TheSiouxlongreferredtothepresidentoftheUnitedStatesas"Tamahay’sfather。"

Thefollowingstoryistoldofhiminhislaterdays。HeattemptedonedaytocrossthefirstbridgeovertheMississippiRiver，butwasnotrecognizedbythesentinel，whowouldnotallowhimtopassuntilhepaidthetoll。Tamahay，whowasaprivilegedcharacter，explainedasbesthecould，withgesturesandbrokenEnglish，thathewasalwayspermittedtopassfree;butasthesentinelstillrefused，andeventhreatenedhimwithhisbayonet，theoldIndiansilentlyseizedthemusket，threwitdownintothewatersoftheMississippiandwenthome。LaterinthedayacompanyofsoldiersappearedintheIndianvillage，andescortedourherotoasortofcourt-martialatthefort。WhenhewasquestionedbytheColonel，hesimplyreplied："Ifyouwerethreatenedbyanyonewithaweapon，youwould，inself-defense，eitherdisablethemanorgetridoftheweapon。Ididthelatter，thinkingthatyouwouldneedthemanmorethanthegun。"

Finallytheofficersaidtothem，"Iseeyouarebothpartlywrong。Someonemustberesponsibleforthelossofthegun;

therefore，youtwowillwrestle，andthemanwhoisdownedmustdivefortheweapontothebottomoftheriver。"

ScarcelywasthisspeechendedwhenTamahaywasuponthesoldier，whowassurprisedbothbytheorderandbytheunexpectedreadinessofthewilyoldIndian，sothathewasnotprepared，andtheSiouxhadthevantagehold。Inamomentthebluecoatwasdown，amidshoutsandpealsoflaughterfromhiscomrades。Havingthrownhisman，theotherturnedandwenthomewithoutaword。

Sadtosay，heacquiredagreatappetitefor"minne-wakan"，or"mysteriouswater"，astheSiouxcallit，whichprovedasourceoftroubletohiminhisoldage。Itistoldofhimthathewastreatedonewinter’sdaytoadrinkofwhiskyinatrader’sstore。

Heafterwardswenthome;buteventhesevereblizzardwhichsoonarosedidnotpreventhimfromreturninginthenighttothefriendlytrader。Heawokethatworthyfromsleepabouttwelveo’clockbysinginghisdeathdirgeupontheroofofthelogcabin。

Inanothermomenthehadjumpeddownthemudchimney，andintotheblazingembersofafire。Thetraderhadtopourouttohimsomewhiskyinatinpail，afterwhichhebeggedtheoldmanto"begoodandgohome。"Ontheeveoftheso-called"MinnesotaMassacre"bytheSiouxin1862，Tamahay，althoughhewasthenveryoldandhadalmostlosttheuseofhisremainingeye，madeafamousspeechatthemeetingoftheconspirators。Thesearesomeofhiswords，asreportedtomebypersonswhowerepresent。

"What！What！isthisLittleCrow？IsthatLittleSix？You，too，WhiteDog，areyouhere？Icannotseewellnow，butIcanseewithmymind’seyethestreamofbloodyouareabouttopouruponthebosomofthismotherofours"（meaningtheearth）。"Istandbeforeyouonthreelegs，butthethirdleghasbroughtmewisdom"

[referringtothestaffwithwhichhesup-portedhimself]。"I

havetraveledmuch，Ihavevisitedamongthepeoplewhomyouthinktodefy。Thismeansthetotalsurrenderofourbeautifulland，thelandofathousandlakesandstreams。Methinksyouareabouttocommitanactlikethatoftheporcupine，whoclimbsatree，balanceshimselfuponaspringybough，andthengnawsofftheveryboughuponwhichheissitting;hence，whenitgivesway，hefallsuponthesharprocksbelow。BeholdthegreatPontiac，whosegraveIsawnearSt。Louis;hewasmurderedwhileanexilefromhiscountry！ThinkofthebraveBlackHawk！MethinkshisspiritisstillwailingthroughWisconsinandIllinoisforhislostpeople！

Idonotsayyouhavenocausetocomplain，buttoresistisself-destruction。Iamdone。"

Itissupposedthatthisspeechwashislast，anditwasmade，thoughvainly，indefenseoftheAmericanswhomhehadloved。HediedatFortPierre，SouthDakota，in1864。Hispeoplesaythathediedanaturaldeath，ofoldage。Andyethisexploitsarenotforgotten。ThuslivedanddepartedamostactiveandfearlessSioux，Tamahay，whodesiredtodieyoung！

GALL

ChiefGallwasoneofthemostaggressiveleadersoftheSiouxnationintheirlaststandforfreedom。

Thewestwardpressureofcivilizationduringthepastthreecenturieshasbeentremendous。Whenourhemispherewas"discovered"，ithadbeeninhabitedbythenativesforuntoldages，butitwasheldundiscoveredbecausetheoriginalownersdidnotchartoradvertiseit。Yetsomeofthematleasthaddevelopedidealsoflifewhichincludedreallibertyandequalitytoallmen，andtheydidnotrecognizeindividualownershipinlandorotherpropertybeyondactualnecessity。Itwasasouldevelopmentleadingtoessentialmanhood。Underthissystemtheybroughtforthsomestrikingcharacters。

GallwasconsideredbybothIndiansandwhitestobeamostimpressivetypeofphysicalmanhood。Fromhispictureyoucanjudgeofthisforyourself。

Letusfollowhistrail。Hewasnotenderfoot。Heneveraskedasoftplaceforhimself。Healwaysplayedthegameaccordingtotherulesandtoafinish。Tobesure，likeeveryotherman，hemadesomemistakes，buthewasanIndianandneveractedthecoward。

Theearlieststoriestoldofhislifeanddoingsindicatethespiritofthemaninthatoftheboy。

Whenhewasonlyaboutthreeyearsold，theBlackfootbandofSiouxwereontheirusualrovinghunt，followingthebuffalowhilelivingtheirnaturalhappylifeuponthewonderfulwideprairiesoftheDakotas。

ItwasthewayofeverySiouxmothertoadjustherhouseholdeffectsonsuchdogsandpackponiesasshecouldmusterfromdaytoday，oftenlendingoneortwotoaccommodatesomeotherwomanwhosehorseordoghaddied，orperhapshadbeenamongthosestampededandcarriedawaybyaraidingbandofCrowwarriors。Onthisparticularoccasion，themotherofouryoungSiouxbrave，Matohinshda，orBear-Shedding-His-Hair（Gall’schildhoodname），intrustedherboytoanoldEskimopackdog，experiencedandreliable，exceptperhapswhenundulyexcitedorverythirsty。

OnthedayofremovingcampthecaravanmadeitsmorningmarchupthePowderRiver。Uponthewidetable-landthewomenwerebusilydiggingteepsinna（anediblesweetishroot，muchusedbythem）asthemovingvillageslowlyprogressed。Asusualatsuchtimes，thetrailwaswide。Anoldjackrabbithadwaitedtoolonginhiding。Now，findinghimselfalmostsurroundedbythemightyplainspeople，hesprangupsuddenly，hisfeatheryearsconspicuouslyerect，adangerouschallengetothedogsandthepeople。

Awhoopwentup。Everydogacceptedthechallenge。Forgottenwerethebundles，thekits，eventhebabiestheyweredrawingorcarrying。Thechasewason，andthescreamsofthewomenreechoedfromtheoppositecliffsofthePowder，mingledwiththeyelpsofdogsandtheneighingofhorses。Thehandofeverymanwasagainstthedaringwarrior，theloneJack，andtheconfusionwasgreat。

Whenthefleeingoneclearedthemassofhisenemies，heemergedwithaswiftnessthatcommandedrespectandgavepromiseofadeterminedchase。Behindhim，hispursuersstretchedoutinathinline，firstthespeedy，unburdeneddogsandthenthetravoisdogsheadedbytheoldEskimowithhispreciousfreight。TheyouthfulGallwasinatravois，abasketmountedontrailingpolesandharnessedtothesidesoftheanimal。

"Hey！hey！theyaregainingonhim！"awarriorshouted。Atthisjuncturetwoofthecanineshadalmostnabbedtheirfurrypreybytheback。Buthewastoocunningforthem。Hedroppedinstantlyandsentbothdogsoverhishead，rollingandspinning，thenmadeanotherflightatrightanglestothefirst。ThisgavetheEskimoachancetocutthetriangle。Hegainedfiftyyards，butbeingheavilyhandicapped，twounladendogspassedhim。ThesametrickwasrepeatedbytheJack，andthistimehesavedhimselffrominstantdeathbyadoubleloopandwasnowrunningdirectlytowardthecrowd，followedbyadozenormoredogs。Hewaslosingspeed，butlikewisehispursuersweredroppingoffsteadily。OnlythesturdyEskimodogheldtohisevengait，andbehindhiminthefrailtravoisleanedforwardthelittleMatohinshda，nudesaveabreechclout，hislefthandholdingfasttheconvenienttailofhisdog，therightgraspingfirmlyoneofthepolesofthetravois。

Hisblackeyeswerebulgingalmostoutoftheirsockets;hislonghairflowedoutbehindlikeastreamofdarkwater。

TheJacknowrandirectlytowardthehowlingspectators，buthismarvelousspeedandalertnesswereonthewane;whileontheotherhandhisforemostpursuer，whohadtakenpartinhundredsofsimilarevents，hadeveryconfidenceinhisownendurance。Eachleapbroughthimnearer，fiercerandmoredetermined。ThelasteffortoftheJackwastolosehimselfinthecrowd，likeafishinmuddywater;butthebigdogmadetheoneneededleapwithunerringaimandhisteethflashedashecaughttherabbitinviselikejawsandheldhimlimpinair，avictor！

Thepeoplerusheduptohimashelaidthevictimdown，andforemostamongthemwasthefranticmotherofMatohinshda，orGall。

"Michinkshe！michinkshe！"（Myson！myson！）shescreamedasshedrewnear。Theboyseemedtobenonetheworseforhisexperience。

"Mother！"hecried，"mydogisbrave：hegottherabbit！"Shesnatchedhimoffthetravois，buthestruggledoutofherarmstolookuponhisdoglovinglyandadmiringly。Oldmenandboyscrowdedabouttheherooftheday，thedog，andthethoughtfulgrandmotherofMatohinshdaunharnessedhimandpouredsomewaterfromaparflechewaterbagintoabasin。"Here，mygrandson，giveyourfriendsomethingtodrink。"

"How，hechetu，"pronouncedanoldwarriornolongerinactiveservice。"Thismaybeonlyanaccident，anordinaryaffair;butsuchthingssometimesindicateacareer。Theboyhashadawonderfulride。Iprophesythathewillonedayholdtheattentionofallthepeoplewithhisdoings。"

Thisisthefirstrememberedstoryofthefamouschief，butotherboyishexploitsforetoldthemanhewasdestinedtobe。Hefoughtmanyshambattles，somesuccessfulandothersnot;buthewasalwaysafiercefighterandagoodloser。

Oncehewasengagedinabattlewithsnowballs。Therewereprobablynearlyahundredboysoneachside，andtherulewasthateveryfairhitmadethereceiverofficiallydead。Hemustnotparticipatefurther，butmustremainjustwherehewasstruck。

Gall’ssidewasfastlosing，andthebattlewasgrowinghottereveryminutewhentheyouthfulwarriorworkedtowardanoldwaterholeandtookuphispositionthere。Hissidewassoonannihilatedandtherewereelevenmenlefttofighthim。Hewaspressedcloseinthewash-out，andashedodgedundercoverbeforeavolleyofsnowballs，theresuddenlyemergedinhissteadahugegraywolf。

Hisopponentsfledineverydirectioninsuperstitiousterror，fortheythoughthehadbeentransformedintotheanimal。Totheirastonishmenthecameoutonthefarthersideandrantothelineofsafety，awinner！

Ithappenedthatthewolf’sdenhadbeenpartlycoveredwithsnowsothatnoonehadnoticedituntiltheyellsoftheboysarousedtheinmate，andhebeatahastyretreat。Theboysalwayslookeduponthisincidentasanomen。

Gallhadanamiabledispositionbutwasquicktoresentinsultorinjustice。Thissometimesinvolvedhimindifficulties，butheseldomfoughtwithoutgoodcauseandwaspopularwithhisassociates。Oneofhischaracteristicswashisabilitytoorganize，andthiswasalargefactorinhisleadershipwhenhebecameaman。Hewastriedinmanyways，andneverwasknowntohesitatewhenitwasaquestionofphysicalcourageandendurance。

Heenteredthepublicserviceearlyinlife，butnotuntilhehadprovedhimselfcompetentandpassedalltests。

Whenamereboy，hewasoncescoutingforgameinmidwinter，farfromcamp，andwasovertakenbyathreedays’blizzard。Hewasforcedtoabandonhishorseandlieunderthesnowforthatlengthoftime。Heafterwardsaidhewasnotparticularlyhungry;itwasthirstandstiffnessfromwhichhesufferedmost。OnereasontheIndiansolovedhishorseordogwasthatatsuchtimestheanimalwouldstaybyhimlikeabrother。OnthisoccasionGall’sponywasnotmorethanastone’sthrowawaywhenthestormsubsidedandthesunshone。Therewasaherdofbuffaloinplainsight，andtheyounghunterwasnotlonginprocuringameal。

Thischief’scontemporariesstillrecallhiswrestlingmatchwiththeequallypowerfulCheyenneboy，RomanNose，whoafterwardbecameachiefwellknowntoAmericanhistory。ItwasacustomofthenorthwesternIndians，whentwofriendlytribescampedtogether，toestablishthephysicalandathleticsupremacyoftheyouthoftherespectivecamps。

The"Che-hoo-hoo"isawrestlinggameinwhichtheremaybeanynumberonaside，butthenumbersareequal。Alltheboysofeachcamparecalledtogetherbyaleaderchosenforthepurposeanddrawthemselvesupinlineofbattle;theneachatagivensignalattackshisopponent。

Inthismemorablecontest，Matohinshda，orGall，wasplacedoppositeRomanNose。Thewholepeopleturnedoutasspectatorsofthestruggle，andthebattlefieldwasaplateaubetweenthetwocamps，inthemidstofpicturesqueBadLands。Thereweremanyathleticyouthspresent，butthesetwowerereallytheApollosofthetwotribes。

Inthiskindofsportitisnotallowedtostrikewiththehand，norcatcharoundtheneck，norkick，norpullbythehair。

Onemaybreakawayandrunafewyardstogetafreshstart，orclinch，orcatchascatchcan。Whenaboyisthrownandheldtotheground，heiscountedout。Ifaboyhasmethissuperior，hemaydroptothegroundtoescaperoughhandling，butitisveryseldomonegivesupwithoutafulltrialofstrength。

Itseemedalmostlikearealbattle，sogreatwastheenthusiasm，astheshoutsofsympathizersonbothsideswentupinamightychorus。AtlastallwereeitherconquerorsorsubduedexceptGallandRomanNose。Thepairseemedequallymatched。Bothwerestrippedtothebreechclout，nowtuggingliketwoyoungbuffaloorelkinmatingtime，againwrithingandtwistinglikeserpents。Attimestheyfoughtliketwowildstallions，strainingeverymuscleofarms，legs，andbackinthestruggle。Everynowandthenonewasliftedoffhisfeetforamoment，butcamedownplantedlikeatree，andafterswayingtoandfrosoonbecamerigidagain。

Alleyeswereuponthechampions。Finally，eitherbytrickormainforce，Galllaidtheothersprawlinguponthegroundandheldhimfastforaminute，thenreleasedhimandstooderect，panting，amasteryouth。ShoutaftershoutwentupontheSiouxsideofthecamp。ThemotherofRomanNosecameforwardandthrewasuperblyworkedbuffalorobeoverGall，whosemotherreturnedthecomplimentbycoveringtheyoungCheyennewithahandsomeblanket。

Undoubtedlytheseearlycontestshadtheirinfluenceuponourhero’scareer。Itwashishabittoappearmostopportunelyinacrisis，andinastrikinganddramaticmannertotakecommandofthesituation。ThebestknownexampleofthisishisentranceonthesceneofconfusionwhenRenosurprisedtheSiouxontheLittleBigHorn。Manyoftheexcitableyouths，almostunarmed，rushedmadlyandblindlytomeettheintruder，andthescenemighthaveunnervedevenanexperiencedwarrior。ItwasGall，withnotagarmentuponhissuperbbody，whoonhisblackchargerdashedaheadoftheboysandfacedthem。Hestoppedthemonthedrycreek，whilethebulletsofReno’smenwhistledabouttheirears。

"Holdhard，men！Steady，wearenotreadyyet！Waitformoreguns，morehorses，andthedayisyours！"

Theyobeyed，andinafewminutesthesignaltochargewasgiven，andRenoretreatedpellmellbeforetheonsetoftheSioux。

SittingBullhadconfidenceinhismensolongasGallplannedanddirectedtheattack，whetheragainstUnitedStatessoldiersorthewarriorsofanothertribe。Hewasastrategist，andableinatwinklingtonoteandseizeuponanadvantage。HewasreallythemainstayofSittingBull’seffectivelaststand。Heconsistentlyupheldhispeople’srighttotheirbuffaloplainsandbelievedthattheyshouldholdthegovernmentstrictlytoitsagreementswiththem。Whenthetreatyof1868wasdisregarded，heagreedwithSittingBullindefendingthelastoftheironcevastdomain，andaftertheCusterbattleenteredCanadawithhischief。TheyhopedtobringtheirlostcausebeforetheEnglishgovernmentandweremuchdisappointedwhentheywereaskedtoreturntotheUnitedStates。

GallfinallyreportedatFortPeck，Montana，in1881，andbroughthalfoftheHunkpapabandwithhim，whereuponhewassoonfollowedbySittingBullhimself。AlthoughtheyhadbeenpromisedbytheUnitedStatescommissionwhowenttoCanadatotreatwiththemthattheywouldnotbepunishediftheyreturned，nosoonerhadGallcomedownthanapartofhispeoplewereattacked，andinthespringtheywereallbroughttoFortRandallandheldasmilitaryprisoners。FromthispointtheywerereturnedtoStandingRockagency。

When"BuffaloBill"successfullylaunchedhisfirstshow，hemadeeveryefforttosecurebothSittingBullandGallforhisleadingattractions。Themilitarywasincompleteaccordwithhiminthis，fortheystillhadgravesuspicionsofthesetwoleaders。

WhileSittingBullreluctantlyagreed，Gallhaughtilysaid："Iamnotananimaltobeexhibitedbeforethecrowd，"andretiredtohisteepee。Hisspiritwasmuchworn，andheloststrengthfromthattimeon。Thatsuperbmanhooddwindled，andinafewyearshedied。

Hewasarealheroofafreeandnaturalpeople，atypethatisnevertobeseenagain。

CRAZYHORSE

CrazyHorsewasbornontheRepublicanRiverabout1845。HewaskilledatFortRobinson，Nebraska，in1877，sothathelivedbarelythirty-threeyears。

Hewasanuncommonlyhandsomeman。WhilenottheequalofGallinmagnificenceandimposingstature，hewasphysicallyperfect，anApolloinsymmetry。FurthermorehewasatruetypeofIndianrefinementandgrace。HewasmodestandcourteousasChiefJoseph;thedifferenceisthathewasabornwarrior，whileJosephwasnot。However，hewasagentlewarrior，atruebrave，whostoodforthehighestidealoftheSioux。Notwithstandingallthatbiasedhistorianshavesaidofhim，itisonlyfairtojudgeamanbytheestimateofhisownpeopleratherthanthatofhisenemies。

TheboyhoodofCrazyHorsewaspassedinthedayswhenthewesternSiouxsawawhitemanbutseldom，andthenitwasusuallyatraderorasoldier。Hewascarefullybroughtupaccordingtothetribalcustoms。AtthatperiodtheSiouxpridedthemselvesonthetraininganddevelopmentoftheirsonsanddaughters，andnotastepinthatdevelopmentwasoverlookedasanexcusetobringthechildbeforethepublicbygivingafeastinitshonor。Atsuchtimestheparentsoftengavesogenerouslytotheneedythattheyalmostimpoverishedthemselves，thussettinganexampletothechildofself-denialforthegeneralgood。Hisfirststepalone，thefirstwordspoken，firstgamekilled，theattainmentofmanhoodorwomanhood，eachwastheoccasionofafeastanddanceinhishonor，atwhichthepooralwaysbenefitedtothefullextentoftheparents’ability。

Big-heartedness，generosity，courage，andself-denialarethequalificationsofapublicservant，andtheaverageIndianwaskeentofollowthisideal。Aseveryoneknows，thesecharacteristictraitsbecomeaweaknesswhenheentersalifefoundeduponcommerceandgain。UndersuchconditionsthelifeofCrazyHorsebegan。Hismother，likeothermothers，tenderandwatchfulofherboy，wouldneveronceplaceanobstacleinthewayofhisfather’sseverephysicaltraining。Theylaidthespiritualandpatrioticfoundationsofhiseducationinsuchawaythatheearlybecameconsciousofthedemandsofpublicservice。

Hewasperhapsfourorfiveyearsoldwhenthebandwassnowedinoneseverewinter。Theywereveryshortoffood，buthisfatherwasatirelesshunter。Thebuffalo，theirmaindependence，werenottobefound，buthewasoutinthestormandcoldeverydayandfinallybroughtintwoantelopes。Thelittleboygotonhispetponyandrodethroughthecamp，tellingtheoldfolkstocometohismother’steepeeformeat。Itturnedoutthatneitherhisfathernormotherhadauthorizedhimtodothis。Beforetheyknewit，oldmenandwomenwerelinedupbeforetheteepeehome，readytoreceivethemeat，inanswertohisinvitation。Asaresult，themotherhadtodistributenearlyallofit，keepingonlyenoughfortwomeals。

Onthefollowingdaythechildaskedforfood。Hismothertoldhimthattheoldfolkshadtakenitall，andadded："Remember，myson，theywenthomesingingpraisesinyourname，notmynameoryourfather’s。Youmustbebrave。Youmustliveuptoyourreputation。"

CrazyHorselovedhorses，andhisfathergavehimaponyofhisownwhenhewasveryyoung。Hebecameafinehorsemanandaccompaniedhisfatheronbuffalohunts，holdingthepackhorseswhilethemenchasedthebuffaloandthusgraduallylearningtheart。InthosedaystheSiouxhadbutfewguns，andthehuntingwasmostlydonewithbowandarrows。

Anotherstorytoldofhisboyhoodisthatwhenhewasabouttwelvehewenttolookfortheponieswithhislittlebrother，whomhelovedmuch，andtookagreatdealofpainstoteachwhathehadalreadylearned。Theycametosomewildcherrytreesfullofripefruit，andwhiletheywereenjoyingit，thebrotherswerestartledbythegrowlandsuddenrushofabear。YoungCrazyHorsepushedhisbrotherupintothenearesttreeandhimselfspranguponthebackofoneofthehorses，whichwasfrightenedandransomedistancebeforehecouldcontrolhim。Assoonashecould，however，heturnedhimaboutandcameback，yellingandswinginghislariatoverhishead。Thebearatfirstshowedfightbutfinallyturnedandran。Theoldmanwhotoldmethisstoryaddedthatyoungashewas，hehadsomepower，sothatevenagrizzlydidnotcaretotacklehim。Ibelieveitisafactthatasilver-tipwilldareanythingexceptabelloralassoline，sothataccidentallytheboyhadhitupontheverythingwhichwoulddrivehimoff。

ItwasusualforSiouxboysofhisdaytowaitinthefieldafterabuffalohuntuntilsundown，whentheyoungcalveswouldcomeoutintheopen，hungrilyseekingtheirmothers。Thenthesewildchildrenwouldenjoyamimichunt，andlassothecalvesordrivethemintocamp。CrazyHorsewasfoundtobeadeterminedlittlefellow，anditwassettledonedayamongthelargerboysthattheywould"stump"himtorideagood-sizedbullcalf。Herodethecalf，andstayedonitsbackwhileitranbawlingoverthehills，followedbytheotherboysontheirponies，untilhisstrangemountstoodtremblingandexhausted。

AttheageofsixteenhejoinedawarpartyagainsttheGrosVentres。Hewaswellinthefrontofthecharge，andatonceestablishedhisbraverybyfollowingcloselyoneoftheforemostSiouxwarriors，bythenameofHump，drawingtheenemy’sfireandcirclingaroundtheiradvanceguard。SuddenlyHump’shorsewasshotfromunderhim，andtherewasarushofwarriorstokillorcapturehimwhiledown。Butamidstashowerofarrowstheyouthleapedfromhispony，helpedhisfriendintohisownsaddle，sprangupbehindhim，andcarriedhimoffinsafety，althoughtheywerehotlypursuedbytheenemy。ThusheassociatedhimselfinhismaidenbattlewiththewizardofIndianwarfare，andHump，whowasthenattheheightofhisowncareer，pronouncedCrazyHorsethecomingwarrioroftheTetonSioux。

Atthisperiodofhislife，aswascustomarywiththebestyoungmen，hespentmuchtimeinprayerandsolitude。Justwhathappenedinthesedaysofhisfastinginthewildernessanduponthecrownofbaldbuttes，noonewilleverknow;forthesethingsmayonlybeknownwhenonehaslivedthroughthebattlesoflifetoanhonoredoldage。Hewasmuchsoughtafterbyhisyouthfulassociates，butwasnoticeablyreservedandmodest;yetinthemomentofdangerheatonceroseabovethemall——anaturalleader！CrazyHorsewasatypicalSiouxbrave，andfromthepointofviewofourraceanidealhero，livingattheheightoftheepicalprogressoftheAmericanIndianandmaintaininginhisowncharacterallthatwasmostsubtleandennoblingoftheirspirituallife，andthathassincebeenlostinthecontactwithamaterialcivilization。

HelovedHump，thatpeerlesswarrior，andthetwobecameclosefriends，inspiteofthedifferenceinage。Mencalledthem"thegrizzlyandhiscub。"AgainandagainthepairsavedthedayfortheSiouxinaskirmishwithsomeneighboringtribe。ButonedaytheyundertookalosingbattleagainsttheSnakes。TheSiouxwereinfullretreatandwerefastbeingoverwhelmedbysuperiornumbers。Theoldwarriorfellinalastdesperatecharge;butCrazyHorseandhisyoungerbrother，thoughdismounted，killedtwooftheenemyandthusmadegoodtheirretreat。

Itwasobservedofhimthatwhenhepursuedtheenemyintotheirstronghold，ashewaswonttodo，heoftenrefrainedfromkilling，andsimplystruckthemwithaswitch，showingthathedidnotfeartheirweaponsnorcaretowastehisuponthem。Inattemptingthisveryfeat，helostthisonlybrotherofhis，whoemulatedhimclosely。Apartyofyoungwarriors，ledbyCrazyHorse，haddasheduponafrontierpost，killedoneofthesentinels，stampededthehorses，andpursuedtheherdertotheverygateofthestockade，thusdrawinguponthemselvesthefireofthegarrison。Theleaderescapedwithoutascratch，buthisyoungbrotherwasbroughtdownfromhishorseandkilled。

Whilehewasstillundertwenty，therewasagreatwinterbuffalohunt，andhecamebackwithtenbuffaloes’tongueswhichhesenttothecouncillodgeforthecouncilors’feast。Hehadinonewinterdaykilledtenbuffalocowswithhisbowandarrows，andtheunsuccessfulhuntersorthosewhohadnoswiftponiesweremadehappybyhisgenerosity。Whenthehuntersreturned，thesecamechantingsongsofthanks。Heknewthathisfatherwasanexperthunterandhadagoodhorse，sohetooknomeathome，puttinginpracticethespiritofhisearlyteaching。

HeattainedhismajorityatthecrisisofthedifficultiesbetweentheUnitedStatesandtheSioux。Evenbeforethattime，CrazyHorsehadalreadyprovedhisworthtohispeopleinIndianwarfare。Hehadriskedhislifeagainandagain，andinsomeinstancesitwasconsideredalmostamiraclethathehadsavedothersaswellashimself。Hewasnooratornorwashethesonofachief。Hissuccessandinfluencewaspurelyamatterofpersonality。Hehadneverfoughtthewhitesuptothistime，andindeedno"coup"wascountedforkillingorscalpingawhiteman。

YoungCrazyHorsewastwenty-oneyearsoldwhenalltheTetonSiouxchiefs（thewesternorplainsdwellers）metincounciltodetermineupontheirfuturepolicytowardtheinvader。Theirformeragreementshadbeenbyindividualbands，eachforitself，andeveryonewasfriendly。Theyreasonedthatthecountrywaswide，andthatthewhitetradersshouldbemadewelcome。Uptothistimetheyhadanticipatednoconflict。TheyhadpermittedtheOregonTrail，butnowtotheirastonishmentfortswerebuiltandgarrisonedintheirterritory。

Mostofthechiefsadvocatedastrongresistance。Therewereafewinfluentialmenwhodesiredstilltoliveinpeace，andwhowerewillingtomakeanothertreaty。AmongthesewereWhiteBull，TwoKettle，FourBears，andSwiftBear。EvenSpottedTail，afterwardthegreatpeacechief，wasatthistimewiththemajority，whodecidedintheyear1866todefendtheirrightsandterritorybyforce。Attacksweretobemadeuponthefortswithintheircountryandoneverytrespasseronthesame。

CrazyHorsetooknopartinthediscussion，butheandalltheyoungwarriorswereinaccordwiththedecisionofthecouncil。

Althoughsoyoung，hewasalreadyaleaderamongthem。OtherprominentyoungbraveswereSword（brotherofthemanofthatnamewhowaslongcaptainofpoliceatPineRidge），theyoungerHump，ChargingBear，SpottedElk，CrowKing，NoWater，BigRoad，HeDog，thenephewofRedCloud，andTouch-the-Cloud，intimatefriendofCrazyHorse。

TheattackonFortPhilKearnywasthefirstfruitsofthenewpolicy，andhereCrazyHorsewaschosentoleadtheattackonthewoodchoppers，designedtodrawthesoldiersoutofthefort，whileanarmyofsixhundredlayinwaitforthem。Thesuccessofthisstratagemwasfurtherenhancedbyhismasterfulhandlingofhismen。Fromthistimeonageneralwarwasinaugurated;SittingBulllookedtohimasaprincipalwarleader，andeventheCheyennechiefs，alliesoftheSioux，practicallyacknowledgedhisleadership。Yetduringthefollowingtenyearsofdefensivewarhewasneverknowntomakeaspeech，thoughhisteepeewastherendezvousoftheyoungmen。Hewasdependedupontoputintoactionthedecisionsofthecouncil，andwasfrequentlyconsultedbytheolderchiefs。

LikeOsceola，herosesuddenly;likeTecumsehhewasalwaysimpatientforbattle;likePontiac，hefoughtonwhilehisalliesweresuingforpeace，andlikeGrant，thesilentsoldier，hewasamanofdeedsandnotofwords。HewonfromCusterandFettermanandCrook。Hewoneverybattlethatheundertook，withtheexceptionofoneortwooccasionswhenhewassurprisedinthemidstofhiswomenandchildren，andeventhenhemanagedtoextricatehimselfinsafetyfromadifficultposition。

Earlyintheyear1876，hisrunnersbroughtwordfromSittingBullthatalltherovingbandswouldconvergeupontheupperTongueRiverinMontanaforsummerfeastsandconferences。Therewasconflictingnewsfromthereservation。ItwasrumoredthatthearmywouldfighttheSiouxtoafinish;again，itwassaidthatanothercommissionwouldbesentouttotreatwiththem。

TheIndianscametogetherearlyinJune，andformedaseriesofencampmentsstretchingoutfromthreetofourmiles，eachbandkeepingseparatecamp。OnJune17，scoutscameinandreportedtheadvanceofalargebodyoftroopsunderGeneralCrook。ThecouncilsentCrazyHorsewithsevenhundredmentomeetandattackhim。

Thesewerenearlyallyoungmen，manyofthemundertwenty，theflowerofthehostileSioux。Theysetoutatnightsoastostealamarchupontheenemy，butwithinthreeorfourmilesofhiscamptheycameunexpectedlyuponsomeofhisCrowscouts。Therewasahurriedexchangeofshots;theCrowsfledbacktoCrook’scamp，pursuedbytheSioux。Thesoldiershadtheirwarning，anditwasimpossibletoenterthewell-protectedcamp。AgainandagainCrazyHorsechargedwithhisbravestmen，intheattempttobringthetroopsintotheopen，buthesucceededonlyindrawingtheirfire。

Towardafternoonhewithdrew，andreturnedtocampdisappointed。

HisscoutsremainedtowatchCrook’smovements，andlaterbroughtwordthathehadretreatedtoGooseCreekandseemedtohavenofurtherdispositiontodisturbtheSioux。ItiswellknowntousthatitisCrookratherthanRenowhoistobeblamedforcowardiceinconnectionwithCuster’sfate。Thelatterhadnochancetodoanything，hewasluckytosavehimself;butifCrookhadkeptonhisway，asordered，tomeetTerry，withhisonethousandregularsandtwohundredCrowandShoshonescouts，hewouldinevitablyhaveinterceptedCusterinhisadvanceandsavedthedayforhim，andwarwiththeSiouxwouldhaveendedrightthere。Insteadofthis，hefellbackuponFortMeade，eatinghishorsesontheway，inacountryswarmingwithgame，forfearofCrazyHorseandhisbraves！

TheIndiansnowcrossedthedividebetweentheTongueandtheLittleBigHorn，wheretheyfeltsafefromimmediatepursuit。

Here，withalltheirprecautions，theywerecaughtunawaresbyGeneralCuster，inthemidstoftheirmiddaygamesandfestivities，whilemanywereoutuponthedailyhunt。

Onthistwenty-fifthofJune，1876，thegreatcampwasscatteredforthreemilesormorealongthelevelriverbottom，backofthethinlineofcottonwoods——fivecircularrowsofteepees，rangingfromhalfamiletoamileandahalfincircumference。Hereandtherestoodoutalarge，white，solitaryteepee;thesewerethelodgesor"clubs"oftheyoungmen。CrazyHorsewasamemberofthe"StrongHearts"andthe"Tokala"orFoxlodge。Hewaswatchingagameofring-tosswhenthewarningcamefromthesouthernendofthecampoftheapproachoftroops。

TheSiouxandtheCheyenneswere"minutemen"，andalthoughtakenbysurprise，theyinstantlyresponded。Meanwhile，thewomenandchildrenwerethrownintoconfusion。Dogswerehowling，poniesrunninghitherandthither，pursuedbytheirowners，whilemanyoftheoldmenweresingingtheirlodgesongstoencouragethewarriors，orpraisingthe"strongheart"ofCrazyHorse。

Thatleaderhadquicklysaddledhisfavoritewarponyandwasstartingwithhisyoungmenforthesouthendofthecamp，whenafreshalarmcamefromtheoppositedirection，andlookingup，hesawCuster’sforceuponthetopofthebluffdirectlyacrosstheriver。Asquickasaflash，hetookinthesituation——theenemyhadplannedtoattackthecampatbothendsatonce;andknowingthatCustercouldnotfordtheriveratthatpoint，heinstantlyledhismennorthwardtothefordtocuthimoff。TheCheyennesfollowedclosely。Custermusthaveseenthatwonderfuldashupthesage-bushplain，andonewonderswhetherherealizeditsmeaning。

Inaveryfewminutes，thiswildgeneraloftheplainshadoutwittedoneofthemostbrilliantleadersoftheCivilWarandendedatoncehismilitarycareerandhislife。

Inthisdashingcharge，CrazyHorsesnatchedhismostfamousvictoryoutofwhatseemedfrightfulperil，fortheSiouxcouldnotknowhowmanywerebehindCuster。Hewascaughtinhisowntrap。

TothesoldiersitmusthaveseemedasiftheIndiansroseupfromtheearthtooverwhelmthem。Theyclosedinfromthreesidesandfoughtuntilnotawhitemanwasleftalive。ThentheywentdowntoReno’sstandandfoundhimsowellintrenchedinadeepgullythatitwasimpossibletodislodgehim。GallandhismenheldhimthereuntiltheapproachofGeneralTerrycompelledtheSiouxtobreakcampandscatterindifferentdirections。

WhileSittingBullwaspursuedintoCanada，CrazyHorseandtheCheyenneswanderedabout，comparativelyundisturbed，duringtherestofthatyear，untilinthewinterthearmysurprisedtheCheyennes，butdidnotdothemmuchharm，possiblybecausetheyknewthatCrazyHorsewasnotfaroff。Hisnamewasheldinwholesomerespect。Fromtimetotime，delegationsoffriendlyIndiansweresenttohim，tourgehimtocomeintothereservation，promisingafullhearingandfairtreatment。

Forsometimeheheldout，buttherapiddisappearanceofthebuffalo，theironlymeansofsupport，probablyweighedwithhimmorethananyotherinfluence。InJuly，1877，hewasfinallyprevailedupontocomeintoFortRobinson，Nebraska，withseveralthousandIndians，mostofthemOgallalaandMinneconwojuSioux，onthedistinctunderstandingthatthegovernmentwouldhearandadjusttheirgrievances。

AtthisjunctureGeneralCrookproclaimedSpottedTail，whohadrenderedmuchvaluableservicetothearmy，headchiefoftheSioux，whichwasresentedbymany。TheattentionpaidCrazyHorsewasoffensivetoSpottedTailandtheIndianscouts，whoplannedaconspiracyagainsthim。TheyreportedtoGeneralCrookthattheyoungchiefwouldmurderhimatthenextcouncil，andstampedetheSiouxintoanotherwar。Hewasurgednottoattendthecouncilanddidnot，butsentanotherofficertorepresenthim。MeanwhilethefriendsofCrazyHorsediscoveredtheplotandtoldhimofit。Hisreplywas，"Onlycowardsaremurderers。"

Hiswifewascriticallyillatthetime，andhedecidedtotakehertoherparentsatSpottedTailagency，whereuponhisenemiescirculatedthestorythathehadfled，andapartyofscoutswassentafterhim。Theyovertookhimridingwithhiswifeandoneotherbutdidnotundertaketoarresthim，andafterhehadleftthesickwomanwithherpeoplehewenttocallonCaptainLea，theagentfortheBrules，accompaniedbyallthewarriorsoftheMinneconwojuband。Thisvolunteerescortmadeanimposingappearanceonhorseback，shoutingandsinging，andinthewordsofCaptainLeahimselfandthemissionary，theReverendMr。Cleveland，thesituationwasextremelycritical。Indeed，thescoutswhohadfollowedCrazyHorsefromRedCloudagencywereadvisednottoshowthemselves，assomeofthewarriorshadurgedthattheybetakenoutandhorsewhippedpublicly。

UnderthesecircumstancesCrazyHorseagainshowedhismasterfulspiritbyholdingtheseyoungmenincheck。Hesaidtotheminhisquietway："Itiswelltobebraveinthefieldofbattle;itiscowardlytodisplaybraveryagainstone’sowntribesmen。Thesescoutshavebeencompelledtodowhattheydid;

theyarenobetterthanservantsofthewhiteofficers。Icamehereonapeacefulerrand。"

Thecaptainurgedhimtoreportatarmyheadquarterstoexplainhimselfandcorrectfalserumors，andonhisgivingconsent，furnishedhimwithawagonandescort。Ithasbeensaidthathewentbackunderarrest，butthisisuntrue。Indianshaveboastedthattheyhadahandinbringinghimin，buttheirstoriesarewithoutfoundation。Hewentofhisownaccord，eithersuspectingnotreacheryordeterminedtodefyit。

Whenhereachedthemilitarycamp，LittleBigManwalkedarm-in-armwithhim，andhiscousinandfriend，Touch-the-Cloud，wasjustinadvance。Aftertheypassedthesentinel，anofficerapproachedthemandwalkedonhisotherside。Hewasunarmedbutfortheknifewhichiscarriedforordinaryusesbywomenaswellasmen。Unsuspectinglyhewalkedtowardtheguardhouse，whenTouch-the-Cloudsuddenlyturnedbackexclaiming："Cousin，theywillputyouinprison！"

"Anotherwhiteman’strick！Letmego！Letmediefighting！"

criedCrazyHorse。Hestoppedandtriedtofreehimselfanddrawhisknife，butbotharmswereheldfastbyLittleBigManandtheofficer。Whilehestruggledthus，asoldierthrusthimthroughwithhisbayonetfrombehind。Thewoundwasmortal，andhediedinthecourseofthatnight，hisoldfathersingingthedeathsongoverhimandafterwardcarryingawaythebody，whichtheysaidmustnotbefurtherpollutedbythetouchofawhiteman。TheyhiditsomewhereintheBadLands，hisrestingplacetothisday。

ThusdiedoneoftheablestandtruestAmericanIndians。Hislifewasideal;hisrecordclean。Hewasneverinvolvedinanyofthenumerousmassacresonthetrail，butwasaleaderinpracticallyeveryopenfight。SuchcharactersasthoseofCrazyHorseandChiefJosepharenoteasilyfoundamongso-calledcivilizedpeople。Thereputationofgreatmenisapttobeshadowedbyquestionablemotivesandpolicies，butherearetwopurepatriots，asworthyofhonorasanywhoeverbreathedGod’sairinthewidespacesofanewworld。

SITTINGBULL

ITisnoteasytocharacterizeSittingBull，ofallSiouxchiefsmostgenerallyknowntotheAmericanpeople。Therearefewtowhomhisnameisnotfamiliar，andstillfewerwhohavelearnedtoconnectitwithanythingmorethantheconventionalnotionofabloodthirstysavage。Themanwasanenigmaatbest。Hewasnotimpulsive，norwashephlegmatic。Hewasmostseriouswhenheseemedtobejocose。Hewasgiftedwiththepowerofsarcasm，andfewhaveuseditmoreartfullythanhe。

Hisfatherwasoneofthebest-knownmembersoftheUnkpapabandofSioux。Themannerofthisman’sdeathwascharacteristic。

Oneday，whentheUnkpapaswereattackedbyalargewarpartyofCrows，hefellupontheenemy’swarleaderwithhisknife。Inahand-to-handcombatofthissort，wecountthevictorasentitledtoawarbonnetoftrailingplumes。Itmeanscertaindeathtooneorboth。Inthiscase，bothmendealtamortalstroke，andJumpingBuffalo，thefatherofSittingBull，fellfromhissaddleanddiedinafewminutes。Theotherdiedlaterfromtheeffectsofthewound。

SittingBull’sboyhoodmusthavebeenahappyone。Itwaslongafterthedayofthedog-travaux，andhisfatherownedmanyponiesofvariegatedcolors。Itwassaidofhiminajokingwaythathislegswerebowedliketheribsoftheponiesthatherodeconstantlyfromchildhood。Hehadalsoacommonnicknamethatwasmuchtothepoint。Itwas"Hunkeshnee"，whichmeans"Slow"，referringtohisinabilitytorunfast，ormoreprobablytothefactthatheseldomappearedonfoot。Intheirboyishgameshewaswonttotakethepartofthe"oldman"，butthisdoesnotmeanthathewasnotactiveandbrave。Itistoldthatafterabuffalohunttheboyswereenjoyingamimichuntwiththecalvesthathadbeenleftbehind。AlargecalfturnedviciouslyonSittingBull，whoseponyhadthrownhim，butthealertyouthgotholdofbothearsandstruggleduntilthecalfwaspushedbackintoabuffalowallowinasittingposture。Theboysshouted："Hehassubduedthebuffalocalf！Hemadeitsitdown！"AndfromthisincidentwasderivedhisfamiliarnameofSittingBull。

ItisamistaketosupposethatSittingBull，oranyotherIndianwarrior，wasofamurderousdisposition。Itistruethatsavagewarfarehadgrownmoreandmoreharshandcruelsincethecomingofwhitetradersamongthem，bringingguns，knives，andwhisky。Yetitwasstillregardedlargelyasasortofgame，undertakeninordertodevelopthemanlyqualitiesoftheiryouth。

Itwasthedegreeofriskwhichbroughthonor，ratherthanthenumberslain，andabravemustmournthirtydays，withblackenedfaceandloosenedhair，fortheenemywhoselifehehadtaken。

Whilethespoilsofwarwereallowed，thisdidnotextendtoterritorialaggrandizement，norwasthereanywishtooverthrowanothernationandenslaveitspeople。Itwasapointofhonorintheolddaystotreatacaptivewithkindness。ThecommonimpressionthattheIndianisnaturallycruelandrevengefulisentirelyopposedtohisphilosophyandtraining。TherevengefultendencyoftheIndianwasarousedbythewhiteman。ItisnotthenaturalIndianwhoismeanandtricky;notMassasoitbutKingPhilip;notAttackullakullabutWeatherford;notWabashawbutLittleCrow;notJumpingBuffalobutSittingBull！Thesemenliftedtheirhandsagainstthewhiteman，whiletheirfathersheldtheirsouttohimwithgifts。

Rememberthattherewerecouncilswhichgavetheirdecisionsinaccordancewiththehighestidealofhumanjusticebeforetherewereanycitiesonthiscontinent;beforetherewerebridgestospantheMississippi;beforethisnetworkofrailroadswasdreamedof！TherewereprimitivecommunitiesupontheveryspotwhereChicagoorNewYorkCitynowstands，wheremenwereaschildren，innocentofallthecrimesnowcommittedtheredailyandnightly。

Truemoralityismoreeasilymaintainedinconnectionwiththesimplelife。Youmustacceptthetruththatyoudemoralizeanyracewhomyouhavesubjugated。

FromthispointofviewweshallconsiderSittingBull’scareer。Wesayheisanuntutoredman：thatistruesofaraslearningofaliterarytypeisconcerned;buthewasnotanuntutoredmanwhenyouviewhimfromthestandpointofhisnation。

Tobesure，hedidnotlearnhislessonsfrombooks。Thisissecond-handinformationatbest。Allthathelearnedheverifiedforhimselfandputintodailypractice。Inpersonalappearancehewasrathercommonplaceandmadenoimmediateimpression，butashetalkedheseemedtotakeholdofhishearersmoreandmore。Hewasbull-headed;quicktograspasituation，andnotreadilyinducedtochangehismind。Hewasnotsuspiciousuntilhewasforcedtobeso。Allhismeanertraitswereinevitablydevelopedbytheeventsofhislatercareer。

SittingBull’shistoryhasbeenwrittenmanytimesbynewspapermenandarmyofficers，butIfindnoaccountofhimwhichisentirelycorrect。Imethimpersonallyin1884，andsincehisdeathIhavegonethoroughlyintothedetailsofhislifewithhisrelativesandcontemporaries。Ithasoftenbeensaidthathewasaphysicalcowardandnotawarrior。Judgeofthisforyourselvesfromthedeedwhichfirstgavehimfameinhisowntribe，whenhewasabouttwenty-eightyearsold。

InanattackuponabandofCrowIndians，oneoftheenemytookhisstand，aftertheresthadfled，inadeepditchfromwhichitseemedimpossibletodislodgehim。Thesituationhadalreadycostthelivesofseveralwarriors，buttheycouldnotlethimgotorepeatsuchaboastovertheSioux！

"Followme！"saidSittingBull，andcharged。Heracedhishorsetothebrimoftheditchandstruckattheenemywithhiscoup-staff，thuscompellinghimtoexposehimselftothefireoftheotherswhileshootinghisassailant。ButtheCrowmerelypokedhisemptygunintohisfaceanddodgedbackundercover。ThenSittingBullstopped;hesawthatnoonehadfollowedhim，andhealsoperceivedthattheenemyhadnomoreammunitionleft。Herodedeliberatelyuptothebarrierandthrewhisloadedgunoverit;

thenhewentbacktohispartyandtoldthemwhathethoughtofthem。

"Now，"saidhe，"Ihavearmedhim，forIwillnotseeabravemankilledunarmed。Iwillstrikehimagainwithmycoup-stafftocountthefirstfeather;whowillcountthesecond？"

Againheledthecharge，andthistimetheyallfollowedhim。

SittingBullwasseverelywoundedbyhisownguninthehandsoftheenemy，whowaskilledbythosethatcameafterhim。ThisisarecordthatsofarasIknowwasnevermadebyanyotherwarrior。

ThesecondincidentthatmadehimwellknownwashistakingofaboycaptiveinbattlewiththeAssiniboines。Hesavedthisboy’slifeandadoptedhimashisbrother。Hohay，ashewascalled，wasdevotedtoSittingBullandhelpedmuchinlateryearstospreadhisfame。SittingBullwasaborndiplomat，areadyspeaker，andinmiddlelifeheceasedtogouponthewarpath，tobecomethecouncilorofhispeople。Fromthistimeon，thismanrepresentedhiminallimportantbattles，anduponeverybravedeeddonewaswonttoexclaimaloud：

"I，SittingBull’sboy，dothisinhisname！"

Hehadanephew，nowliving，whoresembleshimstrongly，andwhoalsorepresentedhimpersonallyuponthefield;andsofarasthereisanyremnantleftofhisimmediateband，theylookuponthismanOneBullastheirchief。

WhenSittingBullwasaboy，therewasnothoughtoftroublewiththewhites。Hewasacquaintedwithmanyoftheearlytraders，Picotte，Choteau，Primeau，Larpenteur，andothers，andlikedthem，asdidmostofhispeopleinthosedays。AlltheearlyrecordsshowthisfriendlyattitudeoftheSioux，andthegreatfurcompaniesforacenturyandahalfdependeduponthemforthebulkoftheirtrade。Itwasnotuntilthemiddleofthelastcenturythattheywokeupallofasuddentothedangerthreateningtheirveryexistence。Yetatthattimemanyoftheoldchiefshadbeenalreadydepravedbythewhiskyandothervicesofthewhites，andinthevicinityofthefortsandtradingpostsatSiouxCity，SaintPaul，andCheyenne，therewasgeneraldemoralization。Thedrunkardsandhangers-onwerereadytosellalmostanythingtheyhadforthefavorofthetrader。Thebetterandstrongerelementheldaloof。Theywouldnothaveanythingofthewhitemanexcepthishatchet，gun，andknife。Theyutterlyrefusedtocedetheirlands;andasfortherest，theywerewillingtolethimaloneaslongashedidnotinterferewiththeirlifeandcustoms，whichwasnotlong。

Itwasnot，however，theUnkpapabandofSioux，SittingBull’sband，whichfirsttookuparmsagainstthewhites;andthiswasnotbecausetheyhadcomelessincontactwiththem，fortheydweltontheMissouriRiver，thenaturalhighwayoftrade。Asearlyas1854，theOgallalasandBruleshadtroublewiththesoldiersnearFortLaramie;andagainin1857InkpadutamassacredseveralfamiliesofsettlersatSpiritLake，Iowa。Finally，in1869，theMinnesotaSioux，goadedbymanywrongs，aroseandmurderedmanyofthesettlers，afterwardfleeingintothecountryoftheUnkpapasandappealingtothemforhelp，urgingthatallIndiansshouldmakecommoncauseagainsttheinvader。ThisbroughtSittingBullfacetofacewithaquestionwhichwasnotyetfullymaturedinhisownmind;buthavingsatisfiedhimselfofthejusticeoftheircause，hejoinedforceswiththerenegadesduringthesummerof1863，andfromthistimeonhewasanacknowledgedleader。

In1865and1866hemettheCanadianhalf-breed，LouisRiel，instigatoroftworebellions，whohadcomeacrossthelineforsafety;andinfactatthistimeheharboredanumberofoutlawsandfugitivesfromjustice。Hisconversationswiththese，especiallywiththeFrenchmixed-bloods，whoinflamedhisprejudicesagainsttheAmericans，allhadtheirinfluenceinmakingofthewilySiouxadeterminedenemytothewhiteman。Whileamonghisownpeoplehewasalwaysaffableandgenial，hebecameboastfulanddomineeringinhisdealingswiththehatedrace。Heonceremarkedthat"ifwewishtomakeanyimpressionuponthepale-face，itisnecessarytoputonhismask。"

SittingBulljoinedintheattackonFortPhilKearnyandinthesubsequenthostilities;butheacceptedingoodfaiththetreatyof1868，andsoonafteritwassignedhevisitedWashingtonwithRedCloudandSpottedTail，onwhichoccasionthethreedistinguishedchiefsattractedmuchattentionandwereentertainedatdinnerbyPresidentGrantandothernotables。Heconsideredthatthelifeofthewhitemanashesawitwasnolifeforhispeople，buthopedbycloseadherencetothetermsofthistreatytopreservetheBigHornandBlackHillscountryforapermanenthuntingground。Whengoldwasdiscoveredandtheirrepressiblegoldseekersmadetheirhistoricdashacrosstheplainsintothisforbiddenparadise，thenhisfaithinthewhiteman’shonorwasgoneforever，andhetookhisfinalandmostpersistentstandindefenseofhisnationandhome。Hisbitterandatthesametimewell-groundedandphilosophicaldislikeoftheconqueringraceiswellexpressedinaspeechmadebeforethepurelyIndiancouncilbeforereferredto，uponthePowderRiver。Iwillgiveitinbriefasithasbeenseveraltimesrepeatedtomebymenwhowerepresent。

"Behold，myfriends，thespringiscome;theearthhasgladlyreceivedtheembracesofthesun，andweshallsoonseetheresultsoftheirlove！Everyseedisawakened，andallanimallife。Itisthroughthismysteriouspowerthatwetoohaveourbeing，andwethereforeyieldtoourneighbors，eventoouranimalneighbors，thesamerightasourselvestoinhabitthisvastland。

"Yethearme，friends！wehavenowtodealwithanotherpeople，smallandfeeblewhenourforefathersfirstmetwiththem，butnowgreatandoverbearing。Strangelyenough，theyhaveamindtotillthesoil，andtheloveofpossessionsisadiseaseinthem。

Thesepeoplehavemademanyrulesthattherichmaybreak，butthepoormaynot！Theyhaveareligioninwhichthepoorworship，buttherichwillnot！Theyeventaketithesofthepoorandweaktosupporttherichandthosewhorule。Theyclaimthismotherofours，theEarth，fortheirownuse，andfencetheirneighborsawayfromher，anddefaceherwiththeirbuildingsandtheirrefuse。

Theycompelhertoproduceoutofseason，andwhensterilesheismadetotakemedicineinordertoproduceagain。Allthisissacrilege。

"Thisnationislikeaspringfreshet;itoverrunsitsbanksanddestroysallwhoareinitspath。Wecannotdwellsidebyside。Onlysevenyearsagowemadeatreatybywhichwewereassuredthatthebuffalocountryshouldbelefttousforever。Nowtheythreatentotakethatfromusalso。Mybrothers，shallwesubmit？orshallwesaytothem：’Firstkillme，beforeyoucantakepossessionofmyfatherland！’"

AsSittingBullspoke，sohefelt，andhehadthecouragetostandbyhiswords。CrazyHorseledhisforcesinthefield;asforhim，heappliedhisenergiestostateaffairs，andbyhisstrongandaggressivepersonalitycontributedmuchtoholdingthehostilestogether。

ItmaybesaidwithoutfearofcontradictionthatSittingBullneverkilledanywomenorchildren。Hewasafairfighter，andwhilenotprominentinbattleafterhisyoungmanhood，hewasthebrainsoftheSiouxresistance。Hehasbeencalleda"medicineman"anda"dreamer。"Strictlyspeaking，hewasneitherofthese，andthewhitehistoriansarepronetoconfusethetwo。Amedicinemanisadoctororhealer;adreamerisanactivewarprophetwholeadshiswarpartyaccordingtohisdreamorprophecy。Whatiscalledbywhites"makingmedicine"inwartimeisagainawrongconception。Everywarriorcarriesabagofsacredorluckycharms，supposedtoprotecttheweareralone，butithasnothingtodowiththesuccessorsafetyofthepartyasawhole。Noonecanmakeany"medicine"toaffecttheresultofabattle，althoughithasbeensaidthatSittingBulldidthisatthebattleoftheLittleBigHorn。

WhenCusterandRenoattackedthecampatbothends，thechiefwascaughtnapping。Thevillagewasindangerofsurprise，andthewomenandchildrenmustbeplacedinsafety。Likeothermenofhisage，SittingBullgothisfamilytogetherforflight，andthenjoinedthewarriorsontheRenosideoftheattack。ThushewasnotinthefamouschargeagainstCuster;nevertheless，hisvoicewasheardexhortingthewarriorsthroughoutthatday。

Duringtheautumnof1876，afterthefallofCuster，SittingBullwashuntedallthroughtheYellowstoneregionbythemilitary。

Thefollowingcharacteristicletter，doubtlesswrittenathisdictationbyahalf-breedinterpreter，wassenttoColonelOtisimmediatelyafteradaringattackuponhiswagontrain。

"Iwanttoknowwhatyouaredoing，travelingonthisroad。

Youscareallthebuffaloaway。Iwanttohuntinthisplace。I

wantyoutoturnbackfromhere。Ifyoudon’t，Iwillfightyouagain。Iwantyoutoleavewhatyouhavegothereandturnbackfromhere。

IamyourfriendSittingBull。

Imeanalltherationsyouhavegotandsomepowder。Wishyouwouldwritemeassoonasyoucan。"

Otis，however，keptonandjoinedColonelMiles，whofollowedSittingBullwithaboutfourhundredsoldiers。HeovertookhimatlastonCedarCreek，neartheYellowstone，andthetwometmidwaybetweenthelinesforaparley。Thearmyreportsays："SittingBullwantedpeaceinhisownway。"Thetruthwasthathewantednothingmorethanhadbeenguaranteedtothembythetreatyof1868

——theexclusivepossessionoftheirlasthuntingground。Thisthegovernmentwasnotnowpreparedtogrant，asithadbeendecidedtoplacealltheIndiansundermilitarycontroluponthevariousreservations。

Sinceitwasimpossibletoreconciletwosuchconflictingdemands，thehostilesweredrivenaboutfrompillartopostforseveralmoreyears，andfinallytookrefugeacrossthelineinCanada，whereSittingBullhadplacedhislasthopeofjusticeandfreedomforhisrace。Herehewasjoinedfromtimetotimebypartiesofmalcontentsfromthereservation，drivenlargelybystarvationandill-treatmenttoseekanotherhome。Here，too，theywerefollowedbyUnitedStatescommissioners，headedbyGeneralTerry，whoendeavoredtopersuadehimtoreturn，promisingabundanceoffoodandfairtreatment，despitethefactthattheexileswerewellawareofthemiserableconditionofthe"goodIndians"uponthereservations。Hefirstrefusedtomeetthematall，andonlydidsowhenadvisedtothateffectbyMajorWalshoftheCanadianmountedpolice。Thiswashischaracteristicremark：

"IfyouhaveonehonestmaninWashington，sendhimhereandIwilltalktohim。"

SittingBullwasnotmovedbyfairwords;butwhenhefoundthatiftheyhadlibertyonthatside，theyhadlittleelse，thattheCanadiangovernmentwouldgivethemprotectionbutnofood;

thatthebuffalohadbeenallbutexterminatedandhisstarvingpeoplewerealreadybeginningtodeserthim，hewascompelledatlast，in1881，toreportatFortBuford，NorthDakota，withhisbandofhungry，homeless，anddiscouragedrefugees。Itwas，afterall，tohungerandnottothestrongarmofthemilitarythathesurrenderedintheend。

Inspiteoftheinvitationthathadbeenextendedtohiminthenameofthe"GreatFather"atWashington，hewasimmediatelythrownintoamilitaryprison，andafterwardhandedovertoColonelCody（"BuffaloBill"）asanadvertisementforhis"WildWestShow。"

Aftertravelingaboutforseveralyearswiththefamousshowman，thusincreasinghisknowledgeoftheweaknessesaswellasthestrengthofthewhiteman，thedeposedandhumiliatedchiefsettleddownquietlywithhispeopleupontheStandingRockagencyinNorthDakota，wherehisimmediatebandoccupiedtheGrandRiverdistrictandsettoraisingcattleandhorses。Theymadegoodprogress;

muchbetter，infact，thanthatofthe"coffee-coolers"or"loafer"

Indians，receivedthemissionarieskindlyandweresoonachurch-goingpeople。

WhentheCommissionsof1888and1889cametotreatwiththeSiouxforafurthercessionoflandandareductionoftheirreservations，nearlyallwereopposedtoconsentonanyterms。

Nevertheless，byhookorbycrook，enoughsignatureswerefinallyobtainedtocarrythemeasurethrough，althoughitissaidthatmanywerethoseofwomenandtheso-called"squaw-men"，whohadnorightsintheland。Atthesametime，rationswerecutdown，andtherewasgeneralhardshipanddissatisfaction。CrazyHorsewaslongsincedead;SpottedTailhadfallenatthehandsofoneofhisowntribe;RedCloudhadbecomeafeebleoldman，andthedisaffectedamongtheSiouxbeganoncemoretolooktoSittingBullforleadership。

Atthiscrisisastrangethinghappened。Ahalf-breedIndianinNevadapromulgatedthenewsthattheMessiahhadappearedtohimuponapeakintheRockies，dressedinrabbitskins，andbringingamessagetotheredrace。Themessagewastotheeffectthatsincehisfirstcominghadbeeninvain，sincethewhitepeoplehaddoubtedandreviledhim，hadnailedhimtothecross，andtrampleduponhisdoctrines，hehadcomeagaininpitytosavetheIndian。

Hedeclaredthathewouldcausetheearthtoshakeandtooverthrowthecitiesofthewhitesanddestroythem，thatthebuffalowouldreturn，andthelandbelongtotheredraceforever！Theseeventsweretocometopasswithintwoyears;andmeanwhiletheyweretoprepareforhiscomingbytheceremoniesanddanceswhichhecommanded。

Thiscuriousstoryspreadlikewildfireandmetwitheageracceptanceamongthesufferinganddiscontentedpeople。TheteachingsofChristianmissionarieshadpreparedthemtobelieveinaMessiah，andtheprescribedceremonialwasmuchmoreinaccordwiththeirtraditionsthantheconventionalworshipofthechurches。ChiefsofmanytribessentdelegationstotheIndianprophet;ShortBull，KickingBear，andotherswentfromamongtheSioux，andontheirreturnallinauguratedthedancesatonce。

Therewasanattemptatfirsttokeepthemattersecret，butitsoonbecamegenerallyknownandseriouslydisconcertedtheIndianagentsandothers，whowerequicktosuspectahostileconspiracyunderallthisreligiousenthusiasm。Asamatteroffact，therewasnothoughtofanuprising;thedancingwasinnocentenough，andpatheticenoughtheirdespairinghopeinapitifulSaviourwhoshouldoverwhelmtheiroppressorsandbringbacktheirgoldenage。

WhentheIndiansrefusedtogiveupthe"GhostDance"atthebiddingoftheauthorities，thegrowingsuspicionandalarmfocuseduponSittingBull，whoinspirithadneverbeenanytoosubmissive，anditwasdeterminedtoorderhisarrest。AtthespecialrequestofMajorMcLaughlin，agentatStandingRock，fortyofhisIndianpoliceweresentouttoSittingBull’shomeonGrandRivertosecurehisperson（followedatsomelittledistancebyabodyofUnitedStatestroopsforreinforcement，incaseoftrouble）。Thesepoliceareenlistedfromamongthetribesmenateachagency，andhaveproveduniformlybraveandfaithful。Theyenteredthecabinatdaybreak，arousedthechieffromasoundslumber，helpedhimtodress，andledhimunresistingfromthehouse;butwhenhecameoutinthegraydawnofthatDecembermorningin1890，tofindhiscabinsurroundedbyarmedmenandhimselfledawaytoheknewnotwhatfate，hecriedoutloudly：

"Theyhavetakenme：whatsayyoutoit？"

Menpouredoutoftheneighboringhouses，andinafewminutesthepolicewerethemselvessurroundedwithanexcitedandrapidlyincreasingthrong。Theyharanguedthecrowdinvain;SittingBull’sbloodwasup，andheagainappealedtohismen。Hisadoptedbrother，theAssiniboinecaptivewhoselifehehadsavedsomanyyearsbefore，wasthefirsttofire。HisshotkilledLieutenantBullHead，whoheldSittingBullbythearm。Thentherewasashortbutsharpconflict，inwhichSittingBullandsixofhisdefendersandsixoftheIndianpolicewereslain，withmanymorewounded。Thechief’syoungson，CrowFoot，andhisdevoted"brother"diedwithhim。Whenallwasover，andtheterrifiedpeoplehadfledprecipitatelyacrosstheriver，thesoldiersappeareduponthebrowofthelonghillandfiredtheirHotchkissgunsintothedesertedcamp。

Thusendedthelifeofanaturalstrategistofnomeancourageandability。Thegreatchiefwasburiedwithouthonorsoutsidethecemeteryatthepost，andforsomeyearsthegravewasmarkedbyamereboardatitshead。Recentlysomewomenhavebuiltacairnofrocksthereintokenofrespectandremembrance。

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