aughing and
urging their little steeds along. First BO-PING was a little ahead, and
then he was glad, for he had been telling how well his little donkey
could go. Then the others whipped their small animals a little harder
for none wanted to be beaten. How they did go! You never saw four little
donkeys go faster. At last the race came to an end, and the little
children, who had gathered to see the finish, clapped their hands and
laughed as TO-A, who was a favorite with them all, came in just a
little ahead of his companions.

[Illustration: THE BOYS WERE TURNING SOMERSAULTS OVER HIS HEAD.]

[Illustration]

LEARNING TO SHOOT.

Indian fathers are just as proud of their little sons as white fathers
are of theirs.

One day, a CROW Indian chief came in from the mountains, where he had
been hunting and said to his little son: "Now, my little warrior, you
are getting to be a big boy, you must grow up to be a big chief of your
tribe. You must learn to shoot and be brave so that when you grow up,
you will earn a name, and your people will love you."

The father gave his little son a tiny bow and some arrows, and taking
him by the hand, called his little dog and went out to see what they
could find to shoot at. Just outside of the tepees, were some bushes
where the magpies had gathered and were chattering together, enjoying
the beautiful sunshine.

Magpies are very inquisitive birds, and when they saw the little hunter,
come along with his dog and his father, one of the little birds jumped
down from the bush and hopped over to see what they were going to do.
The father thought this was a good chance for his boy, so he got down on
the ground to instruct him. The little fellow shot, and do you know he
killed one of those birds!

[Illustration: GAVE HIS LITTLE SON A TINY BOW.]

Then the father was just as proud as his little boy. The little fellow
picked up the bird, and then off he started for home. His mother was
sitting in the tepee making her little son a new pair of moccasins, and
when he came in and threw the bird over for her to see, she was as much
pleased as her boy, for soon he would be able to shoot rabbits and other
game for her to cook for his dinner.

[Illustration: ABLE TO SHOOT RABBITS.]

[Illustration]

LITTLE BIRD, THE NAVAJO SHEPHERD BOY.

Little bird was a little NAVAJO boy, whose papa had given him a dear
little pony, because he took such good care of the sheep.

When LITTLE BI