"Ah, my son, the war-chiefs will make an announcement! It may be a call for the en- listment of warriors! I am sorry," he said, and paused. "I am sorry, because I would rather no war-party went out at present. I am getting old. I have enjoyed your success, my son. I love to hear the people speak your name. If you go again upon the war-path, I shall no longer be able to join in the celebra- tions. Something tells me that you will not re- turn!"Young braves were already on their way to the council lodge. Tatoka looked, and the temptation was great.
"Father, it is not becoming for me to re- main at home when others go," he said, at last.
"Ho," was the assent uttered by the father, with a deep sigh.
"Five hundred braves have enlisted to go with the great war prophet against the three confederated tribes," he afterward reported at home, with an air of elation which he had not worn for some moons.
Since Antelope had received the degree of war-bonnet, his father had spared neither time nor his meager means in his behalf. He had bartered his most cherished possessions for sev- eral eagles that were brought in by various hunters of the camp, and with his own hands had made a handsome war-bonnet for his son.
"You will now wear a war-bonnet for the first time, and you are the first of our family who has earned the right to wear one for many generations. I am proud of you, my son," he said as he presented it.
But when the youth replied: "Ho, ho, father! I ought to be a brave manin recog- nition of this honor," he again sighed heavily.
"It is that I feared, my son! Many a young man has lost his life for vanity and love of dis- play!"The evening serenades began early, for the party was to leave at once. In groups upon their favorite ponies the warriors rode around the inner circle of the great camp, singing their war-songs. All the people came out of the tee- pees, and sitting by twos and threes upon the ground, bedecked with savage finery, they watched and listened. The pretty wild maid- ens had this last opportunity given them to look upon the faces of their sweethearts, whom they might never see again. Here and there an old man was singing the gratitude song or thank-offering, while announcing the first war- path of a novice, for such an announcement meant the giving of many presents to the poor and aged. So the camp was filled with songs of joy and pride in the departing husbands, brothers, and sons.
As soon as darkness set in the sound of the rude native flute was added to the celebration. This is the lover' s farewell. The young braves, wrapped from head to foot in their finest robes, each sounded the plaintive strains near the tee- pee of the beloved. The playful yodeling of many voices in chorus was heard at the close of each song.
At midnight the army of five hundred, the flower of the Sioux, marched against their an- cient enemy. Antelope was in the best of spir- its. He had his war-bonnet to display before the enemy! He was now regarded as one of the foremost warriors of his band, and might probably be asked to perform some specially hazardous duty, so that he was fully prepared to earn further distinction.
In five days the Sioux were encamped within a day's travel of the permanent village of the confederated tribes--the Rees, Mandans, and Gros Ventres. The war-chief selected two men, Antelope and Eaglechild, to scout at night in advance of the main force. It was thought that most of the hunters had already returned to their winter quarters, and in this case the Sioux would have no mean enemy to face. On the other hand, a battle was promised that would enlarge their important traditions.
The two made their way as rapidly as pos- sible toward the ancestralhome of their ene- mies. It was a night perfectly suited to what they had to do, for the moon was full, the fleeting clouds hiding it from time to time and casting deceptive shadows.
When they had come within a short distance of the lodges unperceived, they lay flat for a long time, and studied the ways of the young men in every particular, for it was Antelope's plan to enter the great village and mingle boldly with its inhabitants. Even their hoots and love-calls were carefully noted, so that they might be able to imitate them. There were several entertainments in progress in different parts of the village, yet it was apparent that the greatest vigilance was observed. The lodges of poles covered with earth were partly underground, and at one end the war-horses were stabled, as a precaution against a possible surprise.
At the moment that a large cloud floated over the moon, casting a shadow large enough to cover the entire village, the drum in one of the principal lodges was struck in quick time, accompanied by boisterous war- whoops and singing. The two scouts adjusted their robes about them in the fashion of the strangers, and walked openly in that direction.
They glanced quickly from side to side as they approached, but no one paid any attention, so they came up with other young men and peeped through the chinks in the earth wig- wam. It was a great gambling party. Among the guests were several distinguished warriors, and each at an opportune time would rise and recount his great deeds in warfare against the Sioux. The strangers could read their gestures, and Antelope was once or twice almost on the point of stringing his bow to send an arrow through the audacious speaker.
As they moved about the village, taking note of its numbers and situation, and waiting an opportunity to withdraw without exciting sus- picion, they observed some of the younger braves standing near another large wigwam, and one or two even peeped within. Moved by sudden curiosity, Antelope followed their ex- ample. He uttered a low exclamation and at once withdrew.
"What is it?" asked his companion, but received no answer.
It was evidently the home of a chief. The family were seated within at their usual occu- pations, and the bright light of the central fire shonefull upon the face of a most lovely maiden.
