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Show 424 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF following morning started for the wagons, which. we found in two days. In going for assistance, my friend had a narrow escape. He came suddenly upon a party of Pawnees, and one made a rush for his horse. l-Ie discharged his rifle hastily, and missed his mark. lie then had to trust to his horse's heels; but, as he was jaded, he did not make very good speed. The Indians were on foot, and gave close chase, but, when they saw his rifle reloaded, they fell back to a wider distance, and plied him with anows until he was out of reach. I was placed in a wagon, and attended on as far as our circumstances would admit, until I recovered my accu.stomed health. We staid one night at Burt's Fort, on the Arkansas, and then moved on to our destination on the South Fork of the Platte. Here we erected suitable buildings within the fort for our proposed trading, and, among others, a barn, which we proceeded to fill with hay for the coming winter. While staying at the fort, a 1nan inquired of Sublet his reason for bringing up such a rascally fellow as I, to prompt the Indians into Tising and massacring all the whites. " Murray," said Sublet- for that was the man's name-" it is unsafe for you to express such sentiments in relation to Beckwourth ; should they reach his ears, he would surely make you rue it. I have heard these foul aspersions upon his character before, and I am in a position to know that they are all unfounded. Had I the least suspicion of his integrity, I should be the last man to take him in my employ." . This conversation was reported to me at some distance from the fort, where Murray was perfectly safe. But these foul reports annoyed me exceedingly. They J .c~MES P. BECKWOURTH. 425 were like stabs in the dark, for no one ever accused me to my face of such misdeeds. Aftm· having placed things to rights, we were dining together within the fort, when Mr. Sublet rose and said, "Traders and clerks, you have come here to the mountains to work for me, and I expect every man to do his best. If I am prospered, I will do well by all of you. I desire a regular system established in my business out here, that my interests may be placed upon a secure footing. I an1 now going to deliver the key of my entire stock of goods to one man among you, in whom I have implicit confidence, and whose long experience and intimate acquaintance with the Indian character pre-eminently entitle him to the trust. This man will have full command of the fort, and full charge of its affairs. I wish you to receive him as a representative of myself~ and, whatever orders you receive from him, obey them cheerfully and to the very letter." All present promised ready acquiescence to the wishes of our chief. He then delivered the key to me, saying, "Beckwourth, I place this trust in your keeping, believing you to be as morally worthy of the confidence I repose in you, as you are practically qualified to advance my interests. I abandon my affairs to your keeping. Do your best, and I shall be satisfied." I was so entirely unprepared for this distinguished mark of confidence, that for a moment I was unable to reply. After a momentary inesolution, I said, "Mr. Sublet, you have other men present who are better able to discharge this trust. I thank you for the flattering preference, but I beg to be excused ·om assuming the responsibility." |