In the last moments of Brush's life he speaks to Francis and says, "Tell the boys I want them to learn, and to think. You'll tell them, won't you"(pg. 151)? This passage shows that Brush felt a strong need for the boys to learn the "white chests" ways and to learn to think as a "white chest" would in order to survive in the changing world of the Omaha. Brush could see that the white man was moving into the territory of the Omaha tribe and everyday life was being influenced and structured around the white man's way of thinking. Brush was in a unique position to pass along advice to Francis because he didn't have any of his Omaha family left and was learning the ways of the white man in order to survive in the changing world. .
Brush's parents died when he was very young, and he lived with his grandfather until his death. Because Brush had no other family to care for him he was taken to the boarding school where he learned the ways of the white culture. He was favored by the superintendent, because he was able to learn quickly, showed a great interest in the books in the superintendent's library, and was allowed to take books to read and then discuss them with him (pg. 14). Brush knew the knowledge he absorbed would benefit him when he left the boarding school and wanted the other boys to benefit from the same knowledge, given that he felt he had a "big brother" responsibility to the other boys.
From the very beginning of the book Brush was the one who took Francis under his wing and cared for him and taught him the ways of the white culture. The book opens with Francis sitting outside the school crying and Brush comforting him, telling him not to cry that he would watch out for him (pg. 3), be his friend and that he would be able to go home in a few days. Brush gave Francis a little wooden dog to play with until he returned, as a source of comfort. Upon his return he took Francis to the large room where meals were served and made sure he received a little extra to eat.
