“’When summer comes back, you may return with it and dwell in your own home until it is time for the return of winter.’

“When the people of the Summer Land heard this, some were glad, some were sorry, and some were angry.

“‘What!’ said the angry ones, ’shall we leave our pleasant homes on account of winter?  No, indeed; we will stay.’  And so they did.

“When summer was over and the cold winds began to blow, the Bob Lincoln family, obeying the command of the Master of Life, set out for the Southland.  On and on they traveled for many days.

“At last they came to the end of the land, and before them was the great, salt sea.  But far on to the southward, they could dimly see islands rising out of the salt water.

“So they flew bravely on across the great, salt sea, till they reached the islands; and beyond these islands they saw others.  On and on they flew from island to island until they reached another great land like the home they had left behind them.  In it there were vast meadows and forests, mountains and rivers.  In that land it is always summer and food is plenty all the year round.  There in the pleasant meadows, the Bob Lincolns stopped and there they lived happily for half a year.

“When it was time for summer to revisit the Summer Land, the Bob Lincolns returned also and this they did every year.

“In those days all the Bob Lincolns wore black and white clothes like mine.  But, as you see, this black and white dress is very con-spic’-u-ous.

“Now it happened that in their journeyings to and fro, the Bob Lincolns met many enemies, and these enemies wrought sad havoc in their ranks.  When they were flying in the air, the hawks and the eagles would swoop upon them and kill them.  If they sat upon the ground, the weazels and the minks, the wildcats and other four-footed prowlers, would pounce upon them and devour them.  Even the Red Men, with their feathered arrows, would shoot them.  So many of them were killed that they began to fear that soon none of their family would be left alive.

“So they called a family council, to consider their sad state and decide what it was best to do.  When they were all assembled together, they talked the matter over and decided to go and ask aid from the Master of Life.

“‘I have heard your complaint,’ said the Master of Life when they had finished, ’and I am willing to assist you.  But first you must understand that the cause of all your trouble is your love of fine clothes.  Your black and white uniforms are very beautiful, but they are too con-spic’-u-ous for your safety.  By day your enemies can spy you afar because you are black; by night they can see you because you are white.

“’Hereafter you shall wear different clothing.  No longer shall your feathers be black and white; they shall be black and brown and yellow.  When you sit upon the ground you shall look like the dry, brown grass, and when you fly through the air your enemies shall not be able to mark your flight from a distance.  Thus it shall come to pass that, if you act wisely, you shall live in peace and safety.’