old indian days(古印第时期)-第29章
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she need not answer him unless she chooses。
The Indian woman in her quiet way preserves the dignity of the home。
From our standpoint the white man is a law…breaker！ The 〃Great
Mystery；〃 we say； does not adorn the woman above the man。 His law is
spreading horns； or flowing mane； or gorgeous plumage for the male； the
female he made plain； but comely； modest and gentle。 She is the
foundation of man's dignity and honor。 Upon her rests the life of the
home and of the family。 I have often thought that there is much in this
philos… ophy of an untutored people。 Had her husband remained long
enough in one place； the Indian woman； I believe； would have developed
no mean civilization and culture of her own。
It was no disgrace to the chief's daughter in the old days to work with
her hands。 Indeed； their standard of worth was the willingness to work；
but not for the sake of accumulation； only in order to give。 Winona has
learned to pre… pare skins； to remove the hair and tan the skin of a deer so
that it may be made into moccasins within three days。 She has a bone
tool for each stage of the conversion of the stiff raw…hide into velvety
leather。 She has been taught the art of painting tents and raw…hide cases；
and the manufacture of garments of all kinds。
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Generosity is a trait that is highly developed in the Sioux woman。
She makes many mocca… sins and other articles of clothing for her male
relatives； or for any who are not well provided。 She loves to see her
brother the best dressed among the young men； and the moccasins espe…
cially of a young brave are the pride of his woman…kind。
Her own person is neatly attired； but ordi… narily with great simplicity。
Her doeskin gown has wide； flowing sleeves； the neck is low； but not so
low as is the evening dress of so… ciety。
Her moccasins are plain； her leggins close… fitting and not as high as
her brother's。 She parts her smooth； jet…black hair in the middle and
plaits it in two。 In the old days she used to do it in one plait wound
around with wam… pum。 Her ornaments； sparingly worn； are beads； elks'
teeth； and a touch of red paint。 No feathers are worn by the woman；
unless in a sacred dance。
She is supposed to be always occupied with some feminine pursuit or
engaged in some social affair； which also is strictly feminine as a rule。
Even her language is peculiar to her sex； some words being used by
women only； while others have a feminine termination。
There is an etiquette of sitting and standing； which is strictly observed。
The woman must never raise her knees or cross her feet when seated。
She seats herself on the ground side… wise； with both feet under her。
Notwithstanding her modesty and undemon… strative ways； there is no
lack of mirth and relaxation for Winona among her girl compan… ions。
In summer； swimming and playing in the water is a favorite
amusement。 She even imi… tates with the soles of her feet the peculiar；
resonant sound that the beaver makes with her large； flat tail upon the
surface of the water。 She is a graceful swimmer； keeping the feet
together and waving them backward and for… ward like the tail of a fish。
Nearly all her games are different from those of the men。 She has a
sport of wand…throwing which develops fine muscles of the shoulder and
back。 The wands are about eight feet long； and taper gradually from an
inch and a half to half an inch in diameter。 Some of them are artistically
made； with heads of bone and horn； so that it is remarkable to what a
distance they may be made to slide over the ground。 In the feminine
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game of ball； which is something like 〃shinny；〃 the ball is driven with
curved sticks between two goals。 It is played with from two or three to a
hundred on a side； and a game be… tween two bands or villages is a
picturesque event。
A common indoor diversion is the 〃deer's foot〃 game； played with six
deer hoofs on a string； ending in a bone or steel awl。 The ob… ject is to
throw it in such a way as to catch one or more hoofs on the point of the
awl； a feat which requires no little dexterity。 Another is played with
marked plum…stones in a bowl； which are thrown like dice and count
according to the side that is turned uppermost。
Winona's wooing is a typical one。 As with any other people； love…
making is more or less in vogue at all times of the year； but more espe…
cially at midsummer； during the characteristic reunions and festivities of
that season。 The young men go about usually in pairs； and the maidens
do likewise。 They may meet by chance at any time of day； in the woods
or at the spring； but oftenest seek to do so after dark； just outside the
teepee。 The girl has her com… panion； and he has his； for the sake of
propriety or protection。 The conversation is carried on in a whisper； so
that even these chaperons do not hear。
At the sound of the drum on summer even… ings； dances are begun
within the circular rows of teepees； but without the circle the young men
promenade in pairs。 Each provides himself with the plaintive flute and
plays the simple cadences of his people； while his person is com… pletely
covered with his fine robe； so that he cannot be recognized by the passerby。
At every pause in the melody he gives his yodel…like love…call； to which
the girls respond with their musical； sing…song laughter。
Matosapa has loved Winona since the time he saw her at the lakeside
in her parlor among the pines。 But he has not had much opportu… nity to
speak until on such a night； after the dances are over。 There is no outside
fire； but a dim light from within the skin teepees sheds a mellow glow
over the camp； mingling with the light of a young moon。 Thus these
lovers go about like ghosts。 Matosapa has already circled the teepees
with his inseparable brother… friend； Brave Elk。
〃Friend； do me an honor to…night！〃 he ex… claims； at last。 〃Open this
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first door for me； since this will be the first time I shall speak to a
woman！〃
〃Ah；〃 suggests Brave Elk； 〃I hope you have selected a girl whose
grandmother has no cross dogs！〃
〃The prize that is won at great risk is usually valued most；〃 replies
Matosapa。
〃Ho； kola！ I shall touch the door…flap as softly as the swallow alights
upon her nest。 But I warn you； do not let your heart beat too loudly； for
the old woman's ears are still good！〃
So； joking and laughing； they proceed toward a large buffalo tent wi
