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hole in the ice； rubbing him afterward with snow； to strengthen his
nerves； and that she would remain with him alone in the deep woods
for days at a time； so that he might know that solitude is good；
and not fear to be alone with nature。
〃My son；〃 she would say； 〃if you are to be a leader of men；
you must listen in silence to the mystery； the spirit。〃
At a very early age she made a feast for her boy and announced
that he would fast two days。 This is what might be called a formal
presentation to the spirit or God。 She greatly desired him to
become a worthy leader according to the ideas of her people。 It
appears that she left her husband when he took a second wife； and
lived with her own band till her death。 She did not marry again。
Little Crow was an intensely ambitious man and without
physical fear。 He was always in perfect training and early
acquired the art of warfare of the Indian type。 It is told of him
that when he was about ten years old； he engaged with other boys in
a sham battle on the shore of a lake near St。 Paul。 Both sides
were encamped at a little distance from one another； and the rule
was that the enemy must be surprised； otherwise the attack would be
considered a failure。 One must come within so many paces
undiscovered in order to be counted successful。 Our hero had a
favorite dog which； at his earnest request； was allowed to take
part in the game； and as a scout he entered the enemy camp unseen；
by the help of his dog。
When he was twelve； he saved the life of a companion who had
broken through the ice by tying the end of a pack line to a log；
then at great risk to himself carrying it to the edge of the hole
where his comrade went down。 It is said that he also broke in； but
both boys saved themselves by means of the line。
As a young man； Little Crow was always ready to serve his
people as a messenger to other tribes； a duty involving much danger
and hardship。 He was also known as one of the best hunters in his
band。 Although still young； he had already a war record when he
became chief of the Kaposias； at a time when the Sioux were facing
the greatest and most far…reaching changes that had ever come to
them。
At this juncture in the history of the northwest and its
native inhabitants； the various fur companies had paramount
influence。 They did not hesitate to impress the Indians with the
idea that they were the authorized representatives of the white
races or peoples； and they were quick to realize the desirability
of controlling the natives through their most influential chiefs。
Little Crow became quite popular with post traders and factors。 He
was an orator as well as a diplomat； and one of the first of his
nation to indulge in politics and promote unstable schemes to the
detriment of his people。
When the United States Government went into the business of
acquiring territory from the Indians so that the flood of western
settlement might not be checked； commissions were sent out to
negotiate treaties； and in case of failure it often happened that
a delegation of leading men of the tribe were invited to
Washington。 At that period； these visiting chiefs； attired in all
the splendor of their costumes of ceremony； were treated like
ambassadors from foreign countries。
One winter in the late eighteen…fifties； a major general of
the army gave a dinner to the Indian chiefs then in the city； and
on this occasion Little Crow was appointed toastmaster。 There were
present a number of Senators and members of Congress； as well as
judges of the Supreme Court； cabinet officers； and other
distinguished citizens。 When all the guests were seated； the Sioux
arose and addressed them with much dignity as follows：
〃Warriors and friends： I am informed that the great white war
chief who of his generosity and comradeship has given us this
feast； has expressed the wish that we may follow to…night the
usages and customs of my people。 In other words； this is a
warriors' feast； a braves' meal。 I call upon the Ojibway chief；
the Hole…in…the…Day； to give the lone wolf's hunger call； after
which we will join him in our usual manner。〃
The tall and handsome Ojibway now rose and straightened his
superb form to utter one of the clearest and longest wolf howls
that was ever heard in Washington； and at its close came a
tremendous burst of war whoops that fairly rent the air； and no
doubt electrified the officials there present。
On one occasion Little Crow was invited by the commander of
Fort Ridgeley； Minnesota； to call at the fort。 On his way back；
in company with a half…breed named Ross and the interpreter
Mitchell； he was ambushed by a party of Ojibways； and again
wounded in the same arm that had been broken in his attempted
assassination。 His companion Ross was killed； but he managed
to hold the war party at bay until help came and thus saved his
life。
More and more as time passed； this naturally brave and
ambitious man became a prey to the selfish interests of the traders
and politicians。 The immediate causes of the Sioux outbreak of
1862 came in quick succession to inflame to desperate action an
outraged people。 The two bands on the so…called 〃lower
reservations〃 in Minnesota were Indians for whom nature had
provided most abundantly in their free existence。 After one
hundred and fifty years of friendly intercourse first with the
French； then the English； and finally the Americans； they found
themselves cut off from every natural resource； on a tract of land
twenty miles by thirty； which to them was virtual imprisonment。 By
treaty stipulation with the government； they were to be fed and
clothed； houses were to be built for them； the men taught
agriculture； and schools provided for the children。 In addition to
this； a trust fund of a million and a half was to be set aside for
them； at five per cent interest； the interest to be paid annually
per capita。 They had signed the treaty under pressure； believing
in these promises on the faith of a great nation。
However； on entering the new life； the resources so rosily
described to them failed to materialize。 Many families faced
starvation every winter； their only support the store of the Indian
trader； who was baiting his trap for their destruction。 Very
gradually they awoke to the facts。 At last it was planned to
secure from them the north half of their reservation for
ninety…eight thousand dollars； but it was not explained to the
Indians that the traders were to receive all the money。 Little
Crow made the greatest mistake of his life when he signed this
agreement。
Meanwhile； to make matters worse； the cash annuities were not
paid for nearly two years。 Civil War had begun。 When it was
learned that the traders had taken all of the ninety…eight thousand
dollars 〃on account〃； there was very bitter feeling。 In fact； the
heads of the leading stores were afraid to go about as usual； an