her?" asked White Cloud.

"After we have had our dinner I will tell you the story. Now we will
use some of our dry wood and make a fire."

"Can I learn to get the fire out of wood?" asked White Cloud.

"You will need to try again and again, for it is not an easy task.
Watch me, my child, and see how it is done."

Nokomis soon had a pile of dry grass and twigs. Then she rubbed two
pieces of wood together for a long time. At last a spark flew from the
dry wood and the grass was lighted.

Meat and birds' eggs were soon roasted in the hot ashes. After the
meal Nokomis and White Cloud started for home, each with a bundle of
wood strapped to her back.

"Now I'm ready for the story you promised me," said White Cloud.

THE THUNDERERS

"Far in the east, above the sky, the great Thunderer lives with his
two sons. They are the friends of the whole world. When you hear their
voices be glad, for they are bringing the gift of rain.

"In the spring they come from their sky home with the showers that
make the grass grow and the little plants peep out of the ground.

"They water the earth; and the corn comes up, the sap flows for our
sugar, the trees open their leaves and blossoms, and the berries ripen.

"Without their help every growing plant would turn brown and fade away.
The wild rice and the sugar trees would die. Animals would search in
vain for food, and they would crawl into their dens and perish.

"There would be no game for the hunter to shoot. Then the terrible
famine spirits would enter our lodges, and we would sicken and die.

"We should never fear the loud voices of the Thunderers, for they are
always good and kind.

"They are the war chiefs of the world. When we see the rainbow, we
catch a glimpse of the splendid robes they wear.

"In the middle of their great lodge burns the sacred fire, which they
guard for all the people of the earth."

"I will never be afraid again when I hear them speaking," said White
Cloud. "But I like to be in the lodge when they bring their rain
storms. If they come to-day perhaps we can find a cave in the hills
our trail crosses."

"It would not be safe for us to enter a cave in the forest," replied
Nokomis. "The Little People might be in it, and they would be
displeased."

THE LITTLE PEOPLE OF THE FOREST

"And now," said White Cloud, "I want to hear all about the Little
People."

"Speak low, White Cloud. We are coming to the rocky hillside. We must
lis