 18. The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckworth, Mountaineer, Scout and Pioneer, and Chief of the Crow Nation of Indians. Written from his own dictation by T. D. Bonner. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit leverbox.org. The Indians, having made all their requisite purchases, moved on to the Little Horn River. Six or eight days' travel from the fort. We encamped here for the purpose of planting tobacco, which is done by the prophets and medicine men. After which a great feast is provided and a general time of dancing and rejoicing follows. The tobacco plant grows spontaneously in the snake country, but it is cultivated by the crows in several other tribes. It is a tolerably good substitute for the cultivated species for the purpose of smoking, but it is unfit to chew. The plant very closely resembles garden sage and forms into heads similar to the domestic flax. At this camp the first counselor made a speech to the warriors and spoke in substance as follows. Warriors! Redbird has served you faithfully many winters. He is now old. He can be young no more. His body has been made weak by the numerous wounds he has received in fighting the enemies of the crows. He now wishes for repose and not to be disturbed in his slumbers by being called into the council at all hours of the night when his body, once so powerful, now requires rest. He is desirous of joining the medicine men that he will not be compelled to go to war. But he will always be ready to defend his own village, the women and the helpless, and to give up his life for them. Redbird's medicine in the warpath has grown weak. Let the younger warriors who are brave and active have an opportunity to try their medicine. We have plenty who deserve to be promoted, who are as brave as the she-bearer and as swift as the antelope. Warriors! I now give up my position as first counselor. I have done! Long hair replied as follows. Redbird, we feel that our hearts are sorry that you have seen fit to cease to be our first counselor. You have served our people long and faithfully. Your council has been good. Under your wise direction we have prospered. We would rather that you had still directed us, but you say it is your desire to have repose. Be it so. We know that your body is weak. We know that you have received numerous wounds from the weapons of our enemies. We know that you never turned your back upon the foe. Now we need a sixth counselor and must select one from the braves here present. Will you name him for us? No, said the old man. I have never had any enemies among my braves and I do not wish to make them now. I should not know which to choose were I to attempt it. They are all brave. It was at length resolved that one of the medicine men should be blindfolded and go among the most distinguished braves and whoever he first placed his hand upon should take his seat as sixth counselor. The distinguished braves then gathered promiscuously together. A close bandage was placed over the eyes of the medicine man in a way he went among the crowd. The five counselors being among the braves he placed his hand on one of them and cried out, Here is your sixth counselor. You are wrong, said Longhair. He is counselor already. He then went through the crowd and laid his hand upon another brave, crying out as before. Longbow was therefore declared to be the choice of the people for sixth counselor of the nation. When the seat of the first counselor falls vacant, the others are elevated one degree, thus leaving the lowest station vacant. The village now crossed the bighorn on their way to Sun River Creek, a small tributary of the Yellowstone. At bighorn I took forty warriors and started in quest of black feet and horses. After traveling two days, I was overtaken by the head chief, Arah Puash, with one hundred and seventy-five warriors. He was evidently chagrined about something. Not wishing him to go to war, as I expected nothing less than that he would rush in and throw away his life. I told him that I should avoid the warpath, that my medicine told me my warpath was bad and I intended to return to the village. I started forthwith and he followed me. On coming inside of the village we halted and encamped for the night. I stole away in the night with seventy-five warriors and made for the enemy's country, hoping that the old chief would return to the village. But he took my trail the next morning and overtook me with his remaining followers. He advanced to me and said, Bloody arm, you are a great warrior. You do not wish me to go to war, but I will. I shall never return to the village. I am going to die. The crows are fools. I have given them good counsel and they would not listen to my words. I have fought for them during many years. I have shed much blood for them. I have tried to make them a great people, but they have closed their ears. I am going to the big village of the great spirit. If you do not wish to go in the path with me, you can go in another path. I will find the enemy alone and die. When he had finished speaking, he dismounted. Then, placing the edge of his shield on some buffalo chips, he said, Warriors, you see my shield. If it rises I shall die before I return to the village. If not, I shall return. He then addressed the sun for some minutes, after which he took his lance and made several motions with it. Then, giving a bound, the shield was raised as high as his head and not a warrior saw him touch it. Then everyone present believed his words, namely that he would never return alive to the village. I knew that the shield must have some elevating agency, but it was concealed. My attention was so riveted upon the chief that I did not discover the power that produced the seeming miracle. The scouts now ran in to report that there were fourteen black feet, but a short distance off, who were approaching us on foot. All was then bustle of preparation for a moment, and the trick of the shield was forgotten. A way we sped to find the enemy. We speedily found them, and they, perceiving escape was impossible, prepared to sell their lives as dearly as they could. The old chief was the first to charge impetuously upon the scanty foe. As his steed plunged through them, he cut down one with his battle axe. Then, wheeling and again passing their line, he clove a second. Again, turning to pass the enemy's line a third time, he had already raised his arm to strike. When an arrow entered his body just below the hip, and passed clean through, showing itself near the shoulder, every warrior paused in astonishment at seeing their chief thus furiously engaged. But when he fell, a demon seemed suddenly to possess them, and the few surviving black feet were hewed to pieces in a moment. Every warrior gathered round the dying chief. His lifeblood was fast draining from his mortal stroke. Warriors, he said. I came here to die. My wish will soon be gratified. A rapouache will lead you no more to war. My home will soon be in the spirit land. My people were fools, and would not listen to my counsel. Bloody arm, come to me. You must now take the place of Arapouache. You are brave and wise. You fight the enemy, and vanquish them without losing our own warriors. Your medicine is powerful. Warriors, listen to your dying chief. You, bloody arm, are the only brave who can keep the nation together. The crows disobeyed my orders, and I did not like to punish them for it. I loved my people too well. I was too kind to them for their own good. I was too indulgent. They all fear you, and will obey your words. If they obey you, they will increase and become a powerful people, as I have wished them to be. But if they disobey you, they will not be a nation to winters more. Their enemies are numerous and powerful, and they will rub out all the crows unless they hearken to what you say. My eyes grow dim. Red arm, are you listening? I cannot see. I am listening to all you say, I replied. It is well. Then take this shield and this metal. They both belong to you. The metal was brought from our great white father many winters ago by the red-headed chief. When you die, it belongs to him who succeeds you. Listen. Tell Namina Deshi, the wife that I have always loved, that if our child, yet unborn, shall be a son, to tell him who his father was. Red arm, listen. I hear you, I said. Let my body be buried under this spot. Suffer no warrior to make a track on this warground for one season. Then come and seek my bones, and I will have something good for you. I can hear the voice of the great spirit. It sounds like the moaning of the mighty wind through the dark, gloomy forest. He calls for a rapouache to come to the spirit land. I must go. Remember. The word, remember, expired on his lips as his soul winged its flight to the spirit land. Every warrior, except Yellowbelly, who was a brother of the old chief, immediately set up the most dismal crying that I have ever heard in my life. I dispatched a herald to the village to inform them of the head chief's death, and then bearing him according to his directions, we slowly proceeded homeward. My very soul sickened at the contemplation of the scenes that would be enacted at my arrival. When we drew inside of the village, we found every lodge laid prostrate. We entered amid streaks, cries, and yells. Blood was streaming from every conceivable part of the bodies of all who were old enough to comprehend their loss. Hundreds of fingers were dismembered, hair torn from the head lay in profusion about the paths. Whales and moans in every direction assailed the ear, where unrestrained joy had a few hours before prevailed. This fearful morning lasted until evening of the next day. The morning following I ordered the removal of the village in the direction of the rosebud. We there built a council lodge, and all the prophets and medicine men in the village were assembled in it on its completion. The national records were read over, and after a lengthy ceremony performed by the great men, it was unanimously declared that they had elected me first counselor. And that, conjointly with long hair, I was head chief of the nation, which pronuncia meanto was recorded. It then devolved upon me to deliver my inaugural address. As nearly as I can recollect, I spoke as follows. Brothers and warriors, the great Arapuash is no more. He has met his fathers in Kindred who preceded him to the spirit land. He has told all concerning you that yet survive on earth. He has related your deeds of bravery, which makes the spirits rejoice. He has also told of your disobedience to your chief, which has made them cry and become dark. The great spirit becomes angry at you when he sees his heroes mourn. But, although you displeased Arapuash by disobedience and made his heart to mourn, he intercedes for you there that if you now obey the chiefs you have chosen to lead you, your war paths may constantly be prosperous. Your buffalo and beaver shall always abound, and you may become a great and powerful people. I am now your great chief. If you obey what I say to you, I can make you all you wish to be. By my long stay with the whites, I possess advantages which the chiefs of no other tribe possess. I can get twice as much for our robes and beavers as you ever got before. I came back to you and can talk to our white brethren and they understand all my words. They know that if they cheat my people I shall find it out. My medicine tells me that we must not make war on our enemies unless they first kill our people or steal our horses. We must then attack them with many warriors so that we may run no danger of being rubbed out. I shall never consent for our nation to have more than two villages at one time. Let those two villages keep their warriors, their wives, and their children together and not subdivide when they are sure to be attacked by the enemies. When our village is united, no enemy will ever dare to attack it. My brother Longhair is a very great brave, a wise chief. He will guide one village and it will be my duty to guide the council and direct the other. I want all my warriors to lay aside the battle axe and lance for a season and turn their attention to hunting and trapping. Our streams are full of beaver as also are our prairies with buffalo. Our squaws excel all others in dressing robes for which the whites pay us a great price. Then let us get all the robes they can dress and not keep them in idleness as mere play things. If we keep them at work, they will be healthy and strong and brave when they become warriors. They can also buy everything they require, both for themselves and their children, while the beavers of the warriors will also supply our wants. Warriors, how can we do all this if we scatter over the country in numerous little villages, subject to continual attacks from our enemies who will cut us off a few at a time until we are all rubbed out? No, obey me and keep yourselves undivided and if enemies attack us, we can kill ten of them when they kill one crow. Thus my medicine says, But if you disobey me and will not harken to my words, then I shall surely leave you and return to my white friends, not enduring to see the nation become weak and flying before their enemies and our women and children carried into captivity. Obey and assist me, then and I will do my best in your behalf. Warriors, I have done! This oration was received with undisguised approval and I received the name of Good War Road. A herald having been dispatched to our other village to acquaint them with the death of our head chief and request them to assemble at the Rosebud in order to meet our village and devote themselves to a general time of mourning, there met in conformity with this summons over ten thousand crows at the place indicated. Such a scene of disorderly, vociferous mourning no imagination can conceive nor any pen portray. Long hair cut off a large roll of his hair, a thing he was never known to do before. The cutting and hacking of human flesh exceeded all my previous experience. Fingers were dismembered as readily as twigs and blood was poured out like water. Many of the warriors would cut two gashes nearly the entire length of their arm. Then separating the skin from the flesh at one end would grasp it in the other hand and rip it asunder to the shoulder. Others would carve various devices upon their breasts and shoulders and raise the skin in the same manner to make the scars show to advantage after the wound was healed. Some of their mutilations were ghastly and my heart sickened to look at them but they would not appear to receive any pain from them. It was frequently asked of me why I did not mourn. I told them that my medicine forbade me to mourn in their manner but that I mourned in my heart and in painting my face. I would frequently represent to them the folly of maiming themselves and appearing before the eyes of the Great Spirit so greatly disfigured but I lost my labor. By torturing themselves their pagan minds suppose they were rendering acceptable sacrifices to the Great Spirit and performing penance for offenses against his will. It was religion and to interfere with their received opinions would have subjected me to the imputation of infidel and perhaps have entailed upon me expulsion from my high office. The morning over I selected 70 young warriors and started out in search of feats of arms according to their custom to prove my fortune in my new office. I crossed the Missouri into the Azne Bone Country where we fell in with 15 Indians and four old women. We killed them all and returned home with their scalps. There was but slight rejoicing on my return on account of our recent affliction. I should have mentioned that at the assembly of our two villages a grand council was held wherein certain principles of action were deliberated and adjusted. On the death of a chief all his plans die with him and it devolves upon his successor to come to an understanding with his confederate head chief and this deliberation it is determined upon what rules the villages shall move, which direction each shall take and what shall be the relations existing between them. There is generally a harmony preserved between the chiefs and much method is shown in the preliminary adjustment of details. Long hair and myself were the best of friends and my allied brother was the elect to the office of six counselor so that there was a promising indication of unanimity in our administration. The villages then separated with an understanding that they should again assemble at the fort in one moon. The attention of the nation was turned to trapping and killing buffalo and the stalk of accumulated peltry that fall was prodigious. When I started on my excursion to the Azne Bone, pine leaf begged to accompany me. Her arm was far from sound and I refused to take her. However soon after I had left one of my leaders invaded the Cheyenne country and regardless of my wishes she accompanied the expedition. She was brought home as all supposed mortally wounded. A ball had penetrated her left breast just escaping the heart. It had passed through her body coming out at the shoulder blade and tearing away a portion of it in its exit. On seeing her in this pitable condition I resigned all hope of her recovery. So much said I for disregarding my counsel. I would not allow you to go with me in consideration of your wound but you took advantage of my absence and now you are done for. Well she replied, I am sorry that I did not listen to my chief but I gained two coups. The party accompanying her lost four warriors wounded in rescuing her and saving her scalp. She 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 which were brought into camp. The two villages met at the time appointed at the fort and disposed of all their peltry. A Mr. Tulik was sent up his clerk and to him I entrusted full charge of the fort. Promising him the protection of the crows for the winter is I intended that one of our village should take up their winter quarters in his vicinity. I was at this time salaried by the American fur company at $3,000 per annum. To reside with the crows and procure their trade for the company. Our whole nation then crossed the Yellowstone and moved on to Musselshell River whence we proposed 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 falling. 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 an immediate pursuit. After a march of six miles we came upon a blackfoot village of 27 lodges who were returning from the trading post having made extensive purchases. At sight of them every warrior's breasts kindled with revenge. They remembered the fall of their chief. We charged furiously upon them killing and taking prisoners about 150 of their party. While the warriors were engaged in the attack our women attacked the blackfoot women and killed many of them and their children before we could interfere to stop it. We captured quite a number of young women and little boys with an abundance of horses, weapons, ammunition, scarlet cloth, beads and sundries. We did not receive a scratch as we attacked them with such overwhelming numbers that they offered trifling resistance. Their chief endeavor being to save themselves by flight. We took up the body of our chief and returned with it to the camp. Then there was another ceremony of cutting and maiming. And a body of 200 lodges was sent to deposit the remains in the burial ground of the chief's ancestors. While this party were away on their mission those who remained with us busied 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. Nankup Bapa, medicine calf. After tearing about three weeks we returned to the fort where we again spent a short time and then proceeded to the binghorn where we had engaged to meet Bearstooth who had the conduct of the burial party. While we were resting at the fort a small party of 23 warriors led by little Grey Bull stole from our camp at night unknown to the chiefs and when at a safe distance sent us word that they were going to the Cheyenne country in pursuit of spoils. They were the elite of our party. The braved of braves. Not one of that devoted band ever returned. What fate befell them remains to be shown. End of Chapter 18 Chapter 19 The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckworth Mountaineer, Scout and Pioneer and Chief of the Crow Nation of Indians Written from his own dictation by T. D. Bonner This is a lever box recording. All lever box recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit leverbox.org While staying at our camp on the binghorn a messenger arrived with the intelligence that Thomas Fitzpatrick was back upon the mountain and that he wished me to visit him without loss of time. My affairs were in such a position that I could not possibly leave but I sent my father and two of my best warriors to escort him into the village. The next morning they returned with Fitzpatrick and party to the number of 35 men and over 200 horses. They encamped a short distance out. I visited the camp and was received with a cordial welcome. I was introduced to a captain steward an English officer who had figured conspicuously as I was informed under the Iron Duke and was now traveling the far west in pursuit of adventure. Also to a Dr. Harrison, a son of the hero of Tipa Canoe and to a Mr. Brotherton with several other gentlemen who are all taking a pleasure excursion. While sitting in their quarters I observed some of the crows looking very wistfully at the horses belonging to our new friends knowing that the most incorruptible of Indians have a moral weakness for horses. I ordered some of my faithful dog soldiers to watch them. I then invited the gentlemen to the village which invitation they readily accepted. The visitors left at an early hour but Fitzpatrick remained to talk matters over until quite late in the evening. I offered him a bed in my lodge but he preferred sleeping in his own quarters. Shortly after his arrival Fitzpatrick incidentally mentioned that the Cheyennes had killed an entire party of crows but he omitted all mention of the part his men had taken in the massacre and that one of his men had been wounded in the affair. He had also a horse that had belonged to one of the fallen heroes purchased by him of the Cheyennes. Had he acquainted me with this circumstance when he first saw me the very unpleasant sequel that I am about to relate would have been avoided. One of the crow braves was son to a member of the party massacred and he recognized his late father's horse. This discovery had occasioned the scrutiny which I have remarked earlier in the evening but the cause of which I was in utter ignorance. On the retiring of Fitzpatrick I laid down for the night. I had not fallen asleep when the murdered brave son entered my lodge and addressed me. That doesn't gaffe. What must we do with these white men? What must we do with them? repeated I not apprehending his meaning. Yes, I say so. Why? Take them into your lodges and feast them and give them beds to sleep on if they wish it. No. No. That is not what I mean, he said. You know these are the white men who killed my father. They have his horse here with them and a wounded man wounded in their fight with the crows. He then left me to go as I supposed to his lodge and I thought no more of the matter. I soon fell asleep and woke no more till morning. On awakening I heard a great rush or trampling of horses and springing out of bed I inquired of a squaw what was the matter in the village. Why, don't you know the whites are all dead? she made reply. The whites are all dead? repeated I, thunderstruck. I ran out and ordered my war horse to be got ready in a moment. I next ran to the lodge where winter slept and found it filled with crows. I asked what all this uproar meant. I don't know, said he. I have wished to go to your lodge to see you but they would not let me leave. They have been clamoring about Thomas. Thomas all night. At this moment Fitzpatrick rode up with an Indian behind him. Fitz said I, what in the name of God does all this mean? Where are your men? They are all dead I expect by this time said he blankly and I presume you have sent for me to murder me at your own discretion. When did you leave them? Were they alive when you left them? They were going down the river and a thousand Indians in hot pursuit after them he said. Go over to my father's lodge I said to him and stay till I return. I then mounted my war horse being well armed and addressed my father. I am mad I said. I am going to die. He gave the war hoop so loud that my ears fairly tangled as a signal for my relatives to follow me. They gathered round. Go said he and die with the medicine calf. On I dashed in mad career for six or seven miles along the bank of the river until I came in sight of the men. I seem to have traveled the space in the same number of minutes for the horse flew with lightning speed upon his errand. He dropped dead beneath me in his prodigious exertions he had burst the blood vessel. I ran forward on foot shouting to Fitzpatrick's men run to me! Run to me quickly! They heard me and hesitated at my summons. At length one started and the others followed running at their utmost speed toward me. A hill rose on each side the river closing together and arching over the stream a short distance in advance of the party when I arrested their steps. In this pass the crows had taken their position intending to massacre the party as they attempted to force their passage. As they reached me I serried them around me the crows charging from the hills upon us at the same time. I now saw my band of relatives and friends approaching us from the village. As the exasperated Indians came surging on toward us I advanced toward them and ordered them to desist. They arrested their course. What do you want? they asked. Do you wish those whites to live? After you have killed me I said you can march over my dead body and kill them but not before. They then wheeled and fell in with my party of relatives who were fast arriving and encircling the whites. I then requested each man to mount horse behind my relatives and return with us to the village. All did so except steward. I requested him also to mount. No said he. I will get on behind no damn rascal and any man that will live with such wretches is a damned rascal. I thank you for your compliment I returned but I have no time to attend to it here. Captain Stewart said Charles a war field after word Colonel in the United States Army that's very unbecoming language to use at such a time. Come, come boys interposed Dr. Harrison let us not be bandying words here we will return with them whether for better or for worse. After I had mounted the party I borrowed a horse of one of my warriors and led them back to the village. For temporary safety I deposited the party in my father's lodge. Fitzpatrick inquired of me Jim what in the name of God are you going to do with us? I don't know yet I said but I will do the best possible for you. I then called the dog soldiers to me and commanded them together with the little wolves to surround the village and not suffer a single person to go out. They all repaired to their stations I next took fifty faithful men and made a thorough search throughout the village beginning at the extreme row of lodges. By this means I recovered all the goods once in the possession of Fitzpatrick in good condition except his scarlet and blue claws which had been torn up for blankets and wearing apparel but still not much injured for the Indian trade. I also recovered all his horses with the exception of five which had been taken to Bear's tooth's camp. I had the goods well secured and a strong guard of my relatives placed over them. The reader may perhaps inquire what restrained the infuriated crows from molesting the rescued party on their way to the village. Simply this when an Indian has another one mounted behind him the supposition is that he has taken him prisoner and is conducting him to headquarters. While thus placed the Indian having him in charge is responsible with his life for his security. If he fails to protect him himself and all his kindred are disgraced an outrage upon the prisoner is construed into pusillanimity on the part of the custodian. Prisoners are also safe while in custody in the village. Their inviolability is then transferred to the responsibility of the chief. This is Indian morals. I was informed subsequently that the Englishman as soon as he approached me cocked his gun and tending to shoot me. It was well for him as well as his party that he altered his mind. For if he had harmed me there would not have been a piece of him left the size of a five penny bit. I was doing all that lay in my power to save the lives of the party from a parcel of ferocious and exasperated savages. His life depended by the slightest thread over the yawning abyss of death. The slightest misadventure would have proved fatal. At that moment he insulted me in the grossest manner. The language that he addressed to me extorted a look of contempt for me but I had not time for anger. I was suspected of complicity with the Indians or rather of having instigated the fiendish plot. No man of common sense could entertain such a suspicion when he seized the part I took in the affair. Had I conspired the tragedy I had but to rest in my bed until the deed was consummated. Every man would have been killed and no one but the conspirators have known their fate. To be sure I was in the service of the American Fur Company and Fitzpatrick was trading upon his own account but that could afford no motive to conspire his death I had not the faintest objection to his selling everything he had to the crows but they had nothing to buy with they had disposed of all their exchangeable commodities but a short time sense at the fort. Further I was personally acquainted with Fitzpatrick with whom I never had an ill word and some of his party stood high in my regard. Dr. Harrison if only for his noble father's sake I would have defended at the risk of my own life. They were all bound to me with the ties of hospitality and I have yet to hear of any action committed by me that would warrant the assumption of such deep perfidy. I have been informed that Captain Stewart offered $1,000 to a certain individual to take my life. I can hardly think the charge is true for the individual thus said to be bribed has had many opportunities of earning his reward and still I am alive. After the goods were secured and the horses brought up it was discovered that Captain Stewart's horse a fine iron gray was missing. It was traced to the possession of High Bull a very bad Indian and I was informed that he had declared he would kill the first man that should come after him Stewart valued his horse highly as well he might for he was a noble animal. He was therefore very anxious to obtain him Fitzpatrick had acquainted Stewart that I was the only person in the nation that could procure the horse's restitution. Accordingly he visited me and said Mr. Beckworth he misted me that time can you get my horse for me? I replied Captain Stewart I am a poor man in the service of the American Fur Company to sell their goods and receive the peltry of these Indians. The Indian who has your horse is my best customer. He has a great many relatives and a host of friends whose trade I shall surely lose if I attempt to take the horse from him. The agent here of it I should be discharged at once and of course lose my salary. Well said he if the company discharged you for that I pledge you my word that I will give you $6,000 a year for ten years. Captain Stewart is a man of his word and able to perform all he promises said Fitzpatrick. Well replied I what I can do. I then dispatched an Indian boy to High Bull with the message that I wanted the grey horse he had in his possession. The boy delivered his message and the Indian retorted with an uh which startled the boy almost out of his skin and he came bounding back again saying the Indian was mad. In a short time High Bull came riding his horse and said did you send for this horse? I did. Well here he is. Take him back I said and keep him safe until I send for him. Stewart was wonder stricken at this proceeding as our discourse was unintelligible to him. If I could get my hand on that horse's neck he said the whole village should not get him away from me. I was annoyed at this braggadocio and was glad the Indians did not understand him. Fitzpatrick requested Captain Stewart to remain quiet saying Beckworth has passed his word to you that you shall have your horse. He will be forthcoming when you want him. The next morning they prepared to leave the village. The horses were all packed and everything in readiness. Am I to have my horse? said Captain Stewart. He will be here in a moment sir said I. High Bull then rode the horse up to the party and dismounted giving me the reins. Now sir you can mount your horse said I delivering him into his owner's possession. He mounted and the party started. I took one hundred and fifty of my choice dog soldiers and escorted them a distance of fifteen miles. Before leaving them I cautioned Fitzpatrick to keep on his journey for three days without stopping to encamp. I told him that the Indians were exasperated and the two villages were together and it was not in my power to keep them from following them. I was apprehensive they would dog them a considerable distance but that a three days journey would place them in safety. Instead of following my advice he encamped the following afternoon within an hour after his delay almost all his horses were taken by the Indians not leaving him enough to pack his goods. I afterward learned that Stewart saved his grey horse. I saw the crows had made free with my friend's horses for I saw several of them about the village subsequently. However I was satisfied I had done my duty. I could not have done more to my own father or brother. Still my life was sought after and my character basely assailed. The fate of the crow warriors I will mention episodically here as I gathered it from Fitzpatrick and afterward from the Cheyennes. The party had encamped between two villages having the Cheyennes on one side and the Sioux on the other. They were an utter ignorance of their dangerous proximity. Being quickly discovered by one of the enemy he returned and alarmed his village and dispatched a messenger to the neighboring village. And in a few moments our small band was surrounded by a force of 50 times their number. Their position was a strong one being chosen in a deep hollow or gully. They received the assault with unflinching intrepidity and fought until they were all exterminated except their chief. They killing 34 of their foes. The chief seemed to wear a charmed life. Neither lead nor arrows could harm him. He advanced from his position and tantalized his foes. He invited them to come and kill him saying that the scalps of his enemies made his lodge dark and that he had ridden their horses till he was tired of riding. They were filled with admiration of his daring. They told him he was too great a brave to be killed that he might go and they would not hurt him. No, said he, pointing to his dead companions. You have killed all my warriors. They have gone to the land of the Great Spirit. Now kill me so that I may go with them. I am the little gray bull. Come and kill me. I ask not to live. My heart disdains your offers of mercy. My brothers and friends will avenge my death. He would frequently advance toward his swarming enemies as he approached they retired. He then returned toward his dead companions and again defied them to come and kill him. He was eventually shot down probably by a bullet fired by one of Fitzpatrick's men who, being encamped with the Cheyennes had joined them for the sport of shooting Indians. There were two small boys in the party of Crows who went as moccasin carriers. They were taken prisoners and placed behind two warriors to be conveyed to the village. While on the way tither each drew his knife and plunged it into the body of his custodian each killing his man. The little fellows were cut to pieces in an instant which was their own choice rather than to be captive to the enemy. When I returned from escorting Fitzpatrick I informed the Crows of the fate of their party but I withheld all mention of the participation of the whites. Thereupon ensued another dreadful time of mourning. When I parted from Fitzpatrick's party they all appeared very grateful for their deliverance and if they had not lost their horses when they encamped I presume they never would have entertained other but friendly feelings toward me. Shortly after this occurrence we held a grand council relative to certain national affairs. I then again proceeded taking winters in four warriors with me. When we had approached within a mile of the fort I happened to be considerably in advance of the party in ascending a small hill when near the summit I peered carefully over and discovered a party of black feet not more than 300 yards distant sitting by the roadside smoking their pipes. I drew back my head for I saw one Indian coming directly upon me and motioned my men to a ravine close by. Then dismounting I crept back to the brow of the hill and laid down flat until the Indians head came within sight. I sprang instantly to my feet and shot him dead. In less than a minute I had a scalp ran back and mounted my horse. Then riding to the summit of the hill I displayed the scalp to the Indians who were advancing at their topmost speed. As soon as they saw me they turned and fled thinking no doubt that I had a strong force lying in wait. I rode on and overtook my party and we reached the fort without molestation or pursuit. About two hours after the Indians presented themselves before the fort and challenged us to come out and fight. I wasted the scalp I had just taken in answer to the invitation. I consider we may thank my acquired habit of caution for our escape. Four had the Indians surprised us instead of my surprising him it is more than probable that every one of us would have been killed. We were detained at the fort for the space of eight days on account of the numbers of the black feet prowling about. They finally left and as soon as we were satisfied that the way was clear we loaded ten pack horses with goods and winters and myself taking two men each returned to the crow village. The villages had separated during our absence. Longhair and his village haven't taken one direction and mine haven't taken another. Winters took Longhair's trail with the goods. I followed my village through the bad pass and overtook it at Black Panther Creek. I then went on to Wind River trapping and hunting very successfully all the way the journey occupying about a month. We went into winter quarters under Wind River Mountain at the mouth of Popo Anche Longgrass Creek. Here after gathering a sufficient quantity of buffalo and elk horns we supplied ourselves with a large outfit of fine new bows. The horns are thrown into hot springs which abound in that region where they are kept until they are perfectly malleable. They are then taken out and straightened and cut into strips of suitable width. It takes two buffalo horns to make a bow of sufficient length. They are pierced in the center and riveted. Then they are bound strongly at the splice with sinew. Bows made of this material are equaled by none other except those made from the horn of the mountain sheep. While we are in camp here numerous small parties of crows went to war without leave and in almost every instance were defeated. On some excursions they were entirely destroyed. One party consisting of 39 warriors led by the constant bird a great war chief went to the Blackfoot country and every one of them was killed. They had killed and scalped one of the enemy whom they met alone and again journeyed on when they came suddenly upon a whole village of Blackfeet and were themselves instantly discovered. To save themselves they resorted to an ingenious device which certainly offered fare to save them. On being discovered instead of retreating they kept on and entered the enemy's village pretending they came with authority to conclude a peace. The Indians putting faith in their mission concluded peace accordingly. While thus engaged proposing terms and smoking causally one of the Blackfoot squaws stole a sack belonging to them. After the departure of the crows the sack was examined and among its contents was found the identical scalp they had taken a short time previously. Raising the war hoop the Blackfeet assembled in great numbers and making immediate pursuit after the crows. They overtook them and massacred every one. This intelligence was brought by express from Fort Maria the Blackfoot training post to Fort Cass the Crow training post. On receipt of this intelligence there was another general scene of mourning and vowing vengeance. I used all the arguments that I could frame to prevent these mischievous guerrilla expeditions but they would steal off in the night in spite of my entreaties or my denunciations and I did not like to resort to punishments. Several of the high functionaries inquired of me to what cause I attributed such repeated disasters. I answered as follows warriors the causes are clear enough my medicine tells me the causes firstly you robbed my white friends stealing their horses away and even attempting to take their lives when they were under my protection and when you knew it grieved my heart to have wrong done to them a second cause you are continually acting contrary to the wishes of a Rapa Wash who went to the spirit land on account of your disobedience. I have also expressed the same wishes to you telling you to apply yourselves to collecting skins in order to have the wherewith to purchase the things that you need these my orders are openly disobeyed and the Great Spirit is very angry with the nation for their thieving and disregard of the orders of their head chief they then inquired what they should do to appease the wrath of the Great Spirit I answered again warriors to appease the just anger of the Great Spirit you must discontinue your war parties and remain peaceably at home for one moon you can then prepare a great sacrifice and do penance for that time and let the Great Spirit see that you really repent the evil you have committed by so acting you may recover the favor which the Great Spirit has evidently withdrawn from you by continuing in your obstinate ways you will assuredly be rubbed out as a nation the sacrifices that they offer on such occasions are curious one sacrifice is made by shaving the mains and tails of some of their best war horses and painting on their bodies a rude delineation of the sun they then turn them out but never drive them away and if they follow the other horses it is a sure sign that the Great Spirit is following them also I had become so sickened with their constant mourning which was kept up through the whole village day and night that I determined to take a small party and see if I could not change the face of affairs accordingly I raised 50 warriors and started for the Cheyenne village near the site of the present Fort Laramie the first night we encamped on the Sweetwater River the morning ensuing was clear and cold and we started across a plain 20 miles wide with neither trees nor bushes in the whole distance across this plain was a mountain which I wished to reach that night in order to provide ourselves with firewood and have a warm camp when we had traversed this desert about midway a storm came on which is called by the mountaineers a Poudouris these storms have proved fatal to great numbers of trappers and Indians in and about the Rocky Mountains they are composed of a violent descent of snow hail and rain attended with high and piercing wind and frequently last three or four days the storm prevented our seeing the object for which we were directing our course we all became saturated with the driving rain and hail and our clothing and robes were frozen stiff still we kept moving as we knew it would be certain death to pause on our weary course the winds swept with irresistible violence across the desert prairie and we could see no shelter to protect us from the freezing blast eventually we came to a large hole or gully from 18 to 20 feet deep which had been made by the action of water into this place we all huddled and were greatly protected from the wind being exhausted with our exertions we wrapped ourselves as well as we could in our frozen robes and lay down how long we lay there I could form no idea when I attempted to stir it required the exercise of all my strength to free myself from the massive snow that had fallen upon me while asleep I saw that if we tarried there there would be inevitable death to us all and it was still storming furiously I aroused my second in command named a heap of dogs and told him that we must arouse ourselves and bestow our warriors or we should all perish no said he it is too painful let us stay here and all die together I told him that I should go at all risk and made a spring there upon he laying himself down again I had not proceeded much more than 300 yards when I came upon a gulch or dry creek in which was a drift pile composed of a large accumulation of dry wood I made an opening and crawled in then striking fire I got it well burning and returned to my perishing warriors to relate my discovery they arose and shook off the loose snow from their robes and essayed to proceed but many of them were so weak and stiffen that they could but crawl along after getting thought and comfortably warmed before a blazing fire I found there were two of our party missing I returned with two or three others to search for them and we had to dig away the snow to arrive at them but the vital spark had fled and we were stiff in death we stayed 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 morning 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 my 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 Mildren and Cross 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 250 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 in a 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 36 hours the Indians hovering 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 evitable 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 night our besiegers having wearied of their exertions gave us comparative repose availing ourselves of the law we muffled our horses feet with our capo's cut to pieces for the purpose and stealing gently down the slope of the bank we forwarded the shallow stream and made the best of our way home we went whooping and galloping at full speed into the village displaying 19 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 months and the hilarity was universally indulged in the great spirit's wrath was appeased the tide had turned in favor of the crows and a continuation of victory was predicted from this brilliant achievement end of chapter 19 chapter 20 the life and adventures of James P. Beckworth mountaineer, scout and pioneer and chief of the Crow Nation of Indians written from his own dictation by T. D. Bonner this is a lever box recording all lever box recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer, please visit leverbox.org 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 proposed to accompany them we started and reached the fort without accident except sustaining another siege from the black feet after our departure the whole village followed to purchase their spring supply of necessaries at the fort they brought an immense stock of peltry with which they purchased everything that they stood in need of about a week after our arrival the other crow village under long hair and camped without the fort all of them deep in mourning the same ill luck had attended them in their excursions as we had suffered and eighty warriors had fallen without one gleam of success I availed myself of this opportunity to impress upon the minds of long hair and his followers that the cause of their misfortune was owing to the conduct of the crows toward Fitzpatrick and his party which representation they all firmly believed when the two villages had finished their trading we all moved back to the big horn where we constructed a new medicine lodge for the medicine men prophets and dreamers to prophecy and hold their deliberations in these lodges are erected every year the first moon in May the whole tribe is assembled at the festival and the ceremonies are continued for seven days before the polls are raised the medicine men select from the assembled multitude of warrior whom they deem qualified to assume the functions of medicine chief the man they select is compelled to serve no excuse that he can frame is accepted as valid he is then taken to a lodge pole and lashed to one end an eagle's wing is placed in each hand and a whistle similar to a boatswains placed between his lips thus equipped he is hoisted a distance of 40 feet until the pole assumes its perpendicularity and is adjusted in its proper place raising the first pole is analogous to laying the first stone the first one being hoisted abundance of others are raised into their places until the whole space is enclosed they are then covered with green buffalo hides descending to within six feet of the ground the enclosure being left open at the top about 120 hides are generally required for the purpose and a space is thus obtained capable of holding from 7 to 800 persons I was the subject selected on this occasion and when I was raised upon the pole in the manner I have just described the officials declared that I was raised solely by the elevating power of my wings whence they inferred that my medicine was very powerful when the lodge is completed the medicine men and other functionaries assemble the most distinguished braves within the building for a rehearsal of their achievements and an enumeration of their coos each brave then gives an account of his exploits thus I killed one or more Cheyennes as the case may be on such a day in such a place and took such and such spoils you know it crows the medicine chief then exhibits his marks pronounces the warrior statement correct and confirms it by his record this ratification each warrior passes through and there is seldom any discrepancy between his statement and the record sham battles are then fought in illustration of the manner in which the different trophies were acquired the rehearsal reminding the civilized spectator of a theatrical representation only that in this case the performance is more in earnest this examination gone through with the lodge is then prepared for the medicine men profits and dreamers to go through the ceremony of initiating a virtuous woman the members of the conclave endure a total abstinence from food and water for seven days previous to the ceremony unless anyone faints from exhaustion in which case some slight nourishment is afforded him the warriors are then drawn up in two lines inward face a few feet apart and the female candidate for holy orders presents herself at the lodge door she harangues them when she first presents herself and then marches between the extended lines of the dusky warriors here is the fearful ordeal if she has ever been guilty of any illicit action her declaration of innocence is refuted by a dozen voices a thousand bullets riddle her body in a moment and her flesh is hacked into morsels this is the fearful warpath secret it will be remembered that my daughter it will be remembered that my little wife had resolved to dedicate herself to this service when only a child she had determined upon entering the medicine lodge on this occasion she was candidate for admission she came to me to be dressed for the ceremony she was robed in her best attire and I painted her as the custom prescribes the warriors are in line and the sanhedrin in readiness the herald announces that the one that strikes three wife of the head chief medicine calf offers herself for election intense excitement prevails through the assembly as her name is pronounced and it is re-echoed through the lines of the warriors she presented herself at the door of the lodge and calmly met the concentrated gaze of thousands a breathless silence prevailed she commenced her address can it be said that there are no virtuous women among the crows can it be true that our medicine men cannot make medicine nor are prophets prophesy our dreamers dream because so few of you are virtuous oh women it is shameful to you to be so faithless our nation is disgraced because of your conduct and the crows will soon cease to be a people the great spirit is angry with you and has brought disgrace upon our warriors on account of your evil practices become wastes like yourselves producing no good thing and our buffalo will bellow at you and leave the hunting grounds of the crows and go to the country of a more virtuous people then addressing the warriors she continued warriors I have this day volunteer to carry the sand the wood and the elk chips into the lodge you are brave warriors and I hope your tongues are not crooked I have seen our women attempt to do it and they have been cut to pieces I am now about to try it myself before I start for the materials at the other end of your extended lines if there be a warrior or any other man under the sun who knows anything wrong in me or injurious to my virtue let him speak I too am ready to go to the spirit land for there is one there who knows me innocent of the bad deeds which disgrace the women of our country she then passed with a firm step between the lines of the warriors to the sand taking the bowl she dipped a small quantity with it to the lodge and then made two other trips for the wood and elk chips returning for the third time she received the vociferations of the assembled multitude the functionaries came forth to meet her and passed their hands over her head shoulders and arms extolling her to the skies and proclaiming there was one virtuous woman she was then presented with my medicine shield by the great medicine chief to preserve and carry for me no one but myself having authority to take it from her I trembled while she was passing this perilous ordeal and its triumphant termination filled me with delight she was a girl of superior endowments and if they had been fostered by education I know no woman who would surpass her in worth elegance or attainments had she ever failed in her conduct it would have been thundered in her ears when she stooped to gather the sand and a cry would have arisen that she was polluting the medicine of the nation if the candidate is killed during the inauguration ceremonies nothing more is done it is immediately torn down and the tribe moves to some other place where it builds another lodge and the same observances are again gone through with in the meanwhile women are engaged cooking and preparing a sumptuous feast of everything in season all kinds of meats and dried berries variously cooked are spread before the partakers which includes all who can obtain seats except the medicine men prophets and dreamers their fast continues for seven days during which time their inspiration is continually moving them there are plenty of warriors in attendance to convey messages in execute orders like deputy sheriffs in a justices court and as fast as an ordinance is dreamed out prophesied upon and medicine the instructions are delivered to the messengers and a way they start one party in this direction and one party in another to communicate the instructions and execute orders while we were yet at the lodge a deputation of about a dozen groven warriors came to solicit our assistance against the Cheyennes and Sue who had made a combined attack upon them killing about four hundred of their warriors in reply to the application we told them that we had lost many warriors during the past winter and that we must avenge our own men first but that we would go and see them in the course of the summer and hold a conference with them on the subject there are two bands of the grovens the grovens of the Missouri which the crows sprung from and whose language they speak and the grovens of the prairie who form a band of the black feet the grovens of the Missouri were then a weak tribe or band having by their incessant wars with the surrounding tribes been reduced to a very insignificant number of warriors when the crows separated from them the nation was deemed too numerous this separation was affected according to their reckoning above a century since those grovens and the crows have always been on very friendly terms and even to this day consider themselves descendants of the same family they do not move about like many wandering tribes but remain stationary and cultivate the ground their lodges are built of poles filled in with earth they are spacious and are kept comparatively neat I would hear remark that the name crow is not the correct appellation of the tribe they have never yet acknowledged the name and never call themselves crows the name was conferred upon them many years ago by the interpreters either through their ignorance of the language or for the purpose of ridiculing them the name which they acknowledge themselves by and they recognize no other is in their language which signifies the sparrow hawk people the villages separated at this time long hair went up the Yellowstone to Clarks Fort in order to kill Buffalo and gather fruit when ripe while I went with my village on a circuit and finally rested on the banks of Powder River a branch of the Yellowstone while busy killing Buffalo we were suddenly attacked by the Cheyennes to the number of 2,000 warriors I had been advised by my scouts of their contemplated attack and was consequently prepared to receive them they were seriously disappointed in charging upon our empty lodges and while they were in confusion we thundered upon them from our concealment driving them before us in all directions for upward of 2 miles our victory was complete we took 63 scouts besides horses and weapons in abundance we had 80 warriors wounded principally with lances and arrows but everyone recovered the heroin did good service having thoroughly recovered from her terrible wound she had two horses killed under her but escaped unhurt herself using her lance as adroitly as ever the village moved on directly after the battle in the direction of our friends the Grovins but before we arrived we rubbed out a party of 11 Cheyennes who had been to the Groven Village on a war excursion and we carried their scouts and presented them to the Grovins when we arrived inside of their villages we arrived in number and halted with our whole force on a small hill which overlooked their towns on perceiving us they were filled with alarm believing us to be the Cheyennes returned with a force sufficient to exterminate them but they discovered us to be Crove friends and their joy was now proportionate to their former despondency we passed through their village to a breast and all were out of their lodges to welcome us as we rode through the acclamations resounded on every side they looked upon us as their deliverers and friends who had come to protect the weak against the strong that their wrongs might be avenged and their faces be washed once more from their villages we rode on to Fort Clark through the Mandan villages defiling before the fort every man in the fort was on the battlements gazing at our long lines of mounted warriors while defiling past we were correctly counted by Mr. Kip several alighted and visited the fort and Mr. Kip inquired for the crow who spoke English no one understood him until he came across a Mandan who spoke the crow language fluently they inquired of him for me I replied he was somewhere about I was dressed in full costume and painted as black as a crow and neither the Mandan nor Kip recognized me the Mandan informed Kip that I was present yes said I Beckworth is present well well exclaimed Kip in astonishment is that you Beckworth I replied that it was indisputably then why did you not declare yourself when I was inquiring for you I certainly should never have distinguished you from any other Indian at this moment my wife entered carrying my boy in her arms a great interest was taken in him by all the inmates of the fort greatly to the delight of his proud mother and by the time the child had passed through all their hands he had received presents enough to load a pack mule we stayed with our friends ten days part of which time was occupied in arranging a combined plan of defense against the black feet when we departed long hair presented us with an ample stock of corn and pumpkins we passed the Yellowstone and traveled on by easy marches to the Muscle Shell River killing and dressing buffalo during our whole journey here we encamped to await the arrival of long hair our spies kept us advised of the movements of the enemy and intelligence was brought us that he was manifestly concentrating his forces at the three forks of the Missouri for a grand attack I knew that we were also diligently watched by the enemy spies and I determined to make no movement that would warrant the suspicion that their movements long hair shortly joined us with his whole force and I felt perfectly at ease now not withstanding the most strategical movements of our enemy after various demonstrations on either side we feigned a division of our forces and marched one half of them to a spot which concealed them from the table land thus leading the enemy to the belief that we were still ignorant and his numbers at daybreak the following morning we heard the noise of their innumerable horse hooves and shortly after they burst upon our tenetless lodges like a thunder cloud I suffered about one third of their warriors to become entangled in the village and I then gave the order to charge the shock was irresistible their advancing division was attacked on all sides and the appearance of my concealed warriors sent a panic through the tribe they fled precipitately without venturing to look round to see if they were pursued it was a complete route and purchased at but slight cost to ourselves we gathered over 400 scouts and took 50 women prisoners we captured 500 horses 500 guns and weapons blankets and camp equipage beyond enumeration our loss was 4 killed and 300 wounded some of whom afterward died of their wounds our wounded warriors attended to and our spoils gathered we moved on without delay to our tobacco plantation as it was now time to gather our crop we journeyed by way of the fort we fell in with a party of 15 Blackfoot warriors who were driving a large drove of horses they had stolen from the snakes we entrapped the enemy into a ditch and killed the whole party and their recent acquisition came in very serviceably as our stock of horses was greatly diminished we found our crop excellent and as our numerous hands made light work our harvest was soon gathered we then passed on at our leisure killing more or less buffalo daily until we arrived at Tong River about the new moon of Lee Fall on our way we lost nearly 300 head of horses which were stolen by the Blackfeet we did not trouble ourselves to pursue them as we felt confident they were but lent them and that they would shortly be returned with good interest at Tong River we confederated with our friends the Grovins in an attack upon the Cheyenne Village from thence we returned to the Yellowstone when I detached a party of 160 warriors on an excursion to the Blackfoot Village and they returned bringing 600 fine horses with them we then passed on to Fort Cass where we witnessed much dejection and gloom occasioned by a serious reverse which they had experienced since our last visit End of Chapter 20