754 THE ¢(EGIHA LANGUAGE—MYTHS, STORIES, AND LETTERS. 
Mandan said :—My friend, I am one of those who have begged something from 
you this very day. We have petitioned to you about only one thing; that is, with 
reference to our making something for ourselves by working the soil. That is the 
only thing about which we ask you. But, my friend, [ have usually failed to complete 
what I have undertaken: And so to-day we really think that you have aided us. 
Domestic animals are the means by which we shall put forth strength, therefore I 
send to tell you. E : 
e-uyatha said:—My friend, these Indians write to you to-day. We write to 
you because we remember how you, our elder brother, gave us some advice before 
you started home. I have always remembered the words which you spoke to me 
when you came here last winter. I have kept the words which I received. All 
things which we have planted have grown up and the plants and trees are in good 
condition. So are the apple trees; the leaves are all good. I have not taken hold of 
the other thing which you promised to give us; I have not even seen it; the agent 
has not given it to us. He has resigned to-day, and another Indian agent is in his 
place. I refer to the cattle. And when you speak to the President about the cattle, 
I hope that I may have my own (cattle) in my land. And I beg horses of you. I 
want horses that are three, four, or five years of age. Ido not want very aged horses, 
nor do I desire Indian ponies. I desire none but American horses. We do not want 
Kansas horses. And Mexican horses, too, are bad. 
Big Elk said:—Elder brother, you came here to the Omaha country. Youcame | 
to see how we were and what we were doing. You said, ‘* Remember my words,” 
therefore the people have remembered them. And though we have always remem- 
bered how we begged you to make our land strong enough to bear us up, you said 
that you had failed to accomplish it for us because you had so much work. And the 
ways of the white people which we desire, we wish to have them soon. We desire to 
imitate your ways before long. Work for us, your wards, without awaiting the appear- 
ance ofany Omaha (?). If we cultivate our land, we hope that we can have good titles 
to it. Let the President hear that. Wedo not desire the many difficult things which 
we have encountered. Send from our land all those (white employés at the agency) 
who attend to us. Make them leave ourreservation. When we cultivate our land, let 
us have the personal ownership of the tools which we use. 
As the agents stay (among the Indians) solely on account of money, they continue 
in possession of the annuity money, the agricultural implements, etc. But we do not 
desire them to keep these implements in one place. (We need one hundred and fifty 
span of horses.) 
