FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87  
88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   >>   >|  
when it rested on an Indian village that lay a dozen miles to the northeast. Adjusting the spyglass he carefully studied the collection of tepees, which numbered about a hundred, scattered over several acres. At the rear stretched a forest, and in front flowed a large, winding stream that eventually found its outlet in some of the tributaries of the Missouri. The question with the Shawanoe was whether or not this was the village he was seeking. Since he had never seen it before, and since it was the custom of all Indian tribes to locate near running water, he could not make certain on that point from the description given by Mul-tal-la. The glass was an excellent one, and through its aid he could discern the figures of people moving aimlessly hither and thither. He saw two men enter a canoe, formed from a hollowed log, and paddle to the other side of the stream, where they stepped out and advanced into a rocky wood. He thought one of these warriors carried a gun and the other a bow, but could not assure himself on that point. At the rear of the village, in a large open space, fully a score of boys and girls were playing with as much vigor as if they were civilized. They seemed to have a ball that was knocked to and fro and chased by the happy contestants, who often tumbled over one another and again were piled up like so many foot-ball players. Knowing he might gaze and speculate for hours without gaining any certain knowledge, Deerfoot was about to lower his instrument when he observed three horsemen emerging from the settlement and riding in Indian file toward him. He decided to go forward and meet them, for they could give the information he was so anxious to obtain. Within the following hour the Shawanoe, riding Whirlwind, came face to face with the horsemen, whom he recognized from their dress and general appearance as Blackfeet. He saluted and addressed them in their own tongue, causing manifest surprise. They replied to his signs and expressions of good-will and checked their animals to hear what he had to say. Let us interpret the conversation with more than usual freedom. "Do my brothers belong to the Blackfoot tribe of red men?" asked Deerfoot. "We are of that tribe," replied the one who acted as leader. "I come from the Shawanoes, who live a long way toward the rising sun." "Why does the Shawanoe travel so far from the lodges of his people?" "I am seeking friends who are with the Blackfeet
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87  
88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
Shawanoe
 

village

 

Indian

 
seeking
 

horsemen

 
riding
 

Deerfoot

 

people

 

Blackfeet

 

replied


stream

 
rising
 

settlement

 

emerging

 

observed

 

forward

 

Shawanoes

 

information

 

decided

 
instrument

knowledge

 

players

 
Knowing
 

friends

 

speculate

 

anxious

 

gaining

 
lodges
 

travel

 
Whirlwind

animals

 

checked

 

expressions

 

brothers

 
freedom
 

belong

 

Blackfoot

 
interpret
 

conversation

 

recognized


leader

 
Within
 

general

 

appearance

 

causing

 

manifest

 

surprise

 

tongue

 

saluted

 

addressed