The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-04-03
(By GLADYS
Interpreted by WRshiti)
(AU RIGHTS Reserved

EANY, MANY years ago before
the time Of steel tipped arrows,
I the As%sinniboines and Crees
~ Ventres nation. while the eros
Ventres had fought many battles with
the neighboring Piegans, Blackfeet and
Crows, the most hated OF their enemies
were the AssinniboineS and the Crees.
Although this war took place before
the wooden arrows were maze more
guns were known. Fol in the far north
the Hudson Bay Trading Co. had es-
tablished posts and several eros Ven
tres had seen and handled the white
mans weapons while on war parties
to the north or while visiting friends
Gros ventres. one warrior, WHOSE name
was Weasel, owned an old flint lock
gun. True, he had nc ammunition for
It, but its possession had been mighty
medicine for him. Weasel had become
the greatest warrior in the tribe and
main encampment of Gros Ventres with
the aid of the "Silvery Spotted" horse:
The GroS VentreS' village of several
hundred lodges was located on Vol
creek. The people had been lulled into
q false sense of security because for
enemy. The camp was full of the Cos
with each other and forbidden to marry
by their respective parents. The young
mans father saw no good IN the girl
and her father looked with i'll favor
upon the youth, poor n untr1ed In
q
They, however, took matters into
their own hands and eloped one day
on horseback. They travelled until late
afternoon, making camp toward. v
ming many miles from home. While the
young woman prepared their robes for
the night and built a fire, the young
even a prairie chicken for their eve
ming meal.
He had ridden but a short distance
when he came upon a young buffalo.
One arrow killed it and he dismounted,
skinned It, and took the choice parts
days rations, for they had planned
to seek refuge and make their home
among the Crows, who at that time
were on friendly terms with the eros
Ventures. The Grow country vas miles
to the south.
When he had returned to his sweet
heart she noticed his face was dark
with worry and questioned him close
ly. This buffalo," he told her, was
wounded recently. He was alone, al
though there are tracks OF a. great
herd and also the tracks of horses.
we HluSC TeCuTu dG OI1Ce W OuI village
and report this for surely there are
enemies about who have hunted here
this day. When the main herd was
chased south this wounded animal could
not travel with them. Perhaps he was
left to warn us of the nearness of our
enemies"
Feeling somewhat ashamed Of this
end to their elopment and yet con-
vinced they could not do otherwise,
the pair returned to their tribe after
a nights ride. The young man went at
nee to his fathers lodge and told him
of the wounded buffalo.
The father said, you have done
right, my son. I will sound the cry
throughout the village and our war
riors will be prepared"
A stir followed the announcement of
the young mans return and his story
of a war party. A meeting was called
and the council agreed that the enemy
had indeed penetrated their hunting
grounds despite the watchful eyes of
scouts.
Then an old man arose at the lower
end of the village. He had NO love
for the boys family and, wishing to
discredit him, cried in a loud voice:
This young man lies. Do not believe
him. He was afraid and wished to re-
turn to his fathers lodge with his