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IT WAS NOW MIDSUMMER, and all
wood and plain animals were in good order. The berries were ripening. It was
a period of comfort and fatness with the people of the great West. Nature
was taking on beauty and richness every day, and these nomadic people in
their philosophic way gratefully acknowledged the Good Spirit's lavish
bestowment and with full hearts enjoyed life. These were great days with
Nagos and her husband. She was beginning to learn that she could not always
have him with her. These long trips to war, they were lonesome times, and
again there were days and nights when he was away on the hunt. But in all
this she found great happiness. Nagos had won the hearts of these plain
peoples. Her husband's reputation had made them to take great interest in
this young woman he had brought from the far north. But, by this time, they
had come to know that Nagos was also a great woman. She was beautiful, she
was brave, she was forever kind. Anyone in trouble felt that they could go
to Nagos, she would help. Her father and mother were both more than usual in
herb lore. This they had taught her, and she, being naturally quick and an
adept in nursing, had already acquired a strong influence in this camp of
her adoption. Thus these young people were the admired and the much loved of
their friends, and the days were full of joy.
However, Snake Skin was
anxious that his young chief and himself should do something that would
bring more glory and respect to themselves and their people. So he began to
sound White Buffalo. Said he:
"We have gone into the
hunting grounds of the Blackfeet and the Bloods, but there are the great
warriors, the Sioux, the unconquerable."
The Cree word for the Sioux
is Pwotuk, signifying "those you balk at," really meaning the unconquered,
and Snake Skin would day after day bring up this subject, doing what he
could to stir White Buffalo's ambition, out on a quest after the Sioux.
At last there came a time
when White Buffalo turned upon him and said: "We will go into the Sioux
country, you and I, without letting our people know, without asking anyone
to accompany us. Are you willing?"
And at first Snake Skin was
almost afraid to say yes, but he thought how he had brought this on himself,
and he answered: "I am willing."
And so very soon there came a
night and neither White Buffalo nor Snake Skin returned to camp, and the
next night came and Nagos and her new mother and all the camp were anxious,
but there were no tidings, and during the third day Kosapachekao went into a
trance, and returning, having sent his spirit afar, he told the expectant
multitude that these young men were away south striking for the Sioux
country. He, moreover, told them that he believed their effort would be
successful.
"They will enter the Sioux
camp, they will come home with horses from the Sioux. Such is the skill of
White Buffalo, such is his pluck, as that himself and friend will do great
things before they return to us. But they will return unharmed. This I
believe."
Thus the Seer comforted Nagos
and her mother. But the days were long and the nights seemed longer, and the
camp moved on further, and the young men came not.
Following the war party of
two, we will cross what is now the forty-ninth parallel, we will leave the
fountain heads of the streams that flow northward and eastward into the
Hudson's Bay, and presently we will find our hero and his companion camped
on the banks of a little stream whose waters are stretching away to reach
the Gulf of Mexico. Only by hearing of it had either of these men any
knowledge of this country. All was new. Every day and every move was
adventure. They had now travelled ten nights, and no sign of the people they
were looking for. On south and a little west was their course, and in that
great big region which is fittingly termed today Dakota. Presently they
found tracks of strange Indians. They eagerly examined these tracks, and
came to the conclusion that they were those of hunters belonging to some
camp still farther south. They concluded to follow these tracks, and the
next day came upon others, then they were sure that somewhere in advance was
a camp. Carefully and stealthily they scouted and that evening sighted a
large group of Sioux lodges.
Secreting themselves, they
watched their enemies. These were the men that their people dreaded. These
were the men whose valor had been told in story all over the northern half
of the continent. The Indians of all the tribes conceded that the Sioux
stood at the head among men as a warrior, and now in sight of this large
camp these two brave hearts were planning some feat that would prove to the
Sioux, as also to their own people, that there were men of pluck and daring,
willing to venture and even die, among the Crees as well as among the Sioux.
When night came upon them,
White Buffalo said to his friend: "I propose that we stay here until
tomorrow night, that we rest tonight, and then tomorrow find out all we can
about these people, count their lodges, watch them in their life, as much as
we can take stock of their horses, and who knows, perhaps we may see them
hunting, perhaps we may see them racing, and in that way we can find out
which of their horses it will be worth while for us to risk our lives for. I
do not know how you feel, Snake Skin, but I do not want to kill any of these
people unless I have to. I think that if we can take some good horses out of
their camp and perhaps some of their equipment, then we will have done
sufficient."
And Snake Skin said:
"You are my chief, verily I
think as you do." And they rested.
The wolves howled on the
hills on every hand. The coyotes joined in their nightly choruses. But these
men slept. And the daylight came, and from the most advantageous summit they
watched the camp of the Sioux, and before the sun was high they had their
first opportunity, for not far from where they were in hiding a bunch of
buffalo was feeding, and presently they saw a mounted man come out and
reconnoitre, and soon they knew by the stir in camp that a run was on, and
in a little while they had the satisfaction of watching the hunters ride
forth, and the run take place within a reasonable distance of where they
were. They saw some splendid horses dashing out from the rest in the race,
and easily overtaking the buffalo and giving their riders a first chance at
the game.
"There," said White Buffalo,
"Snake Skin, do you see that white horse?"
"Yes," was the answer.
"Keep your eye on him. I will
watch that big black, for we know that they are good. No matter how many we
may be able to secure, let us try and bring them out."
So they watched the hunt and
the return to the camp from the hunt, and they followed up, and from a
nearer vantage point located the lodges in the camp to which these horses
belonged. Thus they spent the day. They might have killed some Sioux who
ventured out from camp, White Buffalo's unerring archery would have
permitted him thus to do, but as he had said, he did not want to kill. To
come and see these great warriors in their own home land, to have travelled
thus afar in an entirely new country, and now to have been fortunate in
placing good horses and to have the possibilities before them during the
corning night in making these horses their own in accord with the code of
honor of the day and time, was in his thought sufficient. Quietly, he hummed
his hymn and waited with his friend for the night, but while they waited and
watched suddenly a little way from the summit of a hill, there stood a wolf.
Snake Skin saw him first, and he pointed and White Buffalo looked. Ah, here
was the spirit of his dream, and both young men hummed a song of
thanksgiving. White Buffalo was not alone, his Powakun had come with him
away into the land of the Sioux. Both were now exultant. What they had seen
augured success, and thus they were stimulated and greatly encouraged.
As the evening came on they
drew up nearer to the camp. So carefully had they scouted, so wisely had
they covered their approach, and chosen the ground, that they felt sure
there was hardly any possibility of detection. They could see but as they
felt could not be seen. White Buffalo was a born scout, and his life up to
this time had been full of practice. And thus darkness came.
"And now," said White
Buffalo, "we know this country and where we are will be a good place for us
to meet, if we live to come out of that camp. You, my friend, are going
after that white horse, and as many others as you can bring. I am going
after that black horse, and as many others as I can I saw him just as it got
dark being led up to the lodge. Doubtless you watched the white horse."
"Yes, I did," said Snake
Skin.
"Well now, as the fires go
out, as the people who are not on guard fall asleep, we will separate, and
each go his own way, and then, if we may, here we will meet again."
Thus these men separated. Out
into the darkness of the rank summer's night, in a strange land, and right
into and among the lodges of a strange people, and these people renowned for
their warlike skill and great bravery. Yet neither of these young Crees
flinched in their enterprise. With White Buffalo, he never thought of danger
to himself. He was one of those serene, cool, ever ready hearts, forever
willing to do and dare. With Snake Skin it was a case of emulation and
imitation and sublime confidence in his leader. Nevertheless, it takes pluck
and strong nerve to enter into the home of watchful foes, men trained to
listen and perceive. On in among the lodges, to be a Sioux if possible for
the time being, to avoid the dogs, to steal in around the watchful guards,
to be noiseless, and imperceptible. This requires strength of muscle as well
as force of will. Crawling, crouching, creeping, hardly breathing,
patiently, perseveringly, each made his way towards the goal he had set
before him.
White Buffalo well remembered
the location of the lodge. He had marked it, the very spot it stood upon was
photographed on his memory. There he had seen the big black led up to. And
now he was close upon the lodge. All was quiet. How many guards he had
passed he did not know, but here, in the inner circles of the camp, was this
one, and now he saw the horse, and with the greatest stealth and quietness
of action, he presently touched the horse and the horse did not start. Then
he slipped up and felt the lariat from the neck of the horse, and then,
feeling for the other end, he soon knew that it went into the lodge.
"Aha," he thought. "the Sioux
has gone to sleep with the other end of the lariat in his hand. Well, let
him keep it."
So he cut the line just
outside the lodge, and then he felt around for anything that might he left
outside belonging to this lodge, and here just back of the lodge on a
triangle was a robe and under that robe were some moccasins. So lie took the
robe and put it around him, and tucked the moccasins in his belt, and then
began to cut the lines of other horses, and to drive before him some loose
animals; and thus slowly he worked his way through between the lodges,
moving this bunch before him. Always leading the big black. He knew well
that the greatest danger was before him, when that he would reach the
outskirts of the camp. There the vigilance of the guards would be keenest.
Unless one has lived with
these native peoples and travelled with them, and become acquainted with
their language and life, and listened to the many tales of the past, one can
hardly appreciate the patient skill of a warrior situate as White Buffalo
was at this time. To get away from this camp with these horses without being
felt, without having given a sign, was his object, inasmuch as if he was
discovered, then his friend would also in all probability be discovered, and
as they were now separate, and each acting independent of the other, it
behooved them to give no alarm if possible.
After a long time White
Buffalo felt that he was beyond the last guard, and still he continued to
silently and quietly herd this bunch of horses towards the place appointed
for their meeting. Midnight was past when he reached the place, and now he
waited in expectancy, and by and by was glad to catch the note of a coyote
not many arrow-shots from him. Then he quietly answered. Then an owl hooted,
and he knew Snake Skin was coming, and in a little while Snake Skin was with
him, and out of the darkness there came in view some horses, and among these
was the white one.
"What did you bring?" said
Snake Skin.
"I brought a robe and some
moccasins."
"Well, I have a saddle
blanket and some good lines," said Snake Skin; and they each counted their
horses. White Buffalo had ten, and Snake Skin eight, and they were each
holding the horses that they had picked during the day as they saw them race
in the hunt. More than this, they had gone into the very centre of the great
camp of the much-dreaded Sioux. This to both men was much more satisfactory
than the capture of the horses, however much they delighted in this. So now
they sat them down side by side and chanted a little hymn of victory and
praise. Then they mounted and started northward, and for hours they
travelled. They knew full well that perhaps before morning these horses
would be missed. At any rate with daylight the hue and cry, and then the
chase would come, but they felt quite secure, and on they went. And now they
ran as men in those days could run, for miles and miles they ran, driving
the horses before them. All that day they journeyed with little stop,
watching forever, inasmuch as they might meet a war party, they might be
seen. Therefore under cover as much as possible they travelled steadily
north, every little while breaking out in song. And not until darkness
covered them did they stop to rest the horses, and themselves, for a little
while.
Snake Skin said: "I am glad
we came. I am glad you consented to come. No young men of our age in all the
camps of our people have gone as far as we have, and have done what we
have."
"Yes," said White Buffalo, "I
am glad for your sake. It was mostly for your sake, Snake Skin, that I came.
I wanted you to prove yourself, and you have done so, and with good heart
you can travel north this autumn. When the earth is painted and the world is
glad, then verily, my friend, I trust, will be greatly glad also. Yes, look
up, Snake Skin, behold the stars, and think of the Little Star."
"Oh, you need not tell me to
do that," said Snake Skin, " I am always thinking of her."
And they slept a little
while, and with the stars still studding the heavens they started northward.
Away back in yonder camp the
life was going on as usual. Men were hunting; men, women and children were
picking berries, and drying them for future use. Immense quantities of the
saskatoon and choke-cherry were annually gathered and dried and packed away
for winter use by these nomads. The camp had gone well into the park
country, and in measure because of this was comparatively safe from the
persistent enemy. The plain Indian shunned the timber as much as possible.
While all were anxious about the absent leader and his companion, still the
multitude put great faith in the seer's prophetic announcement. He had
assured them that our warriors would return in due time. In the lodge of
White Buffalo there was constant anxiety, and Nagos was forever petitioning
the great good spirit and all the spirits on behalf of her absent husband.
Nothing special had occurred
in the lives of those who belonged to this moving home. Going back to our
little party of two, we find them travelling steadily northward, resting in
hidden spots during the day, and travelling by night. If the Sioux had made
any attempt to follow them, they had given up, for now White Buffalo and
Snake Skin were a long distance from the scene of their capture. However, as
much as they might desire to escape from actual battle on this trip, it was
their fate to meet one, for as they journeyed with the band of horses they
had secured, it was almost impossible for them to cover their advance, and
one day they were discovered by a war party which turned out to be some
Sioux who were on their homeward journey, having failed to find the enemy.
And now, descrying this little party of two men and their horses, they felt
sure of taking them, and with whoops and yells they charged down upon White
Buffalo and his companion.
"When they came in full view,
Snake Skin, counting their number, said:
"There are just twelve of
them," and at first he proposed that they rush their horses and thus escape
a fight, but White Buffalo was in mood for this. His plan was to bunch the
horses in a little swamp, and then on foot meet these footmen who were
running down upon himself and friend. Said he to Snake Skin:
"Not until we cannot hold
them back or drive them off will we take to our horses, and try to escape.
In the meantime, let us show them how far our arrows will fly and do good
work."
And then he calmly pulled
some arrows from his quiver and began to straighten them, and Snake Skin,
stimulated by his example, did likewise. By this time they made sure that
the party running towards them was Sioux. The twelve men, being Sioux, and
also as six to one, had no doubt of the issue. Who were these that were
driving horses from the south country? Who would dare to go down
single-handed among their people, and bring away their stock in this manner?
Thus they thought and thus they communed with one another, as they shortened
the distance between themselves and the two men, whom they felt were already
in their hands.
However, White Buffalo
thought otherwise. He had been measuring the distance; he had been
calculating the strength of the breeze; he had been testing his bow, and
looking along his arrow, and now was calmly waiting for the foremost Sioux
to come within the range of his unerring aim. Presently, the swiftest man of
the twelve was near enough, and White Buffalo pulled his bow and let his
first arrow fly, and met his foe squarely in the chest with its sharp
thrust. And the Sioux, dropping his weapons, staggered and fell. Such
audacity enraged the others, and they came rushing on, but the first one
that bounded within the range of this great archer also met his fate, for
another arrow came circling through the air and struck him likewise. And
thus White Buffalo shot arrow after arrow, until his share of the enemy lay
prone and dying on the plain. Snake Skin had stood and looked and wondered,
he reserving his arrows for nearer shooting. But feeling now greatly
emboldened by the skill and wonderful aim of his friend.
The Sioux on their part had
learned the folly of coming within the range, and thus the six survivors
withdrew, and gathering on a knoll seemed to take council as to what should
be done. Here was a wonderful foe, a man of long reach and sure aim, such as
they had never met before. And there he stood as calm and cool as if all
this was commonplace to him. These were brave men whom he had shot, and
their companions wisely felt it would be utter folly for them to thus
continue the fight, and they concluded to withdraw; and White Buffalo,
seeing this, said to Snake Skin, "Run back and bring up our horses, and I
will move on to where our enemies are lying." And in a short time they were
up among the dead and dying Sioux. Said White Buffalo:
"We will wait until all are
dead," and before long this came to pass. Then, in their way and in accord
with the code of the time, they scalped their foes and took their weapons,
and such portion of their apparel as they thought fit. And in all this they
were watched by the balance of the Sioux from a respectful distance. Then,
mounting their horses, and singing a hymn of victory, they drove their
captured bunch northward. Said White Buffalo:
"I did not want to kill these
men, but they were twelve to two. If we allowed them to come near, they
would have killed us. I hoped that when I shot the first one they would
stop. I hoped when I shot the second one they would stop, but on they came,
foolish brave men." And Snake Skin answered:
"Who would have thought that
you could kill men with an arrow at such a distance? It was reasonable for
them to think that your first shot was a chance one, but you never missed.
Now they know and I know, as never before, how perfect you are in this art."
And he broke out into a song
of victory. But White Buffalo did not join, for already he was lamenting the
act of killing these men. For days they travelled and met no further
incident, and now they crossed the Chain of Lakes River. They were coming
into their own country, and their hearts were full of hope as to meeting
their people somewhere shortly.
As yet they had seen no fresh
tracks. The people might be near or far. This was a big country, and a few
hundred nomadic Indians were as lost in it, and it was the third day from
the Qu'Appelle before they found their people, and rode triumphantly into
their home camp. There was great joy throughout this camp because of their
coming. Nagos had endeared herself to these people, and her constant looking
and waiting and longing had become part of the life of the whole camp. All
were in sympathy. All were anxious about White Buffalo and his companion.
And now this wonderful woman, who had become their queen, was forever
thinking and longing for White Buffalo, all the people of the camp had been
for days in ardent sympathy with her. The seer had sent his Spirit forth.
"They are coming," said he,
but he could not tell how many nights might intervene.
"They are comming, but I do
not know where they are," was his message, and now here they were with the
horses and equipments and scalps and arms of the dreaded Sioux. Seldom had
any of these come thus far into this northland at this time. And in this way
White Buffalo had proved to his people that he was brave and skilful, and
neither distance nor yet the undaunted quality of his enemy stayed him in
his course. He was a chief, born to the place, and the spirits were in his
favor.
And thus Snake Skin also won
his place among the people, and to his own great satisfaction felt that he
had done something worthy of the maiden he longed to possess. |
