indian boyhood(尤孩提时代)-第32节
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of the animals。 We little fellows； as usual； were playing down by the
sandy shore； when we spied what seemed like the root of a great tree
floating toward us。 But on a closer scrutiny we discovered our error。
It was the head of a huge moose； swimming for his life！ Fortun… ately for
him； none of the men had remained at home。
According to our habit； we little urchins disap… peared in an instant；
like young prairie chickens； in the long grass。 I was not more than eight
years old； yet I tested the strength of my bow… string and adjusted my
sharpest and best arrow for immediate service。 My heart leaped violently
as the homely but imposing animal neared the shore。 I was undecided for
a moment whether I would not leave my hiding…place and give a war…
whoop as soon as he touched the sand。 Then I thought I would keep still
and let him have my boy weap… on； and the only regret that I had was that
he would； in all probability； take it with him； and I should be minus one
good arrow。
〃Still；〃 I thought； 〃I shall claim to be the smallest boy whose arrow
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was ever carried away by a moose。〃 That was enough。 I gathered myself
into a bunch； all ready to spring。 As the long…legged beast pulled himself
dripping out of the water； and shook off the drops from his long hair； I
sprang to my feet。 I felt some of the water in my face！ I gave him my
sharpest arrow with all the force I could master； right among the floating
ribs。 Then I uttered my war… whoop。
The moose did not seem to mind the miniature weapon； but he was
very much frightened by our shrill yelling。 He took to his long legs； and
in a minute was out of sight。
The leaves had now begun to fall； and the heavy frosts made the nights
very cold。 We were forced to realize that the short summer of that region
had said adieu！ Still we were gay and light… hearted； for we had plenty of
provisions； and no misfortune had yet overtaken us in our wanderings over
the country for nearly three months。
One day old Smoky Day returned from the daily hunt with an alarm。
He had seen a sign a 〃smoke sign。〃 This had not appeared in the quarter
that they were anxiously watchingit came from the east。 After a long
consultation among the men； it was concluded from the nature and
duration of the smoke that it proceeded from an accidental fire。 It was
further surmised that the fire was not made by Sioux； since it was out of
their country； but by a war…party of Ojibways； who were accustomed to
use matches when lighting their pipes； and to throw them carelessly away。
It was thought that a little time had been spent in an attempt to put it out。
The council decreed that a strict look…out should be established in
behalf of our party。 Every day a scout was appointed to reconnoitre in
the direc… tion of the smoke。 It was agreed that no gun should be fired
for twelve days。 All our signals were freshly rehearsed among the men。
The women and old men went so far as to dig little convenient holes
around their lodges； for defense in case of a sudden attack。 And yet an
Ojibway scout would not have suspected； from the ordinary appearance of
the camp； that the Sioux had be… come aware of their neighborhood！
Scouts were stationed just outside of the village at night。 They had been so
trained as to rival an owl or a cat in their ability to see in the dark。
The twelve days passed by； however； without bringing any evidence of
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the nearness of the sup… posed Ojibway war…party； and the 〃lookout〃
established for purposes of protection was aband… oned。 Soon after this；
one morning at dawn； we were aroused by the sound of the unwelcome
war… whoop。 Although only a child； I sprang up and was about to rush
out； as I had been taught to do； but my good grandmother pulled me down；
and gave me a sign to lay flat on the ground。 I sharpened my ears and lay
still。
All was quiet in camp； but at some little distance from us there was a
lively encounter。 I could distinctly hear the old herald； shouting and yell…
ing in exasperation。 〃Whoo！ whoo！〃 was the signal of distress； and I
could almost hear the pulse of my own blood…vessels。
Closer and closer the struggle came； and still the women appeared to
grow more and more calm。 At last a tremendous charge by the Sioux put
the enemy to flight； there was a burst of yelling； alas！ my friend and
teacher； old Smoky Day； was silent。 He had been pierced to the heart by
an arrow from the Ojibways。
Although successful； we had lost two of our men； Smoky Day and
White Crane； and this inci… dent； although hardly unexpected； darkened
our peaceful sky。 The camp was filled with songs of victory； mingled
with the wailing of the relatives of the slain。 The mothers of the youths
who were absent on the war…path could no longer con… ceal their anxiety。
One frosty morningfor it was then near the end of Octoberthe weird
song of a solitary brave was heard。 In an instant the camp was thrown
into indescribable confusion。 The meaning of this was clear as day to
everybodyall of our war…party were killed； save the one whose mourn…
ful song announced the fate of his companions。 The lonely warrior was
Bald Eagle。
The village was convulsed with grief； for in sorrow； as in joy； every
Indian shares with all the others。 The old women stood still； wherever
they might be； and wailed dismally； at intervals chanting the praises of the
departed warriors。 The wives went a little way from their teepees and
there audibly mourned； but the young maidens wandered further away
from the camp； where no one could witness their grief。 The old men
joined in the crying and singing。 To all ap… pearances the most unmoved
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of all were the war… riors； whose tears must be poured forth in the country
of the enemy to embitter their venge… ance。 These sat silently within
their lodges； and strove to conceal their feelings behind a stoical
countenance； but they would probably have failed had not the soothing
weed come to their relief。
The first sad shock over； then came the change of habiliments。 In
savage usage； the outward expression of mourning surpasses that of
civiliza… tion。 The Indian mourner gives up all his good clothing； and
contents himself with scanty and miserable garments。 Blankets are cut in
two； and the hair is cropped short。 Often a devoted mother would scarify
her arms or legs； a sister or a young wife would cut off all her beautiful
hair and disfigure herself by undergoing hardships。 Fathers and brothers
blackened their faces； and wore only the shabbiest garments。 Such was
the spectacle that our people presented when the bright autumn was gone
and the cold shadow of winter and misfortune had fallen upon us。 〃We
must suffer；〃 said they〃the Great Mystery is offended。〃
II： A Winter Camp
WHEN I was about twelve years old we wintered upon the Mouse
river； west of Turtle mountain。 It was one of the coldest win… ters I ever
knew； and was so re… garded by the old men of the tribe。 The summer
before there had been plenty of buffalo upon that side of the Missouri； and
our people had made many packs of dried buffalo meat and cached them
in different places； so that they could get them in case of need。 There
were many black…tailed deer and elk along the river； and grizzlies
