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AND NOW NAGOS mounts to the
back of the grey, and the other two ponies are packed with a brand new moose
skin lodge, and some choice forest provisions, and with the three young men
on foot, and amid the quiet benedictions of parents and friends, Nagos
turned her back on all her past. And in this she was even doing as the
daughters of Eve have done from the beginning—leaving father and mother, and
cleaving unto her husband.
She alone of this little
party was in measure sad, but she remembered that her lover-husband had
promised, to bring her again to the camp of her people within the circle of
the moons. And she fully trusted him. White Buffalo was proud and intensely
happy. He had won the great prize he set before him, and his queen, Nagos,
was going with him to the lodges of his people. Snake Skin was full of hope.
He believed the Little Star looked upon him with favor, and Niska was glad
to go with his sister and see for himself and his friends the camps of the
plain warriors and hunters in the new country.
Simultaneous with their
departure, the northern Crees struck camp, and loading their canoes embarked
for the lower levels of lake and river. The North Wind Maker sang the songs
of his youth to cheer his own heart, but more so that of the faithful wife
and mother, who could not but shed some tears as she paddled in her place in
the swift moving birch canoe. Her only daughter, and such a child as Nagos,
had gone out of her home, and while she was proud of the alliance with one
so noble as White Buffalo, still her heart was sad. And then her boy—what
dangers was he going into? What risks would he run? But she was praying for
her children: "Oh, Great Good Spirit, and ye spirits all, pity and bless my
children." This was the burden of her cry as the little flotilla swept down
the ripples and rapids, and around the bends of the smaller stream, on and
on into the larger river. When the wedding party reached the summit from
whence White Buffalo had seen the smoke of the lone lodge, which had been
the home of the object of his quest on his first journey north, he stayed
his party, and standing and holding the hand of Nagos, he told her how he
was surely led to find her as his mate, and how his heart had stirred within
him as he had stood on this spot alone thirteen moons since. And she looked
into his eyes, and saw his soul, and her great love and trust were more than
satisfied. Just then Niska drew attention to an object which was silently
looking at them from another point on the ridge, and behold, there was a
great large wolf, and Snake Skin knew, and White Buffalo knew, that the
spirit of his dream, his Pawakun, was with him truly in this his wedding
trip, and he pressed the hand of Nagos and vowed within his heart eternal
faithfulness.
Snake Skin said within
himself: "Surely my friend is blessed above many," and the boy Niska
wondered at the hush that came over these older men. Then Nagos turned and
cast her eye away down the valley of the stream, and fain would have sent
her spirit forth to comfort her parents. But no, her spirit would not leave
the presence of her lord.
In silence and in joy they
travelled down the slope which was their course. Perhaps there is no part of
this great continent where the seasons are as intense as they are in
Canada's great Northwest. Forever recurrent, forever at work doing their
part, there is no monotony in the years, winter, spring, summer, autumn; and
life is always fresh. Such are the conditions of Canada's great west land.
Now it is autumn, rich and glorious, and our travellers are revelling in the
beauty and harmony of the scene. To Nagos this was a new world. Far away
stretches of hill and valley, and forest and plain were coming in view from
every vantage point. And now the grasses and herbage were ripe, and the
tints were full, and the whole land on every side was gorgeous. This was a
wonderful and fitting bridal trip. Nature magnificent, on every hand, and
these most appreciative children of nature were basking in the wholesome
sunshine thereof. There were no showers of rice, no flinging of old slippers
over bridal costumes nor were there any smiling and smirking and giggling
and jesting fellow-travellers. Moreover, there were no transport employees
making rude remarks because of the newly wedded couple. Nay, with these all
was joy and happiness, and this rich environment was of the Great Spirit's
goodness. And as his children they were accepting his gifts with reverence
and gratitude.
Arranging as to where they
should camp, Snake Skin and Nitha ran on to do some hunting and also make
preparation for camp, and White Buffalo and Nagos followed up with the
horses. As they journeyed they conversed. Said Nagos:
"Are women so few in your
south country that you and your friend had to come away out here to look for
them ?" And he answered:
"Women like you my Nagos, are
few." And she said: " Perhaps men like you are hard to satisfy."
"Yes," said White Buffalo,
"but now I am satisfied, for I have you, and am taking you away to my lodge
and people."
The Taking Home of Nagos
"Yes," she answered, and I am
truly willing to go, for all through these moons since I first saw you I
have wanted to be with you." And he said: "It makes my heart glad to hear
you thus speak, and I hope that you will always feel this way, and I pledge
you my life that I will do my part to have you love me more and more even as
the Great Spirit may give us life to dwell together." " Oh, my man, I love
you with all my heart now," said the Little Mother, and White Buffalo was
moving closer U beside the l)ig grey to he near his Nagos, when suddenly
there came a clear distinct shout upon their ears, and Nagos said: "That is
Nislea, something is wrong. Let us hurry! Let us hurry!" And the Little
Mother let the grey move as fast as he could considering the underbrush and
forest, and White Buffalo sent the ponies after her at a good pace.
Very soon they came out into
a small opening, and saw near the centre of this, where there stood a few
scattered poplar trees, a stirring sight. Here was a group of hears, a great
big she-hear and her cubs, and two large male bears, and on ground and under
the bunch of bears there lying as dead was Snake Skin, and perched up in one
of the trees was Niska. The latter pantomined to them, and White Buffalo at
once understood that the boy's weapons were gone, and sending Nagos back
with the horses to be under cover, he sprang his bow and pulled some arrows
from his quiver, and rushed to the rescue. The bears were so taken up with
the man on the ground and the other in the tree that they did not know of
his approach until one of the big males squealed with pain as the sharp
arrow entered his vitals. And before they saw the newcomer another arrow
struck the second big male bear. Then the female and cubs saw White Buffalo,
and the old one rushed at him, but he, always cool, ran from her a little
way in order to give Niska a chance to recover his bow if not broken. Then
he suddenly turned and shot the bear as she was coming for him with all
speed. The arrow stayed her course and gave White Buffalo time to pull
another, and with this he stopped her run altogether. Then he hurried over
to the scene of the fight, where already Niska was down beside the prostrate
form of Snake Skin. By this time all the old hears were dead, and the cubs
were whining and moving around the mother bear and wondering what had
happened. Then Nagos, who had keenly watched the battle, came up with the
horses, and White Buffalo waved her over to the side of the opening the
breeze was from in order that the horses might not be frightened, as was
often the case when they scented any of the bear species. He also ran over
and helped Nagos dismount, and he fastened the horses, and then all were on
the spot where Snake Skin lay as if dead.
But White Buffalo soon found
that his friend still lived, though unconscious, and remembering that they
had passed a stream of water a little way back, dispatched Niska for some,
and in the meanwhile sought to find what was the matter, and discovered that
except for a few scratches there were no serious wounds on the body or limbs
of Snake Skin. Then while both Nagos and White Buffalo rubbed and worked and
raised their friend and longed for some return of consciousness, he began to
breathe more freely and presently opened his eyes and wondered where he was.
Then he saw Nagos and smiled, and she was so glad that she kissed her
husband's friend, and White Buffalo laughed and said: "Now he will surely
live. My friend will live!"
And Niska, running up with
the cold spring water, he drank some and Nagos bathed his head, and in a
little while he sat up and was himself again. Then there was great joy in
all their hearts. Their little party was still intact. "These bears are fat;
these skins are good. We will camp here," said White Buffalo, and soon the
lodge was set, and the rest of the day and the following also were spent in
drying and smoking the fat of the bears, and in stretching and fleshing and
drying the bear skins. Niska had killed the cubs, thus none had escaped.
When the day was spent, and
they were sitting around the cheerful fire in the lodge, Nagos said:
"Come, now, tell us what
happened. We saw you, Snake Skin, stretched on the ground, and you Niska,
away up a tree. Now tell us what took place before my husband and myself
came in sight."
"Yes," said White Buffalo,
whose whole being had thrilled when he heard Nagos say for the first time
"my husband," "do tell us about it." Then Snake Skin turned to Niska and
said: "You saw more than I did, you were up the tree. You go on and tell us
what you saw."
"Yes," replied Nagos, "when I
saw him up the tree, though I was much frightened, yet I thought my brother
is more like a squirrel than a goose. Both are great to make noise. Let him
tell what he saw, and what sent him up the tree."
And Niska laughed, and said
he was thankful there was a tree to climb into, and he had no doubt other
people would climb just as quick as he did if they had been chased as he
was. Then he gave his version of the fracas.
We were running, Snake Skin
was ahead, and we had not seen a fresh track, though there were plenty of
yesterday's and older, when suddenly we carne into the company of bears, and
before we could draw our arrows they were upon us. I think they had been
fighting among themselves and were already mad when they saw us, for the
whole crowd came upon us in a jump, and one of them knocked my bow out of my
hand quicker than any man could do it, and was going to clasp me in his
arms, when I dodged and sprang from him, and ran for the tree, and just
missed being pulled down by the, same fellow. Then when I got high enough I
looked around and saw Snake Skin being squeezed by the biggest bear of the
lot. It was then I called for you to hear. Snake Skin's bow was not in his
hands and he was wrestling with the big bear. Then the one that chased me up
the tree went at his fellow-bear, and presently Snake Skin and the two bears
were all in a heap and then they tumbled, and I saw Snake Skin under, and I
said 'he is killed,' for he lay as one dead. From where I was I could not
see him breathe, and the two bears got up and went at each other, and
struggled and wrestled, and at last one downed the other, and they both were
out of breath and were quietly resting when you came in sight. Say, Nagos,
your man is a wonderful shot with bow and arrow. My, he must have a strong
arm! The arrow went almost through that big bear, and when the other bear
rushed at him he shot him twice so quick I was astonished. I tell you, Nagos,
my sister, you must never anger White Buffalo. He is a terrible man," and
Nagos looked at White Buffalo beside her, and said quietly:
"I am not afraid. Don't you
know his strength is my strength, why should I fear my man?" And White
Buffalo sat and drank in all this from Nagos, for it was as sweet incense to
his soul.
And now Snake Skin spoke up:
"Yes, Nagos, what you say is true. Your man is yours for life. I know him to
be both brave and good, you need not fear him. He should have killed me long
ago, for my foolish wickedness, but instead he always forgave me, and has
now saved my life several times from men and beasts. And you, Niska, be
proud you are related to one so brave and strong, and withal so good."
Then White Buffalo
interjected: "Go slow, my friend, you know your tongue is prone to travel
fast. I am not the only brave and good man. And my heart jumps with gladness
that I was again permitted to come to the help of so true a friend as you
are. So now go on with your story of the fight with the bears today."
"Well," said Snake Skin, "I
have hardly got my breath back, but if I must tell what I saw, here goes. We
were running, Niska and I, and without a sound or warning we were on the
bears, and almost as quickly they were on us, and as I could not draw an
arrow I flung my bow from me, and had not time to pull my knife when one of
the bears had me in his clasp, and then the other big hear was up beside me,
and down we went, and whether it was the awful squeeze or the tumble with
the bears on top I do not know, I was gone asleep and did not know any more
until I saw you and Nagos working with me, and I felt as if I had come back
from a long journey, and here were you and Nagos beside me, and all the
bears dead. And I said to myself: It is my friend, White Buffalo. He has
done this, and again I owe him my life."
"Well, well," said Nagos,
"for you Snake Skin, your story is very short. That bear certainly squeezed
the breath out of you, and we must let you rest on this journey in order
that you may recover. I saw more than you did, but I will not tell my story
now, it might make some of you too proud, but let us all thank the Good
Spirit for life and all good things."
Then White Buffalo trilled
off one of his thanksgiving songs, and the others joined in the chorus, and
all were truly grateful. Nagos and her man were supremely happy.
The next day, while Nagos and
White Buffalo were busy with the meat and fat and skins, and Snake Skin
lounged and rested, and drew long breaths in order to feel his lungs come
back in place after the terrible squeeze of yesterday, Niska ran out and in
a very short time shot a black-tail deer, and here was another skin and more
meat to look after. And all were kept busy in the work of stretching and
drying skins and curing the meat and fat of the bears, and making stagings
whereon to dry the meat and stretch the skins, and keeping slow fires under
these. And thus there was plenty to do.
The following day they moved
camp. The two ponies were well packed, and Snake Skin was mounted on the big
grey, for, protest as he would, Nagos would make him take her place on
horseback. And really he was not fit to walk. The big bear had given him a
mighty hug, and it would take some time for him to come back to the normal.
They made but a short day's journey.
"Snake Skin must rest," said
Nagos, and White Buffalo said, "Why hurry?" For to him this was Paradise,
and his soul was resting. He had Nagos, and she was both wife, and home, and
all things to this ardent lover and husband.
They camped on the bank of a
little stream, and a short distance from them was a beaver dam, and every
little while they could hear the loud sounding flops of these creatures, as
they dove and played in their strongly-made pond. And when the moose-hide
lodge was set, and the stagings up, and the meat and skins hung out to dry,
and the supper over, White Buffalo told how he had been sitting on a beaver
path at one time, watching the pond for a favorable chance to shoot, and
never dreaming of anything behind him, when suddenly he heard a movement
just at his back. And before he could turn out of the way, a great big old
beaver came thump up against him, and for the time being he felt like Snake
Skin must have felt the other day, for he seemed as if the wind was knocked
out of him. And on rushed the beaver and dove into the pond with a big
splash. And White Buffalo said that both he and the beaver were very much
frightened.
"Frightened, did you say?"
said Snake Skin. "I do not think you were ever frightened."
"Oh, yes, I have been
frightened many times," answered White Buffalo. "Why, sometimes during the
winters and summers that have passed I was often frightened at the thought
that I would have to kill you."
"I do not wonder at that,"
said Snake Skin, "I now often wonder that you did not knock me on the head
or send an arrow through rue as I deserved you should."
"Then," continued White
Buffalo, looking with intense affection at Nagos, "how often have I felt
fear during these last few moons that I might not be able to secure this
Little Mother beside me. Terrible fear at times, which would cloud my days,
and make my heart very sore. But now—" and he laughed in joy.
And Nagos blushed and all
joined in the merry laugh of White Buffalo.
Then Nagos said: "Talking
about beaver, I had two young beavers as my pets for a whole summer, and I
loved them, they were so cute and playful. In the fall I heard my father say
something about killing them, and I slipped away with them one day, when we
were camped like we are tonight, near to a pond, and put them into it, and
when father missed the young beavers I told him, and he laughed, and called
me a little soft heart. But he did not scold:"
"Yes," said Niska, "I got all
the scolding in our lodge. Nagos never was scolded. She could do what she
liked, and it was all right with father and mother. I remember those beaver
kittens. They were pretty and cunning, and forever in mischief, and Nagos
spent a great deal of time playing with them and talking to them as if they
were people."
Just then there came the
sound of a big splash in the pond, but White Buffalo answered:
"I am not hunting beaver just
now. I am too busy taking my wife home," and Nagos laughingly answered:
"Yes, that is very hard work for White Buffalo, to have his wife to look
after and carry home to his own lodge. Poor fellow! And you, Snake Skin, you
also are going to have the same trouble by and by with the Little Star, if
you are not more careful."
"Yes," said Snake Skin, "now
I see the great misfortune of White Buffalo, I must be more careful, and not
run into like troubles."
Then Niska laughed and said:
"I am afraid you are already in big trouble, for I heard you when you were
asleep last night talking about a star."
Then they all laughed, and
Nagos remarked that she was growing anxious about how she might be received
in the southern camp, and White Buffalo assured her that her welcome in his
mother's heart would be genuine. And Snake Skin said:
"All our people will welcome
you as our young chief's wife. They will be glad to have you come among them
for White Buffalo's sake and for your own sake, Nagos, they will rejoice,"
and thus assured Nagos was much comforted.
Slowly our party moved south.
Niska and Nagos were filled with wonderment at the stretches of prairie they
came into, and listened with some dawning of comprehension to Snake Skin's
account of the great plains, interminable and beyond. He was steadily
recovering from his tussle with the bears. And Nagos said, when his
breathing became easier, so did his tongue move freer.
When within a couple of days
of easy march of where they hoped to find their people, they came upon
Papamotao and his family, who had branched out from the others for a side
trip of hunting and trapping. Here Nagos for the first time came into
association with the women of the southern camp, and was delighted with the
welcome they gave to her. The Traveller's wife acted a mother's part at
once, and made her feel right at home, and the girls of the lodge showed her
every kindness, and accorded to her marked attention. She spoke of them to
Snake Skin, and his answer was:
"Are you not our young
chief's wife? If he loves you then all our people will love you also. Then
they are not blind or thoughtless, they see you, and will love you for your
own sake. Oh, Nagos, you need not fear our people. The little children and
the grand-parents, and all the camp will be your true friends."
Papamotao gave her a general
welcome. Said he:
"We did wonder where White
Buffalo had gone to. Who had he found? To whom was his spirit forever
wandering all through these many moons? Some of us suspected it was even as
it has turned out to be. But neither he nor Snake Skin ever told anyone
about the people of the north. I alone in our camp had seen some of them
when I went on the long journey down to the big water. But I did not see
your people, my daughter. All we could do was to believe in White Buffalo.
We knew him, we felt he would do right, and now we are sure he has done so,
for we behold you, his choice, coming with your brother into the camps of
our people, and surely into our hearts as well, We wish for you and your
husband great happiness. Truly you are welcome as the wife of White
Buffalo."
Thus Papamotao spoke to Nagos,
and then turning to White Buffalo, he said:
"Young man, keep on as you
have begun. Follow the best in you. Surely someone led you out to hunt and
find this good woman you have brought home as your wife, and whom we cannot
help but give our hearts to for her own sake as well as for yours. Then I
say to you, keep on always listening to the good, having your ears and mind
open to the spirits, who will lead you in paths of prosperity and
happiness."
And White Buffalo answered:
"Your words and actions make me abundantly glad, my wise friend, and your
counsel I will take to my heart, and seek to follow. As you say. I was led
out into the unknown to me and my people, and there I found her who is now
my wife. And in this I surely see and feel that the spirits have been very
good to me." Then Papanwtao suggested that they stop where they were for a
few days and make a general hunt, and if need be cache some provisions for
use later on in the season. And White Buffalo agreed to this, for he thought
in this way Nagos would become familiar with these women, and thus have some
acquaintances and friends before reaching the other camps.
Those were happy glorious
days for our hero and his young wife. Life was sweet. Life was taking on new
ideals in the minds and hearts of these noble souls who had found each
other, and were destined to play an important part in the history of their
people. Papamotao indicated where the game was to be found, and the young
men went after them with zest and industry. Hunting moose is glorious sport,
and among the forest people there were always those who excelled in this art
of circumventing the fine instincts of these splendid animals. Sometimes
almost anyone can kill a moose, but this is a mere incident. The ordinary
moose hunt was a matter of profound skill, and close calculation. White
Buffalo delighted in this work, and already excelled in it, and the first
day's hunt gave him three fine moose to his credit. And Niska, who had
accompanied him, came in with wonderful tales of his cunning and archery.
"Why, he seems to know where
to find them, and his eye is so quick. I thought I was sharp-eyed, but oh
my, he can see in the thicket. Said he to me: 'Do you see the tip of the ear
of yonder moose?' and I looked and sure enough that was all we could see of
the big animal, but there it was, the tip of the ear. And then he crawled up
close without breaking a twig or touching a bush. I stopped short and
listened and watched, and the only noise I heard was a little cough the
moose made because something stuck in his throat. White Buffalo went almost
up to him and sent his arrow right into him, and the moose did not make many
jumps when he fell over dying. And when we had skinned and cut up and put
away the meat, we went on and found the fresh tracks of several more, and he
told me where these now were. And we went there and he killed two of the
biggest within a hundred steps of each other. I can tell you, Nagos, there
is no danger of starving with White Buffalo around. But, my sister, if you
dress and take care of all the meat and skins your husband kills and brings
in, you will have to be smart."
And Nagos smiled and was glad
to hear her husband extolled, and said she was willing to do her part as his
wife in the work of the camp.
The next day Niska and Snake
Skin and the boys in Papamotao's lodge took some horses and went after the
meat and hides of the three moose, and White Buffalo and Papamotao went out
on the hunt in another direction. Nagos and the other women made
preparations to stretch the hides and dry the meat, erecting stagings,
cutting poles, and were also busy making and mending moccassins, and
dressing skins and sewing these into garments, and Papamotao's wife was
delighted to find that Nagos was expert in all this, and highly commended
her. And Nagos told her new friends that this had been her training all
through her girlhood to help her mother in all her work; that she was the
only daughter, and she was glad she loved this work, and it was now a great
pleasure to be able to do what she could for her husband and his friends.
"Oh," said the older woman,
"you have come into a good family. There are no better people than the
father and mother of White Buffalo. No wonder they have such a good son."
Thus these native women
conversed and were busy while their husbands were out on the chase.
In the grey dawn of the early
morning our sturdy hunters were tramping across the valley to the hill range
of forest land, where the game were wont to resort at this season. And by
the time the sun was two hands-breadth up, they had covered many miles, and
were now keenly looking for fresh signs of animal life. And here these were
where a band of elk had just now been feeding, and but a little while since
moved on.
"Now," said White Buffalo,
"if we can only find them in the open, or moving out into it, we can very
soon kill enough to keep us busy all the day."
And Papamotao looked at his
companion, and was astonished at his assurance. He had never been out on the
hunt with this man, but knew he was expert. However, to speak as he did just
now, was, he thought, a little too soon. Following the tracks they came in
sight of the elk. These were grouped and feeding on a side hill, perhaps a
hundred in number.
"Let us crawl up as close as
we can," said the young hunter. And when they had reached the last cover, he
sat down and took stock of some arrows he took out of his quiver. Scanning
and straightening these, he suggested to Papamotao that each one pick from
opposite sides of the herd. And the older man nodded assent.
Perhaps there is no finer
sight of its kind than a herd of elk in the autumn feeding on the slope of a
hill, the spot they are on open prairie, and the ridge and other portions of
the bill covered with a dense growth of timber, and this now in rich
tinting. The elk are at this season prime and beautiful. From the spring
calf to the oldest cow or bull in the herd, all are sleek and clean and fat.
Symmetrical beauty and graceful action are here in wonderful perfection, and
one almost shrinks from disturbing the magnificent sight before him. Thus
thought White Buffalo, and Papamotao, as they sat and watched this herd. But
their mission was hides and meat; the caching of provisions for future use
was now their business, and sentiment must be brushed aside. And now our
hunters, having looked their fill of the scene, began to select, and with a
sign to the other White Buffalo pulled his bow, and sent the arrow into the
vitals of a big farrow cow on whose rump and brisket the thick heavy fat was
clearly apparent. The herd had hardly moved, as the cow jumped, and quick
and straight there came another arrow into the lungs of a monster bull, and
in a very short time these dropped to the face of the hill, and were
vomiting blood from mouth and nostril, and dying fast. But close to them
others of their kind were dropping under the same unerring aim, and in an
incredibly short time White Buffalo had six fine fat elk as his share of the
hunt. In the meanwhile Papamotao had secured two, and then spent the rest of
the time watching White Buffalo shoot.
"Why," said he, "you could
kill as many as you have arrows for. You are wonderful, my son." And White
Buffalo smiled his quiet smile and said:
"Thus it is given to me to
do" " Yes, we know that," came the older man's answer.
Eight big elk to be carefully
skinned and butchered, and the meat laid so as not to heat, and scare
signals put up to frighten off the prowling wolf or bear, and carrion kind,
means a lot of work, and it was dark and after before our hunters reached
the lodges and relieved the anxious inmates as to the reason for their
prolonged absence. Nagos had felt a new experience when darkness came and
her lord and lover came not, and now she could not suppress her joy at his
entrance, and his heart bounded in response to her manifest delight. And the
faithful Snake Skin, observing all this, was happy in their great happiness.
And then he went out and looked at the stars and thought much concerning the
Little Star. His day was coming, so he fondly hoped. That evening, as all
the principals were gathered in the one lodge, Papamotao told the story of
the hunt, and commented on the marvellous archery of White Buffalo. He said
he had met with some fine bowmen in his day, but certainly to kill six elk
without losing or breaking an arrow or missing a shot was most wonderful
skill. And Niska chimed in with his father's version of the killing of the
five caribou last winter, when White Buffalo and Snake Skill with them in
the north.
"Ah!" said Papamotao, "that
was what you were doing last winter when you were so long away?"
"Oh," said his motherly wife,
"White Buffalo was doing something more than hunting caribou last winter."
And then all laughed, as both our hero and his beautiful bride blushed and
joined in the fun.
"He was hunting Nagos," said
Snake Skin, "and I as his friend had to travel many weary long distances
because of his hunting her."
"Yes, but what about the
Little Star?" questioned Nagos. And the laugh was on Skin, as Nagos told her
new friends about her cousin, or younger sister, Achakosis, and how they had
extreme difficulty in bringing Snake Skin back from the northern country.
Then White Buffalo said:
"We now have the meat and
hides of eleven elk and moose, and we must look after all this before we
hunt any more."
"That is right," answered
Papamotao, so it was arranged that the men of the party would bring in the
meat and hides on morrow, and then help for another day in drying the meat
and gathering the wood, and keeping up the fires around camp, and also
prepare a strong cache wherein to store the provisions and skins and hides
they would not be able to move when they joined some of the other camps.
These caches must be made strong enough to withstand the wolverine, who was
the most persistent and bold of the wild animals frequenting this part of
the country. Many a carelessly made cache had this cunning brute destroyed,
and our party had now extra employment in circumventing the wolverine, and
all other predatory animals, except man. And the latter were so few and so
scattered over this great big wilderness, the chances were that he would not
find the cache. And if he did, such was the simple honesty of the people,
that the cache when found would remain unmolested. Of course, if aliens made
the discovery, then all would be destroyed.
After two days spent in
steady work in bringing in meat and hides, and helping around camp, and
building cache, White Buffalo and Papamotao left Snake Skin and Niska to go
on with this work, and again went out on the hunt. As usual, they started
very early, and the day was still young when they tracked an enormous moose.
Papamotao said:
"Young man, you place him and
look for him, and I will follow." And White Buffalo took the lead and
brought them on to the big fellow and killed him. And it was while they were
skinning and butchering the moose that Papamotao caught sight of an object
moving across an opening in the timber, and to satisfy himself went over to
make sure, and was some little time gone when White Buffalo heard a call,
and feeling that something was wrong with his friend, seized his bow and
quiver and dashed off at a quick run in the direction the call came from.
Soon he heard sounds of a tussle, and here was a large cinnamon bear
crunching up his friend and counsellor. He saw that he dare not use his
arrows, and flung aside his bow and quiver, and rushed in with his hunting
knife, and as the bear was on top of Papainotao, White Buffalo straddled the
bear, and sent the knife into him with his right hand, and grabbed him by
the ear and side of the head with the other, and so astonished was Bruin
that he leaped away from the prostrate man, and carried his new assailant
with him, astride his back. But White Buffalo was using his knife all this
time with great energy, and the life blood of the bear was gushing forth in
such volume that he soon staggered and stumbled, and the agile hunter was
free from his strange ride, and ran back to his friend, who was altogether
conscious, and had watched the unique ride, though pretty well hurt by the
bear.
White Buffalo found that
Papamotao's right arm was broken and the flesh of it sorely mangled. Other-
wise, excepting a few scratches on his back, he was unhurt. Very soon he had
him up, and, cutting up one of his own buckskin leggings into wrapping and
binding, he improvised some splints, and tied up his friend's arm and then
made a fire and ran back for some of the tit-bits of the moose, and in a
short time had these broiling over the blaze. While Papamotao ate, White
Buffalo skinned and cut up the bear, and having fixed the meat and hides of
both moose and bear, he took Papamotao's arm, and thus they went back to
camp, both profoundly thankful that Papamotao's life was spared. The latter
made light of his wounds, but they had to rest many times on the way home.
The loss of blood and the struggle had taken the strength from Papamotao,
and it was night when they reached the lodges.
Once more the Little Mother's
big heart was all in a flutter. Where was White Buffalo? But presently in he
came humming a love song of his own which he had made up during these few
days of his great happiness, and Nagos was glad.
But what was the matter in
the next lodge? Something had happened. Papamotao's wife had called out in
alarm, and White Buffalo explained that one of Snake Skin's ardent friends,
the bears, had also taken to handling Papamotao, and he was hurt, but he
hoped that his old friend would be all right in a few nights.
"What can we do?" said Nagos.
"Why, we can carefully and gently bind up his arm which is broken, and dress
his wounds," said White Buffalo. "First he will want to eat, and then rest a
little, and then you and I will fix him."
"That is right," said Snake
Skin, "Nagos is a splendid medicine herself." "You mean the Little Star, do
you not?" answered Nagos, and Niska laughed arid said he thought Snake Skin
vas always thinking about the Star's beauty and goodness; at any rate he was
always singing about them. And Snake Skin told Niska that he would not go
out tripping with him any more if he was going to tell everybody about his
singing.
When supper was over, and
Papamotao's arm set and bound, and his wounds dressed, in which Nagos had a
leading part, for she was one of those among women born to nurse, and who
come into the art thereof as by birthright, and Papamotao had thanked her
over and over, and our party was gathered in his lodge, he told them of the
day's hunt, and how he had caught a glimpse of some living object and ran
over to see what it was. And here was the big cinnamon turning a log over,
and picking up the grubs, and he had let an arrow fly at him but had missed
his aim by a hand's breadth, hitting the bear too far forward and the bear
instead of running away jumped for me and had me down, and broke my arm, and
I do not know what he would have done, had not White Buffalo come to my help
and rode him off."
At this they all laughed.
"Yes, you may laugh," said Papaniotao, " for I, pained and sore, had to
laugh. when I saw the bear jumping away with my friend on his back, and
sitting him as if he was a horse. But then you know White Buffalo is not
like other men. I have travelled far and seen many queer and funny things,
but this experience today is new. To ride a bear on the gallop and kill him
as he jumps, and to save your friend's life at the same time, is something
worth while. That is what White Buffalo did today, besides killing a big
buck moose, and cooking my dinner as well. And if you, my wife and children,
value me as husband and father, then you must, next to the Great Good
Spirit, thank White Buffalo." And the mother and family broke out in a
thanksgiving song of gratitude to the Good Spirit, and to White Buffalo.
For days the hunt went on,
and provisions were made and baled, and also manufactured into pemmican, and
hides were fleshed and scraped and made into parchment for future tanning
and dressing and smoking, and in all this each one had a part. Papamotao,
being crippled and sore, looked after the horses, and became a general scout
for the camp. The food pile in the cache grew every day, and White Buffalo's
restless energy was very apparent. In a little while the cache was full, and
Papamotao was able to travel and Snake Skin was almost himself again. So,
packing up, our party of two lodges moved southward in search of White
Buffalo's parents and the rest of their people.
The day of their breaking
camp did not pass without incident, for it was during its hours that Niska
was chased by a roused and wicked moose bull, which he had tantalized by
wounding with one of his arrows. Niska was alone when he found the fresh
track of the moose, and the weather being propitious he approached quite
close, and let his arrow fly, but only succeeded in making the bull vexed,
and though he sent another arrow, this added to the big fellow's wrath, and
he came for his assailant savagely. Niska turned and fled across through
some scrub, and then out through the open on a stretch for some large trees
in the next bluff of timber, hoping to be able to dodge among these, and
possibly climb one. However, the moose was gaining fast, and it seemed that
he would catch Niska long before the trees could be reached. On for his life
ran the brother of Nagos, and coming behind him was the huge bull moose who,
if he had not been so fat, would have made quick work of racing Niska. But
just then White Buffalo came upon the scene, and his quick sense took in the
situation and away he bounded with all speed to the rescue. He thought first
of pulling an arrow, then he bethought him of his knife, and said to
himself:
"I will play the wolf this
time, and show yonder bull what can be done, that is, if I catch him before
he is on Niska." And as he thought of Niska, he also thought of Nagos, and
sprang quicker and further and faster to save, if possible, her much-loved
brother. Poor Niska was running for life, and "all that a man hath will he
give for his life." Niska was giving limb and lung and all his strength to
flee from the mad bull, and did not know that help was coming. The bull also
was giving all attention to this impudent biped who had dared disturb his
lordliness by sending sharp, stinging darts into his flesh. He could feel
them now as he spurted after his victim. But he did not feel the approach of
the strong, swift runner man who was now close upon him, and who, pulling
his knife from its scabbard deftly cut the tendons of the big moose's legs
and had him hamstrung, and incapable of doing more than rising onto his
front legs and shaking his great antlers in impotent rage. While White
Buffalo shouted to Niska and asked him what he was running so fast for, and
the boy turning to look, could hardly believe his eyes, for there was the
helpless moose, and beside him stood his wonderful brother-in-law, now more
wonderful than ever in Niska's mind and affection. Then while White Buffalo
sent him to intercept the party and to tell Papamotao to camp as soon as he
could in order that they might take in the meat and hide of the moose, and
while the boy went on his errand White Buffalo killed the moose and skinned
and cut him up ready for packing into camp.
In the meantime Snake Skin
was hunting bear, and this day his luck was turned, for he killed two fine
large bears and ran no risks in doing so. This greatly encouraged him, and
as Papamotao said, broke the spell of ill-luck which had come across his
path. Nagos congratulated him on recovering his breath, and remarked that
doubtless his eloquence would come back in full force, and perhaps stronger
than ever, and he answered that one needed the gift of eloquence to do her
justice, and she quickly replied "You mean the Little Star," and Snake Skin
blushed and was silent.
That night around the camp
fire Niska gave a very vivid description of his race with the big moose, and
wondered when he would be able to shoot as straight as White Buffalo could.
He told how he had fired two arrows at the bull, and only succeeded in
making him raging mad, and how tremendous the monster did look when he
charged straight for him; "and of course," said he, "there was nothing to do
but to run, and run I did with all my breath, but the big fellow came
thundering right after me, and crashing through the scrub and out on to the
plain, and then I saw the big trees and made for them with all my soul. I
could feel him coming behind me and I raced for my life. Then all of a
sudden some one shouted to me, and I heard a voice: 'Ho, there what are you
running so fast for?' And I looked and there was White Buffalo standing
beside the great big bull, and the bull was down on his haunches, and could
not get up, and he was shaking his big head, and I said to myself: 'That is
the work of that wonderful man, Nesta. He had run up from behind and
hamstrung the bull. Did you ever hear of any man doing such a deed before? I
tell you, my sister, your husband surpasses all others. He is swift, he is
strong, he is brave, even if he is my Neesta, I must tell it out. Even if he
is your husband, my sister, I will speak the truth and say, 'White Buffalo
is a great man.'"
And Nagos looked at her
husband and smiled in contentment because of her possession of him. And
Snake Skin spoke up:
"Yes, Niska, you may be proud
and thankful too; for if it had not been for White Buffalo we might be
mourning tonight, instead of rejoicing as we are. If the Great Spirit spares
your life in the days and moons to come, you will see and hear many, things
to make you glad and proud that you became related to our young chief. What
he did today is just like he has been doing for many winters and summers. He
loves to save life. Why, he even spared his enemies. He thinks nothing of
risking his own life to save that of another. Wait until you reach the
lodges of our people, and from many lips you will hear tales of his bravery
and kindness."
Those were wonderful days
when our hero, having won his bride, was bringing her home. It was the
season of gladness. All nature was in unison; spring and summer had done
their work, and now the rich autumn in its fulness was queen, and the earth
was glad. The whole animal creation, now in its prime, now in the season of
its matings, was full of rejoicing. This was apparent in the loud strong
calls that came from the depth of forest, or might be heard where gorgeous
timber lands reaching out intercepted the creamy, golden pastures. Moose and
elk and the deer species, the "White" and "Black Tails," those exquisitely
beautiful creatures, were gathering up in herds and flocks, and the testing
time was on, and loud challenging calls answered each other across the
valley, and resounded among the hills. Thus it was with the strong animal
life which abounded in the forest land of the great Northwest at this time.
Moreover, the great flocks of
myriad fowl, who had spent the summer in the far north on the west shores of
the Hudson's Bay, and out on the confines of the great timberless barren
level, and in that immense region known as the Athabasca country, where in
countless multitude they had mated and nested and brought forth their young
and later had moulted and again taken on their new and beautiful plumage.
And now, in the strength of their freshness and maturity, and with the full
force of the great north behind them, these were beginning their flight
south ward!. All night long, they came through the listening air. The swish
of their wings, the call of bird to bird, swan. and goose. and many
varieties of duck and millions of waveys, and to give change the loon would
ever and anon sound forth his loud clear note which seemed to say:
"And I am also travelling,
even I am moving south with my friends."
And thus among such scenes
and sounds our little party was slowly travelling southward. To Nagos this
land was new. Her life had been limited by the stretch of lake, and the
sweep and bend of stream. Interminable forest country had been her home. Low
land region was where she came from. But now, these wonderful prairie
valleys, these gently sloping hillsides, these beautiful placings of timber
on the plain, these wonderful summits of hill ranges, from which one could
look and look, and it did seem as if there was no end. Beauty and glory
everywhere. And here was White Buffalo beside her, her lord and master, the
one whom she had dreamed of and longed for, and unto whom she had sent out
her spirit on distant quests, and had never rested until she found him and
became conscious of his welfare, and had felt her whole being to rejoice in
the consciousness of his seeking her. And now what had been desired was
truly and fully possessed. Her husband was with her, and she knew he loved
her.
Though their honeymoon had
but begun, already he had shown himself to be both brave and good, and every
day of their journey was proving to her that this man the Great Spirit had
given to her as her mate was worthy of her strongest love. With White
Buffalo, these days seemed to him as if they were at the summit of his fate.
Ever since that time some thirteen moons agone when he first caught a
glimpse of a lone maiden flitting in and out around the solitary lodge in
the far northland, his love had been constant and true. On hunting field,
away in the distant west on the war path. when with the multitude, or in
absolute aloneness, he had forever thought of and dreamed about Nagos. For
her he had hunted, for her he had scouted, for her he had fought, for her he
had done many brave acts. for her he had raced against the champion and won,
for her he had besought the spirits many times, for her he had travelled
night and day, and wearied not. And now, with the blessing of her parents,
with the spirits smiling upon him, with his own spirit of his dream, his
Pawakun, giving him his benediction, with the rich warm full love of Nagos
speaking through her beautiful eyes. and every act, into his inmost soul, he
now possessed her. Thus, these young people were filled with supreme
happiness, and to them at this time this world was a scene of joy, and Snake
Skin, the faithful companion, the constant friend, he looked on with
satisfaction sublime. White Buffalo was happy, therefore Snake Skin
rejoiced.
And Papamotao, the older man,
the discoverer of our hero, as he claimed, the man of discernment and of
much experience gained by his great travels, would say: White Buffalo is as
my son. I saw his goodness; I knew he was wiser than most men. I believed he
was brave. And now, behold, he is our leader, and I am proud, and I rejoice
with him in his great joy. The spirits led him to discover a beautiful
maiden who has become his wife. Every day since I saw her, I am thankful for
his sake, for our people's sake. White Buffalo is well mated, and this makes
my heart glad." And the women of Papamotao's camp had already grown to love
Nagos for her own sake. She had won their affection, and Papamotao's wife
was as a mother unto her, and his daughters were as sisters. And in such
mood and amid such environment, our little company travelled southward. Two
days after Niska's race with the big bull moose they struck camp, and during
their first day's journey, saw signs of the vicinity of people. These they
expected to be their friends. However, Snake Skin and Niska scouted ahead
and came back with the news that their people in goodly number were encamped
in the valley of the Swan. To White Buffalo this was cheery news; to Nagos,
cool and collected as she generally was, the knowledge that her husband's
people were near by, and that she, a perfect stranger, would soon enter
their lodges, caused her to feel embarrassed. But Snake Skin, quickly
noticing the effect of his news, said:
"And now, Nagos, in a little
while, with the sun still high today, you will be in the lodge of your new
mother. She is longing to see you. Already in her heart she loves you, and
all the women of our camp will welcome you. From today while you live, Nagos,
the hearts of our people will be full of love for you. Cheer up, my sister,
and be brave."
And Papamotao's wife came up,
and learning of the news of the big camp's vicinity, cheered her with loving
words. Niska also was greatly abashed. He was curious and he was glad, but
he wondered how he would go among these people of forest and plain, so
different in life from his own friends. For him also Snake Skin had kind
words:
"I will look after you, Niska,
you are as my younger brother. Where I go you will come."
Then, as was the custom,
everyone took extra pains with their toilet. Paints and feathers and
ornaments and articles of apparel were produced, and speedily costume and
color made wonderful change with our little company. All but Nagos had made
use of the several colored ochre. She was as ever herself, and when
Papamotao's wife and daughters urged her to paint, she smilingly refused,
and Papamotao and Snake Skin said:
"Let her be, the Great Spirit
has painted Nagos. Let her be even as he made her."
And now they moved on up the
valley and across the plain and over the brow of the hill, and here at their
feet were the lodges of the prairie and wood Crees. This was a new sight for
the maiden and lad of the North Wind Maker's camp. Never had they seen as
many people convened and camped together in their lives hitherto. Never had
they beheld so many horses. These great big lodges, eighteen and twenty-skin
tents, all made of the hides of the buffalo, standing out there, some of
them in the distance spotlessly white, others with painted panels, denoting
that they were the homes of distinguished men, all with great ear flaps and
ventilators reaching out heavenward. And from the ex treme points hanging
from these were buffalo tail tassels, giving them fitting and unique
appearance. In and among the lodges were the stagings upon which meat was
drying. And here and there were big frames upon which the hides of the
animals were stretched. Dog and horse travois were put up and leaning
against each other all over the encampment. And to Nagos and Niska a new
world was dawning. But now they are seen. Here comes a horseman at full
gallop, and he merely pauses to look at the new bride and to cast a glance
of welcome at White Buffalo, and he dashes his horse to and fro, and in so
doing has signalled to the camp:
"White Buffalo is here; our
friends have returned."
Then he makes back in a mad
gallop to muster up the horsemen, and to call on all who have guns and
powder: Come forth and salute with loud welcome White Buffalo and bride!"
As he rides through the camp
he hastily says to this young woman on this side and to another on the other
side, "Verily, she is beautiful," and these young maidens of White Buffalo's
camp were not jealous. He rode to the door of the lodge of White Buffalo's
parents, and threw his voice into the waiting mother's heart:
"Your children are here! Come
forth and give them welcome!"
If we had been there that
glorious autumn day, and beheld the enthusiasm of the people, "these wild
people," "these savage nomads" (as men have called them), as they fired
their guns and filled their lungs, and sang their songs, and royally
welcomed White Buffalo and Nagos, and when they beheld her felt that here
indeed was a maiden worthy of their young chief, whom they all loved, and of
whom they were so proud, I say, if we had been there, and looked upon this
joyous scene, and listened to the conversation that took place on every
hand, we would have said, "these are gentlefolk; these are manly men; these
are true-hearted woman, and not savages."
There was great joy in that
camp, joy in the mother's heart. Her son had brought his bride, and quietly
said, "another child for you to love, my mother." And Nagos at once felt
that she could be at home and safe with such a mother. The aged chief came
forth and gave them his blessing. The medicine man sang a hymn, and
benedicted them with an incantation. The seer vent into a trance, and sent
his spirit into the far future, and returning strolled to and fro among the
lodges and told the people that this man and this woman would prove to be a
very great blessing to them all. Said he:
"Their future is bright; this
union is good; this maiden from the far north, and this man of our hearts,
will be a great blessing among our people."
And many drums did beat, and
many love songs were improvised and sung, and the occasion of White Buffalo
and Nagos reaching their home from their honeymoon trip was made glorious by
much rejoicing in the large camp.
The next day there was a big
council, and the autumn movements were discussed. The question came up,
"Shall we go to war this fall?" and a shout came back in answer: 'Yes, yes."
But Papamotao arose in his
place and spoke as follows: "My friends, let us stop and think. Have we not
by common consent made White Buffalo our war chief? Though very young he has
excelled us who are older, in skill and wisdom in war. Those of us who have
been with him in danger know full well that his heart is as brave as it is
good. For myself, I would say, let there be no going to war unless he leads
and as it would be unkind and improper for him to go far from his lodge at
this time, when he has but now brought home to his fireside the wife of his
choice, to me it would be wrong for us as a people to ask White Buffalo to
lead any of our young men on the war path this fall. I would rather, if you
would listen to me, my friends, say unto you, (remember, I have gone with
you often to war; remember I am not shrinking from going on the long road
against our enemies), but at this time I would say, let there be no war
party go out from us this autumn. Let us rather move on out to the plains
and meet the great herds as they come north, and make much provision and
prepare for the winter, and then if we are alive when the next spring comes,
let us be ready for the warpath. Then it will be fitting for White Buffalo
to lead us forth, and be again as he has been, our successful and victorious
war chief. Who among you would want him, after his long seeking, after his
patient wooing, after his winning this wonderful woman that he has brought
home to our lodges, after that we have beheld her, and rejoiced with him
because of his possessing her, I say unto you, my people, who would have the
heart to ask White Buffalo to leave his young wife and go out to danger and
possible death. Besides all this, there is no need for it. We have had
bloodshed enough for one summer. Our warriors have been victorious
sufficient for one season. White Buffalo has won for us sufficient glory for
this time. Let him rest beside the maiden of his choice. Let him stay home
to gladden her heart and the hearts of his parents. This, my friends, is
what I would have you to do."
Long before he sat down he
knew he had won. Quick came the response from young and old, "Yes, yes, so
let it be. What you have said is proper and good. We will not go to war; we
will go out on the big hunt, and in the meantime every heart will rejoice
with White Buffalo." |
