第7章

ProceedingdownalongthePopoAgie，CaptainBonnevillecameagaininfullviewof the“Bluffs，“astheyarecalled，extendingfromthebaseoftheWindRiverMountains farawaytotheeast，andpresentingtotheeyeaconfusionofhillsandcliffsofred sandstone，somepeakedandangular，someround，somebrokenintocragsand precipices，andpiledupinfantasticmasses；butallnakedandsterile。Thereappeared tobenosoilfavorabletovegetation，nothingbutcoarsegravel；yet，overallthis isolated，barrenlandscape，werediffusedsuchatmosphericaltintsandhues，astoblendthewholeintoharmonyandbeauty。Inthisneighborhood，thecaptainmadesearchfor“thegreatTarSpring，“oneofthe wondersofthemountains；themedicinalpropertiesofwhich，hehadheard extravagantlylaudedbythetrappers。Afteratoilsomesearch，hefounditatthefootof asand-bluff，alittleeastoftheWindRiverMountains；whereitexudedinasmall streamofthecolorandconsistencyoftar。Themenimmediatelyhastenedtocollecta quantityofit，touseasanointmentforthegalledbacksoftheirhorses，andasa balsamfortheirownpainsandaches。Fromthedescriptiongivenofit，itisevidentlythe bituminousoil，calledpetroliumornaphtha，whichformsaprincipalingredientinthe potentmedicinecalledBritishOil。ItisfoundinvariouspartsofEuropeandAsia，in severaloftheWestIndiaislands，andinsomeplacesoftheUnitedStates。InthestateofNewYork，itiscalledSenecaOil，frombeingfoundneartheSenecalake。TheCrowcountryhasothernaturalcuriosities，whichareheldinsuperstitiousaweby theIndians，andconsideredgreatmarvelsbythetrappers。SuchistheBurning Mountain，onPowderRiver，aboundingwithanthracitecoal。Heretheearthishotand cracked；inmanyplacesemittingsmokeandsulphurousvapors，asifcovering concealedfires。AvolcanictractofsimilarcharacterisfoundonStinkingRiver，oneof thetributariesoftheBighorn，whichtakesitsunhappynamefromtheodorderivedfrom sulphurousspringsandstreams。Thislastmentionedplacewasfirstdiscoveredby Colter，ahunterbelongingtoLewisandClarke”sexploringparty，whocameuponitin thecourseofhislonelywanderings，andgavesuchanaccountofitsgloomyterrors，its hiddenfires，smokingpits，noxiousstreams，andtheall-pervading“smellofbrimstone，“ thatitreceived，andhaseversinceretainedamongtrappers，thenameof“Colter”sHell！“ResuminghisdescentalongtheleftbankofthePopoAgie，CaptainBonnevillesoon reachedtheplains；wherehefoundseverallargestreamsenteringfromthewest。 AmongthesewasWindRiver，whichgivesitsnametothemountainsamongwhichit takesitsrise。ThisisoneofthemostimportantstreamsoftheCrowcountry。Theriver beingmuchswollen，CaptainBonnevillehaltedatitsmouth，andsentoutscoutstolook forafordingplace。Whilethusencamped，hebeheldinthecourseoftheafternoona longlineofhorsemendescendingtheslopeofthehillsontheoppositesideofthePopo Agie。HisfirstideawasthattheywereIndians；hesoondiscovered，however，thatthey werewhitemen，and，bythelonglineofpack-horses，ascertainedthemtobethe convoyofCampbell，which，havingdescendedtheSweetWater，wasnowonitswaytotheHornRiver。Thetwopartiescametogethertwoorthreedaysafterwards，onthe4thofAugust，after havingpassedthroughthegapoftheLittlehornMountain。IncompanywithCampbell”s convoywasatrappingpartyoftheRockyMountainCompany，headedbyFitzpatrick； who，afterCampbell”sembarkationontheBighorn，wastotakechargeofallthehorses， andproceedonatrappingcampaign。Therewere，moreover，twochancecompanions intherivalcamp。OnewasCaptainStewart，oftheBritisharmy，agentlemanofnoble connections，whowasamusinghimselfbyawanderingtourintheFarWest；inthe courseofwhich，hehadlivedinhunter”sstyle；accompanyingvariousbandsoftraders， trappers，andIndians；andmanifestingthatrelishforthewildernessthatbelongstomenofgamespirit。TheothercasualinmateofMr。Campbell”scampwasMr。NathanielWyeth；theself-same leaderofthebandofNewEnglandsalmonfishers，withwhomweparted companyinthevalleyofPierre”sHole，afterthebattlewiththeBlackfeet。Afewdays afterthataffair，heagainsetoutfromtherendezvousincompanywithMiltonSublette andhisbrigadeoftrappers。Onhismarch，hevisitedthebattleground，andpenetrated tothedesertedfortoftheBlackfeetinthemidstofthewood。Itwasadismalscene。 Thefortwasstrewedwiththemoulderingbodiesoftheslain；whilevulturessoared aloft，orsatbroodingonthetreesaround；andIndiandogshowledabouttheplace，asif bewailingthedeathoftheirmasters。Wyethtravelledforaconsiderabledistancetothe southwest，incompanywithMiltonSublette，whentheyseparated；andtheformer，with elevenmen，theremnantofhisband，pushedonforSnakeRiver；keptdownthecourse ofthateventfulstream；traversedtheBlueMountains，trappingbeaveroccasionallyby theway，andfinally，afterhardshipsofallkinds，arrived，onthe29thofOctober，atVancouver，ontheColumbia，themainfactoryoftheHudson”sBayCompany。Heexperiencedhospitabletreatmentatthehandsoftheagentsofthatcompany；but hismen，heartilytiredofwanderinginthewilderness，ortemptedbyotherprospects， refused，forthemostpart，tocontinueanylongerinhisservice。Somesetoffforthe SandwichIslands；someenteredintootheremploy。Wyethfound，too，thatagreatpart ofthegoodshehadbroughtwithhimwereunfittedfortheIndiantrade；inaword，his expedition，undertakenentirelyonhisownresources，provedafailure。Helost everythinginvestedinit，buthishopes。Thesewereasstrongasever。Hetooknoteof everything，therefore，thatcouldbeofservicetohiminthefurtherprosecutionofhis project；collectedalltheinformationwithinhisreach，andthensetoff，accompaniedby merelytwomen，onhisreturnjourneyacrossthecontinent。Hehadgotthusfar“by hookandbycrook，“amodeinwhichaNewEnglandmancanmakehiswayallover theworld，andthroughallkindsofdifficulties，andwasnowboundforBoston；infull confidenceofbeingabletoformacompanyforthesalmonfisheryandfurtradeoftheColumbia。ThepartyofMr。Campbellhadmetwithadisasterinthecourseoftheirroutefromthe SweetWater。Threeorfourofthemen，whowerereconnoiteringthecountryin advanceofthemainbody，werevisitedonenightintheircamp，byfifteenortwenty Shoshonies。Consideringthistribeasperfectlyfriendly，theyreceivedtheminthemost cordialandconfidingmanner。Inthecourseofthenight，themanonguardnearthe horsesfellsoundasleep；uponwhichaShoshonieshothiminthehead，andnearly killedhim。Thesavagesthenmadeoffwiththehorses，leavingtherestofthepartytofindtheirwaytothemainbodyonfoot。TherivalcompaniesofCaptainBonnevilleandMr。Campbell，thusfortuitouslybrought together，nowprosecutedtheirjourneyingreatgoodfellowship；formingajointcampof aboutahundredmen。Thecaptain，however，begantoentertaindoubtsthatFitzpatrick andhistrappers，whokeptprofoundsilenceastotheirfuturemovements，intendedto huntthesamegroundswhichhehadselectedforhisautumnalcampaign；whichlayto thewestoftheHornRiver，onitstributarystreams。Inthecourseofhismarch， therefore，hesecretlydetachedasmallpartyoftrappers，tomaketheirwaytothose huntinggrounds，whilehecontinuedonwiththemainbody；appointingarendezvous，atthenextfullmoon，aboutthe28thofAugust，ataplacecalledtheMedicineLodge。Onreachingthesecondchain，calledtheBighornMountains，wheretheriverforcedits impetuouswaythroughaprecipitousdefile，withcascadesandrapids，thetravellers wereobligedtoleaveitsbanks，andtraversethemountainsbyaruggedandfrightful route，emphaticallycalledthe“BadPass。”Descendingtheoppositeside，theyagain madefortheriverbanks；andaboutthemiddleofAugust，reachedthepointbelowthe rapidswheretheriverbecomesnavigableforboats。HereCaptainBonnevilledetached asecondpartyoftrappers，consistingoftenmen，toseekandjointhosewhomhehad detachedwhileontheroute；appointingforthemthesamerendezvous，(attheMedicineLodge，)onthe28thofAugust。Allhandsnowsettoworktoconstruct“bullboats，“astheyaretechnicallycalled；a light，fragilekindofbark，characteristicoftheexpedientsandinventionsofthe wilderness；beingformedofbuffaloskins，stretchedonframes。Theyaresometimes， also，calledskinboats。Wyethwasthefirstready；and，withhisusualpromptnessand hardihood，launchedhisfrailbark，singly，onthiswildandhazardousvoyage，downan almostinterminablesuccessionofrivers，windingthroughcountriesteemingwith savagehordes。MiltonSublette，hisformerfellowtraveller，andhiscompanioninthe battlescenesofPierre”sHole，tookpassageinhisboat。Hiscrewconsistedoftwowhite men，andtwoIndians。WeshallhearfurtherofWyeth，andhiswildvoyage，inthecourseofourwanderingsabouttheFarWest。Theremainingpartiessooncompletedtheirseveralarmaments。ThatofCaptain Bonnevillewascomposedofthreebullboats，inwhichheembarkedallhispeltries， givingtheminchargeofMr。Cerre，withapartyofthirty-sixmen。Mr。Campbelltook commandofhisownboats，andthelittlesquadronsweresoonglidingdownthebrightcurrentoftheBighorn。ThesecretprecautionswhichCaptainBonnevillehadtakentothrowhismenfirstinto thetrappinggroundwestoftheBighorn，were，probably，superfluous。Itdidnotappear thatFitzpatrickhadintendedtohuntinthatdirection。ThemomentMr。Campbelland hismenembarkedwiththepeltries，Fitzpatricktookchargeofallthehorses，amounting toaboveahundred，andstruckofftotheeast，totrapuponLittlehorn，Powder，and Tonguerivers。HewasaccompaniedbyCaptainStewart，whowasdesirousofhavinga rangeabouttheCrowcountry。Oftheadventurestheymetwithinthatregionofvagabondsandhorsestealers，weshallhavesomethingtorelatehereafter。CaptainBonnevillebeingnowlefttoprosecutehistrappingcampaignwithoutrivalry，set out，onthe17thofAugust，fortherendezvousatMedicineLodge。Hehadbutfourmen remainingwithhim，andforty-sixhorsestotakecareof；withthesehehadtomakehis wayovermountainandplain，throughamarauding，horse-stealingregion，fullofperil foranumerouscavalcadesoslightlymanned。Headdressedhimselftohisdifficultjourney，however，withhisusualalacrityofspirit。Intheafternoonofhisfirstday”sjourney，ondrawingneartotheBighornMountain，on thesummitofwhichheintendedtoencampforthenight，heobserved，tohisdisquiet，a cloudofsmokerisingfromitsbase。Hecametoahalt，andwatcheditanxiously。Itwas veryirregular；sometimesitwouldalmostdieaway；andthenwouldmountupinheavy volumes。Therewas，apparently，alargepartyencampedthere；probably，someruffian hordeofBlackfeet。Atanyrate，itwouldnotdoforsosmallanumberofmen，withso numerousacavalcade，toventurewithinsightofanywanderingtribe。Captain Bonnevilleandhiscompanions，therefore，avoidedthisdangerousneighborhood；and， proceedingwithextremecaution，reachedthesummitofthemountain，apparently withoutbeingdiscovered。HeretheyfoundadesertedBlackfootfort，inwhichthey ensconcedthemselves；disposedofeverythingassecurelyaspossible，andpassed thenightwithoutmolestation。Earlythenextmorningtheydescendedthesouthsideof themountainintothegreatplainextendingbetweenitandtheLittlehornrange。Here theysooncameuponnumerousfootprints，andthecarcassesofbuffaloes；bywhich theyknewtheremustbeIndiansnotfaroff。CaptainBonnevillenowbegantofeel solicitudeaboutthetwosmallpartiesoftrapperswhichhehaddetached，lestthe Indiansshouldhavecomeuponthembeforetheyhadunitedtheirforces。Buthefelt stillmoresolicitudeabouthisownparty；foritwashardlytobeexpectedhecould traversethesenakedplainsundiscovered，whenIndianswereabroad；andshouldhe bediscovered，hischancewouldbeadesperateone。Everythingnowdependedupon thegreatestcircumspection。Itwasdangeroustodischargeagun，orlightafire，or maketheleastnoise，wheresuchquick-earedandquick-sightedenemieswereathand。 Inthecourseofthedaytheysawindubitablesignsthatthebuffalohadbeenroaming thereingreatnumbers，andhadrecentlybeenfrightenedaway。Thatnighttheyencampedwiththegreatestcare；andthrewupastrongbreastworkfortheirprotection。Forthetwosucceedingdaystheypressedforwardrapidly，butcautiously，acrossthe greatplain；fordingthetributarystreamsoftheHornRiver；encampingonenightamong thickets；thenext，onanisland；meeting，repeatedly，withtracesofIndians；andnow andthen，inpassingthroughadefile，experiencingalarmsthatinducedthemtococktheirrifles。Onthelastdayoftheirmarchhungergotthebetteroftheircaution，andtheyshotafine buffalobullattheriskofbeingbetrayedbythereport。Theydidnothalttomakeameal， butcarriedthemeatonwiththemtotheplaceofrendezvous，theMedicineLodge， wheretheyarrivedsafely，intheevening，andcelebratedtheirarrivalbyaheartysupper。Thenextmorningtheyerectedastrongpenforthehorses，andafortressoflogsfor themselves；andcontinuedtoobservethegreatestcaution。Theircookingwasalldone atmid-day，whenthefiremakesnoglare，andamoderatesmokecannotbeperceived atanygreatdistance。Inthemorningandtheevening，whenthewindislulled，the smokerisesperpendicularlyinabluecolumn，orfloatsinlightcloudsabovethetree-tops，andcanbediscoveredfromafar。Inthiswaythelittlepartyremainedforseveraldays，cautiouslyencamped，until，onthe 29thofAugust，thetwodetachmentstheyhadbeenexpecting，arrivedtogetheratthe rendezvous。They，asusual，hadtheirseveraltalesofadventurestorelatetothe captain，whichwewillfurnishtothereaderinthenextchapter。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter24[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter24Adventuresofthepartyoften——TheBalaamitemule——Adeadpoint——Themysterious elks——Anightattack——Aretreat——Travellingunderanalarm——Ajoyful meeting——Adventuresoftheotherparty——Adecoyelk——Retreattoanisland——Asavage danceoftriumph——ArrivalatWindRiverTHEADVENTURESofthedetachmentoftenarethefirstinorder。Thesetrappers， whentheyseparatedfromCaptainBonnevilleattheplacewherethefurswere embarked，proceededtothefootoftheBighornMountain，andhavingencamped，one ofthemmountedhismuleandwentouttosethistrapinaneighboringstream。Hehad notproceededfarwhenhissteedcametoafullstop。Thetrapperkickedandcudgelled， buttoeveryblowandkickthemulesnortedandkickedup，butstillrefusedtobudgean inch。Theridernowcasthiseyeswarilyaroundinsearchofsomecauseforthisdemur， when，tohisdismay，hediscoveredanIndianfortwithingunshotdistance，lowering throughthetwilight。Inatwinklinghewheeledabout；hismulenowseemedaseagerto getonashimself，andinafewmomentsbroughthim，clatteringwithhistraps，among hiscomrades。Hewasjeeredatforhisalacrityinretreating；hisreportwastreatedasa falsealarm；hisbrothertrapperscontentedthemselveswithreconnoitringthefortatadistance，andpronouncedthatitwasdeserted。Asnightsetin，theusualprecaution，enjoinedbyCaptainBonnevilleonhismen，was observed。Thehorseswerebroughtinandtied，andaguardstationedoverthem。This done，themenwrappedthemselvesintheirblankets，stretchedthemselvesbeforethe fire，andbeingfatiguedwithalongday”smarch，andgorgedwithaheartysupper，weresooninaprofoundsleep。Thecampfiresgraduallydiedaway；allwasdarkandsilent；thesentinelstationedto watchthehorseshadmarchedasfar，andsuppedasheartilyasanyofhis companions，andwhiletheysnored，hebegantonodathispost。Afteratime，alow tramplingnoisereachedhisear。Hehalfopenedhisclosingeyes，andbeheldtwoor threeelksmovingaboutthelodges，picking，andsmelling，andgrazinghereandthere。 Thesightofelkwithinthepurlieusofthecampcausedsomelittlesurprise；buthaving hadhissupper，hecarednotforelkmeat，and，sufferingthemtograzeaboutunmolested，soonrelapsedintoadoze。Suddenly，beforedaybreak，adischargeoffirearms，andastruggleandtrampof horses，madeeveryonestarttohisfeet。Thefirstmovewastosecurethehorses。 Someweregone；otherswerestruggling，andkicking，andtrembling，fortherewasa horribleuproarofwhoops，andyells，andfirearms。Severaltrappersstolequietlyfrom thecamp，andsucceededindrivinginthehorseswhichhadbrokenaway；therestwere tetheredstillmorestrongly。Abreastworkwasthrownupofsaddles，baggage，and campfurniture，andallhandswaitedanxiouslyfordaylight。TheIndians，inthe meantime，collectedonaneighboringheight，keptupthemosthorribleclamor，inhopes ofstrikingapanicintothecamp，orfrighteningoffthehorses。Whenthedaydawned， thetrappersattackedthembrisklyanddrovethemtosomedistance。Adesultoryfire waskeptupforanhour，whentheIndians，seeingnothingwastobegained，gaveup thecontestandretired。TheyprovedtobeawarpartyofBlackfeet，who，whileinsearch oftheCrowtribe，hadfallenuponthetrailofCaptainBonnevilleonthePopoAgie，and doggedhimtotheBighorn；buthadbeencompletelybaffledbyhisvigilance。Theyhad thenwaylaidthepresentdetachment，andwereactuallyhousedinperfectsilencewithintheirfort，whenthemuleofthetrappermadesuchadeadpoint。Thesavageswentoffutteringthewildestdenunciationsofhostility，mingledwithopprobrioustermsinbrokenEnglish，andgesticulationsofthemostinsultingkind。Inthismelee，onewhitemanwaswounded，andtwohorseswerekilled。Onpreparing themorning”smeal，however，anumberofcups，knives，andotherarticleswere missing，whichhad，doubtless，beencarriedoffbythefictitiouselk，duringtheslumberoftheverysagacioussentinel。AstheIndianshadgoneoffinthedirectionwhichthetrappershadintendedtotravel， thelatterchangedtheirroute，andpushedforwardrapidlythroughthe“BadPass，“nor halteduntilnight；when，supposingthemselvesoutofthereachoftheenemy，they contentedthemselveswithtyinguptheirhorsesandpostingaguard。Theyhadscarce laiddowntosleep，whenadogstrayedintothecampwithasmallpackofmoccasons tieduponhisback；fordogsaremadetocarryburdensamongtheIndians。The sentinel，moreknowingthanheoftheprecedingnight，awokehiscompanionsand reportedthecircumstance。ItwasevidentthatIndianswereathand。Allwereinstantly atwork；astrongpenwassoonconstructedforthehorses，aftercompletingwhich，theyresumedtheirslumberswiththecomposureofmenlonginuredtodangers。Inthenextnight，theprowlingofdogsaboutthecamp，andvarioussuspiciousnoises， showedthatIndianswerestillhoveringaboutthem。Hurryingonbylongmarches，they atlengthfelluponatrail，which，withtheexperiencedeyeofveteranwoodmen，they soondiscoveredtobethatofthepartyoftrappersdetachedbyCaptainBonneville whenonhismarch，andwhichtheyweresenttojoin。Theylikewiseascertainedfrom varioussigns，thatthispartyhadsufferedsomemaltreatmentfromtheIndians。They nowpursuedthetrailwithintenseanxiety；itcarriedthemtothebanksofthestream calledtheGrayBull，anddownalongitscourse，untiltheycametowhereitemptiesinto theHornRiver。Here，totheirgreatjoy，theydiscoveredthecomradesofwhomtheywereinsearch，allstronglyfortified，andinastateofgreatwatchfulnessandanxiety。Wenowtakeuptheadventuresofthisfirstdetachmentoftrappers。Thesemen，after partingwiththemainbodyunderCaptainBonneville，hadproceededslowlyforseveral daysupthecourseoftheriver，trappingbeaverastheywent。Onemorning，asthey wereabouttovisittheirtraps，oneofthecamp-keeperspointedtoafineelk，grazingat adistance，andrequestedthemtoshootit。Threeofthetrappersstartedoffforthe purpose。Inpassingathicket，theywerefireduponbysomesavagesinambush，andat thesametime，thepretendedelk，throwingoffhishideandhishorn，startedforthanIndianwarrior。Oneofthethreetrappershadbeenbroughtdownbythevolley；theothersfledtothe camp，andallhands，seizingupwhatevertheycouldcarryoff，retreatedtoasmall islandintheriver，andtookrefugeamongthewillows。Heretheyweresoonjoinedbytheircomradewhohadfallen，butwhohadmerelybeenwoundedintheneck。InthemeantimetheIndianstookpossessionofthedesertedcamp，withallthetraps， accoutrements，andhorses。Whiletheywerebusyamongthespoils，asolitarytrapper， whohadbeenabsentathiswork，camesaunteringtothecampwithhistrapsonhis back。Hehadapproachednearby，whenanIndiancameforwardandmotionedhimto keepaway；atthesamemoment，hewasperceivedbyhiscomradesontheisland，and warnedofhisdangerwithloudcries。Thepoorfellowstoodforamoment，bewildered andaghast，thendroppinghistraps，wheeledandmadeoffatfullspeed，quickenedbyasportivevolleywhichtheIndiansrattledafterhim。Inhighgoodhumorwiththeireasytriumph，thesavagesnowformedacircleroundthe fireandperformedawardance，withtheunluckytrappersforruefulspectators。This done，emboldenedbywhattheyconsideredcowardiceonthepartofthewhitemen， theyneglectedtheirusualmodeofbush-fighting，andadvancedopenlywithintwenty pacesofthewillows。Asharpvolleyfromthetrappersbroughtthemtoasuddenhalt， andlaidthreeofthembreathless。Thechief，whohadstationedhimselfonaneminence todirectallthemovementsofhispeople，seeingthreeofhiswarriorslaidlow，ordered theresttoretire。Theyimmediatelydidso，andthewholebandsoondisappeared behindapointofwoods，carryingoffwiththemthehorses，traps，andthegreaterpartofthebaggage。Itwasjustafterthismisfortunethatthepartyoftenmendiscoveredthisforlornbandof trappersinafortress，whichtheyhadthrownupaftertheirdisaster。Theywereso perfectlydismayed，thattheycouldnotbeinducedeventogoinquestoftheirtraps， whichtheyhadsetinaneighboringstream。Thetwopartiesnowjoinedtheirforces，andmadetheirway，withoutfurthermisfortune，totherendezvous。CaptainBonnevilleperceivedfromthereportsoftheseparties，aswellasfromwhathe hadobservedhimselfinhisrecentmarch，thathewasinaneighborhoodteemingwith danger。TwowanderingSnakeIndians，also，whovisitedthecamp，assuredhimthat thereweretwolargebandsofCrowsmarchingrapidlyuponhim。Hebrokeuphis encampment，therefore，onthe1stofSeptember，madehiswaytothesouth，across theLittlehornMountain，untilhereachedWindRiver，andthenturningwestward， movedslowlyupthebanksofthatstream，givingtimeforhismentotrapashe proceeded。Asitwasnotintheplanofthepresenthuntingcampaignstogonearthe cachesonGreenRiver，andasthetrapperswereinwantoftrapstoreplacethosethey hadlost，CaptainBonnevilleundertooktovisitthecaches，andprocureasupply。To accompanyhiminthishazardousexpedition，whichwouldtakehimthroughthedefiles oftheWindRiverMountains，anduptheGreenRivervalley，hetookbutthreemen；the mainpartyweretocontinueontrappinguptowardtheheadofWindRiver，nearwhich hewastorejointhem，justabouttheplacewherethatstreamissuesfromthe mountains。Weshallaccompanythecaptainonhisadventurouserrand。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter25[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter25CaptainBonnevillesetsoutforGreenRivervalley——JourneyupthePopo Agie——Buffaloes——Thestaringwhitebears——Thesmoke——Thewarmsprings—— AttempttotraversetheWindRiverMountains——TheGreatSlope——Mountaindellsand chasms——Crystallakes——Ascentofasnowypeak——Sublimeprospect——A panorama”Lesdignesdepitie，“orwildmenofthemountainsHAVINGFORDEDWINDRIVERalittleaboveitsmouth，CaptainBonnevilleandhis threecompanionsproceededacrossagravellyplain，untiltheyfelluponthePopoAgie， uptheleftbankofwhichtheyheldtheircourse，nearlyinasoutherlydirection。Here theycameuponnumerousdrovesofbuffalo，andhaltedforthepurposeofprocuringa supplyofbeef。Asthehunterswerestealingcautiouslytogetwithinshotofthegame， twosmallwhitebearssuddenlypresentedthemselvesintheirpath，and，risingupon theirhindlegs，contemplatedthemforsometimewithawhimsicallysolemngaze。The huntersremainedmotionless；whereuponthebears，havingapparentlysatisfiedtheir curiosity，loweredthemselvesuponallfours，andbegantowithdraw。Thehuntersnow advanced，uponwhichthebearsturned，roseagainupontheirhaunches，andrepeated theirserio-comicexamination。Thiswasrepeatedseveraltimes，untilthehunters， piquedattheirunmannerlystaring，rebukeditwithadischargeoftheirrifles。Thebears madeanawkwardboundortwo，asifwounded，andthenwalkedoffwithgreatgravity， seemingtocommunetogether，andeverynowandthenturningtotakeanotherlookat thehunters。Itwaswellforthelatterthatthebearswerebuthalfgrown，andhadnotyetacquiredtheferocityoftheirkind。Thebuffaloweresomewhatstartledatthereportofthefirearms；butthehunters succeededinkillingacoupleoffinecows，and，havingsecuredthebestofthemeat， continuedforwarduntilsometimeafterdark，when，encampinginalargethicketof willows，theymadeagreatfire，roastedbuffalobeefenoughforhalfascore，disposed ofthewholeofitwithkeenrelishandhighglee，andthen“turnedin“forthenightandsleptsoundly，likewearyandwellfedhunters。Atdaylighttheywereinthesaddleagain，andskirtedalongtheriver，passingthrough freshgrassymeadows，andasuccessionofbeautifulgrovesofwillowsandcotton-wood。Toward evening，CaptainBonnevilleobservedasmokeatadistancerisingfrom amonghills，directlyintheroutehewaspursuing。Apprehensiveofsomehostileband， heconcealedthehorsesinathicket，and，accompaniedbyoneofhismen，crawled cautiouslyupaheight，fromwhichhecouldoverlookthesceneofdanger。Here，witha spy-glass，hereconnoitredthesurroundingcountry，butnotalodgenorfire，notaman， horse，nordog，wastobediscovered；inshort，thesmokewhichhadcausedsuch alarmprovedtobethevaporfromseveralwarm，orratherhotspringsofconsiderable magnitude，pouringforthstreamsineverydirectionoverabottomofwhiteclay。Oneof thespringswasabouttwenty-fiveyardsindiameter，andsodeepthatthewaterwasofabrightgreencolor。TheywerenowadvancingdiagonallyuponthechainofWindRiverMountains，which laybetweenthemandGreenRivervalley。Tocoastroundtheirsouthernpointswould beawidecircuit；whereas，couldtheyforcetheirwaythroughthem，theymightproceed inastraightline。Themountainswerelofty，withsnowypeaksandcraggedsides；itwas hoped，however，thatsomepracticabledefilemightbefound。Theyattempted， accordingly，topenetratethemountainsbyfollowinguponeofthebranchesofthe PopoAgie，butsoonfoundthemselvesinthemidstofstupendouscragsandprecipices thatbarredallprogress。Retracingtheirsteps，andfallingbackupontheriver，they consultedwheretomakeanotherattempt。Theyweretooclosebeneaththemountains toscanthemgenerally，buttheynowrecollectedhavingnoticed，fromtheplain，a beautifulsloperising，atanangleofaboutthirtydegrees，andapparentlywithoutany break，untilitreachedthesnowyregion。Seekingthisgentleacclivity，theybeganto ascenditwithalacrity，trustingtofindatthetoponeofthoseelevatedplainswhich prevailamongtheRockyMountains。Theslopewascoveredwithcoarsegravel， interspersedwithplatesoffreestone。Theyattainedthesummitwithsometoil，but found，insteadofalevel，orratherundulatingplain，thattheywereonthebrinkofa deepandprecipitousravine，fromthebottomofwhichroseasecondslope，similarto theonetheyhadjustascended。Downintothisprofoundravinetheymadetheirwayby aruggedpath，orratherfissureoftherocks，andthenlaboredupthesecondslope。 Theygainedthesummitonlytofindthemselvesonanotherravine，andnowperceived thatthisvastmountain，whichhadpresentedsuchaslopingandevensidetothe distantbeholderontheplain，wasshaggedbyfrightfulprecipices，andseamedwithlongitudinalchasms，deepanddangerous。Inoneofthesewilddellstheypassedthenight，andsleptsoundlyandsweetlyafter theirfatigues。Twodaysmoreofarduousclimbingandscramblingonlyservedtoadmit themintotheheartofthismountainousandawfulsolitude；wheredifficultiesincreased astheyproceeded。Sometimestheyscrambledfromrocktorock，upthebedofsome mountainstream，dashingitsbrightwaydowntotheplains；sometimestheyavailed themselvesofthepathsmadebythedeerandthemountainsheep，which，however， oftentookthemtothebrinksoffearfulprecipices，orledtoruggeddefiles，impassable fortheirhorses。Atoneplace，theywereobligedtoslidetheirhorsesdownthefaceofa rock，inwhichattemptsomeofthepooranimalslosttheirfooting，rolledtothebottom，andcamenearbeingdashedtopieces。Intheafternoonofthesecondday，thetravellersattainedoneoftheelevatedvalleys lockedupinthissingularbedofmountains。Hereweretwobrightandbeautifullittle lakes，setlikemirrorsinthemidstofsternandrockyheights，andsurroundedbygrassy meadows，inexpressiblyrefreshingtotheeye。Theseprobablywereamongthesources ofthosemightystreamswhichtaketheirriseamongthesemountains，andwanderhundredsofmilesthroughtheplains。Inthegreenpasturesborderingupontheselakes，thetravellershaltedtorepose，and togivetheirwearyhorsestimetocropthesweetandtenderherbage。Theyhadnow ascendedtoagreatheightabovetheleveloftheplains，yettheybeheldhugecragsof granitepiledoneuponanother，andbeetlinglikebattlementsfarabovethem。While twoofthemenremainedinthecampwiththehorses，CaptainBonneville， accompaniedbytheothermen[man]，setouttoclimbaneighboringheight，hopingto gainacommandingprospect，anddiscernsomepracticableroutethroughthis stupendouslabyrinth。Aftermuchtoil，hereachedthesummitofaloftycliff，butitwas onlytobeholdgiganticpeaksrisingallaround，andtoweringfarintothesnowyregions oftheatmosphere。Selectingonewhichappearedtobethehighest，hecrosseda narrowinterveningvalley，andbegantoscaleit。Hesoonfoundthathehadundertaken atremendoustask；buttheprideofmanisnevermoreobstinatethanwhenclimbing mountains。Theascentwassosteepandruggedthatheandhiscompanionwere frequentlyobligedtoclamberonhandsandknees，withtheirgunsslungupontheir backs。Frequently，exhaustedwithfatigue，anddrippingwithperspiration，theythrew themselvesuponthesnow，andtookhandfulsofittoallaytheirparchingthirst。Atone place，theyevenstrippedofftheircoatsandhungthemuponthebushes，andthus lightlyclad，proceededtoscrambleovertheseeternalsnows。Astheyascendedstill higher，therewerecoolbreezesthatrefreshedandbracedthem，andspringingwithnewardortotheirtask，theyatlengthattainedthesummit。HereasceneburstupontheviewofCaptainBonneville，thatforatimeastonishedand overwhelmedhimwithitsimmensity。Hestood，infact，uponthatdividingridgewhich Indiansregardasthecrestoftheworld；andoneachsideofwhich，thelandscapemay besaidtodeclinetothetwocardinaloceansoftheglobe。Whicheverwayheturnedhis eye，itwasconfoundedbythevastnessandvarietyofobjects。Beneathhim，theRocky Mountainsseemedtoopenalltheirsecretrecesses：deep，solemnvalleys；treasured lakes；drearypasses；ruggeddefiles，andfoamingtorrents；whilebeyondtheirsavage precincts，theeyewaslostinanalmostimmeasurablelandscape；stretchingonevery sideintodimandhazydistance，liketheexpanseofasummer”ssea。Whicheverway helooked，hebeheldvastplainsglimmeringwithreflectedsunshine；mightystreams wanderingontheirshiningcoursetowardeitherocean，andsnowymountains，chain beyondchain，andpeakbeyondpeak，tilltheymeltedlikecloudsintothehorizon。Fora time，theIndianfableseemedrealized：hehadattainedthatheightfromwhichthe Blackfootwarrior，afterdeath，firstcatchesaviewofthelandofsouls，andbeholdsthe happyhuntinggroundsspreadoutbelowhim，brighteningwiththeabodesofthefree andgenerousspirits。Thecaptainstoodforalongwhilegazinguponthisscene，lostin acrowdofvagueandindefiniteideasandsensations。Along-drawninspirationat lengthrelievedhimfromthisenthralmentofthemind，andhebegantoanalyzethe partsofthisvastpanorama。Asimpleenumerationofafewofitsfeaturesmaygivesomeideaofitscollectivegrandeurandmagnificence。ThepeakonwhichthecaptainhadtakenhisstandcommandedthewholeWindRiver chain；which，infact，mayratherbeconsideredoneimmensemountain，brokeninto snowypeaksandlateralspurs，andseamedwithnarrowvalleys。Someofthesevalleys glitteredwithsilverlakesandgushingstreams；thefountainheads，asitwere，ofthe mightytributariestotheAtlanticandPacificOceans。Beyondthesnowypeaks，tothe south，andfar，farbelowthemountainrange，thegentleriver，calledtheSweetWater， wasseenpursuingitstranquilwaythroughtheruggedregionsoftheBlackHills。Inthe east，theheadwatersofWindRiverwanderedthroughaplain，until，minglinginone powerfulcurrent，theyforcedtheirwaythroughtherangeofHornMountains，andwere losttoview。Tothenorthwerecaughtglimpsesoftheupperstreamsofthe Yellowstone，thatgreattributaryoftheMissouri。Inanotherdirectionweretobeseen someofthesourcesoftheOregon，orColumbia，flowingtothenorthwest，pastthose toweringlandmarkstheThreeTetons，andpouringdownintothegreatlavaplain； while，almostatthecaptain”sfeet，theGreenRiver，orColoradooftheWest，setforth onitswanderingpilgrimagetotheGulfofCalifornia；atfirstameremountaintorrent， dashingnorthwardoveracragandprecipice，inasuccessionofcascades，and tumblingintotheplainwhere，expandingintoanampleriver，itcircledawaytothe south，andafteralternatelyshiningoutanddisappearinginthemazesofthevast landscape，wasfinallylostinahorizonofmountains。Thedaywascalmandcloudless， andtheatmospheresopurethatobjectswerediscernibleatanastonishingdistance。 Thewholeofthisimmenseareawasinclosedbyanouterrangeofshadowypeaks， someofthemfaintlymarkedonthehorizon，whichseemedtowallitinfromtherestoftheearth。ItistoberegrettedthatCaptainBonnevillehadnoinstrumentswithhimwithwhichto ascertainthealtitudeofthispeak。Hegivesitashisopinionthatitistheloftiestpointof theNorthAmericancontinent；butofthiswehavenosatisfactoryproof。Itiscertainthat theRockyMountainsareofanaltitudevastlysuperiortowhatwasformerlysupposed。 Weratherinclinetotheopinionthatthehighestpeakisfurthertothenorthward，andis thesamemeasuredbyMr。Thompson，surveyortotheNorthwestCompany；who，by thejointmeansofthebarometerandtrigonometricmeasurement，ascertainedittobe twenty-fivethousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea；anelevationonlyinferiortothatoftheHimalayas。Foralongtime，CaptainBonnevilleremainedgazingaroundhimwithwonderand enthusiasm；atlengththechillandwintrywinds，whirlingaboutthesnow-cladheight， admonishedhimtodescend。Hesoonregainedthespotwhereheandhiscompanions [companion]hadthrownofftheircoats，whichwerenowgladlyresumed，and，retracing theircoursedownthepeak，theysafelyrejoinedtheircompanionsontheborderofthelake。Notwithstandingthesavageandalmostinaccessiblenatureofthesemountains，they havetheirinhabitants。Asoneofthepartywasouthunting，hecameuponthesolitary trackofamaninalonelyvalley。Followingitup，hereachedthebrowofacliff，whence hebeheldthreesavagesrunningacrossthevalleybelowhim。Hefiredhisguntocall theirattention，hopingtoinducethemtoturnback。Theyonlyfledthefaster，and disappearedamongtherocks。Thehunterreturnedandreportedwhathehadseen。 CaptainBonnevilleatonceconcludedthatthesebelongedtoakindofhermitrace， scantyinnumber，thatinhabitthehighestandmostinaccessiblefastnesses。They speaktheShoshonielanguage，andprobablyareoffsetsfromthattribe，thoughthey havepeculiaritiesoftheirown，whichdistinguishthemfromallotherIndians。Theyare miserablypoor；ownnohorses，andaredestituteofeveryconveniencetobederived fromanintercoursewiththewhites。Theirweaponsarebowsandstone-pointedarrows， withwhichtheyhuntthedeer，theelk，andthemountainsheep。Theyaretobefound scatteredaboutthecountriesoftheShoshonie，Flathead，Crow，andBlackfeettribes；buttheirresidencesarealwaysinlonelyplaces，andthecleftsoftherocks。Theirfootstepsareoftenseenbythetrappersinthehighandsolitaryvalleysamong themountains，andthesmokesoftheirfiresdescriedamongtheprecipices，butthey themselvesarerarelymetwith，andstillmorerarelybroughttoaparley，sogreatistheirshyness，andtheirdreadofstrangers。Astheirpovertyoffersnotemptationtothemarauder，andastheyareinoffensivein theirhabits，theyarenevertheobjectsofwarfare：shouldoneofthem，however，fall intothehandsofawarparty，heissuretobemadeasacrifice，forthesakeofthat savagetrophy，ascalp，andthatbarbarousceremony，ascalpdance。Theseforlorn beings，formingamerelinkbetweenhumannatureandthebrute，havebeenlooked downuponwithpityandcontemptbythecreoletrappers，whohavegiventhemthe appellationof“lesdignesdepitie，“or“theobjectsofpity。”；Theyappearmoreworthyto becalledthewildmenofthemountains。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter26[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter26Aretrogrademove——Channelofamountaintorrent——Alpine scenery——Cascades——Beavervalleys——Beaversatwork——Theirarchitecture——Their modesoffellingtrees——Modeoftrappingbeaver——Contestsofskill——Abeaver“upto trap“——ArrivalattheGreenRivercachesTHEVIEWfromthesnowypeakoftheWindRiverMountains，whileithadexcited CaptainBonneville”senthusiasm，hadsatisfiedhimthatitwouldbeuselesstoforcea passagewestward，throughmultiplyingbarriersofcliffsandprecipices。Turninghis faceeastward，therefore，heendeavoredtoregaintheplains，intendingtomakethe circuitroundthesouthernpointofthemountain。Todescend，andtoextricatehimself fromtheheartofthisrock-piledwilderness，wasalmostasdifficultastopenetrateit。 Takinghiscoursedowntheravineofatumblingstream，thecommencementofsome futureriver，hedescendedfromrocktorock，andshelftoshelf，betweenstupendous cliffsandbeetlingcragsthatspranguptothesky。Oftenhehadtocrossandrecross therushingtorrent，asitwoundfoamingandroaringdownitsbrokenchannel，orwas walledbyperpendicularprecipices；andimminentwasthehazardofbreakingthelegs ofthehorsesinthecleftsandfissuresofslipperyrocks。Thewholesceneryofthis deepravinewasofAlpinewildnessandsublimity。Sometimesthetravellerspassed beneathcascadeswhichpitchedfromsuchloftyheightsthatthewaterfellintothe streamlikeheavyrain。Inotherplaces，torrentscametumblingfromcragtocrag，dashingintofoamandspray，andmakingtremendousdinanduproar。Ontheseconddayoftheirdescent，thetravellers，havinggotbeyondthesteepestpitch ofthemountains，cametowherethedeepandruggedravinebeganoccasionallyto expandintosmalllevelsorvalleys，andthestreamtoassumeforshortintervalsamore peacefulcharacter。Here，notmerelytheriveritself，buteveryrivuletflowingintoit，was dammedupbycommunitiesofindustriousbeavers，soastoinundatetheneighborhood，andmakecontinualswamps。Duringamid-dayhaltinoneofthesebeavervalleys，CaptainBonnevillelefthis companions，andstrolleddownthecourseofthestreamtoreconnoitre。Hehadnot proceededfarwhenhecametoabeaverpond，andcaughtaglimpseofoneofits painstakinginhabitantsbusilyatworkuponthedam。Thecuriosityofthecaptainwas aroused，tobeholdthemodeofoperatingofthisfar-famedarchitect；hemovedforward， therefore，withtheutmostcaution，partingthebranchesofthewaterwillowswithout makinganynoise，untilhavingattainedapositioncommandingaviewofthewhole pond，hestretchedhimselfflatontheground，andwatchedthesolitaryworkman。Ina littlewhile，threeothersappearedattheheadofthedam，bringingsticksandbushes。 Withthesetheyproceededdirectlytothebarrier，whichCaptainBonnevilleperceived wasinneedofrepair。Havingdepositedtheirloadsuponthebrokenpart，theydived intothewater，andshortlyreappearedatthesurface。Eachnowbroughtaquantityof mud，withwhichhewouldplasterthesticksandbushesjustdeposited。Thiskindof masonrywascontinuedforsometime，repeatedsuppliesofwoodandmudbeing brought，andtreatedinthesamemanner。Thisdone，theindustriousbeaversindulged inalittlerecreation，chasingeachotheraboutthepond，dodgingandwhiskingabout onthesurface，ordivingtothebottom；andintheirfrolic，oftenslappingtheirtailson thewaterwithaloudclackingsound。Whiletheywerethusamusingthemselves， anotherofthefraternitymadehisappearance，andlookedgravelyontheirsportsfor sometime，withoutofferingtojoininthem。Hethenclimbedthebankclosetowherethe captainwasconcealed，and，rearinghimselfonhishindquarters，inasittingposition， puthisforepawsagainstayoungpinetree，andbegantocutthebarkwithhisteeth。At timeshewouldtearoffasmallpiece，andholdingitbetweenhispaws，andretaining hissedentaryposition，wouldfeedhimselfwithit，afterthefashionofamonkey。The objectofthebeaver，however，wasevidentlytocutdownthetree；andhewas proceedingwithhiswork，whenhewasalarmedbytheapproachofCaptain Bonneville”smen，who，feelinganxiousattheprotractedabsenceoftheirleader，were cominginsearchofhim。Atthesoundoftheirvoices，allthebeavers，busyaswellas idle，divedatoncebeneaththesurface，andwerenomoretobeseen。Captain Bonnevilleregrettedthisinterruption。Hehadheardmuchofthesagacityofthebeaver incuttingdowntrees，inwhich，itissaid，theymanagetomakethemfallintothewater， andinsuchapositionanddirectionasmaybemostfavorableforconveyancetothe desiredpoint。Inthepresentinstance，thetreewasatallstraightpine，andasitgrew perpendicularly，andtherewasnotabreathofairstirringthebeavercouldhavefelledit inanydirectionhepleased，ifreallycapableofexercisingadiscretioninthematter。He wasevidentlyengagedin“belting“thetree，andhisfirstincisionhadbeenonthesidenearesttothewater。CaptainBonneville，however，discredits，onthewhole，theallegedsagacityofthe beaverinthisparticular，andthinkstheanimalhasnootheraimthantogetthetree down，withoutanyofthesubtlecalculationastoitsmodeordirectionoffalling。This attribute，hethinks，hasbeenascribedtothemfromthecircumstancethatmosttrees growingnearwater-courses，eitherleanbodilytowardthestream，orstretchtheir largestlimbsinthatdirection，tobenefitbythespace，thelight，andtheairtobefound there。Thebeaver，ofcourse，attacksthosetreeswhicharenearestathand，andonthe banksofthestreamorpond。Hemakesincisionsroundthem，orintechnicalphrase， beltsthemwithhisteeth，andwhentheyfall，theynaturallytakethedirectioninwhichtheirtrunksorbranchespreponderate。“Ihaveoften，“saysCaptainBonneville，“seentreesmeasuringeighteeninchesin diameter，attheplaceswheretheyhadbeencutthroughbythebeaver，buttheylayin alldirections，andoftenveryinconvenientlyfortheafterpurposesoftheanimal。Infact， solittleingenuitydotheyattimesdisplayinthisparticular，thatatoneofourcampson SnakeRiver，abeaverwasfoundwithhisheadwedgedintothecutwhichhehadmade，thetreehavingfallenuponhimandheldhimprisoneruntilhedied。”Greatchoice，accordingtothecaptain，iscertainlydisplayedbythebeaverinselecting thewoodwhichistofurnishbarkforwinterprovision。Thewholebeaverhousehold，old andyoung，setoutuponthisbusiness，andwilloftenmakelongjourneysbeforethey aresuited。Sometimestheycutdowntreesofthelargestsizeandthencullthe branches，thebarkofwhichismosttotheirtaste。Thesetheycutintolengthsofabout threefeet，conveythemtothewater，andfloatthemtotheirlodges，wheretheyare storedawayforwinter。Theyarestudiousofcleanlinessandcomfortintheirlodges， andaftertheirrepasts，willcarryoutthesticksfromwhichtheyhaveeatenthebark， andthrowthemintothecurrentbeyondthebarrier。Theyarejealous，too，oftheir territories，andextremelypugnacious，neverpermittingastrangebeavertoentertheir premises，andoftenfightingwithsuchvirulenceasalmosttoteareachothertopieces。 Inthespring，whichisthebreedingseason，themaleleavesthefemaleathome，and setsoffonatourofpleasure，ramblingoftentoagreatdistance，recreatinghimselfin everyclearandquietexpanseofwateronhisway，andclimbingthebanksoccasionally tofeastuponthetendersproutsoftheyoungwillows。Assummeradvances，hegives uphisbachelorrambles，andbethinkinghimselfofhousekeepingduties，returnshome tohismateandhisnewprogeny，andmarshalsthemallfortheforagingexpeditioninquestofwinterprovisions。Afterhavingshownthepublicspiritofthispraiseworthylittleanimalasamemberofa community，andhisamiableandexemplaryconductasthefatherofafamily，wegrieve torecordtheperilswithwhichheisenvironed，andthesnaressetforhimandhispainstakinghousehold。Practice，saysCaptainBonneville，hasgivensuchaquicknessofeyetothe experiencedtrapperinallthatrelatestohispursuit，thathecandetecttheslightest signofbeaver，howeverwild；andalthoughthelodgemaybeconcealedbyclose thicketsandoverhangingwillows，hecangenerally，atasingleglance，makean accurateguessatthenumberofitsinmates。Henowgoestoworktosethistrap； plantingitupontheshore，insomechosenplace，twoorthreeinchesbelowthesurface ofthewater，andsecuresitbyachaintoapolesetdeepinthemud。Asmalltwigis thenstrippedofitsbark，andoneendisdippedinthe“medicine，“asthetrappersterm thepeculiarbaitwhichtheyemploy。Thisendofthestickrisesaboutfourinchesabove thesurfaceofthewater，theotherendisplantedbetweenthejawsofthetrap。The beaver，possessinganacutesenseofsmell，issoonattractedbytheodorofthebait。 Asheraiseshisnosetowardit，hisfootiscaughtinthetrap。Inhisfrighthethrowsa somersetintothedeepwater。Thetrap，beingfastenedtothepole，resistsallhisefforts todragittotheshore；thechainbywhichitisfasteneddefieshisteeth；hestrugglesforatime，andatlengthsinkstothebottomandisdrowned。Uponrockybottoms，whereitisnotpossibletoplantthepole，itisthrownintothe stream。Thebeaver，whenentrapped，oftengetsfastenedbythechaintosunkenlogs orfloatingtimber；ifhegetstoshore，heisentangledinthethicketsofbrookwillows。In suchcases，however，itcoststhetrapperdiligentsearch，andsometimesaboutatswimming，beforehefindshisgame。Occasionallyithappensthatseveralmembersofabeaverfamilyaretrappedin succession。Thesurvivorsthenbecomeextremelyshy，andcanscarcelybe“broughtto medicine，“tousethetrapper”sphrasefor“takingthebait。”Insuchcase，thetrapper givesuptheuseofthebait，andconcealshistrapsintheusualpathsandcrossing placesofthehousehold。Thebeavernowbeingcompletely“uptotrap，“approaches themcautiously，andspringsthemingeniouslywithastick。Atothertimes，heturnsthe trapsbottomupwards，bythesamemeans，andoccasionallyevendragsthemtothe barrierandconcealstheminthemud。Thetrappernowgivesupthecontestof ingenuity，andshoulderinghistraps，marchesoff，admittingthatheisnotyet“uptobeaver。”OnthedayfollowingCaptainBonneville”ssupervisionoftheindustriousandfrolicsome communityofbeavers，ofwhichhehasgivensoedifyinganaccount，hesucceededin extricatinghimselffromtheWindRiverMountains，andregainingtheplaintothe eastward，madeagreatbendtothesouth，soastogoroundthebasesofthe mountains，andarrivedwithoutfurtherincidentofimportance，attheoldplaceofrendezvousinGreenRivervalley，onthe17thofSeptember。Hefoundthecaches，inwhichhehaddepositedhissuperfluousgoodsand equipments，allsafe，andhavingopenedandtakenfromthemthenecessarysupplies， heclosedthemagain；takingcaretoobliteratealltracesthatmightbetraythemtothe keeneyesofIndianmarauders。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter27[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter27RoutetowardWindRiver——Dangerousneighborhood——Alarmsandprecautions——A shamencampment——ApparitionofanIndianspy——Midnightmove——Amountain defile——TheWindRivervalley——Trackingaparty——Desertedcamps——Symptomsof Crows——Meetingofcomrades——Atrapperentrapped——Crowpleasantry——Crow spies——Adecampment——ReturntoGreenRivervalley——MeetingwithFitzpatrick”s party——TheiradventuresamongtheCrows——OrthodoxCrowsONTHE18THofSeptember，CaptainBonnevilleandhisthreecompanionssetout， brightandearly，torejointhemainparty，fromwhichtheyhadpartedonWindRiver。 TheirroutelayuptheGreenRivervalley，withthatstreamontheirrighthand，and beyondit，therangeofWindRiverMountains。Attheheadofthevalley，theywereto passthroughadefilewhichwouldbringthemoutbeyondthenorthernendofthese mountains，totheheadofWindRiver；wheretheyexpectedtomeetthemainparty，accordingtoarrangement。