Longbeforesunrisethenewsofthiscalamityspreadlikewildfirethroughthedifferent
encampments。CaptainBonneville，whoseownhorsesremainedsafeattheirpickets，watchedin
momentaryexpectationofanoutbreakofwarriors，Pierced-noseandFlathead，infuriouspursuit
of
themarauders；butnosuchthing——theycontentedthemselveswithsearchingdiligentlyoverhill
and
dale，togleanupsuchhorsesashadescapedthehandsofthemarauders，andthenresignedthemselvestotheirlosswiththemostexemplaryquiescence。Some，itistrue，whowereentirelyunhorsed，setoutonabeggingvisittotheircousins，as
theycalledthem，theLowerNezPerces，whoinhabitthelowercountryabouttheColumbia，and
possesshorsesinabundance。Tothesetheyrepairwhenindifficulty，andseldomfail，bydintofbeggingandbartering，togetthemselvesoncemoremountedonhorseback。Gamehadnowbecomescarceintheneighborhoodofthecamp，anditwasnecessary，
accordingtoIndiancustom，tomoveofftoalessbeatenground。CaptainBonnevilleproposed
the
HorsePrairie；buthisIndianfriendsobjectedthatmanyoftheNezPerceshadgonetovisittheir
cousins，andthatthewhiteswerefewinnumber，sothattheirunitedforcewasnotsufficienttoVentureuponthebuffalogrounds，whichwereinfestedbybandsofBlackfeet。Theynowspokeofaplaceatnogreatdistance，whichtheyrepresentedasaperfect
hunter”s
elysium。Itwasontherightbranch，orheadstreamoftheriver，lockedupamongcliffsand
precipiceswheretherewasnodangerfromrovingbands，andwheretheBlackfeetdarenotenter。
Here，theysaid，theelkabounded，andthemountainsheepweretobeseentroopinguponthe
rocks
andhills。Alittledistancebeyondit，also，herdsofbuffaloweretobemetwith，Outofrangeofdanger。Thithertheyproposedtomovetheircamp。Thepropositionpleasedthecaptain，whowasdesirous，throughtheIndians，ofbecoming
acquaintedwithallthesecretplacesoftheland。Accordingly，onthe9thofDecember，they
struck
theirtents，andmovedforwardbyshortstages，asmanyoftheIndianswereyetfeeblefromthe
latemalady。Followinguptherightforkoftherivertheycametowhereitenteredadeepgorgeofthe
mountains，upwhichlaythesecludedregionsomuchvaluedbytheIndians。CaptainBonneville
haltedandencampedforthreedaysbeforeenteringthegorge。Inthemeantimehedetachedfive
of
hisfreetrapperstoscourthehills，andkillasmanyelkaspossible，beforethemainbodyshouldenter，astheywouldthenbesoonfrightenedawaybythevariousIndianhuntingparties。Whilethusencamped，theywerestillliabletothemaraudsoftheBlackfeet，andCaptain
BonnevilleadmonishedhisIndianfriendstobeupontheirguard。TheNezPerces，however，
notwithstandingtheirrecentloss，werestillcarelessoftheirhorses；merelydrivingthemtosome
secludedspot，andleavingthemthereforthenight，withoutsettinganyguarduponthem。The
consequencewasasecondswoop，inwhichforty-onewerecarriedoff。Thiswasbornewith
equal
philosophywiththefirst，andnoeffortwasmadeeithertorecoverthehorses，ortotake
vengeanceonthethieves。TheNezPerces，however，grewmorecautiouswithrespecttotheirremaininghorses，
driving
themregularlytothecampeveryevening，andfasteningthemtopickets。CaptainBonneville，
however，toldthemthatthiswasnotenough。Itwasevidenttheyweredoggedbyadaringand
perseveringenemy，whowasencouragedbypastimpunity；theyshould，therefore，takemore
than
usualprecautions，andpostaguardatnightovertheircavalry。Theycouldnot，however，be
persuadedtodepartfromtheirusualcustom。Thehorseoncepicketed，thecareoftheownerwas
over
forthenight，andhesleptprofoundly。Nonewakedinthecampbutthegamblers，who，absorbed
intheirplay，weremoredifficulttoberousedtoexternalcircumstancesthaneventhesleepers。TheBlackfeetareboldenemies，andfondofhazardousexploits。Thebandthatwere
hovering
abouttheneighborhood，findingthattheyhadsuchpacificpeopletodealwith，redoubledtheir
daring。Thehorsesbeingnowpicketedbeforethelodges，anumberofBlackfeetscouts
penetrated
intheearlypartofthenightintotheverycentreofthecamp。Heretheywentaboutamongthe
lodges
ascalmlyanddeliberatelyasifathome，quietlycuttingloosethehorsesthatstoodpicketedby
the
lodgesoftheirsleepingowners。Oneoftheseprowlers，moreadventurousthantherest，
approached
afireroundwhichagroupofNezPercesweregamblingwiththemostintenseeagerness。Here
he
stoodforsometime，muffledupinhisrobe，peeringovertheshouldersoftheplayers，watching
the
changesoftheircountenancesandthefluctuationsofthegame。Socompletelyengrossedwere
they，
thatthepresenceofthismuffledeaves-dropperwasunnoticedand，havingexecutedhisbravado，
heretiredundiscovered。Havingcutlooseasmanyhorsesastheycouldconvenientlycarryoff，theBlackfeet
scouts
rejoinedtheircomrades，andallremainedpatientlyroundthecamp。Bydegreesthehorses，
finding
themselvesatliberty，tooktheirroutetowardtheircustomarygrazingground。Astheyemerged
from
thecamptheyweresilentlytakenpossessionof，until，havingsecuredaboutthirty，theBlackfeet
sprangontheirbacksandscamperedoff。Theclatterofhoofsstartledthegamblersfromtheir
game。
Theygavethealarm，whichsoonrousedthesleepersfromeverylodge。Stillallwasquiescent；no
marshallingofforces，nosaddlingofsteedsanddashingoffinpursuit，notalkofretributionfor
their
repeatedoutrages。ThepatienceofCaptainBonnevillewasatlengthexhausted。Hehadplayed
the
partofapacificatorwithoutsuccess；henowalteredhistone，andresolved，ifpossible，torouse
theirwarspirit。Accordingly，convokingtheirchiefs，heinveighedagainsttheircravenpolicy，andurged
the
necessityofvigorousandretributivemeasuresthatwouldchecktheconfidenceandpresumption
of
theirenemies，ifnotinspirethemwithawe。Forthispurpose，headvisedthatawarpartyshould
be
immediatelysentoffonthetrailofthemarauders，tofollowthem，ifnecessary，intothevery
heart
oftheBlackfootcountry，andnottoleavethemuntiltheyhadtakensignalvengeance。Beside
this，
herecommendedtheorganizationofminorwarparties，tomakereprisalstotheextentofthe
losses
sustained。“Unlessyourouseyourselvesfromyourapathy，“saidhe，“andstrikesomeboldand
decisiveblow，youwillceasetobeconsideredmen，orobjectsofmanlywarfare。Thevery
squaws
andchildrenoftheBlackfeetwillbesetagainstyou，whiletheirwarriorsreservethemselvesfornoblerantagonists。”Thisharanguehadevidentlyamomentaryeffectupontheprideofthehearers。Aftera
short
pause，however，oneoftheoratorsarose。Itwasbad，hesaid，togotowarformererevenge。The
GreatSpirithadgiventhemaheartforpeace，notforwar。Theyhadlosthorses，itwastrue，but
they
couldeasilygetothersfromtheircousins，theLowerNezPerces，withoutincurringanyrisk；
whereas，inwartheyshouldlosemen，whowerenotsoreadilyreplaced。Astotheirlatelosses，
an
increasedwatchfulnesswouldpreventanymoremisfortunesofthekind。Hedisapproved，
therefore，ofallhostilemeasures；andalltheotherchiefsconcurredinhisopinion。CaptainBonnevilleagaintookupthepoint。“Itistrue，“saidhe，“theGreatSpirithas
given
youahearttoloveyourfriends；buthehasalsogivenyouanarmtostrikeyourenemies。Unless
you
dosomethingspeedilytoputanendtothiscontinualplundering，Imustsayfarewell。AsyetI
have
sustainednoloss；thankstotheprecautionswhichyouhaveslighted；butmypropertyistoo
unsafe
here；myturnwillcomenext；Iandmypeoplewillsharethecontemptyouarebringingupon
yourselves，andwillbethought，likeyou，poor-spiritedbeings，whomayatanytimebe
plunderedwithimpunity。”TheconferencebrokeupwithsomesignsofexcitementonthepartoftheIndians。Early
the
nextmorning，apartyofthirtymensetoffinpursuitofthefoe，andCaptainBonnevillehopedto
hearagoodaccountoftheBlackfeetmarauders。Tohisdisappointment，thewarpartycame
lagging
backonthefollowingday，leadingafewold，sorry，broken-downhorses，whichthefree-booters
had
notbeenabletourgetosufficientspeed。Thiseffortexhaustedthemartialspirit，andsatisfiedthewoundedprideoftheNezPerces，andtheyrelapsedintotheirusualstateofpassiveindifference。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter13[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter13StoryofKosato，theRenegadeBlackfoot。IFthemeeknessandlong-sufferingofthePierced-nosesgrievedthespirit
ofCaptainBonneville，
therewasanotherindividualinthecamptowhomtheywerestillmoreannoying。Thiswasa
Blackfootrenegado，namedKosato，afieryhot-bloodedyouthwho，withabeautifulgirlofthe
same
tribe，hadtakenrefugeamongtheNezPerces。Thoughadoptedintothetribe，hestillretained
the
warlikespiritofhisrace，andloathedthepeaceful，inoffensivehabitsofthosearoundhim。The
huntingofthedeer，theelk，andthebuffalo，whichwastheheightoftheirambition，wastootame
tosatisfyhiswildandrestlessnature。Hisheartburnedfortheforay，theambush，theskirmish，
thescamper，andallthehapsandhazardsofrovingandpredatorywarfare。TherecenthoveringsoftheBlackfeetaboutthecamp，theirnightlyprowlsanddaringand
successful
marauds，hadkepthiminafeverandaflutter，likeahawkinacagewhohearshislate
companions
swoopingandscreaminginwildlibertyabovehim。TheattemptofCaptainBonnevilletorouse
the
warspiritoftheNezPerces，andpromptthemtoretaliation，wasardentlysecondedbyKosato。
For
severaldayshewasincessantlydevisingschemesofvengeance，andendeavoringtosetonfoot
an
expeditionthatshouldcarrydismayanddesolationintotheBlackfeettown。Allhisartwas
exerted
totouchuponthosespringsofhumanactionwithwhichhewasmostfamiliar。Hedrewthe
listening
savagesroundhimbyhisnervouseloquence；tauntedthemwithrecitalsofpastwrongsand
insults；
drewglowingpicturesoftriumphsandtrophieswithintheirreach；recountedtalesofdaringand
romanticenterprise，ofsecretmarchings，covertlurkings，midnightsurprisals，sackings，burnings，
plunderings，scalpings；togetherwiththetriumphantreturn，andthefeastingandrejoicingofthe
victors。Thesewildtaleswereintermingledwiththebeatingofthedrum，theyell，thewar-whoop
andthewar-dance，soinspiringtoIndianvalor。All，however，werelostuponthepeacefulspirits
of
hishearers；notaNezPercewastoberousedtovengeance，orstimulatedtogloriouswar。Inthe
bitternessofhisheart，theBlackfootrenegaderepinedatthemishapwhichhadseveredhimfrom
araceofcongenialspirits，anddrivenhimtotakerefugeamongbeingssodestituteofmartialfire。ThecharacterandconductofthismanattractedtheattentionofCaptainBonneville，andhe
was
anxioustohearthereasonwhyhehaddesertedhistribe，andwhyhelookedbackuponthem
with
suchdeadlyhostility。Kosatotoldhimhisownstorybriefly：itgivesapictureofthedeep，strongpassionsthatworkinthebosomsofthesemiscalledstoics。“Youseemywife，“saidhe，“sheisgood；sheisbeautiful——Iloveher。Yetshehasbeenthe
cause
ofallmytroubles。Shewasthewifeofmychief。Ilovedhermorethanhedid；andsheknewit。
We
talkedtogether；welaughedtogether；wewerealwaysseekingeachother”ssociety；butwewere
as
innocentaschildren。Thechiefgrewjealous，andcommandedhertospeakwithmenomore。His
heartbecamehardtowardher；hisjealousygrewmorefurious。Hebeatherwithoutcauseand
withoutmercy；andthreatenedtokillheroutrightifsheevenlookedatme。Doyouwanttraces
of
hisfury？Lookatthatscar！Hisrageagainstmewasnolesspersecuting。Warpartiesofthe
Crows
werehoveringroundus；ouryoungmenhadseentheirtrail。Allheartswererousedforaction；
my
horseswerebeforemylodge。Suddenlythechiefcame，tookthemtohisownpickets，andcalled
themhisown。WhatcouldIdo？hewasachief。Idurstnotspeak，butmyheartwasburning。I
joined
nolongerinthecouncil，thehunt，orthewar-feast。WhathadItodothere？anunhorsed，
degradedwarrior。Ikeptbymyself，andthoughtofnothingbutthesewrongsandoutrages。“Iwassittingoneeveninguponaknollthatoverlookedthemeadowwherethehorseswere
pastured。
Isawthehorsesthatwereonceminegrazingamongthoseofthechief。Thismaddenedme，andI
sat
broodingforatimeovertheinjuriesIhadsuffered，andthecrueltieswhichsheIlovedhad
endured
formysake，untilmyheartswelledandgrewsore，andmyteethwereclinched。AsIlooked
down
uponthemeadowIsawthechiefwalkingamonghishorses。Ifastenedmyeyesuponhimasa
hawk”s；mybloodboiled；Idrewmybreathhard。Hewentamongthewillows。InaninstantIwas
on
myfeet；myhandwasonmyknife——Iflewratherthanran——beforehewasawareIsprangupon
him，andwithtwoblowslaidhimdeadatmyfeet。Icoveredhisbodywithearth，andstrewed
bushes
overtheplace；thenIhastenedtoherIloved，toldherwhatIhaddone，andurgedhertoflywith
me。
Sheonlyansweredmewithtears。IremindedherofthewrongsIhadsuffered，andoftheblows
and
stripesshehadenduredfromthedeceased；Ihaddonenothingbutanactofjustice。Iagainurged
her
tofly；butsheonlyweptthemore，andbademego。Myheartwasheavy，butmyeyesweredry。I
foldedmyarms。””Tiswell”saidI；”Kosatowillgoalonetothedesert。Nonewillbewithhimbut
the
wildbeastsofthedesert。Theseekersofbloodmayfollowonhistrail。Theymaycomeuponhimwhenhesleepsandgluttheirrevenge；butyouwillbesafe。Kosatowillgoalone。“Iturnedaway。Shesprangafterme，andstrainedmeinherarms。”No”shecried，”Kosato
shallnotgoalone！WhereverhegoesIwillgo——heshallneverpartfromme。“”Wehastilytookinourhandssuchthingsaswemostneeded，andstealingquietlyfromthe
village，
mountedthefirsthorsesweencountered。Speedingdayandnight，wesoonreachedthistribe。
They
receiveduswithwelcome，andwehavedweltwiththeminpeace。Theyaregoodandkind；they
arehonest；buttheirheartsaretheheartsofwomen。SuchwasthestoryofKosato，asrelatedbyhimtoCaptainBonneville。Itisofakindthat
often
occursinIndianlife；whereloveelopementsfromtribetotribeareasfrequentasamongthe
novel-readheroesandheroinesofsentimentalcivilization，andoftengiverisetobloodsand
lastingfeuds。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter14[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter14Thepartyentersthemountaingorge——Awildfastnessamonghills——Mountain
mutton——Peaceand
plenty——Theamoroustrapper-Apiebaldwedding-Afreetrapper”swife-Hergalaequipments-Christmasinthewilderness。ONthe19thofDecemberCaptainBonnevilleandhisconfederateIndiansraisedtheircamp，
and
enteredthenarrowgorgemadebythenorthforkofSalmonRiver。UpthislaythesecureandplenteoushuntingregionsotemptinglydescribedbytheIndians。SinceleavingGreenRivertheplainshadinvariablybeenofloosesandorcoarsegravel，and
the
rockyformationofthemountainsofprimitivelimestone。Therivers，ingeneral，wereskirted
with
willowsandbittercottonwoodtrees，andtheprairiescoveredwithwormwood。Inthehollow
breast
ofthemountainswhichtheywerenowpenetrating，thesurroundingheightswereclothedwith
pine；whilethedeclivitiesofthelowerhillsaffordedabundanceofbunchgrassforthehorses。AstheIndianshadrepresented，theywerenowinanaturalfastnessofthemountains，the
ingressand
egressofwhichwasbyadeepgorge，sonarrow，rugged，anddifficultastopreventsecret
approach
orrapidretreat，andtoadmitofeasydefence。TheBlackfeet，therefore，refrainedfromventuring
in
aftertheNezPerces，awaitingabetterchance，whentheyshouldoncemoreemergeintotheopencountry。CaptainBonnevillesoonfoundthattheIndianshadnotexaggeratedtheadvantagesofthis
region。
Besidesthenumerousgangsofelk，largeflocksoftheahsahtaorbighorn，themountainsheep，
were
tobeseenboundingamongtheprecipices。Thesesimpleanimalswereeasilycircumventedand
destroyed。Afewhuntersmaysurroundaflockandkillasmanyastheyplease。Numberswere
daily
broughtintocamp，andthefleshofthosewhichwereyoungandfatwasextolledassuperiorto
thefinestmutton。Here，then，therewasacessationfromtoil，fromhunger，andalarm。Pastillsanddangers
were
forgotten。Thehunt，thegame，thesong，thestory，theroughthoughgood-humoredjoke，made
timepassjoyouslyaway，andplentyandsecurityreignedthroughoutthecamp。Idlenessandease，itissaid，leadtolove，andlovetomatrimony，incivilizedlife，andthe
same
processtakesplaceinthewilderness。Filledwithgoodcheerandmountainmutton，oneofthe
free
trappersbegantorepineatthesolitudeofhislodge，andtoexperiencetheforceofthatgreatlaw
ofnature，“itisnotmeetformantolivealone。””AfteranightofgravecogitationherepairedtoKowsoter，thePierced-nosechief，and
unfoldedtohimthesecretworkingsofhisbosom。“Iwant，“saidhe，“awife。Givemeonefromamongyourtribe。Notayoung，giddy-pated
girl，that
willthinkofnothingbutflauntingandfinery，butasober，discreet，hard-workingsquaw；onethat
willsharemylotwithoutflinching，howeverharditmaybe；thatcantakecareofmylodge，and
be
acompanionandahelpmatetomeinthewilderness。”Kowsoterpromisedtolookroundamong
the
femalesofhistribe，andprocuresuchaoneashedesired。Twodayswererequisiteforthesearch。
Attheexpirationofthese，Kowsoter，calledathislodge，andinformedhimthathewouldbring
his
bridetohiminthecourseoftheafternoon。Hekepthisword。Attheappointedtimehe
approached，
leadingthebride，acomelycopper-coloreddameattiredinherIndianfinery。Herfather，mother，
brothersbythehalfdozenandcousinsbythescore，allfollowedontogracetheceremonyand
greetthenewandimportantrelative。Thetrapperreceivedhisnewandnumerousfamilyconnectionwithpropersolemnity；he
placedhis
bridebesidehim，and，fillingthepipe，thegreatsymbolofpeace，withhisbesttobacco，tooktwo
or
threewhiffs，thenhandedittothechiefwhotransferredittothefatherofthebride，fromwhomit
waspassedonfromhandtohandandmouthtomouthofthewholecircleofkinsmenroundthe
fire，allmaintainingthemostprofoundandbecomingsilence。Afterseveralpipeshadbeenfilledandemptiedinthissolemnceremonial，thechief
addressedthe
bride，detailingatconsiderablelengththedutiesofawifewhich，amongIndians，arelittleless
onerousthanthoseofthepack-horse；thisdone，heturnedtoherfriendsandcongratulatedthem
upon
thegreatallianceshehadmade。Theyshowedaduesenseoftheirgoodfortune，especiallywhen
the
nuptialpresentscametobedistributedamongthechiefsandrelatives，amountingtoaboutone
hundredandeightydollars。Thecompanysoonretired，andnowtheworthytrapperfoundindeed
that
hehadnogreengirltodealwith；fortheknowingdameatonceassumedthestyleanddignityof
a
trapper”swife：takingpossessionofthelodgeasherundisputedempire，arrangingeverything
accordingtoherowntasteandhabitudes，andappearingasmuchathomeandonaseasyterms
withthetrapperasiftheyhadbeenmanandwifeforyears。Wehavealreadygivenapictureofafreetrapperandhishorse，asfurnishedbyCaptain
Bonneville：
weshallheresubjoin，asacompanionpicture，hisdescriptionofafreetrapper”swife，thatthe
reader
mayhaveacorrectideaofthekindofblessingtheworthyhunterinquestionhadinvokedto
solacehiminthewilderness。“Thefreetrapper，whileabachelor，hasnogreaterpetthanhishorse；butthemomenthe
takesawife
(asortofbrevetrankinmatrimonyoccasionallybestoweduponsomeIndianfairone，likethe
heroes
ofancientchivalryintheopenfield)，hediscoversthathehasastillmorefancifulandcapriciousanimalonwhichtolavishhisexpenses。“NosoonerdoesanIndianbelleexperiencethispromotion，thanallhernotionsatoncerise
and
expandtothedignityofhersituation，andthepurseofherlover，andhiscreditintothebargain，
are
taxedtotheutmosttofitheroutinbecomingstyle。Thewifeofafreetrappertobeequippedand
arrayedlikeanyordinaryandundistinguishedsquaw？Perishthegrovellingthought！Inthefirst
place，shemusthaveahorseforherownriding；butnojaded，sorry，earth-spiritedhack，suchas
is
sometimesassignedbyanIndianhusbandforthetransportationofhissquawandherpappooses：
the
wifeofafreetradermusthavethemostbeautifulanimalshecanlayhereyeson。Andthen，asto
his
decoration：headstall，breast-bands，saddleandcrupperarelavishlyembroideredwithbeads，and
hungwiththimbles，hawks”bells，andbunchesofribbons。Fromeachsideofthesaddlehangsan
esquimoot，asortofpocket，inwhichshebestowstheresidueofhertrinketsandnick-nacks，
which
cannotbecrowdedonthedecorationofherhorseorherself。Overthisshefolds，withgreatcare，
a
draperyofscarletandbright-coloredcalicoes，andnowconsidersthecaparisonofhersteedcomplete。“Astoherownperson，sheisevenstillmoreextravagant。Herhair，esteemedbeautifulin
proportion
toitslength，iscarefullyplaited，andmadetofallwithseemingnegligenceovereitherbreast。Her
ridinghatisstuckfullofparti-coloredfeathers；herrobe，fashionedsomewhatafterthatofthe
whites，isofred，green，andsometimesgraycloth，butalwaysofthefinesttexturethatcanbe
procured。Herleggingsandmoccasinsareofthemostbeautifulandexpensiveworkman-ship，
and
fittedneatlytothefootandankle，whichwiththeIndianwomanaregenerallywellformedand
delicate。Thenastojewelry：inthewayoffinger-rings，ear-rings，necklaces，andotherfemale
glories，nothingwithinreachofthetrapper”smeansisomittedthatcantendtoimpressthe
beholder
withanideaofthelady”shighestate。Tofinishthewhole，sheselectsfromamongherblanketsof
variousdyesoneofsomeglowingcolor，andthrowingitoverhershoulderswithanativegrace，
vaultsintothesaddleofhergay，prancingsteed，andisreadytofollowhermountaineer”tothe
lastgaspwithloveandloyalty。”“Suchisthegeneralpictureofthefreetrapper”swife，givenbyCaptainBonneville；howfarit
applied
initsdetailstotheoneinquestiondoesnotaltogetherappear，thoughitwouldseemfromthe
outset
ofherconnubialcareer，thatshewasreadytoavailherselfofallthepompandcircumstanceof
her
newcondition。Itisworthyofmentionthatwhereverthereareseveralwivesoffreetrappersina
camp，thekeenestrivalryexistsbetweenthem，tothesoredetrimentoftheirhusbands”purses。
Their
wholetimeisexpendedandtheiringenuitytaskedbyendeavorstoeclipseeachotherindress
and
decoration。Thejealousiesandheart-burningsthusoccasionedamongtheseso-styledchildrenof
natureareequallyintensewiththoseoftherivalleadersofstyleandfashionintheluxurious
abodesofcivilizedlife。ThegenialfestivalofChristmas，whichthroughoutallChristendomlightsupthefiresideof
home
withmirthandjollity，followedhardupontheweddingjustdescribed。Thoughfarfromkindred
and
friends，CaptainBonnevilleandhishandfuloffreetrapperswerenotdisposedtosufferthe
festival
topassunenjoyed；theywereinaregionofgoodcheer，andweredisposedtobejoyous；soitwas
determinedto“lightuptheyuleclog，“andcelebrateamerryChristmasintheheartofthewilderness。OnChristmaseve，accordingly，theybegantheirrudefetesandrejoicings。Inthecourseof
thenight
thefreetrapperssurroundedthelodgeofthePierced-nosechiefandinlieuofChristmascarols，salutedhimwithafeudejoie。KowsoterreceiveditinatrulyChristianspirit，andafteraspeech，inwhichheexpressedhis
high
gratificationatthehonordonehim，invitedthewholecompanytoafeastonthefollowingday。
His
invitationwasgladlyaccepted。AChristmasdinnerinthewigwamofanIndianchief！Therewas
noveltyintheidea。Notonefailedtobepresent。Thebanquetwasservedupinprimitivestyle：
skins
ofvariouskinds，nicelydressedfortheoccasion，werespreadupontheground；uponthesewere
heapedupabundanceofvenison，elkmeat，andmountainmutton，withvariousbitterrootswhichtheIndiansuseascondiments。Afterashortprayer，thecompanyallseatedthemselvescross-legged，inTurkishfashion，to
the
banquet，whichpassedoffwithgreathilarity。Afterwhichvariousgamesofstrengthandagility
by
bothwhitemenandIndiansclosedtheChristmasfestivities。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter15[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter15Ahuntafterhunters——Hungrytimes——Avoraciousrepast——Wintryweather——Godin”s
River——Splendid
wintersceneonthegreatLavaPlainofSnakeRiver——Severetravellingandtrampinginthe
snow——ManoeuvrsofasolitaryIndianhorseman——EncampmentonSnakeRiver——BanneckIndians——Thehorsechief——Hischarmedlife。THEcontinuedabsenceofMatthieuandhispartyhad，bythistime，causedgreatuneasiness
inthe
mindofCaptainBonneville；and，findingtherewasnodependencetobeplaceduponthe
perseveranceandcourageofscoutingpartiesinsoperilousaquest，hedeterminedtosetout
himselfonthesearch，andtokeeponuntilheshouldascertainsomethingoftheobjectofhissolicitude。Accordinglyonthe20thDecemberheleftthecamp，accompaniedbythirteenstarktrappers
and
hunters，allwellmountedandarmedfordangerousenterprise。Onthefollowingmorningthey
passed
outattheheadofthemountaingorgeandsalliedforthintotheopenplain。Astheyconfidently
expectedabrushwiththeBlackfeet，orsomeotherpredatoryhorde，theymovedwithgreatcircumspection，andkeptvigilantwatchintheirencampments。InthecourseofanotherdaytheyleftthemainbranchofSalmonRiver，andproceededsouth
toward
apasscalledJohnDay”sdefile。Itwassevereandarduoustravelling。Theplainsweresweptby
keen
andbitterblastsofwintrywind；thegroundwasgenerallycoveredwithsnow，gamewasscarce，
so
thathungergenerallyprevailedinthecamp，whilethewantofpasturagesoonbegantomanifestitselfinthedecliningvigorofthehorses。Thepartyhadscarcelyencampedontheafternoonofthe28th，whentwoofthehunterswho
had
salliedforthinquestofgamecamegallopingbackingreatalarm。Whilehuntingtheyhad
perceived
apartyofsavages，evidentlymanoeuvringtocutthemofffromthecamp；andnothinghadsavedthemfrombeingentrappedbutthespeedoftheirhorses。Thesetidingsstruckdismayintothecamp。CaptainBonnevilleendeavoredtoreassurehis
menby
representingthepositionoftheirencampment，anditscapabilityofdefence。Hethenorderedthe
horsestobedriveninandpicketed，andthrewuparoughbreastworkoffallentrunksoftreesand
thevegetablerubbishofthewilderness。Withinthisbarrierwasmaintainedavigilantwatch
throughoutthenight，whichpassedawaywithoutalarm。Atearlydawntheyscrutinizedthe
surroundingplain，todiscoverwhetheranyenemieshadbeenlurkingaboutduringthenight；not
afoot-print，however，wastobediscoveredinthecoarsegravelwithwhichtheplainwascovered。Hungernowbegantocausemoreuneasinessthantheapprehensionsofsurroundingenemies。
After
marchingafewmilestheyencampedatthefootofamountain，inhopesoffindingbuffalo。It
was
notuntilthenextdaythattheydiscoveredapairoffinebullsontheedgeoftheplain，among
rocks
andravines。Havingnowbeentwodaysandahalfwithoutamouthfuloffood，theytookespecial
carethattheseanimalsshouldnotescapethem。Whilesomeofthesurestmarksmenadvanced
cautiouslywiththeirriflesintotheroughground，fourofthebestmountedhorsementooktheirstationsintheplain，torunthebullsdownshouldtheyonlybemaimed。Thebuffalowerewoundedandsetoffinheadlongflight。Thehalf-famishedhorsesweretoo
weak
toovertakethemonthefrozenground，butsucceededindrivingthemontheice，wherethey
slipped
andfell，andwereeasilydispatched。Thehuntersloadedthemselveswithbeefforpresentand
future
supply，andthenreturnedandencampedatthelastnights”sfire。Heretheypassedtheremainder
of
theday，cookingandeatingwithavoracityproportionedtopreviousstarvation，forgettingintheheartyrevelofthemomentthecertaindangerswithwhichtheywereenvironed。Thecravingsofhungerbeingsatisfied，theynowbegantodebateabouttheirfurther
progress。The
menweremuchdisheartenedbythehardshipstheyhadalreadyendured。Indeed，twowhohad
been
intherearguard，takingadvantageoftheirposition，haddesertedandreturnedtothelodgesof
the
NezPerces。Theprospectaheadwasenoughtostaggerthestoutestheart。Theywereinthedead
of
winter。Asfarastheeyecouldreachthewildlandscapewaswrappedinsnow，whichwas
evidently
deepeningastheyadvanced。Overthistheywouldhavetotoil，withtheicywindblowingin
their
faces：theirhorsesmightgiveoutthroughwantofpasturage，andtheythemselvesmustexpectintervalsofhorriblefaminelikethattheyhadalreadyexperienced。WithCaptainBonneville，however，perseverancewasamatterofpride；and，having
undertakenthis
enterprise，nothingcouldturnhimbackuntilitwasaccomplished：thoughhedeclaresthat，had
he
anticipatedthedifficultiesandsufferingswhichattendedit，heshouldhaveflinchedfromtheundertaking。Onward，therefore，thelittlebandurgedtheirway，keepingalongthecourseofastream
calledJohn
Day”sCreek。Thecoldwassointensethattheyhadfrequentlytodismountandtravelonfoot，lest
theyshouldfreezeintheirsaddles。Thedayswhichatthisseasonareshortenougheveninthe
open
prairies，werenarrowedtoafewhoursbythehighmountains，whichallowedthetravellersbuta
briefenjoymentofthecheeringraysofthesun。Thesnowwasgenerallyatleasttwentyinchesin
depth，andinmanyplacesmuchmore：thosewhodismountedhadtobeattheirwaywith
toilsome
steps。Eightmileswereconsideredagoodday”sjourney。Thehorseswerealmostfamished；for
the
herbagewascoveredbythedeepsnow，sothattheyhadnothingtosubsistuponbutscantywisps
ofthedrybunchgrasswhichpeeredabovethesurface，andthesmallbranchesandtwigsof
frozenwillowsandwormwood。InthiswaytheyurgedtheirslowandpainfulcoursetothesouthdownJohnDay”sCreek，
untilitlost
itselfinaswamp。Heretheyencampedupontheiceamongstiffenedwillows，wheretheywereobligedtobeatdownandclearawaythesnowtoprocurepasturagefortheirhorses。HencetheytoiledontoGodinRiver；socalledafteranIroquoishunterintheserviceof
Sublette，
whowasmurderedtherebytheBlackfeet。Manyofthefeaturesofthisremotewildernessare
thus
namedafterscenesofviolenceandbloodshedthatoccurredtotheearlypioneers。Itwasanactof
filialvengeanceonthepartofGodin”ssonAntoinethat，asthereadermayrecollect，broughton
therecentbattleatPierre”sHole。FromGodin”sRiver，CaptainBonnevilleandhisfollowerscameoutupontheplainofthe
Three
Butes，socalledfromthreesingularandisolatedhillsthatrisefromthemidst。Itisapartofthe
great
desertofSnakeRiver，oneofthemostremarkabletractsbeyondthemountains。Couldtheyhave
experiencedarespitefromtheirsufferingsandanxieties，theimmenselandscapespreadout
before
themwascalculatedtoinspireadmiration。Winterhasitsbeautiesandgloriesaswellassummer；andCaptainBonnevillehadthesoultoappreciatethem。Faraway，sayshe，overthevastplains，andupthesteepsidesoftheloftymountains，the
snowlay
spreadindazzlingwhiteness：andwheneverthesunemergedinthemorningabovethegiant
peaks，
orburstforthfromamongcloudsinhismiddaycourse，mountainanddell，glazedrockand
frosted
tree，glowedandsparkledwithsurpassinglustre。Thetallpinesseemedsprinkledwithasilver
dust，
andthewillows，studdedwithminuteiciclesreflectingtheprismaticrays，broughttomindthe
fairytreesconjuredupbythecaliph”sstory-tellertoadornhisvaleofdiamonds。Thepoorwanderers，however，nearlystarvedwithhungerandcold，wereinnomoodto
enjoythe
gloriesofthesebrilliantscenes；thoughtheystampedpicturesontheirmemorywhichhavebeenrecalledwithdelightinmoregenialsituations。EncampingatthewestBute，theyfoundaplacesweptbythewinds，sothatitwasbareof
snow，and
therewasabundanceofbunchgrass。Herethehorseswereturnedloosetograzethroughoutthe
night。Thoughforoncetheyhadamplepasturage，yetthekeenwindsweresointensethat，inthe
morning，amulewasfoundfrozentodeath。Thetrappersgatheredroundandmournedoverhim
as
overacherishedfriend。Theyfearedtheirhalf-famishedhorseswouldsoonsharehisfate，for
there
seemedscarcebloodenoughleftintheirveinstowithstandthefreezingcold。Tobeattheway
further
throughthesnowwiththeseenfeebledanimalsseemednexttoimpossible；anddespondency
began
tocreepovertheirhearts，when，fortunately，theydiscoveredatrailmadebysomehuntingparty。
Intothistheyimmediatelyentered，andproceededwithlessdifficulty。Shortlyafterward，afine
buffalobullcameboundingacrossthesnowandwasinstantlybroughtdownbythehunters。A
fire
wassoonblazingandcrackling，andanamplerepastsooncooked，andsoonerdispatched；after
whichtheymadesomefurtherprogressandthenencamped。Oneofthemenreachedthecamp
nearly
frozentodeath；butgoodcheerandablazingfiregraduallyrestoredlife，andputhisbloodincirculation。Havingnowabeatenpath，theyproceededthenextmorningwithmorefacility；indeed，the
snow
decreasedindepthastheyrecededfromthemountains，andthetemperaturebecamemoremild。
In
thecourseofthedaytheydiscoveredasolitaryhorsemanhoveringatadistancebeforethemon
the
plain。Theyspurredontoovertakehim；buthewasbettermountedonafreshersteed，andkeptat
awarydistance，reconnoitringthemwithevidentdistrust；forthewilddressofthefreetrappers，
their
leggings，blankets，andclothcapsgarnishedwithfurandtoppedoffwithfeathers，eventheirvery
elf-locksandweather-bronzedcomplexions，gavethemthelookofIndiansratherthanwhite
men，andmadehimmistakethemforawarpartyofsomehostiletribe。Aftermuchmanoeuvring，thewildhorsemanwasatlengthbroughttoaparley；buteventhen
he
conductedhimselfwiththecautionofaknowingprowleroftheprairies。Dismountingfromhis
horse，andusinghimasabreastwork，helevelledhisgunacrosshisback，and，thuspreparedfor
defencelikeawarycruiseruponthehighseas，hepermittedhimselftobeapproachedwithinspeakingdistance。HeprovedtobeanIndianoftheBannecktribe，belongingtoabandatnogreatdistance。It
wassome
timebeforehecouldbepersuadedthathewasconversingwithapartyofwhitemenandinduced
to
layasidehisreserveandjointhem。Hethengavethemtheinterestingintelligencethattherewere
twocompaniesofwhitemenencampedintheneighborhood。ThiswascheeringnewstoCaptain
Bonneville；whohopedtofindinoneofthemthelong-soughtpartyofMatthieu。Pushing
forward，
therefore，withrenovatedspirits，hereachedSnakeRiverbynightfall，andtherefixedhisencampment。Earlythenextmorning(13thJanuary，1833)，diligentsearchwasmadeaboutthe
neighborhoodfor
tracesofthereportedpartiesofwhitemen。Anencampmentwassoondiscoveredaboutfour
miles
fartheruptheriver，inwhichCaptainBonnevilletohisgreatjoyfoundtwoofMatthieu”smen，
from
whomhelearnedthattherestofhispartywouldbethereinthecourseofafewdays。Itwasa
matter
ofgreatprideandselfgratulationtoCaptainBonnevillethathehadthusaccomplishedhisdreary
and
doubtfulenterprise；andhedeterminedtopasssometimeinthisencampment，bothtoawaitthereturnofMatthieu，andtogiveneedfulreposetomenandhorses。Itwas，infact，oneofthemosteligibleanddelightfulwinteringgroundsinthatwholerange
of
country。TheSnakeRiverherewounditsdeviouswaybetweenlowbanksthroughthegreatplain
oftheThreeButes；andwasborderedbywideandfertilemeadows。Itwasstuddedwithislands
which，likethealluvialbottoms，werecoveredwithgrovesofcotton-wood，thicketsofwillow，
tracts
ofgoodlowlandgrass，andabundanceofgreenrushes。Theadjacentplainsweresovastinextent
thatnosinglebandofIndianscoulddrivethebuffalooutofthem；norwasthesnowofsufficient
depthtogiveanyseriousinconvenience。Indeed，duringthesojournofCaptainBonnevilleinthis
neighborhood，whichwasintheheartofwinter，hefoundtheweather，withtheexceptionofa
few
coldandstormydays，generallymildandpleasant，freezingalittleatnightbutinvariably
thawingwiththemorning”ssun-resemblingthespringweatherinthemiddlepartsoftheUnitedStates。TheloftyrangeoftheThreeTetons，thosegreatlandmarksoftheRockyMountainsrisingin
theeast
andcirclingawaytothenorthandwestofthegreatplainofSnakeRiver，andthemountainsof
Salt
RiverandPortneuftowardthesouth，catchtheearliestfallsofsnow。Theirwhiterobeslengthen
as
thewinteradvances，andspreadthemselvesfarintotheplain，drivingthebuffaloinherdstothebanksoftheriverinquestoffood；wheretheyareeasilyslainingreatnumbers。Suchwerethepalpableadvantagesofthiswinterencampment；addedtowhich，itwassecure
from
theprowlingsandplunderingsofanypettybandofrovingBlackfeet，thedifficultiesofretreat
renderingitunwiseforthosecraftydepredatorstoventureanattackunlesswithanoverpoweringforce。AbouttenmilesbelowtheencampmentlaytheBanneckIndians；numberingaboutone
hundredand
twentylodges。TheyarebraveandcunningwarriorsanddeadlyfoesoftheBlackfeet，whomthey
easilyovercomeinbattleswheretheirforcesareequal。Theyarenotvengefulandenterprisingin
warfare，however；seldomsendingwarpartiestoattacktheBlackfeettowns，butcontenting
themselveswithdefendingtheirownterritoriesandhouse。Aboutonethirdoftheirwarriorsarearmedwithfusees，therestwithbowsandarrows。
