Hugh Pendexter

Name: Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3
Author: Hugh Pendexter

Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

Summary

“Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3”, published in 1920, is a work by Hugh Pendexter. It explores elements such as Flat Mouth, Sioux and medicine.

Quotes from Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (Hugh Pendexter)

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ If I had had a half dozen whites and some sober Chippewas inside the stout stockade, I would have defied half a thousand Sioux to dig me out. But, being alone, my Indians off in the hills, it might come to pass that I should seek safety in flight down the river to save my skull from serving as a drinking-dish. Such a forced retreat on the part of a white man and a Northman would demean him in the estimation of the Indians. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ A buckskin bag, which had held his medicine and mysteries, had been torn to pieces by wolves. The beasts had mauled the body until it was only a bundle of bloody bones and torn leather. By some freak the head-dress had not been disturbed. Altogether, the remnants of the dead man's dignity were in a sad condition.
"They were in a big hurry," explained Flat Mouth. "Some time they will come to get the bones. The Red Sucker was taken by surprise while carrying the pack. He had just time to throw his axe and crack the Sioux's head when the others got him. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ I hurried forward and beheld another dead Indian. The Red Sucker Indian had struck like a rattlesnake before being killed, and he had bagged a noble victim. For the dead man must have been a great war chief. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ I believed that inside a month the river would be back to normal conditions. "Let the Chippewa magic be ever so strong, there is no medicine as strong as the white man's. But there must be no fighting with the Chippewas. If any blows are struck, the Voice will refuse to return."
My bold assurance seemed to put a little heart in them, although White Buffalo was curious to know why it took a moon for my strong medicine to work. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ All protested their innocence. One of the Assiniboins smacked his lips over the dregs of his rum and informed me—
"No summer trade will go to the Scratching."
I attached no importance to this remark, thinking the wily fellow was fishing for more rum. I pricked up my ears when he added:
"They will trade no new milk this summer for skins."
"No rum at the X. Y. post?" I incredulously asked.
The Indian, in a voice of deep disgust, repeated—
"No rum."
If this news were true, I would have no rivalry during the summer. To handle the trade without liquor was to fly without wings. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ One of the Sioux was taking it home, leaving his own in its place. It must be strong medicine to belong to a chief."
And Flat Mouth eyed it with awe.
"It wasn't strong enough to protect him," I reminded, slipping the trophy into my pocket.
"No man knows how strong his medicine is until he fights," was the reply.
Flushed with success, Flat Mouth wanted to chase the Sioux, depending upon my gun to slay another brace. I refused. The Sioux had lost heavily on the expedition. Five men—and one a big chief—killed, and only a Chippewa skull to show for it. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ Flat Mouth reasoned it out, saying:
"The Sioux were very much afraid when their war-chief was killed. They started to run back to their camp and ride their ponies for home. Then they remembered the beaver pack. If the Chippewa was taking it down the river, he would be in a canoe. They know the maple grows thick along the Thief. Good beaver as well as sugar country. They think the dead Indian came from there. They forget they are afraid at the loss of their chief. They want to take more skulls. So they start to find the dead man's family." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ The Crees worshipped the Voice because it was big medicine. It was powerful enough to permit Flat Mouth to kill four Sioux warriors. White Buffalo believed that as thoroughly as he believed he liked rum. Yet a stronger Chippewa medicine held it prisoner. It wept and moaned and wanted to go back to the River That Calls and couldn't, and the Crees intended to rescue it by force of their bows and arrows. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ An Indian, one of the Red Sucker band, was on the ground, his body feathered with arrows. He had been mutilated beyond all imagining. The Sioux—for there was no mistaking their work—had raised the scalp and removed the skull to use it as a dish. After I recovered my composure Flat Mouth pointed ahead and informed:
"Signs two days old. They followed him from up the river. He came from somewhere near mouth of the Red Lake River. He was carrying a pack of beaver on his back." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ The plains had been clear and dry for several days, but with the storm the buffaloes edged in to find shelter in the timber along the river. By the time we were settled we could hear them crashing about close to the fort and at times scraping against the stockade. The wolves followed them in, looking for an unprotected calf or a sick creature. I've noticed that while wolves can run a herd for short distances the beasts will not stampede because of them. That is why our Indians always suspected the Sioux instead of four-legged wolves when they saw the buffaloes in rapid motion. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ It was a good trade."
"If they are in a hurry, we can hurry," I urged. "I must know whether they have left this country or are hanging around for more scalps."
"Only a few came up here. Lost their war-chief and ran back to their war-camp near Grandes Fourches. May find them quick if we follow."
Which meant we might find them before we were prepared for the meeting.
The sight of the war-chief revived my fighting courage. Thus far the Chippewa Nation had no reason for hanging its head. Flat Mouth scalped the chief and followed the trail downstream till we struck the main river. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hugh Pendexter, Gentlemen of the North — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ Whoever carried the pipe on that raid lost caste once they sighted their village and began throwing themselves to the ground to prepare their people for bad news.
Many a finger on the left hand would lose a joint when the relatives and friends of the dead went into mourning. ”

Hugh Pendexter

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