this was so I found out one day when they were
upbraiding my mother in the wigwam for marrying my father, instead of a
chief of another village, to whom they had promised her. They thought I
was asleep, or they would not have spoken as they did. I remember that
my mother spoke up, and said that she was the daughter of a chief, who
had given her the right to choose her own husband; and that she was
contented and happy in her choice. Just then their sharp eyes seemed to
know that I was not very sound asleep, and so their strong words ceased;
for Indian men and women do not let their children hear their quarrels.

"So I now remember their words, and was afraid. Not long after I saw
some of the hunters, and when I met one whom I knew, I inquired for my
father. He told me where I would find him, and so I rode on. My father
was resting with some others after a great run, in which they had killed
many buffaloes. When I drew near to him, although I was the grandson of
a chief, I lifted up my voice and wept. At this he was very much
surprised and hurt, for as yet he knew not of our great loss. Others
jeered and laughed at seeing a young Indian weeping. Then my father
arose and led me away and began to upbraid me, for he knew not the cause
of my sorrow, but supposed my mother had joined the other women, who
were very busy cutting up and preserving the meat of the buffalo. But I
could only continue my weeping, and at length was able to cry out: `My
mother! my mother!'

"At this my father quickly ceased his reproofs, and becoming alarmed
cried out: `tell me what is the matter.'

"So I told him all. And as I saw his great sorrow as he listened to my
story I knew how great had been his love for my mother, who, in her love
for him, had preferred him to the chief whom her brothers wished her to
marry. He was crushed to the ground and speechless with sorrow, and as
I saw him so overwhelmed with his grief I wished I had died with my
mother.

"For a time he thus remained, while I, the most miserable, could only
sit by and look at him. No words or tears came from him, but the great
sorrow had taken such a hold upon him that he seemed as one who would
there have died.

"Suddenly, as voices were heard and we both knew that some persons were
coming near, he turned to me and with a great effort said:--

"`My son, you must flee at once. Your mother's brothers, who love us
not, will not believe your story; and as they are t