第 25 节
作者:闲来一看      更新:2024-01-16 22:40      字数:9322
  his son; only to find that the little fellow had caught a fish so
  large that it was pulling his canoe all over the lake。  〃Ugh;〃
  exclaimed the father; 〃if a mere fish scares you so badly; I fear
  you will never make a warrior!
  It is told of him that when he was very small; the father once
  brought home two bear cubs and gave them to him for pets。  The Boy
  was feeding and getting acquainted with them outside his mother's
  birch…bark teepee; when suddenly he was heard to yell for help。
  The two little bears had treed The Boy and were waltzing around the
  tree。  His mother scared them off; but again the father laughed at
  him for thinking that he could climb trees better than a bear。
  The elder Hole…in…the…Day was a daring warrior and once
  attacked and scalped a Sioux who was carrying his pelts to the
  trading post; in full sight of his friends。  Of course he was
  instantly pursued; and he leaped into a canoe which was lying near
  by and crossed to an island in the Mississippi River near Fort
  Snelling。  When almost surrounded by Sioux warriors; he left the
  canoe and swam along the shore with only his nose above water; but
  as they were about to head him off he landed and hid behind the
  falling sheet of water known as Minnehaha Falls; thus saving his
  life。
  It often happens that one who offers his life freely will
  after all die a natural death。  The elder Hole…in…the…Day so died
  when The Boy was still a youth。  Like Philip of Massachusetts;
  Chief Joseph the younger; and the brilliant Osceola; the mantle
  fell gracefully upon his shoulders; and he wore it during a short
  but eventful term of chieftainship。  It was his to see the end of
  the original democracy on this continent。  The clouds were fast
  thickening on the eastern horizon。  The day of individualism and
  equity between man and man must yield to the terrific forces of
  civilization; the mass play of materialism; the cupidity of
  commerce with its twin brother politics。  Under such conditions the
  younger Hole…in…the…Day undertook to guide his tribesmen。  At first
  they were inclined to doubt the wisdom of so young a leader; but he
  soon proved a ready student of his people's traditions; and yet;
  like Spotted Tail and Little Crow; he adopted too willingly the
  white man's politics。  He maintained the territory won from the
  Sioux by his predecessors。  He negotiated treaties with the ability
  of a born diplomat; with one exception; and that exception cost him
  his life。
  Like other able Indians who foresaw the inevitable downfall of
  their race; he favored a gradual change of customs leading to
  complete adoption of the white man's ways。  In order to accustom
  the people to a new standard; he held that the chiefs must have
  authority and must be given compensation for their services。  This
  was a serious departure from the old rule but was tacitly accepted;
  and in every treaty he made there was provision for himself in the
  way of a land grant or a cash payment。  He early departed from the
  old idea of joint ownership with the Lake Superior Ojibways;
  because he foresaw that it would cause no end of trouble for the
  Mississippi River branch of which he was then the recognized head。
  But there were difficulties to come with the Leech Lake and Red
  Lake bands; who held aloof from his policy; and the question of
  boundaries began to arise。
  In the first treaty negotiated with the government by young
  Hole…in…the…Day in 1855; a 〃surplus〃 was provided for the chiefs
  aside from the regular per capita payment; and this surplus was to
  be distributed in proportion to the number of Indians under each。
  Hole…in…the…Day had by far the largest enrollment; therefore he got
  the lion's share of this fund。  Furthermore he received another sum
  set apart for the use of the 〃head chief〃; and these things did not
  look right to the tribe。  In the very next treaty he provided
  himself with an annuity of one thousand dollars for twenty years;
  beside a section of land near the village of Crow Wing; and the
  government was induced to build him a good house upon this land。
  In his home he had many white servants and henchmen and really
  lived like a lord。  He dressed well in native style with a touch
  of civilized elegance; wearing coat and leggings of fine
  broadcloth; linen shirt with collar; and; topping all; a handsome
  black or blue blanket。  His moccasins were of the finest deerskin
  and beautifully worked。  His long beautiful hair added much to his
  personal appearance。  He was fond of entertaining and being
  entertained and was a favorite both among army officers and
  civilians。  He was especially popular with the ladies; and this
  fact will appear later in the story。
  At about this time; the United States government took it upon
  itself to put an end to warfare between the Sioux and Ojibways。  A
  peace meeting was arranged at Fort Snelling; with the United States
  as mediator。  When the representatives of the two nations met at
  this grand council; Hole…in…the…Day came as the head chief of his
  people; and with the other chiefs appeared in considerable pomp and
  dignity。  The wives of the government officials were eager for
  admission to this unusual gathering; but when they arrived there
  was hardly any space left except next to the Sioux chiefs; and the
  white ladies soon crowded this space to overflowing。  One of the
  Sioux remarked: 〃I thought this was to be a council of chiefs and
  braves; but I see many women among us。〃  Thereupon the Ojibway
  arose and spoke in his courtliest manner。  〃The Ojibway chiefs will
  feel highly honored;〃 said he; 〃if the ladies will consent to sit
  on our side。〃
  Another sign of his alertness to gain favor among the whites
  was seen in the fact that he took part in the territorial
  campaigns; a most unusual thing for an Indian of that day。  Being
  a man of means and influence; he was listened to with respect by
  the scattered white settlers in his vicinity。  He would make a
  political speech through an interpreter; but would occasionally
  break loose in his broken English; and wind up with an invitation
  to drink in the following words: 〃Chentimen; you Pemicans
  (Republicans); come out and drink!〃
  From 1855 to 1864 Hole…in…the…Day was a well…known figure in
  Minnesota; and scarcely less so in Washington; for he visited the
  capital quite often on tribal affairs。  As I have said before; he
  was an unusually handsome man; and was not unresponsive to flattery
  and the attentions of women。  At the time of this incident he was
  perhaps thirty…five years old; but looked younger。  He had called
  upon the President and was on his way back to his hotel; when he
  happened to pass the Treasury building just as the clerks were
  leaving for the day。  He was immediately surrounded by an
  inquisitive throng。  Among them was a handsome young woman who
  asked through the interpreter if the chief would consent to an
  interview about his people; to aid her in a paper she had promised
  to prepare。
  Hole…in…the…Day replied: 〃If the beautiful lady is willing to
  risk calling on the chief at his hotel; her request will be
  granted。〃  The lady went; and the result was so sudden and strong
  an attachment that both forgot all racial biases and differences of
  language and custom。  She followed him as far as Minneapolis; and
  there the chief advised her to remain; for he feared the jealousy
  of some of his many wives。  She died there; soon after giving birth
  to a son; who was brought up by a family named Woodbury; and some
  fifteen years ago I met the young man in Washington and was taken
  by him to call upon certain of his mother's relatives。
  The ascendancy of Hole…in…the…Day was not gained entirely
  through the consent of his people; but largely by government favor;
  therefore there was strong suppressed resentment among his
  associate chiefs; and the Red Lake and Leech Lake bands in fact
  never acknowledged him as their head; while they suspected him of
  making treaties which involved some of their land。  He was in
  personal danger from this source; and his life was twice attempted;
  but; though wounded; in each case he recovered。  His popularity
  with Indian agents and officers lasted till the Republicans came
  into power in the sixties and there was a new deal。  The chief no
  longer received the favors and tips to which he was accustomed; in
  fact he was in want of luxuries; and worse still; his pride was
  hurt by neglect。  The new party had promised Christian treatment to
  the Indians; but it appeared that they were greater grafters than
  their predecessors; and unlike them kept everything for themselves;
  allowing no perquisites to any Indian chief。
  In his indignation at this treatment; Hole…in…the…Day began
  exposing the frauds on his people; and so at a late day was
  converted to their defense。  Perhaps he had not fully understood
  the nature of graft until he was in a position to view it from the
  outside。  After all; he was excusable