were stationed to
call the men to battle, and to tell the women which way to flee with
their children.

The warriors all were ready. Their chief went out alone under the
stars, and prayed that he might be able to save his people from death.

Suddenly a deer with branching horns stood before him. "I have come to
tell you that your prayers are heard," he said.

"We, the animals, invite you to our council. We shall give you the
power to save your tribe."

[Illustration]

They traveled on together until they came to a cave under a rocky
bluff near the river. Here the warrior chief was welcomed and given
the seat of honor.

Every animal of field and forest, and every bird of the air, had
gathered in the immense cavern. There was silence for a moment. Then a
great eagle flapped his wings. He stood on a jutting rock in sight of
all.

"Your acts of kindness, oh, warrior, are known to us," said the
eagle. "You have hunted only for food, as the animals hunt. Your
arrows have not been shot to take life without a reason. No bird nor
beast has been left by you to suffer and die.

"Therefore, I, the eagle, king of birds, give you of my courage. You
shall fear no warlike band, however many. Alone you shall conquer the
enemy."

"And I," said the bear, "give you of my gift of healing. You shall be
able to cure yourself, and also your fellow warriors, of any wounds
you may receive in battle."

"My fleetness is yours," said the deer. "You shall outstrip all others
and run like the wind."

The wolf stretched himself and walked noiselessly into the circle.
"When you creep into the enemy's camp," he said, "no eye shall be able
to see you. Thus may you rout your enemies, and no one shall know who
is striking the blows."

"I am small," said the field mouse; "I leave no tracks on the grass,
and send no sound into the air. I give you my power, that none may
follow your trail nor hear your footfall."

"No one can give a better gift than I," said the owl. "You shall see
in the dark as I do. The night shall be to you like the day."

"You have fed me," said the dog. "You have taken me into your lodge
and let me lie by the warm fire. I give you in return my power of
smell that you may follow the trail of your enemy."

Suddenly there was no cave in sight, no animals in council. Where he
had been praying under the open sky, the warrior chief stood alone.
Was it all a dream?

From the grass came a faint strange smell. He followed