l help us."

Saying this, the fox ran at full speed in the direction of a long line
of hills, and it was not long before he reached a small opening which
led down under them. Entering this, he found himself in a long
passage, at the end of which a red light could be seen. When he
reached the end of the passage, he found himself in a large, low cave.
In the centre of this cave a bright red fire glowed, and by its light
he could see a dark figure seated on the floor near the fire. It
turned its face as the fox entered, and he saw the kind face of the
Manitou of the Bright Fire.

"You have come to me for help," said the Manitou, in a deep, soft
voice. "What is wrong, my brother?"

"Our friend, the whispering grass, is going to be uprooted to-night by
the hunters," said the fox. "Can you tell us how to save the grass,
for it has been kind and has saved us from these same hunters?"

"My brother," said the Manitou, "do you see these things which look
like dark stones?" As he said this, he pointed to where a heap of
black objects resembling stones was lying on the floor of the cave. "I
have gathered these from the bowels of the earth. Many years ago
Gitche Manitou, the Mighty Spirit, put them there. He took pieces of
the midnight sky and mixed with each piece a million sunbeams. Then He
hid these deep in the earth, where man would find them when he needed
light and heat. I shall place some of these dark stones in my fire,
while you return to your brothers, the wolf and the deer. Bid them
return with you, and when you again reach my cave these stones shall be
ready for you. Now go, and waste no time, for you must have everything
ready before the hunters awaken."

The fox needed no second bidding. Away he went like the wind. When he
reached the deer and the wolf, he found them anxiously waiting for him.
Quickly giving them the Manitou's message, they all ran back to the
cave. When they reached it, they found that the Manitou had placed a
number of the dark stones in his fire, and that now they were no longer
dark stones but bright red ones.

"My children," said the Manitou, "take these burning coals and place
them in a circle on the hillside among the whispering grass. They will
not harm the grass and their heat will not burn you as you journey
back. But after this, always beware of a glowing fire, for I can give
you my protection this time only."

The animals at once seized as many of the burning coals