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crawled back to their camp and hurriedly ate some pounded meat and
drank some cherry tea。 Then they took down their robe and rolled
it up and got everything in readiness for a hurried flight with the
horses。 Scarcely had they got everything in readiness when the
party came by； singing their song of the chase。 When they had all
gone the friends crawled down to the trail and lay waiting for the
old man。 Soon they heard him singing。 Nearer and nearer came the
sounds of the song until at last at a bend in the road； the old man
came into view。 The two friends arose and advanced to meet him。
On he came still singing。 No doubt he mistook them for some of his
own people。 When he was very close to them they each stepped to
either side of him and before he could make an outcry they pierced
his cowardly old heart with two arrows。 He had hardly touched the
ground when they both struck him with their bows； winning first and
second honors by striking an enemy after he has fallen。 Chaske
having won first honors； asked his friend to perform the scalping
deed； which he did。 And wanting to be sure that the spirit would
get full revenge； took the whole scalp； ears and all； and tied it
to his belt。 The buffalo beef which the old man had packed upon
the black horse； they threw on the top of the old man。 Quickly
mounting the two horses； they hastened out across the long flat
towards the hunting grounds。 When they came in sight of the
grounds there they saw two men riding about from place to place。
Chaske took after the one on the right； Hake the one on the left。
When the two men saw these two strange men riding like the wind
towards them； they turned their horses to retreat towards the
hills； but the white and the black were the swiftest of the tribe's
horses； and quickly overtook the two fleeing men。 When they came
close to the enemy they strung their arrows onto the bowstring and
drove them through the two fleeing hunters。 As they were falling
they tried to shoot； but being greatly exhausted； their bullets
whistled harmlessly over the heads of the two friends。 They
scalped the two enemies and took their guns and ammunition； also
secured the two horses and started for the high knoll。 When they
arrived at the place； there stood the spirit。 Hake presented him
with the old man's scalp and then the spirit showed them the large
band of horses； and saying； 〃Ride hard and long；〃 disappeared and
was seen no more by any war parties； as he was thus enabled to join
his forefathers in the happy hunting grounds。
The friends did as the spirit had told them。 For three days and
three nights they rode steadily。 On the fourth morning they came
into their own boundary。 From there on they rode more slowly； and
let the band of horses rest and crop the tops of long grass。 They
would stop occasionally； and while one slept the other kept watch。
Thus they got fairly well rested before they came in sight of where
their camp had stood when they had left。 All that they could see
of the once large village was the lone tent of the great Medicine
Man。 They rode up on to a high hill and farther on towards the
east they saw smoke from a great many tepees。 They then knew that
something had happened and that the village had moved away。
〃My friend；〃 said Chaske； 〃I am afraid something has happened to
the Medicine Man's lodge； and rather than have you go there； I will
go alone and you follow the trail of our party and go on ahead
with the horses。 I will take the black and the white horses with
me and I will follow on later； after I have seen what the trouble
is。〃
〃Very well； my friend； I will do as you say； but I am afraid
something has happened to Pretty Feather。〃 Hake started on with
the horses； driving them along the broad trail left by the hundreds
of travois。 Chaske made slowly towards the tepee； and stopping
outside； stood and listened。 Not a sound could he hear。 The only
living thing he saw was Pretty Feather's spotted horse tied to the
side of the tent。 Then he knew that she must be dead。 He rode off
into the thick brush and tied his two horses securely。 Then he came
back and entered the tepee。 There on a bed of robes lay some one
apparently dead。 The body was wrapped in blankets and robes and
bound around and around with parfleche ropes。 These he carefully
untied and unwound。 Then he unwrapped the robes and blankets and
when he uncovered the face； he saw； as he had expected to； the face
of his lost love； Pretty Feather。 As he sat gazing on her
beautiful young face； his heart ached for his poor friend。 He
himself had loved and lost this beautiful maiden； and now his
friend who had won her would have to suffer the untold grief which
he had suffered。
What was that？ Could it have been a slight quivering of the
nostrils that he had seen； or was it mad fancy playing a trick on
him？ Closer he drew to her face； watching intently for another
sign。 There it was again； only this time it was a long； deep drawn
breath。 He arose； got some water and taking a small stick slowly
forced open her mouth and poured some into it。 Then he took some
sage； dipped it into the water and sprinkled a little on her head
and face。 There were many parfleche bags piled around the tepee；
and thinking he might find some kind of medicine roots which he
could use to revive her he started opening them one after the
other。 He had opened three and was just opening the fourth； when
a voice behind him asked： 〃What are you looking for？〃 Turning
quickly； he saw Pretty Feather looking at him。 Overjoyed； he
cried； 〃What can I do so that you can get up and ride to the
village with me？ My friend and I just returned with a large band
of horses and two scalps。 We saw this tent and recognized it。
My friend wanted to come； but I would not let him； as I feared if
he found anything had happened to you he would do harm to himself；
but now he will be anxious for my return； so if you will tell me
what you need in order to revive you； I will get it； and we can
then go to my friend in the village。〃 〃At the foot of my bed you
will find a piece of eagle fat。 Build a fire and melt it for me。
I will drink it and then we can go。〃
Chaske quickly started a fire； got out the piece of fat and melted
it。 She drank it at one draught； and was about to arise when she
suddenly said： 〃Roll me up quick and take the buffalo hair rope and
tie it about my spotted horse's neck； tie his tail in a knot and
tie him to the door。 Then run and hide behind the trees。 There
are two of the enemy coming this way。〃
Chaske hurriedly obeyed her orders； and had barely concealed
himself behind the trees； when there came into view two of the
enemy。 They saw the horse tied to the door of the deserted tent；
and knew that some dead person occupied the tepee； so through
respect for the dead； they turned out and started to go through the
brush and trees； so as not to pass