第8章
CHAPTERXXXIII。
GloomyCouncil-ExploringParties-DiscouragingReports-
DisastrousExperiment-DetachmentsinQuestofSuccor-Caches，HowMade-ReturnofOneoftheDetachments-Unsuccessful-
FurtherDisappointments-TheDevil’sScuttleHoleMR。HUNTandhiscompanionsencampeduponthebordersoftheCaldronLinn，andheldgloomycounselastotheirfuturecourse。
Therecentwreckhaddismayedeventhevoyageurs，andthefateoftheirpopularcomrade，Clappine，oneofthemostadroitandexperiencedoftheirfraternity，hadstrucksorrowtotheirhearts，forwithalltheirlevity，thesethoughtlessbeingshavegreatkindnesstowardseachother。
ThewholedistancetheyhadnavigatedsinceleavingHenry’sFortwascomputedtobeaboutthreehundredandfortymiles;strongapprehensionswerenowentertainedthatthetremendousimpedimentsbeforethemwouldobligethemtoabandontheircanoes。Itwasdeterminedtosendexploringpartiesoneachsideoftherivertoascertainwhetheritwaspossibletonavigateitfurther。Accordingly，onthefollowingmorning，threemenweredespatchedalongthesouthbank，whileMr。Huntandthreeothersproceededalongthenorth。Thetwopartiesreturnedafterawearyscrambleamongswamps，rocks，andprecipices，andwithverydishearteningaccounts。Fornearlyfortymilesthattheyhadexplored，theriverfoamedandroaredalongthroughadeepandnarrowchannel，fromtwentytothirtyyardswide，whichithadworn，inthecourseofages，throughtheheartofabarren，rockycountry。Theprecipicesoneachsidewereoftentwoandthreehundredfeethigh，sometimesperpendicular，andsometimesoverhanging，sothatitwasimpossible，exceptinginoneortwoplaces，togetdowntothemarginofthestream。Thisdrearystraitwasrenderedthemoredangerousbyfrequentrapids，andoccasionallyperpendicularfallsfromtentofortyfeetinheight;sothatitseemedalmosthopelesstoattempttopassthecanoesdownit。Theparty，however，whohadexploredthesouthsideoftheriver，hadfoundaplace，aboutsixmilesfromthecamp，wheretheythoughtitpossiblethecanoesmightbecarrieddownthebankandlauncheduponthestream，andfromwhencetheymightmaketheirwaywiththeaidofoccasionalportages。Fourofthebestcanoeswereaccordinglyselectedfortheexperiment，andweretransportedtotheplaceontheshouldersofsixteenofthemen。AtthesametimeMr。Reed，theclerk，andthreemenweredetachedtoexploretheriverstillfurtherdownthanthepreviousscoutingpartieshadbeen，andatthesametimetolookoutforIndians，fromwhomprovisionsmightbeobtained，andasupplyofhorses，shoulditbefoundnecessarytoproceedbyland。
Thepartywhohadbeensentwiththecanoesreturnedonthefollowingday，wearyanddejected。Oneofthecanoeshadbeensweptawaywithalltheweaponsandeffectsoffourofthevoyageurs，inattemptingtopassitdownarapidbymeansofaline。Theotherthreehadstuckfastamongtherocks，sothatitwasimpossibletomovethem;themenreturned，therefore，indespair，anddeclaredtheriverunnavigable。
Thesituationoftheunfortunatetravellerswasnowgloomyintheextreme。Theywereintheheartofanunknownwilderness，untraversedasyetbyawhiteman。Theywereatalosswhatroutetotake，andhowfartheywerefromtheultimateplaceoftheirdestination，norcouldtheymeetintheseuninhabitedwildswithanyhumanbeingtogivetheminformation。Therepeatedaccidentstotheircanoeshadreducedtheirstockofprovisionstofivedays’allowance，andtherewasnoweveryappearanceofsoonhavingfamineaddedtotheirothersufferings。
Thislastcircumstancerendereditmoreperiloustokeeptogetherthantoseparate。Accordingly，afteralittleanxiousbutbewilderedcounsel，itwasdeterminedthatseveralsmalldetachmentsshouldstartoffindifferentdirections，headedbytheseveralpartners。ShouldanyofthemsucceedinfallinginwithfriendlyIndians，withinareasonabledistance，andobtainingasupplyofprovisionsandhorses，theyweretoreturntotheaidofthemainbody:otherwisetheyweretoshiftforthemselves，andshapetheircourseaccordingtocircumstances;
keepingthemouthoftheColumbiaRiverastheultimatepointoftheirwayfaring。Accordingly，threeseveralpartiessetofffromthecampatCaldronLinn，inoppositedirections。Mr。M’Lellan，withthreemen，keptdownalongthebankoftheriver。Mr。
Crooks，withfiveothers，turnedtheirstepsupit;retracingbylandthewearycoursetheyhadmadebywater，intending，shouldtheynotfindreliefnearerathand，tokeeponuntiltheyshouldreachHenry’sFort，wheretheyhopedtofindthehorsestheyhadleftthere，andtoreturnwiththemtothemainbody。
Thethirdparty，composedoffivemen，washeadedbyMr。
M’Kenzie，whostrucktothenorthward，acrossthedesertplains，inhopesofcominguponthemainstreamoftheColumbia。
Havingseenthesethreeadventurousbandsdepartupontheirforlornexpeditions，Mr。Huntturnedhisthoughtstoprovideforthesubsistenceofthemainbodylefttohischarge，andtopreparefortheirfuturemarch。Thereremainedwithhimthirty-
onemen，besidesthesquawandtwochildrenofPierreDorion。
Therewasnogametobemetwithintheneighborhood;butbeaverswereoccasionallytrappedabouttheriverbanks，whichaffordedascantysupplyoffood;inthemeantimetheycomfortedthemselvesthatsomeoneorotheroftheforagingdetachmentswouldbesuccessful，andreturnwithrelief。
Mr。Huntnowsettoworkwithalldiligence，topreparecaches，inwhichtodepositthebaggageandmerchandise，ofwhichitwouldbenecessarytodisburdenthemselves，preparatorytotheirwearymarchbyland:andhereweshallgiveabriefdescriptionofthosecontrivances，sonotedinthewilderness。
Acacheisatermcommonamongtradersandhunters，todesignateahiding-placeforprovisionsandeffects。ItisderivedfromtheFrenchword“cacher“，toconceal，andoriginatedamongtheearlycolonistsofCanadaandLouisiana;butthesecretdepositorywhichitdesignateswasinuseamongtheaboriginalslongbeforetheintrusionofthewhitemen。Itis，infact，theonlymodethatmigratoryhordeshaveofpreservingtheirvaluablesfromrobbery，duringtheirlongabsencesfromtheirvillagesoraccustomedhaunts，onhuntingexpeditions，orduringthevicissitudesofwar。TheutmostskillandcautionarerequiredtorendertheseplacesofconcealmentinvisibletothelynxeyeofanIndian。Thefirstcareistoseekoutapropersituation，whichisgenerallysomedry，low，bankofclay，onthemarginofawater-course。Assoonastheprecisespotispitchedupon，blankets，saddle-cloths，andothercoveringsarespreadoverthesurroundinggrassandbushes，topreventfoot-tracks，oranyotherderangement;andasfewhandsaspossibleareemployed。A
circleofabouttwofeetindiameteristhennicelycutinthesod，whichiscarefullyremoved，withtheloosesoilimmediatelybeneathit，andlaidasideinaplacewhereitwillbesafefromanythingthatmaychangeitsappearance。Theuncoveredareaisthendiggedperpendicularlytothedepthofaboutthreefeet，andisthengraduallywidenedsoastoformaconicalchambersixorsevenfeetdeep。Thewholeoftheearthdisplacedbythisprocess，beingofadifferentcolorfromthatanthesurface，ishandedupinavessel，andheapedintoaskinorcloth，inwhichitisconveyedtothestreamandthrownintothemidstofthecurrent，thatitmaybeentirelycarriedoff。Shouldthecachenotbeformedinthevicinityofastream，theearththusthrownupiscarriedtoadistance，andscatteredinsuchmannerasnottoleavetheminutesttrace。Thecave，beingformed，iswelllinedwithdrygrass，bark，sticks，andpoles，andoccasionallyadriedhide。Thepropertyintendedtobehiddenisthenlaidin，afterhavingbeenwellaired:ahideisspreadoverit，anddriedgrass，brush，andstonesthrownin，andtrampleddownuntilthepitisfilledtotheneck。Theloosesoilwhichhadbeenputasideisthenbroughtandrammeddownfirmly，topreventitscavingin，andisfrequentlysprinkledwithwater，todestroythescent，lestthewolvesandbearsshouldbeattractedtotheplace，androotuptheconcealedtreasure。Whentheneckofthecacheisnearlylevelwiththesurroundingsurface，thesodisagainfittedinwiththeutmostexactness，andanybushes，stocks，orstones，thatmayhaveoriginallybeenaboutthespot，arerestoredtotheirformerplaces。Theblanketsandothercoveringsarethenremovedfromthesurroundingherbage;alltracksareobliterated;thegrassisgentlyraisedbythehandtoitsnaturalposition，andtheminutestchiporstrawisscrupulouslygleanedupandthrownintothestream。Afterallthisisdone，theplaceisabandonedforthenight，and，ifallberightnextmorning，isnotvisitedagain，untiltherebeanecessityforreopeningthecache。Fourmenaresufficient，inthisway，toconcealtheamountofthreetonsweightofmerchandiseinthecourseoftwodays。NinecacheswererequiredtocontainthegoodsandbaggagewhichMr。Huntfounditnecessarytoleaveatthisplace。
Threedayshadbeenthusemployedsincethedepartureoftheseveraldetachments，whenthatofMr。Crooksunexpectedlymadeitsappearance。Amomentaryjoywasdiffusedthroughthecamp，fortheysupposedsuccortobeathand。Itwassoondispelled。
Mr。Crooksandhiscompanionshadbeencompletelydisheartenedbythisretrogrademarchthroughableakandbarrencountry;andhadfound，computingfromtheirprogressandtheaccumulatingdifficultiesbesettingeverystep，thatitwouldbeimpossibletoreachHenry’sFortandreturntothemainbodyinthecourseofthewinter。Theyhaddetermined，therefore，torejointheircomrades，andsharetheirlot。
OneavenueofhopewasthusclosedupontheanxioussojournersattheCaldronLinn;theirmainexpectationofreliefwasnowfromthetwopartiesunderReedandM’Lellan，whichhadproceededdowntheriver;for，astoMr。M’Kenzie’sdetachment，whichhadstruckacrosstheplains，theythoughtitwouldhavesufficientdifficultyinstrugglingforwardthroughthetracklesswilderness。Forfivedaystheycontinuedtosupportthemselvesbytrappingandfishing。Somefishoftolerablesizewerespearedatnightbythelightofcedartorches;others，thatwereverysmall，werecaughtinnetswithfinemeshes。Theproductoftheirfishing，however，wasveryscanty。Theirtrappingwasalsoprecarious;andthetailsandbelliesofthebeaversweredriedandputbyforthejourney。
AtlengthtwoofthecompanionsofMr。Reedreturned，andwerehailedwiththemostanxiouseagerness。Theirreportservedbuttoincreasethegeneraldespondency。TheyhadfollowedMr。ReedforsomedistancebelowthepointtowhichMr。Hunthadexplored，buthadmetwithnoIndiansfromwhomtoobtaininformationandrelief。Theriverstillpresentedthesamefuriousaspect，brawlingandboilingalonganarrowandruggedchannel，betweenrocksthatroselikewalls。
Alingeringhope，whichhadbeenindulgedbysomeoftheparty，ofproceedingbywater，wasnowfinallygivenup:thelongandterrificstraitoftheriversetallfurtherprogressatdefiance，andintheirdisgustattheplace，andtheirvexationatthedisasterssustainedthere，theygaveittheindignant，thoughnotverydecorous，appellationoftheDevil’sScuttleHole。
CHAPTERXXXIV。
DeterminationofthePartytoProceedonFoot-DrearyDesertsBetweenSnakeRiverandtheColumbia-DistributionofEffectsPreparatorytoaMarch-DivisionoftheParty-RuggedMarchAlongtheRiver-WildandBrokenScenery-Shoshonies-AlarmofaSnakeEncampment-IntercoursewiththeSnakes-HorseDealing-
ValueofaTinKettle-SufferingsFromThirst-AHorseReclaimed-FortitudeofanIndianWoman-ScarcityofFood-
Dog’sFleshaDainty-NewsofMr。CrooksandHisParty-PainfulTravellingAmongtheMountains-SnowStorms-ADrearyMountainProspect-ABivouacDuringaWintryNight-ReturntotheRiverBank。
THEresolutionofMr。Huntandhiscompanionswasnowtakentosetoutimmediatelyonfoot。Astotheotherdetachmentsthathadinamannergoneforthtoseektheirfortunes，therewaslittlechanceoftheirreturn;theywouldprobablymaketheirownwaythroughthewilderness。Atanyrate，tolingerinthevaguehopeofrelieffromthemwouldbetoruntheriskofperishingwithhunger。Besides，thewinterwasrapidlyadvancing，andtheyhadalongjourneytomakethroughanunknowncountry，whereallkindsofperilsmightawaitthem。Theywereyet，infact，athousandmilesfromAstoria，butthedistancewasunknowntothematthetime:everythingbeforeandaroundthemwasvagueandconjectural，andworeanaspectcalculatedtoinspiredespondency。
Inabandoningtheriver，theywouldhavetolaunchforthuponvasttracklessplainsdestituteofallmeansofsubsistence，wheretheymightperishofhungerandthirst。AdrearydesertofsandandgravelextendsfromSnakeRiveralmosttotheColumbia。
Hereandthereisathinandscantyherbage，insufficientforthepasturageofhorseorbuffalo。Indeed，thesetreelesswastesbetweentheRockyMountainsandthePacificareevenmoredesolateandbarrenthanthenaked，upperprairiesontheAtlanticside;theypresentvastdeserttractsthatmusteverdefycultivation，andinterposedrearyandthirstywildsbetweenthehabitationsofman，intraversingwhichthewandererwilloftenbeindangerofperishing。
Seeingthehopelesscharacterofthesewastes，Mr。Huntandhiscompanionsdeterminedtokeepalongthecourseoftheriver，wheretheywouldalwayshavewaterathand，andwouldbeableoccasionallytoprocurefishandbeaver，andmightperchancemeetwithIndians，fromwhomtheycouldobtainprovisions。
Theynowmadetheirfinalpreparationsforthemarch。AlltheirremainingstockofprovisionsconsistedoffortypoundsofIndiancorn，twentypoundsofgrease，aboutfivepoundsofportablesoup，andasufficientquantityofdriedmeattoalloweachmanapittanceoffivepoundsandaquarter，tobereservedforemergencies。Thisbeingproperlydistributed，theydepositedalltheirgoodsandsuperfluousarticlesinthecaches，takingnothingwiththembutwhatwasindispensabletothejourney。Withalltheirmanagement，eachmanhadtocarrytwentypounds’weightbesideshisownarticlesandequipments。
Thattheymighthavethebetterchanceofprocuringsubsistenceinthescantyregiontheyweretotraverse，theydividedtheirpartyintotwobands。Mr。Hunt，witheighteenmen，besidesPierreDorionandhisfamily，wastoproceeddownthenorthsideoftheriver，whileMr。Crooks，witheighteenmen，keptalongthesouthside。
Onthemorningofthe9thofOctober，thetwopartiesseparatedandsetforthontheirseveralcourses。Mr。Huntandhiscompanionsfollowedalongtherightbankoftheriver，whichmadeitswayfarbelowthem，brawlingatthefootofperpendicularprecipicesofsolidrock，twoandthreehundredfeethigh。Fortwenty-eightmilesthattheytravelledthisday，theyfounditimpossibletogetdowntothemarginofthestream。Attheendofthisdistancetheyencampedforthenightataplacewhichadmittedascramblingdescent。Itwaswiththegreatestdifficulty，however，thattheysucceededingettingupakettleofwaterfromtheriverfortheuseofthecamp。Assomerainhadfallenintheafternoon，theypassedthenightundertheshelteroftherocks。
Thenextdaytheycontinuedthirty-twomilestothenorthwest，keepingalongtheriver，whichstillraninitsdeep-cutchannel。
Hereandthereashadybeachoranarrowstripofsoil，fringedwithdwarfwillows，wouldextendforalittledistancealongthefootofthecliffs，andsometimesareachofstillwaterwouldintervenelikeasmoothmirrorbetweenthefoamingrapids。
Asthroughtheprecedingday，theyjourneyedonwithoutfinding，exceptinoneinstance，anyplacewheretheycouldgetdowntotheriver’sedge，andtheywerefaintoallaythethirstcausedbyhardtravelling，withthewatercollectedinthehollowoftherocks。
Inthecourseoftheirmarchonthefollowingmorning，theyfellintoabeatenhorsepathleadingalongtheriver，whichshowedthattheywereintheneighborhoodofsomeIndianvillageorencampment。Theyhadnotproceededfaralongit，whentheymetwithtwoShoshonies，orSnakes。Theyapproachedwithsomeappearanceofuneasiness，andaccostingMr。Hunt，heldupaknife，whichbysignstheylethimknowtheyhadreceivedfromsomeofthewhitemenoftheadvanceparties。ItwaswithsomedifficultiesthatMr。Huntprevailedupononeofthesavagestoconducthimtothelodgesofhispeople。Strikingintoatrailorpathwhichledupfromtheriver，heguidedthemforsomedistanceintheprairie，untiltheycameinsightofanumberoflodgesmadeofstraw，andshapedlikehay-stacks。Theirapproach，asonformeroccasions，causedthewildestaffrightamongtheinhabitants。Thewomenhidsuchoftheirchildrenasweretoolargetobecarried，andtoosmalltotakecareofthemselves，understraw，and，claspingtheirinfantstotheirbreasts，fledacrosstheprairie。Themenawaitedtheapproachofthestrangers，butevidentlyingreatalarm。
Mr。Huntenteredthelodges，and，ashewaslookingabout，observedwherethechildrenwereconcealed;theirblackeyesglisteninglikethoseofsnakes，frombeneaththestraw。Heliftedupthecoveringtolookatthem;thepoorlittlebeingswerehorriblyfrightened，andtheirfathersstoodtrembling，asifabeastofpreywereabouttopounceupontheirbrood。
ThefriendlymannerofMr。Huntsoondispelledtheseapprehensions;hesucceededinpurchasingsomeexcellentdriedsalmon，andadog，ananimalmuchesteemedasfoodbythenatives;andwhenhereturnedtotheriveroneoftheIndiansaccompaniedhim。Henowcametowherethelodgeswerefrequentalongthebanks，and，afteraday’sjourneyoftwenty-sixmilestothenorthwest，encampedinapopulousneighborhood。Fortyorfiftyofthenativessoonvisitedthecamp，conductingthemselvesinaveryamicablemanner。Theywerewellclad，andallhadbuffalorobes，whichtheyprocuredfromsomeofthehuntingtribesinexchangeforsalmon。Theirhabitationswereverycomfortable;eachhaditspileofwormwoodatthedoorforfuel，andwithinwasabundanceofsalmon，somefresh，butthegreaterpartcured。Whenthewhitemenvisitedthelodges，however，thewomenandchildrenhidthemselvesthroughfear。Amongthesuppliesobtainedhereweretwodogs，onwhichourtravellersbreakfasted，andfoundthemtobeveryexcellent，well-flavored，andheartyfood。
Inthecourseofthethreefollowingdaystheymadeaboutsixty-
threemiles，generallyinanorthwestdirection。Theymetwithmanyofthenativesintheirstraw-builtcabins，whoreceivedthemwithoutalarm。Abouttheirdwellingswereimmensequantitiesoftheheadsandskinsofsalmon，thebestpartofwhichhadbeencured，andhiddenintheground。Thewomenwerebadlyclad;thechildrenworse;theirgarmentswerebuffalorobes，ortheskinsoffoxes，hares，andbadgers，andsometimestheskinsofducks，sewedtogether，withtheplumageon。Mostoftheskinsmusthavebeenprocuredbytrafficwithothertribes，orindistanthuntingexcursions，forthenakedprairiesintheneighborhoodaffordedfewanimals，exceptinghorses，whichwereabundant。Thereweresignsofbuffaloeshavingbeenthere，butalongtimebefore。
Onthe15thofNovembertheymadetwenty-eightmilesalongtheriver，whichwasentirelyfreefromrapids。Theshoreswerelinedwithdeadsalmon，whichtaintedthewholeatmosphere。ThenativeswhomtheymetspokeofMr。Reed’spartyhavingpassedthroughthatneighborhood。InthecourseofthedayMr。Huntsawafewhorses，buttheownersofthemtookcaretohurrythemoutoftheway。Alltheprovisionstheywereabletoprocureweretwodogsandasalmon。Onthefollowingdaytheywerestillworseoff，havingtosubsistonparchedcornandtheremainsoftheirdriedmeat。Theriverthisdayhadresumeditsturbulentcharacter，forcingitswaythroughanarrowchannelbetweensteeprocksanddownviolentrapids。Theymadetwentymilesoveraruggedroad，graduallyapproachingamountaininthenorthwest，coveredwithsnow，whichhadbeeninsightforthreedayspast。
Onthe17ththeymetwithseveralIndians，oneofwhomhadahorse。Mr。Huntwasextremelydesirousofobtainingitasapack-
horse;forthemen，worndownbyfatigueandhunger，foundtheloadsoftwentypounds’weightwhichtheyhadtocarry，dailygrowingheavierandmoregalling。TheIndians，however，alongthisriver，wereneverwillingtopartwiththeirhorses，havingnonetospare。Theownerofthesteedinquestionseemedproofagainstalltemptation;articleafterarticleofgreatvalueinIndianeyeswasofferedandrefused。Thecharmsofanoldtin-
kettle，however，wereirresistible，andabargainwasconcluded。
Agreatpartofthefollowingmorningwasconsumedinlighteningthepackagesofthemenandarrangingtheloadforthehorse。Atthisencampmenttherewasnowoodforfuel，eventhewormwoodonwhichtheyhadfrequentlydependedhavingdisappeared。Forthetwolastdaystheyhadmadethirtymilestothenorthwest。
Onthe19thofNovember，Mr。Huntwasluckyenoughtopurchaseanotherhorseforhisownuse，givinginexchangeatomahawk，aknife，afiresteel，andsomebeadsandgartering。Inanevilhour，however，hetooktheadviceoftheIndianstoabandontheriver，andfollowaroadortrailleadingintotheprairies。Hesoonhadcausetoregretthechange。Theroadledacrossadrearywaste，withoutverdure;andwheretherewasneitherfountain，norpool，norrunningstream。Themennowbegantoexperiencethetormentsofthirst，aggravatedbytheirdietofdriedfish。ThethirstoftheCanadianvoyageursbecamesoinsupportableastodrivethemtothemostrevoltingmeansofallayingit。Fortwenty-fivemilesdidtheytollonacrossthisdismaldesert，andlaidthemselvesdownatnight，parchedanddisconsolate，besidetheirwormwoodfires;lookingforwardtostillgreatersufferingsonthefollowingday。Fortunatelyitbegantoraininthenight，totheirinfiniterelief;thewatersooncollectedinpuddlesandaffordedthemdeliciousdraughts。
Refreshedinthismanner，theyresumedtheirwayfaringassoonasthefirststreaksofdawngavelightenoughforthemtoseetheirpath。Theraincontinuedallday，sothattheynolongersufferedfromthirst，buthungertookitsplace，foraftertravellingthirty-threemilestheyhadnothingtosuponbutalittleparchedcorn。
Thenextdaybroughtthemtothebanksofabeautifullittlestream，runningtothewest，andfringedwithgrovesofcottonwoodandwillow。OnitsborderswasanIndiancamp，withagreatmanyhorsesgrazingaroundit。Theinhabitants，too，appearedtobebettercladthanusual。Thescenewasaltogetheracheeringonetothepoorhalf-famishedwanderers。Theyhastenedtotheirlodges，butonarrivingatthemmetwithacheckthatatfirstdampenedtheircheerfulness。AnIndianimmediatelylaidclaimtothehorseofMr。Hunt，sayingthatithadbeenstolenfromhim。Therewasnodisprovingafactsupportedbynumerousbystanders，andwhichthehorsestealinghabitsoftheIndiansrenderedbuttooprobable;soMr。Huntrelinquishedhissteedtotheclaimant;notbeingabletoretainhimbyasecondpurchase。
Atthisplacetheyencampedforthenight，andmadeasumptuousrepastuponfishandacoupleofdogs，procuredfromtheirIndianneighbors。Thenextdaytheykeptalongtheriver，butcametoahaltaftertenmiles’march，onaccountoftherain。Heretheyagaingotasupplyoffishanddogsfromthenatives;andtwoofthemenwerefortunateenougheachtogetahorseinexchangeforabuffalorobe。OneofthesemenwasPierreDorion，thehalf-
breedinterpreter，towhosesufferingfamilythehorsewasatimelyacquisition。Andherewecannotbutnoticethewonderfulpatience，perseverance，andhardihoodoftheIndianwomen，asexemplifiedintheconductofthepoorsquawoftheinterpreter。
Shewasnowfaradvancedinherpregnancy，andhadtwochildrentotakecareof;onefour，andtheothertwoyearsofage。Thelatterofcourseshehadfrequentlytocarryonherback，inadditiontotheburdenusuallyimposeduponthesquaw，yetshehadborneallherhardshipswithoutamurmur，andthroughoutthiswearyandpainfuljourneyhadkeptpacewiththebestofthepedestrians。Indeedonvariousoccasionsinthecourseofthisenterprise，shedisplayedaforceofcharacterthatwontherespectandapplauseofthewhitemen。
Mr。HuntendeavoredtogathersomeinformationfromtheseIndiansconcerningthecountryandthecourseoftherivers。Hiscommunicationswiththemhadtobebysigns，andafewwordswhichhehadlearnt，andofcoursewereextremelyvague。Allthathecouldlearnfromthemwasthatthegreatriver，theColumbia，wasstillfardistant，buthecouldascertainnothingastotherouteheoughttotaketoarriveatit。Forthetwofollowingdaystheycontinuedwestwardupwardsoffortymilesalongthelittlestream，untiltheycrosseditjustbeforeitsjunctionwithSnakeRiver，whichtheyfoundstillrunningtothenorth。
Beforethemwasawintry-lookingmountaincoveredwithsnowonallsides。
Inthreedaysmoretheymadeaboutseventymiles;fordingtwosmallrivers，thewatersofwhichwereverycold。Provisionswereextremelyscarce;theirchiefsustenancewasportablesoup;ameagredietforwearypedestrians。
Onthe27thofNovembertheriverledthemintothemountainsthrougharockydefilewheretherewasscarcelyroomtopass。
Theywerefrequentlyobligedtounloadthehorsestogetthembythenarrowplaces;andsometimestowadethroughthewateringettingroundrocksandbuttingcliffs。Alltheirfoodthisdaywasabeaverwhichtheyhadcaughtthenightbefore;byevening，thecravingsofhungerweresosharp，andtheprospectofanysupplyamongthemountainssofaint，thattheyhadtokilloneofthehorses。“Themen。”saysMr。Huntinhisjournal，“findthemeatverygood，and，indeed，soshouldI，wereitnotfortheattachmentIhavetotheanimal。”
Earlythefollowingday，afterproceedingtenmilestothenorth，theycametotwolodgesofShoshonies，whoseemedinnearlyasgreatextremityasthemselves，havingjustkilledtwohorsesforfood。Theyhadnootherprovisionsexceptingtheseedofaweedwhichtheygatheringreatquantities，andpoundfine。Itresembleshemp-seed。Mr。Huntpurchasedabagofit，andalsosomesmallpiecesofhorseflesh，whichhebegantorelish，pronouncingthem“fatandtender。”
FromtheseIndianshereceivedinformationthatseveralwhitemenhadgonedowntheriver，someoneside，andagoodmanyontheother;theselastheconcludedtobeMr。Crooksandhisparty。Hewasthusreleasedfrommuchanxietyabouttheirsafety，especiallyastheIndiansspokeaboutMr。Crookshavingoneofhisdogsyet，whichshowedthatheandhismenhadnotbeenreducedtoextremityofhunger。
AsMr。Huntfearedthathemightbeseveraldaysinpassingthroughthismountaindefile，andruntheriskoffamine，heencampedintheneighborhoodoftheIndians，forthepurposeofbarteringwiththemforahorse。Theeveningwasexpendedinineffectualtrials。Heofferedagun，abuffalorobe，andvariousotherarticles。Thepoorfellowshad，probably，likehimself，thefearofstarvationbeforetheireyes。Atlengththewomen，learningtheobjectofhispressingsolicitationsandtemptingoffers，setupsuchaterriblehueandcrythathewasfairlyhowledandscoldedfromtheground。
Thenextmorningearly，theIndiansseemedverydesiroustogetridoftheirvisitors，fearing，probably，forthesafetyoftheirhorses。InreplytoMr。Hunt’sinquiriesaboutthemountains，theytoldhimthathewouldhavetosleepbutthreenightsmoreamongthem;andthatsixdays’travellingwouldtakehimtothefallsoftheColumbia;informationinwhichheputnofaith，believingitwasonlygiventoinducehimtosetforward。These，hewastold，werethelastSnakeshewouldmeetwith，andthathewouldsooncometoanationcalledSciatogas。
Forwardthendidheproceedonhistediousjourney，which，ateverystep，grewmorepainful。Theroadcontinuedfortwodaysthroughnarrowdefiles，wheretheywererepeatedlyobligedtounloadthehorses。Sometimestheriverpassedthroughsuchrockychasmsandundersuchsteepprecipicesthattheyhadtoleaveit，andmaketheirway，withexcessivelabor，overimmensehills，almostimpassableforhorses。Onsomeofthesehillswereafewpinetrees，andtheirsummitswerecoveredwithsnow。Ontheseconddayofthisscrambleoneofthehunterskilledablack-
taileddeer，whichaffordedthehalf-starvedtravellersasumptuousrepast。Theirprogressthesetwodayswastwenty-eightmiles，alittletothenorthwardofeast。
ThemonthofDecembersetindrearily，withraininthevalleysandsnowuponthehills。Theyhadtoclimbamountainwithsnowtothemidleg，whichincreasedtheirpainfultoil。Asmallbeaversuppliedthemwithascantymeal，whichtheyekedoutwithfrozenblackberries，haws，andchoke-cherries，whichtheyfoundinthecourseoftheirscramble。Theirjourneythisday，thoughexcessivelyfatiguing，wasbutthirteenmiles;andallthenextdaytheyhadtoremainencamped，notbeingabletoseehalfamileahead，onaccountofasnow-storm。Havingnothingelsetoeat，theywerecompelledtokillanotheroftheirhorses。Thenextdaytheyresumedtheirmarchinsnowandrain，butwithalltheireffortscouldonlygetforwardninemiles，havingforapartofthedistancetounloadthehorsesandcarrythepacksthemselves。Onthesucceedingmorningtheywereobligedtoleavetheriverandscrambleupthehills。Fromthesummitofthese，theygotawideviewofthesurroundingcountry，anditwasaprospectalmostsufficienttomakethemdespair。Ineverydirectiontheybeheldsnowymountains，partiallysprinkledwithpinesandotherevergreens，andspreadingadesertandtoilsomeworldaroundthem。Thewindhowledoverthebleakandwintrylandscape，andseemedtopenetratetothemarrowoftheirbones。
Theywadedonthroughthesnow，whichateverystepwasmorethankneedeep。
Aftertollinginthiswayallday，theyhadthemortificationtofindthattheywerebutfourmilesdistantfromtheencampmentoftheprecedingnight，suchwasthemeanderingoftheriveramongthesedismalhills。Pinchedwithfamine，exhaustedwithfatigue，witheveningapproaching，andawintrywildstilllengtheningastheyadvanced，theybegantolookforwardwithsadforebodingstothenight’sexposureuponthisfrightfulwaste。Fortunatelytheysucceededinreachingaclusterofpinesaboutsunset。Theiraxeswereimmediatelyatwork;theycutdowntrees，piledthemingreatheaps，andsoonhadhugefires“tocheertheircoldandhungryhearts。”
Aboutthreeo’clockinthemorningitagainbegantosnow，andatdaybreaktheyfoundthemselves，asitwere，inacloud，scarcelybeingabletodistinguishobjectsatthedistanceofahundredyards。Guardingthemselvesbythesoundofrunningwater，theysetoutfortheriver，andbyslippingandslidingcontrivedtogetdowntoitsbank。Oneofthehorses，missinghisfooting，rolleddownseveralhundredyardswithhisload，butsustainednoinjury。Theweatherinthevalleywaslessrigorousthanonthehills。Thesnowlaybutankledeep，andtherewasaquietrainnowfalling。Aftercreepingalongforsixmiles，theyencampedontheborderoftheriver。Beingutterlydestituteofprovisions，theywereagaincompelledtokilloneoftheirhorsestoappeasetheirfamishinghunger。
CHAPTERXXXV。
AnUnexpectedMeeting-NavigationinaSkinCanoe-StrangeFearsofSufferingMen-HardshipsofMr。CrooksandHisComrades-
TidingsofMLellan-ARetrogradeMarch-AWillowRaft-ExtremeSufferingofSomeoftheParty-IllnessofMr。Crooks-
ImpatienceofSomeoftheMen-NecessityofLeavingtheLaggardsBehind。
THEwanderershadnowaccomplishedfourhundredandseventy-twomilesoftheirdrearyjourneysinceleavingtheCaldronLinn;howmuchfurthertheyhadyettotravel，andwhathardshipstoencounter，nooneknew。
Onthemorningofthe6thofDecember，theylefttheirdismalencampment，buthadscarcelybeguntheirmarchwhen，totheirsurprise，theybeheldapartyofwhitemencomingupalongtheoppositebankoftheriver。Astheydrewnearer，theywererecognizedforMr。Crooksandhiscompanions。Whentheycameopposite，andcouldmakethemselvesheardacrossthemurmuringoftheriver，theirfirstcrywasforfood;infact，theywerealmoststarved。Mr。Huntimmediatelyreturnedtothecamp，andhadakindofcanoemadeoutoftheskinofthehorsekilledontheprecedingnight。ThiswasdoneaftertheIndianfashion，bydrawinguptheedgesoftheskinwiththongs，andkeepingthemdistendedbysticksorthwartpieces。Inthisfrailbark，Sardepie，oneoftheCanadians，carriedoveraportionofthefleshofthehorsetothefamishingpartyontheoppositesideoftheriver，andbroughtbackwithhimMr。CrooksandtheCanadian，LeClerc。TheforlornandwastedlooksandstarvingconditionofthesetwomenstruckdismaytotheheartsofMr。Hunt’sfollowers。Theyhadbeenaccustomedtoeachother’sappearance，andtothegradualoperationofhungerandhardshipupontheirframes，butthechangeinthelooksofthesemen，sincelasttheyparted，wasatypeofthefamineanddesolationoftheland;andtheynowbegantoindulgethehorriblepresentimentthattheywouldallstarvetogether，orbereducedtothedirefulalternativeofcastinglots！
WhenMr。Crookshadappeasedhishunger，hegaveMr。Huntsomeaccountofhiswayfaring。Onthesideoftheriveralongwhichhehadkept，hehadmetwithbutfewIndians，andthoseweretoomiserablypoortoyieldmuchassistance。ForthefirsteighteendaysafterleavingtheCaldronLinn，heandhismenhadbeenconfinedtohalfamealintwenty-fourhours;forthreedaysfollowing，theyhadsubsistedonasinglebeaver，afewwildcherries，andthesolesofoldmoccasins;andforthelastsixdaystheironlyanimalfoodhadbeenthecarcassofadog。Theyhadbeenthreedays’journeyfurtherdowntheriverthanMr。
Hunt，alwayskeepingasneartoitsbanksaspossible，andfrequentlyclimbingoversharpandrockyridgesthatprojectedintothestream。Atlengththeyhadarrivedtowherethemountainsincreasedinheight，andcameclosertotheriver，withperpendicularprecipices，whichrendereditimpossibletokeepalongthestream。Theriverhererushedwithincrediblevelocitythroughadefilenotmorethanthirtyyardswide，wherecascadesandrapidssucceededeachotheralmostwithoutintermission。Evenhadtheoppositebanks，therefore，beensuchastopermitacontinuanceoftheirjourney，itwouldhavebeenmadnesstoattempttopassthetumultuouscurrenteitheronraftsorotherwise。Stillbent，however，onpushingforward，theyattemptedtoclimbtheopposingmountains;andstruggledonthroughthesnowforhalfadayuntil，comingtowheretheycouldcommandaprospect，theyfoundthattheywerenothalfwaytothesummit，andthatmountainuponmountainlaypiledbeyondthem，inwintrydesolation。Famishedandemaciatedastheywere，tocontinueforwardwouldbetoperish;theironlychanceseemedtobetoregaintheriver，andretracetheirstepsupitsbanks。ItwasinthisforlornandretrogrademarchthattheyhadmetMr。
Huntandhisparty。
Mr。Crooksalsogaveinformationofsomeothersoftheirfellowadventurers。HehadspokenseveraldayspreviouslywithMr。ReedandMr。M’Kenzie，whowiththeirmenwereontheoppositesideoftheriver，whereitwasimpossibletogetovertothem。TheyinformedhimthatMr。M’Lellanhadstruckacrossfromthelittleriverabovethemountains，inthehopeoffallinginwithsomeofthetribeofFlatheads，whoinhabitthewesternskirtsoftheRockyrange。AsthecompanionsofReedandM’Kenziewerepickedmen，andhadfoundprovisionsmoreabundantontheirsideoftheriver，theywereinbettercondition，andmorefittedtocontendwiththedifficultiesofthecountry，thanthoseofMr。Crooks，andwhenhelostsightofthem，werepushingonward，downthecourseoftheriver。
Mr。Hunttookanighttorevolveoverhiscriticalsituation，andtodeterminewhatwastobedone。Notimewastobelost;hehadtwentymenandmoreinhisownparty，toprovidefor，andMr。
Crooksandhismentorelieve。Tolingerwouldbetostarve。Theideaofretracinghisstepswasintolerable，and，notwithstandingallthediscouragingaccountsoftheruggednessofthemountainslowerdowntheriver，hewouldhavebeendisposedtoattemptthem，butthedepthofthesnowwithwhichtheywerecovereddeterredhim;havingalreadyexperiencedtheimpossibilityofforcinghiswayagainstsuchanimpediment。
Theonlyalternative，therefore，appearedtobe，returnandseektheIndianbandsscatteredalongthesmallriversabovethemountains。Perhaps，fromsomeofthesehemightprocurehorsesenoughtosupporthimuntilhecouldreachtheColumbia;forhestillcherishedthehopeofarrivingatthatriverinthecourseofthewinter，thoughhewasapprehensivethatfewofMr。
Crooks’spartywouldbesufficientlystrongtofollowhim。Eveninadoptingthiscourse，hehadtomakeuphismindtothecertaintyofseveraldaysoffamineattheoutset，foritwouldtakethattimetoreachthelastIndianlodgesfromwhichhehadparted，anduntiltheyshouldarrivethere，hispeoplewouldhavenothingtosubsistuponbuthawsandwildberries，exceptingonemiserablehorse，whichwaslittlebetterthanskinandbone。
Afteranightofsleeplesscogitation，Mr。Huntannouncedtohismenthedrearyalternativehehadadopted，andpreparationsweremadetotakeMr。CrooksandLeClercacrosstheriver，withtheremainderofthemeat，astheotherpartyweretokeepupalongtheoppositebank。Theskincanoehadunfortunatelybeenlostinthenight;araftwasconstructedtherefore，afterthemannerofthenatives，ofbundlesofwillows，butitcouldnotbefloatedacrosstheimpetuouscurrent。Themenweredirected，inconsequence，tokeeponalongtheriverbythemselves，whileMr。
CrooksandLeClercwouldproceedwithMr。Hunt。Theyall，then，tookuptheirretrogrademarchwithdroopingspirits。
Inalittlewhile，itwasfoundthatMr。CrooksandLeClercweresofeebleastowalkwithdifficulty，sothatMr。Huntwasobligedtoretardhispace，thattheymightkeepupwithhim。Hismengrewimpatientatthedelay。Theymurmuredthattheyhadalonganddesolateregiontotraverse，beforetheycouldarriveatthepointwheretheymightexpecttofindhorses;thatitwasimpossibleforCrooksandLeClerc，intheirfeeblecondition，togetoverit;thattoremainwiththemwouldonlybetostarveintheircompany。TheyimportunedMr。Hunt，therefore，toleavetheseunfortunatementotheirfate，andthinkonlyofthesafetyofhimselfandhisparty。Findinghimnottobemovedeitherbyentreatiesortheirclamors，theybegantoproceedwithouthim，singlyandinparties。AmongthosewhothuswentoffwasPierreDorion，theinterpreter。Pierreownedtheonlyremaininghorse;
whichwasnowamereskeleton。Mr。Hunthadsuggested，intheirpresentextremity，thatitshouldbekilledforfood;towhichthehalf-breedflatlyrefusedhisassent，andcudgelingthemiserableanimalforward，pushedonsullenly，withtheairofamandoggedlydeterminedtoquarrelforhisright。InthiswayMr。
Huntsawhismen，oneafteranother，breakaway，untilbutfiveremainedtobearhimcompany。
Onthefollowingmorninganotherraftwasmade，onwhichMr。
CrooksandLeClercagainattemptedtoferrythemselvesacrosstheriver，butafterrepeatedtrialshadtogiveupindespair。
Thiscausedadditionaldelay;afterwhichtheycontinuedtocrawlforwardatasnail’space。SomeofthemenwhohadremainedwithMr。Huntnowbecameimpatientoftheseincumbrances，andurgedhimclamorouslytopushforward，cryingoutthattheyshouldallstarve。Thenightwhichsucceededwasintenselycold，sothatoneofthemenwasseverelyfrost-bitten。Inthecourseofthenight，Mr。Crookswastakenill，andinthemorningwasstillmoreincompetenttotravel。Theirsituationwasnowdesperate，fortheirstockofprovisionswasreducedtothreebeaverskins。Mr。
Hunt，therefore，resolvedtopushon，overtakehispeople，andinsistuponhavingthehorseofPierreDorionsacrificedforthereliefofallhands。Accordingly，helefttwoofhismentohelpCrooksandLeClercontheirway，givingthemtwoofthebeaverskinsfortheirsupport;theremainingskinheretained，asprovisionforhimselfandthethreeothermenwhostruckforwardwithhim。
CHAPTERXXXVI。
Mr。HuntOvertakestheAdvanceParty-PierreDorion，andHisSkeletonHorse-AShoshonieCamp-AJustifiableOutrage-
FeastingonHorseFlesh-Mr。CrooksBroughttotheCamp-
UndertakestoRelieveHisMen-TheSkinFerry-Boat-FrenzyofPrevost-HisMelancholyFate-EnfeebledStateofJohnDay-Mr。
CrooksAgainLeftBehind-ThePartyEmergeFromAmongtheMountains-InterviewWithShoshonies-AGuideProcuredtoConductthePartyAcrossaMountain-FerriageAcrossSnakeRiver-
ReunionWithMrCrook’sMen-FinalDepartureFromtheRiver。
ALLthatday，Mr。Huntandhisthreecomradestravelledwithouteating。Atnighttheymadeatantalizingsupperontheirbeaverskin，andwerenearlyexhaustedbyhungerandcold。Thenextday，December10th，theyovertooktheadvanceparty，whowereallasmuchfamishedasthemselves，someofthemnothavingeatensincethemorningoftheseventh。Mr。HuntnowproposedthesacrificeofPierreDorion’sskeletonhorse。Hereheagainmetwithpositiveandvehementoppositionfromthehalf-breed，whowastoosullenandvindictiveafellowtobeeasilydealtwith。Whatwassingular，themen，thoughsufferingsuchpinchinghunger，interferedinfavorofthehorse。
Theyrepresentedthatitwasbettertokeeponaslongaspos-
siblewithoutresortingtothislastresource。PossiblytheIndians，ofwhomtheywereinquest，mighthaveshiftedtheirencampment，inwhichcaseitwouldbetimeenoughtokillthehorsetoescapestarvation。Mr。Hunt，therefore，wasprevailedupontograntPierreDorion’shorseareprieve。
Fortunately，theyhadnotproceededmuchfurther，when，towardsevening，theycameinsightofalodgeofShoshonies，withanumberofhorsesgrazingaroundit。Thesightwasasunexpectedasitwasjoyous。HavingseennoIndiansinthisneighborhoodastheypasseddowntheriver，theymusthavesubsequentlycomeoutfromamongthemountains。Mr。Hunt，whofirstdescriedthem，checkedtheeagernessofhiscompanions，knowingtheunwillingnessoftheseIndianstopartwiththeirhorses，andtheiraptnesstohurrythemoffandconcealthem，incaseofanalarm。Thiswasnotimetorisksuchadisappointment。
Approaching，therefore，stealthilyandsilently，theycameuponthesavagesbysurprise，whofledinterror。Fiveoftheirhorseswereeagerlyseized，andonewasdespatcheduponthespot。Thecarcasswasimmediatelycutup，andapartofithastilycookedandravenouslydevoured。AmanwasnowsentonhorsebackwithasupplyofthefleshtoMr。Crooksandhiscompanions。Hereachedtheminthenight;theyweresofamishedthatthesupplysentthemseemedbuttoaggravatetheirhunger，andtheywerealmosttemptedtokillandeatthehorsethathadbroughtthemessenger。
Availingthemselvesoftheassistanceoftheanimal，theyreachedthecampearlyinthemorning。
Onarrivingthere，Mr。Crookswasshockedtofindthat，whilethepeopleonthissideoftheriverwereamplysuppliedwithprovisions，nonehadbeensenttohisownforlornandfamishingmenontheoppositebank。Heimmediatelycausedaskincanoetobeconstructed，andcalledouttohismentofilltheircamp-
kettleswithwaterandhangthemoverthefire，thatnotimemightbelostincookingthemeatthemomentitshouldbereceived。Theriverwassonarrow，thoughdeep，thateverythingcouldbedistinctlyheardandseenacrossit。Thekettleswereplacedonthefire，andthewaterwasboilingbythetimethecanoewascompleted。Whenallwasready，however，noonewouldundertaketoferrythemeatacross。AvagueandalmostsuperstitiousterrorhadinfectedthemindsofMr。Hunt’sfollowers，enfeebledandrenderedimaginativeofhorrorsbythedismalscenesandsufferingsthroughwhichtheyhadpassed。Theyregardedthehaggardcrew，hoveringlikespectresoffamineontheoppositebank，withindefinitefeelingsofaweandapprehension:asifsomethingdesperateanddangerouswastobefearedfromthem。
Mr。Crookstriedinvaintoreasonorshamethemoutofthissingularstateofmind。Hethenattemptedtonavigatethecanoehimself，butfoundhisstrengthincompetenttobravetheimpetuouscurrent。ThegoodfeelingsofBenJones，theKentuckian，atlengthovercamehisfears，andheventuredover。
Thesupplyhebroughtwasreceivedwithtremblingavidity。ApoorCanadian，however，namedJeanBaptistePrevost，whomfaminehadrenderedwildanddesperate，ranfranticallyaboutthebank，afterJoneshadreturned，cryingouttoMr。Hunttosendthecanoeforhim，andtakehimfromthathorribleregionoffamine，declaringthatotherwisehewouldnevermarchanotherstep，butwouldliedownthereanddie。
Thecanoewasshortlysentoveragain，underthemanagementofJosephDelaunay，withfurthersupplies。Prevostimmediatelypressedforwardtoembark。Delaunayrefusedtoadmithim，tellinghimthattherewasnowasufficientsupplyofmeatonhissideoftheriver。Herepliedthatitwasnotcooked，andheshouldstarvebeforeitwasready;heimplored，therefore，tobetakenwherehecouldgetsomethingtoappeasehishungerimmediately。
Findingthecanoeputtingoffwithouthim，heforcedhimselfaboard。Ashedrewneartheoppositeshore，andbeheldmeatroastingbeforethefire，hejumpedup，shouted，clappedhishands，anddancedinadeliriumofjoy，untilheupsetthecanoe。
Thepoorwretchwassweptawaybythecurrentanddrowned，anditwaswithextremedifficultythatDelaunayreachedtheshore。
Mr。Huntnowsentallhismenforwardexceptingtwoorthree。Intheeveninghecausedanotherhorsetobekilled，andacanoetobemadeoutoftheskin，inwhichhesentoverafurthersupplyofmeattotheoppositeparty。ThecanoebroughtbackJohnDay，theKentuckyhunter，whocametojoinhisformeremployerandcommander，Mr。Crooks。PoorDay，oncesoactiveandvigorous，wasnowreducedtoaconditionevenmorefeebleandemaciatedthanhiscompanions。Mr。Crookshadsuchavaluefortheman，onaccountofhispastservicesandfaithfulcharacter，thathedeterminednottoquithim;heexhortedMr。Hunt，however，toproceedforward，andjointheparty，ashispresencewasallimportanttotheconductoftheexpedition。OneoftheCanadians，JeanBaptisteDubreuil，likewiseremainedwithMr。Crooks。
Mr。Huntlefttwohorseswiththem，andapartofthecarcassofthelastthathadbeenkilled。This，hehoped，wouldbesufficienttosustainthemuntiltheyshouldreachtheIndianencampment。
OneofthechiefdangersattendingtheenfeebledconditionofMr。
CrooksandhiscompanionswastheirbeingovertakenbytheIndianswhosehorseshadbeenseized，thoughMr。Hunthopedthathehadguardedagainstanyresentmentonthepartofthesavages，byleavingvariousarticlesintheirlodge，morethansufficienttocompensatefortheoutragehehadbeencompelledtocommit。
Resuminghisonwardcourse，Mr。Huntcameupwithhispeopleintheevening。Thenextday，December13th，hebeheldseveralIndians，withthreehorses，ontheoppositesideoftheriver，andafteratimecametothetwolodgeswhichhehadseenongoingdown。Hereheendeavoredinvaintobarterarifleforahorse，butagainsucceededineffectingthepurchasewithanoldtinkettle，aidedbyafewbeads。
Thetwosucceedingdayswerecoldandstormy;thesnowwasaugmenting，andtherewasagooddealoficerunningintheriver。Theirroad，however，wasbecomingeasier;theyweregettingoutofthehills，andfinallyemergedintotheopencountry，aftertwentydaysoffatigue，famine，andhardshipofeverykind，intheineffectualattempttofindapassagedowntheriver。
Theynowencampedonalittlewillowedstream，runningfromtheeast，whichtheyhadcrossedonthe26thofNovember。HeretheyfoundadozenlodgesofShoshonies，recentlyarrived，whoinformedthemthathadtheyperseveredalongtheriver，theywouldhavefoundtheirdifficultiesaugmentuntiltheybecameabsolutelyinsurmountable。ThisintelligenceaddedtotheanxietyofMr。HuntforthefateofMr。M’Kenzieandhispeople，whohadkepton。
Mr。Huntnowfollowedupthelittleriver，andencampedatsomelodgesofShoshonies，fromwhomheprocuredacoupleofhorses，adog，afewdriedfish，andsomerootsanddriedcherries。Twoorthreedayswereexhaustedinobtaininginformationabouttheroute，andwhattimeitwouldtaketogettotheSciatogas，ahospitabletribeonthewestofthemountains，representedashavingmanyhorses。Thereplieswerevarious，butconcurredinsayingthatthedistancewasgreat，andwouldoccupyfromseventeentotwenty-onenights。Mr。Huntthentriedtoprocureaguide;butthoughhesenttovariouslodgesupanddowntheriver，offeringarticlesofgreatvalueinIndianestimation，noonewouldventure。Thesnow，theysaid，waswaistdeepinthemountains;andtoallhisofferstheyshooktheirheads，gaveashiver，andreplied，“weshallfreeze！weshallfreeze！“atthesametimetheyurgedhimtoremainandpassthewinteramongthem。
Mr。Huntwasinadismaldilemma。Toattemptthemountainswithoutaguidewouldbecertaindeathtohimandallhispeople;
toremainthere，afterhavingalreadybeensolongonthejourney，andatsuchgreatexpense，wasworsetohim，hesaid，thantwo“deaths。”HenowchangedhistonewiththeIndians，chargedthemwithdeceivinghiminrespecttothemountains，andtalkingwitha“forkedtongue。”or，inotherwords，withlying。
Heupbraidedthemwiththeirwantofcourage，andtoldthemtheywerewomen，toshrinkfromtheperilsofsuchajourney。Atlengthoneofthem，piquedbyhistaunts，ortemptedbyhisoffers，agreedtobehisguide;forwhichhewastoreceiveagun，apistol，threeknives，twohorses，andalittleofeveryarticleinpossessionoftheparty;arewardsufficienttomakehimoneofthewealthiestofhisvagabondnation。
Oncemore，then，onthe21stofDecember，theysetoutupontheirwayfaring，withnewlyexcitedspirits。TwootherIndiansaccompaniedtheirguide，wholedthemimmediatelybacktoSnakeRiver，whichtheyfolloweddownforashortdistance，insearchofsomeIndianraftsmadeofreeds，onwhichtheymightcross。
Findingnone，Mr。Huntcausedahorsetobekilled，andacanoetobemadeoutofitsskin。Here，ontheoppositebank，theysawthethirteenmenofMr。Crooks’sparty，whohadcontinuedupalongtheriver。TheytoldMr。Hunt，acrossthestream，thattheyhadnotseenMr。Crooks，andthetwomenwhohadremainedwithhim，sincethedaythathehadseparatedfromthem。
Thecanoeprovingtoosmall，anotherhorsewaskilled，andtheskinofitjoinedtothatofthefirst。Nightcameonbeforethelittlebarkhadmademorethantwovoyages。Beingbadlymadeitwastakenapartandputtogetheragain，bythelightofthefire。
Thenightwascold;themenwerewearyanddisheartenedwithsuchvariedandincessanttoilandhardship。Theycrouched，dullanddrooping，aroundtheirfires;manyofthembegantoexpressawishtoremainwheretheywereforthewinter。Theverynecessityofcrossingtheriverdismayedsomeofthemintheirpresentenfeebledanddejectedstate。Itwasrapidandturbulent，andfilledwithfloatingice，andtheyrememberedthattwooftheircomradeshadalreadyperishedinitswaters。Otherslookedforwardwithmisgivingstothelonganddismaljourneythroughlonesomeregionsthatawaitedthem，whentheyshouldhavepassedthisdrearyflood。
Atanearlyhourofthemorning，December23d，theybegantocrosstheriver。Muchicehadformedduringthenight，andtheywereobligedtobreakitforsomedistanceoneachshore。Atlengththeyallgotoverinsafetytothewestside;andtheirspiritsroseonhavingachievedthisperilouspassage。HeretheywererejoinedbythepeopleofMr。Crooks，whohadwiththemahorseandadog，whichtheyhadrecentlyprocured。Thepoorfellowswereinthemostsqualidandemaciatedstate。ThreeofthemweresocompletelyprostratedinstrengthandspiritsthattheyexpressedawishtoremainamongtheSnakes。Mr。Hunt，therefore，gavethemthecanoe，thattheymightcrosstheriver，andafewarticles，withwhichtoprocurenecessities，untiltheyshouldmeetwithMr。Crooks。Therewasanotherman，namedMichaelCarriere，whowasalmostequallyreduced，buthedeterminedtoproceedwithhiscomrades，whowerenowincorporatedwiththepartyofMr。Hunt。Aftertheday’sexertionstheyencampedtogetheronthebanksoftheriver。Thiswasthelastnighttheyweretospenduponitsborders。Morethaneighthundredmilesofhardtravelling，andmanywearydays，haditcostthem;andthesufferingsconnectedwithitrenderedithatefulintheirremembrance，sothattheCanadianvoyageursalwaysspokeofitas“Lamauditeriviereenragee“-theaccursedmadriver-thuscouplingamaledictionwithitsname。
CHAPTERXXXVII
DepartureFromSnakeRiver-MountainstotheNorth-WaywornTravellers-AnIncreaseoftheDorionFamily-ACampofShoshonies-ANew-YearFestivalAmongtheSnakes-AWintryMarchThroughtheMountains-ASunnyProspect，andMilderClimate-
IndianHorse-Tracks-GrassyValleys-ACampofSciatogas-JoyoftheTravellers-DangersofAbundance-HabitsoftheSciatogas-FateofCarriere-TheUmatilla-ArrivalattheBanksoftheColumbia-TidingsoftheScatteredMembersoftheExpedition-SceneryontheColumbia-TidingsofAstoria-
ArrivalattheFalls。
0Nthe24thofDecember，allthingsbeingarranged，Mr。HuntturnedhisbackuponthedisastrousbanksofSnakeRiver，andstruckhiscoursewestwardforthemountains。Hisparty，beingaugmentedbythelatefollowersofMr。Crooks，amountednowtothirty-twowhitemen，threeIndians，andthesquawandtwochildrenofPierreDorion。Fivejaded，halfstarvedhorseswereladenwiththeirluggage，and，incaseofneed，weretofurnishthemwithprovisions。Theytravelledpainfullyaboutfourteenmilesaday，overplainsandamonghills，rendereddrearybyoccasionalfallsofsnowandrain。Theironlysustenancewasascantymealofhorsefleshonceinfour-and-twentyhours。
OnthethirddaythepoorCanadian，Carriere，oneofthefamishedpartyofMr。Crooks，gaveupindespair，andlayingdownuponthegrounddeclaredhecouldgonofurther。Effortsweremadetocheerhimup，butitwasfoundthatthepoorfellowwasabsolutelyexhaustedandcouldnotkeeponhislegs。Hewasmounted，therefore，upononeofthehorses，thoughtheforlornanimalwasinlittlebetterplightthanhimself。
Onthe28th，theycameuponasmallstreamwindingtothenorth，throughafinelevelvalley;themountainsrecedingoneachside。
HeretheirIndianfriendspointedoutachainofwoodymountainstotheleft，runningnorthandsouth，andcoveredwithsnow，overwhichtheywouldhavetopass。Theykeptalongthevalleyfortwenty-onemilesonthe29th，sufferingmuchfromacontinuedfallofsnowandrain，andbeingtwiceobligedtofordtheicystream。EarlyinthefollowingmorningthesquawofPierreDorion，whohadhithertokeptonwithoutmurmuringorflinching，wassuddenlytakeninlabor，andenrichedherhusbandwithanotherchild。Asthefortitudeandgoodconductofthepoorwomanhadgainedforherthegoodwilloftheparty，hersituationcausedconcernandperplexity。Pierre，however，treatedthematterasanoccurrencethatcouldsoonbearrangedandneedcausenodelay。Heremainedbyhiswifeinthecamp，withhisotherchildrenandhishorse，andpromisedsoontorejointhemainbody，whoproceededontheirmarch。
Findingthatthelittleriverenteredthemountains，theyabandonedit，andturnedoffforafewmilesamonghills。HereanotherCanadian，namedLaBonte，gaveout，andhadtobehelpedonhorseback。Asthehorsewastooweaktobearbothhimandhispack，Mr。Hunttookthelatteruponhisownshoulders。Thus，withdifficultiesaugmentingateverystep，theyurgedtheirtoilsomewayamongthehills，halffamishedandfaintatheart，whentheycametowhereafairvalleyspreadoutbeforethem，ofgreatextentandseveralleaguesinwidth，withabeautifulstreammeanderingthroughit。Agenialclimateseemedtoprevailhere，forthoughthesnowlayuponallthemountainswithinsight，therewasnonetobeseeninthevalley。Thetravellersgazedwithdelightuponthisserene，sunnylandscape，buttheirjoywascompleteonbeholdingsixlodgesofShoshoniespitcheduponthebordersofthestream，withanumberofhorsesanddogsaboutthem。Theyallpressedforwardwitheagernessandsoonreachedthecamp。Heretheirfirstattentionwastoobtainprovisions。A
rifle，anoldmusket，atomahawk，atinkettle，andasmallquantityofammunitionsoonprocuredthemfourhorses，threedogs，andsomeroots。Partofthelivestockwasimmediatelykilled，cookedwithallexpedition，andaspromptlydevoured。A
heartymealrestoredeveryonetogoodspirits。InthecourseofthefollowingmorningtheDorionfamilymadeitsreappearance。
Pierrecametrudgingintheadvance，followedbyhisvalued，thoughskeletonsteed，onwhichwasmountedhissquawwithhernew-borninfantinherarms，andherboyoftwoyearsoldwrappedinablanketandslungatherside。Themotherlookedasunconcernedasifnothinghadhappenedtoher;soeasyisnatureinheroperationsinthewilderness，whenfreefromtheenfeeblingrefinementsofluxury，andthetamperingsandappliancesofart。
Thenextmorningusheredinthenewyear(1812)。Mr。Huntwasabouttoresumehismarch，whenhismenrequestedpermissiontocelebratetheday。ThiswasparticularlyurgedbytheCanadianvoyageurs，withwhomNew-Year’sdayisafavoritefestival;andwhoneverwillinglygiveupaholiday，underanycircumstances。
Therewasnoresistingsuchanapplication;sothedaywaspassedinreposeandrevelry;thepoorCanadianscontrivedtosinganddanceindefianceofalltheirhardships;andtherewasasumptuousNew-Year’sbanquetofdog’smeatandhorseflesh。
Aftertwodaysofwelcomerest，thetravellersaddressedthemselvesoncemoretothepainfuljourney。TheIndiansofthelodgespointedoutadistantgapthroughwhichtheymustpassintraversingtheridgeofmountains。Theyassuredthemthattheywouldbebutlittleincommodedbysnow，andinthreedayswouldarriveamongtheSciatogas。Mr。Hunt，however，hadbeensofrequentlydeceivedbyIndianaccountsofroutesanddistances，thathegavebutlittlefaithtothisinformation。
Thetravellerscontinuedtheircourseduewestforfivedays，crossingthevalleyandenteringthemountains。Herethetravellingbecameexcessivelytoilsome，acrossroughstonyridges，andamidstfallentrees。Theywereoftenkneedeepinsnow，andsometimesinthehollowsbetweentheridgessankuptotheirwaists。Theweatherwasextremelycold;theskycoveredwithcloudssothatfordaystheyhadnotaglimpseofthesun。
Intraversingthehighestridgetheyhadawidebutchillingprospectoverawildernessofsnowymountains。
Onthe6thofJanuary，however，theyhadcrossedthedividingsummitofthechain，andwereevidentlyundertheinfluenceofamilderclimate。Thesnowbegantodecrease;thesunoncemoreemergedfromthethickcanopyofclouds，andshonecheeringlyuponthem，andtheycaughtasightofwhatappearedtobeaplain，stretchingoutinthewest。TheyhaileditasthepoorIsraeliteshailedthefirstglimpseofthepromisedland，fortheyflatteredthemselvesthatthismightbethegreatplainoftheColumbia，andthattheirpainfulpilgrimagemightbedrawingtoaclose，ItwasnowfivedayssincetheyhadleftthelodgesoftheShoshonies，duringwhichtheyhadcomeaboutsixtymiles，andtheirguideassuredthemthatinthecourseofthenextdaytheywouldseetheSciatogas。
Onthefollowingmorning，therefore，theypushedforwardwitheagerness，andsoonfelluponastreamwhichledthemthroughadeepnarrowdefile，betweenstupendousridges。Hereamongtherocksandprecipicestheysawgangsofthatmountain-lovinganimal，theblack-taileddeer，andcametowheregreattracksofhorsesweretobeseeninalldirections，madebytheIndianhunters。
Thesnowhadentirelydisappeared，andthehopesofsooncominguponsomeIndianencampmentinducedMr。Hunttopresson。Manyofthemen，however，weresoenfeebledthattheycouldnotkeepupwiththemainbody，butlaggedatintervalsbehind;andsomeofthemdidnotarriveatthenightencampment。Inthecourseofthisday’smarchtherecently-bornchildofPierreDoriondied。
Themarchwasresumedearlythenextmorning，withoutwaitingforthestragglers。Thestreamwhichtheyhadfollowedthroughouttheprecedingdaywasnowswollenbytheinfluxofanotherriver;thedeclivitiesofthehillsweregreenandthevalleyswereclothedwithgrass。Atlengththejovialcrywasgivenof“anIndiancamp！“Itwasyetinthedistance，Inthebosomofthegreenvalley，buttheycouldperceivethatitconsistedofnumerouslodges，andthathundredsofhorsesweregrazingthegrassymeadowsaroundit。Theprospectofabundanceofhorsefleshdiffuseduniversaljoy，forbythistimethewholestockoftravellingprovisionswasreducedtotheskeletonsteedofPierreDorion，andanotherwretchedanimal，equallyemaciated，thathadbeenrepeatedlyreprievedduringthejourney。
Aforcedmarchsoonbroughtthewearyandhungrytravellerstothecamp。ItprovedtobeastrongpartyofSciatogasandTusche-
pas。Therewerethirty-fourlodges，comfortablyconstructedofmats;theIndians，too，werebetterclothedthananyofthewanderingbandstheyhadhithertometonthissideoftheRockyMountains。Indeed，theywereaswellcladasthegeneralityofthewildhuntertribes。Eachhadagoodbuffaloordeerskinrobe;andadeerskinhuntingshirtandleggins。Upwardsoftwothousandhorseswererangingthepasturesaroundtheirencampment;butwhatdelightedMr。Huntwas，onenteringthelodges，tobeholdbrasskettles，axes，coppertea-kettles，andvariousotherarticlesofcivilizedmanufacture，whichshowedthattheseIndianshadanindirectcommunicationwiththepeopleofthesea-coastwhotradedwiththewhites。HemadeeagerinquiriesoftheSciatogas，andgatheredfromthemthatthegreatriver(theColumbia)wasbuttwodays’marchdistant，andthatseveralwhitepeoplehadrecentlydescendedit;whohehopedmightprovetobeM’Lellan，M’Kenzie，andtheircompanions。
Itwaswiththeutmostjoyandthemostprofoundgratitudetoheaven，thatMr。Huntfoundhimselfandhisbandofwearyandfamishingwanderersthussafelyextricatedfromthemostperilouspartoftheirlongjourney，andwithintheprospectofaterminationoftheirtolls。Allthestragglerswhohadlaggedbehindarrived，oneafteranother，exceptingthepoorCanadianvoyageur，Carriere。Hehadbeenseenlateintheprecedingafternoon，ridingbehindaSnakeIndian，nearsomelodgesofthatnation，afewmilesdistantfromthelastnight’sencampment;anditwasexpectedthathewouldsoonmakehisappearance。ThefirstobjectofMr。Huntwastoobtainprovisionsforhismen。Alittlevenison，ofanindifferentquality，andsomerootswereallthatcouldbeprocuredthatevening;butthenextdayhesucceededinpurchasingamareandcolt，whichwereimmediatelykilled，andthecravingsofthehalf-starvedpeopleinsomedegreeappeased。
ForseveraldaystheyremainedintheneighborhoodoftheseIndians，reposingafteralltheirhardships，andfeastinguponhorsefleshandroots，obtainedinsubsequenttraffic。Manyofthepeopleatetosuchexcessastorenderthemselvessick，otherswerelamefromtheirpastjourney;butallgraduallyrecruitedinthereposeandabundanceofthevalley。Horseswereobtainedheremuchmorereadily，andatacheaperrate，thanamongtheSnakes。Ablanket，aknife，orahalfpoundofbluebeadswouldpurchaseasteed，andatthisratemanyofthemenboughthorsesfortheirindividualuse。
ThistribeofIndians，whoarerepresentedasaproud-spiritedrace，anduncommonlycleanly，nevereathorsesordogs，norwouldtheypermittherawfleshofeithertobebroughtintotheirhuts。Theyhadasmallquantityofvenisonineachlodge，butsetsohighapriceuponitthatthewhitemen，intheirimpoverishedstatecouldnotaffordtopurchaseit。Theyhuntedthedeeronhorseback，“ringing。”orsurroundingthem，andrunningthemdowninacircle。Theywereadmirablehorsemen，andtheirweaponswerebowsandarrows，whichtheymanagedwithgreatdexterity。Theywerealtogetherprimitiveintheirhabits，andseemedtoclingtotheusagesofsavagelife，evenwhenpossessedoftheaidsofcivilization。Theyhadaxesamongthem，yettheygenerallymadeuseofastonemalletwroughtintotheshapeofabottle，andwedgesofelkhorn，insplittingtheirwood。Thoughtheymighthavetwoorthreebrasskettleshanging，intheirlodges，yettheywouldfrequentlyusevesselsmadeofwillow，forcarryingwater，andwouldevenbolltheirmeatinthem，bymeansofhotstones。Theirwomenworecapsofwillowneatlyworkedandfigured。
AsCarriere，theCanadianstraggler，didnotmakehisappearancefortwoorthreedaysaftertheencampmentinthevalleytwomenweresentoutonhorsebackinsearchofhim。Theyreturned，however，withoutsuccess。ThelodgesoftheSnakeIndiansnearwhichhehadbeenseenwereremoved，andthecouldfindnotraceofhim。Severaldaysmoreelapsed，yetnothingwasseenorheardofhim，ortheSnakehorseman，behindwhomhehadbeenlastobserved。Itwasfeared，therefore，thathehadeitherperishedthroughhungerandfatigue;hadbeenmurderedbytheIndians;or，beinglefttohimself，hadmistakensomehuntingtracksforthetrailoftheparty，andbeenledastrayandlost。
Theriveronthebanksofwhichtheywereencamped，emptiedintotheColumbia，wascalledbythenativestheEu-o-tal-la，orUmatilla，andaboundedwithbeaver。Inthecourseoftheirsojourninthevalleywhichitwatered，theytwiceshiftedtheircamp，proceedingaboutthirtymilesdownitscourse，whichwastothewest。Aheavyfallofraincausedtherivertooverflowitsbanks，dislodgedthemfromtheirencampment，anddrownedthreeoftheirhorseswhichweretetheredinthelowground。
FurtherconversationwiththeIndianssatisfiedthemthattheywereintheneighborhoodoftheColumbia。Thenumberofthewhitemenwhotheysaidhadpasseddowntheriver，agreedwiththatofM’Lellan，M’Kenzie，andtheircompanions，andincreasedthehopeofMr。Huntthattheymighthavepassedthroughthewildernesswithsafety。
TheseIndianshadavaguestorythatwhitemenwerecomingtotradeamongthem;andtheyoftenspokeoftwogreatmennamedKe-
KooshandJacquean，whogavethemtobacco，andsmokedwiththem。
Jacquean，theysaid，hadahousesomewhereuponthegreatriver。
SomeoftheCanadianssupposedtheywerespeakingofoneJacqueanFinlay，aclerkoftheNorthwestCompany，andinferredthatthehousemustbesometradingpostononeofthetributarystreamsoftheColumbia。TheIndianswereoverjoyedwhentheyfoundthisbandofwhitemenintendedtoreturnandtradewiththem。Theypromisedtousealldiligenceincollectingquantitiesofbeaverskins，andnodoubtproceededtomakedeadlywaruponthatsagacious，butill-fatedanimal，who，ingeneral，livedinpeacefulinsignificanceamonghisIndianneighbors，beforetheintrusionofthewhitetrader。Onthe20thofJanuary，Mr。HunttookleaveofthesefriendlyIndians，andoftheriveronwhichtheyencamped，andcontinuedwestward。
Atlength，onthefollowingday，thewayworntravellerslifteduptheireyesandbeheldbeforethemthelong-soughtwatersoftheColumbia。Thesightwashailedwithasmuchtransportasiftheyhadalreadyreachedtheendoftheirpilgrimage;norcanwewonderattheirjoy。Twohundredandfortymileshadtheymarched，throughwintrywastesandruggedmountains，sinceleavingSnakeRiver;andsixmonthsofperilouswayfaringhadtheyexperiencedsincetheirdeparturefromtheArickaravillageontheMissouri。Theirwholeroutebylandandwaterfromthatpointhadbeen，accordingtotheircomputation，seventeenhundredandfifty-onemiles，inthecourseofwhichtheyhadenduredallkindsofhardships。Infact，thenecessityofavoidingthedangerouscountryoftheBlackfeethadobligedthemtomakeabendtothesouthandtraverseagreatadditionalextentofunknownwilderness。