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It is matter of history among the Wakpaykootay band of Sioux, the Dwellers among the Leaves, that when Eyatonkawee was a very young woman she was once victorious in a hand-to-hand combat with the enemy in the woods of Minnesota, where her people were hunting the deer. At such times they often met with stray parties of Sacs and Foxes from the prairies of Iowa and Illinois.
During the early part of the day all went well, with speeches and eulogies of the dead chief, flowing and eloquent, such as only a native orator can utter. Presently two goodly kegs of whisky were rolled into the council teepee. Eyatonkawee was among the women, and heard their expressions of anxiety as the voices of the men rose louder and more threatening.
It was the voice of Eyatonkawee, that stronghearted woman! Advancing at the critical moment to the middle of the ring of warriors, she once more recited her "brave deed" with all the accompaniment of action and gesture, and to such effect that the disorderly feast broke up in confusion, and there was peace between the rival bands of Sioux.
Now, Eyatonkawee, being a young widow, had married the son of a lesser chief in Tamahay's band, and was living among strangers. Moreover, she was yet young and modest. One day this bashful matron heard loud warwhoops and the screams of women.
True, there have been Indian wars, but not without reason; and it is pleasant to remember that the Sioux were hospitable to the first white "prayingman," and that it was a tender-hearted maiden of my people who first took in her hands the cross of the new religion. One of the most remarkable women of her day and nation was Eyatonkawee, She-whose-Voice-is-heard-afar.
"The bravest of the whole Sioux nation have given the war-whoop in your sister's honor, and have said: 'Tis Eyatonkawee who is not satisfied with downing the mighty oaks with her ax She took the mighty Sacs and Foxes for trees, and she felled them with a will!" In such fashion the old woman was wont to chant her story, and not a warrior there could tell one to surpass it!
Hear the mothers, the wives and the children screaming in affright! "Your brave sister, Eyatonkawee, she, the newly made mother, is serving the smoking venison to her husband, just returned from the chase! Ah, he plunges into the thickest of the enemy! He falls, he falls, in full view of his young wife! "She desperately presses her babe to her breast, while on they come yelling and triumphant!
The custom was strong, and there was not one to prevent her when she struck open with a single blow of her ax the keg of whisky, and the precious liquor trickled upon the ground. "So trickles under the ax of Eyatonkawee the blood of an enemy to the Sioux!" Many years ago a large body of the Sioux were encamped at midsummer in the valley of the Cheyenne.
Thus Eyatonkawee recounted her brave deed for the first time, in order to save a man's life. From that day her name was great as a peace-maker greater even than when she had first defended so gallantly her babe and home! Many years afterward, when she had attained middle age, this woman averted a serious danger from her people.
But scarcely has the first round been drunk to the toast of "great deeds," when Eyatonkawee is upon them, her great knife held high in her wrinkled left hand, her tomahawk in the right. Her black eyes gleam as she declaims in a voice strong, unterrified: "Look! look! brothers and husbands the Sacs and Foxes are upon us! Behold, our braves are surprised they are unprepared!
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