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jAiiiia 1". iiECJiwouKTu i:< uumek's cosicaE. 
 
THE 
 
 LIFE AND ADVENTURES 
 
 OF 
 
 JAMES P. BECKWOURTH, 
 
 MOUNTAINEER, SCOUT, AND PIONEER, 
 
 AND 
 
 CHIEF OF THE CROW NATION OF INDIANS. 
 
 mittt fiUusttatfons. 
 
 WRITTEN FROM HIS OWN DICTATION, 
 
 BY T. D. BONNER. 
 
 //^. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS. 
 
 FRANKLIN SQUARE. 
 
 1856 
 
F 
 
 
 /. 
 
 
 
 6520-? 
 
 r 
 
 C I 
 
 p 
 
 Entered, accordinjr to Act of Congress, in tlie j-ear one thousand 
 eight liundred and fifly-six, by 
 
 IIahpek & BaoTiiEns, 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District 
 
 of New York. 
 
 ^'^ 
 
f K E F A C E 
 
 BiniED amxl flic ,nUimc passes of f'-,o .Slorv, V„ 
 va<la a,-o old men, who, whe,i chikb-en "sw 
 fro,,, our erowdcd scttleme,,,, a,„l , ,',^ '^' 
 
 eon,c do-nlciliat::; ^jft^i^ '' T '" 
 savages-have lived seo.^, o " " wh! ^^ """ , ":''''"■• 
 tellcets iu the constant strut cfo c ,'"'' ■"• '"" 
 whose only pleasural.Ie .v v '^<'"-l»-csorvat,o„ ; 
 
 atorv to 7nrfi'^;r.o+- • ^'-^u]x.iaro, ijrc par- 
 
 oij to pait cpafng m new and thrilli„iv advo ,tnrn ■ 
 Such men, whose simple talc would „.,!„ tr " 
 
 tjve creations of our nJost po Xt f ^i'^;;;- 
 
 tl.e.r obscure graves unnoticed and unknown t 
 ~s, whose braver, and self-devotiorti::, no r 
 
 « 'etri^::!:^^^^^^^^ "^«« "■•-oo-. 'nd 
 
 "-th-song, and bccoriS ^l^ l^"""^' '""■ 
 ou the intellectual world ^ "" >n.p«-s.sio„ 
 
 -t7:Cunr^.«:-^^^^^^^^ 
 
 nations, and as earlv pioneer : the » ^'"" ''"'"" 
 fteitic coast, is Jam~ cl trth S'"" °'""- 
 -.nd startling personal adventtut wl 'h 7 ''T' 
 .-■ecord but for the accident of «, ;" with" "" 
 
 -he mo,.tai,,s of California. wlt:;,^.r^^^^^^^^ 
 
IV 
 
 I'KEFAC'E. 
 
 ill llio man, and, ])ationtly listening to Iiis story, pro- 
 t'cwlcd, as it fell from his lips, to put it upon paper. 
 
 'J'his autobiograjtliy was thus })ro(luced, and was the 
 result of some montlis' labor in the winter of 1854-55. 
 In prosecuting the task, tlie autlior has in no instance 
 departed trom tlie story of the narrator, but it was taken 
 ddwn literally as it was trom day to day related. Beck- 
 wourth kej)t no journal, and, of course, relied upon his 
 nunnory alone ; consequently dates arc often wanting, 
 which it was impossible to give with accimicy when 
 recurring to events transpiring in the course of very 
 many years. I^cckwourth is personally known to 
 thousands of people " living on both sides of the 
 mountains," and also, from his service under the United 
 States government, has enjoyed the acquaintance of 
 many officers of the United States Army, who have 
 been stationed in Florida, Mexico, and California. In 
 liis long residence with the Indians he adopted their 
 habits, and was in every respect conformed to their 
 ways : the consequence was, from his gv jat courage 
 and superior mental endowments, he rose rapidly in 
 their estimation, and linally became their chief. As 
 an Indian, therefore, he speaks of their customs, and 
 describes their characteristics ; and probably, from his 
 autobiography, wc have more interesting particulars 
 tJian were ever before given of the aborigines. 
 
 Bcckwoiirtli, after ten thousand adventures, finally 
 bi'came involved in the stream that set toward the Pa- 
 cific, and, almost unconsciously, he established a home 
 in one of the pleasant valleys that border on Feather 
 River. Discovering a pass in the mountains that 
 rreatlv facilitated omio:rants in reaching* California, hi.-; 
 
 ino' 
 
I'KKFACIC. ^. 
 
 1.01.S0 L...e.-„m „ «to,,,,ing.pl,,cc for tl.e wcarv „ncl ,\i.- 
 VMed among then,, «,k1 no cloub, fl,c aisociations 
 < "i« I'l-escn.ca Lave done nu.cl. to efface in.s nalnral 
 'l..spos,t>on (0 wander and seeK e.xeiten.ent an,on.. ,l,c 
 Indian tribes. " 
 
 Jn person ],e is of medium I.eioht, of slron.^ mu,eu 
 !» power, ,„ie]c of apprei.ension^and, for a ml, ;;", 
 .ve,„-s, very aetive. Kro,n ids neclc is s.usnnnded h 
 pertoratcd bnlle, witl. „ large o,,long bead a:h s <. 
 of . , secured by a tbread of sinew : ,lds amulet is jus 
 - 1.C wore ^t wldle ciuef among tl,e (Jrows. Wit 
 except,o„ of tlds ,,e l.as now assun.cd tl,e Jl 
 costume of e.vd.zed Ide, and, in Ids occasional visits to 
 
 tlie diess and mamiers of the refined gentleman. 
 
 It .s unncecssary to speak of tbe natural superioritr 
 of Ins n„nd : Ins autobiography every where display^ 
 i . H.S sagacity ,n dctcnnining what would please llu. 
 Mians has never been surpassed; for on ,l,e most trv- 
 
 "ge s of the Inghest order, and probably no man ever 
 i.ved who has met with more personal advent.uen- 
 volvtng danger to life, though in this respect he is not 
 an exception to all mountaineers and hunter W.l e 
 1,>- engaged ■„ the fur trade and taced the per of' an 
 unknown wilderness. ^ 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CIIAPTKR I. 
 Birth-plac-n and Cliildliooil.— Removal to St. Louis Page VA 
 
 CHAPTER JI. 
 
 Expedition to the Afincs.— Am Hunter to the Party.— FirHt Trii) to 
 New Orlc-ms. — Sick with Yellow Fever. — Return Home. — First 
 Trip to the Great West ,^^ 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 Return from the deserted Pawnee Villages.— SufTorings on the Way 
 -Prospect of Starvation.-Fall in with the Indians most opportune- 
 ly—Safe Arrival at Ely's Trading-post at the mouth of the Kan- 
 ""^ 28 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Severe Suflerings in the Camp.— Grand Island.— Platte River— T^n 
 the South Fork of the Platte.-Thc Dog, the Wolf, and the first 
 liuHalo g^ 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Suflerings on the Plattc.-Arrive at the Rocky Mounlains.-Fall out 
 with General Ashley.— Horses again stolen by the Crow Indians 
 -Sickness of our General.-Rescue of the General from a wound- 
 ed Buflalo. — Remarkable Rescue of the General from the Green 
 
 River " Suck" 
 
 45 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 We separate into six Detachments, and start out.— Trapping on Green 
 River.— Narrow Escape from a Massacre by the Arrap-a-hos —One 
 Man murdered in Camp.— Retreat.— Fail in with a Detachment of 
 our Company.— Groat Joy at the Meeting.— Return of the Detach- 
 nioiits to (!<(< Plam of Rendezvous at the " Suck" ,>^ 
 
VIII 
 
 I'ONTIINI'S. 
 
 ClIAPTKll VII. 
 
 Arrival of rjoncral AhIiIpj- and Party. — His Relation of thnir SufTcr- 
 iiijjH after ieaviiiff the Kciitlezvoiis. — Their Excursion to Salt I.ake. 
 — Fall in with a Fur ('onipany hcforo unknown to theMountainecs. 
 — His final Fortune, and lieturn to St. Louis I'age 70 
 
 CHAPTER VHI. 
 
 ITncxpcotcd Return to tlie Rocky Mountains. — Camp removed. — Final 
 .Success in fnidinir our parly in the Mountains. — .loyful Meetinn;. — 
 Horses stolen by the Pun-nak Indians. — A IJattle, and six Indians 
 killed. — W'c recapture our Horses 9(1 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Company removes from Cache Valley on a Hunting and Trapping 
 Excursion. — Discovery of a Band of Rlack Feet. — A r)attlo ensues 
 with them. — Description of the Battle. — Return to Rendezvous. — 
 Fulfillment of the Medicine Chief's Prophecy 98 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 fircat Battle with the Black Feet. — Departure of General Ashley. — 
 His Farewell Speech to the Mountaineers. — Removal of our Ren- 
 dezvous. — Peace between the Flat Heads and Black Feet. — Trad- 
 ing-post at their Village. — I become Son-in-law to the Black Foot 
 Chief — Trouble in the Family. — Wife punished for Disobedience. 
 — Troubled Waters finally stilled 108 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Removal of our Rendezvous. — Battle with our Friends, the Black Feet. 
 — A Race for dear Life. — Great Victory over the Grovan Band of 
 Black Feet ItJC 
 
 CHAPTER Xn. 
 
 Departure from the Rendezvous. — Trouble in Camp. — Leave the Party 
 and Traps. — Arrival at the Crow Village. — Great Stir among the 
 Crows. — .loyfuI Meeting with my Crow Parents, Brothers, and Sis- 
 ters. — Three Years without seeing a White Man 142 
 
 CHAPTER XHL 
 
 War between the Crow Nation and other Indian Tribes. — My first 
 Victory as a Crow Indian. — A Melancholy and Sentimental Indian. 
 — Indian Masonry. — Return to Camp. — Great Rejoicing among niv 
 innumerable Relatives. — The Little Wife 15:! 
 
• UNTKNTS. 
 
 IX 
 
 CHAPTKR XIV 
 
 ''V.^lcll "st"'" '" ^''V'r""^""^-'^-^'"^»'- Cattle vvul. tlu- 
 
 cic^l^nnes "'""' "^ ''"" ^^■^^"^'^' i'ort.-Troublc with tho 
 
 Page 18!* 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 Short Account of Pine Leaf, the Crow Hcroine.-Twcnty Days" Iht 
 wjth to Chov..nnes.-KeturM of the Xilia.e to the w "4l " 
 teountau..s Letter fro.u .M-lvenzie.-ViJit to hi« Tradin,.pns, 
 
 at the .Mouth of the \ cllow fStone .,<, i 
 
 ^(M 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 ^?"!"" ""rf n ''^^'-''T^^ "'• ^'luaws.-Battle with the Bhu-k 
 1 cc vvul the ( heyennes.-fJreat Sue-ess of the Crows in stealing 
 Ho es.-A successful Fall for licaver.-Return to the Fort with 
 
 '-iyo 
 
 CHAPTER XVH. 
 Victory over tlie Cheycnnes.-Treachery of the Snake Indians.-Lo..s 
 of SIX Crow \Varnors^- Victory over the Snakes and Utahs.-A 
 Mountau.eer k.lled.-Trouble in the Wigwan..-! am dis.raced.- 
 Great Sacnhce of my Father's Property.-Three Whipping; for vio- 
 lating Crow Morals.-Great Battle with the Re-ka-ras . ...... ol", 
 
 CHAPTER XVHI. 
 Departure from the Fort with tlic Crows.-I am elected First Coun- 
 selor of the Aation.-Death of the head Chief-J am appointed 
 Successor.— Last Moments of the Chief o-y 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 Departure from the Fort-Arrival of Fitzpatrick and Party at the 
 Crow V.llage.-IIair-breadth Escape from a Massacre.-Rescue and 
 Restoration of Property to the Owners.-Departure of the Parlv - 
 My Return to the Fort.-Escape from Black Feet.-Defeat .t' ^he 
 Crows .... 
 
 274 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 Excursion to the Fort.-Arrival of Long Hair's Village.-Building of 
 a new Medicine Lodge.-Triumphar.t Entrance of my little Wife 
 into the Lodge.-Attack on the Crow Village by the Siouxs -Meet 
 ing of the two Crow Villages.-Visit of the Grovans.-\'i.sif to the 
 GrovauR and Fort Clarke 
 
X 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 AltacUs of t!ic Black Feet on the Fort.— Six White Men killed.— 
 Abamloiiinont of Fort Cass. — Fort constructed at the Mouth of the 
 " Rose Bud." — Removal of the Village. — Peace concluded with the 
 As-nc-bohies. — Hair-breadth Escape. — Death of Mr. Hunter, of Kcn- 
 ti'^^I^y Page 303 
 
 CHAPTER XXn. 
 
 Mofeniic Shower.— Its EiFect upon the Indians.— Their Sacrifice to 
 the (rrcai Spirit. — Continued Hostilities with the Black Feet. — A 
 Black I'oot burned in the Crow Villafrc. — Visit to the Fort ... 317 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Removal to our Tobacco-ground. — Expedition to the Arrap-a-hos for 
 Horsi'S. — Discovered, and the Party scattered. — Wanderings for 
 fourteen Months.- -Return at last amid tremendous Rejoicing. 325 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Excursion to the Fort. — Great Battle with the Cheyenncs on the 
 Way. — Rejoicing on my Arrival at the Fort. — Horses stolen by the 
 Chcycinics. — Pursuit and Battle with the Thieves. — Battle with the 
 Black Foot. — Return to our Village 336 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Visit of the whole Crow Nation to the Fort. — Seven Days' Trading 
 and Jlojoicing.- -Separation of the Villages. — Expedition to the Ca- 
 manchcs. — Narrow Escape from their Village. — Battle with the 
 Black Feet. — The Whites assist us with their Cannon. — Captured 
 by the Black Feet. — Recaptured by the Crows. — Final Victory. 346 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 Deputation from the As-ne-boines. — Characteristic Speech of Yellow 
 Belly. — Visit to the Fort. — Visit to Fort Union. — Rescue of Five 
 While Men from Starvation. — Arrival at Fort Cass. — Departure for 
 the Village. — Visit of the Snakes to the Crows 358 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 Departure for St. Louis. — Visit Fort Union. — Fort Clarke. — Descend 
 to the A-rick-a-ra Country. — Am taken Prisoner. — Extraordinary 
 Means of Release. — Reach St. Louis. — Scarcely recognized by my 
 Sisters. — Changes. — Estrangement of Friends. — Sigh for my In- 
 iliaii Home .... n7n 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 XI 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 Page 383 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 404 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 ^TnZlv t ";"'r— Severe Sickness o„ .he VVay.-ArrivM 
 
 Trade opened with various Tribes.-Incidenfs . .7^""";^",' 
 
 CHAPTER XXXf 
 
 Alarm among afTrade,^ -HveZr u n ",' '° '^ ''"^'-O'eat 
 from Che SioLs.-Safnrrival a. fhe Xt T "''""^''.-^''e'-' 
 
 »-hos.-A„acked.,aChe,e„;;^:rr:rr;rr:5°."^S 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII 
 
 456 
 
 CHAPTER XXXni. 
 
 TIic Californian Revolution Riflo r^-^ t. • . 
 
 mies.-Colonel Sut or P Corps^-Position of the two Ar- 
 
 i-o. v^oionei butter.— Cannonade.— Fliffht of Sutfnr u- u 
 turn.-Trial and subsequent Release ^ S"tter.-H,s Re- 
 
 406 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 Affairs at Santa F6— Insurrection at T^nc n- 
 
 Batue a. .Ke c..n.-u.^it::^'zz:^:!":^ 
 
Xll 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 -A Mexican Woman redeemed from the Indians —Retu 
 
 Santa Fe 
 
 rn to 
 
 .Page 483 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 ic 
 at 
 
 Departure for California. —Meeting with the Apaches. — Hostile 
 Threats.— Trouble with the Utahs.— Most terrible Tragedy.— Socie- 
 ty in California. — Adventures with Grizzly Bears 499 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 Discovery of Bcckwourth's Pass.— No pecuniary Reward for publ 
 Services.— Transformation.— A new Character. — Emigrants u 
 Home and at their Journey's End.— Description of the Happy Val 
 ley. — Interesting Reminiscence 5 14 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 Mistakes regarding the Character of the Indian.— Extent of the West- 
 ern Tribes —Their Character.- How a War against them should 
 be conducted. — Reflections. — Closing Address to the Indian he- 
 '0'"e 529 
 
to 
 33 
 
 lie 
 e- 
 J9 
 
 ic 
 at 
 il- 
 
 14 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY 
 
 OF 
 
 JAMES P. BECKWOURTE 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Birth-place and Childhood—Removal to St. Louis. 
 
 I WAS born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on the 26th 
 of Apnl 1798. My lather's fan.il/consisted of tlUr- 
 teen cluldren, seven sons and six daughters. I was 
 the thn-d child, having one sister and one brother older 
 tiian myself. 
 
 My father had been an officer in the Revolutionary 
 War, and had held a major's commission. lie served 
 throughout that glorious struggle which 
 
 "Raised the dignity or' man, 
 And taught him to be free.'' 
 
 I well recollect when a smaU boy, the frequent meet- 
 ings of the old patriots at my father's house, who 
 vvould sit down and relate the different battles in which 
 they had taken part during "those days that tried 
 men s souls." According to the custom of those days, 
 tlieir meetings were occasionally enlivened with some 
 good old peacli brandy; the same kind, I presume, as 
 hat with which the old Tory treated M'Donald when 
 he delivered h.s splendid eliarger " Selim" to him for 
 presentation to Colonel Tarleton, wlucli circumstance 
 was very frequently spoken of by the old soldiers. - 
 Often during tliese reminiscences every eye would 
 
14 
 
 AUTORIOGIJAI'IIV OF 
 
 dim, and tears course down the checks of the old vet- 
 erans, as they thus fought their battles o'er again, and 
 recalled their sufferings during tho struggles thej had 
 passed through. 
 
 My youthful mind was vividly impressed with the 
 stirring scenes depicted by those old soldiers ; but time 
 and subsequent hardship have obliterated most of their 
 narratives from my memory. One incident I recollect, 
 however, related by my father, when he formed one of 
 a storming party in the attack on Stony Point made 
 under General Wayne. 
 
 When I was but about seven or eight years of age, 
 my father removed to St. Louis, Missouri, taking with 
 him all his family and twenty-two negroes. lie se- 
 lected a section of land between the forks of the Mis- 
 sissippi and Missouri liivers, twelve miles below St. 
 Charles, which is to this day known as "Beckwourth's 
 Settlement." 
 
 At this early period of our history (1805-6) the 
 whole region of country around was a " howling wil- 
 derness," inhabited only by wild beasts and merciless 
 savages. St. Louis, at that time, was but a small 
 town, its inhabitants consisting almost wholly of 
 French and Spanish settlers, who were engaged in 
 trafficking with the Indians the commodities of civili- 
 zation, such as Jire-ivater^ beads, blankets, arms, am- 
 munition, &c., for peltry. 
 
 For protection against the Indians, who were at that 
 time very troublesome and treacherous, it became nec- 
 essary for the whites to construct block-houses at 
 convenient distances. These block-houses were built 
 by the united exertions of the settlers, who began to 
 gather from all quarters since the "Jefferson Purchase" 
 had been eftected from the French government. The 
 
JAMES V. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 15 
 
 i 
 
 settlers or inhabitants of four adjoining sections would 
 unite and build a block-liouse in the centre of their 
 possessions, so that in case of alarm they could all re- 
 pair to it as a place of refuge from the savages. 
 
 It was necessary to keep a constant guard on the 
 plantations, and while one portion of the men were at 
 work, the others, with their arms, were on the alert 
 watching the wily Indian. Those days are still fresh 
 in mj^ memory, and it was then that I received, young 
 as I was, the rudiments of my knowledge of the Indian 
 character, which has been of such inestimable value to 
 me in my subsequent adventures among them. 
 
 There were constant alarms in the neighborhood of 
 some of the block-houses, and hardly a day passed 
 without the inhabitants being compelled to seek them 
 for protection. As an illustration of our mode oi life, 
 I will relate an incident that befell me when about nine 
 years old. 
 
 One c?ay my father called me to him, and inquired 
 of me whether I thought myself man enough to carry 
 a sack of corn to the mill. The idea of riding a horse, 
 and visiting town, possessed attractions which I could 
 not resist, and I replied wiih a hearty affirmative. A 
 sack of corn was accordingly deposited on the back of 
 a gentle horse selected for the purpose, and " Young 
 Jim" (as I was called) was placed upon the sack, and 
 started for the mill two miles distant. About midway 
 to the mill lived a neighbor having a large family of 
 children, with whom I frequently joined in boyish 
 sports. On my way I rode joyously up to the little 
 fence which separated the house from the road, think- 
 ing to pass a word with my little playmates. What 
 was my horror at discovering all the children, eight in 
 number, from one to fourteen years of age, lying in 
 
IG 
 
 Al TUlJlUUUAJ'lIi OF 
 
 various positions in the door-yard with tlieir throats 
 cut, their scalps torn otT", and the warm life-blood still 
 oozing from tJieir gaping wounds ! In the door-way 
 lay their father, and near him their mother, in the same 
 condition ; they had all shared the same fate. I found 
 myself soon back at my father's house, but without 
 the sack of corn — how I managed to get it off I never 
 discovered — and related the circumstance to my father. 
 He immediately gave the alarm throughout the settle- 
 ment, and a body of men started in pursuit of the sav- 
 ages wlio had perpetrated this fearful tragedy ; my fa- 
 ther, with ten of his own men, accompanying them. 
 In two days the band returned, bringing with tlicm 
 eighteen Indian scalps ; for the backwoodsman fought 
 the savage in Indian style, and it was scalp for scalp 
 between them. 
 
 The day when I beheld the harrowing spectacle of 
 my little murdered playmates is still as fresh in my 
 memory as at the time of its occurrence, and it never 
 will fade from my mind. It was the tirst scene of In- 
 dian cruelty my young eyes had ever witnessed, and I 
 wondered how even savages could possess such relent- 
 less minds as to wish to bathe their hands in the blood 
 of little innocents against whom they could have no 
 cause of quarrel. But my subsequent experience has 
 better acquainted me with the Indian character, as the 
 reader will leaiu in the course of the following pages. 
 
 I also recollect a large body of Indians assembling 
 in their war costume on the opposite side of the Mis- 
 sissippi River, in what is now the State of Illinois. 
 This was at Portage de Soix, twenty-five miles above 
 St. Louis, and about two miles from my father's house ; 
 and their intention was to cut oif all the white inhab- 
 itants of the surrounding country. The alarm was 
 
 a 
 
lAMKS I'. HKCKWOIRTII. 
 
 I 
 
 given ; a large party of the settlers collected, crossed 
 the river, and after a severe engagement defeated the 
 Indians with great loss, and frustrated their bloody 
 purposes. 
 
 Three days after this battle, a woman came into the 
 settlement who had been three years captive among 
 the Indians. Slie had made her escape during the con- 
 fusion attending their defeat, and reached her friends 
 in safety, after they had long supposed her dead. The 
 name of this woman I do not remember, but I have no 
 doubt tliere arc old settlers in that region who yet rec- 
 ollect the circumstance and the general rejoicing with 
 which her escape was celebrated. 
 
 The news that she brought was of the most alarm- 
 ing nature. She related ho// several of the Indian 
 tribes liad held a grand council, and resolved upon a 
 general attack upon 8t. Louis and all the surrounding 
 country, witli the view to butcher indiscriminately all 
 the wliite inhabitants, French and Spanish excepted. 
 This intelligence produced the greatest alarm among 
 the inhabitants, and every preparation was made to 
 repel the attack. New block-houses were erected, old 
 ones repaired, and every thing placed in the best pos- 
 ture for defense. The Indians soon after appeared in 
 great force opposite St. Louis. Blondo, an interpreter, 
 was dispatched across the river to them, to inform them 
 of the preparations made for their reception. He in- 
 formed them of the intelligence communicated by the 
 woman fugitive from their camp ; and represented to 
 them that the people of St. Louis were provided with 
 numerous "big guns mounted on wagons," whicli, in 
 case of attack, could not fail to annihilate all their war- 
 riors. They credited Blondo's tale, and withdrew their 
 forces. 
 
18 
 
 AUTOllIOGUAPIIY ()!-' 
 
 At the period of which I speak, the major part of tlie 
 inhabitants of St. Louis were French and Spanish. 
 These were on friendly terms with all the Indian 
 tribes, and wished to confine their long-established 
 trafiic with the lied men to themselves. For this rea- 
 son they discountenanced the settlement of Americans 
 among them, as they considered it an invasion of their 
 monopoly of the traffic with the Indians ; and St. Louis 
 being the grand trading depot for the regions of the 
 "West and Northwest, the jirotits derived from the in- 
 tercourse were immense. The Indians, too, thinking 
 themselves better dealt with by the French and Span- 
 ish, united with the latter in their hostility to the in- 
 flux of the Americans. 
 
 When about ten years of age I was sent to St. Lou- 
 is to attend school, where I continued until the year 
 1812. I was then apprenticed to a man in St. Louis 
 named George Casner, to learn the trade of blacksmith. 
 (Tliis man had a partner named John L. Sutton, who 
 is yet a resident in St. Louis.) 
 
 I took to the trade with some unwillingness at first, 
 but becoming reconciled to it, T was soon much pleased 
 with my occupation. When I had attained my nine- 
 teenth year, my sense of importance had considerably 
 expanded, and, like many others of my age, I felt my- 
 self already quite a man. Among other indiscretions, 
 I became enamored of a young damsel, which, leading 
 me into habits that my boss disapproved of, resulted 
 finally in a difficulty between us. 
 
 Being frequently tempted to transgress my boss's 
 rules by staying from home somewhat late of an even- 
 ing, and finding the company I spent my time with so 
 irresistibly attractive that I could not bring myself to 
 obedience to orders, I gave way to my passion, and 
 
JAMKS P. JiECKWOUIlTII. 
 
 lU 
 
 d 
 
 i 
 
 felt indifferent whether my proceedings gave satisfac- 
 tion or otherwise. One morning I was assailed by my 
 principal in language which I considered unduly harsh 
 and insulting, and on his threatening to dismiss me his 
 house, I was tempted to reply with some warmth, and 
 acknowledge that his doing so would exactly square 
 with my wishes. 
 
 Provoked at this, he seized a hammer and flung at 
 rae. I dodged the missile, and threw it back at him 
 in return. A scuffle then ensued, in which I, being 
 young and athletic, came off mi . ter of the ground, and, 
 accepting his polite dismissal, walked straight to my 
 boarding-house. But a few moments elapsed before 
 my assailant walked ii and forbade my landlady to 
 entertain me farther on his account. 
 
 I replied that I had plenty of money, and was com- 
 petent to pay my own board. 
 
 This provoked him to a second attack, in which he 
 again came off worsted. 
 
 Hereupon resolving to leave the house, I began to 
 prepare for my departure ; but, before I had completed 
 my preparations, a one-armed constable presented him- 
 self at the stairs, and demanded to see me. Well 
 knowirg his errand, I took a well-loaded pistol in my 
 hand, and went to meet him, assuring him that if he 
 ascended the steps to capture me I would shoot him 
 dead. In my exasperated state of mind, I really be- 
 lieve I should have executed my threat ; the consta- 
 ble, perceiving my resolute bearing, after parleying a 
 while, went away. Feeling confident that he had gone 
 for another officer, who I feared might capture me, I 
 expedited my departure, and, taking refuge in the house 
 of a friend, concealed myself for three days, and thcu 
 shipped on board a keel-boat, proceeding to the mines 
 
20 
 
 Al'TOIUOGJJAIMIV OF 
 
 on I''cvor River. But I was discovered by my boss 
 and detained, lie holding IiiniHclf responsible for my 
 ai)pcaranee until my father's decision was learned. 
 
 Accordingly, 1 went home to my father, and related 
 the difliculty 1 had recently had with my master, lie 
 counseled me to return to my apprenticeship, but I de- 
 clared my determination never to be reconciled again. 
 My father then wished me to set up in business in his 
 settlement, but I exj)ressed disinclination, and declared 
 a growing wish to travel. Seeing my determination, 
 my fatlier linally consented to my departure. He ad- 
 monished me with some wholesome precepts, gave me 
 five hundred dollars in cash, together with a good 
 horse, saddle, and bridle, and bade me God speed upon 
 my journey. 
 
 Bidding adieu to all my friends, I proceeded to the 
 boat and went on board. The object for which the 
 boat was dispatched up the 1^'evcr Kiver was to make 
 a treaty with the Sac Indians, to gain their consent to 
 our working the mines, at that time in their possession. 
 Tiie expedition was strictly of a pacific character, and 
 was led by Colcnel R. M. Johnson. A brother of the 
 coloneFs accompanied us, and several other gentlemen 
 went in the boat as passengers. 
 
JAMES I'. BECK WUi; Kill. 
 
 21 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Expedition to the Mines. — Ain Hunter to the Party. — First Trip to 
 New Orleans. — Sick with Vcllow I'evcr. — Return Home. — First 
 Trip to the Great West. 
 
 The expedition consisted of from s' x to eight boats, 
 eaiTying probably about one hundred men. The par- 
 ty in our boat numbered some eight or ten men, among 
 whom were Colonel Johnson, his son Darwin Johnson, 
 ]\Icssrs. January, Simmes, Kennerley, and others, whose 
 names have escaped me. 1 engaged in the capacity of 
 hunter to the party. 
 
 We pushed olf, and after a slow and tedious trip of 
 about twenty days, arrived at our place of destination 
 (Cralena of the present day). We found Indians in 
 great numbers awaiting our disembarkation, who were 
 already acquainted with the object of our expedition. 
 The two tribes. Sacs and Foxes, received us peacea- 
 bly, but, being all armed, they presented a very formi- 
 dable appearance. There was a considerable force of 
 United States troops quartered in that region, under 
 the command of Colonel Morgan, stationed in detach- 
 ments at Prairie du Chien, Rock Island, St. Peter's, 
 iind Des ]\Ioines. 
 
 After nine days' parleying, a treaty was effected with 
 them, and ratified by the signatures of the contracting 
 parties. On the part of the Indians, it was signed by 
 Black Thunder, Yellow, Bank, and Keokuk (father to 
 (he Keokuk who figured in the Blac.'t Hawk war). 
 On the part of the United States, Colonels Morgan and 
 Johnson attached their signatures. This negotiation 
 
22 
 
 Al.TOlJKMiltArilV Ol 
 
 concludod, tlic mines were tlicn first opened for eivil- 
 i/xd enterpriHC. 
 
 During the settlement of the preliminaries of the 
 treaty, there was great diffieulty with the Indians, and 
 it was neeessary for each man of our party to he on his 
 guard against any hostile attempts of the former, who 
 were all armed to the teeth. On the distribution of 
 l)resents, wliicli followed the conclusion of the treaty, 
 consisting of casks of whisky, guns, gunpowder, knives, 
 Markets, &c., there was a general time of rejoicing. 
 Pow-wows, drinking, and dancing diversified the time, 
 and a few fights were indulged in as a sequel to the 
 entertainment. 
 
 The Indians soon became very friendly to me, and 
 I was indebted to them for showing me their choicest 
 hunting-grounds. There was abundance of game, in- 
 cluding deer, bears, wild turkey, raccoons, and numer- 
 ous other wild animals. Frequently they would ac- 
 company me on my excursions (which always proved 
 eminently successful), thus affording me an opportuni- 
 ty of increasing my per=*onal knowledge of the Indian 
 character. I have lived among Indians in the Eastern 
 and Western States, on the Rocky JMountains, and in 
 California ; I find their habits of living, and their re- 
 ligious belief, substantially uniform through all the un- 
 mingled races. All believe in the same Great Spirit ; 
 all have their prophets, their medicine men, and their 
 soothsayers, and are alike influenced by the appear- 
 ance of omens; thus leading to the belief that the orig- 
 inal tribes throughout the entire continent, from Flori- 
 da to the most northern coast, have sprung from one 
 stock, and still retain in some degree of purity the so- 
 cial constitution of their jmmitive founders. 
 
 I remained in that region for a space of eighteen 
 
.lAMKs 1'. ni:('KW<u;in'ii. 
 
 •It 
 
 inoiitli.s, occu])yiiig my leisure time by working in the, 
 uiincM. During tiii.s time I accunnilutcd Hevcn hund- 
 red dollars in cash, and, feeling myself to be (piite a 
 wealthy personage, I determined upon a return home. 
 
 ]\[y visit paid, I felt a disposition to roam farther, 
 and took passage in the si am-boat Calhoun, Captain 
 Glover, aljout to descend the river to New Orleans. 
 j\Iy stay in New Orleans lasted ten days, during which 
 time r was sick witli the yellow fever, which f con- 
 tracted on the way from Natchez to New Orleans. It 
 was midsunmier, and I sought to return home, hearti- 
 ly regretting 1 had ever visited this unwholesome place. 
 As my sickness abated, T lost no time in making my 
 way back, and remained under my father's roof until J 
 had in some measure recruited my forces. 
 
 Being possessed with a strong desire to sec the cel- 
 ebrated Kocky IMountains, and the great Western wil- 
 derness so much talked about, I engaged in ( leneral 
 Ashley's Rocky jMountain Fur Company. The com- 
 pany consisted of twenty-nine men, who were employ- 
 ed by the Fur Company as hunters and trappers. 
 
 We started on the 11th of October with horses and 
 pack-mules. Nothing of interest occurred until we 
 approached the Kansas village, situate on the Kansas 
 Tliver, when we came to a halt and encamped. 
 
 Here it was found that the company was in need of 
 horses, and General Ashley wished for two men to vol- 
 unteer to proceed to the Republican Pawnees, distant 
 three imndred miles, where he declared we could obtain 
 a supply. There was in our party an old and expe- 
 rienced mountaineer, named Moses Harris, in whom 
 the general reposed the strictest confidence for his 
 knowledge of the country and his familiarity with In- 
 dian life. This Harris was reputed to be a man of 
 
24 
 
 VLTOUlOGKArin (JF 
 
 "'great leg,"* and capable, from liis long sojourning in 
 the mountains, of enduring extreme privation and fa- 
 tigue. 
 
 There seemed to be a great reluctance on the part 
 of the men to undertake in such company so hazardous 
 ji journey (for it was now winter). It was also whis- 
 pered in the camp that whoever gave out in an expe- 
 dition with Karris received no succor from him, but 
 was abandoned to his fate in the wilderness. 
 
 Our leader, seeing this general unwillingness, de- 
 sired me to perform the journey with Harris. Being 
 young, and feeling ambitious to distinguish myself in 
 some important trust, I asked leave to have a word 
 witli Harris before I decided. 
 
 Harris being called, the following colloquy took 
 2)lacc : 
 
 " Harris, I think of accompanying you on this trip." 
 
 " Very well, Jim," he replied, scrutinizing me close- 
 ly, " do you think you can stand it ?" 
 
 *'I don't know," I answered, "but I am going to 
 try. But I wish you to bear one thing in mind : if I 
 should give out on the road, and you olftei* to leave me 
 to perish, as you have ''lie name of doing, if I have 
 strength to raise and cock my rifle, I shall certainly 
 bring you to a halt." 
 
 Harris looked me full in the eye while he replied, 
 "■'Jim, you may precede me the entire way, and take 
 your own jog. If I direct the path, and give you the 
 lead, it will be your own fault if you tire out." 
 
 "That satisfies me," I replied: "we will be oif in 
 the morning." 
 
 The following morning wc prepared for departure. 
 Each man loading himself with twenty-five pounds of 
 
 * J. e.. a great traveler ; able to go a great distance in u Hay. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOITKTH. 
 
 5y 
 
 in, suppoi=!inp; he would follow- I swam under wa- 
 ter as far as i could, to avail myself of the under cur- 
 rent (tliis mode is always prr.cticed by the Indians in 
 crossing a rapid stream). I struck the bluff a few Teet 
 above the general. After taking breath for a moment 
 or tw^o, I said to him (by the way, he was no swim- 
 mer), " There is only one way I can possibly save 
 you, and I may fail in that ; but you must follow my 
 directions in the most minute degree, or we are certain- 
 ly both lost." 
 
 "Any thing you say, James, I will follow," said he. 
 
 " Then," I continued, " when I Hoat down to you, 
 place your hands on my shoulder, and do not take 
 hold of my neck. Then, when I give you the word, 
 kick out with all your might, and we may possibly get 
 across." 
 
 I then let myself down to the general, who was 
 clinging to the rocks like a swallow. He did as I had 
 directed, and I started, he kicking in my rear like the 
 stern-wheel of a propeller, until I was obliged to bid 
 him desist ; for, with such a double propelling power 
 as w^e produced, I could not keep my mouth out of 
 water. We swam to within a few yards of the oppo- 
 site shore, where the main suck caught us, and, my 
 strength becoming exhausted, we began slowly to re- 
 cede from the shore toward inevitable death. At this 
 moment Fitzpatrick thrust a long pole toward us, to 
 the end of which he attached a rope which the party 
 on shore retained possession of. I seized the pole with 
 a death-grip, and we were hauled out of our perilous 
 situation ; a few moment's delay, and the world had 
 seen the last of us. • 
 
 After this rescue, the general remarked to Fitzpat- 
 rick, "That Beckwourth is surely one of the most sin- 
 
()(J 
 
 AITOniOrJKAIMlV OK 
 
 gular men 1 ever met. I do not know what to think 
 of liirn ; lie never speaks to me excc})t when absolute- 
 ly unavoidable ; still, he is the first and only man to 
 encounter peril on my behalf. Three times he has 
 now saved my life when not another man attempted 
 to succor me. He is a problem I can not possibly 
 solve." 
 
 Agreeably to previous arrangement, on the following 
 morning our company proposed to disperse in different 
 directions. While preparing to leave our comfortable 
 camp to take our chance in the mountains, I happen- 
 ing to be out among the stock, the general inquired for 
 me, and I was pointed out to him where I stood. 
 
 "He is a singular being," he exclaimed; "he 
 knows we arc about to separate, yet he does not trou- 
 ble himself to come and bid me good-by. I must go 
 to him." 
 
 Approaching me, he said, "James, we are now about 
 to part ; these toilsome enterprises in the mountains 
 are extremely hazardous ; although I hope to see you 
 again, perhaps we may never meet more. I am un- 
 der great obligations to you. You have several times 
 rescued me from certain death, and, by your skill in 
 hunting, you have done great service to my camp. 
 When my mind was irritated and harassed, I was be- 
 trayed into the use of language toward you which I 
 regretted immediately after, and still regret. I wish 
 you to forgive me, and desire to part in friendship. So 
 long as you continue to use the same precaution you 
 have hitherto used, I can securely hope you will escape 
 all accident, and look forward to meeting you again 
 under more auspicious circumstances ;" and he con- 
 cluded by bidding me good-by. 
 
 I bade him good-by, and we separated. 
 
JAMES P. ItECKWOUKTII. 
 
 25 
 
 provisions, besides a blanket, rifle, and ammunition 
 each, "\ve started on our journey. After a march of 
 about thirty miles, I in advance, my companion bring- 
 ing up the re ,r, Harris complained of fatigue. V'e 
 halted, and Iltrris sat down, while I built a large, cheer- 
 ing fire, for the atmosphere was quite cold. We made 
 coffee, and partook of a hearty supper, lightening our 
 packs, as we supposed, for the following day. But 
 while I was bringing in wood to build up the fire, I 
 saw Harris tioize his rifle in great haste, and the next 
 moment bring down a fat turkey from a tree a few rods 
 from the camp. Immediately reloading (for olC mount- 
 aineers never suffer tlieir guns to remain empty for one 
 moment), while I was yet rebuilding the fire, crack 
 went his rifle again, and down came a second turkey, 
 so large and fat that he burst in striking the ground. 
 We were thus secure for our next morning's meal. 
 After we had refieshed ourselves with a hearty supper, 
 my companion proposed that we should kill each a 
 turkey to take with us for our next day's provision. 
 This we both succeeded in doing, and then, having 
 dressed the four turkeys, we folded ourselves in our 
 blankets, and enjoyed a sound night's rest. 
 
 The following morning we breakfasted off the 
 choicest portions of two of the turkeys, and abandoned 
 the remainder to the wolves, who had been all night 
 prowling round the camp for prey. We started for- 
 ward as early as possible, and advanced that day about 
 forty miles. My companion again complained of fa- 
 tigue, and rested while I made a fire, procured water, 
 and performed all the culinary work. The selected 
 portions of last evening's turkeys, with the addition of 
 bread and coffee, supplied us with supper and breakfast. 
 
 After a travel often days we arrived at the Repub- 
 
 B 
 
26 
 
 AUTOHIOGKAIMIY O'' 
 
 lican Pawnee villages, when what was our consterna- 
 tion and Uifc-'may to lind the place entirely deserted I 
 They had rcMioved to their winter quarters. We were 
 entirely out oi provisions, having expected to find 
 abundance at the lodges. We searched diligently for 
 tlicir caches ([)laces where provisions are secured), but 
 failed in discovering any. Our only alternative was 
 to look for game, which, so near to an Indian settle- 
 ment, we were satisfied must be scarce. 
 
 I would break my narrative for a while to afford 
 some explanation in regard to the different bands of 
 the Pawnee tribe ; a subject which at the present day 
 is but imperfectly understood by the general reader — 
 the knowledge being confined to those alone v/ho, by 
 living among them, have learned their language, and 
 hence become acquainted with the nature of their di- 
 visional lands. 
 
 The reader, perhaps, has remarked, that 1 related we 
 were on a visit to Hepublican Pawnee villages. This 
 is a band of the Pawnee tribe of Indians, which is thus 
 divided : 
 
 The Grand Pawnee Band. 
 
 Republican Pawnee Band. 
 
 Pawnee Loups or Wolf Pawnees. 
 
 Pawnee Pics or Tattooed Pawnees, and 
 
 Black Pawnees. 
 The five bands constitute the entire tribe. Each band 
 is independent and under its own chief, but for mutual 
 defense, or in other eases of urgent necessity, they unite 
 into one body. They occupy an immense extent of 
 country, stretching from beyond the Platte River to 
 south of the Arkansas, and, at the time I speak of, 
 could raise from thirty thousand to forty thousand 
 warriors. Like all other Indian tribes, they have 
 
 li 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 I 
 
JAAIES 1\ liECKWOUKTH. 
 
 27 
 
 Ind 
 
 lal 
 
 lite 
 
 lof 
 
 to 
 
 |of, 
 
 Ind 
 
 Ive 
 
 dwindled away from various causes, the small-pox and 
 war having carried them oft' by thousands. Some of 
 the hands have been reduced to one half by this fatal 
 disease (in many instances introduced designedly 
 among them by their civilized brethren) ; a disease 
 more particularly fatal to the Indians from their entire 
 ignorance of any suitable remedy. Their invariable 
 treatment for all ailments being a cold-water immer- 
 sion, it is not surprising tliat they are eminently un- 
 successfid in their treatment of the small-pox. Horse- 
 stealing, practiced by one band upon the other, leads 
 to exterminating feuds and frequent engagements, 
 wherein great numbers are mutually slain. 
 
 The following interesting episode I liad from the lips 
 of the interpreter : 
 
 Some thirty-two years ago, during IMonroe's admin- 
 istration, a powerful Indian named Tiw Axe^ chief 
 counselor of the Pa\\ nee Loup band, went to pay his 
 " Great Father," the President, a visit. He was over 
 six feet high and well proportioned, athletic build, and 
 us straight as an arrow. He was delegated to Wash- 
 ington by his tribe to make a treaty with his Great 
 Leather. 
 
 Being introduced, his "father" made known to him, 
 through the interj)reter, the substance of his proposal. 
 The keen-witted Indian, perceiving that the proposed 
 treaty " talked all turkey" to the white man and " all 
 crow" to his tribe, sat patiently during the reading 
 of the paper. The reading finished, he arose with all 
 his native dignity, and in that vein of true Indian elo- 
 quence in which he was unsurpassed, declared that 
 the treaty had been conceived in injustice and brought 
 forth in duplicity ; that many treaties had been signed 
 by Indians of their " Great Father's" concoction, where- 
 
28 
 
 ALTOBIOGllAPIir OF 
 
 in they bartered away the graves of their fathers for a 
 few worthless trinkets, and afterward their hearts cried 
 at their folly ; that such Indians were fools and women. 
 lie expressed his free opinion of the " Great Father," 
 and all his white children, and concluded by declaring 
 that he would sign no paper which would make his 
 own breast or those of his people to sorrow. 
 
 Accordingly, Two Axe broke uj) the council abrupt- 
 ly, and returned to his home without making any 
 treaty with his " Great Father." 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Return from the deserted Pawnee Villages. — Sullcrings on the Way. 
 — Prospect of Starvation. — Fall in with the Indian.s most opportune- 
 ly. — Safe Arrival at Ely's Trading-post at the moutli of the Kansas. 
 
 My companion and myself took counsel together 
 how to proceed. Our determination was to make the 
 best of our way to the Grand Ne-mah-haw River, one 
 of the tributaries of the JMissouri. We arrived at that 
 river after nine days' travel, being, with the exception 
 of a little coffee and sugar, entirely without provisions. 
 My companion was worn out, and seemed almost dis- 
 heartened. I was young, and did not feel much the 
 worse for the journey, although I experienced a vehe- 
 ment craving for food. Arrived at the river, I left 
 Harris by a good lire, and, taking my rifle, went in 
 quest of game, not caring what kind 1 met. 
 
 As Fortune would have it, I came across an elk, 
 and my rifle soon sent a leaden messenger after him. 
 We encamped near him, promising ourselves a feast. 
 He was exceedingly poor, however, and, hungry as we 
 were, we made a very unsavory supper oflf his flesh. 
 
lAMKS i\ HE(JK\V<Hli'ni. 
 
 29 
 
 Ik, 
 
 } 
 
 The next morning wc continued our journey down the 
 Nc-mah-haw, traveling on tor live days after I had kill- 
 ed the elk without tasting food. The elk had been so 
 rank that we carried no part of him with us, trusting 
 to find some little game, in which wc were disappoint- 
 ed. Wc had thrown away our blankets to relieve 
 ourselves of every burden that would impede our prog- 
 ress, which, withal, was extremely slow. 
 
 On tlie fifth day we struck a large Indian trail, 
 which bore evident marks of being fresh. ^ly com- 
 panion now gave entirely up, and threw himself to the 
 ground, declaring he could go no farther, lie pro- 
 nounced our position to be thirty miles from the trad- 
 ing-post. I endeavored to arouse him to get uj) and 
 proceed onward, but he could only advance a few rods 
 at a time. I felt myself becoming weak ; still, I had 
 fnitli that I could reach Ely's, if I had no hinderance ; 
 if I lingered for Harris, I saw wc should both inevi- 
 tably perisli. He positively declared he could advance 
 not a step farther ; he could scarcely put one foot be- 
 fore the other, and I saw he was becoming bewildered. 
 
 In the dilemma I said to him, " Harris, we must 
 hotli perish if we stay here. If I make tiie best of 
 my way along this trail, I believe I can reacli July's 
 some time in the night" (for I was aware that the In- 
 dians, whose trail we were following, were proceeding 
 thither with their peltry). 
 
 But Harris would not listen to it. 
 
 "Oh, Jim," he exclaimed, " don't leave me; don't 
 leave me here to die I For God's sake, stay with me ! " 
 
 I did my best to encourage him to proceed ; I as- 
 sisted him to rise, and we again proceeded upon our 
 journey. 
 
 I snw, by the progress we were making, we should 
 
:$(> 
 
 ai:toht()(}rapiiy of 
 
 never get on ; so 1 told liim, if 1 had to advance and 
 leave him, to throw himself in the trail, and await my 
 return on the following day with a good horse to carry 
 him to the trading-post. We walked on, I a hundred 
 yards in advance, but I became convinced that if I did 
 not use my remaining strength in getting to Ely's, we 
 should both be lost. 
 
 Accordingly, summoning all my forces, I doubled 
 my speed, determined to reach the post before I stop- 
 ped. I had not proceeded half a mile ere 1 heard tlie 
 report of two rifles, and, looking in the direction of the 
 sound, 1 saw two Indians approaching with demonstra- 
 tions of friendship. 
 
 On reaching me, one of them exclaimed, "You are 
 dead — you no live!" 
 
 I explained to him that I had left my companion 
 behind, and that we were both nearly starved to death. 
 On this they spoke a few words to each other in their 
 own language, and one started off like a race-horse, 
 along the trail, while the other returned with me to my 
 companion. 
 
 As we approached him I could hear him moaning, 
 "IIo, Jim! comeback! comeback! don't leave me!" 
 
 We went up to him, and I informed him that we 
 were safe ; that I had met the Indians, and we should 
 soon be relieved. 
 
 After waiting abou"; three hours, the rattling of hoofs 
 was heard, and, looking up, we discovered a troop of 
 Indians approaching at full speed. In another moment 
 they were by our side. They brought with them a 
 portion of light food, consisting of corn-meal made into 
 a kind of gruel, of which they would give us but a 
 small spoonful at short intervals. When Harris was 
 sufficiently restored to mount a horse with the assist- 
 
JAMES I». IJECKWOURTII. 
 
 31 
 
 ancc of the Indians, we all started forward for the 
 post. 
 
 It appeared that the two Indians whom I had so 
 fortunately encountered had lingered behind the main 
 party to amuse themselves with target-shooting with 
 their riilcs. Tlie one that started along the trail over- 
 took the main body at a short distance, and, making 
 our case known to them, induced them to return to 
 our succor. 
 
 We encamped with them that night, and they con- 
 tinued the same regimen of small periodic doses of 
 gruel. Several times a large Indian seized hold of 
 an arm of each of us, and forced us into a run until 
 our strength was utterly exhausted. Others of the 
 party would then support us on each side, and urge 
 us on till their own strength failed them. After this 
 discipline, a spoonful or two of gruel would be admin- 
 istered to us. This exercise being repeated several 
 times, they at length placed before us a large dish con- 
 taining venison, bear-meat, and turkey, with tlie invi- 
 tation to eat all we wanted. It is unnecessary to say 
 that I partook of such a meal as I never remember to 
 have eaten before or since. 
 
 Early the next day we arrived at the trading-post 
 of Ely and Curtis, situate on the Missouri River, near 
 the mouth of the Kansas. As I entered tlie house, 
 I heard some one exclaim, *' Here comes Jim Beck- 
 wourth and Black Ha ■ is," the name he went by where 
 he was known. 
 
 Ely sprang up to welcome us. *' Sure enough," 
 said he, "it is they; but they look like corpses." 
 
 Another voice exclaimed, "Halloo, Jim I what is 
 the matter with you? Is it yourselves, or only your 
 ghosts ? Come along and take some brandy, any way ; 
 living or dead, you must be dry." 
 
'A2 
 
 AITOimKSUAI'FCY Ol' 
 
 Wc accepted the invitation, and took cacli a glass, 
 wliicli, in our greatly reduced state, quite overpowered 
 us. Left to my reflections, I resolved that, it' 1 sur- 
 vived ray present dangers, 1 would return to civilized 
 life. The extremities I had been reduced to had so 
 moderated my resentments that, had I encountered my 
 former dosfi, 1 should certainly have extended my hand 
 to him with ready forgiveness. 
 
 The Indians we had so opportunely fallen in with 
 belonged to the Kansas band of the Osage tribe, and 
 were on the way, as we had surmised, to dispose of 
 their goods at the trading-post. Their wares consist- 
 ed principally of peltry, obtained by their sagacity in 
 trapping, and their skill in hunting the wild animals 
 of the plains. In purchasing their skins of them, 
 Messrs. Ely and Curtis rewarded the Indians very lib- 
 erally with government atores for their humanity in 
 succoring us when exhausted, and as an encouragement 
 to relieve others whom they might chance to find sim- 
 ilarly distressed. 
 
 After thoroughly recruiting at the trading-post, 
 where I received every attention from Messrs. Ely and 
 Curtis, I started for St. Louis. On my arrival at G. 
 Chouteau's trading-post, I calculated the intervening 
 distance to St. Louis, and abandoned my intention of 
 proceeding thither, delaying my return till the spring, 
 when the ice would break up in the Missouri. Mr. 
 Chouteau engaged me to assist in packing peltries dur- 
 ing the winter, at twenty-five dollars per month. 
 
 When the river was free from ice, I took passage in 
 a St. Louis boat, and, after a quick run, arrived safe in 
 the city early in the evening of the fifth day. 
 
 Shortly after my arrival I fell in with General Ash- 
 ley, who had returned to the city for more men. The 
 
 gcnl 
 
 % 
 
 i 
 
 me 
 
 wIk 
 
 dcclj 
 
 afteil 
 
 tiic 
 
.JAMKS I'. llECKWOUUTrr. 
 
 :i:l 
 
 gcu.ral was greatly surprised to sec nic, Iic having 
 cone iuded that my fate liad been the same with hund- 
 reds (t* others, engaged to fur companies, who liad per- 
 ished with cold and starvation. The general informed 
 me that he had engaged one hundred and twenty men, 
 who were already on their road to the mountains, lie 
 declared I was just the man he was in search of to ride 
 after and overtake the men, and accompany them to 
 the mountains, and added that I must start the next 
 morning. 
 
 My feelings were somewhat similar to those of a 
 young sailor on his return from his first voyage to 
 sea. I liad achieved one trip to the wild West, and 
 had returned safe, and now I was desirous of spend- 
 ing a long interval with my father. I suffered the ar- 
 guments of the old general to prevail over mc, how- 
 ever, and I re-engaged to him, with the promise to 
 start on the following morning. This afforded me 
 short time to visit my friends, to whom I just paid a 
 flying visit, and returned to the city in the morning. 
 
 After attending to the general's instructions, and 
 receiving eight hundred dollars in gold to carry to Mr. 
 Fitzpatrick (an agent of General Ashley then station- 
 ed in the mountains), I mounted a good horse, and put 
 on in pursuit of the party, who were five or six days' 
 journey in advance. 
 
 I may here remark that the general had been re- 
 cently mnrriod, and, feeling some reluctance to tear 
 himself away from the delights of Hymen, he sent me 
 on for the performance of his duties. The general 
 followed after in about a week, and overtook the party 
 at Franklin, on the Missouri. 
 
 It was early May when I commenced my journey. 
 Unfolding Nature presented so many charms that my 
 
 B2 
 
JM 
 
 MTOHKHJHAFMIV < H' 
 
 j)rcviouH suftbrings were obliterated tVom my iniinl. 
 Tlic trees were clothing theniselveH with freshest ver- 
 dure, flowers were unveiling their beauties on every 
 side, und birds were caroling their sweetest songs from 
 every bough. These sights and sounds struck more 
 pleasantly upon my senses than the Iiowl of the wolf 
 and the scream of the ])anthcr, which assailed our cars 
 in the forests and prairies of the wild West. 
 
 After being joined by our general, we proceeded up 
 the ]\rissouri to Council I Muffs, and thence struck out 
 for the J Matte country. Soon after our arrival on the 
 riatto we had the great misfortune to lose nearly all 
 our horses, amountin^]j to about two hundred head, 
 stolen from us by the Indians. \Vc followed their 
 trail for some time, but, deeming it useless to follow 
 mounted Indians while wc were on foot, our general 
 gave up the pursuit. Wc could not ascertain what 
 tribe the robbers belonged to, but I have since l)cen 
 convinced they were either the I-a-tans or the Arrap- 
 a-hos. 
 
 Our general then gave orders to return to the ]\Iis- 
 Rouri and purchase all. the horses wc needed, while he 
 returned to St. Louis to transact some affairs of busi- 
 ness, and possibly pay his devotions to his very esti- 
 mable lady. 
 
 Wc succeeded in obtaining a supply of horses after 
 retracing about two hundred miles of our journey, pay- 
 ing for them with drafts upon General Ashley in St. 
 Louis. We then again returned to our camp on the 
 Platte. This adventure occupied nearly the whole 
 summer ; and we guarded against a repetition of the 
 misfortune by strictly watching the horses day and 
 night. While a portion of the company were engaged 
 in making purchase of our second supply of horses, the 
 
 1 ■• 
 
 Li 
 
.h\Mm v, luxKwuruTii. 
 
 85 
 
 othor portion rcniuinoil on tlu' ground to hunt and trap, 
 and gatlicr tocjotlmr a .'supply ot' [)rovision tor our <'Oii- 
 Huniption. Tliiiy nici "vvith oxcjdiirnt success, and 
 cauglit a great innnbcr of bcavcrn and otters, together 
 with a quantity of game. 
 
 General Ashley rijoincd us in September, and by 
 liis orders Fitzpatriek and a Robert Campbell pro- 
 ceeded to the Ijoup fork, taking with them all the men, 
 except eight, avIio remained behind with the general, 
 to ascend the Platte in (piest of the company he left 
 there the preceding winter, from which Harris and my- 
 self had been detached on our expedition to the J*aw- 
 ncc camp. 
 
 After several days' travel we found the company wc 
 were seeking. They were all well, had been success- 
 ful in traj)ping, and had made some good trades with 
 straggling parties of Indians in the exchange of goods 
 for peltry. They had lured rather hard a part of the 
 time, as game, which was their sole dependence, was 
 often difficult to obtain. 
 
 I should here mention that we found Harris in the 
 course of our second trip, who rejoined our company, 
 well and hearty. 
 
 Fur companies in those days had to depend upon 
 their rifles for a supply of food. No company could 
 possibly caiTy provisions sufficient to last beyond the 
 most remote white settlements. Our food, therefore, 
 consisted of deer, wild turkeys (which were found in 
 great abundance), bear-meat, and, even in times of 
 scarcity, dead liorses. Occasionally a little flour, sug- 
 ar, and coflee might last over to the mountains ; but 
 those who held these articles asked exorbitant prices 
 for them, and it was but few who tasted such luxuries. 
 
 We were now in the buffalo country, but the In- 
 
36 
 
 ACTOBKMiKAIMlY oK 
 
 dians had driven thorn all away. Before wc left the 
 settlcmcnits, our party niudc free use of the bee-hives, 
 pigs, and poultry belonging to the settlers ; a maraud- 
 ing practice commonly hidulged in by the mountain- 
 eers, who well knew that the strength of their party 
 secured them against any retaliation on the part of the 
 sufferers. 
 
 I'here were two Spaniards in our company, whom 
 we one morning left behind ns to catch som ^ horses 
 whi :h had strayed away i'rom the camp. The two men 
 stopped at a house inhabited by a respectable white 
 woman, and they, seemg her without protection, com- 
 mitted a disgraceful assault upon her person. They 
 were pursued to the camp by a number of the settlers, 
 who made known to us the outrage committed U})on 
 the woman. We all regarded the crime with the ut- 
 most abhorrence, and felt mortiiied that any of our 
 party should be guilty of conduct so revolting. The 
 culprits were arrested, and they at once admitted their 
 guilt. A council was called in the presence of the set- 
 tlers, and the culprits offered their choice of two pun- 
 ishments : either to be hung to the nearest tree, or to 
 receive one hundred lashes each on the bare back. 
 They chose the latter punishment, which was imme- 
 diately inflicted upon them by four of our party. Hav- 
 ing no cat-o'-nine-tails in our possession, the lashes 
 were inflicted with hickory withes. Their backs were 
 dreadfully lacerated, and the blood flowed in streams 
 to the ground. The following morning the two Span- 
 iards, and two of our best horses, were missing from 
 the camp ; we did not pursue them, but, by the tracks 
 we discovered of them, it was evident they had started 
 for New Mexico. 
 
JAMES \\ I{i:(;KW()rRTH. 
 
 M 
 
 CIIAPTEU IV. 
 
 Severe Sufferings in the Camp. — Grand Island. — Platte River. — Vp 
 the South Fork of the Platte. — The Dog, the Wolf, and the firnt 
 Buffalo. 
 
 On our arrival at tlie upper camp, related in the pre- 
 ceding chapter, we found the men, twenty-six in num- 
 ber, reduced to short r.ations, in weakly condition, nnd 
 in a discouraged state of mind. They had been ex- 
 pecting the arrival of a large company with abundant 
 supplies, and when we rejoined them without any pro- 
 visions, they were greatly disappointed. General Ash- 
 ley exerted himself to infuse fresh courage into their 
 disconsolate breasts, well knowing himself, however, 
 tliat, unless we could find game, the chances were hard 
 against us. 
 
 We remained in camp three or four days, until wc 
 were well refreshed, and tlien deliberated upon our 
 next proceeding. Knowing there must be game far- 
 ther up the river, we moved forward. Our allowance 
 was half a pint of flour a day per man, which wc made 
 into a kind of gruel ; if we happened to kill a duck 
 or a goose, it was shared as fairly as possible. T re- 
 called to mind the incidents of our Pawnee expedition. 
 
 The third evening we made a halt for a few days. 
 We had seen no game worth a charge of powder dur- 
 ing our whole march, and our rations were confined to 
 the half pint of flour per day. 
 
 We numbered thirty-four men, all told, and a dull- 
 er encampment, I suppose, never was witnessed. jNo 
 jokes, no fire-side stories, no fun ; each man rose in 
 
38 
 
 Al'TOmOGUAlMlY OF 
 
 the morning witli the gloom of" the precedhig night fill- 
 ing his mind ; we huilt our fires and partook of our 
 scanty repast without saying a word. 
 
 At last our general gave orders for the best hunters 
 to sally out and try their fortune. 1 seized my rifle 
 and issued from the camp alone, feeling so reduced in 
 strength that my mind involuntarily reverted to the 
 extremity I had been reduced to with Harris. About 
 three hundred yards from camp I saw two teal ducks ; 
 I leveled my rifle, and handsomely decapitated one. 
 This was a temptation to my constancy ; and appetite 
 and conscientiousness had a long strife as to the dis- 
 posal of the booty. I reflected that it would be but 
 an inconsiderable trifle in my mess of four hungry 
 men, while to roast and eat him myself would give 
 me strength to hunt for more. A strong inward feel- 
 ing remonstrated against such an invasion of the rights 
 of my starving messmates ; but if, by fortifying my- 
 self, I gained ability to procure something more sub- 
 stantial than a teal duck, my dereliction would be suf- 
 ficiently atoned, and my overruling appetite, at the 
 same time, gratified. 
 
 Had I admitted my messmates to the argument, 
 they might possibly have carried it adversely. But 
 I received the conclusion as valid ; so, roasting him 
 without ceremony in the bushes, I devoured the duck 
 alone, and felt greatly invigorated with the meal. 
 
 Passing up the stream, I pushed forward to fulfill 
 my obligation. At the distance of about a mile from 
 the camp I came across a narrow deer-trail through 
 some rushes, and directly across the trail, with only 
 the centre of his body visible (his two extremities be- 
 ing hidden by the rushes), not more than fifty yards 
 distant, I saw a fine large buck standing. I did not 
 
 I 
 
I AMES P. HErKWOUHTII. 
 
 m 
 
 Wc'iit for a nearer shot. 1 fired, and broke his back. 
 I dispatched him by drawing ray knife across his 
 throat, and, having partially dressed him, hung him on 
 a tree close by. J'rocceding onward, 1 met a large 
 white wolf, attracted, probably, by the scent of the 
 deer. 1 shot him, and, depriving him of his meal, de- 
 voted him for a repast to the camp. Before I return- 
 ed, 1 succeeded in killing three good-sized elk, which, 
 added to the former, allbrded a pretty good display of 
 meat. 
 
 I then returned near enough to the camp to signal 
 to them to come to my assistance. They had heard 
 the reports of my rifle, and, knowing that I would not 
 waste ammunition, had been expecting to sec me re- 
 turn with game. All who were able turned out to 
 my summons ; and when they saw the booty awaiting 
 them, their faces were irradiated with joy. 
 
 Each man shouldered his load ; but there was not 
 one capable of carrying the weight of forty pounds. 
 The game being all brought into camp, the fame of 
 "Jim Bcckwourth" was celebrated by all tongues. 
 Amid all this gratulation, I could not separate my 
 thoughts from the duck which had supplied my clan- 
 destine meal in the bushes. I suffered them to ap- 
 pease their hunger with the proceeds of my toil before 
 I ventured to tell my comrades of the offense I had 
 been guilty of. All justified my conduct, declaring my 
 conclusions obvious. As it turned out, my proceed- 
 ing was right enough ; but if I had failed to meet with 
 any game, I had been guilty of an offense which would, 
 ever after, have haunted me. 
 
 At this present time I never kill a duck on my 
 ranclie, and there are thousands of teal duck there, but 
 I think of my feast in the bushes while my compan- 
 
40 
 
 AlITOniOGHAlMIV i)V 
 
 li 
 
 ions were fainisliinc^ in tlio camp. Since tliat time 1 
 have never refused to share my last shiiHng, my last 
 biscuit, or my only blanket with a friend, and 1 think 
 the recollection of that " temptation in the wilderness" 
 will ever serve as a lesson to more constancy in the 
 future. 
 
 The day following we started forward up the river, 
 and, after progressing some four or hve miles, came in 
 sight of plenty of deer-sign. The general ordered a 
 halt, and directed all hunters out as before. We sal- 
 lied out in diftcrent directions, our general, who was 
 a good hunter, forming one of the luimber. At a sliort 
 distance' from the camp I discovered a large buck pass- 
 ing slowly between myself and the cam^), at about pis- 
 tol-shot distance. As I happened to be standing 
 against a tree, he had not seen me. I fired ; the ball 
 passed through his body, and whizzed past the camp. 
 Leaving him, I encountered^ a second deer within three 
 quarters of a mile. I sliot him, and hung him on a 
 limb. Encouraged with my success, I climbed a tree 
 to get a fairer view of the ground. Looking around 
 from my elevated position, I perceived some large, 
 dark-colored animal grazing on the side of a hill, some 
 mile and a half distant. 1 was determined to have a 
 shot at him, whatever he might be. I knew meat was 
 in demand, and that fellow, well stored, was worth 
 more than a thousand teal ducks. 
 
 I therefore approached, with the greatest precaution, 
 to within fair rifle-shot distance, scrutinizing him very 
 closely, and still unable to make out what he was. I 
 could see no horns ; and if he was a bear, I thought 
 him an enormous one. I took sight at him over my 
 faithful rifle, which had never failed me, and then set 
 it down, to contemplate the huge animal still farther. 
 
 Fii 
 
 I 
 
 ed 
 
JAMES r. BECKWOIRTll. 
 
 41 
 
 II 
 
 Finally, I resolved to let fly ; taking good aim, I jnill- 
 ed trigger, the rifle cracked, and 1 then made rapid re- 
 treat toward the camp. After running about two hund- 
 red yards, and nearing nothing in movement behind 
 me, I ventured to look round, and, to my great joy, 
 I saw the animal had fallen. 
 
 Continuing my course on to the camp, T encounter- 
 ed the general, who, perceiving blood on my hands, 
 addressed me, "Have you shot any thing, .rimV" 
 
 I replied, " Yes, sir." 
 
 " What have you shot ?" 
 
 *' Two deer and something else," I answered. 
 
 " And what is the something else f he incjuired. 
 
 "I do not know, sir." 
 
 "What did ho look like?" the general interroga- 
 ted. " Had he horns ?" 
 
 "I saw no horns, sir." 
 
 "What color was the animal?" 
 
 "You can sec him, general," I replied, "by climb- 
 ing yonder tree." 
 
 The general ascended the tree accordingly, and 
 looking through his spy-glass, which he always car- 
 ried, he exclaimed, "A buffalo, by heavens!" and, 
 coming nimbly down the tree, he gave orders for us 
 to take a couple of horses, and go and dress the buf- 
 falo, and bring him into camp. 
 
 I suggested that two horses could not carry the 
 load ; six were therefore dispatched, and they all came 
 back well packed with his remains. 
 
 There was great rejoicing throughout the camp at 
 such bountiful provision, and all fears of starvation 
 were removed, at least for the present. The two deer 
 were also brought in, besides a flne one killed by the 
 general, and ducks, geese, and such like were freely 
 
42 
 
 AITOBTOORAPTIY OF 
 
 added Ly tlic other liunters, wlio had taken a v ider 
 circuit. 
 
 It appears strange tliat, although I had traveled 
 hundreds of miles in the buffalo country, this one was 
 the tirst 1 had ever seen. The conviction weighing 
 ujioii my mind that it was a huge bear I was approach- 
 ing had so excited me that, although within fair gun- 
 shot, I. actually could not see his horns. The general 
 and my companions had many a hearty laugh at my 
 expense, lie often expressing wonder that my keen eye 
 could not, when close to the animal, perceive the horns, 
 while he could sec them plainly near two miles distant. 
 
 A severe storm setting in about this time, had it 
 not been for our excellent store of provisions we 
 should most probably have perished of starvation. 
 There was no game to be procured, and our horses 
 were beginning to die for want of nourishment. We 
 remained in this camp until our provisions were all 
 expended, and our only resource was the flesh of the 
 horses which died of starvation and exposure to the 
 storm. It was not such nutritious food as our fat 
 buftalo and venison, but in our present circumstances 
 it relished tolerably well. 
 
 Were (General Ashley now living, he would recol- 
 lect the hardships and delights we experienced in this 
 expedition. 
 
 When the storm was expended we moved up the 
 river, hoping to fall in with game. We, unfortunately, 
 found but little on our course. When we had advanced 
 some twenty miles we halted. Our position looked 
 threatening. It was mid-winter, and every thing 
 around us bore a gloomy aspect. We were without 
 provisions, and we saw no means of obtaining any. 
 At this crisis, six or seven Indians of the Pawnee Loup 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOTTRTH. 
 
 4;{ 
 
 band came into our camp. Knowing them to be friend- 
 ly, we were overjoyed to see them.. They informed 
 our interpreter that their village was only four miles 
 distant, which at once accounted for the absence of 
 game. They invited us to their lodges, where tliey 
 could supply us with every thing that we needed ; 
 but on our representing to them our scarcity of hors(\s, 
 and the quantity of peltry we had no means of pack- 
 ing, they immediately started oft' to their village (our 
 interpreter accompanying tliem) in quest of horses, and 
 speedily returned with a sufticient number. Packing 
 our effects, we accompanied tliem to their village, Two 
 Axe, of whom I have previously made mention, and a 
 Spaniard named Antoine Behelc, chief of the band; 
 forming part of our escort. 
 
 Arrived at their village, which we found well pro- 
 vided with every thing we needed, the Indians gave 
 us a hospitable reception, and spread a feast whicli, as 
 they had promised, " made all our hearts glad." Our 
 horses, too, were well cared for, and soon assumed a 
 more rotund appearance. We purchased for our fu- 
 ture use beans, pumpkins, corn, cured meat, besides 
 some beaver-skins, giving them in exchange a variety 
 of manufactured goods used in the Indian trade, of 
 which we had a great plenty. We replaced our lost 
 horses by purchasing others in their stead ; and now, 
 every thing being ready for departure, our general in- 
 timated to Two Axe his wish to get on. 
 
 Two Axe objected. "My men are about to sur- 
 round the I ufi'alo," he said ; " if you go now, you will 
 frighten them. You must stay four days more, then 
 you may go." 
 
 His word was law, so we staid accordingly. 
 
 Within the four days appointed they made "the 
 
44 
 
 Al TnTMCKJRAIMt^ «H' 
 
 Rurround,'' and killed fourteen hundred Ijuft'aloe.s. Tlu^ 
 
 tongues were counted by (General Ashley himself.^ and 
 
 thus I ean guarantee the truth of the assertion. 
 
 To the reader unacquainted with the Indian mode 
 
 of taking these animals, a concise description may not 
 
 he uninteresting, 
 o 
 
 There were probably engaged in this Inmt from on(»- 
 to two thousand Indians, some mounted and some on 
 foot. They encompass a large S})ace where the buffa- 
 loes are contained, and, closing in around them on all 
 points, form a complete circle. Their circle at iirst in- 
 closed may measure perhajis six miles in diameter, 
 with an irregular circumference determined by tlui 
 movements of the herd. AVlien "the surround" is 
 formed, the hunters radiate from the main body to the 
 right and left until the ring is entire. The cliief then 
 gives the order to charge, which is communicated along 
 the ring with the speed of lightning ; every man then 
 rushes to the centre, and the work of destruction is be- 
 gun. The unhappy victims, finding themselves hem- 
 med in on every side, run this way and that in their 
 mad cftbrts to escape. Finding all chance of escape 
 impossible, and seeing their slaughtered fellows drop 
 dead at their feet, they bellow with affright, and in the 
 confusion that whelms them, lose all power of resist- 
 ance. The slaughter generally lasts two or three 
 hours, and seldom many get clear of the weapons of 
 their assailants. 
 
 The field over, the " surround" presents the appear- 
 ance of one vast slaughter-house. lie who has been 
 most successful in tlie work of devastation is cele- 
 brated as a hero, and receives the highest honors from 
 the "fair sex," while he who has been so unfortunate 
 as not to kill a buffalo is jeered and ridiculed by the; 
 
 
JAMES 1». IJECKWOUUTII. 
 
 45 
 
 "vvliolc band. J'laying, dressing, and preserving the 
 meat next engages their attention, and atibrds them 
 lull employment lor several ■weeks. 
 
 The " surround" accomplished, we received permis- 
 sion from Two ^Vxe to take up our line of march. Ac- 
 cordingly, we started along the river, and had only pro- 
 ceeded live miles from the village when we found that 
 tlie Platte forked. Taking the south fork, we jour- 
 neyed on some six miles, when we encamped. So we 
 continued every day, making slow progress, some days 
 not advancing more than four or five miles, until we 
 had left the Pawnee villages three hundred miles in 
 our rear. We found plenty of buffalo along our route 
 until we approached the Rocky Mountains, when the 
 buffalo, as well as all other game, became scarce, and 
 we had to resort to the beans and corn supplied us by 
 the Pawnees. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Sufi'firings on the Platte. — Arrive at the Rocky Mountains. — Fall out 
 with General Ashley. — Horses again stolen by the Crow Indians. 
 — Sickness of our General. — Rescue of the General from a wounil- 
 ed Bullalo. — Remarkable Rescue of the General from the Grcon 
 River " Suck." 
 
 Not finding any game for a number of days, we 
 again felt alarmed for our safety. The snow was deep 
 on the ground, and our poor horses could obtain no 
 food but the boughs and bark of the cotton-wood trees. 
 Still we pushed forward, seeking +o advance as far as 
 possible, in order to open a trade with the Indians, 
 and occupy ourselves in trapping during tlte finish of 
 the season. We were again put upon reduced rations, 
 
40 
 
 AUT(jniU(jHAl'HY UF 
 
 one pint of beans per clay being the allowance to a 
 mesH of four men, with other articles in proportion. 
 
 Jlere 1 had a .serious diflieulty with our general, 
 which arose in the following manner. The general de- 
 sired me to slioe his horse, which 1 cheerfully proceed- 
 ed to do. 1 had finished setting three shoes, and had 
 yet one nail to drive in the fourth, when, about to drive 
 the last nail, the horse, which had been very restless 
 during the whole time, \, .ihdrew his foot from me. 
 My patience becoming exhausted, I iip2)lied the ham- 
 mer several times to his belly, which is the usual pun- 
 ishment inflicted by blacksmiths upon unruly horses. 
 The general, who was standing near, flew into a vio- 
 lent rage, and poured his curses thick and fast upon 
 me. Feeling hurt at such language from the lips of a 
 man whom I had treated like my own brother, 1 retort- 
 ed, reminding him of the many obligations he owed me. 
 ItOid him that his language to me was liarsli and un- 
 merilod ; that I had thus far served him faithfully ; 
 that I had done for him what no other man would do, 
 periling my life for him on several occasions ; that I 
 had been successful in killing game when his men 
 were in a state of starvation ; and, warming at the re- 
 capitulation, I added, "There is one more nail to drive, 
 general, to finish shoeing that horse, which you may 
 drive for yourself, or let go undriven, for I will see you 
 dead before I will lift another finger to serve you." 
 
 But little more was said on either side at that 
 time. 
 
 The next morning the general gave orders to pack 
 up and move on. He showed me a worn-out horse, 
 which he ordered me to pack and drive along. I very 
 well knew that the horse could not travel far, even 
 without a pack. 
 
 t 
 
.lAlSIKS P. IJKCKWOITKTII. 
 
 47 
 
 Still, iriHuencud by the harsh language the gener- 
 al had addressed to me on the previous day, I said, 
 'Mieneral, 1 will ])ack the horse, hut 1 wish you to 
 understand that, whenever lie gives out, there 1 leave 
 him, horse and paek." 
 
 " Obey my orders, and let me have none of your 
 insolence, sir," said the general. 
 
 t was satisfied this was imposed upon me for pun- 
 ishment, r, however, packed the horse with two pigs 
 of lead and sundry small articles, and drove him along 
 in the rear, the others having started a considerable 
 time previous. The poor animal struggled on for 
 about a mile, and then fell groaning under his bur- 
 den. I unpacked him, assisted him to rise, and, re- 
 packing him, drove him on again in the trail that the 
 others had left in the snow. Proceeding half a mile 
 farther, he again fell. I went through the same cere- 
 mony as before, lie advanced a few yards, and fell a 
 third time. Feeling mad at the general for imposing 
 such a task upon me, my hands tingling with cold 
 through handling the snowy pack-rojics, 1 seized my 
 hammer from the pack, and, striking with all my pow- 
 er, it penetrated the poor animal's skull. 
 
 "There," said I, "take that! I only wish you were 
 General Ashley." 
 
 " You do, do you ?" said a voice from tlie bushes 
 on the side of the trail. 
 
 I well knew the voice : it was the general himself; 
 and another volley of curses descended uninterrupt- 
 edly upon my head. 
 
 I was not the man to flinch. "What I said I 
 meant,"! exclaimed, "and it makes no odds whether 
 you heard it or not." 
 
 " You are an infernal scoundrel, and I'll shoot you ;" 
 
48 
 
 All'OUKJlJKAl'lIV UF 
 
 and, suiting the action to the word, he cocked liis piece 
 and leveled it. 
 
 1 cocked my rifle and presented it also, and then 
 we stood at bay, looking each other direct in the 
 eye. 
 
 "(rcneral,"! at length said, "you have addressed 
 language to nie which I allow no man to use, and, un- 
 less you retract that last epithet, you or I must surely 
 die." 
 
 lie finally said, " I will acknowledge that it was 
 language which never should be used to a man, but 
 when 1 am angry I am apt to speak hastily. But," 
 he added, "1 will make you suffer for this." 
 
 "Not in your service, general,"! replied. "You 
 can take your horse now, and do what you please with 
 him. 1 am going to return to St. Louis." 
 
 The general almost smiled at the idea. 
 
 " You will play going back to St. Louis," he 
 
 said, "when, in truth, you w*ere afraid of beino" ' illcd 
 by the Indians, through beinff left too far bchi ith 
 that old horse." 
 
 I left general, horse, and pack, and started on to 
 overtake the advanced party, in order to get my sad- 
 dle-bags before leaving them. Approaching the party, 
 I advanced to Fitzpatrick (in whose possession they 
 were) and addressed him: "Hold up, Fitzpatrick; 
 give me my saddle-bags. I am going to leave you, 
 and return to St. Louis." 
 
 "What !" exclaimed he, " have you had more words 
 with the general ?" 
 
 "Yes," I replied, "words that will never be forgiv- 
 en — by Tne, at least, in this life. I am bound to re- 
 turn." 
 
 "Well, "said he, " wait till we encamp, a few hund- 
 
 ! 
 
JAMKS 1*. BKCKWIUKTII. 
 
 40 
 
 '1 
 
 I 
 
 red yards alicad. Your tilings arc in the pack ; when 
 we stop you can get them." 
 
 I accompanied them till they cncam})cd ; then, tak- 
 ing my goods from the pack, I was getting ready to 
 return, when the general came up. 
 
 Seeing me about to carry my threat into execution, 
 he addressed me: "Jim, you have ammunition belong- 
 ing to mc ; you can not take t/iat with you." 
 
 Luckily, 1 had plenty of my own, so I delivered up 
 all in my possession belonging to him. 
 
 *' Sir," 1 said, " as Fortune has favored me with 
 plenty, I deliver up yours ; but, if I had had none of 
 my own, I would have retamed a portion of yours, or 
 died in the attempt. And it seems to me that you 
 must have a very small soul tj sec a man turned 
 adrift without any thing to protect him against hos- 
 tile savages, or procure him necessary food in travers- 
 
 ing this wide wilderness." 
 
 lie then said no more to me, but called Fitzpati'ick, 
 and requested him to dissuade me from leaving. Fitz- 
 patrick came, and exerted all his eloquence to deter mo 
 from going, telling me of the great distance before me, 
 the danger I ran, when alone, of being killed by In- 
 dians — representing the almost certain fact that I must 
 perish from starvation, lie reminded me that it was 
 now jMarch, and the snows were already melting ; that 
 Spring, with all its beauties, would soon be ushered in, 
 and I should lose the sublime scenery of the Rocky 
 Mountains. 
 
 But my mind was bent upon going ; all my former 
 love for the man was forfeited, and I felt I could never 
 endiu'e his presence again. 
 
 Fitzpatrick's mission having failed, tlie general sent 
 a Frencli boy to intercede, toward whom I felt great 
 
 C 
 
.50 
 
 AI'TUBIOISKAI'IIY OF 
 
 attaclimcnt. Jlo was named Baptistc La Jcunesse, 
 and was al)Oiit seventeen years of age. I Iiad many 
 limes protected this lad from the abuse of his coun- 
 trymen, and had fought several battles on his account, 
 for -vvliich reason he naturally tied to mc for protection, 
 and had grown to regard me in the light of a father. 
 
 AViien this boy saw that 1 was in earnest about 
 leaving, fearing that all attempts at persuasion would 
 be useless, he hung his nether lip, and appeared per- 
 fectly disconsolate. 
 
 The general, calling this lad to him, desired him to 
 come to me and persuade mc from the notion of leav- 
 ing. He pledged his word to Baptiste that he would 
 say no more to displease mc ; that he would spare no 
 efforts to accommi date mc, anl offered mc free use of 
 his horses, assigning as a reason for this concession 
 that he was unwilling for word to reach the States that 
 he had suffered a man to perish in the wilderness 
 through a little private difiiculty in the camp. 
 
 At this moment Le Pointc presented himself, mani- 
 festing by his appearance that he had something of im- 
 portance to communicate. 
 
 "General," said he, "more than half the men are 
 determined to leave with Beckwourth ; they are now 
 taking annnunition from the sacks and hiding it about. 
 What is to be done?" 
 
 " I will do the best I can." Then turning to the 
 lad, he said, " I took Jim's ammunition, thinking to de- 
 ter him trom going; had he insisted upon going, I should 
 have furnished him with plenty. Go now," he added, 
 "and tell him I want him to stay, but if he insists 
 upon going, to take whatever he wants." 
 
 Ba])tiste left the group which surrounded the gener- 
 al, and made his way to mc, with his head inclined. 
 
 "til 
 tell 
 
.)AMi;« V. lilX'KWOUKTlI. 
 
 51 
 
 *'Mon frore,'* said the lad, addressing me as 1 sat, 
 *•• the general talk much good. He vant you stay. I 
 tell him you no stay ; dat you en colore. I tell him if" 
 nion frere go, by gar, I go too. lie say, you go talk 
 to Jim, and get him stay. I tell you vat I tink. You 
 stay leetlc longer, and if de general talk you bad one 
 time more, den vc go, by gar. You take von good 
 horse, me take von good horse too ; ve carry our plan- 
 kct, ve take some viande, and some poudre — den ve 
 live. Ve go now — ve take noting — den ve die." 
 
 T knew that the boy gave good advice, and, foregoing 
 my former resolve, I concluded to remain. 
 
 My decision was quickly communicated to the whole 
 camp, and the hidden parcels of ammunition were re- 
 stored to their proper places. The storm in the camp 
 ceased, and all were ready to proceed. 
 
 I have heard scores of emigrants (when stopping 
 with me in my "hermitage," in Beckwourth Valley, 
 California) relate their hair-breadth escapes from In- 
 dians, and various hardships endured in their passage 
 across the Plains. They would dwell upon their per- 
 ilous nights when standing guard ; their encounters 
 with Indians, or some daring exploit with a buffalo. 
 These recitals were listened to with incredulous ears ; 
 for there is in human nature such a love of the mar- 
 velous, that traditionary deeds, by dint of repetition, 
 become appropriated to the narrator, and the tales that 
 were related as actual experience now mislead the 
 speaker and the audience. 
 
 AVlien I recurred to my own adventures, I would 
 smile at the comparison of their sufferings with what 
 myself and other men of the mountains had really en- 
 dured in former times. The forts that now afford pro- 
 tection to the traveler were built by ourselves at the 
 
52 
 
 AUTOBIOGllAPIIVr OF 
 
 constant peril of our lives, amid Indian trib'^s nearly 
 double their present numbers. Without wives and 
 children to comfort us on our lonely way; without 
 well-furnished wagons to resort to when hungry ; no 
 roads before us but trails temporarily made; our 
 clothing consisting of the skins of the animals that had 
 fallen before our unerring rifles, and often whole days 
 on insufficient rations, or entirely without food ; occa- 
 sionally our whole party on guard the entire night, and 
 our strength deserting us through unceasing watching 
 and fatigue ; these are sufferings that made theirs ap- 
 pear trivial, and ours surpass in magnitude my power 
 of relation. 
 
 Without doubt, many emigrants were subjected 1o 
 considerable hardship, during the early part of the em- 
 igration, by the loss of cattle, and the Indians came 
 in for their fuU share of blame. But it was through 
 extreme carelessness that so many were lost ; and 
 those who have charged their losses upon the Indians 
 have frequently found their stock, or a portion of it, 
 harnessed to wagons either far in advance of them, or 
 lagging carelessly in their rear. The morality of the 
 whites I have not found to exceed very much that of 
 the red man ; for there are plenty of the former, belong- 
 ing to trains on the routes, who would not hesitate to 
 take an ox or two, if any chance offered for getting 
 hold of them. 
 
 But to return. At the time when I had concluded 
 to proceed with the party, we were encamped in the 
 prairie, away from any stream (having passed the fork 
 of the Platte), and were again in a starving condition. 
 Except an occasional hare or rabbit, there was no sign 
 of supplying ourselves with any kind of game. 
 
 We traveled on till we arrived at Pilot Butte, where 
 
 were i 
 
 was t 
 
 and i 
 
 worse 
 
 to j^ro 
 
 Imnt, i 
 
 ing ne 
 
 in difl 
 
 ing. 
 
 miles i 
 
 reachcc 
 
 survey 
 
 this rcj 
 
 ing fou 
 
 served 
 
 buffalo. 
 
 oveijoy 
 
 opportu 
 
 accclcra 
 
 my sue 
 
 ened uf 
 
 be at th 
 
 The I 
 
 to move 
 
 left, anc 
 
 goods tl] 
 
 desired i 
 
 ter, and 
 
 The ] 
 
 (wliich i 
 
 so heavi 
 
 but theii 
 
 the gene 
 
JAMES r. BECKWOIJRTH. 
 
 .03 
 
 two misfortunes befell us. A great portion of our horses 
 were stolen by the Crow Indians, and General Asliley 
 was taken sick, caused, beyond doubt, by exposure 
 and insufficient fare. Our condition was growing 
 worse and worse ; and, as a measure best calculated 
 to procure relief, we all resolved to go on a general 
 hunt, and bring home something to supply our press- 
 ing necessities. All who were able, therefore, started 
 in different directions, our customary mode of hunt- 
 ing. I traveled, as near as I could judge, about ten 
 miles from the camp, and saw no signs of game. I 
 reached a high point of land, and, on taking a general 
 survey, I discovered a river whicli 1 had never seen in 
 this region before. It was of considerable size, flow- 
 ing four or Ave miles distant, and on its banks I ob- 
 served acres of land covered with moving masses of 
 buffalo. I hailed this as a perfect Godsend, and was 
 overjoyed with the feeling of security infused by my 
 opportune discovery. However, fatigued and weak, I 
 accelerated my return to the camp, and communicated 
 my success to my companions. Their faces bright- 
 ened up at the intelligence, and all were impatient to 
 be at them. 
 
 The general, on learning my intelligence, desired us 
 to move forward to the river with what horses we had 
 left, and each man to carry a pack on his back of the 
 goods that remained after loading the cattle. He farther 
 desired us to roll up snow to j^rovide him with a shel- 
 ter, and to return the next day to see if he survived. 
 
 The men, in their eagerness to get to the river 
 (which is now called Green River), loaded themselves 
 so heavily that three or four were left with nothing 
 but their rifles to carry. Though my feelings toward 
 the general were still unfriendly (knowing that he had 
 
54 
 
 AlToHKHiKAl'HV UK 
 
 expressed sentiments concerning me tJiat were totally 
 mnncritetl), 1 could not reconcile myself to deserting 
 him in iiis present helpless contlition. iVccordingly, I 
 informed him that if he thought he could endure the 
 journey, I would make arrangements to enable him to 
 proceed along with the company. 
 
 He appeared charmed with the magnanimty of the 
 proposal, and declared his willingness to endure any 
 thing in reason. Ilis consent obtained, I prepared a 
 light litter, and, with the assistance of two of the un- 
 laden men, placed him upon it, in the easiest position 
 possible ; then, attaching two straps to the ends of the 
 litter-bars, we threw them over our shoulders, and, tak- 
 ing the bars in our hands, hoisted om* burden, and pro- 
 ceeded with all the ease imaginable. Our rifles were 
 can'ied by the third man. 
 
 The anxiety of the general to remain with us pre- 
 vented his giving utterance to the least complaint, and 
 we all anived in good season on the banks of Green 
 River. We were rejoiced to find that our companions 
 who preceded us had killed a tine buffalo, and we 
 abandoned ourselves that evening to a general spirit 
 of rejoicing. Our leader, in a few days, entirely recov- 
 ered, and wc were thus, by my forethought in bringing 
 him with us, spared the labor of a return journey. 
 
 Wc all feasted ourselves to our hearts' content upon 
 the delicious, coarse-grained flesh of the buftalo, of 
 which there was an unlimited supply. There were, 
 besides, plenty of wild geese and teal ducks on the liv- 
 er — the latter, however, I very seldom ventured to kill. 
 
 One day several of us were out Imnting buffalo, the 
 general, who, by the way, was a very good shot, being 
 among the number. The snow had blown from the 
 level prairie, and the wind had drifted it in deep mass- 
 
ng 
 
 , T 
 he 
 to 
 
 he 
 
 ny 
 
 m- 
 on 
 he 
 k- 
 o- 
 
 re 
 
 en 
 
 ns 
 ve 
 :it 
 
 V- 
 
 )n 
 
 V- 
 
 16 
 
 IC 
 
1" 
 
 H 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 in 
 
 ID 
 
 U 
 IC 
 
 W 
 
 H 
 
 a 
 
 g 
 
 o 
 
 1 
 
 cf? over the marpjins of the small hills, through •vvliicl) 
 the butialo had made trails just wide enough to admit 
 one at a time. These snow-trails had beeome ([uite 
 deep — like all snow-trails in the spring of the }'ear — 
 thus affording us a line opportunity for lurking in one 
 trail, and shooting a huft'alo in another. The general 
 had wounded a hull, which, smarting with pain, made 
 a furious plunge at his assailant, burying Iiim in the 
 snow with a thrust from his savage-looking head and 
 liorns. I, seeing the danger in wiiich he was placed, 
 sent a ball into the beast just behind the shoulder, in- 
 stantly dropping him dead. The general was rescued 
 from almost certain death, having received only a few 
 scratches in the adventure. 
 
 After remaining in camp four or five days, the gen- 
 eral resolved upon dividing our party into detachments 
 of four or five men each, and sending them upon dif- 
 ferent routes, in order the better to accomplish the ob- 
 ject of our perilous journey, which was the collecting 
 all the beaver-skins possible while the fur was yet 
 valuable. Accordingly, we constructed several boats 
 of buffalo hides for the purpose of descending the riv- 
 er and proceeding along any of its tributaries that 
 might lie in our way. 
 
 One of our boats being finished and launched, the 
 general sprang into it to test its capacity. The boat 
 was made fast by a slender string, which snapping 
 with the sudden jerk, the boat was drawn into the 
 current and drifted away, general and all, in the di- 
 rection of the opposite shore. 
 
 It will be necessary, before I proceed farther, to 
 give the reader a description, in as concise a manner 
 as possible, of this "Green River Suck." 
 
 We were encamped, as we had discovered during 
 
 C2 
 
58 
 
 AUTOniOORAPIIY OP 
 
 our frequent excursions, at tlie head of a great fall of 
 the Green lliver, wlicrc it passes througli the Utah 
 Mountains. The current, at a small distance from 
 our camp, became exceedingly rapid, and drew toward 
 the centre from each shore. This place we named the 
 Suck. This fall continued for six or eight miles, mak- 
 ing a sheer descent, in the entire distance, of upward 
 of two hundred and fifty feet. The river was filled 
 with rocks and ledges, and frequent sharp curves, hav- 
 ing high mountains and perpendicular clifts on either 
 side. Below our camp, the river passed through a 
 canyon, or canon, as it is usually written, a deep river- 
 pass through a bluff or mountain, which continued be- 
 low the fall to a distance of twenty-five or thirty miles. 
 Wherever there was an eddy or a growth of willows, 
 there was sure to be found a beaver lodge ; the cun- 
 ning creatures having selected that secluded, and, as 
 they doubtless considered, inaccessible spot, to conceal 
 themselves from the watchful eye of the trapper. 
 
 To return to the general. His frail bark, having 
 reached the opposite shore, encountered a ledge of 
 rocks, and had hardly touched, when, by the action 
 of the rolling current, it was capsized, and he thrown 
 struggling into the water. As Providence would have 
 it, he reached the bluff on the opposite side, and, hold- 
 ing on to the crevices in the high and perpendicular cliff, 
 sung out lustily for assistance. Not a moment was to be 
 lost. Some one must attempt to save him, for he could 
 not hold his present position, in such cold water, long. I 
 saw that no one cared to risk his life amid such immi- 
 nent peril, so, calling to aFrenchman of the name of Dor- 
 way, whom I knew to be one of the best swimmers, to 
 come to the rescue, I threw off my leggins and plunged 
 
 iui 
 cap 
 tolc 
 ibil 
 
 if a 
 
JAMKJS 1'. BECKWOMHTM. 
 
 6] 
 
 Previous to this, and after his rescue from the 
 " Suck," he lucntioncd to iMtzpatrick that T ought to 
 have the lead of a party, and tiiat he believed I was as 
 capable as any one in the company for it. Fitzpatrick 
 told him he did not believe I would accept the response 
 ibility. The general bade him ask me. lie came and 
 communicated to me our generaPs wish, and asked mc 
 if I would take the leadership of one of our detached 
 parties. 
 
 I declined the offer, assigning ci.s my reason that I 
 was too young to undertake tlie responsibilities of the 
 charge ; that this was my first trip to the mountains, 
 and I had but little experience in trapping, and that 
 there Avere older men better qualified for the duty. 
 
 The leadership of a party of a fur company is a very 
 responsible post. Placed similarly to a captain of a 
 whaling vessel, where all depends upon his success, 
 if a captain is fortunate, and returns from a profitable 
 voyage, of course, in the eyes of the owners, he is a 
 first-rate officer, and stands well for the future. But 
 if he has experienced unusual hardships, and returns 
 more or less unsuccessful, he is disgraced in his com- 
 mand, and is thrust aside for a more fortunate man. 
 It is just similar with trappers in the mountains ; 
 whatever is their fortune, good or bad, the leader is the 
 person on whom the praise or blame falls. 
 
62 
 
 AUTOniOfJItAPllY OF 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Wo spparr.tR into six "Dotnchmcnts, and start out. — Trapping on Orcrn 
 Uivrr. — Narrow Escape from a Massacre by tlic Arrap-a-hos. — Ow 
 Man njunlcrcd in Camp. — llctrcat. — Fall in with a Detachment ot 
 our Company. — Great Joy at tijc Meeting. — Return of the Detach 
 ments to tlic Place of Rendezvous at the " Suck." 
 
 Afteu "caching" our peltry and goods by burying 
 them in safe phices, we received instructions from our 
 general to rendezvous at the " Suck" by the first of 
 July following. Bidding each other adieu, for wc could 
 hardly expect we should meet again, wc took up our 
 different lines of march. 
 
 Our party consisted, led by one Clements, of six, 
 among whom was the boy Baptiste, he always insist- 
 ing on remaining with his brother (as he called me). 
 Our route was up the river — a country that none of us 
 had ever seen before — where the foot of the white man 
 had seldom, if ever, left its print. We were very suc- 
 cessful in finding beaver as we progressed, and we ob- 
 tained plenty of game for the wants of our small party. 
 Wherever wc hauled up a trap, we usually found a 
 beaver, besides a considerable number we killed with 
 the rifle. 
 
 In moving up the river we came to a small stream 
 — one of tlie tributaries of Green River — which wc 
 named " Horse Creek," in honor of a wild horse we 
 found on its banks. The Creek abounded with the 
 objects of our search, and in a very few days we suc- 
 ceeded in taking over one hundred beavers, the skins 
 of which were worth ten dollars per pound in St. Lou- 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 liun 
 
 Ilor 
 
 cecd 
 
 cnco 
 
 name 
 
 niur( 
 
 fijroat 
 
 and 
 
JAMES P. nKCKWO'/IlTH. 
 
 (\l\ 
 
 h 
 
 tc 
 Ic 
 |e 
 
 I 
 
 Id. Sixty skins, when dried, funned a pack of one 
 hundred pounds. After having iinished our work on 
 Horse Creek, wc returned to the main river, and pro- 
 ceeded on, meeting with very good success, until we 
 encountered another brancli, which we subsequently 
 named Lc Brache Creek, from our comrade who was 
 murdered by the Indians. Our success was mucli 
 jGjreatcr here than at any point since leaving the Suck, 
 and wc followed it up until wc came to a deep cahoiu 
 ill which we encamped. 
 
 The next day, while the men were variously en- 
 gaged about the camp, happening to be in a more el 
 evated position than the others, I saw a party of In- 
 dians approacliing within a few yards, evidently un- 
 aware of our being in their neighborhood. I imme- 
 diately shouted, " Indians ! Indians ! to your guns, 
 men!" and leveled my rifle at the foremost of them. 
 They held up their hands, saying, "Bueno! bueno!" 
 mcani.^g that they were good or friendly; at which my 
 companions cried out to me, " Don't fire ! don't fire ! 
 tluiy are friendly — they speak Spanish." lUit we wcro 
 sorry afterward we did not all shoot. Our horses had 
 taken fright at the confusion and ran up the canon. 
 Baptiste and myself went in pursuit of them. When 
 wc came back with them we found sixteen Indians 
 sitting around our camp smoking, and jabbering their 
 own tongue, which none of us understood. They 
 passed the night and next day with us in apparent 
 friendship. Thinking this conduct assumed, from the 
 fact that they rather '* overdid the thing," we deemed 
 it prudent to retrace our steps to the open prairie, 
 where, if they did intend to commence an attack upon 
 us, we should have a fairer chance of defending our- 
 selves. Accordingly, we packed up and left, all the 
 Indians following us. 
 
<M 
 
 M TuBIO<JKArilV OK 
 
 The next day tlioy continued to linger about the 
 camp. AV(! liud but shiiht Muspioion of their motives, 
 .•iltiiough, tor security, we kept constant guard upon 
 them, brom this they proceeded to certain liberties 
 (which 1 here strictly caution all emigrants and mount- 
 aineers against ever permitting), such as handling our 
 guns, except the arms of the guard, piling them, and 
 then carrying them together. At length one of the 
 Indians shouldered all the guns, and, starting oft' with 
 then), ran iif(y yards from camp. Mentioning to my 
 mates I did not like the mana'uvres of these fellows, 
 I started after the Indian and took my gun from him, 
 Baptiste doing the same, and we brought them back 
 to camp. Our companions eluded us for doing so, 
 saying we should anger the Indians by doubting their 
 friendship. I said I considered my gun as safe in my 
 OAvn hands as in the hands of a strange savage ; if 
 they chose to give up theirs, they were at liberty to 
 do so. 
 
 When night came on, wc all lay down except poor 
 Le Brache, who kept guard, having an Indian with 
 him to replenish the fire. Some of the men had fall- 
 en asleep, lying near by, when wc were all suddenly 
 startled by a loud cry from Le Brache and the instant 
 report of a gun, the contents of which passed between 
 Ba2)tistc and myself, who both occupied one bed, the 
 powder burning a hole in our upper blankets. We 
 were all up in an instant. An Indian had seized my 
 ritlc, but I instantly wrenched it from liini, though, I 
 acknowledge, I was too terrified to shoot. When we 
 had in some measure recovered from our sudden fright, 
 I hastened to Le Brache, and discovered that a toma- 
 hawk had been sunk in his head, and there remained. 
 I pulled it out, and in examining tlie ghastly wound. 
 
.lAMKS P. HECKWOITRTII. 
 
 65 
 
 T 
 
 re 
 It, 
 
 buried all four lingers of my right hand in his brain. 
 We bound up his head, but ho was a corpse in a few 
 moments. 
 
 Not an Indian was then to be seen, but we well 
 knew they were in the bushes close by, and that, in 
 all probability, we should every one share the fate of 
 our murdered comrade. What to do now was the 
 universal inquiry. With the butt of my ritie I scat- 
 tered the fire, to prevent the Indians making a sure 
 mark of us. We then proceeded to pack up with the 
 utmost dispatch, intending to move into the open prai- 
 rie, where, if they attacked us again, we could at least 
 defend ourselves, notwithstanding our disparity of 
 numbers, we being but five to sixteen. 
 
 On searching for Le Brachc's gun, it was nowhere 
 to be found, the Indian who had killed him having 
 doubtless earned it off. While hastily packiijg our 
 articles, I very luckily found live quivers well stocked 
 with arrows, the bows attached, together with two In- 
 dian guns. These well supplied our missing rifle, for 
 I had practiced so much with bow and arrow that 1 
 was considered a good shot. 
 
 When in readiness to leave, our leader inquired in 
 which direction the river lay ; his agitation had been 
 so great that his memory had failed Iiim. I directed 
 the way, and desired every man to put the animals 
 upon their utmost speed until we were safely out of 
 the willows, which order was complied with. While 
 thus running the gauntlet, the bails and arrows whiz- 
 zed around us as fast as our hidden enemies could 
 send them. Not a man was scratched, however, though 
 two of our horses were wounded, my horse having re- 
 ceived an arrow in the neck, and another being wound- 
 ed near the hip, both slightly. Pursuing our course, 
 
r,{\ 
 
 ALTOUKKJIf.MMIY oK 
 
 we arrived soon in 'he open ground, where we consid- 
 ered ourselves comparatively sate. 
 
 Arriving at a small rise in the prairie, I suggested 
 to our leader that this would be a good pkce to make 
 a stand, tor if the Indians followed us we had the ad- 
 vantage in position. 
 
 "iS'o," said he, "we will proceed on to New Mex- 
 ico." 
 
 I was astonished at his answer, well knowhig — 
 thougli but slightly skilled in geography — that New 
 Mexico must be many hundred miles farther south. 
 I Fowevcr, 1 was not captain, and we proceeded. Keep- 
 ing the return track, we found ourselves, in the after- 
 noon of the following day, about sixty miles from the 
 scene of murder. 
 
 1 he assault had been made, as we afterward learn- 
 ed, by three young Indians, who were ambitious to dis- 
 tinguish themselves in the minds of their tribe by the 
 massacre of an .Vmerican party. 
 
 We were still descending the banks of the Green 
 River, which is the main branch of the Colorado, when, 
 about the time mentioned above, I discovered horses 
 in the skirt of the woods on the opposite side. JMy 
 companions pronounced them buffalo, but I was con- 
 fident they were horses, because I could distinguish 
 white ones among them. Proceeding still farther, I 
 discovered men with the horses, my comrades still 
 confident I was in error ; speedily, however, they all 
 became satisfied of my correctness, and we formed the 
 conclusion that we had come across a party of Indians. 
 We saw by their mana^uvres that they had discovered 
 us, for they were then collecting all their property to- 
 gether. 
 
 We lield a siiort council, which resulted in a de- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOIRTH. 
 
 67 
 
 termination to retreat toward the mountains. J, tor 
 one, was tired of retreating, and refused to go farther. 
 Baptiste joining nie in my resolve. We took up a 
 strong position for defense, being a place of difficult 
 approach ; and having our guns, and ammunition, and 
 abundance of arrows for defense, considering our num- 
 bers, we felt ourselves rather a strong garrison. The 
 other three left us to our determination to fall togeth- 
 er, and took to the prairie ; but, changing mind, they 
 returned, and rejoined us in our position, deeming our 
 means of defense better in one body than when di- 
 vided. We all, therefore, determined to sell our lives 
 as dearly as possible sliould the enemy attack us, feel- 
 ing sure that we could kill live times our number be- 
 fore we were overpowered, and that we should, iu all 
 probability, beat them off. 
 
 By this time the supposed enemy had advanced to- 
 ward us, and one of them hailed us in English as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 "Who are you?" 
 
 " We are trappers." 
 
 " What company do you belong to ?" 
 
 " General Asliley's." 
 
 "Hurrah! hurrah I hurrah I" they all shouted, and 
 we, in turn, exhausted our breath in replyin ^ 
 
 " Is that you, Jim Beckwourth ?" said a voice from 
 the party. 
 
 "Yes. Is that you, Castenga?" I replied. 
 
 He answered in the affirmative, and there arose an- 
 other hurrah. 
 
 We inquired where their camp was. They inform- 
 ed us it was two miles below, at the ford, l^aptistc 
 und myself mounted our horses, descended the bank, 
 plunged into the river, and were soon exchanging salu- 
 
(W 
 
 AITTOBIOGRAniY OP 
 
 tations with another of the general's old detachments. 
 They also had taken us for Indians, and had gathered 
 in their horses while we took up our position for de- 
 fense. 
 
 The night was spent in general rejoicing, in relating 
 our adventures, and recounting our various successes 
 and reverses. There is as much heartfelt joy experi- 
 enced in falling in with a party of fellow-trappers in 
 the mountains as is felt at sea when, after a long voy- 
 age, a friendly vessel just from port is spoken and 
 boarded. In both cases a thousand questions are ask- 
 ed ; all have wives, sweethearts, or friends to inquire 
 after, and then the general news from the States is 
 taken up and discussed. 
 
 The party we had fallen in with consisted of sixteen 
 men. They had been two years out ; had left Fort 
 Yellow Stone only a short time previously, and were 
 provided with every necessary for a long excursion. 
 They had not seen the general, and did not know he 
 was in the mountains. They had lost some of their 
 men, who had fallen victims to the Indians, but in 
 trapping had been generally successful. Our little 
 party also had done extremely well, and we felt great 
 satisfaction in displaying to them seven or eight pack- 
 ets of sixty skins each. We related to them the mur- 
 der of Le Brache, and every trapper boiled with indig- 
 nation at the recital. All wanted instantly to start in 
 pursuit, and revenge upon the Indians the perpetration 
 of tlieir treachery ; but there was no probability of 
 overtaking them, and they suffered their anger to cool 
 down. 
 
 The second day after our meeting, I proposed that 
 the most experienced mountaineers of their party should 
 return witli Baptistc and myself to perform the burial 
 
 i: 
 
 rit^ 
 sell 
 sh( 
 
 conl 
 M 
 
 but I 
 
 thoi 
 
 ted 
 OJ 
 
JAMES r. BECKWOUKTU. 
 
 69 
 
 rites of our friend. I proposed three men, with our- 
 selves, as sufficient for the sixteen Indians, in case we 
 should fall in with them, and tiicy would certainly be 
 enough for the errand if we met no one. Ikly former 
 comrades were too tired to return. 
 
 We started, and arrived at our unfortunate camp, 
 but the body of our late friend was not to be found, 
 though we discovered some of his long black hair clot- 
 ted with blood. 
 
 On raising the traps which we had set before our 
 precipitate departure, we found a beaver in every one 
 except four, which contained each a leg, the beavers 
 having amputated them with their teeth. We then 
 returned to our companions, and moved on to Willow 
 Creek, where we were handy to the caches of our ren- 
 dezvous at the " Suck." It was now about June 1st, 
 1822. 
 
 Here we spent our t*me very pleasantly, occupying 
 ourselves with hunting, fishing, target-shooting, foot- 
 racing, gymnastic, and sundry other exercises. The 
 other detachments now came in, bringing with them 
 (quantities of peltiy, all having met with very great 
 succesB. 
 
 y 
 
 t 
 
70 
 
 ALTUBlOGllArilY <Jl' 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Arrival of General Ashley and Party. — His Relation of their SufVeriiiKS 
 after leaving the Rendezvous. — Their Excursion to Salt Lake. — Fall 
 in with a Fur Company before unknown to the Mountaineers. — His 
 final Fortune, and return to St. Louis. 
 
 SiTTiNC^ in camji one beautiful summer morning — 
 for the month of June is always lovely in northern 
 latitudes — an Indian lass stepped up to me, and wish- 
 ed me to kill a deer or an antelope, and bring her the 
 brains, wherewitli to di-ess a deer-skin, oftering me, in 
 compensation, a handsome pair of moccasins. Think- 
 ing to save two dollars by a few minutes' exertion, I 
 took my riHc and alone left camp. After traveling 
 two miles, I obtained sight of a fine antelope, which 
 had also seen me, and kept himself at a respectful dis- 
 tance. In following him up to get a fair shot, I at 
 length found myself about ten miles from camp, with 
 small prospect of getting either brains or moccasins. 
 
 While among the wild sage, still trying to approach 
 the antelope, I observed a horse and rider coming in 
 my direction. Feeling satisfied that the rider was an 
 Indian, I at once made up my mind to run no farther 
 after the antelope, but to shoot him, and take his 
 brains to the squaw, as she would know no differ- 
 ence. I therefore concealed myself in the sage until 
 he should come within range of my rifie. Becoming 
 impatient, at length, at his tardy approach, I raised 
 my head to take a look, when, to my utter astonish- 
 ment, I saw General Ashley in tlie act of mounting 
 his horse at a few paces' distance. He had stopped 
 
•'AMKs P. mcKwoinvni. yj 
 
 On seeing wl.o it waTl bo 1 '"' '"^ '"«• 
 
 !"/ '-d- if I had hoT ,1 >* r^ '•'«« f«" from 
 
 "> camp that I was not ^nl ,' "'"« ^''<=" ''"own 
 
 «''o«l<,,most undoubtedly wt ""r"-^" '» '""''I 
 
 ""-or. I told the gene luf tl '''''"•S^'' '^"'' ''- 
 
 '"><! just made. Hot" ' , ""^''^ "'"'^Pe i.o 
 
 ';■■- i- an Indian,and : nSirrVi "''^ ""^'''^"'g 
 ttey never traveled .i„2"^ " ^ ^"^ "<« kuo,v that 
 
 j «''en inquired after h[; hc^lti, , ,,, 
 J'»d met wifh,an<I then rehted ^ *''" ''"='"=«^ ''« 
 and suecess generally. hI •„ '"! 'T ""'• <»vn losses 
 
 .™^- I told him it was e OS nrr'' ,7''"'= *'"^ ^™1' 
 '"g the general thither I,. "*"''• ^n <=onduct- 
 
 '"•nd" mher distant. ' ' ''™"°""««'' -"^ "dose at 
 
 ;;t::pi:;Te''6is:;^^^ 
 
 f'c Suek and ,aAo„, in ih<^foZ '■"P""''*. tl'rough 
 
 " We had a verv dan Jl' °"°" '"^ "'imtive : ^ 
 er.and suffered mZ tf Hv' '""•r "°™ '^e riv- 
 i '"• again. You are awC fZ '"''' *° -^-^^ "«"' "uf- 
 i ™ion with „s, not e:^^eti rw !?"' '"' ""'« P^- 
 I ed so far. I„ passing over fhe! ," '"T <'^*«"''- 
 two boats and three gfns 1 n^ f ^'"^^' ^''^--e we lost 
 ;"g down our hoatsTe^tL'tr "''"P"' »'<=*- 
 <^" provisions soon gave out w f^T^ '''"«<=«• 
 beaver „ the .«««„ f^ some „il. T^ ^'""'^ «*' 
 fi"d them in as great plenty^ /, ""''' '^"''''"^""S '« 
 "One of their eareasses w?.th *'" '"'^' ^'" «aved 
 •^^ vve proeeeded, how vl 17, """=•■ °" *»»''• 
 -nor^ searee, until there ^re^ ^"""^ """<' "-d 
 we were entirely out o" ^ 1"^ %^ T"' "'' 
 
 ^ ^ons. lo retrace the 
 
72 
 
 AlITOHIOGIiAl'HY OF 
 
 river was impossible, and to ascend the perpendicular 
 cliffs, which hemmed us in on cither side, was equally 
 impossible. Our only alternative was to go ahead. 
 
 "After passing six days without tasting food, the 
 men were weak and disheartened. I listened to all 
 their murmurings and heart-rending complaints. They 
 often spoke of home and friends, declaring they would 
 never see them more. Some spoke of wives and chil- 
 dren whom they dearly loved, and who must shortly 
 become widows and orphans. They had toiled, they 
 said, through every difficulty; had risked their lives 
 among wild beasts and hostile Indians in the wilder- 
 ness, all whic!i they were willing to undergo ; but who 
 could bear up against actual starvation ? 
 . "I encouraged them all in my power, telling them 
 that I bore an equal part in their sufferings ; that I, 
 too, was toiling for those I loved, and whom I yet 
 hoped to see again ; that we should all endeavor to 
 keep up our courage, and not add to our misfortunes 
 by giving way to despondency. 
 
 "iVnother night was passed amid the barren rocks. 
 The next morning, the fearful proposition was made 
 by some of the party for the company to cast lots, to 
 see which should be sacrificed to afford food for the 
 others, without which they must inevitably perish. 
 My feelings at such a proposition can not be de- 
 scribed. I begged of them to wait one day more, 
 and make all the way they could meanwhile. By 
 doing so, I said, we must come to a break in the can- 
 on, where we could escape. They consented, and, 
 moving down the river as fast as the current would 
 carry us, to our inexpressible joy, we found a break, 
 and a camp of trappers therein. 
 
 "All now rejoiced that they had not carried their 
 
I 
 
 ■""■""' '•• "'XKWOIHT,,. 
 
 WuJ propo.si„o„ into eflect ;\- , , 
 
 good l>a„,l.s,a„a slo,vIy recruitd ?'' '^""' "«° 
 
 "I"" with when I was wc ac'',?X "/' '"■-■ '"^»^°- •■• 
 v.ce, wo left the river ami '''''"',""«'• Hy Iiis ad- 
 
 rcmained with ],i3 ,„; " ^ "^'''«<' "» .«i,h both. ^Y^ 
 
 «»'t Ukc. Here 1 tu[ • ' 1? 7'"' "' "'« ^'-"^ 
 
 <n.i)pcrs,com»oscdoff'.„..i " "So comnany of 
 
 ""Jer the cotlunan^ of P STJ"' .'"I""'-'^ ^-""n" 
 
 <'- .Northwest F„r Com « ' ^ w',, "',"■ ^■^"'•^^ »*■ 
 
 ".ade a very good bargain rs^;„„y''' *'"^ P^'7 I 
 
 amvo at our camp J.avin ' ^ , '"'" ^'=« ^'''on thev 
 
 on veryreasonaUe^i.'^^'""'"''''' "" *''-' Htry 
 ^iic general conclurlp^ i.- 
 
 g.atulated by all ptsent " ?"""?• ""'' ^^»« <=»"- 
 -ore all rejoiced to hear It it " f'^'''- ^^« 
 or seven weeks, he had not l " 5 "" ''^'"""' '"'^'^ 
 
 We then iwceeded fn , """• 
 
 '■aO baried a't the " 1*:;'^^^ °"" «"»''«• -''-'' -« 
 *'•« river to a point where the CaS'"'^'^ *" '"°^« "P 
 )md engaged to meet him w th ,1 T' ""^ ^"^iana 
 cral appointed me cap 1 ^f P''*'^" ^i-e gen- 
 
 "adians, and escort ttm to tho''"'^ *° ""'"' *'«= Ca- 
 '-ad proposed to them, wilt ""/'"=^°"' ^Wd. he 
 ■^"■ained to bring up the loo^ '^ '"""" '""^ ""'or-s 
 «ugar, coffee, blanlta, tobafco W T''''"^ "' «<>". 
 a«.e OS necessary for Ihat ^n ''^' -'l «" other 
 
 -Liiere were at ih' *• 
 about two hundred ^enT^r^"'^^' ^* ^»^- --P 
 children-for many o7the F T '"'"^ ^^"^^" ^nd 
 "ied with a squav/ I toofc^T^'"^" ^^^^« ^eeompa- 
 their women, chiJdr./l'^^„r*^^ ^« ^^'g^ty men ' ' 
 
 ren, and effects, Jeav: 
 
 7) 
 
 ighty 
 ing for the 
 
 with 
 gen- 
 
74 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 eral a strong guard of one hundred and twenty men, 
 to escort the goods up the river. 
 
 Two days after wc had started, being about a mile 
 from the river, we stopped to dress a buffalo. While 
 resting, a party of four hundred Indians passed at full 
 speed between us and the river, driving a large num- 
 ber of horses. "VVc mounted with all haste and started 
 after them, but not in time to recapture the whole of 
 the horses, which they had just stolen, or, rather, forced 
 from the general in the presence of his men. 
 
 We fired on tlie Indians, and, after a smart skirm- 
 ish, in which I received an arrow in the left arm, we 
 recaptured twenty-seven of the animals, the Indians 
 running oif the remainder, amounting to seventy or 
 eighty head ; a severe loss, for we needed them to carry 
 our peltry. We found three dead Indians on the field, 
 whom we scalped, leaving them for the wolves to feed 
 on. I ordered a camp to be formed wherein to leave 
 the women and children, with a guard, and then, mus- 
 tering all the horses, we took the return track to the 
 camp, fearing that the party had been surprised and 
 perhaps all massacred. On the road we met a party 
 which the general had dispatched to us, he having 
 similar apprehensions in regard to us. They informed 
 us that the Indians had broken in upon them in broad 
 daylight, unawares, and stampeded one hundred head 
 of horses ; that two of their men were wounded, of 
 whom Sublet (since well known to the Western people) 
 was one. It seems he was with the horses at the time 
 the Indians rushed in upon them ; he fired at one, but 
 missed him ; then clubbing his piece, he struck the 
 Indian, nearly knocking him off his horse. The In- 
 dian rallied again and fired at Sublet, wounding him 
 slightly. Both the wounded men were doing well. 
 
 i 
 
 caj 
 ma 
 the 
 or'j 
 unij 
 ors( 
 and 
 Vi 
 for a 
 On a 
 of th 
 their 
 goods 
 edto 
 very f 
 Wi 
 there 
 vous. 
 ing at 
 were w 
 us who 
 sugar, ^ 
 as freel 
 it for. 
 heartine 
 ^ The J 
 our Salt 
 of which 
 I ^ith his 
 I he had ] 
 in excell 
 Louis. 
 
JAMEH P. UiSCKWoUJtTH. 
 
 M'''^f' *'" """P' ^-^ «'«"=d our culoit t. „ 
 general. He was overiovp,! »^ i . "-^P""' to tlie 
 
 captured so many l.c^i^wH 'T "'•"" '"' '«"' «" 
 "•an. This was VS en! " "" '"'^^ <"'" ^'-gk 
 . the capaeity of offieir ' . f ^'=™?' ^^'"' I'-clians^n 
 • or Taylor feel „„,„ TxLl alr:uh''' """'""'^ «™" 
 umph than did I in this ,r°fl"„ ' "'"' ""f ''''«""' '"- 
 or so of horses were cap urld Itlhf ""' ''''""' " '"'"^ 
 and two of my „,e„ reLwl " ,„! "''''"f °''"'>'«'^"" 
 ^^0 all moved on fomhe'/-°""'''- 
 5 for a thousan.1 Indianf Z^f ^ '"^ T''^'"' « "»*<='' 
 ; On arriving at the n^S^^^^'' "'7 <'"'•'= '» assail us. 
 ^ of the Salt Lake party aS T """'" ""^ '>''•'"' ^^X 
 tl'cir effeets. The il„„!f ^ "'.T ''"'' "'« '^'"olo of 
 
 goods, e«epttobaco!„:SaS °'"",""""' '"' ^'- 
 cd to make an equal distr 11 /"'"''' "■^ ''« ^"^l- 
 i very searee in the moTn ;„" °" ', f f "''^ "■-« *''«» 
 ' When all had e"me 'T' ''"''' ''^ °'^"'"'- 
 
 ; there was a general ^i^; 'iT"';^ ''" ^°"''^' ""-l 
 ; vous. We constitu/ed q,Ute a ]f„f "' "" ^-^'"I- 
 
 : 7 "' '«-«' eight hund,^dl',i"^,r"' """'"^^^ 
 
 were women and children Ti '""" »"<> ''»'<' 
 
 "« who had not seen IL '"""' '°""' ""-ong 
 
 -ga^&,forseveX2r"The^r'; ^^ ^°'^"' 
 as freely as water, even at tZ\ '""''>' "'™t off 
 
 " for- All kind; of s.^L ' «-^orb,tant priee he sold 
 heartiness that would arn; I ' '"''"'«"<' '" '^'•"' a 
 The general tranaetd at ""'''' f '"=="' -"»'-^- 
 our Salt Lake friends ff! ^, J""""'"'' *rade with 
 of whieh they had eoileeted "T "'''' "" "'«- beaver, 
 ;'-'->l his purchases id hos: T '""'"'"^' ^° *'-' 
 he had now one hundred 1/ •'""' "''" ^°"«"«". 
 
 ■n excellent order, anfworth .lTor°"'' T'"' -" 
 ■Lioms. ^^'^ «>XUOO per pack in St. 
 
70 
 
 AITOIJKXJUAl'HY OF 
 
 Tlicro lay tlm p^oncrar.s fortune in one immense pile, 
 eollected at tli(^ expense of severe toil, privation, suf- 
 fering, peril, and, in some eases, loss of life. It was 
 supposed the general was indebted in the mountains 
 and elsewhere to the amount of $75,0()(). The akins 
 ho had purchased of the Northwest Com])any and 
 free trappers had eost him eom[)aratively little; if he 
 should meet with no misfortune on his way to St. Lou- 
 is, he would receive enough to pay all his debts, and 
 have an ample fortune besides. 
 
 In about a week the generd was ready to start for 
 Iioine. The packs Avere all arranged ; our Salt Lake 
 friends offered him the loan of all the horses he want- 
 ed, and enii;ai;(Ml to escort him to the head of Wind 
 Jtiver, o!iC of the branches of the Yellow Stone. The 
 number scjlected to return with the general was twenty 
 men, including my humble self; thirty men were to 
 accompany us as a guard, and to return the horses wc 
 liad borrowed. 
 
 The niglit j^revious to our departure, I and my boy 
 Baptistc were slee})ing among the packs, as were also 
 some of the other men, when the sentinel eame to mc 
 to tell me that he had seen something which he be- 
 lieved to be Indians. I arose, and satisfied myself 
 that he was correct. I sent a man to acquaint the 
 general, at the same time waking the boy and two 
 men near mc. Vic noiselessly raised ourselves, took 
 as good aim as possible, and, at a signal from me, all 
 four fired. We saw two men run. By this time the 
 whole camp was aroused ; the general asked me what 
 I had fired at. I told him I believed an Indian. 
 
 "Very good," said he; "whenever you see an In- 
 dian about the camp at night, you do right to shoot 
 him." 
 
 M 
 
 mor 
 wlie] 
 kne\i 
 two 
 (^ne 
 body 
 first 
 r,lacJ 
 Crow 
 gins, 
 M\ 
 the AM 
 built 
 clay af 
 fi-'cts fc 
 given, ; 
 of tJien 
 our can 
 for tJie I 
 man to 
 were wi 
 l)arty) p; 
 times nc 
 cral; lie 
 our cam 
 yioBt for; 
 miss fire, 
 and not 
 Vellow {• 
 Green^ 
 preter bei 
 name w.' 
 
^Wiore wc l,a,l ,li,ec ..lo,^ V ""' '"'"""■^ '/"'S 
 <»-o men (irej will, shT ^, " «"""' '"'• «'«= other 
 '«<'/; tl.e Cher was ,' n ' "'T'S'' "" ^"" ■•""' 
 ''l"'k I'Vet, Lut we Lb ° ^'"''""•^''^'o-gecl to the 
 
 fe'iMS whieh I took fi-om ," '"'"" <" '""^kski,, le.- 
 
 ^y<- started w^ I, " ■'""' 1"" <"' "O-self ° 
 
 >;'•■•'' our boats to de, :,,';;"""■ «'»-' ^vLerc wf 
 'l^y after Jeavi,,. e„„t w > ''""■• •^'" «'■« «i-xt!, 
 '-'« for a,. ea,f. ,.' ' '"''^;™ ''■'^'■'= ■-■'-king our e. 
 »--o„, and, „,. ]c^k,;Vu \:e'?" °'' ".^"•""■-'" «- 
 "' «l'cm,well n,ou„tetl ctZ T"" ""'""'«<= "^"''r 
 o»r can,,,. Every „; :°'>"f- ''"■''"y ''»»•» "!«, 
 '- ''-e iiving to,.,,,r •'",;:^:'j-/'«e, and prepaU 
 ""'» '0 fire until l,o did ,f "f,'!*' S"^" orde,-., for no 
 "•cro within half pistol sLf •^< ' """ ""^ '"'li--"'« 
 I-ty) pronouneed then.' CWs Cr'Tl <"" "'' °"^ 
 '""<••« not to shoot. We l-en/' '"' *"" ^'''"^'•''l 
 
 ""I; 1,0 pulled trigger but i°"'' '^■'' "''"' ""^S"'" 
 0"r camp was imn,tli, tX ti . ,^"",""''^'^'' «"=•»•"! 
 •llost fortunate was it tbS It t." •''"''• ''''"'°'-^- 
 -- fire, for the^ „„,„^ , "e general's gun did 
 
 •■»"■ not a n,an of us wo.dl I """■«••""! «-ar,iors 
 
 Vell«„, *.._ ^ "°"'<J 'mvo eseanerl ♦„ .._ ., 
 
 Vellow Ston 
 
 0,-ecnwood, who k„.,v ,„c 
 Fc'cr between our general a„d 
 
 escaped to sec the 
 
 ""V the C-ows, acted 
 
 ";;"% »■■■•« Ap.,,a,-o.ka J 
 
 tiie Indfan chief: 
 
 ^et-sct-sa. A' 
 
 as inter- 
 wlioso 
 
 ^pan'o,r~//a,rk 
 
78 
 
 ATTTOBIOORAPHY OP 
 
 After making numerous inquiries about our success 
 in liunting, the chief inquired through the interpreter 
 where we were from. 
 
 *' From ( »reen lliver," was the reply. 
 
 " You killed two Black Feet there ?" 
 
 *' Yes." 
 
 "Where are their scalps? ]\Iy people wish to 
 dance." 
 
 "Don't show them !" cried Greenwood to us. 
 
 Turning to the Indian: "We did not take their 
 scalps." 
 
 " Ugh ! that is strange." 
 
 During this colloquy I had buried my scalp in the 
 sand, and concealed my Icggins, knowing they had 
 belonged to a Crow. The chief gave orders to his 
 waiTiors to move on, many of them keeping with us 
 on our road to their camp, which was but a short dis- 
 tance off. 
 
 Soon after reaching there, an Indian woman issued 
 from a lodge and approached the chief. She was cov- 
 ered with blood, and, crying in the most piteous tones, 
 addressed the chief: "These are the men that killed 
 my son on Green River, and will you not avenge his 
 death ?" 
 
 She was almost naked, and, according to their cus- 
 tom when a near relative is slain, had inflicted wounds 
 all over her body in token of her deep mourning. 
 
 The chief, turning to the general, then said, 
 
 " The two men that were killed in your camp were 
 not Black Feet, but my own warriors ; they were good 
 horse-thieves, and brave men. One of them was a son 
 of this woman, and she is crying for his loss. Give 
 her something to make her cease her cries, for it an- 
 gers me to see her grief." 
 
JAMES 1*. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 79 
 
 re 
 in 
 
 « 
 
 The general clieerfully made lier a present of what 
 things he had at hand, to the value of about fifty dol- 
 lars. 
 
 '*Now," said the chief to the woman, **go to your 
 lodge and cease your crying." She went away seem- 
 ingly satisfied. 
 
 During the day two other Indians came to the en- 
 campment, and, displaying each a wound, said, " See 
 here what you white people have done to us ; you 
 shot us ; white people shoot good in the dark." 
 
 Tiiese were the two whom we had seen run away 
 after our night-discharge on the Green River. They 
 had been wounded by the other two men's sliot-guns, 
 ' it their wounds were not serious. Tliey said that 
 their intention had been to steal our horses, but our 
 eyes were too sharp for them. The general distrib- 
 uted some farther presents among these two men. 
 
 Happening to look among their numerous horses, 
 we recognized some that had been stolen from us at 
 the time the general was sick, previous to our discov- 
 ery of the Green River. 
 
 The general said to the chief, " I believe I see some 
 of my horses among yours." 
 
 *' Yes, we stole them from you." 
 
 " What did you steal my horses for ?" 
 
 *'I was tired with walking. I had been to fight 
 the Black Feet, and, coming back, would have called at 
 your camp ; you would have given me tobacco, but 
 that would not caiTy me. When we stole them they 
 were very poor ; they are now fat. We have plenty 
 of horses; you can take all that belong to you." 
 
 The chief then gave orders for them to deliver up 
 all the horses taken from our camp. They brought in 
 eighty-eight — all in excellent condition — and deliver- 
 
«0 
 
 ai:tohioorai'Hy of 
 
 ed them up to the general, wlio was overjoyed at their 
 recovery, for he had never expected to see his horses 
 
 again. 
 
 On our issuing from their camp, many of the In- 
 dians bore us company for two days, until we came to 
 a pass in the mountains called liad Pass, where we 
 encamped. Several of the party being out with their 
 guns searching for game, a man by the name of Hap- 
 tistc — not the boy — having a portion of a buffalo on 
 his horse, came across a small stream ilowing near the 
 trail, when he halted to get a drink. AVhilc stooping 
 to drink, a grizzly bear sprang uj)on him, and lacer- 
 ated him in a shocking manner. Passing that way, I 
 came across his dismounted horse, and, following his 
 tracks down to the river, discovered the poor fellow 
 with his head comj)letely flayed, and several danger- 
 ous wounds in various parts of his body. 1 quickly 
 gave the alarm, and procured assistance to carry him 
 to the camp. Soon after reaching the camp we heard 
 a great rush of horses, and, looking in the direction of 
 the noise, perceived a party of our half-breeds charging 
 directly toward our camp, and driving before them an- 
 other bear of enormous size. All the camp scatteretl 
 and took to trees. 1 was standing by the wounded man 
 at the time, and became so terrified that I hardly knew 
 whether I was standing on the ground or was in a 
 tree. I kept my eye on the bear, not supposing that 
 he would enter our camp ; but he held his course di- 
 rectly for me. I withdrew to look for a tree, but for 
 some reason did not climb. Every man was calling 
 to me, " To a tree, Jim ! to a tree !" but by this time 
 the bear was in camp, and the horsemen at his heels. 
 On his seeing the wounded man lying there all cover- 
 ed with blood, he nuidc a partial halt. T profited l>v 
 
 thci 
 
 jnjr 
 
 ins: 
 
 then 
 
.lAMES r. mX'KWOl'UTU. 
 
 «1 
 
 the incidont, and put a ball directly into his heart, kill- 
 ing liis bearship in.stantly. Tiic general fired at the 
 same moment, his ball also taking good etteet. 
 
 The next day we went through \*nu\ l*ass, carrying 
 our wounded companion on a liiter, who, notwithstand- 
 ing his dreadful wounds, recovered. On arriving at 
 the " liig Horn," as it is called there, we set about 
 preparing boats, which, after five days, were ready for 
 launching. There were far-trapj)ers with us, who, 
 having made a boat for themselves, went on in ad- 
 vance, intending to trap alojig down until wc should 
 overtake them. They accordingly started. When wc 
 went down wc found their boat and traps, which had 
 been broken, but no remains of the trappers. ]5y the 
 appearance of the ground, it was evident that the In- 
 dians had surprised and murdered them, and afterward 
 removed their bodies. Nothing else of conserpience 
 occurred during our run down the 15ig Horn and Yel- 
 low Stone to the junction of the latter with the 3Iis- 
 souri, thus running a distance of eight hundred miles 
 in our boats. 
 
 In cftecting a landing at the junction of these two 
 riverswe unfortunately sunk one of our boats, on board 
 of which were thirty pacKS of beaver-skins, and away 
 they went, floating down the current as rapidly as 
 though they had been live beavers. All was noise and 
 confusion in a minute, the general, in a perfect ferment, 
 shouting to us to save packs. All the swimmers 
 plunged in after them, and every pack was saved. The 
 noise 'e made attracted a strong body of U. S. troops 
 down to the river, who were encamped near the place, 
 and officers, privates, and musicians lined the shore. 
 They were under the command of (Jeneral Atkinson, 
 then negotiating a treaty with the Indians of that re- 
 
 1) t? 
 
82 
 
 AL'TOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 gion on behalf of tlic government. General Atkinson 
 and our general happened to be old acf[uaintances, and 
 when we had made every tiling snug and secure, wc 
 all went into camp, and freely indulged in festivities. 
 *' Hurrah for the Mountains I" rung through the camp 
 again and again. 
 
 The next morning we carried all our effects from the 
 boats to the encampment, and our hunters went out in 
 search of game. Not a day passed but we brougiit in 
 great quanties of buffalo, venison, mountain-sheep, etc. 
 Of the latter, we cauglit some very young ones alive, 
 one of which I presented to Lieutenant (now General) 
 Harney, which circumstance, I have no doubt, he still 
 bears in mind. 
 
 After a stay of about a week, General Atkinson 
 furnished us a boat of sufficient size to carry all our 
 effects, and, breaking up the encampment, afforded us 
 the pleasure of the company of all the troops under 
 his command — we, gentlemen mountaineers, traveling 
 as passengers. At our camping-places we very will- 
 ingly supplied the party with game. 
 
 At one of our encampments an amusing accident 
 occurred. AVe were out hunting buffalo, and had suc- 
 ceeded in wounding a bull, who, furious with his wound, 
 made, with the speed of lightning, directly for the camp, 
 leaving a cloud of dust in his track. The troops, per- 
 ceiving his approach, scattered in all directions as 
 though an avalanche was bursting upon them. On 
 went the buffalo, overturning tents, baggage, and guns 
 — leaping e\ery impediment that arrested his course ; 
 then, turning, he plunged into the river and gained 
 the opposite prairie, leaving more than a hundred sol- 
 diers scared half to death at his visitation. They cer- 
 tainly discharged their pieces at him, but, for all the 
 
 mj 
 old 
 
 ano 
 all 
 
 eral 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 8H 
 
 injury tlicy inflicted, he will probably live to a good 
 old age. 
 
 rival at Fort Clark 
 
 met with 
 
 Previous to our 
 another serious misadventure. The beat containing 
 all our general's eftects, running on a snag, immediate- 
 ly sunk. Again all our packs were afloat, and Gen- 
 eral Atkinson, witnessing the accident, ordered every 
 man overboard to save the peltry, himself setting the 
 example. In an instant, mount .incers, United States 
 officers and soldiers plunged in to the rescue. For- 
 tunately it was shoal water, not more than waist high, 
 and all was speedily saved. 
 
 General Atkinson related a difficulty he had had 
 witli the Crow nation in the course of a treaty with 
 them at Fort Clarke, on his way up the river. The 
 Crows, in a battle with the Black Feet, had taken a 
 half-breed woman and child, whom they had captured 
 on the Columbia River some time previously. Gen- 
 eral Atkinson ordered them to liberate the captives, 
 which they refused to do, saying that they had taken 
 them from their enemies, the Clack Feet, and that they 
 clearly belonged to them. The general persisted in 
 his demand, and the Indians refused to comply, even 
 oftbring to fight about the matter. The general de- 
 clined fighting that day, but desired them to come on 
 the morrow and he would be prepared. 
 
 The next ^lay the Indian force presented themsel v'^es 
 for the onset, they bringing a host of warriors. One 
 of the chiefs visited the military camp for a "talk." 
 He had an interview with jMajor O' Fallen, who or- 
 dered him to give up the captives or prepare to figlit. 
 The chief boastingly replied, through Rose, the inter- 
 preter, that the major's party was not a match for the 
 Crows; that he would whip his whole army. On 
 
84 
 
 AUTOBlOGKAPllY OF 
 
 this, the major, who was a pas.ionatc man, drew his 
 pistol and snapped it at tho chief's breast. It missed 
 fire, and lie then struek the Indian a violent blow on 
 the head with the weapon, inflicting a severe gash. 
 The chief made no resistance, but remained sullen. 
 When this occurrence reached the ears of the Indian 
 warriors, they became perfectly infuriated, and prepared 
 for an instant attack. General Atkinson paciticd them 
 through Rose, who was one of the best interpreters 
 ever known in the whole Indian country. During the 
 liubbub, the Indians spiked the general's guns with 
 wooden spikes, and stuffed them with grass. 
 
 Their principal chief, "Long I lair," then visited the 
 camp, and addressed the general : 
 
 " White Chief, the Crows liave never yet shed the 
 blood of the white peoj)le ; they have always treated 
 them like brothers. You have now shed the first 
 blood ; my people are angry, and we must fight." 
 
 The general replied, "Chief, I was told by my 
 liiond, the great Red-haired Chief, that the Crows were 
 a good people ; that they were our friends. We did 
 not come to iight the Crows ; we came as their friends." 
 
 "The Red-haired Chief I" exclaimed Long llair, in 
 astonishment; " arc you his peojjlc ?" 
 
 " Yes," replied the general. 
 
 "The Red-haired Chief is a great chief, and when 
 lie hears that you have shed the blood of a Crow, lie 
 will be angry, and punish }'ou for it. Go home," he 
 added," and tell the Red-haired Chief that you have 
 shed the blood of a Crow, and, though our people were 
 angry, we did not kill It is people. Tell him that you 
 saw Long Hair, the Crow chief, to whom he gave the 
 red plume many winters ago." 
 
 Long ILiir and Rose then went out and harangued 
 
 the wJ 
 
 womai 
 
 crai nil 
 
 and ai 
 
 liighly 
 
 The 
 
 Travel] 
 
 haired 
 
 .Mr. Ch 
 
 iio was 
 
 tile h'vji 
 
 to be a 
 
 lord ovc 
 
 The 1 
 
 again, m 
 
 still in c 
 
 ijook-ou 
 
 was a tr 
 
 ican Fur 
 
 major ni; 
 
 bear ibr i 
 
 him befor 
 
 v/ith a el 
 
 think hin 
 
 rious in 1 
 
 tion. Ill 
 
 literally t 
 
 We CO 
 
 ing on sh 
 tcllino* st( 
 
 o 
 
 free with 
 was grea 
 
JAMK.S P. I»i:CKWOi:UTII. 
 
 85 
 
 the warriorR, wlio imnicdiatcly withdrew, and soon the 
 woman and child were Lrouglit into camp. 'J'ho gen- 
 eral made them a j)resent of a great nnniber of guns, 
 and amnnmition in abundance, at which they were 
 liighly deliglited. 
 
 Tlie reader who has ])erused " I/nvis and Clarke's 
 TraveLs"' will please to understand that the " Jied- 
 liaired Chief" spoken of above was none other than 
 Mr. Clarke, whom the Crows almost worshiped while 
 he was among them, and who yet hold his name in 
 the highest veneration. ]Ie was considered by them 
 to be a great " medicine man," and they supposed Jiim 
 lord over the whole white race. 
 
 The loss of the boat being supplied, and all to rights 
 again, we continued our course down the Missouri, 
 still in company with the troops, until we reached Fort 
 Look-out, where we encamped for the night. There 
 was a trading-post at this fort, belonging to the Amer- 
 ican Fur Company, in charge of Major Pitcher. Tiic 
 major made General Ashley jiresent of a large grizzly 
 bear for a j)laything, and a pretty plaything we found 
 him before we were done with him. lie was made fast 
 •with a chain to the cargo-box on deck, and seemed to 
 think himself captain ; at any rate, he was more impe- 
 rious in his orders than a commodore on a forei<::u sta- 
 tion. lie would suiVer no one on deck, and seamed 
 literally to apply the poet's words to himself, 
 
 " I am monarch of all I survey, 
 
 My riylit there is none to dispute." 
 
 Wc continued our course down the river, encamp- 
 ing on shore every night. We had a jovial time of it, 
 telling stories, cracking jokes, and frequently making 
 free with Uncle Sam's " O be joyful," of which tiiere 
 was great plenty for the su])ply of rations to the 
 
86 
 
 AITTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 troops. The soldiers listened with astonishment to 
 the wild adventures of tlie mountaineers, and would, 
 in turn, engage our attention with recitals of their own 
 expedience. 
 
 At length wo arrived at Council Bluffs, where we 
 remained three days, feeling ourselves almost at home. 
 "VVc of course had a good time at the Bluffs, and the 
 three days passed in continual festivities. 
 
 Providing ourselves with a good boat, we bade adieu 
 to the troops, who stayed behind at the Blufis, and 
 continued our descent of the river. The current of 
 the Missouri is swift, but to our impatient minds a 
 locomotive would have seemed too tardy in removing 
 us from the scenes of hardship and privation we had 
 just gone through to the homes of our friends, our 
 sweethearts, our wives and little ones. 
 
 Those who reside in maritime places, and have wit- 
 nessed the hardy tars step ashore in their native land, 
 can form an adequate idea of the happy return of the 
 mountaineers from their wanderings on the Plains to 
 St.Louis, which is their great sea-port; or, if a pun is 
 admissible, I may perhaps say At^t'-port ; for there we 
 eea our old friends, there we see our fun and merri- 
 ment, and there we sometimes ^^see sights." 
 
 Arrived at St.Charles, twenty miles above St.Louis, 
 the general dispatched a courier to hii friends, Messrs, 
 Warndorf and Tracy, to inform them of his great suc- 
 cess, and that he would be in with his cargo the next 
 day about noon. 
 
 When we came in sight of the city we were saluted 
 by a piece of artillery, which continued its discharges 
 until we landed at tiie market-place. There were not 
 less than a thousand persons present, who hailed our 
 landing with shouts which deafened our ears. Those 
 
 who 
 
 heart; 
 
 crow( 
 
 never 
 
 ap])ro£ 
 
 crowd, 
 part o 
 1 couI( 
 ing thf 
 Our 
 ceivinir 
 afterno( 
 AVe ac( 
 our pay 
 to each 
 and my: 
 lars eaci 
 immedia 
 mountai; 
 pay was 
 our twer 
 no fartlu 
 conceal ( 
 room, tli( 
 cliose, an 
 next mor 
 Accord 
 and had c 
 ed with < 
 included i 
 called on 
 had "run 
 at his exf 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOIIRTII. 
 
 87 
 
 ted 
 
 res 
 
 lOt 
 
 )iir 
 )se 
 
 who had parents, brothers and sisters, wives or swcct- 
 lit'urts, met tiiem at the landing; and sucli a rushing, 
 crowding, puihng, hauling, weeping, and laughing I had 
 never before witnessed. Every one had learned our 
 approach by the courier. 
 
 3[y father, wlio had moved to St. Louis, was in the 
 crowd, and was overjoyed to see me. lie had lost a 
 part of his property by being surety for othor men, and 
 1 could see that age had left its traces uj)on him dur- 
 ing the little time that I had been absent. 
 
 Our cargo was soon landed and" stored, the men re- 
 ceiving information tiiat they would be paid oft' that 
 afternoon at the store of ^lessrs.Warndorf and Tracy. 
 We acccrdingly repaired thither in a body to receive 
 our pa3^ The full amount was counted out in silver 
 to each man, except three, namely. La lloche, Pellow, 
 and myself. To us the general gave twenty-live dol- 
 lars each, telling us he would sec us there again. I 
 immediately thought of my difficulty with him in the 
 mountains, and concluded that the remainder of my 
 pay was to be withheld on that account. We took 
 our twenty-five dollars each, and went away, asking 
 no farther questions, though we took no trouble to 
 conceal our thoughts. Before we left the counting- 
 room, the general told us to repair to any hotel we 
 chose, and have whatever we liked to call for until the 
 next morning, and he would pay the bill. 
 
 Accordingly, we all repaired to Le Barras's hotel, 
 and had a glorious time of it. The house was throng- 
 ed with our friends besides, who all felt tliemsclves 
 included in the general's hospitality. General Ashley 
 called on us the next morning, and, perceiving that we 
 had "run all night,'' told us to keep on another day 
 at his expense, adding that, if we wished to indulge in 
 
88 
 
 ALTOHKKJUArilV OK 
 
 a ride, he would pay for carriages. AVc profited by 
 liiri lilnt, and did not fail to take into our 2)arly a good 
 share of lasses and mountaineers. 
 
 The next morning the general again visited us, and, 
 seeing we were pretty soher, paid tiic bill (not a tri- 
 fling matter), and desired us to call on him at the store 
 at ten o'clock. AVe went as appointed, not knowing 
 yet how he would treat us. When wc were assem- 
 bled, he paid us our wages in full, made us a present 
 of three hundred dollars each, and desired us to pur- 
 chase a iirst-ratc suit of clothes each at his expense. 
 
 *' I give you this extra,*' he said, "for your faithful 
 services to me in the mountains ; for your watchful- 
 ness over my property and interest while there ; for 
 your kindness in caring foi me while sick and help- 
 less, carrying me when unr.ble to walk, and not leav- 
 ing me to perish in the camp alone." 
 
 I forgot to mention the disembarkation of Grizzly at 
 the proper time, but will do so here. After the peltry 
 was all landed and stored, the bear still occupied his 
 station. Hundreds were yet gazing at him, many of 
 whom had never seen one of the kind before. The 
 general said to me, 'SJames, how, under the sun, are 
 we to get that animal oft* the boat ?*' I, having a few 
 glasses of " artificial courage" to back me, felt exeecd- 
 inj.^ly valorous, and thought myself able to throw a 
 mill-stone across tlie Mississij)pi. Accordingly, I vol- 
 unteered to bring him ashore. I procured a light 
 stick, walked straight up to the boi-r, and, speaking 
 very sharp to him (as he had to us all the way down 
 the river), deliberately unfastened his chain. He look- 
 ed me in tlie eyes for a moment, and, giving a low 
 whine, drooped his head. J led him off the boat along 
 a staging ])ropared for the purpose, the crowd instantly 
 
 t-dlini 
 witlu 
 to tht 
 a niili 
 him 
 icaderl 
 Avas fc 
 rived 
 a])]jle- 
 l<'nL'"th 
 nie; tl 
 Ji.'ld 111 
 1 tlu 
 our ii-ei 
 liad sen 
 kind of 
 made la 
 The maj 
 looking , 
 bear, wh 
 that he 
 piggy lb] 
 TJic u 
 of Jiis /^<>i 
 of those 
 
'•^"K'< I'. i;ii(Kn(,iKTii. J,, 
 
 tailing back to a resnectC,,! ,I- , 
 
 "'■",-•" «ccid..„t, .i,c'g: . ,' ■; 7'^^- ^■•-"■■s i.i... 
 
 •0 Ih,. residence of M.^IT I ■"' "'" *" '™'' ''"" 
 
 ■'-K J..„i„ = ncn look . '' :T rr"'" '1" '"'^ 
 was follow nci- un .,f o , ? ? "** *^"^ crowd that 
 
 ;'l'i''-<ree ti.at^stooS'I: "" Tf ' '"^^^y «'-^t 'o :.. 
 '""c"; on,is chain, ,v],e, ]■„. , ,1 ^'i"^"'-^- «"' *» <'- 
 
 -<'e fct ,i,e boa; I T^ ^^ ^ '- -here I baj 
 
 '«kn,g at bin,, „ ,„„j, -^ ' "'• Wlnle we stood 
 l'ear,,vben(;,.i.zly<Ie. t ? ^ '*,'""' '" i'""" "«"■ «l'o 
 """ '» 'eft l.im'not a r.''''"" "■'■''' '"•^ 1«- 
 
})() 
 
 ALTOHKJUKAI'JIV <»K 
 
 ciLvrTER vni. 
 
 TTnexpccted Kctum to the Rocky Mountains. — Camp removed. — Final 
 Siicct'KH ill liiidin^ our party in itic MuuntaiiiR. — Joyful Meeting. — 
 HorseH Ktoleii by t);e Puii-iiak liitiians. — A iiuttlc, and six Indians 
 killed. — \Vc rcfapturc our Horses. 
 
 I irAl) been in St. Louis only one week, when Gen. 
 Asiiley came to me, and desired me to return to the 
 mountains immediately, to carry dispatches to Mr. W. 
 L. Sul)let, captain of the trappers, and ottering me tlic 
 magnificent sum of one thousand dollars for the trip. 
 I consented to go ; La Roche and Pellow were to ac- 
 company me. A journey to the mountains was then 
 called two thousand miles, through a country consid- 
 ered dangerous even for an army. 1 left 8t. Louis 
 this time with extreme reluctance. It is a severe trial 
 to leave one's friends ; but the grief of separating from 
 father and all other relatives sank into insigniticance 
 when contrasted with the misery of separating from 
 one in particular — one in whom all my aftections were 
 reposed, and upon whom all my hopes of the future 
 were concentrated. The contemplation of the anguish 
 I was about to inflict by the announcement filled my 
 heart with sorrow. One week more, and the happy 
 event that would make one of two loving hearts would 
 have been consummated. 
 
 The general's business was urgent, and admitted of 
 no delay ; after I had engaged, not a day, scarcely an 
 hour was to be lost. The thousand dollars I was to 
 receive looked large in my eyes ; and that, added to 
 what I already possessed, would the better prepare me 
 
 for a 
 the 
 mere 
 forme 
 1 
 
JAMES r. nErKWOI'KTIl. 
 
 in 
 
 ikl 
 
 of 
 
 ian 
 
 to 
 
 to 
 
 »e 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 for a matrimonial voyage. I comforted myself with 
 tlic rcHection that my services were conrined to the 
 mere delivering of the dispatches ; that service per- 
 formed, 1 was free to return immediately. 
 
 1 bid my aged father farewell — it was the last time 
 I saw him. To my other IVicnds 1 said ciicerfully au 
 nroi/; expecting to rctnvn to tiiem shortly. 
 
 IJiit my greatest conflict was to come. I had en- 
 countered perils, privation, and faced death itself; I 
 had fouglit savages and the wild beasts of the mount- 
 ains ; but to a})proach thiii tender lieart, tiiat had been 
 aHianced to my own for years, unmaimed me. That 
 heart that was then so light, so buoyant with hope, so 
 full of confidence in the future, that 1 must plunge in 
 utter darkness by the intelligence that in a few short 
 hours 1 nmst leave her I (Jould 1 have communicated 
 it to her by fighting a score of Indians, how nmch my 
 2)ain would have been mitigated I Hut time was ur- 
 gent, and the sacred obligation to the lady nmst be 
 performed. 
 
 1 called on my sweetheart ; she looked more love- 
 ly than ever. She remarked my troubled looks. 
 "James," she said, "you look saddened; what is the 
 matter? Arc yo a unwell?" 
 
 *' No, Eliza, I am well ; but—" 
 
 " But what, James ? What has happened ? Speak ! " 
 
 Knowing that I had no time for delay, I felt it my 
 duty to break the news to her at once. 
 
 " ^ly dear girl," I said, " I have loved you long and 
 ardently. I have waited to see if the affection which 
 you shared with me in childhood would stand the 
 proof of maturer years. Wc are now both matured in 
 years, and are capable of judging our own hearts. 
 Through all my sufferings and dangers, my devotion 
 
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 to you has grown with my growth and strcngtlicncd 
 V ith my strength. Wc have decided on the day for 
 our indissoluble union. 13ut, Eliza, I am yet young ; 
 my means of supporting you as 1 could wish are in- 
 adequate. I have just received a very tempting offer 
 from General Ashley." 
 
 "What to do, James?" 
 
 " He offers me one thousand dollars to carry dis- 
 patches to the mountains, which admits of my imme- 
 diate return." 
 
 "And are you going?" 
 
 " Tliat is what 1 have come to inform you, Eliza. 
 Understand my motive — it is solely to obtiin the 
 means to enable us to start the fairer in life." 
 
 " I care not for money, James," she said, bursting 
 into a Hood of tears. 
 
 My lieart sought relief from its overcharged feeling 
 in the same way. I left her amid her sobs, promising 
 to make a speedy return, and that we would part no 
 more till death should separate us. 
 
 The general had furnished us with two good saddle- 
 horses each, and one stout nnile to carry our bedding. 
 We mounted, and, leaving St. Louis, were soon some 
 miles on our journey. We proceeded up the ^lissouri 
 liiver, left the last white settlement, and issued out 
 into the wilderness. We proceeded wiili the utmost 
 caution ; always halting before dark, we built a fire and 
 ate our sup})er ; then moving on farther to a secure 
 camping-p]ace, we lit no fire, to avoid attracting the 
 Indians to us. On arriving at the forks of the Platte, 
 we held a council, and resolved to follow up the north 
 branch to its source, tliencc cross over to Green River, 
 thus striking it mucli higher up tjvin we had ever been 
 on tliat stream before. We proceeded accordingly — 
 
.JAMi:« r. HKCKWOI'UTII. 
 
 iKi 
 
 Here wc found a parly belonging to 
 Winter was now beginnino; 
 
 crossed (.Irccn River, and held our course to the head 
 
 of Salt Kiver. 
 
 tlie generaFs company. 
 
 to set in, and it was time for the whole company to go 
 
 into winter quarters. As nearly as 1 can recollect, 
 
 this was the end of October, 1823. 
 
 A place of rendezvous had been previously agreed 
 upon, and as it Avas certain that the various parties 
 would soon assemble, 1 concluded to proceed to the 
 rendezvous, and wait the arrival of Sublet, for the de- 
 livery of my dispatches, rather tiian undertake a search 
 for him in the mountain wilderness. I and my com- 
 panions, therefore, continued with the party until we 
 reached the rendezvous. The parlies, one after the 
 other, came slowly in, and Sublet's was the last to 
 arrive. It was now too late for me to return, and I 
 had no alternative but to wait until spring. 
 
 Our present rendezvous was in Cache Valley, but 
 Sublet gave orders for all to remove to Salt Lake, 
 which was but a few miles distant, and then go into 
 winter quarters. We accordingly moved to the mouth 
 of "Weaver's Fork," and established ourselves there. 
 When all were collected together for the winter, our 
 community numbered from six to seven hundred souls 
 (from two to three hundred consisting of women and 
 children), all strong and healthy as bears, and all hav- 
 ing experienced very good success. 
 
 Shortly after we had become well settled down, we 
 had the misfortune to lose about eighty horses, stolen 
 one dark, stormy night by the Pitn-naA's^ a tribe in- 
 habiting the head v,aters of the Columbia River. On 
 missing them the next day, we formed a party of about 
 forty men, and followed their trail on foot — the ground 
 was covered with snow at the time. E volunteered 
 
94 
 
 ALTOBlOGliAi'HV OF 
 
 with the rest, although fortunately my horses were not 
 among the missing. After a pursuit of five days we 
 arrived at one of their villages, where we saw our 
 own horses among a number of others. We then 
 divided our forces, Fitzpatrick taking command of one 
 party, and a James Bridger of the other. 
 
 The plan resolved upon was as follows : Fitzpatrick 
 was to charge the Indians, and cover Bridger's party, 
 while they stampeded all 4;he horses they could get 
 away with. I formed one of Captain Bridger's party, 
 this being the first affair of the kind I had ever wit- 
 nessed. Every thing being in readiness, we rushed in 
 upon the horses, and stampeded from two to three 
 hundred, Fitzpatrick at the same time engaging the 
 Indians, who numbered from three to four hundred. 
 The Indians recovered a great number of the horses 
 from us, but we succeeded in getting off with the num- 
 ber of our own missing, and forty head besides. In 
 the engagement, six of the enemy were killed and scalp- 
 ed, while not one of our party received a scratch. The 
 horses we had captured were very fine ones, and >ur 
 return to the camp was greeted with the liveliebL :<m- 
 onstrations. 
 
 We found, on our return from the above marauding 
 expedition, an encampment of Snake Indians, to the 
 number of six hundred lodges, comprising about two 
 thousand five hundred warriors. They had entirely 
 surrounded us with their encampments, adding very 
 materially to our present population. They were per- 
 fectly friendly, and we apprehended no danger from 
 their proximity. It appears this was their usual re- 
 sort for spending the winter ; and, after pitching their 
 lodges, which are composed of skins, they proceeded to 
 build a large " medicine lodge." 
 
 T 
 
 Pari 
 
 ymo^ 
 
 Testj 
 
 ocraci 
 
 drear 
 
 not 
 
JAMES r. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 95 
 
 
 ir 
 io 
 
 The word medicine (or, as they call it, Barchk- 
 Parehk) signifies a prophet or dreainer, and is synon- 
 ymous with the word prophet as employed in the Old 
 Testament. The Indian form of government is a the- 
 ocracy, and the viedicine inan is the high-priest. His 
 dreams or prophecies are sacred ; if his predictions are 
 not verified in the result, the fault is with themselves ; 
 tliey had disregarded some of his instructions. When 
 by accident his dreams are exactly verified, their con- 
 fidence in their prophet exceeds all belief. The " med- 
 icine lodge" is the tabernacle of the wilderness, the 
 habitation of the Great Spirit, the sacred ark of their 
 faith. 
 
 Our long residence with the Snake tribe afforded us 
 an excellent opportunity of acquainting ourselves with 
 the domestic character of the Indians. They often 
 invited us into their medicine lodge to witness their 
 religious ceremonies and listen to their prophcsyings. 
 The name of the old prophet was 0-mo-gua^ which in 
 English means woman's dress. One evening he de- 
 livered a prophecy for us. 
 
 "I can see," said he, "white people on. Big Shell 
 (Platte River) ; I see them boring a hole in a red 
 bucket; I see them drawing out medicine water (whis- 
 ky); I see them fighting each other; but Fate (Sublet) 
 has gone down on the other side of the river : he does 
 not see them. He has gone to the white lodges. 
 Where are you going ?" 
 
 *' We are going," answered Fitzpatrick, " to trap on 
 Bear Head and the other small streams in the country 
 of the Black Feet." 
 
 "No," said the prophet, "you will go to Sheep 
 Mountain ; there you will find the y'.now so deep that 
 you can not pass. You will then go down Port Neif 
 
90 
 
 Al'T(JJUO(;JlAI*IIV OF 
 
 to 8nako Ttlvcr. If you arc fortunate you \vlll dis- 
 cover the IJluck Feet before tliey sec yon, and you will 
 beat tlieni. If tliey discover you lirst, tliey ^vill rul) 
 you all out — kill you all. J>ad Hand (Fitzpatriek), L 
 tel) you there is blood in your path this grass. If 
 you beat the ]51aek Feet, you will retrace your steps 
 and go to Bear Kiver, whose water you will follow un- 
 til you come to Sage River. 'J'here you will meet two 
 white men who will give you news." 
 
 To return to my narrative: ^Ir. Sublet, having left 
 the camp in con)])any Avilh my old companion, ]\lr. 
 Harris, before we returned, had left a letter of instruc- 
 tions for Fitzpatrick, desiring him to remove our camp 
 as early in the spring as possible back to Cache \'al- 
 ley, and to repair to Weaver's Lake, where he would 
 rejoin him. Sublet and Harris had parted for St. 
 Ijouis, which they reached in safety after a journey in 
 mid- winter. 
 
 Wc spent the winter very comfortably, rnd at the 
 opening of spring we all moved — whites and Indians 
 — back to Cache Valley. Soon after we arrived we 
 commenced digging caches to secure seventy-five packs 
 of beaver-skins in the possession of our party. While 
 di2:2;ina: a cache in the bank, the earth caved in, killing; 
 two of our party, who were Canadians. The Indians 
 claimed the privilege of burying them, which ceremony 
 they performed by hoisting them up in trees. This 
 has ever been the method of disposing of the dead 
 with most, if not all, of the Rocky ]\Iountain tribes. 
 The body is securely wrapped in blankets and robes 
 fastened wntli thongs, in which are inclosed the war 
 implements, pipes, and tobacco of the deceased. If 
 he had been a warrior, his war-horse is killed and bur- 
 ied, together with his saddle and other implements, at 
 the foot of the same tree. 
 
JAMEH i\ HECKWOriiTH. 
 
 9; 
 
 c 
 
 One more accid iit occurred, wliich at first occasion- 
 ed us considerable alarm, bctbre wc quitted Cache Val- 
 ley on our excursion. One of our men was out hunt- 
 ing, and coming across an antelope, as he supposed, 
 lired at the animal's head, and killed it. On going to 
 cut the animal's throat, to his surprise he found he had 
 killed one of the Snake Indians, who had put on this 
 disguise to decoy the antelopes near him. This was 
 an accident that we deeply lamented, as the Snakes 
 were very friendly toward us. Before the Indians dis- 
 covered the accident, we held a council, and resolved 
 to make a precipitate retreat, as we felt very distrust- 
 ful of the consequences. While we were preparing to 
 start, tiie chief came among us, and was greatly sur- 
 prised at our sudden departure, especially as we had 
 given him no previous notice. Wc excused ourselves 
 by saying we were going to engage in hunting and 
 trapping. lie then asked what ailed us, saying we all 
 looked terrified, and wished to know what had hap- 
 pened. Fitzpatrick at length told him what had taken 
 place, and how it came to pass. 
 
 " Oh,*' said the chief, " if that is what you are alarm- 
 ed at, take off your packs and stay. The Indian war 
 a fool to use a decoy when he knew the antelope came 
 into the sage every day, and that the white men shoot 
 all they see." 
 
 He then made a speech to his warriors, telling them 
 vrhat had happened, and ordered some of his men to 
 bring in the dead Indian. Then turning to us, he 
 said, "You and the Snakes are brothers; we are all 
 friends ; we can not at all times guard against accident. 
 You lost two of your warriors in the bank, the Snakes 
 have just lost one. Give me some red cloth to wrap 
 up the bod v. We will bury the fallen brave." 
 
 E 
 
\)H 
 
 AUTOBIUGKAPHY OF 
 
 \Vc gave the chief a scarlet blanket, as he had de- 
 sired, and all was well again. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Company removes from Cache Valley on a Hunting and Trapping 
 Excursion. — Discovery of a Band of Black Feet. — A Battle ensues 
 with them. — Description of the Battle. — Return to Rendezvous. — 
 Fulfillment of the Medicine Chief's Prophecy. 
 
 The peltry and other things not required in our 
 expedition being all safely cached^ our whole party — 
 numbering- two hi.ndrcd and fifty, besides women and 
 children — left Cache Valley for the country of the 
 Black Feet, expecting to make a profitable liunt. I had 
 engaged to the J^'ur Company for the spring hunt for the 
 sum of five hundred dollars, with the privilege of tak- 
 ing for servant the widow of one of the men who had 
 been killed in the bank. She was of light complexion, 
 smart, trim and active, and never tired \^ her efforts to 
 please me, she seeming to think that she belonged to 
 me for the remainder of her life. I had never had a 
 servant before, and I found her of great service to me 
 in keeping my clothes in repair, making my bed, and 
 taking care of my weapons. 
 
 "VYe kept on till we came to Sheep-horn Mountain, 
 but, finding it impassable for the snow, we changed our 
 course, and proceeded down the Port Neif until we ar- 
 rived at its junction with the Snake River, one of the 
 main branches of the Columbia. No trappers having 
 preceded us on the Port Neif, we met with excellent 
 success all the way to the junction, a course which oc- 
 cupied us three weeks. An advanced party arriving at 
 the junction before the main body came up, immediate- 
 
 ly u 
 Sna 
 wJio 
 force 
 hunt 
 fifty 
 polio 
 we kc 
 ccivc( 
 tliem, 
 No 
 selves 
 our ca 
 side, 
 knew 
 their i 
 determ 
 being 
 watch 1 
 stantly 
 were al 
 could s 
 entertai 
 conside: 
 strong I 
 could e: 
 At d£ 
 dians! t 
 ing, we 
 stolen, n 
 cry then 
 them do' 
 and six ( 
 ^y scalpe 
 
JAMES r. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 99 
 
 a 
 
 ly upon landing discovered Indians coming down the 
 Snake River. Tliey "were not perceived by the Indians, 
 who were as yet at a considerable distance. Our whole 
 force was soon prepared to meet them. Leaving one 
 hundred men in camp, the remaining one hundred and 
 iifty marched up the river, keeping in the timber ; our 
 policy being to retain our foes in the open prairie, while 
 we kept the protection of the woods. At last they per- 
 ceived us ; but, seeing that we had the advantage of 
 them, they made signs of great friendship. 
 
 Not wishing to be the aggressors, we contented our- 
 selves with observing the enemy, and retired toward 
 our camp, without any hostile demonstration on cither 
 side. Seeing signal-smokes arising on every side, we 
 knew an attack on our little band was meditated by 
 their thousands of moanted warriors. We therefore 
 determined on a retreat as the safest course. There 
 being many Indians about our camp, it required a strict 
 watch to be maintained, every man having his gun con- 
 stantly in hand, and the priming well looked to. We 
 were able to convers(\ with them, as many of our men 
 could speak their language ; but they still pretended to 
 entertain toward us feelings of the "most distinguished 
 consideration." We encamped that night, keeping a 
 strong guard, and saw all around us, as far as the eye 
 could extend, numerous signal-fires. 
 
 At daylight one of our men shouted, " Stop the In- 
 dians ! stop the Indians ! My rope is cut ! " On look- 
 ing, we found that three of our best horses had been 
 stolen, notwithstanding our unceasing vigilance. The 
 cry then passed around, " The ropes are cut ! Shoot 
 them down ! shoot them down !" Rifles began to crack, 
 and six of the Indians fell, five of whom were instant- 
 ly scalped (for the scalps are taken off with greater ease 
 
luo 
 
 AirOBlUUJiAl'HY UF 
 
 while the Lodies arc warm) ; ami tlic remaining Indian, 
 luivino-crawlt.'d into the river aitcr rcceivinii; his wound, 
 his scalp was lost. ( )nc of their chiefs was among tlic 
 slain. He was shot in our camp before he had time 
 to make his retreat with the others, who all ran as soon 
 as our camp was alarmed. 
 
 iS'ot a moment was then to be lost. \N e knew that 
 their signal-llres would cover the whole prairie with 
 savages, for we were in the very heart of their country. 
 J'acking up, in a few minutes we were on the retreat, 
 which we })ressed all day. We encamped the same 
 night, as the Indians did not see fit to follow us. 
 
 Soon after this occurrence a party of fur-trappers, 
 consisting of twelve men, under the charge of one Lo- 
 gan, left our com])any to try their fortune, but were 
 never heard of afterward. Every exertion Avas subse- 
 quently made to obtain some clew to the cause of their 
 disap2)earancc, but nothing was ever learned of them. 
 Beyond doubt, they fell victims to the treachery of the 
 J^lack Feet. 
 
 Our party continued trapping up the Port Neif until 
 we came to Sheep ^lountain, which we passed without 
 ditticulty, the snow having by this time disappeared. 
 We proceeded on to ]5ear Kiver, and continued trap- 
 ping upon that stream and its tributaries until we 
 reached Sage River, where, very unexpectedly, and to 
 our utter surprise, we met "two white men," Black 
 Harris and my old friend Portuleuse. 
 
 This verification of the prediction of the old chief 
 was, to say the least, a remarkable coincidence, and 
 one not easily accounted for. 
 
 Our two friends informed us that they were from St. 
 Louis, and had left General Ashley and Sublet but a 
 short distance in the rear. We took up our traps and 
 
.lAMKH r. IU;(KW01I1 "H. 
 
 101 
 
 moved immediately to Weaver Tiakc, and formed a ren- 
 dezvous to wait the arrival of the general and Sublet. 
 
 While resting there, a party of sixteen Flat Heads 
 came to our camp, and informed us that there were 
 tliirty wliite men, with women and children, encamped 
 on a creek twelve or iifteen miles distant. I'iiey stated 
 that the party had twenty-six guns, Imt that their ani- 
 numition was expended. Having some splendid hors- 
 es, in the very Lest condition, I proposed to go and take 
 them some ammunition, in the event of their having 
 need ibr it on their way to our camp. IVovo, Jarvey, 
 and myself mounted three of our llcctcst steeds, and 
 found the party in camp. As we had expected, we 
 found they were Campbell's party, among whom were 
 many of our personal friends. They had met with 
 very good fortune in their cnii.s(\ and had lost none of 
 their men. Wc encamped with them that night, and 
 escorted them to the rendezvous the next day. 
 
 On our way to the rendezvous we heard singing in 
 our rear, and, looking in the direction of the noise, we 
 discovered a party of five hundred mounted Indians 
 coming directly toward us. " Flat Heads ! Flat 
 Heads !" was shouted; and, believin'g them to be such, 
 I and my two friends wheeled to go and meet them. 
 Approaching within a short distance, to our horror and 
 surprise we discovered they were Black Feet — a tribe 
 who prize white scalps very highly. Wishing to take 
 us all together, probably, they ordered us back — an 
 order we obeyed with alacrity, and we speedily gave 
 the alarm. Placing the women and children in ad- 
 van'*-'., and directing them to make all speed to a patch 
 of willows six miles in front, and there to secure them- 
 selves, we formed to hold the Indians in check. The 
 w^omen made good time, considering the jaded state of 
 
102 
 
 AI'TOniOGRAPnY OF 
 
 their animals, for they were all accustomed to liorse- 
 back-riding. 
 
 By this time the Indians had commenced charging 
 upon us, not so furiously as was their wont, but they 
 doubtless considered tiieir prey sure, and, farther, did 
 not care to come into too close proximity to our rifles. 
 Situated as we were, it was impossible for them to 
 surround us, for we had a lake on one side and' a 
 mountain on the other. They knew, however, that 
 we must emerge into the open country, where their 
 chance of attack would be improved. When they ap- 
 proached too near, we used our rifles, and always with 
 eftect ; our Avomen the mean while urging on their an- 
 imals with all the solicitude of mothers, who knew that 
 capture was certain death to their oft'spring. 
 
 The firing continued between botli parties during 
 the whole time uf our retreat to the willows ; in fact, 
 it was a running tight through the whole six miles. 
 On the way wc lost one man, who was quite old. lie 
 might have saved himself by riding to the front, and ] 
 repeatedly urged him to do so, telling him that ho 
 could not assist us ; but he refused even to spur on 
 his horse when the Indians made their charges. 1 
 tarried with liim, urging liim on, until I found it would 
 be certain death to delay longer. My horse had 
 scarcely made three leaps in advance when I heard 
 him cry, *'OhGod, I am wounded!" Wheeling my 
 horse, I called on my companions to save him. I re- 
 turned to him, and found an arrow trembling in his 
 back. I jerked it out, and gave his horse several blows 
 to quicken his pace ; but the poor old man reeled and 
 fell from his steed, and the Indians were upon him in 
 a moment to tear ofl* his scalp. This delay nearly 
 cost two more Hves, for myself nnd Jarvey were sur- 
 
 roun( 
 
 yells 
 
 clianc 
 
 bank 
 
 One 1 
 
 <lirect 
 
 into tl 
 
 order 
 
 conipc 
 
 Indian 
 
 caping 
 
 tllOUffll 
 
 around 
 more fi 
 very si 
 were si 
 Atl( 
 lion lia 
 as lonir 
 
 c 
 gone, w 
 
 ten tim 
 
 quarter' 
 
 Eroqi 
 tlie won 
 riod," h 
 in 2)rotc 
 memory 
 
 Sixtc' 
 ing the 
 led the ( 
 two rani 
 every th 
 liorse W£ 
 a. throng 
 
.lA^^IES P. BECKWOIRTH. 
 
 Km 
 
 rounded with the Jilack Feet, and tlicir triumphant 
 yells told us they felt certain of their prey. Our only 
 chance of escape was to leap a slough liftccn feet from 
 hank to hank, which we vaulted over at full speed. 
 r)nc Indian followed us, but he was shot in the hack 
 directly ujjon reaching the hank, and hack he rolled 
 into the ditch. AVe passed on around the slough in 
 order to join our companions, hut in doing so were 
 compelled to charge directly through a solid rank of 
 Indians. AVc passed with the rapidity of j)igcons, es- 
 caping without any damage to ourselves or horses, al- 
 though a shower of arrows and hullcts whistled all 
 around us. As we progressed, their charges became 
 more frequent and daring ; our ammunition now grew 
 very short, and we never used a chaigc without we 
 were sure of its paying for itself. 
 
 At length we gained the willows. If our ammuni- 
 tion had been plenty, we Avould have fought them here 
 as long as they might have wished. Wlien all was 
 gone, what were wc to do with an enemy more than 
 ten times our number, who never grants or receives 
 quarter? 
 
 Eroquey proposed one bold charge for the sake of 
 the women and children. " Let us put our trust in 
 God," he exclaimed, "and if we arc to die, let us fall 
 in protecting the defenseless. They will honor our 
 memory for the bravery they witnessed." 
 
 Sixteen of us accordingly mounted our horses, leav- 
 ing the remainder to hold out to the last. Eroquey 
 
 led the charge. 
 
 In our fierce onset wc broke through 
 
 two ranks of mounted Indians, killing and overturning 
 (^-very thing in our way. Unfortunately, my beautiful 
 horse was killed in his tracks, leaving me alone amid 
 11 throng of Indians. I was wounded with an arrow 
 
104 
 
 AUTOBIOC+KAPHV OF 
 
 in the head, the scar of which, with many other wounds 
 received since, I shall cany to my grave. My boy 
 Baptiste, seeing my danger, called upon his comrades 
 to assist him to save his brother. They charged a 
 second time, and the Indians who surrounded me were 
 driven back. At that moment Baptiste rode up to me ; 
 [ sprang on the saddle behind him, and retreated in 
 safety to the willows. The foe still pressed us sore- 
 ly, but their shots produced little effect except to cut 
 off the twigs of the bushes which formed our hiding- 
 place ; as for charging in upon us, they showed some 
 disinclination. 
 
 To hold out much loiU^er was impossible. Imme- 
 diate assistance must be had, and it coi'ld come from 
 no other place than our camp. To risk a message 
 there seemed to subject the messenger to inevitable 
 death; yet the ilsk must bo encountered by some 
 one. " Who'll go ? who'll go ?'* was asked on all sides. 
 I was wounded, but not severely; and, at a time so 
 pressing, I hardly knew that I was wounded at all. 
 I ft^id, "Give me a swift horse, and I will try to force 
 my way. Do not think I am anxious to leave you in 
 your perilous position." 
 
 "You will run the greatest risk," said they. "But 
 if you go, take the best horse." 
 
 Campbell then said that two had better go, for there 
 might be a chance of one living to reach the camp. 
 Calhoun volunteered to accompany me, if he had his 
 choice of horses, to which no one raised any objection. 
 Disrobing ourselves, then, to the Indian costume, and 
 tying a handkerchief round our heads, we mounted 
 horses as fleet as the wind, and bade the little band 
 adieu. ' ' God bless you ! " shouted the men ; the wom- 
 en cried, " The Great Spirit preserve you, my friends." 
 
.lAMKH 1'. BE(JKVVOi:UTII. 
 
 105 
 
 u 
 
 id 
 
 \d 
 d 
 
 Again we dashed tlirough the ranks of the foe be- 
 fore they had time to comprehend our movement. The 
 balls and arrows flew around us like hail, but we es- 
 caped uninjured. Some of the Indians darted in pur- 
 suit of us, but, seeing they could not overtake us, 
 returned to their ranks. Our noble steeds seemed to 
 fully understand the importance of the mission they 
 were going on. When about five miles from the 
 camp we saw a party of our men approaching us at a 
 slow gallop. We halted instantly, and, taking our 
 saddle-blankets, signaled to them first for haste, and 
 then that there was a fight, l^erceiving this, one man 
 wheeled and returned to the camp, while the others 
 quickened their pace, and were with us in a moment, 
 although they were a mile distant when we made the 
 signal. There were only sixteen, bat on they rushed, 
 eager for the fray, and still more eager to save our 
 friends from a horrible massacre. They all turned out 
 from the camp, and soon the road was lined with men, 
 all hurrying along at the utmost speed of the animals 
 they bestrode. My companion and I returned with 
 the first party, and, breaking once more through the 
 enemy' ^ line, rode back into the willows, amid the 
 cheert. of our companions and the loud acclamations 
 of the women and children, who now breathed more 
 freely again. The Indians were surprised at seeing a 
 re-enforcement, and their astonishment was increased 
 when they saw a whole line of men coming to our as- 
 sistance. They instantly gave up tlie battle and com- 
 menced a retreat. We followed them about two miles, 
 until we came to the body of Bolliere — the old man 
 that had been slain ; we then returned, bringing his 
 mangled remains with us. 
 
 On our siae we lost four men killed and seven 
 
 E 2 
 
100 
 
 yVL'TOBIOURAPlIV Ol' 
 
 wounded. Not a woman or child was injured. From 
 the enemy wc took seventeen scalps, most of them 
 near the willows ; those that we killed on the road we 
 could not stop for. We were satisfied they had more 
 than a hundred slain ; but as they always carry off 
 their dead, we could not ascertain the exact numhcr. 
 Wc also lost two packs of heavers, a icw packs of 
 meat, together with some valuable horses. 
 
 After attending to our wounded, we all proceeded 
 to camp, where the scalp-danco was j)erformed by all 
 the half-breeds and women, many of the mountaineers 
 taking part in the dance. The battle lasted live hours, 
 and never in my whole life had I run such danger of 
 losing my life and scalp. I now began to deem my- 
 self Indian-proof, and to think I never should be kill- 
 ed by them. 
 
 The reader will wonder how a contest could last 
 that length of time when there were but thirty to op- 
 pose live hundred men, and we not meet with a great- 
 er loss. Jt is accounted for by the Indian mode of 
 warfare. The Indian is a poor marksman with a gun, 
 more especially on horseback, and, to kill with their ar- 
 rows, they must be near their mark. They often shoot 
 their arrows when their horse is in full speed, and, 
 unless they arc very near their object, they seldom 
 take effect. When tney hunt the buffalo, their horses 
 arc trained to keep by the side of their destined victim 
 until the arrow is discharged ; then springing directly 
 away, he escapes the charge of the infuriated animal, 
 which becomes dangerous as soon as wounded. Un- 
 like the Indians, we seldom discharged our guns unless 
 sure of our man, for we had no ammunition to waste. 
 
 Our victory was considered, under the circumstances, 
 a glorious one, and all who participated in the battle 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 lu^ 
 
 our comjtanions laudcjcl to the skies. The women, too, 
 liiiilcd us as the " bravest of the Lravc," knowing that 
 we liad preserved them from a captivity to wliieh death 
 were preferable. 
 
 Two days after the battle wc were again rejoined by 
 our friends, the Snakes, to the number of four thou- 
 sand. They all took part in our scalp-dance, and such 
 a scene of rejoicing as wc held has seldom been wit- 
 nessed in the mountains. They deeply lamented that 
 they had not come in season to take part in the battle, 
 so that not one of the Black Feet coul 1 have escaped. 
 Their wishes for battle, however, were soon after grat- 
 ified. 
 
 The absent parties began to arrive, one after the 
 other, at the rendezvous. Shortly after. General Ash- 
 ley and Mr. Sublet came in, accompanied with three 
 hundred pack mules, well laden with goods and all 
 things necessary for the mountaineers and the Indian 
 trade. It may well be supposed that the arrival of 
 such a vast amount of luxuries from the East did not 
 pass off without a general celebration. Mirth^ songs, 
 dancing, shouting, trading, running, jumping, singing, 
 racing, target-sliooting, yarns, frolic, with all sorts of 
 extravagances that white men or Indians could invent, 
 were freely indulged in. The unpacking of the med- 
 icine water contributed not a little to the heightening 
 of our festivities. 
 
 We had been informed by Harris, previous to the 
 arrival of the general, that General Ashley had sold 
 out his interest in the mountains to Mr. Sublet, em- 
 bracing all his properties and possessions there. He 
 now intended to return to St. Louis, to enjoy the for- 
 tune he had amassed by so much toil and suffering, 
 and in which he had so largely shared in person. 
 
lub 
 
 ACTOBUHiRAiHY Ob' 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Great Battle with the Black Feet. — Departure of General Ashley. — 
 His Farewell Speech to the Mountaineers. — Removal of our Ren- 
 dezvous. — Peace between the Flat Heads and Black Feet. — Trad- 
 ing-post at their Village. — I become Son-in-law to the Black Foot 
 Chief. — Trouble in the Family. — Wife punished for Disobedience 
 — Troubled Waters finally stilled. 
 
 Two days after the arrival of the general, the tocsin 
 again sounded through our whole camp, " The Black 
 Feet! the Black Feet !" On they came, making the 
 very earth tremble with the tramp of their fiery war- 
 horses. In their advance they surprised three men 
 and two women belonging to the Snakes, who were 
 out some distance from camp, gathering roots. The 
 whole five were instantly overtaken, killed, and scalped. 
 
 As soon as the alarm was given, the old prophet 
 came to our camp, and, addressing Mr. Sublet, said, 
 
 "Cut Face, three of my warriors and two women 
 have just been killed by the Black Feet. You say 
 that your warriors can fight — that they are great 
 braves. Now let me see them fight, that I may know 
 your words are true." 
 
 Sublet replied, "You shall see them fight, and then 
 you will know that they are all braves — that I have no 
 cowards among my men, and that we are all ready to 
 die for our Snake friends." 
 
 "Now, men," added he, turning to us, -'I want ev- 
 ery brave man to go and fight these Black Feet, and 
 whip them, so that the Snakes may see that we can 
 light, and let us do oui- best before them as a warning 
 
 to 
 w 
 
JAMES 1*. BECKWOirKTH. 
 
 10^) 
 
 lo 
 
 to them. E-emembcr, I want none to join in this battle 
 who are not brave. Let all cowards remain in camp." 
 
 Every man was impatient to take part ; but, seeing 
 that his camp would be deserted and his goods ex- 
 posed, he detained quite a number, as well to guard 
 the goods as to keep the general company, he not wish- 
 ing to take part in the battle. 
 
 There were over three hundred trappers mounted in 
 .1 few moments, who, with Captain Sublet at their head, 
 charged instantly on the enemy. The Snake wamors 
 were also on hand, thirsting to take vengeance on the 
 Black Feet for the five scalps of their friends. After 
 retreating before us about five miles, they formed in a 
 place of great security, in a deep hollow on the border 
 of the lake. At our arrival, the battle recommenced 
 in good earnest. We and our allies fought them for 
 about six hours, they certainly displaying great in- 
 trepidity, for they would repeatedly issue from their 
 stronghold and make a bold sortie against us. AVhen 
 intrenched in their position, they had a great advant- 
 age over us, as it was difficult for a man to approach 
 them without being shot, and to charge on them as 
 they were situated would have occasioned us great 
 loss of life. One Indian issuing from their position 
 was shot through the back bone, thus depriving his 
 legs of all power of motion. Seeing him fall, Sublet 
 said to me, "Jim, let us go and haul him away, and 
 get his scalp before the Indians draw him in." 
 
 We went, and, seizing each a leg, started toward our 
 lines with him : the wounded Indian grasping the grass 
 with both hands, we had to haul with all our strength. 
 An Indian, suddenly springing over their breast-work, 
 struck me a heavy blow in the back with his gun, 
 causing me to loose hold of my les; and run. Both I 
 
110 
 
 AL'TOBIOGKAPHY UF 
 
 and my companion were unarmed ; and I, not knowing 
 how many blows were to follow, deemed discretion on 
 this particular occasion the better part of valor. Sublet 
 made a strong demonstration against my assailant with 
 his fists, at the same time calling me back and cursing 
 me foi running. I returned, and, together, we dragged 
 the Indian to one of our men, also wounded, for him 
 to dispatch. But the poor fellow had not strength 
 sufficient to perforate the Indian's skin with his knife, 
 and we were obliged to perform the job ourselves. 
 
 After six hours' fighting, during which time a num- 
 ber of the enemy were slain, we began to want nour- 
 ishment. Sublet requested our allies " to rub out" all 
 their foes while we went and procured refreshment ; 
 but on our leaving, they followed us, and wc all ar- 
 rived in camp together. On our return to the field of 
 battle we found the Black Feet were gone, having de- 
 parted precipitately, as they had left a number of their 
 dead, a thing unusual with the Indians. The fruits 
 of our victory were one hundred and seventy-three 
 scalps, with numerous quivers of arrows, war-clubs, 
 battle-axes, and lances. We also killed a number of 
 their horses, which doubtless was the reason of their 
 leaving so many of their dead on the field of battle. 
 The trappers had seven or eight men wounded, but 
 none killed. Our allie? lost eleven killed in battle, 
 besides the five blain before ; but none of those killed 
 in battle were scalped. 
 
 Had this battle been fought in the open plain, but 
 few of our foes could have escaped ; and even as it 
 was, had we continued to fight, not a dozen could have 
 got away. But, considering that we were fighting for 
 our allies, we did not exert ourselves. 
 
 As usual on all such occasions, our victory was cel- 
 
 ebrate 
 confoi 
 
 compi 
 
 is, tak: 
 
 Previc 
 
 into h 
 
 can rei 
 
 "M 
 
 the mc 
 
 defatig 
 
 cured r 
 
 dencc i 
 
 I shall 
 
 I feel 1 
 
 of you 
 
 ways b 
 
 you ha 
 
 friendl;^ 
 
 one an( 
 
 and dev 
 
 the grai 
 
 lieart, a: 
 
 "My 
 
 up my £ 
 
 turn th] 
 
 house, t( 
 
 tered, ai 
 
 ford you 
 
 "I n( 
 
 Mountai 
 
 God ble; 
 
 WeM 
 
 was a m 
 
JAMES V. BECKWOURFU. 
 
 Ill 
 
 cbrated in camp, and the exercises lasted several days, 
 conformably to Indian custom. 
 
 General Ashley, having disposed of all his goods and 
 completed his final arrangements, departed for St.Lou- 
 is, taking with him nearly two hundred packs of beaver. 
 Previous to his dejDarture, he summoned all the men 
 into his presence, and addressed them, as nearly as I 
 can recollect, in the following words : 
 
 *' Mountaineers and friends ! When I first came to 
 the mountains, I came a poor man. You, by your in- 
 defatigable exertions, toils, and privations, have pro- 
 cured me an independent fortune. With ordinary pru- 
 dence in the management of what I have accumulated, 
 I shall never want for any thing. For this, my friends, 
 I feel myself under great obligations to you. ]\Iany 
 of you have served with me personally, and I shall al- 
 ways be proud to 'testify to the fidelity with which 
 you have stood by me through all danger, and the 
 friendly and brotherly feeling which you have ever, 
 one and all, evinced toward me. For these faithful 
 and devoted services I wish you to accept my thanks ; 
 the gratitude that I express to you springs from my 
 heart, and will ever retain a lively hold on my feelings. 
 
 " My friends ! I am now about to leave you, to take 
 up my abode in St. Louis. Whenever any of you re- 
 turn thither, your first duty must be to call at m\ 
 house, to talk over the scenes of peril we have encoun- 
 tered, and partake of the best cheer my table can af- 
 ford you. 
 
 " I now wash my hands of the toils of the Rocky 
 Mountains. Farewell, mountaineers and friends! jMay 
 God bless you all ! " 
 
 We were all sorry to part with the general. He 
 was a man of untiring enerery and perseverance, cheer- 
 
112 
 
 AlITOBIOORAFIiy OF 
 
 fully enduring every toil and privation with his men. 
 When they were short of food, he likewise hungered ; 
 he bore full share in their sufferings, and divided his 
 last morsel with them. There was always something 
 encouraging in his manner ; no difficulty dejected him ; 
 kind and generous in his disjiosition, lie was loved 
 equally by all. If, which was seldom, he had any 
 disagreement with them, if he discovered himself in 
 fault, lie would freely acknowledge his error, and ask 
 forgiveness. 
 
 Before he left he had a word of advice for me. 
 "James," he commenced, "since I have been here I 
 have heard much of your exploits. I like brave men, 
 but I fear you are reckless in your bravery. Caution 
 is always commendable, and especially is it necessary 
 in encounters with Indians. I wish you to be careful 
 of yourself, and pay attention to your licaltli, for, with 
 the powerful constitution you possess, you have many 
 valuable years before you. It is my hearty desire to 
 have you do well, and live to a good old age ; correct 
 your fault of encountering risks for the mere ostenta- 
 tious display of your courage. Whenever you return 
 home, come and see me, James ; you will be a thou- 
 sand times welcome ; ar d, should you ever be in need 
 of assistance, call on me first. Good-by." 
 
 He left the camp amid deafening cheers from the 
 whole crowd. I did not see him again until the year 
 1886. 
 
 At the general's departure, wc broke up our camp 
 and marched on to the country of the Flat Heads, on 
 the Snake Hiver. On our arrival at the new rendez- 
 vous, we were rejoiced to learn that peace existed be- 
 tween the two nations — the Flat Heads and Black 
 Feet, and that they were in friendly intercourse to- 
 
JAMES P. ni:(^KAVOlJRTM, 
 
 II.S 
 
 gcther. 
 
 le 
 ir 
 
 fP 
 
 k 
 
 This was very favorable for our purpose ; for 
 it is with Indian tribes as with civilized nations, when 
 at war, various branehes of business are impoverished, 
 and it becomes inconvenient for those engaged in them 
 to make more than trifling purchases, just for the sup- 
 ply of their immediate wants. Hostilities are still 
 more destructive to Indian commerce than to that of 
 civilized nations, for the reason, that the time and re- 
 sources of the whole community arc engaged in their 
 prosecution. The " sinews of war" with the Indian 
 mean, literally, himself and his horse. 
 
 We spent the summer months at our leisure, trad- 
 ing with the Indians, hunting, sporting, and preparing 
 for the fall harvest of beaver. We made acquaint- 
 ance with several of the Black Feet, who came to the 
 post to trade. One of their chiefs invited Mr. Sublet 
 to establish a branch post in their country, telling him 
 that they had many people and horses, and plenty of 
 beaver, and if his goods were to be obtained they would 
 trade considerably ; his being so far off prevented his 
 people coming to Mr. Sublet's camp. 
 
 The Indian appearing sincere, and there being a 
 prospect of opening a profitable trade. Sublet proposed 
 to establish a post among the Black Feet if any of the 
 men were willing to risk their scalps in attending it. 
 I offered to go, although I was well aware the tribe 
 knew that I had contributed to the destruction of a 
 number of their braves ; but, to the Indian, the great- 
 er the brave, the higher their respect for him, even 
 though an enemy. So, taking my boy Baptiste and 
 one man with me, we packed up and started for Beaver 
 River, which is a branch of the Missoui'i, and in the 
 heart of the Black Foot country. 
 
 On our arrival, the Indians manifested great appear- 
 
114 
 
 AL'TOniOGRAPIIY OF 
 
 jince of friendship, and were higlily pleased at Iiaving a 
 Irading-post so eonvcniently at hand. I soon rose to 
 be a great man among them, and the chief oifered me 
 liis daughter for a wife. Considering tliis an alliance 
 tliat would guarantee my life as well as enlarge my 
 trade, I accepted his ofl'er, and, without any sujierflu- 
 ous ceremony, became son-in-law to As-as-to, the head 
 chief of the iJhick Feet. Att-as'to^ interpreted, means 
 heavy shield. To me the alliance was more offi'.ns'tvH 
 than defensive, but tlrrift was my object more than 
 Iiymcneal enjoyments. Trade prosjjcred greatly. 1 
 purchased beaver and horses at my own price. ]\Iany 
 times I bought a line beaver-skin for a butcher-knife 
 or a plug of tobacco. 
 
 After a residence among them of a few days, I liad 
 slight difficulty in my family aifairs. A party of In- 
 dians came into camp one day, bringing with thcni 
 three white men's scalps. The sight of them made 
 my blood boil with rage ; but there was no help for it, 
 so I determined to wait witli patience my day of re- 
 venge. In accordance with their custom, a scalp-dance 
 was held, at which there was much additional re- 
 joicing. 
 
 ]\Iy \c'»fe came to me with the information that her 
 people were rejoicing, and that she wished to join them 
 in the dance. 
 
 I replied, "No; these scalps belonged to my people; 
 my heart is crying for their death ; you must not re- 
 joice when my heart cries ; you must not dance when 
 I mourn." 
 
 She then went out, as I supposed, satisfied. M^ 
 two white friends, having a great curiosity to witness 
 the performance, were looking out upon the scene. I 
 reproved them for wishing to witness the savage re- 
 
 

 
 iii:«;K\\oruTii itmmii'.s iiih uisoukdiknt wiff. 
 
 JOIC 
 
 (.) 
 
 best 
 all." 
 Tl 
 Tuki 
 I waf 
 wilb 
 bank 
 her h 
 J (1 
 went 
 Till 
 (Icr th 
 tliund 
 with s 
 com pa 
 hold 
 intercs 
 brethre 
 peeling 
 Byt 
 " Kill 
 shouted 
 Avhich '. 
 knew tl 
 Soon 
 in a to 
 hold! V 
 All V 
 " Warri 
 brothers 
 
 She 
 
 was 
 
.lAMKS W HKCKWuI'KTII. 
 
 II 
 
 joic'mgs over the fall of white nicu wlio Imil probably 
 lu'loni^'ed to our own company. 
 
 One of tlieni answenid, "Well, your ■wife is the 
 host tlancer of the whole party ; she out-danees them 
 alh" 
 
 This was a Hting wliich pierced 'uy very heart. 
 Taking my battle-axe, and forcing my.seif into the ring, 
 I watched my opportunity, and struck my disobedient 
 wife a heavy blow in the head with the side of my 
 battle-axe, which dropped her as if a ball had pierced 
 lier heart. 
 
 1 dragged her tlirougli the crowd, and left lier ; 1 then 
 went back to my tent. 
 
 This act was j)crformcd in such a bold manner, un- 
 der the very noses of hundreds of them, that they were 
 thunderstruck, and for a moment remained motionless 
 with surprise. AV hen J entered the tent, I said to my 
 companions, " There, now, you had better prepare to 
 liold on to your own scalps, since you take so much 
 Interest in a celebration over those of your murdered 
 brethren." Tlicir countenances turned ashy pale, ex- 
 pecting instant death. 
 
 By this time the whole Indian camp was in a blaze. 
 "Kill him! kill him! burn him! burn him!" was 
 shouted throughout the camp in their own language, 
 which I plainly understood. I was collected, for 1 
 knew they could kill me but once. 
 
 Soon I heard the voice of my father-in-law crying, 
 in a tone wliicli sounded above all, " Stop ! hold ! 
 hold! warriors! listen to your chief." 
 
 All was hushed in an instant, and he continued: 
 "Warriors! I am the loser of a daughter, and her 
 brothers have lost a sister; you have lost nothing. 
 She was the wife of the trader; I gave her to him. 
 
118 
 
 AUTOniOGKAPHY OF 
 
 When your wives disobey your commitnds, you kill 
 ihcni ; that is your riglit. That thing disobeyed her 
 husband; he told her not to dance; she disobeyed 
 him ; she had no cars ; he killed her, and he did right. 
 lie did as you all would have done, and you shall nei- 
 ther kill nor harm him for it. 1 promised the white 
 chief that, if he would send a trader to my people, 1 
 would protect him and return him unharmed ; this 1 
 must do, and he shall not be hurt here. Warriors! 
 wait till you meet him in battle, or, perhaps, in his 
 owr camp, then kill him ; but here his life is sacred. 
 What if we kill them all, and take what they have ? 
 It will last but a few suns ; we shall then want more. 
 Whom do we get sach-o-pach (powder) from ? Wc 
 get it from the whites ; and when we have expended 
 what we have, we must do without, or go to them for 
 When we have no powder, can we fight our 
 
 more. 
 
 enemies with plenty ? If wc kill these three men, 
 whom I have given the word of a chief to protect, the 
 white chief will send us nr* more, but his braves will 
 revenge the death of their brothers. No, no; you 
 shall not harm them here. They have eaten of our 
 meat, and drunk of our water ; they have also smoked 
 with us. When they have sold their goods, let them 
 return in peace." 
 
 At this time there were a great many Flat Heads 
 at the Black Foot camp, as they were at peace with 
 each other. After the speech of my father-in-law, a 
 great brave of the Flat Heads, called Bad Hand, re- 
 plied, " Hey ! you are yourself again ; you talk well ; 
 you talk like As-as-to again. W^e are now at peace ; 
 if you had killed these men, we should have made war 
 on you again ; we should have raised the battle-axe, 
 never to have buried it. These whites are ours, and 
 
JAMES P. BECKVVOlIKTIf. 
 
 119 
 
 the Flat Heads •would have revenged their deaths if 
 they had heen iiillcd in your camp." 
 
 The chief then made a loud and lono; harariTie, aft- 
 or which all became quiet. As-as-to next came to my 
 camp and said, "My son, you have done light; that 
 woman I gave you had no sense ; her cars were stop- 
 ped up ; she would not hearken to you, and you had 
 a right to kill her. But I have another daughter, who 
 is younger than she was. She is more beautiful ; she 
 has good sense and good ears. You may have her in 
 the place of the bad one ; she will hearken to all you 
 say to her.'' 
 
 " Well," thought T, " this is getting married again 
 before I have even had time to mo am."' 
 
 But I replied, " Very well, my father, I will accept 
 of your kind offer," well knowing, at the same time, 
 that to refuse him would be to offend, as he would sup- 
 pose that I disdained his generosity. 
 
 My second wife was brought to me. 
 as her father had represented, far more intelligent and 
 far prettier than her other sister, and I was really proud 
 of the change. I now possessed one that many a war- 
 rior had performed deeds of bloody valor to obtain ; for 
 it is a high honor to get the daughter of a great chief 
 to wife, and many a bold warrior has sacrificed his life 
 in seeking to attain such a prize. 
 
 During the night, while I and my wife were quietly 
 reposing, some person crawled into our couch, sobbing 
 most bitterly. Angry at the intrusion, I asked who 
 was there. 
 
 "Me," answered a voice, which, although well-nigh 
 stifled with bitter sobs, I recognized as that of my oth- 
 er wife, whom every one had supposed dead. After 
 lying outside the lodge senseless for some hours, she 
 had recovered and groped her way to my bed. 
 
 I found her. 
 
120 
 
 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 "Go away, "I said, "you have no business here; 1 
 have a new wife now, one who has sense." 
 
 *'l will not go away," she repHed; "my cars arc 
 open now. I was a fool not to hearken to my hus- 
 band's words when his heart was crying, but now 1 
 liave good sense, and will always hearken to your 
 words." 
 
 It did really seem as if her heart was broken, and 
 she kept lier position until morning. I thought my- 
 self now well supplied with -vives, having tv^o more 
 than I cared to have ; but I deemed it hardly worth 
 while to complain, as I should soon leave the camp, 
 wives and all. 
 
 It is a universal adage, " When you are among Ro- 
 mans, do as the Romans do." I conformed to the cus- 
 toms of a people really pagan, but who regarded them- 
 selves both enlightened and powerful. I was risking 
 my life for gold, that I might return one day with plen- 
 ty, to share with her I tenderly loved. My body was 
 among the Indians, but my mind was far away from 
 them and their bloody deeds. Experience has reveal- 
 ed to me that civilized man can accustom himself to 
 any mode of life when pelf is the governing principle — 
 that power which dominates through all the ramifica- 
 tions of social life, and gives expression to the universal 
 instinct of self-interest. By living with the savages, 
 and becoming familiar with their deeds of injustice and 
 cruelty — witnessing friends and companions struck 
 dowii without a moment's warning — if a man has feel- 
 ing, in a short time it becomes callous toward the re- 
 lentless savage, who can mock the dying struggles of 
 the white man, and indulge his inhuman joy as he sees 
 his warm life-blood saturate the earth, on which, a few 
 moments since, his victim stood erect in seeming se- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUKTII. 
 
 121 
 
 curlty. ]\Iany a companion have I seen fall in the 
 wild prairie or the mountain forest, dying with some 
 dear name upon his lips, his body left as food for the 
 wild beasts, or his bones to whiten in the trackless 
 wilderness. 
 
 It will be said, " He i.iight have st?'d at home, and 
 not have hazarded his life amid such dangers." So 
 it might be said of the hardy mariner, whose compass 
 guides him through all parts of the pathless ocean. 
 The same motive impels them both on their perilous 
 career — self-interest, which, while i: gratiney their in- 
 dividual desires, at the same time enriches and ad- 
 vances society, by adding its acquisitions to the mart 
 of commerce. 
 
 We left the Black Foot country after a stay of twenty- 
 days, having purchased thirty-nine packs of beaver and 
 several splendid horses at a sum trifling in real value, 
 but i^diat they considered as far exceeding the worth 
 of their exchanges. The chief lent us an escort of two 
 hundred and iifty mounted warriors, in addition to 
 which nearly one hundred Flat Heads returned with us 
 to our camp, whom we met the second day on our road 
 (they having become alarmed for our safety, and being 
 on the way to revenge our deaths, in the event of the 
 Black Feet having proved treacherous). On our arrival 
 we were greeted with the liveliest expressions of joy. 
 Presents were made to our escort, and ]\Ir. Sublet sent 
 my father-in-law a valuable gift for his kindness to me, 
 and as the assurance of his most distinguished consid- 
 eration. I also sent some dress-patterns to my wives, 
 in addition to the presents I had previously made 
 them. The Black Feet, apparently well satisfied, re- 
 turned to their homes. 
 
 F 
 
122 
 
 AUTUUIOUKAI'HY OF 
 
 CHArTEK XL 
 
 Removal of our Rendezvous. — Battle with our Friends, the Black Feet. 
 — A Race for dear Life. — Great "Victory over the Grovan Band of 
 Black Feet. 
 
 After we had rested we departed for Snake River, 
 making the Black Foot buttes on our way, in order to 
 pass through the buffalo region. I received a severe 
 lecture from Mr. Sublet for my rashness while at the 
 trading-post. The second day of our march, one of 
 our men, while fishing, detected a party of Black Feet 
 in the act of stealing our horses in the open day. But 
 for the man, they would have succeeded in making off 
 with a great number. The alarm was given, and we 
 mounted and gave immediate chase. The Indians 
 were forty-four in number, and on foot ; there ore they 
 became an easy prey. We ran them into a thicket of 
 dry bush, which we surrounded, and then fired in sev- 
 eral places. It was quite dry, and, there being a good 
 breeze at the time, it burned like chaff. This driving 
 the Indians out, as fast as they made their appearance 
 we shot them with our rifles. Every one of them was 
 killed ; those who escaped our bullets were consumed 
 in the fire ; and as they were all more or less roasted, 
 we took no scalps. None of our party were hurt, ex- 
 cept one, who was wounded by one of our men. 
 
 On the third day we found buffalo, and killed great 
 numbers of them by a " surround." At this place we 
 lost six horses, three of them belonging to myself, two 
 to a Swiss, and one to Baptiste. Not relishing the 
 idea of losing them (for they were splendid animals), 
 
JAMES P. UECKWOIKTH. 
 
 123 
 
 ras 
 led 
 id, 
 jx- 
 
 jat 
 Iwe 
 
 |\vo 
 the 
 
 and seeing no signs of Indians, I and the Swiss start- 
 ed along the back track in pursuit, with the under- 
 standing that we would rejoin our company at the 
 Buttcs. We followed them -to the last place of rendez- 
 vous ; their tracks were fresh and plain, but we could 
 gain no sight of our horses. We then gave up the 
 cliase, and encamped in a thicket. In the morning 
 Ave started to return, and had not proceeded far, when, 
 hearing a noise in our rear, I looked round, and saw 
 between two and three hundred Indians within a few 
 hundred yards of us. They soon discovered us, and, 
 from their not making immediate pursuit, I inferred 
 that they mistook us for two of their own party. How- 
 ever, they soon gave chase. They being also on foot, 
 I said to my companion, " Now we have as good a 
 chance of escaping as they have of overtaking us." 
 
 The vSwiss (named Alexander) said, " It is of no use 
 for mc to try to get away : I can not run ; save your- 
 self, and never mind me." 
 
 " No," I replied, " I will not leave you ; run as fast 
 as you can until you reach the creek ; there you can 
 secrete yourself, for they will pursue me." v 
 
 He followed my advice, and saved himself. I cross- 
 ed the stream, and when I again appeared in sight of 
 the Indians I was on the summit of a small hill two 
 miles in advance. Giving a general yell, they came in 
 pursuit of me. On I ran, not daring to indulge the 
 hope that they would give up the chase, for some of 
 the Indians are great runners, and would rather die 
 than incur the ridicule of their brethren. On, on we 
 tore ; I to save my scalp, and my pursuers to win it. 
 At length I reached the Buttes, where I had expected 
 to find the camp, but, to my inconceivable horror and 
 dismay, my comrades were not there. They had found 
 
124 
 
 A LTOBIOO KA ril V OF 
 
 no water on their route, and had proceeded to the river, 
 forty-iive miles distant. 
 
 My feelings at this disappointment transcended ex- 
 pression. A thousand ideas peopled my feverish brain 
 at once. Home, friends, and my loved one presented 
 themselves with one lightning-flash. The Indians 
 were close at my heels ; their bullets were whizzing 
 past me ; their yells sounded painfully in my ears ; 
 and I could almost feel the knife making a circuit round 
 my skull. On I bounded, however, following the road 
 which our whole company had made. I was scorch- 
 ing with thirst, having tasted neither sup nor bit since 
 we commenced the race. Still on I went with the 
 speed of an antelope. I kept safely in advance of the 
 range of their bullets, when suddenly the glorious sight 
 of the camp-smoke caught my eye. My companions 
 perceived me at a mile from the camp, as well as my 
 pursuers ; and, mounting their horses to meet me, soon 
 turned the tables on my pursuers. It was now the 
 Indians' turn to be chased. They must have suffered 
 as badly with thirst as I did, and our men cut them 
 off from the river. Night had begun to close in, under 
 the protection of which the Indians escaped ; our men 
 returned with only five scalps. According to the closest 
 calculation, I ran that day ninety-five miles.* 
 
 My heels thus deprived the rascally Indians of their 
 anticipated pleasure of dancing over my scalp. My 
 limbs were so much swollen the next morning, that for 
 
 * Concerning this, great race for life, it may appear impossible to 
 some for a human being to accomplish such a feat. Those who sur- 
 vive of Sublet's company, and who know the distances from point to 
 point of my celebrated race, will please to correct me publicly if I am 
 in error in the distance. I have known instances of Indian runners 
 accomplishing more than one hundred and ten miles in one day. — 
 Narrator. 
 
 (( 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 125 
 
 their 
 My 
 
 It for 
 
 two or three days ensuing it was with great difficulty 
 I got about. My whole system was also in great pain. 
 In a few days, however, I 'was as well as ever, and 
 ready to repay the Indians for their trouble. 
 
 The third day after my escape, my companion Aleck 
 found his way into camp. He entered the lodge with 
 dejection on his features. 
 
 " Oh !" he exclaimed, *' I thank God for my escape, 
 but the Indians have killed poor Jim. I saw his bones 
 a few miles back. I will give any thing I have if a 
 party will go with me and bury him. The wolves 
 have almost picked his bones, but it must be he. 
 Poor, poor Jim ! gone at last !" 
 
 " Ha I" said some one present, "is Jim killed, then ? 
 Poor fellow ! Well, Aleck, let us go back and give 
 him a Christian burial." 
 
 He had seen a body nearly devoured on the way, 
 most likely that of the wounded Indian who had chased 
 me in his retreat from our camp. 
 
 I came limping into the crowd at this moment, and 
 addressed him before he had perceived me : " Halloo, 
 Aleck, are you safe ?" 
 
 He looked at me for a moment in astonishment, and 
 then embraced me so tight that I thought he would 
 suffocate me. He burst into a flood of tears, which for 
 a time prevented his articulation. He looked at me 
 again and again, as if in doubt of my identity. 
 
 At length he said, " Oh, Jim, you are safe ! And 
 how did you escape ? I made sure that you were 
 killed, and that the body I saw on the road was yours. 
 Pshaw ! I stopped and shed tears on a confounded 
 dead Indian's carcass'" / 
 
 Aleck stated that the enemy had passed within ten 
 feet without perceiving him ; that his gun was cocked 
 
12H 
 
 ATTTOBIOGRAPITY OV 
 
 and well primed, so that if lie had been discovered there 
 would have been at least one red skin less to chase 
 lie had seen no Indians on his way to camp. 
 
 nic. 
 
 1 was satisfied that some (if not all) of my pursuers 
 knew me, for they were lilack Feet, or they would not 
 have taken such extraordinary pains to run me down. 
 If they had succeeded in their endeavor, they would, 
 in subsequent years, have saved their tribe many 
 scalps. 
 
 From this encampment we moved on to Lewis's 
 Fork, on the Columbia River, where we made a final 
 halt to prepare for the fall trapping season. 8ome 
 small parties, getting tired of inaction, would occasion- 
 ally sally out to the small mountain streams, all of 
 which contained plenty of beaver, and would frequent- 
 ly come in with several skins. 
 
 I prepared my traps one day, thinking to go out 
 alone, and see what my luck might be. I mounted 
 my horse, and, on approaching a small stream, dis- 
 mounted to take a careful survey, to see if there were 
 any signs of beaver. Carefully ascending tlie bank 
 of the stream, I peered over, and saw, not a beaver, but 
 an Indian. He had his robe spread on the grass, and 
 was engaged in freeing himself from vermin, with which 
 all Indians abound. He had not seen nor heard me ; 
 his face was toward me, but inclined, and he was in- 
 tently pursuing his occupation. 
 
 " Here," thought I, "are a gun, a bow, a quiver full 
 of arrows, a good robe, and a scalp." 
 
 I fired my rifle ; the Indian fell over without utter- 
 ing a sound. I not only took his scalp, but his head. 
 I tied two locks of his long hair together, hung his 
 head on the horn of my saddle, and, taking the spoils 
 of the enemy, hurried back to camp. 
 
JAMES P. HECKWOURTII. 
 
 12; 
 
 11 
 
 S 
 
 is 
 
 The next morning our camp was invested by two 
 thousand five liundrcd warriors of the Black Foot tribe. 
 We had now something on our hands which demanded 
 attention. We were encamped in the bend of a river — 
 in the "horse-shoe." Our lodges were pitched at the 
 entrance, or narrowest part of the shoe, while our ani- 
 mals were driven back into the bend. The lodges, four 
 deep, extended nearly across the land, forming a kind 
 of barricade in front ; not a very safe one for the in- 
 mates, since, being covered with buffalo hides, they 
 were penetrable to bullet and arrow. 
 
 Tlie Indians made a furious charge. We imme- 
 diately placed the women and children in the rear, 
 sending them down the bend, where they were safe 
 unless we were defeated. We suffered the Indians 
 for a long time to act on the offensive, being con- 
 tent with defending ourselves and the camp. I ad- 
 vised Captain Sublet to let them weary themselves 
 with charging, by which time we would mount and 
 charge them with greater prospect of victory ; where- 
 as, should we tire ourselves while they were fresh, we 
 should be overwhelmed by their numbers, and, if not 
 defeated, inevitably lose a great many men. 
 
 All the mountaineers approved of my advice, and 
 our plans were taken accordingly. They drove us 
 from our first position twice, so that our lodges were 
 between the contending ranks, but they never broke 
 our lines. When they approached us very near we 
 resorted to our arrows, which a' our half-breeds used 
 as skillfully as the Indians. Finally, perceiving they 
 began to tire, I went and ordered the women to saddle 
 the horses in haste. A horse was soon ready for each 
 man, four hundred in number. Taking one hundred 
 and thirty men, I passed out through the timber, keep- 
 
128 
 
 ArTOBIOaKAPHY OP 
 
 ing near the river until we could all emerge and form 
 a line to charge them, unobserved, in the rear. Wliile 
 executing this diversion, the main body was to charge 
 them in front. While defiling through the timber we 
 came suddenly upon ten Indians who were resting from 
 the fight, and were sitting on the ground unconcernedly 
 smoking their pipes. We killed nine of them, the tenth 
 one making good his retreat. 
 
 Our mantt'uvre succeeded admirably. The Indians 
 were unconscious of our approach in their rear until 
 they began to fall from their horses. Then charging 
 on their main body simultaneously with Captain Su- 
 blet's charge in front, their whole force was thrown into 
 irretrievable confusion, and they fled without farther 
 resistance. We did not pursue them, feeling very well 
 satisfied to have got nd of them as we had. They left 
 one hundred and sixty-seven dead on the field. Our 
 loss was also very severe ; sixteen killed, mostly half- 
 breeds, and fifty or sixty wounded. In this action I 
 received a wound in my left side, although I did not 
 perceive it until the battle was over. 
 
 As usual, there was a scalp-dance after the victory, 
 in which I really feared that the fair sex would dance 
 themselves to death. They had a crying spell after- 
 ward for the dead. After all, it was a victory rather 
 dearly purchased. 
 
 A few days after our battle, one of our old trappers, 
 named Le Blueux, who had spent twenty years in the 
 mountains, came to me, and telling me he knew of a 
 small stream full of beaver which ran into Lewis's Fork, 
 about thirty miles from camp, wished me to accompany 
 liim there. We being free trappers at that time, the 
 chance of obtaining a pack or two of beaver was rather 
 a powerful incentive. Gain being my object, I readily 
 
•lAMES r. HKr-KWOIKTII. 
 
 r2i> 
 
 acccdod to his proposal. A\'e \nit out from camp dur- 
 ing the night, and traveled up Lewis's l''ork, leisurely 
 discussing our prospects and confidently enumerating 
 our unhatched chickens, when suddenly a Lirge party 
 of Indians came in sight in our rear. 
 
 The banks of the river "wc were travclinfj alone: were 
 l^rccipitous and rocky, and skirted with a thick bush. 
 Wc entered the bush without a moment's hesitation, for 
 the Indians advanced on us as soon as they had caught 
 sight of us. Le ]51ucux had a small bell attached to 
 his horse's neck, which he took off, and, creeping to a 
 large busi fastened it with the end of his lariat, and re- 
 turned holding the other end in his hand. This strata- 
 gem caused the Indians to expend a great amount of 
 powder and shot in their eflbrt to kill tlic bell ; for, of 
 course, they supposed the bell indicated the position of 
 ourselves. When they approaclicd near enough to be 
 seen through the bushes, wc fired one gun at a time, 
 always keeping the other loaded. AYhen wc fired the 
 bell would ring, as if the liorse was started by the close 
 proximity of the gun, but the smoke would not rise in 
 the right place. They continued to shoot at random 
 into the bushes without injuring us or our faitlifiil ani- 
 mals, who were close by us, but entirely concealed from 
 the sight of the Indians. IMy companion filled his pi])e 
 and commenced smoking with as much sang froid as if 
 he had been in camp. 
 
 " This is the last smoke I expect to have between 
 here and camp," said he. 
 
 "What are we to do?'' I inquired, not feeling our 
 position very secure in a brush fort manned with a 
 company of two, and beleaguered by scores of Black 
 Foot warriors. 
 
 In an instant, before T had time to tliink. crack went 
 
 Y 2 
 
180 
 
 AITOHIOOHAPnY OF 
 
 his rifle, and down came an Indian, who, more boM 
 llian the rest, had approached too near to our garrison. 
 
 **Now,'' said J^e Jilueux, *' bind your leggins and 
 moccasins around your head.*' 
 
 T did so, while lie obeyed the same order. 
 
 ** Now follow me."' ^ 
 
 Wondering what bold project he was about to exe- 
 cute, I quietly obeyed him. lie went noiselessly to 
 1 he edge of the bluff, looked narrowly up and down the 
 river, and then commenced to slide down the almost 
 perpendicular bank, I closely following him. We 
 safely reached the river, into which we dropped our- 
 selves. We swam close under the bank for more than 
 a mile, until they discovered us. 
 
 "Now," said my comrade, " strike across the stream 
 in double quick time.'' 
 
 We soon reached the opposite bank, and found our- 
 selves a good mile and a half ahead of the Indians. 
 They commenced plunging into the river in pursuit, 
 but they were too late. We ran across the open 
 ground until wc reached a mountain, where we could 
 safely look back and laugh at our pursuers. Yv^e had 
 lost our horses and guns, while they had sacrificed six 
 or eight of their warriors, besides missing the two 
 scalps they made so certain of getting hold of. 
 
 I had thought myself a pretty good match for the 
 Indians, but I at once resigned all claims to merit. 
 Le Blueux, in addition to all the acquired wiles of the 
 Red ]\Ian, possessed his own superior art and cunning. 
 He could be surrounded with no difficulties for which 
 his inexhaustible brain could not devise some secure 
 mode of escape. 
 
 We arrived safe at camp before the first guard was 
 relieved. The following morning we received a severe 
 

JAMES P. liECKWOT'irm. 
 
 13:5 
 
 reprimand from Captain Sublet for exposing ourselves 
 on so hazardous an adventure. 
 
 As soon as the wounded were sufficiently recovered 
 to be able to travel, we moved down the river to the 
 junction of Salt River with Guy's Fork, about a mile 
 from Snake River. The next day the captain re- 
 solved to pasr^ up to Guy's Fork to a convenient camp- 
 ing-ground, where we were to spend the interval until 
 it was time to separate into small iiarties, and com- 
 mence trapping in good earnest for the season. 
 
 One day, while moving leisurely along, two men and 
 myself proposed to the captain to proceed ahead of 
 the main party to ascertain the best road, to reconnoi- 
 tre the various streams — in short, to make it a trip of 
 discovery. We were to encamp one night, and rejoin 
 the main body the next morning. The captain con- 
 sented, but gave us strict caution to take good care of 
 ourselves. 
 
 Nothing of importance occurred that day ; but the 
 next morning, about sunrise, we were all thunder- 
 struck at being roused from our sleep by the discharge 
 of guns close at hand. Two of us rose in an instant, 
 and gave the war-hoop as a challenge for them to come 
 on. Poor Cotton, the third of our party, was killed at 
 the first lire. When they saw us arise, rifle in hand, 
 they drew back ; whereas, had they rushed on with 
 their battle-axes, they could have killed us in an in- 
 stant. One of our horses was also killed, which, with 
 the body of our dead comrade, we used for a breast- 
 work, tlirowing up, at the same time, all the dirt ve 
 could to protect ourselves as far as w^ were able. The 
 Indians, five hundred in number, showered their balls 
 at us, but, being careful to keep at a safe distance, they 
 did us no damage for some time. At length my com- 
 
134 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 panion received a shot through the heel, while careless- 
 ly throwing up his feet in crawling to get a sight at the 
 Indians without exposing his body. I received some 
 slight scratches, hut no injury that occasioned me any 
 real inconvenience. 
 
 Providence at last came to our relief. Our camp 
 was moving along slowly, shooting buffalo occasional- 
 ly, when some of the women, hearing our guns, ran to 
 the captain, exclaiming, " There is a light. Hark ! 
 iiear the guns I " 
 
 He, concluding that there was more distant fighting 
 than is common in killing buffalo, dispatched sixty 
 men in all possible Laste in the direction of the reports. 
 We saw them as t';iey appeared in sight on the brow 
 of a hill not far distant, and sent up a shout of triumph. 
 The Indians also caught sight of them, and immedi- 
 ately retreated, leaving seventeen warriors dead in front 
 of our little fort, wliom we relieved of their scalps. 
 
 We returned to camp after burying our companion, 
 whose body was literally riddled with bullets. The 
 next day we made a very successful surround of buf- 
 falo, killing great numbers of them. In the evening, 
 several of our friends, the Snakes, came to us and told 
 us their village was only five miles farther up, wishing 
 us to move up near them to open a trade. After cur- 
 ing our meat, we moved on and encamped near the 
 friendly Snakes. We learned that there were one 
 hundred and eighty-five lodges of Pun-naks encamped 
 only two miles distant, a discarded band of the Snakes, 
 very bad Indians, and very great thieves. Captain Su- 
 blet informed the Snakes that if the Pun-naks should 
 steal any of his horses or any thing belonging to his 
 camp, he would 7'uh them all out^ and be wished the 
 friendlv Snakes to tell them so. 
 
!SS- 
 
 tlie 
 mc 
 my 
 
 mp 
 
 lal- 
 
 to 
 
 k! 
 
 ng 
 
 ts. 
 
 )h. 
 di- 
 mt 
 
 in, 
 he 
 if- 
 
 g» 
 Id 
 
 ig 
 
 LT- 
 
 [ic 
 tie 
 id 
 
 s, 
 11- 
 Id 
 is 
 le 
 
Tw 
 
 ed do\ 
 set up 
 camp ( 
 were c 
 Two h 
 selves 
 leader < 
 We 
 rived a 
 village 
 ately af 
 no doul 
 them. 
 We 
 up with 
 they all 
 "Wh 
 "I wi 
 men," I 
 Tlieir ret 
 nate ther 
 "Go,' 
 to make i 
 I was 
 raenced, j 
 left of eit 
 hundred i 
 posed, am 
 however, • 
 liad been 
 back and 
 On info 
 they expr 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 137 
 
 Two of our men and one of the Snakes having stroll- 
 ed down to the Pun-nak lodges one evening, they were 
 set upon, and the Snake was killed, and the two of our 
 camp came home wounded. The morning volunteers 
 were called to punish the Pun-naks for their outrage. 
 Two hundred and fifteen immediately presented them- 
 selves at the call, and our captain appointed Bridger 
 leader of the troop. 
 
 We started to inflict vengeance, but when we ar- 
 rived at the site of the village, behold I there was no 
 village there. They had packed up and left immedi- 
 ately after the perpetration of the outrage, they fearing, 
 no doubt, that ample vengeance would be taken upon 
 them. 
 
 We followed their trail forty-five miles, and came 
 up with them on Green River. Seeing our approach, 
 they all made across to a small island in the river. 
 
 " What shall we do now, Jim ?" inquired our leader. 
 
 " I will cross to the other side with one half the 
 men," I suggested, " and get abreast of the island. 
 Their retreat will be thus cut off, and we can extermi- 
 nate them in their trap." 
 
 " Go," said he ; "I will take them if they attempt 
 to make this shore." 
 
 I was soon in position, and the enfilading com- 
 menced, and was continued until there was not one 
 left of either sex or any age. We carried back four 
 hundred and eighty-eight scalps, and, as we then sup- 
 posed, annihilated the Pun-nak band. On our return, 
 however, we found six or eight of their squaws, who 
 liad been left behind in the flight, whom we carried 
 back and gave to the Snakes. 
 
 On informing the Snakes of what had taken place, 
 they expressed great delight. "Right!" they said. 
 
i;58 
 
 ArTOBIOGUAl'HV OF 
 
 " Pun-naks very bad Indians ;" and they joined in the 
 scalp-dance. 
 
 We afterward learned that the Pun-naks, when they 
 fled from our vengeance, had previously sent their old 
 men, and a great proportion of their women and chil- 
 dren, to the mountains, at which we were greatly 
 pleased, as it spared the effusion of much unnecessary 
 blood. They had a great "medicine chief" slain witli 
 the others on the island ; his medicine was not good 
 this time, at least. 
 
 We proceeded thence to a small creek, called Black 
 Foot Creek, in the heart of the Black Foot country. 
 
 It was always our custom, before turning out our 
 horses in the morning, to send out spies to reconnoitre 
 around, and see if any Indians were lurking about to 
 steal them. When preparing to move one morning 
 from the last-named creek, we sent out two men ; but 
 they had not proceeded twenty yards from our corral 
 before a dozen shots were fired at them by a party of 
 Black Feet, bringing them from their horses severely 
 wounded. In a moment the whole camp was in mo- 
 tion. The savages made a bold and desperate attempt 
 to rush upon the wounded men and get their scalps, 
 but we were on the ground in time to prevent them, 
 and drove them back, killing four of their number. 
 
 The next day we were overtaken by the Snakes, 
 who, hearing of our skirmish, expressed great regret 
 tliat they were not present to have followed them and 
 given them battle again. We seldom followed the 
 Indians after having defeated them, unless they had 
 stolen our horses. It was our policy always to act on 
 the defensive, even to tribes that were known enemies. 
 
 When the Snakes were ready, we all moved on to- 
 gether for the head of Green River. The Indians 
 
 num 
 
 and 
 
 altog 
 
 more 
 
 bclon 
 
 W, 
 
 er, wl 
 
 stay c 
 
 vicinii 
 
 It^ 
 
 break 
 
 directi 
 
 upon I 
 
 numbe 
 
 joiced 
 
 extrem 
 
 Tiie 
 
 scalps 
 
 tlie jiar 
 
 how va 
 
 defeatet 
 
 see so r 
 
 foes. \ 
 
 so noblj 
 
 the gref 
 
 had seei 
 
 Upon i\ 
 
 tion; th 
 
 tivate m 
 
 of their 
 
 One 
 
 a Crow, 
 
 his wife 
 
 ford full i 
 
.JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 im) 
 
 ps, 
 licm, 
 
 kes, 
 icvret 
 
 o 
 
 and 
 the 
 bad 
 ;t on 
 lies, 
 to- 
 lians 
 
 numbered six or seven thousand, inckiding women 
 and children ; our number was nearly eight hundred 
 altogether, forming quite a formidable little army, or, 
 more properly, a moving city. The number of horses 
 belonging to the whole camp was immense. 
 
 We had no farther difficulty in reaching Green Riv- 
 er, where we remained six days. During this short 
 stay our numberless horses exhausted the grass in our 
 vicinity, and it was imperative to change position. 
 
 It was now early in September, and it was time to 
 break up our general encampment, and spread in all 
 directions, as the hunting and trapping season was 
 upon us. Before we formed our dispersing parties, a 
 number of the Crows came to our camp, and were re- 
 joiced to see us again. The Snakes and Crows were 
 extremely amicable. 
 
 The Crows were questioning the Snakes about some 
 scalps hanging on our lodge-poles. They gave them 
 the particulars of our encounter with the Black Feet, 
 how valiantly we had fought them, and how we had 
 defeated them. The Crows were highly gratified to 
 see so many scalps taken from their old and inveterate 
 foes. They wished to see the braves who had fought 
 so nobly. I was pointed out as the one who had taken 
 the greatest number of scalps ; they told them they 
 had seen me fight, and that 1 was a very great brave. 
 Upon this I became the object of the Crows' admira- 
 tion ; they were very anxious to talk to me and to cul- 
 tivate my acquaintance ; but I could speak very little 
 of their language. 
 
 One of our men (named Greenwood), whose wife was 
 a Crow, could speak their language fluently ; he and 
 his wife were generally resorted to by the Crows to af- 
 ford full details of our recent victory. Greenwood, be- 
 
140 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 coming tired of so much questioning, invented a fiction, 
 which greatly amused me for its ingenuity. He in- 
 formed them that White-handled Knife (as the Snakes 
 called me) was a Crow. 
 
 They all started in astonishment at this informa- 
 tion, and asked how that could be. 
 
 kSaid Greenwood in reply, " You know that so many 
 winters ago the Cheyennes defeated the Crows, killing 
 many hundreds of their warriors, and carrying off a 
 great many of their women and children." 
 
 "Yes, we know it," they all exclaimed. 
 
 " Well, he was a little boy at that time, and the 
 whites bought him of the Cheyennes, with whom ht 
 has staid ever since. He has become a great brave 
 among them, and all your enemies fear him." 
 
 On hearing this astonishing revelation, they said 
 that I must be given to them. Placing implicit faith 
 in every word that they had heard, they hastened to 
 their village to disseminate the joyful news that they 
 had found one of their own people who had been taken 
 by the Shi-ans when a har-car-ta (child), who had been 
 sold to the whites, and who had now become a great 
 white chief, with his lodge-pole full of the scalps of the 
 Black Feet, who had fallen beneath his gun and battle- 
 axe. This excited a great commotion throughout their 
 whole village. All the old women who remembered 
 the defeat, when the Crows lost two thousand warriors 
 and a host of women and children, with the ensuing 
 captivity, were wondering if the great brave was not 
 their own child ; thereupon ensued the greatest anxi- 
 ety to see me and claim me as a son. 
 
 I did not say a w^ord impugning the authenticity of 
 Greenwood's romance. I was greatly editied at the 
 inordinate gullibility of the red man, and when they 
 
JAx\IE.S I». IJECKWOUliTJI. 14| 
 
 Our party now broke up ; detachments wore formed 
 
 staited m all dircet.ons, receiving instructions to re- 
 turn wtinn a certain day. There were a great many 
 fur trappers with us, w]>o hunted for their lvnp"„fit^ 
 and disposed of their peltry ,o the mountain "rafc .' 
 Ti.e trappers w.re accon.panied by a certain numbe 
 of hired men, selected according to their individual prd 
 erenccs, the strength of their party being regulated bv 
 tl.e danger of the countty tl/ey were gfing^to! If a 
 party was gomg to the Black Foot country! it needed 
 
 therrwo ,ld /' " "" '^""S'^' ""^ apprehended, 
 toe would go few or many, just as was agreed upon 
 
 dience to the will of Us captain or leader: his word 
 was supreme law. °™ 
 
 My party started for the Crow country, at which I 
 
 I eLl: dTf"' ' '"[; '^'"^ '^ -PPO-d Crow ;; elf 
 lief T ? I "";" *"""« them. It seemed a re 
 let also, to be m a place where we could rest from o^ 
 unsleepmg vigilance, and to feel, when we rose h^ 7e 
 mo^ng, there was some probability of our 1 vi "g tS 
 
142 
 
 Al TUBlUUliAl'HV Ol' 
 
 CHAJ^TEU Xil. 
 
 Departure from the Rcnilczvoua. — Trouble in Cauip. — Leave the Party 
 and Traps. — Arrival at tlic Crow Villa';C. — (Jreat Stir among the 
 Crows. — Joyful Meeting with my Crow ^ brents, Brothers, and Sis- 
 ters. — Tiiree Years without seeing a White Man. 
 
 I NOW parted with very many of my friends for the 
 last time. JMost of the members of that large com- 
 pany now sleep in death, their waking ears no longer 
 to be filled with the death-telling yell of the savage. 
 The manly hearts that shrunk from no danger have 
 ceased to beat ; their bones whiten in the gloomy fast- 
 nesses of the Rocky Mountains, or moulder on the 
 ever-floweri ig prairies of the far West. A cloven 
 skull is all tuat remains of my once gallant friends to 
 tell the bloody death that they died, and invoke ven- 
 geance on the merciless hand that struck them down 
 in their ruddy youth. 
 
 Here I parted from the boy Baptiste, who had been 
 my faithful companion so long. I never saw him 
 again. 
 
 The party that I started with consisted of thirty-one 
 men, most of them skillful trappers (Captain Bridger 
 was in our party), and commanded by Robert Camp- 
 bell. We started for Powder River, a fork of the Yel- 
 low Stone, and, arriving there without accident, were 
 soon busied in our occupation. 
 
 A circumstance occurred in our encampment on this 
 stream, trivial in itself (for trivial events sometimes 
 determine the course of a man's life), but which led to 
 unexpected results. I had set my six traps over 
 
 iiiglit, 
 found 
 1 sou^ 
 on ni} 
 tain 1 
 niounl 
 jtressii 
 \Vg s( 
 for a I 
 the m 
 ten or 
 length 
 Tlie 
 up the 
 self cro 
 missing 
 a good 
 cross w 
 some t\ 
 badger, 
 inspecti 
 trap, chi 
 buftalo, 
 the cliai 
 on his s 
 and the 
 in some 
 trap anc 
 himself, 
 his back 
 away he 
 forward 
 would d( 
 rather h 
 
JAMKS P. BECKWOUUTII. 
 
 14a 
 
 night, and on going to them the following morning 1 
 tbiintl four beavers^ but one of my traps was missing. 
 1 sought it in every direction, but^vithout success, and 
 on my return to camp mentioned the mystery. Cap- 
 tain liridger (as skillful a hunter as ever lived in the 
 niountains) offered to renew the search with me, ex- 
 pressing coniidencc that the trap could be found. 
 We searched diligently along the river and the bank 
 for a considerable distance, but the trap was among 
 tlic missing. The float-pole also was gone — a pole 
 ten or twelve feet long and four inches thick. We at 
 length gave it up as lost. 
 
 The next morning the whole party moved farther 
 up the river. To shorten our route, Bridger and my- 
 self crossed the stream at the spot where I had set my 
 missing trap. It was a buffalo-crossing, and there was 
 a good trail worn in the banks, so that we could easily 
 cross with our horses. After passing and traveling on 
 some two miles, I discovered what I suppo?:ed to be a 
 badger, and we both made a rush for him. On closer 
 inspection, however, it proved to be my beaver, with 
 trap, chain, and float-pole. It was apparent that some 
 buffalo, in crossing the river, had become entangled in 
 the chain, and, as we conceived, had carried the trap 
 on his shoulder, with the beaver pendent on one side 
 and the pole on the other. W^e inferred that he had 
 in some way got his head under the chain, between the 
 trap and the pole, and, in his endeavors to extricate 
 himself, had pushed his head through. The hump on 
 his back would prevent it passing over his body, and 
 away he would speed with his burden, probably urged 
 forward by the four sharp teeth of the beaver, which 
 would doubtless object to his sudden equestrian (or 
 rather bovine) journey. Wc killed the beaver and 
 
144 
 
 AUTOBIOULAPHY OF 
 
 took his skin, feeling much satisfaction at the solution 
 of the mystery. When wc arrived at camp we asked 
 our companions to guess liow and where we had found 
 the trap. They all gave various guesses, but, failing 
 to hit t!ic truth, gave up the attempt. 
 
 '* Well, gentlemen," said I, "it was stolen." 
 
 *' Stolen!" exclaimed a dozen voices at once. 
 
 " Yes, it was stolen by a buffalo." 
 
 *'0h, come, now," said one of the party, "what is 
 the use of coming here and telling such a lie ?" 
 
 I saw in a moment that he was angry and in ear- 
 nest, and 1 replied, " If you deny that a buffalo stole 
 my trap, you tell the lie." 
 
 He rose and struck me a blow with his fist. Jt 
 was my turn now, and the first pass I made brought 
 my antagonist to the ground. On rising, he sprang 
 for his gun ; I assumed mine as quickly. The by- 
 standers rushed between us, and, seizing our weapons, 
 compelled us to discontinue our strife, which would 
 have infallibly resulted in the death of one. My op- 
 ponent mounted his horse and left the camp. I never 
 saw him afterward. I could have taken his expres- 
 sion in jest, for we were very free in our sallies upon 
 one another ; but in this particular instance I saw his 
 intention was to Insult me, and I allowed my passion 
 to overcome my reflection. My companions counseled 
 me to leave camp for a ie,\v days until the ill feeling 
 should have subsided. 
 
 The same evening Captain Bridger and myself start- 
 ed out with our traps, intending to be gone three or 
 four days. We followed up a small stream until it 
 forked, when Bridger proposed that I should take one 
 fork and he the other, and the one who had set his 
 traps first should cross the hill which separated thr 
 
JAMEH r. BECKWOIKTH. 
 
 145 
 
 two streams and rejoin the other. Tims we parted, 
 (!xpecting to meet again in a few hours. I continued 
 my course up the stream in pursuit of beaver villages 
 until I found myself among an innumerable drove of 
 horses, and I could plainly see they were not wild ones. 
 
 The horses were guarded by several of their Indian 
 owners, or horse-guards, as they term them, who had 
 discovered me long before I saw them. T could hear 
 their signals to each other, and in a few moments I 
 was surrounded by them, and escape was impossible. 
 I resigned myself to my fate : if thfy were enemies, 
 I knew they could kill mc but once, and to attempt to 
 defend myself would entail inevitable death. I took 
 the chances between death and mercy ; 1 surrendered 
 ray gun, traps, and what else I had, and was marched 
 to camp under a strong escort of ho)'se-<j}(ar(h. I felt 
 very sure that my guards were Crows, thcuibre I did 
 not feel greatly alarmed at my situation. ( )n amving 
 at their village, I was ushered into the chiefs lodge, 
 where there were several old men and women, whom I 
 conceived to be members of the family. ]\Iy capture 
 was known throughout the village in five minutes, and 
 Imndreds gathered around the lodge to get a sight of 
 the prisoner. In the crowd were some who had talk- 
 ed to Greenwood a few weeks before. They at once 
 exclaimed, "That is the lost Crow, the great brave 
 who has killed so many of our enemies. He is our 
 brother." 
 
 This threw the whole village into commotion ; old 
 and young were impatient to obtain a sight of the 
 "great brave." Orders were immediately given to 
 summon all the old women taken by the Shi-ans at the. 
 time of their captivity so many winters past, who had 
 suffered the loss of a son at that time. The lodge was 
 
140 
 
 ALTOBloGKAPHir OF 
 
 cleared tor tlie eyaininimj conwiittee^ and the old wom- 
 en, breathless with excitement, their eyes wild and pro- 
 truding, and their nostrils dilated, arrived in squads, 
 until the lodge was filled to overflowing. I believe 
 never was mortal gazed at with such intense and sus- 
 tained interest as I was on that occasion. Arms and 
 legs w jre critically scrutinized. jMy face next passed 
 the ordeal ; tiinn my neck, back, breast, and all parts 
 of my body, even down to my feet, which did not es- 
 cape the examination of these anxious matrons, in their 
 endeavors to discover some mark or peculiarity where- 
 by to recognize their brave son. 
 
 At length one old womr^n, after having scanned my 
 visage with the utmost intcatness, canii', forward and 
 said, " If this is my son, he has a mole over one of his 
 eyes." 
 
 My eyelids were immediately pulled down to the ut- 
 most stretch of their elasticity, when, sure enough, she 
 discovered a mole just over my left eye ! 
 
 "Then, and oh then!" such shouts of joy as were 
 uttered by that honest-hearted woman were seldom be- 
 fore heard, while all in the crowd took part in her re- 
 joicing. It was uncultivated joy, but not the less 
 heartfelt and intense. It was a joy which a mother 
 can only experience when she recovers a son whom 
 !she had supposed dead in his earliest days. She has 
 mourned him silently through weary nights and busy 
 days for the long space of twenty years ; suddenly he 
 presents himself before her in robust manhood, and 
 graced with the highest name an Indian can appreciate. 
 It is but nature, either in the savage breast or civilized, 
 ihat hails such a return with overwhelming joy, and 
 feels the mother's undying affection awakened beyond 
 all control. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 147 
 
 All the other claimants resigning their pretensions, 
 I was fairly carried along by the excitod crowd to the 
 lodge of the "Big Bowl," who was my father. The 
 news of my having proved to be the son of Mrs. Big 
 Bowl flew through the village with the speed of light- 
 ning, and, on my arrival at the paternal lodge, I found 
 it filled with all degrees of my newly-discovered rela- 
 tives, who welcomed me nearly to death. They seized 
 me in their arms and hugged me, and my face posi- 
 tively burned with the enraptured kisses of my nu- 
 merous fair sisters, with a long host of cousins, aunts, 
 and otlier more remote kindred. All these welcoming 
 ladies as firmly believed in my identity with the lost 
 one as they believed in the existence of the Great 
 Spirit. 
 
 My father knew me to be his son ; told all the Crows 
 that the dead was alive again, and the lost one was 
 found. He knew it was fact ; Greenwood had said so, 
 and the words of Greenwood were true ; his tongue 
 was 'not crooked — he would not lie. He also had told 
 him that his son was a great brave among the white 
 men ; that his arm was strong ; that the Black Feet 
 quailed before his rifle and battle-axe ; that his lodge 
 was full of their scalps which his knife had taken ; that 
 they must rally around me to support and protect me ; 
 and that his long-lost son would be a strong breast- 
 work to their nation, and he would teach them how to 
 defeat their enemies. 
 
 They all promised that they would do as his words 
 had indicated. 
 
 My unmarried sisters were four in number, very pret- 
 ty, intelligent young women. They, as soon as the de- 
 parture of the crowd wQuld admit, took ofl" my old leg- 
 gins, and moccasins, and other garments, and supplied 
 
148 
 
 AUTOBIOGtRAPHY OP 
 
 their place with new ones, most beautifully ornament- 
 ed according to their" very last fashion. My sisters 
 were very ingenious in such work, and they wellnigh 
 quarreled among themselves for the privilege of dress- 
 ing me. When my toilet was finished to their satis- 
 faction, I could compare in elegance with the most pop- 
 ular warrior of the tribe when in full costume. They 
 also prepared me a bed, not so high as Haman's gal- 
 lows certainly, but just as high as the lodge would ad- 
 mit. This was also a token of their esteem and sis- 
 terly affection. 
 
 While conversing to the extent of my ability with 
 my father in the evening, and affording him full infor- 
 mation respecting the white people, their great cities, 
 their numbers, their power, their opulence, he sudden- 
 ly demanded of me if I wanted a wife ; thinking, no 
 doubt, that, if he got me married, I should lose all dis- 
 content, and forego any wish of returning to the whites. 
 
 I assented, of course. 
 
 " Very well," said he, " you shall have a pretty wife 
 and a good one." 
 
 Away he strode to the lodge of one of the greatest 
 braves, and asked one of his daughters of him to be- 
 stow upon his son, who the chief must have heard 
 was also a great brave. The consent of the parent 
 was readily given. The name of my prospective fa- 
 ther-in-law was Black-lodge. He had three very pret- 
 ty daughters, whose names were Still-water, Black- 
 iish, and Three-roads. 
 
 Even the untutored daughters of the wild woods 
 need a little time to prepare for such an important 
 event, but long and tedious courtships are unknown 
 among them. 
 
 The ensuing day the three daughters were brought 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 149 
 
 bst 
 ie- 
 rd 
 
 to my father's lodge by their father, and I was request- 
 ed to take my choice. " Still- water" was the eldest, 
 and I liked her name ; if it was emblematic of her dis- 
 position, she was the woman I should prefer. " Still- 
 water," accordingly, was my choice. They were all 
 superbly attired in garments which must have cost 
 them months of labor, which garments the young wom- 
 en ever keep in readiness against such an interesting 
 occasion as the present. 
 
 The acceptance of my wife was the completion of the 
 ceremony, and I was again a married man, as sacredly 
 in their eyes as if the Holy Christian Church had fast- 
 ened the irrevocable knot upon us. 
 
 Among the Indians, the daughter receives no patri- 
 mony on her wedding-day, and her mother and father 
 never pass a word with the son-in-law after — a custom 
 religiously observed among them, though for what rea- 
 son I never learned. The other relatives are under no 
 such restraint. 
 
 My brothers made me a present of twenty as fine 
 horses as any in the nation — all trained war-horses. 
 I was also presented with all the arms and instruments 
 requisite for an Indian campaign. 
 
 My wife's deportment coincided with her name ; she 
 would have reflected honor upon many a civilized 
 household. She was affectionate, obedient, gentle, 
 cheerful, and, apparently, quite happy. No domestic 
 thunder-storms, no curtain-lectures ever disturbed the 
 serenity of our connubial lodge. I speedily formed 
 acquaintance with all my immediate neighbors, and 
 the Morning Star (which was the name conferred upon 
 me on my recognition as the lost son) was soon a com- 
 panion to all the young warriors in the village. No 
 power on earth could have shaken their faith in my 
 
^tmme 
 
 150 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 positive identity with the lost son. Nature seemed 
 to prompt the old woman to recognize me as her miss- 
 ing child, and all my new relatives 'placed implicit- 
 faith in the genuineness of her discovery. Greenwood 
 }'.ad spoken it, " and his tongue was not crooked." 
 What could I do under the circumstances ? Even if 
 I should deny my Crow origin, they would not believe 
 me. How could I dash with an unwelcome and in- 
 credible explanation all the joy that had been manifest- 
 ed on my return — the cordial welcome, the rapturous 
 embraces of those who hailed me as a son and a broth- 
 er, the exuberant joy of the whole nation for the return 
 of a long-lost Crow, who, stolen when a child, had re- 
 turned in the strength of maturity, graced with the 
 name of a great brave, and the generous strife I had 
 occasioned in their endeavors to accord me the warm- 
 est welcome ? I could not find it in my heart to un- 
 deceive these unsuspecting people and tear myself 
 away from their untutored caresses. 
 
 Thus I commenced my Indian life with the Crows. 
 I said to myself, "I can trap in their streams unmolest- 
 ed, and derive more profit under their protection than 
 if among my own men, exposed incessantly to assas- 
 sination and alarm." I therefore resolved to abide 
 with them, to guard my secret, to do my best in their 
 company, and in assisting them to subdue their ene- 
 mies. 
 
 Tliere was but one recollection troubled me, and that 
 was my lonely one in St. Louis. My thoughts were 
 constantly filled with her. I knew my afiection was 
 reciprocated, and that her fond heart beat alone for 
 me; that my promise was undoubtingly confided in, and 
 that prayers were daily offered for my safety, thus dis- 
 tant in the mountains, exposed to every peril. Re- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 151 
 
 peatedly I would appoint a day for my return, but 
 some unexpected event would occur and thrust my 
 resolution aside. Still I hoped, for I had accumulated 
 the means of wealth sufficient to render us comfortable 
 through life ; a fortunate, return was all I awaited to 
 consummate my ardent anticipation of happiness, and 
 render me the most blessed of mortals. 
 
 Before proceeding farther with my Indian life, I will 
 conduct the reader back to our camp the evening suc- 
 ceeding to my disappearance from Bridgcr. He was 
 on the hill, crossing over to me as agreed upon, when 
 he saw me in the hands of the Indians, being conduct- 
 ed to their village, which was also in sight. Seeing 
 clearly that he could oppose no resistance to my cap- 
 tors, he made all speed to the camp, and communicated 
 the painful news of my death. He had seen me in the 
 charge of a whole host of Shi-ans, who were conduct- 
 ing me to camp, there to sacrifice me in the most im- 
 proved manner their savage propensities could suggest, 
 and then abandon themselves to a general rejoicing- 
 over the fall of a white man. With the few men ho 
 had in camp it was hopeless to attempt a rescue ; for, 
 judging by the size of the village, there must be a 
 community of several thousand Indians. All were 
 plunged in gloom. All pronounced my funeral eulo- 
 gy ; all my daring encounters were spoken of to my 
 prai-se. INIy fortunate escapes, my repeated victories 
 were applauded in memory of me ; the loss of their 
 best hunter, of their kind and ever-obliging friend, was 
 deeply deplored by all. 
 
 *'Alas ! had it not been for that lamentable quan'cl," 
 they exclaimed, " he would still have been among us. 
 Poor Jim ! peace to his ashes !" 
 
 Bridger lamented that he had advised me to leave 
 
152 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 the camp, and again that he had separated from me at 
 the Forks. " If we had kept together," he murmured, 
 "his fate might have been prevented, for doubtless 
 one of us would have seen the Indians in time to have 
 escaped." 
 
 Thus, as I was afterward informed by some of the 
 party, was my memory celebrated in that forlorn camp. 
 Farther, having conceived a deep disgust at that vicin- 
 ity, they moved their camp to the head waters of the 
 Yellow Stone, leaving scores of beaver unmolested in 
 the streams. 
 
 The faithful fellows little thought that, while they 
 were lamenting my untimely fall, I was being hugged 
 and kissed to death by a whole lodge full of near and 
 dear Crow relatives, and that I was being welcomed with 
 a public reception fully equal in intensity, though not 
 in extravagance, to that accorded to the victor of Wa- 
 terloo on his triumphal entry into Paris. 
 
 Bridger had never supposed that the Indians whom 
 he saw leading me away were Crows, he being ignorant 
 that lie was so near their territory. His impression 
 was that these were Cheyennes, hence I was given up 
 for dead and reported so to others. My death was 
 communicated to the rendezvous when the fall hunt 
 was over, and there was a general time of mourning in 
 mountain style. 
 
 I say " i.iountain style" in contradistinction to the 
 manner of civilized circles, because, with them, when 
 the death of a comracJe is deplored, his good deeds alone 
 are celebrated ; his evil ones are interred with his bones. 
 Modern politics have introduced the custom of perpet- 
 uating all that is derogatory to a man's fair fame, and 
 burying in deep oblivion all that was honorable and 
 praiseworthy. Hence I say, Give me the mountaineer, 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 153 
 
 despite all the opprobrium that is cast upon his name, 
 ibr in him you have a man of chivalrous feeling, ready 
 to divide his last morsel with his distressed fellow — 
 jiy, and to yield the last drop of his blood to defend the 
 life of his friend. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 War between the Crow Nation and other Indian Tribes. — My first 
 Victory as a Crow Indian. — A Melancholy and Sentimental Indian. 
 — Indian Masonry. — Return to Camp. — Great Rejoicing among my 
 innumerable Relatives. — The Little Wife. 
 
 After feting for about ten days among my new 
 neighbors, I joined a small war-party of about forty 
 men, embodied for the ostensible purpose of capturing 
 horses, but actually to kill their enemies. After ad- 
 vancing for three days, we fell in with a party of eleven 
 of the Blood Indians, a band of the Black Foot tribe, 
 immemorial enemies of the Crows. Our chief ordered 
 a charge upon them. I advanced directly upon their 
 line, and had struck down my man before the others 
 came up. The others, after making a furious advance, 
 that threatened annihilation to our few foes, curveted 
 aside in Indian fashion, thus losing the eftcct of a first 
 onset. I corrected this unwarlike custom. On this 
 occasion, seeing me engaged hand to hand with the 
 enemy's whole force, they immediately came to my 
 assistance, and the opposing party were quickly dis- 
 patched. I despoiled my victim of his gun, lance, 
 war-club, bow, and quiver of arrows. Now I was the 
 greatest man in the party, for I had killed the first war- 
 rior. We then painted our faces black (their mode of 
 announcing victory), and rode back to the village, bear- 
 
 G2 
 
154 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 ing eleven scalps. We entered ihc village singing and 
 shouting, the crowds blocking up our way so that it 
 was with difficulty we could get along. My wife met 
 me at some distance from our lodge, and to her I gave 
 my greatest trophy, the gun. ]My pretty sisters next 
 presenting themselves for some share of my spoils, I 
 gave them what remained, and they returned to their 
 lodge singing and dancing all the way. Their delight 
 was unbounded in their new-found relative, who had 
 drawn the first blood. My companions told how I 
 had charged direct upon the enemy, how I struck down 
 the first Indian at a blow, what strength there was in 
 my arm, and a great deal more in my commendation. 
 Again I was lionized and feted. Relatives I had not 
 seen before now advanced and made my acquaintance. 
 1 was feasted by all the sachems and great braves of 
 the village until their kindness nearly fatigued me to 
 death, and I was glad to retire to my lodge to seek a 
 season of quietude. 
 
 It was a custom rigidly observed by the Crows, 
 when a son had drawn the first blood of the enemy, 
 for the father to distribute all his property among the 
 village, always largely recollecting his own kin in the 
 proposed distribution. I saw that my achievement had 
 ruined my poor old father. He seemed contented, 
 however, to sacrifice his worldly goods to the prowess 
 of his illustrious son. It was the Crows' religion, and 
 he was thoroughly orthodox. Another traditional me- 
 mento was to paint a chief's coat with an image of the 
 sun, and hang that, together with a scarlet blanket, in 
 the top of a tree, as an offering to the Great Spirit, to 
 propitiate him to continue his faTorable regards. 
 
 Several small bands of the village had a grand dance 
 after the victory, each band by itself. I watched them 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 150 
 
 Iss 
 
 ^e- 
 
 lin 
 ito 
 
 Im 
 
 for some time, to see which band or clique contained 
 the most active men. Having singled one, I broke into 
 the ring, and joined the performance with great hearti- 
 ness. Then their shouts arose, *' The great brave, the 
 Antelope, has joined our band!" and their dancing in- 
 creased in vehemence, and their singing became more 
 hilarious. By the act of joining their clique 1 became 
 incorporated with their number. 
 
 For the next three weeks I staid at home, spending 
 much of my time in trapping round the village. I 
 was accompanied in these excursions by a fine and 
 intelligent Indian, who ^vas without a relative. He 
 was very successful in trapping. One day we went 
 to our traps as usual ; he found eight fine beavers, but 
 I had caught none. After fiaying them, he offered me 
 four of the skins. I looked at him in surprise, telling 
 him they were caught in his traps — that they were his. 
 "Take them," said he; "you are my friend : your 
 traps have been unlucky to-day." Previous to this, 
 our success had been about equal. 
 
 Then he wished me to sit down and have a talk 
 with him. I sat down by him, and he began. 
 
 "My friend," said he, "I am alone in the world: 
 all my kindred are gone to the land of the Great Spirit. 
 I now want one good friend — a confidential bosom 
 friend — who will be my brother. 1 am a warrior — a 
 brave — and so are you. You have been far away to 
 the villages of the white man ; your eyes have seen 
 much ; you have now returned to your people. Will 
 you be my friend and brother ? be as one man with 
 me as long as you live ?" 
 
 I readily acceded to all his desires. 
 
 " It is well," said he, " and we must exchange traps." 
 
 I agreed to it. 
 
156 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 " Now we must exchange guns." 
 
 It was done. 
 
 So wc went on until we had exchanged all our per- 
 sonal effects, including horse, clothing, and war imple- 
 ments. 
 
 " Now," said he, " we are one while we live. What 
 I know, you shall know ; there must be no secret be- 
 tween us." 
 
 Wc then proceeded to my father's lodge, and ac- 
 quainted him with the alliance we had entered into, 
 lie was much pleased at the occurrence, and ever after 
 received my allied brother as his son ; but the assumed 
 relationship debarred his ever entering the family as 
 son-in-law, since the mutual adoption attached him as 
 by ties of consanguinity. 
 
 Shortly after, another war party was levied for an 
 excursion after the enemy, or their horses, as occasion 
 might offer. The party consisted of eighty or ninety 
 warriors. My adopted brother inquired of me if I was 
 going with the party. I told him I was, and asked 
 the same question of him. 
 
 "No," he said; "we are brothers; we must never 
 both leave our village at once. When I go, you must 
 stay ; and when you go, I must stay ; one of us must 
 be here to see to the interests of the other. Should 
 wc both be killed, then who would mourn faithfully for 
 the other?" 
 
 I was, as yet, but a private in the Crow army, no 
 commission having been conferred upon me for what 
 little service I had seen. We started in the night, as 
 is their custom, leaving the village one or two at a 
 time. My brother came to me in the evening, and ex- 
 jiressed a wish to speak to me before I left, and pointed 
 10 a place where he wished me to meet him alone as 
 
.JAMES P. BECKNVUI'UTII. 
 
 157 
 
 ■\ve passed out of the village. I went as appointed, 
 and found him there. 
 
 lie first asked nic if 1 had done any thing in the 
 village. 
 
 1 did not clearly see the import of his question, and 
 I innocently answered " Xo." 
 
 " AVhy, have you not been to war ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "iJid the warriors not impart to you the war-path 
 secret f 
 
 "Xo." 
 
 "Ah! well, they will tell it you to-morrow. Go 
 on, my brother." 
 
 We all assembled together and marched on. In 
 the forenoon we killed a line fat buffalo, and rested to 
 take breakfast. The intestines were taken out, and a 
 2)ortion of them cleansed and roasted. A long one 
 Avas then brought into our mess, which numbered ten 
 warriors, who Ibrmed a circle, every man taking hold 
 of the intestine with his thumb and finger. In this 
 position, very solemnly regarded by all in the circle, 
 certain questions were propounded to each in relation 
 to certain conduct in the village, which is of a nature 
 unfit to be entered into here. They are religiously 
 committed to a full and categorical answer to each in- 
 quiry, no matter whom their confession may implicate. 
 Every illicit action they have committed since they 
 last went to war is here exposed, together with the 
 name of the faithless accomplice, even to the very date 
 of the occurrence. All this is divulged to the medi- 
 c'uie men on the return of the party, and it is by them 
 noted down in a manner that it is never erased while 
 the guilty confessor lives. Every new warrior, at his 
 initiation, is conjured by the most sacred oaths never 
 
168 
 
 ATTTOBIOORAPHY OP 
 
 to divulgn tlio war-patli secret to any woman, on pain 
 of instant death. Jlc swears by his gun, his pipe, 
 knife, earth, and sun, which arc the most sacred oatlis 
 to tiie Indian, and arc ever strictly observed. 
 
 We marched on until we came to the ^Missouri Riv- 
 er, and I was greatly edified at the novel manner in 
 which wc crossed the stream. A sufficient number of 
 robes were brought to the river bank, and a jmckerinfj- 
 string run around the entire edge of one, irawing it to- 
 getlier until it assumed a globulated form. Five or 
 six guns, with other articles necessary to be kept dry, 
 were put into it, together with a stone for bfdlast. An 
 Indian would then attach one end of a string to the 
 /tide tah^ and, taking the other end in his teeth, swim 
 across with the novel bark in tow. When unfrcighted 
 on the opposite shore, every thing would be as dry as 
 when embarked. Thus all our freiglit was conveyed 
 across in a very short time, and we recommenced our 
 march. 
 
 "VVe liad not proceeded far when our spies returned, 
 and reported that they had discovered a village of the 
 As-ne-boines on jMilk Kiver, about forty miles distant. 
 Wc started for the village, intending to relieve them 
 of a few of their horses, of which we tliought they had 
 more than their share. We reached there, and suc- 
 ceeded in driving off nearly three hundred head ; but, 
 in re-crossing the Missouri, we lost about one third of 
 them by drowning, in consequence of our crossing over 
 a sand-bar, in which, thougli covered with water, the 
 animals became involved and perisJied. We reached 
 home in safety with the remainder without being pur- 
 sued ; indeed, on our whole route we did not see an 
 Indian. 
 
 Although we brought no scalps, there was great re- 
 
JAMES P. DECKWOURTH. 
 
 159 
 
 Ire- 
 
 joicing at our success. T received, in the distribu- 
 tion, seventeen horses, which 1 gave to my friends, 
 taking care to give my father a liberal share, in the 
 place of those he had previously parted with on my 
 account. 
 
 I had a month's interval at home. Visiting at my 
 father's lodge one day, he asked me why I did not 
 I lead a party myself, and go on some expedition as 
 leader. By so doing, he informed me, I stood a better 
 chance of gaining promotion. "Your medicine is 
 good," said he, " and the medicine of both will bring 
 you great success." 
 
 I replied that I had been domiciliated there so short 
 a time that I did not wish to be too precipitate in push- 
 ing myself forward, and that I prefen*ed to fight a while 
 longer as a brave, rather than risk the ic«ponsibility o^ 
 being leader. 
 
 He replied, "Here is your brother-in-law, take him; 
 also your brothers will go with you. If they all get 
 killed, so be it; I will cheerfully submit to old age 
 without them, and die alone." 
 
 I reflected that, in order to advance by promotion, I 
 must risk every thing ; so I consented to follow his 
 advice. 
 
 "Black Panther," my brother-in-law, was anxious 
 to follow me, and there were seven young striplings, 
 from ten to eighteen years old, that my father called 
 his sons, though, in fact, half of them were what I call- 
 ed nephews. I put myself forward as the leader, the 
 party comprising only two men and the above-men- 
 tioned seven boys. 
 
 We departed from the village, and pressed on to the 
 head-waters of the Arkansas, coming directly to the 
 Arrap-a-ho and I-a-tan villages. At night we drove 
 
160 
 
 AUTOBIOCfRAPHY OF 
 
 off one Imiulred and eighteen iine horses, ^vith which we 
 moved on in uU possible haste toward home. We were 
 tiien about three hundred miles from our village, a:id 
 two hundred from the Crow country. In passing 
 througii til? i*ark* we discovered three Indians coming 
 toward us, driving a small drove of horses. Wc con- 
 cealed ourselves from their view by dropping back over 
 the brow of a small hill directly in their route, until 
 they had approached within ten steps of us. Wc 
 raised the war-hoop, and rushed out on them, killing 
 two of the three ; the third was at a greater distance, 
 driving the cattle, and when lie saw the fate of his 
 companions he mounted one of the fleetest, and was 
 soon beyond pursuit. My company had achieved a 
 great victory, the spoils of which were fourteen horses, 
 in addition to those already in our possession, two 
 scalps, one gun, two battle-axes, one lance, bow, quiv- 
 er, etc. Tliis trivial affair exalted my young brothers 
 in tlieir own esteem higher than the greatest veteran 
 their village contained. During their return home they 
 were anticipating with untiring tongues the ovation 
 that awaited them. 
 
 Wc fell in with no more enemies on our way to the 
 village. The horses we had captured from the three 
 Indians had been stolen by them from the Crows, and 
 as a recovery of lost horses is a greater achievement 
 in Indians' eyes than the original ac(juisition, our merit 
 was in proportion. We entered singing, with our faces 
 blackened, bearing two scalps and other trophies, and 
 driving one hundred and thirty-two fine horses before 
 us. The whole village resounded with the shouts with 
 which our brethren and kindred welcomed us. I was 
 
 * Formerly one of the greatest places for beaver in North America, 
 and well known to the mountaineers. 
 
.JAMKH l». UECKWOURTH. 
 
 161 
 
 hca. 
 
 hailed bravest of tlic brave, and my promotion appeared 
 certain. 
 
 My father and all liis family rose greatly in popu- 
 lar favor. The Antelope's distinguished skill and 
 bravery were reflected, in lucent rays upon their names, 
 "(ireat is the Antelope," was chanted on all sides, 
 " tlie lost son of ijig Jiovvl ; their medicine is good and 
 prosperous." 
 
 There is one trait in Indian character which civil- 
 ized society would derive much profit by imitating. 
 liUvy is a quality unknown to the savages. When a 
 warrior has performed any deed of daring, his merit is 
 freely accorded by all his associate braves ; his deeds 
 are extolled in every public and private reunion, and 
 his name is an incentive to generous emulation. I 
 never witnessed any envious attempt to derogate from 
 the merit of a brave's achievement. No damning with 
 faint prais(; ; none 
 
 " Willing to wound and yet afraid to strike ;" 
 
 no faltering innuendoes that the man has not accom- 
 plished so much, after all. The same way with the 
 women. When a woman's husband has distinguished 
 himself, her neighbors, one and all, take a pride in re- 
 joicing with her over her happiness. If a woman dis- 
 plays more ingenuity ihan common in ornamentiT-j 
 her husband's war-dress, or in adding any fancy work 
 to her own habiliments, she at once becomes the pat- 
 tern of the neighborhood. You see no flaws picked in 
 lier character because of her rising to note ; no asper- 
 sions cast upon her birth or present standing. Such 
 and such is her merit, and it is deserving of our praise ; 
 the fact perceived, it receives full acknowledgment. 
 This leads to the natural conclusion that civilization, 
 in introducing the ostentation of display which is too 
 
162 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 frequently affected without sufficient ground to stand 
 upon, warps the mind from the charity that is natural 
 to it, and leads to all tlic petty strifes, and scandalous 
 tales, and heartburnings that imbitter the lives of so 
 many in civilized life. 
 
 I now engaged in trapping until the latter part of 
 December. I celebrated Christmas by myself, as the 
 Indians knew nothing about the birth of our Savior, 
 and it was hard to make them understand the nature 
 of the event. At tliis time a trading-party started 
 from our village for the Grovan and Mandan country, 
 where there was a trading-post established, for the 
 purpose of buying our winter supply of ammunition, 
 and tobacco, and other necessary articles. I sent 
 thirty beaver-skins, with directions what to purchase 
 with their value, and had marked my initials on all 
 of the skins. Tliese letters were a mystery to the 
 trader. He inquired of the Crows who had marked 
 the skins with those letters. They told him it was a 
 Crow, one of their braves, who had lived with the 
 whites. Kipp, the Irader, then sent an invitation to 
 me to visit him at his fort. 
 
 While our party was away, our village was attacked 
 by a combined i)arty of the Siouxs and Re-ke-rahs, 
 numbering two thousand five hundred. So sudden 
 was the attack that they inflicted considerable mischief 
 upon us before we had a chance to collect our forces, 
 l^ut when we at length charged on them, it was decis- 
 ive. We penetrated their ranks, throwing them into 
 the direst confusion, and they withdrew, leaving two 
 hundred and fifty-three dead on the field. Our loss 
 was thirty-one killed, and one hundred and sixty 
 wounded. They had supposed that nearly all the war- 
 riors had left the village, when but a small party had 
 
 ing 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 163 
 
 to 
 
 gone, and they met with such a reception as they lit- 
 tle expected. I had three Iiorses killed under me, and 
 my faithful battle-axe was red with the blood of the 
 enemy to the end of the haft ; fourteen of the Siouxs 
 had fallen beneath it. 
 
 Although we had taken such a number of scalps, 
 there was no dancing or rejoicing. All were busied iu 
 attending the wounded, or mourning their relatives 
 slain. Their mourning consists in cutting and hack- 
 ing themselves on every part of the body, and keeping 
 up a dismal moaning or howling for hours together. 
 .Many cut off their fingers in order to mourn through 
 life, or, at least, to wear the semblance of mourning ; 
 hence the reason of so many Western Indians having 
 lost one or more of their fingers, and of the scars which 
 disfigure their bodies. 
 
 The Crows fasten the remains of their dead in trees 
 until their flesh is decayed ; their skeletons arc then 
 taken down and inhumed in caves. Sometimes, but 
 not frequently, they kill the favorite horse of the de- 
 ceased, and bury him at the foot of the tree ; but that 
 custom is not followed so strictly with them as witli 
 most other tribes. 
 
 I was pacifically engaged in trapping during the en- 
 suing winter, and the season being open and pleasant, 
 I met with great success. Could I have disposed of 
 my peltry in St. Louis, I should have been as rich as 
 I coveted. 
 
 In the month of IMarch (1826), a small war-party 
 of twenty men left our village on an excursion, and not 
 one of them ever came back, their pack-dogs (used for 
 carrying extra moccasins when a party goes to war) 
 alone returning to intimate their fate. Another party 
 was quickly dispatched, of whom I was appointed lead- 
 
lU 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 cr, and we soon came upon the remains of the massa- 
 cred party, which yet bore the marks of the weapons 
 that had laid them low. There were also many fresh 
 Indian tracks about the place, which led us to the in- 
 i'crcnce that there were enemies near. We made im- 
 mediate search for them, and had only marched about 
 six miles wlicn we came upon a village of nine lodges, 
 wliich we instantly assaulted, killing every man but 
 two. These were on a hill near by, and as they made 
 off we did not follow tlicm. ]My personal trophies in 
 this encounter were one scalp and the equipments of its 
 wearer ; one young girl of about fourteen years, and a 
 little boy. We killed forty-eight of the enemy, and 
 took six women prisoners, together with a large drove 
 of horses, and a valuable stock of beaver, otter, and 
 otlier skins, with which we returned to the village. 
 There was great rejoicing again (not one of our party 
 was scratched), and the beaver-skins, to the number of 
 one hundred and sixty-tluree, were bestowed upon me 
 for my skill in command. 
 
 Before we made the assault we felt convinced that 
 this was the party who had killed our missing friends, 
 and our convictions were substantiated subsequently 
 by recognizing several vv^eapons in their possession 
 which had formerly belonged to our braves ; indeed, 
 some of our women prisoners acknowledged that our 
 departed brethren had killed many of their people. 
 
 The Crows treat the women whom they take pris- 
 oners much better than other tribes do. They do not 
 impose upon them a harder lot than their own women 
 endure, and tliey allow them to marry into the tribe, 
 after which they are in equal fellowship with them. 
 On finding themselves captives, they generally mourn 
 a day or two, but their grief quickly subsides, and they 
 
JAMKS P. «kckwoi;rtii. 
 
 U>5 
 
 mc 
 
 seem to care no farther for their violent removal from 
 their own people. * 
 
 At this time tlie Crows were incessantly at war with 
 .•ill the tribes within their reacii, with the exception of 
 the Snakes and the Flat Heads; and they did not es- 
 ca])e frequent ruptures with them, brought about by 
 the Indians' universal obtuseness as to all huv relating 
 to the riglit of ])roperty in horses. 
 
 The Crows could raise an army of sixteen thousand 
 warriors, and, although there were tribes much more 
 numerous, there were none could match them in an 
 o])cn Hght. The Camunches and Apaches have tilted 
 lances with them repeatedly, and invariably to their 
 discomfiture. If the Crows ever suffered defeat, it 
 was when overwhelmed by numbers. One principal 
 cause of their marked superiority was their plentiful 
 su])ply of guns and ammunition, which the whites al- 
 ways more readily exchanged to them on account of 
 tlieir well-proved fidelity to the white man. When 
 other tribes were constrained to leave their lire-arms 
 in their lodges for want of ammunition, the Crows 
 would have plenty, and could use their arms with 
 great effect against an enemy which had only bow and 
 arrows to shoot with. Farther, they were the most 
 expert horsemen of any Indian tribe, notwithstanding 
 tlie great name bestowed upon the Camanches and 
 Apaches — those two great terrors of Northern Mexico. 
 I have seen them all, and consider myself in a position 
 to judge, although some, perhaps, will say that I am 
 prejudiced in favor of the Crows, seeing that I i?.m one 
 myself. 
 
 Previous to my going among the Crows, the small- 
 pox had been ravaging their camp, caiTying tlicm away 
 in thousands, until, as I was informed by themselves. 
 
166 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 their number was reduced by that fatal Indian scourge 
 to little better than one half. None of their medicine 
 would arrest its course. 
 
 After our last-mentioned victory, the Crows met 
 with numerous reverses, which were attended with se- 
 vere loss of life. In their small war-parties going out 
 on marauding expeditions I had never much confi- 
 dence, althougli, individually, they were good warriors ; 
 therefore I never took part with them until six or 
 eight of their parties would come back severely han- 
 dled, and many of their braves slain. Thus their re- 
 verses accumulated u.itil the whole village was one 
 scene of mourning, numbers of them being self-man- 
 gled in the most shocking manner, and tlie blood trick- 
 ling from their heads down to the ground. Some had 
 lost a father, some a brother, some a sweetheart ; in 
 short, their appearance was too fearful to look upon, 
 and their cries were too painful to hear. 
 
 When the last party came in, defeated with serious 
 loss, I had just returned with a party from the pursuit 
 of horse-thieves. We had brought in four scalps, and 
 were performing the scalp-dance in honor of the event. 
 On hearing the disastrous news of the return of the 
 defei.ted party, we arrested the dance, and I retired 
 into my lodge. Soon, however, a crowd of women 
 came and lifted it directly from over mc, leaving me .in 
 the open air. They then threw before me immense 
 quantities of all kinds of goods, leggins, moccasins, 
 and other things, until I was nearly covered with their 
 miscellaneous offerings. 
 
 I called out, " Enough! I am aroused. I will go 
 with your warriors and revenge the death of your 
 friends." They were all satisfied, and stood still. 
 The news then circulated through the village that the 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 167 
 
 Antelope was aroused, and himself going against the 
 Cheyennes to revenge the deatli of their braves. 
 
 I had as yet met with no reverses since my trans- 
 lation. IVFy medicine had always bcGr: good and true. 
 I had never come home without scalps or spoils, and 
 they began to associate my name with victory. The 
 next day five hundred warriors rallied round me, among 
 whom were some who had suffered recent defeat, and 
 their minds were burning for revenge. I sent forward 
 fifty spies, and moved cautiously on with the main 
 body. My reputation was committed to my piese it 
 success, and I took more than ordinary pains to viiuli- 
 cate the cause they had intrusted to my care. I^jvery 
 man was well armed and mounted, and I had full con- 
 fidence in our ability to give a good account of double 
 our number. 
 
 My command were very curious to learn my tactics. 
 On one occasion, when they were completely harassing 
 me with endless inquiries respecting my plan of attack, 
 I told them, if they would bring me a silvcr-^ay fox, 
 unhurt, my medicine would be complete, and that wc 
 were sure of a great victory. In a moment they left 
 me, and shortly returned with a live fox, which they 
 had caught in a surround. I ordered them to choke 
 it to death, and then flay it : it was done, and the 
 beautiful skin was handed to me. I wrapped it round 
 my medicine bow, and made a brief speech, informing 
 them that the cunning of the fox had descended upon 
 iny head, and that my wiles would infallibly circum- 
 vent the enemy. Like another Alexander, I thus in- 
 spired confidence in the breasts of my soldiers, and 
 the spirit I was infusing in others partly communi- 
 cated itself to my own breast. 
 
 Some of the spies now returned and informed me 
 
iV 
 
 108 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 I hat they had discovered a village of Clieyenncs con- 
 laining thirty-seven lodges. 
 
 " \Veil," said 1, after learning where it was, " now 
 return and watch them strictly ; if any thing happens, 
 acquaint me with it promptly." 
 
 Away tliey went, but soon returned again to report 
 tliat the enemy had moved down the creek (which was 
 then called Antelope Creek, a smal) tributary of the 
 Missouri), had passed through the canon, and were en- 
 camped at its mouth. I ordered them to send in all 
 the spies except ten, and to direct those ten to keep a 
 sharp look-out. I then determined to follow them 
 down the canon and attack them at the mouth, thus 
 cutting off their retreat into the canon ; but again I 
 was informed that the enemy had moved farther down, 
 and had encamped in the edge of the timber, with the 
 evident intention of remaining there. 
 
 I approached their village with great caution, mov- 
 ing a few miles a day, until I occupied a position on 
 a hill near it, where I had an almost bird's-eye view 
 of the village underneath. I then sent all my extra 
 horses, together with the boys and women, to the rear ; 
 I divided the warriors into three parties, reserving the 
 smallest division of fifty men to myself. I placed the 
 two chief divisions in juxtaposition, out of view of 
 the enemy, and, with my small party, intended to de- 
 scend upon the horses, thinking to draw them after 
 me ; my two concealed divisions would then inclose 
 them as in a lane, and we, returning, would place them 
 under a triple fire. I addressed them briefly, begging 
 them to show the enemy they were Crows, and brave 
 ones too, and that, if they would strictly obey my 
 directions, we could retrieve all our recent reverses. 
 
 The two coi^s d'annee being in position, T was ad- 
 
JAMES V. BPX'KWOrRTH. 
 
 169 
 
 Iter 
 lose 
 lem 
 
 vancing with my small division, when we came sud- 
 denly upon two of the enemy, whom we instantly killed 
 and scalped. We rode on, being in full sight of the 
 enem} , but they made no offer to come out of their 
 camp. We tried every means to ])rovoke them to ad- 
 vance ; we shook our two scalps at them, yet reeking 
 with blood, and tantalized them all we could ; but they 
 would not move. To have charged them as they were 
 situated would have entailed upon us severe loss. 
 We had taken two scalps without loss of blood, more 
 glorious in an Indian's estimation than to take one 
 hundred if a single life was sacrificed. We had braved 
 our foes ; we had stamped them as cowards, which is 
 almost equal to death ; so, contenting myself with 
 what was done, I concluded to draw off my forces and 
 return home. We were received at the village with 
 deafening applause. Every face was washed of its 
 mourning-paint; gloom gave way to rejoicing; and 
 the scalp-dance was performed with enthusiasm and 
 hilarity. I was illustrated with the distinguished 
 name of Big Bowl (Bat-te-sarsh), and hailed as a de- 
 liverer by all the women in the village. 
 
 A little girl, who had often asked me to marry her, 
 came to me one day, and with every importunity in- 
 sisted on my accepting her as my wife. I said, " You 
 are a very pretty girl, but you are but a child ; when 
 you are older I will talk to you about it." 
 
 But she was not to be put off. " You are a great 
 brave," she said, "and braves have a right to paint the 
 fp.ces of their wives when they have killed the enemies 
 of the Crows. I am a little girl now, I know ; but if I 
 am your wife, you will paint my face when you return 
 from the war, and I shall be proud that I am the wife 
 of a great brave, and can rejoice with the other women 
 
 H 
 
170 
 
 ArTOBIOaRAI'lIY OF 
 
 wliose faces arc painted by their brave liusbancls. Vou 
 will also give me tine things, fine clothes, and scarlet 
 cioth ; and 1 can make you pretty leggins and mocca- 
 sins, and take care of your war-liorses and war imple- 
 ments." 
 
 The little innocent used such powerful appeals that, 
 notwithstanding 1 had already seven wives and a lodge 
 for eacli, I told licr she might be my wife. I took Iicr 
 to the lodge of one of my married sisters, told her that 
 the little girl was my wife, and that she would make 
 lier a good wood-carrier, and that she must dress her 
 up finely as became tlie spouse of a brave. My sister 
 was mu<^li pleased, and cheerfully carried out all my 
 requests. As 1 sliaii have occasion to speak of this lit- 
 tle girl again, in connection with the medicine lodge, 1 
 shall say comparatively little of her at this time. 
 
 I spent the summer very agreeably, being engaged 
 most of the time in hunting buffalo and trapping bea- 
 ver. I had now accumulated three full packs, worth in 
 market three thousand dollars. 
 
 One day I took a fancy to hunt mountain sheep, and 
 for company took my little wife with me. She was par- 
 ticularly intelligent, and I found by her conversation 
 that she surpassed my other wives in sense. She was 
 full of talk, and asked all manner of questions concern- 
 ing my travels among the great lodges and villages of 
 the white man ; if the white squaws were as pretty as 
 herself; and an endless variety of questions. I felt 
 greatly pleased with her piquant curiosity, and impart- 
 ed much information to her. Fixing her deep black 
 eyes full upon mine, she at length said,'* I intend, some 
 time in my life, to go into the medicine lodge." I looked 
 ut her with astonishment. The dedication of a female 
 to the service of the Great Spirit is a dangerous at- 
 
lAMKS P. BKCKWOrRTII. 
 
 171 
 
 ras 
 rn- 
 
 lOf 
 
 as 
 felt 
 Lrt- 
 
 tenipt. Like all forms of imposture, it requires a peeui- 
 iar talent and fitness in tlic candidate who seeks to 
 gain admission into the sacred lodge. The war-path 
 secret is associated with the ministration, with many 
 other fearful ceremonies. The woman who succeeds in 
 her ambitious project is an honored participant in the 
 sacred service of the Deity througii life ; but ■where one 
 succeeds numbers fail, and the failure entails instant 
 deatli. Three years subserpient to this conversation, 
 1 shall have to relate how my little wife, in the breath- 
 less silence of ten thousand waiTiors, passed the fiery 
 ordeal in safety, and went triumphantly into the lodge 
 of the (ireat Spirit. 
 
 I had good success in hunting, killing a great num- 
 ber of sheep, and carried their skins with me to the 
 village. < )n arriving, 1 called at the lodge of my allied 
 brother, who insisted on ni v enterincr and takino; a meal. 
 L accepted his ofler, while my little wife ran home to 
 communicate my great success in hunting. Our meal 
 consisted of strips of dried buffalo tongue, which, as the 
 Indians did not half cook it, wao a dish 1 never partook 
 of. What was served me on this occasion, however, 
 was well done, and I ate a hearty meal. Sujipcr com- 
 pleted, I was praising the viands, and chanced to in- 
 quire what dish I had been eating. The woman re- 
 plied that it was tongue, and expressed by her looks 
 that 1 must have known what it was. jMy friend, know- 
 ing that I had departed from my rule, inferred that I 
 had infringed my medicine, and he started up in horror, 
 shouting, "Tongue I tongue I you have ruined his med- 
 icine ! should our hero be slain in battle, you are a lost 
 woman." 
 
 The poor woman was half dead with fear, her fea- 
 tures expressing the utmost horror. 
 
172 
 
 AirrOBIOORAPHY OF 
 
 I issued from tho lodge, bellowing in iinitution of 
 the buffalo, protruding my tongue, and pawing up tlif 
 ground like a bear in fury. This was in order to re- 
 move the spell that had settled over me, and reeover 
 the strength of my medicine. 1 recovered at length, 
 and proceeded toward my lodge, commiserated by a 
 large crowd, who all deplored the taking of the food as 
 a lamentable accident. 
 
 That same evening the village was notified by the 
 crier that on the following dry there would be a sur- 
 round, and all were summoned to attend. I accompa- 
 nied the party, and the surround was made, several 
 hundred buffaloes being inclosed. On charging among 
 them to dispatch them, we discovered seven JMuck Foot 
 Indians, who, finding retreat cut off from them, had 
 hastily provided themselves with a sand fort. I struck 
 one of the victims witli a willow I had in my hand, 
 and retired thereupon, declaring I had w^ounded the 
 first enemy. This, I believe I have before mentioned, 
 is a greater honor than to slay any number in battle. 
 
 I had retired to a short distance, and was standing 
 looking at the fight, when a bullet, discharged from the 
 fort, struck the dagger in my belt, and laid me breath- 
 less on tlie ground. Recovering immediately, I arose, 
 and found myself bleeding at the mouth. Imagining 
 the ball had penetrated some vital place, I gave my- 
 self up for dead. I was carried to the village by scores 
 of warriors, who, with me, supposed my wound to be 
 mortal, and were already deploring their warrior's fall. 
 The tnedicine men surrounded me, and searched for 
 my wound ; but, behold ! there was only a small dis- 
 coloration to be seen ; the skin was not perforated. 
 The ball was afterward found where I fell, flattened as 
 if struck with a hammer. It was then declared that T 
 
Tin; INHIAN I'lll.ltM'.MAN. 
 
JAMK8 I'. UECKWOURTII. 
 
 175 
 
 ■would recover. The enemy's bullets flattened in con- 
 tact with my person — my medicine was infallible — 1 
 was impenetrable to wound I I did not afford them 
 any light on the matter. 
 
 As soon as the poor woman who had entertained me 
 at supper heard that I was wounded, she left for an- 
 other village, and was not seen again for six months. 
 Supposing herself to have been instrumental in destroy- 
 ing my medicine, and knowing that, if I died, her life 
 would pay the forfeit of her carelessness, she did not 
 dare to return. 8he clianced to see me unharmed at 
 the village where she had taken refuge, and then she 
 knew her life was redeemed. 
 
 While the doctor and medicine men were going 
 through their spells and incantations previous to un- 
 covering my wound, my relatives, in their solicitude 
 for my life, offered profuse rewards if they would save 
 me. Home offered twenty horses, some fifty, some 
 more, in proportion as their wealth or liberality prompt- 
 ed. The doctors ransomed my life, and they received 
 over five hundred horses for their achievement. 
 
 One day a slight dispute arose between one of the 
 braves and myself about some trivial matter, and as 
 both of us were equally obstinate in maintaining our 
 views, we both became angry. jNIy disputant remark- 
 ed with great superciliousness, " Ugh I you pretend to 
 be a brave, but you are no brave." 
 
 We drew our battle-axes at the same instant, and 
 rushed at each other, but before either had an oppor- 
 tunity to strike, the pipe was thrust between us, com- 
 pelling us to desist, to disobey wliich is instant death. 
 This is the duty of certain Indians, who occupy the 
 position of policemen in a city. They then said to 
 my antagonist, " You said that ' Big l^owl' was no 
 
J7(i 
 
 Al TOBIOttKAPJIV UF 
 
 brave. Vou lied ; we all know that he is brave ; our 
 enemies can testily to it, and you dare not deny it any 
 more. Hoi'caftcr, if you wisli to show which is the 
 j^reatcst brave, wait until you meet the enemy, then 
 we can decide ; but never again attempt to take eacli 
 other's lives." 
 
 This interference procured peace. It was not long, 
 however, before wc both had a good opportunity to de- 
 termine the question of our valor. A small party of 
 thirty warriors was embodied, myself and my antago- 
 nist being of the number. After a short march wc loll 
 in with a war-part}^ cf eighteen Cheyennes, who, not- 
 withstanding the disparity of numbers, accepted brittle, 
 well knowing that escape was impossible. 1 pointed 
 out one of the enemy (who 1. could see by his dress 
 and the peculiarity of his hair was a chief). " You 
 sec him V" 1 said. " Well, we can decide which is tlie 
 best man now. You charge directly against him by 
 my side.*' 
 
 This he readily assented to, but still I could detect 
 in his countenance an expression which I deciphered, 
 " I would rather not." I saw the Indian we were about 
 to attack open the j)an of his gun, and give it a slight 
 tap with his hand to render its discharge certain, lie 
 presented his piece, and took the most deliberate aim 
 as we advanced side by side to the attack. The death 
 of one of us seemed inevitable, and I did not like the 
 feeling of suspense. A few spurrings of our chargers, 
 and wc were upon him. I seized the nmzzle of his 
 gun at the very instant that it exploded, and cut him 
 down with the battle-axe in my right hand. My left 
 cheek was tilled with the powder from the discharge, 
 the stains of which remain to this day. ]\ly rival dirl 
 not even strike at the Indian I had killed. 
 
 chain 
 
JAMES P. UECKWOURTII. 
 
 177 
 
 lie 
 
 He then .said to mv, " Vou arc truly a great waiTior 
 and a great Ibravc ; L was wrong in saying what 1 did. 
 AVc are now good friends.*' 
 
 C)ur few enemies were quickly exterminated, the loss 
 on our side Leing four wounded, including my powder- 
 wound. ]My fame was still farther celebrated, for J had 
 ugain struck down the iirst man, who was a great chief, 
 and had actually charged up to the muzzle of his gun, 
 what few Indians have the stamina to do. On our re- 
 turn with the S})oils of victory we were warmly con- 
 gratulated hy the tribe, and I was still farther ennobled 
 by tlie additional name of Bull's llobe, conferred on me 
 by my father. 
 
 It was now the fall of the year. I had been a Crow 
 for many moons. It was time to repair to the trading- 
 post to obtain what articles wc needed. I determined 
 ^0 accompany the party, and at least attend to the sale 
 of my own eftccts. What peltry I had was worth 
 three thousand dollars in 8t. Louis, and I was solicit- 
 ous to obtain something like an equivalent in exchange 
 for it. 
 
 We proceeded to Fort Clarke, on the Missouri. T 
 waited until the Indians had nearly completed their ex- 
 changes, speaking nothing but Crow language, dressed 
 like a Crow, my hair as long as a Crow's, and myself 
 as black as a crow. No one at the post doubted my 
 being a Crow. Toward the conclusion of the business, 
 one of my tribe inquired in his own language for "be- 
 lias-i-pe-hish-a."' The clerk could not understand his 
 want, and there was none of the article in sight for the 
 Indian to point out. He at length called Kipp to see 
 it' he could divine the Indian's meanino-. 
 
 o 
 
 I then said in l^^njnlish, " Gentlemen, that Indian 
 wants scarlet cloth." 
 
 112 
 
178 
 
 Al nmiUUKAlMIY of 
 
 If a ])onib-,slicll had exploded in the fort tJicy could 
 not have been more astonished. 
 
 "Ah,*' said one of tlicni/'you spcakEnglish ! Where 
 <lid you learn it V" 
 
 "A\ ith the Avhite man." 
 
 *■' How long were you witli the whites?" 
 
 " ]\Iorc than twenty years." 
 
 " AV'here did vou live witli them V" 
 
 " In ^Sl. I^ouis." 
 
 " In 8t. Louis I ill St. Louis I Vou have lived twcn- 
 ty years in St. Louis I" 
 
 Then they scaaned me eloscly from head to foot, and 
 Kipp said, ""If you have lived twenty years in St. Louis, 
 ['11 swear you arc no Crow." 
 
 "No, 1 am not." 
 
 "Then what may ho your name?" 
 
 " JMy name in JCnglish is James Beckwourth." 
 
 " (iood heavens I why 1 have heard your name men- 
 tioned a thousand times. Vou were supposed dead, 
 and were so reported by Captain Sublet." 
 
 "lam not dead, as vou see; I still move and breathe." 
 
 "This ex])lains the mystery," he added, turning to 
 the clerk, "of tliosc bcaver-skins beino- niarkcd 'J. B." 
 Well, well I if you arc not a strange mortal I" 
 
 All this conversation was unintelligible to my Crow 
 brethren, who were evidently proud to sec a Crow talk 
 so Hucntly to the white man. 
 
 " Now," 1 said, " I have seen you transact your busi- 
 ness without interposing with a word. Yon have clear- 
 ed two or three thousand ])er cent, of your exchanges. 
 1 do not grudge it you. AV'crc I in your jilace f should 
 do the sanu\ llut I want a little more liberal treat- 
 ment. 1 have toiled hard for what I have obtained, 
 and T want the worth of mv earnings." 
 
 ^till 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOLRTif. 
 
 179 
 
 to 
 
 alk 
 
 I set my own price upon my property, and, to the 
 great asto'iislimcnt of my Indian brethren, 1 ^turned 
 with as large a bale of goods as theirs would all vogeth- 
 cr amount to. i^ut, as I have said, an Indian h, in no 
 wise envious, and, instead of considering themselves 
 unfairly used, they rejoiced at the white mar's profu- 
 sion to me, and supposed the overplus he iiad givc!i 
 me was an indemnity for the captivity they had lieM 
 me in. 
 
 On our return I made various presents to all my 
 wives, some of whom I did not see for months togeth- 
 er, and to many other rcUtives. 1 had still p good 
 stock to trade upon, and could exchange with my 
 brethren at any rate I offered. They placed implicit 
 contidence in my integrity, and a beaver-skin ex- 
 changed with me for one l>lug of tobacco contented 
 them better than to have exchanged it for two with the 
 white man. 
 
 1 had the fairest opportunity for the acquisition of 
 an immense fortune that ever was placed in man's way. 
 iiy saying one word to the tribe I could have kept the 
 white trader fore\cr out of their territory, and thus 
 have gained the monopoly of the trade of the entire 
 nation for any term of years. That I am not now in 
 possession of a fortune equal to that of an Astor or a 
 Uirard is solely the fault of my own indolence, and 1 
 do not to tills moment see how I came to neglect the 
 golden opportunity. 
 
 While returning from the trading-post, we fell in 
 with a party of about two hundred and fifty Chey- 
 enne warriors, to oppose wiiom we numbered but two 
 imndred warriors, besides being encumbered with a 
 still greater number of women. As good fortune 
 would have it, they attacked us in the daytime, while 
 
I8U 
 
 ai:tohiuukai'JIv uk 
 
 wc were moving; wliercas, had they but waited till 
 we were encamped, and our lior.scs turned out, 1 do 
 not see Jiow we could have e.scaj)ed defeat, in trav- 
 eling, every warrior led his war-horse by his side, with 
 lance and shield attached to the saddle. 
 
 The enemy was iirst seen by one of our scouts at 
 some little distance from the nuiin body. ( )n see- 
 ing they were discovered, they gave chase to him, and 
 f.ontinued on until they came upon our wliolc party. 
 Iwery man transferred himself to his war-horse, and 
 was instantly ready to receive them. They advanced 
 upon our line, were received without wavering, and 
 fmally driven back. It was now our turn to attack. 
 Wc charged furiously with our whole force, complete- 
 ly sweeping every thing from before us, and killing or 
 dis.ibling at least fifty of the enemy. Tlicy rallied 
 and returned, but the reception they met with soon 
 put them to rout, and they Hed precipitately into the 
 timber, where wc did not care to follow them. 
 
 Our loss was severe : nine warriors killed and thir- 
 teen wounded, including myself, who had received an 
 arrow in the head — not so serious, however, as to pre- 
 vent me doing duty. AYe also lost one pack-horse, 
 laden with goods, but no scalps. We took eleven 
 scalps upon the iield, and the Cheyennes afterward 
 confessed to the loss of fifty-six warriors. AVhen we 
 lost a horse in the action, the women would immedi- 
 ately supply its place with a fresh one. We were 
 nearly two hundred miles from home, and we carried 
 our dead all the way thither. 
 
 On arriving at home, I found my father greatly ir- 
 ritated. He had lost two hundred and fifty head of 
 horses from his own herd, stolen by the Black ¥cct, 
 who liad raised a general contribution from tlie whole 
 
JAMES 1*. HEl'KWOLItTJI. 
 
 181 
 
 loet, 
 hole 
 
 village. His voice wns still for war, and he insisted on 
 giving immediate chase. 1 dissuaded him *'rom his 
 intention, representing to him his advanced years, and 
 pxomising to go myself and obtain satisfaction for his 
 losses. lie reluctantly consented to this arrange- 
 ment; but, four or five days after my departure on the 
 errand, his medicine became so strong that he started 
 oft" with a party, taking an opposite direction to the 
 one I liad gone on. JMy party consisted of two hund- 
 i-ed and twenty good warriors, and my course lay for 
 the head-waters of the Arkansas, in the Arrap-a-ho 
 country. 
 
 We fell in with no enemies on our way until we ar- 
 rived at a village which contained upward of one hund- 
 red lodges. We formed our plans for assaulting the 
 place the next day, when we discovered four white 
 men, whom we surrounded. The poor fellows thought 
 their last day was come, and I was amused to ovcr- 
 liear their conversation. 
 
 They will surely kill us all," said one. 
 In what manner will they kill us ?" asked another. 
 They may burn us," suggested a third. 
 Then they communed among themselves, little 
 thinking there was one overhearing them who sympa- 
 thized with every apprehension they expressed. 
 
 They summed up their consultation by one saying, 
 " If they attempt to kill us, let us use our knives to 
 the best advantage, and sell our lives as dearly as 
 possible." 
 
 "Gentlemen," said I, " I will spare you that trouble." 
 "Great God I" they exclaimed, " Mr. Beckwourth, 
 is that you ?" 
 
 " Yes," I replied, " that is my name. You are per- 
 fectly safe, but you must not leave our camp till to- 
 morrow," 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 a 
 
182 
 
 AL'TUBIUOKAPHY OF 
 
 "For what reason?" they inquired. 
 
 " Jk'causc tlierc is a village close by which we mean 
 to assault at daybreak, and we do not wish our design 
 to be '"nown." 
 
 "Oh," said they, "we should not communicate your 
 designs, and wc did not even know of the village." 
 
 They then poured out bctbre me a whole sea of mis- 
 fortunes. They had been trapping — had met with very 
 good success ; the Indians had stolen their liorses ; in 
 attempting to cross the river by means of a badly-con- 
 structed raft, the raft liad fallen to pieces, and they had 
 lost every thing — })cltry, guns, and amnmnition. They 
 were now making their way to New Mexico, with noth- 
 ing to eat and no gun to kill game with. They were 
 among Indians, and were two or tlmje hundred miles 
 from the nearest settlements of Xew ^Mexico. I en- 
 tertained them well while they staid, and, after our 
 assault in the morning, I gave them two guns and 
 twenty rounds of ammunition, and counseled them to 
 take advantage of the surprise of the Indians to make 
 good their escape. One of the four afterward inform- 
 ed me tliat they reached the settlements in safety, 
 having killed a buffalo and a deer on the way. 
 
 We made the assault as appointed. Wc were 
 mounted on ho''scs wc had taken from the village dur- 
 ing the night, as Indians go on horse-stealing expedi- 
 tions on foot. I divided my force into two bodies, 
 giving my principal scout the command of one. I 
 gave orders to run off their horses witliout riskirg a 
 battle, if no opposition were offered ; but, if they show- 
 ed tight, to kill whatever came in their way. TIic 
 Arrap-a-hos are very poor warriors, but on this occa- 
 sion they defended themselves with commendable zeal 
 and bravery. We were, however, compelled to kill 
 
JAMEH 
 
 BECKWUL'RTH. 
 
 18a 
 
 iburtcen of them, for our own security, before we could 
 oct tlicir liorses well started. Un our side we had four 
 
 o 
 
 wounded ; and if tliey had not delayed to scalp the 
 fallen Indians, tliat might liavc been avoided. 
 
 We succeeded in driving away over sixteen hund- 
 red horses, all well conditioned, with which we arrived 
 safely at home. jNIy father also returned about tho 
 same time with near three thousand head, all superior 
 animals. The Bull's Kobe family had certainly done 
 wonders, and we were entertained to the greatest feast 
 [ had ever seen. The whole village was illuminated 
 with numerous feux de Joie, and such dancing was 
 never known before. 
 
 I received another addition to my list of titles hi 
 commemoration of this event, Is-ko-chu-e-chu-rc, the 
 Kneniy of Horses. 
 
 A feud now broke out, which had been long brew- 
 ing, between two diflcrcnt parties in our village, one 
 of which worsliipcd foxes, and the other worshiped 
 dogs. The warriors of the latter party were called 
 Dog Soldiers, of which I was the leader ; the other 
 party was led by Red Eyes. The quarrel originated 
 about the prowess of the respective parties, and was 
 fostered by lied JOyes, on the part of the rival compa- 
 ny, and by Yellow Belly (in Indian A-re-she-res), a 
 man in my company. This A-re-shc-rcs was as brave 
 :in Indian as ever trod the plain, but he was also a very 
 bad Indian — that is, he was disagreeable in his man- 
 ners, and very insulting in his conversation. 
 
 Red Eyes was equally brave, but of a diftcrent dis- 
 position. His v,*as a reserved pride ; the braggadocio 
 of A-rc-slie-res offended him. This rivalry developed 
 into an open rupture, and the pipe-men were obliged to 
 incerfere to prevent open hostilities. At length it was 
 
1«4 
 
 Al TUBIOCIKAI'HY UF 
 
 proposed, in order to cement .1 iinal ])C.ice between tho 
 two warriors, tiiat each slioiiid .select i'rom liis own par- 
 ty a certain number of men, and go and wage common 
 war against some enemy — tlie question of bravery to 
 be decided by the number of scalps brought in on eacli 
 side. 
 
 Kcd JOyes accordingly chose from his party eighteen 
 of tlic best men, himself making tho nineteenth — men 
 who would sutler deatii rather than show tiieir backs 
 to the enemy. A-re-shc-res, with his accustomed fan- 
 faronade, said, *' I can beat that i)arty with less men : 
 I will only take sixteoi men, and bring in more scalps 
 than they.'' 
 
 lie came to me and said, "Enemy of Horses, I want 
 you to go with me and die witii me. It is of no use 
 for you to stay with this people ; tliey are not brave 
 any longer. Come with me, and we will enter the 
 spirit land together, where the inhabitants are all brave. 
 There is better hunting ground in the country of the 
 Great Spirit. Come I" 
 
 1 replied I would rather not go on such an errand. 
 I have women to live for, and defend against the ene- 
 nnes of the Crows ; that when J fought 1 wished to 
 destroy the enemy and preserve my own life. "That," 
 said I, " is bravery and prudence combined." 
 
 " Ah !" answered he, " you a leader of the Dog Sol- 
 diers, and refuse to go ! There are prettier women in 
 the land of the Clreat Spirit than any of your squaws, 
 and game in much greater abundance. I care noth- 
 ing about my life : 1 am ready to go to the land of tho 
 Cireat Sj)irit. Vou nnist go with me ; perhaps your 
 medicine will save not only yourself, but all of us. li 
 so, it will be so much the better." 
 
 I, not wishing to be thought cowardly, especially by 
 
lAMKS I'. HKCKWOIKTII. 
 
 i«rj 
 
 A-rc-shc-res, at Icngtli consented to acconi])any liini, 
 on tlie condition that he wouhl stiiic all liarsh t'eelinjx 
 against our brethren, and, let our expedition result as 
 it would, accept the deciaion in good faith, and never 
 refer to the past. 
 
 *' It is well," he said ; *' let it be as vour words 
 speak.*' 
 
 The two parties started on different routes to the 
 (jiieyenne country. J regarded it as a foolhardy en- 
 terprise, but if it resulted in the establisiinient of peace, 
 I was contented to take part in it, at whatever per- 
 sonal sacrifice. Wc used every precaution against a 
 surprise, and A-re-she-rcs willingly adaj)ted his move- 
 ments to my counsel ; for, though he was as brave as 
 a lion, and fought with the utmost desperation, he was 
 very inconsiderate of consequences, and had no power 
 of calculating present combinations to come at a de- 
 sired result. 
 
 After traveling about twenty days, wc arrived at a 
 considerable elevation, from whence we could see, at 
 some distance on the prairie, about thirty of the ene- 
 my engaged in killing buffalo. We could also see 
 their village at a distance of three miles. 
 
 "There is an opportunity, "said A-re-she-rcs; "now 
 let us charge these Indians in the open prairie." 
 
 " No, no," I replied ; "there are too many of them; 
 the Cheyennes are brave wamors ; if you wish to car- 
 ry home their scalps, we must get into their path and 
 waylay them ; by that means we shall kill many of 
 them, and run less risk of our own lives. We shall 
 gain more honor by preserving the lives of our war- 
 riors, and taking back the scalps of the enemy, than 
 by sacrificing our lives in a rash and inconsiderate 
 charge." 
 
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 AI'TOUJOUKAPIIV OF 
 
 " Your words are true," said he, " and we will do as 
 you say." 
 
 " Then," added 1, "turn your robes the hair side 
 out, and follow me." 
 
 W'c wound our way down the trail through which 
 they must necessarily pa?s to reacli their viilnge, and 
 kept on until we reached a place where there wore three 
 gullies worn by the passage of the water. Througli 
 the centre gully the trail passed, tlius leaving a formi- 
 dable position on each side, in wliicli an ambuscade 
 had ample concealment. 1 divided my party, giving 
 the command of one division to A-re-she-rcs. We 
 took our stations in the ditches on each side the trail, 
 though not exactly opposite to each other. I directed 
 the opposite party not to fu'c a gun until they should 
 hear ours, and then each man to take the enemy in the 
 order of precedence. The unsuspecting Cheyennes, 
 as soon as they had finished butchering and dressing 
 the builalo, began to a2)proach us in parties of from 
 three to eight or ten, their horses loaded with meat, 
 which tliey were bearing to the village. When there 
 were about a dozen abreast of my party, I made a sig- 
 nal to fire, and nine Cheyennes fell before our balls, and 
 eight before those of A-re-she-res's party. Some few 
 of the enemy who had passed on, hearing the guns, re- 
 turned to see what the matter was, and three of them 
 became victims to our bullets. We all rushed from 
 our hiding-places then, and some fell to scalping the 
 prostrate foe, and some to cutting the lashings of the 
 meat in order to secure the horses, the remainder keep- 
 ing the surviving enemy at bay. Having taken twenty 
 scalps, we sprang upon the horses we had freed from 
 tlieir packs, and retreated precipitately, for the enemy 
 was coming in sigl in great numbers. 
 
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 braves. 
 
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JAMES 1'. IJECKWOriiTH. 
 
 l.s; 
 
 AVc made direct for the timber, and, leaving our 
 horses, took refuge in a rocky place in the mountain, 
 where we considered ourseb/es protected for a while 
 irom their attacks. To storm us in front they had to 
 advance riglit in the face of our bullets, and to reacli 
 us in the rear they had to take a circuitous route ot' 
 several miles round the base of the mountain. The 
 enemy evinced the utmost bravery, as they made repeat- 
 ed assaults riglit up to the Ibrtification that sheltered 
 U.S. Their bullets showered avound us without injury, 
 ijut Avc could bring down one man at every discharge. 
 To scalp them, however, was out of the question. 
 
 During the combat a great Cheyenne brave, named 
 Lcg-in-the-AVfiter, charged directly into our niitlst, and 
 aimed a deadly thrust with his lance at one of our 
 braves. The warrior assailed instantly shivered the 
 weapon with his battle-axe, and inflicted a ghastly 
 wound in his assailant's shoulder with a i'econd blow. 
 He managed to escape, leaving his horst dead in our 
 midst. 
 
 J3y this time we were encompassed with the enemy, 
 which induced the belief in our minds that retreat 
 v.ould be the safest course. jN'one of our party was 
 wounded except A-re-she-res, who had his arm broken 
 with a bullet between the shoulder and elbow. He 
 made light of the wound, only regretting that he could 
 uo longer discharge his gun ; but he wielded his battle- 
 axe with his left hand as well as ever. 
 
 AYlien night came on we evacuated our fortress, un- 
 perceived by our enemies. They, deeming our escape 
 impossible, were quietly resting, intending to assault 
 us with Lheir whole force in the morning, and take our 
 .;calps at all hazards. ^Moving with the stealth of a 
 oat, we proceeded along tlie summit of a rocky clifl 
 
IHH 
 
 AUTOKlUiJKAl'JlV OF 
 
 until we came to a cleft or ravine, through which W(^ 
 descended from the bluff to the bottom, which was 
 covered with p heavy growth of timber. A\'^e then 
 hastened home, arriving there on the twenty-eigbth 
 day from the time we left. 
 
 They had given us over for lost ; but when they 
 saw us returning with twenty scalps, and only one of 
 our party hurt, their grief gave way to admiration, and 
 we were hailed witli shouts of applause. 
 
 Our rival party, under lied i'^yes, had returned live 
 or six days previou.«ly, bringing with them seventeen 
 scalps, obtained at the loss of one man. Our party 
 was declared the victor, since we had taken the great- 
 er number of scalps, with the weaker party, and with- 
 out loss of life, thus excelling our rivals in three sev- 
 eral points. lied Eyes clieerfully acknowledged him- 
 self beaten, good feeling was restored, and the subject 
 of each other's bravery was never after discussed. 
 
 We had still another advantage, inasmuch as wo 
 could dance, a celebration they were deprived of, as 
 they had lost a warrior ; they, li^^'^ever, joined our 
 party, and wanted nothing in liea^L" (;ss to render our 
 dance sufficiently boisterous to suffice for the purpose 
 of both. 
 
 All the dancing is performed in the open air, witli 
 the solid ground for a floor. It consists of jumping 
 up and down, intermixed with violent gestures and 
 stamping ; they keep time with a drum or tambourine, 
 composed of antelope-skin stretched over a hoop, the 
 whole party singing during the performance. 
 
JAMES V. BECKVVOUKTil. 
 
 189 
 
 CHAPTKJl XIV. 
 
 Chcyenncs. 'Natural 1 ort.— Trouble with the 
 
 .ilS?jr,!-^'°A^ '''^",* "<"^^°'"'y occurrence un- 
 til fl e following JIarch. when we moved from the wcst- 
 
 Xongue Elver Mountain, one of the peaks of the 11 .ky 
 .Mountain eham. The buftUloes had .eecded from tS 
 environs of our old eamping-ground, and had been a! 
 traeted to lie region whither we removed in eonse- 
 quenee of the gi-ass being in a more forward state. 
 Our community numbered ten thousand souls- 
 
 n2ZZT' """^ ^'i"''^— together with an immense 
 umbe, of horses. In crossing tlie mountain, we found 
 tlie snow to be of so great depth, being tlrtherTn- 
 creased with a three days' recent storm, tliat the 
 mountain was impassable. In this seve.; journ y 
 vliich occupied tlirce days, we had twelve mndred 
 horses perish in tlie snow. Previously, ihe Black Feet 
 
 <lition to follow them, as we were all engaged in pack- 
 ing up for removal. We reached the prLe, on tt 
 astern sule of the mountain, after a toilsome journej' 
 and found good camping-ground on Box Elder Creek 
 The morning following our arrival we started on a 
 
 ritio '" ^ \ "' "'■'^ '"'^ "P""''' «^ «- -hole 
 saddle-horse. I had nee proceeded far before I hefrd 
 
190 
 
 ALTOIUOIUUPIIY OK 
 
 a noise that sounded very much like a war-hoop. I 
 stopi^cd my horse to listen. Those near me said it 
 was a signal from one of tiio parties, who had discov- 
 ered buffalo, and we proceeded on our journey. Soon, 
 however, i heard the yell again, and I became satislicd 
 there was something more than buffalo astir. I rode 
 to a small eminence close by, and descried a party of 
 our hunters at a distance making signals for others to 
 succor them. I turned back to my wives, and dis- 
 patched two of them to the village for my war instru- 
 ments, and then galloped on to ascertain the cause of 
 the alarm. Not more than fifty of our warriors were 
 then before me. 
 
 I then learned that they had before tlnm a party of 
 one hundred and sixty I^lack Foot warriors, who had 
 thrown themselves into an apparently impregnable 
 fortress. It was a Stronghold manifestly thrown up 
 in some of Nature's grand convulsions, it would seem, 
 for the very purpose to wliich it was now applied. It 
 was a huge mass of granite, forming a natural wall in 
 front of a graduated height, varying from twenty-five 
 feet to six feet, the lowest part; it was solid, and nearly 
 perpendicular all round. 
 
 There was in our camp a young Kentuekian named 
 Robert Mildrum, naturally a brave fellow, though he 
 seldom went out in the war parties ; but when the vil- 
 lage was assaulted, he always fought like a tiger. He 
 was a good trapper and a skillful blacksmith, and had 
 been out in the employ of the American Fur Coi^pa- 
 ny. I met him while we were surveying the enemy's 
 stronghold. 
 
 I said to him, " Mildrum, if the adage is true, there 
 is policy in war. These Indians make no question of 
 our bravery; had we not better resign to them the 
 
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JAMES r. BKCKWOUKTII. 
 
 193 
 
 brunt of this encounter, and not expose our lives in a 
 cause that we have no concern in ? How do you in- 
 tend to act?" 
 
 "As for me," said ]\Iildrum, "I must be in the 
 fray. If we are to sec any fun, I want my share of 
 the entertainment." 
 
 " Well," said I, " I shall endeavor to keep by you." 
 
 The Indians had by this time assembled to the num- 
 ber of from five to seven hundred, and were watching 
 the fort indecisively, awaiting instructions from the 
 chief. Many had succeeded in mnning and sheltering 
 under the wall, while several had been shot in making 
 the attempt. I ran to the wall to reconnoitre it, and 
 soon saw there were two ways in which it could be 
 taken ; one was by bombardment, and the other was 
 by storm. Bombardment was out of the question, as 
 our heaviest calibre was a rifle-bore. I waited to see 
 what steps would be taken. 
 
 Long Hair, the head chief of the nation, said, "War- 
 riors, listen ! Our marrow-bones are broken ; the en- 
 emy has chosen a strong fort ; we can not drive them 
 from it without sacrificing too many men. Warriors, 
 retreat!" 
 
 I replied, " No ; hold ! Warriors, listen I If these 
 old men can not fight, let them retire with the women 
 and children. We can kill every one of these Black 
 Feet : then let us do it. If we attempt to run from 
 here, we shall be shot in the back, and lose more war- 
 riors than to fight and kill them all. If we get killed, 
 our friends who love us here will mourn our loss, while 
 those in the spirit land will sing and rejoice to welcome 
 us there, if we ascend to them dying like braves. The 
 Great Spirit has sent these enemies here for us to slay ; 
 if we do not slay them, he will be angry with us, and 
 
194 
 
 Al'TUIJUJCRAI'lIV OF 
 
 will never Ruflor us to conquer our ononiios again. lie 
 will ilrivo oil" all our Inill'alocs, and will witlior the o;ra.ss 
 
 N< 
 
 wo will iiu'lit as Ion;'' 
 
 on tlic ]>ran'U's. A o, warriors . ,,,. ,, ^. 
 
 us one ot' them stii vivos. Conic, follow mc, and I will 
 
 sliow von linw tlic hraves ot" the tiTcat white chiel" 
 
 o 
 
 il<i'lit tlu'ir (MK'inics 1" 
 o 
 
 " JCncniy of Horses,**' exclaimed hundreds of the 
 brave an<l impatient warriors who were crowded round 
 me, ""lead us, and we will follow you to the spirit 
 land." 
 
 ^Vcceptinn; the charge, I stationed a large Lody of 
 those who were never known to ilinch on one side of 
 the position, which 1, with my followers, intended to 
 scale. 1 thus thought to enG;aij;c the attention of the 
 enemy initil we made good our entrance, when I felt no 
 longer doubtful of success. I then told them as J 
 threw up my shield the third time, and shouted "lloo- 
 ki-hi,"they were to scale the wall as fast as possible, 
 and beat down whatever resistance might be oft'ered 
 them. 
 
 I had divested myself of all my weapons except my 
 battle-axe and scalping-knifc, the latter being attached 
 to my wrist with a string. I then made the signal, 
 and when 1 raised the shout " lloo-ki-hi," the party 
 opposite began to hoist one another up. When 1 
 sprang for the summit of the wall, I found that my 
 women were holding my belt ; I cut it loose with my 
 knife, and left it in their hands. I was the first on 
 the wall, but was immediately followed by some scores 
 of warriors. The enemy's whole attention, when we 
 entered the arena, was directed to the opposite party, 
 and we had time to cut numbers down before they were 
 aware of our entrance. The carnage for some min- 
 utes was fearful, and the Black Feet fought with des- 
 
JAMES I'. UKCKWf^rUTH. 
 
 11)5 
 
 L-ed 
 
 pcration, knowing their incvitaolc doom if taken. The 
 clash ot* battle-axes, and the yells of the opposing coni- 
 Ijatants were truly appalling. ]Many leaped the wall 
 only to meet their eertaiii doom below, where hundreds 
 of Ijattle-axcs and lances were ready to drink their 
 blood as soon as they touehed ground. The interior 
 surface of this huge rock was concave, and the blood 
 all ran to the centre, where it formed a poo^ which 
 emitted a sickening smell as the warm vapor ascended 
 to our nostrils. It was also a work of great difliculty 
 to keep one's feet, as the mingled gore and brains were 
 scattered every where round this fatal place. The 
 blood of the Crow and the Jilack Foot mingled togeth- 
 er in this common pool, for many of our warriors fell 
 in this terrible strife. 
 
 All was silent within a few minutes after we had 
 gained an entrance. Victims who were making away 
 with their bowels ripped open were instantly felled 
 with the battle-axe and stilled in death. The wound- 
 ed were cared for by tlieir friends, and the dead re- 
 moved from sight. Upward of forty Crows were kill- 
 ed, and double the number wounded. There were en- 
 gaged on the side of the Crows about twenty white 
 men, and only one was wounded, though nearly all 
 scaled the wall with the Indians. Mildrum was seri- 
 ously injured by leaping from the heights after an In- 
 dian, but he soon recovered. 
 
 Our spoils were one hundred and sixty scalps, and 
 an immense quantity of guns and ammunition, a large 
 amount of dried meats, with arrows, lances, knives, 
 in great abundance. 
 
 Here an incident happened with my little wift and 
 mother worth mentioning. They were seated outside, 
 and under the wall, when Owl Bear, one of the chiefs. 
 
196 
 
 Ai:TuiU()(iUAi'ii\ or 
 
 liapponing to pass, asked the girl if she was not the 
 wife of the Kiicmy of Jlorscs. Hlie answered that slu; 
 was. 
 
 "I thouglit so," he said, "because you are such a 
 pretty little Kfjuaw ; but you liave no husband now; 
 he was shot through the head in the fort, and instant- 
 ly killed ; and here you are playing with sticks I" 
 
 Tlic poor tiling, together with her mother, screamed 
 out at the intelligence, and, seizing a battle-axe, each 
 cut off a finger. The girl then stabbed her forehead 
 with a knife, and was instantly dripping Avitli blood. 
 The chief came laughing to me, and said, " That little 
 wife of yours loves you better than any of your other 
 wives." 
 
 *' How do you know?" I inquired. 
 
 *' I^ccause I told them all you were dead, and she 
 was the only one that cut otf a finger ;" and he laugh- 
 ed aloud as he passed on. 
 
 Soon, however, she climbed the Avail, and forced her 
 way into the fort, and came directly to me. She pre- 
 sented a sickening spectacle, and w^as covered entirely 
 with blood. Seeing me, she burst into tears, and as 
 soon as she could articulate, said, " Why, you are not 
 dead, after all ! Owl Bear told me you were killed, 
 and I came to seek your body." 
 
 "Who arc you mourning for?" Tasked; "is your 
 brother or father scalped ?" 
 
 "No ; I mourned because I thought you were kill- 
 ed; Owl Bear told me you were." 
 
 " You must not believe all you hear," I said; " some 
 Indians have crooked tongues. But come and spread 
 your robe, and carry this gun and spoils of my first 
 victim to the village, and there wash your fac» and 
 bind up your linger." 
 
.i.\Mi:s I'. HKcKWunriii. 
 
 11)7 
 
 )ur 
 lill- 
 
 Shc did as 1 directed her, and departed. 
 
 As soon us we liad colleeted all the tropliics be- 
 queathed us by our fallen toes, and gathered all our 
 own dead, we moved back to the new camp. ( )n our 
 way, 1 exerted myself to the utmost to console the af- 
 ilictcd mourners. I told them that their friends were 
 happy in the spirit land, where there were no ene- 
 mies to fight, where all was everlasting contentment, 
 and where they were happy in endless amusement. I 
 said that in a few days 1 wouhl avenge the fall of our 
 warriors, and depart for that ])eaceful land myself. 
 
 I could nlainly sec that this last promise aiforded 
 them more satisfaction than all my other consoling re- 
 marks ; but I disliked to sec their horrid lashion of 
 mourning, and my promise of future victory speedily 
 washed their faces of their present grief; for a prom- 
 ise from me was confided in by all the tribe. There 
 was, of course, no dancing, for we had lost too many 
 warriors ; but in the evening there was great visiting 
 throughout the village, to talk over the events of the 
 day, and hear the statements of those who had taken 
 part in the battle. Long Ilair came to the lodge of 
 my father to congratulate me on my great feat in scal- 
 ing the wall, and to talk of the victory of his people 
 achieved through my valor. All who were present re- 
 lated the deeds they had performed. As each narrated 
 his exploits, all listened with profound attention. 
 
 While this was going on, my little wife, who sat 
 near by, crawled behind me, and, whispering in my 
 ear, inquired if I had obtained any coos. These coos 
 she inquired after arc the same as counts in a game of 
 billiards : the death of one warrior counts as one ; of 
 two warriors counts as two ; every battle-axe or gun 
 taken counts one to the victor's merit. I said I had 
 
J 98 
 
 at:tobiograpiiy op 
 
 not, at wliich she looked aghast. But when the ques- 
 tion was ])ut to me by the chief shortly after, I an- 
 swered "Eleven." On this she administered eleven 
 taps on my back with her hnger, and again whispered, 
 "Ah! I thouglit your tongue was crooked when you 
 told me you had no coos.'''' All the coos are registered 
 in the great medicine lodge in favor of the brave who 
 wins them. 
 
 I trust that the reader does not suppose that I waded 
 through these scenes of carnage and desolation with- 
 out some serious reflections on the matter. Disgust- 
 ed at the repeated acts of cruelty I witnessed, I often 
 resolved to leave these wild children of the forest and 
 return to civilized life ; but before I could act upon 
 my d cision, another scene of strife would occur, and 
 the Enemy of Horses was always the first sought for 
 by the tribe. 1 had been uniformly successful so far : 
 and how I had escaped, while scores of warriors had 
 been stricken down at my side, was more than I could 
 understand. I was well aware that many of my friends 
 knew of the life I was leading, and I almost feared to 
 think of the opinions they must form of my character. 
 But, in justification, it may be urged that the Crows had 
 never shed the blood of the white man during my stay 
 in their camp, and 1 did not intend they ever should, 
 if 1 could raise a voice to prevent it. They were con- 
 stantly at war with tribes who coveted the scalps of 
 the white man, but tlie Crows were uniformly faithful 
 in their obligations to my race, and would rather serve 
 than injure their white brethren without any consider- 
 ation of profit. 
 
 Tn addition to this, Self-interest would whisper her 
 counsel. I knew I could acquire the riches of Croesus 
 if I could but dispose of the valuable stock of peltry I 
 
iiacl the means of i 
 
 oyect in view to t^^^"^- ^ ""^"^'''^ ''^ «" 
 "•c thousand, of tra « L; f "''T "*' *''^ ^"di-ns ,o 
 'vouM occasionaJly u e arl, '""' ^^ '» ™'^'- I 
 
 *!'cir "nprofitabicWbld !""""'',*" *"" «-"■ ^on 
 d'-'-y. But I fb„„d\Te I„7°" *''? '■" ''---ful in. 
 
 i J'ey would ansH-er "oT"'- 
 '-e must fight and ^^ them T","' ^''^■''' »" horse. : 
 "■™; ^^'ithout horsfrl 'et^ 'f "S"-- or .steal i„ 
 could we, to protect our- iTveTfil "";"'''""«'^S nor . 
 Mack our villages. " ° ' °'"' '"cs ivhen they 
 
 I'o prepared to defend the:!:'/' ";;"?' ""' ""^^ 
 t> of Indian troubles arise tio ,?;; • ' '"''S" ""^J""- 
 I"-opr.ation of each otI,cr-s 1 ' ""' ""''''■^'■••■"•"eJ ap- 
 I'l-aneh of wealtl, ; like tlL '• ^' '•^ *''"'■ on v 
 
 S-'-d for horses oln n tb ^'thf 7"' ';;-^ «<"''' *'-> 
 '""tB are n,erely attended to • 1 '^^ *''^"- °«''"- 
 
 ;;«e'i supplied, they ,00k no fjT '^ *° ''■''>- «-> 
 
 'o;^o,.es is insatiable: the, ' ' f' Y ""^"- "W^ti.. 
 
 W'Uram and myself hadVr '■ ''""™''"'S '"ore. 
 
 »"''ject while he was sm , ^ '^'""■O'-^'tiou on the 
 
 -ved in leaping ^^ t t ? i^" '"r/''^'"-^ ^^ - 
 
 ;™»«''. 1 an, pretty ..^U ;J^rT^'^'-y- "^'O.}^ 
 
 ''7f i-a great doall", ;,,."' *" ""« I'""-' Jifc; 
 i t link of n,y old Kentuel v , " '""• '^"' '^'■en 
 
 ;nJotherfriends,vl,o„l£:,'"r°'''^'''^^' "-'''-. 
 oould be so happy, r won , ?"' ""<■ "'''*'" ^^-''om 
 
 f'f/'olds n.eherl'famonXV-'V '^ "^="-"'<""' •'l'"''' 
 I^attles, and risking „-,y bTe f , .S'^'' «•?''«"« tl'-ir 
 ;;"Ppose exeeeds in value Zu7 ""'^P; '''''"^' ^ «>'>ly 
 <''"-«ty heathen. How i„ V , """'■'"'' °^ *''-«» Wood- 
 
 o^v. in the name of all that is sa- 
 
200 
 
 Al TUJilOUKAPHV OF 
 
 crcd, can we reconcile ourselves to it ? V/ liy don't wo 
 leave them ?" 
 
 The medicine men held a council, and resolved to 
 remove the village ; the Great Spirit was displeased 
 with the spot, and had therefore suffered all our war- 
 riors to Le killed. We accordingly pulled up stakes 
 and moved a short distance farther. 
 
 While we were busy moving, my little squaw an- 
 gered me, and I drove her awr". She not daring to 
 disobey me, I saw no more of her until she supposed 
 my anger was appeased. She then came to the lodge 
 while I Wiis conversing with my brothers, and, putting 
 her childish head into the door, said humbly, " I know 
 you are angry with me, but I want you to come and 
 stay at our lodge to-night ; we are outside the village, 
 and my father and mother pre afraid." 
 
 "Yes," said my brother, " she has no ears now ; she 
 is but a child ; slie will have ears when she grows old- 
 er; you had bet+cr go and protect the old people." 
 
 I told her to run home, and I would soon follow. 
 
 I went to the lodge accordingly. In the night I 
 heard the snorting of horses, which were tied near the 
 lodge door. I crept softly out and looked carefully 
 around. I then crawled, without the least noise, out 
 of the lodge, and caught sight of an Indian, who I knew 
 was there for no good purpose. He Avas using tlie ut- 
 most precaution ; he had a sharp-pointed stick, witli 
 which he raised the leaves that lay in his way, so that 
 I lis feet might not crush them, and thus alarm the in- 
 mates of the lodge. Every step brought him nearer 
 to the animals, who, with necks curved and ears erect, 
 gave an occasional snort at the approach of the Indian. 
 This would bring him to a halt. Tlien again he would 
 bring his ptick into action, and prepare a place for an- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOIJRTH. 
 
 201 
 
 other step, not mistrusting that he was approaching- 
 (lie threshold ot" diviUi. The ropes were tied dose 
 to the lodge door, and to untie them he must approach 
 ^\'ithin six feet of where I lay on the ground. J. let 
 him advance as near as I thought safe, when, with one 
 bound, I grappled him, and gave the war-hoop. He 
 was tlie hardest to hold that ever I had my arnip 
 nround, but I liad both his arms pinned in my embrace 
 round his lithe and nimble body, and he could not re- 
 lease one so as to draw his knife. Instantly we were 
 surrounded with fifty armed warriors ; and when I saw 
 a sufficient breastwork round about, I released my hold 
 and stepped back. lie was riddled with bullets in an 
 instant, and fell without a cry. 
 
 His scalp sufficed to wash off the mourning-paint 
 from every face in the village, and all was turned into 
 mirth, although this general change in feeling did not 
 restore the dismembered fingers or heal their voluntary 
 Avounds. Greater than ever was the Enemy of Horses, 
 and I received a still more ennobling appellation, /SAas- 
 l-a-o-/ufs/f-a, the Bobtail Horse. The village exhaust- 
 ed itself in showing its admiration of my exploit ; and 
 my single scalp was greeted with as much honor as if 
 I had slaughtered a hundred of the enemy. 
 
 mid 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 ;^hort Account of Pine Loaf, the Crow Heroine. — Twenty Days' Bat- 
 tle with the Cheyennes. — Return of the Villajre to the west Side o!" 
 the Mountains. — Letter from M'Kenzie. — Visit to his Trading-po>t 
 at the Mouth of the Yellow Stone. 
 
 In connection with my Indian experience, I conceive 
 it to be my duty to devote a few lines to one of the 
 
 I 2 
 
L'U2 
 
 Al T0B10(ii<Al'HV uF 
 
 m 
 
 bravest women that o /er lived, namely, l^ine Leaf- 
 Indian, J:{ar-clicc-am-pc. For an Indian, she possess- 
 ed great intellectual powers. She was endowed with 
 extraordinary muscular strength, with the activity ol" 
 the cat and the speed of the antelope. Her features 
 were pleasing, and her form symmetrical. She had 
 lost a brother in the attack on our village before men- 
 tioned — a great brave, and her twin brother. lie was 
 a fine specimen of the race of red men, and bade fair 
 to rise to distinction ; but he was struck down in hir- 
 strength, and Pine ]^eaf was left to avenge his death. 
 She was at that time twelve years of age, and she sol- 
 emnly vowed that she Avould never marry until she 
 had killed a hundred of the enemy with her own hand. 
 Whenever a war-party started, Pine Leaf was the first 
 to volunteer to accompany them. Her presence among 
 them caused much amusement to the old veterans ; but 
 if she lacked physical strength, she always rode the 
 fleetest horses, and none of the warriors could outstrip 
 her. All admired her for her ambition, and as she ad- 
 vanced in years, many of the braves grew anxious for 
 the speedy accomplishment of her vow. 8he had 
 chosen my party to serve in, and when I engaged in 
 the fiercest struggles, no one was more promptly at my 
 side than the young heroine. She seemed incapable 
 of fear ; and when she arrived at womanhood, could fire 
 a gun without flinching, and use the Indian weapons 
 with as great dexterity as the most accomplished war- 
 rior. 
 
 I began to feel more than a common attachment to- 
 ward her. Her intelligence cliarmed me, and her mod- 
 est and becoming demeanor singled her out from her 
 sex. One day, while riding leisurely along, I asked 
 her to many me provided we botli returned safe. She 
 
 r 
 
 ■9 
 
 H 
 S 
 3 
 
 
 
but 
 
 
 V. 
 
 the 
 
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 trip 
 ad- 
 
 r, 
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 for 
 
 C 
 
 had 
 
 K 
 
 I in 
 
 > 
 
 my 
 ible 
 
 r. 
 ■J 
 
 fire 
 
 
 ons 
 
 
 irar- 
 
 
 to- 
 
 
 od- 
 
 
 hcv 
 
 
 
 :ea 
 Uie 
 
aJ 
 m 
 th 
 
 su 
 
 he 
 ba 
 yo 
 
 gai 
 it c 
 
 ^ 
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 lea"v 
 
 tliej 
 
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 17 n 
 
 a 
 
 tish 
 
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 I let 
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 form 
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 W( 
 to ke 
 
lAMKS I*. BKCKWUl'KTII. 
 
 2iK') 
 
 flashed her dark eye upon mine, " You have too many 
 jjrcady," she said. "Do you suppose I would break 
 iny vowto the Great Spirit? He sees and knows all 
 things ; he would be angry with me, and would not 
 suffer me to live to avenge my brother's death." 
 
 I told her that my medicine said that I must marry 
 her, and then I could never be vanquished or killed in 
 battle. She laughed and said, " Well, I will marry 
 you." 
 
 "AVhen we return?" 
 
 "No ; but when the pine-leaves turn yellow." 
 
 I reflected that it would soon be autumn, and re- 
 garded her promise as valid. A few days afterward 
 it occurred to my mind that p'ne-leaves do not turn 
 yellow, and I saw I had been practiced upon. 
 
 When I again sj^oke to lier on the subject, I said, 
 ' Pine Leaf, you promised to marry me when the pine- 
 Icavos should turn yellow : it has occurred to me that 
 they never grow yellow." 
 
 She returned no answer except a hearty laugh. 
 
 " Am I to understand that you never intend to mar- 
 ry me ?" I inquired. 
 
 "Yes, I will marry you," she said, with a coquet- 
 tish sniile. 
 
 "But when?'' 
 
 " When you shall find a red-headed Indian." 
 
 I saw I advanced nothing by importuning her, and 
 I let the matter rest. However, to help her on with 
 her vow, I never killed an Indian if she was by to per- 
 form it for me, thinking that when her number were 
 immolated there might be better chance of pressing 
 my suit. 
 
 We frequently shifted our camping-ground, in order 
 to keep up with the buffalo and furnish our horses 
 
2{m 
 
 AITOHlU«JKAl'lIV Ml' 
 
 witli sufficient grass, for we had sucli an immense num- 
 ber that the prairie round our lodges in a few days had 
 tlie appearance of a closely-mown meadow. Finally, 
 we removed to the western side of the mountain again, 
 and encamped on Little Horn lliver, one of the sources 
 of the A'ellow Stone. Shortly after our encampment, 
 we found there was a village of Cheycnnes about twelve 
 iniles distant, and an incessant warfare was maintained 
 between the two villages for twenty days. Sometimes 
 tliey would take three or four Crow scalps ; in return, 
 our party would retaliate by taking as many of theirs. 
 Thus they went on, with varying fortune, during the 
 whole twenty days. 
 
 I had never been engaged in these skirmishes ; but 
 one evening, I, with three others, among whom was Yel- 
 low Belly, resolved to go on an adventure. Accord- 
 ingly, we started for the Cheyenne, arriving there the 
 next morning, and unhesitatingly entered their village 
 while the inmates were quietly reposing. After ]j ss- 
 ing through one quarter of their village, we saw an In- 
 dian approaching, who, on perceiving us, wheeled his 
 horse to escape. I shot an arrow into his back, but, 
 before he fell, I rode up, cut him down with my bat- 
 tle-axe, and rode on. One of our party, not wishing 
 to lose his scalp, dismounted to take it. In doing so 
 he lost his horse, which followed us, leaving his rider 
 on foot close to the enemy's village, whence the aroused 
 warriors were issuing like hornets. Perceiving his 
 danger, I rode back, and took him up behind me. We 
 had to run for it ; but we made good our escape, driv- 
 ing home before us seven horses captured from the en- 
 emy. This was considered a great achievement by 
 our Crow brethren, and they again washed their faces. 
 
 The enemy now charged on our village, killing six 
 
JAMES r. iiE(;K»V(ii mil. 
 
 207 
 
 ;es. 
 six 
 
 Crows, among whom wa^ a brotlicr-in-law of mine. 
 His relatives appealed to me to avenge them. Sup- 
 posing that the enemy would renew the attack the 
 next day, I selected one hundred and thirty warriors, 
 all well mounted, to waylay them. \Vc posted our- 
 selves midway between the belligerent villages, but 
 the Cheyennes had passed within a few hundred yards 
 before we were in ambush. ]3eing there, the idea oc- 
 curred to me to await their return. On their repulso 
 from the village we would spring im and cut off their 
 retreat, and, I made no doubt, succeed in killing a 
 great number of their warriors. 
 
 It fell out as I had expected. The Crows drove 
 them back with a loss to the enemy of four ; and when 
 they neared us, their horses were badly jaded, and our 
 friends hotly in pursuit. AVe sprung up, cutting off 
 their retreat, and they, sorely pressed in their rear, 
 seeing our party in front cutting down right and left, 
 became panic-struck, and fled in all directions. 
 
 We took sixteen scalps, with the horses and equip- 
 ments of the fallen warriors, and returned home in tri- 
 umph. This made twenty scalps taken in one day, 
 which was considered by the Crows a glorious victory, 
 and the scalp-dance was performed with unusual vi- 
 vacity. In this battle the heroine was by my side, 
 and fought with her accustomed audacity. I counted 
 iive cooSy and she three, for three enemies killed with 
 lier lance. The Cheyennes, disconcerted with their 
 misadventure, moved their village away from the Crow 
 territory. 
 
 We also took up our line of march, and moved on 
 1o Clarke's Fork, a branch of the Yellow Stone, where 
 we found abundance of buffalo and good grass. While 
 encamped here I received a letter from Mr. M'Kenzie, 
 
•ins 
 
 Al romoCKAI'IIY UK 
 
 ^vrilton at l"'orl Unioji, at llio montli of \\\o Yellow 
 Stone, A\ here lie desired me to see liiiii. it was deliv- 
 ered io iiie bv .Mr. W inters, who, in eonipany with one 
 man, liad i'ound his way unharmed. iM'Kenzie uished 
 mo to see him immedial(dy on l)nsin(\sH of imjiorlanee, 
 as ]u\ wished, throngli my inlhicnec, to establish i\ trade 
 with the Crows. 
 
 ( >n eomnmnicatinn; my intention ol' ]H'rrormintjj th<> 
 ionrnt>y, all exjioslnlated at my goinj;;. I L;aN'(' them 
 my jx^silive word th.it I wonld vetnrn in eiiL:;hleen snns. 
 it' not killed on the Avay. It, was a long and liazard- 
 ons ji)nrney to nndertake, Jiaving to traverse a distanee 
 oi' seven hundred and sixty miles, (>x])osed to nnmer- 
 ous bands of hostile Inilians. I sneeeeded in reaeh- 
 inu" the tort in sal'etv, where I I'onnd M-Ken/ie with a 
 li'reat stock of mise(>llaneous goods. 1 arrived lato in 
 the at'ternoon, dispateluul my bnsiness with him hasti- 
 ly, and started on my retnrn in tJic morninp;. 1 took 
 ten jiaek-horses laden with goods to trade with the In- 
 dians, in addition to which several boats were freiaht- 
 vd and sent to me up the Yellow V^tone. '^^IVo men 
 accor.panied me to the Crow country. AVe had no 
 trouble on our way until we arrived within a few miles 
 of our village (as I supposed it), when, as we were 
 marchina: on, i reniarked somethinir unfamiliar in the 
 ajipearanee of the place. I ordered the two men to 
 turn their animals uj) a little valley close by, while 1 
 took a nearer look at the village. A closer inspection 
 eoniirmed my mistake ; I saw the lodges were painted 
 a ditierent color from our own. I followed the pack- 
 horses, and. found a trail which led to the Crow villaao, 
 and concealed from the observation of the village aao 
 had approached. Soon after entering the trail, I dis- 
 covered the fresh tracks of iive Indians, going the di- 
 
.jAf.ji:s I'. ni;('K\v-M KTii. 
 
 2iV.> 
 
 ht- 
 
 10 
 
 1o 
 
 1 
 
 11)11 
 
 :k- 
 
 go. 
 
 reel ion tljal wo. wcrt!. i lialtcd llio, pack-IiorMCH^ tuul 
 lodo on to ^(;t ji Hi<;lit of tlicni. At a sliort (lisljincc. I 
 perccivcil tlic live nuni, and, unobserved hy them, I 
 rode on and entered a low j)lane until I approaelied 
 within a few rods of tlieni. I took a short survev of 
 tlieni, and coneluded that they must be cnenTKis be- 
 longing to the village we had just left. T'-ey were on 
 tool, and 1 eoneeived myself a mateh f"r llie whole five. 
 I leveled my rille, and was taking aim, wlien my horse 
 moved his head and diseoncerte'l my sight. 1 tried 
 again, with ])reeisely the same result. I then dis- 
 mounted, and advanced two or three steps nearer my 
 object. As I was about to fire, having the rein on my 
 arm, the horse made another motion, thus spoiling my 
 aim for tlie third time. At that moment one of them 
 made a yawning expression in the Crow language, and 
 1 was so terrified at his narrow cscap(; that the ritlc 
 dropped from my hand. I called to them, telling them 
 the danger they had escaped. 
 
 " Why," said they, *'you would not have attacked 
 tivc of us V" 
 
 "Yes," I said, "and would have killed every one 
 of you, had you been enemies." 
 
 They then informed me that they had lost two men 
 that day near the village of the Black Feet, who were 
 now, beyond doubt, dancing over their scalps. 1 did 
 not wait to hear more, but directed them to return to 
 my horses and assist the men in getting on to the 
 Crow village as soon as possible. I rode forward to 
 make my arrival known. 
 
 My return was welcomed with the liveli3st demon- 
 strations of joy by the whole tribe. But I delayed no 
 time in ceremonial. I called a council forthwith, and 
 informed them that the Black Feet vv'ere encamped ten 
 
210 
 
 AlITOIUOflRAIMIY OP 
 
 niik;s distant, that two ot our warriors had that day 
 I'alieii by tlicir liaiuls, and that wc must go and avenge 
 their death. The chief assented ; but, as a prelimin- 
 ary, directed me and another to count their lodges thai 
 niglit. I undertook tiie dangerous task, although ex- 
 tremely fatigued with my long journey. Wc succeed- 
 ed in the object of our expedition, and found tlieir 
 lodges outnumbered ours by one. There arc, as a gcn- 
 <ial thing, from four to six warriors to a lodge; tlie 
 Black I'oot village comprised two hundred and thirty- 
 three lodges ; hence wc could form a pretty acciu'at(^ 
 estimate of the number of warriors we had to contend 
 with. 
 
 Their village was closely watched by our spies ; 
 every movement made by the enemy was promptly 
 reported to our chief. During the niglit they appear- 
 ed to sleep soundly, probably fatigued witli a late 
 dance. ]5ut in the morning they were astir betimes, 
 and having packed up, started forward in our direc- 
 tion, apparently una . arc of our presence. On they 
 came — men, women, and children ^ — utterly uncon- 
 scious of the terrible shock that aAvaited them. Our 
 warriors were never better prepared for a conflict, and 
 never more certain of victory. We were drawn up on 
 a high table prairie, our whole force concealed from 
 view at no greater distance than half pistol-shot. 
 
 Their cliicf led the van, and with him were several 
 young squaws, who were laughing and dancing around 
 him, evidently to his great amusement. They were 
 near enougli to launch the thunders of war upon them, 
 and our chief gave orders to charge. The order was 
 instantly carried into effect. The chief who, a mo- 
 ment before, was so joyous, surrounded by his tawny 
 young squaws, was the first to fall beneath my battle- 
 
JAMKS P. FU'/'KWOrRTjr. 
 
 211 
 
 ;ixc, and his attciulantH scattered like eliatl' l)ctovo the 
 wind. We were upon the warrior.s so unexpectedly 
 that they hat! hardly time to draw their weapons be- 
 tbre tliey were overthrown and put to flight. 'I'hcy 
 were encumbered with women, ■children, and baggage. 
 ( )ur attention was directed solely to the men ; the wom- 
 en were unharmed, except those who were overturned 
 bv our horses. 
 
 During the engagement, a powerful Black I'oot 
 aimed a blow at nic with his battle-axe, which i*ino 
 Leaf deprived of its elfect by piercing his body through 
 with Iier lance. In a few moments the fighting was 
 over, and after pursuing the flying enemy through the 
 timber, we returned to collect the spoils of victory. 
 We took one hundred and seventy scalps, over one 
 hundred and fifty women and children, besides abund- 
 ance of weapons, baggage, and horses. The Crows 
 liad twenty-nine wounded. 
 
 Thi« was a severe blow to the Black Feet; such a 
 .slaughter is of rare occurrence in Indian warfare. Not- 
 witlistanding this sad defeat, they rallied their broken 
 ijand, and attacked us again in the afternoon ; but it 
 amounted to nothing, and they fled in gloomy confusion 
 beyond the Crow territory. 
 
 Pine Leaf never signalized herself more than on this 
 occasion. She counted six coos.^ having killed four of 
 the enemy with her own hand. She had but ^vay su- 
 periors in wielding the battle-axe. ]\Iy horse was kill- 
 ed by the blow which was aimed at my head by the 
 Indian whom the heroine killed. I •wore a superb 
 head-dress, ornamented with eagles' feathers and wea- 
 sels' tails — the labor of many days. Early in the ac- 
 tion, three of these tails were severed by a bullet which 
 grazed my head. "These Black Feet shoot close," 
 
•il2 
 
 AUTOBIOGIiAPHV OF 
 
 .said the heroine, as she saw the ornaments fall; "but 
 never fear; the Great Spirit will not let them harm 
 
 us. 
 
 ?» 
 
 I took a very pretty young woman prisoner, but was 
 obliged to give her up to one of the braves, who had 
 my promise before the battle that if I took one I would 
 give her to him, and if he took one he should give her 
 to me. When a warrior (of the Crow tribe) takes a 
 woman prisoner, she is considered his sister, and he 
 (!an never marry her. If she marries, her husband is 
 brother-in-law to her captor. Our prisoners soon for- 
 got their captivity ; they even seemed pleased with the 
 change, for they joined with great alacrity in our scalp- 
 dance over the scalps of their own people. 
 
 All Indian women are considered by the stronger 
 sex as menials : they are thoroughly reconciled to their 
 degradation, and the superiority of their "lords and 
 masters" is their chiefest subject of boast. They are 
 patient, plodding, and unambitious, although there are 
 instances in savage life of a woman manifesting supe- 
 rior talent, and making her influence felt upon the com- 
 munity. 
 
 During my visit at Fort Union I er raged to build 
 a fort for ]\I'Kenzie to .tore his goods in safety at the 
 mouth of the Big Horn River, one of the branches of 
 the Yellow Stone. Accordingly, I repaired to the place 
 to select a good site and commence operations. On 
 arriving at the spot, I found the boats close by, but as 
 there was no secure quay at the junction of the streams, 
 I selected a site about a mile below. There were fifty 
 men, who had arrived with the boats, hired to assist 
 me in erecting the fort. The stipulated dimensions 
 were one hundred and twenty yards for each front, the 
 builduig to be a solid square, with a block-house at 
 
 opp 
 
 eigh 
 we 
 the 
 aboi 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTll. 
 
 213 
 
 opposite corners. The fort was erected of hewn logs 
 plnnled perpendicularly in the ground ; the walls were 
 eighteen feet high. As soon as the pickets were up, 
 we built our houses inside, in order to be prepared for 
 the approach of winter. When i had been engaged 
 about six weeks upon its construction, four hundred 
 lodges of Crows moved into our immediate vicinity, 
 thus affording us plenty of company, and a sufficient 
 force to protect us against the attacks of hostile tribes. 
 
 When we had completed our building we unloaded 
 the boats, and commenced trading with the Indians. 
 During the first year the company was very unsuc- 
 cessful, sinking over seventeen thousand dollars in the 
 undertaking. This, however, was principally attrib- 
 utable to the outlay upon the fort (the wages of the 
 fifty men engaged in constructing it ran for twelve 
 months), and to the number of presents whicii it is 
 customary, on such occasions, to distribute ranong the 
 Indians. 
 
 After the Crows had removed to the fort, they were 
 repeatedly annoyed with attacks from different hostile 
 tribes. I was engaged in two small encounters during 
 the winter, in both of which we were completely vic- 
 torious. The Crows were fully occupied in protecting 
 their own horses, or levying contributions upon their 
 neiglibors. 
 
 During the winter we accumulated a large amount 
 of peltry, which in the spring I sent down to Fort 
 Union in five Mackinaw boats, built by ourselves for 
 the purpose. I sent a sufficient number of men to 
 take good care of the boats, and to return up stream 
 with a fresh supply of goods. I then left the fort in 
 charge of Winters, leaving him thirty men for a guard. 
 T also had provided an ample stock of dried meat, so 
 
214 
 
 AUTOniOGRAPHY OP 
 
 that they might avoid tlie risk of hunting for provis- 
 
 ions. 
 
 Early in May we commenced our march in searcli 
 of summer quarters. We traveled by easy stages, and 
 on a circuitous route, so that when we finally arrived 
 at liosebud Creek, a branch of the Yellow Stone, we 
 found ourselves but twenty miles distant from the fori. 
 
 After we had remained aboit a week at our encamj)- 
 ment, our village was invested by a large war-party of 
 Black Feet. It happened very fortunately we were; 
 building a medicine lodge at the time, and our whole 
 force was at home, which circumstance most probably 
 preserved us from a disastrous defeat. Our enemic.5 
 numbered about four thousand warriors, to oppose 
 whom wc had two thousand eight hundred practiced 
 warriors, besides the old men, who always acted as vil- 
 lage guards. At daybreak the enemy advanced upon 
 our village with great impetuosity. Our war-horses 
 being tied to our lodge doors, the first alarm found our 
 defenders ready mounted to meet the assailants. "VVc 
 did not allow them to enter the village, but advanced 
 on to the plain to meet them. The contest was severe 
 for several minutes, and the clash of battle-axes and 
 the fierce yells of the opposing forces made the whole 
 prairie tremble. The two parties charged alternately, 
 according to the Indian mode of warfare ; but the 
 Crows gained ground at every attack,, for they fouglit 
 with every thing at stake. The fight lasted for sever- 
 al hours. Early in the action we discovered a ma- 
 noeuvre of the enemy which would probably have re- 
 sulted seriously for us had we not perceived it in time. 
 About half their force was detached to attack us in the 
 rear, and take possession of the village. I formed from 
 fifteen to eighteen hundred warriors into a body, and 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 215 
 
 )Ugllt 
 
 sever- 
 ma- 
 
 re re- 
 
 I time. 
 
 in tlic 
 from 
 
 r, and 
 
 rode down to meet their detachment as it wound around 
 the foot of a small Iiill. They were in quick march to 
 jrain tlieir position, and approached in seeming security, 
 ^ly warriors hcirg formed upon the brow of a hill un- 
 der which the ci emy was passing, I gave the order for 
 a rush down the hill upon t' ^m. The attack was 
 made with such irresistible force that every thing in 
 our way was overthrown, and warriors and horses were 
 knocked into promiscuous piles. AVc happened to 
 burst upon their centre, thus severing them in two, and 
 the confusion they became liivolved in was so irreme- 
 diable that tlieir only hope was to get back to their m^Mi 
 body with as little delay as possible. 
 
 In the attack, a lance thrown by a Black Foot per- 
 forated my leggin, just grazing the calf of my leg, 
 ;mu entered the body of my horse, killing him on the 
 Hpot. j\Iy ever-present friend, Pine Leaf, instantly 
 withdrew it, releasing me from a very precarious situ- 
 ation, as I was pinned close to the horse, and his dy- 
 ing struggles rendered such proximity extremely un- 
 safe. I sprang upon the horse of a young warrior who 
 was wounded, and called to some of our women to con- 
 vey the wounded man to a place of safety ; the hero- 
 ine then joined me, and we dashed into the conflict, 
 ller horse was immediately after killed, and I discov- 
 ered her in a hand-to-hand encounter with a dismount- 
 ed Black I'oot, her lance in one hand and her battle- 
 iixe in the other. Three or four springs of my steed 
 brought me upon her antagonist, and, striking him with 
 the br^;ast of my horse when at full speed, I knocked 
 him to the earth senseless, and before he could recover, 
 .'he pinned him to the ground with her lance and scalp- 
 ed him. When I had overturned the warrior, Pine 
 Leaf called to me, " Ride on ; I have liim safe now." 
 
216 
 
 AUTOBlOGliAPHY 01' 
 
 I rode on accordingly, but she was soon mounted 
 again and dt my side. The surviving Black Feet 
 speedily dispersed, and i}iey all retreated together, 
 leaving the Crows mr.ster of the iield. They left be- 
 hind ninety-one killed, besides carrying off many dead 
 with their wounded. We lost thirty-one killed, and 
 a large number wounded. I had live horses killed 
 under me, but received no wound. Our enemies, in 
 their retreat, drove c fF sixteen hundred horses, among 
 which were cightv of my own, but we had plenty left, 
 and we considered these only lent to them. We had 
 no dance, and the reladves of the slain \vcnt through 
 their usual mourning. 
 
 A few days after this battle a messenger arrived 
 from the fort with a request for me to return as quick- 
 ly as possible, as the Black Feet were continually 
 harassing the men, and they were in fear of a general 
 attack. Accordingly, I returned .n the latter part of 
 June, and found affairs in a very serious condition. 
 The Indians had grown very bold, and it was hazard- 
 ous to venture outside the fort. 
 
 One morning seven men were sent about one mile 
 away to cut house-logs, it being supposed there were 
 no Indians in the vicinity. Some time in the fore- 
 noon I heard the report of a rifle close to our gate. I 
 ran out, and just caught sight of the retreating In- 
 dians as they entered the bushes. They had shot and 
 scalped one of our men as he was chopping only a few 
 paces from the gate. The danger that the other men 
 might be placed in then occurred to me, and, ordering 
 the men to follow me, I mounted my horse and hast- 
 ened to their rescue. I was followed by about one 
 half the men, the remainder preferring the protection 
 of the wooden walls. T soon discovered our men : 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUKTII. 
 
 217 
 
 they were surrounded by forty Indians, the chief of 
 whom appeared to by addressing the sun, and was ges- 
 ticulating witli his battle-axe. On his r^^sing his arm, 
 I sent a ball through his body, and then shouted to 
 the men to run to me. They started, but one of them 
 was shot down before they reached me. The surviv- 
 ors were so terrified that they did not dare to stop 
 when they reached me, but continued their course un- 
 slackened until they gained the fort. My followers, 
 seeing their alarm, became fugitives in turn, and I was 
 left alone within gunshot of tiie remaining thirty-nine 
 Indians. Uttering deafening yells, they made a rush 
 for me ; my horse became f i ightened, and I could scarce- 
 ly mount him. However, by running by his side a few 
 paces, I managed to leap on his back, and retreated at 
 full speed, while thei/ bullets and arrows flew around 
 rae like hail. When I approached the fort, a voice 
 near mc cried, " Oh, Jim ! don't leave me here to be 
 killed." 
 
 I wheeled round, and, with my double-barreled gun 
 in my hand, made a charge toward the whole approach- 
 ing party, who, seeing my resolute bearing, turned and 
 scampered off. I rode up to the person who had call- 
 ed me, and found him an old man, who was unable to 
 run, and had been abandoned by his valorous com- 
 panions to the mercy of the savages. I assisted him 
 on to my horse, and was about to spring on behind 
 him, when the horse sprang forward, leaving the old 
 man's gun behind, and carried him safely to the fort. 
 By this time the Indians had returned upon me. I 
 ran wherever a shelter offered itself; and, when close- 
 ly pressed, would face round and menace them with 
 my guns. Within a few hundred yards of the fort I 
 came to a small covering which had been used as a 
 
 K 
 
218 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 shelter by the horse-guards, and I sprang into it, witii 
 the Indians at my heels. After expending the con- 
 tents of my guns, I plied them with arrows to their 
 hearts' content, until they gave up the fray and re- 
 tired. This took place in fair view of the fort, when 
 not one of its doughty inmates dare come to my as- 
 sistance, and who even refused to resign their iire-arms 
 to tlie women, who were anxious to come to my rescue. 
 
 When at length I succeeded in reaching the fort, I 
 favored the men with my unreserved opinion of them. 
 1 had been the means of saving their lives even after 
 the chief of the savages had returned thanks to the 
 sun for their scalps, which he had already deemed se- 
 cure. I really believe that with Pine Leaf and three 
 other squaws I could have stormed and taken the fort 
 from their possession. 
 
 These men were not mountaineers ; they were near- 
 ly all Canadians, and had been hired in the East ; they 
 were unused to savage warfare, and only two of them 
 had seen an Indian battle. If they had come out like 
 men, we might have killed one half the Indians, and 
 I should have been spared a great deal of hard feeling. 
 They acknowledged, however, that I had flogged the 
 Indians alone, and that six of them were indebted to 
 me for their lives. 
 
 In July, after the arrival of the boats, the Crows 
 again returned to the fort. They came to make pur- 
 chases with what small means they possessed, as they 
 had disposed of all their peltry on their previous visit. 
 They, however, brought in a great quantity of roots, 
 cherries, berries, etc., which they traded for articles of 
 necessity ; they also sold sixty horses, which we sent 
 to M'Kenzie at the lower fort (Clarke). 
 
 It greatly charms the Indians to see new goods : 
 
 pers 
 with 
 
JAMKS i'. DKUKWOCRTU. 21t> 
 
 When they have the means to buy there is no e.ul to 
 thcr purchases. W],en the ianees, battle-^xes !n 
 guns are spread before their eyes, gli terin'So" 
 burnished steel, notwithstanding tlier mZ t 
 dozen servieeaUe weapons at hole,Zy "-st ^h" 
 biy purehase a new one. If one purehLs al t" t" 
 oUow; henee there is no limit to their demand b 
 he very .mportant one imposed by the exten of their 
 excliangeable commodities. 
 
 ans^tl/'sIrlnT" •'^ \T "'^'''^ ^'"""^ -"> Canadi- 
 
 ans, an strangers m the country noirlv nil h • 
 
 beenimp^^^^^^^^ 
 
 n>.t to the hardslnps of such a life for a smaller re- 
 muneration than men hired in the States. On he l 
 
 he Indians, and what feats I had performed again" 
 hem smgle-handed. They listened'to the marfdou 
 tales^and gazed at me in wondering admiration. 
 
 When Canadians are fairly broken in, and have 
 become famihar with Indian character, the; make the 
 best of Indian fighters, especially when put to it de 
 ense of their own lives. They become superior "rap- 
 P s too, bemg constituted, like their native ponies 
 w th a capacity to endure the extreraest hardshipsTnd 
 
220 
 
 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Departure from Fort Cass. — Capture of Squaws. — Battle with the Black 
 Feet ; with the Cheycnnes. — Great Success of the Crows in stealinir 
 Horses. — A successful Fall for Beaver. — Return to the Fort with 
 Peltry. 
 
 iVjTER having arranged every thing in the fort 
 (which I have forgotten to mention we named after 
 j\Ir. Cass), and given all needful instructions to Win- 
 ters, who was in charge, I again left. My inten- 
 tion was to induce the Crows to devote their undi- 
 vided attention to trapping, not alone for their own 
 henefit, but for the interest of the company in whose 
 service I was engaged. I well knew that if I was with 
 them they would capture five beavers to one if left to 
 themselves. I had obtained great influence in the 
 medicine lodge, and could often exert it to prevent a 
 war-party from making a useless excursion against 
 their enemies. I would tell them in their council that 
 my medicine told me not to go to war ; that it was to 
 their interest to employ their warriors in trapping all 
 the beavers possible, so that they might have the 
 means of purchasing ammunition and weapons for 
 themselves, as well as beads, scarlet cloth, and blan- 
 kets for the women ; that by-and-by we should be at- 
 tacked by the enemy, and be unprovided with the 
 means of defense ; that they would then kill all our 
 warriors, and make captives of our women and chil- 
 dren, as the Cheyennes had captured my mother when 
 I was an infant, many winters gone ; that they should 
 save all their warriors against a time of need, and only 
 
JAMES r. UECKWOrJtTIl. 
 
 22] 
 
 engage in war when tlic safety of their village was at 
 stake. 
 
 These representations would frequently dissuade 
 them from their belligerent purpose, and heaver-skins 
 would be brought into the village by the pack ; but 
 they would soon tire of their pacific occupation, an<l 
 their enemies' horses would offer them temptations 
 which they could not resist. 
 
 Nearly all the Crows having left the fort before I 
 did, only a few warriors remained to bear me company. 
 [ engaged to meet them at the mouth of the Little 
 Horn within a given number of nights, and I knew I 
 should be expected. We arrived in safety at the place 
 appointed, and within the time I had specified. 
 
 Soon after our arrival, it was proposed to send out 
 a war-party, not so much to fight as to reconnoitre ; to 
 see where horses could with least difficulty be pro- 
 cured, and gain a general intelligence of how matters 
 stood. We set out, and had traveled slowly along for 
 nearly two weeks, when our scouts returned to apprise 
 us that there was a large crowd of women approaching 
 toward us. We were then in a forest of plum-trees, 
 bearing large red plums, which were fully ripe, and were 
 very delicious. Feeling satisfied that the women were 
 coming to gather fruit, we secreted ourselves, intend- 
 ing, at a given signal, to surround them while they 
 were busily employed. Accordingly, we waited until 
 they all set themselvt about their task, they keep- 
 ing up an incessant jabber among themselves like so 
 many blackbirds or bob-o-links, and having no sus- 
 picion that the Crows would so soon come in for their 
 share. At a sound from the whistle, they were entire- 
 ly surrounded, and their merry chatter was hushed in 
 an instant. We marched them to an open piece of 
 
222 
 
 AIITOBIOGUAPHY OF 
 
 ground, made them form a line, and proceeded to make 
 a .selection. TIk' aged, the ill-l'avorcd, and the matrons 
 we withdrew from the bodj, telling them to return to 
 the village, and depart without clamor. They went 
 away in suUennesSj with their eyes flashing lire. The 
 remainder, to the number of fifty-nine, very attractive 
 looking young women, we carried along with us ; and 
 as we were but three miles distant from their village, 
 and could plainly sec the smoke of their lodges, we 
 deemed it prudent to lose no time in making our way 
 home. There were three warriors in the company of 
 the women when first descried, but they were not in- 
 dosed in our surround, and we could find no traces of 
 ihem in any direction. 
 
 On our return toward home the captives were, as 
 usual, gloomy for an hour or two; but they very quick- 
 ly brightened, and amused us with their smiles and 
 conversation during the whole of the journey. In four 
 (lays we reached the village, and were received with 
 ''thunders of applause." Four of the prisoners were 
 adjudged my prizes, who, according to Indian customs, 
 Ijecame my sisters. For my services in this expedi- 
 tion I was honored with the name of Boah-hish-a (Red 
 L^'ish). Our prisoners were kindly received, and treat- 
 (id with becoming attention. I carried my four sisters 
 to my lodge, and distributed them among my relatives. 
 They were all married to Crow braves, and added ma- 
 terially to the strength of my band of relatives ; for it 
 is esteemed a great honor to marry the sister of a great 
 brave, which appellation I had long borne. 
 
 Pine Leaf had captured two prisoners, and offered me 
 one of them to wife. I answered, "You once told me 
 I had already wives enough. I will not add to their 
 number until I marry the heroine of the Crow nation." 
 
akc 
 'ons 
 1 to 
 rent 
 The 
 tivc 
 and 
 age, 
 , ■vve 
 way 
 f of 
 : in- 
 s of 
 
 ;, as 
 lick- 
 and 
 four 
 with 
 were 
 oms, 
 pedi- 
 ;Red 
 reat- 
 sters 
 ives. 
 [ ma- 
 for it 
 great 
 
 id me 
 d me 
 their 
 
 ion. 
 
 75 
 
JAMES I'. HKCKWOIIRTII. 
 
 22') 
 
 (( 
 
 •J 
 
 Y. 
 
 a 
 IS 
 
 < 
 
 3 
 
 H 
 M 
 M 
 
 •J 
 
 •All, you liavc found tlio red-handed Indian, then," 
 she said, hiughing mockingly. 
 
 ►She always received my advances with this unsatis- 
 factory nonchalance, that it was with some unjjleasant- 
 ness of feeling I approached the subject. JJut the more 
 I saw of her lofty bearing, and witnessed the heroic 
 deeds that she performed, the more ardent became my 
 attachment to her. AVhen she was by my side in bat- 
 tle, it seemed as if I had increased strength and cour- 
 age ; when she was away, which happened rarely, J 
 felt a vacancy which no other warrior could supj)ly. 
 There was none bolder than herself, and she knew it ; 
 there were others of greater strength, but her deficien- 
 cy in muscular power was more than indemnified by 
 her cat-like agility, and she would kill her man while 
 others where preparing to attack. 
 
 There was one thing that irritated the noble girl's 
 curiosity, and that was th. war-path secret. Having 
 killed many in battle, having followed where any dared 
 to lead, " Why am I debarred from that important 
 communication?" she would ask. "Why am I sent 
 oif with the women and children, when that secret is 
 told the warriors of but one battle ?" 
 
 I would tell her that the misfortune of her sex ren- 
 dered it impossible that she could ever have the secret 
 unveiled to her ; that, should she break her trust, she 
 would feurely pay the forfeit with her life. She would 
 become angry at such representations, and her black 
 eyes would glow like fire. 
 
 Soon after this capture, a band of Black I eet made 
 reprisals by breaking our inclosure and taking sev- 
 en hundred horses. I immediately collected a small 
 party and went in pursuit. We speedily overtook 
 them, and recovered all the horses except sixty, bear- 
 
 K2 
 
•2'2{) 
 
 Al TOBIUCJRAPHY OF 
 
 Ing the cneiiiy, who precipitately fled, leaving two of 
 their party dead. On our return we were received witli 
 the usual demonstrations of joy, and the horse-danco. 
 was performed by the village, together with the scalp- 
 dance, which lasted nearly all night. 
 
 About this time my allied friend raised a war-party, 
 and went in quest of the enemy ; the heroine, ever act- 
 ive and prepared, aecompai'ying him. I staid behind. 
 They returned in a few days, bringing eight scalps of 
 the Coutnees — one of the bands of the Black Feet. 
 They had lost two of their warriors, much to the annoy- 
 ance of the heroine, as she was prevented from dancing, 
 although she had counted two coos. She then declared 
 that she Avould go to war no more, except in my com- 
 pany ; but she had to break her word, and the next 
 time she engaged in tight she received a severe wound. 
 She wished me to raise a force immediately, and go 
 and kill an enemy, so that she could wash her face. I 
 declined, however, on the ground that I was soon to go 
 to the fort, and that I would engage in no hostile en- 
 counters until my return. 
 
 When a war party loses one of its members, the sur- 
 vivors are compelled to wear tlieir mourning-paint, un- 
 til that same party, or an individual member of it, has 
 wiped out the blot by killing one of the enemy with- 
 out incurring loss of life. Thus it not unfrequently 
 happens, when no opportunity of avenging a loss oc- 
 curs, that the mourners wear paint for months, regu- 
 larly renewing it as it wears off. 
 
 Small parties were continually going out and return- 
 ing with varying success. The grand total of horses 
 stolen by the Crows from all other tribes during that 
 year amounted to near oix thousand head. During 
 the same period, however, they lost a great number 
 stolon from tliom. 
 
JAMES P. 3ECKW0CRTH. 
 
 227 
 
 Iring 
 
 I visited the fort again in October, with three hund- 
 red lodges of the Indians, the remainder following us 
 in a few days. A great number of the Indians had 
 been busy with their traps for about two months, and 
 we took into the fort a great quantity of peltry, which 
 procured for the Indians every thing they needed, be- 
 sides linery for the women. 
 
 When I arrived, I was informed that the head-hunt- 
 er of the fort had been killed during my absence. 
 
 " Now," said Pine Leaf, "you will go to war for one 
 of your jDcople, and I will go with you, so that I can 
 wash my face." 
 
 The fort had been subject to alarms during the 
 whole time of my absence, but had only lost the man 
 here referred to. 
 
 As soon as the Indians hcd finished their trading, I 
 directed them to move to the Yellow Stone, as far up 
 as " Pompey's Tower," telling them that I would join 
 them in four nights. Then, as soon as I could get 
 ready, I loaded twelve pack-horses with goods for re- 
 tail, and, taking two Canadians with me, I went on 
 and joined the village at the appointed place. 
 
 This much performed, I then attended to the fre- 
 quent solicitations of the heroine, by leading a party, 
 and going in pursuit of the Black Feet to chastise 
 them, as I told the Crows, for killing the white hunter. 
 We were absent eleven days, and returned with only 
 four scalps and seventy-four horses. I received an 
 arrow in my head ; and there wxre three other warriors 
 wounded, but none killed. The heroine then washed 
 her face of the mourning-paint, which she had been 
 grieving about so long. 
 
 At this time I was third counselor of the nation, 
 Iiaving been fifth and fourth previously. In tlio Crow 
 
 K2 
 
228 
 
 ALTOHIOGKAPHY ( >!' 
 
 nation tlicrc arc six counselors, and by them the na- 
 tion is ruled. There arc also two head ehiet's, who sit 
 with tlic counsel wlicncvcr it is in session. The olUce 
 of iirst counselor is the highest in the nation, next to 
 the head chiefs, whose authority is equal. If in any 
 of these divisions, when a matter is brought to the 
 vote, the suliVages arc equal, one of the old pipe-men 
 is sunnnoncd before the council, and the subject under 
 discussion is stated to him, with the substance of the 
 arguments advanced on both sides ; after hearing this 
 he gives his casting vote, and the question is tinally 
 settled. 
 
 When war is declared on any tribe, it is done by the 
 council. If any party goes out without the authority 
 of the council, they arc all severely whipped ; and their 
 whipping is no light matter, as 1 can personally test- 
 ily. It makes no diflcrencc how high the offender 
 ranks, or how great his popularity with the nation — 
 there is no favor shown ; the man who disobeys orders 
 is bound to be lashed, and if lie resists or resents the 
 punishment, he suifers death. 
 
 We raised a war-party of three hundred men to act 
 against the Cheyennes, having one of the head chiefs 
 as leader. We moved on foot toward their country, 
 which was about two hundred and iifty miles from our 
 village. In this expedition I acted in the capacity 
 of head spy, and was of necessity continually in ad- 
 vance of the main party. Being near the enemy, ac- 
 cording to our calculations, I was some distance ahead, 
 with four other spies, when we discovered live of the 
 Cheyenne warriors in the act of dressing a buffalo, 
 which they had just killed. We crept slyly up with- 
 in gunshot of them, and each singled out hi** man and 
 fired. Four fell at the discharge ; the other mounted 
 
 r 
 * 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTIl. 
 
 229 
 
 his horse and fled. I mounted one of the other horses, 
 .'ind ])ursucd liim within sight of his viUagc, when I 
 Avliccled an^l returned to the camp, well knowing that 
 we should be pursued immediately after the fugitive 
 communicated his news. 1 found the camp readily,' and 
 acquainted tie chief with what had happened, although 
 it is against orders for spies to commence any attack. 
 I told him that we were compelled to fight them to 
 save our own lives, as the enemy had discovered us. 
 " That is all riglit," he said, " but they will Lc soon 
 after us, and vv^e must retreat as fast as we can." 
 
 We returned on our steps without losing a moment, 
 and traveled all night. It was very cold, with consid- 
 erable snow on the ground. In the morning we built 
 a fire, and as soon as we had warmed ourselves we 
 moved on. One man, who was lame, lingered by the 
 fire after we had left, and he rejoined us in great alarm, 
 telling us that the Cheycnnes were on our trail in 
 great force, and were but a short distance behind us. 
 We tlien put our boys and horses into a deep gully 
 close by, and also stepped in ourselves, as soon as we 
 had discharged one volley at our pursuers, who were 
 then within short gunshot distance. They numbered 
 from fifteen hundred to two thousand warriors, all 
 mounted, while we were but a very few warriors, and 
 liad not more than a dozen horses in all. We were in 
 a strong position, however, one which they dared not 
 to storm, even with their whole force. Frequently a 
 few more daring cavaliers would advance to the edge 
 of the bank, and hurl their lances into our midst ; but 
 they rarely escaped our bullets. We had killed and 
 wounded a great number in this manner, which taught 
 our foe to be more cautious in his approaches ; when 
 our chief, losing heart, declared there was no hope 
 
230 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ibr us, and that we infallibly should be all "rubbed 
 out." 
 
 He addressed his son, a lad about sixteen years ot" 
 age, in the following strain : " My son, we shall be all 
 killed here. The Cheyennes are very brave, and ''hey 
 iiave a eloud of warriors before us. It must never be 
 said that my son was killed by them, therefore I must 
 kill you myself before 1 die. Die, my son, iirst !" 
 
 In an instant his son was a corpse, prostrate at the 
 i'eet of his savage father. This, thought I, is the first 
 time I ever saw a person killed to save his life. The 
 actions of the old chief were wild throughout the whole 
 proceeding. After killing his son, he rushed upon the 
 top of the bank, and addressed himself to the enemy, 
 an exposed mark to their arrows, as follows : 
 
 " Ho, Cheyennes ! hero I am I come and kill me ! 
 I am the great chief of the Crows. Come and kill me 
 iirst, and then you can easily kill my warriors. jMany 
 of your braves have fallen by my hand ; their scalps 
 darken my lodge. Come! come and kill me!" 
 
 I was astonished at such rashness, and still more 
 astonished at the enemy, who, on seeing him a fair 
 mark for their bullets, even withdrew to a greater dis- 
 tance, and appeared to be perfectly paralyzed. After 
 a while, our head chief descended, and took a long 
 smoke at his pipe. The enemy retired without troub- 
 ling us farther. In the night we decamped, and made 
 all possible haste to our village, where we arrived in 
 safety without any molestation from the enemy. TJic 
 chief attributed our escape to the interposition of tlic 
 Great Spirit, wlioi.i the sacritice of his son had propi- 
 tiated in our behalf. 
 
 We killed fourteen of the enemy Avhile in our in- 
 trenchment, making eighteen, and wounded a great 
 
 iiun( 
 
 proc 
 
 Fori 
 
 a C] 
 
 vilh 
 
 and 
 
 we \i 
 
 the 
 
 in or 
 
 and 
 
 viliaj 
 
 camp 
 
 \vere 
 
JAMES P. 13ECKW0UjRTif. 231 
 
 number We had eiglit killed, including the chief, 
 son, and ten or eleven slightly wounded. 
 
 When we arrived at home there was* great mourn- 
 ing, and we all assumed paint on our faces as usual 
 J ut we wore it only a short time before we took am- 
 Pj^revenge. Pine Leaf did not accompany us on this 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Four days after our return, our chief, still smartinc 
 •'t the sacrifice he had made for the salvation of his 
 people, burned for revenge. He selected a body of 
 over two hundred warriors, and started forthwith in 
 search of the enemy. 
 
 The night following his departure, I also raised two 
 imndred men, and started in a contrary direction. We 
 proceeded on until we came to Laramie Forks, where 
 l^ort Laramie has since been built, and were in siVht of 
 a Cheyenne village. While we were surveying the 
 village, eleven of tlieir men, laden with meat, came up 
 and encamped within a few hundred yards of where ' 
 we were. We immediately threw ourselves flat upon 
 the ground, resolved to wait until the coming of ni-ht 
 m order to make secure work of our attack on them' 
 and prevent any of their number escaping to alarm the 
 village. At a Ixte hour we silently approached their 
 camp when they were all sound asleep ; a dozen guns 
 were discharged at them in a moment, and we rushed 
 
232 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 in with our battle-axes to complete the work. We 
 took their scalps, and were soon on the retreat, bearing 
 away all the meat we needed, besides nineteen horses, 
 and the slain warriors' equipments. We returned to 
 the village, and washed oft' the mourning-paint, mak- 
 ing the whole village ring with our dancing and rejoic- 
 ing. The additional name of ^\j-ra-e-dish (the Bloody 
 Arm) was conferred upon me. 
 
 Tiic old chief came in three days subsequently, 
 bringing fourteen scalps and equipments, without hav- 
 ing lost a single man. 
 
 Many of my readers will doubtless wonder how a 
 man who had been reared in civilized life could ever 
 participate in such scenes of carnage and rapine. I 
 have already related that I was brought up where sim- 
 ilar outrages were committed upon the defenseless in- 
 habitants of the new settlements. Impressed with the 
 recollection of these early scenes, I hardly ever struck 
 down an Indian but my mind reverted to the mangled 
 bodies of my childish play-fellows, which I discovered 
 on my way to the mill, barbarously murdered by the 
 savages. In after years I have experienced the nat- 
 ural ferocity of the savage, who thirsts for the blood 
 of the white man for no other purpose than to gratify 
 the vindictive spirit that animates him. I have seen 
 the paths of the trappers dyed with their blood, drawn 
 from their hearts by the ambushed savage, who never 
 knew mei 0}-, but remorsely butchered all who came in 
 his way. Such is Indian nature. When I fought 
 with the Crow nation, I fought in their behalf against 
 the most relentless enemies of the white man. If I 
 chose to become an Indian while living among them, 
 it concerned no person but myself; and by doing so, 
 I saved more life and property for the white man than 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 2:5:i 
 
 linst 
 HI 
 
 so, 
 Ithan 
 
 a whole regiment of United States regulars could have 
 done in the same time. 
 
 Before 1 close this narrative, I shall take the liberty 
 to express my opinions, and afford those having con- 
 trol of the War Department some counsel about the 
 cheapest, most expeditious, and most certain method 
 of quelling their Indian troubles, on which the news- 
 papers are harping so much. 1 know that with five 
 hundred men of my selection I could exterminate 
 any Indian tribe in North America in a very few 
 months. But so long as our government continues to 
 enlist the offscouring of European cities into our army, 
 and intrusts the command to inexperienced officers 
 fresh from West Point, just so long will they afford 
 food for the Indians in and about the Rocky Mount- 
 ains. Encumbered as our army is with baggage-wag- 
 ons and artillery, an Indian chief can move his whole 
 community farther in one day than our soldiers can 
 follow them in three. 
 
 When our victorious celebration was over, I started 
 on a small trading expedition to the Snake Indians. 
 I had received an invitation from their chief to trade 
 among them, and I selected eight warriors to accom- 
 pany me. On arriving at their village, I found that 
 the Utahs had joined them, and a great number of 
 them were thronging the village. Knowing that the 
 Utahs and Crows were deadly enemies, I sedulously 
 watched their movements, and very speedily felt dis- 
 trust for the safety of myself and party, as the whole 
 camp savored strongly of treachery. I mustered my 
 little party around me, and found them without guns. 
 On inquiring the cause, they informed me they had 
 traded them away for horses. I suppose my looks 
 expressed my disapprobation. Mistaking me, they 
 
234 
 
 AUTOBIOGKAPHY UF 
 
 said there was yet one fine horse left, which I could 
 have at tlie price of my gun. 
 
 I liad finished my traffic, and had disposed of every 
 thing except my gun, when the Snakes came to mc. 
 and offered to trade for that. I said, *' No ; 1 never 
 sell my gun, except when at home and among my own 
 people." The Snakes then told us to go, that things 
 were bad in their camp. We sprang upon our horses, 
 and struck out at full speed ; but we soon discovered 
 a large party of Indians were in close pursuit. We 
 then found they had not sold us their fastest horses, 
 as they gained on some of my party, and shot and 
 scalped them without our ability to defend them. 1 
 succeeded in reaching the mountain with two of my 
 men, having lost six noble young warriors in my flight. 
 I knew there would be terrible mourning and loss of 
 fingers, until I could teach the Snakes a lesson which 
 would serve them to remember for a long time. 
 
 After devoting a short space to bewailing my mis- 
 fortune, I requested a council to be called, and never 
 did I enlarge with such wrathful vehemerkce as I then 
 fulminated against the Snfkes, holding them up to the 
 abhorrence of the fathers for their treachery in decoy- 
 ing our unsuspecting warriors into their camp, and then 
 letting loose a pack of murderous savages at our heels, 
 after we had, ihrough their complicity, parted with our 
 only means of defense. I demanded five hundred war- 
 riors to go and wipe out the stain, and inflict summary 
 chastisement on the village for their duplicity. 
 
 ]\Iy argument was listened to with the profoundest 
 attention, and all I proposed was readily acceded to. 
 "Let the Red Arm have all that he asks," was the 
 unanimous voice of the assembly. 
 
 My warriors rallied around me almost at a moment's 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUIiTlI. 
 
 23r> 
 
 notice, and we mounted our horses and sped in the 
 direction of tlie Snake country, on Green Kiver. On 
 the eighth day our scouts came in and reported that 
 tlioy had found a large number of the Snakes, scat- 
 tered in small parties, who were engaged in killing buf- 
 falo. We held on until we came in sight of them. 1 
 distributed my warriors as the occasion suggested, or- 
 dermg them to attack the various small camps, whih^ 
 I, with my party, should attack their main body. They 
 were overthrown and dispersed by my brave warriors, 
 with severe loss. AVe took over one hundred scalps, 
 and a great quantity of guns and other warlike imple- 
 ments. We had sixteen men wounded, including my- 
 self (I received two slight wounds from arrows), but 
 none of them dangerously. This blow brought the 
 Snakes to their senses, and they immediately sent a 
 deputation to our village to sue for peace. 
 
 A circumstance happened on the evening preceding 
 our attack which caused me the deepest regret. While 
 the spies were reconnoitring, they perceived two In- 
 dians, as they supposed, leave the enemy's camp, and 
 proceed down the canon. This circumstance they re- 
 ported to me. I ordered them to return, and kill them 
 if they could find them. They went in pursuit of the 
 two stragglers, and when they came in sight of them 
 they had their robes over their heads, and vcre kneel- 
 ing down over a fire. They fired, and one of the two 
 fell mortally wounded; the other sprang out of his 
 robe, when, to their surprise, they sjaw he was a white 
 man. They, however, took him prisoner, and brought 
 him to my camp. I was absent at their return ; but 
 on the following morning I remarked a very dejected 
 look on their countenances, and I asked them what 
 was the matter. 
 
2:i6 
 
 AUTOUIOGKArHY UF 
 
 "We have done very Lad," said one; "we have 
 reddened our hands with the blood of the white man." 
 
 "Well, how did it occur?" I inquired. 
 
 "Ask that white man, and he will tell you all." 
 
 I walked up to the unhappy prisoner, whose looks 
 betrayed the keenest anguish, and addressed him in 
 English. 
 
 " How are you, my friend ?" 
 
 He started as if electrified, and looked me closely in 
 the face. 
 
 " What brought you here ?" I continued. 
 
 " I was brought here by these Indians, who killed 
 my companion while wc were building a fire to warm 
 ourselves. I suppose I am brought here to be killed 
 also?" 
 
 ' ' No, my friend," I said, " you are safe. The Crows 
 nevc:' kill white men." 
 
 " Are these Crows ?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 * ' Well, well ! Then you must be Mr. Beekwourth ?" 
 
 " Yes, that is my name. And now, without the 
 least fear of danger, relate the occurrence fairly : if my 
 warriors have killed a white man intentionally, they 
 shall be punished." 
 
 He then related how he and his companion went into 
 the canon, and how they made a fire to render them- 
 selves comfortable away from the Indian camp ; how 
 that their robes were over their heads, entirely conceal- 
 ing their faces from view, and that he felt fully con- 
 fident that my warriors, in firing upon them, had mis- 
 taken them for Indians. 
 
 "Well," I said, "since the mistake is so apparent, 
 you will greatly serve me to make the same statement 
 to your companions when you return to your camp; 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 237 
 
 into 
 liem- 
 
 how 
 Iceal- 
 
 con- 
 
 mis- 
 
 for the Crows are entirely innocent of any design to 
 shed th^j hhod of the white man, and it would be de- 
 plorable for any misunderstanding to arise in conse- 
 (juence of this lamentable occurrence." 
 
 " I shall make a fair statement of the fact," he said, 
 "and should be very sorry to be the means of any 
 trouble." 
 
 He then informed me that he and his late compan- 
 ion were trappers ; that his party were in winter-quar- 
 ters, and encamped with the main body of the Hnakes ; 
 and that they had come out with this party after meat. 
 I then gave him my reasons for attacking the Snakes, 
 and begged him to commend me to all the old mount- 
 aineers. 
 
 ** There is not a day passes," he said, " but some 
 one mentions you, to wonder where you are, and what 
 you are now doing. I can tell them all that I have 
 seen you, and conversed with you." 
 
 I then told him he was at liberty to go at any time ; 
 that he could take all the horses belonging to him, and 
 all else that he needed. We assisted him with the 
 body of his unhappy friend upon the back of a horse, 
 and, bidding me adieu, he departed. 
 
 The Snakes dispatched a deputation of forty war- 
 riors and a medicine chief to the Crows to negotiate 
 peace. They attached all the blame of the late rup- 
 ture to the Utahs, whom, they said, they could not con- 
 trol, and that the death of our six young warriors was 
 entirely against their wish. 
 
 This we knew was false, for there were ten Snakes 
 to one Utah in the camp at the time of the outrage. 
 They also pleaded that they had tried for a long time 
 to induce the Utahs to return home, knowing that they 
 were enemies to the Crows. We at length adjusted 
 
2^8 
 
 ALrOHJCKSUAI'hV OK 
 
 tho conditions of j)c<acc, Hi.iokcd the cjilumot, and, after 
 an cxclwingc of prcscntH, they returned to their lionie. 
 
 vVbout tliis time a brave, named JJig Rain, was cleet- 
 ed chief of the village for the term of six moons. His 
 fliilics 'vvere to superintend all the village removals, to 
 scleet sites for camj)S, order surrounds ; in sliort, he 
 was a kind of mayor, and alone subject to the liead 
 chief. Big Kain j)0ssesscd the most beautiful squaw 
 in the whoh; village ; she was the admiration of every 
 young br.ave, and all were plotting (myself among the 
 rest) to win licr aw.iy from her proud lord. [ had 
 spoken to her on several occasions, and, whenever op- 
 portunity offered, would tender her my most ceremoni- 
 ous obeisance ; but she never favored me with any re- 
 turn. Not oidy was she beautiful, but she was very 
 intelligent, and as proud as Jiucifer; and the gor- 
 geous dyes of the peacock were not more variegated 
 or more showy than her attire. 8incc the e' ation 
 of her husband, I fancied that she assume 'her 
 Iiaughtier airs ; and 1 determined to steal her from her 
 lord, be the consequences what they might. 
 
 I went one evening to her brother's lodge, and ac- 
 (ptainted him that there was a woman in our villac;o 
 that 1 loved, and that I must have her at all hazards. 
 
 " Well, warrior," said he, " if it is any of my rela- 
 tives, I will assist you all in my power. You are a 
 great brave, and have gained many victories for us, and 
 it is but right that your desires should be gratified.'' 
 
 "Thank you," said I; "but I will try alone first, 
 and if I do not succeed, then I shall be very glad of 
 your assistance." 
 
 As an acknowledgment for the prompt tender of his 
 services, I presented him with a quantity of tobacco. 
 "Now," added I, " I want you to call in all your 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
JAMKH v. HKCKWOCKTII. 
 
 •<f It' 
 
 his 
 
 icco. 
 
 roiir 
 
 lu'ighbor.s to-niglit, and let thoiii .smoke as long as they 
 please. After they are assembled, bar the door of your 
 lodge, and anuisc them as long as you ean with the re- 
 hearsal of your adventures, in the mean time, 1 will 
 be engaged." 
 
 I then went to my bosom friend and brotiier, and 
 made part to him of what 1 had in hand, which reve- 
 hition greatly amused him. 1 requested him to act as 
 sentry over the lodge where they were all smoking — 
 liig Rain with the rest, for 1 had seen him enter — and 
 remain there until he was satisHed they had filled their 
 pipes for the last time, and then to call out to me, but 
 to mislead them in the place where he was addressing 
 me. This he promised to perforin, and we both start- 
 ed on our errands. 
 
 I went to Big llain's lodge, dressed and painted in 
 tlie extreme of the fashion, and sa^v the lady reclining, 
 Iialf asleep, upon her couch, and several of her female- 
 relatives asleep about the room. Nothing daunted, I 
 strode to the couch of Mrs. Big Rain, and laid my hand 
 gently on her brow. 
 
 Slic started up, saying, "Who is here?" 
 
 "Hush!" I replied; "it is I." 
 
 "What do you want here?" 
 
 " I have come to see you, because I love you." 
 
 "Don't you know that I am the chief's wife?" 
 
 " Yes, I know it ; but he does not love you as I do. 
 lie never goes to war, but stays idly in the village. 1 
 am a great brave, and always go to war. I can paint 
 your face, and bring you fine horses ; but so long as 
 you are the wife of Big Rain, he will never paint your 
 face with new coos.'''' 
 
 "My husband will kill you." 
 
 " Well, then the Crows will talk of you for many 
 
240 
 
 AUTOBIOUKAI'IIV OP 
 
 winters, and say that tlic great brave, * The Bloody 
 Arm,' died for a pretty woman." 
 
 '* Your father," she said, " will lose all his horses, 
 and all his other property, and will beeomc poor in liis 
 old age. I respect your father, and all your relatives, 
 and my heart would cry to see them poor." 
 
 " If my father loses his horses, I can steal more from 
 our enemies, lie would he proud to lose his horses 
 if his son could get a wife as handsome as you are. 
 You can go to war with me, and carry my shield. 
 With you by my side, I could kill a great many ene- 
 mies, and bring home many scalps. Then wc could 
 often dance, and our hearts would be made merry and 
 
 glad." 
 
 "Go now," she pleaded ; "for if my husband should 
 return, and lind you here, he would be very angry, and 
 I fear he would kill you. Go ! go ! for your own 
 sake, and for mine, and for the love you have for the 
 Crows, go!" 
 
 " No," said I, " I will not go until you give me a 
 pledge that you will be mine when an opportunity of- 
 fers for me to take you away." 
 
 She hesitated for a moment, and then slipped a ring 
 off her finger and placed it on mine. All I now had 
 to do was to watch for a favorable chance to take her 
 away with me on some of my excursions. Just as I 
 was about to leave, my friend called me as though I had 
 been three miles away. I went out and joined him, 
 
 " What luck ?" inquired he. 
 
 "Good," said T. 
 
 " Prove it to me, I will believe," said my friend. 
 
 I held out my finger to him, displaying the ring. 
 
 "Enough," said he; "but I could not otherwise 
 have believed it." 
 
.JAMIiS I'. HECK woe Kill. 
 
 241 
 
 Tlie following day, with six warriors in full co.s- 
 tume, I visited Wig Rain at his lodge. 
 
 *' Ah !" said he, " you arc going on a war-excursion, 
 my friend ?" 
 
 "No," I answered. "\Vc carnc to sec which way 
 you arc going to move, how many days you will trav- 
 el, and how far each day ; so that we may lind good 
 places to encamp, and know where to find the village 
 in case we should encounter the enemy." 
 
 "You are very kind," said he; "then you intend 
 to be my spy. I have many brothers and other rela- 
 tives among the braves, but not one has ever made me 
 that offer." 
 
 "No," thought I, "they don't care as much about 
 your wife as I do." 
 
 "Go," said he, "and the Great Spirit will protect 
 you." 
 
 I then left, accompanied by my six warriors. The 
 second day out, in the afternoon, as we were traveling 
 .slowly along, I discovered, at about a mile distance, a 
 party of twenty-seven Black Foot warriors, just emerg- 
 ing from the Bad Pass. We immediately retraced our 
 steps toward home, and traveled all night, until we ar- 
 rived within three miles of the village. When within 
 sight, we telegraphed with the aid of a small looking- 
 glass, which the Crow scouts usually carry, and every 
 motion of which is understood in the village. I made 
 a signal that I had discovered the enemy, and a second 
 that they were approaching. In a moment I could 
 discover a great stir in the village. When we arrived, 
 I reported to his honor, Big Rain, how many we had 
 seen, what tribe they were, where they had passed the 
 previous night, and where they could then be found, 
 rhe chief then ordered his madam to bring us some 
 
 J J 
 
242 
 
 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 water, an order she complied with, smiling coquettish- 
 ly at nic tlie while. 
 
 I then retired to my lodge to change my dress, as 
 portions of it were stained with our travel through the 
 mountains. While I was in my lodge, madam came 
 over with a splendid war-horse, which her husband had 
 sent me, on which to return and fight the Black Feet 
 I had just discovered. She said, "My husband has 
 sent this war-horse to the Bloody Arm, and requests 
 him to lead the Crows to the enemy." 
 
 I was soon on the road, with enough mounted war- 
 riors to eat the whole party of the enemy ; for they 
 were only a short distance from our village, and, desir- 
 ous of excitement, every one wished to go. Judging 
 where the enemy would encamp that night, we travel- 
 ed on until we arrived near the anticipated encamp- 
 ment. 
 
 Previous to starting, my little wife, who, by being 
 the wife of a great brave, was as good as any woman, 
 wished to bear me company and carry my shield. But 
 I refused her, alleging that the danger was too great, 
 and promising to paint her face when I returned. One 
 of my sisters then volunteered, and I accepted her of- 
 fer, taking her with me to carry my shield and lead 
 my war-horse. 
 
 As soon as it was light enough in the morning, I 
 sent out small parties in all directions to look for their 
 trail, that we might track them to their den. In ten 
 or fifteen minutes after the parties left, we heard the re- 
 port of a gun, and the war-hoop raised. The Crows 
 assembled in the direction of the report, all drawing 
 toward a centre. When I arrived, I saw that the 
 Black Feet had chosen a strong position, and that we 
 had another fort to storm. It was built partly by na- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUKTH. 
 
 24J 
 
 ture, but human industry had improved the stronghold. 
 It was low water, and there was a pile of drift on a 
 naked sand-bar, and trees had been felled from the 
 bank npon the drift-pile, forming quite a shelter. Over 
 this position the enemy was placed, protected with a 
 breast-work formed of timber taken from the drift. 
 When I reached the ground, I saw two of our reckles^^ 
 braves talking carelessly under the enemy in this in- 
 closed space, as if they had been in a secure lodge. 1 
 regarded them for a moment, and, thinking to display 
 as much bravery as they had, I dismounted and ran 
 to the place, although several shots were fired at me 
 from tlie fort, none of which took effect. 
 
 "What are you here for?" inquired one of them of 
 me. 
 
 "In the first place," I said, "tell me what you are 
 here for." 
 
 " Why we are old warriors, and you are not." 
 
 " If I am not an old warrior," I answered, " I will 
 be one." 
 
 I then regarded the rough flooring over head, which 
 separated us from our foes, and perceived an aperture 
 hardly large enough to admit my fist. I stood under 
 it a moment, and as the warriors were moving about, 
 one of them stepped over the aperture and remained 
 there. I thrust my lance up with my whole force, and 
 drew it back reeking with blood. 
 
 "There, old warriors," said I to my two companions, 
 " who has drawn the first blood now ? W^ho struck 
 tliem first ? Old warriors, or a young brave ? How 
 do you like the look of my lance ? Do you see it ?" 
 
 " Yes, yes, we see it. You have done well, young 
 brave!" 
 
 "Well," said I, " you can stay here out of danger ; 
 
244 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 but I am going out to my warriors, and then to storm 
 the fort." 
 
 I ran back with the same success that I had enter- 
 ed it, brandishing my dripping lance, and ordered a 
 charge, which was obeyed as soon as given. In five 
 minutes there was not a Black Foot left within alive. 
 They made scarcely any defense, so sudden and over- 
 whelming was the shock. 
 
 We had one warrior killed by the first discharge of 
 the enemy, and six wounded. We then returned home, 
 and, notwithstanding our slain warrior, we celebrated 
 a dance, and devoted the next day to mourning our 
 loss. In robing his remains for the spirit land, we 
 dressed him in the most costly manner, using trink- 
 ets, seam-embroidered cloth, and the most costly ar- 
 ticles, to show the inhabitants of the spirit land that 
 he was a great brave, and much respected on earth. 
 Over all was wrapped the best of scarlet blankets, and 
 his arms were enfolded therein. 
 
 Oh shroud him in his hunting-shirt, 
 
 And lay him in the glen, 
 Away, away from jealous foes, 
 
 Away from sight of men — 
 
 With bow and painted arrow. 
 
 That never failed its aim. 
 When by his fleet and favorite steed 
 
 The bounding bison came. 
 
 Go, kill the warrior's favorite horse, 
 
 His crouching, lonely hound ; 
 To shield so brave a warrior 
 
 In the happy hunting-ground. 
 
 While the villagers were crying and putting on a coat 
 of mourning-paint for the departed warrior, I was bus- 
 ied in my domestic affairs. I sent my sister to madam 
 with a large quantity of service-berries, which had been 
 
.lAMES P. BECKWOIJKTII. 
 
 245 
 
 a coat 
 bus- 
 
 adam 
 been 
 
 finely dried the preceding summer, together with some 
 sweet potatoes, telling her to request madam to send 
 me her extra moccasins, in order to lash them together 
 with my own on my pack-dog, and to appoint a place 
 to meet me that evening. My sister was astonished, 
 and said, *' Is it po;;sible that you intend to take Ba- 
 chua-hish-a (Red Cherry) with you ? Why, we shall 
 all become poor ! We shall not have a horse to ride ! 
 But I don't care; she is a pretty woman, and will 
 make a good robe-dresser." 
 
 Away she hied, and soon returned with my lady's 
 moccasins. Ah, ah ! thought I, I am all right now ! 
 I expected that the course of true love would not run 
 very smooth with me in the end, but would, on the 
 contrary, carry me over breakers which would most 
 probably break my neck ; but I fortified myself with 
 the old adage, "Faint heart never won fair lady, "and I 
 determined to hazard all consequences. 
 
 The appointed time had arrived, and, on going to 
 the place of assignation, I found my lady true to her 
 word — in fact, she was there first. W^e joined the par- 
 ty, thirty-four in number, and traveled all night in the 
 direction of the Black Foot country. On the sixth 
 (lay, at nightfall, we arrived at the IMussel Shell Riv- 
 er, a little below the mouth of the Judith, and in sight 
 of a village of the enemy. I looked out a good place 
 for a reserve camp, and then, selecting eighteen of the 
 most expert horse-thieves, we started for the village. 
 We succeeded in capturing one hundred and seventeen 
 horses without being discovered, and arrived safe with 
 them at the camp. We all started immediately back 
 for the village. The warriors took but two horses 
 each, giving the rest to me and my new wife. 
 
 Meanwhile, Big Rain made discovery of the loss of 
 
246 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 his wife, and was greatly disturbed in mind. My fa- 
 ther, knowing the aggressor, commenced giving away 
 to his near relatives all his choicest stock and other 
 valuable property, until the storm should blow over. 
 
 When we rode in, the people came out to meet us, 
 rejoicing at our success. Big Rain Avas out likewise : 
 he took no part in the rejoicing, however, but ordered 
 his wife and me to be surrounded. I was seized by 
 Big Bain, together with half a dozen of his sisters, all 
 armed with scourges, and they administered a most 
 unmerciful whipping. I lay down to it, and received 
 it with true Indian fortitude, thousrh I certainly did 
 think they would beat me to death. If I had resisted, 
 they would have been justified in killing me ; also, if 
 they had drawn one drop of blood from me, I should 
 have been justified in taking their lives. They laid it 
 on so unmercifully, that I became angry, and hoped 
 they would draw blood. After the flagellation was 
 performed, the next penalty was, to strip my father 
 and myself of all our horses and other effects (our 
 war-implements excepted). My father was stripped 
 of five hundred horses. I lost about eighty. 
 
 " Pretty dear for a very pretty woman," thought I. 
 However, I soon had my horses made up to me by 
 presents from my friends. 
 
 We performed the horse-dance that night, though I 
 danced without owning one. During the amusement I 
 conveyed word to the wife of Big Bain that I should 
 go out again the next night, and should expect her 
 company, appointing her to meet me at tlie same place 
 as before. She returned a favorable answer. My little 
 wife hauled me over the coals for stealing a tnarried 
 woman, when tliere were enough maidens in the vil- 
 lage that I could select. I told her that I wished to 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 247 
 
 fa- 
 
 ;htL 
 le by 
 
 have the handsomest woman in the village for my 
 lodge. 
 
 The appointed hour arrived, and Big Rain's wife 
 was faithful to her promise. We started off with only 
 seventeen warriors. We were gone four days, and re- 
 turned with three sealps. We met a war-party of 
 nine warriors, six of whom outstripped us and escaped. 
 
 On my return I was again seized, and received an- 
 other such a flogging as the first, laid on with equal 
 good-will. 
 
 After my dressing, I retired to my lodge, when a 
 woman approached me hearing some burden in her 
 arms. She addressed me: "Here is something will 
 gladden your heart ; he will make as great a brave as 
 his father : his name is Black Panther. Here, look at 
 your child." 
 
 Sure enough, my little wife had presented me with 
 a son, who is at this present time (1855) first counsel- 
 or of the Crow nation. 
 
 Two nights afterward, I started on a third expedi- 
 tion with a party of sixty-three warriors, my new wife 
 accompanying me for the third time. We took a 
 southerly course toward the country of the Black Feet, 
 and captured near two hundred head of horses, with 
 which we returned home by way of the fort. On ar- 
 riving at the fort, I found that my services were re- 
 quired, and that they were about to dispatch a courier 
 after me on business of great importance. I told the 
 commander that I must go home with my party, but 
 that I would return to the fort with the least possible 
 delay. Accordingly we started on. On tlie road we 
 fell in with a small party of trappers, who were under 
 the conduct of an old schoolmate of mine, David 
 Adams. They seemed greatly dejected, and I inquired 
 
24H 
 
 AlTOHIOlJliAlMlV (JF 
 
 of tlicm the cause. Adams then related that he had 
 been rt)Ll)cd of every tiling he possessed hy some oi' 
 his men confederated with a number of my Indians, 
 and that they had sent him off in the forlorn condition 
 in which I now saw him. I asked him to describe the 
 appearance of the Indians who took part in robbijiv^ 
 him. 
 
 *'One of the party," said he, "was not an Indian, 
 but a mulatto." 
 
 " Tiicre was no mulatto when I left," I answered, 
 "and you must be mistaken." 
 
 " No," he replied, " I am not. You will find him 
 there on your return." 
 
 "Well," said I, "get up and return to the village 
 with me ; I will sift this matter to the bottom.'' 
 
 lie declined to accompany mc. "They told me, if 
 I returned," he urged, " that they would kill us all ; 
 and I dare not go back." 
 
 " Come with me," I said. " If there is any killing 
 to be done, I will have a hand in it." 
 
 He at length consented to return with mc. On gain- 
 ing the village, I rode up to my father's lodge, and 
 said, " How is this ? You allow white men to be rob- 
 bed in the village, directly under your eyes I Do you 
 wish to call down the vengeance of the great white 
 chief upon the Crows ? Do you wish them to be made 
 poor and miserable, like the other tribes ? Have I not 
 often told you of the immense number of white war- 
 riors ; that they were like the sand of the prairie — as 
 the leaves of the forest ?" 
 
 " Hold, my son ! I had nothing to do in the matter. 
 My heart was sorrowful when I heard of the crime. It 
 was High Lance who committed it." 
 
 "Then I will go and kill him, or be killed my- 
 
JAMES I*. BECKWOURTU. 
 
 24'J 
 
 ter. 
 It 
 
 self," said I; and away I sped to the lodge of High 
 Lance. 
 
 "Go with him — go with him!" exclaimed my father 
 to all my brothers and relatives around. "He is mad; 
 go and protect liim." 
 
 I advanced to High Lance, who was standing at his 
 lodge, who, on seeing me approach, stepped in and shut 
 his door. I dismounted, and +o;e his door down in 
 an instant, and demanded of him what he had been 
 doing. I remarked that his lodge was extremely well 
 supplied with goods. 
 
 "High Lance," said I, in an authoritative tone, "re- 
 store to these men their horses without one moment's 
 delay." 
 
 " I have taken no horses," said he, sullenly. 
 
 " Send for them in an instant," said L 
 
 By this time my Dog Soldiers, the bravest men in 
 the nation, were surrounding me. 
 
 " What does our chief want ?" demanded they. 
 
 I told them that I wanted all the goods taken out 
 of the lodge of High Lance, for that he had assisted 
 to steal them from a white man, who was my friend. 
 Instantly the lodge was hoisted, and torn into a thou- 
 sand pieces, and High Lance, the mulatto, and eleven 
 white men, were exposed to plain view. 
 
 I then accosted the mulatto: "What are you doing 
 here, you black velvet-headed scoundrel ? You come 
 here in my absence to put the devil into the heads of 
 the Indians, who are bad enough already ? I will have 
 your scalp torn off, you consummate villain!" 
 
 The poor fellow was frightened almost to death, and 
 trembled in every joint. He replied, "The Crows 
 gave me liberty to stay here and trap in their country, 
 
 -d- L 2 
 
250 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ** Not another word," interrupted I ; " though I will 
 hang you, at any rate." 
 
 Then, turning to the eleven renegade white men, 
 I said, "I give you just live minutes to leave tlu; 
 village ; if you are longer in going, I will order my 
 warriors to scalp every one of you. You assume to 
 be white men, and yet think no more of yourselves 
 than to enter an Indian village and set such an ex- 
 ample to the savages ; whereas, if they were to treat 
 you in such a manner, you would think death too light 
 a punishment. You rob your own race, and forbid 
 their return to the village under pain of death, allying 
 yourselves with the worst Indian in the tribe. After 
 stripping your victim, you forcibly deprive him of his 
 few trusty followers, and bid him go through these 
 trackless wilds, filled with murderous savages, who, 
 had they come across him, would have murdered him 
 before he reached the fort." 
 
 I rated them thus soundly, but not one offered to 
 lift his hand. The stolen horses were very quickly 
 forthcoming, and the purloined property was readily 
 produced. I restored it to my friend before them. 
 
 "Now," I said, addressing the gang, "you can re- 
 turn to the fort with Mr. Adams ; but if I hear that 
 you offer to molest him in any way, your scalps shall 
 pay for it." 
 
 Then, turning to the mulatto, I said, *' You have 
 instigated all this mischief, and I should only be doing 
 my duty to put my threat into execution, and hang 
 you as I promised. However, you can go to the fort 
 with these men. I shall be there about as soon as 
 you will, and I will attend to your case then. I'll see 
 if I can not teach you better than to come among the 
 Crows again." 
 
JAMES 1'. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 251 
 
 lang 
 
 fort 
 
 as 
 
 see 
 
 the 
 
 ]\Ir. Adams belonged to Captain IJonneville's com- 
 pany, and was leader of a party of about twenty men ; 
 Jic had come into the Crow country for the purpose 
 of trading and trapping. The mulatto had arrived 
 previously, and had brought a Canadian with him : 
 the mulatto could speak the Crow language tolerably 
 well. IFe had become acquainted with High Lance, 
 who was a bad Indian, and had relations as bad 
 as himself; and through this clique he had obtained 
 permission to stay and trap in the country. On the 
 arrival of !Mr. Adams, the mulatto made himself very 
 familiar with his men, representing to them that they 
 were fools to travel for hire, when they could stay 
 among the Crows with him and do so much better. 
 By these arguments he induced eleven of ^Ir. Adams's 
 party to desert him, when, with the participation of 
 High Lance and other bad Indians, they stripped him 
 of : -1 his goods. IMr. Adams expressed his warmest 
 thanks to me for my interference. I told him I had 
 only done my duty, as I always had done in like 
 cases, and should continue to do as long as I remained 
 with the Crows. 
 
 This business settled, I received a third sound 
 thrashing from my new wife's husband and relatives 
 for again making free with his wife. 
 
 After the lapse of three days I left for the fort, 
 again taking my friend's lady. Her husband, finding 
 that I was incorrigible, grew furious, and declared he 
 only wished to have me in his power once more. ]\Iy 
 Dog Soldiers said to him, *' You have whipped him 
 three times, and you shall whip him no more, neither 
 shall you do him any farther harm. Red Cherry loves 
 him, and she does not love you ; she will always go 
 with him. You might as well try to turn Big Horn 
 
252 
 
 AIJTOHHXJIJArilY OF 
 
 back to its mountain sources as to attempt to separate 
 tliun, unless you kill them. Vou would not be so 
 cowardly as to spill the blood of the pretty Jted Cher- 
 ry beeausc she loves our chief. If you should tight 
 him, he av 111 kill you ; and if you should assassinate 
 him, wc Avould avenge his death. No, no ! J5ig Kain 
 must not hurt our chief. ]5ut wc will buy your claim 
 to the lied Cherry, and give her to Red i\rm for his 
 own. Vou, a great chief, should despise to want a 
 woman who loves another warrior beUer than you!" 
 
 I Jig Kain drooped his head on finding the Dog Sol- 
 diers were against him, and gave v/ay to deep reverie, 
 lie loved the lied Cherry as children love the delicious 
 
 fruit bearing the same name. 
 
 After weighing the mat- 
 
 ter well, he reluctantly acceded to the oiler, and con- 
 sented to resign all interest and title in Mrs. Big Rain 
 for the consideration of one war-horse, ten guns, ten 
 chiefs' coats, scarlet cloth, ten pairs of new leggins, 
 and the same number of moccasins. 
 
 The stipulation was forthwith produced by my faith- 
 ful Dog Soldiers, and I had the exclusive right to the 
 Ked Cherry, without the fear of a drubbing every time 
 I returned. 
 
 Such acts are as common among the Rocky ]\Iount- 
 ain tribes as they have been among the whites in Cal- 
 ifornia since the discovery of gold there, though in 
 the latter place, the penalty is frequently more severe 
 than among the wild tribes of the mountains and prai- 
 ries. 
 
 ]My new wife was the perfection of symmetry. Few 
 of the Caucasian race could boast of handsomer feat- 
 ures, and noiliing but the rich olive color of the skin 
 betrayed her Indian origin. Big Rain always regard- 
 ed me with an evil eye after the transaction, and sev 
 
 up 
 tlie 
 Th 
 
JAMKS I'. iu:(;kvvoi;ktii. 
 
 2r):i 
 
 oral times attcm])tc(l to iiuliicn tlic lady to return to 
 him. Many warriorrt, wluwc wives Jiad played truant, 
 had cut oil' their nones to dejjrive them of their attrac- 
 tions. 1 told Red Cherry that if ever she should re- 
 turn to Big Uain, he would surely serve her so. She 
 never manifested any disposition to leave me ; and my 
 engagement to the American l''ur Company enabled 
 me to dress my wives better than any other woman in 
 the whole nation. 
 
 It was now early spring, and T started for the fort. 
 Before 1 left, I. told the Crows what time 1 wished 
 tlieni to follow me with their peltry. 
 
 On my arrival, I was informed that a ]\Ir. Johnson 
 Gardner had bought quite a large lot of goods, which 
 he had taken to his camp, eighteen miles down the 
 river. The morning after my arrival, three men were 
 dispatched from the fort to acquaint him tl*at I had 
 come. I liad two hundred warriors with me ; and on 
 the night of our arrival we formed a camp and turned 
 out the horses, not apprehending any danger. Early 
 in the morning one of my followers went out to fetch 
 up the horses, when he found th^m all missing, and 
 tlie trail visible on which they had been taken away. 
 The alarm was instantly given, and I ran to the top 
 of the hill to take a general survey. I saw two objects 
 on the ice, which appeared to me to be men ; and tlrs 
 excited my apprehensions that they were two of the 
 men dispatched from the fort, as they lay in the direc- 
 tion which they had taken. I collected my warriors 
 instantly for the pursuit, placing all our women and 
 children in the fort. I ordered some of the white men 
 down on the ice to bring in the supposed bodies. 
 Alas ! my suspicions proved too true ! All three men 
 had been butchered, and when we rode up their bod- 
 
■..T..Tf f.tS-CMSms^fr-r.'X^—^ ■ .j«i».»,^>|^.— ^^(n|-,( , f^ | n 
 
 254 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ics were scarecly cold. The eyes of the warriors flash- 
 ed fire, and, without delaying a moment, on we swept 
 in pursuit of revenge. We traveled about thirty miles 
 ('^ach man leading liis war-horse), and our saddle-horses 
 v.ere beginning to tire, and we saw nothing of the en- 
 emy. l3arkne';s would close over us, we feared, before 
 we could overtake them. We then mounted our war- 
 horses, which were as swift as the wind, and, leaving 
 the saddle-horses behind, on we went faster than ever. 
 Darkness was already upon us, when we came in sight 
 of a large fire in the distance. 
 
 " Now, boys, we have them !" cried I. 
 
 We rode on until we neared the camp of the enemy, 
 as we supposed, and then I examined their position 
 previous to the onset. Just as I was about to give 
 the order to charge, 1 heard a voice from the camp 
 saying, " Throw them in I D — n them, throw them 
 
 in 
 
 t" 
 
 I then saluted the camp, shouting at the top of my 
 voice, " Halloo the camp ! Don't shoot, boys ; we are 
 Crows! I am Jim BeckwourthI" 
 
 I then rode up with my whole party, and found that 
 they had taken two prisoners from the very party we 
 were in pursuit of, and under the following circum- 
 stances : The pursued party rode up to the camp, and 
 several of them dismounted, among whom was Antoine 
 GaiTO (a Canadian half-breed), well known in St. 
 Louis. Garro coultl speak tolerably good English. 
 
 He accosted Gardner with "How d'do ? You have 
 got a good fire." 
 
 "Who are you," inquired Gardner, "that you speak 
 English ?" 
 
 "My name is Garro." 
 
 '*What Indians are those with you?" 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 255 
 
 St. 
 
 " Oh, they are good Indians ; they will not hurt you." 
 
 Gardner discovered that too many were dismount- 
 ing and crowding round his camp; and he perceived 
 that many of them rode in the direction of his horses, 
 and he became alarmed, as he well might be at his 
 situation. 
 
 "Garro,"said he, again, "tell me, what Indians are 
 these?" 
 
 " They are Re-ka-ras," said he ; " they have bor- 
 rowed your horses, but they will bring them back 
 again." He said this as he saw Gardner look in the 
 direction of his horses. 
 
 " Re-ka-ras !" repeated Gardner. " To your guns, 
 men; seize them!" 
 
 Old Garro stepped away with an accelerated pace, 
 and two only of the Indians were arrested. 
 
 Garro stood off at a safe distance, and demanded the 
 two Indians. 
 
 "You can not have them until you bring me my 
 horses," said Gardner. 
 
 "Then we will have the tops of your heads," threat- 
 ened the old rascal. 
 
 " Yes, you would have the tops of our heads ; but 
 come and take them, if you can." 
 
 They rode off, taking every horse that Gardner pos- 
 sessed ; and if he had not been on the alert, they would 
 have taken a few scalps as well. 
 
 These were the two prisoners that were in question 
 when we rode up. They had bound them with trap- 
 chains, and were in the act of throwing them into a 
 tremendous log fire that was burning in the camp. 
 They opened the logs on the top of the fire, and, swing- 
 ing the two victims into the flames, rolled back the 
 burning logs. There was a terrible struggle for a mo- 
 
256 
 
 AUTOBIOGIIAPHV OF 
 
 ment ; then all was still. A blue flame towered high 
 above the pile, and quickly subsided. j\Iy Indians 
 begged the privilege of scalping them before they were 
 burned ; but Gardner told them he wished to burn them 
 up clean. " You are going after their companions," 
 he said, "and you can get plenty more scalps." 
 
 "Yes," they replied, "we will get plenty, and bring 
 your horses back besides." 
 
 I really felt proud of my warriors in seeing them 
 animated with so true a spirit. We breathed our 
 horses for a few minutes, for they were in a perfect 
 foam, and then started after them again in hot pursuit. 
 
 By next morning, we came within two gunshots' dis- 
 tance of the enemy without being perceived, as a roll 
 in the prairie hid us from their view. We rested for a 
 few moments, to refresh our horses and prepare them 
 for the charge. AVe heard a continual firing, as if 
 kept up by the enemy, and then a terrific explosion, 
 which made the earth tremble ; yells of the savages 
 succeeded to this, and I then learned that there had 
 been a battle between the Indians and traders, and 
 that the whole stock of the traders' powder had ex- 
 ploded. 
 
 Now, thought I, is the time to charge ; and I gave 
 the word to my impatient warriors. We were among 
 them like a thunder-bolt, even before they had time to 
 mount their horses ; for they had not yet recovered 
 from the fright of the explosion. We cut down one 
 hundred and seventy-two of them before they had time 
 to fire twenty shots. The whole force of the enemy 
 amounted to four hundred men, and those who remain- 
 ed unhurt scattered in all directions. We did not 
 pursue them, as our horses were so badly jaded. 
 
 Pine Leaf, who charged gallantly by my side, was 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 257 
 
 wounded with a bullet, wliich l^rnkc her left arm just 
 below the elbow. Placing her wounded arm in her 
 bosom, she grew more desperate than ever, and three 
 of the enemy met their death from the point of her 
 lance after she received her wound. Becoming faint 
 from loss of blood, she was constrained to retu'e.* We 
 had twelve others wounded. 
 
 AVc recovered all our own horses, and recaptured 
 those belonging to Gardner, besides a great number in 
 the possession of the enemy. For spoils we gathered 
 near two hundred scalps, and a vast amount of fire- 
 arms and other equipments. After this signal victory 
 we returned to Gardner's camp, reaching there the 
 same evening. 
 
 Before leaving, however, wc took three blackened 
 and disfigured bodies, the remains of the trappers who 
 had so heroically defended themselves, and who, to all 
 appearance, had blown themselves up rather than fall 
 into the hands of the enemy. This supposition was 
 waiTanted by the appearance of the ground. Evident- 
 ly the savages had set fire to the grass all round, think- 
 ing to burn them out; but it had not reached them. 
 I surmised that the Indians had charged on them in a 
 body, and, when near to the trappers, had been scat- 
 tered with the ignition of three kegs of powder in the 
 jjossession of the trappers, for some of the carcasses of 
 the Indians \Nerc badly scorched. 
 
 Our reception at the camp of Gardner was enthu- 
 siastic. *' Beckwourth and his brave warriors forever I " 
 rent the air in acclamations. They joined us, and went 
 
 was 
 
 * The heroine's arm was set in good style by Dr. Walton, at Gard- 
 ner's camp, and in a few weeks it was sound again. The Indians 
 have no bone-setters ; when their bones get broken, they tic them up 
 as well as possible, and trust in Providence for the result. 
 
258 
 
 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OP 
 
 on to tlie fort with us. When we came in sight of the 
 place we formed all in line, and displayed our scalps 
 on the ends of sticks, and discharged our guns, and 
 sung at the top of our voices. This brought every 
 person out of the fort to look at us. We then opened 
 our column, and I requested Gardner to drive all tho 
 horses with full speed to the fort. Just before hv 
 reached there we spurred our horses on to the front, 
 and encircled the fort several times, still displaying our 
 scalps, and singing the scalp-dance burden louder and 
 louder, while all the occupants of the post joined in. 
 There were hilarious times round the fort that night. 
 
 We had sent word to the village to summon the 
 Crows to the trading-post, to help us mourn for the 
 three white men who had recently been killed on the 
 ice, and who were yet unburied. I omitted to mention 
 in proper place that Glass's body was found near the 
 fort — probably on his retreat after he had discovered 
 the Indians. The whole village, accordingly, started 
 to join us, while I and my party went out to meet 
 them and acquaint them with our success. In con- 
 sideration of my distinguished services, I was elevated 
 to second counselor of the nation. 
 
 We met them about a day's ride from the fort, and 
 had a great celebration over the communication of our 
 victory. We returned together and buried the three 
 men, amid the most terrible scenes that I had ever 
 witnessed. The crying was truly appalling. The three 
 men were well known, and highly esteemed by the 
 Crows. When their bodies were lowered to their 
 last resting-place, numberless fingers were voluntarily 
 chopped off and thrown into the graves; hair and 
 trinkets of every description were also contributed, and 
 the graves were finally filled up. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 2oy 
 
 I then set the men to work in building boats, to 
 carry our peltry down to Fort Union, at the mouth of 
 the Yellow Stone, whither I intended going as soon as 
 the river was free from ice. When completed, I put 
 on board seven hundred packs of buffalo robes — ten 
 robes in each pack — and forty-five packs of beaver. I 
 forwarded orders for such goods as were wanted, and 
 also word for another clerk in the place of poor Rose, 
 who had lost his life in the service of the company. 
 
 i,, and 
 
 pf our 
 
 three 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Departure from the Fort with the Crows. — I am elected First Coun- 
 selor of the Nation. — Death of the head Chief — I am appointed 
 Successor. — Last Moments of the Chief. 
 
 The Indians having made all their requisite pur- 
 chases, moved on to the Little Horn River, six or eight 
 days' travel from the fort. We encamped here for the 
 purpose of planting t-^bacco, which is done by the 
 prophets and medicine men ; after which a great feast 
 is provided, and a general time of dancing and rejoic- 
 ing follows. 
 
 The tobacco-plant grows spontaneously in the Snake 
 country, but it is cultivated by the Crows and several 
 other tribes. It is a tolerably good substitute for the 
 cultivated species, for the purpose of smoking, but it 
 is unfit to chew. The plant very closely resembles 
 garden sage, and forms into heads ^Mmiha* to the do- 
 mestic flax. 
 
 At this camp the First Counselor made a speech to 
 the warriors, and spoke in substance as follows: 
 "Warriors! Red Bird has served you faithfully many 
 winters. He is now old. He can be young no more. 
 
2(50 
 
 AUTOBIOGItAPUV oF 
 
 His body has been made weak by the numerous 
 wounds he has received in lighting the enemies of the 
 Crows. He now wishes for repose, and not to be dis- 
 turbed in his slumbers by being called into the coun- 
 cil at all hours of the night, when his body, once so 
 powerful, now requires rest. He is desirous of joining 
 the medicine men, that he will not be compelled to go 
 to war ; but he will always be ready to defend his own 
 village, the women and the helpless, and to give up 
 his life for them. Red Bird's medicine in the war- 
 path has grown weak ; let the younger warriors, who 
 are brave and active, have an opportunity to try their 
 medicine. We have plenty who deserve to be pro- 
 moted, who are as brave as the she-bear, and as swift 
 as the anteloj^e. Warriors, I now give up my position 
 as first counselor. I have done." 
 
 Long Hair replied as follows : 
 
 *' lied Bird, we feel tliat our hearts are sorry that 
 you have seen fit to cease to be our first counselor, 
 rou have served our people long and faithfully. Your 
 counsel has been good : under your wise direction we 
 have prospered. We would rather that you had still 
 directed us ; but you say it is your desire to have re- 
 pose. Be it so. We know that your body is weak. Wc 
 know that you have received numerous wounds fi-om 
 the weapons of our enemies. We know that you nev- 
 er turned your back upon the foe. Now we need a 
 sixth counselor, and must select one from the braves 
 here present. Will you name him for us ?" 
 
 " No," said the old man ; "I have never had any 
 enemies among my braves, and I do not wish to make 
 them now. I should not know which to choose, were 
 I to attempt it. They are all brave." 
 
 It was at length resolved that one of the medicine 
 
 (( 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOITRTH. 
 
 261 
 
 men should be blindfolded, and go among the most 
 distinguislied braves, and whoever he first placed his 
 Iiand upon should take his seat as sixth counselor. 
 The distinguished braves then gathered promiscuous- 
 ly together ; a close bandag^^ was placed over the eyes 
 of the medicine man, and away he went among the 
 crowd. The five counselors being among the braves, 
 lie placed his hand on one of them, and cried out, 
 " Here is your sixth counselor." 
 
 "You are ■wrong," said Long Hair; "he is counselor 
 already." 
 
 He then went through the crowd, and laid his hand 
 upon another brave, crying out as before. Long Bow 
 was therefore declared to be the choice of the people 
 for sixth counselor of the nation. When the seat of 
 the first counselor falls vacant, the others are elevated 
 one degree, thus leaving the lowest station vacant. 
 
 The village now crossed the Big Horn on their way 
 to Sun River Creek, a small tributary of the Yellow 
 Stone. At Big Horn I took forty warriors, and start- 
 ed in quest of Black Feet and horses. After traveling 
 two days, I was overtaken by the head chief, A-ra-poo- 
 ash, with one hundred and seventy-five warriors. He 
 was evidently chagrined about something. Not wish- 
 ing him to go to war, as I expected nothing less than 
 that he would rush in and throw away his life, I told 
 him that I should avoid the war-path, that my medi- 
 cine told me my war-path was bad, and I intended to 
 return to the village. I started forthwith, and he fol- 
 lowed me. On coming in sight of the village, we halt- 
 ed and encamped for the night. 
 
 I stole away in the night with seventy-five warriors, 
 and made for the enemy's country, hoping that the old 
 chief would return to the village. But he took my 
 
262 
 
 AUTUBKKJKAl'HY OF 
 
 trail the next morning, and overtook me with his re- 
 maining followers. 
 
 He advanced to me, and said, " Bloody Arm, you 
 are a great warrior ; you do not wish me to go to war, 
 but I will. I shall never return to the village. I am 
 going to die. The Crows are fools. I have given 
 them good counsel, and they would not listen to my 
 words. I have fought for them during many years. 
 I have shed much blood for them. I have tried to 
 make them a great people, but they have closed their 
 ears. I am going to the big village of the Great Spir- 
 it. If you do not wish to go in the path with me, you 
 can go in another path ; I will find the enemy alone, 
 and die." 
 
 When he had finished speaking, he dismounted. 
 Then, placing the edge of his shield on some buffalo 
 chips, he said, " Warriors, you see my shield. If it 
 rises, I shall die before I return to the village ; if not, 
 I shall return." He then addressed the sun for some 
 minutes, after which he took his lance and made sev- 
 eral motions with it. Then, giving a bound, the shield 
 was raised as high as his head, and not a warrior saw 
 him touch it. Then every one present believed his 
 words, namely, that he would never return alive to the 
 village. I knew that the shield must have some ele- 
 vating agency, but it was concealed : my attention was 
 so riveted upon the chief, that I did not discover the 
 power that produced the seeming miracle. 
 
 The scouts now ran in to report that there were 
 fourteen Black Feet but a short distance oflT, wlio were 
 approaching us on foot. All was then bustle of prep- 
 aration for a moment, and the trick of the shield was 
 forgotten. Away we sped to find the enemy. We 
 speedily found them, and they, perceiving escape was 
 
.IAME.S 1'. UKCKWOCHTH. 
 
 263 
 
 I were 
 
 I were 
 
 )rep' 
 
 impossible, prepared to sell their lives as dearly as they 
 could. 
 
 The old chief was the first to charge impetuously 
 upon the scanty foe ; as iiis steed plunged through them, 
 he cut down one with his battle-axe ; then, wheeling 
 and again passing their line, he clove a second. Again 
 turning to pass the enemy's line a third time, he had 
 already raised his arm to strike, when an arrow en- 
 tered his body just below the hip, and passed clean 
 through, showing itself near the shoulder. 
 
 Every wcrrior paused in astonishment at seeing 
 their chief thus fiiriously engaged ; but when he fell a 
 demon seemed suddenly to possess them, and the few 
 surviving Black Feet were hewed to pieces in a mo- 
 ment. Every warrior gathered round the dying chief; 
 his life-blood was fast draining from his mortal stroke. 
 
 "Wari'iors,'* he said, *' I came here to die. Mv 
 wish will soon be gratified. A-ra-poo-ash will lead you 
 no more to war. My home will soon be in the Spirit 
 Land. My people were fools, and would not listen to 
 my counsel. Bloody Arm, come to me. You must 
 now take the place of A-ra-poo-ash. You are brave 
 t-nd wise. You fight the enemy, and vanquish them 
 without losing our own warriors. Your medicine is 
 powerful. Warriors, listen to your dying chief! You, 
 Bloody Arm, are the only brave who can keep the na- 
 tion together. The Crows disobeyed my orders, and 
 I did not like to punish them for it. I loved my peo- 
 ple too well; I was too kind to them for their own 
 good. I was too indulgent. They all fear you, and 
 will obey your words. If they obey you, they will 
 increase and become a powerful people, as I have wish- 
 ed them to he ; but if they disobey you, they will not 
 be a nation two winters more. Their enemies are 
 
264 
 
 AlJTOU10(tKAl*JIV OI' 
 
 numerous and powerful, and tliey will rub out all thf. 
 Crows unless tlicy hearken to what you say. My eyes 
 grow dim. Red Arm, arc you listening ? I can not 
 sec." 
 
 " I am listening to all you say," I replied. 
 
 "It is well. Then take this shield and this medal; 
 they both belong to you. The medal was brouglit 
 from our great white father many winters ago by the 
 red-headed chief. When you die, it belongs to him 
 who succeeds you. Listen. Tell Nam-i-nc-dishce, 
 the wife that I have always loved, that if our child, 
 yet unborn, shall be a son, to tell him who his father 
 was. lied Arm, listen." 
 
 ** I hcr.v you," I said. 
 
 "Let my body be buried under this spot. Suffer 
 no warrior to make a track on this war-ground for one 
 season. Then come and seek my bones, and I will 
 have something good for you. 
 
 " I can hear the voice of the Great Spirit. It sounds 
 like the moaning of the mighty wind through the dark, 
 gloomy forest. lie calls for A-ra-poo-ash to come to 
 the spirit land. I must go. Re — mem — ber!" 
 
 The word "remember" expired on his lips as his 
 soul winged its flight to the spirit land. Every war- 
 rior (except Yellow Belly, who was a brother of the 
 old chief) immediately set up the most dismal cryings 
 that I have ever heard in my life. I dispatched a 
 herald to the village to inform them of the head chief's 
 death, and then burying him according to his direc- 
 tions we slowly proceeded homeward. My very soul 
 sickened at the contemplation of the scenes that would 
 be enacted at my arrival. When we drew in sight of 
 the village, we found every lodge laid prostrate. We 
 entered amid shrieks, cries, and yells. Blood was 
 
icd a 
 [hief's 
 Idircc- 
 soul 
 would 
 rlit of 
 We 
 was 
 
 iih.viii (ir A-:iA-ri>ii-.\-ii. 
 
jAMr.s I'. BECKwoi irm. 
 
 2<»; 
 
 ptrcnming iVoin ovt'iy concoivablo part ol* the bodies 
 ot' all who were old enough to comprehend tluiir loss. 
 Hundreds of lingers were dismembered; hair, torn i'rom 
 the head, lay in profusion about the paths; wails and 
 moans in every dircetion assailed the; ear, where un- 
 restrained joy had a tew hours befon; prevailed. This 
 fearful mournin"; lasted until cveninu; of the next dav. 
 
 Tiie morning following I ordered the removal of the 
 village in the direction of the Hose Jjud. We there 
 built a council-lodge, and all the prophets and medi- 
 cine men in the village were assembled in it on its 
 completion. The national records were read over, and, 
 after a lengthy ceremony performed by the great men, 
 it was unanimously declared that they had elected nn; 
 First Counselor, and that, conjointly with Long Hair, 
 I was head chief of the nation. Which lyvoninicla- 
 iiiiento was recorded. 
 
 It then devolved upon mc to deliver my inaugural ad- 
 dress. As nearly as I can recollect, I spoke as follows : 
 
 "Brothers and warriors I The great A-ra-poo-ash 
 is no more. He has met his fiithcrs and kindred who 
 preceded him to the Spirit Land. lie has told all con- 
 cerning you that yet survive on earth. lie has related 
 your deeds of bravery, which makes the spirits rejoice; 
 he has also told of your disobedience to your chief, 
 which has made them cry and become dark. The 
 (ireat Spirit becomes angry at you when he sees his 
 lierocs mourn. But, although you displeased A-ra- 
 poo-ash by disobedience, and made his heart to mourn, 
 he intercedes for you there, that, if you now obey the 
 chiefs you have chosen to lead you, your war-paths 
 may constantly be prosperous ; your buftUJo and bea- 
 ver shall always abound, and you may become a great 
 and powerful people. 
 
2(i.^. 
 
 Al lonKKJKAI'lIY UK 
 
 "• I am now your great chief. It' you obey what 1 
 say to you, 1 can make you all you wish to be. lly 
 jiiy long stay with the whites, 1 possess advantages 
 wliieii the ehiel's of no other tribe possess. I can get 
 twice as mueh for our robes and beavers as you evir 
 got before. 1 eame back to you. 1 can talk to our 
 white brethren, and they understand all my words. 
 They know that if they cheat my peojile I shall findi 
 it out. 
 
 *' !My medicine tells mc that wc must not make war 
 on our enemies, unless tliey first kill our people or steal 
 our horses : we nmst then attack them with many war- 
 riors, so that we may run no danger of being rubbed 
 out. 1 shall never consent for our nation to have more 
 than two villages at one time. Let those two villages 
 keep their warriors, their wives, and their children to- 
 gether, and not subdivide, when they arc sure to be 
 attacked by the enemies. When our village is united, 
 no enemy will ever dare to attack it. 
 
 *'!My brother. Long Hair, is a very great brave, a 
 wise chief, lie will guide one village, and it will bo 
 my duty to guide the council and direct the other. 1 
 want all my warriors to lay aside the battle-axe and 
 lance for a season, and turn their attention to hunting 
 and trapping. Our streams are full of beaver, as also 
 arc our prairies with buffalo. Our squaws excel all 
 others in dressing robes, for which the whites pay us 
 a great price. Then let us get all the robes they can 
 dress, and not keep them in idleness as mere play- 
 things. If we keep them at work, they will be heal- 
 thy, and strong, and brave, when they become warriors. 
 They can also buy every thing they require, both for 
 themselves and their children, while the beavers of the 
 Wfirriors will also su])ply onr wants. 
 
JAMES P. HECKWOI'irni. 
 
 2<)i) 
 
 " Warriors I How can wc do all this, it' we scatter 
 over the country in numerous little villages, subject 
 to continual attacks from our enemies, who will cut us 
 oft', a few at a time, until wc are all rubbed out ? No ; 
 obey me, and keep yourselves undivided ; and if ene- 
 mies attack us, we caii kill ten of them when they kill 
 one Crow: thus my medicine says, l^ut if you dis- 
 obey me, and will not hearken to my Avords, tlien 1 
 .shall surely leave you, and return to my wlutc friends, 
 not enduring to see the nation become weak, and fly- 
 ing before their enemies, and our women and chl'dien 
 carried into captivity. C)bcy and assist me, then, and 
 1 will do my best ir your behalf. Warriors, I have 
 done.'' 
 
 This oration was received with undisguised approv- 
 al, and I received the name of Ciood War Road. 
 
 A herald having been dispatched to our other vil- 
 lage to acquaint them with the death of our head chief, 
 and request them to assemble at the Rose ]5ud, in or- 
 der to meet our village and devote themselves to a 
 general time of mourning, there met, in conformity 
 with this summons, over ten thousand Crows at the 
 place indicated. Such a scene of disorderly, vociferous 
 mourning no imagination can conceive, nor any pen 
 portray. Long Hair cat off a large roll of his hair, a 
 thing he was never known to do before. The cutting 
 and hacking of human flesh exceeded all my previous 
 experience ; fingers were dismembered as readily as 
 twigs, and blood was poured out like water. ]\Iany 
 of the warriors would cut two gashes nearly the entire 
 length of their arm ; then, separating the skin from the 
 riesh at one end, would grasp it in their other hand, 
 and rip it asunder to the shoulder. Others would 
 carve various devices upon their breasts and shoulders, 
 
I t irlf/j 
 
 991 
 
 270 
 
 Al TomoGKAI'lIV OV 
 
 and raiso llio skin in the same manner, to make tiic 
 Hears .show lo advantacre aitcr tlie wound wa.s heaUHl. 
 Solium (tl'lhcir nuitiiationH were ghastly, and my heart 
 sickened to look at them ; but they would not appt^ar 
 lo reeeive any pain iVoni tluMn. 
 
 it was iVeipUMitly asked of me why \ did not mourn. 
 '. told tlieni that my medieino ibrbade me to mourn in 
 fheir manner, hut liiat 1 mourned in my heart, and in 
 paintint; my taee. 1 would iVecjuently represent to 
 ihem liie folly of maiming themselves, and apj)eari!ig 
 before the eyes of the (ireat Sjiirit so greatly disfig- 
 ured ; but I lost my labor. Hy torturing themselves 
 their ])agau minds su])posed they were rendering ae- 
 eej)lable saerilices to the (Jreat S})irit, a!ul performing 
 penanee for olVenses against his will, it was ndigion ; 
 and to interfere with their received opinions would 
 have subjeeted me to the imjmtation of infidel, and 
 perhaps have entailed upon mc expulsion from my 
 hiilh otliee. 
 
 The mourning over. I selected seventy young war- 
 riors, and started out in search of feats of arms (ac- 
 cording to their custom), to prove my fortune in my 
 new otHce. I crossed the JMissouri into the .Vs-ne-hoine 
 country, where we fell in with fifteen Indians and four 
 <dd wonuMi. We killed them all, and returned home 
 witli their scalps. There was but slight rejoicing on 
 my return, on account of our recent aHliction. 
 
 I should have mentioned that at the assembly of 
 our two villages a grand council was held, Avherein 
 certain princ'i])les of action were deliberated and ad- 
 justed. On the death of a chief all his plans die witli 
 him, and it devolves uj)on his successor to come to 
 an understanding with his confederate head chief. In 
 this deliberation it is determined upon what rules the 
 
 with 
 look 
 for." 
 
 on to 
 TJi 
 
.lAMKS P. HIK^KWUCHTir. 
 
 271 
 
 villages shall move, which direction each shall take, 
 and wiiat shall be the relations existing betweini them. 
 There is generally a harmony ]}reHerved between the 
 cljiets, and nmcii method is shown in the preliminary 
 adjustment of details. Long Hair and myself were 
 ilie hest of friends, and my allied brother was the elect 
 10 the office of Sixth Counselor, so that there was a 
 promising indication of unanimity in, our administra- 
 tion. 
 
 The villages tlicn separated, w.ih tin understanding 
 tliat they should again assemble at tiic fort in one 
 moon. The attention of the nation was turned to trap- 
 ])ing and killing hutialo, and the stock of accumulated 
 peltry tiiat fall was prodigious. 
 
 When I started on my excursion to the As-ne- 
 boines, Pine Leaf begged to accompany me. Ilcr arm 
 was far from sound, and I refused to take her. How- 
 ever, soon after I had left, one of my leader's invaded 
 tiie Cheyenne country, and, regardless of my wishes, 
 she accompanied the expedition. She was brought 
 home, as all supposed, mortally wounded. A ball had 
 penetrated her left breast, just escaping the heart ; it 
 had passed through her body, coming out at the shoul- 
 der-blade, and tearing away a portion of it in its exit. 
 On seeing her in this pitiable condition, I resigned all 
 liope of her recovery. " So much," said I, " for dis- 
 regarding my counsel. I would not allow you to go 
 with me, in consideration of your wound ; but you 
 took advantage of my absence, and now you arc done 
 for." 
 
 "Well," she replied, "I am sorry that I did not list- 
 on to my chief; but I gained two coob'.^^ 
 
 The party accompanying her lost four warriors, 
 wounded in rescuing her, and saving her scalp. She 
 
272 
 
 AUTumoaJiAI'HY UF 
 
 event ually recovered, but it was a long while before 
 she could aj^ain go to war. The Cheyennes were de- 
 feated in the end, with the loss of three scalps, which 
 were brought into camp. 
 
 The two villages met at the time appointed at the 
 fort, anil disposed of all their ])eltry. A ]\Ir. 'I'uUeck 
 was sent up as clerk, and to liim I intrusted full clmrgc 
 of the fort, promising him the ])rolectlon of tiie Crows 
 for the winter, as 1 intended that one of our villages 
 should take up tlieir Avintcr rjuarters in his vicinity. 
 I was at this time salaried by the American Fur 
 Company at tln-ce thousand dollars ])er amnnn, to reside 
 with the Crows and })roeure tiieir trade for the com- 
 pany. 
 
 Our whole nation tlien crossed the VeUow Stone, 
 and moved on to ]\Lusscl Shell Kiver, whence we pur- 
 posed to go and gather the remains of our late iiead 
 chief, as the tinui he had specitied for their removal 
 had arrived. The Indians count four seasons in the 
 yeiir ; namely, green grass, yellow grass, leaf falling, 
 and snow falling. Our ])arty destined to collect the 
 bones consiste(l of seven or eight hundred ]iersons of 
 both se\es. On arriving at the gTave, we discovered a 
 new Indian trail ])assing directly over the spot, and we 
 started in innnediate pursuit. After a march of six 
 miles, we eanie upon a ]?lack J^'oot village of twenty- 
 seven lodges, who were returning from the trading-posi, 
 having made extensive ])urchases. .Vt sight of them, 
 every warrior's breast kindled with revenge, they re- 
 mem))ering the fall of their chief. AVe charged furi- 
 ously upon them, killing and taking prisoners about 
 one hundred and tifty of their ]iarty. While the war- 
 riors were engaged in the attack, our women attacked 
 the Black Foot wonien, and killed many of them and 
 
JAMES I'. HKCKWOlirril. 
 
 27:i 
 
 their children before wcr coiihl interfere to stop it. Wo 
 rijitnred (juite a iminl)er of yonnjjj woin<'n and little 
 boys, with an almndance of horses, \veaj)oiis, annninii- 
 tion, scarlet cloth, beads, and sundri(>s. We did not re- 
 ceive a scratch, as wo attacked them with snch over- 
 Avhelniing nnmbers that they ottered tritlinf]^ resistance, 
 their chief endeavor being to save themselves by flight. 
 
 We took np the body of our chief and returned with 
 it to the camp. Then there was aiiother cerenionv of 
 cutting and maiming, and a body of two luindre(l lodges 
 was sent to deposit the remains in the burin 1-ground 
 of the chief's ancestors. Wiiile this party were away 
 on their mission, those who remained with us busied 
 themselves in collecting the various sorts of fruit \vith 
 which the conntrv abounded. 
 
 I now received my last name — for T was on the })in- 
 nacle of my fame, and they could ennoble me no far- 
 ther — Nan-kup-bah-pah (Metliciue (Jalf). 
 
 After tarrviuLi" about tiiree weeks, we returned to the 
 fort, where avc again spent a short time, and then pro- 
 ceeded to the liig Horn, where w(5 had engaged to meet 
 Bear's 'J'ooth, who had the condu(!t of the burial party. 
 
 While we were resting at the fort, a small i)arty of 
 twent^'-three warriors, led by Little (Jray Ibdl, stole 
 t'rom our camp at night, unknown to tlie chiefs, and 
 when at a safe distance sent vis word that they were 
 going to the Cheyenne country in pursuit of spoils. 
 Thev were the r/Jta of our i)arty, the brdves des braves. 
 Not one of that devoted band ever returned. What 
 fate befell them remains to be shown. 
 
 M 2 
 
274 
 
 ALTOBIOGRAPIIY OP 
 
 CHAPTER XTX. 
 
 Departure from tho Fort. — Arrival of Fitzpatrirk ami Party at the 
 Crow \'ill;i<rc. — llair-hroadth I-^scapc from a Massacre. — Rescue and 
 Restoration of Property to the Owners. — Departure of tlic Party. — 
 My Return to tlie Fort. — Escape from Black Feet. — Defeat of the 
 Crows. 
 
 AViiiLE stnying at our camp on tho Big TTom, a mos- 
 soncior nrrivod Avitli the intelligence that Tiionias Fitz- 
 patrick was back upon the mountain, and tiiat he wished 
 me to visit him without loss of time. ^ly ati'airs were 
 In such a })osition that I could not possibly leave, but 
 I sent my father and two of my best warriors to escort 
 liim into the village. The next morning they returned 
 with Fitzj)atrick and party, to the number of thirty- 
 live men, and over two hundred horses. They en- 
 camped a short distance out. I visited the camp, and 
 was received with a cordial welcome. I was intro- 
 duced to a Captain Stuart, an English officer, who had 
 figured conspicuously, as I was informed, under the 
 Iron Duke, and was now traveling the Far West in 
 })in*suit of adventure ; also to a Dr. Harrison, a son of 
 the hero of Tip})ecanoe, and to a Mr. Brotherton, with 
 several other gentlemen, who were all taking a pleasure 
 excursion. 
 
 AMiilc sitting in their quarters, I observed some of 
 the Crows looking very wistfully at the horses belong- 
 ing to our new friends. Knowing that tho moi^t incor- 
 riiptiblc of Indians have a moral weakness for horses, 
 I ordered some of my taitliful Dog Soldiers to Avatch 
 them. I then invited the gentlemen to the village, 
 
JAMES I'. liKCKWOrRTH. 
 
 275 
 
 wliicli invitation thoy readily accoptod. The visitors 
 left at ail early hour, but Fitzpatrick remained to talk 
 matters over until (piite late in the eveiiini;'. 1 oiVered 
 him a hed in my lodge, but he preferred sleeping in his 
 own (piarters. 
 
 Shortly after his arrival, P^itzpatrick incidentally 
 mentioned that the Chevennes had killed an entire 
 party of Crows (but he omitted all mention of the ]>art 
 his men had taken in the massacre), and that one of 
 his men had been wounded in the aflair. lie had also 
 a horse that had belonged to one of the fallen heroes, 
 purchased by him of the Cheyennes. Had he ac- 
 quainted me with this circumstance when he tirst saAV 
 me, the very unpleasant ser|uel that 1 am about to re- 
 late vvould have been avoided. 
 
 One of the Crew braves was son to a member of the 
 party massacred, and he recognized his late father's 
 horse. This discovery had occasioned the scrutiny 
 which I had remarked early in the evening, but the 
 cause of which I was in utter ignorance. On the re- 
 tiring of Fitzpatrick I lay down for the night. I had 
 not fallen asleep, when the murdered brave's son en- 
 tered my lodsxc, and addressed me : '* ^Medicine Calf, 
 what must wc do with these white incnV" 
 
 " What must you do with them V" repeated I, not 
 apprehending his meaning. 
 
 "Yes, I say so." 
 
 *' Why, take them into your lodges and feast them, 
 and give them beds to sleep on, if they wish it." 
 
 *' No, no, that is not what I mean," he said ; "you 
 know these are the white men who killed my father. 
 They have his horse here with tlieni, and a wounded 
 man — wounded in their light with the Crows."' 
 
 He then left me to go, as T supposed, to liis lodge, 
 
27<) 
 
 ALTOlJIOUUArilY (iF 
 
 and I thoiiglit no more of the matter. I soon fell 
 asleep, and woke no more till morning. On awaking, 
 I heard a great rush or trampling of horses, and, spring- 
 ing out of bed, 1 inquired of a squaw what was tin; 
 matter in the village. 
 
 "Why, don't you know the whites arc all deadV" 
 she made reply. 
 
 "The whites are all dead I" repeated I, thunder- 
 struck. 
 
 1 ran out and ordered my war-horse to be got ready 
 in a moment. 1 next ran to the lodge where Winters 
 slept, and found it filled with Crows. 1 asked what 
 all this uproar meant. 
 
 " 1 don't know," said he ; " I have wished to go to 
 your lodge to see you, but they would not lot me h^ave. 
 They have been clamoring about Thoma?. — Thomas — 
 Thomas, all night." 
 
 At this moment Fitzpatrick rode up, with an Indian 
 behind him. 
 
 " Fitz," said I, " what in the name of God does all 
 this mean ? Where are your men V" 
 
 " They are all dead, 1 expect, by this time," said he, 
 blankly; "and I presume you have sent for me to 
 nuirder me at your own discretion." 
 
 " Wh^n did you leave them ? Were they alive when 
 you left them ?" 
 
 " They were going down the river, and a thousand 
 Indians in hot pursuit after thei.i," he said. 
 
 " ( io over to my father's lodge," I said to him, " and 
 stay till 1 return." 
 
 I then mounted my war-horse, being well armed, 
 and addressed my father: "I am mc'\d," I said; "I 
 am going to die." 
 
 He gave the war-hoop so loud tliat my earn fn irly 
 
 (( 
 
.lAMr.S I'. UKCKWOrRTII. 
 
 277 
 
 tingled, as a signal tor my relatives to follow inc. 
 Tiicy gathered round. *' Uo," said he, "and die witli 
 liie ^ledieine Calt." 
 
 On 1 dashed, in mad career, tor six or seven mile:s 
 along the bank of the river, until 1 came in sight of 
 the men. I seemed to have traveled the space in the 
 same number of minutes, for the horse flew with light- 
 ning speed upon his errand. He dropped dead be- 
 neath me ; in his prodigious exertions he had burst u 
 blood-vessel. 
 
 I ran forward on foot, shouting to Fitzpatrick's men, 
 "Ilun to nic! Run to me (juicklyl*' 
 
 They heard me, and hesitated at my summons. At 
 length one started, and the others followed, running at 
 their utmost speed toward nic. A hill rose on each 
 side the river, closing together and arching over the 
 stream, at a short distance in advance of the party 
 when I arrested their steps. In this pass the Crows 
 Iiad taken their position, intending to massacre the 
 party as they attempted to force their passage. 
 
 As they reached me, I serried them around mo, the 
 Crows charging from the hills upon us at the same 
 lime. 1 now saw my band of relatives and friends ap- 
 proaching us from the village. As the exasperated 
 Indians came surging on toward us, I advanced toward 
 them, and ordered them to desist. 
 
 Tliey arrested their course : '* What do you want ?" 
 they asked ; " do you wish those whites to live V 
 
 '-After you have killed mc,*' 1 said, "you can 
 march over my dead body and kill them, but not be- 
 
 fore." 
 
 They then wheeled, and fell in with my party of rela- 
 tives, who were fast arriving and encircling the whites. 
 I then requested each man to mount horse behind my 
 
27H 
 
 AITOIUOnUAI'IIV OF 
 
 rclativos, and return with us to the village. AH did 
 HO except Stuart. I requested liim also to mount. 
 " No," said he, *' I will get on behind no d — d rascal ; 
 rind any man that will live with such wretches is a 
 d — d rascal." 
 
 " 1 thank you for your compliment," I returned : 
 "but I have no lime to attend to it here." 
 
 "Captain Stuart," said Charles A. Wharfield, after- 
 ^*ward colonel in the United States army, ** that's very 
 unbecoming language to use at such a time." 
 
 " Come, come, boys," interposed Dr. Harrison, " let 
 us not be bandying words here. Wc will return with 
 them, whether for better or for worse." 
 
 After I had mounted the party, I borrowed a horso 
 of one of my warriors, and led them back to the vil- 
 lage. For temporary safety, I deposited the party in 
 my father's lodge. 
 
 Fitzpatrick inquired of me, "Jim, what in the name 
 of God are you going to do with us ?" 
 
 " I don't know yet," I said ; " but I will do the best 
 possible for you." 
 
 I then called the Dog Soldiers to me, and command- 
 ed them, together with the Little Wolves, to surround 
 the village, and not suffer a single person to go out. 
 They all repaired to their stations. I next took fifty 
 faithful men, and made a thorough search throughout 
 the village, beginning at the extreme row of lodges. 
 By this means I recovered all the goods, once in the 
 possession of Fitzpatrick, in good condition, except his 
 scarlet and blue cloths, which had been torn up for 
 blankets and wearing apparel, but still not much in- 
 jured for the Indian trade. I also recovered all his 
 horses, with the exception of five, which had been 
 taken to Bear's Tooth's camp. I had the goods well 
 
.lAMKS P. HK("KWOIIMII. 
 
 279 
 
 out. 
 
 fit'tv 
 
 cliout 
 
 111 the 
 )t liis 
 p for 
 |h in- 
 11 his 
 [been 
 well 
 
 .socurcd, and a stroncr iruard of inv rtdativcs i)lac(Ml over 
 thcni. 
 
 Tlio rcador may pcrhap.^ iikjuIvc wliat rostraincd tho. 
 infuri.atcd Crown from molesting the rcsc\ied party on 
 their way to tlio viUagc. Simply tliis : when an In- 
 dian has anotlirr one mounted beliind liim, tlw, .su]>po- 
 sition is tliat ho has taken liiin prisoner, and is con- 
 ducting him to Jiead-quartcrs. While thus j)lacod, the 
 Indian having Inm in charge is responsible witli his 
 hie for his security ; if he fails to protect him, him- 
 scH' and all his kindred are disgraced ; an outrage \ipon 
 tlic prisoner is construed into pusillanimity on the part 
 of the custodian. Prisoners are also safe wliilc in cus- 
 tody in the village ; their inviolability is then trans- 
 t'crred to the responsibility of the chief. This is In- 
 dian morals. 
 
 T was informed subsequently that the Englishman, 
 as soon as he approached me, cocked his gun, intend- 
 ing to shoot me. It was well for him, as well as his 
 party, that he altered his mind ; for, if he had harmed 
 me, there would not Iiavc been a piece of him left the 
 size of a five-penny bit. I was doing all that lay in 
 my power to save the lives of the party from a parcel 
 of ferocious and exasperated savages; his life depended 
 by the slightest thread over the yawning abyss of 
 death ; the slightest misadventure would have proved 
 fatal. At that moment he insulted me in the grossest 
 manner. The language that he addressed to me ex- 
 torted a look of contempt from me, but I had not time 
 for anger. I was suspected of complicity with the In- 
 dians, or, rather, of having instigated the iiendish plot. 
 No man of common sense could entertain such a sus- 
 picion, when he sees the part I took in the aflair. Had 
 I conspired the tragedy, I had but to rest in my bed 
 
IMAGE EVALUATrON 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
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 1.0 f^^ iiM 
 
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 7i 
 
 7: 
 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
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 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 I 
 

 
 0^ 
 
280 
 
 AUTOBlOGRAPItY OF 
 
 until tliG deed was consummated. Every man would 
 have been killed, and no one but the conspirators liavc 
 known tlicir fate. To be sure, I was in the service of 
 the American Fur Company, and Fitzpatrick was trad- 
 ing upon his own accourit; ; but that could afford no 
 motive to conspire his death. I had not the faintest 
 objection to his selling every thing he had to the Crows. 
 But they had nothing to buy with ; they had disposed 
 of all their exchangeable commodities but a short time 
 since at the fort. Further, I was personally acquaint- 
 ed with Fitzpatrick, with whom I never had an ill word ; 
 and some of liis party stood high in my regard. Dr. 
 Harrison, if only for his noble father's sake, I would 
 have defended at the risk of my own life. They were 
 all bound to me with the ties of hospitality, and I have 
 yet to hear of any action committed by me that would 
 warrant the assumption of such deep perfidy. I have 
 been informed that Captain Stuart offered one thousand 
 dollars to a certain individual to take my life. I can 
 hardly think the charge is true, for the individual thus 
 said to be bribed has had many opportunities of earn- 
 ing his reward, and still I am alive. 
 
 After the goods were secured and the horses brought 
 up, it was discovered that Captain Stuart's horse, a fine 
 iron-gray, was missing. It was traced to the posses- 
 sion of High Bull, a very bad Indian, and I was in- 
 formed that he had declared he would kill tho first man 
 that should come after him. Stuart valued his horse 
 highly, as well he might, for he was a noble animal ; 
 he was, therefore, very anxious to obtain him. Fitz- 
 patrick had acquainted Stuart that I was the only per- 
 son in the nation that could procure the horse's resti- 
 tution. 
 
 Accordingly, he visited me, and said, '* Mr. Beck- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTIi. 
 
 281 
 
 ,voultl 
 i have, 
 ice of 
 trad- 
 »r(I no 
 lintcst 
 ^rows. 
 5poscd 
 •t time 
 [uaint- 
 word ; 
 . Dr. 
 would 
 y were 
 I have 
 ; would 
 I have 
 ousand 
 I can 
 J tlms 
 earn- 
 
 Drouglit 
 3, a tine 
 
 yas m- 
 st man 
 s horse 
 animal ; 
 Fitz- 
 ily per- 
 s resti- 
 
 '. Beck- 
 
 Avourth*' (he mistered me that time), '*can you get my 
 liorse for me ?" 
 
 I replied, " Captain Stuart, I am a poor man in the 
 service of the American Fur Company, to sell their 
 goods and receive the peltry of these Indians. The In- 
 dian who has your horse is my best customer; he has 
 a great many relatives, and a host of friends, whose 
 trade I shall surely lose if I attempt to take the horse 
 from him. Should the agent hear of it, I should be dis- 
 charged at once, and, of course, lose my salary." 
 
 " Well," said he, *' if the company discharge you for 
 that, I pledge you my word that I will give you six 
 thousand dollars a year for ten years." 
 
 ** Captain Stuart is a man of his word, and able to 
 perform all he promises," said Fitzpatrick. 
 
 " Well," replied I, "I will see what I can do." 
 
 I then dispatched an Indian boy to II.' gh Bull with 
 the message that I w anted/ tho gray horse he had in 
 his possession. The boy delivered his message, and 
 the Indian retorted with a *' Ugh!" which startled the 
 boy almost out of his skin, and he came bounding 
 back again, saying the Indian was mad. 
 
 In a short time High Bull came riding his horse, and 
 said, " Medicine Calf, did you send for this horse ?" 
 
 "I did." 
 
 "Well, here he is." 
 
 " Take him back," I said, " and keep him safe until 
 I send for him." 
 
 Stuart was wonder-stricken at this proceeding, as 
 our discourse was unintelligible to him. 
 
 "If I could get my hand on that horse's neck," he 
 said, " the whole village should not get him away from 
 me. 
 
 I was annoyed at this braggadocio, and was glad 
 the Indinns did not understand him. 
 
282 
 
 AUTUBIOGKAl'llY OF 
 
 Fitzpatrick requested Captain Stuart to remain quiet, 
 saying, "• Beckwourth has passed his word to you tiiat 
 you shall have your horse. He will he forthcoming 
 when you want him." 
 
 The next morning they prepared to leave the vil- 
 lage. The horses were all packed, and every thing iu 
 readiness. 
 
 *' Am I to have my horse?" said Captain Stuart. 
 "He will be here in a moment, sir," said I. 
 High Bull then rode the horse up to the party and 
 dismounted, giving me the reins. 
 
 " Now, sir, you can mount your horse," said I, de- 
 livering him into his owner's possession. 
 
 He mounted, and the party started. I took one 
 hundred and fifty of my choice Dog Soldiers, and es- 
 corted them a distance of fifteen miles. Before leaving 
 them, I cautioned Fitzpatrick to keep on his journey 
 for three days without stopping to encamp. I told 
 him that the Indians Avere exasperated, and the two 
 villages were together, and it was not in my power to 
 keep them from following them. I ■ -* apprehensive 
 they would dog them a considerable distance, but that 
 a three days' journey would place them in safety. 
 
 Instead of following my advice, he encamped the 
 following afternoon. Within an hour after his delay, 
 almost all his horses were taken by the Indians, not 
 leaving him enough to pack his goods. I afterward 
 learned that Stuart saved his gray horse. I saw the 
 Crows had r-iade free with my friends' horses, for I 
 saw several of them about the village &absequently. 
 However, I was satisfied I had done my duty ; 1 could 
 not have done more to my own father cr brother. 
 Still my life was sought after, and my character base- 
 ly assailed. 
 
 (( 
 
JAALKS r. JVKCKWOrUTH. 
 
 2S-^ 
 
 [uict, 
 L that 
 
 c vil- 
 
 ng 111 
 
 art. 
 iy and 
 I, dc- 
 
 )k OIK' 
 
 ^nd cs- 
 
 eavuig 
 
 Tlic fate of the Crow waniors I will mention epi- 
 sodically here, as I gatheied it from Fitzpatrick, and 
 afterward from the Cheyennes. 
 
 The party had encamped between two villages, hav- 
 ing the Clieycnnes on one side and the Siouxs on the 
 other. They were in utter ignorance of their danger- 
 ous proximity. ]5eing quickly discovered by one of 
 the enemy, he returned and alarmed his village, and 
 dispatched a messenger to the neighboring village ; 
 and in a few moments our small band was surround- 
 ed by a force of fifty times their number. Their ^ >- 
 sition was a strong one, being chosen in a deep hollov/ 
 or gully. They received the assault with unflinch- 
 ing intrepidity, and fought until they were all exter- 
 minated except their chief — they killing thirty-four of 
 their foes. The chief seemed to wear a charmed life ; 
 neither lead nor arrows could harm him. He advanced 
 from his position and tantalized his foes. He invited 
 them to come and kill him, saying that the scalps of 
 liis enemies made his lodge dark, and that he had rid- 
 den their horses till he was tired of riding. They were 
 filled with admiration of his daring. They told him 
 he was too great a brave to be killed ; that he might 
 go, and they would not hurt him. 
 
 " No," said he, pointing to his dead companions ; 
 " you have killed all my warriors ; they have gone to 
 the land of the Great Spirit ; now kill me, so that I 
 may go with them. I am the Little Gray Bull ; come 
 and kill me. I ask not to live. My heart disdains your 
 ofters of mercy. My brothers and friends will avenge 
 my death." 
 
 He would frequently advance toward his swarming 
 enemies ; as he approached, they retired. He then re- 
 turned towai'd his dead companions, and again defied 
 
284 
 
 ArTOBlOailAPlIY OF 
 
 them to coinc and kill him. He was eventually shot 
 down, probably by a bullet tiiea by one ol' Fitzpat- 
 rick's men, who, being encamped with the Cheyennes, 
 had joined them for the sport of shooting Indians. 
 There were two small boys in the party of Crows, who 
 went as moccasin-carriers. They were taken prison- 
 ers, and placed behind two warriors to be conveyed to 
 the village. While on the way thither, each drew liis 
 knife and plunged it into the body of his custodian, 
 each killing his man. The little fellows were cut to 
 pieces in an instant, which was their own choice, rath- 
 er than to be captive to the enemy. 
 
 When I returned from escorting Fitzpatrick, I in- 
 formed the Crows of the fate of their party ; but I with- 
 held all mention of the participation of the whites. 
 Thereupon ensued another dreadful time of mourning. 
 
 When I parted from Fitzpatrick and party, they all 
 appeared very grateful for thei^* deliverance, and, if 
 they had not lost their horses when they encamped, t 
 presume they never would have entertained other but 
 friendly feelings toward me. 
 
 Shortly after this occurrence we held a grand coun- 
 cil relative to certain national affairs. I then again 
 })roceeded, taking Winters and four warriors with mo. 
 When we had approached within a mile of the fort, 1 
 happening to be considerably in advance of the party, 
 in ascending a small hill, when near the summit, I 
 peered carefully over, and discovered a party of Black 
 Feet, not more than three hundred yards distant, sit- 
 ting by the roadside, smoking their pipes. I drew 
 back my head, for I saw one Indir.n coming directly 
 upon me, and motioned my men to a ravine close by. 
 Then, dismounting, I crept back to the brow of the hill, 
 and lay down flat until the Indian's head came within 
 
JAMKS l». IU;(WvWULKTH. 
 
 28r» 
 
 f shot 
 tzpat- 
 ennes, 
 dians. 
 s, who 
 Di'ison- 
 yccl to 
 ■ew hi.; 
 todiaii. 
 cut to 
 3, rath- 
 
 c, I iii- 
 I with- 
 whites. 
 arning. 
 hey ail 
 land, if 
 mped, I 
 •er but 
 
 coun- 
 
 agaiu 
 
 sight. I aprang instantly to my feet, and shot him 
 dead. In less than a niinu':c I had his scalp ; ran 
 back and mounted my horse ; then, riding to the sum- 
 mit of the hill, I displayed the scalp to the Indians, 
 who were advancing at their topmost speed. As soon 
 as they saw me they turned and fled, thinking, no 
 doubt, that I had a strong force lying in wait. I rode 
 on and overtook my party, and we reached die fort 
 without molestation or pursuit. About two hours aft- 
 er, the Indians presented themselves before the fort, 
 and challenged us to come out and light. We hoist- 
 ed the scalp I had just taken in answer to the invita- 
 tion. I consider we may thank my acquired habit of 
 caution for our escape, for, had the Indian surprised 
 us instead of my surprising him, it is more than prob- 
 able that every one of us would have been killed. 
 
 We were detained at the fort tor the space of eight 
 days, on account of the numbers of the Black Feet 
 prowling about. They finally left, and as soon as we 
 were satisfied that the way was clear, we loaded ten 
 pack-horses with goods, and Winters and myself — 
 taking two men each — returned to the Crow village. 
 The villages had separated during our abser e ; Long 
 Hair and his village having taken one direction, and 
 mine having taken another. W^inters took Long Hair's 
 trail, with the goods ; I followed my village through 
 the Bad Pass, and overtook it at Black Panther Creek. 
 I then went on to Wind River, trapping and hunting 
 very successfully all the way, the journey occupying 
 about a month. We went into winter quarters under 
 Wind River jMountain, at the mouth of Po-po-on-che 
 (Long Grass Cre^^k). Here, after gathering a sufficient 
 v|uantity of buffalo and elk horns, we supplied our- 
 selves with a laro-e outfit of line new bows. The horns 
 
28() 
 
 AITTOniOdKAPHY iW 
 
 arc tiirown into hot springs which abound in that re- 
 gion, wlicrc they arc kept until they are perfectly nial- 
 hibie ; they arc then taken out and straightened, and 
 cut into stri})s of suitable width. It takes two buffalo 
 horns to niaivc a bow of sufficient length. Tliey arc 
 pieced in the centre, and riveted ; then they are bound 
 strongly at the splice with sinew. Bows made of this 
 material are equaled by none other except those mad'; 
 from the horn of the mountain sheep. 
 
 While we were encamped here, numerous small par- 
 ties of Crows went to war without leave, and in almost 
 every instance were defeated ; on some excursions they 
 WQi'd entirely destroyed. One party, consisting of 
 thirty-nine warriors, led hy the Constant Bird, a great 
 war-chief, went to the ]Mack Foot country, and evciy 
 one of them was killed. They had killed and scalped 
 one of the enemy, whom they met alone, and again 
 journeyed on, when they came suddenly upon a whoh^ 
 village of Black Feet, ana were themselves instantly 
 discovered. To save themselves they resorted to an 
 ingenious device, which certainly offered fair to save 
 them. On being discovered, instead of retreating, they 
 kept on and entered the enemy's village, pretending 
 they came with authority to conclude a peace. The 
 Indians, putting faith in their mission, concluded peace 
 ficcordingly. While thus engaged proposing terms 
 and smoking cozily, one of the l^lack Foot squaws stolo 
 a sack belonging to them. After the departure of the 
 Crows, the sack was examined, and among its contents 
 was found the identical scalp they had taken a short 
 time previously. Raising the war-hoop, the Black 
 Feet assembled in great numbers, and, making imme- 
 diate pursuit after the Crows, they overtook them, and 
 massacred every one. This intelligence was brought 
 
JAMES P. nECKWOrUTII. 
 
 2.S( 
 
 lat re- 
 T mal- 
 lI, and 
 juli'alo 
 ey arc 
 bound 
 of this 
 i mad". 
 
 all par- 
 almost 
 ns they 
 ting of 
 a great 
 tl evciy 
 scalped 
 (1 again 
 a whole 
 istantly 
 to an 
 to save 
 ig, they 
 ending 
 , The 
 d peace 
 vr terms 
 ws stole 
 c of the 
 ontcnts 
 a short 
 3 Black 
 g imnic- 
 ein, and 
 brought 
 
 by express from Fort !Maria, the HKack Foot trading- 
 post, to Fort Cass, the Crow trading-post. On re- 
 ceipt of this intelligence, there was another general 
 Fcenc of mourning and vowing vengeance. I used all 
 the arguments that I could frame to prevent these mis- 
 chievous guerilla expeditions, bui they would steal oil' 
 in the night in spite of my entreaties or my denuncia- 
 tions, and I did not like to resort to punishments. 
 
 Several of the Iiigli functionaries incpiired of me to 
 what cause 1 attributed such repeated disasters. J 
 answered as follows: "Warriors! the causes arc clear 
 enough. i\Iy medicine tells me the causes. Firstly, 
 you robbed my white friends, stealing their horses 
 away, and even attempting to take their lives when 
 they were under my protection,* and when you knew 
 It grieved my heart to have wrong done to them. A 
 second cause : you are continually acting contrary to 
 the wishes of A-ra-poo-ash, who went to the Spirit Land 
 on account of your disobedience. I have also express- 
 ed the same wishes to you, telling you to apply your- 
 selves to collecting skins, in order to liave the where- 
 with to purchase the things that you need. These, 
 my orders, are openly disobeyed, and the Great Spirit 
 is very angry with the nation for their thieving, and 
 disregard of the orders of their head chief." 
 
 They then inquired what they should do to appease 
 the wrath of the Great Spirit. I answered again : 
 " Warriors ! to appease the just anger of the Great 
 Spirit, you must discontinue your war-parties, and re- 
 main peaceably at home for one moon. You can then 
 prepare a great sacrifice, and do penance for that time, 
 and let the Great Spirit see that you really repent the 
 evil you have committed. By so acting, you may re- 
 cover the favor which the Great Spirit has evidently 
 
2.SS 
 
 ACTOIMOOUAIMIY Ol' 
 
 witlidrawn from you ; by continuing in your obstinat • 
 ways, you Avill assuredly be rubbed out as a nation." 
 
 The saeriliees that they oiler on such occasions arr 
 curious. One sacrilice is made by shaving the mane, 
 and tails of some of their best war-horses, and paint- 
 ing* on their bodies a rude delineation of the sun. 
 'i'hey then turn them out, but never drive them away: 
 and if they follow the other horses, it is a sure sign 
 that the Great Spirit is following them also. 
 
 I had become so sickened with their constant mourn- 
 ing, which was kept up through the whole village da}- 
 and night, that I determined to take a small party and 
 see if I could not change the face of affairs. Accord- 
 ingly, I raised fifty warriors, and started for the Chey- 
 enne village, near the site of the present Fort Laramie. 
 The first night we encamped on the Sweet Water lliv- 
 er. The morning ensuing was clear and cold, and wc 
 started across a plain twenty miles wide, with neither 
 trees nor bushes in the whole distance. Across this 
 plain was a mountain, which I wished to reach that 
 night, in order to provide ourselves with fire-wood and 
 have a warm camp. When we had traversed this 
 desert about midway, a storm came on, which is called 
 by the mountaineers a Poo-der-ee. These storms have 
 proved fatal to great numbers of trappers and Indians 
 in and about the Rocky Mountains. They are com- 
 posed of a violent descent of snow, hail, and rain, at- 
 tended with high and piercing wind, and frequently 
 last three or four days. The storm prevented our see- 
 ing the object for which we were directing our course. 
 We all became saturated with the driving rain and 
 hail, and our clothing and robes were frozen stiff; still 
 we kept moving, as we knew it would be certain death 
 to pause on our weary course. The winds swept with 
 
JAMK.S 1'. BK^KWO"KTH. 
 
 289 
 
 ?tinat-' 
 tion." 
 )ns art' 
 niaiic.; 
 
 paint- 
 .0 sun. 
 
 away : 
 .re sign 
 
 mourn- 
 agc day 
 
 irresistible violence across the desert prairie, and' we 
 could sec no shelter to j)rotect us from the freezing 
 blast. Kventually we came to a large hole or gully, 
 irom eighteen to twenty feet deep, wliich had been 
 made by the action of water. Into this place wc all 
 huddled, and were greatly protected from the wind. 
 Being exhausted with our exertions, we wrapjxsd our- 
 selves as well as we could in our frozen robes, and 
 lay down. How long wc lay there I could form no 
 idea. When I attempted to stir, it required the exer- 
 cise of all my strengtli to free myself from the mass 
 of snow tliat liad fallen upon me while asleep. I saw 
 that if we tarried there it would be inevitable death to 
 us all, and it was still storming furiously. I aroused 
 my second in command, named "A Heap of Dogs," 
 and told him that we must arouse ourselves and bestir 
 our warriors, or we should all perish. 
 
 " No," said he ; " it is too painful ; let us stay here 
 and all die together." 
 
 I told liim that I should go at all risks, and made a 
 spring thereuj)on, he laying himself down again. 1 had 
 not proceeded much more than three hundred yards 
 when I came upon a gulch, or dry creek, in which was 
 a drift pile composed of a large accumulation of dry 
 wood. I made an opening and crawled in ; then strik- 
 ing tire, I got it v/ell burning, and returned to my per- 
 ishing warriors to relate my discovery. They arose 
 and shook off the loose snow from their robes, and es- 
 sayed to proceed. But many of them were so weak 
 and stiffened that they could but craAvl along. After 
 getting thawed and comfortably warmed before a blaz- 
 ing tire, I found there were two of our party missing. 
 I returned with two or three others to search for them, 
 and we had to dig away the snow to arrive at them : 
 
 N 
 
290 
 
 ArTomOC^KAPHY OF 
 
 Init tlio vital Ppark had flod — tlicy wrro stiff in doatli. 
 Wo Htaid l)V our fins wliicli increased in Imdv and 
 waniifli, for two days, by wliieli time the storni iiavin^ 
 Hiihsidcd, we returned liome. Thv relatives of tim lost 
 waiTiors made a great mourninui; for them, while the 
 friends of those who returned with me showered pres- 
 ents and hlessin^H u])on me for having been instru- 
 mental in saving their kinsmen's lives. 
 
 It was a time of intense cold. Our whole party 
 were more or less frostbitten; my face and cars were 
 severely frozen, and were sore for a long time. The 
 wild buffalo approaclied so near to our fire that we 
 could shoot them without stirring from onr seats. As 
 an excuse for my ill success, I infomied the Crows that 
 the wrath of the CJreat Spirit was not yet appeased. 
 
 Soon after this catastrophe, I informed my people 
 tliat 1 wished to wander solitary for a space, to mourn 
 for my two waiTiors who had perished in the snow. 
 My real intention was to get to the fort, and thus 
 have a respite from the unceasing crying and howling 
 that was kept up throughout the village. On making 
 my intention kno^vn, two white men, named Mildmm 
 and Cross, who were staying in our village, desired to 
 accompany me. We started accordingly, taking one 
 squaw with us as servant. On our second day out, 
 we were surprised by a party of two hundred and fifty 
 Black Feet. We took shelter in a thicket of willows, 
 resolved to make a brave stand, and sell our lives for 
 all they were w orth. The squaw showed herself a val- 
 uable auxiliary by taking good care of our horses, six 
 in number, and building us a little fort of sand, behind 
 which we stood in great security, watching our enemies 
 as they ever and anon made their appearance. We were 
 thus invested for thirty-six hours, the Indians hover- 
 
JAMES r. FlKCKWorUTII. 
 
 21) I 
 
 V and 
 lavin}; 
 10 lost 
 ilo the 
 I prc!S- 
 instvu- 
 
 » party 
 rs were 
 .. The 
 that we 
 ts. Ap 
 )ws that 
 :;asccl. 
 f people 
 niourn 
 le snow. 
 n6 
 
 mrf about, and losinp; one of tlieir nunil)er at ovcxy dis- 
 cliargo, witliout darin<jj to rush in nj)on us, which had 
 tiiey ventured upon wouhl liave ])roved our incvitaitU^ 
 destruction. We were situated so ch)sc to tiie river 
 that we could be supplied with water at all times by the 
 S(juaw without incurring danger. 
 
 The second night, our besiegers, having wearied of 
 tlieir exertions, gave us comparative repose. Availing 
 ourselves of the lull, wc nuiiHed our horses' feet with 
 our capotes, cut to pieces for tlie purpose, and, stealing 
 gently down the slope of the bank, wc forded the shal- 
 low stream, and made the best of our way home. We 
 went whooping and galloping at full speed into the vil- 
 lage, displaying nineteen sca'ps on various ])arts of our 
 liorses. Our victorious return created the most thrill- 
 ing sensation throughout the village. Every face was 
 washed, the scalp-dance was performed (the first time 
 for two months), and the hilarity was universally in- 
 dulged in. The Great Spirit's wrath was appeased, 
 the tide had turned in favor of the Crows, and a con- 
 tinuation of victory was predicted from this brilliant 
 achievement. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Excursion to the Fort— -Arrival of Long Hair's Village. — Building ol' 
 a new Medicine Lodge. — Triumphant Entrance of my little Wife 
 into the Lodge. — Attack on the Crow Village by the Siouxs. — Meet- 
 ing of the two Crow Villages. — Visit of the Grovans. — Visit to the 
 Grovans and Fort Clarke. 
 
 A PARTY of nine trappers happening to call at the 
 village on their way to the fort, among whom was my 
 old friend Harris, I proposed to accompany them. We 
 started, and reached the fort witliout accident, except 
 
2i).2 
 
 AUTOHIOORAPHY OF 
 
 sustaininp; another siogc from the Black Yart. After 
 oiu' (l('|)arture, tlie whok) village followed to pm'chase 
 tluiir s})ring supply of necessaries at the fort. They 
 hronglit an immense stock of peltry, with which they 
 pm'chased every thing that they stood in need of. 
 
 Abont a week aft(>r our arrival, the other Crow vil- 
 lage, under Long I [air, encani})ed without the fort, all 
 of them deep in mourning. The same ill luck had at- 
 tended tliem in their excursions as we had sutfered, and 
 eighty warriors had fallen without one gleam of suc- 
 cess. I availed myself of this opportunity to impress 
 upon the miiids of Long Hair and his followers that 
 the c ase of their misfortune was owing to the conduct 
 of the Crows toward Fitzpati-ick and his party, which 
 representation they all lirmly believed. 
 
 When the two villages had linished their trading, 
 we all moved back to the Big Horn, where we con- 
 structed a new medicine lodge for the medicine men, 
 prophets, and dreamers to prophesy and hold their de- 
 liberations in. These lodges are erected every year — 
 the first moon in May ; the whole tribe is assembled 
 at the festival, and the ceremonies are continued for 
 seven days. Before the poles are raised, the medicine 
 men select from the assembled multitude a warrior 
 whom they deem qualified to assume the functions of 
 a medicine chief The man they select is compelled 
 to serve ; no excuse that he can frame is accepted as 
 valid. He is then taken to a lodge-pole and lashed to 
 one end ; an eagle's wing is placed in each hand, and 
 a whistle (similar to a boatswain's) placed between his 
 lips. Thus equipped, he is hoisted a distance of forty 
 feet, until the pole assumes its perpendicularity and 
 is adjusted in its proper place, liaising the first pole 
 is analogous to laying the first stone. The first one 
 
 ther 
 
 drf 
 
 virt^ 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 293 
 
 ^fter 
 hase 
 rhey 
 they 
 
 V vil- 
 •t, all 
 id at- 
 1, and 
 [' suc- 
 ipress 
 3 that 
 )nduct 
 which 
 
 •ading, 
 
 re con- 
 men, 
 
 icir de- 
 
 |year— 
 imbled 
 led for 
 
 edicinc 
 kvarrior 
 
 ions of 
 pelled 
 ted as 
 shed to 
 ,d, and 
 een his 
 of forty 
 ty and 
 |rst pole 
 irst one 
 
 being hoisted, abundance of others are raised into their 
 places, until the whole space is inclosed. They are 
 then covered with green buffalo hides, descending to 
 within six feet of the ground, the inclosure being left 
 open at the top. About one hundred and twenty 
 hides are generally required for the purpose, and a 
 space is thus obtained capable of holding from seven 
 to eight hundred persons. 
 
 I was the subject selected on this occasion ; and 
 when I was raised upon the pole in the manner I have 
 just described, the officials declared that I wasi raised 
 solely by the elevating power of my wings, whence 
 they inferred that my medicine was very powerful. 
 
 When the lodge is completed, the medicine men and 
 other functionaries assemble the most distinguished 
 braves within the building for a rehearsal of their 
 achievements and an enumeration of tlieir coos. Each 
 brave then gives an account of his exploits thus : " T 
 killed one or more Cheyennes (as the case may be) on 
 such a day, in such a place, and took such and suci?. 
 spoils. You know it. Crows." The medicine chief 
 then exhibits his marks, pronounces the warrior's 
 statement correct, and confirms it by his record. 
 This ratification each warrior passes through, and 
 there is seldom any discrepancy between his statement 
 and the record. Sham battles are then fought in il- 
 lustration of the manner in which the different trophies 
 were acquired, the rehearsal reminding the civilised 
 spectator of a theatrical representation, only that in 
 this case the performance is more in earnest. 
 
 This examination gone through with, the lodge ii: 
 then prepared for the medicine men, prophets, and 
 drf mers to go through the ceremony of initiating a 
 virtuous woman. The members of the conclave en- 
 
294 
 
 AUTOBIOGIcAPHY OP 
 
 dure a total abstinence from food and water for seven 
 dajs previous to the ceremony, unless any one faints 
 from exhaustion, in which case some slight nourish- 
 ment is afforded him. 
 
 The warriors are then drawn up in two lines, *' in- 
 ward face," a few feet apart, and the female Ct^ndidate 
 for " holy orders" presents herself at the lodge door. 
 She harangues them when she iirst presents herself, 
 and then marches between the extended lines of the 
 dusky warriors. Here is the fearful ordeal. If she 
 has ever been guilty of any illicit action, her declara- 
 tion of innocence is refuted by a dozen voices, a thou- 
 sand bullets riddle her body in a moment, and her 
 flesh is hacked into morsels. 
 
 This is the fearful war-path secret. It will be re- 
 membered that my little wife had resolved to dedi- 
 cate herself to mis service ; when only a child she had 
 determined upon entering the medicine lodge. On 
 this occasion she was candidate for admission. Slie 
 came to me to be dressed for the ceremony ; she was 
 robed in her best attire, and I painted her as the cus- 
 tom prescribes. 
 
 The warriors are in line, and the Sanhedrim in read- 
 iness. The herald announces that Nom-ne-dit-chee 
 (The One tliat Strikes Three), wife of the head chief, 
 JVIedicine Calf, offers herself for election. Intense ex- 
 citement prevails through the assembly as her name 
 is pronounced, and it is re-echoed through the lines 
 of the warriors. She presented herself at the door of 
 the lodge, and calmly met the concentrated gaze of 
 thousands. A breathless silence prevailed. 
 
 She commenced her address. " Can it be said that 
 there are no virtuous women among the Crows ? Can 
 it be true that our medicine men can not make medi- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 295 
 
 3veii 
 lints 
 risli- 
 
 " in- 
 itiate 
 door, 
 irself, 
 )f the 
 i she 
 clara- 
 thou- 
 d her 
 
 "be re- 
 1 dedi- 
 he had 
 . Oil 
 She 
 le was 
 le cus- 
 
 n read- 
 it-chee 
 chief, 
 nsc ex- 
 r name 
 lines 
 Joor oi' 
 raze of 
 
 le 
 
 aid that 
 ? Can 
 medi- 
 
 cine, nor our prophets propliesy, nor our dreamers 
 dream, because so few of you are virtuous ? Oh wom- 
 en! it is shameful to you to be so faithless. Our 
 nation is disgraced because of your conduct, and the 
 Crows will soon cease to be a people. The Great 
 Spirit is angry with you, and has brought disgrace 
 upon our warriors on account of your evil practices. 
 < )ur prairies will become wastes like yourselves, pro- 
 ducing no good thing; and our buffalo will bellow at 
 you, and leave the hunting-grounds of the Cro\,'S, and 
 go to the country of a more virtuous people." 
 Then addressing the warriors, she continued : 
 "Warriors! I have this day volunteered to carry 
 tlie sand, the wood, and the elk-chips into the lodge. 
 You are brave warriors, and I hope your tongues are 
 not crooked. I have seen our women attempt to do 
 it, and they have been cut to pieces. I am now about 
 to try it myself. Before I start for the materials at 
 the other end of your extended lines, if there be a war- 
 rior, or any other man under the sun. who knows any 
 thing wrong in me, or injurious to my virtue, let him 
 speak. I, too, am ready to go to the spirit land, for 
 there is one there who knows me innocent of the bad 
 deeds which disgrace the women of our country." 
 
 She then passed with a firm step between the lines 
 of the warriors to the sand. Taking the bowl, she 
 dipped a small quantity, and returned with it to the 
 lodge, and then made two other trips for the wood and 
 elk-chips. Returning for the third time, she received 
 the vociferations of the assembled multitude. The 
 functionaries came forth to meet her, and passed their 
 liands over her head, shoulders, and arms, extolling 
 lier to the skies, and proclaiming there was one virtu- 
 ous woman in the Crow nation. She was then pre- 
 
296 
 
 ArrOBIOCiRAPHY OF 
 
 sented with my medicine shield hy the great medicine 
 chief, to preserve and carry for me, no one but myseh" 
 having authority to take it from her. 
 
 I trembled while she was passing this perilous or- 
 deal, and its triumphant termination filled me with de- 
 light. She was a gu-1 of superior endowments, and, if 
 they had heen fostered by a Christian education, I 
 know no woman who would surpass her in worth, ele- 
 gance, or attainments. Had she ever failed in her 
 conduct, it would have been thundered in her ears 
 when she stooped to gather the sand, and a cry would 
 have arisen that she was polluting the medicine of the 
 nation. If the candidate is killed during the inau- 
 guration ceremonies, nothing more is done in the same 
 medicine lodge : it is immediately torn down, and the 
 tribe moves to some other place, where it builds anoth- 
 er lodge, and the same observances are again gone 
 through with. 
 
 In the mean while, women are engaged cooking and 
 preparing a siunptuous feast of every thing in season. 
 All kinds of meats and dried berries, variously cooked, 
 are spread before the partakers, which includes all who 
 can obtain seats, except the medicine men, prophets, 
 and dreamers. Their fast continues for seven days, 
 during which time their inspiration is continually mov- 
 ing them. There are plenty of warriors in attendance 
 to convey messages and execute orders, like deputy 
 sheriffs in a justice's court ; and as fast as an ordinance 
 is dreamed out, prophesied upon, and medicined, the 
 instructions are delivered to the messengers, and away 
 they start, one party in this direction, and one party in 
 another, to communicate the instructions and execute 
 orders. 
 
 While we were yet at the lodge, a deputation of 
 
JAMES l. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 29: 
 
 iciiie 
 ^selt" 
 
 Ls or- 
 ;h de- 
 nd, if 
 ion, I 
 li, ele- 
 n her 
 r ears 
 would 
 of the 
 1 inau- 
 e same 
 .nd the 
 anoth- 
 n gone 
 
 ng and 
 season, 
 cooked, 
 all who 
 ophets, 
 n days, 
 y mov- 
 ndance 
 deputy 
 dinance 
 Led, the 
 d away 
 arty in 
 execute 
 
 Ition of 
 
 about a dozen Grovan warriors came to solicit our as- 
 sistance against tlie Chcyonncs and Siouxs, who liad 
 made a combined attack upon them, killing about four 
 hunched of their warriors. In reply to the application, 
 wc told them that we had lost many warriors during 
 the past winter, and that we must avenge our own men 
 first ; but that we would go and sec them in the course 
 of the sunmicr, and hold a conference with them on the 
 subject. 
 
 There are two bands of the Grovans : the Grovans 
 of the Missouri, which the Crows sprung from, and 
 whose language they speak, and the Grovans of the 
 prairie, who form a band of the Black Feet. The Gro- 
 vans of the Missouri were then a weak tribe or band, 
 having, by their incessant wars with the suiToundiixg 
 tribes, been reduced to a very insignificant number of 
 warriors. When the Crows separated from them, the 
 nation wa^ deemed too numerous. This separation 
 was eflfecteci, according to their reckoning, above a cen- 
 tury since. Those Grovans and the Crows have al- 
 ways been on very friendly terms, and even to this day 
 consider themselves descend:mts of the same family. 
 They do not move about, like many wandering tribes, 
 but remain stationary and cultivate the ground. Their 
 lodges are built of poles, filled in with earth ; they are 
 spacious, and are kept comparatively neat. 
 
 I would here remark that the name " Crow" is not 
 the correct appellation of the tribe. They have never 
 yet acknowledged the name, and never call themselves 
 Crows. The name was conferred upon them many 
 years ago by the interpreters, either through their ig- 
 norance of the language, or for the purpose of ridicul- 
 ing them. The name which they acknowledge them- 
 selves by, and they recognize no other, is in their lan- 
 
 N2 
 
298 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 guago, Ap-sah-ro-kee, whicli signifies the Sparrowhawk 
 peo[)k\ 
 
 Tlie viUages separated at this time. Lor.g Hair went 
 up the Yellow Stone, to Clarke's Fort, in order to kill 
 buffalo and gather fruit when ripe, while I went with 
 my village on a circuit, and finally rested on the hanks 
 of Powder lliver, a branch of the Yellow Stone. While 
 busy killing buffalo, we were suddenly attacked by the 
 Cheyennes to the number of two thousand warriors. 
 1 had been advised by my scouts of their contemplated 
 attack, and was consequently prepared to receive them. 
 They were seriously disappointed in charging upon our 
 empty lodges ; and, while they were in confusion, we 
 thundered upon them from our concealment, driving 
 them before us in all directions for upward of two miles, 
 (^ur victory was complete. We took sixty-three scalps, 
 besides horses and weapons in abundance. We had 
 eighty warriors wounded, principally with lances and 
 arrows, but every one recovered. The heroine did good 
 service, having thoroughly recovered from her terrible 
 wound. She had two horses killed under her, but es- 
 caped unhurt herself, using her lance as adroitly as ever. 
 
 The village moved on, directly after the battle, in the 
 direction of uur friends the Grovans ; but, before we ar- 
 rived, we rubbed out a party of eleven Cheyennes, who 
 had been to the Grovan village on a war excursion, 
 and we carried their scalps and presented them to the 
 Grovans. When we arrived in sight of their villages 
 — five in number — and halted with our whole force on 
 a small hill which overlooked their towns, on perceiv- 
 ing us they were filled with alarm, believing us to be 
 the Cheyennes, returned with a force sufficient to ex- 
 terminate them. But they discovered us to be Crow 
 friends and their joy was now proportionate to their 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 299 
 
 lawk 
 
 went 
 
 )kiU 
 
 with 
 
 )anks 
 
 Vhile 
 
 y tlio 
 
 riors. 
 
 plated 
 
 them. 
 
 )n ouv 
 
 3n, \vc 
 
 iriving 
 
 miles. 
 
 scalps, 
 
 ie had 
 
 es and 
 
 d good 
 
 terrible 
 jut es- 
 
 is ever. 
 , in the 
 we ar- 
 es, who 
 mrsion, 
 to the 
 villages 
 'orce oil 
 perceiv- 
 is to he 
 t to ex- 
 )e Crow 
 to their 
 
 former despondency. Wc passed through their vil- 
 lages two abreast, and all were out upon the tops of 
 their lodges to welcome us as wc rode through. The. 
 acclamations resounded on every side. They looked 
 upon us as their deliverers and friends, who had come 
 to protect the weak against the strong, that their wrongs 
 iniglit be avenged, and their faces be washed once more. 
 From tlieir villages we rode on to Fort Clarke through 
 the jVIandan villages, defiling before the fort in double 
 columns. Every man in ihe fort was on the battle 
 nients, gazing at our long lines of mounted warriors. 
 While deiiling past, we were correctly counted by ^Ir. 
 Kipp. Several alighted and visited the fort, and Mr. 
 Kipp inquired for the Crow who spoke English. No 
 era understood him until he came across a Mandan 
 who spoke the Crow language fluently. They inquired 
 of him for me. I replied he was somewhere about. I 
 was dressed in full costume, and painted as black as a 
 Crow, and neither the Mandan nor Kipp recognized me. 
 The Mandan informed Kipp that I was present. 
 
 "Yes," said I, "Beckwouith is present." 
 
 "Well, well!" exclaimed Kipp, in astonishment; 
 " is that you, Bcckwourth ?" 
 
 I replied that it was, indisputably. 
 
 "Then why did you not declare yourself when I 
 was inquiring for you ? I certainly should never have 
 distinguished you from any other Indian." 
 
 At this moment my wife entered, carrying my boy 
 in her arms. A great interest was taken in him by all 
 the inmates of the fort, greatly to the delight of his 
 proud mother, and by the time the child had passed 
 through all their hands he had received presents enough 
 to load a pack-mule. 
 
 We staid with our friends ten days, part of which 
 
;jou 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 time was occupied in arranging a combined plan of de- 
 fense against tlic ]51ack i'ect. When wc departed. 
 Long Hair presented vis with an amj)le stock of corn 
 and punipKins. We passed ihc Yellow Stone, and 
 traveled on by easy marches to the Mussel Shell River, 
 killing and dressing buffalo during our whole journey. 
 Here we encamped to await the arrival of Long Hair. 
 Our spies kept us advised of tiic movements of the en- 
 emy, and intelligence was brought us that he was mani- 
 festly concentrating his forces at the Three Forks of 
 the Missouri for a grand attack. I knew that wc wero 
 also vigilantly watched by the enemy's spies, and I de- 
 termined to make no movement that would warrant the 
 suspicion that their movements were known to us. 
 Long Hair shortly joined us with his whole force, and 
 I felt pertcctly at ease now, notwithstanding the most 
 strategical movements of our enemy. 
 
 After various demonstrations on either side, we feign- 
 ed a division of our forces, and marched one half of 
 them to a spot which concealed them from the table- 
 land, thus leading the enemy to the belief that we were 
 still ignorant of his intentions and his numbers. 
 
 At daybreak the following morning we heard the 
 noise of their innumerable horse- hoofs, and shortly 
 after they burst upon our tenantless lodges like a thun- 
 der-cloud. I suffered about one third of their warriors 
 to become entangled in the village, and I then gave the 
 order to charge. The shock was irresistible ; their ad- 
 vancing division was attacked on all sides, and the ap- 
 pearance of my concealed warriors sent a panic through 
 the tribe. They tied precipitately without venturing 
 to look round to see if they were pursued. It was a 
 complete rout, and purchased at but slight cost to our- 
 selves. We gathered over four hundred scal})s, and 
 
JAMES 1'. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 301 
 
 [' dc- 
 L'tcd, 
 corn 
 anil 
 ivcr, 
 nicy. 
 Hair. 
 LC cn- 
 maui- 
 ks ol" 
 J were 
 . I de- 
 ,nt the 
 to us. 
 ;e, and 
 3 most 
 
 p I'eign- 
 
 lalf of 
 
 table- 
 
 VG were 
 
 took fifty women prisoners ; we captured iivc hundred 
 horses, one Inuuh-ed p;uns, and weapons, blankets, and 
 camp C(pupage heyond emmicration. Our loss was 
 four killed and three himdred wounded, some of whom 
 afterward died of their woimds. 
 
 Our wounded warriors attended to, and our spoils 
 gathered, wc moved on without delay to our tobacco 
 plantation, as it was now time to gather our crop. We 
 journeyed by way of the fort, and on our road fell in 
 with a party of fifteen Black Foot wamors, who were 
 driving a large drove of horses they liad stolen from 
 the Snakes. We entrapped the enemy into a ditch 
 and killed the whole party, and their recent acquisition 
 came in very serviceably, as our stock of horses was 
 greatly diminished. We found our crop excellent, and, 
 as our numerous hands made light work, our harvest 
 was soon gathered. 
 
 We then passed on at our leisure, killing more or less 
 buffalo daily, until we arrived at Tongue River, about 
 the new moon of Leaf Fall. On our way we lost nearly 
 three hundred head of horses, which were stolen by the 
 Black Feet. We did not trouble ourselves to pursue 
 them, as we felt confident they were but lent them, and 
 that they would shortly be returned with good interest. 
 At Tongue River we confederated with our friends, the 
 Grovans, in an attack upon the Cheyenne village ; from 
 thence we returned to the Yellow Stone, when I de- 
 tached a party of one hundred and sixty warriors on an 
 excursion to the Black Foot village, and they returned 
 bringing six hundred fine horses with them. W^e then 
 passed on to Fort Cass, where we witnessed much de- 
 jection and gloom, occasioned by a serious reverse 
 which they had experienced since our last visit. 
 
:)02 
 
 ALJTOmuUliAl'IlY UF 
 
 CIIArTETl XXI. 
 
 Attacks of the Black Fcpt on the Fort. — Six White Men killed.— 
 Abandonment of Fort Cass. — Fort constructed at the Mouth of the 
 " Hose Hud." — Removal of the Village. — Peace concluded with th<' 
 As-nc-boines. — Hair-breadth Escape. — Death of Mr. Hunter, of Ken- 
 tucky. 
 
 While wc wore indulging in a display of our cap- 
 tured horses Avliile encamped outside the fort, the Spot- 
 ted iVntelope, one of my relatives, came to me, and hi- 
 timated that 1 had Letter visit the fort, as they had lost 
 six men by the Black Feet. He was in mourning-paint 
 for the victims, because the whites were his friends. 
 I dismounted, and passed through the encampment on 
 my way to the gate. As usual, I found my father's 
 lodge, in which my little wife resided, jjitched nearest 
 to the fort, with the other lodges jf my various rela- 
 tives grouped in a row, their contiguity to my parent's 
 lodge heing gi'aduated by their propinquity cf kin. 1 
 Ibund Pine Leaf seated by my wife, amusing herself 
 with the Black Panther (whose civilized patronymic 
 was lAttle Jim), while almost all the other women 
 were dancing. I delayed a moment to inquire why 
 these two women were not dancing with the others. 
 Pine Leaf, with solemn air and quivering lip, said, 
 " Your heart is crying, and I never dance when your 
 heart cries." 
 
 " Neither do I," said the little woman. 
 
 This was a greater concession than the heroine had 
 ever made to me before. She had told me that she 
 would marry me, and she had frequently informed my 
 
 ;■♦ 
 
JAMES P. JUUJKWUIJUTII. 
 
 aoa 
 
 sisters and my little wife of a similar intention; but 
 this promise was always modified with a ])royiso — a 
 iOiitumacioiis "if,'' which eoidd never be avoided. " t 
 will marry the Medicine Calf," she would say, ^^ifl 
 marry any man." A great many moons had waxed 
 and waned since she first spoke of the pino leaves turn- 
 ing yellow, but they had not yet lost their verdure, 
 and I liad failed to discover a red-handed Indian. 
 
 In conversation with j\Ir. TlU^ck, the commandant 
 of the fort, 1 learned that they had been incessantly 
 harassed by the Black Feet ever since our last visit, 
 who had invested them on all sides, rendering it ex- 
 tremely dangerous for any of the inmates to venture 
 outside the gate. He furtiier informed me that he had 
 had six men massacred and iifty-four horses stolen. 
 He had sent for me, he said, to come and select a new 
 site, Avhere they would be liable to less molestation, and 
 be less in fear of their lives. 
 
 I consulted with our chiefs and braves upon the se- 
 lection of a more secure location for a new fort, and it 
 was unanimously agreed upon that the mouth of the 
 Rose Bud, thirty miles lower down the river, ottered 
 the best situation, as the country was fair and open all 
 round, and afforded the hostile Indians no good places 
 of concealment. There was also a fine grazing country 
 there, and plenty of buffalo, so that a village of the 
 Crows could winter under the fort, and afford them the 
 protection of their presence. 
 
 As soon as the Crows had completed thr'ir purchases, 
 I started them up the Big Horn on their way back, 
 with the promise that I would rejoin them in a few 
 (lays. I then took a boat filled with goods, and twenty 
 men, and dropped down the river until we came across 
 a beautiful location for the new fort. We then return- 
 
:jo4 
 
 AITOHIOUUAI'IIY UF 
 
 cd, and removed the eftccts of the present tort to tin 
 new .site, and then inuncdiately net altont (!onHtructiiiL; 
 a new post. VVe nieasnred oH'onc htnuU-ed and eighty 
 yardH square, whicli we inclosed as ([uickly as possihir 
 witli liewn timber eigliteen feci higli, and of suthcicnt 
 thickness to resist a ritle hall : all the houses required 
 i'or the accommodation of the inmates were conmiodious- 
 \y constnicted inside. 
 
 Having finished the constniction of the fort, T gave 
 full instructions for the management of its affairs, and 
 then departed for the village, where my ])resence was 
 required to incite the Indians to devote themselves to 
 trapping and hunting buffalo, for which service I was 
 paid by the American Fin* Com})any. 
 
 As I was about starting, a deputation of fifty As- 
 ne-boines came to the post, leaving a letter from Mr. 
 M'Kenzie at the lower fort addressed to me, requesting 
 me to constrain the ^ 3-ne-boines into a treaty of peace; 
 with the Crows, in order that their incessant wars might 
 be brought to a close, and the interests of the company 
 less interfered with. Had they anived earlier, while 
 the village was present at the old fort, I would have 
 immediately called a council of the nation, and had tlio 
 business settled. I seriously regretted their inoppor- 
 tune arrival, as it not only delayed the conclusion of 
 the proposed peace, which was in every way desirable, 
 ])ut it woTild have saved me a very hazardous and anx- 
 ious journey with the whole deputation of hostile In- 
 dians on our way to the village, where I had but one; 
 companion as a guarantee for my security. I was aware 
 that the Indians remembered many a hovse-bor7'owi?}r/ 
 adventure wherein I had taken an active part, and I 
 had had too much experience of Indian character not 
 to appreciate to the full the imminent danger I incurred 
 
./AMES I*. IJKt'KWOrUTH. 
 
 ;i06 
 
 in trusting myaelt* with thin band of savages in our in- 
 tended journey across tlio wildonioss. 
 
 Mr. Kean, a native of Ma sachusetts, was my com- 
 panion on this excursion. \Vc started on foot, in com- 
 ])any with tiic party of As-ne-boines. Every tiling 
 went well imtil our fourth day out. We were travel- 
 ing leisurely along, the Indiana in close conversation 
 among themselves, of which I understood but little — not 
 rnough to make out the subject of their consultation, 
 though I mistmsted 1 formed the matter of their dis- 
 course. One of the chiefs and his son were a few rods 
 in advance, in close conversation. The party at length 
 halted, and sat down on the gi-ass to smoke. jVly com- 
 panion, unsuspicious of evil, started on to kill buffalo 
 while the party rested. The chief and his son, who 
 were in advance, returned, and passed one on each side 
 of me. I instantly heard a gun-click, which 1 felt cer- 
 tain was the soimd of cocking it. 1 turned my head, 
 and saw the chief's son with his piece leveled ready to 
 shoot. I sprang to my feet, and grasped the barrel of 
 his gun just as he discharged it, the load passing into 
 the air. I drew my battle-axe, and raised it to strike 
 tlie treacherous rascal down ; but a chief aiTCsted my 
 ann, saying, as nearly as I could understand him, 
 " Hold 1 Don't strike him : he is a fool !" 
 
 A general melee then ensued among the party ; high 
 words were bandied, and there seemed an equal divi- 
 sion among them on the propriety of taking my life. 
 By this time I had withdrawn a few yards, and stood 
 facing them, with my rifle ready cocked. On hearing 
 the report, my companion ran back, and, seeing how 
 matters stood, exclaimed, "There is a fort just ahead, 
 let us run and get into it ; we can then fight the whole 
 parcel of the treacherous devils." 
 
306 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 We started for it, but the Indians were ahead of us ; 
 they arrived there first, and took possession of it, and 
 again had a long confab, while we remained at their 
 mercy outside. The party opposed to killing me ap- 
 peared greatly to predominate, and we were not again 
 molested, though neither I nor Mr. Kean slept one mo- 
 ment during the ensuing night. In the morning wo 
 started on our way, but v/e kept strict watch on their 
 movements. The following afternoon I discovered two 
 Indians on the hill-side, and, although they were at a 
 great distance, I conceived them to be Crows, most like- 
 ly spies from the village, which proved to be the case. 
 No one had seen them but myself, and I imparted my 
 discovery to my friend. I then told the head chief, 
 who well understood the Crow language, that we were 
 near the Crow village, and that if any of them should 
 visit our camp during the night, he must be sure to call 
 me before he suffered any of liis people to speak to them, 
 or they would be all inevitably massacred. He accord- 
 ingly issued orders to that purport to all his men, and 
 erected his lodge in front of the party, so as to be the 
 first inquired of by the Crows. I and my partner then 
 lay down, and soon w< o somid asleep. 
 
 About midnight the chief shook me, and informed 
 me the Crows were coming. A host of warriors 
 swarmed around our encampment, and, pointing their 
 guns at the camp, said, "What people are you ? Bud- 
 da-ap-sa-ro-kee" (we are Sparrowhawks). 
 
 " Go back," I replied ; "I have other people with 
 me, who are come to make peace." 
 
 On hearing my voice, which they readily recognized, 
 they retired. 
 
 The next morning we moved on and met the vil- 
 lage, who were approaching- toward us. The As-nc- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 307 
 
 boiriGS, on seeing such a host, began to tremble. Our 
 soldiers came driving along, my brave Dog Soldiers 
 ineffectually striving to keep them back ; for, as they 
 restrained them in one place, thf^y broke through in 
 another, until the warriors rode almost upon the toes 
 of their guests. A council was shortly called to listen 
 to the arguments of the envoye extraordinaire from 
 the As-ne-boine nation. Several of the council ap- 
 plied to me for my sentiments on the subject, but I 
 deferred it to the collective wisdom of the nation. 
 
 When I had at first arrived, like many another fool- 
 ish man, I mentioned to my wife the narrow escape 
 of my life I had just made, and she, like many an- 
 other foolish woman, unable to contain herself, re- 
 lated the information to Pine Leaf, who was her bosom 
 friend. While the council were busy deliberating, and 
 some explanatory statements had been liste^ied to re- 
 garding a matter which I supposed would nave afford- 
 ed no food for discussion, the heroine entered the as- 
 sembly. 
 
 "Warriors!" she said, "you are assembled here, I 
 believe, to deliberate on peace or war with the As-ne- 
 hoines. In coming to our village with the Medicine 
 Calf, they attempted to take his life, and came very 
 near accomplishing their end. Will you conclude 
 peace with a people who possess such base hearts ? I 
 do not believe you will." 
 
 Such an instantaneous change of countenance in an 
 assembly was never before seen. Pine Leaf, the na- 
 tion's favorite, had spoken, and, as usual, had spoken 
 to the purpose. Though a woman, her influence was 
 every where strongly felt, even in council. She had 
 !i gift of speech which the bravest warriors might well 
 cr\yj ; she was ever listened to with admiration, and 
 
308 
 
 AUTOBIOaRAPHY OF 
 
 in truth, though young, her judgment on all important 
 matters was generally guided by sound sense. 
 
 Every eye in the assembly flashed fiie at the intel- 
 ligence of this contemplated treachery, and was direct- 
 ed first upon me and then upon the As-ne-boines. 1 
 immediately arose and said, 
 
 "Warriors! I conducted these people to our vil- 
 lage because they said they were anxious to make 
 peace with us. "While on the road, one young As-ne- 
 boine, whom they declared to be a fool, attempted to 
 shoot me, but the others interfered to prevent him, and 
 were soiTy for what he had done. This was no delib- 
 erate treachery ; it was the folly of the young man, 
 and the party showed their friendly intention by their 
 prompt interference. Do not allow this to make any 
 ditficulty in the way of a peace with the As-ne-boines." 
 
 My obligation to the Fur Company made it my 
 duty to smooth the matter over, for at this moment 
 the slightest whisper from me would have sufficed to 
 hack the whole deputation to pieces in a moment. 
 
 The council held a short consultation together, and 
 the first councilor arose and thus addressed himself to 
 the chief of the As-ne-boines : 
 
 " As-ne-boines ! you behold that chief (pointing to 
 me)? Our women and all our warriors carry him hero 
 (holding out his left hand, and indicating the palm with 
 a finger of his right hand); he is our chief; he is our 
 great chief; he and his brother (Long Hair), who sits 
 by him, are the two great chiefs of our nation. It is 
 he who has made us great and powerful ; it i^ he whc 
 has rendered us the terror of other nations ; it is ho 
 who, by living with his white friends for many win- 
 ters, and knowing them all, has brought us guns and 
 ammunition, and taught our young men how to uro 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUKTH. 
 
 309 
 
 lortant 
 
 J Intel- 
 direct- 
 les. 1 
 
 ur vil- 
 ► make 
 As-nc- 
 pted to 
 ini, and 
 delib- 
 g man, 
 by their 
 ake any 
 boines." 
 3 it my 
 moment 
 tfficed to 
 ent. 
 
 ler, and 
 mself to 
 
 nting to 
 lim hero 
 ilm with 
 le is ouv 
 who sits 
 It is 
 he wlic 
 it is ho 
 iTiy win- 
 uns and 
 
 to UPO 
 
 them. It is he who has built us a fort, where we can 
 at all times go and buy every thing we require. He 
 loves the white man, and has made all the whites to love 
 us. We tight fo' the whites, and kill their enemies, be- 
 cause they are ihe friends of our chief. If you had 
 killed him, our nation would have mourned in blood. 
 
 " Listen, As-ne-boines ! If you had killed our chief, 
 our whole nation would have made war on you, and 
 we would have put out your last lire, and have killed 
 the last man of your nation. We would have taken 
 possession of your hunting-grounds ; our women would 
 have become warriors against you; wq would luxve 
 hunted you as we hunt the wild beasts. Now go ! we 
 will not harm you. Go! W"e will sleep to-night; 
 but we will not make peace until we sleep, and our 
 liearts have considered upon it. Come to us again 
 when your hearts arc clean : they are foul now ; and 
 Avhen you come, you must have your tongues straight. 
 You are poor ; you have no horses. We have plenty, 
 and will give you horses. I have done. Go!" 
 
 They made no reply, but went straightway out of 
 the lodge. A horse was furnished to each man ; those 
 who were without guns received one, and several arti- 
 cles were presented to them by our women. *'Go! 
 go! go!" was dinned in their ears from all present; 
 and, accordingly, they went. 
 
 They proceeded immediately to the trading-post, 
 where they ga^ e a stirring narrative of what they had 
 seen. They told them they had seen many chiefs, but 
 never one approaching to the great Crow chief; that 
 all his people loved him ; that when he entered the 
 village, all the children ran up to him, and shook him 
 by the hand ; and that they had never seen a chief so 
 much respected b}* his warriors and all his people. 
 
310 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 They lold how, when I arrived, I was presented with 
 the host war-liorsc they had ever seen ; that he had 
 two panther-skins on his saddle, and a collar about 
 his neck trimmed with bears' claws, and a bridle sur- 
 passing all they had ever heard of. They said that 
 they would all have been killed on their approach to 
 the village, as the Crows came to the camp during the 
 night ; but that the great chief only spoke one word, 
 and the tribe was stilled, and departed in a moment. 
 Not a word did they mention about their attempt on 
 my life. They merely said that the Crows would not 
 make peace with them^ but had wished to treat again 
 with them at some future time. I suspect they must 
 have told marvelous tales when they reached home, 
 for we were not troubled with them any more for a 
 long time. 
 
 The Crows have something of the Gallic tempera- 
 ment : they must have excitement , no matter whence 
 derived, although the excitement of war suits them by 
 far the best. They were again clamorous for war, 
 they did not care against whom, and I alone must lead 
 them, as my presence was a guarantee of success. 
 Many of my friends opposed my going. My father's 
 medicine told him that I should meet with a great dis- 
 aster. My wife pleaded with me to remain. Even the 
 heroine, who never before showed reluctance to engage 
 in war, had forebodings of disaster, and earnestly en- 
 treated me to stay. But I had previously given my 
 word to my warriors, and had selected one hundred 
 and fifty-four of my best followers to engage in an ex- 
 pedition. I must confess that if I had obeyed my own 
 feelings, or, rather, if I had attended to my own mis- 
 givings, I should certainly have staid at home. What 
 motive prompted me to go ? and what gain could pos- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 311 
 
 sibly accrue to mixing with savages in their intestine 
 broils with other savages ? 
 
 However, we started. Little White Bear, as brave 
 11 warrior as ever drew bow-string, was my second in 
 command, and Pine Leaf was one of the number. We 
 started for the Black Foot territory, traveling by way 
 of the fort, where we staid three days. They had al- 
 ready finished their pickets, and the work was progress- 
 ing finely. There were fifty men employed upon it. 
 
 Mr. TuUeck inquired where I was going. I told him 
 tliat my warriors wanted employment, and, to gratify 
 them, I was going to the Black Foot country in quest 
 of scalps or horses. He said, " For God's sake, do 
 not go, Jim ! I have a presentiment that a great ca- 
 lamity awaits you — that I shall never see you again. 
 For your own safety, turn back to the village, or rest 
 liere." 
 
 Many of my friends, who were working at the fort, 
 expressed the same sentiments ; all mentioned a fore- 
 boding that, if I should venture into the Black Foot 
 country with my little force, I should infallibly be cut 
 to pieces. I thought such despondency only natural, 
 since they had been so badly harassed with the enemy 
 that their fears magnified the danger. Still it was sin- 
 giUar that both civilized and savage should give way 
 to such forebodings. 
 
 The morning for our departure came ; my warriors 
 were impatient to get on. Some had galloped on 
 ahead, and were prancing and curveting, awaiting my 
 departure. I prepared my going with a heavy heart, 
 which ill fortified me against the representations of my 
 friends. I started, Mr. Tulleck and several of my friends 
 accompanying me a few rods. I bade them good-by : 
 my friend TuUeck's eyes filled with tears. I was 
 
312 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPF.Y OP 
 
 .seized with momentary hesitation: what did all thi« 
 j)ortcnd? I looked round for my moccasin-bearer; h(>, 
 Jiad gone on : this determined me ; I dashed off to my 
 waiTiors, resolved to listen to no such idle fears. 
 
 There was a young gentleman with me named Hunt- 
 ir, a Kentuckian, who, having a great curiosity to wit- 
 ness an Indian battle, insisted on joining in the expe- 
 dition. The first night that wc were encamped, behig 
 influenced by what I had heard all around me, and fear- 
 ing some disaster might happen to him among us, ] 
 begged of him to go back to the fort and await our re- 
 turn there. He refused to listen to me. We then of- 
 fered him as many of our best horses as he might wish 
 to select after our return, as an inducement for him to 
 l»c Jiired to go back. But all in vaui. "I have start- 
 ed witli you," he said, "and I will go ; if I am to lose 
 my life, there is no help for it." 
 
 My warriors did not wish him to go, as they feared 
 a white man might bring us bad luck. Some expressed 
 a fear that he might be killed with us, and that I should 
 tlien cry. He was a free trapper in the country, and 
 much respected at the fort. 
 
 We continued our course until we arrived at Little 
 Box Elder Creek. Here our spies discovered a Black 
 l^'oot village, which, from a cursory examination, we 
 (concluded consisted of but few lodges. At midnight 
 we abstracted a large drove of about seven hundred 
 horses, and started directly upon our return. We did 
 not drive so fast as is customary on such occasions, 
 for we thought that the few Black Feet that the village 
 contained could be easily disposed of, should they ven- 
 ture to molest us. 
 
 About ten the next morning, our spies, being about 
 six hundred yards in advance of us, signaled to us to 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 313 
 
 1 this 
 cr; Ik'. 
 to my 
 
 Hunt- 
 to wit- 
 i expe- 
 , being 
 id I'ear- 
 g us, 1 
 our re- 
 tlien ot- 
 ;lit wish 
 • him to 
 re start- 
 
 1 to lose 
 
 y feared 
 xpressed 
 I shouhl 
 try, and 
 
 lat Little 
 
 a Black 
 ition, we 
 
 lidnight 
 [hundred 
 
 Wc did 
 Iccasions, 
 
 le village 
 (hey ven- 
 
 about 
 to us to 
 
 hasten, as they Iiad discovered some men. Wc accel- 
 erated our speed, thinking there might he a chance of 
 adding a few scalj)s to our present booty. Having ad- 
 vanced a few liundred yards, we discoAered more Jilack 
 Veet than we liad bargained for, and I became aware 
 that a terrible battle must ensue. The whole scene 
 appeared alive with them, outnumbering us ten to one. 
 There was not a moment to lose. I directed all i-ic 
 boys to drive on the horses with the utmost speed pos- 
 sible, and to await us two days at the fort ; if we should 
 not arrive during that time, to go home and report to 
 the village that wc were all slain. I also requested Mr. 
 Hunter to select the best horse in the herd, and go with 
 the boys. But he refused, saying, if there was any 
 lighting in the wind, he wanted to have his hand in it. 
 I then endeavored to persuade the heroine to go, but 
 was answered with an emphatic "No!" 
 
 The boys started with the horses, but only succeed- 
 ed in reaching the fort with about two hundred. We 
 had a very poor chance for defending ourselves against 
 such an overwhelming force as was then before us in 
 an open field-fight. There was no fort, nor breast-work, 
 nor rocks, nor bushes to protect us, but we were ex- 
 posed to the storm of bullets and arrows that they pour- 
 ed upon us without ceasing. At last we discovered a 
 large hole in front of a hill, and we all leaped into it for 
 shelter. The enemy, confident of an easy victory, dis- 
 played great bravery for Black Feet. They charged 
 up to the very brink of our intrenchment, discharging 
 their volleys at us in lines, which, considering the ad- 
 vantage of their position, produced comparatively little 
 effect. One of my warriors repeatedly ran out of the 
 intrenchment alone, and drove all before him. Exas- 
 perated at my cursed misadventure, and absolutely sick- 
 
 O 
 
314 
 
 AUTUBlOaRAFHY OF 
 
 ening at tlic sceno of inouming we should occasion at 
 the village, I grew desperate, and lost all consideration 
 of sal'ety. I sprang from the gully, and rushed singly 
 among a crowd of besiegers ; wherever I advanced tlic 
 enemy drew Lack. It was truly astonishing to see 
 three or four hundred recede, and many of them fairly 
 run, as often as two or three of us showed ourselves at 
 the top of tiic bank, when they might have burned us to 
 death with the powder from the muzzles of their guns. 
 They seemed to be panic-stnick or bewildered. '^I'ho 
 warrior who had charged so often among them had his 
 thigh broken ; he then sat down and tantalized them. 
 He told them who he was, how many of their warriors' 
 scalps he had taken, and at what times ; how many of 
 their squaws and horses he had captured ; and then de- 
 sired them to come and finisli him, and take his scalp, 
 for it had long been forfeit to them. He reminded me 
 of the words of the poet, which I had read when at home: 
 
 " Remember the wood where in ambush we lay, 
 And the scalps which we bore from your nation away ; 
 Remember the arrows I shot from my bow, 
 And remember your chiefs by my hatchet laid low." 
 
 He was soon killed, being pierced with numerous ar- 
 rows and bullets. 
 
 An old brave in the pit exclaimed, *'Let us not stay 
 in this hole to be shot like dogs ; let us go out and 
 break through the ranks of the Black Feet. They can 
 not kill us all ; some will get away. I will go fore- 
 most; I can break through their ranks alone." 
 
 Some hundreds of the enemy had climbed the hill, as 
 they could not half of them get to the side of the pit, 
 and thence they showered volleys of stones upon us, 
 which annoyed us more than their bullets. At length. 
 Little White Bear desired the old brave to lead, and we 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 315 
 
 n at 
 tioii 
 ngly 
 L tl'e 
 sec 
 airlv 
 cs at 
 VIS to 
 
 The 
 id liis 
 them, 
 rriors' 
 iny of 
 en de- 
 scalp, 
 led nie 
 home: 
 
 ay; 
 
 ■ous ar- 
 
 ^ot stay 
 )ut and 
 ley can 
 TO fore- 
 
 1 hill, as 
 [the pit, 
 Jpon us, 
 
 length, 
 and we 
 
 would follow and break tlirough their line. I request- 
 ed Hunter to keep as near the front as possible wlien 
 we made the charge, as he Avould incur less danger of 
 being cut dovvn. lie took his place accordingly. Out 
 we rushed from the pit, the old warrior leading the way, 
 and liewing down right and left, until the enemy finally 
 opened tlieir column and suffered ua to pass through. 
 We left twenty-four of our party behind, either killed 
 in the pit, or cut down in forcing their column. I was 
 near the rear, and, after passing a short distance from 
 their line, I came upon poor Hunter, who Iiad his back 
 broken by a ball, and was in a dying condition. I ask- 
 ed him if he was badly hurt ; he answered, " Yes, I am 
 dying; go on and save yourself: you can do me no 
 good."' 
 
 When the Little Bear came up to him, he sat down 
 by his side and refused to leave him. He said, " I 
 will die with my white friend, and go with him to the 
 spirit land." 
 
 I looked and saw him fall over upon the body of 
 poor Hunter ; he was also killed. 
 
 Pine Leaf had cut her way through in advance of 
 me, and was dodging first one w^ay and then the other, 
 as she awaited for me to cut up. 
 
 " Why do you wait to be killed ?" she inquired. *'If 
 you wish to die, let us return together ; I will die with 
 you." 
 
 We continued our v treat for a few miles, but the 
 enemy no longer molested us ; he had not followed us 
 more than two hundred yards. We had left all our 
 robes behind us in the pit, that we might not be bur- 
 dened with them in our charge. The weather was ex- 
 tremely cold, and we halted to build a large fire, which 
 we rested by all night, warming one side at a time. 
 
ai6 
 
 AIITOBIOIJUAI'HY OF 
 
 The old l)ravc wlio led tlio uHaanlt loaf a son in the 
 Htrit'c ; lie continued to sing all the wjiy until he became 
 hoarse, and he could ning no more. 1 le prayed to the 
 Great Spirit to give him an op))ortunity to avenge his 
 loss, which ])rayer was accorded several times over dur- 
 ing the ensuing winter. The heroine lost one joint off 
 the little tinger of her right hand, amputated with a bul- 
 let ; the little tinger of her other hand she had cut off 
 at the death of her twin-brother. Fortunately, I had 
 saved my capote, and I gave it to her to wear, as she 
 was sufi'ering severely with the cold. We also killed 
 several buffaloes on our way to the fort, and made wrap- 
 pers of the raw hides for many of the men ; still a num- 
 ber were badly frozen in tlieir bodies and limbs. 
 
 This was my Russian campaign. I lost more men, 
 and suffered more from the cold on this expedition, than 
 in any other in which I had command either before or 
 {^ince. 
 
 The boys reached the fort with the horses before we 
 did. They had more than enough to mount us all on 
 our way home. There was great joy at the fort at our 
 return in such numbers, as they had supposed it im- 
 possible for one of us to escape. 
 
 When I left the lamented Hunter upon the field, he 
 said, " Jim, when you pass this way, I ask you to take 
 my bones to the fort, and have them buried. Write 
 home to my friends, and inform them of my fate. Good- 
 by ! Now go and save yourself." 
 
 " It shall be done," I said ; and the following spring 
 it was done as I had promised. 
 
 We resteJ. at the fort four or five days to recruit 
 ourselves. While staying there, a party of thirty war- 
 riors from Long Hair's village came to see how they 
 were progressing with the fort. There were some in 
 
 lar 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 317 
 
 I the 
 Kunie 
 
 the 
 V his 
 • (lur- 
 it off 
 ibul- 
 iitoff 
 
 1 had 
 IS she 
 killed 
 wrap- 
 L num- 
 
 e men, 
 n, than 
 tore or 
 
 fore we 
 all on 
 at our 
 it im- 
 
 ield, he 
 to take 
 Write 
 Good- 
 spring 
 
 recruit 
 ty war- 
 )w they 
 some in 
 
 my party who belonged to that villn,«;c, and they re- 
 turned witli them. Thoy also inlbrniod ns where our 
 village was, as it had been removed during our ab- 
 sence. Having provided ourselves with robes in the 
 place of those we had left behind, we started onward 
 with dejected feelings, and in deep mourning. 
 
 On our arrival we found the village likcnvise in 
 mourning. They had lost four warriors by the Black 
 Feet while resisting an attempt to steal our horses. 
 When informed of our disaster, there was a general re- 
 newal of their lamentations ; more fingers were lopped, 
 and heads again scarihed. The ^Medicine Calf had 
 been defeated, and for some lii<iden cause the Great 
 Spirit was again wroth with the (Jrows. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Meteoric Shower. — Its Effect upon the Indians. — Their Sacrifice to 
 the Great Spirit. — Continued Hostilities with the Black Feet. — A 
 Black Foot burned in the Crow Village. — Visit to the Fort. 
 
 In case any captious " elders of the congregation" 
 had been inclined to throw the blame of my recent dis- 
 aster upon my shoulders, I was provided witii a suffi- 
 cient portent to screen me from consequences. After 
 quitting the fort on our way to Little Box Elder (as be- 
 fore related), and while exhausting all my powers of 
 persuasion to induce Mr. Hunter to return, we observed 
 a remarkable meteoric shower, which filled us all (more 
 particularly my followers) with wonder and admiration. 
 This was at our first encampment after leaving the fort 
 in the latter end of October, 1832. Although my war- 
 riors were ready to face death in any form, this singu- 
 lar phenomenon appalled them. It was the >vrath of 
 
818 
 
 AUTOBIOaRAPHY OP 
 
 llio (Jronl ►Spirit Blioworod vinibly upon them, and they 
 looknl <o mo, in rpiality of niodicinc, chid', to intnrprot 
 tho -woiidor. t waH aa nuich struck with the prodig- 
 ious occTirronco, and was equally at a loss with my un- 
 tut(>rr(l followers to account for the s])cctacle. Kvi- 
 (Icntly 1 nnist augur some result therefrom, and my 
 dejected spirits did not prom])t nu*, to deduce a very 
 encouraging one. 1 thought of all the impostures that 
 arc practiee<l n])on the credulous, and my imjigination 
 suggested some brilliant figures lo my mind. 1 thought 
 of declaring to them that theCireat Spirit was pleased 
 with our expedition, and was lighting us on our way 
 with spirit lani})s ; or that these meteors were the spir- 
 its of our (le))artcd braves, coming to assist us in our 
 forthcoming tight. Hut 1 was not sanguine enough to 
 indulge in any attractive oratory. [ merely informed 
 them 1 had not time to consult my medicine, but that 
 on our return to the village I would interpret the mir- 
 acle to tliem in full. 
 
 On our arrival, I found the people's minds still agi- 
 tated with the ]n-odigy. All were speaking of it in 
 wonder and amazement, and my opinion was demand- 
 ed res])ecting the consequences it portended. Admon- 
 ished by my defeat, I had no trouble in reading the 
 stars. I informed them that our people had evidently 
 offended the (Ircat Spirit ; that it was because of his 
 wrath I had suffered defeat in my excursion, and re- 
 turned with the loss of twenty-three warriors. I thence 
 inferred that a sacrifice must be made to appease the 
 wrath of the Great Spirit, and recommended that a 
 solemn assembly be convened, and a national oblation 
 offered up. 
 
 I was fully confident that by thus countenancing 
 such pagan superstitions I was doing very wrong, but, 
 
 pie 
 
 wa^ 
 
 was 
 
JAMES V. BECKWOUKTII. 
 
 319 
 
 they 
 •yiret 
 )(lig- 
 r un- 
 Kvi- 
 l my 
 very 
 \ that 
 ation 
 aught 
 cased 
 r way 
 » apir- 
 in our 
 iish to 
 brmcd 
 it thjit 
 ic mir- 
 
 ill agi- 
 f it in 
 mand- 
 dmon- 
 ; the 
 dently 
 of his 
 [ind re- 
 thence 
 ase the 
 that a 
 blation 
 
 lancing 
 ng, but, 
 
 like many a more prominent staleaman in civilized 
 govcrnmentH, 1 had found that I must go witli the cur- 
 rent, and I reconnncnded a measure, not because it 
 was of a nature to benefit the country, but simply ])e- 
 cause it was popuhir with the mass. 
 
 Tlie camp in wliich we tlicn were was a mourning- 
 camp, in wliich medicine would have no ('(feet. There- 
 fore we moved to Sulphur River, ten miles distant, in 
 order to offer up our sacrifice. All the leading men 
 and braves assembled, and I was consulted as to the 
 kind of offering j)roj)er to make for the purpose of 
 averting the wrath that was consumine; us. 1 ordered 
 them to bring the great medicine kettle, which was of 
 brass, and capable of holding ten gallons, and was pur- 
 chased Jit a cost of twenty fine robes, and to polish it 
 as bright as the sun's face. This done, I ordered 
 them to throw in all their most costly and most highly- 
 prized trinkets, and whatsoever they cherished the 
 most dearly. It was soon filled with their choicest 
 treasures. Keepsakes, fancy work on which months 
 of incessant and patient toil had been expended, trin- 
 kets, jewels, rings so highly prized by them that the 
 costliest gems of emperors seemed poor by their side — 
 all these were thrown into the kettle, along with a 
 bountiful contribution of fingers, until it would hold 
 no more. I then had weights attached to it, and had 
 it carried to an air-hole in the ice where the river was 
 very deep, and there it was sunk with becoming cere- 
 mony. Three young maidens, habited like May 
 queens, carried the burden. 
 
 This gi'eat sacrifice completed, the minds of the peo- 
 ple were relieved, and the result of the next war-party 
 was anxiously looked forward to to see if our oblation 
 was accepted. Their crying, however, continued unar 
 
320 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 bated, so much to the derangement of my nervous sys- 
 tem that I was fain to retire from the village and seek 
 some less dolorous companionship. My bosom friend 
 and myself therefore started off unnoticed, and traveled 
 on without stopping until we came to a hill some 
 seven or eight miles distant. He was pre-eminently 
 a great brave, at all times self-possessed and unobtru- 
 sive. I always considered him as endowed with the 
 most solid sense, and possessing the clea^ est views of 
 any Indian in the nation. His spirits were generally 
 somewhat dejected, but that I attributed to the loss 
 of all his relatives. When I wished to enjoy a little 
 converse or sober meditation, he always was my chosen 
 companion, as there were qualities in his character 
 which interested me and assimilated with my own. 
 He never craved popularity, never envied the elevation 
 of others, but seemed rather to rejoice at another per- 
 son's success. He would listen to me for an entire 
 day when I spoke of my residence with the whites, 
 and told of their great battles, where thousands were 
 slain on both sides ; when I described their ships car- 
 rying immense guns capable of sweeping hundreds of 
 men away at a discharge ; and when I depicted to him 
 their forts, to which our forts for size or strength were 
 but as ant-hills. I then would tell him of the great 
 Atlantic Ocean, and the millions of white men living 
 beyond it ; of countries where there was no summer, 
 and others where there was no winter, and a thousand 
 otlier marvels, of which I never spoke to other warriors, 
 as their minds were too limited to comprehend me. 
 
 After listening to me with the deepest attention until 
 I would grow tired of talking, he would seem to be per- 
 fectly amazed, and would I e lost in a deep reverie for 
 f^ome time, as though endeavoring to raise his ideas to 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUUTH. 
 
 321 
 
 us sys- 
 [id seek 
 1 friend 
 raveled 
 il some 
 linently 
 .nobtrii- 
 ^ith the 
 lews of 
 enerally 
 the loss 
 • a little 
 Y chosen 
 haraeter 
 ly own. 
 devation 
 ther per- 
 ,n entire 
 whites, 
 ids were 
 [lips car- 
 reds of 
 Id to him 
 th were 
 ,ie great 
 In living 
 summer, 
 liousand 
 rarriors, 
 
 me. 
 
 ion until 
 
 be per- 
 
 ^erie for 
 
 1 ideas to 
 
 a level with the vast matters he had been listening to. 
 Occasionally he would tell me of the traditions handed 
 down from generation to generation in the Indian race, 
 in which he was " elegantly learned." He told me of 
 the mighty tribes of men who had once inhabited this 
 vast continent, but were now exterminated by inter- 
 necine wars ; that their fathers had told them of a 
 great flood, which had covered all the land, except the 
 highest peaks of the mountains, where some of the in- 
 habitants and the buffaloes resorted, and saved them- 
 selves from destruction. 
 
 We were on a hill, as before mentioned, some seven 
 or eight miles from the village, engaged in one of these 
 long cosmographical discussions, when my companion, 
 chancing to turn his head, descried some object at a 
 great distance. Pointing it out to me with his finger, 
 " There is a people," he exclaimed. I looked in the 
 direction indicated, and saw a small party of Black 
 Feet approaching. 
 
 " Sit still," said I, " and let us see where they en- 
 camp ; w^e will have every one of them to-night." 
 
 We watched them until they halted at a couple of 
 small Indian forts, with which the country abounds, 
 and we saw they were soon joined by four or five oth- 
 ers who came from another direction, and who were ev- 
 idently scouts. From the direction which they came, 
 I saw they had not discovered our village. 
 
 "Now," said I, "let us return; we will have that 
 party. We will collect a few trusty warriors, and not 
 mention our discovery to a living soul, not even tell- 
 ing our warriors the errand we are upon until we get 
 within sight of the camp-fires of the enemy. Then 
 we will return with their scalps, and put an end to 
 this howling that deafens my ears." 
 
 02 
 
322 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 We started on our way to the village. I desired 
 him to select from his friends, and I would assemble 
 my own. 
 
 "No," said he, "my friends are fools. I don't want 
 them. But you collect your warriors, and I will be 
 one of them." 
 
 Accordingly, I went to my father, and desired him 
 to send for about seventy-five of my brothers and rel- 
 atives, and tell them the Medicine Calf wished to see 
 them ; but I charged him not to tell them they were 
 going a vay from the village. As they mustered one 
 at a time, I acquainted them that I wanted them to 
 leave tiie village singly and with the utmost secrecy, 
 to meet me with their guns and battle-axes at a cer- 
 tain hour and in such a place, and in the mean time to 
 answer no word to whatever question might be asked 
 them. 
 
 At the appointed hour I repaired to the post, and 
 found them all in readiness. I then marched them to 
 the place of attack. When we arrived within sight of 
 our foes we found them all very merry ; they were sing- 
 ing the Wolf Song, or Song of the Spies, they having 
 no suspicion that they were so near to the Crow vil- 
 lage. We went cautiously up to the forts, which were 
 but a few yards apart ; and while they were yet sing- 
 ing we pointed our guns, and, at a signal given by me. 
 all lired. The whole party were slain ; their notes 
 were cut short in death. Taking their scalps (nineteen 
 in number) and guns, we reached our village by day- 
 light, and entered it singing, dancing, and shouting. 
 
 The village was aroused, and men, women, and chil- 
 dren came running from all directions to learn the cause 
 of the disturbance. We displayed our nineteen scalps, 
 and I took to myself full credit for the force of my 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 328 
 
 nble 
 
 want 
 11 be 
 
 L him 
 d rel- 
 ;o see 
 
 were 
 id one 
 em to 
 icrecy, 
 a cer- 
 ime to 
 
 asked 
 
 st, and 
 hem to 
 ;htof 
 e sing- 
 having 
 ow vil- 
 2h were 
 3t sing- 
 hy me. 
 r notes 
 lineteen 
 y day- 
 ting, 
 d chil- 
 iie cause 
 scalps, 
 of my 
 
 medicine in divining where to find the foe, and cogni- 
 zance was taken of the fact in the medicine lodse. 
 We liad five days' dancing to do full justice to this 
 brilliant achievement, and I had become so tired of 
 their continual mourning that their savage yells of de- 
 light seemed quite a luxury. 
 
 One i.iglit a party of Black Feet came to borrow 
 some of our horses, and liappened to be caught in the 
 fact. Tlie alarm was given, the marauders fired upon, 
 and one of them had his leg broken by a ball. He 
 was found the next morning, unable to get awaj^; but 
 lie sat up and defended himself until he had shot his 
 last arrow. He was then brought into the village, and 
 it was decided to burn him. A large fire was built, 
 which was surrounded by hundreds, and when the fire 
 was well burnt up the poor fellow was thrown in. 
 This was the first act of the kind I had ever known 
 the Crows to commit ; but there was no preventing it. 
 It is an appalling sight to behold a human being, or 
 even an inferior animal, perish in the flames ; I trust 
 my eyes may never witness such another scene. To 
 see the writhing agony of the suffering wretch when 
 cast into the darting flames, and hear his piercing 
 slu-ieks as the blaze gradually envelops his whole 
 body, until the life is scorched out of the victim, and 
 he falls prostrate among the logs, soon to become a 
 charred mass of cinders undistinguishable from the el- 
 ement that consumed it — it is indeed a sight only fit 
 for savages to look at. 
 
 I learned this one truth while I was with the In- 
 dians, namely, that a white man can easily become an 
 Indian, but that an Indian could never become a white 
 man. Some of the very worst savages I ever saw in 
 the Rocky Mountains were white men, and I could 
 
:^24 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 mention their names and expose some of their deeds, 
 but they have most probably gone to their final ac- 
 count before this. 
 
 Our village now moved on toward the fort to pur- 
 chase our spring supplies. Both villages could only 
 raise forty packs of beaver and nineteen hundred pa-^ks 
 of robes ; but for tlicir continual wars, tiiey could as 
 easily have had ten packs for one. But it is impos- 
 sible to confine an Indian to a steady pursuit — not even 
 fighting ; after a while he will even tire of that. It is 
 impossible to control his wayward impulses ; applica- 
 tion to profitable industry is foreign to his nature. He 
 is a vagrant, and he must wander ; he has no associa- 
 tions to attach him to one spot ; he has no engendered 
 habits of thrift or productiveness to give him a constant 
 aim or concentration of purpose. 
 
 Both villages at length assembled at the new fort, 
 and our spring trading was briskly entered into. We 
 rested for over a week, and I then proposed moving, as 
 the time was approaching for our building a new medi- 
 cine lodge. The night preceding our proposed depart- 
 ure, thieves were discovered among our horses ; the 
 alarm was given, and a party went in pursuit. They 
 returned with six Sioux scalps, and two of our own 
 men wounded. The remainder of the rascals succeed- 
 ed in getting away with sixteen of our animals, we not 
 considering them worth follo^ving after. 
 
 We then postponed oiu* departure four days, and de- 
 voted ourselves to noise and festivity. The welkin 
 ning with our shouts, and the fort shook with the thun- 
 der of our earthquake step. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 32/ 
 
 ;> 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Removal to our Tobacco-ground.-Expedition to the Arrap-a-hos for 
 Horses. -Discovered, and the Party scattered. - Wanderings for 
 fourteen Months.-Return at last amid tremendous Rejoicing 
 
 We left tlic fort, and proceeded toward our tobacco- 
 ground. We planted the seed, and spent a short time 
 m festivity. It was deemed inexpedient to build a 
 medicine lodge this season, as all the business could be 
 transacted in a temporary one. 
 
 Our stock of horses being greatly diminished, we 
 deemed this a fitting time to try and replenish it, and 
 various small parties sallied out for that purpose. I 
 left with only seventeen wan-iors for the country of the 
 Arrap-a-hos, situated on the head-waters of the Arkan- 
 sas. On arriving at their village we found a great 
 number of horses, upon which we made a descent; but 
 we were discovered before we could lay our hands on 
 any, and had to scatter in all directions in our effort to 
 escape. One of our party had his leg broken with a 
 rifle ball, but he did not fall into the enemy's hands, as 
 lie crawled away and secreted himself. Two months 
 subsequently he found his way home, with his leg near- 
 ly healed. He stated that, after receiving his wound, 
 he plunged into the river, which flowed close by, and 
 swam to an island, there concealing himself in a thick 
 brush. The enemy moved away the next day, and 
 lie swam back to thdr camping-ground, where he found 
 an abundance jf meat, which he carried over to his 
 quarters; upon this he fared sumptuously until he 
 
.n2() 
 
 AITTOniOGRAPHY OF 
 
 was .strong enough to walk; then Jio made hia way 
 home. 
 
 I saw tlie villag<' move the next monn'ng, and, gath- 
 eri. <2' t'our ot'mv scattered eompanions, I followed tiie en- 
 emy at a respectt'nl (Ustance until they oneamped lor the 
 next night. We then made another descent upon their 
 J'old, anil sneeeeded in obtaining eaeh man a horse. Wi; 
 saw no more ot' the remains of our ]»arty until Ave re- 
 lunKvl to our village upward of a year suhs(M|uently. 
 
 Wo eame to the resolution to quit the .\rra|)-a-lioa, 
 and pay the Snakes a visit. On reaeliing them avc 
 found horses in ahundanee, and could have levied upon 
 them for any numl)er; hut, being at ])eace with tlie 
 trihc, we contented ourselves with exchanging our jaded 
 and foot-sore animals for tive tVcsh ones from their drove. 
 Here we drop|)ed an arrow, and they recogni/,c(l it for 
 a Crow arrow reaihly ; Ave also ])ut on new moccasins, 
 and left our old ones behind us. AMien the Snakes 
 i'ell in Avith the CroAvs some time after, they charged 
 them Avith stealing their horses, Avhich charge tlie C/roAVS 
 strenucmsly denied. '^IMie Snakes ])ersisted, and, to 
 contirm their accusation, produced the arroAV and the 
 abandoninl n\occasins. This satistied the Crows thai 
 it nmst he some of the Arrap-a-ho expedition, and hopes 
 of our sat'ety Avere revived. 
 
 From the Snakes Ave ])assed on to tlie Flat Head 
 territory, Avhere avc found thousands of horses, but felt 
 ourselves under the same moral restrictions as Avith the 
 Snakes. Vccordingly, aa'G merely exchanged again, and 
 again left hvc pairs of moccasins. Subsequently they 
 made the same charge against the CroAA^s, and accused 
 them of infringing the treaty. The CroAvs again plead- 
 ed innocence, and a&ain the moccasins convicted them 
 of their guilt. They, however, resorted to diplomatic 
 
JAMES P. nECKWOlIRTU. 
 
 327 
 
 fjiessr,, aiul ..:' a|)])rul to .'iriiiH was averted. Again 
 tlu;ir liOj)os were rekindled of .seeing us once more. 
 
 We tlien took a notion to pay tiic Coutnees a fly- 
 ing visit, where we made another exchange. Wc could 
 have taken all the horses we wanted, hut, to get home 
 witli them, we must have taken a wide circuit, or have 
 passed through the lerritory of two hostile nations. 
 "We next moved lo the As-ne-boine Iliver, which emp- 
 ties into Hudson's Bay. Here we borrowed one hund- 
 red and fifty head of hne horses from the Blood Indians, 
 and started on our way home. Wc arrived, without 
 accident, at the IMussel Shell liiver, within one day's 
 ride of our own people, where wc encamped, intending 
 to reach liome the next day ; but that night the Crows 
 swept away every liorse we had, not even leaving us 
 one for our own use. AV' c nmst liave slept very sound- 
 ly during the night ; indeed, wc were all greatly fa- 
 tigued, for we did not hear a single movement. In 
 getting our liorses, they glorified themselves over hav- 
 ing made a glorious haul from the JMack Feet. 
 
 Not liking to be foiled in our resolution to return 
 home with a respectabki accompaniment of horses, we 
 retraced our steps to tlie As-ne-boine River, intending 
 to start another drove. On our return we found our 
 friends had left, and had crossed to the other side of 
 tiie mountain. Wc followed on, but delayed so long 
 on the western slope, that the heavy snow-storms now 
 falling cut off all possibility of returning home before 
 spring ; therefore we built a comfortable lodge in what 
 was called Sweet jMountain, in a cafion, where we 
 could kill a buffalo every day, the skins of which, cov- 
 ered entirely over our lodge, made a very agreeable 
 abode for the winter. We also killed several large 
 wolves, and dressed their skins in the nicest manner. 
 
328 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 We likewise took three Black Foot scalps. The In- 
 dians whose horses we had been in pursuit of, after 
 having roamed about considerably, had gone into win- 
 ter quarters only twelve or lifteen miles distant ; their 
 smoke was visible from our lodge. On the return of 
 spring we visited our neighbors' camp, and selected 
 one hundred and twenty head of sucli horses as wc 
 thought would stand the journey. We then returned 
 over the mountain, and reached as far as the Judith in 
 safety, which was within three days' ride of the village. 
 We were greatly fatigued, and halted to encamp for the 
 night and rest our jaded horses. Agair the Crows 
 stripped us of every horse, leaving us on fcot once 
 more. Resolved not to be beat, we determined to try 
 our luck a third time before we returned to our village. 
 I told my four companions that my medicine promised 
 me success, and that when we did eventually get home 
 we should be able to see what amount of aifection was 
 felt toward us by our people, by ascertaining how 
 much crying had been done for us. 
 
 I had no doubt w'e had been mourned as dead, for 
 we had been absent above a year. During this time, 
 we subsequently learned, there had been great mourn- 
 ing for us, and many had cut off their hair. My fa- 
 ther, however, still persisted that I was alive, and 
 would some day return, and he would allow none of 
 his family to cut off their fingers for me. At the time 
 the Flat Heads went in wuth their complaint, they 
 were about to elect another chief to fill my place ; but 
 when they saw tlie five pairs of moccasins produced, 
 they knew they must have had Crow wearers, and 
 their hopes were revived of again seeing us, and tlie 
 election ceremony was postponed. My father would 
 have no steps taken toward filling my vacant place be- 
 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOIRTH. 
 
 321) 
 
 fore tlie erection of the next medicine lodge. He said 
 he did not know where his Calf hud rambled, and it 
 was his firm belief that in the course of time he would 
 ramble home again. 
 
 When we reached the As-ne-boine for the third time, 
 we found that our friends who had accommodated us 
 with the two previous droves of horses had gone over 
 the irountain, and passed down that river to Fort Row, 
 one of the Hudson's Bay trading-posts. By the ap- 
 pearance of their trail we judged that they had been 
 joined by other villages, probably from the Coutnees 
 and Pa-gans, all on their way to the trading-post for 
 tlie purchase of their spring supply of goods. Wo 
 followed their trail for several days, which grew fresh- 
 er and fresher, until one afternoon we came suddenly 
 upon a horse. We were at that time in thick timber, 
 with a dense growth of underbrush, and thousands of 
 wild pea-vines about. 
 
 On seeing the horse we halted suddenly. On look- 
 ing farther around, we discovered horses of all colors 
 and stripes, ring-streaked and speckled. Shortly the 
 sound of voices reached our ears. In an instant we 
 stooped down and crept under the almost impenetra- 
 ble vines, nor did we venture to move from our hiding- 
 place until night. We could distinctly hear the chat- 
 ter of men, women, and children around us, and some 
 of the squaws came most dangerously near when gath- 
 ering tire-wood for their camp-fires. We could occa- 
 sionally peep out, and we saw in those glimpses that 
 they had beautiful horses, and, besides, that they were 
 in good traveling condition. We then felt no doubt 
 that the Coutnees were in company, since they al- 
 ways prided themselves in spotted horses, as Jacob 
 of old took pride in spotted cattle. In that encamp- 
 
330 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ment it so little entered into their heads to anticipate 
 nioleatation that they had placed no ho»se-guards to 
 keep watch. 
 
 Tlie noise of the horses in tearing through the pea- 
 vines assisted us materially in our nocturnal enter- 
 prise. We selected two hundred and eighty of their 
 largest, strongest,, ar ^ handsomest cattle, with which 
 we lost no time in making direct for Crow-land ; nor 
 did we venture to give rest to their hoofs until a jour- 
 ney, continued through three days and nights, placed 
 what we considered a safe distance between us. We 
 then ventured to encamp for the niglit, to afford to the 
 poor tired-out animals an opportunity to rest for a 
 while, but starting off at early dawn to preclude all 
 possibility of recapture. 
 
 On the fifth day we discovered an Indian a short 
 ^stance from our trail, who was coming in an oblique 
 direction toward us. lie stopped on the hill-side at 
 some little distance off, and motioned for us to ap- 
 proach him. Supposing him to be a Crow, I desired 
 my companions to drive on, while I went to see what 
 he wanted. When I had approached within a few 
 yards of him, he put on an air of surprise, and placed 
 his hand to his shoulder with the intention of drawing 
 his bow. I sprang upon him instantly and cut him 
 down, and despoiled him of his scalp and quiver. 
 When about to leave to overtake my companions, I 
 perceived the distant smoke of a Black Foot village sit- 
 uated immediately in the direction that we were jour- 
 neying, and it was beyond doubt that the Indian I 
 had just killed was a spy belonging to that village. 
 He must have mistaken us for some of his own tribe, 
 and only discovered his mistake when I approached 
 near enough for him to distinguish my features. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 3:n 
 
 ticipate 
 ards to 
 
 the pca- 
 l entcr- 
 of their 
 ii which 
 nd ; nor 
 I a jour- 
 5, placed 
 IS. We 
 •d to the 
 !St for a 
 jlude all 
 
 . a short 
 I oblique 
 l-side at 
 s to ap- 
 [ desired 
 see what 
 in a few 
 id placed 
 ' drawing 
 cut him 
 quiver, 
 anions, I 
 illage sit- 
 rere jour- 
 Indian I 
 t village, 
 wn tribe, 
 (proached 
 Ires. 
 
 My companions returning to mc, wo altered our 
 course, and passed over a mountain covered with deep 
 snow, so hard, liowever, that we passed it without los- 
 ing a horse. Tliis was one of the spurs of tlie Eocky 
 ]\Iountains, and covered with perpetual snows. 
 
 After sixteen days of almost incessant travel day 
 and night, we came in siglit of our village just as the 
 sun was sinking behind the distant mountains. We 
 approached within a mile of the village, and encamped 
 under a small hill, as yet unperceived by our people, 
 for the hill in the shelter of which we lay was between 
 ourselves and the village. It was now the latter end 
 of June (I think), in the year 1834. 
 
 After resting a while, T thought to get some tobac- 
 co, to indulge in a smoke before making our grand 
 entree, at the same time requesting my companions 
 to keep a sharp look-out, and see that the Crows did 
 not steal our horses again. Finally, three of us en- 
 tered incog., and smoked with several of the old men, 
 not one of whom recognized us or once thought of us. 
 We passed all through the village, looking leisurely 
 about us ; the streets were full of people, yet not one 
 bestowed a thought on us. When it became some- 
 what late, and the inhabitants had principally retired, 
 I dismissed my two companions to the camp, telling 
 them I would get some tobacco, and rejoin them in a 
 short time. I then entered the lodge of one of my 
 wives, who was asleep in bed. I shook her by the 
 arm, and aroused her. 
 
 Waking, she inquired, " Who is this in the lodge ?" 
 
 I answered, "It is your husband." 
 
 "I never had but one husband," she replied, "and 
 he is dead." 
 
 "No,"saidI, "lamhe." 
 
a32 
 
 AUTOBIOQRAJMIY OF 
 
 " You arn not dead, 'lien, ns we liave believed?" 
 
 "No," I said; "I have been wandering a long 
 ■while, and have only just returned." 
 
 *' VVe all mourned you," .she continued, *' many 
 moona ago, and wc all mourn you now every day. 
 VVe believed that the enemy had killed you." 
 
 " No," I said, " [ escaped. I have now brouglit 
 home a large drove of beautiful spotted horses, and it" 
 you will do as 1 wish you, you shall have your choice 
 of the whole drove, and you will become a medicine 
 woman also." 
 
 " 1 will do what you wish me," she replied. 
 
 " Well, 1 want you, when you get up in the morn- 
 ing, to re(|uest i\n\ village to refrain from crying for 
 one sun. Tell them that you dreamed that I eanio 
 lionu^. riding a large and spotted horse, having the oth- 
 er four men with me ; that wc had nearly three hund- 
 red of the most beautiful horses you evei saw, and 
 that we rode with large wolf-skins spread oi horses' 
 backs, mine being as white as the drifted snow." 
 
 She agreed to do all as I had bidden her; I then 
 left her lodge ; but, before quitting the village, I called 
 in at my father's lodge. All was still around, and, en- 
 tering on tip-toe, I reached down the medicine shield, 
 which no one but his wife or eldest son is privileged 
 to handle, and, opening it, 1 took out all his medicine 
 tobacco, carrying it back to the camp with me, and 
 then reidaced the shield upon its peg. I then return- 
 ed to our camp, and enjoyed a good smoke with my 
 companions, our spirits waxing elate at the surprise we 
 had in store. 
 
 Early the next morning, the woman, true to her 
 word, narrated her dream to the astonished inhabit- 
 ants, with whatever additions her own fancy suggest- 
 
.lAMKS I'. IIKCKWOIUTH. 
 
 333 
 
 a lono; 
 
 *♦ many 
 ry day. 
 
 I, ami if 
 ir choic.o. 
 iicdicino 
 
 le inorn- 
 rying for 
 L 1 canio 
 r the oth- 
 i-cc liuiul- 
 saw, aiul 
 • horses* 
 
 t)W. 
 
 I then 
 , I called 
 , and, cn- 
 nc shield, 
 privileged 
 medicine 
 I me, and 
 en return- 
 5 with my 
 urprise we 
 
 •ue to her 
 ;d inhabit- 
 y suggest- 
 
 ed. ]\Iy lather and niotlior lintenc'd attentively to her 
 revelation ; and, hotitre hIic, liad got througli with her 
 narrative, she iuul quite a nunicroiiH auditory, Wc 
 were watching the occurrence from the brow of the 
 Itill ; and, knowing she would have to rehearse her 
 vision several times before it was generally known 
 throughout the village, wc did not hurry to show our- 
 selves. 
 
 My fiither and motlicr, having heard her through, 
 turned and entered their lodge. Suddenly the medi- 
 cine shield caught my mother's eye — it had evidently 
 been moved. My father to^k it down and opened it 
 — tUe tobacco was gone. This 0})ened the "old gcn- 
 tlcnian's'' eyes. " It is well," he said ; " my son 
 lives I" and he believed the substance of the dream as 
 fervently as the prophetess who uttered it. The by- 
 standers, seeing his medicine so strong, and he be- 
 ginning to sing and dance, they all Joined in, until the 
 noise of their revelry reached us on our distant em- 
 inence. 
 
 Now was our time. We mounted our caparisoned 
 steeds, and, forming oursdves in procession, we com- 
 menced our grtand entree^ singing and shouting at the 
 top of our voices. Our tones are heard, and the vil- 
 lagers gaze around in surprise. "Hark I" they ex- 
 claimed; "look yonder! there are five men mounted 
 on large spotted steeds. Who are they ?" 
 
 All was hushed as the grave in the village, each 
 striving to catch the sound of oar distant strains. The 
 five horsemen disappeared as if by magic, and reap- 
 peared driving a large drove of horses before them of 
 all colors. The horsemen again pause on the summit. 
 "Hark! listen! they sing again ! Who can they be?" 
 
 Not a soul yet stirred from the village. We drove 
 
334 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 our horses down toward them, and left them there, 
 while we took a circuit around, displaying our scalps, 
 but still keeping over gunshot distance. The old men 
 came out to us, carrying drums; each of us took one, 
 and then we bounded away to the rear of our horses. 
 We raised a well-known song, and all listened to the 
 tones of the returning Medicine Calf. At length our 
 wives and relatives broke away from the throng, and 
 darted over the plain to meet us. They fairly flew 
 over the intervening space to welcome us in their arms. 
 A tall sister of mine outstripped the rest, and arrived 
 first, and immediately after my little wife was also by 
 my side. After a warm grouting exchanged with tliese, 
 the warriors came up, and saluted us with a shout that 
 would have aroused Napoleon's Old Guard from their 
 graves. We were lifted from our horses, and almost 
 denuded of our clothing, and carried by the impetuous 
 throng into the village. My father had painted his 
 face into an exact resemblance of Satan, in token of 
 his joy at my happy return. I was kissed and caress- 
 ed by my mother, sisters, and wives until I fairly gasp- 
 ed for breath. 
 
 Any person who has never beheld a real downright 
 rejoicing among savages can form buv a faint concep- 
 tion of their unrestrained manifestations ; words can 
 convey no adequate idea of it. Being untutored and 
 natural, and not restricted by any considerations of 
 grace or propriety, they abandon themselves to their 
 emotions, and no gesture is too exaggerated, no dem- 
 onstration too violent for them to resort to. 
 
 My friend, with many others, had given me up for 
 dead, and had adopted another in my place ; so that 
 there were now three of us who all knew one anoth- 
 er's secrets. Pine Leaf was overjoyed at my return. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 335 
 
 there, 
 5calps, 
 .d men 
 k one, 
 lorses. 
 to the 
 jth our 
 ig, and 
 ly flew 
 r arms, 
 arrived 
 also by 
 1 tljfise, 
 )ut that 
 m their 
 . almost 
 petuous 
 ited his 
 oken of 
 L caress- 
 ly gasp- 
 
 iwnright 
 concep- 
 )rds can 
 ored and 
 tions of 
 to their 
 no dem- 
 
 le up for 
 ; so that 
 18 anoth- 
 y return. 
 
 She had become confident of my death, and was only 
 waiting to ascertain the nation that had killed me in 
 order to revenge my loss, or be sacrificed to my ma- 
 nes. Couriers were immediately dispatched to the oth- 
 er village to acquaint them with our return, and to in- 
 vite them to participate in the celebrations of the event. 
 Long Hair returned for answer, " Tell my brother I 
 will fly to see him." They lost six warriors on their 
 way to our village, through carelessly straggling in de- 
 tached parties, consequently they came to us in mourn- 
 ing for their loss. 
 
 The two droves of horses which the Crows had re- 
 leased us of were all religiously returned. Those that 
 tlie captors had given away were promptly delivered 
 up, so that we were now in possession of a very nu- 
 merous drove. I distributed my share among my rel- 
 atives, friends, wives, and wives' relatives, until I had 
 only just enough for my own use. I gr.ve my fatlier 
 an elegant steed, the largest in the whole drove. To 
 the heroine I gave a spotted four-year-old, a perfect 
 beauty, one that I had intended for her as we were 
 driving them home. He proved to be a superior war- 
 horse, and there were but few among the thousands 
 that we possessed that could distance him with her 
 upon his back. She was very proud of him, and would 
 suffer no one but herself to ride hira. 
 
 It took me a long time to rehearse all our adven- 
 tures while away. I was required to do it very mi- 
 nutely and circumstantially — even to describe all our 
 camping-grounds, and relate every minute occurrence 
 that transpired during our long pilgiimage. 
 
 We had certainly incurred exceeding risk in the 
 route we had traveled; in recurring to it I marveled 
 at our escape. Any five men might start upon such 
 
336 
 
 AUTOBIOGllAl'HY OF 
 
 an adventure, and not one party in ten would ever re- 
 turn. I reflected, however, that I was a little more sa- 
 gacious than the Indians, and that I had my physical 
 faculties as well developed as theirs. I could see fully 
 as quick as they could, and ride as fast, if they under- 
 took to chase me in the mountains. 
 
 I now found that I had thousands of friends, wheth- 
 er attracted by my fancy horses or not, and that I was 
 the idol of my proud parents. The mother of Black 
 Panther always lived with my father, and if both sur- 
 vive, I presume she does to this day. I gave him the 
 child when it was quite young, to adopt as his son, 
 in obedience to his reiterated solicitations. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Excursion to the Fort. — Great Battle with the Cheyenncs on the 
 Way. — Rejoicing on my Arrival at the Fort. — Horses stolen by the 
 Cheyennes. — Pursuit and Battle with the Thieves. — Battle with the 
 Black Feet. — Return to our Village. 
 
 When the rejoicings were over, a council was call- 
 ed to deliberate on the future operations of the nation, 
 wherein the resolution was taken to keep united until 
 Leaf Fall. About the latter end of August I started 
 for the fort, taking with me thlree hundred and fifty 
 warriors, with as many women and children, among 
 whom was my little wife. While on our way thither, 
 we encamped one night on Fallen Creek, and lost up- 
 ward of fifty horses, stolen by the Cheyennes. We 
 pursued them with our whole force, and, soon overtak- 
 ing them, a fight ensued between numbers about equal. 
 I had charged in advance of the line, and, as I was al- 
 ways dressed in full costume when on these excur- 
 
JAMES 1'. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 337 
 
 er re- 
 re sa- 
 ysical 
 s fully 
 inder- 
 
 dietli- 
 1 was 
 Black 
 ;h sur- 
 im the 
 LS son, 
 
 s on the 
 
 en by the 
 
 with the 
 
 as call- 
 nation, 
 ed until 
 started 
 nd fifty 
 
 among 
 thither, 
 lost up- 
 s. We 
 f>vertak- 
 it equal. 
 
 was al- 
 excur- 
 
 sions, I oftered an excellent mark to any one skilled 
 in shooting. I was proceeding at an easy canter, when 
 my horse was shot through the head, the ball entering 
 near the ear, and he fell, his last spring hurling me 
 head foremost against a huge rock, which I struck with 
 such force that I saw another dense meteoric shower, 
 and the blood gushed from my mouth, nose, and ears. 
 When I recovered my senses I found both parties over 
 me, each struggling to obtain me. The Crows pre- 
 vailed eventually, and my scalp was saved. My war- 
 riors were fully convinced of my death, as I lay so long 
 motionless ; but they were determined to preserve my 
 scalp. The enemy, seeing our women and children 
 approach, mistook them for a re-enforcement of Crow 
 warriors, and they gave up the contest and fled precip- 
 itately, leaving us masters of the field, with all the 
 liorses they had just stolen from us, besides a great 
 number of their own, which they had not time to drive 
 off. We only obtained three scalps from the enemy, 
 losing none ourselves, though we had several warriors 
 wounded. 
 
 We then resumed our journey to the fort, reaching 
 there without farther trouble. When we arrived with- 
 in sight and hearing, we, as usual, struck up a song. 
 All the women from the fort ran out, exclaiming, " Here 
 comes a war-party of the Crows ; they are singing 1 
 Look at their scalps : they come from the country of 
 the Cheyennes ; they have conquered our enemies. 
 See, they are all painted !" 
 
 I had long been supposed dead at the fort. It was 
 conjectured that Big Bowl (my father) had the conduct 
 of the party, and there was no inquiry made for me. 
 We entered amid a thousand How d'ye do's, and my 
 wife and "Little Jim" were comfortably provided with 
 
 P 
 
338 
 
 AUTOBIOUKAl'lIY OP 
 
 the best qu.arters in the fort. I was standing among 
 the busy throng, who had already fallen to admire the 
 new goods, still feeling the effects of my severe shake, 
 when 1 saw one of the female inmates eye me very in- 
 (^iiiringly. She inquired of my wife who that Indian 
 was. She answered, "lie is my husband." 
 
 " What ! are you married again V" the woman ex- 
 claimed, in astonishment. 
 
 " No, not «</«//*," she replied, in her very modest 
 manner ; " did you not know that the Medicine Calf 
 was alive and had returned ?" 
 
 " Then that surely is the Medicine Calf," the wom- 
 an exclaimed, "now standing in the fort!" and ran to 
 Mr. Tulleck to acquaint him with the news. 
 
 "Where is he? where is the Medicine Calf?" Mr. 
 Tulleck called aloud, and looking among the tlirong 
 without perceiving me. 
 
 I addressed him in English, calling him by name. 
 
 I thought at iirst that he would fall to the ground ; 
 it was some seconds before he could sjjeak, his aston- 
 ishment was so overwhelming. At last he found 
 tongue, and broke out in all kinds of expressions of 
 joy and welcome. The men, too, attached to the fort, 
 on hearing of my arrival, came running in with their 
 utmost speed to welcome one whom they had all long 
 since supposed dead. So heartfelt a welcome I could 
 not have expected. Little Jim had been taken from his 
 mother's hand before it was known that I was present. 
 He was a general pet at the fort, and it usually took 
 one good horse to carry all the presents bestowed upon 
 mother and child. He was then near three years old, 
 running every where, and was already looked upon by 
 the Crows as their future chief. 
 
 We tarried at the fort a few days, engaged in hunt- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 339 
 
 OTlg 
 
 the 
 a,ke, 
 r'm- 
 dian 
 
 L CX- 
 
 Ddest 
 Calf 
 
 wom- 
 an to 
 
 " Mr. 
 
 lirong 
 
 ame. 
 ound ; 
 astoii- 
 
 found 
 9ns of 
 fort, 
 their 
 
 I long 
 could 
 
 om his 
 iresent. 
 
 y took 
 
 d upon 
 lars old, 
 
 pon by 
 
 le 
 
 n 
 
 hunt- 
 
 ing buffalo for its men and our own family. Our con- 
 sumption -was several carcasses a day. During my 
 long absence the Crows had neglected their traps, and 
 they had not dressed more than half the usual number 
 of robes, which caused a sensible falling off in tlie trade 
 of the fort, and diminished very materially the prolits 
 derived by the company from Fort Cass. No reduc- 
 tion, however, was made in my salary on account of 
 my absence, which 1 considered very liberal conduct 
 on the part of the company. 
 
 My warriors, becoming uneasy at their inactive life, 
 desired to be led against the Black Feet. To gratify 
 them, I selected one hundred and six warriors, and 
 sent the others back to the village with the women and 
 children, except my wife, whom I requested to stay at 
 the fort to await my return. We marched into the 
 enemy's country, and in the daytime came suddenly 
 upon one of their villages. Tiierc were lodges enough 
 to contain three hundred warriors, but tliey were prob- 
 ably gone upon an expedition, for there were but few 
 present to receive us. We unhesitatingly assaulted it, 
 although we had but little fighting to do. We took 
 upward of twenty scalps, and eighteen women and chil- 
 dren prisoners. We captured two hundred and sixty 
 horses, besides weapons, clothing, and other spoils. 
 
 Here I succeeded in having a good joke at the he- 
 roine's expense, with which I plagued her for a long 
 time. She was swifter on foot than any warrior, and 
 we were on foot during this excursion. On seeing us 
 advance, a young Indian, about sixteen, took to his 
 lieels, running like a deer. The heroine made after 
 him witli her antelope speed, certain to catch him. 
 The Indian did his best, frequently turning his head, 
 Uke a negro with an alligator at his heels. Seeing that 
 
340 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 his pursuer must overtake him, and not relishing thu 
 idea of liaving her lance transfix his body — for she was 
 preparing to hurl it — he suddenly stopped and faced 
 about, at the same time throwing his bow down and 
 holding up both hands to beg for his life. She did 
 what no other warrior in our party would have done — 
 her woman's heart took pity on the poor fellow's piti- 
 able condition — she spared his life, and marched him 
 back captive. 
 
 He being her prisoner, no one had authority over hi& 
 life but herself. He was a fine-looking young man, 
 but when he was brought among the Crow warriors 
 he trembled in every joint, expecting nothing less than 
 to be killed. 
 
 I thought this too good an opportunity for a joke 
 not to make use of it. 
 
 "I see,'' said I, addressing myself to Pine Leaf, 
 " you liave refused all our braves that you might whi 
 a husband from the enemy." 
 
 All the warriors shouted at the sally ; but the poor 
 girl was sorely perplexed, and knew not what to do or 
 say. We rallied her so much on her conque&t that 
 she finally became quite spunky, and I did not know 
 whether she would run her prize through with her 
 lance or not. One day I told her I had talked with 
 her prisoner about his capture. " Well," said she, 
 " and what has he to say about it ?" 
 
 " Why," I answered, *' he says he could have killed 
 you as well as not, but that you promised to marry 
 him if he would spare your life." 
 
 She was fully practiced upon, and she flushed with 
 anger. "He lies !" she exclaimed. "You know I can 
 not speak to these Black Feet, or I would make him 
 tell a different tale. I have often told you, as well a.< 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 341 
 
 other warriors, that I do not wish to marry ; my tongue 
 was straight when I said so. I have told you often, 
 and I have told your sisters and your wives, that, if 
 ever I did marry, I would have you, and none other. 
 So why do you trifle with my feelings ?" 
 
 What she said was a genuine ebullition of feeling; 
 for, although an Indian girl, her heart was as proud, as 
 sensitive, and as delicate as ever beat in the breast of 
 civilized woman. To soothe her ruffled temper, I told 
 her I would intrust a secret to her. I had undertaken 
 my prolonged journeying, when all supposed me dead, 
 and she along with the rest, solely to search through 
 the Eocky Mountains for a " red-headed Indian." I 
 had been unsuccessful in my search, and had returned 
 with spotted horses. 
 
 She laughed immoderately at my invention. 
 
 We now returned to the fort with our trophies, 
 where we had a joyous time. My warriors gave a horse 
 to each man at the fort, about fifty in number, and ev- 
 ery woman staying there also received one. I select- 
 ed the best one I had, and made Little Jim present it 
 to Mr. Tulleck, with which delicate attention he was 
 greatly delighted. My boy could now speak quite 
 plain. The men at the fort had taught him to swear 
 quite fluently both in French and English, much more 
 to their satisfaction than to mine. But I trusted he 
 would soon forget his schooling, as the Crows never 
 drink whisky, nor use profane language. 
 
 We left the fort, and reached our village without ac- 
 cident. On our arrival we found the people in mourn- 
 ing for the loss of two warriors, killed in the village 
 by an attack of the Cheyennes ; and, notwithstanding 
 my recent success, we had to take part in the crying, 
 in obedience to their forms. 
 
342 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 The Cheyennes, in their late attack, used very good 
 generalship; but the result was not so good as their 
 design would seem to promise. They started with a 
 force of three thousand warriors, and, dividing their 
 army, live hundred marched directly over the Tongue 
 River INIountain, where they were safe from molesta- 
 tion, while their main hody passed round in another 
 direction, placing themselves in ambush in a placo 
 agreed upon, so as to fall upon the Crows should they 
 pursue their flying division. But the Crows were too 
 wary for them, and their bright design failed. 
 
 The division of five hundred made a descent upon 
 the horses, killing the two Crows that were among 
 them, and unabk to escape in time. It was in open 
 day, and our stock was so immense that they actually 
 did succeed in driving off about twelve hundred, of 
 which our family owned about eighty. IMany of our 
 choice mares, with their foals, and a great number of 
 our war-horses, seemed to have intelligence of the bus- 
 iness in hand, and ran with full speed to the village, 
 where the enemy did not care to follow them. Hund- 
 reds of our warriors were ready for the conflict, and 
 were impatiently awaiting the order to attack; but 
 their chiefs strictly forbade their advance, and even 
 charged my faithful Dog Soldiers with the duty of en- 
 forcing their orders. There were in the village over 
 four thousand warriors, a force sufficient to repel any 
 attack; but the old heads seemed to suspect some- 
 thing at the bottom of their foes' audacity, and thus 
 escaped the trap that was prepared for them. The 
 horses we cared but little about, as it was easy to re- 
 place them at any time, without risking the lives ot so 
 many brave warriors. 
 
 On my return, all this was related to me by the 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOCRTII. 
 
 343 
 
 council. They inquired my opinion of the policy they 
 had acted upon, and I assented to the wisdom of all 
 they had done. I further recommended that no war- 
 party should leave the village for at least two weeks, 
 but that all should devote themselves to trapping bea- 
 ver, as a means better calculated to please the Great 
 Spirit, and after that it was likely he would reward 
 our excursions with more constant success. 
 
 My advice was approved of, a.^d my medicine was 
 pronounced powerful. Every uap in the village was 
 accordingly brought to light, and a general preparation 
 made for an active season of trapping : peltry-parties 
 scattered for every stream containing beaver. My old 
 friend and myself, with each a wife, composed one 
 party ; we took twelve traps, and in ten days collect- 
 ed fifty-five beaver-skins. All who went out had ex- 
 cellent success, as the streams had been but little dis- 
 turbed for several months. Our two weeks' combined 
 industry produced quite a number of packs. 
 
 It was now about the 1st of October. I had prom- 
 ised, after our two weeks' trapping, to lead a party in 
 a foray upon the Cheyennes. 1 selected over four 
 hundred warriors, and started in pursuit of something 
 — whether horses or scalps was a matter of indiffer- 
 ence. After an easy travel of twenty days, our spies 
 keeping a vigilant look-out on the way, a large village 
 was reported some few miles in advance. Knowing 
 whom we had to deal with, I used my utmost caution, 
 for we were beyond the reach of re-enforcement if I 
 should fall into any difficulties. We ascended a hill 
 which overlooked their village. We saw their cheerful- 
 looking fires, and would have liked to warm ourselves 
 by similar ones; but, although firewood was abun- 
 dant, it seemed barely advisable to indulge in such a 
 
344 
 
 AUTOBIOORAPHV OF 
 
 luxury. By the aize of the village, it was evident we 
 had a powerful enemy before us, and that he was bravo 
 we had learned by previous experience. After sur- 
 veying it as well as we could by the gleam of the stars, 
 I determined to go down into their village, and obtain 
 a closer observation. I took three braves with me, 
 and, turning our robes the hair side out, we descended 
 the hill and entered the village. 
 
 We found they had recently built a new medicine 
 lodge, and the national council was in session that 
 night. We walked up to the lodge, where there were 
 a number of Cheyennes smoking and conversing, but 
 we could not understand a word they said. I passed 
 my hand inside to reach for a pipe. One was handed 
 to me ; and after all four of us had taken a few whiffs, 
 I handed it back to my accommodating lender. We 
 then strolled leisurely through their town, and return- 
 ed to our own camp sc^mewhat late in the evening. 
 
 About midnight we visited their herd, and started 
 out quite a large drove, which we found at daylight 
 consisted of eight hundred head ; with these we moved 
 with all possible speed toward home, taking the di- 
 rectest route possible. We drove at full speed, wher- 
 ever practicable, until the next day at noon ; we then 
 turned short round the point of a mountain, and await- 
 ed the arrival of our pursuers. Our animals were well 
 rested when the enemy came up, and we had just trans- 
 ferred ourselves to the backs of some that we had bor- 
 rowed from them. As soon as they had roimded the 
 point — about two hundred and fifty in number — we 
 issued out to attack them ; and, although they were 
 somewhat surprised to behold so large a force, they 
 quickly formed and awaited the onset. ' We were soon 
 upon them, killing several, and having a few of our 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOLRTII. 
 
 345 
 
 own wonncled. "VVe witlitlrcw to form anotlicr cliargc ; 
 but, before we were rearly to fall on tbeiii again, tboy 
 divided their line, and one half made a daring attempt 
 to surround our horses, but we defeated their aim. 
 They then retreated toward their village, they finding 
 it necessary to re-enforee their numbers l)efore they 
 could either recover their animals or fight our party 
 with any show of success. 
 
 I afterward learned, when a trader in the Cheyenne 
 nation for Sublet, that their main bodv, consisting of 
 two thousand warriors, had started with them, but turn- 
 ed back when within four miles of our temporary rest- 
 ing-place. The smaller division traveled back as fast 
 as possible in the endeavor to reach them, and bring 
 them back to the attack. After proceeding two or three 
 hours in their trail, they suddenly came in sight of 
 them as they were resting to dress some buffalo. By 
 means of couriers and signals, they soon had the whole 
 army on the march again ; but by this time we wer»i 
 "over the hills and far away," having resumed our re- 
 treat immediately our pursuers left us. 
 
 Those who are driving horses in a chase such as 
 this have a great advantage over their pursuers, since 
 the pursuer must necessarily ride one horse all the 
 time, but those that are driving can change as often as 
 they please, taking a fresh horse every half hour even, 
 if occasion requires. In case there is great urgency 
 with a drove, a number of warriors are sent in advance 
 to lead them, while others are whooping and yelling be- 
 hind. Under this pressure, the animals generally get 
 over the ground at a pretty good rate. 
 
 On our arrival at home with thirteen scalps, over 
 eight hundred horses, and none of our party killed, it 
 may be judged that we made much noise and shouting. 
 
 P2 
 
:{40 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Tlio trip wn luid just aocomplislicd was a severe one, 
 especially ibr the woumlcd, and none but Indians could 
 have lived through such torment ; but they all finallv 
 rccovered. They begged to be left upon the road, urg- 
 ing that they must inevitably die, and it was a folly 
 to impede our flight and jeopardize our lives ; but 1 
 was determined, if possible, to get them in alive ; for, 
 had T lost but one, the village would again have gouf 
 into mourning, and that I was desirous to avoid. 
 
 ciiaptp:r XXV. 
 
 Visit of the whole Crow Nation to the Fort. — Seven Days' Tradin^r 
 and Rejoicing. — Separation of the Villages. — Exjiedition to the Ca- 
 manches. — Narrow Escape from their Village. — Battle with the 
 Black Feet. — The Whites assist us with their Cannon. — Captured 
 by the Black Feet.— Recaptured by the Crows. — Final Victory. 
 
 Having now quite a respectable amount of peltry on 
 hand, both of our villages started for the fort to pur- 
 chase winter supplies. We can'ied upward of forty 
 packs of beaver, and two thousand four hundred packs 
 of robes, with which we were enabled to make quite an 
 extensive trading. We loitered seven days in the vi- 
 cinity of the fort ; then the villages separated, for the 
 purpose of driving the buffalo back to the Yellow Stone, 
 where they would keep in good condition all winter. 
 This required a considerable force of men, as those an- 
 imals abounded by the thousand at that time where 
 they are now comparatively scarce, and it is a conclu- 
 sion forced upon my mind that within half a century 
 the race of buffaloes will be extinguished on this con- 
 tinent. Then farewell to the Red Man ! for he must 
 also become extinct, unless he applies himself to the 
 
.IAMK8 l». BECKWOIJRTII. 
 
 :U7 
 
 rc one, 
 \ could 
 fiiiallv 
 d, iirg- 
 a folly 
 but 1 
 e; for, 
 
 d. 
 
 i' TradinfT 
 to the Ca- 
 with the 
 -Capturcii 
 ictory. 
 
 eltry on 
 to pur- 
 of forty 
 ^d packs 
 quite an 
 1 the vi- 
 l, for the 
 w Stone, 
 I winter. 
 ;hose an- 
 16 where 
 a conclu- 
 I, century 
 this con- 
 he must 
 3lf to the 
 
 cultivation of the soil, which is beyond the bound of 
 probability. The incessant demand for robes has slain 
 thousands of those noble beasts of the prairie, until the 
 Indians themselves begin to grow uneasy at the man- 
 ifest diminution, and, as a means of conservation, each 
 nation has adopted the policy of conlining to itself the 
 right of Imnting on its own ground. They consider 
 that the buftalo belongs to them as their exclusive 
 property; that he was sent to them by the ( Jreat Spirit 
 for their subsistence ; and when he fails them, what 
 shall they resort to ? Doubtless, when that time ar- 
 rives, much of the land which they now roam over will 
 he under the white man's cultivation, which will ex- 
 tend inland from both oceans. Where then shall the 
 Indian betake himself? There are no more Missis- 
 sippis to drive him beyond. Unquestionably he will 
 be taken in a surround, as he now surrounds llie buf- 
 falo ; and as he can not assimilate with civilization, 
 the Red Man's doom is apparent. It is a question of 
 time, and no very long time either ; but the result, as 
 I view it, is a matter of certainty. 
 
 The territory claimed by the Crows would make a 
 larger state than Illinois. Portions of it form the choic- 
 est land in the world, capable of producing any thing 
 that will grow in the Western and Middle States. In- 
 numerable streams, now the homes of the skillful bea- 
 ver, and clear as the springs of the Rocky j\lountains, 
 irrigate the plains, and would afford power for any 
 amount of machinery. Mineral springs of every de- 
 gree of temperature abound in the land. The coun- 
 try also produces an inconceivable amount of wild 
 fruit of every variety, namely, currants, of every kind ; 
 raspberries, black and red ; strawberries, blackberries, 
 cherries ; plums, of delicious flavor and in great abun- 
 
:i4H 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAFHV UF 
 
 dance ; grapes, and numberless otlier varieties proper 
 to the latitude and fertile nature of the soil. 
 
 1 am tuUy convinced that this territory contains 
 vast mineral wealth ; but, as 1 was unactiuaintcd with 
 the ]>roperties of minerals during my residence with the; 
 Crows, i did not pay much attention to the investiga- 
 tion of the subject. One thing, however, 1 am con- 
 vinced of, that no p.'U't of the United States contains 
 richer deposits of anthracite coal than the territory I 
 am speaking of, and my conviction is thus founded. 
 L one night surrounded a small mountain with a large 
 tbrcc of warriors, thinking I had observed the tires of 
 the enemy, and that T should catch them in a trap. 
 But, to my great surprise, it proved to be a mountain 
 of coal on tire, which had, I suppose, spontaneously ig- 
 nited. 1 immediately drew oif my forces, as I was 
 feadul of an exjilosion. 1 could readily point out the 
 })lace again. 
 
 It would be extremely hazardous to attempt any 
 scientific exj)lorations without first gaining the consent 
 of the Crows. They have been ur.iformiy friendly 
 with the whites; still, they would be jealous of any en- 
 gineering operations, as they would be ignorant of their 
 nature. The Crows arc a very reserved people, and 
 it would be difficult to negotiate a treaty with them 
 for the cession of any portion of their land. They have 
 always refused to send a deputation to Washington, al- 
 though repeatedly invited. Indeed, when I was their 
 chief, I always opposed the proposition, as I foresaw 
 very clearly what effect such a visit would produce 
 upon their minds. The Crows, as a nation, had never 
 rredited any of the repi-esentations of the great wealth, 
 and power, and numbers of their white brethren. In 
 the event of a deputation being sent to Wasliington, 
 
i proper 
 
 contains 
 ted witli 
 with the 
 ivcstiga- 
 am con- 
 contains 
 riitory 1 
 founded. 
 li a large 
 ; iires ot' 
 1 a trap, 
 nountain 
 !Ously ig- 
 as I was 
 it out the 
 
 impt any 
 c consent 
 '■ friendly 
 )f any en- 
 nt of their 
 joplc, and 
 v'liii thcni 
 riiey have 
 ington, al- 
 was their 
 I foresaw 
 d produce 
 had never 
 ;at wealth, 
 ;hren. In 
 ashington. 
 
 J AM EH p. BECKWOL'RTH. 
 
 ;i4}» 
 
 the perceptions of tlic savages would be dazzled with 
 the display and glitter around tjioni. They would re- 
 turn home dejected and humiliated ; they would con- 
 foiind the ears of their peo|)lc with the rehearsal of th(« 
 predominance and magnificence of the whites ; feeling 
 their own comparative insignificance, they would lose 
 that pride in themselves that now sustains them, and, 
 so far from being the terror of their enemies, they 
 would grow despondent and lethargic ; they would ad- 
 dict themselves to the vices of the weaker nations, and 
 in a short time their land would be ingulfed in the in- 
 satiable government vortex, and, like hundreds of oth- 
 (!r once powerful tribes, they would be quickly exterm- 
 inated by the bat^.le-axea of their enemies. These 
 are the considerations that influenced mc while J ad- 
 ministered their affairs. 
 
 From the fort 1 started on foot with two hundred 
 and sixty trusty warriors for the Camanchc territory. 
 We had reached their ground, and were traveling leis- 
 urely along upon a high, open prairie, when our spies 
 suddenly telegraphed to us to lie flat down — an order 
 which wc promptly obeyed. We soon learned that 
 there was a number of Indians, some distance beyond, 
 engaged in running buffalo and antelope as far as we 
 could sec. There appeared to be an outlet to the prai- 
 rie, through which wc could see them emerging and 
 disappearing like bees passing in and r ut of a hive. 
 Wc found at night that it was a wide caho?i, in which 
 their village was encamped, extending over three miles, 
 and must have contained several thousand warriors. 
 They had just driven a host of horses into it, to liave 
 them ready, most probably, for the next day's chase. 
 There were still thousands of horses scattered in every 
 direction over the prairie, but I preferred to take those 
 
im) 
 
 ALTUBIOOUAPIIY OF 
 
 already collected. The Camanclies, being seldom troub- 
 led by tiic incursions of" their neighbors (as most of the 
 tribes hold them in dread), take no precaution for the 
 safety of their animals, for which reason they fell an 
 easy prey to us. 
 
 At the usual time of night we paid a visit to their 
 immense herd, and started an innumerable drove ; wo 
 found it larger than we could successfully drive, and 
 were therefore obliged to leave several hundreds oi' 
 them on the prairie. We then placed a sufficient num- 
 ber of horse-guides ahead, and, whipping up our rear, 
 we soon had an immense drove under full speed for our 
 own country, making the very earth tremble beneath 
 their hoofs. We continued this pace for three days 
 and nights, closely followed by our enemies, who, hav- 
 ing discovered their loss the next morning, started 
 after us in pursuit. They kept in sight of us each 
 day, but we had the advantage of them, as we could 
 change horses and they could not, unless they hap- 
 pened to pick up a few stragglers on the road. 
 
 On the third day I happened to be leading, and just 
 as I rose to look over the summit of a hill on the Ar- 
 kansas, I discovered a large village of the Cheyennes 
 not far in advance, and lying directly in our course. 
 In an instant we turned to the left, and continued on 
 through a hollow with all our drove, the Camanclies 
 not more than two or three miles in our rear. 
 
 On our pursuers arriving at the spot where we had 
 diverged to the left, they held their course right on, 
 and, pouncing upon the astonished Cheyennes, con- 
 ceived they were the party they were in pursuit of. 
 We could distinctly hear the report of the guns of the 
 contending parties, but did not slacken our pace, as 
 cur desire to get home in safety outweighed all curios- 
 
JAMES P. JJECKWOIIJITII. 
 
 35 J 
 
 troub- 
 
 of the 
 or the 
 fell an 
 
 ) their 
 e ; wo 
 ^e, and 
 cds of 
 t num- 
 ir rear, 
 for our 
 )eneath 
 le days 
 10, hav- 
 started 
 IS each 
 e could 
 ey hap- 
 
 ind just 
 the Ar- 
 eyennes 
 course, 
 nued on 
 nianches 
 
 5 we had 
 ight on, 
 les, con- 
 irsuit of. 
 ns of the 
 pace, as 
 11 curios- 
 
 ity to sec tlie issue of the conflict. We afterward 
 learned that the Chcyennes inflicted a severe hcatino; 
 upon their deluded assailants, and chased them back, 
 Avitli the loss of many of their wamors, to their own 
 country. Tliis was tine fun for us, and Fortune aided 
 us more than our own skill, for we were saved any 
 farther trouble of defending our conquest, and event- 
 ually reached home without the loss of a single life. 
 
 Our pursuers being disposed of, we allowed our- 
 selves a little more ease. On the flfth day of our re- 
 treat we crossed the Arkansas, and, arriving on the 
 bank of the Powder River (a branch of the south fork 
 of the Platte), we afforded ourselves a rest. We drove 
 all our horses into a canon, and fortified the entrance, 
 so that, in case of molestation, we could have rei)ulsed 
 five times our number. There was excellent pasture, 
 aftbrding our wearied and famishing horses the means 
 of satisfying their hunger, and refreshing themselves 
 with rest. We al«50 needed repose, for we had eaten 
 nothing on the way except what we happened to have 
 with us, in the same manner as our horses would crop 
 an occasional mouthful of grass while pursuing their 
 flight. 
 
 After refreshing ourselves we resumed our journey, 
 and, striking the Laramie lliver, we passed on througli 
 the Park, and then crossed the Sweet W^ater River into 
 our own territory, where we were safe. We fell in 
 with Long Hair's village before we entered our own, 
 with whom we had a good time. Before parting we 
 trave them five hundred horses. From thence we went 
 down to the fort in quest of our own village, but learn- 
 ed they were about twenty miles out, encamped on the 
 Rose Bud. The inmates of the fort thought it must 
 have rained horses, for such a prodigious drove they 
 
■■0HI 
 
 ^62 
 
 ALTUUIOGKAPHY Ml' 
 
 never saw driven in before. We made them a pres- 
 ent of a Canianclie liorsc all round, and, liaving staiil 
 one night with them, the next morning we journeyed 
 on to our village. 
 
 We found them all dancing and rejoicing over tin 
 success of the other war-parties, who had reached homo 
 before us, and our arrival increased their joy to such 
 an extreme that there was no limit to their extrava- 
 gant manifestations. 
 
 We had not parted from the fort more than two or 
 three hours when Big Bowl called there, also in quest 
 of the village, bringing two thousand seven hundred 
 horses, whicii he had taken from the Coutnees. 
 
 Tulleck informed him that his son had but just left 
 for the villac;e with a larce drove. 
 
 "Yes," said the old man, "but I can laugh at him 
 this time." 
 
 " No, no," replied Tulleck, " he has beat you ; he 
 ha!? twice as many as you." 
 
 " Ugh !" exclaimed the old brave ; "his medicine is 
 idways powerful." 
 
 We must have started with five thousand horses, for 
 many gave out on the way and were left behind, be- 
 sides a number that must have straggled off, for '\g 
 Cheyennes afterward informed me that they picked up 
 a considerable number which had undoubtedly belong- 
 ed to our drove. 
 
 JNIy father, after presenting them with a horse all 
 round at the fort, whipped his drove up, saying that he 
 would yet overtake the ^Medicine Calf before he reach- 
 ed the village. 
 
 He arrived just before sunset, when the joy was at 
 its height. 
 
 We had horses enough now to eat us out of house and 
 
 wh 
 em 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 35;^ 
 
 a pres- 
 g staul 
 irncvcd 
 
 vcr tin 
 id homo 
 to such 
 sxtrava- 
 
 . two ov 
 in quest 
 bundred 
 
 just left 
 
 1 at him 
 
 you ; he 
 
 idicine is 
 
 orses, for 
 liind, be- 
 f, for '\g 
 (icked up 
 Y belong- 
 
 horse all 
 ig that he 
 he reach- 
 
 )y was at 
 
 liouse and 
 
 liome, about eight thousand head having been brought 
 in during tlie last ten days. 
 
 When the rejoicing was through, I divided my vil- 
 lage, sending two hundred lodges round to start the 
 buffalo toward the mountain, while I took one hund- 
 red and seventy lodges, and made a circuit in the di- 
 rection of the fort, encamping in the bottom close by.. 
 [ had with me eight or nine hundred warriors, besides 
 my division of the women and children. 
 
 While staying in the vicinity of t\w. fort we were 
 usually very careless, never apprehending any attack ; 
 l)ut on the third day of our encampment here we were 
 suddenly assailed by nearly fifteen hundred Black Foot 
 warriors, who were probably aware that we had divided 
 our village, and had followed us as the smallest party. 
 Myself and several other warriors were in tlie fort when 
 the attack was made, but we soon hastened to join our 
 warriors. The contest became severe. The Black 
 1' eet fought better than I had ever seen them figlit be- 
 fore. The Crows, being outnumbered by their enemies, 
 were sorely pressed, aud every man had to exert him- 
 self to the utmost to withstand the assault. Tlic men 
 at the fort, seeing our situation, brouglit out to our aid 
 a small cannon on a cart. The enemy, seeing them 
 bring it up, charged on it and carried it, the i^'rcncli- 
 men who had it in charge running back to the fort with 
 all possible speed. The Crows, seeing what had hap- 
 pened, made a furious charge on the cf.ptors of the 
 cannon, and succeeded in retaking it, though not with- 
 out the loss of several killed and woun led in the con- 
 riict. The gun was loaded witii musKet-balls, and, 
 when finally discharged, did no damage to the en- 
 emy. 
 
 I was in another quarter, encouraging my warriors 
 
IHI 
 
 354 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 to protect our lodges, and we at length succeeded in 
 beating tliem off, altliough they drove away over twelve 
 Iiuntlred head of* our horses with them, without any pos- 
 sibility of our wrestnig them from them, at least at 
 that time. We lost thirteen warriors killed, twelve of 
 whom were scalped, and about thirty wounded. It is 
 a wonder we did not suffer a loss tliree times more se- 
 vere. But the Black Feet are not steady warriors; 
 they become too much excited in action, and lose many 
 opportunities of inflicting mischief. If bluster would 
 defeat a foe, their battles would be a succession of vic- 
 tories. TIad we in the least mistrusted an attack, by 
 being in readiness we could have repulsed them with- 
 out the least effort. But they cauglit us totally un- 
 l)rcpared ; there was not a man at his post until they 
 were about to fall upon us. The enemy lost forty- 
 eight scalps in the encounter, besides a number of dead 
 and wounded they carried away with tliem without our 
 being able to lay hands upon them. They had also 
 over one hundred horses shot under them. 
 
 VVc suffered a severe loss in the death of the veteran 
 brave lied Child, the hero of a hundred fights, who 
 was killed and scalped at his lodge door. His wife, 
 who was by, struck the Indian wJio scalped him with 
 a club, but she did not strike him hard enough to dis- 
 able him. The loss of the old brave was severely felt 
 by the whole nation. The crying and mourning which 
 ensued pained me more than the loss of our horses. 
 After spending the night in mourning, we moved on to 
 the other division, to carry the woful tidings of our re- 
 verse. When we rejoined them there was a general 
 time of crying. I took a great share of the blame to 
 myself, as it was upon my proposition that the village 
 had been divided and the disaster sustained. I sug- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUUTII. 
 
 355 
 
 eded in 
 : twelve; 
 my pos- 
 least at 
 ^relvc of 
 I. It is 
 more sc- 
 rarriors ; 
 ise many 
 er would 
 »n of vic- 
 ttack, by 
 eni with- 
 tally un- 
 intil they 
 Dst forty- 
 er of dead 
 ithout our 
 had also 
 
 le veteran 
 gilts, who 
 His wife, 
 him with 
 igh to dis- 
 verely felt 
 ling which 
 >ur horses. 
 lOved on to 
 i of our re- 
 } a general 
 le blame to 
 the village 
 id. I sug- 
 
 gested it with a view to facilitate business, never 
 dreaming of an attack by such an overwhelming force. 
 
 When the excitement had subsided, I determined 
 to wash their faces or perish in the attempt. I order- 
 ed every one that could wor!i to engage in the erection 
 of a fort in the timber, sufficiently large to hold all our 
 lodges, laying out the work myself, and seeing it well 
 under way. I directed them, when they had fmished 
 the construction, to move their lodges into it, and re- 
 main there till my return, for, thus protected, they could 
 beat off ten times their number. 
 
 I then took nearly seven hundred of our best war- 
 riors, and started for the Black Feet, resolved upon 
 revenge, and careless how many I fell in with. 
 
 A small party had recently come in with two scalps, 
 which they had obtained near the head of Lewis's 
 Fork, Columbia River. They reported a large village 
 of eight hundred lodges, from which numcrousi war- 
 parties had departed, as they had crossed their trails 
 in coming home. They knew the direct road to the 
 village, how it was situated, and all about it, which 
 Avas of great service to me. I therefore took them with 
 me, and employed them as scouts. Every warrior 
 was well provided for hard service ; each man had a 
 riding-horse, and led his war-horse by his side. 
 
 On the seventh day we came in view of their village, 
 but we deferred our attack till the next day. The en- 
 emy had chosen a very good position ; they were en- 
 camped on a large bend of the river, at that time shal- 
 low and fordable every where. I detached fifty of my 
 warriors for a feint, while I stole round with the main 
 body to the high ground, taking care to keep our of 
 sight of the enemy. Having gained my position, 1 
 signaled to the light division to feign an attack, while 
 
356 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ray men were so excited I could hardly restrain them 
 from rushing out and defeating my purpose. My plan 
 succeeded admirably. The Black Feet, having suf- 
 fered themselves to be decoyed from their position by 
 the flight of the flfty warriors, I sounded a charge, and 
 ray raen rushed upon the unprotected village like a 
 thunderbolt. We swept every thing before us; the, 
 women took to the bush like partridges ; the warriors 
 il«;d in every direction. They were so paralyzed at 
 our unexpected descent that no defense was attempt- 
 ed. I threw myself among the thickest group I could 
 see, and positively hacked down seventeen who pretend- 
 ed to be warriors without receiving a scratch, although 
 my shield was pretty well cut with arrows. If my 
 warriors had all come to their work according to the 
 example that even the heroine set them, not one of the 
 Black Feet who ventured to show fight would have 
 escaped. The heroine killed three warriors with her 
 lance, and took two line little boys prisoners. Wc 
 found but about a thousand warriors to oj)pose us, 
 while there were lodges enough to contain three times 
 the number. We only took sixty-eight scalps after 
 all our trouble — a thing I could not account for. We 
 took thirty women and children prisoners, and drove 
 home near two thousand head of horses, among which 
 were many of our own. 
 
 As I had never seen the Black Feet fight so well 
 as at the fort, I expected an equal display of valor on 
 this occasion, but they offered nothing worthy the name 
 of defense. I learned from my prisoners that my old 
 father-in-law was in that village, whose daughter i had 
 nearly killed for dancing over the scalps of the white 
 raen. We had only one warrior wounded, who was 
 shot through the thigh; but it was not broken, and, 
 
JAMKS P. BECKWOUHTH. 
 
 357 
 
 n them 
 ly plan 
 ng sut- 
 tion l)v 
 rge, and 
 i like a 
 us; the, 
 warriors 
 lyzed at 
 attempt- 
 p I could 
 prctcnd- 
 althougli 
 If my 
 icr to the 
 )uc of the 
 )uld have 
 with her 
 jrs. We 
 ppose us, 
 iree times 
 alps after 
 for. We 
 and drove 
 ong which 
 
 ht so well 
 )f valor on 
 y the name 
 lat my old 
 yhter I had 
 f the white 
 , who was 
 roken, and, 
 
 like all Indian wounds, it soon got well. We reached 
 home in less than four days ; and, after our arrival, 
 singing and dancing were kept up for a week. 
 
 In taking prisoners from an enemy we gain much 
 useful information, as there are always more or less 
 of their tribe domiciliated with us, to whom the cap- 
 lives impart confidence ; these relate all that they hear 
 to the chiefs, thus affording much serviceable informa- 
 tion that could not otherwise be obtained. The wom- 
 en seem to care but little for their captivity, more par- 
 ticularly the young women, who have neither husbands 
 nor childrcr to attach them to their own tribe. They 
 like Crow husbands, because they keep them painted 
 most of the time with the emblems of triumph, and 
 do not whip them like their Black Foot husbands. 
 Certain it is that, when once captured by us, none of 
 them ever wished to return to their own nation. In 
 our numerous campaigns that winter we also took an 
 unusual number of boys, all of whom make excellent 
 Crow warriors, so that our numbers considerably in- 
 creased from our prisoners alone. Some of the best 
 wan'iors in the Crow nation had been boys taken from 
 the surrounding tribes. They had been brought up 
 vith us, had played with our children, and fought their 
 mmiature sham-battles together, had grown into men, 
 become warriors, braves, and so on to the council, un- 
 til they were far enough advanced to become expert 
 horse-thieves. 
 
 That winter was an exceedingly fortunate one for 
 the Crow nation ; success crowned almost every ex- 
 pedition. Long Hair's warriors achieved some great 
 triumphs over the Black Feet, and in one battle took 
 nearly a hundred scalps. 
 
 Wlien Lcng Hair heard of our misfortune at the 
 
358 
 
 AirrODIOORAl'HY OP 
 
 fort, he sent a messenger to our village to offer some 
 of his warriors to assist us in retrieving our reverse. 
 iJut before the arrival of the messenger we had been 
 and returned, and were all in the height of rejoicing. 
 He Jiastened back to his village to impart the glad 
 tidings, in order that they might rejoice with us. 
 
 We then engaged in trapping beaver and hunting 
 buffalo for the next three weeks, during which time wo 
 suffered no molestation from any of our enemies. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 DcputatN^n from the As-nc-boincs. — Characteristic Speech of Yellow 
 Bciiy. — Visit to the Fort, — Visit to Fort Union. — iiescue of Five 
 White Men from Starvation. — Arrival at Fort Cass. — Departure for 
 the Village. — Visit of the Snakes to the Crows. 
 
 Wk received another deputation from the As-ne- 
 boines to sue for a renev/al of peace. We had lost a 
 warrior and two women, who had been massacred when 
 away from the village, and on discovery of the bodies 
 we followed the trail of the perpetrators in the direc 
 tion of the Jilack Foot country. We eventually dis- 
 covered that many petty outrages, which we had 
 charged upon the Black Feet, were in reality commit- 
 ted by the treacherous As-ne-boines. On their return 
 from their thievish inroads they were in the habit of 
 proceeding very near to a Black Foot village, with 
 which they were at peace, and then, turning obliquely, 
 would cross the Missouri into their own country. Be- 
 coming acquainted with this oft-repeated nise^ we de- 
 termined to chastise them. I accordingly crossed the 
 Missouri with a force of eight hundred and fifty men, 
 and invaded their territory with the determination to 
 inflict upon them such a chastisement as should recall 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUKTH. 
 
 a^y 
 
 some 
 verse. 
 i been 
 )icing. 
 B glad 
 
 3. 
 
 unting 
 ime we 
 s. 
 
 of Yellow 
 e of Fivf 
 larture for 
 
 1 As-ne- 
 id lost a 
 cd when 
 c bodies 
 le direc 
 ally dis- 
 we had 
 commit- 
 iir return 
 habit of 
 igc, with 
 .bliquely, 
 try. Be- 
 36, we de- 
 ossed the 
 fifty men, 
 ination to 
 )uld recall 
 
 them to a sense of decency. We encountered a small 
 village, only numbering forty lodges, on tiieir way to 
 I'ort Union, and within a few hundred yards of the 
 tort. Seeing our ui)proaeh, they intrenelied them- 
 selves in a hollow, rendering our assault a work of 
 danger. 15ut we stormed their position, and killed 
 twenty-six warriors (all of whom we sealped) ; the re- 
 mainder we could not get at, as we found their posi- 
 tion impregnable. 
 
 Admonished by this chastisement, they sent another 
 deputation to us to treat for the re-establishment of 
 peace, liut their propositions were unfavorably re- 
 ceived, and Y'ellow Belly favored them with his senti- 
 ments in the following rather unpalatable and charac- 
 teristic strain : 
 
 "No," said he, in answer to their representations, 
 "we make peace with you no more. You arc dogs — 
 you are women-slayers — you are unworthy of the con- 
 iidenee or notice of our people. You lie when you 
 come and say that you want peace. You have crook- 
 ed and forked tongues: they are subtle like the tongue 
 of the serpent. Your hearts are corrupt : they are of- 
 fensive in our nostrils. We made peace with you be- 
 fore because we pitied you ; we looked upon you with 
 contempt, as not even worthy to be killed by the Spar- 
 rowhawks. We did not wish for your scalps : they 
 disgrace our others ; we never mix them even with 
 those of the Black Feet. When we are compelled to 
 take them from you on account of your treachery, we 
 give them to our pack-dogs, and even they howl at 
 tliem. Before, we gave you horses to carry you home, 
 and guns to kill your buffalo ; we gave you meat and 
 drink ; you ate, and drank, and smoked with us. After 
 all this, you considered yourselves great braves in 
 
360 
 
 AUTOBIOGHAl'IIY OK 
 
 scalping two of our women. Our women would rul) 
 out your nation and put out all your Hrcs if we bIiouM 
 let tlicin loose at you. Conic and steal our hor.sns 
 when you think best, and get caught at it if you want 
 to feel the weight of our tomahawks. Go! we will not 
 make peace with you; go'." 
 
 After this very cordial reception, we liad no more 
 intercourse with tiie As-ne-boines for some time. 
 
 Shortly after the departure of this delegation, we set 
 out for the fort to trade away our peltry, which amount- 
 ed to a considerable nvinbcr of packs. On arriving 
 there, I found a letter from a Mr. llalsey, who then had 
 charge of Fort Union, the head-quarters of the Amer- 
 ican Fur Company. The letter was couched in rather 
 .strong terms, and was evidently written when he was 
 under the influence of temper. The company had their 
 trading-posts among every tribe with which the Crows 
 were at war, and for many months past there had been 
 a great falling off in trade. The Indians had brought 
 in but little peltry, and the universal complaint among 
 all was that it took all their time to defend themselves 
 against the Crows. The Crows had killed scores of 
 their warriors ; the Crows had stolen all their horses ; 
 the Crows had captured their women and children; 
 the Crows had kept them mourning and crying; their 
 trappers dare not go out to trap for fear of the Crows ; 
 their hunters dare not, and could not, kill buffalo for 
 fear of the Crows ; in short, by this letter it appeared 
 that the poor Crows were the constant terror of all the 
 surrounding tribes. 
 
 He concluded his epistle, "For 's sake, do keep 
 
 your d — d Indians at home, so that the other tribes 
 may have a chance to work a little, and the company 
 may drive a more profitable business." 
 
.lAMKS V. IJKCKWOrUTIt. 
 
 :iOi 
 
 lid nil) 
 hIiouM 
 ' horses 
 ou want 
 will not 
 
 no more 
 Tie. 
 
 n, we set 
 amount- 
 arriving 
 then had 
 he Amer- 
 in rather 
 3n he was 
 had their 
 the Crows 
 ; had been 
 ,d brought 
 lint among 
 hemselves 
 , scores of 
 eir horses; 
 I children; 
 ying; their 
 he Crows; 
 buffalo for 
 it appeared 
 or of all the 
 
 ike, do keep 
 other tribes 
 le company 
 
 I know perfectly well that these incessant wars were 
 very prejudicial to the company's interest, but it was 
 impossible tor me to remedy the evil. Other tribos 
 were continually attacking the Crows, killing their 
 braves, and stealing their horses, and, of course, th< y 
 were bound to make reprisals. Injustice to the Crows 
 I must say, that other tribes were generally the n;;- 
 gressors, until the policy was forced upon me of en- 
 deavoring to "concjuer a peace." I thought, if I coul«l 
 make the Crow nation a tciTor to all their neighbors, 
 that their antagonists would be reduced to petition for 
 peace, and then turn their battle-axes into beaver-traps, 
 and their lances into hunting-knives. 
 
 Our villages, having made their purchases, loft the 
 foit, but staid in the vicinity, engaged in trapping and 
 making robes. The letter I had just received Ironi 
 llalsey requested my attendance on him that spring. 
 I left my people, and went down the river to Fort 
 Union. On arriving, I found a large body of the As- 
 nc-boincs encamped near the fort. Their chiefs imme- 
 diately came to rac, wishing me to conclude peace with 
 tliem as representative of the Crow nation. TJiey at- 
 tempted to palliate their late misdeeds by throwing 
 the blame on a few As-ne-boine desperadoes, who had 
 acted without the authority or the cognizance of the 
 national council, and that they had been severely pun- 
 ished by the tribe for their excesses. 
 
 In answer, I told them that I had no authority to 
 conclude peace ; that, even if I had, they would not ob- 
 serve a peace longer than one moon ; that I tliought 
 the Crows would throw difficulties in the wciy of enter- 
 taining their propositions, but that they could apply* 
 to the council again, and learn how they were inclined. 
 
 Mr. Ilalsoy and all the sub-traders jn'cscnt inter- 
 
 Q 
 
362 
 
 AlJTOHIO(}RAl'HY OP 
 
 ceded with me to exert myself in establishing a peaco 
 between the two nations, which rcfjuest 1 promised to 
 coni])ly with. The chiefs inquired whether wc would 
 take their lives in the event of their visiting us on sucli 
 a mission. I assured them that the Crows would hold 
 their lives sacred ; that they were not dogs, as many 
 nations were, but that they were a great and magnan- 
 imous nation, whose power was predominant, and who 
 killed no enemies but in battle. 
 
 I remained at the fort about three weeks, and, as 
 most of the Hub-tradcrs, clerks, and interpreters were 
 in, we had a glorious time. It was at least three or 
 lour years since I had last visited there ; for, though 1 
 fought a battle outside its walls lately, I did not see tit 
 at that lime to make them a call. 
 
 The boats being ready to return, I started with them, 
 l)ut their progress was so slow and wearisome on their 
 way up to the Yellow Stone that I leaped ashore, in- 
 tending to make my way over dry land. I have al- 
 ways rejoiced that 1 was prompted to take that stej), 
 for I became instrumental thereby in performing a mer- 
 ciful deed among so many that might be termed un- 
 merciful. 
 
 I had not traveled more than three miles when I 
 came across a white man, named Fuller, in a famisli- 
 ing condition. 1 had a companion with me, whom I 
 started off to the boats to bid them prepare something 
 suitable to recover the poor fellow, and to order them 
 to touch on shore when they came to where he lay. 
 Fuller was quite delirious. [ had discovered him just 
 in the nick of time, as he could not have survived many 
 "liours longer. ]\ly companion was not long in pcr- 
 tbrming his errand, and, when the boat touched for 
 him, wc carried him on board, and gave him tea and 
 
JAMKS P. HECKWOIKTII. 
 
 a()3 
 
 k peaco 
 iscd to 
 would 
 m sucli 
 lid hold 
 4 many 
 lagnau- 
 Liid who 
 
 and, as 
 »rs were 
 three ov 
 though 1 
 ot sec tit 
 
 ith them, 
 on their 
 shore, iu- 
 liave al- 
 hat stc}), 
 ng a mcr- 
 rmed un- 
 
 s when I 
 a lamish- 
 •, whom I 
 something 
 rder thcni 
 jre lie lay. 
 d him just 
 ved many 
 ng in pcr- 
 ouched tor 
 im tea and 
 
 warm restoratives. He shortly revived, and tlicn gave 
 nie to understand, in a very incoliercnt manner, that 
 he had four companions in a similar condition near to 
 where I had found him. 
 
 At this intelligence we went on shore again to suc- 
 cor them also. We had a long hunt before we suc- 
 ceeded in finding them, and when we at last discover- 
 ed them, we found them picking and eating rosebuds, 
 or, rather, the pods containing seed of last year's 
 growth. When they saw us approaching they at- 
 tempted to run, supposing us to be Indians ; but, their 
 strength failir;<ij them, they souglit to conceal them- 
 selves in the bushes. We made known our errand to 
 them, and invited them on board the boat. Our oj)- 
 portunc offer of service seemed so ])rovidcntial, that the 
 fortitude of the poor famishing fellows could not sus- 
 tain them, and they all gave way to a plentiful Hood 
 of tears. We conveyed them on board tlie boat, and 
 furnished them with food adapted to tlieir emaciated 
 condition. 
 
 When in some measure restored, they informed us 
 that they had been trapping in the mountains, their 
 party originally consisting of eleven men ; that they 
 were on their road to Fort Cass, with their pack-horses 
 and four packs of beaver, when they were set upon by 
 tlie Black Feet, who killed six of tlieir party, and de- 
 spoiled them of every article they had, and it was by 
 a miracle that they escaped from their hands. When 
 they had supposed themselves near the fort, they saw 
 a great number of Indians, whom they took for Hlack 
 Feet ; to avoid them, they took a wide circuit througli 
 the prairie. The Indians wliom they mistook for 
 Black Feet were a party of Crows, and if they had 
 ffone up to them and made their case known, the Crow» 
 
:i64 
 
 AUTOBlOGKArilY OF 
 
 would have escorted tlicm to the fort, and probably 
 have pursued the Black Feet, and have retaken their 
 property. On returning froni their circuit, they struck 
 the river a great distance below the fort, and were still 
 traveling down the river in search of it. They had 
 nothing to eat, and nothing to kill game with to re- 
 lieve their wants. They went on with the boats, while 
 1 and my companion resumed our " over-land route." 
 
 We reached the fort several days in advance of tlie 
 boats. I only rested one night there, and then pro- 
 ceeded directly on to my Indian home. Shortly after 
 my arrival there, the villages moved on up the ri\w, 
 proceeding leisurely, and killing butfalo and dressing 
 robes on the way. We iinally reached the mountain 
 streams, and, as it was now near Tieptember, the bea- 
 ver were getting to be in line condition for trapping. 
 
 We had at this time a visit from eight hundred lodg- 
 es of the Snakes, who came for the pui-pose of trading, 
 as they had no trading-post of their own. They re- 
 mained with us several weeks, and we had a very 
 agreeable time together. This furnished me with an 
 opportunity of enlarging to the Crows upon the supe- 
 rior delights of peace. We could visit the lodges of 
 our Snake friends, und they could visit ours without 
 cutting each other's throats. Our women could chat- 
 ter together, our children gambol and have their sham- 
 battles together, while the old veterans could talk over 
 their achievements, and smile at the mimic war-hoops 
 of their children. They could also trade together, and 
 derive mutual benefit from the fair exchange of com- 
 modities. I contrasted this with the incessant butch- 
 eries that distinguished their intercourse with some 
 tribes, and asked them which relation was the more de- 
 sirable. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOrRTrr. 
 
 365 
 
 jably 
 their 
 itriick 
 e still 
 y had 
 to re- 
 , while 
 
 L'OUtC." 
 
 ! of the 
 Dii pi'O- 
 ly alVr 
 
 c m^^^i 
 Ircssing 
 lountain 
 
 the bca- 
 ipping. 
 :cd lodg- 
 'tradius, 
 Ihey rc- 
 1 a very 
 with an 
 the supc- 
 lodgcs of 
 s without 
 Qulu chat- 
 icir shaiu- 
 1 talk over 
 war-hoops 
 rcther, and 
 gc of eom- 
 sant hutch- 
 with sonic 
 [ic more dc- 
 
 The Crows had many things to trade away whicli 
 they had no need tor, or, if they liad needed tliem, they 
 could replace them with a fresh supply from the fort. 
 The nation was desirous that their guests should see 
 the trading-post, where all their goods were stored be- 
 yond the reach of their enemies, and whence they drew 
 their supplies as often as they had need of tiicm ; for 
 the simple Crows supposed that the posts, witli their 
 contents, were the property of the nation, and that 
 the whites who were in charge there were their own 
 agents. To gratify their natural pride, 1 led a party 
 to the fort, among whom were two hundred of our Snake 
 visitors. On entering the fort, and looking over the 
 store-house, they were struck dumb with astonishment; 
 they could not comprehend the vastness of the wealth 
 that was displayed before them. They had never be- 
 fore seen a depot of goods, and this exceeded all they 
 had any previous experience of. The rows of guns 
 highly polisiicd, the battle-axes, lance-blades, scarlet 
 cloth, beads, and many curiosities they had never seen 
 before, filled them with admiration ; they could not 
 gaze sufficiently at these indications of our wealth. 
 
 They inrpiired of the Crows whether our nation made 
 all those articles there. They told them that they did 
 not ; that they were made at our great fort below, in 
 comparison with which this was but a small lodge ; 
 that all our supplies were manufactured there, and 
 brought up the river in great boats by our white friends. 
 
 They then inquired by what means they had gained 
 the alliance of the whites; that, instead of killing them 
 and banishing them from their hunting-ground, as they 
 did to many nations, they should give tlicmselves tiic 
 great trouble to serve them with their boats, and bring 
 them such immense supplies. 
 
a6(j 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OK 
 
 The Crows informed tlieni that tlicir great chief, th) 
 Medicine Calf, had been instrumental in accomplishing 
 all this, liy his long residence with the whites, after 
 liis sale to them by the Ciieyennes when he had be- 
 come a great brave, he had gained surprising influence 
 with the great white chief, who loved the Medicine 
 Calf, and Jifid taught him to make forts, and had suf- 
 fered him to come back to his people in order to teach 
 them to become great, and overcome all their enemies. 
 
 The Snakes were wonder-stricken at such marvels. 
 The unassailable fort (which a single bomb-shell would 
 have blown to atoms), filled with an inexiiaustible store 
 of rich goods ; our great fort down the river, in com- 
 parison with which this was but a small lodge, and 
 where all these marvelous products of our ingenuity 
 were manufactured ; our mysterious connection with 
 the whites, which procured us the advantage of their 
 unremunerated services, and sliielded us with the irre- 
 sistible succor of the great white chief — all this over- 
 powered tlicir imagination. The wealth and power of 
 the Crow nation exceeded all conception, and to oj)- 
 posc them in war was to incur unavoidable destruc- 
 tion. 
 
 After the Snakes liad traded off their stock of ])el- 
 try, obtaining large supplies in exchange, we returned 
 to the village. They iiad wonderful narratives of the 
 big fort and wealth of tlie Crow nation to spin to their 
 fellow-villagers. In fact, they were so impressed with 
 the idea of our superiority that two hundred lodges of 
 the Snakes joined our nation, and never separated from 
 them. They had a chief of their own, but conformed 
 to our laws and regulations, proving themselves faith- 
 ful ^/l'//o?^'-e/?'/^tVi a', and emulating our best warriors in 
 battle. This coalition increased our force to the num- 
 
.lAMKS I'. HECKWOrUTH. 
 
 ;5i)7 
 
 :f, tlie 
 
 shing 
 , after 
 id be- 
 lucncc! 
 dicim' 
 ,d sul- 
 I teacli 
 emicR. 
 arvels. 
 would 
 [c store 
 n coni- 
 gc, and 
 TOiiuity 
 in with 
 of their 
 he irre- 
 is over- 
 ower of 
 I to 0])- 
 dcstruc- 
 
 c of i)el- 
 returncd 
 es of the 
 to their 
 !sed with 
 odges of 
 itcd from 
 onformed 
 vcs faith- 
 arriors in 
 the mim- 
 
 ber of five liundred warriors — more than we had lost 
 in battle for four years preceding. They intermarried 
 V ith our women, and in a few years were so complete- 
 ly transformed that they had (juite forgotten their Snake 
 origin. On our return, the remainder of our friends 
 
 l(!ft us. 
 
 During our absence the Black Feet had invaded our 
 dominion, and made off with upwar<l of tlu'ce thousand 
 of our horses, very greatly to our detriment. T\\v 
 Snakes were anxious to pursue them, or, at least, to as- 
 sist their hosts in recapturing their stolen ))roperty, but 
 Long ][air declined their proffered service. Jle said, 
 "• No, L am too old to run after them, and the warriors 
 nmst have some one to direct them. Should any ac- 
 cident befall my people, the medicine chief would be 
 ixrievcd. We must wait his return from the fort ; if 
 lie then deems it proper to punisli them, he will not be 
 long without the means." 
 
 Our villages still remained together, and we moved 
 on to the head-waters of the Yellow Stone. We had 
 several war-parties out, and some endeavoring to re- 
 trieve our equine losses, while those who remained in 
 the villuge applied themselves to tra])ping and hunting. 
 The Snake women were Ncry skillful in dressing robes 
 — far superior to our own, as they had been more en- 
 gaged in it. 
 
 My wan-iors were again burning with the desire for 
 war and horse-raids, although our ])rairies were alive 
 with animals. Inaction seemed to consume them. In 
 spite of my })rohibition, they would steal away in ])ar- 
 ties during the night. When convicted, I would inflici 
 severe floggings upon them by my Dog Soldiers (who 
 did not spare the lash) ; ])ut it was to little purpose. 
 In fact, they took it as honorable distinetion to reeoiv(^ 
 
'MH 
 
 AiiTomotiKAriiv OI' 
 
 Ji lashing, inasnuich aa it indicated tlioir ovomillnp; ar- 
 dor for war; iiud tlio culprit who received a iio.^uiiii;- 
 this inoriiing for disobedience of orders, was sure lo he 
 olf at nit^ht again. An old warrior des|)is(\s lh(^ si,i;li( 
 of a fraj); luiutiug buflalo, even, does not aiVord him 
 cxciteuu'ut enough. Notliiug hut war or a lutrse-raid 
 is a business wortii their atten<hng to, and tiie cliicf 
 who seeks to control this precUlection too far loses i»0|t- 
 nlarity. 
 
 Accordingly, T gave way to tlie general desire of my 
 warriors. 1 seh*cted one hundred and sixty truslv 
 braves, intendino: " to lay alonti-side" my old friends tlie 
 Jilack Feet, and wipe out one or two old scores I iiad 
 marked against liiem. I invaded their territory with 
 my little force, and marched on, achuonisliing my spies 
 to extreme vic-ilance. We came in sit2:iit of a villaixe, 
 and secretetl ourselves till tiie proper hour of nigiit. 
 On our mnrcli we discovered a single Indian. Sonu' 
 of the i)arty called him to them, and clubbed him down 
 and scalped him. lie had mistaken us for his own 
 people. 
 
 At midnight we visited their herd, and drove out six 
 hundred and forty head. \ number of their best cat- 
 tle were tied at the doors of their lodges and in their 
 corrals. I an'ived home safe with my booty, and, as 
 1 had taken one scalp; we had a great dance. All our 
 other part ies were very successful, exce])ting one. Tliat 
 was one that had gone on an expedition against the 
 Arrap-a-hofl. Pine Leaf was in tlie number. They 
 had taken about a thousand horses, and, having reach- 
 ed a distance that they supposed safe, they slackened 
 their ])ace, and were proceeding carelessly along. Sud- 
 denly their pursuers came in sight- -a strong })osse 
 tomitatus — and retook all their animals except thos«' 
 
JAIMKS r. nKCKWOlIIlTFr. 
 
 369 
 
 icr ar- 
 
 I to 1)0 
 : sii;-lil 
 (I liim 
 
 1 of my 
 trust y 
 nds tl»»' 
 3 1 had 
 ly witli 
 ly s])iow 
 villap;o, 
 
 f ni;j;li1. 
 Home 
 
 in down 
 liis own 
 
 3 out six 
 l)est cat- 
 in their 
 , and, as 
 All our 
 le. That 
 ainst the 
 ir. Thoy 
 no; roach- 
 shickenod 
 
 t\rr. Sud- 
 
 ■)\vr posse 
 '.pt those 
 
 that horo the i'li^itives, and killed three of their com- 
 rades, '{'he Iieroiru^ eanic buck in mourning, looking 
 like the last of her race. 
 
 ( )ne of our victorious parties brought back iifty boys 
 and girls whom thv.y had captured while gathering 
 fruit. Since: the loss of our three thousand horses to 
 the Black Feet wc had captured six thousand, two thou- 
 sand tive hundred of which had been recovered from 
 the I Mack Feet. 
 
 Wc now moved on to the Yellow Stone, and cross- 
 ed it, the villages still keeping together. W(! then 
 journeyed on slowly in the direction of the fort, trap- 
 piiig and hunting all the way. Wc kept a vigilant eye 
 n[)on onr prisoners, for fear they might attempt an es- 
 cape to their own tribes, and thus bring upon us a foe 
 wlien we had no time to attend to him. 
 
 This was a very productive fall for jxdtry, and wc 
 sent in great cpiantitics to tlu^ fort in cidvanee of our ar- 
 rival. 1 remained at the trading-post nearly the whole 
 of the winter. In the early spring the Crows sent for 
 me to rejoin them. I went, accordingly, and found tliat 
 their long-continued good fortune had suftered a re- 
 verse. They had grown careless in their exjx'ditions, 
 and ]iad lost some of their wan'iors. They wished my 
 aid to revenge their deaths and wash their faces. 
 
 I required them to defer their retaliation until iho'ir 
 robes were dressed and sent to the fort. They took 
 hold of the business in good earnest, and every robe 
 was soon ready for market. 
 
 It was now time to plant our tobacco, and wc all 
 moved in the direction of our planting-ground. The 
 seed was put in, and the attending ceremonial gone 
 through with. Our pacific business thus completed, 
 the warriors began to prepare for war. Onr horses had 
 
 Q2 
 
;J7() 
 
 AUTOniOtSRAIMlY OK 
 
 been hiU Jittio used during flic, winter, and tJicy were 
 all tilt and in Iiigh -'Oii'li^ion. 
 
 I look tinre hundred and sixty warriors and went 
 against the Cheycnncs. We diseovered a moving vil- 
 lage of sixty lodges, eliargcd on it, and bore away nine 
 scalps, with considerable booty, without losing one drop 
 of blood. Pine Leaf was in my ])arty, and being so 
 unfortunate as not to count one <vw, she was greatly 
 out of humor, and blamed me for depriving her of the 
 opportunity of killing an enemy, "^riie truth is, we 
 had no time to favor her, as 1 was desirous to secure 
 our booty and get oti' without endangering the loss of 
 a man. 
 
 Her young lilack Foot prisoner had become quite a 
 warrior ; he went to wr.r constantly, and bid fair to 
 equal his captor in valor, lie was already a match 
 for an ordinary Sioux warrior, and took great pride in 
 his sister Pine Leaf. 
 
 All our war-parties returned without loss, and the 
 nation resumed its customary good spirits. I then 
 returned to the fort, where I rested all the summer. 
 
 My thoughts had for a long time past reverted to 
 home. Year after year had rolled away, and now that 
 I had attained middle life, they seemed to pass me with 
 accelerated pace, and the question would intrude upon 
 my mind. What h.ad I done? When I abandoned my- 
 self seriously to reflection, it seemed as if 1 had slum- 
 bered away the last twelve years. Others had accom- 
 plislied the same toils as myself, and were now enjoying 
 the fruits of their labor, and living in luxury and ease. 
 
 But what had been my career? and what advance 
 had T made toward tJiis desirable consummation ? I 
 had just visited the Lidian territory to gratify a youth- 
 ful thirst for adventure; 1 had narrowly escaped starv- 
 
JAMES I». BKCKWOUKTII. 
 
 371 
 
 were. 
 
 wont 
 - vil- 
 r nine 
 ^ drop 
 iuur so 
 ;r('atly 
 of tlu' 
 is, we 
 secure 
 loss of 
 
 quite a 
 
 fair to 
 
 match 
 pride in 
 
 and the 
 I then 
 nmcr. 
 crtcd to 
 low that 
 mc with 
 idc upon 
 )ned niy- 
 ad sUim- 
 d accom- 
 cnjoying 
 and ease. 
 ; advance 
 ition ? I 
 T a youth- 
 ped starv- 
 
 ation in a sorviee, in which \ liad no interest ; I had 
 traversed tlie fastnesses of the far Jtocky Mountains 
 in summer heats and winter frosts ; I had cncountererl 
 savage beasts and wild men, until my deliverance was 
 a prevailing miracle. Jiy the mere hadutatje of a fel- 
 low-trapper I had been adopted among the savages, 
 and had conformed my superior habits to their ruth- 
 less and untutored ways ; I had accompanied them in 
 their mutual slaughters, and dyed my iiand crimson 
 witli tlie blood of victims who had never injured mc ; 
 f had distinguished niyself in my barbarian seclusion, 
 and had risen to supreme command in the nation 1 had 
 devoted myself to. And what had 1 to show for so 
 nnieli wasted energy, and such a catalogue of ruthless 
 deeds ? 
 
 1 had been the means of saving many a fellow-creat- 
 ure's life. Did they still owe me gratitude? J*ossi- 
 bly some few did, while others had forgotten my name. 
 In good trutli, wiien 1 sought tlie results of my pro- 
 longed labors, 1 found 1 had simply wasted my time. 
 1 had bestowed years upon others, and only moments 
 upon myself. 
 
 However, I still lived, and there was yet time to 
 take more heed unto my ways. I resolved to go home 
 and sec my friends, and deliver myself from this j)res- 
 ent vagabond life. The attachments 1 had formed dur- 
 ing my savage chieftainship still retained some hold 
 upon my aflections, and it was barely possible 1 might 
 return to them, and end my days among rny trusty 
 braves. There at least was fidelity, and, when my 
 soul should de])art for the spirit land, their rude faith 
 would prompt then) to paint my bones, and treasure 
 them until I should visit them from my ever-flowering 
 hunting-ground, and demand tliem at their liands. 
 
;J72 
 
 AirToiuodKAi'iiv or 
 
 Sucli Hol»(»r tlioM^lils as \\u'si\ ocnipioil jny iiiiiid 
 iluriii^ my Miiimiu'r irsidciuT al Hic linl. I liad brought 
 wifli ino, all I lie peltry \\v had acMMimulatcMl, in order 
 io Ite in Heasoii lor flie boats, wliieli were soon to ntart 
 lor the lowiM- tort. I had direetiMl the village to follow 
 along with whatever peltry they might collect betore, 
 the departnn' ot'the boatM. 
 
 in obedienei' to this instruction, about two hundred 
 and titty warriors eanu' down, 1>ringing their connnod- 
 ities with them; but tiie: boats had gone, and i still 
 was waitinu: at tlu^ tort. 
 
 One day a party of my men were out to hunt l)ut- 
 I'alo lor our own use, when they aeeidentally seared up 
 eleven lUaek Teet, who were lurking about on the 
 look-out tor horses. They chased them into our old 
 can) ping-ground, and the t'ngitives had taken relugc in 
 our ohl temporary tort. I was pitting at the lort the, 
 wiiile, busily conversing with ])ersons present; I heard 
 the report of their guns, and supposed, if the atfair 
 provivl serious, 1 should be ])romptly sent for. liad 
 Hand, one of my leaders, linally said, "They arc tight- 
 ing out yonder, and I don't suj)posc they can do any 
 thing without we arc with them. Let us go." 
 
 AV^c each threw on a chief's coat, and went down to 
 sec how matters stood. 1 found the IJlack Feet forti- 
 lied in their position, and our men inelfcctually tiring 
 upon them. I ordered an immediate assault, })lacing 
 myself at their head. AVe advanced a few paces at a 
 rapid rate, when I fell senseless, with the blood gush- 
 ing from my mouth in a stream. All supj)osed me 
 mortally wounded, and I was carried into the fort to 
 breathe my last. 
 
 The boats had left, and TuUeck happened to be 
 plarting after them just as I was carried in. Seeing 
 
.lAMKH V. nKCKWCH'KTll. 
 
 ii7'A 
 
 u\'\\n\ 
 rou^lit 
 
 Htart 
 follow 
 bot'oH'. 
 
 »nnno(l- 
 [ I still 
 
 mt hni- 
 
 ",x\vd up 
 on tlic 
 our old 
 
 elugc iu 
 fort tho, 
 
 1 I licjird 
 iic ulVjiir 
 r. Wild 
 irc figlit- 
 i do any 
 
 down to 
 cot tbrti- 
 lly luing 
 placing; 
 aces at u 
 lod gusli- 
 )oscd mc 
 le fort to 
 
 ed to be 
 Seeing 
 
 my wounded rondition, and every one pronouncing ni<; 
 in a <lying Hlafe, lie rvporled nu; an lu'ing dead at the 
 lower fort, wiienci; the uv.wh traveled to my IriendH in 
 St. lA)uiH that I had Ixien killed in n tight with the 
 Indians. 
 
 In an hour or two it was discovenul that there was 
 still life in me, and that I was reviving. I was exam- 
 ined : there was no bulh^t-wound on my b<>dy, and 
 again it was provcsd that my broad-bladed hunting- 
 knife (though not the same one) had avisrted the blow. 
 It had been struck with an ouncur of lead impelled with 
 the full force of gunpow<ler. I speedily reeoveatid, but 
 cotitinued sore for a long time. 
 
 Kvery Black I'oot was killed by my men, who sealed 
 their defense and leaped upon them in such nundjcrs 
 that they almost smothered them. Only four of my 
 warriors were woundad. Intelligence of my injury was 
 sent to the village, which was three weciks in reaching 
 them. One thousand warriors instantly set out for the 
 fort, all my wives aec^ompanying them ; but 1 had re- 
 covered before their arrival. 
 
 Our party had scarcely encamped outside the fort, 
 when the J51ack Feet, who were always haunting us, 
 stole about eight hundred he.id of horses. On discov- 
 ering the theft, a large party st.'irted on their trail up 
 the river. The depredators would have to cross the 
 river to get home, and there was no crossing for horses 
 nearer than liftecn miles, after which they had to go on 
 to the INFussel Shell, a distance of twenty miles far- 
 ther, and only ten from the fort. I knew that this 
 would be the route of the fugitives, because it was their 
 regular beat. I had had no thought of going until it 
 suddenly occurred to mc that the party in pursuit 
 would most likely fail to overtake the thieves, while 
 
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 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 

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a74 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 1 had so admirable an opportunity to catch them on 
 the Mussel Shell. I took a party, therefore, forded 
 the river near the fort, and went on straight to the 
 Mussel Shell, where I posted my men. Our unsus- 
 2)ecting victims came up, singing in great memment, 
 and driving our horses before them, all of which were 
 jaded. I suffered then; to approach close upon us, 
 and then gave the word to cliaigc. Never was a party 
 taken more by surprise ; they were too dumbfoundered 
 to offer resistance, and all wc had to do was to chop 
 them down. We had tlieir twenty-four scalps in little 
 more than the same number of seconds. 
 
 When tlie other party came \ip and found the work 
 done, they thought we had been rained down there. 
 They knew ihcy had left us at the fort, and we had 
 not passed them on the way, and where did wc come 
 from? 
 
 Pine I^eaf was with the party, and she was ready to 
 blow me off my horse. It was unfair to take +he joT) 
 out of their hands, after they had almost run their horses 
 off their legs in the chase. I expressed my icgret at 
 the fortunate turn affairs had taivcn, and promised nev- 
 er to offend in the same manner again ; but it was a 
 long while before I coidd banter her into good humor. 
 
 I remained at the fort all the summer (as before 
 stated), intending to go down the riv^er on my way to 
 St. Louis with the last boats in the fall. While idling 
 there, 1 found the five men whom I had rescued from 
 starvation in a penniless condition, and unable to go 
 to work again. It seemed the company had issued or- 
 ders to their agents to furnish no more outfits to free 
 trappers on their personal credit, as the risk was too 
 great, from their extreme liability to be killed by the 
 Indians. To engage to work for the ;>ompany at tlie 
 
JAMES F. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 :M5 
 
 lem on 
 
 forded 
 
 to the 
 
 unsus- 
 
 riment, 
 
 ih were 
 
 pon us, 
 
 a party 
 
 iindered 
 
 to chop 
 
 in little 
 
 ho, work 
 
 n there. 
 
 \vc liad 
 
 ive come 
 
 ready to 
 e +he job 
 ;ir horses 
 1 egret at 
 ised nev- 
 it was a 
 d humor, 
 as before 
 y way to 
 lile idhng 
 3ued from 
 ble to go 
 issued or- 
 its to free 
 V was too 
 ed by the 
 my at the 
 
 price they were paying liands was only peiiietuating 
 their poverty ; for they were running the same risk of 
 their lives as if trapping for tlieniselves, and their re- 
 muneration was but as one to ten. They were do^vn- 
 hearted, and knew not what to do. Considerinc: their 
 sad condition, I determined to befriend them, and risk 
 the chances. I therefore offered to give them an ex- 
 cellent outfit, and direct them to the best beaver-ground 
 in the Crow nation, where they would l)e ])rotected from 
 all harm by my CroAV waiTiors as my friends, my in- 
 terest to be one lialf of the proceeds. 
 
 This offer was cheeriully accepted by the five men, 
 and tliey were highly elated at the prospect. I then 
 acquainte'1 the Crows that those men were my friends; 
 that they were the remains of a party ?f eleven, of 
 whom six had been killed by the Black ]"^cct, wdio had 
 despoiled them of every thing they had, and that I had 
 found these in the prairie almost fanr'shed to death. I 
 had engaged them to stay in the nation and trap for 
 me, and I wished my faithful Crow braves to protect 
 them in their pursuit, and suffer none; to offer them mo- 
 lestation. This they all readily promised to do, and 
 were even pleased with the tnist ; for it was a belief 
 with the Crows that the beavers in their streams were 
 too numerous ever to be diminished. My bosom friend 
 offered to remain with them, to show them the best 
 streams, and render them ail the assistance in his pow- 
 er. He was a most valuable auxiliary, as his skill in 
 trapping I never saw excelled. They went to work, 
 and met with extraordinary success ; my share of their 
 labors of less than three months amounted to five thou- 
 haad dollars. 
 
376 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 Departure for St. Louis. — Visit Fort Union. — Foit C'arkc. — Descend 
 to the A-rick-a-ra Country. — Am taken Prisoner. — Extraordinary 
 Means of Release. — Reach St. Louis. — Scarcely recognized by my 
 Sisters. — Changes. — Estrangement of Friends. — Sigh for my In- 
 dian Home. 
 
 The Sparrowliawk nation was all assembled at tlic 
 fort, to take le.ave ot'tlic Medicine Calf for several moons. 
 The boats liad arrived filled with a fresh stock of goods, 
 and tlie nation made purchases to the amount of many 
 thousands of dollars. The boats being now ready to 
 return again, I made a short address to my people be- 
 fore I bade them adieu. 
 
 " Sparrowhawks !" I said, "I am going to leave you 
 for a few moons, to visit my friends among the white 
 men. I shall return to you by Green Grass, when the 
 boats come back from the country of the whites. While 
 I am away, I desire you to reii ; mer the counsel I 
 have often given you. I wish you to send out no war- 
 parties, because you want for nothing, and your nation 
 is feared by all the neighboring tribes. Keep a good 
 look-out over your liorses, so as to aiford the enemy no 
 opportunity of stealing them. It is through careless- 
 ness in the horse-guards that one half the horses are 
 lost, and it is the loss of horses that leads to half the 
 battles tlxcit you fight. It is better not to ha^•e your 
 horses stolen in the first place, than to steal more in 
 the place of those you have lost. 
 
 " I also commend Mr. Tulleck to your care, as well 
 as all the inmates of tlie fort. Visit them often, and 
 
JAMES P. IJECKWOURTII. 
 
 377 
 
 -Descend 
 aordinary 
 ed by my 
 »r my In- 
 
 d at the 
 [ moons, 
 if goods, 
 of many 
 ready to 
 ;ople be- 
 
 eavc you 
 he white 
 when the 
 . While 
 counsel I 
 t no war- 
 ur nation 
 !p a good 
 enemy no 
 careless- 
 Lorses are 
 half the 
 la^■e your 
 il more in 
 
 L*e, as well 
 often, and 
 
 pee that they are not besieged or starved out by their 
 enemies. Do not let the Black Feet or any other bad 
 Indians harm them. Behave yourselves as becomes 
 my faithful Crows. Adieu!" 
 
 They all promised obedience to my instructions, and 
 I was soon on board. The boats were cast loose, and 
 we were borne rapidly down stream by the swift cur- 
 rc^nt of the Yellow Stone. 
 
 We called at Fort Union, and I staid tliere three 
 days. Here I had a fine canoe built, and two oarsmen 
 furnished me to carry me to St. Louis. I was bearer 
 of a large package of letters ; and when my little craft 
 was finished, I stepped on board and launched out upon 
 the swift-rolling current of the Missouri. After tlie 
 brilliant opportunities I had had of realizing a princely 
 fortune, my only wealth consisted of an order upon the 
 company for seven thousand eight hundred dollars. 
 
 Arriving at Fort Clarke, we made another short stay. 
 The A-rick-a-ras, whose country was some hundred 
 and fifty miles farther down, had just stolen nearly all 
 the horses belonging to the fort. Bellemaire, the in- 
 tci-preter of the fort, proposed to me to go after them, 
 and see if we could recover some of the horses. I con- 
 sented, and we went down to their village in my canoe, 
 and on our arrival there found them all dancing. An- 
 toine Garro, with two relatives, w^ere in the number. 
 On seeing our approach, one shouted, " Here come 
 white men!" and Garro and his brother instantly sprang 
 toward us and pushed us into a lodge, where we were 
 apparently prisoners. A council was summoned to de- 
 cide upon our fate, and I had but slight hopes of ever 
 .seeing St. Louis. A young Indian came at that mo- 
 ment, and mentioned in a whisper to Peter that there 
 was a large boat approaching. He made a long ha- 
 
n7H 
 
 AI'TOBIOGRAPIIY Ol' 
 
 ranguo before tlie others, in wliicli lie earnestly and en- 
 ergetically declaimed against taking tlic lives of white 
 men. lie concluded his oration hy saying, " You have 
 now my opinion, and remember, if you decide upon tak- 
 ing these white men's lives, E stay with you no lon- 
 ger.'' ITe then left the council and went down to the 
 boat, Avhere he advised the occupants to cross to the 
 other side of the river, as the Indians were at that mo- 
 ment deliberating upon the fate of Bellemaire and three 
 others. GaiTo's father happened to be on board, who 
 was a great man among the Indians, and, on learning 
 what business was in hand, he provided himself with a 
 club, and entered the village with his son Peter. He 
 then set about the council, and adminisi^ered to all the 
 members such a hearty thrashing, laying about him as 
 if fighting wild bulls, that I thought he nmst surely 
 slay seme of them. 
 
 "There!" exclaimed the old man, after having be- 
 labored them till he was out of breath, '*I'll teach you 
 to deliberate on the lives of white men, dogs as ye arc !" 
 
 The Indians offered no resistance, and said not a 
 word. We remained all night with old Garro's com- 
 pany, and returned to the fort in the morning. Belle- 
 maire recovered his own horses, but could obtain none 
 belonging to the fort. We called at all the forts that 
 lay in our way, to collect what dispatches they had to 
 send, making but brief stay, however, as I was impa- 
 tient to be getting on. At Fort Canaille I obtained a 
 passenger, a son of Mr. Pappen, who was going to St. 
 Louis, and I received reiterated charges to be very care- 
 ful of him. 
 
 Soon after our departure from the fort there came 
 on a cold rain-storm, which lasted several hours ; the 
 storm raged fiercely, and we had to make fast to a 
 
JAMES I'. BECKWOUKTH. 
 
 iMi) 
 
 nd en- 
 ' white 
 u heave 
 m tak- 
 10 loii- 
 
 to the 
 
 to the 
 lat mo- 
 ld three 
 :d, who 
 earning 
 ' with a 
 T. He 
 . all the 
 
 him as 
 ; surely 
 
 Hng be- 
 ach you 
 ye arc!" 
 d not a 
 o's com- 
 Belle- 
 ain none 
 brts that 
 y had to 
 as impa- 
 btained a 
 ng to St. 
 rery care- 
 
 ere came 
 )urs ; the 
 fast to a 
 
 snag in the middle of the river to save ourselves from 
 driving ashore. I had my Indian iire-striker, and, amid 
 all the wind and rain, I repeatedly lit my pipe. My 
 young passenger was astonished at the performance. 
 " If you can strike a fire," he exclaimed, " in such a 
 storm as this, I do not fear perishing." 
 
 When the storm had somewhat abated, we landed 
 to encamp. I shot two fat wild turkeys, which were 
 (juite a rarity to me, after having lived so many years 
 on buffalo-meat, there being no turkeys in tlie Crow 
 country. On arriving at Jefferson City I felt quite 
 sick, and showed symptoms of fever ; but I was anx- 
 ious to reach home without laying up. A steamboat 
 coming down the river, I went on board, canoe and 
 all, and was soon landed on the dock of St. Louis. 
 
 It was fourteen years since I had last seen the city, 
 and what a difference was observable in those few 
 years! But I was too sick to take much not) t of 
 things, and hastened to my sister's house, accompanied 
 by the cai*penter of the boat. 
 
 He rapped j the door was opened by my younger sis- 
 ter; I was supporting myself against the wall. Greet- 
 ings passed between them, for my companion was ac- 
 quainted with my family ; and he then informed her 
 that he was the bearer of sad news — hf brother James 
 was dead. 
 
 My sister Louise began to cry, and informed him 
 they had learned the news some weeks since. 
 
 Then turning to me, he said, "Come in, Jim, and 
 see your sister cry for you." 
 
 I advanced, and addressed her in my old familiar 
 manner, " How do you do, Lou ?" 
 
 I must have been a curious looking object for an af- 
 fectionate sister to recognize. All my clotliing consist- 
 
:i8() 
 
 AIITOHIOOK'APHV Ol 
 
 cd of dressed antelope, deer, and the skins of mount- 
 ain slieep, highly ornamented by my Indian wives. My 
 long hair, as black as the raven's wing, descended to 
 my hips, and I presented more the appearance of a 
 Crow than that of a civilized being. 
 
 She gazed at me for a moment with a searching look, 
 and then exclaiming, "My God, it is my brotlierl" she 
 flew into my arms, and was for some time unable to 
 speak. 
 
 At length she said, " Wc received a letter informhig 
 us of your death, and that Mr. TuUeck had seen you 
 borne into Fort Cass dead." 
 
 My elder sister, Matilda, was up stairs, entertaining 
 a few female friends, and Lou bounded up stairs to 
 acquaint her that lier brother James wished to speak 
 to her. 
 
 Thinking her to be jesting, she said, "Are you not 
 ashamed of yourself to jest on such a subject?" and she 
 shed tears at thus having me recalled to remembrance. 
 
 Louise asseverated her earnestness, and Matilda re- 
 -»' 'oved her for her wantonness, but would not budge to 
 ^ J nd see for herself. At length a Mrs. Le Fevre said, 
 
 " Matilda, I believe she is in earnest, and if you do 
 not go and see, I will." 
 
 She had been a child with me, and we used to re- 
 peat our catechism together; now she was married, 
 and the mother of several children. 
 
 She came tripping down stairs into my sister's apart- 
 ment, making a ceremonious courtesy as she entered. 
 My sister introduced her to me, asking me if I did not 
 recollect my commere (for we were baptized together). 
 I had forgotten her, but the mention of this circum- 
 stance recalled her to my mind, and there was an- 
 other embracing. 
 
JAMES P. m:CKWOi:UTH. 
 
 ;$81 
 
 mount- 
 3S. 31 y 
 ulcd to 
 ce of a 
 
 ig look, 
 .r'."shc 
 ial)lc to 
 
 iformiiig 
 ,ecn you 
 
 si-ti^ining 
 stairs to 
 to speak 
 
 you not 
 ' and she 
 mbrancc. 
 atilda re- 
 budge to 
 3vrc said, 
 if you do 
 
 sed to re- 
 niarried, 
 
 er's apart- 
 e entered. 
 [ I did not 
 together), 
 is circum- 
 e was an- 
 
 il 
 
 J lor faith being thus confinncd, my sister ^Matihh 
 was caHeil down, and my reccjjtion from her was even 
 more cordial than from the preceding friends. Siie was 
 a woman of great warmth of feeling, and her heart was 
 full to ovei-tiowing with the ^motions my name had 
 called up. She was the eldest of the family, and since 
 our mother's death she had been at once mother and 
 sister to us all. Although I was the vagrant of tlie 
 family, I still lived in her sisterly heart, and the su})- 
 jjosition that my earthly career was closed had only 
 hallowed my memory in her affections. 
 
 This was my second reception by my relatives after 
 1 had been supposed dead. One l)y my savage friends, 
 who, in welcoming me as their long-lost child, exhilj- 
 ited all the genuine emotions of untutored nature ; and 
 this second by my civilized friends, who, if less ener- 
 getic in their demonstrations of attachment, sliowcd 
 equal heartfelt joy, equal sincerity, and far superior de- 
 corum. 
 
 Tlie following morning I visited the company's office 
 and delivered my letters. I became too weak to walk 
 home, and Mr. Chouteau very obligingly drove me back 
 •in his carnage. I was compelled to take to my ])ed, 
 where I was confined for several days, under good med- 
 ical attendance, and most assiduously attended by my 
 relatives. 
 
 Their answers to my many inquiries confounded me 
 entirely. 
 
 " Where is my father ?" 
 
 *' He went back to Virginia, and died there many 
 years ago." 
 
 " Where are my brothers ?" 
 
 "They are scattered about the country." 
 
 " Where is such and such a friend V" 
 
:\H'2 
 
 AITOIIKMiUArilY OK 
 
 " III his ji;rjiv(\" 
 
 " When' IM I'ili/jiV" 
 
 " Slio wjis iiiirrird i\ inonlli jip;o, niter receiving in- 
 telliireiM'*" ol' your eerl.'iiii de.-illi." 
 
 I eeaMed my «|ueivini:;, Jiiul nverled my eyes fVom iiis 
 «iMlev'H pi/,e. 
 
 And lliis, I nuiHed, is my redirn home nt'ler yearH ol' 
 hiiuhl an(i('ipali<)!iM «»l weleome I 'I'liis in my neeure 
 and snnsliiny lia\en, atfev ho lonu; and (langeroiiH a 
 voyaiie I My lather dea«l, my hrollierH disiM'r.sed, inv 
 tVi(M»ds in ihtMr graves, und my loved on(> married I She 
 did well 1 have no right to eomplain— she is lost to 
 me t'orever I it a man's home exists in the heart ol'his 
 friends, with the d(>ath and alienation of those friends 
 his eherislu'd home I'ailes away, uiul he is again u wan- 
 derer upon the earth. 
 
 I do not know whether it was disappointment at so 
 mueli tleath, mntation, and estrangement, or whether I 
 bore tiie disease immediately in my own heart, hut I 
 was disappointed in my return home ; the antieipations 
 I had t'ormed were not realized — a feeling of eyiiieism 
 passed over u\<\ 1 thought of my Indian home, and 
 o( the unsophisticated hearts 1 liad left behind me. 
 Their lives were savage, and their perpetual animosi- 
 ties repulsive, but with this dark background there was 
 uuich viviil coloring in relict". If the Indian was unre- 
 leuling, and inin-dcred with his lance, his battle-axe, and 
 his knife, his white brother was ecpially unfeeling, and 
 had wavs of torturing his victim, if less violent, not 
 the less cert'iin. The savage is artless, and when you 
 win his admiration there is no envious reservation to 
 pronrpt him to do injustice to your name. Vou live 
 among them honored; and on your death, your bones 
 iuv stored religiously in their great cave along with 
 
.lAMI.H I'. liKCKWollMll, 
 
 :\h:\ 
 
 nj-; 111- 
 )\\\ inv 
 
 Tons !i 
 
 ctl, my 
 
 ! Slir 
 
 lost to 
 
 rt ot'liiH 
 
 {I wan- 
 
 ■nt ut St) 
 lu'lluT I 
 d, l»ut 1 
 •ipatiourt 
 i-yuioisiu 
 )im', and 
 lind mo. 
 auiinosi- 
 [lieiv was 
 kvas iiiiri'- 
 saxc, aiul 
 eliu}^, Jiiui 
 olcnt, not 
 when you 
 rvation to 
 Vou live 
 our bones 
 ilouii" with 
 
 oHuTH of* pn-ccdin^ }i;riH'..iti<)ii. , lo Im- each year viHil- 
 (mI, an«l |iaintr(l, atnl irllcrtcd on l»y a host of devoted 
 (•oiM|)ani<tnH. 'I'liere, is not the, elei^ance, there, the lii.x- 
 iny, the refined lueedinu;, hut liiere, irt inde plenty, 
 prairie.s Htn<hled vvitli liorHeM, and room to wander willi- 
 oiit any man to e.all yonr Htepw in (pieHtion. My child 
 wan there, and liiH mother, whom I loved; a rcliirn 
 (here waH in no way unnatural. I iiad ac<piire.d their 
 lialtitH, and wan in Hon)e, jnamicr uncM to them. I had 
 no lie, to hold me here, and I already almo.st determ- 
 ined upon retnrninji; to my Indian Iiome. 
 
 kSuc-Ii tlioup;htM i\H these, an I lay on my nick-hed, 
 puHMed eontinuoMMly thron^di my mind. A few of my 
 early fVi«'ndH, as lla-y heard of my return, came one 
 after the other to visit um; ; Imt they were all chan}i;ed. 
 The ili};lit of time, had wrouglit furrows upon their 
 smooth lirows, a>ul the nhadow of the w'lu^n of Time 
 was resting upon the li'.w fair cheeks I had known in 
 my younger days. 
 
 ClIAl'^riMI XXVIIT. 
 
 l)iHa«rccal)lo llcnrountcrs in St. !,ouiH. — MoHKcngrr arrivoH from Fort 
 (^;n,„__[,niiiiiu'nt I'cril of thn VVliitrH from tlic itifurintcd CrowH.— 
 The Cuusr.— Inuncdiatfi Krtnrn — IiicidcntH of my Arrival.— fine 
 Leaf BubstiUUcd for Eliza. — Last iJaUlc with the Black Feet. — 
 Final Adieu to the Crows. 
 
 It now comes in the order of relation to describe two 
 or three unpleiu^ant rencounters I had with various par- 
 ties in St. Louis, growing out of the misunderstanding 
 (already related) between tlic Crows and Mr. Fitzpat- 
 rick's party. I had already hciird reports in *hc mount- 
 ains detrimental to my character for my supposed ac- 
 
;i.s4 
 
 AIITUIJKXJHArMY oT 
 
 tloii ill tlio rnattor, Imt I had never \nnd iniicli Jitlciitioii 
 <» tliein. FricTjdH had cautioned me tliat tliere were 
 large sunis of money offered for my iife, and that sev- 
 eral men had even undertaken to earn the rewards. I 
 eould not credit Hucli friendly intimatioiiH ; still I 
 thought, on tile ]»rliieiple tiiat tlicrc Is never smoke but 
 tlun-e is lire, tliat it would he as well to keep myself a 
 little on my guard. 
 
 1 had recovered from my sickness, and I spent much 
 of my time about town. My friends repeatedly in- 
 (juired of me if I had seen i'itzpatrick. Wondering 
 how so much interest could attach to my meeting with 
 that man, I asked one day what reason there was for 
 making the inquiry. My friend answered, " I don't 
 wish you to adduce me as authority ; but there are 
 strong threats of taking your life for an alleged rob- 
 bery of Fitzpatrick by the Crow nation, in which you 
 were deeply concerned." 
 
 I saw now what to prepare for, although I still in- 
 clined to doubt that any man, possessed of ordinary 
 perceptions, could charge mc with an offense of which 
 I was so manifestly innocent. True, I had met Fitz- 
 patrick several times, and, instead of his former cordial 
 salutation, it was with difficulty he addressed a civil 
 word to me. 
 
 Shortly after this conversation with my friend I went 
 to the St. Louis Theatre. Between the pieces I had 
 stepped to the saloon to obtain some refreshments, and 
 I saw Fitzpatrick enter, with four other not very re- 
 spectable citizens. They advanced directly toward 
 me. Fitzpatrick then poinCed me out to them, saying, 
 "There's the Crow." 
 
 " Then," said the others, " we are Black Feet, and 
 let us have his scalp." 
 
J AWLS I'. HECKWOrKTlC. 
 
 ;J85 
 
 out ion 
 ■i wore 
 
 it HCV- 
 (Irf. I 
 Still I 
 
 ike but 
 ysclt' u 
 
 t much 
 (lly iu- 
 luloriug 
 ng with 
 was for 
 I don't 
 lerc are 
 red rob- 
 lich you 
 
 still in- 
 ordinary 
 of which 
 net Fitz- 
 sr cordial 
 d a civil 
 
 id I went 
 :es I had 
 
 lents, and 
 : very re- 
 y toward 
 n, saying, 
 
 Feet, and 
 
 i. 
 
 nie. 
 
 hey immediately drew their knives and rushed on 
 
 I then tliought of my friend's salutary counsel to bo 
 on my guard, but I had no wca])on about nie. Witli 
 the agility of a cat 1 sprung over the counter, and com- 
 menced passing tumblers faster than thoy had been in 
 the habit of receiving them. I had feHod one or two 
 of my assailants, and 1 saw I was in for a serious dis- 
 turbance. 
 
 A friend (and he is still living in St. Louis, woaltiiy 
 and influential) stepped behind the bar, and, slajiping 
 me on the slioulder, said, " Look out, Ikckwourth, you 
 will hur^- some of your friends." 
 
 I replied that my friends did not appear to be very 
 numerous just then. 
 
 '* You have friends present," he added ; and, pass- 
 ing an enormous bowie-knife into my hand, stepped out 
 again. 
 
 Now I was all right, and felt myself a match for the 
 five ruffians. My practice with the battle-axe, in a 
 case where the quickness of thought required a corre- 
 sponding rapidity of action, then came into play. 
 
 I made a sortie from my position on to the open floor, 
 and challenged the five bullies to come on ; at the same 
 time (which, in my excited state, was natural enough) 
 calling them by the hardest names. 
 
 My mind was fully made up to kill them if they had 
 only come at me ; my arm was nervous ; and my 
 friends, who knew me at that time, can tell whether ] 
 was quick-motioned or not. I had been in situations 
 where I had to ply my battle-axe with rapidity and 
 precision to redeem my own skull. I was still in tiiU 
 possession of my belligerent powers, and I had the feel- 
 ing of justice to sustain me. 
 
 R 
 
3.-0 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 I .stood at bay, with my Imgc bowie-knife clra\\Ti, 
 momentarily hesitating whether to give the Crow war- 
 hoop or not, when Sheriff J:Juzby hiid haiuls on me, and 
 requested me to be quiet. Aitiiough boihng with rage, I 
 respeeted tlie offieer's presence, and the assassins marcli- 
 ed oif to the hody of the theatre. I followed them to 
 the door, and defied them to descend to the street with 
 me; but the' sheriff becoming angry, and threatening 
 me Avitli the calaboose, 1 straightway left the theatre. 
 
 1 stood upon the steps, and a friend coming up, I 
 borrowed a well-loaded pistol of him, and moved slow- 
 ly away thinking that five men would surely never al- 
 low themselves to be cowed by one man. Shortly aft- 
 er, I perceived the whole party approaching, and, step- 
 ping back on the side-walk in front of a high wall, I 
 waited their coming up. On they came, swaggering 
 along, assuming the appearance of intoxication, and 
 talking with drunken incoherer.cy. 
 
 When they had approached near enough to suit me, 
 I ordered them to halt, and cross over to the other side 
 of the street. 
 
 " Who are you?" inquired one of them. 
 
 " I am he whom you are after, Jim Beckwourth ; and 
 if you advance one step farther, I will blow the tops of 
 your heads off." 
 
 "You are dnink, ar'n't you?" said one of the party. 
 
 *'No, I am not dnmk," I replied; '* I never drink 
 any thing to make a dog of me like yourselves." 
 
 I stood during this short colloquy in the middle of 
 the side-walk, with my pistol ready cocked in one hand 
 and my huge bowie-knife in the other; one step for- 
 ward would have been fatal to any one of them. 
 
 " Oh, he's drunk," said one ; " let's cross over to the 
 other side." And all five actually did pass over, which. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 387 
 
 drawn, 
 )w war- 
 me, and 
 h rage, I 
 3, march- 
 theni to 
 •eet with 
 :eatening 
 Lhcatvc. 
 ing up, I 
 /ed slow- 
 never al- 
 lortly aft- 
 and, step- 
 gh wall, I 
 •vaggering 
 ation, and 
 
 to suit me, 
 i other side 
 
 ourth; and 
 the tops of 
 
 )f the party, 
 never drink 
 lives." 
 le middle of 
 in one hand 
 ne step for- 
 them. 
 
 5S over to the 
 over, which. 
 
 if any of them ia Ptill living and has any regard for 
 truth, he must admit to this day. 
 
 I then proceeded liome. My sister had been inform- 
 ed of the rencounter, and on my return home I found 
 her frightened almost to death ; for Forsyth (one of the 
 party) had long been the terror of St. Louis, having 
 badly maimed many men, and tlie information that he 
 was after me led her to the conclusion that I would 
 surely be killed. 
 
 A ihw days after I met two of the party (Forsvth 
 and Kinney), when Forsyth accosted me, "Your name 
 is Beckwourth, I believe?" 
 
 I answered, '* That is my name." 
 
 " I understand that you have been circulating the 
 report that I attempted to assassinate you?" 
 
 *'I have told that you and your gang have been en- 
 deavoring to murder me," I replied, "and I repeat it 
 here." 
 
 " I will teach you to repeat such tales about me," 
 he said, hercely, and drew his knife, which he called 
 his Arkansas tooth-pick, from his pocket. 
 
 The knife I had provided myself with against any 
 emergency was too large to carry about me convenient- 
 ly, so I earned it at my back, having the handle within 
 reach ot^ my finger and thumb. Seeing his motion, I 
 whipped it out in a second. 
 
 "Now," said I, "you miserable ruffian, draw your 
 knife and come on ! I will not leave a piece of you 
 big enough to choke a dog." 
 
 "Come," interposed Kinney, "let us not make black- 
 guards of ourselves ; let us be going." And they act- 
 ually did pass on without drawing a weapon. 
 
 I was much pleased that this happened in a jmblic 
 part of the city, and in open day ; for the bully, whom 
 
388 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 it was believed the law could not humble, was visibly 
 cowed, and in the presence of a large concourse of men. 
 I had no more trouble from the })arty afterward. 
 
 In connection with tliis aftair, it is but justice to my- 
 self to mention that, when Captain Sublet, Fitzpatrick, 
 and myself happened to meet in the office of Mr. Chou- 
 teau, Captain Sublet inteiTogated Fitzpatrick upon the 
 cause of his hostility toward me, and represented to 
 him at length the open absurdity of his trumping up 
 a charge of robbery of his party in the mountains 
 against me. 
 
 Being thus pressed, Fitzpatrick used the following 
 words : "I never believed the truth of the charge my- 
 self; but when I am in the company of sundry per- 
 sons, they try to persuade me into the belief of it, in 
 order to raise trouble. I repeat, it is not my belief at 
 this present moment, and I will not be persuaded into 
 believing it again." Then turning to me, he said, 
 "Beckwou.Ji, I have done you a great injustice by 
 ever harboring such a thought. I acknowledge it free- 
 ly, and I ask your forgiveness for the same. Let us be 
 as we formerly were, friends, and think no more about 
 it." 
 
 Friends we therefore mutually pledged ourselves, 
 and friends we have since remained up to this* day. 
 
 V/hile in town I called on General Ashley, but he 
 happened to be away from home, I was about leaving 
 the house, when a melodious voice invited me in to 
 await the general's return. 
 
 " My husband will soon be back," the lady said, 
 "and will be, doubtless, pleased to see you " 
 
 I turned, and really thought I was looking on an 
 angel's face. She moved toward me with such grace, 
 and uttered such dulcet and haprmonious sounds, that 1 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 389 
 
 , visibly 
 
 of men. 
 
 d. 
 
 e to my- 
 
 zpatrick, 
 
 Lr. Chou- 
 
 upon the 
 
 sented to 
 
 nping up 
 
 lountains 
 
 following 
 large my- 
 mdry per- 
 li of it, in 
 Y belief at 
 laded into 
 , he said, 
 justice by 
 ige it free- 
 Let us be 
 nore about 
 
 ourselves, 
 lis* day. 
 
 ey, but he 
 out leaving 
 me in to 
 
 lady said, 
 
 dng on an 
 uch grace, 
 uids, that 1 
 
 was riveted to the spot. It was the first time I had 
 seen the lady of General Ashley. 
 
 1 accepted her invitation, and was shown into a neat 
 little parlor, the lady taking a seat at the window to act 
 as my entertainer until the return of the general. 
 
 "If I mistake not," she said, "you are a mount- 
 aineer ?" 
 
 I put on all the airs possible, and replied, "Yes, 
 madam, I was with General Ashley when he first went 
 to the mountains. " 
 
 Her grace and affability so charmed me that I could 
 not fix my ideas upon all the remarks she addressed 
 to me. I was conscious I was not showing myself off 
 to advantage, and she kept me saying "Yes, madam" 
 and "No, madam," without any correct understanding 
 of the appropriateness, until she espied the general ap- 
 proaching. 
 
 "Hero comes the general," the lady said; "I knew 
 he would not be long aw^ay." 
 
 Shortly the general entered the lodge, and fixed his 
 eye upon me in an instant, at the same time whipping 
 his pantaloons playfully Avith liis riding-wliip. 
 
 Rising from a better chair than the whole Crow na- 
 tion possessed, I said, without ceremony, " How do you 
 do, general ?" 
 
 " Gracious heavens ! is this you, Beckwourth ?" and 
 he seized my hand with the grip of a vice, and nearly 
 shook off my scalp, while his lady laughed heartily at 
 tlie rough salutation of two old mountaineers. 
 
 " My dear," said the general, " let me introduce you 
 to Mr. Beckwourth, of whom you have heard mc so 
 often make mention. This is the man that saved my 
 life on three different occasions in the liocky ^lount- 
 ains ; had it not been for our visitor, you would not 
 
;J90 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 have been Mrs. A-ihley at this moment. But you look 
 sickly, James ; wliat is the matter V" 
 
 I replied, "I had been confined to my bed since my 
 arrival in St. Louis." 
 
 We had a long conversation about the mountains and 
 my residence with the Crow nation. 1 was very Iios- 
 pitably entertained by my former commander and liis 
 amiable lady, and when I left, the promise was ex- 
 torted from me to make repeated calls upon them so 
 long as I remained in the city. 
 
 About tlie latter end of ]\Iarch a courier arrived from 
 Fort Cass, bringing tidings of a most alarming charac- 
 ter. He had come alone through all that vast extent 
 of Indian territory without being molested. Tt seemed 
 as though a special providence had shielded him. 
 
 lie found me in the theatre, and gave me a hasty re- 
 hearsal of the business. It seems tliat a party of trap- 
 ])ers, who had heard of my departure for St. Louis, hav- 
 ing fallen in with a number of Crows, had practiced 
 upon them in regard to me. 
 
 " Your great chief is gone to the white nation," said 
 the trapper spokesman. 
 
 " Yes, he has gone to see his friend, the great M'hite 
 chief." 
 
 "And you will never see him again." 
 
 " Yes, he will come back in the season of green 
 grass." 
 
 " No, the great white chief has killed him." 
 
 "Killed him!" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " What had he done that he should kill him ?" 
 
 " He was angry because he left the whites and came 
 to live with the Indians — because he fought for them." 
 
 It is the greatest wonder in the world that every one 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 391 
 
 you look 
 
 since my 
 
 tains and 
 very hos- 
 r and his 
 was cx- 
 L them so 
 
 ivcd from 
 itx charac- 
 ist extent. 
 It seemed 
 liim. 
 
 I hasty re- 
 ty of trap- 
 jouis, hav- 
 l practiced 
 
 tion," said 
 
 a*eat white 
 
 n of green 
 
 a. 
 
 n 
 
 him ?" 
 !S and came 
 t for them." 
 it every one 
 
 of the trapper party did not lose their scalps on the 
 spot. If the Indians Jiad had any prominent leader 
 among them, tliey infallibly would have been all killed, 
 and have paid the penalty of their mischievous lyino-. 
 Unfortunately for the Crows, they believe all the words 
 of a white man, thinking that his tongue is always 
 straight. These trappers, by their idle invention, had 
 jeopardized the lives of all the white men in the mount- 
 ains. 
 
 The Indians said no more, but dashed off to the vil- 
 lage, and carried the news of my death. 
 
 " How do you know that lie is dead ?*' they inquired. 
 
 *' Because tlie whites told us so, and their tongues 
 are not forked. The great white chief was angry be- 
 cause he staid with our people, and he killed him." 
 
 A council was immediately held to decide upon meas- 
 ures of vengeance. It was determined to proceed to 
 the fort and kill every white man there, and divide all 
 the goods, guns, and ammunition among themselves ; 
 then to send out parties in every direction, and make 
 a gencrj.l massacre of every white man. Innumerable 
 fingers were cut off, and hair without measure, in 
 mourning for me ; a costly sacrifice was then made to 
 the Great Spirit, and the 'lation ne:it set about cany- 
 ing out their plans ct vengeance. 
 
 The village moved toward the fort. Many were op- 
 posed to being too hasty, but all agreed that their de- 
 cisions should be acted upon. The night before the 
 village reached the fort, four women ran on in advance 
 of the village to acquaint Mr. Tulleck of the sanguin- 
 ary intention of the Crows. Every precaution was 
 taken to withstand them — every gun was loaded. The 
 village arrived, and, contrary to all precedent, the gates 
 of the fort were closed. 
 
892 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 The savages were infuriated. The whites had heard 
 of the death of the Medicine Calf, and had closed the 
 gates to prevent the anticipated vengeance. The in- 
 mates of the fort were in imminent peril ; hoiTor was 
 visible on their countenances. They might hold their 
 position for a while, but an investment by from ten to 
 fifteen thousand savages must reduce it eventually. 
 Tulleck was seated on the fort in great perplexity. 
 Many of the veteran Crow warriors were pacing to and 
 fi'O outside the inclosure. Yellow Belly was pro\'i- 
 sional head chief during my absence. Tulleck called 
 hmi to him. 
 
 He rode up and inquired, "What is the matter? 
 Why arc your gatt"^ shut against us ?" 
 
 "I had a dream lasi night," replied Tulleck, "and my 
 medicine told me I had to fight my own people to-day." 
 
 " Yes, your bird told you truth ; he did not lie. 
 Your chief has killed the JMedicine Calf, and we slyc 
 going to kill you all." 
 
 " But the Medicine Calf is not dead ; he will cer- 
 tainly come back again." 
 
 " Yes, he is dead. Tlie whites told us so, and they 
 never lie. You need not try to escape by saying he is 
 not dead, for we will not believe your words. You 
 can not escape us ; you can neither dig into the ground, 
 nor fl^ into the air ; if you attempt to run, I will put 
 five thousand warriors upon your trail, and follow you 
 to the wliite chief: even there you shall not escape us. 
 We have loved the whites, but we now hate them, and 
 we are all angry. You have but little meat in the 
 fort, and I know it ; when that is gone, you die." 
 
 My son, "little Jim," was standing near the fort, and 
 Mr. Tulleck called him to him. The child's answer 
 "Away! you smell bloody!" 
 
 was. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 393 
 
 lad heard 
 losed the 
 The in- 
 DiTor was 
 [lold their 
 om ten to 
 i^entually. 
 erplexity. 
 ng to and 
 ^as provi- 
 eck called 
 
 e matter? 
 
 , "and my 
 le to-day." 
 id not lie. 
 nd we ar(^ 
 
 e will cer- 
 
 ), and they 
 aying he is 
 >rds. You 
 he ground, 
 , I will put 
 follow you 
 ; escape us. 
 e them, and 
 meat in the 
 u die." 
 the fort, and 
 Id's answer 
 
 Mr. Tulleck, Iiowever, induced liim to approach, and 
 said, "Black Pantlier, I have always loved your father, 
 and you, and all the warriors, ilavc I ever told you 
 a lie ?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 "They have told you that your father is dead, but 
 they have lied ; he Hvcs, and will come back to you. 
 The white chief has not killed him. My words are 
 true. Do you believe your friend, and the friend of 
 your father ?" 
 
 " Yes. I love my father; he is a great chief. When 
 he is here, I feel happy — I feel strong ; but if he is 
 dead, I shall never feel happy any more. My mother 
 has cried four suns for him, and tells me I shall see 
 him no more, which makes me cry." 
 
 " Your father shall come back, my son, if you will 
 listen to what I now say to you." 
 
 "I will listen." 
 
 " Go, then, and ask Yellow Belly to grant me time 
 to send for your father to the country of the white men, 
 and if he be not here by the time tlie cherries shall 
 have turned red, I will then lay down my head, and 
 you may cut it off, and the warriors may kill us all, 
 for w^e will not fight against them. Go and tell the 
 chief that he must grant what I have told you for your 
 sake, and if he does not listen to you, you will never 
 see your father any more. Go ! " 
 
 The child accordingly went to Yellow Belly, and 
 begged him to grant one request. The chief, suppos- 
 ing that he was about to request permission to kill a 
 particular man at the fort, said, " Certainly, my son ; 
 any request you make shall be granted. Speak ! what 
 is it?" 
 
 The child then informed Yellow Belly what the 
 
 R 2 
 
;)94 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 Crane had said — that he would have liis father back 
 by the time the cherries turned red, or that he would 
 suffer his head to be cut off, and deliver up his whites 
 to the Crov, s, and would not tight. 
 
 "It shall be so, my son," Yellow Belly assented: 
 " go and tell the Crane to send for your father, for not 
 a wan'ior shall follow the trail of the white runner, or 
 even look upon it. If he does as he says, the whites 
 shall all live ; if he fails, they shall all die. Now go 
 and harangue the people, and tell all the warriors that 
 the Crane is going to send for your father, and the war- 
 rior who follows the runner's trail shall die. Yellow 
 iielly has said it." 
 
 He moiuited a horse, and did as the chief had di- 
 rected. 
 
 Joseph Pappen volunteered to deliver the message to 
 me: it was encountering a fearful hazard. His induce- 
 ment was a bonus of one thousand dollars. 
 
 The morning following the receipt of this intelli- 
 gence I saw jMr. Chouteau, who w^as in receipt of a let- 
 ter from ]\Ir. Tulleck by the same messenger. He was 
 in great uneasiness of minJ. There was over one hund- 
 red thousand dollars' worth of goods in the fort, and he 
 urged me to start without delay. The distance from 
 8t. Louis was estimated at two thousand seven hund- 
 red and fifty miles, and the safety of the men rendered 
 the greatest expedition necessary. Any sum I might 
 ask would be willingly paid me. 
 
 "Go!" said he; "engage as many men as you wish; 
 purchase all the horses you require: we will pay the 
 bills." He also furnished me with instructions to all 
 the agents on the way to provide me with whatever I 
 inquired for. The price 1 demanded for my services 
 was five thousand dollars, which was, without scruple, 
 
 I 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUKTII. 
 
 395 
 
 back 
 would 
 rvhites 
 
 niteil : 
 or not 
 tier, or 
 whites 
 lOW go 
 rs that 
 le war- 
 Y'ellow 
 
 [lad di- 
 
 isage to 
 induce- 
 
 intelli- 
 3f a let- 
 He was 
 e hund- 
 , and he 
 Lce from 
 n hund- 
 rendered 
 I might 
 
 DU wish; 
 
 pay the 
 
 ns to all 
 
 latever I 
 
 services 
 
 scruple, 
 
 allowed me. I hired two men to accompany me (Pap- 
 pen being one), to whom 1 gave liltcen hundred and 
 one thousand dollars respectively. 
 
 Our horses being procured, and every necessary 
 supplied us, away we started upon our journey, which 
 occupied us fifty-three days, as the traveling was bud. 
 Our last resting-place was i'ort Clarke. Thence we 
 struck directly across through a hostile Indian coun- 
 try, arriving in safety within hailing distance of the 
 fort before the cherries were ripe, although they were 
 very near it. 
 
 I rested on a gentle rise of ground to contemplate 
 the mass of people I saw before me. There they lay, 
 in their absorbing devotedness to their absent chief; 
 day and night, for long months, they had staid by 
 that wooden inclosure, watching for my return, or to 
 take fearful vengeance upon their prey. Tlicy had 
 loved the whites, but those whites had now killed their 
 chief because he had returned to his own people to 
 figlit for his kindred and nation — the chief wlio had 
 loved them much, and made them rich and strong. 
 They were now feared by their enemies, and respected 
 by all ; their prairies were covered with thousands of 
 horses, and their lodges were full of the wealth derived 
 from the whites. For this the white chief had killed 
 him, and a war of extermination was denounced against 
 them. The fort and its inmates were withui their 
 grasp; if the Crane would redeem his pledge and pro- 
 duce their missing chief, all w^ere well ; but if the ap- 
 pointed time passed by, and he were not forthcoming, 
 it was fearful to contemplate the vengeance they would 
 inflict. 
 
 When I thought of those contemptible wretches, 
 who, merely to wanton with the faith that the artless 
 
39(5 
 
 AL'TOBIOGKAPPIY OF 
 
 savages reposed in them, could fabricate a lie, and 
 arouse all this impending danger, I felt that a death at 
 the stake would not transcend their deserts. 
 
 I put my horse into speed, and rode in among the 
 Indians. J made the usual salutation on arriving be- 
 fore them, and, riding tlirough their ranks sullenly, 
 1 repeated two or three times, " I am angry !" Every 
 eye was turned on me, but not a warrior stirred ; the, 
 women seized their children and ran into lodges. The 
 Medicine Calf had arrived, but he was angry. 
 
 I advanced to the strong and well-secured gate of 
 the fort, and struck it a heavy blow with my battle- 
 axe. " Halloo, boys ! " I shouted ; "open your gate, and 
 admit a friend." 
 
 "Jim Beckwourth! By heavens, Jim Beckwourth!" 
 was repeated from tongue to tongue. The gates flew 
 open upon tlieir massive hinges, and, as I rode through, 
 I said, "Leave the gates open, boys; there is no longer 
 danger." 
 
 1 exchanged but a tew words with Mr. Tulleck, as 
 I had a difficult business before me. The people I 
 had to mollify were subject to strange caprices, and I 
 had not resolved what policy to adopt toward them. 
 
 I went and sat down sullenly, hanging my head so 
 low that my chin rested upon my breast : this was a to- 
 ken of my great displeasure. The braves came round 
 me slowly. My wives all formed then ^elves in a cir- 
 cular line, and marched round me, each one pausing as 
 she passed to place her hand on the back of my neck. 
 
 The brave old Yellow Belly was the first one to 
 speak, and what he said was to the purpose. 
 
 " What is the matter wicli our chief?" he inquired ; 
 
 who has angered the Medicine Calf?" 
 
 "Did I not tell you," I said, "that I left you in 
 
 (( 
 
iG, and 
 cath at 
 
 )ng tho 
 ing bc- 
 lUenly, 
 Every 
 jd; tho 
 i. The 
 
 gate of 
 ■ battle- 
 ;ate, and 
 
 iTOurth!" 
 ites flew 
 through, 
 10 longer 
 
 lUeck, as 
 people I 
 BS, and I 
 1 them. 
 T head so 
 was a to- 
 me round 
 J in a cir- 
 ausing as 
 my neck, 
 st one to 
 
 inquired ; 
 
 sft you in 
 
 JAMES r. BECKWOURTU. 
 
 397 
 
 charge of the Crane and these other whites during my 
 absence V And what do 1 behold on my return?" 
 
 *' Yes, I told you 1 would take care of the Crane 
 and these other whites while you were gone, and I have 
 done so. My warriors have killed buffalo for them to 
 eat, and our women have brought them wood and wa- 
 ter for their use, and they are all alive. Look ! Yon- 
 der is the Crane ; and his white people are all with 
 him — are tliey dead ?" 
 
 " No ; but you intended to kill them." 
 
 " Y'es ; but listen : if you had not returned before 
 the cherries turned red, we sliould have killed them all, 
 and every other white man besides that we could have 
 found in the Am-ma-ha-bas (Rocky Mountains). Now 
 hear what I have to say : 
 
 " Suppose I am now going to war, or I am going to 
 die. 1 come to you and say, ' My friend, I am going 
 to die yonder ; I want you to be a kind friend to my 
 children, and protect them after I depart for the land 
 of* the Great Spirit.' I go out and die. My wives 
 come to you with their fingers cut off, their haii' gone, 
 and the warm blood pouring from their bodies. They 
 are crying mournfully, and your heart pities them. 
 Among the children is a son in whom you behold the 
 image of your friend who is no more. The mother of 
 that child you know to be good and virtuous. Y^ou 
 have seen her triumphant entry into the medicine lodge, 
 where you have beheld so many cut to pieces in at- 
 tempting the same. You say, Here is the virtuous 
 wife of my friend ; she is beloved and respected by 
 the whole nation. She asks you to revenge her loss 
 — the loss that has deprived her of her husband and 
 the child of its father. In such a cise, what would you 
 do ? Speak !" 
 
;WH 
 
 ALTOUIOOKAI'IIY OK 
 
 ** 1 hIiouIcI certainly take my warriors," I replied, 
 *'an(l go aiul avengi^ your loss." 
 
 "Tiiat in just what 1 wan going to do for your rel- 
 atives, t'riondH, and nation. Mow punish nic if 1 have 
 done wrong."' 
 
 1 had nothing to .say in answer, and my head again 
 fell — the spell was not yet broken. The Crow JJelt, 
 an old and erafty l)rave, whispered to a young warrior, 
 who rose in siK'nee, and immediately left the fort. 
 
 JMrs. TuWeck shortly presented herself, and com- 
 nieneed tantalizing the (^rows. 
 
 " What are your warriors waiting for, who have been 
 thirsting so many suns to kill the whites ? Vou have 
 been brave for a long while ; where is all your bravery 
 now V The gates are set wide oi)en, Jind only three 
 have joined the few whites whom you thirsted to kill; 
 why don't you begin ? What are you afraid of?"' 
 
 Hhe continued in this aggravating strain, the war- 
 riors hearing it all, altliough they did not a])pear to no- 
 tice her. The woman's voice was agreeably relieved 
 by tones uttered jutside the gate, which at that mo- 
 ment fell upon my ear, and which I readily recognized 
 as the voice of I'ine Leaf. She was haranguing her 
 warriors in an animated manner, and delivering what, 
 in civilized life, would be called her valedictory ad- 
 dress. 
 
 "Warriors!" she said, "I am now about to make 
 a great sacriticc for my people. For many winters I 
 have been on the war-path with you ; I shall tread that 
 path no more ; you have now to fight the enemy with- 
 out me. When I laid down my needle and my beads, 
 and took up the battle-axe and the lance, my arm was 
 weak ; but few winters had passed over my head. My 
 brother had been killed by the enemy, and was gone 
 
 11 
 if 
 
 hi 
 
.JAMi:S 1'. UECKWOLUTII. 
 
 'M\) 
 
 '])licd, 
 
 ur \v\- 
 1 have 
 
 ap;ain 
 
 • licit, 
 
 arrior, 
 
 3rt. 
 
 com- 
 
 Ivc been 
 3U have 
 jravery 
 y three 
 to kill ; 
 
 ic war- 
 ir to no- 
 relieved 
 hat mo- 
 •offiiiiied 
 ung her 
 ig -Nvhat, 
 tory ad- 
 
 to make 
 vinters 1 
 read that 
 my with- 
 iy beads, 
 arm was 
 ad. My 
 fvas gone 
 
 to the hunting-ground ot'tlie Orcat Spirit. I Raw him 
 ill my drj.'ani.s. He would beckon for liis sinter to 
 conie to him. It wa.s my heart's desire to go to him, 
 but I wished lir.st to become a warrior, that 1 might 
 avenge his (h-ath upon his iocs before I went away. 
 
 " I said I would kill one hundred foes before I mar- 
 ried any living man. 1 lur e more than kept my word, 
 as our great ciiief and medicine m(;n can tell you. As 
 my arm increased in strength, the enemy learned to 
 fear me. 1 have aecomj)lished the task I set before 
 me; henceforward 1 leave the war-paths of my people; 
 r hav(^ fought my last battle, and hurled my last lance ; 
 I am a warrior no more. 
 
 '* To-day the Medicine Calf has returned. He has 
 returned angry at the follies of his people, and they 
 lear that he will again leave them, 'i'liey believe that 
 he loves m(% and that my devotion to him will attach 
 him to the nation. 1 therelbre bestow myself upon 
 him ; perha])s he will be contented with me, and will 
 leave us no more. AVarriors, farewell I'' 
 
 She then entered the fori, and said, " Sparrowhawks, 
 one who has followed you for many winters is about 
 to leave your war-path forever. When have you seen 
 Bar-chee-am-pe shrink from the charge ? You have seen 
 her lance red with the blood of the enemy more than 
 ten times ten. You know what her vow was, and you 
 know she has kept her word. ]\Iany of you have tried 
 to make her break her word, whicii you knew she had 
 passed to the Great Spirit when she lost her brother. 
 But you found that, though a w^oman, she had the 
 heart of a warrior. 
 
 "Do not turn your heads, but listen. You have 
 seen that a woman can keep her word. During the 
 many winters that I have followed you faithfully in 
 
400 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 the war-path, you have refused to let me into the war- 
 path secret, although you tell it to striplings on their 
 second excursion. It was unfair that 1 could not know- 
 it ; that 1 must be sent away with the women and chil- 
 dren, when the secret was made known to those one- 
 battle ])raves. If you had seen fit to tell it to me, it 
 would have been secret until my death. But let it go ; 
 I care no farther for it. 
 
 ** I am about to sacrifice what I have always chosen 
 to preserve — my liberty. The back of my steed has 
 been my lodge and my home. On his back, armed 
 witli my lance and battle-axe, I knew no fear. The 
 medicine chief, when lighting by my side, has display- 
 ed a noble courage and a lofty spirit, and he won from 
 my heart, what no other warrior has ever won, the 
 promise to marry him when my vow was fulfilled. lie 
 has done much for our people ; he has fought their en- 
 emies, and spilled his blood for them. When I shall 
 become his wife, I shall be fond and faithful to him. 
 My heart feels pure before the Great Spirit and the sun. 
 When I shall be no more on the war-path, obey the 
 voice of the IVIedicine Calf, and you will grow strong- 
 er and stronger • we shall continue a great and a hap- 
 py people, and Le will leave us no more. I have done."' 
 
 She then approached me, every eye being intently 
 fixed upon her. She placed her hand under my chin, 
 and lifted my head forcibly up. " Look at me," she 
 said ; *' I know that your heart is crying for the fol- 
 lies of the people. But let it cry no more. I know 
 you have ridden day and night to keep us from evil. 
 You have made us strong, and your desire is to pre- 
 serve us strong. Now stay at home with us ; you will 
 not be obliged to go to war more than twice in twelve 
 moons. And now, my friend, I am yours after yon 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOl RTH. 
 
 401 
 
 the war- 
 1 on their 
 not know 
 [ and chil- 
 hose one- 
 
 to me, it 
 ; let it go ; 
 
 lys chosen 
 steed has 
 ick, armed 
 fear. The 
 as display- 
 3 won from 
 r won, the 
 IfiUed. He 
 ;ht their en- 
 lien I shaU 
 ful to him. 
 md the sun. 
 h, obey the 
 row strong- 
 : and a hap- 
 have done.'' 
 ing intently 
 er my chin, 
 at me," she 
 ; for the fol- 
 re. I know 
 Ls from evil, 
 re is to pre- 
 xs ; you will 
 ce in twelve 
 rs after yon 
 
 have so long been seeking me. I believe you love me, 
 for you have often told me you did, and I believe you 
 liavc not a forked tongue. Our lotlge sliall be a hap- 
 py one ; and when you depart to the happy hunting- 
 ground, I will be already there to welcome you. This 
 day I become your wife — Bar-chec-am-pc is a warrior 
 no more." 
 
 Tliis relieved me of my melanelioly. I shook the 
 braves by the hand all round, and narrated much of 
 my recent adventures to them. AVhen I came to my 
 danger in the ^V-rick-a-ra country, tlicy were almost 
 boiling witli wratli, and asked my permission to go antl 
 exterminate tliem. 
 
 Pine J^eaf left the fort with my sisters to go and 
 dress for the short marriage ceremony. She had so 
 long v> orn the war costume that female apparel seem- 
 ed hardly to become her ; she returned so transformed 
 in appearance that the beholder co'ild scarcely recog- 
 nize her for the same person. 
 
 When I visited her lodge in the evening I found her 
 dressed like a queen, with a lodge full of her own and 
 my relatives to witness the nuptials. Siie was natural- 
 ly a pensive, deep-thinking girl ; her mind seemed ab- 
 sorbed in some other object than worldly matters. It 
 might be that her continual remembrance of her brc til- 
 er's early fall had tinged her mind with melancholy, 
 or it might be constitutional to her ; but for an Indian 
 girl she had more of that winning grace, more of those 
 feminine blandishments — in short, she approached near- 
 er to our ideal of a woman than her savage birth and 
 breed would seem to render possible. 
 
 This was my last marriage in the Crow nation. Pine 
 Leaf, the pride and admiration of her people, was no 
 longer the dauntless and victorious warrior, the aveng- 
 
402 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 cr of tho fall of her brother. She retired from the field 
 of lier glorj, mid became the aftcctionate wife of tlic 
 Medicine Calf. 
 
 The difliciilty being now entirely removed, we quit- 
 ted our encanipnicnt, and went on a hunting excursion. 
 We were away but a few days, and then returned to 
 the fort. One morning ;t was discovered a large drove 
 of horses was missing. A party was dispatched along 
 the trail, which conducted them precisely the same route 
 they took before. I raised a party, and again struck 
 across the ]\Iussel Shell, and, finding I was before the 
 fugitives, 1 secreted my warriors as before. We had 
 waited but a few moments, when I saw the enemy 
 emerge from the pines, not more than a mile distant. 
 Pine Leaf and my little wife were with me. My new 
 bride, as she saw the enemy approacli, lost all recollec- 
 tion of her new character ; licr eye assumed its former 
 martial fire, and, liad she had her former war equip- 
 ments, beyond all doubt she would have joined in the 
 dash upon the foe. 
 
 The pursued, which was a party of Black Feet, were 
 hard pressed by their pursuers in the rear, but very 
 shortly they were harder pushed in the van. When 
 within proper distance, I gave the word Hoo-ki-hi 
 (charge), and every Black Foot instantly perished. So 
 sudden was our attack, they had not time to fire a gun. 
 I struck down one man, and, looking round for another 
 to ride at, I found they were all dead. The pursuers 
 did not arrive in time to participate in the fight. We 
 took thirty-eight scalps, and recovered one thousand 
 horses, with which we returned to the fort. This was 
 my last battle in the Crow nation; the scalp I relieved 
 the Black Foot of was the last I ever took for them. 
 
 Before my sudden recall from St. Louis I had enter- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 40ii 
 
 the field 
 :e of the 
 
 we quit- 
 :cursion. 
 limed to 
 ge drove 
 ed along 
 ine route 
 n struck 
 efore the 
 We had 
 e enemy 
 1 distant. 
 ]My new > 
 . recollec- 
 ts former 
 ar equip- 
 led in the 
 
 ^^eet, were 
 but very 
 u When 
 Hoo-ki-hi 
 shed. So 
 tire a gun. 
 or another 
 3 pursuers 
 ght. We 
 thousand 
 This was 
 ► 1 relieved 
 for them, 
 had enter- 
 
 ed into negotiations which I now felt I would like to 
 complete. I had informed the Crows, after my mar- 
 riage with Pine Leaf, that 1 must return to the coun- 
 try of the vyhites, as they liad called me away htfore I 
 liad had t me to finisli my business. Wlien tlk boats 
 were ready to go down stream 1 stepped on board, and 
 proceeded as far as Fort Union. J*revious to depn.rt- 
 ing, I informed the Crows tiiat I sliould be back in four 
 seasons, as I at that time supposed I should. T told 
 them to credit no reports of my death, for they were 
 all false; the white? vould never kill me. Pine Leaf 
 inquired if I would certainly come back. I assured her 
 that, if life was preserved to me, I would I nad been 
 married but five weeks when 1 left, and I have never 
 seen her since. 
 
 I was disappointed in my expectation of entering into 
 a satisfactory engagement to the agent of the company, 
 so I kept OP to St. Louis. In good trutli, I was tired 
 of savage life under any aspect. I knew that, if I re- 
 mained with them, it would be war and carnage to the 
 end of the chapter, and my mind sickened at the rep- 
 etition of such scenes. Savage life admits of no re- 
 pose to the man who desires to retain the character of 
 a great brave; there is no retiring upon your laurels. 
 I "OiiJd have become a pipe-man, but I did not like to 
 descend to that ; and, farther, I could not reconcile my- 
 self to a life of inactivity. Pine Leaf and my little wife 
 would have excited their powers of pleasing to procure 
 me happiness ; but I felt I was not doing justice to my- 
 self to relapse irretrievably into barbarism. 
 
 It certainly grieved me to leave a people who reposed 
 so much trust in me, and with whom I had been asso- 
 ciated so long ; and, indeed, could I have made an en- 
 gagement with the American Fur Company, as I had 
 
404 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 Iioped to do, I Rhould have redeemed my promise to 
 the Crows, and possibly Iiave iinislied my days with 
 them. But, being miatalcen in my calculations, I was 
 led on to scenes wilder and still more various, yet dig- 
 nified with the name of greater utility, because asso- 
 ciated with the interests of civilization. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 Return to St. Louis. — Interview with General Gaines. — The Mule- 
 teers' Company — Departure for Florida. — Vreck of the "Maid of 
 New York.'' — Arrival at Fort Brooke. — Tampa Bay. — Bearer of Dis- 
 patches to General Jessup. — Battle of 0-kc-cho-be. — Anecdotes and 
 Incidents. 
 
 I HAD speedy passage to St. Louis, and arrived there 
 after an absence of live months. I mentioned that I 
 had left some business unsettled at the time of my sud- 
 den leave. This was none other than an affair matri- 
 monial ; but on my return I had some misunderstand- 
 ing with my fair dulcinea, and the courtship dropped 
 through. 
 
 At this time the Florida war was unfinished. Gen- 
 eral Gaines was in St. Louis for the purpose of rais- 
 ing a company of mei.i familiar with Indian habits. 
 Mr. Sublet had spoken to him about me, and had rec- 
 ommended me as being particularly well acquainted 
 with Indian life. The general sent a request that I 
 would call upon him at his quarters. I went accord- 
 ingly, and was introduced by Sublet. 
 
 The general inquired of me how I would like to go to 
 Florida to fight the Indians. I replied that I had seen 
 so much of Indian warfare during the last sixteen 
 years that I was about tired of it, and did not want to 
 engage in it again, at least for the present. He re- 
 
JAMEH P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 405 
 
 3mise to 
 Livs willi 
 lis, I was 
 , yet dig- 
 iise asso- 
 
 -The Mule- 
 c " Maid of 
 earcr of Dis- 
 iccdotes and 
 
 ived there 
 icd that I 
 f my sud- 
 air matri- 
 iderstand- 
 p dropped 
 
 ed. Gen- 
 ge of rais- 
 an habits, 
 d had rec- 
 acquainted 
 lest that I 
 iut accord- 
 
 ke to go to 
 I had seen 
 ist sixteen 
 lot want to 
 t. He re- 
 
 marked that there was a good opportunity there for 
 renown. He wished, he said, to raise a company which 
 would go down as muleteers ; that their duties woukl 
 be light, and so on through the stereotyped benefits pe- 
 culiar to a soldier's life. 
 
 Sublet recommended me to engage. Florida, he 
 said, was a delightful country, and 1 should find a wide 
 difference between the cold region of the Rocky Mount- 
 ains and the genial and salubrious South. 
 
 The general then inquired if I could not raise a com- 
 pany of mountain-boys to go with me. I replied that 
 I thought I could, or that, at any rate, I would make 
 the effort. 
 
 The trapping busmess was unusually dull at that 
 time, and there were plenty of unoccupied men in the 
 city ready to engage in any enterprise. I went among 
 my acquaintance, and soon collected a company of six- 
 ty-four men. 1. went and reported my success to the 
 general. He wished to see the men. I brought them 
 all forward, and had their names enrolled. I was ap- 
 pointed captain of the company, with three lieutenants 
 elected from the men. 
 
 On the ninth day of my stay in St. Louis, we went 
 on board a steamer going down stream, and were quick- 
 ly on our way to the Seminole country. We had a 
 delightful journey to New Orleans, where we were de- 
 tained five days in waiting for a vessel to transport us 
 to the fields of " renown." While waiting in New 
 Orleans I fell in witli several old acquaintances, who 
 gave me an elegant parting dinner. I then sported the 
 commission of captain in the service of Uncle Sam. 
 
 Our vessel, the Maid of New York, Captain Can-, 
 being at length ready for sea, my soldiers, with their 
 horses, were taken on board, and we set sail for Tam- 
 
406 
 
 ArTUH10(JKAIMIY UF 
 
 pa l^ay. I now, for tlic first time in my life, saw salt 
 water, and the sickncsH it produced in nic led me to 
 curse General Gaines, and the trappings of war to boot. 
 Our vessel stranded on a reef, and tlierc she remained 
 snug enough, all efforts to dislodge her proving fruit- 
 less. There was one small island in siglit to leeward; 
 in every other direction there was nothing visible but 
 the Iieaving ocean. Wreckers, who seemed to rise from 
 the sea-foam, flocked instantly around us, and were re- 
 ceived by our captain with a ready volley of nautical 
 compliment. The vessel had settled deeply into a bed 
 of sand and rock; the water was rapidly gaining in 
 her hold, and my commission, together witli my gal- 
 lant companions in arms, seemed, at that moment, to 
 have a slim chance of ever serving our respected uncle 
 in the '* fields of renown." I ascended the rigging to 
 take a survey of the country. Many a time an eleva- 
 ted prospect had delivered me from difficulties, if dis- 
 similar, yet not less imminent, than those that now 
 menaced me. Still I felt that, could those ratlines I 
 was now ascending be transformed into the back of 
 my Indian war-steed, this ocean be replaced with a 
 prairie, and that distant speck which they called an 
 island be transmuted mto a buffalo, I would give my 
 chance of a major-generalship in purchase of the change ; 
 for the sensations of hunger I began to feel were un- 
 comfortably acute, and I saw no immediate prospect 
 of alleviating the pain. Suddenly I saw a long line 
 of black smoke, which I thought must be from a prai- 
 rie fire. I reported my discovery to the captain, and 
 he hoisted our colors at half-mast, to signal for assist- 
 ance. A small steamer came in sight, and made to- 
 ward us, and finally ranged up under our stem. She 
 took off all my men except myself and twelve others. 
 
JAMES P. Bi:CKWOURTII. 
 
 407 
 
 ?aw salt 
 I mc to 
 to boot, 
 cmained 
 fig truit- 
 eeward ; 
 able but 
 rise from 
 were rc- 
 
 nautical 
 ito a bed 
 lining in 
 
 my gal- 
 )ment, to 
 ted uncle 
 •igging to 
 an eleva- 
 es, if dis- 
 that now 
 ratlines I 
 5 back of 
 3d with a 
 
 called an 
 \ give my 
 le change; 
 L were un- 
 e prospect 
 I long line 
 •om a prai- 
 iptain, and 
 
 for assist- 
 \ made to- 
 tem. She 
 jlve others. 
 
 I wrote to the commandant at Tampa Bay to inform 
 him of our situation, and asking liitn for immediate as- 
 sistance. After twelve days' stay on the reef, two 
 small brigs came out to us, and received on board our- 
 selves, with our liorscs and forage, conveying us to 
 Tampa Bay, where tliey cast anchor. Major Bryant 
 sent for me to his quarters, and I forthwith presented 
 myself before him. 
 
 This officer gave me a very cordial welcome, congrat- 
 ulating the service on having an experienced mount- 
 aineer, and saying several other very complimentary 
 things. At length he said, " Captain Beckwourth, I 
 wish to open a communication between this port and 
 the head-quarters of Colonel Jessup, distant about one 
 Imndred miles. I have received no dispatches from 
 there, although nine couriers have been dispatched by 
 Colonel Taylor." 
 
 I replied, " Sir, I have no knowledge of the coun- 
 try ; I know nothing of its roads or trails, the situa- 
 tion of its posts, nor do I so much as know the posi- 
 tion of Colonel Jessup's command. To attempt to 
 convey dispatches while so little prepared to keep out 
 of harm's way, I very much fear, would be to again 
 disappoint the service in the delivery of its messages, 
 and to afford the Seminoles an additional scalp to those 
 they have already taken." 
 
 He pooh-poohed my objections. " A man," said Ma- 
 jor Bryant, " who has fought the Indians in the Rocky 
 Mountains the number of years that you have, will find 
 no difficulty here in Florida." 
 
 *' Well," I assented, *' furnish me with the bearings 
 of the country, and direct me to the colonel's camp, 
 and I will do my best to reach there." 
 
 Accordingly, the major furnished me with all the 
 
408 
 
 AUTUBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 necessary instructions, and I started alone on my er- 
 rand. 
 
 It was my acquired habit never to travel along any 
 beaten putli or open trail, but rather to give suoti road 
 a wide berth, and take the chances of the open coun- 
 try. I observed my invariable custom on this occa- 
 sion, merely keeping in view the bearings of the posi- 
 tion I was steering for. I started from Major Ijry- 
 ant's post about sunrise, and reached the colonel's 
 head-qu«.ters at nightfall the following day. I pass- 
 ed through the camp without seeing it ; but the sound 
 of a bugle falling on my ear, I tacked about, and final- 
 ly alighted upon it. 
 
 As I rode up I was hailed by a sentinel, 
 
 " Who come dere ?" 
 
 "An express." 
 
 " Vat you vant in dish camp ?" 
 
 " I wish to see Colonel Jessup. Call the officer of 
 the guard." 
 
 "Vat for you come from dat way vere ish de Schimy- 
 noles ?" 
 
 " Call your officer of the guard," said I, impatiently. 
 
 The officer of the guard at length appeared. 
 
 " What are you here again for ?" he inquired of me. 
 
 "I wish to see the commanding officer," I replied. 
 
 " Yes, you are always wishing to see the command- 
 ing officer," he said ; " but he will not be troubled 
 with you much longer ; he will soon commence hang- 
 ing you all." 
 
 " I demand to be shown to the commanding officer, 
 sir," I reiterated. 
 
 *' Who are you, then ?" 
 
 " I am a bearer of dispatches." 
 
 " Give them to me." 
 
.i.\.Mj;s 1'. iiKCKwni irni. 
 
 4oy 
 
 my er- 
 
 Dng any 
 loti road 
 !n coun- 
 lis occa- 
 :he posi- 
 jor Ury- 
 colonel's 
 I pass- 
 lie sound 
 ind final- 
 
 officer of 
 
 B Scliimy- 
 
 ipatiently. 
 
 d. 
 
 red of me. 
 
 I replied. 
 
 command- 
 
 B troubled 
 
 ence hang- 
 
 [ing officer, 
 
 " 1 was not instructed to give tlicm to you. I sliall 
 not do it, sir."' 
 
 " I Lelicvc you came from the Scminolcs ; you came 
 from tliat direction." 
 ^ *' You believe wrong, sir. Will you sliow mc to 
 Colonel Jessup, or will you not ?" 
 
 This very cautious officer of the guard then went to 
 tlie marquee of the colonel, and addressed him : " Here 
 is another of those Heminoles, sir, who says he has dis- 
 patches for you. What shall I do with him V" 
 
 The colonel came out, and eyed me scrutinizinn-ly. 
 
 " Have you brought disi)atches for me ?*' he inquh-ed. 
 
 "I have, sir.*' 
 
 " J^'rom where ?" 
 
 "From Tampa Bay, sir." 
 
 *'IIe came from the Seniinoles, colonel," intei-posed 
 the officer of the guard. 
 
 " You are mistaken again, sir," I said, giving him 
 the look of a Crow in the midst of a battle ; for I was 
 not yet hireling enough not to feel aggravated at being 
 called by implication a liar. 
 
 "Let me see your dispatches," said the colonel. 
 
 I handed him the documents ; he took them, and 
 passed into his tent. 
 
 This did not suit me. I resolved to return instant- 
 ly. I had not been treated with common civility ; no 
 inquiries had been made about my appetite ; I was 
 not even invited d alight from my horse. I had nei- 
 tlier eaten nor slept since I left Tampa Bay. I was 
 on the point of turning my horse's head, secretly re- 
 solving that these were the last dispatches I would 
 bear in that direction, when the colonel called, 
 
 "Captain Beckwourth, alight ! alight, sir, and como 
 into my quarters. Orderly, have Captain Beckwourth's 
 
no 
 
 AITomonRAPIIV OF 
 
 liorsc taken imnicdiatc care of. You must be hungry, 
 captain." 
 
 " Wliat I need most now is sleep," I said; " let mo 
 have a little repose, and then I shall feel refreshed, and 
 will not refuse to sit down to a meal." 
 
 The colonel bowed assent, and, raising a canvas 
 door, pointed out to me a place for repose, at the same 
 time promising me I should not be disturbed. Wlien 
 I awoke, I presented myself, and was regaled with a 
 good substantial supper. This rccniited me, and I was 
 again fit for service. 
 
 The colonel made many inquiries of my past serv- 
 ice. IMajor Bryant had made very favorable mention 
 of mc in his dispatches, which seemed to have inspired 
 quite an interest in the colonel's mind. lie asked mc 
 if I was a native of Florida, where 1 had spent my ear- 
 ly days, and my reason for entering the army. I an- 
 swered all his questions as briefly as possible, men- 
 tioning that I had been tempted among the Seminoles 
 by the })romise held out by General (Jaines of my gain- 
 ing " renown." The colonel thouglit my company of 
 mountaineers a valuable acquisition to the service, and 
 he made no doubt we should achieve great credit in 
 ferreting out the hiding-places of the Indians. 
 
 He soon had his papers ready ; they were delivered 
 to me, and I departed. On the way I stopped at a 
 fort, the name of which I forget, and took a fresh horse. 
 J. finally arrived at the Bay without seeing an Indian. 
 
 I staid v/itli my company for two or three weeks 
 at Fori Brooke, during which time we were engaged in 
 l)reaking-in mules. We were then placed under the 
 command of Colonel Taylor, afterward General, and 
 President of the United States, whose force was com- 
 posed of United States troops and volunteers, some of 
 
.JAMKS 1'. niX'KWOUUTH. 
 
 411 
 
 lungry, 
 
 ' let mc 
 icd, and 
 
 canvas 
 
 he sanu' 
 
 When 
 
 I with a 
 
 nd I was 
 
 ast serv- 
 nicntion 
 ; inspired 
 asked me 
 t my car- 
 y. I an- 
 ble, men- 
 ■^eminoles 
 f my gain- 
 mpany of 
 jrviee, and 
 t credit ii> 
 
 IS. 
 
 3 delivered 
 opped at a 
 ■resh horse. 
 
 an Indian, 
 [n-ee weeks 
 
 engaged in 
 i under the 
 General, and 
 ;e was com- 
 3rs, some oi 
 
 the latter being from ]\lissouri. 'I'lic col:nol advance:! 
 southward with sixteen hundred men, erecting, as v/r 
 advanced, a fort at the interval of every twenty-fi^e 
 miles. 
 
 On the morning of Christmas-day (1 8)^7) our camp 
 was beleaguered by a large force of Indians, and Col- 
 onel Taylor ordered an advance upon them. The spot 
 was thickly grown with trees, and numbers of our as- 
 sailants were concealed among the branches ; as our 
 line advanced, therefore, many were singled out by the 
 enemy, and we lost fearfully in killed and wounded. 
 The yelling was the most deafening J ever heard, for 
 there were many negroes among the enemy, and their 
 yells drowned those of the Red JMen. I soon found 
 we had a diHerent enemy from the Black Feet to fight, 
 and different ground to iight on. The country lost 
 several valuable lives through this slight brush with 
 the Indians. The gallant Colonel (ientry, of the ]\lis- 
 souri volunteers, was shot through the head ; Col- 
 onel Thompson, and several other officers, were also 
 among the slain. The enemy had made an excellent 
 choice of gi'ound, and coidd see our troops while re- 
 maining concealed themselves. 
 
 I placed myself behind a tree, and Captain Morgan, 
 of the Missouri Spies, was similarly sheltered close by. 
 We were surrounded with Indians, and one was watch- 
 ing, on the opposite side of the tree that protected me, 
 for a chance to get my scalp. A Missourian picked off 
 a fine fat negro wlio had ensconced himself in a live- 
 oak tree. As he fell to the ground it shook beneath 
 him : the fruit was ripe, but unfit for food. 
 
 Seeing the men dropping around, Major Price ordered 
 a retreat. The order was instantly countermanded by 
 Colonel Davenport, who, by so doing, saved many lives. 
 
Ill' 
 
 Al TOlilOOHAIMIV nl 
 
 Colonel Foster luul taken a very expoHod pOHition 
 on tiie Lon;:;li of u tree, where he was visible to all. I ic. 
 (•rdered hi.s men to lie low and load their muskets; he 
 waited till ho saw a favorable o})i)ortiinity, and then 
 shouted, " b'irc, boys, and pour it into the red and 
 black rascals I" 
 
 A charge with bayonets was finally ordered, and th(^ 
 Indians, not relishing the look of the sharp steel, retreat- 
 ed; however, not before they had seized a sergeant-major 
 and a private from our line, and scalped them alive. 
 
 This was the battle of ( )-ke-cho-be, which lasted four 
 hours. We lost over a hundred in killed and wourul- 
 cd ; the enemy left nine Indians and a negro dead upon 
 the tield. Sam ijones, the half-breed, was only eight 
 miles distant, with a force of a thousand warriors; most 
 providentially he had been dissuaded by the negroes 
 from advancing, who assured him that the whites would 
 not light on Christmas-day. 
 
 It was reported that Colonel Taylor was uncontrol- 
 lably angry during the battle, and that his aids and 
 other officers had to hold him by main force to prevent 
 him from rushing among the enemy, and meeting cer- 
 tain death. J. do not know what truth there was in 
 this, for I saw nothing of it, nor, indeed, did I see the 
 colonel dm-ing the whole of the four hours' fighting. 
 
 (^n the conclusion of the action Colonel Taylor wish- 
 ed to send dispatches to Tampa Bay. lie request- 
 ed Captain Lomax to take his company and go with 
 them. The captain refused, for the reason that he and 
 his men would infallibly be massacred. The colonel 
 remarked then, " Smce you are all afraid, I will go 
 myself." He sent for me, and demanded if I could 
 raise a sufficient numl)cr of brave men among my 
 mountaineers to carry dispatches to the Bay. 
 
.JAMKS 1*. l»i:( KWUl Kill. 
 
 41li 
 
 )OSltlOU 
 
 ill. lie- 
 :cts; he 
 lid then 
 reel and 
 
 and the 
 , rctrcut- 
 nt-major 
 
 alive, 
 sted four 
 I wouiul- 
 cad upon 
 nly eight 
 ors ; most 
 3 negroes 
 tes would 
 
 incontrol- 
 aids and 
 to prevent 
 acting ccr- 
 src was in 
 I see the 
 ighting. 
 dor wish- 
 e request- 
 id go with 
 lat he and 
 he colonel 
 , I will go 
 if I could 
 among my 
 
 1 
 
 ■}' 
 
 1 answered, certainly, it* I could have his favorite 
 liorsc, which was the llcctest one in the wiiole army, 
 and sucii cxceHcnt bottom that he was as fresh after a 
 journey as before. 1 considered tiiat, if 1 had to run 
 the gauntlet through a host of fteminoles and infuri- 
 ated negroes, the best horse was none too good, and 
 was, indeed, my only means of salvation. 
 
 When ready to start, t a})plied for the dispatches. 
 
 " Where arc your men V" asked the colonel. 
 
 **My men arc in their quarters, colonel," I said. 
 ** I am going to carry those dispatches by myself." 
 
 "They must go through," he remarked, *'and 1 
 want them to go well guarded." 
 
 *' 1 am not going to tight, colonel," I replied, " 1 am 
 going to run ; and one man will make less noise than 
 twenty. If I am not killed the dispatches shall arrive 
 safe ; my life is certainly worth as much to mc as tlie 
 charge I am intrusted with, and for personal safety i 
 prefer going alone." 
 
 In our progress out the troops had cut their way 
 through several huiamoel's^ and had thrown the bush- 
 es up on both sides. 1 had to pass through some of 
 these lanes. It was night when I started, and as 1 
 was riding through one of these excavations at a good 
 pace, I heard a sudden noise in the brush. I saw my- 
 self in a trap, and my hair bristled up with atlright. 1 
 was greatly relieved, however, by the speedy discovery 
 ti\at it was only a deer I had scared, and which was 
 scampering away at its utmost speed. I continued on, 
 resting a short time at each fort, until I arrived in sight 
 of Fort Brooke. As soon as I arrived within hailing 
 distance, I shouted "Victory I victory!" whicii brought 
 out officers and men, impatient to hear the news. T 
 could not see that O-ke-cho-be was much of a victory ; 
 
414 
 
 AUTUBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 indeed, I shrewdly suspected that the enemy l::.d the 
 advantage ; but it was called a victory by the soldiers, 
 and they were the best qualified to decide. 
 
 On my return, I found Colonel Taylor, soon after 
 rhe battle, had retrograded to Fort Bassinger. We 
 lay at that fort a long while ; spies were vigilantly on 
 tlie look-out, but nothing very encouraging was report- 
 ed. 1 and my company of mountaineers did not en- 
 camp with the other troops, but took up our quarters 
 at a considerable distance from the main guard. We 
 were quite tired of inactivity, and wanted to go some- 
 where or do something. Being quartered by ourselves, 
 we were not subjected to the restrictions and military 
 regulations of the camp ; we had our own jollifications, 
 and indulged in some little comforts which the camp 
 did not enjoy. We always would have a large fire 
 when there was need for it, for it destroyed the mill- 
 Ions of musquitoes and other vermin that annoyed us ; 
 and, as some of our company were always about, the 
 • ndians never molested us. 
 
 iherc was a large hunnnock about four miles dis- 
 tant from thq fort which the Indians infested in great 
 numbers, but, as they could not be dislodged without 
 gi'eat loss, our colonel was conp-trained to content him- 
 self with closely watching them. One day I proposed 
 to my men to take a stroll, and they fell with great alac- 
 rity into the proposition. We passed down to the in- 
 terdicted hummock, where we shot two deer, and found 
 quite an assortment of stock. We drove them all to 
 the camp before us, to the great admiration of the offi- 
 cers and men present. We had captured quite a drove 
 of hogs, several head of cattle, and a good sprinkling 
 of Seminole ponies. We saw no Indians at the hum- 
 mock, though certainly we did not search very dili- 
 i'OTitlv for tliom. 
 
JAMES r. JJEL'KWOLKTII. 
 
 41.5 
 
 \:\i\ the 
 oldiers, 
 
 m after 
 f. We 
 intly on 
 5 report- 
 not en- 
 quarters 
 d. We 
 "•o some- 
 irselves, 
 military 
 ications, 
 he camp 
 arge fire 
 the niill- 
 oyed us ; 
 bout, the 
 
 niles dis- 
 
 I in great 
 
 II without 
 itent him- 
 [ proposed 
 vreat alac- 
 to the in- 
 and found 
 hem all to 
 of the offi- 
 ite a drove 
 sprinkling 
 t the hum- 
 very dili- 
 
 During our stay at tiie fort, the communication be- 
 tween that post and Charlotte's Harbor was closed, 
 and one messenger had been killed. The quarter- 
 master inquired of me if I would undertake the trip. 
 I told him I would ; and set one hundred dollars as 
 the price of the undertaking, which he thought quite 
 reasonable. I started with the dispatches, and pro- 
 ceeded at an easy gallop, my eye glancing in every di- 
 rection, as had been my wont for many years. In cast- 
 ing a look about two gun-shots ahead, 1 felt sure that 
 [ saw some feathers showing themselves just above 
 the palmettos, and exactly in the direction that 1 was 
 bending my steps. I rode a short distance farther, 
 and my suspicion was confirmed. I immediately stop- 
 ped my horse and dismounted, as though for the pur- 
 pose of adjusting my saddle, but in reality to watch 
 my supposed toes. In a miimte or two several heads 
 appeared, looking in my direction, and withdrew again 
 in an instant. Immediately the heads declined behind 
 tlie grass, I sprang upon my horse, and reined him 
 out of the road, taking a wide circuit round them, which 
 I knew would carry me out of danger. I then looked 
 after them, and tantalized them with my gestures in 
 every manner possible, motioning them to come and 
 see me ; but they seemed to be aware that their legs 
 were not long enough to reach me, so tliey digested 
 their disappointment, and troubled me no farther. I 
 arrived safe at the Harbor that same day, delivered my 
 dispatches, and was back at the fort the followino- 
 night. 
 
 We now experienced a heavy rain, which deluged 
 the entire country, and prevented any farther opera- 
 tions against the Indians. The colonel ordered a re- 
 treat to Tampa Bay, and, as there was no danger of 
 
41G 
 
 AUTOmuGKArUY OF 
 
 molestation on the way, many of the ofticers obtained 
 libcriy to gallop on in advance of the army. Colonel 
 Jkyant rode a very valuable black charger, acknowl- 
 edged to be the best horse in camp. After traveling 
 on a while, the colonel said, " I have a notion to rid(^ 
 on and get in to-day, as my presence is required ; you 
 can get in to-morrow at your leisure." A number said, 
 If you can get in to-day, we can, and finally the whole 
 party proposed starting off together. 
 
 Wc at length came to a SAvampy place in the road, 
 which spread over live miles, and in many places took 
 our horses off their feet. This place forded, there was 
 then a narrow stream, and after that it was all dry 
 land. Having passed the swamp and the stream, and 
 got fairly on to dry land again, I took the saddle oft* 
 my mule, vv'hich example all followed, and, with the 
 assistance of a brother officer, wrung the saddle-blank- 
 et as dry as possible, and then spread it out fairly in 
 the sun to dry. In the mean while, the horses helped 
 themselves to a good feed of gTass, and we all partook 
 of a hearty lunch likewise. 
 
 Thus refreshed, we saddled up and proceeded again. 
 After a few miles travel we discovered the rear of Bry- 
 ant's party, who were toiling slowly along, and goring 
 their animals' flanks in the vain endeavor to urge them 
 into speed. We passed them with a hearty cheer. 
 We journeyed on until within three miles of the fort, 
 where there was a short bend in the road, and a foot- 
 trail across, which saved about a hundred yard^. 
 "Now, gentlemen," said I, "let us raise a gallop, and 
 pass every body on the road." The work was at once 
 accomplished, some of my men deriding those left be- 
 hind on account of their miserable progress. We then 
 all struck into a gallop, and soon reached the fort, and 
 
JAMES 1*. UnCKWUlKTll. 
 
 417 
 
 (taincd 
 Colonel 
 knovvl- 
 aveling 
 to rido 
 \ ; von 
 cr said, 
 e whole 
 
 le road, 
 ces took 
 lere was 
 
 all dry 
 ;am, and 
 iddle off 
 with the 
 le-blank- 
 
 fairly in 
 es helped 
 partook 
 
 ed again, 
 r of Bry- 
 d goring 
 rge them 
 ty cheer, 
 f the fort, 
 d a foot- 
 d yard:-, 
 allop, and 
 as at once 
 se left be- 
 We then 
 fort, and 
 
 a 
 
 several of our company found time to get quite intoxi- 
 cated before the quarter-master arrived, lie, however, 
 soon recovered his equanimity of temper, and begged 
 a solution of the mystery how we could come in with 
 our animals fresh, while his and his companions' Jiorses 
 were jaded to death, lie was referred by all to the 
 captain of the mountaineers. 
 
 1 said, *' .V horse, colonel, is only flesh and blood, 
 and hi« system requires greater care than that of il- 
 most any other animal. We beat your powerful steed 
 with inferior animals by affording them a short rest, 
 with a mouthful or tivo of grass on the road, and by 
 wringhig our blankets after we had passed the water." 
 
 Now we had another long interval of inactivity, and 
 I began to grow tired of Florida, with its inaccessible 
 hummocks. It seemed to me to be a country dear even 
 at the price of the powder that would be required to 
 blow the Indians out of it, and certainly a poor field to 
 work in for renown. ]\Iy company and I, its com- 
 mander, had nothing to do except to carry an occasion- 
 al dispatch, and I wanted excitement of some kind — I 
 was indifferent of what nature, even if it was no bet- 
 ter than boiTowing horses of the Black Feet. The 
 Seminoles had no horses worth stealing, or I should 
 certainly have exercised my talents for tlie benefit of 
 the United States. 
 
 The last dispatches that I carried in Florida I bore 
 from Fort Dade to Fort Brooke. In accomplishing 
 this, I traveled with my customary caution, avoiding 
 the trail as much as possible. In a part wiiere I an- 
 ticipated no danger, I took the trail, and fell asleep on 
 my horse, for I had ridden four days and nights with- 
 out rest, except what I had snatched upon horseback. 
 Suddenly my horse sprang aside, instantly awaking 
 
 S2 
 
4lb 
 
 ALTOJIIUGKAPIJV Ol- 
 
 me. 1 tbund I had bcon sleeping too loiiji", tor L liad 
 ])assed the turning-point, and was now near a hum- 
 mock. To return would eost me several miles travel. 
 My Iiorse's ears informed me there was something in 
 motion near by. 1 pondered my position, and ulti- 
 mately resolved to take the chances and go ahead. The 
 road through the hummock was just wide enough to 
 admit the army wagons to pass. I bid my horse go, 
 and he sprung forward with tremendous bounds. He 
 liad not reached through this dark and dangerous pass 
 when I saw the flash of several guns, and the balls whiz- 
 zed harndessly past me. I discharged my pistols at 
 the lair of my foes, and traveled on in safety to the fort. 
 
 I grew tired of this, and informed Colonel l^ryant 
 that I wished to resign my task. " Why ?" said he ; 
 "every body who undertakes it gets killed, while you 
 never see any Indians. What are we to do ?" 
 
 W^Iien in camp, I had frequently seen men come 
 running in half dead with alarm, saying lihat they had 
 seen Indians, or had been iired upon by Indians. 1 
 remarked that they were alvvays ridiculed by the of- 
 flcers ; even the privates disbelieved them. Seeing 
 this, I determined to say nothing about my adventure; 
 for, if tJiey had received my assertion w^ith increduli- 
 ty, it might liave led to an unpleasant scene in the 
 wigwam. • 
 
 I was determined to return to the "home of the free 
 and the land of the brave," for I felt that the mount- 
 ains and the prairies of the Great West, although less 
 attended with renown, at least would afford me more 
 of the substantial comforts of life, and suit my peculiar 
 taste better than the service of Uncle Sam in Florida. 
 
 The commander of the fort, after reading the dis- 
 patch, indorsed on it, "Beckwourth fired on by a party 
 
JAMES I*. HEfKWOL'lJTII. 
 
 4\i) 
 
 1 had 
 
 hum- 
 travel, 
 ing in 
 i ulti- 
 l. The 
 ugh to 
 rse go, 
 s. H(« 
 lis pass 
 [s whiz- 
 stols at 
 the fort. 
 
 Bryant 
 3aid he ; 
 hile you 
 
 en come 
 they had 
 ians. 1 
 ■f the of- 
 Sceing 
 venture; 
 ncreduli- 
 le in the 
 
 f the free 
 e mount- 
 oudi less 
 me more 
 y peculiar 
 Florida, 
 the dis- 
 3y a party 
 
 of Indians when near tliis post." He tlien returned it 
 to me, and I rode on to Fort Brooke. 
 
 ( /oloncl Bryant, having read the dispatch, said, "Ah, 
 Beckwourth, you have been fired on, I see ! why did 
 you not tell us so on your arrival ?" 
 
 I informed him of my reasons, as before stated. 
 
 He smiled. "Your word would have been believed 
 by us all," he said; "it is these stupid foreigners that 
 we discredit, who do not know an Indian from a stump; 
 they have deceived us too often for us to put further 
 faith in them." 
 
 A Seminole came into the fort a few days subse- 
 quent to this, to give himself up, his arm being broken. 
 When questioned about it, he said that a white man 
 had broken it in such a hummock, on such a night. I 
 then knew that my pistols, which I tired at random, 
 had done the mischief. 
 
 Alligator, the Seminole Chief, shortly after came in. 
 and informed Colonel Taylor that he and his tribe had 
 concluded to remove to their new home, and requested 
 the colonel to send down wagons to transport their 
 women and children. 
 
 "I have fought you a long time," said the Red Man, 
 " but I can not beat you. If I kill ten of your war- 
 riors, you send a hundred to replace them ; I am now 
 ready to go, and save the rest of my people." 
 
 " Yes," the colonel answered, " your talk is good. 
 You can now go to your new home, and be happy. 
 There is a man (pointing to me) who is a great chief 
 of a great nation ; you will, for aught I know, be neigh- 
 bor to his people ; he and his people will teach you to 
 hunt the buffalo, and I hope you will be good friends." 
 
 While I was with the army a tragedy occurred, 
 which I have never seen in any public print, and I deem 
 
-120 
 
 .AiniHIUGKAIMiY (.»P 
 
 it of sufficient interest to make mention of it here. A 
 young private, of very respectable connexions^ hnd 
 l)cen tried for sonic oifense, and sentenced to receive .1 
 i logging, wliicli was carried unmercifully into ert'ect. 
 After he had recovered, the surgeon bade him go and 
 report himself lit for duty. 
 
 "I will go," said he, "but it will be my last duty.'* 
 
 Accordingly, he fixed his bayonet and repaired to 
 the officers' quarters, where he found the captain and 
 first lieutenant of his company. He advanced upon 
 them, and saying, "You have disgraced me with an 
 inhuman flogging — die !" he shot the captain dead, and 
 plunged his bayonet through the body of the lieuten- 
 ant, also killing him on the spot. 
 
 He straightway gave himself up, was tried by court- 
 martial, and sentenced to be shot. The execution of 
 the sentence was withheld by Colonel Taylor, who had 
 forwarded the particulars of the trial to the department 
 at Washington, and was waiting the result of official 
 investigation. The case was found worthy of execu- 
 tive interference; a pardon was signed by the Pres- 
 ident and sent on, and the young man was liberated 
 from confinement. 
 
 Such inhuman treatment as this poor young soldier 
 received at the hands of his officers has resulted, I have 
 no shadow of doubt, in the death of many an officer on 
 the battle-field. 
 
 I remember, at the battle of 0-ke-clio-be, a young 
 lieutenant riding up to Colonel Foster, and saying, 
 " Colonel, I have been shot at twice, and not by the 
 enemy either.*' 
 
 " It was by no friend, I will swear," said the colo- 
 nel ; " you can leave the field, and learn to treat your 
 men well in future." 
 
JAMES I'. ni:('K\Vn[:KTH, 
 
 421 
 
 re. iv 
 
 -J • - ■ 
 
 301 vc ;i 
 
 go and 
 
 duty.'' 
 lired to 
 lin and 
 id upon 
 svitli an 
 ;ad, and 
 lieuten- 
 
 y court- 
 ution of 
 who had 
 Dartment 
 ►f official 
 )f execu- 
 he Pres- 
 liberated 
 
 ig soldier 
 
 ed, I have 
 
 officer on 
 
 , a young 
 d saying, 
 lot by the 
 
 I the colo- 
 treat your 
 
 This I witnessed myself; but whether tlie young 
 " buckskin'' profited by the sharp cut of tlie colonel 
 r Jini unable to say. 
 
 Tliere was a Tcnnesseean in camp, a gi'cat foot-ra- 
 cer, who was incessantly boasting about his wonderful 
 pedestrian powers, lie had a valuable horse, which 
 he oft'ered to stake against any person in the camp for 
 a race of sixty yards. As lie was considered a "great 
 leg" by all, no one ventured to take up his offer. 
 
 I offered myself as a competitor, but all sought to 
 dissuade me. "Don't run against him," said they; 
 " that fellow will outrun Lucifer himself. He has beat 
 every man who has run against him in Florida." 
 
 However, I staked a hundred dollars against his 
 horse, and entered the lists. We started together; 
 but, as I did not see my antagonist either ahead of 
 me or by my side, I looked around, and saw him com- 
 ing up. I went out a good distance ahead of him, and 
 did not exert myself either. 
 
 The enemy having submitted to the government, 
 there was nothing more for us to do, and I asked for 
 a furlough to return to Ht. Louis. I and my company 
 were enlisted for a year ; ten months of this time had 
 been served, and I. obtained a furlough for the remaining 
 two months. We embarked for New Orleans, Colonel 
 Gates and his regiment taking passage in the same 
 ship. Arriving at my place of destination in safety, I 
 staid but one night in the " Crescent City," and then 
 took the steamer to St. Louis, where we had a good 
 time while steaming up, and I Avas very well satisfied 
 to jump ashore once again at my old home. My com- 
 pany all returned but two, one of whom died in New 
 Orleans, the other was killed by the Heminolas after I 
 left. 
 
422 
 
 ai;t<jbiugraph\ ur 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 Departure for the Mountains. — Severe Sickness on the Waj'. — Arrival 
 at IJont'a Fort. — Arrival at Sublet's Fort. — Interview witli the Choy 
 ennos. — Difiiculty with a Sioux Warrior. — His Death. — Successful 
 Tr.'idc opened with various Tribes. — Incidents. 
 
 I STAID but five days in St. Louis, wliicli time I de- 
 voted to a hasty visit among my friends. I entered 
 into service witli Messrs. Sublet and Yasques to return 
 to the mountains and trade with any tribes I miglit 
 find on the head-waters of the Platte and Arkansa.=5 
 rivers. This country embraces the hunting-ground.s 
 of the Cheyennes, the AiTap-a-hos, the Sioux, and the 
 I-a-tans. 
 
 All preliminaries being arranged, which are of no in- 
 terest to the reader, I bade my friends once more adieu; 
 and, stepping on board a steam-boat bound up the ]\Iis~ 
 souri, we were soon breasting its broad and turbid cur- 
 rent. We spent the Fourth on board, amid much noise, 
 revelry, and drunken patriotism. We were landed in 
 safety at Independence, where we received our wagons, 
 cattle, etc., with which to convey the immense stock 
 of goods I had brought through the Indian country. 
 We were very successful in escaping accident in our 
 progress over the plains, until we reached the ridge 
 which passes between the Arkansas and Platte rivers. 
 While ascending this ridge, accompanied with Mr. 
 Vasques, I was sun-struck. We were at that time 
 twenty miles from water; I was burning with thirst, 
 the heat was intolerable, and hostile Indians were be- 
 fore us. After incredible suffering we reached the riv- 
 
lAMES P. UKCKWOLRTII. 
 
 42a 
 
 — Arrival 
 the Clioy 
 Jucoessfui 
 
 ne I de- 
 entered 
 
 return 
 
 1 might 
 irkansa? 
 ■grounds 
 
 and the, 
 
 of no hi- 
 re adieu; 
 the Mis- 
 rbid cur- 
 Lch noise, 
 Landed in 
 • wagons, 
 ise stoclv 
 country, 
 nt in ouv 
 tlie ridge 
 tte rivers, 
 with Mr. 
 that time 
 ith thirst, 
 \ were be- 
 id the riv- 
 
 er bank, and crossed tlie stream to an ishmd, wliere J 
 lay me down to die. All our medicines were in the 
 wagons, and two days" journey in our rear. My fa- 
 tigue and suftering had thrown me into a fever ; f be- 
 came delirious, and grew rapidly worse. 1 requested 
 my companion to return to the wagons and procure me 
 some medicine ; but he refused to leave me, lest I might 
 (he in his absence. 
 
 I said to him, " If you stay by me I shall certainly 
 die, for you can not relieve me ; but if you go, and 
 naaire holds out till you return, there is some chance 
 of my gaining relief. Go," 1 added, " and liasten your 
 return." 
 
 He left me at my entreaties, but filled all our vessels 
 with water before he started. I speedily fell asleep, and 
 1 know not how long I remained unconscious. When 
 I at length awoke, I drank an inordinate quantity, 
 which caused me to perspire copiously ; this relieved 
 me, and my recovery commenced from that moment, 
 although I still suffered from a severe headache. The 
 third day of my friend's absence I could walk about a 
 httle, and the fourth day, at noon, I kept a good look- 
 out in the direction I expected succor. Suddenly I 
 saw a head appear, and another, and then another, un- 
 til four showed themselves. They are Indians, I said 
 to myself; but if there are only four, I stand a pass- 
 able chance with them, so let them come on. I saw 
 they had discovered me, so I arose and showed myself. 
 With joyous shouts they flew toward me. It was my 
 companion, with three others, who haa come either to 
 bury me or to assist me to the wagons. Their joy on 
 beholding me so miraculously restored was unbound- 
 ed, while my delight at seeing them was almost as 
 great. We remained on the island that niglit, and the 
 
424 
 
 ALTUIMUUKAI'IIV <>1 
 
 following morning started for the wagons, wiiioii w •, 
 ibuiid in two days. 
 
 Ill going for assistanro, my friend iiad a narrow os- 
 cajx". He came siukUndy iijxHi a j)arty of I'awnfcs, 
 and one made a rush for Jiis horse. He disciiarged iiis 
 ritlc hastily, and missed his mark. He then had to 
 trust to his horse's heels ; but, as he was jaded, he did 
 not make very goel speed. ^J'he Indians were on foot, 
 and gave close chase, but, when they saw his rifle re- 
 loaded, they fell back to a wider distance, and plied him 
 with arrows until he was out of reach. 
 
 I was placed in a wagon, and attended on as far as 
 our circumstances would admit, until 1 recovered niv 
 accustomed health. We staid one night at J5urt*s Fort, 
 on the Arkansas, and then moved on to our destination 
 on the South Fork of the Platte. Here we erected 
 suitable buildings within the fort for our })roposcd trad- 
 ing, and, among others, a barn, which wc proceeded to 
 fill with hay for the coming winter. 
 
 While staying at the fort, a man inquired of Sublet 
 his reason for bringing up such a rascally fellow as I, 
 to prompt the Indians into rising and massacring all 
 the whites. 
 
 "Murray," said Sublet — for that was tlie man's 
 name — "it is unsafe for you to express such sentiments 
 in relation to Beckwourth ; should they reach his ears, 
 he would surely make you rue it. I have heard these 
 foul aspersions upon his character before, and I am in 
 a position to know that they are all unfounded. Had 
 I the least suspicion of his integrity, I should be the 
 last man to take him in my employ." 
 
 This conversation was reported to me at some dis- 
 tance from the fort, where Murray was perfectly safe. 
 But these foul reports annoyed me exceedingly. They 
 
JAMES r. niuKworuTii. 
 
 425 
 
 Yl'OW o>- 
 'awnocs, 
 irgcd his 
 n had to 
 il, he did 
 I on foot. 
 i ritio Yv- 
 
 pUed hi 
 
 \m 
 
 as far as 
 vcvcd my 
 irt's Fort, 
 esthiation 
 -e erected 
 oscd trad- 
 )ceedcd to 
 
 of Sublet 
 ;llow as I, 
 sacring all 
 
 the man's 
 sentiments 
 li his ears, 
 leard these 
 nd I am hi 
 led. Had 
 uld be the 
 
 ; some dis- 
 fectly safe, 
 ^ly. They 
 
 were like stabs in tlie dark, for no one ever accused mc 
 to my face of sucli misdeeds. 
 
 After having placed tilings to rights, we were dining 
 togelher within tlie fort, when Mr. Subh't rose and said, 
 
 " Traders and clerks, you have come liere to tlic 
 mountains to Avork for me, and 1 expect every man to 
 do his best. If I am prospered, I will do well by all 
 of you. 1 desire a regular system established in my 
 business out here, that my interests may be placed 
 upon a secure footing. I am now going to deliver the 
 key of my entire stock of goods to one man among 
 you, in whom 1 have imjdicit conhdencc, and whose 
 long experience and intimate acquaintance with the In- 
 dian character pre-eminently entitle him to the trust. 
 This man will have full command of the fort, and full 
 charge of its affairs. I Avish you to receive him as a 
 representative of myself, and, whatever orders you re- 
 ceive from liim, obey them cheerfully and to the very 
 letter." 
 
 All present promised ready acquiescence to the wish- 
 es of our chief. 
 
 He then delivered the key to me, saying, "Beck- 
 wourth, I place this trust in your keeping, believing 
 you to be as morally worthy of the confidence I repose 
 in you, as you are practically qualified to advance my 
 interests. I abandon my affairs to your keeping. Do 
 your best, and I shall be satisfied." 
 
 I was so entirely unprepared for this distinguished 
 mark of confidence, that for a moment I was unable to 
 reply. After a momentary irresolution, I said, *' Mr. 
 Sublet, you have other men present who are better able 
 to discharge this trust. I thank you for the flattering 
 preference, but I beg to be excused from assuming the 
 responsibility." 
 
426 
 
 ALTOHIOC.KAl'ICY OF 
 
 " I engaged yon," he answered, " to gerve me in tlii.s 
 eapacity, antl 1 wish you to aeecpt the eliarge." 
 
 *'In that case," 1 said, " 1 will do my best to pro- 
 mote your interest." 
 
 Sliortly after, lie called mc apart, and said, " J^eck- 
 wourth, 1 am deeply in debt. 1 have ])een losing for 
 a long time. If you can replace mc in one year, you 
 shall be substantially rewarded, and I shall feel sin- 
 cerely grateful for your service." 
 
 *' Ilow much do you owe ?" I inquired. 
 
 *» Over seventeen thousand dollars." 
 
 '*Well," said I, " if the men co-operate witii me, and 
 carry out my instructions, 1 feel contident of working 
 you straight." 
 
 1 forthwith set about establishing sub-posts in va- 
 rious places, with the KSiouxs, Arrap-a-hos, 1-a-tans, 
 and Cheyennes, and selected the best men at hand to 
 attend them. I placed one at the mouth of Crow 
 Creek, which I called my post, but left a p^an in charge 
 of it, as I was at present fully occupic ' traveling 
 from one post to another." 
 
 We had not, as yet, found any customers ; but, as 
 we were in the Cheyenne country, I knew some of 
 that nation could not be very far off. I sent three dif- 
 ferent messengers in search of them to invite them to 
 trade, but they all returned without having discover- 
 ed the whereabouts of the Indians. Tired of these 
 failures, I took a man with me, and started in the di- 
 rection of the Laramie mountain. While ascending 
 the mount, I cast my eyes in the direction of a valley, 
 and discovered buffalo running in small groups, which 
 was sufficient evidence that they had been chased re- 
 cently by Indians. We went no farther, but encamped 
 there, and at nightfall we saw fires. The next morn- 
 
JAMKS r. IJKtJKWMCUTFI. 
 
 427 
 
 (i in thi.s 
 ; to pro- 
 
 '* l^ocU- 
 of*ing tor 
 ,'wir, you 
 
 feel s lu- 
 
 ll inc, and 
 t' working 
 
 Bts ill va- 
 , 1-a-tans, 
 at hand to 
 I of Crow 
 in charge 
 travehng 
 
 s ; h\xt, as 
 \r some ot 
 t three dif- 
 Xq them to 
 
 discover- 
 A of these 
 
 in the di- 
 
 ascending 
 of a valley, 
 mps, which 
 
 chased re- 
 t encamped 
 next morn- 
 
 ini; a dense smoke luinu: like a cloud over the villairn 
 (.ftlie (Jlieyenncs; we ate a hasty meal, and .started to 
 luxy them a visit. 
 
 As we approached the village wc saw AVilliam Ik'ut, 
 HU interpreter, entering before us. lie visited the 
 chief 's lodge; we followed him in, and seated ourselves 
 near him. lie looked aghast, and addressed me: "My 
 (lodl iJeckwourth, how dare you come among the 
 (Jlieyennes V Don't you know that they will kill you 
 if they discover you V" 
 
 1 replied that 1 thought not. 
 
 He had come on the same errand as ourselves, name- 
 ly, to induce a portion f the village to remove to tlie 
 I*latte, as buffalo were abundant in that region. After 
 :i conversation was held between Bent and a chief, the 
 Litter inquired of Bent who we were. He informed 
 liim that we were Left Hand's (Sublet's) men, 
 
 " What do they want here ?" he asked. 
 
 "They come for the same purpose that I have,'' 
 lient answered, "to have you move on to the Platte." 
 
 Bent then inquired of me what account 1 wished to 
 give of myself, as he would interpret for me ; but, pre- 
 ferring to interpret for myself, I asked if there was a 
 Crow among them that I could speak to. At the word 
 " Crow" they all started, and every eye was riveted 
 upon me. 
 
 One stepped forward, and said, " I am a Crow.'* 
 
 " You a Crow ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " How long have you been away from them ?" 
 
 " Twenty winters." 
 
 Bent was in the greatest perplexity. "You are not 
 surely going to tell them who you are, Jim ? If you 
 do, you'll cost your friends nothing for your funeral." 
 
L-^- 
 
 428 
 
 ALTUJJloaiiAJ'IlY OF 
 
 ; J 
 
 This np[ rehension on tlic part o^ Bent proved to \\\<^. 
 (hat, although he had lived long among the Indians 
 he had still mucli to learn of their real character. I 
 therefore requested him to quiet his fears and bide tlic 
 result. 
 
 Turning to the Crow, I then said, " Tdl the Chey- 
 cnnes that 1 have fought them many winters ; that t 
 have killed so many of their people that I am buried 
 with their scalps ; I have taken a host of their women 
 and children prisoners ; I liavo ridden their horses un- 
 til their backs were sore ; I have eaten their fat buf- 
 falo until I was full ; I have e? ten their cherries, and 
 the other fruits of their land, until I could cat no more. 
 I have killed a great Crow chief, and am obliged to 
 run away, or be killed by them. I have come to the 
 Cheyennes, who are the bravest people in the mount- 
 ains, as I do not wish to be killed by any of the infe- 
 rior tribes. I have come here to be killed by the Chey- 
 ennes, cut up, and thrown out for their dogs to eat, so 
 that they may say that they have killed a great Crow 
 chief." 
 
 He interpreted this unreserved declaration fiiithfully 
 to the chief, and I observed Bent ready to fall from 
 his seat at what he deemed my foolhardy audacity. 
 
 " You are certainly bereft of your senses," he re- 
 marked ; " the Indians will make sausage-meat of 
 
 you." 
 
 Old Bark, the patriarch of the Cheyennes, rose and 
 said : " Warrior, we have seen you before ; we know 
 you ; we knew you when you came in ; now we know 
 you well. We know you are a great brave. You say 
 you have killed many of our warriors; we k.iow you 
 do not lie. We like a great brave, and we will not 
 kill you ; you shall live." 
 
JA.MMS |>, IJKCKWoCRTil. 
 
 42s; 
 
 ed to ni'^, 
 
 Indians 
 
 actcr. I 
 
 i bide tliu 
 
 he Chev- 
 s ; that I 
 im buried 
 ir women 
 lorses uii- 
 r fat bnt- 
 ;rries, and 
 t no more, 
 obliged to 
 >me to the 
 he mount- 
 •f the infe- 
 the Chey- 
 ; to eat, so 
 ;reat Crow 
 
 1 ftiithfuUy 
 ) fall from 
 udacity. 
 5es," he re- 
 je-meat of 
 
 s, rose and 
 ; we know 
 w we know 
 !. You say 
 J kiiow you 
 we will not 
 
 I answered, " If you will not kill nic, I will live 
 with you ; if you become poor, lilxc some of tlie other 
 tribes, and you need warriors to help you against your 
 enemies, my arm is strong, and perhaps I will assist 
 Aou to overcome them ; but I will not at this time irivo 
 you my word that I will do so. If you do not kill 
 ine, I am going to trade with you for many moons. 1 
 will trade with you fairly; I will not cheat you, as 
 some of the traders have cheated you. I have a great 
 many goods over on the Platte, such as you want, 
 more than would fill many of your lodges. They are 
 new, and look well. ]5ut, mind you, you must trade 
 fairly with me. I have heard that you sometimes trer.t 
 your traders badly ; that you take away their goods, 
 and whip them, and make them, run out of your coun- 
 try to save their lives. Your people must never serve 
 me in that manner; they must pay me for all they 
 get ; and if any one strikes me, I shall kill him, and 
 thereby show you that I am brave. If any one should 
 strike me, and I should not kill liim, you would call 
 me a woman, and say I was no brave." 
 
 They then asked me, through the Crow interpreter, 
 if I was in such and such a battle between their nation 
 and the Crows, all of which questions I answered truth- 
 fidly. 
 
 " Do you remember that in such a battle we lost 
 such a brave V describing him. 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Who killed liim ?" 
 
 " I did." Or, if I did not kill Iiim, I would tell them 
 the name of the Crow who did. 
 
 " Did he fight well ?" 
 
 '* Yes, he fought well." 
 
 "Pie died like a brave man, then I" they would 
 ejaculate. 
 
mxa e ii-j k » b * 
 
 4; JO 
 
 AITTOBIOdKAPHY OF 
 
 '' Were you in such a battle ?" asked anotlier. 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 *' Did you sec such a warrior fall ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 *' Did he fight strong like a brave ?" 
 
 " No, he did not fight well." 
 
 " Ugh ! he was no brave ; he deserved to be killed." 
 
 In battle every warrior has his personal device paint- 
 ed on his shield, chosen according to his fancy. ]My 
 "armorial bearing" was a crescent, with a green bin! 
 between the horns, and a star on each side the field. 
 I described my novel device, and there was a great 
 movement among them, for most of them distinctly 
 recollected that shield, nnd I saw myself rising in their 
 estimation. Their brave hearts rejoiced to have a true 
 warrior before them, for they esteemed me as brave as 
 tliem selves. 
 
 One of their great chiefs, named the Bob-tailed 
 Horse, arose, and asked me if I remembered the battle 
 on Pole Creek. I replied that I did. 
 
 " You killed me there," he said, " but I did not die ;" 
 and he pointed out two scars upon liis chest, just be- 
 low the lower rib, where the balls from my gun en- 
 tered, and which must have killed any body but an In- 
 dian. 
 
 " Where did I hit you ?" he asked. 
 
 " Ugh!" said I; "you missed me." 
 
 Old Bark then said, " Warrior, you killed me onco, 
 too : look here ;" and he withdrew the hair from his 
 right temple, and I saw that his cheek had been badly 
 torn, and his ear was entirely missing. "But," he 
 added, " I did not die. You fought bravely that day." 
 
 1 lad I gone among the Pawnees, the Siouxs, or many 
 other tribes, and held this talk, I should have been 
 
ler. 
 
 s killed." 
 ice paiut- 
 cy. ]\Iy 
 i-een bird 
 the field. 
 5 a great 
 distinctly 
 g in their 
 ave a true 
 3 brave as 
 
 Bob-tailed 
 the battle 
 
 L not die ;" 
 t, just be- 
 y gun en- 
 but an Tn- 
 
 d me once 
 ir from his 
 been badly 
 " But," hV 
 that day." 
 :s, or many 
 have been 
 
 >-^ 
 
JAMKS P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 438 
 
 ■•i/;i 
 
 M 
 
 hewn to pieces in a moment ; but the Clieyennes were 
 great braves themselves, and admired the quality in 
 others, the Crows being their only equals. 
 
 While I sat talking thus, one of my men entered the 
 village bearing two ten -gallon kegs of whisky. He 
 requested me to take onv. and sell it out, while he went 
 to the other er d of the village, where the Siouxs were 
 encamped, to st^ll the other. I had hitherto always 
 opposed the sale of liquor to the Indians, and, during 
 my chieftainship of the Crows, not one drop had ever 
 been brought into the village ; but now I was restrain- 
 ed by no such moral obligation. I was a mere trader, 
 hazarding my life among the savages to make money 
 for my employers. The sale of liquor is one of the 
 most profitable branches of a trader's business, and, 
 since the appetite for the vile potion had already been 
 created, my personal influence in the matter was very 
 slight. I was no lawgiver; I was no longer in a po- 
 sition to prohibit the introduction of the white man's 
 fire-water ; if I had refused to sell it to the Indians, 
 plenty more traders would have furnished it to them ; 
 and my conscientious scruples would benefit the In- 
 dians none, and would deprive my embaiTassed em- 
 ployer of a very considerable source of profit. 
 
 Running these things hurriedly over in my own 
 mind, I took the proffered keg, and dealt it all out with- 
 in two hours. Certainly the rate of profit was high 
 enough ; if a man wants a good price for the sale of 
 his soul to his satanic majesty, let him engage in the 
 liquor business among the nations of the Rocky Mount- 
 ains. Our liquor was a choice article. One pint of 
 alcohol, costing, I suppose, six cents, was manufac- 
 tured into five times the quantity of whisky, and this 
 was retailed to our insatiate customers at the rate of 
 
 T 
 
^.r^B i -WB tff w W i 
 
 434 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 one pint for each buffalo robe. If the robe was an 
 extra fine one, I might possibly open my heart, and 
 give two pints. But I felt no particular inducement 
 to liberality in my dealings, for I thought the greatest 
 kindness I could show my customers was to withhold 
 the commodity entirely. 
 
 Before I had got through with my keg I had a row 
 with an Indian, which cost him his hfe on the spot. 
 "While I was busy in attending the tap, a tall Sioux 
 warrior came into my establishment, already the worse 
 for liquor, which he had obtained elsewhere. He made 
 some formidable strides round and near me, and then 
 inquired for the Crow. I was pointed out to him, and, 
 pot valiant, he swaggered up to me. 
 
 " You are a Crow ?" he exclaimed. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " You are a great Crow brave V 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " You have killed a host of Siouxs ?" 
 
 "No; I have killed a host of Cheyennes, but I have 
 only killed fourteen Siouxs with my own hand." 
 
 " Look at me," said he, with drunken gasconade ; 
 " my arm is strong ; I am the greatest brave in the 
 Sioux nation. Now come out, and I will kill you." 
 
 "No," I said, "I did not come here to be killed 
 or to kill ; I came here to trade. I could kill you as 
 easily as I could kill a squaw, but you know that you 
 have a host of warriors here, while I am alone. They 
 would kill me after I had killed you. But if I should 
 come in sight of y jur village with twenty of my Crow 
 warriors, you would all run and leave your lodges, 
 women, and children. Go away ; I want nothing to do 
 with you. Your tongue is strong, but you are no 
 brave." 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 435 
 
 sras an 
 rt, and 
 cement 
 rreatest 
 ithhold 
 
 d a row 
 16 spot. 
 II Sioux 
 tie worse 
 3e made 
 and then 
 lim, and, 
 
 3ut I have 
 
 and." 
 asconade ; 
 
 ave in the 
 :iU you." 
 
 be killed 
 kill you as 
 w that you 
 )ne. They 
 if I should 
 )f my Crow 
 our lodges, 
 )thing to do 
 you are no 
 
 I had told the Cheyennes but a few moments pre- 
 viously that I had been among all the nations in the 
 country, and that it had ever been my invariable rule, 
 when struck by a Red Man, to kill him. I was de- 
 termined to prove the truth of my declaration in this 
 instance. I had my battle-axe hanging from my wrist, 
 and I was ready at a moment's warning. The Sioux 
 continued his abuse of me in his own tongue, whicli 
 I paid no attention to, for I supposed that, like his 
 white brethren, he might utter a great deal of provo- 
 cation in his cups, and straightway repent it when he 
 became sober. 
 
 Finally, he became so importunate that I saw it was 
 time to take an active part. I said, "You want to 
 kill me, eh ?" I would fight with you, only I know T 
 should be killed by the Siouxs afterward, and I should 
 have you for my waiter in the spirit land. I would 
 rather kill a good brave, if I kill any." 
 
 This was a very opprobrious speech, for it is their 
 faith that when an Indian is slain who has previously 
 slain a foe, the first-killed warrior becomes waiter in 
 the spirit land to the one who had laid him low. In- 
 deed, it was more than he could endure. He jerked 
 off the cloth that was fastened round his hips, and 
 struck me in the face with it. I grasped my battle- 
 axe, but the blow I aimed was arrested by a lodge 
 pole, which impended over his head, and saved him 
 from immediate death. The lodge pole was nearly 
 severed with the blow. I raised my arm again, but it 
 was restrained by the Cheyennes, who had been sit- 
 ting round with their heads declined during the Sioux's 
 previous abuse. 
 
 The Sioux chief. Bull Bear, was standing near, and 
 was acquainted with the whole particulars of the difii- 
 
436 
 
 AUTOBIOGRArilV OF 
 
 culty. He advanced, and chopped his warrior down, 
 and hacked him to pieces after lie fell. 
 
 "Ugh!" grunted he, as coolly as possible, "you 
 ought to have been killed long ago, you bad Indian!" 
 
 This demonstration on my part had a good effect. 
 The Indians examined the cut inflicted by the edge of 
 my axe on the lodge pole, and declared mine a strong 
 arm. They saw I was in earnest, and would do what 
 I had threatened, and, except in one single instance, I 
 had no farther trouble. 
 
 Influenced by my persuasions, two hundred lodges 
 of the Cheyennes started for the Platte, Bent and my- 
 self accompanying them. On our way thither we met 
 one of my wagons, loaded with goods, on its way to 
 the North Fork of the Platte. There was a forty-gal- 
 lon cask of whisky among its contents, and, as the In- 
 dians insisted on having it opened, I brought it out of 
 the wagon, and broached it. Bent begged me not to 
 touch it, but to wait till we reached the fort. I was 
 there for the purpose of making money, and when a 
 chance offered, it was my duty to make the most of it. 
 On that, he left me, and went to the fort. I com- 
 menced dealing it out, and, before it was half gone, I 
 had realized sixteen horses and over two hundred robes. 
 
 While I was busy in my traffic, the Indians brought 
 in four trappers whom they had chanced to pick up. 
 The poor fellows appeared half frightened to death, not 
 knowing what their fate would be. I addressed them 
 in English. " How are you, boys ? Where are you 
 bound ?" 
 
 "These Indians must decide that," they replied. 
 " Are they good Indians ?" 
 
 " Yes," I replied. " They will not harm, you." 
 
 Tliey informed me that they were returning from the 
 
JAMES 1*. BKCKWOUUTII. 
 
 4^7 
 
 ^r down, 
 
 le, "you 
 Indian!" 
 od effect, 
 e edge of 
 5 a strong 
 1 do what 
 nstance, I 
 
 red lodges 
 t and my- 
 ler we met 
 its way to 
 , forty-gal- 
 , as the In- 
 it it out of 
 , me not to 
 (rt. I was 
 nd when a 
 most of it. 
 t. I com- 
 balf gone, I 
 idred robes, 
 ans brought 
 to pick up. 
 death, not 
 ressed them 
 lere are you 
 
 hey replied. 
 
 rm you." 
 ling from the 
 
 mountains with twelve packs of beaver, and, while en- 
 camped one niglit, the Crows had stolen their horses. 
 They had cached their peltry, and now wanted to buy 
 more horses to carry it to some fort. 
 
 I made a bargain with them for their beaver, and, 
 taking some horses, went with them myself to their late 
 encampment, for I could not trust them alone for fear 
 they would take their skins to some other post. We 
 disinterred the peltry, and with it reached the fort 
 without accident. The trappe^-j staid with us two or 
 three weeks, and then, pux^^hasing their outiit and 
 horses, they again started for the mountains. 
 
 We had a prosperous foil and winter trade, and ac- 
 cumulated more peltry than our wagons could trans- 
 port, and we had to build boats to convey it to St. 
 Louis. At the settlement of accounts, it was found 
 that we had cleared sufficient to pay lilr. Sublet's debts, 
 and enough over to buy a handsome stock of goods 
 for the next season's trade. 
 
 I spent the summer at the fort, while Sublet and 
 Fitzpatrick went on with the peltry to St. Louis. I 
 had but little to do, as the Lidians had removed to 
 their summer retreats, and I spent my time very agree- 
 ably with the few men remaining behind, in hunting 
 buffalo for our own use. About the last of August our 
 goods arrived, and we set ourselves to work again at 
 business. I put up at the North Fork of the Platte, and 
 had a busy fall and winter trade, making many very 
 profitable bargains for the company. The Cheyennes 
 thought me the best trader that ever visited them, and 
 would not allow any other company to traffic with their 
 villages. This sorely vexed my rival traders, and once 
 or twice I had my life attempted in consequence. 
 When others came to ask permission to open a trad- 
 
4;3H 
 
 Al TUBIOUKAIMIY OF 
 
 ing-I)Ost, tlic Clicycnncs would Hay, '*No; wc do all 
 our trading with the Crow. He will not cheat us. Ilia 
 wlii.sky ia strong." 
 
 When I found I liad obtained the confidence of the 
 nation, 1 told the Cheyenncs that it* they allowed oth- 
 er traders to come in I should leave them, and they 
 would 1)0 cheated by those who sold poor whisky, that 
 would not make them merry half so soon as mini;. 
 This may be considered selfish ; but I knew that our 
 company was keenly competed with by three or four 
 rival companies, and that the same representations that 
 1 used to keep the trade in my hands were freely urged 
 by others to attract it from me. There was also a 
 farther inducement for the Cheyenncs to do their busi- 
 ness with me, which was founded upon their respect for 
 me as a gi-eat brave, who liad killed a number of their 
 countrymen. Whether there was diplomatic finesse 
 enough in their minds to reflect that, while I was 
 harmlessly engaged with them, I could 7iot be fighting 
 in the bands of their enemies, and adding to my pres- 
 ent number of scalps, I can not pretend to say. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 Invitation to visit the Outlaws. — Interview with " the Elk that Calls." 
 — Profitable Trade with the Outlaws. — Return to the Post. — Great 
 Alarm among the Traders. — Five Horses killed at the F'ort. — Flight 
 from the Siouxs. — Safe arrival at the Fort. — Trade with the Arrap- 
 a-ho8. — Attacked by a Cheyenne Warrior. — Peace restored. 
 
 While in the midst of my occupations, a messen- 
 ger was dispatched to me by the chief of a Cheyenne 
 village, at that time encamped about twenty miles dis- 
 tant, with an invitation to visit them and trade there. 
 This village was composed of outlaws from all the sur- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUltTH. 
 
 43'J 
 
 ^e do all 
 us. His 
 
 icc of the 
 wed oth- 
 aiid they 
 isky, that 
 as mine. 
 r that our 
 30 or four 
 Ltious th.it 
 2cly urged 
 'as also a 
 their busi- 
 rcspect for 
 )er of their 
 ,tic finesse 
 lile I was 
 be fighting 
 my pres- 
 say. 
 
 :ik that Calls." 
 [> Post. — Great 
 ; Fort.— Flight 
 vith the Arrap- 
 estored. 
 
 ;, a messen- 
 a Cheyenne 
 ty miles dis- 
 trade there. 
 1 all the sur- 
 
 rounding tribes, who were expelled from their various 
 communities for sundry infractions of their rude crim- 
 inal code ; they had acquired a hard name for their 
 cruelties and excesses, and many white traders were 
 known to have been killed among them. Tlic chief's 
 name was Mo-he-nes-to (the Klk that Calls), and he 
 was a terror to all white people in that region. The 
 village numbered three hundred lodges, and could bring 
 from twelve to fifteen hundred warriors into the field 
 — the best fighters of the nation. We called it the 
 City of Refuge. 
 
 The messenger arrived at my post, and inquired for 
 the Crow. 
 
 " 1 am the Crow," I answered. 
 
 " The great chief, Mo-he-nes-to, wants the Crow to 
 come to his lodge." 
 
 *' What docs he want with me ?" 
 
 "lie wants to trade much." 
 
 " What does lie want to trade?" 
 
 " He wants much whisky, nmch beads, much scar- 
 let, much kettles," and he enumerated a list of ar- 
 ticles. 
 
 " Have your people any robes by them V 
 
 " Wugh ! they have so much robes that they can 
 not move with them." 
 
 " Any horses ?" 
 
 " Great many — good Crow horses." 
 
 "Well," said I, "I will go straightway, and you 
 must show me the way." 
 
 "Who will go to the village of the Elk that Calls ?" 
 I asked ; "I want two men." 
 
 Peterson and another volunteered to accompany me ; 
 but by this time the matter in hand had reached Su- 
 blet's ears, and he came forward and said, 
 
440 
 
 AUTUHMMJUAIMIY OK 
 
 *( 
 
 (4 
 
 *' Voii arc not going to the village ot* the Outlaws, 
 BcckwourthV" 
 
 Ves," 1 replied, '* I am." 
 
 Don't you know that they kill whites there?" 
 
 '' VeH, I know that they have killed them." 
 
 " Weil, I ohjeet to your going." 
 
 *' Caj)tain Sublet," I said, " 1 have promised the In- 
 dian tliat 1 will «;o, and go I nuist. There has been 
 no trader there lor a long time, and they arc a rich 
 prize." 
 
 i Ic saw that T was resolved, and, having given mo 
 the control of ailairs, he v/ithdrew his objection and 
 said no more. 
 
 I accordingly prepared ibr the jouniey. Ordering 
 the horses, I packed up my goods, together with twen- 
 ty gallons of whisky, and issued forth on the way to 
 uncei'tKui destruction, and bearing with mc the means 
 of destruction certain. 
 
 The Indian conducted me to the chiefs lodge. I 
 dismounted, my two men following my example. The 
 chief came to us, and passed the usual compliments. 
 lie desired me to take otf my packs, at which request 
 1 immediately remounted my horse. 
 
 *' What is the matter ?" inquired the chief. 
 
 ** When I send for my friends to come and see me," 
 I said, " I never ask them to unpack their horses or 
 to guard them, but I have it done for them." 
 
 *' You are right, my friend," said he; "it shall be 
 done. Get off your horse, and come into my lodge." 
 
 I dismounted again, and was about to follow him. 
 ]\Iy men, v/ho did not understand our conversation, ar- 
 rested my path to inquire what was in the wind. I 
 bade them keep quiet, as all was amicable, and then 
 entered the lodge. We held a long conversation to- 
 
.lAAIKS I'. Hi:('KWOUllTlI. 
 
 441 
 
 Outlaws, 
 
 0" 
 
 icrc { 
 
 3cd the Tn- 
 « 1ms bfcu 
 arc a rich 
 
 r given mo 
 ection and 
 
 <T 
 
 Orderin 
 with twcn- 
 the way to 
 J the means 
 
 lodge. T 
 iple. The 
 
 (mplimcnts. 
 
 iich request 
 
 ief. 
 
 nd see me," 
 
 ir horses or 
 
 n." 
 
 it shall he 
 my lodge." 
 follow him. 
 ersation, ar- 
 le wind. I 
 He, and then 
 lersation to- 
 
 gether, during wliicli the chief made many inquiries of 
 a similar nature to tiiose addressed me at the first 
 village. In recounting our achievements, 1 found 
 that 1 had stolen his horses, and that he had made re- 
 prisals upon the Crows, so that wc were about even in 
 the horse trade. 
 
 At length lie wislicd mc to broach the whisky. 
 "No," said I, "my friend, I will not open the whisky 
 until you send for your women to come witli tlicir 
 robes, and they liavc bougiit what goods they want 
 first. They work hard, and dress all your robes ; ti>oy 
 deserve to trade first. They wish to buy many fine 
 things to wear, so that your warriors may love tliem. 
 When they have traded all they wish, then I will open 
 my wiiisky, and the men can get drunk. ]5ut if the 
 men get drunk lirst,your women will be afraid of tliem, 
 and they will take all Lhe robes, and the women will 
 get nothing." 
 
 "Your words arc true, my friend," said the chief; 
 " our women siiall trade before the men get drunk ; they 
 dress all our robes: it shall be according to your words." 
 
 Accordingly, he sent for all the women wlio had 
 robes and wished to sell, to come and trade with the 
 Crow. They were not long in obeying the summons. 
 Forward they came, some with one robe and some with 
 two. Two was the most that any of them had, as the 
 men had reserved the most to purchase whisky. The 
 trading was expeditiously effected ; we did not have 
 to take down and open all our goods, and then sell a 
 skein of thread, and be informed by our customer that 
 she would look elsewhere first, and perhaps call again, 
 which is the practice of many young ladies, especially 
 where there is an attractive shopman. We could hard- 
 ly hand out things fast enough. 
 
 T 2 
 
442 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 We served all the women to their entire satisfaction, 
 and closed out our stock of dry-goods. We then pro- 
 ceeded to the whisky. Before opening the kegs, I laid 
 down my rules to the chief. I told him that his peo- 
 ple might spree as long as they ciAOse, but that they 
 must not obstruct my business, or interfere with me. 
 As the liquor was served out to them^ they must car- 
 ry it out of tlie lodge, and not stay to be in my way 
 and give me trouble. This was readily assented to, 
 and the sales b?gan. 
 
 Whisky will have the same effect every where, and 
 if a man will traffic in the "cursed stuff," he must sub- 
 mit to his share of the mischief he creates. My under- 
 standing with the chief was productive of no effect. 
 He came into the lodge, saying, *' I have killed an 
 Indian;" I looked, and saw that his battle-axe was 
 dripping with blood. Yells and tumult increased out- 
 side ; the chief was again making his way toward the 
 lodge, protected by a host of friends, while behind him, 
 and striving to get at him, was an infuriated throng, 
 fighting and yelling like devils. My store in an in- 
 stant was filled to overflowing with opposing parties, 
 composed of outlaws from a dozen tribes. I sprang 
 to secure my gun ; and my companions, mistaking my 
 movement, supposed I had started to run, and tliey 
 broke out at the back of the lodge, and did not stop 
 until they reached our post on the Platte. 
 
 Battle-axes and knives fairly rung through the lodge 
 during the continuance of the fight ; but it was over 
 in a few minutes, and they withdrew to the place out- 
 side, and renewed it to greater advantage. At the res- 
 toration of peace, some ghastly wounds were shown to 
 me, but, singular to say, none of the belligerents were 
 killed. 
 
JAMES P. UEt'KWUUKTll. 
 
 445 
 
 sfaction, 
 hen pro- 
 5s, I laid 
 his peo- 
 hat they 
 (vith me. 
 (lust car- 
 my way 
 anted to, 
 
 here, and 
 nust sub- 
 [y under- 
 no effect, 
 killed an 
 -axe was 
 jased out- 
 )ward the 
 hind him, 
 d throng, 
 in an in- 
 g parties, 
 I sprang 
 aking my 
 and they 
 not stop 
 
 the lodge 
 was over 
 place out- 
 Lt the res- 
 shown to 
 •ents were 
 
 Mo-he-nes-to, after a short interval, returned, with- 
 out having received a single scratch, and said all was 
 quiet again, and they wanted more whisky. The wom- 
 en wished to get some also, he informed me. 1 knew 
 that, if the women were going to join in, 1 must have 
 another supply, and I told the chief I had not enough 
 left to get the women drunk. 
 
 " Send for more, then," said he. " Our women aro 
 buried up and smothered with robes, and will buy very 
 umch." 
 
 1 soon found a volunteer to run to the post to carr}- 
 an order to Sublet to send me twenty gallons more of 
 whisky. 
 
 My assistants, after making their hasty exit from the 
 back of the chief's lodge, reported at the post the state 
 of aftairs at the village of the Outlaws at the time they 
 left. Guns were being tired, they said, and, beyond all 
 doubt, Beckwourth was killed. No one dared to go 
 and asceicain the result. Sublet was in great trouble. 
 •' I did my utmost to prevent his going," he consoled 
 himself by saying, " but he went in opposition to all 
 orders and advice ; so, if he is killed, the responsibility 
 does not rest upon me." 
 
 By-and-by my messenger arrived with the order for 
 more whisky. Sublet took the letter and read it. 
 "Hoi" said he, "Jim is not dead ^ Jt. He has sent 
 for more tire-water. Who will take it to him V" Four 
 men volunteered for the errand, and aiTived with it 
 next day. The Indians took their horses away from 
 them, and they became alarmed ; but when they short- 
 ly after saw me up to my neck in buftalo robes, their 
 fear subsided. These two kegs went off as actively as 
 the preceding, and the robes fairly poured in. The 
 whole village moved on toward the post, singing, danc- 
 
444 
 
 AlJT0B10(}UArilY UK 
 
 ing, and drinking, and, when I had approached within 
 Hve miles, 1 had to send for two kegs more. 
 
 In siiort, the sixty gallons oljira-i cater realized to 
 the company over eleven hundred robes and eighteen 
 horses, worth in 8t. Louis six thousand dollars. 
 
 This trading whisky for Indian property is one of 
 the most infernal practices ever entered into by man. 
 Let the reader sit down and figure up the profits on a 
 forty-gallon cask of alcohol, and he will be thunder- 
 struck, or rather whisky struck. When disposed of, 
 four gallons of water are added to each gallon of alco- 
 hol. In two hundred gallons there are sixteen hund- 
 red pints, for each one of which the trader gets a buf- 
 falo robe worth five dollars ! The Indian women toil 
 many long weeks to dress these sixteen hundred robes. 
 The white trader gets them all for worse than nothing, 
 for the poor Indian mother hides herself and her chil- 
 dren in the forests until the effect of the poison pass- 
 es away from the husbands, fathers, and brothers, who 
 love them when they have no whisky, and abuse and 
 kill tiieni when they have. Six thousand dollars for 
 sixty gallons of alcohol ! Is it a wonder that, with 
 such profits in prospect, men get rich who are engaged 
 in the fur trade ? or is it a miracle that the poor buflfalo 
 are becoming gradually exterminated, being killed with 
 so little remorse that their very hides, among the In- 
 dians themselves, are known by the appellation of a 
 pint of whisky ? 
 
 The chief made me a gratuity of forty robes. On 
 two subse(|ucnt visits I paid him on his invitation, he 
 made me further presents, until he had presented me 
 with one hundred and eighty-five robes without receiv- 
 ing any equivalent. The extent of his *' royal munif- 
 icence" seriously alarmed Sublet. It was just this 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUUTH. 
 
 445 
 
 I within 
 
 ilizccl to 
 eighteen 
 
 rs. 
 
 s one of 
 by man. 
 jtits on a 
 thunder- 
 posed of, 
 
 II of alco- 
 jen hund- 
 ets a buf- 
 romen toil 
 red robes. 
 11 nothing, 
 i her chil- 
 ison pass- 
 thers, who 
 abuse and 
 dollars for 
 that, with 
 re engaged 
 oor buffalo 
 killed with 
 ng the In- 
 ation of a 
 
 obes. On 
 /itation, he 
 3sented me 
 out receiv- 
 )yal munif- 
 s just this 
 
 same profuse spirit, he said, that had bred disputes 
 with other traders, often resulting in tlicir losing their 
 lives. It is as well a savage eustom as eivilized, to ex- 
 pect a commensurate retuvn for any favors bestowed, 
 and an Indian is so punctilious in the observance of 
 this etiquette, that he will part with his last horse and 
 his last blanket rather than receive a favor without 
 requital. 
 
 Mo-he-nes-to, without intending it, was rather troub- 
 lesome on this point. When he became sober after 
 these drunken carousals, he would begin to reflect se- 
 riously on things. He would find his robes all gone; 
 his women's labor — for it would take months of toil 
 in dressing and ornamenting these robes — thrown un- 
 profitably away ; his people had nothing to show for 
 their late pile of wealth, and their wants y/ould remain 
 unsupplied. They would have no guns or ammuni- 
 tion to fight the Crows, who were always well sup- 
 plied, and their whole year's earnings were squander- 
 ed. These reflections would naturally make him dis- 
 contended and irritable, and he would betake himself 
 to the post for reparation. 
 
 "White man," he would say, "I have given you 
 my robes, which my warriors have spent montlis in 
 hunting, and which my women have slaved a whole 
 year in dressing ; and what do you give me in return? 
 I have nothing. You give me fire-water, which makes 
 me and my people mad ; and it is gone, and we have 
 nothing to hunt more buffalo with, and to fight our 
 enemies." 
 
 The generality of traders will endeavor to make it 
 apparent to him that there was a fair exchange of 
 commodities effected, and that he had the worth of his 
 wares, and they can do no more for him. 
 
446 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 This angered him, and in his disappointment and 
 vexation he would raise the war-hoop, his warriors 
 would rush to him, he would harangue them for a 
 moment, an assault would be made upon the trading- 
 post, the goods would be seized, and, in many in- 
 stances, the trader would be massacred and scalped. 
 
 I saw the necessary relation between all these events, 
 and knew that simple justice in exchanges would avoid 
 all such catastrophes. I therefore told Sublet to feel 
 no uneasiness, as I could arrange matters so as to af- 
 ford general satisfaction. 
 
 " Well," said he, " go your own way to destruc- 
 tion." 
 
 A day or two after this. Sublet came to inform me 
 that Mo-he-nes-to was on his way to the fort. I look- 
 ed out, and saw the chief and his wife both approach- 
 ing on horseback. As he entered, I received him with 
 great ceremony, taking him by the hand, and bidding 
 him welcome to the fort. I had his horses well at- 
 tended to, a sumptuous supper for himself and wife 
 served up, and, while the meal was preparing, enter- 
 tained him with liquors fit to make any toper's mouth 
 water. After supper he got gloriously fuddled, and 
 went to bed, ignorant of what was passing in the world 
 around him. 
 
 In the morning I inquired of him how he felt. 
 
 "Wugh! Much bad! head ache strong!" 
 
 I then gave him another whisky punch, well-flavor- 
 ed with spices ; he and his lady drank deeply, and then 
 partook of a hearty breakfast. He then felt well again. 
 I next led him into the store, where we had a large 
 assortment of every Indian novelty. I knew he had 
 children, as well as how many ; so I selected a five- 
 striped Hudson's Bay blanket for himself, another §i^ 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 447 
 
 ment and 
 ; warriors 
 icm for a 
 e trading- 
 many in- 
 scalped. 
 ise events, 
 ould avoid 
 )let to feel 
 as to af- 
 
 destruc- 
 
 inform me 
 t. I look- 
 approach- 
 d him with 
 nd bidding 
 3s well at- 
 f and wife 
 ring, enter- 
 >er's mouth 
 iddled, and 
 n the world 
 
 e felt. 
 
 well-flavor- 
 y, and then 
 
 well again, 
 liad a large 
 new he had 
 icted a five- 
 
 another §sgc 
 
 his wife, and one for each of his children, besides an 
 extra scarlet blanket for his eldest son, a young war- 
 rior. To Jiis wife I also gave a two-gallon brass kettle, 
 and beads enough to last her for a yefr or two. In 
 fact, I selected more or less of every description of ar- 
 ticle that I thought would be useful to them, or that I 
 thought an Indian eye could covet. These presents 
 I ceremoniously laid upon the counter, until I had 
 two or three large piles of quite attractive-looking 
 goods. 
 
 The chief and his wife had watched me laying all 
 these goods before them. I then asked them if tliey 
 saw any thing more any wliere in the store that they 
 thought they would like. 
 
 Mo-he-nes-to opened his eyes wide with surprise. 
 "What:" he exclaimed, " are all those things for us ?*' 
 
 "Yes," I said, "they are for you, your wife, and 
 your children— something for you all. When I have 
 a friend, I like to be liberal in my gifts to him. I nev- 
 er rob the Red Men ; I never take all their robes and 
 give them nothing- but whisky. I give them some- 
 thing good for themselves, their wives, and then- chil- 
 dren. My heart is big ; I know what the Red Men 
 want, and what their families want." 
 
 " My friend, your heart is too big ; you give me 
 much more than I ever had before ; you will be very 
 poor." 
 
 " No," I said ; " I have many things here, all mine. 
 I am rich, and when I find a good friend, I make him 
 rich like me." 
 
 I then bade him look the store cai°fuliy tlirough, to 
 see if there was any thing more that he would like. 
 He looked, but saw nothing more that he needed. I 
 t|pi made the same request of his wife, whose satis- 
 
448 
 
 AUToniocntAniY of 
 
 faction hraiiicd all over her face, but ahc too was fully 
 su|>|)lii'(l. 
 
 1 then stepped into another room, and returned with 
 a tine new gun, with a hundred rounds of annnunition, 
 and a new, highly-linished, silver-mounted battle-axe. 
 This was the conible de h'lcufaits. I thought he would 
 not recover from the siiock. He took the battle-axe 
 in his hand, and examined it minutely, Iiis face dis- 
 torted with a broad grin all the while. 
 
 "JFugh!" said he; *' you give me too much. I 
 gave you no robes, but you have proved that you are 
 my friend." 
 
 When they were ready to start, there was an extra 
 horse for liim, and a tine mare for his wife, ready wait- 
 ing at the door. 
 
 ** There, my friend," said I, "is a good horse for you; 
 he is swift to run the butfalo. FTere is a tine mare for 
 you, " I said to his wife. ** Indian women love to raise 
 handsome colts. 1 give her to you, and you must not 
 let the Crows steal her from you." 
 
 She displayed every tooth in her head in token of 
 her satisfaction, and she mounted to return home. The 
 chief said as he left, " I am going on a war-party, and 
 then to kill buffalo. I will come back again in a few 
 moons. I will then come and see you, and I will kill 
 you — I will crush you to death with robes." And away 
 they went, never better satisfied in their lives. 
 
 Now is it to be supposed that the company lost 
 any thing by this li^jerality ? That chief, whose hands 
 were stained with the blood of so many traders, would 
 have defended my life till the last gasp. While I was 
 in his country, no other trader could have bartered a 
 plug of tobacco with him or his people. The com- 
 pany still derived great profits from his trade. Be- 
 
JAMKS r. BliCKWOUKTlI. 
 
 44y 
 
 was fully 
 
 iriicd with 
 inmnition, 
 jjittlo-axc. 
 t he would 
 battle-axe 
 face dis- 
 
 miich. I 
 at you are 
 
 LS an extra 
 cady wait- 
 
 'se for you; 
 le marc for 
 JVC to raise 
 u must not 
 
 ti token of 
 ome. The 
 -party, and 
 lin in a few 
 i I will kill 
 
 And away 
 ires. 
 
 mpany lost 
 rhose hands 
 ders, would 
 Vhile I was 
 5 bartered a 
 
 The com- 
 trade. Be- 
 
 sides the immense returns derived from my transac- 
 tions with the village, I cleared over five Imndrcd dol- 
 lars from my exchanges with the chief alone, after the 
 full value of my niuniHccnt presents liad been deducted. 
 
 One day the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers were to have a 
 dance and count their coos. I called all the Crows 
 who were in the band, and asked thcni if the regula- 
 tions would admit of my joining in the dance. 
 
 " Cortaiidy," said they ; '* nothing will please them 
 more; they will then believe that you have joined 
 them." 
 
 Accordingly, I painted myself, ajid i)ut on a uniform, 
 including a chiefs coat, new from the shelves, and 
 painted my white Icggins willi stripes, denoting a great 
 number oicooa ; when ready, I walked toward thom as 
 great a man as any. C)n seeing me apjiroach, there 
 was a general inquiry, '' Wlio is that ? Where did he 
 come from?'' When the ceremonies coniUicnccd, I 
 joined in, and danced as hard as any of them. The 
 drum at length sounded, to announce the time to begin 
 to count. 
 
 I stepped forward first, and began. " Chcyennes, 
 do you remember that you had a warrior killed at such 
 a place, wearing such and such marks of distinction ?" 
 
 "Yes, we know it." 
 
 " I killed him ; he was a great brave." 
 
 There was a tap on the drum, and one coo was count- 
 ed. I proceeded until I had counted my five coos^ 
 which is the limited number between the dances. 
 
 Next in turn the Bob-tailed Horse counted his five 
 on the Crows, and to his various allusions I assent- 
 ed with the customary " I remember." 
 
 This betrayed who I was, and they were delighted 
 to see one of the Dog Soldiers of the Crows join their 
 
4ij{) 
 
 Al I'OltKMJKAI'in Ol 
 
 band. Tho HolHtaiKHl 1 lorsc, mmlo inc a valuablo pres- 
 ent, ami I n'ltiriHMl to ilu? ibrt willi nix Hplciulid war- 
 liorsrM and lliirty linr. lobcH, presented to njc at that 
 danco, as my initiation gilts, or bounty-money, I HUp- 
 poMc, for joining; their army. I was tlicn a Dog 8oI- 
 (ber in lh(^ picked trooj> ot tlic Cheyennes, eompcllcd to 
 delend the vilhige against every enemy until 1 died, Ukc 
 Maebelh, with harness on my baek. 
 
 Tiie (/rows had been inlornu^d by sundry perHona in 
 the emphjy oft lie Anieri«;an Knr (Company that I Iiad 
 joined tlieir inveterate enennes. 'I'lu'y were satisliod 
 with my proceeding. *' 'I'he Me(beine C^alt' is a cun- 
 ning eliiet," tliey said; "he. best knows liow to act. 
 Ib^ ]ias joined tlie ('lieyennes to h«arn all about their 
 numbers, the routes ot* their villages, and so forth. 
 AVhen I>e h.Ms learned all that he wjints, iie will return 
 to us, and then wa can light the (yheycnnes to greater 
 advantage." 
 
 I was now in my second winter with Sublet in the 
 Cheveime an<l Sioux country, lie had succeeded tar 
 beyond his expectation, and he still (continued to make 
 money bv thousands. We had curtailed the number 
 of sub-posts, and thereby materially reduced his ex- 
 penses ; indeed, they were now less than bait' what 
 they were the preceding winter. 
 
 Leaving Sublet's, I went down to the South Platte, 
 distant one hundred and tit'ty miles, and indulged in a 
 short rest, until I heard that the Cheyennes of the Ar- 
 kansas — those that I lirst visited — were v. l)out to make 
 tlieir s])ring trade, and I went over to meet them, and 
 bring them to our fort. I tbund them ; all appeared to 
 be glad to see me, and they returned witli me. In 
 erossing the divide^ or ridge between the two rivers, 
 our spies in advance discovered a party of PawneeS| 
 
.1 A MI'S I'. IJKUKWOIIUXII. 
 
 4r,[ 
 
 do ])rcB- 
 
 lid war- 
 
 at that 
 
 ', 1 8U1>- 
 
 )og Sol- 
 pel led to 
 lied, like 
 
 ^vHons in 
 lat 1 had 
 satirtfied 
 i.s a eun- 
 ,v to aet. 
 lOUt their 
 so forth, 
 rill return 
 to greater 
 
 )iet in the 
 .xeded tar 
 d to make 
 ic number 
 xX hia cx- 
 half what 
 
 ith Platte, 
 ulged in a 
 of the Ar- 
 ut to make 
 them, and 
 ippearod to 
 h me. In 
 two rivers, 
 f Pawnees, 
 
 and a charge wa.^ imnu'diatcly made upon them. We 
 only killed Hirer, of (he, enemy. I eounted a coo by 
 eapturiiig a rill(^ The victim who abandoned it had 
 been already killed. 
 
 While we engaged the enemy the village went into 
 eamp, and 1 proposed to my fellow-warriors to nrturn 
 to the village after the manner of the (Jrows, which was 
 agreed to. 'riiere were several in the party, so we 
 eould easily raise a good Crow song, and the Cheyenne 
 warriors could join in. We sl/uck up merrily, and ad- 
 vanced toward the village. As soon as the women 
 iieard c.ir voices, they ran out to S(!e wiio were coming. 
 There were several captive (jrovvs among the Chey- 
 ennea, who, I supposed, had lived among them ever 
 since I had been sold to the whites. These recognized 
 our stave, and exclaimed, ** Those are Crows coming ; 
 we know their song." This brought out the whole 
 village, who stood waiting our arrival, in surprise and 
 wonderment. As we drew near, however, they distin- 
 guished me in the party, and the mystery was solved. 
 " The Crow is with the (^heyenncs." 
 
 We performed all kinds of antics ; made a circuit 
 round the village, going through evolutions and per- 
 formances which the Cheycnncs had never before seen, 
 but with which they were so highly pleased, that they 
 adopted the dance into the celebrations of their nation. 
 That night the scalp-dance was performed, which 1 took 
 part in, as great a man as any. I sung the Crow song, 
 to the especial admiration of the fair sex. 
 
 The next morning we resumed our journey to the fort, 
 which we reached after three days' travel. The vil- 
 lage had brought a great number of robes, together with 
 some beaver, and a great trade was opened witli them. 
 
 A." this time T had a difficulty with a Cheyenne, 
 
acM 
 
 452 
 
 ArnnnoanArirv ov 
 
 tho only Olio 1 over hu<l with any of tlio trilx!. 1 was 
 oatiiig dinner one day, when a great brave came in and 
 detnantkul wliisky. I repaired to tlic Htore willi him 
 to supply his want, wlien 1 found he had no robe to pay 
 for it, and was, besides, intoxiaited. 1 refused to give 
 liim tlie whisky, lelling him lie must tirst go and bring 
 a robe. Tiiis probably aggravated liim, and he made 
 n smUlen eut at me willi liis sword, whieli 1 very for- 
 tunately dodged, and before lie eould raise his weapon 
 again 1 had him between my feet on the ground. I 
 had left my battle-axe on my seat at the table, and I 
 called out for sonic one to bring it to mc, but no one 
 came with it. I at length released him, and he went 
 jjoop^Mg away, to obtain his gun to shoot the Crow. 
 1 seized my own, and waited ibr him at the door, while 
 all the inmates of the fort begged of me not to shoot 
 him. After some little delay, he appeared, gun in 
 hand ; but three Cheyenne warriors interfered to stop 
 liim, and he returned into his lodge. 
 
 The day Ibllowing he sent for Sublet and myself to 
 go and dine with him, and we went accordingly. Su- 
 blet was aj)])rehensivc of mischief from my visit, and 
 endeavored to dissmide me from going ; but I foresaw 
 no danger, and knew, farther, that it would be a cause 
 of oUcnse to the Indian to neglect his invitation. When 
 we entered his lodge he was glad to see us, and bade 
 me be seated on a pile of robes. I sat down as de- 
 sired, and our host, after holding a short conversation 
 with Sublet, turned to me and spoke as follows : 
 
 *' O-tun-nee" (Crow), ** 1 was a fool yesterday. You 
 spared my life. 1 do not want you to he angry with 
 me, because I am not angry with you. I was drunk ; 
 I had drunk too tnuch of your whisky, and it made my 
 heart black. I did not know what I was doing.'* 
 
.IAMK8 r. UKCKWOURTH. 
 
 4.53 
 
 1 was 
 I ill and 
 ith liiin 
 Li to pay 
 I to give 
 \\d bring 
 lie niadc 
 v'cry for- 
 , weapon 
 )und. I 
 Ic, and I 
 it no one 
 
 he went 
 lie Crow. 
 3or, while 
 ; to shoot 
 1, gun in 
 ^d to stop 
 
 myself to 
 igly. Su- 
 visit, and 
 I foresaw 
 be a cause 
 3Ti. When 
 ,, and bade 
 )wn as de- 
 )nversation 
 
 lows: 
 
 rday. You 
 angry with 
 was drunk ; 
 it made my 
 doing." • 
 
 "Very well," said I ; " I am not angry with yon. 
 When you attcmptivl to kill nu- I waH »"Jgry, and it' 
 my battle-axe liad Itccii in my liand, I Hiiould have, 
 killed you. Vou arc. alive, and 1 am glad of it.*' 
 
 " Take those robes," he. rejoined, " and hereafter you 
 shall l)e my l>rotln'r, and I will b(^ your brother. Those 
 robes will make your lu^art right, and we will quarrel 
 no more." 
 
 1 t<K)k the robes with me, ten in number, and tbund 
 my heart perfectly mollified. 
 
 Messrs. Sublet and Vas(jues, having realized immense 
 proiits during their tiiree years of partnership, disposed 
 of all their interest and effects in tlu^ Itocky Mountain 
 fur business, and returned to St. Louis. This threw 
 me entirely out of business, when Messrs. lient and 
 Saverine wished to engage me in their employ. After 
 some little negotiation with them, 1 concluded a bar- 
 gain, and entered into their service in the latter part 
 of the summer of 1840. We immediately proceeded 
 to establish sub-posts in various directions, and I re- 
 paired to Laramie Fork. 
 
 As soon as it was known among the Indians that 
 the Crow was trading at Bent's post, they came flock- 
 ing in with their robes. Old Smoke, the head chief 
 of another band of Outlaws, known as Smoke's l?and, 
 but claimed by no particular nation or tribe, visited 
 me, with his village, and commenced a great spree. I 
 gave them a grand entertainment, which seemed to 
 tickle their tastes highly. They kept up their carou- 
 sal until they had parted with two thousand robes, and 
 had no more remaining. They then demanded whis- 
 ky, and I refused it. '* No trust," the motto we see 
 inscribed on every low drinking-saloon in St. Louis, 
 is equally our system in dealing with the Indians. 
 
4r»4 
 
 Al roillOUKAI'IIY 0|- 
 
 Tlioy Immmiiip inriiriiittMl at my n<riiMiil, niid clnninrrtl 
 iwul llii-(*u(('ii(<(l it' I |)(>rsiMl(Ml. I knew it wiih iio iisr 
 to ^ivr way, ho I adluM'iMl to my rcMoliitioii. Tlicrr- 
 iipoii tliov i'ommnicrd liriii;j; ii]>oii tli«^ ntorc, and mIiow- 
 vrvi\ the ImllrtM tlirou^li evt-ry aMMaihiltIr ]»oint. Tlic 
 wiiulows yyvYO, nliot nitircly out, and tin' aHHailaiitM 
 Hworo vnigcaiirc agaiiiMt tlu'l 'row. Arrordin^ to tlu'ir 
 talk, I liad my rlioi««' «'i(lirr to die or ^ivc tlicm wImh- 
 ky to drink. i iiad Itnt ono man with nur in tia^ Htorr. 
 Thrrr had hctii m^vcral (^anadiann in tin; tort, Imt on 
 tho tirst alarm ihvy ran to their houseM, wliich wen- 
 Iniilt aronnd tlu'l tort, within the pieketn, to obtain their 
 guns; hut on the Indians informing them that they 
 would not hurt them, that it. was only llu^ (*row that, 
 they were after, the (\ni<i<ii(t?>,s Htaid within doors, and 
 abandoned me to my t'at(*. 
 
 1 and my eompanion sat with our rifles ready eock- 
 ed, well prepared to defend the entrance to the fort. 
 We had plenty of guns at hand ready loaded, and then? 
 nnist u few have fallen U't'ore they passtMl tlu^ gate. 
 At dusk I closed the door, but we lay upon our anus 
 all night. The Indians kept up a great tunudt and 
 pother, but attempted nothing. 
 
 ISlcaars. lieiit and Savcrinc arrived in the morning, 
 and wanted to be informed of the cause of the, disturb- 
 ance. I acquainted them, and they aj)provcd my con- 
 duct. They were astonished at my immense pile of 
 robes, and applauded my fortitude. 
 
 When the Dutlawa became sobered, they express- 
 ed contrition for what they had done, and charged their 
 excesses upon John Bjirleycorn, which plea I admitted. 
 At the same time, it appeared quite inconsistent that I, 
 who was that celebrated gentleman's high-priest, should 
 be set upon and almost murdered by his devotees. 
 
.lAMKS I'. lIKdKWOnnil. 
 
 4r>r> 
 
 iiniorcMl 
 il h1u)W- 
 
 I. Tl.r 
 
 *Hailantrt 
 ; to tiM'ir 
 in wliiw- 
 |)i> Htorr.. 
 I, Imt on 
 ioli worr 
 lain tlu'ir 
 hat lluy 
 Irow llial 
 ooiB, aiul 
 
 luly cock- 
 
 tiio tort. 
 
 and then'. 
 
 tlic patv. 
 
 o\ir arniH 
 uniilt an«l 
 
 1 morning, 
 ic disturl)- 
 id my con- 
 isc pile of 
 
 y expresa- 
 argcd tlicir 
 I admitted, 
 tent that 1, 
 icst, should 
 evotees. 
 
 Notliing noteworthy ocMMirrod until thn following 
 .IniMiarv, wlini tlu^ IndianM, being again on tlio Nprro, 
 onc(^ inoro attempted my lite. I lied to a post in the, 
 Arrap-a-ho (country, in ehargii of Mr. Alex. VVharfieM, 
 now a eoloiud in the army; he renigned the poHt to me, 
 and took my plaee at iient^H post. I had hut littlo 
 trouble with the IndiaiiH here, ('ut Noh(% an old brave, 
 who, it H(*emH, Iwul betm in the hai)it of obtaining bin 
 dranjM of VV^Iiarliehl gratis, expi'.eted to \)o. HUp|)lied by 
 me on the Ham<^ terniM. I reHintcMl thin inva.sion, and 
 Heriounly ruUled the feather.s of the old chief thereby. 
 lie left at my refuHal, and did not n^turn again that 
 «lay. During the euHuing night the I'awneeH (;amc, 
 and Htolu both bin horH(;H and mine. 'J'he old man 
 rained a party, went in pursuit, recaptured all th<; 
 liorHCfl, took two HcalpH, and returned in high Kpiritn. 
 
 lie visited the stons and informed mc what In; liad 
 done. 
 
 "Well," said I, "that is because I gave you no 
 whisky yesterday. If I had given you whisky, you 
 would have drunk too much, and been sick this morn- 
 ing in consecjuenee. Then you would not have been 
 able to pursue the Pawnees, and you would have lost 
 your horses." 
 
 However, I gave him some whisky then in honor of 
 his achievement. This, as I had expected, pleased the 
 old fellow, and he restored mc my horses, and charged 
 mc nothing for their recapture. 
 
 As soon as the spring trade was over, I abandoned 
 that post and returned to the Arkansas. Saverinc de- 
 sired me to go and sec if I could open a trade with a 
 village of Arrap-a-hos which he had heard was en- 
 camped at forty miles distance. I accordingly started 
 in their direction, accompanied by two men. We jour- 
 
456 
 
 AUTOBIOORAPUY UF 
 
 neyed on until \vc had arrived witiiin a short distance 
 of the vilhigc, when we discovered on our road a band 
 of three or four hundred traveling Indians. I saw 
 they were Canianches, and I bade the two men to run 
 for their lives, as I knew the Canianches would kill 
 them. I directed them to the ArrajD-a-ho village, and 
 bade them shout their loudest when they came in sight 
 of it. They left me, and ascended a slight eminence 
 a little distance in advance, and then, shouting to the 
 extent of their lungs, they put their horses down at 
 the best speed. I rode up after them, and telegraphed 
 with my blanket to tlic village to have them come 
 quickly. They obeyed my motions, and fell in with 
 the Camanches on their way to me. The two tribes 
 proved to be friends, and my com.panions were safe. 
 
 On arriving at the village I found abundance of 
 robes, and opened a very successful trade with the peo- 
 l)le. This finished, I returned to the fort, and assist- 
 ed the other employes in loading the wagons for their 
 trip to St. Louis. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 First Trip to New Mexico. — Return to the Indians with Goods. — Suc- 
 cess in Trade. — Enter into Business in St. Fernandez. — Get Mar- 
 ried. — Return to the Indians. — The fortunate Speculation. — Proceed 
 to California with Goods. 
 
 I HAD now accumulated a considerable sum of money, 
 and thought I might as well put it to some use for my 
 own profit, as risk my life in the service of others, 
 while they derived the lion's share from my industry. 
 It was now about three years since I had left St. Louis 
 on my present excursion, and I began to weary of the 
 
JAME8 r. BECKWOl'RTH. 
 
 457 
 
 istance 
 a band 
 I saw 
 I to run 
 lid kill 
 ige, and 
 in sight 
 minence 
 cr to the 
 lown at 
 igraphcd 
 im come 
 [ in with 
 vo tribes 
 e safe, 
 dance of 
 I the peo- 
 id assist- 
 j for theu: 
 
 3ood8.— Suc- 
 z, — Get Mar- 
 ion. — Proceed 
 
 n of money, 
 use for my 
 J of others, 
 y industry, 
 ■ft St. Louis 
 veary of the 
 
 7nonotony of my life. I was within live days' jour- 
 ney of New Mexico, and I determined upon going to 
 take a look at the northern portion of this unbounded 
 territory. 
 
 I had but one man with me, named Charles Towne, 
 when I started upon my new exploration. On our 
 road thither we passed near to a Utah village, and two 
 or three of their warriors presented themselves before 
 us to hold a parley, while the chief sat down on a log 
 close by. ^i'hcy said, as we reined in our horses for a 
 moment, *' You make our paths bad by coming into 
 our country ; you will go back and tell the Cheyennes 
 and Arrap-a-hos wliere we are ; they will then come 
 and kill us, and steal our horses. Come here I our 
 chief wants to see you." 
 
 This was spoken in tolerably good Spanish. 
 
 " Come on," said I, addressing my companion; "'- let 
 us not be annoyed by these trilling Indians;*' and I 
 urged my horse against the Indian spokesman, knock- 
 ing him into the dirt. lie arose, exclaiming, "• Wughl 
 Shawnee I" We then rode on without further moles- 
 tation, they evidently mistaking me for a Shawnee. 
 They had robbed several white men, and, after beating 
 them savagely, had liberated them. I had no manner 
 of fear of them, for I knew them to be great cowards ; 
 with one hundred and fifty good Crow warriors I would 
 have chased a thousand of them. 
 
 We passed on into St. Fernandez, and found quite 
 a number of American traders there, established in bus- 
 iness, and supplying both mountaineers and Indians 
 with goods. Here I encountered an old acquaintance, 
 named Lee, with whom I entered into partnership. We 
 purchased one hundred gallons of alcohol, and a stock 
 of fancy articles, to return to the Indian country, and 
 
 u 
 
458 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 tra(l(^ lor robes and other peltry, Wc visited the Chey- 
 ennes on the South Fork of the Platte. We passed 
 Bent's fort on our way thither. He hailed us, and in- 
 quired where we were going. I informed him that wc 
 were on our way to the Cheyenne village. He begged 
 nie not to go, as I valuec" my safety. It was only the 
 day previous, he said, that he had traded with them, 
 and bought eighteen liorses from their village. They 
 came the next morning and took them forcibly back, 
 and threatened him with their guns if he said a word 
 against their proceedings. I replied to him that I a- 
 ticipated no danger, and left him to pass on to tiieir 
 village. 
 
 The Indians were delighted at my arrival. I had 
 lieard that the hooping-cough was very prevalent among 
 tlie children, and, as we happened to have several 
 bushels of com, and beans, and a large quantity of 
 dried pumpkins, we could not have come at a more op- 
 portune moment. I told tht; Indians, in answer to 
 their welcome, that I had come back to see them be- 
 cause I had heard their children were all sick. I call- 
 ed attention to my stock of vegetable esculents, as be- 
 ing best adapted for food for their children, and i;he 
 best calculated to restore them to health. " Besides," 
 I added, " I have brought a little whisky along, to put 
 good life into your hearts." 
 
 They were then in tlieir sobered feelings, which will 
 return to them after their carousals, and which pre- 
 sent so dangerous a time to the trader. Their horses 
 were all away, their robes were gone, and they had 
 nothing to show in return for them. Their children 
 were sick and dying, their wives mourning and half 
 distracted, and they could obtain nothitig at the fort to 
 alleviate their sufferings. I could understand the whole 
 
JAMKS 1*. JJECKWOURTII. 
 
 459 
 
 5 Chey- 
 
 passcd 
 
 and in- 
 
 that -wc 
 
 begged 
 
 only the 
 
 li them, 
 
 , They 
 
 ly back, 
 
 1 a word 
 
 hati a- 
 
 to then- 
 
 .. I had 
 
 nt among 
 c several 
 antity of 
 I more op- 
 answer to 
 them be- 
 [c. I call- 
 ;nts, as be- 
 n, and i:he 
 ' Besides," 
 ong, to put 
 
 , which will 
 which pre- 
 'heir horses 
 d they had 
 Lcir children 
 ng and halt' 
 it the fort to 
 lid the whole 
 
 corollary of incidents. Like their intemperate white 
 brethren, who will occasionally rovie^v matters after a 
 prolonged spree, and who will sec the ellects of their 
 dissipation in their desolate homes, their heart-broken 
 wives, and their ragged and starving children, what 
 are their feelings at such a contemplation ? Un([ues- 
 tionably hostility against the cause of this destitution, 
 whether they recognize it in themselves, the willing 
 instruments, or the liquor that infatuated them, or the 
 dealer that supplied it to them. The Indians seem to 
 have one circle of reasoning, ai.d invariably vent their 
 spleen upon the trader. It was this reactionary feel- 
 ing that had led the Indians to recover, by force of 
 arms, the horses they had parted with previously. 1 
 knew better how to manage them. 
 
 I deposited my goods at Old Bark's lodge, who felt 
 highly honored with the trust. The villagers collect- 
 ed round, and a disj)ute arose among them whether the 
 whisky should be broached or not. Porcuj)inc Bear 
 objected, and Bob-tailed Horse, his brother-in-law, 
 strongly advocated my opening the kegs. This led to 
 a warm altercation between the two warriors, until the 
 disputed question was to be decided by the arbitrament 
 of battle. They both left the lodge to prepare for the 
 combat, and returned in a few minutes fully armed and 
 equipped. 
 
 Porcupine Bear argued his cause in the following 
 strain : '* Cheyennes, look at me, and listen well to my 
 Avords. I am now about to fight my brother ; I shall 
 light him, and shall kill him if I can. In doing this, 
 1 do not fight my brother, but I fight the greatest en- 
 (>my of my people. 
 
 " Once we were a great and powerful nation : our 
 hearts were proud, and our arms were strong. But a 
 
tc.o 
 
 Ar'ntiiinoKAriiv or 
 
 Irw uiuNmm nj»;o nil o 
 
 (lirr Iriln'M Uvirrd iim ; now fli 
 
 I 
 
 iMVHrrf< <l.'ilo lo noMM our 
 
 liiliil 
 
 iiiir-frioniulM, mihI ki 
 
 our IhiHmIo. (Mho \\c tonld lirnt (lir (*ro\vH, find, iin 
 jmN'd, doslroyod iImmt villnjM's ; now \\v mil (MImt vil- 
 \:\\ro» lo our MfMiHlMncr, nml we cnn no! c^'l'md our- 
 Mrl\("4 iVoni tlu« jiMMnnllH of ihr «>nrni\. How \h lliin, 
 i 'l«('\ rnnr;^ V 'I'lio ( 'n»wM drink no wliiMkv. Tin' t>iirn- 
 iiijVM o('lli(Mr linnliMM jind IojIm o( llicir wonirn twv Imr- 
 (iMrd lo ili(> wliif<^ innn lor w<<{i|)onM and nnininnition. 
 Tins krr|)M tiinn )i(»W('iriil and drradcil |»v llirir oik*- 
 mu's. NN r kill Itiillalo liv llir tlioiiMand : onr uttniniH 
 liandM avo mo|(> vmIi diTMsiiit; tin* ioIm's ; and wlial do 
 wo \y,\vi Willi lIuMii lo i\w wliilt' (lad-r lor Y Wo puy 
 lIuMii lor I ho wliilo nian's lirr-walci. wliirli InriiM oiir 
 l»rain:< ii|)s'd«» down, winrli niakos oiii lirarln Mack, and 
 rnid«MM onr arms woak. Il lakos awa\ onr warriors' 
 skill, and iiiak»'M iIumii sliool wroiii:; in lialllr. ( )nr cn- 
 oinios, who drink no whisk>, wlion llicv Mlio«tJ, always 
 k 
 
 ill llioir loo 
 
 Wo I 
 
 ia\(' no ainniiiinlion lo oiioonnlor 
 
 onr loos, .-nu 
 
 1 w.» I 
 
 lavo luH'oiiio as (loos, wiin 
 
 mo* bnf llioir loiMli. 
 
 .g.^ 
 
 •hi 
 
 iav(< noil I 
 
 III 
 
 (>i 
 
 nr prairios wi 
 
 w onoo oovon'd wllh horsos as I In 
 
 livos .'iro oovon'tl wilh loavos. W'lioro aro llioy now? 
 Ask iho (^ows. who drink no whisky. \\ lion wo arc 
 all ihnnk, ihov ooiiio and lako llioiii iVom liolon* onr 
 oyos : t>iir Iou;s aiv holploss, ami wo «'an nol I'ollow llioiii. 
 Wo aro onlv loarlnl lo our woinon, who tako np ihoir 
 
 ^hihli 
 
 d Ih 
 
 ron and oonooal llionis<Mv«\s among llio rooks an« 
 
 th 
 
 'k 
 
 .1 
 
 \\\ 
 
 fho 1 
 
 "orosl. tor wo aro wolvj's in our 
 
 lodg 
 
 roH : wo 
 
 s;rowl at thorn liko hoars wlion thoy aro lamishinp 
 i.)ur ohildroM aro now siok, and our woiikmi aro weak 
 with watoiiinL:. Lot us n*)! soaro tlioni away tVoin our 
 lodiTOs*. >yiih tiioir siok ohildron in thoir arms. 'I'ln- 
 CiiWHt Spirit will l>c olVondcd at it. I had rather go to 
 
JAMI.H I*. l»l',«'K\V<Mimi. 
 
 4(il 
 
 nnl Kill 
 ii\<l. III) 
 Wv vil 
 nil <»uv 
 \n tliin, 
 Ih' nun- 
 m<' l»n- 
 lunitioii. 
 lu'ir «MM'- 
 
 what «lo 
 
 huuM our 
 
 lli'.cU, MM<I 
 
 wnnioiH' 
 
 ( )ur r\\- 
 
 ^^\, nlwMVH 
 
 j'UfOUUttT 
 
 lijivt' uolli 
 
 ,vs«*s Mf* <!"' 
 
 ll\(<y now V 
 
 lu'u wo avr 
 
 lu'lovt' o\\y 
 
 iko u|) tlu'ir 
 c lorks ami 
 lodp'H; \v»' 
 ' t'anuHliinp;. 
 iM\ avo wt'aK 
 
 ,ay I''**'" ^*''* 
 anus. '1'!"' 
 rather go to 
 
 flir grcal ami liM|»jty iiimliiijii-j^rouiMl ?io\v tlinii livr nml 
 Hvr tlio ilowiiiall (il my nntioii. nin- lircM tn^^iii (<» 
 imni «lim, and will houii }!;o mil nilinly. My |tr(»|ilr 
 aro iMTomini^ lilu* llio Pjiwihm-.m: liny liny tin- wiiiMky 
 ot'llio (ra<l«<{', ati<l, Ix'raiiMc lio in weak and not. nlilr to 
 lij^";!!! lliom, llioy fn> and ntral iVom Imh lnd}.^o. 
 
 *' I Hay, Id UH huy of tlio ('row what in nHrl'nl /irnl 
 |>;ood, ImiI liis wiiinky wo will nut (<in<-|i ; Irl liim tako 
 tlial away willi liim. i liavo Hpokcn all I liavr toHay, 
 and ir my IhuIIioi' wiMlioH In kill mo iur il, i am ready 
 lo di«\ I will i^'o and nil willi my lallirrM in llio Hpir- 
 il land, wlioro ] shall noun poinl down lo llir lasl ox- 
 pirini!; liro ol" llir ('iH'yoimoM, and wlion liioy iiMpiir*' 
 llio ranno ol' lliin dorlino of llioir |ioo|)|r, I will 1)11 llicm 
 will) M Hlrai^lil lonj^no llial il wan llio liro,-wul( r of llio 
 Irador llial |miI il onl/* 
 
 OhI hark llion advan'cd |»rlwo«n llio Iwo l»olli{.'oi- 
 «'nl.^ and ihns spoko: '' ( 'lu'ycnnoM, I am your |.!;r<al 
 (■liiof; you know m<'. My word IITim <lay nliall ho 
 oIh'\«mI. Tho, ('row liaH oomo ainonf^ uh a{i;ain, and 
 lias hron^hl iim }:;<M)d lliin^s that wo nocd ; lir lias also 
 liron<;hl \\h a litllo. wliisky. Mo Ih poor, wliilo, wo aro 
 vol .Htronji;, and wo will huy all lio, lias hroii^lil willi 
 liim. 'riiis day wo. will drink ; it will mako mm m<r- 
 rv, .and i'rcl ^ooi\ to one anothor. Wo will all drink 
 this onoo, hut W(^ will not act liko IooIm ; wo will not 
 <piarrol aiul light, and iVighton our women and ohil- 
 dron. Now, warriorn, give mo your weapons." 
 
 'I'liis tint admitted no appeal; it was law and goM- 
 pol to luM p<'oj)lo ; disohodionoe to his command Hiih- 
 jt'otod the oU'eiidor to immodialo death at tho hands ot 
 tlio, l)o<i; Soldiers. Tho. warriors dolivon^d up tlioir hat- 
 tlo-axoB, and tho old ohiorhaiidod tliom to mo. "( !row," 
 said ho, "tako. thcBo. weapoim that I have taken from 
 
402 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 my two children. Keep them until we have drunk up 
 your whisky, and let no one have them till I bid you. 
 Now, Crow, we are ready." 
 
 Slim Face and Gray Head, two Dog Soldiers, then 
 liarangued the village, and desired all wlio wished to 
 trade to come and bring tlieir robes and horses to Old 
 Bark's lodge, and to remember that they were trading 
 with tlie honest Crow, and not with white men, and 
 lliat what they paid him was his. 
 
 Tliey answered the summons in flocks, the women 
 first, according to my established rule. My com, 
 beans, and pumpkins *' exhaled like the dew," and I 
 received in exchange their beautiful fancy robes. The 
 women served, the men next came in for whisky. I 
 sold on credit to some. When one wanted thus to 
 deal, he would tell me what kind of a horse or mule 
 lie had : I would appeal to Old Bark for confirmation 
 of the statement ; if he verified it, I served the liquor. 
 They all got drunk. Porcupine Bear, the temperance 
 orator, witli the rest ; but there was not a single fight ; 
 all passed off harmoniously. 
 
 I received over four hundred splendid robes, besides 
 moccasins and fancy articles. When I was ready to 
 leave, thirty-eight horses and mules, a number corre- 
 sponding to what I had marked, were brought forward. 
 I packed up my peltry, and sent my partner on in ad- 
 vance witli every thing except the horse I rode, telling 
 him I would overtake him shortly. 
 
 I had reserved a five-gallon keg of whisky unknown 
 to all, and when about to start I produced it and pre- 
 sented it to the crowd. They were charmed, and in- 
 sisted on making me a return. They brought m(> 
 over forty of tlieir finest robes, such as the young 
 squaws finish with immense labor to present to tlioir 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 46a 
 
 ank up 
 id you. 
 
 TS, then 
 ished to 
 
 to Old 
 
 trading 
 aen, and 
 
 e women 
 ly com, 
 r," and I 
 ,es. The 
 lisky. I 
 1 thus to 
 3 or mule 
 nfirmation 
 he liquor, 
 emperance 
 igle fight ; 
 
 es, besides 
 IS ready to 
 tiber corre- 
 ct forward. 
 ;r on in ad- 
 ode, telling 
 
 y unknown 
 it and pre- 
 led, and in- 
 brought mo 
 the young 
 jent to their 
 
 lovers. Old Bark gave me a good mule to pack them, 
 and another chief gave me a second. I then took my 
 leave, promising to return by Leaf Fall. 
 
 When I passed Bent at his post he was perfectly 
 confounded. He had seen one train pass belonging 
 to me, and now I was conducting another, when, at 
 the same time, he had supposed that there was not a 
 robe in the village. " 
 
 " Beckwourth," said he, " how you manage Indians 
 as you do beats my understanding." 
 
 I told him that it was easily accounted for; that 
 the Indians knew that the whites cheated them, and 
 know that tliey could beHeve what I said. Besides 
 that, they naturally felt superior confidence in me on 
 ac(;ount of my supposed affinity of race. I had lived 
 so much among them that I could enter into their feel- 
 ings, and be in every respect one of themselves : this 
 was an inducement which no acknowledged white 
 trader could ever hope to hold out. 
 
 I rode on, and overtook my partner in advance. He 
 had had an adventure. A party of Cheyennes, led by 
 a chief named Three Crows, had met him, and rifled 
 him of a three-gallon keg of whisky, which we had re- 
 served for our own use on our way to St. Fernandez. 
 The chief stopped him, and said, " I smell whisky, and 
 we must have some." 
 
 My partner told him that he had none. 
 
 " Wugh I my nose don't lie, but your tongue does. 
 I smell it strong, and, if you do not hand it out, we 
 .shall unpack all your horses and find it." 
 
 " Well," said the man, *' I have a little, but it be- 
 longs to the Crow, and he wants it himself." 
 
 " Give it me," said the chief, " and tell him tliat 
 Three Crows took it." 
 
4(J4 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 There was no alternative, and lie gave him the keg. 
 They carried it along until they came to a creek, where 
 they sat down and had a joUilicaiion. I passed them 
 while they were in the midst of it, bnt did not sec 
 them, altliough they saw me. When I met the chief 
 some time subsequently, and charged him with the lar- 
 ceny, he gave me ten robes and a good horse to com- 
 pound tlie felony. 
 
 We shot several buffalo on our way, enough to load 
 all our horses witli meat and tallow. We exchanged 
 our effects in Santa Fe for goods, and carried them to 
 St. Fernandez, a distance of sixty miles. Here we es- 
 tablished a store as ow head-quarters for the Indian 
 trade, where I resided some time, living very fast and 
 happily, according to tnc manner of the inhabitants. 
 Among other doings, I got married to Senorita Louise 
 Sandevillc. 
 
 In the fall I returned to the Indian country, taking 
 my wife with me. We reached the Arkansas about 
 the Hrst of October, 1842, where I erected a trading- 
 post, and opened a successful business. In a very 
 short time I was joined by from fifteen to twenty free 
 trappers, with their families. We all united our labors, 
 and constructed an adobe fort sixty yards square. By 
 the foUowi »g spring we had grown into quite a little 
 settlement, and we gave it the name of Pueblo. Many 
 of tlie company devoted themselves to agriculture, and 
 raised very good crops the first season, such as wheat, 
 corn, oats, potatoes, and abundance of almost all kinds 
 of vegetables. 
 
 When the spring trade was over, I sent all my peltry 
 to Independence, and bought with the proceeds tliree 
 thousand dollars worth of articles, suitable for the trade 
 in New Mexico. But, on the arrival of the goods, tho 
 
JAMKiS 1'. UECKWOl'RTH. 
 
 4G5 
 
 le keg. 
 where 
 d them 
 not sec 
 chief 
 the lar- 
 to com- 
 
 to load 
 changed 
 
 them to 
 L'e we es- 
 e Indian 
 
 fast and 
 abitants. 
 a Louise 
 
 •y, taking 
 jas about 
 \ trading- 
 [n a very 
 venty free 
 )ur labors, 
 uare. By 
 ite a little 
 lo. Many 
 ilture, and 
 . as wheat, 
 it all kinds 
 
 [ my peltry 
 
 ieeds three 
 
 )r the trado 
 
 goods, the 
 
 whole country was in a ferment on accoimt of Colonel 
 Cook's expedition from Texas, wliicli resulted so dis- 
 astrously for the parties concerned. This aftectcd tlic 
 minds of the New ^lexicans unfavora]>ly for my in- 
 terest, inasmuch as their former preference for United 
 States novelties was now turned into strong repug- 
 nance for every thing American. I therefore could 
 obtain no sale for my goods, and determined to return 
 to my Indian friends. I bought a load of whisky to 
 trade for horses to pack my goods to California, where 
 I intended removing. I succeeded in my adventure, 
 and obtained forty horses and mules, upon which I 
 packed my merchandise, and quickly found myself on 
 the way to the ** golden state." 
 
 I started with fifteen men, three of whom were ]\Iex- 
 icans. When I reached the Utah country, 1 found 
 that the Indians were waging exterminating war upon 
 the Mexicans, but I did not learn it in time to save the 
 lives of my three unhappy followers, who, lagging too 
 far in the rear, were set upon by the Indians and slain. 
 In passing through their country I did considerable 
 trading, exchanging my merchandise for elk, deer, and 
 antelope skins, very beautifully dressed. 
 
 I arrived in Pueblo dc Angeles (California) in Jan- 
 uary, 1844. There I indulged my new passion for 
 trade, and did a very profitable business for several 
 months. At the breaking out of the revolution in 1845, 
 I took an active part against the mother country, of 
 which I will furnish some details in my next chapter. 
 
 U2 
 
4(JU 
 
 AUTOHKXntArilV iJV 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 The Californian Revolution. — Rifle Corps. — Position of the two Ar- 
 mies. — Colonel Sutter. — Cannonade. — Flight of Sutter. — His Kr- 
 turn. — Trial ajid subsequent Release. 
 
 The Upper Californians, on account of their great 
 distance from the Mexican government, had long en- 
 joyed the forms of an independent principality, al- 
 though recognizing themselves as a portion of the 
 Mexican Republic. They had for years past had the 
 election of their own officers, their governor inclusive, 
 and enjoyed comparative immunity from taxes and 
 other political vexations. Under this abandonment, 
 the inhabitants lived prosperous and contented ; their 
 hills and prairies were literally swarming with cattle ; 
 immense numbers of these were slauglitcred annually 
 for their hides and talloAv; and, as they had no "Ar- 
 mies of Liberation" to support, and no costly govern- 
 ment to maintain in extravagance, they passed their 
 lives in a state of contentment, eveiy man sitting un- 
 der his own vine and his own fig-tree. 
 
 Two years prior to my arrival all this had been 
 changed. President Santa Anna had appointed one of 
 his creatures, Torrejon, governor, with absolute and 
 tyrannical power; he arrived with an army of bandits 
 to subject the defenseless inhabitants to every wrong 
 that a debasing tyranny so readily indulges in. Heavy 
 taxes were imposed for the support of the home gov- 
 ernment, and troops were quartered to the great an- 
 noyance and cost of the honest people. The lives of 
 the inhabitants were continually in danger from the 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 4G7 
 
 c two Ar- 
 -HiH Kr- 
 
 ;ir great 
 ong en- 
 tity, al- 
 of the 
 had the 
 iclusive, 
 xes and 
 lonment, 
 d; their 
 h cattle; 
 annually 
 no "Ar- 
 j govern- 
 ised their 
 tting un- 
 
 had been 
 sd one of 
 )lute and 
 )f bandits 
 sry wrong 
 1. Heavy 
 lome gov- 
 great an- 
 e lives of 
 from the 
 
 cxcossea of tlic worthless vagabonds who had been 
 forced «|)0n thcni; their property was ritled before tlieir 
 eyes, their duugliters were ravisiied in tlieir presence, 
 or carried forcibly to the tilthy barracks. The jxiople s 
 patience became at length cxiiausted, and tliey determ- 
 ined to die ratiicr than submit to such inflictions. 
 But they were ignorant how to sliake off the yoke : 
 they were unaccustomed to war, and knew nothing 
 about political organizations. However, Providence 
 finally raised up a man for the purpose, General Joso 
 Castro, who had tilled the office of comnuinder under 
 the former system, but who had been forced to retire 
 into privacy at the inauguration of the reign of terror. 
 He stepj)ed boldly forth, and declared to the people his 
 readiness to lead them to the warfare that should de- 
 liver their country from the scourge that afflicted thcnij 
 he called upon them to second his exertions, and never 
 desert his banner until California were purified of her 
 present pollution. His patriotic appeal was responded 
 to by ail ranks. Hundreds flocked to his standard; 
 the young and the old left their ranches and their cat- 
 tle-grounds, and rallied round their well-tried chief. 
 
 There was at that time quite a number of Ameri- 
 cans in the country, and, according to their interests 
 and predilections, they ranged themselves upon oppos- 
 ing sides. Our present worthy and much-respected 
 citizen. General Sutter, was at that time, if I mistake 
 not, a colonel in the forces of the central government, 
 and at the outbreak of the revolution he drew his 
 sword for Santa Anna, and entered into active service 
 against the rebels in Pueblo de Angeles. 
 
 There was an American, long resident in the coun- 
 try, named J. Roland, who sought my co-operation 
 in the popular cause. He said that every American 
 
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468 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 who could use a rifle was a host against the invaders, 
 ind besought me to arm in defense, and to influence 
 my men likewise to espouse the cause. I replied to 
 his solicitations by promising him my active co-opera- 
 tion, and also that 1 woidd represent his arguments to 
 the men living with me. Accordingly, I informed my 
 people that I intended to shoulder my rifle in the de- 
 fense of life and property, and they Vv'crc unanimous in 
 their resolution to accompany me. Hence there were 
 thirteen riflemen instead of one. We shortly after re- 
 ceived an accession of sixty more good frontiersmen, 
 and mustered ourselves for service. The company 
 elected me captain, but I declined the office. Mr. Bell 
 finally assumed the command, with the promise of my 
 unflinching support in extremities. Our compan}- 
 steadily increased in number until we had one hundred 
 and sixty men, including native Californians, who join- 
 ed us with rifles. 
 
 General Castro's first movement was against Pueblo, 
 lie entered the place at the head of his forces, and 
 took the fort, arsenal, with all the government arms, 
 ammunition, and stores, with the slight loss of one of- 
 ficer wounded. This enabled the rebels to arm them- 
 selves, and he was shortly at the head of a small but 
 well-appointed army. The general highly extolled 
 the rifle battalion, and he looked upon it as a power- 
 ful support. 
 
 Castro then took a detachment of rebel troops, and 
 proceeded northward to reconnoitre the enemy's po- 
 f;ition, our main body also moving in the direction of 
 the enemy as far as Monterey, where were the gov- 
 ernor's head-quarters. On first hearing the intelli- 
 gence of the outbreak, +he governor had put his forces 
 in motion, and issued orders to shoot the rebels wherev- 
 
.JAMKS V. HECKWOIRTII. 
 
 4m 
 
 nvaders, 
 nfliiencc 
 jplied to 
 ;o-opera- 
 rnents to 
 •med my 
 1 the de- 
 limous in 
 lere werc 
 
 at'ter re- 
 tiersmen, 
 company 
 
 Ur. Bell 
 ise of my 
 
 compan}' 
 e hundred 
 who join- 
 
 st Pueblo : 
 Drees, and 
 lent arms, 
 of one of- 
 irm them- 
 small but 
 extolled 
 a power- 
 
 roops, and 
 emy's po- 
 rection of 
 i the gov- 
 he intelU- 
 ; his forces 
 ik wherev- 
 
 er met, and destroy their property of whatever kind, 
 (leneral Castro, having proceeded as far as 8anta Bar- 
 bara, a distance of ninety-six miles, and having obtain- 
 ed full information concerning the movements of the 
 gorernor, returned and joined the main body. Dur- 
 ing his expedition he captured five Americans in the 
 Mexican service. lie disarmed them, telling them 
 that he had no disposition to injure Americans, and 
 that he would return their arms as soon as he had 
 expelled the enemies of the people. 
 
 Our forces were concentrated in a large open prairie, 
 the enemy being stationed at no great distance, like- 
 wise on the prairie. I ascended, one morning, the 
 summit of a mountain, which would afford nie a fair 
 view of the enemy's camp, just to discover their num- 
 bers and strength of position. On my road I encoun- 
 tered two Americans, who were serving in the capacity 
 of spies to the enemy. I accosted them, tnd express- 
 ed surprise to see them in the service of such an old 
 rascal as Torrejon, and recommended them to join the 
 popular cause ; but they seemed to have an eye to the 
 promised booty of the lebels, and my arguments could 
 not influence them. I dispatched one of them with a 
 letter to Gant, an American who held the commission 
 of captain in the governor's army, offering him, as we 
 did not wish to fight against our American brethren, 
 to withdraw all the Americans from the rebel ranks, 
 if he would do the same on the side of the governor, 
 and leave the Mexicans and Californians, who were 
 most interested in the issue, to measure their strength. 
 Some Germans who were with us also made the same 
 proposal to Colonel Sutter. Our messenger conveyed 
 the dispatches, and delivered the German's letter to 
 Colonel Sutter, who read both that and our letter to 
 
470 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Captain Gant. He returned for answer that., unless 
 the Americans withdrew from the insurgent army im- 
 mediately, he would shoot us every one by ten o'clock 
 the next morning. This embittered us the more 
 against the barbarity of the opposing power, and we 
 resolved to make their leaders, not excepting Sutter, 
 feel the effects of our rifles as soon as they placed 
 themselves within range. 
 
 On the following morning a weak and ineffective 
 cannonade commenced on both sides. We lay low, 
 awaiting the enemy's ch;Tge. As their riflemen had 
 not shown themselves, and we were desirous to obtain 
 a sight of them, myself, with seven or eight others, ad- 
 vanced cautiously in search of them. On our way we 
 discovered a small cannon which the enemy had load- 
 ed and was about to discharge upon our ranks. Had 
 there been a gunner among them, it must have done 
 us great injury. We advanced within a few yards of 
 the piece, and had raised ourselves up to shoot the ar- 
 tillerymen, when one of our party arrested our aim by 
 suddenly exclaiming, "Don't shoot! ^1 c't shoot!" 
 He then pointed out the enemy's rifiei. -:ii carefully 
 emerging from a hollow, with the intention of stealing 
 upon our flank and saluting us with a volley of lead. 
 I laid down my rifle, and hailed them to halt. I rec- 
 ognized a number of mountaineers among them, with 
 some of whom I had intimate acquaintance, and I 
 urged them to adopt the cause of the people, for the 
 side they had now espoused was one no American 
 should be seeu to defend. They heard me through, 
 and all, or nearly all the Americans were persuaded 
 by my arguments, and returned with me to join our 
 battalion. This assured us of victory. The cannon- 
 ade was perfectly harmless : some of the balls pass- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 471 
 
 ;, unless 
 rmy im- 
 1 o'clock 
 le more 
 , and nve 
 r Sutter, 
 y placed 
 
 leffective 
 
 lay low, 
 iuien had 
 to obtain 
 thers, ad- 
 r way wc 
 had load- 
 ks. Had 
 lave done 
 
 yards of 
 >ot the ar- 
 ur aim by 
 t shoot'." 
 
 carefully 
 of steahng 
 jy of lead. 
 It. I rec- 
 them, with 
 ice, and I 
 3le, for the 
 
 American 
 le through, 
 
 persuaded 
 to join our 
 he cannon- 
 balls pass- 
 
 ed tln-ee hundred feet over our heads ; others plow- 
 ed up the prairie as near to thoir ranks as ours. All 
 the damage we received was one wagon shivered to 
 pieces, and a horse killed under Colonel Price, which 
 animal had been captured by us at Pueblo, and was 
 now serving in the rebel forces with the same rank 
 he had held under government. 
 
 The desertion of the riflemen seriously affected the 
 enemy's prospects of victory. Ten o'clock had passed, 
 and Colonel Sutter had not put his threat into execu- 
 tion. The enemy finally retired from the field, and 
 marched in the direction of Pueblo. I took a part 7 
 and ascended a mountain to watch the progress of the 
 retiring foe ; we staid out some hours, with the view to 
 learn where they encamped. While thus employed, a 
 courier, sent from our commander, brought us orders 
 to return immediately. We instantly obeyed, and 
 found the army gone, with only one man remaining to 
 direct our steps. On coming up with our forces, we 
 found that our colonel had made a movement which 
 cut off all retreat from the enemy, and which must 
 bring him to an engagement, or an unconditional sur- 
 render. In the morning, I again took a party with 
 me, and mounted an eminence to reconnoitre the en- 
 emy's position. We approached to within five hund- 
 red yards of their camp, where we shot a bullock, 
 which we quietly proceeded to dress. While we were 
 thus engaged, I perceived an officer approaching from 
 the enemy's camp to ascertain who we were. I took 
 my rifle, and dodged among the bushes, eager to get a 
 shot at him ; but, before I could do so, one of my men 
 prematurely fired, and missed his mark. The offi- 
 cer had dismounted in order to get a nearer view of 
 us, and this admonitory shot warned him back into 
 
472 
 
 A CTOBUX.) liAPH V OF 
 
 camp. jMyself and another advancod to within fifty 
 rods of it, and boldly seized the otlicer's Iiorsc, and 
 they did not fire a shot at us. We saw their camp 
 was hemmed in on all sides. Our artillery was placed 
 in battery, matches liglitcd, and men in position — all 
 was ready for action. The enemy, perceiving their des- 
 perate condition, sent a flag of truce for a negotiation. 
 Articles of capitulation were eventually drawn up and 
 signed, to the cifect that the governor and his forces 
 should immediately lay down their arms, and leave for 
 Acapulco as soon as their embarkation could be accom- 
 plished. Accordingly, they laid down tlieir arms, and 
 marched under escort to the Embaradara, distant twen- 
 ty miles from Pueblo. The governor was not permit- 
 ted to return to Monterey, but Iiis lady was sent for 
 to the Embaradara, where she rejoined her husband, 
 and they quit the country together. 
 
 Colonel Sutter, on the day of embarkation, left his 
 detachment of naked Indians with the army, and pro- 
 ceeded, as we supposed, to his fort on the Sacramen- 
 to ; but he returned the next day, and gave himself 
 up to us. His force of Indians were very well drilled, 
 but would have been far better employed in raising- 
 cabbages on his farm than in facing rebel riflemen on 
 the battle-field. A trial was held upon the colonel, 
 which resulted in his full acquittal, with the restora- 
 tion of all his property fallen into our hands, such as 
 cannon and other military effects, by the suiTcnder of 
 the government forces. The Americans, in jest prob- 
 ably, seemed very desirous to have the prisoner shot, 
 which produced great alarm in his mind, and recalled 
 to his recollection his recent threat to shoot all the 
 Americans in our army. 
 
 Our countrymen were almost carried on the shoul- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 473 
 
 thin fifty 
 orso, and 
 icir catnp 
 as placed 
 it ion — all 
 their des- 
 igotiation. 
 rn up and 
 his forces 
 1 leave for 
 be accom- 
 arms, and 
 tant twen- 
 lot permit- 
 is sent for 
 • husband, 
 
 Dn, left his 
 f, and pro- 
 Sacramen- 
 ve himself 
 ^-ell drilled, 
 in raising 
 dflemen on 
 he colonel, 
 he restora- 
 ds, such as 
 LiiTender of 
 n jest prob- 
 isoner shot, 
 md recalled 
 loot all the 
 
 1 the shoul- 
 
 ders of the Californians, in gratitude for their partici- 
 pation in th revolution ; for, although the victory had 
 been a bloodless one, they attributed their easily-won 
 success to the dread inspired by the name of their 
 American confederates. 
 
 After seeing the departure of the government troops, 
 the rebel aimy returned to Pueblo, where they elected 
 Colonel Pico governor ; Colonel, now (jJeneral Castro, 
 Qommander of the forces ; and filled other less import- 
 ant offices. Fandangoes, which were continued for a 
 week, celebrated our success ; and these festivities over, 
 the insurgents returned to their various homes and oc- 
 cupations. 
 
 Some few weeks after, a small proportion of the in- 
 habitants sought to displace our newly-elected chiet 
 magistrate, and appoint some other in his place. I was 
 sent for during the night to guard the governor's palace 
 with my corps of rifles, and we succeeded in capturing 
 the leading conspirators, who were tried and sent to 
 Acapulco in irons. I had a quarrel with the alcalde 
 shortly after this service, and he put me in irons for 
 cursing him. As soon as the governor heard of my 
 misfortune, he had me immediately discharged from 
 confinement. 
 
 I now resumed my business, and dispatcher' riy part- 
 ner, Mr. Waters, after a fresh supply of goods ; but, 
 before he had time to return, fresh political commotions 
 supervened. There still seemed to exist in the minds 
 of the majority a strong hankering for the domination 
 of Mexico, notwithstanding they had so recently sided 
 with the Bevolutionists in shaking off the yoke of the 
 national government. Among other causes of excite- 
 ment, too, the American adventurers resident there Iiad 
 raised the " Bear Flag," and proclaimed their intention 
 
474 
 
 ATTTOniOGUAniY OF 
 
 ot'cstaMislnng .an indopcndcnt government of their own. 
 'I'liis cHUHed us to be clos(dy watehed by the authori- 
 ti(\s, and matters seemed to be growing too warm to be 
 pleasant. 
 
 In the midst of this gathering ferment, news reached 
 us from MazatL'm of the dechiration of war between the 
 United States and Mexico, and 1 deemed it was fully 
 time to leave. Colonel Fremont was at that juncture 
 approacliing from Oregon with a force, if combined with 
 the .Vmericans resident there, sufficient to conquer the 
 wliole coiuitry, and 1 would have liked exceedingly to 
 join his forces, but to have proceeded toward him would 
 have Hubjc 'ted me to mistnist, and consequent capture 
 anci imprisoimicnt. If I looked south the same difficul- 
 ties menaced me, and tll^. west conducted me to the Pa- 
 citic Ocean. 
 
 I had but little time to deliberate. My people was 
 at war with the country I was living in ; I had become 
 security to the authorities for the good behavior of sev- 
 eral of my fellow-countrymen, .*nd 1 was under recog- 
 nizances for my own conduct. The least misadvent- 
 ure would compromise me, and I was impatient to get 
 away. ]\Iy only retreat was eastward ; so, considering 
 all things fair in time of war, I, together with tive trusty 
 Americans, collected eighteen hundred stray horses we 
 found roaming on the Californian ranches, and started 
 with our utmost speed from Pueblo de Angeles. This 
 was a fair capture, and our morals justified it, for it was 
 war-time. We knew we should be pursued, and we 
 lost no time in making our way toward home. We 
 kept our herd jogging for five days and nights, only 
 resting once a day to eat, and afford the animals time 
 to crop a mouthfid of grass. We killed a fat colt oc- 
 casionally, which supplied us with meat, and very de- 
 
JAMES P. nECXWOUIlTH. 
 
 47.0 
 
 K'lr own. 
 
 authori- 
 
 rin to be 
 
 reached 
 ween the 
 vas fully 
 juncture 
 ined with 
 iquer the 
 lingly to 
 im would 
 it capture 
 e difficul- 
 to the Pa- 
 
 eople was 
 id become 
 ior of sev- 
 [ler recog- 
 lisadvent- 
 jnt to get 
 jnsidering 
 ftve trusty 
 horses we 
 nd started 
 les. This 
 , for it was 
 d, and we 
 ►me. We 
 ghts, only 
 imals time 
 'at colt oc- 
 d very de- 
 
 licious meat too — rather costly, Init the cheapest and 
 handiest we could obtahi. After five days' chase our 
 pursuers relaxed tlieir speed, and we ourselves drove 
 more leisurely. We again found the advantage that 1 
 have often spoken of before of having a drove of horses 
 jjefore us, for, as the animals we bestrode gave out, we 
 could shift to a fresh one, while our pursuers were con- 
 fined to one steed. 
 
 When we arrived at my fort on the Arkansas, we 
 liad over one thousand head of horses, all in good con- 
 dition. There was a general rejoicing among the little 
 community at my safe arrival, the Indians also coming 
 in to bid me welcome. 1 found my wife married again, 
 having been deceived by a false communication. Her 
 present husband had brought her a missive, purporting 
 to be of my inditing, wherein I expressed indifterence 
 toward her person, disinclination to return home, and 
 tendering her a discharge from all connubial obligation. 
 She accepted the document as authentic, and solaced 
 her abandonment by espousing her husband's messen- 
 ger. My return acquainted her with tiie truth of the 
 m fitter. She manifested extreme regret at having suf- 
 fered herself to be imposed upon so readily, and, as a 
 remedy for the evil, offered herself back again ; but I 
 declined, preferring to enjoy once more the sweets of 
 single blessedness. 
 
 I left the fort on a visit to San Fernandez. I found 
 business very dull there on account of the war, and 
 great apprehensions were felt by my friends in regard 
 to the result. Perceiving that was no very desirable 
 place to remove to, I returned to my community. 
 
 General Kearney was just then on his march to 
 Santa Fe. I took a drove of my horses, and proceed- 
 ed down the Arkansas to meet him on his route ; for 
 
47(i 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPIiy OP 
 
 it was probable there mij:^ht be an op])ortunity of effect- 
 ing sonic advantageous exeliange.s. The general came 
 lip, and found nie i>i waiting with ni v stock ; we liad 
 been acquainted for several years, and lie gave me a 
 very cordial reception. 
 
 "Beckwourth," said tlie general, "you have a splen- 
 did lot of horses, really ; tliey must have cost you a 
 great sum of money." 
 
 "No, general," I replied, "but they cost me a great 
 many miles of hard riding," 
 
 " How so ?" he inquired. 
 
 "Why, I was in California at the time tlie war broke 
 out, and, not having men enough at my command to 
 take part in the fighting, I thought I could assist my 
 country a little by starting off a small drove of the 
 enemy's horses, in order to prevent their being used 
 against us." 
 
 "Ah, ]3cckwourth, you ire ti-uly a wonderful man to 
 possess so much forethought," and he laughed heartily. 
 " However," added he, "trade them off as quickly as 
 possible, for I want you to accompany me. You like 
 war, and I have good use for you now." 
 
 I informed him that I was ready for service ; and, 
 accordingly, I sent all my remaining horses back to my 
 plantation, and went on with the general to Santa Fe, 
 which place submitted without firing a shot. The gen- 
 eral sent me immediately back to Fort Leavenworth 
 with dispatches. This was my service during the war. 
 The occupation was a tolerably good one, and I never 
 failed in getting my dispatches tlirough. I enjoyed 
 iacilities superior to almost any other man, as I was 
 known to almost all the Indians through whose coun- 
 try I passed. 
 
 My partner and I had purchased a hotel in Santa 
 
JAMKS V. BECKWOUKTH. 
 
 477 
 
 f effoct- 
 jil came 
 wo had 
 re me a 
 
 a splen- 
 it you a 
 
 } a great 
 
 -ar broke 
 imand to 
 ssist my 
 'c of the 
 mo; used 
 
 ul man to 
 
 heartily. 
 
 uickly as 
 
 You like 
 
 ice; and, 
 Eick to my 
 Santa Fe, 
 
 The gen- 
 avenworth 
 g the war. 
 id I never 
 
 I enjoyed 
 , as I was 
 hose coun- 
 
 l in Santa 
 
 F6, and wo transacted a very ])ro*itah]'' business there. 
 My associate attended to tho business ot'tlie liotel, while 
 I carried dispatches, and Santa Fe was generally my 
 starting-place. Many messengers lost tlieir lives on 
 the route, as at times tliere wore dispatches to be sent, 
 and I would not bo- at liead-quartors to carry them. 
 The distance from Santa Fe to Fort Leavenworth is 
 nine lumdred and tliirtoen niik\s. 1 have frequently 
 made tlic trip in from twenty to twenty-five days ; my 
 shortest trij^ J. accomplished in eighteen. I well knew 
 that my life was at stake every trip that I made, but 
 I liked the employment ; there was continual excite- 
 ment in it, indeed sometimes more than I actually cared 
 about, more particularly when I fell in with the Paw- 
 nees. The service furnished an escort of fifteen or 
 twenty-iive men, but I always declined the company 
 of troops, as I considered myself safer without them. 
 If I had taken troops with me, it would liave led to 
 incessant fights with the Indians ; and if they had seen 
 me with white soldiers, tliey would have been very apt 
 to kill me the first opportunity. Another thing : I did 
 not think the United States regular troops good for 
 any thing against the Indians, for I knew that the Ca- 
 manches would stand and fight them almost man for 
 man. 
 
 I chanced to fall in with Kit Carson one day, as I was 
 about to start from New Mexico to Fort Leavenworth, 
 and he proposed going with me, as he wished to learn 
 ray route. I was very much pleased with his proposal, 
 as I thought that with Kit and his men I should go 
 through strong handed. I told him that I should rest 
 at Taos one day to get my horses shod, and that he 
 could easily come up with me there, or on the road 
 thither. I left with two men, and staid at Taos as 
 
478 
 
 AUTOBIOORAPHY OF 
 
 appointed, but lie failed to rejoin us. I rode on as far 
 as my ranch ; still he did not appear. I built a large 
 tire before proceeding into the Indian country, thinking 
 to attract him by the smoke, and thus bring him on to 
 our trail, but I saw no more of him, and it was sup- 
 posed he was lost until he eventually turned up in the 
 City of Washington. We both had a narrow escape 
 from Indians on that trip. I had, contrary to my usual 
 practice, encamped one night in the prairie, and was to 
 start in the morning, when we heard buffalo running 
 close to our camp. On looking out, I saw a great 
 number chased by the Pawnees, although the Indians 
 were not yet in sight. We made all possible haste to 
 the timber, threw our horses on their sides, gagged 
 them and fastened them to the ground, and then se- 
 creted ourselves in the willows. The Indians flocked 
 round, busied in their pursuit, and some of the buffa- 
 loes they dressed within gunshot of our secret camp. 
 I thought that day the longest I had lived through, 
 and I expect the poor animals thought so too, for they 
 lay in one position the whole time, without food or 
 water, and without being permitted to whisper a com- 
 plaint. At night we made good our escape, and ar- 
 rived at the fort without further difficulty. 
 
 When I was ready to return to Santa Fe, I could 
 find no one willing to accompany me. The weather 
 was intensely cold, and no inducement that I could of- 
 fer was sufficient to tempt men to leave their comfort- 
 able fires, and encounter the perils of the Indians and 
 Jack Frost in the prairies. Many men had been frozen 
 to death on the route, and a generpi shudder ran through 
 the company when I proposed the journey to them. I 
 could have been furnished with soldiers in plenty, but 
 I was unwilling to take them, as it imposed so much 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUUTH. 
 
 479 
 
 on as iar 
 It a large 
 thinking 
 lim on to 
 was sup- 
 up in tlin 
 )\v escape 
 my usual 
 md was to 
 running 
 w a great 
 tie Indians 
 le haste to 
 es, gagged 
 d then se- 
 ans flocked 
 ' the buffa- 
 fecret camp, 
 id through, 
 )o, for they 
 )ut food or 
 iper a com- 
 pe, and ar- 
 
 Fe, I could 
 he weather 
 I could of- 
 eir comfort- 
 Indians and 
 been frozen 
 ran through 
 to them. I 
 plenty, but 
 led so much 
 
 trouble on the road to stay to bury every man that pc!r- 
 ishcd with the hardnliips of tlie journey. Important 
 dispatches had arrived from Washington which must 
 go through, and 1 looked fruitlessly round for a man 
 hardy enough to go witli me. At Icngtli a boy — a 
 Kentuckian — volunteered. lie had followed the army 
 to the fort, and had lived about the barracks until he 
 had become well accustomed to tlie privations of u 
 camp life. lie was an intelligent lad, but, unfortu- 
 nately, had a malformation of one of his feet, which se- 
 riously impeded his walking. However, I liked his 
 *' pluck" in proposing, and eventually consented to 
 take him. I went with him to the sutler's store, and 
 procured him the warmest clothing I could, and then 
 bade him repair to my boarding-house, and stay there 
 until I was ready to start. 
 
 When I was prepared for departure, I furnished him 
 with a good horse, and, taking an extra one between 
 us, we started on the long journey. I gave him par- 
 ticular directions that if he should become very cold he 
 was to acquaint me, and I would stay and build a Are 
 to warm him by wherever there was any wood; but 
 the proposition he declined. 
 
 Three days after we reached the Arkansas, and en- 
 camped. Isaac was busied in preparing supper, while 
 I walked to an eminence close by in order to survey 
 the country. I perceived an immense number of In- 
 dians approaching directly toward us, and at not more 
 than three or four hundred yards distance. I shouted 
 to Isaac to catch the horses quickly and tether them, 
 and I hastened back to the camp. He inquired what 
 the matter was, and I told him there were a thousand 
 Indians coming after us. 
 
 The approaching individuals belonged to the Ca- 
 
480 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 inanche tribe, and numbered over a thousand warriors. 
 They were in full sjTccd. They dashed through the 
 .Vrkansas with such precipitation that I thought they 
 would throw all the water out of the channel and hurl 
 it on to the bank. I ran in front of the advance, and 
 challenged them to stop. They halted for a moment, 
 and asked me who I was. 1 told them the Crow. 
 Thereupon they grabbed me up like a chicken, and car- 
 ried me into our little camp. They had nine white 
 men's scalps, which, to appearance, were hardly yet 
 cold, and they said they must kill my white boy, and 
 his scalp would just make ten. I told them the boy 
 was my nephew, and that they must not kill him — 
 that great braves never killed boys. They then con- 
 versed : iiong thembelves a minute or two, and finally 
 said, *'rie, being your nephew, may live. Tell him 
 to make us some good black soup." 
 
 I foresaw that my coffee and sugar must suffer, for 
 by black soup they meant coffee. I directed Isaac 
 to set about making it, but to secrete a little for our- 
 selves, if he could do so unperceived. The Camanches 
 have a great fondness for coffee, and I never fell in 
 with them without having to part with all I had, and 
 I sometimes imagined they preferred my coffee and sug- 
 ar to my scalp. 
 
 The same day, just before dusk, while jogging stead- 
 ily along, the boy discovered a small party of Paw- 
 nees. I hastily dismounted, and tied the heads of our 
 three horses together, to prevent them running, and 
 directed the boy to see that they did not move. I 
 then took his gun and my own, and went away from 
 the horses. As I was leaving, the boy inquired if he 
 should fire too. I told him no, not unless I was kill- 
 ed, and then to defend himself as he best could. I 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 481 
 
 1 warriors, 
 irough the 
 )Ught they 
 }1 and hurl 
 vance, and 
 a moment, 
 the Crow, 
 m, and car- 
 nine white 
 Iiardly yet 
 :e boy, and 
 sni the boy 
 kill him — 
 T then con- 
 and finally 
 Tell him 
 
 t suffer, for 
 ected Isaac 
 ;tle for our- 
 Camanches 
 ever fell in 
 I had, and 
 Fee and sug- 
 
 ^ging stead- 
 ty of Paw- 
 leads of our 
 inning, and 
 t move. I 
 ; away from 
 quired if he 
 J I was kill- 
 t could. I 
 
 took a secure position and fired. An Indian fell. I 
 fired ^gain, and killed a second. They cracked away 
 at me, but did no harm. I reloaded, and fired again, 
 until I had leveled five of them, they retreating at ev- 
 ery discharge. When the fifth warrior fell, the whole 
 party fell back to cry. I knew that, after they had 
 cried for a few minutes, they would make a rush for 
 revenge. Therefore I shouted to the boy to cut the 
 animals loose, and mount in haste. He did so; I 
 sprung on my horse instantly, and we flew away, leav- 
 ing the mourners to their lamentations. At every foe I 
 shot the boy would ejaculate, "Whoop! you fetched 
 him ; he's got his gruel," and other sayings, thereby 
 displayir.g more bravery than many men would have 
 shown under similar circumstances. Ever afterward 
 he considered that we were a match for any number 
 of Pawnees ; and as for the Camanches, I could beat 
 them off with "black soup." 
 
 We traveled on for several miles, and then encamp- 
 ed. In the morning I started along a ravine for our 
 horses, which had strayed away. I returned toward 
 the camp, where I found that they had taken them- 
 selves up another small ravine, and that I had passed 
 them. While thus pursuing the stray animals, the 
 boy came to acquaint me that he had seen a great num- 
 ber of Indians. I led the horses to the camp, and then 
 mounted a little rise of ground, from whence I descried 
 a large village. I did not know what tribe they be- 
 longed to, though I knew they were not Pawnees, for 
 that tribe never visited this country except on war ex- 
 cursions. I took the boy, and walked with him up to 
 the village, but their faces were all strange to me ; nor 
 did I like their appearance and movements. On per- 
 ceiving one at a little distance wrapped in his robe, I 
 
482 
 
 ALTUlilOaKAPHY OF 
 
 thought he might possibly be a chief, and I approach- 
 ed liini. He addressed mc in Cvow, "Ah I my friend, 
 what brought you here V" 
 
 I rcpHed that, as I was passing through, I had 
 
 thought it well to call on him. 
 
 ii 
 
 I am glad to see you," said he ; "enter my lodge ; 
 my warriors are bad to-day." 
 
 The Indians were Apaches, and the chief was named 
 Black Shield, an old and intimate a^ .^uaintance. 
 
 He insisted on my spending the night in the vil- 
 lage, which I consented to. He was perfectly rabid 
 toward the whites, and stated his intention to manure • 
 the prairie with their bodies the forthcoming season — 
 he would not leave one in the country. I applauded 
 his intention, telling him the whites were unable to 
 fight. Seeing that I was on hio side — that is, if my 
 words made me so — lie continued, "I have plenty of 
 warriors, and plenty of guns and balls, but I am a 
 little short of powde*. When will you return?" 
 
 I informed him as nearly as I could calculate, but I 
 added that my return w^as uncertain. 
 
 "Will you bring me some powder?" he inquired. 
 
 " I will," I said ; " but I shall return by way of 
 the Eagle's Nest Hill." 
 
 " That is the very place I am going to from here," 
 he rejoined ; " and, if I am not there myself, some of 
 my warriors will be, and they can take it of you." 
 
 This afforded me no put-off, and I accordingly prom- 
 ised to furnish him with the powder. If the reader 
 will indulge me in a witticism, I beg to assure him 
 that I carried the powder to the old chief in a horn ! 
 In the morning he furnished me with meat enough to 
 subsist us for a week, together with new moccasins, 
 and sundry other articles. We then bade him adieu, 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOUETH. 
 
 483 
 
 proach- 
 T friend, 
 
 , I had 
 
 f lodge ; 
 
 s narked 
 ;e. 
 
 the vil- 
 ly rabid 
 
 manure • 
 season — 
 pplauded 
 nable to 
 is, if my 
 )lenty of 
 t I am a 
 n?" 
 ate, but I 
 
 iquired. 
 r way of 
 
 om here," 
 •, some of 
 you." 
 gly prom- 
 he reader 
 ssure him 
 1 a horv. ! 
 enough to 
 noccasins, 
 lim adieu. 
 
 and proceeded on our journey, arriving at Santa Fe 
 without any farther noteworthy adventure. 
 
 On reaching my destination, I informed some of my 
 friends of my promise to the Black Shield, and where 
 they could find him to deliver the powder, to enable 
 him to carry out his commendable resolution. A par- 
 ty started to meet him at the appointed spot ; but in 
 delivering the powder they managed to explode it, and 
 he and his warriors only received the bullets, of which 
 they already had plenty. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 Affairs at Santa Fe. — Insurrection at Taos.— Discovery of the Plot.— 
 Battle at the Canon.— Battles at Lambida, at Pueblo, and at Taos. 
 —A Mexican Woman redeemed from the Indians.— Return to 
 Santa Fe. 
 
 On my arrival at Santa Fe I found affairs in a very 
 disturbed state. Colonel Doniphan had just gained 
 the battle of Brasito, and was carrying all before him 
 in that section of the country. He had forwarded or- 
 ders to Santa Fe for a field battery, in order to make 
 a demonstration against Chihuahua. Major Clarke 
 was intrusted with the duty of conveying the artillery 
 to the colonel. Scarcely had he departed when we 
 received intelligence of an insurrection in Taos. The 
 information was first communicated by an Indian from 
 a village between Santa Fe and Taos, who reported 
 to General Price that the Mexicans had massacred all 
 the white inhabitants of that place, and that a sim- 
 ilar massacre was contemplated in Santa Fe, of which 
 report full information could be obtained by the arrest 
 of a Mexican who was then conveying a letter from 
 
484 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 the priest in Taos to the p'.icst in Sant.a Fe. A watch 
 was immediately set upon the priest's house, and a 
 Mexican was seen to enter. The guard approached 
 the door to arrest the man as lie issued, but he, be- 
 ing apprised of the action of the authorities, left the 
 house by another door, and escaped. 
 
 At night there came a violent rapping at ray gate, 
 and on going to open it I perceived my friend, Charles 
 Towne, who, on being admitted, clasped me round the 
 neck, and gave vent to uncontrolled emotion. Per- 
 ceiving that something alarming had occurred, I in- 
 vited him into the house, spread refreshments before 
 him, and allowed him time to recover himself. He 
 then informed me that he had escaped almost by a 
 miracle from Taos, where all the American residents 
 had been killed. He was a resident there, having 
 married a girl of New Mexico, and his wife's father 
 had apprised him that he had better effect his escape, 
 if possible, for if he was caught he would be inevitably 
 massacred. His father-in-law provided him with a 
 good horse, and he retreated into the woods, where, 
 after considerable risk and anxiety, he providentially 
 eluded the assassins. 
 
 On receiving this alarming information, I lost no 
 time in repairing to the head-quarters of General Price, 
 accompanied by my informant, who related the above 
 particulars. General Price immediately adopted the 
 most effective measures. He assembled his officers, 
 and instructed them to set a close watch upon the 
 house of every Mexican in the city, and to suffer no 
 person to pass in or out ; he also ordered that every 
 American should hold himself in readiness for service 
 during the night. Before morning several of the most 
 influential Mexican citizens were placed under arrest. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 485 
 
 A watch 
 e, and a 
 proached 
 t he, be- 
 , left the 
 
 my gate, 
 , Cliarles 
 •ound the 
 n. Per- 
 red, I in- 
 its before 
 self. He 
 lost by a 
 residents 
 e, having 
 e's father 
 is escape, 
 inevitably 
 n with a 
 Is, where, 
 ridentially 
 
 I lost no 
 eral Price, 
 the above 
 lopted the 
 is officers, 
 upon the 
 ) suffer no 
 that every 
 for service 
 )f the most 
 ider arrest. 
 
 In searching them, important conspiracies were brought 
 to light. Correspondence, implicating tlic most con- 
 siderable residents, was read, and a plot was detected 
 of subjecting Santa Fe to the same 8t. Bartholomew 
 massacre as had just been visited upon Taos. The 
 city was placed under martial law, and every American 
 that could shoulder a musket was called into imme- 
 diate service. All the ox-drivers, mule-drivers, mer- 
 chants, clerks, and commissariat-men were formed into 
 rank and file, and placed in a condition for holding the 
 city. Then, placing himself at the head of his army, 
 four hundred strong, General Price marched tovard 
 Taos. On arriving at Canjarra, a small town about 
 twenty miles from Santa Fe, we found the enemy, 
 numbering two thousand Mexicans and Indians, were 
 prepared to give us battle. The enemy's lines were 
 first perceived by our advanced guard, which instantly 
 fell back upon the main body. Our line was formed, 
 and an advance made upon the enemy, the mountain- 
 eer company, under Captain Saverine, being placed in 
 charge of the baggage. As soon as battle was begun, 
 however, we left the baggage and ammunition wagons 
 to take care of themselves, and made a descent upon 
 the foe. He fled precipitately before the charge of 
 our lines, and we encamped upon the field of battle. 
 The next day we advanced to Lamboda, where the 
 enemy made another stand, and again fled on our ap- 
 proach. We marched on until we arrived at Taos, 
 and the barbarities we witnessed there exceeded in 
 brutality all my previous experience with the Indians. 
 Bodies of our murdered fellow-countrymen were lying 
 about the streets, mutilated and disfigjired in every 
 possible way, and the hogs and dogs were making a 
 repast upon the remains. Among the dead we rec- 
 
480 
 
 AUTOIUO(iKAI'Hl' OF 
 
 oi^iiizcd lli.'it of (Jovon\or lU'iil, wlio had been rceently 
 ;i[tj)oinl(Ml \)y (icncrjil Kearney. One pojr victim wo 
 Haw, wiio luid been slripiM'd naked, .scal})(Ml aUve, and 
 Ids eyes pinielied out: lie wa« i!;i'o})ing his way tliiough 
 llie shvelM, besiM'chini:; sonic, one to shoot liini onl oi' 
 his misery, whih', his inhuman Mexican tormentors 
 were deriving liic gr(>atcsl anmsement iVoin the exhil)i- 
 lion. Such scenes of nnexampU'd barbarity (iUed our 
 s«)Idi«MS* br(>asls with abliorrenee : they became tig(U- 
 like in their cravinLi; tor rcviMiire. Our pcneral (brect- 
 ed the di\'<(Hra<ed rcMuains to b(» ;ratliered loi^i^ther, and 
 .1 guard to be |)hiccd over tlu'iu, whih' he marched on 
 with his army in pursuit ol'lhir barbarians. 
 
 Late in the al'lernoon we arri\e<l at I'uebh), where wc 
 t'ound ihc enemy well j)ostcd, !'M\ing an adobe tort in 
 ihiMr front. No altat'k was a(icni|»lcd lliat evening, 
 and strict orders were issuccl for no man to venture out 
 ol' camp. 
 
 In th(^ cvcnln<>' I was visited bv a man, wlio inform- 
 ed u\c tliat ho had a brother at \i\o ^b)ndo, twelve mih\s 
 (bstant. wiiom, if he was not already killed, he wished 
 lo savt^ iVom massacr(\ I (K'terminiMl to rescue him, 
 if pt)ssiblc. and, hM\ing indiicetl seven other good and 
 trusty mountaineers to aid nu^, in the attempt, wc left 
 the camp unj)erceived, and proceeded to the place indi- 
 cated. C)n our arrival we found two or three hundred 
 Mcxu*aus, all wdl armed; Ave rode boldly past them, 
 and they dispers(Hl, many of them going to their homes. 
 AVe reached the door of the 31exiean general Mon- 
 taia, who stvled himself the "Santa Anna of the 
 North," and captured him. AVe then liberated the pris- 
 oner we were in quest of, and returned to Taos with 
 our captive general. At Taos we found our forces, 
 which had retired npon that place from Pueblo, after 
 
 
jami:h v. RKCKWoumff. 
 
 487 
 
 recently 
 dim wo 
 JVC, and 
 through 
 I out ol' 
 'inontorrt 
 ', oxhibi- 
 IUUmI our 
 uc ligor- 
 il (lirect- 
 thcr, ami 
 veiled oil 
 
 wliorc we 
 
 >c fort in 
 
 cwMiing, 
 
 nUu'c out 
 
 () inforni- 
 >lvc miles 
 iie wishoil 
 scuo him, 
 irood and 
 )t, we left 
 dace inili" 
 e hundred 
 )ast them, 
 cir homes, 
 cral Vien- 
 na of the 
 d the pris- 
 Taos with 
 )m' forces, 
 Lcblo, after 
 
 
 having made an tmsuecesHful .Mttemj)i to dislodge the 
 enemy. VVe informe<l our general of our important 
 capture, and he afTceted great displeasure at our diso- 
 bedience of orders, although it was easy to see that, in 
 his eyes, the end had justified the means 1'he follow- 
 *ing njorning a gallows was erected, and Mitnfnja was 
 swung in the wind. The correspondence that had been 
 seized in Santa Fc had implicated him in some of the 
 blackest plots, and we thought that this summary dis- 
 posal of his generalship would relieve us from all fur- 
 ther danger from his machinations. 
 
 Having procured artillery to bom})ard the enemy's 
 position, our connnander ret'-rned to Pueldo. We can- 
 nonaded in good earnest, but the pieces were too sn»all 
 to be of nnich service; but we cut a Ineach with our 
 axes halfway through the six-foot wall, and then iin- 
 ished the work with our cannon. While engaged in this 
 nov«3l way of getting at the (Miemy, a shell was thrown 
 from a morlar at the fort ; but our artillerymen, not 
 being very skillful in their jjraclice, tlnTAV the shell out- 
 side the fort, and it fell among us. A young licmtenant 
 seized it in his hands, and cast it through the breach ; 
 it had not more than stru(;k before it ex[)loded, doing 
 considerable damage in the fort. We then stormed the 
 breach, which was only big enough to admit one man 
 at a time, and can'ied the place without diflicul ty. 
 
 The company oi' mountaineers had fallen back mid- 
 way between the fort and mountain, in order to pick off 
 any iMexican who should (hue to show himself. We 
 killed iifty-four of the detenders as they were endeav- 
 oring to escape, u])on the person of one of whom, an 
 ofticer, we found one hundred and sixty douljloons. 
 Some of the enemy iired upon us from a j)osition at one 
 corner of the fort, through loop-holes ; and while look- 
 
488 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ing about for a covert to get a secure shot at them, we 
 discovered a few of the enemy hidden away in the 
 bnisli. One of them, an Indian, ran toward us, cx- 
 
 clti 
 
 an 
 
 nmg, 
 
 *'J^ueno! Imenol me like Americanos." One 
 
 of our party said, " If you like the Americans, take this 
 sword, and rctur.i to the brush, and kill all the men 
 you find tlierc." 
 
 lie took the proffered sword, and was busy in the 
 hrusli for a few minutes, and then returned with his 
 sword-blade dripping with gore, saying, " I have killed 
 them."' 
 
 *' Then you ought to die for killing your own peo- 
 ple," said the American, and he shot the Indian dead. 
 
 The battle lasted through the whole day, and a close 
 watcli was set at night to ])revent tlie escape of those 
 yet occupying the fort. The assault was renewed the 
 following morning, and continued during that day also. 
 Toward niglit several white flags were raised by the 
 enemy, but were inmiediately shot down by the Amer- 
 icans, who had determined to show no quarter. On 
 the third morning all the women issued from the fort, 
 each bearing a white flag, and kneeled before the gen- 
 eral to supplicate for the lives of their surviving friends. 
 The general was j prevailed upon, and gave orders to 
 cease firing. The enemy lost severely through their 
 disgraceful cowardice. Our company lost but one man 
 through the whole engagement. Nine of tlie most 
 prominent conspirators were hanged at I'aos, and seven 
 or eight more at Santa Fe. It was about this time 
 that the report reached us of the butchery of Mr. Wal- 
 do, with eight or ten other Americans, at the Moro. 
 
 After the insurrection was suppressed I started again 
 for Fort Leavenworth. On my way back from the fort 
 I again fell in with Black Shield and his Apaches. I 
 
JAMES P. BKCKWOl'R'! II. 
 
 48y 
 
 hem, we 
 f in the 
 . ufl, ex- 
 )." One 
 take this 
 the men 
 
 ?y in the 
 with his 
 ive killed 
 
 own peo- 
 ian dead, 
 id a close 
 5 of those 
 lewed the 
 day also, 
 cd by the 
 :hc Amer- 
 rter. On 
 [1 the fort, 
 e the gen- 
 ig friends, 
 orders to 
 3ugh their 
 it one man 
 the most 
 and seven 
 tliis time 
 f Mr. Wal- 
 B Moro. 
 arted again 
 3m the fort 
 paches. I 
 
 said to him, *' You told mc falso. Vou said tliat yon 
 would meet me at tiie Kaglo's Xest, hut when 1 went 
 there you were not to Ix; found. I had to tlirow the 
 powder away tliat 1 brought for you, and run for my 
 life; for tlio wliitcs discovered my cmmd, and were 
 close at my IiccIh." 
 
 "1 know it, my friend," said tlie Rhick Shield. "We 
 saw your kegs tlicre, hut the wliites had taken all the 
 powder out. I am sorry tliey came upon you so sud- 
 denly, for we had to run as well as you." 
 
 Tlie second day after we left the Apar-iics we discov- 
 ered an object in the distance which 1 at first took for 
 a stump, but still thought it singular that there should 
 be a stump where there were no trees near. iVs we ap- 
 proached the object mo'.ed, and we at length discover- 
 ed it to be a man of the name of Elliott Lee, who had 
 been wounded by the Apaclics three or four days pre- 
 viously, and had not tasted food since. He had be- 
 longed to a party of seventeen or eighteen mountain- 
 eers, on their way to Santa Fe. They had stopi)ed to 
 rest on the bank of a creek, and were suddenly set 
 upon by the Indians. Several of the party were killed, 
 among whom was my friend Charles Towne, and all 
 the rest were more or less severely wounded. Some 
 few had succeeded in getting away, notwithstanding 
 their wounds ; but Mr. Lee had been shot in the thigh, 
 and was unable to crawl along. When we picked him 
 up he was dehrious, and his wound was gTcatly swollen 
 and inflamed. We gave him food, and carried him 
 along with us, until we fortunately came up with his 
 wagons. We then gave him into the keeping of his 
 friends, and proceeded on our way. 
 
 On my arrival home I disposed of all my property 
 in Santa Fe, and started to buy liorses of the Indians 
 
 X 2 
 
I<M» 
 
 Ai romnniMi'MV or 
 
 lo ili'jpo'K' nl" <o flic tliM('li!nf>,r<l (rt»oj»M. I liiul nniM'il 
 willim i\ mIiovI iliMdinrr ol" my imiu li, wlirii I iml n mimii 
 w Ito (nl\iMt'i| nir lo roMtp.-il iiiVMrll", Two r<"\VfinlH liiwl 
 Ixri) ol)rr(<i| |i>|- no .'i|i|Mi'li(>tiMion : niir ol .'i t linlifuiiiil 
 (loll.'iVM li\ ( 'olnnrl rrn(>, iiixl miiuHu'v ol li\r IiiiihIiiiI 
 <li>ll.n ' li\ Mr. KiMM.irk, (,hi.nl<M niMnlrv. I wmh ni'- 
 iMtm'd oT conrnlnMlin/!, uilli icIk'Im iuhI ImliMiin, oikI mh- 
 ;iisliii!\ (luMn in M(r;ilinj'; liovMrM (Voni i\w uliilcM, nml 
 lrM<lin(\ \\\o IioM(il«> IiihuIm in jlicir wjnliirr ii|>nn llir 
 Anit'vicr.n lvoo|)M. 
 
 I lislonrd lo InM inrovnidlion, nn»l \\t\H MMloniMlicMJ al 
 ihc in\rnlion. "Th.-H im ih>\\ m indrcd." I Mdid. "Ilul 
 (lu^\ sh;»ll nol li.'i\c lli(> |>roli( ail lo llioniMclx cm : I will 
 nnnK'dialcIv I'o and deliver ni> mcII np, and olifain llu^ 
 vcwardM." 
 
 " I ad\iMC yon. as a I'vicml, nol lo go, " rejoined my 
 intiMloeiifor, "lor llie\ will auMnredh iianc' \«mi dire<'l- 
 Iv (hev \;\\ hands npon yt»n." 
 
 " \\ ell. hang or nol hang," I answered, " I am re- 
 solvinl lo !\o. Tor I have nol Ikmmj a nionlh alinenl iVonj 
 Sanla IV. and I can giv<' Jieeoinil oT every day and 
 nighl \ ha\e since spenl." 
 
 Al lh(^ linu^ i n\(M wilh my inlormaul, I had an order 
 tVom Caplain Morris, o{' the Ihnled Slajes Army, in 
 mv |H>ck(M. anlhori^.itig me \o pick np all ihc govcrn- 
 menl 1ums«^s liial 1 n\ighl lind in my ramhies, and Ining 
 them in: bnl up to ihe lime ihal 1 was informed ol' 
 tho charges againsl me, 1 luid t'onntl iuil onc^ liorsc, Ihe 
 properly ol' C\»]>lain Saverino, and il 1 had reslored 
 io the owner. Aceordingly, 1 relnrnod wilho"l delay 
 to Taos, where 1 saw (\>lonel Willock, who was lien- 
 tenanl muler Cvdonel Priee. llini I ao(|nainl(Ml wilh 
 my dotovn\ination io pn>ceod to Santu l'V\ to deliver 
 mysclt' up iov tlio rewards that were olforcd for my ap- 
 
.MMIH f. MI,('K\V(M IMM, 
 
 l!M 
 
 (ivrivrd 
 >( II niiiti 
 
 linii ;mii<I 
 Innnlird 
 WilM nr 
 , ihhI hm- 
 ilcM, iiihI 
 ||H)M ili<< 
 
 iiiMlird nl 
 1. -Unl 
 'H ; I will 
 lilniii <Ih>. 
 
 oinod my 
 ovi dinrl- 
 
 ^ I jmv ro- 
 
 iM(>nl iVoin 
 
 i\i\y jmd 
 
 il iin ()V<l<'r 
 Annv, ill 
 
 aud l)rit>p; 
 
 d ivslovrd 
 li(>"t delay 
 ) was liiMi- 
 \inlrd with 
 , to deliver 
 for my ap- 
 
 liiehenMinii, |»ii( Im- uryv\\\\\ rr(|iM-.«(d nir uu\ fo in,. 
 Mr WilH nliuiit lo MfMil Willi nil r \|mm||||iiii »iir„i,, ;( f||p 
 /\|iarlirM, find uiMJH'd to ciij-nMr u\r /i i m|iv. idlniii •I't, 
 and iriitdr. ||<< |iroiiiiM(>d In Imwaid mm cm iil|,/il(.rv 
 irllri- (u SmiiIm \''r thai Hlioiild ml nic mII ii-'IiI uiIIi flic 
 aiifliori(irM. 'I'Im- jrllrr wan kcmI, lail not drliv.ird, ;i,', 
 (lie iiicHMnijM'i- w/iH hIimI on (he way. 
 
 I coiicliidc-d jo a<roni)iaMV lla- rfdoiMJ, and aid liini 
 <i» (la-rxlrnl olniv alalily in flic oLjerf (,!' lii.-4 xjicdi- 
 (i(tn. W'r Mlarlcd vvilli a Minall liatlfilion of » ,,liin(r'crH 
 Inr (he A|tae.ln'H. 'I'lic liiK.( d/iy in caniii, llic cornnion 
 HoIdier'H Ian' wan Mprrad lor «linnrr, v lii( li ,i( iIimI tirnc 
 I r<"l( lint litllr a|i|ii<lilc for. | inlornird (he colonel 
 dial I WHiild j^., oiil and lull an anl(lo|ic. 
 
 " Why," Maid Im«, " IImmt in nol an anl»|o|ic williin 
 Icn niileM around ; llir HoldiriH liavc Hconrcd thr wliole 
 eiainlry willaail, nrrin/j; one" 
 
 I l(dd liiin I Ull snif I eonid lind one, and took lit) 
 my lillr and wan alxml lo nlarl. 
 
 ''ll..l<lon!"riird IIm'coIoimI;"! vvillfro williy()ii,and 
 will lurllKM- iMiga^^r lo park oi< rny liack all you !<ill." 
 
 We Hiarird, and kepi on llir road lor a,l)oul, half a 
 nnle, when I diMi-overed llir IraekM of llirev anlfdopew 
 wliieli had juMi eroHHed our palh, and ^ro,„. j,, ||„. din-c- 
 lioii of a, hill cIomc Uy. 'V\w, colonel did „o| sec, IJm! 
 IraekM, and I did nol point, I hem out to him. VV(; paMH- 
 ed on a lew rodH I'arMier, when I MU»ldenly Klo])ped, 
 threw njy head haek, and began to Hriiil" like a dog 
 Heenling Ium j)rey. 
 
 '* \\'hal, the dicken.M are, you Hnifling ho for?" aHkod 
 the colonel . 
 
 *' I am m\v that I mmk^II an anhdopo," .said I. 
 '' Vou .sniell anielope!" and the colonel's noHtrllfl 
 began to dilate ; " I can wmeil nothing." 
 
492 
 
 AUTOmOGKAPIIY OF 
 
 ♦' Well, colonel," I said, " tlicrc arc antclopos close 
 by, I know, lor my Hmoliers never yet deceived mc ; 
 and nou'," added 1, "if you will start carefully up that 
 liollow, 1 will go up on the otiicr .side, and I am con- 
 lidcnt tiiat one of us will kill one." 
 
 I knew that if the animals were in the hollow they 
 would start at the a])proaeh of the colonel, and most 
 probably in my direction, and thus afllbrd mc an op- 
 portunity of getting a shot at one. 1 proceeded cau- 
 tiously along, until, raising my head over a knoll, I 
 saAv th.c three antelopes which had crossed us. Two 
 had already lain down, and the third was preparing to 
 do so, when I sent a leaden messenger which brought 
 him down involuntarily. 
 
 The colonel shouted to inquire what I had shot at. 
 
 "Antelope," I answered; and he came running at 
 his best s})ced. There was the very beast, beyond all 
 dispute, to the utter astonishment of the colonel, who 
 regarded for some moments first the game and then 
 the hunter 
 
 " And you smelled them !" lie pondered ; " well, I 
 must confess, your olfactor^ nerves beat those of any 
 man I ever yet fell in with. Smell antelope 1 Humph! 
 I will send my boy to carry him in." 
 
 "But that was not the bargain, colonel," I said; 
 " you engaged to pack in on your back all I should 
 kill. There is your burden ; the distance is but short." 
 
 But the colonel declined his engagement. We 
 finally hung the antelope on a tree, and the colonel, on 
 our return to camp, dispatched his servant to fetch it 
 in. lie never could get over my smelling antelope, 
 and we have had many a hearty laugh at it since. 
 
 The following morning, at daylight, I took five or 
 six men with me, and proceeded on my duty as spy, 
 
lopos close 
 X'ivcd mc; 
 lly up that 
 , I am con- 
 
 loUow they 
 , and most 
 mc an op- 
 cccded cau- 
 ' a knoll, I 
 [ us. Two 
 »rcparing to 
 ich brought 
 
 ad shot at. 
 running at 
 , beyond all 
 olonel, who 
 c and then 
 
 " well, I 
 lose of any 
 Humph! 
 
 |l," I said ; 
 11 I should 
 Ibut short." 
 lent. We 
 colonel, on 
 to fetch it 
 antelope, 
 since. 
 )ok five or 
 ity as spy, 
 
 JAMES p. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 49.T 
 
 while the colonel moved on with the troops, we return- 
 ing to camp every evening at dusk. Wc frequently 
 saw signs of Indians, but we could make no discovery 
 of the Indians tiiomsclves. We continued our chase 
 for nearly a montli ; our coffee and sugar had given 
 out, and our provisions were getting low ; tlic soldiers 
 could kill no game, and there ,vas a general disposi- 
 tion, especially among the ofHcers, to return. 
 
 In leaving the camp, as usual, one morning, 1 direct- 
 ed the colonel to a camping-ground, and started on my 
 search. Late in the afternoon, 1 discovered wliat I 
 supposed to be a large party of Indians moving in our 
 direction. I ran with all possible speed to conmiuni- 
 cate the information ; but, in ascending a small point 
 of land which was in my way, I found a strange en- 
 campment of United States troo})s lying before me. I 
 knew it was not Colonel Willock's command, for these 
 had tents, wagons, and other appointments, which we 
 were unprovided with. When I was first perceived, 
 some of the men pointed me out to their companions ; 
 "There's BeckwourthI there's Jim Beckwourth I" I 
 heard whispered around. I found it was a detachment 
 commanded by Colonel Edmondson, who had just re- 
 turned from Santa Fe with a re-enforcement, having 
 been defeated in an engagement with the Apaches some 
 time previously. When the colonel saw me, he in- 
 quired of me my errand. 
 
 " I have come after horses," I replied, en jjlci'isant- 
 ant ; " but I see you have none." 
 
 " Beckwourth," said a Captain Donolme, " I have 
 been defending your character for a long time, and I 
 now want you to clear up matters for yourself." 
 
 I found I was not in very good savor among the 
 parties present, owing to a mistake in my identity 
 
494 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 arms !" 
 behind 
 
 made by one of the soldieis during their late engage- 
 ment with the Indians. It was supposed I had enter- 
 ed their camp, hurled my iance through a soldier, and 
 challenged another out to fight, telling him he was paid 
 lor fighting, and it was his duty to engage me. This 
 suspicion, added to flying reports of evil doings, which 
 derived their origin in the Crow village from my ad- 
 venture with Fitzpatriek, had associated me in the sol- 
 diers' minds with all the horse-raids and white mas- 
 sacres they heard rumors of, and I was regarded by 
 them all as a desperate, lawless character, who deserved 
 hanging to the first tree wherever met. 
 
 At this moment two men came running toward the 
 camp at full speed, shouting, " To arms ! to 
 us though the whole Apache nation were 
 them. 
 
 " Where is your party ?" asked Colonel Edmondson 
 of me. 
 
 " Coming yonder, sir," I replied, pointing in the di- 
 rection of the two approaching heralds; for I supposed 
 it was Colonel Willock's command they had seen, 
 and whom, in their fright, they had mistaken for In- 
 dians. 
 
 Immediately there wa^^ a bustle of preparation to 
 receive the coming foe : muskets were snatched up, 
 and the men fell into line ; but in a few moments the 
 real character of the approaching company was ascer- 
 tained, and the colonel advanced to greet them. At 
 the junction of the two parties, both engaged on the 
 same errand, matters were discussed by the two col- 
 onels, and it was resolved to abandon the expedition, 
 for it was manifest that the Indians were too much on 
 the alert to be taken. I was dispatched to Santa Fe 
 with a letter to Colonel Price from Colonels Edmond- 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 495 
 
 son and Willock, while they resolved to march back 
 with their detachments, Colonel Edniondson to Santa 
 Fe, and Colonel AVillock to Taos. 
 
 The morning following I again set out for Fort 
 Leavenworth, having for companion M'lntosh, who, 
 by the way, was a Cherokee, and known as such to 
 the Indians whom we fell in with on the road. We 
 reached the fort without any accident, and delivered 
 our dispatelies safe. On our return we overtook BuUard 
 and Company's trains of wagons, which v/ere on their 
 way to Santa Fe with supplies for the army. Bullard 
 and his partner proposed to leave their charge and go in 
 with us, if I thought we would be able to keep up with 
 them. I answered that we would try and keep their 
 company as far as possible, but that they would be at 
 liberty to piuceed at any time that they considered we 
 retarded them. They went with us as f:tr as the 
 Moro, two days' ride from Santa Fe, whc^re we were 
 compelled to leave them, as they were tired out, and 
 had already detained us two full days. 
 
 My next engagement in the service of Uncle Sam 
 was a trip to Chihualiua to convey dispatciies ; but, 
 previous to starting. Captain MoiTif? wished to engage 
 me as guide in an expedition against the Utah Indians ; 
 so, preferring the latter service, I transferred my trust 
 to my brave and faithful friend, M'Intosh, and accom- 
 panied Captain Morris. The expedition consisted of 
 ninety men: the object was a treaty of peace with 
 the Utahs. We succeeded in finding the Indians; 
 but, as they supposed our only object was to fight, it 
 was some time before we could get up to them. We 
 at length surprised them in a gap in the mountain, 
 when we succeeded in taking a number of prisoners, 
 among whom were some chiefs. We explained our 
 
496 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 object ; they then frankly informed us where their vil- 
 lage was ; we all repaired to it, and concluded terms 
 of peace. Our a})proach greatly alarmed tiie village at 
 first, for they knew that, in conjunction with tlie Apa- 
 ches, they had been guilty of many depredations, al- 
 though it had been their policy to throw all tlie blame 
 of the mischief upon their allies. Our mission per- 
 formed, we returned to Taos. 
 
 I remained some weeks inactive. Taos was con- 
 vulsed with continual alarms from reports that Cortez 
 was approaching against us with a great force. The 
 troops were all away at Santa Ye ; though, had he vis- 
 ited us, we could have imp-oviscd a warm reception. 
 We had a small piece of cannon, with plenty of grape 
 and canister, with which we could have swept the 
 streets. We tried its effect one day, just to satisfy 
 tlie curiosity of the Mexicans : we put in a heavy 
 charge of grape-shot, and discharged it down the street. 
 The tawny ]\Icxicans were wonder-stricken : they 
 thought an army would stand but a poor chance be- 
 fore such a volcanic belching of iron missiles. 
 
 Poultry in the vicinity of Taos became exceeding 
 scarce: it was a rare matter to hear a cock crow. 
 When we did by chance hear the pleasing sound, 
 we would listen for the repetition of it, in order to 
 learn from which direction it proceeded. We would 
 then visit the tell-tale's quarters after dark, as we 
 could obtain our poultry cheaper at night than in the 
 day-time. Orders had been issued to take nothing 
 from the enemy without paying for it, which orders 
 were evidently based upon the assumption that we had 
 money to pay with. Those without money did not feel 
 themselves bound by the injunction. The authorities 
 that issue similar commands in future would do well 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTII. 
 
 497 
 
 ; their vil- 
 ided terms 
 ! village at 
 1 the Apa- 
 lations, al- 
 tlic blame 
 ission per- 
 
 i was con- 
 hat Cortez 
 )rce. The 
 had he vis- 
 reception, 
 ty of grape 
 swept the 
 i to satisfy 
 n a heavy 
 the street, 
 ken : they 
 chance be- 
 s. 
 
 exceeding 
 [iock crow, 
 ng sound, 
 n order to 
 We would 
 ark, as we 
 ban in the 
 ce nothing 
 ch orders 
 lat we had 
 id not feel 
 Authorities 
 Id do well 
 
 to insert some clause binding on the moneyless, other- 
 wise these orders arc all niooiishino. 
 
 From Taos I ))rocoed(Hl to Santa ]*^e. I again starr- 
 ed, for the last dme, to Fort Leavenworth ; JM'Intosh, 
 having safely •■eturned from Chihuahua, again accom- 
 panying me. When we arri cd at tlie Wagon Mound 
 we heard shots tired, and inmiediately after met a train 
 of mule-teams approaching at their quickest pace. The 
 drivers advised us to return, as they had been attacked 
 by the Apaches, and if we proceeded we could not es- 
 cape being killed. I thought that my companion and 
 I knew the Indians better than the mule-drivers did, 
 and we bade them good-by and started on. vVe in- 
 tended to avoid tlie Indians by making a circuit away 
 from where we expected they would be, but in so do- 
 ing we came directly upon the village. We staid all 
 night with them, were well treated, and resumed our 
 journey in the morning. We met a party of Ameri- 
 cans who had been attacked by the Camanches, and 
 lost one horse, but we saw no more Indians until we 
 reached the fort. 
 
 Many times wonder has been expressed how I could 
 always travel the road in safety while other men were 
 attacked and killed. The only way in which I could 
 account for the marvel was that I knew how to act the 
 *' wolf," while the others did not. Of all the dispatch- 
 es I ever carried, I never lost one ; while numbers who 
 have undertaken to bear them lost, not alone the dis- 
 patches, but th( ir lives ; for, whenever they fell in with 
 the Indians, they were sure to be killed. The Indians 
 knew perfectly well what my business was. They 
 knew that I was conveying orders backward and for- 
 ward from the great white chief to his war chiefs in 
 New Mexico. They would frequently ask me what 
 
498 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 the ordc^.^ were wliicli I had with me. Sometimes I 
 woukl tell them that the great chief at Washington 
 was going to sent! on a great host of warriors to rub 
 them all out. They would laugh heartily at the sup- 
 position, for they conceived that all the American forces 
 combined Avould hardly be a circumstance before them. 
 1 promised to apprise them when the white wamors 
 were to advanee against them, which promise they con- 
 tidently relied upon. I had to say something to keep 
 on good terms with them, and answer their inquiries 
 to satisfy them, and then proceed with my business. 
 The war between the great white chief and the great 
 Mexican chief interested the Indians but little, though 
 their conviction was that the Mexican chief would be 
 victorious. Their sympathy was with the latter, from 
 motives of self-interest. They were now able to go at 
 any time and drive home all the horses, cattle, and 
 sheep that they wanted, together w tli Mexican chil- 
 dren enough to take care of them. If the white chief 
 conquered, they supposed he would carry all the horses, 
 cattle, and sheep home with him, and thus leave none 
 for them. 
 
 The Camanehes and Apaches have a great number 
 of Mexicans, of both sexes, among them, who seldom 
 manifest much desire to return home. The women say 
 that the Indians treat them better than they are treat- 
 ed at home. I never met but one exception to this 
 rule, and that was a young Mexican woman captive 
 among the Camanehes. She told me that her father 
 was wealthy, and would give me five thousand dollars 
 if I could procure her restoration. I bought her of the 
 chief, and conveyed her to my fort, whence I sent in- 
 formation to her father to acquaint him where he could 
 find his daughter. In a few days her father and her 
 
■T»f • 
 
 ometimes I 
 Nashington 
 •iors to rub 
 at the sup- 
 rican forces 
 etbre them, 
 itc wan'iors 
 ;e they con- 
 ing to keep 
 dr inquu'ies 
 y busmess. 
 (\ the great 
 ttle, though 
 cf would be 
 latter, from 
 ble to go at 
 cattle, and 
 ixican chil- 
 white chief 
 [ the horses, 
 i leave none 
 
 ■eat number 
 who seldom 
 ! women say 
 )y are treat- 
 tion to this 
 nan captive 
 ,t her father 
 sand dollars 
 it her of the 
 ;e I sent in- 
 ere he could 
 her and her 
 
 JAMES p. BECKWOURTir. 499 
 
 luisband came to licr. She refused to Iiave any thine, 
 to say to lier husband, for slic said he was a coward! 
 When the LuUans ...ttacked the viHagc, lie mounted ' 
 his liorse and Hcd, leaving her to their mercy. Her 
 lather proffered me tlie promised sum, Imt I only ac- 
 cepted one tliousand dollars, which returned me a very 
 good profit on tlie cost of tlie goods 1 had given to the 
 Indians for hor ransom. The woman returned home 
 with her father, her valorous liusband following them, 
 feiiortly after tliis I returned to Santa Fe. 
 
 CIIAPTEii XXXV. 
 
 ^Thr?J! ^T ^fl'^^'-"r-^y-t'"g -ith the Apaches. -Hostile 
 IZrT^ r;' '^'" L^^'^^-Most terrible Tragedy.-Socie- 
 
 ty m California.— Advenlures with Grizzly Bears. 
 
 The last dispatdies T bore from Fort Leavenworth 
 were addressed to California, and I Iiad undertaken to 
 carry them through. At Santa Fe I rested a week, 
 and then, takmg an escort of fifteen men, I started on 
 my en-and. On our arrival at the village of Abbeger 
 we found a large party of Apaches, who were in the 
 midst of a drunken carousal. We encamped inside the 
 corral, that being as safe a place as we could select. 
 Little Joe, an Apache Chief, inquired of me what I was 
 going to do with these whites. 
 
 "1 am going to take them to California," I told him. 
 
 "No," said he, "you shall never take them nearer 
 to California than they are now." 
 
 "Well, I shall try," said L 
 
 He held some farther conversation with me of a de- 
 nunciatory character, and then left me to return to the 
 liquor-shop. 
 
500 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 Forcsooiiig wliat waa llkdy to result if more liquor 
 was obtained, I visited every place in town vvjiere il 
 was kept, and informed every seller that, if another droj) 
 was sold to the Indians, I would hang the man that 
 did it without a minute's delay; and I wouhl have 
 been as good as my v/ord, for they were all Mexieans, 
 and 1 had felt no great liking for them since the awful 
 tragedy at Taos. 
 
 '*]?ut the priest — " began one or two, in expostula- 
 tion. 
 
 .I?ut I eut them short. '' I'll hang your priest just 
 as soon as any of you," I said, "if he dares to intertere 
 in the matter." 
 
 I sn])pose they intended to urge that their priest had 
 uuthori/ed them to sell lirpuu'S to the Indians. My in- 
 terdict stopped them, for there was no more sold while 
 I was there. 
 
 The next day I saw Little Joe in one of the low- 
 saloons ; the stimulus of the liquor had left him, and 
 he had what topers call the horrors. Tie begged me to 
 let him have one dram more, but I refused. 
 
 "Whisky," I said, "puts all kinds of nonsense into 
 your head ; you get drunk, and then you arc ripe for 
 any mischief." 
 
 When he had become perfectly sober, he came to me, 
 and again asked if it were true that I intended taking 
 those whites to California with me. 
 
 I told him that it was perfectly true. 
 
 " Well," said Joe, " if you attempt it we will kill 
 your whole party, and you with them. You will never 
 listen to us : your ears are stopped. We all love you, 
 but we have told you many times that we hate the 
 whites, and do not want you to lead them through our 
 hunting-grounds, and show them our paths ; but you 
 
VMH 
 
 JAMES P. BECKWOUUTII. 
 
 501 
 
 ore liquor 
 [ wlicre it 
 Dtlicr (Iroj) 
 
 man thai 
 ould have 
 ]\loxicanH, 
 
 the awful 
 
 cxpostula- 
 
 priest just 
 to iutortoro 
 
 • priest had 
 IS. My in- 
 ! sold while 
 
 of the low 
 f\ him, and 
 o'lrcd me to 
 
 n sense into 
 [ire ripe for 
 
 ?ame to me, 
 ded taking 
 
 ve will kill 
 w^ill never 
 11 love yon, 
 ve hate the 
 through our 
 s ; but you 
 
 will not listen to us. And now, if you undertake to 
 pass tlirough that cahon^ we will, without fail, kill 
 you all." 
 
 "Well," I replied, "I shall certainly go, so you had 
 better g(^t your warriors ready." 
 
 We packed our animals, and I directed my men to 
 travel slowly wliile 1 went tlirougli the canon. If I 
 wislied them to advance, 1 would climb up and show 
 myself to them as a signal for tlicm to rusli through, 
 and reach me as soon as possible. 1 then went on all 
 alone, as 1 knew tliat, if 1 encountered Indians in the 
 cahon^ they would not kill me by myself. 1 passed 
 through without meetijjg any, and 1 signaled to the 
 men to come on ; they soon joined me, and we issued 
 upon the open prairie. Here we discovered three hund- 
 red Apach'js, each man leading his war-horse. We 
 numbered eighteen, two of whom were Mexicans. They 
 did not oifer to attack us, however, and we continued 
 our route unmolested, although they kept on our trail 
 for twenty miles. A little before dark we rested to take 
 supper, starting again immediately after the meal was 
 finished. We saw no more of the Apaches. 
 
 The following afteiDOon a Utah came to us. I ask- 
 ed him where his village was. He did not know, he 
 said, as he had been away some time. I was going 
 out to shoot game at the time, and I took the Indian 
 with me, lendhig him a gun belonging to one of my 
 men. I had killed two or three wild turkeys, when my 
 Indian, discovering deer some distance oft", went in pur- 
 suit. I returned to the camp, but the fellow had not 
 arrived. When we started in the morning he had not 
 shown himself. The second day after the disappear- 
 ance of the Indian with my gun, I was some distance 
 in advance of the party, when, on ascending a hill, I 
 
602 
 
 AUTOmoaRAPHV OF 
 
 saw a large party of Utahs ahead. They were lookinp; 
 clown, and examining the trail very closely, to see il' 
 we had passed. Tliis convinced me that the Indian 
 fugitive had lied to me ; that he knew well where his 
 village was, and had, no doubt, been sent out from it 
 as a spy. We held on our way till we came up with 
 them, and, it being then about noon, we halted to take 
 a long rest. Tlie Indians soon came flocking round 
 us, but I gave strict orders to the men to keep a good 
 look-out, and upon no account to let them touch the 
 fire-arms. They swarmed round the camp, entering it 
 one at a time, and I determined to make the first troub- 
 lesome advance an excuse for getting rid of them. 
 
 We packed up, and moved on through the whole 
 mass of Indians, but they did not venture an attack, 
 although it had been their intention to do so if they 
 could have got any advantage over us through our neg- 
 ligence. They were embittered against the whites at 
 that time, on account of a severe whipping that had 
 been recently inflicted upon two of their warriors by 
 Chouteau, who had just passed through them, for a theft 
 from his camp. To receive a whipping, especially at 
 the hands of a white man, is looked upon by them as 
 a lasting infamy, and they would prefer death to the 
 disgrace. The next morning they overtook us again, 
 and the Indian returned me my gun. I mollified them 
 with a few trifling presents, and they finally left us on 
 apparently good terms. 
 
 The next hostile country that lay upon our road was 
 that of the Navajo tribe. They followed us through 
 their whole strip of territory, shouting after us, and 
 making insulting gestures ; but they took the precau- 
 tion to keep out of gun-shot range, and I did not think 
 it worth my while to chastise them. 
 
JAMES I». BECKWULKTII. 
 
 :e lookinp; 
 to see il" 
 he Indian 
 where his 
 ut from it 
 le up with 
 ed to take 
 Ling round 
 2ep a good 
 touch the 
 entering it 
 first troub- 
 them. 
 the whole 
 an attack, 
 so if they 
 gh our neg- 
 e whites at 
 that had 
 ►varriors by 
 1, for a theft 
 specially at 
 by them as 
 oath to the 
 us again, 
 lified them 
 Y left us on 
 
 ur road was 
 us through 
 'ter us, and 
 the precau- 
 id not think 
 
 The next tribe on our route was the Pi-u-chos, which 
 is also the last before you reach Pueblo in CaHfornin. 
 The first Pi-u-c''es that we came across were an Indian 
 and his squaw engaged in digging roots. On seeing 
 us approach, the Indian took to his heels, leaving the 
 squaw to take care of herself. I rode up to her and 
 asked where her village was. Slie pointed in the di- 
 rection of it, but I could not see it. The next one tliat 
 I saw stooped and concealed himself in tlie grass im- 
 mediately he found himseH' observed ; but I rode up 
 to him, and made him show himself, not wishing to 
 have him think that he could escape our notice so easi- 
 ly. He accompanied me for a short distance, until an- 
 other of the tribe shouted to him from a hill, and lie 
 then left me. 
 
 We encamped that night upon the prairie. At dusk 
 we observed the smoke of camp-fires in every direc- 
 tion, and shortly we were visited by hundreds of In- 
 dians, who entirely hemmed us in ; but, on their find- 
 ing that we were not ^Mexicans, they did not ofl'er to 
 molest us. They were hostile on account of the con- 
 tinual abductions of their squaws and children, whom 
 the Mexicans employ as domestic slaves, and treat with 
 the utmost cruelty. 
 
 We reached our destination in safety, and I deliv- 
 ered my dispatches. I was now inactive for some 
 time again, and occupied my leisure in rambling about 
 the environs of Monterey. I then engaged in the serv- 
 ice of the commissariat at Monterey, to carry dispatch- 
 es from thence to Captain Denny's ranch, where I was 
 met by another carrier. On my road lay the mission 
 of St. Miguel, owned by a Mr. Reed, an Englishman ; 
 and, as his family was a very interesting one, I generally 
 made his home my resting-place. On one of my vis- 
 
604 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 its, arriving about dusk, I entered the house as usual, 
 but was surprised to sec no one stirring. I walked 
 about a little to attract attention, and no one coming 
 to mc, I stepped into the kitchen to look for some of 
 the inmates. On the floor I saw some one lying down, 
 asleep, as I supposed. 1 attempted to arouse him with 
 my foot, but he did not stir. This seemed strange, 
 and ray apprehensions became excited ; for the Indians 
 were very numerous about, and I was afraid some mis- 
 chief had been done. I returned to my horse for my 
 pistols, then, ligliting a candle, I commenced a search. 
 In going along a passage, I stumbled over the body 
 of a woman ; I entered a room, and found another, a 
 murdered Indian woman, who had been a domestic. I 
 was about to enter another room, but I was arrested 
 by some sudden thought which urged me to search no 
 farther. It was an opportune admonition, for that very 
 room contained the murderers of the family, who had 
 heard my steps, and were sitting at that moment with 
 their pistols pointed to the door, ready to shoot the 
 first person that entered. This they confessed subse- 
 quently. 
 
 Thinking to obtain farther assistance, I mounted 
 my horse and rode to the nearest ranch, a distance of 
 twenty-four miles, where I procured fifteen Mexicans 
 and Indians, and returned with them the same night to 
 the scene of the tragedy. On again entering the house, 
 we found eleven bodies all thrown together in one pile 
 for the purpose of consuming them ; for, on searching 
 further, we found the murderers had set fire to the 
 dwelling, but, ace rding to that Providence which ex- 
 poses such wicked deeds, the fire had died out. 
 
 Fastening up the house, we returned immediately 
 back to the ranch from which I had started with my 
 
JAML.S 1*. BECKVVUL'liTlI. 
 
 505 
 
 as usual, 
 
 I walked 
 nc coming 
 r some of 
 ing down, 
 e him with 
 d strange, 
 he Indians 
 
 some mis- 
 rse for my 
 d a search, 
 r the body 
 
 another, a 
 )mestic. I 
 as arrested 
 search no 
 )r that very 
 y, who had 
 oment with 
 shoot the 
 3sed subse- 
 
 mounted 
 distance of 
 
 Mexicans 
 me night to 
 the house, 
 in one pile 
 n searching 
 fire to the 
 
 which ex- 
 out. 
 
 mmediately 
 id with my 
 
 party, making seventy-two miles I rode that night. 
 As soon as I could obtain some rest, I started, in com- 
 pany with the alcalde, for St. Louis Obispo, where, it 
 was believed, we could get assistance in capturing the 
 murderers. Forty men in detached parties, moving in 
 different directions, went in pursuit. It was my for- 
 tune to find the trail, and witli my party of six men 1 
 managed to head off the suspected murderers so as to 
 come up with them in the road from directly the op- 
 posite direction from Heed's house. When I came op- 
 \ .site, one of the men sang out, " Good-day, scnors." 
 1 replied, but kept on riding in a lope. 
 
 The bandits, thrown entirely off their guard, insist- 
 ed upon entering into conversation ; so 1 had a fair op- 
 portunity of marking them all, and discovering among 
 them a horse belonging to the unfortunate Heed. I 
 then rode to Santa Barbara, a distance of forty miles, 
 and, with a party of twenty men, started boldly in pur- 
 suit. After much hard travel, we finally came upon 
 the gang, encamped for the night. Without a mo- 
 ment's hesitation, we charged on them, and gave a vol- 
 ley of rifles, which killed one, and wounded all the 
 others, save an American named Dempsey. The vil- 
 lains fought like tigers, but were finally mastered and 
 made prisoners. 
 
 Dempsey turned state's evidence. He stated that, 
 on the night of the murder, his party stopped at Reed's; 
 that Reed told them that he had just retmned from 
 the mines, whereupon it was determined to kill the 
 whole family and take his gold, which turned out to 
 be the pitiful sum of one thousand dollars. After the 
 confession of Dempsey, we shot the murderers, along 
 with the " state's evidence," and thus ended the lives 
 of two Americans, two Englishmen, and ten Irishmen, 
 
 Y 
 
506 
 
 AUTOUIOGUAl'HY OF 
 
 they having committed the mo.st diabolical deed that 
 ever disgraced the annals of frontier life. 
 
 I continued in this service of carrying dispatches 
 some four months, varying my route with an occasion- 
 al trip to San Francisco. At this time society in Cal- 
 ifornia was in the worst condition to be found, prob- 
 ably, in any part of the world, to call it civilized. The 
 report of the discovery of gold had attracted thither 
 lawless and desperate characters from all parts of the 
 earth, and the government constituted for their con- 
 trol was a weaker element than the offenders it had to 
 deal with. The rankest excesses were familiar occur- 
 rences, and men were butclcred under the very eyes 
 of the officers of justice, and no action was taken in 
 the matter. What honest men there were became 
 alarmed, and frequently would abandon the richest 
 placers for the mere security of their lives, and leave a 
 whole community of rowdies to prey upon each other. 
 Disorder attained its limit, and some reactionary means 
 would naturally be engendered as a corrective to the 
 existing evils. The establishment of "Vigilance Com- 
 mittees" among the better order of citizens operated as 
 a thunderbolt upon the conniving civil officers and the 
 rank perpetrators of crime. Scores of villains were 
 snatched from the hands of these mock officers, and 
 summarily strung up to the limb of the nearest tree. 
 Horse and cattle thieves had their necks disjointed 
 so frequently that it soon became safe for a man to 
 leave his horse standing in the street for a few mo- 
 ments, while he stepped into a house to call upop his 
 friend, and that widely-practiced business was quickly 
 done away with. 
 
 Such sudden justice overtook murderers, robbers, 
 and other criminals, that honest people began to breathe 
 
JAMi:s p. nixKwoLiaii. 
 
 507 
 
 jccl that 
 
 (patches 
 ccasion- 
 ' in Cal- 
 1(1, prob- 
 hI. The 
 I thither 
 ts of the 
 lieir con- 
 it had to 
 ar occur- 
 'ery eyes 
 taken in 
 3 became 
 ^c richest 
 id leave a 
 ich other, 
 iry means 
 ve to the 
 ince Com- 
 Dcrated as 
 :s and the 
 ains were 
 iccrs, and 
 irest tree, 
 disjointed 
 a man to 
 I few mo- 
 upou his 
 IS quickly 
 
 }, robbers, 
 to breathe 
 
 more freely, and acquired a sense of security wliilc en- 
 gaged in tlicir ordinary pursuits. The iiKiterid for 
 crime still existed, and is yet present in CaHfornia to an 
 ahirming extent ; but order may be considered as con- 
 iirmed in the supremacy, though inevitaljly many social 
 evils still exist, which time alone will remedy. 
 
 In the month of April, I84i), the steamship Cali- 
 fornia touched at Monterey, she being the first steam- 
 vessel that had visited there from the States. 1, with 
 a party of fifteen others, stepped on board, and pro- 
 ceeded as far as Stockton, where we separated into va- 
 rious parties. I left with one man to go to Bonora, 
 where we erected the first tent, and connnenced a bus- 
 iness in partnership. I had carried a small lot of cloth- 
 ing along with me, which I disposed of to the miners 
 at what now seems to me fabulous prices. Finding 
 the business thus profitable, I sent my partner back to 
 Stockton for a farther supplv, and he brought several 
 mules laden witli goods. This lot was disposed of as 
 readily as the first, and at prices equally remunerative. 
 This induced us to continue the business, he perform- 
 ing the journeys backward and forward, and I remain- 
 ing behind to dispose of the goods and attend to oth- 
 er affairs. Sonora was rapidly growing into a large 
 village, and our tent was replaced with a roomy house. 
 I had a corps of Indians in my employ to take charge 
 of the horses left in my care by miners and other 
 persons, sometimes to the number of two hundred at 
 once. I also employed Indians to work in the mines, 
 I furnishing them with board and implements to work 
 with, and they paying me with one half of their earn- 
 ings. Their general yield was from five to six ounces 
 a day each man, a moiety of which they faithfully ren- 
 dered to me. Among my earliest visitors was a party 
 
oos 
 
 ALT0B10(JKA1'11Y OF 
 
 of eighteen United States dragoons, who eamc to me 
 to be fitted out with citizen's clothing, as they had 
 brought to a sudden period their service to then- coun- 
 try. It was an impossible thing at that time to re- 
 tain troops in California, for the produce of the mines 
 Iield out a temptation to desert that none seemed able 
 to resist, as more gold could be dug sometimes in one 
 day than would pay a private for a year's service in 
 the army; even officers of consilerable rank not un- 
 frequently threw aside epaulette and sash, and sh »ul- 
 dcred the pick to repair to the diggings. 
 
 While at Sonora I learned tliat Colonel Fremont 
 was at ]\Iariposa, and I made a journey over there for 
 the purpose of seeing him. I was disappointed in my 
 expectation,* and started to return home again. While 
 proceeding quietly along, havmg left the main road 
 and taken up a hollow, I perceived two men ap- 
 proaching me from the opposite direction, running at 
 tlie top of their speed, and a crowd of Indians after 
 them in pursuit. When they came up, they shouted 
 to me to turn and fly for my life, or the Indians 
 would certainly massacre me. I bade them stop, and 
 quiet their fears. Seeing my self-possession, notwith- 
 standing the near approach of the Indifis, they at 
 length halted, and ajiproached close to me for pro- 
 tection against their pursuers. I then commanded the 
 Indians to stand, telling them that they were my men. 
 They said they were not aware of that, or they should 
 not have chased them. The Indians I was acquaint- 
 ed with ; they had been frequently to my house to in- 
 vite me to their village. They wished to purchase 
 goods of me, and had promised me a mule-load of gold 
 dust if I would only supply them with what they were 
 in need of. I accompanied them to their village, but 
 
JAMKS v. liKCKW(JlHTH. 
 
 OUJ^) 
 
 ic to me 
 hey had 
 cu* coun- 
 le to re- 
 ic mines 
 Tied able 
 js in one 
 ervicc in 
 : not un- 
 id sli )ul- 
 
 Fremont 
 there for 
 ed in my 
 . While 
 lain road 
 men ap- 
 mning at 
 ans after 
 r shouted 
 ; Indians 
 stop, and 
 
 notwith- 
 , they at 
 J for pro- 
 anded the 
 
 my men. 
 ey should 
 acquaint- 
 use to in- 
 
 purchase 
 ad of gold 
 they were 
 Uage, but 
 
 my two rescued companions were not admitted into 
 their lodges. They then renewed their promise of 
 the mule-load of gold dust if I would bring out the 
 goods they wanted. I never went to them, although 
 it was remiss in me, for they had a great quantity of 
 gold dust. I left after a brief visit, and rejoined the 
 two men. They could not sufficiently express their 
 gratitude to me for their deliverance, as they consider- 
 ed my opportune appearance p.lonc saved their lives. 
 
 Becoming tired of my business in Sonora, for inac- 
 tivity fatigued me to death, I disposed of my interest 
 in it for six thousand dollars, and went on to Sacra- 
 mento City with the money in my pocket. From this 
 place I traveled on to Murderer's Bar, which lies on 
 the middle fork of the American River ; here I found 
 my old friend Chapineau house-keeping, and staid with 
 him until the rainy season set in. Tlience I proceed- 
 ed to Greenwood Valley to establish my winter quar- 
 ters, but I was seized with an attack of inflammatory 
 rlieumatism, and I had a nice time of it that winter. 
 Before I was able to get about, I was called on by the 
 inhabitants to go several miles to shoot a grizzly bear, 
 and as I was unable to walk the distance, several of 
 them volunteered to carry me. The bear was in the 
 habit of walking past a row of cabins every moniing 
 on his return to his den, he having issued forth the 
 preceding night to procure his evening meal. They 
 had fired several shots at Bruin as he passed, but he 
 had never deigned to pay any attention to the molesta- 
 tion. I mounted a horse, and rode some distance along 
 his customary path, until I came to a tree which offer- 
 ed a fair shelter to await his approach. I placed my 
 back against it as a support wliile I awaited liis com- 
 ing, the neighbors drawing off to a safe distance to 
 
""*■■•««•■ 
 
 lajAwum i 
 
 (RMH 
 
 510 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 witness the sport. By~and-by Grizzly came in sight, 
 walking along as independently as an alderman elect. 
 I allowed him to approach till he was within twenty 
 paces, when I called out to him ; he stopped sudden- 
 ly, and looked around to ascertain whence the sound 
 proceeded. As he arrested himself, I fired, and the 
 ball entered his heart. He advanced ten or fifteen 
 paces before he fell; the observers shouted to me 
 to run, they forgetting in their excitement that I had 
 not strength to move. The bear never stirred from 
 where he fell, and he ex2)ired without a groan. When 
 dressed, he weighed over fourteen hundred pounds. 
 
 The grizzly bear is a formidable animal, and has 
 acted a prominent part among the settlers of Califor- 
 nia. They are seldom known to attack a man unless 
 wounded ; in that case, if a tree is by, the hunter had 
 better commence climbing. They are very plenty 
 from the Sierra Nevada to the coast range of mount- 
 ains. I liave, in the course of my sojourn in the 
 country, killed a great many of them, and met witli 
 some singular adventures. 
 
 On one occasion, while I was with the Crow Indians, 
 there was a man of the name of Coe who was trapping 
 in one of the neighboring streams, and I became alarm- 
 ed for his safety, as Black Foot parties were skulking 
 about in all directions, and were sure to kill him if 
 they should find his camp. I found Coe, and told him 
 my fears. He instantly gathered up his traps, and, 
 mounting his horse, started toward me. When with- 
 in fair gun-shot, an old bear sprang from a thicket, 
 and landed upon the flanks of his horse, applying his 
 teeth to the roots of the poor animal's tail, and hold- 
 ing him as if in a vice. Coe leaned over his horse's 
 neck, and cried out, 
 
sight, 
 I elect, 
 twenty 
 udden- 
 
 sound 
 nd the 
 
 fifteen 
 
 to me 
 t I had 
 3d from 
 
 When 
 mds. 
 md has 
 Califor- 
 1 unless 
 nter had 
 plenty 
 
 mount- 
 in the 
 let witli 
 
 Indians, 
 ;rapping 
 3 alarm- 
 kulking 
 him if 
 old him 
 s, and, 
 n with- 
 thicket, 
 ing his 
 lid hold- 
 horse's 
 
 H 
 
 > 
 
 n 
 o 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 
 lil 
 
 mm4M^' 
 
 I'iTi''' !' 
 
 S,;!j;!''^'i';l:fi!l:i|'i, 
 
 *i4iilti(i|' 
 
 ,,,, .,,iii,|j|' 
 
 ^:V-bff!il!l|lf 
 
 "l!lg''-Nll 
 
 mm 
 
 , .iji| 
 
 
 I '■ 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 51;^ 
 
 " Shoot, Jim ! shoot quick !" 
 
 I could not help laughing to have saved my life, as 
 he turned from side to 'side, though his situation was 
 a critical one. I soon got in a favorable position, and 
 put a ball in the animal's head, just behind the ear, 
 when he liberated the horse and his rider, falling on 
 his back apparently stone dead. 
 
 There is a story, remembered by the mountaineers, 
 of a person named Keyere. He was a man who never 
 exceeded one hundred pounds in weight, but was clear 
 grit, what little there was of him. He went out one 
 day alone, and his horse came back in the evening 
 without his rider, and we thought that the Indians 
 had made sure of poor Keyere's scalp. The next 
 morning a small party of us started on tlie horse's trail, 
 and found Keyere lying beside a large dead grizzly 
 bear. Keyere was horribly mutilated and insensible, 
 but still alive, and must have soon died if no one had 
 come to his rescue. 
 
 We took him to camp, and nursed him with all pos- 
 sible care. When he recovered sufficiently to tell his 
 tale, his story was received with shouts of laughter, 
 and was rehearsed as a wonderful joke from camp to 
 camp. Keyere stated that, when he saw the grizzly, 
 he got from his horse to shoot him, but unfortunately 
 only wounded the animal. The bear (so Keyere says) 
 caught hold of him, and commenced a regular rough- 
 and-tumble fight ; finally Keyere got a good lick at the 
 bear's head, knocked him down with his fist, and then 
 attempted to run away. The bear, however, was too 
 quick, when Keyere, becoming desperate, seized the 
 beast by the tongue, drew his knife, and stabbed the 
 creature to the heart ! 
 
 Improbable as is the tale, it was a singular fact, 
 
 Y2 
 
I — X 
 
 wm 
 
 514 
 
 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 that, when Kcycre was found, his knife was up to the 
 maker's name in the bear's side, and tlie body showed 
 tlie effects of other severe stabs ; but whether a man 
 weigliing ninety pounds could knock down the best of 
 boxers, weighing twelve hundred, the reader can de- 
 cide ; but Keyerc ever told the same talc, and became 
 known far and near as the man that whipped the grizzly 
 in a stand-up light. Probably no man ever recover- 
 ed who received so many wounds as did Keyere in 
 this unequal combat. 
 
 CTIArTER XXXVI. 
 
 Discovery of Bcckwourth's Pass. — No pecuniary Reward for public 
 Services. — Transformation. — A new Character. — Emigrants at 
 Home and at their Journey's End. — Description of the Happy Val- 
 lej'. — Interesting Reminiscence. 
 
 The next spring I engaged in mining and prospect- 
 ing in various parts of the gold region. I advanced as 
 far as the American Valley, having one man in my 
 company, and proceeded north into the Pitt River coun- 
 try, where we had a slight difficulty with the Indians. 
 We had come ii})on a party who manifested the utmost 
 friendship toward us ; but I, knowing how far friendly 
 appearances could be trusted to, cautioned my partner 
 on no account to relinquish his gun, if the Indiuns 
 should attempt to take it. They crowded round us, 
 pretending to have the greatest interest in the pack that 
 we carried, until thty made a sudden spring, and seized 
 our guns, and attempted to wrest them from our grasp. 
 I jerked from them, and retreated a few steps ; then, 
 cocking my gun, I bade them, if they wished to fight, 
 to come on. This produced a change in their feelings. 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 515 
 
 ip to the 
 ^ showed 
 IV a man 
 3 best of 
 
 can de- 
 l became 
 le grizzly 
 
 recover- 
 [!eyere in 
 
 1 for public 
 nigrants at 
 Happy Val- 
 
 prospect- 
 'anced as 
 n in my 
 ver coun- 
 Indians. 
 le utmost 
 L* friendly 
 y partner 
 s Indiuns 
 ound us, 
 pack that 
 nd seized 
 ur grasp. 
 )s ; then, 
 to fight, 
 feelings. 
 
 and they were very friendly again, begging caps and 
 ammunition of us, wliicli, of course, we refused. We 
 then Avalkcd backward for about one hundred and fifty 
 yards, still keeping our pieces ready should they at- 
 tempt further hostilities ; but they did not deem it 
 pnident to molest us again. 
 
 While on this excursion I discovered what is now 
 known as " Beckwourth's Pass" in the Sierra Nevada. 
 B^'rom some of the elevations over which we passed I 
 remarked a place far away to the southward that seem- 
 ed lower than any other. I made no mention of it to 
 my companion, but thought that at some future time I 
 would examine into it farther. I continued on to Shas- 
 ta with my fellow-traveler, and returned after a fruit- 
 less journey of eighteen days. 
 
 After a short stay in the American Valley, I again 
 started out with a prospecting party of twelve men. 
 We killed a bullock before starting and dried the meat, 
 in order to have provisions to last us during the trip. 
 We proceeded in an easterly direction, and all busied 
 themselves in searching for gold ; but my errand was 
 of a different character : I had come to discover what 
 I suspected to be a pass. 
 
 It was the latter end of April when we entered upon 
 an extensive valley at the northwest extremity of the 
 Sierra range. The valley was ali-eady robed in fresh- 
 est veidure, contrasting most delightfully with the huge 
 snow-clad masses of rock we had just left. Flowers 
 of every variety and hue spread their variegated charms 
 before us ; magpies were chattering, and gorgeously- 
 plumaged birds were caroling in the delights of unmo- 
 lested solitude. Swarms of wild geese and ducks were 
 swimming on the surface of the cool crystal stream, 
 which was the central fork of the Kio de las Plumas, 
 
516 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 or sailed tlie air in clouds over our heads. Deer and 
 antelope filled the plains, and their boldness was con- 
 clusive that the hunter's rifle was to them unknown. 
 Nowhere visible were any traces of the white man's ap- 
 proach, and it is probable that our steps were the first 
 that ever marked the spot. We struck across this 
 beautiful valley to the waters of the Yuba, from thence 
 to the waters of the Trucliy, which latter flowed in an 
 easterly direction, telling us we were on the eastern 
 slope of the mountain range. This, I at once saw, 
 would afford the best wagon-road into the American 
 Valley approaching from the eastward, and I imparted 
 my views to three of my companions in whose judg- 
 ment I placed the most confidence. They thougi i 
 highly of the discovery, and even proposed to associate 
 with me in opening the road. We also found gold, but 
 not in sufficient quantity to warrant our working it ; 
 and, furthermore, the ground was too wet to admit of 
 our prospecting to any advantage. 
 
 On my return to the American Valley, I made known 
 my discovery to a Mr. Turner, proprietor of the Amer- 
 ican Ranch, who entered enthusiastically into my 
 views ; it w^as a thing, he said, he had never dreamed 
 of before. If I could but carry oit my plan, and di- 
 vert travel into that road, he thought I should be a 
 made man for life. Thereupon he drew up a subscrip- 
 tion-list, setting forth the merits of the project, and 
 showing how the road could be made practicable to 
 Bidwell's Bar, and thence to Marysville, which latter 
 place would derive peculiar advantages from the dis- 
 covery. He headed the subscription with two hund- 
 red dollars. 
 
 When I reached Bidwell's Bar and unfolded my proj- 
 ect, the town was seized with a perfect mania for the 
 
JAMES r. BECKWOUIITII. 
 
 517 
 
 ;er and 
 as con- 
 known, 
 m's ap- 
 hc first 
 •ss this 
 thence 
 id in an 
 eastern 
 20 saw, 
 mcrican 
 nparted 
 56 judg- 
 thougi i 
 ssociate 
 old, but 
 cing it ; 
 idmit of 
 
 i known 
 e Amer- 
 nto my 
 ireamed 
 and di- 
 dd be a 
 ubscrip- 
 ect, and 
 cable to 
 sh latter 
 the dis- 
 To hund- 
 
 myproj- 
 1 for the 
 
 opening of the route. Tlie subscriptions toward the 
 fund required for its accomplishment amounted to five 
 hundred dollars. 1 then proceeded to j\Iarysville, a 
 place which would unquestionably derive greater ben- 
 efit from the newly-discovered route than any other 
 place on the way, since this must be the entrepot or 
 principal starting-place for emigrants. I communicated 
 with several of the most influential residents on the 
 subject in hand. They also spoke very encouragingly 
 of my undertaking, and referred me, before all others, 
 to the mayor of the city. Accordingly, I waited upon 
 that gentleman (a Mr. Miles), and brought the matter 
 under his notice, representing it as being a legitimate 
 matter for his interference, and offering substantial ad- 
 vantages to the commercial prosperity of the city. The 
 mayor entered warmly into my views, and pronounced 
 it as his opinion that the profits resulting from the 
 speculation could not be less than from six to ten thou- 
 sand dollars ; and as the benefits accruing to the city 
 would be incalculable, he would insure my expenses 
 while engaged upon it. 
 
 I mentioned that I should prefer some gur.rantee be- 
 fore entering upon my labors, to secure me against loss 
 of what money I might lay out. 
 
 "Leave that to me," said the mayor; "I will attend 
 to the whole afiair„ I feel confident that a subject 
 of so great importance to our interests will engage the 
 earliest attention." 
 
 I thereupon left the whole proceeding in his hands, 
 and, immediately setting men to work upon the road, 
 went out to the Truchy to turn emigration into my 
 newly-discovered route. While thus busily engaged 
 I was seized with erysipelas, and abandoned all hopes 
 of recovery ; I was over one hundred miles away from 
 
518 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 medical assistance, and my only shelter was a brush 
 tent. I made my will, and resigned myself to death. 
 Lite still lingered in me, however, and a train of wag- 
 ons came up, and encamped near to where I lay. I 
 was reduced to a very low condition, but I saw the 
 drivers, and acquainted them with the object which 
 had brought me out there. 7'bey oflcred to attempt 
 tliQ new road if I thought myself sufficiently strong to 
 guide them through it. The women, God bless them ! 
 came to my assistance, and through their kind atten- 
 tions and excellent nursing I rapidly recovered from 
 my lingering sickness, until I was soon able to mount 
 my horse, and lead the first train, consisting of sev- 
 enteen wagons, through "Beckwourth's Pass." We 
 reached the American Valley without the least acci- 
 dent, and the emigrants expressed entire satisfaction 
 with the r lute. I returned with the train through to 
 Marysville, and on the intelligence being communi- 
 cated of the practicability of my road, there was quite 
 a public rejoicing. A northern route had been dis- 
 covered, and the city had received an impetus that 
 would advance her beyond all her sisters on the Pacif- 
 ic shore. I felt proud of my achievement, and was 
 foolish enough to promise myself a substantial recog- 
 nition of my labors. 
 
 I was destined to disappointment, for that same 
 night Marysville was laid in ashes. The mayor of the 
 ruined town congratulated me upon bringing a train 
 through. He expressed great delight at my good for- 
 tune, but regretted that their recent calamity had 
 placed it entirely bej'-ond his power to obtain for me 
 any substantial reward. With the exception of some 
 two hundred dollars subscribed by some liberal-mind- 
 ed citizens of Marysville, I have received no indemni- 
 
JAMES P. mX'KWOL'IlTII. 
 
 519 
 
 a brush 
 o death. 
 , of Avag- 
 
 lay. I 
 
 saw the 
 ct which 
 
 attempt 
 strong to 
 ss them! 
 nd attcn- 
 jred from 
 to mount 
 g of sev- 
 is." We 
 east acci- 
 itisfaction 
 hrough to 
 3ommuni- 
 was quite 
 been dis- 
 )etus that 
 the Pacif- 
 , and was 
 tial recog- 
 
 ;hat same 
 ,yor of the 
 :ig a train 
 
 good for- 
 imity had 
 lin for me 
 ►n of some 
 eral-mind- 
 
 indemni- 
 
 fication for tlie money and hibor I have expended upon 
 my discovery. The city liad been greatly benefited by 
 it, as all mi! at acknowlcilge, for the omigrants that 
 now flock to ^larysvillc would otherwise have gone to 
 Sacramento. Sixteen hundred dollars I expended 
 upon the road is forever gone, but those who derive 
 advantage from this outlay and loss of time devote no 
 thought to the discoverer ; nor do I sec clearly liow 
 I am to help myself, for every one knows I can not 
 roll a mountain into the pass and shut it up. I5ut there 
 is one thing certain : although I recognize no superior 
 in love of country, and feel in all its force the obliga- 
 tion imposed upon me to advance her interests, still, 
 when I go out hunting in the mountains a road for 
 every body to pass through, and expending my time 
 and capital upon an object from which I shall derive 
 no benefit, it will be because I have nothing better 
 to do. 
 
 In the spring of 1852 I established myself in Beck- 
 wourth Valley, and finally found m^^self transformed 
 into a hotel-keeper and chief of a trading-post. ]\Iy 
 house is considered the emigrant's landing-place, as it 
 is '' he first ranch he arrives at in the golden state, and 
 is the only house between this point and Salt Lake. 
 Here is a valley two hundred and forty miles in cir- 
 cumference, containing some of the choicest land in the 
 world. Its yield of hay is incalculable ; the red and 
 white clovers spring up spontaneously, and the grass 
 that covers its smooth surface is of the most nutritious 
 nature. When the weary, toil-worn emigrant reaches 
 this valley, he feels himself secure ; he can lay him- 
 self down and taste refreshing repose, undisturbed by 
 the fear of Indians. His cattle can graze around him 
 in pasture up to their eyes, without running any dan- 
 
520 
 
 AL'TOUIUGitAl'IIY UK 
 
 gor of being driven oft* by the Arabs of the forest, and 
 f^priiigH riow iM'turo tlicni as j)iirc as any that refreshes 
 thia" verdant earth. 
 
 AVhen 1 stand at my door, and watch tlie weary, 
 way-worn travelers approach, their wagons liolding to- 
 gether by a miracle, their stock in the last stage of 
 enuiciation, and themselves a perfect exaggeration of 
 caricature, I frequently anmse myself with imagin- 
 ing the contrast they must otter to the tout enmiiible 
 and general appearance they presented to their admir- 
 ing friends when they first set out upon their jour- 
 ney. 
 
 We will take a fancy sketch of tliem as they start 
 from their homes. AVe will fancy their strong and 
 well-stored wagon, bran-new for the occasion, and so 
 firmly put together that, to look at it, one would, sup- 
 pose it fit to eircunirotate the globe as many times as 
 there are spokes in the wheels ; then their tat and 
 frightened steers, so high-spirited and fractious that i*^ 
 takes the father and his two or three sons to get eat 
 under the yoke; next, the ambitious emigrant and his 
 proud family, with their highly-raised expectations of 
 the future that is before them : the father, so confi- 
 dent and important, who deems the Eastern States un- 
 worthy of his abilities, and can alone find a sufficiently 
 ample field in the growing republic on the Pr.cific side; 
 the mother, who is unwilling to leave her pleasant 
 gossiping friends and early associations, is still half 
 tempted to believe that the crop of gold that waits their 
 gathering may indemnify her for lier labors ; so they 
 pull up stakes, and leave town in good style, expect- 
 ing to return with whole cart-loads of gold dust, and 
 dazzle their neighbors' eyes with their excellent good 
 fortune. 
 
1 forest, and 
 at rctVcHhcs 
 
 the weary, 
 liolding to- 
 st stage of 
 [^cration of 
 itli irnagin- 
 it ensemble 
 heir adrnir- 
 tlieir jour- 
 
 I they start 
 strong and 
 on, and so 
 would sup- 
 ly times as 
 eir fat and 
 ious that i"^ 
 to get eat 
 ant and his 
 ctations of 
 r, so conti- 
 States un- 
 sufficiently 
 ncific side; 
 3r pleasant 
 3 still half 
 waits their 
 s ; so they 
 de, expect- 
 [ dust, and 
 silent good 
 
 JAMES ,.. i.Errcwoi iMii IN rrrizKN's i.uksm, 
 
JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 
 
 52;i 
 
 The girls, dear creatures ! put on their very best, as 
 all their admiring beaux assemble to see them start, 
 and to give them the last kiss they will receive east of 
 the Nevada Mountains ; for their idea is that they will 
 be snatched up and married the moment they step over 
 the threshold into California by some fine young gen- 
 tleman who is a solid pile of gold, and they joyously 
 start away, in anticipation of the event, their lials 
 decked with ribbons, their persons in long-flowing rid- 
 mg-dresses, their delicate fingers glittering with rings, 
 and their charming little ankles incased in their fash- 
 ionable and neatly-laced gaiters. 
 
 At the close of day, perhaps amid a pelting rain, 
 these same parties lieave wearily into sight: they 
 have achieved the passage of the Plains, and their 
 pleasant Eastern homes, with their agi-eeable, sociable 
 neighbors, are now at a distance it is painful to con- 
 template. The brave show they made at starting, as 
 the whole town hui-raed them off, is sadly faded away. 
 Their wagon appears like a relic of the Revolution aft- 
 er doing hard service for the commissariat : its cover 
 burned into holes, and torn to tatters ; its strong axles 
 replaced with rough pieces of trees hewn by the way- 
 side ; the tires bound on with ropes ; the iron linch- 
 pins gone, and chips of hickory substituted, and rags 
 wound round the hubs to hold them together, which 
 they keep continually wetted to prevent falling to 
 pieces. The oxen are held up by the tail to keep them 
 upon their legs, and the ravens and magpies evidently 
 feel themselves ill treated in being driven off from what 
 they deem their lawful rights. 
 
 The old folks are peevish and quarrelsome; the 
 young men are so headstrong, and the small children 
 so full of wants, and precisely at a time when every 
 
h2\ 
 
 AlITOnKKJUAIMrV (IK 
 
 thinji; Ims given out, and tlicy luivo notlilnp^ to pacify 
 tlicni with, lint iho ])oor girls liav(' sufrcred the most. 
 'Ph<'ir glossy, luxnriant liMiks, that won so much ad- 
 miration, arc now tri/./lcd and discolored l)y the sun; 
 their elegant riding-habit is replaced with an improvised 
 lUooiner, and their neat little feet are ex])osed in sad 
 disarray ; their lingers are white no longer, and in 
 place ot* rings wc see sundry hits of rag wound round, to 
 keep the dirt from entering their sore cuts. The young 
 men of gohl, wiio looked so attractive in the distance, 
 arc now too <»ften found to be worthless and of no in- 
 trinsic value; their time emj)loyed in iiaunting gam- 
 ing-tables or dram-shops, and their habits corru'pted 
 by unthrift and dissi])ation. 
 
 1 do not wi-^h to sp(\*dv dis])r.ragingly of my ado])tcd 
 state, and by no means to intimate the slightest disre- 
 spect to the many worthy citizens who have crossed 
 the l*hiins. 1 apjieal to the many who have Vt'itness- 
 ed the ])icture for the accuracy of my j)ortraiturc. So 
 nuich good material constantly inlused into society 
 ought to improve the character of the compound, but 
 the demoralizing ctt'eets of transplantation greatly neu- 
 tralize the benetlts. 
 
 Take a family from their ])caceful and happy homes 
 in a comnumity where good morals arc observed, and 
 the tone of society exercises a salutary influence over 
 the thoughts of both old and young, and put them in 
 such a place as this, where all is chaotic, and the princi- 
 ples that regulate the social intercourse of men are not 
 yet recognized as law, and their dignity of thought and 
 j)rcst}(jc of ])osition is bereft from them. They have 
 to struggle among a greedy, unscrupulous populace for 
 the means of living ; their homes have yet accjuircd no 
 comfort, and they feel isolated and abandoned ; and it 
 
JAMKS P. IJEf'KWOlIUTir. 
 
 ;>2;> 
 
 to pacify 
 
 'he ITlOSt. 
 
 iiucli ad- 
 
 t lu' sun ; 
 
 ripro vised 
 
 ed in sad 
 
 r, and in 
 
 I round, to 
 
 'lie young 
 
 distance, 
 
 I of no in- 
 
 ting gam- 
 
 corru}>tcd 
 
 ly adopted 
 itest disre- 
 fG crossed 
 e witness- 
 iturc. So 
 to society 
 )ound, but 
 I'catly neu- 
 
 ppy homes 
 ?erved, and 
 ucncc over 
 ut them in 
 the princi- 
 icn are not 
 [lought and 
 They have 
 opulacc for 
 ic(iuired no 
 icd ; and it 
 
 is even worse upon the cliiUh'en ; all corrective influ- 
 ence is removed from them, and the examples that sur- 
 round them are often of the mosi vicious and worst pos- 
 sible description. All wholesome objects of ambition 
 being removed, and money alone substituted as the re- 
 ward of their greed, they grow up unlike their fathers ; 
 and it is only those in whom there is a solid substratum 
 of correct feeling that mature into good citizens and 
 proper men. 
 
 The girls, too, little darlings, suffer severely. They 
 have left tlunr wortliy sweethearts bc^liiiul, and can 
 not get back to them ; and tliose who now offer them- 
 selves here are not fit to l)estow a thought upon. \'W- 
 cry tiling is strange to them. 'J'hey miss their little 
 social reunions, their quilting-partics, their winter cpia- 
 drilles, the gossip of the village, their delightful sum- 
 mer haunts, and tiieir dear ])aternal fireside. They have 
 no })ursuits except of the grosser kinds, and all their 
 refinements arc roughed over by the prevailing struggle 
 after gold. 
 
 Much stock is lost in crossing the JUains, through 
 their drinking the alkali water which flows from the 
 Sierra Nevada, becoming impregnated with the poison- 
 ous mineral either in its source or in its passage among 
 the rocks. There are also poisonous herbs springing 
 up in the region of the mineral water, which the poor, 
 famishing animals devour without stint. Those who 
 survive until they reach the Valley are generally too 
 far gone for recovery, and die while resting to recruit 
 their strength. Their infected flesh furnishes food to 
 thousands of wolves, which infest this place in the win- 
 ter, and its effect upon them is singular. It depilates 
 their warm coats of fur, and renders their pelts as bare 
 as the palm of a man's hand. My faithful dogs have 
 
52G 
 
 AUTOBIOGKAPHY uF 
 
 killed numbers of them at different times, divested en- 
 tirely of hair except on the extremity of the nose, ears, 
 and tail. They present a truly comical and extraor- 
 dinary appearance. 
 
 This general loss of cattle deprives many of the poor 
 emigrants of the means of hauling their lightened wag- 
 ons, which, by the time they reach my ranch, seldom 
 contain any thing more than their family clothing and 
 bedding. Frequently I have observed wagons pass my 
 house with one starveling yoke of cattle to drag them, 
 and the family straggling on foot behind. Numbers 
 have put up at my ranch without a morsel of food, 
 and without a dollar in the world to procure any. They 
 never were refused what they asked for at my house ; 
 and, during the short space that I have spent in the 
 Valley, I have furnished provisions and other neces- 
 saries to the numerous sufferers who have applied for 
 them to a very serious amount. Some have since paid 
 me, but the bills of many remain unsettled. Still, al- 
 though a prudent business man would condemn the 
 proceeding, I can not find it in my heart to refuse re- 
 lief to such necessities, and, if my pocket suffers a lit- 
 tle, I have my recompense in a feeling of internal sat- 
 isfaction. 
 
 My pleasant valley is thirty-five miles at its great- 
 est breadth. It is irrigated by two streams, with their 
 various small tributaries. These form a junction about 
 ten miles from my house up the valley, which, as you 
 remount it, becomes the central fork of the Feather 
 River. All these streams abound with trout, some of 
 them weighing seven or eight pounds. In the main 
 one there are also plenty of otter. Antelopes and deer 
 are to be found the entire year, unless the winter is 
 unusually severe, when they cross the mountains to 
 
f 
 
 estecl eu- 
 lose, ears, 
 L extraor- 
 
 f the poor 
 jned wag- 
 li, seldom 
 thing and 
 s pass my 
 rag them, 
 Numbers 
 1 of food, 
 .y. They 
 ly house ; 
 ent in the 
 ler neces- 
 ipplied for 
 since paid 
 Still, al- 
 dernn the 
 refuse re- 
 ffers a lit- 
 emal sat- 
 
 its great- 
 
 with their 
 
 tion about 
 
 h, as you 
 
 5 Feather 
 
 , some of 
 
 the main 
 
 and deer 
 
 winter is 
 
 intains to 
 
 JAMES p. BECKWOUKTH. 
 
 527 
 
 the eastern slope. Grizzly bears come and disappeai- 
 again, without asking leave of any man. There arc 
 wolves of every species, together with foxes, hares, rab- 
 bits, and other animals. Of the feathered tribe, we 
 have wild geese, ducks, sage-hens, grouse, and a large 
 variety of smaller birds. Service-berries and cherries 
 are the only kinds of fruit that grow from nature's cul- 
 tivation. 
 
 The growth of timber about the valley is principally 
 pitch-pine, although there is a considerable intermix- 
 ture of cedar. I have never yet sown any grain, but 1 
 have cultivated a small kitchen-garden, and raised cab- 
 bages, turnips, and radishes of great size. I have never 
 known the snow to fall to a greater depth than three 
 feet, and when the storms are over it dissolves very 
 rapidly, notwithstanding the elevation is many thou- 
 sand feet above the level of the Pacific. The snow 
 clings to the mountain peaks that overlook the valley 
 to the eastward the year round, and as it is continually 
 melting and feeding the streams, it keeps the water icy 
 cold all the summer through. About a mile and a half 
 distant from my house there is a large sulphur spring, 
 and on the eastern slope, in the desert, there are copi- 
 ous hot springs, supplying the traveler with boiling 
 water for his coffee without the cost of fuel. 
 
 The Truchy rises on the summit of the Sierra Ne- 
 vada, opposite the head-waters of the Yuba, and runs 
 in an easterly direction until it loses itself in Pyramid 
 Lake, about fifty miles east of this valley. This lake 
 is a great natural curiosity, as it receives not alone the 
 waters of the Truchy, but numerous other streams, and 
 has no visible outlet ; its surcharge of water probably 
 filtering into the earth, like St. Mary's River, and some 
 others I have met with. There is no place in the 
 
528 
 
 ALTUUIOUJUl'llV OF 
 
 whole state that offers so many attractions for a few 
 weeks' or months' retirement ; for its charms of scen- 
 ery, with sylvan and piscatorial sports, present unu- 
 sual attractions. During the winter season my near- 
 est neighbors are sixteen miles away ; in the summer 
 they are within four miles of my house, so that social 
 broils do not nmch disturb me. 
 
 There is a pleasant historical incident associated 
 witli 8t. Mary's River, which, as it can be familiar to 
 but few of my readers, I will relate here. The St. Ma- 
 ry's liiver is known to most persons as the River Hum- 
 boldt, since that is the name that has been since con- 
 fened upon it, in honor of the distinguished European 
 traveler. I prefer the former name, as being more po- 
 etical, though less assuming. An Indian woman, the 
 wifo of a Canadian named Chapineau, who acted as in- 
 terpreter and guide to Lewis and Clarke during their 
 explorations of the Rocky Mountains, was suddenly 
 seized with the pains of labor, and gave birth to a son 
 on the banks of this mysterious river. The Red-head- 
 ed Chief (Clarke) adopted the child thus rudely issued 
 into the world, and on his return to St. Louis took the 
 infant with him, and baptized it John Baptist Clarke 
 Chapineau. After a careful culture of his mind, the 
 boy was sent to Europe to complete his education. 
 But the Indian was inetfaceable in him. The Indian 
 lodge and his native mountain fastnesses possessed 
 greater charms than the luxuries of civilized life. He 
 returned to the desert and passed his days with his 
 tribe. Mary, the mother of the child, was a Crow, 
 very pleasing and intelligent, and may have been, for 
 aught I know, connected with some of my many rela- 
 tives in that tribe. It was in honor of this event, and 
 to perpetuate her memory, that the river received its 
 
''Pf 
 
 for a few 
 I of scen- 
 ient unu- 
 my ncar- 
 j summer 
 bat social 
 
 issociated 
 imiliar to 
 ic St. Ma- 
 vcr Hum- 
 since con- 
 European 
 J more po- 
 'oman, the 
 ctcd as in- 
 iring their 
 suddenly 
 h to a son 
 Rcd-head- 
 lely issued 
 s took the 
 ;ist Clarke 
 mind, the 
 education, 
 'he Indian 
 possessed 
 Ulife. He 
 s with his 
 a Crow, 
 e been, for 
 many rela- 
 event, and 
 eceived its 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 JAMES P. BECKWUI'RTII. 
 
 52t/ 
 
 original name, 8t. Mary'»^ and, as such, is still known 
 to the mountaineers. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIl. 
 
 Mistakes regarding the Character of the Indian — Extent of the West- 
 ern Tribes — Their Character. — How a War against them should be 
 conducted. — Reflections. — Closing Address to the Indian Heroine. 
 
 As an American citizen, a friend of my race, and a 
 sincere lover of my country, and also as one well ac- 
 quainted with the Indian character, I feel that I can 
 not properly conclude the record of my eventful life 
 without saying something for the lied Man. It should 
 be remembered, when judging of their acts, that they 
 consider the country they inhabit as the gift of the 
 "Great Spirit,"' aid they resent in their hearts the in- 
 vasion of the imnngrant just as much as any civilized 
 people would, if another nation, without permission, 
 should cross tlieir territory. It must also be under- 
 stood, that the Indians believe tlie buffalo to be theirs 
 by inheritance, not as game, but in the light of owner- 
 ship, given to them by Providence for their support and 
 comfort, and that, when an immigrant shoots a buffalo^ 
 the Indian looks upon it exactly as the destruction b}' 
 a stranger of so much private property. 
 
 With these ideas clearly in the mind of the reader, 
 it can be understood why the Indian, in destroying a 
 cow belonging to white people, or stealing a horse, con- 
 siders himself as merely retaliating for injuries receiv- 
 ed, repaying himself, in fact, for what he has lost. 
 For this act on the part of the Red Man, tlie United 
 States troops are often turned indiscriminately upon 
 ids race ; the iniiocent generally suffer, and those who 
 
 7 
 
I 
 
 ;jao 
 
 ALTUlJlUaiiAPHV UF 
 
 have raised tlic storm ean not understand of what crime 
 they can be guilty. 
 
 But if* the government is determined to make war 
 uj)on tlie Western tribes, let it be done intelligently, 
 and so effectually that inercy Avill temper justice. To 
 attempt to chastise Indians with United States troops 
 is simply ridiculous; the expense of such campaigns is 
 only surpassed by their inefhciency. The Indians live 
 on horseback, and they can steal and drive off the gov- 
 ernment horses fasten than it can bring them togeth- 
 er. The Indians having no stationary villages, they 
 can travel faster, even with the incumbrance of their 
 lodges, women, and children, subsisting themselves on 
 buflalo slain on the way, than any force, however rich- 
 ly appointed, the country could send against them. An 
 army must tire out i i such a chase before summer is 
 gone, while the Indians will constantly harass it with 
 their sharp-shooters, and, should several powerful tribes 
 unite — not an unusual occurrence — many thousand 
 men would make no impression. 
 
 It should also be recollected by our officers sent to 
 tight in the Rocky Mountains, that the Indians have 
 a mode of telegraphing by the aid of robes and mir- 
 rors, and thus, by having their spies stationed at con- 
 venient distances, they convey intelligence of the move- 
 ments of their enemies at great distances and in a very 
 few minutes, thus informing villages whether it would 
 be best to retreat or not. Some tribes telegraph by 
 fires at night, and by smoke in the daytime. An of- 
 ficer might hear of a band of warriors encamped at a 
 certain place ; he innnediately makes a forced march, 
 and when his troops arrive at their destination, those 
 same warriors may be niany miles in his rear, en- 
 camped on his trail. 
 
.lA.MES 1'. 1»K(!KW(H'I{TM. 
 
 5:^1 
 
 lat crime 
 
 lake war 
 iligcutly, 
 ice. To 
 03 troops 
 ipaigns is 
 Llians live 
 * the gov- 
 n togeth- 
 gcs, they 
 e of their 
 iselves on 
 -^ever rich- 
 them. An 
 summer is 
 ,ss it with 
 irful tribes 
 thousand 
 
 I's sent to 
 ilians have 
 i and mir- 
 led at con- 
 fthemove- 
 d in a very 
 cr it would 
 Icgraph by 
 c. An ot- 
 ^mped at a 
 ced march, 
 ition, those 
 s rear, en- 
 
 A village of tln-ec Imndrod lodges of Crows or Chcy- 
 ennes could, within thirty niiiuiti\s after receiving an 
 order to move, have all their lodges struck, the ])olcs 
 attached to the horses, and tiieir men, women, and chil- 
 dren going at full speed, and could thus outstrip the 
 best dragoons sent in their pursuit. 
 
 I have seen enough of Indian treaties find annuities 
 to satisfy me that their effects for good are worse tiian 
 fruitless. The idea formed by the Indians is that the 
 annuities are sent to them by the great white chief 
 because he is afraid of them, and wishes to purchase 
 their friendship. There arc some of the tribes — a very 
 few — who woidd keep a treaty sacred ; but the major- 
 ity would not be bound by one, for they can not un- 
 derstand their nature. AVlien caught at a disadvant- 
 age, and reduced to enter into a compact, they would 
 agree to any proposals tliat were offered; but when th(^ 
 controlling power is withdrawn, and they can repeat 
 their depredations with apparent impunity, no moral 
 obligation would restrain them, and the treaty that 
 was negotiated at so much cost to the country proves 
 a mere delusion. 
 
 The officer having charge of an expedition against 
 the Indians should rightly understand which Oruid of 
 a tribe he is commissioned to punish. The Sioiixs, 
 for instance, which, a few years ago, could raise thirty 
 thousand waniors, are divided into many bands, which, 
 at times, are hundreds of miles apart. One band of 
 that tribe may commit a depredation on the emigrant 
 road, and the other bands not even have heard of it : 
 they do not hold themselves amenable for the misdeeds 
 of another body totally distinct from them in social re- 
 lations, and to inflict chastisement upon them in such 
 a case would be a manifest injustice. But in a case 
 of extreme dano-er all these bauds coalesce. 
 
r>32 
 
 AITOIMOCJUArilY OF 
 
 Oilier frihcrt liavc llio saine divisions into distinct 
 b.'iiuls, iuid niiiny arc Iienco led into the Leliot' that each 
 bund is a tribe. Tiie Siouxs r.uige over a territory 
 upward of a thousand miles in extent from north to 
 Houtli, anil their eountry emLraees some of the most 
 beautiful s])ots in the world, as well for natural scenery 
 as tor extreme j)roduetivenesH of soil. The Crows 
 have but one bajid proper, ulthougli they are generally 
 divided into two villages, as being a more convenient 
 arrangement to afford pasture for their innnensc herds 
 of horses, and also to hunt the buffalo. ]iut these 
 two villages arc seldom more than three hundred miles 
 apart, generally nmeli nearer; they come together at 
 least once a year, and have fre.pient accidental coali- 
 tions in the course of their wanderings. They speak 
 the CJrovan language, from which nation they arc ftn 
 offshoot. 
 
 The Pawnees arc probably the most degraded, in 
 point of morals, of all iheW^estcrn tribes; they are held 
 in such contempt by the other tribes that none will 
 make treaties with them. They arc a populous na- 
 tion, and arc inveterate against the whites, killing them 
 wherever met. A treaty concluded with that nation at 
 night would be violated the next morning. Those who 
 on^-ao'c in warfare with the Western Indians will rc- 
 member that they take no prisoners except women and 
 children. It has generally been believed that the Hiouxs 
 never kill white men, but this is a mistake ; they have 
 always killed them. I have seen white men's scalps 
 in their hands, and many still fresh hanging in the 
 smoke of their lodges. 
 
 The Western Indians have no hummocks or ever- 
 glades to fight among, but they have their boundless 
 prairies to weary an army in, and the fastnesses of the 
 
.jA.Mi:s I'. nKCKWuLiaii. 
 
 r>ni) 
 
 distinct 
 llJlt fiicli 
 territory 
 north to 
 he 111 OH t 
 I scenery 
 c Crows 
 generally 
 mvenient 
 ISC herds 
 Jut these 
 red miles 
 igcther at 
 ital coali- 
 ley speak 
 ey arc an 
 
 jraded, in 
 y arc held 
 none will 
 ulcus na- 
 iling them 
 nation at 
 .'hose who 
 IS will rc- 
 ronien and 
 he Hiouxs 
 they have 
 ill's scalps 
 
 no: in the 
 o 
 
 :s or cver- 
 boundless 
 sscs of the 
 
 Uocky jMountainH to retreat to. Shoiihl a majority of 
 iliosc powerful nations coalesce in dcteiise against one 
 common enemy, it would be tiie worst Indian war — 
 the most costly in blood and treasure that the nation- 
 al government has ever entered into. The coalition 
 tribes could bring two hundred and tifty thousand war- 
 riors against any hostile force, and 1 know I am greatly 
 within the limits of trutli in assigning that number 
 to them. 
 
 If it is the policy of government to utterly extermi- 
 nate the Indian race, the most expeditious manner of 
 effecting this ought to be the one adopted. 1'hc in- 
 troduction of whisky among the lied jNleii, under the 
 connivance of government agents, leads to the demor- 
 alization and consequent extermination, by more pow- 
 erful races, of thousands of Indians annually. Still, 
 this infernal agent is not cflcctual ; the Indians dimin- 
 ish in numbers, but with comparative slowness. The 
 most direct and speedy mode of clearing the land of 
 the;... would be by the simple means of starvation — by 
 depriving them of their hereditary sustenance, the buf- 
 falo. To ctfect this, send an army of hunters among 
 them, to root out and destroy, in every possible man- 
 ner, the animal in question. They can shoot them, 
 poison tlicni, dig pit-falls for them, and resort to num- 
 berless other contrivances to efface the devoted animal, 
 which serves, it would seem, by the wealth of his car- 
 cass, to preserve the Indian, and thus impede the ex- 
 panding development of civilization. 
 
 To light the Indians vi ct annis, the government 
 could employ no such effectual means as to take into 
 its service five hundred mountaineers for the space 
 of one year, and any one tribe of Indians that they 
 should fall foul of could never survive the contest. 
 
r,:\4 
 
 AITOUKHniAIMIY (►K 
 
 Suoli men, employed tor tliat purpose, would have no 
 enciimljiJiiice from supcrlluous bauigagc to impede them 
 iu ji pursuit or a retreat over their illimitable plaiuH. 
 The mode of lite of a mountaineer just tits him for an 
 Indian tighter, and if he has to submit to privation, and 
 put up with an empty eommissariat, he has the means 
 of support always at hand. He is so nmeh an In- 
 dian from habit that lie can fight them in their own 
 way: if they steal his horses, he can steal theirs in 
 return ; if they snatch a hasty repose in the open air, 
 it is all he asks for himself, and his health and spirits 
 are fortified with such regimen. It is only by men 
 possessing the (jualities of the white hunter, condnned 
 with Indian habits, tluit the Indians can be effectually 
 and economically conquered. 
 
 I have now presented a plain, unvarnished state- 
 ment of the most noteworthy occurrences of my life, 
 and, in so doing, I have necessarily led the reader 
 through a A'ariety of savage scenes at which his heart 
 must sicken. The narrative, however, is not without 
 its use. The restless youthful mind, that wearies with 
 the monotony of peaceful every-day existence, and as- 
 pires after a career of wild adventure and thrilling ro- 
 mance, will find, by my experience, that such a life is 
 by no means one of comfort, and that the excitement 
 which it affords is very dearly purchased by the op- 
 portunities lost of gaining far more profitable wisdom. 
 Where one man would be spared, as I have been, to 
 pass through the perils of fasting, the encounters with 
 the savage, and the fury of the wild beasts, and still 
 preserve his life, and attain an age of near threescore, 
 it is not too much to say that five hundred would per- 
 ish, with not a single loved one near to catch his last 
 whispered accent, would die in the wilderness, either in 
 
.rAMKH I'. HKCKWOIRTII. 
 
 tit it I 
 
 I have no 
 [u'clc thoni 
 )lc plaiiiH. 
 liin for m» 
 'Jit ion, and 
 tlic means 
 I'll an Tn- 
 tlieir own 
 1 theirs in 
 J open air, 
 and spirits 
 [y by men 
 , cond)incd 
 eftectually 
 
 died state- 
 of my life, 
 the reader 
 1 his heart 
 ot without 
 Icaries with 
 cc, and as- 
 lirilling ro- 
 2\i a lite is 
 excitement 
 3y the op- 
 Ic wisdom, 
 been, to 
 iters with 
 I, and still 
 threescore, 
 /^ould per- 
 il! his last 
 L cither in 
 
 solitude, or with the fiendish suvaiie shrickiiii]; in rovolt- 
 ing triumph in his ear. 
 
 1 now close the chapter of my eventful life. I feel 
 that time is pressing; and tlie reminiscences of the 
 past, stripped of all that was uin)leasaiit, come crowd- 
 ing upon me. My heart turns naturally to my adopted 
 people. I think of my son, who is the chief; I think 
 of his mother, who went unharmed through the med- 
 icine lodge; I think of Bar-chee-am-pe, llie brave he- 
 roine. I sec her, tearful, watching my departure from 
 the banks of the Yellow Stone. Her nation expects my 
 return, that I may be buried with my supposed fathers, 
 but none looks so eagerly for the great warrior as 
 
 PINE LEAF, THE INDIAN HEROINE. 
 
 I've seen her in her youthful years ; 
 
 Hor heart was liyht and free, 
 llcr black eyes never diniin'd with tears, 
 
 So happy then was siie. 
 When warriors from the fijrht rcturn'd. 
 
 And halted for display, 
 The trophies that tlic victors won 
 
 She was first to bring away. 
 
 I've seen her kiss her brother's cheek 
 
 When he was called to go 
 The lurking enemy to seek, 
 
 Or chase the buU'alo. 
 She loved him with a sister's love : 
 
 He was the only son ; 
 And " Pine Leaf prized him far above 
 
 The v/arriors' hearts she'd won. 
 
 I've seen her in her mourning hourfj - 
 
 That brother had been slain : 
 Her head, that oft was decked with flowerH. 
 
 Now shed its crimson rain ; 
 Her bleeding head and bleeding hand — 
 
 Her crimson, clotted hair — 
 Her brother's in the spirit lnr,d. 
 
 And hence her keen despair. 
 
■«»*» 
 
 o:5G 
 
 ArTOBIOGRArHY OF 
 
 I've heard her make a solemn vow — 
 
 " A warrior I will bo 
 Until a hundred foes shall bow, 
 
 And yield their scal{)s to me ; 
 I will revenge my brother's death — 
 
 I swear it on my life, 
 Or never, while I draw a breath. 
 
 Will I become a wife." 
 
 I've seen Iier on her foaming steed, 
 
 With battle-axe in hand. 
 Pursuing at her utmost speed 
 
 The Black Foot and Shi-an. 
 I've seen her wield her polished lance 
 
 A hundred times and more, 
 When chp'ging fierce in the advance 
 
 Amid the battle's roar. 
 
 I've seen her with her scalping-knife 
 
 Spring on the fallen foe. 
 And, ere he was yet void of life, 
 
 Make sure to count her coo. 
 I've seen her, at full speed again, 
 
 Oft draw her trusty bow. 
 Across her arrow take good aim, 
 
 And lay a warrior low. 
 
 I I 
 
 I've heard her say, " I'll take my shield, 
 
 My battle-axe, and bow. 
 And follow you, through glen or field. 
 
 Where'er you dare to go ; 
 ril rush amid the blood and strife 
 
 Where any warrior leads :"' 
 Pine Leaf would choose to lose her life 
 
 Amid such darin" deeds. 
 
 !| 
 
 I've heard her say, " The spirit land 
 Is where my thoughts "ncline. 
 
 Where I can grasp my brother's hand. 
 Extended now for mine. 
 
 There's nothing now in this wide world- 
 No tie.s that bid me stay ; 
 
 But, a broken-hearted Indian girl, 
 I weep both night and day 
 
JAMES P. liKCKWOITRTir. 
 
 '• He tolls mo in my midnight dreams 
 
 I must rcvcnfre his fall, 
 Then conio where flowers and cooling streams 
 
 Surround their spirits, all. 
 lie tells me that the hunting-ground, 
 
 So far away on high. 
 Is filled with warriors all around 
 
 Who nobly hero did die. 
 
 " Ho says that all is joy and mirth 
 
 Where the Great S[)irit lives, 
 And joy that's never known on earth 
 
 He constantly receives. 
 No brother to revenge his wrontrg 
 
 The war-path is my road : 
 A few more days I'll sing his songs, 
 
 Then hie to his abode." 
 
 I've hoard hor say, " I'll be your bride ; 
 
 You"vc waited long, I know ; 
 A hundred foes by me have died, 
 
 By my own hand laid low. 
 'lis for my nation's good J wed ; 
 
 For I would still be free 
 Tntil T slumber with the dead ; 
 
 i3ut I will marry thee." 
 
 And when I left the heroine, 
 
 A tear stood in her eye 
 As hi.st I held hor hand in mine. 
 
 And whispered a good-by. 
 
 OIj, will you soon return again?" 
 
 The heroine did say ; 
 " ^'.•s, vvhen the green grass <lecks the p in," 
 
 I >*aid, and came away. 
 
 537 
 
 Tin: KXI).