old indian days(古印第时期)-第3章
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OLD INDIAN DAYS
Unkpapa maid… ens！〃 exclaimed one of the young braves。
〃She； the handsomest of all our young women！〃 repeated another。
Taluta was indeed a handsome maid in the height and bloom of
womanhood； with all that wonderful freshness and magnetism which was
developed and preserved by the life of the wil… derness。 She had already
given five maidens' feasts； beginning with her fifteenth year； and her shy
and diffident purity was held sacred by her people。
The maidens' circle was now complete。 Be… hind it the outer circle of
old women was equally picturesque and even more dignified。 The
grandmother； not the mother； was regarded as the natural protector of the
young maiden； and the dowagers derived much honor from their position；
especially upon public occasions； tak… ing to themselves no small amount
of credit for the good reputations of their charges。
Weshawee； whose protege had many suitors and was a decided
coquette； fidgeted nervously and frequently adjusted her robe or fingered
her necklace to ease her mind； for she dreaded lest； in spite of
watchfulness； some mishap might have befallen her charge。 Her anxiety
was apparently shared by several other chap… erons who stole occasional
suspicious glances in the direction of certain of the young braves。 It had
been known to happen that a girl un… worthy to join in the sacred feast was
publicly disgraced。
A special police force was appointed to keep order on this occasion；
each member of which was gorgeously painted and bedecked with eagle
feathers； and carried in his hand a long switch with which to threaten the
encroaching throng。 Their horses wore head…skins of fierce animals to
add to their awe…inspiring appear… ance。
The wild youths formed the outer circle of the gathering； attired like
the woods in au… tumn； their long locks glossy with oil and per… fumed
with scented grass and leaves。 Many pulled their blankets over their
heads as if to avoid recognition； and loitered shyly at a dis… tance。
Among these last were Antelope and his cousin； Red Eagle。 They
stood in the angle formed by the bodies of their steeds； whose noses were
together。 The young hero was com… pletely enveloped in his handsome
robe with a rainbow of bead…work acros the middle； and his small
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OLD INDIAN DAYS
moccasined feet projected from be… neath the lower border。 Red Eagle
held up an eagle…wing fan； partially concealing his face； and both gazed
intently toward the center of the maidens' circle。
〃Woo！ woo！〃 was the sonorous exclama… tion of the police；
announcing the beginning of the ceremonies。 In the midst of the ring of
girls stood the traditional heart…shaped red stone； with its bristling hedge
of arrows。 In this case there were five arrows； indicating that Taluta had
already made as many maidens' feasts。 Each of the maidens must lay her
hand upon the stone in token of her purity and chas… tity； touching also as
many arrows as she her… self has attended maidens' feasts。
Taluta advanced first to the center。 As she stood for a moment beside
the sacred stone； she appeared to the gazing bystanders the embodi… ment
of grace and modesty。 Her gown； adorned with long fringes at the seams；
was beaded in blue and white across the shoulders and half way to her
waist。 Her shining black hair was arranged in two thick plaits which
hung down upon her bosom。 There was a native dignity in her gestures
and in her utterance of the maidens' oath； and as she turned to face the
circle； all the other virgins followed her。
When the feast was ended and the gay con… course had dispersed；
Antelope and his cousin were among the last to withdraw。 The young
man's eyes had followed every movement of Taluta as long as she
remained in sight； and it was only when she vanished in the gathering
shadows that he was willing to retire。
In savage courtship； it was the custom to introduce one's self boldly to
the young lady； although sometimes it was convenient to have a sister
introduce her brother。 But Antelope had no sister to perform this office
for him； and if he had had one； he would not have made the request。 He
did not choose to admit any one to his secret； for he had no confidence in
himself or in the outcome of the affair。 If it had been anything like
trailing the doe； or scouting the Ojibway； he would have ridiculed the very
notion of missing the object sought。 But this was a new warfarean
unknown hunt… ing！ Although he was very anxious to meet Taluta；
whenever the idea occurred to him he trembled like a leaf in the wind； and
profuse perspiration rolled down his stoic visage。 It was not customary
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OLD INDIAN DAYS
to hold any social inter… course with the members of the opposite sex； and
he had never spoken familiarly to any woman since he became a man；
except his old grandmother。 It was well known that the counsel of the
aged brings luck to the youth in warfare and love。
Antelope arose early the next morning； and without speaking to any
one he made a cere… monious toilet。 He put on his finest buckskin shirt
and a handsome robe； threw a beaded quiver over his shoulder； and
walked directly away from the teepees and into the foresthe did not
know why nor whither。 The sounds of the camp grew fainter and fainter；
until at last he found himself alone。
〃How is it；〃 mused the young man； 〃that I have hoped to become a
leader among my people？ My father is not a chief； and none of my
ancestors were distinguished in war。 I know well that； if I desire to be
great； I must deny myself the pleasure of woman's company until I have
made my reputation。 I must not boast nor exhibit myself on my first
success。 The spirits do not visit the common haunts of men！ All these
rules I have thus far kept； and I must not now yield to temptation。 。 。 。 Man
has much to weaken his ambition after he is married。 A young man may
seek oppor… tunities to prove his worth； but to a married man the
opportunity must come to try him。 He acts only when compelled to
act。 。 。 。 Ah； I must flee from the woman！。 。 。 。 Besides； if she should
like someone else better； I should be humiliated。 。 。 。 I must go upon a long
war…path。 I shall forget her。 。 。 。〃
At this point his revery was interrupted by the joyous laughter of two
young women。 The melodious sing…song laughter of the Sioux maiden
stirred the very soul of the young war… rior。
All his philosophy deserted him； and he stood hes
