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Show 39o AU'rOBIOGRAPHY OJ;' 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. I made the usual salutation on arriving before them, and, riding through their ranks sullenly, I 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 l\fedicine Calf had arrived, but he was angry. I advanced to the strong and well-secured gate of the fort, and struck it a heavy b~ow with my battleaxe. ''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 ope~ upon their massive hinges, and, as I rode through, I sa1d, "Leave the gates open, boys; there is no longer danger." I exchanged but a few words with l\{r. 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 token of my great displeasure. The braves came round me slowly. My wives all formed themselves in a circular 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 t4e purpose. "What is the matter with our chief?" he inquired; "who has angered the Medicine Calf?" " Did I not tell you," I said, H that I left you in JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 397 charge of the Crane and these other whites during 1ny absence ? And what do I behold on my return?" ." Yes, I told you I 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 water for their use, and they are all alive. Look ! Yonder is the Crane; and his white people are all with him-are they dead ?" " No;· but you intended to kill them." " Yes ; but "listen : if you had not returned before the cherries turned red, we should have kiUed 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. I 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 hair 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. You have seen her triumphant entry into the medicine lodge, where you have beheld so many cut to pieces in attempting the same. You say, Here is the virtuous wife of my fhend ; 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 case, what would you do ? Speak ! " |
