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Show 210 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF miles distant, that two of our•warriors had that day fallen by their hands, ·and that we must go and avenge their death. The chief assented; but, as a preliminary, directed me and another to count their lodges that night. I undertook the dangerous task, although extremely fatigued with my long journey. We succeeded in the object of our expedition, and found their lodges outnumbered ours by one. There are, as a general thing, from four to six warriors to a lodge ; the Black Foot village comprised two hundred and thirtythree lodges; hence we could form a pretty accurate estimate of the number of warriors we had to contend with. Their village was closely watched by iur spies; every movement made by the enemy was promptly reported to our chief. During the night they appeared to sleep soundly, probably fatig-qed with a late dance. But in the morning they were astir betimes, and having packed up, started forward in our direction, apparently unaware of our presence. On they came- men, women, and children- utterly unconscious of the terrible shock that awaited them. Our warriors were never better prepared for a conflict, and never more certain of victory. We were drawn up on a high table prairie, our whole force concealed fron1 view at no greater distance than half pistol-shot. Their chief led the van, and with him were several young ~quaws, who were laughing and dancing arounJ him, evidently to his great amusement. They were near enough to launch the thunders of war upon them, and our chief' gave orders to charge. The order was instantly carried into effect. The chief who, a moment before, was so joyous, surrounded by his tawny young squaws, was the first to fall beneath my battle- / JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 211 axe, and his attendants scattered like chaff before the wind. We were -upon the warriors so unexpectedly that they had hardly time to draw their weapons before they were overthrown and put to flight. They were encumbered with women, children, and baggage. Our attention was directed solely to the men; the women were unharmed, except those who were overturned by our horses. During the engagement, a powerful Black Foot aimed a blow at me with his battle-axe, which Pine Leaf deprived of its effect by piercing his body through with her lance. In a few moments the fighting was over, and after pursuing the :flying enemy through the timber, we returned to collect the spoils of victory. We took one hundred and seventy scalps, over one hundred and fifty women ·and children, besides abundance of weapons, baggage, and horses. The Crows had twenty-nine wounded. This was a severe blow to the Black Feet; such a slaughter is of rare occurrence in Indian wa1fare. Not- . withstanding this sad defeat, they rallied their broken band, and attacked us again in the afternoon; but it amounted to nothing, and they fled in gloomy confusion beyond the Crow territory. Pine Leaf never signalized herself more than on this occasion. She counted six coos, having killed four of the enemy with her own hand. She had but ~ew superiors in wielding. the battle-axe. My horse was .killed by the blow which was aimed at my head by the Indian whom the heroine killed. I wore a superb head-dress, ornamented with eagles' feathers and weasels' tails-the labor of many days. Early in the action, three of these tails were severed by a bullet which grazed my head. "These Black Feet shoot close," |