old indian days(古印第时期)-第17章
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！
took the oath of the pipe in token of their loyalty。 You all know the
ancient war custom。 A lighted pipe was held toward them and each one
solemnly touched it； after which it was passed as usual。
〃We followed more slowly； and at about midnight we came to the
place where our scouts had agreed to meet us。 They were to return from
a reconnaissance of the camp and report on what they had seen。 It was a
lonely spot； and the night was very cold and still。 We sat there in the
snowy woods near a little creek and smoked in silence while we waited。
I had plenty of time to reflect upon my position。 These Gros Ventres and
Rees have been our enemies for generations。 I was one man to twenty！
They had their orders from the commander of the fort； and that was my
only safeguard。
〃Soon we heard the howl of a wolf a little to the westward。
Immediately one of the party answered in the same manner。 I could not
have told it from the howl of a real wolf。 Then we heard a hooting owl
down the creek。 Another of our party hooted like an owl。
〃Presently the wolf's voice sounded nearer； while the owl's hoot came
nearer in the opposite direction。 Then we heard the footsteps of ponies
on the crisp； frosty air。 The scout who had been imitating the wolf came
in first； and the owl soon followed。 The warriors made a ring and again
filled the pipe； and the scouts took the oath for the second time。
〃After smoking； they reported a trail going up a stream tributary to the
Missouri； but whether going out or coming in it was impos… sible to tell in
the dark。 It was several days old。 This was discussed for some time。
The question was whether some had gone out in search of meat； or
whether some additional men had come into camp。
〃The Bunch of Stars was already a little west of the middle sky when
we set out again。 They agreed to take me a short distance beyond this
creek and there leave me； as they were afraid to go any further。 On the
bank of the creek we took a farewell smoke。 There was a faint glow in
68
… Page 69…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
the east； showing that it was almost morning。 The warriors sang a
'Strong Heart' song for me in an undertone as I went on alone。
〃I tried to make a wide circuit of the camp； but I passed their ponies
grazing all over the side hills at a considerable distance； and I went as
quietly as possible； so as not to frighten them。 When I had fairly passed
the camp I came down to the road again； and I let my horse fly！
〃I had been cautioned at the post that the crossings of the creeks on
either side of the camp were the most dangerous places； since they would
be likely to watch for me there。 I had left the second crossing far behind；
and I felt quite safe； but I was tired and chilled by the long ride。 My
horse； too； began to show signs of fatigue。 In a deep ravine where there
was plenty of dry wood and shelter； I cleared the ground of snow and
kindled a small fire。 Then I gave the horse his last ration of oats； and I
ate the last of the pemmican that the Ree scouts had given me。
〃Suddenly he pricked up his ears in the di… rection of home。 He ate a
mouthful and listened again。 I began to grow nervous； and I listened； too。
Soon I heard the footsteps of horses in the snow at a considerable distance。
〃Hastily I mounted and took flight along the ravine until I had to come
out upon the open plain； in full view of a party of about thirty Sioux in
war…paint； coming back from the direction of Fort Rice。 They
immediately gave chase； yelling and flourishing their guns and tomahawks
over their heads。 I urged my horse to his best speed； for I felt that if they
should overtake me； nothing could save me！ My friend； White Elk； here；
was one of that war… party。
〃I saw that I had a fair lead and the best horse； and was gaining upon
them； when about two miles out I met some more of the party who had
lingered behind the rest。 I was sur… rounded！
〃I turned toward the north； to a deep gulch that I knew I should find
there； and I led my horse along a narrow and slippery ridge to a deep hole。
Here I took up my position。 I guarded the pass with my bow and arrows；
and they could not reach me unless they should fol… low the ridge in single
file。 I knew that they would not storm my position； for that is not the
Indian way of fighting； but I supposed that they would try to tire me out。
They yelled and hooted； and shot many bullets and arrows over my head
69
… Page 70…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
to terrify me into surrender； but I re… mained motionless and silent。
〃Night came； with a full round moon。 All was light as day except the
place where I stood； half frozen and not daring to move。 The bot… tom of
the gulch was as black as a well and almost as cold。 The wolves howled
all around me in the stillness。
At last I heard the footsteps of horses re… treating； and then no other
sound。 Still I dared not come out。 I must have slept； for it was dawn
when I seemed to hear faintly the yelling of warriors； and then I heard my
own name。
〃'Zuyamani； tokiya nunka huwo？' （Where are you； Zuyamani？） they
shouted。 A party of my friends had come out to meet me and had
followed our trail。 I was scarcely able to walk when I came out； but they
filled the pipe and held it up to me； as is done in recognition of
distinguished service。 They escorted me into the post； singing war songs
and songs of brave deeds； and there I delivered up his letters to the Chief
Soldier。〃
Again the drum was struck and the old men cheered Zuyamani； who
added：
〃I think that Poor Dog was right； for the Great Father never gave me
any credit； nor did he ever reward me for what I had done。 Yet I have not
been without honor； for my own people have not forgotten me； even
though I went upon the white man's errand。〃
VII THE GRAVE OF THE DOG
The full moon was just clear of the high mountain ranges。
Surrounded by a ring of bluish haze； it looked almost as if it were frozen
against the impalpable blue… black of the reckless midwinter sky。
The game scout moved slowly homeward； well wrapped in his long
buffalo robe； which was securely belted to his strong loins； his quiver
tightly tied to his shoulders so as not to impede his progress。 It was
enough to carry upon his feet two strong snow…shoes； for the snow was
deep and its crust too thin to bear his weight。
70
… Page 71…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
As he emerged from the lowlands into the upper regions； he loomed up
a gigantic figure against the clear； moonlit horizon。 His pic… turesque
foxskin cap with all its trimmings was incrusted with frost from the breath
of his nos… trils； and his lagging footfall sounded crisply。 The distance he
had that day covered was enough for any human endurance； yet he was
neither faint nor hungry； but his feet were frozen into the psay； the snow…
shoes； so that he could not run faster than an easy slip and slide。
At last he reached the much…coveted point the crown of the last
ascent； and when he smelled fire and the savory odor of the jerked buffalo
meat； it well…nigh caused him to waver！ But he must not fail to follow
the custom of untold ages； and give the game scout's wolf call before
enter… ing camp。
Accordingly he paused upon the highest point of the ridge and uttered
a cry to which the hungry cry of a real wolf would have seemed but a
coyote's yelp in comparison！ Then it was that the rest of the buffalo
hunters knew that their game scout was returning with welcome news； for
the unsuccessful scout enters the camp silently。
A second time he gave the call to assure his hearers that their ears did
not deceive them。 The gray wolves received the news with perfect un…
derstanding。 It meant food！ 〃Woo…o…o…o！ woo…o…o…o！〃 came from all
directions； especially from the opposite ridge。 Thus the ghostly； cold；
weird night was enlivened with the music from many wild throats。
Down the gradual slope the scout hastened； his footfall was the only
sound that broke the stillness after the answers to his call had ceased。 As
he crossed a little ridge an immense wolf suddenly confronted him； and
instead of retreat… ing； calmly sat up and gazed steadfastly into his face。
〃Welcome； welcome； friend！〃 the hunter spoke as he passed。
In the meantime； the hunters at the temporary camp were aroused to a
high pitch of excitement。 Some turned their buffalo robes and put them
on in such a way as to convert themselves into make…believe bison； and
began to tread the snow； while others were singing the buffalo song； that
their spirits might be charmed and allured within the circle of the camp…
fires。 The scout； too； was singing his buffalo bull song in a guttural；
lowing chant as he neared the hunting camp。 Within arrow…shot he
71
… Page 72…
OLD INDIAN DAYS
paused again； while the usual cere… monies were enacted for his reception。
This done； he was seated with the leaders in a chosen place。
〃It was a long run；〃 he said； 〃but there were no difficulties。 I found
the first herd directly north of here。 The second herd； a great one； is
northeast； near Shell Lake。 The snow is deep。 The buffalo can only
follow their leader in their
