endure your hunger like a man, and at the end of
TWELVE DAYS, you shall receive food and a blessing from my hands."

The boy carefully did all that his father commanded, and lay quietly
with his face covered, awaiting the arrival of his guardian Spirit who
was to bring him good or bad dreams.

His father visited him every day, encouraging him to endure with
patience the pangs of hunger and thirst. He told him of the honor and
renown that would be his if he continued his fast to the end of the
twelve days.

To all this the boy replied not, but lay on his mat without a murmur of
discontent, until the ninth day; when he said:--

"My father, the dreams tell me of evil. May I break my fast now, and at
a better time make a new one?"

"My son," replied the old man, "you know not what you ask. If you get
up now, all your glory will depart. Wait patiently a little longer. You
have but three days more to fast, then glory and honor will be yours."

The boy said nothing more, but, covering himself closer, he lay until
the eleventh day, when he spoke again:--

"My father," said he, "the dreams forebode evil. May I break my fast
now, and at a better time make a new one?"

"My son," replied the old man again, "you know not what you ask. Wait
patiently a little longer. You have but one more day to fast. To-morrow
I will myself prepare a meal and bring it to you."

The boy remained silent, beneath his covering, and motionless except for
the gentle heaving of his breast.

Early the next morning his father, overjoyed at having gained his end,
prepared some food. He took it and hastened to the lodge intending to
set it before his son.

On coming to the door of the lodge what was his surprise to hear the boy
talking to some one. He lifted the curtain hanging before the doorway,
and looking in saw his son painting his breast with vermilion. And as
the lad laid on the bright color as far back on his shoulders as he
could reach, he was saying to himself:--

"My father has destroyed my fortune as a man. He would not listen to my
requests. I shall be happy forever, because I was obedient to my parent;
but he shall suffer. My guardian Spirit has given me a new form, and now
I must go!"

At this his father rushed into the lodge, crying:

"My son! my son! I pray you leave me not!"

But the boy, with the quickness of a bird, flew to the top of the lodge,
and perching upon the highest pole, was instantly changed into a most
beautif