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Show • 10~ AUTOBIOG R.APHY Olt' CHAPTER X. Great Battle with the Black Feet.-Departure of General Ashley.His Farewell Speech to the Mountaineers.-Removal of our Rendezvous.- Peace between the Flat Heads and Black Feet.-Trading- post at their Village.-! become Son-in-law to the Black Foot Chief.-Trouble in the Family.-Wife punished for Disobedience. · -Troubled Waters finally stilled. Two days after the arrival of the general, the tocsin again sounded through our whole camp, "The Black Feet ! the Black Feet ! " On they came, m.aking the very earth tremble with the tramp of their fiery warhorses. In their advance they surprised three men and two women belonging to the Snakes, who were out some distance from camp, gathering roots. The whole five were instantly overtaken, killed, and scalped. As soon as the alarm was given, the old prophet came to our ca~np, and, addressing Mr. Sublet, said, "Cut Face, three of my warriors and two women have just been killed by the Black Feet. You say that your warriors can fight- that they are gre~t braves. Now let me see them fight, that I may know your words are true." Sublet replied, "You shall see them fight, and then you will know that they are all braves-that I have no cowards among my men, and that we are all ready to die for our Snake friends." "Now, men,~' added he, turning to us, "I want every brave man to go and fight these Black Feet, and whip them, so that the Snakes may see that we can 11ght, and let us do our best before them as a warning t t . JAMES P. BECKWOUH'fH •. 10~ to them. Remember, I want none to join in this battle who are not brave. Let all cowards remain in camp." Every man was impatient to take part; but, seeing that his camp would be deserted and his goods exposed, he detained quite a number, as well to guard the goods as to keep the general company, he not wishing to take part in the battle. There were over three hundred trappers mounted in a few moments, who, with Captain Sublet at their head, charged instantly on the enemy. The Snake warriors were also on hand, thirsting to take vengeance on the Black Feet for the five scalps of their friends. After retreating before us about five miles, they formed in a place of great security, in a deep hollow on the border of the lake. At our arrival, the battle recommenced in good earnest. We and our allies fought them for about six hours, they certainly displaying great intrepidity, for they would ~epeatedly issue from their stronghold ·and make a bold sortie against us. When intrenched in their position, they had a great advantage over us, as it was difficult for a man to approach them without being shot, and to charge on them as they were situated would have occasioned us great loss of life. One Indian issuing from their position was shot through the back bone, thus depriving his legs of all power of motion. Seeing him fall, Sublet said to me, "Jim, let us go and haul him away, and get his scalp before the Indians draw him in." We went, and, seizing each a leg, started toward our lines with him : the wounded Indian grasping the grass with both hands, we had to haul with all our strength. An Indian, suddenly springing over their breast-work, struck me a heavy blow in the back with his gun, causing me to loose hold. of my leg and. run. Both I |
