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add to their awe…inspiring appear… ance。
The wild youths formed the outer circle of the gathering； attired like
the woods in au… tumn； their long locks glossy with oil and per… fumed
with scented grass and leaves。 Many pulled their blankets over their
heads as if to avoid recognition； and loitered shyly at a dis… tance。
Among these last were Antelope and his cousin； Red Eagle。 They
stood in the angle formed by the bodies of their steeds； whose noses were
together。 The young hero was com… pletely enveloped in his handsome
robe with a rainbow of bead…work acros the middle； and his small
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moccasined feet projected from be… neath the lower border。 Red Eagle
held up an eagle…wing fan； partially concealing his face； and both gazed
intently toward the center of the maidens' circle。
〃Woo！ woo！〃 was the sonorous exclama… tion of the police；
announcing the beginning of the ceremonies。 In the midst of the ring of
girls stood the traditional heart…shaped red stone； with its bristling hedge
of arrows。 In this case there were five arrows； indicating that Taluta had
already made as many maidens' feasts。 Each of the maidens must lay her
hand upon the stone in token of her purity and chas… tity； touching also as
many arrows as she her… self has attended maidens' feasts。
Taluta advanced first to the center。 As she stood for a moment beside
the sacred stone； she appeared to the gazing bystanders the embodi… ment
of grace and modesty。 Her gown； adorned with long fringes at the seams；
was beaded in blue and white across the shoulders and half way to her
waist。 Her shining black hair was arranged in two thick plaits which
hung down upon her bosom。 There was a native dignity in her gestures
and in her utterance of the maidens' oath； and as she turned to face the
circle； all the other virgins followed her。
When the feast was ended and the gay con… course had dispersed；
Antelope and his cousin were among the last to withdraw。 The young
man's eyes had followed every movement of Taluta as long as she
remained in sight； and it was only when she vanished in the gathering
shadows that he was willing to retire。
In savage courtship； it was the custom to introduce one's self boldly to
the young lady； although sometimes it was convenient to have a sister
introduce her brother。 But Antelope had no sister to perform this office
for him； and if he had had one； he would not have made the request。 He
did not choose to admit any one to his secret； for he had no confidence in
himself or in the outcome of the affair。 If it had been anything like
trailing the doe； or scouting the Ojibway； he would have ridiculed the very
notion of missing the object sought。 But this was a new warfarean
unknown hunt… ing！ Although he was very anxious to meet Taluta；
whenever the idea occurred to him he trembled like a leaf in the wind； and
profuse perspiration rolled down his stoic visage。 It was not customary
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OLD INDIAN DAYS
to hold any social inter… course with the members of the opposite sex； and
he had never spoken familiarly to any woman since he became a man；
except his old grandmother。 It was well known that the counsel of the
aged brings luck to the youth in warfare and love。
Antelope arose early the next morning； and without speaking to any
one he made a cere… monious toilet。 He put on his finest buckskin shirt
and a handsome robe； threw a beaded quiver over his shoulder； and
walked directly away from the teepees and into the foresthe did not
know why nor whither。 The sounds of the camp grew fainter and fainter；
until at last he found himself alone。
〃How is it；〃 mused the young man； 〃that I have hoped to become a
leader among my people？ My father is not a chief； and none of my
ancestors were distinguished in war。 I know well that； if I desire to be
great； I must deny myself the pleasure of woman's company until I have
made my reputation。 I must not boast nor exhibit myself on my first
success。 The spirits do not visit the common haunts of men！ All these
rules I have thus far kept； and I must not now yield to temptation。 。 。 。 Man
has much to weaken his ambition after he is married。 A young man may
seek oppor… tunities to prove his worth； but to a married man the
opportunity must come to try him。 He acts only when compelled to
act。 。 。 。 Ah； I must flee from the woman！。 。 。 。 Besides； if she should
like someone else better； I should be humiliated。 。 。 。 I must go upon a long
war…path。 I shall forget her。 。 。 。〃
At this point his revery was interrupted by the joyous laughter of two
young women。 The melodious sing…song laughter of the Sioux maiden
stirred the very soul of the young war… rior。
All his philosophy deserted him； and he stood hesitating； looking
about him as if for a chance of escape。 A man who had never before felt
the magnetic influence of woman in her simplicity and childlike purity； he
be… came for the moment incapable of speech or action。
Meanwhile the two girls were wholly uncon… scious of any disturbing
presence in the forest。 They were telling each other the signals that each
had received in the dance。 Taluta's com… panion had stopped at the first
raspberry bushes； while she herself passed on to the next thicket。 When
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she emerged from the pines into an opening； she suddenly beheld Antelope；
in his full…dress suit of courtship。 Instantly she dropped her eyes。
Luckily the customs of courtship among the Sioux allow the covering
of one's head with the blanket。 In this attitude； the young man made a
signal to Taluta with trembling fingers。
The wild red man's wooing was natural and straightforward； there was
no circumspection； no maneuvering for time or advantage。 Hot words of
love burst forth from the young warrior's lips； with heavy breathing behind
the folds of the robe with which he sought to shield his embarrassment。
〃For once the spirits are guiding my for… tunes！ It may seem strange to
you； when we meet thus by accident； that I should speak im… mediately of
my love for you； but we live in a world where one must speak when the
oppor… tunity offers。 I have thought much of you since I saw you at the
maidens' feast。 。 。 。 Is Taluta willing to become the wife of Tatoka？ The
moccasins of her making will cause his feet to be swift in pursuit of the
game； and on the trail of the enemy。 。 。 。 I beg of you； maiden； let our
meeting be known only to the birds of the air； while you consider my pro…
posal！〃
All this while the maiden stood demurely at his side； playing with the
lariat of her pony in her brown； fine hands。 Her doeskin gown with
profuse fringes hung gracefully as the drooping long leaves of the willow；
and her two heavy braids of black hair； mingled with strings of deers'
hoofs and wampum； fell upon her bosom。 There was a faint glow under…
neath her brown skin； and her black eyes were calm and soft； yet full of
native fire。
〃You will not press for an answer now；〃 she gently replied； without
looking at him。 〃I expected to see no one here； and your words have
taken me by surprise。 。 。 。 I grant your last request。 The birds alone can
indulge in gossip about our meeting；unless my cousin； who is in the next
ravine； should see us to… gether！〃 She sprang lightly upon the back of her
pony； and disappeared among the scat… tered pines。