Part 30 (1/2)
The women withdrew, and after a while, when the boys felt fully rested, they stepped outside the lodge, to find two tall young Sioux warriors on guard. d.i.c.k looked at them inquiringly, and one of them said in fair English:
”I am Lone Wolf, and this is Tall Pine. You can go in the village, but we go with you. Bright Sun has said so, and we obey.”
”All right, Mr. Lone Wolf,” said d.i.c.k cheerfully. ”Four are company, two are none. We couldn't escape if we tried; but Bright Sun says that you and your friend Mr. Pine Tree are to be our comrades on our travels, well and good. I don't know any other couple in this camp that I'd choose before you two.”
Lone Wolf and Pine Tree were young, and maybe their youth caused them to smile slightly at d.i.c.k's pleasantry. Nor did they annoy the boys with excessive vigilance, and they answered many questions. It was, indeed, they said, the greatest village in the West that was now gathered on the banks of the Little Big Horn. Sioux from all tribes had come including those on reservations. All the clans of the Mendewahkantons, for instance, were represented on the reservations, but all of them were represented here, too.
It was a great war that was now going on, they said, and they had taken many white scalps, but they intimated that those they had taken were few in comparison with the number they would take.
d.i.c.k asked them of their present purpose, but here they grew wary. The white soldiers might be near or they might be far, but the G.o.d of the Sioux was Wakantaka, the good spirit, and the G.o.d of the white man was Wakansica, the bad spirit.
d.i.c.k did not consider it worth while to argue with them. Indeed, he was in no position to do so. The history of the world in the last two years was a blank to him and Albert. But he observed throughout the vast encampment the same air of expectancy and excitement that had been noticeable in the smaller village. He also saw a group of warriors arrive, their ponies loaded with repeating rifles, carbines and revolvers. He surmised that they had been obtained from French-Canadian traders, and he knew well for what they were meant. Once again he made his silent prayer that if the white soldiers came they could come in great force.
d.i.c.k observed in the huge village all the signs of an abundant and easy life, according to Sioux standards. Throughout its confines kettles gave forth the odors pleasing to an Indian's nostrils. Boys broiled strips of venison on twigs before the fires. Squaws were jerking buffalo and deer meat in a hundred places, and strings of fish ready for the cooking hung before the lodges. Plenty showed everywhere.
d.i.c.k understood that if one were really a wild man, with all instincts of a wild man inherited through untold centuries of wild life, he could find no more pleasing sight than this great encampment abounding in the good things for wild men that the plains, hills, and water furnished. He saw it readily from the point of view of the Sioux and could appreciate their confidence.
Albert, who was a little ahead of d.i.c.k, peered between two lodges, and suddenly turned away with a ghastly face.
”What's the trouble, Al?” asked d.i.c.k.
”I saw a warrior pa.s.sing on the other side of those lodges,”
replied Albert, ”and he had something at his belt--the yellow hair of a white man, and there was blood on it.”
”We have taken many scalps already,” interrupted the young Sioux, Lone Wolf, some pride showing in his tone.
Both d.i.c.k and Albert shuddered and were silent. The gulf between these men and themselves widened again into quite a sea. Their thoughts could not touch those of the Sioux at any point.
”I think we'd better go back to our own lodge,” said d.i.c.k.
”No,” said Lone Wolf. ”The great chief, Bright Sun, has commanded us when we return to bring you into his presence, and it is time for us to go to him.”
”What does he want with us?” asked Albert.
”He knows, but I do not,” replied Lone Wolf sententiously.
”Lead on,” said d.i.c.k lightly. ”Here, we go wherever we are invited.”
They walked back a full mile, and Lone Wolf and Pine Tree led the way to a great lodge, evidently one used by the Akitcita, although d.i.c.k judged that in so great a village as this, which was certainly a fusion of many villages, there must be at least a dozen lodges of the Akitcita.
Lone Wolf and Pine Tree showed d.i.c.k and Albert into the door, but they themselves remained outside. The two boys paused just inside the door until their eyes became used to the half gloom of the place. Before them stood a dozen men, all great chiefs, and in the center was Bright Sun, the dominating presence.
Despite their natural courage and hardihood and the wild life to which they had grown used, d.i.c.k and Albert were somewhat awed by the appearance of these men, every one of whom was of stern presence, looking every inch a warrior. They had discarded the last particle of white man's attire, keeping only the white man's weapons, the repeating rifle and revolver. Every one wore, more or less loosely folded about him, a robe of the buffalo, and in all cases the inner side of this robe was painted throughout in the most vivid manner with scenes from the hunt or warpath, chiefly those that had occurred in the life of the wearer. Many colors were used in these paintings, but mostly those of cardinal dyes, red and blue being favorites.
”These,” said Bright Sun, speaking more directly to d.i.c.k, ”are mighty chiefs of the Sioux Nation. This is Ta Sun Ke Ka-Kipapi-Hok'silan (Young-Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses).”
He nodded toward a tall warrior, who made a slight and grave inclination.
”I'd cut out at least half of that name,” said d.i.c.k under his breath.