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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