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Show 44 AUTOBIOGRAPHY 0~., surrouna , '' ar1d lr~1 "lled fourteen hundred buffa.l oes. The tongues were counted by General Ashley h1~self, and thus I can guarantee the truth of the assert1~n. To the reader unacquainted with the Ind1an mode of taking these animals, a concise description may not be uninteresting. There were probably engaged in this hunt from one to two thousand Indians, some mounted and some on foot. They encompass a large space where the buffaloes are contained, and, closing in around them on all points, form a complete circle. Their circle at first inclosed may measure perhaps six miles in diameter, with an irregular circumference determined by the n1ovements of the herd. When "the surround" is formed, the hunters radiate from the main body t'o the right and left until the ring is entire. The chief 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 begun. The unhappy victims, finding themselves hemmed in on every side, run this way and that in their mad efforts 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 resistance. 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 appearance of one vast slaughter-house. He who has been most successful in the work of devastation is celebrated 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 P. BECKWOURrrH. 45 whole band. Flaying, dressing, and preserving the meat next engages their attention, and affords them full employment for several weeks. The "surround" accomplished, we received permission from Two Axe to take up our line of march. Accordingly, we started along the river, and had only proceeded five miles from the village when we found that the Platte forked. Taking the south fork, we journeyed 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 ou~ 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. Sufferings 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 wound· ed Buffalo. -Remarkable Rescue of the General from the Green 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 to advance as far as possible, in order to open a trade with the Indians, and occupy ours.elves in trapping during the finish of the season. We were again put upon reduced rations, |
