indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第24节
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Racial prejudice naturally enters into the account of a man's life by
enemy writers； while one is likely to favor his own race。 I am conscious
that many readers may think that I have idealized the Indian。 Therefore I
will confess now that we have too many weak and unprincipled men
among us。 When I speak of the Indian hero； I do not forget the mongrel
in spirit； false to the ideals of his people。 Our trustfulness has been our
weakness； and when the vices of civilization were added to our own； we
fell heavily。
It is said that Dull Knife as a boy was resourceful and self…reliant。 He
was only nine years old when his family was separated from the rest of the
tribe while on a buffalo hunt。 His father was away and his mother busy；
and he was playing with his little sister on the banks of a stream； when a
large herd of buffalo swept down upon them on a stampede for water。
His mother climbed a tree； but the little boy led his sister into an old
beaver house whose entrance was above water； and here they remained in
shelter until the buffalo passed and they were found by their distracted
parents。
Dull Knife was quite a youth when his tribe was caught one winter in a
region devoid of game； and threatened with starvation。 The situation was
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made worse by heavy storms； but he secured help and led a relief party a
hundred and fifty miles； carrying bales of dried buffalo meat on pack
horses。
Another exploit that made him dear to his people occurred in battle；
when his brother…in…law was severely wounded and left lying where no
one on either side dared to approach him。 As soon as Dull Knife heard of
it he got on a fresh horse； and made so daring a charge that others joined
him； thus under cover of their fire he rescued his brother…in…law； and in so
doing was wounded twice。
The Sioux knew him as a man of high type； perhaps not so brilliant as
Roman Nose and Two Moon； but surpassing both in honesty and
simplicity； as well as in his war record。 （Two Moon； in fact； was never a
leader of his people； and became distinguished only in wars with the
whites during the period of revolt。） A story is told of an ancestor of the
same name that illustrates well the spirit of the age。
It was the custom in those days for the older men to walk ahead of the
moving caravan and decide upon all halts and camping places。 One
day the councilors came to a grove of wild cherries covered with ripe fruit；
and they stopped at once。 Suddenly a grizzly charged from the thicket。
The men yelped and hooted； but the bear was not to be bluffed。 He
knocked down the first warrior who dared to face him and dragged his
victim into the bushes。
The whole caravan was in the wildest excitement。 Several of the
swiftest…footed warriors charged the bear； to bring him out into the open；
while the women and dogs made all the noise they could。 The bear
accepted the challenge； and as he did so； the man whom they had
supposed dead came running from the opposite end of the thicket。 The
Indians were delighted； and especially so when in the midst of their cheers；
the man stopped running for his life and began to sing a Brave Heart song
as he approached the grove with his butcher knife in his hand。 He would
dare his enemy again！
The grizzly met him with a tremendous rush； and they went down
together。 Instantly the bear began to utter cries of distress； and at the
same time the knife flashed； and he rolled over dead。 The warrior was
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too quick for the animal； he first bit his sensitive nose to distract his
attention； and then used the knife to stab him to the heart。 He fought
many battles with knives thereafter and claimed that the spirit of the bear
gave him success。 On one occasion； however； the enemy had a strong
buffalo…hide shield which the Cheyenne bear fighter could not pierce
through； and he was wounded； nevertheless he managed to dispatch his
foe。 It was from this incident that he received the name of Dull Knife；
which was handed down to his descendant。
As is well known； the Northern Cheyennes uncompromisingly
supported the Sioux in their desperate defense of the Black Hills and Big
Horn country。 Why not？ It was their last buffalo region their
subsistence。 It was what our wheat fields are to a civilized nation。
About the year 1875； a propaganda was started for confining all the
Indians upon reservations； where they would be practically interned or
imprisoned； regardless of their possessions and rights。 The men who
were the strongest advocates of the scheme generally wanted the Indians'
property the one main cause back of all Indian wars。 From the warlike
Apaches to the peaceful Nez Perces； all the tribes of the plains were
hunted from place to place； then the government resorted to peace
negotiations； but always with an army at hand to coerce。 Once disarmed
and helpless； they were to be taken under military guard to the Indian
Territory。
A few resisted； and declared they would fight to the death rather than
go。 Among these were the Sioux； but nearly all the smaller tribes were
deported against their wishes。 Of course those Indians who came from a
mountainous and cold country suffered severely。 The moist heat and
malaria decimated the exiles。 Chief Joseph of the Nez Perces and Chief
Standing Bear of the Poncas appealed to the people of the United States；
and finally succeeded in having their bands or the remnant of them
returned to their own part of the country。 Dull Knife was not successful
in his plea； and the story of his flight is one of poignant interest。
He was regarded by the authorities as a dangerous man； and with his
depleted band was taken to the Indian Territory without his consent in
1876。 When he realized that his people were dying like sheep； he was
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deeply moved。 He called them together。 Every man and woman
declared that they would rather die in their own country than stay there
longer； and they resolved to flee to their northern homes。
Here again was displayed the genius of these people。 From the
Indian Territory to Dakota is no short dash for freedom。 They knew what
they were facing。 Their line of flight lay through a settled country and
they would be closely pursued by the army。 No sooner had they started
than the telegraph wires sang one song： 〃The panther of the Cheyennes is
at large。 Not a child or a woman in Kansas or Nebraska is safe。〃 Yet
they evaded all the pursuing and intercepting troops and reached their
native soil。 The strain was terrible； the hardship great； and Dull Knife；
like Joseph； was remarkable for his self…restraint in sparing those who
came within his power on the way。
But fate was against him； for there were those looking for blood
money who betrayed him when he thought he was among friends。 His
people were tired out and famished when they were surrounded and taken
to Fort Robinson。 There the men were put in prison； and their wives
guarded in camp。 They were allowed to visit their men on certain days。
Many of them had lost everything； there were but a few who had even one
child left。 They were heartbroken。
