er and dog hunted together. When night came they
ate of the same food, and shared the same bed. Many and many a time,
each saved the life of the other. At last both began to grow old.

"One morning in winter a stranger entered their lodge. 'I am the
Man-i-tou of Death,' said he to the hunter. 'The Master of Life has sent
me to summon you to the Happy Hunting Ground. Make ready at once, for
when the sun rises for the third time, you must set forth.'

"'It is well,' replied the hunter, 'the summons shall be obeyed.'

"At once he began to make ready. He danced the death dance and sang the
death song. His wife and his two sons mourned and wept, and the dog
joined in the death chant.

"On the third morning, the hunter was ready to depart on the long
journey from which he could never return.

"'Alas, my husband,' said his wife, 'I cannot live without you. I will
go with you. Where you are, there will I be also.' And so also said his
two sons.

"The hunter tried to comfort them, and to persuade them to remain until
they too should be summoned by the Master of Life. But they refused to
be comforted, and at last they all set forth.

"Meanwhile the dog had said nothing. But when they started, he was close
at the heels of his master.

"Day after day they traveled toward the south-west. Alter a time, they
entered a desert land, where water was scarce and there was no game.
Soon they began to be hungry as well as weary.

"The younger boy's strength and courage gave out, and he turned and
followed the trail back to the wigwam.

"A little farther, and the older son said, 'Alas, my father, I am
famished, and my strength has gone from me. I will return and seek my
younger brother. When I have found him and we have rested and eaten, we
will come and overtake you.' So he turned back, and that was the last
that was seen of him.

"Seeing that her children had turned back, the wife said, 'Be of good
courage. I am still with you, I am strong and we shall yet enter the
gate of the Happy Hunting Grounds together.'

"The dog said nothing, but though he was hungry, footsore, and weary,
he still followed close at his master's heels.

"Now the trail entered a region of desolate mountains. The way became
rough and rocky. Their moccasins were worn from their feet, and there
was no food to be found.

"'At last the wife cried, 'Oh, my husband, I am faint and weary. I can
go no further. Let us rest here.' And she sat down beside the tra