CHAPTER II.
"Red Earth" sits by the door of her father's teepee; while the village is alive with cheerfulness, she does not join in any of the amusements going on, but seems to be occupied with what is passing in her own mind.
Occasionally she throws a pebble from the shore far into the river, and the copper-colored children spring after it, as if the water were their own element, striving to get it before it sinks from their view.
Had she been attentive to what is passing around her, she would not have kept her seat, for "Shining Iron," the son of Good Road's second wife, approaches her; and she loves him too little to talk with him when it can be avoided.
"Why are you not helping the women to make the teepee, Red Earth ?" said the warrior.

"They are laughing while they sew the buffalo-skin together, and you are sitting silent and alone.

Why is it so?
Are you thinking of 'Fiery Wind ?'" "There are enough women to make the teepee," replied Red Earth, "and I sit alone because I choose to do so.

But if I am thinking of 'Fiery Wind' I do right--he is a great warrior!" "Tell me if you love Fiery Wind ?" said the young man, while his eyes flashed fire, and the veins in his temple swelled almost to bursting.
"I do not love you," said the girl, "and that is enough.

And you need never think I will become your wife; your spells cannot make me love you.