Summary

Chapter 3 is titled “The Oregon Trail.” Late that afternoon, Nyles leads the way to the top of a hill and points out the North Platte River which their Lakota ancestors called the Shell River. He points out deep ruts at the side of the river. Jimmy is shocked when Nyles reveals this is part of the Oregon Trail, and the ruts are the result of thousands of wagons crossing the river. Before whites began to travel here, the Lakota and other tribes called it the Shell River Road. It was originally used by animals, then by Indians, then by whites. Crazy Horse saw wagons here for the first time. Nyles made Jimmy understand Crazy Horse's shock by asking how Jimmy would feel if he saw thousands of spaceships. Jimmy felt he would wonder what they want. Nyles says that is exactly what Crazy Horse...