Advancing to the Council Fire Wita-tonkan, in the name of Shingebis and himself challenged the Pentagoet Tribe or any visitors present, to a Bear Spearing Contest for scalps!
Paul jumped up and cried, “We accept!”
And a chorus of “Hows!” showed that every one present was brave and daring.
“Oh Chief! How can we pay up if we have no hirsute adornments similar to the Black Bear scalps?” asked Uncle Bill.
“Every one who enters this contest must agree to forfeit a scalp like this or similar. They can be procured!” sternly answered Wita-tonkan.
A babel of voices then arose and finally it appeared that Wita-tonkan and Shingebis had twenty opponents arrayed against them in the contest.
“Gee! If the Black Bears win we won’t be able to see them—they will be so covered with scalps,” cried Dudley.
“Oh Chief! that reminds me! What happens should the two Black Bears lose? How can two scalps be divided among so many Pentagoets?” inquired Uncle Tom.
“Why, we each get a lock of hair from their two heads!” laughed Uncle Bill.
“I should say not! We each have one life to lose and we give what we have, one life apiece,” retorted the Chief.