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Show 290 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF but the vital spark had fled-they were stiff in death. We staid by our fire, which increased in body and warmth, for two days, by which time the storm having subsided, we returned home. The relatives of the lost warriors made a great mourning. for them, while the friends of those who returned with me showered presents and blessings upon me for having been instrumental in saving their kinsmen's lives. It was a time of intense cold. Our whole party were more or less frostbitten ; my face and ears were severely frozen, and were sore for a long time. • The wild buffalo approached so near to our fire that we could shoot them without stirring from our seats. As an excuse for n1y ill success, I informed the Crows that the wrath of the Great Spirit was not yet appeased. Soon after this catastrophe, I informed my people that I wished to wander solitary for a space, to mourn for my two warriors who had perished in the snow. My real intention was to get to the fort, and thus have a respite from the unceasing crying and howling that was kept up throughout the village. On making my intention known, two white men, named Mildrum and Cross, who were staying in our village, desired to accompany me. We started accordingly, taking one squaw with us as servant. On our second day out, we were surprised by a party of two hundred and fifty Black Feet. We took shelter in a thicket of willows, resolved to make a brave stand, and sell our lives for all they were worth. The squaw showed herself a valuable auxiliary by taking good care of our horses, six in number, and building us a little fort of sand, behind which we stood in great security, watching our enemies as they ever and anon made their appearance. We were thus invested for thirty-six hours, the Indians hover- , JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 291 ing about, and losing one of their number at every discharge, without daring to rush in upon us, which had they ventured upon would have proved our inevitable destruction. We were situated so close to the river that we could be supplied with water at all times by the squaw without incurring danger. The second nigl;l.t, our besiegers, having wearied of their exertions, gave us comparative repose. Availing ourselves of the lull, we muffled our horses' feet with our capotes, cut to pieces for the purpose, and, stealing gently down the slope of the bank, we forded the shallow stream, and made the best of our way home. We went whooping and galloping at full speed into the village, displaying nineteen scalps on various parts of our horses. Our victorious return created the most thrilling sensation throughout the village. Every face was washed, the scalp-dance was performed (the first time for two month~), and the hilarity was universally indulged in. The Great Spirit's wTath was appeased, the tide had tuTned in favoT of the Crows, and a continuation of victory was pTedicted fTom this brilliant achievement. CHAPTER XX. Excursion to the Fort.-Arrival of Long Hair's Village.-Building of a new Medicine Lodge.-Triumphant Entrance of my little Wife into the Lodge.-Attack on the Crow Village by the Siouxs.-Meeting of the two Oro~ Villages.-Visit of the Grovans.-Visit to the Grovans and Fort Clarke. A PARTY of nine trappers happening to call at the village on their way to the fort, among whom was my old friend Harris, I pToposed to accompany them. We started, and reached the fort without accident, except |