CHAPTER XIX
KIDDIE'S ANSWER
It was late in the evening when the surviving Crows arrived in theirvillage. Rejoicings over their victory were mingled with lamentationsover the death of their chief--ceremonies in which neither Kiddie norRube took any personal interest.
They were both lying very weary and silent on a pile of soft buffalorobes within their teepee, when Simon Sprott entered, accompanied byseveral of the warriors and counsellors.
"We've been having a big talk," began Simon Sprott. "We've lost ourchief, and the Crows have elected a successor. Their choice of LittleCayuse was quickly made." He saluted Kiddie. "And we're hoping youwon't refuse."
Kiddie looked puzzled. He glanced round at Rube.
"Well?" said Rube. "Chief of the Crow nation. That's what they'reofferin' you. Why don't you answer?"
Kiddie stood irresolute.
"Why don't you answer?" Rube repeated, impressed by the importance ofthe occasion. He was very much interested in the deputation of Indianswaiting so patiently for Kiddie's decision.
Kiddie still looked puzzled, as if he had difficulty in making up hismind concerning the offer that had been made to him to become the headchief and lawman of the Crow nation.
"There's no need for you to hurry, Little Cayuse," said Simon Sprott."Take your own time to consider the proposition. Think about itdeeply, all round, from all sides. The Crows will wait. They willleave you alone with your own thoughts. They do not ask for youranswer right now. They would wish you to sleep upon it. When the sunhas risen over Washakee Peak they will come again into the wigwam ofLittle Cayuse. He will then give them his answer. If it is Yes, theywill rejoice; all the Crow nation will be glad. If it is No, theirhearts will be heavy. For Little Cayuse alone is the leader they wouldfollow and obey. I have spoken. What I have said is said by all theCrows."
He turned to his companion medicine men and warriors, and told themwhat he had said. Then he took from one of them a magnificent warbonnet of white eagles' plumes, and from another a robe of soft doeskinadorned with beautiful designs in coloured beads and porcupine quillsand needlework in brilliant silk. From a third he took a chief's staffof office, and from a fourth a pair of richly-decorated moccasins. Allthese he spread with great ceremony at Kiddie's feet, evidentlyexpecting him to wear them when next he should appear in public.
Kiddie bowed to them as the counsellors filed slowly out of the lodge.When they had closed the door-flap behind them he turned round to RubeCarter.
"Feelin' better now, Rube?" he asked. "I'll dress that cut on yourcheek again, 'fore you go to sleep. Dunno about your hip. Is itpainin' you?"
"Some," Rube answered. "But don't you worry. I ain't thinkin' aboutmy wounds. I'm thinkin' about you. What's the matter with thathead-dress? Ain't you goin' ter put it on, and lemme see how you lookin it? What about a dress rehearsal?"
Kiddie shook his head.
"Gee!" exclaimed Rube. "Ain't you figurin' ter take it on, then--thisboss chieftainship that they've offered you?"
"Not I," said Kiddie, very decisively.
"Made up your mind against it?"
"Yes. I'd made up my mind before Short Nose began to speak. I'dguessed what was coming."
"Um!" murmured Rube. "Dunno whether t' be glad or sorry. Why didn'tyou tell 'em, Kiddie?"
"Because they wouldn't have liked it if I'd said No right at once.Much better to let them suppose that I'm hesitatin', wonderin' over it,weighin' the proposition in a balance. Why, Rube, you didn't think fora moment that I would take it on, did you?"
Rube shrugged his shoulders.
"You might have done what Broken Feather's tryin' to do," said Rube."You might have made yourself as great a chief as Red Cloud or SittingBull. Besides, it's a biggish thing ter be a Injun chief. Next doort' bein' a king."
Kiddie smiled.
"I might have been an Injun chief years an' years ago," he remarked."But my ambitions don't lie in that direction. See?"
"Of course," Rube nodded. "I was forgettin' that you're a Englishnobleman, with a seat in the House of Lords. I'm allus forgettin'that. But what d'you mean t' do, Kiddie--now, I mean? Ain't you goin'ter stop here just for a week or two, an' see what it feels like t' bea Injun chief?"
"No." Kiddie turned to his blankets. He was very tired. "No," herepeated. "I'm goin' to stay until you're well enough to be moved.Then we shall find the canoe and our outfit, and go right back home toSweetwater Bridge."
"Trip comin' to an abrupt conclusion, eh?" queried Rube.
"That's about the size of it," nodded Kiddie. "The fine weather won'thold out much longer, and I guess there's a whole heap of letterswaitin' for me to answer 'em."
"Well, anyhow, we've seen an' done a good deal, an' had a fewadventures," Rube concluded, holding himself so that Kiddie might applya fresh pad of lint and a new bandage to his wounded cheek.
Kiddie left the head-dress and other garments where Simon Sprott hadplaced them. But in the early morning Rube Carter awoke to see himwearing the doeskin robe and moccasins, and in the act of covering hishead with the great war bonnet.
"What, changed your mind?" cried Rube. "Goin' ter be a chief afterall?"
Kiddie did not answer. He had got the two long feathered streamers ofthe head-dress twisted behind his back, and was trying to disentanglewithout injuring them.
"Get dressed and go outside to watch the ceremony," he ordered."There's a couch of buffalo robes near the door, and you won't need tolimp very far."
When Rube went out, he found the open space in front of the principallodges crowded with warriors and braves. They were all on foot, buthalf a dozen of them held as many chosen war horses, which were to bepresented to the new chief. The war-chiefs and medicine men wereseated by the totem pole in a half-circle, facing the crowd.
Suddenly they rose to their feet, and bowed as Kiddie strode forth fromhis lodge, looking extremely tall and dignified and handsome in hispicturesque Indian dress.
Murmurs of admiration ran through the throng of waiting braves. Drumswere beaten and minstrels gang a weird, crooning chant as he advanced.
Rube's gaze was fastened upon Kiddie. He would not have understood,even if he had listened to what Simon Sprott said to the Crows. Hesupposed that it was merely a public declaration of the election ofLittle Cayuse as successor to Falling Water. For at the close ofSimon's speech there was a prolonged hubbub of acclamation.
Kiddie then strode forward, with his left hand clasping the staff ofoffice, the morning sunlight shining on his face and on the pure whiteplumes of his magnificent head-dress. He spoke to the Crows in theirown tongue, in a clear, loud voice.
He spoke to the Crows in their own tongue.]
"Warriors, braves," he said, "Little Cayuse is proud that the Crowshave asked him to be their war chief. The Crows are a mighty nation,rich in horses and in buffalo robes. They love peace, but they do notfear war. It is a great thing to be their chief, to make their laws,to lead them in battle. Little Cayuse is glad that they think himworthy to take the place of Falling Water. He has searched his heartfor his answer. His thoughts have been long; but he has reached theend of them. They have been deep; but he has seen through them asthrough clear water. He has decided. His medicine has told him thatit is not for Little Cayuse to be the chief of the Crow nation. He isnot a Crow Indian. He is not of their blood. His medicine is nottheir medicine, or his totem their totem. He is a stranger among them.As a stranger he came. As a stranger he will go away. I have spoken."
Then slowly he removed his war bonnet, put aside his staff, and beganto untie the thongs of his doeskin shirt.
"Ah!" cried Simon Sprott, stepping forward, and speaking in English."I guessed it would be that way. But hold hard. Don't take off yourrobes. They're yours, and you're still a chief. There's no going backon it. You've been elected. Naturally you don't feel like living therest of your days amongst a tribe of Redskins. I don't wonder at it.The
re's a way out, however. The Crows are disappointed. Their hearts'll be heavy for many a long day. But they'll understand. And if youdon't see your way to doing what they want, you'll at least consent tobeing what you might call an honorary chief. Eh? How'll that suit?"
Kiddie willingly agreed to this arrangement, and accordingly he againwore the feathered head-dress and duly acted his part in the ceremoniesconnected with his initiation.