We were talking of Indian mythology and he told me this story which he said was sometimes told of the Chadron Plains, sometimes of the valley north and east of Scotts Bluff mountain, and sometimes of the high divide known as the Flowerfield Swell.

Algon, a Sioux hunter, had chased a deer out upon the prairie, until its trail led to a circle where all the grass was trodden down, but from the circle never a trail led on.

While marvelling, he heard strange music, and it seemed to come from above. Looking up. he could see far into the sky a very small speck, and as he looked, it seemed to grow larger and larger until he made out that it was something descending to the earth. He fell hack from the circle and concealed him- Self in the .ura-s.

Larger and larger it grew, and louder and more distinct became tin- music. Finally it settled down in the center of the circle, and hi pi rceived that it was a basket and in the

basket were twelve maidens, and as the basket came down the maidens sang. After it had alighted they all jumped out and began to dance in the circle and sing as they danced.

One of them was very beautiful, and it seemed to the young brave that he must have her for his very own. Watching as she came to the side of the circle where he was concealed, he leapt out and tried to catch her, but quick as he was, they were the quicker, and all leapt into the basket singing and the basket went up into the sky.