The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-08-18
~ WIN boys were born to
certain woman of the Sioux

tribe in the midst of a terrific thunder
storm. In accordance with the old Gus
tom the children were named from this
circumstance, after the deity or per-
sonification of thunder. The elder was
called "Shakes-the Earth-as He Walks"
and the younger, Ills Voice Is-Heard-
Coming" They grew up in close COM
pauiouship, but at the age of about
twelve years the elder brother fell sick
and died. The other was for time
inconsolable, and he never ceased to
communicate with the spirit of his
brother, as though he were still upon
the earth. At an early age the youth
announced his determination to 60
forth alone upon the warpath-a re-
markable undertaking among the Da-
kotas. who seldom attempt solitary
expedition until they become expert
enced warriors. This feat was to be
undertake upoa the advice of the ell
der twin, who had promised success to
his younger brother if he would follow
strictly his directions. The young
man accordingly set out on foot upon
his hazardous journey, carrying with
him his gun and ammunition and sew
,ral pairs of moccasins.
On the second day he shot deer,
and, having cut out the tongue and
heart for food, offered the entire ami
NAL as sacrifice to the thunder-god,
after the manner of his people. He
stretched and pinned it to the ground
by the four extremities, offered prayers
for safe and victorious return and
then slept besid,, the embers of the fire
At dawn he resumed his journey toward
the north.
After many days of wearisome trav-
cling the wanderer discovered one
morning in the distance a solitary
tepee. 1t seemed to flicker white
through the scintillating heat along
the far horizon. He approached it
more nearly. 1t proved to be a tent of
skins tanned to beautiful wilderness
and painted with symbolic figures.
man and woman were depicted at full
length on either side of the do orway
Cautiously the youth crept still near
er to the tent, but without detecting
any sign of life in it's neighborhood,
save the presence of horde of beauti-
near by. No smoke issued from the
aperture in the top, and not even dog
thrust his nose under the gayly tas-
seled door. The young Indian accord
ingly concealed his body behind tuft
of sage brush on a little eminence
which commanded the mysterious
tepee, and scanned the horizon for the
approach of it's expected owner, and
the tent itself for the revelation of a
possible inmate. If it should be occu-
pied by man and his wife only, the
man would return at evening from the
hunt, and ere that time the woman
would doubtless appear outside the
tent. If several men were within, one
or more of them might soon show them
selves. Absolutely motionless he lay
prone in the warm grass and waited.
At last his patience was rewarded.
The swinging door was pushed aside
and from within there stepped young
and handsome woman. Her dress was
of fine ,r deerskins, deliberately en-
broidered, but of fashion unlike that
of the Sioux women; her jet black hair
was arranged in two long plaits that
ISll oNCI llSI SlOuluSlS anu llcF features
were the prettiest and most delicately
formed that the delighted youth had
ever beheld. Shading her eyes with
her hand she gazed earnestly out along
the horizon, as 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 the buffalo, the young man
rashly resolved to surprise the fair oc-
cupant of the solitary tent before the
hunters return. He stole as noiseless-
ly 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 eagerness to see more nearly the
charming face that had captivated his
fancy.
Suddenly, with a last hurried glance
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 unexpected
entrance and greeted him with charm
ing smile, which greatly increased his