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their bows to the flanks of the fallen bear, thus counting coup on the enemy. Mastincala stood as before, solitary and silent. His ears filled with the remembered dream voice of the bear, and he knew a great moment had come to him.
    Tacante saw the strange gaze of his son and led the boy finally away from the bear. Only then did Mastincala tell of the dream and of He Hopa's counsel.
    "Ah, it was a brave thing, little one," Tacante declared. "But very dangerous. It's a shirt wearer's duty to come to the aid of his brothers, but to stand and die is never desired. A man can't help his family if he dies young."
    Mastincala felt the comfort of his father's strong arm and rejoiced that he had Buffalo Heart for a protector. Hinhan Hota later dragged the dead bear to the camp, and the band enjoyed a feasting that night. As for the skin, Hinhan Hota promised Mastincala a fine winter coat from it.
    Such a day would have been remembered even if He Hopa had not risen that night to speak to the people.
    "I have said here is a boy with power to see things," the medicine man reminded them. "Now he has stood as a warrior and protected his brothers. Surely there would be the wail of burial songs among us tonight if not for Mastincala's courage. It is a brave deed he has done, and I say it now to all."
    The others murmured their agreement. Even Capa and the other boys whooped and beat small sticks together in recognition of the Rabbit's deed.
    He Hopa then motioned Mastincala to come close, and the old man produced an eagle feather and tied it in the boy's hair.
    "Here has been done the first of many brave deeds," He Hopa announced. "Wakan Tanka, watch over this little one that he may grow tall in wisdom. May his feet never stray from the sacred path."
    The others howled their agreement, and Mastincala stretched himself to his full height and grinned back at his assembled admirers. Such moments don't last long, he knew, and are best enjoyed at the moment. Tomorrow would bring new tasks and fresh undertakings. There would be rest only tonight.

Chapter Three
    Rabbit is a clever creature. He dwells in the roughest hollows, among the thorny bushes and the cacti. He builds his warren beneath the earth, in places overlooked and ignored by most men and safe from the keen eyes of the soaring hawks. He is never content with a solitary entrance. He digs a second so as to provide always a lane of escape. And while foraging for his sustenance, he often retraces his steps, thus making a double trail that leads in a circle. Even the best Lakota trackers admitted Rabbit was clever.
    From Tacante, Mastincala learned to observe his brother creatures, especially Rabbit.
    "You may be small," his father taught, "but so is Rabbit. See how he goes where the fox cannot follow. He has no bow or knife, yet he wounds those who would bring his death. Learn this lesson, little one."
    Mastincala watched the other creatures, too. Antelope showed how the fleet might escape harm. Fox taught the patience of a good hunter. Bear used his great power and stamina. And Uncle Buffalo, he that was sacred above all creatures, showed how one walked the sacred path, taking only what was needed and giving in return what he could.
    He Hopa took great interest in Mastincala, and the medicine man devoted many days to teaching the lore of the tribe. Sometimes the two would walk beside the river and share some story of the long-ago times. Mastincala took each word of those tales to heart, for there were lessons within. And when He Hopa showed which roots or moss could take the fever from the sick, or where the sacred medicine paint came from, Mastincala remembered. Knowledge brought power. This much he knew as a boy in his seventh summer.
    From the time of the bear dreaming, Tacante looked at his son with new pride. Now, when the band moved after the buffalo, Mastincala was sometimes allowed to ride with the men, out ahead on a scout, or perhaps to hunt game for the supper kettle. Tacante