Summary

In Chapter 7, the troop searches the deserted camp for clues that may give away the Oglala Sioux tribe’s whereabouts. They find one of their compatriots, Caleb Booth, who was shot in the cheek but survived the onslaught. He explains that the fight erupted when Caught-His-Horse-First admitted to killing the trespassing emigrants, which prompted the Lieutenant to kill one of the tribe’s men. A violent confrontation ensued, which left all other troop members dead. They bury the dead troop members, and Sergeant Wellington cuts off the noses of the dead Native American men. He throws them in the prairie “like he thinks the dead might rise to try and put them back” (80).

Caught-His-Horse-First is labelled as a most wanted criminal. The Pawnee scouts are accused of deserting the troop and killed, which angers the major. Thomas recalls placing a purple flower on...