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between them, the scribe took his note-book in hand,
and the interview began. If the interviewer had
thought the gentleman from the plains had ever
figured in any political convention he would
have begun his catechism by asking their views
as to the President's Southern policy or the resumption
of specie payments, but fearing that they might
not be as conversant with these subjects as our home
politicians, he began by asking Man-who-carries-the-
Sword when he left home, and if all his folks were
well. The gentleman with his euphonious namer
eplied through the interpreter that he left Red Cloud
Agency on the 14th of August, and had since travelled
through the Eastern States. Being asked how he enjoyed
his trip, he answered that it had been one of
pleasure; that he had come to see and to learn the
ways of the pale faces for his own good, and that so
far everything had gone well with him. Being next
asked if he was anxious to see the Great Father at
Washington, he assumed an air which might
with advantage be copied by a European diplomat,
a Collector of Customs of a Postmaster besieged
with applications for office. Putting his hand
to his face he seemed immersed in deep thought, and
the interpreter explained that a delegation from his
tribe, including Spotted Tail and Red Cloud, were
about to visit Washington, and that the chief wanted
to go there unpledged, especially as the Great Father
would be sure to know what he said. The reporter
assured him that he would not be misrepresented, and
he replied that he was a soldier of the United States,
and had fought for the Government; that Pa-he-as-ka,
or Long Hair (Buffalo Bill), had told him to lay that
aside for the present; that he wanted to comply with
all the Great Father's request, and act like a white
man. He would join the army and fight against his
own people if he was told to, and if he died, why, all
right. Mr. Cody stated that the chief had great influence
with his people; that he had always been
friendly to the whites, and that during last summer he
acted as guide to General Sheridan in his journey
from the Union Pacific Railroad to the Yellowstone
river.
AN OLD WARRIOR.
The reporter then applied the thumb-screws figuratively
to Two Bears, and found the old fellow a ready
talker. He said in substance that he was a fighting
chief and thought only of war. He was born and
raised to it. Lieutenant Clark, who had charge of his
tribe at the agency, induced him to come east. Everybody
had treated him well, and so far all was good.
His wife was dead and had left him five children, and
although a warrior himself he would bring them up
like white people. Whenever Mr. Cody went back he
would go with him.
The reporter asked Mr. Cody how the Indians took
to making their appearance in drama, and his reply
was that they went into it with their whole soul.
They were supposed to be his friends in the play; indeed,
it would hardly be politic to use them in any
other way. Since they left home, Man-that-Carries-the-S
word had become very studious, and had succeeded
in mastering the alphabet, besides being able to write
his name in English. He was in the fight which resulted
so disastrously for Custer and his men, and enjoyed
the confidence of the officers in the Indian
army. Two Bears, on the other hand, was of a saturnine
disposition, and although he could not be styled
treacherous, he was like the Major-"Sly, sir; devilish
sly."
A SCOUT ON THE INDIAN QUESTION.
The reporter next turned his attention to Buffalo
Bill, Mr. W. F. Cody, and asked his opinion as to the
present Indian Campaign, and whether, in his opinion,
General Howard merited the adverse criticisms which
had been passed upon him. He replied that he did not,
that he believed General Howard had done the best he
possibly could do under the circumstances and with the
small force at his command. In his opinion, however,
if the Fifth Regiment of cavalry of the Department
of the Platte had been utilized the Nez Perces would
before now have been forced to surrender. He had
all his life been engaged in fighting the Indians and
had-well, had done the best he could, but he did not
think the Nez Perces had been properly treated.
They were at one time semi-civilized, followed agricultural
pursuits, and were fast becoming educated
and intelligent, and if a proper course had been pursued
towards them much bloodshed would have been
spared.
Mr. Cody is a most intelligent conversationalist.
His long experience inf frontier life has made him a
keen observer of men and things, and his reminis-
Notes and Questions
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