II

THE OTHER BANDS

For a long time the buffalo had not been seen.  The pis’kun was useless, and the hunters could find no food for the people.  Then a man who had two wives, a daughter, and two sons, said:  “I shall not stop here to die.  To-morrow we will move toward the mountains, where we shall perhaps find deer and elk, sheep and antelope, or, if not, at least we shall find plenty of beaver and birds.  Thus we shall survive.”

When morning came, they packed the travois, lashed them on the dogs, and then moved out.  It was yet winter, and they travelled slowly.  They were weak, and could go but a little way in a day.  The fourth night came, and they sat in their lodge, very tired and hungry.  No one spoke, for those who are hungry do not care for words.  Suddenly the dogs began to bark, and soon, pushing aside the door-curtain, a young man entered.

“O’kyi!” said the old man, and he motioned the stranger to a sitting-place.

They looked at this person with surprise and fear, for there was a black wind[1] which had melted the snow, and covered the prairie with water, yet this person’s leggings and moccasins were dry.  They sat in silence a long time.

[Footnote 1:  The “Chinook.”]

Then said he:  “Why is this?  Why do you not give me some food?”

“Ah!” replied the old man, “you behold those who are truly poor.  We have no food.  For many days the buffalo did not come in sight, and we shot deer and other animals which people eat, and when all these had been killed, we began to starve.  Then said I, ‘We will not stay here to starve to death’; and we started for the mountains.  This is the fourth night of our travels.”

“Ah!” said the young man.  “Then your travels are ended.  Close by here, we are camped by our pis’kun.  Many buffalo have been run in, and our parfleches are filled with dried meat.  Wait; I will go and bring you some.”

As soon as he went out, they began to talk about this strange person.  They were very much afraid of him, and did not know what to do.  The children began to cry, and the women were trying to quiet them, when the young man returned, bringing some meat and three pis-tsi-ko’-an.[2]

[Footnote 2:  Unborn buffalo calves.]

“Kyi!” said he.  “To-morrow move over to our lodges.  Do not be afraid.  No matter what strange things you see, do not fear.  All will be your friends.  Now, one thing I caution you about.  In this be careful.  If you should find an arrow lying about, in the pis’kun, or outside, no matter where, do not touch it; neither you, nor your wives nor children.”  Having said this, he went out.

Then the old man took his pipe and smoked and prayed, saying:  “Hear now, Sun!  Listen, Above People.  Listen, Under Water People.  Now you have taken pity.  Now you have given us food.  We are going to those strange ones, who walk through water with dry moccasins.  Protect us among those to-be-feared people.  Let us survive.  Man, woman, child, give us long life; give us long life!”