the scouts of the valley-第8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！



Henry　had　but　one　fear　just　now；　and　that　was　dogs。　　If　the　Indians　had　any　of　their　mongrel　curs　with　them；　they　would　quickly　scent　him　out　and　give　the　alarm　with　their　barking。　　But　he　believed　that　the　probabilities　were　against　it。　　This；　so　he　thought　then；　was　a　war　or　hunting　camp；　and　it　was　likely　that　the　Indians　would　leave　the　dogs　at　their　permanent　villages。　　At　any　rate　he　would　take　the　risk；　and　he　drew　slowly　toward　the　oak　opening；　where　some　Indians　stood　about。　　Beyond　them；　in　another　dip　of　the　valley；　was　a　wider　opening　which　he　had　not　seen　on　his　first　trip；　and　this　contained　not　only　bark　shelters；　but　buildings　that　indicated　a　permanent　village。　　The　second　and　larger　opening　was　filled　with　a　great　concourse　of　warriors。

Fortunately　the　foliage　around　the　opening　was　very　dense；　many　trees　and　thickets　everywhere。　　Henry　crept　to　the　very　rim；　where；　lying　in　the　blackest　of　the　shadows；　and　well　hidden　himself；　he　could　yet　see　nearly　everything　in　the　camp。　　The　men　were　not　eating　now；　although　it　was　obvious　that　the　hunters　had　done　well。　　The　dressed　bodies　of　deer　and　bear　hung　in　the　bark　shelters。　　Most　of　the　Indians　sat　about　the　fires；　and　it　seemed　to　Henry　that　they　had　an　air　of　expectancy。　　At　least　two　hundred　were　present；　and　all　of　them　were　in　war　paint；　although　there　were　several　styles　of　paint。　　There　was　a　difference　in　appearance；　too；　in　the　warriors；　and　Henry　surmised　that　representatives　of　all　the　tribes　of　the　Iroquois　were　there；　coming　to　the　extreme　western　boundary　or　fringe　of　their　country。

While　Henry　watched　them　a　half　dozen　who　seemed　by　their　bearing　and　manner　to　be　chiefs　drew　together　at　a　point　not　far　from　him　and　talked　together　earnestly。　　Now　and　then　they　looked　toward　the　forest；　and　he　was　quite　sure　that　they　were　expecting　somebody；　a　person　of　importance。　　He　became　deeply　interested。　　He　was　lying　in　a　dense　clump　of　hazel　bushes；　flat　upon　his　stomach；　his　face　raised　but　little　above　the　ground。　　He　would　have　been　hidden　from　the　keenest　eye　only　ten　feet　away；　but　the　faces　of　the　chiefs　outlined　against　the　blazing　firelight　were　so　clearly　visible　to　him　that　he　could　see　every　change　of　expression。　　They　were　fine…looking　men；　all　of　middle　age；　tall；　lean；　their　noses　hooked；　features　cut　clean　and　strong；　and　their　heads　shaved；　all　except　the　defiant　scalp　lock；　into　which　the　feather　of　an　eagle　was　twisted。　　Their　bodies　were　draped　in　fine　red　or　blue　blankets；　and　they　wore　leggins　and　moccasins　of　beautifully　tanned　deerskin。

They　ceased　talking　presently；　and　Henry　heard　a　distant　wailing　note　from　the　west。　　Some　one　in　the　camp　replied　with　a　cry　in　kind；　and　then　a　silence　fell　upon　them　all。　　The　chiefs　stood　erect；　looking　toward　the　west。　　Henry　knew　that　he　whom　they　expected　was　at　hand。

The　cry　was　repeated；　but　much　nearer；　and　a　warrior　leaped　into　the　opening；　in　the　full　blaze　of　the　firelight。　　He　was　entirely　naked　save　for　a　breech　cloth　and　moccasins；　and　he　was　a　wild　and　savage　figure。　　He　stood　for　a　moment　or　two；　then　faced　the　chiefs；　and；　bowing　before　them；　spoke　a　few　words　in　the　Wyandot　tongue…Henry　knew　already　by　his　paint　that　he　was　a　Wyandot。

The　chiefs　inclined　their　heads　gravely；　and　the　herald；　turning；　leaped　back　into　the　forest。　　In　two　or　three　minutes　six　men；　including　the　herald；　emerged　from　the　woods；　and　Henry　moved　a　little　when　he　saw　the　first　of　the　six；　all　of　whom　were　Wyandots。　　It　was　Timmendiquas；　head　chief　of　the　Wyandots；　and　Henry　had　never　seen　him　more　splendid　in　manner　and　bearing　than　he　was　as　he　thus　met　the　representatives　of　the　famous　Six　Nations。　　Small　though　the　Wyandot　tribe　might　be；　mighty　was　its　valor　and　fame；　and　White　Lightning　met　the　great　Iroquois　only　as　an　equal；　in　his　heart　a　superior。

It　was　an　extraordinary　thing；　but　Henry；　at　this　very　moment；　burrowing　in　the　earth　that　be　might　not　lose　his　life　at　the　hands　of　either；　was　an　ardent　partisan　of　Timmendiquas。　　It　was　the　young　Wyandot　chief　whom　he　wished　to　be　first；　to　make　the　greatest　impression；　and　he　was　pleased　when　he　heard　the　low　hum　of　admiration　go　round　the　circle　of　two　hundred　savage　warriors。　　It　was　seldom；　indeed；　perhaps　never；　that　the　Iroquois　had　looked　upon　such　a　man　as　Timmendiquas。

Timmendiquas　and　his　companions　advanced　slowly　toward　the　chiefs；　and　the　Wyandot　overtopped　all　the　Iroquois。　　Henry　could　tell　by　the　manner　of　the　chiefs　that　the　reputation　of　the　famous　White　Lightning　had　preceded　him；　and　that　they　had　already　found　fact　equal　to　report。

The　chiefs；　Timmendiquas　among　them；　sat　down　on　logs　before　the　fire；　and　all　the　warriors　withdrew　to　a　respectful　distance；　where　they　stood　and　watched　in　silence。　　The　oldest　chief　took　his　long　pipe；　beautifully　carved　and　shaped　like　a　trumpet；　and　filled　it　with　tobacco　which　he　lighted　with　a　coal　from　the　fire。　　Then　he　took　two　or　three　whiffs　and　passed　the　pipe　to　Timmendiquas；　who　did　the　same。　　Every　chief　smoked　the　pipe；　and　then　they　sat　still；　waiting　in　silence。

Henry　was　so　much　absorbed　in　this　scene；　which　was　at　once　a　spectacle　and　a　drama；　that　he　almost　forgot　where　he　was；　and　that　he　was　an　enemy。　　He　wondered　now　at　their　silence。　　If　this　was　a　council　surely　they　would　discuss　whatever　question　had　brought　them　there！　But　he　was　soon　enlightened。　　That　low　far　cry　came　again；　but　from　the　east。　　It　was　answered；　as　before；　from　the　camp；　and　in　three　or　four　minutes　a　warrior　sprang　from　the　forest　into　the　opening。　　Like　the　first；　he　was　naked　except　for　the　breech　cloth　and　moccasins。　　The　chiefs　rose　at　his　coming；　received　his　salute　gravely；　and　returned　it　as　gravely。　　Then　he　returned　to　the　forest；　and　all　waited　in　the　splendid　calm　of　the　Indian。

Curiosity　pricked　Henry　like　a　nettle。　　Who　was　coming　now？　　It　must　be　some　man　of　great　importance；　or　they　would　not　wait　so　silently。　　There　was　the　same　air　of　expectancy　that　had　preceded　the　arrival　of　Timmendiquas。　　All　the　warriors　looked　toward　the　eastern　wall　of　the　forest；　and　Henry　looked　the　same　way。　　Presently　the　black　foliage　parted；　and　a　man　stepped　forth；　followed　at　a　little　distance　by　seven　or　eight　others。　　The　stranger；　although　tall；　was　not　equal　in　height　to　Timmendiquas；　but　he；　too；　had　a　lofty　and　splendid　presence；　and　it　was　evident　to　anyone　versed　at　all　in　forest　lore　that　here　was　a　great　chief。　　He　was　lean　but　sinewy；　and　he　moved　with　great　ease　and　grace。　　He　reminded　Henry　of　a　powerful　panther。　　He　was　dressed；　after　the　manner　of　famous　chiefs；　with　the　utmost　care。　　His　short　military　coat　of　fine　blue　cloth　bore　a　silver　epaulet　on　either　shoulder。　　His　head　was　not　bare；　disclosing　the　scalp　lock；　like　those　of　the　other　Indians；　it　was　covered　instead　with　a　small　hat　of　felt；　round　and　laced。　　Hanging　carelessly　over　one　shoulder　was　a　blanket　of　blue　cloth　with　a　red　border。　　At　his　side；　from　a　belt　of　blue　leather　swung　a　silver…mounted　small　sword。　　His　leggins　were　of　superfine　blue　cloth　and　his　moccasins　of　deerskin。　　Both　were　trimmed　with　small　beads　of　many　colors。

The　new　chief　advanced　into　the　opening　amid　the　dead　silence　that　still　held　all；　and　Timmendiquas　stepped　forward　to　meet　him。　　These　two　held　the　gaze　of　everyone；　and　what　they　and　they　alone　did　had　become　of　surpassing　interest。　　Each　was　haughty；　fully　aware　of　his　own　dignity　and　importance；　but　they　met　half　way；　looked　intently　for　a　moment　or　two　into　the　eyes　of　each　other；　and　then　saluted　gravely。

All　at　once　Henry　knew　the　stranger。　　He　had　never　seen　him　before；　but　his　impressive　reception；　and　the　mixture　of　military　and　savage　attire　revealed　him。　　This　could　be　none　other　than　the　great　Mohawk　war　chief；　Thayendanegea；　the　Brant　of　the　white　men；　terrible　name　on　the　border。　　Henry　gazed　at　him　eagerly　from　his　covert；　etching　his　features　forever　on　his　memory。　　His　face；　lean　and　strong；　was　molded　much　like　that　of　Timmendiquas；　and　like　the　Wyandot　he　was　young；　under　thirty。

Timmendiquas　and　Thayendanegea…it　was　truly　he…returned　to　the　fire；　and　once　again　the　trumpet…shaped　pipe　was　smoked　by　all。　　The　two　young　chiefs　received　the　seats　of　favor；　and　others　sat　about　them。　　But　they　were　not　the　only　great　chiefs　present；　though　all　yielded　first　place　to　them　because　of　their　character　and　exploits。

Henry　was　not　mistaken　in　his　guess　that　this　was　an　important　council；　although　its　extent　exceeded　even　his　surmise。　　Delegates　and　head　chiefs　of　all　the　Six　Nations　were　present　to　confer　with　the　warlike　Wyandots　of　the　west　who　had　come　so　far　east　to　meet　them。　　Thayendanegea　was　the　great　war　chief　of　the　Mohawks；　but　not　their　titular　chief。　　The　latter　was　an　older　man；　Te…kie…ho…ke　（Two　Voices）；　who　sat　beside　the　younger。　　The　other　chiefs　were　the　Onondaga；　Tahtoo…ta…hoo　（The　Entangled）　；　the　Oneida；　0…tat…sheh…te　（Bearing　a　Quiver）　；　the　Cayuga；　Te…ka…ha…hoonk　（He　Who　Looks　Both　Ways）　；　the　Seneca；　Kan…ya…tai…jo　（Beautiful　Lake）　；　and　the　Tuscarora；　Ta…ha…en…te…yahwak…hon　（Encircling　and　Holding　Up　a　Tree）。　　The　names　were　hereditary；　and　because　in　a　dim　past　they　had　formed　the　great　confederacy；　the　Onondagas　were　first　in　the　council；　and　were　also　the　high　priests　and　titular　head　of　the　Six　Nations。　　But　the　Mohawks　were　first　on…the　war　path。

All　the　Six　Nations　were　divided　into　clans；　and　every　clan；　camping　in　its　proper　place；　was　represented　at　this　meeting。

Henry　had　heard　much　at　Pittsburgh　of　the　Six　Nations；　their　wonderful　league；　and　their　wonderful　history。　　He　knew　that　according　to　the　legend　the　league　had　been　formed　by　Hiawatha；　an　Onondaga。　　He　was　opposed　in　this　plan　by　Tododaho；　then　head　chief　of　the　Onondagas；　but　he　went　to　the　Mohawks　and　gained　the　support　of　their　great　chief；　Dekanawidah。　　With　his　aid　the　league　was　formed；　and　the　solemn　agreement；　never　broken；　was　made　at　the　Onondaga　Lake。　　Now　they　were　a　perfect　little　state；　with　fifty　chiefs；　or；　including　the　head　chiefs；　fifty…six。

Some　of　these　details　Henry　was　to　learn　later。　　He　was　also　to　learn　many　of　the　words　that　the　chiefs　said　through　a　source　of　which　he　little　dreamed　at　the　present。　　Yet　he　divined　much　of　it　from　the　meeting　of　the　fiery　Wyandots　with　the　highly　developed　and　warlike　power　of　the　Six　Nations。

Thayendanegea　was　talking　now；　and　Timmendiquas；　silent　and　grave；　was　listening。　　The　Mohawk　approached　his　subject　indirectly　through　the　trope；　allegory；　and　simile　that　the　Indian　loved。　　He　talked　of　the　unseen　deities　that　ruled　the　life　of　the　Iroquois　through　mystic　dreams。　　He　spoke　of　the　trees；　the　rocks；　and　the　animals；　all　of　which　to　the　Iroquois　had　souls。　　He　called　on　the　name　of　the　Great　Spirit；　which　was　Aieroski　before　it　became　Manitou；　the　Great　Spirit　who；　in　the　Iroquois　belief；　had　only　the　size　of　a　dwarf　because　his　soul　was　so　mighty　that　he　did　not　need　body。

This　land　is　ours；　the　land　of　your　people　and　mine；　oh；　chief　of　the　brave　Wyandots；〃　he　said　to　Timmendiquas。　　〃Once　there　was　no　land；　only　the　waters；　but　Aieroski　raised　the　land　of　Konspioni　above　the　foam。　　Then　he　sowed　five　handfuls　of　red　seed　in　it；　and　from　those　handfuls　grew　the　Five　Nations。　　Later　grew