors.</p> -<p>“I, Maskan, am leader here,” he said. “Why do you -ride into our lands in such haste and with such anger on -your faces?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_170">170</div> -<p>Then Great Hawk explained the events that had led up -to this moment. When he finished, the Apache leader -signaled, and three young Kiowa bucks were dragged -from behind the boulders into plain sight of the Comanche -party.</p> -<p>“These,” said Maskan, “are the three who stole your -horses and ours. Their blood has run hot with the desire -for adventure. So all alone, they set out last evening to -invade your land and ours to steal horses. We have waited -for them here among the rocks. We have watched you -from the time they were taken by our warriors. You who -seem to lead here have spoken wisely. The Kiowas will -be punished as all Kiowa are in the Apache nation. We -have your horses. They will be yours again. We ask you -to go in peace from these hills. You have come in anger. -Now you can leave in friendship. The older men of your -tribe and ours know the trouble we are having with our -young braves who want the glory of battle. One day war -will come when the chieftains who want it are strong -enough to convince the council. That day is not far away. -But now return in peace to your village.”</p> -<p>Maskan turned and started for the boulder before -Great Hawk could thank him. Maskan told his braves to -bring out the stolen horses. At that moment Crooked Leg -slipped his tomahawk from his belt and sent it sailing -toward the Apache leader. It landed with a thud in the -middle of Maskan’s back. Maskan cried out and fell to -the ground, rolling in the dust. Immediately, Crooked -Leg’s body was filled with arrows as shaft after shaft -whined through the air. War whoops split the air as the -Comanches rose to attack the Apaches who dodged behind -the rocks that had sheltered them before.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_171">171</div> -<p>Great Hawk realized that it would be useless to attempt -any talk of peace now. With a sinking feeling in his heart -he, too, joined the battle, struggling to reach his two -sons. The great numbers of Apaches, well protected by -large boulders, made the victory easy for them. The -young Comanches fell under the hail of Apache arrows, -and their war cries became screams of pain.</p> -<p>Then Great Hawk yelled to the warriors to retreat. -The riddled band rushed toward their village. Sixteen -young Comanche braves lay dead on the ground and -seven strong Indian ponies were dead or dying. It was a -ragged, tired, and bloody war party that entered the -Comanche village that night. Badly beaten, their spirit -defeated, they understood now that war was not as glorious -as they had thought. As Great Hawk entered his -tepee alone, Blue Star greeted him warmly but with fright -in her eyes.</p> -<p>“Where are our two sons, Great Hawk?” she asked. -Great Hawk looked at his wife and then at Little Turtle.</p> -<p>“Little Turtle, you have never learned to hate and -you know nothing of war. Now both hatred and war -must shatter your world of dreams. Your two brothers -lie out there in the foothills, killed by sharp, well-aimed -Apache arrows. They and fourteen others will no longer -walk this earth with us. Among them lies Crooked Leg, -who is to blame for these deaths today. Many Apaches -and Comanches will yet die in a battle that never should -have begun.”</p> -<p>From that day forward, Little Turtle left his dream -world and walked in the real world of warring tribes, -learning to hate his tribe’s enemies, to fight and revenge -the death of his brothers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_172">172</div> -<p>The war continued for some time. Many Apache and -Comanche braves were killed and injured. The council of -Comanche chieftains met to discuss better ways of fighting -the Apaches. Great Hawk, who had led so many -attacks against the Apaches, stood in the council to -speak. As he spoke, Little Turtle listened from just outside -the lodge where he lay hidden.</p> -<p>“I, Great Hawk, have fought many battles with the -Apaches. I am tired but I will fight as long as we must. -Before this war started, I had great hate in my heart for -the Apaches and Kiowas, as many of you know. I tried -to teach this to my son. I know now how wrong I was. -My son could not bring himself to hate someone or -something he had not seen and who had done him no -harm. On that unhappy day which could have ended -peacefully, Crooked Leg sent a tomahawk into the back -of Maskan, a brave and fair-minded warrior who tried to -keep the peace. Then the war started. Two of my sons -fell dead at my side, but still I fought on. When we who -were left managed to escape with our lives and return -to our village, I had to break the sad news to my family. -Yet from that moment I held no hate for the Apaches.</p> -<p>“My oldest boys had gone from our village to follow -Crooked Leg, a man whose whole life has been one of -hate. They died because of that hate, though they died -bravely, fighting as Comanches should. But now my -youngest son has learned to hate as his brothers did and -I am worried deeply. War comes with hate and is worse -than disease or drought. The Comanches have always -fought honorably, but Crooked Leg’s act will always -dishonor our tribe. We cannot seek peace until we have -cleansed our hearts of hate. We must do this for the -happiness and well-being of our children and their -children.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_173">173</div> -<p>The council was silent for several moments after Great -Hawk had spoken. Then one of the head chiefs rose -slowly and looked directly at Great Hawk. “You have -spoken wisely, Great Hawk,” he began. “We must think -this over carefully. If we want peace, it must be genuine -and honorable. Let us go back to our tepees. Let us call -the council to meet in two suns and make our decision -then.”</p> -<p>When Great Hawk returned to his tepee, his son was -waiting for him, having run ahead.</p> -<p>“Do not be troubled, father,” Little Turtle said, “for -I have driven the hate from my heart. I hope this war -will end soon and that there will be no room in anyone’s -heart for hate. For hate eats men’s hearts and makes them -like Crooked Leg, unhappy and selfish and cruel, bringing -death and sorrow to those around them. These things -are not for the Comanches.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_174">174</div> -<h2 id="c30"><span class="h2line1">LITTLE HORSE AND THE PAINTED ARROW</span></h2> -<p>Little Horse was a member of the proud and courageous -Delaware tribe. He grew up in his tribe among a -people who were peaceful. They hunted and fished and -sang and danced and celebrated much as most tribes did -in the very early days, but there was to come a time when -all was not peace and contentment.</p> -<p>Little Horse had been well trained by his father, Running -Bear, and he had taken his lessons as a young boy -very seriously. Though he had practiced very hard, he -had never become very good with the bow and arrow or -the tomahawk. But he had become very good at using -and throwing the traditional hunting knife which was his -proudest possession.</p> -<p>It was spring in the valley of the Delawares and day -followed day with the peaceful and warm sun shining -down upon the village in which Little Horse lived. Occasionally -the soft rains would descend on the forest and -hillside making everything wet and a rich green color. All -was happiness in the village until that fateful day when -Little Horse decided to take his long trip.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_175">175</div> -<p>Shouldering his stout bow and a quiver of arrows he -started out along the forest trail. He desired to go to the -upper end of the valley and search out some wild turkey -which he had heard many of the returning hunters speak -about. The fact that the place where these turkeys lived -was almost a day’s journey from his village did not seem -to bother him, for he had placed in his food pouch -enough dried venison and he would have berries and nuts -along the way.</p> -<p>As he walked along, he looked from side to side -watching for signs of wild game, not wanting to kill any -so close to home but wanting to test his senses of hearing -and sight which had been trained by his father so -patiently.</p> -<p>Once in a while, Little Horse would stop in his journey -to partake of some fresh water or just to rest on a moss -patch under some large tree and think about the wonders -of nature and the wonderful peace in his tribe.</p> -<p>Then he would rise and continue his journey which -took him further and further from home with each step. -And not realizing it, he had soon crossed into the land -of the Iroquois, for his particular tribe had their village -close to the line which separated the lands of the Delawares -from the hunting grounds of the Iroquois.</p> -<p>This talk of tribal lands and borders did not mean -much to Little Horse, although he had heard his father -speak quite often of the Iroquois; and though he had -been told never to wander too far from the village, he felt -he was grown up enough by this time to take care of -himself. One other thing which meant very little to Little -Horse was the fact that in this period, neighboring tribes -were often at war with each other, for war between tribes -was rather common among the American Indians. Stealing -and quarreling among individuals and trespassing -upon hunting grounds were but a few reasons for this -constant state of war and feuding. But to a young lad -like Little Horse, who was so wrapped up in his desire to -hunt the elusive turkey, war and fighting were the furthest -things from his mind.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_176">176</div> -<p>Meanwhile Running Bear, back at the village, was -asking about for his son, for today he was to have taken -him fishing in the great lake. No one seemed to know -where the boy was until Running Bear asked a group of -children playing on the edge of the village, and one of -them replied that he had seen Little Horse with his food -pouch at his belt and his bow over his shoulder trotting -up the trail that led to the north and into the land of the -Iroquois.</p> -<p>Fear gripped Running Bear’s heart. Just that morning -one of the hunters had returned from the forest to tell of -having found three Iroquois painted arrows stuck in the -ground in a row, which was a sign of open warfare and -he had the three arrows gripped in his hand which had -been found close by to the village. This could mean but -one thing. For some reason the Iroquois had been -aroused, and now no Delaware would be safe alone any -great distance from the home encampment. As long as -this open warfare lasted, now they would have to travel -in groups.</p> -<p>Running Bear feared for his son. So Running Bear -gathered a few of his friends, and in a group they started -up the trail toward the land of the Iroquois, hoping that -Little Horse had not gone too far after all.</p> -<p>But they were to be sadly disappointed, for Little -Horse at this moment was deep in Iroquois territory on -the trail of wild turkey.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_177">177</div> -<p>As Little Horse walked silently along the forest trails, -he suddenly realized that it had become very quiet. He -stopped to listen for the song of the birds but he heard -none. He even found it so quiet that the breeze sounded -like a windstorm. Someone or something else was near -by, for only for that reason would all the forest creatures -grow silent.</p> -<p>Then he heard the call of one solitary bird ahead and -off to the left. And then behind him to the right he heard -a similar call and then Little Horse knew.</p> -<p>It came upon him suddenly like a thundering in his -ears. He realized that he was no longer in Delaware -country, for this was the call of the Iroquois which his -father had taught to him. But what had he to fear? The -Delawares and the Iroquois were not at war, and so he -boldly shouldered his bow and turned to start for home -down the trail. But before he had taken two steps there -was a loud whooping from many directions and before -Little Horse could do anything, he was surrounded and -his arms pinned by four husky Iroquois braves. One of -them brandishing a shining knife was about to take the -boy’s life when another brave stepped from the brush and -spoke, “Put down your knife. This Delaware is tall, but -he is only a boy.”</p> -<p>“But he is still a Delaware,” cried the brave, holding -the knife close to the heart of Little Horse.</p> -<p>“No matter, he is young and strong. We will take him -back to the village with us. We have not had much sport -these days of late. This young one will make a fair game -for us. We will have him run the gauntlet to see whether -he will be permitted to live. I, Crooked Hand, have -spoken.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_178">178</div> -<p>Little Horse then realized that Crooked Hand must be -some sort of leader in the tribe, for there was no more -argument. The arms of Little Horse were then tightly -bound behind him and he was roughly shoved along the -trail toward the village from whence these warriors had -come. His weapons had been gathered, and one of the -braves carried these as the party trotted easily along the -trail, pressing Little Horse before them.</p> -<p>It was not too long after this that Running Bear and -his rescue party arrived at the place where the struggle -had taken place. It was soon evident to all the braves in -the party that Little Horse had been taken prisoner, for -once past the marks of the struggle, it was easy to pick -out the markings of his moccasins in the soft earth of the -trail and Little Horse had made sure to come down -heavily on his feet in order to leave a trail plain enough -for any who might follow to see.</p> -<p>Running Bear and his party pressed forward, going -more stealthily now, for they were deep in the territory -of the Iroquois and from all signs quite close to the village. -Suddenly Running Bear stopped and signaled the -party to flatten themselves upon the ground. Through -the trees he had seen the feather of an Iroquois and, -hardly daring to breathe, they waited. Detection now -would mean almost certain death, for they were tired -from their long race through the forest and the Iroquois, -being close to home and fresh, would have made easy -victims of the Delawares.</p> -<p>The lone Iroquois brave had stopped and looked -around and then satisfying himself that nothing out of -the ordinary was around had continued along the trail in -pursuit of the rest of his party which had Little Horse -captive.</p> -<p>Running Bear, when he felt it was safe, gathered his -friends about him and then spoke in a whisper.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_179">179</div> -<p>“We will wait until it is dark and then I will approach -the village and see if it would be possible for us to rescue -Little Horse and return to our village. It is very late and -surely he will not be in danger tonight, for the thieving -Iroquois will go into council to decide what to do with -him. He is definitely a prisoner and most likely since he -is young and strong but yet a boy they will make him -run the gauntlet tomorrow as a test as to whether he will -be permitted to live or must die.”</p> -<p>When darkness fell, Running Bear slipped through the -forest to the edge of the Iroquois village and there, -hidden in the brush, he was able to view the happenings -in the village. He noticed one particular wigwam being -well guarded and this he presumed was where Little -Horse was being held prisoner. Then as his eyes wandered -about the village he noticed a number of older men -entering the large council lodge.</p> -<p>This was a fairly large village of the Iroquois, and -Running Bear felt that it would be useless for his small -band to attempt a rescue of Little Horse.</p> -<p>Suddenly he heard a slight rustling to the side of the -trail and peering into the darkness he saw the figure of a -brave approaching the trail. He waited and when the -brave was almost upon him he reached out and throwing -his arms around the throat of the Iroquois he drove his -knife into the brave’s heart.</p> -<p>Without a sound the Iroquois slipped to the ground. -Running Bear turned and fled back through the forest. -They must leave the land quickly, for as soon as the dead -brave was discovered a large party would be sent to look -for the killers. So as soon as Running Bear had returned -to his friends they made a hasty retreat from the vicinity -of the village and, running at a steady pace, returned to -their village to report the findings. Running Bear planned -to gather a large force and the following evening they -would attack the Iroquois village and seek to rescue -Little Horse.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_180">180</div> -<p>Meanwhile Little Horse sat in the wigwam of the -Iroquois village awaiting the decision of the council and -it was not long in coming. Soon a rather tall Iroquois -brave entered and standing in the doorway he informed -Little Horse that the council had agreed to spare his life -if tomorrow he could prove himself worthy of the gift of -life by running the gauntlet.</p> -<p>When the sun was directly overhead he would be -placed at the head of two rows of Iroquois and at a given -signal would run the gauntlet of war clubs prepared for -him.</p> -<p>It would be ridiculous to say that Little Horse was not -frightened, for at this particular time Little Horse was a -very scared little brave. He had known nothing but comfort -and warmth and friendliness since the day he was -born, and the loving care and kindness of his family and -friends had been his only contact with Indian life. Here -in the village of a tribe which he had not thought to be -hostile, he suddenly found himself a prisoner and about -to be forced to run the gauntlet of war clubs.</p> -<p>He had heard a great deal about the gauntlet from his -father who had witnessed the gauntlet and had told of -his experience as one of the line of braves making up -the gauntlet when they dealt with some of their prisoners.</p> -<p>Little Horse was afraid, and his fear kept him from -resting his body for the coming ordeal. Then in the midst -of this fear which gripped his heart, Little Horse remembered -the words of his father.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_181">181</div> -<p>“My son,” Running Bear had said to him one day, -“if ever you should find yourself in trouble or in danger, -remember that you are a Delaware and the Delawares -are a strong and proud people. Rest as much as you can, -force your body to relax so that you may be prepared for -whatever ordeal you must face. You have been taught -every skill possible except the skill of courage. This you -must have in your heart and if courage abides in your -heart as the beaver in the stream, then fear can be overcome -and one can consider himself prepared for any -hardship which may lie ahead.”</p> -<p>Remembering those words was great comfort to Little -Horse and again and again he kept repeating them to -himself. Soon the chill that seemed to be in his body left -him and the cold fear that gripped his heart released its -hold and he was calm once again. When his body relaxed -and his mind was at ease, Little Horse slept.</p> -<p>No sense to worry over what tomorrow will bring, but -remember the words of Running Bear. Twice more he -repeated the words of his father to himself and with that -he was asleep.</p> -<p>He had not been asleep long when the door of the -wigwam was darkened by two of the braves who had -aided in his capture that afternoon. As they viewed the -boy asleep on the floor, the taller of the two spoke.</p> -<p>“He sleeps. Look how calm his face is. Notice the -slight smile upon his lips. This is the sign of a growing -warrior. Courage burns deep in his heart. For even now, -knowing that tomorrow he may have to die, he sleeps -the peaceful sleep of a baby. This lad can be no more -than fifteen and yet he is tall and strong and he had a -good face. For many moons we have been at peace with -our brothers the Delawares and now war and bloodshed.” -The other brave shook his head and, looking at the lad, -he spoke.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_182">182</div> -<p>“If you had not been present when he was captured, -his hair would now be hanging from the wigwam of the -vicious one. He has the blood of several Delawares upon -his hands now and one more would only have added to -his greatness even if it were only the scalp of a boy.</p> -<p>“Masi is a ruthless brave. Ever since he was beaten -in battle by the brave Delaware, Running Bear, he has -carried hatred in his heart for the Delawares. Their -having sent hunting parties into the land of the Iroquois -and taken game from our hunting grounds was all the -excuse that was needed. And so our tribes are at war, and -it will not cease until many are dead and there is much -sadness in the wigwams of both tribes.” With these words, -the warriors withdrew from the door.</p> -<p>Little Horse had heard all and pondered the words of -the Iroquois. He had not known that any of their tribe -had invaded the hunting grounds of the Iroquois unless -it had been himself. This troubled him, but he pushed -the thoughts from his mind and slept once again. Because -of his training he slept soundly and as dawn broke -through the greyness he awoke feeling quite hungry and -thirsty.</p> -<p>The guards at his door looked in, and soon food and -drink were brought to him. He ate hungrily and drank -long of the cool water and when he had finished, his -guards stepped forward and once again bound his wrists. -However, they took him outside the wigwam and allowed -him to walk up and down for a short while to give his -muscles exercise. The morning passed quickly and soon it -was time.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_183">183</div> -<p>Little Horse felt the old fear once again returning to -his breast and now there was nothing he could do to -force it back. As the guards approached they noticed -Little Horse looking upward as if to speak with someone -and it was true, for Little Horse was calling upon the -powers of nature to give him strength at this hour of trial.</p> -<p>His guards approached him and, grasping his arms, -dragged him from the wigwam, for now fear had gripped -the heart of Little Horse and he fought the hands of the -Iroquois which held his arms in firm grip and he fought -the tough thongs which bound his wrists. But twist and -turn as he would, it did no good and soon he was standing -before the elders of the tribe.</p> -<p>Across the center of the village he saw the gauntlet of -tall powerful braves begin to form and his legs trembled -slightly. The elders talked among themselves, and then -one old man stepped forward and spoke to Little Horse.</p> -<p>“Your tribe has invaded the lands of the Iroquois in -seeking wild game and in doing so they have broken the -law of the tribes. If they had stayed on their own ground -there would have been no need for war. But for the -Iroquois to do nothing when their neighbor invades the -sacred hunting ground would be as if we shouted through -the forest that we were weak and afraid of the Delawares. -You have been captured on our land and as an example -to all Delawares you will be made to run the gauntlet. -If you do so successfully your life will be spared, but if -not the war clubs my braves now hold shall beat your -body till it blends with the dirt of the forest floor and you -are no more. Are you ready for the ordeal?”</p> -<p>Little Horse held his head high and looking straight -into the eyes of the elder warrior, he said, “I know not of -any of our braves that invaded your hunting grounds -unless it was myself. In pursuit of the wild turkey, I ran -quickly along the trail and was in the land of the -Iroquois before I realized. I did not think that the great -Iroquois would miss one little wild turkey.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_184">184</div> -<p>The old warrior looked stern and then he said, “It is -not you but other braves of your tribe who have entered -our grounds, but you and I are not here to argue, for I -will not even discuss it, the law has been broken and war -has been declared. Already the blood of one of our warriors -had been spilled on the very edge of our camp.”</p> -<p>With this statement the heart of Little Horse beat just -a little faster, for if one of the Iroquois had died close to -the village then the Delawares must have followed and -there was still hope that he would be rescued.</p> -<p>“I am ready for the gauntlet,” Little Horse said.</p> -<p>With that he was dragged to the head of the two -lines. He looked down the two long rows of warriors -standing like statues with war clubs raised, each one -hoping that his blow would be the one that would deal -death to this Delaware. Then the signal was given, and -Little Horse took a deep breath and started running with -top speed. As he ran he ducked from side to side and -hesitated, forcing one blow to come down too soon or -miss entirely. Halfway down the line he had not fared too -badly, but as he came to the second half he was thrown -a little off stride and could not duck so many of the -blows. Several landed rather solidly upon his back and -shoulders and arms and he began to feel weak, but with -a last spurt of speed he reached the end of the line just -as the club of Masi glanced off the side of his head. Instead -of slumping to the ground between the two rows, -Little Horse fell forward clear of the line and as Masi -raised his club to strike again the elder stepped forward -and raising his arms he said,</p> -<p>“Cease, Masi, for the boy is clear of the gauntlet. He -has received quite a beating, but breath still stirs in his -body. He is a brave lad and has earned the right to live.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_185">185</div> -<p>Little Horse was then carried to a wigwam where his -bruises were cared for. Food and water were brought and -he was made comfortable. The tall warrior that had prevented -his death upon the trail entered the wigwam and -spoke with Little Horse.</p> -<p>“O my brave young man, you have proved to be quite -courageous this day, and the Iroquois admire the courage -of even their enemies. You will rest now and when you -are well we will talk.”</p> -<p>With that he left the wigwam, and sudden darkness -came once again to Little Horse as he fell unconscious.</p> -<p>Meanwhile Running Bear had gathered quite a force -of Delawares and was approaching the village from the -south. Advance scouts who had been near the village of -the Iroquois throughout the day reported the gauntlet and -the exact location where they had placed the boy.</p> -<p>Running Bear swiftly gave his orders and the band -advanced at a quicker pace, spreading out so that by the -late afternoon a strong semicircle of Delaware braves -surrounded the Iroquois stronghold.</p> -<p>At a given signal from Running Bear, the attack was -on. The attack was such that the Iroquois were caught -completely by surprise. Though the band of attacking -Delawares was much smaller than the number of Iroquois -in the village, they swooped into the village to surprise the -guards surrounding the wigwam of Little Horse.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_186">186</div> -<p>They rushed in and gathering the body of the still -unconscious boy they rushed out again and into the forest, -and were away before the Iroquois had gathered themselves -together. By the time the Iroquois were ready to do -battle, the Delawares had left, leaving the bodies of four -Iroquois and two of their own attacking party dead upon -the ground surrounding the wigwam where Little Horse -had been held captive.</p> -<p>Once the rescue had been accomplished the attacking -Delawares did not wait to join in battle with the now -furious Iroquois but sped swiftly toward the south and -the safety and security of their own village. They traveled -at a very fast pace and though it was growing dark it was -not long before they had placed many miles between -themselves and the village of the Iroquois.</p> -<p>Onward through the night and into the next day they -pressed until soon they could see the smoke of the Delaware -village. They arrived in the middle of the village -among the welcoming shouts of their friends and families -who had awaited their return with growing anxiety.</p> -<p>Without a moment’s hesitation, Little Horse was placed -in the warmth and seclusion of his father’s wigwam and -when his hurts had been attended to, his father knelt by -his side to add what comfort he could, and to add his -praise to the courage of the boy. He promised that he, -Running Bear, would not rest until he had paid back the -Iroquois for the injuries they had inflicted upon his son.</p> -<p>“Now rest, my son,” Running Bear said, “and when -you have rested and eaten we shall talk some more.” -Running Bear turned to leave but Little Horse placed his -hand upon his arm and bade him stay.</p> -<p>“Wait, my father, for there is something I must tell -you. While at the village of our neighbors the Iroquois I -learned why it was that they had declared war upon the -Delawares. It was reported to them that the Delawares -had invaded their hunting ground and made off with -many kills. This being a breach of the peace between the -tribes, they had no choice but to declare that war existed -between their own tribe and that of the Delawares.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_187">187</div> -<p>“This is a serious matter, my son,” said Running Bear, -“for we have had plenty of food on our own land and I -see no reason for any of our braves going into the land -of the Iroquois to hunt. But this matter is of grave importance -and we must hold a council immediately, for the -Iroquois are probably at this very moment preparing a -great dance, since tomorrow they will no doubt move to -attack our village.”</p> -<p>With that, Running Bear left his wigwam and calling -the elder braves together, they immediately went into -council. After telling the council all that his son had -reported to him, Running Bear asked that the tribe be -assembled and told of the situation that existed. The -council agreed and very shortly the whole tribe was gathered -in the center of the ring and one of the elders rose to -speak.</p> -<p>“The Iroquois have declared war, and Little Horse tells -us that the reason for this is that some of our braves have -invaded their hunting grounds to kill the swift deer. If -this is true we have done the Iroquois a grave injustice. -The forest and fields of our land have yielded us much -food this past year and I see no reason for having left our -lands to hunt elsewhere. Who among you has caused the -wrath of the Iroquois to be brought down upon our -heads?”</p> -<p>One at a time the leaders of the families stepped forward -to deny that they had left the sacred hunting -grounds of the Delawares until all had spoken. When no -one had accepted the guilt, Running Bear rose and spoke.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_188">188</div> -<p>“If no one of our village has violated the sacred lands -of the Iroquois, we have committed no crime. Of this I -must speak further. For at this moment the Iroquois are -probably on their way to our village to seek revenge for -our attack last night. I will take with me two warriors and -without weapons we shall go to speak of peace with our -neighbors, the Iroquois.</p> -<p>“Already seven brave young men are dead, and my -own son lies hurt and bleeding in my wigwam. In order -to prevent the shed of further blood, I must go to meet -the oncoming Iroquois with only talk of peace. Somewhere, -somehow, an injustice has been done, and we -must right this wrong before peace can once more prevail -over our land.”</p> -<p>With that, Running Bear selected two stout warriors -and leaving their weapons behind they proceeded at a -steady pace back up the path toward the Iroquois country. -They traveled swiftly and many hours later Running -Bear suggested they stop and rest.</p> -<p>As the three warriors rested at the side of the trail, -they were suddenly surrounded by many Iroquois braves. -Their arms were tightly bound and menacing motions -with tomahawk and knife were made. But the same warrior -that had prevented the death of Little Horse stepped -forward and, raising his arm for silence, he spoke to -Running Bear.</p> -<p>“You appear to be the leader of this small party and I -ask you why you come to the land of the Iroquois without -arms when open war exists?”</p> -<p>Running Bear spoke loud and clear for the whole -Iroquois war party to hear. “I, Running Bear, with my -two fellow warriors come in peace to speak with the -council of the great Iroquois. As you can see, we carry -no arms and we rested in the open along the trail, hoping -that we would find our Iroquois neighbors before they and -the Delawares shed each other’s blood once again.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_189">189</div> -<p>The Iroquois brave said nothing, but having the wrists -of the three Delawares bound they were herded along -the trail back to the camp of the Iroquois.</p> -<p>As the party entered the camp they could hear much -moaning and crying from the families of the Iroquois that -had been slain and also they observed the menacing looks -as the people of the village crowded around the party, -pressing ever closer hoping for a reason to swing a club -or a tomahawk or drive a knife deep into the head or -hearts of these Delawares who so boldly approached the -village without arms.</p> -<p>But the tall leader of the war party guided them safely -to a wigwam where they were placed under heavy guard -until the council lodge had been prepared for the great -council.</p> -<p>When the elders and wise men of the tribe had gathered, -the prisoners were led before them. Running Bear -spoke briefly of their mission and then in a loud clear -voice he said,</p> -<p>“The Delawares have sworn to their chiefs that none -among our village have invaded the hunting grounds of -the Iroquois and therefore there is no need for war -between us.”</p> -<p>There was some hushed conversation and then one of -the elders spoke to a guard at the door. “Summon the -warrior known as Masi.” Masi was brought to the council -and the elder who had summoned him spoke.</p> -<p>“Masi, it was you who reported to the council of the -thievery of the Delaware and it was you who brought to -our council the entrails of a deer to prove before the -council your story of having seen the hunting party of -Delawares invade our lands and kill much wild game. -Now tell these warriors who come to us from the Delawares -that you have seen this with your own eyes.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_190">190</div> -<p>Masi spoke and told of having seen a hunting party -of some fifteen braves of the Delawares stalk, kill, and -strip the carcasses of several deer and take several wild -turkey and other wild game. When he had finished, the -council looked first at Masi and then at Running Bear. -The elder was about to speak once more when the tall -warrior who had saved the life of Little Horse stepped -forward and spoke to the council.</p> -<p>“I do not know why,” he said, “but my heart tells me -the Delaware speaks truth. For many weeks now Masi has -brooded over the death of his sister, and his mind has not -been quite right since she died of the great sickness. We -know that Masi has been a great warrior, but ask him -once again to repeat what he saw. For when he first told -his story the hunting party of Delawares were six in -number. Suddenly they have increased to number fifteen.”</p> -<p>“Yes, yes,” cried Masi, “and there have been many, -many more since that day. If we are not careful they will -be in our village in one more sun and we shall all be -murdered in our sleep.”</p> -<p>With that, Masi began to scream and he threw himself -upon the ground, tearing at the ground and bemoaning -the death of his young sister whom he had loved dearly. -He was truly a grief-stricken brave gone mad.</p> -<p>The elder who seemed to be a leader in the council -stepped forward then and placing his hands upon the -shoulders of Running Bear, he said, “There has been a -great wrong done here, and we must sit and smoke the -peacepipe together. We ask forgiveness, for we have -wronged each other greatly. Once again peace shall exist -between the Iroquois and the Delawares and let us not -allow anything to break that peace. Brothers we have -been in the past, and brothers we will be again. Come sit -with us and we shall smoke the pipe.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_191">191</div> -<p>With that, the peacepipe was passed from hand to -hand and when all had smoked, food and drink were -brought. Then there was much rejoicing as the village -was told of the results of the council meeting. Loaded -down with gifts, Running Bear and his two warriors -returned to their village with the word of peace.</p> -<p>After telling of the good news, Running Bear went to -his wigwam where he found Little Horse now able to sit -up and partake of solid food. He seated himself next to -his son and once again praised him for the courage he -had showed and explained to him how important the -information he had brought had been—how he, Running -Bear, was able through talk with the council of Iroquois -to bring about peace between the Delawares and the -Iroquois.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_192">192</div> -<h2 id="c31"><span class="h2line1">FALLING WATER EARNS A FEATHER</span></h2> -<p>Falling Water came galloping into the Dakota-Sioux -camp on his brand-new pony. The pony had been a -present from his uncle, Walking Bear, one of the leaders -of the tribe. Proudly Falling Water rode it up and down -through the camp so all the other young braves could see -what a beautiful pony he had. When he felt that everyone -had seen the pony he rode swiftly back to the tepee of his -father and dismounting ran to show his father the fine -gift.</p> -<p>One Horn, so named because he had lost an ear in a -battle with a band of Shoshone braves a few years ago, -stepped from the tepee and admired this fine gift.</p> -<p>“It is a strong pony and a young one, my son. Treat -it well, for a horse can be your best friend.”</p> -<p>“Yes, father, I will take good care of the pony and I -will ride him on the hunt. I am now a man and with my -own weapons and my own horse, I can now go on the -hunt.”</p> -<p>“Yes, my son. In fact tomorrow your uncle is leading a -hunting party in search of the buffalo, for it is almost -time for the big buffalo hunt. So see to your weapons and -be sure you are ready for the great hunt.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_193">193</div> -<p>Falling Water rushed into the tepee and the rest of the -day he spent working on his weapons in preparation for -the hunt. He was sixteen now and considered a man but -until now he had not been on any of the big hunts, for -he had been sick the season of the hunt last year and now -he was well and strong and prepared to ride with the best -of them.</p> -<p>The following morning, Walking Bear gathered the -warriors about him and made sure that all were prepared -for the trip ahead.</p> -<p>“We will divide into three groups and go in different -directions. When the sun has crossed the great sky twice -we will meet where the Whispering River flows. There -we will compare what each group has found, and the -largest herd shall become our target. Let me warn you -each and every one that though we are hunting buffalo, -we must be ever aware that our enemies the Shoshones -are all about us and we must be on guard that these -jackals do not add our scalps to their belts. Calling -Hawk, you will lead one party, Speaks Like Thunder, -you will lead the second party, and I will lead the third. -Good hunting, and may we all meet with our hair still -upon our heads, come the end of the second day.”</p> -<p>So it was that Falling Water, in Calling Hawk’s party, -was off on an adventure that was to earn him his first -feathers for bravery.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_194">194</div> -<p>Calling Hawk led his party to the west, for scouts had -reported a fine herd of buffalo moving in that direction. -The party moved steadily along keeping their eyes alert -for signs of dust clouds that would signify a moving herd -or horsemen. One or two braves were sent ahead to -sweep wide of the main party to see what they could -possibly find. From time to time these scouts would ride -back to the main party and two more would take their -place.</p> -<p>The first day ended with no sight of buffalo or of -marauding Shoshones, and the group made camp in a -small clump of trees.</p> -<p>The following morning after a breakfast of pemmican -they were on their way once again.</p> -<p>It was late in the morning when a scout riding hard -brought his pony to a halt in front of Calling Hawk. He -reported that he had spotted a herd of buffalo about a -quarter of a mile ahead of the group. And so the party -quickened its pace and soon came to the top of a rise. -There below it on the prairie was a fine large herd of -buffalo. They were not moving and therefore no dust -cloud had been seen.</p> -<p>Calling Hawk asked two of the braves to remain and -keep watch on the herd while the others continued to -the Whispering River which was but a short distance -ahead, there to join with Walking Bear and make their -report.</p> -<p>Unknown to Calling Hawk and his party, the herd had -also been seen by a hunting party of Shoshones, slightly -larger than the Dakota-Sioux party, and also at the same -time they had seen the party of Calling Hawk. As the -Sioux moved toward the river, the Shoshones moved -parallel awaiting the best place to attack.</p> -<p>And now it was Falling Water’s turn to ride scout and -he moved out from the party. He rode hard to get a long -lead on the party and then began to move steadily to the -side of the group and ever toward the river. Soon he felt -it was time to return to the group.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_195">195</div> -<p>It was getting late in the afternoon, and as he turned -to return he saw to the north a small cloud of dust. -Urging his horse to the top of a near-by rise he slid -from his back and, crawling to the very edge, peered -over into the valley below. There he saw a sight which -made his blood run hot.</p> -<p>A band of perhaps twenty Shoshones were riding hard -toward the unsuspecting Sioux party which was about -twelve in number. Quickly mounting his horse, Falling -Water rode like the wind back toward his brothers. -Finally coming over a slight hill he saw the party moving -slowly forward. Then he began to shout his warning of -Shoshones and Calling Hawk called his party to a halt.</p> -<p>Falling Water galloped up and reported what he had -seen. Quickly the Sioux formed a line and drawing their -weapons they moved forward to meet the Shoshones.</p> -<p>Soon the Sioux saw the oncoming enemy and urged -their horses to even greater speed.</p> -<p>The two groups clashed, and there was a mixture of -rearing horses and screaming men. Knives flashed and -arrows swished through the air, some flying harmlessly -or some thudding into flesh.</p> -<p>Falling Water, right in the middle, rode toward a large -Shoshone buck. As he did, a knife thrust slashed his arm -and he dropped his weapons, but now he was too close -to the Shoshone to stop the forward move of his horse. -Ducking under the slashing knife of the Shoshone warrior, -he placed his hand upon the brave’s shoulder and -pushed. The brave was thrown off balance and almost lost -his seat and, while he was trying to regain his seat, Falling -Water dashed to the outer circle.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_196">196</div> -<p>Soon the fight was over and twelve Shoshones and three -Sioux lay dead upon the ground while a badly beaten -group of Shoshones beat a hasty retreat into the distance. -The felled warriors were placed across their horses’ backs, -and the group continued to their meeting place.</p> -<p>When Calling Hawk reported to Walking Bear their -fight with the Shoshone, Walking Bear ordered a return -to the village.</p> -<p>When the party entered the village the people were -immediately aware of what had happened because of the -bodies and the Shoshone scalps hanging from the belts of -several warriors.</p> -<p>That evening a council was held, and Falling Water -rose to report to the council of his great deed of courage. -He had rushed in and touched an enemy while still alive. -When he had finished, Walking Bear said,</p> -<p>“Are there any here that were witnesses to this event?”</p> -<p>Calling Hawk stepped forward and in very descriptive -words retold the event. The others told their stories of -bravery and then Falling Water was called before the -chief, his uncle.</p> -<p>“I am very proud of you, my brother’s son. You have -proven yourself a great warrior this day and for that you -shall be privileged to wear two eagle feathers.”</p> -<p>There were many shouts of praise and approval, and -Falling Water felt a warm glow as his father placed his -hands across his shoulders and said, “I am proud of you, -my son.”</p> -<p>Today Falling Water had earned his first feathers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_197">197</div> -<h2 id="c32"><span class="h2line1">THE RACE WITH DEATH</span></h2> -<p>In the high range of mountains lived the great and -powerful Apaches. For many, many years the war between -the Long Knives and the Apaches had been waging -back and forth.</p> -<p>The Long Knives, as the white men’s cavalry were -known in those days, had at last worked out a treaty -with the Apaches and all was peaceful for the time being. -With the coming of peace to the Apaches, the return of -normal family life was slowly but surely noticed by the -younger of the warriors.</p> -<p>There was more time now to teach the young braves -their lessons, and the women were happier than they had -been. For the past few years all the talk had been of war -and killing, but now conversation turned to other topics. -Of course there were a few young bucks who still chanted -for war, but the wiser chiefs desired to stay at peace for -as long as was possible.</p> -<p>One evening some of the older chiefs were seated -around the fire smoking and talking to pass the evening -hours away when their attention was called to Chief -Running Dog, one of the older chiefs of the tribe, who -had been sitting quietly in the circle not saying much but -gazing off into the night as if he were looking for something.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_198">198</div> -<p>Twisted Wolf spoke. “What do you look for, friend -Running Dog? Do you see something in the distance with -those old eyes that the rest of us should be looking for?”</p> -<p>“No, Twisted Wolf, I do not look for anything in the -present, but rather I am looking far into the past, to a -time when I was just a small boy and there had been -peace and happiness in our tribe for many years.”</p> -<p>“Why should you think about the past now, old one? -Is there something particular that you are trying to -recall?”</p> -<p>Running Dog laughed, “Oh, I do not have to think -too hard to recall what I want to think about. Something -happened when I was a young boy that I shall long remember. -Some of you should remember this one adventure -too, for some of you were just about my age at the -time.”</p> -<p>“Tell us,” they cried, “tell us what adventure you recall -as a boy.”</p> -<p>“Well,” said Chief Running Dog, “the story I remember -is one which my father liked to call the Race of -Death. But I do not want to bore you with tales of my -childhood. They are only memories of an old man who -lives in a world of dreams.”</p> -<p>“Now, Running Dog, do you want us to coax you? -I have never known you to need prompting to tell a story. -Why do you need coaxing at this time?”</p> -<p>“Well, it is not a funny story and to me at the time it -was not a very nice experience to go through. Just recalling -it brings back some of the fears which filled my -heart at the time. But, if it is your desire, then I shall tell -you the story. Fill your pipes and settle back, because -it is quite a long story and we will be here at the fire for -some time until I have finished. But remember that I -warned you. If you get bored, it is your own fault, for -you have asked for this story.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_199">199</div> -<p>“Do not ramble, Running Dog. Get on with the story.”</p> -<p>So it was that Running Dog, old Apache warrior, told -his story that evening on the plateau of Apache country -around a blazing council fire with his friends there to -relive the experience of his childhood once again.</p> -<p>“It was many years ago,” Running Dog began. “The -Apache village in which I lived had a very long and -difficult time of sickness. Many of our number had died -of the great coughing sickness which the Long Knives -call pneumonia, but it seemed that at last the sickness was -leaving us and our people were returning to a time of -good health and prosperity. There was much mourning -for loved ones, but our family had been very lucky. My -father and mother had both survived the epidemic and I, -their only son, had been well all through the siege of -sickness.</p> -<p>“The sick continued to get well and little by little the -tribe returned to its normal activity. Once again the -contests and games took place and there was much joy -at the ceremonial dances and feasts.</p> -<p>“It was just after one of these feasts that my friend -White Cloud and I decided to take a hunting trip into -the far hills. We sought the permission of our fathers, -and packing some food and blankets we placed these -upon a pack horse and started off for the distant high -mountains.</p> -<p>“What exactly we were going to hunt we did not know, -but we were so excited about the prospect of living by -ourselves for a few days that the problem of what to hunt -did not seem to bother us too much at the time.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_200">200</div> -<p>“One thing my father had cautioned me about. ‘My -son, Running Dog,’ he said, ‘on your trip be aware of -any strangers. Not too far to the north is the land of the -Kiowas and they have been seen recently in this area. -Just a few scattered here and there, but you and your -friend White Cloud are riding two very fine ponies; and -the Kiowas, I am sure, would like nothing better than to -return to their village in the possession of three more very -fine Apache horses, for their very life is one of horse -stealing. The pack horse you take is just as strong and -fast as the other two, so be careful and do not get careless -on your trip. You are old enough now to realize the -dangers an Apache faces in this country.</p> -<p>“‘Besides the wandering Kiowas you had best be alert -to the cats that roam the rock ledges. Keep your bow -and arrow handy and make sure your hand is steady, -for you will get but one chance to stop the wild leap of -a mountain lion if he chooses to spring. Now I must bid -you good-bye. I have asked the gods to protect you and -your friend White Cloud. May they guide you safely to -a successful hunt and a safe return to your homes and -your families. I will ride part way and see you on your -way. Come, I will get my horse.’”</p> -<p>So the two boys, along with Running Dog’s father, -rode to the edge of the camp and a little way farther on, -where Running Dog’s father bade them a fond good-bye -once again and turned to return to the village.</p> -<p>The two boys waved until they were out of sight and -then concentrated on the long trip they felt they must -make before they would enter good hunting territory. As -they rode they kept careful watch along the trail for -signs of anyone having recently been there.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_201">201</div> -<p>Occasionally they saw signs where Indian ponies had -been but these were all many days old. They found evidence -too of wild game, but at no time did they catch -sight of anything more than a rabbit or two.</p> -<p>After traveling most of the day and stopping only for -lunch the two boys decided to halt and make camp for -the night. They found a beautiful spot near a water hole -and after staking their horses out they unrolled their -blankets and prepared the evening meal. In the darkness -they could hear the coyote baying at the moon and -Running Dog remarked how sad and plaintive was the -call of the coyote. White Cloud agreed, “Yes, Running -Dog, it is quite a sad sound, but after all the coyote is -a very lonely animal. You too would not feel much like -laughing if you had to spend all of your life alone without -friends.”</p> -<p>The two boys laughed and then wrapping themselves -in their blankets were soon fast asleep.</p> -<p>The following morning the boys rose and after eating -breakfast, packed their equipment once again and were -soon on the trail, traveling ever northward. Soon they -had entered land that was not at all familiar to them, but -they began to notice plentiful signs of game and so they -kept eagerly onward.</p> -<p>“Look,” cried Running Dog, “pony tracks, and they -are fresh. Not too long ago Indian ponies passed this way. -In fact I would say they are not more than a day old. -See, it has been damp here and the impression of the -ponies’ hoofs has not had time to harden through. I -wonder though, White Cloud, why our brothers would be -this far north?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_202">202</div> -<p>White Cloud thought for a moment and then he said, -“But, Running Dog, you do not think that we are the -only ones off on a hunting party. These are probably the -tracks of some of our men who are also seeking game -and have come this far north in search of it.”</p> -<p>“That may be true, White Cloud; on the other hand, -these may be the hoof prints of Kiowa ponies and if so -then we are much further north than I figured and are -now in Kiowa territory. That is not a healthy place to be.”</p> -<p>“What should we do, Running Dog?”</p> -<p>“I do not know. For if we are in the land of the Kiowas -we should turn and return to our own land; but if we -are not and these are the tracks of friendly Apaches we -would be silly to turn back, for only now have the signs -of game become plentiful. The problem is whether we -should stay and take our chances or return empty-handed -with our tails between our legs.”</p> -<p>“You are older, Running Dog, you make the decision.”</p> -<p>“All right then, we shall stay and take our chances. -I have seen many signs of deer and we shall find ourselves -a large buck to kill before we return to our village. But -come, it is getting late. Let us find a good place to -camp.”</p> -<p>The two young braves traveled a little farther on, and -then when they both agreed that an ideal place was not -to be located, they settled for a small clump of trees -nestled in a gully. There was water not too far distant, -and about two hundred yards from where they camped, -there was a large mass of rock ledges that rose up from -the ground, eventually growing into a cliff. In among -these boulders and rock ledges they were able to find a -source of water, and so they decided to make this their -base of operations.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_203">203</div> -<p>To the west of where they camped they had seen a -small woodland and swamp area which they figured -would make a good hunting place for wild game. The -boys went about setting up their camping ground and -when they had completed the task at hand they settled -down to going over their hunting equipment.</p> -<p>The two boys having checked their bows and arrows -went off to attempt to find some fresh meat for supper. -White Cloud headed for the woodlands to the west and -Running Dog started for the rock formation to the north. -After about two hours of hunting and searching, Running -Dog returned to the campsite empty-handed, but -soon he saw his friend White Cloud riding like the wind -toward the camp.</p> -<p>Slung over his horse’s neck was an object that flopped -loosely back and forth as he rose. Soon he was in the -camp and swinging down from his pony’s back he placed -a plump young rabbit on the ground in front of Running -Dog and smiled, saying, “Here, little friend, is our dinner -for tonight.”</p> -<p>Soon the fire was blazing, and the two boys settled -down to a delicious meal of roast rabbit. When they had -finished their dinner they rolled up in their blankets and -were soon asleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, -for they were determined to track down some large game -and make their kill, for their supplies were running low -and they must start the return trip to the village the -following afternoon.</p> -<p>The night passed without incident and when the dawn -broke it was raining slightly. The two boys looked at the -heavens frowning, but in about a half hour the sky had -cleared and the sun shone through again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_204">204</div> -<p>The boys started off for the woodland and their big -game hunt. They had not gone very far when Running -Dog glanced up toward the high rock formations. He did -not know what caused him to look in that direction, but -suddenly he stopped and called to White Cloud who had -been riding a little ahead, anxious to reach the woods.</p> -<p>“Wait, White Cloud. Look, look to the north, beyond -that formation of rocks.”</p> -<p>White Cloud turned and gazed in the direction Running -Dog pointed. There rising above the rock formation -were puffs of smoke. “Maybe it is the campfire of another -hunting party, Running Dog?”</p> -<p>“No,” said Running Dog, “that is not campfire, those -are Kiowa smoke signals. I will try to make them out.”</p> -<p>“Are you sure they are Kiowa smoke signals, Running -Do?”</p> -<p>“Oh yes, White Cloud, many moons ago my father -taught me of the Kiowa smoke signals. Though all tribes -use this method the Kiowas have a definite series of signals -before their message. Look, White Cloud. See that -series of short puffs of smoke? That is peculiar only to -the Kiowas. Let me see if I can make out what they are -sending.”</p> -<p>The two boys sat astride their ponies watching the signals -of smoke rise in the distance. Running Dog studied -the signals as diligently as he could and seeking back into -his memory for everything his father had taught him -about smoke signals.</p> -<p>Then he turned to White Cloud, “Come, my friend, we -must hurry. Those signals are to a band of Kiowas to the -south that we are here in their hunting grounds and therefore -have broken the law of the Kiowa and must die. -They are calling to this band to bring our scalps on their -war lances triumphantly to the village. We must hurry, -White Cloud. There is no telling how long that message -has been playing in the sky. We did not notice it until -now but that does not mean that it has not been sent before -just now. We must ride to camp and take our other -horse and start for home.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_205">205</div> -<p>The two boys wheeled their ponies about and sped -back for the camp. They entered the camp and quickly -gathering their possessions together they put them aboard -the pack horse and climbing upon their own ponies they -started swiftly southward. They rode steadily for about -an hour, and then Running Dog pulled up his pony.</p> -<p>“Wait, White Cloud, we are doing just what they wish -us to do. We are running and we have a long hard trip -to make. Besides, that signal was evidently for a band to -the south of our camp. If we are not careful we shall find -that we have ridden right into a trap. Let us plan our trip -more carefully. First we must stay away from the main -trails. We must take to the foothills and work our way -south that way. It will take us longer, but there will be -less chance of being ambushed, I believe, if we stay away -from the well-used main trails. The Kiowas are a very -tricky people and we would be in a trap before we knew -it. They will be sure to be covering the water holes for -they know we must have water. As far as I know there -are but three between here and our village. How much -water do you have in your pouch?”</p> -<p>“My pouch is about empty, Running Dog, but surely -we will find water elsewhere than at the three water -holes.”</p> -<p>“There is a good chance that we will, but I do not -want to count on it. After all, our hunters are the ones -that are familiar with this land. We are strangers here -and not acquainted with the good and bad points. Come, -our horses have rested. We will leave the main trail now -and continue cross country. It is going to be a hard journey, -White Cloud, but we are racing death.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_206">206</div> -<p>With that the two boys steered their ponies from the -main trail and began to travel in a southeasterly direction. -Here there was no clear trail, and they had only the -uncanny sense of a homing pigeon to guide them. They -pushed their ponies easily for the first couple of hours, but -finally the steady pace began to tell and they had to come -to a stop.</p> -<p>They had entered a green valley and as they rode they -noticed an abundance of game. “Too bad that we are in -a race,” remarked White Cloud, “for here is a paradise -of game.” Running Dog said nothing, and the two boys -brought their ponies to a stop. They stepped from their -ponies and rested, allowing the horses to crop grass.</p> -<p>As they lay there, White Cloud glanced back in the -direction from which they had come. Again he could see -the ominous puffs of smoke rising from behind the small -hills that separated them from the main band of Kiowas.</p> -<p>After resting a short while and allowing their ponies to -blow, they mounted again and continued their gallop toward -their village and security. Night was approaching -now and the boys were glad for they knew that they -could travel much more swiftly at night because it would -be cooler. Besides, they knew that the Kiowas would not -attack unless they were sure they could kill both the boys.</p> -<p>They rode more swiftly now, and suddenly Running -Dog’s pony whinnied aloud and swerved to one side. -Running Dog tried to pull him back but the pony galloped -off in a slightly different direction from the one in -which they had been traveling. Then Running Dog understood -why, for suddenly he heard the hoofs of his -horse splashing. The horse had found water. What a -break! The boys threw themselves from their horses and -lay flat in the water. Suddenly Running Dog lifted himself -from the water and grasping White Cloud’s arm he said:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_207">207</div> -<p>“We are foolish. Suppose they are watching this water -hole. We sit here like two fat frogs waiting for the hook. -Come quickly, we must leave this place.” The two boys -mounted once again and rode on. Suddenly the pack -horse stumbled and fell. The boys stopped their ponies -and returned to the side of the pack horse. “He will be -all right,” said White Cloud, “he is just winded.”</p> -<p>“We must leave him,” said Running Dog. “We cannot -wait for him to regain his breath and his strength. We -must ride.”</p> -<p>Now the two boys could travel a little faster without -the pack horse to slow them down, although they hated -the thought of leaving a pony for the blood-thirsty -Kiowas. Finally they brought their ponies to a halt and -dismounted.</p> -<p>“We must rest several hours or our ponies will die -underneath us. Try to sleep, White Cloud. I will stand -guard. I will wake you in a short time and then I will -sleep. Do not worry, I am tired, but my eyes and ears -are sharp.”</p> -<p>White Cloud was exhausted and in a matter of seconds -he was asleep. Running Dog kept careful watch and a -short time later he wakened White Cloud. Then Running -Dog slept and shortly just as dawn was breaking White -Cloud shook his friend and the two thrust some dried -venison into their mouths to chew and each one taking -a long drink of water they mounted and were soon on -their way once again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_208">208</div> -<p>They had been riding for about an hour when Running -Dog glanced back in the direction they had just come -and there on a hillside a few miles back he saw a small -band of Kiowas. They were evidently looking for something -or someone.</p> -<p>It was not a puzzle to Running Dog long, for he saw -the band of Kiowas break from the hillside in their direction. -“They have seen us, White Cloud! Ride as you -have never ridden before. We are near to our land, but it -is still a hard ride and the worst is yet to come. I cannot -be sure if that is a band that is pursuing us or whether it -is the band from the south. In any case, we must keep -going. Ride, White Cloud, ride for your life.”</p> -<p>The two ponies thundered on. Soon they had entered a -series of hills. The second day was fast drawing to a close. -Then it happened.</p> -<p>White Cloud’s pony caught his foot in a gopher hole, -and down went pony and rider.</p> -<p>Running Dog pulled his pony to a halt and rode back -to where his friend had fallen. Both boy and pony were -down. The pony had evidently a broken leg and White -Cloud had hit his head upon a stone and was unconscious. -Running Dog took his knife and put the horse out of his -misery and then he dragged his friend to the shelter of a -rock and poured some water on his face. Soon White -Cloud shook his head.</p> -<p>“What happened?”</p> -<p>“Your horse stumbled. I have had to use my knife on -him, his leg was broken. But how do you feel?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I am a little dizzy and very tired. But go, Running -Dog, you must ride to the village for help.”</p> -<p>“Yes, White Cloud, I must do that, but I am lost. I do -not know where we are and the sky is black tonight. We -must stay here until dawn. My pony is all done in anyway. -He would not get very far tonight. We will rest. I -will stand guard first.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_209">209</div> -<p>With that, Running Dog moved off to a small crevice -of rock and settled down to keep watch. But the grind -had been too much even for him, and before too long his -head hung low upon his chest and both boys slept.</p> -<p>Suddenly Running Dog woke with a start, hands of -steel were holding his arms and legs, pinning him where -he sat. He struggled and then he heard a familiar voice, -“Why do you struggle so hard, my son?”</p> -<p>“Father, it is you. Oh father, I am so glad to see you. -But tell me, how did you find us?”</p> -<p>“Well,” said Running Dog’s father, “we too have eyes -and saw the Kiowa signals while off gathering some -horses that had strayed. We rode to meet the invader, for -we knew that they would have come far into Apache territory -to catch those that they pursued. So we rode to -attack the band. We were able to defeat them and send -them running for their homes, but before that we were -able to learn from one of their dying braves that you, -their quarry, had ridden in this direction.</p> -<p>“I am sorry we were holding you when you awoke but -you are mighty fast with the knife and I did not want to -take the chance of being killed by my own son.”</p> -<p>They laughed and then the party returned without -further incident to the safety of their village.</p> -<p class="center"><span class="gs">* * * * * * * *</span></p> -<p>“Here my story ends,” said Running Dog, “but I shall -long remember the events of that Race with Death.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_210">210</div> -<h2 id="c33"><span class="h2line1">THE STORM</span></h2> -<p>In the Algonquin tribe, Masequah had grown to manhood -through the many winters and summers that his -tribe lived in peace. He was a very tall, strong and good-looking -Indian brave. He was bravest of all in battle, a -good hunter, and a good husband to his wife, Senan, and -their son, Pyan. Masequah was very proud of his son. As -the baby grew, his mother no longer had to carry him -upon her back. Soon Masequah was able to walk hand in -hand with Pyan through the forest.</p> -<p>As his son grew older, Masequah began to train him -for manhood. One day Masequah and Pyan stepped into -a canoe and paddled across the wide lake to look for -berries and nuts. Pyan was now seven years of age, and -his training had begun in earnest. While they were on the -other shore, a great storm arose, and the wind brought -huge angry waves to the lake. Masequah feared that -their light canoe would be broken by the waves. He told -Pyan that it would be much safer to stay where they were -until morning.</p> -<p>They found a small cove that would give them some -shelter. Then they started hunting for food, while the -rain beat down on them. Pyan spotted two rabbits, and -his father shot both of them. Then they went back to the -cove, found dry wood, and built a fire to cook the rabbits. -Masequah and Pyan settled themselves as comfortably -as they could for the long night.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_211">211</div> -<p>The winds began to blow even harder and the rain -began to fall more heavily. Pyan snuggled closer to his -father’s side to keep warm. As the warrior looked at his -son, he saw fear in his son’s eyes. Masequah had taught -his son that Indians were never afraid, but suddenly he -realized that lessons were not enough. Even an Indian -needed to understand the thing he feared in order to -drive fear away.</p> -<p>“Don’t be afraid, Pyan,” he said kindly. “The rain that -falls around us brings strength to food we have planted -and to the trees in the forest. At the worst, it can only -wet us. We are too wise to battle the wind on the lake. -The bright bolts of lightning could not strike us here -easily in this cove, and the thunder is only a loud noise -like a war drum. There is nothing to fear.”</p> -<p>As Masequah watched his son’s face in the flickering -light of the fire, he knew that his words had been of -little comfort. “I want to go home,” said Pyan, “I want -my mother and the warmth of my bed. I am afraid.”</p> -<p>“Don’t be afraid, Pyan,” Masequah said, “your father -is with you.”</p> -<p>“Can you stop the lightning?” asked Pyan. “Can you -stop the rain? That will stop my fear. The wind that is -blowing so strong frightens me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_212">212</div> -<p>Masequah picked up his son and carried him to the -shelter of a cave and after placing his son in the cave he -said, “Wait, I shall return. I must get an answer to your -questions.” Masequah walked to the edge of the lake and, -facing straight into the wind, shouted, “O great storm, -tell me what answers I should give my son! He is afraid -and I have told him not to be afraid. The wind, the lightning, -and the rain frighten him and he wants to return -to his home. To try to paddle our light canoe across the -rough waters of the lake could mean death for my son -and me. I am not afraid to die, but my son is young and -his whole life lies before him. Tell me what I can do to -stop his fear. He has asked me to stop the rain and the -wind. This I cannot do, but you, great storm, hear a -father’s plea and blow away from our land!”</p> -<p>Masequah shivered, for the storm seemed to be getting -worse. He turned from the lake and walked back to the -cave. Taking his son’s hand, he said, “Pyan, come, follow -your father. We are going home.”</p> -<p>“But, father,” said Pyan, “the winds and the rain and -the lightning have not stopped. The water is rough and -our canoe is light. We will be drowned.”</p> -<p>Pyan held back as his father took his hand. His father -spoke kindly and firmly: “Come, Pyan, do not be afraid. -Your father will protect you.”</p> -<p>As they reached the shore Pyan began to tremble and -felt heartsick because he was cowardly while his father -was so brave. Pyan stepped into the canoe and his father -followed. Masequah pointed to the sky.</p> -<p>“Look, Pyan, the sky is beginning to brighten. Now -the storm will halt long enough for us to reach the safety -of our village.”</p> -<p>There was a blinding flash of lightning and a loud clap -of thunder. The rain stopped suddenly, the winds died -down, and the waves on the lake became calm. Masequah -pushed the canoe from the shore and paddled -swiftly across the lake.</p> -<p>When they reached home, Pyan told his mother excitedly -how the storm had stopped when his father ordered -it to halt. Pyan’s mother turned slowly to Masequah.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_213">213</div> -<p>“My husband,” she said with wonder in her voice, “until -just now as you and Pyan arrived, the storm hasn’t -paused once tonight.”</p> -<p>For many years until Masequah’s death, the members -of his tribe looked upon Masequah as a brave gifted with -mysterious powers. They would tell of a hunting party -that had reached the lake at the same time that Masequah -and Pyan had started for home; the hunters had -been whipped by the raging storm while they stood on a -hill top overlooking the lake; suddenly they had seen the -storm stop and the lake below them grow calm; and then -they had watched a small canoe, with a man and a boy -in it, glide swiftly across the peaceful waters. To them it -was a miracle, but Masequah knew better.</p> -<p>Masequah would always deny that he had any mysterious -powers. Over and over again, he would remind his -friends that no storm covers all the earth, and that every -storm has its edges just as the lake does, or like the -shadow of a fleecy cloud on a sunny day.</p> -<p>No matter how often he told them that the edge of the -storm had moved away from the lake, most of his friends -still insisted that it was a miracle. Even Pyan, who believed -that his father was wise and truthful, sometimes -wondered.</p> -<hr /> -<blockquote> -<p>This story was told to the author by Barney Mason, a Canadian -Scout, who had learned it from living descendants of the Algonquin -Tribe.</p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_215">215</div> -<h2><span class="h2line1">5. CHARACTER</span></h2> -<div class="pb" id="Page_217">217</div> -<h2 id="c34"><span class="h2line1">SLEEPING BEAR MAKES A MISTAKE</span></h2> -<p>The Montagnais village of the great Northern forest -was large with many fine wigwams. The village had been -built in a meadow near a great lake, and the smell of -woodfires was always in the air, as the smoke curled skyward -from each wigwam. It was a busy time of year for -the Montagnais because winter would soon be upon -them. Families were repairing their homes and making -new clothing for the winter months.</p> -<p>It was on one of these busy days that Bald Eagle informed -his family that he believed they should build a new -wigwam. So the work was organized. First Bald Eagle selected -a good place to build it. Then he scratched lines on -the ground to show where the frame would be set. Having -cut saplings and put them in place, bending the ends to -make arches for the roof, he bound them together with -withes made from a peeled basswood sapling about three -fingers thick that bent very easily. The making of these -withes had fallen to Sleeping Bear, Bald Eagle’s son. It is -about this job that our story is concerned.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_218">218</div> -<p>When Sleeping Bear was asked to make the withes, he -was proud. This was the first time his father had ever -asked him to do such an important job. Dashing off into -the forest, he came upon a young basswood sapling about -three fingers thick. Taking his knife from its beaded -sheath, he proceeded to cut the sapling. The flint blade -of his knife did a very neat job and he soon had the young -sapling down and trimmed.</p> -<p>Then Sleeping Bear set to work to strip the bark from -the sapling. When he had all the bark peeled away, he -dashed home to show his father what good work he had -done.</p> -<p>Bald Eagle smiled. “That is fine, my son, but now we -must have the withes to tie the ends of the frame together.”</p> -<p>Sleeping Bear squatted upon the ground and began to -cut thin strips from the basswood. He worked very carefully -until he had cut a very, very thin strip from the -sapling. Then he cut another and another, until he had a -good supply. Picking them all up, he walked to where his -father was working and proudly he said:</p> -<p>“Here, father, are the strips you can use for withes.”</p> -<p>Without looking up, Bald Eagle said, “That is fine, my -son. How many have you cut for me?”</p> -<p>“I have cut about thirty,” said Sleeping Bear.</p> -<p>Bald Eagle looked up. Reaching toward his son’s outstretched -hands, he grasped the basswood strips.</p> -<p>“These will make very fine fishing lines, my son, but -they are much too thin for withes. You must make them -thicker, so that they will hold the frame in the position -we want.” Handing the strips back to Sleeping Bear, Bald -Eagle smiled and continued to work upon the frame of the -wigwam.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_219">219</div> -<p>Sadly, Sleeping Bear turned and headed back into the -forest to find more basswood saplings. As he walked -along, he was not thinking about the basswood, but about -how foolish he had felt when his father told him that the -strips he had cut were too thin. He kicked at the pebbles -and was very angry with himself. He did not realize that -he had walked quite a distance from the village, until -suddenly it got very dark.</p> -<p>Looking up, Sleeping Bear realized that he was close -to the swamp area and that he must have come quite a -distance. Slowly, he turned and started back along the -trail looking to either side for basswood saplings. Finally, -he saw two or three set back in the forest a short way. -Leaving the trail, he reached the saplings and started to -cut them down and trim them. He had out two when -there was a low growl behind him. Turning, he saw a -bear standing on his hind feet and testing the air for -scent with his snout.</p> -<p>Sleeping Bear was suddenly very frightened. Crouching -low to the ground, he began to edge his way toward -the path again. Soon he reached the path. Then he began -to run until he was safe in the camp once again. Dashing -up to his father he stood a minute catching his breath, -and then he blurted out the story of the bear.</p> -<p>Bald Eagle put his arm around his son’s shoulders and -said:</p> -<p>“You see how much trouble can be brought on by one -foolish mistake? If you had watched your father carefully, -you would have known how to make a withe the -right thickness. Because you were angry, you did not look -for basswood saplings close to home, but wandered deep -into the forest and almost became the dinner of brother -bear. Rushing to escape the bear, you left your basswood -saplings behind. So the task of making withes begins all -over again. Be careful, my son, that when you do something, -you do it right, or if you make a mistake, you do -not waste time brooding over it. Better to accept it and -go forth to do the job better.”</p> -<p>And so Sleeping Bear learned a great lesson that day.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_220">220</div> -<h2 id="c35"><span class="h2line1">THE LESSON OF THE ELM TREE</span></h2> -<p>A small Cherokee lad by the name of White Eagle -lived with his father and mother on the shores of a large -lake in the Appalachian Mountains. He was a lad of -about eleven years. His father, Great Eagle, was known -in the tribe as one of the bravest of warriors. In this -Cherokee tribe there was much talk of war with other -tribes, and the tribe’s highest honors and respect always -went to the bravest and most daring warrior.</p> -<p>Not many suns away lived another woodlands tribe, -the Eries. This story concerns a young captive from this -Erie tribe and White Eagle, the Cherokee boy.</p> -<p>Very rarely did any tribe go so far afield in its hunting, -but this one winter food was very scarce for the Cherokees -and they traveled quite a distance north in search of -additional game. They moved into the hunting grounds -of the Iroquois, quickly made their kills, and started for -home. On their way, they came upon an Erie boy whom -Great Eagle decided to bring home to his tepee as a -brother to his son.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_221">221</div> -<p>The Cherokee tribe lived in a sentry-patrolled, fortified -village. When Little Frog, as the Erie lad was called, first -saw the village, he was frightened. He realized that he -was near the entire tribe of fearful Cherokees whose wars -his father had often recounted to him. Great Eagle sensed -the boy’s fear and laid his hand gently on his shoulder. -Great Eagle took him to his home and introduced him to -White Eagle. White Eagle was pleased to have a boy of -his own age to play with in his own wigwam. That night -there was much dancing and merry-making to celebrate -the successful hunting raid into the Iroquois lands.</p> -<p>The following morning Great Eagle roused the boys -to tell them that today they would go in search of small -game to improve their shooting ability. Each boy was -given a small amount of food, and they started off for the -forest with Great Eagle. Little Frog began to look upon -Great Eagle as his father and felt happy. His own father -had been killed in an early tribal raid.</p> -<p>As they padded through the forest, they could hear the -cry of wild birds and every now and then the snapping -of a twig. Great Eagle signaled with his hand for the -two youngsters to wait. Then he moved off to the side -to investigate the noise; but once again he returned to -the trail, indicating that the game they were after was not -to be seen.</p> -<p>When the sun had risen high in the heavens, Great -Eagle decided they would sit and rest and eat some food. -As they were eating, Little Frog asked White Eagle, “Do -you often travel with your father?” White Eagle replied, -“Right now I am being trained by my father to become a -great warrior.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_222">222</div> -<p>The Erie boy was very much impressed with this and -thought of himself how wonderful it would be if he had a -father. White Eagle then asked Little Frog, “Do you miss -your village and your people?” “No,” Little Frog replied, -“because in my village I was not wanted by anyone. -My father had been killed in battle. My mother died of a -great sickness and I was cast out of my father’s wigwam -by a new brave. I was made to work for myself to get -food and to live as best I could.” White Eagle realized -then how lucky he was to have such a fine warrior father -as Great Eagle.</p> -<p>After drinking some water to wash down the dried deer -meat, Great Eagle arose and the boys stood up quickly, -and they started forward. The brave signaled the boys to -follow him more softly now. Little Eagle noticed that -they were approaching a stream where beaver had built -their dams and homes. As they approached the stream, -Great Eagle pointed to the brush where the boys should -wait while he looked about for the beaver. Not having -seen any, Great Eagle returned to where the boys were -hidden and told them they would start back to the village -and search for wild turkeys and rabbits. White Eagle felt -a slight disappointment at not having been able to try out -his new arrows on the beaver, but he trusted the wisdom -of his father. So he and Little Frog returned along the -trail with Great Eagle.</p> -<p>When they had almost reached the edge of the forest, -Great Eagle stopped and pointed into the brush at the -side of the trail. There, crouching in hiding, was a small -cotton-tail rabbit. Quickly, White Eagle raised his bow -and let fly an arrow. The rabbit took one leap and fell -dead. White Eagle was so excited that he danced up and -down, shouting at the top of his lungs that he had made -his kill. Great Eagle quieted his son and then looked -slowly in Little Frog’s direction. Approaching the rabbit, -Great Eagle noticed that two arrows had struck it. He -knew that Little Frog must have shot his arrow at the -same time as White Eagle. White Eagle and Little Frog -began to argue about whose arrow had really killed the -rabbit. Naturally, each claimed that his arrow had made -the kill.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_223">223</div> -<p>Great Eagle was at a loss as to just what to do. He -was always fair in his decisions and did not want to -favor one boy over the other, especially because it involved -his son. So Great Eagle said, “Let us agree; say -that each of your arrows shared in killing the rabbit, for -I can see that you are both like stubborn elm trees—and -you are both better with your bows than I had thought.”</p> -<p>With that, Great Eagle picked up the rabbit and put it -in his pouch and the three of them started for home. -Both boys seemed quite happy now that Great Eagle had -made the decision. However, that night Little Frog -leaned over in his bed and tapped White Eagle’s shoulder. -“White Eagle,” he said, “what does your father mean -when he says we are like the stubborn elm?” “Tomorrow -morning,” said White Eagle, “I will show you what my -father meant.” With that the boys went to sleep.</p> -<p>The following morning when they arose, Little Frog -was impatient to learn why Great Eagle had called them -stubborn like the elm, and he quickly reminded White -Eagle of his promise of the night before. Hand in hand, -they started for the great forest. As they went along, -White Eagle kept breaking branches of the different trees -along the way. Little Frog was imitating White Eagle as -they walked until they came upon a small young elm -tree. White Eagle did his best to break the elm tree, but -all it did was bend. Then Little Frog tried to help him -break the tree; but despite their weight and strength, it -still only bent.</p> -<p>Just then they heard a voice behind them and Great -Eagle stepped up and placed his hands on the shoulders -of both boys.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_224">224</div> -<p>“Now,” he said, “you have found the reason why I -called you stubborn as the elm. Many, many of the trees -of the forest can be broken and forced to the earth. But -the elm tree will bend and not break unless the strength of -several braves is put upon it. So it is with two proud -young Indian boys who both believe they are right, putting -their equal strength against each other in an argument. -Neither gives way, just as the elm will not give -away. If I attempted to add my strength on either side -of the argument, the other might have bent to the earth -like the elm if we all put our weight upon it. So remember -this tree. As long as you believe honestly that you are -right, you can be strong and straight like the elm tree; but -once you leave the path of truth and wisdom you become -weak and brittle, and your enemy can bow you to the -ground in shame and defeat.”</p> -<hr /> -<blockquote> -<p>This story was told to the author by James Ariga, a boy of part -Cherokee blood, at the Ten Mile River Scout Reservation in the year -1947.</p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_225">225</div> -<h2 id="c36"><span class="h2line1">THE RACE</span></h2> -<p>Winter had come to the many Indian villages in the -northeastern woodlands, and with it, the snow, the wind, -and the cold. The winter was so severe that even the -strongest braves hesitated to wander far from their villages, -knowing that death could overtake an adventurous -brave if a sudden blizzard should catch him far from -familiar ground.</p> -<p>This story is about two such adventurous young -Oneida Indians that winter. Naltan and Ceysoda were -outstanding young boys of their tribe. Time and time -again before winter set in, they had taken part in the -games and contests of the tribe, and one or the other had -won each time. This had continued until the other young -boys in the village decided that Naltan and Ceysoda were -just too good for them, and that something must be done -to prevent their running away with all the prizes.</p> -<p>So one fall day, when they were sure that Ceysoda and -Naltan were not around, all the youngsters gathered to -discuss a plan. On the following day, there were to be -foot races in the village. The group plotted that at the -start of the foot race, two of the faster young braves -would trip Naltan and Ceysoda so that they would fall -and thus be put out of the race. The boys who had -tripped them would be scored out of the race, too, but at -least they would have the satisfaction of knowing that -someone besides Naltan and Ceysoda would win the foot -race for a change.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_226">226</div> -<p>Just at that moment they saw Naltan coming around -one of the wigwams, and they all started walking away -in different directions. Naltan walked up to one of the -leaders of the group and asked:</p> -<p>“What have I missed, friend Beartooth? Ceysoda and I -have been busy repairing and sharpening our hunting -weapons. We did not know that there was to be a meeting -of all the boys of the village.”</p> -<p>Beartooth was quick to recover from his surprise and -then in a very calm voice said:</p> -<p>“Oh, Naltan, that was no meeting of all the boys. It -was merely a few of us talking about the foot races tomorrow -and the weather. It has been very cold, and soon -winter will be here with her snow and winds and bitter -cold. Tomorrow we are going to have the foot races. So -we were talking about who we thought would be victorious.”</p> -<p>“Do you think there are any among you who can defeat -Ceysoda and me in the foot race, Beartooth? If you -do, you had better forget about it,” Naltan boasted. -“Ceysoda and I will win the race tomorrow, as we always -do.”</p> -<p>“We shall see,” said Beartooth with a note of warning -in his voice. “We shall see.” Then he turned and walked -away from Naltan toward his father’s wigwam.</p> -<p>Naltan shrugged his shoulders and, thinking no more -about it, dashed off to find Ceysoda. He looked all -around the camp and finally found him practicing with -his bow and arrow a short distance from the village. Naltan -told him what Beartooth had said. Ceysoda was silent -for a few moments, thinking.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_227">227</div> -<p>“Naltan, my friend,” he said, “I have a strange feeling -that our brothers plot against us. I have no good reason -for feeling this way, but I can’t help it. For some reason -our friends have planned a way to make us lose the race. -What it is and how I know I cannot tell you, but the -feeling is upon me.”</p> -<p>“You are foolish, Ceysoda. The fact that we have won -many contests and games from our friends surely -wouldn’t give them a reason to plot any harm.”</p> -<p>“I do not say that they want to harm us; but in some -way they will try to make sure we do not win the foot -races tomorrow. Wait and see, Naltan.”</p> -<p>The two boys spoke no further and soon it was time to -return to their wigwams for the evening meal. When Naltan -and his father had finished eating, Naltan told his -father that he would like to get his advice. So father and -son sat down by the blazing coals of the fire in the middle -of their wigwam.</p> -<p>“Father,” Naltan began, “today Ceysoda told me that -our friends were planning some trick to make us lose in -the foot race tomorrow. He also said that he did not -know why he had this feeling, but he did have it. Surely, -father, our friends would not try to harm us?”</p> -<p>“No, my son, I do not believe that your friends would -want to harm you, but is there any reason that you would -have to believe that what your friend Ceysoda tells you -might be true?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_228">228</div> -<p>“No, father, there isn’t anything—yes, wait a minute! -There might be. Late this afternoon when Ceysoda and I -had finished working on our bows, I went down to Beartooth’s -wigwam to borrow some thongs for my moccasins. -Just as I reached the small clearing near Beartooth’s -home, I saw almost all of our friends gathered together -talking; but when they saw me they scattered, each one -heading for his own home. When I questioned Beartooth -about it, he said that they had been talking about the -coming winter and the foot races tomorrow, and had just -finished when I arrived.”</p> -<p>“Well, do not worry about it, my son. Whoever is -strongest and fastest will win tomorrow. It will soon be -time for bed. Go out and play for a little while, but when -your mother calls, come to bed, for you will need your -rest for the foot races.” With that Naltan’s father rose to -leave.</p> -<p>“You know, father, my thoughts became so confused -when I saw the crowd of boys that I forgot to ask Beartooth -for the thongs. I will go down now before he goes -to sleep so that I may work a little more on my bow tonight -before I go to sleep.”</p> -<p>Naltan left his home and walked quickly to Beartooth’s -home. As he neared Beartooth’s wigwam he heard voices. -Beartooth was talking to one of the other young braves. -“Yes, that’s right,” he was saying, “make sure that you -are next to Naltan at the start of the race tomorrow. -When the signal is given, pretend to trip so that you will -fall against Naltan and tumble him to the ground. I will -do the same to Ceysoda. Then we can be sure that someone -else will win the race.”</p> -<p>Naltan decided that he did not need the extra thong -that night, but hurried to see his friend, Ceysoda. Reaching -the wigwam where he lived, he called until Ceysoda -came to the entrance.</p> -<p>“What do you want, Naltan? It is late and I am tired. -I was just about to go to bed.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_229">229</div> -<p>“Ceysoda, I have discovered what our friends plan for -us tomorrow.” Naltan repeated what he had heard at -Beartooth’s wigwam. When he had finished, he waited to -see how Ceysoda would take the news. He did not have to -wait long, for suddenly Ceysoda’s face took on an angry -look. “Those crawling mud worms,” he cried. “Have they -become so jealous because they cannot win at the games -and contests that they have to use trickery against us? -I knew that the feeling I had was a true one. Now we -know exactly what they are going to do. But how can we -prevent this from happening tomorrow, Naltan?”</p> -<p>“I have a plan,” said Naltan. “Tomorrow when we line -up for the race we will ask that the others be given a slight -lead over us because we have won so many races. We -should be able to tell by what they say to that whether or -not they would still try to carry out such a plan.”</p> -<p>“That is a very good idea, Naltan,” said Ceysoda, -yawning. “Now I must say goodnight, for I am tired, and -we have some hard running ahead of us tomorrow.”</p> -<p>The boys said goodnight. Ceysoda turned back into his -wigwam and Naltan started to go home to his own bed. -On the way, he wondered whether he should tell his -father what had happened. He decided to handle this in -his own way, without the help of any adults.</p> -<p>The following day was very crisp and cool. Off to the -northwest clouds warned that a snowstorm might be -building up. But everyone was too excited to take much -notice of anything besides the preparations going on all -around for the big foot race. Fathers and sons together -made the final inspection of the boys’ clothing for the big -race. The boys’ moccasins especially were looked over -carefully for any weak spots where the leather might -break. A torn moccasin could mean lost time and a lost -race.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_230">230</div> -<p>At last, the call went up through the village for all -who were entering the race to gather at the starting line -just outside the village on the border of a great meadow. -The young boys gathered, joined by their proud fathers, -each of whom hoped that his son would cross the finish -line first and win the beautiful bone-handled hunting -knife which the tribe’s medicine man had offered as the -first prize.</p> -<p>When all the contestants had gathered at the starting -line, the warrior in charge of the race began to give instructions. -He called for the attention of all the runners. -At that moment, Ceysoda and Naltan stepped forward -and asked that they be allowed to start ten paces behind -the others so that this could be a more even race. There -were many shouts from the other boys that Ceysoda and -Naltan were only boasting. They said that they wanted -the two boys to start with them. If Ceysoda and Naltan -won the race, all well and good! But if they had to start -back and lost the race then someone would always complain -that it was not an even race. The warrior in charge -then made his decision.</p> -<p>“I believe,” he said, “that Naltan and Ceysoda are being -very fair. So far they have won all foot races by a -great margin. Now they offer to start late in order to give -every one of you a better chance to win. I have no doubt -that many of you have been practicing hard for this -event, but these two have been practicing just as hard. -So it would be a very unfair race unless I did give them -a handicap to even up the chances for you all.”</p> -<p>Beartooth knew that if they argued against this ruling, -suspicion might be aroused. So he bade his friends be -quiet and line up again for the race.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_231">231</div> -<p>The course for the race this year had been chosen very -carefully. The boys were to run across the meadow and -into the woods up the game trail until they reached the -blaze marked on a fallen birch. Then they were to turn off -the trail and head east until they came to the singing -rock. That, Naltan knew, was the rock from which water -trickled during and after a heavy rain, and made an unusual, -almost tinkling sound. At the rock the boys would -turn south, break from the forest, cross the meadow, and -head for home. The first one to cross the finish line would -be declared the winner and receive the coveted hunting -knife.</p> -<p>The instructions were clear. The boys waited eagerly. -When the warrior had made sure that all were lined up -correctly, he gave them the starting signal. Instead of -leaping forward, the racers began to mill around. Then -several boys broke from the group and started to run -along the course. Five young Indian braves, including -Beartooth, Naltan, and Ceysoda, could be seen lying on -the ground. Naltan and Ceysoda leaped quickly to their -feet and began running. They had already lost a great -deal of valuable ground, but the desire to win this race -now burned especially bright in their hearts. They ran -swiftly across the meadow in pursuit of the fast-disappearing -figures of the leading braves, while others -trailed behind them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_232">232</div> -<p>As they reached the woods, they began to overtake the -other boys one at a time, because the running became -harder as they got deeper into the woods. There were -rocks and branches to hinder their way, and the footing -was often unsure. As the two boys reached the blazed -birch tree they turned eastward and continued swiftly on -their way. They soon passed more of the young braves. -As they reached the singing rock and turned for home -only two boys were still between them and the finish line. -When they broke into the open and reached the meadow, -the gap between the boys narrowed rapidly, and they -were greeted by cheers. It was clear to all that Naltan and -Ceysoda would overtake the two leaders. The cheering -grew louder when, with a sudden burst of speed, Naltan -and Ceysoda passed them and sped across the finish line -at exactly the same moment. They were declared winners -in a tied race, and each was given a beautiful knife.</p> -<p>After the award was made, Naltan looked around for -Beartooth, but could not find him. On the way home, -Naltan asked his father if he had seen Beartooth.</p> -<p>“Why, my son,” his father said, “he was standing close -to me as you and Ceysoda broke from the woods into the -meadow on the last part of the race. Then he disappeared. -Why are you so concerned. When you had picked yourself -up from the ground and started after the other boys, -the warrior in charge of the race spoke to Beartooth. -Beartooth confessed his plan which, it seems, did not -work out successfully. He will be punished for his plot. -There is no need for you to be worried.”</p> -<p>“But I am worried, father, for there is no need to -punish Beartooth. What he did was wrong, but I am sure -he is sorry. And after all, no harm was done. I will go to -him and speak with him and show him that I am not -angry. Then I will talk to the warrior who started the -race?”</p> -<p>Naltan left his father and went to Beartooth’s house. -He called to his friend but there was no answer. When -he called again, Beartooth’s mother came out of the wigwam -and told him that her son had not returned from the -foot race.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_233">233</div> -<p>“But all the contestants have finished in the race and -are home by now. Where could Beartooth have gone? I -will look for him.”</p> -<p>Naltan left to find Ceysoda, who was showing his beautiful -knife proudly to his many friends.</p> -<p>“Ceysoda,” Naltan called as he drew near. “Come, I -must talk with you.” When he finished telling Ceysoda -about Beartooth’s not returning home, the two boys went -in search of him. They looked all through the village but -could not find him anywhere. They asked all the children -but they had not seen him. Finally, they found the boy to -whom Beartooth had spoken about the plot and who was -to have helped him. At first the boy denied knowing anything -about where Beartooth might be; but finally after -continued questioning from Naltan, the boy told them.</p> -<p>“Beartooth was afraid when the warrior at the racing -field told him that he would have to be punished. So -while everyone was milling around and shouting at the -end of the race, he stole off and ran into the wood. He -feared not only the punishment of the warrior and council, -but also the punishment that you and Ceysoda would -bring down upon him for playing such a trick.”</p> -<p>While they were talking, a few snowflakes began to -fall.</p> -<p>“Come,” said Naltan, “we must go after him quickly. -From the looks of the sky and this snow, there will be a -heavy storm. Beartooth has had little experience with -snow. His days alone in the forest have been few. If we do -not go after him, he may be lost in the storm and threatened -by the wild animals of the forest.”</p> -<p>“I cannot go,” the boy answered. “My father would not -allow it. Besides, how would we know where to look?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_234">234</div> -<p>The boys stepped back and stared at the boy. “You are -a coward,” Naltan said angrily. “I cannot waste time -arguing with you. Come, Ceysoda, we must leave immediately.”</p> -<p>Without further words, the two friends turned and -started for the forest. The snow was beginning to fall -faster and thicker now. As they reached the forest, they -stopped to choose the most likely trail that Beartooth -would follow. The race had tired Ceysoda, and he was -breathing heavily now.</p> -<p>“Wait, Naltan,” he pleaded. “The boy was right. How -would we know which direction Beartooth would take? -Besides, at the rate this snow is falling any trace of him -would be covered. Is it wise to go on?”</p> -<p>“Wise or not, Ceysoda, we must go on. Beartooth must -be found. Not knowing the forest too well, he would -probably travel the main trail toward the north. We will -go in that direction. If we hurry, we may be able to pick -up a sign of his route before the snow has a chance to -cover it completely, and reach him before he goes too -far.”</p> -<p>The boys spoke no further but hurried up the trail to -the north, keeping their eyes toward the ground to look -for signs of the boy’s having passed that way. Soon Naltan -stopped and pointed to a place in the trail where the snow -had been disturbed.</p> -<p>“He must have fallen here. See the way the snow has -been pushed aside. Come, quickly, Ceysoda, he cannot be -too far ahead.” The two boys continued swiftly on the -trail. Soon they were able to make out signs of fresh moccasin -prints in the snow. But just when they felt they were -getting close, the wind began to blow harder, sweeping -along the trail and covering any tracks or other signs -that they might have found. The boys had been traveling -at a fast pace for some time, when Ceysoda stopped suddenly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_235">235</div> -<p>“Wait, Naltan, I must rest,” he said. “I am tired. I -cannot go on without rest. Just for a moment let me -catch my breath. Surely Beartooth will not continue without -rest, too, and we will lose no ground by stopping for -a short while.”</p> -<p>“All right,” said Naltan, “but just for a moment. The -day is growing late.” The two boys squatted down by the -side of the trail and breathed deeply to get their wind -back again. Suddenly, Nathan gazed up through the -trees and then, stretching his hands out in front of him, -he said, “Ceysoda, my friend, look! It has stopped snowing. -We are in luck. But we must hurry even so, because -the storm will no longer slow Beartooth’s pace.”</p> -<p>The two boys rose and sped on up the trail. Truly they -were in luck, for soon they came upon a place in the -snow where someone had stopped to rest at the side of the -trail. The prints of small moccasins were plain in the -snow and led straight up the trail. Now the boys increased -their efforts, for they knew they must be close. -Suddenly, the tracks stopped and turned off the trail into -the thick woods. This puzzled Naltan, but he turned to -follow them. The two boys began finding the going a -little rougher. Suddenly, they found that they not only -were following moccasin tracks, but another set of tracks -now appeared not far behind the boy’s. These were the -tracks of a bear!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_236">236</div> -<p>The bear, Naltan thought, must have been late in going -into hibernation for the winter because he had not -found enough food. Now a delicious morsel of warm-blooded -food was on the trail ahead of him. Now Naltan -understood why Beartooth had left the trail; he must have -seen the bear ahead on the trail and turned off to escape -him. But the hear was not going to be avoided so easily. -Naltan suddenly stopped and turned to Ceysoda.</p> -<p>“What shall we do if we do come upon the bear and -Beartooth?” he asked. “We are not armed with our bows -and arrows. We could hardly defend ourselves against -such a worthy opponent as a bear. Two young Indians -such as we, no matter how brave, would be easy prey for -a large bear. Yet we must go on and see if there is any -help we can give. To turn back now would certainly mark -us as cowards.”</p> -<p>Ceysoda did not like the idea of fighting a full-grown -bear; yet he liked less the thought of turning his back on -danger and returning to the village to meet his friends’ -ridicule and his father’s anger for having been so cowardly. -They would have trouble enough as it was, for -having left the village without letting their parents or -friends know where they had gone. Naltan’s voice swung -his thoughts back to his present plight.</p> -<p>“I have an idea, Ceysoda. Between us we have two -knives. Let us cut a couple of stout saplings to use as -spears if we should need them. At least we will have -some chance, even if it is not a very good one, against -the bear.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_237">237</div> -<p>So the two boys immediately began cutting stout saplings -to hack into crude spears—poor weapons against an -angry bear, but the best the boys could think of at the -moment. When they sharpened the points on their spears, -they continued following the very clear trail in the snow. -They did not travel as fast now because they sensed a -danger lurking ahead of them. They did not know just -how far ahead the bear was, whether he was still following -Beartooth, or whether he had discovered them. In -fact, at this very moment, he might be awaiting them, -hidden among the rocks up ahead, which they could -plainly see now as they watched the forest in front of -them cautiously while following the tracks carefully in -the snow.</p> -<p>They were continuing their anxious march in silence -when they were startled by a sound that echoed through -the forest, a sound all too familiar to them—the growl of -an angry bear. It had come from in front and to the right -of them. So the boys went on with even more caution. -Suddenly, Naltan signaled to Ceysoda and the two boys -crouched low to the ground. Ahead of them, about a -hundred paces, the natural trail they had been following -came to an end in a boxlike formation of rocks. The rocks -reached almost straight up to the height of an elm tree. -On top of this enclosure stood the bear and about ten -feet below him on a ledge sticking out from the rocks was -Beartooth. Behind the bear the boys noticed that the -rocks continued to rise and they figured that they had -come upon almost a dead end. Beartooth, Naltan figured, -had reached the dead end and panic-stricken because of -the bear, had either fallen or jumped to the ledge. For -the moment he was safe, for the bear did not want to -chance jumping to the ledge and there was no way that -he could climb down. Suddenly he turned to the side and -calmly walked around and down beside the wall until -he was once again on the forest floor. He trotted to a spot -directly beneath where the boy lay and studied the situation, -trying to figure a way to get at this thing that had -invaded the privacy of his forest at a time when he had -been almost mad with hunger.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_238">238</div> -<p>The wind was blowing into the faces of the boys so -they knew for the time being they were safe because the -bear could not smell them, but if the wind should shift -they would then be in trouble, for the bear would turn -his attention to them. This also gave them time to think -and work out a plan. Suddenly Ceysoda touched Naltan’s -shoulder.</p> -<p>“My brother,” he said, “he moved. Beartooth moved; -he is alive. We must do something.” “Yes,” said Naltan, -“for in his present situation he might fall from the ledge -and then it would be all over. If we can somehow drive -the bear off, we could then rescue Beartooth and return to -the village.”</p> -<p>“That is a good idea, Naltan, but tell me, friend, how -do we get Beartooth off the ledge once we have chased -the bear away, if we can chase him away?”</p> -<p>This was a serious problem, for the boys had nothing -they could use as a rope and, besides, Naltan could for -the moment think of no way to get rid of the bear.</p> -<p>Just then the boys noticed Beartooth moving again, -but this time he rolled even closer to the ledge. Without -thinking, Ceysoda stood straight up and shouted at Beartooth. -“Look out, Beartooth, you are right at the edge of -the ledge. Look out, you will fall.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_239">239</div> -<p>Then Ceysoda realized what he had done, and he stood -frozen as the bear turned and raising himself on his hind -legs, emitting a terrible growl, started for the boys. Ceysoda’s -shouts had roused Beartooth and he worked his -way back from the edge of the ledge close to the wall and -safety. Meanwhile the bear was increasing his speed -toward the two boys. The boys stood almost frozen with -fear, but suddenly they were able to shake off the paralysis -that had gripped them, and both boys drew their -rustic spears in front of them to await the charge of the -bear who was coming ever closer.</p> -<p>Naltan stepped slightly in front of Ceysoda in order to -take the brunt of the attack, but Ceysoda would have -none of it and edged up right next to Naltan. By this -time the bear was almost upon them and with a terrifying -snarl came rushing the last few yards.</p> -<p>Naltan and Ceysoda, with the ends of the spears -jammed into the ground held fast as the bear rushed -right into the sharp points. The bear stopped in his tracks -as if suddenly he had forgotten something and then with -an agonizing snarl fell over dead, the two spears protruding -from his body. Immediately Naltan and Ceysoda ran -forward to the base of the ledge. Climbing to the top -above Beartooth, the boys cut a long stout staff and -lowered the end to Beartooth who grasped it and was -pulled to safety. Then swiftly the three boys started for -the village. On the way, each in turn told their story.</p> -<p>First Beartooth told of how he had run away and how -he had been chased to the top of the rock formation by -the bear and, in trying to avoid him, had fallen. The two -boys told how they had followed Beartooth to bring him -back and of their coming upon the bear and their narrow -escape.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_240">240</div> -<p>When they reached the warmth and security of their -village again, Naltan and Ceysoda went with Beartooth -to his wigwam and there assured him that they had no -desire to punish him in any way for his trickery of that -morning. “What you did was wrong, but what has happened -to you today we firmly believe is punishment -enough. Let us forget the incidents of this day. We are -still friends and friends we must remain, for only through -unity and friendship will we grow into strong good -Oneida warriors.”</p> -<p>Beartooth smiled and thanked his two friends, and he -continued to smile as Naltan and Ceysoda walked off -arm in arm toward their homes and large suppers that -awaited the returning heroes.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_241">241</div> -<h2 id="c37"><span class="h2line1">LITTLE THUNDERBIRD TELLS THE TRUTH</span></h2> -<p>The Blackfoot tribe was on the move. The buffalo had -begun to search for new pasture. So the tribe had packed -all its tepees on the travois and were moving to follow -the herd. Their lives depended upon these prairie beasts, -and they did not dare to be too far from them. For two -days the herd moved until it found enough grass and -water, and then it milled around and started to graze. -How long or how short a time they would stay in this -new place, no one knew; but here the tribe must make -its camp until the buffalo forced them to move again.</p> -<p>As soon as his family’s tepee was set up, Little Thunderbird -wandered off in search of some excitement. He -was a Blackfoot lad who seemed to be able to get into -trouble no matter where he was—like the day he cut the -string on his father’s bow, or the day he burned a hole -in his mother’s new dress. These are only samples of the -kinds of mischief Thunderbird got himself into. So today -he planned to stay far from his home until mealtime and -in that way keep out of trouble.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_242">242</div> -<p>Skipping through the village, he saw some of his friends -throwing stones to see who could throw the farthest, and -he ran up to them to ask if he could play. His friends told -him to get in line and wait his turn. Soon he was throwing -stones along with the other children. After they had -played this game for a while, the children decided to play -Follow the Leader. There was a great deal of talk about -who would be leader for the game. Finally, one of the -older boys was chosen, and he led off by dodging -through a rack of drying buffalo meat.</p> -<p>After everyone had run through the rack, the leader -headed for the strings of ponies which were picketed -out on the edge of the village. Here he ducked under the -lines of many ponies that reared and whinnied from -fright as the shouting youths leaped past them one after -another. This kept on until one of the braves who was -guarding the ponies chased the boys back into the village. -The leader ran over boulders, danced between tepees, -and did many other stunts which each boy repeated until -finally the leader sat down, tired out. All the other boys -admitted they were tired, too, and the group sat around -talking about their fathers’ great deeds.</p> -<p>Soon it was Little Thunderbird’s turn and he stood and -walked to the center of the circle, the way the big braves -did in council. Then he raised his hands for silence from -the group.</p> -<p>“My father is the greatest of Blackfoot warriors,” -Thunderbird began. “One day, while he was out on a -hunt with some other braves of the tribe, he spotted a -mountain lion. They were high in the hills and they had -been looking for some ponies that had strayed from the -herd. When my father saw the mountain lion, he spoke -with the other braves and they decided to kill the beast. -As you know, the mountain lion preys upon our pony -herds. By killing this one, that would be one less lion to -worry about. My father looked around the circle of -braves and asked who would go with him to kill the lion. -The braves talked a great deal and at last two of them -stepped forward and said that they would go.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_243">243</div> -<p>“Slowly the three men began the climb into the hills. -The lion had seen them coming and headed for higher -ground. But finally he came to a solid wall and could -climb no farther. My father stepped forward and drew -his bow and shot an arrow toward the lion. He missed -and the lion started toward him, snarling. The other -braves turned and ran for their lives. There was no time -to shoot another arrow, so my father drew his knife and -waited for the lion’s charge.</p> -<p>“The beast leaped, and my father caught the lion on -his knife. Again and again, he plunged the knife into the -lion. The fight ended quickly. The lion lay dead at my -father’s feet. My father had not even been scratched. -Dancing around his victim, my father cut the lion’s tail -off and placed it in his pouch. Then he caught up with -the other braves farther down the trail, and they continued -on the hunt for the ponies.</p> -<p>“After they found the ponies and brought them back -to the village, my father told the council of his brave -fight and held the tail of the lion on high for all to see. -For his courage, he was allowed to wear another feather -in his headdress. Now he is really a brave worthy of -honor from all. But the two who deserted him were cowards -and do not deserve to be members of our tribe.”</p> -<p>When Little Thunderbird had finished, he seated himself -in the circle once again. He was proud of the way the -other boys listened to his story and the way they talked -of his father as a great brave. Little Thunderbird enjoyed -the attention he was getting, but in his heart he was -troubled. He had made up the whole story. There was -no truth at all in it. Then the test came.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_244">244</div> -<p>“Take us to see the lion’s tail, Little Thunderbird,” -one of the boys said. “We want to see the lion’s tail.” -And the rest of the boys took up the cry.</p> -<p>Now what was Little Thunderbird to do? But he decided -to bluff it out anyway. He led the boys to his -father’s tepee. When they got there, he searched hurriedly -for something that looked like a lion’s tail. But he -could not find anything. The boys began to get angry.</p> -<p>“You lied to us, Little Thunderbird,” one of them said. -“Your father never killed a lion, and he is not the greatest -brave in the tribe!”</p> -<p>The other boys agreed. They ran out, leaving Little -Thunderbird standing at the entrance to his father’s -tepee. Suddenly, Little Thunderbird felt very much alone. -In the next few days, he began to feel even more lonely -because the other boys would not play with him or speak -to him. This went on, until one day Little Thunderbird -refused to leave the tepee. His mother asked him if he -felt sick, and he told her he was “just a little tired.” But -Little Thunderbird’s mother knew that something must -be wrong and so she talked with her husband about it.</p> -<p>“I know what is wrong, my dear wife. My friends have -told me of Little Thunderbird’s tale to the other boys -one day about the brave deed of his father, the greatest -warrior the Blackfoot have ever known. When they asked -Little Thunderbird to prove the story, he could not. He -had lied to his friends and his conscience is punishing -him.”</p> -<p>“But can’t you help him?” the boy’s mother pleaded.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_245">245</div> -<p>“There is nothing I can do. Many moons ago I taught -my son the strength of truth. He does not have to lie -now. If he is not proud of his father, let him say so. I am -not ashamed that I have not done something great and -have not done something very brave. I have done no more -and no less than most of the braves of the tribe. Surely I -am not the greatest warrior in the tribe, and I have never -given Little Thunderbird any reason to say that I am. -The boys will not make fun of him if he tells the truth. -They know that their fathers are like me. The boys will -probably praise him if he admits that he lied.”</p> -<p>Little Thunderbird lay just inside the tepee and had -heard his father speaking with his mother. Rising from -his bed, he ran out of the tepee and headed through the -village to find his friends. His parents understood and -did not try to call him back. Finally, he found them, -once again seated in a council circle like the men of the -tribe. When they saw him coming, the tallest arose from -his place and stopped Little Thunderbird before he could -reach the circle.</p> -<p>“What is it you want here, teller of lies?” he asked -angrily. “We do not want you for a friend. Go from this -place. There is none here that you could call a friend.”</p> -<p>“Wait, let me speak,” Little Thunderbird begged. “I -have something important to say and I want to be heard.”</p> -<p>“All right, speak,” the tall lad said, “but be brief—and -none of your lies!”</p> -<p>Little Thunderbird stepped to the center of the circle. -He was about to raise his arms for silence as he had done -before, but he thought better of it and waited until the -boys were quiet once again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_246">246</div> -<p>“The last time I stood before you I told you of my -father’s brave deed in fighting a mountain lion.” The boys -began to laugh, but Little Thunderbird went on. “I lied -to you. My father is a brave man but he has never had -to fight a mountain lion. My father taught me to tell -the truth when I was very young. He trusted that I would, -and I have broken that trust. But I have learned my -lesson. Lies can bring nothing but hurt to the liar and -to all who trust him. If we speak with a straight tongue, -our friends will believe in us and trust us. I ask you now -to trust me. I will never lie again. Your friendship means -too much to me.”</p> -<p>The tall boy rose from the circle. The other boys -watched him closely to see what he would do. Everyone -was very quiet.</p> -<p>“Here truly is a brave Blackfoot,” the tall boy said. -“It took real courage for Little Thunderbird to come -before this council and admit he was wrong.” He paused -and looked at Little Thunderbird. “I offer you my hand in -friendship once again. Come, take your place in the -council.”</p> -<p>Little Thunderbird smiled and took his place. A short -distance from the circle, a tall brave smiled, too. Little -Thunderbird’s father had been sure to speak loudly so -that his voice would be heard by the young boy inside the -tepee.</p> -<hr /> -<blockquote> -<p>Based on an idea from a story told to the author by Mr. Walter -Elliott.</p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_247">247</div> -<h2 id="c38"><span class="h2line1">THE PRIZE NO ONE COULD SEE</span></h2> -<p>The dawn came slowly as the sun tried to fight its way -through the mist that hung in the valleys. The spring had -been cool, and for nearly a moon rain had been drenching -the ground. By midmorning, the sun had burned away the -haze, and its rays beat down upon the little Kickapoo -village, warming and drying everything that had been wet -and cold for so long.</p> -<p>When Little Snapping Turtle walked from his father’s -wigwam and saw the bright sun and the blue skies, he -called to his father who was still inside.</p> -<p>“Father, father, come here! See, the sun has won. The -storm clouds have run from the battle with the sun. Once -again we have light and warmth. Is this not a good reason -for a celebration?”</p> -<p>“Yes, my son, it is reason enough for you and your -friends to celebrate. But we should be glad for the rain -we have had because it makes the forest green and gives -the streams new strength and makes the lakes rise so that -all the animals may drink. Of course, it has also kept the -young braves in their houses, so now that the sun is out -again we should have a celebration.”</p> -<p>“What shall we do, father? Can we go on a hunt or a -fishing trip? Can we, father?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_248">248</div> -<p>“No, my son, there is not time for that yet. Now that -the sun is with us again, there is much gardening to do -right here in the village. But late this afternoon we shall -have a race to see who has lost the most speed during this -lazy vacation. Go to the other young braves in the tribe -and tell them that I, Big Snapping Turtle, Medicine Man -of the Kickapoo tribe, will give a fine belt and knife as a -prize to the young brave who wins the race this afternoon.”</p> -<p>“What kind of a race will it be, father?”</p> -<p>“Oh, it would not be fair to tell you, my young son, -for then you would have an advantage over the other -young braves. Just spread the news and this afternoon we -will gather in the meadow for the race.”</p> -<p>Eagerly Little Snapping Turtle ran to tell all the young -boys to gather in the meadow north of the village late -in the afternoon for a race. He also told them about the -prize that any young brave would want. Most of the boys -he talked to were working hard in the gardens to make -up for time lost during the rain. But they stopped long -enough to listen excitedly to the news Little Snapping -Turtle brought. All of them said they would be there, and -then went back to work. The rain had been good for the -seed, but it had also been good for the weeds. When Little -Snapping Turtle got back home, he went to work cheerfully -with his father in their garden to clear out the weeds.</p> -<p>Finally the time neared for the big contest, and the -young boys began to gather in the meadow. Soon every -boy in the village was present, and Big Snapping Turtle -stepped to the front to explain the rules.</p> -<p>He first gave each boy a small container made of birch -bark. After this had been done, Big Snapping Turtle -signaled for all to be quiet.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_249">249</div> -<p>“A quarter of a mile from here there are several small -lakes,” he said. “In one of those lakes, as you know, -there are some very small fish. Each of you has a container. -At the signal you will run to that lake and trap a -small fish. Making sure to keep the fish in the container, -you will run back to the meadow. The first boy to return -with a fish still alive in the container will win the race. -Then after the prize has been awarded, we will put all the -fish you caught into the stream that runs through our -village so that they can swim to the great lake to the -south.”</p> -<p>The boys waited impatiently for the signal. When it -was given, they shouted and laughed as they raced toward -the lake that held the small fish. Little Snapping Turtle -soon was far ahead of the other young boys. When he -reached the lake shore, he waded knee deep into the lake -and placed his container halfway under and then stood -perfectly still, waiting for the curious little fish to swim -into the trap.</p> -<p>As he stood there quietly, peering at the sandy bottom, -several of the others arrived and began to follow his lead. -Soon there were fifteen or twenty of them spread out -near the shore standing motionless waiting for the fish. -Now and then a boy would shout that he had made a -catch only to find that the fish had escaped.</p> -<p>Finally patience rewarded Little Snapping Turtle. With -a flick of his wrist, Little Snapping Turtle scooped his -container into the water. When he looked into it, he -discovered that he had trapped two fish instead of one. -Quickly he waded toward shore and he saw that two boys -had also trapped their fish and were on the way back to -the meadow. He stopped only a moment to tear a large -leaf from a plant that grew along the lake shore. Then -he wrapped it tightly over the mouth of the container and -started running again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_250">250</div> -<p>The two boys were running swiftly ahead of him along -the trail, each with a container in his hand. Suddenly, -one of the boys slipped and fell and his container and -fish went flying off into the brush. Now only one boy, -Crying Hawk, stood between Little Snapping Turtle and -victory. Using all the strength he had, he began to catch -up with the young boy ahead of him.</p> -<p>As he began to pass Crying Hawk, he noticed that the -boy was limping. Looking at the boy’s feet, he saw that -Crying Hawk’s moccasins were loose, and he guessed that -a pebble must have fallen into one of them. The boy -stopped to take the pebble out. As he did, Little Snapping -Turtle sped by him. Turning to look at Crying Hawk, -Little Snapping Turtle found that the boy had just sat -down and was crying. He stopped and went back to him.</p> -<p>“What is the trouble, Crying Hawk?” Little Snapping -Turtle asked kindly.</p> -<p>“I thought that for once I could win a game and own -a new knife and belt. But a pebble has cut my foot, and -I cannot hope to win now. I was lucky enough to catch -my fish first and I thought that I had a good head start. -But as it always has happened, an accident will make me -lose the race. I will never be a winner. Don’t wait for me, -Little Snapping Turtle. If you stay with me any longer, -the other boys will catch up with you.”</p> -<p>Then Little Snapping Turtle remembered that Crying -Hawk had never won any contest. He was a little slower -than the other boys, and not so skilled as many of them. -He, Little Snapping Turtle, had won many contests and -many prizes. Quickly he took off his own new doeskin -moccasins and slipped them onto Crying Hawk’s feet.</p> -<p>“These will protect your feet,” he told Crying Hawk. -“Run quickly now, for you still have a chance. Take my -container, too. I have sealed a leaf tightly over the top -and little water will spill. Today you will win the race.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_251">251</div> -<p>Crying Hawk started to complain, but Little Snapping -Turtle silenced him. He pulled the other boy to his feet -and, shoving the container into his hand, sent him on -his way. With the new moccasins, the boy ran more easily -and soon was out of sight. Little Snapping Turtle picked -up Crying Hawk’s container and put his feet into the ill-fitting -moccasins. He trotted slowly after Crying Hawk, -keeping just far enough behind to make sure the boy -would win.</p> -<p>He heard several pairs of feet moving swiftly along the -trail just in back of him. From here to the meadow, the -trail narrowed and only one boy could use it at one time. -So Little Snapping Turtle kept his slow pace and kept the -others from passing Crying Hawk. Little Snapping Turtle -could see the clearing now and he sped toward the -meadow. There he saw Crying Hawk standing proudly -next to Little Snapping Turtle’s father. He ran up to -Crying Hawk.</p> -<p>“Say nothing of what happened on the trail,” he -whispered. “You have run a good race, Crying Hawk.”</p> -<p>Soon all the boys were back and the inspection of the -containers began. When Big Snapping Turtle had seen all -of them, he stepped to the front and declared Crying -Hawk the winner. Everyone cheered as the boy received -the knife and belt from the smiling Medicine Man. Then -they all started back toward the village to place the fish -in the stream and then go home.</p> -<p>As Little Snapping Turtle and his father walked along -the trail, the Medicine Man asked, “Where did you get -that container, my son?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_252">252</div> -<p>Little Snapping Turtle blushed as he looked up at his -father, but his father smiled. “It is well, my son. I knew -each container that I had given out and at the end of the -race you did not have the one you had started with. I -also noticed the beautiful moccasins that Crying Hawk -was wearing. I discovered, too, how big my son’s heart -really is. Today you lost a race, but the happiness you -won is the best possible prize.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_253">253</div> -<h2 id="c39"><span class="h2line1">THE MYSTERIOUS PONY RAIDERS</span></h2> -<p>Among the American Indians truth was respected as -most sacred. Parents took great pains to teach their children -that above all else, a good Indian was one who had -honor and spoke nothing but the truth, or, as the Indians -would say, spoke with a straight tongue. It is about the -power of truth that this story is told.</p> -<p>The Blackfoot Indians were a wandering tribe of the -Western plains. Their very lives depended upon the great -buffalo herds. From the buffalo meat and hides, the -Blackfeet were able to get their food, skins for clothing, -and their tepees; and from the head, horns, and tail, -decorations for costume and headdress.</p> -<p>Blackfoot villages were always moving, since they -were set up near the grazing herds of buffalo. When the -herd moved, the whole tribe would tie its belongings -onto travois drawn by horses, and move with the buffalo -until the animals stopped once again to graze where there -was more prairie grass.</p> -<p>Young Deerfoot, the son of a great warrior of the -Blackfeet, Sleeping Bear, prided himself on being one of -the strongest of the tribe’s young braves. While growing -into young manhood, he had won many honors in his -tribe as a warrior and a great hunter. Blind Dog was -another young brave about Deerfoot’s age. The son of -Black Dog, he also had become quite famous among the -Blackfeet for his honors in war and hunting.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_254">254</div> -<p>Both young braves were guarding the tribe’s horses, -one very warm summer evening as the chiefs of the Blackfeet -were gathered in the center of the village around the -blazing campfires. The chiefs had met to talk of tribal -problems and to plan ahead for fall and winter. At this -time, life had been unusually peaceful on the plains. -There had been some horse stealing and a few occasional -skirmishes among small parties of raiders from different -tribes. Outside of that, there had not been much excitement.</p> -<p>As the chiefs sat around the fire, Blind Dog and Deerfoot -were taking their job of standing guard over the -horses very seriously. The quiet was broken by a noise off -to one side of the herd of horses. Deerfoot signaled -silently to Blind Dog to draw near so that they might -speak. When Blind Dog had reached Deerfoot’s side the -two crouched low behind the horses, and Deerfoot whispered -that he had heard a noise slightly to the west of the -herd.</p> -<p>The two braves crept forward on their hands and -knees, keeping the horses between themselves and whatever -had made the noise. The horses began moving -uneasily as the two young braves drew closer to the spot -from which the noise had come.</p> -<p>Deerfoot stopped abruptly. He slapped Blind Dog’s -shoulder and began to laugh. Not two paces from them -was a small mongrel dog which had wandered down -among the horses seeking a cool place in which to lie and -rest for a while. When Blind Dog saw what had amused -Deerfoot so much, he laughed too, because they had -been so alarmed by a dog.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_255">255</div> -<p>“If it were not so quiet tonight,” Deerfoot remarked, -“we would not have been so worried by anything so -unimportant as a puppy.”</p> -<p>“Yes,” Blind Dog agreed, “it has been much too quiet. -We have not had much excitement. Things have been -far too peaceful.”</p> -<p>“Do you wish to have a war on your hands, Blind -Dog?” Deerfoot asked with a smile.</p> -<p>“Well, it would be a very welcome change from horse -herd duty at night, and repairing bridles and broken -weapons in the daytime.”</p> -<p>“You are getting restless, my friend.” Deerfoot spoke -soberly now. “That is not good. When one gets restless, -one becomes careless. That can be dangerous.”</p> -<p>At first, Blind Dog refused to be serious. “Oh, do not -worry, Deerfoot. I may have become restless, but I will -never become careless.” Then he added gravely, “To -become careless even for a moment might mean death -to a warrior like myself. There is many a brave in other -tribes who would love to see my scalp hanging from his -tepee pole. But I like the feel of my scalp right where it -is. Anyway, nothing—not even a puppy—will ever catch -me off guard.”</p> -<p>“Do not be so sure of yourself, Blind Dog. Being so -sure can make any brave careless. You must always be -alert. It may seem too peaceful to us here now, but even -the quiet shadows of this very night could conceal our -enemies. As we sit here talking noisily about not being -careless, they could be stealing some of our best horses. -Let us go back to our guard posts so that we can watch -the herd as we should.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_256">256</div> -<p>Deerfoot and Blind Dog mounted their horses and -had started to circle the herd to see that nothing had -disturbed the horses. When they had finished checking -and had dismounted, Blind Dog complained that he felt -ill.</p> -<p>“Since we have just checked the herd and everything -is all right,” Deerfoot said, “why don’t you return to the -village, Blind Dog, and go to your tepee? It is almost time -for the other guards to take our places. I can stand guard -alone for that short time.”</p> -<p>Blind Dog said that he should not leave his friend, -but with Deerfoot’s urging, he finally agreed and walked -slowly back toward the village. Arriving at his tepee, he -found that his father must still be at the council meeting. -The night air had become chilly and he wrapped himself -in a warm buffalo robe and curled up in the corner of -the tepee. Blind Dog was just about to fall off to sleep -when he heard men shouting excitedly and horses snorting -and pounding their hoofs. He struggled out of the -robe and stepped outside of the tepee in time to see -several chieftains break from the council ring and head -toward the horses.</p> -<p>As they reached the edge of the herd, they called out -for the guard but there was no response. They called -again and again, but their only answer was the stomping -of horses and the frightened neighing of ponies. It was -very dark and it was some time before the chieftains -discovered that about six of their finest animals were -missing. Where were the guards, they wondered, and -how had the horses gotten loose? Then someone noticed -Blind Dog and called to him.</p> -<p>“Blind Dog, were you not on watch with Deerfoot? -What did you see? What happened? Who raided our -herd?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_257">257</div> -<p>Blind Dog looked at Great Owl and his father, Black -Dog, who stood waiting for his answer. Just then they -heard the clopping of a single pony’s hoofs. Peering into -the darkness, they could make out the figure of a lone -horseman riding wildly toward the standing group. As -the rider came nearer, Blind Dog saw that it was his -friend. Deerfoot jumped from his pony and stood, breathless -and bleeding, before the chieftains, waiting for silence -so that he could report what had happened. When everyone -was quiet, Deerfoot began his story. For the moment, -Blind Dog was forgotten.</p> -<p>“Blind Dog and I were on guard here at the horse -herd,” Deerfoot said, “when we heard a strange noise. -We found that it was only a stray dog that had wandered -down here to the horse herd. We went back to our guard -posts and settled down again, keeping careful watch.</p> -<p>“After some time had passed, I heard another noise -much like the dog had made so I did not pay any attention. -Suddenly, the horses became uneasy. When I went -to see what the trouble was, I was struck a blow on the -side of my head. It was not too hard a blow and only -made me a little dizzy. As I shook off the shadows from -my brain, I spotted a small group of warriors who were -cutting some of our best ponies loose from the herd. Then -I called for Blind Dog and started after the raiders. By -the time I had reached the place the raiders had been, -they were already heading back into the night, driving -several of our ponies before them. I quickly mounted a -pony and started to chase the thieves, but I lost them in -the darkness. Perhaps I was closer to them than I realized -because they let some of the stolen ponies go. I have been -able to round up some of the ponies, but I believe there -are still a few missing. I will mount up again and start -after them immediately.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_258">258</div> -<p>But Chief Great Owl stopped Deerfoot with a wave -of his hand and said, “No, Deerfoot, let some of the other -braves round them up. You are hurt and need rest. But -first we must speak with Blind Dog. Who has seen Blind -Dog?”</p> -<p>Without any hesitation, Blind Dog stepped from the -circle of braves and stood next to Deerfoot.</p> -<p>“You summoned me, Chief Great Owl?” he asked -politely.</p> -<p>“Blind Dog, were you on herd guard duty tonight with -Deerfoot?”</p> -<p>“Yes, Great Chief, I was.”</p> -<p>“When Deerfoot called you to assist him, why did you -not answer?”</p> -<p>“Because I was not where I could hear Deerfoot.”</p> -<p>“Where were you then?”</p> -<p>“When Deerfoot called for help, I was in my tepee just -about to go off to sleep.”</p> -<p>Great Owl glared at Blind Dog. “Do you mean that -you had left your guard post to sleep in your tepee, leaving -Deerfoot here alone to watch the herd?”</p> -<p>Black Dog waited for his son to answer. “Speak, my -son,” he pleaded. “Tell Great Owl that you did not desert -your friend and leave him alone on duty.”</p> -<p>“I am sorry, father, but what he says is true. I was -not at my guard post when the raiders came in the night. -I did neglect my duty and for that I shall take proper -punishment.”</p> -<p>“My son,” Black Dog said with great sorrow in his -voice, “do you know what you are saying? You are admitting -that you have shirked your duty. Is guarding the herd -not important to the whole tribe?”</p> -<p>“Yes, father, it is very important. I am ashamed of -what I have done.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_259">259</div> -<p>Great Owl ordered Blind Dog to be held under guard -until the council should decide his punishment.</p> -<p>Quietly, Blind Dog went with the guards. He glanced -back toward Deerfoot, but Deerfoot would not meet his -gaze. Dropping his head upon his chest, Blind Dog was -troubled that Deerfoot had avoided looking at him. He -was worried, too, about why Deerfoot had not told the -rest of the story—how Deerfoot had insisted that he go -to his tepee when he had felt ill. Then he guessed that -Deerfoot must have had a good reason, so Blind Dog -would not change his friend’s story unless he really had -to. He vowed, however, that he would try to speak with -Deerfoot and discover for himself just why Deerfoot had -not told them the whole story.</p> -<p>The tepee in which Blind Dog was held under guard -was close to the center of the village where the council -had met. Suddenly, he heard many voices talking excitedly -and realized that the council had gathered again. -What had been a calm council before had now become -an angry group of men seeking revenge upon the horse -stealers. He heard Deerfoot repeating his story and the -chieftains questioning him closely. Above all they wanted -to know of what tribe the raiders were members. Then he -could hear Deerfoot reply vaguely, “It was dark and I -was still confused from the blow upon my head. I would -not want to accuse any tribe unless I were sure. But who -could be this close to us?”</p> -<p>Many of the chiefs shook their heads in doubt, but -Sleeping Bear rose to plead for war, repeating by his own -son’s account of the stealing of fine horses by a neighboring -tribe.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_260">260</div> -<p>Crouched in the tepee, Blind Dog realized now why -Deerfoot had not told the complete story. Rushing to the -entrance of the tepee, he begged the guards to take him -before Chief Great Owl and the council. One of the -guards ran to the council and reported the prisoner’s -mysterious request. Chief Great Owl said that Blind Dog -should be permitted to enter the council ring and speak -to the council.</p> -<p>With head held high, Blind Dog stepped to the center -of the ring and gazed around at the unfriendly eyes which -peered at him from faces of stone. Finally Blind Dog -spoke.</p> -<p>“Since I was but a tiny boy holding tightly to my -father’s hand so that I would not stumble, I have been -taught to respect the property of others. I have -been taught to honor my parents and the elders of our -tribe. I have been taught to learn well the many things -a good brave should learn. Above all, I have learned the -power of truth.</p> -<p>“My father has told me many times that I would never -gain by telling a lie. I have seen the truth of this often. -Now, more strongly than ever, I see the power that truth -can have. I wondered a while ago why Deerfoot had not -told the whole story, but now I know.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_261">261</div> -<p>“Yes, we were on guard duty together, as he told you, -and we did hear a noise after that of the dog. We circled -the herd to see that all was well. Upon returning to our -starting place, I told Deerfoot that I was not feeling well. -I had suddenly become chilled and sick to my stomach. -Deerfoot reminded me that it was almost time for us to -be relieved, but that I should go immediately to my -tepee to rest. He said that he would be glad to stand -guard alone. I realized that what I did then was wrong, -but I felt so sick that I followed Deerfoot’s suggestion -and went to my father’s tepee. There I rolled myself in a -buffalo blanket and lay in pain for some time until I, too, -heard Deerfoot’s shouts and the hoofbeats of the horses -running away from our camp.</p> -<p>“I, too, rushed to the herd and reached there a short -time before most of you. I looked around quickly for -signs that would show how many raiders there had been. -But oh, Great Chieftain, there were no tracks of any -ponies other than our own.</p> -<p>“Deerfoot has used this story to try to arouse our tribe -to a war. He thirsts for the excitement that fighting -would bring him. Now I am sure that Deerfoot ran those -ponies off himself in order to cause a war between our -tribe and our nearest neighbors. If I am lying now, -punish me doubly; but if I am right, let the punishment -fall where it belongs, even upon my friend.”</p> -<p>Great Owl rose and called upon Deerfoot to defend -himself. All eyes were turned in his direction as Deerfoot -rose to face Blind Dog.</p> -<p>“Oh, Great Chief,” said Deerfoot, “all that Blind Dog -has told you is true. I sent him from the herd and I ran -the ponies off into the night. I made the wound that you -see on my head. We had no raiders in our camp tonight. -Blind Dog has just taught me the true meaning of loyalty -to my tribe.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_262">262</div> -<p>“The fact that he was placed under guard and was to -be punished made little difference to him. But when he -discovered that my plan was to hurt more than him and -me, he spoke out for what he believed was the truth. -Yes, I had hoped to force our tribe into war. I hoped -that I might be honored for bravery in war, even though -I would sacrifice the honor and friendship of my boyhood -companion, Blind Dog, and many of our braves might -be killed in useless fighting. To make myself once again -a man in Blind Dog’s sight, let me repeat his words. -‘I am ashamed of what I have done.’ Let the council -punish me so that I will not forget again the sacredness -of truth and friendship and loyalty to my tribe.”</p> -<hr /> -<blockquote> -<p>The incident around which this story is woven was told to the -author by Sam Carpin, trapper, hunter, and former member of the -Butte, Montana, Police Force.</p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_263">263</div> -<h2 id="c40"><span class="h2line1">THE CANOE RACE</span></h2> -<p>Long Bow for many moons had been the champion of -the canoe racers in the Ottawa village and had accepted -every challenge that had ever come his way.</p> -<p>From the time he was a young boy he had spent many -hours upon the waters of the great lake practicing his -canoeing until he felt there wasn’t another boy in the -tribe that could come at all close to beating him in a fair -race.</p> -<p>Soon the great hunt was upon them, and the warriors -gathered their weapons and headed north to hunt the -elusive deer. Whenever they went off on these hunts Black -Rock, a short husky young warrior, always could be seen -as the constant companion of Long Bow.</p> -<p>As the hunting party trotted along the woodland trail -getting farther and farther from the village, Black Rock -and Long Bow would hold conversation in sentences with -very few words.</p> -<p>“I think we will have a good hunt, Long Bow.”</p> -<p>“Yes, Black Rock, for the signs of deer in this area are -many.”</p> -<p>“We have had a good year, and if the gods bless us we -will have another good year.”</p> -<p>“Soon the winter will be upon us and we must wait a -long time for the spring.”</p> -<p>“Long Bow, you speak of the winter when here it is -just late spring.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_264">264</div> -<p>“It will be a long summer for me.”</p> -<p>“Why so, friend Long Bow?”</p> -<p>“It used to be that during the summer when we held -our games and contests there would be excitement and -thrills.”</p> -<p>“Are there still not excitement and thrills for you?”</p> -<p>“Black Rock, my friend, I have become so skilled that -there are none left in our tribe who give me any competition.”</p> -<p>“That is not a wise way to talk, Long Bow. One must -never set himself above all others; that can be said only -by the council.”</p> -<p>As they continued along the trail, Black Rock said no -more to his friend, and Long Bow did not seem concerned -that his friend offered no more conversation.</p> -<p>Soon they both forgot about the talk, for the hunting -party had begun to split up in search of the game. For -the next few hours the party made many fine shots and -then it was time to return to the village.</p> -<p>Each of the two braves had a fine buck strung upon a -pole between them as they walked easily along the trail -homeward. Once again Black Rock and Long Bow were -a team.</p> -<p>Now the excitement of the hunt was over and the -catch was good, and all the braves were feeling very good -about their success. And so as a result there was much -talk and laughing and joking about the misses and successful -shots. Long Bow noticed that Black Rock was -especially quiet as they walked along the trail.</p> -<p>“Black Rock, my friend, what makes your tongue so -still? You have made a fine kill this day and there will be -much fresh meat for the village, yet you walk with a -heavy step and your voice is still.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_265">265</div> -<p>“I am silent for a good reason, Long Bow my friend, -for I fear that if I speak my heart will speak rather than -my lips.”</p> -<p>Long Bow said nothing for a long while, trying to -figure out what Black Rock meant by such a statement. -Finally the leader of the hunt called a halt and the warriors -placed their heavy burdens upon the ground and -seated themselves under the shade trees to rest and drink -of the water pouches before the journey homeward.</p> -<p>As Black Rock and Long Bow sat beneath a tree, -Long Bow chanced a question of his friend.</p> -<p>“What did you mean, friend Black Rock, that your -heart would speak rather than your lips?”</p> -<p>“As we approached the hunting grounds, my friend, -you said that your summer would not be enjoyable because -there was no competition for you. Would the fact -that you are among your people not give you joy enough? -Must there always be competition or contests to make -your blood run fast?”</p> -<p>“Black Rock, you are one who can be contented with -every-day living in our village. I cannot, and the yearly -games and contests I have always looked forward to -with great anticipation; but for the past three years there -has been no competition among the braves, especially in -the king of contests, the canoe race. Eagerly the young -braves have met me on the lake, but I am so skilled that -no one has been able to come even close to winning in -the canoe race.”</p> -<p>“This is not a good way to feel, friend Long Bow, so -I guess it is time that someone told you so. I, Black -Rock, will challenge you upon the lake and then we shall -see if there is no competition left in the village.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_266">266</div> -<p>Now Long Bow had never raced against his friend -Black Rock, for Black Rock had never entered the canoe -race, leaving the glory to his friend Long Bow. He also -knew that Black Rock was considered a good man in a -canoe but not good enough to defeat the great Long Bow.</p> -<p>“Then this is a challenge, friend Black Rock?”</p> -<p>“Yes, Long Bow, when the moon is full, on the following -dawn we shall man our canoes on the great blue -water. We shall race and see who best handles the canoe.”</p> -<p>Long Bow laughed. “Oh, Black Rock, are you serious? -Do you really think that you can beat your friend Long -Bow in a canoe race?”</p> -<p>“I do not know, Long Bow, but someone has to try.”</p> -<p>The leader called, and the men picked up their burdens -and continued on their way home.</p> -<p>In the days that followed, whenever Long Bow had -no work to do he could be found out on the lake paddling -up and down the shore line practicing hard for the -coming event. Black Rock on the other hand very rarely -would be seen in a canoe unless he were fishing or -trapping.</p> -<p>Word had spread swiftly through the village about the -canoe race, and the excitement was growing as each -night the moon appeared more full. Finally the moon -was full and that night there was a great celebration in -the camp in preparation for the big event.</p> -<p>Many of the braves were making wagers as to who -would win, and there even were some hot words; but the -men realized that this was to be a friendly challenge. -Suddenly one of the braves realized that Black Rock was -nowhere to be seen. This was unheard of the night -before a great contest and they looked high and low but -could find no trace of him. Finally one of the men -thought to ask his wife who had been sitting quietly off -to one side.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_267">267</div> -<p>“He has taken a walk before retiring. He said that he -wished to be alone this night.”</p> -<p>Black Rock was alone. He had walked to a small glen -a short way from the camp, and there if one had come -he would have seen a young warrior kneeling talking to -someone although no other person could be seen.</p> -<p>“O, Great Manitou, who guides the lives of all red -men, give me strength tomorrow to wield a strong and -sure paddle. Carry my canoe swiftly across the waters -and on to victory. Not for the glory that it will bring me -but to wipe from the heart of my friend Long Bow his -feeling that he is above the other men of the tribe. If he -can be made to see right again, as a good Ottawa brave -should, this is all that I ask.”</p> -<p>When he had finished Black Rock rose and returned -to his home. The celebrating was still going on, but -quietly Black Rock said good-night to his wife and -wrapped himself in his blanket and was soon asleep. He -had been troubled, but his walk and his prayer had eased -his mind, for now he knew that it rested with the great -spirits.</p> -<p>The following day dawned bright and clear, and before -the sun had risen very far in the heavens the lake shore -was crowded with eager spectators waiting for the start -of the race.</p> -<p>The rules were outlined to the two warriors and then -each took his position along the shore, standing in their -respective canoes. About a mile down the shore of the -lake a warrior stood with a gayly colored coup stick. This -was the point which would indicate the finish line. The -signal was given, and the two men bent to the task.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_268">268</div> -<p>The crowd cheered as the two canoes sped down the -shore line, neither one getting far ahead before the other -would pull alongside. As they neared the finish line, the -watchers on the shore could see the muscles of the two -men striving in their backs and shoulders.</p> -<p>Finally the finish line was just a few yards away, and -with a mighty surge, Black Rock drove his canoe across -the finish line first.</p> -<p>There was a mixed chorus of groans and cheers as the -men returned to the starting point and beached their -canoes. The crowd milled around Black Rock as he -stepped ashore, but he raised his arms for silence.</p> -<p>“Long Bow has lost the race this day, but let no man -say that he is not a good man with the canoe; for there -are none among us who to this day have been able to -defeat him. I shake the hand of my brother Long Bow -and to him I say, it was a great race and I have won, but -it was a close race and if we raced again I might not be -so lucky.”</p> -<p>“No, Black Rock, it was not luck this day that won -the race, but rather a strong back being helped by a true -loyal heart. I know now why you challenged me and I -could not have won if you had tied one hand behind your -back. I have been selfish and ungrateful for the many -friends and good things that have been showered upon -me. I have lost this battle of the canoes, but it has helped -me win a battle with myself. I thank you, Black Rock, -for bringing a straying warrior once again into the camp -of good Ottawas.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_269">269</div> -<h2 id="c41"><span class="h2line1">STANDING FAWN MAKES A DOLL</span></h2> -<p>When the excitement was over in Flying Arrow’s wigwam -and all the Shawnee had returned to their own -homes to sit and talk of the birth of a new son to Flying -Arrow, Standing Fawn, daughter to Flying Arrow, wandered -off from the wickiup to think about this thing that -had happened.</p> -<p>Until this day, little Standing Fawn had been the -center of attention in the home of her mother and father -and also when they went to visit friends; but now a new -baby boy had been born, and everyone was very excited. -When Standing Fawn had come running to tell her -mother how she had helped her grandmother to dry -rabbit skins and to make furry ropes for blankets her -mother had said how nice that was, but went right back -to taking care of the little boy Indian that now held the -place of honor in the home of Flying Arrow.</p> -<p>This Standing Fawn could not understand, but for the -time being she did not think about it any more but went -to join the other girls that were gathering nuts. The girls -had to hurry so that they gathered enough nuts for the -tribal families before the squirrels got them all.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_270">270</div> -<p>The walnut and butternut hulls were used for dyeing -quills and so many, many nuts had to be gathered that -soon the baskets were bulging with these and beechnuts, -hazelnuts, and hickory nuts. When the task was over -Standing Fawn returned home to her father and mother -and her little brother.</p> -<p>As she entered the wickiup she could hear her mother -singing softly to the new baby. There against the wall -was the carrying case for the baby which Standing Fawn -had helped her mother to make. That was fun working -with her mother, but now mother was busy with the new -baby and so Standing Fawn felt that she was no longer -loved.</p> -<p>After supper, she crawled into her warm blankets and -was soon asleep, but she awakened a short time later as -the new baby cried for food. The crying continued until -he was fed and then Standing Fawn was asleep once -again.</p> -<p>For many weeks there was a great deal of work to be -done with the new baby in the house, and Standing Fawn -found that more and more she was asked to carry on the -duties that her mother had done before this time.</p> -<p>When friends came to visit, they still had a smile and -warm pat on the head for Standing Fawn, but most of -the attention was given to her little brother, or so it -seemed to Standing Fawn.</p> -<p>One night the little baby was very restless and did a -lot of crying. Standing Fawn did not sleep well that night -and in the morning when she rose to stir the coals for -the morning fire and prepare to cook the breakfast she -was feeling very cross. Her mother called to her from the -wickiup.</p> -<p>“Standing Fawn, will you go to the stream and fetch -some fresh water and heat it for me, please?”</p> -<p>“Yes, mother, I will go, but I am so tired,” Standing -Fawn heard herself answer. “Today I would like to go -to grandmother’s to help her with the quills if I may.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_271">271</div> -<p>“But, Standing Fawn, I need your help here today.”</p> -<p>“I want to go to grandmother’s today.”</p> -<p>“All right, Standing Fawn, you may go to grandmother’s -today. I will manage alone.”</p> -<p>So after Standing Fawn had fetched the water she -skipped merrily on her way to join her grandmother who -was busy this winter in making fancy quill work upon -moccasins and leggings, knife sheaths, and anything else -that needed bright decoration.</p> -<p>“Welcome, Standing Fawn, you have not been to see -your grandmother for a long time. I was beginning to -think that you had forgotten old Granny.”</p> -<p>“No, grandmother, it is just that with the new baby I -have been kept so busy that I have not been able to leave -home for very long at all. I wish the new boy had never -come to our home.” With that Standing Fawn kicked her -foot at some soft rabbit hides that lay on the floor of the -wickiup, more angry at herself than anything else.</p> -<p>“Now, now,” said her grandmother. “That is no way -to feel, especially about a little boy who was not able to -choose whether he would come to the house of your -father or not. He is very small and he does not understand -if you are angry with him, but he does understand love -and attention.”</p> -<p>“Yes, grandmother, and he is getting plenty of that -from everyone who comes to our house. Since he has -come I have been very unhappy, and I shouldn’t be -unhappy, should I, grandmother?”</p> -<p>“No, Standing Fawn, that is not the right feeling to -have in your heart. Let me explain something to you as -best I can.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_272">272</div> -<p>“When you were born your father was disappointed, -for you were a girl and he had hoped so for a warrior -son, but he loved you as much as if you were a boy; for, -as your mother said to him, your daughter will bear many -sons. Your parents loved you and cherished you and did -everything they could to make your life a happy and -pleasant one. When your mother was heavy with child -you were a great help to her around the wickiup. When -your brother was born, there was much excitement in -the village, for it was a boy and now your father had a -warrior son and a beautiful daughter.</p> -<p>“For this he was very thankful and went to the hills -to thank the great spirit for blessing his home so. When -he returned there was great rejoicing once again just as -there was when you were born, but then the work started -just as when you were born, and your mother had no -one to help her when you were a very small baby, but -now she had you and she depends a great deal upon you -to help her with your little brother. Soon he will be big -and strong and you will be very proud to be called his -sister. But now he is small and needs your love and -attention.”</p> -<p>“I understand, grandmother, and I have been a very -foolish girl. I will try to make up to my brother for this -feeling I have had in my heart that is bad.”</p> -<p>“I am glad, granddaughter, to hear you say that. Now -you had best run along, for your mother will be needing -help this day.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_273">273</div> -<p>“Yes, my grandmother, but first I have something I -must do.” So Standing Fawn strolled off to a corner of -her grandmother’s wickiup and there she gathered some -items into her lap and began working busily at something. -Soon it was finished and she rose and saying good-bye to -her grandmother, walked back to her own wickiup. Her -mother was busy preparing supper, for the project Standing -Fawn worked on had taken most of the day.</p> -<p>“Well, my daughter, did you have a nice day with your -grandmother?”</p> -<p>“Oh yes, mother, a very nice day.” Standing Fawn was -sure to keep her hands behind her back so that her -mother could not see what she held.</p> -<p>Finally she excused herself and ran into the wickiup. -There where he usually hung was her baby brother in his -cradleboard, warm and sleeping. To the large cradle loop -above his head, Standing Fawn hung a dainty little doll, -all dressed in buckskin, that she had been so busy making -that day. Next to the doll she placed a very small bow -and arrows and tiny moccasins. Just at that moment her -father entered the wickiup.</p> -<p>“See, father, what I have made for my little brother, -who will one day be a great warrior. When he sees this -doll it will make him want to run fast and shoot straight -and carry himself as a warrior should.”</p> -<p>As Standing Fawn talked her mother had entered and -was standing next to her father.</p> -<p>Flying Arrow motioned for his daughter to come to -him and then kneeling on the ground and placing his -hands upon his daughter’s shoulders he said:</p> -<p>“Surely, my daughter, if he were not destined to be a -great warrior he would not be blessed with such a fine and -beautiful sister. I am a very proud man to have such a -wonderful family.”</p> -<p>Standing Fawn looked at her mother, and her mother -was smiling. And inside, Standing Fawn felt all warm and -good.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_274">274</div> -<h2 id="c42"><span class="h2line1">BLACK CLOUD REMEMBERS</span></h2> -<p>It had been many weeks since the Seneca hunting party -had seen the friendly smoke of their own village and as -they lay among the pines, resting now, they were thinking -of how it would be in their village when they returned -the following day to speak of their success on the hunt. -Their catch was large and there would be much dancing -and celebration when they did return.</p> -<p>Black Cloud, leader of the hunting party, lay stretched -out beneath the boughs of a large pine and gazed up -through the branches at the clear sky lighted this evening -by a bright full moon. The heavens were filled with stars, -and this would mean a good clear day for travel when -dawn finally broke upon the forest.</p> -<p>The party had traveled far in search of food but their -labors were not in vain for they were returning loaded -down with good fresh meat for their tribe.</p> -<p>The trip had been an exciting one from the standpoint -of the hunt, but now the excitement was over and the -warriors were tired. A half day’s journey lay between -them and their homes, and they were eager to start the -next morning.</p> -<p>The canoes had been pulled up the side of the lake and -rigged for shelter in case of rain but all the party were -sleeping in the open. As Black Cloud lay gazing at the -stars he remembered back to his days as a boy when he -had made his first hunting trip with his father.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_275">275</div> -<p>“Come, father, hurry, we must get started!” Little -Black Cloud had called as he waited at the beach for his -father to join him. His father finally arrived and, approving -of the canoe which his son had chosen, he turned it -upright and pushed it into the lake. They loaded their -packs and hunting weapons and soon Black Cloud was -seated in the middle of the canoe as his father pushed -from shore.</p> -<p>“Where are we going to hunt, father?” asked Little -Black Cloud.</p> -<p>“Well, my son, I thought that we would try Bear Lake; -for many of our warriors have reported fine deer around -Bear Lake, and you saw the two beauties that were -brought to the camp last week.”</p> -<p>“Yes, father, they were beautiful bucks, and I hope we -are as fortunate.”</p> -<p>“We have a hard long journey ahead, my son, and so -pull hard upon the paddle; for we must reach the upper -end of the lake before nightfall. There we will make camp -and tomorrow we shall carry our canoe to the upper lake -known as Bear Lake. It is quite a distance and though it -may seem close it will take us some time to reach our -destination.”</p> -<p>Father and son pulled upon the paddles, and soon the -canoe was moving steadily forward toward the upper end -of the lake. As the craft skimmed through the water, -Little Black Cloud’s father pointed out the many signs -of wild game that could be seen along the shore.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_276">276</div> -<p>Here was evidence of where brother beaver had been -at work cutting logs or here was a grey muddy hole near -the lake’s edge to which the forest animals came to -drink. Always the canoe was kept near the shoreline, for -this made the trip more interesting since there was much -to see.</p> -<p>As noon approached, Little Black Cloud’s father -directed the canoe in to the shore and beached it in a -small cove. Father and son stepped ashore and pulled the -canoe up after them. Near by there were some fine berry -bushes and, walking inland a short way, they came upon -a clear swift flowing stream. They picked some berries -and, seating themselves near the stream, they made a -meal of some fried venison they had brought with them, -berries, and water. After eating they relaxed for a few -moments and then the two walked back to the lake edge -and climbing aboard their canoe once again were soon -continuing their journey up the lake shore.</p> -<p>It was near dark when they reached the top of the -lake. Little Black Cloud’s father guided the canoe into a -small stream leading from the lake and, calling to his son -to stop paddling, he guided the canoe softly against the -shore of the stream. The two Indians stepped from their -canoe and then, lifting the canoe from the water, set it -upon the shore.</p> -<p>“We shall make camp here for the night, my son. You -will gather some wood and I will see if I can catch us -some fish for our supper. I shall not be gone long and -there will still be plenty of daylight.” Saying this, Little -Black Cloud’s father took up his fishing line and bone -hook and a bright spinner and started back through the -woods for the lake shore.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_277">277</div> -<p>Little Black Cloud meanwhile started busily preparing -camp and gathering wood for a fire. In an hour his father -was back carrying a fine fish and soon they were having -fresh fish steaks broiled on green sticks. These they flavored -with some sugar, which they always carried, and -washed it down with fresh water.</p> -<p>“And now, my son, we must sleep, for in the morning -we have a long walk ahead to reach the Bear Lake.”</p> -<p>Father and son rolled into their blankets and the night -noises around them provided a lullaby.</p> -<p>When dawn broke, Little Black Cloud found that his -father had been up for some time and that breakfast was -ready and waiting.</p> -<p>Following a hearty breakfast, Little Black Cloud -picked up his pack. His father strapped his own pack -upon his back and, balancing the light birch bark canoe -upon his head, led the way through the forest toward the -lake. The woodland Indians often had to make portages -like this in order to reach their final destination.</p> -<p>After traveling for some time in this manner, Little -Black Cloud noticed a clear space among the trees ahead. -His father seemed to sense what he was thinking, for he -called to his son, “That is Bear Lake just ahead. It was -given that name many moons ago by our people, for it -used to be the home of many bears who lived and thrived -here, but when our people discovered that many fine fish -lived in these waters they had to drive the bears off in -order to make the fishing grounds safe for our people.</p> -<p>“Since the disappearance of the bears the deer have -flocked to the shores of this fine lake, and now whenever -fresh meat is needed a small party of us come to the lake -and in a short time we have enough meat for the needs -of our people.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_278">278</div> -<p>Soon the two had reached the shores of Bear Lake -and, looking out upon the calm waters, Little Black -Cloud said, “My, how peaceful the waters look, father. -It seems as though nothing or no one had ever visited -these shores before.”</p> -<p>Then a short distance down the shore there was a -rustling in the brush and a splash, and soon the head of a -doe would be seen bending to drink, and then another -and another; and then the eight-pointed head of a buck -could be seen a short distance beyond the does.</p> -<p>“Look, father, look. How many deer are there?” Little -Black Cloud was very excited, for never before had -he seen such a large number of deer in one place at the -same time.</p> -<p>“Come, my son, we must leave our gear here and go -in pursuit of the fine deer. They abide all along these -shores and back away from the lakes in the shaded glens -and the open meadows. It may not be as easy to catch -them as it is to see them.”</p> -<p>Once again the canoe was placed in the water, and -father and son set off to hunt the deer. They moved -quietly down the shore, but no sooner had they reached -a spot near enough to fire an arrow when the deer would -turn and disappear into the woodlands. For several hours -they paddled the shore but try as they might to approach -the deer quietly the animals would turn as if warned and, -with a flick of their tails, were deep in the woods by the -time the canoe was within striking distance.</p> -<p>Soon dusk was drawing nigh, and the two turned their -canoe to return to where they had left their gear.</p> -<p>“Come,” said Little Black Cloud’s father, “we will -have some supper and when it is dark we shall hunt -again.”</p> -<p>“But, father, how can you hunt when it is dark? You -cannot see the deer.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_279">279</div> -<p>“I will show you, my son. First we must gather some -pine knots.”</p> -<p>And so the supper was prepared and two very hungry -Indians feasted and then sat back to allow the food to -settle. Finally the father rose and taking his boy by the -hand they wandered into the woods to gather pine knots. -Finally they had gathered about ten pine knots and these -they placed in the bottom of the canoe.</p> -<p>Then Little Black Cloud’s father made an attachment -on the front of the canoe which would hold a burning -pine knot. It was getting dark faster now, and so the two -Indians loaded their weapons into the canoe and then -strapping a piece of birch bark to the bow of the canoe -to act as a reflector they pushed away from shore after -lighting a pine knot and placing it in the holder which -contained sand so the fire would not burn the canoe. It -was then that Little Black Cloud was able to see why his -father wanted the pine knots.</p> -<p>As they skimmed along the shore, the deer would see -the light and be attracted by it to the shore. This would -then make them easy targets, for their bodies would then -be outlined on the shore.</p> -<p>Slowly the canoe moved along the shore until Little -Black Cloud’s father motioned for him to stop paddling. -Placing his paddle in the bottom of the canoe, Little -Black Cloud took his bow and arrow and stood waiting. -Soon the flash of a pair of eyes was seen and then Little -Black Cloud fired.</p> -<p>There was a splash and all was still. They steered the -canoe toward the place they had seen the deer and there -lay a small buck. This was placed in the canoe and they -moved on.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_280">280</div> -<p>Little Black Cloud shot another deer that night, and -then father and son returned to camp to skin and dress -the two deer.</p> -<p>The following day they returned to the lake where they -had started and were soon paddling down the lake shore -for home. Little Black Cloud’s father decided not to stop -that evening and so continued paddling swiftly until the -friendly fires of the village were in sight. He beached the -canoe, and a proud father and a very tired young Indian -boy entered the village that night with two fine specimens -of deer.</p> -<p>Black Cloud sighed as he lay under the pine. Yes, -these were fond memories he had of the days when he was -a youth.</p> -<p>But soon he would be doing the same thing his father -had done twelve summers ago for when he returned to -the village the next day, he did not know that his wife -would be waiting for him with a new-born baby son, a -boy who would some day paddle swiftly along the lake -shore with his father.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_281">281</div> -<h2 id="c43"><span class="h2line1">THE MIRACLE OF THE PINE GROVE</span></h2> -<p>The drums beat slowly. A cloud of sadness hung over -the Iroquois village. People moved slowly about their -tasks. Even the pets of the village seemed to have lost -their playfulness. The little children were playing quietly -at sitting games, rather than the usual noisy running -games that they liked so well.</p> -<p>As Little Rock, a young Iroquois warrior, rode into the -village with a dead buck slung across his pony, he became -suddenly aware of the great feeling of sadness that -was upon his village. Instead of hearing the usual gay -greetings from the people of the tribe, Little Rock noticed -that when he looked at them they would shake their -heads and turn slowly away. Little Rock feared that great -trouble had come and wanted to know what it was. So -he dug his heels into his pony’s sides and sped toward his -father’s wigwam. As he drew near, he saw a number of -people gathered close to the entrance. The drums boomed -slowly and sadly. As Little Rock came nearer his friend, -Little Red Cloud, stopped him.</p> -<p>“Wait, Little Rock!” his friend warned gently. “Do not -go to your father now. The Medicine Man is with him.”</p> -<p>“What is the trouble with my father?”</p> -<p>“Do not worry, Little Rock. Great Rock is a great and -strong Chief. He will be all right.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_282">282</div> -<p>“As my friend, Little Red Cloud, I ask you once again. -What is the matter with my father? It cannot be so simple, -when half the tribe gathers outside the entrance to my -father’s wigwam. They usually come to talk or seek advice, -but now they are silent and their faces are sad. Tell -me, Little Red Cloud, what is wrong?”</p> -<p>Little Rock could not wait for an answer. He jumped -from his pony and ran swiftly toward his father’s wigwam. -He was met at the entrance by his mother.</p> -<p>“Wait, Little Rock! Do not come in yet. Tall Spear is -making medicine for your father. He is very ill.”</p> -<p>“I must go to him. He may need me.”</p> -<p>Just then the Medicine Man joined Little Rock’s -mother.</p> -<p>“Your father is asking for you, Little Rock,” the old -man said. “You can see him now.”</p> -<p>Little Rock stepped inside the wigwam and found his -father lying on the great buffalo robe, his head propped -up. Great Rock’s face looked drawn and tired and he -breathed with great difficulty. As Little Rock knelt beside -his father, the sick man’s eyes opened wide.</p> -<p>“My son, you have returned.” Great Rock spoke slowly -as though each word pained him greatly. “Did you have -a good hunt?”</p> -<p>“Yes, my father. There was much game and I was able -to bring a really fine buck back to our village. He will -give us much fine meat, and his skin will make you a fine -shirt.”</p> -<p>Great Rock closed his eyes for a few moments while -Little Rock, his mother, and the Medicine Man waited -anxiously in silence. Then Great Rock opened his eyes, -wet his lips, and started speaking with great effort again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_283">283</div> -<p>“That is good, my son. You have learned the ways of -the forest well. This was your first trip alone into the -great forest, yet you have tracked down a fine buck.” The -old chief seemed more tired than before.</p> -<p>Little Rock reached for a bowl of soup near by and -spooned some of this to his father’s lips. The old man -started to sip the soup slowly. Then he raised his hand -weakly.</p> -<p>“My son, your father is old. Last night this sickness -came upon me. I feel that the time is growing near when -I shall journey to the Happy Hunting Grounds. I have -raised you to be a warrior in our tribe. I have taught you -the way of the bear and the way of the fox. You will -have to be the man of the family now and provide for -your mother.”</p> -<p>“But, my father,” said Little Rock, “you must not leave -us now. Our tribe and all the Iroquois need you now -more than ever before. There is trouble among the tribes. -Soon the Great Council will meet. If your seat at the -Council is taken by one who is not so wise, the trouble -among our tribes will continue and become greater. You -must get well, father, for much depends upon you.”</p> -<p>“There are others as wise, my son. My voice is but a -small breeze in a big windstorm. The men who lead our -tribes are wise in the ways of peace. They will make good -decisions. Of that I am certain. But now leave me, my -son, for I wish to be alone. I am tired and I must rest for -the final journey.”</p> -<p>“Yes, my father, I will go now, but it is not to pine and -weep, as the others do. I know you will get well. Tall -Spear will make strong medicine. I have no fear.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_284">284</div> -<p>Little Rock left the wigwam and, without saying a -word to anyone, he mounted his pony and rode swiftly -from the village. For many hours he rode until it was -nearly dark. Then he stopped his pony in a pine grove. -Leaving the pony to graze, he walked deep into the grove -until he came to a place where an opening in the trees -allowed the last rays of light to stream in.</p> -<p>Under the spreading branches of a great pine tree, -Little Rock knelt and started digging with his knife to -root up some plants. When he had gathered a handful of -roots, he arose. He walked toward a stream and near it -he picked some berries from a bush. He dropped the -roots and berries into a small leather pouch and rode -back to the village. He thrust the pouch into his mother’s -hand and asked her to brew the roots quickly in some -fresh water.</p> -<p>When the broth had been bubbling for a short time, -Little Rock grasped the gourd from the fire and carried it -toward the wigwam where his father lay ill with fever. -As he approached the wigwam, Tall Spear stopped him.</p> -<p>“Little Rock, what is it you carry in the gourd?” the -Medicine Man asked.</p> -<p>“Many moons ago, my father and I traveled deep into -the forest. Finally we came to a large pine grove. Deep -within the pine grove, my father pointed out certain roots -and berries that grew there and nowhere else near our -village. He told me that those berries and roots would -make strong medicine for anyone sick with hotness of the -skin. When I spoke with my father, I remembered those -roots and berries. I thought that a broth made from them -might save his life. So I have brought them to his wigwam.”</p> -<p>The Medicine Man grasped the gourd and was about -to turn away when Little Rock seized his arm.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_285">285</div> -<p>“Make him drink, Tall Spear. Tell him this is broth -made from the plants in the pine grove. He will understand -and he will drink.”</p> -<p>“I will give him the medicine and I will tell him. You -have done well, Little Rock. Your respect for your -father’s wisdom is very great.”</p> -<p>With that the Medicine Man disappeared inside the -wigwam, and Little Rock sat upon the ground to wait. -Soon Tall Spear came out again.</p> -<p>“Your father has sipped the broth. He told me to clasp -your hand as he would in thanks for bringing the roots. -He is resting now. All we can do is wait.”</p> -<p>As time went by, Little Rock became drowsy and soon -could keep his eyes open no longer. As he fell asleep, the -old Medicine Man took his blanket and wrapped it -around the young brave’s shoulders.</p> -<p>A new day was dawning as Little Rock awoke. He -looked quickly toward the entrance of the wigwam. Suddenly -Tall Spear appeared, his face looking cheerful.</p> -<p>“Your father is asking for you. He is weak but he will -not die. He will sit at the Council soon to decide for -peace. Go to him and go with your head held high, for -you have much to be proud of this day.”</p> -<p>Little Rock entered the wigwam and hurried to his -father’s side. At that moment his father reached out his -hand and Little Rock bent down to take it. The eyes of -father and son met in silence. No words were needed to -tell how much more closely their lives were tied together.</p> -<p>Tall Spear stepped quickly outside. It seemed only a -moment to the men inside the wigwam when they heard -the voices of their Oneida brothers speaking loudly and -happily again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_286">286</div> -<h2 id="c44"><span class="h2line1">CROOKED ARROW FINDS A FRIEND</span></h2> -<p>Black Hawk was a young Shawnee brave who lived in -the earliest days of the American Indian. Black Hawk -had been raised in his village by his father, Tall Hawk, -who was very proud of him.</p> -<p>Tall Hawk had very carefully taught Black Hawk all -there was to know about hunting, fishing, stalking, and -all the other necessary ways of forest and stream.</p> -<p>Each year, Tall Hawk would look at his son growing -and exclaim to his wife, Soft Bird, “See how tall and -strong he grows. Surely he is the most handsome brave in -our village. Not only is he handsome but brave and -strong as well; he will bring much honor and glory to his -father.” At this Soft Bird nodded, for she knew how -much Tall Hawk thought of his son.</p> -<p>It was late spring, and the Shawnee were preparing to -take the trail of the wild fish and game. It was time they -began thinking of new skins for clothing and housing and -food for their families. Each father who had a son, carefully -trained his son for just this day.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_287">287</div> -<p>Finally all was in readiness and the great hunting party, -after bidding good-bye to their friends and loved ones, -took the trail to the north where scouts had earlier reported -seeing herd of deer. Perhaps this would be easier -than they had thought, but as they traveled onward, Tall -Hawk began to realize that they were quite a long way -from the village.</p> -<p>He signaled for the party to stop and called two of the -leader warriors to him. “We have traveled far from our -village. Do you think it wise that we go on? Surely along -the way we have seen many single deer, but nowhere have -we seen signs of a herd or a large number. This territory -which we now enter is the home and hunting -grounds of the Conestogas. We must leave here, for we -are on land that does not belong to us.”</p> -<p>Tall Hawk was turning to speak to the others of the -party when one of the warriors interrupted him. “Yes, this -is Conestoga country, but we are to stop now because of a -few woodland weasels that call this their land?”</p> -<p>“But it is their land and we shall do just that, turn -around and go back. Such foolishness this day could -bring the angry Conestogas down on our heads in a very -short space of time and we would be badly outnumbered. -Our party is not too strong, and any attack upon us here -in unfamiliar territory would mean that many lives would -be lost.”</p> -<p>“Are you afraid, Tall Hawk? Does your stomach swim -and your heart flutter like a bird? Surely the Conestogas -do not concern you?”</p> -<p>“One Conestoga against one Shawnee, or even two -Conestogas against one Shawnee, and I would not in the -least be afraid, for the gods know that one good Shawnee -brave could hold his own against any two Conestogas. -But we are on their home grounds. Any attack by a large -force of Conestogas and any one of us would be lucky to -live. No, foolish one, we shall turn and go back in the -direction we came. We shall search elsewhere for the -elusive deer.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_288">288</div> -<p>With that, Tall Hawk turned to the hunting party and -repeated what had gone on between himself and the other -two braves. There were some grunts from braves who disagreed -with Tall Hawk, but for the most part they were -willing to return.</p> -<p>As the party turned to go back down the trail, one of -the scouts who had been sent ahead came running into -the circle to report that a large band of Conestogas were -heading for just that place and they would be better off -to start immediately for the home village. Tall Hawk gave -the signal, and the hunting party turned quickly and -trotted south toward the village.</p> -<p>It was fully a day’s journey and they had no rest. The -long grind began to tell upon their numbers. When they -would falter and were about to collapse, Tall Hawk could -be heard to shout, “Keep running, fools! Do you wish -your hair to grace the home of one of our Conestoga -neighbors?”</p> -<p>This threat served its purpose, and the braves who -were tiring suddenly found fresh strength and would continue -the grueling run.</p> -<p>Soon they reached their own hunting grounds and were -safe on the other side when the Conestogas broke from -the cover of the forest and into the meadow which -separated the hunting grounds of the two tribes.</p> -<p>Suddenly the leader of the Conestogas raised his hand, -and the band of braves with him stopped running and -listened. The chief explained that they had reached the -border and could go no further. And so the score was -equal. Black Hawk was proud of his father, for once -again he had proved to his fellow braves that he was a -wise man.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_289">289</div> -<p>The hunting party slowed down a bit now and, after -traveling about two miles, they camped for the night. -They were tired and after a hasty supper they fell off to -sleep one by one until all but the guards were sound -asleep. Black Hawk was soon sound asleep as well, but -Tall Hawk lay awake thinking.</p> -<p>Why did they not sight the deer before they reached the -land of the Conestogas? Surely the scouts that had reported -the deer herd to the village had not imagined seeing -so many deer, or had they? And why had the chase -taken them into Conestoga land? Over and over he -asked himself these questions until he could not stay -awake any longer and finally he was asleep with the rest -of the party.</p> -<p>The next morning after breakfast the party continued -on its trek, this time turning westward. Soon they came -to a large lake and Tall Hawk divided the party, requesting -some of them to remain here and fish and the -others to continue on around the lake in search of game. -Black Hawk was among those chosen to stay and fish and -he was very happy about it. He saw that he was the only -young brave allowed to stay with the fishing party and he -felt it was because he was such a good fisherman.</p> -<p>When the hunting party had finally gone out of sight, -Red Hand, the second in command, gathered the group -and explained to them their mission. This lake should -have plenty of fish, and so they would spend the next day -and night here fishing and in the morning of the second -day return to their village, as they hoped, with a successful -catch of fish from the beautiful lake.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_290">290</div> -<p>Red Hand led the way down the shore of the lake to -where the last fishing party had hidden the canoes. Then, -asking the party to team up in pairs, he slipped a pouch -from his shoulder and gave out fishing equipment to each -brave. When each one had received his equipment, Red -Hand said, “We shall fish the lake for one day and we -shall rest on shore for one night. On the dawn of the -second day the hunting party will return and we shall all -leave for our homes together. Let us pray that the gods -will smile favorably upon us this day and that our catch -will be a large one. Good luck to all of you, and may -your lines be heavy with fish when you return.”</p> -<p>With these words ringing in their ears the Indians -rushed to the canoes and pushed off into the quiet blue -waters of this great lake. Black Hawk had chosen as his -partner an older brave of the tribe by the name of -Crooked Arrow. Perhaps it seemed strange that Black -Hawk should choose his partner because he was so -young, but Crooked Arrow very rarely spoke and many -of the Indians of the tribe did not like him. Why they -did not like him, Black Hawk did not know. He did -know that Crooked Arrow was not very good-looking -and that he was a little fatter than most of the other men -of the tribe. But, aside from that, Black Hawk could see -no reason for not liking him and so had asked him if he -would be Black Hawk’s partner in the fishing trip.</p> -<p>Crooked Arrow had shaken his head and without saying -a word had followed Black Hawk to the canoes and -helped him lift one into the lake. The other braves had -laughed at Black Hawk when they saw him choose -Crooked Arrow as his partner, but Red Hand had motioned -them to be quiet and stop making fun of the boy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_291">291</div> -<p>When the instructions had been given out and the -equipment distributed among the braves, Black Hawk -and Crooked Arrow stepped into their canoe and pushed -away from the shore. They dipped their paddles softly -into the lake and the canoe glided quietly across the -waters.</p> -<p>Soon they had pulled away from the other canoe and -Crooked Arrow who had taken the stern of the canoe, -was steering the canoe for a point of land about a half a -mile down the lake shore. Black Hawk turned to him and -asked, “Why do you steer for that part of the lake, -Crooked Arrow? I should think that that section of lake -over to the eastward would be better.”</p> -<p>“Crooked Arrow knows where the fish are, little Black -Hawk.”</p> -<p>He said nothing more but pulled strongly with his paddle -and the canoe fairly skimmed across the water. Black -Hawk thought to himself that they would probably have -gone even faster if he, Black Hawk, had removed his -paddle from the water, for he could not keep up with -Crooked Arrow’s stroke and was causing a backwash -with his paddle by dragging it through the water.</p> -<p>Finally Crooked Arrow said, “My little friend, dip your -paddle deep and pull strongly back toward the stern of -the canoe. When you have completed the stroke, draw -your paddle completely from the water and reach it forward -high in the air before placing it in the water again.”</p> -<p>Black Hawk followed his instructions, and soon he -found that the paddling was a lot easier by using that -technique than the way he had been trying to paddle. He -had been concentrating so hard on his paddling that he -did not realize that they were soon to the place where -Crooked Arrow said that they would be sure to catch -some fish.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_292">292</div> -<p>Crooked Arrow motioned for Black Hawk to throw his -line overboard, which he did, and with that Crooked -Arrow slowed down the canoe to an even, smooth pace -which would take them just past the small jutting of -land.</p> -<p>Black Hawk could see his own lure shining in the -water. As the lure came parallel with the jutting land -there was a great swirl of water, and the fight was on.</p> -<p>A very large fish had grasped the lure in his mouth and -it was now a fight between the boy and the fish. It was a -huge bass that was threshing around in the water and -soon it was obvious that Black Hawk would be the victor. -With some swift overhand strokes he had pulled the fish -up to the side of the canoe. Then with a thrust of his arm, -Crooked Arrow speared the fish with his fish spear and -brought him safely aboard. He was a beautiful big bass -and Black Hawk was so proud he nearly tipped over the -canoe in his excitement to see the fish.</p> -<p>“Be not so excited, my young friend. It is a nice-sized -fish, but the day is young and we must catch many, many -more.” Black Hawk cast his lure in again, and soon the -episode was repeated. Back and forth Crooked Arrow -paddled near the jutting land and fish after fish fell victim -to the line of Black Hawk and the spear of Crooked -Arrow.</p> -<p>Soon shadows began to gather and Crooked Arrow -turned the bow of the canoe toward the place they had -started from. Black Hawk paddled even harder now going -home, for he was very proud. There in the bottom of -the canoe, all nicely strung on an improvised leather -loop, were twelve plump large fish.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_293">293</div> -<p>When they reached the shore, Black Hawk with his -fish in hand dashed ashore to report his success to Red -Hand. Red Hand looked with pride upon the catch Black -Hawk held up to show him and then he said, “My, but -that is a fine catch of fish. Did you catch them all by -yourself?”</p> -<p>“Oh no,” said Black Hawk, “Crooked Arrow and I -both caught them. They would strike at my line and when -I pulled them to the side of the boat, Crooked Arrow -would spear them and bring them on board. Oh, what an -exciting trip we have had. How did the others make out, -or are we the first to return?”</p> -<p>“Yes, you are the first to return, but remember you -were not too far from the landing place. The others will -be here shortly. Sit down and we will smoke and rest -while we wait for the others.”</p> -<p>They sat down and waited. Soon the other canoes, -one by one, would slip up to the shore, and the braves -would leap out and triumphantly tell Red Hand of their -catch. Soon the last of the canoes had been beached and -the last of the fish carefully packed away for the journey -home the following morning.</p> -<p>The braves had a supper of delicious fresh lake bass -and after they had sat around the fire telling of their adventures -on the lake they all turned in for the night. -Soon the fire had burned to just ashes and all the braves -slept peacefully in the quiet of the night.</p> -<p>It had been a long day on the lake in the sun, and now -the quiet spring breezes through the trees overhead sang -a soft lullaby along the lake shore. When it had been -quiet for a long time, Black Hawk sat up and noticed -that Crooked Arrow was gone from where he lay down -to sleep.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_294">294</div> -<p>Black Hawk looked around and then suddenly he -glanced toward the lake. There he saw Crooked Arrow -standing quiet. Black Hawk rose and quietly slipped -down toward the lake and to where Crooked Arrow was -standing. Approaching the lakeside, Black Hawk respected -the brave, Crooked Arrow, and when he had -reached a point about five yards from the brave he -stopped. He could barely hear Crooked Arrow and then -he knew that Crooked Arrow was thanking someone.</p> -<p>“Finally, O Great Spirit, I, Crooked Arrow, humbly -thank you for sending to me a friend, this boy, Black -Hawk, who asked me to go with him on the fishing trip. -For this I am thankful and also I am thankful that you -sent the fish of the lake to his hook so that his catch was -a large one. You have been very kind to Crooked Arrow -this day and I will not forget. I have never known my -family, but from this day forth I shall look upon Black -Hawk as if he were my son. I know he has a father, a -good and wonderful man, but I am sure he will not mind -if I remain close to him, for his kindness to me this day -has brought great joy to my heart. Thank you once again, -O Great Spirit.”</p> -<p>Crooked Arrow turned and walked slowly back to -where he had been sleeping and lay down once again. -Either he did not look or did not particularly notice that -Black Hawk was missing from his place upon the ground.</p> -<p>For a long time Black Hawk sat by the side of the -lake thinking about what Crooked Arrow had been saying. -Suddenly he realized what had happened here. He -had made a friend, a very close friend, and it made his -heart warm. Slowly he too returned to where he had -slept and, lying down once again, was soon fast asleep.</p> -<p>Dawn broke bright and warm upon the lake and soon -all the Indians were astir.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_295">295</div> -<p>They all ate a hearty breakfast and as they were packing -the remainder of the equipment and safely storing the -canoes away once again, the first of the hunting party -arrived.</p> -<p>They too had a very successful hunt, and Black Hawk -counted five very plump bucks being carried by the hunting -party.</p> -<p>Some of the braves were quick to point out to him -that the largest buck had been brought down with an -arrow from the bow of Tall Hawk and this made Black -Hawk very proud of his father. The party started on the -return trip to the village and it was a happy group which -entered the circle of homes to be greeted warmly by -friends and family who viewed the fine food supply with -a great deal of laughter and joy. The party soon dispersed, -each one returning to his own home.</p> -<p>When Black Hawk and his father returned to their -home there was a fine meal awaiting them; and the rest -of the family, his mother and two sisters, greeted the two -hunters with praise for their success which had preceded -them to their home by the little braves’ spreading the -word through the village of the success of the hunters, -especially Tall Hawk and his son Black Hawk, the great -fisherman.</p> -<p>After supper, Black Hawk stepped out of his home and -wandered through the village greeting his many friends -and talking with them of the adventures he had just been -through.</p> -<p>Finally Black Hawk had been to almost all his friends -when he noticed one rather shabby wigwam set off from -the rest on the far side of the village. Slowly puzzling a -little bit about this, he wandered toward the wigwam. He -saw one of his playmates, Walking Bird, and he stopped -to ask who lived in the wigwam in the distance.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_296">296</div> -<p>“Oh,” said Walking Bird, “that is the home of Crooked -Arrow. He lives off by himself like that, for he seems to -enjoy being by himself. He is a strange sort of man and -he very rarely comes out of his wigwam to participate in -the activities of the tribe, except when there is a hunting -or a fishing party or a tribal celebration. Was not he on -the same trip with you?”</p> -<p>“Yes, he was, and I think I shall pay him a visit.”</p> -<p>Quickly Black Hawk approached the wigwam of -Crooked Arrow and when he had reached the flap that -served as a door he called out and asked if he might -enter.</p> -<p>“Come in, come in, my friend, Black Hawk,” called -Crooked Arrow.</p> -<p>The boy entered and Crooked Arrow rose to greet him.</p> -<p>“It is very kind of you to come and see me.”</p> -<p>“Is it not the thing to do for friends to visit one another?” -asked Black Hawk. “Why do you live here by -yourself? Have you no family?”</p> -<p>“No, Black Hawk, Crooked Arrow has no family, and -I have liked living here on the edge of the village. It is -quiet and I get much time to work on my tools for fishing -and hunting. I like it here.”</p> -<p>Black Hawk stayed until it was quite late and he noticed -that Crooked Arrow talked on and on about many, -many things. Finally it was getting very late and Black -Hawk rose to leave.</p> -<p>“Come again, little Black Hawk. My wigwam is always -open to my good friend. The next time you come we -will have another fine talk.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, friend Crooked Arrow. I shall return -often for you have been a good friend.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_297">297</div> -<p>With that, Black Hawk turned and walked to his own -wigwam. As he approached his home he noticed his -father just leaving. When Tall Hawk saw his son, he -stopped and called to him. “Black Hawk, my son, where -have you been? It is quite late and your mother was getting -quite concerned.”</p> -<p>“I was visiting with a friend, my father, a very good -friend.” It was then that Black Hawk spoke with his -father about the events on the fishing trip and about how -Crooked Arrow had knelt at the lakeside and thanked the -Great Spirit for his friend, Black Hawk.</p> -<p>His father listened attentively and then when Black -Hawk had finished he said, “My son, I am very proud of -you. You have done a great and generous thing. Crooked -Arrow has been a lonely person. You have brought much -joy to his life. To have a friend is a wonderful thing.”</p> -<p>“But, my father, if this is such a wonderful thing, why -has no one befriended him before? Why does he still live -alone on the edge of the tribe? Why is he alone on the -hunt though he is with many braves?”</p> -<p>“He is not an easy person to talk to, my son. You, a -boy, have spoken to him as an equal; this has meant much -to him. The rest of us should be ashamed. We have been -so busy that we have not taken time out to look at what -is around us. It has taken a young Indian boy to bring to -our attention this lack of concern for a fellow member of -the tribe. If he had been a worthless brave who had -sought pity and help from others, the treatment he had -been given would have been what he deserved.”</p> -<p>But in thinking back, Tall Hawk realized that Crooked -Arrow had always carried his share of the responsibility -in the tribe.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_298">298</div> -<p>When a hunting party was forming, he always volunteered; -when a battle was in progress, Crooked Arrow -was always found to be in the middle. When there was -distasteful jobs to be done around the village or a new -lodge to be built or some repairs needed or someone to -stand night watch, Crooked Arrow would always be -among the first to volunteer.</p> -<p>Yes, thought Tall Hawk, here is a man who has been -treated with scorn who should have been treated with -honor by his fellow braves.</p> -<p>The following day after giving much thought to the -question, Tall Hawk went to consult with the leaders of -the village.</p> -<p>After many hours, a delegation was formed and they -proceeded to the wigwam of Crooked Arrow. The fat -ugly warrior stepped from his wigwam and suddenly his -eyes grew a little wild until he saw in the delegation -Black Hawk, his friend.</p> -<p>“Why have you come to the humble wigwam of -Crooked Arrow?” he asked of the leaders. “What have I -done to cause you to come? If I have done wrong tell me -and I shall do all in my power to make it right.”</p> -<p>“No,” said Tall Hawk, “It is we who have done wrong. -We come to invite you to rebuild your wigwam within -the village circle. There is a fine place right next to mine, -and I would consider it an honor if you would build there -and become my neighbor. My son has told me quite a bit -about you and I can see now where we have been very -unfair in the way we have neglected making you a part -of our tribe. Come, become a part of our family. Share -our fires and our food and we shall talk together of the -great hunts. This we ask you to do as a sign that you will -forgive us for this wrong which has existed so long.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_299">299</div> -<p>“Yes, I will come, but listen. You have done me no -wrong. I have been happy living here on the edge of the -village, watching the children play and taking part in the -hunt. I have had a good life. I have never known what -real friendship was from the time I was a little boy going -from one to the other begging for food to keep me going. -But Black Hawk has brought the meaning of friendship -to my heart, and for that reason I have desired these last -few days to live closer to my people. Yes, I will come. -With gladness in my heart, I will come.”</p> -<p>The group turned and started for the center of the -village to proclaim what had just happened; and, as they -walked, a small boy, Black Hawk, and a not so ugly, fat, -young man could be seen walking hand in hand—a certain -lightness in their step that had not been there before.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_300">300</div> -<h2 id="c45"><span class="h2line1">THE BOY AND THE WARRIOR CHIEF</span></h2> -<p>Flying Owl was a very happy little Seneca brave. He -had all he could wish for. His father was a very brave and -honored member of the tribe. His mother was kind and -made the best-tasting dishes of food for him when he was -hungry. His sister and he would quarrel now and then, -but most of the time they played and lived together very -happily.</p> -<p>Their home was strong and warm in the winter and -cool in the summer. There were always many nice clothes -to wear and plenty to eat. Flying Owl was learning from -his father every day about the ways of the forest and the -stream. When anyone watched Flying Owl at play, he -would think, “Now there is a lucky and happy little boy. -I wonder if he knows how fortunate he is.” But Flying -Owl was a rare little Indian brave, for he did realize how -lucky he was. When he was still young, Flying Owl gladly -shared his toys and other things with his friends. For this -reason he was very much liked by both the braves and -women and by the other boys and girls of the tribe.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_301">301</div> -<p>One bright summer day, Flying Owl rose early from his -bed and looked out at the bright warm sun shining down -on the green forest and the blue-green lake at the edge of -their village. He thought to himself, “What a wonderful -day this is to go fishing. Only a short way from our home -is the beautiful little hidden lake which my father has -shown me. Surely there must be big fish in that lake. If I -could catch some of them all by myself, my father would -be proud of me and we would have a delicious supper this -evening.”</p> -<p>So without any delay, Flying Owl gathered together his -fishing tackle which he and his father had made with such -care during the cold winter nights. Flying Owl was often -allowed to go off by himself on short trips like this, so -long as he did not go too far or stay away from his home -after dark. He packed his fishing gear and some food and -started out, waving good-bye to his mother and sister -who stood at the entrance to their wigwam. His mother -called to remind him to be back in time for supper. Flying -Owl shouted that he not only would be back before -supper but would bring their supper home with him. -Then his mother and sister watched him trotting from the -village until he was out of sight.</p> -<p>Flying Owl ran gaily along the forest paths, thinking -that the many wild creatures had been awake since dawn. -Now they were scurrying through the brush and the tree -tops, enjoying the warm sunshine and cool breezes which -blew gently through the forest. Flying Owl’s heart felt -very happy. It was good to be alive, discovering new -wonders of nature here in the forest instead of playing in -the village that he knew too well. And he thought, “Perhaps -some great adventure is waiting for me here in the -green forest!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_302">302</div> -<p>He hurried on, impatient to reach the secret lake and -catch the many large fish that he was sure were there. At -the pace he was keeping, it was not long before he saw, -through an opening in the trees, the blue-green, shimmering -waters of the lake. Running faster, he reached the lake -shore quickly and stopped a moment to look out across -the waters and wonder where he would find the best place -to fish.</p> -<p>He saw a tree that had fallen out into the lake, and -decided to stand on the end of the log in the lake. He -cast his line into the water and settled down to await the -first nibble. He did not have to wait long. There was a -sharp tug upon his line and he felt the line go taut in his -hands. In fact, it had come so suddenly that Flying Owl -was almost thrown off balance. Bracing the heels of his -moccasins against the curve of the log, he started pulling -at the line and brought in a fine fat fish. The catch now -lay on the bank next to him and he was ready to cast -again. In only a few moments, he felt another sharp tug -and soon had landed another plump fish. “This is really -fun!” Flying Owl said aloud.</p> -<p>Just then he heard a movement behind him. Turning -quickly, he saw a tall handsome Indian brave dressed in -the costume of the Woodland Indians, wearing the headdress -of a chieftain. Flying Owl was startled, but the tall -brave reached out his hand in friendship.</p> -<p>“Do not be afraid, Flying Owl,” he said. “I will not -hurt you.”</p> -<p>“Who are you?” Flying Owl asked as he looked up at -the brave. “I do not recognize you as a member of our -tribe. How do you know my name?”</p> -<p>The brave smiled, stepped closer, and said, “Oh, I -know your name because I <i>am</i> of your tribe. I remember -you as a baby who looked so much like his father whom I -knew well.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_303">303</div> -<p>“But I do not ever remember seeing you and I thought -I knew everyone. If you are one of our tribe, I should -know you, and above all because you are wearing the -headdress of our Chief. Surely all, even the children, -know our great Chieftains.”</p> -<p>The brave drew closer until he was no more than a -pace from Flying Owl. Then he took a small deerskin -jacket from his shoulders, laid it on the ground, and sat -cross-legged upon it, facing the boy. “My name is Bear -Claw and I am truly your Chief. If you do not believe me, -you may ask any question you wish about our tribe, and I -will give you the answer.”</p> -<p>Flying Owl accepted the challenge and began to question -the tall brave carefully until he was sure that the man -was telling the truth. Still he had never seen or heard of -him.</p> -<p>“Surely,” the chieftain said, “you must know now that -I am one of your tribe. But let me ask you a few questions. -You have been asking me many, and now it is my -turn.” He waited with a laughing sparkle in his eyes -while Flying Owl watched his face closely. “What reason -would you have for questioning me, Bear Claw?” Flying -Owl asked.</p> -<p>“I would merely like to ask why you came to the still -lake on such a beautiful summer day,” replied the brave, -not taking his eyes from the boy for one moment.</p> -<p>“Well,” said Flying Owl, “I thought it would be fun if -I came here today and caught enough fish for my mother -to cook for our supper.”</p> -<p>“Oh,” said Bear Claw smiling, “that is a very good -reason. Please do not let me stop your fishing.” Then -Bear Claw stretched out on the bank of the lake and lay -gazing up through the trees at the bright blue sky.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_304">304</div> -<p>Flying Owl hesitated, thinking about this strong brave’s -strange behavior. Then he remembered the fish he must -catch and how he must return home before dark. So he -cast his line into the water again and almost immediately -caught another large fish. This he placed with the other -two and went on fishing until he soon had a good catch. -Seeing the sun sinking lower in the afternoon sky, he -knew that he must hurry to reach the village in time for -his mother to cook the fish for supper.</p> -<p>Taking a stout birch branch, he ran one end of the -branch through the gills of the fish to carry his catch over -his shoulder. As he turned to say good-bye to the brave -who had kept him company at the lakeside, he was surprised -to find him gone. Beneath the tree, he saw only the -flattened fir needles where the brave had lain watching -him. He looked all around and could find no further trace -of him. Flying Owl moved even faster toward home, because -now he certainly had a great deal to tell his friends. -He reached home in plenty of time before supper and -handed the fish to his mother, telling her that, like his -father, he had brought their meal for the evening. His -mother was very proud and told him so. Then she asked, -“Did you have any strange and wonderful adventures today, -my little Flying Owl?”</p> -<p>The boy was just about to blurt out that he had, when -he decided that he should wait to tell his father first about -everything that had happened. So all he said was, “We -will talk later, mother. I have much to tell you.”</p> -<p>Impatient now to break the news to his father, he -went outside to look for him. Flying Owl found him -talking with another brave and waited respectfully until -his father had finished and was starting home. Planting -himself in front of his father, Flying Owl began to tell -his story, but he was speaking so fast that his father could -hardly understand him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_305">305</div> -<p>“Wait, my son! You must speak more slowly. I want -to hear about everything that happened to you today, but -your words tumble out so swiftly that my brain can’t -make any sense of them. Now start from the beginning -again.”</p> -<p>Flying Owl took a deep breath and began slowly this -time to tell his father all about his adventure at the great -still lake in the deep forest. As he talked, his father’s face -looked more and more puzzled. When Flying Owl had -finished, his father put one hand on his son’s shoulder, -and they started for the wigwam. Nothing more was said -about the adventure until they reached home. While -Flying Owl was washing, his father turned to his mother -and asked her what she thought of their son’s story.</p> -<p>“He has not told me about it yet. He wanted to wait -until he found you and tell you first.”</p> -<p>When the family had begun eating the supper of fish -Flying Owl had caught, the young brave told his story -once again for his mother’s benefit. When he had ended -it, his parents looked at each other and smiled and said -no more about it.</p> -<p>When the children had gone to bed, Flying Owl’s -mother said to her husband, “Surely you do not believe -this story that Flying Owl has told us. It must be something -he imagined. He probably had a dull day and -believed that he had to think up some adventure to tell -his father.”</p> -<p>“No,” said her husband, “that is not the reason, for -the catching of many sweet fish would be enough of a -story. There is something more behind this and I must -find out what it is. How would he know Bear Claw’s -name? He was only a baby when the great chief vanished. -Tomorrow I will go with the boy and see for myself this -place where he says he met Bear Claw.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_306">306</div> -<p>The next morning, Flying Owl’s father remarked to -his son that it was such a nice day that they ought to go -fishing once again at the still lake. Surely if there were -more fish like those they had eaten the night before, they -should try to make another large catch and share them -with other families in the village. Flying Owl was thrilled -with the thought of going fishing with his father and -gathered his gear together quickly. Father and son started -off together into the forest, traveling at a slower pace than -Flying Owl had gone the day before. It was almost mid-day -when they reached the side of the lake. Flying Owl’s -father suggested that they eat lunch before they began -fishing. When they were through eating, Flying Owl’s -father looked at the boy curiously.</p> -<p>“My son, show me where you saw this Seneca Chief -yesterday.”</p> -<p>“Certainly, father,” Flying Owl said confidently.</p> -<p>He took his father’s hand and walked back to the fir -tree under which the warrior had rested. They both -looked carefully at the ground.</p> -<p>“I see no signs of where a person lay under this tree, -my son,” Flying Owl’s father finally said. “Are you sure -that you saw a Seneca Chief when you were here yesterday?”</p> -<p>“Oh yes, father, I know I did. We can’t find any trace -of the spot he lay on because the fir needles have risen -again like the grass on which a deer has lain. Surely you -don’t believe that I would lie to you, father?”</p> -<p>“No, my son. I do not believe you would, but I know -of no one by the name of Bear Claw who lives in our -village. Perhaps one of our unfriendly neighbors was -playing a trick on you, or maybe your imagination -wanted a little adventure of its own.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_307">307</div> -<p>Flying Owl paused for a moment, thinking seriously.</p> -<p>“No, father, you have taught me to be truthful at all -times, and to tell you exactly what I have seen and heard. -I did see a tall Seneca standing right there, wearing a -Chief’s headdress that was one of the most beautiful I -have ever seen. It was not something in my imagination, -and it was not one of our neighbors, for he wore no mask -and no paint to hide behind. His costume was Seneca, -and when I questioned him about our village, he knew -every answer.”</p> -<p>“All right, my son, we will speak no more about it. -But come, we must cast our lines. It is growing late and -we must hurry if we are to bring home another meal this -evening.”</p> -<p>So they started to fish and waited a long time without -getting even a nibble. They changed their bait and -moved to a new position farther along the lake shore, -but nothing did any good. When the sun had sunk very -low, Flying Owl’s father announced that it was time to -start for home. As they trotted back through the forest, -neither spoke to the other, because both were thinking -busily about Flying Owl’s story, his good catch of yesterday, -and their poor luck today.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_308">308</div> -<p>When Flying Owl’s mother saw them returning empty-handed, -she said nothing of the fact that there were no -fish. When the children had finished their supper and -gone to bed, their parents spoke of the boy’s adventure. -Now they were more puzzled than ever. Just at that -moment there was a loud muttering of voices, followed -by such shouting and laughter and cheers as had not -been heard in the village for many moons. Flying Owl’s -father dashed from his home, grasping his bow as he -went. Certainly something wonderful must be happening. -As he reached the center of the village, the first thing he -saw was a tall Seneca Chieftain standing amidst many -warriors who were shouting and dancing. It was Bear -Claw, a Seneca Chief who had disappeared after a great -battle. His people had returned to their village defeated -and heartsick, believing him dead, and there had been -much sadness. It had happened so many moons ago that -Chief Bear Claw had almost been forgotten. Now he -had appeared in the village as if from nowhere. Finally -Bear Claw raised his arms in the air, asking for silence.</p> -<p>“Your Chief has returned. I have much to tell you, -but I must wait because I am tired and need rest. Tomorrow -we shall have feasting and dancing and a Great -Council. Then I will speak.”</p> -<p>The great warrior turned and walked to his wigwam -where his wife and young son, who had been leading the -tribe, waited for him. Flying Owl’s father walked slowly -back to his home where the boy lay sleeping, unaware of -the great event that had been taking place.</p> -<p>The next day the sun rose and covered the small village -with a warm glow, as though greeting Bear Claw’s return. -Flying Owl walked out into the sunshine and found -everyone preparing for a great celebration. He ran to -ask his father about the reason for all the excitement.</p> -<p>“My son, sit beside your father who doubted you. -Today a miracle has come to pass, and together we will -hear how that miracle happened.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_309">309</div> -<p>Although he was bubbling over with curiosity to learn -what had happened, Flying Owl sat patiently and silently -beside his father. Soon it was time for the special meeting. -The whole village began to gather in front of the home -of the great Chief who had returned to his people. Flying -Owl and his father joined the others and sat watching the -entrance of the wigwam. Soon a great warrior with a -magnificent headdress stepped out. Flying Owl grasped -his father’s arm and whispered, “That’s the Seneca Chief -I told you about, father!”</p> -<p>“Yes, my son. That is Bear Claw, warrior Chief of our -tribe, who has returned to us after we had believed him -dead.”</p> -<p>Bear Claw signaled for silence. Then he began speaking -with great dignity.</p> -<p>“Many moons ago, when we were at war with our -enemies to the north, I fell, wounded by an enemy arrow. -Before I could escape, the enemy fell upon me and took -me prisoner. I was taken to their village where I was -kept under close guard. They did not kill me but made -me a slave—a far greater punishment for any Seneca. -For many moons I worked in the enemy camp, often -being whipped and beaten and spit upon by their warriors -and their squaws, and even their children. Two moons -ago I escaped and began my long trek homeward. But I -moved slowly because the path was long and I was weary. -They sent a war party after me to bring me back. So for -many suns I hid in the deep forest. I led their war party -in a chase, first toward our village, and then away from -it. I did not want to come too close to our homes until I -was sure they had lost my trail. I knew they would not -dare to attack our village because they were a small band, -but still big enough to take prisoner any of our people -who might have wandered too far away.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_310">310</div> -<p>“Yesterday I arrived at the secret lake with the only -things that I had been able to find and bring with me -from the enemy camp—my knife, my bow, and my headdress -which they had taken from me when they captured -me. Suddenly I saw a Seneca boy fishing. I approached -and spoke with him. Last night I slept in the forest until -it was late and dark enough to enter our village. The rest -of the story you know. But first, before the celebration, -I would like to see that young lad I spoke to at the lakeside, -the young brave who is called Flying Owl.”</p> -<p>Flying Owl rose and stepped forward to face the Chief.</p> -<p>“You were the first of my people to see me, young -brave, and it was the sight of you, fishing in the lake, -which first made me feel that I was really home. You are -a good fisherman and a bright lad, and I am sure you -will become a great warrior. Because you were the first -and because you appeared so brave in the face of what -might have been great danger, I wish to reward you. Here -is the bow which I carried all through my homeward trip. -Keep it and remember the Seneca Chief you spoke to -the day the fish were biting so well and the sun was -warm—the day that happiness once again filled that -Chief’s heart.”</p> -<p>“Thank you, Bear Claw,” the boy replied proudly. -“May I hope that some day my father and I may go -fishing with you at the secret lake?”</p> -<p>Everyone laughed and, most of all, Bear Claw. There -was joy in the village for their leader had returned, and -a boy had made him welcome.</p> -<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul> -<li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard (or amusing) spellings and dialect unchanged.</li> -<li>In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)</li> -</ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Treasury of American Indian Tales, by -Theodore Whitson Ressler - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TREASURY OF AMERICAN INDIAN TALES *** - -***** This file should be named 62855-h.htm or 62855-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/8/5/62855/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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