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while the main body kept a half day behind。 The scouts set out every
evening and traveled all night。 One night the great war pipe was held out
to me and to Young…Man…Afraid…of… His…Horses。 At daybreak； having
met no one； we hid our horses and climbed to the top of the nearest butte
to take an observation。 It was a very hot day。 We lay flat on our
blankets； facing the west where the cliff fell off in a sheer descent； and
with our backs toward the more gradual slope dotted with scrub pines and
cedars。 We stuck some tall grass on our heads and proceeded to study the
landscape spread before us for any sign of man。
〃The sweeping valleys were dotted with herds； both large and small； of
buffalo and elk； and now and then we caught a glimpse of a coyote
slinking into the gulches； returning from night hunting to sleep。 While
intently watching some moving body at a distance； we could not yet tell
whether of men or animals； I heard a faint noise behind me and slowly
turned my head。 Behold！ a grizzly bear sneaking up on all fours and
almost ready to spring！
〃'Run！' I yelled into the ear of my companion； and we both leaped to
our feet in a second。 'Separate！ separate！' he shouted； and as we did so；
the bear chose me for his meat。 I ran downhill as fast as I could； but he
was gaining。 'Dodge around a tree！' screamed Young…Man…Afraid。 I
took a deep breath and made a last spurt； desperately circling the first tree
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I came to。 As the ground was steep just there； I turned a somersault one
way and the bear the other。 I picked myself up in time to climb the tree；
and was fairly out of reach when he gathered himself together and came at
me more furiously than ever； holding in one paw the shreds of my
breechcloth； for in the fall he had just scratched my back and cut my belt
in two； and carried off my only garment for a trophy！
〃My friend was well up another tree and laughing heartily at my
predicament； and when the bear saw that he could not get at either of us he
reluctantly departed； after I had politely addressed him and promised to
make an offering to his spirit on my safe return。 I don't think I ever had a
narrower escape；〃 he concluded。
During the troublous times from 1865 to 1877； American Horse
advocated yielding to the government at any cost； being no doubt
convinced of the uselessness of resistance。 He was not a recognized
leader until 1876； when he took the name and place of his uncle。 Up to
this time he bore the nickname of Manishnee （Can not walk； or Played
out。）
When the greater part of the Ogallalas； to which band he belonged；
came into the reservation； he at once allied himself with the peace element
at the Red Cloud agency； near Fort Robinson； Nebraska； and took no small
part in keeping the young braves quiet。 Since the older and better…known
chiefs； with the exception of Spotted Tail； were believed to be hostile at
heart； the military made much use of him。 Many of his young men
enlisted as scouts by his advice； and even he himself entered the service。
In the early part of the year 1876； there was a rumor that certain bands
were in danger of breaking away。 Their leader was one Sioux Jim； so
nicknamed by the soldiers。 American Horse went to him as peacemaker；
but was told he was a woman and no brave。 He returned to his own
camp and told his men that Sioux Jim meant mischief； and in order to
prevent another calamity to the tribe； he must be chastised。 He again
approached the warlike Jim with several warriors at his back。 The
recalcitrant came out； gun in hand； but the wily chief was too quick for
him。 He shot and wounded the rebel； whereupon one of his men came
forward and killed him。
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This quelled the people for the time being and up to the killing of
Crazy Horse。 In the crisis precipitated by this event； American Horse
was again influential and energetic in the cause of the government。 From
this time on he became an active participant in the affairs of the Teton
Sioux。 He was noted for his eloquence； which was nearly always
conciliatory； yet he could say very sharp things of the duplicity of the
whites。 He had much ease of manner and was a master of repartee。 I
recall his saying that if you have got to wear golden slippers to enter the
white man's heaven no Indian will ever get there； as the whites have got
the Black Hills and with them all the gold。
It was during the last struggle of his people； at the time of the Messiah
craze in 1890…1891 that he demonstrated as never before the real greatness
of the man。 While many of his friends were carried away by the new
thought； he held aloof from it and cautioned his band to do the same。
When it developed into an extensive upheaval among the nations he took
his positive stand against it。
Presently all Indians who did not dance the Ghost Dance were ordered
to come into camp at Pine Ridge agency。 American Horse was the first
to bring in his people。 I was there at the time and talked with him daily。
When Little was arrested； it had been agreed among the disaffected to
have him resist； which meant that he would be roughly handled。 This
was to be their excuse to attack the Indian police； which would probably
lead to a general massacre or outbreak。 I know that this desperate move
was opposed from the beginning by American Horse； and it was believed
that his life was threatened。
On the day of the 〃Big Issue〃； when thousands of Indians were
gathered at the agency； this man Little； who had been in hiding； walked
boldly among them。 Of course the police would arrest him at sight； and
he was