第3章

Thatnightthecaptainencampeduponthebattleground；thenextdayheresumedhis toilsomeperegrinationsthroughthemountains。Forupwardsoftwoweekshecontinued hispainfulmarch；bothmenandhorsessufferingexcessivelyattimesfromhungerand thirst。Atlength，onthe19thofSeptember，hereachedtheupperwatersofSalmonRiver。Theweatherwascold，andthereweresymptomsofanimpendingstorm。Thenightset in，butBuckeye，theDelawareIndian，wasmissing。Hehadleftthepartyearlyinthe morning，tohuntbyhimself，accordingtohiscustom。Fearswereentertainedlesthe shouldlosehiswayandbecomebewilderedintempestuousweather。Thesefears increasedonthefollowingmorning，whenaviolentsnow-stormcameon，whichsoon coveredtheearthtothedepthofseveralinches。CaptainBonnevilleimmediately encamped，andsentoutscoutsineverydirection。AftersomesearchBuckeyewas discovered，quietlyseatedataconsiderabledistanceintherear，waitingtheexpected approachoftheparty，notknowingthattheyhadpassed，thesnowhavingcoveredtheirtrail。Ontheensuingmorningtheyresumedtheirmarchatanearlyhour，buthadnot proceededfarwhenthehunters，whowerebeatingupthecountryintheadvance，camegallopingback，makingsignalstoencamp，andcryingIndians！Indians！CaptainBonnevilleimmediatelystruckintoaskirtofwoodandpreparedforaction。The savageswerenowseentroopingoverthehillsingreatnumbers。Oneofthemleftthe mainbodyandcameforwardsingly，makingsignalsofpeace。Heannouncedthemasa bandofNezPercesorPierced-noseIndians，friendlytothewhites，whereuponan invitationwasreturnedbyCaptainBonnevilleforthemtocomeandencampwithhim。 Theyhaltedforashorttimetomaketheirtoilette，anoperationasimportantwithan Indianwarrioraswithafashionablebeauty。Thisdone，theyarrangedthemselvesin martialstyle，thechiefsleadingthevan，thebravesfollowinginalongline，paintedand decorated，andtoppedoffwithflutteringplumes。Inthiswaytheyadvanced，shouting andsinging，firingofftheirfusees，andclashingtheirshields。Thetwopartiesencamped hardbyeachother。TheNezPerceswereonahuntingexpedition，buthadbeenalmost famishedontheirmarch。Theyhadnoprovisionsleftbutafewdriedsalmon，yetfinding thewhitemenequallyinwant，theygenerouslyofferedtoshareeventhismeager pittance，andfrequentlyrepeatedtheoffer，withanearnestnessthatleftnodoubtof theirsincerity。TheirgenerositywontheheartofCaptainBonneville，andproducedthe mostcordialgoodwillonthepartofhismen。Fortwodaysthatthepartiesremainedin company，themostamicableintercourseprevailed，andtheypartedthebestoffriends。 CaptainBonnevilledetachedafewmen，underMr。Cerre，anableleader，to accompanytheNezPercesontheirhuntingexpedition，andtotradewiththemformeat forthewinter”ssupply。Afterthis，heproceededdowntheriver，aboutfivemilesbelow theforks，whenhecametoahaltonthe26thofSeptember，toestablishhiswinter quarters。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter9[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter9Horsesturnedloose——Preparationsforwinterquarters——Hungrytimes——NezPerces， theirhonesty，piety，pacifichabits，religiousceremonies——CaptainBonneville”s conversationswiththem——TheirloveofgamblingITWASGRATIFYINGtoCaptainBonneville，aftersolongandtoilsomeacourseof travel，torelievehispoorjadedhorsesoftheburdenunderwhichtheywerealmost readytogiveout，andtobeholdthemrollinguponthegrass，andtakingalongrepose afteralltheirsufferings。Indeed，soexhaustedwerethey，thatthoseemployedunderthesaddlewerenolongercapableofhuntingforthedailysubsistenceofthecamp。Allhandsnowsettoworktoprepareawintercantonment。Atemporaryfortificationwas thrownupfortheprotectionoftheparty；asecureandcomfortablepen，intowhichthe horsescouldbedrivenatnight；andhutswerebuiltforthereceptionofthemerchandise。Thisdone，CaptainBonnevillemadeadistributionofhisforces：twentymenwereto remainwithhimingarrisontoprotecttheproperty；therestwereorganizedintothree brigades，andsentoffindifferentdirections，tosubsistthemselvesbyhuntingthebuffalo，untilthesnowshouldbecometoodeep。Indeed，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletoprovideforthewholepartyinthis neighborhood。Itwasattheextremewesternlimitofthebuffalorange，andthese animalshadrecentlybeencompletelyhuntedoutoftheneighborhoodbytheNez Perces，sothat，althoughthehuntersofthegarrisonwerecontinuallyonthealert， rangingthecountryround，theybroughtinscarcegamesufficienttokeepfaminefrom thedoor。Nowandthentherewasascantymealoffishorwild-fowl，occasionallyan antelope；butfrequentlythecravingsofhungerhadtobeappeasedwithroots，orthe fleshofwolvesandmuskrats。Rarelycouldtheinmatesofthecantonmentboastof havingmadeafullmeal，andneverofhavingwherewithalforthemorrow。Inthisway theystarvedalonguntilthe8thofOctober，whentheywerejoinedbyapartyoffive familiesofNezPerces，whoinsomemeasurereconciledthemtothehardshipsoftheir situationbyexhibitingalotstillmoredestitute。Amoreforlornsettheyhadnever encountered：theyhadnotamorselofmeatorfish；noranythingtosubsiston， exceptingroots，wildrosebuds，thebarksofcertainplants，andothervegetable production；neitherhadtheyanyweaponforhuntingordefence，exceptinganold spear：yetthepoorfellowsmadenomurmurnorcomplaint；butseemedaccustomedto theirhardfare。Iftheycouldnotteachthewhitementheirpracticalstoicism，theyat leastmadethemacquaintedwiththeediblepropertiesofrootsandwildrosebuds，and furnishedthemasupplyfromtheirownstore。Thenecessitiesofthecampatlength becamesourgentthatCaptainBonnevilledeterminedtodispatchapartytotheHorse Prairie，aplaintothenorthofhiscantonment，toprocureasupplyofprovisions。When themenwereabouttodepart，heproposedtotheNezPercesthatthey，orsomeof them，shouldjointhehunting-party。Tohissurprise，theypromptlydeclined。Heinquired thereasonfortheirrefusal，seeingthattheywereinnearlyasstarvingasituationashis ownpeople。Theyrepliedthatitwasasacreddaywiththem，andtheGreatSpiritwould beangryshouldtheydevoteittohunting。Theyoffered，however，toaccompanythe partyifitwoulddelayitsdepartureuntilthefollowingday；butthisthepinchingdemandsofhungerwouldnotpermit，andthedetachmentproceeded。Afewdaysafterward，fourofthemsignifiedtoCaptainBonnevillethattheywereabout tohunt。“What！“exclaimedhe，“withoutgunsorarrows；andwithonlyoneoldspear？ Whatdoyouexpecttokill？“Theysmiledamongthemselves，butmadenoanswer。 Preparatorytothechase，theyperformedsomereligiousrites，andoffereduptothe GreatSpiritafewshortprayersforsafetyandsuccess；then，havingreceivedthe blessingsoftheirwives，theyleapedupontheirhorsesanddeparted，leavingthewhole partyofChristianspectatorsamazedandrebukedbythislessonoffaithand dependenceonasupremeandbenevolentBeing。“Accustomed，“addsCaptain Bonneville，“asIhadheretoforebeen，tofindthewretchedIndianrevellinginblood，and stainedbyeveryvicewhichcandegradehumannature，Icouldscarcelyrealizethe scenewhichIhadwitnessed。Wonderatsuchunaffectedtendernessandpiety，where itwasleasttohavebeensought，contendedinallourbosomswithshameand confusion，atreceivingsuchpureandwholesomeinstructionsfromcreaturessofar belowusintheartsandcomfortsoflife。”ThesimpleprayersofthepoorIndianswere notunheard。Inthecourseoffourorfivedaystheyreturned，ladenwithmeat。Captain Bonnevillewascurioustoknowhowtheyhadattainedsuchsuccesswithsuchscanty means。Theygavehimtounderstandthattheyhadchasedthebuffaloatfullspeed， untiltheytiredthemdown，whentheyeasilydispatchedthemwiththespear，andmade useofthesameweapontoflaythecarcasses。Tocarrythroughtheirlessonstotheir Christianfriends，thepoorsavageswereascharitableastheyhadbeenpious，and generouslysharedwiththemthespoilsoftheirhunting，givingthemfoodenoughtolastforseveraldays。AfurtherandmoreintimateintercoursewiththistribegaveCaptainBonnevillestill greatercausetoadmiretheirstrongdevotionalfeeling。“Simplytocallthesepeople religious，“sayshe，“wouldconveybutafaintideaofthedeephueofpietyanddevotion whichpervadestheirwholeconduct。Theirhonestyisimmaculate，andtheirpurityof purpose，andtheirobservanceoftheritesoftheirreligion，aremostuniformandremarkable。Theyare，certainly，morelikeanationofsaintsthanahordeofsavages。”Infact，theantibelligerentpolicyofthistribemayhavesprungfromthedoctrinesof Christiancharity，foritwouldappearthattheyhadimbibedsomenotionsofthe ChristianfaithfromCatholicmissionariesandtraderswhohadbeenamongthem。They evenhadarudecalendarofthefastsandfestivalsoftheRomishChurch，andsome tracesofitsceremonials。Thesehavebecomeblendedwiththeirownwildrites，and presentastrangemedley；civilizedandbarbarous。OntheSabbath，men，women，and childrenarraythemselvesintheirbeststyle，andassembleroundapoleerectedatthe headofthecamp。Heretheygothroughawildfantasticceremonial；strongly resemblingthereligiousdanceoftheShakingQuakers；butfromitsenthusiasm，much morestrikingandimpressive。Duringtheintervalsoftheceremony，theprincipalchiefs， whoofficiateaspriests，instructthemintheirduties，andexhortthemtovirtueandgooddeeds。“Thereissomethingantiqueandpatriarchal，“observesCaptainBonneville，“inthis unionoftheofficesofleaderandpriest；asthereisinmanyoftheircustomsandmanners，whichareallstronglyimbuedwithreligion。”Theworthycaptain，indeed，appearstohavebeenstronglyinterestedbythisgleamof unlookedforlightamidstthedarknessofthewilderness。Heexertedhimself，duringhis sojournamongthissimpleandwell-disposedpeople，toinculcate，asfarashewas able，thegentleandhumanizingpreceptsoftheChristianfaith，andtomakethem acquaintedwiththeleadingpointsofitshistory；anditspeakshighlyforthepurityandbenignityofhisheart，thathederivedunmixedhappinessfromthetask。“Manyatime，“sayshe，“wasmylittlelodgethronged，orratherpiledwithhearers，for theylayontheground，oneleaningovertheother，untiltherewasnofurtherroom，all listeningwithgreedyearstothewonderswhichtheGreatSpirithadrevealedtothe whiteman。Noothersubjectgavethemhalfthesatisfaction，orcommandedhalfthe attention；andbutfewscenesinmyliferemainsofreshlyonmymemory，orareso pleasurablyrecalledtomycontemplation，asthesehoursofintercoursewithadistantandbenightedraceinthemidstofthedesert。”Theonlyexcessesindulgedinbythistemperateandexemplarypeople，appeartobe gamblingandhorseracing。Inthesetheyengagewithaneagernessthatamountsto infatuation。Knotsofgamblerswillassemblebeforeoneoftheirlodgefires，earlyinthe evening，andremainabsorbedinthechancesandchangesofthegameuntillongafter dawnofthefollowingday。Asthenightadvances，theywaxwarmerandwarmer。Bets increaseinamount，onelossonlyservestoleadtoagreater，untilinthecourseofa singlenight”sgambling，therichestchiefmaybecomethepoorestvarletinthecamp。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter10[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter10BlackfeetintheHorsePrairie——Searchafterthehunters——Difficultiesanddangers——A cardpartyinthewilderness——Thecardpartyinterrupted”OldSledge“alosinggame——Visitorstothecamp——Iroquoishunters——Hanging-earedIndians。ONthe12thofOctober，twoyoungIndiansoftheNezPercetribearrivedatCaptain Bonneville”s encampment。Theywereontheirwayhomeward，buthadbeenobligedtoswervefromtheir ordinary routethroughthemountains，bydeepsnows。TheirnewroutetookthemthoughtheHorse Prairie。 Intraversingit，theyhadbeenattractedbythedistantsmokeofacampfire，andonstealingnear to reconnoitre，haddiscoveredawarpartyofBlackfeet。Theyhadseveralhorseswiththem；and，as they generallygoonfootonwarlikeexcursions，itwasconcludedthatthesehorseshadbeencaptured inthecourseoftheirmaraudings。ThisintelligenceawakenedsolicitudeonthemindofCaptainBonnevilleforthepartyof hunters whomhehadsenttothatneighborhood；andtheNezPerces，wheninformedofthe circumstances， shooktheirheads，anddeclaredtheirbeliefthatthehorsestheyhadseenhadbeenstolenfrom that veryparty。Anxiousforinformationonthesubject，CaptainBonnevilledispatchedtwohuntersto beat upthecountryinthatdirection。Theysearchedinvain；notatraceofthemencouldbefound；but theygotintoaregiondestituteofgame，wheretheywerewell-nighfamished。Atonetimethey were threeentiredayswith-outamouthfuloffood；atlengththeybeheldabuffalograzingatthefoot of themountain。Aftermanoeuvringsoastogetwithinshot，theyfired，butmerelywoundedhim。 He tooktoflight，andtheyfollowedhimoverhillanddale，withtheeagernessandper-severanceof starvingmen。Amoreluckyshotbroughthimtotheground。Stanfieldspranguponhim，plunged his knifeintohisthroat，andallayedhisraginghungerbydrinkinghisblood：Afirewasinstantly kindled besidethecarcass，whenthetwohunterscooked，andateagainandagain，until，perfectlygorged， theysanktosleepbeforetheirhuntingfire。Onthefollowingmorningtheyroseearly，made another heartymeal，thenloadingthemselveswithbuffalomeat，setoutontheirreturntothecamp，to reportthefruitlessnessoftheirmission。Atlength，aftersixweeks”absence，thehuntersmadetheirappearance，andwerereceived withjoy proportionedtotheanxietythathadbeenfeltontheiraccount。Theyhadhuntedwithsuccesson the prairie，but，whilebusydryingbuffalomeat，werejoinedbyafewpanic-strickenFlatheads，who informedthemthatapowerfulbandofBlackfeetwasathand。Thehuntersimmediately abandoned thedangeroushuntingground，andaccompaniedtheFlatheadstotheirvillage。Heretheyfound Mr。 Cerre，andthedetachmentofhunterssentwithhimtoaccompanythehuntingpartyoftheNezPerces。Afterremainingsometimeatthevillage，untiltheysupposedtheBlackfeettohaveleftthe neighborhood，theysetoffwithsomeofMr。Cerre”smenforthecantonmentatSalmonRiver， where theyarrivedwithoutaccident。TheyinformedCaptainBonneville，however，thatnotfarfromhis quarterstheyhadfoundawalletoffreshmeatandacord，whichtheysupposedhadbeenleftby some prowlingBlackfeet。AfewdaysafterwardMr。Cerre，withtheremainderofhismen，likewise arrivedatthecantonment。Mr。Walker，oneofhissubleaders，whohadgonewithabandoftwentyhunterstorangethe country justbeyondtheHorsePrairie，hadlikewisehisshareofadventureswiththeall-pervading Blackfeet。 Atoneofhisencampmentstheguardstationedtokeepwatchroundthecampgrewwearyof their duty，andfeelingalittletoosecure，andtoomuchathomeontheseprairies，retiredtoasmall grove ofwillowstoamusethemselveswithasocialgameofcardscalled“oldsledge，“whichisas popular amongthesetrampersoftheprairiesaswhistorecarteamongthepolitecirclesofthecities。 From themidstoftheirsporttheyweresuddenlyrousedbyadischargeoffirearmsandashrill war-whoop。 Startingontheirfeet，andsnatchinguptheirrifles，theybeheldindismaytheirhorsesandmules alreadyinpossessionoftheenemy，whohadstolenuponthecampunperceived，whiletheywere spell-boundbythemagicofoldsledge。TheIndianssprangupontheanimalsbarebacked，and endeavoredtourgethemoffunderagallingfirethatdidsomeexecution。Themules，however， confoundedbythehurly-burlyanddislikingtheirnewriderskickeduptheirheelsand dismountedhalf ofthem，inspiteoftheirhorsemanship。Thisthrewtherestintoconfusion；theyendeavoredto protect theirunhorsedcomradesfromthefuriousassaultsofthewhites；but，afterasceneof“confusion worseconfounded，“horsesandmuleswereabandoned，andtheIndiansbetookthemselvestothe bushes。Heretheyquicklyscratchedholesintheearthabouttwofeetdeep，inwhichthey prostrated themselves，andwhilethusscreenedfromtheshotsofthewhitemen，wereenabledtomakesuch use oftheirbowsandarrowsandfusees，astorepulsetheirassailantsandtoeffecttheirretreat。Thisadventurethrewatemporarystigmauponthegameof“oldsledge。”Inthecourseoftheautumn，fourIroquoishunters，drivenbythesnowfromtheirhunting grounds， madetheirappearanceatthecantonment。Theywerekindlywelcomed，andduringtheirsojourn made themselvesusefulinavarietyofways，beingexcellenttrappersandfirst-ratewoodsmen。They were oftheremnantsofapartyofIroquoishuntersthatcamefromCanadaintothesemountainregions manyyearspreviously，intheemployoftheHudson”sBayCompany。Theywereledbyabrave chieftain，namedPierre，whofellbythehandsoftheBlackfeet，andgavehisnametothefated valley ofPierre”sHole。ThisbranchoftheIroquoistribehaseversinceremainedamongthese mountains， atmortalenmitywiththeBlackfeet，andhavelostmanyoftheirprimehuntersintheirfeudswith that ferociousrace。SomeofthemfellinwithGeneralAshley，inthecourseofoneofhisgallantexcursionsintothewilderness，andhavecontinuedeversinceintheemployofthecompany。AmongthemotleyVisitorstothewinterquartersofCaptainBonnevillewasapartyofPends Oreilles (orHanging-ears)andtheirchief。TheseIndianshaveastrongresemblance，incharacterand customs， totheNezPerces。Theyamounttoaboutthreehundredlodges，arewellarmed，andpossessgreat numbersofhorses。Duringthespring，summer，andautumn，theyhuntthebuffaloaboutthe head-watersoftheMissouri，Henry”sForkoftheSnakeRiver，andthenorthernbranchesof SalmonRiver。 TheirwinterquartersareupontheRacineAmere，wheretheysubsistuponrootsanddried buffalo meat。UponthisrivertheHudson”sBayCompanyhaveestablishedatradingpost，wherethe PendsOreillesandtheFlatheadsbringtheirpeltriestoexchangeforarms，clothingandtrinkets。Thistribe，liketheNezPerces，evincestrongandpeculiarfeelingsofnaturalpiety。Their religionis notameresuperstitiousfear，likethatofmostsavages；theyevinceabstractnotionsofmorality； a deepreverenceforanoverrulingspirit，andarespectfortherightsoftheirfellowmen。Inone respect theirreligionpartakesofthepacificdoctrinesoftheQuakers。TheyholdthattheGreatSpiritis displeasedwithallnationswhowantonlyengageinwar；theyabstain，therefore，fromall aggressive hostilities。Butthoughthusunoffendingintheirpolicy，theyarecalleduponcontinuallytowage defensivewarfare；especiallywiththeBlackfeet；withwhom，inthecourseoftheirhunting expeditions，theycomeinfrequentcollisionandhavedesperatebattles。Theirconductaswarriors iswithoutfearorreproach，andtheycanneverbedriventoabandontheirhuntinggrounds。Likemostsavagestheyarefirmbelieversindreams，andinthepowerandefficacyof charmsandamulets，ormedicinesastheytermthem。Someoftheirbraves，also，who havehadnumeroushairbreadth”scapes，liketheoldNezPercechiefinthebattleof Pierre”sHole，arebelievedtowearacharmedlife，andtobebullet-proof。Ofthese giftedbeingsmarvelousanecdotesarerelated，whicharemostpotentlybelievedby theirfellowsavages，andsometimesalmostcreditedbythewhitehunters。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter11[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter11Rivaltrappingparties——Manoeuvring——Adesperategame——Vanderburghandthe Blackfeet——Desertedcampfire——Adarkdefile——AnIndianambush——Afiercemelee——Fatal consequences——FitzpatrickandBridger——Trappersprecautions——MeetingwiththeBlackfeet——Morefighting——AnecdoteofayoungMexicanandanIndiangirl。WHILECaptainBonnevilleandhismenaresojourningamongtheNezPerces，onSalmon River，wewillinquireafterthefortunesofthosedoughtyrivalsoftheRockyMountainsandAmericanFurCompanies，whostartedoffforthetrappinggroundstothenorth-northwest。FitzpatrickandBridger，oftheformercompany，aswehavealreadyshown，havingreceived their supplies，hadtakenthelead，andhopedtohavethefirstsweepofthehuntinggrounds。 Vanderburgh andDripps，however，thetworesidentpartnersoftheoppositecompany，byextraordinary exertions wereenabledsoontoputthemselvesupontheirtraces，andpressedforwardwithsuchspeedasto overtakethemjustastheyhadreachedtheheartofthebeavercountry。Infact，beingignorantof the besttrappinggrounds，itwastheirobjecttofollowon，andprofitbythesuperiorknowledgeof theotherparty。NothingcouldequalthechagrinofFitzpatrickandBridgeratbeingdoggedbytheir inexperienced rivals，especiallyaftertheiroffertodividethecountrywiththem。Theytriedineverywayto blind andbafflethem；tostealamarchuponthem，orleadthemonawrongscent；butallinvain。 Vanderburghmadeupbyactivityandintelligenceforhisignoranceofthecountry；wasalways wary， alwaysonthealert；discoveredeverymovementofhisrivals，howeversecretandwasnottobeeludedormisled。Fitzpatrickandhiscolleaguenowlostallpatience；sincetheotherspersistedinfollowing them，they determinedtogivethemanunprofitablechase，andtosacrificethehuntingseasonratherthan share theproductswiththeirrivals。Theyaccordinglytookuptheirlineofmarchdownthecourseof the Missouri，keepingthemainBlackfoottrail，andtrampingdoggedlyforward，withoutstoppingto set asingletrap。Theothersbeatthehoofafterthemforsometime，butbydegreesbegantoperceive thattheywereonawild-goosechase，andgettingintoacountryperfectlybarrentothetrapper。 They nowcametoahalt，andbe-thoughtthemselveshowtomakeupforlosttime，andimprovethe remainderoftheseason。Itwasthoughtbesttodividetheirforcesandtrydifferenttrapping grounds。 WhileDrippswentinonedirection，Vanderburgh，withaboutfiftymen，proceededinanother。 The latter，inhisheadlongmarchhadgotintotheveryheartoftheBlackfootcountry，yetseemsto have beenunconsciousofhisdanger。Ashisscoutswereoutoneday，theycameuponthetracesofa recentbandofsavages。Therewerethedesertedfiresstillsmoking，surroundedbythecarcasses of buffaloesjustkilled。ItwasevidentapartyofBlackfeethadbeenfrightenedfromtheirhunting camp，andhadretreated，probablytoseekreinforcements。Thescoutshastenedbacktothecamp， and toldVanderburghwhattheyhadseen。Hemadelightofthealarm，and，takingninemenwith him， gallopedofftoreconnoitreforhimself。Hefoundthedesertedhuntingcampjustastheyhad representedit；therelaythecarcassesofbuffaloes，partlydismembered；therewerethe smouldering fires，stillsendinguptheirwreathsofsmoke；everythingboretracesofrecentandhastyretreat； and gavereasontobelievethatthesavageswerestilllurkingintheneighborhood。Withheedless daring， Vanderburghputhimselfupontheirtrail，totracethemtotheirplaceofconcealment：Itledhim over prairies，andthroughskirtsofwoodland，untilitenteredadarkanddangerousravine。 Vanderburgh pushedin，withouthesitation，followedbyhislittleband。Theysoonfoundthemselvesina gloomy dell，betweensteepbanksoverhungwithtrees，wheretheprofoundsilencewasonlybrokenby thetrampoftheirownhorses。Suddenlythehorridwar-whoopburstontheirears，mingledwiththesharpreportofrifles， anda legionofsavagessprangfromtheirconcealments，yelling，andshakingtheirbuffalorobesto frighten thehorses。Vanderburgh”shorsefell，mortallywoundedbythefirstdischarge。Inhisfallhe pinned hisridertotheground，whocalledinvainuponhismentoassistinextricatinghim。Onewas shot downscalpedafewpacesdistant；mostoftheotherswereseverelywounded，andsoughttheir safety inflight。Thesavagesapproachedtodispatchtheunfortunateleader，ashelaystrugglingbeneath his horse……Hehadstillhisrifleinhishandandhispistolsinhisbelt。Thefirstsavagethatadvanced receivedthecontentsoftherifleinhisbreast，andfelldeaduponthespot；butbefore Vanderburgh coulddrawapistol，ablowfromatomahawklaidhimprostrate，andhewasdispatchedby repeatedwounds。SuchwasthefateofMajorHenryVanderburgh，oneofthebestandworthiestleadersofthe AmericanFurCompany，whobyhismanlybearinganddauntlesscourageissaidtohavemadehimselfuniversallypopularamongthebold-heartedroversofthewilderness。Thoseofthelittlebandwhoescapedfledinconsternationtothecamp，andspread direfulreportsoftheforceandferocityoftheenemy。Theparty，beingwithouta head，wereincompleteconfusionanddismay，andmadeaprecipitateretreat，without attemptingtorecovertheremainsoftheirbutcheredleader。Theymadenohaltuntil theyreachedtheencampmentofthePendsOreilles，orHanging-ears，wherethey offeredarewardfortherecoveryofthebody，butwithoutsuccess；itnevercouldbefound。InthemeantimeFitzpatrickandBridger，oftheRockyMountainCompany，faredbutlittle better thantheirrivals。Intheireagernesstomisleadthemtheybetrayedthemselvesintodanger，and got intoaregioninfestedwiththeBlackfeet。Theysoonfoundthatfoeswereonthewatchforthem； but theywereexperiencedinIndianwarfare，andnottobesurprisedatnight，nordrawnintoan ambush inthedaytime。Astheeveningadvanced，thehorseswereallbroughtinandpicketed，anda guard wasstationedroundthecamp。Attheearlieststreakofdayoneoftheleaderswouldmounthis horse， andgallopofffullspeedforabouthalfamile；thenlookroundforIndiantrails，toascertain whether therehadbeenanylurkersroundthecamp；returningslowly，hewouldreconnoitreeveryravine and thicketwheretheremightbeanambush。Thisdone，hewouldgallopoffinanoppositedirection and repeatthesamescrutiny。Findingallthingssafe，thehorseswouldbeturnedloosetograze，butalwaysundertheeyeofaguard。Acautionequallyvigilantwasobservedinthemarch，onapproachinganydefileor placewhereanenemymightlieinwait；andscoutswerealwayskeptintheadvance，oralongtheridgesandrisinggroundsontheflanks。Atlength，oneday，alargebandofBlackfeetappearedintheopenfield，butinthe vicinityofrocksandcliffs。Theykeptatawarydistance，butmadefriendlysigns。The trappersrepliedinthesameway，butlikewisekeptaloof。AsmallpartyofIndians nowadvanced，bearingthepipeofpeace；theyweremetbyanequalnumberofwhite men，andtheyformedagroupmidwaybetweenthetwobands，wherethepipewas circulatedfromhandtohand，andsmokedwithalldueceremony。Aninstanceof naturalaffectiontookplaceatthispacificmeeting。Amongthefreetrappersinthe RockyMountainbandwasaspiritedyoungMexicannamedLoretto，who，inthe courseofhiswanderings，hadransomedabeautifulBlackfootgirlfromabandof Crowsbywhomshehadbeencaptured。Hemadeherhiswife，aftertheIndianstyle，andshehadfollowedhisfortuneseversince，withthemostdevotedaffection。AmongtheBlackfeetwarriorswhoadvancedwiththecalumetofpeacesherecognizeda brother。 LeavingherinfantwithLorettosherushedforwardandthrewherselfuponherbrother”sneck， who claspedhislong-lostsistertohisheartwithawarmthofaffectionbutlittlecompatiblewiththereputedstoicismofthesavage。Whilethisscenewastakingplace，Bridgerleftthemainbodyoftrappersandrodeslowly toward thegroupofsmokers，withhisriflerestingacrossthepommelofhissaddle。Thechiefofthe Blackfeetsteppedforwardtomeethim。FromsomeunfortunatefeelingofdistrustBridger cocked hisriflejustasthechiefwasextendinghishandinfriendship。Thequickearofthesavagecaught theclickofthelock；inatwinklinghegraspedthebarrel，forcedthemuzzledownward，andthe contentsweredischargedintotheearthathisfeet。Hisnextmovementwastowresttheweapon from thehandofBridgerandfellhimwithittotheearth。Hemighthavefoundthisnoeasytaskhad nottheunfortunateleaderreceivedtwoarrowsinhisbackduringthestruggle。Thechiefnowsprangintothevacantsaddleandgallopedofftohisband。Awild hurry-skurryscene ensued；eachpartytooktothebanks，therocksandtrees，togainfavorablepositions，andan irregular firingwaskeptuponeitherside，withoutmucheffect。TheIndiangirlhadbeenhurriedoffby her peopleattheoutbreakoftheaffray。Shewouldhavereturned，throughthedangersofthefight，to herhusbandandherchild，butwaspreventedbyherbrother。TheyoungMexicansawher struggles andheragony，andheardherpiercingcries。Withagenerousimpulsehecaughtupthechildin his arms，rushedforward，regardlessofIndianshaftorrifle，andplaceditinsafetyuponherbosom。 EventhesavageheartoftheBlackfootchiefwasreachedbythisnobledeed。Hepronounced Loretto amadmanforhistemerity，butbadehimdepartinpeace。TheyoungMexicanhesitated；heurged tohavehiswiferestoredtohim，butherbrotherinterfered，andthecountenanceofthechiefgrew dark。Thegirl，hesaid，belongedtohistribe-shemustremainwithherpeople。Lorettowouldstill havelingered，buthiswifeimploredhimtodepart，lesthislifeshouldbeendangered。Itwaswiththegreatestreluctancethathereturnedtohiscompanions。Theapproachofnightputanendtotheskirmishingfireoftheadverseparties，andthe savagesdrew offwithoutrenewingtheirhostilities。Wecannotbutremarkthatbothinthisaffairandthatof Pierre”sHoletheaffraycommencedbyahostileactonthepartofwhitemenatthemomentwhen theIndianwarriorwasextendingthehandofamity。Inneitherinstance，asfarascircumstances have beenstatedtousbydifferentpersons，doweseeanyreasontosuspectthesavagechiefsof perfidy intheiroverturesoffriendship。TheyadvancedintheconfidingwayusualamongIndianswhen they bearthepipeofpeace，andconsiderthemselvessacredfromattack。Ifweviolatethesanctityof this ceremonial，byanyhostilemovementonourpart，itiswewhoincurthechargeoffaithlessness； and wedoubtnotthatinboththeseinstancesthewhitemenhavebeenconsideredbytheBlackfeetastheaggressors，andhave，inconsequence，beenheldupasmennottobetrusted。AwordtoconcludetheromanticincidentofLorettoandhisIndianbride。Afewmonths subsequent totheeventjustrelated，theyoungMexicansettledhisaccountswiththeRockyMountain Company， andobtainedhisdischarge。Hethenlefthiscomradesandsetofftorejoinhiswifeandchild among herpeople；andweunderstandthat，atthetimewearewritingthesepages，heresidesata trading-houseestablishedoflatebytheAmericanFurCompanyintheBlackfootcountry，where heactsas aninterpreter，andhashisIndiangirlwithhim。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter12[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter12Awintercampinthewilderness——Medleyoftrappers，hunters，andIndians——Scarcityof game——New arrangementsinthecamp——Detachmentssenttoadistance——CarelessnessoftheIndianswhen encamped——SicknessamongtheIndians——ExcellentcharacteroftheNezPerces——TheCaptain”s effort asapacificator——ANezPerce”sargumentinfavorofwar——Robberies，bytheBlackfeet——Long sufferingoftheNezPerces——Ahunter”sElysiumamongthemountains——Morerobberies——TheCaptainpreachesupacrusade——Theeffectuponhishearers。FORthegreaterpartofthemonthofNovemberCaptainBonnevilleremainedinhis temporarypost onSalmonRiver。Hewasnowinthefullenjoymentofhiswishes；leadingahunter”slifeinthe heart ofthewilderness，withallitswildpopulacearoundhim。Besidehisownpeople，motleyin character andcostume——creole，Kentuckian，Indian，half-breed，hiredtrapper，andfreetrapper——hewas surroundedbyencampmentsofNezPercesandFlatheads，withtheirdrovesofhorsescovering the hillsandplains。Itwas，hedeclares，awildandbustlingscene。Thehuntingpartiesofwhitemen and redmen，continuallysallyingforthandreturning；thegroupsatthevariousencampments，some cooking，someworking，someamusingthemselvesatdifferentgames；theneighingofhorses，the brayingofasses，theresoundingstrokesoftheaxe，thesharpreportoftherifle，thewhoop，the halloo，andthefrequentburstoflaughter，allinthemidstofaregionsuddenlyrousedfrom perfect silenceandlonelinessbythistransienthunters”sojourn，realized，hesays，theideaofa“populoussolitude。”Thekindandgenialcharacterofthecaptainhad，evidently，itsinfluenceontheopposite racesthus fortuitouslycongregatedtogether。Themostperfectharmonyprevailedbetweenthem。The Indians， hesays，werefriendlyintheirdispositions，andhonesttothemostscrupulousdegreeintheir intercoursewiththewhitemen。Itistruetheyweresomewhatimportunateintheircuriosity，and apt tobecontinuallyintheway，examiningeverythingwithkeenandpryingeye，andwatching every movementofthewhitemen。Allthis，however，wasbornewithgreatgood-humorbythecaptain， and throughhisexamplebyhismen。Indeed，throughoutallhistransactionsheshowshimselfthe friendofthepoorIndians，andhisconducttowardthemisaboveallpraise。TheNezPerces，theFlatheads，andtheHanging-earspridethemselvesuponthenumberof their horses，ofwhichtheypossessmoreinproportionthananyotherofthemountaintribeswithinthe buffalorange。ManyoftheIndianwarriorsandhuntersencampedaroundCaptainBonneville possessfromthirtytofortyhorseseach。Theirhorsesarestout，well-builtponies，ofgreatwind， and capableofenduringtheseveresthardshipandfatigue。Theswiftestofthem，however，arethose obtainedfromthewhiteswhilesufficientlyyoungtobecomeacclimatedandinuredtotheroughserviceofthemountains。Bydegreesthepopulousnessofthisencampmentbegantoproduceitsinconveniences。The immensedrovesofhorsesownedbytheIndiansconsumedtheherbageofthesurroundinghills； whiletodrivethemtoanydistantpasturage，inaneighborhoodaboundingwithlurkingand deadly enemies，wouldbetoendangerthelossbothofmanandbeast。Game，too，begantogrowscarce。 It wassoonhuntedandfrightenedoutofthevicinity，andthoughtheIndiansmadeawidecircuit throughthemountainsinthehopeofdrivingthebuffalotowardthecantonment，theirexpedition was unsuccessful。Itwasplainthatsolargeapartycouldnotsubsistthemselvesthere，norinanyone placethroughoutthewinter。CaptainBonneville，therefore，alteredhiswholearrangements。He detachedfiftymentowardthesouthtowinteruponSnakeRiver，andtotrapaboutitswatersin the spring，withorderstorejoinhiminthemonthofJulyatHorseCreek，inGreenRiverValley， whichhehadfixeduponasthegeneralrendezvousofhiscompanyfortheensuingyear。Ofallhislateparty，henowretainedwithhimmerelyasmallnumberoffreetrappers， with whomheintendedtosojournamongtheNezPercesandFlatheads，andadopttheIndianmodeof movingwiththegameandgrass。Thosebands，ineffect，shortlyafterwardbrokeuptheir encampmentsandsetoffforalessbeatenneighborhood。CaptainBonnevilleremainedbehind for afewdays，thathemightsecretlypreparecaches，inwhichtodepositeverythingnot requiredfor currentuse。Thuslightenedofallsuperfluousencumbrance，hesetoffonthe20thofNovember to rejoinhisIndianallies。Hefoundthemencampedinasecludedpartofthecountry，attheheadof a smallstream。Consideringthemselvesoutofalldangerinthissequesteredspotfromtheirold enemies，theBlackfeet，theirencampmentmanifestedthemostnegligentsecurity。Theirlodges were scatteredineverydirection，andtheirhorsescoveredeveryhillforagreatdistanceround， grazing upontheuplandbunchgrasswhichgrewingreatabundance，andthoughdry，retainedits nutritiouspropertiesinsteadoflosingthemlikeothergrassesintheautumn。WhentheNezPerces，Flatheads，andPendsOreillesareencampedinadangerous neighborhood，saysCaptainBonneville，thegreatestcareistakenoftheirhorses，thoseprime articles ofIndianwealth，andobjectsofIndiandepredation。Eachwarriorhashishorsetiedbyonefoot at nighttoastakeplantedbeforehislodge。Heretheyremainuntilbroaddaylight；bythattimethe youngmenofthecamparealreadyrangingoverthesurroundinghills。Eachfamilythendrives its horsestosomeeligiblespot，wheretheyarelefttograzeunattended。AyoungIndianrepairs occasionallytothepasturetogivethemwater，andtoseethatalliswell。Soaccustomedarethe horsestothismanagement，thattheykeeptogetherinthepasturewheretheyhavebeenleft。As the sunsinksbehindthehills，theymaybeseenmovingfromallpointstowardthecamp，wherethey surrenderthemselvestobetiedupforthenight。Eveninsituationsofdanger，theIndiansrarely set guardsovertheircampatnight，intrustingthatofficeentirelytotheirvigilantandwell-traineddogs。Inanencampment，however，ofsuchfanciedsecurityasthatinwhichCaptainBonneville foundhisIndianfriends，muchoftheseprecautionswithrespecttotheirhorsesareomitted。They merelydrivethem，atnightfall，tosomesequesteredlittledell，andleavethemthere，atperfectliberty，untilthemorning。OneobjectofCaptainBonnevilleinwinteringamongtheseIndianswastoprocurea supply ofhorsesagainstthespring。Theywere，however，extremelyunwillingtopartwithany，andit was withgreatdifficultythathepurchased，attherateoftwentydollarseach，afewfortheuseof someofhisfreetrapperswhowereonfootanddependentonhimfortheirequipment。InthisencampmentCaptainBonnevilleremainedfromthe21stofNovembertothe9th of December。Duringthisperiodthethermometerrangedfromthirteentoforty-twodegrees。There wereoccasionalfallsofsnow；butitgenerallymeltedawayalmostimmediately，andthetender bladesofnewgrassbegantoshootupamongtheold。Onthe7thofDecember，however，thethermometerfelltosevendegrees。Thereaderwillrecollectthat，ondistributinghisforceswheninGreenRiverValley， Captain Bonnevillehaddetachedaparty，headedbyaleaderofthenameofMatthieu，withalltheweak and disabledhorses，tosojournaboutBearRiver，meettheShoshoniebands，andafterwardtorejoin himathiswintercamponSalmonRiver。Morethansufficienttimehadelapsed，yetMatthieufailedtomakehisappearance，and uneasiness begantobefeltonhisaccount。CaptainBonnevillesentoutfourmen，torangethecountry through whichhewouldhavetopass，andendeavortogetsomeinformationconcerninghim；forhis route layacrossthegreatSnakeRiverplain，whichspreadsitselfoutlikeanArabiandesert，andon which acavalcadecouldbedescriedatagreatdistance。Thescoutssoonreturned，havingproceededno furtherthantheedgeoftheplain，pretendingthattheirhorseswerelame；butitwasevidentthey hadfearedtoventure，withsosmallaforce，intotheseexposedanddangerousregions。Adisease，whichCaptainBonnevillesupposedtobepneumonia，nowappearedamong the Indians，carryingoffnumbersofthemafteranillnessofthreeorfourdays。Theworthycaptain acted asphysician，prescribingprofusesweatingsandcopiousbleedings，anduniformlywithsuccess， if thepatientweresubsequentlytreatedwithpropercare。Inextraordinarycases，thepoorsavages calledintheaidoftheirowndoctorsorconjurors，whoofficiatedwithgreatnoiseandmummery， butwithlittlebenefit。Thosewhodiedduringthisepidemicwereburiedingraves，afterthe manner ofthewhites，butwithoutanyregardtothedirectionofthehead。Itisafactworthyofnotice that， whilethismaladymadesuchravagesamongthenatives，notasinglewhitemanhadtheslightestsymptomofit。AfamiliarintercourseofsomestandingwiththePierced-noseandFlatheadIndianshad now convincedCaptainBonnevilleoftheiramicableandinoffensivecharacter；hebegantotakea strong interestinthem，andconceivedtheideaofbecomingapacificator，andhealingthedeadlyfeud betweenthemandtheBlackfeet，inwhichtheyweresodeplorablythesufferers。Heproposedthe mattertosomeoftheleaders，andurgedthattheyshouldmeettheBlackfeetchiefsinagrand pacific conference，offeringtosendtwoofhismentotheenemy”scampwithpipe，tobaccoandflagof truce，tonegotiatetheproposedmeeting。TheNezPercesandFlatheadsagesuponthisheldacouncilofwaroftwodays”duration， in whichtherewasabundanceofhardsmokingandlongtalking，andbotheloquenceandtobacco were nearlyexhausted。Atlengththeycametoadecisiontorejecttheworthycaptain”sproposition， anduponprettysubstantialgrounds，asthereadermayjudge。“War，“saidthechiefs，“isabloodybusiness，andfullofevil；butitkeepstheeyesofthe chiefsalwaysopen，andmakesthelimbsoftheyoungmenstrongandsupple。Inwar，everyone is onthealert。Ifweseeatrailweknowitmustbeanenemy；iftheBlackfeetcometous，weknow it isforwar，andweareready。Peace，ontheotherhand，soundsnoalarm；theeyesofthechiefsare closedinsleep，andtheyoungmenaresleekandlazy。Thehorsesstrayintothemountains；the womenandtheirlittlebabesgoaboutalone。ButtheheartofaBlackfootisalie，andhistongue is atrap。Ifhesayspeaceitistodeceive；hecomestousasabrother；hesmokeshispipewithus； but whenheseesusweak，andoffourguard，hewillslayandsteal。Wewillhavenosuchpeace；let therebewar！“WiththisreasoningCaptainBonnevillewasfaintoacquiesce；but，sincethesagacious Flatheadsandtheirallieswerecontenttoremaininastateofwarfare，hewishedthematleastto exercisetheboastedvigilancewhichwarwastoproduce，andtokeeptheireyesopen。He representedtothemtheimpossibilitythattwosuchconsiderableclanscouldmoveaboutthe country withoutleavingtrailsbywhichtheymightbetraced。Besides，amongtheBlackfeetbraveswere severalNezPerces，whohadbeentakenprisonersinearlyyouth，adoptedbytheircaptors，and trainedupandimbuedwithwarlikeandpredatorynotions；thesehadlostallsympathieswith their nativetribe，andwouldbepronetoleadtheenemytotheirsecrethaunts。Heexhortedthem， therefore，tokeepuponthealert，andnevertoremittheirvigilancewhilewithintherangeofso crafty andcruelafoe。Allthesecounselswerelostuponhiseasyandsimple-mindedhearers。Acareless indifferencereignedthroughouttheirencampments，andtheirhorseswerepermittedtorangethe hillsatnightinperfectfreedom。CaptainBonnevillehadhisownhorsesbroughtinatnight，and properlypicketedandguarded。Theevilheapprehendedsoontookplace。Inasinglenighta swoop wasmadethroughtheneighboringpasturesbytheBlackfeet，andeighty-sixofthefinesthorses carriedoff。Awhipandaropewereleftinaconspicuoussituationbytherobbers，asatauntto thesimpletonstheyhadunhorsed。