Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-06-07

pleasure OF the journey.
We found no difficulty in killing
time. When the weather was favorable
we sat on deck, not reading or think
ing more than we were compelled TO-
and lazily watched the clouds, the
brown water and the desolate land
scape drift by. Now and then we ran
on a sand bar, when the donkey en-
CINE was brought into action, and its
rafting and Snorting as It Strove "a
set US afloat furnished welcome diver
sion, accompanied as 1t was by the
sing-song voices Of the men taking
soundings. There was the daily climb
to the pilot house to interview the
pilot, the process Of 'wooding up 10
observe with its long lines OF roust-
abouts passing to and fro over the
gangplank, and the occasional stop at
an Indian agency to discharge freight.
On rainy days and evenings there
were cards and conversation in the
cabin: and. on one never-to-be-
forgotten occasion, few buffalo were
sighted a half mile away numbering
along parallel with our course. Then
every man who had a rifle produced
buffalo were concealed by a bluff,
there was the noise and excitement
Of a Fourth Of July celebration.
XIII Old Buffalo
These buffalo escaped uninjured.
But a few days later an ancient bull
that was awaiting dissolution on the
river bank had his end fastened by a
friendly bullet and was hauled on
board with the aid Of a windlass and
a rope about his neck It was not a
pleasant sight for the passengers. who
wondered what was TO be the fate OF
the carcass. For several days following
the slaughter It was customary at
mealtime, after partaking Of jamboli
and other like delicacies, to ask the
walters, What kind Of meat Is IL you
are servtng2' And the reply, given with
q liberal display Of worries and mali
cious delight, was always the same
Buffalo steak. ma'am.' Many of US
became strict vegetarians for q time.
1T was now that o rumor was set
afloat and rapidly gained credence TO
the effect that our boat would assist
in taking Sitting Bulls band Of Sioux
from Fort Buford 70 Standing Rock
agency. At the mouth OF the Yellow
stone we were joined by government
boat and were told that we were 10
await the arrival OF the Helena. now
on its way down from Fort Benton,
and together the three boats would
transport the entire band to its des-
tination.
Indians Were Feared
"At Buford army officers came
aboard our boat and entreated their
brother officers, as they valued their
wives and children, to wait over for
a later boat. as they considered it ex-
tremely dangerous to travel with the
Indians. This was not reassuring to us
who we're compelled to abide by the
fortunes of the Star of the West The
officers we're badly frightened but at
last decided not to desert US.
THE next day the Indians began to
flock in from their reservation, and
the Helena steamed up to the landing
That night the Sioux held farewell
feast and dance. Many dogs passed on
to the happy hunting grounds to join
their former or await their present
masters.
In the morning the embarkation
began and continued through the en-
tire day. 1t was picturesque sight.
All the Indians were arrayed in their
best and many young squaws wore
capeS Of blue cloth adorned with rows
OF elk teeth that we're worth more
than a sealskin coat. Down they
trooped to the boat, young and old,
laughing and chattering. with no ex-
have been expected from a people
about to leave their home forever.
Rapidly they were packed away on
the lower decks, the chiefs alone being
permitted on the upper decks. Thirteen |
soldiers we're allotted to a boat to keep
several hundred Indians under control. /
The latter had no weapons, but many
Of the older men had pipes with stems |
vet with five or six knife blades sew /
sral inches long, that might have done 4
effective execution in the hands OF I
savage. At length when all (
below Fort Benton to tie up for the
night
From that time on entertainment
was never lacking for any OF our party
who enjoyed studying Indian charac-
When I go home to Phila-
ielphia and tell my folks what I have
;een today said one man, they will
never believe me- and he shook his
head mournfully as he contemplated
his dire probability.
What the Indians thought OF us.
ignorance of their language prevented
Is knowing. They were constantly
aughing, perhaps at U.S. They seemed
o be enjoying the trip as II they were
.xcursionists instead of exiles. But we
lid not trust them. On the contrary,
,ur fear Of them increased At Fort
3erthold 1t was said that they would
'e in enemys country, and that this
night make them restless and hard
0 control.
sunset Closes Day
"A few hours before we reached Fort