Indian Boyhood [32]
Day could have a rival.
Before I went to him again Uncheedah had thoughtfully prepared a nice venison roast for the teacher, and I was proud to take him some- thing good to eat before beginning his story.
"How," was his greeting, "so you have begun already, Ohiyesa? Your family were ever feast- makers as well as warriors."
Having done justice to the tender meat, he wiped his knife by sticking it into the ground several times, and put it away in its sheath, after which he cheerfully recommenced:
"It came to pass not many winters ago that Wakinyan-tonka, the great medicine man, had a vision; whereupon a war-party set out for the Ojibway country. There were three brothers of your family among them, all of whom were noted for valor and the chase.
"Seven battles were fought in succession before they turned to come back. They had secured a number of the enemy's birch canoes, and the whole party came floating down the Mississippi, joyous and happy because of their success.
"But one night the war-chief announced that there was misfortune at hand. The next day no one was willing to lead the fleet. The youngest of the three brothers finally declared that he did not fear death, for it comes when least expected and he volunteered to take the lead.
"It happened that this young man had left a pretty maiden behind him, whose choice needle- work adorned his quiver. He was very hand- some as well as brave.
"At daybreak the canoes were again launched upon the bosom of the great river. All was quiet --a few birds beginning to sing. Just as the sun peeped through the eastern tree-tops a great war- cry came forth from the near shores, and there was a rain of arrows. The birchen canoes were pierced, and in the excitement many were cap- sized.
"The Sioux were at a disadvantage. There was no shelter. Their bow-strings and the feathers on their arrows were wet. The bold Ojibways saw their advantage and pressed closer and closer; but our men fought desperately, half in and half out of the water, until the enemy was forced at last to retreat. Nevertheless that was a sad day for the Wahpeton Sioux; but saddest of all was Winona's fate!
"Morning Star, her lover, who led the canoe fleet that morning, was among the slain. For two days the Sioux braves searched in the water for their dead, but his body was not recovered.
"At home, meanwhile, the people had been alarmed by ill omens. Winona, eldest daughter of the great chief, one day entered her birch canoe alone and paddled up the Mississippi, gazing now into the,water around her, now into the blue sky above. She thought she heard some young men giving courtship calls in the distance, just as they do at night when approaching the teepee of the beloved; and she knew the voice of Morning Star well! Surely she could distinguish his call among the others! Therefore she listened yet more intently, and looked skyward as her light canoe glided gently up stream.
"Ah, poor Winona! She saw only six sand- hill cranes, looking no larger than mosquitoes, as they flew in circles high up in the sky, going east where all spirits go. Something said to her: 'Those are the spirits of some of the Sioux braves, and Morning Star is among them!' Her eye followed the birds as they traveled in a chain of circles.
"Suddenly she glanced downward. 'What is this?' she screamed in despair. It was Morn- ing Star's body, floating down the river; his quiver, worked by her own hands and now dyed with his blood, lay upon the surface of the water.
"'Ah, Great Mystery! why do you punish a poor girl so? Let me go with the spirit of Morn- ing Star!'
"It was evening. The pale moon arose in the east and the stars were bright. At this very hour the news of the disaster was brought home by a returning scout, and the village was plunged in grief, but Winona's spirit had flown away. No one ever saw her again.
"This is enough for to-day, my boy. You may come again to-morrow."
II: The Stone Boy
"Ho, mita koda!" (welcome, friend!) was Smoky Day's greeting, as I entered his
Before I went to him again Uncheedah had thoughtfully prepared a nice venison roast for the teacher, and I was proud to take him some- thing good to eat before beginning his story.
"How," was his greeting, "so you have begun already, Ohiyesa? Your family were ever feast- makers as well as warriors."
Having done justice to the tender meat, he wiped his knife by sticking it into the ground several times, and put it away in its sheath, after which he cheerfully recommenced:
"It came to pass not many winters ago that Wakinyan-tonka, the great medicine man, had a vision; whereupon a war-party set out for the Ojibway country. There were three brothers of your family among them, all of whom were noted for valor and the chase.
"Seven battles were fought in succession before they turned to come back. They had secured a number of the enemy's birch canoes, and the whole party came floating down the Mississippi, joyous and happy because of their success.
"But one night the war-chief announced that there was misfortune at hand. The next day no one was willing to lead the fleet. The youngest of the three brothers finally declared that he did not fear death, for it comes when least expected and he volunteered to take the lead.
"It happened that this young man had left a pretty maiden behind him, whose choice needle- work adorned his quiver. He was very hand- some as well as brave.
"At daybreak the canoes were again launched upon the bosom of the great river. All was quiet --a few birds beginning to sing. Just as the sun peeped through the eastern tree-tops a great war- cry came forth from the near shores, and there was a rain of arrows. The birchen canoes were pierced, and in the excitement many were cap- sized.
"The Sioux were at a disadvantage. There was no shelter. Their bow-strings and the feathers on their arrows were wet. The bold Ojibways saw their advantage and pressed closer and closer; but our men fought desperately, half in and half out of the water, until the enemy was forced at last to retreat. Nevertheless that was a sad day for the Wahpeton Sioux; but saddest of all was Winona's fate!
"Morning Star, her lover, who led the canoe fleet that morning, was among the slain. For two days the Sioux braves searched in the water for their dead, but his body was not recovered.
"At home, meanwhile, the people had been alarmed by ill omens. Winona, eldest daughter of the great chief, one day entered her birch canoe alone and paddled up the Mississippi, gazing now into the,water around her, now into the blue sky above. She thought she heard some young men giving courtship calls in the distance, just as they do at night when approaching the teepee of the beloved; and she knew the voice of Morning Star well! Surely she could distinguish his call among the others! Therefore she listened yet more intently, and looked skyward as her light canoe glided gently up stream.
"Ah, poor Winona! She saw only six sand- hill cranes, looking no larger than mosquitoes, as they flew in circles high up in the sky, going east where all spirits go. Something said to her: 'Those are the spirits of some of the Sioux braves, and Morning Star is among them!' Her eye followed the birds as they traveled in a chain of circles.
"Suddenly she glanced downward. 'What is this?' she screamed in despair. It was Morn- ing Star's body, floating down the river; his quiver, worked by her own hands and now dyed with his blood, lay upon the surface of the water.
"'Ah, Great Mystery! why do you punish a poor girl so? Let me go with the spirit of Morn- ing Star!'
"It was evening. The pale moon arose in the east and the stars were bright. At this very hour the news of the disaster was brought home by a returning scout, and the village was plunged in grief, but Winona's spirit had flown away. No one ever saw her again.
"This is enough for to-day, my boy. You may come again to-morrow."
II: The Stone Boy
"Ho, mita koda!" (welcome, friend!) was Smoky Day's greeting, as I entered his