JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN.

859

He reported that just inside the British dominions, not fifty-miles away, was the great chieftain, Sitting Bull, with twelve hundred warriors. Joseph was making his way toward that refuge. On the 4th of October, General Howard, with a small detachment, suddenly came within sight of General Miles's camp.

The most remarkable series of events had taken place. Joseph, ignorant of Miles's proximity, had encamped near the mouth of a ravine. The American commander, hurling his men upon the enemy with terrific force, drove the Indians into the ravine. In a short time all escape from the ravine was cut off. Yet, penned up in this death-trap, encumbered by women and children, his braves sick, wounded, lamed, and dying from the hardships of the awful chase, Joseph bravely proceeded to erect intrenchments and prepare for a siege. In a few days, however, he surrendered.

By his performances he became entitled to be recognized as one of the remarkable men of the age. One more day's march would have placed him inside the British dominions. For four months he had eluded his pursuers, having traveled more than fifteen hundred miles through the wildest, rockiest, and most mountainous region in America. He had crossed ranges, leaped canons, and swam mountain torrents; all this while carrying with him, on this remarkable flight, the women, children, and property of his tribe. He had been pursued altogether by four armies, any one of which far outnumbered his force. He had fought five battles against an enemy supplied with all the resources of modern warfare, and each time he had been practically victorious. Had he had the least suspicion of Miles's approach, it is evident that his fertile genius would have eluded his enemies once more, and have been able to laugh at all their toil.

While General Miles stepped in at the last moment and carried off the fruit of all the labors of the pursuers by a brilliant military victory, it is but fair that history should accord