old indian days(古印第时期)-第9节
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food and spoke to them kindly。 All animals judge by signs and are quick
in reading tones and gestures； so that the Ree girl soon had grandfathers
and grandmothers； after the Indian fashion； among the wolves and bears
that came oftenest for food。
Her husband in the field had also his fellow… hunters and friends。
When he killed the buf… falo he always left enough meat for the wolves；
the eagles； and the ravens to feast upon； and these watched for the coming
of the lonely wild man。 More than once they told him by their actions of
the presence of a distant camp… fire； but in each instance it proved to be a
small war…party which had passed below them on the trail。
Again it was summer。 Never had the moun… tains looked grander or
more mysterious to the eyes of the two。 The valley was full of the music
and happiness of the winged summer peo… ple； the trees wore their
summer attire； and the meadow its green blanket。 There were many
homes made happy by the coming of little peo… ple everywhere； but no
pair was happier than Stasu and her husband when one morning they saw
their little brave lying wrapped in soft deerskins； and heard for the first
time his plaintive voice！
That morning； when Antelope set out on the hunt； he stopped at the
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stream and looked at himself seriously to see whether he had changed
since the day before。 He must now appear much graver； he said to
himself； because he is the father of a new man！
In spite of himself； his thoughts were with his own people； and he
wondered what his old grandmother would have said to his child！ He
looked away off toward the Black Hills； to the Sioux country； and in his
heart he said； 〃I am a coward！〃
The boy grew naturally； and never felt the lack of playmates and
companions； for his mother was ingenious in devising plays for him； and
in winning for him the confidence and kindness of the animal friends。
He was the young chief and the hero of No Man's Trail！ The bears and
wolves were his warriors； the buffalo and elk the hostile tribes upon whom
he went to war。 Small as he was； he soon pre… ferred to roam alone in the
woods。 His par… ents were often anxious； but； on the other hand； they
entertained the hope that he would some day be 〃wakan；〃 a mysterious or
supernatural man； for he was getting power from his wild companions and
from the silent forces of nature。
One day； when he was about five years old； he gave a dance for his
wild pets upon the little plateau which was still their home。 He had
clothed Mato； the bear； in one of his father's suits as a great medicine…man。
Waho； the wolf； was painted up as a brave； and the young buffalo calf was
attired in one of his mother's gowns。 The boy acted as chief and master
of ceremonies。
The savage mother watched him with un… disguised pride； mingled
with sorrow。 Tears coursed down her dusky cheeks； although at the same
time she could not help laughing heartily at the strange performance。
When the play was ended； and she had served the feast at its close； Stasu
seemed lost in thought。
〃He should not live in this way；〃 she was saying to herself。 〃He
should know the tra… ditions and great deeds of my people！ Surely his
grandfather would be proud of the boy！〃
That evening； while the boy slept； and Mato lay outside the lodge
eagerly listening and snif… fing the night air； the parents sat silent and ill at
ease。 After a long time Stasu spoke her mind。
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〃My husband； you ask me why I am sad。 It is because I think that the
Great Mystery will be displeased if we keep this little boy for… ever in the
wilderness。 It is wrong to allow him to grow up among wild animals；
and if sickness or accident should deprive him of his father and mother；
our spirits would never rest； because we had left him alone！ I have decided
to ask you to take us back； either to your peo… ple or to my people。 We
must sacrifice our pride； or； if needs be； our lives； for his life and
happiness！〃
This speech of Stasu's was a surprise to her husband。 His eyes rested
upon the ground as he listened； and his face assumed the proverbial stoical
aspect； yet in it there was not lacking a certain nobleness。 At last he
lifted his eyes to hers； and said：
〃You have spoken wise words； and it shall be as you have said。 We
shall return to your people。 If I am to die at the hands of the an… cient
enemy of the Sioux； I shall die because of my love for you； and for our
child。 But I cannot go back to my own people to be ridiculed by
unworthy young men for yielding to love of a Ree maiden！〃
There was much feeling behind these words of Antelope。 The rigid
customs of his people are almost a religion； and there is one thing above
all else which a Sioux cannot bearthat is the ridicule of his fellow…
warriors。 Yes； he can endure severe punishment or even death at the
hands of the enemy rather than a single laugh of derision from a Sioux！
In a few days the houshold articles were packed； and the three sadly
turned their backs upon their home。 Stasu and her husband were very
silent as they traveled slowly along。 When they reached the hill called
〃Born…of…Day；〃 and she saw from its summit the country of her people
lying below her； she cried aloud； weep… ing happy tears。 Antelope sat
near by with bowed head； silently smoking。
Finally on the fifth day they arrived within sight of the great
permanent village of the three tribes。 They saw the earth lodges as of old；
thickly clustered along the flats of the Mis… souri； among their rustling
maize…fields。 Ante… lope stopped。 〃I think you had better give me
something to eat； woman；〃 he said； smil… ing。 It was the Sioux way of
saying； 〃Let me have my last meal！〃
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After they had eaten； Stasu opened her buck… skin bags and gave her
husband his finest suit。 He dressed himself carefully in the fashion of his
tribe； putting on all the feathers to which he was entitled as a warrior。
The boy also was decked out in gala attire； and Stasu； the matron； had
never looked more beautiful in her gown of ceremony with the decoration
of elks' teeth； the same that she had worn on the evening of her
disappearance。
As she dressed herself； the unwelcome thought forced itself upon her；…
…〃What if my love is killed by my own countrymen in their frenzy？ This
beautiful gown must then give place to a poor one； and this hair will be cut
short！〃 for such is the mourning of the widow among her people。
The three rode openly down the long slope； and were instantly
discovered by the people of the village。 Soon the plain was black with
the approaching riders。 Stasu had begged her hus… band to remain behind；
while she went on alone with the boy to obtain forgiveness； but he sternly
refused； and continued in advance。 When the foremost Ree warriors
came within arrow…shot they began to shoot； to which he paid no attention。
But the child screamed with terror； and Stasu cried out in her own
tongue：
〃Do not shoot！ I am the daughter of your chief！〃
One of them returned the reply： 〃She is killed by the Sioux！〃 But
when the leaders saw her plainly they were astounded。
For a time there was great confusion。 Some held that they should all
die； for the woman had been guilty of treason to her people； and even n
