Final answer:
Chief Joseph likened escaping the soldiers to dodging 'bullets' as he led the Nez Perce tribe in a retreat from the Seventh Cavalry in an attempt to reach Canada and avoid the reservation system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chief Joseph said to his people that escaping the soldiers would be like dodging "bullets." This historical context comes from the period when the Nez Perce tribe, under Chief Joseph's informal leadership, attempted to escape the pursuing Seventh Cavalry and avoid the reservation system. Their stategic retreat covered 1,100 miles of rugged terrain. Despite the speed advantage of their Appaloosa horses, the tribe members were outnumbered and eventually had to face surrender just short of the Canadian border, where Chief Joseph made his famous speech, "I Will Fight No More Forever." The phrase you're looking for reflects the desperation and inevitability they felt, as evasion of the army's efforts proved as challenging as dodging all bullets fired by a relentless enemy.