of his father, but he always made haste to excuse himself, and hurried back to the camp of the Brule chief.  In truth he was never content, except when by the side of the bewitching Chaf-fa-ly-a.  The old men knew of the growing attachment between their children, and seemed rather to encourage than to oppose it.  Chaf-fa-ly-a was buoyantly happy, and a golden future seemed opening up before her.  Souk often reflected how happy he would be when he and his darling were married; and frequently at night, when the stars were out, the young lovers would sit for hours and plan the future happiness of themselves and the people over whom they would rule.

One day Souk returned to his father’s camp, and formally notified him of his love for Chaf-fa-ly-a, and demanded her in marriage.  The old chief listened attentively, and at the close of Souk’s harangue rose and struck the ground three times with his spear, declaring that he knew of no reason why his son should not be made happy, and have Chaf-fa-ly-a to wife.  The grateful Souk was so overjoyed, that, forgetting his position and the rank of his chief, he fell upon his neck, and, kissing him again and again, actually shed tears.  Putting him kindly aside, the father, well knowing the impatience of young lovers, hastily summoned three of his most distinguished chiefs, and said to them, “Mount your swiftest horses! go to the camps of the Brule, and when you have come to him, say, Souk, the son of his old friend, loves his only daughter, Chaf-fa-ly-a, and that I demand her of him in marriage to my son.  You will also say that, according to the ancient customs of our tribes, I will pay to him whatever presents he may demand for the maiden, and that it is my desire, the friendship long existing between ourselves and our people may be cemented by the marriage of our children.”

Bowing low, the chiefs retired, and were soon on their way to the Brule village, which was three days’ journey distant.  Rather than wait impatiently in the camp until the chiefs would return, Souk proposed to go on a short hunting excursion with some warrior friends to whom he could unbosom himself.

Meantime the chiefs had proceeded on their errand, and on the evening of the third day caught sight of the Brule camp.  They were hospitably received by the venerable chief, who did all in his power to make them comfortable after their fatiguing ride.  On the following morning the chief assembled his counsellors, and, making a great dog-feast, heard the request of the ambassadors.  When they had done speaking, the Brule rose and announced his consent to the marriage, saying he was delighted to know that his daughter was to be the wife of so brave and worthy a young man as the son of his friend.  He then dismissed the chiefs, stating that he would shortly send an embassy to receive the promised presents, and complete the arrangements for the marriage of the young couple.