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the helpless thing。
Suddenly the fawn sprang high into the air and then dropped her pretty
head on the ground。
〃Ohiyesa； the fawn is dead；〃 cried Chatanna。 〃I wanted to keep her。〃
〃It is a shame；〃 I chimed in。
We five guilty ones came and stood around her helpless form。 We all
looked very sorry； even Chagoo's eyes showed repentance and regret。 As
for Ohitika； he gave two great sighs and then be… took himself to a
respectful distance。 Chatanna had two big tears gradually swamping his
long； black eye…lashes； and I thought it was time to hide my face； for I did
not want him to look at me。
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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
IV Hakadah's First Offering
〃HAKADAH； coowah！〃 was the sonorous call that came from a large
teepee in the midst of the Indian encampment。 In answer to the summons
there emerged from the woods； which were only a few steps away； a boy；
accompanied by a splendid black dog。 There was little in the ap…
pearance of the little fellow to distinguish him from the other Sioux boys。
He hastened to the tent from which he had been summoned； carrying
in his hands a bow and arrows gorgeously painted； while the small birds
and squirrels that he had killed with these weap… ons dangled from his belt。
Within the tent sat two old women； one on each side of the fire。
Uncheedah was the boy's grandmother； who had brought up the mother…
less child。 Wahchewin was only a caller； but she had been invited to
remain and assist in the first personal offering of Hakadah to the 〃Great
Mys… tery。〃
This was a matter which had； for several days； pretty much
monopolized Uncheedah's mind。 It was her custom to see to this when
each of her children attained the age of eight summers。 They had all
been celebrated as warriors and hunters among their tribe； and she had not
hesitated to claim for herself a good share of the honors they had achieved；
because she had brought them early to the notice of the 〃Great Mystery。〃
She believed that her influence had helped to regulate and develop the
characters of her sons to the height of savage nobility and strength of man…
hood。
It had been whispered through the teepee vil… lage that Uncheedah
intended to give a feast in honor of her grandchild's first sacrificial
offering。 This was mere speculation； however； for the clear… sighted old
woman had determined to keep this part of the matter secret until the
offering should be completed； believing that the 〃Great Myste… ry〃 should
be met in silence and dignity。
The boy came rushing into the lodge； followed by his dog Ohitika who
was wagging his tail pro… miscuously； as if to say： 〃Master and I are really
hunters！〃
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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
Hakadah breathlessly gave a descriptive narra… tive of the killing of
each bird and squirrel as he pulled them off his belt and threw them before
his grandmother。
〃This blunt…headed arrow；〃 said he； 〃actually had eyes this morning。
Before the squirrel can dodge around the tree it strikes him in the head；
and； as he falls to the ground； my Ohitika is upon him。〃
He knelt upon one knee as he talked； his black eyes shining like
evening stars。
〃Sit down here；〃 said Uncheedah to the boy； 〃I have something to say
to you。 You see that you are now almost a man。 Observe the game you
have brought me！ It will not be long be… fore you will leave me； for a
warrior must seek opportunities to make him great among his people。
〃You must endeavor to equal your father。 and grandfather；〃 she went
on。 〃They were warriors and feast…makers。 But it is not the poor hunter
who makes many feasts。 Do you not remember the 'Legend of the Feast…
Maker；' who gave forty feasts in twelve moons？ And have you for… gotten
the story of the warrior who sought the will of the Great Mystery？ To…day
you will make your first offering to him。〃
The concluding sentence fairly dilated the eyes of the young hunter；
for he felt that a great event was about to occur； in which he would be the
principal actor。 But Uncheedah resumed her speech。
〃You must give up one of your belongings whichever is dearest to
youfor this is to be a sacrificial offering。〃
This somewhat confused the boy； not that he was selfish； but rather
uncertain as to what would be the most appropriate thing to give。 Then；
too； he supposed that his grandmother referred to his ornaments and
playthings only。 So he volunteered：
〃I can give up my best bow and arrows； and all the paints I have； and
and my bear's claws necklace； grandmother！〃
〃Are these the things dearest to you？〃 she demanded。
〃Not the bow and arrows； but the paints will be very hard to get； for
there are no white people near； and the necklaceit is not easy to get one
like it again。 I will also give up my otter… skin head…dress； if you think
that is not enough。〃
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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
〃But think； my boy； you have not yet men… tioned the thing that will be
a pleasant offering to the Great Mystery。〃
The boy looked into the woman's face with a puzzled expression。
〃I have nothing else as good as those things I have named；
grandmother； unless it is my spotted pony； and I am sure that the Great
Mystery will not require a little boy to make him so large a gift。 Besides；
my uncle gave three otter…skins and five eagle…feathers for him and I
promised to keep him a long while； if the Blackfeet or the Crows do not
steal him。〃
Uncheedah was not fully satisfied with the boy's free offerings。
Perhaps it had not occurred to him what she really wanted。 But
Uncheedah knew where his affection was vested。 His faithful dog； his
pet and companionHakadah was almost in… separable from the loving
beast。
She was sure that it would be difficult to obtain his consent to sacrifice
the animal； but she ven… tured upon a final appeal。
〃You must remember；〃 she sai