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respect for the dead； they turned out and started to go through the
brush and trees； so as not to pass the door。 （The Indians consider
it a bad omen to pass by the door of a tepee occupied by a dead
body； that is； while in the enemy's country）。 So by making this
detour they traveled directly towards where Chaske was concealed
behind the tree。 Knowing that he would be discovered； and there
being two of them； he knew the only chance he had was for him to
kill one of them before they discovered him； then he stood a better
chance at an even combat。 On they came； little thinking that one
of them would in a few minutes be with his forefathers。
Chaske noiselessly slipped a cartridge into the chamber of his gun；
threw it into action and took deliberate aim at the smaller one's
breast。 A loud report rang out and the one he had aimed at threw
up his arms and fell heavily forward； shot through the heart。
Reloading quickly Chaske stepped out from behind the tree。 He
could easily have killed the other from his concealed position；
but； being a brave young man； he wanted to give his opponent a fair
chance。 The other had unslung his gun and a duel was then fought
between the two lone combatants。 They would spring from side to
side like two great cats。 Then advance one or two steps and fire。
Retreat a few steps； spring to one side and fire again。 The
bullets whistled past their heads； tore up the earth beneath their
feet； and occasionally one would hit its mark； only to cause a
flesh wound。
Suddenly the enemy aimed his gun and threw it upon the ground。 His
ammunition was exhausted； and slowly folding his arms he stood
facing his opponent； with a fearless smile upon his face； expecting
the next moment to fall dead from a bullet from the rifle of
Chaske。 Not so。 Chaske was too honorable and noble to kill an
unarmed man； and especially one who had put up such a brave fight
as had this man。 Chaske advanced and picked up the empty gun。 The
Toka （enemy） drew from a scabbard at his belt a long bowie knife；
and taking it by the point handed it； handle first； to Chaske。
This signified surrender。 Chaske scalped the dead Toka and
motioned for his prisoner to follow him。 In the meantime Pretty
Feather had gotten up and stood looking at the duel。 When she
heard the first shot she jumped up and cut a small slit in the tent
from which she saw the whole proceedings。 Knowing that one or both
of them must be wounded； she hurriedly got water and medicine
roots； and when they came to the tent she was prepared to dress
their wounds。
Chaske had a bullet through his shoulder and one through his hand。
They were very painful but not dangerous。 The prisoner had a
bullet through his leg； also one through the muscle of his left
arm。 Pretty Feather washed and dressed their wounds； and Chaske
went and brought the black and white horses and mounting Pretty
Feather upon the white horse； and the prisoner on her spotted one；
the three soon rode into the village； and there was a great cry of
joy when it was known that Pretty Feather had come back to them
again。
Hake； who was in his tent grieving； was told that his friend had
returned and with him Pretty Feather。 Hearing this good news he at
once went to the Medicine Man's tent and found the Medicine
Man busily dressing the wounds of his friend and a stranger。 The
old Medicine Man turned to Hake and said：
〃Son…in…law； take your wife home with you。 It was from grief at
your absence that she went into a trance； and we； thinking she was
dead； left her for such。 Hadn't it been for your friend here； she
would surely have been a corpse now。 So take her and keep her with
you always； and take as a present from me fifty of my best horses。〃
Hake and his beautiful bride went home； where his adopted mother
had a fine large tent put up for them。 Presents of cooking
utensils； horses； robes and finely worked shawls and moccasins came
from every direction； and last of all Chaske gave as a present to
his friend the Toka man whom he had taken as prisoner。 On
presenting him with this gift； Chaske spoke thus：
〃My friend； I present to you； that you may have him as a servant to
look after your large band of horses； this man with whom I fought
a two hours' duel； and had his ammunition lasted he would probably
have conquered me； and who gave me the second hardest fight of my
life。
The hardest fight of my life was when I gave up Pretty Feather。
You have them both。 To the Toka （enemy） be kind； and he will do
all your biddings。 To Pretty Feather be a good husband。〃
So saying； Chaske left them； and true to his word； lived the
remainder of his days a confirmed bachelor。
THE STORY OF THE PET CROW
Once upon a time there came to a large village a plague of crows。
So thick were they that the poor women were sorely tried keeping
them out of their tepees and driving them away from their lines of
jerked buffalo meat。 Indeed they got so numerous and were such a
great nuisance that the Chief finally gave orders to his camp
criers or heralds to go out among the different camps and announce
the orders of their Chief； that war should be made upon
the crows to extermination； that their nests were to be destroyed
and all eggs broken。 The war of extermination was to continue
until not a crow remained； except the youngest found was to be
brought to him alive。
For a week the war on the crows continued。 Thousands of dead crows
were brought in daily； and at the end of the week not a bird of
that species could be seen in the neighborhood。 Those that escaped
the deadly arrow of the warriors； flew away； never to return to
those parts again。
At the end of the war made upon the crows； there was brought to the
Chief's tepee the youngest found。 Indeed； so young was the bird
that it was only the great medicine of the Chief that kept him
alive until he could hop about and find his own food。 The Chief
spent most of his time in his lodge teaching the young crow to
understand and talk the language of the tribe。 After the crow had
mastered this； the Chief then taught him the languages of the
neighboring tribes。 When the crow had mastered these different
languages the chief would send him on long journeys to ascertain
the location of the camps of the different enemies。
When the crow would find a large Indian camp he would alight and
hop about； pretending to be picking up scraps； but really keeping
his ears open for anything he might hear。 He would hang around all
day； and at night when they would all gather in the large council
tent （which always stood in the center of the village） to determine
upon their next raid； and plan for a horse stealing trip； Mr。 Crow
was always nearby to hear all their plans discussed。 He would then
fly away to his master （the Chief） and
tell him all that he had learned。
The Chief would then send a band of his