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Show 24 A\ UTOBlOGRAPHY OF "great leg,"* and capab~e, fron1 his Ion~ so~ourning ~11 the n1ountains, of enduring extren1e pilVatlon and fa-tigue. There seemed to be a great reluctance on the part of the men to undertake in such company so hazardo~s a journey (for it was now winter). It was_ also whispered in the camp that whoever gave out 1n a~ expedition with Harris received no succor from h1m, but ,vas abandoned to his fate in the wilderness. Our leader, seeing this general unwillingness, ~esired me to perform the journey with H~rris. Bei~g young, and feeling ambitious to distingu1sh myself 1n some important trust, I asked leave to have a word with Harris before I decided. Harris being called, the following colloquy took place: . . . , " Harris, I think of accompanying you on th1s tnp. "Very well, Jim," he replied, scrutinizing me closely, "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 offer to leave me to perish, as you have the name of doing, if I have strength to xaise 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 off in the morning." The following morning we prepared for departure. Each man loading himself with twenty-five pounds of * i. e., a great traveler; able to go a great distance in a day. JAJ\'IES P. BECKWOURTH. 25 provisions, besides a blanket, rifle, and an1munition each, we started on our journey. After a march of about thirty miles, I in advance, my companion bringing up the rear, I Iarris complained of fatigue. We halted, and Harris sat down, while I built a large, cheering fire, for the atmospher~ 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 seize 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 old mountaineers never suffer their guns to remain empty for one moment), while I was yet rebuilding the £re, crack went his rifle again, and down came a second turkey, so large and fat that he burst in striking the ground. We were thu~ secure for our next morning's meal. After we had refreshed 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 turkey s, and abandoned the remainder to the wolves, who had been all night prowling round the camp for prey. We started forward as early as possible, and advanced that day about forty miles. My companion again complained of fatigue, 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 RepubB |
