Regina Collegiate Institute - Souvenir Yearbook (Regina, Saskatchewan Canada)

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REGINA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE SOUVENIR 23 firewood and then taking a vessel went down to the river for water. The river shore on this side sloped gradually to the water, while on the opposite side a steep I yellow cut-bank rose. The Squaw went slowly down to the river's edge and bent over to fill her vessel. As she did so Little lNIoccasin saw a small dark stone half imbedded in the sand. IVondering at the frog-like shape she picked it up Sud- denly a scene flashed before her eyes, one that she had witnessed years before, when as a little child, at a peace treaty made by the Cree and Blackfeet nations, she had overheard a Cree chief telling another brave of a rare magical stone. A feeling of awe crept over Little Moccasin as she recalled that the Cree had said the stone was shaped rather like a frog. Could it be that here was such a magic stone? Suddenly close by a voice c c spoke her name, Little Moc- casin, if you wish the buffalo to come you must rub the stone. The squaw looked about her but could see no one. It was a spirit, she whispered, and frightened, turned and ran swiftly The Buffalu Stone away holding the stone tightly in her hand. In the absence of the chief she at once sought the Medicine Man, and asked his advice concerning the strange stone. The Medicine Man heard the story in silence and remained motionless for a time as if in profound thought. At length he solemnly spoke: You have truly found a wonderful charm. If the braves return without food you shall rub the stone, Little Moccasinf' The hunters,empty handed and sullen, returned, one by one, in the late afternoon. The lVIedicine lNIan hastened to the chief to tell the story of Little Moccasin. Immediately she was brought before the chief. The stone was reverently examined, whereupon he commanded. Rub the stone V' and. with trembling fingers, the squaw obeyed. Eagle Feather sprang to his feet, and followed by the other braves, strode from the lodge. As his keen eyes swept the surrounding country, Eagle Feather uttered an exclamation and raised his hand to point to where on the side of a low hill was a dark moving mass. Vvlith eager haste the braves caught up bows and arrows and went to the hunt. , That night the Indians feasted. The dread of hunger in the months to come was gone. The oldest brave of the band l1ad never seen such hordes of buffalo. The marvellous stone was given to Little Moccasin and she herself was treated with the deference due a being under the special protection of a mighty spirit. hfuch to the discomfiture of the IVeasel, she became the favorite of Eagle Feather and was considered an oracle by all her people. For many years Little Moccasin treasured the precious Buffalo Stone. But when her son came forth from the Suu

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Little M occctstn cmd the Buffalo Stone Many years ago, long before lvhoop Up, Stand Off or Slide Out had been heard of, a small band of Blood Indians, having loaded their travaux with their worldly possessions, left their Winter camp in Bull Horn Coulee and trailed north. The past winter had been a severe one for the Indians as the buffalo kill the preceding autumn had been very light and their supply of jerked beef and pemmican had early been exhausted. They had eked out a living as best they could, tiding over hungry times with dog or coyote. M fy The band, led by a minor chief, who, how- ? ever, was noted as a li mighty hunter, intended to scour the Porcupine Hills and the valley b e t W e e n these and the Livingstone Range for buffalo. The Indians hoped to find a small band of these animals, which, separated from the main herd, might have wintered among the hills instead of migrating south. But their quest proved unsuccessful, Near the Old lNIan River the Indians halted and camped. Each day the bravest took bows and arrows and went out in search of the much-needed food the squaws usually remaining in camp to do the Work. No traces of the buffalo, however, could be found, and the Indians were facing starvation. Second only to the chief as a hunter was Eagle Feather, whose tepee lay nearest the river. This brave had for some time been lying by the fire in his lodge, his two squaws going noiselessly about their tasks. Now Eagle Feather rose, took his bow and arrows, and, with a grunt and a jerk of the head in the direction of the VVeasel to signify that she should follow him, strode out of the tent. With the squaw following at a respectful distance he set off for the day's hunt. Little Moccasin looked after the pair a trifie wistfully. That she was not the favorite of Eagle Feather she knew well and the VVeasel maliciously reminded her of the fact upon every opportunity. W'hen the receding figures had pased from her View behind a little blud she gathered the day's supply of

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24 REGINA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE SOUVENIR Dance Lodge, after passing through the ordeal of being made a brave Little lNIoccasin, then an old woman presented him the magic charm, bidding him value it more than his life. After Little lXIocassin's discovery of the stone, a thorough search was made of the banks of the rivers east of the Rockies. Although several similar stones were found it is not known whether they proved to possess such magical power as that found by Little Moccasiii. The Indians, however, prized them very highly, and,though today their faith in the Buffalo Stone has been weakened, they still regard them as very precious charms. N. BURNETT The Sport QI' Time In BIarch's Halls King Time kept court Ivith all his regal pomp and sport, And thither came with angry pace, IVith warlike mein, and hurried grace, The boisterous Seasons-Spring and Winter. Said Time, I knew this soon would be Each year you, fighting come to meg Each year your burning hate appears In BIarch, O Sons of passing yearsg Ivhat want ye, Seasons, Spring and lVinter? as Tis right, said Spring, 0 Time, my liege, That IVinter should withhold his siege From off the fertile plains of Sask.g Let me rule there-'tis all I ask. U rival Seasons-Spring and lVinter ! Said IYinter, Un these prairies wide I love to roam, to roar, to ride, In ice-fort strong I'll keep the key, And ne'er an inch I'll yield to thee. What foolish boast 1 said Spring to lYinter. So Time, he put them forth to fight On Saskfs fair plains to see who's rightg But on Springs side he pressed his finger That he might overbalance IVinter. So fought the Seasons-Spring and IVinter. Then people said, when chance they could, Through snow, through rain, through sleet, through mud, Now on the prairies near and far Those dreadful Seasons are at war. Those frightful Seasons-Spring and Ivinter 2 At last. the conqueror was Spring, But he not long was prairie's king, For launching her golden shafts through space, Queen Summer drove him from his place. So ended Seasons-Spring and Winter. E'rnEL SMITH.