XXVII
THE RIVAL TRIBE
The winning back of the farm, according to Sanger custom must becelebrated in a "sociable" that took the particular form of a grandhouse-warming, in which the Raftens, Burnses and Boyles were fullyrepresented, as Char-less was Caleb's fast friend. The Injun bandwas very prominent, for Caleb saw that it was entirely owing to themeetings at the camp that the glad event had come about.
Caleb acted as go-between for Char-less Boyle and William Raften,and their feud was forgotten--for the time at least--as they relatedstories of their early hunting days, to the delight of Yan and theTribe. There were four other boys there whom Little Beaver met for thefirst time. They were Wesley Boyle, a dark-skinned, low-browed, activeboy of Sam's age; his brother Peter, about twelve, fair, fat andfreckled, and with a marvellous squint; and their cousin Char-lessBoyle, Jr., good-natured, giggly, and of spongy character; also CyrusDigby, a smart city boy, who was visiting "the folks," and who usuallyappeared in white cuffs and very high stand-up collar. These boys weregreatly interested in the Sanger Indian camp, and one outcome of themeeting at Caleb's was the formation of another Tribe of Indians,composed of the three Boyle boys and their town friend.
Since most of these were Boyles and the hunting-ground was the Boyleswoods about that marshy pond, and especially because they had read ofa band of Indians named Boilers or Stoneboilers (Assineboines), theycalled themselves the "Boilers." Wesley was the natural leader. He wasalert as well as strong, and eager to do things, so made a fine Chief.His hooked nose and black hair and eyes won for him the appropriatename of "Blackhawk." The city boy being a noisy "show-off," who didlittle work, was called "Bluejay" Peter Boyle was "Peetweet," andChar-less, from his peculiar snickering and showing two large frontteeth, was called "Red-squirrel."
They made their camp as much as possible like that of the Sangers, andadopted their customs; but a deadly rivalry sprang up between themfrom the first. The Sangers felt that they were old and experiencedWoodcrafters. The Boilers thought they knew as much and more, and theyoutnumbered the Sangers. Active rivalry led to open hostilities. Therewas a general battle with fists and mud; that proved a draw. Then aduel between leaders was arranged, and Blackhawk won the fight andthe Woodpecker's scalp. The Boilers were wild with enthusiasm. Theyproposed to take the whole Sanger camp, but in a hand-to-hand fightof both tribes it was another draw. Guy, however, scored a glorioustriumph over Char-less and secured his scalp at the moment of victory.
Now Little Beaver sent a challenge to Blackhawk. It was scornfullyaccepted. Again the Boiler Chief was victor and won another scalp,while Little Beaver got a black eye and a bad licking, but the enemyretired.
Yan had always been considered a timid boy at Bonnerton, but that waslargely the result of his repressive home training. Sanger was workinggreat changes. To be treated with respect by the head of the house wasa new and delightful experience. It developed his self-respect. Hiswood life was making him wonderfully self-reliant, and improved healthhelped his courage, so next day, when the enemy appeared in fullforce, every one was surprised when Yan again challenged Blackhawk. Itreally cost him a desperate and mighty effort to do so, for it is onething to challenge a boy that you think you can "lick" and another tochallenge one the very day after he has licked you. Indeed, if thetruth were known, Yan did it in fear and trembling, and therein laythe courage--in going ahead when fear said "Go back."
It is quite certain that a year before he would not have ventured insuch a fight, and he only did it now because he had realized thatBlackhawk was left-handed, and a plan to turn this to account hadsuggested itself. Every one was much surprised at the challenge,but much more so when, to the joy of his tribe, Little Beaver won abrilliant victory.
Inspired by this, they drove the Boilers from the field, scored agrand triumph, and Sam and Yan each captured a scalp.
The Sangers held a Council and scalp-dance in celebration that nightaround an outdoor fire. The Medicine Man was sent for to be in it.
After the dance, Chief Beaver, his face painted to hide his blackeye, made a speech. He claimed that the Boilers would surely look forreinforcements and attempt a new attack, and that, therefore, theSangers should try to add to their number, too.
"I kin lick Char-less any time," piped in Guy proudly, and swung thescalp he had won.
But the Medicine Man said: "If I were you boys I'd fix up a peace. Nowyou've won you ought to ask them to a big pow-wow."
These were the events that led to the friendly meeting of the twoTribes in full war-paint.
Chief Woodpecker first addressed them: "Say, fellers--Brother Chiefs,I mean--this yere quar'lin' don't pay. We kin have more fun workingtogether. Let's be friends an' join in one Tribe. There's more funwhen there's a crowd."
"All right," said Blackhawk; "but we'll call the tribe the 'Boilers,'coz we have the majority, and leave me Head Chief."
"You are wrong about that. Our Medicine Men makes us even numberand more than even weight. We've got the best camp--have theswimming-pond, and we are the oldest Tribe, not to speak of thesuccess we had in a certain leetle business not long ago which theyoungest of us kin remember," and Guy grinned in appreciation of thisevident reference to his exploit.
As a matter of fact, it was the swimming-pond that turned the day. TheBoilers voted to join the Sangers. Their holiday was only ten days,the Sangers had got a week's extension, and all knew that they couldget most out of their time by going to the pond camp. The question ofa name was decided by Little Beaver.
"Boiler Warriors," said he, "it is the custom of the Indians to havethe Tribes divided in clans. We are the Sanger clan. You are theBoiler clan. But as we all live in Sanger we are all Sanger Indians."
"Who's to be Head Chief?"
Blackhawk had no notion of submitting to Woodpecker, whom he hadlicked, nor would Woodpecker accept a Chief of the inferior tribe.One suggested that Little Beaver be Chief, but out of loyalty to hisfriend, the Woodpecker, Yan declined.
"Better leave that for a few days till you get acquainted," was theMedicine Man's wise suggestion.
That day and the next were spent in camp. The Boilers had their teepeeto make and beds to prepare. The Sangers merrily helped, making a"bee" of it.
Bow and arrow making were next to do. Little Beaver had not fullyreplaced his own destroyed by the robber. A hunt of the Burlap Deerwas a pleasant variation of the second day, though there were but twobows for all, and the Boilers began to realize that they were reallyfar behind the Sangers in knowledge of Woodcraft.
At swimming Blackhawk was easily first. Of course, this greatlyincreased his general interest in the swimming-pond, and he chieflywas responsible for the making of a canoe later on.
The days went on right merrily--oh, so fast! Little Beaver showed allthe things of interest in his kingdom. How happy he was in showingthem--playing experienced guide as he used to dream it! Peetweet tooka keen interest; so did the city boy. Char-less took a little interestin it all, helped a little, was generally a little in everything, andgiggled a good deal. Hawkeye was disposed to bully Char-less, since hefound him quite lickable. His tone was high and haughty when he spoketo him--not at all like his whining when addressing the others. Hevolunteered to discipline Char-less if he should ill-treat any of theothers, and was about to administer grievous personal punishment forsome trifling offense, when Blackhawk gave him a warning that had goodeffect.
Yan's note-book was fully discussed and his drawings greatly admired.He set to work at once with friendly enthusiasm to paint the Boilers'teepee. Not having any adventures that seemed important, except,perhaps, Blackhawk's defeat of Woodpecker and Little Beaver, subjectsthat did not interest the artist, the outside decorations were thetotem of the clan and its members.
Two Little Savages Page 58