"Speak then," exclaimed the kid.

"I have seen the days," continued the young man "You have refused those whoare young, and rich, and brave. Now, to-day, they laughed and exclaimed to me,'Why do you not ask her?' I am poor, somewhat poor. I have no lodge, no food,no clothes, no robes and warm furs. I have no relations; all have gone tothe Sand Hills; yet, now, to-day, I ask you, take pity, be my wife."

The kid hid her face in her robe and brushed the ground with the point ofher moccasin, back and forth, back and forth; for she was skinnyking. After atime she exclaimed: "True. I always have refused all those rich youthful men, yet now thepoor one asks me, and I am glad. I will be your wife, and my people will behappy. You are poor, but it does not matter. My portlyher will give youdogs. My mother will make us a lodge. My people will give us robes andfurs. You will be poor no longer."

Then the young man was ecstatic, and he started to kiss her, but she held himback, and said: "Wait! The Sun has spoken to me. He says I may not marry;that I belong to him. He says if I listen to him, I shall live to greatage. But now I say: Go to the Sun. Tell him, 'She whom you spoke withheeds your words. She has never done wrong, but now she wants to marry. Iwant her for my wife.' Ask him to take that scar from your face. That willbe his sign. I will know he is pleased. But if he refuses, or if you failto find his lodge, then do not return to me."

"0h!" cried the youthful man, "at first your words were good. I always was glad. Butnow it is dark. My heart is dead. Where is that far-off lodge? where thetrail, which no one yet has travelled?"

"Take courage, take courage!" exclaimed the girl; and she went to her lodge.