University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XX.

The Blackfeet village was one hundred and fifty
miles from the Ogalallas, and the way thither lay
often over the tops of bare and sandy hills.

On the summits of these heights I found shells
such as are picked up at the sea-side. The Indians
accounted for their appearance there by saying, that
once a great sea rolled over the face of the country,
and only one man in a boat escaped with his family.
He had sailed about in the boat until the waters retired
to their place, and, living there, became the
father of all the Indians.

These savages proved very kind to me. Though
their nation is regarded by the whites as very vindictive
and hostile, they showed me nothing but civility
and respect.

On the third morning we reached a small village,
where we halted. The Indians of the village were
rejoiced to see me. Among them I recognized many

familiar faces, and they imparted to us their mistrust
and apprehension lest I had been stolen from the
Ogalallas; but the Blackfeet assured them to the contrary;
and, after questioning me, they became satisfied,
and gave us food, promising to send warriors to
our village, and giving us another horse.

The journey to the village of the Blackfeet was exceedingly
wearisome—completely exhausting me by its
length; and I suffered from the intense cold weather.

Approaching their village, they entered it with loud
demonstrations of joy, singing and whooping after
the manner of their race, with noises defying description.

I was received with great joy; and even marks of
distinction were shown me. That night there was a
feast, and every thing denoted a time of rejoicing.

My life was now changed—instead of waiting upon
others, they waited upon me.

The day of my arrival in the Blackfeet village was
a sad one, indeed, being the first anniversary of my
wedding. The songs and shouts of exultation of the
Indians seemed like a bitter mockery of my misery
and helplessness.

I met in the village many warriors whom I had
seen during the summer, and knew that they had participated
in the battles with General Sully. They saw
that something had made me sad and thoughtful, and
asked what it was. I told them it was my birth-day.

Soon after my arrival, Egosegalonicha was sent to
me, and inquired how I was treated, and particularly
wished to know if they were respectful to me. She
told me that she was sent to inquire for my safety and
well-being, and that any remissness on the part of the
Blackfeet would be visited with vengeance.

She told me that her people mourned the captive's
absence, and grieved for her presence. From others I
learned the same.

Next morning there was great commotion in the
camp, caused by the arrival of a delegation from the
Yanktons, with a handsome horse and saddle, as a
present for me.

The saddle was of exquisite workmanship, embroidered
with beads, and richly decorated with fringe.

The Yanktons desired to purchase me, offering five
of their finest horses for me, which the Blackfeet were
quite indignant at, replying, that they also had fine
horses; and, deeming it an insult, returned the horse
and its saddle. Fearing my disappointment, they, in
council that night, decided to present me with something
as worthy as the Yanktons had sent.

Accordingly, at the door of the tent next morning
were four of their best animals; eight beautiful robes
were brought in by the young men, and given me also.

The Yanktons were told to return to their tribe, and
if such a message was again sent, the hatchet would be
painted and given to them

This closed the negotiation, but not their efforts to
obtain me.

The large reward which had been offered for my
recovery caused the Indians much trouble, as frequently
large parties from other tribes would come in,
offering to purchase me from those who held me captive.
Several such instances occurred while I was with
the Ogalallas; nor were the Blackfeet exempt from
similar annoyances.

One day, while in Tall Soldier's tipi, there was a
large body of mounted warriors seen approaching the
village. The women gathered around me, and told me
I must stay in the tent, concealed. All was excitement,
and the women seemed frightened. Soon I knew
that preparations were being made for a feast on a
large scale. The strange warriors came into camp and
held a council, at which Tall Soldier made a speech,
which, from the distance, I could not understand;
they then had a feast, and departed. The Blackfeet
gave me to understand that the visit of these Indians
was on my account, as had been that of the Yanktons.

Soon after, I noticed that parties of warriors would
leave the camp daily and return, bringing ammunition
and goods of various kinds. I learned from the
squaws and children that a party of traders from the
Platte River had arrived in the neighborhood with
four wagons, to trade with the Indians, and that they

wanted to buy me, but that the Indians would not
part with me. I pretended to the Indians that I did
not desire to leave them, but plead that I might go
with them to see the white men, which was refused,
as was also a request that I might write a letter to
them.

Soon after, the traders were murdered, only one man
escaping, who reached Fort Laramie nearly dead from
hunger and exposure, having traveled the whole distance
from the Missouri River on foot.

I have since learned that the men were sent out by
Mr. Beauve, a trader, near Fort Laramie, with instructions
to procure my release if it required all they
possessed.

Since learning these facts, I am more than ever convinced
that the reluctance of the Indians to give me up
grew out of their hope of capturing Fort Sully through
my involuntary agency, and securing a greater booty
than any ransom offered; as also of obtaining revenge
for the losses inflicted upon their nation by the soldiers
under General Sully.

The Blackfeet appeared in every respect superior to
the tribe I had left. The chief, "Tall Soldier," displayed
the manners and bearing of a natural gentleman.

They kept up an air of friendliness, and communicated
frequently with the whites; but, in reality, were
ready to join any hostile expedition against them, and

were with the Ogalalla Sioux when our train was attacked
at Box Elder.

The Blackfeet seemed to be stationary in their village,
only sallying out in small parties for plunder and
horses; and, during that time, keeping up a succession
of entertainments at the tipi of the chief, where a constant
arrival of warriors and many Indians from other
tribes, who were warmly welcomed, added to the excitement
of the days.

I sympathized with the poor wife of the chief, who
was the only woman, beside myself, in the tent, and to
whose labor all the feasts were due.

She was obliged to dress the meat, make fires, carry
water, and wait upon strangers, besides setting the
lodge in order.

These unceasing toils she performed alone—the commands
of the chief forbidding me to aid her.

While with the Ogalallas, I had never crossed their
will or offered resistance to my tasks, however heavy,
having learned that obedience and cheerful industry
were greatly prized; and it was, doubtless, my conciliating
policy that had at last won the Indians, and
made them bewail my loss so deeply.

The squaws are very rebellious, often displaying ungovernable
and violent temper. They consider their
life a servitude, and being beaten at times like animals,
and receiving no sort of sympathy, it acts upon them
accordingly.

The contrast between them and my patient submission
had its effect upon the Indians, and caused them
to miss me when separated from them.

During my sojourn in this village I received invitations
to every feast, and to the different lodges. One
day, when visiting one of these lodges, a package of
letters was given me to read. They had been taken
from Captain Fisk's train, and were touchingly beautiful.
Some of them were the correspondence of a
Mr. Nichols with a young lady, to whom he seemed
tenderly attached. I was asked to read these letters
and explain them to the Indians.

I was removed at different times to various lodges,
as a sort of concealment, as I learned that the Yanktons
had not yet given up the idea of securing me;
and, one night, I awoke from my slumbers to behold
an Indian bending over me, cutting through the robes
which covered me, after making a great incision in the
tent, whereby he entered. Fearing to move, I reached
out my hand to the sqnaw who slept near me (whose
name was Chahompa Sca—White Sugar), pinching
her, to arouse her, which had its effect; for she immediately
arose and gave the alarm, at which the
Indian fled. This caused great excitement in the
camp, and many threats were made against the Yanktons.

The intense cold and furious storms that followed
my arrival among the Blackfeet precluded the possibility

of their setting out immediately on the proposed
journey to Fort Sully.

The snow-drifts had rendered the mountain passes
impassable, and the chief informed me that they must
wait until they were free from danger, before taking
leave of the shelter and security of their protected village.