第8章
Wehavealreadyadvertedtothedangerousnatureofthisneighborhood，infestedby
rovingbandsofCrowsandBlackfeet；towhomthenumerousdefilesandpassesofthe
countryaffordcapitalplacesforambushandsurprise。Thetravellers，therefore，keptavigilanteyeuponeverythingthatmightgiveintimationoflurkingdanger。Abouttwohoursaftermid-day，astheyreachedthesummitofahill，theydiscovered
buffaloontheplainbelow，runningineverydirection。Oneofthemen，too，fanciedhe
heardthereportofagun。Itwasconcluded，therefore，thattherewassomepartyofIndiansbelow，huntingthebuffalo。Thehorseswereimmediatelyconcealedinanarrowravine；andthecaptain，mounting
aneminence，butconcealinghimselffromview，reconnoitredthewholeneighborhood
withatelescope。NotanIndianwastobeseen；so，afterhaltingaboutanhour，he
resumedhisjourney。Convinced，however，thathewasinadangerousneighborhood，
headvancedwiththeutmostcaution；windinghiswaythroughhollowsandravines，and
avoiding，asmuchaspossible，anyopentract，orrisingground，thatmightbetrayhislittlepartytothewatchfuleyeofanIndianscout。Arriving，atlength，attheedgeoftheopenmeadow-landborderingontheriver，he
againobservedthebuffalo，asfarashecouldsee，scamperingingreatalarm。Once
moreconcealingthehorses，heandhiscompanionsremainedforalongtimewatching
thevariousgroupsoftheanimals，aseachcaughtthepanicandstartedoff；buttheysoughtinvaintodiscoverthecause。Theywerenowabouttoenterthemountaindefile，attheheadofGreenRivervalley，
wheretheymightbewaylaidandattacked；they，therefore，arrangedthepacksontheir
horses，inthemannermostsecureandconvenientforsuddenflight，shouldsuchbe
necessary。Thisdone，theyagainsetforward，keepingthemostanxiouslook-outineverydirection。Itwasnowdrawingtowardevening；buttheycouldnotthinkofencampingforthenight，
inaplacesofullofdanger。CaptainBonneville，therefore，determinedtohaltabout
sunset，kindleafire，asifforencampment，cookandeatsupper；but，assoonasitwas
sufficientlydark，tomakearapidmoveforthesummitofthemountain，andseeksomesecludedspotfortheirnight”slodgings。Accordingly，asthesunwentdown，thelittlepartycametoahalt，madealargefire，
spittedtheirbuffalomeatonwoodensticks，and，whensufficientlyroasted，plantedthe
savoryviandsbeforethem；cuttingoffhugesliceswiththeirhuntingknives，and
suppingwithahunter”sappetite。Thelightoftheirfirewouldnotfail，astheyknew，to
attracttheattentionofanyIndianhordeintheneighborhood；buttheytrustedtobeoff
andaway，beforeanyprowlerscouldreachtheplace。Whiletheyweresuppingthus
hastily，however，oneoftheirpartysuddenlystartedupandshouted“Indians！“Allwere
instantlyontheirfeet，withtheirriflesintheirhands；butcouldseenoenemy。Theman，
however，declaredthathehadseenanIndianadvancing，cautiously，alongthetrail
whichtheyhadmadeincomingtotheencampment；who，themomenthewas
perceived，hadthrownhimselfontheground，anddisappeared。HeurgedCaptain
Bonnevilleinstantlytodecamp。Thecaptain，however，tookthemattermorecoolly。The
singlefact，thattheIndianhadendeavoredtohidehimself，convincedhimthathewas
notoneofaparty，ontheadvancetomakeanattack。Hewas，probably，somescout，
whohadfolloweduptheirtrail，untilhecameinsightoftheirfire。Hewould，insuch
case，return，andreportwhathehadseentohiscompanions。These，supposingthe
whitemenhadencampedforthenight，wouldkeepaloofuntilverylate，whenallshould
beasleep。Theywould，then，accordingtoIndiantactics，maketheirstealthy
approaches，andplacethemselvesinambusharound，preparatorytotheirattack，attheusualhourofdaylight。SuchwasCaptainBonneville”sconclusion；inconsequenceofwhich，hecounselledhis
mentokeepperfectlyquiet，andactasiffreefromallalarm，untilthepropertime
arrivedforamove。They，accordingly，continuedtheirrepastwithpretendedappetite
andjollity；andthentrimmedandreplenishedtheirfire，asifforabivouac。Assoon，
however，asthenighthadcompletelysetin，theylefttheirfireblazing；walkedquietly
amongthewillows，andthenleapingintotheirsaddles，madeoffasnoiselesslyas
possible。Inproportionastheyleftthepointofdangerbehindthem，theyrelaxedintheir
rigidandanxioustaciturnity，andbegantojokeattheexpenseoftheirenemy；whom
theypicturedtothemselvesmousingintheneighborhoodoftheirdesertedfire，waitingforthepropertimeofattack，andpreparingforagranddisappointment。Aboutmidnight，feelingsatisfiedthattheyhadgainedasecuredistance，theyposted
oneoftheirnumbertokeepwatch，incasetheenemyshouldfollowontheirtrail，and
then，turningabruptlyintoadenseandmattedthicketofwillows，haltedforthenightat
thefootofthemountain，insteadofmakingforthesummit，astheyhadoriginallyintended。Atrapperinthewilderness，likeasailorontheocean，snatchesmorselsofenjoyment
inthemidstoftrouble，andsleepssoundlywhensurroundedbydanger。Thelittleparty
nowmadetheirarrangementsforsleepwithperfectcalmness；theydidnotventureto
makeafireandcook，itistrue，thoughgenerallydonebyhunterswhenevertheycome
toahalt，andhaveprovisions。Theycomfortedthemselves，however，bysmokinga
tranquilpipe；andthencallinginthewatch，andturningloosethehorses，stretched
themselvesontheirpallets，agreedthatwhoevershouldfirstawake，shouldrousetherest，andinalittlewhilewereallassoundasleepasthoughinthemidstofafortress。Alittlebeforeday，theywereallonthealert；itwasthehourforIndianmaraud。A
sentinelwasimmediatelydetached，toposthimselfatalittledistanceontheirtrail，andgivethealarm，shouldheseeorhearanenemy。Withthefirstblinkofdawn，therestsoughtthehorses；broughtthemtothecamp，and
tiedthemup，untilanhouraftersunrise；when，thesentinelhavingreportedthatallwas
well，theysprangoncemoreintotheirsaddles，andpursuedthemostcovertandsecretpathsupthemountain，avoidingthedirectroute。Atnoon，theyhaltedandmadeahastyrepast；andthenbenttheircoursesoasto
regaintheroutefromwhichtheyhaddiverged。Theywerenowmadesensibleofthe
dangerfromwhichtheyhadjustescaped。ThereweretracksofIndians，whohadevidentlybeeninpursuitofthem；buthadrecentlyreturned，baffledintheirsearch。Trustingthattheyhadnowgotafairstart，andcouldnotbeovertakenbeforenight，
evenincasetheIndiansshouldrenewthechase，theypushedbrisklyforward，anddid
notencampuntillate；whentheycautiouslyconcealedthemselvesinasecurenookofthemountains。Withoutanyfurtheralarm，theymadetheirwaytotheheadwatersofWindRiver，and
reachedtheneighborhoodinwhichtheyhadappointedtherendezvouswiththeir
companions。ItwaswithintheprecinctsoftheCrowcountry；theWindRivervalley
beingoneofthefavoritehauntsofthatrestlesstribe。Aftermuchsearching，Captain
Bonnevillecameuponatrailwhichhadevidentlybeenmadebyhismainparty。Itwas
soold，however，thathefearedhispeoplemighthavelefttheneighborhood；drivenoff，
perhapsbysomeofthosewarpartieswhichwereontheprowl。Hecontinuedhis
searchwithgreatanxiety，andnolittlefatigue；forhishorseswerejaded，andalmostcrippled，bytheirforcedmarchesandscramblingsthroughrockydefiles。Onthefollowingday，aboutnoon，CaptainBonnevillecameuponadesertedcampof
hispeople，fromwhichtheyhad，evidently，turnedback；buthecouldfindnosignsto
indicatewhytheyhaddoneso；whethertheyhadmetwithmisfortune，ormolestation，orinwhatdirectiontheyhadgone。Hewasnow，morethanever，perplexed。Onthefollowingday，heresumedhismarchwithincreasinganxiety。Thefeetofhis
horseshadbythistimebecomesowornandwoundedbytherocks，thathehadto
makemoccasonsforthemofbuffalohide。Aboutnoon，hecametoanotherdeserted
campofhismen；butsoonafterlosttheirtrail。Aftergreatsearch，heoncemorefound
it，turninginasoutherlydirectionalongtheeasternbasesoftheWindRiverMountains，
whichtoweredtotheright。Henowpushedforwardwithallpossiblespeed，inhopesof
overtakingtheparty。Atnight，hesleptatanotheroftheircamps，fromwhichtheyhad
butrecentlydeparted。Whenthedaydawnedsufficientlytodistinguishobjects，he
perceivedthedangerthatmustbedoggingtheheelsofhismainparty。Allaboutthe
campweretracesofIndianswhomusthavebeenprowlingaboutitatthetimehis
peoplehadpassedthenightthere；andwhomuststillbehoveringaboutthem。
Convinced，now，thatthemainpartycouldnotbeatanygreatdistance，hemounteda
scoutonthebesthorse，andsenthimforwardtoovertakethem，towarnthemoftheirdanger，andtoorderthemtohalt，untilheshouldrejointhem。Intheafternoon，tohisgreatjoy，hemetthescoutreturning，withsixcomradesfromthe
mainparty，leadingfreshhorsesforhisaccommodation；andonthefollowingday
(September25th)，allhandswereoncemorereunited，afteraseparationofnearlythree
weeks。Theirmeetingwasheartyandjoyous；fortheyhadbothexperienceddangersandperplexities。Themainparty，inpursuingtheircourseuptheWindRivervalley，hadbeendogged
thewholewaybyawarpartyofCrows。Inoneplace，theyhadbeenfiredupon，but
withoutinjury；inanotherplace，oneoftheirhorseshadbeencutloose，andcarriedoff。
Atlength，theyweresocloselybeset，thattheywereobligedtomakearetrogademove，
lesttheyshouldbesurprisedandovercome。ThiswasthemovementwhichhadcausedsuchperplexitytoCaptainBonneville。Thewholepartynowremainedencampedfortwoorthreedays，togivereposetoboth
menandhorses。Someofthetrappers，however，pursuedtheirvocationsaboutthe
neighboringstreams。Whileoneofthemwassettinghistraps，heheardthetrampof
horses，andlookingup，beheldapartyofCrowbravesmovingalongatnogreat
distance，withaconsiderablecavalcade。Thetrapperhastenedtoconcealhimself，but
wasdiscernedbythequickeyeofthesavages。Withwhoopsandyells，theydragged
himfromhishiding-place，flourishedoverhisheadtheirtomahawksandscalping-knives，andfor
atime，thepoortrappergavehimselfupforlost。Fortunately，theCrows
wereinajocose，ratherthanasanguinarymood。Theyamusedthemselvesheartily，for
awhile，attheexpenseofhisterrors；andafterhavingplayedoffdiversCrowpranks
andpleasantries，sufferedhimtodepartunharmed。Itistrue，theystrippedhim
completely，onetakinghishorse，anotherhisgun，athirdhistraps，afourthhisblanket，
andsoon，throughallhisaccoutrements，andevenhisclothing，untilhewasstark
naked；butthentheygenerouslymadehimapresentofanoldtatteredbuffalorobe，
anddismissedhim，withmanycomplimentaryspeeches，andmuchlaughter。Whenthe
trapperreturnedtothecamp，insuchsorryplight，hewasgreetedwithpealsoflaughter
fromhiscomradesandseemedmoremortifiedbythestyleinwhichhehadbeen
dismissed，thanrejoicedatescapingwithhislife。Acircumstancewhichherelatedto
CaptainBonneville，gavesomeinsightintothecauseofthisextremejocularityonthe
partoftheCrows。Theyhadevidentlyhadarunofluck，and，likewinninggamblers，
wereinhighgoodhumor。Amongtwenty-sixfinehorses，andsomemules，which
composedtheircavalcade，thetrapperrecognizedanumberwhichhadbelongedto
Fitzpatrick”sbrigade，whentheypartedcompanyontheBighorn。Itwassupposed，
therefore，thatthesevagabondshadbeenonhistrail，androbbedhimofpartofhiscavalry。Onthedayfollowingthisaffair，threeCrowscameintoCaptainBonneville”scamp，with
themosteasy，innocent，ifnotimpudentairimaginable；walkingaboutwiththe
imperturbablecoolnessandunconcern，inwhichtheIndianrivalsthefinegentleman。
Astheyhadnotbeenofthesetwhichstrippedthetrapper，thoughevidentlyofthe
sameband，theywerenotmolested。Indeed，CaptainBonnevilletreatedthemwithhis
usualkindnessandhospitality；permittingthemtoremainalldayinthecamp，andeven
topassthenightthere。Atthesametime，however，hecausedastrictwatchtobe
maintainedonalltheirmovements；andatnight，stationedanarmedsentinelnear
them。TheCrowsremonstratedagainstthelatterbeingarmed。Thisonlymadethe
captainsuspectthemtobespies，whomeditatedtreachery；heredoubled，therefore，
hisprecautions。Atthesametime，heassuredhisguests，thatwhiletheywereperfectly
welcometotheshelterandcomfortofhiscamp，yet，shouldanyoftheirtribeventureto
approachduringthenight，theywouldcertainlybeshot；whichwouldbeavery
unfortunatecircumstance，andmuchtobedeplored。Tothelatterremark，theyfully
assented；andshortlyafterwardcommencedawildsong，orchant，whichtheykeptup
foralongtime，andinwhichtheyveryprobablygavetheirfriends，whomightbe
prowlingroundthecamp，noticethatthewhitemenwereonthealert。Thenightpassed
awaywithoutdisturbance。Inthemorning，thethreeCrowguestswereverypressing
thatCaptainBonnevilleandhispartyshouldaccompanythemtotheircamp，whichthey
saidwascloseby。Insteadofacceptingtheirinvitation，CaptainBonnevilletookhis
departurewithallpossibledispatch，eagertobeoutofthevicinityofsuchapiratical
horde；nordidherelaxthediligenceofhismarch，until，onthesecondday，hereached
thebanksoftheSweetWater，beyondthelimitsoftheCrowcountry，andaheavyfallofsnowhadobliteratedalltracesofhiscourse。Henowcontinuedonforsomefewdays，ataslowerpace，roundthepointofthe
mountaintowardGreenRiver，andarrivedoncemoreatthecaches，onthe14thofOctober。HeretheyfoundtracesofthebandofIndianswhohadhuntedtheminthedefiletoward
theheadwatersofWindRiver。Havinglostalltraceofthemontheirwayoverthe
mountains，theyhadturnedandfollowedbacktheirtraildowntheGreenRivervalleyto
thecaches。Oneofthesetheyhaddiscoveredandbrokenopen，butitfortunately
containednothingbutfragmentsofoldiron，whichtheyhadscatteredaboutinall
directions，andthendeparted。Inexaminingtheirdesertedcamp，CaptainBonneville
discoveredthatitnumberedthirty-ninefires，andhadmorereasonthaneverto
congratulatehimselfonhavingescapedtheclutchesofsuchaformidablebandoffreebooters。Henowturnedhiscoursesouthward，undercoverofthemountains，andonthe25thof
OctoberreachedLiberge”sFord，atributaryoftheColorado，wherehecamesuddenly
uponthetrailofthissamewarparty，whichhadcrossedthestreamsorecentlythatthe
bankswereyetwetwiththewaterthathadbeensplasheduponthem。Tojudgefrom
theirtracks，theycouldnotbelessthanthreehundredwarriors，andapparentlyoftheCrownation。CaptainBonnevillewasextremelyuneasylestthisoverpoweringforceshouldcome
uponhiminsomeplacewherehewouldnothavethemeansoffortifyinghimself
promptly。HenowmovedtowardHane”sFork，anothertributaryoftheColorado，where
heencamped，andremainedduringthe26thofOctober。Seeingalargecloudofsmoke
tothesouth，hesupposedittoarisefromsomeencampmentofShoshonies，andsent
scoutstoprocureinformation，andtopurchasealodge。Itwas，infact，abandof
Shoshonies，butwiththemwereencampedFitzpatrickandhispartyoftrappers。That
activeleaderhadaneventfulstorytorelateofhisfortunesinthecountryoftheCrows。
AfterpartingwithCaptainBonnevilleonthebanksoftheBighorn，hemadeforthe
west，totrapuponPowderandTongueRivers。Hehadbetweentwentyandthirtymen
withhim，andaboutonehundredhorses。Solargeacavalcadecouldnotpassthrough
theCrowcountrywithoutattractingtheattentionofitsfreebootinghordes。Alargeband
ofCrowswassoonontheirtraces，andcameupwiththemonthe5thofSeptember，
justastheyhadreachedTongueRiver。TheCrowchiefcameforwardwithgreat
appearanceoffriendship，andproposedtoFitzpatrickthattheyshouldencamp
together。Thelatter，however，nothavinganyfaithinCrows，declinedtheinvitation，and
pitchedhiscampthreemilesoff。Hethenrodeoverwithtwoorthreemen，tovisitthe
Crowchief，bywhomhewasreceivedwithgreatapparentcordiality。Inthemeantime，
however，apartyofyoungbraves，whoconsideredthemabsolvedbyhisdistrustfrom
allscruplesofhonor，madeacircuitprivately，anddashedintohisencampment。
CaptainStewart，whohadremainedthereintheabsenceofFitzpatrick，behavedwith
greatspirit；buttheCrowsweretoonumerousandactive。Theyhadgotpossessionof
thecamp，andsoonmadebootyofeverything——carryingoffallthehorses。Ontheir
waybacktheymetFitzpatrickreturningtohiscamp；andfinishedtheirexploitbyriflingandnearlystrippinghim。Anegotiationnowtookplacebetweentheplunderedwhitemenandthetriumphant
Crows；whateloquenceandmanagementFitzpatrickmadeuseof，wedonotknow，but
hesucceededinprevailingupontheCrowchieftaintoreturnhimhishorsesandmany
ofhistraps；togetherwithhisriflesandafewroundsofammunitionforeachman。He
thensetoutwithallspeedtoabandontheCrowcountry，beforeheshouldmeetwithanyfreshdisasters。Afterhisdeparture，theconsciencesofsomeofthemostorthodoxCrowsprickedthem
sorelyforhavingsufferedsuchacavalcadetoescapeoutoftheirhands。Anxiousto
wipeoffsofoulastigmaonthereputationoftheCrownation，theyfollowedonhistrial，
norquithoveringabouthimonhismarchuntiltheyhadstolenanumberofhisbest
horsesandmules。Itwas，doubtless，thissamebandwhichcameuponthelonely
trapperonthePopoAgie，andgenerouslygavehimanoldbuffalorobeinexchangefor
hisrifle，histraps，andallhisaccoutrements。Withtheseanecdotes，weshall，for
present，takeourleaveoftheCrowcountryanditsvagabondchivalry。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter28[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter28Aregionofnaturalcuriosities——Theplainofwhiteclay——Hotsprings——TheBeer
Spring——Departuretoseekthefreetrappers——PlainofPortneuf——Lava——Chasmsand
gullies——BannackIndians——Theirhuntofthebuffalo——Hunter”sfeast——Trencher
heroes——Bullyingofanabsentfoe——Thedampcomrade——TheIndianspy——Meeting
withHodgkiss——Hisadventures——PoordevilIndians——Triumphofthe
Bannacks——BlackfeetpolicyinwarCROSSINGANELEVATEDRIDGE，CaptainBonnevillenowcameuponBearRiver，
which，fromitssourcetoitsentranceintotheGreatSaltLake，describesthefigureofa
horse-shoe。Oneoftheprincipalheadwatersofthisriver，althoughsupposedto
aboundwithbeaver，hasneverbeenvisitedbythetrapper；risingamongruggedmountains，andbeingbarricadoed[sic]byfallenpinetreesandtremendousprecipices。Proceedingdownthisriver，thepartyencamped，onthe6thofNovember，attheoutlet
ofalakeaboutthirtymileslong，andfromtwotothreemilesinwidth，completely
imbeddedinlowrangesofmountains，andconnectedwithBearRiverbyanimpassableswamp。ItiscalledtheLittleLake，todistinguishitfromthegreatoneofsaltwater。Onthe10thofNovember，CaptainBonnevillevisitedaplaceintheneighborhoodwhich
isquitearegionofnaturalcuriosities。Anareaofabouthalfamilesquarepresentsa
levelsurfaceofwhiteclayorfuller”searth，perfectlyspotless，resemblingagreatslabof
Parianmarble，orasheetofdazzlingsnow。Theeffectisstrikinglybeautifulatalltimes：
insummer，whenitissurroundedwithverdure，orinautumn，whenitcontrastsitsbright
immaculatesurfacewiththewitheredherbage。Seenfromadistanteminence，itthen
shineslikeamirror，setinthebrownlandscape。Aroundthisplainareclustered
numerousspringsofvarioussizesandtemperatures。Oneofthem，ofscaldingheat，
boilsfuriouslyandincessantly，risingtotheheightoftwoorthreefeet。Inanotherplace，
thereisanapertureintheearth，fromwhichrushesacolumnofsteamthatformsa
perpetualcloud。Thegroundforsomedistancearoundsoundshollow，andstartlesthe
solitarytrapper，ashehearsthetrampofhishorsegivingthesoundofamuffleddrum。
Hepicturestohimselfamysteriousgulfbelow，aplaceofhiddenfires，andgazesroundhimwithaweanduneasiness。Themostnotedcuriosity，however，ofthissingularregion，istheBeerSpring，of
which
trappersgivewonderfulaccounts。Theyaresaidtoturnasidefromtheirroutethrough
thecountrytodrinkofitswaters，withasmucheagernessastheArabseekssome
famouswellofthedesert。CaptainBonnevilledescribesitashavingthetasteofbeer。
Hismendrankitwithavidity，andincopiousdraughts。Itdidnotappeartohimto
possessanymedicinalproperties，ortoproduceanypeculiareffects。TheIndians，however，refusetotasteit，andendeavortopersuadethewhitemenfromdoingso。WehaveheardthisalsocalledtheSodaSpring，anddescribedascontainingironandsulphur。ItprobablypossessessomeofthepropertiesoftheBallstonwater。ThetimehadnowarrivedforCaptainBonnevilletogoinquestofthepartyoffree
trappers，detachedinthebeginningofJuly，underthecommandofMr。Hodgkiss，to
trapupontheheadwatersofSalmonRiver。Hisintentionwastounitethemwiththe
partywithwhichhewasatpresenttravelling，thatallmightgointoquarterstogetherfor
thewinter。Accordingly，onthe11thofNovember，hetookatemporaryleaveofhis
band，appointingarendezvousonSnakeRiver，and，accompaniedbythreemen，set
outuponhisjourney。HisroutelayacrosstheplainofthePortneuf，atributarystreamof
SnakeRiver，calledafteranunfortunateCanadiantrappermurderedbytheIndians。
Thewholecountrythroughwhichhepassedboreevidenceofvolcanicconvulsionsand
conflagrationsintheoldentime。Greatmassesoflavalayscatteredaboutinevery
direction；thecragsandcliffshadapparentlybeenundertheactionoffire；therocksin
someplacesseemedtohavebeeninastateoffusion；theplainwasrentandsplitwithdeepchasmsandgullies，someofwhichwerepartlyfilledwithlava。Theyhadnotproceededfar，however，beforetheysawapartyofhorsemen，galloping
fulltilttowardthem。Theyinstantlyturned，andmadefullspeedforthecovertofa
woodystream，tofortifythemselvesamongthetrees。TheIndianscametoahalt，and
oneofthemcameforwardalone。HereachedCaptainBonnevilleandhismenjustas
theyweredismountingandabouttopostthemselves。Afewwordsdispelledall
uneasiness。Itwasapartyoftwenty-fiveBannackIndians，friendlytothewhites，and
theyproposed，throughtheirenvoy，thatbothpartiesshouldencamptogether，andhunt
thebuffalo，ofwhichtheyhaddiscoveredseverallargeherdshardby。Captain
Bonnevillecheerfullyassentedtotheirproposition，beingcurioustoseetheirmannerofhunting。Bothpartiesaccordinglyencampedtogetheronaconvenientspot，andpreparedforthe
hunt。TheIndiansfirstpostedaboyonasmallhillnearthecamp，tokeepalook-outfor
enemies。The“runners，“then，astheyarecalled，mountedonfleethorses，andarmed
withbowsandarrows，movedslowlyandcautiouslytowardthebuffalo，keepingas
muchaspossibleoutofsight，inhollowsandravines。Whenwithinaproperdistance，a
signalwasgiven，andtheyallopenedatoncelikeapackofhounds，withafullchorus
ofyells，dashingintothemidstoftheherds，andlaunchingtheirarrowstotherightand
left。Theplainseemedabsolutelytoshakeunderthetrampofthebuffalo，asthey
scouredoff。Thecowsinheadlongpanic，thebullsfuriouswithrage，utteringdeep
roars，andoccasionallyturningwithadesperaterushupontheirpursuers。Nothing
couldsurpassthespirit，grace，anddexterity，withwhichtheIndiansmanagedtheir
horses；wheelingandcoursingamongtheaffrightedherd，andlaunchingtheirarrows
withunerringaim。Inthemidstoftheapparentconfusion，theyselectedtheirvictims
withperfectjudgment，generallyaimingatthefattestofthecows，thefleshofthebull
beingnearlyworthless，atthisseasonoftheyear。Inafewminutes，eachofthehunters
hadcrippledthreeorfourcows。Asingleshotwassufficientforthepurpose，andthe
animal，oncemaimed，waslefttobecompletelydispatchedattheendofthechase。
Frequently，acowwaskilledonthespotbyasinglearrow。Inoneinstance，Captain
BonnevillesawanIndianshoothisarrowcompletelythroughthebodyofacow，sothat
itstruckinthegroundbeyond。Thebulls，however，arenotsoeasilykilledasthecows，
andalwayscostthehunterseveralarrows；sometimesmakingbattleuponthehorses，
andchasingthemfuriously，thoughseverelywounded，withthedartsstillstickingintheirflesh。Thegrandscamperofthehuntbeingover，theIndiansproceededtodispatchthe
animalsthathadbeendisabled；thencuttingupthecarcasses，theyreturnedwithloads
ofmeattothecamp，wherethechoicestpiecesweresoonroastingbeforelargefires，
andahunters”feastsucceeded；atwhichCaptainBonnevilleandhismenwerequalified，bypreviousfasting，toperformtheirpartswithgreatvigor。Somemenaresaidtowaxvalorousuponafullstomach，andsuchseemedtobethe
casewiththeBannackbraves，who，inproportionastheycrammedthemselveswith
buffalomeat，grewstoutofheart，until，thesupperatanend，theybegantochantwar
songs，settingforththeirmightydeeds，andthevictoriestheyhadgainedoverthe
Blackfeet。Warmingwiththetheme，andinflatingthemselveswiththeirowneulogies，
thesemagnanimousheroesofthetrencherwouldstartup，advanceashortdistance
beyondthelightofthefire，andapostrophizemostvehementlytheirBlackfeetenemies，
asthoughtheyhadbeenwithinhearing。Ruffling，andswelling，andsnorting，and
slappingtheirbreasts，andbrandishingtheirarms，theywouldvociferatealltheir
exploits；remindingtheBlackfeethowtheyhaddrenchedtheirtownsintearsandblood；
enumeratetheblowstheyhadinflicted，thewarriorstheyhadslain，thescalpstheyhad
broughtoffintriumph。Then，havingsaideverythingthatcouldstiraman”sspleenor
piquehisvalor，theywoulddaretheirimaginaryhearers，nowthattheBannackswere
fewinnumber，tocomeandtaketheirrevenge——receivingnoreplytothisvalorous
bravado，theywouldconcludebyallkindsofsneersandinsults，deridingtheBlackfeet
fordastardsandpoltroons，thatdarednotaccepttheirchallenge。Suchisthekindof
swaggeringandrhodomontadeinwhichthe“redmen“arepronetoindulgeintheir
vaingloriousmoments；for，withalltheirvauntedtaciturnity，theyarevehementlyproneattimestobecomeeloquentabouttheirexploits，andtosoundtheirowntrumpet。Havingventedtheirvalorinthisfierceeffervescence，theBannackbravesgradually
calmeddown，loweredtheircrests，smoothedtheirruffledfeathers，andbetook
themselvestosleep，withoutplacingasingleguardovertheircamp；sothat，hadthe
Blackfeettakenthemattheirword，butfewofthesebraggartheroesmighthavesurvivedforanyfurtherboasting。Onthefollowingmorning，CaptainBonnevillepurchasedasupplyofbuffalomeatfrom
hisbraggadociofriends；who，withalltheirvaporing，wereinfactaveryforlornhorde，
destituteoffirearms，andofalmosteverythingthatconstitutesrichesinsavagelife。The
bargainconcluded，theBannackssetofffortheirvillage，whichwassituated，theysaid，
atthemouthofthePortneuf，andCaptainBonnevilleandhiscompanionsshapedtheircoursetowardSnakeRiver。Arrivedonthebanksofthatriver，hefounditrapidandboisterous，butnottoodeepto
beforded。Intraversingit，however，oneofthehorseswassweptsuddenlyfromhis
footing，andhisriderwasflungfromthesaddleintothemidstofthestream。Bothhorse
andhorsemanwereextricatedwithoutanydamage，exceptingthatthelatterwas
completelydrenched，sothatitwasnecessarytokindleafiretodryhim。Whilethey
werethusoccupied，oneofthepartylookingup，perceivedanIndianscoutcautiously
reconnoitringthemfromthesummitofaneighboringhill。Themomenthefoundhimself
discovered，hedisappearedbehindthehill。Fromhisfurtivemovements，Captain
BonnevillesuspectedhimtobeascoutfromtheBlackfeetcamp，andthathehadgone
toreportwhathehadseentohiscompanions。Itwouldnotdotoloiterinsucha
neighborhood，sothekindlingofthefirewasabandoned，thedrenchedhorseman
mountedindrippingcondition，andthelittlebandpushedforwarddirectlyintotheplain，
goingatasmartpace，untiltheyhadgainedaconsiderabledistancefromtheplaceof
supposeddanger。Hereencampingforthenight，inthemidstofabundanceofsage，or
wormwood，whichaffordedfodderfortheirhorses，theykindledahugefireforthe
benefitoftheirdampcomrade，andthenproceededtoprepareasumptuoussupperof
buffalohumpsandribs，andotherchoicebits，whichtheyhadbroughtwiththem。After
aheartyrepast，relishedwithanappetiteunknowntocityepicures，theystretched
themselvesupontheircouchesofskins，andunderthestarrycanopyofheaven，enjoyedthesoundandsweetsleepofhardyandwell-fedmountaineers。Theycontinuedontheirjourneyforseveraldays，withoutanyincidentworthyofnotice，
andonthe19thofNovember，cameupontracesofthepartyofwhichtheywerein
search；suchasburnedpatchesofprairie，anddesertedcampinggrounds。Allthese
werecarefullyexamined，todiscoverbytheirfreshnessorantiquitytheprobabletime
thatthetrappershadleftthem；atlength，aftermuchwanderingandinvestigating，they
cameupontheregulartrailofthehuntingparty，whichledintothemountains，and
followingitupbriskly，cameabouttwoo”clockintheafternoonofthe20th，uponthe
encampmentofHodgkissandhisbandoffreetrappers，inthebosomofamountainvalley。Itwillberecollectedthatthesefreetrappers，whoweremastersofthemselvesandtheir
movements，hadrefusedtoaccompanyCaptainBonnevillebacktoGreenRiverinthe
precedingmonthofJuly，preferringtotrapabouttheupperwatersoftheSalmonRiver，
wheretheyexpectedtofindplentyofbeaver，andalessdangerousneighborhood。
Theirhunthadnotbeenverysuccessful。Theyhadpenetratedthegreatrangeof
mountainsamongwhichsomeoftheupperbranchesofSalmonRivertaketheirrise，
buthadbecomesoentangledamongimmenseandalmostimpassablebarricadesof
fallenpines，andsoimpededbytremendousprecipices，thatagreatpartoftheir
seasonhadbeenwastedamongthesemountains。Atonetime，theyhadmadetheir
waythroughthem，andreachedtheBoiseeRiver；butmeetingwithabandofBannack
Indians，fromwhomtheyapprehendedhostilities，theyhadagaintakenshelteramong
themountains，wheretheywerefoundbyCaptainBonneville。Intheneighborhoodof
theirencampment，thecaptainhadthegoodfortunetomeetwithafamilyofthose
wanderersofthemountains，emphaticallycalled“lesdignesdepitie，“orPoordevil
Indians。These，however，appeartohaveforfeitedthetitle，fortheyhadwiththemafine
lotofskinsofbeaver，elk，deer，andmountainsheep。These，CaptainBonneville
purchasedfromthematafairvaluation，andsentthemoffastonishedattheirownwealth，andnodoubtobjectsofenvytoalltheirpitifultribe。BeingnowreinforcedbyHodgkissandhisbandoffreetrappers，CaptainBonnevilleput
himselfattheheadoftheunitedparties，andsetouttorejointhosehehadrecentlyleft
attheBeerSpring，thattheymightallgointowinterquartersonSnakeRiver。Onhis
route，heencounteredmanyheavyfallsofsnow，whichmeltedalmostimmediately，so
asnottoimpedehismarch，andonthe4thofDecember，hefoundhisotherparty，
encampedattheveryplacewherehehadpartakeninthebuffalohuntwiththeBannacks。Thatbraggarthordewasencampedbutaboutthreemilesoff，andwerejusttheninhigh
gleeandfestivity，andmoreswaggeringthanever，celebratingaprodigiousvictory。It
appearedthatapartyoftheirbravesbeingoutonahuntingexcursion，discovereda
bandofBlackfeetmoving，astheythought，tosurprisetheirhuntingcamp。The
Bannacksimmediatelypostedthemselvesoneachsideofadarkravine，throughwhich
theenemymustpass，and，justastheywereentangledinthemidstofit，attackedthem
withgreatfury。TheBlackfeet，struckwithsuddenpanic，threwofftheirbuffalorobes
andfled，leavingoneoftheirwarriorsdeadonthespot。Thevictorseagerlygatheredup
thespoils；buttheirgreatestprizewasthescalpoftheBlackfootbrave。Thistheybore
offintriumphtotheirvillage，whereithadeversincebeenanobjectofthegreatest
exultationandrejoicing。Ithadbeenelevateduponapoleinthecentreofthevillage，
wherethewarriorshadcelebratedthescalpdanceroundit，withwarfeasts，warsongs，
andwarlikeharangues。Ithadthenbeengivenuptothewomenandboys；whohad
paradeditupanddownthevillagewithshoutsandchantsandanticdances；occasionallysalutingitwithallkindsoftaunts，invectives，andrevilings。TheBlackfeet，inthisaffair，donotappeartohaveacteduptothecharacterwhichhas
renderedthemobjectsofsuchterror。Indeed，theirconductinwar，totheinexperienced
observer，isfullofinconsistencies；atonetimetheyareheadlongincourage，and
heedlessofdanger；atanothertimecautiousalmosttocowardice。Tounderstandthese
apparentincongruities，onemustknowtheirprinciplesofwarfare。Awarparty，however
triumphant，iftheyloseawarriorinthefight，bringbackacauseofmourningtotheir
people，whichcastsashadeoverthegloryoftheirachievement。Hence，theIndianis
oftenlessfierceandrecklessingeneralbattle，thanheisinaprivatebrawl；andthechiefsarecheckedintheirboldestundertakingsbythefearofsacrificingtheirwarriors。ThispeculiarityisnotconfinedtotheBlackfeet。AmongtheOsages，saysCaptain
Bonneville，whenawarriorfallsinbattle，hiscomrades，thoughtheymayhavefought
withconsummatevalor，andwonagloriousvictory，willleavetheirarmsuponthefield
ofbattle，andreturninghomewithdejectedcountenances，willhaltwithoutthe
encampment，andwaituntiltherelativesoftheslaincomeforthandinvitethemto
mingleagainwiththeirpeople。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter29[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter29WintercampatthePortneuf——Finesprings——TheBannackIndians——Their
honesty——CaptainBonnevillepreparesforanexpedition——Christmas——TheAmerican
Falls——Wildscenery——FishingFalls——SnakeIndians——SceneryontheBruneau——Viewof
volcaniccountryfromamountain——PowderRiver——Shoshokoes，orRoot
Diggers——Theircharacter，habits，habitations，dogs——VanityatitslastshiftINESTABLISHINGhiswintercampnearthePortnenf，CaptainBonnevillehaddrawn
offtosomelittledistancefromhisBannackfriends，toavoidallannoyancefromtheir
intimacyorintrusions。Insodoing，however，hehadbeenobligedtotakeuphis
quartersontheextremeedgeoftheflatland，wherehewasencompassedwithiceand
snow，andhadnothingbetterforhishorsestosubsistonthanwormwood。The
Bannacks，onthecontrary，wereencampedamongfinespringsofwater，wherethere
wasgrassinabundance。Someofthesespringsgushoutoftheearthinsufficient
quantitytoturnamill；andfurnishbeautifulstreams，clearascrystal，andfulloftroutofalargesize，whichmaybeseendartingaboutthetransparentwater。Winternowsetinregularly。Thesnowhadfallenfrequently，andinlargequantities，and
coveredthegroundtoadepthofafoot；andthecontinuedcoldnessoftheweatherpreventedanythaw。Bydegrees，adistrustwhichatfirstsubsistedbetweentheIndiansandthetrappers，
subsided，andgavewaytomutualconfidenceandgoodwill。Afewpresentsconvinced
thechiefsthatthewhitemenweretheirfriends；norwerethewhitemenwantingin
proofsofthehonestyandgoodfaithoftheirsavageneighbors。Occasionally，thedeep
snowandthewantoffodderobligedthemtoturntheirweakesthorsesouttoroamin
questofsustenance。IftheyatanytimestrayedtothecampoftheBannacks，theywere
immediatelybroughtback。Itmustbeconfessed，however，thatifthestrayhorse
happened，byanychance，tobeinvigorousplightandgoodcondition，thoughhewas
equallysuretobereturnedbythehonestBannacks，yetitwasalwaysafterthelapseof
severaldays，andinaverygauntandjadedstate；andalwayswiththeremarkthatthey
hadfoundhimalongwayoff。Theuncharitablewereapttosurmisethathehad，inthe
interim，beenwellusedupinabuffalohunt；butthoseaccustomedtoIndianmoralityin
thematterofhorseflesh，considereditasingularevidenceofhonestythatheshouldbebroughtbackatall。Beingconvinced，therefore，fromthese，andothercircumstances，thathispeoplewere
encampedintheneighborhoodofatribeashonestastheywerevaliant，andsatisfied
thattheywouldpasstheirwinterunmolested，CaptainBonnevillepreparedfora
reconnoitringexpeditionofgreatextentandperil。Thiswas，topenetratetothe
Hudson”sBayestablishmentsonthebanksoftheColumbia，andtomakehimself
acquaintedwiththecountryandtheIndiantribes；itbeingonepartofhisschemeto
establishatradingpostsomewhereonthelowerpartoftheriver，soastoparticipatein
thetradelosttotheUnitedStatesbythecaptureofAstoria。Thisexpeditionwould，of
course，takehimthroughtheSnakeRivercountry，andacrosstheBlueMountains，the
scenesofsomuchhardshipanddisastertoHuntandCrooks，andtheirAstorianbands，
whofirstexploredit，andhewouldhavetopassthroughitinthesamefrightfulseason，thedepthofwinter。Theideaofriskandhardship，however，onlyservedtostimulatetheadventurousspirit
ofthecaptain。Hechosethreecompanionsforhisjourney，putupasmallstockof
necessariesinthemostportableform，andselectedfivehorsesandmulesfor
themselvesandtheirbaggage。Heproposedtorejoinhisbandintheearlypartof
March，atthewinterencampmentnearthePortneuf。Allthesearrangementsbeing
completed，hemountedhishorseonChristmasmorning，andsetoffwithhisthree
comrades。TheyhaltedalittlebeyondtheBannackcamp，andmadetheirChristmas
dinner，which，ifnotaverymerry，wasaveryheartyone，afterwhichtheyresumedtheirjourney。Theywereobligedtotravelslowly，tosparetheirhorses；forthesnowhadincreasedin
depthtoeighteeninches；andthoughsomewhatpackedandfrozen，wasnotsufficiently
sotoyieldfirmfooting。Theirroutelaytothewest，downalongtheleftsideofSnake
River；andtheywereseveraldaysinreachingthefirst，orAmericanFalls。Thebanksof
theriver，foraconsiderabledistance，bothaboveandbelowthefalls，haveavolcanic
character：massesofbasalticrockarepiledoneuponanother；thewatermakesitsway
throughtheirbrokenchasms，boilingthroughnarrowchannels，orpitchinginbeautifulcascadesoverridgesofbasalticcolumns。Beyondthesefalls，theycametoapicturesque，butinconsiderablestream，calledthe
Cassie。Itrunsthroughalevelvalley，aboutfourmileswide，wherethesoilisgood；but
theprevalentcoldnessanddrynessoftheclimateisunfavorabletovegetation。Nearto
thisstreamthereisasmallmountainofmicaslate，includinggarnets。Granite，insmall
blocks，islikewiseseeninthisneighborhood，andwhitesandstone。Fromthisriver，the
travellershadaprospectofthesnowyheightsoftheSalmonRiverMountainstothenorth；thenearest，atleastfiftymilesdistant。Inpursuinghiscoursewestward，CaptainBonnevillegenerallykeptseveralmilesfrom
SnakeRiver，crossingtheheadsofitstributarystreams；thoughheoftenfoundthe
opencountrysoencumberedbyvolcanicrocks，astorendertravellingextremely
difficult。WheneverheapproachedSnakeRiver，hefounditrunningthroughabroad
chasm，withsteep，perpendicularsidesofbasalticrock。Afterseveraldays”travelacross
alevelplain，hecametoapartoftheriverwhichfilledhimwithastonishmentand
admiration。Asfarastheeyecouldreach，theriverwaswalledinbyperpendicularcliffs
twohundredandfiftyfeethigh，beetlinglikedarkandgloomybattlements，whileblocks
andfragmentslayinmassesattheirfeet，inthemidstoftheboilingandwhirling
current。Justabove，thewholestreampitchedinonecascadeabovefortyfeetinheight，
withathunderingsound，castingupavolumeofspraythathungintheairlikeasilver
mist。ThesearecalledbysometheFishingFalls，asthesalmonaretakenhereinimmensequantities。Theycannotgetbythesefalls。Afterencampingatthisplaceallnight，CaptainBonneville，atsunrise，descendedwith
hispartythroughanarrowravine，orrathercrevice，inthevastwallofbasalticrock
whichborderedtheriver；thisbeingtheonlymode，formanymiles，ofgettingtothemarginofthestream。Thesnowlayinathincrustalongthebanksoftheriver，sothattheirtravellingwas
muchmoreeasythanithadbeenhitherto。Therewerefoottracks，also，madebythe
natives，whichgreatlyfacilitatedtheirprogress。Occasionally，theymettheinhabitants
ofthiswildregion；atimidrace，andbutscantilyprovidedwiththenecessariesoflife。
Theirdressconsistedofamantleaboutfourfeetsquare，formedofstripsofrabbitskins
sewedtogether；thistheyhungovertheirshoulders，intheordinaryIndianmodeof
wearingtheblanket。Theirweaponswerebowsandarrows；thelattertippedwith
obsidian，whichaboundsintheneighborhood。Theirhutswereshapedlikehaystacks，
andconstructedofbranchesofwillowcoveredwithlonggrass，soastobewarmand
comfortable。Occasionally，theyweresurroundedbysmallinclosuresofwormwood，
aboutthreefeethigh，whichgavethemacottage-likeappearance。Threeorfourof
thesetenementswereoccasionallygroupedtogetherinsomewildandstriking
situation，andhadapicturesqueeffect。Sometimestheywereinsufficientnumberto
formasmallhamlet。Fromthesepeople，CaptainBonneville”spartyfrequently
purchasedsalmon，driedinanadmirablemanner，aswerelikewisetheroes。This
seemedtobetheirprimearticleoffood；buttheywereextremelyanxioustogetbuffalomeatinexchange。Thehighwallsandrocks，withinwhichthetravellershadbeensolonginclosed，now
occasionallypresentedopenings，throughwhichtheywereenabledtoascendtotheplain，andtocutoffconsiderablebendsoftheriver。Throughoutthewholeextentofthisvastandsingularchasm，thesceneryoftheriveris
saidtobeofthemostwildandromanticcharacter。Therockspresenteveryvarietyof
massesandgrouping。Numeroussmallstreamscomerushingandboilingthrough
narrowcleftsandravines：oneofaconsiderablesizeissuedfromthefaceofa
precipice，withintwenty-fivefeetofitssummit；andafterrunninginnearlyahorizontal
lineforaboutonehundredfeet，fell，bynumeroussmallcascades，totherockybankoftheriver。Initscareerthroughthisvastandsingulardefile，SnakeRiverisupwardofthree
hundredyardswide，andasclearasspringwater。Sometimesitstealsalongwitha
tranquilandnoiselesscourse；atothertimes，formilesandmiles，itdashesonina
thousandrapids，wildandbeautifultotheeye，andlullingtheearwiththesofttumultofplashingwaters。ManyofthetributarystreamsofSnakeRiver，rivalitinthewildnessand
picturesquenessoftheirscenery。ThatcalledtheBruneau；isparticularlycited。Itruns
throughatremendouschasm，ratherthanavalley，extendingupwardsofahundred
andfiftymiles。Youcomeuponitonasudden，intraversingalevelplain。Itseemsasif
youcouldthrowastoneacrossfromclifftocliff；yet，thevalleyisneartwothousand
feetdeep：sothattheriverlookslikeaninconsiderablestream。Basalticrocksrise
perpendicularly，sothatitisimpossibletogetfromtheplaintothewater，orfromthe
rivermargintotheplain。Thecurrentisbrightandlimpid。Hotspringsarefoundonthe
bordersofthisriver。Oneburstsoutofthecliffsfortyfeetabovetheriver，inastreamsufficienttoturnamill，andsendsupacloudofvapor。Wefindacharacteristicpictureofthisvolcanicregionofmountainsandstreams，
furnishedbythejournalofMr。Wyeth，whichliesbeforeus；whoascendedapeakinthe
neighborhoodwearedescribing。Fromthissummit，thecountry，hesays，appearsan
indescribablechaos；thetopsofthehillsexhibitthesamestrataasfarastheeyecan
reach；andappeartohaveonceformedthelevelofthecountry；andthevalleystobe
formedbythesinkingoftheearth，ratherthantherisingofthehills。Throughthedeep
cracksandchasmsthusformed，theriversandbrooksmaketheirway，whichrendersit
difficulttofollowthem。Allthesebasalticchannelsarecalledcutrocksbythetrappers。
Manyofthemountainstreamsdisappearintheplains；eitherabsorbedbytheirthirstysoil，andbytheporoussurfaceofthelava，orswallowedupingulfsandchasms。Onthe12thofJanuary(1834)，CaptainBonnevillereachedPowderRiver；muchthe
largeststreamthathehadseensinceleavingthePortneuf。Hestruckitaboutthree
milesaboveitsentranceintoSnakeRiver。Herehefoundhimselfabovethelower
narrowsanddefilesofthelatterriver，andinanopenandlevelcountry。Thenatives
nowmadetheirappearanceinconsiderablenumbers，andevincedthemostinsatiable
curiosityrespectingthewhitemen；sittingingroupsforhourstogether，exposedtothe
bleakestwinds，merelyforthepleasureofgazinguponthestrangers，andwatching
everymovement。TheseareofthatbranchofthegreatSnaketribecalledShoshokoes，
orRootDiggers，fromtheirsubsisting，inagreatmeasure，ontherootsoftheearth；
thoughtheylikewisetakefishingreatquantities，andhunt，inasmallway。Theyare，in
general，verypoor；destituteofmostofthecomfortsoflife，andextremelyindolent：but
amild，inoffensiverace。Theydiffer，inmanyrespects，fromtheotherbranchofthe
Snaketribe，theShoshonies；whopossesshorses，aremorerovingandadventurous，andhuntthebuffalo。Onthefollowingday，asCaptainBonnevilleapproachedthemouthofPowderRiver，he
discoveredatleastahundredfamiliesoftheseDiggers，astheyarefamiliarlycalled，
assembledinoneplace。Thewomenandchildrenkeptatadistance，perchedamong
therocksandcliffs；theireagercuriositybeingsomewhatdashedwithfear。Fromtheir
elevatedposts，theyscrutinizedthestrangerswiththemostintenseearnestness；
regardingthemwithalmostasmuchaweasiftheyhadbeenbeingsofasupernaturalorder。Themen，however，werebynomeanssoshyandreserved；butimportunedCaptain
Bonnevilleandhiscompanionsexcessivelybytheircuriosity。Nothingescapedtheir
notice；andanythingtheycouldlaytheirhandsonunderwentthemostminute
examination。Togetridofsuchinquisitiveneighbors，thetravellerskeptonforaconsiderabledistance，beforetheyencampedforthenight。Thecountry，hereabout，wasgenerallylevelandsandy；producingverylittlegrass，buta
considerablequantityofsageorwormwood。Theplainswerediversifiedbyisolated
hills，allcutoff，asitwere，aboutthesameheight，soastohavetabularsummits。Inthis
theyresembledtheisolatedhillsofthegreatprairies，eastoftheRockyMountains；especiallythosefoundontheplainsoftheArkansas。ThehighprecipiceswhichhadhithertowalledinthechannelofSnakeRiverhadnow
disappeared；andthebankswereoftheordinaryheight。Itshouldbeobserved，thatthe
greatvalleysorplains，throughwhichtheSnakeRiverwounditscourse，weregenerally
ofgreatbreadth，extendingoneachsidefromthirtytofortymiles；wheretheviewwasboundedbyunbrokenridgesofmountains。ThetravellersfoundbutlittlesnowintheneighborhoodofPowderRiver，thoughthe
weathercontinuedintenselycold。Theylearnedalesson，however，fromtheirforlorn
friends，theRootDiggers，whichtheysubsequentlyfoundofgreatserviceintheirwintry
wanderings。Theyfrequentlyobservedthemtobefurnishedwithlongropes，twisted
fromthebarkofthewormwood。Thistheyusedasaslowmatch，carryingitalways
lighted。Whenevertheywishedtowarmthemselves，theywouldgathertogetheralittledrywormwood，applythematch，andinaninstantproduceacheeringblaze。CaptainBonnevillegivesacheerlessaccountofavillageoftheseDiggers，whichhe
sawincrossingtheplainbelowPowderRiver。“Theylive，“sayshe，“withoutanyfurther
protectionfromtheinclemencyoftheseason，thanasortofbreak-weather，aboutthree
feethigh，composedofsage(orwormwood)，anderectedaroundthemintheshapeof
ahalfmoon。”Wheneverhemetwiththem，however，theyhadalwaysalargesuiteof
half-starveddogs：fortheseanimals，insavageaswellasincivilizedlife，seemtobetheconcomitantsofbeggary。Thesedogs，itmustbeallowed，wereofmoreusethanthebeggarycursofcities。The
Indianchildrenusedtheminhuntingthesmallgameoftheneighborhood，suchas
rabbitsandprairiedogs；inwhichmongrelkindofchasetheyacquittedthemselveswithsomecredit。