For gladly again to my tee
will the bridal gifts come for my daughter.
A fleet-footed hunter is he,
and the good spirits feather his arrows;
And the cold, cruel winter
will be a feast-time instead of a famine."
[BG] The Robin--the name of Winona's Mother.
"My father," she said, and her voice
was filial and full of compassion,
"Would the heart of Ta-te-psin rejoice
at the death of Winona, his daughter?
The crafty Tamdoka I hate.
Must I die in his _teepee_ of sorrow?
For I love the White Chief and I wait
his return to the land of Dakotas.
When the cold winds of winter return,
and toss the white robes of the prairies,
The fire of the White Chief will burn
in his lodge at the Meeting-of-Waters.
Winona's heart followed his feet
far away to the land of the Morning,
And she hears in her slumber his sweet,
kindly voice call the name of thy daughter.
My father, abide, I entreat,
the return of the brave to _Katahga_.
The wild-rice is gathered, the meat
of the bison is stored in the _teepee_;
Till the Coon-Moon[71] enough and to spare;
and if then the white warrior return not,
Winona will follow the bear and the coon
to their dens in the forest.
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