第37章

From the various camps the girls came singly or in groups,dressed in bright-colored calicoes or in heavily fringed and beaded buckskin.Their smooth cheeks and the central part of their glossy hair was touched with vermilion.All brought with them wooden basins to eat from.Some who came from a considerable distance were mounted upon ponies;a few,for company or novelty's sake,rode double.

The maidens'circle was formed about a cone-shaped rock which stood upon its base.This was painted red.Beside it two new arrows were lightly stuck into the ground.This is a sort of altar,to which each maiden comes before taking her as-signed place in the circle,and lightly touches first the stone and then the arrows.By this oath she declares her purity.Whenever a girl approaches the altar there is a stir among the spectators,and sometimes a rude youth would call out:

"Take care!You will overturn the rock,or pull out the arrows!"Such a remark makes the girls nervous,and es-pecially one who is not sure of her composure.

Immediately behind the maidens'circle is the old women's or chaperons'circle.This second circle is almost as interesting to look at as the in-ner one.The old women watched every move-ment of their respective charges with the utmost concern,having previously instructed them how they should conduct themselves in any event.

There was never a more gorgeous assembly of the kind than this one.The day was perfect.The Crees,displaying their characteristic horseman-ship,came in groups;the Assiniboines,with their curious pompadour well covered with red paint.

The various bands of Sioux all carefully observed the traditional peculiarities of dress and behavior.

The attaches of the fort were fully represented at the entertainment,and it was not unusual to see a pale-face maiden take part in the feast.

The whole population of the region had assem-bled,and the maidens came shyly into the circle.

The simple ceremonies observed prior to the serv-ing of the food were in progress,when among a group of Wahpeton Sioux young men there was a stir of excitement.All the maidens glanced ner-vously toward the scene of the disturbance.Soon a tall youth emerged from the throng of spectators and advanced toward the circle.Every one of the chaperons glared at him as if to deter him from his purpose.But with a steady step he passed them by and approached the maidens'circle.

At last he stopped behind a pretty Assiniboine maiden of good family and said:

"I am sorry,but,according to custom,you should not be here."The girl arose in confusion,but she soon recov-ered her self-control.

"What do you mean?"she demanded,indig-nantly."Three times you have come to court me,but each time I have refused to listen to you.

I turned my back upon you.Twice I was with Mashtinna.She can tell the people that this is true.The third time I had gone for water when you intercepted me and begged me to stop and listen.I refused because I did not know you.

My chaperon,Makatopawee,knows that I was gone but a few minutes.I never saw you any-where else."

The young man was unable to answer this un-mistakable statement of facts,and it became ap-parent that he had sought to revenge himself for her repulse.

"Woo!woo!Carry him out!"was the order of the chief of the Indian police,and the audacious youth was hurried away into the nearest ravine to be chastised.

The young woman who had thus established her good name returned to the circle,and the feast was served.The "maidens'song"was sung,and four times they danced in a ring around the altar.

Each maid as she departed once more took her oath to remain pure until she should meet her husband.