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In early life he was
a clownish sort of boy among the boys —an expert mimic and
impersonator. This talent made him popular and in his way a leader. He
was a natural actor, and early showed marked ability as a speaker.
American Horse was about ten years old when he was attacked by
three Crow warriors, while driving a herd of ponies to water. Here he
displayed native cunning and initiative. It seemed he had scarcely a
chance to escape, for the enemy was near. He yelled frantically at the
ponies to start them toward home, while he dropped off into a thicket
of willows and hid there. A part of the herd was caught in sight of
the camp and there was a counter chase, but the Crows got away with
the ponies. Of course his mother was frantic, believing her boy had
been killed or captured; but after the excitement was over, he
appeared in camp unhurt. When questioned about his escape, he
remarked: "I knew they would not take the time to hunt for small game
when there was so much bigger close by."
When he was quite a
big boy, he joined in a buffalo hunt, and on the way back with the
rest of the hunters his mule became unmanageable.
American Horse had insisted on riding him in addition to a heavy
load of meat and skins, and the animal evidently resented this, for he
suddenly began to run and kick, scattering fresh meat along the road,
to the merriment of the crowd. But the boy turned actor, and made it
appear that it was at his wish the mule had given this diverting
performance. He clung to the back of his plunging and braying mount
like a circus rider, singing a Brave Heart song, and finally brought
up amid the laughter and cheers of his companions. Far from admitting
defeat, he boasted of his horsemanship and declared that his "brother"
the donkey would put any enemy to flight, and that they should be
called upon to lead a charge.
It was several years later that he went to
sleep early one night and slept soundly, having been scouting for two
nights previous. It happened that there was a raid by the Crows, and
when he awoke in the midst of the yelling and confusion, he sprang up
and attempted to join in the fighting. Everybody knew his voice in all
the din, so when he fired his gun and announced a coup, as was the
custom, others rushed to the spot, to find that he had shot a hobbled
pony belonging to their own camp. The laugh was on him, and he never
recovered from his chagrin at this mistake. In fact, although he was
undoubtedly fearless and tried hard to distinguish himself in warfare,
he did not succeed.
It is told of him that he
once went with a war party of young men to the Wind River country against
the Shoshones.
At last they discovered a large camp, but there were only a dozen or so of
the Sioux,
therefore they hid themselves and watched for their opportunity to attack
an isolated party of hunters. While waiting thus, they ran short of food.
One day a small party of
Shoshones
was seen near at hand, and in the midst of the excitement and
preparations for the attack, young American Horse caught sight of a
fat black-tail deer close by.
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