leaned long over the gift of the friendly ghosts.

"How, my friend!" said a voice behind his ear, and a hand fell on his
shoulder. It was not a spirit this time. It was old Iktomi.

"How, Iktomi!" answered Patkasa, still stooping over the deer.

"My friend, you are a skilled hunter," began Iktomi, smiling a thin
smile which spread from one ear to the other.

Suddenly raising up his head Patkasa's black eyes twinkled as he asked:
"Oh, you really say so?"

"Yes, my friend, you are a skillful fellow. Now let us have a little
contest. Let us see who can jump over the deer without touching a hair
on his hide," suggested Iktomi.

"Oh, I fear I cannot do it!" cried Patkasa, rubbing his funny, thick
palms together.

"Have no coward's doubt, Patkasa. I say you are a skillful fellow who
finds nothing hard to do." With these words Iktomi led Patkasa a short
distance away. In little puffs Patkasa laughed uneasily.

"Now, you may jump first," said Iktomi.

Patkasa, with doubled fists, swung his fat arms to and fro, all the
while biting hard his under lip.

Just before the run and leap Iktomi put in: "Let the winner have the
deer to eat!"

It was too late now to say no. Patkasa was more afraid of being called
a coward than of losing the deer. "Ho-wo," he replied, still working his
short arms. At length he started off on the run. So quick and small were
his steps that he seemed to be kicking the ground only. Then the leap!
But Patkasa tripped upon a stick and fell hard against the side of the
deer.

"He-he-he!" exclaimed Iktomi, pretending disappointment that his friend
had fallen.

Lifting him to his feet, he said: "Now it is my turn to try the high
jump!" Hardly was the last word spoken than Iktomi gave a leap high
above the deer.

"The game is mine!" laughed he, patting the sullen Patkasa on the
back. "My friend, watch the deer while I go to bring my children," said
Iktomi, darting lightly through the tall grass.

Patkasa was always ready to believe the words of scheming people and to
do the little favors any one asked of him. However, on this occasion,
he did not answer "Yes, my friend." He realized that Iktomi's flattering
tongue had made him foolish.

He turned up his nose at Iktomi, now almost out of sight, as much as to
say: "Oh, no, Ikto; I do not hear your words!"

Soon there came a murmur of voices. The sound of laughter grew louder
and louder. All of a sudden it became hushed. Old Iktomi led his youn