They could, themselves, do nothing in the matter.

They had fulfilled their engagement by bringing them once and putting them in the hands of the officers.

The Government had had them in its power once and could not keep them--it must now go and catch them itself.
The Government, having had some experience the past summer in "catching Indians," wisely concluded to drop the matter.
About this time another event occurred which occasioned no small excitement in our little community.

Robineau, the striker from the blacksmith establishment at Sugar Creek, near the Four Lakes, arrived one very cold day at the Agency.

He had come to procure medical aid for Mata's eldest daughter, Sophy, who, while sliding on the lake, had fallen on the ice and been badly hurt.