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The Indian Dispossessed

extinct, and continued to make a precarious living by hunting, fishing, and wandering among the settlements."

Fourteen years; more of the band have given up the struggle. Three hundred and forty-one remain in the Bitter Root Valley.

Fifteen years; the pressure is telling on Charlos' followers. The agent writes: "Those who choose to remain should be made to understand that they need look no further for Government aid;" and the number drops to two hundred and seventy-eight.

Sixteen years; Charlos and one hundred and eighty-nine still cling to their forlorn hope.

Seventeen years; now one hundred and seventy-six. But the census of the confederated tribes on the Jocko shows a decrease of one hundred and four. The Indians seem in truth to be going to a "better country."

Eighteen years; still one hundred and seventy-six. But a handful of men cannot hold out forever against a government intent on their peaceful reduction. Denied the protection of the courts against the encroachment of the whites, they were finally reduced to a condition of abject poverty. The time was at hand when the interests of humanity, in the absence of original justice, demanded that these people be wrested from the land they loved too well. At this opportune time a proposition was made to sell their lands and improvements and de-

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