Leonidas Polk Family Papers

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with his Negro servant through the Indian Territory, a country overrun by horse-thieves and desperadoes held in check only by the fear of desperate resistance. Seeing two men approaching, the Bishop knew, even at a distance, what they were. He rode quietly on, however, keeping an eye on them, but giving no sign. That night he stopped at the house of John Ross, the Cherokee Chief, and when he mentioned the incident and gave a description of the men, Ross congratulated him on his escape. The men, he said, were well-known ruffians, and he added, "They knew you must be well armed, or they would surely have attacked you." When the Bishop assured him that he was not armed, and that a man of his profession could not carry arms, Ross was at first unwilling to believe him. Throughout the evening the chief entertained his guest with cordial hospitality, but on bidding him farewell the next morning the Bishop noticed that he had become cold and distant. During the day he asked his servant whether anything had occurred to offend the chief. The Negro could not tell, but later said