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Sitting Bull had confidence in his men so long as Gall planned
and directed the attack； whether against United States soldiers or
the warriors of another tribe。 He was a strategist； and able in a
twinkling to note and seize upon an advantage。 He was really the
mainstay of Sitting Bull's effective last stand。 He consistently
upheld his people's right to their buffalo plains and believed that
they should hold the government strictly to its agreements with
them。 When the treaty of 1868 was disregarded； he agreed with
Sitting Bull in defending the last of their once vast domain； and
after the Custer battle entered Canada with his chief。 They hoped
to bring their lost cause before the English government and were
much disappointed when they were asked to return to the United
States。
Gall finally reported at Fort Peck； Montana； in 1881； and
brought half of the Hunkpapa band with him； whereupon he was soon
followed by Sitting Bull himself。 Although they had been promised
by the United States commission who went to Canada to treat with
them that they would not be punished if they returned； no sooner
had Gall come down than a part of his people were attacked； and in
the spring they were all brought to Fort Randall and held as
military prisoners。 From this point they were returned to Standing
Rock agency。
When 〃Buffalo Bill〃 successfully launched his first show； he
made every effort to secure both Sitting Bull and Gall for his
leading attractions。 The military was in complete accord with him
in this； for they still had grave suspicions of these two leaders。
While Sitting Bull reluctantly agreed； Gall haughtily said： 〃I am
not an animal to be exhibited before the crowd；〃 and retired to his
teepee。 His spirit was much worn； and he lost strength from that
time on。 That superb manhood dwindled； and in a few years he died。
He was a real hero of a free and natural people； a type that is
never to be seen again。
CRAZY HORSE
Crazy Horse was born on the Republican River about 1845。 He was
killed at Fort Robinson； Nebraska； in 1877； so that he lived barely
thirty…three years。
He was an uncommonly handsome man。 While not the equal of
Gall in magnificence and imposing stature； he was physically
perfect； an Apollo in symmetry。 Furthermore he was a true type of
Indian refinement and grace。 He was modest and courteous as Chief
Joseph； the difference is that he was a born warrior； while Joseph
was not。 However； he was a gentle warrior； a true brave； who stood
for the highest ideal of the Sioux。 Notwithstanding all that
biased historians have said of him； it is only fair to judge a man
by the estimate of his own people rather than that of his enemies。
The boyhood of Crazy Horse was passed in the days when the
western Sioux saw a white man but seldom； and then it was usually
a trader or a soldier。 He was carefully brought up according to
the tribal customs。 At that period the Sioux prided themselves on
the training and development of their sons and daughters； and not
a step in that development was overlooked as an excuse to bring the
child before the public by giving a feast in its honor。 At such
times the parents often gave so generously to the needy that they
almost impoverished themselves； thus setting an example to the
child of self…denial for the general good。 His first step alone；
the first word spoken； first game killed； the attainment of manhood
or womanhood； each was the occasion of a feast and dance in his
honor； at which the poor always benefited to the full extent of the
parents' ability。
Big…heartedness； generosity； courage； and self…denial are the
qualifications of a public servant； and the average Indian was keen
to follow this ideal。 As every one knows； these characteristic
traits become a weakness when he enters a life founded upon
commerce and gain。 Under such conditions the life of Crazy Horse
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