_Wild Turkey.—Squirrel.—Parroquets.—Trail.—Konza Indian.—Night
Camp.—Deserted House.—Konza Agency.—Reaching Leavenworth._
Before the sun had risen, I was on my way, directing my course by the
purple streak in the east, which announced his approach. This was the
morning of the fourth day since I had parted from my companions. I had
made but one meal, and the cravings of hunger were becoming excessive. I
looked round, when I reached the edge of the prairie, but saw nothing;
I looked through the bottom of forest, but no game was visible. I
stretched out my leg, looked at the leather legging which covered it,
and considered whether it was easy of digestion. I felt it; it _was_
rather tough; so I determined to keep on, and wait till night, before I
proceeded to extremities.
Just then, I caught sight of a turkey, leading a troop to take an airing
in the prairie. I whizzed a bullet after him; his wing dropped and
dragged, and I commenced a hot pursuit. But though I had injured his
wing, I had not damaged his legs, and after following him for nearly
fifteen minutes, I threw myself down completely exhausted. The rest of
the _gang_, taking advantage of the diversion created in their favour,
had disappeared among the trees. I gave up all hopes of again finding
them, and wandered slowly along the edge of the woods. As I was winding
my way through the trees, I heard a loud _click_ above me, and observed
a large red squirrel springing from one limb to another, of a bur-oak.
As he caught sight of me, he darted round the trunk and peered out, with
about an inch of his head, to take an observation. I was hungry, and
this cowardly manœuvre made me angry. I determined, that _have_ that
squirrel I _would_, if I spent the whole day in shooting at him. I rested
my rifle against the trunk of a tree, and after a long aim, fired; the
bullet dashed the head of the little animal to pieces, and whirled him
some twenty feet off in the air.
I had lost my knife on the day previous, but with the assistance of a
nail which I found in my pouch, I skinned my prize, and impaling him upon
the point of a spit made of a dry stick, stuck it in the ground before
the fire to roast. While the process of cooking was going forward, a
flock of screaming parroquets came whirling through the trees; but upon
catching sight of me, they determined to stop and see what I was about.
They accordingly alighted upon a dead tree directly above me, casting
side-looks down upon my roast, and from the joyous chattering that they
kept up, no doubt were congratulating each other, upon having called,
just in time to be invited to breakfast. But I had a meal in store for
them, of a very different description; for after hovering round under the
tree, for some time, I contrived to get three of them in a range, and
fired. My bullet missed, and the flock whirled off, though I could hear
their voices raised in a clamorous outcry, at my want of civility, long
after they had disappeared among the trees.
I despatched my breakfast with a ravenous appetite, and taking with me
the skin of the animal, to serve as a future meal in case of extremity, I
continued my course until it was afternoon. However, I was now becoming
perplexed. I thought to have reached the settlements before this. Still
I saw no signs of human habitation, and I began to yield to the idea,
which, strange as it may seem, invariably fastens itself upon persons,
when wandering, bewildered through these regions. I thought _that the
sun had got turned and was setting in the east_. For some time this idea
was strong; but I remembered the almost parting words of an old hunter,
who accompanied our party. “Look ye,” said he, “you straggle so much from
the party, that some day or other you will not be able to find it again.
Then, all you have to do, is to keep straight away for the east. It will
be sure to bring you right in the end. But remember one thing—never get
bothered. When the sun rises, strike to the east, and don’t _do_, as many
have done when puzzled; don’t think that the sun rises or sets wrong:
for if you do, you will go to the d——l.” I was becoming bewildered, and
I remembered this advice, just at the time when it was most needful.
So I turned my back towards what I had been positive was the east, and
travelled in the direction, which I was equally positive was the west.
I had continued along the prairie for some hours, when suddenly I struck
into a wide trail. There were four paths running along side by side, all
evidently much travelled, and bearing prints of recent hoofs. While I
was examining them narrowly, I caught the trace of a wagon wheel. New
strength seemed to course through my limbs at this discovery, and I
bounded along the path, as swiftly as if I had just started, upon a fresh
and joyous journey. I continued in the trail for several hours. On my
right, was a tall, dense bottom of timber; and here and there, through
the branches, I could perceive the waters of a mighty river. I instantly
supposed this to be the Missouri; that I had struck the trail which led
to Leavenworth, and that by continuing in this direction, I would be able
to reach it before nightfall. I walked swiftly forward for some time;
but still I could see nothing that I recognized. If it was the road to
Leavenworth I had passed it before, and ought to recall the landmarks:
but here all was new. As I was looking around I caught sight of a black
speck moving over the distant path, which I had already passed. It came
nearer and nearer. I could discern that it was a horseman. It might be
one of the officers from the garrison, and I slackened my pace for him to
come up; but as he came nearer I discovered that he was an Indian. I was
then certain that I must be on the banks of the Konzas; that I had struck
too far to the south, and had reached it before its junction with the
Missouri. I had been longing feverishly for the sight of a human being;
yet no sooner did I behold one, than my first movement was to await his
approach, with my finger upon my trigger. When he drew near, he held up
the palm of his hand, in token of friendship, and galloped directly up to
me. He was a fine-looking man of the Konza tribe, apparently not above
thirty—wrapped in a blue blanket, armed with a rifle, and mounted upon a
black pony. He alighted; struck fire, and lit his pipe, for a smoke. From
that moment we were friends. I learned from him, that the river near,
was the Konzas, and that it would be daylight before I could reach the
nearest abode of a white man. As soon as our truce was settled, my Indian
friend mounted, and left me to follow on foot as well as I was able. I
was wearied and hungry, and this want of civility did not increase the
mildness of my disposition. I trudged after him; while he occasionally
thumped his little nag into a trot, casting a look behind, to see whether
I could contrive to keep up with him. This vexed me, and I began to cast
around, for the means of paying the fellow for his ill breeding. He
at last checked his horse—reached out his rifle with the lock broken,
and wished me to mend it. He then handed me a horn, without a grain of
powder in it, and wished me to fill it. I took the gun, and blew into
the muzzle; the air passed freely through the touch-hole. “Ha!” thought
I, “it is not charged; so Mr. Indian I have you on the hip.” I quietly
reached it to him, and he, seeing that I was not disposed to put it in
order, took it and said nothing more about the matter.
We proceeded in silence until we reached the edge of a narrow stream,
about two feet in depth, which ran across the route. Here the Indian
paused, by which means I came up with him, and signified my wish to mount
his horse to cross the water. He demurred at first, but I persisted; I
had a loaded rifle; his was empty: so I gave myself airs, and “spoke
as one having authority.” At last, though with evident reluctance, he
acceded to my request, and in another moment I was behind him on the
horse, and upon the opposite side of the brook. I had been mounted only
for a few moments; but I found the transition far from disagreeable.
I was wearied with walking, and there was something highly pleasing in
travelling upon other legs than my own. I therefore quietly retained my
seat; and though my companion halted the horse, for the purpose of my
dismounting, I was so satisfied with my situation, that I pretended not
to understand his meaning, and listened to his words, and viewed his
gestures with an appearance of the greatest stolidity. At length, he
determined to endeavour to shake me off. For this purpose he wriggled
and twisted in his seat. I, however, clung still more closely to him;
and the only one that appeared annoyed by the action, was the horse, who
expressed his displeasure by kicking up.
The Indian finding this unsuccessful, increased the speed of his nag to a
gallop—but in vain; I was as securely fixed behind, as the Old Man of the
Sea, to the shoulders of Sinbad. At length he gave up, and checking his
horse sprang off. As he did this I slid forward into his seat. I felt
some twinges respecting my ungrateful conduct, but my weariness overcame
them.
My next object was to gain something to eat; for notwithstanding the
squirrel, I felt a vacuum within, that required filling. I observed
that my fellow traveller carried a bundle of dried venison, slung from
his shoulder. I accordingly signified to him that I had eaten nothing
for two days—at the same time pointing to the venison: but the fellow
was obstinate; he shook his head, and afterwards whenever I started the
subject, he looked in a different direction. Finding that fair means were
of no avail, I determined to try what foul could do. As I was mounted, I
resolved that he should think I intended to scamper off with his horse:
so I thumped my rifle against his ribs, and scoured along the trail at
full gallop.
The moment I started, the Indian followed, with a speed that almost
equalled that of the pony; but unfortunately for himself, his wind
was soon exhausted. He then began to think of a compromise, and at
last with much reluctance, loosed a piece of the deer’s flesh, and
held it up towards me, at the same time signifying by his gestures,
that if I would stop, he would give me a portion. This was all that
I desired; and pulling in the horse, I received the venison, and
dismounted—relinquishing the nag to his owner. He, however, thinking
the treaty between us, not yet sufficiently ratified, immediately lit
his pipe, and passed it to me for a second smoke. We then set out, and
at dusk reached a small wood: here the Indian hobbled his horse, and
throwing a few sticks together, he kindled a fire. He then offered me a
small piece of venison, which he had broiled upon the coals; after which
he drew his blanket round him, and stretched himself at full length on
one side of the fire, while I threw myself across my rifle, on the
other. I must have slept for an hour. When I awoke it was intensely
cold, the fire having burnt very low. My companion lay exactly as I left
him when going to sleep; he did not seem to notice that the fire was
expiring, nor did the cold seem to affect him.
I rose up and stood over him; but he did not move. I then stirred him
with my foot, and shouted to him—at the same time motioning to him, to
assist in collecting wood to keep alive the fire. He apparently was aware
of my object, for all I could elicit, was a grunt; nor would he even open
his eyes to look at me. So in no very pleasant humour, I went in search
of fuel, taking my rifle with me.
I had not gone far, before I came upon his little devil of a horse. I
was so much vexed with the master, that I could not help bestowing a
thwack upon the animal, who came smelling up to me, with the air of an
old acquaintance. With a loud snort, and a half attempt at a kick, he
hobbled off, as well as the confined state of his legs would let him.
Hard of hearing, and difficult to rouse, as the Indian had been, when
I attempted it, no sooner was the tramping sound of the horse’s hoofs
heard, as he crashed over the dead brushwood, than he sprang to his feet
and came flying towards me with the swiftness of a deer.
I have but little doubt, that he thought I had served him an Indian
trick, and was scouring off through the bushes with his nag. As it was,
when he found him safe, he was for returning to stretch himself before
the fire. I however arrested him, and motioned to him to assist in
carrying a large limb to our sleeping place; which he did with evident
reluctance; for he seemed to possess in a high degree the Indian aversion
to labour.
About midnight he awakened me, and signified that it was time to be on
the move. He first unhobbled his horse, and led him to the bank of the
river, which was clayey and very steep, for the purpose of watering him.
Here a violent contest took place between the nag and the Indian: the
first being afraid to venture down the slippery descent, and the master
endeavouring by coaxing and kicking to induce him to advance. He had
planted his feet in the very edge of the bank, and although his nose and
head were pulled out to a horizontal line, by the efforts of the Indian,
the rest of his body was as immoveable, as one of the trees around. The
Indian then made signs to me to assist him, for he seemed determined
that the horse should drink, whether thirsty or not. I did not feel in a
very good humour with him, but as he seemed to wish it, I bestowed a few
hearty thwacks upon the hinder parts of the animal, which seemed only to
increase his desire to retrograde, instead of advancing. Finding this of
no avail, I seized a small sapling, and placing it under his belly, made
use of it as a lever, to press him sidewise over the bank. The pressure
against his ribs, drove him within a foot of the edge. I placed the pole
beyond the verge of the bank, and again made use of it as a lever; it
pushed him still nearer. He made a violent effort to resist; but just
then the Indian jerked his little halter violently, and over the horse
went, treading upon the toes of his master, and sousing heels over head
in the river, where he swam up and down, puffing and snorting. Several
times he attempted to climb the bank; but rolled back, and floundered in
the water. The Indian was now alarmed lest he should be drowned. But he
at last succeeded in helping him up the steep, and being satisfied that
his thirst was completely quenched, he once more hobbled him, and then
signified that we should move forward. Before starting, however, he took
from his shoulders his load of venison, and hung it upon a tree. I then
followed him silently, though I could not imagine why he had left his
venison, or why he travelled on foot, when he had a horse to carry him.
We soon came to a river, across which, though full of ice, we waded, and
then started forward on a trail which led through a wood. Occasionally I
took the lead; but the trail grew so indistinct, that I was obliged to
give place to my companion, who always kept on without hesitation.
We had travelled about twelve miles, making many circuits and windings,
and striking from one trail to another, until we emerged from the wood,
and I found myself again near the bank of the Konzas river. Before me
was a large house, with a court-yard in front. I sprang with joy through
the unhung gate, and ran to the door. It was open; I shouted; my voice
echoed through the rooms: but there was no answer. I walked in. The
doors of the inner chambers were swinging from their hinges, and long
grass was growing through the crevices of the floor. While I stood gazing
around, an owl flitted by, and dashed out of an unglazed window. Again I
shouted; but there was no answer: the place was desolate and deserted.
I afterwards learned that this house had been built for the residence
of the chief of the Konza tribe, but that the ground upon which it was
situated, having been discovered to be within a tract, granted to some
other tribe, the chief had deserted it, and it had been allowed to fall
to ruin.
My guide waited patiently until I finished my examination, and then
again we pressed forward. Several times I was deceived by the howling
of wolves, which I mistook for the baying of house-dogs; and when I was
passing through some dark skirt of timber, and expected to come upon
a human habitation, I would be disappointed, by seeing my guide once
more launch out into the open prairie. Several times too, my hopes were
excited by a light, glimmering in the darkness, which upon coming up, I
would discover to proceed from the trunk of a tree, which had caught fire
from the burning of the prairies.
Thus we kept on until near daylight, when we emerged from a thick forest,
and came suddenly upon a small hamlet. The barking of several dogs,
who came flying out to meet us, convinced me that this time I was not
mistaken. A light was shining through the crevices of a log cabin; I
knocked at the door with a violence, that might have awakened one of the
seven sleepers.
“Who dere—and vot de devil you vant?” screamed a little cracked voice
from within.
It sounded like music to me. I stated my troubles. The door was opened;
a head, garnished with a red night-cap, was thrust out, and after a
little parley, I was admitted into the bed-room of the man, his Indian
squaw, and a host of children. As, however, it was the only room in the
house, it was also the kitchen. I had gone so long without food, that
notwithstanding what I had eaten, the gnawings of hunger were excessive,
and I had no sooner mentioned my wants, than a fire was kindled, and in
ten minutes a meal (I don’t exactly know whether to call it breakfast,
dinner, or supper) of hot cakes, venison, honey, and coffee, was placed
before me, and disappeared with the rapidity of lightning. The squaw
having seen me fairly started, returned to her couch. From the owner of
the cabin, I learned that I was now at the Konza Agency, and that he was
the blacksmith of the place.
About sunrise I was awakened from a sound sleep, upon a bear-skin, by a
violent knocking at the door. It was my Indian guide. He threw out broad
hints respecting the service he had rendered me, and the presents he
deserved. This I could not deny; but I had nothing to give. I soon found
out, however, that his wants were moderate, and that a small present of
powder would satisfy him; so I filled his horn, and he left the cabin
apparently well pleased.
In a short time I left the house, and met the Konza Agent, General Clark,
a tall, thin, soldier-like man, arrayed in an Indian hunting shirt, and
an old fox-skin cap.
He received me cordially, and I remained with him all day, during which
time he talked upon metaphysics; discussed politics, and fed me upon
sweet potatoes. In speaking of my guide, I found that he had departed
after receiving a large present from the Agent, to whom he stated that he
had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours. I spoke of the deer’s-flesh he
had left behind.
“The lying rascal!” said the General, “he said he was starving.”
I spoke of the Indian pony.
“What colour was he?” asked the General.
“Black; with short mane, and crop ears.”
“My God! that’s my horse,” exclaimed he, “stolen four days ago. What a
d——d villain that Konza is!”
At night the General furnished me with a mule, and kindly accompanied me
to the garrison, which was forty miles distant, and which we reached on
the following morning a little before daylight.
As I passed one of the out-houses in riding up to the cantonment, I
perceived an Indian leaning against one of the door-posts. “Ugh!”
exclaimed he, starting forward; and the next moment my hand was grasped
in the cordial, but iron gripe of the Iotan chief.
The party had reached the garrison on the evening previous; and the whole
wild band, both Pawnees and Otoes, were now under the protection of the
whites.