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OR THE CONQUEST OF THE SIOUX.
horses in the center of his battalions, so that there must
have been a fight before the Indians could stampede any
,ortion of the herd.
   The country -through which we moved from the Missouri
wairs rich and pastoral in appearance. It is not unlike some
of the better portions of Minnesota, and was then one of
the best buffalo ranges in North America. This, no doubt,
accounts for Sitting Bull's interest in keeping so fine a
countrv for himself anti his people. It is true that the wily
savagfe was, to all intents and purposes, a British subject, but
nis influence crossed the line, and no settlers would venture
on NMilk river until the implacable savage was thoroughly
whipped and humbled. I don't care what any one says
about Sitting Bull not having been a warrior. If he had
not the sword, he had, at least, the magic sway of a Mo-
hiamned over the rude war-tribes that engirdled him.
Everybody talks of Sitting Bull, and, whether he be a
fla-tire-head or an idea. or an incomprehensible mystery, his
old-time influence was undoubted. His very name was po.
tent. Ile was the Rhoderick Dhu of his wild and warlike
race, and, when he fell the Sioux confederation fell with him,
even as drooped the pine of Clan Alpine when its hero sank
before the sword of the Knight of Snowdoun.
   A delegation of the Yanktonnais, headed by Black Cat.
fish, came into camp on the 16th, and had a talk with Gen-
eral Miles. They made the customary complaints about in-
sufficient supplies at the agency, and requested a change of
agfents, professing to have no confidence in the incumbent.
They also complained that no ammunition was furnished
them and that they had to hunt with bows and arrows,
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