Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-03
"My friend, you are skilled hunter"

"My friend, you are skilled hunter"
low. Now let US have little contest Let
see who can jump over the deer with
out touching hair on his hide" suggested
Iktomi.
''Oh, I fear I cannot do it." cried Pat
kasa. rubbing his funny, thick palms to-
gether.
Have no towards doubts, Patkasa I
nothing hard to do With these words
Iktomi led Patkasa a short distance away,
In little puffs Patkasa laughed uneasily.
Now, you may jump first said Iktomi.
Patkasa, with doubled fists, swung his
fat arms to and fro, all the while biting
hard his under lip.
Just before the run and leap Iktomi put
in: Let the winner have the deer to eat"
1t was too late now to say no. Patkasa
was more afraid of being called coward
than of losing the deer. 'Ho-wo," he re-
piled. still working his short arms. At
length he started off on run. So quick
and small were his steps that he seemed
to be kicking the ground only. Then the
leap. But Patkasa tripped upon a stick
and fell hard against the side of the deer.
"He-he-he!' exclaimed 1ktomi. pretend
ing disappointment that his friend had
fallen.
Lifting him to his feet, he said: Now it
is my turn to try the high jump Hardly
was the last word spoken than I.stomi gave
a leap high above the deer.
The game Is mine" laughed he. patting
the sullen Patkasa on the back. My
friend. watch the deer while go to bring
my Children said Iktomi, darting lightly
through the tall grass.
PatkaSa always ready to believe the
words of schemng people and to do the
little favors any one asked of him. How
ever, on this occasion he did not answer
Yes. my friend" He realized that Iktomi' s
hattering tongue had made him foolish.
He turned up his nose at Iktomi, now
almost out of sight, as much as to say
oh no. 1kto; l do not hear your words"
Soon there came murmur of voices. The
sound Of laughter grew louder and louder.
All OF a sudden it became hushed. Old
Iktomi led his young brood to the place
where he had left the turtle. but it was
vacant. Nowhere was there any sign of
Patkasa or the deer. Then the babes did
howl.
BE still" said Father Iktomi to his
children. I know where Patkasa lives.
Follow me; shall take you to the turtle
dwelling He ran along a narrow foot
path toward the creek near by. Close upon
his heels came his children, with tear
streaked faces.
THERE" said Iktomi in a loud whisper
as he gathered his little ones on the bank
There is Patkasa broling venison There
is his teepee and the savory fire is in his
front yard.
The young Iktomis stretched their necks
and rolled their round black eyes like
newly Matched birds. They peered into the
water.
Now, I will cool Patkasa's fire. I shall
DrlnS you the brOlled VeniSOn. Watch
closely. When you see the black Goals rise
to the surface of the water clap your
hands and shout aloud. for soon after that
sign l shall return to you with some ten
der meat"
Thus saying, Iktomi plunged into the
creek. Splash, splash! the water leaped
upward into spray. Scarcely had it be-
come level and smooth than there dubbed
up many black spots. The creek was
seethng with the dancing of round, black
things.
THE cooled fire. The coals!" laughed
the brood of 1ktomis. CIapping together
their little hands, they chased one another
along the edge of the creek. They shouted
and hooted with great glee.
"Ahas! said a gruff voice across the
water. 1t was Patkasa. In a large willow
tree leaning far over the water he sat upon
a large limb. On the very same branch
was bright burning fire. over which Pat
kasa broiled the venison. BY this time the
water was calm again. No more danced
those black spots on its surface, for they
were the toes of old Iktomi. He was
drowned.
The Iktomi children hurried away from
the creek. crying and calling for their
water-dead father