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A Sojourn With Royalty (October 26, 1865) (13 pages)
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Page: of 13
settlements above Illinoistown, and as various tribes existed along the summit trails who
might not be aware of the dignity of travelers, and their intimate: association with their
beloved King, we thought it good policy to take his Majesty with us as a sort of body
guard, provided we could induce him to go withus. At this time he was holding a grand
levee at Illinoistown, on the hill, a little back of Egbert's trading post; so the rode over to
confer with his Majesty. We found him surrounded by about six hundred of his Indians,
engaged in scooping acorn mush from a willow basket with his hand, and, licking his
fingers as the unctuous mess dripped down. He cordially received us with an affectionate
" Hugh! Storms. Hugh! Capitan, hah! Have some?" pointing to, the dish and intimating to
us to dip in. “No, your Majesty," we replied, "we've dined." "Good!" he exclaimed, and
again dipped his hand into the rich mess. “What for you want, Storms?" with a s-I-u-s-h!
Now Storms spoke the language like a native, and soon explained the object of our visit,
His Majesty smiled benignly, and as he had never visited that part of his dominions he
assented with pleasure at once. But a new and unforeseen difficulty presented itself. His
people, fearing some harm might come to his Highness, refused to let him go. Here was a
dilemma to be overcome. "Weimer," said I, familiarly slapping him on the back (a great
liberty to take with potentates), “fix it up somehow; tell your people some good and
satisfactory yarn; fix it up with them." I might have added, d----d quick, ; but politeness
forbade."I was too proud to beg, too polite to swear.” "Be in a hurry, your Majesty, for
we want to be off.’ said Storms. Every country, you know, has its court standard of good
breeding, and etiquette, -and we but followed that of Weimer's court. Calling his chiefs
around him, he told them that the acorn crop was doubtful, and he wanted to go to Moss
Valley to ,see if there were enough for their Winter supply. This was a national question,
one worthy the attention of any monarch of the world. To provide
against scarcity, to be prepared for any public calamity, whether of war or famine, is the
ne plus ultra of good government, and it struck the sages of the nation as one of great
importance. A failure of the acorn crop, a dearth of grasshoppers, would indeed be a
national calamity. A council was held at once, and after discussing the important question
with the gravity it deserved, they finally consented that the King might risk his life in
such a cause and in such company, but t they exacted a promise from Storms; and