第 10 节
作者: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