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Show 242 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF water, an order she complied with, smiling coquettishly at me the while. I then retired to my lodge to change my dress, as portions of it were stained with our travel through the mountains. While I was in my lodge, madam came over with a splendid war-horse, which her husband had sent me, on which to return and fight the Black Feet I had just discovered. She said, "My husband has sent this war-horse to the Bloody Arm, and requests him to lead the Crows to the enemy." I was soon on the road, with enough mounted warriors to eat the whole party of the enemy; for they were only a short distance from our village, and, desirous of excitement, every one wished to go. Judging where the enemy would encamp that night, we traveled on until we arrived near the anticipated encampment. Pr~vious to starting, my little wife, who, by being th.e Wife of a great brave, was as good as any woman, Wished to bear me company and carry my shield. But I refused .h~r, allegi~g that the danger was too great, and prom1smg to pmnt her face when I returned. One of my sisters then volunteered, and I accepted her offer, taking her with me to carry my shield and lead my war-horse. As soon as it was light enough in the morning, I sent out small parties in all directions to look for their trail, that we might track them to their den. In ten or fifteen minutes after the parties left, we heard thereport of a gun, and the war-hoop raised. The Crows assembled in the direction of the report, all drawing toward~ a centre. When I arrived, I saw that the Black ] eet had chosen a strong position, and that we had another fort to storm. It was built partly by na- JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 243 ture, but human industry had improved the stronghold. It was low water, and there was a pile of drift on a naked sand-bar, and trees had been felled from the bank upon the drift-pile, forming quite a shelter. Over this position the enemy was placed, protected with a breast-work formed of timber taken from the drift. When I reached the ground, I saw two of our reckless braves talking carelessly under the enemy in this inclosed space, as if they had been in a secure lodge. I regarded them for a moment, and, thinking to display as much bravery as they had, I dismounted and ran to the place, although several shots were fired at me from the fort, none of which took effect. "What are you here for ?" inquired one of them of me. " In the first place," I said, "tell me what you are here for." " Why we are old warriors, and you are not." "If I am not an old warrior," I answered, "I will be one." I then regarded the rough flooring over head, which sep~rated us from our foes, and perceived an aperture hardly large enough to admit my fist. I stood under it a moment, and as the warriors were moving about, one of them stepped over the aperture and remained there. I thrust my lance up with my whole force, and drew it back reeking with blood. "There, old warriors," said I to my two companions, '' who has drawn the first blood now ? Who struck them first? Old warriors, or a young brave ? How do you like the look of my lance ? Do you see it ?" "Yes, yes, we s~e it. You have done well, young brave!" "Well," said I, "you can stay here out of danger |