old indian days(古印第时期)-第19节
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heard the voice of his wife from the deep woods wailing for her husband！
〃Oh； take us； husband； take us with you！ let us all die together！〃 she
pleaded as she clung to him whom she had regarded as already dead； for
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she knew of the price that had been put upon his head； and that some of
the half… breeds loved money better than the blood of their Indian mothers。
Tawasuota stood for a minute without speak… ing； while his huge frame
trembled like a mighty pine beneath the thunderbolt。
〃No；〃 he said at last。 〃I shall go； but you must remain。 You are a
woman； and the white people need not know that your little boys are mine。
Bring them here to me this evening that I may kiss them farewell。〃
The sun was hovering among the treetops when they met again。
〃Atay！ atay！〃 （〃Papa； papa！〃） the little fellows cried out in spite of her
cautions； but the mother put her finger to her lips； and they became silent。
Tawasuota took each boy in his arms； and held him close for a few
moments； he smiled to them； but large tears rolled down his cheeks。
Then he disappeared in the shad… ows； and they never saw him again。
The chief soldier lived and died a warrior and an enemy to the white
man； but one of his two sons became in after…years a minister of the
Christian gospel； under the 〃Long…Haired Praying Man；〃 Bishop Whipple；
of Minnesota。
VI THE WHITE MAN'S ERRAND
Upon the wide tableland that lies at the back of a certain Indian agency；
a camp of a thousand teepees was pitched in a circle； according to the
ancient usage。 In the center of the circle stood the council lodge； where
there were gathered together of an afternoon all the men of years and
distinction； some in blank… ets； some in uniform； and still others clad in
beggarly white man's clothing。 But the minds of all were alike upon the
days of their youth and freedom。
Around the council fire they passed and re… passed the pipe of peace；
and when the big drum was struck they sang the accompaniment with sad
yet pleasant thoughts of the life that is past。 Between the songs stories of
brave deeds and dangerous exploits were related by the actors in turn； with
as much spirit and zest as if they were still living in those days。
〃Tum； tum； tum；〃 the drum was sounded。
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〃Oow； oow！〃 they hooted in a joyous chorus at the close of each
refrain。
〃Ho！〃 exclaimed finally the master of cere… monies for the evening。
〃It is Zuyamani's story of his great ride that we should now hear！ It was
not far from this place； upon the Missouri River； and within the
recollection of many of us that this occurred。 Ye young men must hear！〃
〃Ho； ho！〃 was the ready response of all pres… ent； and the drum was
struck once according to custom。 The pipe was filled and handed to Zuy…
amani； who gravely smoked for a few moments in silence。 Then he
related his contribution to the unwritten history of our frontier in these
words：
〃It was during the winter following that sum… mer in which General
Sibley pursued many of our people across the Muddy River （1863）； that
we Hunkpatees； friendly Sioux； were camping at a place called 'Hunt…the…
Deer；' about two miles from Fort Rice； Dakota Territory。
〃The Chief Soldier of the garrison called one day upon the leading
chiefs of our band。 To each one he said： 'Lend me your bravest war…
rior！' Each chief called his principal warriors together and laid the matter
before them。
〃'The Chief Soldier at this place；' they ex… plained； 'wants to send a
message to Fort Ber… thold； where the Rees and Mandans live； to an… other
Chief Soldier there。 The soldiers of the Great Father do not know the
way； neither could any of them get through the lines。 He asks for a brave
man to carry his message。'
〃The Mandans and the Rees were our hered… itary enemies； but this
was not the principal rea… son for our hesitation。 We had declared alle…
giance to the Great Father at Washington； we had taken our stand against
the fighting men of our own nation； and the hostile Sioux were worse than
enemies to us at this time！
〃Each chief had only called on his leading warriors； and each in turn
reported his failure to secure a volunteer。
〃Then the Chief Soldier sent again and said： 'Is there not a young man
among you who dares to face death？ If he reaches the fort with my
message； he will need to be quick…witted as well as brave； and the Great
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Father will not forget him！'
〃Now all the chiefs together called all the young men in a great council；
and submitted to them the demand of the Great Father's servant。 We
knew well that the country between us and Fort Berthold； about one
hundred and fifty miles distant； was alive with hostile Sioux； and that if
any of us should be caught and recognized by them； he would surely be
put to death。 It would not be easy to deceive them by professing hostil…
ity to the Government； for the record of each individual Indian is well
known。 The warriors were still unwilling to go； for they argued thus：
'This is a white man's errand； and will not be recorded as a brave deed
upon the honor roll of our people。' I think many would have vol… unteered
but for that belief。 At that time we had not a high opinion of the white
man。
〃Since all the rest were silent； it came into my mind to offer my
services。 The warriors looked at me in astonishment； for I was a very
young man and had no experience。
〃Our chief； Two Bears； who was my own uncle； finally presented my
name to the command… ing officer。 He praised my courage and begged
me to be vigilant。 The interpreter told him that I had never been upon the
war…path and would be knocked over like a rabbit； but as no one else
would go； he was obliged to accept me as his messenger。 He gave me a
fine horse and saddle； also a rifle and soldier's uniform。 I would not take
the gun nor wear the blue coat。 I accepted only a revolver； and I took my
bow and quiver full of arrows； and wore my usual dress。 I hid the letter
in my moccasin。
〃I set out before daybreak the next morning。 The snow was deep。 I
rode up the river； on the west bank； keeping a very close watch all the way；
but seeing nothing。 I had been provided with a pair of field glasses； and I
surveyed the country on all sides from the top of every hill。 Having
traveled all day and part of the night； I rested my horse and I took a little
sleep。
〃After eating a small quantity of pemmican； I made a very early start
in the morning。 It was scarcely light when I headed for a near…by ridge
from which to survey the country beyond。 Just as I ascended the rise I
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found myself almost sur… rounded by loose ponies； evidently belonging to
a winter camp of the hostile Sioux。
〃I readjusted my saddle； tightened the girths； and prepared to ride
swiftly around the camp。 I saw some men already out after ponies。 No
one appeared to have seen me as yet； but I felt that as soon as it became
lighter they could not help observing me。 I turned to make the circuit of
the camp； which was a very large one； and as soon as I reached the
timbered bottom lands I began to congratulate myself that I had not been
seen。
〃As I entered the woods at the crossing of a dry creek； I noticed that
my horse was nervous。 I knew that horses are quick to discover animals
