Into this wonder-land of waterfalls, sun-dances, and legends, our young explorers came, now paddling in their airy canoe, now bearing the canoe on their backs around the falls.
Mr. Mann's white face was a surprise to the native tribes that they met on the way, but Benjamin's brightness and friendly ways made the journey of both easy.
They came to the Black Eagle Falls. The great nest still was there. It was as is described in the book of the early explorers.
It hung over the mists of the rapids, and, strangely enough, there were revealed three black plumes in the nest.
Benjamin beheld these plumes with a kind of religious awe. His eyes dilated as he pointed to them.
"They are for me," he said. "One for me, one for father, and one for you. I'll get them all."
He glided along a shelf of rocks toward the little island, and mounted the tree. The black eagles were yet there, though their nest was empty. He passed up the tree under the wings of the eagles, and came down with a handful of feathers.
"The book was true," said he.
They went to Medicine River, now called the Sun River, and there witnessed a Sun-dance.
It was a scene to tempt a brilliant painter or poet. The chiefs and warriors were arrayed in crystals, quartz, and every bright product of the earth and river that would reflect the glory of the sun.