nd of fleeing
elk, he was so ashamed of himself that he never forgot the incident,
although up to that time he had never mentioned it. His subsequent
career would indicate that the lesson was well learned.
The future leader was still a very young man when he joined a war party
against the Utes. Having pushed eagerly forward on the trail, he found
himself far in advance of his companions as night came on, and at the
same time rain began to fall heavily. Among the scattered scrub pines,
the lone warrior found a natural cave, and after a hasty examination, he
decided to shelter there for the night.
Scarcely had he rolled himself in his blanket when he heard a slight
rustling at the entrance, as if some creature were preparing to share
his retreat. It was pitch dark. He could see nothing, but judged that it
must be either a man or a grizzly. There was not room to draw a bow. It
must be between knife and knife, or between knife and claws, he said to
himself.
The intruder made no search but quietly lay down in the opposite corner
of the cave. Red Cloud remained perfectly still, scarcely breathing,
his hand upon his knife. Hour after hour he lay broad awake, while
many thoughts passed through his brain. Suddenly, without warning,
he sneezed, and instantly a strong man sprang to a sitting posture
opposite. The first gray of morning was creeping into their rocky den,
and behold! a Ute hunter sat before him.
Desperate as the situation appeared, it was not without a grim humor.
Neither could afford to take his eyes from the other's; the tension was
great, till at last a smile wavered over the expressionless face of the
Ute. Red Cloud answered the smile, and in that instant a treaty of peace
was born between them.
"Put your knife in its sheath. I shall do so also, and we will smoke
together," signed Red Cloud. The other assented gladly, and they
ratified thus the truce which assured to each a safe return to his
friends. Having finished their smoke, they shook hands and separated.
Neither had given the other any information. Red Cloud returned to his
party and told his story, adding that he had divulged nothing and had
nothing to report. Some were inclined to censure him for not fighting,
but he was sustained by a majority of the warriors, who commended his
self-restraint. In a day or two they discovered the main camp of the
enemy and fought a remarkable battle, in which Red Cloud especially
distinguished himself
The S
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