第 11 节
作者:恐龙王      更新:2021-02-21 14:13      字数:9322
  establish the physical and athletic supremacy of the youth of the respective
  camps。
  The   〃Che…hoo…hoo〃   is   a   wrestling   game   in   which   there   may   be   any
  number on a side; but the numbers are equal。               All the boys of each camp
  are called together by a leader chosen for the purpose and draw themselves
  up in line of battle; then each at a given signal attacks his opponent。
  In this memorable contest; Matohinshda; or Gall; was placed opposite
  Roman Nose。         The whole people turned out as spectators of the struggle;
  and the battlefield was a plateau between the two camps; in the midst of
  picturesque   Bad   Lands。       There   were   many   athletic   youths   present;   but
  these two were really the Apollos of the two tribes。
  In this kind of sport it is not allowed to strike with the hand; nor catch
  around the neck;   nor kick;   nor pull by  the hair。            One   may break   away
  and run a few yards to get a fresh start; or clinch; or catch as catch can。
  When a boy is thrown and held to the ground; he is counted out。                   If a boy
  has met his superior; he may drop to the ground to escape rough handling;
  but it is very seldom one gives up without a full trial of strength。
  It seemed almost like a real battle; so great was the enthusiasm; as the
  shouts of sympathizers on both sides went up in a mighty chorus。                    At last
  all were either conquerors or subdued except Gall and Roman Nose。                      The
  pair   seemed   equally   matched。       Both   were   stripped   to   the   breech   clout;
  now tugging like two young buffalo or elk in mating time; again writhing
  and twisting like serpents。         At times they fought like two wild stallions;
  straining   every   muscle   of   arms;   legs;   and   back   in   the   struggle。  Every
  now   and   then   one   was   lifted   off   his   feet   for   a   moment;   but   came   down
  planted like a tree; and after swaying to and fro soon became rigid again。
  All eyes were upon the  champions。              Finally; either by trick or   main
  force; Gall laid the other sprawling upon the ground and held him fast for
  a   minute;   then   released   him   and   stood   erect;   panting;   a   master   youth。
  Shout after shout went up on the Sioux side of the camp。                  The mother of
  Roman Nose came forward and threw a superbly worked buffalo robe over
  Gall;    whose    mother     returned    the  compliment       by  covering     the  young
  Cheyenne with a handsome blanket。
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  Undoubtedly these early contests had their influence upon our hero's
  career。    It was his habit to appear most opportunely in a crisis; and in a
  striking and dramatic manner to take command of the situation。                    The best
  known   example   of   this   is   his   entrance   on   the   scene   of   confusion   when
  Reno surprised the Sioux on the Little Big Horn。                 Many of the excitable
  youths;   almost   unarmed;   rushed   madly  and   blindly   to   meet   the   intruder;
  and the scene might have unnerved even an experienced warrior。                       It was
  Gall; with not a garment upon his superb body; who on his black charger
  dashed ahead of the boys and faced them。                 He stopped them on the dry
  creek; while the bullets of Reno's men whistled about their ears。
  〃Hold hard; men!         Steady; we are not ready yet!         Wait for more guns;
  more horses; and the day is yours!〃             They obeyed; and in a few minutes
  the   signal   to   charge   was   given;   and   Reno   retreated   pell   mell   before   the
  onset of the Sioux。
  Sitting   Bull   had   confidence   in   his   men   so   long   as   Gall   planned   and
  directed the attack; whether against United States soldiers or the warriors
  of another tribe。      He was a strategist; and able in a twinkling to note and
  seize   upon   an   advantage。      He   was   really   the   mainstay   of   Sitting   Bull's
  effective   last   stand。   He   consistently   upheld   his   people's   right   to   their
  buffalo plains and believed that they should hold the government strictly
  to its agreements with them。           When the treaty of 1868 was disregarded;
  he agreed with Sitting Bull in defending the last of their once vast domain;
  and after the Custer battle entered Canada with his chief。                 They hoped to
  bring    their  lost  cause    before   the   English    government      and   were    much
  disappointed when they were asked to return to the United States。
  Gall finally reported at Fort Peck; Montana; in 1881; and brought half
  of   the   Hunkpapa   band   with   him;   whereupon   he   was   soon   followed   by
  Sitting   Bull   himself。    Although   they   had   been   promised   by   the   United
  States commission who went to Canada to treat with them that they would
  not be punished if they  returned; no   sooner had   Gall come   down than   a
  part of his people were attacked; and in the spring they were all brought to
  Fort   Randall   and   held   as   military  prisoners。    From  this point they  were
  returned to Standing Rock agency。
  When   〃Buffalo   Bill〃   successfully   launched   his   first   show;   he   made
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  every effort to secure both Sitting Bull and Gall for his leading attractions。
  The   military  was   in complete   accord   with him  in   this;  for   they  still  had
  grave   suspicions   of   these   two    leaders。   While   Sitting   Bull    reluctantly
  agreed; Gall haughtily said: 〃I am not an animal to be exhibited before the
  crowd;〃 and retired to his teepee。         His spirit was much worn; and he lost
  strength from that time on。        That superb manhood dwindled; and in a few
  years he died。      He was a real hero of a free and natural people; a type that
  is never to be seen again。
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  CRAZY HORSE
  Crazy Horse was born on the Republican River about 1845。                   He was
  killed at Fort Robinson; Nebraska; in 1877; so that he lived barely thirty…
  three years。
  He was an uncommonly handsome man。                  While not the equal of Gall
  in   magnificence      and   imposing     stature;   he  was    physically    perfect;   an
  Apollo      in  symmetry。       Furthermore       he   was    a  true   type   of   Indian
  refinement and grace。        He was modest and courteous as Chief Joseph; the
  difference is that he was a born warrior; while Joseph was not。                However;
  he was a gentle warrior; a true brave; who stood for the highest ideal of the
  Sioux。     Notwithstanding all that biased historians have said of him; it is
  only fair to judge a man by the estimate of his own people rather than that
  of his enemies。
  The boyhood of Crazy Horse was passed in the days when the western
  Sioux saw a white man but seldom; and then it was usually a trader or a
  soldier。    He   was   carefully   brought   up   according   to   the   tribal   customs。
  At    that   period    the   Sioux     prided    themselves     on    the   training   and
  development        of   their  sons    and   daughters;     and   not   a   step   in  that
  development   was   overlooked   as   an   excuse   to   bring   the   child   before   the
  public by giving a feast in its honor。         At such times the parents often gave
  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