第13章
Thebeverageworkedtoacharm；thecancirculatedmerrily；thefirstdeepdraughtwashed
outevery
carefromthemindoftheveteran；thesecondelevatedhisspirittotheclouds。Hewas，infact，a
boon
companion；asallveteranCanadiantradersareapttobe。Henowbecameglorious；talkedoverall
hisexploits，hishuntings，hisfightingswithIndianbraves，hisloveswithIndianbeauties；sang
snatchesofoldFrenchditties，andCanadianboatsongs；drankdeeperanddeeper，sanglouder
and
louder；until，havingreachedaclimaxofdrunkengayety，hegraduallydeclined，andatlengthfell
fast
asleepupontheground。Afteralongnapheagainraisedhishead，imbibedanotherpotationofthe“sweetandstrong，“flashedupwithanotherslightblazeofFrenchgayety，andagainfellasleep。Themorningfoundhimstilluponthefieldofaction，butinsadandsorrowfulcondition；
sufferingthe
penaltiesofpastpleasures，andcallingtomindthecaptain”sdulcetcompound，withmanyaretch
and
spasm。Itseemedasifthehoneyandalcohol，whichhadpassedsogliblyandsmoothlyoverhis
tongue，wereatwarwithinhisstomach；andthathehadaswarmofbeeswithinhishead。Inshort，
sohelplessandwoebegonewashisplight，thathispartyproceededontheirmarchwithouthim；
thecaptainpromisedtobringhimoninsafetyintheafterpartoftheday。Assoonasthispartyhadmovedoff，CaptainBonneville”smenproceededtoconstructand
filltheir
cache；andjustasitwascompletedthepartyofWyethwasdescriedatadistance。Inamomentall
wasactivitytotaketheroad。Thehorseswerepreparedandmounted；andbeinglightenedofa
great
partoftheirburdens，wereabletomovewithcelerity。Astotheworthyconviveofthepreceding
evening，hewascarefullygatheredupfromthehunter”scouchonwhichhelay，repentantand
supine，
and，beingpackedupononeofthehorses，washurriedforwardwiththeconvoy，groaningandejaculatingateveryjolt。Inthecourseoftheday，Wyeth，beinglightlymounted，rodeaheadofhisparty，andovertook
Captain
Bonneville。Theirmeetingwasfriendlyandcourteous；andtheydiscussed，sociably，their
respective
fortunessincetheyseparatedonthebanksoftheBighorn。Wyethannouncedhisintentionof
establishingasmalltradingpostatthemouthofthePortneuf，andleavingafewmenthere，witha
quantityofgoods，totradewiththeneighboringIndians。Hewascompelled，infact，tothis
measure，
inconsequenceoftherefusaloftheRockyMountainFurCompanytotakeasupplyofgoods
which
hehadbroughtoutforthemaccordingtocontract；andwhichhehadnoothermodeofdisposing
of。
HefurtherinformedCaptainBonnevillethatthecompetitionbetweentheRockyMountainand
AmericanFurCompanieswhichhadledtosuchnefariousstratagemsanddeadlyfeuds，wasatan
end；
theyhavingdividedthecountrybetweenthem，allottingboundarieswithinwhicheachwasto
tradeandhunt，soasnottointerferewiththeother。IncompanywithWyethweretravellingtwomenofscience；Mr。Nuttall，thebotanist；the
samewho
ascendedtheMissouriatthetimeoftheexpeditiontoAstoria；andMr。Townshend，an
ornithologist；
fromthesegentlemenwemaylookforwardtoimportantinformationconcerningtheseinteresting
regions。Therewerethreereligiousmissionaries，also，boundtotheshoresoftheColumbia，to
spreadthelightoftheGospelinthatfarwilderness。Afterridingforsometimetogether，infriendlyconversation，Wyethreturnedtohisparty，
andCaptain
Bonnevillecontinuedtopressforward，andtogainground。Atnighthesentoffthesadlysober
and
moralizingchiefoftheHudson”sBayCompany，underaproperescort，torejoinhispeople；his
route
branchingoffinadifferentdirection。Thelattertookacordialleaveofhishost，hoping，onsomefutureoccasion，torepayhishospitalityinkind。Inthemorningthecaptainwasearlyonthemarch；throwingscoutsoutfarahead，toscour
hilland
dale，insearchofbuffalo。Hehadconfidentlyexpectedtofindgameinabundance，onthehead-watersofthePortneuf；butonreachingthatregion，notatrackwastobeseen。Atlength，oneofthescouts，whohadmadeawidesweepawaytothehead-watersofthe
Blackfoot
River，discoveredgreatherdsquietlygrazingintheadjacentmeadows。Hesetoutonhisreturn，
to
reporthisdiscoveries；butnightovertakinghim，hewaskindlyandhospitablyentertainedatthe
camp
ofWyeth。Assoonasdaydawnedhehastenedtohisowncampwiththewelcomeintelligence；
andaboutteno”clockofthesamemorning，CaptainBonneville”spartywereinthemidstofthegame。Thepackswerescarcelyoffthebacksofthemules，whentherunners，mountedonthe
fleetesthorses，
werefulltiltafterthebuffalo。Othersofthemenwerebusiederectingscaffolds，andother
contrivances，forjerkingordryingmeat；otherswerelightinggreatfiresforthesamepurpose；
soon
thehuntersbegantomaketheirappearance，bringinginthechoicestmorselsofbuffalomeat；
these
wereplaceduponthescaffolds，andthewholecamppresentedasceneofsingularhurryand
activity。
Atdaylightthenextmorning，therunnersagaintookthefield，withsimilarsuccess；and，afteran
intervalofreposemadetheirthirdandlastchase，abouttwelveo”clock；forbythistime，Wyeth”s
party
wasinsight。Thegamebeingnowdrivenintoavalley，atsomedistance，Wyethwasobligedtofix
hiscampthere；buthecameintheeveningtopayCaptainBonnevilleavisit。Hewasaccompanied
byCaptainStewart，theamateurtraveller；whohadnotyetsatedhisappetitefortheadventurous
life
ofthewilderness。Withhim，also，wasaMr。M”Kay，ahalf-breed；sonoftheunfortunate
adventurer
ofthesamenamewhocameoutinthefirstmaritimeexpeditiontoAstoriaandwasblownupin
theTonquin。HissonhadgrownupintheemployoftheBritishfurcompanies；andwasa
primehunter，andadaringpartisan。Heheld，moreover，afarminthevalleyoftheWallamut。Thethreevisitors，whentheyreachedCaptainBonneville”scamp，weresurprisedtofindno
oneinit
buthimselfandthreemen；hispartybeingdispersedinalldirections，tomakethemostoftheir
present
chanceforhunting。Theyremonstratedwithhimontheimprudenceofremainingwithsotriflinga
guardinaregionsofullofdanger。CaptainBonnevillevindicatedthepolicyofhisconduct。He
never
hesitatedtosendoutallhishunters，whenanyimportantobjectwastobeattained；andexperience
hadtaughthimthathewasmostsecurewhenhisforceswerethusdistributedoverthe
surrounding
country。Hethenwassurethatnoenemycouldapproach，fromanydirection，withoutbeing
discoveredbyhishunters；whohaveaquickeyefordetectingtheslightestsignsoftheproximity
ofIndians；andwhowouldinstantlyconveyintelligencetothecamp。Thecaptainnowsettoworkwithhismen，toprepareasuitableentertainmentforhisguests。
Itwas
atimeofplentyinthecamp；ofprimehunters”dainties；ofbuffalohumps，andbuffalotongues；
and
roastedribs，andbroiledmarrow-bones：allthesewerecookedinhunters”style；servedupwitha
profusionknownonlyonaplentifulhuntingground，anddiscussedwithanappetitethatwould
astonish
thepunygourmandsofthecities。Butaboveall，andtogiveabacchanaliangracetothistruly
masculinerepast，thecaptainproducedhismellifluouskegofhome-brewednectar，whichhad
been
sopotentoverthesensesoftheveteranofHudson”sBay。Potations，pottledeep，againwent
round；
neverdidbeverageexcitegreaterglee，ormeetwithmorerapturouscommendation。Theparties
were
fastadvancingtothathappystatewhichwouldhaveinsuredamplecauseforthenextday”s
repentance；andthebeeswerealreadybeginningtobuzzabouttheirears，whenamessengercame
spurringtothecampwithintelligencethatWyeth”speoplehadgotentangledinoneofthosedeep
and
frightfulravines，piledwithimmensefragmentsofvolcanicrock，whichgashthewholecountry
about
thehead-watersoftheBlackfootRiver。Therevelwasinstantlyatanend；thekegofsweetand
potent
home-brewedwasdeserted；andtheguestsdepartedwithallspeedtoaidinextricatingtheir
companionsfromthevolcanicravine。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter43[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter43Arapidmarch——Acloudofdust——Wildhorsemen——“HighJinks“——Horseracingand
rifle-shooting——
Thegameofhand——Thefishingseason——Modeoffishing——Tablelands——Salmonfishers——
The
captain”svisittoanIndianlodge——TheIndiangirl——Thepocketmirror——Supper——Troublesofanevilconscience。“UPandaway！“isthefirstthoughtatdaylightoftheIndiantrader，whenarivalisathand
and
distanceistobegained。Earlyinthemorning，CaptainBonnevilleorderedthehalfdriedmeatto
be
packeduponthehorses，andleavingWyethandhispartytohuntthescatteredbuffalo，pushedoff
rapidlytotheeast，toregaintheplainofthePortneuf。Hismarchwasruggedanddangerous；
through
volcanichills，brokenintocliffsandprecipices；andseamedwithtremendouschasms，wheretherocksroselikewalls。Onthesecondday，however，heencampedoncemoreintheplain，andasitwasstillearly
someof
themenstrolledouttotheneighboringhills。Incastingtheireyesroundthecountry，they
perceived
agreatcloudofdustrisinginthesouth，andevidentlyapproaching。Hasteningbacktothecamp，
they
gavethealarm。Preparationswereinstantlymadetoreceiveanenemy；whilesomeofthemen，
throwingthemselvesuponthe“runninghorses“keptforhunting，gallopedofftoreconnoitre。Ina
littlewhile，theymadesignalsfromadistancethatallwasfriendly。Bythistimethecloudofdust
hadsweptonasifhurriedalongbyablast，andabandofwildhorsemencamedashingatfull
leap
intothecamp，yellingandwhoopinglikesomanymaniacs。Theirdresses，theiraccoutrements，
their
modeofriding，andtheiruncouthclamor，madethemseemapartyofsavagesarrayedforwar；
but
theyprovedtobeprincipallyhalf-breeds，andwhitemengrownsavageinthewilderness，who
wereemployedastrappersandhuntersintheserviceoftheHudson”sBayCompany。Herewasagain“highjinks“inthecamp。CaptainBonneville”smenhailedthesewild
scamperersas
congenialspirits，orratherastheverygamebirdsoftheirclass。Theyentertainedthemwiththe
hospitalityofmountaineers，feastingthemateveryfire。Atfirst，thereweremutualdetailsof
adventuresandexploits，andbroadjokingmingledwithpealsoflaughter。Thencameonboasting
ofthecomparativemeritsofhorsesandrifles，whichsoonengrossedeverytongue。Thisnaturally
ledtoracing，andshootingatamark；onetrialofspeedandskillsucceededanother，shoutsand
acclamationsrosefromthevictoriousparties，fiercealtercationssucceeded，andageneralmelee
was
abouttotakeplace，whensuddenlytheattentionofthequarrellerswasarrestedbyastrangekind
of
Indianchantorchorus，thatseemedtooperateuponthemasacharm。Theirfurywasatanend；a
tacitreconciliationsucceededandtheideasofthewholemongrelcrowdwhites，half-breedsand
squawswereturnedinanewdirection。Theyallformedintogroupsandtakingtheirplacesat
the
severalfires，preparedforoneofthemostexcitingamusementsoftheNezPercesandtheother
tribesoftheFarWest。Thechoralchant，infact，whichhadthusactedasacharm，wasakindofwild
accompanimenttothe
favoriteIndiangameof“Hand。”Thisisplayedbytwopartiesdrawnoutinoppositeplatoons
before
ablazingfire。Itisinsomerespectsliketheoldgameofpassingtheringorthebutton，and
detecting
thehandwhichholdsit。Inthepresentgame，theobjecthidden，orthecacheasitis
calledbythe
trappers，isasmallsplintofwood，orotherdiminutivearticlethatmaybeconcealedintheclosed
hand。Thisispassedbackwardandforwardamongtheparty“inhand，“whiletheparty“outof
hand“
guesswhereitisconcealed。Toheightentheexcitementandconfusetheguessers，anumberof
dry
polesarelaidbeforeeachplatoon，uponwhichthemembersoftheparty“inhand“beatfuriously
withshortstaves，keepingtimetothechoralchantalreadymentioned，whichwaxesfastand
furious
asthegameproceeds。Aslargebetsarestakeduponthegame，theexcitementisprodigious。Each
partyinturnburstsoutinfullchorus，beating，andyelling，andworkingthemselvesupintosuch
a
heatthattheperspirationrollsdowntheirnakedshoulders，eveninthecoldofawinternight。The
betsaredoubledandtrebledasthegameadvances，thementalexcitementincreasesalmostto
madness，andalltheworldlyeffectsofthegamblersareoftenhazardeduponthepositionofastraw。Thesegamblinggameswerekeptupthroughoutthenight；everyfireglareduponagroup
thatlooked
likeacrewofmaniacsattheirfranticorgies，andthescenewouldhavebeenkeptupthroughout
the
succeedingday，hadnotCaptainBonnevilleinterposedhisauthority，and，attheusualhour，
issuedhismarchingorders。ProceedingdownthecourseofSnakeRiver，thehuntersregularlyreturnedtocampinthe
evening
ladenwithwildgeese，whichwereyetscarcelyabletofly，andwereeasilycaughtingreat
numbers。
Itwasnowtheseasonoftheannualfish-feast，withwhichtheIndiansinthesepartscelebratethe
first
appearanceofthesalmoninthisriver。Thesefisharetakeningreatnumbersatthenumerous
falls
ofaboutfourfeetpitch。TheIndiansflanktheshallowwaterjustbelow，andspearthemasthey
attempttopass。Inwidepartsoftheriver，also，theyplaceasortofchevaux-de-frize，orfence，of
polesinterwovenwithwithes，andforminganangleinthemiddleofthecurrent，whereasmall
openingisleftforthesalmontopass。AroundthisopeningtheIndiansstationthemselveson
smallrafts，andplytheirspearswithgreatsuccess。Thetablelandssocommoninthisregionhaveasandysoil，inconsiderableindepth，and
covered
withsage，ormoreproperlyspeaking，wormwood。Belowthisisalevelstratumofrock，riven
occasionallybyfrightfulchasms。Thewholeplainrisesasitapproachestheriver，andterminates
withhighandbrokencliffs，difficulttopass，andinmanyplacessoprecipitousthatitis
impossible，
fordaystogether，togetdowntothewater”sedge，togivedrinktothehorses。Thisobligesthe
travelleroccasionallytoabandonthevicinityoftheriver，andmakeawidesweepintotheinterior。ItwasnowfarinthemonthofJuly，andthepartysufferedextremelyfromsultryweather
anddusty
travelling。Thefliesandgnats，too，wereextremelytroublesometothehorses；especiallywhen
keepingalongtheedgeoftheriverwhereitrunsbetweenlowsand-banks。Wheneverthe
travellers
encampedintheafternoon，thehorsesretiredtothegravellyshoresandremainedthere，without
attemptingtofeeduntilthecooloftheevening。Astothetravellers，theyplungedintotheclear
and
coolcurrent，towashawaythedustoftheroadandrefreshthemselvesaftertheheatoftheday。
Thenightswerealwayscoolandpleasant。Atoneplacewheretheyencampedforsometime，theriverwasnearlyfivehundredyards
wide，and
studdedwithgrassyislands，adornedwithgrovesofwillowandcotton-wood。HeretheIndians
were
assembledingreatnumbers，andhadbarricadedthechannelsbetweentheislands，toenablethem
tospearthesalmonwithgreaterfacility。Theywereatimidrace，andseemedunaccustomedto
the
sightofwhitemen。Enteringoneofthehuts，CaptainBonnevillefoundtheinhabitantsjust
proceedingtocookafinesalmon。Itisputintoapotfilledwithcoldwater，andhungoverthe
fire。Themomentthewaterbeginstoboil，thefishisconsideredcooked。Takinghisseatunceremoniously，andlightinghispipe，thecaptainawaitedthecooking
ofthe
fish，intendingtoinvitehimselftotherepast。Theownerofthehutseemedtotakehisintrusion
in
goodpart。Whileconversingwithhimthecaptainfeltsomethingmovebehindhim，andturning
roundandremovingafewskinsandoldbuffalorobes，discoveredayounggirl，aboutfourteen
years
ofage，crouchedbeneath，whodirectedherlargeblackeyesfullinhisface，andcontinuedto
gaze
inmutesurpriseandterror。Thecaptainendeavoredtodispelherfears，anddrawingabright
ribbon
fromhispocket，attemptedrepeatedlytotieitroundherneck。Shejerkedbackateachattempt，
utteringasoundverymuchlikeasnarl；norcouldalltheblandishmentsofthecaptain，albeita
pleasant，good-looking，andsomewhatgallantman，succeedinconqueringtheshynessofthe
savagelittle
beauty。Hisattentionswerenowturnedtowardtheparents，whomhepresentedwithanawlanda
littletobacco，andhavingthussecuredtheirgood-will，continuedtosmokehispipe，andwatch
the
salmon。Whilethusseatednearthethreshold，anurchinofthefamilyapproachedthedoor，but
catchingasightofthestrangeguest，ranoffscreamingwithterrorandensconcedhimselfbehind
thelongstrawatthebackofthehut。Desiroustodispelentirelythistimidity，andtoopenatradewiththesimpleinhabitantsof
thehut，
who，hedidnotdoubt，hadfurssomewhereconcealed，thecaptainnowdrewforththatgrandlure
intheeyesofasavage，apocketmirror。Thesightofitwasirresistible。Afterexaminingitfora
long
timewithwonderandadmiration，theyproducedamusk-ratskin，andoffereditinexchange。
The
captainshookhishead；butpurchasedtheskinforacoupleofbuttons-superfluoustrinkets！as
theworthylordofthehovelhadneithercoatnorbreechesonwhichtoplacethem。Themirrorstillcontinuedthegreatobjectofdesire，particularlyintheeyesoftheold
housewife，
whoproducedapotofparchedflourandastringofbiscuitroots。Theseprocuredhersometrifle
in
return；butcouldnotcommandthepurchaseofthemirror。Thesalmonbeingnowcompletely
cooked，theyalljoinedheartilyinsupper。Abounteousportionwasdepositedbeforethecaptain
by
theoldwoman，uponsomefreshgrass，whichservedinsteadofaplatter；andneverhadhetasted
asalmonboiledsocompletelytohisfancy。Supperbeingover，thecaptainlightedhispipeandpassedittohishost，who，inhalingthe
smoke，
puffeditthroughhisnostrilssoassiduously，thatinalittlewhilehisheadmanifestedsignsof
confusionanddizziness。Beingsatisfied，bythistime，ofthekindlyandcompanionablequalities
ofthecaptain，hebecameeasyandcommunicative；andatlengthhintedsomethingabout
exchanging
beaverskinsforhorses。Thecaptainatonceofferedtodisposeofhissteed，whichstoodfastened
at
thedoor。Thebargainwassoonconcluded，whereupontheIndian，removingapileofbushes
underwhichhisvaluableswereconcealed，drewforththenumberofskinsagreeduponastheprice。Shortlyafterward，someofthecaptain”speoplecomingup，heorderedanotherhorsetobe
saddled，
and，mountingit，tookhisdeparturefromthehut，afterdistributingafewtriflingpresentsamong
its
simpleinhabitants。Duringallthetimeofhisvisit，thelittleIndiangirlhadkeptherlargeblack
eyes
fixeduponhim，almostwithoutwinking，watchingeverymovementwithaweandwonder；and
as
herodeoff，remainedgazingafterhim，motionlessasastatue。Herfather，however，delighted
with
hisnewacquaintance，mountedhisnewlypurchasedhorse，andfollowedinthetrainofthe
captain，
towhomhecontinuedtobeafaithfulandusefuladherentduringhissojournintheneighborhood。Thecowardlyeffectsofanevilconsciencewereevidencedintheconductofoneofthe
captain”s
men，whohadbeenintheCaliforniaexpedition。Duringalltheirintercoursewiththeharmless
peopleofthisplace，hehadmanifesteduneasinessandanxiety。Whilehiscompanionsmingled
freelyandjoyouslywiththenatives，hewentaboutwitharestless，suspiciouslook；scrutinizing
everypaintedformandfaceandstartingoftenatthesuddenapproachofsomemeekand
inoffensive
savage，whoregardedhimwithreverenceasasuperiorbeing。Yetthiswasordinarilyabold
fellow，
whoneverflinchedfromdanger，norturnedpaleattheprospectofabattle。Atlengthhe
requested
permissionofCaptainBonnevilletokeepoutofthewayofthesepeopleentirely。Theirstriking
resemblance，hesaid，tothepeopleofOgden”sRiver，madehimcontinuallyfearthatsome
among
themmighthaveseenhiminthatexpedition；andmightseekanopportunityofrevenge。Ever
after
this，whiletheyremainedinthisneighborhood，hewouldskulkoutofthewayandkeepaloof
when
anyofthenativeinhabitantsapproached。“Such，“observedCaptainBonneville，“istheeffectof
self-reproach，evenupontherovingtrapperinthewilderness，whohaslittleelsetofearthanthe
stings
ofhisownguiltyconscience。”[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter44[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter44Outfitofatrapper——Riskstowhichheissubjected——Partnershipoftrappers——Enmityof
Indians——Distantsmoke——Acountryonfire——GunCreek——GrandRondFinepastures——Perplexitiesinasmokycountry——Conflagrationofforests。IThadbeentheintentionofCaptainBonneville，indescendingalongSnakeRiver，toscatter
his
trappersuponthesmallerstreams。Inthiswayarangeofcountryistrappedbysmall
detachments
fromamainbody。Theoutfitofatrapperisgenerallyarifle，apoundofpowder，andfour
pounds
oflead，withabulletmould，seventraps，anaxe，ahatchet，aknifeandawl，acampkettle，two
blankets，and，wheresuppliesareplenty，sevenpoundsofflour。Hehas，generally，twoorthree
horses，tocarryhimselfandhisbaggageandpeltries。Twotrapperscommonlygotogether，for
the
purposesofmutualassistanceandsupport；alargerpartycouldnoteasilyescapetheeyesofthe
Indians。Itisaserviceofperil，andevenmoresoatpresentthanformerly，fortheIndians，since
they
havegotintothehabitoftraffickingpeltrieswiththetraders，havelearnedthevalueofthe
beaver，
andlookuponthetrappersaspoachers，whoarefilchingtherichesfromtheirstreams，andinterferingwiththeirmarket。Theymakenohesitation，therefore，tomurderthesolitary
trapper，and
thusdestroyacompetitor，whiletheypossessthemselvesofhisspoils。Itiswithregretweadd，
too，
thatthishostilityhasinmanycasesbeeninstigatedbytraders，desirousofinjuringtheirrivals，
butwhohavethemselvesoftenreapedthefruitsofthemischieftheyhavesown。Whentwotrappersundertakeanyconsiderablestream，theirmodeofproceedingis，tohide
their
horsesinsomelonelyglen，wheretheycangrazeunobserved。Theythenbuildasmallhut，dig
out
acanoefromacotton-woodtree，andinthispokealongshoresilently，intheevening，andset
their
traps。Thesetheyrevisitinthesamesilentwayatdaybreak。Whentheytakeanybeaverthey
bring
ithome，skinit，stretchtheskinsonstickstodry，andfeastupontheflesh。Thebody，hungup
before
thefire，turnsbyitsownweight，andisroastedinasuperiorstyle；thetailisthetrapperstidbit；it
iscutoff，putontheendofastick，andtoasted，andisconsideredevenagreaterdaintythanthetongueorthemarrow-boneofabuffalo。Withalltheirsilenceandcaution，however，thepoortrapperscannotalwaysescapetheir
hawk-eyed
enemies。Theirtrailhasbeendiscovered，perhaps，andfollowedupformanyamile；ortheir
smoke
hasbeenseencurlingupoutofthesecretglen，orhasbeenscentedbythesavages，whosesense
of
smellisalmostasacuteasthatofsight。Sometimestheyarepounceduponwhenintheactof
setting
theirtraps；atothertimes，theyarerousedfromtheirsleepbythehorridwar-whoop；or，perhaps，
haveabulletoranarrowwhistlingabouttheirears，inthemidstofoneoftheirbeaverbanquets。
In
thiswaytheyarepickedoff，fromtimetotime，andnothingisknownofthem，until，perchance，
their
bonesarefoundbleachinginsomelonelyravine，oronthebanksofsomenamelessstream，
which
fromthattimeiscalledafterthem。Manyofthesmallstreamsbeyondthemountainsthus
perpetuatethenamesofunfortunatetrappersthathavebeenmurderedontheirbanks。AknowledgeofthesedangersdeterredCaptainBonneville，inthepresentinstance，from
detaching
smallpartiesoftrappersashehadintended；forhisscoutsbroughthimwordthatformidable
bands
oftheBanneckIndianswerelyingontheBoiseeandPayetteRivers，atnogreatdistance，sothat
they
wouldbeapttodetectandcutoffanystragglers。Itbehoovedhim，also，tokeephisparty
together，
toguardagainstanypredatoryattackuponthemainbody；hecontinuedonhisway，therefore，
withoutdividinghisforces。Andfortunateitwasthathedidso；forinalittlewhilehe
encountered
oneofthephenomenaofthewesternwildsthatwouldeffectuallyhavepreventedhisscattered
peoplefromfindingeachotheragain。Inaword，itwastheseasonofsettingfiretotheprairies。
As
headvancedhebegantoperceivegreatcloudsofsmokeatadistance，risingbydegrees，and
spreadingoverthewholefaceofthecountry。Theatmospherebecamedryandsurchargedwith
murkyvapor，parchingtotheskin，andirritatingtotheeyes。Whentravellingamongthehills，
they
couldscarcelydiscernobjectsatthedistanceofafewpaces；indeed，theleastexertionofthe
vision
waspainful。Therewasevidentlysomevastconflagrationinthedirectiontowardwhichthey
were
proceeding；itwasasyetatagreatdistance，andduringthedaytheycouldonlyseethesmoke
rising
inlargeranddenservolumes，androllingforthinanimmensecanopy。Atnighttheskieswereall
glowingwiththereflectionofunseenfires，hanginginanimmensebodyofluridlighthighabovethehorizon。HavingreachedGunCreek，animportantstreamcomingfromtheleft，CaptainBonneville
turned
upitscourse，totraversethemountainandavoidthegreatbendofSnakeRiver。Beingnowoutof
therangeoftheBannecks，hesentouthispeopleinalldirectionstohunttheantelopeforpresentsupplies；keepingthedriedmeatsforplaceswheregamemightbescarce。DuringfourdaysthatthepartywereascendingGunCreek，thesmokecontinuedtoincrease
so
rapidlythatitwasimpossibletodistinguishthefaceofthecountryandascertainlandmarks。
Fortunately，thetravellersfelluponanIndiantrail。whichledthemtothehead-watersofthe
Fourche
deGlaceorIceRiver，sometimescalledtheGrandRond。Heretheyfoundalltheplainsand
valleys
wrappedinonevastconflagration；whichsweptoverthelonggrassinbillowsofflame，shotup
everybushandtree，roseingreatcolumnsfromthegroves，andsetupcloudsofsmokethat
darkened
theatmosphere。Toavoidthisseaoffire，thetravellershadtopursuetheircourseclosealongthe
footofthemountains；buttheirritationfromthesmokecontinuedtobetormenting。Thecountryaboutthehead-watersoftheGrandRondspreadsoutintobroadandlevel
prairies，
extremelyfertile，andwateredbymountainspringsandrivulets。Theseprairiesareresortedtoby
smallbandsoftheSkynses，topasturetheirhorses，aswellastobanquetsuponthesalmonwhich
aboundintheneighboringwaters。Theytakethesefishingreatquantitiesandwithouttheleast
difficulty；simplytakingthemoutofthewaterwiththeirhands，astheyflounderandstrugglein
the
numerouslongshoalsoftheprincipalstreams。Atthetimethetravellerspassedoverthese
prairies，
someofthenarrow，deepstreamsbywhichtheywereintersectedwerecompletelychokedwith
salmon，whichtheytookingreatnumbers。Thewolvesandbearsfrequentthesestreamsatthisseason，toavailthemselvesofthesegreatfisheries。Thetravellerscontinued，formanydays，toexperiencegreatdifficultiesanddiscomforts
fromthis
wideconflagration，whichseemedtoembracethewholewilderness。Thesunwasforagreatpart
of
thetimeobscuredbythesmoke，andtheloftiestmountainswerehiddenfromview。Blundering
alonginthisregionofmistanduncertainty，theywerefrequentlyobligedtomakelongcircuits，
to
avoidobstacleswhichtheycouldnotperceiveuntilcloseuponthem。TheIndiantrailsweretheir
safestguides，forthoughtheysometimesappearedtoleadthemoutoftheirdirectcourse，theyalwaysconductedthemtothepasses。Onthe26thofAugust，theyreachedtheheadoftheWay-lee-wayRiver。Here，inavalley
ofthe
mountainsthroughwhichthishead-watermakesitsway，theyfoundabandoftheSkynses，who
wereextremelysociable，andappearedtobewelldisposed，andastheyspoketheNezPercelanguage，anintercoursewaseasilykeptupwiththem。Inthepasturesonthebankofthisstream，CaptainBonnevilleencampedforatime，forthe
purpose
ofrecruitingthestrengthofhishorses。Scoutswerenowsentouttoexplorethesurrounding
country，andsearchforaconvenientpassthroughthemountainstowardtheWallamutor
Multnomah。Afteranabsenceoftwentydaystheyreturnedwearyanddiscouraged。Theyhad
been
harassedandperplexedinruggedmountaindefiles，wheretheirprogresswascontinually
impeded
byrocksandprecipices。Oftentheyhadbeenobligedtotravelalongtheedgesoffrightful
ravines，
whereafalsestepwouldhavebeenfatal。Inoneofthesepasses，ahorsefellfromthebrinkofa
precipice，andwouldhavebeendashedtopieceshadhenotlodgedamongthebranchesofatree，
fromwhichhewasextricatedwithgreatdifficulty。These，however，werenottheworstoftheir
difficultiesandperils。Thegreatconflagrationofthecountry，whichhadharassedthemainparty
in
itsmarch，wasstillmoreawfulthefurtherthisexploringpartyproceeded。Theflameswhich
swept
rapidlyoverthelightvegetationoftheprairiesassumedafiercercharacterandtookastronger
hold
amidthewoodedglensandravinesofthemountains。Someofthedeepgorgesanddefilessent
up
sheetsofflame，andcloudsofluridsmoke，andsparksandcindersthatinthenightmadethem
resemblethecratersofvolcanoes。Thegrovesandforests，too，whichcrownedthecliffs，shotup
their
toweringcolumnsoffire，andaddedtothefurnaceglowofthemountains。Withthesestupendous
sightswerecombinedtherushingblastscausedbytherarefiedair，whichroaredandhowled
through
thenarrowglens，andwhirledforththesmokeandflamesinimpetuouswreaths。Everandanon，
too，
washeardthecrashoffallingtrees，sometimestumblingfromcragsandprecipices，with
tremendoussounds。Inthedaytime，themountainswerewrappedinsmokesodenseandblinding，thatthe
explorers，ifbychancetheyseparated，couldonlyfindeachotherbyshouting。Often，
too，theyhadtogropetheirwaythroughtheyetburningforests，inconstantperil
fromthelimbsandtrunksoftrees，whichfrequentlyfellacrosstheirpath。Atlength
theygaveuptheattempttofindapassashopeless，underactualcircumstances，and
madetheirwaybacktothecamptoreporttheirfailure。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter45[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter45Skynses——Theirtraffic——Hunting——Food——Horses——Ahorse-race——Devotionalfeelingof
theSkynses，NezPercesandFlatheads——Prayers——Exhortations——Apreacheronhorseback——Effectofreligiononthemannersofthetribes——Anewlight。DURINGtheabsenceofthisdetachment，asociableintercoursehadbeenkeptupbetween
themain
partyandtheSkynses，whohadremovedintotheneighborhoodofthecamp。Thesepeopledwell
aboutthewatersoftheWay-lee-wayandtheadjacentcountry，andtraderegularlywiththe
Hudson”s
BayCompany；generallygivinghorsesinexchangeforthearticlesofwhichtheystandinneed。
They
bringbeaverskins，also，tothetradingposts；notprocuredbytrapping，butbyacourseofinternal
trafficwiththeshyandignorantShoshokoesandToo-el-icans，whokeepindistantand
unfrequented
partsofthecountry，andwillnotventurenearthetradinghouses。TheSkynseshuntthedeerand
elk
occasionally；anddepend，forapartoftheyear，onfishing。Theirmainsubsistence，however，is
upon
roots，especiallythekamash。Thisbulbousrootissaidtobeofadeliciousflavor，andhighly
nutritious。Thewomendigitupingreatquantities，steamit，anddeposititincachesforwinterprovisions。Itgrowsspontaneously，andabsolutelycoverstheplains。Thistribewascomfortablycladandequipped。Theyhadafewriflesamongthem，andwere
extremelydesirousofbarteringforthoseofCaptainBonneville”smen；offeringacoupleofgood
runninghorsesforalightrifle。Theirfirst-ratehorses，however，werenottobeprocuredfrom
them
onanyterms。Theyalmostinvariablyuseponies；butofabreedinfinitelysuperiortoanyintheUnitedStates。Theyarefondoftryingtheirspeedandbottom，andofbettinguponthem。AsCaptainBonnevillewasdesirousofjudgingofthecomparativemeritoftheirhorses，he
purchasedoneoftheirracers，andhadatrialofspeedbetweenthat，anAmerican，anda
Shoshonie，
whichweresupposedtobewellmatched。Therace-coursewasforthedistanceofonemileanda
halfoutandback。ForthefirsthalfmiletheAmericantooktheleadbyafewhands；but，losing
his
wind，soonfellfarbehind；leavingtheShoshonieandSkynsetocontendtogether。Foramileand
ahalftheywentheadandhead：butattheturntheSkynsetooktheleadandwontheracewith
greatease，scarcedrawingaquickbreathwhenallwasover。TheSkynses，liketheNezPercesandtheFlatheads，haveastrongdevotionalfeeling，which
hasbeen
successfullycultivatedbysomeoftheresidentpersonagesoftheHudson”sBayCompany。
Sunday
isinvariablykeptsacredamongthesetribes。Theywillnotraisetheircamponthatday，unlessin
extremecasesofdangerorhunger：neitherwilltheyhunt，norfish，nortrade，norperformany
kind
oflaboronthatday。Apartofitispassedinprayerandreligiousceremonies。Somechief，whois
generallyatthesametimewhatiscalleda“medicineman，“assemblesthecommunity。After
invokingblessingsfromtheDeity，headdressestheassemblage，exhortingthemtogoodconduct；
tobediligentinprovidingfortheirfamilies；toabstainfromlyingandstealing；toavoid
quarrelling
orcheatingintheirplay，andtobejustandhospitabletoallstrangerswhomaybeamongthem。
Prayersandexhortationsarealsomade，earlyinthemorning，onweekdays。Sometimes，allthis
is
donebythechieffromhorseback；movingslowlyaboutthecamp，withhishaton，anduttering
his
exhortationswithaloudvoice。Onalloccasions，thebystanderslistenwithprofoundattention；
and
attheendofeverysentencerespondonewordinunison，apparentlyequivalenttoanamen。
While
theseprayersandexhortationsaregoingon，everyemploymentinthecampissuspended。Ifan
Indianisridingbytheplace，hedismounts，holdshishorse，andattendswithreverenceuntilallis
done。Whenthechiefhasfinishedhisprayerorexhortation，hesays，“Ihavedone，“uponwhich
thereisageneralexclamationinunison。Withthesereligiousservices，probablyderivedfromthewhitemen，thetribes
above-mentioned
minglesomeoftheiroldIndianceremonials，suchasdancingtothecadenceofasongorballad，
whichisgenerallydoneinalargelodgeprovidedforthepurpose。BesidesSundays，they
likewiseobservethecardinalholidaysoftheRomanCatholicChurch。Whoeverhasintroducedthesesimpleformsofreligionsamongthesepoorsavages，has
evidently
understoodtheircharactersandcapacities，andeffectedagreatmeliorationoftheirmanners。Of
this
wespeaknotmerelyfromthetestimonyofCaptainBonneville，butlikewisefromthatofMr。
Wyeth，
whopassedsomemonthsinatravellingcampoftheFlatheads。“DuringthetimeIhavebeen
with
them，“sayshe，“Ihaveneverknownaninstanceoftheftamongthem：theleastthing，eventoa
bead
orpin，isbroughttoyou，iffound；andoften，thingsthathavebeenthrownaway。NeitherhaveI
knownanyquarrelling，norlying。Thisabsenceofallquarrellingthemoresurprisedme，whenI
cametoseethevariousoccasionsthatwouldhavegivenrisetoitamongthewhites：the
crowding
togetheroffromtwelvetoeighteenhundredhorses，whichhavetobedrivenintocampatnight，
to
bepicketed，tobepackedinthemorning；thegatheringoffuelinplaceswhereitisextremely
scanty。Allthis，however，isdonewithoutconfusionordisturbance。“Theyhaveamild，playful，laughingdisposition；andthisisportrayedintheircountenances。
They
arepolite，andunobtrusive。Whenonespeaks，therestpaystrictattention：whenheisdone，
another
assentsby”yes”ordissentsby”no；”andthenstateshisreasons，whicharelistenedtowithequal
attention。Eventhechildrenaremorepeaceablethananyotherchildren。Ineverheardanangry
word
amongthem，noranyquarrelling；althoughtherewere，atleast，fivehundredofthemtogether，
and
continuallyatplay。Withallthisquietnessofspirit，theyarebravewhenputtothetest；andare
anovermatchforanequalnumberofBlackfeet。”