第8章

The Wahpetonwan village on the banks of the Minnesota river was alive with the newly-arrived guests and the preparations for the coming event.

Meat of wild game had been put away with much care during the previous fall in anticipation of this feast.There was wild rice and the choicest of dried venison that had been kept all winter,as well as freshly dug turnips,ripe berries and an abundance of fresh meat.

Along the edge of the woods the teepees were pitched in groups or semi-circles,each band dis-tinct from the others.The teepee of Mankato or Blue Earth was pitched in a conspicuous spot.

Just over the entrance was painted in red and yel-low a picture of a pipe,and directly opposite this the rising sun.The painting was symbolic of welcome and good will to men under the bright sun.

A meeting was held to appoint some "medicine man"to make the balls that were to be used in the lacrosse contest;and presently the herald announced that this honor had been conferred upon old Chankpee-yuhah,or "Keeps the Club,"while every other man of his profession was dis-appointed.He was a powerful man physically,who had apparently won the confidence of the people by his fine personal appearance and by working upon superstitious minds.

Towards evening he appeared in the circle,leading by the hand a boy about four years old.

Closely the little fellow observed every motion of the man;nothing escaped his vigilant black eyes,which seemed constantly to grow brighter and larger,while his exuberant glossy black hair was plaited and wound around his head like that of a Celestial.He wore a bit of swan's down in each ear,which formed a striking contrast with the child's complexion.Further than this,the boy was painted according to the fashion of the age.He held in his hands a miniature bow and arrows.

The medicine man drew himself up in an admirable attitude,and proceeded to make his short speech:

"Wahpetonwans,you boast that you run down the elk;you can outrun the Ojibways.Before you all,I dedicate to you this red ball.Kaposias,you claim that no one has a lighter foot than you;you declare that you can endure running a whole day without water.To you I dedicate this black ball.Either you or the Leaf-Dwellers will have to drop your eyes and bow your head when the game is over.I wish to announce that if the Wahpetonwans should win,this little warrior shall bear the name Ohiyesa (winner)through life;but if the Light Lodges should win,let the name be given to any child appointed by them."The ground selected for the great final game was on a narrow strip of land between a lake and the river.It was about three quarters of a mile long and a quarter of a mile in width.The spec-tators had already ranged themselves all along the two sides,as well as at the two ends,which were somewhat higher than the middle.The soldiers appointed to keep order furnished much of the entertainment of the day.They painted artistically and tastefully,according to the Indian fashion,not only their bodies but also their ponies and clubs.

They were so strict in enforcing the laws that no one could venture with safety within a few feet of the limits of the field.

Now all of the minor events and feasts,occupy-ing several days'time,had been observed.Her-alds on ponies'backs announced that all who in-tended to participate in the final game were re-quested to repair to the ground;also that if any one bore a grudge against another,he was im-plored to forget his ill-feeling until the contest should be over.

The most powerful men were stationed at the half-way ground,while the fast runners were as-signed to the back.It was an impressive spectacle --a fine collection of agile forms,almost stripped of garments and painted in wild imitation of the rainbow and sunset sky on human canvas.Some had undertaken to depict the Milky Way across their tawny bodies,and one or two made a bold attempt to reproduce the lightning.Others con-tented themselves with painting the figure of some fleet animal or swift bird on their muscular chests.

The coiffure of the Sioux lacrosse player has often been unconsciously imitated by the fashion-able hair-dressers of modern times.Some banged and singed their hair;others did a little more by adding powder.The Grecian knot was lo-cated on the wrong side of the head,being tied tightly over the forehead.A great many simply brushed back their long locks and tied them with a strip of otter skin.