get the twigs to
burn. It seemed as if they were in league against the contestants
and firmly refused to light.

"Two and a half minutes," called Nyoda warningly, her watch in
her hand.

"Mine's burning," shouted Hinpoha, jumping up as the flames began
to curl up from the twigs. Just then a gust of wind came up, and
pouf! out went the fire.

"Time's up!" called Nyoda, and Sahwah rose from her knees,
disclosing a neat little blaze. She had wisely sheltered her
fire until the last second, giving it a chance to kindle well.

Now it was the custom of the Winnebagos to have a folk story told
by one of their number right after supper, but as the visitors
would have to leave early Nyoda asked if the girls wouldn't like
to tell the folk story before supper. They agreed, as usual, to
anything that would give pleasure to a guest. It was Migwan's
turn to tell the story, so seating herself on a rock in the midst
of the group, she related the story of Aliquipiso, the heroic
Oneida maiden.

"Once upon a time the savage Mingoes made war upon the Oneidas,
so the Oneidas were obliged to flee from their pleasant village
and seek refuge in the depths of the forest. So well did they
hide their traces that the Mingoes were not able to find their
hiding place and they remained safe. Their food supply, however,
began to be exhausted, for they were hemmed in by the Mingoes and
could not break through the lines. They were facing destruction
in two ways; either by slow starvation should they remain in
hiding, or a cruel death at the hands of the Mingoes should they
venture out. The chiefs and warriors of the Oneidas held a
council, but none had a plan to offer which would effect their
salvation. Then the maiden Aliquipiso stepped forward. With
becoming modesty she addressed the chiefs and warriors, saying
that the Great Manitou had sent her a dream in which he showed
her how great boulders could be dashed on the heads of the
Mingoes if they could be lured to a spot directly beneath the
bluff on which the Oneidas were hiding. She went on to say that
the Great Manitou had inspired her with the desire to be the
means of luring the Mingoes to their destruction, and she was
ready to start out on her mission.

"The Oneida braves hailed her as the saviour of her people and
the Beloved of the Great Spirit, and hung strings of wampum
around her neck. Bidding her people farewell, she left the
hiding place and was found by the Mingo