第5章

V

THEPEACE—MAKER

OneofthemostremarkablewomenofherdayandnationwasEyatonkawee，She—whose—Voice—is—heard—afar。ItismatterofhistoryamongtheWakpaykootaybandofSioux，theDwellersamongtheLeaves，thatwhenEyatonkaweewasaveryyoungwomanshewasoncevictoriousinahand—to—

handcombatwiththeenemyinthewoodsofMinnesota，whereherpeoplewerehuntingthedeer。AtsuchtimestheyoftenmetwithstraypartiesofSacsandFoxesfromtheprairiesofIowaandIllinois。

Now，thecustomwasamongourpeoplethatthedoerofanotablewarlikedeedwasheldinhighesthonor，andthesedeedswerekeptcon—

stantlyinmemorybybeingrecitedinpublic，beforemanywitnesses。Thegreatestexploitwasthatoneinvolvingmostpersonalcourageandphysicaladdress，andhewhoserecordwasadjudgedbestmightclaimcertainprivileges，nottheleastofwhichwastherighttointerfereinanyquarrelandseparatethecombatants。

Thepeace—makermightresorttoforce，ifneedbe，andnoonedaredtoutteraprotestwhocouldnotsaythathehadhimselfachievedanequalfame。

TherewasamancalledTamahay，knowntoMinnesotahistoryasthe"One—eyedSioux，"

whowasanotablecharacteronthefrontierintheearlypartofthenineteenthcentury。Hewasveryreckless，andcouldboastofmanyaperilousadventure。HewastheonlySiouxwho，intheWarof1812，foughtfortheAmericans，whilealltherestofhispeoplesidedwiththeBritish，mainlythroughtheinfluenceoftheEng—

lishtradersamongthematthattime。Thissame"One—eyedSioux"becameawarmfriendofLieutenantPike，whodiscoveredthesourcesoftheMississippi，andforwhomPike’sPeakisnamed。SomesaythattheIndiantookhisfriend’sname，forTamahayinEnglishmeansPikeorPickerel。

Unfortunately，inlaterlifethisbravemanbecameadrunkard，andaftertheAmericanstookpossessionofhiscountryalmostanyoneofthemwouldsupplyhimwithliquorinrecog—

nitionofhisnotableservicesasascoutandsoldier。Thushewasattimesnolessdangerousincampthaninbattle。

Now，Eyatonkawee，beingayoungwidow，hadmarriedthesonofalesserchiefinTama—

hay’sband，andwaslivingamongstrangers。

Moreover，shewasyetyoungandmodest。

Onedaythisbashfulmatronheardloudwar—

whoopsandthescreamsofwomen。Lookingforth，shesawthepeoplefleeinghitherandthither，whileTamahay，halfintoxicated，rushedfromhisteepeepaintedforwar，armedwithtomahawkandscalping—knife，andapproachedanotherwarriorasiftoslayhim。Atthissightherheartbecamestrong，andshequicklysprangbetweenthemwithherwoman’sknifeinherhand。

"ItwasaSacwarrioroflikeproportionsandbraverywithyourown，who，havingslainseveraloftheSioux，thusapproachedmewithupliftedtomahawk！"sheexclaimedinaclearvoice，andwentontorecitehervictoryonthatfamousdaysothattheterrifiedpeoplepausedtohear。

Tamahaywasgreatlyastonished，buthewasnottoodrunktorealizethathemustgivewayatonce，orbesubjecttothehumiliationofablowfromthewoman—warriorwhochallengedhimthus。Thewholecampwaslistening;andbeingunable，inspiteofhisgiantframeandwell—knownrecord，tociteagreaterdeedthanhers，heretreatedwithasgoodagraceaspos—

sible。ThusEyatonkaweerecountedherbravedeedforthefirsttime，inordertosaveaman’slife。Fromthatdayhernamewasgreatasapeace—maker——greatereventhanwhenshehadfirstdefendedsogallantlyherbabeandhome！

Manyyearsafterward，whenshehadat—

tainedmiddleage，thiswomanavertedaseriousdangerfromherpeople。

ChiefLittleCrowtheelderwasdead，andashehadtwowivesoftwodifferentbands，thesuccessionwasdisputedamongthehalf—brothersandtheiradherents。FinallythetwosonsofthewifebelongingtotheWabashawbandplottedagainstthesonofthewomanoftheKaposiaband，His—Red—Nationbyname，after—

wardcalledLittleCrow——themanwholedtheMinnesotamassacre。

Theyobtainedaquantityofwhiskyandmadeagreatfeasttowhichmanywereinvited，in—

tendingwhenallweremoreorlessintoxicatedtoprecipitateafightinwhichheshouldbekilled。Itwouldbeeasyafterwardtoexcusethemselvesbysayingthatitwasanaccident。

Mendota，nearwhatisnowthethrivingcityofSaintPaul，thenaqueenoftrading—postsintheNorthwest，wastherendezvousoftheSioux。Theeventbroughtmanytogether，forallwarriorsofnotewerebiddenfromfarandnear，andeventhegreattradersofthedaywerepresent，forthesuccessiontothechieftain—

shipwasonewhichvitallyaffectedtheirinter—

ests。Duringtheearlypartofthedayallwentwell，withspeechesandeulogiesofthedeadchief，flowingandeloquent，suchasonlyanativeoratorcanutter。Presentlytwogoodlykegsofwhiskywererolledintothecouncilteepee。

Eyatonkaweewasamongthewomen，andheardtheirexpressionsofanxietyasthevoicesofthemenroselouderandmorethreatening。

Somecarriedtheirchildrenawayintothewoodsforsafety，whileotherssoughtspeechwiththeirhusbandsoutsidethecouncillodgeandbesoughtthemtocomeawayintime。Butmorethanthiswasneededtocopewiththeemergency。

Suddenlyafamiliarformappearedinthedoorofthecouncillodge。

"Isitbecominginawarriortospillthebloodofhistribesmen？AretherenolongeranyOjibways？"

ItwasthevoiceofEyatonkawee，thatstrong—

heartedwoman！Advancingatthecriticalmo—

menttothemiddleoftheringofwarriors，sheoncemorerecitedher"bravedeed"withalltheaccompanimentofactionandgesture，andtosucheffectthatthedisorderlyfeastbrokeupinconfusion，andtherewaspeacebetweentherivalbandsofSioux。

TherewasseldomadangerousquarrelamongtheIndiansinthosedaysthatwasnotprecipi—

tatedbytheuseofstrongliquor，andthissim—

pleIndianwoman，whosegoodjudgmentwasequaltohercourage，fullyrecognizedthisfact。

Allherlife，andespeciallyafterherfavoritebrotherhadbeenkilledinadrunkenbrawlintheearlydaysoftheAmericanFurCompany，shewasadeterminedenemytostrongdrink，anditissaiddidmoretopreventitsuseamongherimmediatebandthananyotherperson。Be—

ingawoman，hersolemeansofrecognitionwasthe"bravedeed"whichshesowonderfullydescribedandenactedbeforethepeople。

DuringthelifetimeofShe—whose—Voice—is—

heard—afar——andshediedonlyafewyearsago——itbehoovedtheSiouxmen，iftheydrankatall，todrinksecretlyandinmoderation。Therearemanywhorememberherbraveentranceuponthesceneofcarousal，andherdramaticrecitaloftheimmortaldeedofheryouth。

"Hanta！hantawo！（Outoftheway！）"

exclaimthedismayedwarriors，scramblingineverydirectiontoavoidtheupraisedarmoftheterribleoldwoman，whoburstssuddenlyuponthemwithdisheveledhair，hergowntornandstreakedhereandtherewithwhatlookslikefreshblood，herleatherlegginslooseandungartered，asifnewlycomefromthefamousstruggle。Oneofthemenhasakegofwhiskyforwhichhehasgivenapony，andtheothershavebeeninvitedinforanightofpleasure。

Butscarcelyhasthefirstroundbeendrunktothetoastof"greatdeeds，"whenEyatonkaweeisuponthem，hergreatknifeheldhighinherwrinkledlefthand，hertomahawkintheright。

Herblackeyesgleamasshedeclaimsinavoicestrong，unterrified：

"Look！look！brothersandhusbands——theSacsandFoxesareuponus！

Behold，ourbravesaresurprised——theyareunprepared！

Hearthemothers，thewivesandthechildrenscreaminginaffright！

"Yourbravesister，Eyatonkawee，she，thenewlymademother，isservingthesmokingvenisontoherhusband，justreturnedfromthechase！

Ah，heplungesintothethickestoftheenemy！

Hefalls，hefalls，infullviewofhisyoungwife！

"Shedesperatelypressesherbabetoherbreast，whileontheycomeyellingandtriumphant！

Theforemostofthemallentersherwhitebuffalo—skinteepee：

Tossingherbabeatthewarrior’sfeet，shestandsbeforehim，defiant;

Buthestraightwaylevelshisspearatherbosom。

Quicklyshespringsaside，andasquicklydealsadeadlyblowwithherax：

Fallsatherfeetthemightywarrior！

"Closelyfollowingoncomesanother，unknowingwhatfatehasmethisfellow！

Hetooentersherteepee，anduponhisfeather—deckedheadheraxfalls——

Onlyhisdeath—groanreplies！

"Anotherofheroicsizeandgreatprowess，aswitnessedbyhiswar—bonnetofeagle—feathers，Rusheson，yellingandwhooping——fortheybelievethatvictoryiswiththem！

ThethirdgreatwarriorwhohasdaredtoenterEyatonkawee’steepeeuninvited，hehasalreadydispatchedherhusband！

Heitiswhoseterriblewar—cryhasscatteredhersistersamongthetreesoftheforest！

"Onhecomeswithconfidenceandabraveheart，seekingonemorebloodydeed——

Onemorefeathertowinforhishead！

Behold，heliftsaboveherwoman’sheadhisbattle—ax！

Nohope，nochanceforherlife！……

Ah！hestrikesbeyondher——onlythehandleoftheaxfallsheavilyuponhertiredshoulder！

Herreadyknifefindshiswickedheart，——

Downhefallsatherfeet！

"Nowthedinofwargrowsfainterandfurther。

TheSiouxrecoverheart，anddrivetheenemyheadlongfromtheirlodges：

Yoursisterstandsvictoriousoverthree！

"Shetakesherbabyboy，andmakeshimcountwithhistinyhandsthefirst’coup’oneachdeadhero;

Hencehewearsthe’firstfeathers’whileyetinhisoakencradle。

"ThebravestofthewholeSiouxnationhavegiventhewar—whoopinyoursister’shonor，andhavesaid：

’TisEyatonkaweewhoisnotsatisfiedwithdowningthemightyoakswithherax——

ShetookthemightySacsandFoxesfortrees，andshefelledthemwithawill！’"

Insuchfashiontheoldwomanwaswonttochantherstory，andnotawarriortherecouldtellonetosurpassit！Thecustomwasstrong，andtherewasnotonetopreventherwhenshestruckopenwithasingleblowofheraxthekegofwhisky，andthepreciousliquortrickledupontheground。

"SotricklesundertheaxofEyatonkaweethebloodofanenemytotheSioux！"

VI

BLUESKY

ManyyearsagoalargebodyoftheSiouxwereencampedatmidsummerinthevalleyoftheCheyenne。ItwascustomaryatthatperiodfortheIndianstotieuptheirponiesovernightwithinthecircleoftheteepees，whenevertheywereindisputedterritory，fortheyconsidereditnowrongtostealthehorsesoftheenemy。Hencethislongprocessionofyoungmenandmaidens，returningatsunsettothecampwithgreatbun—

dlesofgreengrasshanginggracefullyfromtheirsaddles！

The"greengrassparade"becamearegularcustom，andinfactafull—dressaffair，sinceitwasfoundtoaffordunusualopportunitiesforcourtship。

BlueSky，theprettydaughteroftheSiouxchief，putonherbestdoeskingowntrimmedwithelks’teeth，andinvestingherfavoritespottedponywithhisbeadedsaddle—blanket，shewentforthincompanywithoneofhermaidenfriends。Soontwoyoungwarriorsover—

tookthepair;andastheyapproachedtheycoveredtheirheadswiththeirrobes，exposingonlytheupperpartofthefacedisguisedwithpaintandthesingleeaglefeatherstandingupright。Onecarriedabowandquiverfullofarrows;theother，awar—clubsuspendedfromhisrightarm。

"Ah，hay，hun，hay！"salutedoneofthem;

butthemodestmaidenssaidneveraword！Itwasnottheirwaytospeak;onlythegaycalicoponiesprancedaboutandsportivelythrewbacktheirearstosnapatthehorsesofthetwoyoungmen。

"’Tisabravewelcomeyourhorsesaregivingus！"hecontinued，whilethetwogirlsmerelylookedatoneanotherwithperfectunderstand—

ing。

PresentlyMatoskaurgedhisponyclosetotheBlueSky’sside。

"ItmaybethatIamoverbold，"hemur—

muredinherear，"torepeatsosoonmytaleoflove！IknowwellthatIriskareprimand，ifnotinwords，thenbyalookoraction！"

Hepausedtonotetheeffectofhisspeech;

butalas！itisthehardruleofsavagecourtshipthatthemaidenmaywithproprietyanddignitykeepsilenceaslongasshewishes，anditisoftenexasperatinglylong。

"Ihavespokentonomaiden，"heresumed，becauseIwishedtowinthewar—bonnetbeforedoingso。ButtoyouIwasforcedtoyield！"

Againhepaused，asiffearingtoappearundulyhasty;butdeliberateaswerespeechandman—

ner，hiseyesbetrayedhim。Theywerefullofintenseeagernessmingledwithanxiety。

"SometimesIhaveimaginedthatIamintheworldwithyoualone，travelingovertheprairieoflife，orsittinginourlonelywhiteteepee，astheoriolesitswithhismatebeforetheirswayinghome。YetIseemedtobeneverlonely，becauseyouwerethere！"Hefinishedhisplea，andwithoutwardcalmnessawaitedherreply。

Themaidenhadnotlostaword，butshewasstillthinking。Shethoughtthatamanismuchlikethewindofthenorth，onlypleasantandcomfortableinmidsummer！Shefearedthatshemightsometimehavetofurnishallthefuelfortheirlove’sfires;thereforesheheldherpeace。Matoskawaitedforseveralminutesandthensilentlywithdrew，bearinghisdisappoint—

mentwithdignity。

Meanwhilethecampwasastirwiththere—

turningyouthsandmaidens，theirhorses’sidesfringedwiththelongmeadowgrass，singingplaintiveserenadesaroundthecircularrowsofteepeesbeforetheybrokeupforthenight。

Itwasaclearandquietnight;theeveningfireswerekindledandeveryteepeetransformedintoanimmenseChineselantern。Therewasaglowingringtwomilesincircumference，withthewoodedriverbottomononesideandthevastprairieontheother。TheBlackHillsloomedupinthedistance，andtherapidsofthewildCheyennesentforthavaryingpealofmusiconthewind。Thepeopleenjoyedtheireveningmeal，andinthepausesoftheirtalkandlaughtertheponiescouldbeheardmunch—

ingatthebundlesofgreengrassjustoutsidetheteepees。

Suddenlyachorusofyellsbrokecruellythepeaceofthecamp，followedbythedashingchargeoftheCrowIndianhorsemen！ItwasmetasbravelyandquicklybytheSioux;andintheclear，palemoonlighttheduskywarriorsfought，withtheoccasionalflashofafirearm，whilesilentweaponsflewthickintheairlikedragon—fliesatsunset。

Thebravemothers，wives，andsistersgavetheirshrillwar—crytoinspiretheirmen，andshowtheenemythateventheSiouxwomencan—

notbedauntedbysuchafearfulsurprise！

Whenthemorningsunsentitsgoldenshaftsamongtheteepees，theysawitthroughglisten—

ingtears——happytears，theysaid，becausethebravedeadhadmettheirendingallantfight——theveryendtheycraved！AndamongthosewhofellthatnightwasBraveHawk，thehand—

somebrotheroftheBlueSky。

InafewdaysthecampwasmovedtoapointfurtheruptheCheyenneanddeeperintothebosomofthehills，leavingbehindthedeco—

ratedgravelodgesbelongingtothehonoreddead。Agreatcouncilteepeewaspitched，andherethepeoplemettocreditthosewhohadearnedthemwiththehonorsofthefight，thattheymightthereafterweartheeaglefeatherswhichtheyhadwon。

"Thefirsthonor，"declaredthemasterofceremonies，"belongstoBraveHawk，whofellinthebattle！HeitwaswhocompelledtheCrowstoretreat，whenhebravelychargeduponthemandknockedfromhishorsetheCrowchief，theirwarleader。"

"Ho，itistrue！"exclaimedthewarriorsinchorus。

"Thesecondhonor，"heresumed，"belongstoMatoska，theWhiteBear！"

"Hun，hun，hay！"interposedanother，"itisI，RedOwl，whotouchedthebodyoftheCrowchiefsecondtoBraveHawk！"

Itwasadefinitechallenge。

"ThewarriorswhowitnessedtheactgivethecouptoMatoska，friend！"persistedthespokesman。

RedOwlwasabraveyouthandacloserivalofMatoska，bothforwarhonorsandforthehandoftheprettiestmaideninthetribe。HehadhopedtoberecognizedasonewhofoughtindefenseoftheirhomesbythesideofBraveHawk;thatwouldpleasetheBlueSky，hethought;butthehonorwasconferreduponhisrival！

Therewasacloudofsuppressedirritationonhisduskyfaceashesullenlydepartedtohisowntent——anactionwhichdispleasedthecoun—

cil—men。Matoskahadnotspoken，andthiscausedhimtoappeartothebetteradvantage。

TheworstofitwasthatBlueSkyherselfhadenteredtheringwiththe"orphansteed，"asitwascalled——thewar—horseofherdeadbrother，andhadthereforeseenandheardevery—

thing！Tanagila，orHummingbird，thebeau—

tifulcharger，decoratedaccordingtocustomwiththehonorswonbyhismaster，wasledawaybythegirlamidstresoundingwar—whoops。

Unabletoremainquiet，RedOwlwentoutintothehillstofastandpray。Itwassunsetofthenextdaywhenheagainapproachedthevillage，andbehindalittleridgecamesuddenlyuponMatoskaandthegirlstandingtogether。

Itwasthefirsttimethattheyhadmetsincethe"greengrassparade，"andnowonlybyac—

cident，asthesisterofBraveHawkwasindeepmourning。However，theloverhadembracedhisopportunity，andthemaidenhadsaidthatshewaswillingtothinkofthematter。Nomorewordswerespoken。

Thatverynightthecouncildrumwasstruckthreetimes，followedbythewarriors’cheer。

Everybodyknewwhatthatmeant。Itwasaninvitationtotheyoungmentogouponthewar—pathagainsttheCrows！

BlueSkywasunconsciouslystartledbythissuddenannouncement。Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshefeltafearthatshecouldnotexplain。

Thetruthwasthatsheloved，andwasnotyetfullyawareofit。Inspiteofherfreshgrief，shehadbeeninexplicablyhappysinceherlastmeetingwithMatoska，forshehadseeninhimthatwhichissobeautiful，socompellinginmantotheeyesofthewomanwholoves。He，too，nowcherishedarealhope，andfeltasifhecouldrushintothethickestofthebattletoavengethebrotherofhisbeloved！

Inafewdaysthewar—partyhadreachedtheBigHornandsentoutadvancescouts，whore—

portedalargeCrowencampment。Theirhun—

dredsofhorsescoveredtheflatslikeagreatherdofbuffalo，theysaid。Itwasimmediatelydecidedtoattackatdaybreak，andonagivensignaltheydashedimpetuouslyuponthefor—

midablecamp。Somestampededanddroveoffanumberofhorses，whilethemainbodyplungedintothemidstoftheCrows。

Buttheenemywerenoteasilysurprised。

TheyknewwelltheSiouxtactics，andtherewasadesperatestruggleforsupremacy。War—clubwasraisedagainstwar—club，andthedeath—songofthearrowfilledtheair！PresentlytheSiouxwereforcedtoretreat，withtheCrowsinhotpursuit，likewolvesaftertheirprey。

RedOwlandMatoskahadbeenamongtheforemostinthecharge，andnowtheyactedasarear—guard，bravelydefendingtheretreatoftheirlittlearmy，totheadmirationoftheenemy。

AtlastaCrowraisedhisspearagainstMatoska，whoinaflashdismountedhimwithastrokeofhisoakenbow;butalas！theblowsnappedthebow—stringandlefthimdefenseless。Atthesameinstanthishorseutteredascreamandfell，throwingitsriderheadlong！

TherewasnoonenearexceptRedOwl，whoclappedhisheelstohisponyandjoinedintheretreat，leavingMatoskabehind。Hearose，threwdownhisquiver，andadvancedalonetomeettheoncomingrushoftheCrows！

TheSiouxhadseenhimfall。Inafewmo—

mentshewassurroundedbytheenemy，andtheysawhimnomore。

Thepursuitwasstopped，andtheypauseduponahilltoptocollecttheremnantoftheirforce。RedOwlwasthelasttocomeup，anditwasobservedthathedidnotlooklikehimself。

"Tellus，whatwereMatoska’slastwords？"

theyaskedhim。

Buthesilentlydismountedandsentanarrowthroughhisfaithfulsteed，totheastonishmentofthewarriors。Immediatelyafterwardhetookouthisknifeandstabbedhimselftotheheart。

"Ah！"theyexclaimed，"hecouldnotlivetoshareourhumiliation！"

Thewar—partyreturneddefeatedandcastdownbythisunexpectedendingtotheiradven—

ture，havinglostsomeoftheirbravestandbestmen。Thecampwasinstantlythrownintomourning。Manywereinheavygrief，butnonewasmoredeeplystrickenthanthemaidencalledtheBlueSky，thedaughteroftheirchief。

Sheremainedwithinherteepeeandweptinsecret，fornoneknewthatshehadtherighttomourn。Yetshebelievedthatherloverhadmetwithmisfortune，butnotdeath。Althoughhisnamewasannouncedamongthosewarriorswhofellinthefield，herownheartassuredherthatitwasnotso。"Imustgotohim，"shesaidtoherself。"Imustknowcertainlywhetherheisstillamongtheliving！"

Thenextevening，whilethevillagewasyetintheconfusionofgreattroubleandsorrow，BlueSkyrodeoutuponherfavoriteponyasiftotakehimtowaterasusual，butnonesawherreturn！Shehastenedtothespotwhereshehadconcealedtwosacksofprovisionsandherextramoccasinsandmaterialsforsewing。

Shehadnoweapon，saveherknifeandasmallhatchet。SheknewthecountrybetweentheBlackHillsandtheBigHorn，andknewthatitwasfullofperilsformanandmuchmoreforwoman。Yetbytravelingonlyatnightandconcealingherselfinthedaytimeshehopedtoavoidthesedangers，andsherodebravelyforthonthetrailofthereturningwarriors。

Herdog，Wapayna，hadfollowedthemaiden，andshewasnotsorrytohavesofaithfulacompanion。Shecautionedhimnottobarkatorattackstrangeanimalsunlesstheyattackedfirst，andheseemedtounderstandtheproprietyofremainingonguardwheneverhismistresswasasleep。

ShereachedthePowderRivercountryinsafety，andhereshehadmorethanoncetopickherwayamongthebuffaloes。Thesewilyanimalsseemedtorealizethatshewasonlyawomanandunarmed，sothattheyscarcelykeptoutofherpath。Shealsocrossedthetrailsofriders，someofthemquitefresh，butwasfortu—

nateenoughnottomeetanyofthem。

Atlastthemaidenattainedthedividebe—

tweentheTongueandtheBigHornrivers。

Herheartbeatfast，andthesuddensenseofherstrangemissionalmostoverwhelmedher。SherememberedtheonlytimeinherlifethattheSiouxwereuponthatriver，andsohadthatbitoffriendlywelcomefromthevalley——arecol—

lectionofchildhood！

Itwasnearmorning;themoonhadsetandforashorttimedarknessprevailed，butthegirl’seyeshadbythistimebecomeaccustomedtothedark。Sheknewthedaywasathand，andwithitsfirstbeamsshewassafelytuckedintooneofthoseroundturnsleftbytheriverlongagoinchangingitsbed，nowbecomealittlegrassyhollowshelteredbysteepbanks，andhiddenbyafringeoftrees。Hereshepicketedherpony，andtookherownrest。NotuntiltheafternoonshadowswerelongdidsheawakeandgoforthwithdeterminationtoseekforthebattlefieldandfortheCrowencamp—

ment。

Itwasnotlongbeforeshecameuponthebodiesoffallenhorsesandmen。TherewasMatoska’swhitecharger，withaSiouxarrowinhisside，andshedivinedthetreacheryofRedOwl！Buthewasdead，andhisdeathhadatonedforthecrime。Thebodyofherloverwasnowheretobefound;yethowshouldtheyhavetakenthebravestoftheSiouxacap—

tive？

"Ifhehadbutonearrowleft，hewouldstandandfight！Ifhisbow—stringwerebroken，hewouldstillwelcomedeathwithastrongheart，"

shethought。

TheeveningwasapproachingandtheCrowvillageinplainsight。BlueSkyarrangedherhairanddressaswellasshecouldlikethatofaCrowwoman，andwithanextrarobeshemadeforherselfabundlethatlookedasifitheldababyinitsmanywrappings。Thecom—

munitywasstillcelebratingitsrecentvictoryovertheSioux，andthecampwasalivewithsongsanddances。Inthedarknesssheap—

proachedunnoticed，andsinginginanunder—

toneaCrowlullaby，walkedbackandforthamongthelodges，watchingeagerlyforanysignsofhimshesought。

Atlastshecameneartothecouncillodge。

Thereshebeheldhisfacelikeanapparitionthroughtheduskandthefire—light！Hewassittingwithin，dressedinthegalacostumeofaCrow。

"O，heisliving！heisliving！"thoughtthebravemaiden。"O，whatshallIdo？"Un—

consciouslyshecreptnearerandnearer，untilthesharpeyesofanIndiandetectedtheslightdifferenceinhermanneranddress，andheatoncegavethealarm。

"Wah，wah！Epsaraka！Epsaraka！A

Sioux！ASioux！"

Inaninstantthewholecamphadsurroundedthegirl，whostoodintheirmidstaprisoner，yetundaunted，forshehadseenherlover，andthespiritofherancestorsrosewithinher。

Aninterpreterwasbrought，amanwhowashalfCrowandhalfSioux。

"YoungandprettydaughteroftheSioux！"

exclaimedthechief，"tellushowyoucamehereinourmidstundetected，andwhy！"

"Because，"repliedtheBlueSky，"yourbravewarriorshaveslainmyonlybrother，andcapturedmylover，whomyounowholdapris—

oner。ItisforhissakethatIhavethusriskedmylifeandhonor！"

"Ho，ho！YouarethebravestwomanI

haveeverseen。Yourloverwagbetrayedintoourhandsbythetreacheryofoneofhisowntribe，whoshothishorsefrombehind。Hefaceduswithoutfear，butitwasnothiscouragethatsavedhislife。Heresemblesmyownson，wholatelyfellinbattle，andaccordingtothecustomIhaveadoptedhimasmyson！"

ThusthebravemaidencapturedtheheartofthewilyCrow，andwasfinallyallowedtoreturnhomewithherlover，bearingmanyandrichpresents。Hernameisrememberedamongthetwotribes，forthisactofhersresultedinatreatyofpeacebetweenthemwhichwaskeptforageneration。

VII

THEFAITHFULNESSOFLONGEARS

AwaybeyondtheThinHills，abovetheBigLoneTreeuponthePowderRiver，theUncpapaSiouxhadcelebratedtheirSunDance，somefortyyearsago。Itwasmid—

summerandtheredfolkwerehappy。Theylackedfornothing。TheyellowishgreenflatoneithersideofthePowderwasstuddedwithwildflowers，andthecottonwoodtreeswereinfullleaf。Onelargecircleofbuffaloskintee—

peesformedthemovablevillage。TheBigHornMountainsloomedupagainstthedeepblueskytothewestward，andtheBlackHillsappearedinthefarsoutheast。

Thetribalriteshadallbeenobserved，andtheusualsummerfestivitiesenjoyedtothefull。

Thecampasitbrokeupdivideditselfinthreeparts，eachofwhichhaddeterminedtoseekafavoritehunting—ground。

Onebandjourneyedwest，towardtheTongueRiver。OnefollowedatributaryofthePow—

dertothesouth。Thethirdmerelychangedcamp，onaccountofthegrazingforponies，andforfourdaysremainedneartheoldplace。

Thepartythatwentwestdidnotfailtoreal—

izetheperilousnatureoftheirwanderings，fortheyweretrespassinguponthecountryofthewarlikeCrows。

Onthethirddayatsunrise，theSiouxcrier’svoiceresoundedinthevalleyofthePowder，announcingthatthelodgesmustberazedandthevillagersmusttakeuptheirmarch。

Breakfastofjerkedbuffalomeathadbeenservedandthewomenwereadjustingtheirpacks，notwithoutmuchchatterandapparentconfusion。Weeko（BeautifulWoman），theyoungwifeofthewar—chiefShunkaska，whohadmademanypresentsatthedancesinhonorofhertwinboys，nowgaveoneofherremain—

ingponiestoapooroldwomanwhoseonlybeastofburden，alargedog，haddiedduringthenight。

Thismadeitnecessarytoshiftthepacksoftheothers。Nakpa，orLongEars，herkitten—

likegraymule，whichhadheretoforebeenhon—

oredwiththepreciousburdenofthetwinbabies，wastobegivenaheavierandmorecumbersomeload。Weeko’stwo—year—oldspottedponywasselectedtocarrythebabies。

Accordingly，thetwochildren，intheirgor—

geouslybeadedbuckskinhoods，weresus—

pendeduponeithersideofthepony’ssaddle。

AsWeeko’sfirst—born，theywerebeautifullydressed;eventhesaddleandbridleweredain—

tilyworkedbyherownhands。

Thecaravanwasnowinmotion，andWeekostartedallherponiesaftertheleader，whilesheadjustedthemule’sclumsyburdenofket—

tlesandotherhouseholdgear。Inamo—

ment：

"Goon，letusseehowyoumovewithyournewload！Goon！"sheexclaimedagain，withalightblowofthehorse—hairlariat，asthean—

imalstoodperfectlystill。

Nakpasimplygaveanangrysideglanceatherloadandshiftedherpositiononceortwice。

Thenshethrewherselfheadlongintotheairandlandedstiff—legged，utteringatthesametimeherunearthlyprotest。Firstshedovestraightthroughthecrowd，thenproceededinacircle，herheelsdescribingwonderfulcurvesandsweepsintheair。Herpack，too，begantocometopiecesandtotakeforcedflightsfromherundignifiedbodyandheels，inthemidstofthescreamsofwomenandchildren，thebarkingofdogs，andthewar—whoopsoftheamusedyoungbraves。

Thecowskintentbecamedetachedfromhersaddle，andamomentlaterNakpastoodfree。

Hersidesworkedlikeabellowsasshestoodtheremeeklyindignant，apparentlyconsideringherselftobethevictimofanuncalled—formis—

understanding。

"Ishouldputanarrowthroughheratonce，onlysheisnotworthagoodarrow，"saidShunkaska，orWhiteDog，thehusbandofWeeko。Athiswife’sanswer，heopenedhiseyesinsurpriseddispleasure。

"No，sheshallhaveherownpackagain。

Shewantshertwins。Ioughtnevertohavetakenthemfromher！"

WeekoapproachedNakpaasshestoodaloneandunfriendedinthefaceofherlittleworld，allofwhomconsideredthatshehadcommittedtheunpardonablesin。Asforher，sheevidentlyfeltthathermisfortuneshadnotbeenofherownmaking。Shegaveahesitating，sidelonglookathermistress。

"Nakpa，youshouldnothaveactedso。I

knewyouwerestrongerthantheothers，there—

foreIgaveyouthatload，"saidWeekoinaconciliatorytone，andpattedheronthenose。

"Come，now，youshallhaveyourownpetpack，"andsheledherbacktowheretheyoungponystoodsilentlywiththebabies。

Nakpathrewbackherearsandcastsavagelooksathim，whileShunkaska，withnosmallannoyance，gatheredtogetherasmuchashecouldoftheirscatteredhouseholdeffects。Thesleepingbrown—skinnedbabiesintheirchrysalis—

likehoodsweregentlyloweredfromthepony’sbackandattachedsecurelytoNakpa’spaddedwoodensaddle。Thefamilypotsandkettlesweredividedamongthepackponies。Orderwasrestoredandthevillageoncemoreinmo—

tion。

"Comenow，Nakpa;youhaveyourwish。

Youmusttakegoodcareofmybabies。Begood，becauseIhavetrustedyou，"murmuredtheyoungmotherinhersoftesttones。

"Really，Weeko，youhavesomecommongroundwithNakpa，foryoubothalwayswanttohaveyourownway，andsticktoit，too！I

tellyou，IfearthisLongEars。Sheisnottobetrustedwithbabies，"remarkedShunkaska，withagooddealofseverity。

Buthiswifemadenoreply，forshewellknewthatthoughhemightcriticise，hewouldnotactuallyinterferewithherdomesticar—

rangements。

Henowstartedaheadtojointhemeninad—

vanceoftheslow—movingprocession，thusleav—

ingherinundividedchargeofherhousehold。

Oneortwoofthepackponieswerenotwell—

trainedandrequiredallherattention。Nakpahadbeenafaithfulservantuntilherescapadeofthemorning，andshewasnowobviouslysat—

isfiedwithhermistress’arrangements。Shewalkedalongsidewithherlariatdragging，andperfectlyfreetodoasshepleased。

Somehourslater，thepartyascendedaslopefromtheriverbottomtocrossoverthedividewhichlaybetweenthePowderRiverandatrib—

utarystream。Theyhadhithertofollowedthatriverinawesterlydirection，buthereittookitscoursesouthward，windinginabluestreakuntillosttoviewamongthefoot—hillsoftheBigHornMountains。Thefordwasdeep，withaswiftcurrent。Hereandthereabaldbuttestoodoutinfullreliefagainstthebrilliantbluesky。TheSiouxfollowedadeepravineuntiltheycamealmostuptothesecondrowofterraces。

"Whoo！whoo！"cametheblood—curdlingsignalofdangerfromthefront。Itwasnoun—

familiarsound——theroversknewitonlytoowell。Itmeantsuddendeath——oratbestacruelstruggleandfranticflight。

Terrified，yetself—possessed，thewomenturnedtoflywhileyettherewastime。InstantlythemotherlookedtoNakpa，whocarriedoneithersideofthesaddleherpreciousboys。Shehurriedlyexaminedthefasteningstoseethatallwassecure，andthencaughtherswiftestpony，for，likeallIndianwomen，sheknewjustwhatwashappening，andthatwhileherhus—

bandwasengagedinfrontwiththeenemy，shemustseeksafetywithherbabies。

Hardlywassheinthesaddlewhenaheart—

rendingwar—whoopsoundedontheirflank，andsheknewthattheyweresurrounded！Instinct—

ivelyshereachedforherhusband’ssecondquiverofarrows，whichwascarriedbyoneofthepackponies。Alas！theCrowwarriorswerealreadyuponthem！Theponiesbecameun—

manageable，andthewildscreamsofwomenandchildrenpiercedtheawfulconfusion。

Quickasaflash，Weekoturnedagaintoherbabies，butNakpahadalreadydisappeared！

Then，maddenedbyfrightandthelossofherchildren，Weekobecameforgetfulofhersexandtenderness，forshesternlygraspedherhus—

band’sbowinherlefthandtodobattle。

ThatchargeoftheCrowswasadisastrousone，buttheSiouxwereequallybraveanddes—

perate。Chargesandcounter—chargesweremade，andtheslainweremanyonbothsides。

Thefightlasteduntildarknesscame。ThentheCrowsdepartedandtheSiouxburiedtheirdead。

WhentheCrowsmadetheirflankcharge，Nakpaapparentlyappreciatedthesituation。Tosaveherselfandthebabies，shetookadesperatechance。Shefledstraightthroughtheattack—

ingforce。

Whenthewarriorscamehowlinguponheringreatnumbers，sheatoncestartedbackthewayshehadcome，tothecampleftbehind。Theyhadtravelednearlythreedays。

Tobesure，theydidnottravelmorethanfifteenmilesaday，butitwasfullfortymilestocoverbeforedark。

"Look！look！"exclaimedawarrior，"twobabieshungfromthesaddleofamule！"

Nooneheededthisman’scall，andhisarrowdidnottouchNakpaoreitheroftheboys，butitstruckthethickpartofthesaddleoverthemule’sback。

"Lassoher！lassoher！"heyelledoncemore;butNakpawastoocunningforthem。

Shedodgedinandoutwithactiveheels，andtheycouldnotaffordtowastemanyarrowsonamuleatthatstageofthefight。Downtheravine，thenovertheexpanseofprairiedottedwithgray—greensage—brush，shespedwithherunconsciousburden。

"Whoo！whoo！"yelledanotherCrowtohiscomrades，"theSiouxhavedispatchedarunnertogetreinforcements！Therehegoes，downontheflat！Nowhehasalmostreachedtheriverbottom！"

ItwasonlyNakpa。Shelaidbackhercarsandstretchedoutmoreandmoretogaintheriver，forsherealizedthatwhenshehadcrossedthefordtheCrowswouldnotpursueherfar—

ther。

Nowshehadreachedthebank。Withtheintenseheatfromherexertions，shewasex—

tremelynervous，andsheimaginedawarriorbeindeverybush。Yetshehadenoughsenselefttorealizethatshemustnotsatisfyherthirst。Shetriedthebottomwithherfore—foot，thenwadedcarefullyintothedeepstream。

Shekeptherbigearswelltothefrontassheswamtocatchtheslightestsound。Asshesteppedontheoppositeshore，sheshookherselfandtheboysvigorously，thenpulledafewmouthfulsofgrassandstartedon。

Soononeofthebabiesbegantocry，andtheotherwasnotlonginjoininghim。Nakpadidnotknowwhattodo。Shegaveagentlewhinnyandbothbabiesapparentlystoppedtolisten;

thenshetookupaneasygaitasiftoputthemtosleep。

Thesetacticsansweredonlyforatime。Asshefairlyflewoverthelowlands，thebabies’

hungerincreasedandtheyscreamedsoloudthatapassingcoyotehadtosituponhishaunchesandwonderwhatintheworldthefleeinglong—

earedhorsewascarryingonhissaddle。Evenmagpiesandcrowsflewnearasiftoascertainthemeaningofthiscurioussound。

NakpanowcametotheLittleTrailCreek，atributaryofthePowder，notfarfromtheoldcamp。Noneedofwastinganytimehere，shethought。Thensheswervedasidesosuddenlyasalmosttojerkherbabiesoutoftheircradles。

Twograywolves，oneoneachside，approachedher，growlinglow——theirwhiteteethshow—

ing。

NeverinherhumblelifehadNakpabeeninmoredesperatestraits。Thelargerofthewolvescamefiercelyforwardtoengageherattention，whilehismatewastoattackherbe—

hindandcutherhamstrings。Butforoncethepairhadmadeamiscalculation。Themuleusedherfronthoofsvigorouslyontheforemostwolf，whileherhindonesweredoingevenmoreeffectivework。Thelargerwolfsoonwentlimpingawaywithabrokenhip，andtheoneintherearreceivedadeepcutonthejawwhichprovedaneffectualdiscouragement。

Alittlefurtheron，anIndianhunterdrewnearonhorseback，butNakpadidnotpauseorslackenherpace。Onshefledthroughthelongdrygrassoftheriverbottoms，whileherbabiessleptagainfromsheerexhaustion。Towardsunset，sheenteredtheSiouxcampamidgreatexcitement，forsomeonehadspiedherafaroff，andtheboysandthedogsannouncedhercoming。

"Whoo，whoo！Weeko’sNakpahascomebackwiththetwins！Whoo，whoo！"exclaimedthemen。"Tokee！tokee！"criedthewomen。

AsistertoWeekowhowasinthevillagecameforwardandreleasedthechildren，asNakpagavealowwhinnyandstopped。Ten—

derlyZeezeewinnursedthematherownmoth—

erlybosom，assistedbyanotheryoungmotheroftheband。

"Ugh，thereisaCrowarrowstickinginthesaddle！Afight！afight！"exclaimedthewar—

riors。

"SingaBrave—HeartsongfortheLong—Earedone！Shehasescapedalonewithhercharge。

Sheisentitledtowearaneagle’sfeather！Lookatthearrowinhersaddle！andmore，shehasaknifewoundinherjawandanarrowcutonherhindleg。——No，thosearethemarksofawolf’steeth！Shehaspassedthroughmanydangersandsavedtwochief’ssons，whowillsomedaymaketheCrowssorryforthisday’swork！"

Thespeakerwasanoldmanwhothusad—

dressedthefastgatheringthrong。

Zeezeewinnowcameforwardagainwithaneaglefeatherandsomewhitepaintinherhands。

TheyoungmenrubbedNakpadown，andthefeather，markedwithredtoindicateherwounds，wasfastenedtohermane。Shouldersandhipsweretouchedwithredpainttoshowheren—

duranceinrunning。Thenthecrier，praisingherbravedeedinheroicverse，ledheraroundthecamp，insideofthecircleofteepees。Allthepeoplestoodoutsidetheirlodgesandlis—

tenedrespectfully，fortheDakotaloveswelltohonorthefaithfulandthebrave。

Duringthenextday，riderscameinfromtheill—fatedparty，bringingthesadnewsofthefightandheavyloss。LateintheafternooncameWeeko，herfaceswollenwithcrying，herbeautifulhaircutshortinmourning，hergar—

mentstornandcoveredwithdustandblood。

Herhusbandhadfalleninthefight，andhertwinboysshesupposedtohavebeentakencap—

tivebytheCrows。Singinginahoarsevoicethepraisesofherdepartedwarrior，sheenteredthecamp。Assheapproachedhersister’stee—

pee，therestoodNakpa，stillwearingherhon—

orabledecorations。Atthesamemoment，Zeezeewincameouttomeetherwithbothbabiesinherarms。

"Mechinkshee！meechinkshee！（mysons，mysons！）"wasallthatthepoormothercouldsay，assheallbutfellfromhersaddletotheground。ThedespisedLongEarshadnotbe—

trayedhertrust。

VIII

THEWARMAIDEN

Theoldman，SmokyDay，wasformanyyearsthebest—knownstory—tellerandhistorianofhistribe。HeitwaswhotoldmethestoryoftheWarMaiden。

Intheolddaysitwasunusualbutnotunheardofforawomantogouponthewar—path——per—

hapsayounggirl，thelastofherline，orawidowwhosewell—lovedhusbandhadfallenonthefield——andtherecouldbenogreaterincen—

tivetofeatsofdesperatedaringonthepartofthewarriors。

"Alongtimeago，"saidoldSmokyDay，"theUnkpapaandtheCut—HeadbandsofSiouxunitedtheircampsuponavastprairieeastoftheMinneWakan（nowcalledDevil’sLake）。Itwasmidsummer，andthepeoplesharedinthehappinessofeverylivingthing。

Wehadfoodinabundance，forbisonincount—

lessnumbersoverspreadtheplain。

"Theteepeevillagewaslaidoutintwogreatrings，andallwasinreadinessforthemidsum—

merentertainments。Therewereballgames，feastsanddanceseveryday，andlateintothenight。Youhaveheardofthefestivitiesofthosedays;therearenonelikethemnow，"saidtheoldman，andhesighedheavilyashelaiddowntheredpipewhichwastobepassedfromhandtohandduringtherecital。

"TheheadchiefoftheUnkpapasthenwasTamakoche（HisCountry）。Hewasinhistimeanotablewarrior，ahunterandafeast—

maker，muchbelovedbyhispeople。Hewasthefatherofthreesons，buthewassoanxioustomakethemwarriorsofgreatreputationthattheyhadall，despisingdanger，beenkilledinbattle。

"Thechiefhadalsoaveryprettydaughter，whosenamewasMakatah。Sinceallhissonswereslainhehadplacedhisaffectionssolelyuponthegirl，andshegrewuplisteningtothepraisesofthebravedeedsofherbrothers，whichherfathernevertiredofchantingwhentheyweretogetherinthelodge。AttimesMakatahwascalledupontodancetothe’Strong—Heart’

songs。Thusevenasachildshelovedthethoughtofwar，althoughshewastheprettiestandmostmodestmaideninthetwotribes。Asshegrewintowomanhoodshebecamethebelleofherfather’svillage，andherbeautyandspiritweretalkedofevenamongtheneighboringbandsofSioux。ButitappearedthatMakatahdidnotcaretomarry。Shehadonlytwoam—

bitions。Onewastoprovetoherfatherthat，thoughonlyamaid，shehadtheheartofawar—

rior。Theotherwastovisitthegravesofherbrothers——thatis，thecountryoftheenemy。

"Atthispleasantreunionoftwokindredpeo—

plesoneoftheprincipaleventswastheFeastofVirgins，givenbyMakatah。Allyoungmaidensofvirtueandgoodreputewereinvitedtobepresent;butwoetoherwhoshoulddaretopollutethesacredfeast！Ifherrighttobetherewerechallengedbyanyitmeantapublicdisgrace。Thetwoarrowsandtheredstoneuponwhichthevirginstooktheiroathofchas—

titywereespeciallypreparedfortheoccasion。

Everygirlwasbeautifullydressed，foratthattimethewhitedoeskingowns，withaprofusionoffringesandcoloredembroidery，werethegalaattireoftheSiouxmaidens。Redpaintwasadded，andornamentsoffursandwampum。

Manyyouthseagerlysurveyedthemaidengath—

ering，atwhichthedaughterofTamakocheout—

shonealltherest。

"Severaleligiblewarriorsnowpressedtheirsuitsatthechieftain’slodge，andamongthemwereoneortwowhomhewouldhavegladlycalledson—in—law;butno！Makatahwouldnotlistentowordsofcourtship。Shehadvowed，shesaid，tothespiritsofherthreebrothers——

eachofwhomfellinthecountryoftheCrows——thatshewouldseethatcountrybeforeshebecameawife。

"RedHorn，whowassomethingofaleaderamongtheyoungmen，wasapersistentandde—

terminedsuitor。Hehadurgedeveryinfluentialfriendofhisandherstopersuadehertolistentohim。Hispresentsweremorevaluablethanthoseofanyoneelse。Heevenmadeuseofhisfather’spositionasaleadingchiefoftheCut—Headbandtoforceadecisioninhisfavor;

andwhilethemaidenremainedindifferentherfatherseemedinclinedtocountenancethisyoungman’spretensions。

"Shehadmanyotherlovers，asIhavesaid，"

theoldmanadded，"andamongthemwasoneLittleEagle，anorphanandapooryoungman，unknownandunprovedasawarrior。Hewassoinsignificantthatnobodythoughtmuchabouthim，andifMakatahregardedhimwithanyfavorthematterwashersecret，foritiscertainthatshedidnotopenlyencouragehim。

"Onedayitwasreportedinthevillagethattheirneighbors，theCut—HeadSioux，wouldor—

ganizeagreatattackupontheCrowsatthemouthoftheRedwater，atributaryoftheMis—

souri。Makatahimmediatelyinquiredofhermalecousinswhetheranyofthemexpectedtojointhewar—party。

"’Threeofuswillgo，’theyreplied。

"’Then，’saidthegirl，’Ibegthatyouwillallowmetogowithyou！Ihaveagoodhorse，andIshallnothandicapyouinbattle。Ionlyaskyourprotectionincampasyourkinswomanandamaidofthewar—party。’

"’IfouruncleTamakochesanctionsyourgoing，’theyreplied，’weshallbeproudtohaveourcousinwithus，toinspireustobravedeeds！’

"Themaidennowsoughtherfatherandaskedhispermissiontoaccompanythewar—

party。

"’Iwish，’saidshe，’tovisitthegravesofmybrothers！Ishallcarrywithmetheirwar—bon—

netsandtheirweapons，togivetocertainyoungmenontheeveofbattle，accordingtothean—

cientcustom。LongagoIresolvedtodothis，andthetimeisnowcome。’

"Thechiefwasatthistimewelladvancedinyears，andhadbeensittingquitealoneinhislodge，thinkinguponthedaysofhisyouth，whenhewasnotedfordaringandsuccessinbattle。

Insilencehelistenedashefilledhispipe，andseemedtomeditatewhilehesmokedthefra—

granttobacco。Atlasthespokewithtearsinhiseyes。

"’Daughter，Iamanoldman！Myheartbeatsinmythroat，andmyoldeyescannotkeepbackthetears。Mythreesons，onwhomIhadplacedallmyhopes，aregonetoafarcountry！

Youaretheonlychildlefttomyoldage，andyou，too，arebrave——asbraveasanyofyourbrothers。IfyougoIfearthatyoumaynotreturntome;yetIcannotrefuseyoumyper—

mission！"

"Theoldmanbegantochantawar—song，andsomeofhispeople，hearinghim，cameintolearnwhatwasinhismind。Hetoldthemall，andimmediatelymanyyoungmenvolunteeredforthewar—party，inordertohavethehonorofgoingwiththedaughteroftheirchief。

"SeveralofMakatah’ssuitorswereamongthem，andeachwatchedeagerlyforanoppor—

tunitytorideatherside。Atnightshepitchedherlittleteepeewithinthecircleofhercousins’

campfires，andthereshesleptwithoutfear。

Courteousyouthsbroughttohereverymorningandeveningfreshvenisonforherrepast。Yettherewasnocourting，forallattentionspaidtoamaidenwhenonthewar—pathmustbethoseofabrothertoasister，andallmustbeequallyreceivedbyher。

"Twodayslater，whenthetwopartiesofSiouxmetontheplains，themaiden’spresencewasheraldedthroughoutthecamp，asanin—

spirationtotheyounganduntriedwarriorsofbothbandstodistinguishthemselvesinthefield。

ItistruethatsomeoftheoldermenconsidereditunwisetoallowMakatahtoaccompanythewar—party。

"’Thegirl，’saidtheytooneanother，’isveryambitiousaswellasbrave。Shewillsurelyriskherownlifeinbattle，whichwillmaketheyoungmendesperate，andweshalllosemanyofthem！’

"Neverthelesstheylovedherandherfather;

thereforetheydidnotprotestopenly。

"OnthethirddaytheSiouxscoutsreturnedwiththewordthattheCrowswerecamping，ashadbeensupposed，attheconfluenceoftheRedwaterandtheMissouriRivers。Itwasagreatcamp。AlltheCrowtribewerethere，theysaid，withtheirthousandsoffinehorses。

"TherewasexcitementintheSiouxcamp，andalloftheheadmenimmediatelymetincouncil。Itwasdeterminedtomaketheattackearlyonthefollowingmorning，justasthesuncameoverthehills。Thecouncilorsagreedthatinhonorofthegreatchief，herfather，aswellasinrecognitionofherowncourage，Makatahshouldbepermittedtoleadthechargeattheoutset，butthatshemustdropbehindastheynearedtheenemy。Themaiden，whohadoneofthefleetestponiesinthatpartofthecountry，hadnointentionoffallingback，butshedidnottellanyonewhatwasinhermind。

"Thateveningeverywarriorsanghiswar—

song，andannouncedtheparticularwar—charmor’medicine’ofhisclan，accordingtothecus—

tom。Theyouthswerevyingwithoneanotherinbravetalesofwhattheywoulddoonthemorrow。ThevoiceofRedHornwasloudamongtheboasters，forhewasknowntobeavainyouth，althoughtrulynotwithoutreputa—

tion。LittleEagle，whowasalsoofthecom—

pany，remainedmodestlysilent，asindeedbe—

cameonewithoutexperienceinthefield。Inthemidstoftheclamortherefellasilence。

"’Hush！hush！’theywhispered。’Look，look！TheWarMaidencomes！’

"AlleyeswereturneduponMakatah，whorodeherfinebuckskinsteedwithasinglelariat。

Heheldhisheadproudly，andhissaddlewasheavywithfringesandgaywithcoloredem—

broidery。Themaidenwasattiredinherbestandworeherownfather’swar—bonnet，whileshecarriedinherhandstwowhichhadbe—

longedtotwoofherdeadbrothers。Singinginaclearvoicethesongsofherclan，shecom—

pletedthecircle，accordingtocustom，beforeshesingledoutoneoftheyoungbravesforspe—

cialhonorbygivinghimthebonnetwhichsheheldinherrighthand。ShethencrossedovertotheCut—Heads，andpresentedtheotherbon—

nettooneoftheiryoungmen。Shewasveryhandsome;eventheoldmen’sbloodwasstirredbyherbraveappearance！

"Atdaybreakthetwowar—partiesoftheSioux，mountedontheirbesthorses，stoodsidebyside，readyforthewordtocharge。Allofthewarriorswerepaintedforthebattle——pre—

paredfordeath——theirnearlynudebodiesdeco—

ratedwiththeirindividualwar—totems。Theirwell—filledquiverswerefastenedtotheirsides，andeachtightlygraspedhisoakenbow。

"Theyoungmanwiththefinestvoicehadbeenchosentogivethesignal——asinglehigh—

pitchedyell。Thiswasanimitationoftheonelonghowlofthegraywolfbeforehemakestheattack。Itwasanancientcustomofourpeople。

"’Woo—o—o—o！’——atlastitcame！Asthesoundceasedashrillwar—whoopfromfivehun—

dredthroatsburstforthinchorus，andatthesameinstantMakatah，uponhersplendidbuck—

skinpony，shotfaroutupontheplain，likeanarrowasitleavesthebow。Itwasaglorioussight！Nomanhaseverlookeduponthelikeagain！"

Theeyesoftheoldmansparkledashespoke，andhisbentshouldersstraightened。

"ThewhitedoeskingownoftheWarMaiden，"hecontinued，"wastrimmedwithelk’steethandtailsofermine。Herlongblackhairhungloose，boundonlywithastripofotter—skin，andwithhereagle—featherwar—bonnetfloatedfarbehind。Inherhandsheheldalongcoup—staffdecoratedwitheagle—feathers。Thusshewentforthinadvanceofthemall！

"WarcriesofmenandscreamsofterrifiedwomenandchildrenwereborneupontheclearmorningairasourwarriorsnearedtheCrowcamp。Thechargewasmadeoverawideplain，andtheCrowscameyellingfromtheirlodges，fullyarmed，tomeettheattackingparty。Inspiteofthesurprisetheyeasilyheldtheirown，andevenbegantopressushard，astheirnum—

berwasmuchgreaterthanthatoftheSioux。

"Thefightwasalongandhardone。

Towardtheendofthedaytheenemymadeacounter—charge。Bythattimemanyofourpo—

nieshadfallenorwereexhausted。TheSiouxretreated，andtheslaughterwasgreat。TheCut—Headsfledwomanlike;butthepeopleofTamakochefoughtgallantlytotheverylast。

"Makatahremainedwithherfather’speo—

ple。Manycriedouttoher，’Goback！Goback！’butshepaidnoattention。Shecarriednoweaponthroughouttheday——nothingbuthercoup—staff——butbyherpresenceandhercriesofencouragementorpraisesheurgedonthementodeedsofdesperatevalor。

"Finally，however，theSiouxbraveswerehotlypursuedandtheretreatbecamegeneral。

NowatlastMakatahtriedtofollow;butherponywastired，andthemaidenfellfartherandfartherbehind。Manyofherloverspassedhersilently，intentuponsavingtheirownlives。

Onlyafewstillremainedbehind，fightingdes—

peratelytocovertheretreat，whenRedHorncameupwiththegirl。Hisponywasstillfresh。

Hemighthaveputherupbehindhimandcar—

riedhertosafety，buthedidnotevenlookatherashegallopedby。

"Makatahdidnotcallout，butshecouldnothelplookingafterhim。Hehaddeclaredhisloveforhermoreloudlythananyoftheothers，andshenowgaveherselfuptodie。

"Presentlyanotherovertookthemaiden。ItwasLittleEagle，unhurtandsmiling。

"’Takemyhorse！’hesaidtoher。’Ishallremainhereandfight！’

"Themaidenlookedathimandshookherhead，buthesprangoffandliftedheruponhishorse。HestruckhimasmartblowupontheflankthatsenthimatfullspeedinthedirectionoftheSiouxencampment。Thenheseizedtheexhaustedbuckskinbythelariat，andturnedbacktojointherear—guard。

"ThatlittlegroupstillwithstoodinsomefashiontheallbutirresistibleonsetoftheCrows。Whentheircomradecamebacktothem，leadingtheWarMaiden’spony，theywereinspiredtofreshendeavor，andthoughfewinnumbertheymadeacounter—chargewithsuchfurythattheCrowsintheirturnwereforcedtoretreat！

"TheSiouxgotfreshmountsandreturnedtothefield，andbysunsetthedaywaswon！

LittleEaglewasamongthefirstwhorodestraightthroughtheCrowcamp，causingterrorandconsternation。Itwasafterwardremem—

beredthathelookedunlikehisformerselfandwasscarcelyrecognizedbythewarriorsforthemodestyouththeyhadsolittleregarded。

"Itwasthisfamousbattlewhichdrovethatwarlikenation，theCrows，togoawayfromtheMissouriandtomaketheirhomeuptheYel—

lowstoneRiverandintheBighorncountry。

Butmanyofourmenfell，andamongthemthebraveLittleEagle！

"ThesunwasalmostoverthehillswhentheSiouxgatheredabouttheircampfires，recountingthehonorswoninbattle，andnamingthebravedead。Thencamethesingingofdirgesandweepingfortheslain！Thesadnessoflosswasmingledwithexultation。

"Hush！listen！thesingingandwailinghaveceasedsuddenlyatbothcamps。Thereisonevoicecomingaroundthecircleofcampfires。Itisthevoiceofawoman！Strippedofallherornaments，herdressshornofitsfringes，heranklesbare，herhaircroppedclosetoherneck，leadingaponywithmaneandtailcutshort，sheismourningaswidowsmourn。ItisMakatah！

"Publicly，withmanytears，shedeclaredher—

selfthewidowofthebraveLittleEagle，althoughshehadneverbeenhiswife！Heitwas，shesaidwithtruth，whohadsavedherpeo—

ple’shonorandherlifeatthecostofhisown。

Hewasatrueman！

"’Ho，ho！’wastheresponsefrommanyoftheolderwarriors;

buttheyoungmen，theloversofMakatah，weresurprisedandsatinsilence。

"TheWarMaidenlivedtobeaveryoldwoman，butsheremainedtruetohervow。Sheneveracceptedahusband;andallherlifetimeshewasknownasthewidowofthebraveLittleEagle。"

THEEND

GLOSSARY

A—no—ka—san，whiteonbothsides（BaldEagle）。

A—tay，father。

Cha—ton’—ska，WhiteHawk。

Chin—o—te—dah，Lives—in—the—Wood。

Chin—to，yes，indeed。

E—na—ka—nee，hurry。

E—ya—tonk—a—wee，She—whose—Voice—is—heard—afar。

E—yo—tank—a，riseup，orsitdown。

Ha—ha—ton—wan，Ojibway。

Ha—na—ka—pe，agrave。

Han—ta—wo，Outoftheway！

He—che—tu，itiswell。

He—yu—pe—ya，comehere！

Hi！anexclamationofthanks。

Hunk—pa—tees，abandofSioux。

Ka—po—sia，LightLodges，abandofSioux。

Ke—chu—wa，darling。

Ko—da，friend。

Ma—ga—ska—wee，SwanMaiden。

Ma—ka—tah，EarthWoman。

Ma—to，bear。

Ma—to—ska，WhiteBear。

Ma—to—sa—pa，BlackBear。

Me—chink—she，mysonorsons。

Me—ta，my。

Min—ne—wa—kan，SacredWater（Devil’sLake。）

Min—ne—ya—ta，By—the—Water。

Nak—pa，EarsorLongEars。

Ne—nae—ya—ya！runfast！

O—glu—ge—chan—a，MysteriousWood—Dweller。

Psay，snow—shoes。

Shunk—a，dog。

Shunk—a—ska，WhiteDog。

Shunk—ik—chek—a，domesticdog。

Ske—ske—ta—tonk—a，SaultSainteMarie。

Sna—na，Rattle。

Sta—su，Shield（Arickaree）。

Ta—ake—che—ta，hissoldier。

Ta—chin—cha—la，fawn。

Tak—cha，doe。

Ta—lu—ta，Scarlet。

Ta—ma—hay，Pike。

Ta—ma—ko—che，HisCountry。

Ta—na—ge—la，Humming—Bird。

Ta—tank—a—o—ta，ManyBuffaloes。

Ta—te—yo—pa，HerDoor。

Ta—to—ka，Antelope。

Ta—wa—su—o—ta，ManyHailstones。

Tee—pee，tent。

Te—yo—tee—pee，Councillodge。

To—ke—yanun—kahu—wo？whereareyou？

Tunk—a—she—dah，grandfather。

Un—chee—dah，grandmother。

Unk—pa—pa，abandofSioux。

U—ya—yo！comehere！

Wa—ba—shaw，RedHat（nameofaSiouxchief）。

Wa—ha—dah，BuyerofFurs。

Wah—pay—ton，abandofSioux。

Wa—ho，Howler。

Wa—kan，sacred，mysterious。

Wak—pay—ku—tay，abandofSioux。

Wa—pay—na，LittleBarker。

Wee—ko，BeautifulWoman。

We—no—na，FirstbornDaughter。

We—sha—wee，RedGirl。

We—wop—tay，asharpenedpole。

We—yan—na，littlewoman。

We—zee，SmokyLodge。

Yank—ton—nais，abandofSioux。

Zee—zee—win，YellowWoman。

Zu—ya—ma—ni，Walks—to—War。