Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Chapter ten of Indian Child Life.This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox
recordings are in the public domain.For more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. Indian childLife by Charles Eastman, Chapter ten,
(00:23):
a Midsummer feast. The Wappee TownjuanVillage on the banks of the Minnesota River
was alive with the newly arrived guestsand the preparations for the coming event.
Meat of wild game had been putaway with much care during the previous fall
in anticipation of this feast. Therewas wild rice and the choicest of dried
(00:46):
venison that had been kept all winter, as well as freshly dug turnips,
ripe berries, and abundance of freshmeat. Along the edge of the woods.
The teepees were pitched in groups orsemicircles, each band distinct from the
other. The teepee of Mancato orblue Earth was pitched in a conspicuous spot.
(01:07):
Just over the entrance was painted inred and yellow a picture of a
pipe, and directly opposite this therising sun. The painting was symbolic of
welcome and good will to men underthe bright sun. A meeting was held
to appoint some medicine man to makethe balls that were to be used in
the lacrosse contest, and presently theherald announced that this honor had been conferred
(01:33):
upon old Chankpi Yuha, or keepsthe club, while every other man of
his profession was disappointed. Towards evening, he appeared in the circle, leading
by the hand a boy about fouryears old. Closely, the little fellow
observed every motion of the man.Nothing escaped his vigilant black eyes, which
(01:55):
seemed constantly to grow brighter and larger, while his glossy black hair was plaited
and wound round his head like thatof a celestial He wore a bit of
swans down in each ear, whichformed a striking contrast with the child's complexion.
Further than this, the boy waspainted according to the fashion of the
age. He held in his handsa miniature bow and arrows. The medicine
(02:20):
man drew himself up in an admirableattitude and proceeded to make his short speech,
Wapitan WANs you boast that you rundown the elk, you can outrun
the ojibways before you all I dedicateto you this red ball Caposius. You
claim that no one has a lighterfoot than you. You declare that you
(02:43):
can endure running a whole day withoutwater. To you, I dedicate this
black ball. Either you or theleaf dwellers will have to drop your eyes
and bow your head. When thisgame is over. I wish to announce
that if the Wapitan WANs should win, this little warrior shall bear the name
o Eyessa, winner through life.But if a light lodgers should win,
(03:07):
let the name be given to anychild appointed by them. The ground selected
for the great game was on anarrow strip of land between a lake and
the river. It was about threequarters of a mile long and the quarter
of a mile in width. Thespectators had already ranged themselves all along the
(03:27):
two sides, as well as thetwo ends, which were somewhat higher than
the middle. The soldiers appointed tokeep order furnished much of the entertainment of
the day. They painted artistically andtastefully according to the Indian fashion, not
only their bodies, but also theirponies and clubs. They were so strict
in forcing the laws that no onecould venture with safety within a few feet
(03:52):
of the limits of the field.Now all of the minor events and feasts
occupying several days time had been observed. Heralds on ponies backs announced that all
who intended to participate in the finalgame were requested to repair to the ground.
Also that if anyone bore a grudgeagainst another, he was implored to
forget his ill feeling until the contestshould be over. The most powerful men
(04:17):
were stationed at the halfway ground,while the fast runners were assigned to the
back. It was an impressive spectacle, a fine collection of agile forms,
almost stripped of garments and painted inwild imitation of the rainbow and sunset sky
on human canvas. Some had undertakento depict the milky way across their tawny
(04:42):
bodies, and one or two madea bold attempt to reproduce the lightning.
Others contented themselves with painting the figureof some fleet animal or swift bird on
their muscular chests. At the middleof the ground were stationed four immense men
magnific facently formed. A fifth approachedthis group, paused a moment, and
(05:04):
then threw his head back, gazedup into the sky in the manner of
a cock, and gave a smooth, clear operatic tone. Instantly, the
little black ball went up between thetwo middle rushers in the midst of yells,
cheers, and war whoops. Bothmen endeavored to catch it in the
air, but alas each interfered withthe other, then the guards on each
(05:27):
side rushed upon them. For atime a hundred lacrosse sticks vied with each
other, and the wriggling human fleshand paint where all one could see through
the cloud of dust. Suddenly thereshot swiftly through the air towards the south
tore the capacius goal the ball.There was a general cheer from their adherents,
which echoed back from the white cliffon the opposite side of the Minnesota.
(05:50):
As the ball flew through the air, two adversaries were ready to receive
it. The cauposia quickly met theball, but failed to catch it in
his net bag, for the otherhad swung his up like a flash.
Thus it struck the ground but hadno opportunity to bound up. When a
Wapitan pounced upon it like a catand slipped out of the grasp of his
(06:11):
opponents. A mighty cheer thundered throughthe air. The warrior who had undertaken
to pilot. The little sphere wasrisking much, for he must dodge a
host of carposius before he could gainany ground. He was alert, an
agile, now springing like a panther, now leaping like a deer over a
stooping opponent who tried to seize himaround the waist. Every opposing player was
(06:33):
upon his heels, while those ofhis own side did all in their power
to clear the way for him.But it was all in vain. He
only gained fifty paces, and thusthe game went first one side, then
the other would gain an advantage,and then it was lost. Until the
herald proclaimed that it was time tochange the ball. No victory was in
(06:55):
sight for either side. After afew minutes rest, the game was resumed.
The red ball was now tossed inthe air in the usual way.
No sooner had it descended than oneof the rushers caught it, and away
it went northward again. It wasfortunate for it was advanced by one of
the same side. The scene wasnow one of the wildest excitement and confusion.
(07:18):
At last, the northward flight ofthe ball was checked for a moment,
and a desperate struggle ensued. Theball had not been allowed to come
to the surface since it reached thispoint, for there were more than a
hundred men who scrambled for it.Suddenly a warrior shot out of the throng
like the ball itself. Then someof the players shouted look out for Antelope,
(07:39):
but it was too late. Thelittle sphere had already nestled into Antelope's
palm, and the fleetest of theWappatans had thrown down his lacrosse stick and
set a determined eye upon the northerngoal. Such a speed he had cleared
almost all the opponent's guards. Therewere but two more. These were exceptional
runners of the Caposius. As heapproached them in his almost irresistible speed,
(08:03):
every savage heart thumped louder in theIndian's dusky bosom. In another moment,
there would be a defeat for theCaposius, or a prolongation of the game.
The two men, with a determinedlook, approached their foe like two
panthers prepared to spring. Yet heneither slackened his speed nor deviated from his
course. A crash, a mightyshout, the two Caposius collided, and
(08:28):
the swift Antelope had won the laurels. The turmoil and commultion of the victor's
camp were indescribable. A few beatsof a drum were heard, after which
the criers hurried along the lines,announcing the last act to be performed at
the camp of the leaf dwellers.The day had been a perfect one.
(08:48):
Every event had been a success,and as a matter of course, the
old people were happy, for theywere largely profited by these occasions. Within
the circle formed by the General Assemblysat in a group the members of the
Common Council. Blue Earth arose and, in a few appropriate and courteous remarks,
(09:09):
assured his guests that it was notselfishness that led his braves to carry
off the honors of the last event, but that this was a friendly contest
in which each band must assert hisprowess. In memory of this victory,
the boy would now receive his name. Aloud ho o o of approbation reverberated
(09:31):
from the edge of the forest uponthe Minnesota's bank. Half frightened, the
little fellow was now brought into thecircle, looking very much as if he
were about to be executed. Cheerafter cheer one up for the awe stricken
boy chank p Yaha. The medicineman proceeded to confer the name O Hiessa
O winner shall be thy name.Henceforth, be brave, be patient,
(09:54):
and thou shalt always win. Thyname is yes end of Chapter ten,
A Midsummer's Feast
Chapter ten of Indian Child Life.This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox
recordings are in the public domain.For more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. Indian childLife by Charles Eastman, Chapter ten,
(00:23):
a Midsummer feast. The Wappee TownjuanVillage on the banks of the Minnesota River
was alive with the newly arrived guestsand the preparations for the coming event.
Meat of wild game had been putaway with much care during the previous fall
in anticipation of this feast. Therewas wild rice and the choicest of dried
(00:46):
venison that had been kept all winter, as well as freshly dug turnips,
ripe berries, and abundance of freshmeat. Along the edge of the woods.
The teepees were pitched in groups orsemicircles, each band distinct from the
other. The teepee of Mancato orblue Earth was pitched in a conspicuous spot.
(01:07):
Just over the entrance was painted inred and yellow a picture of a
pipe, and directly opposite this therising sun. The painting was symbolic of
welcome and good will to men underthe bright sun. A meeting was held
to appoint some medicine man to makethe balls that were to be used in
the lacrosse contest, and presently theherald announced that this honor had been conferred
(01:33):
upon old Chankpi Yuha, or keepsthe club, while every other man of
his profession was disappointed. Towards evening, he appeared in the circle, leading
by the hand a boy about fouryears old. Closely, the little fellow
observed every motion of the man.Nothing escaped his vigilant black eyes, which
(01:55):
seemed constantly to grow brighter and larger, while his glossy black hair was plaited
and wound round his head like thatof a celestial He wore a bit of
swans down in each ear, whichformed a striking contrast with the child's complexion.
Further than this, the boy waspainted according to the fashion of the
age. He held in his handsa miniature bow and arrows. The medicine
(02:20):
man drew himself up in an admirableattitude and proceeded to make his short speech,
Wapitan WANs you boast that you rundown the elk, you can outrun
the ojibways before you all I dedicateto you this red ball Caposius. You
claim that no one has a lighterfoot than you. You declare that you
(02:43):
can endure running a whole day withoutwater. To you, I dedicate this
black ball. Either you or theleaf dwellers will have to drop your eyes
and bow your head. When thisgame is over. I wish to announce
that if the Wapitan WANs should win, this little warrior shall bear the name
o Eyessa, winner through life.But if a light lodgers should win,
(03:07):
let the name be given to anychild appointed by them. The ground selected
for the great game was on anarrow strip of land between a lake and
the river. It was about threequarters of a mile long and the quarter
of a mile in width. Thespectators had already ranged themselves all along the
(03:27):
two sides, as well as thetwo ends, which were somewhat higher than
the middle. The soldiers appointed tokeep order furnished much of the entertainment of
the day. They painted artistically andtastefully according to the Indian fashion, not
only their bodies, but also theirponies and clubs. They were so strict
in forcing the laws that no onecould venture with safety within a few feet
(03:52):
of the limits of the field.Now all of the minor events and feasts
occupying several days time had been observed. Heralds on ponies backs announced that all
who intended to participate in the finalgame were requested to repair to the ground.
Also that if anyone bore a grudgeagainst another, he was implored to
forget his ill feeling until the contestshould be over. The most powerful men
(04:17):
were stationed at the halfway ground,while the fast runners were assigned to the
back. It was an impressive spectacle, a fine collection of agile forms,
almost stripped of garments and painted inwild imitation of the rainbow and sunset sky
on human canvas. Some had undertakento depict the milky way across their tawny
(04:42):
bodies, and one or two madea bold attempt to reproduce the lightning.
Others contented themselves with painting the figureof some fleet animal or swift bird on
their muscular chests. At the middleof the ground were stationed four immense men
magnific facently formed. A fifth approachedthis group, paused a moment, and
(05:04):
then threw his head back, gazedup into the sky in the manner of
a cock, and gave a smooth, clear operatic tone. Instantly, the
little black ball went up between thetwo middle rushers in the midst of yells,
cheers, and war whoops. Bothmen endeavored to catch it in the
air, but alas each interfered withthe other, then the guards on each
(05:27):
side rushed upon them. For atime a hundred lacrosse sticks vied with each
other, and the wriggling human fleshand paint where all one could see through
the cloud of dust. Suddenly thereshot swiftly through the air towards the south
tore the capacius goal the ball.There was a general cheer from their adherents,
which echoed back from the white cliffon the opposite side of the Minnesota.
(05:50):
As the ball flew through the air, two adversaries were ready to receive
it. The cauposia quickly met theball, but failed to catch it in
his net bag, for the otherhad swung his up like a flash.
Thus it struck the ground but hadno opportunity to bound up. When a
Wapitan pounced upon it like a catand slipped out of the grasp of his
(06:11):
opponents. A mighty cheer thundered throughthe air. The warrior who had undertaken
to pilot. The little sphere wasrisking much, for he must dodge a
host of carposius before he could gainany ground. He was alert, an
agile, now springing like a panther, now leaping like a deer over a
stooping opponent who tried to seize himaround the waist. Every opposing player was
(06:33):
upon his heels, while those ofhis own side did all in their power
to clear the way for him.But it was all in vain. He
only gained fifty paces, and thusthe game went first one side, then
the other would gain an advantage,and then it was lost. Until the
herald proclaimed that it was time tochange the ball. No victory was in
(06:55):
sight for either side. After afew minutes rest, the game was resumed.
The red ball was now tossed inthe air in the usual way.
No sooner had it descended than oneof the rushers caught it, and away
it went northward again. It wasfortunate for it was advanced by one of
the same side. The scene wasnow one of the wildest excitement and confusion.
(07:18):
At last, the northward flight ofthe ball was checked for a moment,
and a desperate struggle ensued. Theball had not been allowed to come
to the surface since it reached thispoint, for there were more than a
hundred men who scrambled for it.Suddenly a warrior shot out of the throng
like the ball itself. Then someof the players shouted look out for Antelope,
(07:39):
but it was too late. Thelittle sphere had already nestled into Antelope's
palm, and the fleetest of theWappatans had thrown down his lacrosse stick and
set a determined eye upon the northerngoal. Such a speed he had cleared
almost all the opponent's guards. Therewere but two more. These were exceptional
runners of the Caposius. As heapproached them in his almost irresistible speed,
(08:03):
every savage heart thumped louder in theIndian's dusky bosom. In another moment,
there would be a defeat for theCaposius, or a prolongation of the game.
The two men, with a determinedlook, approached their foe like two
panthers prepared to spring. Yet heneither slackened his speed nor deviated from his
course. A crash, a mightyshout, the two Caposius collided, and
(08:28):
the swift Antelope had won the laurels. The turmoil and commultion of the victor's
camp were indescribable. A few beatsof a drum were heard, after which
the criers hurried along the lines,announcing the last act to be performed at
the camp of the leaf dwellers.The day had been a perfect one.
(08:48):
Every event had been a success,and as a matter of course, the
old people were happy, for theywere largely profited by these occasions. Within
the circle formed by the General Assemblysat in a group the members of the
Common Council. Blue Earth arose and, in a few appropriate and courteous remarks,
(09:09):
assured his guests that it was notselfishness that led his braves to carry
off the honors of the last event, but that this was a friendly contest
in which each band must assert hisprowess. In memory of this victory,
the boy would now receive his name. Aloud ho o o of approbation reverberated
(09:31):
from the edge of the forest uponthe Minnesota's bank. Half frightened, the
little fellow was now brought into thecircle, looking very much as if he
were about to be executed. Cheerafter cheer one up for the awe stricken
boy chank p Yaha. The medicineman proceeded to confer the name O Hiessa
O winner shall be thy name.Henceforth, be brave, be patient,
(09:54):
and thou shalt always win. Thyname is yes end of Chapter ten,
A Midsummer's Feast
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