old indian days(古印第时期)-第41章
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prepared for the occasion。 Every girl was beautifully dressed； for at that
time the white doeskin gowns； with a profusion of fringes and colored
embroidery； were the gala attire of the Sioux maidens。 Red paint was
added； and ornaments of furs and wampum。 Many youths eagerly
surveyed the maiden gath… ering； at which the daughter of Tamakoche out…
shone all the rest。
〃Several eligible warriors now pressed their suits at the chieftain's
lodge； and among them were one or two whom he would have gladly
called son…in…law； but no！ Makatah would not listen to words of
courtship。 She had vowed； she said； to the spirits of her three brothers
each of whom fell in the country of the Crows that she would see that
country before she became a wife。
〃Red Horn； who was something of a leader among the young men； was
a persistent and de… termined suitor。 He had urged every influential
friend of his and hers to persuade her to listen to him。 His presents were
more valuable than those of any one else。 He even made use of his
father's position as a leading chief of the Cut…Head band to force a
decision in his favor； and while the maiden remained indifferent her father
seemed inclined to countenance this young man's pretensions。
〃She had many other lovers； as I have said；〃 the old man added； 〃and
among them was one Little Eagle； an orphan and a poor young man；
unknown and unproved as a warrior。 He was so insignificant that nobody
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thought much about him； and if Makatah regarded him with any favor the
matter was her secret； for it is certain that she did not openly encourage
him。
〃One day it was reported in the village that their neighbors； the Cut…
Head Sioux； would or… ganize a great attack upon the Crows at the mouth
of the Redwater； a tributary of the Mis… souri。 Makatah immediately
inquired of her male cousins whether any of them expected to join the
war…party。
〃'Three of us will go；' they replied。
〃'Then；' said the girl； 'I beg that you will allow me to go with you！ I
have a good horse； and I shall not handicap you in battle。 I only ask your
protection in camp as your kinswoman and a maid of the war…party。'
〃'If our uncle Tamakoche sanctions your going；' they replied； 'we shall
be proud to have our cousin with us； to inspire us to brave deeds！'
〃The maiden now sought her father and asked his permission to
accompany the war… party。
〃'I wish；' said she； 'to visit the graves of my brothers！ I shall carry
with me their war…bon… nets and their weapons； to give to certain young
men on the eve of battle； according to the an… cient custom。 Long ago I
resolved to do this； and the time is now come。'
〃The chief was at this time well advanced in years； and had been
sitting quite alone in his lodge； thinking upon the days of his youth； when
he was noted for daring and success in battle。 In silence he listened as he
filled his pipe； and seemed to meditate while he smoked the fra… grant
tobacco。 At last he spoke with tears in his eyes。
〃'Daughter； I am an old man！ My heart beats in my throat； and my
old eyes cannot keep back the tears。 My three sons； on whom I had
placed all my hopes； are gone to a far country！ You are the only child left
to my old age； and you； too； are braveas brave as any of your brothers。
If you go I fear that you may not return to me； yet I cannot refuse you my
per… mission！〃
〃The old man began to chant a war…song； and some of his people；
hearing him； came in to learn what was in his mind。 He told them all；
and immediately many young men volunteered for the war…party； in order
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to have the honor of going with the daughter of their chief。
〃Several of Makatah's suitors were among them； and each watched
eagerly for an oppor… tunity to ride at her side。 At night she pitched her
little teepee within the circle of her cousins' campfires； and there she slept
without fear。 Courteous youths brought to her every morning and
evening fresh venison for her repast。 Yet there was no courting； for all
attentions paid to a maiden when on the war…path must be those of a
brother to a sister； and all must be equally received by her。
〃Two days later； when the two parties of Sioux met on the plains； the
maiden's presence was heralded throughout the camp； as an in… spiration to
the young and untried warriors of both bands to distinguish themselves in
the field。 It is true that some of the older men considered it unwise to
allow Makatah to accompany the war…party。
〃'The girl；' said they to one another； 'is very ambitious as well as brave。
She will surely risk her own life in battle； which will make the young men
desperate； and we shall lose many of them！'
〃Nevertheless they loved her and her father； therefore they did not
protest openly。
〃On the third day the Sioux scouts returned with the word that the
Crows were camping； as had been supposed； at the confluence of the
Redwater and the Missouri Rivers。 It was a great camp。 All the Crow
tribe were there； they said； with their thousands of fine horses。
〃There was excitement in the Sioux camp； and all of the head men
immediately met in council。 It was determined to make the attack early
on the following morning； just as the sun came over the hills。 The
councilors agreed that in honor of the great chief； her father； as well as in
recognition of her own courage； Makatah should be permitted to lead the
charge at the outset； but that she must drop behind as they neared the
enemy。 The maiden； who had one of the fleetest ponies in that part of the
country； had no intention of falling back； but she did not tell any one what
was in her mind。
〃That evening every warrior sang his war… song； and announced the
particular war…charm or 'medicine' of his clan； according to the cus… tom。
The youths were vying with one another in brave tales of what they would
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do on the morrow。 The voice of Red Horn was loud among the boasters；
for he was known to be a vain youth； although truly not without reputa…
tion。 Little Eagle； who was also of the com… pany； remained modestly
silent； as indeed be… came one without experience in the field。 In the
midst of the clamor there fell a silence。
〃'Hush！ hush！' they whispered。 'Look； look！ The War Maiden
comes！'
〃All eyes were turned upon Makatah； who rode her fine buckskin steed
with a single lariat。 He held his head proudly； and his saddle was heavy
with fringes and gay with colored em… broidery。 The maiden was attired
in her best and wore
