"We must have a puma-hunt," said the chief, "now—right away."
"Not to-day?" said the teacher.
"Yes," said the chief, "now—he eat your children. Find boy dead some day, just like cow. He drop down from a tree on a papoose. Benjamin and I will go hunt."
The mountain lion.
The two disappeared. For several days they did not return. But, one morning, a party of Indians in hunting-gear came riding up to the school-house, full of gay spirits and heroic pride. Behind them came the old chief on foot, moving slowly, as though tired, and with him was Benjamin.
The Indian boy had a brown skin of an animal on his shoulder—a raw hide with very beautiful fur.
The old chief came into the school-room with an air of pride, and stood for a few minutes silent before the master. His face, though wrinkled, was really beautiful and noble, in the light of the happy intelligence that awaited communication. He at last looked each pupil in the face and then said:
"We have killed the puma. School no fear now."