"Dear Old Boze," said the little boy, after the fun was over, "can't you
tell me a story of the old days?"
"Yes," replied the old hound, "I can. And since Old Klaws has told you
about one dog, I'll tell you about another."
"Once upon a time," went on the old hound, "there was an Indian hunter
who had a dog that he loved very dearly. And the dog on his part loved
his master more than his own life.
"For many years, master and dog hunted together. When night came they
ate of the same food, and shared the same bed. Many and many a time,
each saved the life of the other. At last both began to grow old.
"One morning in winter a stranger entered their lodge. 'I am the
Man-i-tou of Death,' said he to the hunter. 'The Master of Life has sent
me to summon you to the Happy Hunting Ground. Make ready at once, for
when the sun rises for the third time, you must set forth.'
"'It is well,' replied the hunter, 'the summons shall be obeyed.'
"At once he began to make ready. He danced the death dance and sang the
death song. His wife and his two sons mourned and wept, and the dog
joined in the death chant.
"On the third morning, the hunter was ready to depart on the long
journey from which he could never return.
"'Alas, my husband,' said his wife, 'I cannot live without you. I will
go with you. Where you are, there will I be also.' And so also said his
two sons.
"The hunter tried to comfort them, and to persuade them to remain until
they too should be summoned by the Master of Life. But they refused to
be comforted, and at last they all set forth.
"Meanwhile the dog had said nothing. But when they started, he was close
at the heels of his master.
"Day after day they traveled toward the south-west. Alter a time, they
entered a desert land, where water was scarce and there was no game.
Soon they began to be hungry as well as weary.
"The younger boy's strength and courage gave out, and he turned and
followed the trail back to the wigwam.
"A little farther, and the older son said, 'Alas, my father, I am
famished, and my strength has gone from me. I will return and seek my
younger brother. When I have found him and we have rested and eaten, we
will come and overtake you.' So he turned back, and that was the last
that was seen of him.
"Seeing that her children had turned back, the wife said, 'Be of good
courage. I am still with you, I am strong and we shall yet enter the
gate of the Happy Hunting Grounds together.'
"The dog said nothing, but though he was hungry, footsore, and weary,
he still followed close at his master's heels.
"Now the trail entered a region of desolate mountains. The way became
rough and rocky. Their moccasins were worn from their feet, and there
was no food to be found.
"'At last the wife cried, 'Oh, my husband, I am faint and weary. I can
go no further. Let us rest here.' And she sat down beside the trail.
"'Nay,' said the hunter, 'I may not stop. The Master of Life must be
obeyed. The summons was not to you, but to me. Rest here beside the
trail, and when your strength has returned, go back to the wigwam and
dwell with our two sons until the Death Man-i-tou comes for you.'
"Then he went on, up the steep trail. He had not noticed the dog, who,
footsore and famished, now limped painfully at his heels, and when he
camped for the night, came silently and lay down at his feet.
"The next morning, they arose and continued their journey. After many
days, they saw far before them a narrow gap between two tall snow-capped
mountains. Through this the trail went, and at the further end they
found the gateway to the Happy Hunting Ground. Beside the gateway stood
the lodge of the keeper of the gate.
"Before the lodge the hunter stopped and lifted up his voice, and cried,
'The Master of Life called. Here am I.'
"Hearing his cry, the keeper of the gate came from his lodge.
"'You are welcome,' said he to the hunter, 'but where are those who set
out upon the long trail with you?'
"'They are not here,' returned the hunter, 'the way was long and
toilsome, and their feet grew weary,'
"'Who is that,' again asked the keeper of the gate, 'who stands beside
you, and looks upon you with eyes of love?'
"'That is he,' said the hunter, 'who loved me best of all.'
"'His great love and his faithfulness have made him worthy,' said the
keeper of the gate. 'He shall enter with you,' and he opened the gate.
"With a bark of joy the dog sprang forward and entered the Happy Hunting
Ground beside the master whom he had loved more than his own life."
* * * * *