puts it into the heart and head of man to
know how to defend himself."

Now he stowed the women and children in a safe place, and posted his
warriors. White Bird commanded the right flank; he, the left. He
cleverly seized upon the high ground on the broken sides of the canyon.

The soldiers rode in, by column of twos, until at the wide spot they
changed to column of fours. Chief Joseph's men suddenly fired.
Captain Perry used all his military skill, but in short order he was
thoroughly defeated.

Joseph missed not a point. No white man could have done better. He
threatened the right flank--Captain Perry hastened men to strengthen it
and then White Bird turned the left flank. The volunteers ran away,
Chief Joseph grabbed the best position; now he had the soldiers under
his thumb, and they retreated helter-skelter.

He cut off the rear guard, and every one in it was killed fighting.
Captain Perry had worked hard to rally his men. No use. The Chief
Joseph men pressed furiously.

The actual battle had occupied only a few minutes. The soldiers lost
Lieutenant Theller and thirty-two men shot dead, out of the ninety;
seven were wounded. The volunteers lost four men. The Pierced Noses
did not try to take any scalps.

Chief Joseph's warriors pursued for twelve miles, and quit. During the
battle his wife was presented by the Great Spirit with a little
daughter. So now he had a baby to look out for.

Captain Perry was much mortified by the easy victory over him. The
Pierced Noses of Joseph and White Bird rejoiced. They had done better
than they had expected. The soldiers had proved to be not very great.

Joseph had planned to take his people only beyond the Bitter Root
Mountains of northeastern Idaho, by the Pierced Noses'
Road-to-the-buffalo, and stay in the Powder River country of Montana
until he might come to terms with the United States. He was willing to
risk the Sioux.

But General Howard did not sleep. He summoned troops from all his wide
department of the Columbia. The telegraph carried the word into
California, and down into Arizona.

When he had two hundred soldiers he led them, himself. Chief Joseph
ferried his women and children over the roaring Salmon River on skin
rafts towed by swimming ponies, and put the river between him and
General Howard.

General Howard viewed the position, and was puzzled. His rival general
was a genius in defense. He crossed the river, to the attack. Ch