sheep are the wildest on earth, and seldom can man come near enough to
get snapshots as you did to-day. The Peruvian goats and those in
Arabia are agile and daring, but they do not compare with these goats
for agility, and faith in their footsteps.
"When we go further North in the mountains, this scene we just
witnessed will seem like child's play to the feats those goats will
accomplish.
"The lambs are even more intrepid than the elders, and have not the
slightest bit of fear of falling. Strangely enough, they seldom fall,
and are hardly ever injured. It is said that the only risks they run
are when they happen to jump in strange territory where the ledges and
footholds are not understood."
As Mr. Gilroy finished his interesting description, Mr. Vernon added,
"I've read that the injuries or death that come to these little
athletes are due to their traveling in strange places and along
unfamiliar trails, as you just mentioned. But in their own crags and
mountain recesses, no hunter can ever trap them. They will jump, no
matter from what height, and are always sure of a secure footing
somewhere."
The scouts were so absorbed in listening that they had paid little
attention to their own footsteps as they retraced their way to join
Tally. Here and there were small pits almost hidden by the long
slippery grass that grew on and hung over the edges.
Julie was about to draw every one's attention to a great bird that
hovered overhead, when her foot slipped on such grass and, in trying
to catch hold of something to waylay her descent into the shallow pit,
she managed to lay hold of Mr. Gilroy's leg. In another moment, he was
sliding down with her.
"Look pleasant!" warned the Captain, as she quickly snapped a picture
on the last exposure of the roll, and then laughed merrily as she
turned the knob that wound up the film securely.
When the two coasters managed to scramble out of the hollow, midst the
laughter of all, Mrs. Vernon said, "I am glad now that my last picture
will be one so fitting to be shown with the others of the Rocky
Mountain Athletes."
[Illustration: A great ram came out opposite the scouts]
CHAPTER SEVEN
TALLY AND OMNEY ENTERTAIN
While seeking for a likely spot where they could pitch camp that
night, Mr. Vernon saw smoke ascending from the pines a short distance
away. Fearing lest a fire had started in some way, Mr. Gilroy and he
quickly sought for the place and came upon an old acquaintance. Mr.
Lewis and his guide, Omney, to say nothing of their Irish terrier,
Scrub, were in camp, eating supper.
It was a pleasant surprise for both Mr. Lewis and Mr. Gilroy, as the
two geologists had not met since their trip in the mountains many
years before. So both parties soon joined camps and enjoyed themselves
immensely.
After supper that night, the girl scouts heard of many wonderful
experiences these friends had shared--the jaunts and jeopardies that
always provide such thrilling stories after they are over. Finally Mr.
Lewis remarked, "I came here this summer to hunt out a few of those
glacial specimens we missed the last time, Gilroy."
"Now, that's strange, Lewis, because that is why I am here. Dr. Hayden
mentions some in his latest book, and Tyndall Glacier is the only
place I've ever heard of where there is any such moraine," said Mr.
Gilroy.
"Have you been there, yet?" asked Mr. Lewis.
"No, 'but I'm on my way,'" laughed the scientist.
"Then take me with you, old pal! How about the rest of your party,"
said Mr. Lewis.
"Oh, Mr. Vernon is fast becoming as infatuated with the hunt for
specimens as you or I ever were. So we'll share fifty-fifty if we can
find anything worthwhile."
"And the ladies?" added Mr. Lewis.
"As they are tried and trusty scouts, they are fit for any trial of
courage or endurance--is that enough?"
"That's a splendid recommendation for any one, Gilroy, but have you
told them that exploring these glaciers is not as easy as sitting
beside a fire and talking of the thrills?"
"I have no idea of dragging them down through the moraines with us;
but they can accompany us on the trail and enjoy the camp while we
wander about in our hunting. The guides can plan the girls' recreation
for the time we are absent. Now, how does that strike every one?" said
Mr. Gilroy.
Of course, every one agreed that the plan was great, so they rode
forward in the morning, bound for the district around Tyndall Glacier.
When they found a place that would make a comfortable camp for the
time, the Indians went to work to arrange things for a week, or more,
according to the geologists' plans.
Camp was pitched upon a knoll with plenty of pine trees so standing
that natural tentpoles were readymade. The rain would drain from all
sides of the knoll, and at one side ran a stream of pure spring-water.
From the front of this campsite one could see the cold forbidding peak
of Tyndall Glacier.
Mr. Lewis's guide, whose baptismal name was as difficult to pronounce
as Tally's, was called Omney,--that being a good imitation of what it
really was. Julie, who was always doing something funny, named him
"Hominy."
As soon as the campsite had been decided upon, the two guides told the
scouts to clear away all excrescences from the ground. This meant they
had to take axes and cut out all brush and roots that would interfere
with comfortable walking about. Then the girls said the place was as
clean as a whistle, and Tally went over it carefully. But it was
amazing how many "stick-up" obstacles he found, where everything had
seemed so smooth.
While Tally was doing this, Omney supervised the cooking of supper,
and soon various savory odors greeted the nostrils of the hungry
scouts. Every one was ready to eat when Omney announced that it was
ready, and then there was a period of silence for a time.
Supper was over with the sunset, and the long purpling shadows of the
mountains crept up while the guides placed fresh fuel on the fire and
sat down to smoke their pipes. The Rocky Mountain wilderness, untamed
as yet, closed in about the group that sat around the fire, while
certain unfamiliar sounds of wildlife in the forest reached the ears
of the scouts; but they cared not for prowling creatures there and
then, because the campfire provided ample protection.
The two Indians, not having seen each other since their masters' last
trip, were in high feather; and when Mr. Gilroy suggested that they
entertain the party, they quickly responded. Omney first chanted his
tribe's Medicine Song; but before he sang he made obeisance to the
four winds of heaven,--the North, East, South, and West,--that neither
wind should forget Him who held them in the palms of His hands. He
then explained that this honor and the song to follow were the opening
forms to their daily worship of the Great Spirit.
He began in a deep-toned rhythmical chant, and he proceeded with the
syncopated melody, now and then sifting in some queer sounds that
_may_ have been words, while he kept time with hands and feet. Finally
this motion seemed to become an obsession, and he accompanied his
sudden cries and exclamations with muscular actions and twists of his
supple limbs. When he reached this point in the Medicine Song, Tally
caught up a pan, and with muffled sticks beat time to the singing.
After a period of this weird performance, Omney began to circle the
fire; Tally springing up, followed him in the dance. Their bodies
doubled, turned, and twisted about, as if controlled by galvanic
batteries. Their sharp ejaculations and hisses, interspersed in the
singing, gave a colorful effect impossible to describe.
Suddenly, as if arrested by a shock, both Indians stood erect and
perfectly still. They turned as if on pivots to glance upward, and
saluted the four winds of heaven; then walked slowly over and sat
down. Their performance was ended.
The encore they received was acknowledged with dignified smiles, but
Omney made no sign to repeat his act. Then Tally stood up and bowed.
He caught up a blanket that covered a balsam bed near by, and wrapped
it about his erect form. He walked to the center of the camp circle
and made a graceful acknowledgment for both entertainers; then he
began to speak in a softly modulated voice, and with gestures that
would have created envy in the best elocutionist, fascinating to any
one who knew him as the quiet and unobtrusive guide.
"Brothers, I tell you the tale of the Blackfeet Tribe, how Thunder won
his bride, and lost her again.
"In the long ago, when the Sky-People used to visit the Earth-Folk
frequently, to demand pelts and other good things from the Earth
Children in return for sparing their camps from the destructive
lightnings and floods, three young maidens went to the woods to dig
herbs.
"One of these three was the loveliest maiden to be found for many a
league, and many a Brave had tried to win her affections. But she was
fond only of her old father, Lame Bull.
"While Mink Maiden and her two companions were placing their herbs in
bundles to carry back to camp, a dark thundercloud swept over the
place, and passed on. However, it seemed as if venting its fury on the
camp where the maidens lived.
"Then fell Mink Maiden upon her knees and promised Thunder Chief,
saying, 'Spare my father and I will obey you in any way you may
desire.'
"Thunder laughed, for that was exactly what he had hoped for. He
instantly withdrew his storm from over the terrified village, and came
close to the maiden who had made the rash promise.
"'I shall come for you soon, Mink Maiden, to ask you to keep your
word.' With these words, Thunder flew away to the sky and disappeared
through a hole.
"Soon again, the three maidens went to the woods for herbs and while
two of them stopped to dig some roots, Mink Maiden went on alone. She
saw a plant, rare and greatly desired by Lame Bull, and she pushed a
way through the bushes to dig up the root. But when she reached the
spot where it had been, she saw nothing.
"Suddenly, without sound or other sign, a handsome young chief stood
where the plant had been. Mink Maiden was surprised, but when he
spoke, saying, 'I am waiting for you to be my bride--will you come with
me?' the maiden knew him.
"'I am Thunder Chief, and am come to have you redeem your vow.'
"Mink Maiden saw that he was tall and handsome, and naturally brave.
He smiled so kindly that she knew he was gentle. But she coyly asked,
'What must I do to keep my word with you?'
"'Be my wife. Come with me to reign over the Sky People, for I am
their Chief.' As he spoke he held forth his hands, and Mink Maiden
placed her own confidently within his.
"He enfolded her closely in his cloak of winds, and springing up from
the ground, carried her through the hole in the sky.
"When the two companions of Mink Maiden sought for her, she was not to
be found anywhere. They ran to Lame Bull's lodge to tell him of her
disappearance, and the entire village turned out to seek her.
Everywhere they sought her, for she was beloved by young and old
alike, but she was not found nor did they hear what had happened to
her.
"Then came a stranger to that village and asked for Lame Bull's lodge.
He was Medicine Crow Man, who had long desired Mink Maiden for a wife.
He had heard of her disappearance and by making strong medicine had
learned where she was.
"After telling Lame Bull how he loved his daughter, and that he had
power to find her, the old father promised that should Crow Man but
find where she was, he should have Mink Maiden for a wife when she
returned home.
"Crow Man then caught a blackbird and poured oil of black magic on his
tail feathers. The bird was sent up into the sky to find if the lost
maiden could be enticed to come back home. After several days the
blackbird returned to Crow Man.
"'I could not fly through the hole in the sky, as the people have been
ordered to close it with a great plant-root. But I sat on the under
part of the roots and heard what was said. And this is it:
"'Thunder Chief carried Mink Maiden away to be his wife. He commanded
that the hole be sealed, that his bride might not see through it and
be tempted to return to her home. I heard say that she is very happy
with Thunder Chief, and never thinks of those she left on earth.'
"'Very good, Blackbird, and for this news your tail feathers shall
always shine as if with oil. But your curiosity and love for gossip
must remain part of your weaknesses,' said Crow Man.
"He then went to Lame Bull and told all that he had learned through
the blackbird. Then the villagers began to mourn Mink Maiden as one
lost to them, for they never expected to see her again. But Crow Man
determined to use every art in his power until she should come back.
"Time went by and the maiden was contented with Thunder Chief, and
never remembered her earth people, for the root choked up the hole in
the sky where memory might slip through.
"But one day she saw some people bring home herbs and roots which they
had dug for the Chief. Mink Maiden asked them where they found them as
she, too, wished to dig some. They told her where to go for them, and
with basket on her arm she went forth.
"It happened that it was the summertime, when Thunder Chief had to be
away many times, fighting the earth people with storms, so she
wandered away alone from the lodge where she lived with her husband.
"She sought eagerly for the plant she wanted, until she finally came
to the great root that blocked the hole in the sky. This she thought
must be the place where the other women dug, and she forthwith began
to dig also. When she had dug deeply, she pulled on the root, and up
it came, leaving a great hole where it had been.
"Mink Maiden was amazed at the size of the root, and leaning over,
gazed into the hole, and far down saw the earth. At the same time a
blackbird flew quite near the hole, and said, 'Mink Maiden, your
father cries for you to come home.'
"Then memory returned to the maiden, and she remembered her people.
When Thunder Chief returned from his battles, he found his beloved
wife in tears. She cried that she wished to visit her own people on
earth. And so, after useless pleadings with her, the husband agreed to
take her home for a visit.
"Accordingly, he flew with her to Lame Bull's lodge and left her to
visit her father. She looked well and comely, and the old Chief was
overjoyed to see his child again. When she told how happy she was with
Thunder Chief, the father sighed.
"'I had hoped you would choose to live on earth where I could visit
you. Crow Man loves you, and has been here many times to ask for you.'
Lame Bull then told of the promise he had made Crow Man.
"But the Mink Maiden laughed, saying, 'I am married to Thunder Chief,
so Crow Man cannot have me.'
"In a short time after this, Thunder Chief came for his wife, and
asked Lame Bull to forgive him for carrying away his only child. Then
Lame Bull said, 'Allow her to remain yet a short time.'
"Thunder Chief presented his father-in-law with a Medicine pipe, and
taught him to sing the Sky Song that would always protect his tribe
from storms and destruction from lightning. Then he turned to his wife
and bade her good-by for a time, adding, 'I will return soon for you,
so be ready to go home. You shall visit your father often after this.'
"He then flew away and Mink Maiden sat with her father for several
days, waiting for her husband to come. But there had been a dreadful
commotion in the sky the day after he flew away from the village, and
the people said they had never seen such blinding lights and such
terrific rumbles, so the wife knew her husband was having a great
battle with some one.
"The cause was, Crow Man had fought with Thunder Chief, although Mink
Maiden never knew that. Crow Man was subdued for that time, but in the
fall he sent the blackbird northward to call out all the Arctic forces
to come and help keep Thunder Chief from coming to earth to carry back
his wife. And so they did.
"Crow Man called often at Lame Bull's lodge and all through the
winter, when Mink Maiden sighed because her husband came not, Crow Man
felt happy and tried to make her believe Thunder Chief had forgotten
her.
"Then spring came on, and Mink Maiden wondered still more because she
heard nothing of her husband, nor came he to the lodge. Crow Man urged
his suit, but she laughed, for she was a wife already, she told him.
"All through that second year she sat in her father's lodge and
waited; but not a word heard she from the Sky People, nor did Thunder
Chief come for her, although she was told that he had been heard of in
other parts of the country, so it was learned that he was alive and
active. Strange to say, neither Mink Maiden nor Lame Bull remembered
the Medicine that had been given the old Chief, to keep away all
storms from the tribe. This had proved so effectual that Thunder Chief
could not communicate with his wife because of it, and she never went
beyond the village limits, where he might have met her.
"That winter Crow Man urged his love again, and begged Mink Maiden to
marry him, so she finally sighed and said:
"'I am Thunder Chief's wife, but if he does not come to claim me in
another year, I will go with you.'
"Crow Man was overjoyed at hearing this, and he worked very hard to
keep away all reports of Thunder Chief from the village. Then, as Mink
Maiden waited hopelessly for the return of her husband, the year
rolled by and Crow Man came for her. So she followed him to his lodge,
although she still remembered Thunder Chief with regret.
"Crow Man was jealous of her memories and was determined to cure her.
So he planned a dreadful thing. He sent the blackbird for the North
Forces, and when they came in obedience to his order, he told them
what they must do.
"Then he asked Mink Maiden to walk with him through the lovely woods a
distance from the village. And as they walked, the wife saw Thunder
Chief approach with outstretched arms and call to her in a yearning
voice. He cried, 'At last, my beloved, you are where I can reach you.
All these moons have I longed to meet you, but you sat in the lodge
where my own Medicine that I gave your father, kept me away.'
"Thunder Chief hurried forward, but the Arctic Forces ran out from
their hiding-places and fell upon Thunder Chief, just as he was
waiting to enfold his beloved in his cloak. With their cold icy blasts
and whirling snow and sleet, they overpowered poor Thunder Chief. In
spite of his roaring and sharp lightnings, his power was frozen into
sharp points. And that is how icicles came to be upon all Nature's
trees and bushes when the North Forces scatter broadcast the power of
the Sky Forces.
"Mink Maiden saw her beloved turned to ice before her eyes, and she
went away, weeping, to her home with Lame Bull. And Crow Man besought
her in vain to return to his lodge. She would not, and that is why the
Crow always calls, 'Come, come, come!'
"And every year when the time returns that Thunder Chief came for his
bride and the North Forces overpowered him, you will see Mink Maiden
come from the woods, weeping over her lost love."
When Tally concluded this legend, the scouts called for another, but
Mr. Gilroy mentioned that the three men planned to get an early start
for the glacier fields and it was time to retire. So the two guides
prepared the fire for the night and the girls began their good-nights.
Mr. Lewis stopped them, however. "Scouts, I want to say a word to you.
I notice that you do not know the Indian walk--the only way to walk in
the woods and not grow weary. In fact, the way all the wild creatures
walk, whether they run or creep, without making a sound that will
attract attention to them."
"No one ever gave it a thought, Lewis," admitted Mr. Gilroy. "Now that
you mention it, suppose you show the girls, and let them practice,
to-morrow, with the guides to teach them."
Mr. Lewis then demonstrated the white man's walk and the natural gait
of the Indian. The two guides walked to show exactly what he meant,
and then the girls were told to do it.
"Walk perfectly erect,--not leaning from the waist-line forward, as
most people do. Plant your feet with more weight coming upon the sole
instead of on the heel of the foot. Always turn your toes straight
forward, and take your steps, one foot directly in front of the other
so that the track you leave will look like a one-footed man walking a
chalk-line.
"Once you have acquired this gait, you will wonder that you ever
walked in any other manner. You can walk a narrow ledge, or stick to
any foothold that a living creature can go on, without slipping from
lack of room for your feet.
"But the greatest benefit such a walk is for one in the forests, is
that you can proceed without making any noise. You will not be soaked
with the dew that remains on leaves or undergrowth; and after you have
taken a long hike you will feel fresh, and have enough energy to start
on another trip."
The scouts practiced that night, and had many a good laugh at the
awkward steps they took when first trying the Indian gait. But they
finally acquired it, and with daily practice in the woods, they soon
walked as well as Mr. Lewis himself.
CHAPTER EIGHT
SCRUB'S UNEXPECTED HUNTING TRIP
Mr. Lewis's dog, Scrub, was a never-ending source of fun and
entertainment for the scouts. He was a most intelligent animal, and
understood everything said to him. In fact, his owner said that Scrub
was far more intelligent and practical than many human beings he had
known. He also told the girls that they could follow Scrub into the
woods if the guides could not go with them, and he would always bring
them back by easy trails--he had such a wonderful sense of location and
traveling.
The first day in camp, after the three men had started for the glacier
field, Tally and Omney had to complete minor details in the camping
arrangements, so the scouts did not ask to be taken for a hike up the
mountainside. Scrub nosed about for a time, trying to attract the
girls' attention by his "talk" but when they failed to understand, he
ran away alone, and was not seen again until late that afternoon.
He came tearing into camp, barking excitedly, and jumping about the
guides and the scouts, as if to tell them of some thrilling adventure
he had experienced in the woods that day. They made much of him, but
finally his master scolded him for barking so shrilly, so Scrub placed
his stub tail between his hind legs and crept under a tree.
The next day Scrub began again to caper about and bark excitedly to
invite the scouts to go hunting with him. But they laughed, and Julie
said to him, "We're going with Tally and Hominy after a while."
It was not, however, to Scrub's liking that they tarried so long in
camp, and he started away alone. Then when the guides were all ready
to go with the scouts, the dog was not to be found.
"Ev'buddy take gun dis time," suggested Tally.
"Oh, what fun! Shall we find any wild animals?" asked Joan.
"Mebbe--dunno."
The Captain warned the girls about using the rifles without first
noting all the conditions, and told them not to use them under any
circumstances if there was no danger. As each scout knew perfectly
well how to carry the firearm so as to protect others, and as every
one used precaution at all times, there was no risk of accident.
The woods were still wet from the heavy night-dew, but the girls found
their newly-acquired step protected their skirts from much moisture.
The sun was sending its searching light into every secret nook of the
forest, and soon the dew evaporated and the gloom in the dense woods
brightened. The many hitherto hidden things in the forest now stood
clearly revealed in the sunshine.
They followed the trail that led up the mountainside back of the camp.
Tally waved his hand in an inclusive sweep at the sun, then at the
forest it shone upon, and remarked, "Him no shine in long. Onny
mornin'--den shadow come back an' fores' grow black agin."
The scouts were eagerly gazing at one thing or another in their
progress up the steep trail when Betty gave a little cry and jumped
out of the way.
"What is it--a rattler?" cried many voices, anxiously.
"No, but the cutest little rabbit I ever saw,--just like the one Verny
caught and helped in the Adirondacks, you know."
Tally then added, "No rattlers on dis side Rockies, all on udder side
mountains."
"Betty's scream would make one think she was facing a grizzly!" said
Julie, scornfully.
"I wasn't frightened,--it startled me, that's all," Betty said,
defensively.
"Was it big enough for rabbit pie?" asked Anne, unwittingly calling
down the reproaches of all the scouts upon her head.