按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
for him； and if he had had one； he would not have made the request。 He
did not choose to admit any one to his secret； for he had no confidence in
himself or in the outcome of the affair。 If it had been anything like
trailing the doe； or scouting the Ojibway； he would have ridiculed the very
notion of missing the object sought。 But this was a new warfarean
unknown hunt… ing！ Although he was very anxious to meet Taluta；
whenever the idea occurred to him he trembled like a leaf in the wind； and
profuse perspiration rolled down his stoic visage。 It was not customary
10
… Page 11…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
to hold any social inter… course with the members of the opposite sex； and
he had never spoken familiarly to any woman since he became a man；
except his old grandmother。 It was well known that the counsel of the
aged brings luck to the youth in warfare and love。
Antelope arose early the next morning； and without speaking to any
one he made a cere… monious toilet。 He put on his finest buckskin shirt
and a handsome robe； threw a beaded quiver over his shoulder； and
walked directly away from the teepees and into the foresthe did not
know why nor whither。 The sounds of the camp grew fainter and fainter；
until at last he found himself alone。
〃How is it；〃 mused the young man； 〃that I have hoped to become a
leader among my people？ My father is not a chief； and none of my
ancestors were distinguished in war。 I know well that； if I desire to be
great； I must deny myself the pleasure of woman's company until I have
made my reputation。 I must not boast nor exhibit myself on my first
success。 The spirits do not visit the common haunts of men！ All these
rules I have thus far kept； and I must not now yield to temptation。 。 。 。 Man
has much to weaken his ambition after he is married。 A young man may
seek oppor… tunities to prove his worth； but to a married man the
opportunity must come to try him。 He acts only when compelled to
act。 。 。 。 Ah； I must flee from the woman！。 。 。 。 Besides； if she should
like someone else better； I should be humiliated。 。 。 。 I must go upon a long
war…path。 I shall forget her。 。 。 。〃
At this point his revery was interrupted by the joyous laughter of two
young women。 The melodious sing…song laughter of the Sioux maiden
stirred the very soul of the young war… rior。
All his philosophy deserted him； and he stood hesitating； looking
about him as if for a chance of escape。 A man who had never before felt
the magnetic influence of woman in her simplicity and childlike purity； he
be… came for the moment incapable of speech or action。
Meanwhile the two girls were wholly uncon… scious of any disturbing
presence in the forest。 They were telling each other the signals that each
had received in the dance。 Taluta's com… panion had stopped at the first
raspberry bushes； while she herself passed on to the next thicket。 When
11
… Page 12…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
she emerged from the pines into an opening； she suddenly beheld Antelope；
in his full…dress suit of courtship。 Instantly she dropped her eyes。
Luckily the customs of courtship among the Sioux allow the covering
of one's head with the blanket。 In this attitude； the young man made a
signal to Taluta with trembling fingers。
The wild red man's wooing was natural and straightforward； there was
no circumspection； no maneuvering for time or advantage。 Hot words of
love burst forth from the young warrior's lips； with heavy breathing behind
the folds of the robe with which he sought to shield his embarrassment。
〃For once the spirits are guiding my for… tunes！ It may seem strange to
you； when we meet thus by accident； that I should speak im… mediately of
my love for you； but we live in a world where one must speak when the
oppor… tunity offers。 I have thought much of you since I saw you at the
maidens' feast。 。 。 。 Is Taluta willing to become the wife of Tatoka？ The
moccasins of her making will cause his feet to be swift in pursuit of the
game； and on the trail of the enemy。 。 。 。 I beg of you； maiden； let our
meeting be known only to the birds of the air； while you consider my pro…
posal！〃
All this while the maiden stood demurely at his side； playing with the
lariat of her pony in her brown； fine hands。 Her doeskin gown with
profuse fringes hung gracefully as the drooping long leaves of the willow；
and her two heavy braids of black hair； mingled with strings of deers'
hoofs and wampum； fell upon her bosom。 There was a faint glow under…
neath her brown skin； and her black eyes were calm and soft； yet full of
native fire。
〃You will not press for an answer now；〃 she gently replied； without
looking at him。 〃I expected to see no one here； and your words have
taken me by 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
12
… Page 13…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
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… i