This story comes from two versions of Robert Lee Bybee’s autobiography.

Version 1:

A few days after we finished hauling our winter wood [in fall of 1860], Father’s horses disappeared, and search as we would we could not find them. About two weeks after they disappeared, Little Soldier came to our home on one of his friendly calls, and Father told him about the horses. He promised to help Father find them, and sent two of his men to look for them. It was not long before they located two Indians and they had Father’s horses. They were taken to Little Soldier and he brought them and the two Indians to our home. After asking whether they belonged to Father or not, and found out they did, they were delivered to us and Little Soldier took his quirt and soundly whipped the offenders. Father interfered, but to no avail. He wanted us to see their punishment and when he had finished he simply said “Bad Injuns.” I did not teach school this winter and except for a few dances I played to, the fall and winter was uneventful.

Version 2:

Not very long after we finished our wood hauling [in fall of 1860], we got up one morning and found Father’s two horses were gone. We searched everywhere we thought they were likely to be and couldn’t find them. About two weeks after their disappearance, Little Soldier came to our home on one of his friendly calls. Father told him about the horses. Little Soldier promised to help Father out and immediately sent out a couple of his men to see if they could find the horses. It wasn’t long until they located two Indians and what proved to be Father’s horses. They were taken to Little Soldier, and he in turn brought horses and the Indians who had taken them to our place. When asked if they were his horses, Father said that they were. The horses were turned over to Father, and then Little Soldier took his quirt and approaching the Indians who had taken the horses, he gave them a very severe whipping. Father interfered on their behalf but to no avail. He wanted Father to see their punishment, and when Father interfered, Little Soldier pushed him back. When he finished the job, he merely grunted “Bad Injuns.”