Red Owl was a brave youth and a close rival
of Matoska, both for war honors and for the
hand of the prettiest maiden in the tribe. He
had hoped to be recognized as one who fought
in defense of their homes by the side of Brave
Hawk; that would please the Blue Sky, he
thought; but the honor was conferred upon his
rival!
There was a cloud of suppressed irritation on
his dusky face as he sullenly departed to his
own tent--an action which displeased the coun-
cil-men. Matoska had not spoken, and this
caused him to appear to the better advantage.
The worst of it was that Blue Sky herself had
entered the ring with the "orphan steed," as
it was called--the war-horse of her dead
brother, and had therefore seen and heard every-
thing! Tanagila, or Hummingbird, the beau-
tiful charger, decorated according to custom
with the honors won by his master, was led away
by the girl amidst resounding war-whoops.
Unable to remain quiet, Red Owl went out
into the hills to fast and pray. It was sunset of
the next day when he again approached the
village, and behind a little ridge came suddenly
upon Matoska and the girl standing together.
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