t the
same. They asserted that they had never given it up, and that the
Upper Pierced Noses had no right to speak for the Lower Pierced Noses.

As Young Chief Joseph afterwards explained:

"Suppose a white man comes to me and says: 'Joseph, I like your horses
and I want to buy them.' I say to him: 'No; my horses suit me; I will
not sell them.' Then he goes to my neighbor, and says to him: 'Joseph
has some good horses. I want them, but he refuses to sell.' My
neighbor answers: 'Pay me the money and I will sell you Joseph's
horses.' The white man returns to me and says: 'Joseph, I have bought
your horses and you must let me have them.' That is the way our lands
were bought."

When Old Joseph died, Young Joseph held his hand and listened to his
words:

My son, my body is returning to my mother earth, and my spirit is going
very soon to see the Great Spirit Chief. When I am gone, think of your
country. You are the chief of these people. They look to you to guide
them. Always remember that your father never sold his country. You
must stop your ears whenever you are asked to sign a treaty selling
your home. A few years more, and white men will be all around you.
They have their eyes on this land. My son, never forget my dying
words. This country holds your father's body. Never sell the bones of
your father and your mother.

Young Joseph promised.

"A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild
animal," he said.

After that he was careful never to accept any presents from the United
States.

Even before the treaty of 1863 which was supposed to cover the Winding
Waters valley, the white men had invaded the Pierced Nose country.
Gold had been discovered in Idaho. In 1861 the white man's town of
Lewiston had been laid out, among the Nez Perces--and there it was,
without permission.

The Black Hills were being taken from the Sioux, in the same way.

Now trouble occurred between the Indians and the whites in the Valley
of the Winding Waters, also. The Government started in to buy the
settlers' claims, so that the Pierced Noses might remain undisturbed,
but Congress did not appropriate the money.

In order to force the Indians off, the settlers stole their horses, and
their cattle; Indians were whipped, and killed. Chief Joseph's brother
was killed. The murderer was not brought to trial, because Joseph
would not allow his people to appear in court.

"I have decided to let h