The last line of those most famous words said by Chief Joseph to General Nelson Miles at the final confrontation at Bear's Paw Mountain on October 5, 1877 after the U.S. Cavalry had pursued the Nez Percé to within 50 miles of the Canadian Border. After the hell and hardship his people had endured during their flight, Chief Joseph concedes to General Miles with one of the most moving speeches I have ever heard;
Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he
told me before I have in my heart. I am tired
of fighting. Your chiefs are killed. Looking
Glass is dead. The old men are all killed. It
is the young men who say yes or no. He who led
the young men is dead. It is cold and we have
no blankets. The children are freezing to
death. My people, some of them, have run away
to the hills and have no blankets, no food; no
one knows where they are, perhaps freezing to
death. I want time to look for my children and
see how many of them I can find. May be I
shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my
chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad.
From where the sun now stands, I will fight no
more forever.
Chief Joseph, 1840 to September 21, 1904