Then their leader sent one of their number back to the village, and he told the people that the young men were faint and weary, and in need of food. Yet the people sent them no food, and the young man went back, weak, and empty-handed. Once more the young men began their dancing, for their hearts were full of courage, and Indian youths are strong to endure. Then, once more, they sent to the people asking for food, but still no food was given them. Then a third time they sent, and yet in vain. That night, as the youths slept, quite exhausted, in their lodge, their leader was awakened by the sound of singing. Slow, and soft, and alluring were the voices; and they seemed far above the earth. The leader wakened his companions, and together they listened. Then, one by one, the young men arose, and new strength seemed to come into their limbs, and new courage into their hearts, and dancing, they followed the sound of the singing. On and on they went, and then they seemed to be lifted from off the earth, but still they danced as higher and higher they arose. Now they were past the tree tops, now they were above the mountain tops, and now high up among the clouds. And still they danced the war dance of their nation, faster and faster, as the music led them on. The Night Wind saw them. “They follow the song of the Sky Witches,” he cried in alarm, and he hastened to overtake them and turn them back. But they paid no heed to the Night Wind, for the song of the Sky Witches had charmed them, and they followed on dancing. The people of their village caught sight of them as they passed far over their heads, and they ran from their lodges and called to them. “Come back! Come back!” they cried. “Look down upon us, and the spell will be broken. Heed not the song of the Sky Witches!” But still the young men followed on,--all but one, their leader, who, hearing the voice of his mother, turned his head and looked back. The spell of the Sky Witches was broken, and down, down he sped to the earth. The other ten followed on, and the Mother Moon, quite dizzy with the sight of their dancing, turned aside from her steady course and begged them to heed her voice. “The Sky Witches are seeking victims for their feasts,” she warned them. “Turn away; turn away! They will destroy you!” Yet in spite of her warning the witchery of the music led the youths on. And then the Mother Moon cried, “I will save you from their wicked spell in spite of yourselves!” With that she waved her girdle of vapors, and the ten youths were changed into fixed stars, and set forever in the heavens. Seven of the youths were large and strong, and three were small and less sturdy; and so they were as stars. When the people of their village looked once more up into the sky, they saw seven bright stars dancing and twinkling above them. But those whose eyes were very strong, when the night was clear, could see ten.