292 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



ceive." After the service an old Indian walked up to the 

 preacher, piously repeated the sacred text, and intimated that 

 he was prepared to become the humble instrument for bringing 

 upon his reverence the promised blessing. To that end he was 

 willing to receive his lordship's hat. 



The good bishop was taken aback. Realizing, however, 

 that there was nothing else for him to do, he took off his hat and 

 bestowed it with commendable cheerfulness upon his new 

 disciple. 



Another red man, jealous of his brother who was now parad- 

 ing in all the splendour of the bishop's hat, claimed upon the 

 same ground the prelate's gaiters, and received them. 



The two Indians, envious each of the other's acquisition, 

 began to discuss with growing anger the comparative value 

 of the articles. Unable to arrive at an agreement, they resolved 

 to put up the hat and gaiters as a stake and gamble for them. 



The impressive head-gear and antique gaiters of an Anglican 

 bishop never appeared to greater advantage than they did 

 upon the old Indian, the winner of the game, when he proudly 

 strutted before his dusky, admiring brethren, displaying on 

 head and bare legs the Episcopal insignia, and having for his 

 only other garment an old shirt whose dingy tail fluttered 

 coyly in the summer breeze. 



NEYKIA'S WEDDING 



At ten o'clock, on the morning of Neykia's wedding, a motley 

 mass of natives clothed in many colours crowded about the 

 little church, which, for lack of space, they could not enter. 

 Presently the crowd surged back from the door and formed on 

 either side of the path, leaving an opening down the centre. 

 A tall half-breed with a shock of wavy black hair stepped 

 from the doorway, raised his violin, and adjusting it into posi- 

 tion, struck up a lively tune to the accompaniment of the 



