amazed them. Then it was to them such a
breach of the rules or usages of such occasions. Who, they said in
their excitement, could have been so presumptuous as to break the
long-established custom, and take in food and fire to one of the
dancers?

While some said that one of their number must have done it while the
others slept so soundly after the exciting days through which they had
been passing, there were others, tinged with superstition, who declared,
with bated breath, that the gods must have had special love for him, and
had themselves come and supplied his wants.

To all of these things Astumastao listened, and, not being suspected,
she kept what she knew in her heart. She was an active, brave girl, and
knew how to handle both the paddle and the gun. Kistayimoowin, her
uncle, was pleased with her prowess and industry, and while possessing
the pagan ideas about women, so that he would never allow himself to
show them any particular affection, yet ever since she had been brought
as a little child into his wigwam he had treated her not unkindly. With
his superstitious nature he had been strongly influenced by the words of
the missionary, when he handed the orphan child over to his care, and
had told him that if he wanted the favour of the Great Spirit he must
treat her kindly and well.

So it happened that as Kistayimoowin had no children of his own, this
bright, active girl was always with him and his wife as they,
Indianlike, moved from one hunting ground to another in quest of
different kinds of game. As she was so quick and observant, her uncle
had taught her many things about the habits and instincts of the
different animals and the best method known for their capture. The
result was she had become a very Diana, skillful and enthusiastic in the
chase.

Thus the years rolled on, and she grew to beautiful young womanhood, and
more than one pair of eyes looked toward her as the one they would like
to woo and win, or, as they thought of it, be able by abundant or
valuable gifts to purchase her from her uncle. Up to this time,
however, he had repelled most decidedly all advances made to him for
her, and had acted in so harsh a manner toward all would-be suitors that
they had been obliged to keep at a respectful distance. So Astumastao
was still free as a prairie breeze.

CHAPTER TEN.

A MORTAL WOUND.

The summer following the visit of Oowikapun, Kistayimoowin had taken his
wife and his niece