"You have spoken wise words, and it shall be as you have said. We shall return to your people. If I am to die at the hands of the an- cient enemy of the Sioux, I shall die because of my love for you, and for our child. But I cannot go back to my own people to be ridiculed by unworthy young men for yielding to love of a Ree maiden!"There was much feeling behind these words of Antelope. The rigid customs of his people are almost a religion, and there is one thing above all else which a Sioux cannot bear--that is the ridicule of his fellow- warriors. Yes, he can endure severe punishment or even death at the hands of the enemy rather than a single laugh of derision from a Sioux!
In a few days the houshold articles were packed, and the three sadly turned their backs upon their home. Stasu and her husband were very silent as they traveled slowly along. When they reached the hill called "Born-of-Day," and she saw from its summit the country of her people lying below her, she cried aloud, weep- ing happy tears. Antelope sat near by with bowed head, silently smoking.
Finally on the fifth day they arrived within sight of the great permanent village of the three tribes. They saw the earth lodges as of old, thickly clustered along the flats of the Mis- souri, among their rustling maize-fields. Ante- lope stopped. "I think you had better give me something to eat, woman," he said, smil- ing. It was the Sioux way of saying, "Let me have my last meal!"After they had eaten, Stasu opened her buck- skin bags and gave her husband his finest suit. He dressed himself carefully in the fashion of his tribe, putting on all the feathers to which he was entitled as a warrior. The boy also was decked out in gala attire, and Stasu, the matron, had never looked more beautiful in her gown of ceremony with the decoration of elks' teeth, the same that she had worn on the evening of her disappearance.
As she dressed herself, the unwelcome thought forced itself upon her,--"What if my love is killed by my own countrymen in their frenzy? This beautiful gown must then give place to a poor one, and this hair will be cut short!" for such is the mourning of the widow among her people.
The three rode openly down the long slope, and were instantly discovered by the people of the village. Soon the plain was black with the approaching riders. Stasu had begged her hus- band to remain behind, while she went on alone with the boy to obtain forgiveness, but he sternly refused, and continued in advance. When the foremost Ree warriors came within arrow-shot they began to shoot, to which he paid no attention.
But the child screamed with terror, and Stasu cried out in her own tongue:
"Do not shoot! I am the daughter of your chief!"One of them returned the reply: "She is killed by the Sioux!" But when the leaders saw her plainly they were astounded.
For a time there was great confusion. Some held that they should all die, for the woman had been guilty of treason to her people, and even now she might be playing a trick upon them. Who could say that behind that hill there was not a Sioux war-party?
"No, no," replied others. "They are in our power. Let them tell their story!"Stasu told it simply, and said in conclusion:
"This man, one of the bravest and most honorable men of his tribe, deserted on the night of the attack, and all because he loved a Ree maiden! He now comes to be your brother-in-law, who will fight henceforth for you and with you, even if it be against his own people.
"He does not beg for mercy--he can dare anything!But I am awoman--my heart is soft--I ask for the lives of my husband and my son, who is the grandson of your chief!""He is a coward who touches this man!" exclaimed the leader, and a thunder of war- whoops went up in approval of his words.
The warriors formed themselves in two great columns, riding twenty abreast, behind and in front of the strangers. The old chief came out to meet them, and took his son-in- law's hand. Thus they entered the village in battle array, but with hearts touched with won- der and great gladness, discharging their ar- rows upward in clouds and singing peace-songs.
