TheSiouxlongreferredtothepresidentoftheUnitedStatesas"Tamahay’sfather。"
Thefollowingstoryistoldofhiminhislaterdays。HeattemptedonedaytocrossthefirstbridgeovertheMississippiRiver，butwasnotrecognizedbythesentinel，whowouldnotallowhimtopassuntilhepaidthetoll。Tamahay，whowasaprivilegedcharacter，explainedasbesthecould，withgesturesandbrokenEnglish，thathewasalwayspermittedtopassfree;butasthesentinelstillrefused，andeventhreatenedhimwithhisbayonet，theoldIndiansilentlyseizedthemusket，threwitdownintothewatersoftheMississippiandwenthome。LaterinthedayacompanyofsoldiersappearedintheIndianvillage，andescortedourherotoasortofcourt-martialatthefort。WhenhewasquestionedbytheColonel，hesimplyreplied："Ifyouwerethreatenedbyanyonewithaweapon，youwould，inself-defense，eitherdisablethemanorgetridoftheweapon。Ididthelatter，thinkingthatyouwouldneedthemanmorethanthegun。"
Finallytheofficersaidtothem，"Iseeyouarebothpartlywrong。Someonemustberesponsibleforthelossofthegun;
therefore，youtwowillwrestle，andthemanwhoisdownedmustdivefortheweapontothebottomoftheriver。"
ScarcelywasthisspeechendedwhenTamahaywasuponthesoldier，whowassurprisedbothbytheorderandbytheunexpectedreadinessofthewilyoldIndian，sothathewasnotprepared，andtheSiouxhadthevantagehold。Inamomentthebluecoatwasdown，amidshoutsandpealsoflaughterfromhiscomrades。Havingthrownhisman，theotherturnedandwenthomewithoutaword。
Sadtosay，heacquiredagreatappetitefor"minne-wakan"，or"mysteriouswater"，astheSiouxcallit，whichprovedasourceoftroubletohiminhisoldage。Itistoldofhimthathewastreatedonewinter’sdaytoadrinkofwhiskyinatrader’sstore。
Heafterwardswenthome;buteventhesevereblizzardwhichsoonarosedidnotpreventhimfromreturninginthenighttothefriendlytrader。Heawokethatworthyfromsleepabouttwelveo’clockbysinginghisdeathdirgeupontheroofofthelogcabin。
Inanothermomenthehadjumpeddownthemudchimney，andintotheblazingembersofafire。Thetraderhadtopourouttohimsomewhiskyinatinpail，afterwhichhebeggedtheoldmanto"begoodandgohome。"Ontheeveoftheso-called"MinnesotaMassacre"bytheSiouxin1862，Tamahay，althoughhewasthenveryoldandhadalmostlosttheuseofhisremainingeye，madeafamousspeechatthemeetingoftheconspirators。Thesearesomeofhiswords，asreportedtomebypersonswhowerepresent。
"What！What！isthisLittleCrow？IsthatLittleSix？You，too，WhiteDog，areyouhere？Icannotseewellnow，butIcanseewithmymind’seyethestreamofbloodyouareabouttopouruponthebosomofthismotherofours"（meaningtheearth）。"Istandbeforeyouonthreelegs，butthethirdleghasbroughtmewisdom"
[referringtothestaffwithwhichhesup-portedhimself]。"I
havetraveledmuch，Ihavevisitedamongthepeoplewhomyouthinktodefy。Thismeansthetotalsurrenderofourbeautifulland，thelandofathousandlakesandstreams。Methinksyouareabouttocommitanactlikethatoftheporcupine，whoclimbsatree，balanceshimselfuponaspringybough，andthengnawsofftheveryboughuponwhichheissitting;hence，whenitgivesway，hefallsuponthesharprocksbelow。BeholdthegreatPontiac，whosegraveIsawnearSt。Louis;hewasmurderedwhileanexilefromhiscountry！ThinkofthebraveBlackHawk！MethinkshisspiritisstillwailingthroughWisconsinandIllinoisforhislostpeople！
Idonotsayyouhavenocausetocomplain，buttoresistisself-destruction。Iamdone。"
Itissupposedthatthisspeechwashislast，anditwasmade，thoughvainly，indefenseoftheAmericanswhomhehadloved。HediedatFortPierre，SouthDakota，in1864。Hispeoplesaythathediedanaturaldeath，ofoldage。Andyethisexploitsarenotforgotten。ThuslivedanddepartedamostactiveandfearlessSioux，Tamahay，whodesiredtodieyoung！
GALL
ChiefGallwasoneofthemostaggressiveleadersoftheSiouxnationintheirlaststandforfreedom。
Thewestwardpressureofcivilizationduringthepastthreecenturieshasbeentremendous。Whenourhemispherewas"discovered"，ithadbeeninhabitedbythenativesforuntoldages，butitwasheldundiscoveredbecausetheoriginalownersdidnotchartoradvertiseit。Yetsomeofthematleasthaddevelopedidealsoflifewhichincludedreallibertyandequalitytoallmen，andtheydidnotrecognizeindividualownershipinlandorotherpropertybeyondactualnecessity。Itwasasouldevelopmentleadingtoessentialmanhood。Underthissystemtheybroughtforthsomestrikingcharacters。
GallwasconsideredbybothIndiansandwhitestobeamostimpressivetypeofphysicalmanhood。Fromhispictureyoucanjudgeofthisforyourself。
Letusfollowhistrail。Hewasnotenderfoot。Heneveraskedasoftplaceforhimself。Healwaysplayedthegameaccordingtotherulesandtoafinish。Tobesure，likeeveryotherman，hemadesomemistakes，buthewasanIndianandneveractedthecoward。
Theearlieststoriestoldofhislifeanddoingsindicatethespiritofthemaninthatoftheboy。
Whenhewasonlyaboutthreeyearsold，theBlackfootbandofSiouxwereontheirusualrovinghunt，followingthebuffalowhilelivingtheirnaturalhappylifeuponthewonderfulwideprairiesoftheDakotas。
ItwasthewayofeverySiouxmothertoadjustherhouseholdeffectsonsuchdogsandpackponiesasshecouldmusterfromdaytoday，oftenlendingoneortwotoaccommodatesomeotherwomanwhosehorseordoghaddied，orperhapshadbeenamongthosestampededandcarriedawaybyaraidingbandofCrowwarriors。Onthisparticularoccasion，themotherofouryoungSiouxbrave，Matohinshda，orBear-Shedding-His-Hair（Gall’schildhoodname），intrustedherboytoanoldEskimopackdog，experiencedandreliable，exceptperhapswhenundulyexcitedorverythirsty。
OnthedayofremovingcampthecaravanmadeitsmorningmarchupthePowderRiver。Uponthewidetable-landthewomenwerebusilydiggingteepsinna（anediblesweetishroot，muchusedbythem）asthemovingvillageslowlyprogressed。Asusualatsuchtimes，thetrailwaswide。Anoldjackrabbithadwaitedtoolonginhiding。Now，findinghimselfalmostsurroundedbythemightyplainspeople，hesprangupsuddenly，hisfeatheryearsconspicuouslyerect，adangerouschallengetothedogsandthepeople。
Awhoopwentup。Everydogacceptedthechallenge。Forgottenwerethebundles，thekits，eventhebabiestheyweredrawingorcarrying。Thechasewason，andthescreamsofthewomenreechoedfromtheoppositecliffsofthePowder，mingledwiththeyelpsofdogsandtheneighingofhorses。Thehandofeverymanwasagainstthedaringwarrior，theloneJack，andtheconfusionwasgreat。
Whenthefleeingoneclearedthemassofhisenemies，heemergedwithaswiftnessthatcommandedrespectandgavepromiseofadeterminedchase。Behindhim，hispursuersstretchedoutinathinline，firstthespeedy，unburdeneddogsandthenthetravoisdogsheadedbytheoldEskimowithhispreciousfreight。TheyouthfulGallwasinatravois，abasketmountedontrailingpolesandharnessedtothesidesoftheanimal。
"Hey！hey！theyaregainingonhim！"awarriorshouted。Atthisjuncturetwoofthecanineshadalmostnabbedtheirfurrypreybytheback。Buthewastoocunningforthem。Hedroppedinstantlyandsentbothdogsoverhishead，rollingandspinning，thenmadeanotherflightatrightanglestothefirst。ThisgavetheEskimoachancetocutthetriangle。Hegainedfiftyyards，butbeingheavilyhandicapped，twounladendogspassedhim。ThesametrickwasrepeatedbytheJack，andthistimehesavedhimselffrominstantdeathbyadoubleloopandwasnowrunningdirectlytowardthecrowd，followedbyadozenormoredogs。Hewaslosingspeed，butlikewisehispursuersweredroppingoffsteadily。OnlythesturdyEskimodogheldtohisevengait，andbehindhiminthefrailtravoisleanedforwardthelittleMatohinshda，nudesaveabreechclout，hislefthandholdingfasttheconvenienttailofhisdog，therightgraspingfirmlyoneofthepolesofthetravois。
Hisblackeyeswerebulgingalmostoutoftheirsockets;hislonghairflowedoutbehindlikeastreamofdarkwater。
TheJacknowrandirectlytowardthehowlingspectators，buthismarvelousspeedandalertnesswereonthewane;whileontheotherhandhisforemostpursuer，whohadtakenpartinhundredsofsimilarevents，hadeveryconfidenceinhisownendurance。Eachleapbroughthimnearer，fiercerandmoredetermined。ThelasteffortoftheJackwastolosehimselfinthecrowd，likeafishinmuddywater;butthebigdogmadetheoneneededleapwithunerringaimandhisteethflashedashecaughttherabbitinviselikejawsandheldhimlimpinair，avictor！
Thepeoplerusheduptohimashelaidthevictimdown，andforemostamongthemwasthefranticmotherofMatohinshda，orGall。
"Michinkshe！michinkshe！"（Myson！myson！）shescreamedasshedrewnear。Theboyseemedtobenonetheworseforhisexperience。
"Mother！"hecried，"mydogisbrave：hegottherabbit！"Shesnatchedhimoffthetravois，buthestruggledoutofherarmstolookuponhisdoglovinglyandadmiringly。Oldmenandboyscrowdedabouttheherooftheday，thedog，andthethoughtfulgrandmotherofMatohinshdaunharnessedhimandpouredsomewaterfromaparflechewaterbagintoabasin。"Here，mygrandson，giveyourfriendsomethingtodrink。"
"How，hechetu，"pronouncedanoldwarriornolongerinactiveservice。"Thismaybeonlyanaccident，anordinaryaffair;butsuchthingssometimesindicateacareer。Theboyhashadawonderfulride。Iprophesythathewillonedayholdtheattentionofallthepeoplewithhisdoings。"
Thisisthefirstrememberedstoryofthefamouschief，butotherboyishexploitsforetoldthemanhewasdestinedtobe。Hefoughtmanyshambattles，somesuccessfulandothersnot;buthewasalwaysafiercefighterandagoodloser。
Oncehewasengagedinabattlewithsnowballs。Therewereprobablynearlyahundredboysoneachside，andtherulewasthateveryfairhitmadethereceiverofficiallydead。Hemustnotparticipatefurther，butmustremainjustwherehewasstruck。
Gall’ssidewasfastlosing，andthebattlewasgrowinghottereveryminutewhentheyouthfulwarriorworkedtowardanoldwaterholeandtookuphispositionthere。Hissidewassoonannihilatedandtherewereelevenmenlefttofighthim。Hewaspressedcloseinthewash-out，andashedodgedundercoverbeforeavolleyofsnowballs，theresuddenlyemergedinhissteadahugegraywolf。
Hisopponentsfledineverydirectioninsuperstitiousterror，fortheythoughthehadbeentransformedintotheanimal。Totheirastonishmenthecameoutonthefarthersideandrantothelineofsafety，awinner！
Ithappenedthatthewolf’sdenhadbeenpartlycoveredwithsnowsothatnoonehadnoticedituntiltheyellsoftheboysarousedtheinmate，andhebeatahastyretreat。Theboysalwayslookeduponthisincidentasanomen。
Gallhadanamiabledispositionbutwasquicktoresentinsultorinjustice。Thissometimesinvolvedhimindifficulties，butheseldomfoughtwithoutgoodcauseandwaspopularwithhisassociates。Oneofhischaracteristicswashisabilitytoorganize，andthiswasalargefactorinhisleadershipwhenhebecameaman。Hewastriedinmanyways，andneverwasknowntohesitatewhenitwasaquestionofphysicalcourageandendurance。
Heenteredthepublicserviceearlyinlife，butnotuntilhehadprovedhimselfcompetentandpassedalltests。
Whenamereboy，hewasoncescoutingforgameinmidwinter，farfromcamp，andwasovertakenbyathreedays’blizzard。Hewasforcedtoabandonhishorseandlieunderthesnowforthatlengthoftime。Heafterwardsaidhewasnotparticularlyhungry;itwasthirstandstiffnessfromwhichhesufferedmost。OnereasontheIndiansolovedhishorseordogwasthatatsuchtimestheanimalwouldstaybyhimlikeabrother。OnthisoccasionGall’sponywasnotmorethanastone’sthrowawaywhenthestormsubsidedandthesunshone。Therewasaherdofbuffaloinplainsight，andtheyounghunterwasnotlonginprocuringameal。
Thischief’scontemporariesstillrecallhiswrestlingmatchwiththeequallypowerfulCheyenneboy，RomanNose，whoafterwardbecameachiefwellknowntoAmericanhistory。ItwasacustomofthenorthwesternIndians，whentwofriendlytribescampedtogether，toestablishthephysicalandathleticsupremacyoftheyouthoftherespectivecamps。
The"Che-hoo-hoo"isawrestlinggameinwhichtheremaybeanynumberonaside，butthenumbersareequal。Alltheboysofeachcamparecalledtogetherbyaleaderchosenforthepurposeanddrawthemselvesupinlineofbattle;theneachatagivensignalattackshisopponent。
Inthismemorablecontest，Matohinshda，orGall，wasplacedoppositeRomanNose。Thewholepeopleturnedoutasspectatorsofthestruggle，andthebattlefieldwasaplateaubetweenthetwocamps，inthemidstofpicturesqueBadLands。Thereweremanyathleticyouthspresent，butthesetwowerereallytheApollosofthetwotribes。
Inthiskindofsportitisnotallowedtostrikewiththehand，norcatcharoundtheneck，norkick，norpullbythehair。
Onemaybreakawayandrunafewyardstogetafreshstart，orclinch，orcatchascatchcan。Whenaboyisthrownandheldtotheground，heiscountedout。Ifaboyhasmethissuperior，hemaydroptothegroundtoescaperoughhandling，butitisveryseldomonegivesupwithoutafulltrialofstrength。
Itseemedalmostlikearealbattle，sogreatwastheenthusiasm，astheshoutsofsympathizersonbothsideswentupinamightychorus。AtlastallwereeitherconquerorsorsubduedexceptGallandRomanNose。Thepairseemedequallymatched。Bothwerestrippedtothebreechclout，nowtuggingliketwoyoungbuffaloorelkinmatingtime，againwrithingandtwistinglikeserpents。Attimestheyfoughtliketwowildstallions，strainingeverymuscleofarms，legs，andbackinthestruggle。Everynowandthenonewasliftedoffhisfeetforamoment，butcamedownplantedlikeatree，andafterswayingtoandfrosoonbecamerigidagain。
Alleyeswereuponthechampions。Finally，eitherbytrickormainforce，Galllaidtheothersprawlinguponthegroundandheldhimfastforaminute，thenreleasedhimandstooderect，panting，amasteryouth。ShoutaftershoutwentupontheSiouxsideofthecamp。ThemotherofRomanNosecameforwardandthrewasuperblyworkedbuffalorobeoverGall，whosemotherreturnedthecomplimentbycoveringtheyoungCheyennewithahandsomeblanket。
Undoubtedlytheseearlycontestshadtheirinfluenceuponourhero’scareer。Itwashishabittoappearmostopportunelyinacrisis，andinastrikinganddramaticmannertotakecommandofthesituation。ThebestknownexampleofthisishisentranceonthesceneofconfusionwhenRenosurprisedtheSiouxontheLittleBigHorn。Manyoftheexcitableyouths，almostunarmed，rushedmadlyandblindlytomeettheintruder，andthescenemighthaveunnervedevenanexperiencedwarrior。ItwasGall，withnotagarmentuponhissuperbbody，whoonhisblackchargerdashedaheadoftheboysandfacedthem。Hestoppedthemonthedrycreek，whilethebulletsofReno’smenwhistledabouttheirears。
"Holdhard，men！Steady，wearenotreadyyet！Waitformoreguns，morehorses，andthedayisyours！"
Theyobeyed，andinafewminutesthesignaltochargewasgiven，andRenoretreatedpellmellbeforetheonsetoftheSioux。
SittingBullhadconfidenceinhismensolongasGallplannedanddirectedtheattack，whetheragainstUnitedStatessoldiersorthewarriorsofanothertribe。Hewasastrategist，andableinatwinklingtonoteandseizeuponanadvantage。HewasreallythemainstayofSittingBull’seffectivelaststand。Heconsistentlyupheldhispeople’srighttotheirbuffaloplainsandbelievedthattheyshouldholdthegovernmentstrictlytoitsagreementswiththem。Whenthetreatyof1868wasdisregarded，heagreedwithSittingBullindefendingthelastoftheironcevastdomain，andaftertheCusterbattleenteredCanadawithhischief。TheyhopedtobringtheirlostcausebeforetheEnglishgovernmentandweremuchdisappointedwhentheywereaskedtoreturntotheUnitedStates。
GallfinallyreportedatFortPeck，Montana，in1881，andbroughthalfoftheHunkpapabandwithhim，whereuponhewassoonfollowedbySittingBullhimself。AlthoughtheyhadbeenpromisedbytheUnitedStatescommissionwhowenttoCanadatotreatwiththemthattheywouldnotbepunishediftheyreturned，nosoonerhadGallcomedownthanapartofhispeoplewereattacked，andinthespringtheywereallbroughttoFortRandallandheldasmilitaryprisoners。FromthispointtheywerereturnedtoStandingRockagency。
When"BuffaloBill"successfullylaunchedhisfirstshow，hemadeeveryefforttosecurebothSittingBullandGallforhisleadingattractions。Themilitarywasincompleteaccordwithhiminthis，fortheystillhadgravesuspicionsofthesetwoleaders。
WhileSittingBullreluctantlyagreed，Gallhaughtilysaid："Iamnotananimaltobeexhibitedbeforethecrowd，"andretiredtohisteepee。Hisspiritwasmuchworn，andheloststrengthfromthattimeon。Thatsuperbmanhooddwindled，andinafewyearshedied。
Hewasarealheroofafreeandnaturalpeople，atypethatisnevertobeseenagain。
CRAZYHORSE
CrazyHorsewasbornontheRepublicanRiverabout1845。HewaskilledatFortRobinson，Nebraska，in1877，sothathelivedbarelythirty-threeyears。
Hewasanuncommonlyhandsomeman。WhilenottheequalofGallinmagnificenceandimposingstature，hewasphysicallyperfect，anApolloinsymmetry。FurthermorehewasatruetypeofIndianrefinementandgrace。HewasmodestandcourteousasChiefJoseph;thedifferenceisthathewasabornwarrior，whileJosephwasnot。However，hewasagentlewarrior，atruebrave，whostoodforthehighestidealoftheSioux。Notwithstandingallthatbiasedhistorianshavesaidofhim，itisonlyfairtojudgeamanbytheestimateofhisownpeopleratherthanthatofhisenemies。
TheboyhoodofCrazyHorsewaspassedinthedayswhenthewesternSiouxsawawhitemanbutseldom，andthenitwasusuallyatraderorasoldier。Hewascarefullybroughtupaccordingtothetribalcustoms。AtthatperiodtheSiouxpridedthemselvesonthetraininganddevelopmentoftheirsonsanddaughters，andnotastepinthatdevelopmentwasoverlookedasanexcusetobringthechildbeforethepublicbygivingafeastinitshonor。Atsuchtimestheparentsoftengavesogenerouslytotheneedythattheyalmostimpoverishedthemselves，thussettinganexampletothechildofself-denialforthegeneralgood。Hisfirststepalone，thefirstwordspoken，firstgamekilled，theattainmentofmanhoodorwomanhood，eachwastheoccasionofafeastanddanceinhishonor，atwhichthepooralwaysbenefitedtothefullextentoftheparents’ability。
Big-heartedness，generosity，courage，andself-denialarethequalificationsofapublicservant，andtheaverageIndianwaskeentofollowthisideal。Aseveryoneknows，thesecharacteristictraitsbecomeaweaknesswhenheentersalifefoundeduponcommerceandgain。UndersuchconditionsthelifeofCrazyHorsebegan。Hismother，likeothermothers，tenderandwatchfulofherboy，wouldneveronceplaceanobstacleinthewayofhisfather’sseverephysicaltraining。Theylaidthespiritualandpatrioticfoundationsofhiseducationinsuchawaythatheearlybecameconsciousofthedemandsofpublicservice。
Hewasperhapsfourorfiveyearsoldwhenthebandwassnowedinoneseverewinter。Theywereveryshortoffood，buthisfatherwasatirelesshunter。Thebuffalo，theirmaindependence，werenottobefound，buthewasoutinthestormandcoldeverydayandfinallybroughtintwoantelopes。Thelittleboygotonhispetponyandrodethroughthecamp，tellingtheoldfolkstocometohismother’steepeeformeat。Itturnedoutthatneitherhisfathernormotherhadauthorizedhimtodothis。Beforetheyknewit，oldmenandwomenwerelinedupbeforetheteepeehome，readytoreceivethemeat，inanswertohisinvitation。Asaresult，themotherhadtodistributenearlyallofit，keepingonlyenoughfortwomeals。
Onthefollowingdaythechildaskedforfood。Hismothertoldhimthattheoldfolkshadtakenitall，andadded："Remember，myson，theywenthomesingingpraisesinyourname，notmynameoryourfather’s。Youmustbebrave。Youmustliveuptoyourreputation。"
CrazyHorselovedhorses，andhisfathergavehimaponyofhisownwhenhewasveryyoung。Hebecameafinehorsemanandaccompaniedhisfatheronbuffalohunts，holdingthepackhorseswhilethemenchasedthebuffaloandthusgraduallylearningtheart。InthosedaystheSiouxhadbutfewguns，andthehuntingwasmostlydonewithbowandarrows。
Anotherstorytoldofhisboyhoodisthatwhenhewasabouttwelvehewenttolookfortheponieswithhislittlebrother，whomhelovedmuch，andtookagreatdealofpainstoteachwhathehadalreadylearned。Theycametosomewildcherrytreesfullofripefruit，andwhiletheywereenjoyingit，thebrotherswerestartledbythegrowlandsuddenrushofabear。YoungCrazyHorsepushedhisbrotherupintothenearesttreeandhimselfspranguponthebackofoneofthehorses，whichwasfrightenedandransomedistancebeforehecouldcontrolhim。Assoonashecould，however，heturnedhimaboutandcameback，yellingandswinginghislariatoverhishead。Thebearatfirstshowedfightbutfinallyturnedandran。Theoldmanwhotoldmethisstoryaddedthatyoungashewas，hehadsomepower，sothatevenagrizzlydidnotcaretotacklehim。Ibelieveitisafactthatasilver-tipwilldareanythingexceptabelloralassoline，sothataccidentallytheboyhadhitupontheverythingwhichwoulddrivehimoff。
ItwasusualforSiouxboysofhisdaytowaitinthefieldafterabuffalohuntuntilsundown，whentheyoungcalveswouldcomeoutintheopen，hungrilyseekingtheirmothers。Thenthesewildchildrenwouldenjoyamimichunt，andlassothecalvesordrivethemintocamp。CrazyHorsewasfoundtobeadeterminedlittlefellow，anditwassettledonedayamongthelargerboysthattheywould"stump"himtorideagood-sizedbullcalf。Herodethecalf，andstayedonitsbackwhileitranbawlingoverthehills，followedbytheotherboysontheirponies，untilhisstrangemountstoodtremblingandexhausted。
AttheageofsixteenhejoinedawarpartyagainsttheGrosVentres。Hewaswellinthefrontofthecharge，andatonceestablishedhisbraverybyfollowingcloselyoneoftheforemostSiouxwarriors，bythenameofHump，drawingtheenemy’sfireandcirclingaroundtheiradvanceguard。SuddenlyHump’shorsewasshotfromunderhim，andtherewasarushofwarriorstokillorcapturehimwhiledown。Butamidstashowerofarrowstheyouthleapedfromhispony，helpedhisfriendintohisownsaddle，sprangupbehindhim，andcarriedhimoffinsafety，althoughtheywerehotlypursuedbytheenemy。ThusheassociatedhimselfinhismaidenbattlewiththewizardofIndianwarfare，andHump，whowasthenattheheightofhisowncareer，pronouncedCrazyHorsethecomingwarrioroftheTetonSioux。
Atthisperiodofhislife，aswascustomarywiththebestyoungmen，hespentmuchtimeinprayerandsolitude。Justwhathappenedinthesedaysofhisfastinginthewildernessanduponthecrownofbaldbuttes，noonewilleverknow;forthesethingsmayonlybeknownwhenonehaslivedthroughthebattlesoflifetoanhonoredoldage。Hewasmuchsoughtafterbyhisyouthfulassociates，butwasnoticeablyreservedandmodest;yetinthemomentofdangerheatonceroseabovethemall——anaturalleader！CrazyHorsewasatypicalSiouxbrave，andfromthepointofviewofourraceanidealhero，livingattheheightoftheepicalprogressoftheAmericanIndianandmaintaininginhisowncharacterallthatwasmostsubtleandennoblingoftheirspirituallife，andthathassincebeenlostinthecontactwithamaterialcivilization。
HelovedHump，thatpeerlesswarrior，andthetwobecameclosefriends，inspiteofthedifferenceinage。Mencalledthem"thegrizzlyandhiscub。"AgainandagainthepairsavedthedayfortheSiouxinaskirmishwithsomeneighboringtribe。ButonedaytheyundertookalosingbattleagainsttheSnakes。TheSiouxwereinfullretreatandwerefastbeingoverwhelmedbysuperiornumbers。Theoldwarriorfellinalastdesperatecharge;butCrazyHorseandhisyoungerbrother，thoughdismounted，killedtwooftheenemyandthusmadegoodtheirretreat。
Itwasobservedofhimthatwhenhepursuedtheenemyintotheirstronghold，ashewaswonttodo，heoftenrefrainedfromkilling，andsimplystruckthemwithaswitch，showingthathedidnotfeartheirweaponsnorcaretowastehisuponthem。Inattemptingthisveryfeat，helostthisonlybrotherofhis，whoemulatedhimclosely。Apartyofyoungwarriors，ledbyCrazyHorse，haddasheduponafrontierpost，killedoneofthesentinels，stampededthehorses，andpursuedtheherdertotheverygateofthestockade，thusdrawinguponthemselvesthefireofthegarrison。Theleaderescapedwithoutascratch，buthisyoungbrotherwasbroughtdownfromhishorseandkilled。
Whilehewasstillundertwenty，therewasagreatwinterbuffalohunt，andhecamebackwithtenbuffaloes’tongueswhichhesenttothecouncillodgeforthecouncilors’feast。Hehadinonewinterdaykilledtenbuffalocowswithhisbowandarrows，andtheunsuccessfulhuntersorthosewhohadnoswiftponiesweremadehappybyhisgenerosity。Whenthehuntersreturned，thesecamechantingsongsofthanks。Heknewthathisfatherwasanexperthunterandhadagoodhorse，sohetooknomeathome，puttinginpracticethespiritofhisearlyteaching。
HeattainedhismajorityatthecrisisofthedifficultiesbetweentheUnitedStatesandtheSioux。Evenbeforethattime，CrazyHorsehadalreadyprovedhisworthtohispeopleinIndianwarfare。Hehadriskedhislifeagainandagain，andinsomeinstancesitwasconsideredalmostamiraclethathehadsavedothersaswellashimself。Hewasnooratornorwashethesonofachief。Hissuccessandinfluencewaspurelyamatterofpersonality。Hehadneverfoughtthewhitesuptothistime，andindeedno"coup"wascountedforkillingorscalpingawhiteman。
YoungCrazyHorsewastwenty-oneyearsoldwhenalltheTetonSiouxchiefs（thewesternorplainsdwellers）metincounciltodetermineupontheirfuturepolicytowardtheinvader。Theirformeragreementshadbeenbyindividualbands，eachforitself，andeveryonewasfriendly。Theyreasonedthatthecountrywaswide，andthatthewhitetradersshouldbemadewelcome。Uptothistimetheyhadanticipatednoconflict。TheyhadpermittedtheOregonTrail，butnowtotheirastonishmentfortswerebuiltandgarrisonedintheirterritory。
Mostofthechiefsadvocatedastrongresistance。Therewereafewinfluentialmenwhodesiredstilltoliveinpeace，andwhowerewillingtomakeanothertreaty。AmongthesewereWhiteBull，TwoKettle，FourBears，andSwiftBear。EvenSpottedTail，afterwardthegreatpeacechief，wasatthistimewiththemajority，whodecidedintheyear1866todefendtheirrightsandterritorybyforce。Attacksweretobemadeuponthefortswithintheircountryandoneverytrespasseronthesame。
CrazyHorsetooknopartinthediscussion，butheandalltheyoungwarriorswereinaccordwiththedecisionofthecouncil。
Althoughsoyoung，hewasalreadyaleaderamongthem。OtherprominentyoungbraveswereSword（brotherofthemanofthatnamewhowaslongcaptainofpoliceatPineRidge），theyoungerHump，ChargingBear，SpottedElk，CrowKing，NoWater，BigRoad，HeDog，thenephewofRedCloud，andTouch-the-Cloud，intimatefriendofCrazyHorse。
TheattackonFortPhilKearnywasthefirstfruitsofthenewpolicy，andhereCrazyHorsewaschosentoleadtheattackonthewoodchoppers，designedtodrawthesoldiersoutofthefort，whileanarmyofsixhundredlayinwaitforthem。Thesuccessofthisstratagemwasfurtherenhancedbyhismasterfulhandlingofhismen。Fromthistimeonageneralwarwasinaugurated;SittingBulllookedtohimasaprincipalwarleader，andeventheCheyennechiefs，alliesoftheSioux，practicallyacknowledgedhisleadership。Yetduringthefollowingtenyearsofdefensivewarhewasneverknowntomakeaspeech，thoughhisteepeewastherendezvousoftheyoungmen。Hewasdependedupontoputintoactionthedecisionsofthecouncil，andwasfrequentlyconsultedbytheolderchiefs。
LikeOsceola，herosesuddenly;likeTecumsehhewasalwaysimpatientforbattle;likePontiac，hefoughtonwhilehisalliesweresuingforpeace，andlikeGrant，thesilentsoldier，hewasamanofdeedsandnotofwords。HewonfromCusterandFettermanandCrook。Hewoneverybattlethatheundertook，withtheexceptionofoneortwooccasionswhenhewassurprisedinthemidstofhiswomenandchildren，andeventhenhemanagedtoextricatehimselfinsafetyfromadifficultposition。
Earlyintheyear1876，hisrunnersbroughtwordfromSittingBullthatalltherovingbandswouldconvergeupontheupperTongueRiverinMontanaforsummerfeastsandconferences。Therewasconflictingnewsfromthereservation。ItwasrumoredthatthearmywouldfighttheSiouxtoafinish;again，itwassaidthatanothercommissionwouldbesentouttotreatwiththem。
TheIndianscametogetherearlyinJune，andformedaseriesofencampmentsstretchingoutfromthreetofourmiles，eachbandkeepingseparatecamp。OnJune17，scoutscameinandreportedtheadvanceofalargebodyoftroopsunderGeneralCrook。ThecouncilsentCrazyHorsewithsevenhundredmentomeetandattackhim。
Thesewerenearlyallyoungmen，manyofthemundertwenty，theflowerofthehostileSioux。Theysetoutatnightsoastostealamarchupontheenemy，butwithinthreeorfourmilesofhiscamptheycameunexpectedlyuponsomeofhisCrowscouts。Therewasahurriedexchangeofshots;theCrowsfledbacktoCrook’scamp，pursuedbytheSioux。Thesoldiershadtheirwarning，anditwasimpossibletoenterthewell-protectedcamp。AgainandagainCrazyHorsechargedwithhisbravestmen，intheattempttobringthetroopsintotheopen，buthesucceededonlyindrawingtheirfire。
Towardafternoonhewithdrew，andreturnedtocampdisappointed。
HisscoutsremainedtowatchCrook’smovements，andlaterbroughtwordthathehadretreatedtoGooseCreekandseemedtohavenofurtherdispositiontodisturbtheSioux。ItiswellknowntousthatitisCrookratherthanRenowhoistobeblamedforcowardiceinconnectionwithCuster’sfate。Thelatterhadnochancetodoanything，hewasluckytosavehimself;butifCrookhadkeptonhisway，asordered，tomeetTerry，withhisonethousandregularsandtwohundredCrowandShoshonescouts，hewouldinevitablyhaveinterceptedCusterinhisadvanceandsavedthedayforhim，andwarwiththeSiouxwouldhaveendedrightthere。Insteadofthis，hefellbackuponFortMeade，eatinghishorsesontheway，inacountryswarmingwithgame，forfearofCrazyHorseandhisbraves！
TheIndiansnowcrossedthedividebetweentheTongueandtheLittleBigHorn，wheretheyfeltsafefromimmediatepursuit。
Here，withalltheirprecautions，theywerecaughtunawaresbyGeneralCuster，inthemidstoftheirmiddaygamesandfestivities，whilemanywereoutuponthedailyhunt。
Onthistwenty-fifthofJune，1876，thegreatcampwasscatteredforthreemilesormorealongthelevelriverbottom，backofthethinlineofcottonwoods——fivecircularrowsofteepees，rangingfromhalfamiletoamileandahalfincircumference。Hereandtherestoodoutalarge，white，solitaryteepee;thesewerethelodgesor"clubs"oftheyoungmen。CrazyHorsewasamemberofthe"StrongHearts"andthe"Tokala"orFoxlodge。Hewaswatchingagameofring-tosswhenthewarningcamefromthesouthernendofthecampoftheapproachoftroops。
TheSiouxandtheCheyenneswere"minutemen"，andalthoughtakenbysurprise，theyinstantlyresponded。Meanwhile，thewomenandchildrenwerethrownintoconfusion。Dogswerehowling，poniesrunninghitherandthither，pursuedbytheirowners，whilemanyoftheoldmenweresingingtheirlodgesongstoencouragethewarriors，orpraisingthe"strongheart"ofCrazyHorse。
Thatleaderhadquicklysaddledhisfavoritewarponyandwasstartingwithhisyoungmenforthesouthendofthecamp，whenafreshalarmcamefromtheoppositedirection，andlookingup，hesawCuster’sforceuponthetopofthebluffdirectlyacrosstheriver。Asquickasaflash，hetookinthesituation——theenemyhadplannedtoattackthecampatbothendsatonce;andknowingthatCustercouldnotfordtheriveratthatpoint，heinstantlyledhismennorthwardtothefordtocuthimoff。TheCheyennesfollowedclosely。Custermusthaveseenthatwonderfuldashupthesage-bushplain，andonewonderswhetherherealizeditsmeaning。
Inaveryfewminutes，thiswildgeneraloftheplainshadoutwittedoneofthemostbrilliantleadersoftheCivilWarandendedatoncehismilitarycareerandhislife。
Inthisdashingcharge，CrazyHorsesnatchedhismostfamousvictoryoutofwhatseemedfrightfulperil，fortheSiouxcouldnotknowhowmanywerebehindCuster。Hewascaughtinhisowntrap。
TothesoldiersitmusthaveseemedasiftheIndiansroseupfromtheearthtooverwhelmthem。Theyclosedinfromthreesidesandfoughtuntilnotawhitemanwasleftalive。ThentheywentdowntoReno’sstandandfoundhimsowellintrenchedinadeepgullythatitwasimpossibletodislodgehim。GallandhismenheldhimthereuntiltheapproachofGeneralTerrycompelledtheSiouxtobreakcampandscatterindifferentdirections。
WhileSittingBullwaspursuedintoCanada，CrazyHorseandtheCheyenneswanderedabout，comparativelyundisturbed，duringtherestofthatyear，untilinthewinterthearmysurprisedtheCheyennes，butdidnotdothemmuchharm，possiblybecausetheyknewthatCrazyHorsewasnotfaroff。Hisnamewasheldinwholesomerespect。Fromtimetotime，delegationsoffriendlyIndiansweresenttohim，tourgehimtocomeintothereservation，promisingafullhearingandfairtreatment。
Forsometimeheheldout，buttherapiddisappearanceofthebuffalo，theironlymeansofsupport，probablyweighedwithhimmorethananyotherinfluence。InJuly，1877，hewasfinallyprevailedupontocomeintoFortRobinson，Nebraska，withseveralthousandIndians，mostofthemOgallalaandMinneconwojuSioux，onthedistinctunderstandingthatthegovernmentwouldhearandadjusttheirgrievances。
AtthisjunctureGeneralCrookproclaimedSpottedTail，whohadrenderedmuchvaluableservicetothearmy，headchiefoftheSioux，whichwasresentedbymany。TheattentionpaidCrazyHorsewasoffensivetoSpottedTailandtheIndianscouts，whoplannedaconspiracyagainsthim。TheyreportedtoGeneralCrookthattheyoungchiefwouldmurderhimatthenextcouncil，andstampedetheSiouxintoanotherwar。Hewasurgednottoattendthecouncilanddidnot，butsentanotherofficertorepresenthim。MeanwhilethefriendsofCrazyHorsediscoveredtheplotandtoldhimofit。Hisreplywas，"Onlycowardsaremurderers。"
Hiswifewascriticallyillatthetime，andhedecidedtotakehertoherparentsatSpottedTailagency，whereuponhisenemiescirculatedthestorythathehadfled，andapartyofscoutswassentafterhim。Theyovertookhimridingwithhiswifeandoneotherbutdidnotundertaketoarresthim，andafterhehadleftthesickwomanwithherpeoplehewenttocallonCaptainLea，theagentfortheBrules，accompaniedbyallthewarriorsoftheMinneconwojuband。Thisvolunteerescortmadeanimposingappearanceonhorseback，shoutingandsinging，andinthewordsofCaptainLeahimselfandthemissionary，theReverendMr。Cleveland，thesituationwasextremelycritical。Indeed，thescoutswhohadfollowedCrazyHorsefromRedCloudagencywereadvisednottoshowthemselves，assomeofthewarriorshadurgedthattheybetakenoutandhorsewhippedpublicly。
UnderthesecircumstancesCrazyHorseagainshowedhismasterfulspiritbyholdingtheseyoungmenincheck。Hesaidtotheminhisquietway："Itiswelltobebraveinthefieldofbattle;itiscowardlytodisplaybraveryagainstone’sowntribesmen。Thesescoutshavebeencompelledtodowhattheydid;
theyarenobetterthanservantsofthewhiteofficers。Icamehereonapeacefulerrand。"
Thecaptainurgedhimtoreportatarmyheadquarterstoexplainhimselfandcorrectfalserumors，andonhisgivingconsent，furnishedhimwithawagonandescort。Ithasbeensaidthathewentbackunderarrest，butthisisuntrue。Indianshaveboastedthattheyhadahandinbringinghimin，buttheirstoriesarewithoutfoundation。Hewentofhisownaccord，eithersuspectingnotreacheryordeterminedtodefyit。
Whenhereachedthemilitarycamp，LittleBigManwalkedarm-in-armwithhim，andhiscousinandfriend，Touch-the-Cloud，wasjustinadvance。Aftertheypassedthesentinel，anofficerapproachedthemandwalkedonhisotherside。Hewasunarmedbutfortheknifewhichiscarriedforordinaryusesbywomenaswellasmen。Unsuspectinglyhewalkedtowardtheguardhouse，whenTouch-the-Cloudsuddenlyturnedbackexclaiming："Cousin，theywillputyouinprison！"
"Anotherwhiteman’strick！Letmego！Letmediefighting！"
criedCrazyHorse。Hestoppedandtriedtofreehimselfanddrawhisknife，butbotharmswereheldfastbyLittleBigManandtheofficer。Whilehestruggledthus，asoldierthrusthimthroughwithhisbayonetfrombehind。Thewoundwasmortal，andhediedinthecourseofthatnight，hisoldfathersingingthedeathsongoverhimandafterwardcarryingawaythebody，whichtheysaidmustnotbefurtherpollutedbythetouchofawhiteman。TheyhiditsomewhereintheBadLands，hisrestingplacetothisday。
ThusdiedoneoftheablestandtruestAmericanIndians。Hislifewasideal;hisrecordclean。Hewasneverinvolvedinanyofthenumerousmassacresonthetrail，butwasaleaderinpracticallyeveryopenfight。SuchcharactersasthoseofCrazyHorseandChiefJosepharenoteasilyfoundamongso-calledcivilizedpeople。Thereputationofgreatmenisapttobeshadowedbyquestionablemotivesandpolicies，butherearetwopurepatriots，asworthyofhonorasanywhoeverbreathedGod’sairinthewidespacesofanewworld。
SITTINGBULL
ITisnoteasytocharacterizeSittingBull，ofallSiouxchiefsmostgenerallyknowntotheAmericanpeople。Therearefewtowhomhisnameisnotfamiliar，andstillfewerwhohavelearnedtoconnectitwithanythingmorethantheconventionalnotionofabloodthirstysavage。Themanwasanenigmaatbest。Hewasnotimpulsive，norwashephlegmatic。Hewasmostseriouswhenheseemedtobejocose。Hewasgiftedwiththepowerofsarcasm，andfewhaveuseditmoreartfullythanhe。
Hisfatherwasoneofthebest-knownmembersoftheUnkpapabandofSioux。Themannerofthisman’sdeathwascharacteristic。
Oneday，whentheUnkpapaswereattackedbyalargewarpartyofCrows，hefellupontheenemy’swarleaderwithhisknife。Inahand-to-handcombatofthissort，wecountthevictorasentitledtoawarbonnetoftrailingplumes。Itmeanscertaindeathtooneorboth。Inthiscase，bothmendealtamortalstroke，andJumpingBuffalo，thefatherofSittingBull，fellfromhissaddleanddiedinafewminutes。Theotherdiedlaterfromtheeffectsofthewound。
SittingBull’sboyhoodmusthavebeenahappyone。Itwaslongafterthedayofthedog-travaux，andhisfatherownedmanyponiesofvariegatedcolors。Itwassaidofhiminajokingwaythathislegswerebowedliketheribsoftheponiesthatherodeconstantlyfromchildhood。Hehadalsoacommonnicknamethatwasmuchtothepoint。Itwas"Hunkeshnee"，whichmeans"Slow"，referringtohisinabilitytorunfast，ormoreprobablytothefactthatheseldomappearedonfoot。Intheirboyishgameshewaswonttotakethepartofthe"oldman"，butthisdoesnotmeanthathewasnotactiveandbrave。Itistoldthatafterabuffalohunttheboyswereenjoyingamimichuntwiththecalvesthathadbeenleftbehind。AlargecalfturnedviciouslyonSittingBull，whoseponyhadthrownhim，butthealertyouthgotholdofbothearsandstruggleduntilthecalfwaspushedbackintoabuffalowallowinasittingposture。Theboysshouted："Hehassubduedthebuffalocalf！Hemadeitsitdown！"AndfromthisincidentwasderivedhisfamiliarnameofSittingBull。
ItisamistaketosupposethatSittingBull，oranyotherIndianwarrior，wasofamurderousdisposition。Itistruethatsavagewarfarehadgrownmoreandmoreharshandcruelsincethecomingofwhitetradersamongthem，bringingguns，knives，andwhisky。Yetitwasstillregardedlargelyasasortofgame，undertakeninordertodevelopthemanlyqualitiesoftheiryouth。
Itwasthedegreeofriskwhichbroughthonor，ratherthanthenumberslain，andabravemustmournthirtydays，withblackenedfaceandloosenedhair，fortheenemywhoselifehehadtaken。
Whilethespoilsofwarwereallowed，thisdidnotextendtoterritorialaggrandizement，norwasthereanywishtooverthrowanothernationandenslaveitspeople。Itwasapointofhonorintheolddaystotreatacaptivewithkindness。ThecommonimpressionthattheIndianisnaturallycruelandrevengefulisentirelyopposedtohisphilosophyandtraining。TherevengefultendencyoftheIndianwasarousedbythewhiteman。ItisnotthenaturalIndianwhoismeanandtricky;notMassasoitbutKingPhilip;notAttackullakullabutWeatherford;notWabashawbutLittleCrow;notJumpingBuffalobutSittingBull！Thesemenliftedtheirhandsagainstthewhiteman，whiletheirfathersheldtheirsouttohimwithgifts。
Rememberthattherewerecouncilswhichgavetheirdecisionsinaccordancewiththehighestidealofhumanjusticebeforetherewereanycitiesonthiscontinent;beforetherewerebridgestospantheMississippi;beforethisnetworkofrailroadswasdreamedof！TherewereprimitivecommunitiesupontheveryspotwhereChicagoorNewYorkCitynowstands，wheremenwereaschildren，innocentofallthecrimesnowcommittedtheredailyandnightly。
Truemoralityismoreeasilymaintainedinconnectionwiththesimplelife。Youmustacceptthetruththatyoudemoralizeanyracewhomyouhavesubjugated。
FromthispointofviewweshallconsiderSittingBull’scareer。Wesayheisanuntutoredman：thatistruesofaraslearningofaliterarytypeisconcerned;buthewasnotanuntutoredmanwhenyouviewhimfromthestandpointofhisnation。
Tobesure，hedidnotlearnhislessonsfrombooks。Thisissecond-handinformationatbest。Allthathelearnedheverifiedforhimselfandputintodailypractice。Inpersonalappearancehewasrathercommonplaceandmadenoimmediateimpression，butashetalkedheseemedtotakeholdofhishearersmoreandmore。Hewasbull-headed;quicktograspasituation，andnotreadilyinducedtochangehismind。Hewasnotsuspiciousuntilhewasforcedtobeso。Allhismeanertraitswereinevitablydevelopedbytheeventsofhislatercareer。
SittingBull’shistoryhasbeenwrittenmanytimesbynewspapermenandarmyofficers，butIfindnoaccountofhimwhichisentirelycorrect。Imethimpersonallyin1884，andsincehisdeathIhavegonethoroughlyintothedetailsofhislifewithhisrelativesandcontemporaries。Ithasoftenbeensaidthathewasaphysicalcowardandnotawarrior。Judgeofthisforyourselvesfromthedeedwhichfirstgavehimfameinhisowntribe，whenhewasabouttwenty-eightyearsold。
InanattackuponabandofCrowIndians，oneoftheenemytookhisstand，aftertheresthadfled，inadeepditchfromwhichitseemedimpossibletodislodgehim。Thesituationhadalreadycostthelivesofseveralwarriors，buttheycouldnotlethimgotorepeatsuchaboastovertheSioux！
"Followme！"saidSittingBull，andcharged。Heracedhishorsetothebrimoftheditchandstruckattheenemywithhiscoup-staff，thuscompellinghimtoexposehimselftothefireoftheotherswhileshootinghisassailant。ButtheCrowmerelypokedhisemptygunintohisfaceanddodgedbackundercover。ThenSittingBullstopped;hesawthatnoonehadfollowedhim，andhealsoperceivedthattheenemyhadnomoreammunitionleft。Herodedeliberatelyuptothebarrierandthrewhisloadedgunoverit;
thenhewentbacktohispartyandtoldthemwhathethoughtofthem。
"Now，"saidhe，"Ihavearmedhim，forIwillnotseeabravemankilledunarmed。Iwillstrikehimagainwithmycoup-stafftocountthefirstfeather;whowillcountthesecond？"
Againheledthecharge，andthistimetheyallfollowedhim。
SittingBullwasseverelywoundedbyhisownguninthehandsoftheenemy，whowaskilledbythosethatcameafterhim。ThisisarecordthatsofarasIknowwasnevermadebyanyotherwarrior。
ThesecondincidentthatmadehimwellknownwashistakingofaboycaptiveinbattlewiththeAssiniboines。Hesavedthisboy’slifeandadoptedhimashisbrother。Hohay，ashewascalled，wasdevotedtoSittingBullandhelpedmuchinlateryearstospreadhisfame。SittingBullwasaborndiplomat，areadyspeaker，andinmiddlelifeheceasedtogouponthewarpath，tobecomethecouncilorofhispeople。Fromthistimeon，thismanrepresentedhiminallimportantbattles，anduponeverybravedeeddonewaswonttoexclaimaloud：
"I，SittingBull’sboy，dothisinhisname！"
Hehadanephew，nowliving，whoresembleshimstrongly，andwhoalsorepresentedhimpersonallyuponthefield;andsofarasthereisanyremnantleftofhisimmediateband，theylookuponthismanOneBullastheirchief。
WhenSittingBullwasaboy，therewasnothoughtoftroublewiththewhites。Hewasacquaintedwithmanyoftheearlytraders，Picotte，Choteau，Primeau，Larpenteur，andothers，andlikedthem，asdidmostofhispeopleinthosedays。AlltheearlyrecordsshowthisfriendlyattitudeoftheSioux，andthegreatfurcompaniesforacenturyandahalfdependeduponthemforthebulkoftheirtrade。Itwasnotuntilthemiddleofthelastcenturythattheywokeupallofasuddentothedangerthreateningtheirveryexistence。Yetatthattimemanyoftheoldchiefshadbeenalreadydepravedbythewhiskyandothervicesofthewhites，andinthevicinityofthefortsandtradingpostsatSiouxCity，SaintPaul，andCheyenne，therewasgeneraldemoralization。Thedrunkardsandhangers-onwerereadytosellalmostanythingtheyhadforthefavorofthetrader。Thebetterandstrongerelementheldaloof。Theywouldnothaveanythingofthewhitemanexcepthishatchet，gun，andknife。Theyutterlyrefusedtocedetheirlands;andasfortherest，theywerewillingtolethimaloneaslongashedidnotinterferewiththeirlifeandcustoms，whichwasnotlong。
Itwasnot，however，theUnkpapabandofSioux，SittingBull’sband，whichfirsttookuparmsagainstthewhites;andthiswasnotbecausetheyhadcomelessincontactwiththem，fortheydweltontheMissouriRiver，thenaturalhighwayoftrade。Asearlyas1854，theOgallalasandBruleshadtroublewiththesoldiersnearFortLaramie;andagainin1857InkpadutamassacredseveralfamiliesofsettlersatSpiritLake，Iowa。Finally，in1869，theMinnesotaSioux，goadedbymanywrongs，aroseandmurderedmanyofthesettlers，afterwardfleeingintothecountryoftheUnkpapasandappealingtothemforhelp，urgingthatallIndiansshouldmakecommoncauseagainsttheinvader。ThisbroughtSittingBullfacetofacewithaquestionwhichwasnotyetfullymaturedinhisownmind;buthavingsatisfiedhimselfofthejusticeoftheircause，hejoinedforceswiththerenegadesduringthesummerof1863，andfromthistimeonhewasanacknowledgedleader。
In1865and1866hemettheCanadianhalf-breed，LouisRiel，instigatoroftworebellions，whohadcomeacrossthelineforsafety;andinfactatthistimeheharboredanumberofoutlawsandfugitivesfromjustice。Hisconversationswiththese，especiallywiththeFrenchmixed-bloods，whoinflamedhisprejudicesagainsttheAmericans，allhadtheirinfluenceinmakingofthewilySiouxadeterminedenemytothewhiteman。Whileamonghisownpeoplehewasalwaysaffableandgenial，hebecameboastfulanddomineeringinhisdealingswiththehatedrace。Heonceremarkedthat"ifwewishtomakeanyimpressionuponthepale-face，itisnecessarytoputonhismask。"
SittingBulljoinedintheattackonFortPhilKearnyandinthesubsequenthostilities;butheacceptedingoodfaiththetreatyof1868，andsoonafteritwassignedhevisitedWashingtonwithRedCloudandSpottedTail，onwhichoccasionthethreedistinguishedchiefsattractedmuchattentionandwereentertainedatdinnerbyPresidentGrantandothernotables。Heconsideredthatthelifeofthewhitemanashesawitwasnolifeforhispeople，buthopedbycloseadherencetothetermsofthistreatytopreservetheBigHornandBlackHillscountryforapermanenthuntingground。Whengoldwasdiscoveredandtheirrepressiblegoldseekersmadetheirhistoricdashacrosstheplainsintothisforbiddenparadise，thenhisfaithinthewhiteman’shonorwasgoneforever，andhetookhisfinalandmostpersistentstandindefenseofhisnationandhome。Hisbitterandatthesametimewell-groundedandphilosophicaldislikeoftheconqueringraceiswellexpressedinaspeechmadebeforethepurelyIndiancouncilbeforereferredto，uponthePowderRiver。Iwillgiveitinbriefasithasbeenseveraltimesrepeatedtomebymenwhowerepresent。
"Behold，myfriends，thespringiscome;theearthhasgladlyreceivedtheembracesofthesun，andweshallsoonseetheresultsoftheirlove！Everyseedisawakened，andallanimallife。Itisthroughthismysteriouspowerthatwetoohaveourbeing，andwethereforeyieldtoourneighbors，eventoouranimalneighbors，thesamerightasourselvestoinhabitthisvastland。
"Yethearme，friends！wehavenowtodealwithanotherpeople，smallandfeeblewhenourforefathersfirstmetwiththem，butnowgreatandoverbearing。Strangelyenough，theyhaveamindtotillthesoil，andtheloveofpossessionsisadiseaseinthem。
Thesepeoplehavemademanyrulesthattherichmaybreak，butthepoormaynot！Theyhaveareligioninwhichthepoorworship，buttherichwillnot！Theyeventaketithesofthepoorandweaktosupporttherichandthosewhorule。Theyclaimthismotherofours，theEarth，fortheirownuse，andfencetheirneighborsawayfromher，anddefaceherwiththeirbuildingsandtheirrefuse。
Theycompelhertoproduceoutofseason，andwhensterilesheismadetotakemedicineinordertoproduceagain。Allthisissacrilege。
"Thisnationislikeaspringfreshet;itoverrunsitsbanksanddestroysallwhoareinitspath。Wecannotdwellsidebyside。Onlysevenyearsagowemadeatreatybywhichwewereassuredthatthebuffalocountryshouldbelefttousforever。Nowtheythreatentotakethatfromusalso。Mybrothers，shallwesubmit？orshallwesaytothem：’Firstkillme，beforeyoucantakepossessionofmyfatherland！’"
AsSittingBullspoke，sohefelt，andhehadthecouragetostandbyhiswords。CrazyHorseledhisforcesinthefield;asforhim，heappliedhisenergiestostateaffairs，andbyhisstrongandaggressivepersonalitycontributedmuchtoholdingthehostilestogether。
ItmaybesaidwithoutfearofcontradictionthatSittingBullneverkilledanywomenorchildren。Hewasafairfighter，andwhilenotprominentinbattleafterhisyoungmanhood，hewasthebrainsoftheSiouxresistance。Hehasbeencalleda"medicineman"anda"dreamer。"Strictlyspeaking，hewasneitherofthese，andthewhitehistoriansarepronetoconfusethetwo。Amedicinemanisadoctororhealer;adreamerisanactivewarprophetwholeadshiswarpartyaccordingtohisdreamorprophecy。Whatiscalledbywhites"makingmedicine"inwartimeisagainawrongconception。Everywarriorcarriesabagofsacredorluckycharms，supposedtoprotecttheweareralone，butithasnothingtodowiththesuccessorsafetyofthepartyasawhole。Noonecanmakeany"medicine"toaffecttheresultofabattle，althoughithasbeensaidthatSittingBulldidthisatthebattleoftheLittleBigHorn。
WhenCusterandRenoattackedthecampatbothends，thechiefwascaughtnapping。Thevillagewasindangerofsurprise，andthewomenandchildrenmustbeplacedinsafety。Likeothermenofhisage，SittingBullgothisfamilytogetherforflight，andthenjoinedthewarriorsontheRenosideoftheattack。ThushewasnotinthefamouschargeagainstCuster;nevertheless，hisvoicewasheardexhortingthewarriorsthroughoutthatday。
Duringtheautumnof1876，afterthefallofCuster，SittingBullwashuntedallthroughtheYellowstoneregionbythemilitary。
Thefollowingcharacteristicletter，doubtlesswrittenathisdictationbyahalf-breedinterpreter，wassenttoColonelOtisimmediatelyafteradaringattackuponhiswagontrain。
"Iwanttoknowwhatyouaredoing，travelingonthisroad。
Youscareallthebuffaloaway。Iwanttohuntinthisplace。I
wantyoutoturnbackfromhere。Ifyoudon’t，Iwillfightyouagain。Iwantyoutoleavewhatyouhavegothereandturnbackfromhere。
IamyourfriendSittingBull。
Imeanalltherationsyouhavegotandsomepowder。Wishyouwouldwritemeassoonasyoucan。"
Otis，however，keptonandjoinedColonelMiles，whofollowedSittingBullwithaboutfourhundredsoldiers。HeovertookhimatlastonCedarCreek，neartheYellowstone，andthetwometmidwaybetweenthelinesforaparley。Thearmyreportsays："SittingBullwantedpeaceinhisownway。"Thetruthwasthathewantednothingmorethanhadbeenguaranteedtothembythetreatyof1868
——theexclusivepossessionoftheirlasthuntingground。Thisthegovernmentwasnotnowpreparedtogrant，asithadbeendecidedtoplacealltheIndiansundermilitarycontroluponthevariousreservations。
Sinceitwasimpossibletoreconciletwosuchconflictingdemands，thehostilesweredrivenaboutfrompillartopostforseveralmoreyears，andfinallytookrefugeacrossthelineinCanada，whereSittingBullhadplacedhislasthopeofjusticeandfreedomforhisrace。Herehewasjoinedfromtimetotimebypartiesofmalcontentsfromthereservation，drivenlargelybystarvationandill-treatmenttoseekanotherhome。Here，too，theywerefollowedbyUnitedStatescommissioners，headedbyGeneralTerry，whoendeavoredtopersuadehimtoreturn，promisingabundanceoffoodandfairtreatment，despitethefactthattheexileswerewellawareofthemiserableconditionofthe"goodIndians"uponthereservations。Hefirstrefusedtomeetthematall，andonlydidsowhenadvisedtothateffectbyMajorWalshoftheCanadianmountedpolice。Thiswashischaracteristicremark：
"IfyouhaveonehonestmaninWashington，sendhimhereandIwilltalktohim。"
SittingBullwasnotmovedbyfairwords;butwhenhefoundthatiftheyhadlibertyonthatside，theyhadlittleelse，thattheCanadiangovernmentwouldgivethemprotectionbutnofood;
thatthebuffalohadbeenallbutexterminatedandhisstarvingpeoplewerealreadybeginningtodeserthim，hewascompelledatlast，in1881，toreportatFortBuford，NorthDakota，withhisbandofhungry，homeless，anddiscouragedrefugees。Itwas，afterall，tohungerandnottothestrongarmofthemilitarythathesurrenderedintheend。
Inspiteoftheinvitationthathadbeenextendedtohiminthenameofthe"GreatFather"atWashington，hewasimmediatelythrownintoamilitaryprison，andafterwardhandedovertoColonelCody（"BuffaloBill"）asanadvertisementforhis"WildWestShow。"
Aftertravelingaboutforseveralyearswiththefamousshowman，thusincreasinghisknowledgeoftheweaknessesaswellasthestrengthofthewhiteman，thedeposedandhumiliatedchiefsettleddownquietlywithhispeopleupontheStandingRockagencyinNorthDakota，wherehisimmediatebandoccupiedtheGrandRiverdistrictandsettoraisingcattleandhorses。Theymadegoodprogress;
muchbetter，infact，thanthatofthe"coffee-coolers"or"loafer"
Indians，receivedthemissionarieskindlyandweresoonachurch-goingpeople。
WhentheCommissionsof1888and1889cametotreatwiththeSiouxforafurthercessionoflandandareductionoftheirreservations，nearlyallwereopposedtoconsentonanyterms。
Nevertheless，byhookorbycrook，enoughsignatureswerefinallyobtainedtocarrythemeasurethrough，althoughitissaidthatmanywerethoseofwomenandtheso-called"squaw-men"，whohadnorightsintheland。Atthesametime，rationswerecutdown，andtherewasgeneralhardshipanddissatisfaction。CrazyHorsewaslongsincedead;SpottedTailhadfallenatthehandsofoneofhisowntribe;RedCloudhadbecomeafeebleoldman，andthedisaffectedamongtheSiouxbeganoncemoretolooktoSittingBullforleadership。
Atthiscrisisastrangethinghappened。Ahalf-breedIndianinNevadapromulgatedthenewsthattheMessiahhadappearedtohimuponapeakintheRockies，dressedinrabbitskins，andbringingamessagetotheredrace。Themessagewastotheeffectthatsincehisfirstcominghadbeeninvain，sincethewhitepeoplehaddoubtedandreviledhim，hadnailedhimtothecross，andtrampleduponhisdoctrines，hehadcomeagaininpitytosavetheIndian。
Hedeclaredthathewouldcausetheearthtoshakeandtooverthrowthecitiesofthewhitesanddestroythem，thatthebuffalowouldreturn，andthelandbelongtotheredraceforever！Theseeventsweretocometopasswithintwoyears;andmeanwhiletheyweretoprepareforhiscomingbytheceremoniesanddanceswhichhecommanded。
Thiscuriousstoryspreadlikewildfireandmetwitheageracceptanceamongthesufferinganddiscontentedpeople。TheteachingsofChristianmissionarieshadpreparedthemtobelieveinaMessiah，andtheprescribedceremonialwasmuchmoreinaccordwiththeirtraditionsthantheconventionalworshipofthechurches。ChiefsofmanytribessentdelegationstotheIndianprophet;ShortBull，KickingBear，andotherswentfromamongtheSioux，andontheirreturnallinauguratedthedancesatonce。
Therewasanattemptatfirsttokeepthemattersecret，butitsoonbecamegenerallyknownandseriouslydisconcertedtheIndianagentsandothers，whowerequicktosuspectahostileconspiracyunderallthisreligiousenthusiasm。Asamatteroffact，therewasnothoughtofanuprising;thedancingwasinnocentenough，andpatheticenoughtheirdespairinghopeinapitifulSaviourwhoshouldoverwhelmtheiroppressorsandbringbacktheirgoldenage。
WhentheIndiansrefusedtogiveupthe"GhostDance"atthebiddingoftheauthorities，thegrowingsuspicionandalarmfocuseduponSittingBull，whoinspirithadneverbeenanytoosubmissive，anditwasdeterminedtoorderhisarrest。AtthespecialrequestofMajorMcLaughlin，agentatStandingRock，fortyofhisIndianpoliceweresentouttoSittingBull’shomeonGrandRivertosecurehisperson（followedatsomelittledistancebyabodyofUnitedStatestroopsforreinforcement，incaseoftrouble）。Thesepoliceareenlistedfromamongthetribesmenateachagency，andhaveproveduniformlybraveandfaithful。Theyenteredthecabinatdaybreak，arousedthechieffromasoundslumber，helpedhimtodress，andledhimunresistingfromthehouse;butwhenhecameoutinthegraydawnofthatDecembermorningin1890，tofindhiscabinsurroundedbyarmedmenandhimselfledawaytoheknewnotwhatfate，hecriedoutloudly：
"Theyhavetakenme：whatsayyoutoit？"
Menpouredoutoftheneighboringhouses，andinafewminutesthepolicewerethemselvessurroundedwithanexcitedandrapidlyincreasingthrong。Theyharanguedthecrowdinvain;SittingBull’sbloodwasup，andheagainappealedtohismen。Hisadoptedbrother，theAssiniboinecaptivewhoselifehehadsavedsomanyyearsbefore，wasthefirsttofire。HisshotkilledLieutenantBullHead，whoheldSittingBullbythearm。Thentherewasashortbutsharpconflict，inwhichSittingBullandsixofhisdefendersandsixoftheIndianpolicewereslain，withmanymorewounded。Thechief’syoungson，CrowFoot，andhisdevoted"brother"diedwithhim。Whenallwasover，andtheterrifiedpeoplehadfledprecipitatelyacrosstheriver，thesoldiersappeareduponthebrowofthelonghillandfiredtheirHotchkissgunsintothedesertedcamp。
Thusendedthelifeofanaturalstrategistofnomeancourageandability。Thegreatchiefwasburiedwithouthonorsoutsidethecemeteryatthepost，andforsomeyearsthegravewasmarkedbyamereboardatitshead。Recentlysomewomenhavebuiltacairnofrocksthereintokenofrespectandremembrance。