Chapters 16 through 19 Summary and Analysis

In chapter sixteen, the government continued to try to provide basic requirements for the Indians, such as food, but the system didn't work. One problem was greed among those in charge of the supplies and they decided to put a Quaker in charge. The next problem was that each time a party went off the reservation and on the war path, they were coaxed to return with fresh supplies. The Indians came to associate the supplies with their attacks and continued their ways. They were also usually allowed to keep whatever livestock they stole while they were away. In short, there was little incentive to stop.

The whites, meanwhile, began using Spencer repeating rifles. Led by Ranald Slidell Mackenzie, the military went looking for a particular group of Indians, this one led by Quanah. The large band of Indians...