indian boyhood(尤孩提时代)-第26章
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entered the woods。 Noth… ing was wanting to our old way of living。
The killing of deer and elk and moose had to be stopped for a time； since
meat was so abundant that we had no use for them any longer。 Only the
hunting for pelts； such as those of the bear； beaver； marten； and otter was
continued。 But whenever we lived in blessed abundance； our braves
were wont to turn their thoughts to other occupationsespecially the hot…
blooded youths whose ambition it was to do something note… worthy。 At
just such moments as this there are always a number of priests in readiness；
whose vocation it is to see into the future； and each of whom con… sults his
particular interpreter of the Great Mys… tery。 （This ceremony is called by
the white people 〃making medicine。〃） To the priests the youth… ful braves
hint their impatience for the war…path。 Soon comes the desired dream or
prophecy or vision to favor their departure。
Our young men presently received their sign； and for a few days all
was hurry and excitement。 On the appointed morning we heard the songs
of the warriors and the wailing of the women； by which they bade adieu to
each other； and the eligible braves； headed by an experienced manold
Ho… tanka or Loud…Voiced Ravenset out for the Gros Ventre country。
Our older heads； to be sure； had expressed some disapproval of the
undertaking； for the country in which we were roaming was not our own；
and we were likely at any time to be taken to task by its rightful owners。
The plain truth of the matter was that we were intruders。 Hence the more
thoughtful among us preferred to be at home； and to achieve what renown
they could get by defend… ing their homes and families。 The young men；
however； were so eager for action and excitement that they must needs go
off in search of it。
From the early morning when these braves left us； led by the old war…
priest； Loud…Voiced Raven； the anxious mothers； sisters and sweethearts
counted the days。 Old Smoky Day would occa… sionally get up early in
the morning； and sing a 〃strong…heart〃 song for his absent grandson。 I
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still seem to hear the hoarse； cracked voice of the ancient singer as it
resounded among the woods。 For a long time our roving community
enjoyed unbroken peace； and we were spared any trouble or disturbance。
Our hunters often brought in a deer or elk or bear for fresh meat。 The
beautiful lakes furnished us with fish and wild…fowl for variety。 Their
placid waters； as the autumn ad… vanced； reflected the variegated colors of
the changing foliage。
It is my recollection that we were at this time encamped in the vicinity
of the 〃Turtle Moun… tain's Heart。〃 It is to the highest cone…shaped peak
that the Indians aptly give this appellation。 Our camping…ground for two
months was within a short distance of the peak； and the men made it a
point to often send one of their number to the top。 It was understood
between them and the war party that we were to remain near this spot； and
on their return trip the latter were to give the 〃smoke sign；〃 which we
would answer from the top of the hill。
One day； as we were camping on the shore of a large lake with several
islands； signs of moose were discovered； and the men went off to them on
rafts； carrying their flint…lock guns in anticipation of finding two or three
of the animals。 We little fellows； as usual； were playing down by the
sandy shore； when we spied what seemed like the root of a great tree
floating toward us。 But on a closer scrutiny we discovered our error。
It was the head of a huge moose； swimming for his life！ Fortun… ately for
him； none of the men had remained at home。
According to our habit； we little urchins disap… peared in an instant；
like young prairie chickens； in the long grass。 I was not more than eight
years old； yet I tested the strength of my bow… string and adjusted my
sharpest and best arrow for immediate service。 My heart leaped violently
as the homely but imposing animal neared the shore。 I was undecided for
a moment whether I would not leave my hiding…place and give a war…
whoop as soon as he touched the sand。 Then I thought I would keep still
and let him have my boy weap… on； and the only regret that I had was that
he would； in all probability； take it with him； and I should be minus one
good arrow。
〃Still；〃 I thought； 〃I shall claim to be the smallest boy whose arrow
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was ever carried away by a moose。〃 That was enough。 I gathered myself
into a bunch； all ready to spring。 As the long…legged beast pulled himself
dripping out of the water； and shook off the drops from his long hair； I
sprang to my feet。 I felt some of the water in my face！ I gave him my
sharpest arrow with all the force I could master； right among the floating
ribs。 Then I uttered my war… whoop。
The moose did not seem to mind the miniature weapon； but he was
very much frightened by our shrill yelling。 He took to his long legs； and
in a minute was out of sight。
The leaves had now begun to fall； and the heavy frosts made the nights
very cold。 We were forced to realize that the short summer of that region
had said adieu！ Still we were gay and light… hearted； for we had plenty of
provisions； and no misfortune had yet overtaken us in our wanderings over
the country for nearly three months。
One day old Smoky Day returned from the daily hunt with an alarm。
He had seen a sign a 〃smoke sign。〃 This had not appeared in the quarter
that they were anxiously watchingit came from the east。 After a long
consultation among the men； it was concluded from the nature and
duration of the smoke that it proceeded from an accidental fire。 It was
further surmised that the fire was not made by Sioux； since it was out of
their country； but by a war…party of Ojibways； who were accustomed to
use matches when lighting their pipes； and to throw them carelessly away。
It was thought that a little time had been spent in an attempt to put it out。
The council decreed that a strict look…out should be established in
behalf of our party。 Every day a scout was appointed to reconnoitre in
the direc… tion of the smoke。 It was agreed that no gun should be fired
for twelve days。 All our signals were freshly rehearsed among the men。
The women and old men went so far as to dig little convenient holes
around their lodges； for defense in case of a sudden attack。 And yet an
Ojibway scout would not have suspected； from the ordinary appearance of
the camp； that the Sioux had be… come aware of their neighborhood！
Scouts were stationed just outside of the village at night。 They had been so
trained as to rival an owl or a cat in their ability to see in the dark。
The twelve days passed by； however； without bringing any evidence of
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the nearness of the sup… posed Ojibway war…party； and the 〃lookout〃
established for purposes of protection was aband… oned。 Soon after this；
one morning at dawn； we were aroused by the sound of the unwelcome
war… whoop。 Although only a child； I sprang up and was about to rush
out； as I had been taught to do； but my good grandmother pulled me down；
and gave me a sign to lay flat on the ground。 I sharpened my ears and lay
still。
All was quiet in camp； but at some little distance from us there was a
lively encounter。 I could distinctly hear the old herald； shouting and yell…
ing in exasperation。 〃Whoo！ whoo！〃 was the signal of distress； and I
could almost hear the pulse of my own blood…vessels。
Closer and closer the struggle came； and still the women appeared to
grow more and more calm。 At last a tremendous charge by the Sioux put
the enemy to flight； there was a burst of yelling； alas！ my friend and
teacher； old Smoky Day； was silent。 He had been pierced to the heart by
an arrow from the Ojibways。
Although successful； we had lost two of our men； Smoky Day and
White Crane； and this inci… dent； although hardly unexpected； darkened
our peaceful sky。 The camp was filled with songs of victory； mingled
with the wailing of the relatives of the slain。 The mothers of the youths
who were absent on the war…path could no longer con… ceal their anxiety。
One frosty morningfor it was then near the end of Octoberthe weird
song of a solitary brave was heard。 In an instant the camp was thrown
into indescribable confusion。 The meaning of this was clear as day to
everybodyall of our war…party were killed； save the one whose mourn…
ful song announced the fate of his companions。 The lonely warrior was
Bald Eagle。
The village was convulsed with grief； for in sorrow； as in joy； every
Indian shares with all the others。 The old women stood still； wherever
they might be； and wailed dismally； at intervals chanting the praises of the
departed warriors。 The wives went a little way from their teepees and
there audibly mourned； but the young maidens wandered further away
from the camp； where no one could witness their grief。 The old men
joined in the crying and singing。 To all ap… pearances the most unmoved
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