Glacier County chief., 1940-08-30
By ELMO

ored guests at a feast the like of
which had never been offered by
Sioux leader. The tribes sor-
cerers had been asked to bring
along their medicine" This too,
was matter of satisfaction, for
there was keen rivalry among the
medicine men as to whose powers
against the evil spirits were most
potent.
Three tepee5 had been thrown to-
gether for the feast. While the medl-
cine men sat about the festive board
the curious, but unlimited, OF the tribe
looked in at the open door.
Grow King rose before the banquet
was served and made a talk. He told
the medicine men their charms were
potent, and their influence with the
spirits was such that they were feared
Of all men. He had hidden them to the
feast but before the Teasing they
must rejoice Crow Kings eyes with the
charms with which they performed
their miracles.
The medicine bags were produced,
each sorCerer flOurishing his particular
medicine with pride. Grow King walked
about, receiving the sacks until he had
lust about ali the medicine" to be
found among the Hunkpapa Sioux.
Crow King had been the best Gus
toner of the medicine men OF MS time.
They had received from him all his
wealth of ponies, and he was bank
rupt except for the credit among his
tribesmen his prestige as warrior
and leader brought TO him.
Wounded in War
Some years before, when Grow King
was a young warrior. he had gone with
his band from the Yellowstone to the
Milk river country for battle with the
Crows. Grow King left behind his wife,
Red Bird. whom he loved dearly, ana
whose love he had won by his pledge
that she would be the only woman n
his lodge. since polygamy was habit
Of wealthy Sioux. And Crow King had
shown as a young man that he "Ou!1
be a brave warrior courageous NAu-
er and wealthy in ponies as he gre"
in years and experience.
In the battle with the Crows, Grow
King received an arrow thI0uen itr, EtH
BODY. There was blood in MS lungs
and he felt he was marked for death
He refused 70 be a burden to MS Pco-
ME and insisted on being lett DeNlHQ
In his tepee to die. Food was Ieli win
him, and his war pony was tled out
side. Red Bird. his wife OF i've sum
mers would be told that he mad oleo
like a warrior.
Crow King sat down alone to wait
for death. His mind was filled win
the stories and the magic OF the meHl-
cine men. His delirium brought visions
which. in saner moments. ne inter
preted in the light of medicine-nita3 .a
sorcery. During the fevered nights tiie
visions were clear and the ghosts were
close ,,;u,,.s
Il do not know how many nights
lay there" Crow King told white men
In later years But always there can't
a ghost. foremost of all. who told me
! might yet live among my peoP!t Il
would but VOW that l would forget my
DC
for one day be as dog ana go on a..
fours about the camp OF my peopt
and take with me Red Bird. For many
nights l would not make the vow alIu
each day I dragged myself to the WaIel
and drank and did not die. IAeFe ch!ltt
a night when the ghosts were 'n1o H
and nv heart was weak and SAD, ana
made the promise and vowed that
Red Bird and myself would be as dCsS
among my people, prowling through inc
camp as dogs during one sun. litett
the ghosts gave me strength anu
mounted my horse and traFeIeu ~
many days on the trail OF m! PeoPte
before reached our village on 'ile
Yellowstone.
Thought Him n Ghost
."Thev ran from me when I RODE,
starved and near dying, into the WI
lage. They thought it was the ghost
of Crow King; but Red BIRD catlle "
me and took me to her lodge o. NOUN
ing and nursed me. And told hef me
vow 1 had made. But she, mouIl ~
cried that I had lost my senses. 30 II
was that Law for many nights and sa"
the ghosts, and they jeered at me ioI
not keeping my vow, and demanoeu
that 1 do SO or die and be with theih'
These things I told Red Bird and she'
fearing I might die. consented 70 60
with me and keep my promise. Sc ono
So Grow King, and Rea batu ah oli
morning joined the dogs, gong apoat
the camp on all fours and gnaWlng az
the scraps that had been thrown from
the lodges. The people followed ti!e!i,
about, jeering at them. Red Bird hlG
her face. but kept her promise all
through the day.
The sun went down in the west ana
Crow King and Red Bird returned 70
their tepee and became man ana WON
an again. but never from that day
forth were they as man and vile. Reu
Birds shame killed her love for Gro"
King. but she remained uncomp!aln-
ingly in his tepee for two years.
Crow King grew well and strong
again, but he was burdened WIN
great grief and was sorry he had not
died before he made his vow to the
ghosts. No finger of scorn was polnted
at him; no! He was an able warrior
and was quick to resent Jlbe his eN-
PLOTS in the field soon washed away
the sharp memory of his humility III
keeping his VOW.
But not so with Red Bird! The
women and children made mock of her.
And Crow King was not always at
hand to protect her. After two unpleaS-
ant years with Grow King a young war
rior of another band visited Grow
Kings camp. He saw Red Bird ana
desired her. Red Bird, while Grow King
was in council, left with the visitor to
live among strange people to forget
her shame. She and Grow King had
no children, and the loveless tie was
easily broken.