. After he had eaten and rested he told his story.

"I came from a very great distance," said he. "The nations where I came
from are in a starving condition. No place can they find any buffalo,
deer nor antelope. A witch or evil spirit in the shape of a white
buffalo has driven all the large game out of the country. Every day this
white buffalo comes circling the village, and any one caught outside of
their tent is carried away on its horns. In vain have the best marksmen
of the tribe tried to shoot it. Their arrows fly wide off the mark, and
they have given up trying to kill it as it bears a charmed life. Another
evil spirit in the form of a red eagle has driven all the birds of the
air out of our country. Every day this eagle circles above the village,
and so powerful is it that anyone being caught outside of his tent
is descended upon and his skull split open to the brain by the sharp
breastbone of the Eagle. Many a marksman has tried his skill on this
bird, all to no purpose.

"Another evil spirit in the form of a white rabbit has driven out all
the animals which inhabit the ground, and destroyed the fields of corn
and turnips, so the nation is starving, as the arrows of the marksmen
have also failed to touch the white rabbit. Any one who can kill these
three witches will receive as his reward, the choice of two of the most
beautiful maidens of our nation. The younger one is the handsomer of the
two and has also the sweetest disposition. Many young, and even old men,
hearing of this (our chief's) offer, have traveled many miles to try
their arrows on the witches, but all to no purpose. Our chief, hearing
of your great marksmanship, sent me to try and secure your services to
have you come and rid us of these three witches."

Thus spoke the stranger to the hunter. The hunter gazed long and
thoughtfully into the dying embers of the camp fire. Then slowly his
eyes raised and looked lovingly on his wife who sat opposite to him.
Gazing on her beautiful features for a full minute he slowly dropped his
gaze back to the dying embers and thus answered his visitor:

"My friend, I feel very much honored by your chief having sent such
a great distance for me, and also for the kind offer of his lovely
daughter in marriage, if I should succeed, but I must reject the great
offer, as I can spare none of my affections to any other woman than to
my queen whom you see sitting there."

White Plume had been listening to the conversat