e justice of
their cause, he joined forces with the renegades during the summer of
1863, and from this time on he was an acknowledged leader.

In 1865 and 1866 he met the Canadian half-breed, Louis Riel, instigator
of two rebellions, who had come across the line for safety; and in fact
at this time he harbored a number of outlaws and fugitives from justice.
His conversations with these, especially with the French mixed-bloods,
who inflamed his prejudices against the Americans, all had their
influence in making of the wily Sioux a determined enemy to the white
man. While among his own people he was always affable and genial, he
became boastful and domineering in his dealings with the hated race.
He once remarked that "if we wish to make any impression upon the
pale-face, it is necessary to put on his mask."

Sitting Bull joined in the attack on Fort Phil Kearny and in the
subsequent hostilities; but he accepted in good faith the treaty of
1868, and soon after it was signed he visited Washington with Red Cloud
and Spotted Tail, on which occasion the three distinguished chiefs
attracted much attention and were entertained at dinner by President
Grant and other notables. He considered that the life of the white man
as he saw it was no life for his people, but hoped by close adherence
to the terms of this treaty to preserve the Big Horn and Black Hills
country for a permanent hunting ground. When gold was discovered and the
irrepressible gold seekers made their historic dash across the plains
into this forbidden paradise, then his faith in the white man's honor
was gone forever, and he took his final and most persistent stand
in defense of his nation and home. His bitter and at the same time
well-grounded and philosophical dislike of the conquering race is well
expressed in a speech made before the purely Indian council before
referred to, upon the Powder River. I will give it in brief as it has
been several times repeated to me by men who were present.

"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received
the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their
love! Every seed is awakened, and all animal life. It is through this
mysterious power that we too have our being, and we therefore yield to
our neighbors, even to our animal neighbors, the same right as ourselves
to inhabit this vast land.

"Yet hear me, friends! we have now to deal with another people, small
and feeble when our fore