The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-20
WIN b oys wore born 70 : csrtain
woman Of the Sioux tribe In the

woman Of the Sioux tribe In the
midst bf a terrific Thunderstorm,
In accordance with the old custom the chill
dren were named from this circumstance.
after the deity or personiAcation Of thun-
der. The elder wan called "Shakes- tho
earth-as he-walks. . and the younger, His
voice-is heard com ling" They grew up to
boybood in close companionship, but 1t the
nae of about twelve years tho elder brother
fell sick and died. The other was for q TINA
inconsolable, and he never ceased TO COM
municate with tho spirit of his brother, a.
though he were still upon the earth. At an
early age the youth announced MS de-
termination to 20 forth alone upon the war
rnth-a remarkable undertaking among the
Dakotas. who seld ON attempt = solitary ex-
petition until they become experienced war
riors. This feat was to be undertaken upon
the advice OF tho elder twin, who had prom
ised success to his younger brother il he
vonld follow strictly his directions. The
young man accordingly set out ON foot upon
his hazardous journey, carrying with him
his gum and ammunition and several pairs
of mo0oasins.
On the second day he. shot a deer. and,
having cut out the tongue and heart for
food, offered the enti, Q aximal as a sacri-
fec to the Thunder god, after the manner
of his people. He stretched and pinned it
to the ground by the four extremitiss, Of
fersd prayers for q safe and victorious re-
turn, and then slept beside the embers of
the FIRE. At dawn he resumed his journey
toward the north.
After many days of wearisome travelling
the wanderer discovered one morning in the
distance a solitary tepse. II seemed to
flicker white through the scintillatinR heat
along the far horizon. He approached it
more nearly. II proved to be a tent of skins
tame to a beautiful whiteness and painted
with symbolic figures. A man and q wo-
side Of the doorway.
Cautiously the youth crept still nearer to
the tent. but With ont detecting any sign of
life in its noiQhborhood, save the presence
which were graz ng near by. No smoke
issued from the aperture in the top,
ard not even a dog thrust his nose
under the gnyly tRsseIed door. The young
Indian accordingly concealed his body
behind a tuft Of sage brush on a little
eminence which commanded the myster-
ious tepee. and scanned the horizon
for the approach Of its expected owner, and
the tent itself for the revelation of a posi-
bic inmate: If it should be occupied by a
man and his wife only. the man would re-
turn at evening Fl om the hunt, and ere that
time the women would doubtless, appear
outside the tent. II several men were
within, ono or more of them might soon
show themselves. Absolutely m%otionloss
s %,it LAY prone IN tho warm grass and
At last his patle nee was rewarded. The
swinging door was pushed aside and from
within there stepped q young and handsome
woman Her dress was OF fine deerskins,
elRborately embroidered, but of a fashion
unlike that of the Sioux women; her jet
black hair was arranged in two long plaits
that fell over her shoulders, and her fea-
lures were the p~rettiost and most delicately
formed that the delighted youth had ever
beheld. Shading her eyes with her hand
she gszed earnestly out along the horizon.
az If expecting some one, and then retired
once more within the tent.
Satisfied now that the woman was alone
and her husband out following the deer or
buffalo, the young man rashly resolved to
surprise the fair occupant of the solitary
tent before the hunters return. He stole
as noiselessly as possible to the doorway
and placed his hand upon the tasseled door.
his heart beating violently meantime, partly
from fear OF the sudden approach of his
unknown enemy and partly from his eager
ness to see more nearly the charming face
that had captivated his fancy.
Suddenly. with a last hurried Rlanoe over
his shoulder he flung the door aside and
bent his plumed head to the low opening.
His eyes fell instantly upon the woman,
seated on a buffalo robe and embroidering
a moccasin. She lifted her eyes at his IN
expected entrance and greeted him with a
charming smile. which greatly increased
his confusion. Surely" he thought, this
ia an elk or deer in woman shape. or else
one of the fairy sisters. Any mortal woman
would scream at the sudden appearance of
a stranger. while alone and unprotecssd in
her lodge"
"Who are you3' he exclaimed at last.
Are you Il Dakota?"
The girl smiled again and shook her head.
where is you husband?" he asked.
She told him in the sign language that
she understood not the Sioux tongue; that
she was with her younger brother. who would
return from his days hunt. She also in
formed him that she was tho daughter of a
powerful chief. whose village was several
days journey to the north. and that on the
third morning they would return thither.
After promising to come again. when the
brother was ut home, the young warrior took
his leave, with a lingering look behind him.
which sufficiently announced to the girl the
Impression she had made.
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