old indian days(古印第时期)-第37节
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to my old age； and you； too； are braveas brave as any of your brothers。
If you go I fear that you may not return to me； yet I cannot refuse you my
per… mission！〃
〃The old man began to chant a war…song； and some of his people；
hearing him； came in to learn what was in his mind。 He told them all；
and immediately many young men volunteered for the war…party； in order
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to have the honor of going with the daughter of their chief。
〃Several of Makatah's suitors were among them； and each watched
eagerly for an oppor… tunity to ride at her side。 At night she pitched her
little teepee within the circle of her cousins' campfires； and there she slept
without fear。 Courteous youths brought to her every morning and
evening fresh venison for her repast。 Yet there was no courting； for all
attentions paid to a maiden when on the war…path must be those of a
brother to a sister； and all must be equally received by her。
〃Two days later； when the two parties of Sioux met on the plains； the
maiden's presence was heralded throughout the camp； as an in… spiration to
the young and untried warriors of both bands to distinguish themselves in
the field。 It is true that some of the older men considered it unwise to
allow Makatah to accompany the war…party。
〃'The girl；' said they to one another； 'is very ambitious as well as brave。
She will surely risk her own life in battle； which will make the young men
desperate； and we shall lose many of them！'
〃Nevertheless they loved her and her father； therefore they did not
protest openly。
〃On the third day the Sioux scouts returned with the word that the
Crows were camping； as had been supposed； at the confluence of the
Redwater and the Missouri Rivers。 It was a great camp。 All the Crow
tribe were there； they said； with their thousands of fine horses。
〃There was excitement in the Sioux camp； and all of the head men
immediately met in council。 It was determined to make the attack early
on the following morning； just as the sun came over the hills。 The
councilors agreed that in honor of the great chief； her father； as well as in
recognition of her own courage； Makatah should be permitted to lead the
charge at the outset； but that she must drop behind as they neared the
enemy。 The maiden； who had one of the fleetest ponies in that part of the
country； had no intention of falling back； but she did not tell any one what
was in her mind。
〃That evening every warrior sang his war… song； and announced the
particular war…charm or 'medicine' of his clan； according to the cus… tom。
The youths were vying with one another in brave tales of what they would
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do on the morrow。 The voice of Red Horn was loud among the boasters；
for he was known to be a vain youth； although truly not without reputa…
tion。 Little Eagle； who was also of the com… pany； remained modestly
silent； as indeed be… came one without experience in the field。 In the
midst of the clamor there fell a silence。
〃'Hush！ hush！' they whispered。 'Look； look！ The War Maiden
comes！'
〃All eyes were turned upon Makatah； who rode her fine buckskin steed
with a single lariat。 He held his head proudly； and his saddle was heavy
with fringes and gay with colored em… broidery。 The maiden was attired
in her best and wore her own father's war…bonnet； while she carried in her
hands two which had be… longed to two of her dead brothers。 Singing in
a clear voice the songs of her clan； she com… pleted the circle； according to
custom； before she singled out one of the young braves for spe… cial honor
by giving him the bonnet which she held in her right hand。 She then
crossed over to the Cut…Heads； and presented the other bon… net to one of
their young men。 She was very handsome； even the old men's blood was
stirred by her brave appearance！
〃At daybreak the two war…parties of the Sioux； mounted on their best
horses； stood side by side； ready for the word to charge。 All of the
warriors were painted for the battlepre… pared for deaththeir nearly
nude bodies deco… rated with their individual war…totems。 Their well…
filled quivers were fastened to their sides； and each tightly grasped his
oaken bow。
〃The young man with the finest voice had been chosen to give the
signala single high… pitched yell。 This was an imitation of the one long
howl of the gray wolf before he makes the attack。 It was an ancient
custom of our people。
〃'Woo…o…o…o！'at last it came！ As the sound ceased a shrill war…
whoop from five hun… dred throats burst forth in chorus； and at the same
instant Makatah； upon her splendid buck… skin pony； shot far out upon the
plain； like an arrow as it leaves the bow。 It was a glorious sight！ No
man has ever looked upon the like again！〃
The eyes of the old man sparkled as he spoke； and his bent shoulders
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straightened。
〃The white doeskin gown of the War Maiden；〃 he continued； 〃was
trimmed with elk's teeth and tails of ermine。 Her long black hair hung
loose； bound only with a strip of otter…skin； and with her eagle…feather
war…bonnet floated far behind。 In her hand she held a long coup…staff
decorated with eagle…feathers。 Thus she went forth in advance of them
all！
〃War cries of men and screams of terrified women and children were
borne upon the clear morning air as our warriors neared the Crow camp。
The charge was made over a wide plain； and the Crows came yelling from
their lodges； fully armed； to meet the attacking party。 In spite of the
surprise they easily held their own； and even began to press us hard； as
their num… ber was much greater than that of the Sioux。
〃The fight was a long and hard one。 Toward the end of the day the
enemy made a counter…charge。 By that time many of our po… nies had
fallen or were exhausted。 The Sioux retreated； and the slaughter was
great。 The Cut…Heads fled womanlike； but the people of Tamakoche
fought gallantly to the very last。
〃Makatah remained with her father's peo… ple。 Many cried out to her；
'Go back！ Go back！' but she paid no attention。 She carried no weapon
throughout the daynothing but her coup…staffbut by her presence and
her cries of encouragement or praise she urged on the men to deeds of
desperate valor。
〃Finally； however； the Sioux braves were hotly pursued and the retreat
became general。 Now at last Makatah tried to follow； but her pony was
tired； and the maiden fell farther and farther behind。 Many of her lovers
passed her silently； intent upon saving their own lives。 Only a few still
remained behind； fighting des… perately to cover the retreat； when Red
Horn came up with the girl。 His pony was still fresh。 He might have
put her up behind him and car… ried her to safety； but he did not even look
at her as he galloped by。
〃Makatah did not call out； but she could not help looking after him。
He had declared his love for her more loudly than any of the others； and
she now gave herself up to die。
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〃Presently another overtook the maiden。 It was Little Eagle； unhurt
and smiling。
〃'Take my horse！' he said to her。 'I shall remain here and fight！'
〃The maiden looked at him and shook her head； but he sprang off and
lifted her upon his horse。 He st
