of sacred stones within, he made ready to
purge his body. "The buffalo blood, too, must be purified before I ask
a blessing upon it," thought the badger. He carried it into the sacred
vapor lodge. After placing it near the sacred stones, he sat down beside
it. After a long silence, he muttered: "Great Spirit, bless this little
buffalo blood." Then he arose, and with a quiet dignity stepped out of
the lodge. Close behind him some one followed. The badger turned to
look over his shoulder and to his great joy he beheld a Dakota brave
in handsome buckskins. In his hand he carried a magic arrow. Across his
back dangled a long fringed quiver. In answer to the badger's prayer,
the avenger had sprung from out the red globules.

"My son!" exclaimed the badger with extended right hand.

"How, father," replied the brave; "I am your avenger!"

Immediately the badger told the sad story of his hungry little ones and
the stingy bear.

Listening closely the young man stood looking steadily upon the ground.

At length the father badger moved away.

"Where?" queried the avenger.

"My son, we have no food. I am going again to beg for meat," answered
the badger.

"Then I go with you," replied the young brave. This made the old badger
happy. He was proud of his son. He was delighted to be called "father"
by the first human creature.

The bear saw the badger coming in the distance. He narrowed his eyes
at the tall stranger walking beside him. He spied the arrow. At once he
guessed it was the avenger of whom he had heard long, long ago. As they
approached, the bear stood erect with a hand on his thigh. He smiled
upon them.

"How, badger, my friend! Here is my knife. Cut your favorite pieces from
the deer," said he, holding out a long thin blade.

"How!" said the badger eagerly. He wondered what had inspired the big
bear to such a generous deed. The young avenger waited till the badger
took the long knife in his hand.

Gazing full into the black bear's face, he said: "I come to do justice.
You have returned only a knife to my poor father. Now return to him his
dwelling." His voice was deep and powerful. In his black eyes burned a
steady fire.

The long strong teeth of the bear rattled against each other, and his
shaggy body shook with fear. "Ahow!" cried he, as if he had been shot.
Running into the dwelling he gasped, breathless and trembling, "Come
out, all of you! This is the badger's dwelling. We must flee to the
forest for