ring,
and she now brings with her a baby son. He is a lusty child. May he
grow up to be a noble warrior!"

"I will go to her and give her my best wishes," declared the chief's
wife. "It is a good sign for the new home that one more is added to
our people."

Soon afterwards Timid Hare and her young mistress were also on their
way to visit the young mother. She was very happy. So was her
husband. So was her baby; at least it seemed happy to Timid Hare as
she looked at it nestling quietly in its mother's arms. The little
girl longed for it to open its eyes.

"By and by," The Fountain told her with a smile, "my son will awake.
But now he must sleep, for he finds this world a strange one, and he is
tired."

"The Great Spirit has been kind to The Fountain," said Sweet Grass as
she walked homeward with her little maid.

"How powerful He must be," declared Timid Hare thoughtfully. "Whenever
He speaks to us in the thunder and lightning I tremble with fear. But
when I looked at the little baby just now I felt His love."

THE MEDICINE MAN

The next morning Timid Hare was allowed to go once more to visit The
Fountain and her little son. The baby lay fastened into a pretty frame
the young mother had made for him. The straps were embroidered with
porcupine quills, and finished very neatly.

As Timid Hare entered the tepee, The Fountain was about to lift the
baby in his frame to her back.

"I am going to see Black Bull," she said. "He is ill. He has not been
well since before the Dog Feast."

Timid Hare at once thought of a reason for Black Bull's illness,--he
had worried much over the thought of losing his dog. But Young
Antelope had not told her that he came near losing his life and of his
terrible fright at the time.

"Has the medicine man visited Black Bull?" asked Timid Hare.

"Not yet." The Fountain shook her head sadly. "I doubt if The Stone
cares whether her son lives or dies. But I am going to see the poor
creature. Afterwards, if the medicine man has not been sought, I will
ask my husband to get his help."

The Fountain started on her errand, and Timid Hare went back to the
chief's lodge to tell her young mistress what she had learned. On the
way she passed a clump of trees beneath which she saw several people
sitting and listening to the voice of a tall man who stood before them.
He was one of the most powerful medicine men of the band.

"He must be speaking of some great mystery,