第 20 节
作者:闲来一看      更新:2024-01-16 22:40      字数:9322
  separated from the rest of the tribe while on a buffalo hunt。  His
  father was away and his mother busy; and he was playing with his
  little sister on the banks of a stream; when a large herd of
  buffalo swept down upon them on a stampede for water。  His mother
  climbed a tree; but the little boy led his sister into an old
  beaver house whose entrance was above water; and here they remained
  in shelter until the buffalo passed and they were found by their
  distracted parents。
  Dull Knife was quite a youth when his tribe was caught one
  winter in a region devoid of game; and threatened with starvation。
  The situation was made worse by heavy storms; but he secured help
  and led a relief party a hundred and fifty miles; carrying bales of
  dried buffalo meat on pack horses。
  Another exploit that made him dear to his people occurred in
  battle; when his brother…in…law was severely wounded and left lying
  where no one on either side dared to approach him。  As soon as Dull
  Knife heard of it he got on a fresh horse; and made so daring a
  charge that others joined him; thus under cover of their fire he
  rescued his brother…in…law; and in so doing was wounded twice。
  The Sioux knew him as a man of high type; perhaps not so
  brilliant as Roman Nose and Two Moon; but surpassing both in
  honesty and simplicity; as well as in his war record。  (Two Moon;
  in fact; was never a leader of his people; and became distinguished
  only in wars with the whites during the period of revolt。)  A story
  is told of an ancestor of the same name that illustrates well the
  spirit of the age。
  It was the custom in those days for the older men to walk
  ahead of the moving caravan and decide upon all halts and camping
  places。  One day the councilors came to a grove of wild cherries
  covered with ripe fruit; and they stopped at once。  Suddenly a
  grizzly charged from the thicket。  The men yelped and hooted; but
  the bear was not to be bluffed。  He knocked down the first warrior
  who dared to face him and dragged his victim into the bushes。
  The whole caravan was in the wildest excitement。  Several of
  the swiftest…footed warriors charged the bear; to bring him out
  into the open; while the women and dogs made all the noise they
  could。  The bear accepted the challenge; and as he did so; the man
  whom they had supposed dead came running from the opposite end of
  the thicket。  The Indians were delighted; and especially so when in
  the midst of their cheers; the man stopped running for his life and
  began to sing a Brave Heart song as he approached the grove with
  his butcher knife in his hand。  He would dare his enemy again!
  The grizzly met him with a tremendous rush; and they went down
  together。  Instantly the bear began to utter cries of distress; and
  at the same time the knife flashed; and he rolled over dead。  The
  warrior was too quick for the animal; he first bit his sensitive
  nose to distract his attention; and then used the knife to stab him
  to the heart。  He fought many battles with knives thereafter and
  claimed that the spirit of the bear gave him success。  On one
  occasion; however; the enemy had a strong buffalo…hide shield which
  the Cheyenne bear fighter could not pierce through; and he was
  wounded; nevertheless he managed to dispatch his foe。  It was from
  this incident that he received the name of Dull Knife; which was
  handed down to his descendant。
  As is well known; the Northern Cheyennes uncompromisingly
  supported the Sioux in their desperate defense of the Black Hills
  and Big Horn country。  Why not?  It was their last buffalo region
  their subsistence。  It was what our wheat fields are to a
  civilized nation。
  About the year 1875; a propaganda was started for confining
  all the Indians upon reservations; where they would be practically
  interned or imprisoned; regardless of their possessions and rights。
  The men who were the strongest advocates of the scheme generally
  wanted the Indians' property  the one main cause back of all
  Indian wars。  From the warlike Apaches to the peaceful Nez Perces;
  all the tribes of the plains were hunted from place to place; then
  the government resorted to peace negotiations; but always with an
  army at hand to coerce。  Once disarmed and helpless; they were to
  be taken under military guard to the Indian Territory。
  A few resisted; and declared they would fight to the death
  rather than go。  Among these were the Sioux; but nearly all the
  smaller tribes were deported against their wishes。  Of course those
  Indians who came from a mountainous and cold country suffered
  severely。  The moist heat and malaria decimated the exiles。  Chief
  Joseph of the Nez Perces and Chief Standing Bear of the Poncas
  appealed to the people of the United States; and finally succeeded
  in having their bands or the remnant of them returned to their own
  part of the country。  Dull Knife was not successful in his plea;
  and the story of his flight is one of poignant interest。
  He was regarded by the authorities as a dangerous man; and
  with his depleted band was taken to the Indian Territory without
  his consent in 1876。  When he realized that his people were dying
  like sheep; he was deeply moved。  He called them together。  Every
  man and woman declared that they would rather die in their own
  country than stay there longer; and they resolved to flee to their
  northern homes。
  Here again was displayed the genius of these people。  From the
  Indian Territory to Dakota is no short dash for freedom。  They knew
  what they were facing。  Their line of flight lay through a settled
  country and they would be closely pursued by the army。  No sooner
  had they started than the telegraph wires sang one song: 〃The
  panther of the Cheyennes is at large。  Not a child or a woman in
  Kansas or Nebraska is safe。〃  Yet they evaded all the pursuing and
  intercepting troops and reached their native soil。  The strain was
  terrible; the hardship great; and Dull Knife; like Joseph; was
  remarkable for his self…restraint in sparing those who came within
  his power on the way。
  But fate was against him; for there were those looking for
  blood money who betrayed him when he thought he was among friends。
  His people were tired out and famished when they were surrounded
  and taken to Fort Robinson。  There the men were put in prison; and
  their wives guarded in camp。  They were allowed to visit their men
  on certain days。  Many of them had lost everything; there were but
  a few who had even one child left。  They were heartbroken。
  These despairing women appealed to their husbands to die
  fighting: their liberty was gone; their homes broken up; and only
  slavery and gradual extinction in sight。  At last Dull Knife
  listened。  He said: 〃I have lived my life。  I am ready。〃  The
  others agreed。  〃If our women are willing to die with us; who is
  there to say no?  If we are to do the deeds of men; it rests with
  you women to bring us our weapons。
  As they had been allowed to carry moccasins and other things
  to the men; so they contrived to take in some guns and knives under
  this disguise。  The plan was to kill the sentinels and run to the
  nearest natural trench; there to make their last stand。  The women
  and children were to join them。  This arrangement was carried out。
  Not every brave had a gun; but all had agreed to die together。
  They fought till their small store of ammunition was exhausted;
  then exposed their broad chests for a target; and the mothers even
  held up their little ones to be shot。  Thus died the fighting
  Cheyennes and their dauntless leader。
  ROMAN NOSE
  This Cheyenne war chief was a contemporary of Dull Knife。  He was
  not so strong a character as the other; and was inclined to be
  pompous and boastful; but with all this he was a true type of
  native American in spirit and bravery。
  While Dull Knife was noted in warfare among Indians; Roman
  Nose made his record against the whites; in defense of territory
  embracing the Republican and Arickaree rivers。  He was killed on
  the latter river in 1868; in the celebrated battle with General
  Forsythe。
  Save Chief Gall and Washakie in the prime of their manhood;
  this chief had no peer in bodily perfection and masterful
  personality。  No Greek or Roman gymnast was ever a finer model of
  physical beauty and power。  He thrilled his men to frenzied action
  when he came upon the field。  It was said of him that he sacrificed
  more youths by his personal influence in battle than any other
  leader; being very reckless himself in grand…stand charges。  He was
  killed needlessly in this manner。
  Roman Nose always rode an uncommonly fine; spirited horse; and
  with his war bonnet and other paraphernalia gave a wonderful
  exhibition。  The Indians used to say that the soldiers must gaze at
  him rather than aim at him; as they so seldom hit him even when
  running the gantlet before a firing line。
  He did a remarkable thing once whe