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concluded that Big Eagle had been discovered and killed； so they
hurriedly started on their trail for home。
In the meantime； the hunting party； for this it was that Big Eagle
had joined； made very good time in putting a good distance between
themselves and the war party。 All day they traveled； and when
evening came they ascended a high hill； looking down into the
valley on the other side。 There stretched for two miles； along the
banks of a small stream； an immense camp。 The old man made signs
for Big Eagle to remain with the two women where he was； until he
could go to the camp and prepare them to receive an enemy into
their village。
The old man rode through the camp and drew up at the largest tepee
in the village。 Soon Big Eagle could see men gathering around the
tepee。 The crowd grew larger and larger； until the whole village
had assembled at the large tepee。 Finally they dispersed； and
catching their horses； mounted and advanced to the hill on which
Big Eagle and the two women were waiting。 They formed a circle
around them and slowly they returned to the village； singing and
riding in a circle around them。
When they arrived at the village they advanced to the large tepee；
and motioned Big Eagle to the seat of honor in the tepee。 In the
village was a man who understood and spoke the Sioux language。 He
was sent for； and through him the oath of allegiance
to the Crow tribe was taken by Big Eagle。 This done he was
presented with the girl to wife； and also with many spotted ponies。
Big Eagle lived with his wife among her people for two years； and
during this time he joined in four different battles between his
own people （the Sioux） and the Crow people； to whom his wife
belonged。
In no battle with his own people would he carry any weapons； only
a long willow coup…stick； with which he struck the fallen Sioux。
At the expiration of two years he concluded to pay a visit to his
own tribe； and his father…in…law； being a chief of high standing；
at once had it heralded through the village that his son…in…law
would visit his own people； and for them to show their good will
and respect for him by bringing ponies for his son…in…law to take
back to his people。
Hearing this； the herds were all driven in and all day long horses
were brought to the tent of Big Eagle； and when he was ready to
start on his homeward trip； twenty young men were elected to
accompany him to within a safe distance of his village。 The twenty
young men drove the gift horses； amounting to two hundred and
twenty head； to within one day's journey of the village of Big
Eagle； and fearing for their safety from his people； Big Eagle sent
them back to their own village。
On his arrival at his home village； they received him as one
returned from the dead； as they were sure he had been killed the
night he had been sent to reconnoiter the lone camp。 There was
great feasting and dancing in honor of his return； and the horses
were distributed among the needy ones of the village。
Remaining at his home village for a year； he one day made up his
mind to return to his wife's people。 A great many fancy robes；
dresses； war bonnets； moccasins； and a great drove of horses were
given him； and his wife； and he bade farewell to his people for
good； saying； 〃I will never return to you again； as I have decided
to live the remainder of my days with my wife's people。〃
On his arrival at the village of the Crows； he found his
father…in…law at the point of death。 A few days later the old man
died； and Big Eagle was appointed to fill the vacancy of chief made
by the death of his father…in…law。
Subsequently he took part in battles against his own people； and in
the third battle was killed on the field。 Tenderly the Crow
warriors bore him back to their camp； and great was the mourning in
the Crow village for the brave man who always went into battle
unarmed； save only the willow wand which he carried。
Thus ended the career of one of the bravest of Sioux warriors who
ever took the scalp of an enemy； and who for the love of his dead
wife； gave up home； parents； and friends； to be killed on the field
of battle by his own tribe。
THE BOY AND THE TURTLES
A boy went on a turtle hunt； and after following the different
streams for hours； finally came to the conclusion that the only
place he would find any turtles would be at the little lake； where
the tribe always hunted them。
So； leaving the stream he had been following； he cut across country
to the lake。 On drawing near the lake he crawled on his hands and
knees in order not to be seen by the turtles； who were very
watchful； as they had been hunted so much。 Peeping over the rock
he saw a great many out on the shore sunning themselves； so he very
cautiously undressed； so he could leap into the water and catch
them before they secreted themselves。 But on pulling off his
shirt one of his hands was held up so high that the turtles saw it
and jumped into the lake with a great splash。
The boy ran to the shore； but saw only bubbles coming up from the
bottom。 Directly the boy saw something coming to the surface； and
soon it came up into sight。 It was a little man； and soon others；
by the hundreds； came up and swam about； splashing the water up
into the air to a great height。 So scared was the boy that he
never stopped to gather up his clothes but ran home naked and fell
into his grandmother's tent door。
〃What is the trouble； grandchild；〃 cried the old woman。 But the
boy could not answer。 〃Did you see anything unnatural？〃 He shook
his head； 〃no。〃 He made signs to the grandmother that his lungs
were pressing so hard against his sides that he could not
talk。 He kept beating his side with his clenched hands。 The
grandmother got out her medicine bag； made a prayer to the Great
Spirit to drive out the evil spirit that had entered her grandson's
body； and after she had applied the medicine； the prayer must have
been heard and answered； as the boy commenced telling her what he
had heard and seen。
The grandmother went to the chief's tent and told what her grandson
had seen。 The chief sent two brave warriors to the lake to
ascertain whether it was true or not。 The two warriors crept to
the little hill close to the lake； and there； sure enough； the lake
was swarming with little men swimming about； splashing the water
high up into the air。 The warriors； too； were scared and hurried
home； and in the council called on their return told what they had
seen。 The boy was brought to the council and given the seat of
honor （opposite the door）； and was named 〃Wankan Wanyanka〃 （sees
holy）。
The lake had formerly borne the name of Truth Lake； but from this
time on was called 〃Wicasa…bde〃Man Lake。
THE HERMIT； OR THE GIFT OF CORN
In a deep forest； far from the villages of his people； lived a
hermit。 His tent was made of buffalo skins； and his dress was made
of deer skin。 Far from the haunts of any human being this old
hermit was content to spend his days。
All day long he would wander through the forest studying the
different plants of nature and collecting precious roots； which he
used as medicine。 At long intervals some warrior would arrive at
the tent of the old hermit and get medicine roots from him for the
tribe； the old hermit's medicine being considered far superior to
all others。
After a long day's ramble in the woods； the hermit came home late；
and being very tired； at once lay down on his bed and was just
dozing off to sleep； when he felt something rub against his foot。
Awakening with a start； he noticed a dark object and an arm was
extended to him； holding in its hand a flint pointed arrow。
The hermit thought； 〃This must be a spirit； as there is no human
being around here but myself！〃 A voice then said： 〃Hermit； I have
come to invite you to my home。〃 〃How （yes）； I will come；〃 said the
old hermit。 Wherewith he arose； wrapped his robe about him and
followed。
Outside the door he stopped and looked around； but could see no
signs of the dark object。
〃Whoever you are； or whatever you be； wait for me； as I don't know
where to go to find your house；〃 said the hermit。 Not an answer
did he receive； nor could he hear any noises as though anyone was
walking through the brush。 Re…entering his tent he retired and was
soon fast asleep。 The next night the same thing occurred again；
and the hermit followed the object out； only to be left as before。
He was very angry to think that anyone should be trying to make
sport of him； and he determined to find out who this could be who
was disturbing his night's rest。
The next evening he cut a hole in the tent large enough to stick an
arrow through； and stood by the door watching。 Soon the dark
object came and stopped outside of the door； and sa