I had served long enough on the Plains to know Indian fighters when I saw them, and I cannot close this chapter without a tribute to both of these men.
Miles had come to the West as a young man with a brilliant war record, having risen to a major-general of volunteers at the age, I think, of 26 or 27.
He took naturally to Indian fighting.

He quickly divested himself of all the tactics that were useless in this particular kind of warfare, and learned as much about the Indians as any man ever knew.
Years later, when I was giving my Wild West Show in Madison Square Garden, General Miles visited it as my guest.
The Indians came crowding around him, and followed him wherever he went, although other army officers of high reputation accompanied him on the visit.
This Indian escort at last proved to be almost embarrassing, for the general could not go to any part of the Garden without four or five of the braves silently dogging his footsteps and drinking in his every word.
When this was called to my attention I called one of the old men aside and asked him why he and his brothers followed Miles so eagerly.
"Heap big chief!" was the reply.

"Him lickum Injun chiefs.

Him biggest White Chief.

Heap likum." Which was really a very high tribute, as Indians are not given to extravagant praise.
When we have met from time to time General Miles has been kind enough to speak well of me and the work I have done on the Plains.