Chief Joseph had many names during his lifetime. First, as a boy among his own people, he was Miats Tu-weet Tuu-eka-kas, or Young Grizzly Bear. As a man, he was Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, or Thunder-Rolling-through-the-Mountains. Finally, to white men, he was Chief Joseph of the Nez Percé.

This noted chief lived in the northwestern part of our country. He was the son of a chief, known as Old Joseph, and probably was born in eastern Oregon in 1840. For a time in early boyhood, he lived at the Spalding Mission in southeastern Washington, where he obtained the Christian name Joseph.

Young Joseph spent his later boyhood years in his tribal home in the Wallowa Valley, Oregon. Here he learned to hunt and fish, make bows and arrows, ride horses, and do other things that braves were supposed to do. Here, also, he learned the Indian ways of fighting and carrying on war.

Physically, young Joseph was tall, strong, and well poised. He was daring and fun-loving, but conducted himself befittingly as the son of the tribal chief. He was a natural leader, yet was careful never to take advantage of his status to serve selfish purposes.

Young Joseph lived in a trying period for both Indians and white settlers in the Northwest. The settlers rapidly were moving into the area and taking over lands where the Indians had lived. Old Chief Joseph tried to maintain peace with the settlers, but tension continually existed.

As a boy, young Joseph often accompanied his father to tribal councils and meetings with the United States soldiers at Fort Walla Walla, Washington. Like his father, he hoped that a way could be found to live in peace with the white settlers in the area. Finally, his father died, and he became chief.

Soon the U. S. military forces drove the Indians out of the Wallowa Valley and insisted that they move onto a reservation. Young Chief Joseph realized that the only hope for his people was to lead them on a long retreat to Canada. He failed, but he frequently outwitted his pursuers and earned a lasting reputation as a capable leader.

Olive Burt, the author, has written many books for the Childhood of Famous Americans Series. She has carefully researched her materials to provide an authoritative story. At the same time, she has painted a fascinating picture of the pageantry and gallantry of former Indian life in the Northwest.

From the dust jacket