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。