The Ranche on the Oxhide: A Story of Boys' and Girls' Life on the FrontierInman, Henry
General
The Ranche on the Oxhide: A Story of Boys' and Girls' Life on the Frontier
Inman, Henry
Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Juvenile fiction; Kansas -- Juvenile fiction; Ranch life -- West (U.S.) -- Juvenile fiction
"The chief's son had a big heart, and knew no fear, so he closed with
his graceful antagonist. He found him endowed with muscles like the oak,
and he had the wind of a wolf, that never was exhausted by effort. Long
and long they wrestled, but so equal was their strength that neither
could claim any decided advantage. 'Enough, my friend, for this time.
You have struggled manfully. Still resist your appetite, give yourself
up wholly to prayer and fasting, and you will receive the gratification
of your desires. Farewell until to-morrow night, when I will return to
wrestle with you again.' Then the young visitor, with his green plumes
waving over his head, took his flight toward the skies, the green and
yellow vestments with which he was clad expanding like wings.
"When the Indian awoke, he found himself panting like a stag when chased
by the wolves, and the perspiration dropped from his body; yet his heart
was light, for he knew a sign had come from the Manitou. Although he was
very hungry that day, and some berries and grapes tempted him sorely, he
refrained from touching them, resisting successfully these natural
desires.
"Night came, and the young Indian closed his eyes in sleep; and lo!
there was a continuance of his former vision. He saw coming toward him
the graceful being he had seen on the previous night. The silken wings
of green and gold swept through the air with great velocity, and the
green plumes on his head waved rhythmically in their beauty.
"They again wrestled, as before, and although the Indian had neither
eaten nor drunk, he felt his strength greater than in the previous
conflict; and he obtained some signal advantage over his celestial
competitor. They were struggling together when the morning commenced to
look upon the world, and he of the green plumes thus addressed the
Indian youth:--
"'My friend, on our next trial you will be the victor. Now, listen how I
instruct you to take advantage of your conquest. When my efforts cease I
shall die. Strip me of my yellow garments and bury me in soft and
new-made earth. Visit my grave week by week, for in a little time I
shall return to life in the form of a plant, which you will readily
recognize by its resemblance to me. Let no weeds or grass be near me to
keep the dew and sunshine from my green leaves, and once a month draw
the fresh earth to my body, that it may grow and strengthen. When ears
have shot from my side, and the silk which shall fall from their tops
commences to dry, then pull the ear, strip it of its garments as you
will strip me when I am dead. Place the milky grains before the fire
which will cook the outside, without destroying any of the juicy
substance. Then all the race of man will have a sweeter and stronger
food than they have ever known before. There shall be no more hunger
upon the earth excepting among those who have a lazy spirit, or whom the
Bad Manitou claims as his own.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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