tiquette was sometimes felt by a shy or
sensitive youth as an insurmountable obstacle to the fulfilment of his
desires.

Two Strike was the son and grandson of a chief, but he could not claim
any credit for the deeds of his forbears. He had not only to guard their
good name but achieve one for himself. This he had set out to do, and he
did well. He was now of marriageable age with a war record, and admitted
to the council, yet he did not seem to trouble himself at all about a
wife. His was strictly a bachelor career. Meanwhile, as is apt to be the
case, his parents had thought much about a possible daughter-in-law, and
had even collected ponies, fine robes, and other acceptable goods to be
given away in honor of the event, whenever it should take place. Now and
then they would drop a sly hint, but with no perceptible effect.

They did not and could not know of the inward struggle that racked his
mind at this period of his life. The shy and modest young man was dying
for a wife, yet could not bear even to think of speaking to a young
woman! The fearless hunter of buffaloes, mountain lions, and grizzlies,
the youth who had won his eagle feathers in a battle with the Utes,
could not bring himself to take this tremendous step.

At last his father appealed to him directly. "My son," he declared, "it
is your duty to take unto yourself a wife, in order that the honors won
by your ancestors and by yourself may be handed down in the direct line.
There are several eligible young women in our band whose parents have
intimated a wish to have you for their son-in-law."

Two Strike made no reply, but he was greatly disturbed. He had no wish
to have the old folks select his bride, for if the truth were told,
his choice was already made. He had simply lacked the courage to go
a-courting!

The next morning, after making an unusually careful toilet, he took his
best horse and rode to a point overlooking the path by which the girls
went for water. Here the young men were wont to take their stand, and,
if fortunate, intercept the girl of their heart for a brief but fateful
interview. Two Strike had determined to speak straight to the point,
and as soon as he saw the pretty maid he came forward boldly and placed
himself in her way. A long moment passed. She glanced up at him shyly
but not without encouragement. His teeth fairly chattered with fright,
and he could not say a word. She looked again, noted his strange looks,
and believed h