indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第12章
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and he beat a hasty retreat。 The boys always looked upon this incident as
an omen。
Gall had an amiable disposition but was quick to resent insult or
injustice。 This sometimes involved him in difficulties； but he seldom
fought without good cause and was popular with his associates。 One of
his characteristics was his ability to organize； and this was a large factor in
his leadership when he became a man。 He was tried in many ways； and
never was known to hesitate when it was a question of physical courage
and endurance。 He entered the public service early in life； but not until
he had proved himself competent and passed all tests。
When a mere boy； he was once scouting for game in midwinter； far
from camp； and was overtaken by a three days' blizzard。 He was forced
to abandon his horse and lie under the snow for that length of time。 He
afterward said he was not particularly hungry； it was thirst and stiffness
from which he suffered most。 One reason the Indian so loved his horse
or dog was that at such times the animal would stay by him like a brother。
On this occasion Gall's pony was not more than a stone's throw away
when the storm subsided and the sun shone。 There was a herd of buffalo
in plain sight； and the young hunter was not long in procuring a meal。
This chief's contemporaries still recall his wrestling match with the
equally powerful Cheyenne boy； Roman Nose； who afterward became a
chief well known to American history。 It was a custom of the
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northwestern Indians； when two friendly tribes camped together； to
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；〃 an
