indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第12节
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INDIAN HEROES AND GREAT CHIEFTAINS
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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INDIAN HEROES AND GREAT CHIEFTAINS
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。 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 sc
