He was wrong.

After Big Hole, Looking Glass’s authority was challenged.

Some accounts indicate that Poker Joe — a mixed-heritage leader who had joined the flight during the Bitterroot passage — took over as march leader for a period, with a more aggressive insistence on speed.

Looking Glass resumed primary leadership as the flight continued into September.

And at Bear Paw, on October 4, he was watching the northern approaches, hopeful that Lakota riders from Sitting Bull’s camp might arrive to offer help or reinforcements.

He was killed at that watching post.