"That evening every warrior sang his war-
song, and announced the particular war-charm
or 'medicine' of his clan, according to the cus-
tom. The youths were vying with one another
in brave tales of what they would do on the
morrow. The voice of Red Horn was loud
among the boasters, for he was known to be a
vain youth, although truly not without reputa-
tion. Little Eagle, who was also of the com-
pany, remained modestly silent, as indeed be-
came one without experience in the field. In
the midst of the clamor there fell a silence.
"'Hush! hush!' they whispered. 'Look,
look! The War Maiden comes!'
"All eyes were turned upon Makatah, who
rode her fine buckskin steed with a single lariat.
He held his head proudly, and his saddle was
heavy with fringes and gay with colored em-
broidery. The maiden was attired in her best
and wore her own father's war-bonnet, while
she carried in her hands two which had be-
longed to two of her dead brothers. Singing
in a clear voice the songs of her clan, she com-
pleted the circle, according to custom, before
she singled out one of the young braves for spe-
cial honor by giving him the bonnet which she
held in her right hand.
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