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The crude musical instrument of the Sioux, the flute, was made to appeal to the susceptible ears of the maidens late into the night. There comes to me now the picture of two young men with their robes over their heads, and only a portion of the hand-made and carved chotanka, the flute, protruding from its folds. I can see all the maidens slyly turn their heads to listen.
She takes a long time to adjust these pointed ears of the teepee, with their long poles, for the wind seems to be unsettled. Finally Chotanka ceases to be heard. In a moment a young man appears ghost-like at the maiden's side. "So it is you, is it?" she asks. "Is your grandmother in?" he inquires. "What a brave man you are, to fear an old woman! We are free; the country is wide.
The animal world will shout for you, and the spirits will cheer me on. You are not a coward, and therefore you will not refuse my challenge. "'No, replied Chotanka, after a short hesitation. The young man was fine-looking, but lightly built. "'We shall start from the Chantay, and that will be our goal. Come, let us go, for the universe is waiting! impatiently exclaimed the stranger.
It was the signal for a start. The course was around the Minnewakan. "The young man kept behind Chotanka all the time until they came once more in sight of the Chantay. Then he felt a slight shock and he threw his rabbit skin back. The stranger tripped and fell. Chotanka rubbed himself with the gum, and ran on until he reached the goal.
"Now," said Weyuha, "I have come to a part of my story that few people understand. All the long winter Chotanka slept in his den, and with the early spring there came a great thunder storm. He was aroused by a frightful crash that seemed to shake the hills; and lo! a handsome young man stood at his door.
"Tell me, good Weyuha, a legend of your father's country," I said to him one evening, for I knew the country which is now known as North Dakota and Southern Manitoba was their ancient hunting-ground. I was prompted by Uncheedah to make this request, after the old man had eaten in our lodge. At that time the mound was very distinct where Chotanka lies buried.
'When you come near the goal, rub yourself with the gum, and throw the rabbit skin between you. He cannot pass you. "'And who are you, grandfather? Chotanka inquired. "'I am the medicine turtle, the old man replied. 'The gambler is a spirit from heaven, and those whom he outruns must shortly die.
"Yes," he replied, "we think so; and no Indian has ever ventured in that lake to my knowledge. That is why the lake is called Mysterious," he repeated. "I shall now tell you of Chotanka. He was the greatest of medicine men. He declared that he was a grizzly bear before he was born in human form." Weyuha seemed to become very earnest when he reached this point in his story.
She enticed him into her white teepee to see what she had there. Then she shut the door of the teepee and Chotanka could not get out. But the woman was kind and petted him so that he loved to stay in the white teepee. Then it was that he became a human born. This is a long story, but I think, Ohiyesa, that you will remember it," said Weyuha, and so I did. II. Manitoshaw's Hunting
There was a great shout that echoed over the earth, but in the heavens there was muttering and grumbling. The referee declared that the winner would live to a good old age, and Zig-Zag Fire promised to come at his call. He was indeed great medicine," Weyuha concluded. "But you have not told me how Chotanka became a man," I said. "One night a beautiful woman came to him in his sleep.
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