第1章

StateofthefurtradeoftheRockyMountains——Americanenterprises——GeneralAshleyandhisassociates——Sublette，afamousleader——Yearlyrendezvousamongthemountains——Stratagemsanddangersofthetrade——Bandsoftrappers——Indianbanditti——CrowsandBlackfeet——Mountaineers——TradersoftheFarWest——CharacterandhabitsofthetrapperChapter2DeparturefromFortOsage——Modesoftransportation——Pack-horses——Wagons——WalkerandCerre；theircharacters——Buoyantfeelingsonlaunchingupontheprairies——Wildequipmentsofthetrappers——Theirgambolsandantics——DifferenceofcharacterbetweentheAmericanandFrenchtrappers——AgencyoftheKansas——GeneralClarke——WhitePlume，theKansaschief——Nightsceneinatrader”scamp——ColloquybetweenWhitePlumeandthecaptain——Bee-hunters——Theirexpeditions——TheirfeudswiththeIndians——BargainingtalentofWhitePlumeChapter3DeparturefromFortOsage——Modesoftransportation——Pack-horses——Wagons——WalkerandCerre；theircharacters——Buoyantfeelingsonlaunchingupontheprairies——Wildequipmentsofthetrappers——Theirgambolsandantics——DifferenceofcharacterbetweentheAmericanandFrenchtrappers——AgencyoftheKansas——GeneralClarke——WhitePlume，theKansaschief——Nightsceneinatrader”scamp——ColloquybetweenWhitePlumeandthecaptain——Bee-hunters——Theirexpeditions——TheirfeudswiththeIndians——BargainingtalentofWhitePlumeChapter4Analarm——CrowIndians——Theirappearance——Modeofapproach——Theirvengefulerrand——Theircuriosity——HostilitybetweentheCrowsandBlackfeet——

LovingconductoftheCrows——Laramie”sFork——FirstnavigationoftheNebraska——Greatelevationofthecountry——Rarityoftheatmosphere——Itseffectonthewood-workofwagons——BlackHills——Theirwildandbrokenscenery——Indiandogs——Crowtrophies——Sterileanddrearycountry——BanksoftheSweetWater——Buffalohunting——AdventureofTomCaintheIrishcookChapter5Magnificentscenery——WindRiverMountains——Treasuryofwaters——A

strayhorse——AnIndiantrail——Troutstreams——TheGreatGreenRiverValley——

Analarm——Abandoftrappers——Fontenelle，hisinformation——Sufferingsofthirst——EncampmentontheSeeds-ke-dee——Strategyofrivaltraders——Fortificationofthecamp——TheBlackfeet——Bandittiofthemountains——TheircharacterandhabitsChapter6Subletteandhisband——RobertCampbell——Mr。Wyethandabandof“down-easters“——Yankeeenterprise——Fitzpatrick——HisadventurewiththeBlackfeet——Arendezvousofmountaineers——ThebattleofPierre”sHole——AnIndianambuscade——Sublette”sreturnChapter7RetreatoftheBlackfeet——Fontenelle”scampindanger——CaptainBonnevilleandtheBlackfeet——Freetrappers——Theircharacter，habits，dress，equipments，horses——Gamefellowsofthemountains——Theirvisittothecamp——Goodfellowshipandgoodcheer——Acarouse——Aswagger，abrawl，andareconciliationChapter8Plansforthewinter——SalmonRiver——Abundanceofsalmonwestofthemountains——Newarrangements——Caches——Cerre”sdetachment——MovementsinFontenelle”scamp——DepartureoftheBlackfeet——Theirfortunes——WindMountainstreams——Buckeye，theDelawarehunter，andthegrizzlybear——Bonesofmurderedtravellers——VisittoPierre”sHole——Tracesofthebattle——NezPerceIndians——ArrivalatSalmonRiverChapter9Horsesturnedloose——Preparationsforwinterquarters——Hungrytimes——NezPerces，theirhonesty，piety，pacifichabits，religiousceremonies——CaptainBonneville”sconversationswiththem——TheirloveofgamblingChapter10BlackfeetintheHorsePrairie——Searchafterthehunters——Difficultiesanddangers——Acardpartyinthewilderness——Thecardpartyinterrupted”OldSledge“alosinggame——Visitorstothecamp——Iroquoishunters——Hanging-earedIndians。Chapter11Rivaltrappingparties——Manoeuvring——Adesperategame——VanderburghandtheBlackfeet——Desertedcampfire——Adarkdefile——AnIndianambush——A

fiercemelee——Fatalconsequences——FitzpatrickandBridger——Trappersprecautions——MeetingwiththeBlackfeet——Morefighting——AnecdoteofayoungMexicanandanIndiangirl。Chapter12Awintercampinthewilderness——Medleyoftrappers，hunters，andIndians——Scarcityofgame——Newarrangementsinthecamp——Detachmentssenttoadistance——CarelessnessoftheIndianswhenencamped——SicknessamongtheIndians——ExcellentcharacteroftheNezPerces——TheCaptain”seffortasapacificator——ANezPerce”sargumentinfavorofwar——Robberies，bytheBlackfeet——LongsufferingoftheNezPerces——Ahunter”sElysiumamongthemountains——Morerobberies——TheCaptainpreachesupacrusade——Theeffectuponhishearers。Chapter13StoryofKosato，theRenegadeBlackfoot。Chapter14Thepartyentersthemountaingorge——Awildfastnessamonghills——Mountainmutton——Peaceandplenty——Theamoroustrapper-Apiebaldwedding-Afreetrapper”swife-Hergalaequipments-Christmasinthewilderness。Chapter15Ahuntafterhunters——Hungrytimes——Avoraciousrepast——Wintryweather——Godin”sRiver——SplendidwintersceneonthegreatLavaPlainofSnakeRiver——Severetravellingandtrampinginthesnow——ManoeuvrsofasolitaryIndianhorseman——EncampmentonSnakeRiver——BanneckIndians——Thehorsechief——Hischarmedlife。Chapter16MisadventuresofMatthieuandhisparty——ReturntothecachesatSalmonRiver——BattlebetweenNezPercesandBlackfeet——HeroismofaNezPercewoman——Enrolledamongthebraves。Chapter17Openingofthecaches——DetachmentsofCerreandHodgkiss——

SalmonRiverMountains——SuperstitionofanIndiantrapper——Godin”sRiver——Preparationsfortrapping——Analarm——Aninterruption——A

rivalband——PhenomenaofSnakeRiverPlain——Vastcleftsandchasms——Ingulfedstreams——Sublimescenery——Agrandbuffalohunt。Chapter18MeetingwithHodgkiss——MisfortunesoftheNezPerces——SchemesofKosato，therenegado——HisforayintotheHorsePrairie-InvasionofBlackfeet——BlueJohnandhisforlornhope——Theirgenerousenterprise-Theirfate-Consternationanddespairofthevillage-Solemnobsequies-AttemptatIndiantrade-Hudson”sBayCompany”smonopoly-Arrangementsforautumn-Breakingupofanencampment。Chapter19Precautionsindangerousdefiles——Trappers”modeofdefenceonaprairie——Amysteriousvisitor——ArrivalinGreenRiverValley——

Adventuresofthedetachments——Theforlornpartisan——Histaleofdisasters。Chapter20GatheringinGreenRivervalley——Visitingsandfeastingsofleaders——Roughwassailingamongthetrappers——Wildbladesofthemountains——Indianbelles——Potencyofbrightbeadsandredblankets——Arrivalofsupplies——Revelryandextravagance——Madwolves——ThelostIndianChapter21SchemesofCaptainBonneville——TheGreatSaltLake——Expeditiontoexploreit——PreparationsforajourneytotheBighornChapter22TheCrowcountry——ACrowparadise——HabitsoftheCrows——AnecdotesofRose，therenegadewhiteman——HisfightswiththeBlackfeet——Hiselevation——Hisdeath——Arapooish，theCrowchief——Hiseagle——AdventureofRobertCampbell——HonoramongCrowsChapter23DeparturefromGreenRivervalley——PopoAgie——Itscourse——Theriversintowhichitruns——SceneryoftheBluffs——thegreatTarSpring——VolcanictractsintheCrowcountry——BurningMountainofPowderRiver——Sulphursprings——Hiddenfires——Colter”sHell——WindRiver——Campbell”sparty——Fitzpatrickandhistrappers——CaptainStewart，anamateurtraveller——NathanielWyeth——AnecdotesofhisexpeditiontotheFarWest——DisasterofCampbell”sparty——Aunionofbands——TheBadPass——Therapids——DepartureofFitzpatrick——Embarkationofpeltries——Wyethandhisbullboat——AdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleintheBighornMountains——Adventuresintheplain——TracesofIndians——Travellingprecautions——Dangersofmakingasmoke——TherendezvousChapter24Adventuresofthepartyoften——TheBalaamitemule——Adeadpoint——Themysteriouselks——Anightattack——Aretreat——Travellingunderanalarm——Ajoyfulmeeting——Adventuresoftheotherparty——Adecoyelk——Retreattoanisland——Asavagedanceoftriumph——ArrivalatWindRiverChapter25CaptainBonnevillesetsoutforGreenRivervalley——JourneyupthePopoAgie——Buffaloes——Thestaringwhitebears——Thesmoke——Thewarmsprings——AttempttotraversetheWindRiverMountains——TheGreatSlope——Mountaindellsandchasms——Crystallakes——Ascentofasnowypeak——Sublimeprospect——

Apanorama”Lesdignesdepitie，“orwildmenofthemountainsChapter26Aretrogrademove——Channelofamountaintorrent——Alpinescenery——Cascades——Beavervalleys——Beaversatwork——Theirarchitecture——Theirmodesoffellingtrees——Modeoftrappingbeaver——Contestsofskill——Abeaver“uptotrap“——ArrivalattheGreenRivercachesChapter27RoutetowardWindRiver——Dangerousneighborhood——Alarmsandprecautions——Ashamencampment——ApparitionofanIndianspy——Midnightmove——Amountaindefile——TheWindRivervalley——Trackingaparty——Desertedcamps——SymptomsofCrows——Meetingofcomrades——Atrapperentrapped——Crowpleasantry——Crowspies——Adecampment——ReturntoGreenRivervalley——MeetingwithFitzpatrick”sparty——TheiradventuresamongtheCrows——OrthodoxCrowsChapter28Aregionofnaturalcuriosities——Theplainofwhiteclay——Hotsprings——TheBeerSpring——Departuretoseekthefreetrappers——PlainofPortneuf——Lava——Chasmsandgullies——BannackIndians——Theirhuntofthebuffalo——Hunter”sfeast——Trencherheroes——Bullyingofanabsentfoe——Thedampcomrade——TheIndianspy——MeetingwithHodgkiss——Hisadventures——PoordevilIndians——TriumphoftheBannacks——BlackfeetpolicyinwarChapter29WintercampatthePortneuf——Finesprings——TheBannackIndians——Theirhonesty——CaptainBonnevillepreparesforanexpedition——Christmas——TheAmericanFalls——Wildscenery——FishingFalls——SnakeIndians——SceneryontheBruneau——Viewofvolcaniccountryfromamountain——PowderRiver——Shoshokoes，orRootDiggers——Theircharacter，habits，habitations，dogs——VanityatitslastshiftChapter30Temperatureoftheclimate——RootDiggersonhorseback——AnIndianguide——Mountainprospects——TheGrandRond——DifficultiesonSnakeRiver——A

scrambleovertheBlueMountains——Sufferingsfromhunger——ProspectoftheImmahahValley——TheexhaustedtravellerChapter31Progressinthevalley——AnIndiancavalier——Thecaptainfallsintoalethargy——ANezPercepatriarch——Hospitabletreatment——Thebaldhead——Bargaining——Valueofanoldplaidcloak——Thefamilyhorse——ThecostofanIndianpresentChapter32NezPercecamp——Achiefwithahardname——TheBigHeartsoftheEast——Hospitabletreatment——TheIndianguides——Mysteriouscouncils——Theloquaciouschief——Indiantomb——GrandIndianreception——AnIndianfeast——Town-criers——HonestyoftheNezPerces——Thecaptain”sattemptathealing。Chapter33SceneryoftheWay-lee-way——Asubstitutefortobacco——SublimesceneryofSnakeRiver——Thegarrulousoldchiefandhiscousin——ANezPercemeeting——Astolenskin——Thescapegoatdog——Mysteriousconferences——Thelittlechief——Hishospitality——Thecaptain”saccountoftheUnitedStates——HishealingskillChapter34FortWallah-Wallah——Itscommander——Indiansinitsneighborhood——ExertionsofMr。Pambrunefortheirimprovement——Religion——Codeoflaws——RangeoftheLowerNezPerces——Camash，andotherroots——NezPercehorses——Preparationsfordeparture——Refusalofsupplies——Departure——AlaggardandgluttonChapter35Theuninvitedguest——Freeandeasymanners——Salutaryjokes——A

prodigalson——Exitoftheglutton——Asuddenchangeinfortune——Dangerofavisittopoorrelations——Pluckingofaprosperousman——Avagabondtoilet——Asubstitutefortheveryfinehorse——Hardtravelling——Theuninvitedguestandthepatriarchalcolt——Abeggaronhorseback——Acatastrophe——ExitofthemerryvagabondChapter36Thedifficultmountain——Asmokeandconsultation——Thecaptain”sspeech——Anicyturnpike——Dangerofafalsestep——ArrivalonSnakeRiver——

ReturntoPortneuf——MeetingofcomradesChapter37Departurefortherendezvous——AwarpartyofBlackfeet——Amockbustle——Shamfiresatnight——Warlikeprecautions——Dangersofanightattack——

Apanicamonghorses——Cautiousmarch——TheBeerSprings——Amockcarousel——Skirmishingwithbuffaloes——Abuffalobait——Arrivalattherendezvous——MeetingofvariousbandsChapter38PlanoftheSaltLakeexpedition——Greatsandydeserts——Sufferingsfromthirst——Ogden”sRiver——Trailsandsmokeoflurkingsavages——Theftsatnight——Atrapper”srevenge——Alarmsofaguiltyconscience——Amurderousvictory——Californianmountains——PlainsalongthePacific——ArrivalatMonterey——Accountoftheplaceandneighborhood——LowerCalifornia——Itsextent——ThePeninsula——Soil——Climate——

Production——ItssettlementsbytheJesuits——TheirswayovertheIndians——Theirexpulsion——Ruinsofamissionaryestablishment——Sublimescenery——UpperCalifornia——Missions——Theirpowerandpolicy——Resourcesofthecountry——DesignsofforeignnationsChapter39GaylifeatMonterey——Mexicanhorsemen——Abolddragoon——Useofthelasso——Vaqueros——Noosingabear——Fightbetweenabullandabear——DeparturefromMonterey——Indianhorsestealers——Outragescommittedbythetravellers——IndignationofCaptainBonnevilleChapter40Traveller”stales——Indianlurkers——PrognosticsofBuckeye——Signsandportents——Themedicinewolf——Analarm——Anambush——

ThecapturedprovantTriumphofBuckeye——Arrivalofsupplies——Grandcarouse——Arrangementsfortheyear——Mr。Wyethandhisnew-leviedband。Chapter41Avoyageinabullboat。Chapter42DepartureofCaptainBonnevillefortheColumbia——AdvanceofWyeth——Effortstokeepthelead——Hudson”sBayparty——Ajunketing——Adelectablebeverage——Honeyandalcohol——Highcarousing——TheCanadian“bonvivant“——Acache——Arapidmove——Wyethandhisplans——Histravellingcompanions——Buffalohunting——Moreconviviality——

Aninterruption。Chapter43Arapidmarch——Acloudofdust——Wildhorsemen——“HighJinks“——

Horseracingandrifle-shooting——Thegameofhand——Thefishingseason——Modeoffishing——Tablelands——Salmonfishers——Thecaptain”svisittoanIndianlodge——TheIndiangirl——Thepocketmirror——Supper——

Troublesofanevilconscience。Chapter44Outfitofatrapper——Riskstowhichheissubjected——Partnershipoftrappers——EnmityofIndians——Distantsmoke——Acountryonfire——GunCreek——GrandRondFinepastures——Perplexitiesinasmokycountry——Conflagrationofforests。Chapter45Skynses——Theirtraffic——Hunting——Food——Horses——Ahorse-race——DevotionalfeelingoftheSkynses，NezPercesandFlatheads——Prayers——Exhortations——Apreacheronhorseback——Effectofreligiononthemannersofthetribes——Anewlight。Chapter46Scarcityinthecamp——RefusalofsuppliesbytheHudson”sBayCompany——ConductoftheIndians——Ahungryretreat——JohnDay”sRiver——TheBlueMountains——SalmonfishingonSnakeRiver——MessengersfromtheCrowcountry——BearRiverValley——immensemigrationofbuffalo——Dangerofbuffalohunting——AwoundedIndian——EutawIndians——A

“surround“ofantelopes。Chapter47Afestivewinter——ConversionoftheShoshonies——Visitoftwofreetrappers——Gayetyinthecamp——Atouchofthetenderpassion——Thereclaimedsquaw——AnIndianfinelady——Anelopement——Apursuit——Marketvalueofabadwife。Chapter48Breakingupofwinterquarters——MovetoGreenRiver——Atrapperandhisrifle——Anarrivalincamp——Afreetrapperandhissquawindistress——StoryofaBlackfootbelle。Chapter49RendezvousatWindRiver——CampaignofMonteroandhisbrigadeintheCrowcountry——WarsbetweentheCrowsandBlackfeet——DeathofArapooishBlackfeetlurkers——Sagacityofthehorse——Dependenceofthehunteronhishorse——Returntothesettlements。AppendixNathanielJ。Wyeth，andtheTradeoftheFarWest——WreckofaJapaneseJunkontheNorthwestCoast——InstructionstoCaptainBonnevillefromtheMajor-GeneralCommandingtheArmyoftheUnitedStates。Irving”sBonneville-IntroductoryNotice[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleIntroductoryNoticeWHILEENGAGEDinwritinganaccountofthegrandenterpriseofAstoria，itwasmypracticetoseekallkindsoforalinformationconnectedwiththesubject。NowheredidIpickupmoreinterestingparticularsthanatthetableofMr。JohnJacobAstor；who，beingthepatriarchofthefurtradeintheUnitedStates，wasaccustomedtohaveathisboardvariouspersonsofadventurousturn，someofwhomhadbeenengagedinhisowngreatundertaking；others，ontheirownaccount，hadmadeexpeditionstotheRockyMountainsandthewatersoftheColumbia。

Amongthesepersonages，onewhopeculiarlytookmyfancywasCaptainBonneville，oftheUnitedStatesarmy；who，inaramblingkindofenterprise，hadstrangelyingraftedthetrapperandhunteruponthesoldier。Ashisexpeditionsandadventureswillformtheleadingthemeofthefollowingpages，afewbiographicalparticularsconcerninghimmaynotbeunacceptable。

CaptainBonnevilleisofFrenchparentage。Hisfatherwasaworthyoldemigrant，whocametothiscountrymanyyearssince，andtookuphisabodeinNew-York。Heisrepresentedasamannotmuchcalculatedforthesordidstruggleofamoney-makingworld，butpossessedofahappytemperament，afestivityofimagination，andasimplicityofheart，thatmadehimproofagainstitsrubsandtrials。Hewasanexcellentscholar；wellacquaintedwithLatinandGreek，andfondofthemodernclassics。Hisbookwashiselysium；onceimmersedinthepagesofVoltaire，Corneille，orRacine，orofhisfavoriteEnglishauthor，Shakespeare，heforgottheworldandallitsconcerns。Oftenwouldhebeseeninsummerweather，seatedunderoneofthetreesontheBattery，ortheporticoofSt。Paul”schurchinBroadway，hisbaldheaduncovered，hishatlyingbyhisside，hiseyesrivetedtothepageofhisbook，andhiswholesoulsoengaged，astoloseallconsciousnessofthepassingthrongorthepassinghour。

CaptainBonneville，itwillbefound，inheritedsomethingofhisfather”sbonhommie，andhisexcitableimagination；thoughthelatterwassomewhatdisciplinedinearlyyears，bymathematicalstudies。HewaseducatedatournationalMilitaryAcademyatWestPoint，whereheacquittedhimselfverycreditably；thence，heenteredthearmy，inwhichhehaseversincecontinued。

Thenatureofourmilitaryservicetookhimtothefrontier，where，foranumberofyears，hewasstationedatvariouspostsintheFarWest。HerehewasbroughtintofrequentintercoursewithIndiantraders，mountaintrappers，andotherpioneersofthewilderness；andbecamesoexcitedbytheirtalesofwildscenesandwildadventures，andtheiraccountsofvastandmagnificentregionsasyetunexplored，thatanexpeditiontotheRockyMountainsbecametheardentdesireofhisheart，andanenterprisetoexploreuntroddentracts，theleadingobjectofhisambition。

Bydegreesheshapedhisvagueday-dreamintoapracticalreality。Havingmadehimselfacquaintedwithalltherequisitesforatradingenterprisebeyondthemountains，hedeterminedtoundertakeit。Aleaveofabsence，andasanctionofhisexpedition，wasobtainedfromthemajorgeneralinchief，onhisofferingtocombinepublicutilitywithhisprivateprojects，andtocollectstatisticalinformationfortheWarDepartmentconcerningthewildcountriesandwildtribeshemightvisitinthecourseofhisjourneyings。

Nothingnowwaswantingtothedarlingprojectofthecaptain，butthewaysandmeans。Theexpeditionwouldrequireanoutfitofmanythousanddollars；astaggeringobstacletoasoldier，whosecapitalisseldomanythingmorethanhissword。Fullofthatbuoyanthope，however，whichbelongstothesanguinetemperament，herepairedtoNew-York，thegreatfocusofAmericanenterprise，wheretherearealwaysfundsreadyforanyscheme，howeverchimericalorromantic。Herehehadthegoodfortunetomeetwithagentlemanofhighrespectabilityandinfluence，whohadbeenhisassociateinboyhood，andwhocherishedaschoolfellowfriendshipforhim。Hetookageneralinterestintheschemeofthecaptain；introducedhimtocommercialmenofhisacquaintance，andinalittlewhileanassociationwasformed，andthenecessaryfundswereraisedtocarrytheproposedmeasureintoeffect。OneofthemostefficientpersonsinthisassociationwasMr。AlfredSeton，who，whenquiteayouth，hadaccompaniedoneoftheexpeditionssentoutbyMr。AstortohiscommercialestablishmentsontheColumbia，andhaddistinguishedhimselfbyhisactivityandcourageatoneoftheinteriorposts。Mr。SetonwasoneoftheAmericanyouthswhowereatAstoriaatthetimeofitssurrendertotheBritish，andwhomanifestedsuchgriefandindignationatseeingtheflagoftheircountryhauleddown。ThehopeofseeingthatflagoncemoreplantedontheshoresoftheColumbia，mayhaveenteredintohismotivesforengaginginthepresententerprise。

Thusbackedandprovided，CaptainBonnevilleundertookhisexpeditionintotheFarWest，andwassoonbeyondtheRockyMountains。Yearafteryearelapsedwithouthisreturn。Thetermofhisleaveofabsenceexpired，yetnoreportwasmadeofhimatheadquartersatWashington。Hewasconsideredvirtuallydeadorlostandhisnamewasstrickenfromthearmylist。

Itwasintheautumnof1835atthecountryseatofMr。JohnJacobAstor，atHellgate，thatI

firstmetwithCaptainBonnevilleHewasthenjustreturnedfromaresidenceofupwardsofthreeyearsamongthemountains，andwasonhiswaytoreporthimselfatheadquarters，inthehopesofbeingreinstatedintheservice。FromallthatIcouldlearn，hiswanderingsinthewildernessthoughtheyhadgratifiedhiscuriosityandhisloveofadventurehadnotmuchbenefitedhisfortunes。LikeCorporalTriminhiscampaigns，hehad“satisfiedthesentiment，“

andthatwasall。Infact，hewastoomuchofthefrank，freeheartedsoldier，andhadinheritedtoomuchofhisfather”stemperament，tomakeaschemingtrapper，orathriftybargainer。

Therewassomethinginthewholeappearanceofthecaptainthatprepossessedmeinhisfavor。Hewasofthemiddlesize，wellmadeandwellset；andamilitaryfrockofforeigncut，thathadseenservice，gavehimalookofcompactness。Hiscountenancewasfrank，open，andengaging；wellbrownedbythesun，andhadsomethingofaFrenchexpression。Hehadapleasantblackeye，ahighforehead，and，whilehekepthishaton，thelookofamaninthejocundprimeofhisdays；butthemomenthisheadwasuncovered，abaldcrowngainedhimcreditforafewmoreyearsthanhewasreallyentitledto。

Beingextremelycurious，atthetime，abouteverythingconnectedwiththeFarWest，I

addressednumerousquestionstohim。Theydrewfromhimanumberofextremelystrikingdetails，whichweregivenwithmingledmodestyandfrankness；andinagentlenessofmanner，andasofttoneofvoice，contrastingsingularlywiththewildandoftenstartlingnatureofhisthemes。Itwasdifficulttoconceivethemild，quiet-lookingpersonagebeforeyou，theactualheroofthestirringscenesrelated。

Inthecourseofthreeorfourmonths，happeningtobeatthecityofWashington，Iagaincameuponthecaptain，whowasattendingtheslowadjustmentofhisaffairswiththeWarDepartment。Ifoundhimquarteredwithaworthybrotherinarms，amajorinthearmy。Herehewaswritingatatable，coveredwithmapsandpapers，inthecentreofalargebarrackroom，fancifullydecoratedwithIndianarms，andtrophies，andwardresses，andtheskinsofvariouswildanimals，andhungroundwithpicturesofIndiangamesandceremonies，andscenesofwarandhunting。Inaword，thecaptainwasbeguilingthetediousnessofattendanceatcourt，byanattemptatauthorship；andwasrewritingandextendinghistravellingnotes，andmakingmapsoftheregionshehadexplored。Ashesatatthetable，inthiscuriousapartment，withhishighbaldheadofsomewhatforeigncast，heremindedmeofsomeofthoseantiquepicturesofauthorsthatIhaveseeninoldSpanishvolumes。

Theresultofhislaborswasamassofmanuscript，whichhesubsequentlyputatmydisposal，tofititforpublicationandbringitbeforetheworld。Ifounditfullofinterestingdetailsoflifeamongthemountains，andofthesingularcastesandraces，bothwhitemenandredmen，amongwhomhehadsojourned。Itbore，too，throughout，theimpressofhischaracter，hisbonhommie，hiskindlinessofspirit，andhissusceptibilitytothegrandandbeautiful。

Thatmanuscripthasformedthestapleofthefollowingwork。Ihaveoccasionallyinterwovenfactsanddetails，gatheredfromvarioussources，especiallyfromtheconversationsandjournalsofsomeofthecaptain”scontemporaries，whowereactorsinthesceneshedescribes。

Ihavealsogivenitatoneandcoloringdrawnfrommyownobservation，duringanexcursionintotheIndiancountrybeyondtheboundsofcivilization；asIbeforeobserved，however，theworkissubstantiallythenarrativeoftheworthycaptain，andmanyofitsmostgraphicpassagesarebutlittlevariedfromhisownlanguage。

Ishallconcludethisnoticebyadedicationwhichhehadmadeofhismanuscripttohishospitablebrotherinarms，inwhosequartersIfoundhimoccupiedinhisliterarylabors；itisadedicationwhich，Ibelieve，possessesthequalities，notalwaysfoundincomplimentarydocumentsofthekind，ofbeingsincere，andbeingmerited。

ToJAMESHARVEYHOOK，Major，U。S。A。，whosejealousyofitshonor，whoseanxietyforitsinterests，andwhosesensibilityforitswants，haveendearedhimtotheserviceasTheSoldier”sFriend；

andwhosegeneralamenity，constantcheerfulness。disinterestedhospitality，andunweariedbenevolence，entitlehimtothestillloftiertitleofTheFriendofMan，thisworkisinscribed，etc。WASHINGTONIRVING[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter1[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter1StateofthefurtradeoftheRockyMountains——Americanenterprises——GeneralAshley

andhisassociates——Sublette，afamousleader——Yearlyrendezvousamongthe

mountains——Stratagemsanddangersofthetrade——Bandsoftrappers——Indian

banditti——CrowsandBlackfeet——Mountaineers——TradersoftheFarWest——Character

andhabitsofthetrapperINARECENTWORKwehavegivenanaccountofthegrandenterpriseofMr。John

JacobAstortoestablishanAmericanemporiumforthefurtradeatthemouthofthe

Columbia，orOregonRiver；ofthefailureofthatenterprisethroughthecaptureof

AstoriabytheBritish，in1814；andofthewayinwhichthecontrolofthetradeofthe

ColumbiaanditsdependenciesfellintothehandsoftheNorthwestCompany。Wehave

stated，likewise，theunfortunatesupinenessoftheAmericangovernmentinneglecting

theapplicationofMr。AstorfortheprotectionoftheAmericanflag，andasmallmilitary

force，toenablehimtoreinstatehimselfinthepossessionofAstoriaatthereturnof

peace；whenthepostwasformallygivenupbytheBritishgovernment，thoughstill

occupiedbytheNorthwestCompany。Bythatsupinenessthesovereigntyinthecountry

hasbeenvirtuallylosttotheUnitedStates；anditwillcostbothgovernmentsmuch

troubleanddifficultytosettlemattersonthatjustandrightfulfootingonwhichthey

wouldreadilyhavebeenplacedhadthepropositionofMr。Astorbeenattendedto。We

shallnowstateafewparticularsofsubsequentevents，soastoleadthereaderupto

theperiodofwhichweareabouttotreat，andtopreparehimforthecircumstancesofournarrative。InconsequenceoftheapathyandneglectoftheAmericangovernment，Mr。Astor

abandonedallthoughtsofregainingAstoria，andmadenofurtherattempttoextendhis

enterprisesbeyondtheRockyMountains；andtheNorthwestCompanyconsidered

themselvesthelordsofthecountry。Theydidnotlongenjoyunmolestedthesway

whichtheyhadsomewhatsurreptitiouslyattained。Afiercecompetitionensuedbetween

themandtheiroldrivals，theHudson”sBayCompany；whichwascarriedonatgreat

costandsacrifice，andoccasionallywiththelossoflife。Itendedintheruinofmostof

thepartnersoftheNorthwestCompany；andthemergingoftherelicsofthat

establishment，in1821，intherivalassociation。Fromthattime，theHudson”sBay

CompanyenjoyedamonopolyoftheIndiantradefromthecoastofthePacifictothe

RockyMountains，andforaconsiderableextentnorthandsouth。Theyremovedtheir

emporiumfromAstoriatoFortVancouver，astrongpostontheleftbankofthe

ColumbiaRiver，aboutsixtymilesfromitsmouth；whencetheyfurnishedtheirinteriorposts，andsentforththeirbrigadesoftrappers。TheRockyMountainsformedavastbarrierbetweenthemandtheUnitedStates，and

theirsternandawfuldefiles，theirruggedvalleys，andthegreatwesternplainswatered

bytheirrivers，remainedalmostaterraincognitatotheAmericantrapper。The

difficultiesexperiencedin1808，byMr。HenryoftheMissouriCompany，thefirst

Americanwhotrappeduponthehead-watersoftheColumbia；andthefrightful

hardshipssustainedbyWilsonP。Hunt，RamsayCrooks，RobertStuart，andother

intrepidAstorians，intheirill-fatedexpeditionsacrossthemountains，appearedfora

timetocheckallfurtherenterpriseinthatdirection。TheAmericantraderscontented

themselveswithfollowinguptheheadbranchesoftheMissouri，theYellowstone，and

otherriversandstreamsontheAtlanticsideofthemountains，butforboretoattemptthosegreatsnow-crownedsierras。OneofthefirsttorevivethesetramontaneexpeditionswasGeneralAshley，ofMissouri，

amanwhosecourageandachievementsintheprosecutionofhisenterpriseshave

renderedhimfamousintheFarWest。InconjunctionwithMr。Henry，already

mentioned，heestablishedapostonthebanksoftheYellowstoneRiverin1822，andin

thefollowingyearpushedaresolutebandoftrappersacrossthemountainstothe

banksoftheGreenRiverorColoradooftheWest，oftenknownbytheIndiannameof

theSeeds-ke-deeAgie。Thisattemptwasfollowedupandsustainedbyothers，untilin

1825afootingwassecured，andacompletesystemoftrappingorganizedbeyondthemountains。Itisdifficulttodojusticetothecourage，fortitude，andperseveranceofthepioneersof

thefurtrade，whoconductedtheseearlyexpeditions，andfirstbroketheirwaythrougha

wildernesswhereeverythingwascalculatedtodeteranddismaythem。Theyhadto

traversethemostdrearyanddesolatemountains，andbarrenandtracklesswastes，

uninhabitedbyman，oroccasionallyinfestedbypredatoryandcruelsavages。They

knewnothingofthecountrybeyondthevergeoftheirhorizon，andhadtogather

informationastheywandered。Theybeheldvolcanicplainsstretchingaroundthem，and

rangesofmountainspileduptotheclouds，andglisteningwitheternalfrost：butknew

nothingoftheirdefiles，norhowtheyweretobepenetratedortraversed。Theylaunched

themselvesinfrailcanoesonrivers，withoutknowingwhithertheirswiftcurrentswould

carrythem，orwhatrocksandshoalsandrapidstheymightencounterintheircourse。

Theyhadtobecontinuallyonthealert，too，againstthemountaintribes，whobeset

everydefile，laidambuscadesintheirpath，orattackedthemintheirnight

encampments；sothat，ofthehardybandsoftrappersthatfirstenteredintotheseregions，three-fifthsaresaidtohavefallenbythehandsofsavagefoes。Inthiswildandwarlikeschoolanumberofleadershavesprungup，originallyinthe

employ，subsequentlypartnersofAshley；amongthesewemaymentionSmith，

Fitzpatrick，Bridger，RobertCampbell，andWilliamSublette；whoseadventuresand

exploitspartakeofthewildestspiritofromance。Theassociationcommencedby

GeneralAshleyunderwentvariousmodifications。Thatgentlemanhavingacquired

sufficientfortune，soldouthisinterestandretired；andtheleadingspiritthatsucceeded

himwasCaptainWilliamSublette；amanworthyofnote，ashisnamehasbecome

renownedinfrontierstory。HeisanativeofKentucky，andofgamedescent；his

maternalgrandfather，ColonelWheatley，acompanionofBoon，havingbeenoneofthe

pioneersoftheWest，celebratedinIndianwarfare，andkilledinoneofthecontestsof

the“BloodyGround。”WeshallfrequentlyhaveoccasiontospeakofthisSublette，and

alwaystothecreditofhisgamequalities。In1830，theassociationtookthenameofthe

RockyMountainFurCompany，ofwhichCaptainSubletteandRobertCampbellwereprominentmembers。Inthemeantime，thesuccessofthiscompanyattractedtheattentionandexcitedthe

emulationoftheAmericanFurCompany，andbroughtthemoncemoreintothefieldof

theiranciententerprise。Mr。Astor，thefounderoftheassociation，hadretiredfrombusy

life，andtheconcernsofthecompanywereablymanagedbyMr。RamsayCrooks，of

SnakeRiverrenown，whostillofficiatesasitspresident。Acompetitionimmediately

ensuedbetweenthetwocompaniesforthetradewiththemountaintribesandthe

trappingofthehead-watersoftheColumbiaandtheothergreattributariesofthe

Pacific。Besidetheregularoperationsoftheseformidablerivals，therehavebeenfrom

timetotimedesultoryenterprises，orratherexperiments，ofminorassociations，orof

adventurousindividualsbesiderovingbandsofindependenttrappers，whoeitherhunt

forthemselves，orengageforasingleseason，intheserviceofoneorotherofthemaincompanies。TheconsequenceisthattheRockyMountainsandtheulteriorregions，fromthe

RussianpossessionsinthenorthdowntotheSpanishsettlementsofCalifornia，have

beentraversedandransackedineverydirectionbybandsofhuntersandIndian

traders；sothatthereisscarcelyamountainpass，ordefile，thatisnotknownand

threadedintheirrestlessmigrations，noranamelessstreamthatisnothauntedbythelonelytrapper。TheAmericanfurcompanieskeepnoestablishedpostsbeyondthemountains。

Everythingthereisregulatedbyresidentpartners；thatistosay，partnerswhoresidein

thetramontanecountry，butwhomoveaboutfromplacetoplace，eitherwithIndian

tribes，whosetraffictheywishtomonopolize，orwithmainbodiesoftheirownmen，

whomtheyemployintradingandtrapping。Inthemeantime，theydetachbands，or

“brigades“astheyaretermed，oftrappersinvariousdirections，assigningtoeacha

portionofcountryasahuntingortrappingground。InthemonthsofJuneandJuly，

whenthereisanintervalbetweenthehuntingseasons，ageneralrendezvousisheld，at

somedesignatedplaceinthemountains，wheretheaffairsofthepastyeararesettledbytheresidentpartners，andtheplansforthefollowingyeararranged。Tothisrendezvousrepairthevariousbrigadesoftrappersfromtheirwidelyseparated

huntinggrounds，bringingintheproductsoftheiryear”scampaign。Hitheralsorepairthe

Indiantribesaccustomedtotraffictheirpeltrieswiththecompany。Bandsoffree

trappersresorthitheralso，tosellthefurstheyhavecollected；ortoengagetheirservicesforthenexthuntingseason。Tothisrendezvousthecompanysendsannuallyaconvoyofsuppliesfromits

establishmentontheAtlanticfrontier，undertheguidanceofsomeexperiencedpartner

orofficer。Onthearrivalofthisconvoy，theresidentpartnerattherendezvousdependstosetallhisnextyear”smachineryinmotion。Nowastherivalcompanieskeepavigilanteyeuponeachother，andareanxiousto

discovereachother”splansandmovements，theygenerallycontrivetoholdtheirannual

assemblagesatnogreatdistanceapart。Aneagercompetitionexistsalsobetweentheir

respectiveconvoysofsupplies，whichshallfirstreachitsplaceofrendezvous。Forthis

purpose，theysetoffwiththefirstappearanceofgrassontheAtlanticfrontierandpush

withalldiligenceforthemountains。Thecompanythatcanfirstopenitstempting

suppliesofcoffee，tobacco，ammunition，scarletcloth，blankets，brightshawls，and

glitteringtrinketshasthegreatestchancetogetallthepeltriesandfursoftheIndians

andfreetrappers，andtoengagetheirservicesforthenextseason。Itisable，also，tofit

outanddispatchitsowntrappersthesoonest，soastogetthestartofitscompetitors，andtohavethefirstdashintothehuntingandtrappinggrounds。Anewspeciesofstrategyhassprungoutofthishuntingandtrappingcompetition。The

constantstudyoftherivalbandsistoforestallandoutwiteachother；tosupplanteach

otherinthegoodwillandcustomoftheIndiantribes；tocrosseachother”splans；to

misleadeachotherastoroutes；inaword，nexttohisownadvantage，thestudyoftheIndiantraderisthedisadvantageofhiscompetitor。Theinfluxofthiswanderingtradehashaditseffectsonthehabitsofthemountain

tribes。Theyhavefoundthetrappingofthebeavertheirmostprofitablespeciesof

hunting；andthetrafficwiththewhitemanhasopenedtothemsourcesofluxuryof

whichtheypreviouslyhadnoidea。Theintroductionoffirearmshasrenderedthem

moresuccessfulhunters，butatthesametime，moreformidablefoes；someofthem，

incorrigiblysavageandwarlikeintheirnature，havefoundtheexpeditionsofthefur

tradersgrandobjectsofprofitableadventure。Towaylayandharassabandoftrappers

withtheirpack-horses，whenembarrassedintheruggeddefilesofthemountains，has

becomeasfavoriteanexploitwiththeseIndiansastheplunderofacaravantothe

Arabofthedesert。TheCrowsandBlackfeet，whoweresuchterrorsinthepathofthe

earlyadventurerstoAstoria，stillcontinuetheirpredatoryhabits，butseemtohave

broughtthemtogreatersystem。Theyknowtheroutesandresortsofthetrappers；

wheretowaylaythemontheirjourneys；wheretofindtheminthehuntingseasons，and

wheretohoverabouttheminwinterquarters。Thelifeofatrapper，therefore，isaperpetualstatemilitant，andhemustsleepwithhisweaponsinhishands。Aneworderoftrappersandtraders，also，hasgrownoutofthissystemofthings。Inthe

oldtimesofthegreatNorthwestCompany，whenthetradeinfurswaspursuedchiefly

aboutthelakesandrivers，theexpeditionswerecarriedoninbatteauxandcanoes。The

voyageursorboatmenweretherankandfileintheserviceofthetrader，andeventhe

hardy“menofthenorth，“thosegreatrufflersandgamebirds，werefaintobepaddledfrompointtopointoftheirmigrations。Atotallydifferentclasshasnowsprungup：”theMountaineers，“thetradersand

trappersthatscalethevastmountainchains，andpursuetheirhazardousvocations

amidsttheirwildrecesses。Theymovefromplacetoplaceonhorseback。The

equestrianexercises，therefore，inwhichtheyareengaged，thenatureofthecountries

theytraverse，vastplainsandmountains，pureandexhilaratinginatmosphericqualities，

seemtomakethemphysicallyandmentallyamorelivelyandmercurialracethanthe

furtradersandtrappersofformerdays，theself-vaunting“menofthenorth。”Aman

whobestridesahorsemustbeessentiallydifferentfromamanwhocowersinacanoe。

Wefindthem，accordingly，hardy，lithe，vigorous，andactive；extravagantinword，and

thought，anddeed；heedlessofhardship；daringofdanger；prodigalofthepresent，andthoughtlessofthefuture。Adifferenceistobeperceivedevenbetweenthesemountainhuntersandthoseofthe

lowerregionsalongthewatersoftheMissouri。Thelatter，generallyFrenchcreoles，live

comfortablyincabinsandlog-huts，wellshelteredfromtheinclemenciesofthe

seasons。Theyarewithinthereachoffrequentsuppliesfromthesettlements；theirlife

iscomparativelyfreefromdanger，andfrommostofthevicissitudesoftheupper

wilderness。Theconsequenceisthattheyarelesshardy，self-dependentandgame-spiritedthan

themountaineer。Ifthelatterbychancecomesamongthemonhiswayto

andfromthesettlements，heislikeagame-cockamongthecommonroostersofthe

poultry-yard。Accustomedtoliveintents，ortobivouacintheopenair，hedespisesthe

comfortsandisimpatientoftheconfinementofthelog-house。Ifhismealisnotreadyin

season，hetakeshisrifle，hiestotheforestorprairie，shootshisowngame，lightshis

fire，andcookshisrepast。Withhishorseandhisrifle，heisindependentoftheworld，

andspurnsatallitsrestraints。Theverysuperintendentsatthelowerpostswillnotput

himtomesswiththecommonmen，thehirelingsoftheestablishment，buttreathimassomethingsuperior。Thereis，perhaps，noclassofmenonthefaceoftheearth，saysCaptainBonneville，

wholeadalifeofmorecontinuedexertion，peril，andexcitement，andwhoaremore

enamoredoftheiroccupations，thanthefreetrappersoftheWest。Notoil，nodanger，

noprivationcanturnthetrapperfromhispursuit。Hispassionateexcitementattimes

resemblesamania。Invainmaythemostvigilantandcruelsavagesbesethispath；in

vainmayrocksandprecipicesandwintrytorrentsopposehisprogress；letbutasingle

trackofabeavermeethiseye，andheforgetsalldangersanddefiesalldifficulties。At

times，hemaybeseenwithhistrapsonhisshoulder，buffetinghiswayacrossrapid

streams，amidstfloatingblocksofice：atothertimes，heistobefoundwithhistraps

swungonhisbackclamberingthemostruggedmountains，scalingordescendingthe

mostfrightfulprecipices，searching，byroutesinaccessibletothehorse，andnever

beforetroddenbywhiteman，forspringsandlakesunknowntohiscomrades，and

wherehemaymeetwithhisfavoritegame。Suchisthemountaineer，thehardytrapper

oftheWest；andsuch，aswehaveslightlysketchedit，isthewild，RobinHoodkindof

life，withallitsstrangeandmotleypopulace，nowexistinginfullvigoramongtheRockyMountains。Havingthusgiventhereadersomeideaoftheactualstateofthefurtradeintheinterior

ofourvastcontinent，andmadehimacquaintedwiththewildchivalryofthemountains，

wewillnolongerdelaytheintroductionofCaptainBonnevilleandhisbandintothisfield

oftheirenterprise，butlaunchthematonceupontheperilousplainsoftheFarWest。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter2[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter2DeparturefromFortOsage——Modesoftransportation——Pack-

horses——Wagons——WalkerandCerre；theircharacters——Buoyantfeelingsonlaunchingupontheprairies——Wildequipmentsofthetrappers——Theirgambolsandantics——DifferenceofcharacterbetweentheAmericanandFrenchtrappers——AgencyoftheKansas——GeneralClarke——WhitePlume，theKansaschief——Nightsceneinatrader”scamp——ColloquybetweenWhitePlumeandthecaptain——Bee-hunters——Theirexpeditions——TheirfeudswiththeIndians——BargainingtalentofWhitePlumeITWASONTHEFIRSTofMay，1832，thatCaptainBonnevilletookhisdeparturefromthefrontierpostofFortOsage，ontheMissouri。Hehadenlistedapartyofonehundredandtenmen，mostofwhomhadbeenintheIndiancountry，andsomeofwhomwereexperiencedhuntersandtrappers。FortOsage，andotherplacesonthebordersofthewesternwilderness，aboundwithcharactersofthekind，readyforanyexpedition。

Theordinarymodeoftransportationinthesegreatinlandexpeditionsofthefurtradersisonmulesandpack-horses；butCaptainBonnevillesubstitutedwagons。Thoughhewastotravelthroughatracklesswilderness，yetthegreaterpartofhisroutewouldlieacrossopenplains，destituteofforests，andwherewheelcarriagescanpassineverydirection。Thechiefdifficultyoccursinpassingthedeepravinescutthroughtheprairiesbystreamsandwintertorrents。Hereitisoftennecessarytodigaroaddownthebanks，andtomakebridgesforthewagons。

Intransportinghisbaggageinvehiclesofthiskind，CaptainBonnevillethoughthewouldsavethegreatdelaycausedeverymorningbypackingthehorses，andthelaborofunpackingintheevening。Fewerhorsesalsowouldberequired，andlessriskincurredoftheirwanderingaway，orbeingfrightenedorcarriedoffbytheIndians。Thewagons，also，wouldbemoreeasilydefended，andmightformakindoffortificationincaseofattackintheopenprairies。Atrainoftwentywagons，drawnbyoxen，orbyfourmulesorhorseseach，andladenwithmerchandise，ammunition，andprovisions，weredisposedintwocolumnsinthecenteroftheparty，whichwasequallydividedintoavanandarear-guard。Assubleadersorlieutenantsinhisexpedition，CaptainBonnevillehadmadechoiceofMr。I。R。WalkerandMr。M。S。Cerre。TheformerwasanativeofTennessee，aboutsixfeethigh，strongbuilt，darkcomplexioned，braveinspirit，thoughmildinmanners。HehadresidedformanyyearsinMissouri，onthefrontier；hadbeenamongtheearliestadventurerstoSantaFe，wherehewenttotrapbeaver，andwastakenbytheSpaniards。Beingliberated，heengagedwiththeSpaniardsandSiouxIndiansinawaragainstthePawnees；thenreturnedtoMissouri，andhadactedbyturnsassheriff，trader，trapper，untilhewasenlistedasaleaderbyCaptainBonneville。

Cerre，hisotherleader，hadlikewisebeeninexpeditionstoSantaFe，inwhichhehadenduredmuchhardship。Hewasofthemiddlesize，lightcomplexioned，andthoughbutabouttwenty-fiveyearsofage，wasconsideredanexperiencedIndiantrader。ItwasagreatobjectwithCaptainBonnevilletogettothemountainsbeforethesummerheatsandsummerfliesshouldrenderthetravellingacrosstheprairiesdistressing；andbeforetheannualassemblagesofpeopleconnectedwiththefurtradeshouldhavebrokenup，anddispersedtothehuntinggrounds。

Thetworivalassociationsalreadymentioned，theAmericanFurCompanyandtheRockyMountainFurCompany，hadtheirseveralplacesofrendezvousforthepresentyearatnogreatdistanceapart，inPierre”sHole，adeepvalleyintheheartofthemountains，andthitherCaptainBonnevilleintendedtoshapehiscourse。

Itisnoteasytodojusticetotheexultingfeelingsoftheworthycaptainatfindinghimselfattheheadofastoutbandofhunters，trappers，andwoodmen；fairlylaunchedonthebroadprairies，withhisfacetotheboundlessWest。Thetamestinhabitantofcities，theveriestspoiledchildofcivilization，feelshisheartdilateandhispulsebeathighonfindinghimselfonhorsebackinthegloriouswilderness；whatthenmustbetheexcitementofonewhoseimaginationhadbeenstimulatedbyaresidenceonthefrontier，andtowhomthewildernesswasaregionofromance！

Hishardyfollowerspartookofhisexcitement。Mostofthemhadalreadyexperiencedthewildfreedomofsavagelife，andlookedforwardtoarenewalofpastscenesofadventureandexploit。Theirveryappearanceandequipmentexhibitedapiebaldmixture，halfcivilizedandhalfsavage。ManyofthemlookedmorelikeIndiansthanwhitemenintheirgarbsandaccoutrements，andtheirveryhorseswerecaparisonedinbarbaricstyle，withfantastictrappings。Theoutsetofabandofadventurersononeoftheseexpeditionsisalwaysanimatedandjoyous。Thewelkinrangwiththeirshoutsandyelps，afterthemannerofthesavages；andwithboisterousjokesandlight-heartedlaughter。Astheypassedthestragglinghamletsandsolitarycabinsthatfringetheskirtsofthefrontier，theywouldstartletheirinmatesbyIndianyellsandwar-whoops，orregalethemwithgrotesquefeatsofhorsemanship，wellsuitedtotheirhalfsavageappearance。Mostoftheseabodeswereinhabitedbymenwhohadthemselvesbeeninsimilarexpeditions；theywelcomedthetravellers，therefore，asbrothertrappers，treatedthemwithahunter”shospitality，andcheeredthemwithanhonestGodspeedatparting。

Andherewewouldremarkagreatdifference，inpointofcharacterandquality，betweenthetwoclassesoftrappers，the“American“and“French，“astheyarecalledincontradistinction。ThelatterismeanttodesignatetheFrenchcreoleofCanadaorLouisiana；theformer，thetrapperoftheoldAmericanstock，fromKentucky，Tennessee，andothersofthewesternStates。TheFrenchtrapperisrepresentedasalighter，softer，moreself-indulgentkindofman。HemusthavehisIndianwife，hislodge，andhispettyconveniences。Heisgayandthoughtless，takeslittleheedoflandmarks，dependsuponhisleadersandcompanionstothinkforthecommonweal，and，iflefttohimself，iseasilyperplexedandlost。

TheAmericantrapperstandsbyhimself，andispeerlessfortheserviceofthewilderness。Drophiminthemidstofaprairie，orintheheartofthemountains，andheisneverataloss。Henoticeseverylandmark；canretracehisroutethroughthemostmonotonousplains，orthemostperplexedlabyrinthsofthemountains；nodangernordifficultycanappalhim，andhescornstocomplainunderanyprivation。Inequippingthetwokindsoftrappers，theCreoleandCanadianareapttopreferthelightfusee；theAmericanalwaysgraspshisrifle；hedespiseswhathecallsthe“shot-gun。”Wegivetheseestimatesontheauthorityofatraderoflongexperience，andaforeignerbybirth。

“IconsideroneAmerican，“saidhe，“equaltothreeCanadiansinpointofsagacity，aptnessatresources，self-dependence，andfearlessnessofspirit。Infact，noonecancopewithhimasastarktramperofthewilderness。”

Besidethetwoclassesoftrappersjustmentioned，CaptainBonnevillehadenlistedseveralDelawareIndiansinhisemploy，onwhosehuntingqualificationsheplacedgreatreliance。

Onthe6thofMaythetravellerspassedthelastborderhabitation，andbadealongfarewelltotheeaseandsecurityofcivilization。Thebuoyantandclamorousspiritswithwhichtheyhadcommencedtheirmarchgraduallysubsidedastheyentereduponitsdifficulties。Theyfoundtheprairiessaturatedwiththeheavycoldrains，prevalentincertainseasonsoftheyearinthispartofthecountry，thewagonwheelssankdeepinthemire，thehorseswereoftentothefetlock，andbothsteedandriderwerecompletelyjadedbytheeveningofthe12th，whentheyreachedtheKansasRiver；afinestreamaboutthreehundredyardswide，enteringtheMissourifromthesouth。Thoughfordableinalmosteverypartattheendofsummerandduringtheautumn，yetitwasnecessarytoconstructaraftforthetransportationofthewagonsandeffects。Allthiswasdoneinthecourseofthefollowingday，andbyevening，thewholepartyarrivedattheagencyoftheKansastribe。ThiswasunderthesuperintendenceofGeneralClarke，brotherofthecelebratedtravellerofthesamename，who，withLewis，madethefirstexpeditiondownthewatersoftheColumbia。Hewaslivinglikeapatriarch，surroundedbylaborersandinterpreters，allsnuglyhoused，andprovidedwithexcellentfarms。Thefunctionarynextinconsequencetotheagentwastheblacksmith，amostimportant，and，indeed，indispensablepersonageinafrontiercommunity。TheKansasresembletheOsagesinfeatures，dress，andlanguage；theyraisecornandhuntthebuffalo，rangingtheKansasRiver，anditstributarystreams；atthetimeofthecaptain”svisit，theywereatwarwiththePawneesoftheNebraska，orPlatteRiver。

Theunusualsightofatrainofwagonscausedquiteasensationamongthesesavages；

whothrongedaboutthecaravan，examiningeverythingminutely，andaskingathousandquestions：exhibitingadegreeofexcitability，andalivelycuriositytotallyoppositetothatapathywithwhichtheirraceissooftenreproached。

Thepersonagewhomostattractedthecaptain”sattentionatthisplacewas“WhitePlume，“theKansaschief，andtheysoonbecamegoodfriends。WhitePlume(wearepleasedwithhischivalroussoubriquet)inhabitedalargestonehouse，builtforhimbyorderoftheAmericangovernment：buttheestablishmenthadnotbeencarriedoutincorrespondingstyle。Itmightbepalacewithout，butitwaswigwamwithin；sothat，betweenthestatelinessofhismansionandthesqualidnessofhisfurniture，thegallantWhitePlumepresentedsomesuchwhimsicalincongruityasweseeinthegalaequipmentsofanIndianchiefonatreaty-makingembassyatWashington，whohasbeengenerouslydeckedoutincockedhatandmilitarycoat，incontrasttohisbreech-cloutandleathernlegging；beinggrandofficerattop，andraggedIndianatbottom。

WhitePlumewassotakenwiththecourtesyofthecaptain，andpleasedwithoneortwopresentsreceivedfromhim，thatheaccompaniedhimaday”sjourneyonhismarch，andpassedanightinhiscamp，onthemarginofasmallstream。Themethodofencampinggenerallyobservedbythecaptainwasasfollows：Thetwentywagonsweredisposedinasquare，atthedistanceofthirty-threefeetfromeachother。Ineveryintervaltherewasamessstationed；andeachmesshaditsfire，wherethemencooked，ate，gossiped，andslept。Thehorseswereplacedinthecentreofthesquare，withaguardstationedoverthematnight。

Thehorseswere“sidelined，“asitistermed：thatistosay，theforeandhindfootonthesamesideoftheanimalweretiedtogether，soastobewithineighteeninchesofeachother。Ahorsethusfetteredisforatimesadlyembarrassed，butsoonbecomessufficientlyaccustomedtotherestrainttomoveaboutslowly。Itpreventshiswandering；

andhisbeingeasilycarriedoffatnightbylurkingIndians。Whenahorsethatis“footfree“istiedtoonethussecured，thelatterforms，asitwere，apivot，roundwhichtheotherrunsandcurvets，incaseofalarm。Theencampmentofwhichwearespeakingpresentedastrikingscene。Thevariousmess-firesweresurroundedbypicturesquegroups，standing，sitting，andreclining；somebusiedincooking，othersincleaningtheirweapons：whilethefrequentlaughtoldthattheroughjokeormerrystorywasgoingon。

Inthemiddleofthecamp，beforetheprincipallodge，satthetwochieftains，CaptainBonnevilleandWhitePlume，insoldier-likecommunion，thecaptaindelightedwiththeopportunityofmeetingonsocialtermswithoneoftheredwarriorsofthewilderness，theunsophisticatedchildrenofnature。Thelatterwassquattedonhisbuffalorobe，hisstrongfeaturesandredskinglaringinthebroadlightofablazingfire，whileherecountedastoundingtalesofthebloodyexploitsofhistribeandhimselfintheirwarswiththePawnees；fortherearenooldsoldiersmoregiventolongcampaigningstoriesthanIndian“braves。”

ThefeudsofWhitePlume，however，hadnotbeenconfinedtotheredmen；hehadmuchtosayofbrusheswithbeehunters，aclassofoffendersforwhomheseemedtocherishaparticularabhorrence。Asthespeciesofhuntingprosecutedbytheseworthiesisnotlaiddowninanyoftheancientbooksofvenerie，andis，infact，peculiartoourwesternfrontier，awordortwoonthesubjectmaynotbeunacceptabletothereader。

Thebeehunterisgenerallysomesettleronthevergeoftheprairies；along，lankfellow，offeverandaguecomplexion，acquiredfromlivingonnewsoil，andinahutbuiltofgreenlogs。Intheautumn，whentheharvestisover，these；frontiersettlersformpartiesoftwoorthree，andprepareforabeehunt。Havingprovidedthemselveswithawagon，andanumberofemptycasks，theysallyoff，armedwiththeirrifles，intothewilderness，directingtheircourseeast，west，north，orsouth，withoutanyregardtotheordinanceoftheAmericangovernment，whichstrictlyforbidsalltrespassuponthelandsbelongingtotheIndiantribes。

Thebeltsofwoodlandthattraversethelowerprairiesandbordertheriversarepeopledbyinnumerableswarmsofwildbees，whichmaketheirhivesinhollowtreesandfillthemwithhoneytolledfromtherichflowersoftheprairies。Thebees，accordingtopopularassertion，aremigratinglikethesettlers，tothewest。AnIndiantrader，wellexperiencedinthecountry，informsusthatwithintenyearsthathehaspassedintheFarWest，thebeehasadvancedwestwardaboveahundredmiles。ItissaidontheMissouri，thatthewildturkeyandthewildbeegouptherivertogether：neitherisfoundintheupperregions。ItisbutrecentlythatthewildturkeyhasbeenkilledontheNebraska，orPlatte；andhistravellingcompetitor，thewildbee，appearedthereaboutthesametime。

Beallthisasitmay：thecourseofourpartyofbeehuntersistomakeawidecircuitthroughthewoodyriverbottoms，andthepatchesofforestontheprairies，marking，astheygoout，everytreeinwhichtheyhavedetectedahive。Thesemarksaregenerallyrespectedbyanyotherbeehunterthatshouldcomeupontheirtrack。Whentheyhavemarkedsufficienttofillalltheircasks，theyturntheirfaceshomeward，cutdownthetreesastheyproceed，andhavingloadedtheirwagonwithhoneyandwax，returnwellpleasedtothesettlements。

NowitsohappensthattheIndiansrelishwildhoneyashighlyasdothewhitemen，andarethemoredelightedwiththisnaturalluxuryfromitshaving，inmanyinstances，butrecentlymadeitsappearanceintheirlands。Theconsequenceisnumberlessdisputesandconflictsbetweenthemandthebeehunters：andoftenapartyofthelatter，returning，ladenwithrichspoil，fromoneoftheirforays，areapttobewaylaidbythenativelordsofthesoil；theirhoneytobeseized，theirharnesscuttopieces，andthemselveslefttofindtheirwayhomethebestwaytheycan，happytoescapewithnogreaterpersonalharmthanasoundrib-roasting。

SuchwerethemaraudersofwhoseoffencesthegallantWhitePlumemadethemostbittercomplaint。TheywerechieflythesettlersofthewesternpartofMissouri，whoarethemostfamousbeehuntersonthefrontier，andwhosefavoritehuntinggroundlieswithinthelandsoftheKansastribe。AccordingtotheaccountofWhitePlume，however，matterswereprettyfairlybalancedbetweenhimandtheoffenders；hehavingasoftentreatedthemtoatasteofthebitter，astheyhadrobbedhimofthesweets。Itisbutjusticetothisgallantchieftosaythathegaveproofsofhavingacquiredsomeofthelightsofcivilizationfromhisproximitytothewhites，aswasevincedinhisknowledgeofdrivingabargain。Herequiredhardcashinreturnforsomecornwithwhichhesuppliedtheworthycaptain，andleftthelatteratalosswhichmosttoadmire，hisnativechivalryasabrave，orhisacquiredadroitnessasatrader。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter3[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter3DeparturefromFortOsage——Modesoftransportation——Pack-

horses——Wagons——WalkerandCerre；theircharacters——Buoyantfeelingsonlaunching

upontheprairies——Wildequipmentsofthetrappers——Theirgambolsand

antics——DifferenceofcharacterbetweentheAmericanandFrenchtrappers——Agency

oftheKansas——GeneralClarke——WhitePlume，theKansaschief——Nightsceneina

trader”scamp——ColloquybetweenWhitePlumeandthecaptain——Bee-hunters——Their

expeditions——TheirfeudswiththeIndians——BargainingtalentofWhitePlumeITWASONTHEFIRSTofMay，1832，thatCaptainBonnevilletookhisdeparturefrom

thefrontierpostofFortOsage，ontheMissouri。Hehadenlistedapartyofonehundred

andtenmen，mostofwhomhadbeenintheIndiancountry，andsomeofwhomwere

experiencedhuntersandtrappers。FortOsage，andotherplacesonthebordersofthewesternwilderness，aboundwithcharactersofthekind，readyforanyexpedition。Theordinarymodeoftransportationinthesegreatinlandexpeditionsofthefurtraders

isonmulesandpack-horses；butCaptainBonnevillesubstitutedwagons。Thoughhe

wastotravelthroughatracklesswilderness，yetthegreaterpartofhisroutewouldlie

acrossopenplains，destituteofforests，andwherewheelcarriagescanpassinevery

direction。Thechiefdifficultyoccursinpassingthedeepravinescutthroughtheprairies

bystreamsandwintertorrents。Hereitisoftennecessarytodigaroaddownthebanks，andtomakebridgesforthewagons。Intransportinghisbaggageinvehiclesofthiskind，CaptainBonnevillethoughthe

wouldsavethegreatdelaycausedeverymorningbypackingthehorses，andthelabor

ofunpackingintheevening。Fewerhorsesalsowouldberequired，andlessrisk

incurredoftheirwanderingaway，orbeingfrightenedorcarriedoffbytheIndians。The

wagons，also，wouldbemoreeasilydefended，andmightformakindoffortificationin

caseofattackintheopenprairies。Atrainoftwentywagons，drawnbyoxen，orbyfour

mulesorhorseseach，andladenwithmerchandise，ammunition，andprovisions，were

disposedintwocolumnsinthecenteroftheparty，whichwasequallydividedintoavan

andarear-guard。Assubleadersorlieutenantsinhisexpedition，CaptainBonneville

hadmadechoiceofMr。J。R。WalkerandMr。M。S。Cerre。Theformerwasanativeof

Tennessee，aboutsixfeethigh，strongbuilt，darkcomplexioned，braveinspirit，though

mildinmanners。HehadresidedformanyyearsinMissouri，onthefrontier；hadbeen

amongtheearliestadventurerstoSantaFe，wherehewenttotrapbeaver，andwas

takenbytheSpaniards。Beingliberated，heengagedwiththeSpaniardsandSioux

IndiansinawaragainstthePawnees；thenreturnedtoMissouri，andhadactedbyturnsassheriff，trader，trapper，untilhewasenlistedasaleaderbyCaptainBonneville。Cerre，hisotherleader，hadlikewisebeeninexpeditionstoSantaFe，inwhichhehad

enduredmuchhardship。Hewasofthemiddlesize，lightcomplexioned，andthoughbut

abouttwenty-fiveyearsofage，wasconsideredanexperiencedIndiantrader。Itwasa

greatobjectwithCaptainBonnevilletogettothemountainsbeforethesummerheats

andsummerfliesshouldrenderthetravellingacrosstheprairiesdistressing；andbefore

theannualassemblagesofpeopleconnectedwiththefurtradeshouldhavebrokenup，anddispersedtothehuntinggrounds。Thetworivalassociationsalreadymentioned，theAmericanFurCompanyandthe

RockyMountainFurCompany，hadtheirseveralplacesofrendezvousforthepresent

yearatnogreatdistanceapart，inPierre”sHole，adeepvalleyintheheartofthemountains，andthitherCaptainBonnevilleintendedtoshapehiscourse。Itisnoteasytodojusticetotheexultingfeelingsoftheworthycaptainatfindinghimself

attheheadofastoutbandofhunters，trappers，andwoodmen；fairlylaunchedonthe

broadprairies，withhisfacetotheboundlessWest。Thetamestinhabitantofcities，the

veriestspoiledchildofcivilization，feelshisheartdilateandhispulsebeathighon

findinghimselfonhorsebackinthegloriouswilderness；whatthenmustbethe

excitementofonewhoseimaginationhadbeenstimulatedbyaresidenceonthefrontier，andtowhomthewildernesswasaregionofromance！Hishardyfollowerspartookofhisexcitement。Mostofthemhadalreadyexperienced

thewildfreedomofsavagelife，andlookedforwardtoarenewalofpastscenesof

adventureandexploit。Theirveryappearanceandequipmentexhibitedapiebald

mixture，halfcivilizedandhalfsavage。ManyofthemlookedmorelikeIndiansthan

whitemenintheirgarbsandaccoutrements，andtheirveryhorseswerecaparisonedin

barbaricstyle，withfantastictrappings。Theoutsetofabandofadventurersononeof

theseexpeditionsisalwaysanimatedandjoyous。Thewelkinrangwiththeirshoutsand

yelps，afterthemannerofthesavages；andwithboisterousjokesandlight-hearted

laughter。Astheypassedthestragglinghamletsandsolitarycabinsthatfringetheskirts

ofthefrontier，theywouldstartletheirinmatesbyIndianyellsandwar-whoops，or

regalethemwithgrotesquefeatsofhorsemanship，wellsuitedtotheirhalfsavage

appearance。Mostoftheseabodeswereinhabitedbymenwhohadthemselvesbeenin

similarexpeditions；theywelcomedthetravellers，therefore，asbrothertrappers，treated

themwithahunter”shospitality，andcheeredthemwithanhonestGodspeedatparting。Andherewewouldremarkagreatdifference，inpointofcharacterandquality，between

thetwoclassesoftrappers，the“American“and“French，“astheyarecalledin

contradistinction。ThelatterismeanttodesignatetheFrenchcreoleofCanadaor

Louisiana；theformer，thetrapperoftheoldAmericanstock，fromKentucky，

Tennessee，andothersofthewesternStates。TheFrenchtrapperisrepresentedasa

lighter，softer，moreself-indulgentkindofman。HemusthavehisIndianwife，hislodge，

andhispettyconveniences。Heisgayandthoughtless，takeslittleheedoflandmarks，

dependsuponhisleadersandcompanionstothinkforthecommonweal，and，iflefttohimself，iseasilyperplexedandlost。TheAmericantrapperstandsbyhimself，andispeerlessfortheserviceofthe

wilderness。Drophiminthemidstofaprairie，orintheheartofthemountains，andheis

neverataloss。Henoticeseverylandmark；canretracehisroutethroughthemost

monotonousplains，orthemostperplexedlabyrinthsofthemountains；nodangernor

difficultycanappalhim，andhescornstocomplainunderanyprivation。Inequippingthe

twokindsoftrappers，theCreoleandCanadianareapttopreferthelightfusee；the

Americanalwaysgraspshisrifle；hedespiseswhathecallsthe“shot-gun。”Wegive

theseestimatesontheauthorityofatraderoflongexperience，andaforeignerbybirth。

“IconsideroneAmerican，“saidhe，“equaltothreeCanadiansinpointofsagacity，

aptnessatresources，self-dependence，andfearlessnessofspirit。Infact，noonecancopewithhimasastarktramperofthewilderness。”Besidethetwoclassesoftrappersjustmentioned，CaptainBonnevillehadenlisted

severalDelawareIndiansinhisemploy，onwhosehuntingqualificationsheplacedgreatreliance。Onthe6thofMaythetravellerspassedthelastborderhabitation，andbadealong

farewelltotheeaseandsecurityofcivilization。Thebuoyantandclamorousspiritswith

whichtheyhadcommencedtheirmarchgraduallysubsidedastheyentereduponits

difficulties。Theyfoundtheprairiessaturatedwiththeheavycoldrains，prevalentin

certainseasonsoftheyearinthispartofthecountry，thewagonwheelssankdeepin

themire，thehorseswereoftentothefetlock，andbothsteedandriderwerecompletely

jadedbytheeveningofthe12th，whentheyreachedtheKansasRiver；afinestream

aboutthreehundredyardswide，enteringtheMissourifromthesouth。Thoughfordable

inalmosteverypartattheendofsummerandduringtheautumn，yetitwasnecessary

toconstructaraftforthetransportationofthewagonsandeffects。Allthiswasdonein

thecourseofthefollowingday，andbyevening，thewholepartyarrivedattheagency

oftheKansastribe。ThiswasunderthesuperintendenceofGeneralClarke，brotherof

thecelebratedtravellerofthesamename，who，withLewis，madethefirstexpedition

downthewatersoftheColumbia。Hewaslivinglikeapatriarch，surroundedbylaborers

andinterpreters，allsnuglyhoused，andprovidedwithexcellentfarms。Thefunctionary

nextinconsequencetotheagentwastheblacksmith，amostimportant，and，indeed，

indispensablepersonageinafrontiercommunity。TheKansasresembletheOsagesin

features，dress，andlanguage；theyraisecornandhuntthebuffalo，rangingtheKansas

River，anditstributarystreams；atthetimeofthecaptain”svisit，theywereatwarwiththePawneesoftheNebraska，orPlatteRiver。Theunusualsightofatrainofwagonscausedquiteasensationamongthesesavages；

whothrongedaboutthecaravan，examiningeverythingminutely，andaskinga

thousandquestions：exhibitingadegreeofexcitability，andalivelycuriositytotallyoppositetothatapathywithwhichtheirraceissooftenreproached。Thepersonagewhomostattractedthecaptain”sattentionatthisplacewas“White

Plume，“theKansaschief，andtheysoonbecamegoodfriends。WhitePlume(weare

pleasedwithhischivalroussoubriquet)inhabitedalargestonehouse，builtforhim

by

orderoftheAmericangovernment：buttheestablishmenthadnotbeencarriedoutin

correspondingstyle。Itmightbepalacewithout，butitwaswigwamwithin；sothat，

betweenthestatelinessofhismansionandthesqualidnessofhisfurniture，thegallant

WhitePlumepresentedsomesuchwhimsicalincongruityasweseeinthegala

equipmentsofanIndianchiefonatreaty-makingembassyatWashington，whohas

beengenerouslydeckedoutincockedhatandmilitarycoat，incontrasttohisbreech-cloutandleathernlegging；beinggrandofficerattop，andraggedIndianatbottom。WhitePlumewassotakenwiththecourtesyofthecaptain，andpleasedwithoneor

twopresentsreceivedfromhim，thatheaccompaniedhimaday”sjourneyonhis

march，andpassedanightinhiscamp，onthemarginofasmallstream。Themethodof

encampinggenerallyobservedbythecaptainwasasfollows：Thetwentywagonswere

disposedinasquare，atthedistanceofthirty-threefeetfromeachother。Inevery

intervaltherewasamessstationed；andeachmesshaditsfire，wherethemen

cooked，ate，gossiped，andslept。Thehorseswereplacedinthecentreofthesquare，withaguardstationedoverthematnight。Thehorseswere“sidelined，“asitistermed：thatistosay，theforeandhindfootonthe

samesideoftheanimalweretiedtogether，soastobewithineighteeninchesofeach

other。Ahorsethusfetteredisforatimesadlyembarrassed，butsoonbecomes

sufficientlyaccustomedtotherestrainttomoveaboutslowly。Itpreventshiswandering；

andhisbeingeasilycarriedoffatnightbylurkingIndians。Whenahorsethatis“foot

free“istiedtoonethussecured，thelatterforms，asitwere，apivot，roundwhichthe

otherrunsandcurvets，incaseofalarm。Theencampmentofwhichwearespeaking

presentedastrikingscene。Thevariousmess-firesweresurroundedbypicturesque

groups，standing，sitting，andreclining；somebusiedincooking，othersincleaningtheir

weapons：whilethefrequentlaughtoldthattheroughjokeormerrystorywasgoingon。

Inthemiddleofthecamp，beforetheprincipallodge，satthetwochieftains，Captain

BonnevilleandWhitePlume，insoldier-likecommunion，thecaptaindelightedwiththe

opportunityofmeetingonsocialtermswithoneoftheredwarriorsofthewilderness，

theunsophisticatedchildrenofnature。Thelatterwassquattedonhisbuffalorobe，his

strongfeaturesandredskinglaringinthebroadlightofablazingfire，whilehe

recountedastoundingtalesofthebloodyexploitsofhistribeandhimselfintheirwars

withthePawnees；fortherearenooldsoldiersmoregiventolongcampaigningstoriesthanIndian“braves。”ThefeudsofWhitePlume，however，hadnotbeenconfinedtotheredmen；hehad

muchtosayofbrusheswithbeehunters，aclassofoffendersforwhomheseemedto

cherishaparticularabhorrence。Asthespeciesofhuntingprosecutedbytheseworthies

isnotlaiddowninanyoftheancientbooksofvenerie，andis，infact，peculiartoourwesternfrontier，awordortwoonthesubjectmaynotbeunacceptabletothereader。Thebeehunterisgenerallysomesettleronthevergeoftheprairies；along，lankfellow，

offeverandaguecomplexion，acquiredfromlivingonnewsoil，andinahutbuiltof

greenlogs。Intheautumn，whentheharvestisover，these；frontiersettlersformparties

oftwoorthree，andprepareforabeehunt。Havingprovidedthemselveswithawagon，

andanumberofemptycasks，theysallyoff，armedwiththeirrifles，intothewilderness，

directingtheircourseeast，west，north，orsouth，withoutanyregardtotheordinanceof

theAmericangovernment，whichstrictlyforbidsalltrespassuponthelandsbelongingtotheIndiantribes。Thebeltsofwoodlandthattraversethelowerprairiesandbordertheriversarepeopled

byinnumerableswarmsofwildbees，whichmaketheirhivesinhollowtreesandfill

themwithhoneytolledfromtherichflowersoftheprairies。Thebees，accordingto

popularassertion，aremigratinglikethesettlers，tothewest。AnIndiantrader，well

experiencedinthecountry，informsusthatwithintenyearsthathehaspassedinthe

FarWest，thebeehasadvancedwestwardaboveahundredmiles。Itissaidonthe

Missouri，thatthewildturkeyandthewildbeegouptherivertogether：neitherisfound

intheupperregions。Itisbutrecentlythatthewildturkeyhasbeenkilledonthe

Nebraska，orPlatte；andhistravellingcompetitor，thewildbee，appearedthereaboutthesametime。Beallthisasitmay：thecourseofourpartyofbeehuntersistomakeawidecircuit

throughthewoodyriverbottoms，andthepatchesofforestontheprairies，marking，as

theygoout，everytreeinwhichtheyhavedetectedahive。Thesemarksaregenerally

respectedbyanyotherbeehunterthatshouldcomeupontheirtrack。Whentheyhave

markedsufficienttofillalltheircasks，theyturntheirfaceshomeward，cutdownthe

treesastheyproceed，andhavingloadedtheirwagonwithhoneyandwax，returnwellpleasedtothesettlements。NowitsohappensthattheIndiansrelishwildhoneyashighlyasdothewhitemen，and

arethemoredelightedwiththisnaturalluxuryfromitshaving，inmanyinstances，but

recentlymadeitsappearanceintheirlands。Theconsequenceisnumberlessdisputes

andconflictsbetweenthemandthebeehunters：andoftenapartyofthelatter，

returning，ladenwithrichspoil，fromoneoftheirforays，areapttobewaylaidbythe

nativelordsofthesoil；theirhoneytobeseized，theirharnesscuttopieces，and

themselveslefttofindtheirwayhomethebestwaytheycan，happytoescapewithnogreaterpersonalharmthanasoundrib-roasting。SuchwerethemaraudersofwhoseoffencesthegallantWhitePlumemadethemost

bittercomplaint。TheywerechieflythesettlersofthewesternpartofMissouri，whoare

themostfamousbeehuntersonthefrontier，andwhosefavoritehuntinggroundlies

withinthelandsoftheKansastribe。AccordingtotheaccountofWhitePlume，however，

matterswereprettyfairlybalancedbetweenhimandtheoffenders；hehavingasoftentreatedthemtoatasteofthebitter，astheyhadrobbedhimofthesweets。Itisbutjusticetothisgallantchieftosaythathegaveproofsofhavingacquiredsome

ofthelightsofcivilizationfromhisproximitytothewhites，aswasevincedinhis

knowledgeofdrivingabargain。Herequiredhardcashinreturnforsomecornwith

whichhesuppliedtheworthycaptain，andleftthelatteratalosswhichmosttoadmire，

hisnativechivalryasabrave，orhisacquiredadroitnessasatrader。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter4[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter4Analarm——CrowIndians——Theirappearance——Modeofapproach——Theirvengeful

errand——Theircuriosity——HostilitybetweentheCrowsandBlackfeet——Lovingconduct

oftheCrows——Laramie”sFork——FirstnavigationoftheNebraska——Greatelevationof

thecountry——Rarityoftheatmosphere——Itseffectonthewood-workofwagons——Black

Hills——Theirwildandbrokenscenery——Indiandogs——Crowtrophies——Sterileanddreary

country——BanksoftheSweetWater——Buffalohunting——AdventureofTomCaintheIrish

cookWHENONTHEMARCH，CaptainBonnevillealwayssentsomeofhisbesthuntersin

theadvancetoreconnoitrethecountry，aswellastolookoutforgame。Onthe24thof

May，asthecaravanwasslowlyjourneyingupthebanksoftheNebraska，thehunterscamegallopingback，wavingtheircaps，andgivingthealarmcry，Indians！Indians！Thecaptainimmediatelyorderedahalt：thehuntersnowcameupandannouncedthat

alargewar-partyofCrowIndianswerejustabove，ontheriver。Thecaptainknewthe

characterofthesesavages；oneofthemostroving，warlike，crafty，andpredatorytribes

ofthemountains；horse-stealersofthefirstorder，andeasilyprovokedtoactsof

sanguinaryviolence。Orderswereaccordinglygiventoprepareforaction，andevery

onepromptlytookthepostthathadbeenassignedhiminthegeneralorderofthemarch，inallcasesofwarlikeemergency。Everythingbeingputinbattlearray，thecaptaintooktheleadofhislittleband，and

movedonslowlyandwarily。InalittlewhilehebeheldtheCrowwarriorsemergingfrom

amongthebluffs。Therewereaboutsixtyofthem；finemartial-lookingfellows，painted

andarrayedforwar，andmountedonhorsesdeckedoutwithallkindsofwildtrappings。

Theycameprancingalongingallantstyle，withmanywildanddexterousevolutions，for

nonecansurpasstheminhorsemanship；andtheirbrightcolors，andflauntingand

fantasticembellishments，glaringandsparklinginthemorningsunshine，gavethemreallyastrikingappearance。Theirmodeofapproach，toonenotacquaintedwiththetacticsandceremoniesofthis

rudechivalryofthewilderness，hadanairofdirecthostility。Theycamegalloping

forwardinabody，asifabouttomakeafuriouscharge，but，whencloseathand，

openedtotherightandleft，andwheeledinwidecirclesroundthetravellers，whoopingandyellinglikemaniacs。Thisdone，theirmockfurysankintoacalm，andthechief，approachingthecaptain，

whohadremainedwarilydrawnup，thoughinformedofthepacificnatureofthe

maneuver，extendedtohimthehandoffriendship。Thepipeofpeacewassmoked，andnowallwasgoodfellowship。TheCrowswereinpursuitofabandofCheyennes，whohadattackedtheirvillagein

thenightandkilledoneoftheirpeople。Theyhadalreadybeenfiveandtwentydayson

thetrackofthemarauders，andweredeterminednottoreturnhomeuntiltheyhadsatedtheirrevenge。Afewdayspreviously，someoftheirscouts，whowererangingthecountryatadistance

fromthemainbody，haddiscoveredthepartyofCaptainBonneville。Theyhaddogged

itforatimeinsecret，astonishedatthelongtrainofwagonsandoxen，andespecially

struckwiththesightofacowandcalf，quietlyfollowingthecaravan；supposingthemto

besomekindoftamebuffalo。Havingsatisfiedtheircuriosity，theycarriedbacktotheir

chiefintelligenceofallthattheyhadseen。Hehad，inconsequence，divergedfromhis

pursuitofvengeancetobeholdthewondersdescribedtohim。“Nowthatwehavemet

you，“saidhetoCaptainBonneville，“andhaveseenthesemarvelswithourowneyes，

ourheartsareglad。”Infact，nothingcouldexceedthecuriosityevincedbythesepeople

astotheobjectsbeforethem。Wagonshadneverbeenseenbythembefore，andthey

examinedthemwiththegreatestminuteness；butthecalfwasthepeculiarobjectof

theiradmiration。Theywatcheditwithintenseinterestasitlickedthehandsaccustomed

tofeedit，andwerestruckwiththemildexpressionofitscountenance，anditsperfectdocility。Aftermuchsageconsultation，theyatlengthdeterminedthatitmustbethe“great

medicine“ofthewhiteparty；anappellationgivenbytheIndianstoanythingof

supernaturalandmysteriouspowerthatisguardedasatalisman。Theywere

completelythrownoutintheirconjecture，however，byanofferofthewhitemento

exchangethecalfforahorse；theirestimationofthegreatmedicinesankinaninstant，andtheydeclinedthebargain。AttherequestoftheCrowchieftainthetwopartiesencampedtogether，andpassedthe

residueofthedayincompany。Thecaptainwaswellpleasedwitheveryopportunityto

gainaknowledgeofthe“unsophisticatedsonsofnature，“whohadsolongbeen

objectsofhispoeticspeculations；andindeedthiswild，horse-stealingtribeisoneofthe

mostnotoriousofthemountains。Thechief，ofcourse，hadhisscalpstoshowandhis

battlestorecount。TheBlackfootisthehereditaryenemyoftheCrow，towardwhom

hostilityislikeacherishedprincipleofreligion；foreverytribe，besidesitscasual

antagonists，hassomeenduringfoewithwhomtherecanbenopermanent

reconciliation。TheCrowsandBlackfeet，uponthewhole，areenemiesworthyofeach

other，beingroguesandruffiansofthefirstwater。Astheirpredatoryexcursionsextend

overthesameregions，theyoftencomeincontactwitheachother，andthesecasualconflictsservetokeeptheirwitsawakeandtheirpassionsalive。ThepresentpartyofCrows，however，evincednothingoftheinvidiouscharacterfor

whichtheyarerenowned。Duringthedayandnightthattheywereencampedin

companywiththetravellers，theirconductwasfriendlyintheextreme。Theywere，in

fact，quiteirksomeintheirattentions，andhadacaressingmannerattimesquite

importunate。Itwasnotuntilafterseparationonthefollowingmorningthatthecaptain

andhismenascertainedthesecretofallthisloving-kindness。Inthecourseoftheir

fraternalcaresses，theCrowshadcontrivedtoemptythepocketsoftheirwhite

brothers；toabstracttheverybuttonsfromtheircoats，and，aboveall，tomakefreewiththeirhuntingknives。Byequalaltitudesofthesun，takenatthislastencampment，CaptainBonneville

ascertainedhislatitudetobe41°；47”north。Thethermometer，atsixo”clockinthe

morning，stoodatfifty-ninedegrees；attwoo”clock，P。M。，atninety-twodegrees；andatsixo”clockintheevening，atseventydegrees。TheBlackHills，orMountains，nowbegantobeseenatadistance，printingthehorizon

withtheirruggedandbrokenoutlines；andthreateningtoopposeadifficultbarrierinthewayofthetravellers。