Page:Recollections of My Boyhood.djvu/101

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nothing was done for a number of years afterward, but the chief never complained that we came and established homes. Five or six years after we settled in the country Chief Halo built a new house. We furnished him with ra 5 ls to fence a few acres and were always ready to assist and encourage him in his ambition to become a "Boston," the Indian name for the white people. When we were helping him to harvest his first crop of wheat he was very proud. He tried three languages in his efforts to express his appreciation and his idea of the evolution accomplished in him since the coming of the white man. Finally an agent appeared to treat with the Indians and purchase the country of them. There had been peace between the settlers and these natives from the first, and our title to the country was good as far as they were concerned. However, the Indians were invited to assemble, a fat ox was slaughtered and a feast prepared. The Indians responded with alacrity. Of course they were not much enlightened as to the important business to come before the assembly. The promise of houses, farms and agricultural implements and a yearly food supply to be given them on the reservation appealed strongly to the majority of the Indians. Of course the agent spoke to the Indians through an interpreter, and the Indians answered through the same medium. Chief Halo said, "I will not go to a strange land." This was not reported to the agent. When the tribe arrived on the reservation without the chief the agent was troubled, and came to our house to get father to go with him to visit the chief. We boys went with them. When Halo saw us coming he came out of his house and stood with his back against a large oak tree which grew near the door. We approached in our usual friendly fashion, but the chief was sullen and silent. He had lost faith in the white man. The agent said, "Tell the old Indian he must go to the reservation with the other people, that I have come for him." The chief understood and answered defiantly, "Wake nika klatawa," that is, "I will not go." The agent drew his revolver and pointed it at the Indian when the chief bared his breast, crying in his own tongue as he did so, "Shoot! It is good I die here at home. My father died here, his grave is here. 'Tis good I die here and am buried here. Halo is not a coward, I will not go." "Shall I shoot him?" said the agent. "No!"