indian boyhood(尤孩提时代)-第7节
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plaited and wound around his head like that of a Celestial。 He wore a bit
of swan's down in each ear； which formed a striking contrast with the
child's complexion。 Further than this； the boy was painted according to
the fashion of the age。 He held in his hands a miniature bow and arrows。
The medicine man drew himself up in an ad… mirable attitude； and
proceeded to make his short speech：
〃Wahpetonwans； you boast that you run down the elk； you can outrun
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the Ojibways。 Before you all； I dedicate to you this red ball。 Kaposias；
you claim that no one has a lighter foot than you； you declare that you can
endure running a whole day without water。 To you I dedicate this black
ball。 Either you or the Leaf…Dwellers will have to drop your eyes and
bow your head when the game is over。 I wish to announce that if the
Wahpetonwans should win； this little warrior shall bear the name Ohiyesa
（winner） through life； but if the Light Lodges should win； let the name be
given to any child appointed by them。〃
The ground selected for the great final game was on a narrow strip of
land between a lake and the river。 It was about three quarters of a mile
long and a quarter of a mile in width。 The spec… tators had already
ranged themselves all along the two sides； as well as at the two ends；
which were somewhat higher than the middle。 The soldiers appointed to
keep order furnished much of the entertainment of the day。 They painted
artistically and tastefully； according to the Indian fashion； not only their
bodies but also their ponies and clubs。 They were so strict in enforcing
the laws that no one could venture with safety within a few feet of the
limits of the field。
Now all of the minor events and feasts； occupy… ing several days' time；
had been observed。 Her… alds on ponies' backs announced that all who
in… tended to participate in the final game were re… quested to repair to the
ground； also that if any one bore a grudge against another； he was im…
plored to forget his ill…feeling until the contest should be over。
The most powerful men were stationed at the half…way ground； while
the fast runners were as… signed to the back。 It was an impressive
spectacle a fine collection of agile forms； almost stripped of garments
and painted in wild imitation of the rainbow and sunset sky on human
canvas。 Some had undertaken to depict the Milky Way across their
tawny bodies； and one or two made a bold attempt to reproduce the
lightning。 Others con… tented themselves with painting the figure of
some fleet animal or swift bird on their muscular chests。
The coiffure of the Sioux lacrosse player has often been unconsciously
imitated by the fashion… able hair…dressers of modern times。 Some
banged and singed their hair； others did a little more by adding powder。
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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
The Grecian knot was lo… cated on the wrong side of the head； being tied
tightly over the forehead。 A great many simply brushed back their long
locks and tied them with a strip of otter skin。
At the middle of the ground were stationed four immense men；
magnificently formed。 A fifth ap… proached this group； paused a moment；
and then threw his head back； gazed up into the sky in the manner of a
cock and gave a smooth； clear oper… atic tone。 Instantly the little black
ball went up between the two middle rushers； in the midst of yells； cheers
and war…whoops。 Both men en… deavored to catch it in the air； but alas！
each in… terfered with the other； then the guards on each side rushed upon
them。 For a time； a hundred lacrosse sticks vied with each other； and the
wrig… gling human flesh and paint were all one could see through the
cloud of dust。 Suddenly there shot swiftly through the air toward the
south； toward the Kaposias' goal； the ball。 There was a general cheer
from their adherents； which echoed back from the white cliff on the
opposite side of the Minnesota。
As the ball flew through the air； two adver… saries were ready to
receive it。 The Kaposia quickly met the ball； but failed to catch it in his
netted bag； for the other had swung his up like a flash。 Thus it struck the
ground； but had no op… portunity to bound up when a Wahpeton pounced
upon it like a cat and slipped out of the grasp of his opponents。 A mighty
cheer thundered through the air。
The warrior who had undertaken to pilot the little sphere was risking
much； for he must dodge a host of Kaposias before he could gain any
ground。 He was alert and agile； now springing like a panther； now
leaping like a deer over a stooping opponent who tried to seize him around
the waist。 Every opposing player was upon his heels； while those of his
own side did all in their power to clear the way for him。 But it was all in
vain。 He only gained fifty paces。
Thus the game went。 First one side； then the other would gain an
advantage； and then it was lost； until the herald proclaimed that it was time
to change the ball。 No victory was in sight for either side。
After a few minutes' rest； the game was resumed。 The red ball was
now tossed in the air in the usual way。 No sooner had it descended than
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one of the rushers caught it and away it went northward；
again it was fortunate； for it was advanced by one of the same side。
The scene was now one of the wildest excitement and confusion。 At last；
the northward flight of the ball was checked for a moment and a desperate
struggle ensued。 Cheers and war…whoops became general； such as were
never equaled in any concourse of savages； and possibly nowhere except
at a college game of foot… ball。
The ball had not been allowed to come to the surface since it reached
this point； for there were more than a hundred men who scrambled for it。
Suddenly a warrior shot out of the throng like the ball itself！ Then some of
the players shouted： 〃Look out for Antelope！ Look out for Antelope！〃 But
it was too late。 The little sphere had already nestled into Antelope's palm
and that fleetest of Wahpetons had thrown down his lacrosse stick and set
a determined eye upon the northern goal。
Such a speed！ He had cleared almost all the opponents' guardsthere
were but two more。 These were exceptional runners of the Kaposias。
As he approached them in his almost irresistible speed； every savage heart
thumped louder in the Indian's dusky bosom。 In another moment there
would be a defeat for the Kaposias or a prolonga… tion of the game。 The
two men； with a determined look approached their foe like two panthers
pre… pared to spring； yet he neither slackened his speed nor deviated from
his course。 A crasha mighty shout！the two Kaposias collided； and the
swift Antelope had won the laurels！
The turmoil and commotion at the victors' camp were indescribable。
A few beats of a drum were heard； after which the criers hurried along the
lines； announcing the last act to be performed at the camp of the 〃Leaf
Dwellers。〃
The day had been a perfect one。 Every event had been a success； and；
as a matter of course； the old people were happy； for they largely profited
by these occasions。 Within the circle formed by the general assembly sat
in a group the members of the common council。 Blue Earth arose； and in
a few appropriate and courteous remarks as… sured his guests that it was
not selfishness that led his braves to carry off the honors of the last event；
but that this was a friendly
