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Show 208 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF written at Fort Union, at the mouth of the Yellow Stone, where he desired me to see him. It was delivered to me by Mr. Winters, who, in company with one man, had found his way unharmed. M 'Kenzie wished me to see him immediately on business of importance, as he wished, through my influence, to establish a trade with the Crows. On communicating my intention of performing the journey, all expostulated at my going. I gave them my positive word that I would return in eighteen suns, if not killed on the way. It was a long and hazardous journey to undertake, having to traverse a distance of seven hundred and sixty miles, exposed to numerous bands of hostile Indians. I succeeded in reaching the fort in safety, where I found M'Kenzie with a great stock of miscellaneous goods. I arrived late in the afternoon, dispatched my business with him hastily, and started on my return in the morning. I took ten pack-horses laden with goods to trade with the Indians, in addition to which several boats were freighted and sent to me up the Yellow Stone. Two men accompanied me to the Crow country. We had no trouble on our way until we arrived within a few miles of our village (as I supposed it), when, as we were marching on, I remarked something unfamiliar in the appearance of the place. I ordered the two men to turn their animals up a little valley close by, while I took a nearer look at the village. A closer inspection confirmed my mistake; I saw the lodges were painted a different color from our own. I followed the pack-. horses, and found a trail which led to the Crow village, and concealed from the observation of the village we had approached. Soon after entering the trail, I discovered the fresh tracks of five Indians, going the di ... JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 20 rection that we were. • I halted the pack-horses, and rode on to get a sight of ~hem. · At a short distance I perceived the five men, and, unobserved by them, I rode on and entered a low place until I approached within a few rods of them. I took a short survey of them, and concluded that they must be enemies belonging to the village we had just left. They were on foot; and I conceived myself a match for the whole five. I leveled my rifle, and was taking aim, when my horse moved his head and disconcerted my sight. I tried again, with precisely the same result. I then dismounted, and advanced two or three steps nearer my object. As I was about to fire, having the rei?. on my arm, the horse made another motion, thus sp01lmg my aim for the third time. At that moment one of them made a yawning expression in the ~row language, ~nd I was so terrified at his narrow escape that the nfle dropped from my hand. I called to them, telling them the danger they had escaped. "Why," said they, "you would not have attacked :fi. ve of us ?" " Yes," I said, " and would have killed every one of you, had you been enemies." They then informed me that they had lost two men that day near the village of the Black Feet, who we~e now, beyond doubt, dancing over their scalps. I did not wait to hear more, but directed them to return to my horses and assist the men in getting on to the Crow village as soon as possible. I rode forward to make my arrival known. My return was welcomed with the liveliest demonstrations of joy by the whole tribe. But I del~yed no time in ceremonial. I called a council forthwith, and informed them that the Black Feet were encamped te:q |