Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1936-02-29

of their comrades to the trees there
were no palefaceS to explain to them
that the awful sickness which had
swept over their band like curse was
white mans SicknesS-smaLpoX There
was no one to tell them that far away,
across the plains, paleface trapper
had had those same ugly, red marks
come out on his body and had laid
down under q tree, alone, and died.
Nor did they know that an Indian,
CHANGING to find the paleface body, had
stripped it and appropriated the cloth
ing, thus spreading the ravaglng cpl
demic through many tribes OF Montana
Indians; They knew only that they VINO VINO
had felt such fierce PRIDE In tneH
splendid strength, were now weaken
ing like sick squaws, and that nothing
they could do, neither the sweat lodge
nor dances nor chants nor prayers,
could save the stricken ones. They were
lonely and afraid up there on the hlgn
butte. At night the dark was peopled
with evil ones. They lOnged 70 rush
down from that place and join their
tribe but would not, lest the curse
spread over all the Crows.
Until the time came when only about
20 of the band of young supermen were
left and terror clutched their hearts;
They had always believed that OF all
the Great Spirits children they, the
Grows, were the best beloved, but now
they we're bewildered for 1t seemed
proven to them that He was very angry
and was Furnishing them for some great
wrong. Their hearts were on the
ground. And so, one night, the remain
ing warriors gathered about council
fire and discussed, in low voices, the
cause Of the evil which had descended
upon them. And they spoke thus:
Our medicine men have done all
that they can do. Something more Is
wanted of us by the Great Spirit. He
demands a sacrifice. If we do not obey
then all our people win be cursed as
we have been cursed. Let us say to Him
that we will give our lives II He viii
grant once more to the Absarokees
health and strength. We Will prepare
for death. we will chant our death
songs. Then, If our sacrifice seems good
to the Great Spirit, He will give us
sign. He viii make the fire leap higher
than the tallest trees. If not, then the
fire shall die down. have spoken"
And they did as their headman had
advised. They piled huge pine branches
on the fire and then stood back watch
ing intently. At first they thought the
fire would die down but then flames
licked at this branch and that, crack
led, and soon were leaping higher than
the tallest trees. Thus they knew that
the Great Spirit had heard their words
and that this sign was His promise
to guard the AbSarokee tribe from the
evil that had cursed the few.
Then the 90 grave warriors silently
prepared for their journey over the
Slippery Log. And when all was ready
they blindfolded their horses, mounted,
and rode down the butte and along
the buffalo trail past the hill known
now as Boot Hill cemetery" across
the stream which palefaces named
"Alkan creek" and on to a high point
overlooking the Yellowstone river.
There they paused. The headman gave
the signal. They quirted their horses
and the blindfolded animals went
plunging, scrambling, screaming, over
the edge. Their hoofs chung to the
stones and the soft shale gave away
and they and their riders, all that were
left Of the once proud, strong band OF
Grow warriors, went down into the
waters of the Echeta Casha Asha.
To insure the welfare OF their tribe
they paid the high price demanded OF
them. The few gave their lives that
the many might live.
And so the butte overlooking the
town Of Billings, that high butte Just
above Boot Hin cemetery upon which
Yellowstone Kelly was given his last
resting place. has for many years been
known as Sacrifice Cliff"
--csr-
To maintain neItraIity let rs hone