old indian days(古印第时期)-第6节
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〃Five hundred braves have enlisted to go with the great war prophet
against the three confederated tribes；〃 he afterward reported at home； with
an air of elation which he had not worn for some moons。
Since Antelope had received the degree of war…bonnet； his father had
spared neither time nor his meager means in his behalf。 He had bartered
his most cherished possessions for sev… eral eagles that were brought in by
various hunters of the camp； and with his own hands had made a
handsome war…bonnet for his son。
〃You will now wear a war…bonnet for the first time； and you are the
first of our family who has earned the right to wear one for many
generations。 I am proud of you； my son；〃 he said as he presented it。
But when the youth replied： 〃Ho； ho； father！ I ought to be a brave man
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in recog… nition of this honor；〃 he again sighed heavily。
〃It is that I feared； my son！ Many a young man has lost his life for
vanity and love of dis… play！〃
The evening serenades began early； for the party was to leave at once。
In groups upon their favorite ponies the warriors rode around the inner
circle of the great camp； singing their war…songs。 All the people came
out of the tee… pees； and sitting by twos and threes upon the ground；
bedecked with savage finery； they watched and listened。 The pretty wild
maid… ens had this last opportunity given them to look upon the faces of
their sweethearts； whom they might never see again。 Here and there an
old man was singing the gratitude song or thank…offering； while
announcing the first war… path of a novice； for such an announcement
meant the giving of many presents to the poor and aged。 So the camp
was filled with songs of joy and pride in the departing husbands； brothers；
and sons。
As soon as darkness set in the sound of the rude native flute was added
to the celebration。 This is the lover' s farewell。 The young braves；
wrapped from head to foot in their finest robes； each sounded the plaintive
strains near the tee… pee of the beloved。 The playful yodeling of many
voices in chorus was heard at the close of each song。
At midnight the army of five hundred； the flower of the Sioux；
marched against their an… cient enemy。 Antelope was in the best of spir…
its。 He had his war…bonnet to display before the enemy！ He was now
regarded as one of the foremost warriors of his band； and might probably
be asked to perform some specially hazardous duty； so that he was fully
prepared to earn further distinction。
In five days the Sioux were encamped within a day's travel of the
permanent village of the confederated tribesthe Rees； Mandans； and
Gros Ventres。 The war…chief selected two men； Antelope and Eaglechild；
to scout at night in advance of the main force。 It was thought that most
of the hunters had already returned to their winter quarters； and in this case
the Sioux would have no mean enemy to face。 On the other hand； a
battle was promised that would enlarge their important traditions。
The two made their way as rapidly as pos… sible toward the ancestral
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home of their ene… mies。 It was a night perfectly suited to what they had
to do； for the moon was full； the fleeting clouds hiding it from time to time
and casting deceptive shadows。
When they had come within a short distance of the lodges unperceived；
they lay flat for a long time； and studied the ways of the young men in
every particular； for it was Antelope's plan to enter the great village and
mingle boldly with its inhabitants。 Even their hoots and love…calls were
carefully noted； so that they might be able to imitate them。 There were
several entertainments in progress in different parts of the village； yet it
was apparent that the greatest vigilance was observed。 The lodges of
poles covered with earth were partly underground； and at one end the
war…horses were stabled； as a precaution against a possible surprise。
At the moment that a large cloud floated over the moon； casting a
shadow large enough to cover the entire village； the drum in one of the
principal lodges was struck in quick time； accompanied by boisterous war…
whoops and singing。 The two scouts adjusted their robes about them in
the fashion of the strangers； and walked openly in that direction。
They glanced quickly from side to side as they approached； but no one
paid any attention； so they came up with other young men and peeped
through the chinks in the earth wig… wam。 It was a great gambling party。
Among the guests were several distinguished warriors； and each at an
opportune time would rise and recount his great deeds in warfare against
the Sioux。 The strangers could read their gestures； and Antelope was
once or twice almost on the point of stringing his bow to send an arrow
through the audacious speaker。
As they moved about the village； taking note of its numbers and
situation； and waiting an opportunity to withdraw without exciting sus…
picion； they observed some of the younger braves standing near another
large wigwam； and one or two even peeped within。 Moved by sudden
curiosity； Antelope followed their ex… ample。 He uttered a low
exclamation and at once withdrew。
〃What is it？〃 asked his companion； but received no answer。
It was evidently the home of a chief。 The family were seated within
at their usual occu… pations； and the bright light of the central fire shone
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full upon the face of a most lovely maiden。
Antelope stood apparently motionless； but he was trembling under his
robe like a leaf。
〃Come； friend； there is another large cloud almost over the moon！ We
must move away under its concealing shadow；〃 urged Eagle… child。
the other stood still as if undecided； but at last he approached the lodge
and looked in a second time。 There sat his sweetheart in human form
once more！ The maiden was at… tired in a doeskin gown set with elk's teeth
like ivory。 Her eyes were cast down demurely over her embroidery； but
in every feature she was the living counterpart of Taluta！
At last the two got away unobserved； and hastened toward the place
where they had con… cealed their horses。 But here Antelope sent his
companion on in advance； making the ex… cuse that he wished to study
further the best position from which to make the attack。
When he was left alone he stood still for a moment to decide upon a
plan。 He could think of nothing but that he must meet the Ree maiden
before daylight！ He realized the extreme hazard of the attempt； but he
also recalled what he had been told by the spirit of Taluta； and the
supernatural command seemed to jus… tify him even in going thus upon the
eve of battle to meet the enemy of his people。
He skirted the heavy timber and retraced his steps to a point from
which he could see the village。 The drum of the gambling party had
ceased with the shouts and laughter of the players。 Apparently the
village was lost in slumber。 The moon had set； and without pausing he
advanced to the home of the girl。 As he came near some dogs began to
bark； but he silenced them after the manner of the Rees； and they obeyed
him。
When Antelope softly raised the robe that hung over the entrance to
the chief's lodge； he saw the fire smoldering in the center； and the
members of the household lying in their respective places； all seemingly in
a deep sleep。 The girl lay opposi
