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indian heroes & great chieftains-第9章

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snow so that no one had noticed it until the yells of the boys

aroused the inmate; and he beat a hasty retreat。  The boys always

looked upon this incident as an omen。



Gall had an amiable disposition but was quick to resent insult

or injustice。  This sometimes involved him in difficulties; but he

seldom fought without good cause and was popular with his

associates。  One of his characteristics was his ability to

organize; and this was a large factor in his leadership when he

became a man。  He was tried in many ways; and never was known to

hesitate when it was a question of physical courage and endurance。 

He entered the public service early in life; but not until he had

proved himself competent and passed all tests。



When a mere boy; he was once scouting for game in midwinter;

far from camp; and was overtaken by a three days' blizzard。  He was

forced to abandon his horse and lie under the snow for that length

of time。  He afterward said he was not particularly hungry; it was

thirst and stiffness from which he suffered most。  One reason the

Indian so loved his horse or dog was that at such times the animal

would stay by him like a brother。  On this occasion Gall's pony was

not more than a stone's throw away when the storm subsided and the

sun shone。  There was a herd of buffalo in plain sight; and the

young hunter was not long in procuring a meal。



This chief's contemporaries still recall his wrestling match

with the equally powerful Cheyenne boy; Roman Nose; who afterward

became a chief well known to American history。  It was a custom of

the northwestern Indians; when two friendly tribes camped together;

to establish the physical and athletic supremacy of the youth of

the respective camps。



The 〃Che…hoo…hoo〃 is a wrestling game in which there may be

any number on a side; but the numbers are equal。  All the boys of

each camp are called together by a leader chosen for the purpose

and draw themselves up in line of battle; then each at a given

signal attacks his opponent。



In this memorable contest; Matohinshda; or Gall; was placed

opposite Roman Nose。  The whole people turned out as spectators of


the struggle; and the battlefield was a plateau between the two

camps; in the midst of picturesque Bad Lands。  There were many

athletic youths present; but these two were really the Apollos of

the two tribes。



In this kind of sport it is not allowed to strike with the

hand; nor catch around the neck; nor kick; nor pull by the hair。  

One may break away and run a few yards to get a fresh start; or

clinch; or catch as catch can。  When a boy is thrown and held to

the ground; he is counted out。  If a boy has met his superior; he

may drop to the ground to escape rough handling; but it is very

seldom one gives up without a full trial of strength。



It seemed almost like a real battle; so great was the

enthusiasm; as the shouts of sympathizers on both sides went up in

a mighty chorus。  At last all were either conquerors or subdued

except Gall and Roman Nose。  The pair seemed equally matched。  Both

were stripped to the breech clout; now tugging like two young

buffalo or elk in mating time; again writhing and twisting like

serpents。  At times they fought like two wild stallions; straining

every muscle of arms; legs; and back in the struggle。  Every now

and then one was lifted off his feet for a moment; but came down

planted like a tree; and after swaying to and fro soon became rigid

again。



All eyes were upon the champions。  Finally; either by trick or

main force; Gall laid the other sprawling upon the ground and held

him fast for a minute; then released him and stood erect; panting;

a master youth。  Shout after shout went up on the Sioux side of the

camp。  The mother of Roman Nose came forward and threw a superbly

worked buffalo robe over Gall; whose mother returned the compliment

by covering the young Cheyenne with a handsome blanket。



Undoubtedly these early contests had their influence upon our

hero's career。  It was his habit to appear most opportunely in a

crisis; and in a striking and dramatic manner to take command of

the situation。  The best known example of this is his entrance on

the scene of confusion when Reno surprised the Sioux on the Little

Big Horn。  Many of the excitable youths; almost unarmed; rushed

madly and blindly to meet the intruder; and the scene might have

unnerved even an experienced warrior。  It was Gall; with not a

garment upon his superb body; who on his black charger dashed ahead

of the boys and faced them。  He stopped them on the dry creek;

while the bullets of Reno's men whistled about their ears。



〃Hold hard; men!  Steady; we are not ready yet!  Wait for more

guns; more horses; and the day is yours!〃



They obeyed; and in a few minutes the signal to charge was

given; and Reno retreated pell mell before the onset of the Sioux。



Sitting Bull had confidence in his men so long as Gall planned

and directed the attack; whether against United States soldiers or

the warriors of another tribe。  He was a strategist; and able in a

twinkling to note and seize upon an advantage。  He was really the

mainstay of Sitting Bull's effective last stand。  He consistently

upheld his people's right to their buffalo plains and believed that

they should hold the government strictly to its agreements with

them。  When the treaty of 1868 was disregarded; he agreed with

Sitting Bull in defending the last of their once vast domain; and

after the Custer battle entered Canada with his chief。  They hoped

to bring their lost cause before the English government and were

much disappointed when they were asked to return to the United

States。



Gall finally reported at Fort Peck; Montana; in 1881; and

brought half of the Hunkpapa band with him; whereupon he was soon

followed by Sitting Bull himself。  Although they had been promised

by the United States commission who went to Canada to treat with

them that they would not be punished if they returned; no sooner

had Gall come down than a part of his people were attacked; and in

the spring they were all brought to Fort Randall and held as

military prisoners。  From this point they were returned to Standing

Rock agency。



When 〃Buffalo Bill〃 successfully launched his first show; he

made every effort to secure both Sitting Bull and Gall for his

leading attractions。  The military was in complete accord with him

in this; for they still had grave suspicions of these two leaders。 

While Sitting Bull reluctantly agreed; Gall haughtily said: 〃I am

not an animal to be exhibited before the crowd;〃 and retired to his

teepee。  His spirit was much worn; and he lost strength from that

time on。  That superb manhood dwindled; and in a few years he died。 

He was a real hero of a free and natural people; a type that is

never to be seen again。









CRAZY HORSE





Crazy Horse was born on the Republican River about 1845。  He was

killed at Fort Robinson; Nebraska; in 1877; so that he lived barely

thirty…three years。



He was an uncommonly handsome man。  While not the equal of

Gall in magnificence and imposing stature; he was physically

perfect; an Apollo in symmetry。  Furthermore he was a true type of

Indian refinement and grace。  He was modest and courteous as Chief

Joseph; the difference is that he was a born warrior; while Joseph

was not。  However; he was a gentle warrior; a true brave; who stood

for the highest ideal of the Sioux。  Notwithstanding all that

biased historians have said of him; it is only fair to judge a man

by the estimate of his own people rather than that of his enemies。



The boyhood of Crazy Horse was passed in the days when the

western Sioux saw a white man but seldom; and then it was usually

a trader or a soldier。  He was carefully brought up according to

the tribal customs。  At that period the Sioux prided themselves on

the training and development of their sons and daughters; and not

a step in that development was overlooked as an excuse to bring the

child before the public by giving a feast in its honor。  At such

times the parents often gave so generously to the needy that they

almost impoverished themselves; thus setting an example to the

child of self…denial for the general good。  His first step alone;

the first word spoken; first game killed; the attainment of manhood

or womanhood; each was the occasion of a feast and dance in his

honor; at which the poor always benefited to the full extent of the

parents' ability。



Big…heartedness; generosity; courage; and self…denial are the

qualifications of a public servant; and the average Indian was keen

to follow this ideal。  As every one knows; these characteristic

traits become a weakness when he enters a life founded upon

commerce and gain。  Under such conditions the life of Crazy Horse

began。  His mother; like other mothers; tender and watchful of her

boy; would never once plac
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