before.

John's Indian mother was good to him, and treated him as if he were her
own son.

One time the Indian boys thought they would test John's courage, so they
formed in two lines, while each boy held a stout stick.

Then they ordered John to run down between the two long lines.

They had their sticks all ready to beat him.

They thought John would be afraid and so would do as they told him.

But John was a strong lad, and jumping upon the first Indian boy, he
took his stick away from him.

[Illustration]

Armed with this stick, John struck right and left at the heads of the
boys until they were all glad to run away.

The Indian men liked to see John's courage, and laughed long and loud
when the Indian boys ran away.

After this the boys were glad to have John play with them.

With their bows and arrows they shot at a mark.

They swam in the river and played games of tag, hide and seek, and ball.