第7章
Thegrizzlybearistheonlyreallyformidablequadrupedofourcontinent。HeisthefavoritethemeofthehuntersofthefarWest，whodescribehimasequalinsizetoacommoncowandofprodigiousstrength。Hemakesbattleifassailed，andoften，ifpressedbyhunger，istheassailant。Ifwounded，hebecomesfuriousandwillpursuethehunter。Hisspeedexceedsthatofamanbutisinferiortothatofahorse。Inattackingherearshimselfonhishindlegs，andspringsthelengthofhisbody。Woetohorseorriderthatcomeswithinthesweepofhisterrificclaws，whicharesometimesnineinchesinlength，andteareverythingbeforethem。
Atthetimewearetreatingof，thegrizzlybearwasstillfrequentontheMissouriandinthelowercountry，but，likesomeofthebrokentribesoftheprairie，hehasgraduallyfallenbackbeforehisenemies，andisnowchieflytobefoundintheuplandregions，inruggedfastnesseslikethoseoftheBlackHillsandtheRockyMountains。Herehelurksincaverns，orholeswhichhehasdiggedinthesidesofhills，orundertherootsandtrunksoffallentrees。Likethecommonbear，heisfondoffruits，andmast，androots，thelatterofwhichhewilldigupwithhisforeclaws。Heiscarnivorousalso，andwillevenattackandconquerthelordlybuffalo，dragginghishugecarcasstotheneighborhoodofhisden，thathemaypreyuponitathisleisure。
Thehunters，bothwhiteandredmen，considerthisthemostheroicgame。Theyprefertohunthimonhorseback，andwillventuresonearassometimestosingehishairwiththeflashoftherifle。Thehunterofthegrizzlybear，however，mustbeanexperiencedhand，andknowwheretoaimatavitalpart;forofallquadrupeds，heisthemostdifficulttobekilled。Hewillreceiverepeatedwoundswithoutflinching，andrarelyisashotmortalunlessthroughtheheadorheart。
Thatthedangersapprehendedfromthegrizzlybear，atthisnightencampment，werenotimaginary，wasprovedonthefollowingmorning。AmongthehiredmenofthepartywasoneWilliamCannon，whohadbeenasoldieratoneofthefrontierposts，andenteredintotheemployofMr。HuntatMackinaw。Hewasaninexperiencedhunterandapoorshot，forwhichhewasmuchbanteredbyhismoreadroitcomrades。Piquedattheirraillery，hehadbeenpracticingeversincehehadjoinedtheexpedition，butwithoutsuccess。Inthecourseofthepresentafternoon，hewentforthbyhimselftotakealessoninvenerieand，tohisgreatdelight，hadthegoodfortunetokillabuffalo。Ashewasaconsiderabledistancefromthecamp，hecutoutthetongueandsomeofthechoicebits，madethemintoaparcel，andslingingthemonhisshouldersbyastrappassedroundhisforehead，asthevoyageurscarrypackagesofgoods，setoutallgloriousforthecamp，anticipatingatriumphoverhisbrotherhunters。Inpassingthroughanarrowravine，heheardanoisebehindhim，andlookingroundbeheld，tohisdismay，agrizzlybearinfullpursuit，apparentlyattractedbythescentofthemeat。Cannonhadheardsomuchoftheinvulnerabilityofthistremendousanimal，thatheneverattemptedtofire，but，slippingthestrapfromhisforehead，letgothebuffalomeatandranforhislife。
Thebeardidnotstoptoregalehimselfwiththegame，butkeptonafterthehunter。HehadnearlyovertakenhimwhenCannonreachedatree，and，throwingdownhisriflescrambledupit。ThenextinstantBruinwasatthefootofthetree;but，asthisspeciesofbeardoesnotclimb，hecontentedhimselfwithturningthechaseintoablockade。Nightcameon。InthedarknessCannoncouldnotperceivewhetherornottheenemymaintainedhisstation;buthisfearspicturedhimrigorouslymountingguard。Hepassedthenight，therefore，inthetree，apreytodismalfancies。Inthemorningthebearwasgone。Cannonwarilydescendedthetree，gathereduphisgun，andmadethebestofhiswaybacktothecamp，withoutventuringtolookafterhisbuffalomeat。
Whileonthisthemewewilladdanotheranecdoteofanadventurewithagrizzlybear，toldofJohnDay，theKentuckyhunter，butwhichhappenedatadifferentperiodoftheexpedition。Daywashuntingincompanywithoneoftheclerksofthecompany，alivelyyoungster，whowasagreatfavoritewiththeveteran，butwhosevivacityhehadcontinuallytokeepincheck。Theywereinsearchofdeer，whensuddenlyahugegrizzlybearemergedfromathicketaboutthirtyyardsdistant，rearinghimselfuponhishindlegswithaterrificgrowl，anddisplayingahideousarrayofteethandclaws。Therifleoftheyoungmanwasleveledinaninstant，butJohnDay’sironhandwasasquicklyuponhisarm。
“Bequiet，boy！bequiet！“exclaimedthehunterbetweenhisclenchedteeth，andwithoutturninghiseyesfromthebear。Theyremainedmotionless。Themonsterregardedthemforatime，then，loweringhimselfonhisforepaws，slowlywithdrew。Hehadnotgonemanypaces，beforeheagainreturned，rearedhimselfonhishindlegs，andrepeatedhismenace。Day’shandwasstillonthearmofhisyoungcompanion;heagainpressedithard，andkeptrepeatingbetweenhisteeth，“Quiet，boy！-keepquiet！-keepquiet！“-thoughthelatterhadnotmadeamovesincehisfirstprohibition。Thebearagainloweredhimselfonallfours，retreatedsometwentyyardsfurther，andagainturned，reared，showedhisteeth，andgrowled。ThisthirdmenacewastoomuchforthegamespiritofJohnDay。“ByJove！“exclaimedhe，“Icanstandthisnolonger。”andinaninstantaballfromhisriflewhizzedintohisfoe。Thewoundwasnotmortal;but，luckily，itdismayedinsteadofenragedtheanimal，andheretreatedintothethicket。
Day’scompanionreproachedhimfornotpracticingthecautionwhichheenjoineduponothers。“Why，boy。”repliedtheveteran，“cautioniscaution，butonemustnotputupwithtoomuch，evenfromabear。Wouldyouhavemesuffermyselftobebulliedalldaybyavarmint？”
CHAPTERXXVII。
IndianTrail-RoughMountainTravelling-SufferingsFromHungerandThirst-PowderRiver-GameinAbundance-AHunter’sParadise-MountainPeakSeenataGreatDistance-OneoftheBighornChain-RockyMountains-Extent-Appearance-Height-
TheGreatAmericanDesert-VariousCharacteristicsoftheMountains-IndianSuperstitionsConcerningThem-LandofSouls-TownsoftheFreeandGenerousSpirits-HappyHuntingGrounds。
FORthetwofollowingdays，thetravellerspursuedawesterlycourseforthirty-fourmilesalongaridgeofcountrydividingthetributarywatersoftheMissouriandtheYellowstone。Aslandmarkstheyguidedthemselvesbythesummitsofthefardistantmountains，whichtheysupposedtobelongtotheBighornchain。Theyweregraduallyrisingintoahighertemperature，fortheweatherwascoldfortheseason，withasharpfrostinthenight，andiceofaneighthofaninchinthickness。
Onthetwenty-secondofAugust，earlyintheday，theycameuponthetrailofanumerousband。Roseandtheotherhuntersexaminedthefoot-printswithgreatattention，anddeterminedittobethetrailofapartyofCrows，returningfromanannualtradingvisittotheMandans。Asthistrailaffordedmorecommodioustravelling，theyimmediatelystruckintoit，andfolloweditfortwodays。Itledthemoverroughhills，andthroughbrokengullies，duringwhichtimetheysufferedgreatfatiguefromtheruggednessofthecountry。Theweather，too，whichhadrecentlybeenfrosty，wasnowoppressivelywarm，andtherewasagreatscarcityofwater，insomuchthatavaluabledogbelongingtoMr。
M’Kenziediedofthirst。
Atonetimetheyhadtwenty-fivemilesofpainfultravel，withoutadropofwater，untiltheyarrivedatasmallrunningstream。
Heretheyeagerlyslakedtheirthirst;but，thisbeingallayed，thecallsofhungerbecameequallyimportunate。Eversincetheyhadgotamongthesebarrenandaridhillswheretherewasadeficiencyofgrass，theyhadmetwithnobuffaloes;thoseanimalskeepinginthegrassymeadowsnearthestreams。Theywereobliged，therefore，tohaverecoursetotheircornmeal，whichtheyreservedforsuchemergencies。Some，however，wereluckyenoughtokillawolf，whichtheycookedforsupper，andpronouncedexcellentfood。
Thenextmorningtheyresumedtheirwayfaring，hungryandjaded，andhadadoggedmarchofeighteenmilesamongthesamekindofhills。Atlengththeyemergeduponastreamofclearwater，oneoftheforksofPowderRiver，andtotheirgreatjoybeheldoncemorewidegrassymeadows，stockedwithherdsofbuffalo。Forseveraldaystheykeptalongthebanksoftheriver，ascendingitabouteighteenmiles。Itwasahunter’sparadise;thebuffaloeswereinsuchabundancethattheywereenabledtokillasmanyastheypleased，andtojerkasufficientsupplyofmeatforseveraldays’journeying。Here，then，theyreveledandreposedaftertheirhungryandwearytravel，huntingandfeasting，andreclininguponthegrass。Theirquiet，however，wasalittlemarredbycomingupontracesofIndians，who，theyconcluded，mustbeCrows:theywerethereforeobligedtokeepamorevigilantwatchthaneverupontheirhorses。ForseveraldaystheyhadbeendirectingtheirmarchtowardstheloftymountaindescriedbyMr。HuntandMr。M’Kenzieonthe17thofAugust，theheightofwhichrendereditalandmarkoveravastextentofcountry。Atfirstithadappearedtothemsolitaryanddetached;
butastheyadvancedtowardsit，itprovedtobetheprincipalsummitofachainofmountains。Daybydayitvariedinform，orratheritslowerpeaks，andthesummitsofothersofthechainemergedabovetheclearhorizon，andfinallytheinferiorlineofhillswhichconnectedmostofthemrosetoview。Sofar，however，areobjectsdiscernibleinthepureatmosphereoftheseelevatedplains，that，fromtheplacewheretheyfirstdescriedthemainmountain，theyhadtotravelahundredandfiftymilesbeforetheyreacheditsbase。Heretheyencampedonthe30thofAugust，havingcomenearlyfourhundredmilessinceleavingtheArickaravillage。
ThemountainwhichnowtoweredabovethemwasoneoftheBighornchain，borderedbyariver，ofthesamename，andextendingforalongdistancerathereastofnorthandwestofsouth。ItwasapartofthegreatsystemofgranitemountainswhichformsoneofthemostimportantandstrikingfeaturesofNorthAmerica，stretchingparalleltothecoastofthePacificfromtheIsthmusofPanamaalmosttotheArcticOcean;andpresentingacorrespondingchaintothatoftheAndesinthesouthernhemisphere。Thisvastrangehasacquired，fromitsruggedandbrokencharacteranditssummitsofnakedgranite，theappellationoftheRockyMountains，anamebynomeansdistinctive，asallelevatedrangesarerocky。AmongtheearlyexplorersitwasknownastherangeofChippewyanMountains，andthisIndiannameistheoneitislikelytoretaininpoeticusage。Risingfromthemidstofvastplainsandprairies，traversingseveraldegreesoflatitude，dividingthewatersoftheAtlanticandthePacific，andseemingtobindwithdivergingridgesthelevelregionsonitsflanks，ithasbeenfigurativelytermedthebackboneofthenortherncontinent。
TheRockyMountainsdonotpresentarangeofuniformelevation，butrathergroupsandoccasionallydetachedpeaks。Thoughsomeoftheserisetotheregionofperpetualsnows，andareupwardsofeleventhousandfeetinrealaltitude，yettheirheightfromtheirimmediatebasisisnotsogreatasmightbeimagined，astheyswellupfromelevatedplains，severalthousandfeetabovetheleveloftheocean。Theseplainsareoftenofadesolatesterility;meresandywastes，formedofthedetritusofthegraniteheights，destituteoftreesandherbage，scorchedbytheardentandreflectedraysofthesummer’ssun，andinwintersweptbychillingblastsfromthesnow-cladmountains。Suchisagreatpartofthatvastregionextendingnorthandsouthalongthemountains，severalhundredmilesinwidth，whichhasnotimproperlybeentermedtheGreatAmericanDesert。Itisaregionthatalmostdiscouragesallhopeofcultivation，andcanonlybetraversedwithsafetybykeepingnearthestreamswhichintersectit。Extensiveplainslikewiseoccuramongthehigherregionsofthemountains，ofconsiderablefertility。Indeed，theseloftyplatsoftable-landseemtoformapeculiarfeatureintheAmericancontinents。SomeoccuramongtheCordillerasoftheAndes，wherecities，andtowns，andcultivatedfarmsaretobeseeneightthousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea。
TheRockyMountains，aswehavealreadyobserved，occursometimessinglyoringroups，andoccasionallyincollateralridges。
Betweenthesearedeepvalleys，withsmallstreamswindingthroughthem，whichfindtheirwayintothelowerplains，augmentingastheyproceed，andultimatelydischargingthemselvesintothosevastrivers，whichtraversetheprairieslikegreatarteries，anddrainthecontinent。
WhilethegraniticsummitsoftheRockyMountainsarebleakandbare，manyoftheinferiorridgesarescantilyclothedwithscrubbedpines，oaks，cedar，andfurze。Variouspartsofthemountainsalsobeartracesofvolcanicaction。Someoftheinteriorvalleysarestrewedwithscoriaandbrokenstones，evidentlyofvolcanicorigin;thesurroundingrocksbearthelikecharacter，andvestigesofextinguishedcratersaretobeseenontheelevatedheights。
WehavealreadynoticedthesuperstitiousfeelingswithwhichtheIndiansregardtheBlackHills;butthisimmenserangeofmountains，whichdividesallthattheyknowoftheworld，andgivesbirthtosuchmightyrivers，isstillmoreanobjectofaweandveneration。Theycallit“thecrestoftheworld。”andthinkthatWacondah，orthemasteroflife，astheydesignatetheSupremeBeing，hashisresidenceamongtheseaerialheights。Thetribesontheeasternprairiescallthemthemountainsofthesettingsun。Someofthemplacethe“happyhunting-grounds。”
theiridealparadise，amongtherecessesofthesemountains;butsaythattheyareinvisibletolivingmen。Herealsoisthe“LandofSouls。”inwhicharethe“townsofthefreeandgenerousspirits。”wherethosewhohavepleasedthemasteroflifewhileliving，enjoyafterdeathallmannerofdelights。
Wondersaretoldofthesemountainsbythedistanttribes，whosewarriorsorhuntershaveeverwanderedintheirneighborhood。Itisthoughtbysomethat，afterdeath，theywillhavetotraveltothesemountainsandascendoneoftheirhighestandmostruggedpeaks，amongrocksandsnowsandtumblingtorrents。Aftermanymoonsofpainfultoiltheywillreachthesummit，fromwhencetheywillhaveaviewoverthelandofsouls。Theretheywillseethehappyhunting-grounds，withthesoulsofthebraveandgoodlivingintentsingreenmeadows，bybrightrunningstreams，orhuntingtheherdsofbuffalo，andelk，anddeer，whichhavebeenslainonearth。There，too，theywillseethevillagesortownsofthefreeandgenerousspiritsbrighteninginthemidstofdeliciousprairies。Iftheyhaveacquittedthemselveswellwhileliving，theywillbepermittedtodescendandenjoythishappycountry;ifotherwisetheywillbutbetantalizedwiththisprospectofit，andthenhurledbackfromthemountaintowanderaboutthesandyplains，andenduretheeternalpangsofunsatisfiedthirstandhunger。
CHAPTERXXVIII。
RegionoftheCrowIndians-ScoutsontheLookout-VisitFromaCrewofHardRiders-ACrowCamp-PresentstotheCrowChief-
Bargaining-CrowBullies-RoseAmongHisIndianFriends-PartingWiththeCrows-PerplexitiesAmongtheMountains-MoreoftheCrows-EquestrianChildren-SearchAfterStragglers。
THEtravellershadnowarrivedinthevicinityofthemountainregionsinfestedbytheCrowIndians。Theserestlessmarauders，ashasalreadybeenobserved，areapttobecontinuallyontheprowlabouttheskirtsofthemountains;andevenwhenencampedinsomedeepandsecludedglen，theykeepscoutsuponthecliffsandpromontories，who，unseenthemselves，candiscerneverylivingthingthatmovesoverthesubjacentplainsandvalleys。Itwasnottobeexpectedthatourtravellerscouldpassunseenthrougharegionthusvigilantlysentineled;accordingly，intheedgeoftheevening，notlongaftertheyhadencampedatthefootoftheBighornSierra，acoupleofwild-lookingbeings，scantilycladinskins，butwellarmed，andmountedonhorsesaswild-
lookingasthemselves，wereseenapproachingwithgreatcautionfromamongtherocks。TheymighthavebeenmistakenfortwooftheevilspiritsofthemountainssoformidableinIndianfable。
Rosewasimmediatelysentouttoholdaparleywiththem，andinvitethemtothecamp。Theyprovedtobetwoscoutsfromthesamebandthathadbeentrackedforsomedayspast，andwhichwasnowencampedatsomedistanceinthefoldsofthemountain。Theywereeasilyprevailedupontocometothecamp，wheretheywerewellreceived，and，afterremainingthereuntillateintheevening，departedtomakeareportofalltheyhadseenandexperiencedtotheircompanions。
Thefollowingdayhadscarcedawned，whenatroopofthesewildmountainscampererscamegallopingwithwhoopsandyellsintothecamp，bringinganinvitationfromtheirchiefforthewhitementovisithim。Thetentswereaccordinglystruck，thehorsesladen，andthepartyweresoononthemarch。TheCrowhorsemen，astheyescortedthem，appearedtotakeprideinshowingofftheirequestrianskillandhardihood;careeringatfullspeedontheirhalf-savagesteeds，anddashingamongrocksandcrags，andupanddownthemostruggedanddangerousplaceswithperfecteaseandunconcern。
Arideofsixteenmilesbroughtthem，intheafternoon，insightoftheCrowcamp。Itwascomposedofleatherntents，pitchedinameadowontheborderofasmallclearstreamatthefootofthemountain。Agreatnumberofhorsesweregrazinginthevicinity，manyofthemdoubtlesscapturedinmaraudingexcursions，TheCrowchieftaincameforthtomeethisguestswithgreatprofessionsoffriendship，andconductedthemtohistents，pointingout，bytheway，aconvenientplacewheretheymightfixtheircamp。Nosoonerhadtheydoneso，thanMr。Huntopenedsomeofthepackagesandmadethechiefapresentofascarletblanketandaquantityofpowderandball;hegavehimalsosomeknives，trinkets，andtobaccotobedistributedamonghiswarriors，withallwhichthegrimpotentateseemed，forthetime，wellpleased。
AstheCrows，however，werereputedtobeperfidiousintheextreme，andaserrantfreebootersasthebirdafterwhichtheyweresoworthilynamed;andastheirgeneralfeelingstowardsthewhiteswereknowntobebynomeansfriendly，theintercoursewiththemwasconductedwithgreatcircumspection。
ThefollowingdaywaspassedintradingwiththeCrowsforbuffalorobesandskins，andinbarteringgalledandjadedhorsesforothersthatwereingoodcondition。Someofthemen，also，purchasedhorsesontheirownaccount，sothatthenumbernowamountedtoonehundredandtwenty-one，mostofthemsoundandactive，andfitformountainservice。
Theirwantsbeingsupplied，theyceasedallfurthertraffic，muchtothedissatisfactionoftheCrows，whobecameextremelyurgenttocontinuethetrade，and，findingtheirimportunitiesofnoavail，assumedaninsolentandmenacingtone。AllthiswasattributedbyMr。HuntandhisassociatestotheperfidiousinstigationsofRosetheinterpreter，whomtheysuspectedofthedesiretofomentill-willbetweenthemandthesavages，forthepromotionofhisnefariousplans。M’Lellan，withhisusualtranchantmodeofdealingoutjustice，resolvedtoshootthedesperadoonthespotincaseofanyoutbreak。Nothingofthekind，however，occurred。TheCrowswereprobablydauntedbytheresolute，thoughquietdemeanorofthewhitemen，andtheconstantvigilanceandarmedpreparationswhichtheymaintained;
andRose，ifhereallystillharboredhisknavishdesigns，musthaveperceivedthattheyweresuspected，and，ifattemptedtobecarriedintoeffect，mightbringruinonhisownhead。
Thenextmorning，brightandearly，Mr。Huntproposedtoresumehisjourneying。HetookaceremoniousleaveoftheCrowchieftain，andhisvagabondwarriors，andaccordingtopreviousarrangements，consignedtotheircherishingfriendshipandfraternaladoption，theirworthyconfederateRose;who，havingfiguredamongthewaterpiratesoftheMississippi，waswellfittedtorisetodistinctionamongthelandpiratesoftheRockyMountains。
Itispropertoadd，thattheruffianwaswellreceivedamongthetribe，andappearedtobeperfectlysatisfiedwiththecompromisehehadmade;feelingmuchmoreathiseaseamongsavagesthanamongwhitemen。Itisoutcastsfromjustice，andheartlessdesperadoesofthiskindwhosowtheseedsofenmityandbitternessamongtheunfortunatetribesofthefrontier。Thereisnoenemysoimplacableagainstacountryoracommunityasoneofitsownpeoplewhohasrenderedhimselfanalienbyhiscrimes。
Rightgladtobedeliveredfromthistreacherouscompanion，Mr。
Huntpursuedhiscoursealongtheskirtsofthemountain，inasoutherndirection，seekingforsomepracticabledefilebywhichhemightpassthroughit;nonesuchpresented，however，inthecourseoffifteenmiles，andheencampedonasmallstream，stillontheoutskirts。Thegreenmeadowswhichborderthesemountainstreamsaregenerallywellstockedwithgame，andthehunterskilledseveralfatelks，whichsuppliedthecampwithfreshmeat。
IntheeveningthetravellersweresurprisedbyanunwelcomevisitfromseveralCrowsbelongingtoadifferentbandfromthatwhichtheyrecentlyleft，andwhosaidtheircampwasamongthemountains。Theconsciousnessofbeingenvironedbysuchdangerousneighbors，andofbeingstillwithintherangeofRoseandhisfellowruffians，obligedthepartytobecontinuallyonthealert，andtomaintainwearyvigilsthroughoutthenight，lesttheyshouldberobbedoftheirhorses。
OnthethirdofSeptember，findingthatthemountainstillstretchedonwards，presentingacontinuedbarrier，theyendeavoredtoforceapassagetothewestward，butsoonbecameentangledamongrocksandprecipiceswhichsetalltheireffortsatdefiance。Themountainseemed，forthemostpart，rugged，bare，andsterile;yethereandthereitwasclothedwithpines，andwithshrubsandfloweringplants，someofwhichwereinbloom。Intollingamongthesewearyplaces，theirthirstbecameexcessive，fornowaterwastobemetwith。Numbersofthemenwanderedoffintorockydellsandravinesinhopesoffindingsomebrookorfountain;someofwhomlosttheirwayanddidnotrejointhemainparty。
Afteradayofpainfulandfruitlessscrambling，Mr。Huntgaveuptheattempttopenetrateinthisdirection，and，returningtothelittlestreamontheskirtsofthemountain，pitchedhistentswithinsixmilesofhisencampmentoftheprecedingnight。Henoworderedthatsignalsshouldbemadeforthestragglersinquestofwater;butthenightpassedawaywithouttheirreturn。
Thenextmorning，totheirsurprise，Rosemadehisappearanceatthecamp，accompaniedbysomeofhisCrowassociates。Hisunwelcomevisitrevivedtheirsuspicions;butheannouncedhimselfasamessengerofgood-willfromthechief，who，findingtheyhadtakenthewrongroad，hadsentRoseandhiscompanionstoguidethemtoanearerandbetteroneacrossthemountain。
Havingnochoice，beingthemselvesutterlyatfault，theysetoutunderthisquestionableescort。TheyhadnotgonefarbeforetheyfellinwiththewholepartyofCrows，who，theynowfound，weregoingthesameroadwiththemselves。Thetwocavalcadesofwhiteandredmen，therefore，pushedontogether，andpresentedawildandpicturesquespectacle，as，equippedwithvariousweaponsandinvariousgarbs，withtrainsofpack-horses，theywoundinlonglinesthroughtheruggeddefiles，andupanddownthecragsandsteepsofthemountain。
Thetravellershadagainanopportunitytoseeandadmiretheequestrianhabitudesandaddressofthishard-ridingtribe。Theywereallmounted，man，woman，andchild，fortheCrowshavehorsesinabundance，sothatnoonegoesonfoot。Thechildrenareperfectimpsonhorseback。Amongthemwasonesoyoungthathecouldnotyetspeak。Hewastiedonacoltoftwoyearsold，butmanagedthereinsasifbyinstinct，andpliedthewhipwithtrueIndianprodigality。Mr。Huntinquiredtheageofthisinfantjockey，andwasansweredthat“hehadseentwowinters。”
Thisisalmostrealizingthefableofthecentaurs;norcanwewonderattheequestrianadroitnessofthesesavages，whoarethusinamannercradledinthesaddle，andbecomeininfancyalmostidentifiedwiththeanimaltheybestride。
Themountaindefileswereexceedinglyroughandbroken，andthetravellingpainfultotheburdenedhorses。Theparty，therefore，proceededbutslowly，andweregraduallyleftbehindbythebandofCrows，whohadtakenthelead。ItismorethanprobablethatMr。Huntloiteredinhiscourse，togetridofsuchdoubtfulfellow-travellers。Certainitisthathefeltasensationofreliefashesawthewholecrew，therenegadeRoseandall，disappearamongthewindingsofthemountain，andheardthelastyelpofthesavagesdieawayinthedistance。
Whentheywerefairlyoutofsight，andoutofhearing，heencampedontheheadwatersofthelittlestreamoftheprecedingday，havingcomeaboutsixteenmiles。Hereheremainedallthesucceedingday，aswelltogivetimefortheCrowstogetintheadvance，asforthestragglers，whohadwanderedawayinquestofwatertwodayspreviously，torejointhecamp。Indeed，considerableuneasinessbegantobefeltconcerningthesemen，lesttheyshouldbecomeutterlybewilderedinthedefilesofthemountains，orshouldfallintothehandsofsomemaraudingbandofsavages。Someofthemostexperiencedhuntersweresentinsearchofthem;others，inthemeantime，employedthemselvesinhunting。Thenarrowvalleyinwhichtheyencampedbeingwateredbyarunningstream，yieldedfreshpasturage，andthoughintheheartoftheBighornMountains，waswellstockedwithbuffalo。
Severalofthesewerekilled，asalsoagrizzlybear。Intheevening，tothesatisfactionofallparties，thestragglersmadetheirappearance，andprovisionsbeinginabundance，therewasheartygoodcheerinthecamp。
CHAPTERXXIX
MountainGlens-WanderingBandofSavages-AnecdotesofShoshon-
iesandFlatheads-RootDiggers-TheirSolitaryLurkingHabits-
GnomesoftheMountains-WindRiver-ScarcityofFood-Alter-
ationofRoute-ThePilotKnobsorTetons-BranchoftheColorado-HuntingCamp。
RESUMINGtheircourseonthefollowingmorning，Mr。Huntandhiscompanionscontinuedonwestwardthrougharuggedregionofhillsandrocks，butdiversifiedinmanyplacesbygrassylittleglens，withspringsofwater，brightsparklingbrooks，clumpsofpinetrees，andaprofusionoffloweringplants，whichwereinbloom，althoughtheweatherwasfrosty。Thesebeautifulandverdantrecesses，runningthroughandsofteningtheruggedmountains，werecheeringandrefreshingtothewayworntravellers。
Inthecourseofthemorning，astheywereentangledinadefile，theybeheldasmallbandofsavages，aswild-lookingasthesurroundingscenery，whoreconnoitredthemwarilyfromtherocksbeforetheyventuredtoadvance。Someofthemweremountedonhorsesrudelycaparisonedwithbridlesorhaltersofbuffalohide，oneendtrailingafterthemontheground。TheyprovedtobeamixedpartyofFlatheadsandShoshonies，orSnakes;andasthesetribeswillbefrequentlymentionedinthecourseofthiswork，weshallgiveafewintroductoryparticularsconcerningthem。
TheFlatheadsinquestionarenottobeconfoundedwiththoseofthenamewhodwellaboutthelowerwatersoftheColumbia;
neitherdotheyflattentheirheads，astheothersdo。Theyinhabitthebanksofariveronthewestsideofthemountains，andaredescribedassimple，honest，andhospitable。Likeallpeopleofsimilarcharacter，whethercivilizedorsavage，theyarepronetobeimposedupon;andareespeciallymaltreatedbytheruthlessBlackfeet，whoharassthemintheirvillages，stealtheirhorsesbynight，oropenlycarrythemoffinthefaceofday，withoutprovokingpursuitorretaliation。
TheShoshoniesareabranchoftheoncepowerfulandprosperoustribeoftheSnakes，whopossessedaglorioushuntingcountryabouttheupperforksoftheMissouri，aboundinginbeaverandbuffalo。TheirhuntinggroundwasoccasionallyinvadedbytheBlackfeet，buttheSnakesbattledbravelyfortheirdomains，andalongandbloodyfeudexisted，withvariablesuccess。AtlengththeHudson’sBayCompany，extendingtheirtradeintotheinterior，haddealingswiththeBlackfeet，whowerenearesttothem，andsuppliedthemwithfire-arms。TheSnakes，whooccasionallytradedwiththeSpaniards，endeavored，butinvain，toobtainsimilarweapons;theSpanishtraderswiselyrefusedtoarmthemsoformidably。TheBlackfeethadnowavastadvantage，andsoondispossessedthepoorSnakesoftheirfavoritehuntinggrounds，theirlandofplenty，anddrovethemfromplacetoplace，untiltheywerefaintotakerefugeinthewildestandmostdesolaterecessesoftheRockyMountains。Evenheretheyaresubjecttooccasionalvisitsfromtheirimplacablefoes，aslongastheyhavehorses，oranyotherpropertytotempttheplunderer。ThusbydegreestheSnakeshavebecomeascattered，broken-spirited，impoverishedpeople;keepingaboutlonelyriversandmountainstreams，andsubsistingchieflyuponfish。Suchofthemasstillpossesshorses，andoccasionallyfigureashunters，arecalledShoshonies;butthereisanotherclass，themostabjectandforlorn，whoarecalledShuckers，ormorecommonlyDiggersandRootEaters。Theseareashy，secret，solitaryrace，whokeepinthemostretiredpartsofthemountains，lurkinglikegnomesincavernsandcleftsoftherocks，andsubsistinginagreatmeasureontherootsoftheearth。Sometimes，inpassingthroughasolitarymountainvalley，thetravellercomesperchanceuponthebleedingcarcassofadeerorbuffalothathasjustbeenslain。Helooksroundinvainforthehunter;thewholelandscapeislifelessanddeserted:atlengthheperceivesathreadofsmoke，curlingupfromamongthecragsandcliffs，andscramblingtotheplace，findssomeforlornandskulkingbroodofDiggers，terrifiedatbeingdiscovered。
TheShoshonies，however，who，ashasbeenobserved，havestill“horsetorideandweapontowear。”aresomewhatbolderintheirspirit，andmoreopenandwideintheirwanderings。Intheautumn，whensalmondisappearfromtherivers，andhungerbeginstopinch，theyevenventuredownintotheirancienthuntinggrounds，tomakeaforayamongthebuffaloes。InthisperilousenterprisetheyareoccasionallyjoinedbytheFlatheads，thepersecutionsoftheBlackfeethavingproducedacloseallianceandcooperationbetweentheselucklessandmaltreatedtribes。
Still，notwithstandingtheirunitedforce，everysteptheytakewithinthedebatablegroundistakeninfearandtrembling，andwiththeutmostprecaution:andanIndiantraderassuresusthathehasseenatleastfivehundredofthem，armedandequippedforaction，andkeepingwatchuponthehilltops，whileaboutfiftywerehuntingintheprairie。Theirexcursionsarebriefandhurried;assoonastheyhavecollectedandjerkedsufficientbuffalomeatforwinterprovisions，theypacktheirhorses，abandonthedangeroushuntinggrounds，andhastenbacktothemountains，happyiftheyhavenottheterribleBlackfeetrattlingafterthem。
SuchaconfederatebandofShoshoniesandFlatheadswastheonemetbyourtravellers。ItwasboundonavisittotheArrapahoes，atribeinhabitingthebanksoftheNebraska。Theywerearmedtothebestoftheirscantymeans，andsomeoftheShoshonieshadbucklersofbuffalohide，adornedwithfeathersandleathernfringes，andwhichhaveacharmedvirtueintheireyes，fromhavingbeenprepared，withmysticceremonies，bytheirconjurers。
Incompanywiththiswanderingbandourtravellersproceededallday。Intheeveningtheyencampedneartoeachotherinadefileofthemountains，onthebordersofastreamrunningnorth，andfallingintoBighornRiver。Inthevicinityofthecamp，theyfoundgooseberries，strawberries，andcurrantsingreatabundance。Thedefileboretracesofhavingbeenathoroughfareforcountlessherdsofbuffaloes，thoughnotonewastobeseen。
Thehunterssucceededinkillinganelkandseveralblack-taileddeer。
TheywerenowinthebosomofthesecondBighornridge，withanotherloftyandsnow-crownedmountainfullinviewtothewest。
Fifteenmilesofwesterncoursebroughtthem，onthefollowingday，downintoaninterveningplain，wellstockedwithbuffalo。
HeretheSnakesandFlatheadsjoinedwiththewhitehuntersinasuccessfulhunt，thatsoonfilledthecampwithprovisions。
Onthemorningofthe9thofSeptember，thetravellerspartedcompanywiththeirIndianfriends，andcontinuedontheircoursetothewest。Amarchofthirtymilesbroughtthem，intheevening，tothebanksofarapidandbeautifullyclearstreamaboutahundredyardswide。ItisthenorthforkorbranchoftheBighornRiver，butbearsitspeculiarnameoftheWindRiver，frombeingsubjectinthewinterseasontoacontinuedblastwhichsweepsitsbanksandpreventsthesnowfromlyingonthem。
Thisblastissaidtobecausedbyanarrowgaporfunnelinthemountains，throughwhichtheriverforcesitswaybetweenperpendicularprecipices，resemblingcutrocks。
Thisrivergivesitsnametoawholerangeofmountainsconsistingofthreeparallelchains，eightymilesinlength，andabouttwentyortwenty-fivebroad。Oneofitspeaksisprobablyfifteenthousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea，beingoneofthehighestoftheRockySierra。Thesemountainsgiverise，notmerelytotheWindorBighornRiver，buttoseveralbranchesoftheYellowstoneandtheMissouriontheeast，andoftheColumbiaandColoradoonthewest;thusdividingthesourcesofthesemightystreams。
Forfivesucceedingdays，Mr。HuntandhispartycontinuedupthecourseoftheWindRiver，tothedistanceofabouteightymiles，crossingandrecrossingit，accordingtoitswindings，andthenatureofitsbanks;sometimespassingthroughvalleys，atothertimesscramblingoverrocksandhills。Thecountryingeneralwasdestituteoftrees，buttheypassedthroughgrovesofwormwood，eightandtenfeetinheight，whichtheyusedoccasionallyforfuel，andtheymetwithlargequantitiesofwildflax。
Themountainsweredestituteofgame;theycameinsightoftwogrizzlybears，butcouldnotgetnearenoughforashot;
provisions，therefore，begantobescanty。Theysawlargeflightsofthekindofthrushcommonlycalledtherobin，andmanysmallerbirdsofmigratoryspecies;butthehillsingeneralappearedlonelyandwithfewsignsofanimallife。Ontheeveningofthe14thSeptember，theyencampedontheforksoftheWindorBighornRiver。ThelargestoftheseforkscamefromtherangeofWindRiverMountains。
Thehunterswhoservedasguidestothepartyinthispartoftheirroute，hadassuredMr。Huntthat，byfollowingupWindRiver，andcrossingasinglemountainridge，hewouldcomeupontheheadwatersoftheColumbia。Thisscarcityofgame，however，whichalreadyhadbeenfelttoapinchingdegree，andwhichthreatenedthemwithfamineamongthesterileheightswhichlaybeforethem，admonishedthemtochangetheircourse。Itwasdetermined，therefore，tomakeforastream，whichtheywereinformedpassedtheneighboringmountains，tothesouthofwest，onthegrassybanksofwhichitwasprobabletheywouldmeetwithbuffalo。Accordingly，aboutthreeo’clockonthefollowingday，meetingwithabeatenIndianroadwhichledintheproperdirection，theystruckintoit，turningtheirbacksuponWindRiver。
Inthecourseoftheday，theycametoaheightthatcommandedanalmostboundlessprospect。Hereoneoftheguidespaused，and，afterconsideringthevastlandscapeattentively，pointedtothreemountainpeaksglisteningwithsnow，whichrose，hesaid，aboveaforkofColumbiaRiver。Theywerehailedbythetravellerswiththatjoywithwhichabeacononaseashoreishailedbymarinersafteralonganddangerousvoyage。
Itistruetherewasmanyawearyleaguetobetraversedbeforetheyshouldreachtheselandmarks，for，allowingfortheirevidentheightandtheextremetransparencyoftheatmosphere，theycouldnotbemuchlessthanahundredmilesdistant。Evenafterreachingthem，therewouldyetremainhundredsofmilesoftheirjourneytobeaccomplished。AllthesematterswereforgotteninthejoyatseeingthefirstlandmarksoftheColumbia，thatriverwhichformedthebourneoftheexpedition。
TheseremarkablepeakswereknownastheTetons;asguidingpointsformanydays，toMr。Hunt，hegavethemthenamesofthePilotKnobs。
Thetravellerscontinuedtheircoursetothesouthofwestforaboutfortymiles，througharegionsoelevatedthatpatchesofsnowlayonthehighestsummitsandonthenortherndeclivities。
Atlengththeycametothedesiredstream，theobjectoftheirsearch，thewatersofwhichflowedtothewest。Itwas，infact，abranchoftheColorado，whichfallsintotheGulfofCalifornia，andhadreceivedfromthehuntersthenameofSpanishRiver，frominformationgivenbytheIndiansthatSpaniardsresideduponitslowerwaters。
Theaspectofthisriveranditsvicinitywascheeringtothewaywornandhungrytravellers。Itsbanksweregreen，andthereweregrassyvalleysrunningfromitvariousdirections，intotheheartoftheruggedmountains，withherdsofbuffaloquietlygrazing。Thehunterssalliedforthwithkeenalacrity，andsoonreturnedladenwithprovisions。
InthispartofthemountainsMr。Huntmetwiththreedifferentkindsofgooseberries。Thecommonpurple，onalowandverythornybush;ayellowkind，ofanexcellentflavor，growingonastockfreefromthorns;andadeeppurple，ofthesizeandtasteofourwintergrape，withathornystalk。Therewerealsothreekindsofcurrants，oneverylargeandwelltasted，ofapurplecolor，andgrowingonabusheightorninefeethigh。Anotherofayellowcolor，andofthesizeandtasteofthelargeredcurrant，thebushfourorfivefeethigh;andthethirdabeautifulscarlet，resemblingthestrawberryinsweetness，thoughratherinsipid，andgrowingonalowbush。
Onthe17ththeycontinueddownthecourseoftheriver，makingfifteenmilestothesouthwest。Theriveraboundedwithgeeseandducks，andthereweresignsofitsbeinginhabitedbybeaverandotters:indeedtheywerenowapproachingregionswheretheseanimals，thegreatobjectsofthefurtrade，aresaidtoabound。
Theyencampedforthenightoppositetheendofamountaininthewest，whichwasprobablythelastchainoftheRockyMountains。
OnthefollowingmorningtheyabandonedthemaincourseoftheSpanishRiver，andtakinganorthwestdirectionforeightmiles，cameupononeofitslittletributaries，issuingoutofthebosomofthemountains，andrunningthroughgreenmeadows，yieldingpasturagetoherdsofbuffalo。Asthesewereprobablythelastofthatanimaltheywouldmeetwith，theyencampedonthegrassybanksoftheriver，determinedtospendseveraldaysinhunting，soastobeabletojerksufficientmeattosupplythemuntiltheyshouldreachthewatersoftheColumbia，wheretheytrustedtofindfishenoughfortheirsupport。Alittlerepose，too，wasnecessaryforbothmenandhorses，aftertheirruggedandincessantmarching;havinginthecourseofthelastseventeendaystraversedtwohundredandsixtymilesofrough，andinmanypartssterile，mountaincountry。
CHAPTERXXX。
APlentifulHuntingCamp-ShoshonieHunters-Hoback’sRiver-
MadRiver-EncampmentNearthePilotKnobs-AConsultation-
PreparationsforaPerilousVoyage。
FIVEdayswerepassedbyMr。Huntandhiscompanionsinthefreshmeadowswateredbythebrightlittlemountainstream。Thehuntersmadegreathavocamongthebuffaloes，andbroughtinquantitiesofmeat;thevoyageursbusiedthemselvesaboutthefires，roastingandstewingforpresentpurposes，ordryingprovisionsforthejourney;thepack-horses，easedoftheirburdens，rolledonthegrass，orgrazedatlargeabouttheamplepasture;thoseofthepartywhohadnocallupontheirservices，indulgedintheluxuryofperfectrelaxation，andthecamppresentedapictureofrudefeastingandrevelry，ofmingledbustleandrepose，characteristicofahaltinafinehuntingcountry。Inthecourseofoneoftheirexcursions，someofthemencameinsightofasmallpartyofIndians，whoinstantlyfledingreatapparentconsternation。Theyimmediatelyretreatedtocampwiththeintelligence:uponwhichMr。Huntandfourothersflungthemselvesupontheirhorses，andsalliedforthtoreconnoitre。
Afterridingforabouteightmiles，theycameuponawildmountainscene。Alonelygreenvalleystretchedbeforethem，surroundedbyruggedheights。Aherdofbuffalowerecareeringmadlythroughit，withatroopofsavagehorsemeninfullchase，plyingthemwiththeirbowsandarrows。TheappearanceofMr。
Huntandhiscompanionsputanabruptendtothehunt;thebuffaloscuttledoffinonedirection，whiletheIndianspliedtheirlashesandgallopedoffinanother，asfastastheirsteedscouldcarrythem。Mr。Huntgavechase;therewasasharpscamper，thoughofshortcontinuance。TwoyoungIndians，whowereindifferentlymounted，weresoonovertaken。Theywereterriblyfrightened，andevidentlygavethemselvesupforlost。Bydegreestheirfearswereallayedbykindtreatment;buttheycontinuedtoregardthestrangerswithamixtureofaweandwonder，foritwasthefirsttimeintheirlivestheyhadeverseenawhiteman。
TheybelongedtoapartyofSnakeswhohadcomeacrossthemountainsontheirautumnalhuntingexcursiontoprovidebuffalomeatforthewinter。BeingpersuadedofthepeacefulintentionsofMr。Huntandhiscompanions，theywillinglyconductedthemtotheircamp。Itwaspitchedinanarrowvalleyonthemarginofastream。Thetentswereofdressedskins，someofthemfantasticallypainted;withhorsesgrazingaboutthem。Theapproachofthepartycausedatransientalarminthecamp，forthesepoorIndianswereeveronthelook-outforcruelfoes。Nosooner，however，didtheyrecognizethegarbandcomplexionoftheirvisitors，thantheirapprehensionswerechangedintoJoy;
forsomeofthemhaddealtwithwhitemen，andknewthemtobefriendly，andtoaboundwitharticlesofsingularvalue。Theywelcomedthem，therefore，totheirtents，setfoodbeforethem;
andentertainedthemtothebestoftheirpower。
Theyhadbeensuccessfulintheirhunt，andtheircampwasfullofjerkedbuffalomeat，allofthechoicestkind，andextremelyfat。Mr。Huntpurchasedenoughofthem，inadditiontowhathadbeenkilledandcuredbyhisownhunters，toloadallthehorsesexceptingthosereservedforthepartnersandthewifeofPierreDorion。Hefound，also，afewbeaverskinsintheircamp，forwhichhepaidliberally，asaninducementtothemtohuntformore;informingthemthatsomeofhispartyintendedtoliveamongthemountains，andtradewiththenativehuntersfortheirpeltries。ThepoorSnakessooncomprehendedtheadvantagesthusheldouttothem，andpromisedtoexertthemselvestoprocureaquantityofbeaverskinsforfuturetraffic。Beingnowwellsuppliedwithprovisions，Mr。Huntbrokeuphisencampmentonthe24thofSeptember，andcontinuedontothewest。Amarchoffifteenmiles，overamountainridge，broughtthemtoastreamaboutfiftyfeetinwidth，whichHoback，oneoftheirguides，whohadtrappedabouttheneighborhoodwhenintheserviceofMr。
Henry，recognizedforoneoftheheadwatersoftheColumbia。Thetravellershaileditwithdelight，asthefirststreamtheyhadencounteredtendingtowardtheirpointofdestination。Theykeptalongitfortwodays，duringwhich，fromthecontributionofmanyrillsandbrooks，itgraduallyswelledintoasmallriver。
Asitmeanderedamongrocksandprecipices，theywerefrequentlyobligedtofordit，andsuchwasitsrapiditythatthemenwereoftenindangerofbeingsweptaway。Sometimesthebanksadvancedsocloseupontheriverthattheywereobligedtoscrambleupanddowntheirruggedpromontories，ortoskirtalongtheirbaseswheretherewasscarceafoothold。Theirhorseshaddangerousfallsinsomeofthesepasses。Oneofthemrolled，withhisload，nearlytwohundredfeetdownhillintotheriver，butwithoutreceivinganyinjury。Atlengththeyemergedfromthesestupendousdefiles，andcontinuedforseveralmilesalongthebankofHoback’sRiver，throughoneofthesternmountainvalleys。Hereitwasjoinedbyariverofgreatermagnitudeandswiftercurrent，andtheirunitedwaterssweptoffthroughthevalleyinoneimpetuousstream，which，fromitsrapidityandturbulence，hadreceivedthenameoftheMadRiver。Attheconfluenceofthesestreamsthetravellersencamped。Animportantpointintheirarduousjourneyhadbeenattained;afewmilesfromtheircamprosethethreevastsnowypeakscalledtheTetons，orthePilotKnobs，thegreatlandmarksoftheColumbia，bywhichtheyhadshapedtheircoursethroughthismountainwilderness。BytheirfeetflowedtherapidcurrentofMadRiver，astreamampleenoughtoadmitofthenavigationofcanoes，anddownwhichtheymightpossiblybeabletosteertheircoursetothemainbodyoftheColumbia。TheCanadianvoyageursrejoicedattheideaofoncemorelaunchingthemselvesupontheirfavoriteelement;ofexchangingtheirhorsesforcanoes，andofglidingdownthebosomsofrivers，insteadofscramblingoverthebacksofmountains。Othersoftheparty，also，inexperiencedinthiskindoftravelling，consideredtheirtoilsandtroublesasdrawingtoaclose。Theyhadconqueredthechiefdifficultiesofthisgreatrockybarrier，andnowflatteredthemselveswiththehopeofaneasydownwardcoursefortherestoftheirjourney。
Littledidtheydreamofthehardshipsandperilsbylandandwater，whichwereyettobeencounteredinthefrightfulwildernessthatintervenedbetweenthemandtheshoresofthePacific！
CHAPTERXXXI。
AConsultationWhethertoProceedbyLandorWater-PreparationsforBoat-Building-AnExploringParty-APartyofTrappersDetached-TwoSnakeVisitors-TheirReportConcerningtheRiver-ConfirmedbytheExploringParty-MadRiverAbandoned-ArrivalatHenry’sFort-DetachmentofRobinson，Hoback，andReznertoTrap-Mr。MillerResolvestoAccompanyThem-TheirDeparture。
0NthebanksofMadRiverMr。Huntheldaconsultationwiththeotherpartnersastotheirfuturemovements。Thewildandimpetuouscurrentoftheriverrenderedhimdoubtfulwhetheritmightnotaboundwithimpedimentslowerdown，sufficienttorenderthenavigationofitslowandperilous，ifnotimpracticable。Thehunterswhohadactedasguidesknewnothingofthecharacteroftheriverbelow;whatrocks，andshoals，andrapidsmightobstructit，orthroughwhatmountainsanddesertsitmightpass。Shouldtheythenabandontheirhorses，castthemselveslooseinfragilebarksuponthiswild，doubtful，andunknownriver;orshouldtheycontinuetheirmoretoilsomeandtedious，butperhapsmorecertainwayfaringbyland？
Thevote，asmighthavebeenexpected，wasalmostunanimousforembarkation;forwhenmenareindifficultieseverychangeseemstobeforthebetter。Thedifficultynowwastofindtimberofsufficientsizefortheconstructionofcanoes，thetreesinthesehighmountainregionsbeingchieflyascrubbedgrowthofpinesandcedars，aspens，haws，andservice-berries，andasmallkindofcotton-tree，withaleafresemblingthatofthewillow。
Therewasaspeciesoflargefir，butsofullofknotsastoendangertheaxeinhewingit。Aftersearchingforsometime，agrowthoftimber，ofsufficientsize，wasfoundlowerdowntheriver，whereupontheencampmentwasmovedtothevicinity。
Themenwerenowsettoworktofelltrees，andthemountainsechoedtotheunwontedsoundoftheiraxes。Whilepreparationswerethusgoingonforavoyagedowntheriver，Mr。Hunt，whostillentertaineddoubtsofitspracticability，despatchedanexploringparty，consistingofJohnReed，theclerk，JohnDay，thehunter，andPierreDorion，theinterpreter，withorderstoproceedseveraldays’marchalongthestream，andnoticeitscourseandcharacter。
Aftertheirdeparture，Mr。Huntturnedhisthoughtstoanotherobjectofimportance。HehadnowarrivedattheheadwatersoftheColumbia，whichwereamongthemainpointsembracedbytheenterpriseofMr。Astor。Theseupperstreamswerereputedtoaboundinbeaver，andhadasyetbeenunmolestedbythewhitetrapper。Thenumeroussignsofbeavermetwithduringtherecentsearchfortimbergaveevidencethattheneighborhoodwasagood“trappingground。”Here，then，itwaspropertobegintocastloosethoseleashesofhardytrappers，thataredetachedfromtradingparties，intheveryheartofthewilderness。ThemendetachedinthepresentinstancewereAlexanderCarson，LouisSt。
Michel，PierreDetaye，andPierreDelaunay。Trappersgenerallygoinpairs，thattheymayassist，protect，andcomforteachotherintheirlonelyandperilousoccupations。ThusCarsonandSt。
Michelformedonecouple，andDetayeandDelaunayanother。Theywerefittedoutwithtraps，arms，ammunition，horses，andeveryotherrequisite，andweretotrapupontheupperpartofMadRiver，andupontheneighboringstreamsofthemountains。Thiswouldprobablyoccupythemforsomemonths;and，whentheyshouldhavecollectedasufficientquantityofpeltries，theyweretopackthemupontheirhorsesandmakethebestoftheirwaytothemouthofColumbiaRiver，ortoanyintermediatepostwhichmightbeestablishedbythecompany。Theytookleaveoftheircomradesandstartedoffontheirseveralcourseswithstoutheartsandcheerfulcountenances;thoughtheselonelycruisingsintoawildandhostilewildernessseemtotheuninitiatedequivalenttobeingcastadriftintheship’syawlinthemidstoftheocean。
Oftheperilsthatattendthelonelytrapper，thereaderwillhavesufficientproof，whenhecomes，intheafterpartofthiswork，tolearnthehardfortunesofthesepoorfellowsinthecourseoftheirwildperegrinations。
Thetrappershadnotlongdeparted，whentwoSnakeIndianswanderedintothecamp。Whentheyperceivedthatthestrangerswerefabricatingcanoes，theyshooktheirheadsandgavethemtounderstandthattheriverwasnotnavigable。Theirinformation，however，wasscoffedatbysomeoftheparty，whowereobstinatelybentonembarkation，butwasconfirmedbytheexploringparty，whoreturnedafterseveraldays’absence。Theyhadkeptalongtheriverwithgreatdifficultyfortwodays，andfounditanarrow，crooked，turbulentstream，confinedinarockychannel，withmanyrapids，andoccasionallyoverhungwithprecipices。Fromthesummitofoneofthesetheyhadcaughtabird’s-eyeviewofitsboisterouscareerforagreatdistancethroughtheheartofthemountain，withimpendingrocksandcliffs。Satisfiedfromthisviewthatitwasuselesstofollowitscourse，eitherbylandorwater，theyhadgivenupallfurtherinvestigation。
TheseconcurringreportsdeterminedMr。HunttoabandonMadRiver，andseeksomemorenavigablestream。ThisdeterminationwasconcurredinbyallhisassociatesexceptingMr。Miller，whohadbecomeimpatientofthefatigueoflandtravel，andwasforimmediateembarkationatallhazards。Thisgentlemanhadbeeninagloomyandirritatedstateofmindforsometimepast，beingtroubledwithabodilymaladythatrenderedtravellingonhorsebackextremelyirksometohim，andbeing，moreover，discontentedwithhavingasmallershareintheexpeditionthanhiscomrades。Hisunreasonableobjectionstoafurthermarchbylandwereoverruled，andthepartypreparedtodecamp。
Robinson，Hoback，andRezner，thethreehunterswhohadhithertoservedasguidesamongthemountains，nowsteppedforward，andadvisedMr。HunttomakeforthepostestablishedduringtheprecedingyearbyMr。Henry，oftheMissouriFurCompany。TheyhadbeenwithMr。Henry，and，asfarastheycouldjudgebytheneighboringlandmarks，hispostcouldnotbeveryfaroff。Theypresumedtherecouldbebutoneinterveningridgeofmountains，whichmightbepassedwithoutanygreatdifficulty。Henry’spost，orfort，wasonanupperbranchoftheColumbia，downwhichtheymadenodoubtitwouldbeeasytonavigateincanoes。
ThetwoSnakeIndiansbeingquestionedinthematter，showedaperfectknowledgeofthesituationofthepost，andoffered，withgreatalacrity，toguidethemtotheplace。Theirofferwasaccepted，greatlytothedispleasureofMr。Miller，whoseemedobstinatelybentuponbravingtheperilsofMadRiver。
Theweatherforafewdayspasthadbeenstormy，withrainandsleet。TheRockyMountainsaresubjecttotempestuouswindsfromthewest;thesesometimescomeinflawsorcurrents，makingapaththroughtheforestsmanyyardsinwidth，andwhirlingofftrunksandbranchestoagreatdistance。ThepresentstormsubsidedonthethirdofOctober，leavingallthesurroundingheightscoveredwithsnow;forwhilerainhadfalleninthevalley，ithadsnowedonthehilltops。
Onthe4th，theybrokeuptheirencampment，andcrossedtheriver，thewatercominguptothegirthsoftheirhorses。Aftertravellingfourmiles，theyencampedatthefootofthemountain，thelast，astheyhoped，whichtheyshouldhavetotraverse。Fourdaysmoretookthemacrossit，andoverseveralplains，wateredbybeautifullittlestreams，tributariesofMadRiver。Nearoneoftheirencampmentstherewasahotspringcontinuallyemittingacloudofvapor。Theseelevatedplains，whichgiveapeculiarcharactertothemountains，arefrequentedbylargegangsofantelopes，fleetasthewind。
Ontheeveningofthe8thofOctober，afteracoldwintryday，withgustsofwesterlywindandflurriesofsnow，theyarrivedatthesought-forpostofMr。Henry。Herehehadfixedhimself，afterbeingcompelledbythehostilitiesoftheBlackfeet，toabandontheupperwatersoftheMissouri。Thepost，however，wasdeserted，forMr。Henryhadleftitinthecourseoftheprecedingspring，and，asitafterwardsappeared，hadfalleninwithMr。Lisa，attheArickaravillageontheMissouri，sometimeaftertheseparationofMr。Huntandhisparty。
Thewearytravellersgladlytookpossessionofthedesertedloghutswhichhadformedthepost，andwhichstoodonthebankofastreamupwardsofahundredyardswide，onwhichtheyintendedtoembark。Therebeingplentyofsuitabletimberintheneighborhood，Mr。Huntimmediatelyproceededtoconstructcanoes。
Ashewouldhavetoleavehishorsesandtheiraccoutrementshere，hedeterminedtomakethisatradingpost，wherethetrappersandhunters，tobedistributedaboutthecountry，mightrepair;andwherethetradersmighttouchontheirwaythroughthemountainstoandfromtheestablishmentatthemouthoftheColumbia。HeinformedthetwoSnakeIndiansofthisdetermination，andengagedthemtoremaininthatneighborhoodandtakecareofthehorsesuntilthewhitemenshouldreturn，promisingthemamplerewardsfortheirfidelity。Itmayseemadesperatechancetotrusttothefaithandhonestyoftwosuchvagabonds;but，asthehorseswouldhave，atallevents，tobeabandoned，andwouldotherwisebecomethepropertyofthefirstvagranthordethatshouldencounterthem，itwasonechanceinfavoroftheirbeingregained。
Atthisplaceanotherdetachmentofhunterspreparedtoseparatefromthepartyforthepurposeoftrappingbeaver。Threeofthesehadalreadybeeninthisneighborhood，beingtheveteranRobinsonandhiscompanions，HobackandRezner，whohadaccompaniedMr。Henryacrossthemountains，andwhohadbeenpickedupbyMr。
HuntontheMissouri，ontheirwayhometoKentucky。Accordingtoagreementtheywerefittedoutwithhorses，traps，ammunition，andeverythingrequisitefortheirundertaking，andweretobringinallthepeltriestheyshouldcollect，eithertothistradingpost，ortotheestablishmentatthemouthofColumbiaRiver。
Anotherhunter，ofthenameofCass，wasassociatedwiththemintheirenterprise。Itisinthiswaythatsmallknotsoftrappersandhuntersaredistributedaboutthewildernessbythefurcompanies，andlikecranesandbitterns，hauntitssolitarystreams。Robinson，theKentuckian，theveteranofthe“bloodyground。”who，ashasalreadybeennoted，hadbeenscalpedbytheIndiansinhisyoungerdays，wastheleaderofthislittleband。
Whentheywereabouttodepart，Mr。Millercalledthepartnerstogetherandthrewuphisshareinthecompany，declaringhisintentionofjoiningthepartyoftrappers。
Thisresolutionstruckeveryonewithastonishment，Mr。Millerbeingamanofeducationandofcultivatedhabits，andlittlefittedfortherudelifeofahunter。Besides，theprecariousandslenderprofitsarisingfromsuchalifewerebeneaththeprospectsofonewhoheldashareinthegeneralenterprise。Mr。
Huntwasespeciallyconcernedandmortifiedathisdetermination，asitwasthroughhisadviceandinfluencehehadenteredintotheconcern。Heendeavored，therefore，todissuadehimfromthissuddenresolution;representingitsrashness，andthehardshipsandperilstowhichitwouldexposehim。Heearnestlyadvisedhim，howeverhemightfeeldissatisfiedwiththeenterprise，stilltocontinueonincompanyuntiltheyshouldreachthemouthofColumbiaRiver。Theretheywouldmeettheexpeditionthatwastocomebysea;when，shouldhestillfeeldisposedtorelinquishtheundertaking，Mr。Huntpledgedhimselftofurnishhimapassagehomeinoneofthevesselsbelongingtothecompany。
ToallthisMillerrepliedabruptly，thatitwasuselesstoarguewithhim，ashismindwasmadeup。Theymightfurnishhim，ornot，astheypleased，withthenecessarysupplies，buthewasdeterminedtopartcompanyhere，andsetoffwiththetrappers。
Sosaying，heflungoutoftheirpresencewithoutvouchsafinganyfurtherconversation。
Muchasthiswaywardconductgavethemanxiety，thepartnerssawitwasinvaintoremonstrate。Everyattentionwaspaidtofithimoutforhisheadstrongundertaking。Hewasprovidedwithfourhorses，andallthearticlesherequired。ThetwoSnakesundertooktoconducthimandhiscompanionstoanencampmentoftheirtribe，lowerdownamongthemountains，fromwhomtheywouldreceiveinformationastothetrappinggrounds。Afterthusguidingthem，theSnakesweretoreturntoFortHenry，asthenewtradingpostwascalled，andtakechargeofthehorseswhichthepartywouldleavethere，ofwhich，afterallthehuntersweresupplied，thereremainedseventy-seven。Thesemattersbeingallarranged，Mr。Millersetoutwithhiscompanions，underguidanceofthetwoSnakes，onthe10thofOctober;andmuchdiditgrievethefriendsofthatgentlemantoseehimthuswantonlycastinghimselflooseuponsavagelife。Howheandhiscomradesfaredinthewilderness，andhowtheSnakesacquittedthemselvesoftheirtrustrespectingthehorses，willhereafterappearinthecourseoftheseramblinganecdotes。
CHAPTERXXXII。
ScantyFare-AMendicantSnake-EmbarkationonHenryRiver-JoyoftheVoyageurs-ArrivalatSnakeRiver-RapidsandBreakers-
BeginningofMisfortunes-SnakeEncampments-ParleyWithaSavage-ASecondDisaster-LossofaBoatman-TheCaldronLinn。
WHILEthecanoeswereinpreparation，thehuntersrangedabouttheneighborhood，butwithlittlesuccess。Tracksofbuffaloesweretobeseeninalldirections，butnoneofafreshdate。
Thereweresomeelk，butextremelywild;twoonlywerekilled。
Antelopeswerelikewiseseen，buttooshyandfleettobeapproached。Afewbeaversweretakeneverynight，andsalmontroutofasmallsize，sothatthecamphadprincipallytosubsistupondriedbuffalomeat。
Onthe14th，apoor，half-nakedSnakeIndian，oneofthatforlorncastecalledtheShuckers，orDiggers，madehisappearanceatthecamp。Hecamefromsomelurking-placeamongtherocksandcliffs，andpresentedapictureofthatfamishingwretchednesstowhichtheselonelyfugitivesamongthemountainsaresometimesreduced。
Havingreceivedwherewithaltoallayhishunger，hedisappeared，butinthecourseofadayortworeturnedtothecamp，bringingwithhimhisson，amiserableboy，stillmorenakedandforlornthanhimself。Foodwasgiventoboth;theyskulkedaboutthecamplikehungryhounds，seekingwhattheymightdevour，andhavinggatheredupthefeetandentrailsofsomebeaversthatwerelyingabout，slunkoffwiththemtotheirdenamongtherocks。
Bythe18thofOctober，fifteencanoeswerecompleted，andonthefollowingdaythepartyembarkedwiththeireffects;leavingtheirhorsesgrazingaboutthebanks，andtrustingtothehonestyofthetwoSnakes，andsomespecialturnofgoodluckfortheirfuturerecovery。
Thecurrentborethemalongatarapidrate;thelightspiritsoftheCanadianvoyageurs，whichhadoccasionallyflaggeduponland，rosetotheiraccustomedbuoyancyonfindingthemselvesagainuponthewater。Theywieldedtheirpaddleswiththeirwonteddexterity，andforthefirsttimemadethemountainsechowiththeirfavoriteboatsongs。
InthecourseofthedaythelittlesquadronarrivedattheconfluenceofHenryandMadRivers，which，thusunited，swelledintoabeautifulstreamofalightpea-greencolor，navigableforboatsofanysize，andwhich，fromtheplaceofjunction，tookthenameofSnakeRiver，astreamdoomedtobethesceneofmuchdisastertothetravellers。Thebankswerehereandtherefringedwithwillowthicketsandsmallcotton-woodtrees。Theweatherwascold，anditsnowedallday，andgreatflocksofducksandgeese，sportinginthewaterorstreamingthroughtheair，gavetokenthatwinterwasathand;yettheheartsofthetravellerswerelight，and，astheyglideddownthelittleriver，theyflatteredthemselveswiththehopeofsoonreachingtheColumbia。Aftermakingthirtymilesinasoutherlydirection，theyencampedforthenightinaneighborhoodwhichrequiredsomelittlevigilance，astherewererecenttracesofgrizzlybearsamongthethickets。
Onthefollowingdaytheriverincreasedinwidthandbeauty;
flowingparalleltoarangeofmountainsontheleft，whichattimeswerefinelyreflectedinitslightgreenwaters。ThethreesnowysummitsofthePilotKnobsorTetonswerestillseentoweringinthedistance。Afterpursuingaswiftbutplacidcoursefortwentymiles，thecurrentbegantofoamandbrawl，andassumethewildandbrokencharactercommontothestreamswestoftheRockyMountains。InfacttheriverswhichflowfromthosemountainstothePacificareessentiallydifferentfromthosewhichtraversetheprairiesontheireasterndeclivities。Thelatter，thoughsometimesboisterous，aregenerallyfreefromobstructions，andeasilynavigated;buttheriverstothewestofthemountainsdescendmoresteeplyandimpetuously，andarecontinuallyliabletocascadesandrapids。Thelatteraboundedinthepartoftheriverwhichthetravellerswerenowdescending。
Twoofthecanoesfilledamongthebreakers;thecrewsweresaved，butmuchoftheladingwaslostordamaged，andoneofthecanoesdrifteddownthestreamandwasbrokenamongtherocks。
Onthefollowingday，October21st，theymadebutashortdistancewhentheycametoadangerousstrait，wheretheriverwascompressedfornearlyhalfamilebetweenperpendicularrocks，reducingittothewidthoftwentyyards，andincreasingitsviolence。Heretheywereobligedtopassthecanoesdowncautiouslybyalinefromtheimpendingbanks。Thisconsumedagreatpartofaday;andaftertheyhadreembarkedtheyweresoonagainimpededbyrapids，whentheyhadtounloadtheircanoesandcarrythemandtheircargoesforsomedistancebyland。Itisattheseplaces，called“portages。”thattheCanadianvoyageurexhibitshismostvaluablequalities;carryingheavyburdens，andtoilingtoandfro，onlandandinthewater，overrocksandprecipices，amongbrakesandbrambles，notonlywithoutamurmur，butwiththegreatestcheerfulnessandalacrity，jokingandlaughingandsingingscrapsofoldFrenchditties。
Thespiritsoftheparty，however，whichhadbeenelatedonfirstvaryingtheirjourneyingfromlandtowater，hadnowlostsomeoftheirbuoyancy。Everythingaheadwaswrappedinuncertainty。Theyknewnothingoftheriveronwhichtheywerefloating。Ithadneverbeennavigatedbyawhiteman，norcouldtheymeetwithanIndiantogivethemanyinformationconcerningit。Itkeptonitscoursethroughavastwildernessofsilentandapparentlyuninhabitedmountains，withoutasavagewigwamuponitsbanks，orbarkuponitswaters。Thedifficultiesandperilstheyhadalreadypassedmadethemapprehendothersbeforethem，thatmighteffectuallybartheirprogress。Astheyglidedonward，however，theyregainedheartandhope。Thecurrentcontinuedtobestrong;
butitwassteady，andthoughtheymetwithfrequentrapids，noneofthemwerebad。Mountainswereconstantlytobeseenindifferentdirections，butsometimestheswiftriverglidedthroughprairies，andwasborderedbysmallcotton-woodtreesandwillows。Theseprairiesatcertainseasonsarerangedbymigratoryherdsofthewide-wanderingbuffalo，thetracksofwhich，thoughnotofrecentdate，werefrequentlytobeseen。
Here，too，weretobefoundthepricklypearorIndianfig，aplantwhichlovesamoresouthernclimate。OnthelandwerelargeflightsofmagpiesandAmericanrobins;wholefleetsofducksandgeesenavigatedtheriver，orflewoffinlongstreamingfilesattheapproachofthecanoes;whilethefrequentestablishmentsofthepainstakingandquiet-lovingbeavershowedthatthesolitudeofthesewaterswasrarelydisturbed，evenbytheall-pervadingsavage。
TheyhadnowcomeneartwohundredandeightymilessinceleavingFortHenry，yetwithoutseeingahumanbeing，orahumanhabitation;awildanddesertsolitudeextendedoneithersideoftheriver，apparentlyalmostdestituteofanimallife。Atlength，onthe24thofOctober，theyweregladdenedbythesightofsomesavagetents，andhastenedtolandandvisitthem，fortheywereanxioustoprocureinformationtoguidethemontheirroute。Ontheirapproach，however，thesavagesfledinconsternation。TheyprovedtobeawanderingbandofShoshonies。Intheirtentsweregreatquantitiesofsmallfishabouttwoincheslong，togetherwithrootsandseeds，orgrain，whichtheyweredryingforwinterprovisions。Theyappearedtobedestituteoftoolsofanykind，yettherewerebowsandarrowsverywellmade;theformerwereformedofpine，cedar，orbone，strengthenedbysinews，andthelatterofthewoodofrosebushes，andothercrookedplants，butcarefullystraightened，andtippedwithstoneofabottle-greencolor。
Therewerealsovesselsofwillowandgrass，socloselywroughtastoholdwater，andaseineneatlymadewithmeshes，intheordinarymanner，ofthefibresofwildflaxornettle。Thehumbleeffectsofthepoorsavagesremainedunmolestedbytheirvisitors，andafewsmallarticles，withaknifeortwo，wereleftinthecamp，andwerenodoubtregardedasinvaluableprizes。
Shortlyafterleavingthisdesertedcamp，andreembarkinginthecanoes，thetravellersmetwiththreeoftheSnakesonatriangularraftmadeofflagsorreeds;suchwastheirrudemodeofnavigatingtheriver。Theywereentirelynakedexceptingsmallmantlesofhareskinsovertheirshoulders。Thecanoesapproachednearenoughtogainafullviewofthem，buttheywerenottobebroughttoaparley。
Allfurtherprogressforthedaywasbarredbyafallintheriverofaboutthirtyfeetperpendicular;attheheadofwhichthepartyencampedforthenight。
Thenextdaywasoneofexcessivetoilandbutlittleprogress:
theriverwindingthroughawildrockycountry，andbeinginterruptedbyfrequentrapids，amongwhichthecanoeswereingreatperil。OnthesucceedingdaytheyagainvisitedacampofwanderingSnakes，buttheinhabitantsfledwithterroratthesightofafleetofcanoes，filledwithwhitemen，comingdowntheirsolitaryriver。
AsMr。Huntwasextremelyanxioustogaininformationconcerninghisroute，heendeavoredbyallkindsoffriendlysignstoenticebackthefugitives。Atlengthone，whowasonhorseback，venturedbackwithfearandtrembling。Hewasbetterclad，andinbettercondition，thanmostofhisvagranttribethatMr。Hunthadyetseen。Thechiefobjectofhisreturnappearedtobetointercedeforaquantityofdriedmeatandsalmontrout，whichhehadleftbehind;onwhich，probably，hedependedforhiswinter’ssubsistence。Thepoorwretchapproachedwithhesitation，thealternatedreadoffamineandofwhitemenoperatinguponhismind。Hemadethemostabjectsigns，imploringMr。Huntnottocarryoffhisfood。Thelattertriedineverywaytoreassurehim，andofferedhimknivesinexchangeforhisprovisions;greataswasthetemptation，thepoorSnakecouldonlyprevailuponhimselftospareapart;keepingafeverishwatchovertherest，lestitshouldbetakenaway。ItwasinvainMr。Huntmadeinquiriesofhimconcerninghisroute，andthecourseoftheriver。TheIndianwastoomuchfrightenedandbewilderedtocomprehendhimortoreply;hedidnothingbutalternatelycommendhimselftotheprotectionoftheGoodSpirit，andsupplicateMr。Huntnottotakeawayhisfishandbuffalomeat;
andinthisstatetheylefthim，tremblingabouthistreasures。
Inthecourseofthatandthenextdaytheymadenearlyeightmiles;theriverinclinedtothesouthofwest，andbeingclearandbeautiful，nearlyhalfamileinwidth，withmanypopulouscommunitiesofthebeaveralongitsbanks。The28thofOctober，however，wasadayofdisaster。Theriveragainbecameroughandimpetuous，andwaschafedandbrokenbynumerousrapids。Thesegrewmoreandmoredangerous，andtheutmostskillwasrequiredtosteeramongthem。Mr。Crookswasseatedinthesecondcanoeofthesquadron，andhadanoldexperiencedCanadianforsteersman，namedAntoineClappine，oneofthemostvaluableofthevoyageurs。Theleadingcanoehadglidedsafelyamongtheturbulentandroaringsurges，butinfollowingit，Mr。Crooksperceivedthathiscanoewasbearingtowardsarock。Hecalledouttothesteersman，buthiswarningvoicewaseitherunheardorunheeded。Inthenextmomenttheystruckupontherock。Thecanoewassplitandoverturned。Therewerefivepersonsonboard。Mr。
Crooksandoneofhiscompanionswerethrownamidstroaringbreakersandawhirlingcurrent，butsucceeded，bystrongswimming，toreachtheshore。Clappineandtwoothersclungtotheshatteredbark，anddriftedwithittoarock。Thewreckstrucktherockwithoneend，andswinginground，flungpoorClappineoffintotheragingstream，whichswepthimaway，andheperished。Hiscomradessucceededingettingupontherock，fromwhencetheywereafterwardstakenoff。
Thisdisastrouseventbroughtthewholesquadrontoahalt，andstruckachillintoeverybosom。Indeedtheyhadarrivedataterrificstrait，thatforbadeallfurtherprogressinthecanoes，anddismayedthemostexperiencedvoyageur。Thewholebodyoftheriverwascompressedintoaspaceoflessthanthirtyfeetinwidth，betweentwoledgesofrocks，upwardsoftwohundredfeethigh，andformedawhirlingandtumultuousvortex，sofrightfullyagitatedastoreceivethenameof“TheCaldronLinn。”Beyondthisfearfulabyss，theriverkeptragingandroaringon，untillosttosightamongimpendingprecipices。