old indian days(古印第时期)-第32节
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there was not one to prevent her when she struck open with a single blow
of her ax the keg of whisky； and the precious liquor trickled upon the
ground。
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OLD INDIAN DAYS
〃So trickles under the ax of Eyatonkawee the blood of an enemy to the
Sioux！〃
VI BLUE SKY
Many years ago a large body of the Sioux were encamped at
midsummer in the valley of the Cheyenne。 It was customary at that
period for the Indians to tie up their ponies over night within the circle of
the teepees； whenever they were in disputed territory； for they considered
it no wrong to steal the horses of the enemy。 Hence this long procession
of young men and maidens； returning at sunset to the camp with great bun…
dles of green grass hanging gracefully from their saddles！
The 〃green grass parade〃 became a regular custom； and in fact a full…
dress affair； since it was found to afford unusual opportunities for
courtship。
Blue Sky； the pretty daughter of the Sioux chief； put on her best
doeskin gown trimmed with elks' teeth； and investing her favorite spotted
pony with his beaded saddle…blanket； she went forth in company with one
of her maiden friends。 Soon two young warriors over… took the pair； and
as they approached they covered their heads with their robes； exposing
only the upper part of the face disguised with paint and the single eagle
feather standing upright。 One carried a bow and quiver full of arrows；
the other； a war…club suspended from his right arm。
〃Ah； hay； hun； hay！〃 saluted one of them； but the modest maidens said
never a word！ It was not their way to speak； only the gay calico ponies
pranced about and sportively threw back their ears to snap at the horses of
the two young men。
〃'Tis a brave welcome your horses are giving us！〃 he continued； while
the two girls merely looked at one another with perfect understand… ing。
Presently Matoska urged his pony close to the Blue Sky's side。
〃It may be that I am overbold；〃 he mur… mured in her ear； 〃to repeat so
soon my tale of love！ I know well that I risk a reprimand； if not in words；
then by a look or action！〃
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He paused to note the effect of his speech； but alas！ it is the hard rule
of savage courtship that the maiden may with propriety and dignity keep
silence as long as she wishes； and it is often exasperatingly long。
〃I have spoken to no maiden；〃 he resumed； because I wished to win
the war…bonnet before doing so。 But to you I was forced to yield！〃 Again
he paused； as if fearing to appear unduly hasty； but deliberate as were
speech and man… ner； his eyes betrayed him。 They were full of intense
eagerness mingled with anxiety。
〃Sometimes I have imagined that I am in the world with you alone；
traveling over the prairie of life； or sitting in our lonely white teepee； as
the oriole sits with his mate before their swaying home。 Yet I seemed to
be never lonely； because you were there！〃 He finished his plea； and with
outward calmness awaited her reply。
The maiden had not lost a word； but she was still thinking。 She
thought that a man is much like the wind of the north； only pleasant and
comfortable in midsummer！ She feared that she might some time have to
furnish all the fuel for their love's fires； therefore she held her peace。
Matoska waited for several minutes and then silently withdrew； bearing
his disappoint… ment with dignity。
Meanwhile the camp was astir with the re… turning youths and maidens；
their horses' sides fringed with the long meadow grass； singing plaintive
serenades around the circular rows of teepees before they broke up for the
night。
It was a clear and quiet night； the evening fires were kindled and every
teepee transformed into an immense Chinese lantern。 There was a
glowing ring two miles in circumference； with the wooded river bottom on
one side and the vast prairie on the other。 The Black Hills loomed up in
the distance； and the rapids of the wild Cheyenne sent forth a varying peal
of music on the wind。 The people enjoyed their evening meal； and in the
pauses of their talk and laughter the ponies could be heard munch… ing at
the bundles of green grass just outside the teepees。
Suddenly a chorus of yells broke cruelly the peace of the camp；
followed by the dashing charge of the Crow Indian horsemen！ It was met
as bravely and quickly by the Sioux； and in the clear； pale moonlight the
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dusky warriors fought； with the occasional flash of a firearm； while silent
weapons flew thick in the air like dragon…flies at sunset。
The brave mothers； wives； and sisters gave their shrill war…cry to
inspire their men； and show the enemy that even the Sioux women can…
not be daunted by such a fearful surprise！
When the morning sun sent its golden shafts among the teepees； they
saw it through glisten… ing tearshappy tears； they said； because the brave
dead had met their end in gallant fight the very end they craved！ And
among those who fell that night was Brave Hawk； the hand… some brother
of the Blue Sky。
In a few days the camp was moved to a point further up the Cheyenne
and deeper into the bosom of the hills； leaving behind the deco… rated
grave lodges belonging to the honored dead。 A great council teepee was
pitched； and here the people met to credit those who had earned them with
the honors of the fight； that they might thereafter wear the eagle feathers
which they had won。
〃The first honor；〃 declared the master of ceremonies； 〃belongs to
Brave Hawk； who fell in the battle！ He it was who compelled the Crows
to retreat； when he bravely charged upon them and knocked from his horse
the Crow chief； their war leader。〃
〃Ho； it is true！〃 exclaimed the warriors in chorus。
〃The second honor；〃 he resumed； 〃belongs to Matoska； the White
Bear！〃
〃Hun； hun； hay！〃 interposed another； 〃it is I； Red Owl； who touched
the body of the Crow chief second to Brave Hawk！〃
It was a definite challenge。
〃The warriors who witnessed the act give the coup to Matoska；
friend！〃 persisted the spokesman。
Red Owl was a brave youth and a close rival of Matoska； both for war
honors and for the hand of the prettiest maiden in the tribe。 He had
hoped to be recognized as one who fought in defense of their homes by the
side of Brave Hawk； that would please the Blue Sky； he thought； but the
honor was conferred upon his rival！
There was a cloud of suppressed irritation on his dusky face as he
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sullenly departed to his own tentan action which displeased the coun…
cil…men。 Matoska had not spoken； and this caused him to appear to the
better advantage。 The worst of it was that Blue Sky herself had entered
the ring with the 〃orphan steed；〃 as it was calledthe war…horse of her
dead brother； and had therefore seen and heard every… thing！ Tanagila； or
Hummingbird； the beau… tiful charger； decorated according to custom with
the honors won by his master； was led away by the girl amidst resounding
war…whoops。
Unable to remain quiet； Red Owl went out into the hills to fast and
pray。 It was sunset of the next day when he again approached the village；
and behind a little ridge came suddenly upon Matoska and the girl
standing together。 It was the first time that they had met since the 〃green
grass parade；〃 and now only by ac… cident； as the sister of Brave Hawk
was in deep mourning。 However； the lover had embraced his opportunity；
and the maiden had said that she was willing to think of the matter。 No
more words were spoken。
That
