Sometimes the popular belle would pretend to find one, for the joy of the simultaneous rush towards her by her many admirers.

But if one found a red ear that was not well filled, or was crooked or tapering, all would shout with glee and sing the song "Wa-ge-nim,"

"Wa-ge-nim. Wa-ge-nim, crooked ear,

Walker of night, Stop, little old man.

And take not to flight. Crooked ear, crooked ear,

Stand up strong, Little crooked old man,

I'll give you a song."

The crooked and tapering ears were considered the image of "Old Man Thief." And here is another of the simple symbolic expressions. This crooked, incomplete, unfinished ear of corn is like "Old Man Thief," because it has taken the toil in raising, and raised the expectations of the grower, and yet but partially fulfilled them.

There is much other Indian matter, traditions and the like, that come in their turn, but now the "river winds" to other scenes.

THE PAWNEE PILGRIMAGE -- THE SPOTTED ROBE -- TI-WA-RA, THE GOD OF COURT HOUSE ROCK -- BATTLE OF ASH HOLLOW

Many, many moons ago; many moons and many winters, the Pawnees came up the river from the ruins of Quivera.

The underground people of pre-historic Nebraska, and the corn raisers of hundreds of years ago, had left their "wallows." in the sands of the eastern part of the state, and had joined "the innumerable caravan that moves to the pale realm of shade," and the Pawnees, naturally nomadic, had for a time tarried, and were growing corn and "pompons" on the ruins of the past.