In the valley below, and in front of him, lay the muddy waters of the North Platte, which seemed to broaden cut and lose themselves in the yellow sand, only to be collected later as by some unseen force, and to be swept swiftly through the channel where the banks narrowed. Again its course widened ; the river spread its waters over sand bars and around clumps of willows, passing lazily from view far to the southeast.
''Beyond the river lowlands a broad rolling table seemed to rise and stretch itself northward for miles and miles to where a range of hills lifted its purple haze in the
afternoon sun. The snow had disappeared some weeks before, and now the valley and table land beyond were green with grass, the sage brush had taken on a deeper hue. while at the feet of the old warrior on the hilltop bloomed the wild geranium, the little Montana, and the yellow cactus of the western prairies.
"The old chief gazed long and lovingly at the panorama thus spread out before him. Then turning his eyes to the east he mused, 'It is no longer for us. No longer shall the brave red men hunt buffalo over the hills or on the grassy plain. The white man comes to build houses and towns. The antelope will be gone, and the sunny hunting ground be plowed to raise food for the pale face and his children. He comes from the rising sun. The braves of the once great tribe are gone, and I am left: I go.' Then shouldering his rifle, the old warrior mounted his little