Chapter 8

General Hancock orders the Cheyenne to parley at Fort Larned. But the Cheyenne don't appear, so Hancock moves out towards their village on the Pawnee Fork. Sioux and Cheyenne chiefs try to dissuade him from approaching the village; after Sand Creek, they were afraid for their women and children. The Indians burn the prairie grass to deny forage to the cavalry horses, send their women and children fleeing, and four hundred Indians form a line, ready to charge. But one of them puts up a white flag, and Hancock and Custer meet Chief Roman Nose between the armies. Hancock orders Roman Nose to bring back the women and children and to meet with the soldiers again closer to the Cheyenne camp. Soon Hancock's scouts report that all the Cheyenne have abandoned the camp. Hancock determines to burn it, but Wynkoop insists that if he does, he will be responsible for starting a war. Hancock backs off, and sends Custer out to find the Cheyenne and bring them back.