第51章 THE WAR MAIDEN(2)

"'Daughter, I am an old man! My heart beats in my throat, and my old eyes cannot keep back the tears. My three sons, on whom I had placed all my hopes, are gone to a far country! You are the only child left to my old age, and you, too, are brave--as brave as any of your brothers. If you go I fear that you may not return to me; yet I cannot refuse you my per- mission!""The old man began to chant a war-song, and some of his people, hearing him, came in to learn what was in his mind. He told them all, and immediately many young men volunteered for the war-party, in orderto have the honor of going with the daughter of their chief.

"Several of Makatah's suitors were among them, and each watched eagerly for an oppor- tunity to ride at her side. At night she pitched her little teepee within the circle of her cousins' campfires, and there she slept without fear. Courteous youths brought to her every morning and evening fresh venison for her repast. Yet there was no courting, for all attentions paid to a maiden when on the war-path must be those of a brother to a sister, and all must be equally received by her.

"Two days later, when the two parties of Sioux met on the plains, the maiden's presence was heralded throughout the camp, as an in- spiration to the young and untried warriors of both bands to distinguish themselves in the field. It is true that some of the older men considered it unwise to allow Makatah to accompany the war-party.

"'The girl,' said they to one another, 'is very ambitious as well as brave. She will surely risk her own life in battle, which will make the young men desperate, and we shall lose many of them!'

"Nevertheless they loved her and her father; therefore they did not protest openly.

"On the third day the Sioux scouts returned with the word that the Crows were camping, as had been supposed, at the confluence of the Redwater and the Missouri Rivers. It was a great camp. All the Crow tribe were there, they said, with their thousands of fine horses.

"There was excitement in the Sioux camp, and all of the head men immediately met in council. It was determined to make the attack early on the following morning, just as the sun came over the hills. The councilors agreed that in honor of the great chief, her father, as well as in recognition of her own courage, Makatah should be permitted to lead the charge at the outset, but that she must drop behind as they neared the enemy. The maiden, who had one of the fleetest ponies in that part of the country, had no intention of falling back, but she did not tell any one what was in her mind.

"That evening every warrior sang his war- song, and announced the particular war-charm or 'medicine' of his clan, according to the cus- tom. The youths were vying with one another in brave tales of what they woulddo on the morrow. The voice of Red Horn was loud among the boasters, for he was known to be a vain youth, although truly not without reputa- tion. Little Eagle, who was also of the com- pany, remained modestly silent, as indeed be- came one without experience in the field. In the midst of the clamor there fell a silence.

"'Hush! hush!' they whispered. 'Look, look! The War Maiden comes!'

"All eyes were turned upon Makatah, who rode her fine buckskin steed with a single lariat. He held his head proudly, and his saddle was heavy with fringes and gay with colored em- broidery. The maiden was attired in her best and wore her own father's war-bonnet, while she carried in her hands two which had be- longed to two of her dead brothers.Singing in a clear voice the songs of her clan, she com- pleted the circle, according to custom, before she singled out one of the young braves for spe- cial honor by giving him the bonnet which she held in her right hand. She then crossed over to the Cut-Heads, and presented the other bon- net to one of their young men. She was very handsome; even the old men's blood was stirred by her brave appearance!

"At daybreak the two war-parties of the Sioux, mounted on their best horses, stood side by side, ready for the word to charge. All of the warriors were painted for the battle--pre- pared for death--their nearly nude bodies deco- rated with their individual war-totems. Their well- filled quivers were fastened to their sides, and each tightly grasped his oaken bow.

"The young man with the finest voice had been chosen to give the signal--a single high- pitched yell. This was an imitation of the one long howl of the gray wolf before he makes the attack. It was an ancient custom of our people.