第 10 节
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闲来一看 更新:2024-01-16 22:40 字数:9322
began。 His mother; like other mothers; tender and watchful of her
boy; would never once place an obstacle in the way of his father's
severe physical training。 They laid the spiritual and patriotic
foundations of his education in such a way that he early became
conscious of the demands of public service。
He was perhaps four or five years old when the band was snowed
in one severe winter。 They were very short of food; but his father
was a tireless hunter。 The buffalo; their main dependence; were
not to be found; but he was out in the storm and cold every day and
finally brought in two antelopes。 The little boy got on his pet
pony and rode through the camp; telling the old folks to come to
his mother's teepee for meat。 It turned out that neither his
father nor mother had authorized him to do this。 Before they knew
it; old men and women were lined up before the teepee home; ready
to receive the meat; in answer to his invitation。 As a result; the
mother had to distribute nearly all of it; keeping only enough for
two meals。
On the following day the child asked for food。 His mother
told him that the old folks had taken it all; and added: 〃Remember;
my son; they went home singing praises in your name; not my name or
your father's。 You must be brave。 You must live up to your
reputation。〃
Crazy Horse loved horses; and his father gave him a pony of
his own when he was very young。 He became a fine horseman and
accompanied his father on buffalo hunts; holding the pack horses
while the men chased the buffalo and thus gradually learning the
art。 In those days the Sioux had but few guns; and the hunting was
mostly done with bow and arrows。
Another story told of his boyhood is that when he was about
twelve he went to look for the ponies with his little brother; whom
he loved much; and took a great deal of pains to teach what he had
already learned。 They came to some wild cherry trees full of ripe
fruit; and while they were enjoying it; the brothers were startled
by the growl and sudden rush of a bear。 Young Crazy Horse pushed
his brother up into the nearest tree and himself sprang upon the
back of one of the horses; which was frightened and ran some
distance before he could control him。 As soon as he could;
however; he turned him about and came back; yelling and swinging
his lariat over his head。 The bear at first showed fight but
finally turned and ran。 The old man who told me this story added
that young as he was; he had some power; so that even a grizzly did
not care to tackle him。 I believe it is a fact that a silver…tip
will dare anything except a bell or a lasso line; so that
accidentally the boy had hit upon the very thing which would drive
him off。
It was usual for Sioux boys of his day to wait in the field
after a buffalo hunt until sundown; when the young calves would
come out in the open; hungrily seeking their mothers。 Then these
wild children would enjoy a mimic hunt; and lasso the calves or
drive them into camp。 Crazy Horse was found to be a determined
little fellow; and it was settled one day among the larger boys
that they would 〃stump〃 him to ride a good…sized bull calf。 He
rode the calf; and stayed on its back while it ran bawling over the
hills; followed by the other boys on their ponies; until his
strange mount stood trembling and exhausted。
At the age of sixteen he joined a war party against the Gros
Ventres。 He was well in the front of the charge; and at once
established his bravery by following closely one of the foremost
Sioux warriors; by the name of Hump; drawing the enemy's fire and
circling around their advance guard。 Suddenly Hump's horse was
shot from under him; and there was a rush of warriors to kill or
capture him while down。 But amidst a shower of arrows the youth
leaped from his pony; helped his friend into his own saddle; sprang
up behind him; and carried him off in safety; although they were
hotly pursued by the enemy。 Thus he associated himself in his
maiden battle with the wizard of Indian warfare; and Hump; who was
then at the height of his own career; pronounced Crazy Horse the
coming warrior of the Teton Sioux。
At this period of his life; as was customary with the best
young men; he spent much time in prayer and solitude。 Just what
happened in these days of his fasting in the wilderness and upon
the crown of bald buttes; no one will ever know; for these things
may only be known when one has lived through the battles of life to
an honored old age。 He was much sought after by his youthful
associates; but was noticeably reserved and modest; yet in the
moment of danger he at once rose above them all a natural
leader! Crazy Horse was a typical Sioux brave; and from the point
of view of our race an ideal hero; living at the height of the
epical progress of the American Indian and maintaining in his own
character all that was most subtle and ennobling of their spiritual
life; and that has since been lost in the contact with a material
civilization。
He loved Hump; that peerless warrior; and the two became close
friends; in spite of the difference in age。 Men called them 〃the
grizzly and his cub。〃 Again and again the pair saved the day for
the Sioux in a skirmish with some neighboring tribe。 But one day
they undertook a losing battle against the Snakes。 The Sioux were
in full retreat and were fast being overwhelmed by superior
numbers。 The old warrior fell in a last desperate charge; but
Crazy Horse and his younger brother; though dismounted; killed two
of the enemy and thus made good their retreat。
It was observed of him that when he pursued the enemy into
their stronghold; as he was wont to do; he often refrained from
killing; and simply struck them with a switch; showing that he did
not fear their weapons nor care to waste his upon them。 In
attempting this very feat; he lost this only brother of his; who
emulated him closely。 A party of young warriors; led by Crazy
Horse; had dashed upon a frontier post; killed one of the
sentinels; stampeded the horses; and pursued the herder to the very
gate of the stockade; thus drawing upon themselves the fire of the
garrison。 The leader escaped without a scratch; but his young
brother was brought down from his horse and killed。
While he was still under twenty; there was a great winter
buffalo hunt; and he came back with ten buffaloes' tongues which he
sent to the council lodge for the councilors' feast。 He had in one
winter day killed ten buffalo cows with his bow and arrows; and the
unsuccessful hunters or those who had no swift ponies were made
happy by his generosity。 When the hunters returned; these came
chanting songs of thanks。 He knew that his father was an expert
hunter and had a good horse; so he took no meat home; putting in
practice the spirit of his early teaching。
He attained his majority at the crisis of the difficulties
between the United States and the Sioux。 Even before that time;
Crazy Horse had already proved his worth to his people in Indian
warfare。 He had risked his life again and again; and in some
instances it was considered almost a miracle that he had saved
others as well as himself。 He was no orator nor was he the son of
a chief。 His success and influence was purely a matter of
personality。 He had never fought the whites up to this time; and
indeed no 〃coup〃 was counted for killing or scalping a white man。
Young Crazy Horse was twenty…one years old when all the Teton
Sioux chiefs (the western or plains dwellers) met in council to
determine upon their future policy toward the invader。 Their
former agreements had been by individual bands; each for itself;
and every one was friendly。 They reasoned that the country was
wide; and that the white traders should be made welcome。 Up to
this time they had anticipated no conflict。 They had permitted the
Oregon Trail; but now to their astonishment forts were built and
garrisoned in their territory。
Most of the chiefs advocated a strong resistance。 There were
a few influential men who desired still to live in peace; and who
were willing to make another treaty。 Among these were White Bull;
Two Kettle; Four Bears; and Swift Bear。 Even Spotted Tail;
afterward the great peace chief; was at this time with the
majority; who decided in the year 1866 to defend their rights and
territory by force。 Attacks were to be made upon the forts within
their country and on every trespasser on the same。
Crazy Horse took no part in the discussion; but he and all the
young warriors were in accord with the decision of the council。
Although so young; he was already a leader among them。 Other
prominent young braves were Sword (brother of the man of that name
who was long captain of police at Pine Ridge); the younger Hump;
Charging Bear; Spotted Elk; Crow King; No Water; Big Road; He Dog;
the nephew of Red Cl