The Elk-Dog Heritage by Don Coldsmith Read Free Book Online

itself. For now, he was at home, secure in the arms of Tall One.
    Next day the Mountain band arrived, led by Black Beaver. The wheeling and shouting of the mock charge was repeated, and the newcomers were joined by the Blood Society in full force, their faces again ceremonially painted. Again, Heads Off became anxious. People were accepting this group of upstarts all too readily.
    The celebration quieted in due course, only to be repeated three suns later when White Bear led the Red Rocks band in from the southwest. There had been much intermarriage with the Red Rocks after wintering together two seasons ago, and there were many joyous family reunions and friendly greetings.
    Meanwhile, Heads Off knew, the gossip and rumor of the camp would have been spreading like prairie fire. Everyone would have heard the story of the Blood Society by the time of the Big Council.
    It was several suns before the last of the bands arrived, the Eastern band under Small Ears. The Eastern band had for many years had a reputation as non-conformists. Their chosen territory was somewhat different in topography than that of the other bands. They spent more time in the wooded areas along the larger rivers, leading to a slightly different life style. In addition, their chief, Small Ears, had a tendency to glory in the differences, and regard them as unique advantages of his band.

    The rest of the People regarded the Eastern band with good-natured amusement. There were jokes, Heads Off had learned, built around the reputation of that group and its oddities.
    One of the Elk-dog warriors had once come walking back from a hunt, without game, Heads Off recalled, and with his bow broken in the fall which also had lost him his horse. The other men had chuckled and chided him for his ineptness.
    â€œ Aiee ,” exclaimed the man’s wife. “What am I to do with him? His grandmother was of the Eastern band.”
    General laughter had followed.
    Now, the Eastern band had arrived, and the medicine men began the daily circuits of the camp, singing the announcement of the Sun Dance, to begin four suns hence. The Sun Dance itself would last seven days, a non-stop celebration. As dancers became tired, their places would be taken by others, and after food and rest, they would return.
    The major theme was the return of the sun, the grass, and the buffalo after a long winter. There would be songs of thanksgiving, of patriotism, and songs of hope for good health. People with infirmities would dance and offer sacrifices, with entreaties for healing.
    Preparations continued after the four suns of announcement were begun. The family of Many Robes had killed a huge buffalo bull. The skin and intact head were carefully arranged at the west end of the dance arbor over a brush form. The resulting effigy would be the focal point of the festivities for the coming days.
    But, before the first ceremony of the Sun Dance, before any of the important activities of the festival, there was one other necessary step. The first day of announcement, begun after the arrival of the Eastern band, was also the signal for the official gathering of the tribe on the first evening. As Sun Boy carried his torch toward earth’s rim, the People began to gather for the Big Council.

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    The Big Council would be held, not within the Sun Dance structure, but adjacent to it. A fire had been lighted as the shadows lengthened, and fuel stacked nearby to replenish the flames.
    The fire was certainly not needed for warmth. The evening was hot and still, and the cooling breeze of the prairie had not yet begun to bring the customary chill to the lengthening shadows of evening. Yet a fire was essential to council. Somehow the mystique that surrounded the ceremonial fire was part of the ritual involved. Certainly, nothing so important as the Big Council could be held without the solemn effect of the council fire.
    Some people arrived early, to be sure of a good place in the circle. Each band was