e ever feastmakers as well as warriors."

Having done justice to the tender meat, he wiped his knife by sticking
it into the ground several times, and put it away in its sheath, after
which he cheerfully recommenced:

"It came to pass not many winters ago that Wakinyan-tonka, the great
medicine man, had a vision; whereupon a war-party set out for the
Ojibway country. There were three brothers of your family among them,
all of whom were noted for valor and the chase.

"Seven battles were fought in succession before they turned to come
back. They had secured a number of the enemy's birch canoes, and the
whole party came floating down the Mississippi, joyous and happy because
of their success.

"But one night the war-chief announced that there was misfortune at
hand. The next day no one was willing to lead the fleet. The youngest of
the three brothers finally declared that he did not fear death, for it
comes when least expected and he volunteered to take the lead.

"It happened that this young man had left a pretty maiden behind him,
whose choice needlework adorned his quiver. He was very handsome as well
as brave.

"At daybreak the canoes were again launched upon the bosom of the great
river. All was quiet--a few birds beginning to sing. Just as the sun
peeped through the eastern tree-tops a great warcry came forth from the
near shores, and there was a rain of arrows. The birchen canoes were
pierced, and in the excitement many were capsized.

"The Sioux were at a disadvantage. There was no shelter. Their
bow-strings and the feathers on their arrows were wet. The bold Ojibways
saw their advantage and pressed closer and closer; but our men fought
desperately, half in and half out of the water, until the enemy was
forced at last to retreat. Nevertheless that was a sad day for the
Wahpeton Sioux; but saddest of all was Winona's fate!

"Morning Star, her lover, who led the canoe fleet that morning, was
among the slain. For two days the Sioux braves searched in the water for
their dead, but his body was not recovered.

"At home, meanwhile, the people had been alarmed by ill omens. Winona,
eldest daughter of the great chief, one day entered her birch canoe
alone and paddled up the Mississippi, gazing now into the water around
her, now into the blue sky above. She thought she heard some young men
giving courtship calls in the distance, just as they do at night when
approaching the teepee of the beloved; and she knew the