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Updated: May 13, 2025
Tanagila, or Hummingbird, the beautiful charger, decorated according to custom with the honors won by his master, was led away by the girl amidst resounding war-whoops. Unable to remain quiet, Red Owl went out into the hills to fast and pray. It was sunset of the next day when he again approached the village, and behind a little ridge came suddenly upon Matoska and the girl standing together.
"Hun, hun, hay!" interposed another, "it is I, Red Owl, who touched the body of the Crow chief second to Brave Hawk!" It was a definite challenge. "The warriors who witnessed the act give the coup to Matoska, friend!" persisted the spokesman. Red Owl was a brave youth and a close rival of Matoska, both for war honors and for the hand of the prettiest maiden in the tribe.
It was not their way to speak; only the gay calico ponies pranced about and sportively threw back their ears to snap at the horses of the two young men. "'Tis a brave welcome your horses are giving us!" he continued, while the two girls merely looked at one another with perfect understanding. Presently Matoska urged his pony close to the Blue Sky's side.
"The first honor," declared the master of ceremonies, "belongs to Brave Hawk, who fell in the battle! He it was who compelled the Crows to retreat, when he bravely charged upon them and knocked from his horse the Crow chief, their war leader." "Ho, it is true!" exclaimed the warriors in chorus. "The second honor," he resumed, "belongs to Matoska, the White Bear!"
Presently the Sioux were forced to retreat, with the Crows in hot pursuit, like wolves after their prey. Red Owl and Matoska had been among the foremost in the charge, and now they acted as a rear-guard, bravely defending the retreat of their little army, to the admiration of the enemy.
Matoska had not spoken, and this caused him to appear to the better advantage. The worst of it was that Blue Sky herself had entered the ring with the "orphan steed," as it was called the war-horse of her dead brother, and had therefore seen and heard everything!
She thought that a man is much like the wind of the north, only pleasant and comfortable in midsummer! She feared that she might some time have to furnish all the fuel for their love's fires; therefore she held her peace. Matoska waited for several minutes and then silently withdrew, bearing his disappointment with dignity.
At last a Crow raised his spear against Matoska, who in a flash dismounted him with a stroke of his oaken bow; but alas! the blow snapped the bow-string and left him defenseless. At the same instant his horse uttered a scream and fell, throwing its rider headlong! There was no one near except Red Owl, who clapped his heels to his pony and joined in the retreat, leaving Matoska behind.
In spite of her fresh grief, she had been inexplicably happy since her last meeting with Matoska, for she had seen in him that which is so beautiful, so compelling in man to the eyes of the woman who loves. He, too, now cherished a real hope, and felt as if he could rush into the thickest of the battle to avenge the brother of his beloved!
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