Sitting Bull seemed a little impressed, but still assumed the role of big chief before his followers. "He finally," said McLaughlin, "made me a proposition, which was that I should accompany him on a journey to trace from the beginning the story of the Indian Messiah, and when he reached the last tribe, or where it originated, if they could not produce the man who started the story, and we did not find the new Messiah, as described, upon the earth, together with the dead Indians returning to reinhabit this country, he would return convinced that they (the Indians) had been too credulous and imposed upon, which report from him would satisfy the Sioux, and all practices of the ghost societies would cease; but if we found the Messiah, they be permitted to continue their medicine practices, and organize as they are now endeavoring to do. "I told him that this proposition was a novel one, but that the attempt to carry it out would be similar to an attempt to catch up with the wind that blew last year, but that I wished him to come to my house, where I would give him a whole night, or a day and a night, in which time I thought I could convince him of the absurdity of this foolish craze, and the fact of his making me the proposition that he did was a convincing proof that he did not fully believe in what he was professing and he tried so hard to make others believe. "He did not, however, promise fully to come into the agency to discuss the matter, but said he would consider my talk and decide after deliberation." Nothing came of it, however, and when it was found that neither cajolery nor threats availed with Sitting Bull his arrest was determined on. It was held that his failure to send his children to the agency school, and to report in person, was a sufficient breach of peace to justify such a step. The warrant for the arrest was sent in the form of the following telegram: "Headquarters Department of Dakota, St. Paul, Minn., Dec. 12, 1890. "_To Commanding Officer, Fort Yates, North Dakota:_ "The division commander has directed that you make it your especial duty to secure the person of Sitting Bull. Call on the Indian agent to cooperate and render such assistance as will best promote the purpose in view. "Acknowledge receipt, and if not perfectly clear, report back. "By command of General Ruger. "(Signed) M. Barber, Assistant Adjutant-General." After Colonel Drum, the commandant at Fort Yates, had consulted with Major McLaughlin, the Indian agent, it was decided that the arrest should be effected through the Indian police. Accordingly, a band of police, under the command of Lieut. Henry Bull Head, was detailed to make the capture. The Indian police, to the number of forty, set out to perform their errand, followed at some distance by two troops of cavalry under Captain Fetchet and a body of infantry, under Colonel Drum.