to the fort of the new peril, but the wary Indians
were on the lookout and drove back his riders, while a furious council
was being held at the scene of the strife. From all over the reservation
warriors young and old came flocking to Black Wolf's lodge, and the
elders were overwhelmed. In spite of warning, entreaty and protest from
chiefs who knew whereof they spoke, the turbulent spirits had their way.
Brethren had been beaten and insulted in Skidmore's old place. Brethren
had been beaten and abused at the new. Brethren had been swindled and
abused by that very young chief of the soldiers now at the agency, and
some of his men; and, finally, Strikes-the-Bear, son of a chief, a chief
to be, had this night been struck down by the soldier the fool agent
dared bring with him. Let the warriors rise in their wrath and strike
for vengeance! If the little band of soldiers showed fight, and the
chances were that many a brave would bite the dust before the buildings
could be fired and the defenders driven out and killed, then offer
terms. Against such hopeless odds the young white chief would easily
yield. Get him and his men into the open; promise safe conduct to the
fort, then let others surround and slowly butcher them, while they, the
negotiators, took care of the agent, the assailant of Strikes-the-Bear,
the employees and their families. Aye, promise to spare the lives of the
lieutenant and his men; say that they might go back to their friends at
the fort, but they must leave the agent; they must leave their comrade
who struck the redman; they must leave their arms and their horses. Mad
as it was, that was the ultimatum of the deputation at the door of the
agency at five o'clock in the morning, and Sandy Ray answered, just as
his father's son could be counted on to answer, and in just three
comprehensive and significant words.

It led before long to a battle royal. It led first to barbaric council
and speechmaking, then to a display of savage diplomacy, and finally to
the spirited climax: savage science, skill, and cunning, with
overwhelming numbers on the one hand, sheer pluck and determination on
the other. The defenders were to fight, to be sure, behind wooden walls
that hid them from sight of their swarming and surrounding foes, but
that might be an element of danger just so soon as the Indians could get
close enough to fire them. Anticipating precisely such a possibility,
Ray had set his men to work beforehand. Sacks o