第3章
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  RAIN-IN-THE-FACE

  ThenotedSiouxwarrior,Rain-in-the-Face,whosenameoncecarriedterrortoeverypartofthefrontier,diedathishomeontheStandingRockreserveinNorthDakotaonSeptember14,1905。AbouttwomonthsbeforehisdeathIwenttoseehimforthelasttime,wherehelayuponthebedofsicknessfromwhichheneverroseagain,anddrewfromhimhislife-history。

  IthadbeenmyexperiencethatyoucannotinduceanIndiantotellastory,orevenhisownname,byaskinghimdirectly。

  \"Friend,\"Isaid,\"evenifamanisonahottrail,hestopsforasmoke!Inthegoodolddays,beforethechargetherewasasmoke。Athome,bythefireside,whentheoldmenwereaskedtotelltheirbravedeeds,againthepipewaspassed。Socome,letussmokenowtothememoryoftheolddays!\"

  Hetookofmytobaccoandfilledhislongpipe,andwesmoked。

  ThenItoldanoldmirthfulstorytogethiminthehumorofrelatinghisownhistory。

  Theoldmanlayuponanironbedstead,coveredbyaredblanket,inacornerofthelittlelogcabin。Hewasallalonethatday;onlyanolddoglaysilentandwatchfulathismaster’sfeet。

  Finallyhelookedupandsaidwithapleasantsmile:

  \"True,friend;itistheoldcustomtoretraceone’strailbeforeleavingitforever!IknowthatIamatthedoorofthespirithome。

  \"IwasbornneartheforksoftheCheyenneRiver,aboutseventyyearsago。Myfatherwasnotachief;mygrandfatherwasnotachief,butagoodhunterandafeast-maker。Onmymother’ssideIhadsomenotedancestors,buttheyleftmenochieftainship。

  Ihadtoworkformyreputation。

  \"WhenIwasaboy,Ilovedtofight,\"hecontinued。\"InallourboyishgamesIhadthenameofbeinghardtohandle,andItookmuchprideinthefact。

  \"IwasabouttenyearsoldwhenweencounteredabandofCheyennes。Theywereonfriendlytermswithus,butweboysalwaysindulgedinshamfightsonsuchoccasions,andthistimeI

  gotinanhonestfightwithaCheyenneboyolderthanI。Igotthebestoftheboy,buthehitmehardinthefaceseveraltimes,andmyfacewasallspatteredwithbloodandstreakedwherethepainthadbeenwashedaway。TheSiouxboyswhoopedandyelled:

  \"’Hisenemyisdown,andhisfaceisspatteredasifwithrain!Rain-in-the-Face!HisnameshallbeRain-in-the-Face!’

  \"Afterwards,whenIwasayoungman,wewentonawarpathagainsttheGrosVentres。Westolesomeoftheirhorses,butwereovertakenandhadtoabandonthehorsesandfightforourlives。

  Ihadwishedmyfacetorepresentthesunwhenpartlycoveredwithdarkness,soIpaintedithalfblack,halfred。Wefoughtalldayintherain,andmyfacewaspartlywashedandstreakedwithredandblack:soagainIwaschristenedRain-in-the-Face。Weconsidereditanhonorablename。

  \"Ihadbeenonmanywarpaths,butwasnotespeciallysuccessfuluntilaboutthetimetheSiouxbegantofightwiththewhiteman。OneofthemostdaringattacksthatweevermadewasatFortTotten,NorthDakota,inthesummerof1866。

  \"Hohay,theAssiniboinecaptiveofSittingBull,wastheleaderinthisraid。Wapaypay,theFearlessBear,whowasafterwardhangedatYankton,wasthebravestmanamongus。HedaredHohaytomakethecharge。Hohayacceptedthechallenge,andinturndaredtheothertoridewithhimthroughtheagencyandrightunderthewallsofthefort,whichwaswellgarrisonedandstrong。

  \"WapaypayandIinthosedayscalledeachother’brother-friend。’Itwasalife-and-deathvow。Whatonedoestheothermustdo;andthatmeantthatImustbeintheforefrontofthecharge,andifheiskilled,ImustfightuntilIdiealso!

  \"Ipreparedfordeath。Ipaintedasusuallikeaneclipseofthesun,halfblackandhalfred。\"

  Hiseyesgleamedandhisfacelightedupremarkablyashetalked,pushinghisblackhairbackfromhisforeheadwithanervousgesture。

  \"Nowthesignalforthechargewasgiven!IstartedevenwithWapaypay,buthishorsewasfasterthanmine,soheleftmealittlebehindaswenearedthefort。Thiswasbadforme,forbythattimethesoldiershadsomewhatrecoveredfromthesurpriseandwereaimingbetter。

  \"Theirbigguntalkedveryloud,butmyWapaypaywasleadingon,leaningforwardonhisfleetponylikeaflyingsquirrelonasmoothlog!Heheldhisrawhideshieldontherightside,alittletothefront,andsodidI。Ourwarwhoopwaslikethecoyotessingingintheevening,whentheysmellblood!

  \"Thesoldiers’gunstalkedfast,butfewwerehurt。Theirbiggunwaslikeatoothlessolddog,whoonlymakeshimselfhotterthemorenoisehemakes,\"heremarkedwithsomehumor。

  \"HowmuchharmwedidIdonotknow,butwemadethingslivelyforatime;andthewhitemenactedaspeopledowhenaswarmofangrybeesgetintocamp。Wemadeasuccessfulretreat,butsomeofthereservationIndiansfollowedusyelling,untilHohaytoldthemthathedidnotwishtofightwiththecaptivesofthewhiteman,fortherewouldbenohonorinthat。Therewasbloodrunningdownmyleg,andIfoundthatbothmyhorseandIwereslightlywounded。

  \"SometwoyearslaterweattackedafortwestoftheBlackHills[FortPhilKearny,Wyoming]。Itwastherewekilledonehundredsoldiers。\"[Themilitaryreportssayeightymen,underthecommandofCaptainFetterman——notoneleftalivetotellthetale!]\"NearlyeverybandoftheSiouxnationwasrepresentedinthatfight——RedCloud,SpottedTail,CrazyHorse,SittingBull,BigFoot,andallourgreatchiefswerethere。OfcoursesuchmenasIwerethencomparativelyunknown。However,thereweremanynotedyoungwarriors,amongthemSword,theyoungerYoung-Man-Afraid,AmericanHorse[afterwardchief],CrowKing,andothers。

  \"Thiswastheplandecideduponaftermanycouncils。Themainwarpartylayinambush,andafewofthebravestyoungmenwereappointedtoattackthewoodchopperswhowerecuttinglogstocompletethebuildingofthefort。Weweretoldnottokillthesemen,buttochasethemintothefortandretreatslowly,defyingthewhitemen;andifthesoldiersshouldfollow,weweretoleadthemintotheambush。Theytookourbaitexactlyaswehadhoped!

  Itwasamatterofaveryfewminutes,foreverysoldierlaydeadinashortertimethanittakestoannihilateasmallherdofbuffalo。

  \"ThisattackwashastenedbecausemostoftheSiouxontheMissouriRiverandeastwardhadbeguntotalkofsuingforpeace。

  Buteventhisdidnotstopthepeacemovement。TheverynextyearatreatywassignedatFortRice,DakotaTerritory,bynearlyalltheSiouxchiefs,inwhichitwasagreedonthepartoftheGreatFatherinWashingtonthatallthecountrynorthoftheRepublicanRiverinNebraska,includingtheBlackHillsandtheBigHornMountains,wastobealwaysSiouxcountry,andnowhitemanshouldintrudeuponitwithoutourpermission。EvenwiththisagreementSittingBullandCrazyHorsewerenotsatisfied,andtheywouldnotsign。

  \"UptothistimeIhadfoughtinsomeimportantbattles,buthadachievednogreatdeed。Iwasambitioustomakeanameformyself。IjoinedwarpartiesagainsttheCrows,Mandans,GrosVentres,andPawnees,andgainedsomelittledistinction。

  \"Itwaswhenthewhitemenfoundtheyellowmetalinourcountry,andcameingreatnumbers,drivingawayourgame,thatwetookuparmsagainstthemforthelasttime。Imustsayherethatthechiefswhowereloudestforwarwereamongthefirsttosubmitandacceptreservationlife。SpottedTailwasagreatwarrior,yethewasoneofthefirsttoyield,becausehewaspromisedbytheChiefSoldiersthattheywouldmakehimchiefofalltheSioux。Ugh!hewouldhavestayedwithSittingBulltothelasthaditnotbeenforhisambition。

  \"AboutthistimeweyoungwarriorsbegantowatchthetrailsofthewhitemenintotheBlackHills,andwhenwesawawagoncomingwewouldhideatthecrossingandkillthemallwithoutmuchtrouble。Wedidthistodiscouragethewhitesfromcomingintoourcountrywithoutourpermission。ItwasthedutyofourGreatFatheratWashington,bytheagreementof1868,tokeephiswhitechildrenaway。

  \"Duringthetroublesometimeafterthistreaty,whichnooneseemedtorespect,eitherwhiteorIndian[butthewhitesbrokeitfirst],Iwaslikemanyotheryoungmen——muchonthewarpath,butwithlittlehonor。Ihadnotyetbecomenotedforanygreatdeed。

  Finally,WapaypayandIwaylaidandkilledawhitesoldieronhiswayfromtheforttohishomeintheeast。

  \"TherewereafewIndianswhowereliars,andneveronthewarpath,playing’goodIndian’withtheIndianagentsandthewarchiefsattheforts。Someofthisfaithlesssetbetrayedme,andtoldmorethanIeverdid。IwasseizedandtakentothefortnearBismarck,NorthDakota[FortAbrahamLincoln],byabrother[TomCuster]oftheLong-HairedWarChief,andimprisonedthere。ThesesamelyingIndians,whoweresellingtheirservicesasscoutstothewhiteman,toldmethatIwastobeshottodeath,orelsehangeduponatree。IansweredthatIwasnotafraidtodie。

  \"However,therewasanoldsoldierwhousedtobringmyfoodandstandguardoverme——hewasawhiteman,itistrue,buthehadanIndianheart!Hecametomeonedayandunfastenedtheironchainandballwithwhichtheyhadlockedmyleg,sayingbysignsandwhatlittleSiouxhecouldmuster:

  \"’Go,friend!takethechainandballwithyou。Ishallshoot,butthevoiceofthegunwilllie。’

  \"Whenhehadmademeunderstand,youmayguessthatIranmybest!Iwasalmostoverthebankwhenhefiredhispieceatmeseveraltimes,butIhadalreadygainedcoverandwassafe。Ihavenevertoldthisbefore,andwouldnot,lestitshoulddohimaninjury,buthewasanoldmanthen,andIamsurehemustbedeadlongsince。Thatoldsoldiertaughtmethatsomeofthewhitepeoplehavehearts,\"headded,quiteseriously。

  \"IwentbacktoStandingRockinthenight,andIhadtohideforseveraldaysinthewoods,wherefoodwasbroughttomebymyrelatives。TheIndianpolicewereorderedtoretakeme,andtheypretendedtohuntforme,butreallytheydidnot,foriftheyhadfoundmeIwouldhavediedwithoneortwoofthem,andtheyknewit!InafewdaysIdepartedwithseveralothers,andwerejoinedthehostilecamponthePowderRiverandmadesometroubleforthemenwhowerebuildingthegreatirontracknorthofus[NorthernPacific]。

  \"InthespringthehostileSiouxgottogetheragainupontheTongueRiver。ItwasoneofthegreatestcampsoftheSiouxthatIeversaw。ThereweresomeNorthernCheyenneswithus,underTwoMoon,andafewSanteeSioux,renegadesfromCanada,underInkpaduta,whohadkilledwhitepeopleinIowalongbefore。Wehaddecidedtofightthewhitesoldiersuntilnowarriorshouldbeleft。\"

  AtthispointRain-in-the-Facetookuphistobaccopouchandbeganagaintofillhispipe。

  \"Ofcoursetheyoungerwarriorsweredelightedwiththeprospectofagreatfight!OurscoutshaddiscoveredpilesofoatsforhorsesandothersuppliesneartheMissouriRiver。Theyhadbeenbroughtbythewhiteman’sfire-boats。Presentlytheyreportedagreatarmyaboutaday’straveltothesouth,withShoshoneandCrowscouts。

  \"Therewasexcitementamongthepeople,andagreatcouncilwasheld。Manyspoke。IwasaskedtheconditionofthoseIndianswhohadgoneuponthereservation,andItoldthemtrulythattheywerenothingmorethanprisoners。ItwasdecidedtogooutandmeetThreeStars[GeneralCrook]atasafedistancefromourcamp。

  \"WemethimontheLittleRosebud。Ibelievethatifwehadwaitedandallowedhimtomaketheattack,hewouldhavefarednobetterthanCuster。Hewastoostronglyfortifiedwherehewas,andIthink,too,thathewassavedpartlybyhisIndianallies,forthescoutsdiscoveredusfirstandfoughtusfirst,thusgivinghimtimetomakehispreparations。Ithinkhewasmorewisethanbrave!AfterwehadleftthatneighborhoodhemighthavepushedonandconnectedwiththeLong-HairedChief。ThatwouldhavesavedCusterandperhapswontheday。

  \"WhenwecrossedfromTongueRivertotheLittleBigHorn,onaccountofthescarcityofgame,wedidnotanticipateanymoretrouble。OurrunnershaddiscoveredthatCrookhadretracedhistrailtoGooseCreek,andwedidnotsupposethatthewhitemenwouldcaretofollowusfartherintotheroughcountry。

  \"SuddenlytheLong-HairedChiefappearedwithhismen!Itwasasurprise。\"

  \"Whatpartofthecampwereyouinwhenthesoldiersattackedthelowerend?\"Iasked。

  \"Ihadbeeninvitedtoafeastatoneoftheyoungmen’slodges[asortofclub]。TherewasacertainwarriorwhowasmakingpreparationstogoagainsttheCrows,andIhaddecidedtogoalso,\"hesaid。

  \"WhileIwaseatingmymeatweheardthewarcry!Weallrushedout,andsawawarriorridingattopspeedfromthelowercamp,givingthewarningashecame。Thenweheardthereportsofthesoldiers’guns,whichsoundeddifferentlyfromthegunsfiredbyourpeopleinbattle。

  \"Irantomyteepeeandseizedmygun,abow,andaquiverfullofarrows。Ialreadyhadmystonewarclub,foryouknowweusuallycarrythosebywayofornament。JustasIwasabouttosetouttomeetReno,abodyofsoldiersappearednearlyoppositeus,attheedgeofalonglineofcliffsacrosstheriver。

  \"Allofuswhoweremountedandreadyimmediatelystarteddownthestreamtowardtheford。TherewereOgallalas,Minneconjous,Cheyennes,andsomeUnkpapas,andthosearoundmeseemedtobenearlyallveryyoungmen。

  \"’Behold,thereisamongusayoungwoman!’Ishouted。’Letnoyoungmanhidebehindhergarment!’Iknewthatwouldmakethoseyoungmenbrave。

  \"ThewomanwasTashenamani,orMovingRobe,whosebrotherhadjustbeenkilledinthefightwithThreeStars。Holdingherbrother’swarstaffoverherhead,andleaningforwarduponhercharger,shelookedasprettyasabird。Alwayswhenthereisawomaninthecharge,itcausesthewarriorstoviewithoneanotherindisplayingtheirvalor,\"headded。

  \"Theforemostwarriorshadalmostsurroundedthewhitemen,andmorewerecontinuallycrossingthestream。Thesoldiershaddismounted,andwerefiringintothecampfromthetopofthecliff。\"

  \"Myfriend,wasSittingBullinthisfight?\"Iinquired。

  \"Ididnotseehimthere,butIlearnedafterwardthathewasamongthosewhometReno,andthatwasthreeorfourofthewhiteman’smilesfromCuster’sposition。LaterhejoinedtheattackuponCuster,butwasnotamongtheforemost。

  \"Whenthetroopsweresurroundedontwosides,withtheriveronthethird,theordercametocharge!Thereweremanyveryyoungmen,someofwhomhadonlyawarstafforastonewarclubinhand,whoplungedintothecolumn,knockingthemenoverandstampedingtheirhorses。

  \"Thesoldiershadmountedandstartedback,butwhentheonsetcametheydismountedagainandseparatedintoseveraldivisions,facingdifferentways。Theyfiredasfastastheycouldloadtheirguns,whileweusedchieflyarrowsandwarclubs。ThereseemedtobetwodistinctmovementsamongtheIndians。Onebodymovedcontinuallyinacircle,whiletheotherrodedirectlyintoandthroughthetroops。

  \"PresentlysomeofthesoldiersremountedandfledalongtheridgetowardReno’sposition;buttheywerefollowedbyourwarriors,likehundredsofblackbirdsafterahawk。Alargerbodyremainedtogetherattheupperendofalittleravine,andfoughtbravelyuntiltheywerecuttopieces。Ihadalwaysthoughtthatwhitemenwerecowards,butIhadagreatrespectforthemafterthisday。

  \"Itisgenerallysaidthatayoungmanwithnothingbutawarstaffinhishandbrokethroughthecolumnandknockeddowntheleaderveryearlyinthefight。Wesupposedhimtobetheleader,becausehestoodupinfullview,swinginghisbigknife[sword]

  overhishead,andtalkingloud。Someoneunknownafterwardsshotthechief,andhewasprobablykilledalso;forifnot,hewouldhavetoldofthedeed,andcalledotherstowitnessit。SoitisthatnooneknowswhokilledtheLong-HairedChief[GeneralCuster]。

  \"Afterthefirstrushwasover,coupswerecountedasusualonthebodiesoftheslain。Youknowfourcoups[orblows]canbecountedonthebodyofanenemy,andwhoevercountsthefirstone[touchesitforthefirsttime]isentitledtothe’firstfeather。’

  \"TherewasanIndianherecalledAppearingElk,whodiedashorttimeago。Hewasslightlywoundedinthecharge。HehadsomeoftheweaponsoftheLong-HairedChief,andtheIndiansusedtosayjokinglyafterwecameuponthereservationthatAppearingElkmusthavekilledtheChief,becausehehadhissword!However,thescrambleforplunderdidnotbeginuntilallweredead。IdonotthinkhekilledCuster,andifhehad,thetimetoclaimthehonorwasimmediatelyafterthefight。

  \"Manylieshavebeentoldofme。SomesaythatIkilledtheChief,andothersthatIcutouttheheartofhisbrother[TomCuster],becausehehadcausedmetobeimprisoned。Why,inthatfighttheexcitementwassogreatthatwescarcelyrecognizedournearestfriends!Everythingwasdonelikelightning。Afterthebattleweyoungmenwerechasinghorsesallovertheprairie,whiletheoldmenandwomenplunderedthebodies;andifanymutilatingwasdone,itwasbytheoldmen。

  \"Ihavelivedpeaceablyeversincewecameuponthereservation。NoonecansaythatRain-in-the-FacehasbrokentherulesoftheGreatFather。Ifoughtformypeopleandmycountry。

  WhenwewereconqueredIremainedsilent,asawarriorshould。

  Rain-in-the-FacewaskilledwhenheputdownhisweaponsbeforetheGreatFather。Hisspiritwasgonethen;onlyhispoorbodylivedon,butnowitisalmostreadytoliedownforthelasttime。Ho,hechetu![Itiswell。]\"

  TWOSTRIKE

  Itisapitythatsomanyinterestingnamesofwell-knownIndianshavebeenmistranslated,sothattheirmeaningbecomesveryvagueifitisnotwhollylost。Insomecasesanoppositemeaningisconveyed。Forinstancethereisthename,\"Young-Man-Afraid-of-

  His-Horses。\"Itdoesnotmeanthattheownerofthenameisafraidofhisownhorse——farfromit!Tashunkekokipapisignifies\"Theyoungmen[oftheenemy]fearhishorses。\"Wheneverthatmanattacks,theenemyknowstherewillbeadeterminedcharge。

  ThenameTashunkewitko,orCrazyHorse,isapoeticsimile。

  Thisleaderwaslikenedtoanuntrainedoruntouchedhorse,wild,ignorantofdomesticuses,splendidinaction,andunconsciousofdanger。

  ThenameofTwoStrikeisadeedname。InabattlewiththeUtesthismanknockedtwoenemiesfromthebackofawarhorse。

  ThetruerenderingofthenameNomkahpawouldbe,\"Heknockedofftwo。\"

  IwaswellacquaintedwithTwoStrikeandspentmanypleasanthourswithhim,bothatWashington,D。C。,andinhishomeontheRosebudreservation。WhatIhavewrittenisnotalltakenfromhisownmouth,becausehewasmodestintalkingabouthimself,butI

  hadhimvouchforthetruthofthestories。HesaidthathewasbornneartheRepublicanRiverabout1832。HisearliestrecollectionwasofanattackbytheShoshonesupontheircampontheLittlePiney。Thefirstwhitemenheevermetweretraderswhovisitedhispeoplewhenhewasveryyoung。Theincidentwasstillvividlywithhim,because,hesaid,\"Theymademyfathercrazy,\"

  [drunk]。Thismadeadeepimpressionuponhim,hetoldme,sothatfromthatdayhewasalwaysafraidofthewhiteman’s\"mysteriouswater。\"

  TwoStrikewasnotalargeman,buthewasverysuppleandalertinmotion,asagileasanantelope。Hisfacewasmobileandintelligent。AlthoughhehadtheusualsombervisageofanIndian,hisexpressionbrightenedupwonderfullywhenhetalked。Insomewayswilyandshrewdinintellect,hewasnotdeceitfulnormean。

  Hehadahighsenseofdutyandhonor。Patriotismwashisidealandgoaloflife。

  Asayoungmanhewasmodestandevenshy,althoughbothhisfatherandgrandfatherwerewell-knownchiefs。Icouldfindfewnoteworthyincidentsinhisearlylife,savethathewasanexpertriderofwildhorses。AtonetimeIwaspressinghimtogivemesomeinterestingincidentofhisboyhood。Herepliedtotheeffectthattherewasplentyofexcitementbut\"notmuchinit。\"TherewasadelegationofSiouxchiefsvisitingWashington,andwewerespendinganeveningtogetherintheirhotel。HollowHornBearspokeupandsaid:

  \"Whydon’tyoutellhimhowyouandabuffalocowtogetherheldyourpoorfatherupandfrozehimalmosttodeath?\"

  Everybodylaughed,andanothermanremarked:\"Ithinkhehadbettertellthemedicineman(meaningmyself)howhelostthepowerofspeechwhenhefirsttriedtocourtagirl。\"TwoStrike,althoughhewasthenclosetoeightyyearsofage,wasvisiblyembarrassedbytheirchaff。

  \"Anyway,Istucktothetrail。IkeptontillIgotwhatI

  wanted,\"hemuttered。Andthencamethestory。

  Theoldchief,hisfather,wasveryfondofthebuffalohunt;

  andbeingaccomplishedinhorsemanshipandafineshot,althoughnotverypowerfullybuilt,youngTwoStrikewasalreadyfollowinghardinhisfootsteps。Likeeveryproudfather,hiswasgivinghimeveryincentivetoperfecthisskill,andonedaychallengedhissixteen-year-oldsontothefeatof\"onearrowtokill\"attheverynextchase。

  Itwasmidwinter。Alargeherdofbuffalowasreportedbythegamescout。Thehuntersgatheredatdaybreakpreparedforthecharge。Theoldchiefhadhistriedchargerequippedwithasoft,pillow-likeIndiansaddleandalariat。Hisoldsinew-backedhickorybowwasexaminedandstrung,andafinestraightarrowwithasteelheadcarefullyselectedforthetest。Headjustedakeenbutcherknifeoverhisleatherbelt,whichheldawarmbuffalorobesecurelyabouthisbody。Heworeneithershirtnorcoat,althoughapiercingwindwasblowingfromthenorthwest。TheyouthfulTwoStrikehadhisfavoritebowandhisswiftpony,whichwasperhapsdearertohimthanhisclosestboycomrade。

  Nowthehunterscrouchedupontheirhorses’neckslikeanarmyinlineofbattle,whilebehindthemwaitedtheboysandoldmenwithpackponiestocarrythemeat。\"Hukahey!\"shoutedtheleaderasawarning。\"Yekiyawo!\"(Go)andinaninstantalltheponiesleapedforwardagainstthecuttingwind,asifitwerethestartinahorserace。Everyriderleanedforward,tightlywrappedinhisrobe,watchingtheflyingherdforanopeninginthemassofbuffalo,achancetocutoutsomeofthefattestcows。Thiswastheobjectoftherace。

  Thechiefhadafairstart;hishorsewaswelltrainedandneedednourgingnorguidance。Withouttheslightestpullonthelariathedashedintothethickestoftheherd。Theyouth’sponyhadbeenprancingandrearingimpatiently;hestartedalittlebehind,yetbeingswiftpassedmany。Hisriderhadoneclearglimpseofhisfatheraheadofhim,thenthesnowaroseinblindingcloudsonthetrailofthebison。Thewhoopsofthehunters,thelowingofthecows,andthemenacingglancesofthebullsastheyplungedalong,ornowandthenstoodatbay,wereenoughtounnerveaboylesswelltried。Hewasunabletoselecthisvictim。Hehadbeencarrieddeeplyintothemidstoftheherdandfoundhimselfhelplesstomaketheonesureshot,thereforeheheldhisonearrowinhismouthandmerelystrovetoseparatethemsoastogethischance。

  Atlasttheherdparted,andhecutouttwofatcows,andwasmaneuveringforpositionwhenariderappearedoutofthesnowcloudontheirotherside。Thisarousedhimtomakehastelesthisrivalsecurebothcows;hesawhischance,andinatwinklinghisarrowspedclearthroughoneoftheanimalssothatshefellheadlong。

  Inthisinstantheobservedthatthemanwhohadjoinedhimwashisownfather,whohadmetwiththesamedifficultiesashimself。Whentheyoungmanhadshothisonlyarrow,theoldchiefwithawhoopwentafterthecowthatwasleft,butashegainedherbroadside,hishorsesteppedinabadgerholeandfell,throwinghimheadlong。Themaddenedbuffalo,assometimeshappensinsuchcases,turnedupontheponyandgoredhimtodeath。Hisriderlaymotionless,whileTwoStrikerushedforwardtodrawherattention,butshemerelytossedherheadathim,whilepersistentlystandingguardoverthedeadhorseandtheallbutfrozenIndian。

  Alasforthegameof\"onearrowtokill!\"Theboymustthinkfast,forhisfather’srobehadslippedoff,andhewasplayingdead,lyingalmostnakedinthebitterairuponthetrampledsnow。

  Hisbluffwouldnotserve,soheflewbacktopullouthissolitaryarrowfromthebodyofthedeadcow。Quicklywheelingagain,hesentitintohersideandshefell。Theonearrowtokillhadbecomeonearrowtokilltwobuffalo!AtthecouncillodgethateveningTwoStrikewasthehero。

  Thefollowingstoryisequallycharacteristicofhim,andinexplanationitshouldbesaidthatinthegoodolddaysamongtheSioux,ayoungmanisnotsupposedtoassociatewithgirlsuntilheisreadytotakeawife。Itwasarulewithouryoungmen,especiallythehonorableandwell-born,togainsomereputationinthehuntandinwar,——themoredifficultthefeatsachievedthebetter,——beforeevenspeakingtoayoungwoman。Manyalifewasriskedintheefforttoestablishareputationalongtheselines。

  Courtshipwasnosecret,butratherasocialevent,oftencelebratedbytheproudparentswithfeastsandpresentstothepoor,andthisetiquettewassometimesfeltbyashyorsensitiveyouthasaninsurmountableobstacletothefulfilmentofhisdesires。

  TwoStrikewasthesonandgrandsonofachief,buthecouldnotclaimanycreditforthedeedsofhisforbears。Hehadnotonlytoguardtheirgoodnamebutachieveoneforhimself。Thishehadsetouttodo,andhedidwell。Hewasnowofmarriageableagewithawarrecord,andadmittedtothecouncil,yethedidnotseemtotroublehimselfatallaboutawife。Hiswasstrictlyabachelorcareer。Meanwhile,asisapttobethecase,hisparentshadthoughtmuchaboutapossibledaughter-in-law,andhadevencollectedponies,finerobes,andotheracceptablegoodstobegivenawayinhonoroftheevent,wheneveritshouldtakeplace。

  Nowandthentheywoulddropaslyhint,butwithnoperceptibleeffect。

  Theydidnotandcouldnotknowoftheinwardstrugglethatrackedhismindatthisperiodofhislife。Theshyandmodestyoungmanwasdyingforawife,yetcouldnotbeareventothinkofspeakingtoayoungwoman!Thefearlesshunterofbuffaloes,mountainlions,andgrizzlies,theyouthwhohadwonhiseaglefeathersinabattlewiththeUtes,couldnotbringhimselftotakethistremendousstep。

  Atlasthisfatherappealedtohimdirectly。\"Myson,\"hedeclared,\"itisyourdutytotakeuntoyourselfawife,inorderthatthehonorswonbyyourancestorsandbyyourselfmaybehandeddowninthedirectline。Thereareseveraleligibleyoungwomeninourbandwhoseparentshaveintimatedawishtohaveyoufortheirson-in-law。\"

  TwoStrikemadenoreply,buthewasgreatlydisturbed。Hehadnowishtohavetheoldfolksselecthisbride,forifthetruthweretold,hischoicewasalreadymade。Hehadsimplylackedthecouragetogoa-courting!

  Thenextmorning,aftermakinganunusuallycarefultoilet,hetookhisbesthorseandrodetoapointoverlookingthepathbywhichthegirlswentforwater。Heretheyoungmenwerewonttotaketheirstand,and,iffortunate,interceptthegirloftheirheartforabriefbutfatefulinterview。TwoStrikehaddeterminedtospeakstraighttothepoint,andassoonashesawtheprettymaidhecameforwardboldlyandplacedhimselfinherway。Alongmomentpassed。Sheglancedupathimshylybutnotwithoutencouragement。Histeethfairlychatteredwithfright,andhecouldnotsayaword。Shelookedagain,notedhisstrangelooks,andbelievedhimsuddenlytakenill。Heappearedtobesuffering。

  Atlasthefeeblymadesignsforhertogoonandleavehimalone。

  Themaidenwassympathetic,butasshedidnotknowwhatelsetodosheobeyedhisrequest。

  Thepooryouthwassoashamedofhiscowardicethatheafterwardadmittedhisfirstthoughtwastotakehisownlife。Hebelievedhehaddisgracedhimselfforeverintheeyesoftheonlygirlhehadeverloved。However,hedeterminedtoconquerhisweaknessandwinher,whichhedid。Thestorycameoutmanyyearsafterandwastoldwithmuchenjoymentbytheoldmen。

  TwoStrikewasbetterknownbyhisownpeoplethanbythewhites,forhewasindividuallyaterrorinbattleratherthanaleader。HeachievedhishonorablenameinaskirmishwiththeUtesinColorado。TheSiouxregardedthesepeopleastheirbravestenemies,andtheoutcomeofthefightwasforsometimeuncertain。

  FirsttheSiouxwereforcedtoretreatandthentheiropponents,andatthelatterpointthehorseofacertainUtewasshotunderhim。Afriendcametohisrescueandtookhimupbehindhim。Ourheroovertooktheminflight,raisedhiswarclub,andknockedbothmenoffwithoneblow。

  Hewasaveryoldmanwhenhedied,onlytwoorthreeyearsago,ontheRosebudreservation。

  AMERICANHORSE

  OneofthewittiestandshrewdestoftheSiouxchiefswasAmericanHorse,whosucceededtothenameandpositionofanuncle,killedinthebattleofSlimButtesin1876。TheyoungerAmericanHorsewasbornalittlebeforetheencroachmentsofthewhitesupontheSiouxcountrybecameseriousandtheirmethodsaggressive,andhisearlymanhoodbroughthimintothatmosttryingandcriticalperiodofourhistory。Hehadbeentutoredbyhisuncle,sincehisownfatherwaskilledinbattlewhilehewasstillveryyoung。TheAmericanHorsebandwascloselyattachedtoatradingpost,anditsmembersinconsequencewereinclinedtobefriendlywiththewhites,apolicycloselyadheredtobytheirleader。

  Whenhewasborn,hisoldgrandfathersaid:\"Puthimoutinthesun!Lethimaskhisgreat-grandfather,theSun,forthewarmbloodofawarrior!\"Andhehadwarmblood。Hewasagenialman,likingnotorietyandexcitement。Healwaysseizedanopportunitytoleapintothecenterofthearena。

  Inearlylifehewasaclownishsortofboyamongtheboys——

  anexpertmimicandimpersonator。Thistalentmadehimpopularandinhiswayaleader。Hewasanaturalactor,andearlyshowedmarkedabilityasaspeaker。

  AmericanHorsewasabouttenyearsoldwhenhewasattackedbythreeCrowwarriors,whiledrivingaherdofponiestowater。Herehedisplayednativecunningandinitiative。Itseemedhehadscarcelyachancetoescape,fortheenemywasnear。Heyelledfranticallyattheponiestostartthemtowardhome,whilehedroppedoffintoathicketofwillowsandhidthere。Apartoftheherdwascaughtinsightofthecampandtherewasacounterchase,buttheCrowsgotawaywiththeponies。Ofcoursehismotherwasfrantic,believingherboyhadbeenkilledorcaptured;butaftertheexcitementwasover,heappearedincampunhurt。Whenquestionedabouthisescape,heremarked:\"Iknewtheywouldnottakethetimetohuntforsmallgamewhentherewassomuchbiggercloseby。\"

  Whenhewasquiteabigboy,hejoinedinabuffalohunt,andonthewaybackwiththerestofthehuntershismulebecameunmanageable。AmericanHorsehadinsistedonridinghiminadditiontoaheavyloadofmeatandskins,andtheanimalevidentlyresentedthis,forhesuddenlybegantorunandkick,scatteringfreshmeatalongtheroad,tothemerrimentofthecrowd。Buttheboyturnedactor,andmadeitappearthatitwasathiswishthemulehadgiventhisdivertingperformance。Heclungtothebackofhisplungingandbrayingmountlikeacircusrider,singingaBraveHeartsong,andfinallybroughtupamidthelaughterandcheersofhiscompanions。Farfromadmittingdefeat,heboastedofhishorsemanshipanddeclaredthathis\"brother\"thedonkeywouldputanyenemytoflight,andthattheyshouldbecalledupontoleadacharge。

  Itwasseveralyearslaterthathewenttosleepearlyonenightandsleptsoundly,havingbeenscoutingfortwonightsprevious。IthappenedthattherewasaraidbytheCrows,andwhenheawokeinthemidstoftheyellingandconfusion,hesprangupandattemptedtojoininthefighting。Everybodyknewhisvoiceinallthedin,sowhenhefiredhisgunandannouncedacoup,aswasthecustom,othersrushedtothespot,tofindthathehadshotahobbledponybelongingtotheirowncamp。Thelaughwasonhim,andheneverrecoveredfromhischagrinatthismistake。Infact,althoughhewasundoubtedlyfearlessandtriedhardtodistinguishhimselfinwarfare,hedidnotsucceed。

  ItistoldofhimthatheoncewentwithawarpartyofyoungmentotheWindRivercountryagainsttheShoshones。Atlasttheydiscoveredalargecamp,buttherewereonlyadozenorsooftheSioux,thereforetheyhidthemselvesandwatchedfortheiropportunitytoattackanisolatedpartyofhunters。Whilewaitingthus,theyranshortoffood。OnedayasmallpartyofShoshoneswasseennearathand,andinthemidstoftheexcitementandpreparationsfortheattack,youngAmericanHorsecaughtsightofafatblack-taildeercloseby。Unabletoresistthetemptation,hepulledanarrowfromhisquiverandsentitthroughthedeer’sheart,thenwithseveralofhishalf-starvedcompanionssprangupontheyetquiveringbodyoftheanimaltocutouttheliver,whichwassometimeseatenraw。Oneofthemenwasknockeddown,itissaid,bythelastkickofthedyingbuck,buthavingswallowedafewmouthfulsthewarriorsrusheduponandroutedtheirenemies。

  ItisstilltoldofAmericanHorsehowhekilledgameandfeastedbetweentheambushandtheattack。

  Atanothertimehewasdryinghissacredwarbonnetandothergearoverasmallfire。ThesearticleswereheldingreatvenerationbytheIndiansandhandledaccordingly。Suddenlythefireblazedup,andourherosofarforgothimselfastobeginenergeticallybeatingouttheflameswiththewarbonnet,breakingoffoneofthesacredbuffalohornsintheact。Onecouldalmostfillabookwithhismishapsandexploits。IwillgiveoneoftheminhisownwordsaswellasIcanrememberthem。

  \"Wewereaspromisingapartyofyoungwarriorsasourtribeeversentagainstanyofitsancestralenemies。Itwasmidsummer,andaftergoingtwodays’journeyfromhomewebegantosendtwoscoutsaheaddailywhilethemainbodykeptahalfdaybehind。Thescoutssetouteveryeveningandtraveledallnight。OnenightthegreatwarpipewasheldouttomeandtoYoung-Man-Afraid-of-

  His-Horses。Atdaybreak,havingmetnoone,wehidourhorsesandclimbedtothetopofthenearestbuttetotakeanobservation。Itwasaveryhotday。Welayflatonourblankets,facingthewestwheretheclifffelloffinasheerdescent,andwithourbackstowardthemoregradualslopedottedwithscrubpinesandcedars。

  Westucksometallgrassonourheadsandproceededtostudythelandscapespreadbeforeusforanysignofman。

  \"Thesweepingvalleysweredottedwithherds,bothlargeandsmall,ofbuffaloandelk,andnowandthenwecaughtaglimpseofacoyoteslinkingintothegulches,returningfromnighthuntingtosleep。Whileintentlywatchingsomemovingbodyatadistance,wecouldnotyettellwhetherofmenoranimals,Iheardafaintnoisebehindmeandslowlyturnedmyhead。Behold!agrizzlybearsneakinguponallfoursandalmostreadytospring!

  \"’Run!’Iyelledintotheearofmycompanion,andwebothleapedtoourfeetinasecond。’Separate!separate!’heshouted,andaswedidso,thebearchosemeforhismeat。IrandownhillasfastasIcould,buthewasgaining。’Dodgearoundatree!’

  screamedYoung-Man-Afraid。Itookadeepbreathandmadealastspurt,desperatelycirclingthefirsttreeIcameto。Asthegroundwassteepjustthere,Iturnedasomersaultonewayandthebeartheother。Ipickedmyselfupintimetoclimbthetree,andwasfairlyoutofreachwhenhegatheredhimselftogetherandcameatmemorefuriouslythanever,holdinginonepawtheshredsofmybreechcloth,forinthefallhehadjustscratchedmybackandcutmybeltintwo,andcarriedoffmyonlygarmentforatrophy!

  \"Myfriendwaswellupanothertreeandlaughingheartilyatmypredicament,andwhenthebearsawthathecouldnotgetateitherofushereluctantlydeparted,afterIhadpolitelyaddressedhimandpromisedtomakeanofferingtohisspiritonmysafereturn。Idon’tthinkIeverhadanarrowerescape,\"heconcluded。

  Duringthetroubloustimesfrom1865to1877,AmericanHorseadvocatedyieldingtothegovernmentatanycost,beingnodoubtconvincedoftheuselessnessofresistance。Hewasnotarecognizedleaderuntil1876,whenhetookthenameandplaceofhisuncle。UptothistimeheborethenicknameofManishnee(Cannotwalk,orPlayedout。)

  WhenthegreaterpartoftheOgallalas,towhichbandhebelonged,cameintothereservation,heatoncealliedhimselfwiththepeaceelementattheRedCloudagency,nearFortRobinson,Nebraska,andtooknosmallpartinkeepingtheyoungbravesquiet。

  Sincetheolderandbetter-knownchiefs,withtheexceptionofSpottedTail,werebelievedtobehostileatheart,themilitarymademuchuseofhim。Manyofhisyoungmenenlistedasscoutsbyhisadvice,andevenhehimselfenteredtheservice。

  Intheearlypartoftheyear1876,therewasarumorthatcertainbandswereindangerofbreakingaway。TheirleaderwasoneSiouxJim,sonicknamedbythesoldiers。AmericanHorsewenttohimaspeacemaker,butwastoldhewasawomanandnobrave。HereturnedtohisowncampandtoldhismenthatSiouxJimmeantmischief,andinordertopreventanothercalamitytothetribe,hemustbechastised。HeagainapproachedthewarlikeJimwithseveralwarriorsathisback。Therecalcitrantcameout,guninhand,butthewilychiefwastooquickforhim。Heshotandwoundedtherebel,whereupononeofhismencameforwardandkilledhim。

  ThisquelledthepeopleforthetimebeinganduptothekillingofCrazyHorse。Inthecrisisprecipitatedbythisevent,AmericanHorsewasagaininfluentialandenergeticinthecauseofthegovernment。FromthistimeonhebecameanactiveparticipantintheaffairsoftheTetonSioux。Hewasnotedforhiseloquence,whichwasnearlyalwaysconciliatory,yethecouldsayverysharpthingsoftheduplicityofthewhites。Hehadmucheaseofmannerandwasamasterofrepartee。Irecallhissayingthatifyouhavegottoweargoldenslipperstoenterthewhiteman’sheavennoIndianwillevergetthere,asthewhiteshavegottheBlackHillsandwiththemallthegold。

  Itwasduringthelaststruggleofhispeople,atthetimeoftheMessiahcrazein1890-1891thathedemonstratedasneverbeforetherealgreatnessoftheman。Whilemanyofhisfriendswerecarriedawaybythenewthought,heheldalooffromitandcautionedhisbandtodothesame。Whenitdevelopedintoanextensiveupheavalamongthenationshetookhispositivestandagainstit。

  PresentlyallIndianswhodidnotdancetheGhostDancewereorderedtocomeintocampatPineRidgeagency。AmericanHorsewasthefirsttobringinhispeople。Iwasthereatthetimeandtalkedwithhimdaily。WhenLittlewasarrested,ithadbeenagreedamongthedisaffectedtohavehimresist,whichmeantthathewouldberoughlyhandled。ThiswastobetheirexcusetoattacktheIndianpolice,whichwouldprobablyleadtoageneralmassacreoroutbreak。IknowthatthisdesperatemovewasopposedfromthebeginningbyAmericanHorse,anditwasbelievedthathislifewasthreatened。

  Onthedayofthe\"BigIssue\",whenthousandsofIndiansweregatheredattheagency,thismanLittle,whohadbeeninhiding,walkedboldlyamongthem。Ofcoursethepolicewouldarresthimatsight,andhewasledtowardtheguardhouse。Hestruggledwiththem,butwasoverpowered。Acrowdofwarriorsrushedtohisrescue,andtherewasconfusionandageneralshoutof\"Hurryupwiththem!Killthemall!\"IsawAmericanHorsewalkoutoftheagent’sofficeandcalmlyfacetheexcitedmob。

  \"Whatareyougoingtodo?\"heasked。\"Stop,men,stopandthinkbeforeyouact!Willyoumurderyourchildren,yourwomen,yes,destroyyournationto-day?\"Hestoodbeforethemlikeastatueandthemenwhoheldthetwopolicemenhelplesspausedforaninstant。Hewenton:\"Youarebraveto-daybecauseyououtnumberthewhitemen,butwhatwillyoudoto-morrow?Therearerailroadsonallsidesofyou。Thesoldierswillpourinfromeverydirectionbythousandsandsurroundyou。Youhavelittlefoodorammunition。Itwillbetheendofyourpeople。Stop,I

  say,stopnow!\"

  JackRedCloud,sonoftheoldchiefrusheduptohimandthrustarevolveralmostinhisface。\"Itisyouandmenlikeyou,\"heshouted,\"whohavereducedourracetoslaveryandstarvation!\"AmericanHorsedidnotflinchbutdeliberatelyreenteredtheoffice,followedbyJackstillflourishingthepistol。Buthistimelyappearanceandeloquencehadsavedtheday。

  Othersofthepoliceforcehadtimetoreachthespot,andwithalargecrowdoffriendlyIndianshadtakencommandofthesituation。

  WhenIwentintotheofficeIfoundhimalonebutapparentlyquitecalm。\"Wherearetheagentandtheclerks?\"Iasked。\"Theyfledbythebackdoor,\"hereplied,smiling。\"Ithinktheyareinthecellar。Thesefoolsoutsidehadalmostcaughtusasleep,butIthinkitisovernow。\"

  AmericanHorsewasoneoftheearliestadvocatesofeducationfortheIndian,andhissonSamuelandnephewRobertwereamongthefirststudentsatCarlisle。IthinkoneortwoofhisdaughterswerethehandsomestIndiangirlsoffullbloodthatIeversaw。

  Hisrecordasacouncilorofhispeopleandhispolicyinthenewsituationthatconfrontedthemwasmanlyandconsistent。

  DULLKNIFE

  ThelifeofDullKnife,theCheyenne,isatrueherotale。Simple,child-likeyetmanful,anddevoidofselfishaims,orloveofgain,heisapatternforheroesofanyrace。

  DullKnifewasachiefoftheoldschool。AmongalltheIndiansoftheplains,nothingcountssaveprovenworth。Aman’scaliberismeasuredbyhiscourage,unselfishnessandintelligence。

  Manywritersconfusehistorywithfiction,butinIndianhistorytheirwomenandoldmenandevenchildrenwitnessthemainevents,andnotbeingabsorbedindailypapersandmagazines,theseeventsarerehearsedoverandoverwithfewvariations。Thoughorallypreserved,theiraccountsarethereforeaccurate。Buttheyhaveseldombeenwillingtogivereliableinformationtostrangers,especiallywhenaskedandpaidfor。

  Racialprejudicenaturallyentersintotheaccountofaman’slifebyenemywriters,whileoneislikelytofavorhisownrace。

  IamconsciousthatmanyreadersmaythinkthatIhaveidealizedtheIndian。ThereforeIwillconfessnowthatwehavetoomanyweakandunprincipledmenamongus。WhenIspeakoftheIndianhero,Idonotforgetthemongrelinspirit,falsetotheidealsofhispeople。Ourtrustfulnesshasbeenourweakness,andwhenthevicesofcivilizationwereaddedtoourown,wefellheavily。

  ItissaidthatDullKnifeasaboywasresourcefulandself-reliant。Hewasonlynineyearsoldwhenhisfamilywasseparatedfromtherestofthetribewhileonabuffalohunt。Hisfatherwasawayandhismotherbusy,andhewasplayingwithhislittlesisteronthebanksofastream,whenalargeherdofbuffalosweptdownuponthemonastampedeforwater。Hismotherclimbedatree,butthelittleboyledhissisterintoanoldbeaverhousewhoseentrancewasabovewater,andheretheyremainedinshelteruntilthebuffalopassedandtheywerefoundbytheirdistractedparents。

  DullKnifewasquiteayouthwhenhistribewascaughtonewinterinaregiondevoidofgame,andthreatenedwithstarvation。

  Thesituationwasmadeworsebyheavystorms,buthesecuredhelpandledareliefpartyahundredandfiftymiles,carryingbalesofdriedbuffalomeatonpackhorses。

  Anotherexploitthatmadehimdeartohispeopleoccurredinbattle,whenhisbrother-in-lawwasseverelywoundedandleftlyingwherenooneoneithersidedaredtoapproachhim。AssoonasDullKnifeheardofithegotonafreshhorse,andmadesodaringachargethatothersjoinedhim;thusundercoveroftheirfireherescuedhisbrother-in-law,andinsodoingwaswoundedtwice。

  TheSiouxknewhimasamanofhightype,perhapsnotsobrilliantasRomanNoseandTwoMoon,butsurpassingbothinhonestyandsimplicity,aswellasinhiswarrecord。(TwoMoon,infact,wasneveraleaderofhispeople,andbecamedistinguishedonlyinwarswiththewhitesduringtheperiodofrevolt。)Astoryistoldofanancestorofthesamenamethatillustrateswellthespiritoftheage。

  Itwasthecustominthosedaysfortheoldermentowalkaheadofthemovingcaravananddecideuponallhaltsandcampingplaces。Onedaythecouncilorscametoagroveofwildcherriescoveredwithripefruit,andtheystoppedatonce。Suddenlyagrizzlychargedfromthethicket。Themenyelpedandhooted,butthebearwasnottobebluffed。Heknockeddownthefirstwarriorwhodaredtofacehimanddraggedhisvictimintothebushes。

  Thewholecaravanwasinthewildestexcitement。Severaloftheswiftest-footedwarriorschargedthebear,tobringhimoutintotheopen,whilethewomenanddogsmadeallthenoisetheycould。Thebearacceptedthechallenge,andashedidso,themanwhomtheyhadsupposeddeadcamerunningfromtheoppositeendofthethicket。TheIndiansweredelighted,andespeciallysowheninthemidstoftheircheers,themanstoppedrunningforhislifeandbegantosingaBraveHeartsongasheapproachedthegrovewithhisbutcherknifeinhishand。Hewoulddarehisenemyagain!

  Thegrizzlymethimwithatremendousrush,andtheywentdowntogether。Instantlythebearbegantouttercriesofdistress,andatthesametimetheknifeflashed,andherolledoverdead。Thewarriorwastooquickfortheanimal;hefirstbithissensitivenosetodistracthisattention,andthenusedtheknifetostabhimtotheheart。Hefoughtmanybattleswithknivesthereafterandclaimedthatthespiritofthebeargavehimsuccess。Ononeoccasion,however,theenemyhadastrongbuffalo-hideshieldwhichtheCheyennebearfightercouldnotpiercethrough,andhewaswounded;neverthelesshemanagedtodispatchhisfoe。ItwasfromthisincidentthathereceivedthenameofDullKnife,whichwashandeddowntohisdescendant。

  Asiswellknown,theNorthernCheyennesuncompromisinglysupportedtheSiouxintheirdesperatedefenseoftheBlackHillsandBigHorncountry。Whynot?Itwastheirlastbuffaloregion——theirsubsistence。Itwaswhatourwheatfieldsaretoacivilizednation。

  Abouttheyear1875,apropagandawasstartedforconfiningalltheIndiansuponreservations,wheretheywouldbepracticallyinternedorimprisoned,regardlessoftheirpossessionsandrights。

  ThemenwhowerethestrongestadvocatesoftheschemegenerallywantedtheIndians’property——theonemaincausebackofallIndianwars。FromthewarlikeApachestothepeacefulNezPerces,allthetribesoftheplainswerehuntedfromplacetoplace;thenthegovernmentresortedtopeacenegotiations,butalwayswithanarmyathandtocoerce。Oncedisarmedandhelpless,theyweretobetakenundermilitaryguardtotheIndianTerritory。

  Afewresisted,anddeclaredtheywouldfighttothedeathratherthango。AmongtheseweretheSioux,butnearlyallthesmallertribesweredeportedagainsttheirwishes。OfcoursethoseIndianswhocamefromamountainousandcoldcountrysufferedseverely。Themoistheatandmalariadecimatedtheexiles。ChiefJosephoftheNezPercesandChiefStandingBearofthePoncasappealedtothepeopleoftheUnitedStates,andfinallysucceededinhavingtheirbandsortheremnantofthemreturnedtotheirownpartofthecountry。DullKnifewasnotsuccessfulinhisplea,andthestoryofhisflightisoneofpoignantinterest。

  Hewasregardedbytheauthoritiesasadangerousman,andwithhisdepletedbandwastakentotheIndianTerritorywithouthisconsentin1876。Whenherealizedthathispeopleweredyinglikesheep,hewasdeeplymoved。Hecalledthemtogether。Everymanandwomandeclaredthattheywouldratherdieintheirowncountrythanstaytherelonger,andtheyresolvedtofleetotheirnorthernhomes。

  Hereagainwasdisplayedthegeniusofthesepeople。FromtheIndianTerritorytoDakotaisnoshortdashforfreedom。Theyknewwhattheywerefacing。Theirlineofflightlaythroughasettledcountryandtheywouldbecloselypursuedbythearmy。Nosoonerhadtheystartedthanthetelegraphwiressangonesong:\"ThepantheroftheCheyennesisatlarge。NotachildorawomaninKansasorNebraskaissafe。\"Yettheyevadedallthepursuingandinterceptingtroopsandreachedtheirnativesoil。Thestrainwasterrible,thehardshipgreat,andDullKnife,likeJoseph,wasremarkableforhisself-restraintinsparingthosewhocamewithinhispowerontheway。

  Butfatewasagainsthim,fortherewerethoselookingforbloodmoneywhobetrayedhimwhenhethoughthewasamongfriends。

  HispeopleweretiredoutandfamishedwhentheyweresurroundedandtakentoFortRobinson。Therethemenwereputinprison,andtheirwivesguardedincamp。Theywereallowedtovisittheirmenoncertaindays。Manyofthemhadlosteverything;therewerebutafewwhohadevenonechildleft。Theywereheartbroken。

  Thesedespairingwomenappealedtotheirhusbandstodiefighting:theirlibertywasgone,theirhomesbrokenup,andonlyslaveryandgradualextinctioninsight。AtlastDullKnifelistened。Hesaid:\"Ihavelivedmylife。Iamready。\"Theothersagreed。\"Ifourwomenarewillingtodiewithus,whoistheretosayno?Ifwearetodothedeedsofmen,itrestswithyouwomentobringusourweapons。

  Astheyhadbeenallowedtocarrymoccasinsandotherthingstothemen,sotheycontrivedtotakeinsomegunsandknivesunderthisdisguise。Theplanwastokillthesentinelsandruntothenearestnaturaltrench,theretomaketheirlaststand。Thewomenandchildrenweretojointhem。Thisarrangementwascarriedout。

  Noteverybravehadagun,butallhadagreedtodietogether。

  Theyfoughttilltheirsmallstoreofammunitionwasexhausted,thenexposedtheirbroadchestsforatarget,andthemothersevenhelduptheirlittleonestobeshot。ThusdiedthefightingCheyennesandtheirdauntlessleader。

  ROMANNOSE

  ThisCheyennewarchiefwasacontemporaryofDullKnife。Hewasnotsostrongacharacterastheother,andwasinclinedtobepompousandboastful;butwithallthishewasatruetypeofnativeAmericaninspiritandbravery。

  WhileDullKnifewasnotedinwarfareamongIndians,RomanNosemadehisrecordagainstthewhites,indefenseofterritoryembracingtheRepublicanandArickareerivers。Hewaskilledonthelatterriverin1868,inthecelebratedbattlewithGeneralForsythe。

  SaveChiefGallandWashakieintheprimeoftheirmanhood,thischiefhadnopeerinbodilyperfectionandmasterfulpersonality。NoGreekorRomangymnastwaseverafinermodelofphysicalbeautyandpower。Hethrilledhismentofrenziedactionwhenhecameuponthefield。Itwassaidofhimthathesacrificedmoreyouthsbyhispersonalinfluenceinbattlethananyotherleader,beingveryrecklesshimselfingrand-standcharges。Hewaskilledneedlesslyinthismanner。

  RomanNosealwaysrodeanuncommonlyfine,spiritedhorse,andwithhiswarbonnetandotherparaphernaliagaveawonderfulexhibition。TheIndiansusedtosaythatthesoldiersmustgazeathimratherthanaimathim,astheysoseldomhithimevenwhenrunningthegantletbeforeafiringline。

  Hedidaremarkablethingoncewhenonaone-arrow-to-killbuffalohuntwithhisbrother-in-law。Hiscompanionhadselectedhisanimalanddrewsopowerfullyonhissinewbowstringthatitbroke。RomanNosehadkilledhisowncowandwaswhippingupclosetotheotherwhenthemisfortuneoccurred。Bothhorsesweregoingatfullspeedandthearrowjerkedupintheair。RomanNosecaughtitandshotthecowforhim。

  AnothercuriousstorytoldofhimistotheeffectthathehadanintimateSiouxfriendwhowascourtingaCheyennegirl,butwithoutsuccess。AsthewooingofbothSiouxandCheyenneswasprettymuchalleffectedinthenighttime,RomanNosetoldhisfriendtolethimdothecourtingforhim。HearrangedwiththeyoungwomantoelopethenextnightandtospendthehoneymoonamonghisSiouxfriends。Hethentoldhisfriendwhattodo。TheSiouxfollowedinstructionsandcarriedofftheCheyennemaid,andnotuntilmorningdidshediscoverhermistake。Itissaidsheneveradmittedit,andthatthetwolivedhappilytogethertoagoodoldage,soperhapstherewasnomistakeafterall。

点击下载App,搜索"Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains",免费读到尾