old indian days(古印第时期)-第31节
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as if to slay him。 At this sight her heart became strong； and she quickly
sprang between them with her woman's knife in her hand。
〃It was a Sac warrior of like proportions and bravery with your own；
who； having slain several of the Sioux； thus approached me with uplifted
tomahawk！〃 she exclaimed in a clear voice； and went on to recite her
victory on that famous day so that the terrified people paused to hear。
Tamahay was greatly astonished； but he was not too drunk to realize
that he must give way at once； or be subject to the humiliation of a blow
from the woman…warrior who challenged him thus。 The whole camp was
listening； and being unable； in spite of his giant frame and well…known
record； to cite a greater deed than hers； he retreated with as good a grace
as pos… sible。 Thus Eyatonkawee recounted her brave deed for the first
time； in order to save a man's life。 From that day her name was great as a
peace…makergreater even than when she had first defended so gallantly
her babe and home！
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Many years afterward； when she had at… tained middle age； this
woman averted a serious danger from her people。
Chief Little Crow the elder was dead； and as he had two wives of two
different bands； the succession was disputed among the half…brothers and
their adherents。 Finally the two sons of the wife belonging to the
Wabashaw band plotted against the son of the woman of the Kaposia band；
His…Red…Nation by name； after… ward called Little Crowthe man who led
the Minnesota massacre。
They obtained a quantity of whisky and made a great feast to which
many were invited； in… tending when all were more or less intoxicated to
precipitate a fight in which he should be killed。 It would be easy
afterward to excuse themselves by saying that it was an accident。
Mendota； near what is now the thriving city of Saint Paul； then a queen
of trading…posts in the Northwest； was the rendezvous of the Sioux。 The
event brought many together； for all warriors of note were bidden from far
and near； and even the great traders of the day were present； for the
succession to the chieftain… ship was one which vitally affected their inter…
ests。 During the early part of the day all went well； with speeches and
eulogies of the dead chief； flowing and eloquent； such as only a native
orator can utter。 Presently two goodly kegs of whisky were rolled into
the council teepee。
Eyatonkawee was among the women； and heard their expressions of
anxiety as the voices of the men rose louder and more threatening。 Some
carried their children away into the woods for safety； while others sought
speech with their husbands outside the council lodge and besought them to
come away in time。 But more than this was needed to cope with the
emergency。 Suddenly a familiar form appeared in the door of the council
lodge。
〃Is it becoming in a warrior to spill the blood of his tribesmen？ Are
there no longer any Ojibways？〃
It was the voice of Eyatonkawee； that strong… hearted woman！
Advancing at the critical mo… ment to the middle of the ring of warriors；
she once more recited her 〃brave deed〃 with all the accompaniment of
action and gesture； and to such effect that the disorderly feast broke up in
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OLD INDIAN DAYS
confusion； and there was peace between the rival bands of Sioux。
There was seldom a dangerous quarrel among the Indians in those
days that was not precipi… tated by the use of strong liquor； and this sim…
ple Indian woman； whose good judgment was equal to her courage； fully
recognized this fact。 All her life； and especially after her favorite brother
had been killed in a drunken brawl in the early days of the American Fur
Company； she was a determined enemy to strong drink； and it is said did
more to prevent its use among her immediate band than any other person。
Be… ing a woman； her sole means of recognition was the 〃brave deed〃
which she so wonderfully described and enacted before the people。
During the lifetime of She…whose…Voice…is… heard…afarand she died only
a few years ago it behooved the Sioux men； if they drank at all； to drink
secretly and in moderation。 There are many who remember her brave
entrance upon the scene of carousal； and her dramatic recital of the
immortal deed of her youth。
〃Hanta！ hanta wo！ （Out of the way！）〃 exclaim the dismayed warriors；
scrambling in every direction to avoid the upraised arm of the terrible old
woman； who bursts suddenly upon them with disheveled hair； her gown
torn and streaked here and there with what looks like fresh blood； her
leather leggins loose and ungartered； as if newly come from the famous
struggle。 One of the men has a keg of whisky for which he has given a
pony； and the others have been invited in for a night of pleasure。 But
scarcely has the first round been drunk to the toast of 〃great deeds；〃 when
Eyatonkawee is upon them； her great knife held high in her wrinkled left
hand； her tomahawk in the right。 Her black eyes gleam as she declaims
in a voice strong； unterrified：
〃Look！ look！ brothers and husbandsthe Sacs and Foxes are upon us！
Behold； our braves are surprisedthey are unprepared！ Hear the mothers；
the wives and the children screaming in affright！
〃Your brave sister； Eyatonkawee； she； the newly made mother； is
serving the smoking venison to her husband；
just returned from the chase！ Ah； he plunges into the thickest of the
enemy！ He falls； he falls； in full view of his young wife！
〃She desperately presses her babe to her breast； while on they come
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yelling and triumphant！ The foremost of them all enters her white buffalo…
skin teepee： Tossing her babe at the warrior's feet； she stands before him；
defiant； But he straightway levels his spear at her bosom。 Quickly she
springs aside； and as quickly deals a deadly blow with her ax： Falls at her
feet the mighty warrior！
〃Closely following on comes another； unknowing what fate has met
his fellow！ He too enters her teepee； and upon his feather…decked head her
ax falls Only his death…groan replies！
〃Another of heroic size and great prowess； as witnessed by his war…
bonnet of eagle…feathers； Rushes on； yelling and whoopingfor they
believe that victory is with them！ The third great warrior who has dared to
enter Eyatonkawee's teepee uninvited； he has already dispatched her
husband！ He it is whose terrible war…cry has scattered her sisters among
the trees of the forest！
〃On he comes with confidence and a brave heart； seeking one more
bloody deed One more feather to win for his head！ Behold； he lifts above
her woman's head his battle…ax！ No hope； no chance for her life！ 。 。 。 Ah！
he strikes beyond heronly the handle of the ax falls heavily upon her
tired shoulder！ Her ready knife finds his wicked heart； Down he falls at
her feet！
〃Now the din of war grows fainter and further。 The Sioux recover heart；
and drive the enemy headlong from their lodges： Your sister stands
victorious over three！ 〃She takes her baby boy； and makes him count with
his tiny hands the first 'coup' on each dead hero； Hence he wears the 'first
feathers' while yet in his oaken cradle。
〃The bravest of the whole Sioux nation have given the war…whoop in
your sister's honor； and have said： 'Tis Eyatonkawee who is not satisfied
with downing the mighty oaks with her ax She took the mighty Sacs and
Foxes for trees； and she felled them with a will！'〃
In such fashion the old woman was wont to chant her story； and not a
warrior there could tell one to surpass it！ The custom was strong； and
there was not one to prevent her when she struck open with a single blow
of her ax the keg of whisky； and
