indian heroes and great chieftains(印第安英雄)-第18章
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influence in making of the wily Sioux a determined enemy to the white
man。 While among his own people he was always affable and genial； he
became boastful and domineering in his dealings with the hated race。 He
once remarked that 〃if we wish to make any impression upon the pale…face；
it is necessary to put on his mask。〃
Sitting Bull joined in the attack on Fort Phil Kearny and in the
subsequent hostilities； but he accepted in good faith the treaty of 1868； and
soon after it was signed he visited Washington with Red Cloud and
Spotted Tail； on which occasion the three distinguished chiefs attracted
much attention and were entertained at dinner by President Grant and
other notables。 He considered that the life of the white man as he saw it
was no life for his people； but hoped by close adherence to the terms of
this treaty to preserve the Big Horn and Black Hills country for a
permanent hunting ground。 When gold was discovered and the
irrepressible gold seekers made their historic dash across the plains into
this forbidden paradise； then his faith in the white man's honor was gone
forever； and he took his final and most persistent stand in defense of his
nation and home。 His bitter and at the same time well…grounded and
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philosophical dislike of the conquering race is well expressed in a speech
made before the purely Indian council before referred to； upon the Powder
River。 I will give it in brief as it has been several times repeated to me by
men who were present。
〃Behold； my friends； the spring is come； the earth has gladly received
the embraces of the sun； and we shall soon see the results of their love！
Every seed is awakened； and all animal life。 It is through this mysterious
power that we too have our being； and we therefore yield to our neighbors；
even to our animal neighbors； the same right as ourselves to inhabit this
vast land。
〃Yet hear me； friends！ we have now to deal with another people； small
and feeble when our forefathers first met with them； but now great and
overbearing。 Strangely enough； they have a mind to till the soil； and the
love of possessions is a disease in them。 These people have made many
rules that the rich may break； but the poor may not！ They have a religion
in which the poor worship； but the rich will not！ They even take tithes of
the poor and weak to support the rich and those who rule。 They claim
this mother of ours； the Earth； for their own use； and fence their neighbors
away from her； and deface her with their buildings and their refuse。 They
compel her to produce out of season； and when sterile she is made to take
medicine in order to produce again。 All this is sacrilege。
〃This nation is like a spring freshet； it overruns its banks and destroys
all who are in its path。 We cannot dwell side by side。 Only seven years
ago we made a treaty by which we were assured that the buffalo country
should be left to us forever。 Now they threaten to take that from us also。
My brothers； shall we submit？ or shall we say to them： 'First kill me；
before you can take possession of my fatherland！'〃
As Sitting Bull spoke； so he felt； and he had the courage to stand by
his words。 Crazy Horse led his forces in the field； as for him； he applied
his energies to state affairs； and by his strong and aggressive personality
contributed much to holding the hostiles together。
It may be said without fear of contradiction that Sitting Bull never
killed any women or children。 He was a fair fighter； and while not
prominent in battle after his young manhood； he was the brains of the
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Sioux resistance。 He has been called a 〃medicine man〃 and a 〃dreamer。〃
Strictly speaking； he was neither of these； and the white historians are
prone to confuse the two。 A medicine man is a doctor or healer； a
dreamer is an active war prophet who leads his war party according to his
dream or prophecy。 What is called by whites 〃making medicine〃 in war
time is again a wrong conception。 Every warrior carries a bag of sacred
or lucky charms； supposed to protect the wearer alone； but it has nothing
to do with the success or safety of the party as a whole。 No one can
make any 〃medicine〃 to affect the result of a battle； although it has been
said that Sitting Bull did this at the battle of the Little Big Horn。
When Custer and Reno attacked the camp at both ends； the chief was
caught napping。 The village was in danger of surprise； and the women
and children must be placed in safety。 Like other men of his age； Sitting
Bull got his family together for flight； and then joined the warriors on the
Reno side of the attack。 Thus he was not in the famous charge against
Custer； nevertheless； his voice was heard exhorting the warriors
throughout that day。
During the autumn of 1876； after the fall of Custer； Sitting Bull was
hunted all through the Yellowstone region by the military。 The following
characteristic letter； doubtless written at his dictation by a half…breed
interpreter； was sent to Colonel Otis immediately after a daring attack
upon his wagon train。
〃I want to know what you are doing； traveling on this road。 You
scare all the buffalo away。 I want to hunt in this place。 I want you to
turn back from here。 If you don't； I will fight you again。 I want you to
leave what you have got here and turn back from here。
I am your friend
Sitting Bull。 I mean all the rations you have got and some powder。
Wish you would write me as soon as you can。〃
Otis； however； kept on and joined Colonel Miles； who followed Sitting
Bull with about four hundred soldiers。 He overtook him at last on Cedar
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Creek； near the Yellowstone； and the two met midway between the lines
for a parley。 The army report says： 〃Sitting Bull wanted peace in his own
way。〃 The truth was that he wanted nothing more than had been
guaranteed to them by the treaty of 1868 the exclusive possession of
their last hunting ground。 This the government was not now prepared to
grant； as it had been decided to place all the Indians under military control
upon the various reservations。
Since it was impossible to reconcile two such conflicting demands； the
hostiles were driven about from pillar to post for several more years； and
finally took refuge across the line in Canada； where Sitting Bull had
placed his last hope of justice and freedom for his race。 Here he was
joined from time to time by parties of malcontents from the reservation；
driven largely by starvation and ill…treatment to seek another home。 Here；
too； they were followed by United States commiss
