The task of civilizing the Indians really depends almost wholly upon the agent who is set over them. He represents the Great Father; he alone has authority. It is for him to explain to them the benefits of toil, to reward the industrious, to punish the refractory, to encourage the unsuccessful, and to direct the ambitious. He can lead the tribe to see that work is necessary, and can induce them to work; or he can let the Indians take their own way.