Frontier and pioneer life -- Juvenile fiction; Shawnee Indians -- Juvenile fiction
Deerfoot, however, knew that his work was not yet done, though he had
made fair progress with it. He must win the affection of the creature,
or all that had been previously done would go for naught.
Since the Shawanoe never made use of a saddle, his blanket serving that
purpose, and since also there was none at command, no suggestion was
offered him in that respect. Victor Shelton, however, took upon himself
to say:
“You will have to bridle him, and he will fight _that_.”
The captor shook his head.
“So long as Deerfoot lives Whirlwind shall not wear saddle or bridle. He
shall be ruled by kindness, as all animals should be ruled.”
“Well, if anyone can do it, you’re the chap, but it will be as big a job
as teaching him that you’re his master.”
The Shawanoe improved every minute. He continually spoke soothingly to
the stallion, patted his neck and sides, and never lost patience with
his restlessness. By and by the youth approached and in the gentlest
manner possible spread his blanket over the glossy coat, not yet dry
from the moisture caused by his determined fight. Whirlwind shied and
for some minutes would not permit the liberty, but after a time suffered
himself to be persuaded. The blanket was held in place only by the
weight of Deerfoot, who bestrode it. Then, rifle in hand, he urged the
steed forward, and he responded somewhat uncertainly.
One thing interested and amused our friends from the beginning.
Whirlwind did not hesitate to show his contempt for the common horses
around him. The snubbing given to the presumptuous Zigzag was no more
marked than his feeling toward the others. Had they invited the rebuff,
it would have been as decisive as the one described, but they knew
enough to keep their distance. When cropping the grass at the noon halt,
the stallion did so at some distance from the others, and it may be
added that at night Deerfoot humored his aristocratic prejudices by
allowing him to “flock by himself.” He would have nothing to do with any
of his species, further than a captured prince is obliged to come in
contact with his inferiors.
Toward Mul-tal-la and the Shelton brothers the steed was indifferent.
While he displayed no ill will to them, he exhibited no special
friendship. If they approached with caresses he permitted the liberty,
but it gave him no pleasure, and he would have been quite content if
they kept their distance and left him to himself.
It was different, however, regarding Deerfoot. No animal living is
quicker to recognize his master, or to know when an incompetent has him
in charge, than a horse. To his last day Whirlwind would vividly
remember that desperate struggle in which he was thrown and subdued by
the matchless youth. There must have been a feeling akin to respect,
mingled perhaps with fear, toward the victor who had done what was never
yet done to Whirlwind by man or animal.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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