 Chapter 28 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 LibriVox.org. It now comes in the order of relation to describe two or three unpleasant encounters I had with various parties in St. Louis. Growing out of the misunderstanding already related between the Crows and Mr. Fitzpatrick's party. I had already heard reports in the mountains detrimental to my character for my supposed action in the matter, but I had never paid much attention to them. Friends had cautioned me that they were large sums of money offered for my life, and that several men had even undertaken to earn the rewards. I could not credit such friendly intimations. Still, I thought, on the principle that there is never smoke, but there is fire. That it would be as well to keep myself a little on my guard. I had recovered from my sickness, and I spent much of my time about town. My friends repeatedly inquired of me if I had seen Fitzpatrick, wondering how so much interest could attach to my meeting with that man. I asked one day what reason there was for making the inquiry. My friend answered, I don't wish you to adduce me as authority, but there are strong threats of taking your life for an alleged robbery of Fitzpatrick by the Crown Nation in which you were deeply concerned. I saw now what to prepare for, although I still inclined to doubt that any man possessed of ordinary perceptions could charge me with an offense of which I was so manifestly innocent. True, I had met Fitzpatrick several times, and instead of his former cordial salutation, it was with difficulty he addressed a civil word to me. Shortly after this conversation with my friend, I went to the St. Louis Theater. Between the pieces I had stepped to the saloon to obtain some refreshments, and I saw Fitzpatrick enter with four other not very respectable citizens. They advanced directly towards me. Fitzpatrick then pointed me out to them, saying, there's the crow. Then, said the others, we are black feet, and let us have a scalp. They immediately drew their knives and rushed on me. I then thought of my friend's salutary counsel to be on my guard, but I had no weapon about me. With the agility of a cat, I sprung over the counter and commenced passing tumblers faster than they had been in the habit of receiving them. I had felled one or two of my assailants, and I saw I was in for a serious disturbance. A friend, and he is still living in St. Louis, wealthy and influential, stepped behind the bar, and slapping me on the shoulder said, look out Beckworth, you will hurt some of your friends. I replied that my friends did not appear to be very numerous just then. You have friends present, he added, and passing an enormous bowie knife into my hand stepped out again. Now, I was all right and felt myself a match for the five Ruffians. My practice with the battle acts, in a case where the quickness of thought required a corresponding rapidity of action, then came into play. I made a sortie from my position on to the open floor, and challenged the five bullies to come on at the same time, which, in my excited state, was natural enough, calling them by the hardest names. My mind was fully made up to kill them if they had only come at me. My arm was nervous, and my friends, who knew me at that time, could tell whether I was quick-motioned or not. I had been in situations where I had to ply my battle acts with rapidity and precision to redeem my own skull. I was still in full possession of my belligerent powers, and I had the feeling of justice to sustain me. I stood at bay with my huge bowie knife drawn, momentarily hesitating, whether to give the grow war hoop or not. When Sheriff Busby laid hands on me and requested me to be quiet. Although boiling with rage, I respected the officer's presence, and the assassins marched off to the body of the theatre. I followed them to the door, and defied them to descend to the street with me. But the Sheriff becoming angry and threatening me with the Calibus, I straightway left the theatre. I stood upon the steps, and a friend coming up, I borrowed a well-loaded pistol of him, and moved slowly away, thinking that five men would surely never allow themselves to be cowed by one man. Shortly after, I perceived the whole party approaching, and stepping back on the sidewalk in front of a high wall, I waited there coming up. On they came, swaggering along, assuming the appearance of intoxication, and talking with drunken incoherency. When they had approached near enough to suit me, I ordered them to halt, and cross over to the other side of the street. Who are you, inquired one of them? I am he whom you are after, Jim Beckworth, and if you advance one step farther, I will blow the tops of your heads off. You are drunk, aren't you? said one of the party. No, I am not drunk, I replied. I never drink anything to make a dog of me like yourselves. I stood during this short colloquy in the middle of the sidewalk, with my pistol ready cocked in one hand, and my huge bowie knife in the other. One step forward would have been fatal to any one of them. Oh, he's drunk, said one. Let's cross over to the other side. And all five actually did pass over, which, if any of them is still living, and has any regard for truth, he must admit to this day. I then proceeded home. My sister had been informed of the encounter, and on my return home I found her frightened almost to death. For Forsythe, one of the party, had long been the terror of St. Louis, having badly maimed many men, and the information that he was after me led her to the conclusion that I would surely be killed. A few days after, I met two of the party, Forsythe and Kitty. When Forsythe accosted me, your name is Beckworth, I believe. I answered, That is my name. I understand that you have been circulating the report that I attempted to assassinate you. I have told that you and your gang have been endeavoring to murder me, I replied, and I repeated here. I will teach you to repeat such tales about me, he said, fiercely, and drew his knife, which he called his Arkansas toothpick from his pocket. The knife I had provided myself with, against any emergency, was too large to carry about me conveniently, so I carried it at my back, having the handle within reach of my finger and thumb. Seeing his motion, I whipped it out in a second. Now, said I, you miserable ruffian, draw your knife and come on. I will not leave a piece of you big enough to choke a dog. Come, Interpose Kenny, let us not make black guards of ourselves. Let us be going. And they actually did pass on without drawing a weapon. I was much pleased that this happened in a public part of the city, and an open day, for the bully, whom it was believed the law could not humble, was visibly cowed, and in the presence of a large concourse of men. I had no more trouble from the party afterward. In connection with this affair, it is but justice to myself to mention that, when Captain Sublet, Fitzpatrick and myself happened to meet in the office of Mr. Chateau, Captain Sublet interrogated Fitzpatrick upon the cause of his hostility toward me, and represented to him at length the open absurdity of his trumping up a charge of robbery of his party in the mountains against me. Being thus pressed, Fitzpatrick used the following words. I never believed the truth of the charge myself, but when I am in the company of sundry persons, they try to persuade me into the belief of it in order to raise trouble. I repeat, it is not my belief at this present moment, and I will not be persuaded into believing it again. Then, turning to me, he said, Beckworth, I have done you a great injustice by ever harboring such a thought. I acknowledge it freely, and I ask your forgiveness for the same. Let us be, as we formerly were, friends, and think no more about it. Friends, we therefore mutually pledged ourselves, and friends we have since remained up to this day. While in town, I called on General Ashley, but he happened to be away from home. I was about leaving the house, when a melodious voice invited me in to await the General's return. My husband will soon be back, the lady said, and we'll be doubtless pleased to see you. I turned and really thought I was looking on an angel's face. She moved toward me with such grace and uttered such dulcet and harmonious sounds that I was riveted to the spot. It was the first time I had seen the lady of General Ashley. I accepted her invitation and was shown into a neat little parlor, the lady taking a seat at the window to act as my entertainer until the return of the General. If I mistake not, she said, you are our mountaineer. I put on all the airs possible and replied, yes, madam, I was with General Ashley when he first went to the mountains. Her grace and affability so charmed me that I could not fix my ideas upon all the remarks she addressed to me. I was conscious I was not showing myself off to advantage, and she kept me saying yes, madam, and no, madam, without any correct understanding of their appropriateness until she aspired the General approaching. Here comes the General, the lady said. I knew he would be not long away. Shortly, the General entered the lodge and fixed his eye upon me in an instant, at the same time whipping his pantaloons playfully with his riding whip. Rising from a better chair than the whole Crow Nation possessed, I said without ceremony, how do you do, General? Gracious heavens, is this you, Beckworth? And he seized my hand with the grip of a vise and nearly shook off my scalp while his lady laughed hardly at the rough salutation of two old mountaineers. My dear, said the General, let me introduce you to Mr. Beckworth. Of whom you have heard me so often make mention. This is the man that saved my life on three different occasions in the Rocky Mountains. Had it not been for our visitor, you would not have been Mrs. Ashley at this moment. But you look sickly, James. What is the matter? I replied, I have been confined to my bed since my arrival in St. Louis. We had a long conversation about the mountains in my residence with the Crow Nation. I was very hospitably entertained by my former commander and his amiable lady, and when I left, the promise was extorted from me to make repeated calls upon them so long as I remained in the city. About the latter end of March, a courier arrived from Fort Cass, bringing tidings of a most alarming character. He had come along through all that vast extent of Indian Territory without being molested. It seemed as though a special providence had shielded him. He found me in the theater and gave me a hasty rehearsal of the business. It seems that a party of trappers who had heard of my departure for St. Louis, having fallen in with a number of Crows, had practiced upon them in regard to me. Your great chief has gone to the White Nation, said the trapper spokesman. Yes, he has gone to see his friend, the great White Chief. And you will never see him again. Yes, he will come back in this season of green grass. No, the great White Chief has killed him. Killed him? Yes. What had he done that he should kill him? He was angry because he left the Whites and came to live with the Indians, because he fought for them. It is the greatest wonder in the world that every one of the trapper party did not lose their scalps on the spot. If the Indians had had any prominent leader among them, they infallibly would have been all killed and have paid the penalty of their mischievous lying. Unfortunately for the Crows, they believed all the words of a white man, thinking that his tongue is always straight. These trappers, by their idle invention, had jeopardized the lives of all the white men in the mountains. The Indians said no more, but dashed off to the village and carried the news of my death. How do you know that he is dead? they inquired. Because the Whites told us so, and their tongues are not forked. The Great White Chief was angry because he stayed with our people and he killed him. A council was immediately held to decide upon measures of vengeance. It was determined to proceed to the fort and kill every white man there, and divide all the goods, guns, and ammunition among themselves. Then to send out parties in every direction and make a general massacre of every white man. Enumerable fingers were cut off and hair without measure, and mourning for me. A costly sacrifice was then made to the Great Spirit, and the nation next set about carrying out their plans of vengeance. The village moved toward the fort. Many were opposed to being too hasty, but all agreed that their decisions should be acted upon. The night before the village reached the fort, four women ran on in advance of the village to acquaint Mr. Tulik of the sanguinary intention of the crows. Every precaution was taken to withstand them. Every gun was loaded. The village arrived, and contrary to all precedent, the gates of the fort were closed. The savages were infuriated. The Whites had heard of the death of the medicine calf. And had closed the gates to prevent the anticipated vengeance. The inmates of the fort were in imminent peril. Horror was visible on their continences. They might hold their position for a while, but an investment by from 10 to 15,000 savages must reduce it eventually. Tulik was seated on the fort in great perplexity. Many of the veteran crow warriors were pacing to and fro outside the enclosure. Yellow Belly was provincial head chief during my absence. Tulik called him to him. He rode up and inquired, What is the matter? Why are your gates shut against us? I had a dream last night, replied Tulik, and my medicine told me I had to fight my own people today. Yes, your bird told you truth. He did not lie. Your chief has killed the medicine calf, and we are going to kill you all. But the medicine calf is not dead. He will certainly come back again. Yes, he is dead. The Whites told us so, and they never lie. You need not try to escape by saying he is not dead, for we will not believe your words. You cannot escape us. You can neither dig into the ground nor fly into the air. If you attempt to run, I will put five thousand warriors upon your trail and follow you to the White Chief. Even there you shall not escape us. We have loved the Whites, but we now hate them, and we are all angry. You have but little meat in the fort, and I know it. When that is gone, you die. My son, little Jim, was standing near the fort, and Mr. Tulik called him to him. The child's answer was, away, you smell bloody. Mr. Tulik, however, induced him to approach and said, Black Panther, I have always loved your father, and you, and all the warriors. Have I ever told you a lie? No. They have told you that your father is dead, but they have lied. He lives and will come back to you. The White Chief has not killed him. My words are true. Do you believe your friend and the friend of your father? Yes, I love my father. He is a great chief. When he is here, I feel happy. I feel strong. But if he is dead, I shall never feel happy anymore. My mother has cried four sons for him, and tells me I shall see him no more, which makes me cry. Your father shall come back, my son, if you will listen to what I now say to you. I will listen, go then, and ask Yellow Belly to grant me time to send for your father to the country of the white men, and if he be not here by the time the cherries shall have turned red, I will then lay down my head, and you may cut it off, and the warriors may kill us all, for we will not fight against them. Go, and tell the chief that he must grant what I have told you for your sake, and if he does not listen to you, you will never see your father any more. Go, the child accordingly went to Yellow Belly and begged him to grant one request. The chief, supposing that he was about to request permission to kill a particular man at the fort, said, certainly my son, any request you make shall be granted. Speak, what is it? The child then informed Yellow Belly what the crane had said, that he would have his father back by the time the cherries turned red, or that he would suffer his head to be cut off, and deliver up his whites to the crows, and would not fight. It shall be so, my son, Yellow Belly assented. Go, and tell the crane to send for your father, for not a warrior shall follow the trail of the white runner, or even look upon it. If he does, as he says, the white shall all live. If he fails, they shall all die. Now go, and harangue the people, and tell all the warriors that the crane is going to send for your father, and the warrior who follows the runner's trail shall die. Yellow Belly has said it. He mounted a horse, and did as the chief had directed. Joseph Pappin volunteered to deliver the message to me. It was encountering a fearful hazard. His inducement was a bonus of one thousand dollars. The morning following the receipt of this intelligence, I saw Mr. Chateau, who was in receipt of a letter from Mr. Tulick by the same messenger. He was in great uneasiness of mind. There was over one hundred thousand dollars worth of goods in the fort, and he urged me to start without delay. The distance from St. Louis was estimated at two thousand seven hundred and fifty miles, and the safety of the men rendered the greatest expedition necessary. Any sum I might ask would be willingly paid me. Go, said he, engage as many men as you wish. Purchase all the horses you require. We will pay the bills. He also furnished me with instructions to all the agents on the way to provide me with whatever I inquired for. The price I demanded for my services was five thousand dollars, which was, without scruple, allowed me. I hired two men to accompany me, Pappin being one, to whom I gave fifteen hundred and one thousand dollars respectively. Our horses being procured and every necessary supplied us a way we started upon our journey, which occupied us fifty three days as the traveling was bad. Our last resting place was Fort Clark. Thence we struck directly across through a hostile Indian country, arriving in safety within hailing distance of the fort before the cherries were ripe, although they were very near it. I rested on a gentle rise of ground to contemplate the mass of people I saw before me. There they lay, in their absorbing devotedness to their absent chief, day and night, for long months they had stayed by that wooden enclosure watching for my return or to take fearful vengeance upon their prey. They had loved the whites, but those whites had now killed their chief because he had returned to his own people to fight for his kindred and nation. The chief who had loved them much and made them rich and strong. They were now feared by their enemies and respected by all. Their prairies were covered with thousands of horses, and their lodges were full of the wealth derived from the whites. For this the white chief had killed him, and a war of extermination was denounced against them. The fort and its inmates were within their grasp. If the crane would redeem his pledge and produce their missing chief, all were well. But if the appointed time passed by, and he were not forthcoming, it was fearful to contemplate the vengeance they would inflict. When I thought of those contemptible wretches, who merely to wanton with the faith that the artless savages reposed in them could fabricate a lie and arouse all this impending danger, I felt that a death at the stake would not transcend their desserts. I put my horse into speed, and rode in among the Indians. I made the usual salutation on arriving before them, and riding through their ranks sullenly, I repeated two or three times, I am angry. Every eye was turned on me, but not a warrior stirred. The women seized their children and ran into lodges. The medicine calf had arrived, but he was angry. I advanced to the strong and well-secured gate of the fort, and struck it a heavy blow with my battle-axe. Hello, boys, I shouted. Open your gate, and admit a friend. Jim Beckworth, by Heaven's Jim Beckworth, was repeated from tongue to tongue. The gates flew open upon their massive hinges, and as I rode through, I said, leave the gates open, boys, there is no longer danger. I exchanged but a few words with Mr. Tuluk, as I had a difficult business before me. The people I had to mollify were subject to strange caprices, and I had not resolved what policy to adopt toward them. I went and sat down sullenly, hanging my head so low that my chin rested upon my breast. This was a token of my great displeasure. The braves came round me slowly. My wives all formed themselves in a circular line, and marched round me, each one pausing as she passed to place her hand on the back of my neck. The brave old yellowbelly was the first one to speak, and what he said was to the purpose. What is matter with our chief? he inquired. Who has angered the medicine calf? Did I not tell you, I said, that I had left you in charge of the crane and these other whites during my absence? And what do I behold on my return? Yes, I told you I would take care of the crane and these other whites while you were gone, and I have done so. My warriors have killed buffalo for them to eat, and our women have brought them wood and water for their use, and they are all alive. Look! Yonder is the crane, and his white people are all with him. Are they dead? No, but you intended to kill them. Yes, but listen! If you had not returned before the cherries turned red, we should have killed them all, and every other white man besides that we could have found in the Amma Habas, Rocky Mountains. Now hear what I have to say. Suppose I am now going to war, or I am going to die. I come to you and say, my friend, I am going to die, Yonder. I want you to be a kind friend to my children, and protect them after I depart for the land of the Great Spirit. I go out and die. My wives come to you with their fingers cut off, their hair gone, and the warm blood pouring from their bodies. They are crying mournfully, and your heart pities them. Among the children is a son in whom you behold the image of your friend who is no more. The mother of that child you know to be good and virtuous. You have seen her triumphant entry into the Metis and Lodge, where you have beheld so many cut to pieces and attempting the same. You say, here is the virtuous wife of my friend. She is beloved and respected by the whole nation. She asks you to revenge her loss, the loss that has deprived her of her husband and the child of its father. In such a case, what would you do? Speak. I should certainly take my warriors, I replied, and go and avenge your loss. That is just what I was going to do for your relatives, friends, and nation. Now punish me if I have done wrong. I had nothing to say in answer, and my head again fell. The spell was not yet broken. The crow-belt, an old and crafty brave, whispered to a young warrior, who rose in silence and immediately left the fort. Mrs. Tulik shortly presented herself and commenced tantalizing the crows. What are your warriors waiting for, who have been thirsting so many suns to kill the whites? You have been brave for a long while. Where is all your bravery now? The gates are set wide open, and only three have joined the few whites whom you thirsted to kill. Why don't you begin? What are you afraid of? She continued in this aggravating strain. The warriors hearing it all, although they did not appear to notice her. The woman's voice was aggrievably relieved by tones uttered outside the gate, which at that moment fell upon my ear, and at which I readily recognized as the voice of pine leaf. She was haranguing her warriors in an animated manner, and delivering what in civilized life would be called her valedictory address. Warriors, she said, I am now about to make a great sacrifice for my people. For many winters I have been on the warpath with you. I shall tread that path no more. You have now to fight the enemy without me. When I laid down my needle and my beads and took up the battle-axe and the lance, my arm was weak, but few winters had passed over my head. My brother had been killed by the enemy and was gone to the hunting ground of the Great Spirit. I saw him in my dreams. He would beckon for his sister to come to him. It was my heart's desire to go to him, but I wished first to become a warrior, that I might avenge his death upon his foes before I went away. I said I would kill one hundred foes before I married any living man. I have more than kept my word, as our great chief and medicine men can tell you. As my arm increased in strength, the enemy learned to fear me. I have accomplished the task I set before me. Henceforward I leave the warpaths of my people. I have fought my last battle and hurled my last lance. I am a warrior no more. Today the medicine calf has returned. He has returned angry at the follies of his people, and they fear that he will again leave them. They believe that he loves me and that my devotion to him will attach him to the nation. I therefore bestow myself upon him. Perhaps he will be contented with me and will leave us no more. Warriors, farewell. She then entered the fort and said, Sparrowhawks, one who has followed you for many winters, is about to leave your warpath forever. When have you seen Bar-Chi and Pei shrink from the charge? You have seen her lance red with the blood of the enemy more than ten times ten. You know what her vow was, and you know she has kept her word. Many of you have tried to make her break her word, which you knew she had passed to the Great Spirit when she lost her brother. But you found that, though a woman, she had the heart of a warrior. Do not turn your heads, but listen. You have seen that a woman can keep her word. During the many winters that I have followed you faithfully in the warpath, you have refused to let me into the warpath secret, although you tell it to striplings on their second excursion. It was unfair that I could not know it, that I must be sent away with the women and children, when the secret was made known to those one battle braves. If you had seen fit to tell it to me, it would have been secret until my death. But let it go, I care no farther for it. I am about to sacrifice what I have always chosen to preserve, my liberty. The back of my steed has been my lodge and my home. On his back, armed with my lance and battle axe, I knew no fear. The medicine chief, when fighting by my side, has displayed a noble courage and a lofty spirit, any one from my heart. What no other warrior has ever won, the promise to marry him when my vow was fulfilled. He has done much for our people. He has fought their enemies and spilled his blood for them. When I shall become his wife, I shall be fond and faithful to him. My heart feels pure before the great spirit and the sun. When I shall be no more on the warpath, obey the voice of the medicine calf, and you will grow stronger and stronger. We shall continue a great and happy people, and he will leave us no more. I have done. She then approached me, every eye being intently fixed upon her. She placed her hand under my chin and lifted my head forcibly up. Look at me, she said. I know that your heart is crying for the follies of the people, but let it cry no more. I know you have ridden day and night to keep us from evil. You have made us strong, and your desire is to preserve us strong. Now stay at home with us, and you will not be obliged to go to war more than twice in twelve moons. And now, my friend, I am yours after you have so long been seeking me. I believe you love me, for you have often told me you did, and I believe you have not a forked tongue. Our lodge shall be a happy one, and when you depart to the happy hunting ground, I will be already there to welcome you. This day I become your wife. Barchi MP is a warrior, no more. This relieved me of my melancholy. I shook the braves by the hand all round, and narrated much of my recent adventures to them. When I came to my danger in the Erika Ray country, they were almost boiling with wrath, and asked my permission to go and exterminate them. Pine Leaf left the fort with my sisters to go and dress for the short marriage ceremony. She had so long worn the war costume that female apparels seemed hardly to become her. She returned so transformed in appearance that the beholder could scarcely recognize her for the same person. When I visited her lodge in the evening, I found her dressed like a queen, with a lodge full of her own and my relatives to witness the nuptials. She was naturally a pensive, deep-thinking girl. Her mind seemed absorbed in some other object than worldly matters. It might be that her continual remembrance of her brother's early fall had tinged her mind with melancholy. Or it might be constitutional to her. But for an Indian girl, she had more of that winning grace, more of those feminine blandishments. In short, she approached nearer to our ideal of a woman that her savage birth and breed would seem to render possible. This was my last marriage in the Crow Nation. Pine Leaf, the pride and admiration of her people, was no longer the dauntless and victorious warrior, the avenger of the fall of her brother. She retired from the field of her glory and became the affectionate wife of the medicine calf. The difficulty being now entirely removed, we quitted our encampment and went on a hunting excursion. We were away but a few days and then returned to the fort. One morning, it was discovered a large drove of horses was missing. A party was dispatched along the trail, which conducted them precisely the same route they took before. I raised a party and again struck across the muscle shell, and finding I was before the fugitives, I secreted my warriors as before. We had waited but a few moments when I saw the enemy emerge from the pines, not more than a mile distant. Pine Leaf and my little wife were with me. My new bride, as she saw the enemy approach, lost all recollection of her new character. Her eye assumed its former martial fire, and had she had her former war equipments, beyond all doubt she would have joined in the dash upon the foe. The pursuit, which was a party of Blackfeet, were hard pressed by their pursuers in the rear, but very shortly they were harder pushed in the van. When within proper distance, I gave the word, Charge, and every Blackfoot instantly perished. So sudden was our attack that they had not time to fire a gun. I struck down one man and looking round for another to ride at, I found they were all dead. The pursuers did not arrive in time to participate in the fight. We took thirty-eight scalps and recovered one thousand horses, with which we returned to the fort. This was my last battle in the Crow Nation. The scalp I relieved the Blackfoot of was the last I ever took for them. Before my sudden recall from St. Louis, I had entered into negotiations which I now felt I would like to complete. I had informed the Crows, after my marriage with Pine Leaf, that I must return to the country of the Whites, as they had called me away before I had had time to finish my business. When the boats were ready to go downstream, I stepped on board and proceeded as far as Fort Union. Previous to departing, I informed the Crows that I should be back in four seasons, as I at that time supposed I should. I told them to credit no reports of my death, for they were all false. The Whites would never kill me. Pine Leaf inquired if I would certainly come back. I assured her that if life was preserved to me, I would. I had been married but five weeks when I left, and I have never seen her since. I was disappointed in my expectation of entering into a satisfactory engagement to the agent of the company, so I kept on to St. Louis. In good truth, I was tired of savage life under any aspect. I knew that, if I remained with them, it would be war and carnage to the end of the chapter, and my mind sickened at the repetition of such scenes. Savage life admits of no repose to the man who desires to retain the character of a great brave. There is no retiring upon your laurels. I could have become a pipe man, but I did not like to descend to that, and farther I could not reconcile myself to a life of inactivity. Pine Leaf and my little wife would have excited their powers of pleasing to procure me happiness, but I felt I was not doing justice to myself to relapse irretrievably into barbarism. It certainly grieved me to leave a people who repose so much trust in me, and with whom I have been associated so long. And indeed, could I have made an engagement with the American Fur Company as I had hoped to do. I should have redeemed my promise to the Crows, and possibly have finished my days with them. But being mistaken in my calculations, I was led on to scenes wilder and still more various, yet dignified with the name of greater utility, because associated with the interest of civilization. End of chapter 28. Chapter 29 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 LibriVox.org. I had speedy passage to St. Louis, and arrived there after an absence of five months. I mentioned that I had left some business unsettled at the time of my sudden leave. This was none other than an affair matrimonial, but on my return I had some misunderstanding with my fair Dulcinea, and the courtship dropped through. At this time the Florida war was unfinished. General Gaines was in St. Louis for the purpose of raising a company of men familiar with Indian habits. Mr. Sublett had spoken to him about me, and had recommended me as being particularly well acquainted with Indian life. The general sent a request that I would call upon him at his quarters. I went accordingly and was introduced by Sublett. The general inquired of me how I would like to go to Florida to fight the Indians. I replied that I had seen so much of Indian warfare during the last 16 years that I was about tired of it and did not want to engage in it again, at least for the present. He remarked that there was a good opportunity there for a renown. He wished, he said, to raise a company which would go down as moloteers. That their duties would be light and so on through the stereotyped benefits peculiar to a soldier's life. Sublett recommended me to engage. Florida, he said, was a delightful country, and I should find a wide difference between the cold regions of the Rocky Mountains and the genial and salubrious South. The general then inquired if I could not raise a company of mountain boys to go with me. I replied that I thought I could, or that at any rate, I would make the effort. The trapping business was unusually dull at that time, and there were plenty of unoccupied men in the city ready to engage in any enterprise. I went among my acquaintance and soon collected a company of 64 men. I went and reported my success to the general. He wished to see the men. I brought them all forward and had their names enrolled. I was appointed captain of the company with three lieutenants elected from the men. On the ninth day of my stay in St. Louis, we went on board a steamer going downstream and were quickly on our way to the seminal country. We had a delightful journey to New Orleans, where we were detained five days in waiting for a vessel to transport us to the fields of renown. While waiting in New Orleans, I fell in with several old acquaintances who gave me an elegant parting dinner. I then sported the commission of captain in the service of Uncle Sam. Our vessel, the maid of New York, Captain Carr, being at length ready for sea. My soldiers, with their horses, were taken on board, and we set sail for Tampa Bay. I now, for the first time in my life, saw salt water, and the sickness it produced in me led me to curse General Gaines and the trappings of war to boot. Our vessel stranded on a reef, and there she remained snug enough. All efforts to dislodge her, proving fruitless. There was one small island in sight to Leeward. In every other direction, there was nothing visible but the heaving ocean. Wreckers, who seemed to rise from the sea foam, flocked instantly around us, and were received by our captain with a ready volley of nautical complement. The vessel had settled deeply into a bed of sand and rock. The water was rapidly gaining in her hold, and my commission, together with my gallant companions and arms, seemed at that moment to have a slim chance of ever serving a respected uncle in the fields of Renown. I ascended the rigging to take a survey of the country. Many a time, an elevated prospect had delivered me from difficulties, if dissimilar, yet not less eminent than those that now menaced me. Still, I felt that could those rat lines I was now ascending be transformed into the back of my Indian war-steed. This ocean be replaced with a prairie, and that distant speck which they called an island be transmuted into a buffalo, I would give my chance of a major generalship in purchase of the change. For the sensations of hunger I began to feel were uncomfortably acute, and I saw no immediate prospect of alleviating the pain. Suddenly I saw a long line of black smoke, which I thought must be from a prairie fire. I reported my discovery to the captain, and he hoisted our colors at half mass to signal for assistance. A small steamer came in sight and made toward us, and finally ranged up under our stern. She took off all my men except myself and twelve others. I wrote to the Commandant at Tampa Bay to inform him of our situation, and asking him for immediate assistance. After twelve days stay on the reef, two small brigs came out to us and received on board ourselves with our horses and forage, conveying us to Tampa Bay where they cast anchor. Major Bryant sent for me to his quarters, and I forthwith presented myself before him. This officer gave me a very cordial welcome, congratulating the service on having an experienced mountaineer and saying several other very complementary things. At length he said, Captain Beckworth, I wish to open a communication between this port and the headquarters of Colonel Jessup, distant about 100 miles. I have received no dispatches from there, although nine couriers have been dispatched by Colonel Taylor. I replied, Sir, I have no knowledge of the country. I know nothing of its roads or trails, the situation of its posts, nor do I so much as know the position of Colonel Jessup's command. To attempt to convey dispatches while so little prepared to keep out of harm's way, I very much fear would be to again disappoint the service in the delivery of its messages and to afford the Seminoles an additional scalp to those they have already taken. He poo-pooed my objections. A man, said Major Bryant, who has fought the Indians and the Rocky Mountains the number of years that you have will find no difficulty here in Florida. Well, I assented, furnish me with the bearings of the country and direct me to the Colonel's camp and I will do my best to reach there. Accordingly, the Major furnished me with all the necessary instructions and I started alone on my errand. It was my acquired habit never to travel along any beaten path or open trail, but rather to give such road a wide berth and take the chances of the open country. I observed my invariable custom on this occasion, merely keeping in view the bearings of the position I was steering for. I started for Major Bryant's post about sunrise and reached the Colonel's headquarters at Nightfall the following day. I passed through the camp without seeing it, but the sound of a bugle falling on my ear I tacked about and finally alightened upon it. As I rode up, I was hailed by a sentinel. Who come, dear? An express. Vatu vat in Dishkamp. I wish to see Colonel Jessup call the officer of the guard. That for you come from that way, verish dishiminals. Call your officer of the guard, said I impatiently. The officer of the guard at length appeared. What are you here again for? he inquired of me. I wish to see the commanding officer, I replied. Yes, you are always wishing to see the commanding officer, he said, but he will not be troubled with you much longer. He will soon commence hanging you all. I demand to be shown to the commanding officer, sir, I reiterated. Who are you then? I am a bearer of dispatches. Give them to me. I was not instructed to give them to you. I shall not do it, sir. I believe you came from the Seminals. You came from that direction. You believe wrong, sir. Will you show me to Colonel Jessup, or will you not? This very cautious officer of the guard then went to the Marquis of the Colonel and addressed him. Here is another of those Seminals, sir, who says he has dispatches for you. What shall I do with them? The Colonel came out and eyed me scrutinizingly. Have you brought dispatches for me, he inquired. I have, sir. From where? From Tampa Bay, sir. He came from the Seminals, Colonel, interposed the officer of the guard. You are mistaken again, sir, I said, giving him the look of a crow in the midst of battle. For I was not yet hireling enough not to feel aggravated at being called by implication a liar. Let me see your dispatches, said the Colonel. I handed him the documents. He took them and passed into his tent. This did not suit me. I resolved to return instantly. I had not been treated with common civility. No inquiries had been made about my appetite. I was not even invited to a light from my horse. I had neither eaten nor slept since I left Tampa Bay. I was on the point of turning my horse's head, secretly resolving that these were the last dispatches I would bear in that direction when the Colonel called. Captain Beckworth, a light, a light, sir, and come into my quarters. Orderly, have Captain Beckworth's horse taken immediately care of. You must be hungry, Captain. What I need most now is sleep, I said. Let me have a little repose, and then I shall feel refreshed and will not refuse to sit down to a meal. The Colonel bowed assent and raising a canvas door pointed out to me a place for repose. At the same time promising me I should not be disturbed. When I awoke, I presented myself and was regaled with a good substantial supper. This recruited me and I was again fit for service. The Colonel made many inquiries of my past service. Major Bryant had made very favorable mention of me in his dispatches, which seemed to have inspired quite an interest in the Colonel's mind. He asked me if I was a native of Florida, where I had spent my early days, and my reason for entering the Army. I answered all his questions as briefly as possible, mentioning that I had been tempted among the Seminoles by the promise held out by General Gaines of my gaining renown. The Colonel thought my company of Mountaineers a valuable acquisition to the service, and he made no doubt we should achieve great credit in ferreting out the hiding places of the Indians. He soon had his papers ready. They were delivered to me and I departed. On the way I stopped at a fort, the name of which I forget, and took a fresh horse. I finally arrived at the bay without seeing an Indian. I stayed with my company for two or three weeks at Fort Brooke, during which time we were engaged in breaking in mules. We were then placed under the command of Colonel Taylor, afterward General, and President of the United States, whose force was composed of United States troops and volunteers, some of the latter being from Missouri. The Colonel advanced southward with 1600 men, erecting, as we advanced, a fort at the interval of every 25 miles. On the morning of Christmas Day, 1837, our camp was beleaguered by a large force of Indians, and Colonel Taylor ordered in advance upon them. The spot was thickly grown with trees, and numbers of our assailants were concealed among the branches. As our line advanced, therefore, many were singled out by the enemy, and we'd lost fearfully and killed and wounded. The yelling was the most deafening I ever heard, for there were many negroes among the enemy, and their yells drowned those of the red man. I soon found we had a different enemy from the black feet to fight, and different ground to fight on. The country lost several valuable lives through this slight brush with the Indians. The gallant Colonel Gentry of the Missouri volunteers was shot through the head. Colonel Thompson and several other officers were also among the slain. The enemy had made an excellent choice of ground, and could see our troops while remaining concealed themselves. I placed myself behind a tree, and Captain Morgan of the Missouri Spies was similarly sheltered close by. We were surrounded with Indians, and one was watching on the opposite side of the tree that protected me for a chance to get my scalp. A Missourian picked off a fine fat negro who had inconstant himself in a live oak tree. As he fell to the ground, it shook beneath him. The fruit was ripe, but unfit for food. Seeing the men dropped around, Major Price ordered a retreat. The order was instantly countermanded by Colonel Davenport, who by doing so saved many lives. Colonel Foster had taken a very exposed position on the bow of a tree, where he was visible to all. He ordered his men to lie low and load their muskets. He waited till he saw a favorable opportunity, and then shouted, Fire Boys, and poured into the red and black rascals. A charge with bayonets was finally ordered, and the Indians, not relishing the look of the sharp steel, retreated. However, not before they had seized a sergeant major and a private from our line and scalped them alive. This was the battle of Okechobee, which lasted four hours. We lost over a hundred and killed and wounded. The enemy left nine Indians and a negro dead upon the field. Sam Jones, the halfbreed, was only eight miles distant, with a force of a thousand warriors. Most providentially, he had been dissuaded by the negroes from advancing, who assured him that the whites would not fight on Christmas Day. It was reported that Colonel Taylor was uncontrollably angry during the battle, and that his aides and other officers had to hold him by main force to prevent him from rushing among the enemy and meeting certain death. I do not know what truth there was in this, for I saw nothing of it, nor indeed did I see the Colonel during the whole of the four hours fighting. On the conclusion of the action, Colonel Taylor wished to send dispatches to Tampa Bay. He requested Captain Lomax to take his company and go with them. The captain refused for the reason that he and his men would infallibly be massacred. The Colonel remarked then, since you are all afraid, I will go myself. He sent for me and demanded if I could raise a sufficient number of brave men among my mountaineers to carry dispatches to the bay. I answered, certainly, if I could have his favorite horse, which was the fleetest one in the whole army, and such excellent bottom that he was as fresh after a journey as before. I considered that if I had to run the gauntlet through a host of seminal and infuriated negroes, the best horse was none too good, and was indeed my only means of salvation. When ready to start, I applied for the dispatches. Where are your men? asked the Colonel. My men are in their quarters, Colonel, I said. I am going to carry those dispatches by myself. They must go through, he remarked, and I want them to go well guarded. I am not going to fight, Colonel, I replied. I am going to run. And one man will make less noise than twenty. If I am not killed, the dispatches shall arrive safe. My life is certainly worth as much to me as the charge I am entrusted with, and for personal safety I prefer going alone. In our progress, out the troops had cut their way through several hummocks, and had thrown the bushes up on both sides. I had to pass through some of these lanes. It was night when I started, and as I was riding through one of these excavations at a good pace I heard a sudden noise in the brush. I saw myself in a trap, and my hair bristled up with the fright. I was greatly relieved, however, by the speedy discovery that it was only a deer I had scared, and which was scampering away at its utmost speed. I continued on, resting a short time at each fort, until I arrived in sight of Fort Brook. As soon as I arrived within hailing distance, I shouted, Victory, Victory, which brought out officers and men impatient to hear the news. I could not see that Okeechobee was much of a victory. Indeed, I shrewdly suspected that the enemy had the advantage. But it was called a victory by the soldiers, and they were the best qualified to decide. On my return, I found Colonel Taylor soon after the battle had retrograded to Fort Bassinger. We lay at the fort for a long while. Spies were vigilantly on the lookout, but nothing very encouraging was reported. I and my company of mountaineers did not encamp with the other troops, but took up our quarters at a considerable distance from the main guard. We were quite tired of inactivity and wanted to go somewhere or do something. Being quartered by ourselves, we were not subjected to the restrictions and military regulations of the camp. We had our own jollifications and indulged in some little comforts which the camp did not enjoy. We always would have a large fire when there was need for it, for it destroyed the millions of mosquitoes and other vermin that annoyed us. And as some of our company were always about, the Indians never molested us. There was a large hammock about four miles distant from the fort which the Indians infested in great numbers. But as they could not be dislodged without great loss, our Colonel was constrained to contend himself with closely watching them. One day I proposed to my men to take a stroll and they fell with great elecrity into the proposition. We passed down to the interdicted hammock where we shot two deer and found quite an assortment of stock. We drove them all to the camp before us, to the great admiration of the officers and men present. We had captured quite a drove of hogs, several head of cattle, and a good sprinkling of seminal ponies. We saw no Indians at the hammock, though certainly we did not search very diligently for them, during our stay at the fort. The communication between that post and Charlotte's harbor was closed and one messenger had been killed. The quartermaster inquired of me if I would undertake the trip. I told him I would and set $100 as the price of the undertaking, which he thought quite reasonable. I started with the dispatches and proceeded at an easy gallop, my eye glancing in every direction as had been my want for many years. In casting a look about two gunshots ahead, I felt sure that I saw some feathers showing themselves just above the palmentos and exactly in the direction that I was bending my steps. I rode a short distance farther and my suspicion was confirmed. I immediately stopped my horse and dismounted as though for the purpose of adjusting my saddle, but in reality to watch my supposed foes. In a minute or two several heads appeared, looking in my direction and withdrew again in an instant. Immediately the heads declined behind the grass. I sprang upon my horse and rained him out of the road, taking a wide circuit round them which I knew would carry me out of danger. I then looked after them and tantalized them with my gestures in every manner possible, motioning them to come and see me. But they seemed to be aware that their legs were not long enough to reach me, so they digested their disappointment and troubled me no farther. I arrived safe at the harbor that same day, delivered my dispatches, and was back at the fort the following night. We now experienced a heavy rain which deluged the entire country and prevented any farther operations against the Indians. The Colonel ordered a retreat to Tampa Bay and as there was no danger of molestation on the way, many of the officers obtained liberty to gallop on in advance of the army. Colonel Bryant wrote a very valuable black charger acknowledged to be the best horse in camp. After traveling on a while, the Colonel said, I have a notion to ride on and get in today as my presence is required. You can get in tomorrow at your leisure. A number said, if you can get in today, we can, and finally the whole party proposed starting off together. We at length came to a swampy place in the road which spread over five miles and in many places took our horses off their feet. This place forwarded. There was then a narrow stream and after that it was all dry land. Having passed the swamp and the stream and got fairly on to dry land again, I took the saddle off my mule which example all followed and with the assistance of a brother officer rung the saddle blanket as dry as possible and then spread it out fairly in the sun to dry. In the meanwhile the horses helped themselves to a good feed of grass and we all partook of a hardy lunch likewise. Thus refreshed we saddled up and proceeded again. After a few miles travel we discovered the rear of Bryant's party who were toiling slowly along and goring their animals flanks in the vain endeavor to urge them into speed. We passed them with a hardy cheer. We journeyed on until within three miles of the fort where there was a short bend in the road and a foot trail across which saved about a hundred yards. Now gentlemen said I, let us raise a gallop and pass everybody on the road. The work was at once accomplished some of my men deriding those left behind on account of their miserable progress. We then all struck into a gallop and soon reached the fort and several of our company found time to get quite intoxicated before the quartermaster arrived. He however soon recovered his equanimity of temper and begged a solution of the mystery how we could come in with our animals fresh while his and his companions horses were jaded to death. He was referred by all to the captain of the mountaineers. I said a horse kernel is only flesh and blood and his system requires greater care than that of almost any other animal. We beat your powerful steed with inferior animals by affording them a short rest with a mouthful or two of grass on the road and by ringing our blankets after we had passed the water. Now we had another long interval of inactivity and I began to grow tired of Florida with its inaccessible hummocks. It seemed to me to be a country dear even at the price of the powder that would be required to blow the Indians out of it and certainly a poor field to work in for renown. My company and I its commander had nothing to do except to carry an occasional dispatch and I wanted excitement of some kind. I was indifferent of what nature even if it was no better than borrowing horses of the black feet. The Seminoles had no horses worth stealing or I should certainly have exercised my talents for the benefit of the United States. The last dispatches that I carried in Florida I bore from Fort Dade to Fort Brooke. In accomplishing this I traveled with my customary caution avoiding the trail as much as possible. In a part where I anticipated no danger I took the trail and fell asleep on my horse for I had ridden four days and nights without rest except what I had snatched upon horseback. Suddenly my horse sprang aside instantly awaking me. I found I had been sleeping too long for I had passed the turning point and was now near a hummock. To return would cost me several miles travel. My horse's ears informed me there was something in motion nearby. I pondered my position and ultimately resolved to take the chances and go ahead. The road through the hummock was just wide enough to admit the army wagons to pass. I bid my horse go and he sprung forward with tremendous bounds. He had not reached through this dark and dangerous pass when I saw the flash of several guns and the balls whizzed harmlessly past me. I discharged my pistols at the lair of my foes and traveled on in safety to the fort. I grew tired of this and informed Colonel Bryant that I wished to resign my task. Why? said he. Everybody who undertakes it gets killed while you never see any Indians. What are we to do? When in camp I had frequently seen men come running in half dead with alarm saying that they had seen Indians or had been fired upon by Indians. I remarked that they were always ridiculed by the officers. Even the privates just believed them. Seeing this I determined to say nothing about my adventure. For if they had received my assertion with incredulity it might have led to an unpleasant scene in the windwam. I was determined to return to the home of the free and the land of the brave. For I felt that the mountains and the prairies of the great west, although less attended with renown at least would afford me more of the substantial comforts of life and suit my peculiar taste better than the service of Uncle Sam in Florida. The commander of the fort, after reading the dispatch endorsed on it. Beckworth fired on by a party of Indians when near this post. He then returned it to me and I rode on to Fort Brooke. Colonel Bryant, having read the dispatch said, Ah, Beckworth, you have been fired on I see. Why did you not tell us so on your arrival? I informed him of my reasons as before stated. He smiled. Your word would have been believed by us all, he said. It is these stupid foreigners that we discredit, who do not know an Indian from a stump. They have deceived us too often for us to put further faith in them. A seminal came into the fort a few days subsequent to this, to give himself up, his arm being broken. When questioned about it he said that a white man had broken it in such a humic on such a night. I then knew that my pistols, which I fired at random, had done the mischief. Alligator, the seminal chief, shortly after came in and informed Colonel Taylor that he and his tribe had concluded to remove to their new home and requested the Colonel to send down wagons to transport their women and children. I have fought you a long time, said the red man, but I cannot beat you. If I kill ten of your warriors you sent a hundred to replace them. I am now ready to go and save the rest of my people. Yes, the Colonel answered, your talk is good. You can now go to your new home and be happy. There is a man pointing to me, who is a great chief of a great nation. You will, for ought I know, be neighbor to his people. He and his people will teach you to hunt the buffalo, and I hope you will be good friends. While I was with the army a tragedy occurred, which I have never seen in any public print, and I deem it of sufficient interest to make mention of it here. A young private, a very respectable connections, had been tried for some offense and sentenced to receive a flogging, which was carried unmercifully into effect. After he had recovered, the surgeon made him go and report himself fit for duty. I will go, said he, but it will be my last duty. Accordingly, he fixed his bayonet and repaired to the officer's quarters, where he found the captain and first lieutenant of his company. He advanced upon them and saying, you have disgraced me with an inhuman flogging, die. He shot the captain dead and plunged his bayonet through the body of the lieutenant, also killing him on the spot. He straight away gave himself up, was tried by court-martial and sentenced to be shot. The execution of the sentence was withheld by Colonel Taylor, who had forwarded the particulars of the trial to the department at Washington and was awaiting the result of official investigation. The case was found worthy of executive interference. A pardon was signed by the president and sent on, and the young man was liberated from confinement. Such inhuman treatment as this poor young soldier received at the hands of his officers has resulted. I have no shadow of doubt in the death of many an officer on the battlefield. I remember at the battle of Okeechobee, a young lieutenant riding up to Colonel Foster and saying, Colonel, I have been shot at twice and not by the enemy either. It was by no friend I will swear, said the Colonel, you can leave the field and learn to treat your men well in future. This I witnessed myself, but whether the young buckskin profited by the sharp cut of the Colonel I am unable to say. There was a Tennessean in camp, a great foot racer, who was incessantly boasting about his wonderful pedestrian powers. He had a valuable horse, which he offered to stake against any person in the camp for a race of 60 yards. As he was considered a great leg by all, no one ventured to take up his offer. I offered myself as a competitor, but all sought to dissuade me. Don't run against him, said they. That fellow will outrun Lucifer himself. He has beat every man who has run against him in Florida. However, I staked $100 against his horse and entered the list. We started together, but as I did not see my antagonist either ahead of me or by my side, I looked round and saw him coming up. I went out a good distance ahead of him and did not exert myself either. The enemy, having submitted to the government, there was nothing more for us to do, and I asked for a furlough to return to St. Louis. I and my company were enlisted for a year. Ten months of this time had been served, and I obtained a furlough for the remaining two months. We embarked for New Orleans, Colonel Gates and his regiment taking passage in the same ship. Arriving at my place of destination in safety, I stayed but one night in the crescent city and then took the steamer to St. Louis, where we had a good time while steaming up, and I was very well satisfied to jump ashore once again at my old home. My company all returned but two. One of whom died in New Orleans, the other was killed by the Seminoles after I left. End of Chapter 29