710 THE ¢EGIHA LANGUAGE—MYTHS, STORIES, AND LETTERS. 
have been pursuing. You have been total strangers, but they have shown great 
kindness to you. Well, I say that, though it is somewhat hard for me (to speak thus). 
And that is a different subject about which I send to tell you. The time for me to 
travel towards the north (or, up the Missouri Rk. to the Yanktons) has not yet eome. 
I think that even over there their hearts will resemble those of the Omahas and the 
visiting Dakotas. Though I understand their language, their words, too, are not ex- 
actly in harmony with mine, yet I think that they speak the very truth! When I 
know about it I will be apt to send you a letter again. 
Well, O agent, I wish them to send me a letter! I have been continually hoping 
that you would pity me exceedingly. When I left the place where you are I wore no 
comfortable robe; I came here with only a very thin piece of cotton cloth on me. And 
the people said that they pitied me, so I thought at one time (but I do not think so 
now) that we had in you avery good agent! Thatisit. Though you have made me 
somewhat ashamed, I think that you have failed in some endeavor. Had you tried 
till you acquired it I think that I might have known what was good. You did make 
the effort, but I think that perhaps you failed. Now, I hope that you will exert your- 
self in behalf of those still under your care. We did think heretofore that we were 
very fortunate in having you for our agent. But what good thing have you done 
for us I, for my part, do not know. Although I think that one thing has been caus- 
ing the trouble. Now, it is hard for me to give you very many words. I have spoken 
enough, and I think that you will understand it, so I tell you, O agent! This is 
sufficient, O agent! 
You have sent us words that one man has died, but I do not knowhim. You say 
that Big Soldier has died, but I do not know him (by that name). I wish to under- 
stand it thoroughly. Has the account of the deaths of your people come in a correct 
form? Only the name of Big Soldier is not plain. When I returned here I knew about 
the deaths of one hundred and fifty-two of your people. I wish you to count those who 
have died in addition (to the first) and write me an account. Thus it is, O Big Snake, 
and you, O agent! 
LION TO BATTISTE DEROIN. 
December 12, 1878. 
Wabiag¢eze tia ¢aki¢é ¢a™ b¢izeé a”ba¢é. Wabig¢eze b¢izé té'di 
Letter you have sent the Ihave to-day. Letter I have when 
hither to me (ob.) received it received it 
nin’de i°¢i™uda™-qti-ma™. Nikaci”ga wana™ju-madi éde nikaci”ga wi” 
heart Thad it very good for me. People among the threshers but people one 
na'tai ¢a™ja, ceta” nija ja”. I¢apaha’-maji nija técté, t’é técté 
killed by though, so far alive lies. I do not know it whether he will whether he will 
the machine live, _ die 
i¢ipaha"-maji. Tjaje té Kické isan’ga, Ma*teti-da ¢.  Pfiji té hégaji gaxai 
T do not know.» ‘His the Kicke his younger Mateu-pa that. Bad the nota wasmade 
name brother, little 
jiga b¢tiga. Weénatju ak éwat, 
body whole. Threshing- the caused it. 
machine (sub.) 
