Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-04-25

D
he realized from the few furs he gained
after parting company with his COM
panions, Working and Spencer. They
win wish to know what became OF the
large amount Of skins left cached at
the head of the Arkansas river. Were
they eaten by the wolves or stolen
by the Indians? This was what Cap
tain Williams was also exceedingly an
xious to learn.
His disastrous first trip made It diff
ficult for him to secure the large
party that would make It safe to again
tempt the wilderness He tried to enlist
men In St. Louis, but the reports of
Indian atrocities which had reached
there made it impossible to do so, and
there we're few white men further up
the river. AL summer long the captain
continued his efforts without success,
and 1t was late In December before
two very young men"-how young, we
are not nformed-consented to go with
him. To forestan anything of the kind,
the willy old trapper had the youths in
tow, and under way within three days,
before their enthusiasm should wane.
They went on horseback, taking with
them provisions for 10 days. Following
up the river until they came to Fort
Usage, when they took their course
southwest to the tributaries of the
Arkansas, finally they reached that
river. It was now the early part of
January and very cold on the prairie,
with high winds and snow. To increase !
the discomfort of the trio, their pro-
visions failed, and there was no game
to be seen. Had there been any, they
could not have approached it, on &C
count Of the cracking noise made by
walking on the crusted surface of the /
snow, which would have warned the
animals Of their enemies nearness.
Feasted On WaInuts
In walnut grove the famished men
camped When It occurred to them
that where walnut trees grew there
might be nuts, and on removing the
snow plenty we're found, on which they
Toasted. A day or so later the sun
;hone; 1t grew warmer, and squirrels
themselves in the neighbor-
hood paid the penalty with their lives,
Ind furnished meals for the starving
men, then, and during the next three
lays.
After this time they CHANGED on a
mall Indian camp, where they we're
received, warmed and fed.
captain Williams intimates that had
hey not been so hungry, they might
lave objected to the manner in which
he food was prepared. The dish served
hem consisted Of stew made Of corn ]
nd meat, to which buffalo tallow was
dded. The old squaw, who acted as
ook, having no knife to cut the tall I
ow, bit it off and dropped it into
he stew.
On leaving the Indians, the adven-
urers took with them five quarts Of
'arched corn. Soon after this they I
He'd two buffalo bulls and had a
lenttful supply of meat. The bones s
hey broke, and ate the marrow I'M !
ooked, pronouncing it delicious. L
AS the three approached the noun
aims, the cold increased, and there 1
as no game. In their extremity they o
illed young wolf and ate it. They
aid its flesh tasted good, with the g
sauce of hunger. They .
$50 killed and ate a coon, and one Y
the many wild horses that roamed "
lie country. "
BY this time they had reached the p
aches, which were found intact. Plan
ing, as they did, to take the furs G
OWN the river, there was no further O
Sc for their horses. Not daring to G.
Urn them loose, as they might lead p
adams to know white men were In n
lie neighborhood, 1t was decided to
loot them, and dry some of the meat =
provide food for the journey. Then =.
lffalo we're seen, and the men went :.
it to hunt them. Several were killed, .
II fOO for from MANN for thar RI
ach it that night. :,
Having no bedding with them, the =,
ree laid down in the snow on the =,
w hides, which they also used for -
vers. These froze during the night, = ?.
e bitter wind OF the prairie, land - =.
used the men great suffering" as
ay readily be imagined. -.
The river not having risen, and while ~
liting for 1t to do so, the men utilized y,
cir time Of waiting in making three tn
II boats. These, 1t win be remem- ~ ~
red, were made Of hides stretched :,
er a round framework Of willows ~,
ley we're not durable, as they soon ~
tied.
on Indians Friendship IN
Leaving the caches with their con- bl
ats, the party went further down the th
er, where they made camp in the an
DIST Of a plum grove Here they re- on
lined until some Comanches saw 40
I'm, and visited their camp. These Pr
played great curiosity regarding the
rs of the white men, and the marks tn
Inship Of the latter. Soon a larger ha
rty of Indians in fun war paint tn
led on them, but were induced to TIA
friendly, when Captain williams, In,
airing they we're about TO fight the ws
wnees, offered to go with them, and wa
tie some grievances, he said he had da
linst the tribe. cel
With this understanding the Indians tn,
!, and so did the white men about
O'Clock that night. They took the riy
caution to follow the trail Of the me
lians for some distance, then res
ssed the river two or three times, for
/ at length made camp on an island. pa.
another plum thicket Here they Wi
Jt the remainder of the night. and VIII
akened to find themselves under a DO.
ee-inch blanket Of snow. They did sal