第9章
SometimestheDiggersaspiretonoblergame，andsucceedinentrappingtheantelope，
thefleetestanimaloftheprairies。Theprocessbywhichthisiseffectedissomewhat
singular。Whenthesnowhasdisappeared，saysCaptainBonneville，andtheground
becomesoft，thewomengointothethickestfieldsofwormwood，andpullingitupin
greatquantities，constructwithitahedge，aboutthreefeethigh，inclosingabouta
hundredacres。Asingleopeningisleftfortheadmissionofthegame。Thisdone，the
womenconcealthemselvesbehindthewormwood，andwaitpatientlyforthecomingof
theantelopes；whichsometimesenterthisspacioustrapinconsiderablenumbers。As
soonastheyarein，thewomengivethesignal，andthemenhastentoplaytheirpart。
Butoneofthementersthepenatatime；and，afterchasingtheterrifiedanimalsround
theinclosure，isrelievedbyoneofhiscompanions。Inthiswaythehunterstaketheir
turns，relievingeachother，andkeepingupacontinuedpursuitbyrelays，without
fatiguetothemselves。Thepoorantelopes，intheend，aresowearieddown，thatthe
wholepartyofmenenteranddispatchthemwithclubs；notoneescapingthathas
enteredtheinclosure。Themostcuriouscircumstanceinthischaseis，thatananimalso
fleetandagileastheantelope，andstrainingforitslife，shouldrangeroundandround
thisfatedinclosure，withoutattemptingtooverleapthelowbarrierwhichsurroundsit。Such，however，issaidtobethefact；andsuchtheironlymodeofhuntingtheantelope。Notwithstandingtheabsenceofallcomfortandconvenienceintheirhabitations，and
thegeneralsqualidnessoftheirappearance，theShoshokoesdonotappeartobe
destituteofingenuity。Theymanufacturegoodropes，andevenatolerablyfinethread，
fromasortofweedfoundintheirneighborhood；andconstructbowlsandjugsoutofa
kindofbasket-workformedfromsmallstripsofwoodplaited：these，bytheaidofalittle
wax，theyrenderperfectlywatertight。Besidetherootsonwhichtheymainlydependfor
subsistence，theycollectgreatquantitiesofseed，ofvariouskinds，beatenwithone
handoutofthetopsoftheplantsintowoodenbowlsheldforthatpurpose。Theseed
thuscollectediswinnowedandparched，andgroundbetweentwostonesintoakindofmealorflour；which，whenmixedwithwater，formsaverypalatablepasteorgruel。Someofthesepeople，moreprovidentandindustriousthantherest，layupastockof
driedsalmon，andotherfish，forwinter：withthese，theywerereadytotrafficwiththe
travellersforanyobjectsofutilityinIndianlife；givingalargequantityinexchangeforan
awl，aknife，orafish-hook。Otherswereinthemostabjectstateofwantandstarvation；
andwouldevengatherupthefish-boneswhichthetravellersthrewawayafterarepast，warmthemoveragainatthefire，andpickthemwiththegreatestavidity。ThefartherCaptainBonnevilleadvancedintothecountryoftheseRootDiggers，the
moreevidenceheperceivedoftheirrudeandforlorncondition。“Theyweredestitute，“
sayshe，“ofthenecessarycoveringtoprotectthemfromtheweather；andseemedto
beinthemostunsophisticatedignoranceofanyotherproprietyoradvantageintheuse
ofclothing。Oneolddamehadabsolutelynothingonherpersonbutathreadroundherneck，fromwhichwaspendantasolitarybead。”Whatstageofhumandestitution，however，istoodestituteforvanity！Thoughthese
nakedandforlorn-lookingbeingshadneithertoilettoarrange，norbeautyto
contemplate，theirgreatestpassionwasforamirror。Itwasa“greatmedicine，“intheir
eyes。Thesightofonewassufficient，atanytime，tothrowthemintoaparoxysmof
eagernessanddelight；andtheywerereadytogiveanythingtheyhadforthesmallest
fragmentinwhichtheymightbeholdtheirsqualidfeatures。Withthissimpleinstanceof
vanity，initsprimitivebutvigorousstate，weshallcloseourremarksontheRoot
Diggers。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter30[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter30Temperatureoftheclimate——RootDiggersonhorseback——AnIndian
guide——Mountainprospects——TheGrandRond——DifficultiesonSnake
River——AscrambleovertheBlueMountains——Sufferingsfrom
hunger——ProspectoftheImmahahValley——TheexhaustedtravellerTHETEMPERATUREoftheregionswestoftheRockyMountainsis
muchmilderthaninthesamelatitudesontheAtlanticside；the
upperplains，however，whichlieatadistancefromthesea-coast，aresubjectinwinterto
considerablevicissitude；being
traversedbylofty“sierras，“crownedwithperpetualsnow，which
oftenproduceflawsandstreaksofintensecoldThiswas
experiencedbyCaptainBonnevilleandhiscompanionsintheir
progresswestward。AtthetimewhentheylefttheBannacksSnake
Riverwasfrozenhard：astheyproceeded，theicebecamebroken
andfloating；itgraduallydisappeared，andtheweatherbecame
warmandpleasant，astheyapproachedatributarystreamcalled
theLittleWyer；andthesoil，whichwasgenerallyofawatery
clay，withoccasionalintervalsofsand，wassofttothetreadof
thehorses。Afteratime，however，themountainsapproachedand
flankedtheriver；thesnowlaydeepinthevalleys，andthecurrentwasoncemoreicebound。HeretheywerevisitedbyapartyofRootDiggers，whowere
apparentlyrisingintheworld，fortheyhad“horsetorideand
weapontowear，“andwerealtogetherbettercladandequipped
thananyofthetribethatCaptainBonnevillehadmetwith。They
werejustfromtheplainofBoiseeRiver，wheretheyhadlefta
numberoftheirtribe，allaswellprovidedasthemselves；having
guns，horses，andcomfortableclothing。Allthesetheyobtained
fromtheLowerNezPerces，withwhomtheywereinhabits[sic]of
frequenttraffic。Theyappearedtohaveimbibedfromthattribe
theirnoncombativeprinciples，beingmildandinoffensivein
theirmanners。Likethem，also，theyhadsomethingofreligious
feelings；forCaptainBonnevilleobservedthat，beforeeating，
theywashedtheirhands，andmadeashortprayer；whichhe
understoodwastheirinvariablecustom。FromtheseIndians，he
obtainedaconsiderablesupplyoffish，andanexcellentand
well-conditionedhorse，toreplaceonewhichhadbecometooweakforthejourney。Thetravellersnowmovedforwardwithrenovatedspirits；the
snow，itistrue，laydeeperanddeeperastheyadvanced，but
theytrudgedonmerrily，consideringthemselveswellprovidedforthejourney，whichcouldnotbeofmuchlongerduration。TheyhadintendedtoproceedupthebanksofGunCreek，astream
whichflowsintoSnakeRiverfromthewest；butwereassuredby
thenativesthattherouteinthatdirectionwasimpracticable。
ThelatteradvisedthemtokeepalongSnakeRiver，wherethey
wouldnotbeimpededbythesnow。TakingoneoftheDiggersfora
guide，theysetoffalongtheriver，andtotheirjoysoonfound
thecountryfreefromsnow，ashadbeenpredicted，sothattheir
horsesoncemorehadthebenefitoftolerablepasturage。Their
Diggerprovedanexcellentguide，trudgingcheerilyinthe
advance。Hemadeanunsuccessfulshotortwoatadeeranda
beaver；butatnightfoundarabbithole，whenceheextractedthe
occupant，uponwhich，withtheadditionofafishgivenhimby
thetravellers，hemadeaheartysupper，andretiredtorest，filledwithgoodcheerandgoodhumor。Thenextdaythetravellerscametowherethehillsclosedupon
theriver，leavinghereandthereintervalsofundulatingmeadow
land。Theriverwassheetedwithice，brokenintohillsatlong
intervals。TheDiggerkeptonaheadoftheparty，crossingand
recrossingtheriverinpursuitofgame，until，unluckily，
encounteringabrotherDigger，hestoleoffwithhim，withouttheceremonyofleave-taking。Beingnowlefttothemselves，theyproceededuntiltheycameto
someIndianhuts，theinhabitantsofwhichspokealanguage
totallydifferentfromanytheyhadyetheard。One，however，
understoodtheNezPercelanguage，andthroughhimtheymade
inquiriesastotheirroute。TheseIndianswereextremelykind
andhonest，andfurnishedthemwithasmallquantityofmeat；butnoneofthemcouldbeinducedtoactasguides。Immediatelyintherouteofthetravellerslayahighmountain，
whichtheyascendedwithsomedifficulty。Theprospectfromthe
summitwasgrandbutdisheartening。Directlybeforethemtowered
theloftiestpeaksofImmahah，risingfarhigherthanthe
elevatedgroundonwhichtheystood：ontheotherhand，theywere
enabledtoscanthecourseoftheriver，dashingalongthrough
deepchasms，betweenrocksandprecipices，untillostina
distantwildernessofmountains，whichclosedthesavagelandscape。Theyremainedforalongtimecontemplating，withperplexedand
anxiouseye，thiswildcongregationofmountainbarriers，and
seekingtodiscoversomepracticablepassage。Theapproachof
eveningobligedthemtogiveupthetask，andtoseeksome
campinggroundforthenight。Movingbrisklyforward，and
plungingandtossingthroughasuccessionofdeepsnow-drifts，
theyatlengthreachedavalleyknownamongtrappersasthe“GrandRond，“whichtheyfoundentirelyfreefromsnow。Thisisabeautifulandveryfertilevalley，abouttwentymiles
longandfiveorsixbroad；abrightcoldstreamcalledtheFourchedeGlace，orIceRiver，runsthroughit。Itssheltered
situation，embosomedinmountains，rendersitgoodpasturaging
groundinthewintertime；whentheelkcomedowntoitingreat
numbers，drivenoutofthemountainsbythesnow。TheIndians
thenresorttoittohunt。Theylikewisecometoitinthesummer
timetodigthecamashroot，ofwhichitproducesimmense
quantities。Whenthisplantisinblossom，thewholevalleyis
tintedbyitsblueflowers，andlooksliketheoceanwhenovercastbyacloud。Afterpassinganightinthisvalley，thetravellersinthe
morningscaledtheneighboringhills，tolookoutforamore
eligibleroutethanthatuponwhichtheyhadunluckilyfallen；
and，aftermuchreconnoitring，determinedtomaketheirwayonce
moretotheriver，andtotravelupontheicewhenthebanksshouldproveimpassable。Ontheseconddayafterthisdetermination，theywereagainupon
SnakeRiver，but，contrarytotheirexpectations，itwasnearly
freefromice。Anarrowribandranalongtheshore，andsometimes
therewasakindofbridgeacrossthestream，formedofoldice
andsnow。Forashorttime，theyjoggedalongthebank，with
tolerablefacility，butatlengthcametowheretheriverforced
itswayintotheheartofthemountains，windingbetween
tremendouswallsofbasalticrock，thatroseperpendicularlyfrom
thewater”sedge，frowninginbleakandgloomygrandeur。Here
difficultiesofallkindsbesettheirpath。Thesnowwasfromtwo
tothreefeetdeep，butsoftandyielding，sothatthehorseshad
nofoothold，butkeptplungingforward，strainingthemselvesby
perpetualefforts。Sometimesthecragsandpromontoriesforced
themuponthenarrowribandoficethatborderedtheshore；
sometimestheyhadtoscrambleovervastmassesofrockwhichhad
tumbledfromtheimpendingprecipices；sometimestheyhadto
crossthestreamuponthehazardousbridgesoficeandsnow，
sinkingtothekneeateverystep；sometimestheyhadtoscale
slipperyacclivities，andtopassalongnarrowcornices，glazed
withiceandsleet，ashoulderingwallofrockononeside，a
yawningprecipiceontheother，whereasinglefalsestepwould
havebeenfatal。Inalowerandlessdangerouspass，twooftheir
horsesactuallyfellintotheriver；onewassavedwithmuch
difficulty，buttheboldnessoftheshorepreventedtheirrescuingtheother，andhewassweptawaybytherapidcurrent。Inthiswaytheystruggledforward，manfullybravingdifficulties
anddangers，untiltheycametowherethebedoftheriverwas
narrowedtoamerechasm，withperpendicularwallsofrockthat
defiedallfurtherprogress。Turningtheirfacesnowtothe
mountain，theyendeavoredtocrossdirectlyoverit；but，after
clamberingnearlytothesummit，foundtheirpathclosedbyinsurmountablebarriers。Nothingnowremainedbuttoretracetheirsteps。Todescenda
craggedmountain，however，wasmoredifficultanddangerousthan
toascendit。Theyhadtolowerthemselvescautiouslyandslowly，
fromsteeptosteep；and，whiletheymanagedwithdifficultyto
maintaintheirownfooting，toaidtheirhorsesbyholdingon
firmlytotheropehalters，asthepooranimalsstumbledamong
slipperyrocks，orsliddownicydeclivities。Thus，afteraday
ofintensecold，andsevereandincessanttoil，amidstthe
wildestofscenery，theymanaged，aboutnightfall，toreachthe
campingground，fromwhichtheyhadstartedinthemorning，and
forthefirsttimeinthecourseoftheirruggedandperilous
expedition，felttheirheartsquailingundertheirmultipliedhardships。Aheartysupper，atranquillizingpipe，andasoundnight”s
sleep，putthemallinbettermood，andinthemorningtheyheld
aconsultationastotheirfuturemovements。Aboutfourmiles
behind，theyhadremarkedasmallridgeofmountainsapproaching
closelytotheriver。Itwasdeterminedtoscalethisridge，and
seekapassageintothevalleywhichmustliebeyond。Shouldthey
failinthis，butonealternativeremained。Tokilltheirhorses，
drythefleshforprovisions，makeboatsofthehides，and，in
these，committhemselvestothestream——ameasurehazardousintheextreme。Ashortmarchbroughtthemtothefootofthemountain，butits
steepandcraggedsidesalmostdiscouragedhope。Theonlychance
ofscalingitwasbybrokenmassesofrock，piledoneupon
another，whichformedasuccessionofcrags，reachingnearlyto
thesummit。Upthesetheywroughttheirwaywithindescribable
difficultyandperil，inazigzagcourse，climbingfromrockto
rock，andhelpingtheirhorsesupafterthem；whichscrambled
amongthecragslikemountaingoats；nowandthendislodgingsome
hugestone，which，themomenttheyhadleftit，wouldrolldown
themountain，crashingandreboundingwithterrificdin。Itwas
sometimeafterdarkbeforetheyreachedakindofplatformon
thesummitofthemountain，wheretheycouldventuretoencamp。
Thewinds，whichsweptthisnakedheight，hadwhirledallthe
snowintothevalleybeneath，sothatthehorsesfoundtolerable
winterpasturageonthedrygrasswhichremainedexposed。The
travellers，thoughhungryintheextreme，werefaintomakea
veryfrugalsupper；fortheysawtheirjourneywaslikelytobeprolongedmuchbeyondtheanticipatedterm。Infact，onthefollowingdaytheydiscernedthat，although
alreadyatagreatelevation，theywereonlyasyetuponthe
shoulderofthemountain。Itprovedtobeagreatsierra，or
ridge，ofimmenseheight，runningparalleltothecourseofthe
river，swellingbydegreestoloftypeaks，buttheoutlinegashed
bydeepandprecipitousravines。This，infact，wasapartofthe
chainofBlueMountains，inwhichthefirstadventurerstoAstoriaexperiencedsuchhardships。Wewillnotpretendtoaccompanythetravellersstepbystepin
thistremendousmountainscramble，intowhichtheyhad
unconsciouslybetrayedthemselves。Dayafterdaydidtheirtoil
continue；peakafterpeakhadtheytotraverse，strugglingwith
difficultiesandhardshipsknownonlytothemountaintrapper。As
theircourselaynorth，theyhadtoascendthesouthernfacesof
theheights，wherethesunhadmeltedthesnow，soastorender
theascentwetandslippery，andtokeepbothmenandhorses
continuallyonthestrain；whileonthenorthernsides，thesnow
layinsuchheavymasses，thatitwasnecessarytobeatatrack
downwhichthehorsesmightbeled。Everynowandthen，also，
theirwaywasimpededbytallandnumerouspines，someofwhichhadfallen，andlayineverydirection。Inthemidstofthesetoilsandhardships，theirprovisionsgave
out。Forthreedaystheywerewithoutfood，andsoreducedthat
theycouldscarcelydragthemselvesalong。Atlengthoneofthe
mules，beingabouttogiveoutfromfatigueandfamine，they
hastenedtodispatchhim。Husbandingthismiserablesupply，they
driedtheflesh，andforthreedayssubsisteduponthenutriment
extractedfromthebones。Astothemeat，itwaspackedand
preservedaslongastheycoulddowithoutit，notknowinghowlongtheymightremainbewilderedinthesedesolateregions。Oneofthemenwasnowdispatchedahead，toreconnoitrethe
country，andtodiscover，ifpossible，somemorepracticable
route。Inthemeantime，therestofthepartymovedonslowly。
Afteralapseofthreedays，thescoutrejoinedthem。Heinformed
themthatSnakeRiverranimmediatelybelowthesierraor
mountainousridge，uponwhichtheyweretravelling；thatitwas
freefromprecipices，andwasatnogreatdistancefromthemina
directline；butthatitwouldbeimpossibleforthemtoreachit
withoutmakingawearycircuit。Theironlycoursewouldbetocrossthemountainridgetotheleft。Upthismountain，therefore，thewearytravellersdirectedtheir
steps；andtheascent，intheirpresentweakandexhaustedstate，
wasoneoftheseverestpartsofthismostpainfuljourney。For
twodaysweretheytoilingslowlyfromclifftocliff，beatingat
everystepapaththroughthesnowfortheirfalteringhorses。At
lengththeyreachedthesummit，wherethesnowwasblownoff；but
indescendingontheoppositeside，theywereoftenplungingthroughdeepdrifts，piledinthehollowsandravines。Theirprovisionswerenowexhausted，andtheyandtheirhorses
almostreadytogiveoutwithfatigueandhunger；whenone
afternoon，justasthesunwassinkingbehindabluelineof
distantmountain，theycametothebrowofaheightfromwhich
theybeheldthesmoothvalleyoftheImmahahstretchedoutinsmilingverdurebelowthem。Thesightinspiredalmostafrenzyofdelight。Rousedtonew
ardor，theyforgot，foratime，theirfatigues，andhurrieddown
themountain，draggingtheirjadedhorsesafterthem，and
sometimescompellingthemtoslideadistanceofthirtyorforty
feetatatime。AtlengththeyreachedthebanksoftheImmahah。
Theyounggrasswasjustbeginningtosprout，andthewhole
valleyworeanaspectofsoftness，verdure，andrepose，
heightenedbythecontrastofthefrightfulregionfromwhich
theyhadjustdescended。Toaddtotheirjoy，theyobserved
Indiantrailsalongthemarginofthestream，andothersigns，
whichgavethemreasontobelievethattherewasanencampmentof
theLowerNezPercesintheneighborhood，asitwaswithintheaccustomedrangeofthatpacificandhospitabletribe。Theprospectofasupplyoffoodstimulatedthemtonewexertion，
andtheycontinuedonasfastastheenfeebledstateof
themselvesandtheirsteedswouldpermit。Atlength，oneofthe
men，moreexhaustedthantherest，threwhimselfuponthegrass，
anddeclaredhecouldgonofurther。Itwasinvaintoattemptto
rousehim；hisspirithadgivenout，andhisrepliesonlyshowed
thedoggedapathyofdespair。Hiscompanions，therefore，encamped
onthespot，kindledablazingfire，andsearchedaboutforroots
withwhichtostrength~nandrevivehim。Theyallthenmadea
starvelingrepast；butgatheringroundthefire，talkedoverpast
dangersandtroubles，soothedthemselveswiththepersuasionthat
allwerenowatanend，andwenttosleepwiththecomforting
hopethatthemorrowwouldbringthemintoplentifulquarters。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter31[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter31Progressinthevalley——AnIndiancavalier——Thecaptainfallsinto
alethargy——ANezPercepatriarch——Hospitabletreatment——Thebald
head——Bargaining——Valueofanoldplaidcloak——Thefamilyhorse——
ThecostofanIndianpresentATRANQUILNIGHT”SRESThadsufficientlyrestoredthebrokendown
travellertoenablehimtoresumehiswayfaring，andallhands
setforwardontheIndiantrail。Withalltheireagernessto
arrivewithinreachofsuccor，suchwastheirfeebleand
emaciatedcondition，thattheyadvancedbutslowly。Norisita
matterofsurprisethattheyshouldalmosthavelostheart，as
wellasstrength。Itwasnow(the16thofFebruary)fifty-three
daysthattheyhadbeentravellinginthemidstofwinter，
exposedtoallkindsofprivationsandhardships：andforthe
lasttwentydays，theyhadbeenentangledinthewildand
desolatelabyrinthsofthesnowymountains；climbingand
descendingicyprecipices，andnearlystarvedwithcoldandhunger。AllthemorningtheycontinuedfollowingtheIndiantrail，
withoutseeingahumanbeing，andwerebeginningtobe
discouraged，when，aboutnoon，theydiscoveredahorsemanata
distance。Hewascomingdirectlytowardthem；butondiscovering
them，suddenlyreineduphissteed，cametoahalt，and，after
reconnoitringthemforatimewithgreatearnestness，seemed
abouttomakeacautiousretreat。Theyeagerlymadesignsof
peace，andendeavored，withtheutmostanxiety，toinducehimto
approach。Heremainedforsometimeindoubt；butatlength，
havingsatisfiedhimselfthattheywerenotenemies，came
gallopinguptothem。Hewasafine，haughty-lookingsavage，
fancifullydecorated，andmountedonahigh-mettledsteed，with
gaudytrappingsandequipments。Itwasevidentthathewasa
warriorofsomeconsequenceamonghistribe。Hiswholedeportment
hadsomethinginitofbarbaricdignity；hefelt，perhaps，his
temporarysuperiorityinpersonalarray，andinthespiritofhis
steed，tothepoor，ragged，travel-worntrappersandtheirhalf-starvedhorses。Approachingthem
withanairofprotection，he
gavethemhishand，and，intheNezPercelanguage，invitedthem
tohiscamp，whichwasonlyafewmilesdistant；wherehehad
plentytoeat，andplentyofhorses，andwouldcheerfullysharehisgoodthingswiththem。Hishospitableinvitationwasjoyfullyaccepted：helingeredbut
amoment，togivedirectionsbywhichtheymightfindhiscamp，
andthen，wheelinground，andgivingthereinstohismettlesome
steed，wassoonoutofsight。Thetravellersfollowed，with
gladdenedhearts，butatasnail”space；fortheirpoorhorses
couldscarcelydragonelegaftertheother。CaptainBonneville，
however，experiencedasuddenandsingularchangeoffeeling。
Hitherto，thenecessityofconductinghisparty，andofproviding
againsteveryemergency，hadkepthisminduponthestretch，and
hiswholesystembracedandexcited。Innooneinstancehadhe
flaggedinspirit，orfeltdisposedtosuccumb。Now，however，
thatalldangerwasover，andthemarchofafewmileswould
bringthemtoreposeandabundance，hisenergiessuddenly
desertedhim；andeveryfaculty，mentalandphysical，wastotally
relaxed。Hehadnotproceededtwomilesfromthepointwherehe
hadhadtheinterviewwiththeNezPercechief，whenhethrew
himselfupontheearth，withoutthepowerorwilltomovea
muscle，orexertathought，andsankalmostinstantlyintoa
profoundanddreamlesssleep。Hiscompanionsagaincametoahalt，andencampedbesidehim，andtheretheypassedthenight。Thenextmorning，CaptainBonnevilleawakenedfromhislongand
heavysleep，muchrefreshed；andtheyallresumedtheircreeping
progress。Theyhadnotlongbeenonthemarch，wheneightorten
oftheNezPercetribecamegallopingtomeetthem，leadingfresh
horsestobearthemtotheircamp。Thusgallantlymounted，they
feltnewlifeinfusedintotheirlanguidframes，anddashing
forward，weresoonatthelodgesoftheNezPerces。Herethey
foundabouttwelvefamilieslivingtogether，underthe
patriarchalswayofanancientandvenerablechief。Hereceived
themwiththehospitalityofthegoldenage，andwithsomething
ofthesamekindoffare；for，whileheopenedhisarmstomake
themwelcome，theonlyrepasthesetbeforethemconsistedof
roots。Theycouldhavewishedforsomethingmoreheartyand
substantial；but，forwantofbetter，madeavoraciousmealon
thesehumbleviands。Therepastbeingover，thebestpipewas
lightedandsentround：andthiswasamostwelcomeluxury，
havinglosttheirsmokingapparatustwelvedaysbefore，amongthemountains。Whiletheywerethusenjoyingthemselves，theirpoorhorseswere
ledtothebestpasturesintheneighborhood，wheretheywere
turnedloosetorevelonthefreshsproutinggrass；sothattheyhadbetterfarethantheirmasters。CaptainBonnevillesoonfelthimselfquiteathomeamongthese
quiet，inoffensivepeople。Hislongresidenceamongtheir
cousins，theUpperNezPerces，hadmadehimconversantwiththeir
language，modesofexpression，andalltheirhabitudes。Hesoon
found，too，thathewaswellknownamongthem，byreport，at
least，fromtheconstantinterchangeofvisitsandmessages
betweenthetwobranchesofthetribe。Theyatfirstaddressed
himbyhisname；givinghimhistitleofcaptain，withaFrench
accent：buttheysoongavehimatitleoftheirown；which，as
usualwithIndiantitles，hadapeculiarsignification。Inthecaseofthecaptain，ithadsomewhatofawhimsicalorigin。Ashesatchattingandsmokinginthemidstofthem，hewould
occasionallytakeoffhiscap。Wheneverhedidso，therewasa
sensationinthesurroundingcircle。TheIndianswouldhalfrise
fromtheirrecumbentposture，andgazeuponhisuncoveredhead，
withtheirusualexclamationofastonishment。Theworthycaptain
wascompletelybald；aphenomenonverysurprisingintheireyes。
Theywereatalosstoknowwhetherhehadbeenscalpedin
battle，orenjoyedanaturalimmunityfromthatbelligerent
infliction。Inalittlewhile，hebecameknownamongthembyan
Indianname，signifying“thebaldchief。”“Asobriquet，“observes
thecaptain，“forwhichIcanfindnoparallelinhistorysincethedaysof”CharlestheBald。”“Althoughthetravellershadbanquetedonroots，andbeenregaled
withtobaccosmoke，yettheirstomachscravedmoregenerousfare。
InapproachingthelodgesoftheNezPerces，theyhadindulgedin
fondanticipationsofvenisonanddriedsalmon；anddreamsofthe
kindstillhauntedtheirimaginations，andcouldnotbeconjured
down。Thekeenappetitesofmountaintrappers，quickenedbya
fortnight”sfasting，atlengthgotthebetterofallscruplesof
pride，andtheyfairlybeggedsomefishorfleshfromthe
hospitablesavages。Thelatter，however，wereslowtobreakin
upontheirwinterstore，whichwasverylimited；butwereready
tofurnishrootsinabundance，whichtheypronouncedexcellent
food。Atlength，CaptainBonnevillethoughtofameansofattainingthemuch-covetedgratification。Hehadabouthim，hesays，atrustyplaid；anoldandvalued
travellingcompanionandcomforter；uponwhichtherainshad
descended，andthesnowsandwindsbeaten，withoutfurthereffect
thansomewhattotarnishitsprimitivelustre。Thiscoatofmany
colorshadexcitedtheadmiration，andinflamedthecovetousness
ofbothwarriorsandsquaws，toanextravagantdegree。Anidea
nowoccurredtoCaptainBonneville，toconvertthisrainbow
garmentintothesavoryviandssomuchdesired。Therewasa
momentarystruggleinhismind，betweenoldassociationsand
projectedindulgence；andhisdecisioninfavorofthelatterwas
made，hesays，withagreaterpromptness，perhaps，thantrue
tasteandsentimentmighthaverequired。Inafewmoments，his
plaidcloakwascutintonumerousstrips。“Ofthese，“continues
he，“withthenewlydevelopedtalentofaman-milliner，I
speedilyconstructedturbansalaTurque，andfancifulhead-gears
ofdiversconformations。These，judiciouslydistributedamong
suchofthewomenkindasseemedofmostconsequenceandinterest
intheeyesofthepatresconscripti，broughtus，inalittle
while，abundanceofdriedsalmonanddeers”hearts；onwhichwe
madeasumptoussupper。Another，andamoresatisfactorysmoke，
succeededthisrepast，andsweetslumbersansweringthepeaceful
invocationofourpipes，wrappedusinthatdeliciousrest，which
isonlywonbytoilandtravail。”AstoCaptainBonneville，he
sleptinthelodgeofthevenerablepatriarch，whohadevidently
conceivedamostdisinterestedaffectionforhim；aswasshownon
thefollowingmorning。Thetravellers，invigoratedbyagood
supper，and“freshfromthebathofrepose，“wereabouttoresume
theirjourney，whenthisaffectionateoldchieftookthecaptain
aside，tolethimknowhowmuchhelovedhim。Asaproofofhis
regard，hehaddeterminedtogivehimafinehorse，whichwould
gofurtherthanwords，andputhisgoodwillbeyondallquestion。
Sosaying，hemadeasignal，andforthwithabeautifulyoung
horse，ofabrowncolor，wasled，prancingandsnorting，tothe
place。CaptainBonnevillewassuitablyaffectedbythismarkof
friendship；buthisexperienceinwhatisproverbiallycalled
“Indiangiving，“madehimawarethatapartingpledgewas
necessaryonhisownpart，toprovethathisfriendshipwas
reciprocated。Heaccordinglyplacedahandsomerifleinthehands
ofthevenerablechief，whosebenevolentheartwasevidentlytouchedandgratifiedbythisoutwardandvisiblesignofamity。Havingnow，ashethought，balancedthislittleaccountof
friendship，thecaptainwasabouttoshifthissaddletothis
noblegift-horsewhentheaffectionatepatriarchpluckedhimby
thesleeve，andintroducedtohimawhimpering，whining，
leathern-skinnedoldsquaw，thatmighthavepassedforan
Egyptianmummy，withoutdrying。“This，“saidhe，“ismywife；she
isagoodwife——Iloveherverymuch——Shelovesthehorse——she
loveshimagreatdeal——shewillcryverymuchatlosinghim——I
donotknowhowIshallcomforther——andthatmakesmyheartverysore。”Whatcouldtheworthycaptaindo，toconsolethetender-hearted
oldsquaw，and，peradventure，tosavethevenerablepatriarch
fromacurtainlecture？Hebethoughthimselfofapairofear-bobs：itwastrue，thepatriarch”s
better-halfwasofanageand
appearancethatseemedtoputpersonalvanityoutofthe
question，butwhenispersonalvanityextinct？Themomenthe
producedtheglitteringearbobs，thewhimperingandwhiningof
thesempiternalbeldamewasatanend。Sheeagerlyplacedthe
preciousbaublesinherears，and，thoughasuglyastheWitchof
Endor，wentoffwithasidelinggaitandcoquettishair，asthoughshehadbeenaperfectSemiramis。Thecaptainhadnowsaddledhisnewlyacquiredsteed，andhis
footwasinthestirrup，whentheaffectionatepatriarchagain
steppedforward，andpresentedtohimayoungPierced-nose，who
hadapeculiarlysulkylook。“This，“saidthevenerablechief，
“ismyson：heisverygood；agreathorseman——healwaystook
careofthisveryfinehorse——hebroughthimupfromacolt，and
madehimwhatheis——Heisveryfondofthisfinehorse——heloves
himlikeabrother——hisheartwillbeveryheavywhenthisfinehorseleavesthecamp。”Whatcouldthecaptaindo，torewardtheyouthfulhopeofthis
venerablepair，andcomforthimforthelossofhisfoster-brother，thehorse？Hebethoughthimof
ahatchet，whichmightbe
sparedfromhisslenderstores。Nosoonerdidheplacethe
implementintothehandsoftheyounghopeful，thanhis
countenancebrightenedup，andhewentoffrejoicinginhis
hatchet，tothefullasmuchasdidhisrespectablemotherinherear-bobs。Thecaptainwasnowinthesaddle，andabouttostart，whenthe
affectionateoldpatriarchsteppedforward，forthethirdtime，
and，whilehelaidonehandgentlyonthemaneofthehorse，held
uptherifleintheother。“Thisrifle，“saidhe，“shallbemy
greatmedicine。Iwillhugittomyheart——Iwillalwaysloveit，
forthesakeofmygoodfriend，thebald-headedchief——Buta
rifle，byitself，isdumb——Icannotmakeitspeak。IfIhada
littlepowderandball，Iwouldtakeitoutwithme，andwould
nowandthenshootadeer；andwhenIbroughtthemeathometomy
hungryfamily，Iwouldsay——Thiswaskilledbytherifleofmy
friend，thebald-headedchief，towhomIgavethatveryfinehorse。”Therewasnoresistingthisappeal；thecaptain，forthwith，
furnishedthecovetedsupplyofpowderandball；butatthesame
time，putspurstohisveryfinegift-horse，andthefirsttrial
ofhisspeedwastogetoutofallfurthermanifestationof
friendship，onthepartoftheaffectionateoldpatriarchandhis
insinuatingfamily。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter32[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter32NezPercecamp——Achiefwithahardname——TheBigHeartsofthe
East——Hospitabletreatment——TheIndianguides——Mysterious
councils——Theloquaciouschief——Indiantomb——GrandIndian
reception——AnIndianfeast——Town-criers——HonestyoftheNezPerces——Thecaptain”sattemptathealing。FOLLOWINGTHECOURSEoftheImmahah，CaptainBonnevilleandhis
threecompanionssoonreachedthevicinityofSnakeRiver。Their
routenowlayoverasuccessionofsteepandisolatedhills，with
profoundvalleys。Onthesecondday，aftertakingleaveofthe
affectionateoldpatriarch，astheyweredescendingintooneof
thosedeepandabruptintervals，theydescriedasmoke，and
shortlyafterwardcameinsightofasmallencampmentofNezPerces。TheIndians，whentheyascertainedthatitwasapartyofwhite
menapproaching，greetedthemwithasaluteoffirearms，and
invitedthemtoencamp。Thisbandwaslikewiseundertheswayof
avenerablechiefnamedYo-mus-ro-y-e-cut；anamewhichweshall
becarefulnottoinflictoftenerthanisnecessaryuponthe
readerThisancientandhard-namedchieftainwelcomedCaptain
Bonnevilletohiscampwiththesamehospitalityandloving
kindnessthathehadexperiencedfromhispredecessor。Hetold
thecaptainhehadoftenheardoftheAmericansandtheir
generousdeeds，andthathisbuffalobrethren(theUpperNez
Perces)hadalwaysspokenofthemastheBig-heartedwhitesoftheEast，theverygoodfriendsoftheNezPerces。CaptainBonnevillefeltsomewhatuneasyundertheresponsibility
ofthismagnanimousbutcostlyappellation；andbegantofearhe
mightbeinvolvedinasecondinterchangeofpledgesof
friendship。Hehastened，therefore，tolettheoldchiefknowhis
poverty-strickenstate，andhowlittletherewastobeexpectedfromhim。Heinformedhimthatheandhiscomradeshadlongresidedamong
theUpperNezPerces，andlovedthemsomuch，thattheyhad
throwntheirarmsaroundthem，andnowheldthemclosetotheir
hearts。ThathehadreceivedsuchgoodaccountsfromtheUpper
NezPercesoftheircousins，theLowerNezPerce-s，thathehad
becomedesirousofknowingthemasfriendsandbrothers。Thathe
andhiscompanionshadaccordinglyloadedamulewithpresents
andsetoffforthecountryoftheLowerNezPerces；but，
unfortunately，hadbeenentrappedformanydaysamongthesnowy
mountains；andthatthemulewithallthepresentshadfallen
intoSnakeRiver，andbeensweptawaybytherapidcurrent。That
instead，therefore，ofarrivingamongtheirfriends，theNez
Perces，withlightheartsandfullhands，theycamenaked，
hungry，andbrokendown；andinsteadofmakingthempresents，
mustdependuponthemevenforfood。“But，“concludedhe，“weare
goingtothewhitemen”sfortontheWallah-Wallah，andwillsoon
return；andthenwewillmeetourNezPercefriendslikethetrueBigHeartsoftheEast。”Whetherthehintthrownoutinthelatterpartofthespeechhad
anyeffect，orwhethertheoldchiefactedfromthehospitable
feelingswhich，accordingtothecaptain，arereallyinherentin
theNezPercetribe，hecertainlyshowednodispositiontorelax
hisfriendshiponlearningthedestitutecircumstancesofhis
guests。Onthecontrary，heurgedthecaptaintoremainwiththem
untilthefollowingday，whenhewouldaccompanyhimonhis
journey，andmakehimacquaintedwithallhispeople。Inthe
meantime，hewouldhaveacoltkilled，andcutupfortravelling
provisions。This，hecarefullyexplained，wasintendednotasan
articleoftraffic，butasagift；forhesawthathisguestswerehungryandinneedoffood。CaptainBonnevillegladlyassentedtothishospitable
arrangement。Thecarcassofthecoltwasforthcomingindue
season，butthecaptaininsistedthatonehalfofitshouldbesetapartfortheuseofthechieftain”sfamily。Atanearlyhourofthefollowingmorning，thelittleparty
resumedtheirjourney，accompaniedbytheoldchiefandanIndian
guide。Theirroutewasoveraruggedandbrokencountry；where
thehillswereslipperywithiceandsnow。Theirhorses，too，
weresoweakandjaded，thattheycouldscarcelyclimbthesteep
ascents，ormaintaintheirfootholdonthefrozendeclivities。
Throughoutthewholeofthejourney，theoldchiefandtheguide
wereunremittingintheirgoodoffices，andcontinuallyonthe
alerttoselectthebestroads，andassistthemthroughall
difficulties。Indeed，thecaptainandhiscomradeshadtobe
dependentontheirIndianfriendsforalmosteverything，for
theyhadlosttheirtobaccoandpipes，thosegreatcomfortsof
thetrapper，andhadbutafewchargesofpowderleft，whichitwasnecessarytohusbandforthepurposeoflightingtheirfires。Inthecourseofthedaytheoldchiefhadseveralprivate
consultationswiththeguide，andshowedevidentsignsofbeing
occupiedwithsomemysteriousmatterofmightyimport。Whatit
was，CaptainBonnevillecouldnotfathom，nordidhemakemuch
efforttodoso。Fromsomecasualsentencesthatheoverheard，he
perceivedthatitwassomethingfromwhichtheoldmanpromised
himselfmuchsatisfaction，andtowhichheattachedalittle
vainglorybutwhichhewishedtokeepasecret；sohesufferedhimtospinouthispettyplansunmolested。Intheeveningwhentheyencamped，theoldchiefandhisprivy
counsellor，theguide，hadanothermysteriouscolloquy，after
whichtheguidemountedhishorseanddepartedonsomesecret
mission，whilethechiefresumedhisseatatthefire，andsathummingtohimselfinapleasingbutmysticreverie。Thenextmorning，thetravellersdescendedintothevalleyofthe
Way-lee-way，aconsiderabletributaryofSnakeRiver。Herethey
mettheguidereturningfromhissecreterrand。Anotherprivate
conferencewasheldbetweenhimandtheoldmanagingchief，who
nowseemedmoreinflatedthaneverwithmysteryandself-importance。Numerousfreshtrails，
andvariousothersigns，
persuadedCaptainBonnevillethattheremustbeaconsiderable
villageofNezPercesintheneighborhood；butashisworthy
companion，theoldchief，saidnothingonthesubject，andasit
appearedtobeinsomewayconnectedwithhissecretoperations，
heaskednoquestions，butpatientlyawaitedthedevelopmentofhismystery。Astheyjourneyedon，theycametowheretwoorthreeIndians
werebathinginasmallstream。Thegoodoldchiefimmediately
cametoahalt，andhadalongconversationwiththem，inthe
courseofwhichherepeatedtothemthewholehistorywhich
CaptainBonnevillehadrelatedtohim。Infact，heseemstohave
beenaverysociable，communicativeoldman；bynomeans
afflictedwiththattaciturnitygenerallychargeduponthe
Indians。Onthecontrary，hewasfondoflongtalksandlong
smokings，andevidentlywasproudofhisnewfriend，thebald-headedchief，andtookapleasure
insoundinghispraises，andsettingforththepowerandgloryoftheBigHeartsoftheEast。Havingdisburdenedhimselfofeverythinghehadtorelatetohis
bathingfriends，heleftthemtotheiraquaticdisports，and
proceededonwardwiththecaptainandhiscompanions。Asthey
approachedtheWay-lee-way，however，thecommunicativeoldchief
metwithanotherandaverydifferentoccasiontoexerthis
colloquialpowers。Onthebanksoftheriverstoodanisolated
moundcoveredwithgrass。Hepointedtoitwithsomeemotion。
“Thebigheartandthestrongarm，“saidhe，“lieburiedbeneaththatsod。”Itwas，infact，thegraveofoneofhisfriends；achosen
warriorofthetribe；whohadbeenslainonthisspotwhenin
pursuitofawarpartyofShoshokoes，whohadstolenthehorses
ofthevillage。Theenemyboreoffhisscalpasatrophy；buthis
friendsfoundhisbodyinthislonelyplace，andcommitteditto
theearthwithceremonialscharacteristicoftheirpiousand
reverentialfeelings。Theygatheredroundthegraveandmourned；
thewarriorsweresilentintheirgrief；butthewomenand
childrenbewailedtheirlosswithloudlamentations。“Forthree
days，“saidtheoldman，“weperformedthesolemndancesforthe
dead，andprayedtheGreatSpiritthatourbrothermightbehappy
inthelandofbravewarriorsandhunters。Thenwekilledathis
gravefifteenofourbestandstrongesthorses，toservehimwhen
heshouldarriveatthehappyhuntinggrounds；andhavingdoneallthis，wereturnedsorrowfullytoourhomes。”Whilethechiefwasstilltalking，anIndianscoutcamegalloping
up，and，presentinghimwithapowder-horn，wheeledround，and
wasspeedilyoutofsight。Theeyesoftheoldchiefnow
brightened；andallhisself-importancereturned。Hispetty
mysterywasabouttoexplode。TurningtoCaptainBonneville，he
pointedtoahillhardby，andinformedhim，thatbehinditwasa
villagegovernedbyalittlechief，whomhehadnotifiedofthe
approachofthebald-headedchief，andapartyoftheBigHearts
oftheEast，andthathewaspreparedtoreceivetheminbecoming
style。As，amongotherceremonials，heintendedtosalutethem
withadischargeoffirearms，hehadsentthehornofgunpowder
thattheymightreturnthesaluteinamannercorrespondenttohisdignity。