Page:The Indian Dispossessed.pdf/128

 "White Bird, in a milder manner, said he agreed with Too-hul-hul-sote. He said if he had been taught from early years to be governed by the whites, then he would be governed by the whites. 'The earth sustains me.' I then turned to the old man, whom they mean to keep at it, and say: 'Then you do not promise to comply with the orders?' He answers: 'So long as the earth keeps me, I want to be left alone; you are trifling with the law of the earth.' I reply: 'Our old friend does not seem to understand that the question is, Will the Indians come peaceably on the reservation or do they want me to put them there by force?'

"He then declares again: 'I never gave the Indians authority to give away my land.' I asked: 'Do you speak for yourself?' He answered fiercely: 'The Indians may do what they like, but I am not going on the reservation.' Speaking as sternly as I could, I said:

That bad advice is what you give the Indians; on account of it you will have to be taken to the Indian Territory. Joseph and White Bird seem to have good hearts, but yours is bad; I will send you there if it takes years and years. When I heard you were coming, I feared you would make trouble; you say you are not a medicine man, but you talk for them. The Indians can see no good while you are along; you advise them to resist, to lose all their horses and cattle, and have unending trouble.