CHAPTER SEVEN
TALLY AND OMNEY ENTERTAIN
While seeking for a likely spot where they could pitch camp thatnight, Mr. Vernon saw smoke ascending from the pines a short distanceaway. Fearing lest a fire had started in some way, Mr. Gilroy and hequickly 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 thetwo geologists had not met since their trip in the mountains manyyears before. So both parties soon joined camps and enjoyed themselvesimmensely.
After supper that night, the girl scouts heard of many wonderfulexperiences these friends had shared--the jaunts and jeopardies thatalways provide such thrilling stories after they are over. Finally Mr.Lewis remarked, "I came here this summer to hunt out a few of thoseglacial specimens we missed the last time, Gilroy."
"Now, that's strange, Lewis, because that is why I am here. Dr. Haydenmentions some in his latest book, and Tyndall Glacier is the onlyplace 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 forspecimens as you or I ever were. So we'll share fifty-fifty if we canfind anything worthwhile."
"And the ladies?" added Mr. Lewis.
"As they are tried and trusty scouts, they are fit for any trial ofcourage or endurance--is that enough?"
"That's a splendid recommendation for any one, Gilroy, but have youtold them that exploring these glaciers is not as easy as sittingbeside 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 wewander about in our hunting. The guides can plan the girls' recreationfor the time we are absent. Now, how does that strike every one?" saidMr. Gilroy.
Of course, every one agreed that the plan was great, so they rodeforward in the morning, bound for the district around Tyndall Glacier.When they found a place that would make a comfortable camp for thetime, 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 standingthat natural tentpoles were readymade. The rain would drain from allsides 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 peakof Tyndall Glacier.
Mr. Lewis's guide, whose baptismal name was as difficult to pronounceas Tally's, was called Omney,--that being a good imitation of what itreally was. Julie, who was always doing something funny, named him"Hominy."
As soon as the campsite had been decided upon, the two guides told thescouts to clear away all excrescences from the ground. This meant theyhad to take axes and cut out all brush and roots that would interferewith comfortable walking about. Then the girls said the place was asclean as a whistle, and Tally went over it carefully. But it wasamazing how many "stick-up" obstacles he found, where everything hadseemed so smooth.
While Tally was doing this, Omney supervised the cooking of supper,and soon various savory odors greeted the nostrils of the hungryscouts. Every one was ready to eat when Omney announced that it wasready, and then there was a period of silence for a time.
Supper was over with the sunset, and the long purpling shadows of themountains crept up while the guides placed fresh fuel on the fire andsat down to smoke their pipes. The Rocky Mountain wilderness, untamedas yet, closed in about the group that sat around the fire, whilecertain unfamiliar sounds of wildlife in the forest reached the earsof the scouts; but they cared not for prowling creatures there andthen, because the campfire provided ample protection.
The two Indians, not having seen each other since their masters' lasttrip, were in high feather; and when Mr. Gilroy suggested that theyentertain the party, they quickly responded. Omney first chanted histribe's Medicine Song; but before he sang he made obeisance to thefour winds of heaven,--the North, East, South, and West,--that neitherwind should forget Him who held them in the palms of His hands. Hethen explained that this honor and the song to follow were the openingforms to their daily worship of the Great Spirit.
He began in a deep-toned rhythmical chant, and he proceeded with thesyncopated melody, now and then sifting in some queer sounds that_may_ have been words, while he kept time with hands and feet. Finallythis motion seemed to become an obsession, and he accompanied hissudden cries and exclamations with muscular actions and twists of hissupple limbs. When he reached this point in the Medicine Song, Tallycaught up a pan, and with muffled sticks beat time to the singing.
After a period of this weird performance, Omney began to circle thefire; Tally springing up, followed him in the dance. Their bodiesdoubled, turned, and twisted about, as if controlled by galvanicbatteries. Their sharp ejaculations and hisses, interspersed in thesinging, gave a colorful effect impossible to describe.
Suddenly, as if arrested by a shock, both Indians stood erect andperfectly still. They turned as if on pivots to glance upward, andsaluted the four winds of heaven; then walked slowly over and satdown. Their performance was ended.
The encore they received was acknowledged with dignified smiles, butOmney 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 wrappedit about his erect form. He walked to the center of the camp circleand made a graceful acknowledgment for both entertainers; then hebegan to speak in a softly modulated voice, and with gestures thatwould have created envy in the best elocutionist, fascinating to anyone who knew him as the quiet and unobtrusive guide.
"Brothers, I tell you the tale of the Blackfeet Tribe, how Thunder wonhis bride, and lost her again.
"In the long ago, when the Sky-People used to visit the Earth-Folkfrequently, to demand pelts and other good things from the EarthChildren in return for sparing their camps from the destructivelightnings and floods, three young maidens went to the woods to digherbs.
"One of these three was the loveliest maiden to be found for many aleague, and many a Brave had tried to win her affections. But she wasfond only of her old father, Lame Bull.
"While Mink Maiden and her two companions were placing their herbs inbundles to carry back to camp, a dark thundercloud swept over theplace, and passed on. However, it seemed as if venting its fury on thecamp 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 maydesire.'
"Thunder laughed, for that was exactly what he had hoped for. Heinstantly withdrew his storm from over the terrified village, and cameclose to the maiden who had made the rash promise.
"'I shall come for you soon, Mink Maiden, to ask you to keep yourword.' With these words, Thunder flew away to the sky and disappearedthrough a hole.
"Soon again, the three maidens went to the woods for herbs and whiletwo of them stopped to dig some roots, Mink Maiden went on alone. Shesaw a plant, rare and greatly desired by Lame Bull, and she pushed away through the bushes to dig up the root. But when she reached thespot where it had been, she saw nothing.
"Suddenly, without sound or other sign, a handsome young chief stoodwhere the plant had been. Mink Maiden was surprised, but when hespoke, saying, 'I am waiting for you to be my bride--will you come withme?' 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 amtheir Chief.' As he spoke he held forth his hands, and Mink Maidenplace
d her own confidently within his.
"He enfolded her closely in his cloak of winds, and springing up fromthe ground, carried her through the hole in the sky.
"When the two companions of Mink Maiden sought for her, she was not tobe found anywhere. They ran to Lame Bull's lodge to tell him of herdisappearance, and the entire village turned out to seek her.Everywhere they sought her, for she was beloved by young and oldalike, but she was not found nor did they hear what had happened toher.
"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 hadlearned where she was.
"After telling Lame Bull how he loved his daughter, and that he hadpower to find her, the old father promised that should Crow Man butfind where she was, he should have Mink Maiden for a wife when shereturned home.
"Crow Man then caught a blackbird and poured oil of black magic on histail feathers. The bird was sent up into the sky to find if the lostmaiden could be enticed to come back home. After several days theblackbird returned to Crow Man.
"'I could not fly through the hole in the sky, as the people have beenordered to close it with a great plant-root. But I sat on the underpart of the roots and heard what was said. And this is it:
"'Thunder Chief carried Mink Maiden away to be his wife. He commandedthat the hole be sealed, that his bride might not see through it andbe tempted to return to her home. I heard say that she is very happywith Thunder Chief, and never thinks of those she left on earth.'
"'Very good, Blackbird, and for this news your tail feathers shallalways shine as if with oil. But your curiosity and love for gossipmust remain part of your weaknesses,' said Crow Man.
"He then went to Lame Bull and told all that he had learned throughthe blackbird. Then the villagers began to mourn Mink Maiden as onelost to them, for they never expected to see her again. But Crow Mandetermined to use every art in his power until she should come back.
"Time went by and the maiden was contented with Thunder Chief, andnever remembered her earth people, for the root choked up the hole inthe sky where memory might slip through.
"But one day she saw some people bring home herbs and roots which theyhad dug for the Chief. Mink Maiden asked them where they found them asshe, too, wished to dig some. They told her where to go for them, andwith basket on her arm she went forth.
"It happened that it was the summertime, when Thunder Chief had to beaway many times, fighting the earth people with storms, so shewandered away alone from the lodge where she lived with her husband.
"She sought eagerly for the plant she wanted, until she finally cameto the great root that blocked the hole in the sky. This she thoughtmust be the place where the other women dug, and she forthwith beganto dig also. When she had dug deeply, she pulled on the root, and upit 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 ablackbird flew quite near the hole, and said, 'Mink Maiden, yourfather 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 belovedwife in tears. She cried that she wished to visit her own people onearth. And so, after useless pleadings with her, the husband agreed totake her home for a visit.
"Accordingly, he flew with her to Lame Bull's lodge and left her tovisit her father. She looked well and comely, and the old Chief wasoverjoyed to see his child again. When she told how happy she was withThunder Chief, the father sighed.
"'I had hoped you would choose to live on earth where I could visityou. 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, andasked Lame Bull to forgive him for carrying away his only child. ThenLame Bull said, 'Allow her to remain yet a short time.'
"Thunder Chief presented his father-in-law with a Medicine pipe, andtaught him to sing the Sky Song that would always protect his tribefrom storms and destruction from lightning. Then he turned to his wifeand 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 severaldays, waiting for her husband to come. But there had been a dreadfulcommotion in the sky the day after he flew away from the village, andthe people said they had never seen such blinding lights and suchterrific rumbles, so the wife knew her husband was having a greatbattle with some one.
"The cause was, Crow Man had fought with Thunder Chief, although MinkMaiden never knew that. Crow Man was subdued for that time, but in thefall he sent the blackbird northward to call out all the Arctic forcesto come and help keep Thunder Chief from coming to earth to carry backhis wife. And so they did.
"Crow Man called often at Lame Bull's lodge and all through thewinter, when Mink Maiden sighed because her husband came not, Crow Manfelt happy and tried to make her believe Thunder Chief had forgottenher.
"Then spring came on, and Mink Maiden wondered still more because sheheard nothing of her husband, nor came he to the lodge. Crow Man urgedhis 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 andwaited; but not a word heard she from the Sky People, nor did ThunderChief come for her, although she was told that he had been heard of inother parts of the country, so it was learned that he was alive andactive. Strange to say, neither Mink Maiden nor Lame Bull rememberedthe Medicine that had been given the old Chief, to keep away allstorms from the tribe. This had proved so effectual that Thunder Chiefcould not communicate with his wife because of it, and she never wentbeyond the village limits, where he might have met her.
"That winter Crow Man urged his love again, and begged Mink Maiden tomarry him, so she finally sighed and said:
"'I am Thunder Chief's wife, but if he does not come to claim me inanother year, I will go with you.'
"Crow Man was overjoyed at hearing this, and he worked very hard tokeep away all reports of Thunder Chief from the village. Then, as MinkMaiden waited hopelessly for the return of her husband, the yearrolled 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 NorthForces, and when they came in obedience to his order, he told themwhat they must do.
"Then he asked Mink Maiden to walk with him through the lovely woods adistance from the village. And as they walked, the wife saw ThunderChief approach with outstretched arms and call to her in a yearningvoice. 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 lodgewhere my own Medicine that I gave your father, kept me away.'
"Thunder Chief hurried forward, but the Arctic Forces ran out fromtheir hiding-places and fell upon Thunder Chief, just as he waswaiting to enfold his beloved in his cloak. With their cold icy blastsand whirling snow and sleet, they overpowered poor Thunder Chief. Inspite of his roaring and sharp lightnings, his power was frozen intosharp points. And that is how icicles came to be upon all Nature'strees and bushes when the North Forces scatter broadcast the power ofthe Sky Forces.
"Mink Maiden saw her beloved turned to ice before her eyes, and shewent away, weeping, to her home with Lame Bull. And Crow Man besoughther in vain to return to his lodge. She would not, and that is why theCrow always calls, 'Come, come, come!'
"And every year when the time returns that Thunder Chief came for hisbride and the North Forces overpowered him, you will see Mink Maidencome from the woods, weeping over h
er lost love."
When Tally concluded this legend, the scouts called for another, butMr. Gilroy mentioned that the three men planned to get an early startfor the glacier fields and it was time to retire. So the two guidesprepared 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 inthe woods and not grow weary. In fact, the way all the wild creatureswalk, whether they run or creep, without making a sound that willattract attention to them."
"No one ever gave it a thought, Lewis," admitted Mr. Gilroy. "Now thatyou 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 gaitof 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, asmost people do. Plant your feet with more weight coming upon the soleinstead of on the heel of the foot. Always turn your toes straightforward, and take your steps, one foot directly in front of the otherso that the track you leave will look like a one-footed man walking achalk-line.
"Once you have acquired this gait, you will wonder that you everwalked in any other manner. You can walk a narrow ledge, or stick toany foothold that a living creature can go on, without slipping fromlack of room for your feet.
"But the greatest benefit such a walk is for one in the forests, isthat you can proceed without making any noise. You will not be soakedwith the dew that remains on leaves or undergrowth; and after you havetaken a long hike you will feel fresh, and have enough energy to starton another trip."
The scouts practiced that night, and had many a good laugh at theawkward steps they took when first trying the Indian gait. But theyfinally acquired it, and with daily practice in the woods, they soonwalked as well as Mr. Lewis himself.
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