fear of the avenger who carries the magic arrow."

Out they hurried, all the bears, and disappeared into the woods.

Singing and laughing, the badgers returned to their own dwelling.

Then the avenger left them.

"I go," said he in parting, "over the earth."

THE TREE-BOUND

IT was a clear summer day. The blue, blue sky dropped low over the edge
of the green level land. A large yellow sun hung directly overhead.

The singing of birds filled the summer space between earth and sky with
sweet music. Again and again sang a yellow-breasted birdie--"Koda Ni
Dakota!" He insisted upon it. "Koda Ni Dakota!" which was "Friend,
you're a Dakota! Friend, you're a Dakota!" Perchance the birdie meant
the avenger with the magic arrow, for there across the plain he strode.
He was handsome in his paint and feathers, proud with his great buckskin
quiver on his back and a long bow in his hand. Afar to an eastern camp
of cone-shaped teepees he was going. There over the Indian village
hovered a large red eagle threatening the safety of the people. Every
morning rose this terrible red bird out of a high chalk bluff and
spreading out his gigantic wings soared slowly over the round camp
ground. Then it was that the people, terror-stricken, ran screaming
into their lodges. Covering their heads with their blankets, they sat
trembling with fear. No one dared to venture out till the red eagle had
disappeared beyond the west, where meet the blue and green.

In vain tried the chieftain of the tribe to find among his warriors a
powerful marksman who could send a death arrow to the man-hungry bird.
At last to urge his men to their utmost skill he bade his crier proclaim
a new reward.

Of the chieftain's two beautiful daughters he would have his choice who
brought the dreaded red eagle with an arrow in its breast.

Upon hearing these words, the men of the village, both young and old,
both heroes and cowards, trimmed new arrows for the contest. At gray
dawn there stood indistinct under the shadow of the bluff many human
figures; silent as ghosts and wrapped in robes girdled tight about their
waists, they waited with chosen bow and arrow.

Some cunning old warriors stayed not with the group. They crouched low
upon the open ground. But all eyes alike were fixed upon the top of the
high bluff. Breathless they watched for the soaring of the red eagle.

From within the dwellings many eyes peeped through the small holes in
the front lapel