EVERYage，everyrace，hasitsleadersandheroes。TherewereoversixtydistincttribesofIndiansonthiscontinent，eachofwhichboasteditsnotablemen。ThenamesanddeedsofsomeofthesemenwillliveinAmericanhistory，yetinthetruesensetheyareunknown，becausemisunderstood。Ishouldliketopresentsomeofthegreatestchiefsofmoderntimesinthelightofthenativecharacterandideals，believingthattheAmericanpeoplewillgladlydothemtardyjustice。
ItismatterofhistorythattheSiouxnation，towhichI
belong，wasoriginallyfriendlytotheCaucasianpeopleswhichitmetinsuccession-first，tothesouththeSpaniards;thentheFrench，ontheMississippiRiverandalongtheGreatLakes;latertheEnglish，andfinallytheAmericans。ThispowerfultribethenroamedoverthewholeextentoftheMississippivalley，betweenthatriverandtheRockies。Theirusagesandgovernmentunitedthevariousbandsmorecloselythanwasthecasewithmanyoftheneighboringtribes。
Duringtheearlypartofthenineteenthcentury，chiefssuchasWabashaw，Redwing，andLittleSixamongtheeasternSioux，ConqueringBear，Man-Afraid-of-His-Horse，andHumpofthewesternbands，werethelastoftheoldtype。Afterthese，wehaveacoterieofnewleaders，productsofthenewconditionsbroughtaboutbyclosecontactwiththeconqueringrace。
Thisdistinctionmustbeborneinmind——thatwhiletheearlychiefswerespokesmenandleadersinthesimplestsense，possessingnorealauthority，thosewhoheadedtheirtribesduringthetransitionperiodweremoreorlessrulersandmoreorlesspoliticians。Itisasingularfactthatmanyofthe"chiefs"，wellknownassuchtotheAmericanpublic，werenotchiefsatallaccordingtotheacceptedusagesoftheirtribesmen。Theirprominencewassimplytheresultofanabnormalsituation，inwhichrepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesGovernmentmadeuseofthemforadefinitepurpose。Inafewcases，whereachiefmetwithaviolentdeath，someambitiousmanhastakenadvantageoftheconfusiontothrusthimselfuponthetribeand，perhapswithoutsidehelp，hassucceededinusurpingtheleadership。
RedCloudwasbornabout1820neartheforksofthePlatteRiver。Hewasoneofafamilyofninechildrenwhosefather，anableandrespectedwarrior，rearedhissonundertheoldSpartanregime。TheyoungRedCloudissaidtohavebeenafinehorseman，abletoswimacrosstheMissouriandYellowstonerivers，ofhighbearingandunquestionablecourage，yetinvariablygentleandcourteousineverydaylife。Thislasttrait，togetherwithasingularlymusicalandagreeablevoice，hasalwaysbeencharacteristicoftheman。
Whenhewasaboutsixyearsold，hisfathergavehimaspiritedcolt，andsaidtohim：
"Myson，whenyouareabletositquietlyuponthebackofthiscoltwithoutsaddleorbridle，Ishallbeglad，fortheboywhocanwinawildcreatureandlearntouseitwillasamanbeabletowinandrulemen。"
Thelittlefellow，insteadofgoingforadviceandhelptohisgrandfather，asmostIndianboyswouldhavedone，beganquietlytopracticethrowingthelariat。Inalittlewhilehewasabletolassothecolt。Hewasdraggedoffhisfeetatonce，buthungon，andfinallymanagedtopickethimneartheteepee。Whenthebigboysdrovetheherdofponiestowater，hedrovehiscoltwiththerest。Presentlytheponybecameusedtohimandallowedhimselftobehandled。Theboybegantoridehimbareback;hewasthrownmanytimes，butpersisteduntilhecouldridewithoutevenalariat，sittingwitharmsfoldedandguidingtheanimalbythemovementsofhisbody。Fromthattimeonhetoldmethathebrokeallhisownponies，andbeforelonghisfather’saswell。
Theoldmen，hiscontemporaries，haveoftenrelatedtomehowRedCloudwasalwayssuccessfulinthehuntbecausehishorsesweresowellbroken。Attheageofnine，hebegantoridehisfather’spackponyuponthebuffalohunt。Hewastwelveyearsold，hetoldme，whenhewasfirstpermittedtotakepartinthechase，andfoundtohisgreatmortificationthatnoneofhisarrowspenetratedmorethanafewinches。Excitedtorecklessness，hewhippedhishorsenearerthefleeingbuffalo，andbeforehisfatherknewwhathewasabout，hehadseizedoneoftheprotrudingarrowsandtriedtopushitdeeper。Thefuriousanimaltossedhismassiveheadsidewise，andboyandhorsewerewhirledintotheair。
Fortunately，theboywasthrownonthefarthersideofhispony，whichreceivedthefullforceofthesecondattack。Thethunderinghoofsofthestampededherdsoonpassedthemby，butthewoundedandmaddenedbuffalorefusedtomove，andsomecriticalmomentspassedbeforeRedCloud’sfathersucceededinattractingitsattentionsothattheboymightspringtohisfeetandrunforhislife。
IonceaskedRedCloudifhecouldrecallhavingeverbeenafraid，andinreplyhetoldmethisstory。Hewasaboutsixteenyearsoldandhadalreadybeenonceortwiceuponthewarpath，whenonefallhispeoplewerehuntingintheBigHorncountry，wheretheymightexpecttroubleatanymomentwiththehostileCrowsorShoshones。RedCloudhadfollowedasinglebuffalobullintotheBadLandsandwasoutofsightandhearingofhiscompanions。Whenhehadbroughtdownhisgame，henotedcarefullyeveryfeatureofhissurroundingssothathemightatoncedetectanythingunusual，andtiedhishorsewithalonglariattothehornofthedeadbison，whileskinningandcuttingupthemeatsoastopackittocamp。Everyfewminuteshepausedinhisworktoscrutinizethelandscape，forhehadafeelingthatdangerwasnotfaroff。
Suddenly，almostoverhishead，asitseemed，heheardatremendouswarwhoop，andglancingsidewise，thoughthebeheldthechargeofanoverwhelmingnumberofwarriors。Hetrieddesperatelytogivetheusualundauntedwarwhoopinreply，butinsteadayellofterrorburstfromhislips，hislegsgavewayunderhim，andhefellinaheap。Whenherealized，thenextinstant，thatthewarwhoopwasmerelythesuddenloudwhinnyingofhisownhorse，andthechargingarmyabandoffleeingelk，hewassoashamedofhimselfthatheneverforgottheincident，althoughuptothattimehehadnevermentionedit。Hissubsequentcareerwouldindicatethatthelessonwaswelllearned。
ThefutureleaderwasstillaveryyoungmanwhenhejoinedawarpartyagainsttheUtes。Havingpushedeagerlyforwardonthetrail，hefoundhimselffarinadvanceofhiscompanionsasnightcameon，andatthesametimerainbegantofallheavily。Amongthescatteredscrubpines，thelonewarriorfoundanaturalcave，andafterahastyexamination，hedecidedtoshelterthereforthenight。
Scarcelyhadherolledhimselfinhisblanketwhenheheardaslightrustlingattheentrance，asifsomecreaturewerepreparingtosharehisretreat。Itwaspitchdark。Hecouldseenothing，butjudgedthatitmustbeeitheramanoragrizzly。Therewasnotroomtodrawabow。Itmustbebetweenknifeandknife，orbetweenknifeandclaws，hesaidtohimself。
Theintrudermadenosearchbutquietlylaydownintheoppositecornerofthecave。RedCloudremainedperfectlystill，scarcelybreathing，hishanduponhisknife。Hourafterhourhelaybroadawake，whilemanythoughtspassedthroughhisbrain。
Suddenly，withoutwarning，hesneezed，andinstantlyastrongmansprangtoasittingpostureopposite。Thefirstgrayofmorningwascreepingintotheirrockyden，andbehold！aUtehuntersatbeforehim。
Desperateasthesituationappeared，itwasnotwithoutagrimhumor。Neithercouldaffordtotakehiseyesfromtheother’s;thetensionwasgreat，tillatlastasmilewaveredovertheexpressionlessfaceoftheUte。RedCloudansweredthesmile，andinthatinstantatreatyofpeacewasbornbetweenthem。
"Putyourknifeinitssheath。Ishalldosoalso，andwewillsmoketogether，"signedRedCloud。Theotherassentedgladly，andtheyratifiedthusthetrucewhichassuredtoeachasafereturntohisfriends。Havingfinishedtheirsmoke，theyshookhandsandseparated。Neitherhadgiventheotheranyinformation。
RedCloudreturnedtohispartyandtoldhisstory，addingthathehaddivulgednothingandhadnothingtoreport。Somewereinclinedtocensurehimfornotfighting，buthewassustainedbyamajorityofthewarriors，whocommendedhisself-restraint。Inadayortwotheydiscoveredthemaincampoftheenemyandfoughtaremarkablebattle，inwhichRedCloudespeciallydistinguishedhimselfTheSiouxwerenowenteringuponthemoststormyperiodoftheirhistory。Theoldthingswerefastgivingplacetonew。Theyoungmen，forthefirsttimeengaginginseriousanddestructivewarfarewiththeneighboringtribes，armedwiththedeadlyweaponsfurnishedbythewhiteman，begantorealizethattheymustsoonenteruponadesperatestrugglefortheirancestralhuntinggrounds。Theoldmenhadbeeninnocentlycultivatingthefriendshipofthestranger，sayingamongthemselves，"Surelythereislandenoughforall！"
RedCloudwasamodestandlittleknownmanofabouttwenty-eightyears，whenGeneralHarneycalledallthewesternbandsofSiouxtogetheratFortLaramie，Wyoming，forthepurposeofsecuringanagreementandrightofwaythroughtheirterritory。
TheOgallalasheldalooffromthisproposal，butBearBull，anOgallalachief，afterhavingbeenpliedwithwhisky，undertooktodictatesubmissiontotherestoftheclan。Enragedbyfailure，hefireduponagroupofhisowntribesmen，andRedCloud’sfatherandbrotherfelldead。AccordingtoIndiancustom，itfelltohimtoavengethedeed。Calmly，withoututteringaword，hefacedoldBearBullandhisson，whoattemptedtodefendhisfather，andshotthemboth。Hedidwhathebelievedtobehisduty，andthewholebandsustainedhim。Indeed，thetragedygavetheyoungmanatonceacertainstanding，asonewhonotonlydefendedhispeopleagainstenemiesfromwithout，butagainstinjusticeandaggressionwithinthetribe。Fromthistimeonhewasarecognizedleader。
Man-Afraid-of-His-Horse，thenheadchiefoftheOgallalas，tookcouncilwithRedCloudinallimportantmatters，andtheyoungwarriorrapidlyadvancedinauthorityandinfluence。In1854，whenhewasbarelythirty-fiveyearsold，thevariousbandswereagainencampednearFortLaramie。AMormonemigranttrain，movingwestward，leftafootsorecowbehind，andtheyoungmenkilledherforfood。Thenextday，totheirastonishment，anofficerwiththirtymenappearedattheIndiancampanddemandedofoldConqueringBearthattheybegivenup。Thechiefinvainprotestedthatitwasallamistakeandofferedtomakereparation。Itwouldseemthateithertheofficerwasundertheinfluenceofliquor，orelsehadamindtobullytheIndians，forhewouldacceptneitherexplanationnorpayment，butdemandedpoint-blankthattheyoungmenwhohadkilledthecowbedelivereduptosummarypunishment。
Theoldchiefrefusedtobeintimidatedandwasshotdeadonthespot。NotonesoldiereverreachedthegateofFortLaramie！HereRedCloudledtheyoungOgallalas，andsointensewasthefeelingthattheyevenkilledthehalf-breedinterpreter。
Curiouslyenough，therewasnoattemptatretaliationonthepartofthearmy，andnoseriousbreakuntil1860，whentheSiouxwereinvolvedintroubleswiththeCheyennesandArapahoes。In1862，agraveoutbreakwasprecipitatedbytheeasternSiouxinMinnesotaunderLittleCrow，inwhichthewesternbandstooknopart。Yetthiseventusheredinanewperiodfortheirrace。ThesurveyorsoftheUnionPacificwerelayingouttheproposedroadthroughtheheartofthesouthernbuffalocountry，therendezvousofOgallalas，Brules，Arapahoes，Comanches，andPawnees，whofollowedthebuffaloasameansoflivelihood。Tobesure，mostofthesetribeswereatwarwithoneanother，yetduringthesummermonthstheymetoftentoproclaimatruceandholdjointcouncilsandfestivities，whichwerenowlargelyturnedintodiscussionsofthecommonenemy。Itbecameevident，however，thatsomeofthesmallerandweakertribeswereinclinedtowelcometheneworderofthings，recognizingthatitwasthepolicyofthegovernmenttoputanendtotribalwarfare。
RedCloud’spositionwasuncompromisinglyagainstsubmission。
Hemadesomenotedspeechesinthisline，oneofwhichwasrepeatedtomebyanoldmanwhohadheardandremembereditwiththeremarkableverbalmemoryofanIndian。
"Friends，"saidRedCloud，"ithasbeenourmisfortunetowelcomethewhiteman。Wehavebeendeceived。Hebroughtwithhimsomeshiningthingsthatpleasedoureyes;hebroughtweaponsmoreeffectivethanourown：aboveall，hebroughtthespiritwaterthatmakesoneforgetforatimeoldage，weakness，andsorrow。ButI
wishtosaytoyouthatifyouwouldpossessthesethingsforyourselves，youmustbeginanewandputawaythewisdomofyourfathers。Youmustlayupfood，andforgetthehungry。Whenyourhouseisbuilt，yourstoreroomfilled，thenlookaroundforaneighborwhomyoucantakeatadisadvantage，andseizeallthathehas！Giveawayonlywhatyoudonotwant;orrather，donotpartwithanyofyourpossessionsunlessinexchangeforanother’s。
"Mycountrymen，shalltheglitteringtrinketsofthisrichman，hisdeceitfuldrinkthatovercomesthemind，shallthesethingstemptustogiveupourhomes，ourhuntinggrounds，andthehonorableteachingofouroldmen？Shallwepermitourselvestobedriventoandfro——tobeherdedlikethecattleofthewhiteman？"
Hisnextspeechthathasbeenrememberedwasmadein1866，justbeforetheattackonFortPhilKearny。Thetensionoffeelingagainsttheinvadershadnowreacheditsheight。TherewasnodissentingvoiceinthecounciluponthePowderRiver，whenitwasdecidedtoopposetotheuttermosttheevidentpurposeofthegovernment。RedCloudwasnotaltogetherignorantofthenumericalstrengthandtheresourcefulnessofthewhiteman，buthewasdeterminedtofaceanyoddsratherthansubmit。
"Hearye，Dakotas！"heexclaimed。"WhentheGreatFatheratWashingtonsentushischiefsoldier[GeneralHarney]toaskforapaththroughourhuntinggrounds，awayforhisironroadtothemountainsandthewesternsea，weweretoldthattheywishedmerelytopassthroughourcountry，nottotarryamongus，buttoseekforgoldinthefarwest。Ouroldchiefsthoughttoshowtheirfriendshipandgoodwill，whentheyallowedthisdangeroussnakeinourmidst。Theypromisedtoprotectthewayfarers。
"Yetbeforetheashesofthecouncilfirearecold，theGreatFatherisbuildinghisfortsamongus。Youhaveheardthesoundofthewhitesoldier’saxupontheLittlePiney。Hispresencehereisaninsultandathreat。Itisaninsulttothespiritsofourancestors。Arewethentogiveuptheirsacredgravestobeplowedforcorn？Dakotas，Iamforwar！"
Inlessthanaweekafterthisspeech，theSiouxadvanceduponFortPhilKearny，thenewsentinelthathadjusttakenherplaceuponthefarthestfrontier，guardingtheOregonTrail。Everydetailoftheattackhadbeenplannedwithcare，thoughnotwithoutheateddiscussion，andnearlyeverywell-knownSiouxchiefhadagreedinstrikingtheblow。Thebrilliantyoungwarleader，CrazyHorse，wasappointedtoleadthecharge。HislieutenantswereSword，Hump，andDullKnife，withLittleChiefoftheCheyennes，whiletheoldermenactedascouncilors。Theirsuccesswasinstantaneous。Inlessthanhalfanhour，theyhadcutdownnearlyahundredmenunderCaptainFetterman，whomtheydrewoutofthefortbyaruseandthenannihilated。
Insteadofsendingtroopstopunish，thegovernmentsentacommissiontotreatwiththeSioux。Theresultwasthefamoustreatyof1868，whichRedCloudwasthelasttosign，havingrefusedtodosountilallofthefortswithintheirterritoryshouldbevacated。Allofhisdemandswereaccededto，thenewroadabandoned，thegarrisonswithdrawn，andinthenewtreatyitwasdistinctlystatedthattheBlackHillsandtheBigHornwereIndiancountry，setapartfortheirperpetualoccupancy，andthatnowhitemanshouldenterthatregionwithouttheconsentoftheSioux。
Scarcelywasthistreatysigned，however，whengoldwasdiscoveredintheBlackHills，andthepopularcrywas："RemovetheIndians！"Thiswaseasiersaidthandone。Thatveryterritoryhadjustbeensolemnlyguaranteedtothemforever：yethowstemtheirresistiblerushforgold？Thegovernment，atfirst，enteredsomesmallprotest，justenoughto"saveitsface"asthesayingis;buttherewasnoseriousattempttopreventthewholesaleviolationofthetreaty。ItwasthisstateofaffairsthatledtothelastgreatspeechmadebyRedCloud，atagatheringupontheLittleRosebudRiver。Itisbrief，andtouchesuponthehopelessnessoftheirfutureasarace。Heseemsataboutthistimetohavereachedtheconclusionthatresistancecouldnotlastmuchlonger;
infact，thegreaterpartoftheSiouxnationwasalreadyundergovernmentcontrol。
"Wearetold，"saidhe，"thatSpottedTailhasconsentedtobetheBeggars’Chief。ThoseIndianswhogoovertothewhitemancanbenothingbutbeggars，forherespectsonlyriches，andhowcananIndianbearichman？HecannotwithoutceasingtobeanIndian。
Asforme，IhavelistenedpatientlytothepromisesoftheGreatFather，buthismemoryisshort。Iamnowdonewithhim。ThisisallIhavetosay。"
Thewilderbandsseparatedsoonafterthiscouncil，tofollowthedriftofthebuffalo，someinthevicinityoftheBlackHillsandothersintheBigHornregion。Smallwarpartiescamedownfromtimetotimeuponstraytravelers，whoreceivednomercyattheirhands，ormadedashesuponneighboringforts。RedCloudclaimedtherighttoguardandholdbyforce，ifneedbe，allthisterritorywhichhadbeenconcededtohispeoplebythetreatyof1868。Thelandbecameaverynestofoutlawry。Asidefromorganizedpartiesofprospectors，therewerebandsofwhitehorsethievesanddesperadoeswhotookadvantageofthesituationtoplunderimmigrantsandIndiansalike。
AnattemptwasmadebymeansofmilitarycampstoestablishcontrolandforcealltheIndiansuponreservations，andanothercommissionwassenttonegotiatetheirremovaltoIndianTerritory，butmetwithanabsoluterefusal。Aftermuchguerrillawarfare，animportantmilitarycampaignagainsttheSiouxwassetonfootin1876，endinginCuster’ssignaldefeatupontheLittleBigHorn。
Inthisnotablebattle，RedClouddidnotparticipateinperson，norintheearlieronewithCrookupontheLittleRosebud，buthehadasoninbothfights。Hewasnowacouncilorratherthanawarrior，buthisyoungmenwereconstantlyinthefield，whileSpottedTailhaddefinitelysurrenderedandwasinclosetouchwithrepresentativesofthegovernment。
Buttheinevitableendwasnear。Onemorninginthefallof1876RedCloudwassurroundedbyUnitedStatestroopsunderthecommandofColonelMcKenzie，whodisarmedhispeopleandbroughtthemintoFortRobinson，Nebraska。ThencetheywereremovedtothePineRidgeagency，wherehelivedformorethanthirtyyearsasa"reservationIndian。"Inordertohumiliatehimfurther，governmentauthoritiesproclaimedthemoretractableSpottedTailheadchiefoftheSioux。Ofcourse，RedCloud’sownpeopleneverrecognizedanyotherchief。
In1880heappealedtoProfessorMarsh，ofYale，headofascientificexpeditiontotheBadLands，chargingcertainfraudsattheagencyandapparentlyprovinghiscase;atanyratethematterwasconsideredworthyofofficialinvestigation。In1890-1891，duringthe"GhostDancecraze"andthedifficultiesthatfollowed，hewassuspectedofcollusionwiththehostiles，buthedidnotjointhemopenly，andnothingcouldbeprovedagainsthim。Hewasalreadyanoldman，andbecamealmostentirelyblindbeforehisdeathin1909inhisninetiethyear。
Hisprivatelifewasexemplary。Hewasfaithfultoonewifeallhisdays，andwasadevotedfathertohischildren。Hewasambitiousforhisonlyson，knownasJackRedCloud，andmuchdesiredhimtobeagreatwarrior。Hestartedhimonthewarpathattheageoffifteen，notthenrealizingthatthedaysofIndianwarfarewerewell-nighatanend。
Amonglatter-daychiefs，RedCloudwasnotableasaquietman，simpleanddirectinspeech，courageousinaction，anardentloverofhiscountry，andpossessedinamarkeddegreeofthemanlyqualitiescharacteristicoftheAmericanIndianinhisbestdays。
SPOTTEDTAIL
AmongtheSiouxchiefsofthe"transitionperiod"onlyonewasshrewdenoughtoreadcomingeventsintheirtruelight。ItissaidofSpottedTailthathewasratheraslow-movingboy，preferringintheirvariousgamesandmimicbattlestoplaytheroleofcouncilor，toplanandassigntotheotherstheirpartsinthefray。Thishedidsocleverlythathesoonbecamealeaderamonghisyouthfulcontemporaries;andwithalhewasaptatmimicryandimpersonation，sothattheotherboyswereaccustomedtosayofhim，"Hehashisgrandfather’switandthewisdomofhisgrandmother！"
SpottedTailwasanorphan，rearedbyhisgrandparents，andatanearlyagecompelledtoshiftforhimself。Thushewassomewhatatadisadvantageamongtheotherboys;yeteventhisfactmayhavehelpedtodevelopinhimcourageandingenuity。Onelittleincidentofhisboylife，occurringatabouthistenthyear，ischaracteristicoftheman。Inthemidstofagame，twoboysbecameinvolvedinadisputewhichpromisedtobeaseriousone，asbothdrewknives。TheyoungSpottedTailinstantlybegantocry，"TheShoshonesareuponus！Toarms！toarms！"andtheotherboysjoinedinthewarwhoop。Thisdistractedtheattentionofthecombatantsandendedtheaffair。
Uponthewhole，hisboyhoodisnotsowellrememberedasisthatofmostofhisleadingcontemporaries，probablybecausehehadnoparentstobringhimfrequentlybeforethepeople，aswasthecustomwiththewellborn，whoseeverystepintheirprogresstowardmanhoodwaspubliclyannouncedatafeastgivenintheirhonor。Itisknown，however，thathebeganatanearlyagetocarveoutapositionforhimself。Itispersonalqualitiesalonethattellamongourpeople，andtheyouthfulSpottedTailgainedateveryturn。Attheageofseventeen，hehadbecomeasureshotandacleverhunter;but，aboveall，hehadalreadyshownthathepossessedasuperiormind。Hehadcomeintocontactwithwhitepeopleatthevarioustradingposts，andaccordingtohisownstoryhadmadeacarefulstudyofthewhiteman’shabitsandmodesofthought，especiallyofhispeculiartraitofeconomyandintensedesiretoaccumulateproperty。Hewasaccustomedtowatchcloselyandlistenattentivelywheneveranyofthisstrangeracehaddealingswithhispeople。Whenacouncilwasheld，andtheotheryoungmenstoodatadistancewiththeirrobesovertheirfacessoastoavoidrecognition，SpottedTailalwaysputhimselfinapositiontohearallthatwassaidoneitherside，andweighedalltheargumentsinhismind。
Whenhefirstwentuponthewarpath，itappearsthathewas，ifanything，overzealoustoestablishhimselfintheeyeofhispeople;andasamatteroffact，itwasespeciallyhardforhimtogainanassuredpositionamongtheBrules，withwhomhelived，bothbecausehewasanorphan，andbecausehisfatherhadbeenofanotherband。Yetitwasnotlongbeforehehadachievedhisambition，thoughindoingsohereceivedseveraluglywounds。ItwasinabattlewiththeUtesthathefirstnotablyservedhispeopleandtheircause。
TheUtesweretheattackingpartyandfaroutnumberedtheSiouxonthisoccasion。Manyoftheirbravestyoungmenhadfallen，andtheBruleswerefacetofacewithutterannihilation，whenSpottedTail，withahandfulofdaringhorsemen，dodgedaroundtheenemy’sflankandfelluponthemfromtherearwithsomuchspiritthattheysupposedthatstrongreinforcementshadarrived，andretreatedinconfusion。TheSiouxpursuedonhorseback;anditwasinthispursuitthatthenotedchiefTwoStrikegainedhishistoricalname。ButthechiefhonorsofthefightbelongedtoSpottedTail。Theoldchiefs，ConqueringBearandtherest，thankedhimandatoncemadehimawarchief。
IthadbeenthefirmbeliefofSpottedTailthatitwasunwisetoallowthewhitemansomuchfreedominourcountry，longbeforetheolderchiefssawanyharminit。AftertheopeningoftheOregonTrailhe，abovealltheothers，waswatchfuloftheconductoftheAmericansastheyjourneyedtowardthesettingsun，andmorethanonceheremarkedincouncilthatthesewhitemenwerenotliketheFrenchandtheSpanish，withwhomouroldchiefshadbeenusedtodeal。HewasnotfullysatisfiedwiththeagreementwithGeneralHarney;butasayoungwarriorwhohadonlyjustgainedhispositioninthecouncil，hecouldnotforcehisviewsupontheoldermen。
NosoonerhadtheOregonTrailbeensecuredfromtheSiouxthanFortLaramieandotherfrontierpostswerestrengthened，andthesoldiersbecamemoreinsolentandoverbearingthanever。ItwassoondiscoveredthatthewhiteswerepreparedtoviolatemostofthearticlesoftheirtreatyastheIndiansunderstoodit。Atthistime，thepresenceofmanyMormonemigrantsontheirwaytothesettlementsinUtahandWyomingaddedtotheperilsofthesituation，astheyconstantlymaneuveredforpurposesoftheirowntobringaboutaclashbetweenthesoldiersandtheIndians。Everysummertherewerestorm-cloudsblowingbetweenthesetwo——cloudsusuallytakingtheirriseinsomeaffairofthetravelersalongthetrail。
In1854aneventoccurredwhichhasalreadybeendescribedandwhichsnappedthelastlinkoffriendshipbetweentheraces。
BythistimeSpottedTailhadprovedhiscouragebothabroadandathome。Hehadfoughtaduelwithoneofthelesserchiefs，bywhomhewasattacked。Hekilledhisopponentwithanarrow，buthimselfreceiveduponhisheadablowfromabattle-axewhichbroughthimsenselesstotheground。Hewasleftfordead，butfortunatelyrevivedjustasthemenwerepreparinghisbodyforburial。
TheBrulessustainedhiminthisquarrel，ashehadactedinself-defense;andforafewyearsheledtheminbloodyraidsagainstthewhitesalongthehistorictrail。Heambushedmanystagecoachesandemigranttrains，andwasresponsibleforwaylayingtheKincaidcoachwithtwentythousanddollars。ThisrelentlessharryingoftravelerssoonbroughtGeneralHarneytotheBruleSiouxtodemandexplanationsandreparation。
TheoldchiefsoftheBrulesnowappealedtoSpottedTailandhisyoungwarriorsnottobringanygeneralcalamityuponthetribe。Tothesurpriseofall，SpottedTaildeclaredthathewouldgivehimselfup。Hesaidthathehaddefendedtherightsofhispeopletothebestofhisability，thathehadavengedthebloodoftheirchief，ConqueringBear，andthathewasnotafraidtoaccepttheconsequences。HethereforevoluntarilysurrenderedtoGeneralHarney，andtwoofhislieutenants，RedLeafandOldWoman，followedhisexample。
ThusSpottedTailplayedanimportantpartattheveryoutsetofthoseeventswhichweresoontooverthrowthefreelifeofhispeople。Idonotknowhowfarheforesawwhatwastofollow;butwhethersoconceivedornot，hissurrenderwasamasterstroke，winningforhimnotonlytheadmirationofhisownpeoplebuttheconfidenceandrespectofthemilitary。
Thussuddenlyhefoundhimselfinprison，ahostageforthegoodbehaviorofhisfollowers。Thereweremanyrumorsastothepunishmentreservedforhim;butluckilyforSpottedTail，thepromisesofGeneralHarneytotheBrulechiefsinrespecttohimwerefaithfullykept。Oneofhisfellow-prisonerscommittedsuicide，buttheotherheldoutbravelyforthetwo-yeartermofhisimprisonment。Duringthesecondyear，itwaswellunderstoodthatneitherofthemensoughttoescape，andtheyweregivenmuchfreedom。ItwasfineschoolingforSpottedTail，thattirelessobserverofthewaysofthewhiteman！Itisafactthathisengagingpersonalqualitieswonforhimkindnessandsympathyatthefortbeforethetimecameforhisrelease。
OnedaysomeIndianhorsethievesofanothertribestampededthehorsesandmulesbelongingtothegarrison。SpottedTailaskedpermissionofthecommandingofficertoaccompanythepursuers。
Thatofficer，trustinginthehonorofaSiouxbrave，gavehimafasthorseandagoodcarbine，andsaidtohim："Idependuponyoutoguidemysoldierssothattheymayovertakethethievesandrecapturethehorses！"
Thesoldiersrecapturedthehorseswithoutanyloss，butSpottedTailstillfollowedtheIndians。Whentheyreturnedtothefortwithouthim，everybodyagreedthathewouldneverturnup。
However，nextdayhedid"turnup"，withthescalpofoneofthemarauders！
Soonafterthishewasreturnedtohisownpeople，whohonoredhimbymakinghimthesuccessoroftheoldchief，ConqueringBear，whosebloodhehadavenged，forwhichacthehadtakenuponhimselfthefullresponsibility。Hehadmadegooduseofhistwoyearsatthefort，andcompletedhisstudiesofcivilizationtohisownsatisfaction。FromthistimeonhewasdesirousofreconcilingtheIndianandthewhiteman，thoroughlyunderstandingtheuselessnessofopposition。Hewasaccordinglyinconstantcommunicationwiththemilitary;buttheotherchiefsdidnotunderstandhisviewsandseemtohavebeensuspiciousofhismotives。
In1860-1864theSouthernCheyennesandComancheswereatwarwiththewhites，andsomeoftheBrulesandOgallalas，whoweretheirneighborsandintimates，weresuspectedofcomplicitywiththehostiles。Doubtlessafewoftheiryoungmenmayhavebeeninvolved;atanyrate，ThunderBearandTwoFace，togetherwithafewotherswhowererovingwiththewarringtribes，purchasedtwocaptivewhitewomenandbroughtthemtoFortLaramie。Itwas，however，reportedatthepostthatthesetwomenhadmaltreatedthewomenwhileundertheircare。
Ofcourse，thecommanderdemandedofSpottedTail，thenheadchief，thathegiveuptheguiltyones，andaccordinglyhehadthetwomenarrestedanddeliveredatthefort。Atthistherewasanoutcryamonghisownpeople;buthearguedthatifthechargesweretrue，themendeservedpunishment，andiffalse，theyshouldbetriedandclearedbyprocessoflaw。TheIndiansneverquiteknewwhatevidencewasproducedatthecourt-martial，butatalleventsthetwomenwerehanged，andastheyhadmanyinfluentialconnections，theirrelativeslostnotimeinfomentingtrouble。
TheSiouxwerethencampingclosebythefortanditwasmidwinter，whichfactsheldthemincheckforamonthortwo;butassoonasspringcame，theyremovedtheircampacrosstheriverandroseinrebellion。Apitchedbattlewasfought，inwhichthesoldiersgottheworstofit。Eventheassociatechief，BigMouth，wasagainstSpottedTail，whowaspracticallyforcedagainsthiswillandjudgmenttotakeuparmsoncemore。
AtthisjuncturecamethesuddenandbloodyuprisingintheeastamongtheMinnesotaSioux，andSittingBull’scampaigninthenorthhadbeguninearnest;whiletothesouththeSouthernCheyennes，Comanches，andKiowaswerealluponthewarpath。
SpottedTailataboutthistimeseemstohaveconceivedtheideaofunitingalltheRockyMountainIndiansinagreatconfederacy。Heoncesaid："Ourcauseisasachild’scause，incomparisonwiththepowerofthewhiteman，unlesswecanstopquarrelingamongourselvesanduniteourenergiesforthecommongood。"Butold-
timeantagonismsweretoostrong;andhewasprobablyheldbackalsobyhisconsciousnessofthefactthattheIndianscalledhim"thewhiteman’sfriend"，whilethemilitarystillhadsomefaithinhimwhichhedidnotcaretolose。HewasundoubtedlyoneofthebrainiestandmostbrilliantSiouxwhoeverlived;andwhilehecouldnothelpbeingtoalargeextentinsympathywiththefeelingofhisraceagainsttheinvader，yethealoneforesawtheinevitableoutcome，andtheproblemasitpresenteditselftohimwassimplythis："Whatisthebestpolicytopursueintheexistingsituation？"
Hereishisspeechasithasbeengiventome，deliveredatthegreatcouncilonthePowderRiver，justbeforetheattackonFortPhilKearny。Wecanimaginethathethrewallhiswonderfultactandpersonalmagnetismintothislasteffortatconciliation。
"’Hay，hay，hay！Alas，alas！’Thusspeakstheoldman，whenheknowsthathisformervigorandfreedomisgonefromhimforever。Sowemayexclaimto-day，Alas！Thereisatimeappointedtoallthings。Thinkforamomenthowmanymultitudesoftheanimaltribesweourselveshavedestroyed！Lookuponthesnowthatappearsto-day——to-morrowitiswater！Listentothedirgeofthedryleaves，thatweregreenandvigorousbutafewmoonsbefore！Weareapartofthislifeanditseemsthatourtimeiscome。
"Yetnotehowthedecayofonenationinvigoratesanother。
Thisstrangewhiteman——considerhim，hisgiftsaremanifold！
Histirelessbrain，hisbusyhanddowondersforhisrace。Thosethingswhichwedespiseheholdsastreasures;yetheissogreatandsoflourishingthattheremustbesomevirtueandtruthinhisphilosophy。Iwishtosaytoyou，myfriends：Benotmovedalonebyheatedargumentsandthoughtsofrevenge！Thesearefortheyoung。Weareyoungnolonger;letusthinkwell，andgivecounselasoldmen！"
Thesewordsweregreetedwithanominoussilence。Noteventhecustomary"How！"ofassentfollowedthespeech，andSittingBullimmediatelygotupandrepliedinthecelebratedharanguewhichwillbeintroducedunderhisownnameinanotherchapter。
ThesituationwascriticalforSpottedTail——theonlymanpresenttoadvocatesubmissiontothestrongerracewhoseultimatesupremacyherecognizedascertain。ThedecisiontoattackFortPhilKearnywasunanimouswithouthim，andinordertoholdhispositionamonghistribesmenhejoinedinthecharge。Severalbulletspassedthroughhiswarbonnet，andhewasslightlywounded。
Whenthecommissionof1867-1868wassentouttonegotiatewiththeSioux，SpottedTailwasreadytomeetthem，andeagertoobtainforhispeopletheverybesttermsthathecould。Heoftenpuzzledandembarrassedthembyhisremarkablespeeches，thepointedquestionsthatheput，andhistellingallusionstoformernegotiations。MeanwhileRedCloudwouldnotcomeintothecounciluntilafterseveraldeputationsofIndianshadbeensenttohim，andSittingBulldidnotcomeatall。
Thefamoustreatywassigned，andfromthistimeonSpottedTailneveragaintookuparmsagainstthewhites。Onthecontrary，itwasmainlyattributedtohisinfluencethatthehostilesweresubduedmuchsoonerthanmighthavebeenexpected。Hecameintothereservationwithhisband，urgedhisyoungmentoenlistasgovernmentscouts，andassistedmateriallyinallnegotiations。
Thehostilechiefsnolongerinfluencedhisaction，andassoonastheyhadallbeenbroughtundermilitarycontrol，GeneralCrooknamedSpottedTailheadchiefoftheSioux，thushumiliatingRedCloudandarousingjealousyandill-feelingamongtheOgallalas。
Inordertoavoidtrouble，heprudentlyseparatedhimselffromtheotherbands，andmovedtothenewagencyonBeaverCreek（FortSheridan，Nebraska），whichwascalled"SpottedTailAgency。"
Justbeforethedaringwarleader，CrazyHorse，surrenderedtothemilitary，hewentdowntotheagencyandroundlyrebukedSpottedTailforsigningawaythefreedomofhispeople。Fromthepointofviewoftheirreconcilables，thediplomaticchiefwasa"trimmer"andatraitor;andmanyoftheSiouxhavetriedtoimplicatehimintheconspiracyagainstCrazyHorsewhichledtohisassassination，butIholdthatthefactsdonotbearoutthischarge。
ThenameofSpottedTailwasprominentlybeforethepeopleduringtherestofhislife。Anobscureorphan，hehadachieveddistinctionbyhisbraveryandsagacity;buthecopiedthewhitepoliticiantoocloselyafterheenteredthereservation。Hebecameagoodmanipulator，andwasmadeconceitedandoverbearingbytheattentionsofthemilitaryandofthegeneralpublic。Furthermore，therewasanoldfeudinhisimmediatebandwhichaffectedhimclosely。AgainsthimformanyyearswerethefollowersofBigMouth，whomhehadkilledinaduel;andalsoapartyledbyasonandanephewoftheoldchief，ConqueringBear，whomSpottedTailhadsucceededathisdeath。Thesetwomenhadhopedthatoneortheotherofthemmightobtainthesuccession。
CrowDog，thenephewofConqueringBear，morethanoncetauntedSpottedTailwiththefactthathewaschiefnotbythewillofthetribe，butbythehelpofthewhitesoldiers，andtoldhimthathewould"keepabulletforhim"incaseheeverdisgracedhishighposition。Thusretributionlayinwaitforhimwhileattheheightofhisfame。Severalhigh-handedactionsofhisatthistime，includinghiselopementwithanotherman’swife，increasedhisunpopularitywithalargeelementofhisowntribe。Ontheeveofthechief’sdepartureforWashington，tonegotiate（orsotheysuspected）forthesaleofmoreoftheirland，CrowDogtookuphisgunandfulfilledhisthreat，regardinghimself，andregardedbyhissupporters，notasamurderer，butasanexecutioner。
SuchwastheendofthemanwhomayjustlybecalledthePontiacofthewest。Hepossessedaremarkablemindandextraordinaryforesightforanuntutoredsavage;andyetheistheonlyoneofourgreatmentoberememberedwithmorehonorbythewhiteman，perhaps，thanbyhisownpeople。
LITTLECROW
ChiefLittleCrowwastheeldestsonofCetanwakuwa（ChargingHawk）。Itwasonaccountofhisfather’sname，mistranslatedCrow，thathewascalledbythewhites"LittleCrow。"HisrealnamewasTaoyateduta，HisRedPeople。
AsfarbackasMinnesotahistorygoes，abandoftheSiouxcalledKaposia（LightWeight，becausetheyweresaidtotravellight）inhabitedtheMilleLacsregion。LatertheydweltaboutSt。
CroixFalls，andstilllaternearSt。Paul。In1840，CetanwakuwawasstilllivinginwhatisnowWestSt。Paul，buthewassoonafterkilledbytheaccidentaldischargeofhisgun。
ItwasduringaperiodofdemoralizationfortheKaposiasthatLittleCrowbecametheleaderofhispeople。Hisfather，awell-knownchief，hadthreewives，allfromdifferentbandsoftheSioux。Hewastheonlysonofthefirstwife，aLeafDweller。
Thereweretwosonsofthesecondandtwoofthethirdwife，andthesecondsetofbrothersconspiredtokilltheirhalf-brotherinordertokeepthechieftainshipinthefamily。
Twokegsofwhiskywerebought，andallthemenofthetribeinvitedtoafeast。Itwasplannedtopicksomesortofquarrelwhenallweredrunk，andintheconfusionLittleCrowwastobemurdered。Theplotwentsmoothlyuntilthelastinstant，whenayoungbravesavedtheintendedvictimbyknockingthegunasidewithhishatchet，sothattheshotwentwild。However，itbrokehisrightarm，whichremainedcrookedallhislife。Thefriendsoftheyoungchieftainhastilywithdrew，avoidingageneralfight;andlaterthecounciloftheKaposiascondemnedthetwobrothers，bothofwhomwereexecuted，leavinghiminundisputedpossession。
Suchwastheopeningofastormycareer。LittleCrow’smotherhadbeenachief’sdaughter，celebratedforherbeautyandspirit，anditissaidthatsheusedtoplungehimintothelakethroughaholeintheice，rubbinghimafterwardwithsnow，tostrengthenhisnerves，andthatshewouldremainwithhimaloneinthedeepwoodsfordaysatatime，sothathemightknowthatsolitudeisgood，andnotfeartobealonewithnature。
"Myson，"shewouldsay，"ifyouaretobealeaderofmen，youmustlisteninsilencetothemystery，thespirit。"
Ataveryearlyageshemadeafeastforherboyandannouncedthathewouldfasttwodays。ThisiswhatmightbecalledaformalpresentationtothespiritorGod。Shegreatlydesiredhimtobecomeaworthyleaderaccordingtotheideasofherpeople。Itappearsthatsheleftherhusbandwhenhetookasecondwife，andlivedwithherownbandtillherdeath。Shedidnotmarryagain。
LittleCrowwasanintenselyambitiousmanandwithoutphysicalfear。HewasalwaysinperfecttrainingandearlyacquiredtheartofwarfareoftheIndiantype。Itistoldofhimthatwhenhewasabouttenyearsold，heengagedwithotherboysinashambattleontheshoreofalakenearSt。Paul。Bothsideswereencampedatalittledistancefromoneanother，andtherulewasthattheenemymustbesurprised，otherwisetheattackwouldbeconsideredafailure。Onemustcomewithinsomanypacesundiscoveredinordertobecountedsuccessful。Ourherohadafavoritedogwhich，athisearnestrequest，wasallowedtotakepartinthegame，andasascoutheenteredtheenemycampunseen，bythehelpofhisdog。
Whenhewastwelve，hesavedthelifeofacompanionwhohadbrokenthroughtheicebytyingtheendofapacklinetoalog，thenatgreatrisktohimselfcarryingittotheedgeoftheholewherehiscomradewentdown。Itissaidthathealsobrokein，butbothboyssavedthemselvesbymeansoftheline。
Asayoungman，LittleCrowwasalwaysreadytoservehispeopleasamessengertoothertribes，adutyinvolvingmuchdangerandhardship。Hewasalsoknownasoneofthebesthuntersinhisband。Althoughstillyoung，hehadalreadyawarrecordwhenhebecamechiefoftheKaposias，atatimewhentheSiouxwerefacingthegreatestandmostfar-reachingchangesthathadevercometothem。
Atthisjunctureinthehistoryofthenorthwestanditsnativeinhabitants，thevariousfurcompanieshadparamountinfluence。TheydidnothesitatetoimpresstheIndianswiththeideathattheyweretheauthorizedrepresentativesofthewhiteracesorpeoples，andtheywerequicktorealizethedesirabilityofcontrollingthenativesthroughtheirmostinfluentialchiefs。
LittleCrowbecamequitepopularwithposttradersandfactors。Hewasanoratoraswellasadiplomat，andoneofthefirstofhisnationtoindulgeinpoliticsandpromoteunstableschemestothedetrimentofhispeople。
WhentheUnitedStatesGovernmentwentintothebusinessofacquiringterritoryfromtheIndianssothatthefloodofwesternsettlementmightnotbechecked，commissionsweresentouttonegotiatetreaties，andincaseoffailureitoftenhappenedthatadelegationofleadingmenofthetribewereinvitedtoWashington。Atthatperiod，thesevisitingchiefs，attiredinallthesplendoroftheircostumesofceremony，weretreatedlikeambassadorsfromforeigncountries。
Onewinterinthelateeighteen-fifties，amajorgeneralofthearmygaveadinnertotheIndianchiefstheninthecity，andonthisoccasionLittleCrowwasappointedtoastmaster。TherewerepresentanumberofSenatorsandmembersofCongress，aswellasjudgesoftheSupremeCourt，cabinetofficers，andotherdistinguishedcitizens。Whenalltheguestswereseated，theSiouxaroseandaddressedthemwithmuchdignityasfollows：
"Warriorsandfriends：Iaminformedthatthegreatwhitewarchiefwhoofhisgenerosityandcomradeshiphasgivenusthisfeast，hasexpressedthewishthatwemayfollowto-nighttheusagesandcustomsofmypeople。Inotherwords，thisisawarriors’feast，abraves’meal。IcallupontheOjibwaychief，theHole-in-the-Day，togivethelonewolf’shungercall，afterwhichwewilljoinhiminourusualmanner。"
ThetallandhandsomeOjibwaynowroseandstraightenedhissuperbformtoutteroneoftheclearestandlongestwolfhowlsthatwaseverheardinWashington，andatitsclosecameatremendousburstofwarwhoopsthatfairlyrenttheair，andnodoubtelectrifiedtheofficialstherepresent。
OnoneoccasionLittleCrowwasinvitedbythecommanderofFortRidgeley，Minnesota，tocallatthefort。Onhiswayback，incompanywithahalf-breednamedRossandtheinterpreterMitchell，hewasambushedbyapartyofOjibways，andagainwoundedinthesamearmthathadbeenbrokeninhisattemptedassassination。HiscompanionRosswaskilled，buthemanagedtoholdthewarpartyatbayuntilhelpcameandthussavedhislife。
Moreandmoreastimepassed，thisnaturallybraveandambitiousmanbecameapreytotheselfishinterestsofthetradersandpoliticians。TheimmediatecausesoftheSiouxoutbreakof1862cameinquicksuccessiontoinflametodesperateactionanoutragedpeople。Thetwobandsontheso-called"lowerreservations"inMinnesotawereIndiansforwhomnaturehadprovidedmostabundantlyintheirfreeexistence。AfteronehundredandfiftyyearsoffriendlyintercoursefirstwiththeFrench，thentheEnglish，andfinallytheAmericans，theyfoundthemselvescutofffromeverynaturalresource，onatractoflandtwentymilesbythirty，whichtothemwasvirtualimprisonment。Bytreatystipulationwiththegovernment，theyweretobefedandclothed，housesweretobebuiltforthem，thementaughtagriculture，andschoolsprovidedforthechildren。Inadditiontothis，atrustfundofamillionandahalfwastobesetasideforthem，atfivepercentinterest，theinteresttobepaidannuallypercapita。Theyhadsignedthetreatyunderpressure，believinginthesepromisesonthefaithofagreatnation。
However，onenteringthenewlife，theresourcessorosilydescribedtothemfailedtomaterialize。Manyfamiliesfacedstarvationeverywinter，theironlysupportthestoreoftheIndiantrader，whowasbaitinghistrapfortheirdestruction。Verygraduallytheyawoketothefacts。Atlastitwasplannedtosecurefromthemthenorthhalfoftheirreservationforninety-eightthousanddollars，butitwasnotexplainedtotheIndiansthatthetradersweretoreceiveallthemoney。LittleCrowmadethegreatestmistakeofhislifewhenhesignedthisagreement。
Meanwhile，tomakemattersworse，thecashannuitieswerenotpaidfornearlytwoyears。CivilWarhadbegun。Whenitwaslearnedthatthetradershadtakenalloftheninety-eightthousanddollars"onaccount"，therewasverybitterfeeling。Infact，theheadsoftheleadingstoreswereafraidtogoaboutasusual，andmostofthemstayedinSt。Paul。LittleCrowwasjustlyheldinpartresponsibleforthedeceit，andhislifewasnotsafe。
ThemurderofawhitefamilynearActon，Minnesota，byapartyofIndianduckhuntersinAugust，1862，precipitatedthebreak。
Messengersweresenttoeveryvillagewiththenews，andatthevillagesofLittleCrowandLittleSixthewarcouncilwasred-hot。
Itwasproposedtotakeadvantageofthefactthatnorthandsouthwereatwartowipeoutthewhitesettlersandtoregaintheirfreedom。Afewmenstoodoutagainstsuchadesperatestep，buttheconflagrationhadgonebeyondtheircontrol。
ThereweremanymixedbloodsamongtheseSioux，andsomeoftheIndiansheldthatthesewereaccomplicesofthewhitepeopleinrobbingthemoftheirpossessions，thereforetheirlivesshouldnotbespared。Myfather，ManyLightnings，whowaspracticallytheleaderoftheMankatoband（forMankato，thechief，wasaweakman），foughtdesperatelyforthelivesofthehalf-breedsandthemissionaries。Thechiefshadgreatconfidenceinmyfather，yettheywouldnotcommitthemselves，sincetheirbraveswereclamoringforblood。LittleCrowhadbeenaccusedofallthemisfortunesofhistribe，andhenowhopedbyleadingthemagainstthewhitestoregainhisprestigewithhispeople，andapartatleastoftheirlostdomain。
Thereweremomentswhenthepacifistswereingraveperil。Itwasalmostdaybreakwhenmyfathersawthattheapproachingcalamitycouldnotbeprevented。HeandtwootherssaidtoLittleCrow："Ifyouwantwar，youmustpersonallyleadyourmento-morrow。Wewillnotmurderwomenandchildren，butwewillfightthesoldierswhentheycome。"Theythenleftthecouncilandhastenedtowarnmybrother-in-law，Faribault，andotherswhowereindanger。
LittleCrowdeclaredhewouldbeseeninthefrontofeverybattle，anditistruethathewasforemostinallthesucceedingbloodshed，urginghiswarriorstosparenone。Heorderedhiswarleader，ManyHail，tofirethefirstshot，killingthetraderJamesLynd，inthedoorofhisstore。
Afterayearoffightinginwhichhehadmetwithdefeat，thediscreditedchiefretreatedtoFortGarry，nowWinnipeg，Manitoba，where，togetherwithStandingBuffalo，heundertooksecretnegotiationswithhisoldfriendstheIndiantraders。Therewasnowapriceuponhishead，butheplannedtoreachSt。Paulundetectedandtheresurrenderhimselftohisfriends，whohehopedwouldprotecthiminreturnforpastfavors。ItistruethathehadhelpedthemtosecureperhapsthefinestcountryheldbyanyIndiannationforameresong。
HeleftCanadawithafewtrustedfriends，includinghisyoungestandfavoriteson。Whenwithintwoorthreedays’journeyofSt。Paul，hetoldtheotherstoreturn，keepingwithhimonlyhisson，Wowinape，whowasbutfifteenyearsofage。HemeanttostealintothecitybynightandgostraighttoGovernorRamsey，whowashispersonalfriend。Hewasveryhungryandwasobligedtokeeptotheshelterofthedeepwoods。Thenextmorning，ashewaspickingandeatingwildraspberries，hewasseenbyawood-choppernamedLamson。Themandidnotknowwhohewas。HeonlyknewthathewasanIndian，andthatwasenoughforhim，soheliftedhisrifletohisshoulderandfired，thenranathisbestpace。Thebrilliantbutmisguidedchief，whohadmadethatpartofthecountryunsafeforanywhitemantolivein，sanktothegroundanddiedwithoutastruggle。Theboytookhisfather’sgunandmadesomeefforttofindtheassassin，butashedidnotevenknowinwhichdirectiontolookforhim，hesoongaveuptheattemptandwentbacktohisfriends。
MeanwhileLamsonreachedhomebreathlessandmadehisreport。
Thebodyofthechiefwasfoundandidentified，inpartbythetwicebrokenarm，andthisarmandhisscalpmaybeseento-dayinthecollectionoftheMinnesotaHistoricalSociety。
TAMAHAY
TherewasonceaSiouxbravewhodeclaredthathewoulddieyoung，yetnotbyhisownhand。Tamahaywasofheroicproportions，herculeaninstrength，asuperbrunner;infact，hehadallthephysicalqualitiesofanathleteoratypicalIndian。Inhisscantydress，hewasbeautifulasanantiquestatueinlivingbronze。Whenamereyouth，seventeenyearsofage，hemetwithanaccidentwhichdeterminedhiscareer。Itwasthelossofaneye，afatalinjurytothesensitiveandhigh-spiritedIndian。Heannouncedhispurposeinthesewords：
"The’GreatMystery’hasdecreedthatImustbedisgraced。
Therewillbenopleasureformenow，andIshallberidiculedevenbymyenemies。ItwillbewellformetoentersoonintoParadise，forIshallbehappyinspendingmyyouththere。ButIwillsellmylifedearly。Hereaftermynameshallbespokeninthetraditionsofourrace。"WiththisspeechTamahaybeganhiscareer。
HenowsoughtgloryanddefieddangerwithevenmorethantheordinaryIndianrecklessness。Heacceptedapersonalfriend，whichwasacustomamongtheSioux，whereeachmanchoseacompanionforlifeanddeath。Thetiewasstrongerthanoneofbloodrelationship，afriendshipsealedbysolemnvowandcovenant。
Tamahay’sintimatewasfortunatelyalmosthisequalinphysicalpowers，andthepairbecametheterrorofneighboringtribes，withwhomtheDakotaswerecontinuallyatwar。Theymadefrequentraidsupontheirenemiesandwereusuallysuccessful，althoughnotwithoutthrillingexperiencesandalmostmiraculousescapes。
UpononeoftheseoccasionsthetwofriendswentnorthintothecountryoftheOjibways。Aftermanydays’journey，theydiscoveredasmallvillageofthefoe。ThewickedTamahayproposedtohisassociatethattheyshouldarrangetheirtoiletsafterthefashionoftheOjibways，andgoamongthem;"andperhaps，"headded，"wewillindulgeinalittleflirtationwiththeirprettymaids，andwhenwehavehadenoughofthefunwecantakethescalpofabraveortwoandretreat！"Hisfriendconstruedhisdaringpropositiontobeatestofcourage，whichitwouldnotbecomehim，asabrave，todecline;thereforeheassentedwithashowofcheerfulness。
ThehandsomestrangerswerewellreceivedbytheOjibwaygirls，buttheirperilousamusementwasbroughttoanuntimelyclose。Ayoungmaidenprematurelydiscoveredtheirtruecharacters，andhercryofalarmbroughtinstantlytohersideajealousyouth，whohadbeenwatchingthemfromhisplaceofconcealment。WithhimTamahayhadasingle-handedcontest，andbeforeageneralalarmwasgivenhehaddispatchedthefoeandfledwithhisscalp。
Theunfortunatebravehadbeenafavoriteandaleaderamongthetribe;thereforethemaddenedOjibwaysweresooninhotpursuit。TheSiouxbraveswerefinerunners，yettheywerefinallydrivenoutuponthepeninsulaofalake。Astheybecameseparatedintheirretreat，Tamahayshouted，"I’llmeetyouatthemouthoftheSt。CroixRiver，orinthespiritland！"Bothmanagedtoswimthelake，andsomadegoodtheirescape。
Theexploitsofthismanwerenotallofawarlikenature。Hewasagreattravelerandanexpertscout，andhehadsomewonderfulexperienceswithwildanimals。Hewasoncesent，withhisintimatefriend，onascoutforgame。Theywereonponies。
Theylocatedaherdofbuffaloes，andontheirreturntothecampespiedalonelybuffalo。Tamahaysuggestedthattheyshouldchaseitinordertotakesomefreshmeat，asthelawofthetribeallowedinthecaseofasingleanimal。Hisponystumbledandthrewhim，aftertheyhadwoundedthebison，andthelatterattackedthedismountedmanviciously。Buthe，asusual，wasonthealert。He"tookthebullbythehorns"，asthesayingis，andcleverlystraddledhimontheneck。Thebuffalohadnomeansofharminghisenemy，butpawedtheearthandstruggleduntilhisstrengthwasexhausted，whentheIndianusedhisknifeontheanimal’sthroat。Onaccountofthisfeathereceivedthename"Held-the-Bull-by-the-Horns。"
Theoriginofhisname"Tamahay"isrelatedasfollows。WhenhewasayoungmanheaccompaniedthechiefWabashawtoMackinaw，Michigan，togetherwithsomeotherwarriors。Hewasoutwithhisfriendoneday，viewingthewonderfulsightsinthe"whiteman’scountry"，whentheycameuponasowwithhernumerouspinklittleprogeny。Hewasgreatlyamusedandpickeduponeoftheyoungpigs，butassoonasitsquealedthemotherranfuriouslyafterthem。Hekeptthepigandfledwithit，stilllaughing;buthisfriendwassooncompelledtorunuptheconvenientlyinclinedtrunkofafallentree，whileourheroreachedtheshoreofalakenearby，andplungedintothewater。Heswamanddivedaslongashecould，butthebeastcontinuedtothreatenhimwithhersharpteeth，till，almostexhausted，heswamagaintoshore，wherehisfriendcameupanddispatchedtheviciousanimalwithaclub。OnaccountofthiswateryadventurehewasatoncecalledTamahay，meaningPike。Heearnedmanyothernames，butpreferredthisone，becauseitwasthenamebornebyagreatfriendofhis，LieutenantPike，thefirstofficeroftheUnitedStatesArmywhocametoMinnesotaforthepurposeofexploringthesourcesoftheMississippiRiverandofmakingpeacewiththenatives。TamahayassistedthisofficerinobtaininglandfromtheSiouxuponwhichtobuildFortSnelling。Heappearsinhistoryunderthenameof"Tahamie"orthe"One-EyedSioux。"
Alwaysreadytobravedangerandunpopularity，TamahaywastheonlySiouxwhosidedwiththeUnitedStatesinherstrugglewithGreatBritainin1819。ForhavingespousedthecauseoftheAmericans，hewasill-treatedbytheBritishofficersandfreetraders，whoforalongtimecontrolledthenorthwest，evenafterpeacehadbeeneffectedbetweenthetwonations。AtonetimehewasconfinedinafortcalledMcKay，wherenowstandsthetownofPrairieduChien，Wisconsin。HehadjustreturnedfromSt。Louis，andwassuspectedofexcitinghispeopletorebelagainstBritishsubjects。Hislifewaseventhreatened，buttothisTamahaymerelyrepliedthathewasreadytodie。Afewmonthslater，thisfortwasrestoredtotheUnitedStates，anduponleavingittheBritishsetthebuildingsonfire，thoughtheUnitedStatesflagfloatedabovethem。SomeIndianswhowerepresentshoutedtoTamahay，"Yourfriends’，theAmericans’，fortisonfire！"Herespondedwithawarwhoop，rushedintotheblazingfort，andbroughtouttheflag。Forthisbraveacthewasrewardedwithapresentofaflagandmedal。Hewasnevertiredofdisplayingthismedalandhisrecommendationpapers，andevenpreservedtotheendofhislifeanoldcolonialstovepipehat，whichheworeuponstateoccasions。