Part 25 (1/2)

He said to Buffalo Bull, ”While I walk on a journey, I am in a great hurry. Speak rapidly. Why are you walking?”

”Yes, war chief, it is so. As they have told of you while you have been walking, I thought that I would walk there with you, and I have sought you,” said Buffalo Bull.

”Do so,” said Big Turtle. ”I wish to see your movements.”

Buffalo Bull rolled himself back and forth. He arose suddenly. He thrust repeatedly at the ground with his horns. He pierced the ground and threw pieces away suddenly. He stood with his tail in the air and its tip bent downward. An ash tree stood there. He rushed on it.

Pus.h.i.+ng against it, he sent it flying through the air to a great distance.

”O war chief, I think I will do that, if they speak of vexing me,” he said.

”Look at the persons with whom I am traveling. There are none who are faint-hearted in the least degree. You are not at all like them. You have disappointed me. Come, begone,” said Big Turtle.

Again Big Turtle sang the song. ”Big Turtle is coming back from touching the foe, it is said, you say. He is coming back from touching,” said he.

Again they departed. ”Warriors, pa.s.s on!” said he.

There before them lay a stream, which was not small. They crossed it.

Firebrand was ahead, walking with a great effort. At length, because he was weary, he plunged into the water and was extinguished.

”O war chief, I am not going beyond here with you,” he said.

”Remain here for a while,” said Big Turtle.

Having reached the other side, they departed. At length a Puma came.

”Warriors, wait for him. I suspect what he will say. Stand in a row,”

said he. ”Speak quickly,” he said, addressing Puma.

”Yes, O war chief,” said Puma. ”It was told of you regularly, saying you walked on a journey. And there I wish to walk, so I have sought you.”

”Yes?” said Big Turtle. ”Let me see your ways.”

Puma made his hair bristle up all over his body. He bent his tail backward and upward. He went leaping to the bottom of a small hill.

Having caught by the throat a fawn, about two years old, he came back, making it cry out as he held it in his teeth.

”I think I will do that, O war chief, if anything threatens to vex me,” he said.

”Do something else,” said Big Turtle.

”No, O war chief; that is all,” said Puma.

”You have disappointed me,” said Big Turtle. ”Look at these persons with whom I am. Where is one who is imperfect? You are very inferior.

Come, depart. You have disappointed me.”

They departed. At length when they reached the foot of a hill, Black Bear came.

”O war chief, again one has come,” said the warriors.

”I suspect what he will say, warriors. Wait for him. Stand in a row,”