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ner… vously toward the scene of the disturbance。 Soon a tall youth
emerged from the throng of spectators and advanced toward the circle。
Every one of the chaperons glared at him as if to deter him from his
purpose。 But with a steady step he passed them by and approached the
maidens' circle。
At last he stopped behind a pretty Assiniboine maiden of good family
and said：
〃I am sorry； but； according to custom； you should not be here。〃
The girl arose in confusion； but she soon recov… ered her self…control。
〃What do you mean？〃 she demanded； indig… nantly。 〃Three times
you have come to court me； but each time I have refused to listen to you。
I turned my back upon you。 Twice I was with Mashtinna。 She can tell
the people that this is true。 The third time I had gone for water when you
intercepted me and begged me to stop and listen。 I refused because I did
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not know you。 My chaperon； Makatopawee； knows that I was gone but a
few minutes。 I never saw you any… where else。〃
The young man was unable to answer this un… mistakable statement of
facts； and it became ap… parent that he had sought to revenge himself for
her repulse。
〃Woo！ woo！ Carry him out！〃 was the order of the chief of the Indian
police； and the audacious youth was hurried away into the nearest ravine
to be chastised。
The young woman who had thus established her good name returned
to the circle； and the feast was served。 The 〃maidens' song〃 was sung；
and four times they danced in a ring around the altar。 Each maid as she
departed once more took her oath to remain pure until she should meet her
husband。
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IX More Legends
I： A Legend of Devil's Lake
AFTER the death of Smoky Day； old Weyuha was regarded as the
greatest story…teller among the Wahpeton Sioux。
〃Tell me； good Weyuha； a le… gend of your father's country；〃 I said to
him one evening； for I knew the country which is now known as North
Dakota and South… ern Manitoba was their ancient hunting…ground。 I was
prompted by Uncheedah to make this re… quest； after the old man had
eaten in our lodge。
〃Many years ago；〃 he began； as he passed the pipe to uncle； 〃we
traveled from the Otter…tail to Minnewakan （Devil's Lake）。 At that time
the mound was very distinct where Chotanka lies buried。 The people of
his immediate band had taken care to preserve it。
〃This mound under which lies the great medi… cine man is upon the
summit of Minnewakan Chantay； the highest hill in all that region。 It is
shaped like an animal's heart placed on its base； with the apex upward。
〃The reason why this hill is called Minnewa… kan Chantay； or the Heart
of the Mysterious Land； I will now tell you。 It has been handed down
from generation to generation； far beyond the memory of our great…
grandparents。 It was in Chotanka's line of descent that these legends
were originally kept； but when he died the stories became everybody's；
and then no one believed in them。 It was told in this way。〃
I sat facing him； wholly wrapped in the words of the story…teller； and
now I took a deep breath and settled myself so that I might not disturb him
by the slightest movement while he was reciting his tale。 We were taught
this courtesy to our elders； but I was impulsive and sometimes forgot。
〃A long time ago；〃 resumed Weyuha； 〃the red people were many in
number； and they inhabi… ted all the land from the coldest place to the re…
gion of perpetual summer time。 It seemed that they were all of one
tongue； and all were friends。
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〃All the animals were considered people in those days。 The buffalo；
the elk； the antelope； were tribes of considerable importance。 The bears
were a smaller band； but they obeyed the mandates of the Great Mystery
and were his favorites； and for this reason they have always known more
about the secrets of medicine。 So they were held in much honor。 The
wolves； too； were highly re… garded at one time。 But the buffalo； elk；
moose； deer and antelope were the ruling people。
〃These soon became conceited and considered themselves very
important； and thought no one could withstand them。 The buffalo made
war up… on the smaller tribes； and destroyed many。 So one day the Great
Mystery thought it best to change the people in form and in language。
〃He made a great tent and kept it dark for ten days。 Into this tent he
invited the different bands； and when they came out they were greatly
changed； and some could not talk at all after that。 How… ever； there is a
sign language given to all the ani… mals that no man knows except some
medicine men； and they are under a heavy penalty if they should tell it。
〃The buffalo came out of the darkened tent the clumsiest of all the
animals。 The elk and moose were burdened with their heavy and many…
branched horns； while the antelope and deer were made the most
defenseless of animals； only that they are fleet of foot。 The bear and the
wolf were made to prey upon all the others。
〃Man was alone then。 When the change came； the Great Mystery
allowed him to keep his own shape and language。 He was king over all
the animals； but they did not obey him。 From that day； man's spirit may
live with the beasts be… fore he is born a man。 He will then know the
animal language but he cannot tell it in human speech。 He always retains
his sympathy with them； and can converse with them in dreams。
〃I must not forget to tell you that the Great Mystery pitched his tent in
this very region。 Some legends say that the Minnewakan Chantay was
the tent itself； which afterward became earth and stones。 Many of the
animals were washed and changed in this