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OLD INDIAN DAYS
strangers； and though many of the other chiefs opposed him in this； his
counsels pre… vailed。 Hence it was that both the French and English
received much kindness from our peo… ple； mainly through the influence
of this one woman！
Such was the first coming of the white man among us； as it is told in
our traditions。 Other praying…men came later； and many of the Sioux
allowed themselves to be baptized。 True； there have been Indian wars；
but not without reason； and it is pleasant to remember that the Sioux were
hospitable to the first white 〃praying… man；〃 and that it was a tender…
hearted maiden of my people who first took in her hands the cross of the
new religion。
V THE PEACE…MAKER
One of the most remarkable women of her day and nation was
Eyatonkawee； She…whose…Voice…is…heard…afar。 It is matter of history
among the Wakpaykootay band of Sioux； the Dwellers among the Leaves；
that when Eyatonkawee was a very young woman she was once victorious
in a hand…to… hand combat with the enemy in the woods of Minnesota；
where her people were hunting the deer。 At such times they often met
with stray parties of Sacs and Foxes from the prairies of Iowa and Illinois。
Now； the custom was among our people that the doer of a notable
warlike deed was held in highest honor； and these deeds were kept con…
stantly in memory by being recited in public； before many witnesses。
The greatest exploit was that one involving most personal courage and
physical address； and he whose record was adjudged best might claim
certain privileges； not the least of which was the right to interfere in any
quarrel and separate the combatants。 The peace…maker might resort to
force； if need be； and no one dared to utter a protest who could not say that
he had himself achieved an equal fame。
There was a man called Tamahay； known to Minnesota history as the
〃One…eyed Sioux；〃 who was a notable character on the frontier in the early
part of the nineteenth century。 He was very reckless； and could boast of
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OLD INDIAN DAYS
many a perilous adventure。 He was the only Sioux who； in the War of
1812； fought for the Americans； while all the rest of his people sided with
the British； mainly through the influence of the Eng… lish traders among
them at that time。 This same 〃One…eyed Sioux〃 became a warm friend of
Lieutenant Pike； who discovered the sources of the Mississippi； and for
whom Pike's Peak is named。 Some say that the Indian took his friend's
name； for Tamahay in English means Pike or Pickerel。
Unfortunately； in later life this brave man became a drunkard； and after
the Americans took possession of his country almost any one of them
would supply him with liquor in recog… nition of his notable services as a
scout and soldier。 Thus he was at times no less dangerous in camp than
in battle。
Now； Eyatonkawee； being a young widow； had married the son of a
lesser chief in Tama… hay's band； and was living among strangers。
Moreover； she was yet young and modest。
One day this bashful matron heard loud war… whoops and the screams
of women。 Looking forth； she saw the people fleeing hither and thither；
while Tamahay； half intoxicated； rushed from his teepee painted for war；
armed with tomahawk and scalping…knife； and approached another warrior
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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OLD INDIAN DAYS
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