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Show 422 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OJ!' CI-IAPTER XXX. Departure for the Mountains.-Severe Sickness on the Way.-Arrival at Bent's Fort.-Arrival at Sublet's Fort.-Interview with the Chcycnnes.- Difficulty with a Sioux Warrior.-His Death.-Succet'>sfnl Trade opened with various Tribes.-Incidcnts. I STAID but five days in St. Louis, which time I devoted to a hasty visit among my friends. I entered into service with Messrs. Sublet and Vasques to return to the mountains and trade with any tribes I might find on the head-waters of the Platte and Arkansas rivers. Tlus country embraces the hunting-grounds of the Cheyennes, the Arrap-a-hos, the Sioux, and the !-a-tans. All preliminaries being arranged, which are of no intere~ t to the reader, I bade my friends once n1ore adieu; and, stepping on board a steam-boat bound up the Missouxi, we were soon breasting its broad and turbid current. We spent the Fourth on board, amid much noise, revelry, and drunken patriotism. We were landed in safety at Independence, where we received our wagons, cattle, etc., with which to convey the immense stock of goods I had brought through the Indian country. We were very successful in escaping accident in our progress over the plains, until we reached the ridge which passes between the Arkansas and Platte rivers. While ascending this ridge, accompanied with Mr. Vasques, I was sun-struck. We were at that time twenty miles from water ; I was burning with thirst, the heat was intolerable, and hostile Indians were before us. After incredible suffering we reached the riv- JAMES P. BECKWOUR'fH. 423 er bank, and crossed the stream to an island, where 1 lay me down to die. All our medicines were in the wagons, and two days' journey in our rear. My fatigue and suffering had thrown me into a fever ; I became delirious, and grew rapidly worse. I requestec.l my companion to return to the wagons and procure me some medicine; but he refused to leave me, lest I might die in his absence. I said to him, "If you stay by me I shall certainly die, for you can not relieve me; but if you go, and nature holds out till you return, there is some chance of my gaining relief. Go," I added, "and hasten your return." l-Ie left me at my entreaties, but filled all our vessels with water before he started. I speedily fell asleep, anJ I know not how long I remained unconscious. When I at length awoke, I drank an inordinate quantity, which caused me to perspire copiously; this relieved me, and my recovery commenced from that moment, although I still suffered from a severe headache. The third day of my friend's absence I could walk about a little, and the fourth day, at noon, I kept a good lookout in the direction I expected succor. Suddenly I saw a head appear, and another, and then another, until four showed themselves. They are Indians, I said to myself; but if there are only four, I stand a passable chance with them, so let them come on. I saw they had discovered me, so I arose and showed myself. With joyous shouts they flew toward me. It was my companion, with three others, who had come either to bury me or to a~sist me to the wagons. Their joy on beholding me so miraculously restored was unbounded, while my delight at seeing them was almost as great. vV e remained on the island that night, and the |
