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drew near。 The boy seemed to be none the worse for his experience。
〃Mother！〃 he cried； 〃my dog is brave： he got the rabbit！〃 She
snatched him off the travois； but he struggled out of her arms to
look upon his dog lovingly and admiringly。 Old men and boys
crowded about the hero of the day； the dog； and the thoughtful
grandmother of Matohinshda unharnessed him and poured some water
from a parfleche water bag into a basin。 〃Here； my grandson； give
your friend something to drink。〃
〃How； hechetu；〃 pronounced an old warrior no longer in active
service。 〃This may be only an accident； an ordinary affair； but
such things sometimes indicate a career。 The boy has had a
wonderful ride。 I prophesy that he will one day hold the attention
of all the people with his doings。〃
This is the first remembered story of the famous chief； but
other boyish exploits foretold the man he was destined to be。 He
fought many sham battles； some successful and others not； but he
was always a fierce fighter and a good loser。
Once he was engaged in a battle with snowballs。 There were
probably nearly a hundred boys on each side； and the rule was that
every fair hit made the receiver officially dead。 He must not
participate further； but must remain just where he was struck。
Gall's side was fast losing； and the battle was growing hotter
every minute when the youthful warrior worked toward an old water
hole and took up his position there。 His side was soon annihilated
and there were eleven men left to fight him。 He was pressed close
in the wash…out； and as he dodged under cover before a volley of
snowballs； there suddenly emerged in his stead a huge gray wolf。
His opponents fled in every direction in superstitious terror； for
they thought he had been transformed into the animal。 To their
astonishment he came out on the farther side and ran to the line of
safety； a winner！
It happened that the wolf's den had been partly covered with
snow so that no one had noticed it until the yells of the boys
aroused the inmate； and he beat a hasty retreat。 The boys always
looked upon this incident as an omen。
Gall had an amiable disposition but was quick to resent insult
or injustice。 This sometimes involved him in difficulties； but he
seldom fought without good cause and was popular with his
associates。 One of his characteristics was his ability to
organize； and this was a large factor in his leadership when he
became a man。 He was tried in many ways； and never was known to
hesitate when it was a question of physical courage and endurance。
He entered the public service early in life； but not until he had
proved himself competent and passed all tests。
When a mere boy； he was once scouting for game in midwinter；
far from camp； and was overtaken by a three days' blizzard。 He was
forced to abandon his horse and lie under the snow for that length
of time。 He afterward said he was not particularly hungry； it was
thirst and stiffness from which he suffered most。 One reason the
Indian so loved his horse or dog was that at such times the animal
would stay by him like a brother。 On this occasion Gall's pony was
not more than a stone's throw away when the storm subsided and the
sun shone。 There was a herd of buffalo in plain sight； and the
young hunter was not long in procuring a meal。
This chief's contemporaries still recall his wrestling match
with the equally powerful Cheyenne boy； Roman Nose； who afterward
became a chief well known to American history。 It was a custom of
the northwestern Indians； when two friendly tribes camped together；
to establish the physical and athletic supremacy of the youth of
the respective camps。
The 〃Che…hoo…hoo〃 is a wrestling game in which there may be
any number on a side； but the numbers are equal。 All the boys of
each camp are called together by a leader chosen for the purpose
and draw themselves up in line of battle； then each at a given
signal attacks his opponent。
In this memorable contest； Matohinshda； or Gall； was placed
opposite Roman Nose。 The whole people turned out as spectators of
the struggle； and the battlefield was a plateau between the two
camps； in the midst of picturesque Bad Lands。 There were many
athletic youths present； but these two were really the Apollos of
the two tribes。
In this kind of sport it is not allowed to strike with the
hand； nor catch around the neck； nor kick； nor pull by the hair。
One may break away and run a few yards to get a fresh start； or
clinch； or catch as catch can。 When a boy is thrown and held to
the ground； he is counted out。 If a boy has met his superior； he
may drop to the ground to escape rough handling； but it is very
seldom one gives up without a full trial of strength。
It seemed almost like a real battle； so great was the
enthusiasm； as the shouts of sympathizers on both sides went up in
a mighty chorus。 At last all were either conquerors or subdued
except Gall and Roman Nose。 The pair seemed equally matched。 Both
were stripped to the breech clout； now tugging like two young
buffalo or elk in mating time； again writhing and twisting like
serpents。 At times they fought like two wild stallions； straining
every muscle of arms； legs； and back in the struggle。 Every now
and then one was lifted off his feet for a moment； but came down
planted like a tree； and after swaying to and fro soon became rigid
again。
All eyes were upon the champions。 Finally； either by trick or
main force； Gall laid the other sprawling upon the ground and held
him fast for a minute； then released him and stood erect； panting；
a master youth。 Shout after shout went up on the Sioux side of the
camp。 The mother of Roman Nose came forward and threw a superbly
worked buffalo robe over Gall； whose mother returned the compliment
by covering the young Cheyenne with a handsome blanket。
Undoubtedly these early contests had their influence upon our
hero's career。 It was his habit to appear most opportunely in a
crisis； and in a striking and dramatic manner to take command of
the situation。 The best known example of this is his entrance on
the scene of confusion when Reno surprised the Sioux on the Little
Big Horn。 Many of the excitable youths； almost unarmed； rushed
madly and blindly to meet the intruder； and the scene might have
unnerved even an experienced warrior。 It was Gall； with not a
garment upon his superb body； who on his black charger dashed ahead
of the boys and faced them。 He stopped them on the dry creek；
while the bullets of Reno's men whistled about their ears。
〃Hold hard； men！ Steady； we are not ready yet！ Wait for more
guns； more horses； and the day is yours！〃
They obeyed； and in a few minutes the signal to charge was
given； and Reno retreated pell mell before the onset of the Sioux。
Sitting Bull had confidence in his men so long as Gall planned
and directed the attack； whether agains