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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
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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
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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。 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
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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