Evening star., 1903-10-24

spied Carefully he raised one foot and
cautiously reached out with his toes Cen
tly, gently. he lifted the foot behind and
placed it before the other. Thus he came
lying motionless under the sage grass
Now Iktomi stood beside it, looking at
the closed eyelids that did not culver the
least bit. Pressing his lips into straight
lines and nodding his head slowly. he bent
over the wolf. I.e held his ear close to
the coyotes nose, but not breath of air
stirred from it.
Dead said he at last. Dead. but not
long since he ran over these plains. See!
there in his paw is caught fresh feather.
He is nice fat meat Taking hold of the
paw with the bird feather fast on it, he
exclaimed, why, he is still warm! I'll
carry him to my dwelling and have a roast
for my evening meal. Ah-ha!'' he laughed,
as he seized the coyote by its two fore paws
and its two hind feet and swung him over
head across his shoulders. The wolf was
large and the teepee was far across the
prairie. IktOmi trudged along with his bur
den, smacking his hungry lips together. He
blinked his eyes hard to keep out the salty
perspiraton streaming down his face
All the while the coyote on his back lay
gazing into the sky with wide open eyes.
His long white teeth fairly cleaned as he
smiled and smiled
ITO ride on ones own feet is tresome,
but to be carried like a warrior from a
brave fight is great fun said the coyote
in his heart. He had never been borne on
back before ana the new expert
ence delighted him. He lay there laZily on
Iktomis shoulders. now and then blinking
blue winks. Did YOU never see a birdie
blink a blue wink? This is how it first
became a saying among the plains people
When a bird stands aloof watching your
strange ways, a thin blush white tissue
slips quickly over his eyes and as quickly
off again; so quick that you think 1t WAS
only mysterious blue wink. Sometimes
when children grow drowsy they blink blue
W nks, while others who are too proud to
look with friendly eyes upon people blink
in this cold bird-manner.
The coyote was affected by both sleepi-
ness and pride. His winks were almost
as blue as the sky. In the midst of his
new pleasure the sWaying motion ceased.
Iktomi had reached his dwelling place. he
coyote felt drowsy no longer, for in the
next instant he slipping out of Iktomis
hands. He was falling, falling through
space, and then he struck the ground with
such bump he did not wish to breathe for
a while. He wondered what Iktomi would
do. thus he lay still where he fell. Hum
ming a dance song, one fr~ m his bundle of
mystery songs Iktomi hoped and darted
about at an imaginary dance and feast.
He gathered dry willow sticks and broke
them in two against his knee. He built
large fire out of doors The flames leaped
up high in red and yellow streaks. Now
Iktomi returned to the coyote, who had
been looking through his eyelashes.
Taking him again by his paws and hind
feet, he swung him to and fro. Then as
the wolf swung toward the red flames,
Iktomi let him go. Once again the coyote
fell through space Hot air smote his nos
trils He saw red dancing fire, and now he
struck a bed of cracking emberS. With
quick turn he leaped out of the flames.
From his heels were scattered a shower of
red Goals upon Iktomi's bare arms and
shoulders. Dumfo,- led, Iktomi thought
he saw spirit walk out of his fire. His
Jaws fell apart. He thrust a palm to his
face hard over his mouth He could scarce
keep from Shrieking.
Rolling over ana over on the grass and
rubbing the sides of his head abainst the
ground the coyote soon put out the fire on
his fur Iktomi's eyes were almost ready
to jump out of his head as he stood cooling
burn on his brown arm with his breath.
Sitting on his launches, the opposite
side of the fire from where Iktomi stood,
the coyote began to laugh at him.
Another day, my friend. do not take
too much for granted. Make sure the en-
emy is stone dead before you make a firer'
Then off he swiftly that his long
bushy tail hung out in a straight line with
his back.