indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第14章
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he spent much time in prayer and solitude。 Just what happened in these
days of his fasting in the wilderness and upon the crown of bald buttes； no
one will ever know； for these things may only be known when one has
lived through the battles of life to an honored old age。 He was much
sought after by his youthful associates； but was noticeably reserved and
modest； yet in the moment of danger he at once rose above them all a
natural leader！ Crazy Horse was a typical Sioux brave； and from the
point of view of our race an ideal hero； living at the height of the epical
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INDIAN HEROES AND GREAT CHIEFTAINS
progress of the American Indian and maintaining in his own character all
that was most subtle and ennobling of their spiritual life； and that has since
been lost in the contact with a material civilization。
He loved Hump； that peerless warrior； and the two became close
friends； in spite of the difference in age。 Men called them 〃the grizzly
and his cub。〃 Again and again the pair saved the day for the Sioux in a
skirmish with some neighboring tribe。 But one day they undertook a
losing battle against the Snakes。 The Sioux were in full retreat and were
fast being overwhelmed by superior numbers。 The old warrior fell in a
last desperate charge； but Crazy Horse and his younger brother； though
dismounted； killed two of the enemy and thus made good their retreat。
It was observed of him that when he pursued the enemy into their
stronghold； as he was wont to do； he often refrained from killing； and
simply struck them with a switch； showing that he did not fear their
weapons nor care to waste his upon them。 In attempting this very feat； he
lost this only brother of his； who emulated him closely。 A party of young
warriors； led by Crazy Horse； had dashed upon a frontier post； killed one
of the sentinels； stampeded the horses； and pursued the herder to the very
gate of the stockade； thus drawing upon themselves the fire of the garrison。
The leader escaped without a scratch； but his young brother was brought
down from his horse and killed。
While he was still under twenty； there was a great winter buffalo hunt；
and he came back with ten buffaloes' tongues which he sent to the council
lodge for the councilors' feast。 He had in one winter day killed ten
buffalo cows with his bow and arrows； and the unsuccessful hunters or
those who had no swift ponies were made happy by his generosity。
When the hunters returned； these came chanting songs of thanks。 He
knew that his father was an expert hunter and had a good horse； so he took
no meat home； putting in practice the spirit of his early teaching。
He attained his majority at the crisis of the difficulties between the
United States and the Sioux。 Even before that time； Crazy Horse had
already proved his worth to his people in Indian warfare。 He had risked
his life again and again； and in some instances it was considered almost a
miracle that he had saved others as well as himself。 He was no orator nor
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was he the son of a chief。 His success and influence was purely a matter
of personality。 He had never fought the whites up to this time； and
indeed no 〃coup〃 was counted for killing or scalping a white man。
Young Crazy Horse was twenty…one years old when all the Teton
Sioux chiefs （the western or plains dwellers） met in council to determine
upon their future policy toward the invader。 Their former agreements
had been by individual bands； each for itself； and every one was friendly。
They reasoned that the country was wide； and that the white traders should
be made welcome。 Up to this time they had anticipated no conflict。
They had permitted the Oregon Trail； but now to their astonishment forts
were built and garrisoned in their territory。
Most of the chiefs advocated a strong resistance。 There were a few
influential men who desired still to live in peace； and who were willing to
make another treaty。 Among these were White Bull； Two Kettle； Four
Bears； and Swift Bear。 Even Spotted Tail； afterward the great peace chief；
was at this time with the majority； who decided in the year 1866 to defend
their rights and territory by force。 Attacks were to be made upon the
forts within their country and on every trespasser on the same。
Crazy Horse took no part in the discussion； but he and all the young
warriors were in accord with the decision of the council。 Although so
young； he was already a leader among them。 Other prominent young
braves were Sword （brother of the man of that name who was long captain
of police at Pine Ridge）； the younger Hump； Charging Bear； Spotted Elk；
Crow King； No Water； Big Road； He Dog； the nephew of Red Cloud； and
Touch…the…Cloud； intimate friend of Crazy Horse。
The attack on Fort Phil Kearny was the first fruits of the new policy；
and here Crazy Horse was chosen to lead the attack on the woodchoppers；
designed to draw the soldiers out of the fort； while an army of six hundred
lay in wait for them。 The success of this stratagem was further enhanced
by his masterful handling of his men。 From this time on a general war
was inaugurated； Sitting Bull looked to him as a principal war leader； and
even the Cheyenne chiefs； allies of the Sioux； practically acknowledged
his leadership。 Yet during the following ten years of defensive war he
was never known to make a speech； though his teepee was the rendezvous
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of the young men。 He was depended upon to put into action the
decisions of the council； and was frequently consulted by the older chiefs。
Like Osceola； he rose suddenly； like Tecumseh he was always
impatient for battle； like Pontiac； he fought on while his allies were suing
for peace； and like Grant； the silent soldier； he was a man of deeds and not
of words。 He won from Custer and Fetterman and Crook。 He won
every battle that he undertook； with the exception of one or two occasions
when he was surprised in the midst of his women and children； and even
then he managed to extricate himself in safety from a difficult position。
Early in the year 1876； his runners brought word from Sitting Bull that
all the roving bands would converge upon the upper Tongue River in
Montana for summer feasts and conferences。 There was conflicting news
from the reservation。 It was rumored that the army would fight the Sioux
to a finish； again； it was said that another commission would be sent out to
treat with them。
The Indians came together early in June； and formed a series of
encampments stretching out from three to four miles； each band keeping
separate camp。 On June 17； s
