The last evening had come, and Antelope
was on the way to the top of the hill behind
the camp for a night of prayer. Suddenly in
the half-light he came full upon Taluta, lead-
ing her pony down the narrow trail. She had
never looked more beautiful to the youth than
at that moment.
"Ho," he greeted her. She simply smiled
shyly.
"It is long since we met," he ventured.
"I have concluded that you do not care to
hear my reply," retorted the girl.
"I have nothing to say in my defense, but
I hope that you will be generous. I have suf-
fered much. . . . You will understand why
I stand far from you," he added gently. "I
have been preparing myself to go upon the war-
path. We start at daylight for the Ute coun-
try. Every day for ten days I have been in the
vapor-bath, and ten nights fasting."
As Taluta well knew, a young warrior under
these circumstances dared not approach a wo-
man, not even his own wife.
"I still urge you to be my wife. Are you
ready to give me your answer?" continued An-
telope.
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