"'This will settle the quarrel. You all see
this bone in my right hand, don't you?'

"'Yes,' they replied.

"'Well, now you watch the bone and my
hands, too, for they are quick and cunning.'

"OLD-man began to sing the gambling song
and to slip the bone from one hand to the other
so rapidly and smoothly that they were all
puzzled. Finally he stopped singing and held
out his hands--both shut tight, and both
with their backs up.

"'Which of my hands holds the bone now?'
he asked them.

"Some said it was in the right hand and
others claimed that it was the left hand that
held it. OLD-man asked the Bear to name the
hand that held the bone, and the Bear did;
but when OLD-man opened that hand it was
empty--the bone was not there. Then every-
body laughed at the Bear. OLD-man smiled
a little and began to sing and again pass the
bone.

"'Beaver, you are smart; name the hand
that holds the bone this time.'