Another band of Red men followed with some tepees that they offered against government tents and, on being refused, finally wagered them against provender and hay. Each day there were new offers as groups of Indians came to the Fort, so that as soon as an Indian outfit on wheels came slowly up, it was quite understood that it was bringing new material to put up on the race. It was toward the end of the time that Red Cloud and his retinue came again, riding in much solemnity. Ignoring all others, he went to Colonel Waller's house and, in his usual deliberate way, after smoking, he began:
"Maybe so, you bet big?"
"Yes, indeed," was Waller's answer.
"Good. We bet all Dakota. You bet United States. Maybe so—yes?"
"No, no," laughed the Colonel.
"You win, we go away out west. We win, you all go back east. Maybe so—yes?"
"No," said the Colonel. "I am only a little chief. The Great High Chief, Unca-Sam, would not allow it."
Red Cloud smoked a while, then resumed:
"Heap afraid, maybe so?" Then, after a pause, "We bet Pine Ridge, you bet Fort Ryan—yes?"
Again the Colonel had to protest that only the Great Father Unca-Sam could deal in such matters; and Red Cloud grunted, "Heap scared," made a gesture of impatience, and rode away.