The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-17


Ono summer the time for building the Offering
70 the sun, the Medicine Lodge. drew near, when
the people should fulfil the VOWS they had made
to tho great god during the year perform their
sacrifices pray for continued health, prosperity
and life We'moved down 10 the Bear River 10
prepare for this: Ave hundred tongues OF the buf
falo were required for offering to the sun, and
In that vicinity were countless herds Also the
berry patches along the river wero black with
fruit. larger, sweeter than anywhere else, and
everyone wished TO dry largo quantities OF them
for winter use and sacred feasts.
"one day all the warriors rode out to hunt but
falo, and many Of tho women, In different par
tics went up and down the valley through tho
timber, TO gather berries II was a very hot
still day. and those who remained in tho camp
reclned in the shade OF their lodges, or repaired
10 the cool waters Of the stream Most OF us
were having midday nap. when we were aroused
by a terrible wailing and shouting down tho
river, and presently the berry pickers began TO
come in, some afoot and some on horseback and
between their crying and their shrleks
could mako out these words: The Kootenai
the Kootena have rushed upon us
AN was excitement In moment: the few mon
In camp mostly those too old TO Join In the chase.
FASTENED TO arm themselves and make ready to
fight 10 the last The horse herds run in.
and several boys rode out to call in the hunters.
After the people had quieted somewhat, count
made TO SEQ who, II any, Of the berry pickcrs
were missing, and twas found that Flying Bears
wife and mother were the only absent ones, Soon
the returning hunters were seen hurrying down
over the hill into the valley and presently they rode
into camp anxious TO know what had happened.
Just as they came in Flying Bears mother appear
ed, hurrying toward home from the timber below;
she met her son OF the doorway Of their lodge and
.to ha,-A al
wife," fell to the ground in faint The news
spread quickly, fresh horses were caught UP
and saddlc1 war clothes and bonnets were
donned and away went the warriors down through
the timbcrcd valley out the plain. up through
the winding comics, to search for the enemy and
the missing woman.
"1he sun passed the centre OF the blue, wander
ed slowly down 10 the westward sunk beyond the
edge Of the world. and night stole over the plain,
down into the valley of the ruin With the dark
ness came tho tired warriors, by twos and threes,
and in larger groups urging on their equally tired
horses They had ridden far; they had hunted
all through the valley; all over the wild plains,
but they had not discovered that which they
searched for. The enemy. few or many had
left no trail no sign which might DO followed.
And It turned out that only one had been seen;
tho old woman busily picking berries had heard
animal charging through the brush and then
heard her daughter scream; she ran out toward
little opening just in time to sec man, mounted
on big black horse. galloping away with the
young woman, who lay motionless across the front
OF his saddle, her head dropping over TO one side
as II she were dead BY his costume, by the way
his hair was braided she knew he was kootcnai
Tho next day We wero 10 begin tho building
Of the medicine lodge Four days the Sn"r"d
ceremonies last. and those four days are ii suns
tau rlata
do other than attend the building Of his lodge
tho carrying out OF the things the great god In
structed our forefathers to do. Therefore Flying
Bear could not start out TO regain his wife, to take
vengeance on the enemy. until the NTH day after
she had been carried away. When that day
came, all tho warriors wished TO go with him.
but he chose only ten. and silently on foot. each
one carrying his war clothes, his extra moccasins
his little pouch OF food. they filed out OF the camp
followed by the prayers OF all the people
"The Kootenai arc mountain tribe, some
times camping in the timbered valleys far to the
west sometimes venturing out TO the borders Of
the great plains In search Of the buffalo. But
mostly thoy 1.-Two on the mountain goat and, sell
dom bathing, burning the smoky pine In their
lodges, they have an offensive smell Their
persons reek with the odor OF rancid. musky goat
fat and smoke. One can locate their camp
while miles away II the wind be right Travel
ling they do through all parts Of the mountains,
II was easy task to find them. but Flying Bear
was sure that by following the edge of the timber
from Bear River northward, he would run across
their trail One afternoon. tho third day out
having rested and eaten some fresh meat they
had killed they prepared to move on. and while tho
others cutting choice portions Of the ami
NAL to take with them. Flying Boar started ahead,
saying he would go to the top Of butte near by
and have a look over the country, and they could
oyertako him there. He had not gono far. Just
over little hill and down past point OF timber
running out into the prairie, when shot was
fred from the thick pines and tho ball, tearing
his scalp and CHANGING from tho skull, knocked
him senseess. Even he fell mounted In
dian charged out Of tho timber, dismounted at
his side, and drew his knife to take the scalp
AS Flying Bear lay, his right hand was in plain
sight, three Of his fingers being covered with
bright rings. These attracted the Indians at
tenton; perhaps he tried to pull them of and they
would not pass the joints; so he bent back tho
fingers and unIointcd them at tho knucl-
les leaving only the thumb and fore
finger on the hand. He put the rings in his
pouch lust as the little party startled by the