To the soldiers it
must have seemed as if the Indians rose up from the earth to overwhelm
them. They closed in from three sides and fought until not a white man
was left alive. Then they went down to Reno's stand and found him so
well intrenched in a deep gully that it was impossible to dislodge him.
Gall and his men held him there until the approach of General Terry
compelled the Sioux to break camp and scatter in different directions.

While Sitting Bull was pursued into Canada, Crazy Horse and the
Cheyennes wandered about, comparatively undisturbed, during the rest of
that year, until in the winter the army surprised the Cheyennes, but did
not do them much harm, possibly because they knew that Crazy Horse was
not far off. His name was held in wholesome respect. From time to time,
delegations of friendly Indians were sent to him, to urge him to come in
to the reservation, promising a full hearing and fair treatment.

For some time he held out, but the rapid disappearance of the buffalo,
their only means of support, probably weighed with him more than any
other influence. In July, 1877, he was finally prevailed upon to come in
to Fort Robinson, Nebraska, with several thousand Indians, most of them
Ogallala and Minneconwoju Sioux, on the distinct understanding that the
government would hear and adjust their grievances.

At this juncture General Crook proclaimed Spotted Tail, who had rendered
much valuable service to the army, head chief of the Sioux, which
was resented by many. The attention paid Crazy Horse was offensive to
Spotted Tail and the Indian scouts, who planned a conspiracy against
him. They reported to General Crook that the young chief would murder
him at the next council, and stampede the Sioux into another war. He was
urged not to attend the council and did not, but sent another officer to
represent him. Meanwhile the friends of Crazy Horse discovered the plot
and told him of it. His reply was, "Only cowards are murderers."

His wife was critically ill at the time, and he decided to take her to
her parents at Spotted Tail agency, whereupon his enemies circulated the
story that he had fled, and a party of scouts was sent after him. They
overtook him riding with his wife and one other but did not undertake to
arrest him, and after he had left the sick woman with her people he went
to call on Captain Lea, the agent for the Brules, accompanied by all
the warriors of the Minneconwoju band. This volunteer esc