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Show 392 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF The savages were infuriated. The whites had heard of the death of the J\!Iedicine Calf, and had closed the gates to prevent the anticipated vengeance. The inmates of the fort were in imminent peril ; horror 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 fro outside the inclosure. Yellow Belly was provisional head chief during n1y absence. Tulleck called him to him. He rode up and inquired, "What is the matter? Why are your gates shut against us?" ''I had a dream last 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 Medicine Calf, and we are going to kill you all." " But the JYiedicine Calf is not dead ; he will certainly come back again." " Yes, he is dead. The 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 fly into the air; if you attempt to run, I will put five thousand warriors upon your trail, and follow you to the white 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 was, ''Away! you smell bloody!" • ,. JAMES P. BECKW'UCRTH. 393 Mr. Tullecl\:, however, induced him to approach, and said, "Black Panther, I have always loved your father, and you, and all the warriors. I-Iave I ever told you a lie?" "No." '' They have told you that your father is dead, but they have lied ; he lives, 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. vVhen he is here, I feel happy-! feel strong ; but if he is dead, I shall never feel happy any more. My 1nother has cried four suns for him, and tells me I shall see him no more, which makes n1e cry." "Your father shall come back, n1y 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 the 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 we 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!" Th~ child accordingly went to Yellow Belly, and begged him to grant one request. The chief, supposing 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 R2 |