Jumping Rabbit’s Story.
CHAPTER VI.
If I were to give a minute account of all that happened while I was with the Indians, it would fill a large book. Perhaps I may, some time or other, give a more particular account of my adventures; but I must now condense my narrative, and give only the leading events of my life with the Indians.
I continued for nearly six years with the tribe of Kickapoos, who first made me their captive. During this period these Indians frequently shifted their abode, partly with a view to the acquisition of game, and partly to escape the neighborhood of troublesome enemies. We had occasional skirmishes with other tribes, and once a serious war with the Osages.
Small companies of white hunters and fur traders sometimes visited our camp, taking our furs, and giving us powder, ball and trinkets in return. The trade in furs became more and more an object to the tribe, and, finally, it was a part of their system to despatch some of the men every winter to the mountainous country at the west, for the purpose of killing foxes, wild-cats, and other animals, in order to obtain their skins.
I accompanied one of these parties, which consisted of eleven men. We proceeded, early in the autumn, to the Rocky Mountains, and, hearing that game was very abundant on the other side, we traversed that immense range, and found ourselves upon its western slope. We came to a river, which, it was said, emptied its waters into a great salt lake. Impelled by curiosity, we continued our ramble to the westward, and, at last, reached the shores of the Pacific.
Novelty strikes even the imagination of the savage. Our party were, therefore, not a little excited when they gazed at the boundless sea, and noticed the greenish tinge of its waters. When they tasted it, and perceived its salt and bitter flavor, they spit violently, and uttered a great many exclamations of astonishment. It was here that I first saw a ship. This was one of the American vessels, going to trade with the Indians on the north-west coast, and obtain their furs. She passed near us, and I could easily distinguish her sails, her ropes, and some of the men. I had often heard of the white people, since I had been with the Indians, but nothing I had ever seen had given me such an idea of their skill and power as did this vessel.
We lingered along the shores of the Pacific for some weeks, and here we met with various tribes of Indians. Some of these were called Flat-heads, the upper part of their heads being flattened, by placing them in infancy between two boards. It may seem difficult to account for the prevalence of such a painful and unnatural custom; but we must remember that fashion governs the Indians as well as the white people. Some of the savages bore holes through their ears and noses, for the purpose of suspending jewels therein. Some submit to a burning of the flesh, in order to tattoo the skin; and those we have just mentioned compress the skull between two boards. These things are all done in compliance with fashion.
We at last returned to the Rocky Mountains, and spent the winter in the pursuit of game. We killed a number of wild sheep and wild goats, and several beautiful little antelopes. These creatures we found in small herds at the eastern foot of the mountains. They were exceedingly agile, with gentle, black eyes and mild countenances, and seemed to speed over the ground almost as swiftly as a bird could fly.
Loaded with furs of various kinds, we set out for our return. One night, as we were encamped upon the banks of a small river, we were attacked by a party of about twenty Pawnees. Two of our Indians were killed, and the rest escaped. I was myself taken prisoner, and nearly the whole of our furs fell into the hands of the assailants.
I was now taken with my new captors to the encampment of the Pawnees, a distance of five days’ journey. I submitted with apparent satisfaction to my captivity, and, making myself useful, soon acquired the favor of the people among whom I was now adopted. I had, however, no real attachment to them, and determined to seize the first favorable opportunity for my escape. Several months passed, and I began to be more reconciled to my lot, particularly as I was now regarded as a leader among the hunters of the tribe.
A plan was now set on foot for a marauding expedition against the Indians dwelling far to the eastward of our present position. We had plenty of horses, and thirty of us, well mounted and equipped, set forth upon the proposed adventures. We proceeded eastward, and traversed a large extent of country, and, at last, came within the vicinity of some scattered settlements of white men.
I now discovered that it was the purpose of my companions to attack these settlements,—a circumstance which they had before concealed from me. This concealment probably arose from their knowledge that I was of white descent, and they were, perhaps, afraid that I would not join them heartily in plundering my own kindred.
At last, however, they told me their scheme. Though I had been long with the Indians, and had adopted their customs and feelings, yet I was by no means pleased with the idea of attacking these white settlements. I knew it was unsafe for me, however, to avow my scruples; for, if their suspicion was excited, they would not hesitate to send a bullet through my heart. I therefore received their proposition with apparent unconcern. Perceiving, however, the keen eyes of an old chief bent suspiciously upon me, I thought it necessary to profess an interest in the enterprise which I did not feel.
The intention of escaping from the tribe, which I had formerly cherished, now revived, and an opportunity was only wanting for me to take leave of them forever. While I was in this state of mind, we came into the vicinity of a small white settlement, consisting of four or five houses. One of our party had been in this quarter before, and knew the situation of these dwellings. They were all scattered, and one of them he described as apart from the rest, and as likely to afford considerable plunder.
It was thought best, however, before making the attack, to gain more exact information of the present state of things among the settlers; and, with this view, it was proposed that four of us should paint and dress ourselves as Osages, and pay a visit to these white people under pretence of selling them furs. We halted in the thick forest, and made our preparations. Our party of spies then set out on foot, and proceeded to visit the houses of the white men. We found five or six log-houses built upon the borders of the White river, each of them having some cleared and cultivated lands around them.
A little higher up the stream, we came to the other house which has been before mentioned. It was larger than those we have described, and had the appearance of considerable comfort and thrift on the part of the inhabitants.
When we entered the house, we saw two women; one of them about middle age, the other about sixteen. It was now several years since I had been with the Indians, during which period I had not seen a white woman. The moment I looked on those now before me, my former associations and trains of thought revived. We addressed the oldest of the females, and asked for a cup of water. She replied in tones of kindness and courtesy, but I thought I could perceive something of trepidation and anxiety in her manner. Her voice, also, awakened indescribable emotions in my breast.
The young lady soon brought us a pitcher of water, and, when I looked upon her, it seemed to me that I had never beheld a creature so lovely. As the man of the house was not at home, we soon departed, and, as our business was now accomplished, we proceeded straight to our companions, whose lurking-place we reached late in the evening. We communicated the information we had acquired, and it was soon resolved to make an attack upon the last house we had visited, the very next night.
The situation in which I now found myself was most painful. The deepest interest had been excited in my breast toward those whom the savages had resolved to sacrifice. The forms of the mother and daughter continually haunted my mind; and a strange fancy that it was my mother and sister whom I had seen, seized upon me. Improbable, impossible, indeed, as this seemed when I considered it calmly, there was still a conviction resting upon my heart that I was about to engage in assailing the dwelling-place of my parents, with every chance of sacrificing the lives of my kindred.
I was not long in resolving to take no part in this murderous scheme, except to baffle it. But what could be done? To escape from the savages, forever on the watch, and, doubtless, in some degree suspicious of me, was a thing by no means easily achieved. I determined, however, to make the attempt, even if it cost me my life.
It was the plan of the Indians to remain where they were till about midnight, then to proceed on horseback to the vicinity of the settlements, and, having tied the horses in some sheltered spot, to go on foot to the assault they meditated. Early the next evening, the whole party laid down for the purpose of obtaining some repose, their horses having been fastened, so as to be at command. I had taken care that my own horse should be imperfectly tied, so that I knew he would soon get loose.
In the course of an hour, and after most of the company were asleep, I heard the animal moving about. I then rose up, expressed some surprise, and remarked that my horse was loose, and that I must go and take care of him. One or two Indians, who were still awake, heard what I said, and, seeing nothing suspicious in my conduct, I was permitted to depart without interruption. I soon caught my horse, and cautiously led him away from the slumbering party. When I had gone to the distance of fifty rods, I mounted his back and plunged into the woods.
For more than a mile I took a direction opposite to the houses of the settlers. Then, making a wide circuit, I turned and pursued my way toward them. Coming to the bank of the river, I was guided in my course, and ere long reached the first of those settlements which I had visited with my Indian companions. I now woke up the people in the several houses, and, in the imperfect English I was able to command, told them of the attack that was meditated.
Four men, well armed, immediately started with me for the house which was to be the first object of attack. It was nearly midnight when we arrived and roused the inmates of the house. There was no time to be lost, and immediate preparations to receive the enemy were made. In about an hour we saw their dark forms gliding out from the edge of the forest, and approaching the house. With a soft and stealthy tread they approached. Two of them seized upon a large stick of timber, and were advancing to the door, for the purpose of beating it in, when I thrust my head out of the window and uttered the war-whoop. The astonished Indians started back, and for a short time concealed themselves in an adjacent thicket.
I knew that they would recognize my voice, and understand that their plot was detected, and that preparations were made to repel it. I hoped, therefore, that they would retire and give up their enterprise. Such, however, was not their determination. In a short time they rallied, and, setting up the war-cry, advanced with rapid steps toward the house.
I marked the leader of the band, whom I knew to be the bravest man of the party, and, presenting my rifle, I fired. The Indian fell with a terrific scream. The rest of the party halted. There was a momentary bustle, and the savages disappeared. We continued on the watch till morning, and were then happy to discover that the enemy had carried off their wounded leader, and abandoned the enterprise that had brought them hither.
I had been too intently occupied, during the night, to think of much beside the immediate business in hand, but I now turned my eyes upon the inmates of the house. These consisted of four persons,—a husband and wife of middle age, and a son and daughter now in the flower of youth. The thought again crossed my mind that here were my parents, my brother and my sister. At last, in the conviction that this was so, I placed myself before the matron, and said, as well as I knew how, “Did you ever lose a son?”
“Yes, yes! why do you ask?” said she, looking at me with intense curiosity.
“He is here,” said I.
“You my son?” said she.
But I cannot describe the scene. It will be sufficient for the reader to know that I had the happiness this day of being restored to my family and saving them from the perils of an Indian assault.
“Where have you been this week?” “Me? I’ve been fishing.” “Catch anything?” “Yes, a cold.” “Where were you last night?” “Ducking.” “Get any?” “Yes, one.” “Where?” “In the river.” “How?” “Tumbled in.”