ecided to exchange your pelts for a gun?" inquired Hawk
Eye.

"Yes," answered Raven Wing quickly. "I would like one like yours."

"It is a fine weapon, as I have often told you," Hawk Eye said. "My
father was proud of it. He kept our lodge well supplied with meat before
an Objibway's bullet ended his life."

"Let us make camp," Raven Wing suggested after a time. "I see a sandy
beach. Up to now the shore has been bordered with great flat rocks."

"It is too early," Hawk Eye said. "The weather is fine. It is better to
keep to our paddles until sundown. Take care that your canoe does not
grate upon a hidden rock. There are many in the water."

Raven Wing was glad when his elder companion later turned toward shore
for he was becoming a little tired. It required skill as well as
strength to paddle the heavy laden canoes.

"My father's grandmother was a Wahpeton Sioux. Her tribe, called the
People of the Leaves, used to build their movable tepees along the
shores of this lake," said Raven Wing.

[Illustration: {Sioux brave.}]

"That was many, many years ago. We shall have to sleep beneath a tree,"
answered Hawk Eye.

"My grandfather made his first offering to the Great Spirit here," went
on Raven Wing. "He tossed his most beloved possession, a necklace of
bear claws, into this very lake."

"It is a beautiful spot for such a ceremony," Hawk Eye said,
thoughtfully. "I have not as yet made my offering to the Great Spirit."

Raven Wing made no answer. After his father's death his mother had
arranged the ceremony for him. He now wished that she had chosen for
that occasion the spot on which his grandfather had stood.

As the canoes scraped bottom, Hawk Eye said; "I will here offer my most
valued possession to the Great Spirit." Stepping on shore, he opened a
doeskin pouch that was fastened to his belt.

"Your necklace of panther claws!" exclaimed Raven Wing as Hawk Eye drew
forth his prize trophy.

"Yes," Hawk Eye answered, quietly. For a moment he held it in his open
palm for a last look. Close by rose a great boulder of granite.
Clenching his fist about his most beloved possession, he climbed to the
top of the rock and stood facing the lake for some little time. Then,
holding the necklace in his right hand, he cried;

"O Great Spirit, I implore you to command the Sun, Moon and Stars to
make my path smooth that I may reach the brow of the first hill.

[Illustration: HE CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE ROCK AND STOOD F