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 "The hickory-nut tree is a half-hour's journey away," said the wise Nuk-da-go. "I will look into this matter further."

The next day Nuk-da-go went about among all the forest people and told them that little Jo-nis-gy-ont's store of nuts was being robbed. "Shall we call a council?" he asked. "Shall we bring all the forest people together to find out who is the robber?"

And all the forest people said, "Yes, yes."

That night the council was held, and all the forest people came except Brother Frog and Brother Woodchuck, who begged to be excused.

"No one can be excused from the council," declared Nuk-da-go, who had been appointed Chief. "Jo-nis-gy-ont, as you are their nearest neighbor, I appoint you to go and bring them."

Jo-nis-gy-ont hastened back, but when he told his errand, Brother Frog jumped far out into the marsh and pretended not to hear, and Brother Woodchuck slipped into his home under the rocks, out of sight.

But Nuk-da-go would be obeyed, so he went after them himself, and, being Chief of the Council and Chief of the tribe, Brother Frog and Brother Woodchuck had to come out when