into the field.

At a signal from Black Wolf, Antelope tossed the ball into the air. It
was caught by a player on his own side, who started to run in the
opposite direction from his own goal sticks.

The ball was knocked out of his hand and thrown the other way. Back
and forth it went until Antelope caught it in his ball stick. He
started at full speed toward the goal on Swift Elk's side.

In a moment he was caught and the ball again turned. Running,
screaming, throwing, pushing, striking each other's arms with ball
sticks, the boys rushed together.

At last Antelope's side gained the advantage. Nearer and nearer the
ball came to Swift Elk's goal sticks. One strong throw, and the game
would be won. Antelope's players danced and yelled with joy.

Suddenly a younger boy, one of the poor players who was made to stand
on guard, caught the ball and sent it whizzing toward Swift Elk.

The other side, sure of success, was taken by surprise. Before
Antelope could turn, Swift Elk had the start and was speeding toward
the opposite goal.

"Never was there a finer race," Black Wolf thought. All the boys had
crowded together at one end of the line to see the victory, leaving an
open field for the two fleetest runners.

You would have liked to see the two Indian lads with painted bodies
running like the wind. They were followed by a crowd of boys shouting,
howling, rushing, pushing, and trying in vain to overtake them.

But not even Antelope could regain the advantage he lost in starting.
Swift Elk swung his stick and sent the ball spinning between the two
poles of the goal. He had won the game for his side.

After the victors had shouted themselves hoarse, they lay down on the
ground near Black Wolf and asked for a story.

"I will tell you," said the old man, "of the most wonderful ball game
the world ever saw. It happened long ago when the animals ruled the
land and there were no people on the earth."

THE ANIMALS AND THE BIRDS PLAY BALL

Once the animals dared the birds to play a game of ball with them. The
birds chose the eagle for their captain, and the animals chose the bear.

They all talked at the same time, trying to make their plans. When
should they play? Where should they play? "Leave that to the eagle and
the bear," said the deer. And all agreed.

At the appointed time the animals met on a smooth, grassy plain and
the birds in a tree top near by.

Captain Bear was so large and heavy that he co