Indian Boyhood [47]
concern, having previously instructed them how they should conduct themselves in any event.
There was never a more gorgeous assembly of the kind than this one. The day was perfect. The Crees, displaying their characteristic horseman- ship, came in groups; the Assiniboines, with their curious pompadour well covered with red paint. The various bands of Sioux all carefully observed the traditional peculiarities of dress and behavior. The attaches of the fort were fully represented at the entertainment, and it was not unusual to see a pale-face maiden take part in the feast.
The whole population of the region had assem- bled, and the maidens came shyly into the circle. The simple ceremonies observed prior to the serv- ing of the food were in progress, when among a group of Wahpeton Sioux young men there was a stir of excitement. All the maidens glanced ner- vously toward the scene of the disturbance. Soon a tall youth emerged from the throng of spectators and advanced toward the circle. Every one of the chaperons glared at him as if to deter him from his purpose. But with a steady step he passed them by and approached the maidens' circle.
At last he stopped behind a pretty Assiniboine maiden of good family and said:
"I am sorry, but, according to custom, you should not be here."
The girl arose in confusion, but she soon recov- ered her self-control.
"What do you mean?" she demanded, indig- nantly. "Three times you have come to court me, but each time I have refused to listen to you. I turned my back upon you. Twice I was with Mashtinna. She can tell the people that this is true. The third time I had gone for water when you intercepted me and begged me to stop and listen. I refused because I did not know you. My chaperon, Makatopawee, knows that I was gone but a few minutes. I never saw you any- where else."
The young man was unable to answer this un- mistakable statement of facts, and it became ap- parent that he had sought to revenge himself for her repulse.
"Woo! woo! Carry him out!" was the order of the chief of the Indian police, and the audacious youth was hurried away into the nearest ravine to be chastised.
The young woman who had thus established her good name returned to the circle, and the feast was served. The "maidens' song" was sung, and four times they danced in a ring around the altar. Each maid as she departed once more took her oath to remain pure until she should meet her husband.
IX More Legends
I: A Legend of Devil's Lake
AFTER the death of Smoky Day, old Weyuha was regarded as the greatest story-teller among the Wahpeton Sioux.
"Tell me, good Weyuha, a le- gend of your father's country," I said to him one evening, for I knew the country which is now known as North Dakota and South- ern Manitoba was their ancient hunting-ground. I was prompted by Uncheedah to make this re- quest, after the old man had eaten in our lodge.
"Many years ago," he began, as he passed the pipe to uncle, "we traveled from the Otter-tail to Minnewakan (Devil's Lake). At that time the mound was very distinct where Chotanka lies buried. The people of his immediate band had taken care to preserve it.
"This mound under which lies the great medi- cine man is upon the summit of Minnewakan Chantay, the highest hill in all that region. It is shaped like an animal's heart placed on its base, with the apex upward.
"The reason why this hill is called Minnewa- kan Chantay, or the Heart of the Mysterious Land, I will now tell you. It has been handed down from generation to generation, far beyond the memory of our great-grandparents. It was in Chotanka's line of descent that these legends were originally kept, but when he died the stories became everybody's, and then no one believed in them. It was told in this way."
I sat facing him, wholly wrapped in the words of the story-teller, and now I took a deep breath and settled myself so that I might not disturb him by the slightest movement while he was reciting his tale. We were taught this courtesy to our elders, but I was
There was never a more gorgeous assembly of the kind than this one. The day was perfect. The Crees, displaying their characteristic horseman- ship, came in groups; the Assiniboines, with their curious pompadour well covered with red paint. The various bands of Sioux all carefully observed the traditional peculiarities of dress and behavior. The attaches of the fort were fully represented at the entertainment, and it was not unusual to see a pale-face maiden take part in the feast.
The whole population of the region had assem- bled, and the maidens came shyly into the circle. The simple ceremonies observed prior to the serv- ing of the food were in progress, when among a group of Wahpeton Sioux young men there was a stir of excitement. All the maidens glanced ner- vously toward the scene of the disturbance. Soon a tall youth emerged from the throng of spectators and advanced toward the circle. Every one of the chaperons glared at him as if to deter him from his purpose. But with a steady step he passed them by and approached the maidens' circle.
At last he stopped behind a pretty Assiniboine maiden of good family and said:
"I am sorry, but, according to custom, you should not be here."
The girl arose in confusion, but she soon recov- ered her self-control.
"What do you mean?" she demanded, indig- nantly. "Three times you have come to court me, but each time I have refused to listen to you. I turned my back upon you. Twice I was with Mashtinna. She can tell the people that this is true. The third time I had gone for water when you intercepted me and begged me to stop and listen. I refused because I did not know you. My chaperon, Makatopawee, knows that I was gone but a few minutes. I never saw you any- where else."
The young man was unable to answer this un- mistakable statement of facts, and it became ap- parent that he had sought to revenge himself for her repulse.
"Woo! woo! Carry him out!" was the order of the chief of the Indian police, and the audacious youth was hurried away into the nearest ravine to be chastised.
The young woman who had thus established her good name returned to the circle, and the feast was served. The "maidens' song" was sung, and four times they danced in a ring around the altar. Each maid as she departed once more took her oath to remain pure until she should meet her husband.
IX More Legends
I: A Legend of Devil's Lake
AFTER the death of Smoky Day, old Weyuha was regarded as the greatest story-teller among the Wahpeton Sioux.
"Tell me, good Weyuha, a le- gend of your father's country," I said to him one evening, for I knew the country which is now known as North Dakota and South- ern Manitoba was their ancient hunting-ground. I was prompted by Uncheedah to make this re- quest, after the old man had eaten in our lodge.
"Many years ago," he began, as he passed the pipe to uncle, "we traveled from the Otter-tail to Minnewakan (Devil's Lake). At that time the mound was very distinct where Chotanka lies buried. The people of his immediate band had taken care to preserve it.
"This mound under which lies the great medi- cine man is upon the summit of Minnewakan Chantay, the highest hill in all that region. It is shaped like an animal's heart placed on its base, with the apex upward.
"The reason why this hill is called Minnewa- kan Chantay, or the Heart of the Mysterious Land, I will now tell you. It has been handed down from generation to generation, far beyond the memory of our great-grandparents. It was in Chotanka's line of descent that these legends were originally kept, but when he died the stories became everybody's, and then no one believed in them. It was told in this way."
I sat facing him, wholly wrapped in the words of the story-teller, and now I took a deep breath and settled myself so that I might not disturb him by the slightest movement while he was reciting his tale. We were taught this courtesy to our elders, but I was