Before relating to my young friends the incidents which follow, I think a few words of explanation will help them.
Perhaps some of you share the general mistake that the American Indians are dying out. This is not the fact. There are to-day more red men in the United States than ever before. In number, they exceed a quarter of a million, and though they do not increase as fast as the whites, still they are increasing.
It is true that a great many tribes have disappeared, while others that were once numerous and powerful have dwindled1 to a few hundreds; but on the other hand, tribes that were hardly known a century ago now include thousands.
The many wars between the United States and the Indians have been caused, almost without exception, by gross injustice2 towards the red men. They have been wronged in every way, until in their rage they turned against their oppressors. The sad fact at such times is that the ones who have used them so ill generally escape harm, while the innocent suffer. The Indian reasons that it is the white race that has wronged him, so he does them all the injury he can, without caring whether the one whom he slays3 has had a hand in his own persecution4.
The Indian, like all savages5, is very superstitious6. He loves to think over the time, hundreds of years ago, when the red men roamed over the whole continent from ocean to ocean. He dreams of those days, and believes they will again return—that the pale faces will be driven into the sea, and the vast land become the hunting ground of the Indians.
Some years ago this strange faith took a wonderfully strong hold upon those people. The belief spread that a Messiah was coming in the spring of 1891, who would destroy the pale faces and give all the country back to the red men. They began holding wild dances, at which the dancers took hold of hands and leaped and shouted and circled round and round until they dropped to the ground, senseless and almost dead. These "ghost dances," as they were called, were carried on to please the new Messiah. When the dancers recovered, they told strange stories of having visited the other world. All who listened believed them.
The craze spread like wildfire, and before the Government understood what was going on, the Indians were making ready for war. They were well armed, eager to attack the whites. The principal tribe was the Dakota or Sioux, the most powerful on the American continent.
The leading chief or medicine man was Sitting Bull. He was a bad man who had made trouble for more than twenty years. He could not endure the white men, and, when not actively8 engaged against them, was thinking out some scheme of evil.
As soon as the new Messiah craze broke out, he turned it to account. He sent his friends among the tribes and urged them to unite in a general war against the whites. The officers and soldiers were very patient, and did their best to soothe9 the red men, but matters grew worse and worse. Trouble was sure to come if Sitting Bull were allowed to keep up his mischievous10 work.
So it was decided11 to arrest him. In the attempt several people were killed, among them Sitting Bull himself. Danger still threatened, and many believed that it would require a great battle to subdue12 the Indians.
Now, if you will look at your map of the United States, you will notice that the Missouri River runs across the middle of the new State of South Dakota. On the southern boundary of the State, a large tract13 of land, reaching one-third of the way westward14 to Wyoming, and with the White River forming in a general way the northern boundary, makes what is known as an Indian reservation.
There are many of these in the West. They belong to the Indians, and the Government has an agency at each, to see that no white people intrude15. The Indians are forbidden to leave these reservations without obtaining permission, and at the agencies they receive the annuities16 or supplies paid to them by the United States Government for the lands elsewhere which they have given up.
Half of the reservation directly west of the Missouri is the Rosebud17 Agency, and the other half the Pine Ridge18 Agency. It was at the latter that the grave trouble threatened.
When the discontent was so general, the danger extended hundreds of miles north and west. That section is thinly settled, and the pioneers were in great peril19. Most of them hurried to the nearest forts for safety, while others waited, hoping the cloud would soon pass by.
If your map of South Dakota is a complete one, it will show you a small stream to the westward of Pine Ridge, named Raccoon Creek20, a tributary21 of Cherry Creek, itself a branch of the Big Cheyenne River.
At the time of the troubles, the Kingsland family, consisting of Hugh, a man in middle life, his wife Molly, his daughter Edith, eight years old, and his son Brinton, a little more than double her age, were living on Raccoon Creek.
The family had emigrated thither22 three years before from Kansas, and all would have gone well in their new home, but for the illness of Mr. Kingsland.
Something in the climate disagreed with him, though the rest of the family throve. He was first brought low with chills and fever, which after several months' obstinate23 fight finally left him weak and dispirited. Then, when he was fairly recovered, the slipping of an axe24 in his hands so wounded his foot that he was laid up for fully7 two months more.
It looked as if ill-fortune was to follow him so long at least as he stayed in South Dakota, for sickness, accident, and misfortune succeeded each other, until he would have despaired but for those around him.
His wife was well fitted to be the helpmate of a pioneer, for she was hopeful, industrious25, strong, and brave. She carefully nursed him, making light of their afflictions, and declaring that all would soon come right, and that prosperity would prove the sweeter from having been deferred26 so long.
Edith, bright-eyed, pretty, affectionate and loving, was the comfort of those hours which otherwise would have been intolerably dismal27, when confined in his small humble28 home. He read to and taught her, told her delightful29 fairy stories, listened to her innocent prattle30 and exchanged the sweetest of confidences.
Sometimes Hugh Kingsland wondered after all whether he was not the most fortunate individual in the world in being thus blessed in his family relations.
And there was another from whom the meed of praise must not be withheld31. That was Brinton, now close upon seventeen years of age. The ill-fortune to which we have alluded32 made him in one sense the virtual head of the family. He was strong, cheerful, and resembled his mother in his hopeful disposition33. The difficulties in which his father was continually involved brought out the real manhood of his nature. He looked after the cattle and live stock, galloped34 across the plains to Hermosa, Fairburn, Rapid City, and other points for supplies or on other business, or, fording the Big Cheyenne, White, and smaller streams, crossed the reservation to Pine Ridge.
The youth was indispensable, and did his work so well, that the father, in his occasional moments of rallying, remarked that he thought of continuing to play the sick man, since it was proved that he was of no account.
"I hope you will soon become well," said the red-cheeked lad one evening, as the group gathered around the fire; "but stay here in the house as long as you wish, for mother and Edith and I can get along without your help."
"Yes, husband; don't fret37 over that. Only become well, and until you do so, be assured that everything is going along as it should."
"I have never had a doubt of that; but, ah me," he added with a sigh, "this is tiresome38 after all, especially when it begins to look as though I shall never be well again."
"For my part," said Edith very earnestly, "I don't want you to get well, and I am praying that you will not."
"Why, Edith!" exclaimed the mother reproachfully, while her brother did not know whether to laugh or be shocked at the odd expression. As for the father, he laughed more heartily39 than he had done for weeks.
Edith looked wonderingly in their faces, and felt that some explanation was due to them.
"I mean to say—that is I don't mean anything bad, but if papa gets well enough to ride out to look after the cattle, and is working all day, why, I won't have anyone to tell me stories and read to me and do so many funny things."
"Your explanation is satisfactory," said her father, smiling. "I shall have to stay in the house for some weeks—that is certain, and perhaps longer."
"Oh, I am so glad!"
But with the first clapping of the chubby40 hands, Edith realised that she was doing wrong again, and she added in a gentler voice—
"If papa feels bad when he is ill then I am sorry for him, and will pray every night and morning that he may get well."
It was winter time, and the Kingslands in their humble home could not be ignorant of the alarming state of affairs around them. They had been urged to come into the agency while it was safe to do so, for the revolt among the Indians was spreading, and there was no saying when escape would be cut off. The family had considered the question with the seriousness due to so important a matter.
Naturally, they were reluctant to abandon their home now, for it would be virtually throwing away everything they owned in the world; but when it became a question of life and death, there could be no hesitation41.
On the very night, however, that the decision to remove to the agency was made, Sergeant42 Victor Parkhurst, who was out on a scout43, with a squad44 of men from Pine Ridge, called at their home and stated his belief that no trouble would occur. He said it would be better if the family were at Pine Ridge, and he offered to escort them thither. But, he added, that in Mr. Kingsland's feeble condition it would be as well for him to stay where he was, since he must run great risk by exposure in the depth of winter.
The next caller at the cabin was Nicholas Jackson, who had been a scout under General Crook46, and was now serving General Miles in the same capacity at Pine Ridge. He brought news of Sitting Bull's death, and assured the pioneer that every day spent by him and his family away from the agency increased their peril.
"You shouldn't delay your start a single hour," was his remark, as he vaulted47 upon his pony48 and skurried away.
Before deciding the all-important question, it was agreed that Brinton should gallop35 down to the reservation and learn the real situation. It was a long ride to Pine Ridge, and involved the crossing of the Cheyenne, White, and several smaller streams, but the youth was confident he could penetrate49 far enough to ascertain50 the truth and get back by sunset. If it were necessary to go all the way to the agency, this was impossible, for the days were at their shortest, but he must penetrate that far to find out what he wished to know.
When Brinton flung himself into the saddle of Jack45, his tough and intelligent pony, just as it was beginning to grow light in the east, after his hasty breakfast and "good-bye," he was sure he would be caught in a snow-storm before his return. The dull heavy sky, and the peculiar51 penetrating52 chilliness53, left no doubt on that point.
But with his usual pluck, he chirruped to his pony, lightly jerked his bridle54 rein55, and the gallant56 animal was off at a swinging pace, which he was able to maintain for hours without fatigue57. He was heading south-east, over the faintly marked trail, with which the youth was familiar and which was so well known to the animal himself that he needed no guidance.
Two hours later, the young horseman reached the border line of Custer and Washington counties, that is between the county of his own home and the reservation. This was made by the Big Cheyenne River, which had to be crossed before Pine Ridge was reached. Brinton reined58 up his horse and sat for some minutes, looking down on the stream, in which huge pieces of ice were floating, though it was not frozen over.
He was in the act of starting his pony down the bank, when on the heavy chilly60 air sounded a dull explosive crack. A nipping of his coat sleeve showed that the bullet had passed startlingly near him. He turned his head like a flash, and saw, not more than a hundred feet distant, the figure of a Sioux buck61 or young warrior62 bareback on his horse, which was standing63 motionless, while his rider made ready to let fly with another shot from his Winchester rifle.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
dwindled
|
|
| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
injustice
|
|
| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
slays
|
|
| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
persecution
|
|
| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
superstitious
|
|
| adj.迷信的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
actively
|
|
| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
soothe
|
|
| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
mischievous
|
|
| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
subdue
|
|
| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
tract
|
|
| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
westward
|
|
| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
intrude
|
|
| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
annuities
|
|
| n.养老金；年金( annuity的名词复数 )；（每年的）养老金；年金保险；年金保险投资 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
rosebud
|
|
| n.蔷薇花蕾，妙龄少女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
ridge
|
|
| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
creek
|
|
| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
tributary
|
|
| n.支流；纳贡国；adj.附庸的；辅助的；支流的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
axe
|
|
| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
industrious
|
|
| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
deferred
|
|
| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
dismal
|
|
| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
prattle
|
|
| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
withheld
|
|
| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
alluded
|
|
| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
galloped
|
|
| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
gallop
|
|
| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
Ford
|
|
| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
fret
|
|
| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
tiresome
|
|
| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
heartily
|
|
| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
chubby
|
|
| adj.丰满的，圆胖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
sergeant
|
|
| n.警官，中士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
scout
|
|
| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
squad
|
|
| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
crook
|
|
| v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
vaulted
|
|
| adj.拱状的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
pony
|
|
| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
penetrate
|
|
| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
ascertain
|
|
| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
penetrating
|
|
| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
chilliness
|
|
| n.寒冷，寒意，严寒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
bridle
|
|
| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
rein
|
|
| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
fatigue
|
|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
reined
|
|
| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
inviting
|
|
| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
chilly
|
|
| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
buck
|
|
| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |