按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
boldly among them。 Of course the police would arrest him at sight； and
he was led toward the guardhouse。 He struggled with them； but was
overpowered。 A crowd of warriors rushed to his rescue； and there was
confusion and a general shout of 〃Hurry up with them！ Kill them all！〃
I saw American Horse walk out of the agent's office and calmly face the
excited mob。
〃What are you going to do？〃 he asked。 〃Stop； men； stop and think
78
… Page 79…
INDIAN HEROES AND GREAT CHIEFTAINS
before you act！ Will you murder your children； your women； yes；
destroy your nation to…day？〃 He stood before them like a statue and the
men who held the two policemen helpless paused for an instant。 He went
on： 〃You are brave to…day because you outnumber the white men； but
what will you do to…morrow？ There are railroads on all sides of you。
The soldiers will pour in from every direction by thousands and surround
you。 You have little food or ammunition。 It will be the end of your
people。 Stop； I say； stop now！〃
Jack Red Cloud； son of the old chief rushed up to him and thrust a
revolver almost in his face。 〃It is you and men like you；〃 he shouted；
〃who have reduced our race to slavery and starvation！〃 American Horse
did not flinch but deliberately reentered the office； followed by Jack still
flourishing the pistol。 But his timely appearance and eloquence had
saved the day。 Others of the police force had time to reach the spot； and
with a large crowd of friendly Indians had taken command of the situation。
When I went into the office I found him alone but apparently quite
calm。 〃Where are the agent and the clerks？〃 I asked。 〃They fled by the
back door；〃 he replied； smiling。 〃I think they are in the cellar。 These
fools outside had almost caught us asleep； but I think it is over now。〃
American Horse was one of the earliest advocates of education for the
Indian； and his son Samuel and nephew Robert were among the first
students at Carlisle。 I think one or two of his daughters were the
handsomest Indian girls of full blood that I ever saw。 His record as a
councilor of his people and his policy in the new situation that confronted
them was manly and consistent。
79
… Page 80…
INDIAN HEROES AND GREAT CHIEFTAINS
DULL KNIFE
The life of Dull Knife； the Cheyenne； is a true hero tale。 Simple；
child…like yet manful； and devoid of selfish aims； or love of gain； he is a
pattern for heroes of any race。
Dull Knife was a chief of the old school。 Among all the Indians of
the plains； nothing counts save proven worth。 A man's caliber is
measured by his courage； unselfishness and intelligence。 Many writers
confuse history with fiction； but in Indian history their women and old
men and even children witness the main events； and not being absorbed in
daily papers and magazines； these events are rehearsed over and over with
few variations。 Though orally preserved； their accounts are therefore
accurate。 But they have seldom been willing to give reliable information
to strangers； especially when asked and paid for。
Racial prejudice naturally enters into the account of a man's life by
enemy writers； while one is likely to favor his own race。 I am conscious
that many readers may think that I have idealized the Indian。 Therefore I
will confess now that we have too many weak and unprincipled men
among us。 When I speak of the Indian hero； I do not forget the mongrel
in spirit； false to the ideals of his people。 Our trustfulness has been our
weakness； and when the vices of civilization were added to our own； we
fell heavily。
It is said that Dull Knife as a boy was resourceful and self…reliant。 He
was only nine years old when his family was separated from the rest of the
tribe while on a buffalo hunt。 His father was away and his mother busy；
and he was playing with his little sister on the banks of a stream； when a
large herd of buffalo swept down upon them on a stampede for water。
His mother climbed a tree； but the little boy led his sister into an old
beaver house whose entrance was above water； and here they remained in
shelter until the buffalo passed and they were found by their distracted
parents。
Dull Knife was quite a youth when his tribe was caught one winter in a
region devoid of game； and threatened with starvation。 The situation was
80
… Page 81…
INDIAN HEROES AND GREAT CHIEFTAINS
made worse by heavy storms； but he secured help and led a relief party a
hundred and fifty miles； carrying bales of dried buffalo meat on pack
horses。
Another exploit that made him dear to his people occurred in battle；
when his brother…in…law was severely wounded and left lying where no
one on either side dared to approach him。 As soon as Dull Knife heard of
it he got on a fresh horse； and made so daring a charge that others joined
him； thus under cover of their fire he rescued his brother…in…law； and in so
doing was wounded twice。
The Sioux knew him as a man of high type； perhaps not so brilliant as
Roman Nose and Two Moon； but surpassing both in honesty and
simplicity； as well as in his war record。 （Two Moon； in fact； was never a
leader of his people； and became distinguished only in wars with the
whites during the period of revolt。） A story is told of an ancestor of the
same name that illustrates well the spirit of the age。
It was the custom in those days for the older men to walk ahead of the
moving caravan and decide upon all halts and camping places。 One
day the councilors came to a grove of wild cherries covered with ripe fruit；
and they stopped at once。 Suddenly a grizzly charged from the thicket。
The m