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WHILE ENGAGED in writing an account of the grand enterprise of Astoria, it was my practice to seek all

kinds of oral information connected with the subject. Nowhere did I pick up more interesting particulars than

at the table of Mr. John Jacob Astor; who, being the patriarch of the fur trade in the United States, was

accustomed to have at his board various persons of adventurous turn, some of whom had been engaged in his

own great undertaking; others, on their own account, had made expeditions to the Rocky Mountains and the

Among these personages, one who peculiarly took my fancy was Captain Bonneville, of the United States

army; who, in a rambling kind of enterprise, had strangely ingrafted the trapper and hunter upon the soldier.

As his expeditions and adventures will form the leading theme of the following pages, a few biographical

Captain Bonneville is of French parentage. His father was a worthy old emigrant, who came to this country

many years since, and took up his abode in New York. He is represented as a man not much calculated for the

sordid struggle of a moneymaking world, but possessed of a happy temperament, a festivity of imagination,

and a simplicity of heart, that made him proof against its rubs and trials. He was an excellent scholar; well

acquainted with Latin and Greek, and fond of the modern classics. His book was his elysium; once immersed

in the pages of Voltaire, Corneille, or Racine, or of his favorite English author, Shakespeare, he forgot the

world and all its concerns. Often would he be seen in summer weather, seated under one of the trees on the

Battery, or the portico of St. Paul's church in Broadway, his bald head uncovered, his hat lying by his side,

his eyes riveted to the page of his book, and his whole soul so engaged, as to lose all consciousness of the

Captain Bonneville, it will be found, inherited something of his father's bonhommie, and his excitable

imagination; though the latter was somewhat disciplined in early years, by mathematical studies. He was

educated at our national Military Academy at West Point, where he acquitted himself very creditably; thence,

The nature of our military service took him to the frontier, where, for a number of years, he was stationed at

various posts in the Far West. Here he was brought into frequent intercourse with Indian traders, mountain

trappers, and other pioneers of the wilderness; and became so excited by their tales of wild scenes and wild

adventures, and their accounts of vast and magnificent regions as yet unexplored, that an expedition to the

Rocky Mountains became the ardent desire of his heart, and an enterprise to explore untrodden tracts, the

By degrees he shaped his vague daydream into a practical reality. Having made himself acquainted with all

the requisites for a trading enterprise beyond the mountains, he determined to undertake it. A leave of

absence, and a sanction of his expedition, was obtained from the major general in chief, on his offering to

combine public utility with his private projects, and to collect statistical information for the War Department

concerning the wild countries and wild tribes he might visit in the course of his journeyings.

Nothing now was wanting to the darling project of the captain, but the ways and means. The expedition

would require an outfit of many thousand dollars; a staggering obstacle to a soldier, whose capital is seldom

any thing more than his sword. Full of that buoyant hope, however, which belongs to the sanguine

temperament, he repaired to NewYork, the great focus of American enterprise, where there are always funds

ready for any scheme, however chimerical or romantic. Here he had the good fortune to meet with a

gentleman of high respectability and influence, who had been his associate in boyhood, and who cherished a

schoolfellow friendship for him. He took a general interest in the scheme of the captain; introduced him to

commercial men of his acquaintance, and in a little while an association was formed, and the necessary funds

were raised to carry the proposed measure into effect. One of the most efficient persons in this association

was Mr. Alfred Seton, who, when quite a youth, had accompanied one of the expeditions sent out by Mr.

Astor to his commercial establishments on the Columbia, and had distinguished himself by his activity and

courage at one of the interior posts. Mr. Seton was one of the American youths who were at Astoria at the

time of its surrender to the British, and who manifested such grief and indignation at seeing the flag of their

country hauled down. The hope of seeing that flag once more planted on the shores of the Columbia, may

Thus backed and provided, Captain Bonneville undertook his expedition into the Far West, and was soon

beyond the Rocky Mountains. Year after year elapsed without his return. The term of his leave of absence

expired, yet no report was made of him at head quarters at Washington. He was considered virtually dead or

It was in the autumn of 1835 at the country seat of Mr. John Jacob Astor, at Hellgate, that I first met with

Captain Bonneville He was then just returned from a residence of upwards of three years among the

mountains, and was on his way to report himself at head quarters, in the hopes of being reinstated in the

service. From all that I could learn, his wanderings in the wilderness though they had gratified his curiosity

and his love of adventure had not much benefited his fortunes. Like Corporal Trim in his campaigns, he had

"satisfied the sentiment," and that was all. In fact, he was too much of the frank, freehearted soldier, and had

inherited too much of his father's temperament, to make a scheming trapper, or a thrifty bargainer.

There was something in the whole appearance of the captain that prepossessed me in his favor. He was of the

middle size, well made and well set; and a military frock of foreign cut, that had seen service, gave him a

look of compactness. His countenance was frank, open, and engaging; well browned by the sun, and had

something of a French expression. He had a pleasant black eye, a high forehead, and, while he kept his hat

on, the look of a man in the jocund prime of his days; but the moment his head was uncovered, a bald crown

Being extremely curious, at the time, about every thing connected with the Far West, I addressed numerous

questions to him. They drew from him a number of extremely striking details, which were given with

mingled modesty and frankness; and in a gentleness of manner, and a soft tone of voice, contrasting

singularly with the wild and often startling nature of his themes. It was difficult to conceive the mild,

quietlooking personage before you, the actual hero of the stirring scenes related.

In the course of three or four months, happening to be at the city of Washington, I again came upon the

captain, who was attending the slow adjustment of his affairs with the War Department. I found him

quartered with a worthy brother in arms, a major in the army. Here he was writing at a table, covered with

maps and papers, in the centre of a large barrack room, fancifully decorated with Indian arms, and trophies,

and war dresses, and the skins of various wild animals, and hung round with pictures of Indian games and

ceremonies, and scenes of war and hunting. In a word, the captain was beguiling the tediousness of

attendance at court, by an attempt at authorship; and was rewriting and extending his travelling notes, and

making maps of the regions he had explored. As he sat at the table, in this curious apartment, with his high

bald head of somewhat foreign cast, he reminded me of some of those antique pictures of authors that I have

The result of his labors was a mass of manuscript, which he subsequently put at my disposal, to fit it for

publication and bring it before the world. I found it full of interesting details of life among the mountains, and

of the singular castes and races, both white men and red men, among whom he had sojourned. It bore, too,

throughout, the impress of his character, his bonhommie, his kindliness of spirit, and his susceptibility to the

That manuscript has formed the staple of the following work. I have occasionally interwoven facts and

details, gathered from various sources, especially from the conversations and journals of some of the captain's

contemporaries, who were actors in the scenes he describes. I have also given it a tone and coloring drawn

from my own observation, during an excursion into the Indian country beyond the bounds of civilization; as I

before observed, however, the work is substantially the narrative of the worthy captain, and many of its most

I shall conclude this notice by a dedication which he had made of his manuscript to his hospitable brother in

arms, in whose quarters I found him occupied in his literary labors; it is a dedication which, I believe,

possesses the qualities, not always found in complimentary documents of the kind, of being sincere, and

To JAMES HARVEY HOOK, Major, U. S. A., whose jealousy of its honor, whose anxiety for its interests,

and whose sensibility for its wants, have endeared him to the service as The Soldier's Friend; and whose

general amenity, constant cheerfulness. disinterested hospitality, and unwearied benevolence, entitle him to

IN A RECENT WORK we have given an account of the grand enterprise of Mr. John Jacob Astor to

establish an American emporium for the fur trade at the mouth of the Columbia, or Oregon River; of the

failure of that enterprise through the capture of Astoria by the British, in 1814; and of the way in which the

control of the trade of the Columbia and its dependencies fell into the hands of the Northwest Company. We

have stated, likewise, the unfortunate supineness of the American government in neglecting the application of

Mr. Astor for the protection of the American flag, and a small military force, to enable him to reinstate

himself in the possession of Astoria at the return of peace; when the post was formally given up by the British

government, though still occupied by the Northwest Company. By that supineness the sovereignty in the

country has been virtually lost to the United States; and it will cost both governments much trouble and

difficulty to settle matters on that just and rightful footing on which they would readily have been placed had

the proposition of Mr. Astor been attended to. We shall now state a few particulars of subsequent events, so

as to lead the reader up to the period of which we are about to treat, and to prepare him for the circumstances

In consequence of the apathy and neglect of the American government, Mr. Astor abandoned all thoughts of

regaining Astoria, and made no further attempt to extend his enterprises beyond the Rocky Mountains; and

the Northwest Company considered themselves the lords of the country. They did not long enjoy unmolested

the sway which they had somewhat surreptitiously attained. A fierce competition ensued between them and

their old rivals, the Hudson's Bay Company; which was carried on at great cost and sacrifice, and

occasionally with the loss of life. It ended in the ruin of most of the partners of the Northwest Company; and

the merging of the relics of that establishment, in 1821, in the rival association. From that time, the Hudson's

Bay Company enjoyed a monopoly of the Indian trade from the coast of the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains,

and for a considerable extent north and south. They removed their emporium from Astoria to Fort Vancouver,

a strong post on the left bank of the Columbia River, about sixty miles from its mouth; whence they furnished

The Rocky Mountains formed a vast barrier between them and the United States, and their stern and awful

defiles, their rugged valleys, and the great western plains watered by their rivers, remained almost a terra

incognita to the American trapper. The difficulties experienced in 1808, by Mr. Henry of the Missouri

Company, the first American who trapped upon the headwaters of the Columbia; and the frightful hardships

sustained by Wilson P. Hunt, Ramsay Crooks, Robert Stuart, and other intrepid Astorians, in their illfated

expeditions across the mountains, appeared for a time to check all further enterprise in that direction. The

American traders contented themselves with following up the head branches of the Missouri, the

Yellowstone, and other rivers and streams on the Atlantic side of the mountains, but forbore to attempt those

One of the first to revive these tramontane expeditions was General Ashley, of Missouri, a man whose

courage and achievements in the prosecution of his enterprises have rendered him famous in the Far West. In

conjunction with Mr. Henry, already mentioned, he established a post on the banks of the Yellowstone River

in 1822, and in the following year pushed a resolute band of trappers across the mountains to the banks of the

Green River or Colorado of the West, often known by the Indian name of the Seedskedee Agie. This

attempt was followed up and sustained by others, until in 1825 a footing was secured, and a complete system

It is difficult to do justice to the courage, fortitude, and perseverance of the pioneers of the fur trade, who

conducted these early expeditions, and first broke their way through a wilderness where everything was

calculated to deter and dismay them. They had to traverse the most dreary and desolate mountains, and barren

and trackless wastes, uninhabited by man, or occasionally infested by predatory and cruel savages. They

knew nothing of the country beyond the verge of their horizon, and had to gather information as they

wandered. They beheld volcanic plains stretching around them, and ranges of mountains piled up to the

clouds, and glistening with eternal frost: but knew nothing of their defiles, nor how they were to be

penetrated or traversed. They launched themselves in frail canoes on rivers, without knowing whither their

swift currents would carry them, or what rocks and shoals and rapids they might encounter in their course.

They had to be continually on the alert, too, against the mountain tribes, who beset every defile, laid

ambuscades in their path, or attacked them in their night encampments; so that, of the hardy bands of trappers

that first entered into these regions, threefifths are said to have fallen by the hands of savage foes.

In this wild and warlike school a number of leaders have sprung up, originally in the employ, subsequently

partners of Ashley; among these we may mention Smith, Fitzpatrick, Bridger, Robert Campbell, and William

Sublette; whose adventures and exploits partake of the wildest spirit of romance. The association commenced

by General Ashley underwent various modifications. That gentleman having acquired sufficient fortune, sold

out his interest and retired; and the leading spirit that succeeded him was Captain William Sublette; a man

worthy of note, as his name has become renowned in frontier story. He is a native of Kentucky, and of game

descent; his maternal grandfather, Colonel Wheatley, a companion of Boon, having been one of the pioneers

of the West, celebrated in Indian warfare, and killed in one of the contests of the "Bloody Ground." We shall

frequently have occasion to speak of this Sublette, and always to the credit of his game qualities. In 1830, the

association took the name of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, of which Captain Sublette and Robert

In the meantime, the success of this company attracted the attention and excited the emulation of the

American Fur Company, and brought them once more into the field of their ancient enterprise. Mr. Astor, the

founder of the association, had retired from busy life, and the concerns of the company were ably managed

by Mr. Ramsay Crooks, of Snake River renown, who still officiates as its president. A competition

immediately ensued between the two companies for the trade with the mountain tribes and the trapping of the

headwaters of the Columbia and the other great tributaries of the Pacific. Beside the regular operations of

these formidable rivals, there have been from time to time desultory enterprises, or rather experiments, of

minor associations, or of adventurous individuals beside roving bands of independent trappers, who either

hunt for themselves, or engage for a single season, in the service of one or other of the main companies.

The consequence is that the Rocky Mountains and the ulterior regions, from the Russian possessions in the

north down to the Spanish settlements of California, have been traversed and ransacked in every direction by

bands of hunters and Indian traders; so that there is scarcely a mountain pass, or defile, that is not known and

threaded in their restless migrations, nor a nameless stream that is not haunted by the lonely trapper.

The American fur companies keep no established posts beyond the mountains. Everything there is regulated

by resident partners; that is to say, partners who reside in the tramontane country, but who move about from

place to place, either with Indian tribes, whose traffic they wish to monopolize, or with main bodies of their

own men, whom they employ in trading and trapping. In the meantime, they detach bands, or "brigades" as

they are termed, of trappers in various directions, assigning to each a portion of country as a hunting or

trapping ground. In the months of June and July, when there is an interval between the hunting seasons, a

general rendezvous is held, at some designated place in the mountains, where the affairs of the past year are

settled by the resident partners, and the plans for the following year arranged.

To this rendezvous repair the various brigades of trappers from their widely separated hunting grounds,

bringing in the products of their year's campaign. Hither also repair the Indian tribes accustomed to traffic

their peltries with the company. Bands of free trappers resort hither also, to sell the furs they have collected;

To this rendezvous the company sends annually a convoy of supplies from its establishment on the Atlantic

frontier, under the guidance of some experienced partner or officer. On the arrival of this convoy, the resident

partner at the rendezvous depends to set all his next year's machinery in motion.

Now as the rival companies keep a vigilant eye upon each other, and are anxious to discover each other's

plans and movements, they generally contrive to hold their annual assemblages at no great distance apart. An

eager competition exists also between their respective convoys of supplies, which shall first reach its place of

rendezvous. For this purpose, they set off with the first appearance of grass on the Atlantic frontier and push

with all diligence for the mountains. The company that can first open its tempting supplies of coffee, tobacco,

ammunition, scarlet cloth, blankets, bright shawls, and glittering trinkets has the greatest chance to get all the

peltries and furs of the Indians and free trappers, and to engage their services for the next season. It is able,

also, to fit out and dispatch its own trappers the soonest, so as to get the start of its competitors, and to have

A new species of strategy has sprung out of this hunting and trapping competition. The constant study of the

rival bands is to forestall and outwit each other; to supplant each other in the good will and custom of the

Indian tribes; to cross each other's plans; to mislead each other as to routes; in a word, next to his own

advantage, the study of the Indian trader is the disadvantage of his competitor.

The influx of this wandering trade has had its effects on the habits of the mountain tribes. They have found

the trapping of the beaver their most profitable species of hunting; and the traffic with the white man has

opened to them sources of luxury of which they previously had no idea. The introduction of firearms has

rendered them more successful hunters, but at the same time, more formidable foes; some of them,

incorrigibly savage and warlike in their nature, have found the expeditions of the fur traders grand objects of

profitable adventure. To waylay and harass a band of trappers with their packhorses, when embarrassed in

the rugged defiles of the mountains, has become as favorite an exploit with these Indians as the plunder of a

caravan to the Arab of the desert. The Crows and Blackfeet, who were such terrors in the path of the early

adventurers to Astoria, still continue their predatory habits, but seem to have brought them to greater system.

They know the routes and resorts of the trappers; where to waylay them on their journeys; where to find them

in the hunting seasons, and where to hover about them in winter quarters. The life of a trapper, therefore, is a

A new order of trappers and traders, also, has grown out of this system of things. In the old times of the great

Northwest Company, when the trade in furs was pursued chiefly about the lakes and rivers, the expeditions

were carried on in batteaux and canoes. The voyageurs or boatmen were the rank and file in the service of the

trader, and even the hardy "men of the north," those great rufflers and game birds, were fain to be paddled

A totally different class has now sprung up:"the Mountaineers," the traders and trappers that scale the vast

mountain chains, and pursue their hazardous vocations amidst their wild recesses. They move from place to

place on horseback. The equestrian exercises, therefore, in which they are engaged, the nature of the

countries they traverse, vast plains and mountains, pure and exhilarating in atmospheric qualities, seem to

make them physically and mentally a more lively and mercurial race than the fur traders and trappers of

former days, the selfvaunting "men of the north." A man who bestrides a horse must be essentially different

from a man who cowers in a canoe. We find them, accordingly, hardy, lithe, vigorous, and active; extravagant

in word, and thought, and deed; heedless of hardship; daring of danger; prodigal of the present, and

A difference is to be perceived even between these mountain hunters and those of the lower regions along the

waters of the Missouri. The latter, generally French creoles, live comfortably in cabins and loghuts, well

sheltered from the inclemencies of the seasons. They are within the reach of frequent supplies from the

settlements; their life is comparatively free from danger, and from most of the vicissitudes of the upper

wilderness. The consequence is that they are less hardy, selfdependent and gamespirited than the

mountaineer. If the latter by chance comes among them on his way to and from the settlements, he is like a

gamecock among the common roosters of the poultryyard. Accustomed to live in tents, or to bivouac in the

open air, he despises the comforts and is impatient of the confinement of the loghouse. If his meal is not

ready in season, he takes his rifle, hies to the forest or prairie, shoots his own game, lights his fire, and cooks

his repast. With his horse and his rifle, he is independent of the world, and spurns at all its restraints. The very

superintendents at the lower posts will not put him to mess with the common men, the hirelings of the

There is, perhaps, no class of men on the face of the earth, says Captain Bonneville, who lead a life of more

continued exertion, peril, and excitement, and who are more enamored of their occupations, than the free

trappers of the West. No toil, no danger, no privation can turn the trapper from his pursuit. His passionate

excitement at times resembles a mania. In vain may the most vigilant and cruel savages beset his path; in vain

may rocks and precipices and wintry torrents oppose his progress; let but a single track of a beaver meet his

eye, and he forgets all dangers and defies all difficulties. At times, he may be seen with his traps on his

shoulder, buffeting his way across rapid streams, amidst floating blocks of ice: at other times, he is to be

found with his traps swung on his back clambering the most rugged mountains, scaling or descending the

most frightful precipices, searching, by routes inaccessible to the horse, and never before trodden by white

man, for springs and lakes unknown to his comrades, and where he may meet with his favorite game. Such is

the mountaineer, the hardy trapper of the West; and such, as we have slightly sketched it, is the wild, Robin

Hood kind of life, with all its strange and motley populace, now existing in full vigor among the Rocky

Having thus given the reader some idea of the actual state of the fur trade in the interior of our vast continent,

and made him acquainted with the wild chivalry of the mountains, we will no longer delay the introduction of

Captain Bonneville and his band into this field of their enterprise, but launch them at once upon the perilous

IT WAS ON THE FIRST of May, 1832, that Captain Bonneville took his departure from the frontier post of

Fort Osage, on the Missouri. He had enlisted a party of one hundred and ten men, most of whom had been in

the Indian country, and some of whom were experienced hunters and trappers. Fort Osage, and other places

on the borders of the western wilderness, abound with characters of the kind, ready for any expedition.

The ordinary mode of transportation in these great inland expeditions of the fur traders is on mules and

packhorses; but Captain Bonneville substituted wagons. Though he was to travel through a trackless

wilderness, yet the greater part of his route would lie across open plains, destitute of forests, and where wheel

carriages can pass in every direction. The chief difficulty occurs in passing the deep ravines cut through the

prairies by streams and winter torrents. Here it is often necessary to dig a road down the banks, and to make

In transporting his baggage in vehicles of this kind, Captain Bonneville thought he would save the great delay

caused every morning by packing the horses, and the labor of unpacking in the evening. Fewer horses also

would be required, and less risk incurred of their wandering away, or being frightened or carried off by the

Indians. The wagons, also, would be more easily defended, and might form a kind of fortification in case of

attack in the open prairies. A train of twenty wagons, drawn by oxen, or by four mules or horses each, and

laden with merchandise, ammunition, and provisions, were disposed in two columns in the center of the

party, which was equally divided into a van and a rearguard. As subleaders or lieutenants in his expedition,

Captain Bonneville had made choice of Mr. J. R. Walker and Mr. M. S. Cerre. The former was a native of

Tennessee, about six feet high, strong built, dark complexioned, brave in spirit, though mild in manners. He

had resided for many years in Missouri, on the frontier; had been among the earliest adventurers to Santa Fe,

where he went to trap beaver, and was taken by the Spaniards. Being liberated, he engaged with the Spaniards

and Sioux Indians in a war against the Pawnees; then returned to Missouri, and had acted by turns as sheriff,

Cerre, his other leader, had likewise been in expeditions to Santa Fe, in which he had endured much hardship.

He was of the middle size, light complexioned, and though but about twentyfive years of age, was

considered an experienced Indian trader. It was a great object with Captain Bonneville to get to the mountains

before the summer heats and summer flies should render the travelling across the prairies distressing; and

before the annual assemblages of people connected with the fur trade should have broken up, and dispersed to

The two rival associations already mentioned, the American Fur Company and the Rocky Mountain Fur

Company, had their several places of rendezvous for the present year at no great distance apart, in Pierre's

Hole, a deep valley in the heart of the mountains, and thither Captain Bonneville intended to shape his course.

It is not easy to do justice to the exulting feelings of the worthy captain at finding himself at the head of a

stout band of hunters, trappers, and woodmen; fairly launched on the broad prairies, with his face to the

boundless West. The tamest inhabitant of cities, the veriest spoiled child of civilization, feels his heart dilate

and his pulse beat high on finding himself on horseback in the glorious wilderness; what then must be the

excitement of one whose imagination had been stimulated by a residence on the frontier, and to whom the

His hardy followers partook of his excitement. Most of them had already experienced the wild freedom of

savage life, and looked forward to a renewal of past scenes of adventure and exploit. Their very appearance

and equipment exhibited a piebald mixture, half civilized and half savage. Many of them looked more like

Indians than white men in their garbs and accoutrements, and their very horses were caparisoned in barbaric

style, with fantastic trappings. The outset of a band of adventurers on one of these expeditions is always

animated and joyous. The welkin rang with their shouts and yelps, after the manner of the savages; and with

boisterous jokes and lighthearted laughter. As they passed the straggling hamlets and solitary cabins that

fringe the skirts of the frontier, they would startle their inmates by Indian yells and warwhoops, or regale

them with grotesque feats of horsemanship, well suited to their halfsavage appearance. Most of these abodes

were inhabited by men who had themselves been in similar expeditions; they welcomed the travellers,

therefore, as brother trappers, treated them with a hunter's hospitality, and cheered them with an honest God

And here we would remark a great difference, in point of character and quality, between the two classes of

trappers, the "American" and "French," as they are called in contradistinction. The latter is meant to designate

the French creole of Canada or Louisiana; the former, the trapper of the old American stock, from Kentucky,

Tennessee, and others of the western States. The French trapper is represented as a lighter, softer, more

selfindulgent kind of man. He must have his Indian wife, his lodge, and his petty conveniences. He is gay

and thoughtless, takes little heed of landmarks, depends upon his leaders and companions to think for the

The American trapper stands by himself, and is peerless for the service of the wilderness. Drop him in the

midst of a prairie, or in the heart of the mountains, and he is never at a loss. He notices every landmark; can

retrace his route through the most monotonous plains, or the most perplexed labyrinths of the mountains; no

danger nor difficulty can appal him, and he scorns to complain under any privation. In equipping the two

kinds of trappers, the Creole and Canadian are apt to prefer the light fusee; the American always grasps his

rifle; he despises what he calls the "shotgun." We give these estimates on the authority of a trader of long

experience, and a foreigner by birth. "I consider one American," said he, "equal to three Canadians in point of

sagacity, aptness at resources, selfdependence, and fearlessness of spirit. In fact, no one can cope with him

Beside the two classes of trappers just mentioned, Captain Bonneville had enlisted several Delaware Indians

On the 6th of May the travellers passed the last border habitation, and bade a long farewell to the ease and

security of civilization. The buoyant and clamorous spirits with which they had commenced their march

gradually subsided as they entered upon its difficulties. They found the prairies saturated with the heavy cold

rains, prevalent in certain seasons of the year in this part of the country, the wagon wheels sank deep in the

mire, the horses were often to the fetlock, and both steed and rider were completely jaded by the evening of

the 12th, when they reached the Kansas River; a fine stream about three hundred yards wide, entering the

Missouri from the south. Though fordable in almost every part at the end of summer and during the autumn,

yet it was necessary to construct a raft for the transportation of the wagons and effects. All this was done in

the course of the following day, and by evening, the whole party arrived at the agency of the Kansas tribe.

This was under the superintendence of General Clarke, brother of the celebrated traveller of the same name,

who, with Lewis, made the first expedition down the waters of the Columbia. He was living like a patriarch,

surrounded by laborers and interpreters, all snugly housed, and provided with excellent farms. The

functionary next in consequence to the agent was the blacksmith, a most important, and, indeed,

indispensable personage in a frontier community. The Kansas resemble the Osages in features, dress, and

language; they raise corn and hunt the buffalo, ranging the Kansas River, and its tributary streams; at the time

of the captain's visit, they were at war with the Pawnees of the Nebraska, or Platte River.

The unusual sight of a train of wagons caused quite a sensation among these savages; who thronged about the

caravan, examining everything minutely, and asking a thousand questions: exhibiting a degree of excitability,

and a lively curiosity totally opposite to that apathy with which their race is so often reproached.

The personage who most attracted the captain's attention at this place was "White Plume," the Kansas chief,

and they soon became good friends. White Plume (we are pleased with his chivalrous soubriquet) inhabited a

large stone house, built for him by order of the American government: but the establishment had not been

carried out in corresponding style. It might be palace without, but it was wigwam within; so that, between the

stateliness of his mansion and the squalidness of his furniture, the gallant White Plume presented some such

whimsical incongruity as we see in the gala equipments of an Indian chief on a treatymaking embassy at

Washington, who has been generously decked out in cocked hat and military coat, in contrast to his

breechclout and leathern legging; being grand officer at top, and ragged Indian at bottom.

White Plume was so taken with the courtesy of the captain, and pleased with one or two presents received

from him, that he accompanied him a day's journey on his march, and passed a night in his camp, on the

margin of a small stream. The method of encamping generally observed by the captain was as follows: The

twenty wagons were disposed in a square, at the distance of thirtythree feet from each other. In every

interval there was a mess stationed; and each mess had its fire, where the men cooked, ate, gossiped, and

slept. The horses were placed in the centre of the square, with a guard stationed over them at night.

The horses were "side lined," as it is termed: that is to say, the fore and hind foot on the same side of the

animal were tied together, so as to be within eighteen inches of each other. A horse thus fettered is for a time

sadly embarrassed, but soon becomes sufficiently accustomed to the restraint to move about slowly. It

prevents his wandering; and his being easily carried off at night by lurking Indians. When a horse that is "foot

free" is tied to one thus secured, the latter forms, as it were, a pivot, round which the other runs and curvets,

in case of alarm. The encampment of which we are speaking presented a striking scene. The various

messfires were surrounded by picturesque groups, standing, sitting, and reclining; some busied in cooking,

others in cleaning their weapons: while the frequent laugh told that the rough joke or merry story was going

on. In the middle of the camp, before the principal lodge, sat the two chieftains, Captain Bonneville and

White Plume, in soldierlike communion, the captain delighted with the opportunity of meeting on social

terms with one of the red warriors of the wilderness, the unsophisticated children of nature. The latter was

squatted on his buffalo robe, his strong features and red skin glaring in the broad light of a blazing fire, while

he recounted astounding tales of the bloody exploits of his tribe and himself in their wars with the Pawnees;

for there are no old soldiers more given to long campaigning stories than Indian "braves."

The feuds of White Plume, however, had not been confined to the red men; he had much to say of brushes

with bee hunters, a class of offenders for whom he seemed to cherish a particular abhorrence. As the species

of hunting prosecuted by these worthies is not laid down in any of the ancient books of venerie, and is, in

fact, peculiar to our western frontier, a word or two on the subject may not be unacceptable to the reader.

The bee hunter is generally some settler on the verge of the prairies; a long, lank fellow, of fever and ague

complexion, acquired from living on new soil, and in a hut built of green logs. In the autumn, when the

harvest is over, these; frontier settlers form parties of two or three, and prepare for a bee hunt. Having

provided themselves with a wagon, and a number of empty casks, they sally off, armed with their rifles, into

the wilderness, directing their course east, west, north, or south, without any regard to the ordinance of the

American government, which strictly forbids all trespass upon the lands belonging to the Indian tribes.

The belts of woodland that traverse the lower prairies and border the rivers are peopled by innumerable

swarms of wild bees, which make their hives in hollow trees and fill them with honey tolled from the rich

flowers of the prairies. The bees, according to popular assertion, are migrating like the settlers, to the west.

An Indian trader, well experienced in the country, informs us that within ten years that he has passed in the

Far West, the bee has advanced westward above a hundred miles. It is said on the Missouri, that the wild

turkey and the wild bee go up the river together: neither is found in the upper regions. It is but recently that

the wild turkey has been killed on the Nebraska, or Platte; and his travelling competitor, the wild bee,

Be all this as it may: the course of our party of bee hunters is to make a wide circuit through the woody river

bottoms, and the patches of forest on the prairies, marking, as they go out, every tree in which they have

detected a hive. These marks are generally respected by any other bee hunter that should come upon their

track. When they have marked sufficient to fill all their casks, they turn their faces homeward, cut down the

trees as they proceed, and having loaded their wagon with honey and wax, return well pleased to the

Now it so happens that the Indians relish wild honey as highly as do the white men, and are the more

delighted with this natural luxury from its having, in many instances, but recently made its appearance in

their lands. The consequence is numberless disputes and conflicts between them and the bee hunters: and

often a party of the latter, returning, laden with rich spoil, from one of their forays, are apt to be waylaid by

the native lords of the soil; their honey to be seized, their harness cut to pieces, and themselves left to find

their way home the best way they can, happy to escape with no greater personal harm than a sound

Such were the marauders of whose offences the gallant White Plume made the most bitter complaint. They

were chiefly the settlers of the western part of Missouri, who are the most famous bee hunters on the frontier,

and whose favorite hunting ground lies within the lands of the Kansas tribe. According to the account of

White Plume, however, matters were pretty fairly balanced between him and the offenders; he having as

often treated them to a taste of the bitter, as they had robbed him of the sweets.

It is but justice to this gallant chief to say that he gave proofs of having acquired some of the lights of

civilization from his proximity to the whites, as was evinced in his knowledge of driving a bargain. He

required hard cash in return for some corn with which he supplied the worthy captain, and left the latter at a

loss which most to admire, his native chivalry as a brave, or his acquired adroitness as a trader.

FROM THE MIDDLE to the end of May, Captain Bonneville pursued a western course over vast undulating

plains, destitute of tree or shrub, rendered miry by occasional rain, and cut up by deep watercourses where

they had to dig roads for their wagons down the soft crumbling banks and to throw bridges across the

streams. The weather had attained the summer heat; the thermometer standing about fiftyseven degrees in

the morning, early, but rising to about ninety degrees at noon. The incessant breezes, however, which sweep

these vast plains render the heats endurable. Game was scanty, and they had to eke out their scanty fare with

wild roots and vegetables, such as the Indian potato, the wild onion, and the prairie tomato, and they met with

quantities of "red root," from which the hunters make a very palatable beverage. The only human being that

crossed their path was a Kansas warrior, returning from some solitary expedition of bravado or revenge,

The country gradually rose as they proceeded westward, and their route took them over high ridges,

commanding wide and beautiful prospects. The vast plain was studded on the west with innumerable hills of

conical shape, such as are seen north of the Arkansas River. These hills have their summits apparently cut off

about the same elevation, so as to leave flat surfaces at top. It is conjectured by some that the whole country

may originally have been of the altitude of these tabular hills; but through some process of nature may have

sunk to its present level; these insulated eminences being protected by broad foundations of solid rock.

Captain Bonneville mentions another geological phenomenon north of Red River, where the surface of the

earth, in considerable tracts of country, is covered with broad slabs of sandstone, having the form and

position of gravestones, and looking as if they had been forced up by some subterranean agitation. "The

resemblance," says he, "which these very remarkable spots have in many places to old churchyards is

curious in the extreme. One might almost fancy himself among the tombs of the preAdamites."

On the 2d of June, they arrived on the main stream of the Nebraska or Platte River; twentyfive miles below

the head of the Great Island. The low banks of this river give it an appearance of great width. Captain

Bonneville measured it in one place, and found it twentytwo hundred yards from bank to bank. Its depth

was from three to six feet, the bottom full of quicksands. The Nebraska is studded with islands covered with

that species of poplar called the cottonwood tree. Keeping up along the course of this river for several days,

they were obliged, from the scarcity of game, to put themselves upon short allowance, and, occasionally, to

kill a steer. They bore their daily labors and privations, however, with great good humor, taking their tone, in

all probability, from the buoyant spirit of their leader. "If the weather was inclement," said the captain, "we

watched the clouds, and hoped for a sight of the blue sky and the merry sun. If food was scanty, we regaled

ourselves with the hope of soon falling in with herds of buffalo, and having nothing to do but slay and eat."

We doubt whether the genial captain is not describing the cheeriness of his own breast, which gave a cheery

There certainly were evidences, however, that the country was not always equally destitute of game. At one

place, they observed a field decorated with buffalo skulls, arranged in circles, curves, and other mathematical

figures, as if for some mystic rite or ceremony. They were almost innumerable, and seemed to have been a

vast hecatomb offered up in thanksgiving to the Great Spirit for some signal success in the chase.

On the 11th of June, they came to the fork of the Nebraska, where it divides itself into two equal and

beautiful streams. One of these branches rises in the westsouthwest, near the headwaters of the Arkansas.

Up the course of this branch, as Captain Bonneville was well aware, lay the route to the Camanche and

Kioway Indians, and to the northern Mexican settlements; of the other branch he knew nothing. Its sources

might lie among wild and inaccessible cliffs, and tumble and foam down rugged defiles and over craggy

precipices; but its direction was in the true course, and up this stream he determined to prosecute his route to

the Rocky Mountains. Finding it impossible, from quicksands and other dangerous impediments, to cross the

river in this neighborhood, he kept up along the south fork for two days, merely seeking a safe fording place.

At length he encamped, caused the bodies of the wagons to be dislodged from the wheels, covered with

buffalo hide, and besmeared with a compound of tallow and ashes; thus forming rude boats. In these, they

ferried their effects across the stream, which was six hundred yards wide, with a swift and strong current.

Three men were in each boat, to manage it; others waded across pushing the barks before them. Thus all

crossed in safety. A march of nine miles took them over high rolling prairies to the north fork; their eyes

being regaled with the welcome sight of herds of buffalo at a distance, some careering the plain, others

Skirting along the north fork for a day or two, excessively annoyed by musquitoes and buffalo gnats, they

reached, in the evening of the 17th, a small but beautiful grove, from which issued the confused notes of

singing birds, the first they had heard since crossing the boundary of Missouri. After so many days of weary

travelling through a naked, monotonous and silent country, it was delightful once more to hear the song of the

bird, and to behold the verdure of the grove. It was a beautiful sunset, and a sight of the glowing rays,

mantling the treetops and rustling branches, gladdened every heart. They pitched their camp in the grove,

kindled their fires, partook merrily of their rude fare, and resigned themselves to the sweetest sleep they had

The country now became rugged and broken. High bluffs advanced upon the river, and forced the travellers

occasionally to leave its banks and wind their course into the interior. In one of the wild and solitary passes

they were startled by the trail of four or five pedestrians, whom they supposed to be spies from some

predatory camp of either Arickara or Crow Indians. This obliged them to redouble their vigilance at night,

and to keep especial watch upon their horses. In these rugged and elevated regions they began to see the

blacktailed deer, a species larger than the ordinary kind, and chiefly found in rocky and mountainous

countries. They had reached also a great buffalo range; Captain Bonneville ascended a high bluff,

commanding an extensive view of the surrounding plains. As far as his eye could reach, the country seemed

absolutely blackened by innumerable herds. No language, he says, could convey an adequate idea of the vast

living mass thus presented to his eye. He remarked that the bulls and cows generally congregated in separate

Opposite to the camp at this place was a singular phenomenon, which is among the curiosities of the country.

It is called the chimney. The lower part is a conical mound, rising out of the naked plain; from the summit

shoots up a shaft or column, about one hundred and twenty feet in height, from which it derives its name. The

height of the whole, according to Captain Bonneville, is a hundred and seventyfive yards. It is composed of

indurated clay, with alternate layers of red and white sandstone, and may be seen at the distance of upward of

On the 21st, they encamped amidst high and beetling cliffs of indurated clay and sandstone, bearing the

semblance of towers, castles, churches, and fortified cities. At a distance, it was scarcely possible to persuade

one's self that the works of art were not mingled with these fantastic freaks of nature. They have received the

name of Scott's Bluffs, from a melancholy circumstance. A number of years since, a party were descending

the upper part of the river in canoes, when their frail barks were overturned and all their powder spoiled.

Their rifles being thus rendered useless, they were unable to procure food by hunting and had to depend upon

roots and wild fruits for subsistence. After suffering extremely from hunger, they arrived at Laramie's Fork, a

small tributary of the north branch of the Nebraska, about sixty miles above the cliffs just mentioned. Here

one of the party, by the name of Scott, was taken ill; and his companions came to a halt, until he should

recover health and strength sufficient to proceed. While they were searching round in quest of edible roots,

they discovered a fresh trail of white men, who had evidently but recently preceded them. What was to be

done? By a forced march they might overtake this party, and thus be able to reach the settlements in safety.

Should they linger, they might all perish of famine and exhaustion. Scott, however, was incapable of moving;

they were too feeble to aid him forward, and dreaded that such a clog would prevent their coming up with the

advance party. They determined, therefore, to abandon him to his fate. Accordingly, under presence of

seeking food, and such simples as might be efficacious in his malady, they deserted him and hastened

forward upon the trail. They succeeded in overtaking the party of which they were in quest, but concealed

On the ensuing summer, these very individuals visiting these parts in company with others, came suddenly

upon the bleached bones and grinning skull of a human skeleton, which, by certain signs they recognized for

the remains of Scott. This was sixty long miles from the place where they had abandoned him; and it

appeared that the wretched man had crawled that immense distance before death put an end to his miseries.

The wild and picturesque bluffs in the neighborhood of his lonely grave have ever since borne his name.

Amidst this wild and striking scenery, Captain Bonneville, for the first time, beheld flocks of the ahsahta or

bighorn, an animal which frequents these cliffs in great numbers. They accord with the nature of such

scenery, and add much to its romantic effect; bounding like goats from crag to crag, often trooping along the

lofty shelves of the mountains, under the guidance of some venerable patriarch with horns twisted lower than

his muzzle, and sometimes peering over the edge of a precipice, so high that they appear scarce bigger than

crows; indeed, it seems a pleasure to them to seek the most rugged and frightful situations, doubtless from a

This animal is commonly called the mountain sheep, and is often confounded with another animal, the

"woolly sheep," found more to the northward, about the country of the Flatheads. The latter likewise inhabits

cliffs in summer, but descends into the valleys in the winter. It has white wool, like a sheep, mingled with a

thin growth of long hair; but it has short legs, a deep belly, and a beard like a goat. Its horns are about five

inches long, slightly curved backwards, black as jet, and beautifully polished. Its hoofs are of the same color.

This animal is by no means so active as the bighorn; it does not bound much, but sits a good deal upon its

haunches. It is not so plentiful either; rarely more than two or three are seen at a time. Its wool alone gives a

resemblance to the sheep; it is more properly of the flesh is said to have a musty flavor; some have thought

the fleece might be valuable, as it is said to be as fine as that of the goat Cashmere, but it is not to be procured

The ahsahta, argali, or bighorn, on the contrary, has short hair like a deer, and resembles it in shape, but has

the head and horns of a sheep, and its flesh is said to be delicious mutton. The Indians consider it more sweet

and delicate than any other kind of venison. It abounds in the Rocky Mountains, from the fiftieth degree of

north latitude, quite down to California; generally in the highest regions capable of vegetation; sometimes it

ventures into the valleys, but on the least alarm, regains its favorite cliffs and precipices, where it is perilous,

WHEN ON THE MARCH, Captain Bonneville always sent some of his best hunters in the advance to

reconnoitre the country, as well as to look out for game. On the 24th of May, as the caravan was slowly

journeying up the banks of the Nebraska, the hunters came galloping back, waving their caps, and giving the

The captain immediately ordered a halt: the hunters now came up and announced that a large warparty of

Crow Indians were just above, on the river. The captain knew the character of these savages; one of the most

roving, warlike, crafty, and predatory tribes of the mountains; horsestealers of the first order, and easily

provoked to acts of sanguinary violence. Orders were accordingly given to prepare for action, and every one

promptly took the post that had been assigned him in the general order of the march, in all cases of warlike

Everything being put in battle array, the captain took the lead of his little band, and moved on slowly and

warily. In a little while he beheld the Crow warriors emerging from among the bluffs. There were about sixty

of them; fine martiallooking fellows, painted and arrayed for war, and mounted on horses decked out with

all kinds of wild trappings. They came prancing along in gallant style, with many wild and dexterous

evolutions, for none can surpass them in horsemanship; and their bright colors, and flaunting and fantastic

embellishments, glaring and sparkling in the morning sunshine, gave them really a striking appearance.

Their mode of approach, to one not acquainted with the tactics and ceremonies of this rude chivalry of the

wilderness, had an air of direct hostility. They came galloping forward in a body, as if about to make a

furious charge, but, when close at hand, opened to the right and left, and wheeled in wide circles round the

This done, their mock fury sank into a calm, and the chief, approaching the captain, who had remained warily

drawn up, though informed of the pacific nature of the maneuver, extended to him the hand of friendship. The

The Crows were in pursuit of a band of Cheyennes, who had attacked their village in the night and killed one

of their people. They had already been five and twenty days on the track of the marauders, and were

A few days previously, some of their scouts, who were ranging the country at a distance from the main body,

had discovered the party of Captain Bonneville. They had dogged it for a time in secret, astonished at the

long train of wagons and oxen, and especially struck with the sight of a cow and calf, quietly following the

caravan; supposing them to be some kind of tame buffalo. Having satisfied their curiosity, they carried back

to their chief intelligence of all that they had seen. He had, in consequence, diverged from his pursuit of

vengeance to behold the wonders described to him. "Now that we have met you," said he to Captain

Bonneville, "and have seen these marvels with our own eyes, our hearts are glad." In fact, nothing could

exceed the curiosity evinced by these people as to the objects before them. Wagons had never been seen by

them before, and they examined them with the greatest minuteness; but the calf was the peculiar object of

their admiration. They watched it with intense interest as it licked the hands accustomed to feed it, and were

After much sage consultation, they at length determined that it must be the "great medicine" of the white

party; an appellation given by the Indians to anything of supernatural and mysterious power that is guarded as

a talisman. They were completely thrown out in their conjecture, however, by an offer of the white men to

exchange the calf for a horse; their estimation of the great medicine sank in an instant, and they declined the

At the request of the Crow chieftain the two parties encamped together, and passed the residue of the day in

company. The captain was well pleased with every opportunity to gain a knowledge of the "unsophisticated

sons of nature," who had so long been objects of his poetic speculations; and indeed this wild, horsestealing

tribe is one of the most notorious of the mountains. The chief, of course, had his scalps to show and his

battles to recount. The Blackfoot is the hereditary enemy of the Crow, toward whom hostility is like a

cherished principle of religion; for every tribe, besides its casual antagonists, has some enduring foe with

whom there can be no permanent reconciliation. The Crows and Blackfeet, upon the whole, are enemies

worthy of each other, being rogues and ruffians of the first water. As their predatory excursions extend over

the same regions, they often come in contact with each other, and these casual conflicts serve to keep their

The present party of Crows, however, evinced nothing of the invidious character for which they are

renowned. During the day and night that they were encamped in company with the travellers, their conduct

was friendly in the extreme. They were, in fact, quite irksome in their attentions, and had a caressing manner

at times quite importunate. It was not until after separation on the following morning that the captain and his

men ascertained the secret of all this lovingkindness. In the course of their fraternal caresses, the Crows had

contrived to empty the pockets of their white brothers; to abstract the very buttons from their coats, and,

By equal altitudes of the sun, taken at this last encampment, Captain Bonneville ascertained his latitude to be

41 47' north. The thermometer, at six o'clock in the morning, stood at fiftynine degrees; at two o'clock, P.

M., at ninetytwo degrees; and at six o'clock in the evening, at seventy degrees.

The Black Hills, or Mountains, now began to be seen at a distance, printing the horizon with their rugged and

broken outlines; and threatening to oppose a difficult barrier in the way of the travellers.

On the 26th of May, the travellers encamped at Laramie's Fork, a clear and beautiful stream, rising in the

westsouthwest, maintaining an average width of twenty yards, and winding through broad meadows

abounding in currants and gooseberries, and adorned with groves and clumps of trees.

By an observation of Jupiter's satellites, with a Dolland reflecting telescope, Captain Bonneville ascertained

We will here step ahead of our narrative to observe that about three years after the time of which we are

treating, Mr. Robert Campbell, formerly of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, descended the Platte from

this fork, in skin canoes, thus proving, what had always been discredited, that the river was navigable. About

the same time, he built a fort or trading post at Laramie's Fork, which he named Fort William, after his friend

and partner, Mr. William Sublette. Since that time, the Platte has become a highway for the fur traders.

For some days past, Captain Bonneville had been made sensible of the great elevation of country into which

he was gradually ascending by the effect of the dryness and rarefaction of the atmosphere upon his wagons.

The woodwork shrunk; the paint boxes of the wheels were continually working out, and it was necessary to

support the spokes by stout props to prevent their falling asunder. The travellers were now entering one of

those great steppes of the Far West, where the prevalent aridity of the atmosphere renders the country unfit

for cultivation. In these regions there is a fresh sweet growth of grass in the spring, but it is scanty and short,

and parches up in the course of the summer, so that there is none for the hunters to set fire to in the autumn. It

is a common observation that "above the forks of the Platte the grass does not burn." All attempts at

agriculture and gardening in the neighborhood of Fort William have been attended with very little success.

The grain and vegetables raised there have been scanty in quantity and poor in quality. The great elevation of

these plains, and the dryness of the atmosphere, will tend to retain these immense regions in a state of pristine

In the course of a day or two more, the travellers entered that wild and broken tract of the Crow country

called the Black Hills, and here their journey became toilsome in the extreme. Rugged steeps and deep

ravines incessantly obstructed their progress, so that a great part of the day was spent in the painful toil of

digging through banks, filling up ravines, forcing the wagons up the most forbidding ascents, or swinging

them with ropes down the face of dangerous precipices. The shoes of their horses were worn out, and their

feet injured by the rugged and stony roads. The travellers were annoyed also by frequent but brief storms,

which would come hurrying over the hills, or through the mountain defiles, rage with great fury for a short

For several nights the camp had been infested by vagabond Indian dogs, prowling about in quest of food.

They were about the size of a large pointer; with ears short and erect, and a long bushy tailaltogether, they

bore a striking resemblance to a wolf. These skulking visitors would keep about the purlieus of the camp until

daylight; when, on the first stir of life among the sleepers, they would scamper off until they reached some

rising ground, where they would take their seats, and keep a sharp and hungry watch upon every movement.

The moment the travellers were fairly on the march, and the camp was abandoned, these starving hangerson

would hasten to the deserted fires, to seize upon the halfpicked bones, the offal and garbage that lay about;

and, having made a hasty meal, with many a snap and snarl and growl, would follow leisurely on the trail of

the caravan. Many attempts were made to coax or catch them, but in vain. Their quick and suspicious eyes

caught the slightest sinister movement, and they turned and scampered off. At length one was taken. He was

terribly alarmed, and crouched and trembled as if expecting instant death. Soothed, however, by caresses, he

began after a time to gather confidence and wag his tail, and at length was brought to follow close at the heels

of his captors, still, however, darting around furtive and suspicious glances, and evincing a disposition to

On the first of July the band of Crow warriors again crossed their path. They came in vaunting and

vainglorious style; displaying five Cheyenne scalps, the trophies of their vengeance. They were now bound

homewards, to appease the manes of their comrade by these proofs that his death had been revenged, and

intended to have scalpdances and other triumphant rejoicings. Captain Bonneville and his men, however,

were by no means disposed to renew their confiding intimacy with these crafty savages, and above all, took

care to avoid their pilfering caresses. They remarked one precaution of the Crows with respect to their horses;

to protect their hoofs from the sharp and jagged rocks among which they had to pass, they had covered them

The route of the travellers lay generally along the course of the Nebraska or Platte, but occasionally, where

steep promontories advanced to the margin of the stream, they were obliged to make inland circuits. One of

these took them through a bold and stern country, bordered by a range of low mountains, running east and

west. Everything around bore traces of some fearful convulsion of nature in times long past. Hitherto the

various strata of rock had exhibited a gentle elevation toward the southwest, but here everything appeared to

have been subverted, and thrown out of place. In many places there were heavy beds of white sandstone

resting upon red. Immense strata of rocks jutted up into crags and cliffs; and sometimes formed perpendicular

walls and overhanging precipices. An air of sterility prevailed over these savage wastes. The valleys were

destitute of herbage, and scantily clothed with a stunted species of wormwood, generally known among

traders and trappers by the name of sage. From an elevated point of their march through this region, the

travellers caught a beautiful view of the Powder River Mountains away to the north, stretching along the very

verge of the horizon, and seeming, from the snow with which they were mantled, to be a chain of small white

Though the thermometer at midday ranged from eighty to ninety, and even sometimes rose to ninetythree

degrees, yet occasional spots of snow were to be seen on the tops of the low mountains, among which the

The Nebraska, in its passage through the Black Hills, is confined to a much narrower channel than that

through which it flows n the plains below; but it is deeper and clearer, and rushes with a stronger current. The

scenery, also, is more varied and beautiful. Sometimes it glides rapidly but smoothly through a picturesque

valley, between wooded banks; then, forcing its way into the bosom of rugged mountains, it rushes

impetuously through narrow defiles, roaring and foaming down rocks and rapids, until it is again soothed to

On the 12th of July, Captain Bonneville abandoned the main stream of the Nebraska, which was continually

shouldered by rugged promontories, and making a bend to the southwest, for a couple of days, part of the

time over plains of loose sand, encamped on the 14th on the banks of the Sweet Water, a stream about twenty

yards in breadth, and four or five feet deep, flowing between low banks over a sandy soil, and forming one of

the forks or upper branches of the Nebraska. Up this stream they now shaped their course for several

successive days, tending, generally, to the west. The soil was light and sandy; the country much diversified.

Frequently the plains were studded with isolated blocks of rock, sometimes in the shape of a half globe, and

from three to four hundred feet high. These singular masses had occasionally a very imposing, and even

As the travellers continued to advance, they became more and more sensible of the elevation of the country.

The hills around were more generally capped with snow. The men complained of cramps and colics, sore lips

and mouths, and violent headaches. The woodwork of the wagons also shrank so much that it was with

difficulty the wheels were kept from falling to pieces. The country bordering upon the river was frequently

gashed with deep ravines, or traversed by high bluffs, to avoid which, the travellers were obliged to make

wide circuits through the plains. In the course of these, they came upon immense herds of buffalo, which kept

Among the motley retainers of the camp was Tom Cain, a raw Irishman, who officiated as cook, whose

various blunders and expedients in his novel situation, and in the wild scenes and wild kind of life into which

he had suddenly been thrown, had made him a kind of butt or droll of the camp. Tom, however, began to

discover an ambition superior to his station; and the conversation of the hunters, and their stories of their

exploits, inspired him with a desire to elevate himself to the dignity of their order. The buffalo in such

immense droves presented a tempting opportunity for making his first essay. He rode, in the line of march, all

prepared for action: his powderflask and shotpouch knowingly slung at the pommel of his saddle, to be at

hand; his rifle balanced on his shoulder. While in this plight, a troop of Buffalo came trotting by in great

alarm. In an instant, Tom sprang from his horse and gave chase on foot. Finding they were leaving him

behind, he levelled his rifle and pulled [the] trigger. His shot produced no other effect than to increase the

speed of the buffalo, and to frighten his own horse, who took to his heels, and scampered off with all the

ammunition. Tom scampered after him, hallooing with might and main, and the wild horse and wild Irishman

soon disappeared among the ravines of the prairie. Captain Bonneville, who was at the head of the line, and

had seen the transaction at a distance, detached a party in pursuit of Tom. After a long interval they returned,

leading the frightened horse; but though they had scoured the country, and looked out and shouted from every

As Captain Bonneville knew Tom's utter awkwardness and inexperience, and the dangers of a bewildered

Irishman in the midst of a prairie, he halted and encamped at an early hour, that there might be a regular hunt

At early dawn on the following day scouts were sent off in every direction, while the main body, after

breakfast, proceeded slowly on its course. It was not until the middle of the afternoon that the hunters

returned, with honest Tom mounted behind one of them. They had found him in a complete state of

perplexity and amazement. His appearance caused shouts of merriment in the camp,but Tom for once

could not join in the mirth raised at his expense: he was completely chapfallen, and apparently cured of the

IT WAS ON THE 20TH of July that Captain Bonneville first came in sight of the grand region of his hopes

and anticipations, the Rocky Mountains. He had been making a bend to the south, to avoid some obstacles

along the river, and had attained a high, rocky ridge, when a magnificent prospect burst upon his sight. To the

west rose the Wind River Mountains, with their bleached and snowy summits towering into the clouds. These

stretched far to the northnorthwest, until they melted away into what appeared to be faint clouds, but which

the experienced eyes of the veteran hunters of the party recognized for the rugged mountains of the

Yellowstone; at the feet of which extended the wild Crow country: a perilous, though profitable region for the

To the southwest, the eye ranged over an immense extent of wilderness, with what appeared to be a snowy

vapor resting upon its horizon. This, however, was pointed out as another branch of the Great Chippewyan, or

Rocky chain; being the Eutaw Mountains, at whose basis the wandering tribe of hunters of the same name

pitch their tents. We can imagine the enthusiasm of the worthy captain when he beheld the vast and

mountainous scene of his adventurous enterprise thus suddenly unveiled before him. We can imagine with

what feelings of awe and admiration he must have contemplated the Wind River Sierra, or bed of mountains;

that great fountainhead from whose springs, and lakes, and melted snows some of those mighty rivers take

their rise, which wander over hundreds of miles of varied country and clime, and find their way to the

The Wind River Mountains are, in fact, among the most remarkable of the whole Rocky chain; and would

appear to be among the loftiest. They form, as it were, a great bed of mountains, about eighty miles in length,

and from twenty to thirty in breadth; with rugged peaks, covered with eternal snows, and deep, narrow

valleys full of springs, and brooks, and rockbound lakes. From this great treasury of waters issue forth

limpid streams, which, augmenting as they descend, become main tributaries of the Missouri on the one side,

and the Columbia on the other; and give rise to the Seedskedee Agie, or Green River, the great Colorado

The Wind River Mountains are notorious in hunters' and trappers' stories: their rugged defiles, and the rough

tracts about their neighborhood, having been lurking places for the predatory hordes of the mountains, and

scenes of rough encounter with Crows and Blackfeet. It was to the west of these mountains, in the valley of

the Seedskedee Agie, or Green River, that Captain Bonneville intended to make a halt for the purpose of

giving repose to his people and his horses after their weary journeying; and of collecting information as to his

future course. This Green River valley, and its immediate neighborhood, as we have already observed,

formed the main point of rendezvous, for the present year, of the rival fur companies, and the motley

populace, civilized and savage, connected with them. Several days of rugged travel, however, yet remained

for the captain and his men before they should encamp in this desired restingplace.

On the 21st of July, as they were pursuing their course through one of the meadows of the Sweet Water, they

beheld a horse grazing at a little distance. He showed no alarm at their approach, but suffered himself quietly

to be taken, evincing a perfect state of tameness. The scouts of the party were instantly on the lookout for

the owners of this animal; lest some dangerous band of savages might be lurking in the vicinity. After a

narrow search, they discovered the trail of an Indian party, which had evidently passed through that

neighborhood but recently. The horse was accordingly taken possession of, as an estray; but a more vigilant

watch than usual was kept round the camp at nights, lest his former owners should be upon the prowl.

The travellers had now attained so high an elevation that on the 23d of July, at daybreak, there was

considerable ice in the waterbuckets, and the thermometer stood at twentytwo degrees. The rarefy of the

atmosphere continued to affect the woodwork of the wagons, and the wheels were incessantly falling to

pieces. A remedy was at length devised. The tire of each wheel was taken off; a band of wood was nailed

round the exterior of the felloes, the tire was then made red hot, replaced round the wheel, and suddenly

cooled with water. By this means, the whole was bound together with great compactness.

The extreme elevation of these great steppes, which range along the feet of the Rocky Mountains, takes away

from the seeming height of their peaks, which yield to few in the known world in point of altitude above the

On the 24th, the travellers took final leave of the Sweet Water, and keeping westwardly, over a low and very

rocky ridge, one of the most southern spurs of the Wind River Mountains, they encamped, after a march of

seven hours and a half, on the banks of a small clear stream, running to the south, in which they caught a

The sight of these fish was hailed with pleasure, as a sign that they had reached the waters which flow into

the Pacific; for it is only on the western streams of the Rocky Mountains that trout are to be taken. The stream

on which they had thus encamped proved, in effect, to be tributary to the Seedskedee Agie, or Green

Captain Bonneville now considered himself as having fairly passed the crest of the Rocky Mountains; and

felt some degree of exultation in being the first individual that had crossed, north of the settled provinces of

Mexico, from the waters of the Atlantic to those of the Pacific, with wagons. Mr. William Sublette, the

enterprising leader of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, had, two or three years previously, reached the

valley of the Wind River, which lies on the northeast of the mountains; but had proceeded with them no

A vast valley now spread itself before the travellers, bounded on one side by the Wind River Mountains, and

to the west, by a long range of high hills. This, Captain Bonneville was assured by a veteran hunter in his

company, was the great valley of the Seedskedee; and the same informant would have fain persuaded him

that a small stream, three feet deep, which he came to on the 25th, was that river. The captain was convinced,

however, that the stream was too insignificant to drain so wide a valley and the adjacent mountains: he

encamped, therefore, at an early hour, on its borders, that he might take the whole of the next day to reach the

main river; which he presumed to flow between him and the distant range of western hills.

On the 26th of July, he commenced his march at an early hour, making directly across the valley, toward the

hills in the west; proceeding at as brisk a rate as the jaded condition of his horses would permit. About eleven

o'clock in the morning, a great cloud of dust was descried in the rear, advancing directly on the trail of the

party. The alarm was given; they all came to a halt, and held a council of war. Some conjectured that the band

of Indians, whose trail they had discovered in the neighborhood of the stray horse, had been lying in wait for

them in some secret fastness of the mountains; and were about to attack them on the open plain, where they

would have no shelter. Preparations were immediately made for defence; and a scouting party sent off to

reconnoitre. They soon came galloping back, making signals that all was well. The cloud of dust was made

by a band of fifty or sixty mounted trappers, belonging to the American Fur Company, who soon came up,

leading their packhorses. They were headed by Mr. Fontenelle, an experienced leader, or "partisan," as a

Mr. Fontenelle informed Captain Bonneville that he was on his way from the company's trading post on the

Yellowstone to the yearly rendezvous, with reinforcements and supplies for their hunting and trading parties

beyond the mountains; and that he expected to meet, by appointment, with a band of free trappers in that very

neighborhood. He had fallen upon the trail of Captain Bonneville's party, just after leaving the Nebraska; and,

finding that they had frightened off all the game, had been obliged to push on, by forced marches, to avoid

famine: both men and horses were, therefore, much travelworn; but this was no place to halt; the plain

before them he said was destitute of grass and water, neither of which would be met with short of the Green

River, which was yet at a considerable distance. He hoped, he added, as his party were all on horseback, to

reach the river, with hard travelling, by nightfall: but he doubted the possibility of Captain Bonneville's

arrival there with his wagons before the day following. Having imparted this information, he pushed forward

Captain Bonneville followed on as fast as circumstances would permit. The ground was firm and gravelly;

but the horses were too much fatigued to move rapidly. After a long and harassing day's march, without

pausing for a noontide meal, they were compelled, at nine o'clock at night, to encamp in an open plain,

destitute of water or pasturage. On the following morning, the horses were turned loose at the peep of day; to

slake their thirst, if possible, from the dew collected on the sparse grass, here and there springing up among

dry sandbanks. The soil of a great part of this Green River valley is a whitish clay, into which the rain

cannot penetrate, but which dries and cracks with the sun. In some places it produces a salt weed, and grass

along the margins of the streams; but the wider expanses of it are desolate and barren. It was not until noon

that Captain Bonneville reached the banks of the Seedskedee, or Colorado of the West; in the meantime,

the sufferings of both men and horses had been excessive, and it was with almost frantic eagerness that they

Fontenelle and his party had not fared much better; the chief part had managed to reach the river by nightfall,

but were nearly knocked up by the exertion; the horses of others sank under them, and they were obliged to

On the following morning, July 27th, Fontenelle moved his camp across the river; while Captain Bonneville

proceeded some little distance below, where there was a small but fresh meadow yielding abundant

pasturage. Here the poor jaded horses were turned out to graze, and take their rest: the weary journey up the

mountains had worn them down in flesh and spirit; but this last march across the thirsty plain had nearly

The captain had here the first taste of the boasted strategy of the fur trade. During his brief, but social

encampment, in company with Fontenelle, that experienced trapper had managed to win over a number of

Delaware Indians whom the captain had brought with him, by offering them four hundred dollars each for the

ensuing autumnal hunt. The captain was somewhat astonished when he saw these hunters, on whose services

he had calculated securely, suddenly pack up their traps, and go over to the rival camp. That he might in some

measure, however, be even with his competitor, he dispatched two scouts to look out for the band of free

trappers who were to meet Fontenelle in this neighborhood, and to endeavor to bring them to his camp.

As it would be necessary to remain some time in this neighborhood, that both men and horses might repose,

and recruit their strength; and as it was a region full of danger, Captain Bonneville proceeded to fortify his

These precautions were, at that time, peculiarly necessary, from the bands of Blackfeet Indians which were

roving about the neighborhood. These savages are the most dangerous banditti of the mountains, and the

inveterate foe of the trappers. They are Ishmaelites of the first order, always with weapon in hand, ready for

action. The young braves of the tribe, who are destitute of property, go to war for booty; to gain horses, and

acquire the means of setting up a lodge, supporting a family, and entitling themselves to a seat in the public

councils. The veteran warriors fight merely for the love of the thing, and the consequence which success

They are capital horsemen, and are generally well mounted on short, stout horses, similar to the prairie ponies

to be met with at St. Louis. When on a war party, however, they go on foot, to enable them to skulk through

the country with greater secrecy; to keep in thickets and ravines, and use more adroit subterfuges and

stratagems. Their mode of warfare is entirely by ambush, surprise, and sudden assaults in the night time. If

they succeed in causing a panic, they dash forward with headlong fury: if the enemy is on the alert, and

Some of them are armed in the primitive style, with bows and arrows; the greater part have American fusees,

made after the fashion of those of the Hudson's Bay Company. These they procure at the trading post of the

American Fur Company, on Marias River, where they traffic their peltries for arms, ammunition, clothing,

and trinkets. They are extremely fond of spirituous liquors and tobacco; for which nuisances they are ready to

exchange not merely their guns and horses, but even their wives and daughters. As they are a treacherous

race, and have cherished a lurking hostility to the whites ever since one of their tribe was killed by Mr. Lewis,

the associate of General Clarke, in his exploring expedition across the Rocky Mountains, the American Fur

Company is obliged constantly to keep at that post a garrison of sixty or seventy men.

Under the general name of Blackfeet are comprehended several tribes: such as the Surcies, the Peagans, the

Blood Indians, and the Gros Ventres of the Prairies: who roam about the southern branches of the

The bands infesting the Wind River Mountains and the country adjacent at the time of which we are treating,

were Gros Ventres of the Prairies, which are not to be confounded with Gros Ventres of the Missouri, who

This hostile band keeps about the headwaters of the Missouri, and numbers about nine hundred fighting men.

Once in the course of two or three years they abandon their usual abodes, and make a visit to the Arapahoes

of the Arkansas. Their route lies either through the Crow country, and the Black Hills, or through the lands of

the Nez Perces, Flatheads, Bannacks, and Shoshonies. As they enjoy their favorite state of hostility with all

these tribes, their expeditions are prone to be conducted in the most lawless and predatory style; nor do they

hesitate to extend their maraudings to any party of white men they meet with; following their trails; hovering

about their camps; waylaying and dogging the caravans of the free traders, and murdering the solitary trapper.

The consequences are frequent and desperate fights between them and the "mountaineers," in the wild defiles

The band in question was, at this time, on their way homeward from one of their customary visits to the

Arapahoes; and in the ensuing chapter we shall treat of some bloody encounters between them and the

trappers, which had taken place just before the arrival of Captain Bonneville among the mountains.

LEAVING CAPTAIN BONNEVILLE and his band ensconced within their fortified camp in the Green River

valley, we shall step back and accompany a party of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company in its progress, with

supplies from St. Louis, to the annual rendezvous at Pierre's Hole. This party consisted of sixty men, well

mounted, and conducting a line of packhorses. They were commanded by Captain William Sublette, a partner

in the company, and one of the most active, intrepid, and renowned leaders in this half military kind of

service. He was accompanied by his associate in business, and tried companion in danger, Mr. Robert

Campbell, one of the pioneers of the trade beyond the mountains, who had commanded trapping parties there

As these worthy compeers were on their route to the frontier, they fell in with another expedition, likewise on

its way to the mountains. This was a party of regular "downeasters," that is to say, people of New England,

who, with the allpenetrating and allpervading spirit of their race, were now pushing their way into a new

field of enterprise with which they were totally unacquainted. The party had been fitted out and was

maintained and commanded by Mr. Nathaniel J. Wyeth, of Boston. This gentleman had conceived an idea

that a profitable fishery for salmon might be established on the Columbia River, and connected with the fur

trade. He had, accordingly, invested capital in goods, calculated, as he supposed, for the Indian trade, and had

enlisted a number of eastern men in his employ, who had never been in the Far West, nor knew anything of

the wilderness. With these, he was bravely steering his way across the continent, undismayed by danger,

difficulty, or distance, in the same way that a New England coaster and his neighbors will coolly launch forth

With all their national aptitude at expedient and resource, Wyeth and his men felt themselves completely at a

loss when they reached the frontier, and found that the wilderness required experience and habitudes of which

they were totally deficient. Not one of the party, excepting the leader, had ever seen an Indian or handled a

rifle; they were without guide or interpreter, and totally unacquainted with "wood craft" and the modes of

making their way among savage hordes, and subsisting themselves during long marches over wild mountains

In this predicament, Captain Sublette found them, in a manner becalmed, or rather run aground, at the little

frontier town of Independence, in Missouri, and kindly took them in tow. The two parties travelled amicably

together; the frontier men of Sublette's party gave their Yankee comrades some lessons in hunting, and some

insight into the art and mystery of dealing with the Indians, and they all arrived without accident at the upper

In the course of their march, Mr. Fitzpatrick, the partner of the company who was resident at that time

beyond the mountains, came down from the rendezvous at Pierre's Hole to meet them and hurry them

forward. He travelled in company with them until they reached the Sweet Water; then taking a couple of

horses, one for the saddle, and the other as a packhorse, he started off express for Pierre's Hole, to make

arrangements against their arrival, that he might commence his hunting campaign before the rival company.

Fitzpatrick was a hardy and experienced mountaineer, and knew all the passes and defiles. As he was

pursuing his lonely course up the Green River valley, he described several horsemen at a distance, and came

to a halt to reconnoitre. He supposed them to be some detachment from the rendezvous, or a party of friendly

Indians. They perceived him, and setting up the warwhoop, dashed forward at full speed: he saw at once his

mistake and his perilthey were Blackfeet. Springing upon his fleetest horse, and abandoning the other to

the enemy, he made for the mountains, and succeeded in escaping up one of the most dangerous defiles. Here

he concealed himself until he thought the Indians had gone off, when he returned into the valley. He was

again pursued, lost his remaining horse, and only escaped by scrambling up among the cliffs. For several

days he remained lurking among rocks and precipices, and almost famished, having but one remaining charge

In the meantime, Sublette and Campbell, with their fellow traveller, Wyeth, had pursued their march

unmolested, and arrived in the Green River valley, totally unconscious that there was any lurking enemy at

hand. They had encamped one night on the banks of a small stream, which came down from the Wind River

Mountains, when about midnight, a band of Indians burst upon their camp, with horrible yells and whoops,

and a discharge of guns and arrows. Happily no other harm was done than wounding one mule, and causing

several horses to break loose from their pickets. The camp was instantly in arms; but the Indians retreated

with yells of exultation, carrying off several of the horses under cover of the night.

This was somewhat of a disagreeable foretaste of mountain life to some of Wyeth's band, accustomed only to

the regular and peaceful life of New England; nor was it altogether to the taste of Captain Sublette's men,

who were chiefly creoles and townsmen from St. Louis. They continued their march the next morning,

keeping scouts ahead and upon their flanks, and arrived without further molestation at Pierre's Hole.

The first inquiry of Captain Sublette, on reaching the rendezvous, was for Fitzpatrick. He had not arrived, nor

had any intelligence been received concerning him. Great uneasiness was now entertained, lest he should

have fallen into the hands of the Blackfeet who had made the midnight attack upon the camp. It was a matter

of general joy, therefore, when he made his appearance, conducted by two halfbreed Iroquois hunters. He

had lurked for several days among the mountains, until almost starved; at length he escaped the vigilance of

his enemies in the night, and was so fortunate as to meet the two Iroquois hunters, who, being on horseback,

conveyed him without further difficulty to the rendezvous. He arrived there so emaciated that he could

The valley called Pierre's Hole is about thirty miles in length and fifteen in width, bounded to the west and

south by low and broken ridges, and overlooked to the east by three lofty mountains, called the three Tetons,

A fine stream, fed by rivulets and mountain springs, pours through the valley toward the north, dividing it

into nearly equal parts. The meadows on its borders are broad and extensive, covered with willow and

cottonwood trees, so closely interlocked and matted together as to be nearly impassable.

In this valley was congregated the motley populace connected with the fur trade. Here the two rival

companies had their encampments, with their retainers of all kinds: traders, trappers, hunters, and

halfbreeds, assembled from all quarters, awaiting their yearly supplies, and their orders to start off in new

directions. Here, also, the savage tribes connected with the trade, the Nez Perces or Chopunnish Indians, and

Flatheads, had pitched their lodges beside the streams, and with their squaws, awaited the distribution of

goods and finery. There was, moreover, a band of fifteen free trappers, commanded by a gallant leader from

Arkansas, named Sinclair, who held their encampment a little apart from the rest. Such was the wild and

heterogeneous assemblage, amounting to several hundred men, civilized and savage, distributed in tents and

The arrival of Captain Sublette with supplies put the Rocky Mountain Fur Company in full activity. The

wares and merchandise were quickly opened, and as quickly disposed of to trappers and Indians; the usual

excitement and revelry took place, after which all hands began to disperse to their several destinations.

On the 17th of July, a small brigade of fourteen trappers, led by Milton Sublette, brother of the captain, set

out with the intention of proceeding to the southwest. They were accompanied by Sinclair and his fifteen free

trappers; Wyeth, also, and his New England band of beaver hunters and salmon fishers, now dwindled down

to eleven, took this opportunity to prosecute their cruise in the wilderness, accompanied with such

experienced pilots. On the first day, they proceeded about eight miles to the southeast, and encamped for the

night, still in the valley of Pierre's Hole. On the following morning, just as they were raising their camp, they

observed a long line of people pouring down a defile of the mountains. They at first supposed them to be

Fontenelle and his party, whose arrival had been daily expected. Wyeth, however, reconnoitred them with a

spyglass, and soon perceived they were Indians. They were divided into two parties, forming, in the whole,

about one hundred and fifty persons, men, women, and children. Some were on horseback, fantastically

painted and arrayed, with scarlet blankets fluttering in the wind. The greater part, however, were on foot.

They had perceived the trappers before they were themselves discovered, and came down yelling and

whooping into the plain. On nearer approach, they were ascertained to be Blackfeet.

One of the trappers of Sublette's brigade, a halfbreed named Antoine Godin, now mounted his horse, and

rode forth as if to hold a conference. He was the son of an Iroquois hunter, who had been cruelly murdered by

the Blackfeet at a small stream below the mountains, which still bears his name. In company with Antoine

rode forth a Flathead Indian, whose once powerful tribe had been completely broken down in their wars with

the Blackfeet. Both of them, therefore, cherished the most vengeful hostility against these marauders of the

mountains. The Blackfeet came to a halt. One of the chiefs advanced singly and unarmed, bearing the pipe of

peace. This overture was certainly pacific; but Antoine and the Flathead were predisposed to hostility, and

They met the Blackfoot chief half way, who extended his hand in friendship. Antoine grasped it.

The Flathead levelled his piece, and brought the Blackfoot to the ground. Antoine snatched off his scarlet

blanket, which was richly ornamented, and galloped off with it as a trophy to the camp, the bullets of the

enemy whistling after him. The Indians immediately threw themselves into the edge of a swamp, among

willows and cottonwood trees, interwoven with vines. Here they began to fortify themselves; the women

digging a trench, and throwing up a breastwork of logs and branches, deep hid in the bosom of the wood,

The latter took their station in a ravine in front, whence they kept up a scattering fire. As to Wyeth, and his

little band of "downeasters," they were perfectly astounded by this second specimen of life in the wilderness;

the men, being especially unused to bushfighting and the use of the rifle, were at a loss how to proceed.

Wyeth, however, acted as a skilful commander. He got all his horses into camp and secured them; then,

making a breastwork of his packs of goods, he charged his men to remain in garrison, and not to stir out of

their fort. For himself, he mingled with the other leaders, determined to take his share in the conflict.

In the meantime, an express had been sent off to the rendezvous for reinforcements. Captain Sublette, and his

associate, Campbell, were at their camp when the express came galloping across the plain, waving his cap,

and giving the alarm; "Blackfeet! Blackfeet! a fight in the upper part of the valley!to arms! to arms!"

The alarm was passed from camp to camp. It was a common cause. Every one turned out with horse and rifle.

The Nez Perces and Flatheads joined. As fast as horseman could arm and mount he galloped off; the valley

Sublette ordered his men to keep to the camp, being recruits from St. Louis, and unused to Indian warfare. He

and his friend Campbell prepared for action. Throwing off their coats, rolling up their sleeves, and arming

themselves with pistols and rifles, they mounted their horses and dashed forward among the first. As they

rode along, they made their wills in soldierlike style; each stating how his effects should be disposed of in

The Blackfeet warriors had supposed the brigade of Milton Sublette all the foes they had to deal with, and

were astonished to behold the whole valley suddenly swarming with horsemen, galloping to the field of

action. They withdrew into their fort, which was completely hid from sight in the dark and tangled wood.

Most of their women and children had retreated to the mountains. The trappers now sallied forth and

approached the swamp, firing into the thickets at random; the Blackfeet had a better sight at their adversaries,

When Captain Sublette arrived, he urged to penetrate the swamp and storm the fort, but all hung back in awe

of the dismal horrors of the place, and the danger of attacking such desperadoes in their savage den. The very

Indian allies, though accustomed to bushfighting, regarded it as almost impenetrable, and full of frightful

danger. Sublette was not to be turned from his purpose, but offered to lead the way into the swamp. Campbell

stepped forward to accompany him. Before entering the perilous wood, Sublette took his brothers aside, and

told them that in case he fell, Campbell, who knew his will, was to be his executor. This done, he grasped his

rifle and pushed into the thickets, followed by Campbell. Sinclair, the partisan from Arkansas, was at the

edge of the wood with his brother and a few of his men. Excited by the gallant example of the two friends, he

The swamp was produced by the labors of the beaver, which, by damming up a stream, had inundated a

portion of the valley. The place was all overgrown with woods and thickets, so closely matted and entangled

that it was impossible to see ten paces ahead, and the three associates in peril had to crawl along, one after

another, making their way by putting the branches and vines aside; but doing it with caution, lest they should

attract the eye of some lurking marksman. They took the lead by turns, each advancing about twenty yards at

a time, and now and then hallooing to their men to follow. Some of the latter gradually entered the swamp,

They had now reached a more open part of the wood, and had glimpses of the rude fortress from between the

trees. It was a mere breastwork, as we have said, of logs and branches, with blankets, buffalo robes, and the

leathern covers of lodges, extended round the top as a screen. The movements of the leaders, as they groped

their way, had been descried by the sharpsighted enemy. As Sinclair, who was in the advance, was putting

some branches aside, he was shot through the body. He fell on the spot. "Take me to my brother,'' said he to

Campbell. The latter gave him in charge to some of the men, who conveyed him out of the swamp.

Sublette now took the advance. As he was reconnoitring the fort, he perceived an Indian peeping through an

aperture. In an instant his rifle was levelled and discharged, and the ball struck the savage in the eye. While

he was reloading, he called to Campbell, and pointed out to him the hole; "Watch that place," said he, "and

you will soon have a fair chance for a shot." Scarce had he uttered the words, when a ball struck him in the

shoulder, and almost wheeled him around. His first thought was to take hold of his arm with his other hand,

and move it up and down. He ascertained, to his satisfaction, that the bone was not broken. The next moment

he was so faint that he could not stand. Campbell took him in his arms and carried him out of the thicket. The

A brisk fire was now opened by the mountaineers from the wood, answered occasionally from the fort.

Unluckily, the trappers and their allies, in searching for the fort, had got scattered, so that Wyeth, and a

number of Nez Perces, approached the fort on the northwest side, while others did the same on the opposite

quarter. A crossfire thus took place, which occasionally did mischief to friends as well as foes. An Indian

was shot down, close to Wyeth, by a ball which, he was convinced, had been sped from the rifle of a trapper

The number of whites and their Indian allies had by this time so much increased by arrivals from the

rendezvous, that the Blackfeet were completely overmatched. They kept doggedly in their fort, however,

making no offer of surrender. An occasional firing into the breastwork was kept up during the day. Now and

then, one of the Indian allies, in bravado, would rush up to the fort, fire over the ramparts, tear off a buffalo

robe or a scarlet blanket, and return with it in triumph to his comrades. Most of the savage garrison that fell,

At one time it was resolved to set fire to the fort; and the squaws belonging to the allies were employed to

collect combustibles. This however, was abandoned; the Nez Perces being unwilling to destroy the robes and

blankets, and other spoils of the enemy, which they felt sure would fall into their hands.

The Indians, when fighting, are prone to taunt and revile each other. During one of the pauses of the battle,

"So long," said he, "as we had powder and ball, we fought you in the open field: when those were spent, we

retreated here to die with our women and children. You may burn us in our fort; but, stay by our ashes, and

you who are so hungry for fighting will soon have enough. There are four hundred lodges of our brethren at

hand. They will soon be heretheir arms are strongtheir hearts are bigthey will avenge us!"

This speech was translated two or three times by Nez Perce and creole interpreters. By the time it was

rendered into English, the chief was made to say that four hundred lodges of his tribe were attacking the

encampment at the other end of the valley. Every one now was for hurrying to the defence of the rendezvous.

A party was left to keep watch upon the fort; the rest galloped off to the camp. As night came on, the trappers

drew out of the swamp, and remained about the skirts of the wood. By morning, their companions returned

from the rendezvous with the report that all was safe. As the day opened, they ventured within the swamp and

approached the fort. All was silent. They advanced up to it without opposition. They entered: it had been

abandoned in the night, and the Blackfeet had effected their retreat, carrying off their wounded on litters

made of branches, leaving bloody traces on the herbage. The bodies of ten Indians were found within the fort;

among them the one shot in the eye by Sublette. The Blackfeet afterward reported that they had lost

twentysix warriors in this battle. Thirtytwo horses were likewise found killed; among them were some of

those recently carried off from Sublette's party, in the night; which showed that these were the very savages

that had attacked him. They proved to be an advance party of the main body of Blackfeet, which had been

upon the trail of Sublette's party. Five white men and one halfbreed were killed, and several wounded. Seven

of the Nez Perces were also killed, and six wounded. They had an old chief, who was reputed as invulnerable.

In the course of the action he was hit by a spent ball, and threw up blood; but his skin was unbroken. His

A striking circumstance is related as having occurred the morning after the battle. As some of the trappers

and their Indian allies were approaching the fort through the woods, they beheld an Indian woman, of noble

form and features, leaning against a tree. Their surprise at her lingering here alone, to fall into the hands of

her enemies, was dispelled, when they saw the corpse of a warrior at her feet. Either she was so lost in grief

as not to perceive their approach; or a proud spirit kept her silent and motionless. The Indians set up a yell, on

discovering her, and before the trappers could interfere, her mangled body fell upon the corpse which she had

refused to abandon. We have heard this anecdote discredited by one of the leaders who had been in the battle:

but the fact may have taken place without his seeing it, and been concealed from him. It is an instance of

female devotion, even to the death, which we are well disposed to believe and to record.

After the battle, the brigade of Milton Sublette, together with the free trappers, and Wyeth's New England

band, remained some days at the rendezvous, to see if the main body of Blackfeet intended to make an attack;

nothing of the kind occurring, they once more put themselves in motion, and proceeded on their route toward

the southwest. Captain Sublette having distributed his supplies, had intended to set off on his return to St.

Louis, taking with him the peltries collected from the trappers and Indians. His wound, however obliged him

to postpone his departure. Several who were to have accompanied him became impatient of this delay.

Among these was a young Bostonian, Mr. Joseph More, one of the followers of Mr. Wyeth, who had seen

enough of mountain life and savage warfare, and was eager to return to the abodes of civilization. He and six

others, among whom were a Mr. Foy, of Mississippi, Mr. Alfred K. Stephens, of St. Louis, and two

grandsons of the celebrated Daniel Boon, set out together, in advance of Sublette's party, thinking they would

It was just five days after the battle of the swamp that these seven companions were making their way

through Jackson's Hole, a valley not far from the three Tetons, when, as they were descending a hill, a party

of Blackfeet that lay in ambush started up with terrific yells. The horse of the young Bostonian, who was in

front, wheeled round with affright, and threw his unskilled rider. The young man scrambled up the side of the

hill, but, unaccustomed to such wild scenes, lost his presence of mind, and stood, as if paralyzed, on the edge

of a bank, until the Blackfeet came up and slew him on the spot. His comrades had fled on the first alarm; but

two of them, Foy and Stephens, seeing his danger, paused when they got half way up the hill, turned back,

dismounted, and hastened to his assistance. Foy was instantly killed. Stephens was severely wounded, but

escaped, to die five days afterward. The survivors returned to the camp of Captain Sublette, bringing tidings

of this new disaster. That hardy leader, as soon as he could bear the journey, set out on his return to St. Louis,

accompanied by Campbell. As they had a number of packhorses richly laden with peltries to convoy, they

chose a different route through the mountains, out of the way, as they hoped, of the lurking bands of

Blackfeet. They succeeded in making the frontier in safety. We remember to have seen them with their band,

about two or three months afterward, passing through a skirt of woodland in the upper part of Missouri. Their

long cavalcade stretched in single file for nearly half a mile. Sublette still wore his arm in a sling. The

mountaineers in their rude hunting dresses, armed with rifles and roughly mounted, and leading their

packhorses down a hill of the forest, looked like banditti returning with plunder. On the top of some of the

packs were perched several halfbreed children, perfect little imps, with wild black eyes glaring from among

elf locks. These, I was told, were children of the trappers; pledges of love from their squaw spouses in the

THE BLACKFEET WARRIORS, when they effected their midnight retreat from their wild fastness in

Pierre's Hole, fell back into the valley of the Seedskedee, or Green River where they joined the main body

of their band. The whole force amounted to several hundred fighting men, gloomy and exasperated by their

late disaster. They had with them their wives and children, which incapacitated them from any bold and

extensive enterprise of a warlike nature; but when, in the course of their wanderings they came in sight of the

encampment of Fontenelle, who had moved some distance up Green River valley in search of the free

trappers, they put up tremendous warcries, and advanced fiercely as if to attack it. Second thoughts caused

them to moderate their fury. They recollected the severe lesson just received, and could not but remark the

A formal talk ensued. The Blackfeet said nothing of the late battle, of which Fontenelle had as yet received

no accounts; the latter, however, knew the hostile and perfidious nature of these savages, and took care to

inform them of the encampment of Captain Bonneville, that they might know there were more white men in

the neighborhood. The conference ended, Fontenelle sent a Delaware Indian of his party to conduct fifteen of

the Blackfeet to the camp of Captain Bonneville. There was [sic] at that time two Crow Indians in the

captain's camp, who had recently arrived there. They looked with dismay at this deputation from their

implacable enemies, and gave the captain a terrible character of them, assuring him that the best thing he

could possibly do, was to put those Blackfeet deputies to death on the spot. The captain, however, who had

heard nothing of the conflict at Pierre's Hole, declined all compliance with this sage counsel. He treated the

grim warriors with his usual urbanity. They passed some little time at the camp; saw, no doubt, that

everything was conducted with military skill and vigilance; and that such an enemy was not to be easily

surprised, nor to be molested with impunity, and then departed, to report all that they had seen to their

The two scouts which Captain Bonneville had sent out to seek for the band of free trappers, expected by

Fontenelle, and to invite them to his camp, had been successful in their search, and on the 12th of August

To explain the meaning of the appellation, free trapper, it is necessary to state the terms on which the men

enlist in the service of the fur companies. Some have regular wages, and are furnished with weapons, horses,

traps, and other requisites. These are under command, and bound to do every duty required of them

connected with the service; such as hunting, trapping, loading and unloading the horses, mounting guard;

The free trappers are a more independent class; and in describing them, we shall do little more than transcribe

the graphic description of them by Captain Bonneville. "They come and go," says he, "when and where they

please; provide their own horses, arms, and other equipments; trap and trade on their own account, and

dispose of their skins and peltries to the highest bidder. Sometimes, in a dangerous hunting ground, they

attach themselves to the camp of some trader for protection. Here they come under some restrictions; they

have to conform to the ordinary rules for trapping, and to submit to such restraints, and to take part in such

general duties, as are established for the good order and safety of the camp. In return for this protection, and

for their camp keeping, they are bound to dispose of all the beaver they take, to the trader who commands the

camp, at a certain rate per skin; or, should they prefer seeking a market elsewhere, they are to make him an

There is an inferior order, who, either from prudence or poverty, come to these dangerous hunting grounds

without horses or accoutrements, and are furnished by the traders. These, like the hired trappers, are bound to

exert themselves to the utmost in taking beaver, which, without skinning, they render in at the trader's lodge,

where a stipulated price for each is placed to their credit. These though generally included in the generic

The wandering whites who mingle for any length of time with the savages have invariably a proneness to

adopt savage habitudes; but none more so than the free trappers. It is a matter of vanity and ambition with

them to discard everything that may bear the stamp of civilized life, and to adopt the manners, habits, dress,

gesture, and even walk of the Indian. You cannot pay a free trapper a greater compliment, than to persuade

him you have mistaken him for an Indian brave; and, in truth, the counterfeit is complete. His hair suffered to

attain to a great length, is carefully combed out, and either left to fall carelessly over his shoulders, or plaited

neatly and tied up in otter skins, or particolored ribands. A huntingshirt of ruffled calico of bright dyes, or

of ornamented leather, falls to his knee; below which, curiously fashioned legging, ornamented with strings,

fringes, and a profusion of hawks' bells, reach to a costly pair of moccasons of the finest Indian fabric, richly

embroidered with beads. A blanket of scarlet, or some other bright color, hangs from his shoulders, and is girt

around his waist with a red sash, in which he bestows his pistols, knife, and the stem of his Indian pipe;

preparations either for peace or war. His gun is lavishly decorated with brass tacks and vermilion, and

provided with a fringed cover, occasionally of buckskin, ornamented here and there with a feather. His horse,

the noble minister to the pride, pleasure, and profit of the mountaineer, is selected for his speed and spirit, and

prancing gait, and holds a place in his estimation second only to himself. He shares largely of his bounty, and

of his pride and pomp of trapping. He is caparisoned in the most dashing and fantastic style; the bridles and

crupper are weightily embossed with beads and cockades; and head, mane, and tail, are interwoven with

abundance of eagles' plumes, which flutter in the wind. To complete this grotesque equipment, the proud

animal is bestreaked and bespotted with vermilion, or with white clay, whichever presents the most glaring

Such is the account given by Captain Bonneville of these rangers of the wilderness, and their appearance at

the camp was strikingly characteristic. They came dashing forward at full speed, firing their fusees, and

yelling in Indian style. Their dark sunburned faces, and long flowing hair, their legging, flaps, moccasons,

and richlydyed blankets, and their painted horses gaudily caparisoned, gave them so much the air and

appearance of Indians, that it was difficult to persuade one's self that they were white men, and had been

Captain Bonneville, who was delighted with the game look of these cavaliers of the mountains, welcomed

them heartily to his camp, and ordered a free allowance of grog to regale them, which soon put them in the

most braggart spirits. They pronounced the captain the finest fellow in the world, and his men all bons

gar�ons, jovial lads, and swore they would pass the day with them. They did so; and a day it was, of boast,

and swagger, and rodomontade. The prime bullies and braves among the free trappers had each his circle of

novices, from among the captain's band; mere greenhorns, men unused to Indian life; mangeurs de lard, or

porkeaters; as such newcomers are superciliously called by the veterans of the wilderness. These he would

astonish and delight by the hour, with prodigious tales of his doings among the Indians; and of the wonders

he had seen, and the wonders he had performed, in his adventurous peregrinations among the mountains.

In the evening, the free trappers drew off, and returned to the camp of Fontenelle, highly delighted with their

visit and with their new acquaintances, and promising to return the following day. They kept their word: day

after day their visits were repeated; they became "hail fellow well met" with Captain Bonneville's men; treat

after treat succeeded, until both parties got most potently convinced, or rather confounded, by liquor. Now

came on confusion and uproar. The free trappers were no longer suffered to have all the swagger to

themselves. The camp bullies and prime trappers of the party began to ruffle up, and to brag, in turn, of their

perils and achievements. Each now tried to outboast and outtalk the other; a quarrel ensued as a matter of

course, and a general fight, according to frontier usage. The two factions drew out their forces for a pitched

battle. They fell to work and belabored each other with might and main; kicks and cuffs and dry blows were

as well bestowed as they were well merited, until, having fought to their hearts' content, and been drubbed

into a familiar acquaintance with each other's prowess and good qualities, they ended the fight by becoming

firmer friends than they could have been rendered by a year's peaceable companionship.

While Captain Bonneville amused himself by observing the habits and characteristics of this singular class of

men, and indulged them, for the time, in all their vagaries, he profited by the opportunity to collect from them

information concerning the different parts of the country about which they had been accustomed to range; the

characters of the tribes, and, in short, everything important to his enterprise. He also succeeded in securing

the services of several to guide and aid him in his peregrinations among the mountains, and to trap for him

during the ensuing season. Having strengthened his party with such valuable recruits, he felt in some measure

consoled for the loss of the Delaware Indians, decoyed from him by Mr Fontenelle.

THE INFORMATION derived from the free trappers determined Captain Bonneville as to his further

movements. He learned that in the Green River valley the winters were severe, the snow frequently falling to

the depth of several feet; and that there was no good wintering ground in the neighborhood. The upper part of

Salmon River was represented as far more eligible, besides being in an excellent beaver country; and thither

The Salmon River is one of the upper branches of the Oregon or Columbia; and takes its rise from various

sources, among a group of mountains to the northwest of the Wind River chain. It owes its name to the

immense shoals of salmon which ascend it in the months of September and October. The salmon on the west

side of the Rocky Mountains are, like the buffalo on the eastern plains, vast migratory supplies for the wants

of man, that come and go with the seasons. As the buffalo in countless throngs find their certain way in the

transient pasturage on the prairies, along the fresh banks of the rivers, and up every valley and green defile of

the mountains, so the salmon, at their allotted seasons, regulated by a sublime and allseeing Providence,

swarm in myriads up the great rivers, and find their way up their main branches, and into the minutest

tributory streams; so as to pervade the great arid plains, and to penetrate even among barren mountains. Thus

wandering tribes are fed in the desert places of the wilderness, where there is no herbage for the animals of

the chase, and where, but for these periodical supplies, it would be impossible for man to subsist.

The rapid currents of the rivers which run into the Pacific render the ascent of them very exhausting to the

salmon. When the fish first run up the rivers, they are fat and in fine order. The struggle against impetuous

streams and frequent rapids gradually renders them thin and weak, and great numbers are seen floating down

the rivers on their backs. As the season advances and the water becomes chilled, they are flung in myriads on

the shores, where the wolves and bears assemble to banquet on them. Often they rot in such quantities along

the river banks as to taint the atmosphere. They are commonly from two to three feet long.

Captain Bonneville now made his arrangements for the autumn and the winter. The nature of the country

through which he was about to travel rendered it impossible to proceed with wagons. He had more goods and

supplies of various kinds, also, than were required for present purposes, or than could be conveniently

transported on horseback; aided, therefore, by a few confidential men, he made caches, or secret pits, during

the night, when all the rest of the camp were asleep, and in these deposited the superfluous effects, together

with the wagons. All traces of the caches were then carefully obliterated. This is a common expedient with

the traders and trappers of the mountains. Having no established posts and magazines, they make these

caches or deposits at certain points, whither they repair, occasionally, for supplies. It is an expedient derived

Many of the horses were still so weak and lame, as to be unfit for a long scramble through the mountains.

These were collected into one cavalcade, and given in charge to an experienced trapper, of the name of

Matthieu. He was to proceed westward, with a brigade of trappers, to Bear River; a stream to the west of the

Green River or Colorado, where there was good pasturage for the horses. In this neighborhood it was

expected he would meet the Shoshonie villages or bands, on their yearly migrations, with whom he was to

trade for peltries and provisions. After he had traded with these people, finished his trapping, and recruited

the strength of the horses, he was to proceed to Salmon River and rejoin Captain Bonneville, who intended to

While these arrangements were in progress in the camp of Captain Bonneville, there was a sudden bustle and

stir in the camp of Fontenelle. One of the partners of the American Fur Company had arrived, in all haste,

from the rendezvous at Pierre's Hole, in quest of the supplies. The competition between the two rival

companies was just now at its height, and prosecuted with unusual zeal. The tramontane concerns of the

Rocky Mountain Fur Company were managed by two resident partners, Fitzpatrick and Bridger; those of the

American Fur Company, by Vanderburgh and Dripps. The latter were ignorant of the mountain regions, but

trusted to make up by vigilance and activity for their want of knowledge of the country.

Fitzpatrick, an experienced trader and trapper, knew the evils of competition in the same hunting grounds,

and had proposed that the two companies should divide the country, so as to hunt in different directions: this

proposition being rejected, he had exerted himself to get first into the field. His exertions, as have already

been shown, were effectual. The early arrival of Sublette, with supplies, had enabled the various brigades of

the Rocky Mountain Company to start off to their respective hunting grounds. Fitzpatrick himself, with his

associate, Bridger, had pushed off with a strong party of trappers, for a prime beaver country to the

This had put Vanderburgh upon his mettle. He had hastened on to meet Fontenelle. Finding him at his camp

in Green River valley, he immediately furnished himself with the supplies; put himself at the head of the free

trappers and Delawares, and set off with all speed, determined to follow hard upon the heels of Fitzpatrick

and Bridger. Of the adventures of these parties among the mountains, and the disastrous effects of their

Fontenelle having now delivered his supplies and accomplished his errand, struck his tents and set off on his

return to the Yellowstone. Captain Bonneville and his band, therefore, remained alone in the Green River

valley; and their situation might have been perilous, had the Blackfeet band still lingered in the vicinity.

Those marauders, however, had been dismayed at finding so many resolute and wellappointed parties of

white men in the neighborhood. They had, therefore, abandoned this part of the country, passing over the

headwaters of the Green River, and bending their course towards the Yellowstone. Misfortune pursued them.

Their route lay through the country of their deadly enemies, the Crows. In the Wind River valley, which lies

east of the mountains, they were encountered by a powerful war party of that tribe, and completely put to

rout. Forty of them were killed, many of their women and children captured, and the scattered fugitives

hunted like wild beasts until they were completely chased out of the Crow country.

On the 22d of August Captain Bonneville broke up his camp, and set out on his route for Salmon River. His

baggage was arranged in packs, three to a mule, or packhorse; one being disposed on each side of the

animal and one on the top; the three forming a load of from one hundred and eighty to two hundred and

twenty pounds. This is the trappers' style of loading packhorses; his men, however, were inexpert at

adjusting the packs, which were prone to get loose and slip off, so that it was necessary to keep a rearguard

to assist in reloading. A few days' experience, however, brought them into proper training.

Their march lay up the valley of the Seedskedee, overlooked to the right by the lofty peaks of the Wind

River Mountains. From bright little lakes and fountainheads of this remarkable bed of mountains poured

forth the tributary streams of the Seedskedee. Some came rushing down gullies and ravines; others

tumbled in crystal cascades from inaccessible clefts and rocks, and others winding their way in rapid and

pellucid currents across the valley, to throw themselves into the main river. So transparent were these waters

that the trout with which they abounded could be seen gliding about as if in the air; and their pebbly beds

were distinctly visible at the depth of many feet. This beautiful and diaphanous quality of the Rocky

Mountain streams prevails for a long time after they have mingled their waters and swollen into important

Issuing from the upper part of the valley, Captain Bonneville continued to the eastnortheast, across rough

and lofty ridges, and deep rocky defiles, extremely fatiguing both to man and horse. Among his hunters was a

Delaware Indian who had remained faithful to him. His name was Buckeye. He had often prided himself on

his skill and success in coping with the grizzly bear, that terror of the hunters. Though crippled in the left

arm, he declared he had no hesitation to close with a wounded bear, and attack him with a sword. If armed

with a rifle, he was willing to brave the animal when in full force and fury. He had twice an opportunity of

proving his prowess, in the course of this mountain journey, and was each time successful. His mode was to

seat himself upon the ground, with his rifle cocked and resting on his lame arm. Thus prepared, he would

await the approach of the bear with perfect coolness, nor pull trigger until he was close at hand. In each

A march of three or four days, through savage and lonely scenes, brought Captain Bonneville to the fatal

defile of Jackson's Hole, where poor More and Foy had been surprised and murdered by the Blackfeet. The

feelings of the captain were shocked at beholding the bones of these unfortunate young men bleaching among

On the 3d of September he arrived on the summit of a mountain which commanded a full view of the

eventful valley of Pierre's Hole; whence he could trace the winding of its stream through green meadows, and

forests of willow and cottonwood, and have a prospect, between distant mountains, of the lava plains of

After enjoying this magnificent prospect, he descended into the valley, and visited the scenes of the late

desperate conflict. There were the remains of the rude fortress in the swamp, shattered by rifle shot, and

strewed with the mingled bones of savages and horses. There was the late populous and noisy rendezvous,

with the traces of trappers' camps and Indian lodges; but their fires were extinguished, the motley assemblage

of trappers and hunters, white traders and Indian braves, had all dispersed to different points of the

That night the captain encamped upon the battle ground; the next day he resumed his toilsome peregrinations

through the mountains. For upwards of two weeks he continued his painful march; both men and horses

suffering excessively at times from hunger and thirst. At length, on the 19th of September, he reached the

The weather was cold, and there were symptoms of an impending storm. The night set in, but Buckeye, the

Delaware Indian, was missing. He had left the party early in the morning, to hunt by himself, according to his

custom. Fears were entertained lest he should lose his way and become bewildered in tempestuous weather.

These fears increased on the following morning, when a violent snowstorm came on, which soon covered

the earth to the depth of several inches. Captain Bonneville immediately encamped, and sent out scouts in

every direction. After some search Buckeye was discovered, quietly seated at a considerable distance in the

rear, waiting the expected approach of the party, not knowing that they had passed, the snow having covered

On the ensuing morning they resumed their march at an early hour, but had not proceeded far when the

hunters, who were beating up the country in the advance, came galloping back, making signals to encamp,

Captain Bonneville immediately struck into a skirt of wood and prepared for action. The savages were now

seen trooping over the hills in great numbers. One of them left the main body and came forward singly,

making signals of peace. He announced them as a band of Nez Perces or Piercednose Indians, friendly to the

whites, whereupon an invitation was returned by Captain Bonneville for them to come and encamp with him.

They halted for a short time to make their toilette, an operation as important with an Indian warrior as with a

fashionable beauty. This done, they arranged themselves in martial style, the chiefs leading the van, the

braves following in a long line, painted and decorated, and topped off with fluttering plumes. In this way they

advanced, shouting and singing, firing off their fusees, and clashing their shields. The two parties encamped

hard by each other. The Nez Perces were on a hunting expedition, but had been almost famished on their

march. They had no provisions left but a few dried salmon, yet finding the white men equally in want, they

generously offered to share even this meager pittance, and frequently repeated the offer, with an earnestness

that left no doubt of their sincerity. Their generosity won the heart of Captain Bonneville, and produced the

most cordial good will on the part of his men. For two days that the parties remained in company, the most

amicable intercourse prevailed, and they parted the best of friends. Captain Bonneville detached a few men,

under Mr. Cerre, an able leader, to accompany the Nez Perces on their hunting expedition, and to trade with

them for meat for the winter's supply. After this, he proceeded down the river, about five miles below the

forks, when he came to a halt on the 26th of September, to establish his winter quarters.

IT WAS GRATIFYING to Captain Bonneville, after so long and toilsome a course of travel, to relieve his

poor jaded horses of the burden under which they were almost ready to give out, and to behold them rolling

upon the grass, and taking a long repose after all their sufferings. Indeed, so exhausted were they, that those

employed under the saddle were no longer capable of hunting for the daily subsistence of the camp.

All hands now set to work to prepare a winter cantonment. A temporary fortification was thrown up for the

protection of the party; a secure and comfortable pen, into which the horses could be driven at night; and huts

This done, Captain Bonneville made a distribution of his forces: twenty men were to remain with him in

garrison to protect the property; the rest were organized into three brigades, and sent off in different

directions, to subsist themselves by hunting the buffalo, until the snow should become too deep.

Indeed, it would have been impossible to provide for the whole party in this neighborhood. It was at the

extreme western limit of the buffalo range, and these animals had recently been completely hunted out of the

neighborhood by the Nez Perces, so that, although the hunters of the garrison were continually on the alert,

ranging the country round, they brought in scarce game sufficient to keep famine from the door. Now and

then there was a scanty meal of fish or wildfowl, occasionally an antelope; but frequently the cravings of

hunger had to be appeased with roots, or the flesh of wolves and muskrats. Rarely could the inmates of the

cantonment boast of having made a full meal, and never of having wherewithal for the morrow. In this way

they starved along until the 8th of October, when they were joined by a party of five families of Nez Perces,

who in some measure reconciled them to the hardships of their situation by exhibiting a lot still more

destitute. A more forlorn set they had never encountered: they had not a morsel of meat or fish; nor anything

to subsist on, excepting roots, wild rosebuds, the barks of certain plants, and other vegetable production;

neither had they any weapon for hunting or defence, excepting an old spear: yet the poor fellows made no

murmur nor complaint; but seemed accustomed to their hard fare. If they could not teach the white men their

practical stoicism, they at least made them acquainted with the edible properties of roots and wild rosebuds,

and furnished them a supply from their own store. The necessities of the camp at length became so urgent

that Captain Bonneville determined to dispatch a party to the Horse Prairie, a plain to the north of his

cantonment, to procure a supply of provisions. When the men were about to depart, he proposed to the Nez

Perces that they, or some of them, should join the huntingparty. To his surprise, they promptly declined. He

inquired the reason for their refusal, seeing that they were in nearly as starving a situation as his own people.

They replied that it was a sacred day with them, and the Great Spirit would be angry should they devote it to

hunting. They offered, however, to accompany the party if it would delay its departure until the following

day; but this the pinching demands of hunger would not permit, and the detachment proceeded.

A few days afterward, four of them signified to Captain Bonneville that they were about to hunt. "What! "

exclaimed he, "without guns or arrows; and with only one old spear? What do you expect to kill? " They

smiled among themselves, but made no answer. Preparatory to the chase, they performed some religious rites,

and offered up to the Great Spirit a few short prayers for safety and success; then, having received the

blessings of their wives, they leaped upon their horses and departed, leaving the whole party of Christian

spectators amazed and rebuked by this lesson of faith and dependence on a supreme and benevolent Being.

"Accustomed," adds Captain Bonneville, "as I had heretofore been, to find the wretched Indian revelling in

blood, and stained by every vice which can degrade human nature, I could scarcely realize the scene which I

had witnessed. Wonder at such unaffected tenderness and piety, where it was least to have been sought,

contended in all our bosoms with shame and confusion, at receiving such pure and wholesome instructions

from creatures so far below us in the arts and comforts of life." The simple prayers of the poor Indians were

not unheard. In the course of four or five days they returned, laden with meat. Captain Bonneville was

curious to know how they had attained such success with such scanty means. They gave him to understand

that they had chased the buffalo at full speed, until they tired them down, when they easily dispatched them

with the spear, and made use of the same weapon to flay the carcasses. To carry through their lessons to their

Christian friends, the poor savages were as charitable as they had been pious, and generously shared with

them the spoils of their hunting, giving them food enough to last for several days.

A further and more intimate intercourse with this tribe gave Captain Bonneville still greater cause to admire

their strong devotional feeling. "Simply to call these people religious," says he, "would convey but a faint

idea of the deep hue of piety and devotion which pervades their whole conduct. Their honesty is immaculate,

and their purity of purpose, and their observance of the rites of their religion, are most uniform and

remarkable. They are, certainly, more like a nation of saints than a horde of savages."

In fact, the antibelligerent policy of this tribe may have sprung from the doctrines of Christian charity, for it

would appear that they had imbibed some notions of the Christian faith from Catholic missionaries and

traders who had been among them. They even had a rude calendar of the fasts and festivals of the Romish

Church, and some traces of its ceremonials. These have become blended with their own wild rites, and

present a strange medley; civilized and barbarous. On the Sabbath, men, women, and children array

themselves in their best style, and assemble round a pole erected at the head of the camp. Here they go

through a wild fantastic ceremonial; strongly resembling the religious dance of the Shaking Quakers; but

from its enthusiasm, much more striking and impressive. During the intervals of the ceremony, the principal

chiefs, who officiate as priests, instruct them in their duties, and exhort them to virtue and good deeds.

"There is something antique and patriarchal," observes Captain Bonneville, "in this union of the offices of

leader and priest; as there is in many of their customs and manners, which are all strongly imbued with

The worthy captain, indeed, appears to have been strongly interested by this gleam of unlooked for light

amidst the darkness of the wilderness. He exerted himself, during his sojourn among this simple and

welldisposed people, to inculcate, as far as he was able, the gentle and humanizing precepts of the Christian

faith, and to make them acquainted with the leading points of its history; and it speaks highly for the purity

"Many a time," says he, "was my little lodge thronged, or rather piled with hearers, for they lay on the

ground, one leaning over the other, until there was no further room, all listening with greedy ears to the

wonders which the Great Spirit had revealed to the white man. No other subject gave them half the

satisfaction, or commanded half the attention; and but few scenes in my life remain so freshly on my

memory, or are so pleasurably recalled to my contemplation, as these hours of intercourse with a distant and

The only excesses indulged in by this temperate and exemplary people, appear to be gambling and

horseracing. In these they engage with an eagerness that amounts to infatuation. Knots of gamblers will

assemble before one of their lodge fires, early in the evening, and remain absorbed in the chances and

changes of the game until long after dawn of the following day. As the night advances, they wax warmer and

warmer. Bets increase in amount, one loss only serves to lead to a greater, until in the course of a single

ON the 12th of October, two young Indians of the Nez Perce tribe arrived at Captain Bonneville's

encampment. They were on their way homeward, but had been obliged to swerve from their ordinary route

through the mountains, by deep snows. Their new route took them though the Horse Prairie. In traversing it,

they had been attracted by the distant smoke of a camp fire, and on stealing near to reconnoitre, had

discovered a war party of Blackfeet. They had several horses with them; and, as they generally go on foot on

warlike excursions, it was concluded that these horses had been captured in the course of their maraudings.

This intelligence awakened solicitude on the mind of Captain Bonneville for the party of hunters whom he

had sent to that neighborhood; and the Nez Perces, when informed of the circumstances, shook their heads,

and declared their belief that the horses they had seen had been stolen from that very party. Anxious for

information on the subject, Captain Bonneville dispatched two hunters to beat up the country in that

direction. They searched in vain; not a trace of the men could be found; but they got into a region destitute of

game, where they were wellnigh famished. At one time they were three entire days without a mouthful of

food; at length they beheld a buffalo grazing at the foot of the mountain. After manoeuvring so as to get

within shot, they fired, but merely wounded him. He took to flight, and they followed him over hill and dale,

with the eagerness and perseverance of starving men. A more lucky shot brought him to the ground.

Stanfield sprang upon him, plunged his knife into his throat, and allayed his raging hunger by drinking his

blood: A fire was instantly kindled beside the carcass, when the two hunters cooked, and ate again and again,

until, perfectly gorged, they sank to sleep before their hunting fire. On the following morning they rose early,

made another hearty meal, then loading themselves with buffalo meat, set out on their return to the camp, to

At length, after six weeks' absence, the hunters made their appearance, and were received with joy

proportioned to the anxiety that had been felt on their account. They had hunted with success on the prairie,

but, while busy drying buffalo meat, were joined by a few panic stricken Flatheads, who informed them

that a powerful band of Blackfeet was at hand. The hunters immediately abandoned the dangerous hunting

ground, and accompanied the Flatheads to their village. Here they found Mr. Cerre, and the detachment of

After remaining some time at the village, until they supposed the Blackfeet to have left the neighborhood,

they set off with some of Mr. Cerre's men for the cantonment at Salmon River, where they arrived without

accident. They informed Captain Bonneville, however, that not far from his quarters they had found a wallet

of fresh meat and a cord, which they supposed had been left by some prowling Blackfeet. A few days

afterward Mr. Cerre, with the remainder of his men, likewise arrived at the cantonment.

Mr. Walker, one of his subleaders, who had gone with a band of twenty hunters to range the country just

beyond the Horse Prairie, had likewise his share of adventures with the allpervading Blackfeet. At one of

his encampments the guard stationed to keep watch round the camp grew weary of their duty, and feeling a

little too secure, and too much at home on these prairies, retired to a small grove of willows to amuse

themselves with a social game of cards called "old sledge," which is as popular among these trampers of the

prairies as whist or ecarte among the polite circles of the cities. From the midst of their sport they were

suddenly roused by a discharge of firearms and a shrill warwhoop. Starting on their feet, and snatching up

their rifles, they beheld in dismay their horses and mules already in possession of the enemy, who had stolen

upon the camp unperceived, while they were spellbound by the magic of old sledge. The Indians sprang

upon the animals barebacked, and endeavored to urge them off under a galling fire that did some execution.

The mules, however, confounded by the hurlyburly and disliking their new riders kicked up their heels and

dismounted half of them, in spite of their horsemanship. This threw the rest into confusion; they endeavored

to protect their unhorsed comrades from the furious assaults of the whites; but, after a scene of "confusion

worse confounded," horses and mules were abandoned, and the Indians betook themselves to the bushes.

Here they quickly scratched holes in the earth about two feet deep, in which they prostrated themselves, and

while thus screened from the shots of the white men, were enabled to make such use of their bows and arrows

and fusees, as to repulse their assailants and to effect their retreat. This adventure threw a temporary stigma

In the course of the autumn, four Iroquois hunters, driven by the snow from their hunting grounds, made their

appearance at the cantonment. They were kindly welcomed, and during their sojourn made themselves useful

in a variety of ways, being excellent trappers and firstrate woodsmen. They were of the remnants of a party

of Iroquois hunters that came from Canada into these mountain regions many years previously, in the employ

of the Hudson's Bay Company. They were led by a brave chieftain, named Pierre, who fell by the hands of

the Blackfeet, and gave his name to the fated valley of Pierre's Hole. This branch of the Iroquois tribe has

ever since remained among these mountains, at mortal enmity with the Blackfeet, and have lost many of their

prime hunters in their feuds with that ferocious race. Some of them fell in with General Ashley, in the course

of one of his gallant excursions into the wilderness, and have continued ever since in the employ of the

Among the motley Visitors to the winter quarters of Captain Bonneville was a party of Pends Oreilles (or

Hangingears) and their chief. These Indians have a strong resemblance, in character and customs, to the Nez

Perces. They amount to about three hundred lodges, are well armed, and possess great numbers of horses.

During the spring, summer, and autumn, they hunt the buffalo about the headwaters of the Missouri, Henry's

Fork of the Snake River, and the northern branches of Salmon River. Their winter quarters are upon the

Racine Amere, where they subsist upon roots and dried buffalo meat. Upon this river the Hudson's Bay

Company have established a trading post, where the Pends Oreilles and the Flatheads bring their peltries to

This tribe, like the Nez Perces, evince strong and peculiar feelings of natural piety. Their religion is not a

mere superstitious fear, like that of most savages; they evince abstract notions of morality; a deep reverence

for an overruling spirit, and a respect for the rights of their fellow men. In one respect their religion partakes

of the pacific doctrines of the Quakers. They hold that the Great Spirit is displeased with all nations who

wantonly engage in war; they abstain, therefore, from all aggressive hostilities. But though thus unoffending

in their policy, they are called upon continually to wage defensive warfare; especially with the Blackfeet;

with whom, in the course of their hunting expeditions, they come in frequent collision and have desperate

battles. Their conduct as warriors is without fear or reproach, and they can never be driven to abandon their

Like most savages they are firm believers in dreams, and in the power and efficacy of charms and amulets, or

medicines as they term them. Some of their braves, also, who have had numerous hairbreadth 'scapes, like the

old Nez Perce chief in the battle of Pierre's Hole, are believed to wear a charmed life, and to be bulletproof.

Of these gifted beings marvelous anecdotes are related, which are most potently believed by their fellow

WHILE Captain Bonneville and his men are sojourning among the Nez Perces, on Salmon River, we will

inquire after the fortunes of those doughty rivals of the Rocky Mountains and American Fur Companies, who

Fitzpatrick and Bridger, of the former company, as we have already shown, having received their supplies,

had taken the lead, and hoped to have the first sweep of the hunting grounds. Vanderburgh and Dripps,

however, the two resident partners of the opposite company, by extraordinary exertions were enabled soon to

put themselves upon their traces, and pressed forward with such speed as to overtake them just as they had

reached the heart of the beaver country. In fact, being ignorant of the best trapping grounds, it was their

Nothing could equal the chagrin of Fitzpatrick and Bridger at being dogged by their inexperienced rivals,

especially after their offer to divide the country with them. They tried in every way to blind and baffle them;

to steal a march upon them, or lead them on a wrong scent; but all in vain. Vanderburgh made up by activity

and intelligence for his ignorance of the country; was always wary, always on the alert; discovered every

Fitzpatrick and his colleague now lost all patience; since the others persisted in following them, they

determined to give them an unprofitable chase, and to sacrifice the hunting season rather than share the

products with their rivals. They accordingly took up their line of march down the course of the Missouri,

keeping the main Blackfoot trail, and tramping doggedly forward, without stopping to set a single trap. The

others beat the hoof after them for some time, but by degrees began to perceive that they were on a

wildgoose chase, and getting into a country perfectly barren to the trapper. They now came to a halt, and

bethought themselves how to make up for lost time, and improve the remainder of the season. It was

thought best to divide their forces and try different trapping grounds. While Dripps went in one direction,

Vanderburgh, with about fifty men, proceeded in another. The latter, in his headlong march had got into the

very heart of the Blackfoot country, yet seems to have been unconscious of his danger. As his scouts were out

one day, they came upon the traces of a recent band of savages. There were the deserted fires still smoking,

surrounded by the carcasses of buffaloes just killed. It was evident a party of Blackfeet had been frightened

from their hunting camp, and had retreated, probably to seek reinforcements. The scouts hastened back to the

camp, and told Vanderburgh what they had seen. He made light of the alarm, and, taking nine men with him,

galloped off to reconnoitre for himself. He found the deserted hunting camp just as they had represented it;

there lay the carcasses of buffaloes, partly dismembered; there were the smouldering fires, still sending up

their wreaths of smoke; everything bore traces of recent and hasty retreat; and gave reason to believe that the

savages were still lurking in the neighborhood. With heedless daring, Vanderburgh put himself upon their

trail, to trace them to their place of concealment: It led him over prairies, and through skirts of woodland,

until it entered a dark and dangerous ravine. Vanderburgh pushed in, without hesitation, followed by his little

band. They soon found themselves in a gloomy dell, between steep banks overhung with trees, where the

Suddenly the horrid warwhoop burst on their ears, mingled with the sharp report of rifles, and a legion of

savages sprang from their concealments, yelling, and shaking their buffalo robes to frighten the horses.

Vanderburgh's horse fell, mortally wounded by the first discharge. In his fall he pinned his rider to the

ground, who called in vain upon his men to assist in extricating him. One was shot down scalped a few paces

distant; most of the others were severely wounded, and sought their safety in flight. The savages approached

to dispatch the unfortunate leader, as he lay struggling beneath his horse.. He had still his rifle in his hand and

his pistols in his belt. The first savage that advanced received the contents of the rifle in his breast, and fell

dead upon the spot; but before Vanderburgh could draw a pistol, a blow from a tomahawk laid him prostrate,

Such was the fate of Major Henry Vanderburgh, one of the best and worthiest leaders of the American Fur

Company, who by his manly bearing and dauntless courage is said to have made himself universally popular

Those of the little band who escaped fled in consternation to the camp, and spread direful reports of the force

and ferocity of the enemy. The party, being without a head, were in complete confusion and dismay, and

made a precipitate retreat, without attempting to recover the remains of their butchered leader. They made no

halt until they reached the encampment of the Pends Oreilles, or Hangingears, where they offered a reward

In the meantime Fitzpatrick and Bridger, of the Rocky Mountain Company, fared but little better than their

rivals. In their eagerness to mislead them they betrayed themselves into danger, and got into a region infested

with the Blackfeet. They soon found that foes were on the watch for them; but they were experienced in

Indian warfare, and not to be surprised at night, nor drawn into an ambush in the daytime. As the evening

advanced, the horses were all brought in and picketed, and a guard was stationed round the camp. At the

earliest streak of day one of the leaders would mount his horse, and gallop off full speed for about half a mile;

then look round for Indian trails, to ascertain whether there had been any lurkers round the camp; returning

slowly, he would reconnoitre every ravine and thicket where there might be an ambush. This done, he would

gallop off in an opposite direction and repeat the same scrutiny. Finding all things safe, the horses would be

A caution equally vigilant was observed in the march, on approaching any defile or place where an enemy

might lie in wait; and scouts were always kept in the advance, or along the ridges and rising grounds on the

At length, one day, a large band of Blackfeet appeared in the open field, but in the vicinity of rocks and cliffs.

They kept at a wary distance, but made friendly signs. The trappers replied in the same way, but likewise kept

aloof. A small party of Indians now advanced, bearing the pipe of peace; they were met by an equal number

of white men, and they formed a group midway between the two bands, where the pipe was circulated from

hand to hand, and smoked with all due ceremony. An instance of natural affection took place at this pacific

meeting. Among the free trappers in the Rocky Mountain band was a spirited young Mexican named Loretto,

who, in the course of his wanderings, had ransomed a beautiful Blackfoot girl from a band of Crows by

whom she had been captured. He made her his wife, after the Indian style, and she had followed his fortunes

Among the Blackfeet warriors who advanced with the calumet of peace she recognized a brother. Leaving her

infant with Loretto she rushed forward and threw herself upon her brother's neck, who clasped his longlost

sister to his heart with a warmth of affection but little compatible with the reputed stoicism of the savage.

While this scene was taking place, Bridger left the main body of trappers and rode slowly toward the group of

smokers, with his rifle resting across the pommel of his saddle. The chief of the Blackfeet stepped forward to

meet him. From some unfortunate feeling of distrust Bridger cocked his rifle just as the chief was extending

his hand in friendship. The quick ear of the savage caught the click of the lock; in a twinkling he grasped the

barrel, forced the muzzle downward, and the contents were discharged into the earth at his feet. His next

movement was to wrest the weapon from the hand of Bridger and fell him with it to the earth. He might have

found this no easy task had not the unfortunate leader received two arrows in his back during the struggle.

The chief now sprang into the vacant saddle and galloped off to his band. A wild hurryskurry scene ensued;

each party took to the banks, the rocks and trees, to gain favorable positions, and an irregular firing was kept

up on either side, without much effect. The Indian girl had been hurried off by her people at the outbreak of

the affray. She would have returned, through the dangers of the fight, to her husband and her child, but was

prevented by her brother. The young Mexican saw her struggles and her agony, and heard her piercing cries.

With a generous impulse he caught up the child in his arms, rushed forward, regardless of Indian shaft or

rifle, and placed it in safety upon her bosom. Even the savage heart of the Blackfoot chief was reached by this

noble deed. He pronounced Loretto a madman for his temerity, but bade him depart in peace. The young

Mexican hesitated; he urged to have his wife restored to him, but her brother interfered, and the countenance

of the chief grew dark. The girl, he said, belonged to his tribeshe must remain with her people. Loretto

would still have lingered, but his wife implored him to depart, lest his life should be endangered. It was with

The approach of night put an end to the skirmishing fire of the adverse parties, and the savages drew off

without renewing their hostilities. We cannot but remark that both in this affair and that of Pierre's Hole the

affray commenced by a hostile act on the part of white men at the moment when the Indian warrior was

extending the hand of amity. In neither instance, as far as circumstances have been stated to us by different

persons, do we see any reason to suspect the savage chiefs of perfidy in their overtures of friendship. They

advanced in the confiding way usual among Indians when they bear the pipe of peace, and consider

themselves sacred from attack. If we violate the sanctity of this ceremonial, by any hostile movement on our

part, it is we who incur the charge of faithlessness; and we doubt not that in both these instances the white

men have been considered by the Blackfeet as the aggressors, and have, in consequence, been held up as men

A word to conclude the romantic incident of Loretto and his Indian bride. A few months subsequent to the

event just related, the young Mexican settled his accounts with the Rocky Mountain Company, and obtained

his discharge. He then left his comrades and set off to rejoin his wife and child among her people; and we

understand that, at the time we are writing these pages, he resides at a tradinghouse established of late by

the American Fur Company in the Blackfoot country, where he acts as an interpreter, and has his Indian girl

FOR the greater part of the month of November Captain Bonneville remained in his temporary post on

Salmon River. He was now in the full enjoyment of his wishes; leading a hunter's life in the heart of the

wilderness, with all its wild populace around him. Beside his own people, motley in character and

costumecreole, Kentuckian, Indian, halfbreed, hired trapper, and free trapperhe was surrounded by

encampments of Nez Perces and Flatheads, with their droves of horses covering the hills and plains. It was,

he declares, a wild and bustling scene. The hunting parties of white men and red men, continually sallying

forth and returning; the groups at the various encampments, some cooking, some working, some amusing

themselves at different games; the neighing of horses, the braying of asses, the resounding strokes of the axe,

the sharp report of the rifle, the whoop, the halloo, and the frequent burst of laughter, all in the midst of a

region suddenly roused from perfect silence and loneliness by this transient hunters' sojourn, realized, he

The kind and genial character of the captain had, evidently, its influence on the opposite races thus

fortuitously congregated together. The most perfect harmony prevailed between them. The Indians, he says,

were friendly in their dispositions, and honest to the most scrupulous degree in their intercourse with the

white men. It is true they were somewhat importunate in their curiosity, and apt to be continually in the way,

examining everything with keen and prying eye, and watching every movement of the white men. All this,

however, was borne with great goodhumor by the captain, and through his example by his men. Indeed,

throughout all his transactions he shows himself the friend of the poor Indians, and his conduct toward them

The Nez Perces, the Flatheads, and the Hangingears pride themselves upon the number of their horses, of

which they possess more in proportion than any other of the mountain tribes within the buffalo range. Many

of the Indian warriors and hunters encamped around Captain Bonneville possess from thirty to forty horses

each. Their horses are stout, wellbuilt ponies, of great wind, and capable of enduring the severest hardship

and fatigue. The swiftest of them, however, are those obtained from the whites while sufficiently young to

By degrees the populousness of this encampment began to produce its inconveniences. The immense droves

of horses owned by the Indians consumed the herbage of the surrounding hills; while to drive them to any

distant pasturage, in a neighborhood abounding with lurking and deadly enemies, would be to endanger the

loss both of man and beast. Game, too, began to grow scarce. It was soon hunted and frightened out of the

vicinity, and though the Indians made a wide circuit through the mountains in the hope of driving the buffalo

toward the cantonment, their expedition was unsuccessful. It was plain that so large a party could not subsist

themselves there, nor in any one place throughout the winter. Captain Bonneville, therefore, altered his whole

arrangements. He detached fifty men toward the south to winter upon Snake River, and to trap about its

waters in the spring, with orders to rejoin him in the month of July at Horse Creek, in Green River Valley,

which he had fixed upon as the general rendezvous of his company for the ensuing year.

Of all his late party, he now retained with him merely a small number of free trappers, with whom he

intended to sojourn among the Nez Perces and Flatheads, and adopt the Indian mode of moving with the

game and grass. Those bands, in effect, shortly afterward broke up their encampments and set off for a less

beaten neighborhood. Captain Bonneville remained behind for a few days, that he might secretly prepare

caches, in which to deposit everything not required for current use. Thus lightened of all superfluous

encumbrance, he set off on the 20th of November to rejoin his Indian allies. He found them encamped in a

secluded part of the country, at the head of a small stream. Considering themselves out of all danger in this

sequestered spot from their old enemies, the Blackfeet, their encampment manifested the most negligent

security. Their lodges were scattered in every direction, and their horses covered every hill for a great

distance round, grazing upon the upland bunch grass which grew in great abundance, and though dry,

retained its nutritious properties instead of losing them like other grasses in the autumn.

When the Nez Perces, Flatheads, and Pends Oreilles are encamped in a dangerous neighborhood, says

Captain Bonneville, the greatest care is taken of their horses, those prime articles of Indian wealth, and

objects of Indian depredation. Each warrior has his horse tied by one foot at night to a stake planted before

his lodge. Here they remain until broad daylight; by that time the young men of the camp are already ranging

over the surrounding hills. Each family then drives its horses to some eligible spot, where they are left to

graze unattended. A young Indian repairs occasionally to the pasture to give them water, and to see that all is

well. So accustomed are the horses to this management, that they keep together in the pasture where they

have been left. As the sun sinks behind the hills, they may be seen moving from all points toward the camp,

where they surrender themselves to be tied up for the night. Even in situations of danger, the Indians rarely

set guards over their camp at night, intrusting that office entirely to their vigilant and welltrained dogs.

In an encampment, however, of such fancied security as that in which Captain Bonneville found his Indian

friends, much of these precautions with respect to their horses are omitted. They merely drive them, at

nightfall, to some sequestered little dell, and leave them there, at perfect liberty, until the morning.

One object of Captain Bonneville in wintering among these Indians was to procure a supply of horses against

the spring. They were, however, extremely unwilling to part with any, and it was with great difficulty that he

purchased, at the rate of twenty dollars each, a few for the use of some of his free trappers who were on foot

In this encampment Captain Bonneville remained from the 21st of November to the 9th of December. During

this period the thermometer ranged from thirteen to fortytwo degrees. There were occasional falls of snow;

but it generally melted away almost immediately, and the tender blades of new grass began to shoot up

among the old. On the 7th of December, however, the thermometer fell to seven degrees.

The reader will recollect that, on distributing his forces when in Green River Valley, Captain Bonneville had

detached a party, headed by a leader of the name of Matthieu, with all the weak and disabled horses, to

sojourn about Bear River, meet the Shoshonie bands, and afterward to rejoin him at his winter camp on

More than sufficient time had elapsed, yet Matthieu failed to make his appearance, and uneasiness began to

be felt on his account. Captain Bonneville sent out four men, to range the country through which he would

have to pass, and endeavor to get some information concerning him; for his route lay across the great Snake

River plain, which spreads itself out like an Arabian desert, and on which a cavalcade could be descried at a

great distance. The scouts soon returned, having proceeded no further than the edge of the plain, pretending

that their horses were lame; but it was evident they had feared to venture, with so small a force, into these

A disease, which Captain Bonneville supposed to be pneumonia, now appeared among the Indians, carrying

off numbers of them after an illness of three or four days. The worthy captain acted as physician, prescribing

profuse sweatings and copious bleedings, and uniformly with success, if the patient were subsequently treated

with proper care. In extraordinary cases, the poor savages called in the aid of their own doctors or conjurors,

who officiated with great noise and mummery, but with little benefit. Those who died during this epidemic

were buried in graves, after the manner of the whites, but without any regard to the direction of the head. It is

a fact worthy of notice that, while this malady made such ravages among the natives, not a single white man

A familiar intercourse of some standing with the Piercednose and Flathead Indians had now convinced

Captain Bonneville of their amicable and inoffensive character; he began to take a strong interest in them,

and conceived the idea of becoming a pacificator, and healing the deadly feud between them and the

Blackfeet, in which they were so deplorably the sufferers. He proposed the matter to some of the leaders, and

urged that they should meet the Blackfeet chiefs in a grand pacific conference, offering to send two of his

men to the enemy's camp with pipe, tobacco and flag of truce, to negotiate the proposed meeting.

The Nez Perces and Flathead sages upon this held a council of war of two days' duration, in which there was

abundance of hard smoking and long talking, and both eloquence and tobacco were nearly exhausted. At

length they came to a decision to reject the worthy captain's proposition, and upon pretty substantial grounds,

"War," said the chiefs, "is a bloody business, and full of evil; but it keeps the eyes of the chiefs always open,

and makes the limbs of the young men strong and supple. In war, every one is on the alert. If we see a trail we

know it must be an enemy; if the Blackfeet come to us, we know it is for war, and we are ready. Peace, on the

other hand, sounds no alarm; the eyes of the chiefs are closed in sleep, and the young men are sleek and lazy.

The horses stray into the mountains; the women and their little babes go about alone. But the heart of a

Blackfoot is a lie, and his tongue is a trap. If he says peace it is to deceive; he comes to us as a brother; he

smokes his pipe with us; but when he sees us weak, and off our guard, he will slay and steal. We will have no

With this reasoning Captain Bonneville was fain to acquiesce; but, since the sagacious Flatheads and their

allies were content to remain in a state of warfare, he wished them at least to exercise the boasted vigilance

which war was to produce, and to keep their eyes open. He represented to them the impossibility that two

such considerable clans could move about the country without leaving trails by which they might be traced.

Besides, among the Blackfeet braves were several Nez Perces, who had been taken prisoners in early youth,

adopted by their captors, and trained up and imbued with warlike and predatory notions; these had lost all

sympathies with their native tribe, and would be prone to lead the enemy to their secret haunts. He exhorted

them, therefore, to keep upon the alert, and never to remit their vigilance while within the range of so crafty

and cruel a foe. All these counsels were lost upon his easy and simpleminded hearers. A careless

indifference reigned throughout their encampments, and their horses were permitted to range the hills at night

in perfect freedom. Captain Bonneville had his own horses brought in at night, and properly picketed and

guarded. The evil he apprehended soon took place. In a single night a swoop was made through the

neighboring pastures by the Blackfeet, and eightysix of the finest horses carried off. A whip and a rope were

left in a conspicuous situation by the robbers, as a taunt to the simpletons they had unhorsed.

Long before sunrise the news of this calamity spread like wildfire through the different encampments.

Captain Bonneville, whose own horses remained safe at their pickets, watched in momentary expectation of

an outbreak of warriors, Piercednose and Flathead, in furious pursuit of the marauders; but no such thing

they contented themselves with searching diligently over hill and dale, to glean up such horses as had escaped

the hands of the marauders, and then resigned themselves to their loss with the most exemplary quiescence.

Some, it is true, who were entirely unhorsed, set out on a begging visit to their cousins, as they called them,

the Lower Nez Perces, who inhabit the lower country about the Columbia, and possess horses in abundance.

To these they repair when in difficulty, and seldom fail, by dint of begging and bartering, to get themselves

Game had now become scarce in the neighborhood of the camp, and it was necessary, according to Indian

custom, to move off to a less beaten ground. Captain Bonneville proposed the Horse Prairie; but his Indian

friends objected that many of the Nez Perces had gone to visit their cousins, and that the whites were few in

number, so that their united force was not sufficient to Venture upon the buffalo grounds, which were

They now spoke of a place at no great distance, which they represented as a perfect hunter's elysium. It was

on the right branch, or head stream of the river, locked up among cliffs and precipices where there was no

danger from roving bands, and where the Blackfeet dare not enter. Here, they said, the elk abounded, and the

mountain sheep were to be seen trooping upon the rocks and hills. A little distance beyond it, also, herds of

buffalo were to be met with, Out of range of danger. Thither they proposed to move their camp.

The proposition pleased the captain, who was desirous, through the Indians, of becoming acquainted with all

the secret places of the land. Accordingly, on the 9th of December, they struck their tents, and moved forward

Following up the right fork of the river they came to where it entered a deep gorge of the mountains, up

which lay the secluded region so much valued by the Indians. Captain Bonneville halted and encamped for

three days before entering the gorge. In the meantime he detached five of his free trappers to scour the hills,

and kill as many elk as possible, before the main body should enter, as they would then be soon frightened

While thus encamped, they were still liable to the marauds of the Blackfeet, and Captain Bonneville

admonished his Indian friends to be upon their guard. The Nez Perces, however, notwithstanding their recent

loss, were still careless of their horses; merely driving them to some secluded spot, and leaving them there for

the night, without setting any guard upon them. The consequence was a second swoop, in which fortyone

were carried off. This was borne with equal philosophy with the first, and no effort was made either to

The Nez Perces, however, grew more cautious with respect to their remaining horses, driving them regularly

to the camp every evening, and fastening them to pickets. Captain Bonneville, however, told them that this

was not enough. It was evident they were dogged by a daring and persevering enemy, who was encouraged

by past impunity; they should, therefore, take more than usual precautions, and post a guard at night over

their cavalry. They could not, however, be persuaded to depart from their usual custom. The horse once

picketed, the care of the owner was over for the night, and he slept profoundly. None waked in the camp but

the gamblers, who, absorbed in their play, were more difficult to be roused to external circumstances than

The Blackfeet are bold enemies, and fond of hazardous exploits. The band that were hovering about the

neighborhood, finding that they had such pacific people to deal with, redoubled their daring. The horses being

now picketed before the lodges, a number of Blackfeet scouts penetrated in the early part of the night into the

very centre of the camp. Here they went about among the lodges as calmly and deliberately as if at home,

quietly cutting loose the horses that stood picketed by the lodges of their sleeping owners. One of these

prowlers, more adventurous than the rest, approached a fire round which a group of Nez Perces were

gambling with the most intense eagerness. Here he stood for some time, muffled up in his robe, peering over

the shoulders of the players, watching the changes of their countenances and the fluctuations of the game. So

completely engrossed were they, that the presence of this muffled eavesdropper was unnoticed and, having

Having cut loose as many horses as they could conveniently carry off, the Blackfeet scouts rejoined their

comrades, and all remained patiently round the camp. By degrees the horses, finding themselves at liberty,

took their route toward their customary grazing ground. As they emerged from the camp they were silently

taken possession of, until, having secured about thirty, the Blackfeet sprang on their backs and scampered off.

The clatter of hoofs startled the gamblers from their game. They gave the alarm, which soon roused the

sleepers from every lodge. Still all was quiescent; no marshalling of forces, no saddling of steeds and dashing

off in pursuit, no talk of retribution for their repeated outrages. The patience of Captain Bonneville was at

length exhausted. He had played the part of a pacificator without success; he now altered his tone, and

Accordingly, convoking their chiefs, he inveighed against their craven policy, and urged the necessity of

vigorous and retributive measures that would check the confidence and presumption of their enemies, if not

inspire them with awe. For this purpose, he advised that a war party should be immediately sent off on the

trail of the marauders, to follow them, if necessary, into the very heart of the Blackfoot country, and not to

leave them until they had taken signal vengeance. Beside this, he recommended the organization of minor

war parties, to make reprisals to the extent of the losses sustained. "Unless you rouse yourselves from your

apathy," said he, "and strike some bold and decisive blow, you will cease to be considered men, or objects of

manly warfare. The very squaws and children of the Blackfeet will be set against you, while their warriors

This harangue had evidently a momentary effect upon the pride of the hearers. After a short pause, however,

one of the orators arose. It was bad, he said, to go to war for mere revenge. The Great Spirit had given them a

heart for peace, not for war. They had lost horses, it was true, but they could easily get others from their

cousins, the Lower Nez Perces, without incurring any risk; whereas, in war they should lose men, who were

not so readily replaced. As to their late losses, an increased watchfulness would prevent any more

misfortunes of the kind. He disapproved, therefore, of all hostile measures; and all the other chiefs concurred

Captain Bonneville again took up the point. "It is true," said he, "the Great Spirit has given you a heart to love

your friends; but he has also given you an arm to strike your enemies. Unless you do something speedily to

put an end to this continual plundering, I must say farewell. As yet I have sustained no loss; thanks to the

precautions which you have slighted; but my property is too unsafe here; my turn will come next; I and my

people will share the contempt you are bringing upon yourselves, and will be thought, like you, poorspirited

The conference broke up with some signs of excitement on the part of the Indians. Early the next morning, a

party of thirty men set off in pursuit of the foe, and Captain Bonneville hoped to hear a good account of the

Blackfeet marauders. To his disappointment, the war party came lagging back on the following day, leading a

few old, sorry, brokendown horses, which the freebooters had not been able to urge to sufficient speed.

This effort exhausted the martial spirit, and satisfied the wounded pride of the Nez Perces, and they relapsed

IF the meekness and longsuffering of the Piercednoses grieved the spirit of Captain Bonneville, there was

another individual in the camp to whom they were still more annoying. This was a Blackfoot renegado,

named Kosato, a fiery hotblooded youth who, with a beautiful girl of the same tribe, had taken refuge

among the Nez Perces. Though adopted into the tribe, he still retained the warlike spirit of his race, and

loathed the peaceful, inoffensive habits of those around him. The hunting of the deer, the elk, and the buffalo,

which was the height of their ambition, was too tame to satisfy his wild and restless nature. His heart burned

for the foray, the ambush, the skirmish, the scamper, and all the haps and hazards of roving and predatory

The recent hoverings of the Blackfeet about the camp, their nightly prowls and daring and successful

marauds, had kept him in a fever and a flutter, like a hawk in a cage who hears his late companions swooping

and screaming in wild liberty above him. The attempt of Captain Bonneville to rouse the war spirit of the Nez

Perces, and prompt them to retaliation, was ardently seconded by Kosato. For several days he was incessantly

devising schemes of vengeance, and endeavoring to set on foot an expedition that should carry dismay and

desolation into the Blackfeet town. All his art was exerted to touch upon those springs of human action with

which he was most familiar. He drew the listening savages round him by his nervous eloquence; taunted them

with recitals of past wrongs and insults; drew glowing pictures of triumphs and trophies within their reach;

recounted tales of daring and romantic enterprise, of secret marchings, covert lurkings, midnight surprisals,

sackings, burnings, plunderings, scalpings; together with the triumphant return, and the feasting and rejoicing

of the victors. These wild tales were intermingled with the beating of the drum, the yell, the warwhoop and

the wardance, so inspiring to Indian valor. All, however, were lost upon the peaceful spirits of his hearers;

not a Nez Perce was to be roused to vengeance, or stimulated to glorious war. In the bitterness of his heart,

the Blackfoot renegade repined at the mishap which had severed him from a race of congenial spirits, and

The character and conduct of this man attracted the attention of Captain Bonneville, and he was anxious to

hear the reason why he had deserted his tribe, and why he looked back upon them with such deadly hostility.

Kosato told him his own story briefly: it gives a picture of the deep, strong passions that work in the bosoms

"You see my wife," said he, "she is good; she is beautiful I love her. Yet she has been the cause of all my

troubles. She was the wife of my chief. I loved her more than he did; and she knew it. We talked together; we

laughed together; we were always seeking each other's society; but we were as innocent as children. The

chief grew jealous, and commanded her to speak with me no more. His heart became hard toward her; his

jealousy grew more furious. He beat her without cause and without mercy; and threatened to kill her outright

if she even looked at me. Do you want traces of his fury? Look at that scar! His rage against me was no less

persecuting. War parties of the Crows were hovering round us; our young men had seen their trail. All hearts

were roused for action; my horses were before my lodge. Suddenly the chief came, took them to his own

pickets, and called them his own. What could I do? he was a chief. I durst not speak, but my heart was

burning. I joined no longer in the council, the hunt, or the warfeast. What had I to do there? an unhorsed,

degraded warrior. I kept by myself, and thought of nothing but these wrongs and outrages.

"I was sitting one evening upon a knoll that overlooked the meadow where the horses were pastured. I saw

the horses that were once mine grazing among those of the chief. This maddened me, and I sat brooding for a

time over the injuries I had suffered, and the cruelties which she I loved had endured for my sake, until my

heart swelled and grew sore, and my teeth were clinched. As I looked down upon the meadow I saw the chief

walking among his horses. I fastened my eyes upon him as a hawk's; my blood boiled; I drew my breath hard.

He went among the willows. In an instant I was on my feet; my hand was on my knife I flew rather than

ran before he was aware I sprang upon him, and with two blows laid him dead at my feet. I covered his

body with earth, and strewed bushes over the place; then I hastened to her I loved, told her what I had done,

and urged her to fly with me. She only answered me with tears. I reminded her of the wrongs I had suffered,

and of the blows and stripes she had endured from the deceased; I had done nothing but an act of justice. I

again urged her to fly; but she only wept the more, and bade me go. My heart was heavy, but my eyes were

dry. I folded my arms. ' 'Tis well,' said I; 'Kosato will go alone to the desert. None will be with him but the

wild beasts of the desert. The seekers of blood may follow on his trail. They may come upon him when he

"I turned away. She sprang after me, and strained me in her arms. 'No,' she cried, 'Kosato shall not go alone!

"'We hastily took in our hands such things as we most needed, and stealing quietly from the village, mounted

the first horses we encountered. Speeding day and night, we soon reached this tribe. They received us with

welcome, and we have dwelt with them in peace. They are good and kind; they are honest; but their hearts are

Such was the story of Kosato, as related by him to Captain Bonneville. It is of a kind that often occurs in

Indian life; where love elopements from tribe to tribe are as frequent as among the novelread heroes and

heroines of sentimental civilization, and often give rise to bloods and lasting feuds.

ON the 19th of December Captain Bonneville and his confederate Indians raised their camp, and entered the

narrow gorge made by the north fork of Salmon River. Up this lay the secure and plenteous hunting region so

Since leaving Green River the plains had invariably been of loose sand or coarse gravel, and the rocky

formation of the mountains of primitive limestone. The rivers, in general, were skirted with willows and

bitter cottonwood trees, and the prairies covered with wormwood. In the hollow breast of the mountains

which they were now penetrating, the surrounding heights were clothed with pine; while the declivities of the

As the Indians had represented, they were now in a natural fastness of the mountains, the ingress and egress

of which was by a deep gorge, so narrow, rugged, and difficult as to prevent secret approach or rapid retreat,

and to admit of easy defence. The Blackfeet, therefore, refrained from venturing in after the Nez Perces,

awaiting a better chance, when they should once more emerge into the open country.

Captain Bonneville soon found that the Indians had not exaggerated the advantages of this region. Besides the

numerous gangs of elk, large flocks of the ahsahta or bighorn, the mountain sheep, were to be seen bounding

among the precipices. These simple animals were easily circumvented and destroyed. A few hunters may

surround a flock and kill as many as they please. Numbers were daily brought into camp, and the flesh of

Here, then, there was a cessation from toil, from hunger, and alarm. Past ills and dangers were forgotten. The

hunt, the game, the song, the story, the rough though goodhumored joke, made time pass joyously away,

Idleness and ease, it is said, lead to love, and love to matrimony, in civilized life, and the same process takes

place in the wilderness. Filled with good cheer and mountain mutton, one of the free trappers began to repine

at the solitude of his lodge, and to experience the force of that great law of nature, "it is not meet for man to

After a night of grave cogitation he repaired to Kowsoter, the Piercednose chief, and unfolded to him the

"I want," said he, "a wife. Give me one from among your tribe. Not a young, giddypated girl, that will think

of nothing but flaunting and finery, but a sober, discreet, hardworking squaw; one that will share my lot

without flinching, however hard it may be; that can take care of my lodge, and be a companion and a

helpmate to me in the wilderness." Kowsoter promised to look round among the females of his tribe, and

procure such a one as he desired. Two days were requisite for the search. At the expiration of these,

Kowsoter, called at his lodge, and informed him that he would bring his bride to him in the course of the

afternoon. He kept his word. At the appointed time he approached, leading the bride, a comely

coppercolored dame attired in her Indian finery. Her father, mother, brothers by the half dozen and cousins

by the score, all followed on to grace the ceremony and greet the new and important relative.

The trapper received his new and numerous family connection with proper solemnity; he placed his bride

beside him, and, filling the pipe, the great symbol of peace, with his best tobacco, took two or three whiffs,

then handed it to the chief who transferred it to the father of the bride, from whom it was passed on from

hand to hand and mouth to mouth of the whole circle of kinsmen round the fire, all maintaining the most

After several pipes had been filled and emptied in this solemn ceremonial, the chief addressed the bride,

detailing at considerable length the duties of a wife which, among Indians, are little less onerous than those of

the packhorse; this done, he turned to her friends and congratulated them upon the great alliance she had

made. They showed a due sense of their good fortune, especially when the nuptial presents came to be

distributed among the chiefs and relatives, amounting to about one hundred and eighty dollars. The company

soon retired, and now the worthy trapper found indeed that he had no green girl to deal with; for the knowing

dame at once assumed the style and dignity of a trapper's wife: taking possession of the lodge as her

undisputed empire, arranging everything according to her own taste and habitudes, and appearing as much at

home and on as easy terms with the trapper as if they had been man and wife for years.

We have already given a picture of a free trapper and his horse, as furnished by Captain Bonneville: we shall

here subjoin, as a companion picture, his description of a free trapper's wife, that the reader may have a

correct idea of the kind of blessing the worthy hunter in question had invoked to solace him in the wilderness.

"The free trapper, while a bachelor, has no greater pet than his horse; but the moment he takes a wife (a sort

of brevet rank in matrimony occasionally bestowed upon some Indian fair one, like the heroes of ancient

chivalry in the open field), he discovers that he has a still more fanciful and capricious animal on which to

"No sooner does an Indian belle experience this promotion, than all her notions at once rise and expand to the

dignity of her situation, and the purse of her lover, and his credit into the bargain, are taxed to the utmost to

fit her out in becoming style. The wife of a free trapper to be equipped and arrayed like any ordinary and

undistinguished squaw? Perish the grovelling thought! In the first place, she must have a horse for her own

riding; but no jaded, sorry, earthspirited hack, such as is sometimes assigned by an Indian husband for the

transportation of his squaw and her pappooses: the wife of a free trader must have the most beautiful animal

she can lay her eyes on. And then, as to his decoration: headstall, breastbands, saddle and crupper are

lavishly embroidered with beads, and hung with thimbles, hawks' bells, and bunches of ribbons. From each

side of the saddle hangs an esquimoot, a sort of pocket, in which she bestows the residue of her trinkets and

nicknacks, which cannot be crowded on the decoration of her horse or herself. Over this she folds, with

great care, a drapery of scarlet and brightcolored calicoes, and now considers the caparison of her steed

"As to her own person, she is even still more extravagant. Her hair, esteemed beautiful in proportion to its

length, is carefully plaited, and made to fall with seeming negligence over either breast. Her riding hat is

stuck full of particolored feathers; her robe, fashioned somewhat after that of the whites, is of red, green,

and sometimes gray cloth, but always of the finest texture that can be procured. Her leggings and moccasins

are of the most beautiful and expensive workmanship, and fitted neatly to the foot and ankle, which with the

Indian woman are generally well formed and delicate. Then as to jewelry: in the way of fingerrings,

earrings, necklaces, and other female glories, nothing within reach of the trapper's means is omitted that can

tend to impress the beholder with an idea of the lady's high estate. To finish the whole, she selects from

among her blankets of various dyes one of some glowing color, and throwing it over her shoulders with a

native grace, vaults into the saddle of her gay, prancing steed, and is ready to follow her mountaineer 'to the

Such is the general picture of the free trapper's wife, given by Captain Bonneville; how far it applied in its

details to the one in question does not altogether appear, though it would seem from the outset of her

connubial career, that she was ready to avail herself of all the pomp and circumstance of her new condition. It

is worthy of mention that wherever there are several wives of free trappers in a camp, the keenest rivalry

exists between them, to the sore detriment of their husbands' purses. Their whole time is expended and their

ingenuity tasked by endeavors to eclipse each other in dress and decoration. The jealousies and

heartburnings thus occasioned among these sostyled children of nature are equally intense with those of

the rival leaders of style and fashion in the luxurious abodes of civilized life.

The genial festival of Christmas, which throughout all Christendom lights up the fireside of home with mirth

and jollity, followed hard upon the wedding just described. Though far from kindred and friends, Captain

Bonneville and his handful of free trappers were not disposed to suffer the festival to pass unenjoyed; they

were in a region of good cheer, and were disposed to be joyous; so it was determined to "light up the yule

On Christmas eve, accordingly, they began their rude fetes and rejoicings. In the course of the night the free

trappers surrounded the lodge of the Piercednose chief and in lieu of Christmas carols, saluted him with a

Kowsoter received it in a truly Christian spirit, and after a speech, in which he expressed his high

gratification at the honor done him, invited the whole company to a feast on the following day. His invitation

was gladly accepted. A Christmas dinner in the wigwam of an Indian chief! There was novelty in the idea.

Not one failed to be present. The banquet was served up in primitive style: skins of various kinds, nicely

dressed for the occasion, were spread upon the ground; upon these were heaped up abundance of venison, elk

meat, and mountain mutton, with various bitter roots which the Indians use as condiments.

After a short prayer, the company all seated themselves crosslegged, in Turkish fashion, to the banquet,

which passed off with great hilarity. After which various games of strength and agility by both white men and

THE continued absence of Matthieu and his party had, by this time, caused great uneasiness in the mind of

Captain Bonneville; and, finding there was no dependence to be placed upon the perseverance and courage of

scouting parties in so perilous a quest, he determined to set out himself on the search, and to keep on until he

Accordingly on the 20th December he left the camp, accompanied by thirteen stark trappers and hunters, all

well mounted and armed for dangerous enterprise. On the following morning they passed out at the head of

the mountain gorge and sallied forth into the open plain. As they confidently expected a brush with the

Blackfeet, or some other predatory horde, they moved with great circumspection, and kept vigilant watch in

In the course of another day they left the main branch of Salmon River, and proceeded south toward a pass

called John Day's defile. It was severe and arduous travelling. The plains were swept by keen and bitter blasts

of wintry wind; the ground was generally covered with snow, game was scarce, so that hunger generally

prevailed in the camp, while the want of pasturage soon began to manifest itself in the declining vigor of the

The party had scarcely encamped on the afternoon of the 28th, when two of the hunters who had sallied forth

in quest of game came galloping back in great alarm. While hunting they had perceived a party of savages,

evidently manoeuvring to cut them off from the camp; and nothing had saved them from being entrapped but

These tidings struck dismay into the camp. Captain Bonneville endeavored to reassure his men by

representing the position of their encampment, and its capability of defence. He then ordered the horses to be

driven in and picketed, and threw up a rough breastwork of fallen trunks of trees and the vegetable rubbish of

the wilderness. Within this barrier was maintained a vigilant watch throughout the night, which passed away

without alarm. At early dawn they scrutinized the surrounding plain, to discover whether any enemies had

been lurking about during the night; not a footprint, however, was to be discovered in the coarse gravel with

Hunger now began to cause more uneasiness than the apprehensions of surrounding enemies. After marching

a few miles they encamped at the foot of a mountain, in hopes of finding buffalo. It was not until the next day

that they discovered a pair of fine bulls on the edge of the plain, among rocks and ravines. Having now been

two days and a half without a mouthful of food, they took especial care that these animals should not escape

them. While some of the surest marksmen advanced cautiously with their rifles into the rough ground, four of

the best mounted horsemen took their stations in the plain, to run the bulls down should they only be maimed.

The buffalo were wounded and set off in headlong flight. The halffamished horses were too weak to

overtake them on the frozen ground, but succeeded in driving them on the ice, where they slipped and fell,

and were easily dispatched. The hunters loaded themselves with beef for present and future supply, and then

returned and encamped at the last nights's fire. Here they passed the remainder of the day, cooking and eating

with a voracity proportioned to previous starvation, forgetting in the hearty revel of the moment the certain

The cravings of hunger being satisfied, they now began to debate about their further progress. The men were

much disheartened by the hardships they had already endured. Indeed, two who had been in the rear guard,

taking advantage of their position, had deserted and returned to the lodges of the Nez Perces. The prospect

ahead was enough to stagger the stoutest heart. They were in the dead of winter. As far as the eye could reach

the wild landscape was wrapped in snow, which was evidently deepening as they advanced. Over this they

would have to toil, with the icy wind blowing in their faces: their horses might give out through want of

pasturage, and they themselves must expect intervals of horrible famine like that they had already

With Captain Bonneville, however, perseverance was a matter of pride; and, having undertaken this

enterprise, nothing could turn him back until it was accomplished: though he declares that, had he anticipated

the difficulties and sufferings which attended it, he should have flinched from the undertaking.

Onward, therefore, the little band urged their way, keeping along the course of a stream called John Day's

Creek. The cold was so intense that they had frequently to dismount and travel on foot, lest they should freeze

in their saddles. The days which at this season are short enough even in the open prairies, were narrowed to a

few hours by the high mountains, which allowed the travellers but a brief enjoyment of the cheering rays of

the sun. The snow was generally at least twenty inches in depth, and in many places much more: those who

dismounted had to beat their way with toilsome steps. Eight miles were considered a good day's journey. The

horses were almost famished; for the herbage was covered by the deep snow, so that they had nothing to

subsist upon but scanty wisps of the dry bunch grass which peered above the surface, and the small branches

In this way they urged their slow and painful course to the south down John Day's Creek, until it lost itself in

a swamp. Here they encamped upon the ice among stiffened willows, where they were obliged to beat down

Hence they toiled on to Godin River; so called after an Iroquois hunter in the service of Sublette, who was

murdered there by the Blackfeet. Many of the features of this remote wilderness are thus named after scenes

of violence and bloodshed that occurred to the early pioneers. It was an act of filial vengeance on the part of

Godin's son Antoine that, as the reader may recollect, brought on the recent battle at Pierre's Hole.

From Godin's River, Captain Bonneville and his followers came out upon the plain of the Three Butes, so

called from three singular and isolated hills that rise from the midst. It is a part of the great desert of Snake

River, one of the most remarkable tracts beyond the mountains. Could they have experienced a respite from

their sufferings and anxieties, the immense landscape spread out before them was calculated to inspire

admiration. Winter has its beauties and glories as well as summer; and Captain Bonneville had the soul to

Far away, says he, over the vast plains, and up the steep sides of the lofty mountains, the snow lay spread in

dazzling whiteness: and whenever the sun emerged in the morning above the giant peaks, or burst forth from

among clouds in his midday course, mountain and dell, glazed rock and frosted tree, glowed and sparkled

with surpassing lustre. The tall pines seemed sprinkled with a silver dust, and the willows, studded with

minute icicles reflecting the prismatic rays, brought to mind the fairy trees conjured up by the caliph's

The poor wanderers, however, nearly starved with hunger and cold, were in no mood to enjoy the glories of

these brilliant scenes; though they stamped pictures on their memory which have been recalled with delight in

Encamping at the west Bute, they found a place swept by the winds, so that it was bare of snow, and there

was abundance of bunch grass. Here the horses were turned loose to graze throughout the night. Though for

once they had ample pasturage, yet the keen winds were so intense that, in the morning, a mule was found

frozen to death. The trappers gathered round and mourned over him as over a cherished friend. They feared

their halffamished horses would soon share his fate, for there seemed scarce blood enough left in their veins

to withstand the freezing cold. To beat the way further through the snow with these enfeebled animals

seemed next to impossible; and despondency began to creep over their hearts, when, fortunately, they

discovered a trail made by some hunting party. Into this they immediately entered, and proceeded with less

difficulty. Shortly afterward, a fine buffalo bull came bounding across the snow and was instantly brought

down by the hunters. A fire was soon blazing and crackling, and an ample repast soon cooked, and sooner

dispatched; after which they made some further progress and then encamped. One of the men reached the

camp nearly frozen to death; but good cheer and a blazing fire gradually restored life, and put his blood in

Having now a beaten path, they proceeded the next morning with more facility; indeed, the snow decreased in

depth as they receded from the mountains, and the temperature became more mild. In the course of the day

they discovered a solitary horseman hovering at a distance before them on the plain. They spurred on to

overtake him; but he was better mounted on a fresher steed, and kept at a wary distance, reconnoitring them

with evident distrust; for the wild dress of the free trappers, their leggings, blankets, and cloth caps garnished

with fur and topped off with feathers, even their very elflocks and weatherbronzed complexions, gave

them the look of Indians rather than white men, and made him mistake them for a war party of some hostile

After much manoeuvring, the wild horseman was at length brought to a parley; but even then he conducted

himself with the caution of a knowing prowler of the prairies. Dismounting from his horse, and using him as

a breastwork, he levelled his gun across his back, and, thus prepared for defence like a wary cruiser upon the

He proved to be an Indian of the Banneck tribe, belonging to a band at no great distance. It was some time

before he could be persuaded that he was conversing with a party of white men and induced to lay aside his

reserve and join them. He then gave them the interesting intelligence that there were two companies of white

men encamped in the neighborhood. This was cheering news to Captain Bonneville; who hoped to find in one

of them the longsought party of Matthieu. Pushing forward, therefore, with renovated spirits, he reached

Early the next morning (13th January, 1833) , diligent search was made about the neighborhood for traces of

the reported parties of white men. An encampment was soon discovered about four miles farther up the river,

in which Captain Bonneville to his great joy found two of Matthieu's men, from whom he learned that the rest

of his party would be there in the course of a few days. It was a matter of great pride and selfgratulation to

Captain Bonneville that he had thus accomplished his dreary and doubtful enterprise; and he determined to

pass some time in this encampment, both to await the return of Matthieu, and to give needful repose to men

It was, in fact, one of the most eligible and delightful wintering grounds in that whole range of country. The

Snake River here wound its devious way between low banks through the great plain of the Three Butes; and

was bordered by wide and fertile meadows. It was studded with islands which, like the alluvial bottoms, were

covered with groves of cottonwood, thickets of willow, tracts of good lowland grass, and abundance of

green rushes. The adjacent plains were so vast in extent that no single band of Indians could drive the buffalo

out of them; nor was the snow of sufficient depth to give any serious inconvenience. Indeed, during the

sojourn of Captain Bonneville in this neighborhood, which was in the heart of winter, he found the weather,

with the exception of a few cold and stormy days, generally mild and pleasant, freezing a little at night but

invariably thawing with the morning's sunresembling the spring weather in the middle parts of the United

The lofty range of the Three Tetons, those great landmarks of the Rocky Mountains rising in the east and

circling away to the north and west of the great plain of Snake River, and the mountains of Salt River and

Portneuf toward the south, catch the earliest falls of snow. Their white robes lengthen as the winter advances,

and spread themselves far into the plain, driving the buffalo in herds to the banks of the river in quest of food;

Such were the palpable advantages of this winter encampment; added to which, it was secure from the

prowlings and plunderings of any petty band of roving Blackfeet, the difficulties of retreat rendering it

unwise for those crafty depredators to venture an attack unless with an overpowering force.

About ten miles below the encampment lay the Banneck Indians; numbering about one hundred and twenty

lodges. They are brave and cunning warriors and deadly foes of the Blackfeet, whom they easily overcome in

battles where their forces are equal. They are not vengeful and enterprising in warfare, however; seldom

sending war parties to attack the Blackfeet towns, but contenting themselves with defending their own

territories and house. About one third of their warriors are armed with fusees, the rest with bows and arrows.

As soon as the spring opens they move down the right bank of Snake River and encamp at the heads of the

Boisee and Payette. Here their horses wax fat on good pasturage, while the tribe revels in plenty upon the

flesh of deer, elk, bear, and beaver. They then descend a little further, and are met by the Lower Nez Perces,

with whom they trade for horses; giving in exchange beaver, buffalo, and buffalo robes. Hence they strike

upon the tributary streams on the left bank of Snake River, and encamp at the rise of the Portneuf and

Blackfoot streams, in the buffalo range. Their horses, although of the Nez Perce breed, are inferior to the

parent stock from being ridden at too early an age, being often bought when but two years old and

immediately put to hard work. They have fewer horses, also, than most of these migratory tribes.

At the time that Captain Bonneville came into the neighborhood of these Indians, they were all in mourning

for their chief, surnamed The Horse. This chief was said to possess a charmed life, or rather, to be

invulnerable to lead; no bullet having ever hit him, though he had been in repeated battles, and often shot at

by the surest marksmen. He had shown great magnanimity in his intercourse with the white men. One of the

great men of his family had been slain in an attack upon a band of trappers passing through the territories of

his tribe. Vengeance had been sworn by the Bannecks; but The Horse interfered, declaring himself the friend

of white men and, having great influence and authority among his people, he compelled them to forcgo all

vindictive plans and to conduct themselves amicably whenever they came in contact with the traders.

This chief had bravely fallen in resisting an attack made by the Blackfeet upon his tribe, while encamped at

the head of Godin River. His fall in nowise lessened the faith of his people in his charmed life; for they

declared that it was not a bullet which laid him low, but a bit of horn which had been shot into him by some

Blackfoot marksman aware, no doubt, of the inefficacy of lead. Since his death there was no one with

sufficient influence over the tribe to restrain the wild and predatory propensities of the young men. The

consequence was they had become troublesome and dangerous neighbors, openly friendly for the sake of

traffic, but disposed to commit secret depredations and to molest any small party that might fall within their

ON the 3d of February, Matthieu, with the residue of his band, arrived in camp. He had a disastrous story to

relate. After parting with Captain Bonneville in Green River Valley he had proceeded to the westward,

keeping to the north of the Eutaw Mountains, a spur of the great Rocky chain. Here he experienced the most

rugged travelling for his horses, and soon discovered that there was but little chance of meeting the

Shoshonie bands. He now proceeded along Bear River, a stream much frequented by trappers, intending to

He was misled, however, either through the ignorance or treachery of an Indian guide, and conducted into a

wild valley where he lay encamped during the autumn and the early part of the winter, nearly buried in snow

and almost starved. Early in the season he detached five men, with nine horses, to proceed to the

neighborhood of the Sheep Rock, on Bear River, where game was plenty, and there to procure a supply for

They had not proceeded far on their expedition when their trail was discovered by a party of nine or ten

Indians, who immediately commenced a lurking pursuit, dogging them secretly for five or six days. So long

as their encampments were well chosen and a proper watch maintained the wary savages kept aloof; at

length, observing that they were badly encamped, in a situation where they might be approached with

secrecy, the enemy crept stealthily along under cover of the river bank, preparing to burst suddenly upon their

They had not advanced within striking distance, however, before they were discovered by one of the trappers.

He immediately but silently gave the alarm to his companions. They all sprang upon their horses and

prepared to retreat to a safe position. One of the party, however, named Jennings, doubted the correctness of

the alarm, and before he mounted his horse wanted to ascertain the fact. His companions urged him to mount,

but in vain; he was incredulous and obstinate. A volley of firearms by the savages dispelled his doubts, but so

overpowered his nerves that he was unable to get into his saddle. His comrades, seeing his peril and

confusion, generously leaped from their horses to protect him. A shot from a rifle brought him to the earth; in

his agony he called upon the others not to desert him. Two of them, Le Roy and Ross, after fighting

desperately, were captured by the savages; the remaining two vaulted into their saddles and saved themselves

by headlong flight, being pursued for nearly thirty miles. They got safe back to Matthieu's camp, where their

story inspired such dread of lurking Indians that the hunters could not be prevailed upon to undertake another

foray in quest of provisions. They remained, therefore, almost starving in their camp; now and then killing an

old or disabled horse for food, while the elk and the mountain sheep roamed unmolested among the

The disastrous surprisal of this hunting party is cited by Captain Bonneville to show the importance of

vigilant watching and judicious encampments in the Indian country. Most of this kind of disasters to traders

and trappers arise from some careless inattention to the state of their arms and ammunition, the placing of

their horses at night, the position of their camping ground, and the posting of their night watches. The Indian

is a vigilant and crafty foe, by no means given to hairbrained assaults; he seldom attacks when he finds his

foe well prepared and on the alert. Caution is at least as efficacious a protection against him as courage.

The Indians who made this attack were at first supposed to be Blackfeet; until Captain Bonneville found

subsequently, in the camp of the Bannecks, a horse, saddle, and bridle, which he recognized as having

belonged to one of the hunters. The Bannecks, however, stoutly denied having taken these spoils in fight, and

persisted in affirming that the outrage had been perpetrated by a Blackfoot band.

Captain Bonneville remained on Snake River nearly three weeks after the arrival of Matthieu and his party.

At length his horses having recovered strength sufficient for a journey, he prepared to return to the Nez

Perces, or rather to visit his caches on Salmon River; that he might take thence goods and equipments for the

opening season. Accordingly, leaving sixteen men at Snake River, he set out on the 19th of February with

Fording the river, he proceeded to the borders of the deep snow, when he encamped under the lee of immense

piles of burned rock. On the 21st he was again floundering through the snow, on the great Snake River plain,

where it lay to the depth of thirty inches. It was sufficiently incrusted to bear a pedestrian, but the poor horses

broke through the crust, and plunged and strained at every step. So lacerated were they by the ice that it was

necessary to change the front every hundred yards, and put a different one in advance to break the way. The

open prairies were swept by a piercing and biting wind froIn the northwest. At night, they had to task their

ingenuity to provide shelter and keep from freezing. In the first place, they dug deep holes in the snow, piling

it up in ramparts to windward as a protection against the blast. Beneath these they spread buffalo skins, upon

which they stretched themselves in full dress, with caps, cloaks, and moccasins, and covered themselves with

numerous blankets; notwithstanding all which they were often severely pinched with the cold.

On the 28th of February they arrived on the banks of Godin River. This stream emerges from the mountains

opposite an eastern branch of the Malade River, running southeast, forms a deep and swift current about

twenty yards wide, passing rapidly through a defile to which it gives its name, and then enters the great plain

where, after meandering about forty miles, it is finally lost in the region of the Burned Rocks.

On the banks of this river Captain Bonneville was so fortunate as to come upon a buffalo trail. Following it

up, he entered the defile, where he remained encamped for two days to allow the hunters time to kill and dry

a supply of buffalo beef. In this sheltered defile the weather was moderate and grass was already sprouting

more than an inch in height. There was abundance, too, of the salt weed which grows most plentiful in clayey

and gravelly barrens. It resembles pennyroyal, and derives its name from a partial saltness. It is a nourishing

food for the horses in the winter, but they reject it the moment the young grass affords sufficient pasturage.

On the 6th of March, having cured sufficient meat, the party resumed their march, and moved on with

comparative ease, excepting where they had to make their way through snowdrifts which had been piled up

On the 11th, a small cloud of smoke was observed rising in a deep part of the defile. An encampment was

instantly formed and scouts were sent out to reconnoitre. They returned with intelligence that it was a hunting

party of Flatheads, returning from the buffalo range laden with meat. Captain Bonneville joined them the next

day, and persuaded them to proceed with his party a few miles below to the caches, whither he proposed also

to invite the Nez Perces, whom he hoped to find somewhere in this neighborhood. In fact, on the 13th, he was

rejoined by that friendly tribe who, since he separated from them on Salmon River, had likewise been out to

hunt the buffalo, but had continued to be haunted and harassed by their old enemies the Blackfeet, who, as

In the course of this hunting expedition, a small band of ten lodges separated from the main body in search of

better pasturage for their horses. About the 1st of March, the scattered parties of Blackfoot banditti united to

the number of three hundred fighting men, and determined upon some signal blow. Proceeding to the former

camping ground of the Nez Perces, they found the lodges deserted; upon which they hid themselves among

the willows and thickets, watching for some straggler who might guide them to the present "whereabout" of

their intended victims. As fortune would have it Kosato, the Blackfoot renegade, was the first to pass along,

accompanied by his bloodbought bride. He was on his way from the main body of hunters to the little band

of ten lodges. The Blackfeet knew and marked him as he passed; he was within bowshot of their ambuscade;

yet, much as they thirsted for his blood, they forbore to launch a shaft; sparing him for the moment that he

might lead them to their prey. Secretly following his trail, they discovered the lodges of the unfortunate Nez

Perces, and assailed them with shouts and yellings. The Nez Perces numbered only twenty men, and but nine

were armed with fusees. They showed themselves, however, as brave and skilful in war as they had been mild

and longsuffering in peace. Their first care was to dig holes inside of their lodges; thus ensconced they

fought desperately, laying several of the enemy dead upon the ground; while they, though Some of them were

During the heat of the battle, a woman of the Nez Perces, seeing her warrior badly wounded and unable to

fight, seized his bow and arrows, and bravely and successfully defended his person, contributing to the safety

In another part of the field of action, a Nez Perce had crouched behind the trunk of a fallen tree, and kept up a

galling fire from his covert. A Blackfoot seeing this, procured a round log, and placing it before him as he lay

prostrate, rolled it forward toward the trunk of the tree behind which his enemy lay crouched. It was a

moment of breathless interest; whoever first showed himself would be in danger of a shot. The Nez Perce put

an end to the suspense. The moment the logs touched he Sprang upon his feet and discharged the contents of

his fusee into the back of his antagonist. By this time the Blackfeet had got possession of the horses, several

of their warriors lay dead on the field, and the Nez Perces, ensconced in their lodges, seemed resolved to

defend themselves to the last gasp. It so happened that the chief of the Blackfeet party was a renegade from

the Nez Perces; unlike Kosato, however, he had no vindictive rage against his native tribe, but was rather

disposed, now he had got the booty, to spare all unnecessary effusion of blood. He held a long parley,

therefore, with the besieged, and finally drew off his warriors, taking with him seventy horses. It appeared,

afterward, that the bullets of the Blackfeet had been entirely expended in the course of the battle, so that they

At the outset of the fight Kosato, the renegade, fought with fury rather than valor, animating the others by

word as well as deed. A wound in the head from a rifle ball laid him senseless on the earth. There his body

remained when the battle was over, and the victors were leading off the horses. His wife hung over him with

frantic lamentations. The conquerors paused and urged her to leave the lifeless renegade, and return with

them to her kindred. She refused to listen to their solicitations, and they passed on. As she sat watching the

features of Kosato, and giving way to passionate grief, she thought she perceived him to breathe. She was not

mistaken. The ball, which had been nearly spent before it struck him, had stunned instead of killing him. By

the ministry of his faithful wife he gradually recovered, reviving to a redoubled love for her, and hatred of his

As to the female who had so bravely defended her husband, she was elevated by the tribe to a rank far above

her sex, and beside other honorable distinctions, was thenceforward permitted to take a part in the war dances

CAPTAIN BONNEVILLE found his caches perfectly secure, and having secretly opened them he selected

such articles as were necessary to equip the free trappers and to supply the inconsiderable trade with the

Indians, after which he closed them again. The free trappers, being newly rigged out and supplied, were in

high spirits, and swaggered gayly about the camp. To compensate all hands for past sufferings, and to give a

cheerful spur to further operations, Captain Bonneville now gave the men what, in frontier phrase, is termed

"a regular blowout." It was a day of uncouth gambols and frolics and rude feasting. The Indians joined in

It was now the middle of March, and Captain Bonneville made preparations to open the spring campaign. He

had pitched upon Malade River for his main trapping ground for the season. This is a stream which rises

among the great bed of mountains north of the Lava Plain, and after a winding course falls into Snake River.

Previous to his departure the captain dispatched Mr. Cerre, with a few men, to visit the Indian villages and

purchase horses; he furnished his clerk, Mr. Hodgkiss, also, with a small stock of goods, to keep up a trade

with the Indians during the spring, for such peltries as they might collect, appointing the caches on Salmon

River as the point of rendezvous, where they were to rejoin him on the 15th of June following.

This done he set out for Malade River, with a band of twentyeight men composed of hired and free trappers

and Indian hunters, together with eight squaws. Their route lay up along the right fork of Salmon River, as it

passes through the deep defile of the mountains. They travelled very slowly, not above five miles a day, for

many of the horses were so weak that they faltered and staggered as they walked. Pasturage, however, was

now growing plentiful. There was abundance of fresh grass, which in some places had attained such height as

to wave in the wind. The native flocks of the wilderness, the mountain sheep, as they are called by the

trappers, were continually to be seen upon the hills between which they passed, and a good supply of mutton

was provided by the hunters, as they were advancing toward a region of scarcity.

In the course of his journey Captain Bonneville had occasion to remark an instance of the many notions, and

almost superstitions, which prevail among the Indians, and among some of the white men, with respect to the

sagacity of the beaver. The Indian hunters of his party were in the habit of exploring all the streams along

which they passed, in search of "beaver lodges," and occasionally set their traps with some success. One of

them, however, though an experienced and skilful trapper, was invariably unsuccessful. Astonished and

mortified at such unusual bad luck, he at length conceived the idea that there was some odor about his person

of which the beaver got scent and retreated at his approach. He immediately set about a thorough purification.

Making a rude sweatinghouse on the banks of the river, he would shut himself up until in a reeking

perspiration, and then suddenly emerging, would plunge into the river. A number of these sweatings and

plungings having, as he supposed, rendered his person perfectly "inodorous," he resumed his trapping with

About the beginning of April they encamped upon Godin's River, where they found the swamp full of

"muskrat houses." Here, therefore, Captain Bonneville determined to remain a few days and make his first

regular attempt at trapping. That his maiden campaign might open with spirit, he promised the Indians and

free trappers an extra price for every muskrat they should take. All now set to work for the next day's sport.

The utmost animation and gayety prevailed throughout the camp. Everything looked auspicious for their

spring campaign. The abundance of muskrats in the swamp was but an earnest of the nobler game they were

to find when they should reach the Malade River, and have a capital beaver country all to themselves, where

In the midst of their gayety a hunter came galloping into the camp, shouting, or rather yelling, "A trail! a

These were words full of meaning to a trapper's ear. They intimated that there was some band in the

neighborhood, and probably a hunting party, as they had lodge poles for an encampment. The hunter came up

and told his story. He had discovered a fresh trail, in which the traces made by the dragging of lodge poles

were distinctly visible. The buffalo, too, had just been driven out of the neighborhood, which showed that the

The gayety of the camp was at an end; all preparations for muskrat trapping were suspended, and all hands

sallied forth to examine the trail. Their worst fears were soon confirmed. Infallible signs showed the

unknown party in the advance to be white men; doubtless, some rival band of trappers! Here was competition

when least expected; and that too by a party already in the advance, who were driving the game before them.

Captain Bonneville had now a taste of the sudden transitions to which a trapper's life is subject. The buoyant

confidence in an uninterrupted hunt was at an end; every countenance lowered with gloom and

Captain Bonneville immediately dispatched two spies to overtake the rival party, and endeavor to learn their

plans; in the meantime, he turned his back upon the swamp and its muskrat houses and followed on at "long

camps, which in trapper's language is equivalent to long stages. On the 6th of April he met his spies

returning. They had kept on the trail like hounds until they overtook the party at the south end of Godin's

defile. Here they found them comfortably encamped: twentytwo prime trappers, all well appointed, with

excellent horses in capital condition led by Milton Sublette, and an able coadjutor named Jarvie, and in full

march for the Malade hunting ground. This was stunning news. The Malade River was the only trapping

ground within reach; but to have to compete there with veteran trappers, perfectly at home among the

mountains, and admirably mounted, while they were so poorly provided with horses and trappers, and had but

The only hope that now remained was that the snow, which still lay deep among the mountains of Godin's

River and blocked up the usual pass to the Malade country, might detain the other party until Captain

Bonneville's horses should get once more into good condition in their present ample pasturage.

The rival parties now encamped together, not out of companionship, but to keep an eye upon each other. Day

after day passed by without any possibility of getting to the Malade country. Sublette and Jarvie endeavored

to force their way across the mountain; but the snows lay so deep as to oblige them to turn back. In the

meantime the captain's horses were daily gaining strength, and their hoofs improving, which had been worn

and battered by mountain service. The captain, also was increasing his stock of provisions; so that the delay

To any one who merely contemplates a map of the country this difficulty of getting from Godin to Malade

River will appear inexplicable, as the intervening mountains terminate in the great Snake River plain, so that,

Here, however, occur some of the striking phenomena of this wild and sublime region. The great lower plain

which extends to the feet of these mountains is broken up near their bases into crests, and ridges resembling

In a line with the mountains the plain is gashed with numerous and dangerous chasms, from four to ten feet

wide, and of great depth. Captain Bonneville attempted to sound some of these openings, but without any

satisfactory result. A stone dropped into one of them reverberated against the sides for apparently a very great

depth, and, by its sound, indicated the same kind of substance with the surface, as long as the strokes could be

heard. The horse, instinctively sagacious in avoiding danger, shrinks back in alarm from the least of these

chasms, pricking up his ears, snorting and pawing, until permitted to turn away.

We have been told by a person well acquainted with the country that it is sometimes necessary to travel fifty

and sixty miles to get round one of these tremendous ravines. Considerable streams, like that of Godin's

River, that run with a bold, free current, lose themselves in this plain; some of them end in swamps, others

Opposite to these chasms Snake River makes two desperate leaps over precipices, at a short distance from

The volcanic plain in question forms an area of about sixty miles in diameter, where nothing meets the eye

but a desolate and awful waste; where no grass grows nor water runs, and where nothing is to be seen but

lava. Ranges of mountains skirt this plain, and, in Captain Bonneville's opinion, were formerly connected,

until rent asunder by some convulsion of nature. Far to the east the Three Tetons lift their heads sublimely,

and dominate this wide sea of lava one of the most striking features of a wilderness where everything

We look forward with impatience for some able geologist to explore this sublime but almost unknown region.

It was not until the 25th of April that the two parties of trappers broke up their encampments, and undertook

to cross over the southwest end of the mountain by a pass explored by their scouts. From various points of the

mountain they commanded boundless prospects of the lava plain, stretching away in cold and gloomy

barrenness as far as the eye could reach. On the evening of the 26th they reached the plain west of the

mountain, watered by the Malade, the Boisee, and other streams, which comprised the contemplated

The country about the Boisee (or Woody) River is extolled by Captain Bonneville as the most enchanting he

had seen in the Far West, presenting the mingled grandeur and beauty of mountain and plain, of bright

We shall not follow the captain throughout his trapping campaign, which lasted until the beginning of June,

nor detail all the manoeuvres of the rival trapping parties and their various schemes to outwit and outtrap

each other. Suffice it to say that, after having visited and camped about various streams with varying success,

Captain Bonneville set forward early in June for the appointed rendezvous at the caches. On the way, he

treated his party to a grand buffalo hunt. The scouts had re ported numerous herds in a plain beyond an

intervening height. There was an immediate halt; the fleetest horses were forthwith mounted and the party

advanced to the summit of the hill. Hence they beheld the great plain below; absolutely swarming with

buffalo. Captain Bonneville now appointed the place where he would encamp; and toward which the hunters

were to drive the game. He cautioned the latter to advance slowly, reserving the strength and speed of the

horses until within a moderate distance of the herds. Twentytwo horsemen descended cautiously into the

plain, conformably to these directions. ""It was a beautiful sight," says the captain, ""to see the runners, as

they are called, advancing in column, at a slow trot, until within two hundred and fifty yards of the outskirts

of the herd, then dashing on at full speed until lost in the immense multitude of buffaloes scouring the plain

in every direction." All was now tumult and wild confusion. In the meantime Captain Bonneville and the

residue of the party moved on to the appointed camping ground; thither the most expert runners succeeded in

driving numbers of buffalo, which were killed hard by the camp, and the flesh transported thither without

difficulty. In a little while the whole camp looked like one great slaughterhouse; the carcasses were skilfully

cut up, great fires were made, scaffolds erected for drying and jerking beef, and an ample provision was made

for future subsistence. On the 15th of June, the precise day appointed for the rendezvous, Captain Bonneville

Here he was joined by the other detachments of his main party, all in good health and spirits. The caches

were again opened, supplies of various kinds taken out, and a liberal allowance of aqua vitae distributed

HAVING now a pretty strong party, well armed and equipped, Captain Bonneville no longer felt the

necessity of fortifying himself in the secret places and fastnesses of the mountains; but sallied forth boldly

into the Snake River plain, in search of his clerk, Hodgkiss, who had remained with the Nez Perces. He found

him on the 24th of June, and learned from him another chapter of misfortunes which had recently befallen

After the departure of Captain Bonneville in March, Kosato, the renegade Blackfoot, had recovered from the

wound received in battle; and with his strength revived all his deadly hostility to his native tribe. He now

resumed his efforts to stir up the Nez Perces to reprisals upon their old enemies; reminding them incessantly

of all the outrages and robberies they had recently experienced, and assuring them that such would continue

The impassioned eloquence of the desperado at length produced an effect; and a band of braves enlisted

under his guidance, to penetrate into the Blackfoot country, harass their Villages, carry off their horses, and

Kosato pushed forward on his foray as far as the Horse Prairie, where he came upon a strong party of

Blackfeet. Without waiting to estimate their force, he attacked them with characteristic fury, and was bravely

seconded by his followers. The contest, for a time, was hot and bloody; at length, as is customary with these

"What need," said the Blackfoot chief, tauntingly, "have the Nez Perces to leave their homes, and sally forth

on war parties, when they have danger enough at their own doors? If you want fighting, return to your

villages; you will have plenty of it there. The Blackfeet warriors have hitherto made war upon you as

children. They are now coming as men. A great force is at hand; they are on their way to your towns, and are

determined to rub out the very name of the Nez Perces from the mountains. Return, I say, to your towns, and

Kosato took him at his word; for he knew the character of his native tribe. Hastening back with his band to

the Nez Perces village, he told all that he had seen and heard, and urged the most prompt and strenuous

measures for defence. The Nez Perces, however, heard him with their accustomed phlegm; the threat of the

Blackfeet had been often made, and as often had proved a mere bravado; such they pronounced it to be at

They were soon convinced that it was no empty menace. In a few days a band of three hundred Blackfeet

warriors appeared upon the hills. All now was consternation in the village. The force of the Nez Perces was

too small to cope with the enemy in open fight; many of the young men having gone to their relatives on the

Columbia to procure horses. The sages met in hurried council. What was to be done to ward off a blow which

threatened annihilation? In this moment of imminent peril, a Piercednose chief, named Blue John by the

whites, offered to approach secretly with a small, but chosen band, through a defile which led to the

encampment of the enemy, and, by a sudden onset, to drive off the horses. Should this blow be successful, the

spirit and strength of the invaders would be broken, and the Nez Perces, having horses, would be more than a

match for them. Should it fail, the village would not be worse off than at present, when destruction appeared

Twentynine of the choicest warriors instantly volunteered to follow Blue John in this hazardous enterprise.

They prepared for it with the solemnity and devotion peculiar to the tribe. Blue John consulted his medicine,

or talismanic charm, such as every chief keeps in his lodge as a supernatural protection. The oracle assured

him that his enterprise would be completely successful, provided no rain should fall before he had passed

The day was clear and bright; and Blue John anticipated that the skies would be propitious. He departed in

high spirits with his forlorn hope; and never did band of braves make a more gallant displayhorsemen and

horses being decorated and equipped in the fiercest and most glaring style glittering with arms and

The weather continued serene until they reached the defile; but just as they were entering it a black cloud rose

over the mountain crest, and there was a sudden shower. The warriors turned to their leader, as if to read his

opinion of this unlucky omen; but the countenance of Blue John remained unchanged, and they continued to

press forward. It was their hope to make their way undiscovered to the very vicinity of the Blackfoot camp;

but they had not proceeded far in the defile, when they met a scouting party of the enemy. They attacked and

drove them among the hills, and were pursuing them with great eagerness when they heard shouts and yells

The second chief wavered a little at the sight and proposed an instant retreat. "We came to fight!" replied

Blue John, sternly. Then giving his warwhoop, he sprang forward to the conflict. His braves followed him.

They made a headlong charge upon the enemy; not with the hope of victory, but the determination to sell

their lives dearly. A frightful carnage, rather than a regular battle, succeeded. The forlorn band laid heaps of

their enemies dead at their feet, but were overwhelmed with numbers and pressed into a gorge of the

mountain; where they continued to fight until they were cut to pieces. One only, of the thirty, survived. He

sprang on the horse of a Blackfoot warrior whom he had slain, and escaping at full speed, brought home the

Who can paint the horror and desolation of the inhabitants? The flower of their warriors laid low, and a

ferocious enemy at their doors. The air was rent by the shrieks and lamentations of the women, who, casting

off their ornaments and tearing their hair, wandered about, frantically bewailing the dead and predicting

destruction to the living. The remaining warriors armed themselves for obstinate defence; but showed by their

gloomy looks and sullen silence that they considered defence hopeless. To their surprise the Blackfeet

refrained from pursuing their advantage; perhaps satisfied with the blood already shed, or disheartened by the

loss they had themselves sustained. At any rate, they disappeared from the hills, and it was soon ascertained

The unfortunate Nez Perces now began once more to breathe. A few of their warriors, taking packhorses,

repaired to the defile to bring away the bodies of their slaughtered brethren. They found them mere headless

trunks; and the wounds with which they were covered showed how bravely they had fought. Their hearts, too,

had been torn out and carried off; a proof of their signal valor; for in devouring the heart of a foe renowned

for bravery, or who has distinguished himself in battle, the Indian victor thinks he appropriates to himself the

Gathering the mangled bodies of the slain, and strapping them across their packhorses, the warriors

returned, in dismal procession, to the village. The tribe came forth to meet them; the women with piercing

cries and wailings; the men with downcast countenances, in which gloom and sorrow seemed fixed as if in

marble. The mutilated and almost undistinguishable bodies were placed in rows upon the ground, in the midst

of the assemblage; and the scene of heartrending anguish and lamentation that ensued would have

Such was the disastrous event that had overwhelmed the Nez Perces tribe during the absence of Captain

Bonneville; and he was informed that Kosato, the renegade, who, being stationed in the village, had been

prevented from going on the forlorn hope, was again striving to rouse the vindictive feelings of his adopted

During his sojourn on the Snake River plain, Captain Bonneville made one of his first essays at the strategy

of the fur trade. There was at this time an assemblage of Nez Perces, Flatheads, and Cottonois Indians

encamped together upon the plain; well provided with beaver, which they had collected during the spring.

These they were waiting to traffic with a resident trader of the Hudson's Bay Company, who was stationed

among them, and with whom they were accustomed to deal. As it happened, the trader was almost entirely

destitute of Indian goods; his spring supply not having yet reached him. Captain Bonneville had secret

intelligence that the supplies were on their way, and would soon arrive; he hoped, however, by a prompt

move, to anticipate their arrival, and secure the market to himself. Throwing himself, therefore, among the

Indians, he opened his packs of merchandise and displayed the most tempting wares: bright cloths, and

scarlet blankets, and glittering ornaments, and everything gay and glorious in the eyes of warrior or squaw;

all, however, was in vain. The Hudson's Bay trader was a perfect master of his business, thoroughly

acquainted with the Indians he had to deal with, and held such control over them that none dared to act

openly in opposition to his wishes; nay, more he came nigh turning the tables upon the captain, and

shaking the allegiance of some of his free trappers, by distributing liquors among them. The latter, therefore,

was glad to give up a competition, where the war was likely to be carried into his own camp.

In fact, the traders of the Hudson's Bay Company have advantages over all competitors in the trade beyond

the Rocky Mountains. That huge monopoly centers within itself not merely its own hereditary and

longestablished power and influence; but also those of its ancient rival, but now integral part, the famous

Northwest Company. It has thus its races of traders, trappers, hunters, and voyageurs, born and brought up in

its service, and inheriting from preceding generations a knowledge and aptitude in everything connected with

Indian life, and Indian traffic. In the process of years, this company has been enabled to spread its

ramifications in every direction; its system of intercourse is founded upon a long and intimate knowledge of

the character and necessities of the various tribes; and of all the fastnesses, defiles, and favorable hunting

grounds of the country. Their capital, also, and the manner in which their supplies are distributed at various

posts, or forwarded by regular caravans, keep their traders well supplied, and enable them to furnish their

goods to the Indians at a cheap rate. Their men, too, being chiefly drawn from the Canadas, where they enjoy

great influence and control, are engaged at the most trifling wages, and supported at little cost; the provisions

which they take with them being little more than Indian corn and grease. They are brought also into the most

perfect discipline and subordination, especially when their leaders have once got them to their scene of action

These circumstances combine to give the leaders of the Hudson's Bay Company a decided advantage over all

the American companies that come within their range, so that any close competition with them is almost

Shortly after Captain Bonneville's ineffectual attempt to participate in the trade of the associated camp, the

supplies of the Hudson's Bay Company arrived; and the resident trader was enabled to monopolize the

It was now the beginning of July; in the latter part of which month Captain Bonneville had appointed a

rendezvous at Horse Creek in Green River Valley, with some of the parties which he had detached in the

preceding year. He now turned his thoughts in that direction, and prepared for the journey.

The Cottonois were anxious for him to proceed at once to their country; which, they assured him, abounded

in beaver. The lands of this tribe lie immediately north of those of the Flatheads and are open to the inroads

of the Blackfeet. It is true, the latter professed to be their allies; but they had been guilty of so many acts of

perfidy, that the Cottonois had, latterly, renounced their hollow friendship and attached themselves to the

Flatheads and Nez Perces. These they had accompanied in their migrations rather than remain alone at home,

exposed to the outrages of the Blackfeet. They were now apprehensive that these marauders would range

their country during their absence and destroy the beaver; this was their reason for urging Captain Bonneville

to make it his autumnal hunting ground. The latter, however, was not to be tempted; his engagements

required his presence at the rendezvous in Green River Valley; and he had already formed his ulterior plans.

An unexpected difficulty now arose. The free trappers suddenly made a stand, and declined to accompany

him. It was a long and weary journey; the route lay through Pierre's Hole, and other mountain passes infested

by the Blackfeet, and recently the scenes of sanguinary conflicts. They were not disposed to undertake such

unnecessary toils and dangers, when they had good and secure trapping grounds nearer at hand, on the

As these were free and independent fellows, whose will and whim were apt to be law who had the whole

wilderness before them, "where to choose," and the trader of a rival company at hand, ready to pay for their

services it was necessary to bend to their wishes. Captain Bonneville fitted them out, therefore, for the

hunting ground in question; appointing Mr. Hodgkiss to act as their partisan, or leader, and fixing a

rendezvous where he should meet them in the course of the ensuing winter. The brigade consisted of

twentyone free trappers and four or five hired men as campkeepers. This was not the exact arrangement of

a trapping party; which when accurately organized is composed of two thirds trappers whose duty leads them

continually abroad in pursuit of game; and one third campkeepers who cook, pack, and unpack; set up the

tents, take care of the horses and do all other duties usually assigned by the Indians to their women. This part

of the service is apt to be fulfilled by French creoles from Canada and the valley of the Mississippi.

In the meantime the associated Indians having completed their trade and received their supplies, were all

ready to disperse in various directions. As there was a formidable band of Blackfeet just over a mountain to

the northeast, by which Hodgkiss and his free trappers would have to pass; and as it was known that those

sharpsighted marauders had their scouts out watching every movement of the encampments, so as to cut off

stragglers or weak detachments, Captain Bonneville prevailed upon the Nez Perces to accompany Hodgkiss

The Cottonois and the Pends Oreilles determined to move together at the same time, and to pass close under

the mountain infested by the Blackfeet; while Captain Bonneville, with his party, was to strike in an opposite

direction to the southeast, bending his course for Pierre's Hole, on his way to Green River.

Accordingly, on the 6th of July, all the camps were raised at the same moment; each party taking its separate

route. The scene was wild and picturesque; the long line of traders, trappers, and Indians, with their rugged

and fantastic dresses and accoutrements; their varied weapons, their innumerable horses, some under the

saddle, some burdened with packages, others following in droves; all stretching in lengthening cavalcades

across the vast landscape, making for different points of the plains and mountains.

AS the route of Captain Bonneville lay through what was considered the most perilous part of this region of

dangers, he took all his measures with military skill, and observed the strictest circumspection. When on the

march, a small scouting party was thrown in the advance to reconnoitre the country through which they were

to pass. The encampments were selected with great care, and a watch was kept up night and day. The horses

were brought in and picketed at night, and at daybreak a party was sent out to scour the neighborhood for half

a mile round, beating up every grove and thicket that could give shelter to a lurking foe. When all was

reported safe, the horses were cast loose and turned out to graze. Were such precautions generally observed

by traders and hunters, we should not so often hear of parties being surprised by the Indians.

Having stated the military arrangements of the captain, we may here mention a mode of defence on the open

prairie, which we have heard from a veteran in the Indian trade. When a party of trappers is on a journey with

a convoy of goods or peltries, every man has three packhorses under his care; each horse laden with three

packs. Every man is provided with a picket with an iron head, a mallet, and hobbles, or leathern fetters for the

horses. The trappers proceed across the prairie in a long line; or sometimes three parallel lines, sufficiently

distant from each other to prevent the packs from interfering. At an alarm, when there is no covert at hand,

the line wheels so as to bring the front to the rear and form a circle. All then dismount, drive their pickets into

the ground in the centre, fasten the horses to them, and hobble their forelegs, so that, in case of alarm, they

cannot break away. Then they unload them, and dispose of their packs as breastworks on the periphery of the

circle; each man having nine packs behind which to shelter himself. In this promptlyformed fortress, they

await the assault of the enemy, and are enabled to set large bands of Indians at defiance.

The first night of his march, Captain Bonneville encamped upon Henry's Fork; an upper branch of Snake

River, called after the first American trader that erected a fort beyond the mountains. About an hour after all

hands had come to a halt the clatter of hoofs was heard, and a solitary female, of the Nez Perce tribe, came

galloping up. She was mounted on a mustang or half wild horse, which she managed by a long rope hitched

round the under jaw by way of bridle. Dismounting, she walked silently into the midst of the camp, and there

The sudden and lonely apparition of this woman, and her calm yet resolute demeanor, awakened universal

curiosity. The hunters and trappers gathered round, and gazed on her as something mysterious. She remained

silent, but maintained her air of calmness and selfpossession. Captain Bonneville approached and

interrogated her as to the object of her mysterious visit. Her answer was brief but earnest "I love the

whites I will go with them." She was forthwith invited to a lodge, of which she readily took possession,

In consequence, very probably, of the military precautions of Captain Bonneville, he conducted his party in

safety through this hazardous region. No accident of a disastrous kind occurred, excepting the loss of a horse,

which, in passing along the giddy edge of a precipice, called the Cornice, a dangerous pass between Jackson's

On the 13th of July (1833), Captain Bonneville arrived at Green River. As he entered the valley, he beheld it

strewed in every direction with the carcasses of buffaloes. It was evident that Indians had recently been there,

and in great numbers. Alarmed at this sight, he came to a halt, and as soon as it was dark, sent out spies to his

place of rendezvous on Horse Creek, where he had expected to meet with his detached parties of trappers on

the following day. Early in the morning the spies made their appearance in the camp, and with them came

three trappers of one of his bands, from the rendezvous, who told him his people were all there expecting

him. As to the slaughter among the buffaloes, it had been made by a friendly band of Shoshonies, who had

fallen in with one of his trapping parties, and accompanied them to the rendezvous. Having imparted this

intelligence, the three worthies from the rendezvous broached a small keg of "alcohol," which they had

brought with them. to enliven this merry meeting. The liquor went briskly round; all absent friends were

The meeting of associated bands, who have been separated from each other on these hazardous enterprises, is

always interesting; each having its tales of perils and adventures to relate. Such was the case with the various

detachments of Captain Bonneville's company, thus brought together on Horse Creek. Here was the

detachment of fifty men which he had sent from Salmon River, in the preceding month of November, to

winter on Snake River. They had met with many crosses and losses in the course of their spring hunt, not so

much from Indians as from white men. They had come in competition with rival trapping parties, particularly

one belonging to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company; and they had long stories to relate of their manoeuvres

to forestall or distress each other. In fact, in these virulent and sordid competitions, the trappers of each party

were more intent upon injuring their rivals, than benefitting themselves; breaking each other's traps,

trampling and tearing to pieces the beaver lodges, and doing every thing in their power to mar the success of

The most lamentable tale of disasters, however, that Captain Bonneville had to hear, was from a partisan,

whom he had detached in the preceding year, with twenty men, to hunt through the outskirts of the Crow

country, and on the tributary streams of the Yellowstone; whence he was to proceed and join him in his

winter quarters on Salmon River. This partisan appeared at the rendezvous without his party, and a sorrowful

tale of disasters had he to relate. In hunting the Crow country, he fell in with a village of that tribe; notorious

rogues, jockeys, and horse stealers, and errant scamperers of the mountains. These decoyed most of his men

to desert, and carry off horses, traps, and accoutrements. When he attempted to retake the deserters, the Crow

warriors ruffled up to him and declared the deserters were their good friends, had determined to remain

among them, and should not be molested. The poor partisan, therefore, was fain to leave his vagabonds

among these birds of their own feather, and being too weak in numbers to attempt the dangerous pass across

the mountains to meet Captain Bonneville on Salmon River, he made, with the few that remained faithful to

him, for the neighborhood of Tullock's Fort, on the Yellowstone, under the protection of which he went into

He soon found out that the neighborhood of the fort was nearly as bad as the neighborhood of the Crows. His

men were continually stealing away thither, with whatever beaver skins they could secrete or lay their hands

on. These they would exchange with the hangerson of the fort for whiskey, and then revel in drunkeness and

The unlucky partisan made another move. Associating with his party a few free trappers, whom he met with

in this neighborhood, he started off early in the spring to trap on the head waters of Powder River. In the

course of the journey, his horses were so much jaded in traversing a steep mountain, that he was induced to

turn them loose to graze during the night. The place was lonely; the path was rugged; there was not the sign

of an Indian in the neighborhood; not a blade of grass that had been turned by a footstep. But who can

calculate on security in the midst of the Indian country, where the foe lurks in silence and secrecy, and seems

to come and go on the wings of the wind? The horses had scarce been turned loose, when a couple of

Arickara (or Rickaree) warriors entered the camp. They affected a frank and friendly demeanor; but their

appearance and movements awakened the suspicions of some of the veteran trappers, well versed in Indian

wiles. Convinced that they were spies sent on some sinister errand, they took them in custody, and set to

work to drive in the horses. It was too late the horses were already gone. In fact, a war party of Arickaras

had been hovering on their trail for several days, watching with the patience and perseverance of Indians, for

some moment of negligence and fancied security, to make a successful swoop. The two spies had evidently

been sent into the camp to create a diversion, while their confederates carried off the spoil.

The unlucky partisan, thus robbed of his horses, turned furiously on his prisoners, ordered them to be bound

hand and foot, and swore to put them to death unless his property were restored. The robbers, who soon

found that their spies were in captivity, now made their appearance on horseback, and held a parley. The sight

of them, mounted on the very horses they had stolen, set the blood of the mountaineers in a ferment; but it

was useless to attack them, as they would have but to turn their steeds and scamper out of the reach of

pedestrians. A negotiation was now attempted. The Arickaras offered what they considered fair terms; to

barter one horse, or even two horses, for a prisoner. The mountaineers spurned at their offer, and declared

that, unless all the horses were relinquished, the prisoners should be burnt to death. To give force to their

The parley continued; the Arickaras released one horse and then another, in earnest of their proposition;

finding, however, that nothing short of the relinquishment of all their spoils would purchase the lives of the

captives, they abandoned them to their fate, moving off with many parting words and lamentable howlings.

The prisoners seeing them depart, and knowing the horrible fate that awaited them, made a desperate effort to

escape. They partially succeeded, but were severely wounded and retaken; then dragged to the blazing pyre,

Such are the savage cruelties that white men learn to practise, who mingle in savage life; and such are the acts

that lead to terrible recrimination on the part of the Indians. Should we hear of any atrocities committed by

the Arickaras upon captive white men, let this signal and recent provocation be borne in mind. Individual

cases of the kind dwell in the recollections of whole tribes; and it is a point of honor and conscience to

The loss of his horses completed the ruin of the unlucky partisan. It was out of his power to prosecute his

hunting, or to maintain his party; the only thought now was how to get back to civilized life. At the first

watercourse, his men built canoes, and committed themselves to the stream. Some engaged themselves at

various trading establishments at which they touched, others got back to the settlements. As to the partisan,

he found an opportunity to make his way to the rendezvous at Green River Valley; which he reached in time

THE GREEN RIVER VALLEY was at this time the scene of one of those general gatherings of traders,

trappers, and Indians, that we have already mentioned. The three rival companies, which, for a year past had

been endeavoring to outtrade, outtrap and outwit each other, were here encamped in close proximity,

awaiting their annual supplies. About four miles from the rendezvous of Captain Bonneville was that of the

American Fur Company, hard by which, was that also of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.

After the eager rivalry and almost hostility displayed by these companies in their late campaigns, it might be

expected that, when thus brought in juxtaposition, they would hold themselves warily and sternly aloof from

each other, and, should they happen to come in contact, brawl and bloodshed would ensue.

No such thing! Never did rival lawyers, after a wrangle at the bar, meet with more social good humor at a

circuit dinner. The hunting season over, all past tricks and maneuvres are forgotten, all feuds and bickerings

buried in oblivion. From the middle of June to the middle of September, all trapping is suspended; for the

beavers are then shedding their furs and their skins are of little value. This, then, is the trapper's holiday,

when he is all for fun and frolic, and ready for a saturnalia among the mountains.

At the present season, too, all parties were in good humor. The year had been productive. Competition, by

threatening to lessen their profits, had quickened their wits, roused their energies, and made them turn every

favorable chance to the best advantage; so that, on assembling at their respective places of rendezvous, each

The leaders of the different companies, therefore, mingled on terms of perfect good fellowship; interchanging

visits, and regaling each other in the best style their respective camps afforded. But the rich treat for the

worthy captain was to see the "chivalry" of the various encampments, engaged in contests of skill at running,

jumping, wrestling, shooting with the rifle, and running horses. And then their rough hunters' feastings and

carousels. They drank together, they sang, they laughed, they whooped; they tried to outbrag and outlie

each other in stories of their adventures and achievements. Here the free trappers were in all their glory; they

considered themselves the "cocks of the walk," and always carried the highest crests. Now and then

familiarity was pushed too far, and would effervesce into a brawl, and a "rough and tumble" fight; but it all

The presence of the Shoshonie tribe contributed occasionally to cause temporary jealousies and feuds. The

Shoshonie beauties became objects of rivalry among some of the amorous mountaineers. Happy was the

trapper who could muster up a red blanket, a string of gay beads, or a paper of precious vermilion, with which

The caravans of supplies arrived at the valley just at this period of gallantry and good fellowship. Now

commenced a scene of eager competition and wild prodigality at the different encampments. Bales were

hastily ripped open, and their motley contents poured forth. A mania for purchasing spread itself throughout

the several bandsmunitions for war, for hunting, for gallantry, were seized upon with equal avidityrifles,

hunting knives, traps, scarlet cloth, red blankets, garish beads, and glittering trinkets, were bought at any

price, and scores run up without any thought how they were ever to be rubbed off. The free trappers,

especially, were extravagant in their purchases. For a free mountaineer to pause at a paltry consideration of

dollars and cents, in the attainment of any object that might strike his fancy, would stamp him with the mark

of the beast in the estimation of his comrades. For a trader to refuse one of these free and flourishing blades a

credit, whatever unpaid scores might stare him in the face, would be a flagrant affront scarcely to be forgiven.

Now succeeded another outbreak of revelry and extravagance. The trappers were newly fitted out and

arrayed, and dashed about with their horses caparisoned in Indian style. The Shoshonie beauties also flaunted

about in all the colors of the rainbow. Every freak of prodigality was indulged to its fullest extent, and in a

little while most of the trappers, having squandered away all their wages, and perhaps run kneedeep in debt,

During this season of folly and frolic, there was an alarm of mad wolves in the two lower camps. One or

more of these animals entered the camps for three nights successively, and bit several of the people.

Captain Bonneville relates the case of an Indian, who was a universal favorite in the lower camp. He had

been bitten by one of these animals. Being out with a party shortly afterwards, he grew silent and gloomy,

and lagged behind the rest as if he wished to leave them. They halted and urged him to move faster, but he

entreated them not to approach him, and, leaping from his horse, began to roll frantically on the earth,

gnashing his teeth and foaming at the mouth. Still he retained his senses, and warned his companions not to

come near him, as he should not be able to restrain himself from biting them. They hurried off to obtain

relief; but on their return he was nowhere to be found. His horse and his accoutrements remained upon the

spot. Three or four days afterwards a solitary Indian, believed to be the same, was observed crossing a valley,

and pursued; but he darted away into the fastnesses of the mountains, and was seen no more.

Another instance we have from a different person who was present in the encampment. One of the men of the

Rocky Mountain Fur Company had been bitten. He set out shortly afterwards in company with two white

men on his return to the settlements. In the course of a few days he showed symptoms of hydrophobia, and

became raving toward night. At length, breaking away from his companions, he rushed into a thicket of

CAPTAIN BONNEVILLE now found himself at the head of a hardy, wellseasoned and wellappointed

company of trappers, all benefited by at least one year's experience among the mountains, and capable of

protecting themselves from Indian wiles and stratagems, and of providing for their subsistence wherever

game was to be found. He had, also, an excellent troop of horses, in prime condition, and fit for hard service.

He determined, therefore, to strike out into some of the bolder parts of his scheme. One of these was to carry

his expeditions into some of the unknown tracts of the Far West, beyond what is generally termed the buffalo

range. This would have something of the merit and charm of discovery, so dear to every brave and

adventurous spirit. Another favorite project was to establish a trading post on the lower part of the Columbia

River, near the Multnomah valley, and to endeavor to retrieve for his country some of the lost trade of

The first of the above mentioned views was, at present, uppermost in his mindthe exploring of unknown

regions. Among the grand features of the wilderness about which he was roaming, one had made a vivid

impression on his mind, and been clothed by his imagination with vague and ideal charms. This is a great

lake of salt water, laving the feet of the mountains, but extending far to the westsouthwest, into one of those

vast and elevated plateaus of land, which range high above the level of the Pacific.

Captain Bonneville gives a striking account of the lake when seen from the land. As you ascend the

mountains about its shores, says he, you behold this immense body of water spreading itself before you, and

stretching further and further, in one wide and farreaching expanse, until the eye, wearied with continued

and strained attention, rests in the blue dimness of distance, upon lofty ranges of mountains, confidently

asserted to rise from the bosom of the waters. Nearer to you, the smooth and unruffled surface is studded with

little islands, where the mountain sheep roam in considerable numbers. What extent of lowland may be

encompassed by the high peaks beyond, must remain for the present matter of mere conjecture though from

the form of the summits, and the breaks which may be discovered among them, there can be little doubt that

they are the sources of streams calculated to water large tracts, which are probably concealed from view by

the rotundity of the lake's surface. At some future day, in all probability, the rich harvest of beaver fur, which

may be reasonably anticipated in such a spot, will tempt adventurers to reduce all this doubtful region to the

palpable certainty of a beaten track. At present, however, destitute of the means of making boats, the trapper

stands upon the shore, and gazes upon a promised land which his feet are never to tread.

Such is the somewhat fanciful view which Captain Bonneville gives to this great body of water. He has

evidently taken part of his ideas concerning it from the representations of others, who have somewhat

exaggerated its features. It is reported to be about one hundred and fifty miles long, and fifty miles broad. The

ranges of mountain peaks which Captain Bonneville speaks of, as rising from its bosom, are probably the

summits of mountains beyond it, which may be visible at a vast distance, when viewed from an eminence, in

the transparent atmosphere of these lofty regions. Several large islands certainly exist in the lake; one of

which is said to be mountainous, but not by any means to the extent required to furnish the series of peaks

Captain Sublette, in one of his early expeditions across the mountains, is said to have sent four men in a skin

canoe, to explore the lake, who professed to have navigated all round it; but to have suffered excessively

from thirst, the water of the lake being extremely salt, and there being no fresh streams running into it.

Captain Bonneville doubts this report, or that the men accomplished the circumnavigation, because, he says,

the lake receives several large streams from the mountains which bound it to the east. In the spring, when the

streams are swollen by rain and by the melting of the snows, the lake rises several feet above its ordinary

level during the summer, it gradually subsides again, leaving a sparkling zone of the finest salt upon its

The elevation of the vast plateau on which this lake is situated, is estimated by Captain Bonneville at one and

threefourths of a mile above the level of the ocean. The admirable purity and transparency of the

atmosphere in this region, allowing objects to be seen, and the report of firearms to be heard, at an

astonishing distance; and its extreme dryness, causing the wheels of wagons to fall in pieces, as instanced in

former passages of this work, are proofs of the great altitude of the Rocky Mountain plains. That a body of

salt water should exist at such a height is cited as a singular phenomenon by Captain Bonneville, though the

To have this lake properly explored, and all its secrets revealed, was the grand scheme of the captain for the

present year; and while it was one in which his imagination evidently took a leading part, he believed it

would be attended with great profit, from the numerous beaver streams with which the lake must be fringed.

This momentous undertaking he confided to his lieutenant, Mr. Walker, in whose experience and ability he

had great confidence. He instructed him to keep along the shores of the lake, and trap in all the streams on his

route; also to keep a journal, and minutely to record the events of his journey, and everything curious or

interesting, making maps or charts of his route, and of the surrounding country.

No pains nor expense were spared in fitting out the party, of forty men, which he was to command. They had

complete supplies for a year, and were to meet Captain Bonneville in the ensuing summer, in the valley of

Bear River, the largest tributary of the Salt Lake, which was to be his point of general rendezvous.

The next care of Captain Bonneville was to arrange for the safe transportation of the peltries which he had

collected to the Atlantic States. Mr. Robert Campbell, the partner of Sublette, was at this time in the

rendezvous of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, having brought up their supplies. He was about to set off

on his return, with the peltries collected during the year, and intended to proceed through the Crow country,

to the head of navigation on the Bighorn River, and to descend in boats down that river, the Missouri, and the

Captain Bonneville determined to forward his peltries by the same route, under the especial care of Mr.

Cerre. By way of escort, he would accompany Cerre to the point of embarkation, and then make an autumnal

BEFORE WE ACCOMPANY Captain Bonneville into the Crow country, we will impart a few facts about

this wild region, and the wild people who inhabit it. We are not aware of the precise boundaries, if there are

any, of the country claimed by the Crows; it appears to extend from the Black Hills to the Rocky Mountains,

including a part of their lofty ranges, and embracing many of the plains and valleys watered by the Wind

River, the Yellowstone, the Powder River, the Little Missouri, and the Nebraska. The country varies in soil

and climate; there are vast plains of sand and clay, studded with large red sandhills; other parts are

mountainous and picturesque; it possesses warm springs, and coal mines, and abounds with game.

But let us give the account of the country as rendered by Arapooish, a Crow chief, to Mr. Robert Campbell,

"The Crow country," said he, "is a good country. The Great Spirit has put it exactly in the right place; while

youare in it you fare well; whenever you go out of it, whichever way you travel, you fare worse.

"If you go to the south, you have to wander over great barren plains; the water is warm and bad, and you meet

"To the north it is cold; the winters are long and bitter, with no grass; you cannot keep horses there, but must

"On the Columbia they are poor and dirty, paddle about in canoes, and eat fish. Their teeth are worn out; they

"To the east, they dwell in villages; they live well; but they drink the muddy water of the Missourithat is

"About the forks of the Missouri is a fine country; good water; good grass; plenty of buffalo. In summer, it is

almost as good as the Crow country; but in winter it is cold; the grass is gone; and there is no salt weed for

"The Crow country is exactly in the right place. It has snowy mountains and sunny plains; all kinds of

climates and good things for every season. When the summer heats scorch the prairies, you can draw up

under the mountains, where the air is sweet and cool, the grass fresh, and the bright streams come tumbling

out of the snowbanks. There you can hunt the elk, the deer, and the antelope, when their skins are fit for

"In the autumn, when your horses are fat and strong from the mountain pastures, you can go down into the

plains and hunt the buffalo, or trap beaver on the streams. And when winter comes on, you can take shelter in

the woody bottoms along the rivers; there you will find buffalo meat for yourselves, and cottonwood bark

for your horses: or you may winter in the Wind River valley, where there is salt weed in abundance.

"The Crow country is exactly in the right place. Everything good is to be found there. There is no country like

We have had repeated occasions to speak of the restless and predatory habits of the Crows. They can muster

fifteen hundred fighting men, but their incessant wars with the Blackfeet, and their vagabond, predatory

In a recent work, we related the circumstance of a white man named Rose, an outlaw, and a designing

vagabond, who acted as guide and interpreter to Mr. Hunt and his party, on their journey across the

mountains to Astoria, who came near betraying them into the hands of the Crows, and who remained among

the tribe, marrying one of their women, and adopting their congenial habits. A few anecdotes of the

subsequent fortunes of that renegade may not be uninteresting, especially as they are connected with the

Rose was powerful in frame and fearless in spirit; and soon by his daring deeds took his rank among the first

braves of the tribe. He aspired to command, and knew it was only to be attained by desperate exploits. He

distinguished himself in repeated actions with Blackfeet. On one occasion, a band of those savages had

fortified themselves within a breastwork, and could not be harmed. Rose proposed to storm the work. "Who

will take the lead?" was the demand. "I!" cried he; and putting himself at their head, rushed forward. The first

Blackfoot that opposed him he shot down with his rifle, and, snatching up the warclub of his victim, killed

four others within the fort. The victory was complete, and Rose returned to the Crow village covered with

glory, and bearing five Blackfoot scalps, to be erected as a trophy before his lodge. From this time, he was

known among the Crows by the name of Chekukaats, or "the man who killed five." He became chief of the

village, or rather band, and for a time was the popular idol. His popularity soon awakened envy among the

native braves; he was a stranger, an intruder, a white man. A party seceded from his command. Feuds and

civil wars succeeded that lasted for two or three years, until Rose, having contrived to set his adopted

brethren by the ears, left them, and went down the Missouri in 1823. Here he fell in with one of the earliest

trapping expeditions sent by General Ashley across the mountains. It was conducted by Smith, Fitzpatrick,

and Sublette. Rose enlisted with them as guide and interpreter. When he got them among the Crows, he was

exceedingly generous with their goods; making presents to the braves of his adopted tribe, as became a

This, doubtless, helped to revive his popularity. In that expedition, Smith and Fitzpatrick were robbed of their

horses in Green River valley; the place where the robbery took place still bears the name of Horse Creek. We

are not informed whether the horses were stolen through the instigation and management of Rose; it is not

improbable, for such was the perfidy he had intended to practice on a former occasion toward Mr. Hunt and

The last anecdote we have of Rose is from an Indian trader. When General Atkinson made his military

expedition up the Missouri, in 1825, to protect the fur trade, he held a conference with the Crow nation, at

which Rose figured as Indian dignitary and Crow interpreter. The military were stationed at some little

distance from the scene of the "big talk"; while the general and the chiefs were smoking pipes and making

speeches, the officers, supposing all was friendly, left the troops, and drew near the scene of ceremonial.

Some of the more knowing Crows, perceiving this, stole quietly to the camp, and, unobserved, contrived to

stop the touchholes of the fieldpieces with dirt. Shortly after, a misunderstanding occurred in the

conference: some of the Indians, knowing the cannon to be useless, became insolent. A tumult arose. In the

confusion, Colonel O'Fallan snapped a pistol in the face of a brave, and knocked him down with the butt end.

The Crows were all in a fury. A chancemedley fight was on the point of taking place, when Rose, his

natural sympathies as a white man suddenly recurring, broke the stock of his fusee over the head of a Crow

warrior, and laid so vigorously about him with the barrel, that he soon put the whole throng to flight. Luckily,

as no lives had been lost, this sturdy rib roasting calmed the fury of the Crows, and the tumult ended without

What was the ultimate fate of this vagabond hero is not distinctly known. Some report him to have fallen a

victim to disease, brought on by his licentious life; others assert that he was murdered in a feud among the

Crows. After all, his residence among these savages, and the influence he acquired over them, had, for a time,

some beneficial effects. He is said, not merely to have rendered them more formidable to the Blackfeet, but to

have opened their eyes to the policy of cultivating the friendship of the white men.

After Rose's death, his policy continued to be cultivated, with indifferent success, by Arapooish, the chief

already mentioned, who had been his great friend, and whose character he had contributed to develope. This

sagacious chief endeavored, on every occasion, to restrain the predatory propensities of his tribe when

directed against the white men. "If we keep friends with them," said he, "we have nothing to fear from the

Blackfeet, and can rule the mountains." Arapooish pretended to be a great "medicine man", a character

among the Indians which is a compound of priest, doctor, prophet, and conjurer. He carried about with him a

tame eagle, as his "medicine" or familiar. With the white men, he acknowledged that this was all

charlatanism, but said it was necessary, to give him weight and influence among his people.

Mr. Robert Campbell, from whom we have most of these facts, in the course of one of his trapping

expeditions, was quartered in the village of Arapooish, and a guest in the lodge of the chieftain. He had

collected a large quantity of furs, and, fearful of being plundered, deposited but a part in the lodge of the

chief; the rest he buried in a cache. One night, Arapooish came into the lodge with a cloudy brow, and seated

himself for a time without saying a word. At length, turning to Campbell, "You have more furs with you,"

Campbell knew the uselessness of any prevarication with an Indian; and the importance of complete

" 'Tis well," replied Arapooish; "you speak straight. It is just as you say. But your cache has been robbed. Go

Campbell examined the cache, and estimated his loss to be about one hundred and fifty beaver skins.

Arapooish now summoned a meeting of the village. He bitterly reproached his people for robbing a stranger

who had confided to their honor; and commanded that whoever had taken the skins, should bring them back:

declaring that, as Campbell was his guest and inmate of his lodge, he would not eat nor drink until every skin

The meeting broke up, and every one dispersed. Arapooish now charged Campbell to give neither reward nor

thanks to any one who should bring in the beaver skins, but to keep count as they were delivered.

In a little while, the skins began to make their appearance, a few at a time; they were laid down in the lodge,

and those who brought them departed without saying a word. The day passed away. Arapooish sat in one

corner of his lodge, wrapped up in his robe, scarcely moving a muscle of his countenance. When night

arrived, he demanded if all the skins had been brought in. Above a hundred had been given up, and Campbell

expressed himself contented. Not so the Crow chieftain. He fasted all that night, nor tasted a drop of water. In

the morning, some more skins were brought in, and continued to come, one and two at a time, throughout the

day, until but a few were wanting to make the number complete. Campbell was now anxious to put an end to

this fasting of the old chief, and again declared that he was perfectly satisfied. Arapooish demanded what

number of skins were yet wanting. On being told, he whispered to some of his people, who disappeared.

After a time the number were brought in, though it was evident they were not any of the skins that had been

"When you come another time among the Crows," said he, "don't hide your goods: trust to them and they will

not wrong you. Put your goods in the lodge of a chief, and they are sacred; hide them in a cache, and any one

who finds will steal them. My people have now given up your goods for my sake; but there are some foolish

young men in the village, who may be disposed to be troublesome. Don't linger, therefore, but pack your

Campbell took his advice, and made his way safely out of the Crow country. He has ever since maintained

that the Crows are not so black as they are painted. "Trust to their honor," says he, "and you are safe: trust to

Having given these few preliminary particulars, we will resume the course of our narrative.

ON THE 25TH of July, Captain Bonneville struck his tents, and set out on his route for the Bighorn, at the

head of a party of fiftysix men, including those who were to embark with Cerre. Crossing the Green River

valley, he proceeded along the south point of the Wind River range of mountains, and soon fell upon the track

of Mr. Robert Campbell's party, which had preceded him by a day. This he pursued, until he perceived that it

led down the banks of the Sweet Water to the southeast. As this was different from his proposed direction, he

left it; and turning to the northeast, soon came upon the waters of the Popo Agie. This stream takes its rise in

the Wind River Mountains. Its name, like most Indian names, is characteristic. Popo, in the Crow language,

signifies head; and Agie, river. It is the head of a long river, extending from the south end of the Wind River

Mountains in a northeast direction, until it falls into the Yellowstone. Its course is generally through plains,

but is twice crossed by chains of mountains; the first called the Littlehorn; the second, the Bighorn. After it

has forced its way through the first chain, it is called the Horn River; after the second chain, it is called the

Bighorn River. Its passage through this last chain is rough and violent; making repeated falls, and rushing

down long and furious rapids, which threaten destruction to the navigator; though a hardy trapper is said to

have shot down them in a canoe. At the foot of these rapids, is the head of navigation; where it was the

Proceeding down along the Popo Agie, Captain Bonneville came again in full view of the "Bluffs," as they

are called, extending from the base of the Wind River Mountains far away to the east, and presenting to the

eye a confusion of hills and cliffs of red sandstone, some peaked and angular, some round, some broken into

crags and precipices, and piled up in fantastic masses; but all naked and sterile. There appeared to be no soil

favorable to vegetation, nothing but coarse gravel; yet, over all this isolated, barren landscape, were diffused

such atmospherical tints and hues, as to blend the whole into harmony and beauty.

In this neighborhood, the captain made search for "the great Tar Spring," one of the wonders of the

mountains; the medicinal properties of which, he had heard extravagantly lauded by the trappers. After a

toilsome search, he found it at the foot of a sandbluff, a little east of the Wind River Mountains; where it

exuded in a small stream of the color and consistency of tar. The men immediately hastened to collect a

quantity of it, to use as an ointment for the galled backs of their horses, and as a balsam for their own pains

and aches. From the description given of it, it is evidently the bituminous oil, called petrolium or naphtha,

which forms a principal ingredient in the potent medicine called British Oil. It is found in various parts of

Europe and Asia, in several of the West India islands, and in some places of the United States. In the state of

The Crow country has other natural curiosities, which are held in superstitious awe by the Indians, and

considered great marvels by the trappers. Such is the Burning Mountain, on Powder River, abounding with

anthracite coal. Here the earth is hot and cracked; in many places emitting smoke and sulphurous vapors, as if

covering concealed fires. A volcanic tract of similar character is found on Stinking River, one of the

tributaries of the Bighorn, which takes its unhappy name from the odor derived from sulphurous springs and

streams. This last mentioned place was first discovered by Colter, a hunter belonging to Lewis and Clarke's

exploring party, who came upon it in the course of his lonely wanderings, and gave such an account of its

gloomy terrors, its hidden fires, smoking pits, noxious streams, and the allpervading "smell of brimstone,"

that it received, and has ever since retained among trappers, the name of "Colter's Hell!"

Resuming his descent along the left bank of the Popo Agie, Captain Bonneville soon reached the plains;

where he found several large streams entering from the west. Among these was Wind River, which gives its

name to the mountains among which it takes its rise. This is one of the most important streams of the Crow

country. The river being much swollen, Captain Bonneville halted at its mouth, and sent out scouts to look

for a fording place. While thus encamped, he beheld in the course of the afternoon a long line of horsemen

descending the slope of the hills on the opposite side of the Popo Agie. His first idea was that they were

Indians; he soon discovered, however, that they were white men, and, by the long line of packhorses,

ascertained them to be the convoy of Campbell, which, having descended the Sweet Water, was now on its

The two parties came together two or three days afterwards, on the 4th of August, after having passed

through the gap of the Littlehorn Mountain. In company with Campbell's convoy was a trapping party of the

Rocky Mountain Company, headed by Fitzpatrick; who, after Campbell's embarkation on the Bighorn, was to

take charge of all the horses, and proceed on a trapping campaign. There were, moreover, two chance

companions in the rival camp. One was Captain Stewart, of the British army, a gentleman of noble

connections, who was amusing himself by a wandering tour in the Far West; in the course of which, he had

lived in hunter's style; accompanying various bands of traders, trappers, and Indians; and manifesting that

The other casual inmate of Mr. Campbell's camp was Mr. Nathaniel Wyeth; the selfsame leader of the band

of New England salmon fishers, with whom we parted company in the valley of Pierre's Hole, after the battle

with the Blackfeet. A few days after that affair, he again set out from the rendezvous in company with Milton

Sublette and his brigade of trappers. On his march, he visited the battle ground, and penetrated to the deserted

fort of the Blackfeet in the midst of the wood. It was a dismal scene. The fort was strewed with the

mouldering bodies of the slain; while vultures soared aloft, or sat brooding on the trees around; and Indian

dogs howled about the place, as if bewailing the death of their masters. Wyeth travelled for a considerable

distance to the southwest, in company with Milton Sublette, when they separated; and the former, with eleven

men, the remnant of his band, pushed on for Snake River; kept down the course of that eventful stream;

traversed the Blue Mountains, trapping beaver occasionally by the way, and finally, after hardships of all

kinds, arrived, on the 29th of October, at Vancouver, on the Columbia, the main factory of the Hudson's Bay

He experienced hospitable treatment at the hands of the agents of that company; but his men, heartily tired of

wandering in the wilderness, or tempted by other prospects, refused, for the most part, to continue any longer

in his service. Some set off for the Sandwich Islands; some entered into other employ. Wyeth found, too, that

a great part of the goods he had brought with him were unfitted for the Indian trade; in a word, his expedition,

undertaken entirely on his own resources, proved a failure. He lost everything invested in it, but his hopes.

These were as strong as ever. He took note of every thing, therefore, that could be of service to him in the

further prosecution of his project; collected all the information within his reach, and then set off,

accompanied by merely two men, on his return journey across the continent. He had got thus far "by hook

and by crook," a mode in which a New England man can make his way all over the world, and through all

kinds of difficulties, and was now bound for Boston; in full confidence of being able to form a company for

The party of Mr. Campbell had met with a disaster in the course of their route from the Sweet Water. Three

or four of the men, who were reconnoitering the country in advance of the main body, were visited one night

in their camp, by fifteen or twenty Shoshonies. Considering this tribe as perfectly friendly, they received

them in the most cordial and confiding manner. In the course of the night, the man on guard near the horses

fell sound asleep; upon which a Shoshonie shot him in the head, and nearly killed him. The savages then

made off with the horses, leaving the rest of the party to find their way to the main body on foot.

The rival companies of Captain Bonneville and Mr. Campbell, thus fortuitously brought together, now

prosecuted their journey in great good fellowship; forming a joint camp of about a hundred men. The captain,

however, began to entertain doubts that Fitzpatrick and his trappers, who kept profound silence as to their

future movements, intended to hunt the same grounds which he had selected for his autumnal campaign;

which lay to the west of the Horn River, on its tributary streams. In the course of his march, therefore, he

secretly detached a small party of trappers, to make their way to those hunting grounds, while he continued

on with the main body; appointing a rendezvous, at the next full moon, about the 28th of August, at a place

On reaching the second chain, called the Bighorn Mountains, where the river forced its impetuous way

through a precipitous defile, with cascades and rapids, the travellers were obliged to leave its banks, and

traverse the mountains by a rugged and frightful route, emphatically called the "Bad Pass." Descending the

opposite side, they again made for the river banks; and about the middle of August, reached the point below

the rapids where the river becomes navigable for boats. Here Captain Bonneville detached a second party of

trappers, consisting of ten men, to seek and join those whom he had detached while on the route; appointing

All hands now set to work to construct "bull boats," as they are technically called; a light, fragile kind of

bark, characteristic of the expedients and inventions of the wilderness; being formed of buffalo skins,

stretched on frames. They are sometimes, also, called skin boats. Wyeth was the first ready; and, with his

usual promptness and hardihood, launched his frail bark, singly, on this wild and hazardous voyage, down an

almost interminable succession of rivers, winding through countries teeming with savage hordes. Milton

Sublette, his former fellow traveller, and his companion in the battle scenes of Pierre's Hole, took passage in

his boat. His crew consisted of two white men, and two Indians. We shall hear further of Wyeth, and his wild

The remaining parties soon completed their several armaments. That of Captain Bonneville was composed of

three bull boats, in which he embarked all his peltries, giving them in charge of Mr. Cerre, with a party of

thirtysix men. Mr. Campbell took command of his own boats, and the little squadrons were soon gliding

The secret precautions which Captain Bonneville had taken to throw his men first into the trapping ground

west of the Bighorn, were, probably, superfluous. It did not appear that Fitzpatrick had intended to hunt in

that direction. The moment Mr. Campbell and his men embarked with the peltries, Fitzpatrick took charge of

all the horses, amounting to above a hundred, and struck off to the east, to trap upon Littlehorn, Powder, and

Tongue rivers. He was accompanied by Captain Stewart, who was desirous of having a range about the Crow

country. Of the adventures they met with in that region of vagabonds and horse stealers, we shall have

Captain Bonneville being now left to prosecute his trapping campaign without rivalry, set out, on the 17th of

August, for the rendezvous at Medicine Lodge. He had but four men remaining with him, and fortysix

horses to take care of; with these he had to make his way over mountain and plain, through a marauding,

horsestealing region, full of peril for a numerous cavalcade so slightly manned. He addressed himself to his

In the afternoon of his first day's journey, on drawing near to the Bighorn Mountain, on the summit of which

he intended to encamp for the night, he observed, to his disquiet, a cloud of smoke rising from its base. He

came to a halt, and watched it anxiously. It was very irregular; sometimes it would almost die away; and then

would mount up in heavy volumes. There was, apparently, a large party encamped there; probably, some

ruffian horde of Blackfeet. At any rate, it would not do for so small a number of men, with so numerous a

cavalcade, to venture within sight of any wandering tribe. Captain Bonneville and his companions, therefore,

avoided this dangerous neighborhood; and, proceeding with extreme caution, reached the summit of the

mountain, apparently without being discovered. Here they found a deserted Blackfoot fort, in which they

ensconced themselves; disposed of every thing as securely as possible, and passed the night without

molestation. Early the next morning they descended the south side of the mountain into the great plain

extending between it and the Littlehorn range. Here they soon came upon numerous footprints, and the

carcasses of buffaloes; by which they knew there must be Indians not far off. Captain Bonneville now began

to feel solicitude about the two small parties of trappers which he had detached, lest the Indians should have

come upon them before they had united their forces. But he felt still more solicitude about his own party; for

it was hardly to be expected he could traverse these naked plains undiscovered, when Indians were abroad;

and should he be discovered, his chance would be a desperate one. Everything now depended upon the

greatest circumspection. It was dangerous to discharge a gun, or light a fire, or make the least noise, where

such quickeared and quicksighted enemies were at hand. In the course of the day they saw indubitable

signs that the buffalo had been roaming there in great numbers, and had recently been frightened away. That

night they encamped with the greatest care; and threw up a strong breastwork for their protection.

For the two succeeding days they pressed forward rapidly, but cautiously, across the great plain; fording the

tributary streams of the Horn River; encamping one night among thickets; the next, on an island; meeting,

repeatedly, with traces of Indians; and now and then, in passing through a defile, experiencing alarms that

On the last day of their march hunger got the better of their caution, and they shot a fine buffalo bull at the

risk of being betrayed by the report. They did not halt to make a meal, but carried the meat on with them to

the place of rendezvous, the Medicine Lodge, where they arrived safely, in the evening, and celebrated their

The next morning they erected a strong pen for the horses, and a fortress of logs for themselves; and

continued to observe the greatest caution. Their cooking was all done at midday, when the fire makes no

glare, and a moderate smoke cannot be perceived at any great distance. In the morning and the evening, when

the wind is lulled, the smoke rises perpendicularly in a blue column, or floats in light clouds above the

In this way the little party remained for several days, cautiously encamped, until, on the 29th of August, the

two detachments they had been expecting, arrived together at the rendezvous. They, as usual, had their

several tales of adventures to relate to the captain, which we will furnish to the reader in the next chapter.

THE ADVENTURES of the detachment of ten are the first in order. These trappers, when they separated

from Captain Bonneville at the place where the furs were embarked, proceeded to the foot of the Bighorn

Mountain, and having encamped, one of them mounted his mule and went out to set his trap in a neighboring

stream. He had not proceeded far when his steed came to a full stop. The trapper kicked and cudgelled, but to

every blow and kick the mule snorted and kicked up, but still refused to budge an inch. The rider now cast his

eyes warily around in search of some cause for this demur, when, to his dismay, he discovered an Indian fort

within gunshot distance, lowering through the twilight. In a twinkling he wheeled about; his mule now

seemed as eager to get on as himself, and in a few moments brought him, clattering with his traps, among his

comrades. He was jeered at for his alacrity in retreating; his report was treated as a false alarm; his brother

trappers contented themselves with reconnoitring the fort at a distance, and pronounced that it was deserted.

As night set in, the usual precaution, enjoined by Captain Bonneville on his men, was observed. The horses

were brought in and tied, and a guard stationed over them. This done, the men wrapped themselves in their

blankets, stretched themselves before the fire, and being fatigued with a long day's march, and gorged with a

The camp fires gradually died away; all was dark and silent; the sentinel stationed to watch the horses had

marched as far, and supped as heartily as any of his companions, and while they snored, he began to nod at

his post. After a time, a low trampling noise reached his ear. He half opened his closing eyes, and beheld two

or three elks moving about the lodges, picking, and smelling, and grazing here and there. The sight of elk

within the purlieus of the camp caused some little surprise; but having had his supper, he cared not for elk

Suddenly, before daybreak, a discharge of firearms, and a struggle and tramp of horses, made every one start

to his feet. The first move was to secure the horses. Some were gone; others were struggling, and kicking, and

trembling, for there was a horrible uproar of whoops, and yells, and firearms. Several trappers stole quietly

from the camp, and succeeded in driving in the horses which had broken away; the rest were tethered still

more strongly. A breastwork was thrown up of saddles, baggage, and camp furniture, and all hands waited

anxiously for daylight. The Indians, in the meantime, collected on a neighboring height, kept up the most

horrible clamor, in hopes of striking a panic into the camp, or frightening off the horses. When the day

dawned, the trappers attacked them briskly and drove them to some distance. A desultory fire was kept up for

an hour, when the Indians, seeing nothing was to be gained, gave up the contest and retired. They proved to

be a war party of Blackfeet, who, while in search of the Crow tribe, had fallen upon the trail of Captain

Bonneville on the Popo Agie, and dogged him to the Bighorn; but had been completely baffled by his

vigilance. They had then waylaid the present detachment, and were actually housed in perfect silence within

The savages went off uttering the wildest denunciations of hostility, mingled with opprobrious terms in

In this melee, one white man was wounded, and two horses were killed. On preparing the morning's meal,

however, a number of cups, knives, and other articles were missing, which had, doubtless, been carried off by

the fictitious elk, during the slumber of the very sagacious sentinel. As the Indians had gone off in the

direction which the trappers had intended to travel, the latter changed their route, and pushed forward rapidly

through the "Bad Pass," nor halted until night; when, supposing themselves out of the reach of the enemy,

they contented themselves with tying up their horses and posting a guard. They had scarce laid down to sleep,

when a dog strayed into the camp with a small pack of moccasons tied upon his back; for dogs are made to

carry burdens among the Indians. The sentinel, more knowing than he of the preceding night, awoke his

companions and reported the circumstance. It was evident that Indians were at hand. All were instantly at

work; a strong pen was soon constructed for the horses, after completing which, they resumed their slumbers

In the next night, the prowling of dogs about the camp, and various suspicious noises, showed that Indians

were still hovering about them. Hurrying on by long marches, they at length fell upon a trail, which, with the

experienced eye of veteran woodmen, they soon discovered to be that of the party of trappers detached by

Captain Bonneville when on his march, and which they were sent to join. They likewise ascertained from

various signs, that this party had suffered some maltreatment from the Indians. They now pursued the trail

with intense anxiety; it carried them to the banks of the stream called the Gray Bull, and down along its

course, until they came to where it empties into the Horn River. Here, to their great joy, they discovered the

comrades of whom they were in search, all strongly fortified, and in a state of great watchfulness and anxiety.

We now take up the adventures of this first detachment of trappers. These men, after parting with the main

body under Captain Bonneville, had proceeded slowly for several days up the course of the river, trapping

beaver as they went. One morning, as they were about to visit their traps, one of the campkeepers pointed to

a fine elk, grazing at a distance, and requested them to shoot it. Three of the trappers started off for the

purpose. In passing a thicket, they were fired upon by some savages in ambush, and at the same time, the

pretended elk, throwing off his hide and his horn, started forth an Indian warrior.

One of the three trappers had been brought down by the volley; the others fled to the camp, and all hands,

seizing up whatever they could carry off, retreated to a small island in the river, and took refuge among the

willows. Here they were soon joined by their comrade who had fallen, but who had merely been wounded in

In the meantime the Indians took possession of the deserted camp, with all the traps, accoutrements, and

horses. While they were busy among the spoils, a solitary trapper, who had been absent at his work, came

sauntering to the camp with his traps on his back. He had approached near by, when an Indian came forward

and motioned him to keep away; at the same moment, he was perceived by his comrades on the island, and

warned of his danger with loud cries. The poor fellow stood for a moment, bewildered and aghast, then

dropping his traps, wheeled and made off at full speed, quickened by a sportive volley which the Indians

In high good humor with their easy triumph, the savages now formed a circle round the fire and performed a

war dance, with the unlucky trappers for rueful spectators. This done, emboldened by what they considered

cowardice on the part of the white men, they neglected their usual mode of bushfighting, and advanced

openly within twenty paces of the willows. A sharp volley from the trappers brought them to a sudden halt,

and laid three of them breathless. The chief, who had stationed himself on an eminence to direct all the

movements of his people, seeing three of his warriors laid low, ordered the rest to retire. They immediately

did so, and the whole band soon disappeared behind a point of woods, carrying off with them the horses,

It was just after this misfortune that the party of ten men discovered this forlorn band of trappers in a fortress,

which they had thrown up after their disaster. They were so perfectly dismayed, that they could not be

induced even to go in quest of their traps, which they had set in a neighboring stream. The two parties now

joined their forces, and made their way, without further misfortune, to the rendezvous.

Captain Bonneville perceived from the reports of these parties, as well as from what he had observed himself

in his recent march, that he was in a neighborhood teeming with danger. Two wandering Snake Indians, also,

who visited the camp, assured him that there were two large bands of Crows marching rapidly upon him. He

broke up his encampment, therefore, on the 1st of September, made his way to the south, across the

Littlehorn Mountain, until he reached Wind River, and then turning westward, moved slowly up the banks of

that stream, giving time for his men to trap as he proceeded. As it was not in the plan of the present hunting

campaigns to go near the caches on Green River, and as the trappers were in want of traps to replace those

they had lost, Captain Bonneville undertook to visit the caches, and procure a supply. To accompany him in

this hazardous expedition, which would take him through the defiles of the Wind River Mountains, and up

the Green River valley, he took but three men; the main party were to continue on trapping up toward the

head of Wind River, near which he was to rejoin them, just about the place where that stream issues from the

HAVING FORDED WIND RIVER a little above its mouth, Captain Bonneville and his three companions

proceeded across a gravelly plain, until they fell upon the Popo Agie, up the left bank of which they held their

course, nearly in a southerly direction. Here they came upon numerous droves of buffalo, and halted for the

purpose of procuring a supply of beef. As the hunters were stealing cautiously to get within shot of the game,

two small white bears suddenly presented themselves in their path, and, rising upon their hind legs,

contemplated them for some time with a whimsically solemn gaze. The hunters remained motionless;

whereupon the bears, having apparently satisfied their curiosity, lowered themselves upon all fours, and

began to withdraw. The hunters now advanced, upon which the bears turned, rose again upon their haunches,

and repeated their seriocomic examination. This was repeated several times, until the hunters, piqued at

their unmannerly staring, rebuked it with a discharge of their rifles. The bears made an awkward bound or

two, as if wounded, and then walked off with great gravity, seeming to commune together, and every now

and then turning to take another look at the hunters. It was well for the latter that the bears were but half

The buffalo were somewhat startled at the report of the firearms; but the hunters succeeded in killing a couple

of fine cows, and, having secured the best of the meat, continued forward until some time after dark, when,

encamping in a large thicket of willows, they made a great fire, roasted buffalo beef enough for half a score,

disposed of the whole of it with keen relish and high glee, and then "turned in" for the night and slept

At daylight they were in the saddle again, and skirted along the river, passing through fresh grassy meadows,

and a succession of beautiful groves of willows and cottonwood. Toward evening, Captain Bonneville

observed a smoke at a distance rising from among hills, directly in the route he was pursuing. Apprehensive

of some hostile band, he concealed the horses in a thicket, and, accompanied by one of his men, crawled

cautiously up a height, from which he could overlook the scene of danger. Here, with a spyglass, he

reconnoitred the surrounding country, but not a lodge nor fire, not a man, horse, nor dog, was to be

discovered; in short, the smoke which had caused such alarm proved to be the vapor from several warm, or

rather hot springs of considerable magnitude, pouring forth streams in every direction over a bottom of white

clay. One of the springs was about twentyfive yards in diameter, and so deep that the water was of a bright

They were now advancing diagonally upon the chain of Wind River Mountains, which lay between them and

Green River valley. To coast round their southern points would be a wide circuit; whereas, could they force

their way through them, they might proceed in a straight line. The mountains were lofty, with snowy peaks

and cragged sides; it was hoped, however, that some practicable defile might be found. They attempted,

accordingly, to penetrate the mountains by following up one of the branches of the Popo Agie, but soon

found themselves in the midst of stupendous crags and precipices that barred all progress. Retracing their

steps, and falling back upon the river, they consulted where to make another attempt. They were too close

beneath the mountains to scan them generally, but they now recollected having noticed, from the plain, a

beautiful slope rising, at an angle of about thirty degrees, and apparently without any break, until it reached

the snowy region. Seeking this gentle acclivity, they began to ascend it with alacrity, trusting to find at the

top one of those elevated plains which prevail among the Rocky Mountains. The slope was covered with

coarse gravel, interspersed with plates of freestone. They attained the summit with some toil, but found,

instead of a level, or rather undulating plain, that they were on the brink of a deep and precipitous ravine,

from the bottom of which rose a second slope, similar to the one they had just ascended. Down into this

profound ravine they made their way by a rugged path, or rather fissure of the rocks, and then labored up the

second slope. They gained the summit only to find themselves on another ravine, and now perceived that this

vast mountain, which had presented such a sloping and even side to the distant beholder on the plain, was

shagged by frightful precipices, and seamed with longitudinal chasms, deep and dangerous.

In one of these wild dells they passed the night, and slept soundly and sweetly after their fatigues. Two days

more of arduous climbing and scrambling only served to admit them into the heart of this mountainous and

awful solitude; where difficulties increased as they proceeded. Sometimes they scrambled from rock to rock,

up the bed of some mountain stream, dashing its bright way down to the plains; sometimes they availed

themselves of the paths made by the deer and the mountain sheep, which, however, often took them to the

brinks of fearful precipices, or led to rugged defiles, impassable for their horses. At one place, they were

obliged to slide their horses down the face of a rock, in which attempt some of the poor animals lost their

In the afternoon of the second day, the travellers attained one of the elevated valleys locked up in this

singular bed of mountains. Here were two bright and beautiful little lakes, set like mirrors in the midst of

stern and rocky heights, and surrounded by grassy meadows, inexpressibly refreshing to the eye. These

probably were among the sources of those mighty streams which take their rise among these mountains, and

In the green pastures bordering upon these lakes, the travellers halted to repose, and to give their weary

horses time to crop the sweet and tender herbage. They had now ascended to a great height above the level of

the plains, yet they beheld huge crags of granite piled one upon another, and beetling like battlements far

above them. While two of the men remained in the camp with the horses, Captain Bonneville, accompanied

by the other men [man], set out to climb a neighboring height, hoping to gain a commanding prospect, and

discern some practicable route through this stupendous labyrinth. After much toil, he reached the summit of a

lofty cliff, but it was only to behold gigantic peaks rising all around, and towering far into the snowy regions

of the atmosphere. Selecting one which appeared to be the highest, he crossed a narrow intervening valley,

and began to scale it. He soon found that he had undertaken a tremendous task; but the pride of man is never

more obstinate than when climbing mountains. The ascent was so steep and rugged that he and his

companion were frequently obliged to clamber on hands and knees, with their guns slung upon their backs.

Frequently, exhausted with fatigue, and dripping with perspiration, they threw themselves upon the snow, and

took handfuls of it to allay their parching thirst. At one place, they even stripped off their coats and hung

them upon the bushes, and thus lightly clad, proceeded to scramble over these eternal snows. As they

ascended still higher, there were cool breezes that refreshed and braced them, and springing with new ardor to

Here a scene burst upon the view of Captain Bonneville, that for a time astonished and overwhelmed him

with its immensity. He stood, in fact, upon that dividing ridge which Indians regard as the crest of the world;

and on each side of which, the landscape may be said to decline to the two cardinal oceans of the globe.

Whichever way he turned his eye, it was confounded by the vastness and variety of objects. Beneath him, the

Rocky Mountains seemed to open all their secret recesses: deep, solemn valleys; treasured lakes; dreary

passes; rugged defiles, and foaming torrents; while beyond their savage precincts, the eye was lost in an

almost immeasurable landscape; stretching on every side into dim and hazy distance, like the expanse of a

summer's sea. Whichever way he looked, he beheld vast plains glimmering with reflected sunshine; mighty

streams wandering on their shining course toward either ocean, and snowy mountains, chain beyond chain,

and peak beyond peak, till they melted like clouds into the horizon. For a time, the Indian fable seemed

realized: he had attained that height from which the Blackfoot warrior, after death, first catches a view of the

land of souls, and beholds the happy hunting grounds spread out below him, brightening with the abodes of

the free and generous spirits. The captain stood for a long while gazing upon this scene, lost in a crowd of

vague and indefinite ideas and sensations. A longdrawn inspiration at length relieved him from this

enthralment of the mind, and he began to analyze the parts of this vast panorama. A simple enumeration of a

few of its features may give some idea of its collective grandeur and magnificence.

The peak on which the captain had taken his stand commanded the whole Wind River chain; which, in fact,

may rather be considered one immense mountain, broken into snowy peaks and lateral spurs, and seamed

with narrow valleys. Some of these valleys glittered with silver lakes and gushing streams; the fountain

heads, as it were, of the mighty tributaries to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Beyond the snowy peaks, to the

south, and far, far below the mountain range, the gentle river, called the Sweet Water, was seen pursuing its

tranquil way through the rugged regions of the Black Hills. In the east, the head waters of Wind River

wandered through a plain, until, mingling in one powerful current, they forced their way through the range of

Horn Mountains, and were lost to view. To the north were caught glimpses of the upper streams of the

Yellowstone, that great tributary of the Missouri. In another direction were to be seen some of the sources of

the Oregon, or Columbia, flowing to the northwest, past those towering landmarks the Three Tetons, and

pouring down into the great lava plain; while, almost at the captain's feet, the Green River, or Colorado of the

West, set forth on its wandering pilgrimage to the Gulf of California; at first a mere mountain torrent, dashing

northward over a crag and precipice, in a succession of cascades, and tumbling into the plain where,

expanding into an ample river, it circled away to the south, and after alternately shining out and disappearing

in the mazes of the vast landscape, was finally lost in a horizon of mountains. The day was calm and

cloudless, and the atmosphere so pure that objects were discernible at an astonishing distance. The whole of

this immense area was inclosed by an outer range of shadowy peaks, some of them faintly marked on the

It is to be regretted that Captain Bonneville had no instruments with him with which to ascertain the altitude

of this peak. He gives it as his opinion that it is the loftiest point of the North American continent; but of this

we have no satisfactory proof. It is certain that the Rocky Mountains are of an altitude vastly superior to what

was formerly supposed. We rather incline to the opinion that the highest peak is further to the northward, and

is the same measured by Mr. Thompson, surveyor to the Northwest Company; who, by the joint means of the

barometer and trigonometric measurement, ascertained it to be twentyfive thousand feet above the level of

For a long time, Captain Bonneville remained gazing around him with wonder and enthusiasm; at length the

chill and wintry winds, whirling about the snowclad height, admonished him to descend. He soon regained

the spot where he and his companions [companion] had thrown off their coats, which were now gladly

resumed, and, retracing their course down the peak, they safely rejoined their companions on the border of

Notwithstanding the savage and almost inaccessible nature of these mountains, they have their inhabitants.

As one of the party was out hunting, he came upon the solitary track of a man in a lonely valley. Following it

up, he reached the brow of a cliff, whence he beheld three savages running across the valley below him. He

fired his gun to call their attention, hoping to induce them to turn back. They only fled the faster, and

disappeared among the rocks. The hunter returned and reported what he had seen. Captain Bonneville at once

concluded that these belonged to a kind of hermit race, scanty in number, that inhabit the highest and most

inaccessible fastnesses. They speak the Shoshonie language, and probably are offsets from that tribe, though

they have peculiarities of their own, which distinguish them from all other Indians. They are miserably poor;

own no horses, and are destitute of every convenience to be derived from an intercourse with the whites.

Their weapons are bows and stonepointed arrows, with which they hunt the deer, the elk, and the mountain

sheep. They are to be found scattered about the countries of the Shoshonie, Flathead, Crow, and Blackfeet

tribes; but their residences are always in lonely places, and the clefts of the rocks.

Their footsteps are often seen by the trappers in the high and solitary valleys among the mountains, and the

smokes of their fires descried among the precipices, but they themselves are rarely met with, and still more

rarely brought to a parley, so great is their shyness, and their dread of strangers.

As their poverty offers no temptation to the marauder, and as they are inoffensive in their habits, they are

never the objects of warfare: should one of them, however, fall into the hands of a war party, he is sure to be

made a sacrifice, for the sake of that savage trophy, a scalp, and that barbarous ceremony, a scalp dance.

These forlorn beings, forming a mere link between human nature and the brute, have been looked down upon

with pity and contempt by the creole trappers, who have given them the appellation of "les dignes de pitie,"

or "the objects of pity."; They appear more worthy to be called the wild men of the mountains.

THE VIEW from the snowy peak of the Wind River Mountains, while it had excited Captain Bonneville's

enthusiasm, had satisfied him that it would be useless to force a passage westward, through multiplying

barriers of cliffs and precipices. Turning his face eastward, therefore, he endeavored to regain the plains,

intending to make the circuit round the southern point of the mountain. To descend, and to extricate himself

from the heart of this rockpiled wilderness, was almost as difficult as to penetrate it. Taking his course down

the ravine of a tumbling stream, the commencement of some future river, he descended from rock to rock,

and shelf to shelf, between stupendous cliffs and beetling crags that sprang up to the sky. Often he had to

cross and recross the rushing torrent, as it wound foaming and roaring down its broken channel, or was

walled by perpendicular precipices; and imminent was the hazard of breaking the legs of the horses in the

clefts and fissures of slippery rocks. The whole scenery of this deep ravine was of Alpine wildness and

sublimity. Sometimes the travellers passed beneath cascades which pitched from such lofty heights that the

water fell into the stream like heavy rain. In other places, torrents came tumbling from crag to crag, dashing

On the second day of their descent, the travellers, having got beyond the steepest pitch of the mountains,

came to where the deep and rugged ravine began occasionally to expand into small levels or valleys, and the

stream to assume for short intervals a more peaceful character. Here, not merely the river itself, but every

rivulet flowing into it, was dammed up by communities of industrious beavers, so as to inundate the

During a midday halt in one of these beaver valleys, Captain Bonneville left his companions, and strolled

down the course of the stream to reconnoitre. He had not proceeded far when he came to a beaver pond, and

caught a glimpse of one of its painstaking inhabitants busily at work upon the dam. The curiosity of the

captain was aroused, to behold the mode of operating of this farfamed architect; he moved forward,

therefore, with the utmost caution, parting the branches of the water willows without making any noise, until

having attained a position commanding a view of the whole pond, he stretched himself flat on the ground,

and watched the solitary workman. In a little while, three others appeared at the head of the dam, bringing

sticks and bushes. With these they proceeded directly to the barrier, which Captain Bonneville perceived was

in need of repair. Having deposited their loads upon the broken part, they dived into the water, and shortly

reappeared at the surface. Each now brought a quantity of mud, with which he would plaster the sticks and

bushes just deposited. This kind of masonry was continued for some time, repeated supplies of wood and

mud being brought, and treated in the same manner. This done, the industrious beavers indulged in a little

recreation, chasing each other about the pond, dodging and whisking about on the surface, or diving to the

bottom; and in their frolic, often slapping their tails on the water with a loud clacking sound. While they were

thus amusing themselves, another of the fraternity made his appearance, and looked gravely on their sports

for some time, without offering to join in them. He then climbed the bank close to where the captain was

concealed, and, rearing himself on his hind quarters, in a sitting position, put his forepaws against a young

pine tree, and began to cut the bark with his teeth. At times he would tear off a small piece, and holding it

between his paws, and retaining his sedentary position, would feed himself with it, after the fashion of a

monkey. The object of the beaver, however, was evidently to cut down the tree; and he was proceeding with

his work, when he was alarmed by the approach of Captain Bonneville's men, who, feeling anxious at the

protracted absence of their leader, were coming in search of him. At the sound of their voices, all the beavers,

busy as well as idle, dived at once beneath the surface, and were no more to be seen. Captain Bonneville

regretted this interruption. He had heard much of the sagacity of the beaver in cutting down trees, in which, it

is said, they manage to make them fall into the water, and in such a position and direction as may be most

favorable for conveyance to the desired point. In the present instance, the tree was a tall straight pine, and as

it grew perpendicularly, and there was not a breath of air stirring the beaver could have felled it in any

direction he pleased, if really capable of exercising a discretion in the matter. He was evidently engaged in

"belting" the tree, and his first incision had been on the side nearest to the water.

Captain Bonneville, however, discredits, on the whole, the alleged sagacity of the beaver in this particular,

and thinks the animal has no other aim than to get the tree down, without any of the subtle calculation as to

its mode or direction of falling. This attribute, he thinks, has been ascribed to them from the circumstance that

most trees growing near watercourses, either lean bodily toward the stream, or stretch their largest limbs in

that direction, to benefit by the space, the light, and the air to be found there. The beaver, of course, attacks

those trees which are nearest at hand, and on the banks of the stream or pond. He makes incisions round

them, or in technical phrase, belts them with his teeth, and when they fall, they naturally take the direction in

"I have often," says Captain Bonneville, "seen trees measuring eighteen inches in diameter, at the places

where they had been cut through by the beaver, but they lay in all directions, and often very inconveniently

for the after purposes of the animal. In fact, so little ingenuity do they at times display in this particular, that

at one of our camps on Snake River, a beaver was found with his head wedged into the cut which he had

Great choice, according to the captain, is certainly displayed by the beaver in selecting the wood which is to

furnish bark for winter provision. The whole beaver household, old and young, set out upon this business,

and will often make long journeys before they are suited. Sometimes they cut down trees of the largest size

and then cull the branches, the bark of which is most to their taste. These they cut into lengths of about three

feet, convey them to the water, and float them to their lodges, where they are stored away for winter. They

are studious of cleanliness and comfort in their lodges, and after their repasts, will carry out the sticks from

which they have eaten the bark, and throw them into the current beyond the barrier. They are jealous, too, of

their territories, and extremely pugnacious, never permitting a strange beaver to enter their premises, and

often fighting with such virulence as almost to tear each other to pieces. In the spring, which is the breeding

season, the male leaves the female at home, and sets off on a tour of pleasure, rambling often to a great

distance, recreating himself in every clear and quiet expanse of water on his way, and climbing the banks

occasionally to feast upon the tender sprouts of the young willows. As summer advances, he gives up his

bachelor rambles, and bethinking himself of housekeeping duties, returns home to his mate and his new

progeny, and marshals them all for the foraging expedition in quest of winter provisions.

After having shown the public spirit of this praiseworthy little animal as a member of a community, and his

amiable and exemplary conduct as the father of a family, we grieve to record the perils with which he is

Practice, says Captain Bonneville, has given such a quickness of eye to the experienced trapper in all that

relates to his pursuit, that he can detect the slightest sign of beaver, however wild; and although the lodge

may be concealed by close thickets and overhanging willows, he can generally, at a single glance, make an

accurate guess at the number of its inmates. He now goes to work to set his trap; planting it upon the shore, in

some chosen place, two or three inches below the surface of the water, and secures it by a chain to a pole set

deep in the mud. A small twig is then stripped of its bark, and one end is dipped in the "medicine," as the

trappers term the peculiar bait which they employ. This end of the stick rises about four inches above the

surface of the water, the other end is planted between the jaws of the trap. The beaver, possessing an acute

sense of smell, is soon attracted by the odor of the bait. As he raises his nose toward it, his foot is caught in

the trap. In his fright he throws a somerset into the deep water. The trap, being fastened to the pole, resists all

his efforts to drag it to the shore; the chain by which it is fastened defies his teeth; he struggles for a time, and

Upon rocky bottoms, where it is not possible to plant the pole, it is thrown into the stream. The beaver, when

entrapped, often gets fastened by the chain to sunken logs or floating timber; if he gets to shore, he is

entangled in the thickets of brook willows. In such cases, however, it costs the trapper diligent search, and

Occasionally it happens that several members of a beaver family are trapped in succession. The survivors

then become extremely shy, and can scarcely be "brought to medicine," to use the trapper's phrase for "taking

the bait." In such case, the trapper gives up the use of the bait, and conceals his traps in the usual paths and

crossing places of the household. The beaver now being completely "up to trap," approaches them cautiously,

and springs them ingeniously with a stick. At other times, he turns the traps bottom upwards, by the same

means, and occasionally even drags them to the barrier and conceals them in the mud. The trapper now gives

up the contest of ingenuity, and shouldering his traps, marches off, admitting that he is not yet "up to beaver."

On the day following Captain Bonneville's supervision of the industrious and frolicsome community of

beavers, of which he has given so edifying an account, he succeeded in extricating himself from the Wind

River Mountains, and regaining the plain to the eastward, made a great bend to the south, so as to go round

the bases of the mountains, and arrived without further incident of importance, at the old place of rendezvous

He found the caches, in which he had deposited his superfluous goods and equipments, all safe, and having

opened and taken from them the necessary supplies, he closed them again; taking care to obliterate all traces

ON THE 18TH of September, Captain Bonneville and his three companions set out, bright and early, to

rejoin the main party, from which they had parted on Wind River. Their route lay up the Green River valley,

with that stream on their right hand, and beyond it, the range of Wind River Mountains. At the head of the

valley, they were to pass through a defile which would bring them out beyond the northern end of these

mountains, to the head of Wind River; where they expected to meet the main party, according to

We have already adverted to the dangerous nature of this neighborhood, infested by roving bands of Crows

and Blackfeet; to whom the numerous defiles and passes of the country afford capital places for ambush and

surprise. The travellers, therefore, kept a vigilant eye upon everything that might give intimation of lurking

About two hours after midday, as they reached the summit of a hill, they discovered buffalo on the plain

below, running in every direction. One of the men, too, fancied he heard the report of a gun. It was

concluded, therefore, that there was some party of Indians below, hunting the buffalo.

The horses were immediately concealed in a narrow ravine; and the captain, mounting an eminence, but

concealing himself from view, reconnoitred the whole neighborhood with a telescope. Not an Indian was to

be seen; so, after halting about an hour, he resumed his journey. Convinced, however, that he was in a

dangerous neighborhood, he advanced with the utmost caution; winding his way through hollows and

ravines, and avoiding, as much as possible, any open tract, or rising ground, that might betray his little party

Arriving, at length, at the edge of the open meadowland bordering on the river, he again observed the

buffalo, as far as he could see, scampering in great alarm. Once more concealing the horses, he and his

companions remained for a long time watching the various groups of the animals, as each caught the panic

They were now about to enter the mountain defile, at the head of Green River valley, where they might be

waylaid and attacked; they, therefore, arranged the packs on their horses, in the manner most secure and

convenient for sudden flight, should such be necessary. This done, they again set forward, keeping the most

It was now drawing toward evening; but they could not think of encamping for the night, in a place so full of

danger. Captain Bonneville, therefore, determined to halt about sunset, kindle a fire, as if for encampment,

cook and eat supper; but, as soon as it was sufficiently dark, to make a rapid move for the summit of the

Accordingly, as the sun went down, the little party came to a halt, made a large fire, spitted their buffalo meat

on wooden sticks, and, when sufficiently roasted, planted the savory viands before them; cutting off huge

slices with their hunting knives, and supping with a hunter's appetite. The light of their fire would not fail, as

they knew, to attract the attention of any Indian horde in the neighborhood; but they trusted to be off and

away, before any prowlers could reach the place. While they were supping thus hastily, however, one of their

party suddenly started up and shouted "Indians! " All were instantly on their feet, with their rifles in their

hands; but could see no enemy. The man, however, declared that he had seen an Indian advancing,

cautiously, along the trail which they had made in coming to the encampment; who, the moment he was

perceived, had thrown himself on the ground, and disappeared. He urged Captain Bonneville instantly to

decamp. The captain, however, took the matter more coolly. The single fact, that the Indian had endeavored

to hide himself, convinced him that he was not one of a party, on the advance to make an attack. He was,

probably, some scout, who had followed up their trail, until he came in sight of their fire. He would, in such

case, return, and report what he had seen to his companions. These, supposing the white men had encamped

for the night, would keep aloof until very late, when all should be asleep. They would, then, according to

Indian tactics, make their stealthy approaches, and place themselves in ambush around, preparatory to their

Such was Captain Bonneville's conclusion; in consequence of which, he counselled his men to keep perfectly

quiet, and act as if free from all alarm, until the proper time arrived for a move. They, accordingly, continued

their repast with pretended appetite and jollity; and then trimmed and replenished their fire, as if for a

bivouac. As soon, however, as the night had completely set in, they left their fire blazing; walked quietly

among the willows, and then leaping into their saddles, made off as noiselessly as possible. In proportion as

they left the point of danger behind them, they relaxed in their rigid and anxious taciturnity, and began to joke

at the expense of their enemy; whom they pictured to themselves mousing in the neighborhood of their

deserted fire, waiting for the proper time of attack, and preparing for a grand disappointment.

About midnight, feeling satisfied that they had gained a secure distance, they posted one of their number to

keep watch, in case the enemy should follow on their trail, and then, turning abruptly into a dense and matted

thicket of willows, halted for the night at the foot of the mountain, instead of making for the summit, as they

A trapper in the wilderness, like a sailor on the ocean, snatches morsels of enjoyment in the midst of trouble,

and sleeps soundly when surrounded by danger. The little party now made their arrangements for sleep with

perfect calmness; they did not venture to make a fire and cook, it is true, though generally done by hunters

whenever they come to a halt, and have provisions. They comforted themselves, however, by smoking a

tranquil pipe; and then calling in the watch, and turning loose the horses, stretched themselves on their

pallets, agreed that whoever should first awake, should rouse the rest, and in a little while were all as sound

A little before day, they were all on the alert; it was the hour for Indian maraud. A sentinel was immediately

detached, to post himself at a little distance on their trail, and give the alarm, should he see or hear an enemy.

With the first blink of dawn, the rest sought the horses; brought them to the camp, and tied them up, until an

hour after sunrise; when, the sentinel having reported that all was well, they sprang once more into their

saddles, and pursued the most covert and secret paths up the mountain, avoiding the direct route.

At noon, they halted and made a hasty repast; and then bent their course so as to regain the route from which

they had diverged. They were now made sensible of the danger from which they had just escaped. There were

tracks of Indians, who had evidently been in pursuit of them; but had recently returned, baffled in their

Trusting that they had now got a fair start, and could not be overtaken before night, even in case the Indians

should renew the chase, they pushed briskly forward, and did not encamp until late; when they cautiously

Without any further alarm, they made their way to the head waters of Wind River, and reached the

neighborhood in which they had appointed the rendezvous with their companions. It was within the precincts

of the Crow country; the Wind River valley being one of the favorite haunts of that restless tribe. After much

searching, Captain Bonneville came upon a trail which had evidently been made by his main party. It was so

old, however, that he feared his people might have left the neighborhood; driven off, perhaps by some of

those war parties which were on the prowl. He continued his search with great anxiety, and no little fatigue;

for his horses were jaded, and almost crippled, by their forced marches and scramblings through rocky

On the following day, about noon, Captain Bonneville came upon a deserted camp of his people, from which

they had, evidently, turned back; but he could find no signs to indicate why they had done so; whether they

had met with misfortune, or molestation, or in what direction they had gone. He was now, more than ever,

On the following day, he resumed his march with increasing anxiety. The feet of his horses had by this time

become so worn and wounded by the rocks, that he had to make moccasons for them of buffalo hide. About

noon, he came to another deserted camp of his men; but soon after lost their trail. After great search, he once

more found it, turning in a southerly direction along the eastern bases of the Wind River Mountains, which

towered to the right. He now pushed forward with all possible speed, in hopes of overtaking the party. At

night, he slept at another of their camps, from which they had but recently departed. When the day dawned

sufficiently to distinguish objects, he perceived the danger that must be dogging the heels of his main party.

All about the camp were traces of Indians who must have been prowling about it at the time his people had

passed the night there; and who must still be hovering about them. Convinced, now, that the main party could

not be at any great distance, he mounted a scout on the best horse, and sent him forward to overtake them, to

warn them of their danger, and to order them to halt, until he should rejoin them.

In the afternoon, to his great joy, he met the scout returning, with six comrades from the main party, leading

fresh horses for his accommodation; and on the following day (September 25th), all hands were once more

reunited, after a separation of nearly three weeks. Their meeting was hearty and joyous; for they had both

The main party, in pursuing their course up the Wind River valley, had been dogged the whole way by a war

party of Crows. In one place, they had been fired upon, but without injury; in another place, one of their

horses had been cut loose, and carried off. At length, they were so closely beset, that they were obliged to

make a retrogade move, lest they should be surprised and overcome. This was the movement which had

The whole party now remained encamped for two or three days, to give repose to both men and horses. Some

of the trappers, however, pursued their vocations about the neighboring streams. While one of them was

setting his traps, he heard the tramp of horses, and looking up, beheld a party of Crow braves moving along at

no great distance, with a considerable cavalcade. The trapper hastened to conceal himself, but was discerned

by the quick eye of the savages. With whoops and yells, they dragged him from his hidingplace, flourished

over his head their tomahawks and scalpingknives, and for a time, the poor trapper gave himself up for lost.

Fortunately, the Crows were in a jocose, rather than a sanguinary mood. They amused themselves heartily,

for a while, at the expense of his terrors; and after having played off divers Crow pranks and pleasantries,

suffered him to depart unharmed. It is true, they stripped him completely, one taking his horse, another his

gun, a third his traps, a fourth his blanket, and so on, through all his accoutrements, and even his clothing,

until he was stark naked; but then they generously made him a present of an old tattered buffalo robe, and

dismissed him, with many complimentary speeches, and much laughter. When the trapper returned to the

camp, in such sorry plight, he was greeted with peals of laughter from his comrades and seemed more

mortified by the style in which he had been dismissed, than rejoiced at escaping with his life. A circumstance

which he related to Captain Bonneville, gave some insight into the cause of this extreme jocularity on the part

of the Crows. They had evidently had a run of luck, and, like winning gamblers, were in high good humor.

Among twentysix fine horses, and some mules, which composed their cavalcade, the trapper recognized a

number which had belonged to Fitzpatrick's brigade, when they parted company on the Bighorn. It was

supposed, therefore, that these vagabonds had been on his trail, and robbed him of part of his cavalry.

On the day following this affair, three Crows came into Captain Bonneville's camp, with the most easy,

innocent, if not impudent air imaginable; walking about with the imperturbable coolness and unconcern, in

which the Indian rivals the fine gentleman. As they had not been of the set which stripped the trapper, though

evidently of the same band, they were not molested. Indeed, Captain Bonneville treated them with his usual

kindness and hospitality; permitting them to remain all day in the camp, and even to pass the night there. At

the same time, however, he caused a strict watch to be maintained on all their movements; and at night,

stationed an armed sentinel near them. The Crows remonstrated against the latter being armed. This only

made the captain suspect them to be spies, who meditated treachery; he redoubled, therefore, his precautions.

At the same time, he assured his guests, that while they were perfectly welcome to the shelter and comfort of

his camp, yet, should any of their tribe venture to approach during the night, they would certainly be shot;

which would be a very unfortunate circumstance, and much to be deplored. To the latter remark, they fully

assented; and shortly afterward commenced a wild song, or chant, which they kept up for a long time, and in

which they very probably gave their friends, who might be prowling round the camp, notice that the white

men were on the alert. The night passed away without disturbance. In the morning, the three Crow guests

were very pressing that Captain Bonneville and his party should accompany them to their camp, which they

said was close by. Instead of accepting their invitation, Captain Bonneville took his departure with all

possible dispatch, eager to be out of the vicinity of such a piratical horde; nor did he relax the diligence of his

march, until, on the second day, he reached the banks of the Sweet Water, beyond the limits of the Crow

He now continued on for some few days, at a slower pace, round the point of the mountain toward Green

Here they found traces of the band of Indians who had hunted them in the defile toward the head waters of

Wind River. Having lost all trace of them on their way over the mountains, they had turned and followed

back their trail down the Green River valley to the caches. One of these they had discovered and broken open,

but it fortunately contained nothing but fragments of old iron, which they had scattered about in all

directions, and then departed. In examining their deserted camp, Captain Bonneville discovered that it

numbered thirtynine fires, and had more reason than ever to congratulate himself on having escaped the

He now turned his course southward, under cover of the mountains, and on the 25th of October reached

Liberge's Ford, a tributary of the Colorado, where he came suddenly upon the trail of this same war party,

which had crossed the stream so recently that the banks were yet wet with the water that had been splashed

upon them. To judge from their tracks, they could not be less than three hundred warriors, and apparently of

Captain Bonneville was extremely uneasy lest this overpowering force should come upon him in some place

where he would not have the means of fortifying himself promptly. He now moved toward Hane's Fork,

another tributary of the Colorado, where he encamped, and remained during the 26th of October. Seeing a

large cloud of smoke to the south, he supposed it to arise from some encampment of Shoshonies, and sent

scouts to procure information, and to purchase a lodge. It was, in fact, a band of Shoshonies, but with them

were encamped Fitzpatrick and his party of trappers. That active leader had an eventful story to relate of his

fortunes in the country of the Crows. After parting with Captain Bonneville on the banks of the Bighorn, he

made for the west, to trap upon Powder and Tongue Rivers. He had between twenty and thirty men with him,

and about one hundred horses. So large a cavalcade could not pass through the Crow country without

attracting the attention of its freebooting hordes. A large band of Crows was soon on their traces, and came

up with them on the 5th of September, just as they had reached Tongue River. The Crow chief came forward

with great appearance of friendship, and proposed to Fitzpatrick that they should encamp together. The latter,

however, not having any faith in Crows, declined the invitation, and pitched his camp three miles off. He then

rode over with two or three men, to visit the Crow chief, by whom he was received with great apparent

cordiality. In the meantime, however, a party of young braves, who considered them absolved by his distrust

from all scruples of honor, made a circuit privately, and dashed into his encampment. Captain Stewart, who

had remained there in the absence of Fitzpatrick, behaved with great spirit; but the Crows were too numerous

and active. They had got possession of the camp, and soon made booty of every thing carrying off all the

horses. On their way back they met Fitzpatrick returning to his camp; and finished their exploit by rifling and

A negotiation now took place between the plundered white men and the triumphant Crows; what eloquence

and management Fitzpatrick made use of, we do not know, but he succeeded in prevailing upon the Crow

chieftain to return him his horses and many of his traps; together with his rifles and a few rounds of

ammunition for each man. He then set out with all speed to abandon the Crow country, before he should meet

After his departure, the consciences of some of the most orthodox Crows pricked them sorely for having

suffered such a cavalcade to escape out of their hands. Anxious to wipe off so foul a stigma on the reputation

of the Crow nation, they followed on his trial, nor quit hovering about him on his march until they had stolen

a number of his best horses and mules. It was, doubtless, this same band which came upon the lonely trapper

on the Popo Agie, and generously gave him an old buffalo robe in exchange for his rifle, his traps, and all his

accoutrements. With these anecdotes, we shall, for present, take our leave of the Crow country and its

CROSSING AN ELEVATED RIDGE, Captain Bonneville now came upon Bear River, which, from its

source to its entrance into the Great Salt Lake, describes the figure of a horseshoe. One of the principal head

waters of this river, although supposed to abound with beaver, has never been visited by the trapper; rising

among rugged mountains, and being barricadoed [sic] by fallen pine trees and tremendous precipices.

Proceeding down this river, the party encamped, on the 6th of November, at the outlet of a lake about thirty

miles long, and from two to three miles in width, completely imbedded in low ranges of mountains, and

connected with Bear River by an impassable swamp. It is called the Little Lake, to distinguish it from the

On the 10th of November, Captain Bonneville visited a place in the neighborhood which is quite a region of

natural curiosities. An area of about half a mile square presents a level surface of white clay or fuller's earth,

perfectly spotless, resembling a great slab of Parian marble, or a sheet of dazzling snow. The effect is

strikingly beautiful at all times: in summer, when it is surrounded with verdure, or in autumn, when it

contrasts its bright immaculate surface with the withered herbage. Seen from a distant eminence, it then

shines like a mirror, set in the brown landscape. Around this plain are clustered numerous springs of various

sizes and temperatures. One of them, of scalding heat, boils furiously and incessantly, rising to the height of

two or three feet. In another place, there is an aperture in the earth, from which rushes a column of steam that

forms a perpetual cloud. The ground for some distance around sounds hollow, and startles the solitary

trapper, as he hears the tramp of his horse giving the sound of a muffled drum. He pictures to himself a

mysterious gulf below, a place of hidden fires, and gazes round him with awe and uneasiness.

The most noted curiosity, however, of this singular region, is the Beer Spring, of which trappers give

wonderful accounts. They are said to turn aside from their route through the country to drink of its waters,

with as much eagerness as the Arab seeks some famous well of the desert. Captain Bonneville describes it as

having the taste of beer. His men drank it with avidity, and in copious draughts. It did not appear to him to

possess any medicinal properties, or to produce any peculiar effects. The Indians, however, refuse to taste it,

We have heard this also called the Soda Spring, and described as containing iron and sulphur. It probably

The time had now arrived for Captain Bonneville to go in quest of the party of free trappers, detached in the

beginning of July, under the command of Mr. Hodgkiss, to trap upon the head waters of Salmon River. His

intention was to unite them with the party with which he was at present travelling, that all might go into

quarters together for the winter. Accordingly, on the 11th of November, he took a temporary leave of his

band, appointing a rendezvous on Snake River, and, accompanied by three men, set out upon his journey. His

route lay across the plain of the Portneuf, a tributary stream of Snake River, called after an unfortunate

Canadian trapper murdered by the Indians. The whole country through which he passed bore evidence of

volcanic convulsions and conflagrations in the olden time. Great masses of lava lay scattered about in every

direction; the crags and cliffs had apparently been under the action of fire; the rocks in some places seemed to

have been in a state of fusion; the plain was rent and split with deep chasms and gullies, some of which were

They had not proceeded far, however, before they saw a party of horsemen, galloping full tilt toward them.

They instantly turned, and made full speed for the covert of a woody stream, to fortify themselves among the

trees. The Indians came to a halt, and one of them came forward alone. He reached Captain Bonneville and

his men just as they were dismounting and about to post themselves. A few words dispelled all uneasiness. It

was a party of twentyfive Bannack Indians, friendly to the whites, and they proposed, through their envoy,

that both parties should encamp together, and hunt the buffalo, of which they had discovered several large

herds hard by. Captain Bonneville cheerfully assented to their proposition, being curious to see their manner

Both parties accordingly encamped together on a convenient spot, and prepared for the hunt. The Indians first

posted a boy on a small hill near the camp, to keep a lookout for enemies. The "runners," then, as they are

called, mounted on fleet horses, and armed with bows and arrows, moved slowly and cautiously toward the

buffalo, keeping as much as possible out of sight, in hollows and ravines. When within a proper distance, a

signal was given, and they all opened at once like a pack of hounds, with a full chorus of yells, dashing into

the midst of the herds, and launching their arrows to the right and left. The plain seemed absolutely to shake

under the tramp of the buffalo, as they scoured off. The cows in headlong panic, the bulls furious with rage,

uttering deep roars, and occasionally turning with a desperate rush upon their pursuers. Nothing could surpass

the spirit, grace, and dexterity, with which the Indians managed their horses; wheeling and coursing among

the affrighted herd, and launching their arrows with unerring aim. In the midst of the apparent confusion, they

selected their victims with perfect judgment, generally aiming at the fattest of the cows, the flesh of the bull

being nearly worthless, at this season of the year. In a few minutes, each of the hunters had crippled three or

four cows. A single shot was sufficient for the purpose, and the animal, once maimed, was left to be

completely dispatched at the end of the chase. Frequently, a cow was killed on the spot by a single arrow. In

one instance, Captain Bonneville saw an Indian shoot his arrow completely through the body of a cow, so

that it struck in the ground beyond. The bulls, however, are not so easily killed as the cows, and always cost

the hunter several arrows; sometimes making battle upon the horses, and chasing them furiously, though

The grand scamper of the hunt being over, the Indians proceeded to dispatch the animals that had been

disabled; then cutting up the carcasses, they returned with loads of meat to the camp, where the choicest

pieces were soon roasting before large fires, and a hunters' feast succeeded; at which Captain Bonneville and

his men were qualified, by previous fasting, to perform their parts with great vigor.

Some men are said to wax valorous upon a full stomach, and such seemed to be the case with the Bannack

braves, who, in proportion as they crammed themselves with buffalo meat, grew stout of heart, until, the

supper at an end, they began to chant war songs, setting forth their mighty deeds, and the victories they had

gained over the Blackfeet. Warming with the theme, and inflating themselves with their own eulogies, these

magnanimous heroes of the trencher would start up, advance a short distance beyond the light of the fire, and

apostrophize most vehemently their Blackfeet enemies, as though they had been within hearing. Ruffling, and

swelling, and snorting, and slapping their breasts, and brandishing their arms, they would vociferate all their

exploits; reminding the Blackfeet how they had drenched their towns in tears and blood; enumerate the blows

they had inflicted, the warriors they had slain, the scalps they had brought off in triumph. Then, having said

everything that could stir a man's spleen or pique his valor, they would dare their imaginary hearers, now that

the Bannacks were few in number, to come and take their revengereceiving no reply to this valorous

bravado, they would conclude by all kinds of sneers and insults, deriding the Blackfeet for dastards and

poltroons, that dared not accept their challenge. Such is the kind of swaggering and rhodomontade in which

the "red men" are prone to indulge in their vainglorious moments; for, with all their vaunted taciturnity, they

are vehemently prone at times to become eloquent about their exploits, and to sound their own trumpet.

Having vented their valor in this fierce effervescence, the Bannack braves gradually calmed down, lowered

their crests, smoothed their ruffled feathers, and betook themselves to sleep, without placing a single guard

over their camp; so that, had the Blackfeet taken them at their word, but few of these braggart heroes might

On the following morning, Captain Bonneville purchased a supply of buffalo meat from his braggadocio

friends; who, with all their vaporing, were in fact a very forlorn horde, destitute of firearms, and of almost

everything that constitutes riches in savage life. The bargain concluded, the Bannacks set off for their village,

which was situated, they said, at the mouth of the Portneuf, and Captain Bonneville and his companions

Arrived on the banks of that river, he found it rapid and boisterous, but not too deep to be forded. In

traversing it, however, one of the horses was swept suddenly from his footing, and his rider was flung from

the saddle into the midst of the stream. Both horse and horseman were extricated without any damage,

excepting that the latter was completely drenched, so that it was necessary to kindle a fire to dry him. While

they were thus occupied, one of the party looking up, perceived an Indian scout cautiously reconnoitring

them from the summit of a neighboring hill. The moment he found himself discovered, he disappeared behind

the hill. From his furtive movements, Captain Bonneville suspected him to be a scout from the Blackfeet

camp, and that he had gone to report what he had seen to his companions. It would not do to loiter in such a

neighborhood, so the kindling of the fire was abandoned, the drenched horseman mounted in dripping

condition, and the little band pushed forward directly into the plain, going at a smart pace, until they had

gained a considerable distance from the place of supposed danger. Here encamping for the night, in the midst

of abundance of sage, or wormwood, which afforded fodder for their horses, they kindled a huge fire for the

benefit of their damp comrade, and then proceeded to prepare a sumptuous supper of buffalo humps and ribs,

and other choice bits, which they had brought with them. After a hearty repast, relished with an appetite

unknown to city epicures, they stretched themselves upon their couches of skins, and under the starry canopy

They continued on their journey for several days, without any incident worthy of notice, and on the 19th of

November, came upon traces of the party of which they were in search; such as burned patches of prairie, and

deserted camping grounds. All these were carefully examined, to discover by their freshness or antiquity the

probable time that the trappers had left them; at length, after much wandering and investigating, they came

upon the regular trail of the hunting party, which led into the mountains, and following it up briskly, came

about two o'clock in the afternoon of the 20th, upon the encampment of Hodgkiss and his band of free

It will be recollected that these free trappers, who were masters of themselves and their movements, had

refused to accompany Captain Bonneville back to Green River in the preceding month of July, preferring to

trap about the upper waters of the Salmon River, where they expected to find plenty of beaver, and a less

dangerous neighborhood. Their hunt had not been very successful. They had penetrated the great range of

mountains among which some of the upper branches of Salmon River take their rise, but had become so

entangled among immense and almost impassable barricades of fallen pines, and so impeded by tremendous

precipices, that a great part of their season had been wasted among these mountains. At one time, they had

made their way through them, and reached the Boisee River; but meeting with a band of Bannack Indians,

from whom they apprehended hostilities, they had again taken shelter among the mountains, where they were

found by Captain Bonneville. In the neighborhood of their encampment, the captain had the good fortune to

meet with a family of those wanderers of the mountains, emphatically called "les dignes de pitie," or

Poordevil Indians. These, however, appear to have forfeited the title, for they had with them a fine lot of skins

of beaver, elk, deer, and mountain sheep. These, Captain Bonneville purchased from them at a fair valuation,

and sent them off astonished at their own wealth, and no doubt objects of envy to all their pitiful tribe.

Being now reinforced by Hodgkiss and his band of free trappers, Captain Bonneville put himself at the head

of the united parties, and set out to rejoin those he had recently left at the Beer Spring, that they might all go

into winter quarters on Snake River. On his route, he encountered many heavy falls of snow, which melted

almost immediately, so as not to impede his march, and on the 4th of December, he found his other party,

encamped at the very place where he had partaken in the buffalo hunt with the Bannacks.

That braggart horde was encamped but about three miles off, and were just then in high glee and festivity,

and more swaggering than ever, celebrating a prodigious victory. It appeared that a party of their braves being

out on a hunting excursion, discovered a band of Blackfeet moving, as they thought, to surprise their hunting

camp. The Bannacks immediately posted themselves on each side of a dark ravine, through which the enemy

must pass, and, just as they were entangled in the midst of it, attacked them with great fury. The Blackfeet,

struck with sudden panic, threw off their buffalo robes and fled, leaving one of their warriors dead on the

spot. The victors eagerly gathered up the spoils; but their greatest prize was the scalp of the Blackfoot brave.

This they bore off in triumph to their village, where it had ever since been an object of the greatest exultation

and rejoicing. It had been elevated upon a pole in the centre of the village, where the warriors had celebrated

the scalp dance round it, with war feasts, war songs, and warlike harangues. It had then been given up to the

women and boys; who had paraded it up and down the village with shouts and chants and antic dances;

The Blackfeet, in this affair, do not appear to have acted up to the character which has rendered them objects

of such terror. Indeed, their conduct in war, to the inexperienced observer, is full of inconsistencies; at one

time they are headlong in courage, and heedless of danger; at another time cautious almost to cowardice. To

understand these apparent incongruities, one must know their principles of warfare. A war party, however

triumphant, if they lose a warrior in the fight, bring back a cause of mourning to their people, which casts a

shade over the glory of their achievement. Hence, the Indian is often less fierce and reckless in general battle,

than he is in a private brawl; and the chiefs are checked in their boldest undertakings by the fear of sacrificing

This peculiarity is not confined to the Blackfeet. Among the Osages, says Captain Bonneville, when a warrior

falls in battle, his comrades, though they may have fought with consummate valor, and won a glorious

victory, will leave their arms upon the field of battle, and returning home with dejected countenances, will

halt without the encampment, and wait until the relatives of the slain come forth and invite them to mingle

IN ESTABLISHING his winter camp near the Portnenf, Captain Bonneville had drawn off to some little

distance from his Bannack friends, to avoid all annoyance from their intimacy or intrusions. In so doing,

however, he had been obliged to take up his quarters on the extreme edge of the flat land, where he was

encompassed with ice and snow, and had nothing better for his horses to subsist on than wormwood. The

Bannacks, on the contrary, were encamped among fine springs of water, where there was grass in abundance.

Some of these springs gush out of the earth in sufficient quantity to turn a mill; and furnish beautiful streams,

clear as crystal, and full of trout of a large size, which may be seen darting about the transparent water.

Winter now set in regularly. The snow had fallen frequently, and in large quantities, and covered the ground

to a depth of a foot; and the continued coldness of the weather prevented any thaw.

By degrees, a distrust which at first subsisted between the Indians and the trappers, subsided, and gave way to

mutual confidence and good will. A few presents convinced the chiefs that the white men were their friends;

nor were the white men wanting in proofs of the honesty and good faith of their savage neighbors.

Occasionally, the deep snow and the want of fodder obliged them to turn their weakest horses out to roam in

quest of sustenance. If they at any time strayed to the camp of the Bannacks, they were immediately brought

back. It must be confessed, however, that if the stray horse happened, by any chance, to be in vigorous plight

and good condition, though he was equally sure to be returned by the honest Bannacks, yet it was always

after the lapse of several days, and in a very gaunt and jaded state; and always with the remark that they had

found him a long way off. The uncharitable were apt to surmise that he had, in the interim, been well used up

in a buffalo hunt; but those accustomed to Indian morality in the matter of horseflesh, considered it a singular

Being convinced, therefore, from these, and other circumstances, that his people were encamped in the

neighborhood of a tribe as honest as they were valiant, and satisfied that they would pass their winter

unmolested, Captain Bonneville prepared for a reconnoitring expedition of great extent and peril. This was, to

penetrate to the Hudson's Bay establishments on the banks of the Columbia, and to make himself acquainted

with the country and the Indian tribes; it being one part of his scheme to establish a trading post somewhere

on the lower part of the river, so as to participate in the trade lost to the United States by the capture of

Astoria. This expedition would, of course, take him through the Snake River country, and across the Blue

Mountains, the scenes of so much hardship and disaster to Hunt and Crooks, and their Astorian bands, who

first explored it, and he would have to pass through it in the same frightful season, the depth of winter.

The idea of risk and hardship, however, only served to stimulate the adventurous spirit of the captain. He

chose three companions for his journey, put up a small stock of necessaries in the most portable form, and

selected five horses and mules for themselves and their baggage. He proposed to rejoin his band in the early

part of March, at the winter encampment near the Portneuf. All these arrangements being completed, he

mounted his horse on Christmas morning, and set off with his three comrades. They halted a little beyond the

Bannack camp, and made their Christmas dinner, which, if not a very merry, was a very hearty one, after

They were obliged to travel slowly, to spare their horses; for the snow had increased in depth to eighteen

inches; and though somewhat packed and frozen, was not sufficiently so to yield firm footing. Their route lay

to the west, down along the left side of Snake River; and they were several days in reaching the first, or

American Falls. The banks of the river, for a considerable distance, both above and below the falls, have a

volcanic character: masses of basaltic rock are piled one upon another; the water makes its way through their

broken chasms, boiling through narrow channels, or pitching in beautiful cascades over ridges of basaltic

Beyond these falls, they came to a picturesque, but inconsiderable stream, called the Cassie. It runs through a

level valley, about four miles wide, where the soil is good; but the prevalent coldness and dryness of the

climate is unfavorable to vegetation. Near to this stream there is a small mountain of mica slate, including

garnets. Granite, in small blocks, is likewise seen in this neighborhood, and white sandstone. From this river,

the travellers had a prospect of the snowy heights of the Salmon River Mountains to the north; the nearest, at

In pursuing his course westward, Captain Bonneville generally kept several miles from Snake River, crossing

the heads of its tributary streams; though he often found the open country so encumbered by volcanic rocks,

as to render travelling extremely difficult. Whenever he approached Snake River, he found it running through

a broad chasm, with steep, perpendicular sides of basaltic rock. After several days' travel across a level plain,

he came to a part of the river which filled him with astonishment and admiration. As far as the eye could

reach, the river was walled in by perpendicular cliffs two hundred and fifty feet high, beetling like dark and

gloomy battlements, while blocks and fragments lay in masses at their feet, in the midst of the boiling and

whirling current. Just above, the whole stream pitched in one cascade above forty feet in height, with a

thundering sound, casting up a volume of spray that hung in the air like a silver mist. These are called by

some the Fishing Falls, as the salmon are taken here in immense quantities. They cannot get by these falls.

After encamping at this place all night, Captain Bonneville, at sunrise, descended with his party through a

narrow ravine, or rather crevice, in the vast wall of basaltic rock which bordered the river; this being the only

The snow lay in a thin crust along the banks of the river, so that their travelling was much more easy than it

had been hitherto. There were foot tracks, also, made by the natives, which greatly facilitated their progress.

Occasionally, they met the inhabitants of this wild region; a timid race, and but scantily provided with the

necessaries of life. Their dress consisted of a mantle about four feet square, formed of strips of rabbit skins

sewed together; this they hung over their shoulders, in the ordinary Indian mode of wearing the blanket. Their

weapons were bows and arrows; the latter tipped with obsidian, which abounds in the neighborhood. Their

huts were shaped like haystacks, and constructed of branches of willow covered with long grass, so as to be

warm and comfortable. Occasionally, they were surrounded by small inclosures of wormwood, about three

feet high, which gave them a cottagelike appearance. Three or four of these tenements were occasionally

grouped together in some wild and striking situation, and had a picturesque effect. Sometimes they were in

sufficient number to form a small hamlet. From these people, Captain Bonneville's party frequently

purchased salmon, dried in an admirable manner, as were likewise the roes. This seemed to be their prime

article of food; but they were extremely anxious to get buffalo meat in exchange.

The high walls and rocks, within which the travellers had been so long inclosed, now occasionally presented

openings, through which they were enabled to ascend to the plain, and to cut off considerable bends of the

Throughout the whole extent of this vast and singular chasm, the scenery of the river is said to be of the most

wild and romantic character. The rocks present every variety of masses and grouping. Numerous small

streams come rushing and boiling through narrow clefts and ravines: one of a considerable size issued from

the face of a precipice, within twentyfive feet of its summit; and after running in nearly a horizontal line for

about one hundred feet, fell, by numerous small cascades, to the rocky bank of the river.

In its career through this vast and singular defile, Snake River is upward of three hundred yards wide, and as

clear as spring water. Sometimes it steals along with a tranquil and noiseless course; at other times, for miles

and miles, it dashes on in a thousand rapids, wild and beautiful to the eye, and lulling the ear with the soft

Many of the tributary streams of Snake River, rival it in the wildness and picturesqueness of their scenery.

That called the Bruneau; is particularly cited. It runs through a tremendous chasm, rather than a valley,

extending upwards of a hundred and fifty miles. You come upon it on a sudden, in traversing a level plain. It

seems as if you could throw a stone across from cliff to cliff; yet, the valley is near two thousand feet deep: so

that the river looks like an inconsiderable stream. Basaltic rocks rise perpendicularly, so that it is impossible

to get from the plain to the water, or from the river margin to the plain. The current is bright and limpid. Hot

springs are found on the borders of this river. One bursts out of the cliffs forty feet above the river, in a

We find a characteristic picture of this volcanic region of mountains and streams, furnished by the journal of

Mr. Wyeth, which lies before us; who ascended a peak in the neighborhood we are describing. From this

summit, the country, he says, appears an indescribable chaos; the tops of the hills exhibit the same strata as

far as the eye can reach; and appear to have once formed the level of the country; and the valleys to be

formed by the sinking of the earth, rather than the rising of the hills. Through the deep cracks and chasms

thus formed, the rivers and brooks make their way, which renders it difficult to follow them. All these

basaltic channels are called cut rocks by the trappers. Many of the mountain streams disappear in the plains;

either absorbed by their thirsty soil, and by the porous surface of the lava, or swallowed up in gulfs and

On the 12th of January (1834), Captain Bonneville reached Powder River; much the largest stream that he

had seen since leaving the Portneuf. He struck it about three miles above its entrance into Snake River. Here

he found himself above the lower narrows and defiles of the latter river, and in an open and level country.

The natives now made their appearance in considerable numbers, and evinced the most insatiable curiosity

respecting the white men; sitting in groups for hours together, exposed to the bleakest winds, merely for the

pleasure of gazing upon the strangers, and watching every movement. These are of that branch of the great

Snake tribe called Shoshokoes, or Root Diggers, from their subsisting, in a great measure, on the roots of the

earth; though they likewise take fish in great quantities, and hunt, in a small way. They are, in general, very

poor; destitute of most of the comforts of life, and extremely indolent: but a mild, inoffensive race. They

differ, in many respects, from the other branch of the Snake tribe, the Shoshonies; who possess horses, are

On the following day, as Captain Bonneville approached the mouth of Powder River, he discovered at least a

hundred families of these Diggers, as they are familiarly called, assembled in one place. The women and

children kept at a distance, perched among the rocks and cliffs; their eager curiosity being somewhat dashed

with fear. From their elevated posts, they scrutinized the strangers with the most intense earnestness;

regarding them with almost as much awe as if they had been beings of a supernatural order.

The men, however, were by no means so shy and reserved; but importuned Captain Bonneville and his

companions excessively by their curiosity. Nothing escaped their notice; and any thing they could lay their

hands on underwent the most minute examination. To get rid of such inquisitive neighbors, the travellers kept

The country, hereabout, was generally level and sandy; producing very little grass, but a considerable

quantity of sage or wormwood. The plains were diversified by isolated hills, all cut off, as it were, about the

same height, so as to have tabular summits. In this they resembled the isolated hills of the great prairies, east

The high precipices which had hitherto walled in the channel of Snake River had now disappeared; and the

banks were of the ordinary height. It should be observed, that the great valleys or plains, through which the

Snake River wound its course, were generally of great breadth, extending on each side from thirty to forty

The travellers found but little snow in the neighborhood of Powder River, though the weather continued

intensely cold. They learned a lesson, however, from their forlorn friends, the Root Diggers, which they

subsequently found of great service in their wintry wanderings. They frequently observed them to be

furnished with long ropes, twisted from the bark of the wormwood. This they used as a slow match, carrying

it always lighted. Whenever they wished to warm themselves, they would gather together a little dry

Captain Bonneville gives a cheerless account of a village of these Diggers, which he saw in crossing the plain

below Powder River. "They live," says he, "without any further protection from the inclemency of the season,

than a sort of breakweather, about three feet high, composed of sage (or wormwood), and erected around

them in the shape of a half moon." Whenever he met with them, however, they had always a large suite of

halfstarved dogs: for these animals, in savage as well as in civilized life, seem to be the concomitants of

These dogs, it must be allowed, were of more use than the beggary curs of cities. The Indian children used

them in hunting the small game of the neighborhood, such as rabbits and prairie dogs; in which mongrel kind

Sometimes the Diggers aspire to nobler game, and succeed in entrapping the antelope, the fleetest animal of

the prairies. The process by which this is effected is somewhat singular. When the snow has disappeared,

says Captain Bonneville, and the ground become soft, the women go into the thickest fields of wormwood,

and pulling it up in great quantities, construct with it a hedge, about three feet high, inclosing about a hundred

acres. A single opening is left for the admission of the game. This done, the women conceal themselves

behind the wormwood, and wait patiently for the coming of the antelopes; which sometimes enter this

spacious trap in considerable numbers. As soon as they are in, the women give the signal, and the men hasten

to play their part. But one of them enters the pen at a time; and, after chasing the terrified animals round the

inclosure, is relieved by one of his companions. In this way the hunters take their turns, relieving each other,

and keeping up a continued pursuit by relays, without fatigue to themselves. The poor antelopes, in the end,

are so wearied down, that the whole party of men enter and dispatch them with clubs; not one escaping that

has entered the inclosure. The most curious circumstance in this chase is, that an animal so fleet and agile as

the antelope, and straining for its life, should range round and round this fated inclosure, without attempting

to overleap the low barrier which surrounds it. Such, however, is said to be the fact; and such their only mode

Notwithstanding the absence of all comfort and convenience in their habitations, and the general squalidness

of their appearance, the Shoshokoes do not appear to be destitute of ingenuity. They manufacture good ropes,

and even a tolerably fine thread, from a sort of weed found in their neighborhood; and construct bowls and

jugs out of a kind of basketwork formed from small strips of wood plaited: these, by the aid of a little wax,

they render perfectly water tight. Beside the roots on which they mainly depend for subsistence, they collect

great quantities of seed, of various kinds, beaten with one hand out of the tops of the plants into wooden

bowls held for that purpose. The seed thus collected is winnowed and parched, and ground between two

stones into a kind of meal or flour; which, when mixed with water, forms a very palatable paste or gruel.

Some of these people, more provident and industrious than the rest, lay up a stock of dried salmon, and other

fish, for winter: with these, they were ready to traffic with the travellers for any objects of utility in Indian

life; giving a large quantity in exchange for an awl, a knife, or a fishhook. Others were in the most abject

state of want and starvation; and would even gather up the fishbones which the travellers threw away after a

repast, warm them over again at the fire, and pick them with the greatest avidity.

The farther Captain Bonneville advanced into the country of these Root Diggers, the more evidence he

perceived of their rude and forlorn condition. "They were destitute," says he, "of the necessary covering to

protect them from the weather; and seemed to be in the most unsophisticated ignorance of any other propriety

or advantage in the use of clothing. One old dame had absolutely nothing on her person but a thread round

What stage of human destitution, however, is too destitute for vanity! Though these naked and

forlornlooking beings had neither toilet to arrange, nor beauty to contemplate, their greatest passion was for

a mirror. It was a "great medicine," in their eyes. The sight of one was sufficient, at any time, to throw them

into a paroxysm of eagerness and delight; and they were ready to give anything they had for the smallest

fragment in which they might behold their squalid features. With this simple instance of vanity, in its

THE TEMPERATURE of the regions west of the Rocky Mountains is much milder than in the same latitudes

on the Atlantic side; the upper plains, however, which lie at a distance from the seacoast, are subject in

winter to considerable vicissitude; being traversed by lofty "sierras," crowned with perpetual snow, which

often produce flaws and streaks of intense cold This was experienced by Captain Bonneville and his

companions in their progress westward. At the time when they left the Bannacks Snake River was frozen

hard: as they proceeded, the ice became broken and floating; it gradually disappeared, and the weather

became warm and pleasant, as they approached a tributary stream called the Little Wyer; and the soil, which

was generally of a watery clay, with occasional intervals of sand, was soft to the tread of the horses. After a

time, however, the mountains approached and flanked the river; the snow lay deep in the valleys, and the

Here they were visited by a party of Root Diggers, who were apparently rising in the world, for they had

"horse to ride and weapon to wear," and were altogether better clad and equipped than any of the tribe that

Captain Bonneville had met with. They were just from the plain of Boisee River, where they had left a

number of their tribe, all as well provided as themselves; having guns, horses, and comfortable clothing. All

these they obtained from the Lower Nez Perces, with whom they were in habits [sic] of frequent traffic. They

appeared to have imbibed from that tribe their noncombative principles, being mild and inoffensive in their

manners. Like them, also, they had something of religious feelings; for Captain Bonneville observed that,

before eating, they washed their hands, and made a short prayer; which he understood was their invariable

custom. From these Indians, he obtained a considerable supply of fish, and an excellent and wellconditioned

The travellers now moved forward with renovated spirits; the snow, it is true, lay deeper and deeper as they

advanced, but they trudged on merrily, considering themselves well provided for the journey, which could

They had intended to proceed up the banks of Gun Creek, a stream which flows into Snake River from the

west; but were assured by the natives that the route in that direction was impracticable. The latter advised

them to keep along Snake River, where they would not be impeded by the snow. Taking one of the Diggers

for a guide, they set off along the river, and to their joy soon found the country free from snow, as had been

predicted, so that their horses once more had the benefit of tolerable pasturage. Their Digger proved an

excellent guide, trudging cheerily in the advance. He made an unsuccessful shot or two at a deer and a

beaver; but at night found a rabbit hole, whence he extracted the occupant, upon which, with the addition of a

fish given him by the travellers, he made a hearty supper, and retired to rest, filled with good cheer and good

The next day the travellers came to where the hills closed upon the river, leaving here and there intervals of

undulating meadow land. The river was sheeted with ice, broken into hills at long intervals. The Digger kept

on ahead of the party, crossing and recrossing the river in pursuit of game, until, unluckily, encountering a

Being now left to themselves, they proceeded until they came to some Indian huts, the inhabitants of which

spoke a language totally different from any they had yet heard. One, however, understood the Nez Perce

language, and through him they made inquiries as to their route. These Indians were extremely kind and

honest, and furnished them with a small quantity of meat; but none of them could be induced to act as guides.

Immediately in the route of the travellers lay a high mountain, which they ascended with some difficulty. The

prospect from the summit was grand but disheartening. Directly before them towered the loftiest peaks of

Immahah, rising far higher than the elevated ground on which they stood: on the other hand, they were

enabled to scan the course of the river, dashing along through deep chasms, between rocks and precipices,

until lost in a distant wilderness of mountains, which closed the savage landscape.

They remained for a long time contemplating, with perplexed and anxious eye, this wild congregation of

mountain barriers, and seeking to discover some practicable passage. The approach of evening obliged them

to give up the task, and to seek some camping ground for the night. Moving briskly forward, and plunging

and tossing through a succession of deep snowdrifts, they at length reached a valley known among trappers

This is a beautiful and very fertile valley, about twenty miles long and five or six broad; a bright cold stream

called the Fourche de Glace, or Ice River, runs through it. Its sheltered situation, embosomed in mountains,

renders it good pasturaging ground in the winter time; when the elk come down to it in great numbers, driven

out of the mountains by the snow. The Indians then resort to it to hunt. They likewise come to it in the

summer time to dig the camash root, of which it produces immense quantities. When this plant is in blossom,

the whole valley is tinted by its blue flowers, and looks like the ocean when overcast by a cloud.

After passing a night in this valley, the travellers in the morning scaled the neighboring hills, to look out for a

more eligible route than that upon which they had unluckily fallen; and, after much reconnoitring, determined

to make their way once more to the river, and to travel upon the ice when the banks should prove impassable.

On the second day after this determination, they were again upon Snake River, but, contrary to their

expectations, it was nearly free from ice. A narrow riband ran along the shore, and sometimes there was a

kind of bridge across the stream, formed of old ice and snow. For a short time, they jogged along the bank,

with tolerable facility, but at length came to where the river forced its way into the heart of the mountains,

winding between tremendous walls of basaltic rock, that rose perpendicularly from the water's edge, frowning

in bleak and gloomy grandeur. Here difficulties of all kinds beset their path. The snow was from two to three

feet deep, but soft and yielding, so that the horses had no foothold, but kept plunging forward, straining

themselves by perpetual efforts. Sometimes the crags and promontories forced them upon the narrow riband

of ice that bordered the shore; sometimes they had to scramble over vast masses of rock which had tumbled

from the impending precipices; sometimes they had to cross the stream upon the hazardous bridges of ice and

snow, sinking to the knee at every step; sometimes they had to scale slippery acclivities, and to pass along

narrow cornices, glazed with ice and sleet, a shouldering wall of rock on one side, a yawning precipice on the

other, where a single false step would have been fatal. In a lower and less dangerous pass, two of their horses

actually fell into the river; one was saved with much difficulty, but the boldness of the shore prevented their

In this way they struggled forward, manfully braving difficulties and dangers, until they came to where the

bed of the river was narrowed to a mere chasm, with perpendicular walls of rock that defied all further

progress. Turning their faces now to the mountain, they endeavored to cross directly over it; but, after

clambering nearly to the summit, found their path closed by insurmountable barriers.

Nothing now remained but to retrace their steps. To descend a cragged mountain, however, was more

difficult and dangerous than to ascend it. They had to lower themselves cautiously and slowly, from steep to

steep; and, while they managed with difficulty to maintain their own footing, to aid their horses by holding on

firmly to the rope halters, as the poor animals stumbled among slippery rocks, or slid down icy declivities.

Thus, after a day of intense cold, and severe and incessant toil, amidst the wildest of scenery, they managed,

about nightfall, to reach the camping ground, from which they had started in the morning, and for the first

time in the course of their rugged and perilous expedition, felt their hearts quailing under their multiplied

A hearty supper, a tranquillizing pipe, and a sound night's sleep, put them all in better mood, and in the

morning they held a consultation as to their future movements. About four miles behind, they had remarked a

small ridge of mountains approaching closely to the river. It was determined to scale this ridge, and seek a

passage into the valley which must lie beyond. Should they fail in this, but one alternative remained. To kill

their horses, dry the flesh for provisions, make boats of the hides, and, in these, commit themselves to the

A short march brought them to the foot of the mountain, but its steep and cragged sides almost discouraged

hope. The only chance of scaling it was by broken masses of rock, piled one upon another, which formed a

succession of crags, reaching nearly to the summit. Up these they wrought their way with indescribable

difficulty and peril, in a zigzag course, climbing from rock to rock, and helping their horses up after them;

which scrambled among the crags like mountain goats; now and then dislodging some huge stone, which, the

moment they had left it, would roll down the mountain, crashing and rebounding with terrific din. It was

some time after dark before they reached a kind of platform on the summit of the mountain, where they could

venture to encamp. The winds, which swept this naked height, had whirled all the snow into the valley

beneath, so that the horses found tolerable winter pasturage on the dry grass which remained exposed. The

travellers, though hungry in the extreme, were fain to make a very frugal supper; for they saw their journey

In fact, on the following day they discerned that, although already at a great elevation, they were only as yet

upon the shoulder of the mountain. It proved to be a great sierra, or ridge, of immense height, running parallel

to the course of the river, swelling by degrees to lofty peaks, but the outline gashed by deep and precipitous

ravines. This, in fact, was a part of the chain of Blue Mountains, in which the first adventurers to Astoria

We will not pretend to accompany the travellers step by step in this tremendous mountain scramble, into

which they had unconsciously betrayed themselves. Day after day did their toil continue; peak after peak had

they to traverse, struggling with difficulties and hardships known only to the mountain trapper. As their

course lay north, they had to ascend the southern faces of the heights, where the sun had melted the snow, so

as to render the ascent wet and slippery, and to keep both men and horses continually on the strain; while on

the northern sides, the snow lay in such heavy masses, that it was necessary to beat a track down which the

horses might be led. Every now and then, also, their way was impeded by tall and numerous pines, some of

In the midst of these toils and hardships, their provisions gave out. For three days they were without food,

and so reduced that they could scarcely drag themselves along. At length one of the mules, being about to

give out from fatigue and famine, they hastened to dispatch him. Husbanding this miserable supply, they

dried the flesh, and for three days subsisted upon the nutriment extracted from the bones. As to the meat, it

was packed and preserved as long as they could do without it, not knowing how long they might remain

One of the men was now dispatched ahead, to reconnoitre the country, and to discover, if possible, some

more practicable route. In the meantime, the rest of the party moved on slowly. After a lapse of three days,

the scout rejoined them. He informed them that Snake River ran immediately below the sierra or mountainous

ridge, upon which they were travelling; that it was free from precipices, and was at no great distance from

them in a direct line; but that it would be impossible for them to reach it without making a weary circuit.

Up this mountain, therefore, the weary travellers directed their steps; and the ascent, in their present weak and

exhausted state, was one of the severest parts of this most painful journey. For two days were they toiling

slowly from cliff to cliff, beating at every step a path through the snow for their faltering horses. At length

they reached the summit, where the snow was blown off; but in descending on the opposite side, they were

Their provisions were now exhausted, and they and their horses almost ready to give out with fatigue and

hunger; when one afternoon, just as the sun was sinking behind a blue line of distant mountain, they came to

the brow of a height from which they beheld the smooth valley of the Immahah stretched out in smiling

The sight inspired almost a frenzy of delight. Roused to new ardor, they forgot, for a time, their fatigues, and

hurried down the mountain, dragging their jaded horses after them, and sometimes compelling them to slide a

distance of thirty or forty feet at a time. At length they reached the banks of the Immahah. The young grass

was just beginning to sprout, and the whole valley wore an aspect of softness, verdure, and repose,

heightened by the contrast of the frightful region from which they had just descended. To add to their joy,

they observed Indian trails along the margin of the stream, and other signs, which gave them reason to

believe that there was an encampment of the Lower Nez Perces in the neighborhood, as it was within the

The prospect of a supply of food stimulated them to new exertion, and they continued on as fast as the

enfeebled state of themselves and their steeds would permit. At length, one of the men, more exhausted than

the rest, threw himself upon the grass, and declared he could go no further. It was in vain to attempt to rouse

him; his spirit had given out, and his replies only showed the dogged apathy of despair. His companions,

therefore, encamped on the spot, kindled a blazing fire, and searched about for roots with which to strengthen

and revive him. They all then made a starveling repast; but gathering round the fire, talked over past dangers

and troubles, soothed themselves with the persuasion that all were now at an end, and went to sleep with the

A TRANQUIL NIGHT'S REST had sufficiently restored the broken down traveller to enable him to resume

his wayfaring, and all hands set forward on the Indian trail. With all their eagerness to arrive within reach of

succor, such was their feeble and emaciated condition, that they advanced but slowly. Nor is it a matter of

surprise that they should almost have lost heart, as well as strength. It was now (the 16th of February)

fiftythree days that they had been travelling in the midst of winter, exposed to all kinds of privations and

hardships: and for the last twenty days, they had been entangled in the wild and desolate labyrinths of the

snowy mountains; climbing and descending icy precipices, and nearly starved with cold and hunger.

All the morning they continued following the Indian trail, without seeing a human being, and were beginning

to be discouraged, when, about noon, they discovered a horseman at a distance. He was coming directly

toward them; but on discovering them, suddenly reined up his steed, came to a halt, and, after reconnoitring

them for a time with great earnestness, seemed about to make a cautious retreat. They eagerly made signs of

peace, and endeavored, with the utmost anxiety, to induce him to approach. He remained for some time in

doubt; but at length, having satisfied himself that they were not enemies, came galloping up to them. He was

a fine, haughtylooking savage, fancifully decorated, and mounted on a highmettled steed, with gaudy

trappings and equipments. It was evident that he was a warrior of some consequence among his tribe. His

whole deportment had something in it of barbaric dignity; he felt, perhaps, his temporary superiority in

personal array, and in the spirit of his steed, to the poor, ragged, travelworn trappers and their halfstarved

horses. Approaching them with an air of protection, he gave them his hand, and, in the Nez Perce language,

invited them to his camp, which was only a few miles distant; where he had plenty to eat, and plenty of

His hospitable invitation was joyfully accepted: he lingered but a moment, to give directions by which they

might find his camp, and then, wheeling round, and giving the reins to his mettlesome steed, was soon out of

sight. The travellers followed, with gladdened hearts, but at a snail's pace; for their poor horses could scarcely

drag one leg after the other. Captain Bonneville, however, experienced a sudden and singular change of

feeling. Hitherto, the necessity of conducting his party, and of providing against every emergency, had kept

his mind upon the stretch, and his whole system braced and excited. In no one instance had he flagged in

spirit, or felt disposed to succumb. Now, however, that all danger was over, and the march of a few miles

would bring them to repose and abundance, his energies suddenly deserted him; and every faculty, mental

and physical, was totally relaxed. He had not proceeded two miles from the point where he had had the

interview with the Nez Perce chief, when he threw himself upon the earth, without the power or will to move

a muscle, or exert a thought, and sank almost instantly into a profound and dreamless sleep. His companions

The next morning, Captain Bonneville awakened from his long and heavy sleep, much refreshed; and they all

resumed their creeping progress. They had not long been on the march, when eight or ten of the Nez Perce

tribe came galloping to meet them, leading fresh horses to bear them to their camp. Thus gallantly mounted,

they felt new life infused into their languid frames, and dashing forward, were soon at the lodges of the Nez

Perces. Here they found about twelve families living together, under the patriarchal sway of an ancient and

venerable chief. He received them with the hospitality of the golden age, and with something of the same

kind of fare; for, while he opened his arms to make them welcome, the only repast he set before them

consisted of roots. They could have wished for something more hearty and substantial; but, for want of better,

made a voracious meal on these humble viands. The repast being over, the best pipe was lighted and sent

round: and this was a most welcome luxury, having lost their smoking apparatus twelve days before, among

While they were thus enjoying themselves, their poor horses were led to the best pastures in the

neighborhood, where they were turned loose to revel on the fresh sprouting grass; so that they had better fare

Captain Bonneville soon felt himself quite at home among these quiet, inoffensive people. His long residence

among their cousins, the Upper Nez Perces, had made him conversant with their language, modes of

expression, and all their habitudes. He soon found, too, that he was well known among them, by report, at

least, from the constant interchange of visits and messages between the two branches of the tribe. They at

first addressed him by his name; giving him his title of captain, with a French accent: but they soon gave him

a title of their own; which, as usual with Indian titles, had a peculiar signification. In the case of the captain, it

As he sat chatting and smoking in the midst of them, he would occasionally take off his cap. Whenever he did

so, there was a sensation in the surrounding circle. The Indians would half rise from their recumbent posture,

and gaze upon his uncovered head, with their usual exclamation of astonishment. The worthy captain was

completely bald; a phenomenon very surprising in their eyes. They were at a loss to know whether he had

been scalped in battle, or enjoyed a natural immunity from that belligerent infliction. In a little while, he

became known among them by an Indian name, signifying "the bald chief." "A sobriquet," observes the

captain, "for which I can find no parallel in history since the days of 'Charles the Bald.'"

Although the travellers had banqueted on roots, and been regaled with tobacco smoke, yet their stomachs

craved more generous fare. In approaching the lodges of the Nez Perces, they had indulged in fond

anticipations of venison and dried salmon; and dreams of the kind still haunted their imaginations, and could

not be conjured down. The keen appetites of mountain trappers, quickened by a fortnight's fasting, at length

got the better of all scruples of pride, and they fairly begged some fish or flesh from the hospitable savages.

The latter, however, were slow to break in upon their winter store, which was very limited; but were ready to

furnish roots in abundance, which they pronounced excellent food. At length, Captain Bonneville thought of

He had about him, he says, a trusty plaid; an old and valued travelling companion and comforter; upon which

the rains had descended, and the snows and winds beaten, without further effect than somewhat to tarnish its

primitive lustre. This coat of many colors had excited the admiration, and inflamed the covetousness of both

warriors and squaws, to an extravagant degree. An idea now occurred to Captain Bonneville, to convert this

rainbow garment into the savory viands so much desired. There was a momentary struggle in his mind,

between old associations and projected indulgence; and his decision in favor of the latter was made, he says,

with a greater promptness, perhaps, than true taste and sentiment might have required. In a few moments, his

plaid cloak was cut into numerous strips. "Of these," continues he, "with the newly developed talent of a

manmilliner, I speedily constructed turbans a la Turque, and fanciful headgears of divers conformations.

These, judiciously distributed among such of the womenkind as seemed of most consequence and interest in

the eyes of the patres conscripti, brought us, in a little while, abundance of dried salmon and deers' hearts; on

which we made a sumptous supper. Another, and a more satisfactory smoke, succeeded this repast, and sweet

slumbers answering the peaceful invocation of our pipes, wrapped us in that delicious rest, which is only won

by toil and travail." As to Captain Bonneville, he slept in the lodge of the venerable patriarch, who had

evidently conceived a most disinterested affection for him; as was shown on the following morning. The

travellers, invigorated by a good supper, and "fresh from the bath of repose," were about to resume their

journey, when this affectionate old chief took the captain aside, to let him know how much he loved him. As

a proof of his regard, he had determined to give him a fine horse, which would go further than words, and put

his good will beyond all question. So saying, he made a signal, and forthwith a beautiful young horse, of a

brown color, was led, prancing and snorting, to the place. Captain Bonneville was suitably affected by this

mark of friendship; but his experience in what is proverbially called "Indian giving," made him aware that a

parting pledge was necessary on his own part, to prove that his friendship was reciprocated. He accordingly

placed a handsome rifle in the hands of the venerable chief, whose benevolent heart was evidently touched

Having now, as he thought, balanced this little account of friendship, the captain was about to shift his saddle

to this noble gifthorse when the affectionate patriarch plucked him by the sleeve, and introduced to him a

whimpering, whining, leathernskinned old squaw, that might have passed for an Egyptian mummy, without

drying. "This," said he, "is my wife; she is a good wifeI love her very much.She loves the horseshe

loves him a great dealshe will cry very much at losing him.I do not know how I shall comfort herand

What could the worthy captain do, to console the tenderhearted old squaw, and, peradventure, to save the

venerable patriarch from a curtain lecture? He bethought himself of a pair of earbobs: it was true, the

patriarch's betterhalf was of an age and appearance that seemed to put personal vanity out of the question,

but when is personal vanity extinct? The moment he produced the glittering earbobs, the whimpering and

whining of the sempiternal beldame was at an end. She eagerly placed the precious baubles in her ears, and,

though as ugly as the Witch of Endor, went off with a sideling gait and coquettish air, as though she had been

The captain had now saddled his newly acquired steed, and his foot was in the stirrup, when the affectionate

patriarch again stepped forward, and presented to him a young Piercednose, who had a peculiarly sulky

look. "This," said the venerable chief, "is my son: he is very good; a great horsemanhe always took care of

this very fine horsehe brought him up from a colt, and made him what he is.He is very fond of this fine

horsehe loves him like a brother his heart will be very heavy when this fine horse leaves the camp."

What could the captain do, to reward the youthful hope of this venerable pair, and comfort him for the loss of

his fosterbrother, the horse? He bethought him of a hatchet, which might be spared from his slender stores.

No sooner did he place the implement into the hands of the young hopeful, than his countenance brightened

up, and he went off rejoicing in his hatchet, to the full as much as did his respectable mother in her earbobs.

The captain was now in the saddle, and about to start, when the affectionate old patriarch stepped forward, for

the third time, and, while he laid one hand gently on the mane of the horse, held up the rifle in the other.

"This rifle," said he, "shall be my great medicine. I will hug it to my heartI will always love it, for the sake

of my good friend, the baldheaded chief.But a rifle, by itself, is dumbI cannot make it speak. If I had a

little powder and ball, I would take it out with me, and would now and then shoot a deer; and when I brought

the meat home to my hungry family, I would sayThis was killed by the rifle of my friend, the baldheaded

There was no resisting this appeal; the captain, forthwith, furnished the coveted supply of powder and ball;

but at the same time, put spurs to his very fine gifthorse, and the first trial of his speed was to get out of all

further manifestation of friendship, on the part of the affectionate old patriarch and his insinuating family.

FOLLOWING THE COURSE of the Immahah, Captain Bonneville and his three companions soon reached

the vicinity of Snake River. Their route now lay over a succession of steep and isolated hills, with profound

valleys. On the second day, after taking leave of the affectionate old patriarch, as they were descending into

one of those deep and abrupt intervals, they descried a smoke, and shortly afterward came in sight of a small

The Indians, when they ascertained that it was a party of white men approaching, greeted them with a salute

of firearms, and invited them to encamp. This band was likewise under the sway of a venerable chief named

Yomusroyecut; a name which we shall be careful not to inflict oftener than is necessary upon the

reader This ancient and hardnamed chieftain welcomed Captain Bonneville to his camp with the same

hospitality and loving kindness that he had experienced from his predecessor. He told the captain he had

often heard of the Americans and their generous deeds, and that his buffalo brethren (the Upper Nez Perces)

had always spoken of them as the Bighearted whites of the East, the very good friends of the Nez Perces.

Captain Bonneville felt somewhat uneasy under the responsibility of this magnanimous but costly

appellation; and began to fear he might be involved in a second interchange of pledges of friendship. He

hastened, therefore, to let the old chief know his povertystricken state, and how little there was to be

He informed him that he and his comrades had long resided among the Upper Nez Perces, and loved them so

much, that they had thrown their arms around them, and now held them close to their hearts. That he had

received such good accounts from the Upper Nez Perces of their cousins, the Lower Nez Perces, that he had

become desirous of knowing them as friends and brothers. That he and his companions had accordingly

loaded a mule with presents and set off for the country of the Lower Nez Perces; but, unfortunately, had been

entrapped for many days among the snowy mountains; and that the mule with all the presents had fallen into

Snake River, and been swept away by the rapid current. That instead, therefore, of arriving among their

friends, the Nez Perces, with light hearts and full hands, they came naked, hungry, and broken down; and

instead of making them presents, must depend upon them even for food. "But," concluded he, "we are going

to the white men's fort on the WallahWallah, and will soon return; and then we will meet our Nez Perce

Whether the hint thrown out in the latter part of the speech had any effect, or whether the old chief acted from

the hospitable feelings which, according to the captain, are really inherent in the Nez Perce tribe, he certainly

showed no disposition to relax his friendship on learning the destitute circumstances of his guests. On the

contrary, he urged the captain to remain with them until the following day, when he would accompany him

on his journey, and make him acquainted with all his people. In the meantime, he would have a colt killed,

and cut up for travelling provisions. This, he carefully explained, was intended not as an article of traffic, but

Captain Bonneville gladly assented to this hospitable arrangement. The carcass of the colt was forthcoming in

due season, but the captain insisted that one half of it should be set apart for the use of the chieftain's family.

At an early hour of the following morning, the little party resumed their journey, accompanied by the old

chief and an Indian guide. Their route was over a rugged and broken country; where the hills were slippery

with ice and snow. Their horses, too, were so weak and jaded, that they could scarcely climb the steep

ascents, or maintain their foothold on the frozen declivities. Throughout the whole of the journey, the old

chief and the guide were unremitting in their good offices, and continually on the alert to select the best

roads, and assist them through all difficulties. Indeed, the captain and his comrades had to be dependent on

their Indian friends for almost every thing, for they had lost their tobacco and pipes, those great comforts of

the trapper, and had but a few charges of powder left, which it was necessary to husband for the purpose of

In the course of the day the old chief had several private consultations with the guide, and showed evident

signs of being occupied with some mysterious matter of mighty import. What it was, Captain Bonneville

could not fathom, nor did he make much effort to do so. From some casual sentences that he overheard, he

perceived that it was something from which the old man promised himself much satisfaction, and to which he

attached a little vainglory but which he wished to keep a secret; so he suffered him to spin out his petty plans

In the evening when they encamped, the old chief and his privy counsellor, the guide, had another mysterious

colloquy, after which the guide mounted his horse and departed on some secret mission, while the chief

resumed his seat at the fire, and sat humming to himself in a pleasing but mystic reverie.

The next morning, the travellers descended into the valley of the Wayleeway, a considerable tributary of

Snake River. Here they met the guide returning from his secret errand. Another private conference was held

between him and the old managing chief, who now seemed more inflated than ever with mystery and

selfimportance. Numerous fresh trails, and various other signs, persuaded Captain Bonneville that there

must be a considerable village of Nez Perces in the neighborhood; but as his worthy companion, the old

chief, said nothing on the subject, and as it appeared to be in some way connected with his secret operations,

As they journeyed on, they came to where two or three Indians were bathing in a small stream. The good old

chief immediately came to a halt, and had a long conversation with them, in the course of which he repeated

to them the whole history which Captain Bonneville had related to him. In fact, he seems to have been a very

sociable, communicative old man; by no means afflicted with that taciturnity generally charged upon the

Indians. On the contrary, he was fond of long talks and long smokings, and evidently was proud of his new

friend, the baldheaded chief, and took a pleasure in sounding his praises, and setting forth the power and

Having disburdened himself of everything he had to relate to his bathing friends, he left them to their aquatic

disports, and proceeded onward with the captain and his companions. As they approached the Wayleeway,

however, the communicative old chief met with another and a very different occasion to exert his colloquial

powers. On the banks of the river stood an isolated mound covered with grass. He pointed to it with some

emotion. "The big heart and the strong arm," said he, "lie buried beneath that sod."

It was, in fact, the grave of one of his friends; a chosen warrior of the tribe; who had been slain on this spot

when in pursuit of a war party of Shoshokoes, who had stolen the horses of the village. The enemy bore off

his scalp as a trophy; but his friends found his body in this lonely place, and committed it to the earth with

ceremonials characteristic of their pious and reverential feelings. They gathered round the grave and

mourned; the warriors were silent in their grief; but the women and children bewailed their loss with loud

lamentations. "For three days," said the old man, "we performed the solemn dances for the dead, and prayed

the Great Spirit that our brother might be happy in the land of brave warriors and hunters. Then we killed at

his grave fifteen of our best and strongest horses, to serve him when he should arrive at the happy hunting

While the chief was still talking, an Indian scout came galloping up, and, presenting him with a

powderhorn, wheeled round, and was speedily out of sight. The eyes of the old chief now brightened; and

all his selfimportance returned. His petty mystery was about to explode. Turning to Captain Bonneville, he

pointed to a hill hard by, and informed him, that behind it was a village governed by a little chief, whom he

had notified of the approach of the baldheaded chief, and a party of the Big Hearts of the East, and that he

was prepared to receive them in becoming style. As, among other ceremonials, he intended to salute them

with a discharge of firearms, he had sent the horn of gunpowder that they might return the salute in a manner

They now proceeded on until they doubled the point of the hill, when the whole population of the village

broke upon their view, drawn out in the most imposing style, and arrayed in all their finery. The effect of the

whole was wild and fantastic, yet singularly striking. In the front rank were the chiefs and principal warriors,

glaringly painted and decorated; behind them were arranged the rest of the people, men, women, and

Captain Bonneville and his party advanced slowly, exchanging salutes of firearms. When arrived within a

respectful distance, they dismounted. The chiefs then came forward successively, according to their

respective characters and consequence, to offer the hand of good fellowship; each filing off when he had

shaken hands, to make way for his successor. Those in the next rank followed in the same order, and so on,

until all had given the pledge of friendship. During all this time, the chief, according to custom, took his stand

beside the guests. If any of his people advanced whom he judged unworthy of the friendship or confidence of

the white men, he motioned them off by a wave of the hand, and they would submissively walk away. When

Captain Bonneville turned upon him an inquiring look, he would observe, "he was a bad man," or something

Mats, poles, and other materials were now brought, and a comfortable lodge was soon erected for the

strangers, where they were kept constantly supplied with wood and water, and other necessaries; and all their

effects were placed in safe keeping. Their horses, too, were unsaddled, and turned loose to graze, and a guard

All this being adjusted, they were conducted to the main building or council house of the village, where an

ample repast, or rather banquet, was spread, which seemed to realize all the gastronomical dreams that had

tantalized them during their long starvation; for here they beheld not merely fish and roots in abundance, but

the flesh of deer and elk, and the choicest pieces of buffalo meat. It is needless to say how vigorously they

acquitted themselves on this occasion, and how unnecessary it was for their hosts to practice the usual

When the repast was over, a long talk ensued. The chief showed the same curiosity evinced by his tribe

generally, to obtain information concerning the United States, of which they knew little but what they derived

through their cousins, the Upper Nez Perces; as their traffic is almost exclusively with the British traders of

the Hudson's Bay Company. Captain Bonneville did his best to set forth the merits of his nation, and the

importance of their friendship to the red men, in which he was ably seconded by his worthy friend, the old

chief with the hard name, who did all that he could to glorify the Big Hearts of the East.

The chief, and all present, listened with profound attention, and evidently with great interest; nor were the

important facts thus set forth, confined to the audience in the lodge; for sentence after sentence was loudly

This custom of promulgating everything by criers, is not confined to the Nez Perces, but prevails among

many other tribes. It has its advantage where there are no gazettes to publish the news of the day, or to report

the proceedings of important meetings. And in fact, reports of this kind, viva voce, made in the hearing of all

parties, and liable to be contradicted or corrected on the spot, are more likely to convey accurate information

to the public mind than those circulated through the press. The office of crier is generally filled by some old

man, who is good for little else. A village has generally several of these walking newspapers, as they are

termed by the whites, who go about proclaiming the news of the day, giving notice of public councils,

expeditions, dances, feasts, and other ceremonials, and advertising anything lost. While Captain Bonneville

remained among the Nez Perces, if a glove, handkerchief, or anything of similar value, was lost or mislaid, it

was carried by the finder to the lodge of the chief, and proclamation was made by one of their criers, for the

How difficult it is to get at the true character of these wandering tribes of the wilderness! In a recent work, we

have had to speak of this tribe of Indians from the experience of other traders who had casually been among

them, and who represented them as selfish, inhospitable, exorbitant in their dealings, and much addicted to

thieving; Captain Bonneville, on the contrary, who resided much among them, and had repeated opportunities

of ascertaining their real character, invariably speaks of them as kind and hospitable, scrupulously honest,

and remarkable, above all other Indians that he had met with, for a strong feeling of religion. In fact, so

enthusiastic is he in their praise, that he pronounces them, all ignorant and barbarous as they are by their

Some cures which Captain Bonneville had effected in simple cases, among the Upper Nez Perces, had

reached the ears of their cousins here, and gained for him the reputation of a great medicine man. He had not

been long in the village, therefore, before his lodge began to be the resort of the sick and the infirm. The

captain felt the value of the reputation thus accidentally and cheaply acquired, and endeavored to sustain it.

As he had arrived at that age when every man is, experimentally, something of a physician, he was enabled to

turn to advantage the little knowledge in the healing art which he had casually picked up; and was sufficiently

successful in two or three cases, to convince the simple Indians that report had not exaggerated his medical

talents. The only patient that effectually baffled his skill, or rather discouraged any attempt at relief, was an

antiquated squaw with a churchyard cough, and one leg in the grave; it being shrunk and rendered useless by

a rheumatic affection. This was a case beyond his mark; however, he comforted the old woman with a

promise that he would endeavor to procure something to relieve her, at the fort on the WallahWallah, and

would bring it on his return; with which assurance her husband was so well satisfied, that he presented the

captain with a colt, to be killed as provisions for the journey: a medical fee which was thankfully accepted.

While among these Indians, Captain Bonneville unexpectedly found an owner for the horse which he had

purchased from a Root Digger at the Big Wyer. The Indian satisfactorily proved that the horse had been

stolen from him some time previous, by some unknown thief. "However," said the considerate savage, "you

got him in fair tradeyou are more in want of horses than I am: keep him; he is yourshe is a good horse;

Thus, in the continued experience of acts of kindness and generosity, which his destitute condition did not

allow him to reciprocate, Captain Bonneville passed some short time among these good people, more and

IN RESUMING HIS JOURNEY, Captain Bonneville was conducted by the same Nez Perce guide, whose

knowledge of the country was important in choosing the routes and resting places. He also continued to be

accompanied by the worthy old chief with the hard name, who seemed bent upon doing the honors of the

country, and introducing him to every branch of his tribe. The Wayleeway, down the banks of which

Captain Bonneville and his companions were now travelling, is a considerable stream winding through a

succession of bold and beautiful scenes. Sometimes the landscape towered into bold and mountainous heights

that partook of sublimity; at other times, it stretched along the water side in fresh smiling meadows, and

Frequently in their route they encountered small parties of the Nez Perces, with whom they invariably

stopped to shake hands; and who, generally, evinced great curiosity concerning them and their adventures; a

curiosity which never failed to be thoroughly satisfied by the replies of the worthy Yomusroyecut,

The incessant smoking of pipes incident to the long talks of this excellent, but somewhat garrulous old chief,

at length exhausted all his stock of tobacco, so that he had no longer a whiff with which to regale his white

companions. In this emergency, he cut up the stem of his pipe into fine shavings, which he mixed with certain

herbs, and thus manufactured a temporary succedaneum to enable him to accompany his long colloquies and

If the scenery of the Wayleeway had charmed the travellers with its mingled amenity and grandeur, that

which broke upon them on once more reaching Snake River, filled them with admiration and astonishment.

At times, the river was overhung by dark and stupendous rocks, rising like gigantic walls and battlements;

these would be rent by wide and yawning chasms, that seemed to speak of past convulsions of nature.

Sometimes the river was of a glassy smoothness and placidity; at other times it roared along in impetuous

rapids and foaming cascades. Here, the rocks were piled in the most fantastic crags and precipices; and in

another place, they were succeeded by delightful valleys carpeted with greenaward. The whole of this wild

and varied scenery was dominated by immense mountains rearing their distant peaks into the clouds. "The

grandeur and originality of the views, presented on every side," says Captain Bonneville, "beggar both the

pencil and the pen. Nothing we had ever gazed upon in any other region could for a moment compare in wild

majesty and impressive sternness, with the series of scenes which here at every turn astonished our senses,

Indeed, from all that we can gather from the journal before us, and the accounts of other travellers, who

passed through these regions in the memorable enterprise of Astoria, we are inclined to think that Snake

River must be one of the most remarkable for varied and striking scenery of all the rivers of this continent.

From its head waters in the Rocky Mountains, to its junction with the Columbia, its windings are upward of

six hundred miles through every variety of landscape. Rising in a volcanic region, amid extinguished craters,

and mountains awful with the traces of ancient fires, it makes its way through great plains of lava and sandy

deserts, penetrates vast sierras or mountainous chains, broken into romantic and often frightful precipices,

and crowned with eternal snows; and at other times, careers through green and smiling meadows, and wide

landscapes of Italian grace and beauty. Wildness and sublimity, however, appear to be its prevailing

Captain Bonneville and his companions had pursued their journey a considerable distance down the course of

Snake River, when the old chief halted on the bank, and dismounting, recommended that they should turn

their horses loose to graze, while he summoned a cousin of his from a group of lodges on the opposite side of

the stream. His summons was quickly answered. An Indian, of an active elastic form, leaped into a light

canoe of cottonwood, and vigorously plying the paddle, soon shot across the river. Bounding on shore, he

advanced with a buoyant air and frank demeanor, and gave his right hand to each of the party in turn. The old

chief, whose hard name we forbear to repeat, now presented Captain Bonneville, in form, to his cousin,

whose name, we regret to say, was no less hard being nothing less than Haysheincowcow. The latter

evinced the usual curiosity to know all about the strangers, whence they came whither they were going, the

object of their journey, and the adventures they had experienced. All these, of course, were ample and

eloquently set forth by the communicative old chief. To all his grandiloquent account of the baldheaded

chief and his countrymen, the Big Hearts of the East, his cousin listened with great attention, and replied in

the customary style of Indian welcome. He then desired the party to await his return, and, springing into his

canoe, darted across the river. In a little while he returned, bringing a most welcome supply of tobacco, and a

small stock of provisions for the road, declaring his intention of accompanying the party. Having no horse, he

mounted behind one of the men, observing that he should procure a steed for himself on the following day.

They all now jogged on very sociably and cheerily together. Not many miles beyond, they met others of the

tribe, among whom was one, whom Captain Bonneville and his comrades had known during their residence

among the Upper Nez Perces, and who welcomed them with open arms. In this neighborhood was the home

of their guide, who took leave of them with a profusion of good wishes for their safety and happiness. That

night they put up in the hut of a Nez Perce, where they were visited by several warriors from the other side of

the river, friends of the old chief and his cousin, who came to have a talk and a smoke with the white men.

The heart of the good old chief was overflowing with good will at thus being surrounded by his new and old

friends, and he talked with more spirit and vivacity than ever. The evening passed away in perfect harmony

and goodhumor, and it was not until a late hour that the visitors took their leave and recrossed the river.

After this constant picture of worth and virtue on the part of the Nez Perce tribe, we grieve to have to record a

circumstance calculated to throw a temporary shade upon the name. In the course of the social and

harmonious evening just mentioned, one of the captain's men, who happened to be something of a virtuoso in

his way, and fond of collecting curiosities, produced a small skin, a great rarity in the eyes of men conversant

in peltries. It attracted much attention among the visitors from beyond the river, who passed it from one to the

other, examined it with looks of lively admiration, and pronounced it a great medicine.

In the morning, when the captain and his party were about to set off, the precious skin was missing. Search

was made for it in the hut, but it was nowhere to be found; and it was strongly suspected that it had been

The old chief and his cousin were indignant at the supposed delinquency of their friends across the water, and

called out for them to come over and answer for their shameful conduct. The others answered to the call with

all the promptitude of perfect innocence, and spurned at the idea of their being capable of such outrage upon

any of the Bighearted nation. All were at a loss on whom to fix the crime of abstracting the invaluable skin,

when by chance the eyes of the worthies from beyond the water fell upon an unhappy cur, belonging to the

owner of the hut. He was a gallowslooking dog, but not more so than most Indian dogs, who, take them in

the mass, are little better than a generation of vipers. Be that as it may, he was instantly accused of having

devoured the skin in question. A dog accused is generally a dog condemned; and a dog condemned is

generally a dog executed. So was it in the present instance. The unfortunate cur was arraigned; his thievish

looks substantiated his guilt, and he was condemned by his judges from across the river to be hanged. In vain

the Indians of the hut, with whom he was a great favorite, interceded in his behalf. In vain Captain Bonneville

and his comrades petitioned that his life might be spared. His judges were inexorable. He was doubly guilty:

first, in having robbed their good friends, the Big Hearts of the East; secondly, in having brought a doubt on

the honor of the Nez Perce tribe. He was, accordingly, swung aloft, and pelted with stones to make his death

more certain. The sentence of the judges being thoroughly executed, a post mortem examination of the body

of the dog was held, to establish his delinquency beyond all doubt, and to leave the Nez Perces without a

shadow of suspicion. Great interest, of course, was manifested by all present, during this operation. The body

of the dog was opened, the intestines rigorously scrutinized, but, to the horror of all concerned, not a particle

A great clamor now ensued, but the most clamorous was the party from across the river, whose jealousy of

their good name now prompted them to the most vociferous vindications of their innocence. It was with the

utmost difficulty that the captain and his comrades could calm their lively sensibilities, by accounting for the

disappearance of the skin in a dozen different ways, until all idea of its having been stolen was entirely out of

The meeting now broke up. The warriors returned across the river, the captain and his comrades proceeded on

their journey; but the spirits of the communicative old chief, Yomusroyecut, were for a time

completely dampened, and he evinced great mortification at what had just occurred. He rode on in silence,

except, that now and then he would give way to a burst of indignation, and exclaim, with a shake of the head

and a toss of the hand toward the opposite shore"bad men, very bad men across the river"; to each of

which brief exclamations, his worthy cousin, Haysheincowcow, would respond by a guttural sound of

After some time, the countenance of theold chief again cleared up, and he fell into repeated conferences, in

an under tone, with his cousin, which ended in the departure of the latter, who, applying the lash to his horse,

dashed forward and was soon out of sight. In fact, they were drawing near to the village of another chief,

likewise distinguished by an appellation of some longitude, Opushyecut; but commonly known as the

great chief. The cousin had been sent ahead to give notice of their approach; a herald appeared as before,

bearing a powderhorn, to enable them to respond to the intended salute. A scene ensued, on their approach

to the village, similar to that which had occurred at the village of the little chief. The whole population

appeared in the field, drawn up in lines, arrayed with the customary regard to rank and dignity. Then came on

the firing of salutes, and the shaking of hands, in which last ceremonial every individual, man, woman, and

child, participated; for the Indians have an idea that it is as indispensable an overture of friendship among the

whites as smoking of the pipe is among the red men. The travellers were next ushered to the banquet, where

all the choicest viands that the village could furnish, were served up in rich profusion. They were afterwards

entertained by feats of agility and horseraces; indeed, their visit to the village seemed the signal for complete

festivity. In the meantime, a skin lodge had been spread for their accommodation, their horses and baggage

were taken care of, and wood and water supplied in abundance. At night, therefore, they retired to their

quarters, to enjoy, as they supposed, the repose of which they stood in need. No such thing, however, was in

store for them. A crowd of visitors awaited their appearance, all eager for a smoke and a talk. The pipe was

immediately lighted, and constantly replenished and kept alive until the night was far advanced. As usual, the

utmost eagerness was evinced by the guests to learn everything within the scope of their comprehension

respecting the Americans, for whom they professed the most fraternal regard. The captain, in his replies,

made use of familiar illustrations, calculated to strike their minds, and impress them with such an idea of the

might of his nation, as would induce them to treat with kindness and respect all stragglers that might fall in

their path. To their inquiries as to the numbers of the people of the United States, he assured them that they

were as countless as the blades of grass in the prairies, and that, great as Snake River was, if they were all

encamped upon its banks, they would drink it dry in a single day. To these and similar statistics, they listened

with profound attention, and apparently, implicit belief. It was, indeed, a striking scene: the captain, with his

hunter's dress and bald head in the midst, holding forth, and his wild auditors seated around like so many

statues, the fire lighting up their painted faces and muscular figures, all fixed and motionless, excepting when

the pipe was passed, a question propounded, or a startling fact in statistics received with a movement of

The fame of the captain as a healer of diseases, had accompanied him to this village, and the great chief,

Opushyecut, now entreated him to exert his skill on his daughter, who had been for three days racked

with pains, for which the Piercednose doctors could devise no alleviation. The captain found her extended

on a pallet of mats in excruciating pain. Her father manifested the strongest paternal affection for her, and

assured the captain that if he would but cure her, he would place the Americans near his heart. The worthy

captain needed no such inducement. His kind heart was already touched by the sufferings of the poor girl, and

his sympathies quickened by her appearance; for she was but about sixteen years of age, and uncommonly

beautiful in form and feature. The only difficulty with the captain was, that he knew nothing of her malady,

and that his medical science was of a most haphazard kind. After considering and cogitating for some time, as

a man is apt to do when in a maze of vague ideas, he made a desperate dash at a remedy. By his directions,

the girl was placed in a sort of rude vapor bath, much used by the Nez Perces, where she was kept until near

fainting. He then gave her a dose of gunpowder dissolved in cold water, and ordered her to be wrapped in

buffalo robes and put to sleep under a load of furs and blankets. The remedy succeeded: the next morning she

was free from pain, though extremely languid; whereupon, the captain prescribed for her a bowl of colt's head

The great chief was unbounded in his expressions of gratitude for the recovery of his daughter. He would fain

have detained the captain a long time as his guest, but the time for departure had arrived. When the captain's

horse was brought for him to mount, the chief declared that the steed was not worthy of him, and sent for one

of his best horses, which he presented in its stead; declaring that it made his heart glad to see his friend so

well mounted. He then appointed a young Nez Perce to accompany his guest to the next village, and "to carry

his talk" concerning them; and the two parties separated with mutual expressions of good will.

The vapor bath of which we have made mention is in frequent use among the Nez Perce tribe, chiefly for

cleanliness. Their sweating houses, as they call them, are small and close lodges, and the vapor is produced

On passing the limits of Opushyecut's domains, the travellers left the elevated tablelands, and all the

wild and romantic scenery which has just been described. They now traversed a gently undulating country, of

such fertility that it excited the rapturous admiration of two of the captain's followers, a Kentuckian and a

native of Ohio. They declared that it surpassed any land that they had ever seen, and often exclaimed what a

delight it would be just to run a plough through such a rich and teeming soil, and see it open its bountiful

Another halt and sojourn of a night was made at the village of a chief named Hemimelpilp, where similar

ceremonies were observed and hospitality experienced, as at the preceding villages. They now pursued a

westsouthwest course through a beautiful and fertile region, better wooded than most of the tracts through

which they had passed. In their progress, they met with several bands of Nez Perces, by whom they were

invariably treated with the utmost kindness. Within seven days after leaving the domain of Hemimelpilp,

they struck the Columbia River at Fort WallahWallah, where they arrived on the 4th of March, 1834.

FORT WALLAH WALLAH is a trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company, situated just above the mouth

of the river by the same name, and on the left bank of the Columbia. It is built of driftwood, and calculated

merely for defence against any attack of the natives. At the time of Captain Bonneville's arrival, the whole

garrison mustered but six or eight men; and the post was under the superintendence of Mr. Pambrune, an

The great post and fort of the company, forming the emporium of its trade on the Pacific, is Fort Vancouver;

situated on the right bank of the Columbia, about sixty miles from the sea, and just above the mouth of the

Wallamut. To this point, the company removed its establishment from Astoria, in 1821, after its coalition

Captain Bonneville and his comrades experienced a polite reception from Mr. Pambrune, the superintendent:

for, however hostile the members of the British Company may be to the enterprises of American traders, they

have always manifested great courtesy and hospitality to the traders themselves.

Fort WallahWallah is surrounded by the tribe of the same name, as well as by the Skynses and the Nez

Perces; who bring to it the furs and peltries collected in their hunting expeditions. The WallahWallahs are a

degenerate, wornout tribe. The Nez Perces are the most numerous and tractable of the three tribes just

mentioned. Mr. Pambrune informed Captain Bonneville that he had been at some pains to introduce the

Christian religion, in the Roman Catholic form, among them, where it had evidently taken root; but had

become altered and modified, to suit their peculiar habits of thought, and motives of action; retaining,

however, the principal points of faith, and its entire precepts of morality. The same gentleman had given them

a code of laws, to which they conformed with scrupulous fidelity. Polygamy, which once prevailed among

them to a great extent, was now rarely indulged. All the crimes denounced by the Christian faith met with

severe punishment among them. Even theft, so venial a crime among the Indians, had recently been punished

There certainly appears to be a peculiar susceptibility of moral and religious improvement among this tribe,

and they would seem to be one of the very, very few that have benefited in morals and manners by an

intercourse with white men. The parties which visited them about twenty years previously, in the expedition

fitted out by Mr. Astor, complained of their selfishness, their extortion, and their thievish propensities. The

very reverse of those qualities prevailed among them during the prolonged sojourns of Captain Bonneville.

The Lower Nez Perces range upon the Wayleeway, Immahah, Yenghies, and other of the streams west of

the mountains. They hunt the beaver, elk, deer, white bear, and mountain sheep. Besides the flesh of these

animals, they use a number of roots for food; some of which would be well worth transplanting and

cultivating in the Atlantic States. Among these is the camash, a sweet root, about the form and size of an

onion, and said to be really delicious. The cowish, also, or biscuit root, about the size of a walnut, which they

reduce to a very palatable flour; together with the jackap, aisish, quako, and others; which they cook by

In August and September, these Indians keep along the rivers, where they catch and dry great quantities of

salmon; which, while they last, are their principal food. In the winter, they congregate in villages formed of

comfortable huts, or lodges, covered with mats. They are generally clad in deer skins, or woollens, and

extremely well armed. Above all, they are celebrated for owning great numbers of horses; which they mark,

and then suffer to range in droves in their most fertile plains. These horses are principally of the pony breed;

but remarkably stout and longwinded. They are brought in great numbers to the establishments of the

Such is the account given by Captain Bonneville of the Nez Perces; who, if not viewed by him with too

partial an eye, are certainly among the gentlest, and least barbarous people of these remote wildernesses.

They invariably signified to him their earnest wish that an American post might be established among them;

and repeatedly declared that they would trade with Americans, in preference to any other people.

Captain Bonneville had intended to remain some time in this neighborhood, to form an acquaintance with the

natives, and to collect information, and establish connections that might be advantageous in the way of trade.

The delays, however, which he had experienced on his journey, obliged him to shorten his sojourn, and to set

off as soon as possible, so as to reach the rendezvous at the Portneuf at the appointed time. He had seen

enough to convince him that an American trade might be carried on with advantage in this quarter; and he

determined soon to return with a stronger party, more completely fitted for the purpose.

As he stood in need of some supplies for his journey, he applied to purchase them of Mr. Pambrune; but soon

found the difference between being treated as a guest, or as a rival trader. The worthy superintendent, who

had extended to him all the genial rites of hospitality, now suddenly assumed a witheredup aspect and

demeanor, and observed that, however he might feel disposed to serve him, personally, he felt bound by his

duty to the Hudson's Bay Company, to do nothing which should facilitate or encourage the visits of other

traders among the Indians in that part of the country. He endeavored to dissuade Captain Bonneville from

returning through the Blue Mountains; assuring him it would be extremely difficult and dangerous, if not

impracticable, at this season of the year; and advised him to accompany Mr. Payette, a leader of the Hudson's

Bay Company, who was about to depart with a number of men, by a more circuitous, but safe route, to carry

supplies to the company's agent, resident among the Upper Nez Perces. Captain Bonneville, however, piqued

at his having refused to furnish him with supplies, and doubting the sincerity of his advice, determined to

return by the more direct route through the mountains; though varying his course, in some respects, from that

by which he had come, in consequence of information gathered among the neighboring Indians.

Accordingly, on the 6th of March, he and his three companions, accompanied by their Nez Perce guides, set

out on their return. In the early part of their course, they touched again at several of the Nez Perce villages,

where they had experienced such kind treatment on their way down. They were always welcomed with

On leaving the Wayleeway village, they were joined by a Nez Perce, whose society was welcomed on

account of the general gratitude and good will they felt for his tribe. He soon proved a heavy clog upon the

little party, being doltish and taciturn, lazy in the extreme, and a huge feeder. His only proof of intellect was

in shrewdly avoiding all labor, and availing himself of the toil of others. When on the march, he always

lagged behind the rest, leaving to them the task of breaking a way through all difficulties and impediments,

and leisurely and lazily jogging along the track, which they had beaten through the snow. At the evening

encampment, when others were busy gathering fuel, providing for the horses, and cooking the evening repast,

this worthy Sancho of the wilderness would take his seat quietly and cosily by the fire, puffing away at his

pipe, and eyeing in silence, but with wistful intensity of gaze, the savory morsels roasting for supper.

When mealtime arrived, however, then came his season of activity. He no longer hung back, and waited for

others to take the lead, but distinguished himself by a brilliancy of onset, and a sustained vigor and duration

of attack, that completely shamed the efforts of his competitorsalbeit, experienced trenchermen of no mean

prowess. Never had they witnessed such power of mastication, and such marvellous capacity of stomach, as

in this native and uncultivated gastronome. Having, by repeated and prolonged assaults, at length completely

gorged himself, he would wrap himself up and lie with the torpor of an anaconda; slowly digesting his way

The gormandizing powers of this worthy were, at first, matters of surprise and merriment to the travellers; but

they soon became too serious for a joke, threatening devastation to the fleshpots; and he was regarded

askance, at his meals, as a regular killcrop, destined to waste the substance of the party. Nothing but a sense

of the obligations they were under to his nation induced them to bear with such a guest; but he proceeded,

speedily, to relieve them from the weight of these obligations, by eating a receipt in full.

As CAPTAIN BONNEVILLE and his men were encamped one evening among the hills near Snake River,

seated before their fire, enjoying a hearty supper, they were suddenly surprised by the visit of an uninvited

guest. He was a ragged, halfnaked Indian hunter, armed with bow and arrows, and had the carcass of a fine

buck thrown across his shoulder. Advancing with an alert step, and free and easy air, he threw the buck on the

ground, and, without waiting for an invitation, seated himself at their mess, helped himself without ceremony,

and chatted to the right and left in the liveliest and most unembarrassed manner. No adroit and veteran dinner

hunter of a metropolis could have acquitted himself more knowingly. The travellers were at first completely

taken by surprise, and could not but admire the facility with which this ragged cosmopolite made himself at

home among them. While they stared he went on, making the most of the good cheer upon which he had so

fortunately alighted; and was soon elbow deep in "pot luck," and greased from the tip of his nose to the back

As the company recovered from their surprise, they began to feel annoyed at this intrusion. Their uninvited

guest, unlike the generality of his tribe, was somewhat dirty as well as ragged and they had no relish for such

a messmate. Heaping up, therefore, an abundant portion of the "provant" upon a piece of bark, which served

for a dish, they invited him to confine himself thereto, instead of foraging in the general mess.

He complied with the most accommodating spirit imaginable; and went on eating and chatting, and laughing

and smearing himself, until his whole countenance shone with grease and goodhumor. In the course of his

repast, his attention was caught by the figure of the gastronome, who, as usual, was gorging himself in

dogged silence. A droll cut of the eye showed either that he knew him of old, or perceived at once his

characteristics. He immediately made him the butt of his pleasantries; and cracked off two or three good hits,

that caused the sluggish dolt to prick up his ears, and delighted all the company. From this time, the uninvited

guest was taken into favor; his jokes began to be relished; his careless, free and easy air, to be considered

singularly amusing; and in the end, he was pronounced by the travellers one of the merriest companions and

Supper being over, the redoubtable Sheeweesheouaiter, for such was the simple name by which he

announced himself, declared his intention of keeping company with the party for a day or two, if they had no

objection; and by way of backing his selfinvitation, presented the carcass of the buck as an earnest of his

hunting abilities. By this time, he had so completely effaced the unfavorable impression made by his first

appearance, that he was made welcome to the camp, and the Nez Perce guide undertook to give him lodging

for the night. The next morning, at break of day, he borrowed a gun, and was off among the hills, nor was

anything more seen of him until a few minutes after the party had encamped for the evening, when he again

made his appearance, in his usual frank, careless manner, and threw down the carcass of another noble deer,

This evening he was the life of the party, and his open communicative disposition, free from all disguise,

soon put them in possession of his history. He had been a kind of prodigal son in his native village; living a

loose, heedless life, and disregarding the precepts and imperative commands of the chiefs. He had, in

consequence, been expelled from the village, but, in nowise disheartened at this banishment, had betaken

himself to the society of the border Indians, and had led a careless, haphazard, vagabond life, perfectly

consonant to his humors; heedless of the future, so long as he had wherewithal for the present; and fearing no

lack of food, so long as he had the implements of the chase, and a fair hunting ground.

Finding him very expert as a hunter, and being pleased with his eccentricities, and his strange and merry

humor, Captain Bonneville fitted him out handsomely as the Nimrod of the party, who all soon became quite

attached to him. One of the earliest and most signal services he performed, was to exorcise the insatiate

killcrop that hitherto oppressed the party. In fact, the doltish Nez Perce, who had seemed so perfectly

insensible to rough treatment of every kind, by which the travellers had endeavored to elbow him out of their

society, could not withstand the goodhumored bantering, and occasionally sharp wit of Sheweeshe. He

evidently quailed under his jokes, and sat blinking like an owl in daylight, when pestered by the flouts and

peckings of mischievous birds. At length his place was found vacant at mealtime; no one knew when he

went off, or whither he had gone, but he was seen no more, and the vast surplus that remained when the

Relieved from this incubus, the little party now went on cheerily. Sheweeshe kept them in fun as well as

food. His hunting was always successful; he was ever ready to render any assistance in the camp or on the

march; while his jokes, his antics, and the very cut of his countenance, so full of whim and comicality, kept

In this way they journeyed on until they arrived on the banks of the Immahah, and encamped near to the Nez

Perce lodges. Here Sheweeshe took a sudden notion to visit his people, and show off the state of worldly

prosperity to which he had so suddenly attained. He accordingly departed in the morning, arrayed in hunter's

style, and well appointed with everything benefitting his vocation. The buoyancy of his gait, the elasticity of

his step, and the hilarity of his countenance, showed that he anticipated, with chuckling satisfaction, the

surprise he was about to give those who had ejected him from their society in rags. But what a change was

there in his whole appearance when he rejoined the party in the evening! He came skulking into camp like a

beaten cur, with his tail between his legs. All his finery was gone; he was naked as when he was born, with

the exception of a scanty flap that answered the purpose of a fig leaf. His fellowtravellers at first did not

know him, but supposed it to be some vagrant Root Digger sneaking into the camp; but when they recognized

in this forlorn object their prime wag, Sheweeshe, whom they had seen depart in the morning in such high

glee and high feather, they could not contain their merriment, but hailed him with loud and repeated peals of

Sheweeshe was not of a spirit to be easily cast down; he soon joined in the merriment as heartily as any

one, and seemed to consider his reverse of fortune an excellent joke. Captain Bonneville, however, thought

proper to check his goodhumor, and demanded, with some degree of sternness, the cause of his altered

condition. He replied in the most natural and selfcomplacent style imaginable, "that he had been among his

cousins, who were very poor; they had been delighted to see him; still more delighted with his good fortune;

they had taken him to their arms; admired his equipments; one had begged for this; another for that"in fine,

what with the poor devil's inherent heedlessness, and the real generosity of his disposition, his needy cousins

had succeeded in stripping him of all his clothes and accoutrements, excepting the fig leaf with which he had

Seeing his total want of care and forethought, Captain Bonneville determined to let him suffer a little, in

hopes it might prove a salutary lesson; and, at any rate, to make him no more presents while in the

neighborhood of his needy cousins. He was left, therefore, to shift for himself in his naked condition; which,

however, did not seem to give him any concern, or to abate one jot of his goodhumor. In the course of his

lounging about the camp, however, he got possession of a deer skin; whereupon, cutting a slit in the middle,

he thrust his head through it, so that the two ends hung down before and behind, something like a South

American poncho, or the tabard of a herald. These ends he tied together, under the armpits; and thus arrayed,

presented himself once more before the captain, with an air of perfect selfsatisfaction, as though he thought

A little further journeying brought the travellers to the petty village of Nez Perces, governed by the worthy

and affectionate old patriarch who had made Captain Bonneville the costly present of the very fine horse. The

old man welcomed them once more to his village with his usual cordiality, and his respectable squaw and

hopeful son, cherishing grateful recollections of the hatchet and earbobs, joined in a chorus of friendly

As the muchvaunted steed, once the joy and pride of this interesting family, was now nearly knocked up by

travelling, and totally inadequate to the mountain scramble that lay ahead, Captain Bonneville restored him to

the venerable patriarch, with renewed acknowledgments for the invaluable gift. Somewhat to his surprise, he

was immediately supplied with a fine two years' old colt in his stead, a substitution which he afterward learnt,

according to Indian custom in such cases, he might have claimed as a matter of right. We do not find that any

after claims were made on account of this colt. This donation may be regarded, therefore, as a signal punctilio

of Indian honor; but it will be found that the animal soon proved an unlucky acquisition to the party.

While at this village, the Nez Perce guide had held consultations with some of the inhabitants as to the

mountain tract the party were about to traverse. He now began to wear an anxious aspect, and to indulge in

gloomy forebodings. The snow, he had been told, lay to a great depth in the passes of the mountains, and

difficulties would increase as he proceeded. He begged Captain Bonneville, therefore, to travel very slowly,

so as to keep the horses in strength and spirit for the hard times they would have to encounter. The captain

surrendered the regulation of the march entirely to his discretion, and pushed on in the advance, amusing

himself with hunting, so as generally to kill a deer or two in the course of the day, and arriving, before the

rest of the party, at the spot designated by the guide for the evening's encampment.

In the meantime, the others plodded on at the heels of the guide, accompanied by that merry vagabond,

Sheweeshe. The primitive garb worn by this droll left all his nether man exposed to the biting blasts of the

mountains. Still his wit was never frozen, nor his sunshiny temper beclouded; and his innumerable antics and

practical jokes, while they quickened the circulation of his own blood, kept his companions in high

So passed the first day after the departure from the patriarch's. The second day commenced in the same

manner; the captain in the advance, the rest of the party following on slowly. Sheweeshe, for the greater

part of the time, trudged on foot over the snow, keeping himself warm by hard exercise, and all kinds of crazy

capers. In the height of his foolery, the patriarchal colt, which, unbroken to the saddle, was suffered to follow

on at large, happened to come within his reach. In a moment, he was on his back, snapping his fingers, and

yelping with delight. The colt, unused to such a burden, and half wild by nature, fell to prancing and rearing

and snorting and plunging and kicking; and, at length, set off full speed over the most dangerous ground. As

the route led generally along the steep and craggy sides of the hills, both horse and horseman were constantly

in danger, and more than once had a hairbreadth escape from deadly peril. Nothing, however, could daunt this

madcap savage. He stuck to the colt like a plaister [sic], up ridges, down gullies; whooping and yelling with

the wildest glee. Never did beggar on horseback display more headlong horsemanship. His companions

followed him with their eyes, sometimes laughing, sometimes holding in their breath at his vagaries, until

they saw the colt make a sudden plunge or start, and pitch his unlucky rider headlong over a precipice. There

was a general cry of horror, and all hastened to the spot. They found the poor fellow lying among the rocks

below, sadly bruised and mangled. It was almost a miracle that he had escaped with life. Even in this

condition, his merry spirit was not entirely quelled, and he summoned up a feeble laugh at the alarm and

anxiety of those who came to his relief. He was extricated from his rocky bed, and a messenger dispatched to

inform Captain Bonneville of the accident. The latter returned with all speed, and encamped the party at the

first convenient spot. Here the wounded man was stretched upon buffalo skins, and the captain, who

officiated on all occasions as doctor and surgeon to the party, proceeded to examine his wounds. The

principal one was a long and deep gash in the thigh, which reached to the bone. Calling for a needle and

thread, the captain now prepared to sew up the wound, admonishing the patient to submit to the operation

with becoming fortitude. His gayety was at an end; he could no longer summon up even a forced smile; and,

at the first puncture of the needle, flinched so piteously, that the captain was obliged to pause, and to order

him a powerful dose of alcohol. This somewhat rallied up his spirit and warmed his heart; all the time of the

operation, however, he kept his eyes riveted on the wound, with his teeth set, and a whimsical wincing of the

When the wound was fairly closed, the captain washed it with rum, and administered a second dose of the

same to the patient, who was tucked in for the night, and advised to compose himself to sleep. He was restless

and uneasy, however; repeatedly expressing his fears that his leg would be so much swollen the next day, as

to prevent his proceeding with the party; nor could he be quieted, until the captain gave a decided opinion

Early the next morning, a gleam of his merry humor returned, on finding that his wounded limb retained its

natural proportions. On attempting to use it, however, he found himself unable to stand. He made several

efforts to coax himself into a belief that he might still continue forward; but at length, shook his head

despondingly, and said, that "as he had but one leg," it was all in vain to attempt a passage of the mountain.

Every one grieved to part with so boon a companion, and under such disastrous circumstances. He was once

more clothed and equipped, each one making him some parting present. He was then helped on a horse,

which Captain Bonneville presented to him; and after many parting expressions of good will on both sides,

set off on his return to his old haunts; doubtless, to be once more plucked by his affectionate but needy

CONTINUING THEIR JOURNEY UP the course of the Immahah, the travellers found, as they approached

the headwaters, the snow increased in quantity, so as to lie two feet deep. They were again obliged, therefore,

to beat down a path for their horses, sometimes travelling on the icy surface of the stream. At length they

reached the place where they intended to scale the mountains; and, having broken a pathway to the foot, were

agreeably surprised to find that the wind had drifted the snow from off the side, so that they attained the

summit with but little difficulty. Here they encamped, with the intention of beating a track through the

mountains. A short experiment, however, obliged them to give up the attempt, the snow lying in vast drifts,

Captain Bonneville now took the two Indian guides, and set out to reconnoitre the neighborhood. Observing a

high peak which overtopped the rest, he climbed it, and discovered from the summit a pass about nine miles

long, but so heavily piled with snow, that it seemed impracticable. He now lit a pipe, and, sitting down with

the two guides, proceeded to hold a consultation after the Indian mode. For a long while they all smoked

vigorously and in silence, pondering over the subject matter before them. At length a discussion commenced,

and the opinion in which the two guides concurred was, that the horses could not possibly cross the snows.

They advised, therefore, that the party should proceed on foot, and they should take the horses back to the

village, where they would be well taken care of until Captain Bonneville should send for them. They urged

this advice with great earnestness; declaring that their chief would be extremely angry, and treat them

severely, should any of the horses of his good friends, the white men, be lost, in crossing under their

Captain Bonneville sat smoking his pipe, and listening to them with Indian silence and gravity. When they

"My friends," said he, "I have seen the pass, and have listened to your words; you have little hearts. When

troubles and dangers lie in your way, you turn your backs. That is not the way with my nation. When great

obstacles present, and threaten to keep them back, their hearts swell, and they push forward. They love to

conquer difficulties. But enough for the present. Night is coming on; let us return to our camp."

He moved on, and they followed in silence. On reaching the camp, he found the men extremely discouraged.

One of their number had been surveying the neighborhood, and seriously assured them that the snow was at

least a hundred feet deep. The captain cheered them up, and diffused fresh spirit in them by his example. Still

he was much perplexed how to proceed. About dark there was a slight drizzling rain. An expedient now

suggested itself. This was to make two light sleds, place the packs on them, and drag them to the other side of

the mountain, thus forming a road in the wet snow, which, should it afterward freeze, would be sufficiently

hard to bear the horses. This plan was promptly put into execution; the sleds were constructed, the heavy

baggage was drawn backward and forward until the road was beaten, when they desisted from their fatiguing

labor. The night turned out clear and cold, and by morning, their road was incrusted with ice sufficiently

strong for their purpose. They now set out on their icy turnpike, and got on well enough, excepting that now

and then a horse would sidle out of the track, and immediately sink up to the neck. Then came on toil and

difficulty, and they would be obliged to haul up the floundering animal with ropes. One, more unlucky than

the rest, after repeated falls, had to be abandoned in the snow. Notwithstanding these repeated delays, they

succeeded, before the sun had acquired sufficient power to thaw the snow, in getting all the rest of their

Their difficulties and dangers, however, were not yet at an end. They had now to descend, and the whole

surface of the snow was glazed with ice. It was necessary; therefore, to wait until the warmth of the sun

should melt the glassy crust of sleet, and give them a foothold in the yielding snow. They had a frightful

warning of the danger of any movement while the sleet remained. A wild young mare, in her restlessness,

strayed to the edge of a declivity. One slip was fatal to her; she lost her balance, careered with headlong

velocity down the slippery side of the mountain for more than two thousand feet, and was dashed to pieces at

the bottom. When the travellers afterward sought the carcass to cut it up for food, they found it torn and

It was quite late in the evening before the party descended to the ultimate skirts of the snow. Here they

planted large logs below them to prevent their sliding down, and encamped for the night. The next day they

succeeded in bringing down their baggage to the encampment; then packing all up regularly, and loading

their horses, they once more set out briskly and cheerfully, and in the course of the following day succeeded

Here their Nez Perce guides declared that all the difficulties of the mountains were at an end, and their course

was plain and simple, and needed no further guidance; they asked leave, therefore, to return home. This was

readily granted, with many thanks and presents for their faithful services. They took a long farewell smoke

with their white friends, after which they mounted their horses and set off, exchanging many farewells and

On the following day, Captain Bonneville completed his journey down the mountain, and encamped on the

borders of Snake River, where he found the grass in great abundance and eight inches in height. In this

neighborhood, he saw on the rocky banks of the river several prismoids of basaltes, rising to the height of

Nothing particularly worthy of note occurred during several days as the party proceeded up along Snake

River and across its tributary streams. After crossing Gun Creek, they met with various signs that white

people were in the neighborhood, and Captain Bonneville made earnest exertions to discover whether they

were any of his own people, that he might join them. He soon ascertained that they had been starved out of

this tract of country, and had betaken themselves to the buffalo region, whither he now shaped his course. In

proceeding along Snake River, he found small hordes of Shoshonies lingering upon the minor streams, and

living upon trout and other fish, which they catch in great numbers at this season in fishtraps. The greater

part of the tribe, however, had penetrated the mountains to hunt the elk, deer, and ahsahta or bighorn.

On the 12th of May, Captain Bonneville reached the Portneuf River, in the vicinity of which he had left the

winter encampment of his company on the preceding Christmas day. He had then expected to be back by the

beginning of March, but circumstances had detained him upward of two months beyond the time, and the

winter encampment must long ere this have been broken up. Halting on the banks of the Portneuf, he

dispatched scouts a few miles above, to visit the old camping ground and search for signals of the party, or of

their whereabouts, should they actually have abandoned the spot. They returned without being able to

Being now destitute of provisions, the travellers found it necessary to make a short hunting excursion after

buffalo. They made caches, therefore, on an island in the river, in which they deposited all their baggage, and

then set out on their expedition. They were so fortunate as to kill a couple of fine bulls, and cutting up the

carcasses, determined to husband this stock of provisions with the most miserly care, lest they should again

be obliged to venture into the open and dangerous hunting grounds. Returning to their island on the 18th of

May, they found that the wolves had been at the caches, scratched up the contents, and scattered them in

every direction. They now constructed a more secure one, in which they deposited their heaviest articles, and

then descended Snake River again, and encamped just above the American Falls. Here they proceeded to

fortify themselves, intending to remain here, and give their horses an opportunity to recruit their strength with

good pasturage, until it should be time to set out for the annual rendezvous in Bear River valley.

On the first of June they descried four men on the other side of the river, opposite to the camp, and, having

attracted their attention by a discharge of rifles, ascertained to their joy that they were some of their own

people. From these men Captain Bonneville learned that the whole party which he had left in the preceding

month of December were encamped on Blackfoot River, a tributary of Snake River, not very far above the

Portneuf. Thither he proceeded with all possible dispatch, and in a little while had the pleasure of finding

himself once more surrounded by his people, who greeted his return among them in the heartiest manner; for

his longprotracted absence had convinced them that he and his three companions had been cut off by some

The party had suffered much during his absence. They had been pinched by famine and almost starved, and

had been forced to repair to the caches at Salmon River. Here they fell in with the Blackfeet bands, and

considered themselves fortunate in being able to retreat from the dangerous neighborhood without sustaining

Being thus reunited, a general treat from Captain Bonneville to his men was a matter of course. Two days,

therefore, were given up to such feasting and merriment as their means and situation afforded. What was

wanting in good cheer was made up in good will; the free trappers in particular, distinguished themselves on

the occasion, and the saturnalia was enjoyed with a hearty holiday spirit, that smacked of the game flavor of

AFTER THE TWO DAYS of festive indulgence, Captain Bonneville broke up the encampment, and set out

with his motley crew of hired and free trappers, halfbreeds, Indians, and squaws, for the main rendezvous in

Bear River valley. Directing his course up the Blackfoot River, he soon reached the hills among which it

takes its rise. Here, while on the march, he descried from the brow of a hill, a war party of about sixty

Blackfeet, on the plain immediately below him. His situation was perilous; for the greater part of his people

were dispersed in various directions. Still, to betray hesitation or fear would be to discover his actual

weakness, and to invite attack. He assumed, instantly, therefore, a belligerent tone; ordered the squaws to lead

the horses to a small grove of ashen trees, and unload and tie them; and caused a great bustle to be made by

his scanty handful; the leaders riding hither and thither, and vociferating with all their might, as if a numerous

To keep up the deception as to his force, he ordered, at night, a number of extra fires to be made in his camp,

and kept up a vigilant watch. His men were all directed to keep themselves prepared for instant action. In

such cases the experienced trapper sleeps in his clothes, with his rifle beside him, the shotbelt and

powderflask on the stock: so that, in case of alarm, he can lay his hand upon the whole of his equipment at

Captain Bonneville was also especially careful to secure the horses, and set a vigilant guard upon them; for

there lies the great object and principal danger of a night attack. The grand move of the lurking savage is to

cause a panic among the horses. In such cases one horse frightens another, until all are alarmed, and struggle

to break loose. In camps where there are great numbers of Indians, with their horses, a night alarm of the kind

is tremendous. The running of the horses that have broken loose; the snorting, stamping, and rearing of those

which remain fast; the howling of dogs; the yelling of Indians; the scampering of white men, and red men,

with their guns; the overturning of lodges, and trampling of fires by the horses; the flashes of the fires,

lighting up forms of men and steeds dashing through the gloom, altogether make up one of the wildest scenes

of confusion imaginable. In this way, sometimes, all the horses of a camp amounting to several hundred will

The night passed off without any disturbance; but there was no likelihood that a war party of Blackfeet, once

on the track of a camp where there was a chance for spoils, would fail to hover round it. The captain,

therefore, continued to maintain the most vigilant precautions; throwing out scouts in the advance, and on

In the course of the day he arrived at the plain of white clay, already mentioned, surrounded by the mineral

springs, called Beer Springs, by the trappers. Here the men all halted to have a regale. In a few moments

every spring had its jovial knot of hard drinkers, with tin cup in hand, indulging in a mock carouse; quaffing,

pledging, toasting, bandying jokes, singing drinking songs, and uttering peals of laughter, until it seemed as if

their imaginations had given potency to the beverage, and cheated them into a fit of intoxication. Indeed, in

the excitement of the moment, they were loud and extravagant in their commendations of "the mountain tap";

elevating it above every beverage produced from hops or malt. It was a singular and fantastic scene; suited to

a region where everything is strange and peculiar:These groups of trappers, and hunters, and Indians, with

their wild costumes, and wilder countenances; their boisterous gayety, and reckless air; quaffing, and making

merry round these sparkling fountains; while beside them lay their weep ons, ready to be snatched up for

instant service. Painters are fond of representing banditti at their rude and picturesque carousels; but here

were groups, still more rude and picturesque; and it needed but a sudden onset of Blackfeet, and a quick

transition from a fantastic revel to a furious melee, to have rendered this picture of a trapper's life complete.

The beer frolic, however, passed off without any untoward circumstance; and, unlike most drinking bouts,

left neither headache nor heartache behind. Captain Bonneville now directed his course up along Bear River;

amusing himself, occasionally, with hunting the buffalo, with which the country was covered. Sometimes,

when he saw a huge bull taking his repose in a prairie, he would steal along a ravine, until close upon him;

then rouse him from his meditations with a pebble, and take a shot at him as he started up. Such is the

quickness with which this animal springs upon his legs, that it is not easy to discover the muscular process by

which it is effected. The horse rises first upon his fore legs; and the domestic cow, upon her hinder limbs; but

the buffalo bounds at once from a couchant to an erect position, with a celerity that baffles the eye. Though

from his bulk, and rolling gait, he does not appear to run with much swiftness; yet, it takes a stanch horse to

overtake him, when at full speed on level ground; and a buffalo cow is still fleeter in her motion.

Among the Indians and halfbreeds of the party, were several admirable horsemen and bold hunters; who

amused themselves with a grotesque kind of buffalo bait. Whenever they found a huge bull in the plains, they

prepared for their teasing and barbarous sport. Surrounding him on horseback, they would discharge their

arrows at him in quick succession, goading him to make an attack; which, with a dexterous movement of the

horse, they would easily avoid. In this way, they hovered round him, feathering him with arrows, as he reared

and plunged about, until he was bristled all over like a porcupine. When they perceived in him signs of

exhaustion, and he could no longer be provoked to make battle, they would dismount from their horses,

approach him in the rear, and seizing him by the tail, jerk him from side to side, and drag him backward; until

the frantic animal, gathering fresh strength from fury, would break from them, and rush, with flashing eyes

and a hoarse bellowing, upon any enemy in sight; but in a little while, his transient excitement at an end,

would pitch headlong on the ground, and expire. The arrows were then plucked forth, the tongue cut out and

Pursuing his course up Bear River, Captain Bonneville arrived, on the 13th of June, at the Little Snake Lake;

where he encamped for four or five days, that he might examine its shores and outlets. The latter, he found

extremely muddy, and so surrounded by swamps and quagmires, that he was obliged to construct canoes of

rushes, with which to explore them. The mouths of all the streams which fall into this lake from the west, are

marshy and inconsiderable; but on the east side, there is a beautiful beach, broken, occasionally, by high and

isolated bluffs, which advance upon the lake, and heighten the character of the scenery. The water is very

Having finished his survey of the lake, Captain Bonneville proceeded on his journey, until on the banks of the

Bear River, some distance higher up, he came upon the party which he had detached a year before, to

circumambulate the Great Salt Lake, and ascertain its extent, and the nature of its shores. They had been

encamped here about twenty days; and were greatly rejoiced at meeting once more with their comrades, from

whom they had so long been separated. The first inquiry of Captain Bonneville was about the result of their

journey, and the information they had procured as to the Great Salt Lake; the object of his intense curiosity

and ambition. The substance of their report will be found in the following chapter.

IT WAS ON THE 24TH of July, in the preceding year (1833), that the brigade of forty men set out from

Green River valley, to explore the Great Salt Lake. They were to make the complete circuit of it, trapping on

all the streams which should fall in their way, and to keep journals and make charts, calculated to impart a

knowledge of the lake and the surrounding country. All the resources of Captain Bonneville had been tasked

to fit out this favorite expedition. The country lying to the southwest of the mountains, and ranging down to

California, was as yet almost unknown; being out of the buffalo range, it was untraversed by the trapper, who

preferred those parts of the wilderness where the roaming herds of that species of animal gave him

comparatively an abundant and luxurious life. Still it was said the deer, the elk, and the bighorn were to be

found there, so that, with a little diligence and economy, there was no danger of lacking food. As a

precaution, however, the party halted on Bear River and hunted for a few days, until they had laid in a supply

of dried buffalo meat and venison; they then passed by the head waters of the Cassie River, and soon found

themselves launched on an immense sandy desert. Southwardly, on their left, they beheld the Great Salt Lake,

spread out like a sea, but they found no stream running into it. A desert extended around them, and stretched

to the southwest, as far as the eye could reach, rivalling the deserts of Asia and Africa in sterility. There was

neither tree, nor herbage, nor spring, nor pool, nor running stream, nothing but parched wastes of sand, where

Their sufferings, at length, became so great that they abandoned their intended course, and made towards a

range of snowy mountains, brightening in the north, where they hoped to find water. After a time, they came

upon a small stream leading directly towards these mountains. Having quenched their burning thirst, and

refreshed themselves and their weary horses for a time, they kept along this stream, which gradually

increased in size, being fed by numerous brooks. After approaching the mountains, it took a sweep toward the

southwest, and the travellers still kept along it, trapping beaver as they went, on the flesh of which they

The stream on which they had thus fallen is called by some, Mary River, but is more generally known as

Ogden's River, from Mr. Peter Ogden, an enterprising and intrepid leader of the Hudson's Bay Company, who

first explored it. The wild and halfdesert region through which the travellers were passing, is wandered over

by hordes of Shoshokoes, or Root Diggers, the forlorn branch of the Snake tribe. They are a shy people,

prone to keep aloof from the stranger. The travellers frequently met with their trails, and saw the smoke of

their fires rising in various parts of the vast landscape, so that they knew there were great numbers in the

After a time, they began to have vexatious proofs that, if the Shoshokoes were quiet by day, they were busy at

night. The camp was dogged by these eavesdroppers; scarce a morning, but various articles were missing, yet

nothing could be seen of the marauders. What particularly exasperated the hunters, was to have their traps

stolen from the streams. One morning, a trapper of a violent and savage character, discovering that his traps

had been carried off in the night, took a horrid oath to kill the first Indian he should meet, innocent or guilty.

As he was returning with his comrades to camp, he beheld two unfortunate Diggers, seated on the river bank,

fishing. Advancing upon them, he levelled his rifle, shot one upon the spot, and flung his bleeding body into

the stream. The other Indian fled and was suffered to escape. Such is the indifference with which acts of

violence are regarded in the wilderness, and such the immunity an armed ruffian enjoys beyond the barriers

of the laws, that the only punishment this desperado met with, was a rebuke from the leader of the party. The

trappers now left the scene of this infamous tragedy, and kept on westward, down the course of the river,

which wound along with a range of mountains on the right hand, and a sandy, but somewhat fertile plain, on

the left. As they proceeded, they beheld columns of smoke rising, as before, in various directions, which their

guilty consciences now converted into alarm signals, to arouse the country and collect the scattered bands for

After a time, the natives began to make their appearance, and sometimes in considerable numbers, but always

pacific; the trappers, however, suspected them of deeplaid plans to draw them into ambuscades; to crowd

into and get possession of their camp, and various other crafty and daring conspiracies, which, it is probable,

never entered into the heads of the poor savages. In fact, they are a simple, timid, inoffensive race,

unpractised in warfare, and scarce provided with any weapons, excepting for the chase. Their lives are passed

in the great sand plains and along the adjacent rivers; they subsist sometimes on fish, at other times on roots

and the seeds of a plant, called the cat'stail. They are of the same kind of people that Captain Bonneville

The trappers, however, had persuaded themselves that they were making their way through a hostile country,

and that implacable foes hung round their camp or beset their path, watching for an opportunity to surprise

them. At length, one day they came to the banks of a stream emptying into Ogden's River, which they were

obliged to ford. Here a great number of Shoshokoes were posted on the opposite bank. Persuaded they were

there with hostile intent, they advanced upon them, levelled their rifles, and killed twenty five of them upon

the spot. The rest fled to a short distance, then halted and turned about, howling and whining like wolves, and

uttering the most piteous wailings. The trappers chased them in every direction; the poor wretches made no

defence, but fled with terror; neither does it appear from the accounts of the boasted victors, that a weapon

had been wielded or a weapon launched by the Indians throughout the affair. We feel perfectly convinced that

the poor savages had no hostile intention, but had merely gathered together through motives of curiosity, as

others of their tribe had done when Captain Bonneville and his companions passed along Snake River.

The trappers continued down Ogden's River, until they ascertained that it lost itself in a great swampy lake, to

which there was no apparent discharge. They then struck directly westward, across the great chain of

California mountains intervening between these interior plains and the shores of the Pacific.

For three and twenty days they were entangled among these mountains, the peaks and ridges of which are in

many places covered with perpetual snow. Their passes and defiles present the wildest scenery, partaking of

the sublime rather than the beautiful, and abounding with frightful precipices. The sufferings of the travellers

among these savage mountains were extreme: for a part of the time they were nearly starved; at length, they

made their way through them, and came down upon the plains of New California, a fertile region extending

along the coast, with magnificent forests, verdant savannas, and prairies that looked like stately parks. Here

they found deer and other game in abundance, and indemnified themselves for past famine. They now turned

toward the south, and passing numerous small bands of natives, posted upon various streams, arrived at the

This is a small place, containing about two hundred houses, situated in latitude 37 north. It has a capacious

bay, with indifferent anchorage. The surrounding country is extremely fertile, especially in the valleys; the

soil is richer, the further you penetrate into the interior, and the climate is described as a perpetual spring.

Indeed, all California, extending along the Pacific Ocean from latitude 19 30' to 42 north, is represented as

Lower California, in length about seven hundred miles, forms a great peninsula, which crosses the tropics and

terminates in the torrid zone. It is separated from the mainland by the Gulf of California, sometimes called

the Vermilion Sea; into this gulf empties the Colorado of the West, the Seedskedee, or Green River, as it is

also sometimes called. The peninsula is traversed by stern and barren mountains, and has many sandy plains,

where the only sign of vegetation is the cylindrical cactus growing among the clefts of the rocks. Wherever

there is water, however, and vegetable mould, the ardent nature of the climate quickens everything into

astonishing fertility. There are valleys luxuriant with the rich and beautiful productions of the tropics. There

the sugarcane and indigo plant attain a perfection unequalled in any other part of North America. There

flourish the olive, the fig, the date, the orange, the citron, the pomegranate, and other fruits belonging to the

voluptuous climates of the south; with grapes in abundance, that yield a generous wine. In the interior are salt

plains; silver mines and scanty veins of gold are said, likewise, to exist; and pearls of a beautiful water are to

The peninsula of California was settled in 1698, by the Jesuits, who, certainly, as far as the natives were

concerned, have generally proved the most beneficent of colonists. In the present instance, they gained and

maintained a footing in the country without the aid of military force, but solely by religious influence. They

formed a treaty, and entered into the most amicable relations with the natives, then numbering from

twentyfive to thirty thousand souls, and gained a hold upon their affections, and a control over their minds,

that effected a complete change in their condition. They built eleven missionary establishments in the various

valleys of the peninsula, which formed rallying places for the surrounding savages, where they gathered

together as sheep into the fold, and surrendered themselves and their consciences into the hands of these

spiritual pastors. Nothing, we are told, could exceed the implicit and affectionate devotion of the Indian

converts to the Jesuit fathers, and the Catholic faith was disseminated widely through the wilderness. The

growing power and influence of the Jesuits in the New World at length excited the jealousy of the Spanish

government, and they were banished from the colonies. The governor, who arrived at California to expel

them, and to take charge of the country, expected to find a rich and powerful fraternity, with immense

treasures hoarded in their missions, and an army of Indians ready to defend them. On the contrary, he beheld

a few venerable silverhaired priests coming humbly forward to meet him, followed by a throng of weeping,

but submissive natives. The heart of the governor, it is said, was so touched by this unexpected sight, that he

shed tears; but he had to execute his orders. The Jesuits were accompanied to the place of their embarkation

by their simple and affectionate parishioners, who took leave of them with tears and sobs. Many of the latter

abandoned their heriditary abodes, and wandered off to join their southern brethren, so that but a remnant

remained in the peninsula. The Franciscans immediately succeeded the Jesuits, and subsequently the

Dominicans; but the latter managed their affairs ill. But two of the missionary establishments are at present

occupied by priests; the rest are all in ruins, excepting one, which remains a monument of the former power

and prosperity of the order. This is a noble edifice, once the seat of the chief of the resident Jesuits. It is

situated in a beautiful valley, about half way between the Gulf of California and the broad ocean, the

peninsula being here about sixty miles wide. The edifice is of hewn stone, one story high, two hundred and

ten feet in front, and about fiftyfive feet deep. The walls are six feet thick, and sixteen feet high, with a

vaulted roof of stone, about two feet and a half in thickness. It is now abandoned and desolate; the beautiful

valley is without an inhabitant not a human being resides within thirty miles of the place!

In approaching this deserted missionhouse from the south, the traveller passes over the mountain of San

Juan, supposed to be the highest peak in the Californias. From this lofty eminence, a vast and magnificent

prospect unfolds itself; the great Gulf of California, with the dark blue sea beyond, studded with islands; and

in another direction, the immense lava plain of San Gabriel. The splendor of the climate gives an Italian

effect to the immense prospect. The sky is of a deep blue color, and the sunsets are often magnificent beyond

description. Such is a slight and imperfect sketch of this remarkable peninsula.

Upper California extends from latitude 31 10' to 42 on the Pacific, and inland, to the great chain of

snowcapped mountains which divide it from the sand plains of the interior. There are about twentyone

missions in this province, most of which were established about fifty years since, and are generally under the

care of the Franciscans. These exert a protecting sway over about thirtyfive thousand Indian converts, who

reside on the lands around the mission houses. Each of these houses has fifteen miles square of land allotted

to it, subdivided into small lots, proportioned to the number of Indian converts attached to the mission. Some

are enclosed with high walls; but in general they are open hamlets, composed of rows of huts, built of

sunburnt bricks; in some instances whitewashed and roofed with tiles. Many of them are far in the interior,

beyond the reach of all military protection, and dependent entirely on the good will of the natives, which

never fails them. They have made considerable progress in teaching the Indians the useful arts. There are

native tanners, shoemakers, weavers, blacksmiths, stonecutters, and other artificers attached to each

establishment. Others are taught husbandry, and the rearing of cattle and horses; while the females card and

spin wool, weave, and perform the other duties allotted to their sex in civilized life. No social intercourse is

allowed between the unmarried of the opposite sexes after working hours; and at night they are locked up in

The produce of the lands, and all the profits arising from sales, are entirely at the disposal of the priests;

whatever is not required for the support of the missions, goes to augment a fund which is under their control.

Hides and tallow constitute the principal riches of the missions, and, indeed, the main commerce of the

country. Grain might be produced to an unlimited extent at the establishments, were there a sufficient market

Horses and horned cattle abound throughout all this region; the former may be purchased at from three to five

dollars, but they are of an inferior breed. Mules, which are here of a large size and of valuable qualities, cost

There are several excellent ports along this coast. San Diego, San Barbara, Monterey, the bay of San

Francisco, and the northern port of Bondago; all afford anchorage for ships of the largest class. The port of

San Francisco is too well known to require much notice in this place. The entrance from the sea is

sixtyseven fathoms deep, and within, whole navies might ride with perfect safety. Two large rivers, which

take their rise in mountains two or three hundred miles to the east, and run through a country unsurpassed for

soil and climate, empty themselves into the harbor. The country around affords admirable timber for

shipbuilding. In a word, this favored port combines advantages which not only fit it for a grand naval depot,

but almost render it capable of being made the dominant military post of these seas.

Such is a feeble outline of the Californian coast and country, the value of which is more and more attracting

the attention of naval powers. The Russians have always a ship of war upon this station, and have already

encroached upon the Californian boundaries, by taking possession of the port of Bondago, and fortifying it

with several guns. Recent surveys have likewise been made, both by the Russians and the English; and we

have little doubt, that, at no very distant day, this neglected, and, until recently, almost unknown region, will

be found to possess sources of wealth sufficient to sustain a powerful and prosperous empire. Its inhabitants,

themselves, are but little aware of its real riches; they have not enterprise sufficient to acquaint themselves

with a vast interior that lies almost a terra incognita; nor have they the skill and industry to cultivate properly

the fertile tracts along the coast; nor to prosecute that foreign commerce which brings all the resources of a

THE WANDERING BAND of trappers was well received at Monterey, the inhabitants were desirous of

retaining them among them, and offered extravagant wages to such as were acquainted with any mechanic

art. When they went into the country, too, they were kindly treated by the priests at the missions; who are

always hospitable to strangers, whatever may be their rank or religion. They had no lack of provisions; being

permitted to kill as many as they pleased of the vast herds of cattle that graze the country, on condition,

merely, of rendering the hides to the owners. They attended bullfights and horseraces; forgot all the

purposes of their expedition; squandered away, freely, the property that did not belong to them; and, in a

What especially delighted them was the equestrian skill of the Californians. The vast number and the

cheapness of the horses in this country makes every one a cavalier. The Mexicans and halfbreeds of

California spend the greater part of their time in the saddle. They are fearless riders; and their daring feats

upon unbroken colts and wild horses, astonished our trappers; though accustomed to the bold riders of the

A Mexican horseman has much resemblance, in many points, to the equestrians of Old Spain; and especially

to the vainglorious caballero of Andalusia. A Mexican dragoon, for instance, is represented as arrayed in a

round blue jacket, with red cuffs and collar; blue velvet breeches, unbuttoned at the knees to show his white

stockings; bottinas of deer skin; a roundcrowned Andalusian hat, and his hair cued. On the pommel of his

saddle, he carries balanced a long musket, with fox skin round the lock. He is cased in a cuirass of

doublefold deer skin, and carries a bull's hide shield; he is forked in a Moorish saddle, high before and

behind; his feet are thrust into wooden box stirrups, of Moorish fashion, and a tremendous pair of iron spurs,

fastened by chains, jingle at his heels. Thus equipped, and suitably mounted, he considers himself the glory

The Californian horsemen seldom ride out without the laso [sic]; that is to say, a long coil of cord, with a slip

noose; with which they are expert, almost to a miracle. The laso, now almost entirely confined to Spanish

America, is said to be of great antiquity; and to have come, originally, from the East. It was used, we are told,

by a pastoral people of Persian descent; of whom eight thousand accompanied the army of Xerxes. By the

Spanish Americans, it is used for a variety of purposes; and among others, for hauling wood. Without

dismounting, they cast the noose around a log, and thus drag it to their houses. The vaqueros, or Indian cattle

drivers, have also learned the use of the laso from the Spaniards; and employ it to catch the halfwild cattle

The laso is also of great use in furnishing the public with a favorite, though barbarous sport; the combat

between a bear and a wild bull. For this purpose, three or four horsemen sally forth to some wood, frequented

by bears, and, depositing the carcass of a bullock, hide themselves in the vicinity. The bears are soon

attracted by the bait. As soon as one, fit for their purpose, makes his appearance, they run out, and with the

laso, dexterously noose him by either leg. After dragging him at full speed until he is fatigued, they secure

him more effectually; and tying him on the carcass of the bullock, draw him in triumph to the scene of action.

By this time, he is exasperated to such frenzy, that they are sometimes obliged to throw cold water on him, to

moderate his fury; and dangerous would it be, for horse and rider, were he, while in this paroxysm, to break

A wild bull, of the fiercest kind, which has been caught and exasperated in the same manner, is now

produced; and both animals are turned loose in the arena of a small amphitheatre. The mortal fight begins

instantly; and always, at first, to the disadvantage of Bruin; fatigued, as he is, by his previous rough riding.

Roused, at length, by the repeated goring of the bull, he seizes his muzzle with his sharp claws, and clinging

to this most sensitive part, causes him to bellow with rage and agony. In his heat and fury, the bull lolls out

his tongue; this is instantly clutched by the bear; with a desperate effort he overturns his huge antagonist; and

Beside this diversion, the travellers were likewise regaled with bullfights, in the genuine style of Old Spain;

the Californians being considered the best bullfighters in the Mexican dominions.

After a considerable sojourn at Monterey, spent in these very edifying, but not very profitable amusements,

the leader of this vagabond party set out with his comrades, on his return journey. Instead of retracing their

steps through the mountains, they passed round their southern extremity, and, crossing a range of low hills,

found themselves in the sandy plains south of Ogden's River; in traversing which, they again suffered,

In the course of their journey, they encountered a party of Mexicans in pursuit of a gang of natives, who had

been stealing horses. The savages of this part of California are represented as extremely poor, and armed only

with stonepointed arrows; it being the wise policy of the Spaniards not to furnish them with firearms. As

they find it difficult, with their blunt shafts, to kill the wild game of the mountains, they occasionally supply

themselves with food, by entrapping the Spanish horses. Driving them stealthily into fastnesses and ravines,

they slaughter them without difficulty, and dry their flesh for provisions. Some they carry off to trade with

distant tribes; and in this way, the Spanish horses pass from hand to hand among the Indians, until they even

The Mexicans are continually on the alert, to intercept these marauders; but the Indians are apt to outwit

them, and force them to make long and wild expeditions in pursuit of their stolen horses.

Two of the Mexican party just mentioned joined the band of trappers, and proved themselves worthy

companions. In the course of their journey through the country frequented by the poor Root Diggers, there

seems to have been an emulation between them, which could inflict the greatest outrages upon the natives.

The trappers still considered them in the light of dangerous foes; and the Mexicans, very probably, charged

them with the sin of horsestealing; we have no other mode of accounting for the infamous barbarities of

which, according to their own story, they were guilty; hunting the poor Indians like wild beasts, and killing

them without mercy. The Mexicans excelled at this savage sport; chasing their unfortunate victims at full

speed; noosing them round the neck with their lasos, and then dragging them to death!

Such are the scanty details of this most disgraceful expedition; at least, such are all that Captain Bonneville

had the patience to collect; for he was so deeply grieved by the failure of his plans, and so indignant at the

atrocities related to him, that he turned, with disgust and horror, from the narrators. Had he exerted a little of

the Lynch law of the wilderness, and hanged those dexterous horsemen in their own lasos, it would but have

been a wellmerited and salutary act of retributive justice. The failure of this expedition was a blow to his

pride, and a still greater blow to his purse. The Great Salt Lake still remained unexplored; at the same time,

the means which had been furnished so liberally to fit out this favorite expedition, had all been squandered at

Monterey; and the peltries, also, which had been collected on the way. He would have but scanty returns,

therefore, to make this year, to his associates in the United States; and there was great danger of their

THE horror and indignation felt by Captain Bonneville at the excesses of the Californian adventurers were

not participated by his men; on the contrary, the events of that expedition were favorite themes in the camp.

The heroes of Monterey bore the palm in all the gossipings among the hunters. Their glowing descriptions of

Spanish bearbaits and bullfights especially, were listened to with intense delight; and had another

expedition to California been proposed, the difficulty would have been to restrain a general eagerness to

The captain had not long been at the rendezvous when he perceived, by various signs, that Indians were

lurking in the neighborhood. It was evident that the Blackfoot band, which he had seen when on his march,

had dogged his party, and were intent on mischief. He endeavored to keep his camp on the alert; but it is as

difficult to maintain discipline among trappers at a rendezvous as among sailors when in port.

Buckeye, the Delaware Indian, was scandalized at this heedlessness of the hunters when an enemy was at

hand, and was continually preaching up caution. He was a little prone to play the prophet, and to deal in signs

and portents, which occasionally excited the merriment of his white comrades. He was a great dreamer, and

believed in charms and talismans, or medicines, and could foretell the approach of strangers by the howling

or barking of the small prairie wolf. This animal, being driven by the larger wolves from the carcasses left on

the hunting grounds by the hunters, follows the trail of the fresh meat carried to the camp. Here the smell of

the roast and broiled, mingling with every breeze, keeps them hovering about the neighborhood; scenting

every blast, turning up their noses like hungry hounds, and testifying their pinching hunger by long whining

howls and impatient barkings. These are interpreted by the superstitious Indians into warnings that strangers

are at hand; and one accidental coincidence, like the chance fulfillment of an almanac prediction, is sufficient

to cover a thousand failures. This little, whining, feastsmelling animal is, therefore, called among Indians

One morning early, the soothsaying Delaware appeared with a gloomy countenance. His mind was full of

dismal presentiments, whether from mysterious dreams, or the intimations of the medicine wolf, does not

appear. "Danger," he said, "was lurking in their path, and there would be some fighting before sunset." He

was bantered for his prophecy, which was attributed to his having supped too heartily, and been visited by

bad dreams. In the course of the morning a party of hunters set out in pursuit of buffaloes, taking with them a

mule, to bring home the meat they should procure. They had been some few hours absent, when they came

clattering at full speed into camp, giving the war cry of Blackfeet! Blackfeet! Every one seized his weapon

and ran to learn the cause of the alarm. It appeared that the hunters, as they were returning leisurely, leading

their mule well laden with prime pieces of buffalo meat, passed close by a small stream overhung with trees,

about two miles from the camp. Suddenly a party of Blackfeet, who lay in ambush along the thickets, sprang

up with a fearful yell, and discharged a volley at the hunters. The latter immediately threw themselves flat on

their horses, put them to their speed, and never paused to look behind, until they found themselves in camp.

Fortunately they had escaped without a wound; but the mule, with all the "provant," had fallen into the hands

of the enemy This was a loss, as well as an insult, not to be borne. Every man sprang to horse, and with rifle

in hand, galloped off to punish the Blackfeet, and rescue the buffalo beef. They came too late; the marauders

were off, and all that they found of their mule was the dents of his hoofs, as he had been conveyed off at a

round trot, bearing his savory cargo to the hills, to furnish the scampering savages with a banquet of roast

The party returned to camp, balked of their revenge, but still more grievously balked of their supper.

Buckeye, the Delaware, sat smoking by his fire, perfectly composed. As the hunters related the particulars of

the attack, he listened in silence, with unruffled countenance, then pointing to the west, "the sun has not yet

All present now recollected the prediction of the Indian at daybreak, and were struck with what appeared to

be its fulfilment. They called to mind, also, a long catalogue of foregone presentiments and predictions made

at various times by the Delaware, and, in their superstitious credulity, began to consider him a veritable seer;

without thinking how natural it was to predict danger, and how likely to have the prediction verified in the

The various bands of Captain Bonneville's company had now been assembled for some time at the

rendezvous; they had had their fill of feasting, and frolicking, and all the species of wild and often uncouth

merrymaking, which invariably take place on these occasions. Their horses, as well as themselves, had

recovered from past famine and fatigue, and were again fit for active service; and an impatience began to

manifest itself among the men once more to take the field, and set off on some wandering expedition.

At this juncture M. Cerre arrived at the rendezvous at the head of a supply party, bringing goods and

equipments from the States. This active leader, it will be recollected, had embarked the year previously in

skinboats on the Bighorn, freighted with the year's collection of peltries. He had met with misfortune in the

course of his voyage: one of his frail barks being upset, and part of the furs lost or damaged.

The arrival of the supplies gave the regular finish to the annual revel. A grand outbreak of wild debauch

ensued among the mountaineers; drinking, dancing, swaggering, gambling, quarrelling, and fighting.

Alcohol, which, from its portable qualities, containing the greatest quantity of fiery spirit in the smallest

compass, is the only liquor carried across the mountains, is the inflammatory beverage at these carousals, and

is dealt out to the trappers at four dollars a pint. When inflamed by this fiery beverage, they cut all kinds of

mad pranks and gambols, and sometimes burn all their clothes in their drunken bravadoes. A camp,

recovering from one of these riotous revels, presents a seriocomic spectacle; black eyes, broken heads,

lacklustre visages. Many of the trappers have squandered in one drunken frolic the hardearned wages of a

year; some have run in debt, and must toil on to pay for past pleasure. All are sated with this deep draught of

pleasure, and eager to commence another trapping campaign; for hardship and hard work, spiced with the

stimulants of wild adventures, and topped off with an annual frantic carousal, is the lot of the restless trapper.

The captain now made his arrangements for the current year. Cerre and Walker, with a number of men who

had been to California, were to proceed to St. Louis with the packages of furs collected during the past year.

Another party, headed by a leader named Montero, was to proceed to the Crow country, trap upon its various

streams, and among the Black Hills, and thence to proceed to the Arkansas, where he was to go into winter

The captain marked out for himself a widely different course. He intended to make another expedition, with

twentythree men to the lower part of the Columbia River, and to proceed to the valley of the Multnomah;

after wintering in those parts, and establishing a trade with those tribes, among whom he had sojourned on his

first visit, he would return in the spring, cross the Rocky Mountains, and join Montero and his party in the

month of July, at the rendezvous of the Arkansas; where he expected to receive his annual supplies from the

If the reader will cast his eye upon a map, he may form an idea of the contempt for distance which a man

acquires in this vast wilderness, by noticing the extent of country comprised in these projected wanderings.

Just as the different parties were about to set out on the 3d of July, on their opposite routes, Captain

Bonneville received intelligence that Wyeth, the indefatigable leader of the salmonfishing enterprise, who

had parted with him about a year previously on the banks of the Bighorn, to descend that wild river in a bull

boat, was near at hand, with a new levied band of hunters and trappers, and was on his way once more to the

As we take much interest in the novel enterprise of this eastern man," and are pleased with his pushing and

persevering spirit; and as his movements are characteristic of life in the wilderness, we will, with the reader's

permission, while Captain Bonneville is breaking up his camp and saddling his horses, step back a year in

time, and a few hundred miles in distance to the bank of the Bighorn, and launch ourselves with Wyeth in his

bull boat; and though his adventurous voyage will take us many hundreds of miles further down wild and

wandering rivers; yet such is the magic power of the pen, that we promise to bring the reader safe to Bear

IT was about the middle of August (1833) that Mr. Nathaniel J. Wyeth, as the reader may recollect, launched

his bull boat at the foot of the rapids of the Bighorn, and departed in advance of the parties of Campbell and

Captain Bonneville. His boat was made of three buffalo skins, stretched on a light frame, stitched together,

and the seams paid with elk tallow and ashes. It was eighteen feet long, and about five feet six inches wide,

sharp at each end, with a round bottom, and drew about a foot and a half of watera depth too great for these

upper rivers, which abound with shallows and sandbars. The crew consisted of two halfbreeds, who

claimed to be white men, though a mixture of the French creole and the Shawnee and Potawattomie. They

claimed, moreover, to be thorough mountaineers, and firstrate hunters the common boast of these

vagabonds of the wilderness. Besides these, there was a Nez Perce lad of eighteen years of age, a kind of

servant of all work, whose great aim, like all Indian servants, was to do as little work as possible; there was,

moreover, a halfbreed boy, of thirteen, named Baptiste, son of a Hudson's Bay trader by a Flathead beauty;

who was travelling with Wyeth to see the world and complete his education. Add to these, Mr. Milton

Sublette, who went as passenger, and we have the crew of the little bull boat complete.

It certainly was a slight armament with which to run the gauntlet through countries swarming with hostile

hordes, and a slight bark to navigate these endless rivers, tossing and pitching down rapids, running on snags

and bumping on sandbars; such, however, are the cockleshells with which these hardy rovers of the

wilderness will attempt the wildest streams; and it is surprising what rough shocks and thumps these boats

will endure, and what vicissitudes they will live through. Their duration, however, is but limited; they require

frequently to be hauled out of the water and dried, to prevent the hides from becoming watersoaked; and

The course of the river was a little to the north of east; it ran about five miles an hour, over a gravelly bottom.

The banks were generally alluvial, and thickly grown with cottonwood trees, intermingled occasionally with

ash and plum trees. Now and then limestone cliffs and promontories advanced upon the river, making

Milton Sublette was the Pelorus of this adventurous bark; being somewhat experienced in this wild kind of

navigation. It required all his attention and skill, however, to pilot her clear of sandbars and snags of sunken

trees. There was often, too, a perplexity of choice, where the river branched into various channels, among

clusters of islands; and occasionally the voyagers found themselves aground and had to turn back.

It was necessary, also, to keep a wary eye upon the land, for they were passing through the heart of the Crow

country, and were continually in reach of any ambush that might be lurking on shore. The most formidable

foes that they saw, however, were three grizzly bears, quietly promenading along the bank, who seemed to

gaze at them with surprise as they glided by. Herds of buffalo, also, were moving about, or lying on the

ground, like cattle in a pasture; excepting such inhabitants as these, a perfect solitude reigned over the land.

There was no sign of human habitation; for the Crows, as we have already shown, are a wandering people, a

race of hunters and warriors, who live in tents and on horseback, and are continually on the move. At night

they landed, hauled up their boat to dry, pitched their tent, and made a rousing fire. Then, as it was the first

evening of their voyage, they indulged in a regale, relishing their buffalo beef with inspiring alcohol; after

which, they slept soundly, without dreaming of Crows or Blackfeet. Early in the morning, they again

In this way they voyaged for two days without any material occurrence, excepting a severe thunder storm,

which compelled them to put to shore, and wait until it was passed. On the third morning they descried some

persons at a distance on the river bank. As they were now, by calculation, at no great distance from Fort Cass,

a trading post of the American Fur Company, they supposed these might be some of its people. A nearer

approach showed them to be Indians. Descrying a woman apart from the rest, they landed and accosted her.

She informed them that the main force of the Crow nation, consisting of five bands, under their several

chiefs, were but about two or three miles below, on their way up along the river. This was unpleasant tidings,

but to retreat was impossible, and the river afforded no hiding place. They continued forward, therefore,

trusting that, as Fort Cass was so near at hand, the Crows might refrain from any depredations.

Floating down about two miles further, they came in sight of the first band, scattered along the river bank, all

well mounted; some armed with guns, others with bows and arrows, and a few with lances. They made a

wildly picturesque appearance managing their horses with their accustomed dexterity and grace. Nothing can

be more spirited than a band of Crow cavaliers. They are a fine race of men averaging six feet in height, lithe

and active, with hawks' eyes and Roman noses. The latter feature is common to the Indians on the east side of

the Rocky Mountains; those on the western side have generally straight or flat noses.

Wyeth would fain have slipped by this cavalcade unnoticed; but the river, at this place, was not more than

ninety yards across; he was perceived, therefore, and hailed by the vagabond warriors, and, we presume, in

no very choice language; for, among their other accomplishments, the Crows are famed for possessing a

Billingsgate vocabulary of unrivalled opulence, and for being by no means sparing of it whenever an

occasion offers. Indeed, though Indians are generally very lofty, rhetorical, and figurative in their language at

all great talks, and high ceremonials, yet, if trappers and traders may be believed, they are the most unsavory

vagabonds in their ordinary colloquies; they make no hesitation to call a spade a spade; and when they once

undertake to call hard names, the famous pot and kettle, of vituperating memory, are not to be compared with

To escape the infliction of any compliments of this kind, or the launching, peradventure, of more dangerous

missiles, Wyeth landed with the best grace in his power and approached the chief of the band. It was

Arapooish, the quondam friend of Rose the outlaw, and one whom we have already mentioned as being

anxious to promote a friendly intercourse between his tribe and the white men. He was a tall, stout man, of

good presence, and received the voyagers very graciously. His people, too, thronged around them, and were

officiously attentive after the Crow fashion. One took a great fancy to Baptiste the Flathead boy, and a still

greater fancy to a ring on his finger, which he transposed to his own with surprising dexterity, and then

Another was no less pleased with the Nez Perce lad, and nothing would do but he must exchange knives with

him; drawing a new knife out of the Nez Perce's scabbard, and putting an old one in its place. Another

stepped up and replaced this old knife with one still older, and a third helped himself to knife, scabbard and

all. It was with much difficulty that Wyeth and his companions extricated themselves from the clutches of

Falling down the river a little further, they came in sight of the second band, and sheered to the opposite side,

with the intention of passing them. The Crows were not to be evaded. Some pointed their guns at the boat,

and threatened to fire; others stripped, plunged into the stream, and came swimming across. Making a virtue

of necessity, Wyeth threw a cord to the first that came within reach, as if he wished to be drawn to the shore.

In this way he was overhauled by every band, and by the time he and his people came out of the busy hands

of the last, they were eased of most of their superfluities. Nothing, in all probability, but the proximity of the

American trading post, kept these land pirates from making a good prize of the bull boat and all its contents.

These bands were in full march, equipped for war, and evidently full of mischief. They were, in fact, the very

bands that overran the land in the autumn of 1833; partly robbed Fitzpatrick of his horses and effects; hunted

and harassed Captain Bonneville and his people; broke up their trapping campaigns, and, in a word, drove

them all out of the Crow country. It has been suspected that they were set on to these pranks by some of the

American Fur Company, anxious to defeat the plans of their rivals of the Rocky Mountain Company; for at

this time, their competition was at its height, and the trade of the Crow country was a great object of rivalry.

What makes this the more probable, is, that the Crows in their depredation seemed by no means bloodthirsty,

but intent chiefly on robbing the parties of their traps and horses, thereby disabling them from prosecuting

We should observe that this year, the Rocky Mountain Company were pushing their way up the rivers, and

establishing rival posts near those of the American Company; and that, at the very time of which we are

speaking, Captain Sublette was ascending the Yellowstone with a keel boat, laden with supplies; so that there

The last band of Crow warriors had scarcely disappeared in the clouds of dust they had raised, when our

voyagers arrived at the mouth of the river and glided into the current of the Yellowstone. Turning down this

stream, they made for Fort Cass, which is situated on the right bank, about three miles below the Bighorn. On

the opposite side they beheld a party of thirtyone savages, which they soon ascertained to be Blackfeet. The

width of the river enabled them to keep at a sufficient distance, and they soon landed at Fort Cass. This was a

mere fortification against Indians; being a stockade of about one hundred and thirty feet square, with two

bastions at the extreme corners. M'Tulloch, an agent of the American Company, was stationed there with

twenty men; two boats of fifteen tons burden were lying here; but at certain seasons of the year a steamboat

They had scarcely arrived, when the Blackfeet warriors made their appearance on the opposite bank,

displaying two American flags in token of amity. They plunged into the river, swam across, and were kindly

received at the fort. They were some of the very men who had been engaged, the year previously, in the battle

at Pierre's Hole, and a fiercelooking set of fellows they were; tall and hawknosed, and very much

resembling the Crows. They professed to be on an amicable errand, to make peace with the Crows, and set

off in all haste, before night, to overtake them. Wyeth predicted that they would lose their scalps; for he had

heard the Crows denounce vengeance on them, for having murdered two of their warriors who had ventured

among them on the faith of a treaty of peace. It is probable, however, that this pacific errand was all a

pretence, and that the real object of the Blackfeet braves was to hang about the skirts of the Crow band, steal

At Fort Cass, Mr. Wyeth disposed of some packages of beaver, and a quantity of buffalo robes. On the

following morning (August 18th), he once more launched his bull boat, and proceeded down the

Yellowstone, which inclined in an eastnortheast direction. The river had alluvial bottoms, fringed with great

quantities of the sweet cottonwood, and interrupted occasionally by "bluffs" of sandstone. The current

In the course of the day, they saw something moving on the bank among the trees, which they mistook for

game of some kind; and, being in want of provisions, pulled toward shore. They discovered, just in time, a

party of Blackfeet, lurking in the thickets, and sheered, with all speed, to the opposite side of the river.

After a time, they came in sight of a gang of elk. Wyeth was immediately for pursuing them, rifle in hand, but

saw evident signs of dissatisfaction in his halfbreed hunters; who considered him as trenching upon their

province, and meddling with things quite above his capacity; for these veterans of the wilderness are

exceedingly pragmatical, on points of venery and woodcraft, and tenacious of their superiority; looking down

with infinite contempt upon all raw beginners. The two worthies, therefore, sallied forth themselves, but after

a time returned emptyhanded. They laid the blame, however, entirely on their guns; two miserable old

pieces with flint locks, which, with all their picking and hammering, were continually apt to miss fire. These

great boasters of the wilderness, however, are very often exceeding bad shots, and fortunate it is for them

The next day they passed where a great herd of buffalo was bellowing on a prairie. Again the Castor and

Pollux of the wilderness sallied forth, and again their flint guns were at fault, and missed fire, and nothing

went off but the buffalo. Wyeth now found there was danger of losing his dinner if he depended upon his

hunters; he took rifle in hand, therefore, and went forth himself. In the course of an hour he returned laden

with buffalo meat, to the great mortification of the two regular hunters, who were annoyed at being eclipsed

All hands now set to work to prepare the midday repast. A fire was made under an immense cottonwood

tree, that overshadowed a beautiful piece of meadow land; rich morsels of buffalo hump were soon roasting

before it; in a hearty and prolonged repast, the two unsuccessful hunters gradually recovered from their

mortification; threatened to discard their old flint guns as soon as they should reach the settlements, and

boasted more than ever of the wonderful shots they had made, when they had guns that never missed fire.

Having hauled up their boat to dry in the sun, previous to making their repast, the voyagers now set it once

more afloat, and proceeded on their way. They had constructed a sail out of their old tent, which they hoisted

whenever the wind was favorable, and thus skimmed along down the stream. Their voyage was pleasant,

notwithstanding the perils by sea and land, with which they were environed. Whenever they could they

encamped on islands for the greater security. If on the mainland, and in a dangerous neighborhood, they

would shift their camp after dark, leaving their fire burning, dropping down the river some distance, and

making no fire at their second encampment. Sometimes they would float all night with the current; one

keeping watch and steering while the rest slept. in such case, they would haul their boat on shore, at noon of

the following day to dry; for notwithstanding every precaution, she was gradually getting watersoaked and

There was something pleasingly solemn and mysterious in thus floating down these wild rivers at night. The

purity of the atmosphere in these elevated regions gave additional splendor to the stars, and heightened the

magnificence of the firmament. The occasional rush and laving of the waters; the vague sounds from the

surrounding wilderness; the dreary howl, or rather whine of wolves from the plains; the low grunting and

bellowing of the buffalo, and the shrill neighing of the elk, struck the ear with an effect unknown in the

The two knowing hunters had scarcely recovered from one mortification when they were fated to experience

another. As the boat was gliding swiftly round a low promontory, thinly covered with trees, one of them gave

the alarm of Indians. The boat was instantly shoved from shore and every one caught up his rifle. "Where are

Wyeth looked in the direction they pointed, but descried nothing but two bald eagles, perched on a low dry

branch beyond the thickets, and seeming, from the rapid motion of the boat, to be moving swiftly in an

opposite direction. The detection of this blunder in the two veterans, who prided themselves on the sureness

and quickness of their sight, produced a hearty laugh at their expense, and put an end to their vauntings.

The Yellowstone, above the confluence of the Bighorn, is a clear stream; its waters were now gradually

growing turbid, and assuming the yellow clay color of the Missouri. The current was about four miles an

hour, with occasional rapids; some of them dangerous, but the voyagers passed them all without accident.

The banks of the river were in many places precipitous with strata of bituminous coal. They now entered a

region abounding with buffalo that everjourneying animal, which moves in countless droves from point

to point of the vast wilderness; traversing plains, pouring through the intricate defiles of mountains,

swimming rivers, ever on the move, guided on its boundless migrations by some traditionary knowledge, like

the finny tribes of the ocean, which, at certain seasons, find their mysterious paths across the deep and revisit

These great migratory herds of buffalo have their hereditary paths and highways, worn deep through the

country, and making for the surest passes of the mountains, and the most practicable fords of the rivers. When

once a great column is in full career, it goes straight forward, regardless of all obstacles; those in front being

It was the lot of the voyagers, one night, to encamp at one of these buffalo landing places, and exactly on the

trail. They had not been long asleep, when they were awakened by a great bellowing, and tramping, and the

rush, and splash, and snorting of animals in the river. They had just time to ascertain that a buffalo army was

entering the river on the opposite side, and making toward the landing place. With all haste they moved their

boat and shifted their camp, by which time the head of the column had reached the shore, and came pressing

It was a singular spectacle, by the uncertain moonlight, to behold this countless throng making their way

across the river, blowing, and bellowing, and splashing. Sometimes they pass in such dense and continuous

column as to form a temporary dam across the river, the waters of which rise and rush over their backs, or

between their squadrons. The roaring and rushing sound of one of these vast herds crossing a river, may

The voyagers now had game in profusion. They could kill as many buffaloes as they pleased, and,

occasionally, were wanton in their havoc; especially among scattered herds, that came swimming near the

boat. On one occasion, an old buffalo bull approached so near that the halfbreeds must fain try to noose him

as they would a wild horse. The noose was successfully thrown around his head, and secured him by the

horns, and they now promised themselves ample sport. The buffalo made prodigious turmoil in the water,

bellowing, and blowing, and floundering; and they all floated down the stream together. At length he found

foothold on a sandbar, and taking to his heels, whirled the boat after him like a whale when harpooned; so

that the hunters were obliged to cast off their rope, with which strange headgear the venerable bull made off

On the 24th of August, the bull boat emerged, with its adventurous crew, into the broad bosom of the mighty

Missouri. Here, about six miles above the mouth of the Yellowstone, the voyagers landed at Fort Union, the

distributing post of the American Fur Company in the western country. It was a stockaded fortress, about two

hundred and twenty feet square, pleasantly situated on a high bank. Here they were hospitably entertained by

Mr. M'Kenzie, the superintendent, and remained with him three days, enjoying the unusual luxuries of bread,

butter, milk, and cheese, for the fort was well supplied with domestic cattle, though it had no garden. The

atmosphere of these elevated regions is said to be too dry for the culture of vegetables; yet the voyagers, in

coming down the Yellowstone, had met with plums, grapes, cherries, and currants, and had observed ash and

At Fort Union, Wyeth met with a melancholy memento of one of his men. This was a powderflask, which a

clerk had purchased from a Blackfoot warrior. It bore the initials of poor More, the unfortunate youth

murdered the year previously, at Jackson's Hole, by the Blackfeet, and whose bones had been subsequently

found by Captain Bonneville. This flask had either been passed from hand to hand of the youth, or, perhaps,

As the bull boat was now nearly worn out, and altogether unfit for the broader and more turbulent stream of

the Missouri, it was given up, and a canoe of cottonwood, about twenty feet long, fabricated by the Blackfeet,

was purchased to supply its place. In this Wyeth hoisted his sail, and bidding adieu to the hospitable

superintendent of Fort Union, turned his prow to the east, and set off down the Missouri.

He had not proceeded many hours, before, in the evening, he came to a large keel boat at anchor. It proved to

be the boat of Captain William Sublette, freighted with munitions for carrying on a powerful opposition to

the American Fur Company. The voyagers went on board, where they were treated with the hearty hospitality

of the wilderness, and passed a social evening, talking over past scenes and adventures, and especially the

Here Milton Sublette determined to give up further voyaging in the canoe, and remain with his brother;

accordingly, in the morning, the fellowvoyagers took kind leave of each other. and Wyeth continued on his

course. There was now no one on board of his boat that had ever voyaged on the Missouri; it was, however,

All day the voyagers pulled gently along, and landed in the evening and supped; then reembarking, they

suffered the canoe to float down with the current; taking turns to watch and sleep. The night was calm and

serene; the elk kept up a continual whinnying or squealing, being the commencement of the season when they

are in heat. In the midst of the night the canoe struck on a sandbar, and all hands were roused by the rush

and roar of the wild waters, which broke around her. They were all obliged to jump overboard, and work hard

In the course of the following day they saw three grizzly bears at different times along the bank. The last one

was on a point of land, and was evidently making for the river, to swim across. The two halfbreed hunters

were now eager to repeat the manoeuvre of the noose; promising to entrap Bruin, and have rare sport in

strangling and drowning him. Their only fear was, that he might take fright and return to land before they

could get between him and the shore. Holding back, therefore, until he was fairly committed in the centre of

the stream, they then pulled forward with might and main, so as to cut off his retreat, and take him in the rear.

One of the worthies stationed himself in the bow, with the cord and slipnoose, the other, with the Nez Perce,

managed the paddles. There was nothing further from the thoughts of honest Bruin, however, than to beat a

retreat. Just as the canoe was drawing near, he turned suddenly round and made for it, with a horrible snarl

and a tremendous show of teeth. The affrighted hunter called to his comrades to paddle off. Scarce had they

turned the boat when the bear laid his enormous claws on the gunwale, and attempted to get on board. The

canoe was nearly overturned, and a deluge of water came pouring over the gunwale. All was clamor, terror,

and confusion. Every one bawled out the bear roared and snarled one caught up a gun; but water had

rendered it useless. Others handled their paddles more effectually, and beating old Bruin about the head and

claws, obliged him to relinquish his hold. They now plied their paddles with might and main, the bear made

the best of his way to shore, and so ended the second exploit of the noose; the hunters determined to have no

The voyagers were now out of range of Crows and Blackfeet; but they were approaching the country of the

Rees, or Arickaras; a tribe no less dangerous; and who were, generally, hostile to small parties.

In passing through their country, Wyeth laid by all day, and drifted quietly down the river at night. In this

way he passed on, until he supposed himself safely through the region of danger; when he resumed his

voyage in the open day. On the 3d of September he had landed, at midday, to dine; and while some were

making a fire, one of the hunters mounted a high bank to look out for game. He had scarce glanced his eye

round, when he perceived horses grazing on the opposite side of the river. Crouching down he slunk back to

the camp, and reported what he had seen. On further reconnoitering, the voyagers counted twentyone

lodges; and from the number of horses, computed that there must be nearly a hundred Indians encamped

there. They now drew their boat, with all speed and caution, into a thicket of water willows, and remained

closely concealed all day. As soon as the night closed in they reembarked. The moon would rise early; so

that they had but about two hours of darkness to get past the camp. The night, however, was cloudy, with a

blustering wind. Silently, and with muffled oars, they glided down the river, keeping close under the shore

opposite to the camp; watching its various lodges and fires, and the dark forms passing to and fro between

them. Suddenly, on turning a point of land, they found themselves close upon a camp on their own side of the

river. It appeared that not more than one half of the band had crossed. They were within a few yards of the

shore; they saw distinctly the savages some standing, some lying round the fire. Horses were grazing

around. Some lodges were set up, others had been sent across the river. The red glare of the fires upon these

wild groups and harsh faces, contrasted with the surrounding darkness, had a startling effect, as the voyagers

suddenly came upon the scene. The dogs of the camp perceived them, and barked; but the Indians.

fortunately, took no heed of their clamor. Wyeth instantly sheered his boat out into the stream; when,

unluckily it struck upon a sandbar, and stuck fast. It was a perilous and trying situation; for he was fixed

between the two camps, and within rifle range of both. All hands jumped out into the water, and tried to get

the boat off; but as no one dared to give the word, they could not pull together, and their labor was in vain. In

this way they labored for a long time; until Wyeth thought of giving a signal for a general heave, by lifting

his hat. The expedient succeeded. They launched their canoe again into deep water, and getting in, had the

They continued under way the greater part of the night, until far beyond all danger from this band, when they

The following day was windy, and they came near upsetting their boat in carrying sail. Toward evening, the

wind subsided and a beautiful calm night succeeded. They floated along with the current throughout the

night, taking turns to watch and steer. The deep stillness of the night was occasionally interrupted by the

neighing of the elk, the hoarse lowing of the buffalo, the hooting of large owls, and the screeching of the

small ones, now and then the splash of a beaver, or the gonglike sound of the swan.

Part of their voyage was extremely tempestuous; with high winds, tremendous thunder, and soaking rain; and

they were repeatedly in extreme danger from driftwood and sunken trees. On one occasion, having

continued to float at night, after the moon was down, they ran under a great snag, or sunken tree, with dry

branches above the water. These caught the mast, while the boat swung round, broadside to the stream, and

began to fill with water. Nothing saved her from total wreck, but cutting away the mast. She then drove down

the stream, but left one of the unlucky halfbreeds clinging to the snag, like a monkey to a pole. It was

necessary to run in shore, toil up, laboriously, along the eddies and to attain some distance above the snag,

when they launched forth again into the stream and floated down with it to his rescue.

We forbear to detail all the circumstances and adventures of upward of a months voyage, down the windings

and doublings of this vast river; in the course of which they stopped occasionally at a post of one of the rival

fur companies, or at a government agency for an Indian tribe. Neither shall we dwell upon the changes of

climate and productions, as the voyagers swept down from north to south, across several degrees of latitude;

arriving at the regions of oaks and sycamores; of mulberry and basswood trees; of paroquets and wild

turkeys. This is one of the characteristics of the middle and lower part of the Missouri; but still more so of the

Mississippi, whose rapid current traverses a succession of latitudes so as in a few days to float the voyager

The voyage of Wyeth shows the regular and unobstructed flow of the rivers, on the east side of the Rocky

Mountains, in contrast to those of the western side; where rocks and rapids continually menace and obstruct

the voyager. We find him in a frail bark of skins, launching himself in a stream at the foot of the Rocky

Mountains, and floating down from river to river, as they empty themselves into each other; and so he might

have kept on upward of two thousand miles, until his little bark should drift into the ocean. At present we

shall stop with him at Cantonment Leavenworth, the frontier post of the United States; where he arrived on

Here his first care was to have his Nez Perce Indian, and his halfbreed boy, Baptiste, vaccinated. As they

approached the fort, they were hailed by the sentinel. The sight of a soldier in full array, with what appeared

to be a long knife glittering on the end of a musket, struck Baptiste with such affright that he took to his

heels, bawling for mercy at the top of his voice. The Nez Perce would have followed him, had not Wyeth

assured him of his safety. When they underwent the operation of the lancet, the doctor's wife and another lady

were present; both beautiful women. They were the first white women that they had seen, and they could not

keep their eyes off of them. On returning to the boat, they recounted to their companions all that they had

observed at the fort; but were especially eloquent about the white squaws, who, they said, were white as

We shall not accompany the captain any further in his Voyage; but will simply state that he made his way to

Boston, where he succeeded in organizing an association under the name of "The Columbia River Fishing

and Trading Company," for his original objects of a salmon fishery and a trade in furs. A brig, the May

Dacres, had been dispatched for the Columbia with supplies; and he was now on his way to the same point, at

the head of sixty men, whom he had enlisted at St. Louis; some of whom were experienced hunters, and all

more habituated to the life of the wilderness than his first band of "downeasters."

We will now return to Captain Bonneville and his party, whom we left, making up their packs and saddling

IT was the 3d of July that Captain Bonneville set out on his second visit to the banks of the Columbia, at the

head of twentythree men. He travelled leisurely, to keep his horses fresh, until on the 10th of July a scout

brought word that Wyeth, with his band, was but fifty miles in the rear, and pushing forward with all speed.

This caused some bustle in the camp; for it was important to get first to the buffalo ground to secure

provisions for the journey. As the horses were too heavily laden to travel fast, a cache was digged, as

promptly as possible, to receive all superfluous baggage. Just as it was finished, a spring burst out of the earth

at the bottom. Another cache was therefore digged, about two miles further on; when, as they were about to

bury the effects, a line of horsemen with packhorses, were seen streaking over the plain, and encamped

It proved to be a small band in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, under the command of a veteran

Canadian; one of those petty leaders, who, with a small party of men, and a small supply of goods, are

employed to follow up a band of Indians from one hunting ground to another, and buy up their peltries.

Having received numerous civilities from the Hudson's Bay Company, the captain sent an invitation to the

officers of the party to an evening regale; and set to work to make jovial preparations. As the night air in

these elevated regions is apt to be cold, a blazing fire was soon made, that would have done credit to a

Christmas dinner, instead of a midsummer banquet. The parties met in high goodfellowship. There was

abundance of such hunters' fare as the neighborhood furnished; and it was all discussed with mountain

appetites. They talked over all the events of their late campaigns; but the Canadian veteran had been unlucky

in some of his transactions; and his brow began to grow cloudy. Captain Bonneville remarked his rising

A man's wit, however, is quick and inventive in the wilderness; a thought suggested itself to the captain, how

he might brew a delectable beverage. Among his stores was a keg of honey but half exhausted. This he filled

up with alcohol, and stirred the fiery and mellifluous ingredients together. The glorious results may readily be

imagined; a happy compound of strength and sweetness, enough to soothe the most ruffled temper and

The beverage worked to a charm; the can circulated merrily; the first deep draught washed out every care

from the mind of the veteran; the second elevated his spirit to the clouds. He was, in fact, a boon companion;

as all veteran Canadian traders are apt to be. He now became glorious; talked over all his exploits, his

huntings, his fightings with Indian braves, his loves with Indian beauties; sang snatches of old French ditties,

and Canadian boat songs; drank deeper and deeper, sang louder and louder; until, having reached a climax of

drunken gayety, he gradually declined, and at length fell fast asleep upon the ground. After a long nap he

again raised his head, imbibed another potation of the "sweet and strong," flashed up with another slight blaze

The morning found him still upon the field of action, but in sad and sorrowful condition; suffering the

penalties of past pleasures, and calling to mind the captain's dulcet compound, with many a retch and spasm.

It seemed as if the honey and alcohol, which had passed so glibly and smoothly over his tongue, were at war

within his stomach; and that he had a swarm of bees within his head. In short, so helpless and woebegone was

his plight, that his party proceeded on their march without him; the captain promised to bring him on in safety

As soon as this party had moved off, Captain Bonneville's men proceeded to construct and fill their cache;

and just as it was completed the party of Wyeth was descried at a distance. In a moment all was activity to

take the road. The horses were prepared and mounted; and being lightened of a great part of their burdens,

were able to move with celerity. As to the worthy convive of the preceding evening, he was carefully

gathered up from the hunter's couch on which he lay, repentant and supine, and, being packed upon one of the

horses, was hurried forward with the convoy, groaning and ejaculating at every jolt.

In the course of the day, Wyeth, being lightly mounted, rode ahead of his party, and overtook Captain

Bonneville. Their meeting was friendly and courteous; and they discussed, sociably, their respective fortunes

since they separated on the banks of the Bighorn. Wyeth announced his intention of establishing a small

trading post at the mouth of the Portneuf, and leaving a few men there, with a quantity of goods, to trade with

the neighboring Indians. He was compelled, in fact, to this measure, in consequence of the refusal of the

Rocky Mountain Fur Company to take a supply of goods which he had brought out for them according to

contract; and which he had no other mode of disposing of. He further informed Captain Bonneville that the

competition between the Rocky Mountain and American Fur Companies which had led to such nefarious

stratagems and deadly feuds, was at an end; they having divided the country between them, allotting

boundaries within which each was to trade and hunt, so as not to interfere with the other.

In company with Wyeth were travelling two men of science; Mr. Nuttall, the botanist; the same who

ascended the Missouri at the time of the expedition to Astoria; and Mr. Townshend, an ornithologist; from

these gentlemen we may look forward to important information concerning these interesting regions. There

were three religious missionaries, also, bound to the shores of the Columbia, to spread the light of the Gospel

After riding for some time together, in friendly conversation, Wyeth returned to his party, and Captain

Bonneville continued to press forward, and to gain ground. At night he sent off the sadly sober and

moralizing chief of the Hudson's Bay Company, under a proper escort, to rejoin his people; his route

branching off in a different direction. The latter took a cordial leave of his host, hoping, on some future

In the morning the captain was early on the march; throwing scouts out far ahead, to scour hill and dale, in

search of buffalo. He had confidently expected to find game in abundance, on the headwaters of the

At length, one of the scouts, who had made a wide sweep away to the headwaters of the Blackfoot River,

discovered great herds quietly grazing in the adjacent meadows. He set out on his return, to report his

discoveries; but night overtaking him, he was kindly and hospitably entertained at the camp of Wyeth. As

soon as day dawned he hastened to his own camp with the welcome intelligence; and about ten o'clock of the

The packs were scarcely off the backs of the mules, when the runners, mounted on the fleetest horses, were

full tilt after the buffalo. Others of the men were busied erecting scaffolds, and other contrivances, for jerking

or drying meat; others were lighting great fires for the same purpose; soon the hunters began to make their

appearance, bringing in the choicest morsels of buffalo meat; these were placed upon the scaffolds, and the

whole camp presented a scene of singular hurry and activity. At daylight the next morning, the runners again

took the field, with similar success; and, after an interval of repose made their third and last chase, about

twelve o'clock; for by this time, Wyeth's party was in sight. The game being now driven into a valley, at some

distance, Wyeth was obliged to fix his camp there; but he came in the evening to pay Captain Bonneville a

visit. He was accompanied by Captain Stewart, the amateur traveller; who had not yet sated his appetite for

the adventurous life of the wilderness. With him, also, was a Mr. M'Kay, a halfbreed; son of the unfortunate

adventurer of the same name who came out in the first maritime expedition to Astoria and was blown up in

the Tonquin. His son had grown up in the employ of the British fur companies; and was a prime hunter, and a

The three visitors, when they reached Captain Bonneville's camp, were surprised to find no one in it but

himself and three men; his party being dispersed in all directions, to make the most of their present chance for

hunting. They remonstrated with him on the imprudence of remaining with so trifling a guard in a region so

full of danger. Captain Bonneville vindicated the policy of his conduct. He never hesitated to send out all his

hunters, when any important object was to be attained; and experience had taught him that he was most

secure when his forces were thus distributed over the surrounding country. He then was sure that no enemy

could approach, from any direction, without being discovered by his hunters; who have a quick eye for

detecting the slightest signs of the proximity of Indians; and who would instantly convey intelligence to the

The captain now set to work with his men, to prepare a suitable entertainment for his guests. It was a time of

plenty in the camp; of prime hunters' dainties; of buffalo humps, and buffalo tongues; and roasted ribs, and

broiled marrowbones: all these were cooked in hunters' style; served up with a profusion known only on a

plentiful hunting ground, and discussed with an appetite that would astonish the puny gourmands of the

cities. But above all, and to give a bacchanalian grace to this truly masculine repast, the captain produced his

mellifluous keg of homebrewed nectar, which had been so potent over the senses of the veteran of Hudson's

Bay. Potations, pottle deep, again went round; never did beverage excite greater glee, or meet with more

rapturous commendation. The parties were fast advancing to that happy state which would have insured

ample cause for the next day's repentance; and the bees were already beginning to buzz about their ears, when

a messenger came spurring to the camp with intelligence that Wyeth's people had got entangled in one of

those deep and frightful ravines, piled with immense fragments of volcanic rock, which gash the whole

country about the headwaters of the Blackfoot River. The revel was instantly at an end; the keg of sweet and

potent homebrewed was deserted; and the guests departed with all speed to aid in extricating their

"UP and away!" is the first thought at daylight of the Indian trader, when a rival is at hand and distance is to

be gained. Early in the morning, Captain Bonneville ordered the half dried meat to be packed upon the

horses, and leaving Wyeth and his party to hunt the scattered buffalo, pushed off rapidly to the east, to regain

the plain of the Portneuf. His march was rugged and dangerous; through volcanic hills, broken into cliffs and

On the second day, however, he encamped once more in the plain, and as it was still early some of the men

strolled out to the neighboring hills. In casting their eyes round the country, they perceived a great cloud of

dust rising in the south, and evidently approaching. Hastening back to the camp, they gave the alarm.

Preparations were instantly made to receive an enemy; while some of the men, throwing themselves upon the

"running horses" kept for hunting, galloped off to reconnoitre. In a little while, they made signals from a

distance that all was friendly. By this time the cloud of dust had swept on as if hurried along by a blast, and a

band of wild horsemen came dashing at full leap into the camp, yelling and whooping like so many maniacs.

Their dresses, their accoutrements, their mode of riding, and their uncouth clamor, made them seem a party of

savages arrayed for war; but they proved to be principally halfbreeds, and white men grown savage in the

wilderness, who were employed as trappers and hunters in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Here was again "high jinks" in the camp. Captain Bonneville's men hailed these wild scamperers as congenial

spirits, or rather as the very game birds of their class. They entertained them with the hospitality of

mountaineers, feasting them at every fire. At first, there were mutual details of adventures and exploits, and

broad joking mingled with peals of laughter. Then came on boasting of the comparative merits of horses and

rifles, which soon engrossed every tongue. This naturally led to racing, and shooting at a mark; one trial of

speed and skill succeeded another, shouts and acclamations rose from the victorious parties, fierce

altercations succeeded, and a general melee was about to take place, when suddenly the attention of the

quarrellers was arrested by a strange kind of Indian chant or chorus, that seemed to operate upon them as a

charm. Their fury was at an end; a tacit reconciliation succeeded and the ideas of the whole mongrel crowd

whites, halfbreeds and squaws were turned in a new direction. They all formed into groups and taking their

places at the several fires, prepared for one of the most exciting amusements of the Nez Perces and the other

The choral chant, in fact, which had thus acted as a charm, was a kind of wild accompaniment to the favorite

Indian game of "Hand." This is played by two parties drawn out in opposite platoons before a blazing fire. It

is in some respects like the old game of passing the ring or the button, and detecting the hand which holds it.

In the present game, the object hidden, or the cache as it is called by the trappers, is a small splint of wood, or

other diminutive article that may be concealed in the closed hand. This is passed backward and forward

among the party "in hand," while the party "out of hand" guess where it is concealed. To heighten the

excitement and confuse the guessers, a number of dry poles are laid before each platoon, upon which the

members of the party "in hand" beat furiously with short staves, keeping time to the choral chant already

mentioned, which waxes fast and furious as the game proceeds. As large bets are staked upon the game, the

excitement is prodigious. Each party in turn bursts out in full chorus, beating, and yelling, and working

themselves up into such a heat that the perspiration rolls down their naked shoulders, even in the cold of a

winter night. The bets are doubled and trebled as the game advances, the mental excitement increases almost

to madness, and all the worldly effects of the gamblers are often hazarded upon the position of a straw.

These gambling games were kept up throughout the night; every fire glared upon a group that looked like a

crew of maniacs at their frantic orgies, and the scene would have been kept up throughout the succeeding

day, had not Captain Bonneville interposed his authority, and, at the usual hour, issued his marching orders.

Proceeding down the course of Snake River, the hunters regularly returned to camp in the evening laden with

wild geese, which were yet scarcely able to fly, and were easily caught in great numbers. It was now the

season of the annual fishfeast, with which the Indians in these parts celebrate the first appearance of the

salmon in this river. These fish are taken in great numbers at the numerous falls of about four feet pitch. The

Indians flank the shallow water just below, and spear them as they attempt to pass. In wide parts of the river,

also, they place a sort of chevauxdefrize, or fence, of poles interwoven with withes, and forming an angle

in the middle of the current, where a small opening is left for the salmon to pass. Around this opening the

Indians station themselves on small rafts, and ply their spears with great success.

The table lands so common in this region have a sandy soil, inconsiderable in depth, and covered with sage,

or more properly speaking, wormwood. Below this is a level stratum of rock, riven occasionally by frightful

chasms. The whole plain rises as it approaches the river, and terminates with high and broken cliffs, difficult

to pass, and in many places so precipitous that it is impossible, for days together, to get down to the water's

edge, to give drink to the horses. This obliges the traveller occasionally to abandon the vicinity of the river,

It was now far in the month of July, and the party suffered extremely from sultry weather and dusty

travelling. The flies and gnats, too, were extremely troublesome to the horses; especially when keeping along

the edge of the river where it runs between low sandbanks. Whenever the travellers encamped in the

afternoon, the horses retired to the gravelly shores and remained there, without attempting to feed until the

cool of the evening. As to the travellers, they plunged into the clear and cool current, to wash away the dust

of the road and refresh themselves after the heat of the day. The nights were always cool and pleasant.

At one place where they encamped for some time, the river was nearly five hundred yards wide, and studded

with grassy islands, adorned with groves of willow and cottonwood. Here the Indians were assembled in

great numbers, and had barricaded the channels between the islands, to enable them to spear the salmon with

greater facility. They were a timid race, and seemed unaccustomed to the sight of white men. Entering one of

the huts, Captain Bonneville found the inhabitants just proceeding to cook a fine salmon. It is put into a pot

filled with cold water, and hung over the fire. The moment the water begins to boil, the fish is considered

Taking his seat unceremoniously, and lighting his pipe, the captain awaited the cooking of the fish, intending

to invite himself to the repast. The owner of the hut seemed to take his intrusion in good part. While

conversing with him the captain felt something move behind him, and turning round and removing a few

skins and old buffalo robes, discovered a young girl, about fourteen years of age, crouched beneath, who

directed her large black eyes full in his face, and continued to gaze in mute surprise and terror. The captain

endeavored to dispel her fears, and drawing a bright ribbon from his pocket, attempted repeatedly to tie it

round her neck. She jerked back at each attempt, uttering a sound very much like a snarl; nor could all the

blandishments of the captain, albeit a pleasant, goodlooking, and somewhat gallant man, succeed in

conquering the shyness of the savage little beauty. His attentions were now turned toward the parents, whom

he presented with an awl and a little tobacco, and having thus secured their goodwill, continued to smoke

his pipe, and watch the salmon. While thus seated near the threshold, an urchin of the family approached the

door, but catching a sight of the strange guest, ran off screaming with terror and ensconced himself behind

Desirous to dispel entirely this timidity, and to open a trade with the simple inhabitants of the hut, who, he

did not doubt, had furs somewhere concealed, the captain now drew forth that grand lure in the eyes of a

savage, a pocket mirror. The sight of it was irresistible. After examining it for a long time with wonder and

admiration, they produced a muskrat skin, and offered it in exchange. The captain shook his head; but

purchased the skin for a couple of buttons superfluous trinkets! as the worthy lord of the hovel had neither

The mirror still continued the great object of desire, particularly in the eyes of the old housewife, who

produced a pot of parched flour and a string of biscuit roots. These procured her some trifle in return; but

could not command the purchase of the mirror. The salmon being now completely cooked, they all joined

heartily in supper. A bounteous portion was deposited before the captain by the old woman, upon some fresh

grass, which served instead of a platter; and never had he tasted a salmon boiled so completely to his fancy.

Supper being over, the captain lighted his pipe and passed it to his host, who, inhaling the smoke, puffed it

through his nostrils so assiduously, that in a little while his head manifested signs of confusion and dizziness.

Being satisfied, by this time, of the kindly and companionable qualities of the captain, he became easy and

communicative; and at length hinted something about exchanging beaver skins for horses. The captain at

once offered to dispose of his steed, which stood fastened at the door. The bargain was soon concluded,

whereupon the Indian, removing a pile of bushes under which his valuables were concealed, drew forth the

Shortly afterward, some of the captain's people coming up, he ordered another horse to be saddled, and,

mounting it, took his departure from the hut, after distributing a few trifling presents among its simple

inhabitants. During all the time of his visit, the little Indian girl had kept her large black eyes fixed upon him,

almost without winking, watching every movement with awe and wonder; and as he rode off, remained

gazing after him, motionless as a statue. Her father, however, delighted with his new acquaintance, mounted

his newly purchased horse, and followed in the train of the captain, to whom he continued to be a faithful and

The cowardly effects of an evil conscience were evidenced in the conduct of one of the captain's men, who

had been in the California expedition. During all their intercourse with the harmless people of this place, he

had manifested uneasiness and anxiety. While his companions mingled freely and joyously with the natives,

he went about with a restless, suspicious look; scrutinizing every painted form and face and starting often at

the sudden approach of some meek and inoffensive savage, who regarded him with reverence as a superior

being. Yet this was ordinarily a bold fellow, who never flinched from danger, nor turned pale at the prospect

of a battle. At length he requested permission of Captain Bonneville to keep out of the way of these people

entirely. Their striking resemblance, he said, to the people of Ogden's River, made him continually fear that

some among them might have seen him in that expedition; and might seek an opportunity of revenge. Ever

after this, while they remained in this neighborhood, he would skulk out of the way and keep aloof when any

of the native inhabitants approached. "Such," observed Captain Bonneville, "is the effect of selfreproach,

even upon the roving trapper in the wilderness, who has little else to fear than the stings of his own guilty

IT had been the intention of Captain Bonneville, in descending along Snake River, to scatter his trappers

upon the smaller streams. In this way a range of country is trapped by small detachments from a main body.

The outfit of a trapper is generally a rifle, a pound of powder, and four pounds of lead, with a bullet mould,

seven traps, an axe, a hatchet, a knife and awl, a camp kettle, two blankets, and, where supplies are plenty,

seven pounds of flour. He has, generally, two or three horses, to carry himself and his baggage and peltries.

Two trappers commonly go together, for the purposes of mutual assistance and support; a larger party could

not easily escape the eyes of the Indians. It is a service of peril, and even more so at present than formerly, for

the Indians, since they have got into the habit of trafficking peltries with the traders, have learned the value of

the beaver, and look upon the trappers as poachers, who are filching the riches from their streams, and

interfering with their market. They make no hesitation, therefore, to murder the solitary trapper, and thus

destroy a competitor, while they possess themselves of his spoils. It is with regret we add, too, that this

hostility has in many cases been instigated by traders, desirous of injuring their rivals, but who have

When two trappers undertake any considerable stream, their mode of proceeding is, to hide their horses in

some lonely glen, where they can graze unobserved. They then build a small hut, dig out a canoe from a

cottonwood tree, and in this poke along shore silently, in the evening, and set their traps. These they revisit

in the same silent way at daybreak. When they take any beaver they bring it home, skin it, stretch the skins on

sticks to dry, and feast upon the flesh. The body, hung up before the fire, turns by its own weight, and is

roasted in a superior style; the tail is the trapper s tidbit; it is cut off, put on the end of a stick, and toasted, and

is considered even a greater dainty than the tongue or the marrowbone of a buffalo.

With all their silence and caution, however, the poor trappers cannot always escape their hawkeyed

enemies. Their trail has been discovered, perhaps, and followed up for many a mile; or their smoke has been

seen curling up out of the secret glen, or has been scented by the savages, whose sense of smell is almost as

acute as that of sight. Sometimes they are pounced upon when in the act of setting their traps; at other times,

they are roused from their sleep by the horrid warwhoop; or, perhaps, have a bullet or an arrow whistling

about their ears, in the midst of one of their beaver banquets. In this way they are picked off, from time to

time, and nothing is known of them, until, perchance, their bones are found bleaching in some lonely ravine,

or on the banks of some nameless stream, which from that time is called after them. Many of the small

streams beyond the mountains thus perpetuate the names of unfortunate trappers that have been murdered on

A knowledge of these dangers deterred Captain Bonneville, in the present instance, from detaching small

parties of trappers as he had intended; for his scouts brought him word that formidable bands of the Banneck

Indians were lying on the Boisee and Payette Rivers, at no great distance, so that they would be apt to detect

and cut off any stragglers. It behooved him, also, to keep his party together, to guard against any predatory

attack upon the main body; he continued on his way, therefore, without dividing his forces. And fortunate it

was that he did so; for in a little while he encountered one of the phenomena of the western wilds that would

effectually have prevented his scattered people from finding each other again. In a word, it was the season of

setting fire to the prairies. As he advanced he began to perceive great clouds of smoke at a distance, rising by

degrees, and spreading over the whole face of the country. The atmosphere became dry and surcharged with

murky vapor, parching to the skin, and irritating to the eyes. When travelling among the hills, they could

scarcely discern objects at the distance of a few paces; indeed, the least exertion of the vision was painful.

There was evidently some vast conflagration in the direction toward which they were proceeding; it was as

yet at a great distance, and during the day they could only see the smoke rising in larger and denser volumes,

and rolling forth in an immense canopy. At night the skies were all glowing with the reflection of unseen

Having reached Gun Creek, an important stream coming from the left, Captain Bonneville turned up its

course, to traverse the mountain and avoid the great bend of Snake River. Being now out of the range of the

Bannecks, he sent out his people in all directions to hunt the antelope for present supplies; keeping the dried

During four days that the party were ascending Gun Creek, the smoke continued to increase so rapidly that it

was impossible to distinguish the face of the country and ascertain landmarks. Fortunately, the travellers fell

upon an Indian trail. which led them to the headwaters of the Fourche de Glace or Ice River, sometimes

called the Grand Rond. Here they found all the plains and valleys wrapped in one vast conflagration; which

swept over the long grass in billows of flame, shot up every bush and tree, rose in great columns from the

groves, and set up clouds of smoke that darkened the atmosphere. To avoid this sea of fire, the travellers had

to pursue their course close along the foot of the mountains; but the irritation from the smoke continued to be

The country about the headwaters of the Grand Rond spreads out into broad and level prairies, extremely

fertile, and watered by mountain springs and rivulets. These prairies are resorted to by small bands of the

Skynses, to pasture their horses, as well as to banquets upon the salmon which abound in the neighboring

waters. They take these fish in great quantities and without the least difficulty; simply taking them out of the

water with their hands, as they flounder and struggle in the numerous long shoals of the principal streams. At

the time the travellers passed over these prairies, some of the narrow, deep streams by which they were

intersected were completely choked with salmon, which they took in great numbers. The wolves and bears

frequent these streams at this season, to avail themselves of these great fisheries.

The travellers continued, for many days, to experience great difficulties and discomforts from this wide

conflagration, which seemed to embrace the whole wilderness. The sun was for a great part of the time

obscured by the smoke, and the loftiest mountains were hidden from view. Blundering along in this region of

mist and uncertainty, they were frequently obliged to make long circuits, to avoid obstacles which they could

not perceive until close upon them. The Indian trails were their safest guides, for though they sometimes

appeared to lead them out of their direct course, they always conducted them to the passes.

On the 26th of August, they reached the head of the Wayleeway River. Here, in a valley of the mountains

through which this headwater makes its way, they found a band of the Skynses, who were extremely

sociable, and appeared to be well disposed, and as they spoke the Nez Perce language, an intercourse was

In the pastures on the bank of this stream, Captain Bonneville encamped for a time, for the purpose of

recruiting the strength of his horses. Scouts were now sent out to explore the surrounding country, and search

for a convenient pass through the mountains toward the Wallamut or Multnomah. After an absence of twenty

days they returned weary and discouraged. They had been harassed and perplexed in rugged mountain

defiles, where their progress was continually impeded by rocks and precipices. Often they had been obliged

to travel along the edges of frightful ravines, where a false step would have been fatal. In one of these passes,

a horse fell from the brink of a precipice, and would have been dashed to pieces had he not lodged among the

branches of a tree, from which he was extricated with great difficulty. These, however, were not the worst of

their difficulties and perils. The great conflagration of the country, which had harassed the main party in its

march, was still more awful the further this exploring party proceeded. The flames which swept rapidly over

the light vegetation of the prairies assumed a fiercer character and took a stronger hold amid the wooded

glens and ravines of the mountains. Some of the deep gorges and defiles sent up sheets of flame, and clouds

of lurid smoke, and sparks and cinders that in the night made them resemble the craters of volcanoes. The

groves and forests, too, which crowned the cliffs, shot up their towering columns of fire, and added to the

furnace glow of the mountains. With these stupendous sights were combined the rushing blasts caused by the

rarefied air, which roared and howled through the narrow glens, and whirled forth the smoke and flames in

impetuous wreaths. Ever and anon, too, was heard the crash of falling trees, sometimes tumbling from crags

In the daytime, the mountains were wrapped in smoke so dense and blinding, that the explorers, if by chance

they separated, could only find each other by shouting. Often, too, they had to grope their way through the yet

burning forests, in constant peril from the limbs and trunks of trees, which frequently fell across their path. At

length they gave up the attempt to find a pass as hopeless, under actual circumstances, and made their way

DURING the absence of this detachment, a sociable intercourse had been kept up between the main party and

the Skynses, who had removed into the neighborhood of the camp. These people dwell about the waters of

the Wayleeway and the adjacent country, and trade regularly with the Hudson's Bay Company; generally

giving horses in exchange for the articles of which they stand in need. They bring beaver skins, also, to the

trading posts; not procured by trapping, but by a course of internal traffic with the shy and ignorant

Shoshokoes and Tooelicans, who keep in distant and unfrequented parts of the country, and will not

venture near the trading houses. The Skynses hunt the deer and elk occasionally; and depend, for a part of the

year, on fishing. Their main subsistence, however, is upon roots, especially the kamash. This bulbous root is

said to be of a delicious flavor, and highly nutritious. The women dig it up in great quantities, steam it, and

deposit it in caches for winter provisions. It grows spontaneously, and absolutely covers the plains.

This tribe was comfortably clad and equipped. They had a few rifles among them, and were extremely

desirous of bartering for those of Captain Bonneville's men; offering a couple of good running horses for a

light rifle. Their firstrate horses, however, were not to be procured from them on any terms. They almost

invariably use ponies; but of a breed infinitely superior to any in the United States. They are fond of trying

As Captain Bonneville was desirous of judging of the comparative merit of their horses, he purchased one of

their racers, and had a trial of speed between that, an American, and a Shoshonie, which were supposed to be

well matched. The racecourse was for the distance of one mile and a half out and back. For the first half

mile the American took the lead by a few hands; but, losing his wind, soon fell far behind; leaving the

Shoshonie and Skynse to contend together. For a mile and a half they went head and head: but at the turn the

Skynse took the lead and won the race with great ease, scarce drawing a quick breath when all was over.

The Skynses, like the Nez Perces and the Flatheads, have a strong devotional feeling, which has been

successfully cultivated by some of the resident personages of the Hudson's Bay Company. Sunday is

invariably kept sacred among these tribes. They will not raise their camp on that day, unless in extreme cases

of danger or hunger: neither will they hunt, nor fish, nor trade, nor perform any kind of labor on that day. A

part of it is passed in prayer and religious ceremonies. Some chief, who is generally at the same time what is

called a "medicine man," assembles the community. After invoking blessings from the Deity, he addresses

the assemblage, exhorting them to good conduct; to be diligent in providing for their families; to abstain from

lying and stealing; to avoid quarrelling or cheating in their play, and to be just and hospitable to all strangers

who may be among them. Prayers and exhortations are also made, early in the morning, on week days.

Sometimes, all this is done by the chief from horseback; moving slowly about the camp, with his hat on, and

uttering his exhortations with a loud voice. On all occasions, the bystanders listen with profound attention;

and at the end of every sentence respond one word in unison, apparently equivalent to an amen. While these

prayers and exhortations are going on, every employment in the camp is suspended. If an Indian is riding by

the place, he dismounts, holds his horse, and attends with reverence until all is done. When the chief has

finished his prayer or exhortation, he says, "I have done," upon which there is a general exclamation in

unison. With these religious services, probably derived from the white men, the tribes abovementioned

mingle some of their old Indian ceremonials, such as dancing to the cadence of a song or ballad, which is

generally done in a large lodge provided for the purpose. Besides Sundays, they likewise observe the cardinal

Whoever has introduced these simple forms of religions among these poor savages, has evidently understood

their characters and capacities, and effected a great melioration of their manners. Of this we speak not merely

from the testimony of Captain Bonneville, but likewise from that of Mr. Wyeth, who passed some months in

a travelling camp of the Flatheads. "During the time I have been with them," says he, "I have never known an

instance of theft among them: the least thing, even to a bead or pin, is brought to you, if found; and often,

things that have been thrown away. Neither have I known any quarrelling, nor lying. This absence of all

quarrelling the more surprised me, when I came to see the various occasions that would have given rise to it

among the whites: the crowding together of from twelve to eighteen hundred horses, which have to be driven

into camp at night, to be picketed, to be packed in the morning; the gathering of fuel in places where it is

"They have a mild, playful, laughing disposition; and this is portrayed in their countenances. They are polite,

and unobtrusive. When one speaks, the rest pay strict attention: when he is done, another assents by 'yes,' or

dissents by 'no;' and then states his reasons, which are listened to with equal attention. Even the children are

more peaceable than any other children. I never heard an angry word among them, nor any quarrelling;

although there were, at least, five hundred of them together, and continually at play. With all this quietness of

spirit, they are brave when put to the test; and are an overmatch for an equal number of Blackfeet."

The foregoing observations, though gathered from Mr. Wyeth as relative to the Flatheads, apply, in the main,

to the Skynses also. Captain Bonneville, during his sojourn with the latter, took constant occasion, in

conversing with their principal men, to encourage them in the cultivation of moral and religious habits;

drawing a comparison between their peaceable and comfortable course of life and that of other tribes, and

attributing it to their superior sense of morality and religion. He frequently attended their religious services,

with his people; always enjoining on the latter the most reverential deportment; and he observed that the poor

The disposition of these tribes is evidently favorable to a considerable degree of civilization. A few farmers

settled among them might lead them, Captain Bonneville thinks, to till the earth and cultivate grain; the

country of the Skynses and Nez Perces is admirably adapted for the raising of cattle. A Christian missionary

or two, and some trifling assistance from government, to protect them from the predatory and warlike tribes,

might lay the foundation of a Christian people in the midst of the great western wilderness, who would "wear

We must not omit to observe, however, in qualification of the sanctity of this Sabbath in the wilderness, that

these tribes who are all ardently addicted to gambling and horseracing, make Sunday a peculiar day for

recreations of the kind, not deeming them in any wise out of season. After prayers and pious ceremonies are

over, there is scarce an hour in the day, says Captain Bonneville, that you do not see several horses racing at

full speed; and in every corner of the camp are groups of gamblers, ready to stake everything upon the

allabsorbing game of hand. The Indians, says Wyeth, appear to enjoy their amusements with more zest than

the whites. They are great gamblers; and in proportion to their means, play bolder and bet higher than white

The cultivation of the religious feeling, above noted, among the savages, has been at times a convenient

policy with some of the more knowing traders; who have derived great credit and influence among them by

being considered "medicine men;" that is, men gifted with mysterious knowledge. This feeling is also at

times played upon by religious charlatans, who are to be found in savage as well as civilized life. One of

these was noted by Wyeth, during his sojourn among the Flatheads. A new great man, says he, is rising in

the camp, who aims at power and sway. He covers his designs under the ample cloak of religion; inculcating

some new doctrines and ceremonials among those who are more simple than himself. He has already made

proselytes of onefifth of the camp; beginning by working on the women, the children, and the

weakminded. His followers are all dancing on the plain, to their own vocal music. The more knowing ones

of the tribe look on and laugh; thinking it all too foolish to do harm; but they will soon find that women,

children, and fools, form a large majority of every community, and they will have, eventually, to follow the

new light, or be considered among the profane. As soon as a preacher or pseudo prophet of the kind gets

followers enough, he either takes command of the tribe, or branches off and sets up an independent chief and

PROVISIONS were now growing scanty in the camp, and Captain Bonneville found it necessary to seek a

new neighborhood. Taking leave, therefore, of his friends, the Skynses, he set off to the westward, and,

crossing a low range of mountains, encamped on the headwaters of the Ottolais. Being now within thirty

miles of Fort WallahWallah, the trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company, he sent a small detachment of

men thither to purchase corn for the subsistence of his party. The men were well received at the fort; but all

supplies for their camp were peremptorily refused. Tempting offers were made them, however, if they would

leave their present employ, and enter into the service of the company; but they were not to be seduced.

When Captain Bonneville saw his messengers return emptyhanded, he ordered an instant move, for there

was imminent danger of famine. He pushed forward down the course of the Ottolais, which runs diagonal to

the Columbia, and falls into it about fifty miles below the WallahWallah. His route lay through a beautiful

undulating country, covered with horses belonging to the Skynses, who sent them there for pasturage.

On reaching the Columbia, Captain Bonneville hoped to open a trade with the natives, for fish and other

provisions, but to his surprise they kept aloof, and even hid themselves on his approach. He soon discovered

that they were under the influence of the Hudson's Bay Company, who had forbidden them to trade, or hold

any communion with him. He proceeded along the Columbia, but it was everywhere the same; not an article

of provisions was to be obtained from the natives, and he was at length obliged to kill a couple of his horses

to sustain his famishing people. He now came to a halt, and consulted what was to be done. The broad and

beautiful Columbia lay before them, smooth and unruffled as a mirror; a little more journeying would take

them to its lower region; to the noble valley of the Wallamut, their projected winter quarters. To advance

under present circumstances would be to court starvation. The resources of the country were locked against

them, by the influence of a jealous and powerful monopoly. If they reached the Wallamut, they could

scarcely hope to obtain sufficient supplies for the winter; if they lingered any longer in the country the snows

would gather upon the mountains and cut off their retreat. By hastening their return, they would be able to

reach the Blue Mountains just in time to find the elk, the deer, and the bighorn; and after they had supplied

themselves with provisions, they might push through the mountains before they were entirely blocked by

snow. Influenced by these considerations, Captain Bonneville reluctantly turned his back a second time on

the Columbia, and set off for the Blue Mountains. He took his course up John Day's River, so called from one

of the hunters in the original Astorian enterprise. As famine was at his heels, he travelled fast, and reached

the mountains by the 1st of October. He entered by the opening made by John Day's River; it was a rugged

and difficult defile, but he and his men had become accustomed to hard scrambles of the kind. Fortunately,

the September rains had extinguished the fires which recently spread over these regions; and the mountains,

no longer wrapped in smoke, now revealed all their grandeur and sublimity to the eye.

They were disappointed in their expectation of finding abundant game in the mountains; large bands of the

natives had passed through, returning from their fishing expeditions, and had driven all the game before them.

It was only now and then that the hunters could bring in sufficient to keep the party from starvation.

To add to their distress, they mistook their route, and wandered for ten days among high and bald hills of

clay. At length, after much perplexity, they made their way to the banks of Snake River, following the course

It was the 20th of October when they found themselves once more upon this noted stream. The Shoshokoes,

whom they had met with in such scanty numbers on their journey down the river, now absolutely thronged its

banks to profit by the abundance of salmon, and lay up a stock for winter provisions. Scaffolds were

everywhere erected, and immense quantities of fish drying upon them. At this season of the year, however,

the salmon are extremely poor, and the travellers needed their keen sauce of hunger to give them a relish.

In some places the shores were completely covered with a stratum of dead salmon, exhausted in ascending

It was not until the travellers reached the headwaters of the Portneuf that they really found themselves in a

region of abundance. Here the buffaloes were in immense herds; and here they remained for three days,

slaying and cooking, and feasting, and indemnifying themselves by an enormous carnival, for a long and

hungry Lent. Their horses, too, found good pasturage, and enjoyed a little rest after a severe spell of hard

During this period, two horsemen arrived at the camp, who proved to be messengers sent express for supplies

from Montero's party; which had been sent to beat up the Crow country and the Black Hills, and to winter on

the Arkansas. They reported that all was well with the party, but that they had not been able to accomplish the

whole of their mission, and were still in the Crow country, where they should remain until joined by Captain

Bonneville in the spring. The captain retained the messengers with him until the 17th of November, when,

having reached the caches on Bear River, and procured thence the required supplies, he sent them back to

their party; appointing a rendezvous toward the last of June following, on the forks of Wind River Valley, in

He now remained several days encamped near the caches, and having discovered a small band of Shoshonies

in his neighborhood, purchased from them lodges, furs, and other articles of winter comfort, and arranged

The place designed by the captain for the wintering ground was on the upper part of Bear River, some

distance off. He delayed approaching it as long as possible, in order to avoid driving off the buffaloes, which

would be needed for winter provisions. He accordingly moved forward but slowly, merely as the want of

game and grass obliged him to shift his position. The weather had already become extremely cold, and the

snow lay to a considerable depth. To enable the horses to carry as much dried meat as possible, he caused a

cache to be made, in which all the baggage that could be spared was deposited. This done, the party

They were not doomed, however, to suffer from scarcity during the present winter. The people upon Snake

River having chased off the buffaloes before the snow had become deep, immense herds now came trooping

over the mountains; forming dark masses on their sides, from which their deepmouthed bellowing sounded

like the low peals and mutterings from a gathering thundercloud. In effect, the cloud broke, and down came

the torrent thundering into the valley. It is utterly impossible, according to Captain Bonneville, to convey an

idea of the effect produced by the sight of such countless throngs of animals of such bulk and spirit, all

The long privation which the travellers had suffered gave uncommon ardor to their present hunting. One of

the Indians attached to the party, finding himself on horseback in the midst of the buffaloes, without either

rifle, or bow and arrows, dashed after a fine cow that was passing close by him, and plunged his knife into

her side with such lucky aim as to bring her to the ground. It was a daring deed; but hunger had made him

The buffaloes are sometimes tenacious of life, and must be wounded in particular parts. A ball striking the

shagged frontlet of a bull produces no other effect than a toss of the head and greater exasperation; on the

contrary, a ball striking the forehead of a cow is fatal. Several instances occurred during this great hunting

bout, of bulls fighting furiously after having received mortal wounds. Wyeth, also, was witness to an instance

of the kind while encamped with Indians. During a grand hunt of the buffaloes, one of the Indians pressed a

bull so closely that the animal turned suddenly on him. His horse stopped short, or started back, and threw

him. Before he could rise the bull rushed furiously upon him, and gored him in the chest so that his breath

came out at the aperture. He was conveyed back to the camp, and his wound was dressed. Giving himself up

for slain, he called round him his friends, and made his will by word of mouth. It was something like a death

chant, and at the end of every sentence those around responded in concord. He appeared no ways intimidated

by the approach of death. "I think," adds Wyeth, "the Indians die better than the white men; perhaps from

The buffaloes may be approached very near, if the hunter keeps to the leeward; but they are quick of scent,

and will take the alarm and move off from a party of hunters to the windward, even when two miles distant.

The vast herds which had poured down into the Bear River Valley were now snowbound, and remained in

the neighborhood of the camp throughout the winter. This furnished the trappers and their Indian friends a

perpetual carnival; so that, to slay and eat seemed to be the main occupations of the day. It is astonishing

The ravens and wolves soon came in for their share of the good cheer. These constant attendants of the hunter

gathered in vast numbers as the winter advanced. They might be completely out of sight, but at the report of a

gun, flights of ravens would immediately be seen hovering in the air, no one knew whence they came; while

the sharp visages of the wolves would peep down from the brow of every hill, waiting for the hunter's

Besides the buffaloes, there were other neighbors snowbound in the valley, whose presence did not promise

to be so advantageous. This was a band of Eutaw Indians who were encamped higher up on the river. They

are a poor tribe that, in a scale of the various tribes inhabiting these regions, would rank between the

Shoshonies and the Shoshokoes or Root Diggers; though more bold and warlike than the latter. They have but

As this band and the Shoshonies were at deadly feud, on account of old grievances, and as neither party stood

in awe of the other, it was feared some bloody scenes might ensue. Captain Bonneville, therefore, undertook

the office of pacificator, and sent to the Eutaw chiefs, inviting them to a friendly smoke, in order to bring

about a reconciliation. His invitation was proudly declined; whereupon he went to them in person, and

succeeded in effecting a suspension of hostilities until the chiefs of the two tribes could meet in council. The

braves of the two rival camps sullenly acquiesced in the arrangement. They would take their seats upon the

hill tops, and watch their quondam enemies hunting the buffalo in the plain below, and evidently repine that

their hands were tied up from a skirmish. The worthy captain, however, succeeded in carrying through his

benevolent mediation. The chiefs met; the amicable pipe was smoked, the hatchet buried, and peace formally

proclaimed. After this, both camps united and mingled in social intercourse. Private quarrels, however, would

occasionally occur in hunting, about the division of the game, and blows would sometimes be exchanged

over the carcass of a buffalo; but the chiefs wisely took no notice of these individual brawls.

One day the scouts, who had been ranging the hills, brought news of several large herds of antelopes in a

small valley at no great distance. This produced a sensation among the Indians, for both tribes were in ragged

condition, and sadly in want of those shirts made of the skin of the antelope. It was determined to have "a

surround," as the mode of hunting that animal is called. Everything now assumed an air of mystic solemnity

and importance. The chiefs prepared their medicines or charms each according to his own method, or fancied

inspiration, generally with the compound of certain simples; others consulted the entrails of animals which

they had sacrificed, and thence drew favorable auguries. After much grave smoking and deliberating it was at

length proclaimed that all who were able to lift a club, man, woman, or child, should muster for "the

surround." When all had congregated, they moved in rude procession to the nearest point of the valley in

question, and there halted. Another course of smoking and deliberating, of which the Indians are so fond,

took place among the chiefs. Directions were then issued for the horsemen to make a circuit of about seven

miles, so as to encompass the herd. When this was done, the whole mounted force dashed off simultaneously,

at full speed, shouting and yelling at the top of their voices. In a short space of time the antelopes, started

from their hidingplaces, came bounding from all points into the valley. The riders, now gradually

contracting their circle, brought them nearer and nearer to the spot where the senior chief, surrounded by the

elders, male and female, were seated in supervision of the chase. The antelopes, nearly exhausted with fatigue

and fright, and bewildered by perpetual whooping, made no effort to break through the ring of the hunters,

but ran round in small circles, until man, woman, and child beat them down with bludgeons. Such is the

GAME continued to abound throughout the winter, and the camp was overstocked with provisions. Beef and

venison, humps and haunches, buffalo tongues and marrowbones, were constantly cooking at every fire; and

the whole atmosphere was redolent with the savory fumes of roast meat. It was, indeed, a continual "feast of

fat things," and though there might be a lack of "wine upon the lees," yet we have shown that a substitute was

Both the Shoshonies and the Eutaws conducted themselves with great propriety. It is true, they now and then

filched a few trifles from their good friends, the Big Hearts, when their backs were turned; but then, they

always treated them to their faces with the utmost deference and respect, and goodhumoredly vied with the

trappers in all kinds of feats of activity and mirthful sports. The two tribes maintained toward each other, also

a friendliness of aspect which gave Captain Bonneville reason to hope that all past animosity was effectually

The two rival bands, however, had not long been mingled in this social manner before their ancient jealousy

began to break out in a new form. The senior chief of the Shoshonies was a thinking man, and a man of

observation. He had been among the Nez Perces, listened to their new code of morality and religion received

from the white men, and attended their devotional exercises. He had observed the effect of all this, in

elevating the tribe in the estimation of the white men; and determined, by the same means, to gain for his own

tribe a superiority over their ignorant rivals, the Eutaws. He accordingly assembled his people, and

promulgated among them the mongrel doctrines and form of worship of the Nez Perces; recommending the

same to their adoption. The Shoshonies were struck with the novelty, at least, of the measure, and entered

into it with spirit. They began to observe Sundays and holidays, and to have their devotional dances, and

chants, and other ceremonials, about which the ignorant Eutaws knew nothing; while they exerted their usual

Matters were going on thus pleasantly and prosperously, in this motley community of white and red men,

when, one morning, two stark free trappers, arrayed in the height of savage finery, and mounted on steeds as

fine and as fiery as themselves, and all jingling with hawks' bells, came galloping, with whoop and halloo,

They were fresh from the winter encampment of the American Fur Company, in the Green River Valley; and

had come to pay their old comrades of Captain Bonneville's company a visit. An idea may be formed from

the scenes we have already given of conviviality in the wilderness, of the manner in which these game birds

were received by those of their feather in the camp; what feasting, what revelling, what boasting, what

bragging, what ranting and roaring, and racing and gambling, and squabbling and fighting, ensued among

these boon companions. Captain Bonneville, it is true, maintained always a certain degree of law and order in

his camp, and checked each fierce excess; but the trappers, in their seasons of idleness and relaxation require

a degree of license and indulgence, to repay them for the long privations and almost incredible hardships of

In the midst of all this feasting and frolicking, a freak of the tender passion intervened, and wrought a

complete change in the scene. Among the Indian beauties in the camp of the Eutaws and Shoshonies, the free

trappers discovered two, who had whilom figured as their squaws. These connections frequently take place

for a season, and sometimes continue for years, if not perpetually; but are apt to be broken when the free

In the present instance, these wild blades were anxious to regain their belles; nor were the latter loath once

more to come under their protection. The free trapper combines, in the eye of an Indian girl, all that is

dashing and heroic in a warrior of her own race whose gait, and garb, and bravery he emulates with all

that is gallant and glorious in the white man. And then the indulgence with which he treats her, the finery in

which he decks her out, the state in which she moves, the sway she enjoys over both his purse and person;

instead of being the drudge and slave of an Indian husband, obliged to carry his pack, and build his lodge, and

make his fire, and bear his cross humors and dry blows. No; there is no comparison in the eyes of an aspiring

With respect to one of the parties the matter was easily arranged. 'The beauty in question was a pert little

Eutaw wench, that had been taken prisoner, in some war excursion, by a Shoshonie. She was readily

ransomed for a few articles of trifling value; and forthwith figured about the camp in fine array, "with rings

on her fingers, and bells on her toes," and a tossedup coquettish air that made her the envy, admiration, and

As to the other beauty, it was quite a different matter. She had become the wife of a Shoshonie brave. It is

true, he had another wife, of older date than the one in question; who, therefore, took command in his

household, and treated his new spouse as a slave; but the latter was the wife of his last fancy, his latest

caprice; and was precious in his eyes. All attempt to bargain with him, therefore, was useless; the very

proposition was repulsed with anger and disdain. The spirit of the trapper was roused, his pride was piqued as

well as his passion. He endeavored to prevail upon his quondam mistress to elope with him. His horses were

fleet, the winter nights were long and dark, before daylight they would be beyond the reach of pursuit; and

once at the encampment in Green River Valley, they might set the whole band of Shoshonies at defiance.

The Indian girl listened and longed. Her heart yearned after the ease and splendor of condition of a trapper's

bride, and throbbed to be free from the capricious control of the premier squaw; but she dreaded the failure of

the plan, and the fury of a Shoshonie husband. They parted; the Indian girl in tears, and the madcap trapper

Their interviews had, probably, been detected, and the jealousy of the Shoshonie brave aroused: a clamor of

angry voices was heard in his lodge, with the sound of blows, and of female weeping and lamenting. At night,

as the trapper lay tossing on his pallet, a soft voice whispered at the door of his lodge. His mistress stood

In an instant he was up and out. He had two prime horses, sure and swift of foot, and of great wind. With

stealthy quiet, they were brought up and saddled; and in a few moments he and his prize were careering over

the snow, with which the whole country was covered. In the eagerness of escape, they had made no provision

for their journey; days must elapse before they could reach their haven of safety, and mountains and prairies

be traversed, wrapped in all the desolation of winter. For the present, however they thought of nothing but

flight; urging their horses forward over the dreary wastes, and fancying, in the howling of every blast, they

At early dawn, the Shoshonie became aware of his loss. Mounting his swiftest horse, he set off in hot pursuit.

He soon found the trail of the fugitives, and spurred on in hopes of overtaking them. The winds, however,

which swept the valley, had drifted the light snow into the prints made by the horses' hoofs. In a little while

he lost all trace of them, and was completely thrown out of the chase. He knew, however, the situation of the

camp toward which they were bound, and a direct course through the mountains, by which he might arrive

there sooner than the fugitives. Through the most rugged defiles, therefore, he urged his course by day and

night, scarce pausing until he reached the camp. It was some time before the fugitives made their appearance.

Six days had they traversed the wintry wilds. They came, haggard with hunger and fatigue, and their horses

faltering under them. The first object that met their eyes on entering the camp was the Shoshonie brave. He

rushed, knife in hand, to plunge it in the heart that had proved false to him. The trapper threw himself before

the cowering form of his mistress, and, exhausted as he was, prepared for a deadly struggle. The Shoshonie

paused. His habitual awe of the white man checked his arm; the trapper's friends crowded to the spot, and

arrested him. A parley ensued. A kind of crim. con. adjudication took place; such as frequently occurs in

civilized life. A couple of horses were declared to be a fair compensation for the loss of a woman who had

previously lost her heart; with this, the Shoshonie brave was fain to pacify his passion. He returned to Captain

Bonneville's camp, somewhat crestfallen, it is true; but parried the officious condolements of his friends by

THE winter was now breaking up, the snows were melted, from the hills, and from the lower parts of the

mountains, and the time for decamping had arrived. Captain Bonneville dispatched a party to the caches, who

brought away all the effects concealed there, and on the 1st of April (1835) , the camp was broken up, and

every one on the move. The white men and their allies, the Eutaws and Shoshonies, parted with many regrets

and sincere expressions of goodwill; for their intercourse throughout the winter had been of the most

Captain Bonneville and his party passed by Ham's Fork, and reached the Colorado, or Green River, without

accident, on the banks of which they remained during the residue of the spring. During this time, they were

conscious that a band of hostile Indians were hovering about their vicinity, watching for an opportunity to

slay or steal; but the vigilant precautions of Captain Bonneville baffled all their manoeuvres. In such

dangerous times, the experienced mountaineer is never without his rifle even in camp. On going from lodge

to lodge to visit his comrades, he takes it with him. On seating himself in a lodge, he lays it beside him, ready

to be snatched up; when he goes out, he takes it up as regularly as a citizen would his walkingstaff. His rifle

On the 10th of June, the party was a little to the east of the Wind River Mountains, where they halted for a

time in excellent pasturage, to give their horses a chance to recruit their strength for a long journey; for it was

Captain Bonneville's intention to shape his course to the settlements; having already been detained by the

complication of his duties, and by various losses and impediments, far beyond the time specified in his leave

While the party was thus reposing in the neighborhood of the Wind River Mountains, a solitary free trapper

rode one day into the camp, and accosted Captain Bonneville. He belonged, he said, to a party of thirty

hunters, who had just passed through the neighborhood, but whom he had abandoned in consequence of their

ill treatment of a brother trapper; whom they had cast off from their party, and left with his bag and baggage,

and an Indian wife into the bargain, in the midst of a desolate prairie. The horseman gave a piteous account of

the situation of this helpless pair, and solicited the loan of horses to bring them and their effects to the camp.

The captain was not a man to refuse assistance to any one in distress, especially when there was a woman in

the case; horses were immediately dispatched, with an escort, to aid the unfortunate couple. The next day

they made their appearance with all their effects; the man, a stalwart mountaineer, with a peculiarly game

look; the woman, a young Blackfoot beauty, arrayed in the trappings and trinketry of a free trapper's bride.

Finding the woman to be quickwitted and communicative, Captain Bonneville entered into conversation

with her, and obtained from her many particulars concerning the habits and customs of her tribe; especially

their wars and huntings. They pride themselves upon being the "best legs of the mountains," and hunt the

buffalo on foot. This is done in spring time, when the frosts have thawed and the ground is soft. The heavy

buffaloes then sink over their hoofs at every step, and are easily overtaken by the Blackfeet, whose fleet steps

press lightly on the surface. It is said, however, that the buffaloes on the Pacific side of the Rocky Mountains

are fleeter and more active than on the Atlantic side; those upon the plains of the Columbia can scarcely be

overtaken by a horse that would outstrip the same animal in the neighborhood of the Platte, the usual hunting

ground of the Blackfeet. In the course of further conversation, Captain Bonneville drew from the Indian

woman her whole story; which gave a picture of savage life, and of the drudgery and hardships to which an

"I was the wife," said she, "of a Blackfoot warrior, and I served him faithfully. Who was so well served as

he? Whose lodge was so well provided, or kept so clean? I brought wood in the morning, and placed water

always at hand. I watched for his coming; and he found his meat cooked and ready. If he rose to go forth,

there was nothing to delay him. I searched the thought that was in his heart, to save him the trouble of

speaking. When I went abroad on errands for him, the chiefs and warriors smiled upon me, and the young

braves spoke soft things, in secret; but my feet were in the straight path, and my eyes could see nothing but

"When he went out to hunt, or to war, who aided to equip him, but I? When he returned, I met him at the

door; I took his gun; and he entered without further thought. While he sat and smoked, I unloaded his horses;

tied them to the stakes, brought in their loads, and was quickly at his feet. If his moccasins were wet I took

them off and put on others which were dry and warm. I dressed all the skins he had taken in the chase. He

could never say to me, why is it not done? He hunted the deer, the antelope, and the buffalo, and he watched

for the enemy. Everything else was done by me. When our people moved their camp, he mounted his horse

and rode away; free as though he had fallen from the skies. He had nothing to do with the labor of the camp;

it was I that packed the horses and led them on the journey. When we halted in the evening, and he sat with

the other braves and smoked, it was I that pitched his lodge; and when he came to eat and sleep, his supper

"I served him faithfully; and what was my reward? A cloud was always on his brow, and sharp lightning on

"Who was it that scarred and bruised me? It was he. My brother saw how I was treated. His heart was big for

me. He begged me to leave my tyrant and fly. Where could I go? If retaken, who would protect me? My

brother was not a chief; he could not save me from blows and wounds, perhaps death. At length I was

persuaded. I followed my brother from the village. He pointed away to the Nez Perces, and bade me go and

live in peace among them. We parted. On the third day I saw the lodges of the Nez Perces before me. 1

paused for a moment, and had no heart to go on; but my horse neighed, and I took it as a good sign, and

suffered him to gallop forward. In a little while I was in the midst of the lodges. As I sat silent on my horse,

the people gathered round me, and inquired whence I came. I told my story. A chief now wrapped his blanket

close around him, and bade me dismount. I obeyed. He took my horse to lead him away. My heart grew small

within me. I felt, on parting with my horse, as if my last friend was gone. I had no words, and my eyes were

dry. As he led off my horse a young brave stepped forward. 'Are you a chief of the people?' cried he. 'Do we

listen to you in council, and follow you in battle? Behold! a stranger flies to our camp from the dogs of

Blackfeet, and asks protection. Let shame cover your face! The stranger is a woman, and alone. If she were a

warrior, or had a warrior at her side, your heart would not be big enough to take her horse. But he is yours.

By right of war you may claim him; but look!' his bow was drawn, and the arrow ready! 'you never shall

"An old woman said she would be my mother. She led me to her lodge; my heart was thawed by her

kindness, and my eyes burst forth with tears; like the frozen fountains in springtime. She never changed; but

as the days passed away, was still a mother to me. The people were loud in praise of the young brave, and the

"A party of trappers came to the village, and one of them took me for his wife. This is he. I am very happy;

he treats me with kindness, and I have taught him the language of my people. As we were travelling this way,

some of the Blackfeet warriors beset us, and carried off the horses of the party. We followed, and my

husband held a parley with them. The guns were laid down, and the pipe was lighted; but some of the white

men attempted to seize the horses by force, and then a battle began. The snow was deep, the white men sank

into it at every step; but the red men, with their snowshoes, passed over the surface like birds, and drove off

many of the horses in sight of their owners. With those that remained we resumed our journey. At length

words took place between the leader of the party and my husband. He took away our horses, which had

escaped in the battle, and turned us from his camp. My husband had one good friend among the trappers.

That is he (pointing to the man who had asked assistance for them). He is a good man. His heart is big. When

he came in from hunting, and found that we had been driven away, he gave up all his wages, and followed us,

ON the 22d of June Captain Bonneville raised his camp, and moved to the forks of Wind River; the appointed

place of rendezvous. In a few days he was joined there by the brigade of Montero, which had been sent, in the

preceding year, to beat up the Crow country, and afterward proceed to the Arkansas. Montero had followed

the early part of his instructions; after trapping upon some of the upper streams, he proceeded to Powder

River. Here he fell in with the Crow villages or bands, who treated him with unusual kindness, and prevailed

The Crows at that time were struggling almost for existence with their old enemies, the Blackfeet; who, in the

past year, had picked off the flower of their warriors in various engagements, and among the rest, Arapooish,

the friend of the white men. That sagacious and magnanimous chief had beheld, with grief, the ravages which

war was making in his tribe, and that it was declining in force, and must eventually be destroyed unless some

signal blow could be struck to retrieve its fortunes. In a pitched battle of the two tribes, he made a speech to

his warriors, urging them to set everything at hazard in one furious charge; which done, he led the way into

the thickest of the foe. He was soon separated from his men, and fell covered with wounds, but his

selfdevotion was not in vain. The Blackfeet were defeated; and from that time the Crows plucked up fresh

Montero had not been long encamped among them, when he discovered that the Blackfeet were hovering

about the neighborhood. One day the hunters came galloping into the camp, and proclaimed that a band of the

enemy was at hand. The Crows flew to arms, leaped on their horses, and dashed out in squadrons in pursuit.

They overtook the retreating enemy in the midst of a plain. A desperate fight ensued. The Crows had the

advantage of numbers, and of fighting on horseback. The greater part of the Blackfeet were slain; the remnant

took shelter in a close thicket of willows, where the horse could not enter; whence they plied their bows

The Crows drew off out of bowshot, and endeavored, by taunts and bravadoes, to draw the warriors Out of

their retreat. A few of the best mounted among them rode apart from the rest. One of their number then

advanced alone, with that martial air and equestrian grace for which the tribe is noted. When within an

arrow's flight of the thicket, he loosened his rein, urged his horse to full speed, threw his body on the opposite

side, so as to hang by one leg, and present no mark to the foe; in this way he swept along in front of the

thicket, launching his arrows from under the neck of his steed. Then regaining his seat in the saddle, he

wheeled round and returned whooping and scoffing to his companions, who received him with yells of

Another and another horseman repeated this exploit; but the Blackfeet were not to be taunted out of their safe

shelter. The victors feared to drive desperate men to extremities, so they forbore to attempt the thicket.

Toward night they gave over the attack, and returned allglorious with the scalps of the slain. Then came on

the usual feasts and triumphs, the scalpdance of warriors round the ghastly trophies, and all the other fierce

revelry of barbarous warfare. When the braves had finished with the scalps, they were, as usual, given up to

the women and children, and made the objects of new parades and dances. They were then treasured up as

It is worthy of note, that the scalp of a white man, either through policy or fear, is treated with more charity

than that of an Indian. The warrior who won it is entitled to his triumph if he demands it. In such case, the

war party alone dance round the scalp. It is then taken down, and the shagged frontlet of a buffalo substituted

To avoid being involved in these guerillas, as well as to escape from the extremely social intercourse of the

Crows, which began to be oppressive, Montero moved to the distance of several miles from their camps, and

there formed a winter cantonment of huts. He now maintained a vigilant watch at night. Their horses, which

were turned loose to graze during the day, under heedful eyes, were brought in at night, and shut up in strong

pens, built of large logs of cottonwood. The snows, during a portion of the winter, were so deep that the

poor animals could find but little sustenance. Here and there a tuft of grass would peer above the snow; but

they were in general driven to browse the twigs and tender branches of the trees. When they were turned out

in the morning, the first moments of freedom from the confinement of the pen were spent in frisking and

gambolling. This done, they went soberly and sadly to work, to glean their scanty subsistence for the day. In

the meantime the men stripped the bark of the cottonwood tree for the evening fodder. As the poor horses

would return toward night, with sluggish and dispirited air, the moment they saw their owners approaching

them with blankets filled with cottonwood bark, their whole demeanor underwent a change. A universal

neighing and capering took place; they would rush forward, smell to the blankets, paw the earth, snort,

whinny and prance round with head and tail erect, until the blankets were opened, and the welcome

provender spread before them. These evidences of intelligence and gladness were frequently recounted by the

These veteran rovers of the mountains look upon their horses as in some respects gifted with almost human

intellect. An old and experienced trapper, when mounting guard upon the camp in dark nights and times of

peril, gives heedful attention to all the sounds and signs of the horses. No enemy enters nor approaches the

camp without attracting their notice, and their movements not only give a vague alarm, but it is said, will

even indicate to the knowing trapper the very quarter whence the danger threatens.

In the daytime, too, while a hunter is engaged on the prairie, cutting up the deer or buffalo he has slain, he

depends upon his faithful horse as a sentinel. The sagacious animal sees and smells all round him, and by his

starting and whinnying, gives notice of the approach of strangers. There seems to be a dumb communion and

fellowship, a sort of fraternal sympathy between the hunter and his horse. They mutually rely upon each other

for company and protection; and nothing is more difficult, it is said, than to surprise an experienced hunter on

Montero had not long removed his camp from the vicinity of the Crows, and fixed himself in his new

quarters, when the Blackfeet marauders discovered his cantonment, and began to haunt the vicinity, He kept

up a vigilant watch, however, and foiled every attempt of the enemy, who, at length, seemed to have given up

in despair, and abandoned the neighborhood. The trappers relaxed their vigilance, therefore, and one night,

after a day of severe labor, no guards were posted, and the whole camp was soon asleep. Toward midnight,

however, the lightest sleepers were roused by the trampling of hoofs; and, giving the alarm, the whole party

were immediately on their legs and hastened to the pens. The bars were down; but no enemy was to he seen

or heard, and the horses being all found hard by, it was supposed the bars had been left down through

negligence. All were once more asleep, when, in about an hour there was a second alarm, and it was

discovered that several horses were missing. The rest were mounted, and so spirited a pursuit took place, that

eighteen of the number carried off were regained, and but three remained in possession of the enemy. Traps

for wolves, had been set about the camp the preceding day. In the morning it was discovered that a Blackfoot

was entrapped by one of them, but had succeeded in dragging it off. His trail was followed for a long distance

which he must have limped alone. At length he appeared to have fallen in with some of his comrades, who

These were the leading incidents of Montero's campaign in the Crow country. The united parties now

celebrated the 4th of July, in rough hunters' style, with hearty conviviality; after which Captain Bonneville

made his final arrangements. Leaving Montero with a brigade of trappers to open another campaign, he put

himself at the head of the residue of his men, and set off on his return to civilized life. We shall not detail his

journey along the course of the Nebraska, and so, from point to point of the wilderness, until he and his band

Here, according to his own account, his cavalcade might have been taken for a procession of tatterdemalion

savages; for the men were ragged almost to nakedness, and had contracted a wildness of aspect during three

years of wandering in the wilderness. A few hours in a populous town, however, produced a magical

metamorphosis. Hats of the most ample brim and longest nap; coats with buttons that shone like mirrors, and

pantaloons of the most ample plenitude, took place of the wellworn trapper's equipments; and the happy

wearers might be seen strolling about in all directions, scattering their silver like sailors just from a cruise.

The worthy captain, however, seems by no means to have shared the excitement of his men, on finding

himself once more in the thronged resorts of civilized life, but, on the contrary, to have looked back to the

wilderness with regret. "Though the prospect," says he, "of once more tasting the blessings of peaceful

society, and passing days and nights under the calm guardianship of the laws, was not without its attractions;

yet to those of us whose whole lives had been spent in the stirring excitement and perpetual watchfulness of

adventures in the wilderness, the change was far from promising an increase of that contentment and inward

satisfaction most conducive to happiness. He who, like myself, has roved almost from boyhood among the

children of the forest, and over the unfurrowed plains and rugged heights of the western wastes, will not be

startled to learn, that notwithstanding all the fascinations of the world on this civilized side of the mountains,

I would fain make my bow to the splendors and gayeties of the metropolis, and plunge again amidst the

We have only to add that the affairs of the captain have been satisfactorily arranged with the War

Department, and that he is actually in service at Fort Gibson, on our western frontier, where we hope he may

meet with further opportunities of indulging his peculiar tastes, and of collecting graphic and characteristic

We here close our picturings of the Rocky Mountains and their wild inhabitants, and of the wild life that

prevails there; which we have been anxious to fix on record, because we are aware that this singular state of

things is full of mutation, and must soon undergo great changes, if not entirely pass away. The fur trade itself,

which has given life to all this portraiture, is essentially evanescent. Rival parties of trappers soon exhaust the

streams, especially when competition renders them heedless and wasteful of the beaver. The furbearing

animals extinct, a complete change will come over the scene; the gay free trapper and his steed, decked out in

wild array, and tinkling with bells and trinketry; the savage war chief, plumed and painted and ever on the

prowl; the traders' cavalcade, winding through defiles or over naked plains, with the stealthy war party

lurking on its trail; the buffalo chase, the hunting camp, the mad carouse in the midst of danger, the night

attack, the stampede, the scamper, the fierce skirmish among rocks and cliffs all this romance of savage

life, which yet exists among the mountains, will then exist but in frontier story, and seem like the fictions of

Some new system of things, or rather some new modification, will succeed among the roving people of this

vast wilderness; but just as opposite, perhaps, to the inhabitants of civilization. The great Chippewyan chain

of mountains, and the sandy and volcanic plains which extend on either side, are represented as incapable of

cultivation. The pasturage which prevails there during a certain portion of the year, soon withers under the

aridity of the atmosphere, and leaves nothing but dreary wastes. An immense belt of rocky mountains and

volcanic plains, several hundred miles in width, must ever remain an irreclaimable wilderness, intervening

between the abodes of civilization, and affording a last refuge to the Indian. Here roving tribes of hunters,

living in tents or lodges, and following the migrations of the game, may lead a life of savage independence,

where there is nothing to tempt the cupidity of the white man. The amalgamation of various tribes, and of

white men of every nation, will in time produce hybrid races like the mountain Tartars of the Caucasus.

Possessed as they are of immense droves of horses should they continue their present predatory and warlike

habits, they may in time become a scourge to the civilized frontiers on either side of the mountains, as they

The facts disclosed in the present work clearly manifest the policy of establishing military posts and a

mounted force to protect our traders in their journeys across the great western wilds, and of pushing the

outposts into the very heart of the singular wilderness we have laid open, so as to maintain some degree of

sway over the country, and to put an end to the kind of "blackmail," levied on all occasions by the savage

WE HAVE BROUGHT Captain Bonneville to the end of his western campaigning; yet we cannot close this

work without subjoining some particulars concerning the fortunes of his contemporary, Mr. Wyeth; anecdotes

of whose enterprise have, occasionally, been interwoven in the partycolored web of our narrative. Wyeth

effected his intention of establishing a trading post on the Portneuf, which he named Fort Hall. Here, for the

first time, the American flag was unfurled to the breeze that sweeps the great naked wastes of the central

wilderness. Leaving twelve men here, with a stock of goods, to trade with the neighboring tribes, he

prosecuted his journey to the Columbia; where he established another post, called Fort Williams, on

Wappatoo Island, at the mouth of the Wallamut. This was to be the head factory of his company; whence they

were to carry on their fishing and trapping operations, and their trade with the interior; and where they were

The plan of Mr. Wyeth appears to have been well concerted. He had observed that the Rocky Mountain Fur

Company, the bands of free trappers, as well as the Indians west of the mountains, depended for their supplies

upon goods brought from St. Louis; which, in consequence of the expenses and risks of a long land carriage,

were furnished them at an immense advance on first cost. He had an idea that they might be much more

cheaply supplied from the Pacific side. Horses would cost much less on the borders of the Columbia than at

St. Louis: the transportation by land was much shorter; and through a country much more safe from the

hostility of savage tribes; which, on the route from and to St. Louis, annually cost the lives of many men. On

this idea, he grounded his plan. He combined the salmon fishery with the fur trade. A fortified trading post

was to be established on the Columbia, to carry on a trade with the natives for salmon and peltries, and to fish

and trap on their own account. Once a year, a ship was to come from the United States, to bring out goods for

the interior trade, and to take home the salmon and furs which had been collected. Part of the goods, thus

brought out, were to be dispatched to the mountains, to supply the trapping companies and the Indian tribes,

in exchange for their furs; which were to be brought down to the Columbia, to be sent home in the next

annual ship: and thus an annual round was to be kept up. The profits on the salmon, it was expected, would

cover all the expenses of the ship; so that the goods brought out, and the furs carried home, would cost

His enterprise was prosecuted with a spirit, intelligence, and perseverance, that merited success. All the

details that we have met with, prove him to be no ordinary man. He appears to have the mind to conceive,

and the energy to execute extensive and striking plans. He had once more reared the American flag in the lost

domains of Astoria; and had he been enabled to maintain the footing he had so gallantly effected, he might

have regained for his country the opulent trade of the Columbia, of which our statesmen have negligently

It is needless to go into a detail of the variety of accidents and crosspurposes, which caused the failure of his

scheme. They were such as all undertakings of the kind, involving combined operations by sea and land, are

liable to. What he most wanted, was sufficient capital to enable him to endure incipient obstacles and losses;

and to hold on until success had time to spring up from the midst of disastrous experiments.

It is with extreme regret we learn that he has recently been compelled to dispose of his establishment at

Wappatoo Island, to the Hudson's Bay Company; who, it is but justice to say, have, according to his own

account, treated him throughout the whole of his enterprise, with great fairness, friendship, and liberality.

That company, therefore, still maintains an unrivalled sway over the whole country washed by the Columbia

and its tributaries. It has, in fact, as far as its chartered powers permit, followed out the splendid scheme

contemplated by Mr. Astor, when he founded his establishment at the mouth of the Columbia. From their

emporium of Vancouver, companies are sent forth in every direction, to supply the interior posts, to trade

with the natives, and to trap upon the various streams. These thread the rivers, traverse the plains, penetrate to

the heart of the mountains, extend their enterprises northward, to the Russian possessions, and southward, to

the confines of California. Their yearly supplies are received by sea, at Vancouver; and thence their furs and

peltries are shipped to London. They likewise maintain a considerable commerce, in wheat and lumber, with

Though the company, by treaty, have a right to a participation only, in the trade of these regions, and are, in

fact, but tenants on sufferance; yet have they quietly availed themselves of the original oversight, and

subsequent supineness of the American government, to establish a monopoly of the trade of the river and its

dependencies; and are adroitly proceeding to fortify themselves in their usurpation, by securing all the strong

Fort George, originally Astoria, which was abandoned on the removal of the main factory to Vancouver, was

renewed in 1830; and is now kept up as a fortified post and trading house. All the places accessible to

shipping have been taken possession of, and posts recently established at them by the company.

The great capital of this association; their long established system; their hereditary influence over the Indian

tribes; their internal organization, which makes every thing go on with the regularity of a machine; and the

low wages of their people, who are mostly Canadians, give them great advantages over the American traders:

nor is it likely the latter will ever be able to maintain any footing in the land, until the question of territorial

right is adjusted between the two countries. The sooner that takes place, the better. It is a question too serious

to national pride, if not to national interests, to be slurred over; and every year is adding to the difficulties

The fur trade, which is now the main object of enterprise west of the Rocky Mountains, forms but a part of

the real resources of the country. Beside the salmon fishery of the Columbia, which is capable of being

rendered a considerable source of profit; the great valleys of the lower country, below the elevated volcanic

plateau, are calculated to give sustenance to countless flocks and herds, and to sustain a great population of

Such, for instance, is the beautiful valley of the Wallamut; from which the establishment at Vancouver draws

most of its supplies. Here, the company holds mills and farms; and has provided for some of its

superannuated officers and servants. This valley, above the falls, is about fifty miles wide, and extends a great

distance to the south. The climate is mild, being sheltered by lateral ranges of mountains; while the soil, for

richness, has been equalled to the best of the Missouri lands. The valley of the river Des Chutes, is also

admirably calculated for a great grazing country. All the best horses used by the company for the mountains

are raised there. The valley is of such happy temperature, that grass grows there throughout the year, and

These valleys must form the grand points of commencement of the future settlement of the country; but there

must be many such, en folded in the embraces of these lower ranges of mountains; which, though at present

they lie waste and uninhabited, and to the eye of the trader and trapper, present but barren wastes, would, in

the hands of skilful agriculturists and husbandmen, soon assume a different aspect, and teem with waving

The resources of the country, too, while in the hands of a company restricted in its trade, can be but partially

called forth; but in the hands of Americans, enjoying a direct trade with the East Indies, would be brought

into quickening activity; and might soon realize the dream of Mr. Astor, in giving rise to a flourishing

THE FOLLOWING EXTRACT of a letter which we received, lately, from Mr. Wyeth, may be interesting, as

throwing some light upon the question as to the manner in which America has been peopled.

"Are you aware of the fact, that in the winter of 1833, a Japanese junk was wrecked on the northwest coast, in

the neighborhood of Queen Charlotte's Island; and that all but two of the crew, then much reduced by

starvation and disease, during a long drift across the Pacific, were killed by the natives? The two fell into the

hands of the Hudson's Bay Company, and were sent to England. I saw them, on my arrival at Vancouver, in

Instructions to Captain Bonneville from the MajorGeneral Commanding the Army of the United States.

The leave of absence which you have asked for the purpose of enabling you to carry into execution your

designs of exploring the country to the Rocky Mountains, and beyond with a view of assertaining the nature

and character of the various tribes of Indians inhabiting those regions; the trade which might be profitably

carried on with them, the quality of the soil, the productions, the minerals, the natural history, the climate, the

Geography, and Topography, as well as Geology of the various parts of the Country within the limits of the

Territories belonging to the United States, between our frontier, and the Pacific; has been duly considered,

It is understood that the Government is to be at no expence, in reference to your proposed expedition, it

having originated with yourself, and all that you required was the permission from the proper authority to

undertake the enterprise. You will naturally in providing your self for the expedition, provide suitable

instruments, and especially the best Maps of the interior to be found. It is desirable besides what is

enumerated as the object of enterprise that you note particularly the number of Warriors that may belong to

each tribe, or nation that you may meet with: their alliances with other tribes and their relative position as to a

state of peace or war, and whether their friendly or warlike dispositions towards each other are recent or of

long standing. You will gratify us by describing the manner of their making War, of the mode of subsisting

themselves during a state of war, and a state of peace, their Arms, and the effect of them, whether they act on

foot or on horse back, detailing the discipline, and manuvers of the war parties, the power of their horses, size

and general discription; in short any information which you may conceive would be useful to the

Government. You will avail yourself of every opportunity of informing us of your position and progress, and