Old Indian Days | Page 8

surprise. . . . I grant your last request. The birds alone can
indulge in gossip about our meeting,--unless my cousin, who is in the

next ravine, should see us to- gether!" She sprang lightly upon the back
of her pony, and disappeared among the scat- tered pines.
Between the first lovers' meeting and the sec- ond was a period of one
moon. This was wholly the fault of Antelope, who had been a prey to
indecision and painful thoughts. Half re- gretting his impulsive
declaration, and hoping to forget his pangs in the chances of travel and
war, he had finally enlisted in the number of those who were to go with
the war-leader Crowhead into the Ute country. As was the custom of
the Sioux warriors upon the eve of departure, the young men consulted
their spirit- 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