25. THE END OF THE ELK POWER.
Four strong young men, of whom only oldest is married, go to trap eagles, leaving woman and child at home. On their return woman is missing. Eldest unmarried brother is filled with pity for child and goes to cry near timber, where is old skull of buck elk. On second night voice tells him woman and three others captured by Bear and that he has received Elk power. He is to go again and receive instructions. Pretty-Voice goes again and learns ceremony of Elks. He is to blow whistle and all females will come to him. He goes near Bear’s home and whistles four times. Women run out of den and they go away with Pretty-Voice. Bear follows and he orders party to stop. Pretty-Voice shoots arrows at Bear without effect. He then throws himself on ground and becomes Elk. Elk and Bear fight, and Bear admits his defeat. Elk again becomes man and Pretty-Voice wins great honor by capture of women. He causes ill-feeling by using his magic whistle to attract girls and then married women. Men shoot at him, but nothing can harm him. Sioux attack village, but they can do nothing while Pretty-Voice is living. Men come on friendly visit and Pretty-Voice secures Sioux girl by his ceremony. She gets to know secret of his power and then runs away. She obtains necessary things and then starts at head of war-party to kill Pretty-Voice. Inhabitants of village are defeated and Pretty-Voice finally falls. His mother wishes to collect his flesh, as he had told her, but men will not let her. They make big fire and destroy his body. White fog seen to arise from place for many days after.