Born Ida Casey, the author was the granddaughter of a U.S. congressman and the wife of Indian agent D. B. Dyer. She followed her husband to the Darlington Indian Agency, based near Fort Reno, where she experienced the ups and downs of frontier life and encountered the nearby Native Americans, with whom she made enduring friendships. The book presents the best available picture of agency life in the Indian Territory and is an excellent source on early Oklahoma. A social commentary on late nineteenth century America that provides vivid descriptions of the tribal customs and characteristics of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians.