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TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916
justice of their suffering for the acts of the Cheyenne or any body else than themselves. I firmly believe it will have a strong influence to keep them quiet, and I speak not my opinion only, but the opinion of those who claim to be, and if years of expe- rience add to knowledge should be acquainted enough with the Indian character to form correct opinions, that they will keep the peaceable road this summer. However I believe they will be hard to keep off the war path, if they are disappointed in the promise of the Government. "Horse Back" says if they dont come by the time this moon dies, he will close his ears against white men's promises and his heart will not feel like laughing any more. "Lone Wolf" and wife came in and took supper with me last night. (He) says the Kiowa are going to make good medicine this summer; says their young men are under good control : says if any of them were to try to get away, they would follow them, Kill their ponies, and make them walk home. He had been acting like a white man ever since the council in the commissary & is watching the moon very cJosely, he remembers what "Toso Parivo" (thyself) white chief told them before this moon was gone their friends would come to them, and they were thinking about it all the time. "Kicking Bird" and Thomas came in to day. I have not had a talk with Kicking Bird yet. Thomas says they are doing right, and fault could not be found with them: Says some of the Cheyenne were at their camp a few days ago wanting to make some arrangements with them to form an al- liance for war in case the soldiers came after them: Says "Kick- ing Bird" "Stumbling Bear" "Quoi Bird" and quite a number of Kiowa Chiefs in council told them the Kiowa would not have anything to do with them, and advised them to go home and remain at their agency, that their Agent is a good man and would treat them Kindly. Thomas is of the opinion that the Kiowa influence will have a good effEct upon the Cheyer.ne to keep them quiet. (6th morning) Since writing I understand the Cheyenne have started in to their agency, and hope it may be true. It would be impossible for me to describe to thee the feeling of these people as they watch the pro:,;ress of moon, and feel that before its death they are to see their people set at liberty, and as they say their hearts made to laugh. The report of the Killing of surveyors as sent by Shirley turns out to be false, also a report telegraphed from Texas
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