Onthe26thofMay，thetravellersencampedatLaramie”sFork，aclearandbeautiful
stream，risinginthewest-southwest，maintaininganaveragewidthoftwentyyards，and
windingthroughbroadmeadowsaboundingincurrantsandgooseberries，andadornedwithgrovesandclumpsoftrees。ByanobservationofJupiter”ssatellites，withaDollandreflectingtelescope，CaptainBonnevilleascertainedthelongitudetobe102°；57”westofGreenwich。Wewillherestepaheadofournarrativetoobservethataboutthreeyearsafterthetime
ofwhichwearetreating，Mr。RobertCampbell，formerlyoftheRockyMountainFur
Company，descendedthePlattefromthisfork，inskincanoes，thusproving，whathad
alwaysbeendiscredited，thattheriverwasnavigable。Aboutthesametime，hebuilta
fortortradingpostatLaramie”sFork，whichhenamedFortWilliam，afterhisfriendand
partner，Mr。WilliamSublette。Sincethattime，thePlattehasbecomeahighwayforthefurtraders。Forsomedayspast，CaptainBonnevillehadbeenmadesensibleofthegreatelevation
ofcountryintowhichhewasgraduallyascendingbytheeffectofthedrynessand
rarefactionoftheatmosphereuponhiswagons。Thewood-workshrunk；thepaint
boxesofthewheelswerecontinuallyworkingout，anditwasnecessarytosupportthe
spokesbystoutpropstopreventtheirfallingasunder。Thetravellerswerenowentering
oneofthosegreatsteppesoftheFarWest，wheretheprevalentaridityofthe
atmosphererendersthecountryunfitforcultivation。Intheseregionsthereisafresh
sweetgrowthofgrassinthespring，butitisscantyandshort，andparchesupinthe
courseofthesummer，sothatthereisnoneforthehunterstosetfiretointheautumn。
Itisacommonobservationthat“abovetheforksofthePlattethegrassdoesnotburn。”
AllattemptsatagricultureandgardeningintheneighborhoodofFortWilliamhavebeen
attendedwithverylittlesuccess。Thegrainandvegetablesraisedtherehavebeen
scantyinquantityandpoorinquality。Thegreatelevationoftheseplains，andthe
drynessoftheatmosphere，willtendtoretaintheseimmenseregionsinastateofpristinewildness。Inthecourseofadayortwomore，thetravellersenteredthatwildandbrokentractof
theCrowcountrycalledtheBlackHills，andheretheirjourneybecametoilsomeinthe
extreme。Ruggedsteepsanddeepravinesincessantlyobstructedtheirprogress，so
thatagreatpartofthedaywasspentinthepainfultoilofdiggingthroughbanks，filling
upravines，forcingthewagonsupthemostforbiddingascents，orswingingthemwith
ropesdownthefaceofdangerousprecipices。Theshoesoftheirhorseswerewornout，
andtheirfeetinjuredbytheruggedandstonyroads。Thetravellerswereannoyedalso
byfrequentbutbriefstorms，whichwouldcomehurryingoverthehills，orthroughthe
mountaindefiles，ragewithgreatfuryforashorttime，andthenpassoff，leavingeverythingcalmandsereneagain。ForseveralnightsthecamphadbeeninfestedbyvagabondIndiandogs，prowling
aboutinquestoffood。Theywereaboutthesizeofalargepointer；withearsshortand
erect，andalongbushytail——altogether，theyboreastrikingresemblancetoawolf。
Theseskulkingvisitorswouldkeepaboutthepurlieusofthecampuntildaylight；when，
onthefirststiroflifeamongthesleepers，theywouldscamperoffuntiltheyreached
somerisingground，wheretheywouldtaketheirseats，andkeepasharpandhungry
watchuponeverymovement。Themomentthetravellerswerefairlyonthemarch，and
thecampwasabandoned，thesestarvinghangers-onwouldhastentothedeserted
fires，toseizeuponthehalf-pickedbones，theoffalandgarbagethatlayabout；and，
havingmadeahastymeal，withmanyasnapandsnarlandgrowl，wouldfollow
leisurelyonthetrailofthecaravan。Manyattemptsweremadetocoaxorcatchthem，
butinvain。Theirquickandsuspiciouseyescaughttheslightestsinistermovement，and
theyturnedandscamperedoff。Atlengthonewastaken。Hewasterriblyalarmed，and
crouchedandtrembledasifexpectinginstantdeath。Soothed，however，bycaresses，
hebeganafteratimetogatherconfidenceandwaghistail，andatlengthwasbrought
tofollowcloseattheheelsofhiscaptors，still，however，dartingaroundfurtiveandsuspiciousglances，andevincingadispositiontoscamperoffupontheleastalarm。OnthefirstofJulythebandofCrowwarriorsagaincrossedtheirpath。Theycamein
vauntingandvaingloriousstyle；displayingfiveCheyennescalps，thetrophiesoftheir
vengeance。Theywerenowboundhomewards，toappeasethemanesoftheircomrade
bytheseproofsthathisdeathhadbeenrevenged，andintendedtohavescalp-dances
andothertriumphantrejoicings。CaptainBonnevilleandhismen，however，werebyno
meansdisposedtorenewtheirconfidingintimacywiththesecraftysavages，andabove
all，tookcaretoavoidtheirpilferingcaresses。Theyremarkedoneprecautionofthe
Crowswithrespecttotheirhorses；toprotecttheirhoofsfromthesharpandjaggedrocksamongwhichtheyhadtopass，theyhadcoveredthemwithshoesofbuffalohide。TherouteofthetravellerslaygenerallyalongthecourseoftheNebraskaorPlatte，but
occasionally，wheresteeppromontoriesadvancedtothemarginofthestream，they
wereobligedtomakeinlandcircuits。Oneofthesetookthemthroughaboldandstern
country，borderedbyarangeoflowmountains，runningeastandwest。Everything
aroundboretracesofsomefearfulconvulsionofnatureintimeslongpast。Hithertothe
variousstrataofrockhadexhibitedagentleelevationtowardthesouthwest，buthere
everythingappearedtohavebeensubverted，andthrownoutofplace。Inmanyplaces
therewereheavybedsofwhitesandstonerestinguponred。Immensestrataofrocks
juttedupintocragsandcliffs；andsometimesformedperpendicularwallsand
overhangingprecipices。Anairofsterilityprevailedoverthesesavagewastes。The
valleysweredestituteofherbage，andscantilyclothedwithastuntedspeciesof
wormwood，generallyknownamongtradersandtrappersbythenameofsage。Froman
elevatedpointoftheirmarchthroughthisregion，thetravellerscaughtabeautifulview
ofthePowderRiverMountainsawaytothenorth，stretchingalongtheveryvergeofthe
horizon，andseeming，fromthesnowwithwhichtheyweremantled，tobeachainofsmallwhiteclouds，connectingskyandearth。Thoughthethermometeratmid-dayrangedfromeightytoninety，andevensometimes
rosetoninety-threedegrees，yetoccasionalspotsofsnowweretobeseenonthetops
ofthelowmountains，amongwhichthetravellerswerejourneying；proofsofthegreatelevationofthewholeregion。TheNebraska，initspassagethroughtheBlackHills，isconfinedtoamuchnarrower
channelthanthatthroughwhichitflowsntheplainsbelow；butitisdeeperandclearer，
andrusheswithastrongercurrent。Thescenery，also，ismorevariedandbeautiful。
Sometimesitglidesrapidlybutsmoothlythroughapicturesquevalley，betweenwooded
banks；then，forcingitswayintothebosomofruggedmountains，itrushesimpetuously
throughnarrowdefiles，roaringandfoamingdownrocksandrapids，untilitisagainsoothedtorestinsomepeacefulvalley。Onthe12thofJuly，CaptainBonnevilleabandonedthemainstreamoftheNebraska，
whichwascontinuallyshoulderedbyruggedpromontories，andmakingabendtothe
southwest，foracoupleofdays，partofthetimeoverplainsofloosesand，encamped
onthe14thonthebanksoftheSweetWater，astreamabouttwentyyardsinbreadth，
andfourorfivefeetdeep，flowingbetweenlowbanksoverasandysoil，andforming
oneoftheforksorupperbranchesoftheNebraska。Upthisstreamtheynowshaped
theircourseforseveralsuccessivedays，tending，generally，tothewest。Thesoilwas
lightandsandy；thecountrymuchdiversified。Frequentlytheplainswerestuddedwith
isolatedblocksofrock，sometimesintheshapeofahalfglobe，andfromthreetofour
hundredfeethigh。Thesesingularmasseshadoccasionallyaveryimposing，andevensublimeappearance，risingfromthemidstofasavageandlonelylandscape。Asthetravellerscontinuedtoadvance，theybecamemoreandmoresensibleofthe
elevationofthecountry。Thehillsaroundweremoregenerallycappedwithsnow。The
mencomplainedofcrampsandcolics，sorelipsandmouths，andviolentheadaches。
Thewood-workofthewagonsalsoshranksomuchthatitwaswithdifficultythewheels
werekeptfromfallingtopieces。Thecountryborderingupontheriverwasfrequently
gashedwithdeepravines，ortraversedbyhighbluffs，toavoidwhich，thetravellers
wereobligedtomakewidecircuitsthroughtheplains。Inthecourseofthese，theycame
uponimmenseherdsofbuffalo，whichkeptscouringoffinthevan，likearetreatingarmy。AmongthemotleyretainersofthecampwasTomCain，arawIrishman，whoofficiated
ascook，whosevariousblundersandexpedientsinhisnovelsituation，andinthewild
scenesandwildkindoflifeintowhichhehadsuddenlybeenthrown，hadmadehima
kindofbuttordrollofthecamp。Tom，however，begantodiscoveranambitionsuperior
tohisstation；andtheconversationofthehunters，andtheirstoriesoftheirexploits，
inspiredhimwithadesiretoelevatehimselftothedignityoftheirorder。Thebuffaloin
suchimmensedrovespresentedatemptingopportunityformakinghisfirstessay。He
rode，inthelineofmarch，allpreparedforaction：hispowder-flaskandshot-pouch
knowinglyslungatthepommelofhissaddle，tobeathand；hisriflebalancedonhis
shoulder。Whileinthisplight，atroopofBuffalocametrottingbyingreatalarm。Inan
instant，Tomsprangfromhishorseandgavechaseonfoot。Findingtheywereleaving
himbehind，helevelledhisrifleandpulled[the]trigger。Hisshotproducednoother
effectthantoincreasethespeedofthebuffalo，andtofrightenhisownhorse，whotook
tohisheels，andscamperedoffwithalltheammunition。Tomscamperedafterhim，
hallooingwithmightandmain，andthewildhorseandwildIrishmansoondisappeared
amongtheravinesoftheprairie。CaptainBonneville，whowasattheheadoftheline，
andhadseenthetransactionatadistance，detachedapartyinpursuitofTom。Aftera
longintervaltheyreturned，leadingthefrightenedhorse；butthoughtheyhadscoured
thecountry，andlookedoutandshoutedfromeveryheight，theyhadseennothingofhisrider。AsCaptainBonnevilleknewTom”sutterawkwardnessandinexperience，andthe
dangersofabewilderedIrishmaninthemidstofaprairie，hehaltedandencampedatanearlyhour，thattheremightbearegularhuntforhiminthemorning。Atearlydawnonthefollowingdayscoutsweresentoffineverydirection，whilethe
mainbody，afterbreakfast，proceededslowlyonitscourse。Itwasnotuntilthemiddleof
theafternoonthatthehuntersreturned，withhonestTommountedbehindoneofthem。
Theyhadfoundhiminacompletestateofperplexityandamazement。Hisappearance
causedshoutsofmerrimentinthecamp，——butTomforoncecouldnotjoininthemirth
raisedathisexpense：hewascompletelychapfallen，andapparentlycuredofthe
huntingmaniafortherestofhislife。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter5[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter5Magnificentscenery——WindRiverMountains——Treasuryofwaters——Astrayhorse——An
Indiantrail——Troutstreams——TheGreatGreenRiverValley——Analarm——Abandof
trappers——Fontenelle，hisinformation——Sufferingsofthirst——Encampmentonthe
Seeds-ke-dee——Strategyofrivaltraders——Fortificationofthecamp——TheBlackfeet——Banditti
ofthemountains——TheircharacterandhabitsITWASONTHE20THofJulythatCaptainBonnevillefirstcameinsightofthegrand
regionofhishopesandanticipations，theRockyMountains。Hehadbeenmakinga
bendtothesouth，toavoidsomeobstaclesalongtheriver，andhadattainedahigh，
rockyridge，whenamagnificentprospectburstuponhissight。Tothewestrosethe
WindRiverMountains，withtheirbleachedandsnowysummitstoweringintotheclouds。
Thesestretchedfartothenorth-northwest，untiltheymeltedawayintowhatappeared
tobefaintclouds，butwhichtheexperiencedeyesoftheveteranhuntersoftheparty
recognizedfortheruggedmountainsoftheYellowstone；atthefeetofwhichextendedthewildCrowcountry：aperilous，thoughprofitableregionforthetrapper。Tothesouthwest，theeyerangedoveranimmenseextentofwilderness，withwhat
appearedtobeasnowyvaporrestinguponitshorizon。This，however，waspointedout
asanotherbranchoftheGreatChippewyan，orRockychain；beingtheEutaw
Mountains，atwhosebasisthewanderingtribeofhuntersofthesamenamepitchtheir
tents。Wecanimaginetheenthusiasmoftheworthycaptainwhenhebeheldthevast
andmountainoussceneofhisadventurousenterprisethussuddenlyunveiledbefore
him。Wecanimaginewithwhatfeelingsofaweandadmirationhemusthave
contemplatedtheWindRiverSierra，orbedofmountains；thatgreatfountainheadfrom
whosesprings，andlakes，andmeltedsnowssomeofthosemightyriverstaketheir
rise，whichwanderoverhundredsofmilesofvariedcountryandclime，andfindtheirwaytotheoppositewavesoftheAtlanticandthePacific。TheWindRiverMountainsare，infact，amongthemostremarkableofthewholeRocky
chain；andwouldappeartobeamongtheloftiest。Theyform，asitwere，agreatbedof
mountains，abouteightymilesinlength，andfromtwentytothirtyinbreadth；with
ruggedpeaks，coveredwitheternalsnows，anddeep，narrowvalleysfullofsprings，and
brooks，androck-boundlakes。Fromthisgreattreasuryofwatersissueforthlimpid
streams，which，augmentingastheydescend，becomemaintributariesoftheMissouri
ontheoneside，andtheColumbiaontheother；andgiverisetotheSeeds-ke-dee
Agie，orGreenRiver，thegreatColoradooftheWest，thatemptiesitscurrentintotheGulfofCalifornia。TheWindRiverMountainsarenotoriousinhunters”andtrappers”stories：theirrugged
defiles，andtheroughtractsabouttheirneighborhood，havingbeenlurkingplacesfor
thepredatoryhordesofthemountains，andscenesofroughencounterwithCrowsand
Blackfeet。Itwastothewestofthesemountains，inthevalleyoftheSeeds-ke-deeAgie，
orGreenRiver，thatCaptainBonnevilleintendedtomakeahaltforthepurposeof
givingreposetohispeopleandhishorsesaftertheirwearyjourneying；andofcollecting
informationastohisfuturecourse。ThisGreenRivervalley，anditsimmediate
neighborhood，aswehavealreadyobserved，formedthemainpointofrendezvous，for
thepresentyear，oftherivalfurcompanies，andthemotleypopulace，civilizedand
savage，connectedwiththem。Severaldaysofruggedtravel，however，yetremainedforthecaptainandhismenbeforetheyshouldencampinthisdesiredresting-place。Onthe21stofJuly，astheywerepursuingtheircoursethroughoneofthemeadowsof
theSweetWater，theybeheldahorsegrazingatalittledistance。Heshowednoalarm
attheirapproach，butsufferedhimselfquietlytobetaken，evincingaperfectstateof
tameness。Thescoutsofthepartywereinstantlyonthelook-outfortheownersofthis
animal；lestsomedangerousbandofsavagesmightbelurkinginthevicinity。Aftera
narrowsearch，theydiscoveredthetrailofanIndianparty，whichhadevidentlypassed
throughthatneighborhoodbutrecently。Thehorsewasaccordinglytakenpossession
of，asanestray；butamorevigilantwatchthanusualwaskeptroundthecampatnights，lesthisformerownersshouldbeupontheprowl。Thetravellershadnowattainedsohighanelevationthatonthe23dofJuly，at
daybreak，therewasconsiderableiceinthewaterbuckets，andthethermometerstood
attwenty-twodegrees。Therarefyoftheatmospherecontinuedtoaffectthewood-work
ofthewagons，andthewheelswereincessantlyfallingtopieces。Aremedywasat
lengthdevised。Thetireofeachwheelwastakenoff；abandofwoodwasnailedround
theexteriorofthefelloes，thetirewasthenmaderedhot，replacedroundthewheel，
andsuddenlycooledwithwater。Bythismeans，thewholewasboundtogetherwithgreatcompactness。Theextremeelevationofthesegreatsteppes，whichrangealongthefeetoftheRocky
Mountains，takesawayfromtheseemingheightoftheirpeaks，whichyieldtofewintheknownworldinpointofaltitudeabovethelevelofthesea。Onthe24th，thetravellerstookfinalleaveoftheSweetWater，andkeepingwestwardly，
overalowandveryrockyridge，oneofthemostsouthernspursoftheWindRiver
Mountains，theyencamped，afteramarchofsevenhoursandahalf，onthebanksofasmallclearstream，runningtothesouth，inwhichtheycaughtanumberoffinetrout。Thesightofthesefishwashailedwithpleasure，asasignthattheyhadreachedthe
waterswhichflowintothePacific；foritisonlyonthewesternstreamsoftheRocky
Mountainsthattroutaretobetaken。Thestreamonwhichtheyhadthusencamped
proved，ineffect，tobetributarytotheSeeds-ke-deeAgie，orGreenRiver，intowhichitflowedatsomedistancetothesouth。CaptainBonnevillenowconsideredhimselfashavingfairlypassedthecrestofthe
RockyMountains；andfeltsomedegreeofexultationinbeingthefirstindividualthat
hadcrossed，northofthesettledprovincesofMexico，fromthewatersoftheAtlanticto
thoseofthePacific，withwagons。Mr。WilliamSublette，theenterprisingleaderofthe
RockyMountainFurCompany，had，twoorthreeyearspreviously，reachedthevalleyof
theWindRiver，whichliesonthenortheastofthemountains；buthadproceededwiththemnofurther。Avastvalleynowspreaditselfbeforethetravellers，boundedononesidebytheWind
RiverMountains，andtothewest，byalongrangeofhighhills。This，CaptainBonneville
wasassuredbyaveteranhunterinhiscompany，wasthegreatvalleyoftheSeedske-dee；andthe
sameinformantwouldhavefainpersuadedhimthatasmallstream，three
feetdeep，whichhecametoonthe25th，wasthatriver。Thecaptainwasconvinced，
however，thatthestreamwastooinsignificanttodrainsowideavalleyandtheadjacent
mountains：heencamped，therefore，atanearlyhour，onitsborders，thathemighttake
thewholeofthenextdaytoreachthemainriver；whichhepresumedtoflowbetweenhimandthedistantrangeofwesternhills。Onthe26thofJuly，hecommencedhismarchatanearlyhour，makingdirectlyacross
thevalley，towardthehillsinthewest；proceedingatasbriskarateasthejaded
conditionofhishorseswouldpermit。Abouteleveno”clockinthemorning，agreatcloud
ofdustwasdescriedintherear，advancingdirectlyonthetrailoftheparty。Thealarm
wasgiven；theyallcametoahalt，andheldacouncilofwar。Someconjecturedthatthe
bandofIndians，whosetrailtheyhaddiscoveredintheneighborhoodofthestrayhorse，
hadbeenlyinginwaitfortheminsomesecretfastnessofthemountains；andwere
abouttoattackthemontheopenplain，wheretheywouldhavenoshelter。Preparations
wereimmediatelymadefordefence；andascoutingpartysentofftoreconnoitre。They
sooncamegallopingback，makingsignalsthatallwaswell。Thecloudofdustwas
madebyabandoffiftyorsixtymountedtrappers，belongingtotheAmericanFur
Company，whosooncameup，leadingtheirpack-horses。TheywereheadedbyMr。
Fontenelle，anexperiencedleader，or“partisan，“asachiefofapartyiscalledinthetechnicallanguageofthetrappers。Mr。FontenelleinformedCaptainBonnevillethathewasonhiswayfromthecompany”s
tradingpostontheYellowstonetotheyearlyrendezvous，withreinforcementsand
suppliesfortheirhuntingandtradingpartiesbeyondthemountains；andthathe
expectedtomeet，byappointment，withabandoffreetrappersinthatvery
neighborhood。HehadfallenuponthetrailofCaptainBonneville”sparty，justafter
leavingtheNebraska；and，findingthattheyhadfrightenedoffallthegame，hadbeen
obligedtopushon，byforcedmarches，toavoidfamine：bothmenandhorseswere，
therefore，muchtravel-worn；butthiswasnoplacetohalt；theplainbeforethemhesaid
wasdestituteofgrassandwater，neitherofwhichwouldbemetwithshortoftheGreen
River，whichwasyetataconsiderabledistance。Hehoped，headded，ashispartywere
allonhorseback，toreachtheriver，withhardtravelling，bynightfall：buthedoubtedthe
possibilityofCaptainBonneville”sarrivaltherewithhiswagonsbeforethedayfollowing。Havingimpartedthisinformation，hepushedforwardwithallspeed。CaptainBonnevillefollowedonasfastascircumstanceswouldpermit。Thegroundwas
firmandgravelly；butthehorsesweretoomuchfatiguedtomoverapidly。Afteralong
andharassingday”smarch，withoutpausingforanoontidemeal，theywerecompelled，
atnineo”clockatnight，toencampinanopenplain，destituteofwaterorpasturage。On
thefollowingmorning，thehorseswereturnedlooseatthepeepofday；toslaketheir
thirst，ifpossible，fromthedewcollectedonthesparsegrass，hereandtherespringing
upamongdrysand-banks。ThesoilofagreatpartofthisGreenRivervalleyisawhitish
clay，intowhichtheraincannotpenetrate，butwhichdriesandcrackswiththesun。In
someplacesitproducesasaltweed，andgrassalongthemarginsofthestreams；but
thewiderexpansesofitaredesolateandbarren。ItwasnotuntilnoonthatCaptain
BonnevillereachedthebanksoftheSeeds-ke-dee，orColoradooftheWest；inthe
meantime，thesufferingsofbothmenandhorseshadbeenexcessive，anditwaswith
almostfranticeagernessthattheyhurriedtoallaytheirburningthirstinthelimpidcurrentoftheriver。Fontenelleandhispartyhadnotfaredmuchbetter；thechiefparthadmanagedto
reachtheriverbynightfall，butwerenearlyknockedupbytheexertion；thehorsesofotherssankunderthem，andtheywereobligedtopassthenightupontheroad。Onthefollowingmorning，July27th，Fontenellemovedhiscampacrosstheriver；while
CaptainBonnevilleproceededsomelittledistancebelow，wheretherewasasmallbut
freshmeadowyieldingabundantpasturage。Herethepoorjadedhorseswereturned
outtograze，andtaketheirrest：thewearyjourneyupthemountainshadwornthem
downinfleshandspirit；butthislastmarchacrossthethirstyplainhadnearlyfinishedthem。Thecaptainhadherethefirsttasteoftheboastedstrategyofthefurtrade。Duringhis
brief，butsocialencampment，incompanywithFontenelle，thatexperiencedtrapperhad
managedtowinoveranumberofDelawareIndianswhomthecaptainhadbroughtwith
him，byofferingthemfourhundreddollarseachfortheensuingautumnalhunt。The
captainwassomewhatastonishedwhenhesawthesehunters，onwhoseserviceshe
hadcalculatedsecurely，suddenlypackuptheirtraps，andgoovertotherivalcamp。
Thathemightinsomemeasure，however，beevenwithhiscompetitor，hedispatched
twoscoutstolookoutforthebandoffreetrapperswhoweretomeetFontenelleinthisneighborhood，andtoendeavortobringthemtohiscamp。Asitwouldbenecessarytoremainsometimeinthisneighborhood，thatbothmenand
horsesmightrepose，andrecruittheirstrength；andasitwasaregionfullofdanger，CaptainBonnevilleproceededtofortifyhiscampwithbreastworksoflogsandpickets。Theseprecautionswere，atthattime，peculiarlynecessary，fromthebandsofBlackfeet
Indianswhichwererovingabouttheneighborhood。Thesesavagesarethemost
dangerousbandittiofthemountains，andtheinveteratefoeofthetrappers。Theyare
Ishmaelitesofthefirstorder，alwayswithweaponinhand，readyforaction。Theyoung
bravesofthetribe，whoaredestituteofproperty，gotowarforbooty；togainhorses，
andacquirethemeansofsettingupalodge，supportingafamily，andentitling
themselvestoaseatinthepubliccouncils。Theveteranwarriorsfightmerelyfortheloveofthething，andtheconsequencewhichsuccessgivesthemamongtheirpeople。Theyarecapitalhorsemen，andaregenerallywellmountedonshort，stouthorses，
similartotheprairieponiestobemetwithatSt。Louis。Whenonawarparty，however，
theygoonfoot，toenablethemtoskulkthroughthecountrywithgreatersecrecy；to
keepinthicketsandravines，andusemoreadroitsubterfugesandstratagems。Their
modeofwarfareisentirelybyambush，surprise，andsuddenassaultsinthenighttime。
Iftheysucceedincausingapanic，theydashforwardwithheadlongfury：iftheenemy
isonthealert，andshowsnosignsoffear，theybecomewaryanddeliberateintheirmovements。Someofthemarearmedintheprimitivestyle，withbowsandarrows；thegreaterpart
haveAmericanfusees，madeafterthefashionofthoseoftheHudson”sBayCompany。
ThesetheyprocureatthetradingpostoftheAmericanFurCompany，onMariasRiver，
wheretheytraffictheirpeltriesforarms，ammunition，clothing，andtrinkets。Theyare
extremelyfondofspirituousliquorsandtobacco；forwhichnuisancestheyarereadyto
exchangenotmerelytheirgunsandhorses，buteventheirwivesanddaughters。As
theyareatreacherousrace，andhavecherishedalurkinghostilitytothewhitesever
sinceoneoftheirtribewaskilledbyMr。Lewis，theassociateofGeneralClarke，inhis
exploringexpeditionacrosstheRockyMountains，theAmericanFurCompanyisobligedconstantlytokeepatthatpostagarrisonofsixtyorseventymen。UnderthegeneralnameofBlackfeetarecomprehendedseveraltribes：suchasthe
Surcies，thePeagans，theBloodIndians，andtheGrosVentresofthePrairies：who
roamaboutthesouthernbranchesoftheYellowstoneandMissouriRivers，togetherwithsomeothertribesfurthernorth。ThebandsinfestingtheWindRiverMountainsandthecountryadjacentatthetimeof
whichwearetreating，wereGrosVentresofthePrairies，whicharenottobe
confoundedwithGrosVentresoftheMissouri，whokeepaboutthelowerpartofthatriver，andarefriendlytothewhitemen。ThishostilebandkeepsabouttheheadwatersoftheMissouri，andnumbersaboutnine
hundredfightingmen。Onceinthecourseoftwoorthreeyearstheyabandontheir
usualabodes，andmakeavisittotheArapahoesoftheArkansas。Theirroutelieseither
throughtheCrowcountry，andtheBlackHills，orthroughthelandsoftheNezPerces，
Flatheads，Bannacks，andShoshonies。Astheyenjoytheirfavoritestateofhostilitywith
allthesetribes，theirexpeditionsarepronetobeconductedinthemostlawlessand
predatorystyle；nordotheyhesitatetoextendtheirmaraudingstoanypartyofwhite
mentheymeetwith；followingtheirtrails；hoveringabouttheircamps；waylayingand
doggingthecaravansofthefreetraders，andmurderingthesolitarytrapper。The
consequencesarefrequentanddesperatefightsbetweenthemandthe“mountaineers，“inthewilddefilesandfastnessesoftheRockyMountains。Thebandinquestionwas，atthistime，ontheirwayhomewardfromoneoftheir
customaryvisitstotheArapahoes；andintheensuingchapterweshalltreatofsome
bloodyencountersbetweenthemandthetrappers，whichhadtakenplacejustbefore
thearrivalofCaptainBonnevilleamongthemountains。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter6[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter6Subletteandhisband——RobertCampbell——Mr。Wyethandabandof“down-easters“——
Yankeeenterprise——Fitzpatrick——HisadventurewiththeBlackfeet——Arendezvousofmountaineers——ThebattleofPierre”sHole——AnIndianambuscade——Sublette”sreturnLEAVINGCAPTAINBONNEVILLEandhisbandensconcedwithintheirfortifiedcampintheGreenRivervalley，weshallstepbackandaccompanyapartyoftheRockyMountainFurCompanyinitsprogress，withsuppliesfromSt。Louis，totheannualrendezvousatPierre”sHole。Thispartyconsistedofsixtymen，wellmounted，andconductingalineofpackhorses。TheywerecommandedbyCaptainWilliamSublette，apartnerinthecompany，andoneofthemostactive，intrepid，andrenownedleadersinthishalfmilitarykindofservice。Hewasaccompaniedbyhisassociateinbusiness，andtriedcompanionindanger，Mr。RobertCampbell，oneofthepioneersofthetradebeyondthemountains，whohadcommandedtrappingpartiesthereintimesofthegreatestperil。
Astheseworthycompeerswereontheirroutetothefrontier，theyfellinwithanotherexpedition，likewiseonitswaytothemountains。Thiswasapartyofregular“down-easters，“thatistosay，peopleofNewEngland，who，withtheall-penetratingandall-pervadingspiritoftheirrace，werenowpushingtheirwayintoanewfieldofenterprisewithwhichtheyweretotallyunacquainted。ThepartyhadbeenfittedoutandwasmaintainedandcommandedbyMr。NathanielJ。Wyeth，ofBoston。ThisgentlemanhadconceivedanideathataprofitablefisheryforsalmonmightbeestablishedontheColumbiaRiver，andconnectedwiththefurtrade。Hehad，accordingly，investedcapitalingoods，calculated，ashesupposed，fortheIndiantrade，andhadenlistedanumberofeasternmeninhisemploy，whohadneverbeenintheFarWest，norknewanythingofthewilderness。Withthese，hewasbravelysteeringhiswayacrossthecontinent，undismayedbydanger，difficulty，ordistance，inthesamewaythataNewEnglandcoasterandhisneighborswillcoollylaunchforthonavoyagetotheBlackSea，orawhalingcruisetothePacific。
Withalltheirnationalaptitudeatexpedientandresource，Wyethandhismenfeltthemselvescompletelyatalosswhentheyreachedthefrontier，andfoundthatthewildernessrequiredexperienceandhabitudesofwhichtheyweretotallydeficient。Notoneoftheparty，exceptingtheleader，hadeverseenanIndianorhandledarifle；theywerewithoutguideorinterpreter，andtotallyunacquaintedwith“woodcraft“andthemodesofmakingtheirwayamongsavagehordes，andsubsistingthemselvesduringlongmarchesoverwildmountainsandbarrenplains。
Inthispredicament，CaptainSublettefoundthem，inamannerbecalmed，orratherrunaground，atthelittlefrontiertownofIndependence，inMissouri，andkindlytookthemintow。Thetwopartiestravelledamicablytogether；thefrontiermenofSublette”spartygavetheirYankeecomradessomelessonsinhunting，andsomeinsightintotheartandmysteryofdealingwiththeIndians，andtheyallarrivedwithoutaccidentattheupperbranchesoftheNebraskaorPlatteRiver。
Inthecourseoftheirmarch，Mr。Fitzpatrick，thepartnerofthecompanywhowasresidentatthattimebeyondthemountains，camedownfromtherendezvousatPierre”sHoletomeetthemandhurrythemforward。HetravelledincompanywiththemuntiltheyreachedtheSweetWater；thentakingacoupleofhorses，oneforthesaddle，andtheotherasapack-horse，hestartedoffexpressforPierre”sHole，tomakearrangementsagainsttheirarrival，thathemightcommencehishuntingcampaignbeforetherivalcompany。
Fitzpatrickwasahardyandexperiencedmountaineer，andknewallthepassesanddefiles。AshewaspursuinghislonelycourseuptheGreenRivervalley，hedescribedseveralhorsemenatadistance，andcametoahalttoreconnoitre。Hesupposedthemtobesomedetachmentfromtherendezvous，orapartyoffriendlyIndians。Theyperceivedhim，andsettingupthewar-whoop，dashedforwardatfullspeed：hesawatoncehismistakeandhisperil——theywereBlackfeet。Springinguponhisfleetesthorse，andabandoningtheothertotheenemy，hemadeforthemountains，andsucceededinescapinguponeofthemostdangerousdefiles。HereheconcealedhimselfuntilhethoughttheIndianshadgoneoff，whenhereturnedintothevalley。Hewasagainpursued，losthisremaininghorse，andonlyescapedbyscramblingupamongthecliffs。
Forseveraldaysheremainedlurkingamongrocksandprecipices，andalmostfamished，havingbutoneremainingchargeinhisrifle，whichhekeptforself-defence。
Inthemeantime，SubletteandCampbell，withtheirfellowtraveller，Wyeth，hadpursuedtheirmarchunmolested，andarrivedintheGreenRivervalley，totallyunconsciousthattherewasanylurkingenemyathand。Theyhadencampedonenightonthebanksofasmallstream，whichcamedownfromtheWindRiverMountains，whenaboutmidnight，abandofIndiansburstupontheircamp，withhorribleyellsandwhoops，andadischargeofgunsandarrows。Happilynootherharmwasdonethanwoundingonemule，andcausingseveralhorsestobreakloosefromtheirpickets。Thecampwasinstantlyinarms；buttheIndiansretreatedwithyellsofexultation，carryingoffseveralofthehorsesundercoverofthenight。
ThiswassomewhatofadisagreeableforetasteofmountainlifetosomeofWyeth”sband，accustomedonlytotheregularandpeacefullifeofNewEngland；norwasitaltogethertothetasteofCaptainSublette”smen，whowerechieflycreolesandtownsmenfromSt。Louis。Theycontinuedtheirmarchthenextmorning，keepingscoutsaheadandupontheirflanks，andarrivedwithoutfurthermolestationatPierre”sHole。
ThefirstinquiryofCaptainSublette，onreachingtherendezvous，wasforFitzpatrick。
Hehadnotarrived，norhadanyintelligencebeenreceivedconcerninghim。Greatuneasinesswasnowentertained，lestheshouldhavefallenintothehandsoftheBlackfeetwhohadmadethemidnightattackuponthecamp。Itwasamatterofgeneraljoy，therefore，whenhemadehisappearance，conductedbytwohalf-breedIroquoishunters。Hehadlurkedforseveraldaysamongthemountains，untilalmoststarved；atlengthheescapedthevigilanceofhisenemiesinthenight，andwassofortunateastomeetthetwoIroquoishunters，who，beingonhorseback，conveyedhimwithoutfurtherdifficultytotherendezvous。Hearrivedtheresoemaciatedthathecouldscarcelyberecognized。
ThevalleycalledPierre”sHoleisaboutthirtymilesinlengthandfifteeninwidth，boundedtothewestandsouthbylowandbrokenridges，andoverlookedtotheeastbythreeloftymountains，calledthethreeTetons，whichdomineeraslandmarksoveravastextentofcountry。
Afinestream，fedbyrivuletsandmountainsprings，poursthroughthevalleytowardthenorth，dividingitintonearlyequalparts。Themeadowsonitsbordersarebroadandextensive，coveredwithwillowandcotton-woodtrees，socloselyinterlockedandmattedtogetherastobenearlyimpassable。
Inthisvalleywascongregatedthemotleypopulaceconnectedwiththefurtrade。Herethetworivalcompanieshadtheirencampments，withtheirretainersofallkinds：traders，trappers，hunters，andhalf-breeds，assembledfromallquarters，awaitingtheiryearlysupplies，andtheirorderstostartoffinnewdirections。Here，also，thesavagetribesconnectedwiththetrade，theNezPercesorChopunnishIndians，andFlatheads，hadpitchedtheirlodgesbesidethestreams，andwiththeirsquaws，awaitedthedistributionofgoodsandfinery。Therewas，moreover，abandoffifteenfreetrappers，commandedbyagallantleaderfromArkansas，namedSinclair，whoheldtheirencampmentalittleapartfromtherest。Suchwasthewildandheterogeneousassemblage，amountingtoseveralhundredmen，civilizedandsavage，distributedintentsandlodgesintheseveralcamps。
ThearrivalofCaptainSublettewithsuppliesputtheRockyMountainFurCompanyinfullactivity。Thewaresandmerchandisewerequicklyopened，andasquicklydisposedoftotrappersandIndians；theusualexcitementandrevelrytookplace，afterwhichallhandsbegantodispersetotheirseveraldestinations。
Onthe17thofJuly，asmallbrigadeoffourteentrappers，ledbyMiltonSublette，brotherofthecaptain，setoutwiththeintentionofproceedingtothesouthwest。TheywereaccompaniedbySinclairandhisfifteenfreetrappers；Wyeth，also，andhisNewEnglandbandofbeaverhuntersandsalmonfishers，nowdwindleddowntoeleven，tookthisopportunitytoprosecutetheircruiseinthewilderness，accompaniedwithsuchexperiencedpilots。Onthefirstday，theyproceededabouteightmilestothesoutheast，andencampedforthenight，stillinthevalleyofPierre”sHole。Onthefollowingmorning，justastheywereraisingtheircamp，theyobservedalonglineofpeoplepouringdownadefileofthemountains。TheyatfirstsupposedthemtobeFontenelleandhisparty，whosearrivalhadbeendailyexpected。Wyeth，however，reconnoitredthemwithaspy-glass，andsoonperceivedtheywereIndians。Theyweredividedintotwoparties，forming，inthewhole，aboutonehundredandfiftypersons，men，women，andchildren。
Somewereonhorseback，fantasticallypaintedandarrayed，withscarletblanketsflutteringinthewind。Thegreaterpart，however，wereonfoot。Theyhadperceivedthetrappersbeforetheywerethemselvesdiscovered，andcamedownyellingandwhoopingintotheplain。Onnearerapproach，theywereascertainedtobeBlackfeet。
OneofthetrappersofSublette”sbrigade，ahalf-breednamedAntoineGodin，nowmountedhishorse，androdeforthasiftoholdaconference。HewasthesonofanIroquoishunter，whohadbeencruellymurderedbytheBlackfeetatasmallstreambelowthemountains，whichstillbearshisname。IncompanywithAntoinerodeforthaFlatheadIndian，whoseoncepowerfultribehadbeencompletelybrokendownintheirwarswiththeBlackfeet。Bothofthem，therefore，cherishedthemostvengefulhostilityagainstthesemaraudersofthemountains。TheBlackfeetcametoahalt。Oneofthechiefsadvancedsinglyandunarmed，bearingthepipeofpeace。Thisoverturewascertainlypacific；butAntoineandtheFlatheadwerepredisposedtohostility，andpretendedtoconsideritatreacherousmovement。
“Isyourpiececharged？“saidAntoinetohisredcompanion。
“Itis。”
“Thencockit，andfollowme。”
TheymettheBlackfootchiefhalfway，whoextendedhishandinfriendship。Antoinegraspedit。
“Fire！“criedhe。
TheFlatheadlevelledhispiece，andbroughttheBlackfoottotheground。Antoinesnatchedoffhisscarletblanket，whichwasrichlyornamented，andgallopedoffwithitasatrophytothecamp，thebulletsoftheenemywhistlingafterhim。TheIndiansimmediatelythrewthemselvesintotheedgeofaswamp，amongwillowsandcotton-woodtrees，interwovenwithvines。Heretheybegantofortifythemselves；thewomendiggingatrench，andthrowingupabreastworkoflogsandbranches，deephidinthebosomofthewood，whilethewarriorsskirmishedattheedgetokeepthetrappersatbay。
Thelattertooktheirstationinaravineinfront，whencetheykeptupascatteringfire。AstoWyeth，andhislittlebandof“downeasters，“theywereperfectlyastoundedbythissecondspecimenoflifeinthewilderness；themen，beingespeciallyunusedtobushfightingandtheuseoftherifle，wereatalosshowtoproceed。Wyeth，however，actedasaskilfulcommander。Hegotallhishorsesintocampandsecuredthem；then，makingabreastworkofhispacksofgoods，hechargedhismentoremainingarrison，andnottostiroutoftheirfort。Forhimself，hemingledwiththeotherleaders，determinedtotakehisshareintheconflict。
Inthemeantime，anexpresshadbeensentofftotherendezvousforreinforcements。
CaptainSublette，andhisassociate，Campbell，wereattheircampwhentheexpresscamegallopingacrosstheplain，wavinghiscap，andgivingthealarm；“Blackfeet！
Blackfeet！afightintheupperpartofthevalley！——toarms！toarms！“
Thealarmwaspassedfromcamptocamp。Itwasacommoncause。Everyoneturnedoutwithhorseandrifle。TheNezPercesandFlatheadsjoined。Asfastashorsemancouldarmandmounthegallopedoff；thevalleywassoonalivewithwhitemenandredmenscouringatfullspeed。
Subletteorderedhismentokeeptothecamp，beingrecruitsfromSt。Louis，andunusedtoIndianwarfare。HeandhisfriendCampbellpreparedforaction。Throwingofftheircoats，rollinguptheirsleeves，andarmingthemselveswithpistolsandrifles，theymountedtheirhorsesanddashedforwardamongthefirst。Astheyrodealong，theymadetheirwillsinsoldier-likestyle；eachstatinghowhiseffectsshouldbedisposedofincaseofhisdeath，andappointingtheotherhisexecutor。
TheBlackfeetwarriorshadsupposedthebrigadeofMiltonSubletteallthefoestheyhadtodealwith，andwereastonishedtobeholdthewholevalleysuddenlyswarmingwithhorsemen，gallopingtothefieldofaction。Theywithdrewintotheirfort，whichwascompletelyhidfromsightinthedarkandtangledwood。Mostoftheirwomenandchildrenhadretreatedtothemountains。Thetrappersnowsalliedforthandapproachedtheswamp，firingintothethicketsatrandom；theBlackfeethadabettersightattheiradversaries，whowereintheopenfield，andahalf-breedwaswoundedintheshoulder。
WhenCaptainSublettearrived，heurgedtopenetratetheswampandstormthefort，butallhungbackinaweofthedismalhorrorsoftheplace，andthedangerofattackingsuchdesperadoesintheirsavageden。TheveryIndianallies，thoughaccustomedtobushfighting，regardeditasalmostimpenetrable，andfulloffrightfuldanger。Sublettewasnottobeturnedfromhispurpose，butofferedtoleadthewayintotheswamp。
Campbellsteppedforwardtoaccompanyhim。Beforeenteringtheperilouswood，Sublettetookhisbrothersaside，andtoldthemthatincasehefell，Campbell，whoknewhiswill，wastobehisexecutor。Thisdone，hegraspedhisrifleandpushedintothethickets，followedbyCampbell。Sinclair，thepartisanfromArkansas，wasattheedgeofthewoodwithhisbrotherandafewofhismen。Excitedbythegallantexampleofthetwofriends，hepressedforwardtosharetheirdangers。
Theswampwasproducedbythelaborsofthebeaver，which，bydammingupastream，hadinundatedaportionofthevalley。Theplacewasallovergrownwithwoodsandthickets，socloselymattedandentangledthatitwasimpossibletoseetenpacesahead，andthethreeassociatesinperilhadtocrawlalong，oneafteranother，makingtheirwaybyputtingthebranchesandvinesaside；butdoingitwithcaution，lesttheyshouldattracttheeyeofsomelurkingmarksman。Theytooktheleadbyturns，eachadvancingabouttwentyyardsatatime，andnowandthenhallooingtotheirmentofollow。Someofthelattergraduallyenteredtheswamp，andfollowedalittledistanceintheirrear。
Theyhadnowreachedamoreopenpartofthewood，andhadglimpsesoftherudefortressfrombetweenthetrees。Itwasamerebreastwork，aswehavesaid，oflogsandbranches，withblankets，buffalorobes，andtheleatherncoversoflodges，extendedroundthetopasascreen。Themovementsoftheleaders，astheygropedtheirway，hadbeendescriedbythesharp-sightedenemy。AsSinclair，whowasintheadvance，wasputtingsomebranchesaside，hewasshotthroughthebody。Hefellonthespot。
“Takemetomybrother””saidhetoCampbell。Thelattergavehiminchargetosomeofthemen，whoconveyedhimoutoftheswamp。
Sublettenowtooktheadvance。Ashewasreconnoitringthefort，heperceivedanIndianpeepingthroughanaperture。Inaninstanthisriflewaslevelledanddischarged，andtheballstruckthesavageintheeye。Whilehewasreloading，hecalledtoCampbell，andpointedouttohimthehole；“Watchthatplace，“saidhe，“andyouwillsoonhaveafairchanceforashot。”Scarcehadheutteredthewords，whenaballstruckhimintheshoulder，andalmostwheeledhimaround。Hisfirstthoughtwastotakeholdofhisarmwithhisotherhand，andmoveitupanddown。Heascertained，tohissatisfaction，thatthebonewasnotbroken。Thenextmomenthewassofaintthathecouldnotstand。Campbelltookhiminhisarmsandcarriedhimoutofthethicket。ThesameshotthatstruckSublettewoundedanothermaninthehead。
Abriskfirewasnowopenedbythemountaineersfromthewood，answeredoccasionallyfromthefort。Unluckily，thetrappersandtheirallies，insearchingforthefort，hadgotscattered，sothatWyeth，andanumberofNezPerces，approachedthefortonthenorthwestside，whileothersdidthesameontheoppositequarter。Across-firethustookplace，whichoccasionallydidmischieftofriendsaswellasfoes。AnIndianwasshotdown，closetoWyeth，byaballwhich，hewasconvinced，hadbeenspedfromtherifleofatrapperontheothersideofthefort。
ThenumberofwhitesandtheirIndianallieshadbythistimesomuchincreasedbyarrivalsfromtherendezvous，thattheBlackfeetwerecompletelyovermatched。Theykeptdoggedlyintheirfort，however，makingnoofferofsurrender。Anoccasionalfiringintothebreastworkwaskeptupduringtheday。Nowandthen，oneoftheIndianallies，inbravado，wouldrushuptothefort，fireovertheramparts，tearoffabuffalorobeorascarletblanket，andreturnwithitintriumphtohiscomrades。Mostofthesavagegarrisonthatfell，however，werekilledinthefirstpartoftheattack。
Atonetimeitwasresolvedtosetfiretothefort；andthesquawsbelongingtotheallieswereemployedtocollectcombustibles。Thishowever，wasabandoned；theNezPercesbeingunwillingtodestroytherobesandblankets，andotherspoilsoftheenemy，whichtheyfeltsurewouldfallintotheirhands。
TheIndians，whenfighting，arepronetotauntandrevileeachother。Duringoneofthepausesofthebattle，thevoiceoftheBlackfeetchiefwasheard。
“Solong，“saidhe，“aswehadpowderandball，wefoughtyouintheopenfield：whenthosewerespent，weretreatedheretodiewithourwomenandchildren。Youmayburnusinourfort；but，staybyourashes，andyouwhoaresohungryforfightingwillsoonhaveenough。Therearefourhundredlodgesofourbrethrenathand。Theywillsoonbehere——theirarmsarestrong——theirheartsarebig——theywillavengeus！“
ThisspeechwastranslatedtwoorthreetimesbyNezPerceandcreoleinterpreters。BythetimeitwasrenderedintoEnglish，thechiefwasmadetosaythatfourhundredlodgesofhistribewereattackingtheencampmentattheotherendofthevalley。Everyonenowwasforhurryingtothedefenceoftherendezvous。Apartywaslefttokeepwatchuponthefort；therestgallopedofftothecamp。Asnightcameon，thetrappersdrewoutoftheswamp，andremainedabouttheskirtsofthewood。Bymorning，theircompanionsreturnedfromtherendezvouswiththereportthatallwassafe。Asthedayopened，theyventuredwithintheswampandapproachedthefort。Allwassilent。Theyadvanceduptoitwithoutopposition。Theyentered：ithadbeenabandonedinthenight，andtheBlackfeethadeffectedtheirretreat，carryingofftheirwoundedonlittersmadeofbranches，leavingbloodytracesontheherbage。ThebodiesoftenIndianswerefoundwithinthefort；amongthemtheoneshotintheeyebySublette。TheBlackfeetafterwardreportedthattheyhadlosttwenty-sixwarriorsinthisbattle。Thirty-twohorseswerelikewisefoundkilled；amongthemweresomeofthoserecentlycarriedofffromSublette”sparty，inthenight；whichshowedthattheseweretheverysavagesthathadattackedhim。TheyprovedtobeanadvancepartyofthemainbodyofBlackfeet，whichhadbeenuponthetrailofSublette”sparty。Fivewhitemenandonehalfbreedwerekilled，andseveralwounded。SevenoftheNezPerceswerealsokilled，andsixwounded。Theyhadanoldchief，whowasreputedasinvulnerable。Inthecourseoftheactionhewashitbyaspentball，andthrewupblood；buthisskinwasunbroken。Hispeoplewerenowfullyconvincedthathewasproofagainstpowderandball。
Astrikingcircumstanceisrelatedashavingoccurredthemorningafterthebattle。AssomeofthetrappersandtheirIndianallieswereapproachingthefortthroughthewoods，theybeheldanIndianwoman，ofnobleformandfeatures，leaningagainstatree。Theirsurpriseatherlingeringherealone，tofallintothehandsofherenemies，wasdispelled，whentheysawthecorpseofawarrioratherfeet。Eithershewassolostingriefasnottoperceivetheirapproach；oraproudspiritkepthersilentandmotionless。TheIndianssetupayell，ondiscoveringher，andbeforethetrapperscouldinterfere，hermangledbodyfelluponthecorpsewhichshehadrefusedtoabandon。
Wehaveheardthisanecdotediscreditedbyoneoftheleaderswhohadbeeninthebattle：butthefactmayhavetakenplacewithouthisseeingit，andbeenconcealedfromhim。Itisaninstanceoffemaledevotion，eventothedeath，whichwearewelldisposedtobelieveandtorecord。
Afterthebattle，thebrigadeofMiltonSublette，togetherwiththefreetrappers，andWyeth”sNewEnglandband，remainedsomedaysattherendezvous，toseeifthemainbodyofBlackfeetintendedtomakeanattack；nothingofthekindoccurring，theyoncemoreputthemselvesinmotion，andproceededontheirroutetowardthesouthwest。
CaptainSublettehavingdistributedhissupplies，hadintendedtosetoffonhisreturntoSt。Louis，takingwithhimthepeltriescollectedfromthetrappersandIndians。Hiswound，howeverobligedhimtopostponehisdeparture。Severalwhoweretohaveaccompaniedhimbecameimpatientofthisdelay。AmongthesewasayoungBostonian，Mr。JosephMore，oneofthefollowersofMr。Wyeth，whohadseenenoughofmountainlifeandsavagewarfare，andwaseagertoreturntotheabodesofcivilization。Heandsixothers，amongwhomwereaMr。Foy，ofMississippi，Mr。AlfredK。Stephens，ofSt。Louis，andtwograndsonsofthecelebratedDanielBoon，setouttogether，inadvanceofSublette”sparty，thinkingtheywouldmaketheirwaythroughthemountains。
ItwasjustfivedaysafterthebattleoftheswampthatthesesevencompanionsweremakingtheirwaythroughJackson”sHole，avalleynotfarfromthethreeTetons，when，astheyweredescendingahill，apartyofBlackfeetthatlayinambushstartedupwithterrificyells。ThehorseoftheyoungBostonian，whowasinfront，wheeledroundwithaffright，andthrewhisunskilledrider。Theyoungmanscrambledupthesideofthehill，but，unaccustomedtosuchwildscenes，losthispresenceofmind，andstood，asifparalyzed，ontheedgeofabank，untiltheBlackfeetcameupandslewhimonthespot。
Hiscomradeshadfledonthefirstalarm；buttwoofthem，FoyandStephens，seeinghisdanger，pausedwhentheygothalfwayupthehill，turnedback，dismounted，andhastenedtohisassistance。Foywasinstantlykilled。Stephenswasseverelywounded，butescaped，todiefivedaysafterward。ThesurvivorsreturnedtothecampofCaptainSublette，bringingtidingsofthisnewdisaster。Thathardyleader，assoonashecouldbearthejourney，setoutonhisreturntoSt。Louis，accompaniedbyCampbell。Astheyhadanumberofpack-horsesrichlyladenwithpeltriestoconvoy，theychoseadifferentroutethroughthemountains，outoftheway，astheyhoped，ofthelurkingbandsofBlackfeet。Theysucceededinmakingthefrontierinsafety。Weremembertohaveseenthemwiththeirband，abouttwoorthreemonthsafterward，passingthroughaskirtofwoodlandintheupperpartofMissouri。Theirlongcavalcadestretchedinsinglefilefornearlyhalfamile。Sublettestillworehisarminasling。Themountaineersintheirrudehuntingdresses，armedwithriflesandroughlymounted，andleadingtheirpack-horsesdownahilloftheforest，lookedlikebandittireturningwithplunder。Onthetopofsomeofthepackswereperchedseveralhalf-breedchildren，perfectlittleimps，withwildblackeyesglaringfromamongelflocks。These，Iwastold，werechildrenofthetrappers；pledgesoflovefromtheirsquawspousesinthewilderness。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter7[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter7RetreatoftheBlackfeet——Fontenelle”scampindanger——CaptainBonnevilleandthe
Blackfeet——Freetrappers——Theircharacter，habits，dress，equipments，horses——Game
fellowsofthemountains——Theirvisittothecamp——Goodfellowshipandgoodcheer——
Acarouse——Aswagger，abrawl，andareconciliationTHEBLACKFEETWARRIORS，whentheyeffectedtheirmidnightretreatfromtheirwild
fastnessinPierre”sHole，fellbackintothevalleyoftheSeeds-ke-dee，orGreenRiver
wheretheyjoinedthemainbodyoftheirband。Thewholeforceamountedtoseveral
hundredfightingmen，gloomyandexasperatedbytheirlatedisaster。Theyhadwith
themtheirwivesandchildren，whichincapacitatedthemfromanyboldandextensive
enterpriseofawarlikenature；butwhen，inthecourseoftheirwanderingstheycamein
sightoftheencampmentofFontenelle，whohadmovedsomedistanceupGreenRiver
valleyinsearchofthefreetrappers，theyputuptremendouswar-cries，andadvanced
fiercelyasiftoattackit。Secondthoughtscausedthemtomoderatetheirfury。They
recollectedtheseverelessonjustreceived，andcouldnotbutremarkthestrengthofFontenelle”sposition；whichhadbeenchosenwithgreatjudgment。Aformaltalkensued。TheBlackfeetsaidnothingofthelatebattle，ofwhichFontenelle
hadasyetreceivednoaccounts；thelatter，however，knewthehostileandperfidious
natureofthesesavages，andtookcaretoinformthemoftheencampmentofCaptain
Bonneville，thattheymightknowthereweremorewhitemenintheneighborhood。The
conferenceended，FontenellesentaDelawareIndianofhispartytoconductfifteenof
theBlackfeettothecampofCaptainBonneville。Therewas[sic]atthattimetwoCrow
Indiansinthecaptain”scamp，whohadrecentlyarrivedthere。Theylookedwithdismay
atthisdeputationfromtheirimplacableenemies，andgavethecaptainaterrible
characterofthem，assuringhimthatthebestthinghecouldpossiblydo，wastoput
thoseBlackfeetdeputiestodeathonthespot。Thecaptain，however，whohadheard
nothingoftheconflictatPierre”sHole，declinedallcompliancewiththissagecounsel。
Hetreatedthegrimwarriorswithhisusualurbanity。Theypassedsomelittletimeatthe
camp；saw，nodoubt，thateverythingwasconductedwithmilitaryskillandvigilance；
andthatsuchanenemywasnottobeeasilysurprised，nortobemolestedwithimpunity，andthendeparted，toreportallthattheyhadseentotheircomrades。ThetwoscoutswhichCaptainBonnevillehadsentouttoseekforthebandoffree
trappers，expectedbyFontenelle，andtoinvitethemtohiscamp，hadbeensuccessfulintheirsearch，andonthe12thofAugustthoseworthiesmadetheirappearance。Toexplainthemeaningoftheappellation，freetrapper，itisnecessarytostatethe
termsonwhichthemenenlistintheserviceofthefurcompanies。Somehaveregular
wages，andarefurnishedwithweapons，horses，traps，andotherrequisites。Theseare
undercommand，andboundtodoeverydutyrequiredofthemconnectedwiththe
service；suchashunting，trapping，loadingandunloadingthehorses，mountingguard；and，inshort，allthedrudgeryofthecamp。Thesearethehiredtrappers。Thefreetrappersareamoreindependentclass；andindescribingthem，weshalldo
littlemorethantranscribethegraphicdescriptionofthembyCaptainBonneville。“They
comeandgo，“sayshe，“whenandwheretheyplease；providetheirownhorses，arms，
andotherequipments；trapandtradeontheirownaccount，anddisposeoftheirskins
andpeltriestothehighestbidder。Sometimes，inadangeroushuntingground，they
attachthemselvestothecampofsometraderforprotection。Heretheycomeunder
somerestrictions；theyhavetoconformtotheordinaryrulesfortrapping，andtosubmit
tosuchrestraints，andtotakepartinsuchgeneralduties，asareestablishedforthe
goodorderandsafetyofthecamp。Inreturnforthisprotection，andfortheircamp
keeping，theyareboundtodisposeofallthebeavertheytake，tothetraderwho
commandsthecamp，atacertainrateperskin；or，shouldtheypreferseekingamarket
elsewhere，theyaretomakehimanallowance，offromthirtytofortydollarsforthewholehunt。”Thereisaninferiororder，who，eitherfromprudenceorpoverty，cometothese
dangeroushuntinggroundswithouthorsesoraccoutrements，andarefurnishedbythe
traders。These，likethehiredtrappers，areboundtoexertthemselvestotheutmostin
takingbeaver，which，withoutskinning，theyrenderinatthetrader”slodge，wherea
stipulatedpriceforeachisplacedtotheircredit。Thesethoughgenerallyincludedinthegenericnameoffreetrappers，havethemorespecifictitleofskintrappers。Thewanderingwhiteswhomingleforanylengthoftimewiththesavageshave
invariablyapronenesstoadoptsavagehabitudes；butnonemoresothanthefree
trappers。Itisamatterofvanityandambitionwiththemtodiscardeverythingthatmay
bearthestampofcivilizedlife，andtoadoptthemanners，habits，dress，gesture，and
evenwalkoftheIndian。Youcannotpayafreetrapperagreatercompliment，thanto
persuadehimyouhavemistakenhimforanIndianbrave；and，intruth，thecounterfeit
iscomplete。Hishairsufferedtoattaintoagreatlength，iscarefullycombedout，and
eitherlefttofallcarelesslyoverhisshoulders，orplaitedneatlyandtiedupinotter
skins，orparti-coloredribands。Ahunting-shirtofruffledcalicoofbrightdyes，orof
ornamentedleather，fallstohisknee；belowwhich，curiouslyfashionedlegging，
ornamentedwithstrings，fringes，andaprofusionofhawks”bells，reachtoacostlypair
ofmoccasonsofthefinestIndianfabric，richlyembroideredwithbeads。Ablanketof
scarlet，orsomeotherbrightcolor，hangsfromhisshoulders，andisgirtaroundhis
waistwitharedsash，inwhichhebestowshispistols，knife，andthestemofhisIndian
pipe；preparationseitherforpeaceorwar。Hisgunislavishlydecoratedwithbrasstacks
andvermilion，andprovidedwithafringedcover，occasionallyofbuckskin，ornamented
hereandtherewithafeather。Hishorse，thenobleministertothepride，pleasure，and
profitofthemountaineer，isselectedforhisspeedandspirit，andprancinggait，and
holdsaplaceinhisestimationsecondonlytohimself。Heshareslargelyofhisbounty，
andofhisprideandpompoftrapping。Heiscaparisonedinthemostdashingand
fantasticstyle；thebridlesandcrupperareweightilyembossedwithbeadsand
cockades；andhead，mane，andtail，areinterwovenwithabundanceofeagles”plumes，
whichflutterinthewind。Tocompletethisgrotesqueequipment，theproudanimalis
bestreakedandbespottedwithvermilion，orwithwhiteclay，whicheverpresentsthemostglaringcontrasttohisrealcolor。SuchistheaccountgivenbyCaptainBonnevilleoftheserangersofthewilderness，and
theirappearanceatthecampwasstrikinglycharacteristic。Theycamedashingforward
atfullspeed，firingtheirfusees，andyellinginIndianstyle。Theirdarksunburnedfaces，
andlongflowinghair，theirlegging，flaps，moccasons，andrichly-dyedblankets，and
theirpaintedhorsesgaudilycaparisoned，gavethemsomuchtheairandappearance
ofIndians，thatitwasdifficulttopersuadeone”sselfthattheywerewhitemen，andhadbeenbroughtupincivilizedlife。CaptainBonneville，whowasdelightedwiththegamelookofthesecavaliersofthe
mountains，welcomedthemheartilytohiscamp，andorderedafreeallowanceofgrog
toregalethem，whichsoonputtheminthemostbraggartspirits。Theypronouncedthe
captainthefinestfellowintheworld，andhismenallbonsgarç；ons，joviallads，
andsworetheywouldpassthedaywiththem。Theydidso；andadayitwas，ofboast，and
swagger，androdomontade。Theprimebulliesandbravesamongthefreetrappershad
eachhiscircleofnovices，fromamongthecaptain”sband；meregreenhorns，men
unusedtoIndianlife；mangeursdelard，orpork-eaters；assuchnew-comersare
superciliouslycalledbytheveteransofthewilderness。Thesehewouldastonishand
delightbythehour，withprodigioustalesofhisdoingsamongtheIndians；andofthe
wondershehadseen，andthewondershehadperformed，inhisadventurousperegrinationsamongthemountains。Intheevening，thefreetrappersdrewoff，andreturnedtothecampofFontenelle，
highlydelightedwiththeirvisitandwiththeirnewacquaintances，andpromisingto
returnthefollowingday。Theykepttheirword：dayafterdaytheirvisitswererepeated；
theybecame“hailfellowwellmet“withCaptainBonneville”smen；treataftertreat
succeeded，untilbothpartiesgotmostpotentlyconvinced，orratherconfounded，by
liquor。Nowcameonconfusionanduproar。Thefreetrapperswerenolongersuffered
tohavealltheswaggertothemselves。Thecampbulliesandprimetrappersoftheparty
begantoruffleup，andtobrag，inturn，oftheirperilsandachievements。Eachnowtried
toout-boastandout-talktheother；aquarrelensuedasamatterofcourse，anda
generalfight，accordingtofrontierusage。Thetwofactionsdrewouttheirforcesfora
pitchedbattle。Theyfelltoworkandbelaboredeachotherwithmightandmain；kicks
andcuffsanddryblowswereaswellbestowedastheywerewellmerited，until，having
foughttotheirhearts”content，andbeendrubbedintoafamiliaracquaintancewitheach
other”sprowessandgoodqualities，theyendedthefightbybecomingfirmerfriendsthantheycouldhavebeenrenderedbyayear”speaceablecompanionship。WhileCaptainBonnevilleamusedhimselfbyobservingthehabitsandcharacteristicsof
thissingularclassofmen，andindulgedthem，forthetime，inalltheirvagaries，he
profitedbytheopportunitytocollectfromtheminformationconcerningthedifferent
partsofthecountryaboutwhichtheyhadbeenaccustomedtorange；thecharactersof
thetribes，and，inshort，everythingimportanttohisenterprise。Healsosucceededin
securingtheservicesofseveraltoguideandaidhiminhisperegrinationsamongthe
mountains，andtotrapforhimduringtheensuingseason。Havingstrengthenedhis
partywithsuchvaluablerecruits，hefeltinsomemeasureconsoledforthelossofthe
DelawareIndians，decoyedfromhimbyMrFontenelle。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter8[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter8Plansforthewinter——SalmonRiver——Abundanceofsalmonwestofthe
mountains——Newarrangements——Caches——Cerre”sdetachment——Movementsin
Fontenelle”scamp——DepartureoftheBlackfeet——Theirfortunes——WindMountain
streams——Buckeye，theDelawarehunter，andthegrizzlybear——Bonesofmurdered
travellers——VisittoPierre”sHole——Tracesofthebattle——NezPerceIndians——Arrivalat
SalmonRiverTHEINFORMATIONderivedfromthefreetrappersdeterminedCaptainBonnevilleas
tohisfurthermovements。HelearnedthatintheGreenRivervalleythewinterswere
severe，thesnowfrequentlyfallingtothedepthofseveralfeet；andthattherewasno
goodwinteringgroundintheneighborhood。TheupperpartofSalmonRiverwas
representedasfarmoreeligible，besidesbeinginanexcellentbeavercountry；andthitherthecaptainresolvedtobendhiscourse。TheSalmonRiverisoneoftheupperbranchesoftheOregonorColumbia；andtakes
itsrisefromvarioussources，amongagroupofmountainstothenorthwestoftheWind
Riverchain。Itowesitsnametotheimmenseshoalsofsalmonwhichascenditinthe
monthsofSeptemberandOctober。ThesalmononthewestsideoftheRocky
Mountainsare，likethebuffaloontheeasternplains，vastmigratorysuppliesforthe
wantsofman，thatcomeandgowiththeseasons。Asthebuffaloincountlessthrongs
findtheircertainwayinthetransientpasturageontheprairies，alongthefreshbanksof
therivers，andupeveryvalleyandgreendefileofthemountains，sothesalmon，attheir
allottedseasons，regulatedbyasublimeandall-seeingProvidence，swarminmyriads
upthegreatrivers，andfindtheirwayuptheirmainbranches，andintotheminutest
tributorystreams；soastopervadethegreataridplains，andtopenetrateevenamong
barrenmountains。Thuswanderingtribesarefedinthedesertplacesofthewilderness，
wherethereisnoherbagefortheanimalsofthechase，andwhere，butfortheseperiodicalsupplies，itwouldbeimpossibleformantosubsist。TherapidcurrentsoftheriverswhichrunintothePacificrendertheascentofthemvery
exhaustingtothesalmon。Whenthefishfirstrunuptherivers，theyarefatandinfine
order。Thestruggleagainstimpetuousstreamsandfrequentrapidsgraduallyrenders
themthinandweak，andgreatnumbersareseenfloatingdowntheriversontheir
backs。Astheseasonadvancesandthewaterbecomeschilled，theyareflungin
myriadsontheshores，wherethewolvesandbearsassembletobanquetonthem。
Oftentheyrotinsuchquantitiesalongtheriverbanksastotainttheatmosphere。Theyarecommonlyfromtwotothreefeetlong。CaptainBonnevillenowmadehisarrangementsfortheautumnandthewinter。The
natureofthecountrythroughwhichhewasabouttotravelrendereditimpossibleto
proceedwithwagons。Hehadmoregoodsandsuppliesofvariouskinds，also，than
wererequiredforpresentpurposes，orthancouldbeconvenientlytransportedon
horseback；aided，therefore，byafewconfidentialmen，hemadecaches，orsecret
pits，
duringthenight，whenalltherestofthecampwereasleep，andinthesedepositedthe
superfluouseffects，togetherwiththewagons。Alltracesofthecacheswerethen
carefullyobliterated。Thisisacommonexpedientwiththetradersandtrappersofthe
mountains。Havingnoestablishedpostsandmagazines，theymakethesecachesor
depositsatcertainpoints，whithertheyrepair，occasionally，forsupplies。ItisanexpedientderivedfromthewanderingtribesofIndians。Manyofthehorseswerestillsoweakandlame，astobeunfitforalongscramble
throughthemountains。Thesewerecollectedintoonecavalcade，andgivenincharge
toanexperiencedtrapper，ofthenameofMatthieu。Hewastoproceedwestward，with
abrigadeoftrappers，toBearRiver；astreamtothewestoftheGreenRiveror
Colorado，wheretherewasgoodpasturageforthehorses。Inthisneighborhooditwas
expectedhewouldmeettheShoshonievillagesorbands，ontheiryearlymigrations，
withwhomhewastotradeforpeltriesandprovisions。Afterhehadtradedwiththese
people，finishedhistrapping，andrecruitedthestrengthofthehorses，hewasto
proceedtoSalmonRiverandrejoinCaptainBonneville，whointendedtofixhisquartersthereforthewinter。WhilethesearrangementswereinprogressinthecampofCaptainBonneville，there
wasasuddenbustleandstirinthecampofFontenelle。Oneofthepartnersofthe
AmericanFurCompanyhadarrived，inallhaste，fromtherendezvousatPierre”sHole，
inquestofthesupplies。Thecompetitionbetweenthetworivalcompanieswasjustnow
atitsheight，andprosecutedwithunusualzeal。ThetramontaneconcernsoftheRocky
MountainFurCompanyweremanagedbytworesidentpartners，Fitzpatrickand
Bridger；thoseoftheAmericanFurCompany，byVanderburghandDripps。Thelatter
wereignorantofthemountainregions，buttrustedtomakeupbyvigilanceandactivityfortheirwantofknowledgeofthecountry。Fitzpatrick，anexperiencedtraderandtrapper，knewtheevilsofcompetitioninthe
samehuntinggrounds，andhadproposedthatthetwocompaniesshoulddividethe
country，soastohuntindifferentdirections：thispropositionbeingrejected，hehad
exertedhimselftogetfirstintothefield。Hisexertions，ashavealreadybeenshown，
wereeffectual。TheearlyarrivalofSublette，withsupplies，hadenabledthevarious
brigadesoftheRockyMountainCompanytostartofftotheirrespectivehunting
grounds。Fitzpatrickhimself，withhisassociate，Bridger，hadpushedoffwithastrongpartyoftrappers，foraprimebeavercountrytothenorth-northwest。ThishadputVanderburghuponhismettle。HehadhastenedontomeetFontenelle。
FindinghimathiscampinGreenRivervalley，heimmediatelyfurnishedhimselfwith
thesupplies；puthimselfattheheadofthefreetrappersandDelawares，andsetoff
withallspeed，determinedtofollowhardupontheheelsofFitzpatrickandBridger。Of
theadventuresofthesepartiesamongthemountains，andthedisastrouseffectsoftheircompetition，weshallhaveoccasiontotreatinafuturechapter。Fontenellehavingnowdeliveredhissuppliesandaccomplishedhiserrand，struckhis
tentsandsetoffonhisreturntotheYellowstone。CaptainBonnevilleandhisband，
therefore，remainedaloneintheGreenRivervalley；andtheirsituationmighthavebeen
perilous，hadtheBlackfeetbandstilllingeredinthevicinity。Thosemarauders，however，
hadbeendismayedatfindingsomanyresoluteandwell-appointedpartiesofwhite
menintheneighborhood。Theyhad，therefore，abandonedthispartofthecountry，
passingovertheheadwatersoftheGreenRiver，andbendingtheircoursetowardsthe
Yellowstone。Misfortunepursuedthem。Theirroutelaythroughthecountryoftheir
deadlyenemies，theCrows。IntheWindRivervalley，whichlieseastofthemountains，
theywereencounteredbyapowerfulwarpartyofthattribe，andcompletelyputtorout。
Fortyofthemwerekilled，manyoftheirwomenandchildrencaptured，andthe
scatteredfugitiveshuntedlikewildbeastsuntiltheywerecompletelychasedoutoftheCrowcountry。Onthe22dofAugustCaptainBonnevillebrokeuphiscamp，andsetoutonhisroute
forSalmonRiver。Hisbaggagewasarrangedinpacks，threetoamule，orpack-horse；
onebeingdisposedoneachsideoftheanimalandoneonthetop；thethreeforminga
loadoffromonehundredandeightytotwohundredandtwentypounds。Thisisthe
trappers”styleofloadingpack-horses；hismen，however，wereinexpertatadjustingthe
packs，whichwerepronetogetlooseandslipoff，sothatitwasnecessarytokeepa
rear-guardtoassistinreloading。Afewdays”experience，however，broughtthemintopropertraining。TheirmarchlayupthevalleyoftheSeeds-ke-dee，overlookedtotherightbythelofty
peaksoftheWindRiverMountains。Frombrightlittlelakesandfountain-headsofthis
remarkablebedofmountainspouredforththetributarystreamsoftheSeeds-ke-dee。
Somecamerushingdowngulliesandravines；otherstumbledincrystalcascadesfrom
inaccessiblecleftsandrocks，andotherswindingtheirwayinrapidandpellucid
currentsacrossthevalley，tothrowthemselvesintothemainriver。Sotransparentwere
thesewatersthatthetroutwithwhichtheyaboundedcouldbeseenglidingaboutasif
intheair；andtheirpebblybedsweredistinctlyvisibleatthedepthofmanyfeet。This
beautifulanddiaphanousqualityoftheRockyMountainstreamsprevailsforalongtimeaftertheyhavemingledtheirwatersandswollenintoimportantrivers。Issuingfromtheupperpartofthevalley，CaptainBonnevillecontinuedtotheeast-northeast，
acrossroughandloftyridges，anddeeprockydefiles，extremelyfatiguing
bothtomanandhorse。AmonghishunterswasaDelawareIndianwhohadremained
faithfultohim。HisnamewasBuckeye。Hehadoftenpridedhimselfonhisskilland
successincopingwiththegrizzlybear，thatterrorofthehunters。Thoughcrippledinthe
leftarm，hedeclaredhehadnohesitationtoclosewithawoundedbear，andattackhim
withasword。Ifarmedwitharifle，hewaswillingtobravetheanimalwheninfullforce
andfury。Hehadtwiceanopportunityofprovinghisprowess，inthecourseofthis
mountainjourney，andwaseachtimesuccessful。Hismodewastoseathimselfupon
theground，withhisriflecockedandrestingonhislamearm。Thusprepared，hewould
awaittheapproachofthebearwithperfectcoolness，norpulltriggeruntilhewascloseathand。Ineachinstance，helaidthemonsterdeaduponthespot。Amarchofthreeorfourdays，throughsavageandlonelyscenes，broughtCaptain
BonnevilletothefataldefileofJackson”sHole，wherepoorMoreandFoyhadbeen
surprisedandmurderedbytheBlackfeet。Thefeelingsofthecaptainwereshockedat
beholdingthebonesoftheseunfortunateyoungmenbleachingamongtherocks；andhecausedthemtobedecentlyinterred。Onthe3dofSeptemberhearrivedonthesummitofamountainwhichcommandeda
fullviewoftheeventfulvalleyofPierre”sHole；whencehecouldtracethewindingofits
streamthroughgreenmeadows，andforestsofwillowandcotton-wood，andhavea
prospect，betweendistantmountains，ofthelavaplainsofSnakeRiver，dimlyspreadforthlikeasleepingoceanbelow。Afterenjoyingthismagnificentprospect，hedescendedintothevalley，andvisitedthe
scenesofthelatedesperateconflict。Thereweretheremainsoftherudefortressinthe
swamp，shatteredbyrifleshot，andstrewedwiththemingledbonesofsavagesand
horses。Therewasthelatepopulousandnoisyrendezvous，withthetracesoftrappers”
campsandIndianlodges；buttheirfireswereextinguished，themotleyassemblageof
trappersandhunters，whitetradersandIndianbraves，hadalldispersedtodifferent
pointsofthewilderness，andthevalleyhadrelapsedintoitspristinesolitudeandsilence。
