3P¥ ? - 6 Nie fim KIC G & Pe a h/\acs PK 13O% Pus Bsus \8L02< nei yA Vipin BYR» pe™ FREMONT RESCUING KIT CARSON) THE LIFE or | MAJOR-GEN. JOHN C, FREMONT, THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN EXPLORER. By LIEUT. JAS. MAGOON. ft BEADLE AND COMPANY, i LONDON: 44, PATERNOSTER ROW: A NEW YORK, 141, WILLIAM STREET. da! PORTERS. CHAPTERI. Birth—His Father—Enters a Law Office in Charleston, 8. C.—His marked Ability—His Study of the Classics—Enters Charleston College—Is expelled—Appointed Teacher of Mathematics to the Sloop of War Natchez—Is appointed to a Professorship of Mathe- matics in the Navy—Adopts the Profession of Civil Engineer—His Marriage, .- = = = - at Sees CHAPTER II. Action of Congress in Regard tothe West—Fremont commissioned to make his Explorations—His Engagement of Kit Carson—Commence- ment of the Journey—Adventures by the Way—Fremont’s Account of a Buffalo Hunt—Alarming News at Fort Laramie—Fremont’s Ascent of the Highest Peak of the Rocky Mountains—Conclusion and Return of the Expedition, - - ata - es ub CHAPTER III. Receives Orders for his Second Expedition—His Party—Their Route —Joined by Kit Carson and Major Fitzpatrick—Visit to the Great Salt Lake—Fremont’s Narrative, - orate s.r CHAPTER IV. Arrival at Fort Hall—Fremont proceeds to Oregon for Provisions— The Party reunited—The Journey through the Mountains to Cali- fornia—Arrival at Sutter’s Fort—Colonel Benton’s Remarks upon Fremont’s Expeditions—Return Home—Expedition dissolved, - 40 CHAPTER V. The Third Exploring Expedition—Carson again enlisted—Party pro- ceeds to Great Salt Lake—Examination of the Island in it—Crossing the Desert—Party divides for Safety—Fremont proceeds to Sutter’s Fort—Fails to relieve his Men—Ordered to leave the Country by General Castro—Fremont’s Refusal to leave—Ordered to California —Incidents of the Journey, - - - eis - - = 62 CHAPTER V1; New Route to California—Attack an Indian Village—Arrival at Law- son’s Post—Capture of Sonoma—Ceneral Castro sends a Large Force to Attack the Americans, but they lose Heart—American Settlers flock to Fremont—Possession of Los Angelos by Commodore seer 0 Stockton and Fremont, eet ats at a - CHAPTER VII. Fremont’s Court-Martial, . - « . . . . - 7 CHAPTER VIII. Fremont’s Fourth Expedition, SOME Re ites wt adar SENS CHAPTER TX Fremont’s Fifth Expedition—Removes his Residence to California, 85 CHAPTER X. “he Campaign of 1856—Fremont’s Return to Private Life—His Appointment in the Army of the United States—Conclusion, - 88 4 ty" A THE LIFE OF MAJOR-GEN. JOHN C. FREMONT. “ Columbus of the golden West! As he returned from Salvador, So thou, by jealousy oppressed, Thy path of honor traveled o’er. But, Time is just ; and Glory now With busy fingers joyful weaves A diadem to grace thy brow, Of myrtle boughs and laurel leaves.” OA ASP Des. Ts BIRTH—HIS FATHER—ENTERS A LAW OFFICE IN CHARLESTON, S. C.—HIS MARKED ABILITY—-HIS STUDY OF THE CLASSICS—ENTERS CHARLESTON COLLEGE—IS EXPELLED—APPOINTED TEACHER OF MATHEMATICS TO THE SLOOP OF WAR NATCHEZ—IS APPOINTED TO A PROFESSORSHIP OF MATHEMATICS IN THE NAVY—ADOPTS THE PROFESSION OF CIVIL ENGINEER —HIS MARRIAGE. Joun CHARLES Fremonr was born on the twenty-first of January, 1813, at Savannah, Georgia. His father, a French- man and a native of Lyons, was a member of one of the most distinguished families of France; but the great revolution, which overturned the throne of the Bourbons, at the close of the last century, made him an exile to this country, while yet a young man. His original intention, on leaving Europe, was to settle with an aunt in St. Domingo, W. I.; but, on the voyage thither, was captured by an English cruiser and trans- ferred to one of the British isles, where he remained a captive for several years; and finally succeeded in effecting his escape to Norfolk, Virginia. At this period, the mighty arm of Bonaparte had quelled the convulsions which shook France to her center, and Mr. Fremont, loving his country with a patriot’s heart, concluded to return to his native soil. Too poor to do so, at once, he cast about for means of paying his passage. The accomplishments which, years before, had been = 10 THE LIFE OF JOHN GC. FREMONT. acquired merely as accomplishments, now afforded him the means of a livelihood. He soon obtained satisfactory employ as instructor, and worked assiduously with the hope before him of a return home. While thus employed, he made the acquaintance of Anne Beverly Whiting, of Gloucester county, Va. She was the orphan daughter of Colonel Thomas Whiting, whose father was a brother of Catharine Whiting, grand-aunt of George Washington. Colonel Whiting was an influential and prom- inent citizen of the Old Dominion. Colonel W. left children by three marriages, while his last wife wedded again. This lady was the mother of Mr. Fremont’s mother. The eight children of Colonel Whiting, each had a fine estate willed to them, but the last wife having married a Mr. Cary, he suc- ceeded in getting possession of the estate of her three children, and, after years of litigation, Anne found her patrimony gone. She then went to reside with an elder sister, married to a Mr. Lowry, a very wealthy proprietor. As is usual in Virginia, old families will preserve their aristocratic establishments eyen to the sacrifice of personal happiness. Anne was made to wed an old fellow named Major Pryor—only forty-five years her senior, and a rough old fellow at that. For twelve years she bore with his infirmities until patience ceased to be a virtue, when the Virginia legislature granted her an uncon- ditional divorce, with proper provision from the Major’s big property for her support. Mr. Fremont found in her a woman of great intelligence and beauty; she found in him a man possessed of refinement and talents beyond all others around her. They soon became warmly attached. Of course, the family pride of the first Virginia families, whose blood ran in her veins, would not tolerate the idea of her wedding a gentleman who had to labor for his bread. No matter what were the accomplishments of head or heart: if he had neither money nor negroes he was not qualified for the hand of one of F. F. V.’s daughters. How- ever, Mrs. Pryor had married an old tyrant to keep up the family name :—now she determined to act her woman’s plea- sure, and married Mr. Fremont to show her appreciation of her own happiness. They were wedded, and, having some means, Mrs. Fremont A WIS EDUCATION. alt resolyed to devote it to travel. The couple spent some time in sojourning through the Southern States, to enjoy the novelty and excitement of frontier and aboriginal life. Their many adventures, amusing and otherwise, would form a pleasing yolume. ‘The birthplaces of their three children show how widely they wandered and how briefly they tarried in particu- lar States. John Charles was born in Savannah, Georgia, January 21st, 1813; the second child, a daughter, was born in Tennessee; the third child, a son, was born in Virginia. After the birth of the latter, the elder Fremont resolved to return with his family to France, but he died before this determination could be carried into effect, and the widow, with her children, was left in straitened circumstances. Col- lecting her little possessions, she removed to Charleston, South Carolina, where she devoted herself to the education of her children. At the proper age, young John C. was placed in the office of John W. Mitchell, a celebrated counsellor of Charleston, who, attracted by the talents and virtues of the boy, manifested - great interest in the young student. That every means might be afforded him for advancing in his chosen profession, the barrister placed him in charge of Dr. John Roberston, an educated Scotchman, who, at that time, had a class in the ancient languages. Fremont, at this time, was but fourteen years of age. He was so diligent that the rudiments of the Latin language were mastered in three weeks! He was then placed in the highest class, which, at that time, had passed the “ Reader” and had entered upon the study of Ceesar’s Commentaries. It was not long before he had risen to the first place. During the year, he acquired a good knowledge of Latin and Greek authors—remarkable as it may seem, and was the admiration and pride of his worthy instructor. At the age of fifteen, young Fremont entered the Junior class of Charleston college, where his ability and diligence were as marked as under the tuition of his former instructor. The cherished wish of his mother, was for her soon to enter the ministry. Obedient, and seemingly satisfied with the course marked out for him, after he had been a year in the college, he became a communicant of the Episcopal church; | | | | i 12 TIE LIFE OF JOHN C, FREMONT. but the eye of any one, save that of an affectionate mother would have seen that, as his nature unfolded, day by day, the daring, energetic, military character of the young man, had designed him for a more passionate field in life, than the meek ministry. Late in his college term, young Fremont made the acquaint- ance of a beautiful West Indian girl, whose spell over him soon became more potent than that of his grave preceptors. He frequently remained from his college exercises in her society, sometimes being absent for days at atime. The professors, after repeated reprimands, threatened expulsion if he persisted in his unexplained absence. It was useless, however. The power of the charmer was irresistible. Fremont’s tardiness grew more and more marked; his immunity from punish- ment became remarked by the whole college; and, finally the faculty of necessity, but greatly against their wish, expelled their most promising pupil. It has been well said that misfortunes never come singly. A few months after his college expulsion, his sister, an ex- quisite girl of seventeen summers, suddenly died. It was a dreadful blow for the loving, tender brother. But, to aggra- vate the sorrow of mother and son, the young brother of John, possessed of brilliant talents, became infatuated for a life on the stage and suddenly disappeared from home, not to be heard of again for a long time. He finally returned home again, but only to die from injuries received in a riot in Buf- falo. These distresses, so poignant to the fond mother, were the weight which gave steadiness to John’s character—they proved the turning point in his life. His eyes were opened to a new and higher condition, in which were blended a desire to heal the sorrows of his parent and to work out his own nobler destiny. Smucker says: “In that moment of affliction and sad retrospection, he started up a new man, with new energies, and with lofty aspirations, which, to this hour, have never lost their pristine power and resolution, or failed to guide and control him amid the stirring vicissitudes of his’ checkered career.” He devoted himself with renewed ardor to his studies, in private, and became a most highly accomplished mathematician. He had given up all hopes of entering the ministry, and turned his whole attention toward securing a thorough and complete education, ADOPTS THE PROFESSION OF CIVIL ENGINEER. 13 This was in 1882-3, when the “ Nullification Question” caused so much excitement throughout the country. The United States sloop-of-war,. Watchez, with other vessels, was sent by President Jackson to Charleston to put down the faction of the traitors which had their stronghold in that city. After completing»the mission, the Natchez was ordered to cruise along the South American coast. Before she departed upon this voyage, Fremont, who had not yet attained his majority, secured the situation of teacher of mathematics on board. This situation he filled with great credit and accep- tation for two years and a half, the duration of the voyage. When he returned to Charleston, the Faculty of Charleston college, which had expelled him, evinced their appreciation of his worth and scholarship by conferring upon him the degree of Master of Arts. Being without a permanent situation, Fremont applied for one of the professorships of mathematics in the navy. There were many other applicants, and their examination was most rigid and critical. Few, indeed, were able to sustain them- selves; but, Fremont was among those few, and was appointed to the frigate Independence. He had hardly received this appoint- ment when it was abandoned by resignation. He had deter- mined to adopt another profession—that of surveyor and civil engineer. In this capacity he made his first essay by exam- ining the railroad route between Augusta and Charleston. This finished, he was appointed assistant engineer in a corps under Captain G. W. Williams,* of the United States Topo- graphical Engineers, commissioned to survey a railroad route between Charleston and Cincinnati. This work was sus- pended in 1837. The experience in the wild and hardy life was a congenial one for Fremont; it gave him a foretaste of those later surveys and explorations which haye made him famous. The next two years were spent, by special appointment from the War Department, as an assistant of M. Nicollet, the eminent French savan, in exploring that region lying between the Missouri and the head waters of the Mississippi. Two separate explorations were made. Upon his return, another year was spent in reducing to paper the knowledge thus * Killed at the battle of Monterey, eee 14 THE LIFE OF JOHN C. FREMONT. gained. During his absence he was appointed, for his eminent mathematical acquirements and field ability, a Second Lieutenant in the corps of Topographical Engineers. While thus employed, he formed the acquaintance of Colonel Thomas Benton of Louisiana, who took great interest in the labors of the explorers. Visiting, by special invitation, at the Senator’s house, Fremont became enamored of Jessie Benton, daughter of the eminent statesman. The attachment was mutual, although the lady, at that time, was but fifteen years of age. Both parents, though highly regarding Fre- mont, opposed the proposed alliance—Mr, Benton ecause the pay of an officer could not properly support his family, and Mrs. Benton from an unwillingness to see her gay child assume the relations of wife at such an age. The lovers, however, resolved upon a strong campaign, and if not by good generalship to overcome the wise scruples of the excellent parents, then to resort to the coup de main of a runaway. Evidently the sharp-eyed father surmised the game, for Fre- mont, to his surprise, received a sudaen and mysterious order in the summer of 1841, from Government, to complete an examination of the river Des Moines. There was nothing to do but to obey, and, with such zeal was that stream examined, that the job was completed by October ; when Fremont, fear- ing another order, possibly to explore for the lost tribes of Israel, in the wilds of the Rocky Mountain country, resolved to secure his prize, vi et armis, which he did. October 19th, 1841, the lovers were secretly wedded, and retired, at a safe distance, to await the final issue of the parents’ anger. It was not long before all parties were “reconciled.” The son-in- law was welcomed to the family circle, and was soon regarded with an affection justified by his subsequent conduct and career. His Jessie proved a prize worthy of her proud and patriotic sire. ie tt ee ee es o FIRST EXPLORING EXPEDITION, 15 OH a Pie ho Dd, ACTION OF CONGRESS IN REGARD TO THE WEST—FREMONT COMMISSIONED TO MAKE HIS EXPLORATIONS—HIS ENGAGEMENT OF KIT CARSON—COMMENCE- MENT OF THE JOURNEY—ALVENTURES BY THE WAY—FREMONT'S ACCOUNT OF A BUFFALO HUNT—ALARMING NEWS AT FORT LARAMIE—FREMONT’S ASCENT OF THE HIGHEST PEAK OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS—CONCLUSION AND RETURN OF THE EXPEDITION. In 1842, through the persistent efforts of Senator Benton, the matter relating to the protection of emigrants for the Western territories was brought before Congress and action taken thereupon. Some thought the agitation premature, and considerable opposition was manifested, but the enlightened views of the senator prevailed. A bill was introduced by another senator from Missouri (Linn) whose object was to protect emigration even to the remote shores of the Pacific, in the valley of the Oregon, and the adjacent country. With the purpose of ascertaining the possibility and safety of an overland communication with the Pacific, Lieutenant Fremont was commissioned to make the explorations and surveys necessary to settle the question. This was in 1842, the same year that the celebrated “Kit Carson” visited St. Louis. When this mountaineer was ascending the Missouri, in a steamboat, he became acquainted with Lieutenant Fremont, who happened to be in search of a guide for his party. Fre- mont saw in the eagle eye and modest bearing of this now noted guide that he was the very man for the responsible trust. Carson was engaged as guide to his first exploring expedition at a salary of one hundred dollars a month, with equipments, rations, etc. The professed object of this expedition was to survey the South Pass, to take the altitude of the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and to collect such collateral information as might offer itself, of geography, botany, climate, Indian tribes, etc. The party was mostly collected in St. Louis. It was composed of twenty-two Creole and Canadian voyageurs, including also Henry Brant, a young man of St. Louis; Ran- dolph Benton, son of Senator Benton, and but twelve years of age; Mr. Charles Preuss a German, whose perfect knowl- 16 THE LIFE OF JOHN C0. FREMONT. edge of topographical sketching rendered him a valuable auxiliary ; Kit Carson, the guide, and L. Maxwell, of Kaskas- kia, the hunter of the company—making twenty-nine persons in all, counting Lieutenant Fremont. All were well armed, excepting eight men who took charge of the same number of carts, in which were packed the stores and instruments of the party. The expedition set out on Friday (an ominous day in the eyes of most of the men), June 10th, 1842. At the house of Mr. Cyprian Chouteau, twelve miles from the mouth of the Kansas, the final preparations of the expedition were com- pleted. Mr. Chouteau accompanied them some distance until they met the Indian engaged to conduct them the first forty miles of their journey. About a dozen miles were made the first day. The first night’s encampment was upon the Santa Fé road. The daily routine generally observed on a march was as follows: At daybreak the camp was aroused; the animals turned out to graze; breakfast eaten about six o’clock; immediately after which the line of march was resumed. At noon a halt of one or two hours was made, The march was then con- tinued until within an hour of sunset, when the camps were pitched, horses hobbled and turned loose to graze, while the cooks busied themselves in preparing supper. At night all the animals were brought in and picketed, carts arranged so as to form a barricade, and guard mounted. The crossing of the Kansas was reached on the afternoon of June 14th. The river was much swollen by recent rains, and the party experienced great difficulty in transporting their luggage across. Basil Lajeunesse, an excellent swim- mer, took a line in his teeth, and, swimming over, established an extempore line ferry. Six passages were safely effected, when the boat was too heavily laden, and capsized—carts, barrels, boxes, bales, every thing floating swiftly down the current. All sprung in, without pausing to think of the danger, and nearly every thing was rescued. A serious loss, however, was that of a large bag of coffee, whose fragrant flavor was missed by all for many a day afterward. Carson and Maxwell, from their exposure, became sick. Fremont, therefore, remained in camp the day following, to ~ von rag 4g A BUFFALO HUNT. a give them test and attention. Under his good treatment they quickly regained their usual vigor. The party then moved seven miles further up the river, camping upon a beautiful open prairie, where a day was spent in making astronomical observations. On the eighteenth, they reached a deserted Kansas village, near the mouth of the Vermilion river, which had been attacked, some months before, by the Pawnees. Some of the huts were burnt and blackened, while among the charred ruins and clear places the weeds and grass were already growing. The encampment was made that night upon the western side of the Kansas. The next morning dawned cool and pleasant, and an obser- vation showed that their elevation was fourteen hundred feet above the level of the sea. Their journey continued without any interruption until the morning of the twenty-third, when they were given a specimen of the false alarms to which emigrants are subjected. Proceeding up the valley, objects were seen upon the opposite hills, and before a glass could be brought to bear, they disappeared. One of the men in the rear came hurrying in, shouting, “Indians! Indians!” saying that he had been nigh enough to count them, and there were twenty-seven in all. Fremont instantly halted, their arms were examined, and every preparation made for an encounter. Carson mounted his horse, and, riding ahead, soon ascertained that the twenty-seven Indians consisted of sé elk. The party pressed steadily forward. Early in July they encountered the buffalo of the prairie. Fremont gives the following graphic account of a hunt of this animal in which he and seyeral companions were engaged : “As we were riding quietly along the bank, a grand herd of buffalo, some seven or eight hundred in number, came crowding up from the river, where they had been to drink, and commenced crossing the plain slowly, eating as they went. The wind was favorable ; the coolness of the morning invited to exercise; the ground was apparently good, and the distance across the prairie (two or three miles) gave us a ‘fine opportunity to charge them before they could get among the river hills. It was too fine a prospect for a chase to be lost; and, halting for a few moments, the hunters were brought up and saddled, and Kit Carson, Maxwell and I 18 THE LIFE OF JOHN C. FREMONT. started together. They were now somewhat less than half a mile distant, and we rode easily along until within about three hundred yards, when a sudden agitation, a wavering in the band, and a galloping to and fro, of some which were scattered along the skirts, gave us the intimation that we , were discovered. We started together at a hand gallop, friding steadily abreast of each other; and here the interest of ,tne chase became so engrossingly intense that we were sensible to nothing else. We were now closing upon them rapidly, and the front of the mass was already in rapid motion for the hills, and in a few seconds the movement had communicated itself to the whole herd. “A crowd of bulls, as usual, brought up the rear, and every now and then some of them faced about and then dashed on after the band a short distance, and turned and looked again, as if more than half inclined to fight. In a few moments, however, during which we had been quickening our pace, the rout was universal, and we were going over the ground like a hurricane. When at about thirty yards, we gave the usual shout (the hunter’s pas de charge), and broke into the herd. We entered on the side, the mass giving way in every direc- tion in their heedless course. Many of the bulls, less active and fleet than the cows, paying no attention to the ground, and occupied solely with the hunter, were precipitated to the earth with great force, rolling over and over with the violence of the shock, and hardly distinguishable in the dust. We separated on entering, each singling out his game. “ My horse was a trained hunter, famous in the West under the name of Proyeau; and, with his eyes flashing and the foam flying from his mouth, sprung on after the cow like a tiger. In a few moments he brought me along side of her, and, rising in the stirrups, I fired at the distance of a yard, the ball entering at the termination of the long hair, and passing near the heart. She fell headlong at the report of the gun, and, checking my horse, I looked around for my com- panions. At a little distance, Kit was on the ground, engaged in tying his horse to the horns of a cow he was preparing to cut up. Among the scattered bands, at some distance below, I caught a glimpse of Maxwell, and while I was looking,'a light wreath of smoke curled away from his gun, from which 4 ALARMING REPORTS OF THE INDIANS. 19 I was too far to hear the report. Nearer, and between me and the hills, toward which they were directing their course, was the body of the herd; and, giving my horse the rein, we dashed after them. A thick cloud of dust hung upon their rear, which filled my mouth and eyes, and nearly smothered me. In the midst of this I could see nothing, and the buffalo were not distinguishable, until within thirty feet. They crowded together more densely still as I came upon them, and rushed along in such a compact body, that I could not obtain an entrance—the horse almost leaping upon them. ‘In a few moments the mass divided to the right and left, the horns clattering with a noise heard above every thing else, and my horse darted into the opening. Five or six bulls charged on us as we dashed along the line, but were left far behind; and singling out a cow, I gave her my fire, but struck too high. She gave a tremendous leap, and scoured on swifter than before. I reined up my horse, and the band swept on like a torrent, and left the place quiet and clear.” Although it was now midsummer, the weather was cool and exhilarating, proving that their elevation was material. The box, elder, poplar, elm and pine were encountered, and the encampment was made, at the close of this day, at the junction of the north and south forks of the Kansas. Reach- ing Fort Laramie, alarming news was heard. A collision had recently occurred between a Sioux war-party and a company of trappers and Snake Indians, in which the former had been disastrously defeated. To revenge themselves, the Sioux had collected in large numbers, with the avowed determination of killing every white man that crossed their path. The route of the exploring party led directly through the Sioux country, and the trappers and friendly Indians at the fort told Fremont it would be the inevitable destruction of every one of their number to go on. The Indians were excited to the highest pitch of exasperation, and would massacre every One upon whom they could lay hands. To their warning and expostulations, Fremont replied that there was but one course for him to pursue. He had been directed by his Government to perform a certain duty, and whatever obstacles stood in the way of its performance must, if possible, be removed. Thanking them for their kindly interest, he B 20 THE LIFE OF JOHN C, FREMONT.. added that he would accomplish the task or die in the attempt. “ Carson, one of the best and most experienced mountaineers, fully supported the opinion given by Bridger, of the dangerous state of the country, and openly expressed his conviction that we could not escape without some sharp encounters with the Indians. In addition to this, he made his will; and among the circumstances which were constantly occurring to increase the alarm, this was the most unfortunate; and I found that a niimber of my party had become so much intimidated, that they requested to be discharged at this place. I dined to-day at Fort Platte, which has been mentioned as situated at the junction of Laramie river with the Nebraska. Mr. Bissonette, one of the traders belonging to Fort Platte, urged the propriety of taking with me an interpreter and two or three old men of the village; in which case, he thought there would be little or no hazard in encountering any of the war-parties. The principal danger was in being attacked before they should know who we were. “They had a confused idea of the numbers and power of our people, and dreaded to bring upon themselves the military force of the United States. This gentleman, who spoke the language fluently, offered his services to accompany me so far as the Red Buttes. He was desirous to join the large party on its return, for purposes of trade, and it would suit his views, as well as my own, to go with us to the Buttes; beyond which point it would be impossible to prevail on a Sioux to venture, on account of their fear of the Crows. .From Fort Laramie to the Red Buttes, by the ordinary road, is one hundred and thirty-five miles; and, though only on the threshold of danger, it seemed better to secure the services of an interpreter for the partial distance, than to have none at all. “So far as frequent interruptions from the Indians would allow, we occupied ourselves in making astronomical calcula- tions, and bringing the general map to this stage of our journey ; but the tent was generally occupied by a succession of our ceremonious visitors. Some came for presents, and others for information of our object in coming to the country ; now and then, one would dart up to the tent on horseback, jerk off his trappings, and stand silently at the door, holding AN INDIAN DELEGATION. o. eet his horse by the halter, signifying his desire to trade. Occa- sionally a savage would stalk in with an invitation to a feast of honor, a dog feast, and deliberately sit down and wait quietly until I was ready to accompany him. I went to one; the women and children were sitting outside the lodge, and we took our seats on buffalo robes spread around. The dog was in a large pot over the fire, in the middle of the lodge, and immediately on our arrival was dished up in large wooden bowls, one of which was handed to each. The flesh appeared very glutinous, with something of the flavor and appearance of mutton. Feeling something move behind me, I looked round, and found that I had taken my seat among a litter of fat young puppies. Had I been nice in such matters, the prejudices of civilization might have interfered with my tranquillity ; but, fortunately, I am not of delicate nerves, and continued quietly to empty my platter.” The weather was cloudy and quite warm, Fremont having determined to go on at all hazards, made his final preparations. Under the circumstances he deemed it prudent to leave young Brant and Benton behind at the fort. One of the men, too, was so intimidated that he asked for his discharge, and Fremont promptly gave it, taking no pains to conceal his contempt of such a poltroon. Every thing was ready, the tents struck, the horses saddled, and the men walked up to the front to take the “ stirrup cup” with their friends. “While thus pleasantly engaged, seated in one of the little cool chambers, at the door of which a man had been stationed to prevent all intrusion from the Indians, a number of chiefs, several of them powerful, fine-looking men, forced their way into the room in spite of all opposition. Handing me the following letter, they took their seats in silence : “«Forr PLATTE, July 21, 1842. “¢Mr. Fremont: The chiefs having assembled in council, have just told me to warn you not to set out before the party of young men which is now out shall have returned. Furth- ermore, they tell me that they are very sure they will fire upon you as soon as they meet you. They are expected back in seven or eight days. Excuse me for making these observa- tions, but it seems my duty to warn you of danger. Moreover, 22 THE LIFE OF JOHN C. FREMONT. the chiefs who prohibit your setting out before the return of the warriors are the bearers of this note. “¢T am your obedient servant, “< JosePH BIssoNETTE, “