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reply was； 〃Only cowards are murderers。〃
His wife was critically ill at the time； and he decided to
take her to her parents at Spotted Tail agency； whereupon his
enemies circulated the story that he had fled； and a party of
scouts was sent after him。 They overtook him riding with his wife
and one other but did not undertake to arrest him； and after he had
left the sick woman with her people he went to call on Captain Lea；
the agent for the Brules； accompanied by all the warriors of the
Minneconwoju band。 This volunteer escort made an imposing
appearance on horseback； shouting and singing； and in the words of
Captain Lea himself and the missionary； the Reverend Mr。 Cleveland；
the situation was extremely critical。 Indeed； the scouts who had
followed Crazy Horse from Red Cloud agency were advised not to show
themselves； as some of the warriors had urged that they be taken
out and horsewhipped publicly。
Under these circumstances Crazy Horse again showed his
masterful spirit by holding these young men in check。 He said to
them in his quiet way： 〃It is well to be brave in the field of
battle； it is cowardly to display bravery against one's own
tribesmen。 These scouts have been compelled to do what they did；
they are no better than servants of the white officers。 I came
here on a peaceful errand。〃
The captain urged him to report at army headquarters to
explain himself and correct false rumors； and on his giving
consent； furnished him with a wagon and escort。 It has been said
that he went back under arrest； but this is untrue。 Indians have
boasted that they had a hand in bringing him in； but their stories
are without foundation。 He went of his own accord； either
suspecting no treachery or determined to defy it。
When he reached the military camp； Little Big Man walked
arm…in…arm with him； and his cousin and friend； Touch…the…Cloud；
was just in advance。 After they passed the sentinel； an officer
approached them and walked on his other side。 He was unarmed but
for the knife which is carried for ordinary uses by women as well
as men。 Unsuspectingly he walked toward the guardhouse； when
Touch…the…Cloud suddenly turned back exclaiming： 〃Cousin； they will
put you in prison！〃
〃Another white man's trick！ Let me go！ Let me die fighting！〃
cried Crazy Horse。 He stopped and tried to free himself and draw
his knife； but both arms were held fast by Little Big Man and the
officer。 While he struggled thus； a soldier thrust him through
with his bayonet from behind。 The wound was mortal； and he died in
the course of that night； his old father singing the death song
over him and afterward carrying away the body； which they said
must not be further polluted by the touch of a white man。 They hid
it somewhere in the Bad Lands； his resting place to this day。
Thus died one of the ablest and truest American Indians。 His
life was ideal； his record clean。 He was never involved in any of
the numerous massacres on the trail； but was a leader in
practically every open fight。 Such characters as those of Crazy
Horse and Chief Joseph are not easily found among so…called
civilized people。 The reputation of great men is apt to be
shadowed by questionable motives and policies； but here are two
pure patriots； as worthy of honor as any who ever breathed God's
air in the wide spaces of a new world。
SITTING BULL
IT is not easy to characterize Sitting Bull； of all Sioux chiefs
most generally known to the American people。 There are few to whom
his name is not familiar； and still fewer who have learned to
connect it with anything more than the conventional notion of a
bloodthirsty savage。 The man was an enigma at best。 He was not
impulsive； nor was he phlegmatic。 He was most serious when he
seemed to be jocose。 He was gifted with the power of sarcasm； and
few have used it more artfully than he。
His father was one of the best…known members of the Unkpapa
band of Sioux。 The manner of this man's death was characteristic。
One day； when the Unkpapas were attacked by a large war party of
Crows； he fell upon the enemy's war leader with his knife。 In a
hand…to…hand combat of this sort； we count the victor as entitled
to a war bonnet of trailing plumes。 It means certain death to one
or both。 In this case； both men dealt a mortal stroke； and Jumping
Buffalo； the father of Sitting Bull； fell from his saddle and died
in a few minutes。 The other died later from the effects of the
wound。
Sitting Bull's boyhood must have been a happy one。 It was
long after the day of the dog…travaux； and his father owned many
ponies of variegated colors。 It was said of him in a joking way
that his legs were bowed like the ribs of the ponies that he rode
constantly from childhood。 He had also a common nickname that was
much to the point。 It was 〃Hunkeshnee〃； which means 〃Slow〃；
referring to his inability to run fast； or more probably to the
fact that he seldom appeared on foot。 In their boyish games he was
wont to take the part of the 〃old man〃； but this does not mean that
he was not active and brave。 It is told that after a buffalo hunt
the boys were enjoying a mimic hunt with the calves that had been
left behind。 A large calf turned viciously on Sitting Bull； whose
pony had thrown him； but the alert youth got hold of both ears and
struggled until the calf was pushed back into a buffalo wallow in
a sitting posture。 The boys shouted： 〃He has subdued the buffalo
calf！ He made it sit down！〃 And from this incident was derived
his familiar name of Sitting Bull。
It is a mistake to suppose that Sitting Bull； or any other
Indian warrior； was of a murderous disposition。 It is true that
savage warfare had grown more and more harsh and cruel since the
coming of white traders among them； bringing guns； knives； and
whisky。 Yet it was still regarded largely as a sort of game；
undertaken in order to develop the manly qualities of their youth。
It was the degree of risk which brought honor； rather than the
number slain； and a brave must mourn thirty days； with blackened
face and loosened hair； for the enemy whose life he had taken。
While the spoils of war were allowed； this did not extend to
territorial aggrandizement； nor was there any wish to overthrow
another nation and enslave its people。 It was a point of honor
in the old days to treat a captive with kindness。 The common
impression that the Indian is naturally cruel and revengeful is
entirely opposed to his philosophy and training。 The revengeful
tendency of the Indian was aroused by the white man。 It is not the
natural Indian who is mean and tricky； not Massasoit but King
Philip； not Attackullakulla but Weatherford； not Wabashaw but
Little Crow； not Jumping Buffalo but Sitting Bull！ These men
lifted their hands against the white man； while their fathers held
theirs out to him with gifts。
Remember that there were councils which