BEK-WUK, THE ARROW 103 



used to have to make fire by striking iron and flint 

 together." 



" In spite of Wenona's words," continued Bek- 

 wuk, u the morning came and no Stone Giants 

 appeared, for we Arrows had thought they were to 

 come at once. 



" It soon was the Planting Moon, and all the 

 women of the tribe were busy in the clearing, 

 planting Mondamin, Maize, and the flat seeds of 

 Askuta-squash, the Gourd, whose body yielded 

 food and whose rind made household vessels. 

 Everywhere there was feasting, dancing, singing, 

 and magic walking around the field at night to 

 bless the crops. Mai-mai, the Woodcock, left his 

 writing in the muddy places, and Wazhusk, the 

 Muskrat, forsook his winter lodge in the shallow 

 pond. The leaves hung out on every tree, and 

 Bemah-gut, the Grapevine, perfumed the air with 

 her flowers. 



" Wenona laughed and sang all that summer 

 through, and I, Bek-wuk, took many a journey 

 from the bow of Sacoit, a young warrior who had 

 bought me. But I always returned in safety to 

 him, for he shot true and lost no arrows. 



" Oh, the joy of flying when the bowstring 

 twangs ! Did Swallow dart, I darted more 



