Indian Boyhood [31]
who had all been killed at three different times by different parties of the Ojibways, was conspicuous among the singers.
"Everyone who heard, cast toward her a sym- pathetic glance, for it was well known that she and her grandson constituted the remnant of a band of Sioux, and that her song indicated that her pre- cious child had attained the age of a warrior, and was now about to join the war-party, and to seek a just revenge for the annihilation of his family. This was Jingling Thunder, also familiarly known as 'The Little Last.' He was seen to carry with him some family relics in the shape of war-clubs and lances.
"The aged woman's song was something like this:
"Go, my brave Jingling Thunder! Upon the silvery path Behold that glittering track--
"And yet, my child, remember How pitiful to live Survivor of the young! 'Stablish our name and kin!"
"The Sacs and Foxes were very daring and confident upon this occasion. They proposed to the Sioux that they should engage alone with the enemy at first, and let us see how their braves can fight! To this our people assented, and they as- sembled upon the hills to watch the struggle be- tween their allies and the Ojibways. It seemed to be an equal fight, and for a time no one could tell how the contest would end. Young Jingling Thunder was an impatient spectator, and it was
*The Milky Way--believed by the Dakotas to be the road travelled by the spirits of departed braves. hard to keep him from rushing forward to meet his foes.
"At last a great shout went up, and the Sacs and Foxes were seen to be retreating with heavy loss. Then the Sioux took the field, and were fast winning the day, when fresh reinforcements came from the north for the Ojibways. Up to this time Jingling Thunder had been among the foremost in the battle, and had engaged in several close en- counters. But this fresh attack of the Ojibways was unexpected, and the Sioux were somewhat tired. Besides, they had told the Sacs and Foxes to sit upon the hills and rest their weary limbs and take lessons from their friends the Sioux; therefore no aid was looked for from any quarter.
"A great Ojibway chief made a fierce onslaught on the Dakotas. This man Jingling Thunder now rushed forward to meet. The Ojibway boastfully shouted to his warriors that he had met a tender fawn and would reserve to himself the honor of destroying it. Jingling Thunder, on his side, exclaimed that he had met the aged bear of whom he had heard so much, but that he would need no assistance to overcome him.
"The powerful man flashed his tomahawk in the air over the youthful warrior's head, but the brave sprang aside as quick as lightning, and in the same instant speared his enemy to the heart. As the Ojibway chief gave a gasping yell and fell in death, his people lost courage; while the success of the brave Jingling Thunder strengthened the hearts of the Sioux, for they im- mediately followed up their advantage and drove the enemy out of their territory.
"This was the beginning of Jingling Thunder's career as a warrior. He afterwards performed even greater acts of valor. He became the ancestor of a famous band of the Sioux, of whom your own father, Ohiyesa, was a member. You have doubt- less heard his name in connection with many great events. Yet he was a patient man, and was never known to quarrel with one of his own nation."
That night I lay awake a long time commit- ting to memory the tradition I had heard, and the next day I boasted to my playmate, Little Rain- bow, about my first lesson from the old story- teller. To this he replied:
"I would rather have Weyuhah for my teacher. I think he remembers more than any of the others. When Weyuhah tells about a battle you can see it yourself; you can even hear the war-whoop," he went on with much enthusiasm.
"That is what his friends say of him; but those who are not his friends say that he brings many warriors into the battle who were not there," I an- swered indignantly, for I could not admit that old Smoky
"Everyone who heard, cast toward her a sym- pathetic glance, for it was well known that she and her grandson constituted the remnant of a band of Sioux, and that her song indicated that her pre- cious child had attained the age of a warrior, and was now about to join the war-party, and to seek a just revenge for the annihilation of his family. This was Jingling Thunder, also familiarly known as 'The Little Last.' He was seen to carry with him some family relics in the shape of war-clubs and lances.
"The aged woman's song was something like this:
"Go, my brave Jingling Thunder! Upon the silvery path Behold that glittering track--
"And yet, my child, remember How pitiful to live Survivor of the young! 'Stablish our name and kin!"
"The Sacs and Foxes were very daring and confident upon this occasion. They proposed to the Sioux that they should engage alone with the enemy at first, and let us see how their braves can fight! To this our people assented, and they as- sembled upon the hills to watch the struggle be- tween their allies and the Ojibways. It seemed to be an equal fight, and for a time no one could tell how the contest would end. Young Jingling Thunder was an impatient spectator, and it was
*The Milky Way--believed by the Dakotas to be the road travelled by the spirits of departed braves. hard to keep him from rushing forward to meet his foes.
"At last a great shout went up, and the Sacs and Foxes were seen to be retreating with heavy loss. Then the Sioux took the field, and were fast winning the day, when fresh reinforcements came from the north for the Ojibways. Up to this time Jingling Thunder had been among the foremost in the battle, and had engaged in several close en- counters. But this fresh attack of the Ojibways was unexpected, and the Sioux were somewhat tired. Besides, they had told the Sacs and Foxes to sit upon the hills and rest their weary limbs and take lessons from their friends the Sioux; therefore no aid was looked for from any quarter.
"A great Ojibway chief made a fierce onslaught on the Dakotas. This man Jingling Thunder now rushed forward to meet. The Ojibway boastfully shouted to his warriors that he had met a tender fawn and would reserve to himself the honor of destroying it. Jingling Thunder, on his side, exclaimed that he had met the aged bear of whom he had heard so much, but that he would need no assistance to overcome him.
"The powerful man flashed his tomahawk in the air over the youthful warrior's head, but the brave sprang aside as quick as lightning, and in the same instant speared his enemy to the heart. As the Ojibway chief gave a gasping yell and fell in death, his people lost courage; while the success of the brave Jingling Thunder strengthened the hearts of the Sioux, for they im- mediately followed up their advantage and drove the enemy out of their territory.
"This was the beginning of Jingling Thunder's career as a warrior. He afterwards performed even greater acts of valor. He became the ancestor of a famous band of the Sioux, of whom your own father, Ohiyesa, was a member. You have doubt- less heard his name in connection with many great events. Yet he was a patient man, and was never known to quarrel with one of his own nation."
That night I lay awake a long time commit- ting to memory the tradition I had heard, and the next day I boasted to my playmate, Little Rain- bow, about my first lesson from the old story- teller. To this he replied:
"I would rather have Weyuhah for my teacher. I think he remembers more than any of the others. When Weyuhah tells about a battle you can see it yourself; you can even hear the war-whoop," he went on with much enthusiasm.
"That is what his friends say of him; but those who are not his friends say that he brings many warriors into the battle who were not there," I an- swered indignantly, for I could not admit that old Smoky