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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
grandfather was ap… proached with this suggestion； he replied that he and
the remaining brothers could not condescend to spill the blood of such a
wretch； but that the others might do whatever they thought just with the
young man。 These men were foremost among the warriors of the Sioux；
and no one questioned their courage； yet when this calamity was brought
upon them by a villain； they refused to touch him！ This； my boy； is a test
of true bravery。 Self…pos… session and self…control at such a moment is
proof of a strong heart。
〃You have heard of Jingling Thunder the elder； whose brave deeds are
well known to the Villagers of the Lakes。 He sought honor 'in the gates
of the enemy；' as we often say。 The Great Mystery was especially kind to
him； because he was obedient。
〃Many winters ago there was a great battle； in which Jingling Thunder
won his first honors。 It was forty winters before the falling of many stars；
which event occurred twenty winters after the coming of the black…robed
white priest； and that was fourteen winters before the annihilation by our
people of thirty lodges of the Sac and Fox Indians。 I well remember the
latter eventit was just fifty winters ago。 However； I will count my
sticks again。〃
So saying； Smoky Day produced his bundle of variously colored sticks；
about five inches long。 He counted and gave them to me to verify his
calculation。
〃But you；〃 he resumed； 〃do not care to re… member the winters that
have passed。 You are young； and care only for the event and the deed。
It was very many years ago that this thing happened that I am about to tell
you； and yet our people speak of it with as much enthusiasm as if it were
only yesterday。 Our heroes are always kept alive in the minds of the
nation。
〃Our people lived then on the east bank of the Mississippi； a little
south of where Imnejah…skah； or White Cliff （St。 Paul； Minnesota）； now
stands。 After they left Mille Lacs they founded several villages； but
finally settled in this spot； whence the tribes have gradually dispersed。
Here a battle occurred which surpassed all others in history。 It lasted one
whole daythe Sacs and Foxes and the Dakotas against the Ojib… ways。
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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
〃An invitation in the usual form of a filled pipe was brought to the
Sioux by a brave of the Sac and Fox tribe； to make a general attack upon
their common enemy。 The Dakota braves quickly signified their
willingness in the same manner； and it having been agreed to meet upon
the St。 Croix river； preparations were immediately begun to despatch a
large war…party。
〃Among our people there were many tried war… riors whose names
were known； and every youth of a suitable age was desirous of emulating
them。 As these young novices issued from every camp and almost every
teepee； their mothers； sisters； grand… fathers and grandmothers were
singing for them the 'strong…heart' songs。 An old woman； liv… ing with
her only grandchild； the remnant of a once large band who had all been
killed at three different times by different parties of the Ojibways； was
conspicuous among the singers。
〃Everyone who heard； cast toward her a sym… pathetic glance； for it
was well known that she and her grandson constituted the remnant of a
band of Sioux； and that her song indicated that her pre… cious child had
attained the age of a warrior； and was now about to join the war…party； and
to seek a just revenge for the annihilation of his family。 This was
Jingling Thunder； also familiarly known as 'The Little Last。' He was seen
to carry with him some family relics in the shape of war…clubs and lances。
〃The aged woman's song was something like this：
〃Go； my brave Jingling Thunder！ Upon the silvery path
Behold that glittering track
〃And yet； my child； remember How pitiful to live
Survivor of the young！ 'Stablish our name and kin！〃
〃The Sacs and Foxes were very daring and confident upon this
occasion。 They proposed to the Sioux that they should engage alone with
the enemy at first； and let us see how their braves can fight！ To this our
people assented； and they as… sembled upon the hills to watch the struggle
be… tween their allies and the Ojibways。 It seemed to be an equal fight；
and for a time no one could tell how the contest would end。 Young
Jingling Thunder was an impatient spectator； and it was
*The Milky Waybelieved by the Dakotas to be the road travelled by
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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
the spirits of departed braves。 hard to keep him from rushing forward to
meet his foes。
〃At last a great shout went up； and the Sacs and Foxes were seen to be
retreating with heavy loss。 Then the Sioux took the field； and were fast
winning the day； when fresh reinforcements came from the north for the
Ojibways。 Up to this time Jingling Thunder had been among the
foremost in the battle； and had engaged in several close en… counters。 But
this fresh attack of the Ojibways was unexpected； and the Sioux were
somewhat tired。 Besides； they had told the Sacs and Foxes to sit upon
the hills and rest their weary limbs and take lessons from their friends the
Sioux； therefore no aid was looked for from any quarter。
〃A great Ojibway chief made a fierce onslaught on the Dakotas。 This
man Jingling Thunder now rushed forward to meet。 The Ojibway
boastfully shouted to his warriors that he had met a tender fawn and would
reserve to himself the honor of destroying it。 Jingling Thunder； on his
side； exclaimed that he had met the aged bear of whom he had heard so
much； but that he would need no assistance to overcome him。
〃The powerful man flashed his tomahawk in the air over the youthful
warrior's head； but the brave sprang aside as quick as lightning； and in the
same instant speared his enemy to the heart。 As the Ojibway chief gave a
gasping yell and fell in death； his people lost courage； while the success of
the brave Jingling Thunder strengthened the hearts of the Sioux； for they
im… mediately followed up their advantage and drove the enemy out of
their territory。
〃This was the beginning of Jingling Thunder's career as a warrior。 He
afterwards performed even greater acts of valor。 He became the ancestor
of a famous band of the Sioux； of whom your own father； Ohiyesa； was a
member。 You have doubt… less heard his name in connection with many
great events。 Yet he was a patient man； and was never known to quarrel
with one of his own nation。〃
That night I lay awake a long time commit… ting to memory the
tradition I had heard； and the next day I boasted to my playmate； Little
Rain… bow； about my first lesson fr