The position of troops at the beginning of such an affair is always peculiarly difficult.  The settlers round-about are sure to clamor bitterly against them, no matter what they do, on the ground that they are not thorough enough and are showing favor to the savages, while on the other hand, even if they fight purely in self-defence, a large number of worthy but weak-minded sentimentalists in the East are sure to shriek about their having brutally attacked the Indians.  The war authorities always insist that they must not fire the first shot under any circumstances, and such were the orders at this time.  The Crows on the hill-top showed a sullen and threatening front, and the troops advanced slowly towards them and then halted for a parley.  Meanwhile a mass of black thunderclouds gathering on the horizon threatened one of those cloudbursts of extreme severity and suddenness so characteristic of the plains country.  While still trying to make arrangements for a parley, a horseman started out of the Crow ranks and galloped headlong down towards the troops.  It was the medicine chief, Sword-Bearer.  He was painted and in his battle-dress, wearing his war-bonnet of floating, trailing eagle feathers, while the plumes of the same bird were braided in the mane and tail of his fiery little horse.  On he came at a gallop almost up to the troops and then began to circle around them, calling and singing and throwing his crimson sword into the air, catching it by the hilt as it fell.  Twice he rode completely around the soldiers, who stood in uncertainty, not knowing what to make of his performance, and expressly forbidden to shoot at him.  Then paying no further heed to them he rode back towards the Crows.  It appears that he had told them that he would ride twice around the hostile force, and by his incantations would call down rain from heaven, which would make the hearts of the white men like water, so that they should go back to their homes.  Sure enough, while the arrangements for the parley were still going forward, down came the cloudburst drenching the command and making the ground on the hills in front nearly impassable; and before it dried a courier arrived with orders to the troops to go back to camp.

This fulfilment of Sword-Bearer’s prophecy of course raised his reputation to the zenith and the young men of the tribe prepared for war, while the older chiefs, who more fully realized the power of the whites, still hung back.  When the troops next appeared they came upon the entire Crow force, the women and children with their tepees being off to one side beyond a little stream while almost all the warriors of the tribe were gathered in front.  Sword-Bearer started to repeat his former ride, to the intense irritation of the soldiers.  Luckily, however, this time some of his young men could not be restrained.  They too began to ride near the troops, and one of them was unable to refrain from firing on Captain Edwards’ troop, which was in