ToMyDaughtersDORA，IRENE，VIRGINIA，ELEANOR，ANDFLORENCE
IDedicatetheseStoriesoftheOldIndianLife，andespeciallyoftheCourageousandWomanlyIndianWomanCONTENTS
GLOSSARY
PARTONE
THEWARRIOR
I
THELOVEOFANTELOPE
I
UponahangingprecipiceatopoftheEagleScoutButtethereappearedamotionlessandsolitaryfigure——almosteagle—likeheperched！Thepeopleinthecampbelowsawhim，butnonelookedathimlong。
Theyturnedtheirheadsquicklyawaywithanervoustingling，fortheheightabovetheplainswasgreat。Almostspirit—likeamongtheuppercloudstheyoungwarriorsatimmovable。
ItwasAntelope。Hewasfastingandseek—
ingasignfromthe\"GreatMystery，\"forsuchwasthefirststepoftheyoungandambitiousSioux[whowishedtobeanotedwarrioramonghispeople。
Heisaprincelyyouth，amongthewildSioux，whohuntsforhistribeandnotforhim—
self！Hisvoiceissoftandlowatthecamp—
fireofhisnation，butterror—givinginthefieldofbattle。SuchwasAntelope’sreputation。
Themorehesoughtthe\"GreatMystery\"insolitude，themoregentleandretiringhebe—
came，andinthesameproportionhiscourageandmanlinessgrew。Nonecouldsaythathewasnotakindsonandagoodhunter，forhehadalreadypassedthe\"two—arrow—to—kill，\"
hisbuffaloexamination。
Onahotmidsummermorningafewweekslater，whilemostoftheinmatesoftheteepeeswerebreakfastingintheopenair，thepowerfulvoiceoftheheraldresoundedamongthepine—
cladheightsandgreenvalleys。
\"Hearye，hearye，warriors！\"hechantedloudly。\"Thecouncilhasdecreedthatfourbraveyoungmenmustscoutthecountrytothesunsetwardofthecamp，forthepeaceandprotectionofourpeople！\"
Alllistenedeagerlyforthenamesofthechosenwarriors，andinanothermomenttherecamethesonorouscall：\"Antelope，Ante—
lope！thecouncilhasselectedyou！\"
Thecampwaslarge——fullyfourhundredpacesacross;butinthatcountry，intheclearmorningair，suchanannouncementcanbeheardagreatway，andinthesilencethatfol—
lowedthehillsrepeatedoverandoverthemu—
sicalnameofAntelope。
Induetimethefourchosenyouthsappearedbeforethecouncilfire。Theoathofthepipewasadministered，andeachtookafewwhiffsasreverentlyasaChurchmanwouldpartakeofthesacrament。Thechiefofthecouncil，whowasoldandofastrikingappearance，gavethechargeandcommandtotheyouthfulbraves。
Therewasascoreormoreofwarriorsreadymountedtoescortthembeyondtheprecinctsofthecamp，andthe\"fearlessheart\"songwassungaccordingtothecustom，asthefourranlightlyfromthedoorofthecouncilteepeeanddisappearedinthewoods。
Itwasapeculiarlytryingandhazardousmomentinwhichtoperformthedutiesofascout。TheSiouxwereencroachingupontheterritoryofhostiletribes，hereinthefoot—hillsoftheBigHornMountains，andnowandthenoneoftheirhunterswascutoffbytheenemy。
Ifcontinualvigilancecouldnotsavethem，itmightsoonbecomenecessarytoretreattotheirownhunting—grounds。
Itwasasavagefetishthatawarriormustbeproofagainstthealluringwaysofprettymaidens;thathemustplacehishonorfarabovethetemptationsofself—indulgenceandindolence。Cold，hunger，andpersonalhard—
shipdidnotcountwithAntelopewhentherewasrequiredofhimanyspecialexertionforthecommongood。Itwascausetohimofsecretsatisfactionthatthecouncil—menhadse—
lectedhimforadangerousserviceinprefer—
encetosomeofhisrivalsandcomrades。
Hehadbeenrunningfortwoorthreehoursatagood，evengait，andhadcrossedmorethanoneofthesmallercreeks，yetmanydeepgulchesandbadlandslaybetweenhimandthefurthestpeakthatmeltedintothebluedomeabove。
\"IshallstandupontheBear’sHeart，\"hesaidtohimself。\"IfIcandothat，andstillreportbeforetheothers，Ishalldowell！\"
Hiskeeneyeswereconstantlysweepingthecountryinhisfront，andsuddenlyhepausedandshrankbackmotionlessinacrouchingat—
titude，stillsteadilykeepinganeyeuponamovingobject。Itwassoonevidentthatsomeonewasstealthilyeyinghimfrombehindcover，andhewasoutwittedbytheenemy！
Stillstooping，heglideddownalittleravine，andashereachedthebedofthecreekthereemergedfromitalargegraywolf。
ThiswasveryopportuneforAntelope。Hegavethegraywolf’sdanger—callwithallhismight;waitedaninstantandgaveitasec—
ondtime;thenheturnedandranfleetlydownthestream。Atthesamemomentthewolfap—
peareduponthetopofthebank，infullviewoftheenemy。
\"Herehecomes！\"theywhispered，andhadtheirarrowsonthestringasthewolftrottedleisurelyalong，exposingonlyhishead，forthiswasacommondisguiseamongtheplainsIn—
dians。Butwhenhecameoutintotheopen，behold！itwasonlyagraywolf！
\"Ugh！\"theUtesgrunted，astheylookedateachotherinmuchchagrin。
\"Surelyhewasaman，andcomingdirectlyintoourtrap！WesangandprayedtothegodsofwarwhenourwarchiefsentusaheadtoscouttheSiouxpeople，tofindtheircamp。
Thisisamystery，amagic！EitherheisaSiouxindisguise，orwedon’tknowtheirtricks！\"exclaimedtheleader。
Nowtheygavethewar—whoop，andtheirarrowsflewthroughtheair。Thewolfgaveayelpofdistress，staggeredandfelldead。In—
stantlytheyrantoexaminethebody，andfoundittobetrulythatofawolf。
\"Eitherthisisawonderfulmedicine—man，orweareshamefullyfooledbyaSiouxwar—
rior，\"theymuttered。
TheylostseveralminutesbeforetheycaughtsightofAntelope，whohadfollowedthebedofthecreekasfarasitlayinhisdirectionandthencameoutofitatfullspeed。Itwouldbesaferforhimtoremaininconcealmentuntildark;butinthemeantimetheUtewar—
riorswouldreachthecamp，andhispeoplewereunprepared！Itwasnecessarytoexposehimselftotheenemy。Heknewthatitwouldbechieflyacontestofspeedandhehadanex—
cellentstart;butontheotherhand，theUtesdoubtlesshadtheirhorses。
\"TheSiouxwhoplayedthistrickonusmustdieto—day！\"exclaimedtheirleader。\"Come，friends，wecannotaffordtolethimtellthisjokeonusatthecamp—firesofhispeople！\"
AntelopewasheadeddirectlyforEagleScoutButte，forthecampwasinplainviewfromthetopofthishill。Hehadrunprettymuchallday，butthen，thatwasnothing！
\"Ishallreachthesummitfirst，unlesstheUtehorseshavewings！\"hesaidtohim—
self。
Lookingoverhisshoulder，hesawfivehorse—
menapproaching，soheexaminedhisbowandarrowsasheran。
\"Alliswell，\"hemuttered。\"Oneoftheirspiritsattheleastmustguideminetothespiritland！\"where，itwasbelievedbythem，therewasnofighting。
Nowhewaswithinhearingoftheirwhoops，buthewasalreadyatthefootofthebutte。
Theirhorsescouldnotrunupthesteepascent，andtheywereobligedtodismount。LikeadeertheSiouxleapedfromrocktorock，andalmostwithinarrow—shotcamehispursuers，wildlywhoopingandyelling。
Whenhehadachievedthesummit，hetookhisstandbetweentwogreatrocks，andflashedhistinylooking—glassforadistresssignalintothedistantcampofhispeople。
Foralongtimenoreplycame，andmanyarrowsflewoverhishead，astheUtesap—
proachedgraduallyfromrocktorock。He，too，sentdownaswiftarrownowandthen，toshowthemthathewasnochildorwomaninfight，butbraveasabearwhenitisbroughttobay。
\"Ho，ho！\"heshoutedtotheenemy，intokenofabraveman’swelcometodangeranddeath。
Theyrepliedwithyellsoftriumph，astheypressedmoreandmorecloselyuponhim。Oneoftheirnumberhadbeendispatchedtonotifythemainwar—partywhentheyfirstsawAnte—
lope，buthedidnotknowthis，andhiscouragewasundiminished。Fromtimetotimehecon—
tinuedtoflashhissignal，andatlastlikelight—
ningthelittlewhiteflashcameinreply。
Thesunwaslowwhenthebesiegedwarriordiscoveredalargebodyofhorsemenapproach—
ingfromthenorthwest。ItwastheUtewar—
party！HelookedearnestlyoncemoretowardtheSiouxcamp，shadinghiseyeswithhisrightpalm。There，too，weremanymovingspecksupontheplain，drawingtowardthefootofthehill！
Atthemiddleoftheafternoontheyhadcaughthisdistresssignal，andtheentirecampwasthrownintoconfusion，forbutfewofthemenhadreturnedfromthedailyhunt。Asfastastheycamein，thewarriorshurriedawayupontheirbesthorses，singingandyelling。
Whentheyreachedthewell—knownbutte，tow—
eringabruptlyinthemidstoftheplain，theycoulddistinguishtheirenemiesmassedbehindthehangingrocksandscatteredcedar—trees，crawlingupcloserandcloser，forthelargewar—
partyreachedthehilljustasthescoutswhoheldAntelopeatbaydiscoveredtheapproachofhiskinsmen。
Antelopehadlongsinceexhaustedhisquiverofarrowsandwasgatheringupmanyofthosethatfellabouthimtosendthembackamonghispursuers。Whentheirattentionwaswithdrawnfromhimforaninstantbythesud—
denonsetoftheSioux，hesprangtohisfeet。
Heraisedbothhishandsheavenwardintokenofgratitudeforhisrescue，andhisfriendsannouncedwithloudshoutsthedaringofAnte—
lope。
Bothsidesfoughtbravely，buttheUtesatlastretreatedandwerefiercelypursued。An—
telopestoodathisfullheightuponthehugerockthathadshelteredhim，andgavehisyellofdefianceandexultation。Belowhimthewar—
riorstookitup，andamongthegatheringshadowstherocksechoedpraisesofhisname。
IntheSiouxcampuponLostWaterthereweredancesandpraisesongs，buttherewaswailingandmourning，too，formanylaydeadamongthecrags。ThenameofAntelopewasindeliblyrecordeduponEagleScoutButte。
\"Ifhewishedforawar—bonnetofeaglefeathers，itishistowear，\"declaredoneoftheyoungmen。\"Butheismodest，andscarcelyevenjoinsinthescalpdances。ltissaidofhimthathehasneveryetspokentoanyyoungwoman！\"
\"True，itisnotannouncedpubliclythathehasaddressedamaiden。Manyparentswouldliketohavetheirdaughtersthefirstonehewouldspeakto，butIamtoldhedesirestogoupononeortwomorewar—pathsbeforeseekingwoman’scompany，\"repliedanother。
\"Hun，hun，hay！\"exclaimedathirdyouthill—naturedly。Heisalreadyoldenoughtobeafather！\"
\"Thisistoldofhim，\"rejoinedthefirstspeaker。\"Hewantstoholdtherecordofbeingtheyoungmanwhomadethegreatestnumberofcoupsbeforehespoketoamaiden。
Iknowthattherearenotonlymotherswhowouldbegladtohavehimforason—in—law，buttheiryoungdaughterswouldnotrefusetolookuponthebraveAntelopeasahusband！\"
Itwastruethatinthedancehisnamewasoftenmentioned，andateveryrepetitionitseemedthattheyoungwomendancedwithmorespirit，whileevengrandmothersjoinedinthewhirlwithashowofyouthfulabandon。
Wezee，thefatherofAntelope，wasreceiv—
ingcongratulationsthroughouttheafternoon。
Manyoftheoldmencametohislodgetosmokewithhim，andthehostwasmorethangratified，forhewasofacommonfamilyandhadneverbeforeknownwhatitistobaskinthesunshineofpopularityanddistinction。
Hespokecomplacentlyashecrowdedahand—
fuloftobaccointothebowlofthelongredpipe。
\"Friends，ourlifehereisshort，andthelifeofabraveyouthisapttobeshorterthanmost！
Wecraveallthehappinessthatwecanget，anditisrightthatweshoulddoso。Onewhosaysthathedoesnotcareforreputationorsuccess，isnotlikelytobetellingthetruth。SoyouwillforgivemeifIsaytoomuchaboutthehonorablecareerofmyson。\"Thiswastheoldman’sphilosophicapology。
\"Ho，ho，\"hisguestsgraciouslyresponded。
\"Itisyourmoon！Everymoonhasitsfull—
ness，whenitlightsupthenight，whilethelittlestarsdancebeforeit。Sotoeverymantherecomeshisfullmoon！\"
Somewhatlaterinthedayalltheyoungpeopleofthegreatcampwereseentobemov—
inginonedirection。Allworetheirbestattireandfinestornaments，andeventheparti—col—
oredsteedsweredecoratedtothesatisfactionoftheirbeauty—lovingriders。
\"Ugh，Talutaismakingamaidens’feast！
She，theprettiestofalltheUnkpapamaid—
ens！\"exclaimedoneoftheyoungbraves。
\"She，thehandsomestofallouryoungwomen！\"repeatedanother。
Talutawasindeedahandsomemaidintheheightandbloomofwomanhood，withallthatwonderfulfreshnessandmagnetismwhichwasdevelopedandpreservedbythelifeofthewil—
derness。Shehadalreadygivenfivemaidens’
feasts，beginningwithherfifteenthyear，andhershyanddiffidentpuritywasheldsacredbyherpeople。
Themaidens’circlewasnowcomplete。Be—
hindittheoutercircleofoldwomenwasequallypicturesqueandevenmoredignified。Thegrandmother，notthemother，wasregardedasthenaturalprotectoroftheyoungmaiden，andthedowagersderivedmuchhonorfromtheirposition，especiallyuponpublicoccasions，tak—
ingtothemselvesnosmallamountofcreditforthegoodreputationsoftheircharges。
Weshawee，whoseprotegehadmanysuitorsandwasadecidedcoquette，fidgetednervouslyandfrequentlyadjustedherrobeorfingeredhernecklacetoeasehermind，forshedreadedlest，inspiteofwatchfulness，somemishapmighthavebefallenhercharge。Heranxietywasapparentlysharedbyseveralotherchap—
eronswhostoleoccasionalsuspiciousglancesinthedirectionofcertainoftheyoungbraves。
Ithadbeenknowntohappenthatagirlun—
worthytojoininthesacredfeastwaspubliclydisgraced。
Aspecialpoliceforcewasappointedtokeeporderonthisoccasion，eachmemberofwhichwasgorgeouslypaintedandbedeckedwitheaglefeathers，andcarriedinhishandalongswitchwithwhichtothreatentheencroachingthrong。Theirhorsesworehead—skinsoffierceanimalstoaddtotheirawe—inspiringappear—
ance。
Thewildyouthsformedtheoutercircleofthegathering，attiredlikethewoodsinau—
tumn，theirlonglocksglossywithoilandper—
fumedwithscentedgrassandleaves。Manypulledtheirblanketsovertheirheadsasiftoavoidrecognition，andloiteredshylyatadis—
tance。
AmongtheselastwereAntelopeandhiscousin，RedEagle。Theystoodintheangleformedbythebodiesoftheirsteeds，whosenosesweretogether。Theyoungherowascom—
pletelyenvelopedinhishandsomerobewitharainbowofbead—workacrosthemiddle，andhissmallmoccasinedfeetprojectedfrombe—
neaththelowerborder。RedEagleheldupaneagle—wingfan，partiallyconcealinghisface，andbothgazedintentlytowardthecenterofthemaidens’circle。
\"Woo！woo！\"wasthesonorousexclama—
tionofthepolice，announcingthebeginningoftheceremonies。Inthemidstoftheringofgirlsstoodthetraditionalheart—shapedredstone，withitsbristlinghedgeofarrows。Inthiscasetherewerefivearrows，indicatingthatTalutahadalreadymadeasmanymaidens’
feasts。Eachofthemaidensmustlayherhanduponthestoneintokenofherpurityandchas—
tity，touchingalsoasmanyarrowsassheher—
selfhasattendedmaidens’feasts。
Talutaadvancedfirsttothecenter。Asshestoodforamomentbesidethesacredstone，sheappearedtothegazingbystanderstheembodi—
mentofgraceandmodesty。Hergown，adornedwithlongfringesattheseams，wasbeadedinblueandwhiteacrosstheshouldersandhalfwaytoherwaist。Hershiningblackhairwasarrangedintwothickplaitswhichhungdownuponherbosom。Therewasanativedignityinhergesturesandinherutteranceofthemaidens’oath，andassheturnedtofacethecircle，alltheothervirginsfollowedher。
Whenthefeastwasendedandthegaycon—
coursehaddispersed，Antelopeandhiscousinwereamongthelasttowithdraw。Theyoungman’seyeshadfollowedeverymovementofTalutaaslongassheremainedinsight，anditwasonlywhenshevanishedinthegatheringshadowsthathewaswillingtoretire。
Insavagecourtship，itwasthecustomtointroduceone’sselfboldlytotheyounglady，althoughsometimesitwasconvenienttohaveasisterintroduceherbrother。ButAntelopehadnosistertoperformthisofficeforhim，andifhehadhadone，hewouldnothavemadetherequest。Hedidnotchoosetoadmitanyonetohissecret，forhehadnoconfidenceinhimselforintheoutcomeoftheaffair。Ifithadbeenanythingliketrailingthedoe，orscoutingtheOjibway，hewouldhaveridiculedtheverynotionofmissingtheobjectsought。
Butthiswasanewwarfare——anunknownhunt—
ing！AlthoughhewasveryanxioustomeetTaluta，whenevertheideaoccurredtohimhetrembledlikealeafinthewind，andprofuseperspirationrolleddownhisstoicvisage。Itwasnotcustomarytoholdanysocialinter—
coursewiththemembersoftheoppositesex，andhehadneverspokenfamiliarlytoanywomansincehebecameaman，excepthisoldgrandmother。Itwaswellknownthatthecounseloftheagedbringslucktotheyouthinwarfareandlove。
Antelopearoseearlythenextmorning，andwithoutspeakingtoanyonehemadeacere—
monioustoilet。Heputonhisfinestbuckskinshirtandahandsomerobe，threwabeadedquiveroverhisshoulder，andwalkeddirectlyawayfromtheteepeesandintotheforest——hedidnotknowwhynorwhither。Thesoundsofthecampgrewfainterandfainter，untilatlasthefoundhimselfalone。
\"Howisit，\"musedtheyoungman，\"thatIhavehopedtobecomealeaderamongmypeople？Myfatherisnotachief，andnoneofmyancestorsweredistinguishedinwar。I
knowwellthat，ifIdesiretobegreat，Imustdenymyselfthepleasureofwoman’scompanyuntilIhavemademyreputation。Imustnotboastnorexhibitmyselfonmyfirstsuccess。
Thespiritsdonotvisitthecommonhauntsofmen！AlltheserulesIhavethusfarkept，andImustnotnowyieldtotemptation……
Manhasmuchtoweakenhisambitionafterheismarried。Ayoungmanmayseekoppor—
tunitiestoprovehisworth，buttoamarriedmantheopportunitymustcometotryhim。
Heactsonlywhencompelledtoact……Ah，Imustfleefromthewoman！……Besides，ifsheshouldlikesomeoneelsebetter，Ishouldbehumiliated……Imustgouponalongwar—path。Ishallforgether……\"
Atthispointhisreverywasinterruptedbythejoyouslaughteroftwoyoungwomen。Themelodioussing—songlaughteroftheSiouxmaidenstirredtheverysouloftheyoungwar—
rior。
Allhisphilosophydesertedhim，andhestoodhesitating，lookingabouthimasifforachanceofescape。Amanwhohadneverbeforefeltthemagneticinfluenceofwomaninhersimplicityandchildlikepurity，hebe—
cameforthemomentincapableofspeechoraction。
Meanwhilethetwogirlswerewhollyuncon—
sciousofanydisturbingpresenceintheforest。
Theyweretellingeachotherthesignalsthateachhadreceivedinthedance。Taluta’scom—
panionhadstoppedatthefirstraspberrybushes，whilesheherselfpassedontothenextthicket。Whensheemergedfromthepinesintoanopening，shesuddenlybeheldAntelope，inhisfull—dresssuitofcourtship。Instantlyshedroppedhereyes。
LuckilythecustomsofcourtshipamongtheSiouxallowthecoveringofone’sheadwiththeblanket。Inthisattitude，theyoungmanmadeasignaltoTalutawithtremblingfingers。
Thewildredman’swooingwasnaturalandstraightforward;therewasnocircumspection，nomaneuveringfortimeoradvantage。Hotwordsofloveburstforthfromtheyoungwarrior’slips，withheavybreathingbehindthefoldsoftherobewithwhichhesoughttoshieldhisembarrassment。
\"Foroncethespiritsareguidingmyfor—
tunes！Itmayseemstrangetoyou，whenwemeetthusbyaccident，thatIshouldspeakim—
mediatelyofmyloveforyou;butweliveinaworldwhereonemustspeakwhentheoppor—
tunityoffers。IhavethoughtmuchofyousinceIsawyouatthemaidens’feast……IsTalutawillingtobecomethewifeofTatoka？
Themoccasinsofhermakingwillcausehisfeettobeswiftinpursuitofthegame，andonthetrailoftheenemy……Ibegofyou，maiden，letourmeetingbeknownonlytothebirdsoftheair，whileyouconsidermypro—
posal！\"
Allthiswhilethemaidenstooddemurelyathisside，playingwiththelariatofherponyinherbrown，finehands。Herdoeskingownwithprofusefringeshunggracefullyasthedroopinglongleavesofthewillow，andhertwoheavybraidsofblackhair，mingledwithstringsofdeers’hoofsandwampum，felluponherbosom。Therewasafaintglowunder—
neathherbrownskin，andherblackeyeswerecalmandsoft，yetfullofnativefire。
\"Youwillnotpressforananswernow，\"
shegentlyreplied，withoutlookingathim。\"I
expectedtoseenoonehere，andyourwordshavetakenmebysurprise……Igrantyourlastrequest。Thebirdsalonecanindulgeingossipaboutourmeeting，——unlessmycousin，whoisinthenextravine，shouldseeusto—
gether！\"Shespranglightlyuponthebackofherpony，anddisappearedamongthescat—
teredpines。
Betweenthefirstlovers’meetingandthesec—
ondwasaperiodofonemoon。ThiswaswhollythefaultofAntelope，whohadbeenapreytoindecisionandpainfulthoughts。Halfre—
grettinghisimpulsivedeclaration，andhopingtoforgethispangsinthechancesoftravelandwar，hehadfinallyenlistedinthenumberofthosewhoweretogowiththewar—leaderCrowheadintotheUtecountry。AswasthecustomoftheSiouxwarriorsupontheeveofdeparture，theyoungmenconsultedtheirspirit—
ualadvisers，andwerefrequentlyinthepurify—
ingvapor—bath，andfastinginprayer。
Thelasteveninghadcome，andAntelopewasonthewaytothetopofthehillbehindthecampforanightofprayer。Suddenlyinthehalf—lighthecamefulluponTaluta，lead—
ingherponydownthenarrowtrail。Shehadneverlookedmorebeautifultotheyouththanatthatmoment。
\"Ho，\"hegreetedher。Shesimplysmiledshyly。
\"Itislongsincewemet，\"heventured。
\"Ihaveconcludedthatyoudonotcaretohearmyreply，\"retortedthegirl。
\"Ihavenothingtosayinmydefense，butIhopethatyouwillbegenerous。Ihavesuf—
feredmuch……YouwillunderstandwhyIstandfarfromyou，\"headdedgently。\"I
havebeenpreparingmyselftogouponthewar—
path。WestartatdaylightfortheUtecoun—
try。EverydayfortendaysIhavebeeninthevapor—bath，andtennightsfasting。\"
AsTalutawellknew，ayoungwarriorunderthesecircumstancesdarednotapproachawo—
man，notevenhisownwife。
\"Istillurgeyoutobemywife。Areyoureadytogivemeyouranswer？\"continuedAn—
telope。
\"Myanswerwassenttoyoubyyourgrand—
motherthisveryday，\"sherepliedsoftly。
\"Ah，tellme，tellme，……\"pressedtheyoutheagerly。
\"Alliswell。Fearnothing，\"murmuredthemaiden。
\"Ihavegivenmyword——Ihavemademyprayersandundergonepurification。Imustnotwithdrawfromthiswar—path，\"hesaidafterasilence。\"ButIknowthatIshallbefor—
tunate！……Mygrandmotherwillgiveyoumylovetoken……Ah，kechuwa（dearlove）！
watchthebigstareverynight！Iwillwatchit，too——thenweshallbothbewatching！
Althoughfarapart，ourspiritswillbeto—
gether。\"
Themoonhadrisenabovethehill，andthecoldlightdiscoveredthetwowhostoodsadlyapart，theirheartshotwithlonging。Reluc—
tantly，yetwithoutabackwardlookorfarewellgesture，thewarriorwentonupthehill，andthemaidenhurriedhomeward。Onlyafewmomentsbeforeshehadbeenhappyintheanticipationofmakingherloverhappy。Thetruthwasshehadbeenbuildingair—castlesinthelikenessofawhiteteepeepitcheduponavirginprairieallalone，surroundedbymountains。Tatoka’swar—horseandhuntingponywerepicketednearby，andthereshesawherselfpreparingthesimplemealforhim！Butnowhehascloudedherdreamsbythisuntimelydeparture。
\"Heistoobrave……Hislifewillbeashortone，\"shesaidtoherselfwithfore—
boding。
Forafewhoursallwasquiet，andjustbe—
foretheappearanceofdaythewarriors’de—
parturewasmadeknownbytheirfarewellsongs。Antelopewasinthelineearly，buthewasheavyofheart，forheknewthathissweet—
heartwassorelypuzzledanddisappointedbyhisabruptdeparture。Hisonlyconsolationwastheknowledgethathehadinhisbundleapairofmoccasinsmadebyherhands。Hehadnotyetseenthem，becauseitwasthecus—
tomnottoopenanyfarewellgiftsuntilthefirstcampwasmade，andthentheymustbeopenedbeforetheeyesofalltheyoungmen！
Itbringslucktothewar—party，theysaid。Hewouldhavepreferredtokeephisbetrothalse—
cret，buttherewasnoescapingthecustom。
Allthecamp—fireswereburningandsupperhadbeeneaten，whentheheraldapproachedeverygroupandannouncedtheprogrammefortheevening。ItfelltoAntelopetoopenhisbundlefirst。Loudlaughterpealedforthwhenthereluctantyouthbroughtforthasu—
perbpairofmoccasins——therecognizedlove—
gift！Atsuchtimesthewarriors’jokeswereunmerciful，foritwasconsideredalastindul—
genceinjesting，perhapsformanymoons。
Therecipientwaswellknowntobeanoviceinlove，andthistokenfirstdisclosedthefactthathehadatlastsuccumbedtotheallure—
mentsofwoman。Whenhesanghislove—songhewasobligedtonamethegiverofthetoken，andmanyadisappointedsuitorwasastonishedtohearTaluta’sname。
ItwasalongjourneytotheUtecountry，andwhentheyreachedittherewasastubbornlycontestedfight。Bothsidesclaimedthevic—
tory，andbothlostseveralmen。HereagainAntelopewassignallyfavoredbythegodsofwar。Hecountedmanycoupsorblows，andexhibitedhisbraveryagainandagaininthecharges，buthereceivednowound。
OnthereturnjourneyTaluta’sbeautifulfacewasconstantlybeforehim。Hewassoimpatienttoseeherthathehurriedoninad—
vanceofhisparty，whentheywerestillseveraldays’travelfromtheSiouxcamp。
\"ThistimeIshalljoininallthedancesandparticipateintherejoicings，forshewillsurelyliketohavemedoso，\"hethoughttohimself。
\"Shewilljoinalso，andIknowthatnoneisabetterdancerthanTaluta！\"
Infancy，Antelopewaspracticingthesongsofvictoryasherodealoneoverthevastwildcountry。
HehadnowpassedWildHorseCreekandtheBlackHillslaytothesoutheast，whiletheBigHornrangeloomeduptothenorthingiganticproportions。Hefelthimselfathome。
\"Ishallnowbeamanindeed。Ishallhaveawife！\"hesaidaloud。
Atlasthereachedthepointfromwhichheexpectedtoviewthedistantcamp。Alas，therewasnocampthere！Onlyasolitaryteepeegleamedforthuponthegreenplain，whichwasalmostsurroundedbyaquickturnoftheRiverofDeepWoods。Theteepeeappearedverywhite。Apeculiartinglingsensationpassedthroughhisframe，andtheponywhinniedoftenashewasurgedforwardatagallop。
WhenAntelopebeheldthesolitaryteepeeheknewinstantlywhatitwas。Itwasagrave！
Sometimesanewwhitelodgewaspitchedthusforthedead，wholayinstatewithinuponacouchoffinestskins，andsurroundedbyhischoicestpossessions。
Antelope’sexcitementincreasedashenearedtheteepee，whichwasprotectedbyabarricadeofthickbrush。Itstoodaloneandsilentinthemidstofthedesertedcamp。Hekickedthesidesofhistiredhorsetomakehimgofaster。
Atlasthejumpedfromthesaddleandrantowardthedoor。Therehepausedforamo—
ment，andatthethoughtofdesecratingagrave，acoldterrorcameoverhim。
\"Imustsee——Imustsee！\"hesaidaloud，anddesperatelyhebrokethroughthethornyfenceanddrewasidetheovalswingingdoor。
II
Inthestatelywhiteteepee，seenfromafar，bothgraveandmonument，therelaythefairbodyofTaluta！Thebierwasundisturbed，andthemaidenlookedbeautifulasifsleeping，dressedinherrobesofceremonyandsurroundedbyallherbelongings。
Herloverlookeduponherstillfaceandcriedaloud。\"Hey，hey，hey！Alas！alas！IfIhadknownofthiswhileintheUtecountry，youwouldnotbelonelyonthespiritpath。\"
Hewithdrew，andlaidthedoorflaprever—
entlybackinitsplace。Howlonghestoodwith—
outthethresholdhecouldnottell。Hestoodwithheadboweddownuponhisbreast，tear—
lessandmotionless，utterlyoblivioustoevery—
thingsavethebierofhisbeloved。Hischargergrazedaboutforalongtimewherehehadlefthim，butatlastheendeavoredbyalowwhinnytoattracthismaster’sattention，andAntelopeawokefromhistranceofsorrow。
Thesunwasnowhoveringoverthewesternridges。Themourner’sthroatwasparched，andperspirationrolleddownhischeeks，yethewasconsciousofnothingbutastrongde—
siretolookuponhercalm，sweetfaceoncemore。
Hekindledasmallfirealittlewayoff，andburnedsomecedarberriesandsweet—smellinggrass。Thenhefumigatedhimselfthoroughlytodispelthehumanatmosphere，sothatthespiritmightnotbeoffendedbyhisapproach，forhegreatlydesiredtoobtainasignfromherspirit。Hehadremovedhisgarmentsandstoodupperfectlynudesaveforthebreech—
clout。Hislonghairwasunbraidedandhunguponhisshoulders，veilingtheupperhalfofhissplendidbody。Thusstanding，theloversangadirgeofhisownmaking。Thewordsweresomethinglikethis：
Ah，spirit，thyflightismysterious！
Whilethecloudsarestirredbyourwailing，Andourtearsfallfasterinsorrow——
Whilethecoldsweatofnightbenumbsus，Thougoestaloneonthyjourney，Inthemidstoftheshiningstarpeople！
Thougoestaloneonthyjourney——
Thymemoryshallbeourportion;
Untildeathwemustwatchforthespirit！
TheeyesofAntelopewereclosedwhilehechantedthedirge。Hesangitoverandover，pausingbetweenthelines，andstrainingasitwereeverysenselesthemightnotcatchtheraptwhisperofherspirit，butonlythedistanthowlsofcoyotesansweredhim。Hisbodybe—
camecoldandnumbfromsheerexhaustion，andatlasthiskneesbentunderhimandhesankdownupontheground，stillfacingtheteepee。Unconsciousnessovertookhim，andinhissleeportrancethevoicecame：
\"Donotmournforme，myfriend！Comeintomyteepee，andeatofmyfood。\"
ItseemedtoAntelopethathefalteredforamoment;thenheenteredtheteepee。Therewasacheerfulfireburninginthecenter。A
basinofbroiledbuffalomeatwasplacedoppo—
sitethecouchofTaluta，ontheothersideofthefire。Itsodorwasdelicioustohim，yethehesitatedtoeatofit。
\"Fearnot，kechuwa（mydarling）！Itwillgiveyoustrength，\"saidthevoice。
Themaidwasnaturalasinlife。Beautifullyattired，shesatuponherbed，andherde—
meanorwascheerfulandkind。
Theyoungmanateofthefoodinsilenceandwithoutlookingatthespirit。\"Ho，ke—
chuwa！\"hesaidtoherwhenreturningthedish，accordingtothecustomofhispeople。
Silentlythetwosatforsomeminutes，whiletheyouthgazedintotheburningembers。
\"Beofgoodheart，\"saidTaluta，atlast，\"foryoushallmeetmytwinspirit！ShewillloveyouasIdo，andyouwillloveherasyouloveme。Thiswasourcovenantbeforewecameintothisworld。\"
Theconceptionofa\"twinspirit\"wasfamil—
iartotheSioux。\"Ho，\"respondedthewar—
rior，withdignityandallseriousness。Hefeltagreataweforthespirit，anddarednotlifthiseyestoherface。
\"Weepnomore，kechuwa，weepnomore，\"
shesoftlyadded;andthenextmomentAnte—
lopefoundhimselfoutsidethemysterioustee—
pee。Hislimbswerestiffandcold，buthedidnotfeelfaintnorhungry。Havingfilledhispipe，heheldituptothespiritsandthenpar—
tookofthesmoke;andthusrevived，heslowlyandreluctantlyleftthesacredspot。
Themainwar—partyalsovisitedtheoldcampandsawthesolitaryteepeegrave，butdidnotlingerthere。Theycontinuedonthetrailofthecaravanuntiltheyreachedthenewcamp—
ingground。Theycalledthemselvessuccessful，althoughtheyhadleftseveraloftheirnumberonthefield。Theirtriumphsongsindicatedthis;thereforethepeoplehurriedtoreceivethenewsandtolearnwhoweretheunfor—
tunates。
ThefatherofAntelopewasforemostamongthosewhorantomeetthewar—party。Helearnedthathissonhaddistinguishedhimselfinthefight，andthathisnamewasnotmentionedamongthebravedead。
\"Andwhere，then，ishe？\"heasked，withunconcealedanxiety。
\"Heleftusthreedaysagotocomeinad—
vance，\"theyreplied。
\"Buthehasnotarrived！\"exclaimedoldWezee，inmuchagitation。
Hereturnedtohisteepee，whereheconsoledhimselfasbesthecouldbysmokingthepipeinsolitude。Hecouldneithersingpraisesnorindulgeinthedeathdirge，andnonecameineithertocongratulateormournwithhim。
Thesunhaddisappearedbehindthehills，andtheoldmanstillsatgazingintotheburn—
ingembers，whenheheardahorse’sfootfallatthedoorofhislodge。
\"Ho，atay（father）！\"camethewelcomecall。
\"Mechinkshe！mechinkshe！\"（myson，myson），herepliedinunrestrainedjoy。OldWe—
zeenowstoodonthethresholdandsangthepraisesongforhisson，endingwithawar—
whoopsuchashehadnotindulgedinsincehewasquiteayoungman。
Thecampwasoncemorealivewiththedances，andthedullthudoftheIndiandrumwascontinuallyintheair。ThecouncilhadagreedthatAntelopewasentitledtowearawar—bonnetofeagles’feathers。Hewasac—
cordinglysummonedbeforetheaboriginalpar—
liament，andfromthewisemenofthetribehereceivedhisdegreeofwar—bonnet。
Itwasapublicceremony。Thegreatpipewasheldupforhimtotakethesmokeofhighhonor。
ThehappiestpersonpresentwasthefatherofAntelope;buthehimselfremainedcalmandunmovedthroughouttheceremony。
\"Heisastrangeperson，\"wasthewhisperamongagroupofyouthswhowerewatchingtheproceedingswithenviouseyes。
Theyoungmanwasstrangelylistlessanddepressedinspirit。Hisoldgrandmotherknewwhy，butnoneoftheothersunderstood。Heneverjoinedinthevillagefestivities，whiletherestofhisfamilywereuntiringinthedances，andoldWezeewasattheheightofhishap—
piness。
ItwasacrispOctobermorning，andthefam—
ilywereeatingtheirbreakfastofbroiledbisonmeat，whenthelargedrumatthecouncillodgewasstruckthreetimes。Theoldmansetdownhiswoodenbasin。
\"Ah，myson，thewar—chiefswillmakeanannouncement！Itmaybeacallfortheen—
listmentofwarriors！Iamsorry，\"hesaid，andpaused。\"Iamsorry，becauseIwouldrathernowar—partywentoutatpresent。Iamgettingold。Ihaveenjoyedyoursuccess，myson。Ilovetohearthepeoplespeakyourname。Ifyougoagainuponthewar—path，I
shallnolongerbeabletojoininthecelebra—
tions。Somethingtellsmethatyouwillnotre—
turn！\"
Youngbraveswerealreadyontheirwaytothecouncillodge。Tatokalooked，andthetemptationwasgreat。
\"Father，itisnotbecomingformetore—
mainathomewhenothersgo，\"hesaid，atlast。
\"Ho，\"wastheassentutteredbythefather，withadeepsigh。
\"Fivehundredbraveshaveenlistedtogowiththegreatwarprophetagainstthethreeconfederatedtribes，\"heafterwardreportedathome，withanairofelationwhichhehadnotwornforsomemoons。
SinceAntelopehadreceivedthedegreeofwar—bonnet，hisfatherhadsparedneithertimenorhismeagermeansinhisbehalf。Hehadbarteredhismostcherishedpossessionsforsev—
eraleaglesthatwerebroughtinbyvarioushuntersofthecamp，andwithhisownhandshadmadeahandsomewar—bonnetforhisson。
\"Youwillnowwearawar—bonnetforthefirsttime，andyouarethefirstofourfamilywhohasearnedtherighttowearoneformanygenerations。Iamproudofyou，myson，\"hesaidashepresentedit。
Butwhentheyouthreplied：\"Ho，ho，father！Ioughttobeabravemaninrecog—
nitionofthishonor，\"heagainsighedheavily。
\"ItisthatIfeared，myson！Manyayoungmanhaslosthislifeforvanityandloveofdis—
play！\"
Theeveningserenadesbeganearly，forthepartywastoleaveatonce。Ingroupsupontheirfavoriteponiesthewarriorsrodearoundtheinnercircleofthegreatcamp，singingtheirwar—songs。Allthepeoplecameoutofthetee—
pees，andsittingbytwosandthreesupontheground，bedeckedwithsavagefinery，theywatchedandlistened。Theprettywildmaid—
enshadthislastopportunitygiventhemtolookuponthefacesoftheirsweethearts，whomtheymightneverseeagain。Hereandthereanoldmanwassingingthegratitudesongorthank—offering，whileannouncingthefirstwar—
pathofanovice，forsuchanannouncementmeantthegivingofmanypresentstothepoorandaged。Sothecampwasfilledwithsongsofjoyandprideinthedepartinghusbands，brothers，andsons。
Assoonasdarknesssetinthesoundoftherudenativeflutewasaddedtothecelebration。
Thisisthelover’sfarewell。Theyoungbraves，wrappedfromheadtofootintheirfinestrobes，eachsoundedtheplaintivestrainsnearthetee—
peeofthebeloved。Theplayfulyodelingofmanyvoicesinchoruswasheardatthecloseofeachsong。
Atmidnightthearmyoffivehundred，thefloweroftheSioux，marchedagainsttheiran—
cientenemy。Antelopewasinthebestofspir—
its。Hehadhiswar—bonnettodisplaybeforetheenemy！Hewasnowregardedasoneoftheforemostwarriorsofhisband，andmightprobablybeaskedtoperformsomespeciallyhazardousduty，sothathewasfullypreparedtoearnfurtherdistinction。
InfivedaystheSiouxwereencampedwithinaday’stravelofthepermanentvillageoftheconfederatedtribes——theRees，Mandans，andGrosVentres。Thewar—chiefselectedtwomen，AntelopeandEaglechild，toscoutatnightinadvanceofthemainforce。Itwasthoughtthatmostofthehuntershadalreadyreturnedtotheirwinterquarters，andinthiscasetheSiouxwouldhavenomeanenemytoface。Ontheotherhand，abattlewaspromisedthatwouldenlargetheirimportanttraditions。
Thetwomadetheirwayasrapidlyaspos—
sibletowardtheancestralhomeoftheirene—
mies。Itwasanightperfectlysuitedtowhattheyhadtodo，forthemoonwasfull，thefleetingcloudshidingitfromtimetotimeandcastingdeceptiveshadows。
Whentheyhadcomewithinashortdistanceofthelodgesunperceived，theylayflatforalongtime，andstudiedthewaysoftheyoungmenineveryparticular，foritwasAntelope’splantoenterthegreatvillageandmingleboldlywithitsinhabitants。Eventheirhootsandlove—callswerecarefullynoted，sothattheymightbeabletoimitatethem。Therewereseveralentertainmentsinprogressindifferentpartsofthevillage，yetitwasapparentthatthegreatestvigilancewasobserved。Thelodgesofpolescoveredwithearthwerepartlyunderground，andatoneendthewar—horseswerestabled，asaprecautionagainstapossiblesurprise。
Atthemomentthatalargecloudfloatedoverthemoon，castingashadowlargeenoughtocovertheentirevillage，thedruminoneoftheprincipallodgeswasstruckinquicktime，accompaniedbyboisterouswar—whoopsandsinging。Thetwoscoutsadjustedtheirrobesabouttheminthefashionofthestrangers，andwalkedopenlyinthatdirection。
Theyglancedquicklyfromsidetosideastheyapproached，butnoonepaidanyattention，sotheycameupwithotheryoungmenandpeepedthroughthechinksintheearthwig—
wam。Itwasagreatgamblingparty。Amongtheguestswereseveraldistinguishedwarriors，andeachatanopportunetimewouldriseandrecounthisgreatdeedsinwarfareagainsttheSioux。Thestrangerscouldreadtheirgestures，andAntelopewasonceortwicealmostonthepointofstringinghisbowtosendanarrowthroughtheaudaciousspeaker。
Astheymovedaboutthevillage，takingnoteofitsnumbersandsituation，andwaitinganopportunitytowithdrawwithoutexcitingsus—
picion，theyobservedsomeoftheyoungerbravesstandingnearanotherlargewigwam，andoneortwoevenpeepedwithin。Movedbysuddencuriosity，Antelopefollowedtheirex—
ample。Heutteredalowexclamationandatoncewithdrew。
\"Whatisit？\"askedhiscompanion，butreceivednoanswer。
Itwasevidentlythehomeofachief。Thefamilywereseatedwithinattheirusualoccu—
pations，andthebrightlightofthecentralfireshonefulluponthefaceofamostlovelymaiden。
Antelopestoodapparentlymotionless，buthewastremblingunderhisrobelikealeaf。
\"Come，friend，thereisanotherlargecloudalmostoverthemoon！Wemustmoveawayunderitsconcealingshadow，\"urgedEagle—
child。
theotherstoodstillasifundecided，butatlastheapproachedthelodgeandlookedinasecondtime。Theresathissweetheartinhumanformoncemore！Themaidenwasat—
tiredinadoeskingownsetwithelk’steethlikeivory。Hereyeswerecastdowndemurelyoverherembroidery，butineveryfeatureshewasthelivingcounterpartofTaluta！
Atlastthetwogotawayunobserved，andhastenedtowardtheplacewheretheyhadcon—
cealedtheirhorses。ButhereAntelopesenthiscompaniononinadvance，makingtheex—
cusethathewishedtostudyfurtherthebestpositionfromwhichtomaketheattack。
Whenhewasleftalonehestoodstillforamomenttodecideuponaplan。HecouldthinkofnothingbutthathemustmeettheReemaidenbeforedaylight！Herealizedtheextremehazardoftheattempt，buthealsorecalledwhathehadbeentoldbythespiritofTaluta，andthesupernaturalcommandseemedtojus—
tifyhimeveningoingthusupontheeveofbattletomeettheenemyofhispeople。
Heskirtedtheheavytimberandretracedhisstepstoapointfromwhichhecouldseethevillage。Thedrumofthegamblingpartyhadceasedwiththeshoutsandlaughteroftheplayers。Apparentlythevillagewaslostinslumber。Themoonhadset，andwithoutpausingheadvancedtothehomeofthegirl。
Ashecamenearsomedogsbegantobark，buthesilencedthemafterthemanneroftheRees，andtheyobeyedhim。
WhenAntelopesoftlyraisedtherobethathungovertheentrancetothechief’slodge，hesawthefiresmolderinginthecenter，andthemembersofthehouseholdlyingintheirrespectiveplaces，allseeminglyinadeepsleep。
Thegirllayoppositetheentrance，wherehehadseenherseatedintheearlypartoftheevening。
TheheartoftheSiouxbeatviolently，andheglancednervouslytoleftandright。Therewasneithersoundnormovement。Thenhepulledhisrobecompletelyoverhishead，afterthefashionofaReelover，andsoftlyenteredthewigwam。
TheReemaiden，havingindustriouslyworkedonherembroideryuntilfarintothenight，hadretiredtorest。Inherdreams，thetwinsistercametoherofwhomshehadhadvisionseversinceshecouldremember，andes—
peciallywhensomethingofimportancewasabouttohappen。
Thistimeshecamewithahandsomeyoungmanofanothertribe，andsaid：\"Sister，I
bringyouaSioux，whowillbeyourhusband！\"
Thedreameropenedhereyestobeholdayouthbendingoverherandgentlypullingherrobe，asasuitorispermittedtodotoawakenhisbeloved。
Whenhesawthatshewasawake，theSiouxtouchedhisbreast，sayinginawhisper，\"Ta—
toka，\"andmadethesignforAntelope。ThispleasedtheReegirl，forherownbrother，whohaddiedtheyearbefore，hadbornethatname。
Sheimmediatelysatupandstirredtheembersintoalightblaze。Thenshetookholdofhisblanketanddrewitfromhisface;andtheresheseemedtoseetheveryfeaturesofthemanofhervision！
Hetookherhandinhis，andshefelttheforceoflovestreamthroughhislong，nervousfingers，andinstinctivelyknewhisthoughts。InherturnshetouchedherbreastandmadethesignforShield，pronouncinginherowntonguetheword，Stasu。Thisseemedtohimalsoanameofgoodomen，andinthesignlanguagewhichwascommontoallthepeopleoftheplains，heaskedhertobehiswife。
Vividlyherdreamcamebacktoher，andshecouldnotrefusethestranger。Hersoulalreadyrespondedtohis;andforafewmin—
utestheysatsilentlysidebyside。Whenhearoseandbeckoned，\"Comewithme，\"shehadnoquestiontomake，andwithoutawordshefollowedhimfromherfather’slodgeandoutintotheforest。
Inthemidstofhisascendingfame，atamo—
mentwhenopportunityseemedtofavorhisam—
bition，thebraveAntelopehadmysteriouslydisappeared！Hiscompanionscoutreturnedwithafavorablereport。Hesaidthatthemenofthethreeconfederatedtribesweregamblingandfeasting，whollyunconsciousofdanger，andthatAntelopewouldfollowhimwithafurtherreportuponthebestpointofattack。
Theredwarriorsimpatientlyawaitedhisre—
turn，untilitbecameapparentthattheycouldwaitnolongerwithoutsacrificingtheirchanceofsuccess。Whentheattackwasmadeitwasalreadyratherlate。Thesunhadfairlyclearedtheeasternhills，andmostofthemenwereout—
sidetheirlodges。
Itwasagreatbattle！AgainandagaintheSiouxwererepulsed，butasoftentheyralliedandrepeatedthechargeuntilsundown，whentheyeffectedtheirretreatwithconsiderableloss。
HadAntelopereturnedindueseason，thechargewouldhavebeenmadebeforedawn，whilethepeoplewereyetasleep。
Whenthebattlewasover，theRees，Man—
dans，andGrosVentresgatheredtheirdeadandwounded。Thenightwasfilledwithmourning。
SoonthesadnewswasheraldedthroughoutthecampthatthebeautifuldaughteroftheReechiefwasamongthemissing。Itwassup—
posedthatshemusthavebeencapturedwhiledrivingherponiestowaterintheearlymorn—
ing。Thegriefforherlosswasmingledwithhorror，becauseofafearthatshemightsuf—
ferhumiliationatthehandsoftheSiouxwar—
riors，andamongtheyoungmenthereweremut—
teredthreatsthattheSiouxwouldpaydearlyforthis。
Thoughpartiallysuccessful，theSiouxhadlostmanyoftheirbravestwarriors，andnonecouldtellwhathadhappenedtoAntelope——hewhohadbeenbelievedthefavoriteofthegodsofwar。Itwassuggestedbysomeenviousonesthatperhapshehadrecognizedthestronglyentrenchedpositionofthethreetribes，andbe—
lievingthebattlewouldbeadisastrousone，hadsetoutforhomewithoutmakinghisre—
port。Butthissuppositionwasnotdeemedcredible。Ontheotherhand，theideawasen—
tertainedthathehadreenteredthevillage，wasdetectedandslain;andthereforetheenemywasonthelookoutwhentheattackwasmade。
\"Hay，hay，hay，mechinkshe（Alas，alas，myson）！\"wasthesorrowfulcrywithwhichhisoldfatherreceivedthenews。Hisheadfelluponhisbreast，andalltheothersgroanedinsympathy。
Thesunsetskywasablanketofbeautifulpainting。Therewerecamp—firesamongthecloudsinorangeandscarlet，whilesomewereblackasnight。Sothecampfairlyglowedincelebrationofitsheroes;yettherewasdeepgriefinmanyfamilies。Whentheeveningmealhadbeeneatenandthepeopleweresittingout—
sidetheirlodges，atalloldman，almostnude，appearedinthecircle，ridingafinehorse。
Hehadblackenedhisface，hishairwascutshort，andthehorsealsohadbeendeprivedofhisflowingmaneandtail。Bothwereindeepmourning，afterthefashionoftheSioux。
\"Hoho！\"exclaimedmanywarriorsashepassedthem，singinginahoarse，gutturalvoice。
\"Ugh，hesingsawar—song！\"remarkedone。
\"Yes，Iamtoldthathewillfindhisson’sbones，orleavehisowninthecountryoftheenemy！\"
Therainhadfallenincessantlyfortwodays。
ThefleeinglovershadreachedthislonelymountainvalleyoftheBigHornregiononthenightthatthecoldfallrainssetin，andAnte—
lopehadhurriedlyconstructedanarborhouseorrudeshelterofpineandcedarboughs。
Itwasenough。Theretheysat，manandwife，intheirfirsthomeoflivinggreen！Thecheerfulfirewasburninginthecenter，andthehappysmokewentstraightupamongthetallpines。Therewasnohumaneyetogazeuponthemtoembarrass——notevenacommonlan—
guageinwhichtoexpresstheirloveforoneanother。
Theirmarriage，theybelieved，wasmadebyaspirit，anditwasholyintheirminds。Eachhadcastawayhispeopleandhisallforthesakeofthisemotionwhichhadsuddenlyover—
takenthembothwithoverwhelmingforce，andthewarrior’sambitionhaddisappearedbeforeitlikeamorningmistbeforethesun。
Tothemanewlifewasjustbeginning，andtheyhadallbutforgottentheexistenceofanyworldsavethis。Theyoungbridewasen—
shrinedinabowerofspicyfragrance，andherfaceshonewheneverhereyesmetthoseofherhusband。
\"ThisisasIwouldhaveit，kechuwa（dar—
ling）！\"exclaimedtheSiouxinhisownlan—
guage。Shesimplyrespondedwithachildlikesmile。Althoughshedidnotunderstandhiswords，shereadinthetonesofhisvoiceonlyhappyandlovingthoughts。
TheReegirlhadpreparedabroiledbisonsteak，andherhusbandwaskeepingthefirewellfedwithdryfagots。Theodorofthebumingfatwasdelicious，andthegentlepatteroftherainmadeaweirdmusicoutsidetheirwigwam。
Assoonasherhusbandhadleftheralone——forhemustgotowatertheponiesandcon—
cealthematadistance——Stasucameouttocollectmorewood。Instinctivelyshelookedallabouther。Hugemountainstoweredskyward，cladinpines。Thenarrowvalleyinwhichshewaswounditswaybetweenthem，andoneverysidetherewasheavyforest。
Shestoodsilentandawed，scarcelyabletorealizethatshehadbegunhernewlifeabso—
lutelyalone，withnootherwomantoadviseorcongratulateher，andvisitedonlybythebirdsoftheair。YetalltheworldtoherjustnowwasAntelope！Nootherwomancouldsmileonhim。Hecouldnottalktoanyonebuther。Theeveningdrumatthecouncillodgecouldnotsummonhimawayfromher，andshewaswellcontent。
Whentheyoungwifehaddoneeverythingshecouldthinkofinpreparationforherhus—
band’sreturn，includingthemakingofseveralbirch—barkbasinsandpailsforwater，therainhadquiteceased，soshespreadherrobejustoutsidethelodgeandtookupherwork—bag，inwhichshehadseveralpairsofmoccasin—topsalreadybeaded。
Whileshebentoverherwork，gettingupfromtimetotimetoturntheroastwhichshehadimpaleduponasharpstickabovetheglowingcoals，thebridehadastreamofshycallers，ofthelittlepeopleofthewoods。Shesatverystill，soasnottostartlethem，andthereismuchcuriosityamongthesepeoplecon—
cerningastranger。
Presentlyshewasstartledbyafootfallnotunlikethatofaman。Shehadnotbeenmar—
riedlongenoughtoknowthesoundofherhusband’sstep，andshefeltathrillofjoyandfearalternately。Itmightbehe，anditmightbeastranger！Shewasloathtolookup，butatlastgaveafurtiveglance，andmetsquarelytheeyesofalargegrizzlybear，whowasseateduponhishaunchesnotfaraway。
Stasuwassurprised，butsheshowednofear;
andfearlessnessisthebestshieldagainstwildanimals。Inamomentshegotupunconcern—
edly，andthrewalargepieceofmeattothestranger。
\"Takeofmyweddingfeast，OgreatBear！\"
sheaddressedhim，\"andbegoodtometoblessmyfirstteepee！ObekindandrecognizemybraveactintakingformyhusbandoneofthewarriorsoftheSioux，theancientenemyofmypeople！Ihaveacceptedahusbandofalan—
guageotherthanmine，andamcometoliveamongyouasyourneighbor。Iofferyoumyfriendship！\"
Thebear’sonlyanswertoherprayerwasalowgrowl，buthavingeatenthemeat，heturnedandclumsilydeparted。
InthemeantimeAntelopehadsethimselftomasterthegeographyofthatregion，tostudytheoutlookforgame，andascertainthebestapproachestotheirsecrethome。Itwasalreadysettledinhismindthathecouldneverreturneithertohiswife’speopleortohisown。
Hisfellow—warriorswouldnotforgivehisde—
sertion，andtheReescouldnotbeexpectedtowelcomeasakinsmanoneoftheforemostoftheirancientfoes。Therewasnothingtobedonebuttoremaininseclusion，andletthemsaywhattheywouldofhim！
HehadlovedtheReemaidenfromthefirstmomenthebeheldherbythelightoftheblaz—
ingembers，andthatlovemustsatisfyhim。Itwaswellthathehadnevercaredmuchforcompany，buthadspentmanyofhisyoungdaysinsolitudeandfasting。Itdidnotseematallstrangetohimthathehadbeenforcedtore—
treatintoanunknownandwildcountrywithawomanwhomhesawintheeveningforthefirsttime，andfledwithashisownwifebeforesunrise！
Bytheafternoonhehadthoroughlyin—
formedhimselfuponthenatureofthesur—
roundingcountry。Everythingonthefaceofthemapwassurveyedandchartedinhismind，inaccordancewithhishabitsandtraining。