fumed with scented grass and leaves. Many
pulled their blankets over their heads as if to
avoid recognition, and loitered shyly at a dis-
tance.

Among these last were Antelope and his
cousin, Red Eagle. They stood in the angle
formed by the bodies of their steeds, whose
noses were together. The young hero was com-
pletely enveloped in his handsome robe with
a rainbow of bead-work acros the middle, and
his small moccasined feet projected from be-
neath the lower border. Red Eagle held up
an eagle-wing fan, partially concealing his face,
and both gazed intently toward the center of
the maidens' circle.

"Woo! woo!" was the sonorous exclama-
tion of the police, announcing the beginning
of the ceremonies. In the midst of the ring
of girls stood the traditional heart-shaped red
stone, with its bristling hedge of arrows. In
this case there were five arrows, indicating that
Taluta had already made as many maidens'
feasts. Each of the maidens must lay her hand
upon the stone in token of her purity and chas-
tity, touching also as many arrows as she her-
self has attended maidens' feasts.

Taluta advanced first to the center. As she