Old Indian Days | Page 8

ual advisers, and were frequently in the purify- ing vapor-bath, and fasting in prayer.
The last evening had come, and Antelope was on the way to the top of the hill behind the camp for a night of prayer. Suddenly in the half-light he came full upon Taluta, lead- ing her pony down the narrow trail. She had never looked more beautiful to the youth than at that moment.
"Ho," he greeted her. She simply smiled shyly.
"It is long since we met," he ventured.
"I have concluded that you do not care to hear my reply," retorted the girl.
"I have nothing to say in my defense, but I hope that you will be generous. I have suf- fered much. . . . You will understand why I stand far from you," he added gently. "I have been preparing myself to go upon the war- path. We start at daylight for the Ute coun- try. Every day for ten days I have been in the vapor-bath, and ten nights fasting."
As Taluta well knew, a young warrior under these circumstances dared not approach a wo- man, not even his own wife.
"I still urge you to be my wife. Are you ready to give me your answer?" continued An- telope.
"My answer was sent to you by your grand- mother this very day," she replied softly.
"Ah, tell me, tell me, . . ." pressed the youth eagerly.
"All is well. Fear nothing," murmured the maiden.
"I have given my word--I have made my prayers and undergone purification. I must not withdraw from this war-path," he said after a silence. "But I know that I shall be for- tunate! . . . My grandmother will give you my love token. . . . Ah, kechuwa (dear love)! watch the big star every night! I will watch it, too--then we shall both be watching! Although far apart, our spirits will be to- gether."
The moon had risen above the hill, and the cold light discovered the two who stood sadly apart, their hearts hot with longing. Reluc- tantly, yet without a backward look or farewell gesture, the warrior went on up the hill, and the maiden hurried homeward. Only a few moments before she had been happy in the anticipation of making her lover happy. The truth was she had been building air-castles in the likeness of a white teepee pitched upon a virgin prairie all alone, surrounded by mountains. Tatoka's war-horse and hunting pony were picketed near by, and there she saw herself preparing the simple meal for him! But now he has clouded her dreams by this untimely departure.
"He is too brave. . . . His life will be a short one," she said to herself with fore- boding.
For a few hours all was quiet, and just be- fore the appearance of day the warriors' de- parture was made known by their farewell songs. Antelope was in the line early, but he was heavy of heart, for he knew that his sweet- heart was sorely puzzled and disappointed by his abrupt departure. His only consolation was the knowledge that he had in his bundle a pair of moccasins made by her hands. He had not yet seen them, because it was the cus- tom not to open any farewell gifts until the first camp was made, and then they must be opened before the eyes of all the young men! It brings luck to the war-party, they said. He would have preferred to keep his betrothal se- cret, but there was no escaping the custom.
All the camp-fires were burning and supper had been eaten, when the herald approached every group and announced the programme for the evening. It fell to Antelope to open his bundle first. Loud laughter pealed forth when the reluctant youth brought forth a su- perb pair of moccasins--the recognized love- gift! At such times the warriors' jokes were unmerciful, for it was considered a last indul- gence in jesting, perhaps for many moons. The recipient was well known to be a novice in love, and this token first disclosed the fact that he had at last succumbed to the allure- ments of woman. When he sang his love-song he was obliged to name the giver of the token, and many a disappointed suitor was astonished to hear Taluta's name.
It was a long journey to the Ute country, and when they reached it there was a stubbornly contested fight. Both sides claimed the vic- tory, and both lost several men. Here again Antelope was signally favored by the gods of war. He counted many coups or blows, and exhibited his bravery again and again in the charges, but he received no wound.
On the return journey Taluta's beautiful face was constantly before him. He was so impatient to see her that he hurried on in ad- vance of