Frontier and pioneer life -- Juvenile fiction; Shawnee Indians -- Juvenile fiction
The shivering lads began donning their clothing, and then shook hands
with their friend. The meeting was a happy one. The Shawanoe was as glad
to see them as they were to meet him, whom they had missed more than
they had ever supposed could be possible. He told them he had nursed
Whirlwind until his lameness was gone, when he set out at a leisurely
pace to overtake his friends. On the way he fell in with Black Elk, the
Shoshone chief, and spent several hours in his company. Though it was
not easy for the two to understand each other, they managed to do so
through the universal sign language to the extent that the Shawanoe
learned that the chieftain had acted the part of a friend to the
Blackfoot and the boys when they were in danger from a roving band of
Cas-ta-ba-nas. So, knowing all was well, Deerfoot had not hurried to
overtake the party in advance.
“Where’s Whirlwind?” asked Victor, while hastily dressing himself.
“He is modest,” replied Deerfoot. “When my brothers are clad to receive
company he will come forward to greet them.”
“Seems to me you’re getting mighty particular, Deerfoot.”
It took the boys but a short time to dress, when, after hopping about
for a minute or two, to restore their numbed circulation, they became
comfortable. Being satisfied with an inspection, Deerfoot emitted a
sharp whistle. It was immediately answered by a neigh, and the next
moment the magnificent black stallion trotted into view around a bend in
the trail and approached the party. Proud as ever, he paid no attention
to the other horses, who raised their heads and saluted him as he came
in view.
Halting a few paces away, he looked at his master as if awaiting his
commands.
“Cannot Whirlwind bow to his friends?” gravely asked the Shawanoe;
“since they are not polite enough to salute him, let him teach them what
is right.”
The horse bent his head forward, drawing in his nose slightly and making
a graceful obeisance.
“This is George Shelton; my brother does not know much, but he means
well.”
Whirlwind stepped slowly forward and then sank on one knee. It was the
one that had been lame, but it was now as strong as ever.
“This is my brother Victor; he means well _sometimes_, but my brother
must not be trusted too far.”
“I wonder that he pays us any attention after the character you have
given us,” remarked Victor, who nevertheless bowed low to the salutation
of the stallion.
Deerfoot now gave a striking demonstration of the intelligence of
Whirlwind and of the training which he had received during the
comparatively brief time that he and his master had been alone together.
Not looking at him, the Shawanoe addressed Victor:
“Deerfoot would be glad if Whirlwind would stand up for him.”
That the stallion understood these words was proved by his instantly
rising as nearly erect as possible on his hind feet.
“Now let him give my brother’s handkerchief to his brother.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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