indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第19章
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way and the bear the other。 I picked myself up in time to climb the tree；
and was fairly out of reach when he gathered himself together and came at
me more furiously than ever； holding in one paw the shreds of my
breechcloth； for in the fall he had just scratched my back and cut my belt
in two； and carried off my only garment for a trophy！
〃My friend was well up another tree and laughing heartily at my
predicament； and when the bear saw that he could not get at either of us he
reluctantly departed； after I had politely addressed him and promised to
make an offering to his spirit on my safe return。 I don't think I ever had a
narrower escape；〃 he concluded。
During the troublous times from 1865 to 1877； American Horse
advocated yielding to the government at any cost； being no doubt
convinced of the uselessness of resistance。 He was not a recognized
leader until 1876； when he took the name and place of his uncle。 Up to
this time he bore the nickname of Manishnee （Can not walk； or Played
out。）
When the greater part of the Ogallalas； to which band he belonged；
came into the reservation； he at once allied himself with the peace element
at the Red Cloud agency； near Fort Robinson； Nebraska； and took no small
part in keeping the young braves quiet。 Since the older and better…known
chiefs； with the exception of Spotted Tail； were believed to be hostile at
heart； the military made much use of him。 Many of his young men
enlisted as scouts by his advice； and even he himself entered the service。
In the early part of the year 1876； there was a rumor that certain bands
were in danger of breaking away。 Their leader was one Sioux Jim； so
nicknamed by the soldiers。 American Horse went to him as peacemaker；
but was told he was a woman and no brave。 He returned to his own
camp and told his men that Sioux Jim meant mischief； and in order to
prevent another calamity to the tribe； he must be chastised。 He again
approached the warlike Jim with several warriors at his back。 The
recalcitrant came out； gun in hand； but the wily chief was too quick for
him。 He shot and wounded the rebel； whereupon one of his men came
forward and killed him。
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This quelled the people for the time being and up to the killing of
Crazy Horse。 In the crisis precipitated by this event； American Horse
was again influential and energetic in the cause of the government。 From
this time on he became an active participant in the affairs of the Teton
Sioux。 He was noted for his eloquence； which was nearly always
conciliatory； yet he could say very sharp things of the duplicity of the
whites。 He had much ease of manner and was a master of repartee。 I
recall his saying that if you have got to wear golden slippers to enter the
white man's heaven no Indian will ever get there； as the whites have got
the Black Hills and with them all the gold。
It was during the last struggle of his people； at the time of the Messiah
craze in 1890…1891 that he demonstrated as never before the real greatness
of the man。 While many of his friends were carried away by the new
thought； he held aloof from it and cautioned his band to do the same。
When it developed into an extensive upheaval among the nations he took
his positive stand against it。
Presently all Indians who did not dance the Ghost Dance were ordered
to come into camp at Pine Ridge agency。 American Horse was the first
to bring in his people。 I was there at the time and talked with him daily。
When Little was arrested； it had been agreed among the disaffected to
have him resist； which meant that he would be roughly handled。 This
was to be their excuse to attack the Indian police； which would probably
lead to a general massacre or outbreak。 I know that this desperate move
was opposed from the beginning by American Horse； and it was believed
that his life was threatened。
On the day of the 〃Big Issue〃； when thousands of Indians were
gathered at the agency； this man Little； who had been in hiding； walked
boldly among them。 Of course the police would arrest him at sight； and
he was led toward the guardhouse。 He struggled with them； but was
overpowered。 A crowd of warriors rushed to his rescue； and there was
confusion and a general shout of 〃Hurry up with them！ Kill them all！〃
I saw American Horse walk out of the agent's office and calmly face the
excited mob。
〃What are you going to do？〃 he asked。 〃Stop； men； stop and think
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before you act！ Will you murder your children； your women； yes；
destroy your nation to…day？〃 He stood before them like a statue and the
men who held the two policemen helpless paused for an instant。 He went
on： 〃You are brave to…day because you outnumber the white men； but
what will you do to…morrow？ There are railroads on all sides of you。
The soldiers will pour in from every direction by thousands and surround
you。 You have little food or ammunition。 It will be the end of your
people。 Stop； I say； stop now！〃
Jack Red Cloud； son of the old chief rushed up to him and thrust a
revolver almost in his face。 〃It is you and men like you；〃 he shouted；
〃who have reduced our race to slavery and starvation！〃 American Horse
did not flinch but deliberately reentered the office； followed by Jack still
flourishing the pistol。 But his timely appearance and eloquence had
saved the day。 Others of the police force had time to reach the spot； and
with a large crowd of friendly Indians had taken command of the situation。
When I went into the office I found him alone but apparently quite
calm。 〃Where are the agent and the clerks？〃 I asked。 〃They fled by the
back door；〃 he replied； smiling。 〃I think they are in the cellar。 These
fools outside had almost caught us asleep； but I think it is over now。〃
American Horse was one of the earliest advocates of education for the
Indian； and his son Samuel and nephew Robert were among the first
students at Carlisle。 I think one or two of his daughters were the
handsomest Indian girls of full blood that I ever saw。 His record as a
councilor of his people and his policy in the new situation that confronted
them was manly and consistent。
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DULL KNIFE
The life of Dull Knife； the Cheyenne； is a true hero tale。 Simple；
child…like yet manful； and devoid of selfish aims； or love of gain； he is a
pattern for heroes of any race。
Dull Knife was a chief of the old school。 Among all the Indians of
the plains； nothing counts save proven worth。 A man's caliber is
measured by his courage； unselfishness and intelligence。 Many writers
confuse history with fiction； but in Indian history their women and old
men and even children witness the main events； and not being absorbed in
daily papers and magazines； these events are rehearsed over and over with
few variations。 Though orally preserved； their accounts are therefore
accurate。 But they have seldom been willing to give reliable information
to strangers； especially when asked and paid for。
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
