Unexpected Return to the Rocky Mountains

The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth

by T. D. BONNER (1810 - 1883)

Buried amid the sublime passes of the Sierra Nevada are old men, who, when children, strayed away from our crowded settlements, and, gradually moving farther and farther from civilization, have in time become domiciliated among the wild beasts and wilder savages — have lived scores of years whetting their intellects in the constant struggle for self-preservation; whose only pleasurable excitement was found in facing danger; whose only repose was to recuperate, preparatory to participating in new and thrilling adventures. Such men, whose simple tale would pale the imaginative creations of our most popular fictionists, sink into their obscure graves unnoticed and unknown. Indian warriors, whose bravery and self devotion find no parallels in the preserved traditions of all history, end their career on the "war-path," sing in triumph their death-song, and become silent, leaving no impression on the intellectual world. (Summary by Thomas D. Bonner)

Listen next episodes of The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth:
Excursion to the fort , Affairs at Santa Fe' , Attacks of the Black Feet on the Fort , Departure for California , Departure for St. Louis , Departure for the Mountains , Departure from Fort Cass , Departure from the Fort , Departure from the Fort with the Crows , Departure from the Rendezvous , Deputation from the As-ne-boines , Disagreeable Encounters in St. Louis , Discovery of Beckwourth's Pass , Excursion to the Fort , First trip to New Mexico , Great Battle with the Black Feet , Great Loss of Horses in the Mountains , Invitation to visit the Outlaws , Meteoric Shower , Mistakes regarding the Character of the Indian , Removal of our Rendezvous , Removal to our Tobacco-ground , Return to St. Louis , Short Account of Pine Leaf, the Crow Heroine , The Californian Revolution , The Company removes from Cache Valley on a Hunting and Trapping Excursion , Victory over the Cheyennes , Visit of the Whole Crow Nation to the Fort , War between the Crow Nation and other Indian Tribes