第 9 节
作者:闲来一看      更新:2024-01-16 22:40      字数:9322
  snow so that no one had noticed it until the yells of the boys
  aroused the inmate; and he beat a hasty retreat。  The boys always
  looked upon this incident as an omen。
  Gall had an amiable disposition but was quick to resent insult
  or injustice。  This sometimes involved him in difficulties; but he
  seldom fought without good cause and was popular with his
  associates。  One of his characteristics was his ability to
  organize; and this was a large factor in his leadership when he
  became a man。  He was tried in many ways; and never was known to
  hesitate when it was a question of physical courage and endurance。
  He entered the public service early in life; but not until he had
  proved himself competent and passed all tests。
  When a mere boy; he was once scouting for game in midwinter;
  far from camp; and was overtaken by a three days' blizzard。  He was
  forced to abandon his horse and lie under the snow for that length
  of time。  He afterward said he was not particularly hungry; it was
  thirst and stiffness from which he suffered most。  One reason the
  Indian so loved his horse or dog was that at such times the animal
  would stay by him like a brother。  On this occasion Gall's pony was
  not more than a stone's throw away when the storm subsided and the
  sun shone。  There was a herd of buffalo in plain sight; and the
  young hunter was not long in procuring a meal。
  This chief's contemporaries still recall his wrestling match
  with the equally powerful Cheyenne boy; Roman Nose; who afterward
  became a chief well known to American history。  It was a custom of
  the northwestern Indians; when two friendly tribes camped together;
  to establish the physical and athletic supremacy of the youth of
  the respective camps。
  The 〃Che…hoo…hoo〃 is a wrestling game in which there may be
  any number on a side; but the numbers are equal。  All the boys of
  each camp are called together by a leader chosen for the purpose
  and draw themselves up in line of battle; then each at a given
  signal attacks his opponent。
  In this memorable contest; Matohinshda; or Gall; was placed
  opposite Roman Nose。  The whole people turned out as spectators of
  the struggle; and the battlefield was a plateau between the two
  camps; in the midst of picturesque Bad Lands。  There were many
  athletic youths present; but these two were really the Apollos of
  the two tribes。
  In this kind of sport it is not allowed to strike with the
  hand; nor catch around the neck; nor kick; nor pull by the hair。
  One may break away and run a few yards to get a fresh start; or
  clinch; or catch as catch can。  When a boy is thrown and held to
  the ground; he is counted out。  If a boy has met his superior; he
  may drop to the ground to escape rough handling; but it is very
  seldom one gives up without a full trial of strength。
  It seemed almost like a real battle; so great was the
  enthusiasm; as the shouts of sympathizers on both sides went up in
  a mighty chorus。  At last all were either conquerors or subdued
  except Gall and Roman Nose。  The pair seemed equally matched。  Both
  were stripped to the breech clout; now tugging like two young
  buffalo or elk in mating time; again writhing and twisting like
  serpents。  At times they fought like two wild stallions; straining
  every muscle of arms; legs; and back in the struggle。  Every now
  and then one was lifted off his feet for a moment; but came down
  planted like a tree; and after swaying to and fro soon became rigid
  again。
  All eyes were upon the champions。  Finally; either by trick or
  main force; Gall laid the other sprawling upon the ground and held
  him fast for a minute; then released him and stood erect; panting;
  a master youth。  Shout after shout went up on the Sioux side of the
  camp。  The mother of Roman Nose came forward and threw a superbly
  worked buffalo robe over Gall; whose mother returned the compliment
  by covering the young Cheyenne with a handsome blanket。
  Undoubtedly these early contests had their influence upon our
  hero's career。  It was his habit to appear most opportunely in a
  crisis; and in a striking and dramatic manner to take command of
  the situation。  The best known example of this is his entrance on
  the scene of confusion when Reno surprised the Sioux on the Little
  Big Horn。  Many of the excitable youths; almost unarmed; rushed
  madly and blindly to meet the intruder; and the scene might have
  unnerved even an experienced warrior。  It was Gall; with not a
  garment upon his superb body; who on his black charger dashed ahead
  of the boys and faced them。  He stopped them on the dry creek;
  while the bullets of Reno's men whistled about their ears。
  〃Hold hard; men!  Steady; we are not ready yet!  Wait for more
  guns; more horses; and the day is yours!〃
  They obeyed; and in a few minutes the signal to charge was
  given; and Reno retreated pell mell before the onset of the Sioux。
  Sitting Bull had confidence in his men so long as Gall planned
  and directed the attack; whether against United States soldiers or
  the warriors of another tribe。  He was a strategist; and able in a
  twinkling to note and seize upon an advantage。  He was really the
  mainstay of Sitting Bull's effective last stand。  He consistently
  upheld his people's right to their buffalo plains and believed that
  they should hold the government strictly to its agreements with
  them。  When the treaty of 1868 was disregarded; he agreed with
  Sitting Bull in defending the last of their once vast domain; and
  after the Custer battle entered Canada with his chief。  They hoped
  to bring their lost cause before the English government and were
  much disappointed when they were asked to return to the United
  States。
  Gall finally reported at Fort Peck; Montana; in 1881; and
  brought half of the Hunkpapa band with him; whereupon he was soon
  followed by Sitting Bull himself。  Although they had been promised
  by the United States commission who went to Canada to treat with
  them that they would not be punished if they returned; no sooner
  had Gall come down than a part of his people were attacked; and in
  the spring they were all brought to Fort Randall and held as
  military prisoners。  From this point they were returned to Standing
  Rock agency。
  When 〃Buffalo Bill〃 successfully launched his first show; he
  made every effort to secure both Sitting Bull and Gall for his
  leading attractions。  The military was in complete accord with him
  in this; for they still had grave suspicions of these two leaders。
  While Sitting Bull reluctantly agreed; Gall haughtily said: 〃I am
  not an animal to be exhibited before the crowd;〃 and retired to his
  teepee。  His spirit was much worn; and he lost strength from that
  time on。  That superb manhood dwindled; and in a few years he died。
  He was a real hero of a free and natural people; a type that is
  never to be seen again。
  CRAZY HORSE
  Crazy Horse was born on the Republican River about 1845。  He was
  killed at Fort Robinson; Nebraska; in 1877; so that he lived barely
  thirty…three years。
  He was an uncommonly handsome man。  While not the equal of
  Gall in magnificence and imposing stature; he was physically
  perfect; an Apollo in symmetry。  Furthermore he was a true type of
  Indian refinement and grace。  He was modest and courteous as Chief
  Joseph; the difference is that he was a born warrior; while Joseph
  was not。  However; he was a gentle warrior; a true brave; who stood
  for the highest ideal of the Sioux。  Notwithstanding all that
  biased historians have said of him; it is only fair to judge a man
  by the estimate of his own people rather than that of his enemies。
  The boyhood of Crazy Horse was passed in the days when the
  western Sioux saw a white man but seldom; and then it was usually
  a trader or a soldier。  He was carefully brought up according to
  the tribal customs。  At that period the Sioux prided themselves on
  the training and development of their sons and daughters; and not
  a step in that development was overlooked as an excuse to bring the
  child before the public by giving a feast in its honor。  At such
  times the parents often gave so generously to the needy that they
  almost impoverished themselves; thus setting an example to the
  child of self…denial for the general good。  His first step alone;
  the first word spoken; first game killed; the attainment of manhood
  or womanhood; each was the occasion of a feast and dance in his
  honor; at which the poor always benefited to the full extent of the
  parents' ability。
  Big…heartedness; generosity; courage; and self…denial are the
  qualifications of a public servant; and the average Indian was keen
  to follow this ideal。  As every one knows; these characteristic
  traits become a weakness when he enters a life founded upon
  commerce and gain。  Under such conditions the life of Crazy Horse
  began。  His mother; like other mothers; tender and watchful of her
  boy; would never once plac