sataxta's last atrocity. 181 



of the display. The way he handled that bugle, 

 however, before the next morning was by no means 

 so amusing. 



Some time before dawn the sleepy garrison were 

 aroused by the thunders of a stock stampede, and out 

 of the darkness came the clatter of hoofs, as Satan ta 

 and his band departed for the south with a goodly 

 herd of government mules and horses. Pursuit was 

 commenced at once, with the hope of cutting them off 

 before they could get the stock across the Arkansas, 

 then somewhat swollen. Just as the troops reached 

 the bank of that stream, a major-general's uniform 

 was seen going out of the water upon the other side. 

 Notwithstanding its high rank fire was instantly 

 opened upon it, but ineffectually. The savage turned 

 a moment, blew a shrill, defiant blast upon his bugle, 

 and galloped off in safety. Too much promotion 

 made him mad. As a simple chief, he might have 

 stolen some straggling teams ; as a major-general, he 

 appropriated a whole herd. 



During the next eighteen months, Satanta had 

 several encounters with the troops, generally wearing 

 the major-general's coat and blowing his bugle. His 

 last exploit, which brought the long hesitating sword 

 Df justice upon his head, is too fresh and too painful 

 to be soon forgotten. A few months ago the savage 

 chief was living with his people on a reserve in the 

 Indian Territory and being fed bv the government. 

 Gathering a few of his warriors he stole forth, and, 

 crossing the Texas border, surprised a wagon train, 

 murdered the teamsters, and drove off the mules. 

 Fortunately, Gen. Sherman, in his examination of 



