ard the center of the round camp ground.

Here underneath a temporary shade-house of green leaves they were to
dance and feast. The children in deerskins and paints, just like their
elders, were jolly little men and women. Beside their eager parents they
skipped along toward the green dance house.

Here seated in a large circle, the people were assembled, the proud
chieftain rose with the little baby in his arms. The noisy hum of voices
was hushed. Not a tinkling of a metal fringe broke the silence. The
crier came forward to greet the chieftain, then bent attentively over
the small babe, listening to the words of the chieftain. When he paused
the crier spoke aloud to the people:

"This woodland child is adopted by the chieftain's eldest daughter. His
name is Chaske. He wears the title of the eldest son. In honor of Chaske
the chieftain gives this feast and dance! These are the words of him you
see holding a baby in his arms."

"Yes! Yes! Hinnu! How!" came from the circle. At once the drummers beat
softly and slowly their drum while the chosen singers hummed together to
find the common pitch. The beat of the drum grew louder and faster. The
singers burst forth in a lively tune. Then the drumbeats subsided and
faintly marked the rhythm of the singing. Here and there bounced up men
and women, both young and old. They danced and sang with merry light
hearts. Then came the hour of feasting.

Late into the night the air of the camp ground was alive with the
laughing voices of women and the singing in unison of young men. Within
her father's teepee sat the chieftain's daughter. Proud of her little
one, she watched over him asleep in her lap.

Gradually a deep quiet stole over the camp ground, as one by one the
people fell into pleasant dreams. Now all the village was still. Alone
sat the beautiful young mother watching the babe in her lap, asleep with
a gaping little mouth. Amid the quiet of the night, her ear heard the
far-off hum of many voices. The faint sound of murmuring people was in
the air. Upward she glanced at the smoke hole of the wigwam and saw
a bright star peeping down upon her. "Spirits in the air above?" she
wondered. Yet there was no sign to tell her of their nearness. The fine
small sound of voices grew larger and nearer.

"Father! rise! I hear the coming of some tribe. Hostile or friendly--I
cannot tell. Rise and see!" whispered the young woman.

"Yes, my daughter!" answered the chieftain, springing