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Show 454 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF They became infuriated at my refusal, and clamored and threatened if I persisted. I knew it was no use to give way, so I adhered to my resolution. Thereupon they commenced firing upon· the store, and showered the bullets through every assailable point. The windows were shot entirely out, and the assailants swore vengeance against the Crow. According to their talk, I had ~y choice either to die or give them whisky to drink. I had but one man with me in the store. There had been several Canadians in the fort, but on the first alarm they ran to their houses, which were built around the fort, within the pickets, to obtain their guns; but on the Indians informing then1 that they would not hurt them, that it was only the Crow that they were after, the Canadians staid within doors, and abandoned me to my fate. I and my companion sat with our rifles ready cocked, well prepared to defend the entrance to the fort. We had plenty of guns at hand_ ready loaded, and there must a few have fallen before . they passed the gate. At d~sk I closed the door, but we lay upon our arms all n1ght. The Indians kept up a great tumult and pother, but attempted nothing. Messrs. Bent and Saverine arrived in the morning and wanted to be informed of the cause of the disturb~ ance. I acquainted them, and they approved my conduct. They were astonished at my immense pile of robes, and applauded my fortitude. When the Outlaws became sobered, they expressed contrition for what they had done, and charged their excesses upon John Barleycorn, 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. JAMES P. BECKWOUR'fH. 455 Nothing noteworthy occurred until the following January, when the Indians, being again on the spree, once more attempted my life. I fled to a post in the Arrap-a-ho country, in charge of Mr. Alex. Wharfield, now a colonel in the army; he resigned the post to n1e, and took my place at Bent's post. I had but little trouble with the Indians here. Cut Nose, an old brave, who, it seems, had been in the habit of obtaining his drams ofWharfield gratis, expected to be supplied by me on the same terms. I resisted this invasion, and seriously ruffled the feathers of the old chief thereby. He left at my refusal, and did not return again that day. During the ensuing night the Pawn~es came, , and stole both his horses and 1nine. The old man raised a party, went in pursuit, recaptured all the horses, took two scalps, and returned in high spirits. He visited the store, and informed me what he had 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 morning in consequence. 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 me n1y horses, and charged me nothing for their recapture. As soon as the spring trade was over, I abandoned that post and returned to the Arkansas. Saverine desired me to go and see if I could open a trade with a village of Arrap-a-hos which he had heard was encamped at forty miles distance. I accordingly started in their direction, accompanied by two men. We jour- |
