I happened to see those Ogallalas frequently, under various circumstances; they had that power, which is characteristic with thoroughbred Indians, of assuming when thought necessary, a reserved and dignified manner. Red Cloud, especially, maintained the deportment consistent with his position as the hereditary chief of his nation. The speeches delivered by them in the presence of the Commissioner of Indian affairs were remarkable as proving that they possessed great natural oratorical abilities. The description of the events occurring in their territories, and the unfair treatment which they considered they had received, were expressed with much force and poetical imagination. Their appeals were, however, unavailing. It was made clear to them, that it was not possible, that small numbers of Indians could be permitted to retain possession of extensive grounds, to the exclusion of the necessities of an advancing civilization, and that they must accept the fate which was inevitable, and accustom themselves to be confined within reservations of a limited and definite area. The Secretary of the Interior, told the Sioux that the existing things were changing, and that they might as well try and keep back the winds with their hands, as to prevent these changes. CHAPTER VII. Prairies in Minnesota and Iowa. — Boulders. — Glacial Drift. — Wild Rice. — Snow Storm. — Nebraska. — The Pawnees. — Human Sacrifices. — Note on Indian Customs in War and Cannibalism. — Prairie Fires. — Prairie-Dog Villages. — Rattlesnakes. — Variations in the succession of growths of Trees. — Causes of absence of Trees upon Prairies. — Shoshone Indians on the Western Deserts. — Note upon Ute Indians and Fuegians. It was getting late in the year, when I commenced to cross the prairies of Minnesota and Iowa. The higher plateaux were in many places already covered with snow, upon which we saw numerous tracks of wolves. The long icicles upon the graceful little waterfall of the Minne-ha-ha, indicated the approach of a severe winter, and flocks of wild geese were flying towards the upper lakes.