The Ogalallas were bitter enemies of the Northern Sioux under Crazy Horse, despising the latter from the bottom of their hearts. A very considerable number of these Indians were at that time enlisted and serving in several companies at Fort Robinson, and inasmuch as Crazy Horse was a domineering tyrant, holding his people in subjection more through fear than he did through kindness, they did a good deal of talking behind his back to the Ogalallas and enlisted Indians who, of course, carried the word direct to the commanding officer.
These rumors finally became so alarming that General McKenzie sent word to Crazy Horse, through an interpreter, telling him to come to the fort ; that he wanted to see him. Crazy Horse sent word that if McKenzie wanted to see him he would have to come to his camp. Following this. General McKenzie sent a second time, summoning him to the fort, in reply to which Crazy Horse stated that he was sick. The third time General McKenzie sent word, he gave Crazy Horse to understand that unless he obeyed he would send down and have him brought to the fort by force. Crazy Horse concluded that it would be well to obey, and sent word back that he would be up the following morning.
When a person hears a great deal of some famous personage, it is no more than natural that he should form a somewhat exalted notion of the personality and appearance of the distinguished individual ; and such was the state of my mind with regard to Crazy Horse. I expected to see a second Pontiac, a noble red