_Indian Mischief.—Crossing the Loup Fork of the Platte.—Entrance
in the Republican Village._
No sooner had the chief signified by his movements his intention that
the party should set out, than the dark ring round us was broken, and
the whole mass of Indians flooded the prairie—pouring in the direction
of their village. It was a scene of vast confusion. The horses which had
been cast loose by their owners, careered wildly around the crowd. The
mounted horsemen dashed about with a mad fury almost equal to that of the
masterless beasts. If any thing could give to an inexperienced person an
idea of a field of battle, where man and horse are alike urged on by a
reckless disregard of life, it is a scene like this.
There was a striking contrast between the conduct of the older and more
influential chiefs, and that of the younger warriors. The first rode
gravely by the side of the party. There was something stern, and even
savage, in the fixed repose of their painted faces.
Every forehead was wrinkled with the thousand lines that seam an Indian
brow; and, but for the tell-tale eyes which glittered in their deep-sunk
sockets with a startling brilliancy, you would not have known that
boiling blood, and hearts which could nourish passions like fire, were
beating in the bosoms of those iron warriors.
These were the chiefs and older men of the tribe; the young men rode at a
distance. There was nothing to restrain _them_; they took no part in the
councils. Their chiefs had ordered them to receive the party as friends,
and they had obeyed their orders. They knew that a treaty of peace was to
be made with the whites. They knew that in future the axe and scalping
knife were to lie idle, and that war was to be at an end. But they did
_not_ know, that they were thus removing the only barrier which insured
their own safety, and were forming the first link of the chain, which
always has ended, and always will end in fetters to the free spirit of
the Indian.
During the whole way from the plain to the bank of the river, the party
kept compactly together. At length, however, one of the soldiers, mounted
upon a powerful horse, gradually edged away, until he was about fifty
yards distant from the main body. It was done without thought, and
probably for the sake of gaining space that his horse might move more
freely. He had reached some distance, and gained a point, beyond the
observation of the chief. Here the spirit of waggery and mischief, which
flourishes with rich growth in the bosom of a young Indian, began to
display itself in the various pranks which they attempted to play upon
him. Frequently they would flit their horses across his path, and in
passing, dashed their heavy robes across the eyes of the animal causing
him to rear, and plunge. This was a source of great annoyance to the
rider, who was not the best horseman in the world, and had been mounted
that day more for the sake of show, than for any desire which he had
for the station. He did well enough as long as his steed travelled at
a walk. He was most sorely puzzled when his speed was accelerated, and
completely driven to his wit’s end, when the horse grew restive under the
annoyances of the Indians. _They_, however, always took especial care to
be quick in their movements, and keep beyond the reach of his brawny arm;
for there was something in the grave, worried features, and giant form
of the veteran, which spoke a man not to be trifled with. For some time
this continued, and he bore it with exemplary patience. At last a little,
old wiery Indian, half covered with a buffalo robe, which from long use
retained but little of its woolly covering, determined to come in for
his share of the sport. He was mounted upon a little horse, of as lean
and sinewy a make as himself, with an eye as fiery as a coal. He had no
hair upon his tail, but at the successful accomplishment of any of his
mischievous feats, he wagged the naked stump with an expression of keen
satisfaction and relish.
At first the old fellow contented himself by whirling his beast round and
round the powerful horse, which bore the veteran; and so near as almost
to touch him at every circuit. The soldier did not appear to relish this,
but still took no active measure in the defensive. Finding that this was
borne with patience, the old fellow grew bolder. In making one of his
circuits, he ran his steed violently against the flank of the horse which
bore the soldier, casting the rider from his precarious seat, almost
on the neck of his beast, and causing a furious discharge of the heels
of the aggrieved animal. At last the old Indian came to still closer
quarters, and galloped full tilt against the horse, while a loud laugh
was raised among the young Indians. The soldier recovered his seat, but
began to lose his temper, and when the old man repeated his manœuvre
he became downright angry. The most of the Indians saw that there was
mischief in his eye, and drew off. The old man, however, was too much
delighted with the success of his pranks to think of stopping. In the
meantime the soldier made preparation to retaliate. The horse upon which
he was mounted was of a very large size. He had relished as little as
his rider, the rigs that his tormentors had run upon him. The soldier
knew this, and acted accordingly. As the Indian came again at full sweep,
to run aboard of him, he suddenly drew in the powerful curb bridle, with
a strong jerk, and at the same time buried his spurs in the flanks of his
horse. The animal planted his fore feet into the sod, and his heels were
discharged from behind as if thrown from a catapult. They came in contact
with the ribs of his opponent’s horse, at the moment that he was about to
close with him. The nag was driven to the distance of several yards, and
the rider hurled from his back, and sent rolling in the grass.
Though the Indians had relished the pranks played by their comrade,
their enjoyment of the retaliation was greater; and they hooted, and
jeered him, not so much for his breach of hospitality as for his want of
success. To get rid of them, he plied the lash upon his little steed,
and together they went scampering to the village. The soldier in the
meantime, taking advantage of the diversion in his favour, returned to
the party.
A short time only elapsed, before we were at the brink of the river. Here
the chief led the way across the shoalest fording place. The rest of
the Indians, however, regardless of the depth, plunged in, and in a few
moments, its whole surface was black with them.
It was a scene of great hubbub and confusion. Some were mounted upon
powerful, and sinewy horses, which sped through the water like sea-birds.
Others floundered, half drowning through the deep channel, frightening
the more timid by their snorting and splashing. Some of the Indians
threw themselves from their steeds, and boldly stemmed the current, half
swimming, and half wading; while the relieved horses, scattering in every
direction, ploughed their way through the bubbling stream, and made for
the nearest land. The baggage wagons toiled slowly along in the rear,
keeping closely upon the trail of the chief.
After some time the whole party reached the opposite shore, at the foot
of the high bluff, upon which stood the Republican village. The bank
was steep, and almost precipitous. There was a pause of some length,
before the arduous task of dragging the heavy vehicles up the hill, was
imposed upon the jaded oxen. At length, however, a string of twelve were
fastened before a single wagon, and united their strength to draw it
up. The Indians stood by, with looks of wondering curiosity; but when
they saw the lash inflicted, and the nervous efforts of the beasts, they
shrank back with a feeling of fear, lest they should turn upon their
persecutors. Even the older warriors showed signs of dread, and the
children scampered in undisguised terror up the steep pathway. They
paused, however, upon the top of the bluff, where they deemed that they
might gaze in safety, upon the movements of their guests. After a sound
drubbing, and much swearing on the part of the drivers, the jaded animals
forced the wagons up the hill, and slowly proceeded through the village.