le with his magic arrow. Let him win for himself one of my beautiful
daughters," he had said to his messengers, for the old story of the
badger's man-son was known all over the level lands.

After four days and nights the braves returned. "He is coming," they
said. "We have seen him. He is straight and tall; handsome in face, with
large black eyes. He paints his round cheeks with bright red, and wears
the penciled lines of red over his temples like our men of honored rank.
He carries on his back a long fringed quiver in which he keeps his magic
arrow. His bow is long and strong. He is coming now to kill the big red
eagle." All around the camp ground from mouth to ear passed those words
of the returned messengers.

Now it chanced that immortal Iktomi, fully recovered from the brown
burnt spots, overheard the people talking. At once he was filled with a
new desire. "If only I had the magic arrow, I would kill the red eagle
and win the chieftain's daughter for a wife," said he in his heart.

Back to his lonely wigwam he hastened. Beneath the tree in front of his
teepee he sat upon the ground with chin between his drawn-up knees. His
keen eyes scanned the wide plain. He was watching for the avenger.

"'He is coming!' said the people," muttered old Iktomi. All of a sudden
he raised an open palm to his brow and peered afar into the west. The
summer sun hung bright in the middle of a cloudless sky. There across
the green prairie was a man walking bareheaded toward the east.

"Ha! ha! 'tis he! the man with the magic arrow!" laughed Iktomi. And
when the bird with the yellow breast sang loud again--"Koda Ni Dakota!
Friend, you're a Dakota!" Iktomi put his hand over his mouth as he threw
his head far backward, laughing at both the bird and man.

"He is your friend, but his arrow will kill one of your kind! He is a
Dakota, but soon he'll grow into the bark on this tree! Ha! ha! ha!" he
laughed again.

The young avenger walked with swaying strides nearer and nearer toward
the lonely wigwam and tree. Iktomi heard the swish! swish! of the
stranger's feet through the tall grass. He was passing now beyond the
tree, when Iktomi, springing to his feet, called out: "How, how, my
friend! I see you are dressed in handsome deerskins and have red paint
on your cheeks. You are going to some feast or dance, may I ask?" Seeing
the young man only smiled Iktomi went on: "I have not had a mouthful of
food this day. Have pity on me, young brave