Page:On the border with Crook - Bourke - 1892.djvu/432

 would be to move into, or at least close to, the Big Horn Mountains, and from there raid upon the petty villages of the Sioux who might try to live in the seclusion of the rocks and forests. "Spotted Tail" said that "Crazy Horse" was his nephew, and he thought he could make him see the absolute inutility of further resistance by going out to have a talk with him.

Mason telegraphed all the foregoing facts to General Crook, who had been summoned to Cheyenne as a witness before a general court-martial; Crook replied that there was no objection to the proposed mission, but that "Spotted Tail" must let "Crazy Horse" understand that he was not sent out with any overtures, and that all "Crazy Horse" could count upon was safety in his passage across the country, by setting out at once before another movement should begin. "Spotted Tail" found "Crazy Horse" encamped near the head of the Little Powder, about midway between Cantonment Reno and the southwestern corner of the Black Hills. He made known his errand, and had no great difficulty in making his nephew see that he had better begin his movement towards the agency without a moment's delay. Several of "Crazy Horse's" young men came in with "Spotted Tail," who was back at Camp Robinson by the last week in January, 1877. General Crook's headquarters had been transferred to that point, and there was little to do beyond waiting for the arrival of "Crazy Horse" and other chiefs.

Of our mess and its members, as well as the people who dined or supped with us, I am sure that my readers will pardon me for saying a word.