32 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. V. 



steer. The chase ended. The steer had gone out over a divide in safety, 

 back into the big herd. The people were getting plenty of hides and 

 meat. Everybody enjoyed the feasting; there was also a lively scene 

 among the women working on the green hides, scraping and tanning; 

 there were also some games played among the men and women, such as 

 the netted wheel, big wheel, the stick game, etc. 



One morning the mother was boiling the bones for the tallow and 

 the water was being used up; so she called her daughter (who was just 

 married) to go after a vessel of water, quickly. This sweet young girl 

 took the vessel and started to the river, without any blanket or robe. 

 When she had filled the vessel with water she turned around and fol- 

 lowed up the trail toward her tipi. 



Before she had got in sight, there came out a beautiful, attract- 

 ive young man in best attire, from the bush, smiling, to the girl. ''Say, 

 young woman, stop! I want to ask you something," said the young 

 man. "What is it? I am in a hurry!" said the girl. "Well, I think 

 that you have said something to me," said the young man. "Well, no, 

 not that I know of ! Don't try to make me believe anything, will you," 

 said the girl. "Young man, my mother is waiting for this vessel of 

 water to pour it into the kettle and I must go!" said the girl. "But 

 don't 3«DU remember that you did say something to me directly?" said 

 the young man in a gentle voice. "Oh, no! I never spoke a word to 

 anybody. There were some women standing by the side of me, and 

 there was no young man present to hear what was really said in our 

 conversation," said the girl. "But young girl, I want to tell you that 

 you did say something which makes me ask you personally. There 

 was a small bunch of buffalo which was running from the hunters and 

 some came direct from the camp to meet us, and when I knew that I 

 would be surely killed I ran faster and got ahead of the rest. That 

 animal of which you said you were charmed of its speed and of its 

 beauty was myself, and I heard what you did say, plainly. Now, 

 since you wish to marry me, can you tell the truth, whether you spoke of 

 the desire of marriage or not?" said the young man. "Oh, yes!" said 

 the young girl, "but I want to know if you can repeaJ^ what I said, 

 and then I can judge. My mother might come after me. Can you 

 let me take this vessel of water and then make the excuse of coming 

 bafk to take a bath? Besides, I want to get my blanket," said this 

 young girl. "Oh, never mind ! There are plenty of blankets at our 

 home, and you will be satisfied ! This is what you said to me : *Oh ! 

 that one that is taking the lead looks beautiful and charming. I wish 

 that I could marry him !' and you spoke this sentence before your com- 



