第4章
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  Hismasterkneltbyhisside,gentlystrokingthefaceofthedog。

  \"Ah,myfriend;yougowhereallspiritslive!

  TheGreatMysteryhasahomeforeverylivingcreature。Mayhepermitourmeetingthere!\"

  Atdaybreakthescoutcarriedhimuptooneoftheprettyroundhillsoverlookingthelake,andbuiltuparoundhimwallsofloosestone。

  Redpaintswerescatteredoverthesnow,inac—

  cordancewithIndiancustom,andthefarewellsongwassung。

  SincethatdaytheplacehasbeenknowntotheSiouxasShunkahanakapi——theGraveoftheDog。

  PARTTWO

  THEWOMAN

  I

  WINONA,THEWOMAN—CHILD

  Hush,hushaby,littlewoman!

  Bebraveandweepnot!

  Thespiritssleepnot;

  ’TistheywhoordainTowoman,pain。

  Hush,hushaby,littlewoman!

  Now,allthingsbearing,AnewgiftsharingFromthoseabove——

  Towoman,love。

  ——SiouxLullaby。

  \"Chinto,weyanna!Yes,indeed;sheisareallittlewoman,\"declarestheoldgrandmother,asshereceivesandcrit—

  icallyexaminesthetinybitofhumanity。

  Thereisnoremarkastothecolorofitshairoreyes,bothsoblackasalmosttobeblue,buttheoldwomanscanssharplythedelicatepro—

  fileofthebabyface。

  \"Ah,shehasthenoseofherancestors!Lipsthinasaleaf,andeyesbrightasstarsinmid—

  winter!\"sheexclaims,asshepassesonthefurrybundletotheothergrandmotherforherinspec—

  tion。

  \"Tokee!sheisprettyenoughtowinatwinkleromtheeveningstar,\"remarksthatsmilingpersonage。

  \"Andwhatshallhernamebe?

  \"Winona,theFirst—born,ofcourse。Thatishersbyrightofbirth。\"

  \"Still,itmaynotfither。Onemustproveherselfworthyinordertoretainthathonorablename。\"

  \"Ugh,\"retortsthefirstgrandmother,\"shecanatleastbearitonprobation!\"

  \"Tosh,tosh,\"theotherassents。

  ThustheunconsciouslittleWinonahaspassedthefirststageoftheIndian’schristen—

  ing。

  Presentlysheisfoldedintoasoftwhitedoe—

  skin,welllinedwiththeloosedownofcattails,andsnuglylacedintoanuprightoakencradle,thefrontofwhichisarichlyembroideredbuck—

  skinbag,withporcupinequillsanddeers’hoofssuspendedfromitsprofusefringes。Thisgaycradleisstrappeduponthesecondgrand—

  mother’sback,andthatdignitarywalksoffwiththenewcomer。

  \"Youmustcomewithme,\"shesays。\"Weshallgoamongthefatherandmothertrees,andhearthemspeakwiththeirthousandtongues,thatyoumayknowtheirlanguageforever。I

  willhangthecradleofthewoman—childuponUtuhu,theoak;andsheshallhearthelove—sighsofthepinemaiden!\"

  InthisfashionWinonaisintroducedtonatureandbecomesatonce\"nature—born,\"inaccordwiththebeliefsandpracticesofthewildredman。

  \"Heresheis!Takeher,\"saystheoldwomanonherreturnfromthewoods。Shepre—

  sentsthechildtoitsmother,whoissittingintheshadeofanelm—treeasquietlyasifshehadnotjustpassedthroughwoman’sseverestor—

  dealingivingadaughtertothebraveCheton—

  ska!

  \"Shehasawinsomeface,asmeekandin—

  nocentasthefaceofanermine,\"graciouslyaddsthegrandmother。

  Themotherdoesnotspeak。Silentlyandal—

  mostreverentlyshetakeshernewandfirst—borndaughterintoherarms。Shegazesintoitsvel—

  vetylittlefaceofaduskyredtint,anduncon—

  sciouslypressesthecloselyswaddledformtoherbreast。Shefeelsthemother—instinctseizeuponherstronglyforthefirsttime。Hereisanewlife,anewhope,apossiblelinkbetweenherselfandanewrace!

  Ah,asmileplaysuponherlips,assherealizesthatshehaskissedherchild!Initseyesandmouthshediscernsclearlythefeaturesshehaslovedinthestrongcountenanceofanother,thoughinthelittlewoman’sfacetheyaresoft—

  enedandretouchedbythehandofthe\"GreatMystery。\"

  ThebabygirliscalledWinonaforsomemonths,whenthemedicine—manissummonedandrequestedtonamepubliclythefirst—borndaughterofChetonska,theWhiteHawk;butnotuntilhehasreceivedapresentofagoodponywithafinelypaintedbuffalo—robe。Itisusualtoconferanothernamebesidesthatofthe\"First—born,\"whichmayberesumedlaterifthemaidenprovesworthy。ThenameWi—

  nonaimpliesmuchofhonor。Itmeanschar—

  itable,kind,helpful;allthataneldestsistershouldbe!

  Theheraldgoesaroundtheringoflodgesannouncinginsingsongfashionthechristening,andinvitingeverybodytoafeastinhonoroftheevent。ArealAmericanchristeningisal—

  waysagalaoccasion,whenmuchsavagewealthisdistributedamongthepoorandoldpeople。

  Winonahasonlyjustwalked,andthisfactisalsoannouncedwithadditionalgifts。Awell—

  bornchildiseverbeforethetribaleyeandinthetribalear,aseverylittlestepinitsprogresstowardmanhoodorwomanhood——thefirsttimeofwalkingorswimming,firstshotwithbowandarrow(ifaboy),firstpairofmoccasinsmade(ifagirl)——isannouncedpubliclywithfeastingandthegivingofpresents。

  SoWinonareceivesherindividualnameofTatiyopa,orHerDoor。Itissymbolic,likemostIndiannames,andimpliesthatthedoorofthebearerishospitableandherhomeattrac—

  tive。

  Thetwograndmothers,whohavecarriedthelittlemaidenupontheirbacks,nowtellandsingtoherbyturnsallthelegendsoftheirmostnotedfemaleancestors,fromthetwinsistersoftheoldstory,themaidenswhomarriedamongthestarpeopleofthesky,downtotheirownmothers。Allherlullabiesarefeminine,anddesignedtoimpressuponhertendermindthelifeanddutiesofhersex。

  Assoonassheisoldenoughtoplaywithdollssheplaysmotherinallseriousnessandgravity。Sheisdressedlikeaminiaturewoman(andherdollsarecladlikewise),ingarmentsofdoeskintoherankles,adornedwithlongfringes,embroideredwithporcupinequills,anddyedwithrootdyesinvariouscolors。Herlit—

  tleblanketorrobe,withwhichsheshylydrapesorscreensherheadandshoulders,istheskinofabuffalocalforadeer,soft,white,embroi—

  deredonthesmoothside,andoftenwiththeheadandhoofslefton。

  \"Youmustneverforget,mylittledaughter,thatyouareawomanlikemyself。Doalwaysthosethingsthatyouseemedo,\"hermotheroftenadmonishesher。

  EventhelanguageoftheSiouxhasitsfem—

  ininedialect,andthetinygirlwouldbegreatlyabashedwereiteverneedfultocorrectherforusingamasculinetermination。

  Thismothermakesforherlittledaughteraminiaturecopyofeveryrudetoolthatsheusesinhertailytasks。Thereisalittlescraperofelk—horntoscraperawhidespreparatorytotan—

  ningthem,anotherscraperofadifferentshapefortanning,boneknives,andstonemalletsforpoundingchoke—cherriesandjerkedmeat。

  Whilehermotherisbendingoveralargebuffalo—hidestretchedandpinnedupontheground,standinguponitandscrapingoffthefleshyportionasnimblyasacarpentershavesaboardwithhisplane,Winona,atfiveyearsofage,standsuponacornerofthegreathideandindustriouslyscrapesawaywithhertinyinstru—

  ment!Whenthemotherstopstosharpenhertool,thelittlewomanalwayssharpenshersalso。

  Perhapsthereiswatertobefetchedinbagsmadefromthedriedpericardiumofananimal;

  thegirlbringssomeinasmallerwater—bag。

  Whenhermothergoesforwoodshecarriesoneortwosticksonherback。Shepitchesherplayteepeetoformanexactcopyofhermother’s。

  Herlittlebelongingsarenearlyallpractical,andherveryplayisreal!

  Thus,beforesheistenyearsold,Winonabe—

  ginstoseelifehonestlyandinearnest;tocon—

  siderherselfafactorinthelifeofherpeople——alinkinthegenealogyofherrace。Yethereffortisnotforced,herworknotdonefromnecessity;

  itisnormalandadevelopmentoftheplay—in—

  stinctoftheyoungcreature。Thissortoftrain—

  ingleadsveryearlytoagenuinedesiretoserveandtodoforothers。ThelittleWinonalovestogiveandtoplease;tobegenerousandgra—

  cious。Thereisnothoughtoftraffickingoreconomizinginlaborandinlove。

  \"Mother,Iwanttobelikethebeavers,theants,andthespiders,becausemygrandmothersaysthosearethepeoplemostworthyofimita—

  tionfortheirindustry。ShealsotellsmethatIshouldwatchthebee,theonethathassomanydaughters,andallowsnoyoungmentocomearoundherdaughterswhiletheyareatworkmakingsweets,\"exclaimsthelittlemaiden。

  \"Trulytheirindustryhelpsusmuch,forweoftentakefromtheirhoard,\"remarksthemother。

  \"Thatisnotright,isitmother,iftheydonotwishtosharewithus?\"asksWinona。

  \"ButIthinkthebeeisstingyifshehassomuchandwillnotsharewithanyoneelse!WhenI

  growup,Ishallhelpthepoor!Ishallhaveabigteepeeandinviteoldpeopleoften,forwhenpeoplegetoldtheyseemtobealwayshungry,andIthinkweoughttofeedthem。\"

  \"Mylittledaughterwillpleasemeandherfatherifsheprovestobeindustriousandskillfulwithherneedleandinallwoman’swork。Thenshecanhaveafineteepeeandmakeitallcheer—

  fulwithin。Theindolentwomanhasasmallteepee,anditisverysmoky。Allherchildrenwillhavesoreeyes,andherhusbandwillsoonbecomeill—tempered,\"declaresthemother,inallseriousness。

  \"And,daughter,thereissomethingmorethanthisneededtomakeacheerfulhome。

  Youmusthaveagoodheart,bepatient,andspeakbutlittle。Everycreaturethattalkstoomuchissuretomaketrouble,\"sheconcludes,wisely。

  Onedaythiscarefulmotherhascompletedabeautifullittleteepeeoftheskinofabuffalocalf,workedwithredporcupinequillsinarowofringsjustbelowthesmoke—flapsandoneachsideofthefrontopening。Inthecenterofeachringisatasselofredandwhitehorse—hair。Thetipofeachsmoke—flapisdecoratedwiththesamematerial,andthedoorflapalso。

  Withinthereareneatlyarrangedraw—hideboxesforhousekeeping,andsquarebagsofsoftbuckskinadornedwithblueandwhitebeads。

  Oneithersideofthefireplacearespreadthetannedskinsofabuffalocalfandadeer;butthereisnobear,wolf,orwildcatskin,foronthesethefootofawomanmustnevertread!

  Theyareformen,andsymbolicalofmanlyvir—

  tues。Therearedollsofallsizes,andaplaytravoisleansagainstthewhitewalloftheminia—

  turelodge。Eventhepetpupiscalledintocompletethefancifulhomeofthelittlewoman。

  \"Now,mydaughter,\"saysthemother,\"youmustkeepyourlodgeinorder!\"

  Herethelittlewomanisallowedtoinviteotherlittlewomen,herplaymates。Thisiswherethegrandmothersholdsway,chaperoningtheiryoungcharges,whomustneverbelongoutoftheirsight。Thelittlevisitorsbringtheirwork—bagsofvariousskins,artisticallymadeandtrimmed。Thesecontainmoccasinsandothergarmentsfortheirdolls,onwhichtheylovetooccupythemselves。

  Thebrightly—paintedrawhideboxesarere—

  servedforfood,andinthesethegirlsbringva—

  riouspreparedmeatsandotherdelicacies。Thisisperhapsthemostagreeablepartoftheplaytothechaperon,whoistreatedasanhonoredguestatthefeast!

  Winonaseldomplayswithboys,evenherownbrothersandcousins,andaftershereachestwelveorfourteenyearsofageshescarcelyspeakstothem。Modestyisavirtuewhichisdeeplyimpresseduponherfromearlychildhood,andthebashfullydroopinghead,theavertedlook,thevoicelowandseldomheard,thesearegracesmuchesteemedinamaiden。

  Sheistaughttopaygreatattentiontothecareofherlong,glossylocks,combing,plaiting,andperfumingthemwithsweet—scentedleavessteepedinoil。Herpersonalappearanceiswellunderstoodtobeamatterofrealmoment,andrichdressandornamentsarehighlyprized。

  Fortunatelytheynevergooutoffashion,andonceownedarepermanentpossessions,unlesspartedwithasceremonialgiftsonsomegreatoccasionofmourningorfestivity。

  Whenshereachesamarriageableageherfatherallowshertogiveafeasttoalltheothergirlsofherimmediateclan,andthis\"FeastofVirgins\"mayonlybeattendedbythoseofspot—

  lessreputation。Tohavegivenorattendedanumberofthemisregardedasachoicehonor。

  Tatiyopa,bythetimesheisfifteen,hasal—

  readyanameforskillinneedlework,andgen—

  erosityindistributingthearticlesofherownmaking。SheisnowgenerallycalledWinona——

  thecharitableandkind!Shebelievesthatitiswoman’sworktomakeandkeepahomethatwillbeworthyofthebravest,andhospitabletoall,andinthissimplefaithsheentersupontherealitiesofherwomanhood。

  II

  WINONA,THECHILD—WOMAN

  Braverthanthebravest,Yousoughthonorsatdeath’sdoor;

  CouldyounotrememberOnewhoweepsathome——

  Couldyounotrememberme?

  Braverthanthebravest,Yousoughthonorsmorethanlove;

  Dear,Iweep,yetIamnotacoward;

  Myheartweepsforthee——

  MyheartweepswhenIrememberthee!

  ——SiouxLoveSong。

  Theskyisblueoverhead,peepingthroughwindow—likeopeningsinaroofofgreenleaves。Rightbetweenagreatpineandabirchtreetheirsoftdoeskinshawlsarespread,andtheresittwoSiouxmaid—

  ensamidtheirfineries——variouslycoloredpor—

  cupinequillsforembroiderylaiduponsheetsofthinbirch—bark,andmoccasintopsworkedincolorslikeautumnleaves。ItisWinonaandherfriendMiniyata。

  Theyhavearrivedattheperiodduringwhichtheyounggirliscarefullysecludedfromherbrothersandcousinsandfuturelovers,andre—

  tires,asitwere,intothenunneryofthewoods,behindaveilofthickfoliage。Thussheisexpectedtodevelopfullyherwomanlyqualities。

  Inmeditationandsolitude,entirelyaloneorwithachosencompanionofherownsexandage,shegainsasecretstrength,asshestudiestheartofwomanhoodfromnatureherself。

  Winonahastherobustbeautyofthewildlilyoftheprairie,pureandstronginherdeepcolorsofyellowandscarletagainstthesavageplainandhorizon,baskingintheopensunlikeachild,yetsoftandwoman—like,withdroop—

  ingheadwhenobserved。Bothgirlsarebeau—

  tifullyrobedinloosegownsofsoftdoeskin,girdedaboutthewaistwiththeusualverywideleatherbelt。

  \"Come,letuspracticeoursacreddance,\"

  saysonetotheother。Eachcrownsherglossyheadwithawreathofwildflowers,andtheydancewithslowstepsaroundthewhitebirch,singingmeanwhilethesacredsongs。

  Nowuponthelakethatstretchesbluetotheeastwardthereappearsadistantcanoe,amerespeck,nobiggerthanabirdfaroffagainsttheshiningsky。

  \"Seetheliftingofthepaddles!\"exclaimsWinona。

  \"Liketheleapingofatroutuponthewater!\"suggestsMiniyata。

  \"Ihopetheywillnotdiscoverus,yetIwouldliketoknowwhotheyare,\"remarkstheother,innocently。

  Thebirchcanoeapproachesswiftly,withtwoyoungmenplyingthelightcedarpaddles。

  Thegirlsnowsettledowntotheirneedle—

  work,quiteasiftheyhadneverlaughedordancedorwovengarlands,bendingovertheirembroideryinperfectsilence。Surelytheywouldnotwishtoattractattention,forthetwosturdyyoungwarriorshavealreadylanded。

  Theypickupthecanoeandlayitwelluponthebank,outofsight。Thenoneprocuresastrongpole。Theyliftabuckdeerfromthecanoe——notamarkuponit,saveforthebulletwound;thedeerlooksasifitweresleeping!

  Theytiethehindlegstogetherandtheforelegsalsoandcarryitbetweenthemonthepole。

  Quicklyandcleverlytheydoallthis;andnowtheystartforwardandcomeunexpectedlyuponthemaidens’retreat!Theypauseforaninstantinmuteapology,butthegirlssmiletheirforgiveness,andtheyouthshurryontowardthevillage。

  Winonahasnowattendedherfirstmaidens’

  feastandisconsideredeligibletomarriage。Shemayreceiveyoungmen,butnotinpublicorinasocialway,forsuchwasnotthecustomoftheSioux。Whenhespeaks,sheneednotanswerhimunlessshechooses。

  TheIndianwomaninherquietwaypreservesthedignityofthehome。Fromourstandpointthewhitemanisalaw—breaker!The\"GreatMystery,\"wesay,doesnotadornthewomanabovetheman。Hislawisspreadinghorns,orflowingmane,orgorgeousplumageforthemale;thefemalehemadeplain,butcomely,modestandgentle。Sheisthefoundationofman’sdignityandhonor。Uponherreststhelifeofthehomeandofthefamily。Ihaveoftenthoughtthatthereismuchinthisphilos—

  ophyofanuntutoredpeople。Hadherhusbandremainedlongenoughinoneplace,theIndianwoman,Ibelieve,wouldhavedevelopednomeancivilizationandcultureofherown。

  Itwasnodisgracetothechief’sdaughterintheolddaystoworkwithherhands。Indeed,theirstandardofworthwasthewillingnesstowork,butnotforthesakeofaccumulation,onlyinordertogive。Winonahaslearnedtopre—

  pareskins,toremovethehairandtantheskinofadeersothatitmaybemadeintomoccasinswithinthreedays。Shehasabonetoolforeachstageoftheconversionofthestiffraw—hideintovelvetyleather。Shehasbeentaughttheartofpaintingtentsandraw—hidecases,andthemanufactureofgarmentsofallkinds。

  GenerosityisatraitthatishighlydevelopedintheSiouxwoman。Shemakesmanymocca—

  sinsandotherarticlesofclothingforhermalerelatives,orforanywhoarenotwellprovided。

  Shelovestoseeherbrotherthebestdressedamongtheyoungmen,andthemoccasinsespe—

  ciallyofayoungbravearetheprideofhiswoman—kind。

  Herownpersonisneatlyattired,butordi—

  narilywithgreatsimplicity。Herdoeskingownhaswide,flowingsleeves;theneckislow,butnotsolowasistheeveningdressofso—

  ciety。

  Hermoccasinsareplain;herlegginsclose—

  fittingandnotashighasherbrother’s。Shepartshersmooth,jet—blackhairinthemiddleandplaitsitintwo。Intheolddayssheusedtodoitinoneplaitwoundaroundwithwam—

  pum。Herornaments,sparinglyworn,arebeads,elks’teeth,andatouchofredpaint。Nofeathersarewornbythewoman,unlessinasacreddance。

  Sheissupposedtobealwaysoccupiedwithsomefemininepursuitorengagedinsomesocialaffair,whichalsoisstrictlyfeminineasarule。

  Evenherlanguageispeculiartohersex,somewordsbeingusedbywomenonly,whileothershaveafemininetermination。

  Thereisanetiquetteofsittingandstanding,whichisstrictlyobserved。Thewomanmustneverraiseherkneesorcrossherfeetwhenseated。Sheseatsherselfonthegroundside—

  wise,withbothfeetunderher。

  Notwithstandinghermodestyandundemon—

  strativeways,thereisnolackofmirthandrelaxationforWinonaamonghergirlcompan—

  ions。

  Insummer,swimmingandplayinginthewaterisafavoriteamusement。Sheevenimi—

  tateswiththesolesofherfeetthepeculiar,resonantsoundthatthebeavermakeswithherlarge,flattailuponthesurfaceofthewater。

  Sheisagracefulswimmer,keepingthefeettogetherandwavingthembackwardandfor—

  wardlikethetailofafish。

  Nearlyallhergamesaredifferentfromthoseofthemen。Shehasasportofwand—throwingwhichdevelopsfinemusclesoftheshoulderandback。Thewandsareabouteightfeetlong,andtapergraduallyfromaninchandahalftohalfaninchindiameter。Someofthemareartisticallymade,withheadsofboneandhorn,sothatitisremarkabletowhatadistancetheymaybemadetoslideovertheground。Inthefemininegameofball,whichissomethinglike\"shinny,\"theballisdrivenwithcurvedsticksbetweentwogoals。Itisplayedwithfromtwoorthreetoahundredonaside,andagamebe—

  tweentwobandsorvillagesisapicturesqueevent。

  Acommonindoordiversionisthe\"deer’sfoot\"game,playedwithsixdeerhoofsonastring,endinginaboneorsteelawl。Theob—

  jectistothrowitinsuchawayastocatchoneormorehoofsonthepointoftheawl,afeatwhichrequiresnolittledexterity。Anotherisplayedwithmarkedplum—stonesinabowl,whicharethrownlikediceandcountaccordingtothesidethatisturneduppermost。

  Winona’swooingisatypicalone。Aswithanyotherpeople,love—makingismoreorlessinvogueatalltimesoftheyear,butmoreespe—

  ciallyatmidsummer,duringthecharacteristicreunionsandfestivitiesofthatseason。Theyoungmengoaboutusuallyinpairs,andthemaidensdolikewise。Theymaymeetbychanceatanytimeofday,inthewoodsoratthespring,butoftenestseektodosoafterdark,justoutsidetheteepee。Thegirlhashercom—

  panion,andhehashis,forthesakeofproprietyorprotection。Theconversationiscarriedoninawhisper,sothateventhesechaperonsdonothear。

  Atthesoundofthedrumonsummereven—

  ings,dancesarebegunwithinthecircularrowsofteepees,butwithoutthecircletheyoungmenpromenadeinpairs。Eachprovideshimselfwiththeplaintivefluteandplaysthesimplecadencesofhispeople,whilehispersoniscom—

  pletelycoveredwithhisfinerobe,sothathecannotberecognizedbythepasserby。Ateverypauseinthemelodyhegiveshisyodel—likelove—call,towhichthegirlsrespondwiththeirmusical,sing—songlaughter。

  MatosapahaslovedWinonasincethetimehesawheratthelakesideinherparloramongthepines。Buthehasnothadmuchopportu—

  nitytospeakuntilonsuchanight,afterthedancesareover。Thereisnooutsidefire;butadimlightfromwithintheskinteepeesshedsamellowglowoverthecamp,minglingwiththelightofayoungmoon。Thustheseloversgoaboutlikeghosts。Matosapahasalreadycircledtheteepeeswithhisinseparablebrother—

  friend,BraveElk。

  \"Friend,domeanhonorto—night!\"heex—

  claims,atlast。\"Openthisfirstdoorforme,sincethiswillbethefirsttimeIshallspeaktoawoman!\"

  \"Ah,\"suggestsBraveElk,\"Ihopeyouhaveselectedagirlwhosegrandmotherhasnocrossdogs!\"

  \"Theprizethatiswonatgreatriskisusuallyvaluedmost,\"repliesMatosapa。

  \"Ho,kola!Ishalltouchthedoor—flapassoftlyastheswallowalightsuponhernest。ButIwarnyou,donotletyourheartbeattooloudly,fortheoldwoman’searsarestillgood!\"

  So,jokingandlaughing,theyproceedtowardalargebuffalotentwithahorse’stailsuspendedfromthehighestpoletoindicatetherankoftheowner。Theyhaveceasedtoblowtheflutesomepacesback,andwalknoiselesslyasapan—

  therinquestofadoe。

  BraveElkopensthedoor。Matosapaentersthetent。AswasthewontoftheSioux,thewell—bornmaidhasalittleteepeewithinatee—

  pee——aprivateapartmentofherown。Hepassesthesleepingfamilytothisinnershrine。

  TherehegentlywakensWinonawithproperapologies。Thisisnotunusualorstrangetoherinnocence,foritwasthecustomofthepeo—

  ple。Hesitsatthedoor,whilehisfriendwaitsoutside,andtellshisloveinawhisper。Tothisshedoesnotreplyatonce;evenifsheloveshim,itisproperthatsheshouldbesilent。Theloverdoesnotknowwhetherheisfavorablyreceivedornot,uponthishisfirstvisit。Hemustnowseekheroutsideuponeveryfavorableoccasion。Nogiftsareofferedatthisstageoftheaffair;thetraffickinginponiesand\"buy—

  ing\"awifeisentirelyamoderncustom。

  Matosapahasimprovedeveryopportunity,untilWinonahasatlastshylyadmittedherwill—

  ingnesstolisten。Forawholeyearhehasbeencompelledatintervalstorepeatthestoryofhislove。Throughtheautumnhuntingofthebuffaloandthelong,coldwinterheoftenpre—

  sentsherkinsfolkwithhisgame。

  Atthenextmidsummertheparentsonbothsidesaremadeacquaintedwiththebetrothal,andtheyatoncebeginpreparationsforthecom—

  ingwedding。Provisionsanddelicaciesofallkindsarelaidasideforafeast。Matosapa’ssistersandhisgirlcousinsaretoldoftheap—

  proachingevent,andtheytooprepareforit,sinceitistheirdutytodressoradornthebridewithgarmentsmadebytheirownhands。

  WiththeSiouxoftheolddays,thegreatnaturalcrisesofhumanlife,marriageandbirth,wereconsideredsacredandhedgedaboutwithgreatprivacy。Thereforetheunionispubliclycelebratedafterandnotbeforeitsconsum—

  mation。Suddenlytheyoungcoupledisappear。

  Theygooutintothewildernesstogether,andspendsomedaysorweeksawayfromthecamp。

  Thisistheirhoneymoon,awayfromallcuriousorpryingeyes。Induetimetheyquietlyreturn,hetohishomeandshetohers,andnowatlastthemarriageisannouncedandinvitationsaregiventothefeast。

  Thebrideisceremoniouslydeliveredtoherhusband’speople,togetherwithpresentsofrichclothingcollectedfromallherclan,whichsheafterwarddistributesamonghernewrelations。

  Winonaiscarriedinatravoishandsomelydec—

  orated,andisreceivedwithequalceremony。

  Forseveraldaysfollowingsheisdressedandpaintedbythefemalerelativesofthegroom,eachinherturn,whileinbothclanstheweddingfeastiscelebrated。

  Toillustratewomanlynobilityofnature,letmetellthestoryofDowanhotaninwin,Her—

  Singing—Heard。Themaidenwasdeprivedofbothfatherandmotherwhenscarcelytenyearsold,byanattackoftheSacsandFoxeswhiletheywereonahuntingexpedition。Leftalonewithhergrandmother,shewascarefullyrearedandtrainedbythissageofthewildlife。

  Naturehadgivenhermorethanhershareofattractiveness,andshewaswomanlyandwin—

  ningasshewashandsome。Yetsheremainedunmarriedfornearlythirtyyears——amostun—

  usualthingamongus;andalthoughshehadworthysuitorsineverybranchoftheSiouxna—

  tion,shequietlyrefusedeveryoffer。

  Certainwarriorswhohaddistinguishedthem—

  selvesagainsttheparticulartribewhohadmadeheranorphan,persistentlysoughtherhandinmarriage,butfailedutterly。

  OnesummertheSiouxandtheSacsandFoxeswerebroughttogetherunderaflagoftrucebytheCommissionersoftheGreatWhiteFather,forthepurposeofmakingatreatywiththem。Duringtheshortperiodoffriendlyin—

  tercourseandsocialdanceandfeast,anoblewarrioroftheenemy’stribecourtedDowan—

  hotaninwin。

  Severalofheroldloverswerevyingwithoneanothertowinheratthesametime,thatshemighthaveinter—tribalcelebrationofherwed—

  ding。

  Behold!themaidenacceptedthefoeofherchildhood——oneofthosewhohadcruellyde—

  privedherofherparents!

  BynightshefledtotheSacandFoxcampwithherlover。ItseemedatfirstaninsulttotheSioux,andtherewasalmostanoutbreakamongtheyoungmenofthetribe,whowerebarelyrestrainedbytheirrespectfortheCom—

  missionersoftheGreatFather。

  Butheragedgrandfatherexplainedthemat—

  terpubliclyinthisfashion:

  \"Youngmen,hearye!Yourheartsarestrong;letthemnotbetroubledbytheactofayoungwomanofyourtribe!Thishasbeenhersecretwishsinceshebecameawoman。Shedeprecatesalltribalwarfare。Heryoungheartneverforgotitsearlysorrow;yetshehasneverblamedtheSacsandFoxesorheldthemre—

  sponsibleforthedeed。Sheblamesratherthecustomsofwaramongus。Shebelievesintheformationofabloodbrotherhoodstrongenoughtopreventallthiscruelanduselessenmity。Thiswasherhighpurpose,andtothisendshere—

  servedherhand。Forgiveher,forgiveher,I

  pray!\"

  Inthemorningtherewasagreatcommotion。

  TheheraldoftheSacsandFoxesenteredtheSiouxcamp,attiredinceremonialgarbandbearinginonehandanAmericanflagandintheotherapeace—pipe。Hemadetheroundssingingapeacesong,anddeliveringtoallaninvitationtoattendtheweddingfeastofDowanhotaninwinandtheirchief’sson。Thusallwaswell。Thesimplicity,highpurpose,andbraveryofthegirlwontheheartsofthetwotribes,andaslongasshelivedshewasabletokeepthepeacebe—

  tweenthem。

  III

  SNANA’SFAWN

  TheLittleMissouriwasinherspringfullness,andthehillsamongwhichshefoundherwaytotheGreatMuddywereprofuselyadornedwithcolors,muchlikethosewornbythewildredmanuponaholiday!

  Lookingtowardthesunrise,onesawmysteri—

  ous,deepshadowsandbrightprominences,whileontheoppositesidetherewasreallyanextravagantarrayofvariegatedhues。Betweenthegorgeousbuttesandrainbow—tintedridgestherewerenarrowplains,brokenhereandtherebydrycreeksorgulches,andtheseagainwereclothedscantilywithpoplarsandsad—coloredbull—berrybushes,whilethebarespotswerepur—

  plewiththewildDakotacrocuses。

  Uponthelowestofaseriesofnaturalter—

  racestherestoodonthisMaymorningayoungSiouxgirl,whosegracefulmovementswerenotunlikethoseofadoewhichchancedtobelurk—

  inginaneighboringgulch。Ontheupperplains,notfaraway,wereheryoungcompanions,allbusilyemployedwiththewewoptay,asitwascalled——thesharp—pointedstickwithwhichtheSiouxwomendigwildturnips。Theyweregaylygossipingtogether,oreachhummingalove—songassheworked,onlySnanastoodsome—

  whatapartfromtherest;infact,concealedbythecrestoftheridge。

  Shehadpausedinherdiggingandstoodfac—

  ingthesun—kissedbuttes。Abovethemintheclearblueskythefathersunwastravelingup—

  wardasinhaste,whiletoherreceptivespiritthereappealedanawful,unknownforce,thesilentspeechoftheGreatMystery,towhichitseemedtoherthewholeworldmustbelisten—

  ing!

  \"OGreatMystery!thefatherofearthlythingsiscomingtoquickenusintolife。Havepityonme,Ipraythee!MayIsomedaybe—

  comethemotherofagreatandbraveraceofwarriors!\"Sothemaidenprayedsilently。

  Itwasnowfull—bornday。Thesunshonehotuponthebareground,andthedropsstooduponSnana’sforeheadasshepliedherlongpole。Therewasacoolspringinthedrycreekbednearby,wellhiddenbyaclumpofchoke—

  cherrybushes,andsheturnedthithertocoolherthirstythroat。Inthedepthsoftheravinehereyecaughtafamiliarfootprint——thetrackofadoewiththeyoungfawnbesideit。Thehuntinginstinctarosewithin。

  \"ItwillbeagreatfeatifIcanfindandtakefromherthebabe。Thelittletawnyskinshallbebeautifullydressedbymymother。Thelegsandthenoseshallbeembossedwithporcupinequills。Itwillbemywork—bag,\"shesaidtoherself。

  Asshestoleforwardonthefreshtrailshescannedeverynook,everyclumpofbushes。

  Therewasasuddenrustlefromwithinagroveofwildplumtrees,thicklyfestoonedwithgrapeandclematis,andthedoemotherboundedawayascarelesslyasifshewerenevertoreturn。

  Ah,amother’sruse!Snanaenteredthethornyenclosure,whichwasalmostarudetee—

  pee,and,tuckedawayinthefurthermostcorner,laysomethingwithatrout—like,speckled,tawnycoat。Shebentoverit。Thefawnwasappar—

  entlysleeping。Presentlyitseyesmovedabit,andashiverpassedthroughitssubtlebody。

  \"Thoushaltnotdie;thyskinshallnotbe—

  comemywork—bag!\"unconsciouslythemaidenspoke。Themothersympathyhadtakenholdonhermind。Shepickedthefawnuptenderly,bounditslegs,andputitonherbacktocarrylikeanIndianbabeinthefoldsofherrobe。

  \"Icannotleaveyoualone,Tachinchala。

  Yourmotherisnothere。Ourhunterswillsoonreturnbythisroad,andyourmotherhasleftbehindhertwoplaintracksleadingtothisthicket,\"shemurmured。

  Thewildcreaturestruggledvigorouslyforaminute,andthenbecamequiet。ItsgracefulheadprotrudedfromtheelkskinrobejustoverSnana’sshoulder。Shewasslowlyclimbingtheslopewithherburden,whensuddenlylikeanapparitionthedoe—motherstoodbeforeher。

  Thefawncalledloudlywhenitwasfirstseized,andthemotherwasnottoofarawaytohear。

  Nowshecalledfranticallyforherchild,atthesametimestampingwithherdelicatefore—feet。

  \"Yes,sister,youareright;sheisyours;butyoucannotsaveherto—day!Thehunterswillsoonbehere。Letmekeepherforyou;Iwillreturnhertoyousafely。Andhearme,Osis—

  terofthewoods,thatsomedayImaybecomethemotherofanobleraceofwarriorsandoffinewomen,ashandsomeasyouare!\"

  AtthismomentthequickeyesoftheIndiangirldetectedsomethingstrangeinthedoe’sactions。Sheglancedineverydirectionandbe—

  hold!agrizzlybearwascautiouslyapproach—

  ingthegroupfromaconsiderabledistance。

  \"Run,run,sister!IshallsaveyourchildifIcan,\"shecried,andflewforthenearestscruboakontheedgeofthebank。Upthetreeshescrambled,withthefawnstillsecurelyboundtoherback。Thegrizzlycameonwithteethex—

  posed,andthedoe—motherinherflightcamebetweenhimandthetree,givingaseriesofindignantsnortsassheran,andsodistractedMatofromhisobjectofattack;butonlyforafewseconds——thenonhecame!

  \"Desist,ObraveMato!Itdoesnotbecomeagreatmedicine—mantoattackahelplesswomanwithaburdenuponherback!\"

  Snanaspokeasifthehugebrutecouldun—

  derstandher,andindeedtheIndiansholdthatwildanimalsunderstandintuitivelywhenap—

  pealedtobyhumanbeingsindistress。Yetherepliedonlywithahoarsegrowl,asrisinguponhishindlegsheshookthelittletreevigorously。

  \"Ye,ye,heyupiye!\"Snanacalledloudlytohercompanionturnip—diggers。Hercrysoonbroughtallthewomenintosightuponanear—byridge,andtheyimmediatelygaveageneralalarm。Matosawthem,butappearednotatallconcernedandwasstillintentupondislodg—

  ingthegirl,whoclungfranticallytoherperch。

  Presentlythereappeareduponthelittleknollseveralwarriors,mountedandutteringtheusualwar—whoop,asiftheywereabouttoswoopdownuponahumanenemy。ThistouchedthedignityofMato,andheimmediatelypreparedtoacceptthechallenge。EveryIndianwasalivetothepossibilitiesoftheoccasion,foritiswellknownthatMato,orgrizzlybear,aloneamonganimalsisgiventherankofawarrior,sothatwhoeverconquershimmaywearaneaglefeather。

  \"Woo!woo!\"thewarriorsshouted,astheymaneuveredtodrawhimintotheopenplain。

  Heansweredwithhoarsegrowls,threateningariderwhohadventuredtoonear。Butarrowsweremanyandwell—aimed,andinafewminutesthegreatandwarlikeMatolaydeadatthefootofthetree。

  Themenranforwardandcountedtheircoupsonhim,justaswhenanenemyisfallen。Thentheylookedatoneanotherandplacedtheirhandsovertheirmouthsastheyounggirlde—

  scendedthetreewithafawnbounduponherback。

  \"Sothatwasthebait!\"theycried。\"Andwillyounotmakeafeastwiththatfawnforuswhocametoyourrescue?\"

  \"Thefawnisyoungandtender,andwehavenoteatenmeatfortwodays。Itwillbeagen—

  erousthingtodo,\"addedherfather,whowasamongthem。

  \"Ye—e—e!\"shecriedoutindistress。\"Donotaskit!Ihaveseenthisfawn’smother。I

  havepromisedtokeepherchildsafe。See!

  Ihavesaveditslife,evenwhenmyownwasindanger。\"

  \"Ho,ho,wakanyelo!(Yes,yes,’tisholyormysterious),\"theyexclaimedapprovingly。

  ItwasnosmalltroubleforSnanatokeephertrust。Asmaywellbesupposed,allthedogsoftheteepeevillagemustbewatchedandkeptatadistance。Neitherwasiteasytofeedthelittlecaptive;butingainingitsconfidencethegirlwasanadept。Thefawnsoonfollowedhereverywhere,andcalledtoherwhenhungryexactlyasshehadcalledtoherownmother。

  Afterseveraldays,whenherfrightattheencounterwiththebearhadsomewhatwornoff,Snanatookherpetintothewoodsandbacktotheveryspotinwhichshehadfoundit。Inthefurthestcornerofthewildplumgroveshelaiditdown,gentlystrokeditssoftforehead,andsmoothedtheleaflikeears。Thelittlethingcloseditseyes。OncemoretheSiouxgirlbentoverandlaidhercheekagainstthefawn’shead;thenreluctantlyshemovedaway,hopingandyetdreadingthatthemotherwouldreturn。Shecrouchedunderaclumpofbushesnearby,andgavethedoecall。Itwasarecklessthingforhertodo,forsuchacallmightbringuponheramountainlionorever—watchfulsilver—

  tip;butSnanadidnotthinkofthat。

  Inafewminutessheheardthelightpatterofhoofs,andcaughtaglimpseofadoerunningstraighttowardthefawn’shiding—place。Whenshestolenearenoughtosee,thedoeandthefawnwereexaminingoneanothercarefully,asiffearingsometreachery。Atlastbothwereapparentlysatisfied。Thedoecaressedhernat—

  uralchild,andthelittleoneacceptedthemilksheoffered。

  IntheSiouxmaiden’smindtherewastur—

  moil。Acloseattachmenttothelittlewildcreaturehadalreadytakenrootthere,contend—

  ingwiththesenseofjusticethatwasstrongwithinher。Nowwomanlysympathyforthemotherwasincontrol,andnowadesiretopossessandprotectherhelplesspet。

  \"Icantakecareofheragainstallhunters,bothanimalandhuman。Theyareeverreadytoseizethehelplessfawnforfood。Herlifewillbeoftenexposed。Youcannotsaveherfromdisaster。O,Takcha,mysister,letmestillkeepherforyou!\"shefinallyappealedtothepoordoe,whowasnervouslywatchingtheintruder,andapparentlythinkinghowshemightbestescapewiththefawn。

  Justatthismomenttherecamealowcallfromthewood。Itwasadoecall;butthewildmotherandhernewfriendbothknewthatitwasnotthecallofarealdoe。

  \"ItisaSiouxhunter!\"whisperedthegirl。

  \"Youmustgo,mysister!Beoff;Iwilltakeyourchildtosafety!\"

  Whileshewasyetspeaking,thedoeseemedtorealizethedanger。Shestoppedonlyaninstanttolickfondlythetawnycoatofthelittleone,whohadjustfinishedherdinner;

  thensheboundedaway。

  AsSnanaemergedfromthebusheswithhercharge,ayounghuntermetherfacetoface,andstaredathercuriously。Hewasnotofherfather’scamp,butastranger。

  \"Ugh,youhavemygame。\"

  \"Tosh!\"sherepliedcoquettishly。

  ItwassooftensaidamongtheIndiansthatthedoewaswonttoputonhumanformtomis—

  leadthehunter,thatitlookedstrangetoseeawomanwithafawn,andtheyoungmancouldnotforbeartogazeuponSnana。

  \"Youarenottherealmotherinmaiden’sguise?Tellmetrulyifyouareofhumanblood,\"hedemandedrudely。

  \"IamaSiouxmaiden!Doyounotknowmyfather?\"shereplied。

  \"Ah,butwhoisyourfather?Whatishisname?\"heinsisted,nervouslyfingeringhisarrows。

  \"Donotbeacoward!Surelyyoushouldknowamaidofyourownrace,\"sherepliedre—

  proachfully。

  \"Ah,youknowthetricksofthedoe!Whatisthyname?\"

  \"Hastthouforgottentheetiquetteofthypeople,andwouldstcompelmetopronouncemyownname?Irefuse;thouartjesting!\"

  sheretortedwithasmile。

  \"Thoudostgivethetrickyanswersofadoe。

  Icannotwait;ImustactbeforeIlosemynat—

  uralmind。ButalreadyIamyours。Whateverpurposeyoumayhaveinthuscharmingapoorhunter,bemerciful,\"and,throwingasidehisquiver,hesatdown。

  Themaidenstoleaglanceathisface,andthenanother。Hewashandsome。Softlyshereenteredthethicketandlaiddownthelittlefawn。

  \"Promisemenevertohunthereagain!\"

  shesaidearnestly,asshecameforthwithoutherprettyburden,andheexactedanotherprom—

  iseinreturn。ThusSnanalostherfawn,andfoundalover。

  IV

  SHE—WHO—HAS—A—SOUL

  Itwasalongtimeago,nearlytwohundredyearsago,thatsomeofourpeoplewerelivingupontheshoresoftheGreatLake,LakeSuperior。ThechiefofthisbandwascalledTatankaota,ManyBuffaloes。

  OnedaytheyoungsonofTatankaotaledawar—partyagainsttheOjibways,whooccupiedthecountryeastofus,towardtherisingsun。

  Whentheyhadgoneaday’sjourneyinthedirectionofSaultSte。Marie,inourlanguageSkesketatanka,thewarriorstookuptheirposi—

  tiononthelakeshore,atapointwhichtheOjibwayswereaccustomedtopassintheircanoes。

  Longtheygazed,andscannedthesurfaceofthewater,watchingforthecomingofthefoe。

  Thesunhadrisenabovethedarkpines,overthegreatridgeofwoodlandacrossthebay。Itwastheawakeningofalllivingthings。Thebirdsweresinging,andshiningfishesleapedoutofthewaterasifatplay。Atlast,faroff,therecamethewarningcryoftheloontostirtheirexpectantears。

  \"Warriors,lookclosetothehorizon!Thisbrotherofoursdoesnotlie。Theenemycomes!\"exclaimedtheirleader。

  Presentlyuponthesparklingfaceofthewaterthereappearedamovingcanoe。Therewasbutone,anditwascomingdirectlytowardthem。

  \"Hahatonwan!Hahatonwan!(TheOjib—

  ways!theOjibways!)\"theyexclaimedwithonevoice,and,graspingtheirweapons,theyhastilyconcealedthemselvesinthebushes。

  \"Sparenone——takenocaptives!\"orderedthechief’sson。

  Nearerandnearerapproachedthestrangecanoe。Theglisteningbladesofitspaddlesflashedasitwerethesignalofgoodnews,orawelcomechallenge。Allimpatientlywaiteduntilitshouldcomewithinarrow—shot。

  \"SurelyitisanOjibwaycanoe,\"onemur—

  mured。\"Yetlook!thestrokeisungainly!\"

  Now,amongallthetribesonlytheOjibway’sartisperfectinpaddlingabirchcanoe。Thiswasapowerfulstroke,butharshandun—

  steady。

  \"See!therearenofeathersonthisman’shead!\"exclaimedthesonofthechief。\"Hold,warriors,hewearsawoman’sdress,andIseenoweapon。Nocourageisneededtotakehislife,thereforeletitbespared!Icommandthatonlycoups(orblows)becountedonhim,andheshalltelluswhencehecomes,andonwhaterrand。\"

  Thesignalwasgiven;thewarriorssprangtotheirfeet,andlikewolvestheyspedfromtheforest,outuponthewhite,sandybeachandstraightintothesparklingwatersofthelake,givingtheshrillwar—cry,thewarningofdeath!

  Thesolitaryoarsmanmadenooutcry——heofferednodefense!Kneelingcalmlyintheprowofthelittlevessel,hemerelyceasedpad—

  dlingandseemedtoawaitwithpatiencethedeadlyblowofthetomahawk。

  ThesonofTatankaotawasforemostinthecharge,butsuddenlyanimpulseseizedhimtostophiswarriors,lestoneintheheatofexcite—

  mentshoulddoamischieftothestranger。Thecanoewithitsoccupantwasnowverynear,anditcouldbeseenthattheexpressionofhisfacewasverygentleandevenbenignant。Nonecoulddoubthisutterharmlessness;andthechief’ssonafterwarddeclaredthatatthismo—

  menthefeltapremonitionofsomeevent,butwhethergoodorevilhecouldnottell。

  Noblowswerestruck——nocoupscounted。

  Theyoungmanbadehiswarriorstakeupthecanoeandcarryittotheshore;andalthoughtheymurmuredsomewhatamongthemselves,theydidashecommandedthem。Theyseizedthelightbarkandboreitdrippingtoahillcoveredwithtallpines,andoverlookingthewatersoftheGreatLake。

  Thenthewarriorsliftedtheirwar—clubsovertheirheadsandsang,standingaroundthecanoeinwhichtheblack—robedstrangerwasstillkneeling。Lookingathimclosely,theyper—

  ceivedthathewasofapeculiarcomplexion,paleandinclinedtored。Heworeanecklaceofbeads,fromwhichhungacrossbearingtheformofaman。Hisgarmentswerestrange,andmostliketherobesofwoman。Allofthesethingsperplexedthemgreatly。

  PresentlytheBlackRobetoldthembysigns,inresponsetotheirinquiries,thathecamefromtherisingsun,evenbeyondtheGreatSaltWater,andheseemedtosaythatheformerlycamefromthesky。Uponthisthewarriorsbelievedthathemustbeaprophetormysteriousman。

  Theirleaderdirectedthemtotakeupagainthecanoewiththemaninit,andappointedthewarriorstocarryitbyturnsuntiltheyshouldreachhisfather’svillage。Thiswasdoneac—

  cordingtotheancientcustom,asamarkofre—

  spectandhonor。Theytookitupforthwith,andtraveledwithallconvenientspeedalongthelakeshore,throughforestsandacrossstreamstoaplacecalledtheMaiden’sRetreat,ashortdistancefromthevillage。

  Thencethechief’ssonsentamessengertoannouncetohisfatherthathewasbringinghomeastranger,andtoaskwhetherornotheshouldbeallowedtoenterthevillage。\"Hisappearance,\"declaredthescout,\"isunlikethatofanymanwehaveeverseen,andhiswaysaremysterious!\"

  Whenthechiefheardthesewords,heimme—

  diatelycalledhiscouncil—mentogethertodecidewhatwastobedone,forhefearedbyadmittingthemysteriousstrangertobringsomedisasteruponhispeople。Finallyhewentoutwithhiswisestmentomeethisson’swar—party。TheylookedwithastonishmentupontheBlackRobe。

  \"Dispatchhim!Dispatchhim!Showhimnomercy!\"criedsomeofthecouncil—men。

  \"Lethimgoonhiswayunharmed。Troublehimnot,\"advisedothers。

  \"Itiswellknownthattheevilspiritssome—

  timestaketheformofamanoranimal。FromhisstrangeappearanceIjudgethistobesuchaone。Heshouldbeputtodeath,lestsomeharmbefallourpeople,\"anoldmanurged。

  Bythistimeseveralofthewomenofthevillagehadreachedthespot。AmongthemwasShe—who—has—a—Soul,thechief’syoungestdaugh—

  ter,whotraditionsayswasamaidenofmuchbeauty,andofagenerousheart。Thestrangerwasevidentlyfootsorefrommuchtravelandweakenedbyfasting。Whenshesawthatthepoormanclaspedhishandsandlookedskywardasheutteredwordsinanunknowntongue,shepleadedwithherfatherthatastrangerwhohasenteredtheirmidstunchallengedmayclaimthehospitalityofthepeople,accordingtothean—

  cientcustom。

  \"Father,heiswearyandinwantoffood。

  Holdhimnolonger!Delayyourcounciluntilheisrefreshed!\"ThesewerethewordsofShe—who—has—a—Soul,andherfathercouldnotrefuseherprayer。TheBlackRobewasre—

  leased,andtheSiouxmaidenledhimtoherfather’steepee。

  Nowthewarriorshadbeensurprisedandin—

  deeddispleasedtofindhimdressedafterthefashionofawoman,andtheylookeduponhimwithsuspicion。Butfromthemomentthatshefirstbeheldhim,theheartofthemaidenhadturnedtowardthisstrangeandseeminglyun—

  fortunateman。Itappearedtoherthatgreatreverenceandmeeknesswereinhisface,andwithitallshewasstruckbyhisutterfearless—

  ness,hisapparentunconsciousnessofdanger。

  Thechief’sdaughter,havinggainedherfather’spermission,invitedtheBlackRobetohisgreatbuffalo—skintent,andspreadingafinerobe,shegentlyaskedhimtobeseated。Withtheaidofhermother,shepreparedwildricesweetenedwithmaplesugarandsomebroiledvenisonforhisrepast。Theyouthfulwarriorswereastonishedtoobservetheseattentions,butthemaidenheededthemnot。Sheanointedtheblisteredfeetoftheholymanwithperfumedotteroil,andputuponhimapairofmoccasinsbeautifullyworkedbyherownhands。

  Itwasonlyanactofcharityonherpart,buttheyoungmenweredispleased,andagainurgedthatthestrangershouldatoncebeturnedaway。

  Someevensuggestedharshermeasures;buttheywereoverruledbythechief,softenedbythepersuasionsofawell—beloveddaughter。

  DuringthefewdaysthattheBlackRoberemainedintheSiouxvillagehepreachedear—

  nestlytothemaiden,forshehadbeenpermittedtoconversewithhimbysigns,thatshemighttrytoascertainwhatmannerofmanhewas。

  Hetoldherofthecomingofa\"GreatProphet\"fromthesky,andofhiswordsthathehadleftwiththepeople。Thecrosswiththefigureofamanheexplainedashistotemwhichhehadtoldthemtocarry。Healsosaidthatthosewholovehimarecommandedtogoamongstrangepeoplestotellthenews,andthatallwhobelievemustbemarkedwithholywaterandacceptthetotem。

  HeaskedbysignsifShe—who—has—a—Soulbe—

  lievedthestory。Tothisshereplied:

  \"Itisasweetstory——alikelylegend!Idobelieve!\"

  Thenthegoodfathertookoutasmallcross,andhavingpressedittohisheartandcrossedhisforeheadandbreast,hegaveittoher。

  Finallyhedippedhisfingerinwaterandtouchedtheforeheadofthemaiden,repeatingmean—

  whilesomewordsinanunknowntongue。

  Themotherwastroubled,forshefearedthatthestrangerwastryingtobewitchherdaugh—

  ter,butthechiefdecidedthus:

  \"Thisisapraying—man,andheisnotofourpeople;hiscustomsaredifferent,buttheyarenotevil。Warriors,takehimbacktothespotwhereyousawhimfirst!Itismydesire,andthegoodcustomofourtriberequiresthatyoufreehimwithoutinjury!\"

  Accordinglytheyformedalargeparty,andcarriedtheBlackRobeinhiscanoebacktotheshoreoftheGreatLake,totheplacewheretheyhadmethim,andhewasallowedtodepartthencewhithersoeverhewould。Hetookhisleavewithsignsofgratitudefortheirhospi—

  tality,andespeciallyforthekindnessofthebeautifulSiouxmaiden。Sheseemedtohaveunderstoodhismissionbetterthananyoneelse,andaslongasshelivedshekepthisqueertrinket——asitseemedtotheothers——andper—

  formedthestrangeactsthathehadtaughther。

  Furthermore,itwasthroughthepleadingsofShe—who—has—a—SoulthatthechiefTatankaotaadvisedhispeopleinafterdaystobefriendthewhitestrangers,andthoughmanyoftheotherchiefsopposedhiminthis,hiscounselspre—

  vailed。HenceitwasthatboththeFrenchandEnglishreceivedmuchkindnessfromourpeo—

  ple,mainlythroughtheinfluenceofthisonewoman!

  Suchwasthefirstcomingofthewhitemanamongus,asitistoldinourtraditions。Otherpraying—mencamelater,andmanyoftheSiouxallowedthemselvestobebaptized。True,therehavebeenIndianwars,butnotwithoutreason;

  anditispleasanttorememberthattheSiouxwerehospitabletothefirstwhite\"praying—

  man,\"andthatitwasatender—heartedmaidenofmypeoplewhofirsttookinherhandsthecrossofthenewreligion。

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