第10章
Theynowproceededonuntiltheydoubledthepointofthehill，
whenthewholepopulationofthevillagebrokeupontheirview，
drawnoutinthemostimposingstyle，andarrayedinalltheir
finery。Theeffectofthewholewaswildandfantastic，yet
singularlystriking。Inthefrontrankwerethechiefsand
principalwarriors，glaringlypaintedanddecorated；behindthemwerearrangedtherestofthepeople，men，women，andchildren。CaptainBonnevilleandhispartyadvancedslowly，exchanging
salutesoffirearms。Whenarrivedwithinarespectfuldistance，
theydismounted。Thechiefsthencameforwardsuccessively，
accordingtotheirrespectivecharactersandconsequence，to
offerthehandofgoodfellowship；eachfilingoffwhenhehad
shakenhands，tomakewayforhissuccessor。Thoseinthenext
rankfollowedinthesameorder，andsoon，untilallhadgiven
thepledgeoffriendship。Duringallthistime，thechief，
accordingtocustom，tookhisstandbesidetheguests。Ifanyof
hispeopleadvancedwhomhejudgedunworthyofthefriendshipor
confidenceofthewhitemen，hemotionedthemoffbyawaveof
thehand，andtheywouldsubmissivelywalkaway。WhenCaptain
Bonnevilleturneduponhimaninquiringlook，hewouldobserve，
“hewasabadman，“orsomethingquiteasconcise，andtherewasanendofthematter。Mats，poles，andothermaterialswerenowbrought，anda
comfortablelodgewassoonerectedforthestrangers，wherethey
werekeptconstantlysuppliedwithwoodandwater，andother
necessaries；andalltheireffectswereplacedinsafekeeping。
Theirhorses，too，wereunsaddled，andturnedloosetograze，andaguardsettokeepwatchuponthem。Allthisbeingadjusted，theywereconductedtothemainbuilding
orcouncilhouseofthevillage，whereanamplerepast，orrather
banquet，wasspread，whichseemedtorealizeallthe
gastronomicaldreamsthathadtantalizedthemduringtheirlong
starvation；forheretheybeheldnotmerelyfishandrootsin
abundance，butthefleshofdeerandelk，andthechoicestpieces
ofbuffalomeat。Itisneedlesstosayhowvigorouslythey
acquittedthemselvesonthisoccasion，andhowunnecessaryitwas
fortheirhoststopracticetheusualcrammingprincipleofIndianhospitality。Whentherepastwasover，alongtalkensued。Thechiefshowed
thesamecuriosityevincedbyhistribegenerally，toobtain
informationconcerningtheUnitedStates，ofwhichtheyknew
littlebutwhattheyderivedthroughtheircousins，theUpperNez
Perces；astheirtrafficisalmostexclusivelywiththeBritish
tradersoftheHudson”sBayCompany。CaptainBonnevilledidhis
besttosetforththemeritsofhisnation，andtheimportanceof
theirfriendshiptotheredmen，inwhichhewasablysecondedby
hisworthyfriend，theoldchiefwiththehardname，whodidallthathecouldtoglorifytheBigHeartsoftheEast。Thechief，andallpresent，listenedwithprofoundattention，and
evidentlywithgreatinterest；norweretheimportantfactsthus
setforth，confinedtotheaudienceinthelodge；forsentence
aftersentencewasloudlyrepeatedbyacrierforthebenefitofthewholevillage。Thiscustomofpromulgatingeverythingbycriers，isnotconfined
totheNezPerces，butprevailsamongmanyothertribes。Ithas
itsadvantagewheretherearenogazettestopublishthenewsof
theday，ortoreporttheproceedingsofimportantmeetings。And
infact，reportsofthiskind，vivavoce，madeinthehearingof
allparties，andliabletobecontradictedorcorrectedonthe
spot，aremorelikelytoconveyaccurateinformationtothe
publicmindthanthosecirculatedthroughthepress。Theoffice
ofcrierisgenerallyfilledbysomeoldman，whoisgoodfor
littleelse。Avillagehasgenerallyseveralofthesewalking
newspapers，astheyaretermedbythewhites，whogoabout
proclaimingthenewsoftheday，givingnoticeofpublic
councils，expeditions，dances，feasts，andotherceremonials，and
advertisinganythinglost。WhileCaptainBonnevilleremained
amongtheNezPerces，ifaglove，handkerchief，oranythingof
similarvalue，waslostormislaid，itwascarriedbythefinder
tothelodgeofthechief，andproclamationwasmadebyoneoftheircriers，fortheownertocomeandclaimhisproperty。Howdifficultitistogetatthetruecharacterofthese
wanderingtribesofthewilderness！Inarecentwork，wehavehad
tospeakofthistribeofIndiansfromtheexperienceofother
traderswhohadcasuallybeenamongthem，andwhorepresented
themasselfish，inhospitable，exorbitantintheirdealings，and
muchaddictedtothieving；CaptainBonneville，onthecontrary，
whoresidedmuchamongthem，andhadrepeatedopportunitiesof
ascertainingtheirrealcharacter，invariablyspeaksofthemas
kindandhospitable，scrupulouslyhonest，andremarkable，above
allotherIndiansthathehadmetwith，forastrongfeelingof
religion。Infact，soenthusiasticisheintheirpraise，thathe
pronouncesthem，allignorantandbarbarousastheyarebytheir
condition，oneofthepurestheartedpeopleonthefaceoftheearth。SomecureswhichCaptainBonnevillehadeffectedinsimplecases，
amongtheUpperNezPerces，hadreachedtheearsoftheircousins
here，andgainedforhimthereputationofagreatmedicineman。
Hehadnotbeenlonginthevillage，therefore，beforehislodge
begantobetheresortofthesickandtheinfirm。Thecaptain
feltthevalueofthereputationthusaccidentallyandcheaply
acquired，andendeavoredtosustainit。Ashehadarrivedatthat
agewheneverymanis，experimentally，somethingofaphysician，
hewasenabledtoturntoadvantagethelittleknowledgeinthe
healingartwhichhehadcasuallypickedup；andwassufficiently
successfulintwoorthreecases，toconvincethesimpleIndians
thatreporthadnotexaggeratedhismedicaltalents。Theonly
patientthateffectuallybaffledhisskill，orratherdiscouraged
anyattemptatrelief，wasanantiquatedsquawwithachurchyard
cough，andoneleginthegrave；itbeingshrunkandrendered
uselessbyarheumaticaffection。Thiswasacasebeyondhis
mark；however，hecomfortedtheoldwomanwithapromisethathe
wouldendeavortoprocuresomethingtorelieveher，atthefort
ontheWallah-Wallah，andwouldbringitonhisreturn；with
whichassuranceherhusbandwassowellsatisfied，thathe
presentedthecaptainwithacolt，tobekilledasprovisionsforthejourney：amedicalfeewhichwasthankfullyaccepted。WhileamongtheseIndians，CaptainBonnevilleunexpectedlyfound
anownerforthehorsewhichhehadpurchasedfromaRootDigger
attheBigWyer。TheIndiansatisfactorilyprovedthatthehorse
hadbeenstolenfromhimsometimeprevious，bysomeunknown
thief。“However，“saidtheconsideratesavage，“yougothimin
fairtrade——youaremoreinwantofhorsesthanIam：keephim；heisyours——heisagoodhorse；usehimwell。”Thus，inthecontinuedexperienceofactsofkindnessand
generosity，whichhisdestituteconditiondidnotallowhimto
reciprocate，CaptainBonnevillepassedsomeshorttimeamong
thesegoodpeople，moreandmoreimpressedwiththegeneral
excellenceoftheircharacter。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter33[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter33SceneryoftheWay-lee-way——Asubstitutefortobacco——SublimesceneryofSnake
River——Thegarrulousoldchiefandhiscousin——ANezPercemeeting——Astolen
skin——Thescapegoatdog——Mysteriousconferences——Thelittlechief——His
hospitality——Thecaptain”saccountoftheUnitedStates——HishealingskillINRESUMINGHISJOURNEY，CaptainBonnevillewasconductedbythesameNez
Perceguide，whoseknowledgeofthecountrywasimportantinchoosingtheroutesand
restingplaces。Healsocontinuedtobeaccompaniedbytheworthyoldchiefwiththe
hardname，whoseemedbentupondoingthehonorsofthecountry，andintroducing
himtoeverybranchofhistribe。TheWay-lee-way，downthebanksofwhichCaptain
Bonnevilleandhiscompanionswerenowtravelling，isaconsiderablestreamwinding
throughasuccessionofboldandbeautifulscenes。Sometimesthelandscapetowered
intoboldandmountainousheightsthatpartookofsublimity；atothertimes，itstretchedalongthewatersideinfreshsmilingmeadows，andgracefulundulatingvalleys。FrequentlyintheirroutetheyencounteredsmallpartiesoftheNezPerces，withwhom
theyinvariablystoppedtoshakehands；andwho，generally，evincedgreatcuriosity
concerningthemandtheiradventures；acuriositywhichneverfailedtobethoroughly
satisfiedbytherepliesoftheworthyYo-mus-ro-y-e-cut，whokindlytookuponhimselftobespokesmanoftheparty。Theincessantsmokingofpipesincidenttothelongtalksofthisexcellent，but
somewhatgarrulousoldchief，atlengthexhaustedallhisstockoftobacco，sothathe
hadnolongerawhiffwithwhichtoregalehiswhitecompanions。Inthisemergency，he
cutupthestemofhispipeintofineshavings，whichhemixedwithcertainherbs，and
thusmanufacturedatemporarysuccedaneumtoenablehimtoaccompanyhislongcolloquiesandharangueswiththecustomaryfragrantcloud。IfthesceneryoftheWay-lee-wayhadcharmedthetravellerswithitsmingledamenity
andgrandeur，thatwhichbrokeuponthemononcemorereachingSnakeRiver，filled
themwithadmirationandastonishment。Attimes，theriverwasoverhungbydarkand
stupendousrocks，risinglikegiganticwallsandbattlements；thesewouldberentby
wideandyawningchasms，thatseemedtospeakofpastconvulsionsofnature。
Sometimestheriverwasofaglassysmoothnessandplacidity；atothertimesitroared
alonginimpetuousrapidsandfoamingcascades。Here，therockswerepiledinthe
mostfantasticcragsandprecipices；andinanotherplace，theyweresucceededby
delightfulvalleyscarpetedwithgreen-award。Thewholeofthiswildandvariedscenery
wasdominatedbyimmensemountainsrearingtheirdistantpeaksintotheclouds。“The
grandeurandoriginalityoftheviews，presentedoneveryside，“saysCaptain
Bonneville，“beggarboththepencilandthepen。Nothingwehadevergazeduponin
anyotherregioncouldforamomentcompareinwildmajestyandimpressive
sternness，withtheseriesofsceneswhichhereateveryturnastonishedoursenses，andfilleduswithaweanddelight。”Indeed，fromallthatwecangatherfromthejournalbeforeus，andtheaccountsof
othertravellers，whopassedthroughtheseregionsinthememorableenterpriseof
Astoria，weareinclinedtothinkthatSnakeRivermustbeoneofthemostremarkable
forvariedandstrikingsceneryofalltheriversofthiscontinent。Fromitsheadwatersin
theRockyMountains，toitsjunctionwiththeColumbia，itswindingsareupwardofsix
hundredmilesthrougheveryvarietyoflandscape。Risinginavolcanicregion，amid
extinguishedcraters，andmountainsawfulwiththetracesofancientfires，itmakesits
waythroughgreatplainsoflavaandsandydeserts，penetratesvastsierrasor
mountainouschains，brokenintoromanticandoftenfrightfulprecipices，andcrowned
witheternalsnows；andatothertimes，careersthroughgreenandsmilingmeadows，
andwidelandscapesofItaliangraceandbeauty。Wildnessandsublimity，however，appeartobeitsprevailingcharacteristics。CaptainBonnevilleandhiscompanionshadpursuedtheirjourneyaconsiderable
distancedownthecourseofSnakeRiver，whentheoldchiefhaltedonthebank，and
dismounting，recommendedthattheyshouldturntheirhorsesloosetograze，whilehe
summonedacousinofhisfromagroupoflodgesontheoppositesideofthestream。
Hissummonswasquicklyanswered。AnIndian，ofanactiveelasticform，leapedintoa
lightcanoeofcotton-wood，andvigorouslyplyingthepaddle，soonshotacrosstheriver。
Boundingonshore，headvancedwithabuoyantairandfrankdemeanor，andgavehis
righthandtoeachofthepartyinturn。Theoldchief，whosehardnameweforbearto
repeat，nowpresentedCaptainBonneville，inform，tohiscousin，whosename，we
regrettosay，wasnolesshardbeingnothinglessthanHay-she-in-cow-cow。Thelatter
evincedtheusualcuriositytoknowallaboutthestrangers，whencetheycamewhither
theyweregoing，theobjectoftheirjourney，andtheadventurestheyhadexperienced。
Allthese，ofcourse，wereampleandeloquentlysetforthbythecommunicativeold
chief。Toallhisgrandiloquentaccountofthebald-headedchiefandhiscountrymen，the
BigHeartsoftheEast，hiscousinlistenedwithgreatattention，andrepliedinthe
customarystyleofIndianwelcome。Hethendesiredthepartytoawaithisreturn，and，
springingintohiscanoe，dartedacrosstheriver。Inalittlewhilehereturned，bringinga
mostwelcomesupplyoftobacco，andasmallstockofprovisionsfortheroad，declaring
hisintentionofaccompanyingtheparty。Havingnohorse，hemountedbehindoneofthemen，observingthatheshouldprocureasteedforhimselfonthefollowingday。Theyallnowjoggedonverysociablyandcheerilytogether。Notmanymilesbeyond，
theymetothersofthetribe，amongwhomwasone，whomCaptainBonnevilleandhis
comradeshadknownduringtheirresidenceamongtheUpperNezPerces，andwho
welcomedthemwithopenarms。Inthisneighborhoodwasthehomeoftheirguide，who
tookleaveofthemwithaprofusionofgoodwishesfortheirsafetyandhappiness。That
nighttheyputupinthehutofaNezPerce，wheretheywerevisitedbyseveralwarriors
fromtheothersideoftheriver，friendsoftheoldchiefandhiscousin，whocameto
haveatalkandasmokewiththewhitemen。Theheartofthegoodoldchiefwas
overflowingwithgoodwillatthusbeingsurroundedbyhisnewandoldfriends，andhe
talkedwithmorespiritandvivacitythanever。Theeveningpassedawayinperfect
harmonyandgood-humor，anditwasnotuntilalatehourthatthevisitorstooktheirleaveandrecrossedtheriver。AfterthisconstantpictureofworthandvirtueonthepartoftheNezPercetribe，we
grievetohavetorecordacircumstancecalculatedtothrowatemporaryshadeupon
thename。Inthecourseofthesocialandharmoniouseveningjustmentioned，oneof
thecaptain”smen，whohappenedtobesomethingofavirtuosoinhisway，andfondof
collectingcuriosities，producedasmallskin，agreatrarityintheeyesofmen
conversantinpeltries。Itattractedmuchattentionamongthevisitorsfrombeyondthe
river，whopasseditfromonetotheother，examineditwithlooksoflivelyadmiration，andpronounceditagreatmedicine。Inthemorning，whenthecaptainandhispartywereabouttosetoff，thepreciousskin
wasmissing。Searchwasmadeforitinthehut，butitwasnowheretobefound；andit
wasstronglysuspectedthatithadbeenpurloinedbysomeoftheconnoisseursfromtheothersideoftheriver。Theoldchiefandhiscousinwereindignantatthesupposeddelinquencyoftheirfriends
acrossthewater，andcalledoutforthemtocomeoverandanswerfortheirshameful
conduct。Theothersansweredtothecallwithallthepromptitudeofperfectinnocence，
andspurnedattheideaoftheirbeingcapableofsuchoutrageuponanyoftheBig-heartednation。
Allwereatalossonwhomtofixthecrimeofabstractingtheinvaluable
skin，whenbychancetheeyesoftheworthiesfrombeyondthewaterfelluponan
unhappycur，belongingtotheownerofthehut。Hewasagallows-lookingdog，butnot
moresothanmostIndiandogs，who，taketheminthemass，arelittlebetterthana
generationofvipers。Bethatasitmay，hewasinstantlyaccusedofhavingdevoured
theskininquestion。Adogaccusedisgenerallyadogcondemned；andadog
condemnedisgenerallyadogexecuted。Sowasitinthepresentinstance。The
unfortunatecurwasarraigned；histhievishlookssubstantiatedhisguilt，andhewas
condemnedbyhisjudgesfromacrosstherivertobehanged。InvaintheIndiansofthe
hut，withwhomhewasagreatfavorite，intercededinhisbehalf。InvainCaptain
Bonnevilleandhiscomradespetitionedthathislifemightbespared。Hisjudgeswere
inexorable。Hewasdoublyguilty：first，inhavingrobbedtheirgoodfriends，theBig
HeartsoftheEast；secondly，inhavingbroughtadoubtonthehonoroftheNezPerce
tribe。Hewas，accordingly，swungaloft，andpeltedwithstonestomakehisdeathmore
certain。Thesentenceofthejudgesbeingthoroughlyexecuted，apostmortem
examinationofthebodyofthedogwasheld，toestablishhisdelinquencybeyondall
doubt，andtoleavetheNezPerceswithoutashadowofsuspicion。Greatinterest，of
course，wasmanifestedbyallpresent，duringthisoperation。Thebodyofthedogwas
opened，theintestinesrigorouslyscrutinized，but，tothehorrorofallconcerned，notaparticleoftheskinwastobefound——thedoghadbeenunjustlyexecuted！Agreatclamornowensued，butthemostclamorouswasthepartyfromacrossthe
river，whosejealousyoftheirgoodnamenowpromptedthemtothemostvociferous
vindicationsoftheirinnocence。Itwaswiththeutmostdifficultythatthecaptainandhis
comradescouldcalmtheirlivelysensibilities，byaccountingforthedisappearanceof
theskininadozendifferentways，untilallideaofitshavingbeenstolenwasentirelyoutofthequestion。Themeetingnowbrokeup。Thewarriorsreturnedacrosstheriver，thecaptainandhis
comradesproceededontheirjourney；butthespiritsofthecommunicativeoldchief，
Yo-mus-ro-y-e-cut，wereforatimecompletelydampened，andheevincedgreat
mortificationatwhathadjustoccurred。Herodeoninsilence，except，thatnowandthen
hewouldgivewaytoaburstofindignation，andexclaim，withashakeoftheheadand
atossofthehandtowardtheoppositeshore”badmen，verybadmenacrossthe
river“；toeachofwhichbriefexclamations，hisworthycousin，Hay-she-in-cow-cow，wouldrespondbyagutturalsoundofacquiescence，equivalenttoanamen。Aftersometime，thecountenanceofthe-oldchiefagainclearedup，andhefellinto
repeatedconferences，inanundertone，withhiscousin，whichendedinthedeparture
ofthelatter，who，applyingthelashtohishorse，dashedforwardandwassoonoutof
sight。Infact，theyweredrawingneartothevillageofanotherchief，likewise
distinguishedbyanappellationofsomelongitude，O-pushy-e-cut；butcommonlyknown
asthegreatchief。Thecousinhadbeensentaheadtogivenoticeoftheirapproach；a
heraldappearedasbefore，bearingapowder-horn，toenablethemtorespondtothe
intendedsalute。Asceneensued，ontheirapproachtothevillage，similartothatwhich
hadoccurredatthevillageofthelittlechief。Thewholepopulationappearedinthefield，
drawnupinlines，arrayedwiththecustomaryregardtorankanddignity。Thencameon
thefiringofsalutes，andtheshakingofhands，inwhichlastceremonialeveryindividual，
man，woman，andchild，participated；fortheIndianshaveanideathatitisas
indispensableanovertureoffriendshipamongthewhitesassmokingofthepipeis
amongtheredmen。Thetravellerswerenextusheredtothebanquet，whereallthe
choicestviandsthatthevillagecouldfurnish，wereservedupinrichprofusion。They
wereafterwardsentertainedbyfeatsofagilityandhorseraces；indeed，theirvisittothe
villageseemedthesignalforcompletefestivity。Inthemeantime，askinlodgehadbeen
spreadfortheiraccommodation，theirhorsesandbaggageweretakencareof，and
woodandwatersuppliedinabundance。Atnight，therefore，theyretiredtotheir
quarters，toenjoy，astheysupposed，thereposeofwhichtheystoodinneed。Nosuch
thing，however，wasinstoreforthem。Acrowdofvisitorsawaitedtheirappearance，all
eagerforasmokeandatalk。Thepipewasimmediatelylighted，andconstantly
replenishedandkeptaliveuntilthenightwasfaradvanced。Asusual，theutmost
eagernesswasevincedbythegueststolearneverythingwithinthescopeoftheir
comprehensionrespectingtheAmericans，forwhomtheyprofessedthemostfraternal
regard。Thecaptain，inhisreplies，madeuseoffamiliarillustrations，calculatedtostrike
theirminds，andimpressthemwithsuchanideaofthemightofhisnation，aswould
inducethemtotreatwithkindnessandrespectallstragglersthatmightfallintheirpath。
TotheirinquiriesastothenumbersofthepeopleoftheUnitedStates，heassured
themthattheywereascountlessasthebladesofgrassintheprairies，andthat，great
asSnakeRiverwas，iftheywereallencampeduponitsbanks，theywoulddrinkitdryin
asingleday。Totheseandsimilarstatistics，theylistenedwithprofoundattention，and
apparently，implicitbelief。Itwas，indeed，astrikingscene：thecaptain，withhishunter”s
dressandbaldheadinthemidst，holdingforth，andhiswildauditorsseatedaroundlike
somanystatues，thefirelightinguptheirpaintedfacesandmuscularfigures，allfixed
andmotionless，exceptingwhenthepipewaspassed，aquestionpropounded，ora
startlingfactinstatisticsreceivedwithamovementofsurpriseandahalf-suppressedejaculationofwonderanddelight。Thefameofthecaptainasahealerofdiseases，hadaccompaniedhimtothisvillage，
andthegreatchief，O-push-y-e-cut，nowentreatedhimtoexerthisskillonhisdaughter，
whohadbeenforthreedaysrackedwithpains，forwhichthePierced-nosedoctors
coulddevisenoalleviation。Thecaptainfoundherextendedonapalletofmatsin
excruciatingpain。Herfathermanifestedthestrongestpaternalaffectionforher，and
assuredthecaptainthatifhewouldbutcureher，hewouldplacetheAmericansnear
hisheart。Theworthycaptainneedednosuchinducement。Hiskindheartwasalready
touchedbythesufferingsofthepoorgirl，andhissympathiesquickenedbyher
appearance；forshewasbutaboutsixteenyearsofage，anduncommonlybeautifulin
formandfeature。Theonlydifficultywiththecaptainwas，thatheknewnothingofher
malady，andthathismedicalsciencewasofamosthaphazardkind。Afterconsidering
andcogitatingforsometime，asamanisapttodowheninamazeofvagueideas，he
madeadesperatedashataremedy。Byhisdirections，thegirlwasplacedinasortof
rudevaporbath，muchusedbytheNezPerces，whereshewaskeptuntilnearfainting。
Hethengaveheradoseofgunpowderdissolvedincoldwater，andorderedhertobe
wrappedinbuffalorobesandputtosleepunderaloadoffursandblankets。The
remedysucceeded：thenextmorningshewasfreefrompain，thoughextremelylanguid；
whereupon，thecaptainprescribedforherabowlofcolt”sheadbroth，andthatsheshouldbekeptforatimeonsimplediet。Thegreatchiefwasunboundedinhisexpressionsofgratitudefortherecoveryofhis
daughter。Hewouldfainhavedetainedthecaptainalongtimeashisguest，butthe
timefordeparturehadarrived。Whenthecaptain”shorsewasbroughtforhimtomount，
thechiefdeclaredthatthesteedwasnotworthyofhim，andsentforoneofhisbest
horses，whichhepresentedinitsstead；declaringthatitmadehisheartgladtoseehis
friendsowellmounted。HethenappointedayoungNezPercetoaccompanyhisguest
tothenextvillage，and“tocarryhistalk“concerningthem；andthetwopartiesseparatedwithmutualexpressionsofgoodwill。ThevaporbathofwhichwehavemadementionisinfrequentuseamongtheNez
Percetribe，chieflyforcleanliness。Theirsweatinghouses，astheycallthem，aresmall
andcloselodges，andthevaporisproducedbywaterpouredslowlyuponred-hotstones。OnpassingthelimitsofO-push-y-e-cut”sdomains，thetravellerslefttheelevated
table-lands，andallthewildandromanticscenerywhichhasjustbeendescribed。Theynow
traversedagentlyundulatingcountry，ofsuchfertilitythatitexcitedtherapturous
admirationoftwoofthecaptain”sfollowers，aKentuckianandanativeofOhio。They
declaredthatitsurpassedanylandthattheyhadeverseen，andoftenexclaimedwhat
adelightitwouldbejusttorunaploughthroughsucharichandteemingsoil，andseeitopenitsbountifulpromisebeforetheshare。Anotherhaltandsojournofanightwasmadeatthevillageofachiefnamed
He-mim-el-pilp，wheresimilarceremonieswereobservedandhospitalityexperienced，asatthe
precedingvillages。Theynowpursuedawest-southwestcoursethroughabeautifuland
fertileregion，betterwoodedthanmostofthetractsthroughwhichtheyhadpassed。In
theirprogress，theymetwithseveralbandsofNezPerces，bywhomtheywere
invariablytreatedwiththeutmostkindness。Withinsevendaysafterleavingthedomain
ofHe-mim-el-pilp，theystrucktheColumbiaRiveratFortWallah-Wallah，wherethey
arrivedonthe4thofMarch，1834。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter34[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter34FortWallah-Wallah——Itscommander——Indiansinitsneighborhood——ExertionsofMr。
Pambrune
fortheirimprovement——Religion——Codeoflaws——RangeoftheLowerNezPerces——Camash，and
otherroots——NezPercehorses——Preparationsfordeparture——Refusalofsupplies——Departure——A
laggardandgluttonFORTWALLAH-WALLAHisatradingpostoftheHudson”sBayCompany，situatedjust
abovethemouthoftheriverbythesamename，andontheleftbankoftheColumbia。Itisbuilt
ofdrift-wood，andcalculatedmerelyfordefenceagainstanyattackofthenatives。Atthetimeof
CaptainBonneville”sarrival，thewholegarrisonmusteredbutsixoreightmen；andthepostwasunderthesuperintendenceofMr。Pambrune，anagentoftheHudson”sBayCompany。Thegreatpostandfortofthecompany，formingtheemporiumofitstradeonthePacific，is
Fort
Vancouver；situatedontherightbankoftheColumbia，aboutsixtymilesfromthesea，andjust
abovethemouthoftheWallamut。Tothispoint，thecompanyremoveditsestablishmentfromAstoria，in1821，afteritscoalitionwiththeNorthwestCompany。CaptainBonnevilleandhiscomradesexperiencedapolitereceptionfromMr。Pambrune，the
superintendent：for，howeverhostilethemembersoftheBritishCompanymaybetothe
enterprisesofAmericantraders，theyhavealwaysmanifestedgreatcourtesyandhospitalitytothetradersthemselves。FortWallah-Wallahissurroundedbythetribeofthesamename，aswellasbytheSkynses
and
theNezPerces；whobringtoitthefursandpeltriescollectedintheirhuntingexpeditions。The
Wallah-Wallahsareadegenerate，worn-outtribe。TheNezPercesarethemostnumerousand
tractableofthethreetribesjustmentioned。Mr。PambruneinformedCaptainBonnevillethathe
hadbeenatsomepainstointroducetheChristianreligion，intheRomanCatholicform，among
them，whereithadevidentlytakenroot；buthadbecomealteredandmodified，tosuittheir
peculiarhabitsofthought，andmotivesofaction；retaining，however，theprincipalpointsof
faith，anditsentirepreceptsofmorality。Thesamegentlemanhadgiventhemacodeoflaws，to
whichtheyconformedwithscrupulousfidelity。Polygamy，whichonceprevailedamongthemto
agreatextent，wasnowrarelyindulged。AllthecrimesdenouncedbytheChristianfaithmetwith
severepunishmentamongthem。Eventheft，sovenialacrimeamongtheIndians，hadrecentlybeenpunishedwithhanging，bysentenceofachief。Therecertainlyappearstobeapeculiarsusceptibilityofmoralandreligiousimprovement
among
thistribe，andtheywouldseemtobeoneofthevery，veryfewthathavebenefitedinmoralsand
mannersbyanintercoursewithwhitemen。Thepartieswhichvisitedthemabouttwentyyears
previously，intheexpeditionfittedoutbyMr。Astor，complainedoftheirselfishness，their
extortion，andtheirthievishpropensities。TheveryreverseofthosequalitiesprevailedamongthemduringtheprolongedsojournsofCaptainBonneville。TheLowerNezPercesrangeupontheWay-lee-way，Immahah，Yenghies，andotherofthe
streamswestofthemountains。Theyhuntthebeaver，elk，deer，whitebear，andmountainsheep。
Besidesthefleshoftheseanimals，theyuseanumberofrootsforfood；someofwhichwouldbe
wellworthtransplantingandcultivatingintheAtlanticStates。Amongtheseisthecamash，a
sweetroot，abouttheformandsizeofanonion，andsaidtobereallydelicious。Thecowish，also，
orbiscuitroot，aboutthesizeofawalnut，whichtheyreducetoaverypalatableflour；togetherwiththejackap，aisish，quako，andothers；whichtheycookbysteamingthemintheground。InAugustandSeptember，theseIndianskeepalongtherivers，wheretheycatchanddry
great
quantitiesofsalmon；which，whiletheylast，aretheirprincipalfood。Inthewinter，they
congregateinvillagesformedofcomfortablehuts，orlodges，coveredwithmats。Theyare
generallycladindeerskins，orwoollens，andextremelywellarmed。Aboveall，theyare
celebratedforowninggreatnumbersofhorses；whichtheymark，andthensuffertorangein
drovesintheirmostfertileplains。Thesehorsesareprincipallyoftheponybreed；butremarkably
stoutandlong-winded。TheyarebroughtingreatnumberstotheestablishmentsoftheHudson”sBayCompany，andsoldforameretrifle。SuchistheaccountgivenbyCaptainBonnevilleoftheNezPerces；who，ifnotviewedby
him
withtoopartialaneye，arecertainlyamongthegentlest，andleastbarbarouspeopleofthese
remotewildernesses。TheyinvariablysignifiedtohimtheirearnestwishthatanAmericanpost
mightbeestablishedamongthem；andrepeatedlydeclaredthattheywouldtradewithAmericans，inpreferencetoanyotherpeople。CaptainBonnevillehadintendedtoremainsometimeinthisneighborhood，toforman
acquaintancewiththenatives，andtocollectinformation，andestablishconnectionsthatmightbe
advantageousinthewayoftrade。Thedelays，however，whichhehadexperiencedonhis
journey，obligedhimtoshortenhissojourn，andtosetoffassoonaspossible，soastoreachthe
rendezvousatthePortneufattheappointedtime。Hehadseenenoughtoconvincehimthatan
Americantrademightbecarriedonwithadvantageinthisquarter；andhedeterminedsoontoreturnwithastrongerparty，morecompletelyfittedforthepurpose。Ashestoodinneedofsomesuppliesforhisjourney，heappliedtopurchasethemofMr。
Pambrune；butsoonfoundthedifferencebetweenbeingtreatedasaguest，orasarivaltrader。
Theworthysuperintendent，whohadextendedtohimallthegenialritesofhospitality，now
suddenlyassumedawithered-upaspectanddemeanor，andobservedthat，howeverhemightfeel
disposedtoservehim，personally，hefeltboundbyhisdutytotheHudson”sBayCompany，todo
nothingwhichshouldfacilitateorencouragethevisitsofothertradersamongtheIndiansinthat
partofthecountry。HeendeavoredtodissuadeCaptainBonnevillefromreturningthroughthe
BlueMountains；assuringhimitwouldbeextremelydifficultanddangerous，ifnot
impracticable，atthisseasonoftheyear；andadvisedhimtoaccompanyMr。Payette，aleaderof
theHudson”sBayCompany，whowasabouttodepartwithanumberofmen，byamore
circuitous，butsaferoute，tocarrysuppliestothecompany”sagent，residentamongtheUpper
NezPerces。CaptainBonneville，however，piquedathishavingrefusedtofurnishhimwith
supplies，anddoubtingthesincerityofhisadvice，determinedtoreturnbythemoredirectroute
throughthemountains；thoughvaryinghiscourse，insomerespects，fromthatbywhichhehadcome，inconsequenceofinformationgatheredamongtheneighboringIndians。Accordingly，onthe6thofMarch，heandhisthreecompanions，accompaniedbytheirNez
Perce
guides，setoutontheirreturn。Intheearlypartoftheircourse，theytouchedagainatseveralof
theNezPercevillages，wheretheyhadexperiencedsuchkindtreatmentontheirwaydown。Theywerealwayswelcomedwithcordiality；andeverythingwasdonetocheerthemontheirjourney。OnleavingtheWay-lee-wayvillage，theywerejoinedbyaNezPerce，whosesocietywas
welcomedonaccountofthegeneralgratitudeandgoodwilltheyfeltforhistribe。Hesoon
provedaheavycloguponthelittleparty，beingdoltishandtaciturn，lazyintheextreme，anda
hugefeeder。Hisonlyproofofintellectwasinshrewdlyavoidingalllabor，andavailinghimself
ofthetoilofothers。Whenonthemarch，healwayslaggedbehindtherest，leavingtothemthe
taskofbreakingawaythroughalldifficultiesandimpediments，andleisurelyandlazilyjogging
alongthetrack，whichtheyhadbeatenthroughthesnow。Attheeveningencampment，when
otherswerebusygatheringfuel，providingforthehorses，andcookingtheeveningrepast，this
worthySanchoofthewildernesswouldtakehisseatquietlyandcosilybythefire，puffingaway
athispipe，andeyeinginsilence，butwithwistfulintensityofgaze，thesavorymorselsroastingforsupper。Whenmeal-timearrived，however，thencamehisseasonofactivity。Henolongerhung
back，and
waitedforotherstotakethelead，butdistinguishedhimselfbyabrilliancyofonset，anda
sustainedvigoranddurationofattack，thatcompletelyshamedtheeffortsofhis
competitors——albeit，experiencedtrenchermenofnomeanprowess。Neverhadtheywitnessed
suchpowerofmastication，andsuchmarvellouscapacityofstomach，asinthisnativeand
uncultivatedgastronome。Having，byrepeatedandprolongedassaults，atlengthcompletely
gorgedhimself，hewouldwraphimselfupandliewiththetorporofananaconda；slowlydigestinghiswayontothenextrepast。Thegormandizingpowersofthisworthywere，atfirst，mattersofsurpriseandmerrimentto
the
travellers；buttheysoonbecametooseriousforajoke，threateningdevastationtothefleshpots；
andhewasregardedaskance，athismeals，asaregularkill-crop，destinedtowastethesubstance
oftheparty。Nothingbutasenseoftheobligationstheywereundertohisnationinducedthemto
bearwithsuchaguest；butheproceeded，speedily，torelievethemfromtheweightofthese
obligations，byeatingareceiptinfull。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter35[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter35Theuninvitedguest——Freeandeasymanners——Salutaryjokes——Aprodigalson——Exitof
theglutton——Asuddenchangeinfortune——Dangerofavisittopoorrelations——Plucking
ofaprosperousman——Avagabondtoilet——Asubstitutefortheveryfinehorse——Hard
travelling——Theuninvitedguestandthepatriarchalcolt——Abeggaronhorseback——A
catastrophe——ExitofthemerryvagabondAsCAPTAINBONNEVILLEandhismenwereencampedoneeveningamongthehills
nearSnakeRiver，seatedbeforetheirfire，enjoyingaheartysupper，theywere
suddenlysurprisedbythevisitofanuninvitedguest。Hewasaragged，half-naked
Indianhunter，armedwithbowandarrows，andhadthecarcassofafinebuckthrown
acrosshisshoulder。Advancingwithanalertstep，andfreeandeasyair，hethrewthe
buckontheground，and，withoutwaitingforaninvitation，seatedhimselfattheirmess，
helpedhimselfwithoutceremony，andchattedtotherightandleftintheliveliestand
mostunembarrassedmanner。Noadroitandveterandinnerhunterofametropolis
couldhaveacquittedhimselfmoreknowingly。Thetravellerswereatfirstcompletely
takenbysurprise，andcouldnotbutadmirethefacilitywithwhichthisragged
cosmopolitemadehimselfathomeamongthem。Whiletheystaredhewenton，making
themostofthegoodcheeruponwhichhehadsofortunatelyalighted；andwassoonelbowdeepin“potluck，“andgreasedfromthetipofhisnosetothebackofhisears。Asthecompanyrecoveredfromtheirsurprise，theybegantofeelannoyedatthis
intrusion。Theiruninvitedguest，unlikethegeneralityofhistribe，wassomewhatdirtyas
wellasraggedandtheyhadnorelishforsuchamessmate。Heapingup，therefore，an
abundantportionofthe“provant“uponapieceofbark，whichservedforadish，theyinvitedhimtoconfinehimselfthereto，insteadofforaginginthegeneralmess。Hecompliedwiththemostaccommodatingspiritimaginable；andwentoneatingand
chatting，andlaughingandsmearinghimself，untilhiswholecountenanceshonewith
greaseandgood-humor。Inthecourseofhisrepast，hisattentionwascaughtbythe
figureofthegastronome，who，asusual，wasgorginghimselfindoggedsilence。Adroll
cutoftheeyeshowedeitherthatheknewhimofold，orperceivedatoncehis
characteristics。Heimmediatelymadehimthebuttofhispleasantries；andcrackedoff
twoorthreegoodhits，thatcausedthesluggishdolttoprickuphisears，anddelighted
allthecompany。Fromthistime，theuninvitedguestwastakenintofavor；hisjokes
begantoberelished；hiscareless，freeandeasyair，tobeconsideredsingularly
amusing；andintheend，hewaspronouncedbythetravellersoneofthemerriestcompanionsandmostentertainingvagabondstheyhadmetwithinthewilderness。Supperbeingover，theredoubtableShee-wee-she-ouaiter，forsuchwasthesimple
namebywhichheannouncedhimself，declaredhisintentionofkeepingcompanywith
thepartyforadayortwo，iftheyhadnoobjection；andbywayofbackinghisself-invitation，
presentedthecarcassofthebuckasanearnestofhishuntingabilities。By
thistime，hehadsocompletelyeffacedtheunfavorableimpressionmadebyhisfirst
appearance，thathewasmadewelcometothecamp，andtheNezPerceguide
undertooktogivehimlodgingforthenight。Thenextmorning，atbreakofday，he
borrowedagun，andwasoffamongthehills，norwasanythingmoreseenofhimuntila
fewminutesafterthepartyhadencampedfortheevening，whenheagainmadehis
appearance，inhisusualfrank，carelessmanner，andthrewdownthecarcassofanothernobledeer，whichhehadborneonhisbackforaconsiderabledistance。Thiseveninghewasthelifeoftheparty，andhisopencommunicativedisposition，free
fromalldisguise，soonputtheminpossessionofhishistory。Hehadbeenakindof
prodigalsoninhisnativevillage；livingaloose，heedlesslife，anddisregardingthe
preceptsandimperativecommandsofthechiefs。Hehad，inconsequence，been
expelledfromthevillage，but，innowisedisheartenedatthisbanishment，hadbetaken
himselftothesocietyoftheborderIndians，andhadledacareless，haphazard，
vagabondlife，perfectlyconsonanttohishumors；heedlessofthefuture，solongashe
hadwherewithalforthepresent；andfearingnolackoffood，solongashehadtheimplementsofthechase，andafairhuntingground。Findinghimveryexpertasahunter，andbeingpleasedwithhiseccentricities，andhis
strangeandmerryhumor，CaptainBonnevillefittedhimouthandsomelyastheNimrod
oftheparty，whoallsoonbecamequiteattachedtohim。Oneoftheearliestandmost
signalservicesheperformed，wastoexorcisetheinsatiatekill-cropthathitherto
oppressedtheparty。Infact，thedoltishNezPerce，whohadseemedsoperfectly
insensibletoroughtreatmentofeverykind，bywhichthetravellershadendeavoredto
elbowhimoutoftheirsociety，couldnotwithstandthegood-humoredbantering，and
occasionallysharpwitofShe-wee-she。Heevidentlyquailedunderhisjokes，andsat
blinkinglikeanowlindaylight，whenpesteredbythefloutsandpeckingsof
mischievousbirds。Atlengthhisplacewasfoundvacantatmeal-time；nooneknew
whenhewentoff，orwhitherhehadgone，buthewasseennomore，andthevast
surplusthatremainedwhentherepastwasover，showedwhatamightygormandizerhaddeparted。Relievedfromthisincubus，thelittlepartynowwentoncheerily。She-wee-shekept
theminfunaswellasfood。Hishuntingwasalwayssuccessful；hewaseverreadyto
renderanyassistanceinthecamporonthemarch；whilehisjokes，hisantics，andtheverycutofhiscountenance，sofullofwhimandcomicality，kepteveryoneingood-humor。InthiswaytheyjourneyedonuntiltheyarrivedonthebanksoftheImmahah，and
encampedneartotheNezPercelodges。HereShe-wee-shetookasuddennotionto
visithispeople，andshowoffthestateofworldlyprosperitytowhichhehadso
suddenlyattained。Heaccordinglydepartedinthemorning，arrayedinhunter”sstyle，
andwellappointedwitheverythingbenefittinghisvocation。Thebuoyancyofhisgait，
theelasticityofhisstep，andthehilarityofhiscountenance，showedthatheanticipated，
withchucklingsatisfaction，thesurprisehewasabouttogivethosewhohadejected
himfromtheirsocietyinrags。Butwhatachangewasthereinhiswholeappearance
whenherejoinedthepartyintheevening！Hecameskulkingintocamplikeabeaten
cur，withhistailbetweenhislegs。Allhisfinerywasgone；hewasnakedaswhenhe
wasborn，withtheexceptionofascantyflapthatansweredthepurposeofafigleaf。
Hisfellow-travellersatfirstdidnotknowhim，butsupposedittobesomevagrantRoot
Diggersneakingintothecamp；butwhentheyrecognizedinthisforlornobjecttheir
primewag，She-wee-she，whomtheyhadseendepartinthemorninginsuchhighglee
andhighfeather，theycouldnotcontaintheirmerriment，buthailedhimwithloudandrepeatedpealsoflaughter。She-wee-shewasnotofaspirittobeeasilycastdown；hesoonjoinedinthemerriment
asheartilyasanyone，andseemedtoconsiderhisreverseoffortuneanexcellentjoke。
CaptainBonneville，however，thoughtpropertocheckhisgood-humor，anddemanded，
withsomedegreeofsternness，thecauseofhisalteredcondition。Herepliedinthe
mostnaturalandself-complacentstyleimaginable，“thathehadbeenamonghis
cousins，whowereverypoor；theyhadbeendelightedtoseehim；stillmoredelighted
withhisgoodfortune；theyhadtakenhimtotheirarms；admiredhisequipments；one
hadbeggedforthis；anotherforthat“——infine，whatwiththepoordevil”sinherent
heedlessness，andtherealgenerosityofhisdisposition，hisneedycousinshad
succeededinstrippinghimofallhisclothesandaccoutrements，exceptingthefigleafwithwhichhehadreturnedtocamp。Seeinghistotalwantofcareandforethought，CaptainBonnevilledeterminedtolethim
sufferalittle，inhopesitmightproveasalutarylesson；and，atanyrate，tomakehimno
morepresentswhileintheneighborhoodofhisneedycousins。Hewasleft，therefore，
toshiftforhimselfinhisnakedcondition；which，however，didnotseemtogivehimany
concern，ortoabateonejotofhisgood-humor。Inthecourseofhisloungingaboutthe
camp，however，hegotpossessionofadeerskin；whereupon，cuttingaslitinthe
middle，hethrusthisheadthroughit，sothatthetwoendshungdownbeforeand
behind，somethinglikeaSouthAmericanponcho，orthetabardofaherald。Theseends
hetiedtogether，underthearmpits；andthusarrayed，presentedhimselfoncemore
beforethecaptain，withanairofperfectself-satisfaction，asthoughhethoughtitimpossibleforanyfaulttobefoundwithhistoilet。AlittlefurtherjourneyingbroughtthetravellerstothepettyvillageofNezPerces，
governedbytheworthyandaffectionateoldpatriarchwhohadmadeCaptain
Bonnevillethecostlypresentoftheveryfinehorse。Theoldmanwelcomedthemonce
moretohisvillagewithhisusualcordiality，andhisrespectablesquawandhopefulson，
cherishinggratefulrecollectionsofthehatchetandear-bobs，joinedinachorusoffriendlygratulation。Asthemuch-vauntedsteed，oncethejoyandprideofthisinterestingfamily，wasnow
nearlyknockedupbytravelling，andtotallyinadequatetothemountainscramblethat
layahead，CaptainBonnevillerestoredhimtothevenerablepatriarch，withrenewed
acknowledgmentsfortheinvaluablegift。Somewhattohissurprise，hewasimmediately
suppliedwithafinetwoyears”oldcoltinhisstead，asubstitutionwhichheafterward
learnt，accordingtoIndiancustominsuchcases，hemighthaveclaimedasamatterof
right。Wedonotfindthatanyafterclaimsweremadeonaccountofthiscolt。This
donationmayberegarded，therefore，asasignalpunctilioofIndianhonor；butitwillbefoundthattheanimalsoonprovedanunluckyacquisitiontotheparty。Whileatthisvillage，theNezPerceguidehadheldconsultationswithsomeofthe
inhabitantsastothemountaintractthepartywereabouttotraverse。Henowbeganto
wearananxiousaspect，andtoindulgeingloomyforebodings。Thesnow，hehadbeen
told，laytoagreatdepthinthepassesofthemountains，anddifficultieswouldincrease
asheproceeded。HebeggedCaptainBonneville，therefore，totravelveryslowly，soas
tokeepthehorsesinstrengthandspiritforthehardtimestheywouldhaveto
encounter。Thecaptainsurrenderedtheregulationofthemarchentirelytohis
discretion，andpushedonintheadvance，amusinghimselfwithhunting，soas
generallytokilladeerortwointhecourseoftheday，andarriving，beforetherestoftheparty，atthespotdesignatedbytheguidefortheevening”sencampment。Inthemeantime，theothersploddedonattheheelsoftheguide，accompaniedbythat
merryvagabond，She-wee-she。Theprimitivegarbwornbythisdrollleftallhisnether
manexposedtothebitingblastsofthemountains。Stillhiswitwasneverfrozen，norhis
sunshinytemperbeclouded；andhisinnumerableanticsandpracticaljokes，whiletheyquickenedthecirculationofhisownblood，kepthiscompanionsinhighgood-humor。Sopassedthefirstdayafterthedeparturefromthepatriarch”s。Thesecondday
commencedinthesamemanner；thecaptainintheadvance，therestoftheparty
followingonslowly。She-wee-she，forthegreaterpartofthetime，trudgedonfootover
thesnow，keepinghimselfwarmbyhardexercise，andallkindsofcrazycapers。Inthe
heightofhisfoolery，thepatriarchalcolt，which，unbrokentothesaddle，wassufferedto
followonatlarge，happenedtocomewithinhisreach。Inamoment，hewasonhis
back，snappinghisfingers，andyelpingwithdelight。Thecolt，unusedtosuchaburden，
andhalfwildbynature，felltoprancingandrearingandsnortingandplungingand
kicking；and，atlength，setofffullspeedoverthemostdangerousground。Astheroute
ledgenerallyalongthesteepandcraggysidesofthehills，bothhorseandhorseman
wereconstantlyindanger，andmorethanoncehadahairbreadthescapefromdeadly
peril。Nothing，however，coulddauntthismadcapsavage。Hestucktothecoltlikea
plaister[sic]，upridges，downgullies；whoopingandyellingwiththewildestglee。Never
didbeggaronhorsebackdisplaymoreheadlonghorsemanship。Hiscompanions
followedhimwiththeireyes，sometimeslaughing，sometimesholdingintheirbreathat
hisvagaries，untiltheysawthecoltmakeasuddenplungeorstart，andpitchhis
unluckyriderheadlongoveraprecipice。Therewasageneralcryofhorror，andall
hastenedtothespot。Theyfoundthepoorfellowlyingamongtherocksbelow，sadly
bruisedandmangled。Itwasalmostamiraclethathehadescapedwithlife。Eveninthis
condition，hismerryspiritwasnotentirelyquelled，andhesummonedupafeeblelaugh
atthealarmandanxietyofthosewhocametohisrelief。Hewasextricatedfromhis
rockybed，andamessengerdispatchedtoinformCaptainBonnevilleoftheaccident。
Thelatterreturnedwithallspeed，andencampedthepartyatthefirstconvenientspot。
Herethewoundedmanwasstretcheduponbuffaloskins，andthecaptain，who
officiatedonalloccasionsasdoctorandsurgeontotheparty，proceededtoexamine
hiswounds。Theprincipalonewasalonganddeepgashinthethigh，whichreachedto
thebone。Callingforaneedleandthread，thecaptainnowpreparedtosewupthe
wound，admonishingthepatienttosubmittotheoperationwithbecomingfortitude。His
gayetywasatanend；hecouldnolongersummonupevenaforcedsmile；and，atthe
firstpunctureoftheneedle，flinchedsopiteously，thatthecaptainwasobligedtopause，
andtoorderhimapowerfuldoseofalcohol。Thissomewhatrallieduphisspiritand
warmedhisheart；allthetimeoftheoperation，however，hekepthiseyesrivetedonthe
wound，withhisteethset，andawhimsicalwincingofthecountenance，thatoccasionallygavehisnosesomethingofitsusualcomiccurl。Whenthewoundwasfairlyclosed，thecaptainwasheditwithrum，andadministereda
seconddoseofthesametothepatient，whowastuckedinforthenight，andadvisedto
composehimselftosleep。Hewasrestlessanduneasy，however；repeatedly
expressinghisfearsthathislegwouldbesomuchswollenthenextday，astoprevent
hisproceedingwiththeparty；norcouldhebequieted，untilthecaptaingaveadecidedopinionfavorabletohiswishes。