The entire tribe, bucks and squaws alike, mounted on ponies, would congregate about the corral in which the government cattle were kept, and as fast as the cattle were driven out would hold a regular buffalo hunt, whooping and yelling and riding, chasing the cattle until the poor animals were almost ready to drop, then shooting and leaving them to the squaws to skin and butcher, as they did in the days of old on their buffalo hunts.

On this occasion Lieutenant Johnson was on the point of issuing cattle to Crazy Horse, when the interpreter informed him that Little Bad Man had asked that his cattle be issued separately. The acting agent was perplexed, for at that time everyone was trying to pacify the Indians, and he realized that whatever he did he was certain to arouse the anger of one or the other of the two men. He asked the advice of the interpreter. The latter replied that he thought the best plan would be to issue rations as requested by Little Bad Man. This the agent did, serving Little Bad Man first. when, sure enough, just as he had feared, Crazy Horse flew into a fury, refusing to accept his share, and riding back to camp followed by his people.

Spring was approaching, and it was not long after that before Crazy Horse began mak-

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

ing trouble. It was not his nature to remain peaceful and quiet, and reports seemed lo indicate that he was preparing for the war path. Among other things, he circulated the story that General McKenzie and his entire command were preparing to descend on the camp some night and massacre the entire outfit. By means of this and similar stories he managed to start a reign of terror, both in his camp and also that of Little Bad Man.