The Little Indian Weaver Read online

  CHAPTER IV

  THE PRAYER STICK

  Bah was making a prayer stick. The prayer stick is an old custom amongthe Indians, and every Indian child knows about it. But Bah had neverwanted anything badly enough to try the charm. Now, it was the onlything left for her to do.

  She took the branch of a tree, a straight branch which she cleaned, andthen she took the feather of an eagle. She tied the feather to the endof the stick with a bit of wool from her loom. She wrapped the woolaround and around, and when the feather was secure in place she made ahole in the ground and put the other end of the stick into the hole.The stick stood up straight and the feather on top of it waved slightlyin the breeze.

  THE PRAYER STICK]

  Bah stood over her handiwork, raised her two arms skyward and prayed:"Oh, Prayer Stick," she chanted in Navajo, "please take my prayer tothe sky on this eagle's feather! My prayer is for a doll!"

  Now, you may think that Bah was idol-worshipping--that she didn't knowbetter than to pray to a stick and a feather! But this was not thecase. She knew very well that it was the Great Father who saw and heardall, but her ancestors had all used the eagle feather to convey to theGreat Father their prayers and to tell Him their needs.

  It was only a method of reaching her God. When her people wanted therain to fall they danced the great Eagle Dance for rain, and the GreatFather saw and understood. This prayer of Bah's was only her way ofasking what you would no doubt ask with your eyes closed and your handsfolded together.

  She did not know that she was being watched. As she started her prayer,Billy had approached the hogan. His first thought had been to call toher, but somehow he had felt that what she was doing was not to beinterrupted, so he stopped.

  It was not his intention to listen secretly to something he had noright to hear. But as he stopped, she prayed so loudly that he couldnot help hearing and, anyway, she did not seem to care for she went onand on, regardless of the fact that she was out in broad daylight, infront of her hogan, and anyone might pass before her door.

  The prayer was repeated, and it was not until she had recited it manytimes that she lowered her arms and with them her gaze from theheavens, and beheld the white boy standing a few yards away. He stoodholding his pony's bridle with one hand, and the other hand was behindhis back. He looked at her questioningly and then at the Prayer Stick,whose feather was waving back and forth. Bah smiled and said: "I makethis prayer stick to pray for doll."

  "THEN BAH GIVE IT TO YOU."]

  It was hard for the boy to grasp her meaning, for he knew so littleabout the Indians and their queer customs. However, he smiled back ather and, keeping his hand behind him, asked: "Where is the blanket youmade, Bah?"

  "You like to see?" she questioned sweetly.

  "Yes, please," said Billy.

  Bah went towards the hogan and took from a nail the blanket she hadfailed to sell. It was hanging on the outside wall of the hogan, aproof that it was appreciated here if not at the Trading Post. Bahbrought it over and held it up for Billy to see.

  "You like?" she asked innocently, cocking her head on one side like alittle sparrow.

  "I like very much, Bah," answered Billy eagerly. "I like to--"

  Bah did not allow him to finish his sentence, but, starting to drapethe blanket about his shoulders, she smilingly said: "Then Bah give toyou!"

  The boy stood amazed while the little Indian girl patted the blanketinto place on his shoulders. She was giving him the blanket which shehad tried so hard to trade. It was really spoiling everything for him.He had hoped to make quite a dramatic scene out of the trade, and thedoll was to be a genuine surprise. Now it looked as though Bah hadforgotten the doll and even the blanket, for she gave it up so easilyand was standing in front of him smiling sweetly.

  "I'll trade you something for the blanket, Bah," he began.

  "Oh, no--Bah give--no trade!"

  It was settled. Billy could see that by the look in her eyes. Hebrought forth his package.

  "Then Billy will give Bah this," he exclaimed, holding out the bundleto her. Solemnly Bah looked into his face. Her eyes seemed to ask manyquestions but she said nothing. Billy understood. He tore the string,undid the package, and the girl's eyes never left his face. It was asthough she had guessed what was there. She looked down and beheld inhis hands--the doll!

  Her mouth opened and she formed only the word "Oh"--Billy put thepapoose doll into her arms. Slowly and solemnly she kissed it. Then,turning quickly she ran to her mother who was weaving in theaccustomed place--

  "Ma Shima, oh, Ma Shima! The papoose doll! She is mine. The GreatFather has sent her!"

  "AND BILLY GIVE BAH THIS."]

  It was all in Navajo and Billy did not understand. He watched her asshe sat down beside her mother and held up her new treasure. He heardher mother emit sounds, though he could hardly see her lips moving. Hadhe been able to understand Navajo he would have heard some very sweetand happy words.

  Then Bah's mother looked over at Billy. She beckoned him to come and hecame. Her black, beady eyes followed him until he stood before her. Hedid not know what to think of the smile she gave him. Was it friendly,or was she mocking him?

  Billy had never before met an Indian woman, and he was puzzled by theblack eyes so deep and mysterious. Billy found himself staring, andwas suddenly aware of himself standing before a lady with his hat on.He doffed his sombrero and in doing so he smiled. Bah's mother smiledback, and said in a musical voice, "Sit down."

  BAH AND THE PAPOOSE DOLL]

  He sat beside her. Bah was on her other side, absorbed in her doll.Billy smiled into the face of the Indian woman and she put her armabout him and said:

  "White boy good friend to Indian!"

  "WHITE BOY GOOD FRIEND TO INDIAN!"]