V
THEPEACE—MAKER
OneofthemostremarkablewomenofherdayandnationwasEyatonkawee，She—whose—Voice—is—heard—afar。ItismatterofhistoryamongtheWakpaykootaybandofSioux，theDwellersamongtheLeaves，thatwhenEyatonkaweewasaveryyoungwomanshewasoncevictoriousinahand—to—
handcombatwiththeenemyinthewoodsofMinnesota，whereherpeoplewerehuntingthedeer。AtsuchtimestheyoftenmetwithstraypartiesofSacsandFoxesfromtheprairiesofIowaandIllinois。
Now，thecustomwasamongourpeoplethatthedoerofanotablewarlikedeedwasheldinhighesthonor，andthesedeedswerekeptcon—
stantlyinmemorybybeingrecitedinpublic，beforemanywitnesses。Thegreatestexploitwasthatoneinvolvingmostpersonalcourageandphysicaladdress，andhewhoserecordwasadjudgedbestmightclaimcertainprivileges，nottheleastofwhichwastherighttointerfereinanyquarrelandseparatethecombatants。
Thepeace—makermightresorttoforce，ifneedbe，andnoonedaredtoutteraprotestwhocouldnotsaythathehadhimselfachievedanequalfame。
TherewasamancalledTamahay，knowntoMinnesotahistoryasthe\"One—eyedSioux，\"
whowasanotablecharacteronthefrontierintheearlypartofthenineteenthcentury。Hewasveryreckless，andcouldboastofmanyaperilousadventure。HewastheonlySiouxwho，intheWarof1812，foughtfortheAmericans，whilealltherestofhispeoplesidedwiththeBritish，mainlythroughtheinfluenceoftheEng—
lishtradersamongthematthattime。Thissame\"One—eyedSioux\"becameawarmfriendofLieutenantPike，whodiscoveredthesourcesoftheMississippi，andforwhomPike’sPeakisnamed。SomesaythattheIndiantookhisfriend’sname，forTamahayinEnglishmeansPikeorPickerel。
Unfortunately，inlaterlifethisbravemanbecameadrunkard，andaftertheAmericanstookpossessionofhiscountryalmostanyoneofthemwouldsupplyhimwithliquorinrecog—
nitionofhisnotableservicesasascoutandsoldier。Thushewasattimesnolessdangerousincampthaninbattle。
Now，Eyatonkawee，beingayoungwidow，hadmarriedthesonofalesserchiefinTama—
hay’sband，andwaslivingamongstrangers。
Moreover，shewasyetyoungandmodest。
Onedaythisbashfulmatronheardloudwar—
whoopsandthescreamsofwomen。Lookingforth，shesawthepeoplefleeinghitherandthither，whileTamahay，halfintoxicated，rushedfromhisteepeepaintedforwar，armedwithtomahawkandscalping—knife，andapproachedanotherwarriorasiftoslayhim。Atthissightherheartbecamestrong，andshequicklysprangbetweenthemwithherwoman’sknifeinherhand。
\"ItwasaSacwarrioroflikeproportionsandbraverywithyourown，who，havingslainseveraloftheSioux，thusapproachedmewithupliftedtomahawk！\"sheexclaimedinaclearvoice，andwentontorecitehervictoryonthatfamousdaysothattheterrifiedpeoplepausedtohear。
Tamahaywasgreatlyastonished，buthewasnottoodrunktorealizethathemustgivewayatonce，orbesubjecttothehumiliationofablowfromthewoman—warriorwhochallengedhimthus。Thewholecampwaslistening;andbeingunable，inspiteofhisgiantframeandwell—knownrecord，tociteagreaterdeedthanhers，heretreatedwithasgoodagraceaspos—
sible。ThusEyatonkaweerecountedherbravedeedforthefirsttime，inordertosaveaman’slife。Fromthatdayhernamewasgreatasapeace—maker——greatereventhanwhenshehadfirstdefendedsogallantlyherbabeandhome！
Manyyearsafterward，whenshehadat—
tainedmiddleage，thiswomanavertedaseriousdangerfromherpeople。
ChiefLittleCrowtheelderwasdead，andashehadtwowivesoftwodifferentbands，thesuccessionwasdisputedamongthehalf—brothersandtheiradherents。FinallythetwosonsofthewifebelongingtotheWabashawbandplottedagainstthesonofthewomanoftheKaposiaband，His—Red—Nationbyname，after—
wardcalledLittleCrow——themanwholedtheMinnesotamassacre。
Theyobtainedaquantityofwhiskyandmadeagreatfeasttowhichmanywereinvited，in—
tendingwhenallweremoreorlessintoxicatedtoprecipitateafightinwhichheshouldbekilled。Itwouldbeeasyafterwardtoexcusethemselvesbysayingthatitwasanaccident。
Mendota，nearwhatisnowthethrivingcityofSaintPaul，thenaqueenoftrading—postsintheNorthwest，wastherendezvousoftheSioux。Theeventbroughtmanytogether，forallwarriorsofnotewerebiddenfromfarandnear，andeventhegreattradersofthedaywerepresent，forthesuccessiontothechieftain—
shipwasonewhichvitallyaffectedtheirinter—
ests。Duringtheearlypartofthedayallwentwell，withspeechesandeulogiesofthedeadchief，flowingandeloquent，suchasonlyanativeoratorcanutter。Presentlytwogoodlykegsofwhiskywererolledintothecouncilteepee。
Eyatonkaweewasamongthewomen，andheardtheirexpressionsofanxietyasthevoicesofthemenroselouderandmorethreatening。
Somecarriedtheirchildrenawayintothewoodsforsafety，whileotherssoughtspeechwiththeirhusbandsoutsidethecouncillodgeandbesoughtthemtocomeawayintime。Butmorethanthiswasneededtocopewiththeemergency。
Suddenlyafamiliarformappearedinthedoorofthecouncillodge。
\"Isitbecominginawarriortospillthebloodofhistribesmen？AretherenolongeranyOjibways？\"
ItwasthevoiceofEyatonkawee，thatstrong—
heartedwoman！Advancingatthecriticalmo—
menttothemiddleoftheringofwarriors，sheoncemorerecitedher\"bravedeed\"withalltheaccompanimentofactionandgesture，andtosucheffectthatthedisorderlyfeastbrokeupinconfusion，andtherewaspeacebetweentherivalbandsofSioux。
TherewasseldomadangerousquarrelamongtheIndiansinthosedaysthatwasnotprecipi—
tatedbytheuseofstrongliquor，andthissim—
pleIndianwoman，whosegoodjudgmentwasequaltohercourage，fullyrecognizedthisfact。
Allherlife，andespeciallyafterherfavoritebrotherhadbeenkilledinadrunkenbrawlintheearlydaysoftheAmericanFurCompany，shewasadeterminedenemytostrongdrink，anditissaiddidmoretopreventitsuseamongherimmediatebandthananyotherperson。Be—
ingawoman，hersolemeansofrecognitionwasthe\"bravedeed\"whichshesowonderfullydescribedandenactedbeforethepeople。
DuringthelifetimeofShe—whose—Voice—is—
heard—afar——andshediedonlyafewyearsago——itbehoovedtheSiouxmen，iftheydrankatall，todrinksecretlyandinmoderation。Therearemanywhorememberherbraveentranceuponthesceneofcarousal，andherdramaticrecitaloftheimmortaldeedofheryouth。
\"Hanta！hantawo！（Outoftheway！）\"
exclaimthedismayedwarriors，scramblingineverydirectiontoavoidtheupraisedarmoftheterribleoldwoman，whoburstssuddenlyuponthemwithdisheveledhair，hergowntornandstreakedhereandtherewithwhatlookslikefreshblood，herleatherlegginslooseandungartered，asifnewlycomefromthefamousstruggle。Oneofthemenhasakegofwhiskyforwhichhehasgivenapony，andtheothershavebeeninvitedinforanightofpleasure。
Butscarcelyhasthefirstroundbeendrunktothetoastof\"greatdeeds，\"whenEyatonkaweeisuponthem，hergreatknifeheldhighinherwrinkledlefthand，hertomahawkintheright。
Herblackeyesgleamasshedeclaimsinavoicestrong，unterrified：
\"Look！look！brothersandhusbands——theSacsandFoxesareuponus！
Behold，ourbravesaresurprised——theyareunprepared！
Hearthemothers，thewivesandthechildrenscreaminginaffright！
\"Yourbravesister，Eyatonkawee，she，thenewlymademother，isservingthesmokingvenisontoherhusband，justreturnedfromthechase！
Ah，heplungesintothethickestoftheenemy！
Hefalls，hefalls，infullviewofhisyoungwife！
\"Shedesperatelypressesherbabetoherbreast，whileontheycomeyellingandtriumphant！
Theforemostofthemallentersherwhitebuffalo—skinteepee：
Tossingherbabeatthewarrior’sfeet，shestandsbeforehim，defiant;
Buthestraightwaylevelshisspearatherbosom。
Quicklyshespringsaside，andasquicklydealsadeadlyblowwithherax：
Fallsatherfeetthemightywarrior！
\"Closelyfollowingoncomesanother，unknowingwhatfatehasmethisfellow！
Hetooentersherteepee，anduponhisfeather—deckedheadheraxfalls——
Onlyhisdeath—groanreplies！
\"Anotherofheroicsizeandgreatprowess，aswitnessedbyhiswar—bonnetofeagle—feathers，Rusheson，yellingandwhooping——fortheybelievethatvictoryiswiththem！
ThethirdgreatwarriorwhohasdaredtoenterEyatonkawee’steepeeuninvited，hehasalreadydispatchedherhusband！
Heitiswhoseterriblewar—cryhasscatteredhersistersamongthetreesoftheforest！
\"Onhecomeswithconfidenceandabraveheart，seekingonemorebloodydeed——
Onemorefeathertowinforhishead！
Behold，heliftsaboveherwoman’sheadhisbattle—ax！
Nohope，nochanceforherlife！……
Ah！hestrikesbeyondher——onlythehandleoftheaxfallsheavilyuponhertiredshoulder！
Herreadyknifefindshiswickedheart，——
Downhefallsatherfeet！
\"Nowthedinofwargrowsfainterandfurther。
TheSiouxrecoverheart，anddrivetheenemyheadlongfromtheirlodges：
Yoursisterstandsvictoriousoverthree！
\"Shetakesherbabyboy，andmakeshimcountwithhistinyhandsthefirst’coup’oneachdeadhero;
Hencehewearsthe’firstfeathers’whileyetinhisoakencradle。
\"ThebravestofthewholeSiouxnationhavegiventhewar—whoopinyoursister’shonor，andhavesaid：
’TisEyatonkaweewhoisnotsatisfiedwithdowningthemightyoakswithherax——
ShetookthemightySacsandFoxesfortrees，andshefelledthemwithawill！’\"
Insuchfashiontheoldwomanwaswonttochantherstory，andnotawarriortherecouldtellonetosurpassit！Thecustomwasstrong，andtherewasnotonetopreventherwhenshestruckopenwithasingleblowofheraxthekegofwhisky，andthepreciousliquortrickledupontheground。
\"SotricklesundertheaxofEyatonkaweethebloodofanenemytotheSioux！\"
VI
BLUESKY
ManyyearsagoalargebodyoftheSiouxwereencampedatmidsummerinthevalleyoftheCheyenne。ItwascustomaryatthatperiodfortheIndianstotieuptheirponiesovernightwithinthecircleoftheteepees，whenevertheywereindisputedterritory，fortheyconsidereditnowrongtostealthehorsesoftheenemy。Hencethislongprocessionofyoungmenandmaidens，returningatsunsettothecampwithgreatbun—
dlesofgreengrasshanginggracefullyfromtheirsaddles！
The\"greengrassparade\"becamearegularcustom，andinfactafull—dressaffair，sinceitwasfoundtoaffordunusualopportunitiesforcourtship。
BlueSky，theprettydaughteroftheSiouxchief，putonherbestdoeskingowntrimmedwithelks’teeth，andinvestingherfavoritespottedponywithhisbeadedsaddle—blanket，shewentforthincompanywithoneofhermaidenfriends。Soontwoyoungwarriorsover—
tookthepair;andastheyapproachedtheycoveredtheirheadswiththeirrobes，exposingonlytheupperpartofthefacedisguisedwithpaintandthesingleeaglefeatherstandingupright。Onecarriedabowandquiverfullofarrows;theother，awar—clubsuspendedfromhisrightarm。
\"Ah，hay，hun，hay！\"salutedoneofthem;
butthemodestmaidenssaidneveraword！Itwasnottheirwaytospeak;onlythegaycalicoponiesprancedaboutandsportivelythrewbacktheirearstosnapatthehorsesofthetwoyoungmen。
\"’Tisabravewelcomeyourhorsesaregivingus！\"hecontinued，whilethetwogirlsmerelylookedatoneanotherwithperfectunderstand—
ing。
PresentlyMatoskaurgedhisponyclosetotheBlueSky’sside。
\"ItmaybethatIamoverbold，\"hemur—
muredinherear，\"torepeatsosoonmytaleoflove！IknowwellthatIriskareprimand，ifnotinwords，thenbyalookoraction！\"
Hepausedtonotetheeffectofhisspeech;
butalas！itisthehardruleofsavagecourtshipthatthemaidenmaywithproprietyanddignitykeepsilenceaslongasshewishes，anditisoftenexasperatinglylong。
\"Ihavespokentonomaiden，\"heresumed，becauseIwishedtowinthewar—bonnetbeforedoingso。ButtoyouIwasforcedtoyield！\"
Againhepaused，asiffearingtoappearundulyhasty;butdeliberateaswerespeechandman—
ner，hiseyesbetrayedhim。Theywerefullofintenseeagernessmingledwithanxiety。
\"SometimesIhaveimaginedthatIamintheworldwithyoualone，travelingovertheprairieoflife，orsittinginourlonelywhiteteepee，astheoriolesitswithhismatebeforetheirswayinghome。YetIseemedtobeneverlonely，becauseyouwerethere！\"Hefinishedhisplea，andwithoutwardcalmnessawaitedherreply。
Themaidenhadnotlostaword，butshewasstillthinking。Shethoughtthatamanismuchlikethewindofthenorth，onlypleasantandcomfortableinmidsummer！Shefearedthatshemightsometimehavetofurnishallthefuelfortheirlove’sfires;thereforesheheldherpeace。Matoskawaitedforseveralminutesandthensilentlywithdrew，bearinghisdisappoint—
mentwithdignity。
Meanwhilethecampwasastirwiththere—
turningyouthsandmaidens，theirhorses’sidesfringedwiththelongmeadowgrass，singingplaintiveserenadesaroundthecircularrowsofteepeesbeforetheybrokeupforthenight。
Itwasaclearandquietnight;theeveningfireswerekindledandeveryteepeetransformedintoanimmenseChineselantern。Therewasaglowingringtwomilesincircumference，withthewoodedriverbottomononesideandthevastprairieontheother。TheBlackHillsloomedupinthedistance，andtherapidsofthewildCheyennesentforthavaryingpealofmusiconthewind。Thepeopleenjoyedtheireveningmeal，andinthepausesoftheirtalkandlaughtertheponiescouldbeheardmunch—
ingatthebundlesofgreengrassjustoutsidetheteepees。
Suddenlyachorusofyellsbrokecruellythepeaceofthecamp，followedbythedashingchargeoftheCrowIndianhorsemen！ItwasmetasbravelyandquicklybytheSioux;andintheclear，palemoonlighttheduskywarriorsfought，withtheoccasionalflashofafirearm，whilesilentweaponsflewthickintheairlikedragon—fliesatsunset。
Thebravemothers，wives，andsistersgavetheirshrillwar—crytoinspiretheirmen，andshowtheenemythateventheSiouxwomencan—
notbedauntedbysuchafearfulsurprise！
Whenthemorningsunsentitsgoldenshaftsamongtheteepees，theysawitthroughglisten—
ingtears——happytears，theysaid，becausethebravedeadhadmettheirendingallantfight——theveryendtheycraved！AndamongthosewhofellthatnightwasBraveHawk，thehand—
somebrotheroftheBlueSky。
InafewdaysthecampwasmovedtoapointfurtheruptheCheyenneanddeeperintothebosomofthehills，leavingbehindthedeco—
ratedgravelodgesbelongingtothehonoreddead。Agreatcouncilteepeewaspitched，andherethepeoplemettocreditthosewhohadearnedthemwiththehonorsofthefight，thattheymightthereafterweartheeaglefeatherswhichtheyhadwon。
\"Thefirsthonor，\"declaredthemasterofceremonies，\"belongstoBraveHawk，whofellinthebattle！HeitwaswhocompelledtheCrowstoretreat，whenhebravelychargeduponthemandknockedfromhishorsetheCrowchief，theirwarleader。\"
\"Ho，itistrue！\"exclaimedthewarriorsinchorus。
\"Thesecondhonor，\"heresumed，\"belongstoMatoska，theWhiteBear！\"
\"Hun，hun，hay！\"interposedanother，\"itisI，RedOwl，whotouchedthebodyoftheCrowchiefsecondtoBraveHawk！\"
Itwasadefinitechallenge。
\"ThewarriorswhowitnessedtheactgivethecouptoMatoska，friend！\"persistedthespokesman。
RedOwlwasabraveyouthandacloserivalofMatoska，bothforwarhonorsandforthehandoftheprettiestmaideninthetribe。HehadhopedtoberecognizedasonewhofoughtindefenseoftheirhomesbythesideofBraveHawk;thatwouldpleasetheBlueSky，hethought;butthehonorwasconferreduponhisrival！
Therewasacloudofsuppressedirritationonhisduskyfaceashesullenlydepartedtohisowntent——anactionwhichdispleasedthecoun—
cil—men。Matoskahadnotspoken，andthiscausedhimtoappeartothebetteradvantage。
TheworstofitwasthatBlueSkyherselfhadenteredtheringwiththe\"orphansteed，\"asitwascalled——thewar—horseofherdeadbrother，andhadthereforeseenandheardevery—
thing！Tanagila，orHummingbird，thebeau—
tifulcharger，decoratedaccordingtocustomwiththehonorswonbyhismaster，wasledawaybythegirlamidstresoundingwar—whoops。
Unabletoremainquiet，RedOwlwentoutintothehillstofastandpray。Itwassunsetofthenextdaywhenheagainapproachedthevillage，andbehindalittleridgecamesuddenlyuponMatoskaandthegirlstandingtogether。
Itwasthefirsttimethattheyhadmetsincethe\"greengrassparade，\"andnowonlybyac—
cident，asthesisterofBraveHawkwasindeepmourning。However，theloverhadembracedhisopportunity，andthemaidenhadsaidthatshewaswillingtothinkofthematter。Nomorewordswerespoken。
Thatverynightthecouncildrumwasstruckthreetimes，followedbythewarriors’cheer。
Everybodyknewwhatthatmeant。Itwasaninvitationtotheyoungmentogouponthewar—pathagainsttheCrows！
BlueSkywasunconsciouslystartledbythissuddenannouncement。Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshefeltafearthatshecouldnotexplain。
Thetruthwasthatsheloved，andwasnotyetfullyawareofit。Inspiteofherfreshgrief，shehadbeeninexplicablyhappysinceherlastmeetingwithMatoska，forshehadseeninhimthatwhichissobeautiful，socompellinginmantotheeyesofthewomanwholoves。He，too，nowcherishedarealhope，andfeltasifhecouldrushintothethickestofthebattletoavengethebrotherofhisbeloved！
Inafewdaysthewar—partyhadreachedtheBigHornandsentoutadvancescouts，whore—
portedalargeCrowencampment。Theirhun—
dredsofhorsescoveredtheflatslikeagreatherdofbuffalo，theysaid。Itwasimmediatelydecidedtoattackatdaybreak，andonagivensignaltheydashedimpetuouslyuponthefor—
midablecamp。Somestampededanddroveoffanumberofhorses，whilethemainbodyplungedintothemidstoftheCrows。
Buttheenemywerenoteasilysurprised。
TheyknewwelltheSiouxtactics，andtherewasadesperatestruggleforsupremacy。War—clubwasraisedagainstwar—club，andthedeath—songofthearrowfilledtheair！PresentlytheSiouxwereforcedtoretreat，withtheCrowsinhotpursuit，likewolvesaftertheirprey。
RedOwlandMatoskahadbeenamongtheforemostinthecharge，andnowtheyactedasarear—guard，bravelydefendingtheretreatoftheirlittlearmy，totheadmirationoftheenemy。
AtlastaCrowraisedhisspearagainstMatoska，whoinaflashdismountedhimwithastrokeofhisoakenbow;butalas！theblowsnappedthebow—stringandlefthimdefenseless。Atthesameinstanthishorseutteredascreamandfell，throwingitsriderheadlong！
TherewasnoonenearexceptRedOwl，whoclappedhisheelstohisponyandjoinedintheretreat，leavingMatoskabehind。Hearose，threwdownhisquiver，andadvancedalonetomeettheoncomingrushoftheCrows！
TheSiouxhadseenhimfall。Inafewmo—
mentshewassurroundedbytheenemy，andtheysawhimnomore。
Thepursuitwasstopped，andtheypauseduponahilltoptocollecttheremnantoftheirforce。RedOwlwasthelasttocomeup，anditwasobservedthathedidnotlooklikehimself。
\"Tellus，whatwereMatoska’slastwords？\"
theyaskedhim。
Buthesilentlydismountedandsentanarrowthroughhisfaithfulsteed，totheastonishmentofthewarriors。Immediatelyafterwardhetookouthisknifeandstabbedhimselftotheheart。
\"Ah！\"theyexclaimed，\"hecouldnotlivetoshareourhumiliation！\"
Thewar—partyreturneddefeatedandcastdownbythisunexpectedendingtotheiradven—
ture，havinglostsomeoftheirbravestandbestmen。Thecampwasinstantlythrownintomourning。Manywereinheavygrief，butnonewasmoredeeplystrickenthanthemaidencalledtheBlueSky，thedaughteroftheirchief。
Sheremainedwithinherteepeeandweptinsecret，fornoneknewthatshehadtherighttomourn。Yetshebelievedthatherloverhadmetwithmisfortune，butnotdeath。Althoughhisnamewasannouncedamongthosewarriorswhofellinthefield，herownheartassuredherthatitwasnotso。\"Imustgotohim，\"shesaidtoherself。\"Imustknowcertainlywhetherheisstillamongtheliving！\"
Thenextevening，whilethevillagewasyetintheconfusionofgreattroubleandsorrow，BlueSkyrodeoutuponherfavoriteponyasiftotakehimtowaterasusual，butnonesawherreturn！Shehastenedtothespotwhereshehadconcealedtwosacksofprovisionsandherextramoccasinsandmaterialsforsewing。
Shehadnoweapon，saveherknifeandasmallhatchet。SheknewthecountrybetweentheBlackHillsandtheBigHorn，andknewthatitwasfullofperilsformanandmuchmoreforwoman。Yetbytravelingonlyatnightandconcealingherselfinthedaytimeshehopedtoavoidthesedangers，andsherodebravelyforthonthetrailofthereturningwarriors。
Herdog，Wapayna，hadfollowedthemaiden，andshewasnotsorrytohavesofaithfulacompanion。Shecautionedhimnottobarkatorattackstrangeanimalsunlesstheyattackedfirst，andheseemedtounderstandtheproprietyofremainingonguardwheneverhismistresswasasleep。
ShereachedthePowderRivercountryinsafety，andhereshehadmorethanoncetopickherwayamongthebuffaloes。Thesewilyanimalsseemedtorealizethatshewasonlyawomanandunarmed，sothattheyscarcelykeptoutofherpath。Shealsocrossedthetrailsofriders，someofthemquitefresh，butwasfortu—
nateenoughnottomeetanyofthem。
Atlastthemaidenattainedthedividebe—
tweentheTongueandtheBigHornrivers。
Herheartbeatfast，andthesuddensenseofherstrangemissionalmostoverwhelmedher。SherememberedtheonlytimeinherlifethattheSiouxwereuponthatriver，andsohadthatbitoffriendlywelcomefromthevalley——arecol—
lectionofchildhood！
Itwasnearmorning;themoonhadsetandforashorttimedarknessprevailed，butthegirl’seyeshadbythistimebecomeaccustomedtothedark。Sheknewthedaywasathand，andwithitsfirstbeamsshewassafelytuckedintooneofthoseroundturnsleftbytheriverlongagoinchangingitsbed，nowbecomealittlegrassyhollowshelteredbysteepbanks，andhiddenbyafringeoftrees。Hereshepicketedherpony，andtookherownrest。NotuntiltheafternoonshadowswerelongdidsheawakeandgoforthwithdeterminationtoseekforthebattlefieldandfortheCrowencamp—
ment。
Itwasnotlongbeforeshecameuponthebodiesoffallenhorsesandmen。TherewasMatoska’swhitecharger，withaSiouxarrowinhisside，andshedivinedthetreacheryofRedOwl！Buthewasdead，andhisdeathhadatonedforthecrime。Thebodyofherloverwasnowheretobefound;yethowshouldtheyhavetakenthebravestoftheSiouxacap—
tive？
\"Ifhehadbutonearrowleft，hewouldstandandfight！Ifhisbow—stringwerebroken，hewouldstillwelcomedeathwithastrongheart，\"
shethought。
TheeveningwasapproachingandtheCrowvillageinplainsight。BlueSkyarrangedherhairanddressaswellasshecouldlikethatofaCrowwoman，andwithanextrarobeshemadeforherselfabundlethatlookedasifitheldababyinitsmanywrappings。Thecom—
munitywasstillcelebratingitsrecentvictoryovertheSioux，andthecampwasalivewithsongsanddances。Inthedarknesssheap—
proachedunnoticed，andsinginginanunder—
toneaCrowlullaby，walkedbackandforthamongthelodges，watchingeagerlyforanysignsofhimshesought。
Atlastshecameneartothecouncillodge。
Thereshebeheldhisfacelikeanapparitionthroughtheduskandthefire—light！Hewassittingwithin，dressedinthegalacostumeofaCrow。
\"O，heisliving！heisliving！\"thoughtthebravemaiden。\"O，whatshallIdo？\"Un—
consciouslyshecreptnearerandnearer，untilthesharpeyesofanIndiandetectedtheslightdifferenceinhermanneranddress，andheatoncegavethealarm。
\"Wah，wah！Epsaraka！Epsaraka！A
Sioux！ASioux！\"
Inaninstantthewholecamphadsurroundedthegirl，whostoodintheirmidstaprisoner，yetundaunted，forshehadseenherlover，andthespiritofherancestorsrosewithinher。
Aninterpreterwasbrought，amanwhowashalfCrowandhalfSioux。
\"YoungandprettydaughteroftheSioux！\"
exclaimedthechief，\"tellushowyoucamehereinourmidstundetected，andwhy！\"
\"Because，\"repliedtheBlueSky，\"yourbravewarriorshaveslainmyonlybrother，andcapturedmylover，whomyounowholdapris—
oner。ItisforhissakethatIhavethusriskedmylifeandhonor！\"
\"Ho，ho！YouarethebravestwomanI
haveeverseen。Yourloverwagbetrayedintoourhandsbythetreacheryofoneofhisowntribe，whoshothishorsefrombehind。Hefaceduswithoutfear，butitwasnothiscouragethatsavedhislife。Heresemblesmyownson，wholatelyfellinbattle，andaccordingtothecustomIhaveadoptedhimasmyson！\"
ThusthebravemaidencapturedtheheartofthewilyCrow，andwasfinallyallowedtoreturnhomewithherlover，bearingmanyandrichpresents。Hernameisrememberedamongthetwotribes，forthisactofhersresultedinatreatyofpeacebetweenthemwhichwaskeptforageneration。
VII
THEFAITHFULNESSOFLONGEARS
AwaybeyondtheThinHills，abovetheBigLoneTreeuponthePowderRiver，theUncpapaSiouxhadcelebratedtheirSunDance，somefortyyearsago。Itwasmid—
summerandtheredfolkwerehappy。Theylackedfornothing。TheyellowishgreenflatoneithersideofthePowderwasstuddedwithwildflowers，andthecottonwoodtreeswereinfullleaf。Onelargecircleofbuffaloskintee—
peesformedthemovablevillage。TheBigHornMountainsloomedupagainstthedeepblueskytothewestward，andtheBlackHillsappearedinthefarsoutheast。
Thetribalriteshadallbeenobserved，andtheusualsummerfestivitiesenjoyedtothefull。
Thecampasitbrokeupdivideditselfinthreeparts，eachofwhichhaddeterminedtoseekafavoritehunting—ground。
Onebandjourneyedwest，towardtheTongueRiver。OnefollowedatributaryofthePow—
dertothesouth。Thethirdmerelychangedcamp，onaccountofthegrazingforponies，andforfourdaysremainedneartheoldplace。
Thepartythatwentwestdidnotfailtoreal—
izetheperilousnatureoftheirwanderings，fortheyweretrespassinguponthecountryofthewarlikeCrows。
Onthethirddayatsunrise，theSiouxcrier’svoiceresoundedinthevalleyofthePowder，announcingthatthelodgesmustberazedandthevillagersmusttakeuptheirmarch。
Breakfastofjerkedbuffalomeathadbeenservedandthewomenwereadjustingtheirpacks，notwithoutmuchchatterandapparentconfusion。Weeko（BeautifulWoman），theyoungwifeofthewar—chiefShunkaska，whohadmademanypresentsatthedancesinhonorofhertwinboys，nowgaveoneofherremain—
ingponiestoapooroldwomanwhoseonlybeastofburden，alargedog，haddiedduringthenight。
Thismadeitnecessarytoshiftthepacksoftheothers。Nakpa，orLongEars，herkitten—
likegraymule，whichhadheretoforebeenhon—
oredwiththepreciousburdenofthetwinbabies，wastobegivenaheavierandmorecumbersomeload。Weeko’stwo—year—oldspottedponywasselectedtocarrythebabies。
Accordingly，thetwochildren，intheirgor—
geouslybeadedbuckskinhoods，weresus—
pendeduponeithersideofthepony’ssaddle。
AsWeeko’sfirst—born，theywerebeautifullydressed;eventhesaddleandbridleweredain—
tilyworkedbyherownhands。
Thecaravanwasnowinmotion，andWeekostartedallherponiesaftertheleader，whilesheadjustedthemule’sclumsyburdenofket—
tlesandotherhouseholdgear。Inamo—
ment：
\"Goon，letusseehowyoumovewithyournewload！Goon！\"sheexclaimedagain，withalightblowofthehorse—hairlariat，asthean—
imalstoodperfectlystill。
Nakpasimplygaveanangrysideglanceatherloadandshiftedherpositiononceortwice。
Thenshethrewherselfheadlongintotheairandlandedstiff—legged，utteringatthesametimeherunearthlyprotest。Firstshedovestraightthroughthecrowd，thenproceededinacircle，herheelsdescribingwonderfulcurvesandsweepsintheair。Herpack，too，begantocometopiecesandtotakeforcedflightsfromherundignifiedbodyandheels，inthemidstofthescreamsofwomenandchildren，thebarkingofdogs，andthewar—whoopsoftheamusedyoungbraves。
Thecowskintentbecamedetachedfromhersaddle，andamomentlaterNakpastoodfree。
Hersidesworkedlikeabellowsasshestoodtheremeeklyindignant，apparentlyconsideringherselftobethevictimofanuncalled—formis—
understanding。
\"Ishouldputanarrowthroughheratonce，onlysheisnotworthagoodarrow，\"saidShunkaska，orWhiteDog，thehusbandofWeeko。Athiswife’sanswer，heopenedhiseyesinsurpriseddispleasure。
\"No，sheshallhaveherownpackagain。
Shewantshertwins。Ioughtnevertohavetakenthemfromher！\"
WeekoapproachedNakpaasshestoodaloneandunfriendedinthefaceofherlittleworld，allofwhomconsideredthatshehadcommittedtheunpardonablesin。Asforher，sheevidentlyfeltthathermisfortuneshadnotbeenofherownmaking。Shegaveahesitating，sidelonglookathermistress。
\"Nakpa，youshouldnothaveactedso。I
knewyouwerestrongerthantheothers，there—
foreIgaveyouthatload，\"saidWeekoinaconciliatorytone，andpattedheronthenose。
\"Come，now，youshallhaveyourownpetpack，\"andsheledherbacktowheretheyoungponystoodsilentlywiththebabies。
Nakpathrewbackherearsandcastsavagelooksathim，whileShunkaska，withnosmallannoyance，gatheredtogetherasmuchashecouldoftheirscatteredhouseholdeffects。Thesleepingbrown—skinnedbabiesintheirchrysalis—
likehoodsweregentlyloweredfromthepony’sbackandattachedsecurelytoNakpa’spaddedwoodensaddle。Thefamilypotsandkettlesweredividedamongthepackponies。Orderwasrestoredandthevillageoncemoreinmo—
tion。
\"Comenow，Nakpa;youhaveyourwish。
Youmusttakegoodcareofmybabies。Begood，becauseIhavetrustedyou，\"murmuredtheyoungmotherinhersoftesttones。
\"Really，Weeko，youhavesomecommongroundwithNakpa，foryoubothalwayswanttohaveyourownway，andsticktoit，too！I
tellyou，IfearthisLongEars。Sheisnottobetrustedwithbabies，\"remarkedShunkaska，withagooddealofseverity。
Buthiswifemadenoreply，forshewellknewthatthoughhemightcriticise，hewouldnotactuallyinterferewithherdomesticar—
rangements。
Henowstartedaheadtojointhemeninad—
vanceoftheslow—movingprocession，thusleav—
ingherinundividedchargeofherhousehold。
Oneortwoofthepackponieswerenotwell—
trainedandrequiredallherattention。Nakpahadbeenafaithfulservantuntilherescapadeofthemorning，andshewasnowobviouslysat—
isfiedwithhermistress’arrangements。Shewalkedalongsidewithherlariatdragging，andperfectlyfreetodoasshepleased。
Somehourslater，thepartyascendedaslopefromtheriverbottomtocrossoverthedividewhichlaybetweenthePowderRiverandatrib—
utarystream。Theyhadhithertofollowedthatriverinawesterlydirection，buthereittookitscoursesouthward，windinginabluestreakuntillosttoviewamongthefoot—hillsoftheBigHornMountains。Thefordwasdeep，withaswiftcurrent。Hereandthereabaldbuttestoodoutinfullreliefagainstthebrilliantbluesky。TheSiouxfollowedadeepravineuntiltheycamealmostuptothesecondrowofterraces。
\"Whoo！whoo！\"cametheblood—curdlingsignalofdangerfromthefront。Itwasnoun—
familiarsound——theroversknewitonlytoowell。Itmeantsuddendeath——oratbestacruelstruggleandfranticflight。
Terrified，yetself—possessed，thewomenturnedtoflywhileyettherewastime。InstantlythemotherlookedtoNakpa，whocarriedoneithersideofthesaddleherpreciousboys。Shehurriedlyexaminedthefasteningstoseethatallwassecure，andthencaughtherswiftestpony，for，likeallIndianwomen，sheknewjustwhatwashappening，andthatwhileherhus—
bandwasengagedinfrontwiththeenemy，shemustseeksafetywithherbabies。
Hardlywassheinthesaddlewhenaheart—
rendingwar—whoopsoundedontheirflank，andsheknewthattheyweresurrounded！Instinct—
ivelyshereachedforherhusband’ssecondquiverofarrows，whichwascarriedbyoneofthepackponies。Alas！theCrowwarriorswerealreadyuponthem！Theponiesbecameun—
manageable，andthewildscreamsofwomenandchildrenpiercedtheawfulconfusion。
Quickasaflash，Weekoturnedagaintoherbabies，butNakpahadalreadydisappeared！
Then，maddenedbyfrightandthelossofherchildren，Weekobecameforgetfulofhersexandtenderness，forshesternlygraspedherhus—
band’sbowinherlefthandtodobattle。
ThatchargeoftheCrowswasadisastrousone，buttheSiouxwereequallybraveanddes—
perate。Chargesandcounter—chargesweremade，andtheslainweremanyonbothsides。
Thefightlasteduntildarknesscame。ThentheCrowsdepartedandtheSiouxburiedtheirdead。
WhentheCrowsmadetheirflankcharge，Nakpaapparentlyappreciatedthesituation。Tosaveherselfandthebabies，shetookadesperatechance。Shefledstraightthroughtheattack—
ingforce。
Whenthewarriorscamehowlinguponheringreatnumbers，sheatoncestartedbackthewayshehadcome，tothecampleftbehind。Theyhadtravelednearlythreedays。
Tobesure，theydidnottravelmorethanfifteenmilesaday，butitwasfullfortymilestocoverbeforedark。
\"Look！look！\"exclaimedawarrior，\"twobabieshungfromthesaddleofamule！\"
Nooneheededthisman’scall，andhisarrowdidnottouchNakpaoreitheroftheboys，butitstruckthethickpartofthesaddleoverthemule’sback。
\"Lassoher！lassoher！\"heyelledoncemore;butNakpawastoocunningforthem。
Shedodgedinandoutwithactiveheels，andtheycouldnotaffordtowastemanyarrowsonamuleatthatstageofthefight。Downtheravine，thenovertheexpanseofprairiedottedwithgray—greensage—brush，shespedwithherunconsciousburden。
\"Whoo！whoo！\"yelledanotherCrowtohiscomrades，\"theSiouxhavedispatchedarunnertogetreinforcements！Therehegoes，downontheflat！Nowhehasalmostreachedtheriverbottom！\"
ItwasonlyNakpa。Shelaidbackhercarsandstretchedoutmoreandmoretogaintheriver，forsherealizedthatwhenshehadcrossedthefordtheCrowswouldnotpursueherfar—
ther。
Nowshehadreachedthebank。Withtheintenseheatfromherexertions，shewasex—
tremelynervous，andsheimaginedawarriorbeindeverybush。Yetshehadenoughsenselefttorealizethatshemustnotsatisfyherthirst。Shetriedthebottomwithherfore—foot，thenwadedcarefullyintothedeepstream。
Shekeptherbigearswelltothefrontassheswamtocatchtheslightestsound。Asshesteppedontheoppositeshore，sheshookherselfandtheboysvigorously，thenpulledafewmouthfulsofgrassandstartedon。
Soononeofthebabiesbegantocry，andtheotherwasnotlonginjoininghim。Nakpadidnotknowwhattodo。Shegaveagentlewhinnyandbothbabiesapparentlystoppedtolisten;
thenshetookupaneasygaitasiftoputthemtosleep。
Thesetacticsansweredonlyforatime。Asshefairlyflewoverthelowlands，thebabies’
hungerincreasedandtheyscreamedsoloudthatapassingcoyotehadtosituponhishaunchesandwonderwhatintheworldthefleeinglong—
earedhorsewascarryingonhissaddle。Evenmagpiesandcrowsflewnearasiftoascertainthemeaningofthiscurioussound。
NakpanowcametotheLittleTrailCreek，atributaryofthePowder，notfarfromtheoldcamp。Noneedofwastinganytimehere，shethought。Thensheswervedasidesosuddenlyasalmosttojerkherbabiesoutoftheircradles。
Twograywolves，oneoneachside，approachedher，growlinglow——theirwhiteteethshow—
ing。
NeverinherhumblelifehadNakpabeeninmoredesperatestraits。Thelargerofthewolvescamefiercelyforwardtoengageherattention，whilehismatewastoattackherbe—
hindandcutherhamstrings。Butforoncethepairhadmadeamiscalculation。Themuleusedherfronthoofsvigorouslyontheforemostwolf，whileherhindonesweredoingevenmoreeffectivework。Thelargerwolfsoonwentlimpingawaywithabrokenhip，andtheoneintherearreceivedadeepcutonthejawwhichprovedaneffectualdiscouragement。
Alittlefurtheron，anIndianhunterdrewnearonhorseback，butNakpadidnotpauseorslackenherpace。Onshefledthroughthelongdrygrassoftheriverbottoms，whileherbabiessleptagainfromsheerexhaustion。Towardsunset，sheenteredtheSiouxcampamidgreatexcitement，forsomeonehadspiedherafaroff，andtheboysandthedogsannouncedhercoming。
\"Whoo，whoo！Weeko’sNakpahascomebackwiththetwins！Whoo，whoo！\"exclaimedthemen。\"Tokee！tokee！\"criedthewomen。
AsistertoWeekowhowasinthevillagecameforwardandreleasedthechildren，asNakpagavealowwhinnyandstopped。Ten—
derlyZeezeewinnursedthematherownmoth—
erlybosom，assistedbyanotheryoungmotheroftheband。
\"Ugh，thereisaCrowarrowstickinginthesaddle！Afight！afight！\"exclaimedthewar—
riors。
\"SingaBrave—HeartsongfortheLong—Earedone！Shehasescapedalonewithhercharge。
Sheisentitledtowearaneagle’sfeather！Lookatthearrowinhersaddle！andmore，shehasaknifewoundinherjawandanarrowcutonherhindleg。——No，thosearethemarksofawolf’steeth！Shehaspassedthroughmanydangersandsavedtwochief’ssons，whowillsomedaymaketheCrowssorryforthisday’swork！\"
Thespeakerwasanoldmanwhothusad—
dressedthefastgatheringthrong。
Zeezeewinnowcameforwardagainwithaneaglefeatherandsomewhitepaintinherhands。
TheyoungmenrubbedNakpadown，andthefeather，markedwithredtoindicateherwounds，wasfastenedtohermane。Shouldersandhipsweretouchedwithredpainttoshowheren—
duranceinrunning。Thenthecrier，praisingherbravedeedinheroicverse，ledheraroundthecamp，insideofthecircleofteepees。Allthepeoplestoodoutsidetheirlodgesandlis—
tenedrespectfully，fortheDakotaloveswelltohonorthefaithfulandthebrave。
Duringthenextday，riderscameinfromtheill—fatedparty，bringingthesadnewsofthefightandheavyloss。LateintheafternooncameWeeko，herfaceswollenwithcrying，herbeautifulhaircutshortinmourning，hergar—
mentstornandcoveredwithdustandblood。
Herhusbandhadfalleninthefight，andhertwinboysshesupposedtohavebeentakencap—
tivebytheCrows。Singinginahoarsevoicethepraisesofherdepartedwarrior，sheenteredthecamp。Assheapproachedhersister’stee—
pee，therestoodNakpa，stillwearingherhon—
orabledecorations。Atthesamemoment，Zeezeewincameouttomeetherwithbothbabiesinherarms。
\"Mechinkshee！meechinkshee！（mysons，mysons！）\"wasallthatthepoormothercouldsay，assheallbutfellfromhersaddletotheground。ThedespisedLongEarshadnotbe—
trayedhertrust。
VIII
THEWARMAIDEN
Theoldman，SmokyDay，wasformanyyearsthebest—knownstory—tellerandhistorianofhistribe。HeitwaswhotoldmethestoryoftheWarMaiden。
Intheolddaysitwasunusualbutnotunheardofforawomantogouponthewar—path——per—
hapsayounggirl，thelastofherline，orawidowwhosewell—lovedhusbandhadfallenonthefield——andtherecouldbenogreaterincen—
tivetofeatsofdesperatedaringonthepartofthewarriors。
\"Alongtimeago，\"saidoldSmokyDay，\"theUnkpapaandtheCut—HeadbandsofSiouxunitedtheircampsuponavastprairieeastoftheMinneWakan（nowcalledDevil’sLake）。Itwasmidsummer，andthepeoplesharedinthehappinessofeverylivingthing。
Wehadfoodinabundance，forbisonincount—
lessnumbersoverspreadtheplain。
\"Theteepeevillagewaslaidoutintwogreatrings，andallwasinreadinessforthemidsum—
merentertainments。Therewereballgames，feastsanddanceseveryday，andlateintothenight。Youhaveheardofthefestivitiesofthosedays;therearenonelikethemnow，\"saidtheoldman，andhesighedheavilyashelaiddowntheredpipewhichwastobepassedfromhandtohandduringtherecital。
\"TheheadchiefoftheUnkpapasthenwasTamakoche（HisCountry）。Hewasinhistimeanotablewarrior，ahunterandafeast—
maker，muchbelovedbyhispeople。Hewasthefatherofthreesons，buthewassoanxioustomakethemwarriorsofgreatreputationthattheyhadall，despisingdanger，beenkilledinbattle。
\"Thechiefhadalsoaveryprettydaughter，whosenamewasMakatah。Sinceallhissonswereslainhehadplacedhisaffectionssolelyuponthegirl，andshegrewuplisteningtothepraisesofthebravedeedsofherbrothers，whichherfathernevertiredofchantingwhentheyweretogetherinthelodge。AttimesMakatahwascalledupontodancetothe’Strong—Heart’
songs。Thusevenasachildshelovedthethoughtofwar，althoughshewastheprettiestandmostmodestmaideninthetwotribes。Asshegrewintowomanhoodshebecamethebelleofherfather’svillage，andherbeautyandspiritweretalkedofevenamongtheneighboringbandsofSioux。ButitappearedthatMakatahdidnotcaretomarry。Shehadonlytwoam—
bitions。Onewastoprovetoherfatherthat，thoughonlyamaid，shehadtheheartofawar—
rior。Theotherwastovisitthegravesofherbrothers——thatis，thecountryoftheenemy。
\"Atthispleasantreunionoftwokindredpeo—
plesoneoftheprincipaleventswastheFeastofVirgins，givenbyMakatah。Allyoungmaidensofvirtueandgoodreputewereinvitedtobepresent;butwoetoherwhoshoulddaretopollutethesacredfeast！Ifherrighttobetherewerechallengedbyanyitmeantapublicdisgrace。Thetwoarrowsandtheredstoneuponwhichthevirginstooktheiroathofchas—
titywereespeciallypreparedfortheoccasion。
Everygirlwasbeautifullydressed，foratthattimethewhitedoeskingowns，withaprofusionoffringesandcoloredembroidery，werethegalaattireoftheSiouxmaidens。Redpaintwasadded，andornamentsoffursandwampum。
Manyyouthseagerlysurveyedthemaidengath—
ering，atwhichthedaughterofTamakocheout—
shonealltherest。
\"Severaleligiblewarriorsnowpressedtheirsuitsatthechieftain’slodge，andamongthemwereoneortwowhomhewouldhavegladlycalledson—in—law;butno！Makatahwouldnotlistentowordsofcourtship。Shehadvowed，shesaid，tothespiritsofherthreebrothers——
eachofwhomfellinthecountryoftheCrows——thatshewouldseethatcountrybeforeshebecameawife。
\"RedHorn，whowassomethingofaleaderamongtheyoungmen，wasapersistentandde—
terminedsuitor。Hehadurgedeveryinfluentialfriendofhisandherstopersuadehertolistentohim。Hispresentsweremorevaluablethanthoseofanyoneelse。Heevenmadeuseofhisfather’spositionasaleadingchiefoftheCut—Headbandtoforceadecisioninhisfavor;
andwhilethemaidenremainedindifferentherfatherseemedinclinedtocountenancethisyoungman’spretensions。
\"Shehadmanyotherlovers，asIhavesaid，\"
theoldmanadded，\"andamongthemwasoneLittleEagle，anorphanandapooryoungman，unknownandunprovedasawarrior。Hewassoinsignificantthatnobodythoughtmuchabouthim，andifMakatahregardedhimwithanyfavorthematterwashersecret，foritiscertainthatshedidnotopenlyencouragehim。
\"Onedayitwasreportedinthevillagethattheirneighbors，theCut—HeadSioux，wouldor—
ganizeagreatattackupontheCrowsatthemouthoftheRedwater，atributaryoftheMis—
souri。Makatahimmediatelyinquiredofhermalecousinswhetheranyofthemexpectedtojointhewar—party。
\"’Threeofuswillgo，’theyreplied。
\"’Then，’saidthegirl，’Ibegthatyouwillallowmetogowithyou！Ihaveagoodhorse，andIshallnothandicapyouinbattle。Ionlyaskyourprotectionincampasyourkinswomanandamaidofthewar—party。’
\"’IfouruncleTamakochesanctionsyourgoing，’theyreplied，’weshallbeproudtohaveourcousinwithus，toinspireustobravedeeds！’
\"Themaidennowsoughtherfatherandaskedhispermissiontoaccompanythewar—
party。
\"’Iwish，’saidshe，’tovisitthegravesofmybrothers！Ishallcarrywithmetheirwar—bon—
netsandtheirweapons，togivetocertainyoungmenontheeveofbattle，accordingtothean—
cientcustom。LongagoIresolvedtodothis，andthetimeisnowcome。’
\"Thechiefwasatthistimewelladvancedinyears，andhadbeensittingquitealoneinhislodge，thinkinguponthedaysofhisyouth，whenhewasnotedfordaringandsuccessinbattle。
Insilencehelistenedashefilledhispipe，andseemedtomeditatewhilehesmokedthefra—
granttobacco。Atlasthespokewithtearsinhiseyes。
\"’Daughter，Iamanoldman！Myheartbeatsinmythroat，andmyoldeyescannotkeepbackthetears。Mythreesons，onwhomIhadplacedallmyhopes，aregonetoafarcountry！
Youaretheonlychildlefttomyoldage，andyou，too，arebrave——asbraveasanyofyourbrothers。IfyougoIfearthatyoumaynotreturntome;yetIcannotrefuseyoumyper—
mission！\"
\"Theoldmanbegantochantawar—song，andsomeofhispeople，hearinghim，cameintolearnwhatwasinhismind。Hetoldthemall，andimmediatelymanyyoungmenvolunteeredforthewar—party，inordertohavethehonorofgoingwiththedaughteroftheirchief。
\"SeveralofMakatah’ssuitorswereamongthem，andeachwatchedeagerlyforanoppor—
tunitytorideatherside。Atnightshepitchedherlittleteepeewithinthecircleofhercousins’
campfires，andthereshesleptwithoutfear。
Courteousyouthsbroughttohereverymorningandeveningfreshvenisonforherrepast。Yettherewasnocourting，forallattentionspaidtoamaidenwhenonthewar—pathmustbethoseofabrothertoasister，andallmustbeequallyreceivedbyher。
\"Twodayslater，whenthetwopartiesofSiouxmetontheplains，themaiden’spresencewasheraldedthroughoutthecamp，asanin—
spirationtotheyounganduntriedwarriorsofbothbandstodistinguishthemselvesinthefield。
ItistruethatsomeoftheoldermenconsidereditunwisetoallowMakatahtoaccompanythewar—party。
\"’Thegirl，’saidtheytooneanother，’isveryambitiousaswellasbrave。Shewillsurelyriskherownlifeinbattle，whichwillmaketheyoungmendesperate，andweshalllosemanyofthem！’
\"Neverthelesstheylovedherandherfather;
thereforetheydidnotprotestopenly。
\"OnthethirddaytheSiouxscoutsreturnedwiththewordthattheCrowswerecamping，ashadbeensupposed，attheconfluenceoftheRedwaterandtheMissouriRivers。Itwasagreatcamp。AlltheCrowtribewerethere，theysaid，withtheirthousandsoffinehorses。
\"TherewasexcitementintheSiouxcamp，andalloftheheadmenimmediatelymetincouncil。Itwasdeterminedtomaketheattackearlyonthefollowingmorning，justasthesuncameoverthehills。Thecouncilorsagreedthatinhonorofthegreatchief，herfather，aswellasinrecognitionofherowncourage，Makatahshouldbepermittedtoleadthechargeattheoutset，butthatshemustdropbehindastheynearedtheenemy。Themaiden，whohadoneofthefleetestponiesinthatpartofthecountry，hadnointentionoffallingback，butshedidnottellanyonewhatwasinhermind。
\"Thateveningeverywarriorsanghiswar—
song，andannouncedtheparticularwar—charmor’medicine’ofhisclan，accordingtothecus—
tom。Theyouthswerevyingwithoneanotherinbravetalesofwhattheywoulddoonthemorrow。ThevoiceofRedHornwasloudamongtheboasters，forhewasknowntobeavainyouth，althoughtrulynotwithoutreputa—
tion。LittleEagle，whowasalsoofthecom—
pany，remainedmodestlysilent，asindeedbe—
cameonewithoutexperienceinthefield。Inthemidstoftheclamortherefellasilence。
\"’Hush！hush！’theywhispered。’Look，look！TheWarMaidencomes！’
\"AlleyeswereturneduponMakatah，whorodeherfinebuckskinsteedwithasinglelariat。
Heheldhisheadproudly，andhissaddlewasheavywithfringesandgaywithcoloredem—
broidery。Themaidenwasattiredinherbestandworeherownfather’swar—bonnet，whileshecarriedinherhandstwowhichhadbe—
longedtotwoofherdeadbrothers。Singinginaclearvoicethesongsofherclan，shecom—
pletedthecircle，accordingtocustom，beforeshesingledoutoneoftheyoungbravesforspe—
cialhonorbygivinghimthebonnetwhichsheheldinherrighthand。ShethencrossedovertotheCut—Heads，andpresentedtheotherbon—
nettooneoftheiryoungmen。Shewasveryhandsome;eventheoldmen’sbloodwasstirredbyherbraveappearance！
\"Atdaybreakthetwowar—partiesoftheSioux，mountedontheirbesthorses，stoodsidebyside，readyforthewordtocharge。Allofthewarriorswerepaintedforthebattle——pre—
paredfordeath——theirnearlynudebodiesdeco—
ratedwiththeirindividualwar—totems。Theirwell—filledquiverswerefastenedtotheirsides，andeachtightlygraspedhisoakenbow。
\"Theyoungmanwiththefinestvoicehadbeenchosentogivethesignal——asinglehigh—
pitchedyell。Thiswasanimitationoftheonelonghowlofthegraywolfbeforehemakestheattack。Itwasanancientcustomofourpeople。
\"’Woo—o—o—o！’——atlastitcame！Asthesoundceasedashrillwar—whoopfromfivehun—
dredthroatsburstforthinchorus，andatthesameinstantMakatah，uponhersplendidbuck—
skinpony，shotfaroutupontheplain，likeanarrowasitleavesthebow。Itwasaglorioussight！Nomanhaseverlookeduponthelikeagain！\"
Theeyesoftheoldmansparkledashespoke，andhisbentshouldersstraightened。
\"ThewhitedoeskingownoftheWarMaiden，\"hecontinued，\"wastrimmedwithelk’steethandtailsofermine。Herlongblackhairhungloose，boundonlywithastripofotter—skin，andwithhereagle—featherwar—bonnetfloatedfarbehind。Inherhandsheheldalongcoup—staffdecoratedwitheagle—feathers。Thusshewentforthinadvanceofthemall！
\"WarcriesofmenandscreamsofterrifiedwomenandchildrenwereborneupontheclearmorningairasourwarriorsnearedtheCrowcamp。Thechargewasmadeoverawideplain，andtheCrowscameyellingfromtheirlodges，fullyarmed，tomeettheattackingparty。Inspiteofthesurprisetheyeasilyheldtheirown，andevenbegantopressushard，astheirnum—
berwasmuchgreaterthanthatoftheSioux。
\"Thefightwasalongandhardone。
Towardtheendofthedaytheenemymadeacounter—charge。Bythattimemanyofourpo—
nieshadfallenorwereexhausted。TheSiouxretreated，andtheslaughterwasgreat。TheCut—Headsfledwomanlike;butthepeopleofTamakochefoughtgallantlytotheverylast。
\"Makatahremainedwithherfather’speo—
ple。Manycriedouttoher，’Goback！Goback！’butshepaidnoattention。Shecarriednoweaponthroughouttheday——nothingbuthercoup—staff——butbyherpresenceandhercriesofencouragementorpraisesheurgedonthementodeedsofdesperatevalor。
\"Finally，however，theSiouxbraveswerehotlypursuedandtheretreatbecamegeneral。
NowatlastMakatahtriedtofollow;butherponywastired，andthemaidenfellfartherandfartherbehind。Manyofherloverspassedhersilently，intentuponsavingtheirownlives。
Onlyafewstillremainedbehind，fightingdes—
peratelytocovertheretreat，whenRedHorncameupwiththegirl。Hisponywasstillfresh。
Hemighthaveputherupbehindhimandcar—
riedhertosafety，buthedidnotevenlookatherashegallopedby。
\"Makatahdidnotcallout，butshecouldnothelplookingafterhim。Hehaddeclaredhisloveforhermoreloudlythananyoftheothers，andshenowgaveherselfuptodie。
\"Presentlyanotherovertookthemaiden。ItwasLittleEagle，unhurtandsmiling。
\"’Takemyhorse！’hesaidtoher。’Ishallremainhereandfight！’
\"Themaidenlookedathimandshookherhead，buthesprangoffandliftedheruponhishorse。HestruckhimasmartblowupontheflankthatsenthimatfullspeedinthedirectionoftheSiouxencampment。Thenheseizedtheexhaustedbuckskinbythelariat，andturnedbacktojointherear—guard。
\"ThatlittlegroupstillwithstoodinsomefashiontheallbutirresistibleonsetoftheCrows。Whentheircomradecamebacktothem，leadingtheWarMaiden’spony，theywereinspiredtofreshendeavor，andthoughfewinnumbertheymadeacounter—chargewithsuchfurythattheCrowsintheirturnwereforcedtoretreat！
\"TheSiouxgotfreshmountsandreturnedtothefield，andbysunsetthedaywaswon！
LittleEaglewasamongthefirstwhorodestraightthroughtheCrowcamp，causingterrorandconsternation。Itwasafterwardremem—
beredthathelookedunlikehisformerselfandwasscarcelyrecognizedbythewarriorsforthemodestyouththeyhadsolittleregarded。
\"Itwasthisfamousbattlewhichdrovethatwarlikenation，theCrows，togoawayfromtheMissouriandtomaketheirhomeuptheYel—
lowstoneRiverandintheBighorncountry。
Butmanyofourmenfell，andamongthemthebraveLittleEagle！
\"ThesunwasalmostoverthehillswhentheSiouxgatheredabouttheircampfires，recountingthehonorswoninbattle，andnamingthebravedead。Thencamethesingingofdirgesandweepingfortheslain！Thesadnessoflosswasmingledwithexultation。
\"Hush！listen！thesingingandwailinghaveceasedsuddenlyatbothcamps。Thereisonevoicecomingaroundthecircleofcampfires。Itisthevoiceofawoman！Strippedofallherornaments，herdressshornofitsfringes，heranklesbare，herhaircroppedclosetoherneck，leadingaponywithmaneandtailcutshort，sheismourningaswidowsmourn。ItisMakatah！
\"Publicly，withmanytears，shedeclaredher—
selfthewidowofthebraveLittleEagle，althoughshehadneverbeenhiswife！Heitwas，shesaidwithtruth，whohadsavedherpeo—
ple’shonorandherlifeatthecostofhisown。
Hewasatrueman！
\"’Ho，ho！’wastheresponsefrommanyoftheolderwarriors;
buttheyoungmen，theloversofMakatah，weresurprisedandsatinsilence。
\"TheWarMaidenlivedtobeaveryoldwoman，butsheremainedtruetohervow。Sheneveracceptedahusband;andallherlifetimeshewasknownasthewidowofthebraveLittleEagle。\"
THEEND
GLOSSARY
A—no—ka—san，whiteonbothsides（BaldEagle）。
A—tay，father。
Cha—ton’—ska，WhiteHawk。
Chin—o—te—dah，Lives—in—the—Wood。
Chin—to，yes，indeed。
E—na—ka—nee，hurry。
E—ya—tonk—a—wee，She—whose—Voice—is—heard—afar。
E—yo—tank—a，riseup，orsitdown。
Ha—ha—ton—wan，Ojibway。
Ha—na—ka—pe，agrave。
Han—ta—wo，Outoftheway！
He—che—tu，itiswell。
He—yu—pe—ya，comehere！
Hi！anexclamationofthanks。
Hunk—pa—tees，abandofSioux。
Ka—po—sia，LightLodges，abandofSioux。
Ke—chu—wa，darling。
Ko—da，friend。
Ma—ga—ska—wee，SwanMaiden。
Ma—ka—tah，EarthWoman。
Ma—to，bear。
Ma—to—ska，WhiteBear。
Ma—to—sa—pa，BlackBear。
Me—chink—she，mysonorsons。
Me—ta，my。
Min—ne—wa—kan，SacredWater（Devil’sLake。）
Min—ne—ya—ta，By—the—Water。
Nak—pa，EarsorLongEars。
Ne—nae—ya—ya！runfast！
O—glu—ge—chan—a，MysteriousWood—Dweller。
Psay，snow—shoes。
Shunk—a，dog。
Shunk—a—ska，WhiteDog。
Shunk—ik—chek—a，domesticdog。
Ske—ske—ta—tonk—a，SaultSainteMarie。
Sna—na，Rattle。
Sta—su，Shield（Arickaree）。
Ta—ake—che—ta，hissoldier。
Ta—chin—cha—la，fawn。
Tak—cha，doe。
Ta—lu—ta，Scarlet。
Ta—ma—hay，Pike。
Ta—ma—ko—che，HisCountry。
Ta—na—ge—la，Humming—Bird。
Ta—tank—a—o—ta，ManyBuffaloes。
Ta—te—yo—pa，HerDoor。
Ta—to—ka，Antelope。
Ta—wa—su—o—ta，ManyHailstones。
Tee—pee，tent。
Te—yo—tee—pee，Councillodge。
To—ke—yanun—kahu—wo？whereareyou？
Tunk—a—she—dah，grandfather。
Un—chee—dah，grandmother。
Unk—pa—pa，abandofSioux。
U—ya—yo！comehere！
Wa—ba—shaw，RedHat（nameofaSiouxchief）。
Wa—ha—dah，BuyerofFurs。
Wah—pay—ton，abandofSioux。
Wa—ho，Howler。
Wa—kan，sacred，mysterious。
Wak—pay—ku—tay，abandofSioux。
Wa—pay—na，LittleBarker。
Wee—ko，BeautifulWoman。
We—no—na，FirstbornDaughter。
We—sha—wee，RedGirl。
We—wop—tay，asharpenedpole。
We—yan—na，littlewoman。
We—zee，SmokyLodge。
Yank—ton—nais，abandofSioux。
Zee—zee—win，YellowWoman。
Zu—ya—ma—ni，Walks—to—War。