This Indian escort at last proved to be almost embarrassing, for the
general could not go to any part of the Garden without four or five of
the braves silently dogging his footsteps and drinking in his every
word.
When this was called to my attention I called one of the old men aside
and asked him why he and his brothers followed Miles so eagerly.
"Heap big chief!" was the reply. "Him lickum Injun chiefs. Him biggest
White Chief. Heap likum." Which was really a very high tribute, as
Indians are not given to extravagant praise.
When we have met from time to time General Miles has been kind enough
to speak well of me and the work I have done on the Plains. I am very
glad to have this opportunity of returning the compliment.
Crook was a man who lived and fought without any ostentation, but who
had high courage and used rare judgment. The fact that he had command
of the forces in the West had much to do with their successes in
subduing the hostile red man. Indeed, had not our army taught the
Indians that it was never safe, and usually extremely dangerous, to go
on the warpath against the Big White Chief, organizations might have
been formed which would have played sad havoc with our growing Western
civilization.
I am and always have been a friend of the Indian. I have always
sympathized with him in his struggle to hold the country that was his
by right of birth.
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