He faced criticism from other Cheyenne leaders who thought he was naive or collaborationist.

He saw his policy fail again and again as American officials violated commitments and as military forces attacked peaceful camps.

He knew that his continued pursuit of diplomacy was not producing the protection he had been promised.

He kept going.

Not because he was oblivious to the failures, but because he could not see a better path.

The death at the Washita came as he was trying to escape across the river — not fighting, not surrendering, but trying to get away with his wife at his side, on a horse, in the dawn darkness when soldiers were attacking on all sides.

He did not die with his boots on, in the heroic stance of western mythology.