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Show 490 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF to dispose of to the discharged troops. I had arrived within a short distance of my ranch, when I met a man who advised me to conceal myself. Two rewards had been offered for my apprehension: one of a thousand dollars by Colonel Price, and another of five hundred dollars by l\1r. Kissack, Quarter-master. I was accused of confederating with rebels and Indians. and assisting them in stealing horses from the whites and leading the hostile bands in their warfare upo~ the American troops. I listened to his information, and was astonished at the invention. "That is news indeed," I said. "But ~hey sJ~all not have the profit all to themselves; I will Immediately go and deliver myself up, and obtain the rewards." . "I a dv i.s e you, as a friend, not to go," rejoined my Interlocutor, "for they will assuredly hang you directly they lay hands upon you." " Well, hang or not hang," I answered, " I am resolved to go, for I have not been a month absent from s.anta Fe, and I can give account of every day and night I have since spent." At the time I met with my informant, I had an order from C~ptain Mo~ri~, of the United States Army, in my poe mt, authonzmg me to pick up all the government l:o~ses that I might fi.nd in my rambles, and bring them In , but up to the time that I was informed ·of the charges against me, I had found but one horse the property of Captain Saverine, and it I had rest~red to the owner. Accordingly, I returned without delay to Taos, where I saw Colonel Willock, who was lieutenant under Colonel Price. Him I acquainted .th d t . . Wl my e enninatiOn to proceed to Santa Fe, to deliver myself up for the rewards that were offered for my ap- • • JAMES P. BECKWOURTH. 491 prehension, but he urgently requested me not to go. He was about to start with an expedition against the Apaches, and wished to engage me as spy, interpreter, and guide. He promised to forward an exculpatory letter to Santa Fe that should set me all right with the authorities. The letter was sent, but not delivered, as the messenger was shot on the way . I concludeq to accompany the colonel, and aid him to the extent of my ability in the object of his expedition. We started with a small battalion of volunteers for the Apaches. The fhst day in camp, the common soldier's fare was spread for dinner, which at that time I felt but little appetite for.- I informed the colonel that I would go out and kill an antelope. "Why," said he, "there is not an antelope within ten miles around; · the soldiers have scoured the whole country without seeing one." I told him I felt sure I could find one, and took up my rifle and was about to ·start. ''Hold on!" cried the colonel; ''I will go with you, and will further engage to pack on my back all you kill." We started, and kept on the road for about half a mile, when I discovered the tracks of three antelopes which had just crossed our path, and gone in the directiori of a hill close by. The colonel did not see the tracks, and I did not point them out to him~ We passed on a few rods farther, when I suddenly stopped, threw my head back, and began to sniff like a dog scenting his prey. '' What the dickens are you sniffing so for ?" asked the colonel. " I am sure that I smell an antelope," said I. " You smell antelope ! " and the colonel's nostrils began to dilate ; '' I can smell nothing." |