Old Indian Days | Page 5

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 When their attention was withdrawn from him for an instant by the sud- den onset of the Sioux, he sprang to his feet.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. 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 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.
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