Now for the test.  Talking Rock covered the bit of bone with his robe as he had been told to do.  He even raised the robe along its middle, making it look as if it really covered a person lying there.  Then he shot three of the arrows up in the air, each time crying, “Look out.”

Then with a hand that trembled a little, he drew the fourth arrow from the quiver, shot it and cried, “Look out, Red Robe, the arrow will strike you”; and, turning, ran from the place with all his speed.

How he wanted to look back!  How he longed to see if his friend was really rising from that bit of blackened bone!  But Talking Rock was strong-hearted.  He controlled his desires.  On and on he ran, and then—­behind him the light tread of running feet, a firm hand gripped his shoulder, and a loved voice said, “Why so fast, my friend?” and stopping and turning, Talking Rock found himself face to face with Red Robe.  He could not believe what he saw, and had to pinch himself and to hold his friend hard in his arms to believe that all this was real.

The camp had not moved far, and the lodges were pitched on the next stream to the south.  Soon after dark, the two friends entered it and went to their lodge.  The poor old grandmother could not believe her eyes when she saw the young man she had reared and loved so dearly; but when he spoke she knew that it was he, and running over to him she held him in her arms and kissed him, crying from joy.  After a little time, the young man said to her, “Grandmother, go to the chief’s lodge and say to him that I, Red Robe, need some dried meat.”  The old woman hesitated at this strange request, but Red Robe said:  “Go, do not fear him; Three Bulls is now the one to know fear.”

When the old woman entered the great lodge and in reply to the chief’s look said, “Red Robe sent me here.  He wants some dried meat,” only Three Bulls of all who were in the lodge, showed no surprise.  “It is what I expected,” he said; “in spite of all my care he lives again, and I can do nothing.”  Turning to his wives he said, “Give her meat.”

“Did you see Ma-min’?” asked Red Robe, when his grandmother had returned with the meat and had told him what the chief had said.

“No, she was not in the lodge, but two women were approaching as I left it.  I think they were the girl and her mother.”

“Go back once more,” said the young man, “and tell Three Bulls to send me that young woman.”

But now the poor old grandmother was afraid.  “I dare not tell him that,” she exclaimed.  “He would kill me, and you.  His anger would be fearful.”

“Do not fear,” said Red Robe, “do not fear, my mother, his anger and his power are no longer to be feared.  He is as feeble and as helpless as one of those old bulls one sees on the sunny side of the coulee, spending his last days before the wolves pull him down.”

The old woman went to the lodge and told the chief what Red Robe further wished.  Ma-min’ was there, her head covered with her robe, crying quietly, and Three Bulls told her to arise and go with the messenger.  Timidly at first, and then with steps that broke into a run, Ma-min’ hurried toward the lodge of her sweetheart and entered it.  With a cry of joy she threw herself into his arms, and Talking Rock went out and left them alone.