XXXII
The New War Chief
Caleb had been very busy all the day before doing no one knew what,and Saryann was busy, too. She had been very busy for long, but nowshe was bustling. Then, it seems, Caleb had gone to Mrs. Raften, andshe was very busy, and Guy made a flying visit to Mrs. Burns, andshe had become busy. Thus they turned the whole neighbourhood into a"bee."
For this was Sanger, where small gatherings held the same place as theclub, theatre and newspaper do in the lives of city folk. No matterwhat the occasion, a christening, wedding or funeral, a logging, athreshing, a home-coming or a parting, the finishing of a new houseor the buying of a new harness or fanning-mill, any one of these wasample grounds for one of their "talking bees"; so it was easy to setthe wheels a-running.
At three o'clock three processions might have been seen wendingthrough the woods. One was from Burns's, including the whole family;one from Raften's, comprising the family and the hired men; one fromCaleb's, made up of Saryann and many of the Boyles. All broughtbaskets.
They were seated in a circle on the pleasant grassy bank of thepond. Caleb and Sam took charge of the ceremonies. First, there werefoot-races, in which Yan won in spite of his wounded arm, the city boymaking a good second; then target-shooting and "Deer-hunting," thatYan could not take part in. It was not in the programme, but Rafteninsisted on seeing Yan measure the height of a knot in a tree withoutgoing to it, and grinned with delight when he found it was accurate.
"Luk at that for eddication, Sam!" he roared. "When will ye be able todo the like? Arrah, but ye're good stuff, Yan, an' I've got somethinghere'll plase ye."
Raften now pulled out his purse and as magistrate paid over withevident joy the $5 bounty due for killing the Lynx. Then he added:"An' if it turns out as ye all claim" [and it did] "that this yerbeast is the Sheep-killer instid av old Turk, I'll add that othertin."
Thus Yan came into the largest sum be had ever owned in his life.
Then the Indians went into their teepees. Caleb set up a stake in theground and on that a new shield of wood covered with rawhide; over therawhide was lightly fastened a piece of sacking.
The guests were in a circle around this; at one side were someskins--Yan's Lynx and Coon--and the two stuffed Owls.
Then the drum was heard, "Tum-tum--tum-tum--tum-tum--tum-tum----"There was a volley of war-whoops, and out of the teepees dashed theSanger Indians in full war paint.
"Ki ki--ki yi--ki yi yi yi Ki yi--ki yi--ki yi yi yi!"
They danced in exact time to the two-measure of the drum that waspounded by Blackhawk. Three times round the central post with theshield they danced, then the drum stopped, and they joined in a grandfinal war-whoop and squatted in a circle within that of the guests.
The Great Woodpecker now arose--his mother had to be told who itwas--and made a characteristic speech:
"Big Chiefs, Little Chiefs, and Squapooses of the Sanger Indians: Anumber of things has happened to rob this yer nation of its noble HeadChief; they kin never again expect to have his equal, but this yerassembly is for to pick out a new one. We had a kind of whack at itthe other day, but couldn't agree. Since then we had a hard trip, andthings has cleared up some, same as puttin' Kittens in a pond willtell which one is the swimmer, an' we're here to-day to settle it."
Loud cries of "How--how--how--how--" while Blackhawk pounded the drumvigorously.
"O' course different ones has different gifts. Now who in all thisTribe is the best runner? That's Little Beaver."
("How--how--how--how--how--" and drum.)
"That's my drum, Ma!" said Guy aside, forgetting to applaud.
"Who is the best trailer and climber? Little Beaver, again, I reckon."
("How--how--how--how--" and drum.)
("He can't see worth a cent!" whispered Guy to his mother.)
"Who was it won the trial of grit at Garney's grave? Why, it wasLittle Beaver."
("An' got pretty badly scared doin' it!" was Guy's aside.)
"But who was it shot the Cat-Owl plumb in the heart, an' fit the Lynxhand to hand, not to speak of the Coon? Little Beaver every time."
("He never killed a Woodchuck in his life, Ma!")
"Then, again, which of us can lay all the others on his back? LittleBeaver, I s'pose."
("Well, I can lick Char-less, any time," was Guy's aside.)
"Which of us has most _grand coups_ and scalps?"
"Ye're forgittin' his eddication," put in Raften to be scornfullyignored; even Little Beaver resented this as un-Indian.
"Which has most scalps?" Sam repeated with sternness. "Here's a scalpwon in battle with the inimy," Woodpecker held it up, and the MedicineMan fastened it on the edge of the shield that hung from the post.
"Here is one tuk from the Head Chief of the hostiles," and Calebfastened that to the shield. "Here is another tuk from the SecondChief of the hostiles," and Caleb placed it. "Here is one tuk from theGreat Head War Chief of the Sangers, and here is one from the HeadChief of the Boilers, and another tuk in battle. Six scalps from sixfamous warriors. This yere is the record for the whole Tribe, an'Little Beaver done it; besides which, he draws pictures, writespoethry and cooks purty good, an' I say Little Beaver is the one forChief! What says the rest?" and with one voice they shouted, "Hoorahfor Little Beaver!"
"How--how--how--how--how--_thump, thump, thump, thump_."
"Any feller anything to say agin it?"
"I eh--" Guy began.
--"has got to lick the Chief," Sam continued, and Guy did not completehis objection, though he whispered to his mother, "If it was Char-lessI bet I'd show him."
The shield]
Caleb now pulled the cover off the shield that he fastened the scalpsto, and it showed the white Buffalo of the Sangers with a LittleBeaver above it. Then he opened a bundle lying near and produced agorgeous war-shirt of buff leather, a pair of leggins and moccasins,all fringed, beaded and painted, made by Saryann under Caleb'sguidance. They were quickly put on the new Chief; his war bonnet,splendid with the plumes of his recent exploits, was all ready; andproud and happy in his new-found honours, not least of which were hiswounds, he stepped forward.
Little Beaver, the New War Chief]
Caleb viewed him with paternal pride and said: "I knowed ye was thestuff the night ye went to Garney's grave, an' I knowed it again whenye crossed the Big Swamp. Yan, ye could travel anywhere that man couldgo," and in that sentence the boy's happiness was complete. He surelywas a Woodcrafter now. He stammered in a vain attempt to say somethingappropriate, till Sam relieved him by: "Three cheers for the Head WarChief!" and when the racket was over the women opened their basketsand spread the picnic feast. Raften, who had been much gratified byhis son's flow of speech, recorded a new vow to make him study law,but took advantage of the first gap in the chatter to say:
"Bhise, ye'r two weeks' holiday with wan week extension was up at noonto-day. In wan hour an' a half the Pigs is fed."
* * * * *
INDEX
ArapahoesArrows-- How to make Individuality ofArrow-wood Illustration ofAsh-- White Illustration of Black
Bagg's, Widdy, placeBald EagleBald-Eagle-Settin'-on-a-Rock-with-his-Tail-Hangin'-over-the-EdgeBalsamBalsam-firBalsam bark, used for tanning Boughs for bed Wood for rubbing-sticks Illustration ofBansheeBasswood Usually hollow Leaf illustrationBeaveringBear huntBeaver RiverBeech Illustration of Blue, illustration ofBiddyBirch-- White Black Canoe Dishes Mahogany Sweet BlackIllustration ofBlackbirds, Red-wingedBlackbird, purple (Jack)Black Cherry Lung balm As a remedyBlaze-- Special RoadBlood RobinBlood RootBloody-Thundercloud-in-the-AfternoonBluebirdBlue-bottle Flies PlagueBlue CohoshBlue Crane (Heron)Blue-jayBobolinkBoilersBoneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)Bow-- How to make BowstringBow-drill Yan makes How to light a fire withBoyle Char-lessBurns, Guy Is captured by Yan and Sam Becomes a member of the tribe His stuffed Deer His test of courage Kills the Woodchuck Name changed to HawkeyeButterfly, blackButternuts-- Used for dyei
ng
Caleb Clark His description of a teepee His Indian adventures Makes Indian war bonnet His standard of a good shot He tells Yan how to find his way in the woods Shows the boys how to skin a horse and how to tan skin How to make moccasins His opinion of hunters and hunting His marksmanship Encounter with Mr. Raften on the coon hunt Story of his quarrel with Mr. Raften Encounter with Bill Hennard Gets possession of his farmCalfskins, sold by boys Used as drum-heads Tanning ofCardinal flowersCat Fight with Skunk Adopts young Squirrels Is caught in the ketch-aliveCatnip-- Tea How it cured the CatCedar,Cedar-birdsChar-less (Red-squirrel)ChenopodiumChipmunk Sam's Chipmunk captureChickadee, cockChoke-cherryClam shellsCohoshConnor, KittyCoon-- Hairs Hunt TracksCottonwood root Indians use to light firesCouncil, the GrandCoup, GrandCow-birdCrawfishCreeperCrow-- Split tongue Common, tracks ofCuckoo, black-billedCypripedium
DachshundDaddy Longlegs and the cowsDam-- The boys buildDandelion roots CoffeeDeer-- Guy's stuffed Shooting gameDe Neuville, Granny Mr. Raften buys her Pigs Her love of flowers and birds She prescribes for Sam's leg Her herb lore Her visit from the robbersDew-clothDigby, Cyrus, (Blue-jay)DipperDog-- How to tell height by trackDogansDowney's DumpDroserae (Fly-eating plants)Ducks, flock ofDyeing-- With Butternuts With Hemlock With Goldthread With Goldenrod With Berries With Pokeweed With Elder shoots With Oak chips With Hickory bark With Birch With Dogwood With Indigo herb
Eagle Feathers As worn by Indian WarriorsElderberry-shoot, used for pipestemEllis, Bud, is cured by Lung BalmElm-- Slippery Swamp Bark for teepeesEmmy GrantsEupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset)
Fire-- How to light without matches Right woods to use SignalFlicker Illustration of nestFlying-squirrelFox-- His Rabbit hunt CallaghanFrogs
GaliumGarney, Bill, grave ofGinsengGoldenrod-- Used for dyeing Usually points northGolden Seal (Hydrastis Canadensis)GoldthreadGraybirdGrip, the DogGyascutus
Hawk-- Sharpshin Fight with King-bird Chicken Red-shouldered SparrowHearne, SamuelHemlock, bark Tree Used for tanningHenbaneHennard, BillHerb-lore, Biddy's Granny'sHeron (Blue Crane)"Highbelier"Hornet, blueHorse, how to skinHorse-hair-- Turns to a snakeHumming-birdHydrastis Canadensis (Golden Seal)Hyla pickeringii (Frog)
Indian-- Sense of smell Teepees Head-dresses Telegram of good luck Meaning of Eagle feathers War bonnet Ability to foretell storms Games Tests of eyes Well Drum Smoke signs Trail signs Method of tanning skins Paints
Indian cucumberIndian cupIndian squaw-- Yan's story ofIndian turnipsIndigo herbInjun tobaccoIronwood
Jack-in-the-PulpitJewel-flowerJewelweed
Ketchalive, how to make aKingbird Fight with HawkKingfishersKingroot
LancewoodLarry, how he made broomsLavender teaLeatherwoodLindera Benzoin (Spicebush)Little BeaverLizard, WhistlingLobeliaLong Swamp, trip toLoonLung BalmLynx-- Yan meets Is killed in Long Swamp
Mallard DuckMandrakesMapleMartins, Sand"Massacrees"May AppleMink-- Kills Muskrat How to catchMinnie, makes peace between Yan and SamMinnowMoccasin-- How to makeMosquitoes, how to keep out of teepeeMouse, FieldMud albumsMuskrat-- Killed by Mink Burrows hole in damMussel shells
Needles, made of Catfish bonesNiagara, Yan visitsNorth Star
Oak, pick to make holes for sewing barkOjibwaO'Leary, PhilOsage orangeOven birdOwl, Stuffed Hoot Screech Horned Cat Horned Owls, killed by Yan and Sam How to stuff
Parlour, the Raftens'Partridge head for Mink baitPeeperPelopaeus, Mud-waspPeter (Peetweet)PinePine GrosbeakPipsissewaPleiadesPleurisy rootPogue, DickPokeweedPrattisonsPrayer-sticks
Rabbit, how he escaped the FoxRad-- Unkindness to Yan Goes Lynx-hunting with YanRaften, BudRaften, Mrs., kindness to YanRaften, Wm., His characteristics Helps the boys make their bed in teepee Makes friends with Caleb and helps him out of his troubleRail Sora railsRed Squirrels Nest robbed by boysRobin-- Guy kills
Sam-- His collection of birds' eggs He visits Granny de Neuville His skill with the axeSander-- Taxidermist's shop Exhibit of birdsSage-brush root, Indians use to light firesSandals, worn when Dear-huntingSanger-- Account of settlers Custom of framing coffin-platesSantees (Sioux)SassafrasScarlet TanagerSees Yan again at Granny de Neuville'sSharp-shinShells-- Mussel ClamShore-larkMeadow-lark, pursued by HawkShrew, Yan finds body ofSi Lee Teaches the boys how to stuff Horned OwlsSkunk, fight with CatSkunk CabbageSkunk-rootSmoke, signs used by IndiansSnake, dies at sundownSnipe, Teetering (Tipup)"Sorry-plant"Sparrow-- Vesper SongSparrow-hawkSpear-mintSpicewood (Lindera Benzoin)Spider, kill a spider to make it rainSquaw berriesStramoniumSuperstitious sayings, Biddy'sSwallows, shooting Keep off lightning
Taxidermy, Si Lee gives a lesson inTeepee-- Is begun Does not prove satisfactory, smokes Is blown down Caleb Clark's description Second teepee is begun Storm-cap How to place poles and ropes Should face east How to secure in a stormToads, give wartsTrails-- Paper Corn Signs ofTrees, points of compass indicated by How to tell height by shadow How to measure distance between treesTree-frogTurkey feathers for arrowsTurtle, mudTutnee
Umbil, or "Sterrick-root"
VeeryVireo, Red-eyed
Wakan RockWar bonnetsWasp, mudWesley (Blackhawk)WhangerdoodleWhippoorwillWhite-man's FootWhite Oak pins for teepeeWhooping CraneWillow, withes for tying teepee polesWind, how to tell direction ofWintergreenWitch-hazel-- Will find water Granny de Neuville's medicineWoodchuck-- Sam's story Guy kills the old WoodchuckWood-duckWood-mouseWood-peeweeWoodpecker, Red-headedWorm, measuringWormweed
Yan-- Homelife His attempts to buy Owl Love for spring How he made the last dime for his first nature book His meeting with the unknown naturalist Discovery of Glenyan Building of the shanty Imitation of Indians Makes a drawing of a Hawk Identifies Coon-hairs Is made ill by chewing leaves of strange plant His list of trees Tries to kill Wood-mouse Makes a pipe and learns to smoke Is punished for caricaturing his teacher Finds his shanty destroyed by tramps His illness Begins to recover and visits Glenyan His adventure with a Lynx Takes Rad hunting Is reproved by his mother for killing the Shore-lark He goes to Sanger His duties He sees Sam's treasures He and Sam begin the teepee They light a fire in the teepee Which smokes them out They find the teepee blown down Their visit to Granny de Neuville Yan sees Biddy again They visit Caleb Clark They begin their second teepee The canvas is sewn by Si Lee Caleb teaches them to light a fire without matches First fire in new teepee They make bows and arrows; practice with them They build a dam Yan's story of the Indian squaw He visits the Sanger Witch again Takes dinner with her They capture Guy Burns; admit him into the Tribe Yan fights Sam and Guy Comes to the assistance of the school trustees Goes with Sam to live in the teepee for two weeks Their first night in the woods They are joined by Guy Their foraging trip Their Deer-shooting game Their visit from Caleb They sun their blankets How they kept off Mosquitoes They clean their camp Carry their remnants of food to Wakan Rock Dig an Indian well Make an Indian drum Yan sees fight between Cat and Skunk They destroy a Red-squirrel's nest He learns to build signal fire Caleb tells him how to find his way in the woods The boys learn how to tan skins And how to make moccasins Makes a ketchalive Their visit from Mr. Raften Yan's story of the Boy-that-wanted-to-know The trip to Downey's Dump They kill two Horned Owls Si Lee gives them a lesson in taxidermy Yan's test of grit He draws the tracks near Bill Garney's grave The Grand Council The Coon-hunt The Bear-hunt Yan finds a Shrew Is ill-treated by Bill Hennard Trouble with the Boilers He wins the fight with Blackhawk The Boilers join the Sangers Yan beats the city boy in wrestling-match They start on hard trip Yan and Pete make an exploring trip Yan finds the Indian village His fight with the Lynx Receives bounty for killing lynx Is made War ChiefYan's Mother-- Her morbidly religious nature She reproves Yan for killing Shore-larkYellow WarblerYew-- Spanish Oregon
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