第21章

Hakadah's First Offering

"HAKADAH,coowah!"was the sonorous call that came from a large teepee in the midst of the Indian encampment.In answer to the summons there emerged from the woods,which were only a few steps away,a boy,accompanied by a splendid black dog.There was little in the ap-pearance of the little fellow to distinguish him from the other Sioux boys.

He hastened to the tent from which he had been summoned,carrying in his hands a bow and arrows gorgeously painted,while the small birds and squirrels that he had killed with these weap-ons dangled from his belt.

Within the tent sat two old women,one on each side of the fire.Uncheedah was the boy's grandmother,who had brought up the mother-less child.Wahchewin was only a caller,but she had been invited to remain and assist in the first personal offering of Hakadah to the "Great Mys-tery."

This was a matter which had,for several days,pretty much monopolized Uncheedah's mind.It was her custom to see to this when each of her children attained the age of eight summers.They had all been celebrated as warriors and hunters among their tribe,and she had not hesitated to claim for herself a good share of the honors they had achieved,because she had brought them early to the notice of the "Great Mystery."She believed that her influence had helped to regulate and develop the characters of her sons to the height of savage nobility and strength of man-hood.

It had been whispered through the teepee vil-lage that Uncheedah intended to give a feast in honor of her grandchild's first sacrificial offering.

This was mere speculation,however,for the clear-sighted old woman had determined to keep this part of the matter secret until the offering should be completed,believing that the "Great Myste-ry"should be met in silence and dignity.

The boy came rushing into the lodge,followed by his dog Ohitika who was wagging his tail pro-miscuously,as if to say:"Master and I are really hunters!"Hakadah breathlessly gave a deive narra-tive of the killing of each bird and squirrel as he pulled them off his belt and threw them before his grandmother.

"This blunt-headed arrow,"said he,"actually had eyes this morning.Before the squirrel can dodge around the tree it strikes him in the head,and,as he falls to the ground,my Ohitika is upon him."He knelt upon one knee as he talked,his black eyes shining like evening stars.

"Sit down here,"said Uncheedah to the boy;

"I have something to say to you.You see that you are now almost a man.Observe the game you have brought me!It will not be long be-fore you will leave me,for a warrior must seek opportunities to make him great among his people.

"You must endeavor to equal your father.and grandfather,"she went on."They were warriors and feast-makers.But it is not the poor hunter who makes many feasts.Do you not remember the 'Legend of the Feast-Maker,'who gave forty feasts in twelve moons?And have you for-gotten the story of the warrior who sought the will of the Great Mystery?To-day you will make your first offering to him."The concluding sentence fairly dilated the eyes of the young hunter,for he felt that a great event was about to occur,in which he would be the principal actor.But Uncheedah resumed her speech.

"You must give up one of your belongings--

whichever is dearest to you--for this is to be a sacrificial offering."This somewhat confused the boy;not that he was selfish,but rather uncertain as to what would be the most appropriate thing to give.Then,too,he supposed that his grandmother referred to his ornaments and playthings only.So he volunteered:

"I can give up my best bow and arrows,and all the paints I have,and--and my bear's claws necklace,grandmother!""Are these the things dearest to you?"she demanded.

"Not the bow and arrows,but the paints will be very hard to get,for there are no white people near;and the necklace--it is not easy to get one like it again.I will also give up my otter-skin head-dress,if you think that is not enough.""But think,my boy,you have not yet mentioned the thing that will be a pleasant offering to the Great Mystery."The boy looked into the woman's face with a puzzled expression.

"I have nothing else as good as those things Ihave named,grandmother,unless it is my spotted pony;and I am sure that the Great Mystery will not require a little boy to make him so large a gift.Besides,my uncle gave three otter-skins and five eagle-feathers for him and I promised to keep him a long while,if the Blackfeet or the Crows do not steal him."Uncheedah was not fully satisfied with the boy's free offerings.Perhaps it had not occurred to him what she really wanted.But Uncheedah knew where his affection was vested.His faithful dog,his pet and companion--Hakadah was almost in-separable from the loving beast.

She was sure that it would be difficult to obtain his consent to sacrifice the animal,but she ven-tured upon a final appeal.

"You must remember,"she said,"that in this offering you will call upon him who looks at you from every creation.In the wind you hear him whisper to you.He gives his war-whoop in the thunder.He watches you by day with his eye,the sun;at night,he gazes upon your sleeping countenance through the moon.In short,it is the Mystery of Mysteries,who controls all things.

to whom you will make your first offering.By this act,you will ask him to grant to you what he has granted to few men.I know you wish to be a great warrior and hunter.I am not prepared to see my Hakadah show any cowardice,for the love of possessions is a woman's trait and not a brave's."During this speech,the boy had been complete-ly aroused to the spirit of manliness,and in his excitement was willing to give up anything he had --even his pony!But he was unmindful of his friend and companion,Ohitika,the dog!So,scarcely had Uncheedah finished speaking,when he almost shouted:

"Grandmother,I will give up any of my possessions for the offering to the Great Mystery!