f
selection proceeded more slowly; but eventually the number was reduced
to six. The question now was, Which of these six was to receive the
four-bladed knife? This was not easy to settle. The members of the
committee differed very decidedly; so one boy after another was tried,
over and over again, and still no unanimous decision could be reached.

While the committee was discussing the matter, five of the boys, seeing
our perplexity, took the matter out of our hands and settled it in a way
that surprised and delighted us all. These five were fine specimens of
Indian lads. They were lithe and strong, and full of life and fun. The
sixth boy, Jimmie Jakoos, was a cripple, having one leg which was very
much shorter than the other: the result being that he had to use
crutches. These five had moved over to one side, and were observed to
be excitedly, though quietly, engaged in conversation.

After their brief discussion, one of them sprang up, and looking at me
asked:

"Missionary, may I say something?"

"Certainly you may," I replied.

"Well, missionary," he answered, "we five boys have been talking it
over, and this is what we think about it. You see we are well and
strong. We can chase the rabbit, and partridge, and other game; and
then when winter comes, we can skate on the rivers, and lake; but Jimmie
is lame, he has a bad leg. He cannot run in the woods. He cannot go
skating on the ice. But Jimmie is fond of whittling. He is a good hand
at making bows, and arrows, and paddles, and other things, and a fine
knife would be just the thing for him. And so we five boys have talked
the matter over, and as he is a cripple, we will be very glad if you
will give the best knife to Jimmie."

Noble boys! How the people were thrilled at this speech. It
electrified me, and filled not only my eyes with tears, but my heart
with joy.

I could but think of the past, of the cruelty and intense selfishness of
those dark days, when, among both the young and old, everyone was for
himself, and the unfortunate, and feeble, were neglected and despised.
Now, thanks to the blessed ennobling influences of Christianity, even
the boys were catching this Christly spirit, and would spontaneously act
in this delightful way.

So to Jimmie was given the four-bladed knife and to the other boys were
handed the two-bladed ones; but so pleased was I with the beautiful
spirit displayed by them, that I added to the gift a good shirt o