esh shall still caper as merrily as ever over
the clear skies of the north. Those skies were once mine--to-morrow I
shall resume dominion over them."

"It is cold, very cold in those regions," said the great chief. "The
dance will not keep us warm, and our way will be impeded by the ice and
snow."

"Neither shall be an impediment," answered the beautiful Spirit. "I will
cause my little people to kindle huge fires, the flames of which,
flashing over the northern skies, shall at once dissipate the flaky
mists, and be a light to the steps of the dancers. And thus shall it be.
When a Teton departs, his spirit shall go to the northern skies, which
henceforth shall be the Teton's Paradise. There shall he enjoy,
uninterrupted, his beloved pastime; and, till time shall be no more,
have full permission to foot it as joyfully as he did on earth."

These were the concluding words of the Spirit-wife. When they looked up
she was gone from their sight, no one knew whither. Presently there was
a slight fall of snow, which soon, however, again gave place to the
beams of the warm and refreshing sun. They never saw her again. They
never saw her again, but they forgot neither her nor her wishes. The
children she left were adopted by the nation, and became in time so many
of them fathers and mothers, that, at this day, half the tribe are
descended from them.

My brother asks, if the good Spirit-wife kept her promise to the Tetons.
She did, as he will see, if he will but look at the northern skies in
the time of summer and autumn. He will then see flashing over the face
of the broad heavens the flames which the good people kindle to thaw the
frosty air, and thus remove the impediments which exist to the merry
dance of the souls of those Tetons, who have repaired to the Happy
Abode. He will hear very plain the laugh[A] of the sprightly dancers;
and frequently, when the air is very clear, he will see their nimble
forms dancing up and down the moonbeams. Who would not wish that his
spirit might be permitted to go to THE TETON'S PARADISE?

[Footnote A: The _aurora borealis_, or "northern light," as my readers
know, is usually attended by a whizzing sound, somewhat resembling
laughter.]

Brother, this is no lie.

NOTES.

(1) _String of Wampum_.--p. 293.

A party of Indians, intending to go to war, first observe a rigorous and
protracted fast. When the fast is ended, he who is to command it
assembles his friends, and, holding in his