“The third day after, they saw two great fires sweeping toward them over the prairie. The women cried out with fear. All thought that they should die.

“When the fires came near, the people saw that they were the two dogs, Death and Sickness.

“‘Do not fear,’ said the dogs. ‘Our hearts are not all evil. True, we will bite you, because you forgot us; but we will also live with you and be your friends. We will carry your burdens; and when we die, you shall eat us.’