PerhapsnootherchiefattackedmoreemigrantsgoingwestontheOregonTrailbetween1860and1868。HeoncemadeanattackonalargepartyofMormons，andinthisinstancetheMormonshadtimetoformacorralwiththeirwagonsandsheltertheirwomen，children，andhorses。ThemenstoodoutsideandmettheIndianswithwell-aimedvolleys，buttheycircledthewagonswithwhirlwindspeed，andwheneverawhitemanfell，itwasthesignalforRomanNosetochargeandcountthe"coup。"Thehatofoneofthedeadmenwasoff，andalthoughhehadheavyhairandbeard，thetopofhisheadwasbaldfromtheforeheadup。Ascustomrequiredsuchadeedtobeannouncedonthespot，thechiefyelledatthetopofhisvoice：
　　"YourRomanNosehascountedthefirstcouponthelongest-facedwhitemanwhowaseverkilled！"
　　WhentheNorthernCheyennesunderthisdaringleaderattackedabodyofscoutingtroopsunderthebrilliantofficerGeneralForsythe，RomanNosethoughtthathehadacomparativelyeasytask。
　　Thefirstonsetfailed，andthecommandentrencheditselfonalittleisland。Thewilychiefthoughthecouldstampedethemandurgedonhisbraveswiththedeclarationthatthefirsttoreachtheislandshouldbeentitledtowearatrailingwarbonnet。
　　Neverthelesshewasdisappointed，andhismenreceivedsuchawarmreceptionthatnonesucceededinreachingit。Inordertoinspirethemtodesperatedeedshehadledtheminperson，andwithhimthatmeantvictoryordeath。Accordingtothearmyaccounts，itwasathrillingmoment，andmightwellhaveproveddisastroustotheForsythecommand，whoseleaderwaswoundedandhelpless。ThedangerwasacuteuntilRomanNosefell，andeventhenhislieutenantswerebentuponcrossingatanycost，butsomeoftheolderchiefsprevaileduponthemtowithdraw。
　　ThusthebrilliantwarchiefoftheCheyennescametohisdeath。Ifhehadliveduntil1876，SittingBullwouldhavehadanotherboldally。
　　CHIEFJOSEPH
　　TheNezPercetribeofIndians，likeothertribestoolargetobeunitedunderonechief，wascomposedofseveralbands，eachdistinctinsovereignty。Itwasalooseconfederacy。JosephandhispeopleoccupiedtheImnahaorGrandeRondevalleyinOregon，whichwasconsideredperhapsthefinestlandinthatpartofthecountry。
　　WhenthelasttreatywasenteredintobysomeofthebandsoftheNezPerce，Joseph’sbandwasatLapwai，Idaho，andhadnothingtodowiththeagreement。Theelderchiefindyinghadcounseledhisson，thennotmorethantwenty-twoortwenty-threeyearsofage，nevertopartwiththeirhome，assuringhimthathehadsignednopapers。Thesepeacefulnon-treatyIndiansdidnotevenknowwhatlandhadbeencededuntiltheagentreadthemthegovernmentordertoleave。Ofcoursetheyrefused。YouandIwouldhavedonethesame。
　　Whentheagentfailedtomovethem，heandthewould-besettlerscalleduponthearmytoforcethemtobegood，namely，withoutamurmurtoleavetheirpleasantinheritanceinthehandsofacrowdofgreedygrafters。GeneralO。O。Howard，theChristiansoldier，wassenttodothework。
　　HehadalongcouncilwithJosephandhisleadingmen，tellingthemtheymustobeytheorderorbedrivenoutbyforce。Wemaybesurethathepresentedthishardalternativereluctantly。Josephwasamereyouthwithoutexperienceinwarorpublicaffairs。HehadbeenwellbroughtupinobediencetoparentalwisdomandwithhisbrotherOllicuthadattendedMissionarySpaulding’sschoolwheretheyhadlistenedtothestoryofChristandhisreligionofbrotherhood。Henowrepliedinhissimplewaythatneitherhenorhisfatherhadevermadeanytreatydisposingoftheircountry，thatnootherbandoftheNezPerceswasauthorizedtospeakforthem，anditwouldseemamightyinjusticeandunkindnesstodispossessafriendlyband。
　　GeneralHowardtoldthemineffectthattheyhadnorights，novoiceinthematter：theyhadonlytoobey。Althoughsomeofthelesserchiefscounseledrevoltthenandthere，Josephmaintainedhisself-control，seekingtocalmhispeople，andstillgropingforapeacefulsettlementoftheirdifficulties。Hefinallyaskedforthirtydays’timeinwhichtofindanddisposeoftheirstock，andthiswasgranted。
　　Josephsteadfastlyheldhisimmediatefollowerstotheirpromise，buttheland-grabberswereimpatient，anddideverythingintheirpowertobringaboutanimmediatecrisissoastohastentheevictionoftheIndians。Depredationswerecommitted，andfinallytheIndians，orsomeofthem，retaliated，whichwasjustwhattheirenemieshadbeenlookingfor。Theremightbeascoreofwhitemenmurderedamongthemselvesonthefrontierandnooutsiderwouldeverhearaboutit，butifonewereinjuredbyanIndian——
　　"Downwiththebloodthirstysavages！"wasthecry。
　　Josephtoldmehimselfthatduringallofthosethirtydaysatremendouspressurewasbroughtuponhimbyhisownpeopletoresistthegovernmentorder。"Theworstofitwas，"saidhe，"thateverythingtheysaidwastrue;besides"——hepausedforamoment——"itseemedverysoonformetoforgetmyfather’sdyingwords，’Donotgiveupourhome！’"KnowingasIdojustwhatthiswouldmeantoanIndian，Ifeltforhimdeeply。
　　AmongtheoppositionleaderswereToo-hul-hul-sote，WhiteBird，andLookingGlass，allofthemstrongmenandrespectedbytheIndians;whileontheothersideweremenbuiltupbyemissariesofthegovernmentfortheirownpurposesandadvertisedas"greatfriendlychiefs。"Asarulesuchmenareunworthy，andthisissowellknowntotheIndiansthatitmakesthemdistrustfulofthegovernment’ssincerityatthestart。Moreover，whileIndiansunqualifiedlysaywhattheymean，thewhiteshaveahundredwaysofsayingwhattheydonotmean。
　　Thecenterofthestormwasthissimpleyoungman，whosofarasIcanlearnhadneverbeenuponthewarpath，andhestoodfirmforpeaceandobedience。Asforhisfather’ssacreddyingcharge，hetoldhimselfthathewouldnotsignanypapers，hewouldnotgoofhisfreewillbutfromcompulsion，andthiswashisexcuse。
　　However，thewhiteswereundulyimpatienttoclearthecovetedvalley，andbytheirinsolencetheyaggravatedtothedangerpointanalreadystrainedsituation。ThemurderofanIndianwastheclimaxandthishappenedintheabsenceoftheyoungchief。Hereturnedtofindtheleadersdeterminedtodiefighting。Thenatureofthecountrywasintheirfavorandatleasttheycouldgivethearmyachase，buthowlongtheycouldholdouttheydidnotknow。EvenJoseph’syoungerbrotherOllicutwaswonover。
　　Therewasnothingforhimtodobutfight;andthenandtherebeganthepeacefulJoseph’scareerasageneralofunsurpassedstrategyinconductingoneofthemostmasterlyretreatsinhistory。
　　Thisisnotmyjudgment，buttheunbiasedopinionofmenwhoseknowledgeandexperiencefitthemtorenderit。BearinmindthatthesepeoplewerenotscalphuntersliketheSioux，Cheyennes，andUtes，butpeacefulhuntersandfishermen。ThefirstcouncilofwarwasastrangebusinesstoJoseph。Hehadonlythistosaytohispeople：
　　"Ihavetriedtosaveyoufromsufferingandsorrow。
　　Resistancemeansallofthat。Wearefew。Theyaremany。Youcanseeallwehaveataglance。Theyhavefoodandammunitioninabundance。Wemustsuffergreathardshipandloss。"Afterthisspeech，hequietlybeganhisplansforthedefense。
　　ThemainplanofcampaignwastoengineerasuccessfulretreatintoMontanaandthereformajunctionwiththehostileSiouxandCheyennesunderSittingBull。Therewasarelayscoutingsystem，onesetofscoutsleavingthemainbodyateveningandthesecondalittlebeforedaybreak，passingthefirstsetonsomecommandinghilltop。TherewerealsodecoyscoutssettotrapIndianscoutsofthearmy。InoticethatGeneralHowardchargeshisCrowscoutswithbeingunfaithful。
　　Theirgreatestdifficultywasinmeetinganunencumberedarmy，whilecarryingtheirwomen，children，andoldmen，withsuppliesandsuchhouseholdeffectsaswereabsolutelynecessary。Josephformedanauxiliarycorpsthatwastoeffectaretreatateachengagement，uponadefiniteplanandindefiniteorder，whiletheunencumberedwomenweremadeintoanambulancecorpstotakecareofthewounded。
　　ItwasdecidedthatthemainrearguardshouldmeetGeneralHoward’scommandinWhiteBirdCanyon，andeverydetailwasplannedinadvance，yetleftflexibleaccordingtoIndiancustom，givingeachleaderfreedomtoactaccordingtocircumstances。PerhapsnobetterambushwaseverplannedthantheoneChiefJosephsetfortheshrewdandexperiencedGeneralHoward。Heexpectedtobehotlypursued，buthecalculatedthatthepursuingforcewouldconsistofnotmorethantwohundredandfiftysoldiers。HepreparedfalsetrailstomisleadthemintothinkingthathewasabouttocrossorhadcrossedtheSalmonRiver，whichhehadnothoughtofdoingatthattime。Someofthetentswerepitchedinplainsight，whilethewomenandchildrenwerehiddenontheinaccessibleridges，andthemenconcealedinthecanyonreadytofireuponthesoldierswithdeadlyeffectwithscarcelyanydangertothemselves。Theycouldevenrollrocksuponthem。
　　Inaveryfewminutesthetroopshadlearnedalesson。Thesoldiersshowedsomefight，butalargebodyoffrontiersmenwhoaccompaniedthemweresoonindisorder。Thewarriorschasedthemnearlytenmiles，securingriflesandmuchammunition，andkillingandwoundingmany。
　　TheNezPercesnextcrossedtheriver，madeadetourandrecrosseditatanotherpoint，thentooktheirwayeastward。Allthiswasbywayofdelayingpursuit。Josephtoldmethatheestimateditwouldtakesixorsevendaystogetasufficientforceinthefieldtotakeuptheirtrail，andthecorrectnessofhisreasoningisapparentfromthefactsasdetailedinGeneralHoward’sbook。Hetellsusthathewaitedsixdaysforthearrivalofmenfromvariousfortsinhisdepartment，thenfollowedJosephwithsixhundredsoldiers，besidealargenumberofcitizenvolunteersandhisIndianscouts。Asitwasevidenttheyhadalongchaseovertracklesswildernessinprospect，hediscardedhissupplywagonsandtookpackmulesinstead。ButbythistimetheIndianshadagoodstart。
　　MeanwhileGeneralHowardhadsentadispatchtoColonelGibbons，withorderstoheadJosephoff，whichheundertooktodoattheMontanaendoftheLoloTrail。Thewilycommanderhadnoknowledgeofthismove，buthewasnottobesurprised。Hewastoobrainyforhispursuers，whomheconstantlyoutwitted，andonlygavebattlewhenhewasready。ThereattheBigHolePasshemetColonelGibbons’freshtroopsandpressedthemclose。HesentapartyunderhisbrotherOllicuttoharassGibbons’rearandroutthepackmules，thusthrowinghimonthedefensiveandcausinghimtosendforhelp，whileJosephcontinuedhismasterlyretreattowardtheYellowstonePark，thenawilderness。However，thiswasbutlittleadvantagetohim，sincehemustnecessarilyleaveabroadtrail，andthearmywasaugmentingitscolumnsdaybydaywithcelebratedscouts，bothwhiteandIndian。Thetwocommandscametogether，andalthoughGeneralHowardsaystheirhorseswerebythistimewornout，andbyinferencethemenaswell，theypersistedonthetrailofapartyencumberedbywomenandchildren，theold，sick，andwounded。
　　ItwasdecidedtosendadetachmentofcavalryunderBacon，toTashPass，thegatewayoftheNationalPark，whichJosephwouldhavetopass，withorderstodetainhimthereuntiltherestcouldcomeupwiththem。HereiswhatGeneralHowardsaysoftheaffair。
　　"BacongotintopositionsoonenoughbuthedidnothavethehearttofighttheIndiansonaccountoftheirnumber。"Meanwhileanotherincidenthadoccurred。Rightundertheeyesofthechosenscoutsandvigilantsentinels，Joseph’swarriorsfireduponthearmycampatnightandranofftheirmules。Hewentstraightontowardthepark，whereLieutenantBaconlethimgetbyandpassthroughthenarrowgatewaywithoutfiringashot。
　　HereagainitwasdemonstratedthatGeneralHowardcouldnotdependuponthevolunteers，manyofwhomhadjoinedhiminthechase，andweregoingtoshowthesoldiershowtofightIndians。
　　InthisnightattackatCamasMeadow，theyweredemoralized，andwhilecrossingtherivernextdaymanylosttheirgunsinthewater，whereuponallpackedupandwenthome，leavingthearmytobeguidedbytheIndianscouts。
　　However，thissuccessionofdefeatsdidnotdiscourageGeneralHoward，whokeptonwithasmanyofhismenaswereabletocarryagun，meanwhilesendingdispatchestoallthefrontierpostswithorderstointerceptJosephifpossible。SturgistriedtostophimastheIndiansenteredthePark，buttheydidnotmeetuntilhewasabouttocomeout，whentherewasanotherfight，withJosephagainvictorious。GeneralHowardcameuponthebattlefieldsoonafterwardandsawthattheIndianswereoffagain，andfromherehesentfreshmessagestoGeneralMiles，askingforreinforcements。
　　JosephhadnowturnednortheastwardtowardtheUpperMissouri。
　　HetoldmethatwhenhegotintothatpartofthecountryheknewhewasveryneartheCanadianlineandcouldnotbefarfromSittingBull，withwhomhedesiredtoformanalliance。Healsobelievedthathehadclearedalltheforts。Thereforehewentmoreslowlyandtriedtogivehispeoplesomerest。Someoftheirbestmenhadbeenkilledorwoundedinbattle，andthewoundedwereagreatburdentohim;neverthelesstheywerecarriedandtendedpatientlyallduringthiswonderfulflight。Notonewaseverleftbehind。
　　ItisthegeneralbeliefthatIndiansarecruelandrevengeful，andsurelythesepeoplehadreasontohatetheracewhohaddriventhemfromtheirhomesifanypeopleeverhad。YetitisafactthatwhenJosephmetvisitorsandtravelersinthePark，someofwhomwerewomen，heallowedthemtopassunharmed，andinatleastoneinstanceletthemhavehorses。Hetoldmethathegavestrictorderstohismennottokillanywomenorchildren。
　　Hewishedtomeethisadversariesaccordingtotheirownstandardsofwarfare，butheafterwardlearnedthatinspiteofprofessionsofhumanity，whitesoldiershavenotseldombeenknowntokillwomenandchildrenindiscriminately。
　　AnotherremarkablethingaboutthisnotedretreatisthatJoseph’speoplestoodbehindhimtoaman，andeventhewomenandlittleboysdideachhispart。Thelatterwereusedasscoutsintheimmediatevicinityofthecamp。
　　TheBittersweetvalley，whichtheyhadnowentered，wasfullofgame，andtheIndianshuntedforfood，whilerestingtheirworn-outponies。OnemorningtheyhadacounciltowhichJosephrodeoverbareback，astheyhadcampedintwodivisionsalittleapart。Hisfifteen-year-olddaughterwentwithhim。TheydiscussedsendingrunnerstoSittingBulltoascertainhisexactwhereaboutsandwhetheritwouldbeagreeabletohimtojoinforceswiththeNezPerces。Inthemidstofthecouncil，aforceofUnitedStatescavalrychargeddownthehillbetweenthetwocamps。
　　ThisonceJosephwassurprised。Hehadseennotraceofthesoldiersandhadsomewhatrelaxedhisvigilance。
　　Hetoldhislittledaughtertostaywhereshewas，andhimselfcutrightthroughthecavalryandrodeuptohisownteepee，wherehiswifemethimatthedoorwithhisrifle，crying："Hereisyourgun，husband！"Thewarriorsquicklygatheredandpressedthesoldierssohardthattheyhadtowithdraw。MeanwhileonesetofthepeoplefledwhileJoseph’sownbandentrenchedthemselvesinaveryfavorablepositionfromwhichtheycouldnoteasilybedislodged。
　　GeneralMileshadreceivedandactedonGeneralHoward’smessage，andhenowsentoneofhisofficerswithsomeIndianscoutsintoJoseph’scamptonegotiatewiththechief。MeantimeHowardandSturgiscameupwiththeencampment，andHowardhadwithhimtwofriendlyNezPercescoutswhoweredirectedtotalktoJosephinhisownlanguage。Hedecidedthattherewasnothingtodobutsurrender。
　　Hehadbelievedthathisescapewasallbutsecure：thenatthelastmomenthewassurprisedandcaughtatadisadvantage。Hisarmywasshattered;hehadlostmostoftheleadersinthesevariousfights;hispeople，includingchildren，women，andthewounded，hadtraveledthirteenhundredmilesinaboutfiftydays，andhehimselfayoungmanwhohadneverbeforetakenanyimportantresponsibility！Evennowhewasnotactuallyconquered。Hewaswellentrenched;hispeoplewerewillingtodiefighting;butthearmyoftheUnitedStatesofferedpeaceandheagreed，ashesaid，outofpityforhissufferingpeople。Someofhiswarriorsstillrefusedtosurrenderandslippedoutofthecampatnightandthroughthelines。Josephhad，ashetoldme，betweenthreeandfourhundredfightingmeninthebeginning，whichmeansoveronethousandpersons，andoftheseseveralhundredsurrenderedwithhim。
　　Hisownstoryoftheconditionshemadewaspreparedbyhimselfwithmyhelpin1897，whenhecametoWashingtontopresenthisgrievances。Isatupwithhimnearlyallofonenight;andI
　　mayaddherethatwetookthedocumenttoGeneralMileswhowasthenstationedinWashington，beforepresentingittotheDepartment。TheGeneralsaidthateverywordofitwastrue。
　　Inthefirstplace，hispeopleweretobekeptatFortKeogh，Montana，overthewinterandthenreturnedtotheirreservation。
　　InsteadtheyweretakentoFortLeavenworth，Kansas，andplacedbetweenalagoonandtheMissouriRiver，wherethesanitaryconditionsmadehavocwiththem。ThosewhodidnotdiewerethentakentotheIndianTerritory，wherethehealthsituationwasevenworse。Josephappealedtothegovernmentagainandagain，andatlastbythehelpofBishopsWhippleandHarehewasmovedtotheColvillereservationinWashington。Herethelandwasverypoor，unliketheirownfertilevalley。GeneralMilessaidtothechiefthathehadrecommendedandurgedthattheiragreementbekept，butthepoliticiansandthepeoplewhooccupiedtheIndians’landdeclaredtheywereafraidifhereturnedhewouldbreakoutagainandmurderinnocentwhitesettlers！Whatirony！
　　ThegreatChiefJosephdiedbroken-spiritedandbroken-hearted。Hedidnothatethewhites，fortherewasnothingsmallabouthim，andwhenhelaiddownhisweaponshewouldnotfightonwithhismind。ButhewasprofoundlydisappointedintheclaimsofaChristiancivilization。Icallhimgreatbecausehewassimpleandhonest。Withouteducationorspecialtraininghedemonstratedhisabilitytoleadandtofightwhenjusticedemanded。HeoutgeneraledthebestandmostexperiencedcommandersinthearmyoftheUnitedStates，althoughtheirtroopswerewellprovisioned，wellarmed，andaboveallunencumbered。Hewasgreatfinally，becauseheneverboastedofhisremarkablefeat。Iamproudofhim，becausehewasatrueAmerican。
　　LITTLEWOLF
　　Ifanypeopleeverfoughtforlibertyandjustice，itwastheCheyennes。Ifanyeverdemonstratedtheirphysicalandmoralcouragebeyondcavil，itwasthisraceofpurelyAmericanheroes，amongwhomLittleWolfwasaleader。
　　Iknewthechiefpersonallyverywell。Asayoungdoctor，I
　　wassenttothePineRidgeagencyin1890，asgovernmentphysiciantotheSiouxandtheNorthernCheyennes。WhileIheardfromhisownlipsofthatgallantdashofhispeoplefromtheirsouthernexiletotheirnorthernhome，IpreferthatAmericansshouldreadofitinDoctorGeorgeBirdGrinnell’sbook，"TheFightingCheyennes。"Noaccountcouldbeclearerorsimpler;andthentoo，theauthorcannotbechargedwithabiasinfavorofhisownrace。
　　AtthetimethatIknewhim，LittleWolfwasahandsomeman，withthenativedignityandgentleness，musicalvoice，andpleasantaddressofsomanybraveleadersofhispeople。Onedaywhenhewasdiningwithusatourhomeonthereservation，Iaskedhim，asIhadahabitofdoing，forsomereminiscencesofhisearlylife。
　　Hewasratherreluctanttospeak，butafriendwhowaspresentcontributedthefollowing：
　　"PerhapsIcantellyouwhyitisthathehasbeenaluckymanallhislife。Whenquiteasmallboy，thetribewasonewinterinwantoffood，andhisgoodmotherhadsavedasmallpieceofbuffalomeat，whichshesolemnlybroughtforthandplacedbeforehimwiththeremark：’Mysonmustbepatient，forwhenhegrowsuphewillknowevenhardertimesthanthis。’
　　"Hehadeatennothingalldayandwasprettyhungry，butbeforehecouldlayhandsonthemeatastarvingdogsnatcheditandboltedfromtheteepee。Themotherranafterthedogandbroughthimbackforpunishment。Shetiedhimtoapostandwasabouttowhiphimwhentheboyinterfered。’Don’thurthim，mother！’hecried;’hetookthemeatbecausehewashungrierthanIam！’"
　　Iwastoldofanotherkindactofhisundertryingcircumstances。Whilestillayouth，hewascaughtoutwithapartyofbuffalohuntersinablindingblizzard。Theywerecompelledtoliedownsidebysideinthesnowdrifts，anditwasadayandanightbeforetheycouldgetout。Theweatherturnedverycold，andwhenthemenarosetheywereindangeroffreezing。LittleWolfpressedhisfinebuffalorobeuponanoldmanwhowasshakingwithachillandhimselftooktheother’sthinblanket。
　　Asafull-grownyoungman，hewasattractedbyamaidenofhistribe，andaccordingtothecustomtheninvoguethepairdisappeared。Whentheyreturnedtothecampasmanandwife，behold！therewasgreatexcitementovertheaffair。Itseemedthatacertainchiefhadgivenmanypresentsandpaidunmistakablecourttothemaidwiththeintentionofmarryingher，andherparentshadacceptedthepresents，whichmeantconsentsofarastheywereconcerned。Butthegirlherselfhadnotgivenconsent。
　　Theresentmentofthedisappointedsuitorwasgreat。Itwasreportedinthevillagethathehadopenlydeclaredthattheyoungmanwhodefiedandinsultedhimmustexpecttobepunished。AssoonasLittleWolfheardofthethreats，hetoldhisfatherandfriendsthathehaddoneonlywhatitiseveryman’sprivilegetodo。
　　"Tellthechief，"saidhe，"tocomeoutwithanyweaponhepleases，andIwillmeethimwithinthecircleoflodges。Heshalleitherdothisoreathiswords。Thewomanisnothis。Herpeopleacceptedhisgiftsagainstherwishes。Herheartismine。"
　　Thechiefapologized，andthusavoidedtheinevitableduel，whichwouldhavebeenafighttothedeath。
　　TheearlylifeofLittleWolfofferedmanyexamplesofthedashingbraverycharacteristicoftheCheyennes，andinspiredtheyoungermentowinlaurelsforthemselves。Hewasstillayoungman，perhapsthirty-five，whenthemosttryingcrisisinthehistoryofhispeoplecameuponthem。AsIknowandasDoctorGrinnell’sbookamplycorroborates，hewasthegeneralwholargelyguidedanddefendedtheminthattragicflightfromtheIndianTerritorytotheirnorthernhome。Iwillnotdiscussthejusticeoftheircause：IprefertoquoteDoctorGrinnell，lestitappearthatIaminanywayexaggeratingthefacts。
　　"Theyhadcome，"hewrites，"fromthehigh，drycountryofMontanaandNorthDakotatothehotandhumidIndianTerritory。
　　Theyhadcomefromacountrywherebuffaloandothergamewerestillplentifultoalandwherethegamehadbeenexterminated。
　　Immediatelyontheirarrivaltheywereattackedbyfeverandague，adiseasewhollynewtothem。Foodwasscanty，andtheybegantostarve。TheagenttestifiedbeforeacommitteeoftheSenatethatheneverreceivedsuppliestosubsisttheIndiansformorethanninemonthsineachyear。Thesepeopleweremeat-eaters，butthebeeffurnishedthembythegovernmentinspectorswasnomorethanskinandbone。Theagentindescribingtheirsufferingssaid：
　　’Theyhavelivedandthatisaboutall。’
　　"TheIndiansenduredthisforaboutayear，andthentheirpatiencegaveout。Theylefttheagencytowhichtheyhadbeensentandstartednorth。Thoughtroopswerecampedclosetothem，theyattemptednoconcealmentoftheirpurpose。Instead，theyopenlyannouncedthattheyintendedtoreturntotheirowncountry。
　　WehaveheardmuchinpastyearsofthemarchoftheNezPercesunderChiefJoseph，butlittleisrememberedoftheDullKnifeoutbreakandthemarchtothenorthledbyLittleWolf。Thestoryofthejourneyhasnotbeentold，butinthetraditionsoftheoldarmythiscampaignwasnotable，andoldmenwhowerestationedontheplainsfortyyearsagoareapttotellyou，ifyouaskthem，thatthereneverwassuchanotherjourneysincetheGreeksmarchedtothesea……
　　"Thefugitivespressedconstantlynorthwardundaunted，whileorderswereflyingoverthewires，andspecialtrainswerecarryingmenandhorsestocutthemoffatallprobablepointsonthedifferentrailwaylinestheymustcross。OfthethreehundredIndians，sixtyorseventywerefightingmen——therestoldmen，women，andchildren。Anarmyofficeroncetoldmethatthirteenthousandtroopswerehurryingoverthecountrytocaptureorkillthesefewpoorpeoplewhohadleftthefever-strickenSouth，andinthefaceofeveryobstacleweresteadilymarchingnorthward。
　　"TheWarDepartmentsetallitsresourcesinoperationagainstthem，yettheykepton。Iftroopsattackedthem，theystoppedandfoughtuntiltheyhaddrivenoffthesoldiers，andthenstartednorthagain。Sometimestheydidnotevenstop，butmarchedalong，fightingastheymarched。Forthemostparttheytried——andwithsuccess——toavoidconflicts，andhadbutfourrealhardfights，inwhichtheylosthalfadozenmenkilledandaboutasmanywounded。"
　　Itmustnotbeoverlookedthattheappealtojusticehadfirstbeentriedbeforetakingthisdesperatestep。LittleWolfhadgonetotheagentaboutthemiddleofthesummerandsaidtohim："Thisisnotagoodcountryforus，andwewishtoreturntoourhomeinthemountainswherewewerealwayswell。Ifyouhavenotthepowertogivepermission，letsomeofusgotoWashingtonandtellthemtherehowitis，ordoyouwritetoWashingtonandgetpermissionforustogoback。"
　　"Stayonemoreyear，"repliedtheagent，"andthenwewillseewhatwecandoforyou。"No，"saidLittleWolf。"Beforeanotheryeartherewillbenonelefttotravelnorth。Wemustgonow。"
　　SoonafterthisitwasfoundthatthreeoftheIndianshaddisappearedandthechiefwasorderedtosurrendertenmenashostagesfortheirreturn。Herefused。"Threemen，"saidhe，"whoaretravelingoverwildcountrycanhidesothattheycannotbefound。Youwouldnevergetbackthesethree，andyouwouldkeepmymenprisonersalways。"
　　Theagentthenthreatenedifthetenmenwerenotgivenuptowithholdtheirrationsandstarvetheentiretribeintosubmission。
　　HeforgotthathewasaddressingaCheyenne。Thesepeoplehadnotunderstoodthattheywereprisonerswhentheyagreedtofriendlyrelationswiththegovernmentandcameuponthereservation。
　　LittleWolfstoodupandshookhandswithallpresentbeforemakinghisfinaldeliberateaddress。
　　"Listen，myfriends，Iamafriendofthewhitepeopleandhavebeensoforalongtime。Idonotwanttoseebloodspiltaboutthisagency。Iamgoingnorthtomyowncountry。Ifyouaregoingtosendyoursoldiersafterme，Iwishyouwouldletusgetalittledistanceaway。Thenifyouwanttofight，Iwillfightyou，andwecanmakethegroundbloodyatthatplace。"
　　TheCheyennewasnotbluffing。Hesaidjustwhathemeant，andIpresumetheagenttookthehint，foralthoughthemilitaryweretheretheydidnotundertaketopreventtheIndians’
　　departure。Nextmorningtheteepeeswerepulleddownearlyandquickly。Towardeveningofthesecondday，thescoutssignaledtheapproachoftroops。LittleWolfcalledhismentogetherandadvisedthemundernocircumstancestofireuntilfiredupon。AnArapahoescoutwassenttothemwithamessage。"Ifyousurrendernow，youwillgetyourrationsandbewelltreated。"Afterwhattheyhadendured，itwasimpossiblenottohearsuchapromisewithcontempt。SaidLittleWolf："Wearegoingbacktoourowncountry。
　　Wedonotwanttofight。"Hewasridingstillnearerwhenthesoldiersfired，andatasignaltheCheyennesmadeacharge。Theysucceededinholdingoffthetroopsfortwodays，withonlyfivemenwoundedandnonekilled，andwhenthemilitaryretreatedtheIndianscontinuednorthwardcarryingtheirwounded。
　　Thissortofthingwasrepeatedagainandagain。MeanwhileLittleWolfheldhismenunderperfectcontrol。Therewerepracticallynodepredations。Theysecuredsomeboxesofammunitionleftbehindbyretreatingtroops，andatonepointtheyoungmenwereeagertofollowanddestroyanentirecommandwhowereapparentlyattheirmercy，buttheirleaderwithheldthem。Theyhadnowreachedthebuffalocountry，andhealwayskepthismainobjectinsight。Hewasextraordinarilycalm。DoctorGrinnellwastoldbyoneofhismenyearsafterward："LittleWolfdidnotseemlikeahumanbeing。Heseemedlikeabear。"Itistruethatamanofhistypeinacrisisbecomesspirituallytransformedandmovesasoneinadream。
　　AttheRunningWaterthebanddivided，DullKnifegoingtowardRedCloudagency。HewasnearFortRobinsonwhenhesurrenderedandmethissadfate。LittleWolfremainedallwinterintheSandHills，wheretherewasplentyofgameandnowhitemen。LaterhewenttoMontanaandthentoPineRidge，whereheandhispeopleremainedinpeaceuntiltheywereremovedtoLameDeer，Montana，andtherehespenttheremainderofhisdays。Thereisaclearskybeyondthecloudsofracialprejudice，andinthatfinalCourtofHonoranoblesoullikethatofLittleWolfhasaplace。
　　HOLE-IN-THE-DAY
　　[IwishtothankReverendC。H。BeaulieuofLeSoeur，Minnesota，formuchofthematerialusedinthischapter。]
　　Inthebeginningofthenineteenthcentury，theIndiannationsoftheNorthwestfirstexperiencedthepressureofcivilization。Atthisperiodtherewereamongthemsomebrilliantleadersunknowntohistory，forthecuriousreasonthattheycordiallyreceivedandwelcomedthenewcomersratherthanopposedthem。TheonlydifficultieswerethosearisingamongtheEuropeannationsthemselves，andofteninvolvingthenativetribes。Thusnewenvironmentsbroughtnewmotives，andourtemptationswereincreasedmanyfoldwiththenewweapons，newgoods，andaboveallthesubtlydestructive"spiritwater。"
　　Graduallyitbecameknownthatthenewracehadadefinitepurpose，andthatpurposewastochartandpossessthewholecountry，regardlessoftherightsofitsearlierinhabitants。Stilltheoldchiefscautionedtheirpeopletobepatient，for，saidthey，thelandisvast，bothracescanliveonit，eachintheirownway。Letusthereforebefriendthemandtrusttotheirfriendship。Whiletheyreasonedthus，thetemptationsofgraftandself-aggrandizementovertooksomeoftheleaders。
　　Hole-in-the-Day（orBug-o-nay-ki-shig）wasbornintheopeningdaysofthisera。Theword"ki-shig"meanseither"day"or"sky"，andthenameisperhapsmorecorrectlytranslatedHole-in-the-Sky。
　　Thisgiftedmaninheritedhisnameandmuchofhisabilityfromhisfather，whowasawarchiefamongtheOjibways，aNapoleonofthecommonpeople，andwhocarriedonarelentlesswarfareagainsttheSioux。Andyet，aswasourcustomatthetime，peacefulmeetingswereheldeverysummer，atwhichrepresentativesofthetwotribeswouldrecounttooneanotheralltheeventsthathadcometopassduringtheprecedingyear。
　　Hole-in-the-Daytheyoungerwasahandsomeman，tallandsymmetricallyformed，withmuchgraceofmannerandnaturalrefinement。Hewasanastutestudentofdiplomacy。TheOjibwaysallowedpolygamy，andwhetherornotheapprovedtheprinciple，hemadepoliticaluseofitbymarryingthedaughterofachiefinnearlyeveryband。ThroughthesealliancesheheldacontrollinginfluenceoverthewholeOjibwaynation。ReverendClaudeH。
　　Beaulieusaysofhim：
　　"Hole-in-the-Daywasamanofdistinguishedappearanceandnativecourtlinessofmanner。Hisvoicewasmusicalandmagnetic，andwiththesequalitieshehadasubtlebrain，alogicalmind，andquitearemarkablegiftoforatory。Inspeechhewasnotimpassioned，butclearandconvincing，andheldfasttheattentionofhishearers。"
　　Itisofinteresttonotethathiseverydaynameamonghistribesmenwas"TheBoy。"Whataboyhemusthavebeen！IwonderifthenamehadthesamesignificanceaswiththeSioux，whoappliedittoanymanwhoperformsadifficultdutywithalertness，dash，andnaturalcourage。"TheMan"appliestoonewhoaddstothesequalitieswisdomandmaturityofjudgment。
　　TheSiouxtellmanystoriesofboththeelderandtheyoungerHole-in-the-Day。OncewhenTheBoywasstillundertenyearsofage，hewasfishingonGullLakeinaleakybirch-barkcanoe。
　　Presentlytherecamesuchaburstoffranticwarwhoopsthathisfatherwasstartled。HecouldnotthinkofanythingbutanattackbythedreadedSioux。Seizinghisweapons，herantotherescueofhisson，onlytofindthatthelittlefellowhadcaughtafishsolargethatitwaspullinghiscanoealloverthelake。"Ugh，"
　　exclaimedthefather，"ifamerefishscaresyousobadly，Ifearyouwillnevermakeawarrior！
　　Itistoldofhimthatwhenhewasverysmall，thefatheroncebroughthometwobearcubsandgavethemtohimforpets。TheBoywasfeedingandgettingacquaintedwiththemoutsidehismother’sbirch-barkteepee，whensuddenlyhewasheardtoyellforhelp。
　　ThetwolittlebearshadtreedTheBoyandwerewaltzingaroundthetree。Hismotherscaredthemoff，butagainthefatherlaughedathimforthinkingthathecouldclimbtreesbetterthanabear。
　　TheelderHole-in-the-DaywasadaringwarriorandonceattackedandscalpedaSiouxwhowascarryinghispeltstothetradingpost，infullsightofhisfriends。Ofcoursehewasinstantlypursued，andheleapedintoacanoewhichwaslyingnearbyandcrossedtoanislandintheMississippiRivernearFortSnelling。WhenalmostsurroundedbySiouxwarriors，heleftthecanoeandswamalongtheshorewithonlyhisnoseabovewater，butastheywereabouttoheadhimoffhelandedandhidbehindthefallingsheetofwaterknownasMinnehahaFalls，thussavinghislife。
　　Itoftenhappensthatonewhooffershislifefreelywillafteralldieanaturaldeath。TheelderHole-in-the-DaysodiedwhenTheBoywasstillayouth。LikePhilipofMassachusetts，ChiefJosephtheyounger，andthebrilliantOsceola，themantlefellgracefullyuponhisshoulders，andheworeitduringashortbuteventfultermofchieftainship。Itwashistoseetheendoftheoriginaldemocracyonthiscontinent。Thecloudswerefastthickeningontheeasternhorizon。Thedayofindividualismandequitybetweenmanandmanmustyieldtotheterrificforcesofcivilization，themassplayofmaterialism，thecupidityofcommercewithitstwinbrotherpolitics。UndersuchconditionstheyoungerHole-in-the-Dayundertooktoguidehistribesmen。Atfirsttheywereinclinedtodoubtthewisdomofsoyoungaleader，buthesoonprovedareadystudentofhispeople’straditions，andyet，likeSpottedTailandLittleCrow，headoptedtoowillinglythewhiteman’spolitics。HemaintainedtheterritorywonfromtheSiouxbyhispredecessors。Henegotiatedtreatieswiththeabilityofaborndiplomat，withoneexception，andthatexceptioncosthimhislife。
　　LikeotherableIndianswhoforesawtheinevitabledownfalloftheirrace，hefavoredagradualchangeofcustomsleadingtocompleteadoptionofthewhiteman’sways。Inordertoaccustomthepeopletoanewstandard，heheldthatthechiefsmusthaveauthorityandmustbegivencompensationfortheirservices。Thiswasaseriousdeparturefromtheoldrulebutwastacitlyaccepted，andineverytreatyhemadetherewasprovisionforhimselfinthewayofalandgrantoracashpayment。HeearlydepartedfromtheoldideaofjointownershipwiththeLakeSuperiorOjibways，becauseheforesawthatitwouldcausenoendoftroublefortheMississippiRiverbranchofwhichhewasthentherecognizedhead。
　　ButthereweredifficultiestocomewiththeLeechLakeandRedLakebands，whoheldalooffromhispolicy，andthequestionofboundariesbegantoarise。
　　InthefirsttreatynegotiatedwiththegovernmentbyyoungHole-in-the-Dayin1855，a"surplus"wasprovidedforthechiefsasidefromtheregularpercapitapayment，andthissurpluswastobedistributedinproportiontothenumberofIndiansundereach。
　　Hole-in-the-Dayhadbyfarthelargestenrollment，thereforehegotthelion’sshareofthisfund。Furthermorehereceivedanothersumsetapartfortheuseofthe"headchief"，andthesethingsdidnotlookrighttothetribe。Intheverynexttreatyheprovidedhimselfwithanannuityofonethousanddollarsfortwentyyears，besideasectionoflandnearthevillageofCrowWing，andthegovernmentwasinducedtobuildhimagoodhouseuponthisland。
　　Inhishomehehadmanywhiteservantsandhenchmenandreallylivedlikealord。Hedressedwellinnativestylewithatouchofcivilizedelegance，wearingcoatandleggingsoffinebroadcloth，linenshirtwithcollar，and，toppingall，ahandsomeblackorblueblanket。Hismoccasinswereofthefinestdeerskinandbeautifullyworked。Hislongbeautifulhairaddedmuchtohispersonalappearance。Hewasfondofentertainingandbeingentertainedandwasafavoritebothamongarmyofficersandcivilians。Hewasespeciallypopularwiththeladies，andthisfactwillappearlaterinthestory。
　　Ataboutthistime，theUnitedStatesgovernmenttookituponitselftoputanendtowarfarebetweentheSiouxandOjibways。A
　　peacemeetingwasarrangedatFortSnelling，withtheUnitedStatesasmediator。Whentherepresentativesofthetwonationsmetatthisgrandcouncil，Hole-in-the-Daycameastheheadchiefofhispeople，andwiththeotherchiefsappearedinconsiderablepompanddignity。Thewivesofthegovernmentofficialswereeagerforadmissiontothisunusualgathering，butwhentheyarrivedtherewashardlyanyspaceleftexceptnexttotheSiouxchiefs，andthewhiteladiessooncrowdedthisspacetooverflowing。OneoftheSiouxremarked："Ithoughtthiswastobeacouncilofchiefsandbraves，butIseemanywomenamongus。"ThereupontheOjibwayaroseandspokeinhiscourtliestmanner。"TheOjibwaychiefswillfeelhighlyhonored，"saidhe，"iftheladieswillconsenttositonourside。"
　　Anothersignofhisalertnesstogainfavoramongthewhiteswasseeninthefactthathetookpartintheterritorialcampaigns，amostunusualthingforanIndianofthatday。Beingamanofmeansandinfluence，hewaslistenedtowithrespectbythescatteredwhitesettlersinhisvicinity。Hewouldmakeapoliticalspeechthroughaninterpreter，butwouldoccasionallybreaklooseinhisbrokenEnglish，andwindupwithaninvitationtodrinkinthefollowingwords："Chentimen，youPemicans（Republicans），comeoutanddrink！"
　　From1855to1864Hole-in-the-Daywasawell-knownfigureinMinnesota，andscarcelylesssoinWashington，forhevisitedthecapitalquiteoftenontribalaffairs。AsIhavesaidbefore，hewasanunusuallyhandsomeman，andwasnotunresponsivetoflatteryandtheattentionsofwomen。Atthetimeofthisincidenthewasperhapsthirty-fiveyearsold，butlookedyounger。HehadcalleduponthePresidentandwasonhiswaybacktohishotel，whenhehappenedtopasstheTreasurybuildingjustastheclerkswereleavingfortheday。Hewasimmediatelysurroundedbyaninquisitivethrong。Amongthemwasahandsomeyoungwomanwhoaskedthroughtheinterpreterifthechiefwouldconsenttoaninterviewabouthispeople，toaidherinapapershehadpromisedtoprepare。
　　Hole-in-the-Dayreplied："Ifthebeautifulladyiswillingtoriskcallingonthechiefathishotel，herrequestwillbegranted。"Theladywent，andtheresultwassosuddenandstronganattachmentthatbothforgotallracialbiasesanddifferencesoflanguageandcustom。ShefollowedhimasfarasMinneapolis，andtherethechiefadvisedhertoremain，forhefearedthejealousyofsomeofhismanywives。Shediedthere，soonaftergivingbirthtoason，whowasbroughtupbyafamilynamedWoodbury;andsomefifteenyearsagoImettheyoungmaninWashingtonandwastakenbyhimtocalluponcertainofhismother’srelatives。
　　TheascendancyofHole-in-the-Daywasnotgainedentirelythroughtheconsentofhispeople，butlargelybygovernmentfavor，thereforetherewasstrongsuppressedresentmentamonghisassociatechiefs，andtheRedLakeandLeechLakebandsinfactneveracknowledgedhimastheirhead，whiletheysuspectedhimofmakingtreatieswhichinvolvedsomeoftheirland。Hewasinpersonaldangerfromthissource，andhislifewastwiceattempted，but，thoughwounded，ineachcaseherecovered。HispopularitywithIndianagentsandofficerslastedtilltheRepublicanscameintopowerinthesixtiesandtherewasanewdeal。Thechiefnolongerreceivedthefavorsandtipstowhichhewasaccustomed;infacthewasinwantofluxuries，andworsestill，hispridewashurtbyneglect。ThenewpartyhadpromisedChristiantreatmenttotheIndians，butitappearedthattheyweregreatergraftersthantheirpredecessors，andunlikethemkepteverythingforthemselves，allowingnoperquisitestoanyIndianchief。
　　Inhisindignationatthistreatment，Hole-in-the-Daybeganexposingthefraudsonhispeople，andsoatalatedaywasconvertedtotheirdefense。Perhapshehadnotfullyunderstoodthenatureofgraftuntilhewasinapositiontoviewitfromtheoutside。Afterall，hewasexcusableinseekingtomaintainthedignityofhisoffice，buthehaddepartedfromoneofthefundamentalrulesoftherace，namely："Letnomaterialgainbethemotiveorrewardofpublicduty。"Hehadwoundedtheidealsofhispeoplebeyondforgiveness，andhesufferedthepenalty;yethiscouragewasnotdiminishedbythemistakesofhispast。LiketheSiouxchiefLittleCrow，hewascalled"thebetrayerofhispeople"，andlikehimhemadeadesperateefforttoregainlostprestige，andturnedsavagelyagainsttheoriginalbetrayersofhisconfidence，theagentsandIndiantraders。
　　WhentheSiouxfinallybrokeoutin1862，thefirstthoughtofthelocalpoliticianswastohumiliateHole-in-the-Daybyarrestinghimandproclaimingsomeother"headchief"inhisstead。InsodoingtheyalmostforcedtheOjibwaystofightunderhisleadership。ThechiefhadnothoughtofalliancewiththeSioux，andwaswhollyunawareoftheproposedactionofthemilitaryonpretenseofsuchaconspiracyonhispart。Hewasonhiswaytotheagencyinhisowncarriagewhenarunnerwarnedhimofhisdanger。Hethereuponjumpeddownandinstructedthedrivertoproceed。Hiscoachmanwasarrestedbyafileofsoldiers，whowhentheydiscoveredtheirmistakewenttohisresidenceinsearchofhim，butmeanwhilehehadsentrunnersineverydirectiontonotifyhiswarriors，andhadmovedhisfamilyacrosstheMississippi。
　　Whenthemilitaryreachedtheriverbankhewasstillinsight，andthelieutenantcalleduponhimtosurrender。Whenherefused，thesoldierswereorderedtofireuponhim，butherepliedwithhisownrifle，andwithawhoopdisappearedamongthepinegroves。
　　ItwasremarkablehowthewholetribenowralliedtothecallofHole-in-the-Day。Heallowednodepredationstotheyoungmenunderhisleadership，butcampedopenlyneartheagencyandawaitedanexplanation。PresentlyJudgeCooperofSt。Paul，apersonalfriendofthechief，appeared，andlaterontheAssistantSecretaryoftheInterior，accompaniedbyMr。Nicolay，privatesecretaryofPresidentLincoln。ApparentlythatgreathumanitarianPresidentsawthewholeinjusticeoftheproceedingagainstaloyalnation，andthedifficultywasatanend。
　　Throughthetreatiesof1864，1867，and1868wasaccomplishedthefinaldestinyoftheMississippiRiverOjibways。
　　Hole-in-the-DaywasagainsttheirremovaltowhatisnowWhiteEarthreservation，buthewasdefeatedinthisandrealizedthatthenewturnofeventsmeantthedownfallofhisrace。Hedeclaredthathewouldnevergoonthenewreservation，andhekepthisword。HeremainedononeofhislandgrantsnearCrowWing。Astheotherchiefsassumedmorepower，theoldfeelingofsuspicionandhatredbecamestronger，especiallyamongthePillagerandRedLakebands。OnedayhewaswaylaidandshotbyapartyofthesedisaffectedIndians。Heutteredawhoopandfelldeadfromhisbuggy。
　　ThusdiedoneofthemostbrilliantchiefsoftheNorthwest，whoneverdefendedhisbirthrightbyforceofarms，althoughalmostcompelledtodoso。Hesucceededindiplomacysolongashewastherecognizedheadofhispeople。Sincewehavenotpassedoverhisweaknesses，heshouldbegivencreditformuchinsightincausingthearticleprohibitingtheintroductionofliquorintotheIndiancountrytobeinsertedintothetreatyof1858。Ithinkitwasin1910thatthisforgottenprovisionwasdiscoveredandagainenforcedoveralargeexpanseofterritoryoccupiedbywhites，itbeingfoundthattheprovisionhadneverbeenrepealed。
　　Althoughheleftmanychildren，noneseemtohavemadetheirmark，yetitmaybethatinoneofhisdescendantsthatundauntedspiritwillriseagain。