Summary

Chapter Seventeen opens with the same sense of peace that Chapter Sixteen concluded with. The Ne-mee-poo people feel happy knowing that in two days’ time they will reach the Old Lady’s Country, where they will be safe, until suddenly their scouts announce that the Blue Coats are nearby, led by Cheyenne warriors fighting on their side. The Blue Coats galloping horses are upon the Ne-mee-poo within minutes, and Chief Joseph calls to his people to save the horses, then hide. He tells Sound of Running Feet to flee, but she gives up her spot on a fleeing horse to a heavily pregnant woman. She becomes caught in the fighting next to Swan Necklace, who is injured. Hiding behind rocks, they fight for the entire day in the cold. By the end of the battle, many of the bravest Ne-mee-poo warriors are dead...