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第13章

indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第13章


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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。 



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                           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 place an 



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obstacle in the way of his father's severe physical training。              They laid the 

spiritual and patriotic foundations of his education in such a way that he 

early became conscious of the demands of public service。 

     He was perhaps four or five years old when the band was snowed in 

one   severe   winter。    They  were   very  short   of   food;   but   his   father   was   a 

tireless hunter。     The buffalo; their main dependence; were not to be found; 

but he was out in the storm and cold every day and finally brought in two 

antelopes。     The little boy got on his pet pony and rode through the camp; 

telling the old folks to come to his mother's teepee for meat。              It turned out 

that neither his father nor mother had authorized him to do this。                 Before 

they knew it; old men and women were lined up before the teepee home; 

ready  to   receive   the   meat;   in   answer   to   his   invitation。 As   a   result;   the 

mother   had   to   distribute   nearly   all   of   it;   keeping   only   enough   for   two 

meals。 

     On the following day the child asked for food。               His mother told him 

that the old folks had   taken it all; and added: 〃Remember;  my son;  they 

went home   singing praises   in   your   name;  not   my  name   or   your   father's。 

You must be brave。        You must live up to your reputation。〃 

     Crazy Horse loved horses; and his father gave him a pony of his own 

when he was very young。           He became a fine horseman and accompanied 

his father on buffalo hunts; holding the pack horses while the men chased 

the buffalo and thus gradually learning the art。             In those days the Sioux 

had but few guns; and the hunting was mostly done with bow and arrows。 

     Another story told of his boyhood is that when he was about twelve he 

went to look for the ponies with his little brother; whom he loved much; 

and took a great deal of pains to teach what he had already learned。                 They 

came   to   some   wild   cherry   trees   full   of   ripe   fruit;   and   while   they   were 

enjoying it; the brothers were startled by the growl and sudden rush of a 

bear。    Young Crazy Horse pushed his brother up into the nearest tree and 

himself sprang upon the back of one of the horses; which was frightened 

and ran some distance before he could control him。               As soon as he could; 

however;   he   turned   him   about   and   came   back;   yelling   and   swinging   his 

lariat over his head。      The bear at first showed fight but finally turned and 

ran。    The old man who told me this story added that young as he was; he 



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had   some   power;   so   that   even   a   grizzly   did   not   care   to   tackle   him。    I 

believe it   is   a   fact   that   a   silver…tip   will   dare   anything   except   a   bell   or   a 

lasso line; so that accidentally the boy had hit upon the very thing which 

would drive him off。 

     It   was   usual   for   Sioux   boys   of   his   day   to   wait   in   the   field   after   a 

buffalo hunt until sundown; when the young calves would come out in the 

open;   hungrily   seeking   their   mothers。         Then   these   wild   children   would 

enjoy a mimic hunt; and lasso the calves or drive them into camp。                        Crazy 

Horse was   found to be a determined little   fellow; and   it was settled one 

day among the larger boys that they would 〃stump〃 him to ride a good… 

sized   bull   calf。    He   rode   the   calf;   and   stayed   on   its   back   while   it   ran 

bawling over the hills; followed by the other boys on their ponies; until his 

strange mount stood trembling and exhausted。 

     At the age of sixteen he joined a war party against the Gros Ventres。 

He was well in the front of the charge; and at once established his bravery 

by following closely one of the foremost Sioux warriors; by the name of 

Hump; drawing the enemy's fire and circling around their advance guard。 

Suddenly Hump's horse was shot from under him; and there was a rush of 

warriors   to   kill   or   capture   him   while   down。       But   amidst   a   shower   of 

arrows   the   youth   leaped   from   his   pony;   helped   his   friend   into   his   own 

saddle; sprang up behind him; and carried him off in safety; although they 

were   hotly   pursued   by   the   enemy。         Thus   he   associated   himself   in   his 

maiden battle with the wizard of Indian warfare; and Hump; who was then 

at   the   height   of   his   own   career;   pronounced   Crazy   Horse   the   coming 

warrior of the Teton Sioux。 

     At this period of his life; as was customary with the best young men; 

he spent much time in prayer and solitude。          

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