The Cegiha Language [The Speech of the Omaha and Ponka Tribes of the Siouan Linguistic Family of North American Indians] (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ...he was always singing when he lay down at night. At length they went as scouts to a certain place. When the scouts were going back, they discovered the trail of men. 0 war chief, some men have gone homeward in a long line said they. Oho said he, do persevere. Be sure to make yourselves sacred by the aid of your guardian animals. At length three men were passing along very close beside them. Come, 0 vaachief, let us kill those said they. But the war-chief was unwilling. At length it was night and somewhat dark. Hu ha ha ha They were those who beat the drums. They were Pawnees. When my father heard it, he aroused the young man who was with him. Arise said he. And they came back to tell it to the war-chief: O war-chief, they who beat the drums are manifest. Those who are in that place near by came this way and camped. At day it became light again. At length the men were coming back, following the course of the stream. And without detecting the presence of the Ponkas, they went far beyond them on their homeward way. And one was eomin g back. Ho said they, let us cause this one to die with us. My father went as a scout. The path was very near. My father returned to the war-chief to tell it to him. My father left them all behind, as he was a swift runner. He overtook the Pawnee. The Pawnee having thrown away his robe, ran back towards his people in the camp. My father overtook him. He shot at the Pawnee repeatedly, wounding him with the arrows; he wounded the Pawnee every time, therefore he shot at him. And when W acuce arrived there, he killed the Pawnee with a blow from his war-club. The rest of the Ponkas...