red by the
gods of war. He counted many coups or blows, and exhibited his bravery
again and again in the charges, but he received no wound.

On the return journey Taluta's beautiful face was constantly before
him. He was so impatient to see her that he hurried on in advance of his
party, when they were still several days' travel from the Sioux camp.

"This time I shall join in all the dances and participate in the
rejoicings, for she will surely like to have me do so," he thought to
himself. "She will join also, and I know that none is a better dancer
than Taluta!"

In fancy, Antelope was practicing the songs of victory as he rode alone
over the vast wild country.

He had now passed Wild Horse Creek and the Black Hills lay to the
southeast, while the Big Horn range loomed up to the north in gigantic
proportions. He felt himself at home.

"I shall now be a man indeed. I shall have a wife!" he said aloud.

At last he reached the point from which he expected to view the distant
camp. Alas, there was no camp there! Only a solitary teepee gleamed
forth upon the green plain, which was almost surrounded by a quick turn
of the River of Deep Woods. The teepee appeared very white. A peculiar
tingling sensation passed through his frame, and the pony whinnied often
as he was urged forward at a gallop.

When Antelope beheld the solitary teepee he knew instantly what it was.
It was a grave! Sometimes a new white lodge was pitched thus for
the dead, who lay in state within upon a couch of finest skins, and
surrounded by his choicest possessions.

Antelope's excitement increased as he neared the teepee, which was
protected by a barricade of thick brush. It stood alone and silent in
the midst of the deserted camp. He kicked the sides of his tired horse
to make him go faster. At last he jumped from the saddle and ran
toward the door. There he paused for a moment, and at the thought of
desecrating a grave, a cold terror came over him.

"I must see--I must see!" he said aloud, and desperately he broke
through the thorny fence and drew aside the oval swinging door.

II

In the stately white teepee, seen from afar, both grave and monument,
there lay the fair body of Taluta! The bier was undisturbed, and the
maiden looked beautiful as if sleeping, dressed in her robes of ceremony
and surrounded by all her belongings.

Her lover looked upon her still face and cried aloud. "Hey, hey, hey!
Alas! alas! If I had known of thi