HAWK EYE'S OFFERING
Hawk Eye and Raven Wing pointed their canoes to the middle of the river
and bent to their paddles. In spite of its many twists and turns and the
menace of fallen trees floating in the channel, they made good progress.
The river ran through a narrow valley, with hillsides covered with white
flowers and bottom lands dotted with yellow cowslips. Birds, busy with
their nesting, winged their way through the balmy air. Willows,
cottonwoods, elms and soft maples made a leafy border along the shore.
Toward late afternoon they came to a widening of the river.
"Lac Qui Parle," Hawk Eye called back, slowing down that Raven Wing
might come alongside. "I have heard my father say that in the paleface
tongue. It means the 'lake that speaks.'"
"Black Eagle once told me that the Mich-e-see-be has a great widening
which is called Lake Pepin by the white man. It is bordered by high
bluffs and cliffs so steep that very few cedars can take root," answered
Raven Wing.
"I have heard my father tell that only low hills guard the Minnesota
until its fringe of trees thickens and it enters the big woods. The
hills change to bluffs that creep closer to the water. At the mouth of
the Blue Earth River there is but a narrow strip of sand. From there on
the Minnesota makes a bend upward toward the land of snow and the rising
sun," said Hawk Eye.
"It is a long river," said Raven Wing. "We shall have dipped our paddles
many, many times before we come to the trading post."
"Have you fully decided to exchange your pelts for a gun?" inquired Hawk
Eye.
"Yes," answered Raven Wing quickly. "I would like one like yours."
"It is a fine weapon, as I have often told you," Hawk Eye said. "My
father was proud of it. He kept our lodge well supplied with meat before
an Objibway's bullet ended his life."
"Let us make camp," Raven Wing suggested after a time. "I see a sandy
beach. Up to now the shore has been bordered with great flat rocks."
"It is too early," Hawk Eye said. "The weather is fine. It is better to
keep to our paddles until sundown. Take care that your canoe does not
grate upon a hidden rock. There are many in the water."
Raven Wing was glad when his elder companion later turned toward shore
for he was becoming a little tired. It required skill as well as
strength to paddle the heavy laden canoes.
"My father's grandmother was a Wahpeton Sioux. Her tribe, called the
People of the Leaves, used to build their movable tepees along the
shores of this lake," said Raven Wing.
[Illustration: {Sioux brave.}]
"That was many, many years ago. We shall have to sleep beneath a tree,"
answered Hawk Eye.
"My grandfather made his first offering to the Great Spirit here," went
on Raven Wing. "He tossed his most beloved possession, a necklace of
bear claws, into this very lake."
"It is a beautiful spot for such a ceremony," Hawk Eye said,
thoughtfully. "I have not as yet made my offering to the Great Spirit."
Raven Wing made no answer. After his father's death his mother had
arranged the ceremony for him. He now wished that she had chosen for
that occasion the spot on which his grandfather had stood.
As the canoes scraped bottom, Hawk Eye said; "I will here offer my most
valued possession to the Great Spirit." Stepping on shore, he opened a
doeskin pouch that was fastened to his belt.
"Your necklace of panther claws!" exclaimed Raven Wing as Hawk Eye drew
forth his prize trophy.
"Yes," Hawk Eye answered, quietly. For a moment he held it in his open
palm for a last look. Close by rose a great boulder of granite.
Clenching his fist about his most beloved possession, he climbed to the
top of the rock and stood facing the lake for some little time. Then,
holding the necklace in his right hand, he cried;
"O Great Spirit, I implore you to command the Sun, Moon and Stars to
make my path smooth that I may reach the brow of the first hill.
[Illustration: HE CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE ROCK AND STOOD FACING THE
LAKE FOR SOME LITTLE TIME.]
"O Great Spirit, I implore you to command the Winds, Clouds, Rain and
Snow to make smooth my path that I may reach the brow of the second
hill.
"O Great Spirit, I implore you to command the Hills, Valleys, Rivers,
Lakes, Trees and Grasses to make smooth my path that I may reach the
brow of the third hill.
"O Great Spirit, I implore you to command the Birds, Animals and Insects
to make smooth my path that I may reach the brow of the fourth hill.
"O Great Spirit, make me strong in heart and limb to reach the brow of
the fifth hill, upon whose summit are the Happy Hunting Grounds.
"O Great Spirit, receive my most precious offering," and he flung the
necklace far out into the lake.
[Illustration: {Wolf.}]