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Updated: May 20, 2025
"The Dahcotas are brave above all men. Their bands are so many I could not count them." The very thought of counting a large number made the simple-minded youth look puzzled. "And they are tall and strong of body beyond the red men of all tribes." Again Timid Hare nodded. But she also shuddered as she thought that she was in their power, a helpless captive.
They were in the Dahcota country, this they knew; also that these Dahcotas were fierce warriors and hated the white men. How surprised they were to see what they thought was an Indian child with their companions! How did it happen? What was to be done with her? But now, as Timid Hare almost fell to the floor of the warm, brightly lighted tent, all saw that she was quite exhausted.
Sometimes," he went on, "it is too make us laugh. Sometimes it is to make our faces grow long so!" At this Black Bull's face took on a look of sadness as though he were grieving. Timid Hare was used to the dances of the Mandans, and she loved them. But they were not so many as those of the Dahcotas, she felt sure.
And now she turned in the direction she hoped was the village of the Dahcotas, but her feet felt numb. It was hard to travel. Hark! what was that? It seemed as though men's voices could be heard shouting to each other in the distance. They came nearer. Could it be that Sweet Grass had sent some of the village boys out after her? Nearer! Nearer! Timid Hare stood still, listening.
As the party entered the camp the dogs came out to meet them, barking in delight at their masters' return. Swift Fawn's captor rode up with her to the largest of the tents, or tepees as the Dahcotas called them. Springing from his horse, he unbound the little girl, and again seizing her hand, drew the scared child into the lodge. A bright fire was blazing in the fireplace, for the night was cold.
As he spoke he rose to his feet and Swift Fawn, shaking with fear, knew that he was beckoning to others to draw near. A moment afterwards she was surrounded by a party of warriors. They were taller than the men of her own tribe, and were straight and noble in shape, but their faces were very stern. "They must belong to the 'Dahcotas," thought the child. "And they are our enemies."
Messengers had come from other bands of the Dahcotas saying that their chiefs were about to make a visit to Bent Horn. They wished to talk over important matters in regard to the good of the whole tribe. Both braves and squaws were busy preparing for the great time. There would be dances and feasts, games and wrestling matches.
In Mississippi were the Natchez; near the town of Augusta the Uchies; between the Tennessee and the Ohio, the Mobilians; in Central Carolina, the Catawbas; to the west of the Mississippi the Dahcotas; in New England, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and the region stretching to the great lakes, the Delawares; and finally, in New York, Pennsylvania, and the region enclosed by Lakes Huron, Erie, and Ontario, the Iroquois.
It did not save me from being captured, but it may yet bring good fortune, even as White Mink hoped." The visitors had all gone away and the village was once more quiet that is, as quiet as it might be among the Dahcotas, the lovers of the dance and of music. Now and then some of the braves went forth on a war-party, or on a hunt after bears or buffaloes.
She had colored it afresh of her own accord just before the journey, for she felt she would not be jeered at by the children of the Dahcotas so long as her hair and body were of the same color as their own. When the new camping ground was reached, she was very tired. "But I must not show it," she thought. "I must be bright and cheerful."
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