| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: and manly bearing inspired confidence. "We know of no motive," he
corrected.
"And we know of no crime having been perpetrated," rapped out Kent.
"Come, man; don't hunt a mare's nest."
"Ah, but it isn't a mare's nest!" Ferguson remarked dryly.
Kent bent eagerly forward - "You have heard from the coroner -"
"Not yet," Ferguson jerked forward his chair until his knees
touched Kent.
Had either man looked toward the window near which they were sitting,
he would have seen a black shadow squatting ape-like on the window
ledge. As Kent leaned over to relight his cigar, the face at the
The Red Seal |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Old Indian Legends by Zitkala-Sa: way, he drew near to Inyan, the sacred symbol. Seizing one corner
of the half-worn blanket, Iktomi pulled it off with a jerk.
"Give my blanket back, old grandfather! You do not need it.
I do!" This was very wrong, yet Iktomi did it, for his wit was not
wisdom. Drawing the blanket tight over his shoulders, he descended
the hill with hurrying feet.
He was soon upon the edge of the ravine. A young moon, like
a bright bent bow, climbed up from the southwest horizon a little
way into the sky.
In this pale light Iktomi stood motionless as a ghost amid the
thicket. His woodpile was not yet kindled. His pointed stakes
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