The race is on

In this part of the book I really just feel bad for the Nez Perce. They fought a bunch in Idaho and outmaneuvered the whites, managing to escape through to Montana. When they finally got into Montana, they assumed they were free and clear. They had no qualms with the whites there and assumed they would be able to live peacefully. It displays a total lack of understanding of the scope and nature of the US Army, as well as a poor understanding of the capabilities of the telegraph system. In fact, they were allowed to move peacefully across the plains, purchasing goods from local whites, and it wasn't until they were in the next mountain range that they were attacked, losing many of their women and children. They decided then that all whites must be against them and did not treat civilians kindly thereafter (though they still refrained from killing women and children, I think).