RAIN-IN-THE-FACE
ThenotedSiouxwarrior，Rain-in-the-Face，whosenameoncecarriedterrortoeverypartofthefrontier，diedathishomeontheStandingRockreserveinNorthDakotaonSeptember14，1905。AbouttwomonthsbeforehisdeathIwenttoseehimforthelasttime，wherehelayuponthebedofsicknessfromwhichheneverroseagain，anddrewfromhimhislife-history。
IthadbeenmyexperiencethatyoucannotinduceanIndiantotellastory，orevenhisownname，byaskinghimdirectly。
"Friend，"Isaid，"evenifamanisonahottrail，hestopsforasmoke！Inthegoodolddays，beforethechargetherewasasmoke。Athome，bythefireside，whentheoldmenwereaskedtotelltheirbravedeeds，againthepipewaspassed。Socome，letussmokenowtothememoryoftheolddays！"
Hetookofmytobaccoandfilledhislongpipe，andwesmoked。
ThenItoldanoldmirthfulstorytogethiminthehumorofrelatinghisownhistory。
Theoldmanlayuponanironbedstead，coveredbyaredblanket，inacornerofthelittlelogcabin。Hewasallalonethatday;onlyanolddoglaysilentandwatchfulathismaster’sfeet。
Finallyhelookedupandsaidwithapleasantsmile：
"True，friend;itistheoldcustomtoretraceone’strailbeforeleavingitforever！IknowthatIamatthedoorofthespirithome。
"IwasbornneartheforksoftheCheyenneRiver，aboutseventyyearsago。Myfatherwasnotachief;mygrandfatherwasnotachief，butagoodhunterandafeast-maker。Onmymother’ssideIhadsomenotedancestors，buttheyleftmenochieftainship。
Ihadtoworkformyreputation。
"WhenIwasaboy，Ilovedtofight，"hecontinued。"InallourboyishgamesIhadthenameofbeinghardtohandle，andItookmuchprideinthefact。
"IwasabouttenyearsoldwhenweencounteredabandofCheyennes。Theywereonfriendlytermswithus，butweboysalwaysindulgedinshamfightsonsuchoccasions，andthistimeI
gotinanhonestfightwithaCheyenneboyolderthanI。Igotthebestoftheboy，buthehitmehardinthefaceseveraltimes，andmyfacewasallspatteredwithbloodandstreakedwherethepainthadbeenwashedaway。TheSiouxboyswhoopedandyelled：
"’Hisenemyisdown，andhisfaceisspatteredasifwithrain！Rain-in-the-Face！HisnameshallbeRain-in-the-Face！’
"Afterwards，whenIwasayoungman，wewentonawarpathagainsttheGrosVentres。Westolesomeoftheirhorses，butwereovertakenandhadtoabandonthehorsesandfightforourlives。
Ihadwishedmyfacetorepresentthesunwhenpartlycoveredwithdarkness，soIpaintedithalfblack，halfred。Wefoughtalldayintherain，andmyfacewaspartlywashedandstreakedwithredandblack：soagainIwaschristenedRain-in-the-Face。Weconsidereditanhonorablename。
"Ihadbeenonmanywarpaths，butwasnotespeciallysuccessfuluntilaboutthetimetheSiouxbegantofightwiththewhiteman。OneofthemostdaringattacksthatweevermadewasatFortTotten，NorthDakota，inthesummerof1866。
"Hohay，theAssiniboinecaptiveofSittingBull，wastheleaderinthisraid。Wapaypay，theFearlessBear，whowasafterwardhangedatYankton，wasthebravestmanamongus。HedaredHohaytomakethecharge。Hohayacceptedthechallenge，andinturndaredtheothertoridewithhimthroughtheagencyandrightunderthewallsofthefort，whichwaswellgarrisonedandstrong。
"WapaypayandIinthosedayscalledeachother’brother-friend。’Itwasalife-and-deathvow。Whatonedoestheothermustdo;andthatmeantthatImustbeintheforefrontofthecharge，andifheiskilled，ImustfightuntilIdiealso！
"Ipreparedfordeath。Ipaintedasusuallikeaneclipseofthesun，halfblackandhalfred。"
Hiseyesgleamedandhisfacelightedupremarkablyashetalked，pushinghisblackhairbackfromhisforeheadwithanervousgesture。
"Nowthesignalforthechargewasgiven！IstartedevenwithWapaypay，buthishorsewasfasterthanmine，soheleftmealittlebehindaswenearedthefort。Thiswasbadforme，forbythattimethesoldiershadsomewhatrecoveredfromthesurpriseandwereaimingbetter。
"Theirbigguntalkedveryloud，butmyWapaypaywasleadingon，leaningforwardonhisfleetponylikeaflyingsquirrelonasmoothlog！Heheldhisrawhideshieldontherightside，alittletothefront，andsodidI。Ourwarwhoopwaslikethecoyotessingingintheevening，whentheysmellblood！
"Thesoldiers’gunstalkedfast，butfewwerehurt。Theirbiggunwaslikeatoothlessolddog，whoonlymakeshimselfhotterthemorenoisehemakes，"heremarkedwithsomehumor。
"HowmuchharmwedidIdonotknow，butwemadethingslivelyforatime;andthewhitemenactedaspeopledowhenaswarmofangrybeesgetintocamp。Wemadeasuccessfulretreat，butsomeofthereservationIndiansfollowedusyelling，untilHohaytoldthemthathedidnotwishtofightwiththecaptivesofthewhiteman，fortherewouldbenohonorinthat。Therewasbloodrunningdownmyleg，andIfoundthatbothmyhorseandIwereslightlywounded。
"SometwoyearslaterweattackedafortwestoftheBlackHills[FortPhilKearny，Wyoming]。Itwastherewekilledonehundredsoldiers。"[Themilitaryreportssayeightymen，underthecommandofCaptainFetterman——notoneleftalivetotellthetale！]"NearlyeverybandoftheSiouxnationwasrepresentedinthatfight——RedCloud，SpottedTail，CrazyHorse，SittingBull，BigFoot，andallourgreatchiefswerethere。OfcoursesuchmenasIwerethencomparativelyunknown。However，thereweremanynotedyoungwarriors，amongthemSword，theyoungerYoung-Man-Afraid，AmericanHorse[afterwardchief]，CrowKing，andothers。
"Thiswastheplandecideduponaftermanycouncils。Themainwarpartylayinambush，andafewofthebravestyoungmenwereappointedtoattackthewoodchopperswhowerecuttinglogstocompletethebuildingofthefort。Weweretoldnottokillthesemen，buttochasethemintothefortandretreatslowly，defyingthewhitemen;andifthesoldiersshouldfollow，weweretoleadthemintotheambush。Theytookourbaitexactlyaswehadhoped！
Itwasamatterofaveryfewminutes，foreverysoldierlaydeadinashortertimethanittakestoannihilateasmallherdofbuffalo。
"ThisattackwashastenedbecausemostoftheSiouxontheMissouriRiverandeastwardhadbeguntotalkofsuingforpeace。
Buteventhisdidnotstopthepeacemovement。TheverynextyearatreatywassignedatFortRice，DakotaTerritory，bynearlyalltheSiouxchiefs，inwhichitwasagreedonthepartoftheGreatFatherinWashingtonthatallthecountrynorthoftheRepublicanRiverinNebraska，includingtheBlackHillsandtheBigHornMountains，wastobealwaysSiouxcountry，andnowhitemanshouldintrudeuponitwithoutourpermission。EvenwiththisagreementSittingBullandCrazyHorsewerenotsatisfied，andtheywouldnotsign。
"UptothistimeIhadfoughtinsomeimportantbattles，buthadachievednogreatdeed。Iwasambitioustomakeanameformyself。IjoinedwarpartiesagainsttheCrows，Mandans，GrosVentres，andPawnees，andgainedsomelittledistinction。
"Itwaswhenthewhitemenfoundtheyellowmetalinourcountry，andcameingreatnumbers，drivingawayourgame，thatwetookuparmsagainstthemforthelasttime。Imustsayherethatthechiefswhowereloudestforwarwereamongthefirsttosubmitandacceptreservationlife。SpottedTailwasagreatwarrior，yethewasoneofthefirsttoyield，becausehewaspromisedbytheChiefSoldiersthattheywouldmakehimchiefofalltheSioux。Ugh！hewouldhavestayedwithSittingBulltothelasthaditnotbeenforhisambition。
"AboutthistimeweyoungwarriorsbegantowatchthetrailsofthewhitemenintotheBlackHills，andwhenwesawawagoncomingwewouldhideatthecrossingandkillthemallwithoutmuchtrouble。Wedidthistodiscouragethewhitesfromcomingintoourcountrywithoutourpermission。ItwasthedutyofourGreatFatheratWashington，bytheagreementof1868，tokeephiswhitechildrenaway。
"Duringthetroublesometimeafterthistreaty，whichnooneseemedtorespect，eitherwhiteorIndian[butthewhitesbrokeitfirst]，Iwaslikemanyotheryoungmen——muchonthewarpath，butwithlittlehonor。Ihadnotyetbecomenotedforanygreatdeed。
Finally，WapaypayandIwaylaidandkilledawhitesoldieronhiswayfromtheforttohishomeintheeast。
"TherewereafewIndianswhowereliars，andneveronthewarpath，playing’goodIndian’withtheIndianagentsandthewarchiefsattheforts。Someofthisfaithlesssetbetrayedme，andtoldmorethanIeverdid。IwasseizedandtakentothefortnearBismarck，NorthDakota[FortAbrahamLincoln]，byabrother[TomCuster]oftheLong-HairedWarChief，andimprisonedthere。ThesesamelyingIndians，whoweresellingtheirservicesasscoutstothewhiteman，toldmethatIwastobeshottodeath，orelsehangeduponatree。IansweredthatIwasnotafraidtodie。
"However，therewasanoldsoldierwhousedtobringmyfoodandstandguardoverme——hewasawhiteman，itistrue，buthehadanIndianheart！Hecametomeonedayandunfastenedtheironchainandballwithwhichtheyhadlockedmyleg，sayingbysignsandwhatlittleSiouxhecouldmuster：
"’Go，friend！takethechainandballwithyou。Ishallshoot，butthevoiceofthegunwilllie。’
"Whenhehadmademeunderstand，youmayguessthatIranmybest！Iwasalmostoverthebankwhenhefiredhispieceatmeseveraltimes，butIhadalreadygainedcoverandwassafe。Ihavenevertoldthisbefore，andwouldnot，lestitshoulddohimaninjury，buthewasanoldmanthen，andIamsurehemustbedeadlongsince。Thatoldsoldiertaughtmethatsomeofthewhitepeoplehavehearts，"headded，quiteseriously。
"IwentbacktoStandingRockinthenight，andIhadtohideforseveraldaysinthewoods，wherefoodwasbroughttomebymyrelatives。TheIndianpolicewereorderedtoretakeme，andtheypretendedtohuntforme，butreallytheydidnot，foriftheyhadfoundmeIwouldhavediedwithoneortwoofthem，andtheyknewit！InafewdaysIdepartedwithseveralothers，andwerejoinedthehostilecamponthePowderRiverandmadesometroubleforthemenwhowerebuildingthegreatirontracknorthofus[NorthernPacific]。
"InthespringthehostileSiouxgottogetheragainupontheTongueRiver。ItwasoneofthegreatestcampsoftheSiouxthatIeversaw。ThereweresomeNorthernCheyenneswithus，underTwoMoon，andafewSanteeSioux，renegadesfromCanada，underInkpaduta，whohadkilledwhitepeopleinIowalongbefore。Wehaddecidedtofightthewhitesoldiersuntilnowarriorshouldbeleft。"
AtthispointRain-in-the-Facetookuphistobaccopouchandbeganagaintofillhispipe。
"Ofcoursetheyoungerwarriorsweredelightedwiththeprospectofagreatfight！OurscoutshaddiscoveredpilesofoatsforhorsesandothersuppliesneartheMissouriRiver。Theyhadbeenbroughtbythewhiteman’sfire-boats。Presentlytheyreportedagreatarmyaboutaday’straveltothesouth，withShoshoneandCrowscouts。
"Therewasexcitementamongthepeople，andagreatcouncilwasheld。Manyspoke。IwasaskedtheconditionofthoseIndianswhohadgoneuponthereservation，andItoldthemtrulythattheywerenothingmorethanprisoners。ItwasdecidedtogooutandmeetThreeStars[GeneralCrook]atasafedistancefromourcamp。
"WemethimontheLittleRosebud。Ibelievethatifwehadwaitedandallowedhimtomaketheattack，hewouldhavefarednobetterthanCuster。Hewastoostronglyfortifiedwherehewas，andIthink，too，thathewassavedpartlybyhisIndianallies，forthescoutsdiscoveredusfirstandfoughtusfirst，thusgivinghimtimetomakehispreparations。Ithinkhewasmorewisethanbrave！AfterwehadleftthatneighborhoodhemighthavepushedonandconnectedwiththeLong-HairedChief。ThatwouldhavesavedCusterandperhapswontheday。
"WhenwecrossedfromTongueRivertotheLittleBigHorn，onaccountofthescarcityofgame，wedidnotanticipateanymoretrouble。OurrunnershaddiscoveredthatCrookhadretracedhistrailtoGooseCreek，andwedidnotsupposethatthewhitemenwouldcaretofollowusfartherintotheroughcountry。
"SuddenlytheLong-HairedChiefappearedwithhismen！Itwasasurprise。"
"Whatpartofthecampwereyouinwhenthesoldiersattackedthelowerend？"Iasked。
"Ihadbeeninvitedtoafeastatoneoftheyoungmen’slodges[asortofclub]。TherewasacertainwarriorwhowasmakingpreparationstogoagainsttheCrows，andIhaddecidedtogoalso，"hesaid。
"WhileIwaseatingmymeatweheardthewarcry！Weallrushedout，andsawawarriorridingattopspeedfromthelowercamp，givingthewarningashecame。Thenweheardthereportsofthesoldiers’guns，whichsoundeddifferentlyfromthegunsfiredbyourpeopleinbattle。
"Irantomyteepeeandseizedmygun，abow，andaquiverfullofarrows。Ialreadyhadmystonewarclub，foryouknowweusuallycarrythosebywayofornament。JustasIwasabouttosetouttomeetReno，abodyofsoldiersappearednearlyoppositeus，attheedgeofalonglineofcliffsacrosstheriver。
"Allofuswhoweremountedandreadyimmediatelystarteddownthestreamtowardtheford。TherewereOgallalas，Minneconjous，Cheyennes，andsomeUnkpapas，andthosearoundmeseemedtobenearlyallveryyoungmen。
"’Behold，thereisamongusayoungwoman！’Ishouted。’Letnoyoungmanhidebehindhergarment！’Iknewthatwouldmakethoseyoungmenbrave。
"ThewomanwasTashenamani，orMovingRobe，whosebrotherhadjustbeenkilledinthefightwithThreeStars。Holdingherbrother’swarstaffoverherhead，andleaningforwarduponhercharger，shelookedasprettyasabird。Alwayswhenthereisawomaninthecharge，itcausesthewarriorstoviewithoneanotherindisplayingtheirvalor，"headded。
"Theforemostwarriorshadalmostsurroundedthewhitemen，andmorewerecontinuallycrossingthestream。Thesoldiershaddismounted，andwerefiringintothecampfromthetopofthecliff。"
"Myfriend，wasSittingBullinthisfight？"Iinquired。
"Ididnotseehimthere，butIlearnedafterwardthathewasamongthosewhometReno，andthatwasthreeorfourofthewhiteman’smilesfromCuster’sposition。LaterhejoinedtheattackuponCuster，butwasnotamongtheforemost。
"Whenthetroopsweresurroundedontwosides，withtheriveronthethird，theordercametocharge！Thereweremanyveryyoungmen，someofwhomhadonlyawarstafforastonewarclubinhand，whoplungedintothecolumn，knockingthemenoverandstampedingtheirhorses。
"Thesoldiershadmountedandstartedback，butwhentheonsetcametheydismountedagainandseparatedintoseveraldivisions，facingdifferentways。Theyfiredasfastastheycouldloadtheirguns，whileweusedchieflyarrowsandwarclubs。ThereseemedtobetwodistinctmovementsamongtheIndians。Onebodymovedcontinuallyinacircle，whiletheotherrodedirectlyintoandthroughthetroops。
"PresentlysomeofthesoldiersremountedandfledalongtheridgetowardReno’sposition;buttheywerefollowedbyourwarriors，likehundredsofblackbirdsafterahawk。Alargerbodyremainedtogetherattheupperendofalittleravine，andfoughtbravelyuntiltheywerecuttopieces。Ihadalwaysthoughtthatwhitemenwerecowards，butIhadagreatrespectforthemafterthisday。
"Itisgenerallysaidthatayoungmanwithnothingbutawarstaffinhishandbrokethroughthecolumnandknockeddowntheleaderveryearlyinthefight。Wesupposedhimtobetheleader，becausehestoodupinfullview，swinginghisbigknife[sword]
overhishead，andtalkingloud。Someoneunknownafterwardsshotthechief，andhewasprobablykilledalso;forifnot，hewouldhavetoldofthedeed，andcalledotherstowitnessit。SoitisthatnooneknowswhokilledtheLong-HairedChief[GeneralCuster]。
"Afterthefirstrushwasover，coupswerecountedasusualonthebodiesoftheslain。Youknowfourcoups[orblows]canbecountedonthebodyofanenemy，andwhoevercountsthefirstone[touchesitforthefirsttime]isentitledtothe’firstfeather。’
"TherewasanIndianherecalledAppearingElk，whodiedashorttimeago。Hewasslightlywoundedinthecharge。HehadsomeoftheweaponsoftheLong-HairedChief，andtheIndiansusedtosayjokinglyafterwecameuponthereservationthatAppearingElkmusthavekilledtheChief，becausehehadhissword！However，thescrambleforplunderdidnotbeginuntilallweredead。IdonotthinkhekilledCuster，andifhehad，thetimetoclaimthehonorwasimmediatelyafterthefight。
"Manylieshavebeentoldofme。SomesaythatIkilledtheChief，andothersthatIcutouttheheartofhisbrother[TomCuster]，becausehehadcausedmetobeimprisoned。Why，inthatfighttheexcitementwassogreatthatwescarcelyrecognizedournearestfriends！Everythingwasdonelikelightning。Afterthebattleweyoungmenwerechasinghorsesallovertheprairie，whiletheoldmenandwomenplunderedthebodies;andifanymutilatingwasdone，itwasbytheoldmen。
"Ihavelivedpeaceablyeversincewecameuponthereservation。NoonecansaythatRain-in-the-FacehasbrokentherulesoftheGreatFather。Ifoughtformypeopleandmycountry。
WhenwewereconqueredIremainedsilent，asawarriorshould。
Rain-in-the-FacewaskilledwhenheputdownhisweaponsbeforetheGreatFather。Hisspiritwasgonethen;onlyhispoorbodylivedon，butnowitisalmostreadytoliedownforthelasttime。Ho，hechetu！[Itiswell。]"
TWOSTRIKE
Itisapitythatsomanyinterestingnamesofwell-knownIndianshavebeenmistranslated，sothattheirmeaningbecomesveryvagueifitisnotwhollylost。Insomecasesanoppositemeaningisconveyed。Forinstancethereisthename，"Young-Man-Afraid-of-
His-Horses。"Itdoesnotmeanthattheownerofthenameisafraidofhisownhorse——farfromit！Tashunkekokipapisignifies"Theyoungmen[oftheenemy]fearhishorses。"Wheneverthatmanattacks，theenemyknowstherewillbeadeterminedcharge。
ThenameTashunkewitko，orCrazyHorse，isapoeticsimile。
Thisleaderwaslikenedtoanuntrainedoruntouchedhorse，wild，ignorantofdomesticuses，splendidinaction，andunconsciousofdanger。
ThenameofTwoStrikeisadeedname。InabattlewiththeUtesthismanknockedtwoenemiesfromthebackofawarhorse。
ThetruerenderingofthenameNomkahpawouldbe，"Heknockedofftwo。"
IwaswellacquaintedwithTwoStrikeandspentmanypleasanthourswithhim，bothatWashington，D。C。，andinhishomeontheRosebudreservation。WhatIhavewrittenisnotalltakenfromhisownmouth，becausehewasmodestintalkingabouthimself，butI
hadhimvouchforthetruthofthestories。HesaidthathewasbornneartheRepublicanRiverabout1832。HisearliestrecollectionwasofanattackbytheShoshonesupontheircampontheLittlePiney。Thefirstwhitemenheevermetweretraderswhovisitedhispeoplewhenhewasveryyoung。Theincidentwasstillvividlywithhim，because，hesaid，"Theymademyfathercrazy，"
[drunk]。Thismadeadeepimpressionuponhim，hetoldme，sothatfromthatdayhewasalwaysafraidofthewhiteman’s"mysteriouswater。"
TwoStrikewasnotalargeman，buthewasverysuppleandalertinmotion，asagileasanantelope。Hisfacewasmobileandintelligent。AlthoughhehadtheusualsombervisageofanIndian，hisexpressionbrightenedupwonderfullywhenhetalked。Insomewayswilyandshrewdinintellect，hewasnotdeceitfulnormean。
Hehadahighsenseofdutyandhonor。Patriotismwashisidealandgoaloflife。
Asayoungmanhewasmodestandevenshy，althoughbothhisfatherandgrandfatherwerewell-knownchiefs。Icouldfindfewnoteworthyincidentsinhisearlylife，savethathewasanexpertriderofwildhorses。AtonetimeIwaspressinghimtogivemesomeinterestingincidentofhisboyhood。Herepliedtotheeffectthattherewasplentyofexcitementbut"notmuchinit。"TherewasadelegationofSiouxchiefsvisitingWashington，andwewerespendinganeveningtogetherintheirhotel。HollowHornBearspokeupandsaid：
"Whydon’tyoutellhimhowyouandabuffalocowtogetherheldyourpoorfatherupandfrozehimalmosttodeath？"
Everybodylaughed，andanothermanremarked："Ithinkhehadbettertellthemedicineman（meaningmyself）howhelostthepowerofspeechwhenhefirsttriedtocourtagirl。"TwoStrike，althoughhewasthenclosetoeightyyearsofage，wasvisiblyembarrassedbytheirchaff。
"Anyway，Istucktothetrail。IkeptontillIgotwhatI
wanted，"hemuttered。Andthencamethestory。
Theoldchief，hisfather，wasveryfondofthebuffalohunt;
andbeingaccomplishedinhorsemanshipandafineshot，althoughnotverypowerfullybuilt，youngTwoStrikewasalreadyfollowinghardinhisfootsteps。Likeeveryproudfather，hiswasgivinghimeveryincentivetoperfecthisskill，andonedaychallengedhissixteen-year-oldsontothefeatof"onearrowtokill"attheverynextchase。
Itwasmidwinter。Alargeherdofbuffalowasreportedbythegamescout。Thehuntersgatheredatdaybreakpreparedforthecharge。Theoldchiefhadhistriedchargerequippedwithasoft，pillow-likeIndiansaddleandalariat。Hisoldsinew-backedhickorybowwasexaminedandstrung，andafinestraightarrowwithasteelheadcarefullyselectedforthetest。Headjustedakeenbutcherknifeoverhisleatherbelt，whichheldawarmbuffalorobesecurelyabouthisbody。Heworeneithershirtnorcoat，althoughapiercingwindwasblowingfromthenorthwest。TheyouthfulTwoStrikehadhisfavoritebowandhisswiftpony，whichwasperhapsdearertohimthanhisclosestboycomrade。
Nowthehunterscrouchedupontheirhorses’neckslikeanarmyinlineofbattle，whilebehindthemwaitedtheboysandoldmenwithpackponiestocarrythemeat。"Hukahey！"shoutedtheleaderasawarning。"Yekiyawo！"（Go）andinaninstantalltheponiesleapedforwardagainstthecuttingwind，asifitwerethestartinahorserace。Everyriderleanedforward，tightlywrappedinhisrobe，watchingtheflyingherdforanopeninginthemassofbuffalo，achancetocutoutsomeofthefattestcows。Thiswastheobjectoftherace。
Thechiefhadafairstart;hishorsewaswelltrainedandneedednourgingnorguidance。Withouttheslightestpullonthelariathedashedintothethickestoftheherd。Theyouth’sponyhadbeenprancingandrearingimpatiently;hestartedalittlebehind，yetbeingswiftpassedmany。Hisriderhadoneclearglimpseofhisfatheraheadofhim，thenthesnowaroseinblindingcloudsonthetrailofthebison。Thewhoopsofthehunters，thelowingofthecows，andthemenacingglancesofthebullsastheyplungedalong，ornowandthenstoodatbay，wereenoughtounnerveaboylesswelltried。Hewasunabletoselecthisvictim。Hehadbeencarrieddeeplyintothemidstoftheherdandfoundhimselfhelplesstomaketheonesureshot，thereforeheheldhisonearrowinhismouthandmerelystrovetoseparatethemsoastogethischance。
Atlasttheherdparted，andhecutouttwofatcows，andwasmaneuveringforpositionwhenariderappearedoutofthesnowcloudontheirotherside。Thisarousedhimtomakehastelesthisrivalsecurebothcows;hesawhischance，andinatwinklinghisarrowspedclearthroughoneoftheanimalssothatshefellheadlong。
Inthisinstantheobservedthatthemanwhohadjoinedhimwashisownfather，whohadmetwiththesamedifficultiesashimself。Whentheyoungmanhadshothisonlyarrow，theoldchiefwithawhoopwentafterthecowthatwasleft，butashegainedherbroadside，hishorsesteppedinabadgerholeandfell，throwinghimheadlong。Themaddenedbuffalo，assometimeshappensinsuchcases，turnedupontheponyandgoredhimtodeath。Hisriderlaymotionless，whileTwoStrikerushedforwardtodrawherattention，butshemerelytossedherheadathim，whilepersistentlystandingguardoverthedeadhorseandtheallbutfrozenIndian。
Alasforthegameof"onearrowtokill！"Theboymustthinkfast，forhisfather’srobehadslippedoff，andhewasplayingdead，lyingalmostnakedinthebitterairuponthetrampledsnow。
Hisbluffwouldnotserve，soheflewbacktopullouthissolitaryarrowfromthebodyofthedeadcow。Quicklywheelingagain，hesentitintohersideandshefell。Theonearrowtokillhadbecomeonearrowtokilltwobuffalo！AtthecouncillodgethateveningTwoStrikewasthehero。
Thefollowingstoryisequallycharacteristicofhim，andinexplanationitshouldbesaidthatinthegoodolddaysamongtheSioux，ayoungmanisnotsupposedtoassociatewithgirlsuntilheisreadytotakeawife。Itwasarulewithouryoungmen，especiallythehonorableandwell-born，togainsomereputationinthehuntandinwar，——themoredifficultthefeatsachievedthebetter，——beforeevenspeakingtoayoungwoman。Manyalifewasriskedintheefforttoestablishareputationalongtheselines。
Courtshipwasnosecret，butratherasocialevent，oftencelebratedbytheproudparentswithfeastsandpresentstothepoor，andthisetiquettewassometimesfeltbyashyorsensitiveyouthasaninsurmountableobstacletothefulfilmentofhisdesires。
TwoStrikewasthesonandgrandsonofachief，buthecouldnotclaimanycreditforthedeedsofhisforbears。Hehadnotonlytoguardtheirgoodnamebutachieveoneforhimself。Thishehadsetouttodo，andhedidwell。Hewasnowofmarriageableagewithawarrecord，andadmittedtothecouncil，yethedidnotseemtotroublehimselfatallaboutawife。Hiswasstrictlyabachelorcareer。Meanwhile，asisapttobethecase，hisparentshadthoughtmuchaboutapossibledaughter-in-law，andhadevencollectedponies，finerobes，andotheracceptablegoodstobegivenawayinhonoroftheevent，wheneveritshouldtakeplace。
Nowandthentheywoulddropaslyhint，butwithnoperceptibleeffect。
Theydidnotandcouldnotknowoftheinwardstrugglethatrackedhismindatthisperiodofhislife。Theshyandmodestyoungmanwasdyingforawife，yetcouldnotbeareventothinkofspeakingtoayoungwoman！Thefearlesshunterofbuffaloes，mountainlions，andgrizzlies，theyouthwhohadwonhiseaglefeathersinabattlewiththeUtes，couldnotbringhimselftotakethistremendousstep。
Atlasthisfatherappealedtohimdirectly。"Myson，"hedeclared，"itisyourdutytotakeuntoyourselfawife，inorderthatthehonorswonbyyourancestorsandbyyourselfmaybehandeddowninthedirectline。Thereareseveraleligibleyoungwomeninourbandwhoseparentshaveintimatedawishtohaveyoufortheirson-in-law。"
TwoStrikemadenoreply，buthewasgreatlydisturbed。Hehadnowishtohavetheoldfolksselecthisbride，forifthetruthweretold，hischoicewasalreadymade。Hehadsimplylackedthecouragetogoa-courting！
Thenextmorning，aftermakinganunusuallycarefultoilet，hetookhisbesthorseandrodetoapointoverlookingthepathbywhichthegirlswentforwater。Heretheyoungmenwerewonttotaketheirstand，and，iffortunate，interceptthegirloftheirheartforabriefbutfatefulinterview。TwoStrikehaddeterminedtospeakstraighttothepoint，andassoonashesawtheprettymaidhecameforwardboldlyandplacedhimselfinherway。Alongmomentpassed。Sheglancedupathimshylybutnotwithoutencouragement。Histeethfairlychatteredwithfright，andhecouldnotsayaword。Shelookedagain，notedhisstrangelooks，andbelievedhimsuddenlytakenill。Heappearedtobesuffering。
Atlasthefeeblymadesignsforhertogoonandleavehimalone。
Themaidenwassympathetic，butasshedidnotknowwhatelsetodosheobeyedhisrequest。
Thepooryouthwassoashamedofhiscowardicethatheafterwardadmittedhisfirstthoughtwastotakehisownlife。Hebelievedhehaddisgracedhimselfforeverintheeyesoftheonlygirlhehadeverloved。However，hedeterminedtoconquerhisweaknessandwinher，whichhedid。Thestorycameoutmanyyearsafterandwastoldwithmuchenjoymentbytheoldmen。
TwoStrikewasbetterknownbyhisownpeoplethanbythewhites，forhewasindividuallyaterrorinbattleratherthanaleader。HeachievedhishonorablenameinaskirmishwiththeUtesinColorado。TheSiouxregardedthesepeopleastheirbravestenemies，andtheoutcomeofthefightwasforsometimeuncertain。
FirsttheSiouxwereforcedtoretreatandthentheiropponents，andatthelatterpointthehorseofacertainUtewasshotunderhim。Afriendcametohisrescueandtookhimupbehindhim。Ourheroovertooktheminflight，raisedhiswarclub，andknockedbothmenoffwithoneblow。
Hewasaveryoldmanwhenhedied，onlytwoorthreeyearsago，ontheRosebudreservation。
AMERICANHORSE
OneofthewittiestandshrewdestoftheSiouxchiefswasAmericanHorse，whosucceededtothenameandpositionofanuncle，killedinthebattleofSlimButtesin1876。TheyoungerAmericanHorsewasbornalittlebeforetheencroachmentsofthewhitesupontheSiouxcountrybecameseriousandtheirmethodsaggressive，andhisearlymanhoodbroughthimintothatmosttryingandcriticalperiodofourhistory。Hehadbeentutoredbyhisuncle，sincehisownfatherwaskilledinbattlewhilehewasstillveryyoung。TheAmericanHorsebandwascloselyattachedtoatradingpost，anditsmembersinconsequencewereinclinedtobefriendlywiththewhites，apolicycloselyadheredtobytheirleader。
Whenhewasborn，hisoldgrandfathersaid："Puthimoutinthesun！Lethimaskhisgreat-grandfather，theSun，forthewarmbloodofawarrior！"Andhehadwarmblood。Hewasagenialman，likingnotorietyandexcitement。Healwaysseizedanopportunitytoleapintothecenterofthearena。
Inearlylifehewasaclownishsortofboyamongtheboys——
anexpertmimicandimpersonator。Thistalentmadehimpopularandinhiswayaleader。Hewasanaturalactor，andearlyshowedmarkedabilityasaspeaker。
AmericanHorsewasabouttenyearsoldwhenhewasattackedbythreeCrowwarriors，whiledrivingaherdofponiestowater。Herehedisplayednativecunningandinitiative。Itseemedhehadscarcelyachancetoescape，fortheenemywasnear。Heyelledfranticallyattheponiestostartthemtowardhome，whilehedroppedoffintoathicketofwillowsandhidthere。Apartoftheherdwascaughtinsightofthecampandtherewasacounterchase，buttheCrowsgotawaywiththeponies。Ofcoursehismotherwasfrantic，believingherboyhadbeenkilledorcaptured;butaftertheexcitementwasover，heappearedincampunhurt。Whenquestionedabouthisescape，heremarked："Iknewtheywouldnottakethetimetohuntforsmallgamewhentherewassomuchbiggercloseby。"
Whenhewasquiteabigboy，hejoinedinabuffalohunt，andonthewaybackwiththerestofthehuntershismulebecameunmanageable。AmericanHorsehadinsistedonridinghiminadditiontoaheavyloadofmeatandskins，andtheanimalevidentlyresentedthis，forhesuddenlybegantorunandkick，scatteringfreshmeatalongtheroad，tothemerrimentofthecrowd。Buttheboyturnedactor，andmadeitappearthatitwasathiswishthemulehadgiventhisdivertingperformance。Heclungtothebackofhisplungingandbrayingmountlikeacircusrider，singingaBraveHeartsong，andfinallybroughtupamidthelaughterandcheersofhiscompanions。Farfromadmittingdefeat，heboastedofhishorsemanshipanddeclaredthathis"brother"thedonkeywouldputanyenemytoflight，andthattheyshouldbecalledupontoleadacharge。
Itwasseveralyearslaterthathewenttosleepearlyonenightandsleptsoundly，havingbeenscoutingfortwonightsprevious。IthappenedthattherewasaraidbytheCrows，andwhenheawokeinthemidstoftheyellingandconfusion，hesprangupandattemptedtojoininthefighting。Everybodyknewhisvoiceinallthedin，sowhenhefiredhisgunandannouncedacoup，aswasthecustom，othersrushedtothespot，tofindthathehadshotahobbledponybelongingtotheirowncamp。Thelaughwasonhim，andheneverrecoveredfromhischagrinatthismistake。Infact，althoughhewasundoubtedlyfearlessandtriedhardtodistinguishhimselfinwarfare，hedidnotsucceed。
ItistoldofhimthatheoncewentwithawarpartyofyoungmentotheWindRivercountryagainsttheShoshones。Atlasttheydiscoveredalargecamp，buttherewereonlyadozenorsooftheSioux，thereforetheyhidthemselvesandwatchedfortheiropportunitytoattackanisolatedpartyofhunters。Whilewaitingthus，theyranshortoffood。OnedayasmallpartyofShoshoneswasseennearathand，andinthemidstoftheexcitementandpreparationsfortheattack，youngAmericanHorsecaughtsightofafatblack-taildeercloseby。Unabletoresistthetemptation，hepulledanarrowfromhisquiverandsentitthroughthedeer’sheart，thenwithseveralofhishalf-starvedcompanionssprangupontheyetquiveringbodyoftheanimaltocutouttheliver，whichwassometimeseatenraw。Oneofthemenwasknockeddown，itissaid，bythelastkickofthedyingbuck，buthavingswallowedafewmouthfulsthewarriorsrusheduponandroutedtheirenemies。
ItisstilltoldofAmericanHorsehowhekilledgameandfeastedbetweentheambushandtheattack。
Atanothertimehewasdryinghissacredwarbonnetandothergearoverasmallfire。ThesearticleswereheldingreatvenerationbytheIndiansandhandledaccordingly。Suddenlythefireblazedup，andourherosofarforgothimselfastobeginenergeticallybeatingouttheflameswiththewarbonnet，breakingoffoneofthesacredbuffalohornsintheact。Onecouldalmostfillabookwithhismishapsandexploits。IwillgiveoneoftheminhisownwordsaswellasIcanrememberthem。
"Wewereaspromisingapartyofyoungwarriorsasourtribeeversentagainstanyofitsancestralenemies。Itwasmidsummer，andaftergoingtwodays’journeyfromhomewebegantosendtwoscoutsaheaddailywhilethemainbodykeptahalfdaybehind。Thescoutssetouteveryeveningandtraveledallnight。OnenightthegreatwarpipewasheldouttomeandtoYoung-Man-Afraid-of-
His-Horses。Atdaybreak，havingmetnoone，wehidourhorsesandclimbedtothetopofthenearestbuttetotakeanobservation。Itwasaveryhotday。Welayflatonourblankets，facingthewestwheretheclifffelloffinasheerdescent，andwithourbackstowardthemoregradualslopedottedwithscrubpinesandcedars。
Westucksometallgrassonourheadsandproceededtostudythelandscapespreadbeforeusforanysignofman。
"Thesweepingvalleysweredottedwithherds，bothlargeandsmall，ofbuffaloandelk，andnowandthenwecaughtaglimpseofacoyoteslinkingintothegulches，returningfromnighthuntingtosleep。Whileintentlywatchingsomemovingbodyatadistance，wecouldnotyettellwhetherofmenoranimals，Iheardafaintnoisebehindmeandslowlyturnedmyhead。Behold！agrizzlybearsneakinguponallfoursandalmostreadytospring！
"’Run！’Iyelledintotheearofmycompanion，andwebothleapedtoourfeetinasecond。’Separate！separate！’heshouted，andaswedidso，thebearchosemeforhismeat。IrandownhillasfastasIcould，buthewasgaining。’Dodgearoundatree！’
screamedYoung-Man-Afraid。Itookadeepbreathandmadealastspurt，desperatelycirclingthefirsttreeIcameto。Asthegroundwassteepjustthere，Iturnedasomersaultonewayandthebeartheother。Ipickedmyselfupintimetoclimbthetree，andwasfairlyoutofreachwhenhegatheredhimselftogetherandcameatmemorefuriouslythanever，holdinginonepawtheshredsofmybreechcloth，forinthefallhehadjustscratchedmybackandcutmybeltintwo，andcarriedoffmyonlygarmentforatrophy！
"Myfriendwaswellupanothertreeandlaughingheartilyatmypredicament，andwhenthebearsawthathecouldnotgetateitherofushereluctantlydeparted，afterIhadpolitelyaddressedhimandpromisedtomakeanofferingtohisspiritonmysafereturn。Idon’tthinkIeverhadanarrowerescape，"heconcluded。
Duringthetroubloustimesfrom1865to1877，AmericanHorseadvocatedyieldingtothegovernmentatanycost，beingnodoubtconvincedoftheuselessnessofresistance。Hewasnotarecognizedleaderuntil1876，whenhetookthenameandplaceofhisuncle。UptothistimeheborethenicknameofManishnee（Cannotwalk，orPlayedout。）
WhenthegreaterpartoftheOgallalas，towhichbandhebelonged，cameintothereservation，heatoncealliedhimselfwiththepeaceelementattheRedCloudagency，nearFortRobinson，Nebraska，andtooknosmallpartinkeepingtheyoungbravesquiet。
Sincetheolderandbetter-knownchiefs，withtheexceptionofSpottedTail，werebelievedtobehostileatheart，themilitarymademuchuseofhim。Manyofhisyoungmenenlistedasscoutsbyhisadvice，andevenhehimselfenteredtheservice。
Intheearlypartoftheyear1876，therewasarumorthatcertainbandswereindangerofbreakingaway。TheirleaderwasoneSiouxJim，sonicknamedbythesoldiers。AmericanHorsewenttohimaspeacemaker，butwastoldhewasawomanandnobrave。HereturnedtohisowncampandtoldhismenthatSiouxJimmeantmischief，andinordertopreventanothercalamitytothetribe，hemustbechastised。HeagainapproachedthewarlikeJimwithseveralwarriorsathisback。Therecalcitrantcameout，guninhand，butthewilychiefwastooquickforhim。Heshotandwoundedtherebel，whereupononeofhismencameforwardandkilledhim。
ThisquelledthepeopleforthetimebeinganduptothekillingofCrazyHorse。Inthecrisisprecipitatedbythisevent，AmericanHorsewasagaininfluentialandenergeticinthecauseofthegovernment。FromthistimeonhebecameanactiveparticipantintheaffairsoftheTetonSioux。Hewasnotedforhiseloquence，whichwasnearlyalwaysconciliatory，yethecouldsayverysharpthingsoftheduplicityofthewhites。Hehadmucheaseofmannerandwasamasterofrepartee。Irecallhissayingthatifyouhavegottoweargoldenslipperstoenterthewhiteman’sheavennoIndianwillevergetthere，asthewhiteshavegottheBlackHillsandwiththemallthegold。
Itwasduringthelaststruggleofhispeople，atthetimeoftheMessiahcrazein1890-1891thathedemonstratedasneverbeforetherealgreatnessoftheman。Whilemanyofhisfriendswerecarriedawaybythenewthought，heheldalooffromitandcautionedhisbandtodothesame。Whenitdevelopedintoanextensiveupheavalamongthenationshetookhispositivestandagainstit。
PresentlyallIndianswhodidnotdancetheGhostDancewereorderedtocomeintocampatPineRidgeagency。AmericanHorsewasthefirsttobringinhispeople。Iwasthereatthetimeandtalkedwithhimdaily。WhenLittlewasarrested，ithadbeenagreedamongthedisaffectedtohavehimresist，whichmeantthathewouldberoughlyhandled。ThiswastobetheirexcusetoattacktheIndianpolice，whichwouldprobablyleadtoageneralmassacreoroutbreak。IknowthatthisdesperatemovewasopposedfromthebeginningbyAmericanHorse，anditwasbelievedthathislifewasthreatened。
Onthedayofthe"BigIssue"，whenthousandsofIndiansweregatheredattheagency，thismanLittle，whohadbeeninhiding，walkedboldlyamongthem。Ofcoursethepolicewouldarresthimatsight，andhewasledtowardtheguardhouse。Hestruggledwiththem，butwasoverpowered。Acrowdofwarriorsrushedtohisrescue，andtherewasconfusionandageneralshoutof"Hurryupwiththem！Killthemall！"IsawAmericanHorsewalkoutoftheagent’sofficeandcalmlyfacetheexcitedmob。
"Whatareyougoingtodo？"heasked。"Stop，men，stopandthinkbeforeyouact！Willyoumurderyourchildren，yourwomen，yes，destroyyournationto-day？"Hestoodbeforethemlikeastatueandthemenwhoheldthetwopolicemenhelplesspausedforaninstant。Hewenton："Youarebraveto-daybecauseyououtnumberthewhitemen，butwhatwillyoudoto-morrow？Therearerailroadsonallsidesofyou。Thesoldierswillpourinfromeverydirectionbythousandsandsurroundyou。Youhavelittlefoodorammunition。Itwillbetheendofyourpeople。Stop，I
say，stopnow！"
JackRedCloud，sonoftheoldchiefrusheduptohimandthrustarevolveralmostinhisface。"Itisyouandmenlikeyou，"heshouted，"whohavereducedourracetoslaveryandstarvation！"AmericanHorsedidnotflinchbutdeliberatelyreenteredtheoffice，followedbyJackstillflourishingthepistol。Buthistimelyappearanceandeloquencehadsavedtheday。
Othersofthepoliceforcehadtimetoreachthespot，andwithalargecrowdoffriendlyIndianshadtakencommandofthesituation。
WhenIwentintotheofficeIfoundhimalonebutapparentlyquitecalm。"Wherearetheagentandtheclerks？"Iasked。"Theyfledbythebackdoor，"hereplied，smiling。"Ithinktheyareinthecellar。Thesefoolsoutsidehadalmostcaughtusasleep，butIthinkitisovernow。"
AmericanHorsewasoneoftheearliestadvocatesofeducationfortheIndian，andhissonSamuelandnephewRobertwereamongthefirststudentsatCarlisle。IthinkoneortwoofhisdaughterswerethehandsomestIndiangirlsoffullbloodthatIeversaw。
Hisrecordasacouncilorofhispeopleandhispolicyinthenewsituationthatconfrontedthemwasmanlyandconsistent。
DULLKNIFE
ThelifeofDullKnife，theCheyenne，isatrueherotale。Simple，child-likeyetmanful，anddevoidofselfishaims，orloveofgain，heisapatternforheroesofanyrace。
DullKnifewasachiefoftheoldschool。AmongalltheIndiansoftheplains，nothingcountssaveprovenworth。Aman’scaliberismeasuredbyhiscourage，unselfishnessandintelligence。
Manywritersconfusehistorywithfiction，butinIndianhistorytheirwomenandoldmenandevenchildrenwitnessthemainevents，andnotbeingabsorbedindailypapersandmagazines，theseeventsarerehearsedoverandoverwithfewvariations。Thoughorallypreserved，theiraccountsarethereforeaccurate。Buttheyhaveseldombeenwillingtogivereliableinformationtostrangers，especiallywhenaskedandpaidfor。
Racialprejudicenaturallyentersintotheaccountofaman’slifebyenemywriters，whileoneislikelytofavorhisownrace。
IamconsciousthatmanyreadersmaythinkthatIhaveidealizedtheIndian。ThereforeIwillconfessnowthatwehavetoomanyweakandunprincipledmenamongus。WhenIspeakoftheIndianhero，Idonotforgetthemongrelinspirit，falsetotheidealsofhispeople。Ourtrustfulnesshasbeenourweakness，andwhenthevicesofcivilizationwereaddedtoourown，wefellheavily。
ItissaidthatDullKnifeasaboywasresourcefulandself-reliant。Hewasonlynineyearsoldwhenhisfamilywasseparatedfromtherestofthetribewhileonabuffalohunt。Hisfatherwasawayandhismotherbusy，andhewasplayingwithhislittlesisteronthebanksofastream，whenalargeherdofbuffalosweptdownuponthemonastampedeforwater。Hismotherclimbedatree，butthelittleboyledhissisterintoanoldbeaverhousewhoseentrancewasabovewater，andheretheyremainedinshelteruntilthebuffalopassedandtheywerefoundbytheirdistractedparents。
DullKnifewasquiteayouthwhenhistribewascaughtonewinterinaregiondevoidofgame，andthreatenedwithstarvation。
Thesituationwasmadeworsebyheavystorms，buthesecuredhelpandledareliefpartyahundredandfiftymiles，carryingbalesofdriedbuffalomeatonpackhorses。
Anotherexploitthatmadehimdeartohispeopleoccurredinbattle，whenhisbrother-in-lawwasseverelywoundedandleftlyingwherenooneoneithersidedaredtoapproachhim。AssoonasDullKnifeheardofithegotonafreshhorse，andmadesodaringachargethatothersjoinedhim;thusundercoveroftheirfireherescuedhisbrother-in-law，andinsodoingwaswoundedtwice。
TheSiouxknewhimasamanofhightype，perhapsnotsobrilliantasRomanNoseandTwoMoon，butsurpassingbothinhonestyandsimplicity，aswellasinhiswarrecord。（TwoMoon，infact，wasneveraleaderofhispeople，andbecamedistinguishedonlyinwarswiththewhitesduringtheperiodofrevolt。）Astoryistoldofanancestorofthesamenamethatillustrateswellthespiritoftheage。
Itwasthecustominthosedaysfortheoldermentowalkaheadofthemovingcaravananddecideuponallhaltsandcampingplaces。Onedaythecouncilorscametoagroveofwildcherriescoveredwithripefruit，andtheystoppedatonce。Suddenlyagrizzlychargedfromthethicket。Themenyelpedandhooted，butthebearwasnottobebluffed。Heknockeddownthefirstwarriorwhodaredtofacehimanddraggedhisvictimintothebushes。
Thewholecaravanwasinthewildestexcitement。Severaloftheswiftest-footedwarriorschargedthebear，tobringhimoutintotheopen，whilethewomenanddogsmadeallthenoisetheycould。Thebearacceptedthechallenge，andashedidso，themanwhomtheyhadsupposeddeadcamerunningfromtheoppositeendofthethicket。TheIndiansweredelighted，andespeciallysowheninthemidstoftheircheers，themanstoppedrunningforhislifeandbegantosingaBraveHeartsongasheapproachedthegrovewithhisbutcherknifeinhishand。Hewoulddarehisenemyagain！
Thegrizzlymethimwithatremendousrush，andtheywentdowntogether。Instantlythebearbegantouttercriesofdistress，andatthesametimetheknifeflashed，andherolledoverdead。Thewarriorwastooquickfortheanimal;hefirstbithissensitivenosetodistracthisattention，andthenusedtheknifetostabhimtotheheart。Hefoughtmanybattleswithknivesthereafterandclaimedthatthespiritofthebeargavehimsuccess。Ononeoccasion，however，theenemyhadastrongbuffalo-hideshieldwhichtheCheyennebearfightercouldnotpiercethrough，andhewaswounded;neverthelesshemanagedtodispatchhisfoe。ItwasfromthisincidentthathereceivedthenameofDullKnife，whichwashandeddowntohisdescendant。
Asiswellknown，theNorthernCheyennesuncompromisinglysupportedtheSiouxintheirdesperatedefenseoftheBlackHillsandBigHorncountry。Whynot？Itwastheirlastbuffaloregion——theirsubsistence。Itwaswhatourwheatfieldsaretoacivilizednation。
Abouttheyear1875，apropagandawasstartedforconfiningalltheIndiansuponreservations，wheretheywouldbepracticallyinternedorimprisoned，regardlessoftheirpossessionsandrights。
ThemenwhowerethestrongestadvocatesoftheschemegenerallywantedtheIndians’property——theonemaincausebackofallIndianwars。FromthewarlikeApachestothepeacefulNezPerces，allthetribesoftheplainswerehuntedfromplacetoplace;thenthegovernmentresortedtopeacenegotiations，butalwayswithanarmyathandtocoerce。Oncedisarmedandhelpless，theyweretobetakenundermilitaryguardtotheIndianTerritory。
Afewresisted，anddeclaredtheywouldfighttothedeathratherthango。AmongtheseweretheSioux，butnearlyallthesmallertribesweredeportedagainsttheirwishes。OfcoursethoseIndianswhocamefromamountainousandcoldcountrysufferedseverely。Themoistheatandmalariadecimatedtheexiles。ChiefJosephoftheNezPercesandChiefStandingBearofthePoncasappealedtothepeopleoftheUnitedStates，andfinallysucceededinhavingtheirbandsortheremnantofthemreturnedtotheirownpartofthecountry。DullKnifewasnotsuccessfulinhisplea，andthestoryofhisflightisoneofpoignantinterest。
Hewasregardedbytheauthoritiesasadangerousman，andwithhisdepletedbandwastakentotheIndianTerritorywithouthisconsentin1876。Whenherealizedthathispeopleweredyinglikesheep，hewasdeeplymoved。Hecalledthemtogether。Everymanandwomandeclaredthattheywouldratherdieintheirowncountrythanstaytherelonger，andtheyresolvedtofleetotheirnorthernhomes。
Hereagainwasdisplayedthegeniusofthesepeople。FromtheIndianTerritorytoDakotaisnoshortdashforfreedom。Theyknewwhattheywerefacing。Theirlineofflightlaythroughasettledcountryandtheywouldbecloselypursuedbythearmy。Nosoonerhadtheystartedthanthetelegraphwiressangonesong："ThepantheroftheCheyennesisatlarge。NotachildorawomaninKansasorNebraskaissafe。"Yettheyevadedallthepursuingandinterceptingtroopsandreachedtheirnativesoil。Thestrainwasterrible，thehardshipgreat，andDullKnife，likeJoseph，wasremarkableforhisself-restraintinsparingthosewhocamewithinhispowerontheway。
Butfatewasagainsthim，fortherewerethoselookingforbloodmoneywhobetrayedhimwhenhethoughthewasamongfriends。
HispeopleweretiredoutandfamishedwhentheyweresurroundedandtakentoFortRobinson。Therethemenwereputinprison，andtheirwivesguardedincamp。Theywereallowedtovisittheirmenoncertaindays。Manyofthemhadlosteverything;therewerebutafewwhohadevenonechildleft。Theywereheartbroken。
Thesedespairingwomenappealedtotheirhusbandstodiefighting：theirlibertywasgone，theirhomesbrokenup，andonlyslaveryandgradualextinctioninsight。AtlastDullKnifelistened。Hesaid："Ihavelivedmylife。Iamready。"Theothersagreed。"Ifourwomenarewillingtodiewithus，whoistheretosayno？Ifwearetodothedeedsofmen，itrestswithyouwomentobringusourweapons。
Astheyhadbeenallowedtocarrymoccasinsandotherthingstothemen，sotheycontrivedtotakeinsomegunsandknivesunderthisdisguise。Theplanwastokillthesentinelsandruntothenearestnaturaltrench，theretomaketheirlaststand。Thewomenandchildrenweretojointhem。Thisarrangementwascarriedout。
Noteverybravehadagun，butallhadagreedtodietogether。
Theyfoughttilltheirsmallstoreofammunitionwasexhausted，thenexposedtheirbroadchestsforatarget，andthemothersevenhelduptheirlittleonestobeshot。ThusdiedthefightingCheyennesandtheirdauntlessleader。
ROMANNOSE
ThisCheyennewarchiefwasacontemporaryofDullKnife。Hewasnotsostrongacharacterastheother，andwasinclinedtobepompousandboastful;butwithallthishewasatruetypeofnativeAmericaninspiritandbravery。
WhileDullKnifewasnotedinwarfareamongIndians，RomanNosemadehisrecordagainstthewhites，indefenseofterritoryembracingtheRepublicanandArickareerivers。Hewaskilledonthelatterriverin1868，inthecelebratedbattlewithGeneralForsythe。
SaveChiefGallandWashakieintheprimeoftheirmanhood，thischiefhadnopeerinbodilyperfectionandmasterfulpersonality。NoGreekorRomangymnastwaseverafinermodelofphysicalbeautyandpower。Hethrilledhismentofrenziedactionwhenhecameuponthefield。Itwassaidofhimthathesacrificedmoreyouthsbyhispersonalinfluenceinbattlethananyotherleader，beingveryrecklesshimselfingrand-standcharges。Hewaskilledneedlesslyinthismanner。
RomanNosealwaysrodeanuncommonlyfine，spiritedhorse，andwithhiswarbonnetandotherparaphernaliagaveawonderfulexhibition。TheIndiansusedtosaythatthesoldiersmustgazeathimratherthanaimathim，astheysoseldomhithimevenwhenrunningthegantletbeforeafiringline。
Hedidaremarkablethingoncewhenonaone-arrow-to-killbuffalohuntwithhisbrother-in-law。Hiscompanionhadselectedhisanimalanddrewsopowerfullyonhissinewbowstringthatitbroke。RomanNosehadkilledhisowncowandwaswhippingupclosetotheotherwhenthemisfortuneoccurred。Bothhorsesweregoingatfullspeedandthearrowjerkedupintheair。RomanNosecaughtitandshotthecowforhim。
AnothercuriousstorytoldofhimistotheeffectthathehadanintimateSiouxfriendwhowascourtingaCheyennegirl，butwithoutsuccess。AsthewooingofbothSiouxandCheyenneswasprettymuchalleffectedinthenighttime，RomanNosetoldhisfriendtolethimdothecourtingforhim。HearrangedwiththeyoungwomantoelopethenextnightandtospendthehoneymoonamonghisSiouxfriends。Hethentoldhisfriendwhattodo。TheSiouxfollowedinstructionsandcarriedofftheCheyennemaid，andnotuntilmorningdidshediscoverhermistake。Itissaidsheneveradmittedit，andthatthetwolivedhappilytogethertoagoodoldage，soperhapstherewasnomistakeafterall。
返回顶部