brigade was a glorious time for the boys, for among
the men were some remarkable characters from the great prairies and the
distant mountains. Some of them were full of incidents of thrilling
adventures and wonderful stories; and so, while waiting during the long
days for the wind to either change or go down, many a capital story was
told at the pleasant camp fires. Some of them were narrated with
wondrous dramatic power. These Indians are true sons of nature, and,
while not taught in the schools of oratory, have in many instances a
kind of eloquence that is most effective, and a dramatic way of speaking
that is most telling.

There were stories of war parties and of scalping scenes, as well as of
thrilling horse-stealing escapades. In addition there was the narration
of various kinds of hunting adventure from these bronzed old hunters,
who had frequently met in deadly conflict various kinds of fierce
animals, from the mountain lion to the grizzly bear.

Three Boys in the Wild North Land--by Egerton Ryerson Young

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE STORY OF PUKUMAKUNUN--LOOSING HIS TONGUE--HIS EARLY DAYS--EXCURSION
FOR BUFFALO--TREACHEROUS QUICKSANDS--SINKING MOTHER--SAGACIOUS HORSE--
SNEAKING WOLVES--RATTLESNAKE AND PRAIRIE DOG.

One old Indian with a splendid physique much excited their curiosity.
They were specially anxious to know the story of that fearful scar
across his face. He was evidently getting up in years, and was treated
with much respect by his comrades. However, he was so quiet, and at
times so reticent, that hardly a word could be got out of him. That
there was some thrilling adventure associated with that scar the boys
were very confident. The question among them was how to get him to tell
it. They made friends with some of his Indian associates, and tried to
get from them his history. But all the information they would impart
was:

"Yes, he has a great story. It very much please you. You get him tell
it."

This, of course, only increased their curiosity to hear his narrative.
For a time all their efforts met with poor success. At length Alec, the
shrewd Scottish lad, said:

"I have an idea that I can break through his reserve and get him to
talk."

"Let us hear what your scheme is," said Frank.

"It is this," replied Alec. "I have been watching him, and I have
noticed that the only two things he seems to have any love for are his
red-beaded leggings and his brilliant red neckerchie