ippery pine log.

On the other side of the river are six strange beings with rocks in
their hands. These rocks are magic stones which can injure only those
who have done evil, but can never touch nor harm the good.

When the one who follows the death trail reaches the middle of the
log, he sees the stones come flying toward him.

If his life has been evil, he tries to dodge; therefore, he slips off
the log and falls into the black, swirling water.

Sometimes he crawls out of the stream and climbs to the top of the
rocks. But he can never reach the country of the good spirits.

There is only one trail to the Happy Hunting Grounds, and that is over
the narrow, slippery log. But if the one who is crossing has brought
good to his kinsmen and his tribe, he does not fear.

He knows that no harm can come from the stones that fly around him,
and so he keeps his footing and walks safely over.

The trail winds on over high rocks to the beautiful land. No storms
and no winter enter the Happy Hunting Grounds. The sky is always blue,
and the grass never grows dry with heat nor brown with frost.

The trees are full of birds, the bushes of fruit, and the forests are
alive with game. Feasting and dancing fill the day, and the war cry is
heard no more.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The facts and stories which have made this little book possible
are found in the works of Schoolcraft and in the Government
reports of Ethnology. Especial credit is due to Albert E. Jenks,
author of "The Wild-Rice Indians of the Upper Lakes," and to
James Mooney, who reported for the Government the tribal myths
told by famous Cherokee story-tellers.

There is evidence that the Indians of early times had regular
trade routes across the continent, north and south, and east and
west. It was the custom of their story-tellers to exchange
stories, and it is therefore possible that some of the myths told
in the south found their way in northern wigwams. The story of
the birds welcoming a papoose, for example, is obtained in part
from the Cherokee collection, and in part from Schoolcraft, who
lived among the Ojibways, or Chippewas as they are often called.
That certain tales are similar to fables of AEsop is explained by
the theory that a primitive people, observing nature, would
originate similar myths.

The forests where rice grew wild in the shallow water of lakes