Being fully satisfied that the Shianees would prove friendly and
staunch, we agreed to move our camp close to theirs, that we might the
better be able to withstand any attack which the Coomanches might
venture to make upon us. I managed, with the assistance of my friends,
to mount my horse so as to perform the short journey, though I suffered
a considerable amount of pain. We found Yellow Wolf and his braves
seated in council, to decide on a plan of operations against the enemy.
He expressed his gratitude for the warning I had given him, and
complimented me on the victory I had obtained over the Coomanche brave.
"Scouts have been sent out," he said, "to ascertain the position of the
enemy, but as yet no information has been received of their
whereabouts." He suspected that they were very numerous, or they would
not have ventured into that part of the country; but with our assistance
he had no doubt about his being able to repel an attack. Had his tribe
been alone he would have moved westward to escape from them, as his
object at present was to kill buffalo, and lay in a winter store of
pemmican.
There was little sleep for any of the party that night. The Indians
were preparing to set out on the war-path, while my companions sat up
not knowing at what moment the Coomanches might burst upon us, and I was
kept awake by the pain my legs continued to cause me. Yellow Wolf, on
seeing how much I suffered, sent his wife over with a supply of salves
to doctor me.
The night, however, passed away in quietness: and when the scouts
returned in the morning they reported that they had been unable to
discover any traces of an enemy. We therefore remained in camp, both
for my sake, and Charley's; while all hands were employed in
manufacturing pemmican. The rest, and the care bestowed upon me by the
Flower of the Prairies, had so beneficial an effect that in the course
of a couple of days I was myself again.
I should have said that the Indians had brought in the meat from the cow
and two bulls I had killed, having discovered them in the direction I
had described. The flesh of the buffaloes having by this time been cut
up and turned into pemmican, no small portion having been eaten by the
Indians, both they and we were ready to recommence our march.
Just as we were about to start, a scout brought word that he had
discovered a Coomanche trail, but being alone he was afraid to follow it
up. The chief rated him soundly for his cowardice, and declared his
intention of setting out himself with one of his braves, to learn what
he could from an inspection of the enemy's position, so as to be able as
far as possible to judge of their intended movements. I volunteered to
accompany him.
"There are few pale-faces from whom I would accept such an offer," he
answered; "but you have shown so much courage and discretion, that I
shall be glad of your company."
I do not mean to say that he used these words, but it was something
equivalent. I thanked him for the compliment, which I modestly remarked
was scarcely deserved. Dick and Armitage strongly advised me not to go;
but, having made the offer, I felt I should lose credit with the
Redskins should I draw back. We were to proceed with three mounted
attendants, who were to take charge of our steeds as we drew near the
enemy's camp, and we were then to go forward on foot.
"We may have to run for our lives should we be discovered," said Yellow
Wolf, as we rode along; "and unless you can depend upon your legs, it
will be wise to remain with the horses."
I replied that my object was to see the way of approaching an enemy's
camp, and to get a sight of it, and that I felt sure I could run as fast
as he could. We accordingly continued on until we came upon the trail
which the scout had discovered. Yellow Wolf now proceeded more
cautiously, it being of the greatest importance that the enemy should
not discover us. At length he announced his belief that we had got near
the Coomanche camp. We therefore left our horses in charge of the three
Indians, and then continued in the direction we were before going on
foot. I observed that Yellow Wolf's eye ranged over the ground on
either side, as well as ahead. As I thought of the distance we had come
since we left our horses, I began to repent somewhat of the task I had
undertaken; however, I trusted to the sagacity of my companion, that we
should not be detected, and that we should be able to retreat as we had
advanced. Yellow Wolf led, and his brave followed, I bringing up the
rear. My companions frequently stopped, and, bending their ears to the
ground, listened for any sounds which might warn them they were reaching
the Coomanche camp. At first they walked upright, but now they bent
down, taking advantage of any cover which offered.
At length they stopped and whispered together, and Yellow Wolf told me
to be more careful than ever. Then again he and his companion moved on,
until he made a sign to me to keep under cover, while they crept forward
along the top of a bank, covered by bushes of wild roses. I saw them
eagerly stretching out their necks, so as to obtain a view beyond. I
crept after them, looking through the bushes, and could distinguish in
the plain below a considerable band of warriors, some engaged in
lighting fires, others in collecting wood, or preparing provisions,
while their horses ranged round near at hand.
It would have been a fine opportunity to take them by surprise, for a
mounted party could have swept down upon them before they had time to
catch their horses. I have no doubt the Yellow Wolf thought the same
thing, but neither he nor his companion uttered a word.
After satisfying my curiosity, I crept back as cautiously as I had
advanced; and the two Indians, who had surveyed the camp to their
satisfaction, came after me. We at once commenced a retreat in the same
fashion as we had advanced, being quite as careful to conceal ourselves.
Their great object was to escape detection, so that their enemies might
not be aware that the position of their camp was known, and might
continue as unprepared for the reception of a foe as they appeared to be
at present.
Not until we regained our horses, did the Yellow Wolf speak. As we
galloped along on our return, he told me that the Coomanches would
remain at their present camp for a couple of days, and would then
proceed to the north-west in the hopes of coming up with the herds of
buffalo which were feeding in that direction. How he knew this is more
than I can say. I asked him whether he intended to attack the
Coomanches.
He replied that he must hold a council with his braves, and that if they
agreed to follow him, he proposed doing so the next morning in the hopes
of catching his foes off their guard. He inquired whether I and my
friends would assist. I replied that I could not give an answer without
consulting them; that we had come to the country, not to make war on the
Redskins, and that it was our practice to fight only when we were
attacked. This answer did not appear particularly to please him. I
said, however, that should he and his people be attacked, we would no
doubt fulfil our promise in assisting them.
"The pale-faces are wise," he remarked, "they fight only when they are
obliged; that is the reason why red man go down and they live."
Great excitement was produced in the camp by the news we brought, and
without loss of time a council was held. I told my friends what Yellow
Wolf had said, but they decided at once not to assist him in attacking
the Coomanche camp. "We shall have quite enough to do in making our way
through the country, without joining in quarrels not our own," observed
Armitage.
We waited with come anxiety, therefore, the result of our friends'
deliberations. At last Yellow Wolf came to our camp and announced that
his braves were unanimous in their resolution of attacking the
Coomanches; that they intended to set out that night so as to surprise
them just before daybreak. He invited us to accompany them; when Dick,
getting up, made him a speech in true Indian fashion, expressing our
gratitude for the treatment Charley and I had received from the "Flower
of the Prairies," and our affection for him and his; but at the same
time observing that we must decline to cut the throats of a number of
people with whom we had no quarrel.
The chief, who took our refusal very good-humouredly, asked if we would
assist in guarding the camp and the women and children during his
absence. This request we could not well refuse, and we had therefore to
agree to await his return, Dick telling him that we hoped he would come
back victorious.
This matter settled, he and his braves immediately set out; while we
kept a strict watch on the camp, which we thought it more than probable
might be attacked during the absence of the warriors whose departure
their cunning enemies might have discovered.
Although there were two or three alarms caused by a pack of coyotes
which approached the camp, the morning broke without an enemy having
been seen. We had still many hours to wait the result of the battle.
It was not until near the evening that a band of horsemen were seen
approaching from the northeast. They might be friends or they might be
enemies. We all hastened to our posts, old men and boys seizing their
arms ready to fight if necessary. As the horsemen drew nearer, the
Indians uttered loud cries of satisfaction, for they were discovered to
be their friends. Still they came on slowly. It appeared to me that
their numbers were diminished. Presently Yellow Wolf dashed forward
bearing a couple of scalps at the end of his spear. Other braves
followed, several of them having the same gory trophies. On getting up
close to the camp, they halted to receive the congratulations of their
friends.
The old men and women then began to inquire for the relatives who were
no longer among them. The same answer was given to all, "He fell
fighting bravely." On hearing this, loud wails arose from those who had
lost husbands, brothers, and sons.
It was some time before we could learn from Yellow Wolf what had
happened. He had been entirely successful in surprising the Coomanche
camp, but they had fought desperately and many of his braves fell before
he had succeeded in putting his enemies to flight. The scalps he had
brought showed the number of slain on the other side. Another day was
lost, while our savage friends blackened their faces and mourned for the
dead, after which they danced their hideous scalp-dance. I was thankful
that they had returned without prisoners; for I am certain they would
have put them to death with all sorts of horrible tortures, even though
we might have protested against so barbarous a custom. They, however,
managed to bring back one of their people desperately wounded, with two
arrows and a bullet through his body. It seemed surprising that he
could have lived so long. It was, however, evident to us that he was
dying; but his friends thought that he might be recovered by the efforts
of one of their medicine-men, whose vocation we had not before
discovered. The patient was laid on the ground half-stripped, while the
tribe sat round in a circle. Presently, from out of one of the tents,
the most grotesque figure I ever beheld made his appearance. A huge
wolf-skin cloak covered his back; on his head he wore a mask,
representing the head of a wolf double the ordinary size. Dried frogs
and fish and snakes hung down from his neck, his whole body being
concealed by skins. In one hand he carried a spear, ornamented with a
variety of coloured feathers and snakes twisting up it, and in the other
a sort of tambourine, from which also were hung snakes and frog-skins.
He advanced, making a series of jumps and uttering wild yells
accompanied by the rattling of his magic drum until, entering the
circle, he approached his patient. He then began to dance round him,
striking and rattling his drum, shrieking and shouting; sometimes
leaping over the wounded man, then shaking him from side to side.
I watched the poor sufferer, who endured the fearful pain to which he
was put without a groan, gazing at the hideous figure, the last sight he
was destined to behold on earth; for in a short time his jaw fell, his
eyes became fixed, and he was dead. Still the conjurer, utterly
unconscious of this, went on with his performance; until at length his
eye falling on the body and perceiving what had occurred, he turned
round and darted into his tent. The Indians did not appear to be very
much surprised, but I suppose fancied that they had done their best for
their friend, and that their medicine-man had done all that he could do
to save the life of the brave.
As Charley was now sufficiently recovered to move, Armitage proposed
that we should recommence our march, and we prepared accordingly. Our
new friends, however, were not so easily to be shaken off, and when they
discovered our intentions, they made preparations to accompany us.
I have not described their lodges. They were of a conical form, the
frame-work of straight long poles about twenty-five feet long. This was
first erected, when round it were stretched a number of well-dressed
buffalo robes, sewn tightly together and perfectly water-proof. The
point where the ends of the poles protruded was left open to allow the
smoke to escape. On one side was the entrance closed by a door, also of
buffalo hide. The fire was made in the centre, immediately under the
aperture. In cold weather the Indians slept on buffalo rugs, with their
feet towards the fire, and these rugs were rolled up during the day and
placed at the back of the lodge.
The women had all the work of putting up the lodges. We watched the
poor creatures taking them down again, rolling up the skins, and placing
them on bars near the lower ends of the poles, which trailed on the
ground, the upper ends being secured half on each side of the horses.
The young squaws and children were mounted on the horses, while the
older had to toil along on foot often with loads on their backs.
Besides horses, our friends had a number of dogs which were employed in
drawing loads on small sledges, and very hard work they must have found
it in summer. They had also other dogs of a smaller species which were
reserved for food when buffalo meat was not to be obtained.
For three days we travelled on in their company, when the scouts brought
word that a large herd of buffaloes were feeding a few leagues off to
the southwest. Our friends immediately encamped and prepared to set off
in chase, trusting that the Coomanches, after the signal defeat they had
received, would not attack them. We should have been glad of an excuse
for separating from our friends; but as we wished to see more of their
mode of hunting the buffalo, we agreed to accompany them. Charley, I
was glad to see, was as well able to sit his horse as before, and he
declared that he was ready to undergo any amount of fatigue. According
to our custom, we kept as much together as possible; but we endeavoured
not to show that we doubted the honest intentions of the Indians.
Occasionally the Yellow Wolf, getting off his horse, put his ear to the
ground to listen, as he said "for the feet of the buffalo."
At length, quickly mounting, he exclaimed that he heard them and that we
should soon come in sight of the herd. We therefore pushed rapidly
forward; and, reaching the top of a slight rising, we saw a large number
of black dots scattered over the plain. To the right, on one side of
where the buffalo were feeding, was a smaller elevation to that on which
we were posted. Guided by the chief we made towards it. On reaching
the further or western side, the chief advised that we should dismount,
saying that he wished to attack the buffalo in a way often adopted by
his people before charging in among them on horseback. We of course
agreed, anxious to see the method he spoke of.
The Indians had brought with them several wolfskins with the heads and
tails. Creeping up the hill, over the brow of which we looked to watch
what was going forward, we saw them put the skins on their backs, and
take their bows and a quantity of arrows in their hands, so that at a
distance they much resembled wolves. On they went, whenever shelter
could be obtained, running rapidly forward, but as they got on the open
plain again bending down and creeping on all fours. Whenever they saw
the shaggy beasts looking at them, they stopped and seemed to be engaged
with something on the ground, as if they had no intention of approaching
the herd. When the buffaloes went on feeding they again advanced.
Were the buffaloes sharp-sighted animals they might have discovered
their foes; but their hair covering their eyes prevents them from seeing
clearly. The hunters got closer and closer.
Having selected the fattest animal in sight, presently one, rising for a
moment, let fly his arrow, which entered the breast of a buffalo near
him. The animal, after running for a few paces, dropped without
disturbing the rest, who seemed to fancy that their companion had merely
lain down on the ground. Each of the other Indians did the same, and,
without taking any notice of the beasts they had killed, continued their
course, shooting arrow after arrow, until upwards of a dozen buffaloes
had bit the ground.
It is only, however, when the bison are quietly feeding that they can be
approached in this way. When they are on the move, they keep their eyes
about them, and a man on foot can with difficulty get near. The
disguised hunters would probably have killed many more, but that for
some reason or other the herd began to move on. The moment the chief
observed this he called to us and the others to come forward; and away
we dashed after the herd, which, alarmed at the sound of the horses'
hoofs, rushed on, every instant increasing their speed. As before all
was silence and quiet, now the air was rent with a confusion of sounds--
the tramp of the bisons and the pursuing horses, the shouts and cries of
the hunters as they dashed forward in chase.
We let them take the lead for some time, to see their mode of
proceeding. We remarked especially the force and precision with which,
while going at full gallop, they let fly their arrows, always aiming
behind the shoulders of the shaggy beasts. They took good care never to
head them, while they kept at a sufficient distance to have room to
avoid the fierce charges the terror-stricken bisons occasionally made.
After they had shot a considerable number, we who had hitherto kept in
the rear gave our horses the rein and were soon up with the herd.
Armitage and Story were in their glory, and upheld the honour of the
white man by each shooting three buffaloes, while Dick and I killed two.
I saw Charley shoot down one in very good style, and then pursue
another which he had made up his mind to overtake. I was on the point
of following him, when my horse stumbled in a hole and threw me over its
head. I quickly recovered my feet and was about to remount, my steed
appearing none the worse for its fall, when I saw a huge buffalo dashing
up with the intention of tossing me into the air. I had barely time to
spring into my saddle and to get a few paces off, when the buffalo's
horns pierced the ground at the very spot where I had been standing.
Disappointed at not finding me, he looked about and again lowered his
head to charge. Flight was my only resource; so off I galloped, hoping
to get to such a distance from the brute as would allow me time to
reload and again to face him. I succeeded better than I expected; and
at length, wheeling round my horse who stood stock-still, I fired and
brought the buffalo to the ground. In the meantime the rest of the herd
galloped off followed by the hunters, who were now a long distance away,
so far indeed as to make it impossible for me to overtake them. Well
satisfied with my performance, I cut out the tongue of the last animal I
had killed and directed my course back to the camp, stopping on my way
to extract the tongues of the two other bisons I had killed. I was soon
overtaken by Dick, who had also turned back. He said that the rest of
our party had gone on with the Indians, in pursuit of the herd.
He regretted that Charley had not returned with us, as he would be
overcome with fatigue by so long a ride. We employed ourselves in
lighting a fire and getting supper ready for our friends. At last
Armitage and Story came in, but Charley did not make his appearance.
"He'll return soon," said Dick. "Let me consider, when did I see him
last? I cannot quite recollect, but I remember that he was following a
buffalo; and I had no doubt that he shot the brute, and fully expected
to see him here."
We waited, but we waited in vain. At last we applied to our Indian
friends, but they were revelling in buffalo meat, and were not disposed
to set out in search of Charley; promising, however, to go in the
morning should the young pale-face not have returned by that time.
I am afraid to say how much buffalo meat the savages consumed before
daybreak, for they sat up nearly all night eating, and had their enemies
pounced down upon them they would have made but a poor defence, I
suspect.
When morning came they excused themselves from going in search of
Charley, saying that they must bring in the buffalo meat they had
killed.
We therefore had to set off alone, not a little disgusted at their
behaviour. We bade them, however, a friendly farewell, saying that the
life of one of our party was more precious to us than all the buffalo
meat in the world. We however took with us the tongues and other
portions of the animals we had killed, so that we had abundance of
provisions which would last us until we could obtain venison or fall in
with another herd of buffalo.
Though we made diligent search, with the assistance of old Folkard and
the Indians engaged by Armitage, we failed to discover Charley's trail;
and we felt more out of spirits when we encamped that evening than we
had done during the whole of our expedition.