Part 17 (1/2)

Then they all returned to their cabins and slept, save the Head Buffalo, who, fearing for the woman's life, laid himself down at the door of the lodge, and watched.

When the morning came the warrior went to the forest and killed a deer which he brought to Chenos, who prepared it for a sacrifice, and sang a song while the flesh lay on the fire.

”Let us listen,” said Chenos, stopping the warriors in their dance.

”Let us see if the Great Spirit hears us.”

They listened, but could hear nothing. Chenos asked him why he did not speak, but he did not answer. Then they sang again.

”Hus.h.!.+” said Chenos listening. ”I hear the crowing of the Great Turkey-c.o.c.k. I hear him speaking.”

They stopped, and Chenos went close to the fire and talked with his master, but n.o.body saw with whom he talked.

”What does the Great Spirit tell his prophet?” asked the head chief.

”He says,” answered Chenos, ”the young woman must not be offered to him. He wills her to live and become the mother of many children.”

Many were pleased that she was to live, but those who had lost brothers or sons were not appeased, and they said--

”We will have blood. We will go to the priest of the Evil Spirit, and ask him if his master will not give us revenge.”

Not far from where our nation had their council fire was a great hill, covered with stunted trees and moss, and rugged rocks. There was a great cave in it, in which dwelt Sketupah, the priest of the Evil One, who there did wors.h.i.+p to his master. Sketupah would have been tall had he been straight, but he was more crooked than a bent bow. His hair was like a bunch of grapes, and his eyes like two coals of fire. Many were the gifts our nation made to him to gain his favour, and the favour of his master. Who but he feasted on the fattest buffalo hump?

Who but he fed on the earliest ear of milky corn, on the best things that grew on the land or in the water?

The Old Eagle went to the mouth of the cave and cried with a loud voice--

”Sketupah!”

”Sketupah!” answered the hoa.r.s.e voice of the Evil One from the hollow cave. He soon came and asked the Old Eagle what he wanted.

”Revenge for our sons who have been killed by the Walkullas and their friends. Will your master hear us?”

”My master must have a sacrifice; he must smell blood,” answered Sketupah. ”Then we shall know if he will give revenge. Bring hither a sacrifice in the morning.”

So in the morning they brought a sacrifice, and the priest laid it on the fire while he danced around. He ceased singing and listened, but the Evil Spirit answered not. Just as he was going to commence another song the warriors saw a large ball rolling very fast up the hill to the spot where they stood. It was the height of a man. When it came up to them it began to unwind itself slowly, until at last a little strange-looking man crept out of the ball, which was made of his own hair. He was no higher than one's shoulders. One of his feet made a strange track, such as no warrior had ever seen before. His face was as black as the sh.e.l.l of the b.u.t.ter-nut or the feathers of the raven, and his eyes as green as gra.s.s. His hair was of the colour of moss, and so long that, as the wind blew it out, it seemed the tail of a fiery star.

”What do you want of me?” he asked.

The priest answered--

”The Shawanos want revenge. They want to sacrifice the beautiful daughter of the sun, whom the Head Buffalo has brought from the camp of the Walkullas.”

”They shall have their wish,” said the Evil Spirit. ”Go and fetch her.”

Then Old Eagle and the warriors fetched her. Head Buffalo would have fought for her, but Chenos commanded him to be still.

”My master,” he said, ”will see she does not suffer.” Then they fastened her to the stake. The head warrior had stood still, for he hoped that the priest of the Great Spirit should s.n.a.t.c.h her away from the Evil One. Now he shouted his war-cry and rushed upon Sketupah. It was in vain. Sketupah's master did but breathe upon the face of the warrior when he fell as though he had struck him a blow, and never breathed more. Then the Evil One commanded them to seize Chenos.

”Come, my master,” cried Chenos, ”for the hands of the Evil One are upon me.”