ToMyDaughtersDORA，IRENE，VIRGINIA，ELEANOR，ANDFLORENCE
　　IDedicatetheseStoriesoftheOldIndianLife，andespeciallyoftheCourageousandWomanlyIndianWomanCONTENTS
　　GLOSSARY
　　PARTONE
　　THEWARRIOR
　　I
　　THELOVEOFANTELOPE
　　I
　　UponahangingprecipiceatopoftheEagleScoutButtethereappearedamotionlessandsolitaryfigure——almosteagle—likeheperched！Thepeopleinthecampbelowsawhim，butnonelookedathimlong。
　　Theyturnedtheirheadsquicklyawaywithanervoustingling，fortheheightabovetheplainswasgreat。Almostspirit—likeamongtheuppercloudstheyoungwarriorsatimmovable。
　　ItwasAntelope。Hewasfastingandseek—
　　ingasignfromthe"GreatMystery，"forsuchwasthefirststepoftheyoungandambitiousSioux[whowishedtobeanotedwarrioramonghispeople。
　　Heisaprincelyyouth，amongthewildSioux，whohuntsforhistribeandnotforhim—
　　self！Hisvoiceissoftandlowatthecamp—
　　fireofhisnation，butterror—givinginthefieldofbattle。SuchwasAntelope’sreputation。
　　Themorehesoughtthe"GreatMystery"insolitude，themoregentleandretiringhebe—
　　came，andinthesameproportionhiscourageandmanlinessgrew。Nonecouldsaythathewasnotakindsonandagoodhunter，forhehadalreadypassedthe"two—arrow—to—kill，"
　　hisbuffaloexamination。
　　Onahotmidsummermorningafewweekslater，whilemostoftheinmatesoftheteepeeswerebreakfastingintheopenair，thepowerfulvoiceoftheheraldresoundedamongthepine—
　　cladheightsandgreenvalleys。
　　"Hearye，hearye，warriors！"hechantedloudly。"Thecouncilhasdecreedthatfourbraveyoungmenmustscoutthecountrytothesunsetwardofthecamp，forthepeaceandprotectionofourpeople！"
　　Alllistenedeagerlyforthenamesofthechosenwarriors，andinanothermomenttherecamethesonorouscall："Antelope，Ante—
　　lope！thecouncilhasselectedyou！"
　　Thecampwaslarge——fullyfourhundredpacesacross;butinthatcountry，intheclearmorningair，suchanannouncementcanbeheardagreatway，andinthesilencethatfol—
　　lowedthehillsrepeatedoverandoverthemu—
　　sicalnameofAntelope。
　　Induetimethefourchosenyouthsappearedbeforethecouncilfire。Theoathofthepipewasadministered，andeachtookafewwhiffsasreverentlyasaChurchmanwouldpartakeofthesacrament。Thechiefofthecouncil，whowasoldandofastrikingappearance，gavethechargeandcommandtotheyouthfulbraves。
　　Therewasascoreormoreofwarriorsreadymountedtoescortthembeyondtheprecinctsofthecamp，andthe"fearlessheart"songwassungaccordingtothecustom，asthefourranlightlyfromthedoorofthecouncilteepeeanddisappearedinthewoods。
　　Itwasapeculiarlytryingandhazardousmomentinwhichtoperformthedutiesofascout。TheSiouxwereencroachingupontheterritoryofhostiletribes，hereinthefoot—hillsoftheBigHornMountains，andnowandthenoneoftheirhunterswascutoffbytheenemy。
　　Ifcontinualvigilancecouldnotsavethem，itmightsoonbecomenecessarytoretreattotheirownhunting—grounds。
　　Itwasasavagefetishthatawarriormustbeproofagainstthealluringwaysofprettymaidens;thathemustplacehishonorfarabovethetemptationsofself—indulgenceandindolence。Cold，hunger，andpersonalhard—
　　shipdidnotcountwithAntelopewhentherewasrequiredofhimanyspecialexertionforthecommongood。Itwascausetohimofsecretsatisfactionthatthecouncil—menhadse—
　　lectedhimforadangerousserviceinprefer—
　　encetosomeofhisrivalsandcomrades。
　　Hehadbeenrunningfortwoorthreehoursatagood，evengait，andhadcrossedmorethanoneofthesmallercreeks，yetmanydeepgulchesandbadlandslaybetweenhimandthefurthestpeakthatmeltedintothebluedomeabove。
　　"IshallstandupontheBear’sHeart，"hesaidtohimself。"IfIcandothat，andstillreportbeforetheothers，Ishalldowell！"
　　Hiskeeneyeswereconstantlysweepingthecountryinhisfront，andsuddenlyhepausedandshrankbackmotionlessinacrouchingat—
　　titude，stillsteadilykeepinganeyeuponamovingobject。Itwassoonevidentthatsomeonewasstealthilyeyinghimfrombehindcover，andhewasoutwittedbytheenemy！
　　Stillstooping，heglideddownalittleravine，andashereachedthebedofthecreekthereemergedfromitalargegraywolf。
　　ThiswasveryopportuneforAntelope。Hegavethegraywolf’sdanger—callwithallhismight;waitedaninstantandgaveitasec—
　　ondtime;thenheturnedandranfleetlydownthestream。Atthesamemomentthewolfap—
　　peareduponthetopofthebank，infullviewoftheenemy。
　　"Herehecomes！"theywhispered，andhadtheirarrowsonthestringasthewolftrottedleisurelyalong，exposingonlyhishead，forthiswasacommondisguiseamongtheplainsIn—
　　dians。Butwhenhecameoutintotheopen，behold！itwasonlyagraywolf！
　　"Ugh！"theUtesgrunted，astheylookedateachotherinmuchchagrin。
　　"Surelyhewasaman，andcomingdirectlyintoourtrap！WesangandprayedtothegodsofwarwhenourwarchiefsentusaheadtoscouttheSiouxpeople，tofindtheircamp。
　　Thisisamystery，amagic！EitherheisaSiouxindisguise，orwedon’tknowtheirtricks！"exclaimedtheleader。
　　Nowtheygavethewar—whoop，andtheirarrowsflewthroughtheair。Thewolfgaveayelpofdistress，staggeredandfelldead。In—
　　stantlytheyrantoexaminethebody，andfoundittobetrulythatofawolf。
　　"Eitherthisisawonderfulmedicine—man，orweareshamefullyfooledbyaSiouxwar—
　　rior，"theymuttered。
　　TheylostseveralminutesbeforetheycaughtsightofAntelope，whohadfollowedthebedofthecreekasfarasitlayinhisdirectionandthencameoutofitatfullspeed。Itwouldbesaferforhimtoremaininconcealmentuntildark;butinthemeantimetheUtewar—
　　riorswouldreachthecamp，andhispeoplewereunprepared！Itwasnecessarytoexposehimselftotheenemy。Heknewthatitwouldbechieflyacontestofspeedandhehadanex—
　　cellentstart;butontheotherhand，theUtesdoubtlesshadtheirhorses。
　　"TheSiouxwhoplayedthistrickonusmustdieto—day！"exclaimedtheirleader。"Come，friends，wecannotaffordtolethimtellthisjokeonusatthecamp—firesofhispeople！"
　　AntelopewasheadeddirectlyforEagleScoutButte，forthecampwasinplainviewfromthetopofthishill。Hehadrunprettymuchallday，butthen，thatwasnothing！
　　"Ishallreachthesummitfirst，unlesstheUtehorseshavewings！"hesaidtohim—
　　self。
　　Lookingoverhisshoulder，hesawfivehorse—
　　menapproaching，soheexaminedhisbowandarrowsasheran。
　　"Alliswell，"hemuttered。"Oneoftheirspiritsattheleastmustguideminetothespiritland！"where，itwasbelievedbythem，therewasnofighting。
　　Nowhewaswithinhearingoftheirwhoops，buthewasalreadyatthefootofthebutte。
　　Theirhorsescouldnotrunupthesteepascent，andtheywereobligedtodismount。LikeadeertheSiouxleapedfromrocktorock，andalmostwithinarrow—shotcamehispursuers，wildlywhoopingandyelling。
　　Whenhehadachievedthesummit，hetookhisstandbetweentwogreatrocks，andflashedhistinylooking—glassforadistresssignalintothedistantcampofhispeople。
　　Foralongtimenoreplycame，andmanyarrowsflewoverhishead，astheUtesap—
　　proachedgraduallyfromrocktorock。He，too，sentdownaswiftarrownowandthen，toshowthemthathewasnochildorwomaninfight，butbraveasabearwhenitisbroughttobay。
　　"Ho，ho！"heshoutedtotheenemy，intokenofabraveman’swelcometodangeranddeath。
　　Theyrepliedwithyellsoftriumph，astheypressedmoreandmorecloselyuponhim。Oneoftheirnumberhadbeendispatchedtonotifythemainwar—partywhentheyfirstsawAnte—
　　lope，buthedidnotknowthis，andhiscouragewasundiminished。Fromtimetotimehecon—
　　tinuedtoflashhissignal，andatlastlikelight—
　　ningthelittlewhiteflashcameinreply。
　　Thesunwaslowwhenthebesiegedwarriordiscoveredalargebodyofhorsemenapproach—
　　ingfromthenorthwest。ItwastheUtewar—
　　party！HelookedearnestlyoncemoretowardtheSiouxcamp，shadinghiseyeswithhisrightpalm。There，too，weremanymovingspecksupontheplain，drawingtowardthefootofthehill！
　　Atthemiddleoftheafternoontheyhadcaughthisdistresssignal，andtheentirecampwasthrownintoconfusion，forbutfewofthemenhadreturnedfromthedailyhunt。Asfastastheycamein，thewarriorshurriedawayupontheirbesthorses，singingandyelling。
　　Whentheyreachedthewell—knownbutte，tow—
　　eringabruptlyinthemidstoftheplain，theycoulddistinguishtheirenemiesmassedbehindthehangingrocksandscatteredcedar—trees，crawlingupcloserandcloser，forthelargewar—
　　partyreachedthehilljustasthescoutswhoheldAntelopeatbaydiscoveredtheapproachofhiskinsmen。
　　Antelopehadlongsinceexhaustedhisquiverofarrowsandwasgatheringupmanyofthosethatfellabouthimtosendthembackamonghispursuers。Whentheirattentionwaswithdrawnfromhimforaninstantbythesud—
　　denonsetoftheSioux，hesprangtohisfeet。
　　Heraisedbothhishandsheavenwardintokenofgratitudeforhisrescue，andhisfriendsannouncedwithloudshoutsthedaringofAnte—
　　lope。
　　Bothsidesfoughtbravely，buttheUtesatlastretreatedandwerefiercelypursued。An—
　　telopestoodathisfullheightuponthehugerockthathadshelteredhim，andgavehisyellofdefianceandexultation。Belowhimthewar—
　　riorstookitup，andamongthegatheringshadowstherocksechoedpraisesofhisname。
　　IntheSiouxcampuponLostWaterthereweredancesandpraisesongs，buttherewaswailingandmourning，too，formanylaydeadamongthecrags。ThenameofAntelopewasindeliblyrecordeduponEagleScoutButte。
　　"Ifhewishedforawar—bonnetofeaglefeathers，itishistowear，"declaredoneoftheyoungmen。"Butheismodest，andscarcelyevenjoinsinthescalpdances。ltissaidofhimthathehasneveryetspokentoanyyoungwoman！"
　　"True，itisnotannouncedpubliclythathehasaddressedamaiden。Manyparentswouldliketohavetheirdaughtersthefirstonehewouldspeakto，butIamtoldhedesirestogoupononeortwomorewar—pathsbeforeseekingwoman’scompany，"repliedanother。
　　"Hun，hun，hay！"exclaimedathirdyouthill—naturedly。Heisalreadyoldenoughtobeafather！"
　　"Thisistoldofhim，"rejoinedthefirstspeaker。"Hewantstoholdtherecordofbeingtheyoungmanwhomadethegreatestnumberofcoupsbeforehespoketoamaiden。
　　Iknowthattherearenotonlymotherswhowouldbegladtohavehimforason—in—law，buttheiryoungdaughterswouldnotrefusetolookuponthebraveAntelopeasahusband！"
　　Itwastruethatinthedancehisnamewasoftenmentioned，andateveryrepetitionitseemedthattheyoungwomendancedwithmorespirit，whileevengrandmothersjoinedinthewhirlwithashowofyouthfulabandon。
　　Wezee，thefatherofAntelope，wasreceiv—
　　ingcongratulationsthroughouttheafternoon。
　　Manyoftheoldmencametohislodgetosmokewithhim，andthehostwasmorethangratified，forhewasofacommonfamilyandhadneverbeforeknownwhatitistobaskinthesunshineofpopularityanddistinction。
　　Hespokecomplacentlyashecrowdedahand—
　　fuloftobaccointothebowlofthelongredpipe。
　　"Friends，ourlifehereisshort，andthelifeofabraveyouthisapttobeshorterthanmost！
　　Wecraveallthehappinessthatwecanget，anditisrightthatweshoulddoso。Onewhosaysthathedoesnotcareforreputationorsuccess，isnotlikelytobetellingthetruth。SoyouwillforgivemeifIsaytoomuchaboutthehonorablecareerofmyson。"Thiswastheoldman’sphilosophicapology。
　　"Ho，ho，"hisguestsgraciouslyresponded。
　　"Itisyourmoon！Everymoonhasitsfull—
　　ness，whenitlightsupthenight，whilethelittlestarsdancebeforeit。Sotoeverymantherecomeshisfullmoon！"
　　Somewhatlaterinthedayalltheyoungpeopleofthegreatcampwereseentobemov—
　　inginonedirection。Allworetheirbestattireandfinestornaments，andeventheparti—col—
　　oredsteedsweredecoratedtothesatisfactionoftheirbeauty—lovingriders。
　　"Ugh，Talutaismakingamaidens’feast！
　　She，theprettiestofalltheUnkpapamaid—
　　ens！"exclaimedoneoftheyoungbraves。
　　"She，thehandsomestofallouryoungwomen！"repeatedanother。
　　Talutawasindeedahandsomemaidintheheightandbloomofwomanhood，withallthatwonderfulfreshnessandmagnetismwhichwasdevelopedandpreservedbythelifeofthewil—
　　derness。Shehadalreadygivenfivemaidens’
　　feasts，beginningwithherfifteenthyear，andhershyanddiffidentpuritywasheldsacredbyherpeople。
　　Themaidens’circlewasnowcomplete。Be—
　　hindittheoutercircleofoldwomenwasequallypicturesqueandevenmoredignified。Thegrandmother，notthemother，wasregardedasthenaturalprotectoroftheyoungmaiden，andthedowagersderivedmuchhonorfromtheirposition，especiallyuponpublicoccasions，tak—
　　ingtothemselvesnosmallamountofcreditforthegoodreputationsoftheircharges。
　　Weshawee，whoseprotegehadmanysuitorsandwasadecidedcoquette，fidgetednervouslyandfrequentlyadjustedherrobeorfingeredhernecklacetoeasehermind，forshedreadedlest，inspiteofwatchfulness，somemishapmighthavebefallenhercharge。Heranxietywasapparentlysharedbyseveralotherchap—
　　eronswhostoleoccasionalsuspiciousglancesinthedirectionofcertainoftheyoungbraves。
　　Ithadbeenknowntohappenthatagirlun—
　　worthytojoininthesacredfeastwaspubliclydisgraced。
　　Aspecialpoliceforcewasappointedtokeeporderonthisoccasion，eachmemberofwhichwasgorgeouslypaintedandbedeckedwitheaglefeathers，andcarriedinhishandalongswitchwithwhichtothreatentheencroachingthrong。Theirhorsesworehead—skinsoffierceanimalstoaddtotheirawe—inspiringappear—
　　ance。
　　Thewildyouthsformedtheoutercircleofthegathering，attiredlikethewoodsinau—
　　tumn，theirlonglocksglossywithoilandper—
　　fumedwithscentedgrassandleaves。Manypulledtheirblanketsovertheirheadsasiftoavoidrecognition，andloiteredshylyatadis—
　　tance。
　　AmongtheselastwereAntelopeandhiscousin，RedEagle。Theystoodintheangleformedbythebodiesoftheirsteeds，whosenosesweretogether。Theyoungherowascom—
　　pletelyenvelopedinhishandsomerobewitharainbowofbead—workacrosthemiddle，andhissmallmoccasinedfeetprojectedfrombe—
　　neaththelowerborder。RedEagleheldupaneagle—wingfan，partiallyconcealinghisface，andbothgazedintentlytowardthecenterofthemaidens’circle。
　　"Woo！woo！"wasthesonorousexclama—
　　tionofthepolice，announcingthebeginningoftheceremonies。Inthemidstoftheringofgirlsstoodthetraditionalheart—shapedredstone，withitsbristlinghedgeofarrows。Inthiscasetherewerefivearrows，indicatingthatTalutahadalreadymadeasmanymaidens’
　　feasts。Eachofthemaidensmustlayherhanduponthestoneintokenofherpurityandchas—
　　tity，touchingalsoasmanyarrowsassheher—
　　selfhasattendedmaidens’feasts。
　　Talutaadvancedfirsttothecenter。Asshestoodforamomentbesidethesacredstone，sheappearedtothegazingbystanderstheembodi—
　　mentofgraceandmodesty。Hergown，adornedwithlongfringesattheseams，wasbeadedinblueandwhiteacrosstheshouldersandhalfwaytoherwaist。Hershiningblackhairwasarrangedintwothickplaitswhichhungdownuponherbosom。Therewasanativedignityinhergesturesandinherutteranceofthemaidens’oath，andassheturnedtofacethecircle，alltheothervirginsfollowedher。
　　Whenthefeastwasendedandthegaycon—
　　coursehaddispersed，Antelopeandhiscousinwereamongthelasttowithdraw。Theyoungman’seyeshadfollowedeverymovementofTalutaaslongassheremainedinsight，anditwasonlywhenshevanishedinthegatheringshadowsthathewaswillingtoretire。
　　Insavagecourtship，itwasthecustomtointroduceone’sselfboldlytotheyounglady，althoughsometimesitwasconvenienttohaveasisterintroduceherbrother。ButAntelopehadnosistertoperformthisofficeforhim，andifhehadhadone，hewouldnothavemadetherequest。Hedidnotchoosetoadmitanyonetohissecret，forhehadnoconfidenceinhimselforintheoutcomeoftheaffair。Ifithadbeenanythingliketrailingthedoe，orscoutingtheOjibway，hewouldhaveridiculedtheverynotionofmissingtheobjectsought。
　　Butthiswasanewwarfare——anunknownhunt—
　　ing！AlthoughhewasveryanxioustomeetTaluta，whenevertheideaoccurredtohimhetrembledlikealeafinthewind，andprofuseperspirationrolleddownhisstoicvisage。Itwasnotcustomarytoholdanysocialinter—
　　coursewiththemembersoftheoppositesex，andhehadneverspokenfamiliarlytoanywomansincehebecameaman，excepthisoldgrandmother。Itwaswellknownthatthecounseloftheagedbringslucktotheyouthinwarfareandlove。
　　Antelopearoseearlythenextmorning，andwithoutspeakingtoanyonehemadeacere—
　　monioustoilet。Heputonhisfinestbuckskinshirtandahandsomerobe，threwabeadedquiveroverhisshoulder，andwalkeddirectlyawayfromtheteepeesandintotheforest——hedidnotknowwhynorwhither。Thesoundsofthecampgrewfainterandfainter，untilatlasthefoundhimselfalone。
　　"Howisit，"musedtheyoungman，"thatIhavehopedtobecomealeaderamongmypeople？Myfatherisnotachief，andnoneofmyancestorsweredistinguishedinwar。I
　　knowwellthat，ifIdesiretobegreat，Imustdenymyselfthepleasureofwoman’scompanyuntilIhavemademyreputation。Imustnotboastnorexhibitmyselfonmyfirstsuccess。
　　Thespiritsdonotvisitthecommonhauntsofmen！AlltheserulesIhavethusfarkept，andImustnotnowyieldtotemptation……
　　Manhasmuchtoweakenhisambitionafterheismarried。Ayoungmanmayseekoppor—
　　tunitiestoprovehisworth，buttoamarriedmantheopportunitymustcometotryhim。
　　Heactsonlywhencompelledtoact……Ah，Imustfleefromthewoman！……Besides，ifsheshouldlikesomeoneelsebetter，Ishouldbehumiliated……Imustgouponalongwar—path。Ishallforgether……"
　　Atthispointhisreverywasinterruptedbythejoyouslaughteroftwoyoungwomen。Themelodioussing—songlaughteroftheSiouxmaidenstirredtheverysouloftheyoungwar—
　　rior。
　　Allhisphilosophydesertedhim，andhestoodhesitating，lookingabouthimasifforachanceofescape。Amanwhohadneverbeforefeltthemagneticinfluenceofwomaninhersimplicityandchildlikepurity，hebe—
　　cameforthemomentincapableofspeechoraction。
　　Meanwhilethetwogirlswerewhollyuncon—
　　sciousofanydisturbingpresenceintheforest。
　　Theyweretellingeachotherthesignalsthateachhadreceivedinthedance。Taluta’scom—
　　panionhadstoppedatthefirstraspberrybushes，whilesheherselfpassedontothenextthicket。Whensheemergedfromthepinesintoanopening，shesuddenlybeheldAntelope，inhisfull—dresssuitofcourtship。Instantlyshedroppedhereyes。
　　LuckilythecustomsofcourtshipamongtheSiouxallowthecoveringofone’sheadwiththeblanket。Inthisattitude，theyoungmanmadeasignaltoTalutawithtremblingfingers。
　　Thewildredman’swooingwasnaturalandstraightforward;therewasnocircumspection，nomaneuveringfortimeoradvantage。Hotwordsofloveburstforthfromtheyoungwarrior’slips，withheavybreathingbehindthefoldsoftherobewithwhichhesoughttoshieldhisembarrassment。
　　"Foroncethespiritsareguidingmyfor—
　　tunes！Itmayseemstrangetoyou，whenwemeetthusbyaccident，thatIshouldspeakim—
　　mediatelyofmyloveforyou;butweliveinaworldwhereonemustspeakwhentheoppor—
　　tunityoffers。IhavethoughtmuchofyousinceIsawyouatthemaidens’feast……IsTalutawillingtobecomethewifeofTatoka？
　　Themoccasinsofhermakingwillcausehisfeettobeswiftinpursuitofthegame，andonthetrailoftheenemy……Ibegofyou，maiden，letourmeetingbeknownonlytothebirdsoftheair，whileyouconsidermypro—
　　posal！"
　　Allthiswhilethemaidenstooddemurelyathisside，playingwiththelariatofherponyinherbrown，finehands。Herdoeskingownwithprofusefringeshunggracefullyasthedroopinglongleavesofthewillow，andhertwoheavybraidsofblackhair，mingledwithstringsofdeers’hoofsandwampum，felluponherbosom。Therewasafaintglowunder—
　　neathherbrownskin，andherblackeyeswerecalmandsoft，yetfullofnativefire。
　　"Youwillnotpressforananswernow，"
　　shegentlyreplied，withoutlookingathim。"I
　　expectedtoseenoonehere，andyourwordshavetakenmebysurprise……Igrantyourlastrequest。Thebirdsalonecanindulgeingossipaboutourmeeting，——unlessmycousin，whoisinthenextravine，shouldseeusto—
　　gether！"Shespranglightlyuponthebackofherpony，anddisappearedamongthescat—
　　teredpines。
　　Betweenthefirstlovers’meetingandthesec—
　　ondwasaperiodofonemoon。ThiswaswhollythefaultofAntelope，whohadbeenapreytoindecisionandpainfulthoughts。Halfre—
　　grettinghisimpulsivedeclaration，andhopingtoforgethispangsinthechancesoftravelandwar，hehadfinallyenlistedinthenumberofthosewhoweretogowiththewar—leaderCrowheadintotheUtecountry。AswasthecustomoftheSiouxwarriorsupontheeveofdeparture，theyoungmenconsultedtheirspirit—
　　ualadvisers，andwerefrequentlyinthepurify—
　　ingvapor—bath，andfastinginprayer。
　　Thelasteveninghadcome，andAntelopewasonthewaytothetopofthehillbehindthecampforanightofprayer。Suddenlyinthehalf—lighthecamefulluponTaluta，lead—
　　ingherponydownthenarrowtrail。Shehadneverlookedmorebeautifultotheyouththanatthatmoment。
　　"Ho，"hegreetedher。Shesimplysmiledshyly。
　　"Itislongsincewemet，"heventured。
　　"Ihaveconcludedthatyoudonotcaretohearmyreply，"retortedthegirl。
　　"Ihavenothingtosayinmydefense，butIhopethatyouwillbegenerous。Ihavesuf—
　　feredmuch……YouwillunderstandwhyIstandfarfromyou，"headdedgently。"I
　　havebeenpreparingmyselftogouponthewar—
　　path。WestartatdaylightfortheUtecoun—
　　try。EverydayfortendaysIhavebeeninthevapor—bath，andtennightsfasting。"
　　AsTalutawellknew，ayoungwarriorunderthesecircumstancesdarednotapproachawo—
　　man，notevenhisownwife。
　　"Istillurgeyoutobemywife。Areyoureadytogivemeyouranswer？"continuedAn—
　　telope。
　　"Myanswerwassenttoyoubyyourgrand—
　　motherthisveryday，"sherepliedsoftly。
　　"Ah，tellme，tellme，……"pressedtheyoutheagerly。
　　"Alliswell。Fearnothing，"murmuredthemaiden。
　　"Ihavegivenmyword——Ihavemademyprayersandundergonepurification。Imustnotwithdrawfromthiswar—path，"hesaidafterasilence。"ButIknowthatIshallbefor—
　　tunate！……Mygrandmotherwillgiveyoumylovetoken……Ah，kechuwa（dearlove）！
　　watchthebigstareverynight！Iwillwatchit，too——thenweshallbothbewatching！
　　Althoughfarapart，ourspiritswillbeto—
　　gether。"
　　Themoonhadrisenabovethehill，andthecoldlightdiscoveredthetwowhostoodsadlyapart，theirheartshotwithlonging。Reluc—
　　tantly，yetwithoutabackwardlookorfarewellgesture，thewarriorwentonupthehill，andthemaidenhurriedhomeward。Onlyafewmomentsbeforeshehadbeenhappyintheanticipationofmakingherloverhappy。Thetruthwasshehadbeenbuildingair—castlesinthelikenessofawhiteteepeepitcheduponavirginprairieallalone，surroundedbymountains。Tatoka’swar—horseandhuntingponywerepicketednearby，andthereshesawherselfpreparingthesimplemealforhim！Butnowhehascloudedherdreamsbythisuntimelydeparture。
　　"Heistoobrave……Hislifewillbeashortone，"shesaidtoherselfwithfore—
　　boding。
　　Forafewhoursallwasquiet，andjustbe—
　　foretheappearanceofdaythewarriors’de—
　　parturewasmadeknownbytheirfarewellsongs。Antelopewasinthelineearly，buthewasheavyofheart，forheknewthathissweet—
　　heartwassorelypuzzledanddisappointedbyhisabruptdeparture。Hisonlyconsolationwastheknowledgethathehadinhisbundleapairofmoccasinsmadebyherhands。Hehadnotyetseenthem，becauseitwasthecus—
　　tomnottoopenanyfarewellgiftsuntilthefirstcampwasmade，andthentheymustbeopenedbeforetheeyesofalltheyoungmen！
　　Itbringslucktothewar—party，theysaid。Hewouldhavepreferredtokeephisbetrothalse—
　　cret，buttherewasnoescapingthecustom。
　　Allthecamp—fireswereburningandsupperhadbeeneaten，whentheheraldapproachedeverygroupandannouncedtheprogrammefortheevening。ItfelltoAntelopetoopenhisbundlefirst。Loudlaughterpealedforthwhenthereluctantyouthbroughtforthasu—
　　perbpairofmoccasins——therecognizedlove—
　　gift！Atsuchtimesthewarriors’jokeswereunmerciful，foritwasconsideredalastindul—
　　genceinjesting，perhapsformanymoons。
　　Therecipientwaswellknowntobeanoviceinlove，andthistokenfirstdisclosedthefactthathehadatlastsuccumbedtotheallure—
　　mentsofwoman。Whenhesanghislove—songhewasobligedtonamethegiverofthetoken，andmanyadisappointedsuitorwasastonishedtohearTaluta’sname。
　　ItwasalongjourneytotheUtecountry，andwhentheyreachedittherewasastubbornlycontestedfight。Bothsidesclaimedthevic—
　　tory，andbothlostseveralmen。HereagainAntelopewassignallyfavoredbythegodsofwar。Hecountedmanycoupsorblows，andexhibitedhisbraveryagainandagaininthecharges，buthereceivednowound。
　　OnthereturnjourneyTaluta’sbeautifulfacewasconstantlybeforehim。Hewassoimpatienttoseeherthathehurriedoninad—
　　vanceofhisparty，whentheywerestillseveraldays’travelfromtheSiouxcamp。
　　"ThistimeIshalljoininallthedancesandparticipateintherejoicings，forshewillsurelyliketohavemedoso，"hethoughttohimself。
　　"Shewilljoinalso，andIknowthatnoneisabetterdancerthanTaluta！"
　　Infancy，Antelopewaspracticingthesongsofvictoryasherodealoneoverthevastwildcountry。
　　HehadnowpassedWildHorseCreekandtheBlackHillslaytothesoutheast，whiletheBigHornrangeloomeduptothenorthingiganticproportions。Hefelthimselfathome。
　　"Ishallnowbeamanindeed。Ishallhaveawife！"hesaidaloud。
　　Atlasthereachedthepointfromwhichheexpectedtoviewthedistantcamp。Alas，therewasnocampthere！Onlyasolitaryteepeegleamedforthuponthegreenplain，whichwasalmostsurroundedbyaquickturnoftheRiverofDeepWoods。Theteepeeappearedverywhite。Apeculiartinglingsensationpassedthroughhisframe，andtheponywhinniedoftenashewasurgedforwardatagallop。
　　WhenAntelopebeheldthesolitaryteepeeheknewinstantlywhatitwas。Itwasagrave！
　　Sometimesanewwhitelodgewaspitchedthusforthedead，wholayinstatewithinuponacouchoffinestskins，andsurroundedbyhischoicestpossessions。
　　Antelope’sexcitementincreasedashenearedtheteepee，whichwasprotectedbyabarricadeofthickbrush。Itstoodaloneandsilentinthemidstofthedesertedcamp。Hekickedthesidesofhistiredhorsetomakehimgofaster。
　　Atlasthejumpedfromthesaddleandrantowardthedoor。Therehepausedforamo—
　　ment，andatthethoughtofdesecratingagrave，acoldterrorcameoverhim。
　　"Imustsee——Imustsee！"hesaidaloud，anddesperatelyhebrokethroughthethornyfenceanddrewasidetheovalswingingdoor。
　　II
　　Inthestatelywhiteteepee，seenfromafar，bothgraveandmonument，therelaythefairbodyofTaluta！Thebierwasundisturbed，andthemaidenlookedbeautifulasifsleeping，dressedinherrobesofceremonyandsurroundedbyallherbelongings。
　　Herloverlookeduponherstillfaceandcriedaloud。"Hey，hey，hey！Alas！alas！IfIhadknownofthiswhileintheUtecountry，youwouldnotbelonelyonthespiritpath。"
　　Hewithdrew，andlaidthedoorflaprever—
　　entlybackinitsplace。Howlonghestoodwith—
　　outthethresholdhecouldnottell。Hestoodwithheadboweddownuponhisbreast，tear—
　　lessandmotionless，utterlyoblivioustoevery—
　　thingsavethebierofhisbeloved。Hischargergrazedaboutforalongtimewherehehadlefthim，butatlastheendeavoredbyalowwhinnytoattracthismaster’sattention，andAntelopeawokefromhistranceofsorrow。
　　Thesunwasnowhoveringoverthewesternridges。Themourner’sthroatwasparched，andperspirationrolleddownhischeeks，yethewasconsciousofnothingbutastrongde—
　　siretolookuponhercalm，sweetfaceoncemore。
　　Hekindledasmallfirealittlewayoff，andburnedsomecedarberriesandsweet—smellinggrass。Thenhefumigatedhimselfthoroughlytodispelthehumanatmosphere，sothatthespiritmightnotbeoffendedbyhisapproach，forhegreatlydesiredtoobtainasignfromherspirit。Hehadremovedhisgarmentsandstoodupperfectlynudesaveforthebreech—
　　clout。Hislonghairwasunbraidedandhunguponhisshoulders，veilingtheupperhalfofhissplendidbody。Thusstanding，theloversangadirgeofhisownmaking。Thewordsweresomethinglikethis：
　　Ah，spirit，thyflightismysterious！
　　Whilethecloudsarestirredbyourwailing，Andourtearsfallfasterinsorrow——
　　Whilethecoldsweatofnightbenumbsus，Thougoestaloneonthyjourney，Inthemidstoftheshiningstarpeople！
　　Thougoestaloneonthyjourney——
　　Thymemoryshallbeourportion;
　　Untildeathwemustwatchforthespirit！
　　TheeyesofAntelopewereclosedwhilehechantedthedirge。Hesangitoverandover，pausingbetweenthelines，andstrainingasitwereeverysenselesthemightnotcatchtheraptwhisperofherspirit，butonlythedistanthowlsofcoyotesansweredhim。Hisbodybe—
　　camecoldandnumbfromsheerexhaustion，andatlasthiskneesbentunderhimandhesankdownupontheground，stillfacingtheteepee。Unconsciousnessovertookhim，andinhissleeportrancethevoicecame：
　　"Donotmournforme，myfriend！Comeintomyteepee，andeatofmyfood。"
　　ItseemedtoAntelopethathefalteredforamoment;thenheenteredtheteepee。Therewasacheerfulfireburninginthecenter。A
　　basinofbroiledbuffalomeatwasplacedoppo—
　　sitethecouchofTaluta，ontheothersideofthefire。Itsodorwasdelicioustohim，yethehesitatedtoeatofit。
　　"Fearnot，kechuwa（mydarling）！Itwillgiveyoustrength，"saidthevoice。
　　Themaidwasnaturalasinlife。Beautifullyattired，shesatuponherbed，andherde—
　　meanorwascheerfulandkind。
　　Theyoungmanateofthefoodinsilenceandwithoutlookingatthespirit。"Ho，ke—
　　chuwa！"hesaidtoherwhenreturningthedish，accordingtothecustomofhispeople。
　　Silentlythetwosatforsomeminutes，whiletheyouthgazedintotheburningembers。
　　"Beofgoodheart，"saidTaluta，atlast，"foryoushallmeetmytwinspirit！ShewillloveyouasIdo，andyouwillloveherasyouloveme。Thiswasourcovenantbeforewecameintothisworld。"
　　Theconceptionofa"twinspirit"wasfamil—
　　iartotheSioux。"Ho，"respondedthewar—
　　rior，withdignityandallseriousness。Hefeltagreataweforthespirit，anddarednotlifthiseyestoherface。
　　"Weepnomore，kechuwa，weepnomore，"
　　shesoftlyadded;andthenextmomentAnte—
　　lopefoundhimselfoutsidethemysterioustee—
　　pee。Hislimbswerestiffandcold，buthedidnotfeelfaintnorhungry。Havingfilledhispipe，heheldituptothespiritsandthenpar—
　　tookofthesmoke;andthusrevived，heslowlyandreluctantlyleftthesacredspot。
　　Themainwar—partyalsovisitedtheoldcampandsawthesolitaryteepeegrave，butdidnotlingerthere。Theycontinuedonthetrailofthecaravanuntiltheyreachedthenewcamp—
　　ingground。Theycalledthemselvessuccessful，althoughtheyhadleftseveraloftheirnumberonthefield。Theirtriumphsongsindicatedthis;thereforethepeoplehurriedtoreceivethenewsandtolearnwhoweretheunfor—
　　tunates。
　　ThefatherofAntelopewasforemostamongthosewhorantomeetthewar—party。Helearnedthathissonhaddistinguishedhimselfinthefight，andthathisnamewasnotmentionedamongthebravedead。
　　"Andwhere，then，ishe？"heasked，withunconcealedanxiety。
　　"Heleftusthreedaysagotocomeinad—
　　vance，"theyreplied。
　　"Buthehasnotarrived！"exclaimedoldWezee，inmuchagitation。
　　Hereturnedtohisteepee，whereheconsoledhimselfasbesthecouldbysmokingthepipeinsolitude。Hecouldneithersingpraisesnorindulgeinthedeathdirge，andnonecameineithertocongratulateormournwithhim。
　　Thesunhaddisappearedbehindthehills，andtheoldmanstillsatgazingintotheburn—
　　ingembers，whenheheardahorse’sfootfallatthedoorofhislodge。
　　"Ho，atay（father）！"camethewelcomecall。
　　"Mechinkshe！mechinkshe！"（myson，myson），herepliedinunrestrainedjoy。OldWe—
　　zeenowstoodonthethresholdandsangthepraisesongforhisson，endingwithawar—
　　whoopsuchashehadnotindulgedinsincehewasquiteayoungman。
　　Thecampwasoncemorealivewiththedances，andthedullthudoftheIndiandrumwascontinuallyintheair。ThecouncilhadagreedthatAntelopewasentitledtowearawar—bonnetofeagles’feathers。Hewasac—
　　cordinglysummonedbeforetheaboriginalpar—
　　liament，andfromthewisemenofthetribehereceivedhisdegreeofwar—bonnet。
　　Itwasapublicceremony。Thegreatpipewasheldupforhimtotakethesmokeofhighhonor。
　　ThehappiestpersonpresentwasthefatherofAntelope;buthehimselfremainedcalmandunmovedthroughouttheceremony。
　　"Heisastrangeperson，"wasthewhisperamongagroupofyouthswhowerewatchingtheproceedingswithenviouseyes。
　　Theyoungmanwasstrangelylistlessanddepressedinspirit。Hisoldgrandmotherknewwhy，butnoneoftheothersunderstood。Heneverjoinedinthevillagefestivities，whiletherestofhisfamilywereuntiringinthedances，andoldWezeewasattheheightofhishap—
　　piness。
　　ItwasacrispOctobermorning，andthefam—
　　ilywereeatingtheirbreakfastofbroiledbisonmeat，whenthelargedrumatthecouncillodgewasstruckthreetimes。Theoldmansetdownhiswoodenbasin。
　　"Ah，myson，thewar—chiefswillmakeanannouncement！Itmaybeacallfortheen—
　　listmentofwarriors！Iamsorry，"hesaid，andpaused。"Iamsorry，becauseIwouldrathernowar—partywentoutatpresent。Iamgettingold。Ihaveenjoyedyoursuccess，myson。Ilovetohearthepeoplespeakyourname。Ifyougoagainuponthewar—path，I
　　shallnolongerbeabletojoininthecelebra—
　　tions。Somethingtellsmethatyouwillnotre—
　　turn！"
　　Youngbraveswerealreadyontheirwaytothecouncillodge。Tatokalooked，andthetemptationwasgreat。
　　"Father，itisnotbecomingformetore—
　　mainathomewhenothersgo，"hesaid，atlast。
　　"Ho，"wastheassentutteredbythefather，withadeepsigh。
　　"Fivehundredbraveshaveenlistedtogowiththegreatwarprophetagainstthethreeconfederatedtribes，"heafterwardreportedathome，withanairofelationwhichhehadnotwornforsomemoons。
　　SinceAntelopehadreceivedthedegreeofwar—bonnet，hisfatherhadsparedneithertimenorhismeagermeansinhisbehalf。Hehadbarteredhismostcherishedpossessionsforsev—
　　eraleaglesthatwerebroughtinbyvarioushuntersofthecamp，andwithhisownhandshadmadeahandsomewar—bonnetforhisson。
　　"Youwillnowwearawar—bonnetforthefirsttime，andyouarethefirstofourfamilywhohasearnedtherighttowearoneformanygenerations。Iamproudofyou，myson，"hesaidashepresentedit。
　　Butwhentheyouthreplied："Ho，ho，father！Ioughttobeabravemaninrecog—
　　nitionofthishonor，"heagainsighedheavily。
　　"ItisthatIfeared，myson！Manyayoungmanhaslosthislifeforvanityandloveofdis—
　　play！"
　　Theeveningserenadesbeganearly，forthepartywastoleaveatonce。Ingroupsupontheirfavoriteponiesthewarriorsrodearoundtheinnercircleofthegreatcamp，singingtheirwar—songs。Allthepeoplecameoutofthetee—
　　pees，andsittingbytwosandthreesupontheground，bedeckedwithsavagefinery，theywatchedandlistened。Theprettywildmaid—
　　enshadthislastopportunitygiventhemtolookuponthefacesoftheirsweethearts，whomtheymightneverseeagain。Hereandthereanoldmanwassingingthegratitudesongorthank—offering，whileannouncingthefirstwar—
　　pathofanovice，forsuchanannouncementmeantthegivingofmanypresentstothepoorandaged。Sothecampwasfilledwithsongsofjoyandprideinthedepartinghusbands，brothers，andsons。
　　Assoonasdarknesssetinthesoundoftherudenativeflutewasaddedtothecelebration。
　　Thisisthelover’sfarewell。Theyoungbraves，wrappedfromheadtofootintheirfinestrobes，eachsoundedtheplaintivestrainsnearthetee—
　　peeofthebeloved。Theplayfulyodelingofmanyvoicesinchoruswasheardatthecloseofeachsong。
　　Atmidnightthearmyoffivehundred，thefloweroftheSioux，marchedagainsttheiran—
　　cientenemy。Antelopewasinthebestofspir—
　　its。Hehadhiswar—bonnettodisplaybeforetheenemy！Hewasnowregardedasoneoftheforemostwarriorsofhisband，andmightprobablybeaskedtoperformsomespeciallyhazardousduty，sothathewasfullypreparedtoearnfurtherdistinction。
　　InfivedaystheSiouxwereencampedwithinaday’stravelofthepermanentvillageoftheconfederatedtribes——theRees，Mandans，andGrosVentres。Thewar—chiefselectedtwomen，AntelopeandEaglechild，toscoutatnightinadvanceofthemainforce。Itwasthoughtthatmostofthehuntershadalreadyreturnedtotheirwinterquarters，andinthiscasetheSiouxwouldhavenomeanenemytoface。Ontheotherhand，abattlewaspromisedthatwouldenlargetheirimportanttraditions。
　　Thetwomadetheirwayasrapidlyaspos—
　　sibletowardtheancestralhomeoftheirene—
　　mies。Itwasanightperfectlysuitedtowhattheyhadtodo，forthemoonwasfull，thefleetingcloudshidingitfromtimetotimeandcastingdeceptiveshadows。
　　Whentheyhadcomewithinashortdistanceofthelodgesunperceived，theylayflatforalongtime，andstudiedthewaysoftheyoungmenineveryparticular，foritwasAntelope’splantoenterthegreatvillageandmingleboldlywithitsinhabitants。Eventheirhootsandlove—callswerecarefullynoted，sothattheymightbeabletoimitatethem。Therewereseveralentertainmentsinprogressindifferentpartsofthevillage，yetitwasapparentthatthegreatestvigilancewasobserved。Thelodgesofpolescoveredwithearthwerepartlyunderground，andatoneendthewar—horseswerestabled，asaprecautionagainstapossiblesurprise。
　　Atthemomentthatalargecloudfloatedoverthemoon，castingashadowlargeenoughtocovertheentirevillage，thedruminoneoftheprincipallodgeswasstruckinquicktime，accompaniedbyboisterouswar—whoopsandsinging。Thetwoscoutsadjustedtheirrobesabouttheminthefashionofthestrangers，andwalkedopenlyinthatdirection。
　　Theyglancedquicklyfromsidetosideastheyapproached，butnoonepaidanyattention，sotheycameupwithotheryoungmenandpeepedthroughthechinksintheearthwig—
　　wam。Itwasagreatgamblingparty。Amongtheguestswereseveraldistinguishedwarriors，andeachatanopportunetimewouldriseandrecounthisgreatdeedsinwarfareagainsttheSioux。Thestrangerscouldreadtheirgestures，andAntelopewasonceortwicealmostonthepointofstringinghisbowtosendanarrowthroughtheaudaciousspeaker。
　　Astheymovedaboutthevillage，takingnoteofitsnumbersandsituation，andwaitinganopportunitytowithdrawwithoutexcitingsus—
　　picion，theyobservedsomeoftheyoungerbravesstandingnearanotherlargewigwam，andoneortwoevenpeepedwithin。Movedbysuddencuriosity，Antelopefollowedtheirex—
　　ample。Heutteredalowexclamationandatoncewithdrew。
　　"Whatisit？"askedhiscompanion，butreceivednoanswer。
　　Itwasevidentlythehomeofachief。Thefamilywereseatedwithinattheirusualoccu—
　　pations，andthebrightlightofthecentralfireshonefulluponthefaceofamostlovelymaiden。
　　Antelopestoodapparentlymotionless，buthewastremblingunderhisrobelikealeaf。
　　"Come，friend，thereisanotherlargecloudalmostoverthemoon！Wemustmoveawayunderitsconcealingshadow，"urgedEagle—
　　child。
　　theotherstoodstillasifundecided，butatlastheapproachedthelodgeandlookedinasecondtime。Theresathissweetheartinhumanformoncemore！Themaidenwasat—
　　tiredinadoeskingownsetwithelk’steethlikeivory。Hereyeswerecastdowndemurelyoverherembroidery，butineveryfeatureshewasthelivingcounterpartofTaluta！
　　Atlastthetwogotawayunobserved，andhastenedtowardtheplacewheretheyhadcon—
　　cealedtheirhorses。ButhereAntelopesenthiscompaniononinadvance，makingtheex—
　　cusethathewishedtostudyfurtherthebestpositionfromwhichtomaketheattack。
　　Whenhewasleftalonehestoodstillforamomenttodecideuponaplan。HecouldthinkofnothingbutthathemustmeettheReemaidenbeforedaylight！Herealizedtheextremehazardoftheattempt，buthealsorecalledwhathehadbeentoldbythespiritofTaluta，andthesupernaturalcommandseemedtojus—
　　tifyhimeveningoingthusupontheeveofbattletomeettheenemyofhispeople。
　　Heskirtedtheheavytimberandretracedhisstepstoapointfromwhichhecouldseethevillage。Thedrumofthegamblingpartyhadceasedwiththeshoutsandlaughteroftheplayers。Apparentlythevillagewaslostinslumber。Themoonhadset，andwithoutpausingheadvancedtothehomeofthegirl。
　　Ashecamenearsomedogsbegantobark，buthesilencedthemafterthemanneroftheRees，andtheyobeyedhim。
　　WhenAntelopesoftlyraisedtherobethathungovertheentrancetothechief’slodge，hesawthefiresmolderinginthecenter，andthemembersofthehouseholdlyingintheirrespectiveplaces，allseeminglyinadeepsleep。
　　Thegirllayoppositetheentrance，wherehehadseenherseatedintheearlypartoftheevening。
　　TheheartoftheSiouxbeatviolently，andheglancednervouslytoleftandright。Therewasneithersoundnormovement。Thenhepulledhisrobecompletelyoverhishead，afterthefashionofaReelover，andsoftlyenteredthewigwam。
　　TheReemaiden，havingindustriouslyworkedonherembroideryuntilfarintothenight，hadretiredtorest。Inherdreams，thetwinsistercametoherofwhomshehadhadvisionseversinceshecouldremember，andes—
　　peciallywhensomethingofimportancewasabouttohappen。
　　Thistimeshecamewithahandsomeyoungmanofanothertribe，andsaid："Sister，I
　　bringyouaSioux，whowillbeyourhusband！"
　　Thedreameropenedhereyestobeholdayouthbendingoverherandgentlypullingherrobe，asasuitorispermittedtodotoawakenhisbeloved。
　　Whenhesawthatshewasawake，theSiouxtouchedhisbreast，sayinginawhisper，"Ta—
　　toka，"andmadethesignforAntelope。ThispleasedtheReegirl，forherownbrother，whohaddiedtheyearbefore，hadbornethatname。
　　Sheimmediatelysatupandstirredtheembersintoalightblaze。Thenshetookholdofhisblanketanddrewitfromhisface;andtheresheseemedtoseetheveryfeaturesofthemanofhervision！
　　Hetookherhandinhis，andshefelttheforceoflovestreamthroughhislong，nervousfingers，andinstinctivelyknewhisthoughts。InherturnshetouchedherbreastandmadethesignforShield，pronouncinginherowntonguetheword，Stasu。Thisseemedtohimalsoanameofgoodomen，andinthesignlanguagewhichwascommontoallthepeopleoftheplains，heaskedhertobehiswife。
　　Vividlyherdreamcamebacktoher，andshecouldnotrefusethestranger。Hersoulalreadyrespondedtohis;andforafewmin—
　　utestheysatsilentlysidebyside。Whenhearoseandbeckoned，"Comewithme，"shehadnoquestiontomake，andwithoutawordshefollowedhimfromherfather’slodgeandoutintotheforest。
　　Inthemidstofhisascendingfame，atamo—
　　mentwhenopportunityseemedtofavorhisam—
　　bition，thebraveAntelopehadmysteriouslydisappeared！Hiscompanionscoutreturnedwithafavorablereport。Hesaidthatthemenofthethreeconfederatedtribesweregamblingandfeasting，whollyunconsciousofdanger，andthatAntelopewouldfollowhimwithafurtherreportuponthebestpointofattack。
　　Theredwarriorsimpatientlyawaitedhisre—
　　turn，untilitbecameapparentthattheycouldwaitnolongerwithoutsacrificingtheirchanceofsuccess。Whentheattackwasmadeitwasalreadyratherlate。Thesunhadfairlyclearedtheeasternhills，andmostofthemenwereout—
　　sidetheirlodges。
　　Itwasagreatbattle！AgainandagaintheSiouxwererepulsed，butasoftentheyralliedandrepeatedthechargeuntilsundown，whentheyeffectedtheirretreatwithconsiderableloss。
　　HadAntelopereturnedindueseason，thechargewouldhavebeenmadebeforedawn，whilethepeoplewereyetasleep。
　　Whenthebattlewasover，theRees，Man—
　　dans，andGrosVentresgatheredtheirdeadandwounded。Thenightwasfilledwithmourning。
　　SoonthesadnewswasheraldedthroughoutthecampthatthebeautifuldaughteroftheReechiefwasamongthemissing。Itwassup—
　　posedthatshemusthavebeencapturedwhiledrivingherponiestowaterintheearlymorn—
　　ing。Thegriefforherlosswasmingledwithhorror，becauseofafearthatshemightsuf—
　　ferhumiliationatthehandsoftheSiouxwar—
　　riors，andamongtheyoungmenthereweremut—
　　teredthreatsthattheSiouxwouldpaydearlyforthis。
　　Thoughpartiallysuccessful，theSiouxhadlostmanyoftheirbravestwarriors，andnonecouldtellwhathadhappenedtoAntelope——hewhohadbeenbelievedthefavoriteofthegodsofwar。Itwassuggestedbysomeenviousonesthatperhapshehadrecognizedthestronglyentrenchedpositionofthethreetribes，andbe—
　　lievingthebattlewouldbeadisastrousone，hadsetoutforhomewithoutmakinghisre—
　　port。Butthissuppositionwasnotdeemedcredible。Ontheotherhand，theideawasen—
　　tertainedthathehadreenteredthevillage，wasdetectedandslain;andthereforetheenemywasonthelookoutwhentheattackwasmade。
　　"Hay，hay，hay，mechinkshe（Alas，alas，myson）！"wasthesorrowfulcrywithwhichhisoldfatherreceivedthenews。Hisheadfelluponhisbreast，andalltheothersgroanedinsympathy。
　　Thesunsetskywasablanketofbeautifulpainting。Therewerecamp—firesamongthecloudsinorangeandscarlet，whilesomewereblackasnight。Sothecampfairlyglowedincelebrationofitsheroes;yettherewasdeepgriefinmanyfamilies。Whentheeveningmealhadbeeneatenandthepeopleweresittingout—
　　sidetheirlodges，atalloldman，almostnude，appearedinthecircle，ridingafinehorse。
　　Hehadblackenedhisface，hishairwascutshort，andthehorsealsohadbeendeprivedofhisflowingmaneandtail。Bothwereindeepmourning，afterthefashionoftheSioux。
　　"Hoho！"exclaimedmanywarriorsashepassedthem，singinginahoarse，gutturalvoice。
　　"Ugh，hesingsawar—song！"remarkedone。
　　"Yes，Iamtoldthathewillfindhisson’sbones，orleavehisowninthecountryoftheenemy！"
　　Therainhadfallenincessantlyfortwodays。
　　ThefleeinglovershadreachedthislonelymountainvalleyoftheBigHornregiononthenightthatthecoldfallrainssetin，andAnte—
　　lopehadhurriedlyconstructedanarborhouseorrudeshelterofpineandcedarboughs。
　　Itwasenough。Theretheysat，manandwife，intheirfirsthomeoflivinggreen！Thecheerfulfirewasburninginthecenter，andthehappysmokewentstraightupamongthetallpines。Therewasnohumaneyetogazeuponthemtoembarrass——notevenacommonlan—
　　guageinwhichtoexpresstheirloveforoneanother。
　　Theirmarriage，theybelieved，wasmadebyaspirit，anditwasholyintheirminds。Eachhadcastawayhispeopleandhisallforthesakeofthisemotionwhichhadsuddenlyover—
　　takenthembothwithoverwhelmingforce，andthewarrior’sambitionhaddisappearedbeforeitlikeamorningmistbeforethesun。
　　Tothemanewlifewasjustbeginning，andtheyhadallbutforgottentheexistenceofanyworldsavethis。Theyoungbridewasen—
　　shrinedinabowerofspicyfragrance，andherfaceshonewheneverhereyesmetthoseofherhusband。
　　"ThisisasIwouldhaveit，kechuwa（dar—
　　ling）！"exclaimedtheSiouxinhisownlan—
　　guage。Shesimplyrespondedwithachildlikesmile。Althoughshedidnotunderstandhiswords，shereadinthetonesofhisvoiceonlyhappyandlovingthoughts。
　　TheReegirlhadpreparedabroiledbisonsteak，andherhusbandwaskeepingthefirewellfedwithdryfagots。Theodorofthebumingfatwasdelicious，andthegentlepatteroftherainmadeaweirdmusicoutsidetheirwigwam。
　　Assoonasherhusbandhadleftheralone——forhemustgotowatertheponiesandcon—
　　cealthematadistance——Stasucameouttocollectmorewood。Instinctivelyshelookedallabouther。Hugemountainstoweredskyward，cladinpines。Thenarrowvalleyinwhichshewaswounditswaybetweenthem，andoneverysidetherewasheavyforest。
　　Shestoodsilentandawed，scarcelyabletorealizethatshehadbegunhernewlifeabso—
　　lutelyalone，withnootherwomantoadviseorcongratulateher，andvisitedonlybythebirdsoftheair。YetalltheworldtoherjustnowwasAntelope！Nootherwomancouldsmileonhim。Hecouldnottalktoanyonebuther。Theeveningdrumatthecouncillodgecouldnotsummonhimawayfromher，andshewaswellcontent。
　　Whentheyoungwifehaddoneeverythingshecouldthinkofinpreparationforherhus—
　　band’sreturn，includingthemakingofseveralbirch—barkbasinsandpailsforwater，therainhadquiteceased，soshespreadherrobejustoutsidethelodgeandtookupherwork—bag，inwhichshehadseveralpairsofmoccasin—topsalreadybeaded。
　　Whileshebentoverherwork，gettingupfromtimetotimetoturntheroastwhichshehadimpaleduponasharpstickabovetheglowingcoals，thebridehadastreamofshycallers，ofthelittlepeopleofthewoods。Shesatverystill，soasnottostartlethem，andthereismuchcuriosityamongthesepeoplecon—
　　cerningastranger。
　　Presentlyshewasstartledbyafootfallnotunlikethatofaman。Shehadnotbeenmar—
　　riedlongenoughtoknowthesoundofherhusband’sstep，andshefeltathrillofjoyandfearalternately。Itmightbehe，anditmightbeastranger！Shewasloathtolookup，butatlastgaveafurtiveglance，andmetsquarelytheeyesofalargegrizzlybear，whowasseateduponhishaunchesnotfaraway。
　　Stasuwassurprised，butsheshowednofear;
　　andfearlessnessisthebestshieldagainstwildanimals。Inamomentshegotupunconcern—
　　edly，andthrewalargepieceofmeattothestranger。
　　"Takeofmyweddingfeast，OgreatBear！"
　　sheaddressedhim，"andbegoodtometoblessmyfirstteepee！ObekindandrecognizemybraveactintakingformyhusbandoneofthewarriorsoftheSioux，theancientenemyofmypeople！Ihaveacceptedahusbandofalan—
　　guageotherthanmine，andamcometoliveamongyouasyourneighbor。Iofferyoumyfriendship！"
　　Thebear’sonlyanswertoherprayerwasalowgrowl，buthavingeatenthemeat，heturnedandclumsilydeparted。
　　InthemeantimeAntelopehadsethimselftomasterthegeographyofthatregion，tostudytheoutlookforgame，andascertainthebestapproachestotheirsecrethome。Itwasalreadysettledinhismindthathecouldneverreturneithertohiswife’speopleortohisown。
　　Hisfellow—warriorswouldnotforgivehisde—
　　sertion，andtheReescouldnotbeexpectedtowelcomeasakinsmanoneoftheforemostoftheirancientfoes。Therewasnothingtobedonebuttoremaininseclusion，andletthemsaywhattheywouldofhim！
　　HehadlovedtheReemaidenfromthefirstmomenthebeheldherbythelightoftheblaz—
　　ingembers，andthatlovemustsatisfyhim。Itwaswellthathehadnevercaredmuchforcompany，buthadspentmanyofhisyoungdaysinsolitudeandfasting。Itdidnotseematallstrangetohimthathehadbeenforcedtore—
　　treatintoanunknownandwildcountrywithawomanwhomhesawintheeveningforthefirsttime，andfledwithashisownwifebeforesunrise！
　　Bytheafternoonhehadthoroughlyin—
　　formedhimselfuponthenatureofthesur—
　　roundingcountry。Everythingonthefaceofthemapwassurveyedandchartedinhismind，inaccordancewithhishabitsandtraining。