indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第7节
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inhabitants； the various fur companies had paramount influence。 They
did not hesitate to impress the Indians with the idea that they were the
authorized representatives of the white races or peoples； and they were
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quick to realize the desirability of controlling the natives through their
most influential chiefs。 Little Crow became quite popular with post
traders and factors。 He was an orator as well as a diplomat； and one of
the first of his nation to indulge in politics and promote unstable
schemes to the detriment of his people。
When the United States Government went into the business of
acquiring territory from the Indians so that the flood of western settlement
might not be checked； commissions were sent out to negotiate treaties； and
in case of failure it often happened that a delegation of leading men of the
tribe were invited to Washington。 At that period； these visiting chiefs；
attired in all the splendor of their costumes of ceremony； were treated like
ambassadors from foreign countries。
One winter in the late eighteen…fifties； a major general of the army
gave a dinner to the Indian chiefs then in the city； and on this occasion
Little Crow was appointed toastmaster。 There were present a number of
Senators and members of Congress； as well as judges of the Supreme
Court； cabinet officers； and other distinguished citizens。 When all the
guests were seated； the Sioux arose and addressed them with much dignity
as follows：
〃Warriors and friends： I am informed that the great white war chief
who of his generosity and comradeship has given us this feast； has
expressed the wish that we may follow to…night the usages and customs of
my people。 In other words； this is a warriors' feast； a braves' meal。 I
call upon the Ojibway chief； the Hole…in…the…Day； to give the lone wolf's
hunger call； after which we will join him in our usual manner。〃
The tall and handsome Ojibway now rose and straightened his superb
form to utter one of the clearest and longest wolf howls that was ever
heard in Washington； and at its close came a tremendous burst of war
whoops that fairly rent the air； and no doubt electrified the officials there
present。
On one occasion Little Crow was invited by the commander of Fort
Ridgeley； Minnesota； to call at the fort。 On his way back； in company
with a half…breed named Ross and the interpreter Mitchell； he was
ambushed by a party of Ojibways； and again wounded in the same arm
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that had been broken in his attempted assassination。 His companion Ross
was killed； but he managed to hold the war party at bay until help came
and thus saved his life。
More and more as time passed； this naturally brave and ambitious man
became a prey to the selfish interests of the traders and politicians。 The
immediate causes of the Sioux outbreak of 1862 came in quick succession
to inflame to desperate action an outraged people。 The two bands on the
so…called 〃lower reservations〃 in Minnesota were Indians for whom nature
had provided most abundantly in their free existence。 After one hundred
and fifty years of friendly intercourse first with the French； then the
English； and finally the Americans； they found themselves cut off from
every natural resource； on a tract of land twenty miles by thirty； which to
them was virtual imprisonment。 By treaty stipulation with the
government； they were to be fed and clothed； houses were to be built for
them； the men taught agriculture； and schools provided for the children。
In addition to this； a trust fund of a million and a half was to be set aside
for them； at five per cent interest； the interest to be paid annually per
capita。 They had signed the treaty under pressure； believing in these
promises on the faith of a great nation。
However； on entering the new life； the resources so rosily described to
them failed to materialize。 Many families faced starvation every winter；
their only support the store of the Indian trader； who was baiting his trap
for their destruction。 Very gradually they awoke to the facts。 At last it
was planned to secure from them the north half of their reservation for
ninety…eight thousand dollars； but it was not explained to the Indians that
the traders were to receive all the money。 Little Crow made the greatest
mistake of his life when he signed this agreement。
Meanwhile； to make matters worse； the cash annuities were not paid
for nearly two years。 Civil War had begun。 When it was learned that
the traders had taken all of the ninety…eight thousand dollars 〃on account〃；
there was very bitter feeling。 In fact； the heads of the leading stores were
afraid to go about as usual； and most of them stayed in St。 Paul。 Little
Crow was justly held in part responsible for the deceit； and his life was not
safe。
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The murder of a white family near Acton； Minnesota； by a party of
Indian duck hunters in August； 1862； precipitated the break。 Messengers
were sent to every village with the news； and at the villages of Little Crow
and Little Six the war council was red…hot。 It was proposed to take
advantage of the fact that north and south were at war to wipe out the
white settlers and to regain their freedom。 A few men stood out against
such a desperate step； but the conflagration had gone beyond their control。
There were many mixed bloods among these Sioux； and some of the
Indians held that these were accomplices of the white people in robbing
them of their possessions； therefore their lives should not be spared。 My
father； Many Lightnings； who was practically the leader of the Mankato
band （for Mankato； the chief； was a weak man）； fought desperately for the
lives of the half…breeds and the missionaries。 The chiefs had great
confidence in my father； yet they would not commit themselves； since
their braves were clamoring for blood。 Little Crow had been accused of
all the misfortunes of his tribe； and he now hoped by leading them against
the whites to regain his prestige with his people； and a part at least of their
lost domain。
There were moments when the pacifists were in grave peril。 It was
almost daybreak when my father saw that the approaching calamity could
not be prevented。 He and two others said to Little Crow： 〃If you want
war； you must personally lead your men to…morrow。 We will not murder
women and children； but we will fight the soldiers when they come。〃
They then left the council and hastened to warn my brother…in…law；
Faribault； and others who were in danger。
Little Crow declared he would be seen in the front of every battle； and
it is true that he was foremost in all the succeeding bloodshed； urging his
warriors to spare none。 He ordered his war leader； Many Hail； to fire the
first shot； killing the trader James Lynd； in the door of his store。
After a year of fighting in which he had met with defeat； the
discredited chief retreated to Fort Garry； now Winnipeg； Manitoba； where；
together with Standing Buffalo； he undertook secret negotiations with his
old friends the Indian traders。 There was now a price upon his head； but
he planned to reach St。 Paul undetected and there surrender himself to his
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friends； who he hoped would protect
