indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第15章
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encampments stretching out from three to four miles； each band keeping
separate camp。 On June 17； scouts came in and reported the advance of a
large body of troops under General Crook。 The council sent Crazy Horse
with seven hundred men to meet and attack him。 These were nearly all
young men； many of them under twenty； the flower of the hostile Sioux。
They set out at night so as to steal a march upon the enemy； but within
three or four miles of his camp they came unexpectedly upon some of his
Crow scouts。 There was a hurried exchange of shots； the Crows fled
back to Crook's camp； pursued by the Sioux。 The soldiers had their
warning； and it was impossible to enter the well…protected camp。 Again
and again Crazy Horse charged with his bravest men； in the attempt to
bring the troops into the open； but he succeeded only in drawing their fire。
Toward afternoon he withdrew； and returned to camp disappointed。 His
scouts remained to watch Crook's movements； and later brought word that
he had retreated to Goose Creek and seemed to have no further disposition
to disturb the Sioux。 It is well known to us that it is Crook rather than
Reno who is to be blamed for cowardice in connection with Custer's fate。
The latter had no chance to do anything； he was lucky to save himself； but
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if Crook had kept on his way； as ordered； to meet Terry； with his one
thousand regulars and two hundred Crow and Shoshone scouts； he would
inevitably have intercepted Custer in his advance and saved the day for
him； and war with the Sioux would have ended right there。 Instead of
this； he fell back upon Fort Meade； eating his horses on the way； in a
country swarming with game； for fear of Crazy Horse and his braves！
The Indians now crossed the divide between the Tongue and the Little
Big Horn； where they felt safe from immediate pursuit。 Here； with all
their precautions； they were caught unawares by General Custer； in the
midst of their midday games and festivities； while many were out upon the
daily hunt。
On this twenty…fifth of June； 1876； the great camp was scattered for
three miles or more along the level river bottom； back of the thin line of
cottonwoods five circular rows of teepees； ranging from half a mile to a
mile and a half in circumference。 Here and there stood out a large； white；
solitary teepee； these were the lodges or 〃clubs〃 of the young men。
Crazy Horse was a member of the 〃Strong Hearts〃 and the 〃Tokala〃 or
Fox lodge。 He was watching a game of ring…toss when the warning came
from the southern end of the camp of the approach of troops。
The Sioux and the Cheyennes were 〃minute men〃； and although taken
by surprise； they instantly responded。 Meanwhile； the women and
children were thrown into confusion。 Dogs were howling； ponies
running hither and thither； pursued by their owners； while many of the old
men were singing their lodge songs to encourage the warriors； or praising
the 〃strong heart〃 of Crazy Horse。
That leader had quickly saddled his favorite war pony and was starting
with his young men for the south end of the camp； when a fresh alarm
came from the opposite direction； and looking up； he saw Custer's force
upon the top of the bluff directly across the river。 As quick as a flash； he
took in the situation the enemy had planned to attack the camp at both
ends at once； and knowing that Custer could not ford the river at that point；
he instantly led his men northward to the ford to cut him off。 The
Cheyennes followed closely。 Custer must have seen that wonderful dash
up the sage…bush plain； and one wonders whether he realized its meaning。
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In a very few minutes； this wild general of the plains had outwitted one of
the most brilliant leaders of the Civil War and ended at once his military
career and his life。
In this dashing charge； Crazy Horse snatched his most famous victory
out of what seemed frightful peril； for the Sioux could not know how
many were behind Custer。 He was caught in his own trap。 To the
soldiers it must have seemed as if the Indians rose up from the earth to
overwhelm them。 They closed in from three sides and fought until not a
white man was left alive。 Then they went down to Reno's stand and
found him so well intrenched in a deep gully that it was impossible to
dislodge him。 Gall and his men held him there until the approach of
General Terry compelled the Sioux to break camp and scatter in different
directions。
While Sitting Bull was pursued into Canada； Crazy Horse and the
Cheyennes wandered about； comparatively undisturbed； during the rest of
that year； until in the winter the army surprised the Cheyennes； but did not
do them much harm； possibly because they knew that Crazy Horse was
not far off。 His name was held in wholesome respect。 From time to
time； delegations of friendly Indians were sent to him； to urge him to come
in to the reservation； promising a full hearing and fair treatment。
For some time he held out； but the rapid disappearance of the buffalo；
their only means of support； probably weighed with him more than any
other influence。 In July； 1877； he was finally prevailed upon to come in
to Fort Robinson； Nebraska； with several thousand Indians； most of them
Ogallala and Minneconwoju Sioux； on the distinct understanding that the
government would hear and adjust their grievances。
At this juncture General Crook proclaimed Spotted Tail； who had
rendered much valuable service to the army； head chief of the Sioux；
which was resented by many。 The attention paid Crazy Horse was
offensive to Spotted Tail and the Indian scouts； who planned a conspiracy
against him。 They reported to General Crook that the young chief would
murder him at the next council； and stampede the Sioux into another war。
He was urged not to attend the council and did not； but sent another officer
to represent him。 Meanwhile the friends of Crazy Horse discovered the
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plot and told him of it。 His reply was； 〃Only cowards are murderers。〃
His wife was critically ill at the time； and he decided to take her to her
parents at Spotted Tail agency； whereupon his enemies circulated the story
that he had fled； and a party of scouts was sent after him。 They overtook
him riding with his wife and one other but did not undertake to arrest him；
and after he had left the sick woman with her people he went to call on
Captain Lea； the agent for the Brules； accompanied by all the warriors of
the Minneconwoju band。 This volunteer escort made an imposing
appearance on horseback； shouting and singing； and in the words
