the summer and said to him: "This is not a
good country for us, and we wish to return to our home in the mountains
where we were always well. If you have not the power to give permission,
let some of us go to Washington and tell them there how it is, or do you
write to Washington and get permission for us to go back."

"Stay one more year," replied the agent, "and then we will see what we
can do for you." "No," said Little Wolf. "Before another year there will
be none left to travel north. We must go now."

Soon after this it was found that three of the Indians had disappeared
and the chief was ordered to surrender ten men as hostages for their
return. He refused. "Three men," said he, "who are traveling over wild
country can hide so that they cannot be found. You would never get back
these three, and you would keep my men prisoners always."

The agent then threatened if the ten men were not given up to withhold
their rations and starve the entire tribe into submission. He forgot
that he was addressing a Cheyenne. These people had not understood that
they were prisoners when they agreed to friendly relations with the
government and came upon the reservation. Little Wolf stood up and shook
hands with all present before making his final deliberate address.

"Listen, my friends, I am a friend of the white people and have been so
for a long time. I do not want to see blood spilt about this agency. I
am going north to my own country. If you are going to send your soldiers
after me, I wish you would let us get a little distance away. Then if
you want to fight, I will fight you, and we can make the ground bloody
at that place."

The Cheyenne was not bluffing. He said just what he meant, and I presume
the agent took the hint, for although the military were there they
did not undertake to prevent the Indians' departure. Next morning the
teepees were pulled down early and quickly. Toward evening of the second
day, the scouts signaled the approach of troops. Little Wolf called his
men together and advised them under no circumstances to fire until
fired upon. An Arapahoe scout was sent to them with a message. "If you
surrender now, you will get your rations and be well treated." After
what they had endured, it was impossible not to hear such a promise with
contempt. Said Little Wolf: "We are going back to our own country. We do
not want to fight." He was riding still nearer when the soldiers fired,
and at a signal the Cheyennes