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---Chapter 6: Lieutenant Fremont Overtakes
Our Train in the Sioux Land---
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We had been out only a few days when we stopped one day on the bank of the Platte river to prepare dinner. The fires were kindled, and, while the cooks were busy with their work and most of the men folks were down to the water with the horses suddenly there arose a fearful cry of "Indian! Indians!" This out-cry was followed by a stern command to "hitch up and roll out." The entire company seemed almost wild with excitement, children crying, mothers screaming or praying, men running wildly about, not knowing what to do. Another voice was heard commanding to close in and "form a corral with all haste." By this time part of the teams were ready to proceed but the opinions of the more calm and judicious finally prevailed, and an effort was made to arrange the company in order for defense.
About this time I saw a woman assisting her husband in making bullets from bars of lead which were carried for that purpose. He prepared the lead by melting it in an iron ladle which he heated over coals of fire.
Soon a young man volunteered to go riding out on the higher ground where he could reconnoiter, while others had no other thought than to prepare for an open daylight battle with a hostile band of Indians. This man was out of sight so long that another volunteered to go in search of him. This man also disappeared from sight. The captain now looked frantic and, in spite of the entreaties of the older and wiser of the company, ordered an immediate movement forward in line. The teams were now being placed. Women .were crying, wringing hands, prayers were made, a medley of sounds and sights, a moving to and fro of frightened men, women and children. All was utter confusion and uproar.
By this time the glitter of fire-arms was visible in the distance. My father and some of the men tried to pacify all by saying that Indians never made attacks in daylight. Their fears were somewhat allayed and quiet was being restored when on came the company of glittering bayonets, the guns shining like burnished steel. They were soon along side of us, but imagine, if you can, our unbounded joy in the surprise. They were a regiment of U. S. soldiers in command of Captain Kearney and Lieutenant Fremont. These gallant commanders alighted from their homes, shook hands with the members of our company, assured us that their well-cared for boys would perform guard duty at night fall, that our stock should graze in peace and safety and that the weary teamsters might rest as our men were greatly fagged and over-worked by their daily toil and their night duty to standing on guard. These had been sent by the government to escort emmigrants across the plan. What unbounded joy filled every heart as we saw these well drilled, well mounted and thoroughly well equipped soldiers pass on ahead. They had one field-piece with them. A few days later they arranged a meeting with the Sioux chief and were assured that the emmigrants would pass in safety through their lands. They claimed the Rocky Mountain summit as their bound. The soldiers remained with us about ten days or so and then marched on foot to the foot of the Rocky Mountains and established Fort Kearney, but their patrol force rendered our Journey absolutely safe. We now pursued our journey quietly and even monotonously. Each day the same program, the men gathering up the stock, harnessing the teams to the wagons, the women cooking, washing dishes, packing away their utensils, putting up lunches for the noon hour.
Captain Kearney gave us some useful instructions regarding our camp ground arrangement. We were to drive near enough together so that we could lay the tongue of our wagon just back of the hind wheels of the one next in front, thus forming a perfect circle, the second team to take the lead each day, thus we had a new neighbor each night. We were also instructed to build our fires outside the circle that our movements might be more hidden from enemies. The men were drilled as to their duty in case we should see enemies approaching. The teams were to be immediately formed in a circle, all animals to be placed inside the circle or corral, the women and children to remain quietly in the wagons, the men to shoulder guns and be prepared for firing when commanded to do so. This bit of instruction seemed to make them act more in unison and prevented recurring scenes of confusion. No Indian attack occurred.
This was a good place to study human nature. One family that traveled with us would drive out at day-break every morning and leave the other teams behind, as the lady said their stock would not get enough to eat if they remained with the train, so they would push ahead until near night fall then camp quite near us and if another company of travellers should come along they would ask to be voted back into our train. This was kept up so regularly that at last some of the crowd would vote "no" just to annoy the lady, others were so vexed that the vote would have to be taken several times before they could be readmitted into the train.
Another lady thought one evening of making soup for supper, so she placed her soup kettle over the fire to boil, but the slender branches which we were able to procure for fuel burned in two and down went the kettle, soup and all. She was quick enough to prevent any accident to the soup bone and the kettle was again prepared for cooking; the kettle and contents again came down and it was the fifth time that some accident had befallen when a successful arrangement was made and the soup kettle set up a regular success of boil. "Well," said the lady, "I Intend having that soup for supper after all." A man who had been sitting in front of a near wagon had whistled and whittled during the entire time then said, "Well, you are not a swearing woman or you would have been using some sort of swear words alright." This man was Mr. William Taylor, afterwards a well known settler in Marion county, Oregon. The lady smiled and by her look of patient preservance showed the folly of any rash speed as a remedy for the many trifling and annoying occurrences of every-day life.
During the first two months of our journey we stopped regularly for Sunday, but now that the teams were getting so fagged and the feed become so dry and scarce it was thought best to make a short drive each day. It was estimated that we had about a thousand miles yet to go before reaching the Will-amette valley and all thought best to make as much of our journey as possible before the late summer when both feed and water would most likely be very scarce. Accordingly we made as good time as possible and often allowed only half days for washing and putting away the clothes.
We continued our daily journeying, listening to the regular tramping of the poor four-footed beasts over the plain and through the dust, the midsummer sun beaming through the cloth roofs and the look of stern desperation setting in the countenances of the most refined and self sacrificing. A weary sameness seemed to characterize each, giving the look of similarity to the outline of each one with whom we came in contact. There was now scarcely a green plant to be seen along the roadside, and, when our route lay away from the riverside we found it difficult to get water for cooking. This caused much suffering among the animals. How I pitied the poor oxen, jaded and hoof-worn lolling along, yet patient and faithful, as only dumb animals can be.
Marion Poe Gets Robbed In the Sioux Land.
One of my father's hired men went with father to bring up a fine milch cow that had fallen behind with a young calf. This occurred when we were only a few days out from the place of starting, and, as there was so large a train we did not fear any serious trouble with the Indians. The* cow had dropped out of the herd some time during the night and father had no doubt about finding her, provided the calf was able to follow her.
Poe had a pistol in his belt and it was a favorite sport of his to shoot at toads, snakes and other small game such as squirrels, birds and rabbits. In this way his supply of ammunition was always low or exhausted.
They had no difficulty in finding the cow and were proceeding toward the train in good time when a small party of Indians were seen walking leisurely along at a little distance. Poe rode out to them and began to talk unconcernedly to them. He was riding a very spirited young horse of fathers' and the saddle was strong and new. It was of the old fashioned flat style, hornless and with broad iron stirrups and wide skirts. As he talked, or tried to talk to them, one of the Indians took hold of the horses bridles while two others took hold of the stirrups and quickly slipped them off his feet, and, while they unbuckled the straps his feet were left hanging uselessly down.
Poe was too scared to speak to father but father saw the situation and rode to his assistance. Father was also well mounted and carried a black-snake whip in his hand. The Indians were now prepared to pull Poe off the horse, but father gave a fierce rap with his whip across their hands causing them to loose their hold on the bridle. He then gave the horse a stroke with the whip, at the same time telling Poe to hold on to his saddle for his Ifie. The horse gave a bound that caused the other knaves to fall backward. Father kept up such a fu-silade with his whip that they got no time for drawing their bows and in a jiffy the two men and horses were out of danger of pursuit. It was the intention of the Indians to take the clothing and firearms from Poe before getting off his horse. Meantime the cow and calf wandered on toward the camp so that parties returned in safety to bring her in to the herd. Poe was cured of his desire to converse with the quick witted mau-rauding Sioux. Although the laugh at his expense was the theme of many a joke among his comrades around the camp fires.
It was daily becoming more and more a serious question with each of us whether the poor faithful beasts would be able tb carry their burdens to the land of our destiny, but that sustaining providence that never forsakes was meted out to us just such blessings as we were most in need of and we had learned to trust Him in whose heart is the way of them who, passing through the valley of Baca, maketh it. a' well.
We were now nearing the Rocky Mountains. With fond hopes we pictured the beautiful Willamette valley beyond, but with much fear and trembling did we see the weary travelers attempt the climbing of the dreary foothills. Of our journey through the Rocky Mountains and the wonderful Yellowstone Park I will tell you in the next chapter.