第 19 节
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where the cliff fell off in a sheer descent; and with our backs
toward the more gradual slope dotted with scrub pines and cedars。
We stuck some tall grass on our heads and proceeded to study the
landscape spread before us for any sign of man。
〃The sweeping valleys were dotted with herds; both large and
small; of buffalo and elk; and now and then we caught a glimpse of
a coyote slinking into the gulches; returning from night hunting to
sleep。 While intently watching some moving body at a distance; we
could not yet tell whether of men or animals; I heard a faint noise
behind me and slowly turned my head。 Behold! a grizzly bear
sneaking up on all fours and almost ready to spring!
〃'Run!' I yelled into the ear of my companion; and we both
leaped to our feet in a second。 'Separate! separate!' he shouted;
and as we did so; the bear chose me for his meat。 I ran downhill
as fast as I could; but he was gaining。 'Dodge around a tree!'
screamed Young…Man…Afraid。 I took a deep breath and made a last
spurt; desperately circling the first tree I came to。 As the
ground was steep just there; I turned a somersault one way and the
bear the other。 I picked myself up in time to climb the tree; and
was fairly out of reach when he gathered himself together and came
at me more furiously than ever; holding in one paw the shreds of my
breechcloth; for in the fall he had just scratched my back and cut
my belt in two; and carried off my only garment for a trophy!
〃My friend was well up another tree and laughing heartily at
my predicament; and when the bear saw that he could not get at
either of us he reluctantly departed; after I had politely
addressed him and promised to make an offering to his spirit on my
safe return。 I don't think I ever had a narrower escape;〃 he
concluded。
During the troublous times from 1865 to 1877; American Horse
advocated yielding to the government at any cost; being no doubt
convinced of the uselessness of resistance。 He was not a
recognized leader until 1876; when he took the name and place of
his uncle。 Up to this time he bore the nickname of Manishnee (Can
not walk; or Played out。)
When the greater part of the Ogallalas; to which band he
belonged; came into the reservation; he at once allied himself with
the peace element at the Red Cloud agency; near Fort Robinson;
Nebraska; and took no small part in keeping the young braves quiet。
Since the older and better…known chiefs; with the exception of
Spotted Tail; were believed to be hostile at heart; the military
made much use of him。 Many of his young men enlisted as scouts by
his advice; and even he himself entered the service。
In the early part of the year 1876; there was a rumor that
certain bands were in danger of breaking away。 Their leader was
one Sioux Jim; so nicknamed by the soldiers。 American Horse went
to him as peacemaker; but was told he was a woman and no brave。 He
returned to his own camp and told his men that Sioux Jim meant
mischief; and in order to prevent another calamity to the tribe; he
must be chastised。 He again approached the warlike Jim with
several warriors at his back。 The recalcitrant came out; gun in
hand; but the wily chief was too quick for him。 He shot and
wounded the rebel; whereupon one of his men came forward and killed
him。
This quelled the people for the time being and up to the
killing of Crazy Horse。 In the crisis precipitated by this event;
American Horse was again influential and energetic in the cause of
the government。 From this time on he became an active participant
in the affairs of the Teton Sioux。 He was noted for his eloquence;
which was nearly always conciliatory; yet he could say very sharp
things of the duplicity of the whites。 He had much ease of manner
and was a master of repartee。 I recall his saying that if you have
got to wear golden slippers to enter the white man's heaven no
Indian will ever get there; as the whites have got the Black Hills
and with them all the gold。
It was during the last struggle of his people; at the time of
the Messiah craze in 1890…1891 that he demonstrated as never before
the real greatness of the man。 While many of his friends were
carried away by the new thought; he held aloof from it and
cautioned his band to do the same。 When it developed into an
extensive upheaval among the nations he took his positive stand
against it。
Presently all Indians who did not dance the Ghost Dance were
ordered to come into camp at Pine Ridge agency。 American Horse was
the first to bring in his people。 I was there at the time and
talked with him daily。 When Little was arrested; it had been
agreed among the disaffected to have him resist; which meant that
he would be roughly handled。 This was to be their excuse to attack
the Indian police; which would probably lead to a general massacre
or outbreak。 I know that this desperate move was opposed from the
beginning by American Horse; and it was believed that his life was
threatened。
On the day of the 〃Big Issue〃; when thousands of Indians were
gathered at the agency; this man Little; who had been in hiding;
walked boldly among them。 Of course the police would arrest him at
sight; and he was led toward the guardhouse。 He struggled with
them; but was overpowered。 A crowd of warriors rushed to his
rescue; and there was confusion and a general shout of 〃Hurry up
with them! Kill them all!〃 I saw American Horse walk out of the
agent's office and calmly face the excited mob。
〃What are you going to do?〃 he asked。 〃Stop; men; stop and
think before you act! Will you murder your children; your women;
yes; destroy your nation to…day?〃 He stood before them like a
statue and the men who held the two policemen helpless paused for
an instant。 He went on: 〃You are brave to…day because you
outnumber the white men; but what will you do to…morrow? There are
railroads on all sides of you。 The soldiers will pour in from
every direction by thousands and surround you。 You have little
food or ammunition。 It will be the end of your people。 Stop; I
say; stop now!〃
Jack Red Cloud; son of the old chief rushed up to him and
thrust a revolver almost in his face。 〃It is you and men like
you;〃 he shouted; 〃who have reduced our race to slavery and
starvation!〃 American Horse did not flinch but deliberately
reentered the office; followed by Jack still flourishing the
pistol。 But his timely appearance and eloquence had saved the day。
Others of the police force had time to reach the spot; and with a
large crowd of friendly Indians had taken command of the situation。
When I went into the office I found him alone but apparently
quite calm。 〃Where are the agent and the clerks?〃 I asked。 〃They
fled by the back door;〃 he replied; smiling。 〃I think they are in
the cellar。 These fools outside had almost caught us asleep; but
I think it is over now。〃
American Horse was one of the earliest advocates of education
for the Indian; and his son Samuel and nephew Robert were among the
first students at Carlisle。 I think one or two of his daughters
were the handsomest Indian girls of full blood that I ever saw。
His record as a councilor of his people and his policy in the new
situation that confronted them was manly and consistent。
DULL KNIFE
The life of Dull Knife; the Cheyenne; is a true hero tale。 Simple;
child…like yet manful; and devoid of selfish aims; or love of gain;
he is a pattern for heroes of any race。
Dull Knife was a chief of the old school。 Among all the
Indians of the plains; nothing counts save proven worth。 A man's
caliber is measured by his courage; unselfishness and intelligence。
Many writers confuse history with fiction; but in Indian history
their women and old men and even children witness the main events;
and not being absorbed in daily papers and magazines; these events
are rehearsed over and over with few variations。 Though orally
preserved; their accounts are therefore accurate。 But they have
seldom been willing to give reliable information to strangers;
especially when asked and paid for。
Racial prejudice naturally enters into the account of a man's
life by enemy writers; while one is likely to favor his own race。
I am conscious that many readers may think that I have idealized
the Indian。 Therefore I will confess now that we have too many
weak and unprincipled men among us。 When I speak of the Indian
hero; I do not forget the mongrel in spirit; false to the ideals of
his people。 Our trustfulness has been our weakness; and when the
vices of civilization were added to our own; we fell heavily。
It is said that Dull Knife as a boy was resourceful and
self…reliant。 He was only nine years old when his family was
separated from the rest of the tribe while on a buffalo hunt。 His
father was away and his mother busy; and he was pl