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wild children would enjoy a mimic hunt； and lasso the calves or
drive them into camp。 Crazy Horse was found to be a determined
little fellow； and it was settled one day among the larger boys
that they would 〃stump〃 him to ride a good…sized bull calf。 He
rode the calf； and stayed on its back while it ran bawling over the
hills； followed by the other boys on their ponies； until his
strange mount stood trembling and exhausted。
At the age of sixteen he joined a war party against the Gros
Ventres。 He was well in the front of the charge； and at once
established his bravery by following closely one of the foremost
Sioux warriors； by the name of Hump； drawing the enemy's fire and
circling around their advance guard。 Suddenly Hump's horse was
shot from under him； and there was a rush of warriors to kill or
capture him while down。 But amidst a shower of arrows the youth
leaped from his pony； helped his friend into his own saddle； sprang
up behind him； and carried him off in safety； although they were
hotly pursued by the enemy。 Thus he associated himself in his
maiden battle with the wizard of Indian warfare； and Hump； who was
then at the height of his own career； pronounced Crazy Horse the
coming warrior of the Teton Sioux。
At this period of his life； as was customary with the best
young men； he spent much time in prayer and solitude。 Just what
happened in these days of his fasting in the wilderness and upon
the crown of bald buttes； no one will ever know； for these things
may only be known when one has lived through the battles of life to
an honored old age。 He was much sought after by his youthful
associates； but was noticeably reserved and modest； yet in the
moment of danger he at once rose above them all a natural
leader！ Crazy Horse was a typical Sioux brave； and from the point
of view of our race an ideal hero； living at the height of the
epical progress of the American Indian and maintaining in his own
character all that was most subtle and ennobling of their spiritual
life； and that has since been lost in the contact with a material
civilization。
He loved Hump； that peerless warrior； and the two became close
friends； in spite of the difference in age。 Men called them 〃the
grizzly and his cub。〃 Again and again the pair saved the day for
the Sioux in a skirmish with some neighboring tribe。 But one day
they undertook a losing battle against the Snakes。 The Sioux were
in full retreat and were fast being overwhelmed by superior
numbers。 The old warrior fell in a last desperate charge； but
Crazy Horse and his younger brother； though dismounted； killed two
of the enemy and thus made good their retreat。
It was observed of him that when he pursued the enemy into
their stronghold； as he was wont to do； he often refrained from
killing； and simply struck them with a switch； showing that he did
not fear their weapons nor care to waste his upon them。 In
attempting this very feat； he lost this only brother of his； who
emulated him closely。 A party of young warriors； led by Crazy
Horse； had dashed upon a frontier post； killed one of the
sentinels； stampeded the horses； and pursued the herder to the very
gate of the stockade； thus drawing upon themselves the fire of the
garrison。 The leader escaped without a scratch； but his young
brother was brought down from his horse and killed。
While he was still under twenty； there was a great winter
buffalo hunt； and he came back with ten buffaloes' tongues which he
sent to the council lodge for the councilors' feast。 He had in one
winter day killed ten buffalo cows with his bow and arrows； and the
unsuccessful hunters or those who had no swift ponies were made
happy by his generosity。 When the hunters returned； these came
chanting songs of thanks。 He knew that his father was an expert
hunter and had a good horse； so he took no meat home； putting in
practice the spirit of his early teaching。
He attained his majority at the crisis of the difficulties
between the United States and the Sioux。 Even before that time；
Crazy Horse had already proved his worth to his people in Indian
warfare。 He had risked his life again and again； and in some
instances it was considered almost a miracle that he had saved
others as well as himself。 He was no orator nor was he the son of
a chief。 His success and influence was purely a matter of
personality。 He had never fought the whites up to this time； and
indeed no 〃coup〃 was counted for killing or scalping a white man。
Young Crazy Horse was twenty…one years old when all the Teton
Sioux chiefs （the western or plains dwellers） met in council to
determine upon their future policy toward the invader。 Their
former agreements had been by individual bands； each for itself；
and every one was friendly。 They reasoned that the country was
wide； and that the white traders should be made welcome。 Up to
this time they had anticipated no conflict。 They had permitted the
Oregon Trail； but now to their astonishment forts were built and
garrisoned in their territory。
Most of the chiefs advocated a strong resistance。 There were
a few influential men who desired still to live in peace； and who
were willing to make another treaty。 Among these were White Bull；
Two Kettle； Four Bears； and Swift Bear。 Even Spotted Tail；
afterward the great peace chief； was at this time with the
majority； who decided in the year 1866 to defend their rights and
territory by force。 Attacks were to be made upon the forts within
their country and on every trespasser on the same。
Crazy Horse took no part in the discussion； but he and all the
young warriors were in accord with the decision of the council。
Although so young； he was already a leader among them。 Other
prominent young braves were Sword （brother of the man of that name
who was long captain of police at Pine Ridge）； the younger Hump；
Charging Bear； Spotted Elk； Crow King； No Water； Big Road； He Dog；
the nephew of Red Cloud； and Touch…the…Cloud； intimate friend of
Crazy Horse。
The attack on Fort Phil Kearny was the first fruits of the new
policy； and here Crazy Horse was chosen to lead the attack on the
woodchoppers； designed to draw the soldiers out of the fort； while
an army of six hundred lay in wait for them。 The success of this
stratagem was further enhanced by his masterful handling of his
men。 From this time on a general war was inaugurated； Sitting Bull
looked to him as a principal war leader； and even the Cheyenne
chiefs； allies of the Sioux； practically acknowledged his
leadership。 Yet during the following ten years of defensive war he
was never known to make a speech； though his teepee was the
rendezvous of the young men。 He was depended upon to put into
action the decisions of the council； and was frequently consulted
by the older chiefs。
Like Osceola； he rose suddenly； like Tecumseh he was always
impatient for battle； like Pontiac； he fought