"I have given my word--I have made my prayers and undergone purification. I must not withdraw from this war-path," he said after a silence. "But I know that I shall be for- tunate! . . . My grandmother will give you my love token. . . . Ah, kechuwa (dear love)! watch the big star every night! I will watch it, too--then we shall both be watching! Although far apart, our spirits will be to- gether."The moon had risen above the hill, and the cold light discovered thetwo who stood sadly apart, their hearts hot with longing. Reluc- tantly, yet without a backward look or farewell gesture, the warrior went on up the hill, and the maiden hurried homeward. Only a few moments before she had been happy in the anticipation of making her lover happy. The truth was she had been building air-castles in the likeness of a white teepee pitched upon a virgin prairie all alone, surrounded by mountains. Tatoka's war-horse and hunting pony were picketed near by, and there she saw herself preparing the simple meal for him! But now he has clouded her dreams by this untimely departure.
"He is too brave. . . . His life will be a short one," she said to herself with fore- boding.
For a few hours all was quiet, and just be- fore the appearance of day the warriors' de- parture was made known by their farewell songs. Antelope was in the line early, but he was heavy of heart, for he knew that his sweet- heart was sorely puzzled and disappointed by his abrupt departure. His only consolation was the knowledge that he had in his bundle a pair of moccasins made by her hands. He had not yet seen them, because it was the cus- tom not to open any farewell gifts until the first camp was made, and then they must be opened before the eyes of all the young men! It brings luck to the war-party, they said. He would have preferred to keep his betrothal se- cret, but there was no escaping the custom.
All the camp-fires were burning and supper had been eaten, when the herald approached every group and announced the programme for the evening. It fell to Antelope to open his bundle first. Loud laughter pealed forth when the reluctant youth brought forth a su- perb pair of moccasins--the recognized love- gift! At such times the warriors' jokes were unmerciful, for it was considered a last indul- gence in jesting, perhaps for many moons. The recipient was well known to be a novice in love, and this token first disclosed the fact that he had at last succumbed to the allure- ments of woman. When he sang his love-song he was obliged to name the giver of the token, and many a disappointed suitor was astonished to hear Taluta's name.
It was a long journey to the Ute country, and when they reached itthere was a stubbornly contested fight. Both sides claimed the vic- tory, and both lost several men. Here again Antelope was signally favored by the gods of war. He counted many coups or blows, and exhibited his bravery again and again in the charges, but he received no wound.
On the return journey Taluta's beautiful face was constantly before him. He was so impatient to see her that he hurried on in ad- vance of his party, when they were still several days' travel from the Sioux camp.
"This time I shall join in all the dances and participate in the rejoicings, for she will surely like to have me do so," he thought to himself. "She will join also, and I know that none is a better dancer than Taluta!"In fancy, Antelope was practicing the songs of victory as he rode alone over the vast wild country.
He had now passed Wild Horse Creek and the Black Hills lay to the southeast, while the Big Horn range loomed up to the north in gigantic proportions. He felt himself at home.
"I shall now be a man indeed.I shall have a wife!" he said aloud.
At last he reached the point from which he expected to view the distant camp. Alas, there was no camp there! Only a solitary teepee gleamed forth upon the green plain, which was almost surrounded by a quick turn of the River of Deep Woods. The teepee appeared very white. A peculiar tingling sensation passed through his frame, and the pony whinnied often as he was urged forward at a gallop.
When Antelope beheld the solitary teepee he knew instantly what it was. It was a grave! Sometimes a new white lodge was pitched thus for the dead, who lay in state within upon a couch of finest skins, and surrounded by his choicest possessions.
Antelope's excitement increased as he neared the teepee, which was protected by a barricade of thick brush. It stood alone and silent in the midst of the deserted camp. He kicked the sides of his tired horse to make him go faster. At last he jumped from the saddle and ran toward the door. There he paused for a mo- ment, and at the thought of desecrating a grave, a cold terror came over him.
"I must see--I must see!" he said aloud, and desperately he broke through the thorny fence and drew aside the oval swinging door.
In the stately white teepee, seen from afar, both grave and monument, there lay the fair body of Taluta! The bier was undisturbed, and the maiden looked beautiful as if sleeping, dressed in her robes of ceremony and surrounded by all her belongings.
Her lover looked upon her still face and cried aloud. "Hey, hey, hey! Alas! alas! If I had known of this while in the Ute country, you would not be lonely on the spirit path."He withdrew, and laid the doorflap rever- ently back in its place. How long he stood with- out the threshold he could not tell. He stood with head bowed down upon his breast, tear- less and motionless, utterly oblivious to every- thing save the bier of his beloved. His charger grazed about for a long time where he had left him, but at last he endeavored by a low whinny to attract his master's attention, and Antelope awoke from his trance of sorrow.
The sun was now hovering over the western ridges. The mourner's throat was parched, and perspiration rolled down his cheeks, yet he was conscious of nothing but a strong de- sire to look upon her calm, sweet face once more.
