The teacher turned to Sly Fox.
“Yours was next in size,” he said. “Tell of your adventure.”
Sly Fox admitted that he had been lucky. He had selected the largest piece of meat on the first tripod that he came to. He had wanted to look farther for a larger piece, but as several squaws were moving about the tepees, he had decided to take that piece and get away. He was glad that he had won the prize.
“You did well,” the teacher said. “This eagle feather is yours to be worn as proudly as a warrior who has counted coup.”
“Thank you,” Sly Fox responded as he accepted the prize.
He turned to face Bent Arrow.
“I want to give this coup feather to you, Bent Arrow,” he said, “not only because you have proved yourself a good Crow, but also because you saved my life.”
Bent Arrow gave a gasp of pleasure. He was to have the eagle feather which Clawing Bear said he needed for his medicine bag. He reached out his hand to accept it but, at the last moment, drew his hand back.
“I can’t accept it,” he pointed out. “People would see it and think that I had won the prize.”
The teacher nodded his approval.