第12章

AtthisjunctureM。Cerrearrivedattherendezvousattheheadofasupplyparty，bringing goods andequipmentsfromtheStates。Thisactiveleader，itwillberecollected，hadembarkedtheyear previouslyinskin-boatsontheBighorn，freightedwiththeyear”scollectionofpeltries。Hehad metwithmisfortuneinthecourseofhisvoyage：oneofhisfrailbarksbeingupset，andpartofthefurslostordamaged。Thearrivalofthesuppliesgavetheregularfinishtotheannualrevel。Agrandoutbreakof wild debauchensuedamongthemountaineers；drinking，dancing，swaggering，gambling，quarrelling， andfighting。Alcohol，which，fromitsportablequalities，containingthegreatestquantityoffiery spiritinthesmallestcompass，istheonlyliquorcarriedacrossthemountains，isthe inflammatorybeverageatthesecarousals，andisdealtouttothetrappersatfourdollarsapint。 Wheninflamedbythisfierybeverage，theycutallkindsofmadpranksandgambols，and sometimesburnalltheirclothesintheirdrunkenbravadoes。Acamp，recoveringfromoneof these riotousrevels，presentsaseriocomicspectacle；blackeyes，brokenheads，lack-lustrevisages。 Manyofthetrappershavesquanderedinonedrunkenfrolicthehard-earnedwagesofayear； somehaverunindebt，andmusttoilontopayforpastpleasure。Allaresatedwiththisdeep draughtofpleasure，andeagertocommenceanothertrappingcampaign；forhardshipandhard work，spicedwiththestimulantsofwildadventures，andtoppedoffwithanannualfranticcarousal，isthelotoftherestlesstrapper。Thecaptainnowmadehisarrangementsforthecurrentyear。CerreandWalker，witha number ofmenwhohadbeentoCalifornia，weretoproceedtoSt。Louiswiththepackagesoffurs collectedduringthepastyear。Anotherparty，headedbyaleadernamedMontero，wasto proceedtotheCrowcountry，trapuponitsvariousstreams，andamongtheBlackHills，andthencetoproceedtotheArkansas，wherehewastogointowinterquarters。Thecaptainmarkedoutforhimselfawidelydifferentcourse。Heintendedtomakeanother expedition，withtwenty-threementothelowerpartoftheColumbiaRiver，andtoproceedtothe valleyoftheMultnomah；afterwinteringinthoseparts，andestablishingatradewiththosetribes， amongwhomhehadsojournedonhisfirstvisit，hewouldreturninthespring，crosstheRocky Mountains，andjoinMonteroandhispartyinthemonthofJuly，attherendezvousoftheArkansas；whereheexpectedtoreceivehisannualsuppliesfromtheStates。Ifthereaderwillcasthiseyeuponamap，hemayformanideaofthecontemptfordistance whichamanacquiresinthisvastwilderness，bynoticingtheextentofcountrycomprisedin theseprojectedwanderings。Justasthedifferentpartieswereabouttosetoutonthe3dofJuly， ontheiroppositeroutes，CaptainBonnevillereceivedintelligencethatWyeth，theindefatigable leaderofthesalmon-fishingenterprise，whohadpartedwithhimaboutayearpreviouslyonthe banksoftheBighorn，todescendthatwildriverinabullboat，wasnearathand，withanew leviedbandofhuntersandtrappers，andwasonhiswayoncemoretothebanksoftheColumbia，Aswetakemuchinterestinthenovelenterpriseofthiseasternman，“andarepleasedwith his pushingandperseveringspirit；andashismovementsarecharacteristicoflifeinthewilderness， wewill，withthereader”spermission，whileCaptainBonnevilleisbreakinguphiscampand saddlinghishorses，stepbackayearintime，andafewhundredmilesindistancetothebankof theBighorn，andlaunchourselveswithWyethinhisbullboat；andthoughhisadventurous voyagewilltakeusmanyhundredsofmilesfurtherdownwildandwanderingrivers；yetsuchis themagicpowerofthepen，thatwepromisetobringthereadersafetoBearRiverValley，bythetimethelasthorseissaddled。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter41[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter41Avoyageinabullboat。ITwasaboutthemiddleofAugust(1833)thatMr。NathanielJ。Wyeth，asthereadermay recollect，launchedhisbullboatatthefootoftherapidsoftheBighorn，anddepartedinadvance ofthepartiesofCampbellandCaptainBonneville。Hisboatwasmadeofthreebuffaloskins， stretchedonalightframe，stitchedtogether，andtheseamspaidwithelktallowandashes。It waseighteenfeetlong，andaboutfivefeetsixincheswide，sharpateachend，witharound bottom，anddrewaboutafootandahalfofwater-adepthtoogreatfortheseupperrivers，which aboundwithshallowsandsand-bars。Thecrewconsistedoftwohalf-breeds，whoclaimedtobe whitemen，thoughamixtureoftheFrenchcreoleandtheShawneeandPotawattomie。They claimed，moreover，tobethoroughmountaineers，andfirst-ratehunters——thecommonboastof thesevagabondsofthewilderness。Besidesthese，therewasaNezPerceladofeighteenyearsof age，akindofservantofallwork，whosegreataim，likeallIndianservants，wastodoaslittle workaspossible；therewas，moreover，ahalf-breedboy，ofthirteen，namedBaptiste，sonofa Hudson”sBaytraderbyaFlatheadbeauty；whowastravellingwithWyethtoseetheworldand completehiseducation。Addtothese，Mr。MiltonSublette，whowentaspassenger，andwehavethecrewofthelittlebullboatcomplete。Itcertainlywasaslightarmamentwithwhichtorunthegauntletthroughcountries swarmingwith hostilehordes，andaslightbarktonavigatetheseendlessrivers，tossingandpitchingdown rapids， runningonsnagsandbumpingonsand-bars；such，however，arethecockle-shellswithwhich these hardyroversofthewildernesswillattemptthewildeststreams；anditissurprisingwhatrough shocksandthumpstheseboatswillendure，andwhatvicissitudestheywilllivethrough。Their duration，however，isbutlimited；theyrequirefrequentlytobehauledoutofthewateranddried， topreventthehidesfrombecomingwater-soaked；andtheyeventuallyrotandgotopieces。Thecourseoftheriverwasalittletothenorthofeast；itranaboutfivemilesanhour，overa gravelly bottom。Thebanksweregenerallyalluvial，andthicklygrownwithcottonwoodtrees， intermingled occasionallywithashandplumtrees。Nowandthenlimestonecliffsandpromontoriesadvanced upontheriver，makingpicturesqueheadlands。Beyondthewoodybordersroserangesofnakedhills。MiltonSublettewasthePelorusofthisadventurousbark；beingsomewhatexperiencedin thiswild kindofnavigation。Itrequiredallhisattentionandskill，however，topilotherclearofsand-bars and snagsofsunkentrees。Therewasoften，too，aperplexityofchoice，wheretheriverbranchedinto variouschannels，amongclustersofislands；andoccasionallythevoyagersfoundthemselves agroundandhadtoturnback。Itwasnecessary，also，tokeepawaryeyeupontheland，fortheywerepassingthroughthe heartof theCrowcountry，andwerecontinuallyinreachofanyambushthatmightbelurkingonshore。 The mostformidablefoesthattheysaw，however，werethreegrizzlybears，quietlypromenading along thebank，whoseemedtogazeatthemwithsurpriseastheyglidedby。Herdsofbuffalo，also， were movingabout，orlyingontheground，likecattleinapasture；exceptingsuchinhabitantsasthese， aperfectsolitudereignedovertheland。Therewasnosignofhumanhabitation；fortheCrows， as wehavealreadyshown，areawanderingpeople，araceofhuntersandwarriors，wholiveintents andonhorseback，andarecontinuallyonthemove。Atnighttheylanded，hauleduptheirboattodry，pitchedtheirtent，andmadearousingfire。 Then， asitwasthefirsteveningoftheirvoyage，theyindulgedinaregale，relishingtheirbuffalobeef with inspiringalcohol；afterwhich，theysleptsoundly，withoutdreamingofCrowsorBlackfeet。Earlyinthemorning，theyagainlaunchedtheboatandcommittedthemselvestothestream。Inthiswaytheyvoyagedfortwodayswithoutanymaterialoccurrence，exceptingasevere thunder storm，whichcompelledthemtoputtoshore，andwaituntilitwaspassed。Onthethirdmorning they descriedsomepersonsatadistanceontheriverbank。Astheywerenow，bycalculation，atno great distancefromFortCass，atradingpostoftheAmericanFurCompany，theysupposedthese might besomeofitspeople。AnearerapproachshowedthemtobeIndians。Descryingawomanapart from therest，theylandedandaccostedher。SheinformedthemthatthemainforceoftheCrownation， consistingoffivebands，undertheirseveralchiefs，werebutabouttwoorthreemilesbelow，on their wayupalongtheriver。Thiswasunpleasanttidings，buttoretreatwasimpossible，andtheriver affordednohidingplace。Theycontinuedforward，therefore，trustingthat，asFortCasswasso nearathand，theCrowsmightrefrainfromanydepredations。Floatingdownabouttwomilesfurther，theycameinsightofthefirstband，scattered alongtheriverbank，allwellmounted；somearmedwithguns，otherswithbowsand arrows，andafewwithlances。Theymadeawildlypicturesqueappearancemanaging theirhorseswiththeiraccustomeddexterityandgrace。Nothingcanbemorespirited thanabandofCrowcavaliers。Theyareafineraceofmenaveragingsixfeetin height，litheandactive，withhawks”eyesandRomannoses。Thelatterfeatureis commontotheIndiansontheeastsideoftheRockyMountains；thoseonthewesternsidehavegenerallystraightorflatnoses。Wyethwouldfainhaveslippedbythiscavalcadeunnoticed；buttheriver，atthisplace，was notmore thanninetyyardsacross；hewasperceived，therefore，andhailedbythevagabondwarriors，and， we presume，innoverychoicelanguage；for，amongtheirotheraccomplishments，theCrowsare famed forpossessingaBillingsgatevocabularyofunrivalledopulence，andforbeingbynomeans sparing ofitwheneveranoccasionoffers。Indeed，thoughIndiansaregenerallyverylofty，rhetorical，and figurativeintheirlanguageatallgreattalks，andhighceremonials，yet，iftrappersandtraders may bebelieved，theyarethemostunsavoryvagabondsintheirordinarycolloquies；theymakeno hesitationtocallaspadeaspade；andwhentheyonceundertaketocallhardnames，thefamous potandkettle，ofvituperatingmemory，arenottobecomparedwiththemforscurrilityofepithet。Toescapetheinflictionofanycomplimentsofthiskind，orthelaunching，peradventure，of more dangerousmissiles，Wyethlandedwiththebestgraceinhispowerandapproachedthechiefof the band。ItwasArapooish，thequondamfriendofRosetheoutlaw，andonewhomwehavealready mentionedasbeinganxioustopromoteafriendlyintercoursebetweenhistribeandthewhite men。 Hewasatall，stoutman，ofgoodpresence，andreceivedthevoyagersverygraciously。His people， too，throngedaroundthem，andwereofficiouslyattentiveaftertheCrowfashion。Onetooka great fancytoBaptistetheFlatheadboy，andastillgreaterfancytoaringonhisfinger，whichhe transposedtohisownwithsurprisingdexterity，andthendisappearedwithaquickstepamong thecrowd。AnotherwasnolesspleasedwiththeNezPercelad，andnothingwoulddobuthemust exchange kniveswithhim；drawinganewknifeoutoftheNezPerce”sscabbard，andputtinganoldonein its place。Anothersteppedupandreplacedthisoldknifewithonestillolder，andathirdhelped himself toknife，scabbardandall。ItwaswithmuchdifficultythatWyethandhiscompanionsextricatedthemselvesfromtheclutchesoftheseofficiousCrowsbeforetheywereentirelyplucked。Fallingdowntheriveralittlefurther，theycameinsightofthesecondband，andsheeredto the oppositeside，withtheintentionofpassingthem。TheCrowswerenottobeevaded。Some pointed theirgunsattheboat，andthreatenedtofire；othersstripped，plungedintothestream，andcame swimmingacross。Makingavirtueofnecessity，Wyeththrewacordtothefirstthatcamewithinreach，asifhewishedtobedrawntotheshore。Inthiswayhewasoverhauledbyeveryband，andbythetimeheandhispeoplecameoutof thebusy handsofthelast，theywereeasedofmostoftheirsuperfluities。Nothing，inallprobability，but the proximityoftheAmericantradingpost，kepttheselandpiratesfrommakingagoodprizeofthe bullboatandallitscontents。Thesebandswereinfullmarch，equippedforwar，andevidentlyfullofmischief。They were，infact， theverybandsthatoverranthelandintheautumnof1833；partlyrobbedFitzpatrickofhis horses andeffects；huntedandharassedCaptainBonnevilleandhispeople；brokeuptheirtrapping campaigns，and，inaword，drovethemalloutoftheCrowcountry。Ithasbeensuspectedthat theywere setontothesepranksbysomeoftheAmericanFurCompany，anxioustodefeattheplansof their rivalsoftheRockyMountainCompany；foratthistime，theircompetitionwasatitsheight，and the tradeoftheCrowcountrywasagreatobjectofrivalry。Whatmakesthisthemoreprobable，is， that theCrowsintheirdepredationseemedbynomeansbloodthirsty，butintentchieflyonrobbing thepartiesoftheirtrapsandhorses，therebydisablingthemfromprosecutingtheirhunting。Weshouldobservethatthisyear，theRockyMountainCompanywerepushingtheirwayup the rivers，andestablishingrivalpostsnearthoseoftheAmericanCompany；andthat，atthevery time ofwhichwearespeaking，CaptainSublettewasascendingtheYellowstonewithakeelboat， ladenwithsupplies；sothattherewaseveryprospectofthiseagerrivalshipbeingcarriedtoextremes。ThelastbandofCrowwarriorshadscarcelydisappearedinthecloudsofdusttheyhad raised，when ourvoyagersarrivedatthemouthoftheriverandglidedintothecurrentoftheYellowstone。 Turningdownthisstream，theymadeforFortCass，whichissituatedontherightbank，about three milesbelowtheBighorn。Ontheoppositesidetheybeheldapartyofthirty-onesavages，which they soonascertainedtobeBlackfeet。Thewidthoftheriverenabledthemtokeepatasufficient distance， andtheysoonlandedatFortCass。ThiswasamerefortificationagainstIndians；beingastockade ofaboutonehundredandthirtyfeetsquare，withtwobastionsattheextremecorners。M”Tulloch， anagentoftheAmericanCompany，wasstationedtherewithtwentymen；twoboatsoffifteen tonsburdenwerelyinghere；butatcertainseasonsoftheyearasteamboatcancomeuptothefort。Theyhadscarcelyarrived，whentheBlackfeetwarriorsmadetheirappearanceonthe oppositebank， displayingtwoAmericanflagsintokenofamity。Theyplungedintotheriver，swamacross，and werekindlyreceivedatthefort。Theyweresomeoftheverymenwhohadbeenengaged，the year previously，inthebattleatPierre”sHole，andafierce-lookingsetoffellowstheywere；talland hawk-nosed，andverymuchresemblingtheCrows。Theyprofessedtobeonanamicableerrand， tomake peacewiththeCrows，andsetoffinallhaste，beforenight，toovertakethem。Wyethpredicted that theywouldlosetheirscalps；forhehadheardtheCrowsdenouncevengeanceonthem，for having murderedtwooftheirwarriorswhohadventuredamongthemonthefaithofatreatyofpeace。It is probable，however，thatthispacificerrandwasallapretence，andthattherealobjectofthe Blackfeet braveswastohangabouttheskirtsoftheCrowband，stealtheirhorses，andtakethescalpsofstragglers。AtFortCass，Mr。Wyethdisposedofsomepackagesofbeaver，andaquantityofbuffalo robes。On thefollowingmorning(August18th)，heoncemorelaunchedhisbullboat，andproceededdown the Yellowstone，whichinclinedinaneast-northeastdirection。Theriverhadalluvialbottoms， fringed withgreatquantitiesofthesweetcotton-wood，andinterruptedoccasionallyby“bluffs“of sandstone。Thecurrentoccasionallybringsdownfragmentsofgraniteandporphyry。Inthecourseoftheday，theysawsomethingmovingonthebankamongthetrees，which they mistookforgameofsomekind；and，beinginwantofprovisions，pulledtowardshore。They discovered，justintime，apartyofBlackfeet，lurkinginthethickets，andsheered，withallspeed， totheoppositesideoftheriver。Afteratime，theycameinsightofagangofelk。Wyethwasimmediatelyforpursuingthem， rifle inhand，butsawevidentsignsofdissatisfactioninhishalf-breedhunters；whoconsideredhimas trenchingupontheirprovince，andmeddlingwiththingsquiteabovehiscapacity；forthese veterans ofthewildernessareexceedinglypragmatical，onpointsofveneryandwoodcraft，andtenacious of theirsuperiority；lookingdownwithinfinitecontemptuponallrawbeginners。Thetwoworthies， therefore，salliedforththemselves，butafteratimereturnedempty-handed。Theylaidtheblame， however，entirelyontheirguns；twomiserableoldpieceswithflintlocks，which，withalltheir pickingandhammering，werecontinuallyapttomissfire。Thesegreatboastersofthewilderness， however，areveryoftenexceedingbadshots，andfortunateitisforthemwhentheyhaveoldflintgunstobeartheblame。Thenextdaytheypassedwhereagreatherdofbuffalowasbellowingonaprairie。Again theCastor andPolluxofthewildernesssalliedforth，andagaintheirflintgunswereatfault，andmissedfire， andnothingwentoffbutthebuffalo。Wyethnowfoundtherewasdangeroflosinghisdinnerif he dependeduponhishunters；hetookrifleinhand，therefore，andwentforthhimself。Inthecourse of anhourhereturnedladenwithbuffalomeat，tothegreatmortificationofthetworegularhunters，whowereannoyedatbeingeclipsedbyagreenhorn。Allhandsnowsettoworktopreparethemiddayrepast。Afirewasmadeunderanimmense cotton-woodtree，thatovershadowedabeautifulpieceofmeadowland；richmorselsofbuffalo humpwere soonroastingbeforeit；inaheartyandprolongedrepast，thetwounsuccessfulhuntersgradually recoveredfromtheirmortification；threatenedtodiscardtheiroldflintgunsassoonasthey should reachthesettlements，andboastedmorethaneverofthewonderfulshotstheyhadmade，when theyhadgunsthatnevermissedfire。Havinghauleduptheirboattodryinthesun，previoustomakingtheirrepast，thevoyagers nowset itoncemoreafloat，andproceededontheirway。Theyhadconstructedasailoutoftheiroldtent， whichtheyhoistedwheneverthewindwasfavorable，andthusskimmedalongdownthestream。 Theirvoyagewaspleasant，notwithstandingtheperilsbyseaandland，withwhichtheywere environed。Whenevertheycouldtheyencampedonislandsforthegreatersecurity。Ifonthe mainland，andinadangerousneighborhood，theywouldshifttheircampafterdark，leavingtheir fire burning，droppingdowntheriversomedistance，andmakingnofireattheirsecondencampment。 Sometimestheywouldfloatallnightwiththecurrent；onekeepingwatchandsteeringwhilethe rest slept。insuchcase，theywouldhaultheirboatonshore，atnoonofthefollowingdaytodry；fornotwithstandingeveryprecaution，shewasgraduallygettingwater-soakedandrotten。Therewassomethingpleasinglysolemnandmysteriousinthusfloatingdownthesewild riversat night。Thepurityoftheatmosphereintheseelevatedregionsgaveadditionalsplendortothe stars， andheightenedthemagnificenceofthefirmament。Theoccasionalrushandlavingofthewaters； the vaguesoundsfromthesurroundingwilderness；thedrearyhowl，orratherwhineofwolvesfrom the plains；thelowgruntingandbellowingofthebuffalo，andtheshrillneighingoftheelk，struck theearwithaneffectunknowninthedaytime。Thetwoknowinghuntershadscarcelyrecoveredfromonemortificationwhentheywere fatedto experienceanother。Astheboatwasglidingswiftlyroundalowpromontory，thinlycoveredwith trees，oneofthemgavethealarmofIndians。Theboatwasinstantlyshovedfromshoreandevery onecaughtuphisrifle。“Wherearethey？“criedWyeth。 “There——there！ridingonhorseback！“criedoneofthehunters。 “Yes；withwhitescarfson！“criedtheother。Wyethlookedinthedirectiontheypointed，butdescriednothingbuttwobaldeagles， perchedona lowdrybranchbeyondthethickets，andseeming，fromtherapidmotionoftheboat，tobe moving swiftlyinanoppositedirection。Thedetectionofthisblunderinthetwoveterans，whoprided themselvesonthesurenessandquicknessoftheirsight，producedaheartylaughattheirexpense， andputanendtotheirvauntings。TheYellowstone，abovetheconfluenceoftheBighorn，isaclearstream；itswaterswere now graduallygrowingturbid，andassumingtheyellowclaycoloroftheMissouri。Thecurrentwas about fourmilesanhour，withoccasionalrapids；someofthemdangerous，butthevoyagerspassed them allwithoutaccident。Thebanksoftheriverwereinmanyplacesprecipitouswithstrataofbituminouscoal。Theynowenteredaregionaboundingwithbuffalo——thatever-journeyinganimal，which movesin countlessdrovesfrompointtopointofthevastwilderness；traversingplains，pouringthroughthe intricatedefilesofmountains，swimmingrivers，everonthemove，guidedonitsboundless migrationsbysometraditionaryknowledge，likethefinnytribesoftheocean，which，atcertainseasons，findtheirmysteriouspathsacrossthedeepandrevisittheremotestshores。Thesegreatmigratoryherdsofbuffalohavetheirhereditarypathsandhighways，worndeep through thecountry，andmakingforthesurestpassesofthemountains，andthemostpracticablefordsof the rivers。Whenonceagreatcolumnisinfullcareer，itgoesstraightforward，regardlessofallobstacles；thoseinfrontbeingimpelledbythemovingmassbehind。Atsuchtimestheywillbreakthroughacamp，tramplingdowneverythingintheircourse。Itwasthelotofthevoyagers，onenight，toencampatoneofthesebuffalolandingplaces， and exactlyonthetrail。Theyhadnotbeenlongasleep，whentheywereawakenedbyagreat bellowing， andtramping，andtherush，andsplash，andsnortingofanimalsintheriver。Theyhadjusttimeto ascertainthatabuffaloarmywasenteringtheriverontheoppositeside，andmakingtowardthe landingplace。Withallhastetheymovedtheirboatandshiftedtheircamp，bywhichtimethe headofthecolumnhadreachedtheshore，andcamepressingupthebank。Itwasasingularspectacle，bytheuncertainmoonlight，tobeholdthiscountlessthrong makingtheir wayacrosstheriver，blowing，andbellowing，andsplashing。Sometimestheypassinsuchdense and continuouscolumnastoformatemporarydamacrosstheriver，thewatersofwhichriseandrush overtheirbacks，orbetweentheirsquadrons。Theroaringandrushingsoundofoneofthesevastherdscrossingariver，maysometimesinastillnightbeheardformiles。Thevoyagersnowhadgameinprofusion。Theycouldkillasmanybuffaloesasthey pleased，and，occasionally，werewantonintheirhavoc；especiallyamongscattered herds，thatcameswimmingneartheboat。Ononeoccasion，anoldbuffalobullapproachedso nearthatthehalf-breedsmustfaintrytonoosehimastheywouldawild horse。Thenoosewassuccessfullythrownaroundhishead，andsecuredhimbythe horns，andtheynowpromisedthemselvesamplesport。Thebuffalomadeprodigious turmoilinthewater，bellowing，andblowing，andfloundering；andtheyallfloated downthestreamtogether。Atlengthhefoundfootholdonasandbar，andtakingtohis heels，whirledtheboatafterhimlikeawhalewhenharpooned；sothatthehunters wereobligedtocastofftheirrope，withwhichstrangehead-gearthevenerablebullmadeofftotheprairies。Onthe24thofAugust，thebullboatemerged，withitsadventurouscrew，intothebroad bosomof themightyMissouri。Here，aboutsixmilesabovethemouthoftheYellowstone，thevoyagers landed atFortUnion，thedistributingpostoftheAmericanFurCompanyinthewesterncountry。Itwas a stockadedfortress，abouttwohundredandtwentyfeetsquare，pleasantlysituatedonahighbank。 HeretheywerehospitablyentertainedbyMr。M”Kenzie，thesuperintendent，andremainedwith him threedays，enjoyingtheunusualluxuriesofbread，butter，milk，andcheese，forthefortwaswell suppliedwithdomesticcattle，thoughithadnogarden。Theatmosphereoftheseelevatedregions is saidtobetoodryforthecultureofvegetables；yetthevoyagers，incomingdownthe Yellowstone， hadmetwithplums，grapes，cherries，andcurrants，andhadobservedashandelmtrees。Where thesegrowtheclimatecannotbeincompatiblewithgardening。AtFortUnion，Wyethmetwithamelancholymementoofoneofhismen。Thiswasa powder-flask， whichaclerkhadpurchasedfromaBlackfootwarrior。ItboretheinitialsofpoorMore，the unfortunateyouthmurderedtheyearpreviously，atJackson”sHole，bytheBlackfeet，andwhose boneshadbeensubsequentlyfoundbyCaptainBonneville。Thisflaskhadeitherbeenpassed from handtohandoftheyouth，or，perhaps，hadbeenbroughttothefortbytheverysavagewhoslewhim。Asthebullboatwasnownearlywornout，andaltogetherunfitforthebroaderandmore turbulent streamoftheMissouri，itwasgivenup，andacanoeofcottonwood，abouttwentyfeetlong， fabricatedbytheBlackfeet，waspurchasedtosupplyitsplace。InthisWyethhoistedhissail，and biddingadieutothehospitablesuperintendentofFortUnion，turnedhisprowtotheeast，andset offdowntheMissouri。Hehadnotproceededmanyhours，before，intheevening，hecametoalargekeelboatat anchor。It provedtobetheboatofCaptainWilliamSublette，freightedwithmunitionsforcarryingona powerfuloppositiontotheAmericanFurCompany。Thevoyagerswentonboard，wherethey were treatedwiththeheartyhospitalityofthewilderness，andpassedasocialevening，talkingover pastscenesandadventures，andespeciallythememorablefightatPierre”sHole。HereMiltonSublettedeterminedtogiveupfurthervoyaginginthecanoe，andremainwith his brother；accordingly，inthemorning，thefellow-voyagerstookkindleaveofeachother。and Wyeth continuedonhiscourse。Therewasnownooneonboardofhisboatthathadevervoyagedonthe Missouri；itwas，however，allplainsailingdownthestream，withoutanychanceofmissingtheway。Alldaythevoyagerspulledgentlyalong，andlandedintheeveningandsupped；then re-embarking， theysufferedthecanoetofloatdownwiththecurrent；takingturnstowatchandsleep。Thenight was calmandserene；theelkkeptupacontinualwhinnyingorsquealing，beingthecommencement of theseasonwhentheyareinheat。Inthemidstofthenightthecanoestruckonasand-bar，andall handswererousedbytherushandroarofthewildwaters，whichbrokearoundher。Theywere all obligedtojumpoverboard，andworkhardtogetheroff，whichwasaccomplishedwithmuchdifficulty。Inthecourseofthefollowingdaytheysawthreegrizzlybearsatdifferenttimesalongthe bank。The lastonewasonapointofland，andwasevidentlymakingfortheriver，toswimacross。Thetwo half-breedhunterswerenoweagertorepeatthemanoeuvreofthenoose；promisingtoentrap Bruin，and haveraresportinstranglinganddrowninghim。Theironlyfearwas，thathemighttakefrightand returntolandbeforetheycouldgetbetweenhimandtheshore。Holdingback，therefore，untilhe wasfairlycommittedinthecentreofthestream，theythenpulledforwardwithmightandmain， so astocutoffhisretreat，andtakehimintherear。Oneoftheworthiesstationedhimselfinthe bow， withthecordandslip-noose，theother，withtheNezPerce，managedthepaddles。Therewas nothing furtherfromthethoughtsofhonestBruin，however，thantobeataretreat。Justasthecanoewas drawingnear，heturnedsuddenlyroundandmadeforit，withahorriblesnarlandatremendous show ofteeth。Theaffrightedhuntercalledtohiscomradestopaddleoff。Scarcehadtheyturnedthe boat whenthebearlaidhisenormousclawsonthegunwale，andattemptedtogetonboard。Thecanoe wasnearlyoverturned，andadelugeofwatercamepouringoverthegunwale。Allwasclamor， terror，andconfusion。Everyonebawledout-thebearroaredandsnarled-onecaughtupagun； but waterhadrenderedituseless。Othershandledtheirpaddlesmoreeffectually，andbeatingold Bruin abouttheheadandclaws，obligedhimtorelinquishhishold。Theynowpliedtheirpaddleswith mightandmain，thebearmadethebestofhiswaytoshore，andsoendedthesecondexploitof thenoose；thehuntersdeterminedtohavenomorenavalcontestswithgrizzlybears。ThevoyagerswerenowoutofrangeofCrowsandBlack-feet；buttheywereapproaching the countryoftheRees，orArickaras；atribenolessdangerous；andwhowere，generally，hostiletosmallparties。Inpassingthroughtheircountry，Wyethlaidbyallday，anddriftedquietlydowntheriverat night。 Inthiswayhepassedon，untilhesupposedhimselfsafelythroughtheregionofdanger；whenhe resumedhisvoyageintheopenday。Onthe3dofSeptemberhehadlanded，atmidday，todine； and whilesomeweremakingafire，oneofthehuntersmountedahighbanktolookoutforgame。He had scarceglancedhiseyeround，whenheperceivedhorsesgrazingontheoppositesideoftheriver。 Crouchingdownheslunkbacktothecamp，andreportedwhathehadseen。Onfurther reconnoitering，thevoyagerscountedtwenty-onelodges；andfromthenumberofhorses， computed thattheremustbenearlyahundredIndiansencampedthere。Theynowdrewtheirboat，withall speedandcaution，intoathicketofwaterwillows，andremainedcloselyconcealedallday。As soon asthenightclosedintheyre-embarked。Themoonwouldriseearly；sothattheyhadbutabout two hoursofdarknesstogetpastthecamp。Thenight，however，wascloudy，withablusteringwind。 Silently，andwithmuffledoars，theyglideddowntheriver，keepingcloseundertheshore opposite tothecamp；watchingitsvariouslodgesandfires，andthedarkformspassingtoandfrobetween them。Suddenly，onturningapointofland，theyfoundthemselvescloseuponacampontheir own sideoftheriver。Itappearedthatnotmorethanonehalfofthebandhadcrossed。Theywere within afewyardsoftheshore；theysawdistinctlythesavages——somestanding，somelyingroundthe fire。 Horsesweregrazingaround。Somelodgesweresetup，othershadbeensentacrosstheriver。The red glareofthefiresuponthesewildgroupsandharshfaces，contrastedwiththesurrounding darkness， hadastartlingeffect，asthevoyagerssuddenlycameuponthescene。Thedogsofthecamp perceivedthem，andbarked；buttheIndians。fortunately，tooknoheedoftheirclamor。Wyeth instantlysheeredhisboatoutintothestream；when，unluckilyitstruckuponasand-bar，and stuck fast。Itwasaperilousandtryingsituation；forhewasfixedbetweenthetwocamps，andwithin rifle rangeofboth。Allhandsjumpedoutintothewater，andtriedtogettheboatoff；butasnoone dared togivetheword，theycouldnotpulltogether，andtheirlaborwasinvain。Inthiswaythey labored foralongtime；untilWyeththoughtofgivingasignalforageneralheave，byliftinghishat。The expedientsucceeded。Theylaunchedtheircanoeagainintodeepwater，andgettingin，hadthe delightofseeingthecampfiresofthesavagessoonfadinginthedistance。Theycontinuedunderwaythegreaterpartofthenight，untilfarbeyondalldangerfromthis band，whentheypulledtoshore，andencamped。Thefollowingdaywaswindy，andtheycamenearupsettingtheirboatincarryingsail。 Toward evening，thewindsubsidedandabeautifulcalmnightsucceeded。Theyfloatedalongwiththe current throughoutthenight，takingturnstowatchandsteer。Thedeepstillnessofthenightwas occasionallyinterruptedbytheneighingoftheelk，thehoarselowingofthebuffalo，thehooting of largeowls，andthescreechingofthesmallones，nowandthenthesplashofabeaver，orthe gonglikesoundoftheswan。Partoftheirvoyagewasextremelytempestuous；withhighwinds，tremendousthunder，and soaking rain；andtheywererepeatedlyinextremedangerfromdrift-woodandsunkentrees。Onone occasion，havingcontinuedtofloatatnight，afterthemoonwasdown，theyranunderagreat snag， orsunkentree，withdrybranchesabovethewater。Thesecaughtthemast，whiletheboatswung round，broadsidetothestream，andbegantofillwithwater。Nothingsavedherfromtotalwreck， but cuttingawaythemast。Shethendrovedownthestream，butleftoneoftheunluckyhalf-breeds clingingtothesnag，likeamonkeytoapole。Itwasnecessarytoruninshore，toilup， laboriously， alongtheeddiesandtoattainsomedistanceabovethesnag，whentheylaunchedforthagaininto thestreamandfloateddownwithittohisrescue。Weforbeartodetailallthecircumstancesandadventuresofupwardofamonthsvoyage， downthe windingsanddoublingsofthisvastriver；inthecourseofwhichtheystoppedoccasionallyata post ofoneoftherivalfurcompanies，oratagovernmentagencyforanIndiantribe。Neithershallwe dwelluponthechangesofclimateandproductions，asthevoyagerssweptdownfromnorthto south， acrossseveraldegreesoflatitude；arrivingattheregionsofoaksandsycamores；ofmulberryand basswoodtrees；ofparoquetsandwildturkeys。Thisisoneofthecharacteristicsofthemiddle and lowerpartoftheMissouri；butstillmoresooftheMississippi，whoserapidcurrenttraversesa successionoflatitudessoasinafewdaystofloatthevoyageralmostfromthefrozenregionsto thetropics。ThevoyageofWyethshowstheregularandunobstructedflowoftherivers，ontheeastside ofthe RockyMountains，incontrasttothoseofthewesternside；whererocksandrapidscontinually menaceandobstructthevoyager。Wefindhiminafrailbarkofskins，launchinghimselfina stream atthefootoftheRockyMountains，andfloatingdownfromrivertoriver，astheyempty themselves intoeachother；andsohemighthavekeptonupwardoftwothousandmiles，untilhislittlebark shoulddriftintotheocean。AtpresentweshallstopwithhimatCantonmentLeavenworth，thefrontierpostoftheUnitedStates；wherehearrivedonthe27thofSeptember。HerehisfirstcarewastohavehisNezPerceIndian，andhishalf-breedboy，Baptiste， vaccinated。 Astheyapproachedthefort，theywerehailedbythesentinel。Thesightofasoldierinfullarray， with whatappearedtobealongknifeglitteringontheendofamusket，struckBaptistewithsuch affright thathetooktohisheels，bawlingformercyatthetopofhisvoice。TheNezPercewouldhave followedhim，hadnotWyethassuredhimofhissafety。Whentheyunderwenttheoperationof the lancet，thedoctor”swifeandanotherladywerepresent；bothbeautifulwomen。Theywerethe first whitewomenthattheyhadseen，andtheycouldnotkeeptheireyesoffofthem。Onreturningto the boat，theyrecountedtotheircompanionsallthattheyhadobservedatthefort；butwere especially eloquentaboutthewhitesquaws，who，theysaid，werewhiteassnow，andmorebeautifulthan anyhumanbeingtheyhadeverbeheld。WeshallnotaccompanythecaptainanyfurtherinhisVoyage；butwillsimplystatethathe made hiswaytoBoston，wherehesucceededinorganizinganassociationunderthenameof“The ColumbiaRiverFishingandTradingCompany，“forhisoriginalobjectsofasalmonfisheryand a tradeinfurs。Abrig，theMayDacres，hadbeendispatchedfortheColumbiawith supplies；andhe wasnowonhiswaytothesamepoint，attheheadofsixtymen，whomhehadenlistedatSt。 Louis； someofwhomwereexperiencedhunters，andallmorehabituatedtothelifeofthewilderness thanhisfirstbandof“down-easters。”WewillnowreturntoCaptainBonnevilleandhisparty，whomweleft，makinguptheir packsand saddlingtheirhorses，inBearRiverValley。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter42[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter42DepartureofCaptainBonnevillefortheColumbia——AdvanceofWyeth——Effortstokeepthe lead——Hudson”sBayparty——Ajunketing——Adelectablebeverage——Honeyandalcohol——High carousing——TheCanadian“bonvivant“——Acache——Arapidmove——Wyethandhisplans——Histravellingcompanions——Buffalohunting——Moreconviviality——Aninterruption。ITwasthe3dofJulythatCaptainBonnevillesetoutonhissecondvisittothebanksofthe Columbia， attheheadoftwenty-threemen。Hetravelledleisurely，tokeephishorsesfresh，untilonthe10th of JulyascoutbroughtwordthatWyeth，withhisband，wasbutfiftymilesintherear，andpushing forwardwithallspeed。Thiscausedsomebustleinthecamp；foritwasimportanttogetfirstto the buffalogroundtosecureprovisionsforthejourney。Asthehorsesweretooheavilyladentotravel fast，acachewasdigged，aspromptlyaspossible，toreceiveallsuperfluousbaggage。Justasit was finished，aspringburstoutoftheearthatthebottom。Anothercachewasthereforedigged，about two milesfurtheron；when，astheywereabouttoburytheeffects，alineofhorsemenwith pack-horses，wereseenstreakingovertheplain，andencampedcloseby。ItprovedtobeasmallbandintheserviceoftheHudson”sBayCompany，underthe commandofa veteranCanadian；oneofthosepettyleaders，who，withasmallpartyofmen，andasmallsupply of goods，areemployedtofollowupabandofIndiansfromonehuntinggroundtoanother，andbuy uptheirpeltries。HavingreceivednumerouscivilitiesfromtheHudson”sBayCompany，thecaptainsentan invitation totheofficersofthepartytoaneveningregale；andsettoworktomakejovialpreparations。As the nightairintheseelevatedregionsisapttobecold，ablazingfirewassoonmade，thatwouldhave donecredittoaChristmasdinner，insteadofamidsummerbanquet。Thepartiesmetinhigh good-fellowship。Therewasabundanceofsuchhunters”fareastheneighborhoodfurnished；andit wasall discussedwithmountainappetites。Theytalkedoveralltheeventsoftheirlatecampaigns；butthe Canadianveteranhadbeenunluckyinsomeofhistransactions；andhisbrowbegantogrow cloudy。 CaptainBonnevilleremarkedhisrisingspleen，andregrettedthathehadnojuiceofthegrapeto keepitdown。Aman”swit，however，isquickandinventiveinthewilderness；athoughtsuggesteditselfto the captain，howhemightbrewadelectablebeverage。Amonghisstoreswasakegofhoneybuthalf exhausted。Thishefilledupwithalcohol，andstirredthefieryandmellifluousingredientstogether。 Thegloriousresultsmayreadilybeimagined；ahappycompoundofstrengthandsweetness， enoughtosoothethemostruffledtemperandunsettlethemostsolidunderstanding。