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。