old indian days(古印第时期)-第2节
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were obliged to dismount。 Like a deer the Sioux leaped from rock to
rock； and almost within arrow…shot came his pursuers； wildly whooping
and yelling。
When he had achieved the summit； he took his stand between two
great rocks； and flashed his tiny looking…glass for a distress signal into the
distant camp of his people。
For a long time no reply came； and many arrows flew over his head； as
the Utes ap… proached gradually from rock to rock。 He； too； sent down a
swift arrow now and then； to show them that he was no child or woman in
fight； but brave as a bear when it is brought to bay。
〃Ho； ho！〃 he shouted to the enemy； in token of a brave man's welcome
to danger and death。
They replied with yells of triumph； as they pressed more and more
closely upon him。 One of their number had been dispatched to notify the
main war…party when they first saw Ante… lope； but he did not know this；
and his courage was undiminished。 From time to time he con… tinued to
flash his signal； and at last like light… ning the little white flash came in
reply。
The sun was low when the besieged warrior discovered a large body of
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horsemen approach… ing from the northwest。 It was the Ute war… party！
He looked earnestly once more toward the Sioux camp； shading his eyes
with his right palm。 There； too； were many moving specks upon the
plain； drawing toward the foot of the hill！
At the middle of the afternoon they had caught his distress signal； and
the entire camp was thrown into confusion； for but few of the men had
returned from the daily hunt。 As fast as they came in； the warriors
hurried away upon their best horses； singing and yelling。 When they
reached the well…known butte； tow… ering abruptly in the midst of the plain；
they could distinguish their enemies massed behind the hanging rocks and
scattered cedar…trees； crawling up closer and closer； for the large war…
party reached the hill just as the scouts who held Antelope at bay
discovered the approach of his kinsmen。
Antelope had long since exhausted his quiver of arrows and was
gathering up many of those that fell about him to send them back among
his pursuers。 When their attention was withdrawn from him for an
instant by the sud… den onset of the Sioux； he sprang to his feet。
He raised both his hands heavenward in token of gratitude for his
rescue； and his friends announced with loud shouts the daring of Ante…
lope。
Both sides fought bravely； but the Utes at last retreated and were
fiercely pursued。 An… telope stood at his full height upon the huge rock
that had sheltered him； and gave his yell of defiance and exultation。
Below him the war… riors took it up； and among the gathering shadows the
rocks echoed praises of his name。
In the Sioux camp upon Lost Water there were dances and praise songs；
but there was wailing and mourning； too； for many lay dead among the
crags。 The name of Antelope was indelibly recorded upon Eagle Scout
Butte。
〃If he wished for a war…bonnet of eagle feathers； it is his to wear；〃
declared one of the young men。 〃But he is modest； and scarcely even
joins in the scalp dances。 lt is said of him that he has never yet spoken to
any young woman！〃
〃True； it is not announced publicly that he has addressed a maiden。
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Many parents would like to have their daughters the first one he would
speak to； but I am told he desires to go upon one or two more war…paths
before seeking woman's company；〃 replied another。
〃Hun； hun； hay！〃 exclaimed a third youth ill…naturedly。 He is already
old enough to be a father！〃
〃This is told of him；〃 rejoined the first speaker。 〃He wants to hold
the record of being the young man who made the greatest number of coups
before he spoke to a maiden。 I know that there are not only mothers who
would be glad to have him for a son…in…law； but their young daughters
would not refuse to look upon the brave Antelope as a husband！〃
It was true that in the dance his name was often mentioned； and at
every repetition it seemed that the young women danced with more spirit；
while even grandmothers joined in the whirl with a show of youthful
abandon。
Wezee； the father of Antelope； was receiv… ing congratulations
throughout the afternoon。 Many of the old men came to his lodge to
smoke with him； and the host was more than gratified； for he was of a
common family and had never before known what it is to bask in the
sunshine of popularity and distinction。 He spoke complacently as he
crowded a hand… ful of tobacco into the bowl of the long red pipe。
〃Friends； our life here is short； and the life of a brave youth is apt to be
shorter than most！ We crave all the happiness that we can get； and it is
right that we should do so。 One who says that he does not care for
reputation or success； is not likely to be telling the truth。 So you will
forgive me if I say too much about the honorable career of my son。〃 This
was the old man's philosophic apology。
〃Ho； ho；〃 his guests graciously responded。 〃It is your moon！ Every
moon has its full… ness； when it lights up the night； while the little stars
dance before it。 So to every man there comes his full moon！〃
Somewhat later in the day all the young people of the great camp were
seen to be mov… ing in one direction。 All wore their best attire and finest
ornaments； and even the parti…col… ored steeds were decorated to the
satisfaction of their beauty…loving riders。
〃Ugh； Taluta is making a maidens' feast！ She； the prettiest of all the
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Unkpapa maid… ens！〃 exclaimed one of the young braves。
〃She； the handsomest of all our young women！〃 repeated another。
Taluta was indeed a handsome maid in the height and bloom of
womanhood； with all that wonderful freshness and magnetism which was
developed and preserved by the life of the wil… derness。 She had already
given five maidens' feasts； beginning with her fifteenth year； and her shy
and diffident purity was held sacred by her people。
The maidens' circle was now complete。 Be… hind it the outer circle of
old women was equally picturesque and even more dignified。 The
grandmother； not the mother； was regarded as the natural protector of the
young maiden； and the dowagers derived much honor from their position；
especially upon public occasions； tak… ing to themselves no small amount
of credit for the good reputations of their charges。
Weshawee； whose protege had many suitors and was a decided
coquette； fidgeted nervously and frequently adjusted her robe or fingered
her necklace to ease her mind； for she dreaded lest； in spite of
watchfulness； some mishap might have befallen her charge。 Her anxiety
was apparently shared by several other chap… erons who stole occasional
suspicious glances in the direction of certain of the young braves。 It had
been known to happen that a girl un… worthy to join in the sacred feast was
publicly disgraced。
A special police force was appointed to keep order on this occasion；
each member of which was gorgeously painted and bedecked with eagle
feathers； and carried in his hand a long switch with which to threaten the
encroaching throng。 Their horses wore head…skins of fierce animals to
add to their awe…inspiring appear… ance。
The wild youths formed the outer circle
