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eggs of various sizes； and all of a remarkable red color。 He was nothing
but a boy after all； and had all a boy's curiosity and reck… lessness。 As he
was handling the eggs carelessly； his notice was attracted to a sudden
confusion in the little village below。 All of the people seemed to be
running toward the tree。 He mischievously threw an egg at them； and in
the instant that it broke he saw one of the men drop dead。 Then all began
to cry out pitifully； 'Give me my heart！'
〃'Ah；' exclaimed Stone Boy； exulting；' so these are the hearts of the
people who destroyed my uncles！ I shall break them all！'
〃And he really did break all of the eggs but four small ones which he
took in his hand。 Then he descended the tree； and wandered among the
silent and deserted lodges in search of some trace of his lost uncles。 He
found four little boys； the sole survivors of their race； and these he com…
manded to tell him where their bones were laid。
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〃They showed him the spot where a heap of bones was bleaching on
the ground。 Then he bade one of the boys bring wood； a second water； a
third stones； and the fourth he sent to cut willow wands for the sweat
lodge。 They obeyed； and Stone Boy built the lodge； made a fire； heated
the stones and collected within the lodge all the bones of his ten uncles。
〃As he poured the water upon the hot stones faint sounds could be
heard from within the magic bath。 These changed to the murmuring of
voices； and finally to the singing of medicine songs。 Stone Boy opened
the door and his ten uncles came forth in the flesh； thanking him and
blessing him for restoring them to life。 Only the little finger of the
youngest uncle was missing。 Stone Boy now heartlessly broke the four
remaining eggs； and took the little finger of the largest boy to supply the
missing bone。
〃They all returned to earth again and Stone Boy conducted his uncles
to his mother's lodge。 She had never slept during his entire absence； but
watched incessantly the pillow upon which her boy was wont to rest his
head； and by which she was to know of his safety。 Going a little in
advance of the others； he suddenly rushed forward into her teepee；
exclaiming： 'Mother； your ten brothers are comingprepare a feast！'
〃For some time after this they all lived happily together。 Stone Boy
occupied himself with soli… tary hunting。 He was particularly fond of
hunt… ing the fiercer wild animals。 He killed them wan… tonly and
brought home only the ears； teeth and claws as his spoil； and with these he
played as he laughingly recounted his exploits。 His mother and uncles
protested； and begged him at least to spare the lives of those animals held
sacred by the Da… kotas； but Stone Boy relied upon his supernatural
powers to protect him from harm。
〃One evening； however； he was noticeably silent and upon being
pressed to give the reason； replied as follows：
〃'For some days past I have heard the animals talking of a conspiracy
against us。 I was going west the other morning when I heard a crier an…
nouncing a general war upon Stone Boy and his people。 The crier was a
Buffalo； going at full speed from west to east。 Again； I heard the Beaver
conversing with the Musk…rat； and both said that their services were
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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
already promised to overflow the lakes and rivers and cause a destructive
flood。 I heard； also； the little Swallow holding a secret council with all
the birds of the air。 He said that he had been appointed a messenger to
the Thunder Birds； and that at a certain signal the doors of the sky would
be opened and rains descend to drown Stone Boy。 Old Badger and the
Grizzly Bear are appointed to burrow underneath our fortifica… tions。
〃'However； I am not at all afraid for myself； but I am anxious for you；
Mother； and for my uncles。'
〃'Ugh！' grunted all the uncles； 'we told you that you would get into
trouble by killing so many of our sacred animals for your own amuse…
ment。
〃'But；' continued Stone Boy； 'I shall make a good resistance； and I
expect you all to help me。'
〃Accordingly they all worked under his direc… tion in preparing for the
defence。 First of all； he threw a pebble into the air； and behold a great
rocky wall around their teepee。 A second； third； fourth and fifth pebble
became other walls with… out the first。 From the sixth and seventh were
formed two stone lodges； one upon the other。 The uncles。 meantime；
made numbers of bows and quivers full of arrows； which were ranged at
con… venient distances along the tops of the walls。 His mother prepared
great quantities of food and made many moccasins for her boy； who
declared that he would defend the fortress alone。
〃At last they saw the army of beasts advancing； each tribe by itself and
commanded by a leader of extraordinary size。 The onset was terrific。
They flung themselves against the high walls with sav… age cries； while the
badgers and other burrowing animals ceaselessly worked to undermine
them。 Stone Boy aimed his sharp arrows with such deadly effect that his
enemies fell by thousands。 So great was their loss that the dead bodies of
the animals formed a barrier higher than the first； and the armies retired in
confusion。
〃But reinforcements were at hand。 The rain fell in torrents； the
beavers had dammed all the rivers and there was a great flood。 The
besieged all retreated into the innermost lodge； but the water poured in
through the burrows made by the badgers and gophers； and rose until
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Stone Boy's mother and his ten uncles were all drowned。 Stone Boy
himself could not be entirely destroyed； but he was overcome by