old indian days(古印第时期)-第33章
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perfect in paddling a birch canoe。 This was a powerful stroke； but harsh
and un… steady。
〃See！ there are no feathers on this man's head！〃 exclaimed the son of
the chief。 〃Hold； warriors； he wears a woman's dress； and I see no
weapon。 No courage is needed to take his life； therefore let it be spared！
I command that only coups （or blows） be counted on him； and he shall tell
us whence he comes； and on what errand。〃
The signal was given； the warriors sprang to their feet； and like wolves
they sped from the forest； out upon the white； sandy beach and straight
into the sparkling waters of the lake； giving the shrill war…cry； the warning
of death！
The solitary oarsman made no outcryhe offered no defense！
Kneeling calmly in the prow of the little vessel； he merely ceased pad…
dling and seemed to await with patience the deadly blow of the tomahawk。
The son of Tatankaota was foremost in the charge； but suddenly an
impulse seized him to stop his warriors； lest one in the heat of excite… ment
should do a mischief to the stranger。 The canoe with its occupant was
now very near； and it could be seen that the expression of his face was
very gentle and even benignant。 None could doubt his utter harmlessness；
and the chief's son afterward declared that at this mo… ment he felt a
premonition of some event； but whether good or evil he could not tell。
No blows were struckno coups counted。 The young man bade his
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warriors take up the canoe and carry it to the shore； and although they
murmured somewhat among themselves； they did as he commanded them。
They seized the light bark and bore it dripping to a hill covered with tall
pines； and overlooking the waters of the Great Lake。
Then the warriors lifted their war…clubs over their heads and sang；
standing around the canoe in which the black…robed stranger was still
kneeling。 Looking at him closely； they per… ceived that he was of a
peculiar complexion； pale and inclined to red。 He wore a necklace of
beads； from which hung a cross bearing the form of a man。 His garments
were strange； and most like the robes of woman。 All of these things
perplexed them greatly。
Presently the Black Robe told them by signs； in response to their
inquiries； that he came from the rising sun； even beyond the Great Salt
Water； and he seemed to say that he formerly came from the sky。 Upon
this the warriors believed that he must be a prophet or mysterious man。
Their leader directed them to take up again the canoe with the man in
it； and appointed the warriors to carry it by turns until they should reach
his father's village。 This was done ac… cording to the ancient custom； as a
mark of re… spect and honor。 They took it up forthwith； and traveled with
all convenient speed along the lake shore； through forests and across
streams to a place called the Maiden's Retreat； a short distance from the
village。
Thence the chief's son sent a messenger to announce to his father that
he was bringing home a stranger； and to ask whether or not he should be
allowed to enter the village。 〃His appearance；〃 declared the scout； 〃is
unlike that of any man we have ever seen； and his ways are mysterious！〃
When the chief heard these words； he imme… diately called his council…
men together to decide what was to be done； for he feared by admitting the
mysterious stranger to bring some disaster upon his people。 Finally he
went out with his wisest men to meet his son's war…party。 They looked
with astonishment upon the Black Robe。
〃Dispatch him！ Dispatch him！ Show him no mercy！〃 cried some of
the council…men。
〃Let him go on his way unharmed。 Trouble him not；〃 advised others。
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〃It is well known that the evil spirits some… times take the form of a
man or animal。 From his strange appearance I judge this to be such a one。
He should be put to death； lest some harm befall our people；〃 an old man
urged。
By this time several of the women of the village had reached the spot。
Among them was She…who…has…a…Soul； the chief's youngest daugh… ter；
who tradition says was a maiden of much beauty； and of a generous heart。
The stranger was evidently footsore from much travel and
weakened by fasting。 When she saw that the poor man clasped his
hands and looked skyward as he uttered words in an unknown tongue； she
pleaded with her father that a stranger who has entered their midst
unchallenged may claim the hospitality of the people； according to the an…
cient custom。
〃Father； he is weary and in want of food。 Hold him no longer！
Delay your council until he is refreshed！〃 These were the words of She…
who…has…a…Soul； and her father could not refuse her prayer。 The Black
Robe was re… leased； and the Sioux maiden led him to her father's teepee。
Now the warriors had been surprised and in… deed displeased to find
him dressed after the fashion of a woman； and they looked upon him with
suspicion。 But from the moment that she first beheld him； the heart of
the maiden had turned toward this strange and seemingly un… fortunate
man。 It appeared to her that great reverence and meekness were in his
face； and with it all she was struck by his utter fearless… ness； his apparent
unconsciousness of danger。
The chief's daughter； having gained her father's permission； invited the
Black Robe to his great buffalo…skin tent； and spreading a fine robe； she
gently asked him to be seated。 With the aid of her mother； she prepared
wild rice sweetened with maple sugar and some broiled venison for his
repast。 The youthful warriors were astonished to observe these attentions；
but the maiden heeded them not。 She anointed the blistered feet of the
holy man with perfumed otter oil； and put upon him a pair of moccasins
beautifully worked by her own hands。
It was only an act of charity on her part； but the young men were
displeased； and again urged that the stranger should at once be turned
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away。 Some even suggested harsher measures； but they were overruled
by the chief； softened by the persuasions of a well…beloved daughter。
During the few days that the Black Robe remained in the Sioux village
he preached ear… nestly to the maiden； for she had been permitted to
converse with him by signs； that she might try to ascertain what manner of
man he was。 He told her of the coming of a 〃Great Prophet〃 from the sky；
and of his words that he had left with the people。 The cross with the
figure of a man he explained as his totem which he had told them to carry。
He also said that those who love him are commanded to go among strange
peoples to tell the news； and
