indian boyhood(尤孩提时代)-第27节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
to see that no unworthy maiden should join in the feast。〃
The herald soon completed the rounds of the different camps； and it
was not long before the girls began to gather in great numbers。 The fort
was fully alive to the interest of these savage en… tertainments。 This
particular feast was looked upon as a semi…sacred affair。 It would be
dese… cration for any to attend who was not perfectly virtuous。 Hence it
was regarded as an opportune time for the young men to satisfy
themselves as to who were the virtuous maids of the tribe。
There were apt to be surprises before the end of the day。 Any young
man was permitted to challenge any maiden whom he knew to be un…
worthy。 But woe to him who could not prove his case。 It meant little
short of death to the man who endeavored to disgrace a woman without
cause。
The youths had a similar feast of their own； in which the eligibles were
those who had never spoken to a girl in the way of courtship。 It was
considered ridiculous so to do before attaining some honor as a warrior；
and the novices prided themselves greatly upon their self control。
From the various camps the girls came singly or in groups； dressed in
bright…colored calicoes or in heavily fringed and beaded buckskin。 Their
smooth cheeks and the central part of their glossy hair was touched with
vermilion。 All brought with them wooden basins to eat from。 Some
who came from a considerable distance were mounted upon ponies； a few；
for company or novelty's sake； rode double。
The maidens' circle was formed about a cone… shaped rock which
stood upon its base。 This was painted red。 Beside it two new arrows
were lightly stuck into the ground。 This is a sort of altar； to which each
maiden comes before taking her as… signed place in the circle； and lightly
touches first the stone and then the arrows。 By this oath she declares her
purity。 Whenever a girl approaches the altar there is a stir among the
92
… Page 93…
INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
spectators； and sometimes a rude youth would call out：
〃Take care！ You will overturn the rock； or pull out the arrows！〃
Such a remark makes the girls nervous； and es… pecially one who is not
sure of her composure。
Immediately behind the maidens' circle is the old women's or
chaperons' circle。 This second circle is almost as interesting to look at as
the in… ner one。 The old women watched every move… ment of their
respective charges with the utmost concern； having previously instructed
them how they should conduct themselves in any event。
There was never a more gorgeous assembly of the kind than this one。
The day was perfect。 The Crees； displaying their characteristic
horseman… ship； came in groups； the Assiniboines； with their curious
pompadour well covered with red paint。 The various bands of Sioux all
carefully observed the traditional peculiarities of dress and behavior。 The
attaches of the fort were fully represented at the entertainment； and it was
not unusual to see a pale…face maiden take part in the feast。
The whole population of the region had assem… bled； and the maidens
came shyly into the circle。 The simple ceremonies observed prior to the
serv… ing of the food were in progress； when among a group of Wahpeton
Sioux young men there was a stir of excitement。 All the maidens glanced
ner… vously toward the scene of the disturbance。 Soon a tall youth
emerged from the throng of spectators and advanced toward the circle。
Every one of the chaperons glared at him as if to deter him from his
purpose。 But with a steady step he passed them by and approached the
maidens' circle。
At last he stopped behind a pretty Assiniboine maiden of good family
and said：
〃I am sorry； but； according to custom； you should not be here。〃
The girl arose in confusion； but she soon recov… ered her self…control。
〃What do you mean？〃 she demanded； indig… nantly。 〃Three times
you have come to court me； but each time I have refused to listen to you。
I turned my back upon you。 Twice I was with Mashtinna。 She can tell
the people that this is true。 The third time I had gone for water when you
intercepted me and begged me to stop and listen。 I refused because I did
93
… Page 94…
INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
not know you。 My chaperon； Makatopawee； knows that I was gone but a
few minutes。 I never saw you any… where else。〃
The young man was unable to answer this un… mistakable statement of
facts； and it became ap… parent that he had sought to revenge himself for
her repulse。
〃Woo！ woo！ Carry him out！〃 was the order of the chief of the Indian
police； and the audacious youth was hurried away into the nearest ravine
to be chastised。
The young woman who had thus established her good name returned
to the circle； and the feast was served。 The 〃maidens' song〃 was sung；
and four times they danced in a ring around the altar。 Each maid as she
departed once more took her oath to remain pure until she should meet her
husband。
94
… Page 95…
INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
IX More Legends
I： A Legend of Devil's Lake
AFTER the death of Smoky Day； old Weyuha was regarded as the
greatest story…teller among the Wahpeton Sioux。
〃Tell me； good Weyuha； a le… gend of your father's country；〃 I said to
him one evening； for I knew the country which is now known as North
Dakota and South… ern Manitoba was their ancient hunting…ground。 I was
prompted by Uncheedah to make this re… quest； after the old man had
eaten in our lodge。
〃Many years ago；〃 he began； as he passed the pipe to uncle； 〃we
traveled from the Otter…tail to Minnewakan （Devil's Lake）。 At that time
the mound was very distinct where Chotanka lies buried。 The people of
his immediate band had taken care to preserve it。
〃This mound under which lies the great medi… cine man is upon the
summit of Minnewakan Chantay； the highest hill in all that region。 It is
shaped like an animal's heart placed on its base； with the apex upward。
〃The reason why this hill is called Minnewa… kan Chantay； or the Heart
of the Mysterious Land； I will now tell you。 It has been handed down
from generation to generation； far beyond the memory of our great…
grandparents。 It was in Chotanka's line of descent that these legends
were originally kept； but when he died the stories became everybody's；
and then no one believed in them。 It was told in this way。〃
I sat facing him； wholly wrapped in the words of the story…teller； and
now I took a deep breath and settled myself so that I might not disturb him
by the slightest movement while he was reciting his tale。 We were taught
this courtesy to our elders； but I was impulsive and sometimes forgot。
〃A long time ago；〃 resumed Weyuha； 〃the red people were many in
number； and they inhabi… ted all the land from the coldest place to the re…
gion of perpetual summer time。 It seemed that they were all of one
tongue； and all were friends。
95
… Page 96…
INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
〃All the animals were considered people in those days。 The buffalo；
the elk； the antelope； were tribes of considerable importance。 The bears
were a smaller band； but they obeyed the mandates of the Great Mystery
and were his favorites； and for this reason they have always known more
about the secrets of medicine。 So they were held in much honor。 The
wolves； too； were highly re… garded at one time。 But the buffalo； elk；
moose； deer and antelope were the ruling people。
