The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-08-18


bride and watered and picketed the
pony. She then followed her brother
into the tent, from which thin trail of
smoke soon issued and lost itself in the
blue air
After they had supped the pair reap
peared and seated themselves to enjoy
the sunset and the cool of evening
They held an animated conversation
accompanied by the most expressive
gestures, all of which were closely OBJ
served by the unseen watcher, who
concluded that the girl had said moth
ing to her brother concerning her mys-
terious visitor
The night passed without incident,
and the young Sioux watched the
Blackfoot depart in the morning be-
fore presenting himself at the lodge of
his beloved. She smiled arch]y as she
saw him, and ceased her embroidery
long enough to ask in the sign Ian
guage: why did you not come as you
promised before my brother left?'
The artful youth responded with an
other question: 'Why did you not tell
your brother of my visit yesterday"
Upon this both laughed aloud and con-
tinued to converse with more freedom.
The maiden exhibited her finely
worked robes and other possessions,
while she coyly took note meanwhile
of the brilliant paint, unusual equip
ments and handsome face and form of
the fascinating stranger.
Pointing to his gun, which was al
ways within reach, she questioned him
as TO it's use. Smiling at her ignor-
ance he made signs expressive of it's
death-dealing force, but she looked
aside incredulously. Finally the youth
boldly asked the maiden to become his
wife and to accompany him home She
appeared to consent, but stipulated
that he should first return with them
to her fathers lodge. To test her low
er's faith she proposed also to conceal
him in large par feche (rawhide
trunk), there to await her brothers re-
turn. Although the young warrior
fully realized that he was placing him
self in a perilous and even humiliating
position, for loves sake he submitted
one evening to be crowded into the
narrow space within one Of these
painted trunks, where he lay helpless
and unable to move, breathing through
a small opening which was turned to-
ward the outer circumference of the
lodge
The hunter returned at the usual hour
and was informed by his sister that
strange young man of another tribe
had called at the lodge. She described
wildly his fine appearance, splendid
dress, and the strange weapon he car
ried, but omitted to mention his pro-
posal of marriage and his presence in
the lodge. The concealed lover felt
very uncomfortable as he listened to
the conversation, not a word of which
he could understand, and in spite Of his
passion he dreaded some pertidy on the
part of the smiling Blackfoot maiden.
He clutched his gun to his breast and
lay still.
Oar kness came on and all slept-the
adventurous Sioux far from soundly,
owing to anxiety and his cramped posi-
ton. At daybreak the young hunter
arose, saddled his pony and went out
after deer, having agreed with his sis
ter to return very early, and, if pos
sible, to surprise the stranger in their
lodge. Accordingly, she released her
lover as soon as she could and gave
him an abundant breakfast, after
which they sat talking for a long while,