第2章

Onthe26thofMay，thetravellersencampedatLaramie”sFork，aclearandbeautiful

stream，risinginthewest-southwest，maintaininganaveragewidthoftwentyyards，and

windingthroughbroadmeadowsaboundingincurrantsandgooseberries，andadornedwithgrovesandclumpsoftrees。ByanobservationofJupiter”ssatellites，withaDollandreflectingtelescope，CaptainBonnevilleascertainedthelongitudetobe102°；57”westofGreenwich。Wewillherestepaheadofournarrativetoobservethataboutthreeyearsafterthetime

ofwhichwearetreating，Mr。RobertCampbell，formerlyoftheRockyMountainFur

Company，descendedthePlattefromthisfork，inskincanoes，thusproving，whathad

alwaysbeendiscredited，thattheriverwasnavigable。Aboutthesametime，hebuilta

fortortradingpostatLaramie”sFork，whichhenamedFortWilliam，afterhisfriendand

partner，Mr。WilliamSublette。Sincethattime，thePlattehasbecomeahighwayforthefurtraders。Forsomedayspast，CaptainBonnevillehadbeenmadesensibleofthegreatelevation

ofcountryintowhichhewasgraduallyascendingbytheeffectofthedrynessand

rarefactionoftheatmosphereuponhiswagons。Thewood-workshrunk；thepaint

boxesofthewheelswerecontinuallyworkingout，anditwasnecessarytosupportthe

spokesbystoutpropstopreventtheirfallingasunder。Thetravellerswerenowentering

oneofthosegreatsteppesoftheFarWest，wheretheprevalentaridityofthe

atmosphererendersthecountryunfitforcultivation。Intheseregionsthereisafresh

sweetgrowthofgrassinthespring，butitisscantyandshort，andparchesupinthe

courseofthesummer，sothatthereisnoneforthehunterstosetfiretointheautumn。

Itisacommonobservationthat“abovetheforksofthePlattethegrassdoesnotburn。”

AllattemptsatagricultureandgardeningintheneighborhoodofFortWilliamhavebeen

attendedwithverylittlesuccess。Thegrainandvegetablesraisedtherehavebeen

scantyinquantityandpoorinquality。Thegreatelevationoftheseplains，andthe

drynessoftheatmosphere，willtendtoretaintheseimmenseregionsinastateofpristinewildness。Inthecourseofadayortwomore，thetravellersenteredthatwildandbrokentractof

theCrowcountrycalledtheBlackHills，andheretheirjourneybecametoilsomeinthe

extreme。Ruggedsteepsanddeepravinesincessantlyobstructedtheirprogress，so

thatagreatpartofthedaywasspentinthepainfultoilofdiggingthroughbanks，filling

upravines，forcingthewagonsupthemostforbiddingascents，orswingingthemwith

ropesdownthefaceofdangerousprecipices。Theshoesoftheirhorseswerewornout，

andtheirfeetinjuredbytheruggedandstonyroads。Thetravellerswereannoyedalso

byfrequentbutbriefstorms，whichwouldcomehurryingoverthehills，orthroughthe

mountaindefiles，ragewithgreatfuryforashorttime，andthenpassoff，leavingeverythingcalmandsereneagain。ForseveralnightsthecamphadbeeninfestedbyvagabondIndiandogs，prowling

aboutinquestoffood。Theywereaboutthesizeofalargepointer；withearsshortand

erect，andalongbushytail——altogether，theyboreastrikingresemblancetoawolf。

Theseskulkingvisitorswouldkeepaboutthepurlieusofthecampuntildaylight；when，

onthefirststiroflifeamongthesleepers，theywouldscamperoffuntiltheyreached

somerisingground，wheretheywouldtaketheirseats，andkeepasharpandhungry

watchuponeverymovement。Themomentthetravellerswerefairlyonthemarch，and

thecampwasabandoned，thesestarvinghangers-onwouldhastentothedeserted

fires，toseizeuponthehalf-pickedbones，theoffalandgarbagethatlayabout；and，

havingmadeahastymeal，withmanyasnapandsnarlandgrowl，wouldfollow

leisurelyonthetrailofthecaravan。Manyattemptsweremadetocoaxorcatchthem，

butinvain。Theirquickandsuspiciouseyescaughttheslightestsinistermovement，and

theyturnedandscamperedoff。Atlengthonewastaken。Hewasterriblyalarmed，and

crouchedandtrembledasifexpectinginstantdeath。Soothed，however，bycaresses，

hebeganafteratimetogatherconfidenceandwaghistail，andatlengthwasbrought

tofollowcloseattheheelsofhiscaptors，still，however，dartingaroundfurtiveandsuspiciousglances，andevincingadispositiontoscamperoffupontheleastalarm。OnthefirstofJulythebandofCrowwarriorsagaincrossedtheirpath。Theycamein

vauntingandvaingloriousstyle；displayingfiveCheyennescalps，thetrophiesoftheir

vengeance。Theywerenowboundhomewards，toappeasethemanesoftheircomrade

bytheseproofsthathisdeathhadbeenrevenged，andintendedtohavescalp-dances

andothertriumphantrejoicings。CaptainBonnevilleandhismen，however，werebyno

meansdisposedtorenewtheirconfidingintimacywiththesecraftysavages，andabove

all，tookcaretoavoidtheirpilferingcaresses。Theyremarkedoneprecautionofthe

Crowswithrespecttotheirhorses；toprotecttheirhoofsfromthesharpandjaggedrocksamongwhichtheyhadtopass，theyhadcoveredthemwithshoesofbuffalohide。TherouteofthetravellerslaygenerallyalongthecourseoftheNebraskaorPlatte，but

occasionally，wheresteeppromontoriesadvancedtothemarginofthestream，they

wereobligedtomakeinlandcircuits。Oneofthesetookthemthroughaboldandstern

country，borderedbyarangeoflowmountains，runningeastandwest。Everything

aroundboretracesofsomefearfulconvulsionofnatureintimeslongpast。Hithertothe

variousstrataofrockhadexhibitedagentleelevationtowardthesouthwest，buthere

everythingappearedtohavebeensubverted，andthrownoutofplace。Inmanyplaces

therewereheavybedsofwhitesandstonerestinguponred。Immensestrataofrocks

juttedupintocragsandcliffs；andsometimesformedperpendicularwallsand

overhangingprecipices。Anairofsterilityprevailedoverthesesavagewastes。The

valleysweredestituteofherbage，andscantilyclothedwithastuntedspeciesof

wormwood，generallyknownamongtradersandtrappersbythenameofsage。Froman

elevatedpointoftheirmarchthroughthisregion，thetravellerscaughtabeautifulview

ofthePowderRiverMountainsawaytothenorth，stretchingalongtheveryvergeofthe

horizon，andseeming，fromthesnowwithwhichtheyweremantled，tobeachainofsmallwhiteclouds，connectingskyandearth。Thoughthethermometeratmid-dayrangedfromeightytoninety，andevensometimes

rosetoninety-threedegrees，yetoccasionalspotsofsnowweretobeseenonthetops

ofthelowmountains，amongwhichthetravellerswerejourneying；proofsofthegreatelevationofthewholeregion。TheNebraska，initspassagethroughtheBlackHills，isconfinedtoamuchnarrower

channelthanthatthroughwhichitflowsntheplainsbelow；butitisdeeperandclearer，

andrusheswithastrongercurrent。Thescenery，also，ismorevariedandbeautiful。

Sometimesitglidesrapidlybutsmoothlythroughapicturesquevalley，betweenwooded

banks；then，forcingitswayintothebosomofruggedmountains，itrushesimpetuously

throughnarrowdefiles，roaringandfoamingdownrocksandrapids，untilitisagainsoothedtorestinsomepeacefulvalley。Onthe12thofJuly，CaptainBonnevilleabandonedthemainstreamoftheNebraska，

whichwascontinuallyshoulderedbyruggedpromontories，andmakingabendtothe

southwest，foracoupleofdays，partofthetimeoverplainsofloosesand，encamped

onthe14thonthebanksoftheSweetWater，astreamabouttwentyyardsinbreadth，

andfourorfivefeetdeep，flowingbetweenlowbanksoverasandysoil，andforming

oneoftheforksorupperbranchesoftheNebraska。Upthisstreamtheynowshaped

theircourseforseveralsuccessivedays，tending，generally，tothewest。Thesoilwas

lightandsandy；thecountrymuchdiversified。Frequentlytheplainswerestuddedwith

isolatedblocksofrock，sometimesintheshapeofahalfglobe，andfromthreetofour

hundredfeethigh。Thesesingularmasseshadoccasionallyaveryimposing，andevensublimeappearance，risingfromthemidstofasavageandlonelylandscape。Asthetravellerscontinuedtoadvance，theybecamemoreandmoresensibleofthe

elevationofthecountry。Thehillsaroundweremoregenerallycappedwithsnow。The

mencomplainedofcrampsandcolics，sorelipsandmouths，andviolentheadaches。

Thewood-workofthewagonsalsoshranksomuchthatitwaswithdifficultythewheels

werekeptfromfallingtopieces。Thecountryborderingupontheriverwasfrequently

gashedwithdeepravines，ortraversedbyhighbluffs，toavoidwhich，thetravellers

wereobligedtomakewidecircuitsthroughtheplains。Inthecourseofthese，theycame

uponimmenseherdsofbuffalo，whichkeptscouringoffinthevan，likearetreatingarmy。AmongthemotleyretainersofthecampwasTomCain，arawIrishman，whoofficiated

ascook，whosevariousblundersandexpedientsinhisnovelsituation，andinthewild

scenesandwildkindoflifeintowhichhehadsuddenlybeenthrown，hadmadehima

kindofbuttordrollofthecamp。Tom，however，begantodiscoveranambitionsuperior

tohisstation；andtheconversationofthehunters，andtheirstoriesoftheirexploits，

inspiredhimwithadesiretoelevatehimselftothedignityoftheirorder。Thebuffaloin

suchimmensedrovespresentedatemptingopportunityformakinghisfirstessay。He

rode，inthelineofmarch，allpreparedforaction：hispowder-flaskandshot-pouch

knowinglyslungatthepommelofhissaddle，tobeathand；hisriflebalancedonhis

shoulder。Whileinthisplight，atroopofBuffalocametrottingbyingreatalarm。Inan

instant，Tomsprangfromhishorseandgavechaseonfoot。Findingtheywereleaving

himbehind，helevelledhisrifleandpulled[the]trigger。Hisshotproducednoother

effectthantoincreasethespeedofthebuffalo，andtofrightenhisownhorse，whotook

tohisheels，andscamperedoffwithalltheammunition。Tomscamperedafterhim，

hallooingwithmightandmain，andthewildhorseandwildIrishmansoondisappeared

amongtheravinesoftheprairie。CaptainBonneville，whowasattheheadoftheline，

andhadseenthetransactionatadistance，detachedapartyinpursuitofTom。Aftera

longintervaltheyreturned，leadingthefrightenedhorse；butthoughtheyhadscoured

thecountry，andlookedoutandshoutedfromeveryheight，theyhadseennothingofhisrider。AsCaptainBonnevilleknewTom”sutterawkwardnessandinexperience，andthe

dangersofabewilderedIrishmaninthemidstofaprairie，hehaltedandencampedatanearlyhour，thattheremightbearegularhuntforhiminthemorning。Atearlydawnonthefollowingdayscoutsweresentoffineverydirection，whilethe

mainbody，afterbreakfast，proceededslowlyonitscourse。Itwasnotuntilthemiddleof

theafternoonthatthehuntersreturned，withhonestTommountedbehindoneofthem。

Theyhadfoundhiminacompletestateofperplexityandamazement。Hisappearance

causedshoutsofmerrimentinthecamp，——butTomforoncecouldnotjoininthemirth

raisedathisexpense：hewascompletelychapfallen，andapparentlycuredofthe

huntingmaniafortherestofhislife。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter5[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter5Magnificentscenery——WindRiverMountains——Treasuryofwaters——Astrayhorse——An

Indiantrail——Troutstreams——TheGreatGreenRiverValley——Analarm——Abandof

trappers——Fontenelle，hisinformation——Sufferingsofthirst——Encampmentonthe

Seeds-ke-dee——Strategyofrivaltraders——Fortificationofthecamp——TheBlackfeet——Banditti

ofthemountains——TheircharacterandhabitsITWASONTHE20THofJulythatCaptainBonnevillefirstcameinsightofthegrand

regionofhishopesandanticipations，theRockyMountains。Hehadbeenmakinga

bendtothesouth，toavoidsomeobstaclesalongtheriver，andhadattainedahigh，

rockyridge，whenamagnificentprospectburstuponhissight。Tothewestrosethe

WindRiverMountains，withtheirbleachedandsnowysummitstoweringintotheclouds。

Thesestretchedfartothenorth-northwest，untiltheymeltedawayintowhatappeared

tobefaintclouds，butwhichtheexperiencedeyesoftheveteranhuntersoftheparty

recognizedfortheruggedmountainsoftheYellowstone；atthefeetofwhichextendedthewildCrowcountry：aperilous，thoughprofitableregionforthetrapper。Tothesouthwest，theeyerangedoveranimmenseextentofwilderness，withwhat

appearedtobeasnowyvaporrestinguponitshorizon。This，however，waspointedout

asanotherbranchoftheGreatChippewyan，orRockychain；beingtheEutaw

Mountains，atwhosebasisthewanderingtribeofhuntersofthesamenamepitchtheir

tents。Wecanimaginetheenthusiasmoftheworthycaptainwhenhebeheldthevast

andmountainoussceneofhisadventurousenterprisethussuddenlyunveiledbefore

him。Wecanimaginewithwhatfeelingsofaweandadmirationhemusthave

contemplatedtheWindRiverSierra，orbedofmountains；thatgreatfountainheadfrom

whosesprings，andlakes，andmeltedsnowssomeofthosemightyriverstaketheir

rise，whichwanderoverhundredsofmilesofvariedcountryandclime，andfindtheirwaytotheoppositewavesoftheAtlanticandthePacific。TheWindRiverMountainsare，infact，amongthemostremarkableofthewholeRocky

chain；andwouldappeartobeamongtheloftiest。Theyform，asitwere，agreatbedof

mountains，abouteightymilesinlength，andfromtwentytothirtyinbreadth；with

ruggedpeaks，coveredwitheternalsnows，anddeep，narrowvalleysfullofsprings，and

brooks，androck-boundlakes。Fromthisgreattreasuryofwatersissueforthlimpid

streams，which，augmentingastheydescend，becomemaintributariesoftheMissouri

ontheoneside，andtheColumbiaontheother；andgiverisetotheSeeds-ke-dee

Agie，orGreenRiver，thegreatColoradooftheWest，thatemptiesitscurrentintotheGulfofCalifornia。TheWindRiverMountainsarenotoriousinhunters”andtrappers”stories：theirrugged

defiles，andtheroughtractsabouttheirneighborhood，havingbeenlurkingplacesfor

thepredatoryhordesofthemountains，andscenesofroughencounterwithCrowsand

Blackfeet。Itwastothewestofthesemountains，inthevalleyoftheSeeds-ke-deeAgie，

orGreenRiver，thatCaptainBonnevilleintendedtomakeahaltforthepurposeof

givingreposetohispeopleandhishorsesaftertheirwearyjourneying；andofcollecting

informationastohisfuturecourse。ThisGreenRivervalley，anditsimmediate

neighborhood，aswehavealreadyobserved，formedthemainpointofrendezvous，for

thepresentyear，oftherivalfurcompanies，andthemotleypopulace，civilizedand

savage，connectedwiththem。Severaldaysofruggedtravel，however，yetremainedforthecaptainandhismenbeforetheyshouldencampinthisdesiredresting-place。Onthe21stofJuly，astheywerepursuingtheircoursethroughoneofthemeadowsof

theSweetWater，theybeheldahorsegrazingatalittledistance。Heshowednoalarm

attheirapproach，butsufferedhimselfquietlytobetaken，evincingaperfectstateof

tameness。Thescoutsofthepartywereinstantlyonthelook-outfortheownersofthis

animal；lestsomedangerousbandofsavagesmightbelurkinginthevicinity。Aftera

narrowsearch，theydiscoveredthetrailofanIndianparty，whichhadevidentlypassed

throughthatneighborhoodbutrecently。Thehorsewasaccordinglytakenpossession

of，asanestray；butamorevigilantwatchthanusualwaskeptroundthecampatnights，lesthisformerownersshouldbeupontheprowl。Thetravellershadnowattainedsohighanelevationthatonthe23dofJuly，at

daybreak，therewasconsiderableiceinthewaterbuckets，andthethermometerstood

attwenty-twodegrees。Therarefyoftheatmospherecontinuedtoaffectthewood-work

ofthewagons，andthewheelswereincessantlyfallingtopieces。Aremedywasat

lengthdevised。Thetireofeachwheelwastakenoff；abandofwoodwasnailedround

theexteriorofthefelloes，thetirewasthenmaderedhot，replacedroundthewheel，

andsuddenlycooledwithwater。Bythismeans，thewholewasboundtogetherwithgreatcompactness。Theextremeelevationofthesegreatsteppes，whichrangealongthefeetoftheRocky

Mountains，takesawayfromtheseemingheightoftheirpeaks，whichyieldtofewintheknownworldinpointofaltitudeabovethelevelofthesea。Onthe24th，thetravellerstookfinalleaveoftheSweetWater，andkeepingwestwardly，

overalowandveryrockyridge，oneofthemostsouthernspursoftheWindRiver

Mountains，theyencamped，afteramarchofsevenhoursandahalf，onthebanksofasmallclearstream，runningtothesouth，inwhichtheycaughtanumberoffinetrout。Thesightofthesefishwashailedwithpleasure，asasignthattheyhadreachedthe

waterswhichflowintothePacific；foritisonlyonthewesternstreamsoftheRocky

Mountainsthattroutaretobetaken。Thestreamonwhichtheyhadthusencamped

proved，ineffect，tobetributarytotheSeeds-ke-deeAgie，orGreenRiver，intowhichitflowedatsomedistancetothesouth。CaptainBonnevillenowconsideredhimselfashavingfairlypassedthecrestofthe

RockyMountains；andfeltsomedegreeofexultationinbeingthefirstindividualthat

hadcrossed，northofthesettledprovincesofMexico，fromthewatersoftheAtlanticto

thoseofthePacific，withwagons。Mr。WilliamSublette，theenterprisingleaderofthe

RockyMountainFurCompany，had，twoorthreeyearspreviously，reachedthevalleyof

theWindRiver，whichliesonthenortheastofthemountains；buthadproceededwiththemnofurther。Avastvalleynowspreaditselfbeforethetravellers，boundedononesidebytheWind

RiverMountains，andtothewest，byalongrangeofhighhills。This，CaptainBonneville

wasassuredbyaveteranhunterinhiscompany，wasthegreatvalleyoftheSeedske-dee；andthe

sameinformantwouldhavefainpersuadedhimthatasmallstream，three

feetdeep，whichhecametoonthe25th，wasthatriver。Thecaptainwasconvinced，

however，thatthestreamwastooinsignificanttodrainsowideavalleyandtheadjacent

mountains：heencamped，therefore，atanearlyhour，onitsborders，thathemighttake

thewholeofthenextdaytoreachthemainriver；whichhepresumedtoflowbetweenhimandthedistantrangeofwesternhills。Onthe26thofJuly，hecommencedhismarchatanearlyhour，makingdirectlyacross

thevalley，towardthehillsinthewest；proceedingatasbriskarateasthejaded

conditionofhishorseswouldpermit。Abouteleveno”clockinthemorning，agreatcloud

ofdustwasdescriedintherear，advancingdirectlyonthetrailoftheparty。Thealarm

wasgiven；theyallcametoahalt，andheldacouncilofwar。Someconjecturedthatthe

bandofIndians，whosetrailtheyhaddiscoveredintheneighborhoodofthestrayhorse，

hadbeenlyinginwaitfortheminsomesecretfastnessofthemountains；andwere

abouttoattackthemontheopenplain，wheretheywouldhavenoshelter。Preparations

wereimmediatelymadefordefence；andascoutingpartysentofftoreconnoitre。They

sooncamegallopingback，makingsignalsthatallwaswell。Thecloudofdustwas

madebyabandoffiftyorsixtymountedtrappers，belongingtotheAmericanFur

Company，whosooncameup，leadingtheirpack-horses。TheywereheadedbyMr。

Fontenelle，anexperiencedleader，or“partisan，“asachiefofapartyiscalledinthetechnicallanguageofthetrappers。Mr。FontenelleinformedCaptainBonnevillethathewasonhiswayfromthecompany”s

tradingpostontheYellowstonetotheyearlyrendezvous，withreinforcementsand

suppliesfortheirhuntingandtradingpartiesbeyondthemountains；andthathe

expectedtomeet，byappointment，withabandoffreetrappersinthatvery

neighborhood。HehadfallenuponthetrailofCaptainBonneville”sparty，justafter

leavingtheNebraska；and，findingthattheyhadfrightenedoffallthegame，hadbeen

obligedtopushon，byforcedmarches，toavoidfamine：bothmenandhorseswere，

therefore，muchtravel-worn；butthiswasnoplacetohalt；theplainbeforethemhesaid

wasdestituteofgrassandwater，neitherofwhichwouldbemetwithshortoftheGreen

River，whichwasyetataconsiderabledistance。Hehoped，headded，ashispartywere

allonhorseback，toreachtheriver，withhardtravelling，bynightfall：buthedoubtedthe

possibilityofCaptainBonneville”sarrivaltherewithhiswagonsbeforethedayfollowing。Havingimpartedthisinformation，hepushedforwardwithallspeed。CaptainBonnevillefollowedonasfastascircumstanceswouldpermit。Thegroundwas

firmandgravelly；butthehorsesweretoomuchfatiguedtomoverapidly。Afteralong

andharassingday”smarch，withoutpausingforanoontidemeal，theywerecompelled，

atnineo”clockatnight，toencampinanopenplain，destituteofwaterorpasturage。On

thefollowingmorning，thehorseswereturnedlooseatthepeepofday；toslaketheir

thirst，ifpossible，fromthedewcollectedonthesparsegrass，hereandtherespringing

upamongdrysand-banks。ThesoilofagreatpartofthisGreenRivervalleyisawhitish

clay，intowhichtheraincannotpenetrate，butwhichdriesandcrackswiththesun。In

someplacesitproducesasaltweed，andgrassalongthemarginsofthestreams；but

thewiderexpansesofitaredesolateandbarren。ItwasnotuntilnoonthatCaptain

BonnevillereachedthebanksoftheSeeds-ke-dee，orColoradooftheWest；inthe

meantime，thesufferingsofbothmenandhorseshadbeenexcessive，anditwaswith

almostfranticeagernessthattheyhurriedtoallaytheirburningthirstinthelimpidcurrentoftheriver。Fontenelleandhispartyhadnotfaredmuchbetter；thechiefparthadmanagedto

reachtheriverbynightfall，butwerenearlyknockedupbytheexertion；thehorsesofotherssankunderthem，andtheywereobligedtopassthenightupontheroad。Onthefollowingmorning，July27th，Fontenellemovedhiscampacrosstheriver；while

CaptainBonnevilleproceededsomelittledistancebelow，wheretherewasasmallbut

freshmeadowyieldingabundantpasturage。Herethepoorjadedhorseswereturned

outtograze，andtaketheirrest：thewearyjourneyupthemountainshadwornthem

downinfleshandspirit；butthislastmarchacrossthethirstyplainhadnearlyfinishedthem。Thecaptainhadherethefirsttasteoftheboastedstrategyofthefurtrade。Duringhis

brief，butsocialencampment，incompanywithFontenelle，thatexperiencedtrapperhad

managedtowinoveranumberofDelawareIndianswhomthecaptainhadbroughtwith

him，byofferingthemfourhundreddollarseachfortheensuingautumnalhunt。The

captainwassomewhatastonishedwhenhesawthesehunters，onwhoseserviceshe

hadcalculatedsecurely，suddenlypackuptheirtraps，andgoovertotherivalcamp。

Thathemightinsomemeasure，however，beevenwithhiscompetitor，hedispatched

twoscoutstolookoutforthebandoffreetrapperswhoweretomeetFontenelleinthisneighborhood，andtoendeavortobringthemtohiscamp。Asitwouldbenecessarytoremainsometimeinthisneighborhood，thatbothmenand

horsesmightrepose，andrecruittheirstrength；andasitwasaregionfullofdanger，CaptainBonnevilleproceededtofortifyhiscampwithbreastworksoflogsandpickets。Theseprecautionswere，atthattime，peculiarlynecessary，fromthebandsofBlackfeet

Indianswhichwererovingabouttheneighborhood。Thesesavagesarethemost

dangerousbandittiofthemountains，andtheinveteratefoeofthetrappers。Theyare

Ishmaelitesofthefirstorder，alwayswithweaponinhand，readyforaction。Theyoung

bravesofthetribe，whoaredestituteofproperty，gotowarforbooty；togainhorses，

andacquirethemeansofsettingupalodge，supportingafamily，andentitling

themselvestoaseatinthepubliccouncils。Theveteranwarriorsfightmerelyfortheloveofthething，andtheconsequencewhichsuccessgivesthemamongtheirpeople。Theyarecapitalhorsemen，andaregenerallywellmountedonshort，stouthorses，

similartotheprairieponiestobemetwithatSt。Louis。Whenonawarparty，however，

theygoonfoot，toenablethemtoskulkthroughthecountrywithgreatersecrecy；to

keepinthicketsandravines，andusemoreadroitsubterfugesandstratagems。Their

modeofwarfareisentirelybyambush，surprise，andsuddenassaultsinthenighttime。

Iftheysucceedincausingapanic，theydashforwardwithheadlongfury：iftheenemy

isonthealert，andshowsnosignsoffear，theybecomewaryanddeliberateintheirmovements。Someofthemarearmedintheprimitivestyle，withbowsandarrows；thegreaterpart

haveAmericanfusees，madeafterthefashionofthoseoftheHudson”sBayCompany。

ThesetheyprocureatthetradingpostoftheAmericanFurCompany，onMariasRiver，

wheretheytraffictheirpeltriesforarms，ammunition，clothing，andtrinkets。Theyare

extremelyfondofspirituousliquorsandtobacco；forwhichnuisancestheyarereadyto

exchangenotmerelytheirgunsandhorses，buteventheirwivesanddaughters。As

theyareatreacherousrace，andhavecherishedalurkinghostilitytothewhitesever

sinceoneoftheirtribewaskilledbyMr。Lewis，theassociateofGeneralClarke，inhis

exploringexpeditionacrosstheRockyMountains，theAmericanFurCompanyisobligedconstantlytokeepatthatpostagarrisonofsixtyorseventymen。UnderthegeneralnameofBlackfeetarecomprehendedseveraltribes：suchasthe

Surcies，thePeagans，theBloodIndians，andtheGrosVentresofthePrairies：who

roamaboutthesouthernbranchesoftheYellowstoneandMissouriRivers，togetherwithsomeothertribesfurthernorth。ThebandsinfestingtheWindRiverMountainsandthecountryadjacentatthetimeof

whichwearetreating，wereGrosVentresofthePrairies，whicharenottobe

confoundedwithGrosVentresoftheMissouri，whokeepaboutthelowerpartofthatriver，andarefriendlytothewhitemen。ThishostilebandkeepsabouttheheadwatersoftheMissouri，andnumbersaboutnine

hundredfightingmen。Onceinthecourseoftwoorthreeyearstheyabandontheir

usualabodes，andmakeavisittotheArapahoesoftheArkansas。Theirroutelieseither

throughtheCrowcountry，andtheBlackHills，orthroughthelandsoftheNezPerces，

Flatheads，Bannacks，andShoshonies。Astheyenjoytheirfavoritestateofhostilitywith

allthesetribes，theirexpeditionsarepronetobeconductedinthemostlawlessand

predatorystyle；nordotheyhesitatetoextendtheirmaraudingstoanypartyofwhite

mentheymeetwith；followingtheirtrails；hoveringabouttheircamps；waylayingand

doggingthecaravansofthefreetraders，andmurderingthesolitarytrapper。The

consequencesarefrequentanddesperatefightsbetweenthemandthe“mountaineers，“inthewilddefilesandfastnessesoftheRockyMountains。Thebandinquestionwas，atthistime，ontheirwayhomewardfromoneoftheir

customaryvisitstotheArapahoes；andintheensuingchapterweshalltreatofsome

bloodyencountersbetweenthemandthetrappers，whichhadtakenplacejustbefore

thearrivalofCaptainBonnevilleamongthemountains。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter6[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter6Subletteandhisband——RobertCampbell——Mr。Wyethandabandof“down-easters“——

Yankeeenterprise——Fitzpatrick——HisadventurewiththeBlackfeet——Arendezvousofmountaineers——ThebattleofPierre”sHole——AnIndianambuscade——Sublette”sreturnLEAVINGCAPTAINBONNEVILLEandhisbandensconcedwithintheirfortifiedcampintheGreenRivervalley，weshallstepbackandaccompanyapartyoftheRockyMountainFurCompanyinitsprogress，withsuppliesfromSt。Louis，totheannualrendezvousatPierre”sHole。Thispartyconsistedofsixtymen，wellmounted，andconductingalineofpackhorses。TheywerecommandedbyCaptainWilliamSublette，apartnerinthecompany，andoneofthemostactive，intrepid，andrenownedleadersinthishalfmilitarykindofservice。Hewasaccompaniedbyhisassociateinbusiness，andtriedcompanionindanger，Mr。RobertCampbell，oneofthepioneersofthetradebeyondthemountains，whohadcommandedtrappingpartiesthereintimesofthegreatestperil。

Astheseworthycompeerswereontheirroutetothefrontier，theyfellinwithanotherexpedition，likewiseonitswaytothemountains。Thiswasapartyofregular“down-easters，“thatistosay，peopleofNewEngland，who，withtheall-penetratingandall-pervadingspiritoftheirrace，werenowpushingtheirwayintoanewfieldofenterprisewithwhichtheyweretotallyunacquainted。ThepartyhadbeenfittedoutandwasmaintainedandcommandedbyMr。NathanielJ。Wyeth，ofBoston。ThisgentlemanhadconceivedanideathataprofitablefisheryforsalmonmightbeestablishedontheColumbiaRiver，andconnectedwiththefurtrade。Hehad，accordingly，investedcapitalingoods，calculated，ashesupposed，fortheIndiantrade，andhadenlistedanumberofeasternmeninhisemploy，whohadneverbeenintheFarWest，norknewanythingofthewilderness。Withthese，hewasbravelysteeringhiswayacrossthecontinent，undismayedbydanger，difficulty，ordistance，inthesamewaythataNewEnglandcoasterandhisneighborswillcoollylaunchforthonavoyagetotheBlackSea，orawhalingcruisetothePacific。

Withalltheirnationalaptitudeatexpedientandresource，Wyethandhismenfeltthemselvescompletelyatalosswhentheyreachedthefrontier，andfoundthatthewildernessrequiredexperienceandhabitudesofwhichtheyweretotallydeficient。Notoneoftheparty，exceptingtheleader，hadeverseenanIndianorhandledarifle；theywerewithoutguideorinterpreter，andtotallyunacquaintedwith“woodcraft“andthemodesofmakingtheirwayamongsavagehordes，andsubsistingthemselvesduringlongmarchesoverwildmountainsandbarrenplains。

Inthispredicament，CaptainSublettefoundthem，inamannerbecalmed，orratherrunaground，atthelittlefrontiertownofIndependence，inMissouri，andkindlytookthemintow。Thetwopartiestravelledamicablytogether；thefrontiermenofSublette”spartygavetheirYankeecomradessomelessonsinhunting，andsomeinsightintotheartandmysteryofdealingwiththeIndians，andtheyallarrivedwithoutaccidentattheupperbranchesoftheNebraskaorPlatteRiver。

Inthecourseoftheirmarch，Mr。Fitzpatrick，thepartnerofthecompanywhowasresidentatthattimebeyondthemountains，camedownfromtherendezvousatPierre”sHoletomeetthemandhurrythemforward。HetravelledincompanywiththemuntiltheyreachedtheSweetWater；thentakingacoupleofhorses，oneforthesaddle，andtheotherasapack-horse，hestartedoffexpressforPierre”sHole，tomakearrangementsagainsttheirarrival，thathemightcommencehishuntingcampaignbeforetherivalcompany。

Fitzpatrickwasahardyandexperiencedmountaineer，andknewallthepassesanddefiles。AshewaspursuinghislonelycourseuptheGreenRivervalley，hedescribedseveralhorsemenatadistance，andcametoahalttoreconnoitre。Hesupposedthemtobesomedetachmentfromtherendezvous，orapartyoffriendlyIndians。Theyperceivedhim，andsettingupthewar-whoop，dashedforwardatfullspeed：hesawatoncehismistakeandhisperil——theywereBlackfeet。Springinguponhisfleetesthorse，andabandoningtheothertotheenemy，hemadeforthemountains，andsucceededinescapinguponeofthemostdangerousdefiles。HereheconcealedhimselfuntilhethoughttheIndianshadgoneoff，whenhereturnedintothevalley。Hewasagainpursued，losthisremaininghorse，andonlyescapedbyscramblingupamongthecliffs。

Forseveraldaysheremainedlurkingamongrocksandprecipices，andalmostfamished，havingbutoneremainingchargeinhisrifle，whichhekeptforself-defence。

Inthemeantime，SubletteandCampbell，withtheirfellowtraveller，Wyeth，hadpursuedtheirmarchunmolested，andarrivedintheGreenRivervalley，totallyunconsciousthattherewasanylurkingenemyathand。Theyhadencampedonenightonthebanksofasmallstream，whichcamedownfromtheWindRiverMountains，whenaboutmidnight，abandofIndiansburstupontheircamp，withhorribleyellsandwhoops，andadischargeofgunsandarrows。Happilynootherharmwasdonethanwoundingonemule，andcausingseveralhorsestobreakloosefromtheirpickets。Thecampwasinstantlyinarms；buttheIndiansretreatedwithyellsofexultation，carryingoffseveralofthehorsesundercoverofthenight。

ThiswassomewhatofadisagreeableforetasteofmountainlifetosomeofWyeth”sband，accustomedonlytotheregularandpeacefullifeofNewEngland；norwasitaltogethertothetasteofCaptainSublette”smen，whowerechieflycreolesandtownsmenfromSt。Louis。Theycontinuedtheirmarchthenextmorning，keepingscoutsaheadandupontheirflanks，andarrivedwithoutfurthermolestationatPierre”sHole。

ThefirstinquiryofCaptainSublette，onreachingtherendezvous，wasforFitzpatrick。

Hehadnotarrived，norhadanyintelligencebeenreceivedconcerninghim。Greatuneasinesswasnowentertained，lestheshouldhavefallenintothehandsoftheBlackfeetwhohadmadethemidnightattackuponthecamp。Itwasamatterofgeneraljoy，therefore，whenhemadehisappearance，conductedbytwohalf-breedIroquoishunters。Hehadlurkedforseveraldaysamongthemountains，untilalmoststarved；atlengthheescapedthevigilanceofhisenemiesinthenight，andwassofortunateastomeetthetwoIroquoishunters，who，beingonhorseback，conveyedhimwithoutfurtherdifficultytotherendezvous。Hearrivedtheresoemaciatedthathecouldscarcelyberecognized。

ThevalleycalledPierre”sHoleisaboutthirtymilesinlengthandfifteeninwidth，boundedtothewestandsouthbylowandbrokenridges，andoverlookedtotheeastbythreeloftymountains，calledthethreeTetons，whichdomineeraslandmarksoveravastextentofcountry。

Afinestream，fedbyrivuletsandmountainsprings，poursthroughthevalleytowardthenorth，dividingitintonearlyequalparts。Themeadowsonitsbordersarebroadandextensive，coveredwithwillowandcotton-woodtrees，socloselyinterlockedandmattedtogetherastobenearlyimpassable。

Inthisvalleywascongregatedthemotleypopulaceconnectedwiththefurtrade。Herethetworivalcompanieshadtheirencampments，withtheirretainersofallkinds：traders，trappers，hunters，andhalf-breeds，assembledfromallquarters，awaitingtheiryearlysupplies，andtheirorderstostartoffinnewdirections。Here，also，thesavagetribesconnectedwiththetrade，theNezPercesorChopunnishIndians，andFlatheads，hadpitchedtheirlodgesbesidethestreams，andwiththeirsquaws，awaitedthedistributionofgoodsandfinery。Therewas，moreover，abandoffifteenfreetrappers，commandedbyagallantleaderfromArkansas，namedSinclair，whoheldtheirencampmentalittleapartfromtherest。Suchwasthewildandheterogeneousassemblage，amountingtoseveralhundredmen，civilizedandsavage，distributedintentsandlodgesintheseveralcamps。

ThearrivalofCaptainSublettewithsuppliesputtheRockyMountainFurCompanyinfullactivity。Thewaresandmerchandisewerequicklyopened，andasquicklydisposedoftotrappersandIndians；theusualexcitementandrevelrytookplace，afterwhichallhandsbegantodispersetotheirseveraldestinations。

Onthe17thofJuly，asmallbrigadeoffourteentrappers，ledbyMiltonSublette，brotherofthecaptain，setoutwiththeintentionofproceedingtothesouthwest。TheywereaccompaniedbySinclairandhisfifteenfreetrappers；Wyeth，also，andhisNewEnglandbandofbeaverhuntersandsalmonfishers，nowdwindleddowntoeleven，tookthisopportunitytoprosecutetheircruiseinthewilderness，accompaniedwithsuchexperiencedpilots。Onthefirstday，theyproceededabouteightmilestothesoutheast，andencampedforthenight，stillinthevalleyofPierre”sHole。Onthefollowingmorning，justastheywereraisingtheircamp，theyobservedalonglineofpeoplepouringdownadefileofthemountains。TheyatfirstsupposedthemtobeFontenelleandhisparty，whosearrivalhadbeendailyexpected。Wyeth，however，reconnoitredthemwithaspy-glass，andsoonperceivedtheywereIndians。Theyweredividedintotwoparties，forming，inthewhole，aboutonehundredandfiftypersons，men，women，andchildren。

Somewereonhorseback，fantasticallypaintedandarrayed，withscarletblanketsflutteringinthewind。Thegreaterpart，however，wereonfoot。Theyhadperceivedthetrappersbeforetheywerethemselvesdiscovered，andcamedownyellingandwhoopingintotheplain。Onnearerapproach，theywereascertainedtobeBlackfeet。

OneofthetrappersofSublette”sbrigade，ahalf-breednamedAntoineGodin，nowmountedhishorse，androdeforthasiftoholdaconference。HewasthesonofanIroquoishunter，whohadbeencruellymurderedbytheBlackfeetatasmallstreambelowthemountains，whichstillbearshisname。IncompanywithAntoinerodeforthaFlatheadIndian，whoseoncepowerfultribehadbeencompletelybrokendownintheirwarswiththeBlackfeet。Bothofthem，therefore，cherishedthemostvengefulhostilityagainstthesemaraudersofthemountains。TheBlackfeetcametoahalt。Oneofthechiefsadvancedsinglyandunarmed，bearingthepipeofpeace。Thisoverturewascertainlypacific；butAntoineandtheFlatheadwerepredisposedtohostility，andpretendedtoconsideritatreacherousmovement。

“Isyourpiececharged？“saidAntoinetohisredcompanion。

“Itis。”

“Thencockit，andfollowme。”

TheymettheBlackfootchiefhalfway，whoextendedhishandinfriendship。Antoinegraspedit。

“Fire！“criedhe。

TheFlatheadlevelledhispiece，andbroughttheBlackfoottotheground。Antoinesnatchedoffhisscarletblanket，whichwasrichlyornamented，andgallopedoffwithitasatrophytothecamp，thebulletsoftheenemywhistlingafterhim。TheIndiansimmediatelythrewthemselvesintotheedgeofaswamp，amongwillowsandcotton-woodtrees，interwovenwithvines。Heretheybegantofortifythemselves；thewomendiggingatrench，andthrowingupabreastworkoflogsandbranches，deephidinthebosomofthewood，whilethewarriorsskirmishedattheedgetokeepthetrappersatbay。

Thelattertooktheirstationinaravineinfront，whencetheykeptupascatteringfire。AstoWyeth，andhislittlebandof“downeasters，“theywereperfectlyastoundedbythissecondspecimenoflifeinthewilderness；themen，beingespeciallyunusedtobushfightingandtheuseoftherifle，wereatalosshowtoproceed。Wyeth，however，actedasaskilfulcommander。Hegotallhishorsesintocampandsecuredthem；then，makingabreastworkofhispacksofgoods，hechargedhismentoremainingarrison，andnottostiroutoftheirfort。Forhimself，hemingledwiththeotherleaders，determinedtotakehisshareintheconflict。

Inthemeantime，anexpresshadbeensentofftotherendezvousforreinforcements。

CaptainSublette，andhisassociate，Campbell，wereattheircampwhentheexpresscamegallopingacrosstheplain，wavinghiscap，andgivingthealarm；“Blackfeet！

Blackfeet！afightintheupperpartofthevalley！——toarms！toarms！“

Thealarmwaspassedfromcamptocamp。Itwasacommoncause。Everyoneturnedoutwithhorseandrifle。TheNezPercesandFlatheadsjoined。Asfastashorsemancouldarmandmounthegallopedoff；thevalleywassoonalivewithwhitemenandredmenscouringatfullspeed。

Subletteorderedhismentokeeptothecamp，beingrecruitsfromSt。Louis，andunusedtoIndianwarfare。HeandhisfriendCampbellpreparedforaction。Throwingofftheircoats，rollinguptheirsleeves，andarmingthemselveswithpistolsandrifles，theymountedtheirhorsesanddashedforwardamongthefirst。Astheyrodealong，theymadetheirwillsinsoldier-likestyle；eachstatinghowhiseffectsshouldbedisposedofincaseofhisdeath，andappointingtheotherhisexecutor。

TheBlackfeetwarriorshadsupposedthebrigadeofMiltonSubletteallthefoestheyhadtodealwith，andwereastonishedtobeholdthewholevalleysuddenlyswarmingwithhorsemen，gallopingtothefieldofaction。Theywithdrewintotheirfort，whichwascompletelyhidfromsightinthedarkandtangledwood。Mostoftheirwomenandchildrenhadretreatedtothemountains。Thetrappersnowsalliedforthandapproachedtheswamp，firingintothethicketsatrandom；theBlackfeethadabettersightattheiradversaries，whowereintheopenfield，andahalf-breedwaswoundedintheshoulder。

WhenCaptainSublettearrived，heurgedtopenetratetheswampandstormthefort，butallhungbackinaweofthedismalhorrorsoftheplace，andthedangerofattackingsuchdesperadoesintheirsavageden。TheveryIndianallies，thoughaccustomedtobushfighting，regardeditasalmostimpenetrable，andfulloffrightfuldanger。Sublettewasnottobeturnedfromhispurpose，butofferedtoleadthewayintotheswamp。

Campbellsteppedforwardtoaccompanyhim。Beforeenteringtheperilouswood，Sublettetookhisbrothersaside，andtoldthemthatincasehefell，Campbell，whoknewhiswill，wastobehisexecutor。Thisdone，hegraspedhisrifleandpushedintothethickets，followedbyCampbell。Sinclair，thepartisanfromArkansas，wasattheedgeofthewoodwithhisbrotherandafewofhismen。Excitedbythegallantexampleofthetwofriends，hepressedforwardtosharetheirdangers。

Theswampwasproducedbythelaborsofthebeaver，which，bydammingupastream，hadinundatedaportionofthevalley。Theplacewasallovergrownwithwoodsandthickets，socloselymattedandentangledthatitwasimpossibletoseetenpacesahead，andthethreeassociatesinperilhadtocrawlalong，oneafteranother，makingtheirwaybyputtingthebranchesandvinesaside；butdoingitwithcaution，lesttheyshouldattracttheeyeofsomelurkingmarksman。Theytooktheleadbyturns，eachadvancingabouttwentyyardsatatime，andnowandthenhallooingtotheirmentofollow。Someofthelattergraduallyenteredtheswamp，andfollowedalittledistanceintheirrear。

Theyhadnowreachedamoreopenpartofthewood，andhadglimpsesoftherudefortressfrombetweenthetrees。Itwasamerebreastwork，aswehavesaid，oflogsandbranches，withblankets，buffalorobes，andtheleatherncoversoflodges，extendedroundthetopasascreen。Themovementsoftheleaders，astheygropedtheirway，hadbeendescriedbythesharp-sightedenemy。AsSinclair，whowasintheadvance，wasputtingsomebranchesaside，hewasshotthroughthebody。Hefellonthespot。

“Takemetomybrother””saidhetoCampbell。Thelattergavehiminchargetosomeofthemen，whoconveyedhimoutoftheswamp。

Sublettenowtooktheadvance。Ashewasreconnoitringthefort，heperceivedanIndianpeepingthroughanaperture。Inaninstanthisriflewaslevelledanddischarged，andtheballstruckthesavageintheeye。Whilehewasreloading，hecalledtoCampbell，andpointedouttohimthehole；“Watchthatplace，“saidhe，“andyouwillsoonhaveafairchanceforashot。”Scarcehadheutteredthewords，whenaballstruckhimintheshoulder，andalmostwheeledhimaround。Hisfirstthoughtwastotakeholdofhisarmwithhisotherhand，andmoveitupanddown。Heascertained，tohissatisfaction，thatthebonewasnotbroken。Thenextmomenthewassofaintthathecouldnotstand。Campbelltookhiminhisarmsandcarriedhimoutofthethicket。ThesameshotthatstruckSublettewoundedanothermaninthehead。

Abriskfirewasnowopenedbythemountaineersfromthewood，answeredoccasionallyfromthefort。Unluckily，thetrappersandtheirallies，insearchingforthefort，hadgotscattered，sothatWyeth，andanumberofNezPerces，approachedthefortonthenorthwestside，whileothersdidthesameontheoppositequarter。Across-firethustookplace，whichoccasionallydidmischieftofriendsaswellasfoes。AnIndianwasshotdown，closetoWyeth，byaballwhich，hewasconvinced，hadbeenspedfromtherifleofatrapperontheothersideofthefort。

ThenumberofwhitesandtheirIndianallieshadbythistimesomuchincreasedbyarrivalsfromtherendezvous，thattheBlackfeetwerecompletelyovermatched。Theykeptdoggedlyintheirfort，however，makingnoofferofsurrender。Anoccasionalfiringintothebreastworkwaskeptupduringtheday。Nowandthen，oneoftheIndianallies，inbravado，wouldrushuptothefort，fireovertheramparts，tearoffabuffalorobeorascarletblanket，andreturnwithitintriumphtohiscomrades。Mostofthesavagegarrisonthatfell，however，werekilledinthefirstpartoftheattack。

Atonetimeitwasresolvedtosetfiretothefort；andthesquawsbelongingtotheallieswereemployedtocollectcombustibles。Thishowever，wasabandoned；theNezPercesbeingunwillingtodestroytherobesandblankets，andotherspoilsoftheenemy，whichtheyfeltsurewouldfallintotheirhands。

TheIndians，whenfighting，arepronetotauntandrevileeachother。Duringoneofthepausesofthebattle，thevoiceoftheBlackfeetchiefwasheard。

“Solong，“saidhe，“aswehadpowderandball，wefoughtyouintheopenfield：whenthosewerespent，weretreatedheretodiewithourwomenandchildren。Youmayburnusinourfort；but，staybyourashes，andyouwhoaresohungryforfightingwillsoonhaveenough。Therearefourhundredlodgesofourbrethrenathand。Theywillsoonbehere——theirarmsarestrong——theirheartsarebig——theywillavengeus！“

ThisspeechwastranslatedtwoorthreetimesbyNezPerceandcreoleinterpreters。BythetimeitwasrenderedintoEnglish，thechiefwasmadetosaythatfourhundredlodgesofhistribewereattackingtheencampmentattheotherendofthevalley。Everyonenowwasforhurryingtothedefenceoftherendezvous。Apartywaslefttokeepwatchuponthefort；therestgallopedofftothecamp。Asnightcameon，thetrappersdrewoutoftheswamp，andremainedabouttheskirtsofthewood。Bymorning，theircompanionsreturnedfromtherendezvouswiththereportthatallwassafe。Asthedayopened，theyventuredwithintheswampandapproachedthefort。Allwassilent。Theyadvanceduptoitwithoutopposition。Theyentered：ithadbeenabandonedinthenight，andtheBlackfeethadeffectedtheirretreat，carryingofftheirwoundedonlittersmadeofbranches，leavingbloodytracesontheherbage。ThebodiesoftenIndianswerefoundwithinthefort；amongthemtheoneshotintheeyebySublette。TheBlackfeetafterwardreportedthattheyhadlosttwenty-sixwarriorsinthisbattle。Thirty-twohorseswerelikewisefoundkilled；amongthemweresomeofthoserecentlycarriedofffromSublette”sparty，inthenight；whichshowedthattheseweretheverysavagesthathadattackedhim。TheyprovedtobeanadvancepartyofthemainbodyofBlackfeet，whichhadbeenuponthetrailofSublette”sparty。Fivewhitemenandonehalfbreedwerekilled，andseveralwounded。SevenoftheNezPerceswerealsokilled，andsixwounded。Theyhadanoldchief，whowasreputedasinvulnerable。Inthecourseoftheactionhewashitbyaspentball，andthrewupblood；buthisskinwasunbroken。Hispeoplewerenowfullyconvincedthathewasproofagainstpowderandball。

Astrikingcircumstanceisrelatedashavingoccurredthemorningafterthebattle。AssomeofthetrappersandtheirIndianallieswereapproachingthefortthroughthewoods，theybeheldanIndianwoman，ofnobleformandfeatures，leaningagainstatree。Theirsurpriseatherlingeringherealone，tofallintothehandsofherenemies，wasdispelled，whentheysawthecorpseofawarrioratherfeet。Eithershewassolostingriefasnottoperceivetheirapproach；oraproudspiritkepthersilentandmotionless。TheIndianssetupayell，ondiscoveringher，andbeforethetrapperscouldinterfere，hermangledbodyfelluponthecorpsewhichshehadrefusedtoabandon。

Wehaveheardthisanecdotediscreditedbyoneoftheleaderswhohadbeeninthebattle：butthefactmayhavetakenplacewithouthisseeingit，andbeenconcealedfromhim。Itisaninstanceoffemaledevotion，eventothedeath，whichwearewelldisposedtobelieveandtorecord。

Afterthebattle，thebrigadeofMiltonSublette，togetherwiththefreetrappers，andWyeth”sNewEnglandband，remainedsomedaysattherendezvous，toseeifthemainbodyofBlackfeetintendedtomakeanattack；nothingofthekindoccurring，theyoncemoreputthemselvesinmotion，andproceededontheirroutetowardthesouthwest。

CaptainSublettehavingdistributedhissupplies，hadintendedtosetoffonhisreturntoSt。Louis，takingwithhimthepeltriescollectedfromthetrappersandIndians。Hiswound，howeverobligedhimtopostponehisdeparture。Severalwhoweretohaveaccompaniedhimbecameimpatientofthisdelay。AmongthesewasayoungBostonian，Mr。JosephMore，oneofthefollowersofMr。Wyeth，whohadseenenoughofmountainlifeandsavagewarfare，andwaseagertoreturntotheabodesofcivilization。Heandsixothers，amongwhomwereaMr。Foy，ofMississippi，Mr。AlfredK。Stephens，ofSt。Louis，andtwograndsonsofthecelebratedDanielBoon，setouttogether，inadvanceofSublette”sparty，thinkingtheywouldmaketheirwaythroughthemountains。

ItwasjustfivedaysafterthebattleoftheswampthatthesesevencompanionsweremakingtheirwaythroughJackson”sHole，avalleynotfarfromthethreeTetons，when，astheyweredescendingahill，apartyofBlackfeetthatlayinambushstartedupwithterrificyells。ThehorseoftheyoungBostonian，whowasinfront，wheeledroundwithaffright，andthrewhisunskilledrider。Theyoungmanscrambledupthesideofthehill，but，unaccustomedtosuchwildscenes，losthispresenceofmind，andstood，asifparalyzed，ontheedgeofabank，untiltheBlackfeetcameupandslewhimonthespot。

Hiscomradeshadfledonthefirstalarm；buttwoofthem，FoyandStephens，seeinghisdanger，pausedwhentheygothalfwayupthehill，turnedback，dismounted，andhastenedtohisassistance。Foywasinstantlykilled。Stephenswasseverelywounded，butescaped，todiefivedaysafterward。ThesurvivorsreturnedtothecampofCaptainSublette，bringingtidingsofthisnewdisaster。Thathardyleader，assoonashecouldbearthejourney，setoutonhisreturntoSt。Louis，accompaniedbyCampbell。Astheyhadanumberofpack-horsesrichlyladenwithpeltriestoconvoy，theychoseadifferentroutethroughthemountains，outoftheway，astheyhoped，ofthelurkingbandsofBlackfeet。Theysucceededinmakingthefrontierinsafety。Weremembertohaveseenthemwiththeirband，abouttwoorthreemonthsafterward，passingthroughaskirtofwoodlandintheupperpartofMissouri。Theirlongcavalcadestretchedinsinglefilefornearlyhalfamile。Sublettestillworehisarminasling。Themountaineersintheirrudehuntingdresses，armedwithriflesandroughlymounted，andleadingtheirpack-horsesdownahilloftheforest，lookedlikebandittireturningwithplunder。Onthetopofsomeofthepackswereperchedseveralhalf-breedchildren，perfectlittleimps，withwildblackeyesglaringfromamongelflocks。These，Iwastold，werechildrenofthetrappers；pledgesoflovefromtheirsquawspousesinthewilderness。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter7[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter7RetreatoftheBlackfeet——Fontenelle”scampindanger——CaptainBonnevilleandthe

Blackfeet——Freetrappers——Theircharacter，habits，dress，equipments，horses——Game

fellowsofthemountains——Theirvisittothecamp——Goodfellowshipandgoodcheer——

Acarouse——Aswagger，abrawl，andareconciliationTHEBLACKFEETWARRIORS，whentheyeffectedtheirmidnightretreatfromtheirwild

fastnessinPierre”sHole，fellbackintothevalleyoftheSeeds-ke-dee，orGreenRiver

wheretheyjoinedthemainbodyoftheirband。Thewholeforceamountedtoseveral

hundredfightingmen，gloomyandexasperatedbytheirlatedisaster。Theyhadwith

themtheirwivesandchildren，whichincapacitatedthemfromanyboldandextensive

enterpriseofawarlikenature；butwhen，inthecourseoftheirwanderingstheycamein

sightoftheencampmentofFontenelle，whohadmovedsomedistanceupGreenRiver

valleyinsearchofthefreetrappers，theyputuptremendouswar-cries，andadvanced

fiercelyasiftoattackit。Secondthoughtscausedthemtomoderatetheirfury。They

recollectedtheseverelessonjustreceived，andcouldnotbutremarkthestrengthofFontenelle”sposition；whichhadbeenchosenwithgreatjudgment。Aformaltalkensued。TheBlackfeetsaidnothingofthelatebattle，ofwhichFontenelle

hadasyetreceivednoaccounts；thelatter，however，knewthehostileandperfidious

natureofthesesavages，andtookcaretoinformthemoftheencampmentofCaptain

Bonneville，thattheymightknowthereweremorewhitemenintheneighborhood。The

conferenceended，FontenellesentaDelawareIndianofhispartytoconductfifteenof

theBlackfeettothecampofCaptainBonneville。Therewas[sic]atthattimetwoCrow

Indiansinthecaptain”scamp，whohadrecentlyarrivedthere。Theylookedwithdismay

atthisdeputationfromtheirimplacableenemies，andgavethecaptainaterrible

characterofthem，assuringhimthatthebestthinghecouldpossiblydo，wastoput

thoseBlackfeetdeputiestodeathonthespot。Thecaptain，however，whohadheard

nothingoftheconflictatPierre”sHole，declinedallcompliancewiththissagecounsel。

Hetreatedthegrimwarriorswithhisusualurbanity。Theypassedsomelittletimeatthe

camp；saw，nodoubt，thateverythingwasconductedwithmilitaryskillandvigilance；

andthatsuchanenemywasnottobeeasilysurprised，nortobemolestedwithimpunity，andthendeparted，toreportallthattheyhadseentotheircomrades。ThetwoscoutswhichCaptainBonnevillehadsentouttoseekforthebandoffree

trappers，expectedbyFontenelle，andtoinvitethemtohiscamp，hadbeensuccessfulintheirsearch，andonthe12thofAugustthoseworthiesmadetheirappearance。Toexplainthemeaningoftheappellation，freetrapper，itisnecessarytostatethe

termsonwhichthemenenlistintheserviceofthefurcompanies。Somehaveregular

wages，andarefurnishedwithweapons，horses，traps，andotherrequisites。Theseare

undercommand，andboundtodoeverydutyrequiredofthemconnectedwiththe

service；suchashunting，trapping，loadingandunloadingthehorses，mountingguard；and，inshort，allthedrudgeryofthecamp。Thesearethehiredtrappers。Thefreetrappersareamoreindependentclass；andindescribingthem，weshalldo

littlemorethantranscribethegraphicdescriptionofthembyCaptainBonneville。“They

comeandgo，“sayshe，“whenandwheretheyplease；providetheirownhorses，arms，

andotherequipments；trapandtradeontheirownaccount，anddisposeoftheirskins

andpeltriestothehighestbidder。Sometimes，inadangeroushuntingground，they

attachthemselvestothecampofsometraderforprotection。Heretheycomeunder

somerestrictions；theyhavetoconformtotheordinaryrulesfortrapping，andtosubmit

tosuchrestraints，andtotakepartinsuchgeneralduties，asareestablishedforthe

goodorderandsafetyofthecamp。Inreturnforthisprotection，andfortheircamp

keeping，theyareboundtodisposeofallthebeavertheytake，tothetraderwho

commandsthecamp，atacertainrateperskin；or，shouldtheypreferseekingamarket

elsewhere，theyaretomakehimanallowance，offromthirtytofortydollarsforthewholehunt。”Thereisaninferiororder，who，eitherfromprudenceorpoverty，cometothese

dangeroushuntinggroundswithouthorsesoraccoutrements，andarefurnishedbythe

traders。These，likethehiredtrappers，areboundtoexertthemselvestotheutmostin

takingbeaver，which，withoutskinning，theyrenderinatthetrader”slodge，wherea

stipulatedpriceforeachisplacedtotheircredit。Thesethoughgenerallyincludedinthegenericnameoffreetrappers，havethemorespecifictitleofskintrappers。Thewanderingwhiteswhomingleforanylengthoftimewiththesavageshave

invariablyapronenesstoadoptsavagehabitudes；butnonemoresothanthefree

trappers。Itisamatterofvanityandambitionwiththemtodiscardeverythingthatmay

bearthestampofcivilizedlife，andtoadoptthemanners，habits，dress，gesture，and

evenwalkoftheIndian。Youcannotpayafreetrapperagreatercompliment，thanto

persuadehimyouhavemistakenhimforanIndianbrave；and，intruth，thecounterfeit

iscomplete。Hishairsufferedtoattaintoagreatlength，iscarefullycombedout，and

eitherlefttofallcarelesslyoverhisshoulders，orplaitedneatlyandtiedupinotter

skins，orparti-coloredribands。Ahunting-shirtofruffledcalicoofbrightdyes，orof

ornamentedleather，fallstohisknee；belowwhich，curiouslyfashionedlegging，

ornamentedwithstrings，fringes，andaprofusionofhawks”bells，reachtoacostlypair

ofmoccasonsofthefinestIndianfabric，richlyembroideredwithbeads。Ablanketof

scarlet，orsomeotherbrightcolor，hangsfromhisshoulders，andisgirtaroundhis

waistwitharedsash，inwhichhebestowshispistols，knife，andthestemofhisIndian

pipe；preparationseitherforpeaceorwar。Hisgunislavishlydecoratedwithbrasstacks

andvermilion，andprovidedwithafringedcover，occasionallyofbuckskin，ornamented

hereandtherewithafeather。Hishorse，thenobleministertothepride，pleasure，and

profitofthemountaineer，isselectedforhisspeedandspirit，andprancinggait，and

holdsaplaceinhisestimationsecondonlytohimself。Heshareslargelyofhisbounty，

andofhisprideandpompoftrapping。Heiscaparisonedinthemostdashingand

fantasticstyle；thebridlesandcrupperareweightilyembossedwithbeadsand

cockades；andhead，mane，andtail，areinterwovenwithabundanceofeagles”plumes，

whichflutterinthewind。Tocompletethisgrotesqueequipment，theproudanimalis

bestreakedandbespottedwithvermilion，orwithwhiteclay，whicheverpresentsthemostglaringcontrasttohisrealcolor。SuchistheaccountgivenbyCaptainBonnevilleoftheserangersofthewilderness，and

theirappearanceatthecampwasstrikinglycharacteristic。Theycamedashingforward

atfullspeed，firingtheirfusees，andyellinginIndianstyle。Theirdarksunburnedfaces，

andlongflowinghair，theirlegging，flaps，moccasons，andrichly-dyedblankets，and

theirpaintedhorsesgaudilycaparisoned，gavethemsomuchtheairandappearance

ofIndians，thatitwasdifficulttopersuadeone”sselfthattheywerewhitemen，andhadbeenbroughtupincivilizedlife。CaptainBonneville，whowasdelightedwiththegamelookofthesecavaliersofthe

mountains，welcomedthemheartilytohiscamp，andorderedafreeallowanceofgrog

toregalethem，whichsoonputtheminthemostbraggartspirits。Theypronouncedthe

captainthefinestfellowintheworld，andhismenallbonsgarç；ons，joviallads，

andsworetheywouldpassthedaywiththem。Theydidso；andadayitwas，ofboast，and

swagger，androdomontade。Theprimebulliesandbravesamongthefreetrappershad

eachhiscircleofnovices，fromamongthecaptain”sband；meregreenhorns，men

unusedtoIndianlife；mangeursdelard，orpork-eaters；assuchnew-comersare

superciliouslycalledbytheveteransofthewilderness。Thesehewouldastonishand

delightbythehour，withprodigioustalesofhisdoingsamongtheIndians；andofthe

wondershehadseen，andthewondershehadperformed，inhisadventurousperegrinationsamongthemountains。Intheevening，thefreetrappersdrewoff，andreturnedtothecampofFontenelle，

highlydelightedwiththeirvisitandwiththeirnewacquaintances，andpromisingto

returnthefollowingday。Theykepttheirword：dayafterdaytheirvisitswererepeated；

theybecame“hailfellowwellmet“withCaptainBonneville”smen；treataftertreat

succeeded，untilbothpartiesgotmostpotentlyconvinced，orratherconfounded，by

liquor。Nowcameonconfusionanduproar。Thefreetrapperswerenolongersuffered

tohavealltheswaggertothemselves。Thecampbulliesandprimetrappersoftheparty

begantoruffleup，andtobrag，inturn，oftheirperilsandachievements。Eachnowtried

toout-boastandout-talktheother；aquarrelensuedasamatterofcourse，anda

generalfight，accordingtofrontierusage。Thetwofactionsdrewouttheirforcesfora

pitchedbattle。Theyfelltoworkandbelaboredeachotherwithmightandmain；kicks

andcuffsanddryblowswereaswellbestowedastheywerewellmerited，until，having

foughttotheirhearts”content，andbeendrubbedintoafamiliaracquaintancewitheach

other”sprowessandgoodqualities，theyendedthefightbybecomingfirmerfriendsthantheycouldhavebeenrenderedbyayear”speaceablecompanionship。WhileCaptainBonnevilleamusedhimselfbyobservingthehabitsandcharacteristicsof

thissingularclassofmen，andindulgedthem，forthetime，inalltheirvagaries，he

profitedbytheopportunitytocollectfromtheminformationconcerningthedifferent

partsofthecountryaboutwhichtheyhadbeenaccustomedtorange；thecharactersof

thetribes，and，inshort，everythingimportanttohisenterprise。Healsosucceededin

securingtheservicesofseveraltoguideandaidhiminhisperegrinationsamongthe

mountains，andtotrapforhimduringtheensuingseason。Havingstrengthenedhis

partywithsuchvaluablerecruits，hefeltinsomemeasureconsoledforthelossofthe

DelawareIndians，decoyedfromhimbyMrFontenelle。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter8[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter8Plansforthewinter——SalmonRiver——Abundanceofsalmonwestofthe

mountains——Newarrangements——Caches——Cerre”sdetachment——Movementsin

Fontenelle”scamp——DepartureoftheBlackfeet——Theirfortunes——WindMountain

streams——Buckeye，theDelawarehunter，andthegrizzlybear——Bonesofmurdered

travellers——VisittoPierre”sHole——Tracesofthebattle——NezPerceIndians——Arrivalat

SalmonRiverTHEINFORMATIONderivedfromthefreetrappersdeterminedCaptainBonnevilleas

tohisfurthermovements。HelearnedthatintheGreenRivervalleythewinterswere

severe，thesnowfrequentlyfallingtothedepthofseveralfeet；andthattherewasno

goodwinteringgroundintheneighborhood。TheupperpartofSalmonRiverwas

representedasfarmoreeligible，besidesbeinginanexcellentbeavercountry；andthitherthecaptainresolvedtobendhiscourse。TheSalmonRiverisoneoftheupperbranchesoftheOregonorColumbia；andtakes

itsrisefromvarioussources，amongagroupofmountainstothenorthwestoftheWind

Riverchain。Itowesitsnametotheimmenseshoalsofsalmonwhichascenditinthe

monthsofSeptemberandOctober。ThesalmononthewestsideoftheRocky

Mountainsare，likethebuffaloontheeasternplains，vastmigratorysuppliesforthe

wantsofman，thatcomeandgowiththeseasons。Asthebuffaloincountlessthrongs

findtheircertainwayinthetransientpasturageontheprairies，alongthefreshbanksof

therivers，andupeveryvalleyandgreendefileofthemountains，sothesalmon，attheir

allottedseasons，regulatedbyasublimeandall-seeingProvidence，swarminmyriads

upthegreatrivers，andfindtheirwayuptheirmainbranches，andintotheminutest

tributorystreams；soastopervadethegreataridplains，andtopenetrateevenamong

barrenmountains。Thuswanderingtribesarefedinthedesertplacesofthewilderness，

wherethereisnoherbagefortheanimalsofthechase，andwhere，butfortheseperiodicalsupplies，itwouldbeimpossibleformantosubsist。TherapidcurrentsoftheriverswhichrunintothePacificrendertheascentofthemvery

exhaustingtothesalmon。Whenthefishfirstrunuptherivers，theyarefatandinfine

order。Thestruggleagainstimpetuousstreamsandfrequentrapidsgraduallyrenders

themthinandweak，andgreatnumbersareseenfloatingdowntheriversontheir

backs。Astheseasonadvancesandthewaterbecomeschilled，theyareflungin

myriadsontheshores，wherethewolvesandbearsassembletobanquetonthem。

Oftentheyrotinsuchquantitiesalongtheriverbanksastotainttheatmosphere。Theyarecommonlyfromtwotothreefeetlong。CaptainBonnevillenowmadehisarrangementsfortheautumnandthewinter。The

natureofthecountrythroughwhichhewasabouttotravelrendereditimpossibleto

proceedwithwagons。Hehadmoregoodsandsuppliesofvariouskinds，also，than

wererequiredforpresentpurposes，orthancouldbeconvenientlytransportedon

horseback；aided，therefore，byafewconfidentialmen，hemadecaches，orsecret

pits，

duringthenight，whenalltherestofthecampwereasleep，andinthesedepositedthe

superfluouseffects，togetherwiththewagons。Alltracesofthecacheswerethen

carefullyobliterated。Thisisacommonexpedientwiththetradersandtrappersofthe

mountains。Havingnoestablishedpostsandmagazines，theymakethesecachesor

depositsatcertainpoints，whithertheyrepair，occasionally，forsupplies。ItisanexpedientderivedfromthewanderingtribesofIndians。Manyofthehorseswerestillsoweakandlame，astobeunfitforalongscramble

throughthemountains。Thesewerecollectedintoonecavalcade，andgivenincharge

toanexperiencedtrapper，ofthenameofMatthieu。Hewastoproceedwestward，with

abrigadeoftrappers，toBearRiver；astreamtothewestoftheGreenRiveror

Colorado，wheretherewasgoodpasturageforthehorses。Inthisneighborhooditwas

expectedhewouldmeettheShoshonievillagesorbands，ontheiryearlymigrations，

withwhomhewastotradeforpeltriesandprovisions。Afterhehadtradedwiththese

people，finishedhistrapping，andrecruitedthestrengthofthehorses，hewasto

proceedtoSalmonRiverandrejoinCaptainBonneville，whointendedtofixhisquartersthereforthewinter。WhilethesearrangementswereinprogressinthecampofCaptainBonneville，there

wasasuddenbustleandstirinthecampofFontenelle。Oneofthepartnersofthe

AmericanFurCompanyhadarrived，inallhaste，fromtherendezvousatPierre”sHole，

inquestofthesupplies。Thecompetitionbetweenthetworivalcompanieswasjustnow

atitsheight，andprosecutedwithunusualzeal。ThetramontaneconcernsoftheRocky

MountainFurCompanyweremanagedbytworesidentpartners，Fitzpatrickand

Bridger；thoseoftheAmericanFurCompany，byVanderburghandDripps。Thelatter

wereignorantofthemountainregions，buttrustedtomakeupbyvigilanceandactivityfortheirwantofknowledgeofthecountry。Fitzpatrick，anexperiencedtraderandtrapper，knewtheevilsofcompetitioninthe

samehuntinggrounds，andhadproposedthatthetwocompaniesshoulddividethe

country，soastohuntindifferentdirections：thispropositionbeingrejected，hehad

exertedhimselftogetfirstintothefield。Hisexertions，ashavealreadybeenshown，

wereeffectual。TheearlyarrivalofSublette，withsupplies，hadenabledthevarious

brigadesoftheRockyMountainCompanytostartofftotheirrespectivehunting

grounds。Fitzpatrickhimself，withhisassociate，Bridger，hadpushedoffwithastrongpartyoftrappers，foraprimebeavercountrytothenorth-northwest。ThishadputVanderburghuponhismettle。HehadhastenedontomeetFontenelle。

FindinghimathiscampinGreenRivervalley，heimmediatelyfurnishedhimselfwith

thesupplies；puthimselfattheheadofthefreetrappersandDelawares，andsetoff

withallspeed，determinedtofollowhardupontheheelsofFitzpatrickandBridger。Of

theadventuresofthesepartiesamongthemountains，andthedisastrouseffectsoftheircompetition，weshallhaveoccasiontotreatinafuturechapter。Fontenellehavingnowdeliveredhissuppliesandaccomplishedhiserrand，struckhis

tentsandsetoffonhisreturntotheYellowstone。CaptainBonnevilleandhisband，

therefore，remainedaloneintheGreenRivervalley；andtheirsituationmighthavebeen

perilous，hadtheBlackfeetbandstilllingeredinthevicinity。Thosemarauders，however，

hadbeendismayedatfindingsomanyresoluteandwell-appointedpartiesofwhite

menintheneighborhood。Theyhad，therefore，abandonedthispartofthecountry，

passingovertheheadwatersoftheGreenRiver，andbendingtheircoursetowardsthe

Yellowstone。Misfortunepursuedthem。Theirroutelaythroughthecountryoftheir

deadlyenemies，theCrows。IntheWindRivervalley，whichlieseastofthemountains，

theywereencounteredbyapowerfulwarpartyofthattribe，andcompletelyputtorout。

Fortyofthemwerekilled，manyoftheirwomenandchildrencaptured，andthe

scatteredfugitiveshuntedlikewildbeastsuntiltheywerecompletelychasedoutoftheCrowcountry。Onthe22dofAugustCaptainBonnevillebrokeuphiscamp，andsetoutonhisroute

forSalmonRiver。Hisbaggagewasarrangedinpacks，threetoamule，orpack-horse；

onebeingdisposedoneachsideoftheanimalandoneonthetop；thethreeforminga

loadoffromonehundredandeightytotwohundredandtwentypounds。Thisisthe

trappers”styleofloadingpack-horses；hismen，however，wereinexpertatadjustingthe

packs，whichwerepronetogetlooseandslipoff，sothatitwasnecessarytokeepa

rear-guardtoassistinreloading。Afewdays”experience，however，broughtthemintopropertraining。TheirmarchlayupthevalleyoftheSeeds-ke-dee，overlookedtotherightbythelofty

peaksoftheWindRiverMountains。Frombrightlittlelakesandfountain-headsofthis

remarkablebedofmountainspouredforththetributarystreamsoftheSeeds-ke-dee。

Somecamerushingdowngulliesandravines；otherstumbledincrystalcascadesfrom

inaccessiblecleftsandrocks，andotherswindingtheirwayinrapidandpellucid

currentsacrossthevalley，tothrowthemselvesintothemainriver。Sotransparentwere

thesewatersthatthetroutwithwhichtheyaboundedcouldbeseenglidingaboutasif

intheair；andtheirpebblybedsweredistinctlyvisibleatthedepthofmanyfeet。This

beautifulanddiaphanousqualityoftheRockyMountainstreamsprevailsforalongtimeaftertheyhavemingledtheirwatersandswollenintoimportantrivers。Issuingfromtheupperpartofthevalley，CaptainBonnevillecontinuedtotheeast-northeast，

acrossroughandloftyridges，anddeeprockydefiles，extremelyfatiguing

bothtomanandhorse。AmonghishunterswasaDelawareIndianwhohadremained

faithfultohim。HisnamewasBuckeye。Hehadoftenpridedhimselfonhisskilland

successincopingwiththegrizzlybear，thatterrorofthehunters。Thoughcrippledinthe

leftarm，hedeclaredhehadnohesitationtoclosewithawoundedbear，andattackhim

withasword。Ifarmedwitharifle，hewaswillingtobravetheanimalwheninfullforce

andfury。Hehadtwiceanopportunityofprovinghisprowess，inthecourseofthis

mountainjourney，andwaseachtimesuccessful。Hismodewastoseathimselfupon

theground，withhisriflecockedandrestingonhislamearm。Thusprepared，hewould

awaittheapproachofthebearwithperfectcoolness，norpulltriggeruntilhewascloseathand。Ineachinstance，helaidthemonsterdeaduponthespot。Amarchofthreeorfourdays，throughsavageandlonelyscenes，broughtCaptain

BonnevilletothefataldefileofJackson”sHole，wherepoorMoreandFoyhadbeen

surprisedandmurderedbytheBlackfeet。Thefeelingsofthecaptainwereshockedat

beholdingthebonesoftheseunfortunateyoungmenbleachingamongtherocks；andhecausedthemtobedecentlyinterred。Onthe3dofSeptemberhearrivedonthesummitofamountainwhichcommandeda

fullviewoftheeventfulvalleyofPierre”sHole；whencehecouldtracethewindingofits

streamthroughgreenmeadows，andforestsofwillowandcotton-wood，andhavea

prospect，betweendistantmountains，ofthelavaplainsofSnakeRiver，dimlyspreadforthlikeasleepingoceanbelow。Afterenjoyingthismagnificentprospect，hedescendedintothevalley，andvisitedthe

scenesofthelatedesperateconflict。Thereweretheremainsoftherudefortressinthe

swamp，shatteredbyrifleshot，andstrewedwiththemingledbonesofsavagesand

horses。Therewasthelatepopulousandnoisyrendezvous，withthetracesoftrappers”

campsandIndianlodges；buttheirfireswereextinguished，themotleyassemblageof

trappersandhunters，whitetradersandIndianbraves，hadalldispersedtodifferent

pointsofthewilderness，andthevalleyhadrelapsedintoitspristinesolitudeandsilence。