ld Wa-chi-ta
summon the best known medicine men and old women, but each one shook his
or her head doubtfully. Vainly did the tribe assemble in the Council
wigwam to consult with one another and pray to the Great Spirit for
Mus-kin-gum's son--for his recovery. Nothing seemed to avail. The child
grew worse and worse, never caring to leave his mother's side.

"Then came a bad year for the Indians. There was a drought. The fruit
fell from the trees while yet in flower. The grass turned brown and
withered. The crops died. The water dried up and there was none for the
cattle. The different tribes met and prayed with no result.

"'We must die,' they said. 'Behold! the Lake even has gone, and
something must be done.'

"And the wise men declared that the Great Spirit must be angry with them
and that he demanded of them a sacrifice. The more they talked the more
they believed that it was imperative. 'One life must be sacrificed,'
they said,--'one life for many. That is the only way to save our people.
No rain has fallen in nearly four months. The Great Spirit demands and
must be obeyed.'

"Then into the midst of the wise men and chieftains came O-hi-o. She was
very beautiful and the braves held their breath as they gazed upon her.
By her hand she led the son of Mus-kin-gum.

"'I have heard what you said--oh! wise men,' she began. 'I have no wish
to live longer. I and my son are ready to be your sacrifice. My heart is
in the grave upon the mountain side. My son is not strong; his health is
poor. We give ourselves for the good of our people.'

"Many wept. The wise men regarded her as they might an angel sent by the
Great Spirit. Her parents gazed upon her with pride and adoration.

"'But,' she continued, 'I would choose the manner of my death. On the
pinnacle of rocks overlooking this valley, where each day that he hunted
in the woods my dear Mus-kin-gum would stand and wave to me, tomorrow
night 'neath the light of the moon, with my son's hand in mine--together
he and I will leap from that rock into the valley below,--the once
lovely valley now so desolate. Do not refuse me,' she cried, as many
protested suggesting others not so young. 'No, I will gladly make the
sacrifice for my dear father's people.'

"So they counselled together and accepted the offer made by their
Chieftain's daughter.

"O-hi-o and Mus-kin-gum spent their last day with the old people, who,
while filled with pride, were heartbroken. They clung to the