d, however, he turned him about and came back, yelling and
swinging his lariat over his head. The bear at first showed fight but
finally turned and ran. The old man who told me this story added that
young as he was, he had some power, so that even a grizzly did not
care to tackle him. I believe it is a fact that a silver-tip will dare
anything except a bell or a lasso line, so that accidentally the boy had
hit upon the very thing which would drive him off.

It was usual for Sioux boys of his day to wait in the field after a
buffalo hunt until sundown, when the young calves would come out in the
open, hungrily seeking their mothers. Then these wild children would
enjoy a mimic hunt, and lasso the calves or drive them into camp. Crazy
Horse was found to be a determined little fellow, and it was settled
one day among the larger boys that they would "stump" him to ride a
good-sized bull calf. He rode the calf, and stayed on its back while it
ran bawling over the hills, followed by the other boys on their ponies,
until his strange mount stood trembling and exhausted.

At the age of sixteen he joined a war party against the Gros Ventres. He
was well in the front of the charge, and at once established his bravery
by following closely one of the foremost Sioux warriors, by the name of
Hump, drawing the enemy's fire and circling around their advance guard.
Suddenly Hump's horse was shot from under him, and there was a rush
of warriors to kill or capture him while down. But amidst a shower of
arrows the youth leaped from his pony, helped his friend into his own
saddle, sprang up behind him, and carried him off in safety, although
they were hotly pursued by the enemy. Thus he associated himself in his
maiden battle with the wizard of Indian warfare, and Hump, who was
then at the height of his own career, pronounced Crazy Horse the coming
warrior of the Teton Sioux.

At this period of his life, as was customary with the best young men, he
spent much time in prayer and solitude. Just what happened in these days
of his fasting in the wilderness and upon the crown of bald buttes,
no one will ever know; for these things may only be known when one has
lived through the battles of life to an honored old age. He was much
sought after by his youthful associates, but was noticeably reserved and
modest; yet in the moment of danger he at once rose above them all--a
natural leader! Crazy Horse was a typical Sioux brave, and from the
point of