I had not eaten for five days; I was hungry, and I became a thief, I took away a large piece, and ran away like a cowardly wolf.

I have said: the prize cannot be mine." A murmur ran through the assembly, and the chiefs, holy men, and elders consulted together.

At last, the ancient chief advanced once more towards the young man, and took his two hands between his own.

"My son," he said, "good, noble, and brave; thy acknowledgment of thy fault and self-denial in such a moment make thee as pure as a good spirit in the eyes-of the great Manitou.

Evil, when confessed and repented of, is forgotten; bend thy head, my son, and let me crown thee.