In the South Dakota Country

and skins. The boys had all been born in that forest, and so had their fathers and grandfathers for generations. The location of the village had changed many times but it had always been in or near the big timber among the lakes which feed the Mississippi at its source. The forest was the book the Indian children had studied since the days when the birds and whispering leaves had talked to them in their wind-rocked cradles that hung from swaying boughs. They had already learned the paths of the forest and how to cover their trails. They had learned the track signs and the marks on trees. They knew the language of the forest creatures and could imitate their cries and calls. They had played in the lake since they were tiny fellows, ducking each other, riding rafts and slippery logs, diving, swimming and paddling a canoe. Now they must leave the forest and the lake. There was sorrow in each little Indian's heart at the thought of leaving, but it was sorrow well mixed with eager anticipation. They stopped in their sport to talk of the long journey and the adventures that awaited them. The Tetons were but one of the tribes which made up the Dakota nation. The word Dakota means allies. That was their real name, but their enemies called them "Sioux,"which taken freely means enemies. The seven tribes of the Dakotas had grown too numerous to live comfortably on the game in their northern forests. The chiefs and head men of the Tetons said it would be better on the pra... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.