imposing ceremony, and scarcely a breath was drawn by any one present during its passage. Thus ended the scene, — one of the most impressive of the kind I ever looked upon. And with it terminated the duty which had led General Gaines to visit Fort Armstrong” (pp. 241, 242).
There has always been a variance and strife about the
rights conceded to the Indians of hunting and roaming on
unceded territory outside of their reservations. Though
this right has been in terms stipulated, and Congress has
even made provision of partial payment to Indians roaming,
some military officers and agents have insisted that being
found outside of the reservations is an indication of hostile
intentions on the part of the roamers, and cuts them off
from their claim in the distribution of the supplies. Nor are
the perplexity and bitterness arising from this source
relieved by the well-known fact, that, while the large body of
a tribe may remain seemingly content on their reservations,
parties of restless young warriors may mischievously
break bounds, to raid and steal, furnished with the very
guns, ammunition, blankets, and food just distributed from
the agencies.
But the swiftly circulated reports of the treasures in the Black Hills — which lay within the limits solemnly pledged to the Indians, and which it seems they regarded with a superstitious reverence — stirred the passion and greed of adventurers. Of course the fabled wealth in them was destined to the uses of civilization, whatever claims the barbarian might set up. In utter contempt of all our Government covenants, the Indians saw a steady stream of adventurers and gold-hunters rushing through to Utah, Oregon, and California. The placers of the miners and the cultivated grounds needed for their supplies, with the groggeries, saloons, and gambling-halls of incipient cities and rows of dwellings, were occupied and crowded as by magic by those who regarded the Indians as but vermin.
