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！
curious reason that they cordially received and welcomed the newcomers
rather than opposed them。 The only difficulties were those arising
among the European nations themselves； and often involving the native
tribes。 Thus new environments brought new motives； and our
temptations were increased manyfold with the new weapons； new goods；
and above all the subtly destructive 〃spirit water。〃
Gradually it became known that the new race had a definite purpose；
and that purpose was to chart and possess the whole country； regardless of
the rights of its earlier inhabitants。 Still the old chiefs cautioned their
people to be patient； for； said they； the land is vast； both races can live on it；
each in their own way。 Let us therefore befriend them and trust to their
friendship。 While they reasoned thus； the temptations of graft and self…
aggrandizement overtook some of the leaders。
Hole…in…the…Day （or Bug…o…nay…ki…shig） was born in the opening days
of this era。 The word 〃ki…shig〃 means either 〃day〃 or 〃sky〃； and the
name is perhaps more correctly translated Hole…in…the…Sky。 This gifted
man inherited his name and much of his ability from his father； who was a
war chief among the Ojibways； a Napoleon of the common people； and
who carried on a relentless warfare against the Sioux。 And yet； as was
our custom at the time； peaceful meetings were held every summer； at
which representatives of the two tribes would recount to one another all
the events that had come to pass during the preceding year。
Hole…in…the…Day the younger was a handsome man； tall and
symmetrically formed； with much grace of manner and natural refinement。
He was an astute student of diplomacy。 The Ojibways allowed polygamy；
and whether or not he approved the principle； he made political use of it
101
… Page 102…
INDIAN HEROES AND GREAT CHIEFTAINS
by marrying the daughter of a chief in nearly every band。 Through these
alliances he held a controlling influence over the whole Ojibway nation。
Reverend Claude H。 Beaulieu says of him：
〃Hole…in…the…Day was a man of distinguished appearance and native
courtliness of manner。 His voice was musical and magnetic； and with
these qualities he had a subtle brain； a logical mind； and quite a
remarkable gift of oratory。 In speech he was not impassioned； but clear
and convincing； and held fast the attention of his hearers。〃
It is of interest to note that his everyday name among his tribesmen
was 〃The Boy。〃 What a boy he must have been！ I wonder if the name
had the same significance as with the Sioux； who applied it to any man
who performs a difficult duty with alertness； dash； and natural courage。
〃The Man〃 applies to one who adds to these qualities wisdom and
maturity of judgment。
The Sioux tell many stories of both the elder and the younger Hole…in…
the…Day。 Once when The Boy was still under ten years of age； he was
fishing on Gull Lake in a leaky birch…bark canoe。 Presently there came
such a burst of frantic warwhoops that his father was startled。 He could
not think of anything but an attack by the dreaded Sioux。 Seizing his
weapons； he ran to the rescue of his son； only to find that the little fellow
had caught a fish so large that it was pulling his canoe all over the lake。
〃Ugh；〃 exclaimed the father； 〃if a mere fish scares you so badly； I fear you
will never make a warrior！
It is told of him that when he was very small； the father once brought
home two bear cubs and gave them to him for pets。 The Boy was feeding
and getting acquainted with them outside his mother's birch…bark teepee；
when suddenly he was heard to yell for help。 The two little bears had
treed The Boy and were waltzing around the tree。 His mother scared
them off； but again the father laughed at him for thinking that he could
climb trees better than a bear。
The elder Hole…in…the…Day was a daring warrior and once attacked and
scalped a Sioux who was carrying his pelts to the trading post； in full sight
of his friends。 Of course he was instantly pursued； and he leaped into a
canoe which was lying near by and crossed to an island in the Mississippi
102
… Page 103…
INDIAN HEROES AND GREAT CHIEFTAINS
River near Fort Snelling。 When almost surrounded by Sioux warriors； he
left the canoe and swam along the shore with only his nose above water；
but as they were about to head him off he landed and hid behind the
falling sheet of water known as Minnehaha Falls； thus saving his life。
It often happens that one who offers his life freely will after all die a
natural death。 The elder Hole…in…the…Day so died when The Boy was still
a youth。 Like Philip of Massachusetts； Chief Joseph the younger； and the
brilliant Osceola； the mantle fell gracefully upon his shoulders； and he
wore it during a short but eventful term of chieftainship。 It was his to see
the end of the original democracy on this continent。 The clouds were fast
thickening on the eastern horizon。 The day of individualism and equity
between man and man must yield to the terrific forces of civilization； the
mass play of materialism； the cupidity of commerce with its twin brother
politics。 Under such conditions the younger Hole…in…the…Day undertook
to guide his tribesmen。 At first they were inclined to doubt the wisdom
of so young a leader； but he soon proved a ready student of his people's
traditions； and yet； like Spotted Tail and Little Crow； he adopted too
willingly the white man's politics。 He maintained the territory won from
the Sioux by his predecessors。 He negotiated treaties with the ability of a
born diplomat； with one exception； and that exception cost him his life。
Like other able Indians who foresaw the inevitable downfall of their
race； he favored a gradual change of customs leading to complete adoption
of the white man's ways。 In order to accustom the people to a new
standard； he held that the chiefs must have authority and must be given
compensation for their services。 This