old indian days(古印第时期)-第5章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
evening。 It fell to Antelope to open his bundle first。 Loud laughter
pealed forth when the reluctant youth brought forth a su… perb pair of
moccasinsthe recognized love… gift！ At such times the warriors' jokes
were unmerciful； for it was considered a last indul… gence in jesting；
perhaps for many moons。 The recipient was well known to be a novice
in love； and this token first disclosed the fact that he had at last succumbed
to the allure… ments of woman。 When he sang his love…song he was
obliged to name the giver of the token； and many a disappointed suitor
was astonished to hear Taluta's name。
It was a long journey to the Ute country； and when they reached it
14
… Page 15…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
there was a stubbornly contested fight。 Both sides claimed the vic… tory；
and both lost several men。 Here again Antelope was signally favored by
the gods of war。 He counted many coups or blows； and exhibited his
bravery again and again in the charges； but he received no wound。
On the return journey Taluta's beautiful face was constantly before
him。 He was so impatient to see her that he hurried on in ad… vance of his
party； when they were still several days' travel from the Sioux camp。
〃This time I shall join in all the dances and participate in the rejoicings；
for she will surely like to have me do so；〃 he thought to himself。 〃She
will join also； and I know that none is a better dancer than Taluta！〃
In fancy； Antelope was practicing the songs of victory as he rode alone
over the vast wild country。
He had now passed Wild Horse Creek and the Black Hills lay to the
southeast； while the Big Horn range loomed up to the north in gigantic
proportions。 He felt himself at home。
〃I shall now be a man indeed。 I shall have a wife！〃 he said aloud。
At last he reached the point from which he expected to view the distant
camp。 Alas； there was no camp there！ Only a solitary teepee gleamed
forth upon the green plain； which was almost surrounded by a quick turn
of the River of Deep Woods。 The teepee appeared very white。 A
peculiar tingling sensation passed through his frame； and the pony
whinnied often as he was urged forward at a gallop。
When Antelope beheld the solitary teepee he knew instantly what it
was。 It was a grave！ Sometimes a new white lodge was pitched thus for
the dead； who lay in state within upon a couch of finest skins； and
surrounded by his choicest possessions。
Antelope's excitement increased as he neared the teepee； which was
protected by a barricade of thick brush。 It stood alone and silent in the
midst of the deserted camp。 He kicked the sides of his tired horse to
make him go faster。 At last he jumped from the saddle and ran toward
the door。 There he paused for a mo… ment； and at the thought of
desecrating a grave； a cold terror came over him。
〃I must seeI must see！〃 he said aloud； and desperately he broke
through the thorny fence and drew aside the oval swinging door。
15
… Page 16…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
In the stately white teepee； seen from afar； both grave and monument；
there lay the fair body of Taluta！ The bier was undisturbed； and the maiden
looked beautiful as if sleeping； dressed in her robes of ceremony and
surrounded by all her belongings。
Her lover looked upon her still face and cried aloud。 〃Hey； hey； hey！
Alas！ alas！ If I had known of this while in the Ute country； you would
not be lonely on the spirit path。〃
He withdrew； and laid the doorflap rever… ently back in its place。
How long he stood with… out the threshold he could not tell。 He stood
with head bowed down upon his breast； tear… less and motionless； utterly
oblivious to every… thing save the bier of his beloved。 His charger grazed
about for a long time where he had left him； but at last he endeavored by a
low whinny to attract his master's attention； and Antelope awoke from his
trance of sorrow。
The sun was now hovering over the western ridges。 The mourner's
throat was parched； and perspiration rolled down his cheeks； yet he was
conscious of nothing but a strong de… sire to look upon her calm； sweet
face once more。
He kindled a small fire a little way off； and burned some cedar berries
and sweet…smelling grass。 Then he fumigated himself thoroughly to
dispel the human atmosphere； so that the spirit might not be offended by
his approach； for he greatly desired to obtain a sign from her spirit。 He
had removed his garments and stood up perfectly nude save for the
breech… clout。 His long hair was unbraided and hung upon his shoulders；
veiling the upper half of his splendid body。 Thus standing； the lover sang
a dirge of his own making。 The words were something like this：
Ah； spirit； thy flight is mysterious！
While the clouds are stirred by our wailing；
And our tears fall faster in sorrow
While the cold sweat of night benumbs us； Thou goest alone on thy
journey；
In the midst of the shining star people！
Thou goest alone on thy journey
16
… Page 17…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
Thy memory shall be our portion；
Until death we must watch for the spirit！
The eyes of Antelope were closed while he chanted the dirge。 He
sang it over and over； pausing between the lines； and straining as it were
every sense lest he might not catch the rapt whisper of her spirit； but only
the distant howls of coyotes answered him。 His body be… came cold and
numb from sheer exhaustion； and at last his knees bent under him and he
sank down upon the ground； still facing the teepee。 Unconsciousness
overtook him； and in his sleep or trance the voice came：
〃Do not mourn for me； my friend！ Come into my teepee； and eat of my
food。〃
It seemed to Antelope that he faltered for a moment； then he entered
the teepee。 There was a cheerful fire burning in the center。 A basin of
broiled buffalo meat was placed oppo… site the couch of Taluta； on the
other side of the fire。 Its odor was delicious to him； yet he hesitated to
eat of it。
〃Fear not； kechuwa （my darling）！ It will give you strength；〃 said the
voice。
The maid was natural as in life。 Beautifully attired； she sat up on her
bed； and her de… meanor was cheerful and kind。
The young man ate of the food in silence and without looking at the
spirit。 〃Ho； ke… chuwa！〃 he said to her when returning the dish；
according to the custom of his people。
Silently the two sat for some minutes； while the youth gazed into the
burning embers。
〃Be of good heart；〃 said Taluta； at last； 〃for you shall meet my twin
spirit！ She will love you as I do； and you will love her as you love me。
This was our covenant before we came into this world。〃
