Summary

In Chapter 5, the troop spots a tribe of Oglala Sioux men in the distance. This worries them, for an attack would inevitably leave them defeated. The troop has lost many men to famine, and those who are left are emaciated and weak. Thomas imagines a Sioux invasion as a “welcome release” (57) from their grim reality. The chief moves in their direction and the major meets him halfway. They speak for 20 minutes and the troopers becomes anxious. The major reports that the Sioux tribe, who “ain’t treaty Indians” (59), merely want to know the troop’s intentions and offer them meat. The troopers are pleased to “champ on actual sustenance” (59) but Sergeant Wellington is reluctant and suspects that the meat is poisoned. Trooper Pearl, on the other hand, admits that he “be thinking well of Indians now” (60).

An ice storm strikes and the troop...