| OCR Text |
Show 272 • AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF eventually recovered, but it was a long while before she could again go to war. The Cheyennes were defeated in the end, with the loss of three scalps, whicl1 were brought into camp. The two villages met at the time appointed at the fort, and disposed of all their peltry. A Mr. Tullecl\: \vas sent up as clerk, and to him I intrusted full charge of the fort, promising hiin the protection of the Crows for the winter, as I intended that one .of our villages should take up their winter quarters in his vicinity. I was at this time salaried by the American Fur Company at three thousand dollars per annum, to reside with the Crows and procure their trade for the company. Our whole nation then crossed the Yellow Stone, and moved on to Mussel Shell River, whence we purposed to go and gather the remains of our late head chief, as the time he had specified for their removal had arrived. The Indians count four seasons in the year; namely, green grass, yellow grass, leaf falling, and snow failing. Our party destined to collect the bones consisted of seven or eight hundred persons of both sexes. On arriving at the grave, we discovered a new Indian trail passing directly over the spot, and we started in immediate pursuit. After a march of six miles, we came upon a Black Foot village of twentyseven lodges, who were returning from the trading-post, having made extensive purchases. At sight of them, every warrior's breast 'kindled. with revenge, they remembering the fail of their chief. We charged furiously upon them, killing and taking prisoners about one hundred and fifty of their party. While the warriors were engaged in the attack, our women attacked the Black Foot women, and killed many of them and • / JAMES P. BECKWOURTH • 273 their children before we could interfere to stop it. !V" e cap t ured qui" te a number of young women and httl.e boys, with an abundance of ~orses~ weapons, ~mmu~tion, scarlet cloth, beads, and sundnes. .we did not r~- cm. ve a scratch , as we attacked them w. i.t h such. over-whelming numbers that they offered tnfhng resist~nce, their chief endeavor being to save themselves by fhg~t. We took up the body of our chief and returned With it to the camp. Then there was another cermnony of cutting and Inaiming, and a bo~y o~ two hund:ed lodges was sent to deposit the remains In the bunal-ground of the chief's ancestors. While this party were av~ay on their mission, those who remained with us .bus~ed themselves in collecting the various sorts of fruit With which the country abounded. . I now received my last name-for I was on the pinnacle of my fame, and they could ennoble me no farther- Nan-kup-bah-pah (Medicine Calf). After tarrying about three weeks, we returned to the fort, where we again spent a short time, and then proceeded to the Big Horn, where we had engage~ to meet Bea-r's Tooth, who had the conduct of the bunal party. While we were resting at the fort, a small party of twenty-three warriors, led by Little Gray Bt~ll, stole from our camp at night, unknown to the chiefs, and when at a safe distance sent us word th~t they w.er~ going to the Cheyenne country in pursuit of spoils. rrhey were the elite of our party, the braves des braves. Not one of that devoted band ever returned. What fate befell them remains to be shown. M2 |
