THE MINNECONJOUX CAMP
The Sioux traveled with the Cheyennes until late the following day.
Then, as the latter turned toward the east to reach their camp, White
Otter and his companions left them and continued toward the north. Red
Dog presented each of his allies with two ponies, and as they had taken
a number from the Kiowas they felt very well repaid for having joined
the war party.
"We have done a good thing," said Short Bear. "Yes, we will show our
people some good ponies."
"Sun Bird has brought back what the Black Faces took away. Now we are
bringing more ponies. Our people will talk about it a long time,"
declared Feather Dog.
The Sioux made their way across the plain with great caution, for they
were fearful of losing their prizes to a superior force of foes. As a
precaution, therefore, White Otter and Feather Dog proceeded some
distance ahead of their companions, reconnoitering from the ridges and
keeping a sharp watch for enemies. However, they saw only antelope and
wolves on the plain, and deer and elk in the swales and along the base
of the foothills. The third day after leaving the Cheyennes they came in
sight of their destination.
"See, there are the lodges of my people," said Feather Dog, as he and
White Otter stopped on the crest of a low ridge to wait for their
comrades.
Some distance farther to the west the plain ended at a range of low
pine-clad foothills, and within their shadows was the great Minneconjoux
camp. It was located beside a wide stream that flowed down from towering
snow-topped peaks still farther to the west. The young Ogalala saw many
lodges, and great numbers of ponies grazing on the fertile plain near
the village.
"My eyes tell me that this is a great camp," said White Otter.
"Yes, you will find many people in that village," Feather Dog assured
him. "But see, we have been discovered."
White Otter saw that he and Feather Dog had caused a sudden stir in the
Minneconjoux camp. A great crowd had gathered at the edge of the
village, and seemed to be regarding them with considerable suspicion.
Several horsemen were riding excitedly about the plain driving the
ponies toward the camp, and it was evident that the Sioux feared an
attack.
"Perhaps your people believe that we are Crow scouts," suggested White
Otter.
"No, it is not so. My people have eyes like the eagle, but they are very
cautious," laughed Feather Dog.
A few moments later Short Bear and his two companions rode to the top of
the ridge with the captured ponies. Their appearance instantly reassured
their tribesmen and threw them into an ecstasy of delight, for the
riderless ponies proclaimed the success of the gallant little company
who had parted from Sun Bird to join the Cheyenne expedition against the
Kiowas.
Aware that they had been recognized, Feather Dog and his companions
galloped toward the camp, shaking their weapons and yelling
triumphantly. A company of warriors raced to meet them, and the plain
reverberated with the shouts of the excited throng at the edge of the
village. As the horsemen approached one another White Otter saw that the
riders from the camp were led by Sun Bird, and his heart filled with
emotion. Both companies rode at full speed until they were only several
bow-lengths apart. Then they pulled their ponies to their haunches, and
stopped in a choking smother of dust.
Sun Bird greeted Little Raven with much affection, and praised him for
bringing ponies to the camp. Then he turned to his friend, White Otter.
"My brother, I have waited for you. Now you have come. It is good; my
heart is filled with sunshine. I see that you have taken some more
ponies. You are a great warrior. I have told the great chief, Curly
Horse, and Rain Crow, my father, about you. They have told the people
about you. Now they are waiting to see you. Come, we will ride into the
village, and I will take you to my father's lodge," said Sun Bird.
"Sun Bird, it is true that you are my brother," replied White Otter.
"Your people are the brave Minneconjoux and I am an Ogalala, but we have
the same blood. Yes, we are Dacotahs. I have listened to your words, and
I am glad I came here. It is bad when I am away from you. Now we are
together. It is good; I can sing again. You say you have told the great
chief, Curly Horse, about me. Well, I will tell him the words of my
grandfather, the great chief, Wolf Robe. You say you have told the great
medicine-man, Rain Crow, about me. Well, when I take his hand then I
will talk about it until I am an old man. Yes, I will go to your village
with a good heart. The Minneconjoux are my brothers."
As they neared the camp they heard the people singing songs of welcome
and shouting their names, and they thrilled with pride. A few old men
and most of the boys ran out on the plain to meet them, and count coup
on the captured ponies. When they entered the village, however, they
were greeted with more dignity by the warriors who had assembled to
receive them. It was apparent that the Minneconjoux fighting men had
determined to maintain a proud reserve before their famous young
tribesman from the Ogalala village.
However, Sun Bird gave them little opportunity to satisfy their vanity,
for he rode past them and escorted White Otter directly to the lodge of
Curly Horse. They dismounted before the entrance, and the young Ogalala
tied three ponies, which he had brought from the Cheyennes, to the
picket-post. Then he waited outside while Sun Bird entered to announce
him to the Minneconjoux war chief.
"Curly Horse says that he is waiting to see his young brother," Sun Bird
said, when he rejoined his friend a few moments afterward.
Then Sun Bird and White Otter entered the lodge. They saw two warriors
seated opposite the entrance. One, a middle-aged man of massive
physique, wore a splendid head-dress of eagle feathers, and White Otter
had little difficulty in recognizing him as Curly Horse. The other, who
looked somewhat older and less robust, wore a head-piece of beaver
ornamented with the horns of a bull buffalo, while his dress and
insignias proclaimed him a medicine-man. White Otter felt sure,
therefore, that he was Rain Crow, the father of Sun Bird. The two lads
advanced around the left side of the lodge until they finally stood
before the warriors. For some moments the older men remained silent,
while they peered searchingly into the face of the Ogalala. Apparently
impressed with what they saw, they exchanged a few words in an
undertone, and then the chief addressed Sun Bird.
"Tell him who I am," he said, curtly.
"My brother, I will tell you that you are looking at Curly Horse, the
great war chief of the Minneconjoux. He has fought in many battles. He
has killed many enemies. He has taken many ponies. He has given his
people good words. When Curly Horse speaks you must open your ears, for
he is a great man," said Sun Bird.
When the eulogy was finished Curly Horse rose and offered his hand to
White Otter.
"Now you know who I am," said Curly Horse. "It is good. I have taken
your hand. Now I will tell you what I am thinking about. First I will
tell you that I am glad you have come here. I have heard about you. You
are a young man, but you have done some good things. I have talked with
your father, Standing Buffalo. Yes, a long time ago he came here with
some young men to help us fight the Black-feet. He was a very brave
warrior. I know about your grandfather, the great chief Wolf Robe. The
Minneconjoux and the Ogalalas are brothers. Our lodges are always open
to our brothers. Perhaps you will stay here a long time. Then I will
talk to you again. Now I am going to tell you about this great man who
is standing beside me. He is Rain Crow. He is a great medicine-person.
He has done some great things. Some time I will tell you about it. I
have finished."
"I have listened to the words of a great chief," replied White Otter. "I
have taken the hand of Curly Horse. I have painted these things on my
heart. You say that the Ogalalas are your brothers. It is true. Now I
will tell you the words of the great chief, Wolf Robe. He said, 'The
Minneconjoux are our brothers. Curly Horse, their chief, is a great
man. You will see many brave warriors in that camp. Sun Bird and Little
Raven are your friends. They will tell their people about you. Go, and
tell the Minneconjoux that Wolf Robe is thinking about them.' I have
brought you these words. You say that you have talked with my father.
Then you have seen a man. But I must tell you that he has gone on the
Long Trail. Now I will talk to that great man beside you. Rain Crow, you
are a great medicine-person. My people know about you. You are the
father of my brother Sun Bird, and my brother Little Raven. I will call
you my father. Now I have taken your hand. Well, I will tell about it a
long time. Now I will tell you something else. I have tied three ponies
out there for Curly Horse. Well, I took some more ponies from your
enemies, the Black Faces. One of those ponies belongs to my brother, Sun
Bird. But I will give three other ponies to my father, Rain Crow. This
is how it is in my heart to do. I have finished."
"My son, you talk like a man," said Rain Crow. "It is good that you have
called me your father. Yes, Sun Bird has told me about you. I know that
you are as cautious as the fox, and as brave as the bear. It is enough.
You will be a great war chief, like your grandfather. I am glad you have
come here. Perhaps you will stay many days. It is good. I may tell you
some great things. I have spoken."
A few moments afterward the lads left the lodge. They found a crowd
gathered to see them. As they appeared the people ceased talking, and
the warriors came forward to greet White Otter. They welcomed him with
great warmth, and several of the principal men of the tribe announced
feasts in his honor.
"My brothers, I see that you are great warriors," replied White Otter.
"I have heard my people talk about you. Now I have taken your hands. You
have told me something good. You have called me your brother. Yes, it is
true. It is a good thing I came here. Now I see what kind of people you
are. I know I will have plenty to eat here. I know I will have a good
place in my brother's lodge. I know I will hear some good talks. When I
go away from here I will tell my people about it. But perhaps I will
stay here many days. My brothers, my heart is peaceful toward you."
Then Sun Bird took him to Rain Crow's lodge. It was located in about the
center of the village. As it was decorated with two figures of the
mysterious Thunder Bird, White Otter knew that Rain Crow had seen these
things in a dream or vision. He knew the custom governing these sacred
dreams, which entitled the dreamer to decorate his personal property
with the symbol of his dreams. At his death the privilege was inherited
by his oldest son, who might make four copies of the mysterious emblem.
Unless the latter happened to see or dream the same vision, however, the
privilege of using the symbol ended with his death. The young Ogalala
had been taught to reverence these mysterious dreamers of visions, and
he looked with superstitious awe upon the crude red emblems which
announced Rain Crow's mysterious powers to the people. The
medicine-man's buffalo-hide war shield was suspended from a tripod of
poles beside the lodge, and White Otter particularly noted the two red
pipes which had been painted on it.
"My brother, I see that your father is a very great man," he told Sun
Bird. "He has seen the mysterious Thunder Beings. That is a wonderful
thing to happen to a man. I see two pipes on his war shield. Now I know
that he has led two war parties. It is a great thing to sit in his
lodge. I will tell my grandfather about it."
When they entered the lodge they found Little Raven and his mother,
Dancing Fawn. It was evident that the youthful warrior had been relating
a vivid account of his exploits.
"My mother, I have brought you another son," said Sun Bird. "White Otter
is my brother. I have told you about him. He is a great warrior. The
brave Ogalalas are his people. I have lived in their lodges. Now White
Otter has come to talk with his brothers. Make him welcome."
"My son, I have listened to your words. What you have told me is good.
Your brother, White Otter, shall be my son. He shall spread his robe in
Rain Crow's lodge. I will make his moccasins and cook his meat,"
declared Dancing Fawn.
"Mother, I will keep your words in my heart," replied White Otter.
Sun Bird showed him where to spread his robe, and thus establish his
place in the lodge. Then the two lads sat down beside each other to
talk. Believing that they wished to be alone, Dancing Fawn and Little
Raven immediately went outside. Sun Bird told White Otter that as soon
as it grew dark the Minneconjoux would celebrate the triumphant return
of the war party. Even while he spoke they heard criers walking about
the village calling to the people to assemble at nightfall. Soon
afterward the odor of smoke and the fragrance of broiling meat told the
lads that the day had ended, and the women were busy with the evening
meal.
"Come, we will go out and see what our mother has for us," proposed Sun
Bird.
They found Dancing Fawn and several other women broiling antelope meat
over the glowing embers of a cooking fire. The fire was shared by the
occupants of several lodges, and while the women prepared the food the
warriors sat together smoking and telling stories. Rain Crow was in the
party, and he immediately invited the lads to join him. Similar fires
were twinkling in all parts of the camp, and about each sat a little
company of men and boys. The meal was the occasion for much
light-hearted mirth, and the village resounded with song and laughter.
The success of Sun Bird and his war party had fired the pride of the
people, and they were prepared to celebrate the victory with customary
enthusiasm.
"See, my people have good hearts because we have done this thing," said
Sun Bird. "They will talk about it a long time. Pretty soon Curly Horse
will call the warriors. Then we will sing the war songs, and dance the
medicine dances."
"It is good. I will tell my people about it," replied White Otter.
Soon afterward they heard the familiar throbbing of the buffalo-hide war
drums, and they knew it was the signal to assemble. At the summons the
people sprang to their feet and hurried to the center of the village,
where they found Curly Horse and a number of prominent men awaiting
them.
The warriors formed a circle about two great fires which blazed
fiercely. Behind them stood the old men, and still farther in the
background were the women and children. The war chief and prominent men
of the tribe stood together outside the circle, and close by them were
the musicians with their buffalo-hide drums. When all were ready to
begin the ceremony Curly Horse stepped forward to deliver the customary
address.
"People of the great Dacotah nation, we have come together to sing about
a great thing. Our young men have returned from the war trail with many
ponies. The Black Faces took some horses, but our young men went to
their camp. Now we are laughing about it. Our enemies, the Kiowas, have
lost some good ponies. Do you know where they are? Well, if you look
around you will see them. Now I will ask my young brother, Sun Bird, to
tell us how they came here," said Curly Horse.
Sun Bird advanced into the center of the circle, and gave a vivid
account of his adventures. When he had finished the musicians began to
beat the drums, and the warriors began to dance. They circled slowly
about the fires, waving their trophies and singing boastful songs
against their foes. From time to time a dancer would rush excitedly into
the center of the circle and tell his part in bringing success and glory
to the expedition. Each moment added to the general excitement, and the
people seemed to have been roused into a nervous frenzy. The dance was
continued until many of the older warriors were completely exhausted,
and then it was temporarily stopped.
While the dancers rested from their strenuous efforts, White Otter was
asked to speak. He told of the expedition against the Kiowas, and
rendered glowing tribute to the courage of Little Raven and the other
Sioux who had joined the war party. His words touched the vanity of the
Minneconjoux and roused them into resuming their wild celebration. Thus
the ceremonies were continued until the night was three-quarters gone,
and then the people succumbed to their fatigue and retired to the
lodges.
"Well, my brother, you have seen a great thing," said Sun Bird, when he
and White Otter reached Rain Crow's lodge.
"It is true. Those songs will stay in my ears a long time," replied
White Otter.
"Well, you will see something else when the next sun comes," declared
Sun Bird. "My people will dance the great Buffalo Dance. You will see
how they do it. You will see scouts go away to watch on the ridges. And
I will tell you another thing. Our brothers, the brave Uncapapas, are
coming to hunt with us. You will see a great camp. Many things will
happen while these people are with us. Yes, we will run races, and ride
horses, and try our arrows. The Uncapapas are great warriors. They have
fought in many battles. You will hear about it. All the people will sing
the buffalo songs, and you will see how my father brings the buffaloes
to his people."
"When I have seen all these things, then I will tell my grandfather
about it," said White Otter.