I know that my race must change.

For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.

We were taught to believe that the Great Spirit sees and hears everything, and that he never forgets; that hereafter he will give every man a spirit-home according to his deserts: if he has been a good man, he will have a good home; if he has been a bad man, he will have a bad home. This I believe, and all my people believe the same.

Suppose a white man should come to me and say, "Joseph, I like your horses. I want to buy them." I say to him, "No, my horses suit me; I will not sell them." Then he goes to my neighbor and says to him, "Joseph has some good horses. I want to buy them, but he refuses to sell." My neighbor answers, "Pay me the money and I will sell you Joseph's horses." The white man returns to me and says, "Joseph, I have bought your horses and you must let me have them." If we sold our lands to the government, this is the way they bought them.

Cursed be he that scalps the reputation of the dead.

We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.

Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.