Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-02-15

bird, which caused the thunder and
lightning Like all Of the tribes Of
Algonquin stock, they had a myth con-
corning the awe-inspiring mystery Of
nature that causes thunder clapS and
lightning flashes. They personified this
mysterious and supernatural power in
the Thunder bird, which they worship
ped and to which they made propitia-
tory sacrifices.
The Blackfeet have q tradition that
the Thunder-bird was once overcome
by 8 snoWStorm and descended into
their camp. It was taken to The lodge
1 Of the head chief, where many Of the
tribe assembled. It's feathers had many
colors like the rainbow and its claws
were long and green. When 1t sudden
ly flew from the lodge, the Indians
rushed out and saw 1t disappearing
among the storm clouds. The Indian
belief made the storm cloud the Thun-
der-bird's vehicle, behind which he
moved through the air, making peals
Of thunder by Tapping his wings and
shooting forth lightning flashes by the
blinking Of his penetrating eyes.
The Thmder-bird was frequently
represented In Blackfeet religious cere-
monies. Its symbol was also painted on
shields, weapons and war clothes for
the purpose Of inspiring courage; also
on lodges for invoking protection In
behalf Of the family.
Chief Mountain also figures In a
story that has to do with the Black
feet secret society of Brave Dogs,
called Mutsaix in the native language
The Brave Dogs were composed Of
men Of the tribe who were admitted
because Of their bravery in war. One
Of the traditions Of the order was that
q TN@rF e414 t.r
enemy, no matter how greatly out
numbered, and he could not turn back
unless one Of his relatives got Ia front
Of him and drove him back. For this
reason many members OF the society
were killed in battle, but the Brave
Dogs had a great reputation as war
r1ors, and their enemies came to know
them as foes who would fight to the
death.
Once the Blackfeet were camped
near Chief Mountain when they were
attacked by war party of Pend
dOreilleS The first Blackfeet warrior
out Of camp to meet the attack was a |
Brave Dog named Nose, and In a min |
ute he was far out ahead OF any of |
the other Of the fighting men. His
mother Red Flower, saw. his peril, and
knowing the rules of the society to |
which he belonged. she realized that |
his only chance for escape from death |
was for one of his relatives to risk |
death by riding out ahead Of Nose
and turning him back.
Red Flower quickly united a pony
that was picketed near her lodge, and |
in few seconds was riding out ahead
of the assembling warriors to rescue
her son, who stood far out alone, shak-
ing his war rattle and haunting the
Pend d'OreilleS, calling upon them to
send out their best warrior to fight
him. But the Pend d'OreilleS declined
the challenge and a dozen of them
started out at once to get his scalp.
It was a race between the Indian
woman and the enemy, and she won.
Riding in front Of her son, she struck
society required, before he could turn
back. Then he jumped up behind her
ON the pony and they dashed back to
the line Of oncoming Blacklist, formed
for a charge on the Pend dOreilles.
The latter were soon defeated and
scattered with heavy losses. and be-
cause of his bravery and his part m
the fight after his rescue, the chiefs
changed the name Of Nose to Brave
Dog.
In later days Chief Mountain stood
as a beacon for many border outlaws,
both Canadian and American, who
Of the line to the other. Many a horse
Or cattle thief and whisky trader, hard
pressed by a sheriff. has ridden for
miles with Chief Mountain in view,
knowing that it stood only four miles
rom the Canadian line, which spelled
safety. Many a Canadian fugitive
rom justice beat the mounted police
20 the line In a desperate race for free
iom within sight of this silent sentinel
n the Mains Sitting Bulls warriors
after the Custer fight, headed for
canada, and parties OF them rode for
thief Mountain, knowing that beyond
/ was sanctuary from the blue-coated
of Uncle Sam. The follow
az year, IN 1877, Chief Mountain saw
kraRgling Nez Perces warriors who had
scaped from the Bear Paw mountain
lght after Chief Joseph's surrender 70
6iles. trooping by. 70 safety on the
canadian side. In the early n0ss Little
leax and Rocky Boy, with their nome
- band OF Crees and Chippewas.
ere escorted to the Canadian line by
ieutenant Pershing, and turned over
the mounted police as escaped Can
dian Indians. But IN q few weeks
rev rode back past Chief Mountain
nj headed into the mountain defiles
on their return 70 Montana.
Today, silent and mysterious with its
ealth OF historic Legends and tradi-
ons. Chief Mountain stands, as ever,
sentinel of the border, but instead
watching mounted red warriors O
angling from Iances: or wary outlaws
.wfr1g weary horses toward the border,
q eagles clrciing its peak now watch
arplanes being sent 70 Britain Wis
anada. along with tourists auboxao-