rned to Owl Carver. "We need to learn much more about the
pale eyes if we are to protect ourselves from them. Some of us must live
with them and come to understand them from within their tribe. Such a
one must be young enough to learn new ways. And he should be specially
gifted, a favorite of the spirits."

Then Owl Carver stood up to speak, facing White Bear.

"White Bear, listen to the words of your teacher. There is more than one
way to become a shaman. Here in Saukenuk live many people of the Fox and
some of the Winnebago, Piankeshaw and Kickapoo tribes. Who says their
lives are over because they live among the Sauk? If you live with the
tribe of pale eyes, it will make you a man of greater knowledge. To go
among them will take the courage of a warrior and more. Of knowledge, of
courage, is a shaman made."

Owl Carver turned to Black Hawk. "Sun Woman is right. Let the boy go
with Star Arrow. I know Earthmaker has blazed this trail for White
Bear." He crossed his arms before his chest and sat down again.

White Bear cast about desperately for words that would answer Owl
Carver. He felt helpless to fight the current that was sweeping him
away.

"If Earthmaker wants this for me, how is it that _I_ do not know it?" he
cried. He went cold inside, realizing that in his desperation he was
defying Owl Carver before all the people. He was questioning Owl
Carver's powers.

He wanted to say that he hoped to be the great prophet of the Sauk after
Owl Carver had departed to the land of the spirits. But he did not dare
say such a thing. Earthmaker himself might punish him for such
presumption.

"Did I not come back to you from the sacred cave with the very words of
the Turtle?" he said, holding his hands out in appeal. "Surely I will
bring you other great visions if I stay with you. Among the Sauk I have
grown to manhood. Why does this man come now to tear me away from the
only tribe I have known?"

He was surprised to see Star Arrow smile warmly at him.

"This man is your father," Owl Carver declared. "You are a Sauk. A Sauk
never shirks the demands of honor. A Sauk is loyal and respectful and
obedient toward his father."

"I am proud of my son," said Star Arrow. "He speaks with power before
the people."

At that, a hopeless feeling swept over White Bear. Star Arrow was not
fighting him, any more than water fights a drowning man. Star Arrow was
a current dragging him away from his people, his village.

And the vi