His eyes punched through mine, straight back into the brain, out through the skull of my rear elevation, and I knew they were drilling on through the stone wall immediately behind me.
“Considering the experiences of former agents, and even soldiers, Colonel Scott, and—”
“Do you think my plan will succeed?”
“It is a very good plan to try, Colonel. It has been your method with other tribes, and it may prove successful here.”
“But what do you think?”
There was no way of avoiding the truth. He would have it.
“You will not succeed.”
He studied a moment or two.
“I have dealt with unreasonable Indians,” he said, slowly.
“So I am informed, sir. But you have not dealt with [[161]]the Hopi Indian, who is a religious fanatic; and since you pressed me for an opinion, I had to give it. I can ask only that these people be not promised anything that will not be fulfilled. That has provoked half the trouble of the past. The Department has threatened them, and then curled up. They are accustomed to being betrayed by soldiers. They will talk endlessly; but if you expect to bring a Hopi to reason without a show of force, it is too much. You will not accomplish it.”