VII
THE FAITHFULNESS OF LONG EARS
Away beyond the Thin Hills, above the
Big Lone Tree upon the Powder River,
the Uncpapa Sioux had celebrated their
Sun Dance, some forty years ago. It was mid-
summer and the red folk were happy. They
lacked for nothing. The yellowish green flat
on either side of the Powder was studded with
wild flowers, and the cottonwood trees were in
full leaf. One large circle of buffalo skin tee-
pees formed the movable village. The Big
Horn Mountains loomed up against the deep
blue sky to the westward, and the Black Hills
appeared in the far southeast.
The tribal rites had all been observed, and
the usual summer festivities enjoyed to the full.
The camp as it broke up divided itself in three
parts, each of which had determined to seek a
favorite hunting-ground.
One band journeyed west, toward the Tongue
River. One followed a tributary of the Pow-
der to the south. The third merely changed
camp, on account of the grazing for ponies,
and for four days remained near the old
place.
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