Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-06-21
SEEKING TOMANOWOS.
by ALVIN II. SYDESHAM.

In the land Of the Shoshones, in the
rugged valley east of the Teton range,
at the most silent hour of night Of
unearthly blackness White Bull, the
medicine man, sat 10y the Smoldering
embers of his fire considering the
question of selecting from the young
warriors of his tribe a new war chief
who would be friendly 10 his personal
interests
Red Eagle. the old war chief who
had three days before succumbed 70
the displeasure Of the Bad God by
dying of a fever, and was even now
being mourned among the pines on the
hillside, as the plaintive shrieks of
lamenting relatives borne on the night
wind indicated. had To be re placed;
and 20 replace a warrior who has led
his people from victory 10 victory for
thirty summers is an act requiring the
most mature deliberation. Among the
young braves the two most eager for
the election were Whirlwind and
Washable, both brave warriors, and
both far enough ahead of their COM
petitors in deeds OF blood and prowess
10 be considered the only rivals for the
position.
As White Bull was peering through
tbs folds of his blanket into the dying
embers, hand stole through the flap
of the tepee. which was presently fol-
lowed by the body of a young warrior.
gliding serpeutliie in from the dark
ness.
"Whirlwind, son OF the Gray Wolf,
-.
Bull. not deigning to move. Hast
thou not found the tomdH0ros'"
mo, White Bull. Four days have
lain at the top Of the thunder-rock
naked and without food. yet l have
dreamed not. The Great Spirit has
not revealed the secret Of the To-
DadnotcoS. Since breath went out OF the !
body of old Red Eagle have l strug-
gled with Bad God, who is seeking 70 |
defeat me. But thy magic power,
" hite Bull, can aid me much Make
me war chief of my people, and all my
wealth Is thine. Thou knowest the
Value Of the ponies, and Of the arrows,
and ef the furssr% -:
N~"The Whirlwind is a brave and we'll !
spoken young man. White Bull re-
members his endurance in the sun
dance Go now secretly 70 the grave ,
of Red Eagle and wait until the ,
White Bull comes. Let none of the !
wQpen see thse:. 8 81.
The y6Ing man threw himself to the !
ground and glided out at the opposite
side of the tepee. No candidate for
the chieftainship will risk the danger !
of returning upon his trail. IL is an /
action suggestive of retreat:
After some moments the medicine
man struck sharply upon a tomtom
and shook the rattle at his girdle vio-
lently. He had not long TO wait be-
fore the flap of the tepee opened
again and tall young man stood be-
fore him.
docs Washable still desire 10 be
war chief" he asked, motioning the
young man 20 a seat upon the ground.
Washable, bravest of the Shoshones,
claims the right TO be war-chief"
But thou hast no ponies % ride In
battle. Thou contest not of the chiefs
blood. Thou hast married no daughter
of chief BY what right, therefore,
dost thou aspire TO this highest honor
of the tribe?"
by the right of manhood. BY my
strong arm. by my swiftness, 10y my
skill with the bow and tomahawk. and
by my stealth and cunning, | have
slain more enemies than any warrior
of the tribe. The Bad Spirit can't
cheat me. | shall be war chief aud
thou shalt aid me, White Bull"
Good! but what hast thou now for
thy tomanouosl'
The heart Of grizzly bear, the
brain of panther, the arrow-thorn
that grows on Che thunder-rock the
eye on a lynx, and the foot OF gray
wolf"
Good, my son; but il is not enough.
White Bull, wisest of the Shoshones.
alone knows the secret of the tonlaH0-
Wos lie can take the young warriors
to the spot, but they have not the cour-
age 10 follow. When they 90 TO wrench
the secret from the bowels Of the earth,
their blood becomes like water. Hast
thou nerve of iron? Wilt thou fol-
low the White Bull into the country Of
the fire arrows-into the land of the
Fire Spirit?'
ITO any spot thou namest"
Then meet the White Bull at the
foot OF the thunder-rock al sunrise. lie
will lead thee into the land Of the Fire
Spirit and show thee the secret Of the
t0Ds0BO,6OS"
An hour later Whirlwind, lying Sc
GREETED at the feet Of the dead war
chief, became aware that White Bull
was reckoning him apart for a confer.
ence. by sunrise he knew that the
medicine man had set out for the land
Of the'Fire Spirit with Washable his
rival, in search of the secret f7u,guoieos.
and that upon the skill with which
he followed upon their trail, without
being seen, depended his accession 20
the dignity OF war chief lie must
keep the trail Of W"shallie like MS
shadow. yet be nc visible as a spirit. '