old indian days(古印第时期)-第20节
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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
or men by scent； and I became nervous； too。
〃The animal put his four feet together and almost slid down the steep
bank。 As he came out on the opposite side he swerved suddenly and
started to run。 Then I saw a man watching me from behind a tree。
Fortunately for me； he carried no weapon。 He was out after ponies； and
had only a lariat wound upon one shoulder。
〃He beckoned and made signs for me to stop； but I spurred my horse
and took flight at once。 I could hear him yelling far behind me； no doubt
to arouse the camp and set them on my trail。
〃As I fled westward； I came upon another man； mounted； and driving
his ponies before him。 He yelled and hooted in vain； then turned and
rode after me。 Two others had started in pur… suit； but my horse was a
good one； and I easily outdistanced them at the start。
〃After I had fairly circled the camp； I turned again toward the river；
hoping to regain the bot… tom lands。 The traveling was bad。 Sometimes
we came to deep gulches filled with snow； where my horse would sink in
up to his body and seem unable to move。 When I jumped off his back
and struck him once or twice； he would make several desperate leaps and
recover his footing。 My pursuers were equally hindered； but by this time
the pursuit was general； and in order to terrify me they yelled continually
and fired their guns into the air。 Now and then I came to a gulch which I
had to follow up in search of a place to cross； and at such times they
gained on me。 I began to despair； for I knew that the white man's horses
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have not the endurance of our Indian ponies； and I expected to be chased
most of the day。
〃Finally I came to a ravine that seemed im… possible to cross。 As I
followed it up； it became evident that some of them had known of this trap；
and had cut in ahead of me。 I felt that I must soon abandon my horse and
slide down the steep sides of the gulch to save myself。
〃However； I made one last effort to pass my enemies。 They came
within gunshot and several fired at me； although all our horses were going
at full speed。 They missed me； and being at last clear of them； I came to
a place where I could cross； and the pursuit stopped。〃
When Zuyamani reached this point in his recital； the great drum was
struck several times； and all the men cheered him。
〃The days are short in winter；〃 he went on after a short pause； 〃and just
now the sun sank behind the hills。 I did not linger。 I continued my
journey by night； and reached Fort Berthold before midnight。 I had been
so thoroughly frightened and was so much exhausted that I did not want to
talk； and as soon as I had de… livered my letters to the post commander； I
went to the interpreter's quarters to sleep。
〃The interpreter； however； announced my arrival； and that same night
many Ree； Gros Ventre； and Mandan warriors came to call upon me。
Among them was a great chief of the Rees； called Poor Dog。
〃'You must be；' said he to me； 'either a very young man； or a fool！
You have not told us about your close escape； but a runner came in at dusk
and told us of the pursuit。 He reported that you had been killed by the
hostiles； for he heard many guns fired about the middle of the afternoon。
These white men will never give you any credit for your wonderful ride；
nor will they compensate you for the risks you have taken in their service。
They will not give you so much as one eagle feather for what you have
done！'
〃The next day I was sent for to go to head… quarters； and there I related
my all…day pursuit by the hostile Sioux。 The commanding officer
advised me to remain at the fort fifteen days before making the return trip；
thinking that by that time my enemies might cease to look for me。
〃At the end of the fortnight he wrote his letters； and I told him that I
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was ready to start。 'I will give you；' he said； 'twenty Rees and Gros
Ventres to escort you past the hostile camp。' We set out very early and
rode all day； so that night overtook us just before we reached the camp。
〃At nightfall we sent two scouts ahead； but before they left us they
took the oath of the pipe in token of their loyalty。 You all know the
ancient war custom。 A lighted pipe was held toward them and each one
solemnly touched it； after which it was passed as usual。
〃We followed more slowly； and at about midnight we came to the
place where our scouts had agreed to meet us。 They were to return from
a reconnaissance of the camp and report on what they had seen。 It was a
lonely spot； and the night was very cold and still。 We sat there in the
snowy woods near a little creek and smoked in silence while we waited。
I had plenty of time to reflect upon my position。 These Gros Ventres and
Rees have been our enemies for generations。 I was one man to twenty！
They had their orders from the commander of the fort； and that was my
only safeguard。
〃Soon we heard the howl of a wolf a little to the westward。
Immediately one of the party answered in the same manner。 I could not
have told it from the howl of a real wolf。 Then we heard a hooting owl
down the creek。 Another of our party hooted like an owl。
〃Presently the wolf's voice sounded nearer； while the owl's hoot came
nearer in the opposite direction。 Then we heard the footsteps of ponies
on the crisp； frosty air。 The scout who had been imitating the wolf came
in first； and the owl soon followed。 The warriors made a ring and again
filled the pipe； and the scouts took the oath for the second time。
〃After smoking； they reported a trail going up a stream tributary to the
Missouri； but whether going out or coming in it was impos… sible to tell in
the dark。 It was several days old。 This was discussed for some time。
The question was whether some had gone out in search of meat； or
whether some additional men had come into camp。
〃The Bunch of Stars was already a little west of the middle sky when
we set out again。 They agreed to take me a short distance beyond this
creek and there leave me； as they were afraid to go any further。 On the
bank of the creek we took a farewell smoke。 There was a faint glow in
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the east； showing that it was almost morning。 The warriors sang a
'Strong Heart' song for me in an undertone as I went on alone。
〃I tried to make a wide circuit of the camp； but I passed their ponies
grazing all over the side hills at a considerable distance； and I went as
quietly as possible； so as not to frighten them。 When I had fairly passed
the camp I came down to the road again； and I let my horse fly！
〃I had been cautioned at the post that the crossings of the creeks on
either side of the camp were the most dangerous places； since they would
be likely to watch for me there。 I had left the second crossing far behind；
and I felt quite safe； but I was tired and chilled by the long ride。 My
horse； too； began to show signs of fatigue。 In a deep ravine where there
was plenty of dry wood and shelter； I cleared the ground of snow and
kindled a small fire。 Then I gave the horse his last ration of oats； and I
ate the last of the pemmican that the Ree scouts had given me。
〃Suddenly he pricked up his ears in the di… rection of home。 He ate a
mouthful and listened again。 I began to grow nervous； and I listened； too。
Soon I heard the footsteps of horses in the snow at a considerable distance。
〃Hastily I mounted and took flight alon
