indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第25节
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Many of them had lost everything； there were but a few who had even one
child left。 They were heartbroken。
These despairing women appealed to their husbands to die fighting：
their liberty was gone； their homes broken up； and only slavery and
gradual extinction in sight。 At last Dull Knife listened。 He said： 〃I have
lived my life。 I am ready。〃 The others agreed。 〃If our women are
willing to die with us； who is there to say no？ If we are to do the deeds
of men； it rests with you women to bring us our weapons。
As they had been allowed to carry moccasins and other things to the
men； so they contrived to take in some guns and knives under this disguise。
The plan was to kill the sentinels and run to the nearest natural trench；
there to make their last stand。 The women and children were to join
them。 This arrangement was carried out。 Not every brave had a gun；
but all had agreed to die together。 They fought till their small store of
ammunition was exhausted； then exposed their broad chests for a target；
and the mothers even held up their little ones to be shot。 Thus died the
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fighting Cheyennes and their dauntless leader。
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INDIAN HEROES AND GREAT CHIEFTAINS
ROMAN NOSE
This Cheyenne war chief was a contemporary of Dull Knife。 He
was not so strong a character as the other； and was inclined to be pompous
and boastful； but with all this he was a true type of native American in
spirit and bravery。
While Dull Knife was noted in warfare among Indians； Roman Nose
made his record against the whites； in defense of territory embracing the
Republican and Arickaree rivers。 He was killed on the latter river in
1868； in the celebrated battle with General Forsythe。
Save Chief Gall and Washakie in the prime of their manhood； this
chief had no peer in bodily perfection and masterful personality。 No
Greek or Roman gymnast was ever a finer model of physical beauty and
power。 He thrilled his men to frenzied action when he came upon the
field。 It was said of him that he sacrificed more youths by his personal
influence in battle than any other leader； being very reckless himself in
grand…stand charges。 He was killed needlessly in this manner。
Roman Nose always rode an uncommonly fine； spirited horse； and
with his war bonnet and other paraphernalia gave a wonderful exhibition。
The Indians used to say that the soldiers must gaze at him rather than aim
at him； as they so seldom hit him even when running the gantlet before a
firing line。
He did a remarkable thing once when on a one…arrow…to…kill buffalo
hunt with his brother…in…law。 His companion had selected his animal and
drew so powerfully on his sinew bowstring that it broke。 Roman Nose
had killed his own cow and was whipping up close to the other when the
misfortune occurred。 Both horses were going at full speed and the arrow
jerked up in the air。 Roman Nose caught it and shot the cow for him。
Another curious story told of him is to the effect that he had an
intimate Sioux friend who was courting a Cheyenne girl； but without
success。 As the wooing of both Sioux and Cheyennes was pretty much
all effected in the night time； Roman Nose told his friend to let him do the
courting for him。 He arranged with the young woman to elope the next
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night and to spend the honeymoon among his Sioux friends。 He then told
his friend what to do。 The Sioux followed instructions and carried off the
Cheyenne maid； and not until morning did she discover her mistake。 It is
said she never admitted it； and that the two lived happily together to a
good old age； so perhaps there was no mistake after all。
Perhaps no other chief attacked more emigrants going west on the
Oregon Trail between 1860 and 1868。 He once made an attack on a large
party of Mormons； and in this instance the Mormons had time to form a
corral with their wagons and shelter their women； children； and horses。
The men stood outside and met the Indians with well…aimed volleys； but
they circled the wagons with whirlwind speed； and whenever a white man
fell； it was the signal for Roman Nose to charge and count the 〃coup。〃
The hat of one of the dead men was off； and although he had heavy hair
and beard； the top of his head was bald from the forehead up。 As custom
required such a deed to be announced on the spot； the chief yelled at the
top of his voice：
〃Your Roman Nose has counted the first coup on the longest…faced
white man who was ever killed！〃
When the Northern Cheyennes under this daring leader attacked a
body of scouting troops under the brilliant officer General Forsythe；
Roman Nose thought that he had a comparatively easy task。 The first
onset failed； and the command entrenched itself on a little island。 The
wily chief thought he could stampede them and urged on his braves with
the declaration that the first to reach the island should be entitled to wear a
trailing war bonnet。 Nevertheless he was disappointed； and his men
received such a warm reception that none succeeded in reaching it。 In
order to inspire them to desperate deeds he had led them in person； and
with him that meant victory or death。 According to the army accounts； it
was a thrilling moment； and might well have proved disastrous to the
Forsythe command； whose leader was wounded and helpless。 The
danger was acute until Roman Nose fell； and even then his lieutenants
were bent upon crossing at any cost； but some of the older chiefs prevailed
upon them to withdraw。
Thus the brilliant war chief of the Cheyennes came to his death。 If he
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had lived until 1876； Sitting Bull would have had another bold ally。
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CHIEF JOSEPH
The Nez Perce tribe of Indians； like other tribes too large to be united
under one chief； was composed of several bands； each distinct in
sovereignty。 It was a loose confederacy。 Joseph and his people
occupied the Imnaha or Grande Ronde valley in Oregon； which was
considered perhaps the finest land in that part of the country。
When the last treaty was entered into by some of the bands of the Nez
Perce； Joseph's band was at Lapwai； Idaho； and had nothing to do with the
agreement。 The elder chief in dying had counseled his son； then not
more than twenty…two or twenty…three years of age； never to part with their
home； assuring him that he had signed no papers。 These peaceful non…
treaty Indians did not even know what land had been ceded until the agent
read them the government order to leave。 Of course they refused。 You
and I would have done the same。
When the agent failed to move them； he and the would…be settlers
called upon the army to force them to be good； namely； without a murmur
to leave their pleasant inheritance in the hands of a crowd of greedy
grafters。 General O。 O。 Howard； the Christian soldier； was sent to do the
work。
He had a long council with Joseph and his leading men； telling them
they must obey the order or be driven out by force。 We may be sure that
he presented this hard alternative reluctantly。 Joseph was a mere youth
without e
