Whentheyhadpocketedtheamount，andsquandereditinregalesorinoutfits，theybegantotalkofpecuniaryobligationsatMackinaw，whichmustbedischargedbeforetheywouldbefreetodepart;orengagementswithotherpersons，whichwereonlytobecanceledbya“reasonableconsideration。”Itwasinvaintoargueorremonstrate。Themoneyadvancedhadalreadybeensackedandspent，andmustbelostandtherecruitsleftbehind，unlesstheycouldbefreedfromtheirdebtsandengagements。Accordingly，afinewaspaidforone;ajudgmentforanother;atavernbillforathird，andalmostallhadtobeboughtofffromsomepriorengagement，eitherrealorpretended。
Mr。Huntgroanedinspiritattheincessantandunreasonabledemandsoftheseworthiesuponhispurse;yetwithallthisoutlayoffunds，thenumberrecruitedwasbutscanty，andmanyofthemostdesirablestillheldthemselvesaloof，andwerenottobecaughtbyagoldenbait。Withthesehetriedanothertemptation。Amongtherecruitswhohadenlistedhedistributedfeathersandostrichplumes。Thesetheyputintheirhats，andthusfiguredaboutMackinaw，assumingairsofvastimportance，as“voyageurs“inanewcompany，thatwastoeclipsetheNorthwest。
Theeffectwascomplete。AFrenchCanadianistoovainandmercurialabeingtowithstandthefineryandostentationofthefeather。Numbersimmediatelypressedintotheservice。Onemusthaveanostrichplume;another，awhitefeatherwitharedend;athird，abunchofcock’stails。Thusallparadedabout，invaingloriousstyle，moredelightedwiththefeathersintheirhatsthanwiththemoneyintheirpockets;andconsideringthemselvesfullyequaltotheboastful“menofthenorth。”
Whilethusrecruitingthenumberofrankandfile，Mr。Huntwasjoinedbyapersonwhomhehadinvited，byletter，toengageasapartnerintheexpedition。ThiswasMr。RamsayCrooks，ayoungman，anativeofScotland，whohadservedundertheNorthwestCompany，andbeenengagedintradingexpeditionsuponhisindividualaccount，amongthetribesoftheMissouri。Mr。Huntknewhimpersonally，andhadconceivedahighandmeritedopinionofhisjudgment，enterprise，andintegrity;hewasrejoiced，therefore，whenthelatterconsentedtoaccompanyhim。Mr。
Crooks，however，drewfromexperienceapictureofthedangerstowhichtheywouldbesubjected，andurgedtheimportanceofgoingwithaconsiderableforce。InascendingtheupperMissouritheywouldhavetopassthroughthecountryoftheSiouxIndians，whohadmanifestedrepeatedhostilitytothewhitetraders，andrenderedtheirexpeditionsextremelyperilous;firinguponthemfromtheriverbanksastheypassedbeneathintheirboats，andattackingthemintheirencampments。Mr。Crookshimself，whenvoyagingincompanywithanothertraderofthenameofM’Lellan，hadbeeninterruptedbythesemarauders，andhadconsideredhimselffortunateinescapingdowntheriverwithoutlossoflifeorproperty，butwithatotalabandonmentofhistradingvoyage。
ShouldtheybefortunateenoughtopassthroughthecountryoftheSiouxwithoutmolestation，theywouldhaveanothertribestillmoresavageandwarlikebeyond，anddeadlyfoesofwhitemen。
TheseweretheBlackfeetIndians，whorangedoverawideextentofcountrywhichtheywouldhavetotraverse。Underallthesecircumstances，itwasthoughtadvisabletoaugmentthepartyconsiderably。Italreadyexceededthenumberofthirty，towhichithadoriginallybeenlimited;butitwasdetermined，onarrivingatSt。Louis，toincreaseittothenumberofsixty。
Thesemattersbeingarranged，theypreparedtoembark;buttheembarkationofacrewofCanadianvoyageurs，onadistantexpedition，isnotsoeasyamatterasmightbeimagined;
especiallyofsuchasetofvaingloriousfellowswithmoneyinbothpockets，andcocks’tailsintheirhats。Likesailors，theCanadianvoyageursgenerallyprefacealongcruisewithacarouse。Theyhavetheircronies，theirbrothers，theircousins，theirwives，theirsweethearts，alltobeentertainedattheirexpense。Theyfeast，theyfiddle，theydrink，theysing，theydance，theyfrolicandfight，untiltheyareallasmadassomanydrunkenIndians。Thepublicansareallobediencetotheircommands，neverhesitatingtoletthemrunupscoreswithoutlimit，knowingthat，whentheirownmoneyisexpended，thepursesoftheiremployersmustanswerforthebill，orthevoyagemustbedelayed。Neitherwasitpossible，atthattime，toremedythematteratMackinaw。Inthatamphibiouscommunitytherewasalwaysapropensitytowrestthelawsinfavorofriotousormutinousboatmen。Itwasnecessary，also，tokeeptherecruitsingoodhumor，seeingthenoveltyanddangeroftheserviceintowhichtheywereentering，andtheeasewithwhichtheymightatanytimeescapeitbyjumpingintoacanoeandgoingdownstream。
SuchwerethescenesthatbesetMr。Hunt，andgavehimaforetasteofthedifficultiesofhiscommand。Thelittlecabaretsandsutlers’shopsalongthebayresoundedwiththescrapingoffiddles，withsnatchesofoldFrenchsongs，withIndianwhoopsandyells，whileeveryplumedandfeatheredvagabondhadhistroopoflovingcousinsandcomradesathisheels。Itwaswiththeutmostdifficultytheycouldbeextricatedfromtheclutchesofthepublicansandtheembracesoftheirpotcompanions，whofollowedthemtothewater’sedgewithmanyahug，akissoneachcheek，andamaudlinbenedictioninCanadianFrench。
Itwasaboutthe12thofAugustthattheyleftMackinaw，andpursuedtheusualroutebyGreenBay，FoxandWisconsinrivers，toPrairieduChien，andthencedowntheMississippitoSt。
Louis，wheretheylandedonthe3dofSeptember。
CHAPTERXIV。
St。Louis-ItsSituation-MotleyPopulation-FrenchCreoleTradersandTheirDependants-MissouriFurCompany-Mr。ManuelLisa-MississippiBoatmen-VagrantIndians-KentuckyHunters-OldFrenchMansion-Fiddling-Billiards-Mr。JosephMiller-HisCharacter-Recruits-VoyageUptheMissouri-
DifficultiesoftheRiver-MeritsofCanadianVoyageurs-
ArrivalattheNodowa-Mr。RobertM’LellanjoinstheParty-JohnDay，aVirginiaHunter。DescriptionofHim-Mr。HuntReturnstoSt。Louis。
ST。LOUIS，whichissituatedontherightbankoftheMississippiRiver，afewmilesbelowthemouthoftheMissouri，was，atthattime，afrontiersettlement，andthelastfitting-outplacefortheIndiantradeoftheSouthwest。Itpossessedamotleypopulation，composedofthecreoledescendantsoftheoriginalFrenchcolonists;thekeentradersfromtheAtlanticStates;thebackwoodsmenofKentuckyandTennessee;theIndiansandhalf-
breedsoftheprairies;togetherwithasingularaquaticracethathadgrownupfromthenavigationoftherivers-the“boatmenoftheMississippi;-whopossessedhabits，manners，andalmostalanguage，peculiarlytheirown，andstronglytechnical。
They，atthattime，wereextremelynumerous，andconductedthechiefnavigationandcommerceoftheOhioandtheMississippi，asthevoyageursdidoftheCanadianwaters;but，likethem，theirconsequenceandcharacteristicsarerapidlyvanishingbeforetheall-pervadingintrusionofsteamboats。
TheoldFrenchhousesengagedintheIndiantradehadgatheredroundthematrainofdependents，mongrelIndians，andmongrelFrenchmen，whohadintermarriedwithIndians。Thesetheyemployedintheirvariousexpeditionsbylandandwater。Variousindividualsofothercountrieshad，oflateyears，pushedthetradefurtherintotheinterior，totheupperwatersoftheMissouri，andhadswelledthenumberofthesehangers-on。Severalofthesetradershad，twoorthreeyearspreviously，formedthemselvesintoacompany，composedoftwelvepartners，withacapitalofaboutfortythousanddollars，calledtheMissouriFurCompany;theobjectofwhichwas，toestablishpostsalongtheupperpartofthatriver，andmonopolizethetrade。TheleadingpartnerofthiscompanywasMr。ManuelLisa，aSpaniardbybirth，andamanofboldandenterprisingcharacter，whohadascendedtheMissourialmosttoitssource，andmadehimselfwellacquaintedandpopularwithseveralofitstribes。Byhisexertions，tradingpostshadbeenestablished，in1808，intheSiouxcountry，andamongtheAricaraandMandantribes;andaprincipalone，underMr。Henry，oneofthepartners，attheforksoftheMissouri。Thiscompanyhadinitsemployabouttwohundredandfiftymen，partlyAmericanandpartlycreolevoyageurs。
AllthesecircumstancescombinedtoproduceapopulationatSt。
LouisevenstillmoremotleythanthatatMackinaw。Hereweretobeseen，abouttheriverbanks，thehectoring，extravagantbraggingboatmenoftheMississippi，withthegay，grimacing，singing，good-humoredCanadianvoyageurs。VagrantIndians，ofvarioustribes，loiteredaboutthestreets。NowandthenastarkKentuckyhunter，inleathernhunting-dress，withrifleonshoulderandknifeinbelt，strodealong。Hereandtherewerenewbrickhousesandshops，justsetupbybustling，driving，andeagermenoftrafficfromtheAtlanticStates;while，ontheotherhand，theoldFrenchmansions，withopencasements，stillretainedtheeasy，indolentairoftheoriginalcolonists;andnowandthenthescrapingofafiddle，astrainofanancientFrenchsong，orthesoundofbilliardballs，showedthatthehappyGallicturnforgayetyandamusementstilllingeredabouttheplace。
SuchwasSt。LouisatthetimeofMr。Hunt’sarrivalthere，andtheappearanceofanewfurcompany，withamplefundsatitscommand，producedastrongsensationamongtheItradersoftheplace，andawakenedkeenjealousyandoppositiononthepartoftheMissouriCompany。Mr。Huntproceededtostrengthenhimselfagainstallcompetition。Forthispurpose，hesecuredtotheinterestsoftheassociationanotherofthoseenterprisingmen，whohadbeenengagedinindividualtrafficwiththetribesoftheMissouri。ThiswasaMr。JosephMiller，agentlemanwelleducatedandwellinformed，andofarespectablefamilyofBaltimore。HehadbeenanofficerinthearmyoftheUnitedStates，buthadresignedindisgust，onbeingrefusedafurlough，andhadtakentotrappingbeaverandtradingamongtheIndians。HewaseasilyinducedbyMr。Hunttojoinasapartner，andwasconsideredbyhim，onaccountofhiseducationandacquirements，andhisexperienceinIndiantrade，avaluableadditiontothecompany。
SeveraladditionalmenwerelikewiseenlistedatSt。Louis，someasboatmen，andothersashunters。Theselastwereengaged，notmerelytokillgameforprovisions，butalso，andindeedchiefly，totrapbeaverandotheranimalsofrichfurs，valuableinthetrade。Theyenlistedondifferentterms。Someweretohaveafixedsalaryofthreehundreddollars;othersweretobefittedoutandmaintainedattheexpenseofthecompany，andweretohuntandtraponshares。
AsMr。Huntmetwithmuchoppositiononthepartofrivaltraders，especiallytheMissouriFurCompany，ittookhimsomeweekstocompletehispreparations。ThedelayswhichhehadpreviouslyexperiencedatMontreal，Mackinaw，andontheway，addedtothoseatSt。Louis，hadthrownhimmuchbehindhisoriginalcalculations，sothatitwouldbeimpossibletoeffecthisvoyageuptheMissouriinthepresentyear。Thisriver，flowingfromhighandcoldlatitudes，andthroughwideandopenplains，exposedtochillingblasts，freezesearly。ThewintermaybedatedfromthefirstofNovember;therewaseveryprospect，therefore，thatitwouldbeclosedwithicelongbeforeMr。Huntcouldreachitsupperwaters。Toavoid，however，theexpenseofwinteringatSt。Louis，hedeterminedtopushuptheriverasfaraspossible，tosomepointabovethesettlements，wheregamewasplenty，andwherehiswholepartycouldbesubsistedbyhunting，untilthebreakingupoftheiceinthespringshouldpermitthemtoresumetheirvoyage。
Accordinglyonthetwenty-firstofOctoberhetookhisdeparturefromSt。Louis。Hispartywasdistributedinthreeboats。OnewasthebargewhichhehadbroughtfromMackinaw;anotherwasofalargersize，suchaswasformerlyusedinnavigatingtheMohawkRiver，andknownbythegenericnameoftheSchenectadybarge;
theotherwasalargekeelboat，atthattimethegrandconveyanceontheMississippi。
InthiswaytheysetoutfromSt。Louis，inbuoyantspirits，andsoonarrivedatthemouthoftheMissouri。Thisvastriver，threethousandmilesinlength，andwhich，withitstributarystreams，drainssuchanimmenseextentofcountry，wasasyetbutcasuallyandimperfectlynavigatedbytheadventurousbarkofthefurtrader。Asteamboathadneveryetstemmeditsturbulentcurrent。
Sailswerebutofcasualassistance，foritrequiredastrongwindtoconquertheforceofthestream。Themaindependencewasonbodilystrengthandmanualdexterity。Theboats，ingeneral，hadtobepropelledbyoarsandsettingpoles，ordrawnbythehandandbygrapplinghooksfromonerootoroverhangingtreetoanother;ortowedbythelongcordelle，ortowingline，wheretheshoresweresufficientlyclearofwoodsandthicketstopermitthementopassalongthebanks。
Duringthisslowandtediousprogresstheboatwouldbeexposedtofrequentdangerfromfloatingtreesandgreatmassesofdrift-
wood，ortobeimpaleduponsnagsandsawyers;thatistosay，sunkentrees，presentingajaggedorpointedendabovethesurfaceofthewater。Asthechanneloftheriverfrequentlyshiftedfromsidetosideaccordingtothebendsandsand-banks，theboathad，inthesameway，toadvanceinazigzagcourse。
Oftenapartofthecrewwouldhavetoleapintothewaterattheshallows，andwadealongwiththetowingline，whiletheircomradesonboardtoilfullyassistedwithoarandsettingpole。
Sometimestheboatwouldseemtoberetainedmotionless，asifspell-bound，oppositesomepointroundwhichthecurrentsetwithviolence，andwheretheutmostlaborscarceeffectedanyvisibleprogress。
OntheseoccasionsitwasthatthemeritsoftheCanadianvoyageurscameintofullaction。Patientoftoil，nottobedisheartenedbyimpedimentsanddisappointments，fertileinexpedients，andversedineverymodeofhumoringandconqueringthewaywardcurrent，theywouldplyeveryexertion，sometimesintheboat，sometimesonshore，sometimesinthewater，howevercold;alwaysalert，alwaysingoodhumor;and，shouldtheyatanytimeflagorgrowweary，oneoftheirpopularsongs，chantedbyaveteranoarsman，andrespondedtoinchorus，actedasanever-
failingrestorative。
BysuchassiduousandperseveringlabortheymadetheirwayaboutfourhundredandfiftymilesuptheMissouri，bythe16thofNovember，tothemouthoftheNodowa。Asthiswasagoodhuntingcountry，andastheseasonwasrapidlyadvancing，theydeterminedtoestablishtheirwinterquartersatthisplace;and，infact，twodaysaftertheyhadcometoahalt，theriverclosedjustabovetheirencampment。
ThepartyhadnotbeenlongatthisplacewhentheywerejoinedbyMr。RobertM’Lellan，anothertraderoftheMissouri;thesamewhohadbeenassociatedwithMr。CrooksintheunfortunateexpeditioninwhichtheyhadbeeninterceptedbytheSiouxIndians，andobligedtomakearapidretreatdowntheriver。
M’Lellanwasaremarkableman。HehadbeenapartisanunderGeneralWayne，inhisIndianwars，wherehehaddistinguishedhimselfbyhisfieryspiritandrecklessdaring，andmarvelousstoriesweretoldofhisexploits。Hisappearanceansweredtohischaracter。Hisframewasmeagre，butmuscular;showingstrength，activity，andironfirmness。Hiseyesweredark，deep-set，andpiercing。Hewasrestless，fearless，butofimpetuousandsometimesungovernabletemper。HehadbeeninvitedbyMr。Hunttoenrollhimselfasapartner，andgladlyconsented;beingpleasedwiththethoughtsofpassingwithapowerfulforcethroughthecountryoftheSioux，andperhapshavinganopportunityofrevenginghimselfuponthatlawlesstribefortheirpastoffenses。
AnotherrecruitthatjoinedthecampatNodowadeservesequalmention。ThiswasJohnDay，ahunterfromthebackwoodsofVirginia，whohadbeenseveralyearsontheMissouriintheserviceofMr。Crooks，andofothertraders。Hewasaboutfortyyearsofage，sixfeettwoincheshigh，straightasanIndian;
withanelasticstepasifhetrodonsprings，andahandsome，open，manlycountenance。Itwashisboastthat，inhisyoungerdays，nothingcouldhurtordaunthim;buthehad“livedtoofast。”andinjuredhisconstitutionbyhisexcesses。Stillhewasstrongofhand，boldofheart，aprimewoodman，andanalmostunerringshot。HehadthefrankspiritofaVirginian，andtheroughheroismofapioneerofthewest。
Thepartywerenowbroughttoahaltforseveralmonths。Theywereinacountryaboundingwithdeerandwildturkeys，sothattherewasnostintofprovisions，andeveryoneappearedcheerfulandcontented。Mr。HuntdeterminedtoavailhimselfofthisintervaltoreturntoSt。Louisandobtainareinforcement。
Hewishedtoprocureaninterpreter，acquaintedwiththelanguageoftheSioux，as，fromallaccounts，heapprehendeddifficultiesinpassingthroughthecountryofthatnation。Hefeltthenecessity，also，ofhavingagreaternumberofhunters，notmerelytokeepupasupplyofprovisionsthroughouttheirlongandarduousexpedition，butalsoasaprotectionanddefense，incaseofIndianhostilities。ForsuchservicetheCanadianvoyageurswerelittletobedependedupon，fightingnotbeingapartoftheirprofession。TheproperkindofmenwereAmericanhunters，experiencedinsavagelifeandsavagewarfare，andpossessedofthetruegamespiritofthewest。
Leaving，therefore，theencampmentinchargeoftheotherpartners，Mr。HuntsetoffonfootonthefirstofJanuary(1810)，forSt。Louis。HewasaccompaniedbyeightmenasfarasFortOsage，aboutonehundredandfiftymilesbelowNodowa。Hereheprocuredacoupleofhorses，andproceededontheremainderofhisjourneywithtwomen，sendingtheothersixbacktotheencampment。HearrivedatSt。Louisonthe20thofJanuary。
CHAPTERXV。
OppositionoftheMissouriFurCompany-BlackfeetIndians-
PierreDorion，aHalf-BreedInterpreter-OldDorionandHisHybridProgeny-FamilyQuarrels-CrossPurposesBetweenDorionandLisa-RenegadoesFromNodowa-PerplexitiesofaCommander-Messrs。BradburyandNuttallJointheExpedition-
LegalEmbarrassmentsofPierreDorion-DepartureFromSt。
Louis-ConjugalDisciplineofaHalf-Breed-AnnualSwellingoftheRivers-DanielBoone，thePatriarchofKentucky-JohnColter-HisAdventuresAmongtheIndians-RumorsofDangerAhead-FortOsage-AnIndianWar-Feast-TroublesintheDorionFamily-BuffaloesandTurkey-Buzzards。
0NthishissecondvisittoSt。Louis，Mr。HuntwasagainimpededinhisplansbytheoppositionoftheMissouriFurCompany。Theaffairsofthatcompanywere，atthistime，inaverydubiousstate。Duringtheprecedingyear，theirprincipalestablishmentattheforksoftheMissourihadbeensomuchharassedbytheBlackfeetIndians，thatitscommander，Mr。Henry，oneofthepartners，hadbeencompelledtoabandonthepostandcrosstheRockyMountains，withtheintentionoffixinghimselfupononeoftheupperbranchesoftheColumbia。Whathadbecomeofhimandhispartywasunknown。Themostintenseanxietywasfeltconcerningthem，andapprehensionsthattheymighthavebeencutoffbythesavages。AtthetimeofMr。Hunt’sarrivalatSt。
Louis，theMissouriCompanywerefittingoutanexpeditiontogoinquestofMr。Henry。ItwastobeconductedbyMr。ManuelLisa，thepartneralreadymentioned。
Therebeingthustwoexpeditionsonfootatthesamemoment，anunusualdemandwasoccasionedforhuntersandvoyageurs，whoaccordinglyprofitedbythecircumstance，andstipulatedforhighterms。Mr。HuntfoundakeenandsubtlecompetitorinLisa，andwasobligedtosecurehisrecruitsbyliberaladvancesofpay，andbyotherpecuniaryindulgences。
ThegreatestdifficultywastoprocuretheSiouxinterpreter。
TherewasbutonemantobemetwithatSt。Louiswhowasfittedforthepurpose，buttosecurehimwouldrequiremuchmanagement。
Theindividualinquestionwasahalf-breed，namedPierreDorion;
and，ashefigureshereafterinthisnarrative，andis，withal，astrikingspecimenofthehybridraceonthefrontier，weshallgiveafewparticularsconcerninghim。PierrewasthesonofDorion，theFrenchinterpreter，whoaccompaniedMessrs。LewisandClarkintheirfamousexploringexpeditionacrosstheRockyMountains。OldDorionwasoneofthoseFrenchcreoles，descendantsoftheancientCanadianstock，whoaboundonthewesternfrontier，andamalgamateorcohabitwiththesavages。Hehadsojournedamongvarioustribes，andperhapsleftprogenyamongthemall;buthisregular，orhabitualwife，wasaSiouxsquaw。Byherhehadahopefulbroodofhalf-breedsons，ofwhomPierrewasone。ThedomesticaffairsofoldDorionwereconductedonthetrueIndianplan。Fatherandsonswouldoccasionallygetdrunktogether，andthenthecabinwasasceneofruffianbrawlandfighting，inthecourseofwhichtheoldFrenchmanwasapttogetsoundlybelaboredbyhismongreloffspring。Inafuriousscuffleofthekind，oneofthesonsgottheoldmanupontheground，andwasuponthepointofscalpinghim。“Hold！myson。”
criedtheoldfellow，inimploringaccents，“youaretoobrave，toohonorabletoscalpyourfather！“ThislastappealtouchedtheFrenchsideofthehalf-breed’sheart，sohesufferedtheoldmantowearhisscalpunharmed。
OfthishopefulstockwasPierreDorion，themanwhomitwasnowthedesireofMr。Hunttoengageasaninterpreter。HehadbeenemployedinthatcapacitybytheMissouriFurCompanyduringtheprecedingyear，andconductedtheirtradersinsafetythroughthedifferenttribesoftheSioux。Hehadprovedhimselffaithfulandserviceablewhilesober;buttheloveofliquor，inwhichhehadbeennurturedandbroughtup，wouldoccasionallybreakout，andwithitthesavagesideofhischaracter。
ItwashisloveofliquorwhichhadembroiledhimwiththeMissouriCompany。WhileintheirserviceatFortMandan，onthefrontier，hehadbeenseizedwithawhiskeymania;and，asthebeveragewasonlytobeprocuredatthecompany’sstore，ithadbeenchargedinhisaccountattherateoftendollarsaquart。
Thisitemhadeverremainedunsettled，andamatteroffuriousdispute，themerementionofwhichwassufficienttoputhiminapassion。
ThemomentitwasdiscoveredbyMr。LisathatPierreDorionwasintreatywiththenewandrivalassociation，heendeavored，bythreatsaswellaspromises，topreventhisengagingintheirservice。Hispromisesmight，perhaps，haveprevailed;buthisthreats，whichrelatedtothewhiskeydebt，onlyservedtodrivePierreintotheoppositeranks。StillhetookadvantageofthiscompetitionforhisservicestostandoutwithMr。Huntonthemostadvantageousterms，and，afteranegotiationofnearlytwoweeks，capitulatedtoserveintheexpedition，ashunterandinterpreter，attherateofthreehundreddollarsayear，twohundredofwhichweretobepaidinadvance。
WhenMr。HunthadgoteverythingreadyforleavingSt。Louis，newdifficultiesarose。FiveoftheAmericanhuntersfromtheencampmentatNodowa，suddenlymadetheirappearance。Theyallegedthattheyhadbeenilltreatedbythepartnersattheencampment，andhadcomeoffclandestinely，inconsequenceofadispute。Itwasuselessatthepresentmoment，andunderpresentcircumstances，toattemptanycompulsorymeasureswiththesedeserters。TwoofthemMr。Huntprevailedupon，bymildmeans，toreturnwithhim。Therestrefused;nay，whatwasworse，theyspreadsuchreportsofthehardshipsanddangerstobeapprehendedinthecourseoftheexpedition，thattheystruckapanicintothosehunterswhohadrecentlyengagedatSt。Louis，and，whenthehourofdeparturearrived，allbutonerefusedtoembark。Itwasinvaintopleadorremonstrate;theyshoulderedtheirriflesandturnedtheirbacksupontheexpedition，andMr。
Huntwasfaintoputofffromshorewiththesinglehunterandanumberofvoyageurswhomhehadengaged。EvenPierreDorion，atthelastmoment，refusedtoentertheboatuntilMr。Huntconsentedtotakehissquawandtwochildrenonboardalso。Butthetissueofperplexities，onaccountofthisworthyindividual，didnotendhere。
AmongthevariouspersonswhowereabouttoproceeduptheMissouriwithMr。Hunt，weretwoscientificgentlemen;oneMr。
JohnBradbury，amanofmatureage，butgreatenterpriseandpersonalactivity，whohadbeensentoutbyLinnaeanSocietyofLiverpooltomakeacollectionofAmericanplants;theother，aMr。Nuttall，likewiseanEnglishman，youngerinyears，whohassincemadehimselfknownastheauthorofTravelsinArkansas，andaworkontheGeneraofAmericanPlants。Mr。Hunthadofferedthemtheprotectionandfacilitiesofhisparty，intheirscientificresearchuptheMissouriRiver。Astheywerenotreadytodepartatthemomentofembarkation，theyputtheirtrunksonboardoftheboat，butremainedatSt。Louisuntilthenextday，forthearrivalofthepost，intendingtojointheexpeditionatSt。Charles，ashortdistanceabovethemouthoftheMissouri。
Thesameevening，however，theylearnedthatawrithadbeenissuedagainstPierreDorionforhiswhiskeydebt，byMr。Lisa，asagentoftheMissouriCompany，andthatitwastheintentiontoentrapthemongrellinguistonhisarrivalatSt。Charles。
Uponhearingthis，Mr。BradburyandMr。Nuttallsetoffalittleaftermidnight，byland，gotaheadoftheboatasitwasascendingtheMissouri，beforeitsarrivalatSt。Charles，andgavePierreDorionwarningofthelegaltoilpreparedtoensnarehim。
TheknowingPierreimmediatelylandedandtooktothewoods，followedbyhissquawladenwiththeirpapooses，andalargebundlecontainingtheirmostpreciouseffects，promisingtorejointhepartysomedistanceaboveSt。Charles。Thereseemedlittledependencetobeplaceduponthepromisesofalooseadventurerofthekind，whowasattheverytimeplayinganevasivegamewithhisformeremployers;whohadalreadyreceivedtwo-thirdsofhisyear’spay，andhisrifleonhisshoulder，hisfamilyandworldlyfortunesathisheels，andthewildwoodsbeforehim。Therewasnoalternative，however，anditwashopedhispiqueagainsthisoldemployerswouldrenderhimfaithfultohisnewones。
ThepartyreachedSt。Charlesintheafternoon，buttheharpiesofthelawlookedinvainfortheirexpectedprey。Theboatsresumedtheircourseonthefollowingmorning，andhadnotproceededfarwhenPierreDorionmadehisappearanceontheshore。Hewasgladlytakenonboard，buthecamewithouthissquaw。Theyhadquarreledinthenight;PierrehadadministeredtheIndiandisciplineofthecudgel，whereuponshehadtakentothewoods，withtheirchildrenandalltheirworldlygoods。
Pierreevidentlywasdeeplygrievedanddisconcertedatthelossofhiswifeandhisknapsack，whereuponMr。HuntdespatchedoneoftheCanadianvoyageursinsearchofthefugitive;andthewholeparty，afterproceedingafewmilesfurther，encampedonanislandtowaithisreturn。TheCanadianrejoinedtheparty，butwithoutthesquaw;andPierreDorionpassedasolitaryandanxiousnight，bitterlyregrettinghisindiscretioninhavingexercisedhisconjugalauthoritysonearhome。Beforedaybreak，however，awell-knownvoicereachedhisearsfromtheoppositeshore。Itwashisrepentantspouse，whohadbeenwanderingthewoodsallnightinquestoftheparty，andhadatlengthdescrieditbyitsfires。Aboatwasdespatchedforher，theinterestingfamilywasoncemoreunited，andMr。HuntnowflatteredhimselfthathisperplexitieswithPierreDorionwereatanend。
Badweather，veryheavyrains，andanunusuallyearlyriseintheMissouri，renderedtheascentoftherivertoilsome，slow，anddangerous。TheriseoftheMissouridoesnotgenerallytakeplaceuntilthemonthofMayorJune:thepresentswellingoftherivermusthavebeencausedbyafreshetinsomeofitsmoresouthernbranches。Itcouldnothavebeenthegreatannualflood，asthehigherbranchesmuststillhavebeenice-bound。
Andherewecannotbutpause，tonoticetheadmirablearrangementofnature，bywhichtheannualswellingsofthevariousgreatriverswhichemptythemselvesintotheMississippi，havebeenmadetoprecedeeachotheratconsiderableintervals。Thus，thefloodoftheRedRiverprecedesthatoftheArkansasbyamonth。
TheArkansas，also，risinginamuchmoresouthernlatitudethantheMissouri，takestheleadofitinitsannualexcess，anditssuperabundantwatersaredisgorgedanddisposedoflongbeforethebreakingupoftheicybarriersofthenorth;otherwise，didallthesemightystreamsrisesimultaneously，anddischargetheirvernalfloodsintotheMississippi，aninundationwouldbetheconsequence，thatwouldsubmergeanddevastateallthelowercountry。
Ontheafternoonofthethirdday，January，17th，theboatstouchedatCharette，oneoftheoldvillagesfoundedbytheoriginalFrenchcolonists。HeretheymetwithDanielBoone，therenownedpatriarchofKentucky，whohadkeptintheadvanceofcivilization，andonthebordersofthewilderness，stillleadingahunter’slife，thoughnowinhiseighty-fifthyear。Hehadbutrecentlyreturnedfromahuntingandtrappingexpedition，andhadbroughtnearlysixtybeaverskinsastrophiesofhisskill。Theoldmanwasstillerectinform，stronginlimb，andunflinchinginspirit，andashestoodontheriverbank，watchingthedepartureofanexpeditiondestinedtotraversethewildernesstotheveryshoresofthePacific，veryprobablyfeltathrobofhisoldpioneerspirit，impellinghimtoshoulderhisrifleandjointheadventurousband。Booneflourishedseveralyearsafterthismeeting，inavigorousoldage，theNestorofhuntersandbackwoodsmen;anddied，fullofsylvanhonorandrenown，in1818，inhisninety-secondyear。
Thenextmorningearly，asthepartywereyetencampedatthemouthofasmallstream，theywerevisitedbyanotheroftheseheroesofthewilderness，oneJohnColter，whohadaccompaniedLewisandClarkeintheirmemorableexpedition。Hehadrecentlymadeoneofthosevastinternalvoyagessocharacteristicofthisfearlessclassofmen，andoftheimmenseregionsoverwhichtheyholdtheirlonelywanderings;havingcomefromtheheadwatersoftheMissouritoSt。Louisinasmallcanoe。Thisdistanceofthreethousandmileshehadaccomplishedinthirtydays。Colterkeptwiththepartyallthemorning。HehadmanyparticularstogivethemconcerningtheBlackfeetIndians，arestlessandpredatorytribe，whohadconceivedanimplacablehostilitytothewhitemen，inconsequenceofoneoftheirwarriorshavingbeenkilledbyCaptainLewis，whileattemptingtostealhorses。
Throughthecountryinfestedbythesesavagestheexpeditionwouldhavetoproceed，andColterwasurgentinreiteratingtheprecautionsthatoughttobeobservedrespectingthem。Hehadhimselfexperiencedtheirvindictivecruelty，andhisstorydeservesparticularcitation，asshowingthehairbreadthadventurestowhichthesesolitaryroversofthewildernessareexposed。
Colter，withthehardihoodofaregulartrapper，hadcasthimselfloosefromthepartyofLewisandClarkeintheveryheartofthewilderness，andhadremainedtotrapbeaveraloneontheheadwatersoftheMissouri。Herehefellinwithanotherlonelytrapper，likehimself，namedPotts，andtheyagreedtokeeptogether。TheywereintheveryregionoftheterribleBlackfeet，atthattimethirstingtorevengethedeathoftheircompanion，andknewthattheyhadtoexpectnomercyattheirhands。Theywereobligedtokeepconcealedalldayinthewoodymarginsoftherivers，settingtheirtrapsafternightfallandtakingthemupbeforedaybreak。Itwasrunningafearfulriskforthesakeofafewbeaverskins;butsuchisthelifeofthetrapper。
TheywereonabranchoftheMissouricalledJeffersonFork，andhadsettheirtrapsatnight，aboutsixmilesupasmallriverthatemptiedintothefork。Earlyinthemorningtheyascendedtheriverinacanoe，toexaminethetraps。Thebanksoneachsidewerehighandperpendicular，andcastashadeoverthestream。Astheyweresoftlypaddlingalong，theyheardthetramplingofmanyfeetuponthebanks。Colterimmediatelygavethealarmof“Indians！“andwasforinstantretreat。Pottsscoffedathimforbeingfrightenedbythetramplingofaherdofbuffaloes。Coltercheckedhisuneasinessandpaddledforward。
Theyhadnotgonemuchfurtherwhenfrightfulwhoopsandyellsburstforthfromeachsideoftheriver，andseveralhundredIndiansappearedoneitherbank。Signsweremadetotheunfortunatetrapperstocomeonshore。Theywereobligedtocomply。Beforetheycouldgetoutoftheircanoe，asavageseizedtheriflebelongingtoPotts。Coltersprangonshore，wrestledtheweaponfromthehandsoftheIndian，andrestoredittohiscompanion，whowasstillinthecanoe，andimmediatelypushedintothestream。Therewasthesharptwangofabow，andPottscriedoutthathewaswounded。Colterurgedhimtocomeonshoreandsubmit，ashisonlychanceforlife;buttheotherknewtherewasnoprospectofmercy，anddeterminedtodiegame。Levelinghisrifle，heshotoneofthesavagesdeadonthespot。Thenextmomenthefellhimself，piercedwithinnumerablearrows。
ThevengeanceofthesavagesnowturneduponColter。Hewasstrippednaked，and，havingsomeknowledgeoftheBlackfootlanguage，overheardaconsultationastothemodeofdespatchinghim，soastoderivethegreatestamusementfromhisdeath。Somewereforsettinghimupasamark，andhavingatrialofskillathisexpense。Thechief，however，wasfornoblersport。HeseizedColterbytheshoulder，anddemandedifhecouldrunfast。TheunfortunatetrapperwastoowellacquaintedwithIndiancustomsnottocomprehendthedriftofthequestion。Heknewhewastorunforhislife，tofurnishakindofhumanhunttohispersecutors。Thoughinrealityhewasnotedamonghisbrotherhuntersforswiftnessoffoot，heassuredthechiefthathewasaverybadrunner。Hisstratagemgainedhimsomevantageground。Hewasledbythechiefintotheprairie，aboutfourhundredyardsfromthemainbodyofsavages，andthenturnedloosetosavehimselfifhecould。Atremendousyelllethimknowthatthewholepackofbloodhoundswereoffinfullcry。Colterflewratherthanran;hewasastonishedathisownspeed;buthehadsixmilesofprairietotraversebeforeheshouldreachtheJeffersonForkoftheMissouri;howcouldhehopetoholdoutsuchadistancewiththefearfuloddsofseveralhundredtooneagainsthim！Theplain，too，aboundedwiththepricklypear，whichwoundedhisnakedfeet。Stillhefledon，dreadingeachmomenttohearthetwangofabow，andtofeelanarrowquiveringathisheart。Hedidnotevendaretolookround，lestheshouldloseaninchofthatdistanceonwhichhislifedepended。Hehadrunnearlyhalfwayacrosstheplainwhenthesoundofpursuitgrewsomewhatfainter，andheventuredtoturnhishead。Themainbodyofhispursuerswereaconsiderabledistancebehind;severalofthefastestrunnerswerescatteredintheadvance;whileaswift-footedwarrior，armedwithaspear，wasnotmorethanahundredyardsbehindhim。
Inspiredwithnewhope，Colterredoubledhisexertions，butstrainedhimselftosuchadegree，thatthebloodgushedfromhismouthandnostrils，andstreameddownhisbreast。Hearrivedwithinamileoftheriver。Thesoundoffootstepsgathereduponhim。Aglancebehindshowedhispursuerwithintwentyyards，andpreparingtolaunchhisspear。Stoppingshortheturnedroundandspreadouthisarms。Thesavage，confoundedbythissuddenaction，attemptedtostopandhurlhisspear，butfellintheveryact。Hisspearstuckintheground，andtheshaftbrokeinhishand。Colterpluckedupthepointedpart，pinnedthesavagetotheearth，andcontinuedhisflight。TheIndians，astheyarrivedattheirslaughteredcompanion，stoppedtohowloverhim。
Coltermadethemostofthispreciousdelay，gainedtheskirtofcotton-woodborderingtheriver，dashedthroughit，andplungedintothestream。Heswamtoaneighboringisland，againsttheupperendofwhichthedriftwoodhadlodgedinsuchquantitiesastoformanaturalraft;underthishedived，andswambelowwateruntilhesucceededingettingabreathingplacebetweenthefloatingtrunksoftrees，whosebranchesandbushesformedacovertseveralfeetabovethelevelofthewater。Hehadscarcelydrawnbreathafterallhistoils，whenheheardhispursuersontheriverbank，whoopingandyellinglikesomanyfiends。Theyplungedintheriver，andswamtotheraft。TheheartofColteralmostdiedwithinhimashesawthem，throughthechinksofhisconcealment，passingandrepassing，andseekingforhiminalldirections。Theyatlengthgaveupthesearch，andhebegantorejoiceinhisescape，whentheideapresenteditselfthattheymightsettheraftonfire。Herewasanewsourceofhorribleapprehension，inwhichheremaineduntilnightfall。FortunatelytheideadidnotsuggestitselftotheIndians。Assoonasitwasdark，findingbythesilencearoundthathispursuershaddeparted，Colterdivedagainandcameupbeyondtheraft。Hethenswamsilentlydowntheriverforaconsiderabledistance，whenhelanded，andkeptonallnight，togetasfaraspossiblefromthisdangerousneighborhood。
Bydaybreakhehadgainedsufficientdistancetorelievehimfromtheterrorsofhissavagefoes;butnownewsourcesofinquietudepresentedthemselves。Hewasnakedandalone，inthemidstofanunboundedwilderness;hisonlychancewastoreachatradingpostoftheMissouriCompany，situatedonabranchoftheYellowstoneRiver。Evenshouldheeludehispursuers，daysmustelapsebeforehecouldreachthispost，duringwhichhemusttraverseimmenseprairiesdestituteofshade，hisnakedbodyexposedtotheburningheatofthesunbyday，andthedewsandchillsofthenightseason，andhisfeetlaceratedbythethornsofthepricklypear。Thoughhemightseegameinabundancearoundhim，hehadnomeansofkillinganyforhissustenance，andmustdependforfoodupontherootsoftheearth。Indefianceofthesedifficultieshepushedresolutelyforward，guidinghimselfinhistracklesscoursebythosesignsandindicationsknownonlytoIndiansandbackwoodsmen;andafterbravingdangersandhardshipsenoughtobreakdownanyspiritbutthatofawesternpioneer，arrivedsafeatthesolitarypostinquestion。*(*Bradbury，TravelsinAmerica，p。17。)
SuchisasampleoftheruggedexperiencewhichColterhadtorelateofsavagelife;yet，withalltheseperilsandterrorsfreshinhisrecollection，hecouldnotseethepresentbandontheirwaytothoseregionsofdangerandadventure，withoutfeelingavehementimpulsetojointhem。Awesterntrapperislikeasailor;pasthazardsonlystimulatehimtofurtherrisks。
Thevastprairieistotheonewhattheoceanistotheother，aboundlessfieldofenterpriseandexploit。Howeverhemayhavesufferedinhislastcruise，heisalwaysreadytojoinanewexpedition;andthemoreadventurousitsnature，themoreattractiveisittohisvagrantspirit。
NothingseemstohavekeptColterfromcontinuingwiththepartytotheshoresofthePacificbutthecircumstancesofhishavingrecentlymarried。Allthemorninghekeptwiththem，balancinginhismindthecharmsofhisbrideagainstthoseoftheRockyMountains;theformer，however，prevailed，andafteramarchofseveralmiles，hetookareluctantleaveofthetravellers，andturnedhisfacehomeward。
ContinuingtheirprogressuptheMissouri，thepartyencampedontheeveningofthe21stofMarch，intheneighborhoodofalittlefrontiervillageofFrenchcreoles。HerePierreDorionmetwithsomeofhisoldcomrades，withwhomhehadalonggossip，andreturnedtothecampwithrumorsofbloodyfeudsbetweentheOsagesandtheloways，orAyaways，Potowatomies，Sioux，andSawkees。Bloodhadalreadybeenshed，andscalpsbeentaken。A
warparty，threehundredstrong，wereprowlingintheneighborhood;othersmightbemetwithhigheruptheriver;itbehoovedthetravellers，therefore，tobeupontheirguardagainstrobberyorsurprise，foranIndianwar-partyonthemarchispronetoactsofoutrage。
Inconsequenceofthisreport，whichwassubsequentlyconfirmedbyfurtherintelligence，aguardwaskeptupatnightroundtheencampment，andtheyallsleptontheirarms。Astheyweresixteeninnumber，andwellsuppliedwithweaponsandammunition，theytrustedtobeabletogiveanymaraudingpartyawarmreception。Nothingoccurred，however，tomolestthemontheirvoyage，andonthe8thofApriltheycameinsightofFortOsage。
Ontheirapproachtheflagwashoistedonthefort，andtheysaluteditbyadischargeoffire-arms。WithinashortdistanceofthefortwasanOsagevillage，theinhabitantsofwhich，men，women，andchildren，throngeddowntothewatersidetowitnesstheirlanding。OneofthefirstpersonstheymetontheriverbankwasMr。Crooks，whohadcomedowninaboat，withninemen，fromtheirwinterencampmentatNodowatomeetthem。
TheyremainedatFortOsageapartofthreedays，duringwhichtheywerehospitablyentertainedatthegarrisonbyLieutenantBrownson，whoheldatemporarycommand。Theywereregaledalsowithawar-feastatthevillage;theOsagewarriorshavingreturnedfromasuccessfulforayagainsttheloways，inwhichtheyhadtakensevenscalps。Theywereparadedonpolesaboutthevillage，followedbythewarriorsdeckedoutinalltheirsavageornaments，andhideouslypaintedasifforbattle。
BytheOsagewarriors，Mr。Huntandhiscompanionswereagainwarnedtobeontheirguardinascendingtheriver，astheSiouxtribemeanttolayinwaitandattackthem。
Onthe10thofApriltheyagainembarkedtheirparty，beingnowaugmentedtotwenty-six，bytheadditionofMr。Crooksandhisboat’screw。Theyhadnotproceededfar，however，whentherewasagreatoutcryfromoneoftheboats;itwasoccasionedbyalittledomesticdisciplineintheDorionfamily。Thesquawoftheworthyinterpreter，itappeared，hadbeensodelightedwiththescalp-dance，andotherfestivitiesoftheOsagevillage，thatshehadtakenastronginclinationtoremainthere。Thishadbeenasstronglyopposedbyherliegelord，whohadcompelledhertoembark。Thegooddamehadremainedsulkyeversince，whereuponPierre，seeingnoothermodeofexorcisingtheevilspiritoutofher，andbeing，perhaps，alittleinspiredbywhiskey，hadresortedtotheIndianremedyofthecudgel，andbeforehisneighborscouldinterfere，hadbelaboredhersosoundly，thatthereisnorecordofherhavingshownanyrefractorysymptomsthroughouttheremainderoftheexpedition。
Foraweektheycontinuedtheirvoyage，exposedtoalmostincessantrains。Thebodiesofdrownedbuffaloesfloatedpasttheminvastnumbers;manyhaddriftedupontheshore，oragainsttheupperendsoftheraftsandislands。Thesehadattractedgreatflightsofturkey-buzzards;somewerebanquetingonthecarcasses，othersweresoaringfaraloftinthesky，andotherswereperchedonthetrees，withtheirbackstothesun，andtheirwingsstretchedouttodry，likesomanyvesselsinharbor，spreadingtheirsailsafterashower。
Theturkey-buzzard(vulturaura，orgoldenvulture)，whenonthewing，isoneofthemostspeciousandimposingofbirds。Itsflightintheupperregionsoftheairisreallysublime，extendingitsimmensewings，andwheelingslowlyandmajesticallytoandfro，seeminglywithoutexertingamuscleorflutteringafeather，butmovingbymerevolition，andsailingonthebosomoftheair，asashipupontheocean。Usurpingtheempyrealrealmoftheeagle，heassumesforatimetheportanddignityofthatmajesticbird，andoftenismistakenforhimbyignorantcrawlersupontheearth。Itisonlywhenhedescendsfromthecloudstopounceuponcarrionthathebetrayshislowpropensities，andrevealshiscaitiffcharacter。Nearathandheisadisgustingbird，raggedinplumage，baseinaspect，andofloathsomeodor。
Onthe17thofAprilMr。HuntarrivedwithhispartyatthestationneartheNodowaRiver，wherethemainbodyhadbeenquarteredduringthewinter。
CHAPTERXVI。
ReturnofSpring-AppearanceofSnakes-GreatFlightsofWildPigeons-RenewaloftheVoyage-NightEncampments-PlatteRiver-CeremonialsonPassingIt-SignsofIndianWarParties-MagnificentProspectatPapillionCreek-DesertionofTwoHunters。AnIrruptionIntotheCampofIndianDesperadoes-
VillageoftheOmahas-AnecdotesoftheTribe-FeudalWarsoftheIndians-StoryofBlackbird，theFamousOmahaChief。
THEweathercontinuedrainyandungenialforsomedaysafterMr。
Hunt’sreturntoNodowa;yetspringwasrapidlyadvancingandvegetationwasputtingforthwithallitsearlyfreshnessandbeauty。Thesnakesbegantorecoverfromtheirtorporandcrawlforthintoday;andtheneighborhoodofthewinteringhouseseemstohavebeenmuchinfestedwiththem。Mr。Bradbury，inthecourseofhisbotanicalresearches，foundasurprisingnumberinahalftorpidstate，underflatstonesuponthebankswhichoverhungthecantonment，andnarrowlyescapedbeingstruckbyarattlesnake，whichdartedathimfromacleftintherock，butfortunatelygavehimwarningbyhisrattle。
Thepigeons，too，werefillingthewoodsinvastmigratoryflocks。Itisalmostincredibletodescribetheprodigiousflightsofthesebirdsinthewesternwildernesses。Theyappearabsolutelyinclouds，andmovewithastonishingvelocity，theirwingsmakingawhistlingsoundastheyfly。Therapidevolutionsoftheseflockswheelingandshiftingsuddenlyasifwithonemindandoneimpulse;theflashingchangesofcolortheypresent，astheirbacks’theirbreasts，ortheunderpartoftheirwingsareturnedtothespectator，aresingularlypleasing。Whentheyalight，ifontheground，theycoverwholeacresatatime;ifupontrees，thebranchesoftenbreakbeneaththeirweight。Ifsuddenlystartledwhilefeedinginthemidstofaforest，thenoisetheymakeingettingonthewingisliketheroarofacataractorthesoundofdistantthunder。
Aflightofthiskind，likeanEgyptianflightoflocusts，devourseverythingthatservesforitsfoodasitpassesalong。
SogreatwerethenumbersinthevicinityofthecampthatMr。
Bradbury，inthecourseofamorning’sexcursion，shotnearlythreehundredwithafowling-piece。Hegivesacurious，thoughapparentlyafaithful，accountofthekindofdisciplineobservedintheseimmenseflocks，sothateachmayhaveachanceofpickingupfood。Asthefrontranksmustmeetwiththegreatestabundance，andtherearranksmusthavescantypickings，theinstantarankfindsitselfthehindmost，itrisesintheair，fliesoverthewholeflockandtakesitsplaceintheadvance。
Thenextrankfollowsinitscourse，andthusthelastiscontinuallybecomingfirstandallbyturnshaveafrontplaceatthebanquet。
Therainshavingatlengthsubsided，Mr。HuntbrokeuptheencampmentandresumedhiscourseuptheMissouri。
Thepartynowconsistedofnearlysixtypersons，ofwhomfivewerepartners，one，JohnReed，wasaclerk;fortywereCanadian“voyageurs。”or“engages。”andtherewereseveralhunters。Theyembarkedinfourboats，oneofwhichwasofalargesize，mountingaswivel，andtwohowitzers。Allwerefurnishedwithmastsandsails，tobeusedwhenthewindwassufficientlyfavorableandstrongtooverpowerthecurrentoftheriver。Suchwasthecaseforthefirstfourorfivedays，whentheywerewaftedsteadilyupthestreambyastrongsoutheaster。
Theirencampmentsatnightwereoftenpleasantandpicturesque:
onsomebeautifulbank，beneathspreadingtrees，whichaffordedthemshelterandfuel。Thetentswerepitched，thefiresmade，andthemealspreparedbythevoyageurs，andmanyastorywastold，andjokepassed，andsongsungroundtheeveningfire。All，however，wereasleepatanearlyhour。Someunderthetents，otherswrappedinblanketsbeforethefire，orbeneaththetrees;
andsomefewintheboatsandcanoes。
Onthe28th，theybreakfastedononeoftheislandswhichlieatthemouthoftheNebraskaorPlatteRiver-thelargesttributaryoftheMissouri，andaboutsixhundredmilesaboveitsconfluencewiththeMississippi。Thisbroadbutshallowstreamflowsforanimmensedistancethroughawideandverdantvalleyscoopedoutofboundlessprairies。Itdrawsitsmainsupplies，byseveralforksorbranches，fromtheRockyMountains。ThemouthofthisriverisestablishedasthedividingpointbetweentheupperandlowerMissouri;andtheearliervoyagers，intheirtoilsomeascent，beforetheintroductionofsteamboats，consideredone-halfoftheirlaborsaccomplishedwhentheyreachedthisplace。ThepassingofthemouthoftheNebraska，therefore，wasequivalentamongboatmentothecrossingofthelineamongsailors，andwascelebratedwithlikeceremonialsofaroughandwaggishnature，practicedupontheuninitiated;amongwhichwastheoldnauticaljokeofshaving。Theriverdeities，however，likethoseofthesea，weretobepropitiatedbyabribe，andtheinflictionoftheserudehonorstobeparriedbyatreattotheadepts。
AtthemouthoftheNebraskanewsignsweremetwithofwarpartieswhichhadrecentlybeeninthevicinity。Therewastheframeofaskincanoe，inwhichthewarriorshadtraversedtheriver。Atnight，also，theluridreflectionofimmensefireshunginthesky，showingtheconflagrationofgreattractsoftheprairies。Suchfiresnotbeingmadebyhunterssolateintheseason，itwassupposedtheywerecausedbysomewanderingwarparties。Theseoftentaketheprecautiontosettheprairiesonfirebehindthemtoconcealtheirtracesfromtheirenemies。Thisischieflydonewhenthepartyhasbeenunsuccessful，andisontheretreatandapprehensiveofpursuit。Atsuchtimeitisnotsafeevenforfriendstofallinwiththem，astheyareapttobeinsavagehumor，anddisposedtoventtheirspleenincapriciousoutrage。Thesesigns，therefore，ofabandofmaraudersontheprowl，calledforsomedegreeofvigilanceonthepartofthetravellers。
AfterpassingtheNebraska，thepartyhaltedforpartoftwodaysonthebankoftheriver，alittleabovePapillionCreek，tosupplythemselveswithastockofoarsandpolesfromthetoughwoodoftheash，whichisnotmetwithhigheruptheMissouri。
Whilethevoyagerswerethusoccupied，thenaturalistsrambledovertheadjacentcountrytocollectplants。Fromthesummitofarangeofbluffsontheoppositesideoftheriver，abouttwohundredandfiftyfeethigh，theyhadoneofthosevastandmagnificentprospectswhichsometimesunfoldthemselvesinthoseboundlessregions。BelowthemwastheValleyoftheMissouri，aboutsevenmilesinbreadth，cladinthefreshverdureofspring;enameledwithflowersandinterspersedwithclumpsandgrovesofnobletrees，betweenwhichthemightyriverpoureditsturbulentandturbidstream。Theinteriorofthecountrypresentedasingularscene;theimmensewastebeingbrokenupbyinnumerablegreenhills，notaboveeightfeetinheight，butextremelysteep，andactuallypointedattheirsummits。AlonglineofbluffsextendedforupwardsofthirtymilesparalleltotheMissouri，withashallowlakestretchingalongtheirbase，whichhadevidentlyonceformedabedoftheriver。Thesurfaceofthislakewascoveredwithaquaticplants，onthebroadleavesofwhichnumbersofwater-snakes，drawnforthbythegenialwarmthofspring，werebaskinginthesunshine。
Onthe2ddayofMay，attheusualhourofembarking，thecampwasthrownintosomeconfusionbytwoofthehunters，namedHarrington，expressingtheirintentiontoabandontheexpeditionandreturnhome。Oneofthesehadjoinedthepartyintheprecedingautumn，havingbeenhuntingfortwoyearsontheMissouri;theotherhadengagedatSt。Louis，inthefollowingMarch，andhadcomeupfromthencewithMr。Hunt。Henowdeclaredthathehadenlistedmerelyforthepurposeoffollowinghisbrother，andpersuadinghimtoreturn;havingbeenenjoinedtodosobyhismother，whoseanxietyhadbeenawakenedbytheideaofhisgoingonsuchawildanddistantexpedition。
Thelossoftwostarkhuntersandprimeriflemenwasaseriousaffairtotheparty，fortheywereapproachingtheregionwheretheymightexpecthostilitiesfromtheSioux;indeed，throughoutthewholeoftheirperilousjourney，theservicesofsuchmenwouldbeallimportant，forlittlereliancewastobeplaceduponthevaloroftheCanadiansincaseofattack。Mr。Huntendeavoredbyarguments，expostulations，andentreaties，toshakethedeterminationofthetwobrothers。HerepresentedtothemthattheywerebetweensixandsevenhundredmilesabovethemouthoftheMissouri;thattheywouldhavefourhundredmilestogobeforetheycouldreachthehabitationofawhiteman，throughoutwhichtheywouldbeexposedtoallkindsofrisks;since，hedeclared，iftheypersistedinabandoninghimandbreakingtheirfaith，hewouldnotfurnishthemwithasingleroundofammunition。Allwasinvain;theyobstinatelypersistedintheirresolution;whereupon，Mr。Hunt，partlyincitedbyindignation，partlybythepolicyofdeterringothersfromdesertion，puthisthreatintoexecution，andleftthemtofindtheirwaybacktothesettlementswithout，ashesupposed，asinglebulletorchargeofpowder。
Theboatsnowcontinuedtheirslowandtoilsomecourseforseveraldays，againstthecurrentoftheriver。Thelatesignsofroamingwarpartiescausedavigilantwatchtobekeptupatnightwhenthecrewsencampedonshore;norwasthisvigilancesuperfluous;foronthenightoftheseventhinstant，therewasawildandfearfulyell，andelevenSiouxwarriors，starknaked，withtomahawksintheirhands，rushedintothecamp。Theywereinstantlysurroundedandseized，whereupontheirleadercalledouttohisfollowerstodesistfromanyviolence，andpretendedtobeperfectlypacificinhisintentions。Itproved，however，thattheywereapartofthewarparty，theskeletonofwhosecanoehadbeenseenatthemouthoftheriverPlatte，andthereflectionofwhosefireshadbeendescriedintheair。Theyhadbeendisappointedordefeatedintheforay，andintheirrageandmortificationtheseelevenwarriorshad“devotedtheirclothestothemedicine。”ThisisadesperateactofIndianbraveswhenfoiledinwar，andindreadofscoffsandsneers。Insuchcasetheysometimesthrewofftheirclothesandornaments，devotethemselvestotheGreatSpirit，andattemptsomerecklessexploitwithwhichtocovertheirdisgrace。Woetoanydefenselesspartyofwhitementhatmaythenfallintheirway！
SuchwastheexplanationgivenbyPierreDorion，thehalf-breedinterpreter，ofthiswildintrusionintothecamp;andthepartyweresoexasperatedwhenappraisedofthesanguinaryintentionsoftheprisoners，thattheywereforshootingthemonthespot。
Mr。Hunt，however，exertedhisusualmoderationandhumanity，andorderedthattheyshouldbeconveyedacrosstheriverinoneoftheboats，threateningthemhowever，withcertaindeathifagaincaughtinanyhostileact。
Onthe10thofMaythepartyarrivedattheOmaha(pronouncedOmawhaw)village，abouteighthundredandthirtymilesabovethemouthoftheMissouri，andencampedinitsneighborhood。Thevillagewassituatedunderahillonthebankoftheriver，andconsistedofabouteightylodges。Thesewereofacircularandconicalform，andaboutsixteenfeetindiameter;beingmeretentsofdressedbuffaloskins，sewedtogetherandstretchedonlongpoles，inclinedtowardseachothersoastocrossatabouthalftheirheight。Thusthenakedtopsofthepolesdivergeinsuchamannerthat，iftheywerecoveredwithskinslikethelowerends，thetentwouldbeshapedlikeanhour-glass，andpresenttheappearanceofoneconeinvertedontheapexofanother。
TheformsofIndianlodgesareworthyofattention，eachtribehavingadifferentmodeofshapingandarrangingthem，sothatitiseasytotell，onseeingalodgeoranencampmentatadistance，towhattribetheinhabitantsbelong。TheexterioroftheOmahalodgeshaveoftenagayandfancifulappearance，beingpaintedwithundulatingbandsofredoryellow，ordecoratedwithrudefiguresofhorses，deer，andbuffaloes，andwithhumanfaces，paintedlikefullmoons，fourandfivefeetbroad。
TheOmahaswereonceoneofthenumerousandpowerfultribesoftheprairies，vyinginwarlikemightandprowesswiththeSioux，thePawnees，theSauks，theKonsas，andtheIatans。TheirwarswiththeSioux，however，hadthinnedtheirranks，andthesmall-
poxin1802hadsweptofftwothirdsoftheirnumber。AtthetimeofMr。Hunt’svisittheystillboastedabouttwohundredwarriorsandhunters，buttheyarenowfastmeltingaway，andbeforelong，willbenumberedamongthoseextinguishednationsofthewestthatexistbutintradition。
InhiscorrespondencewithMr。Astor，fromthispointofhisjourney，Mr。HuntgivesasadaccountoftheIndiantribesborderingontheriver。Theywereincontinualwarwitheachother，andtheirwarswereofthemostharassingkind;
consisting，notmerelyofmainconflictsandexpeditionsofmoment，involvingthesackings，burnings，andmassacresoftownsandvillages，butofindividualactsoftreachery，murder，andcold-bloodedcruelty;orofvauntingandfoolhardyexploitsofsinglewarriors，eithertoavengesomepersonalwrong，orgainthevainglorioustrophyofascalp。Thelonelyhunter，thewanderingwayfarer，thepoorsquawcuttingwoodorgatheringcorn，wasliabletobesurprisedandslaughtered。Inthiswaytribeswereeithersweptawayatonce，orgraduallythinnedout，andsavagelifewassurroundedwithconstanthorrorsandalarms。
Thattheraceofredmenshoulddiminishfromyeartoyear，andsofewshouldsurviveofthenumerousnationswhichevidentlyoncepeopledthevastregionsofthewest，isnothingsurprising;
itisrathermatterofsurprisethatsomanyshouldsurvive;fortheexistenceofasavageinthesepartsseemslittlebetterthanaprolongedandall-besettingdeath。Itis，infact，acaricatureoftheboastedromanceoffeudaltimes;chivalryinitsnativeandunculturedstate，andknight-errantryrunwild。
Intheirmostprosperousdays，theOmahaslookeduponthemselvesasthemostpowerfulandperfectofhumanbeings，andconsideredallcreatedthingsasmadefortheirpeculiaruseandbenefit。Itisthistribeofwhosechief，thefamousWash-ing-guhsah-ba，orBlackbird，suchsavageandromanticstoriesaretold。HehaddiedabouttenyearsprevioustothearrivalofMr。Hunt’sparty，buthisnamewasstillmentionedwithawebyhispeople。HewasoneofthefirstamongtheIndianchiefsontheMissouritodealwiththewhitetraders，andshowedgreatsagacityinlevyinghisroyaldues。Whenatraderarrivedinhisvillage，hecausedallhisgoodstobebroughtintohislodgeandopened。Fromtheseheselectedwhateversuitedhissovereignpleasure;blankets，tobacco，whiskey，powder，ball，beads，andredpaint;andlaidthearticlesononeside，withoutdeigningtogiveanycompensation。Thencallingtohimhisheraldorcrier，hewouldorderhimtomountontopofthelodgeandsummonallthetribetobringintheirpeltries，andtradewiththewhiteman。ThelodgewouldsoonbecrowdedwithIndiansbringingbear，beaver，otter，andotherskins。Noonewasallowedtodisputethepricesfixedbythewhitetraderuponhisarticles;whotookcaretoindemnifyhimselffivetimesoverforthegoodssetapartbythechief。InthiswaytheBlackbirdenrichedhimself，andenrichedthewhitemen，andbecameexceedinglypopularamongthetradersoftheMissouri。Hispeople，however，werenotequallysatisfiedbyaregulationoftradewhichworkedsomanifestlyagainstthem，andbegantoshowsignsofdiscontent。UponthisacraftyandunprincipledtraderrevealedasecrettotheBlackbird，bywhichhemightacquireunboundedswayoverhisignorantandsuperstitioussubjects。Heinstructedhiminthepoisonousqualitiesofarsenic，andfurnishedhimwithanamplesupplyofthatbanefuldrug。FromthistimetheBlackbirdseemedendowedwithsupernaturalpowers，topossessthegiftofprophecy，andtoholdthedisposaloflifeanddeathwithinhishands。Woetoanyonewhoquestionedhisauthorityordaredtodisputehiscommands！TheBlackbirdprophesiedhisdeathwithinacertaintime，andhehadthesecretmeansofverifyinghisprophecy。
Withinthefatedperiodtheoffenderwassmittenwithstrangeandsuddendisease，andperishedfromthefaceoftheearth。Everyonestoodaghastatthesemultipliedexamplesofhissuperhumanmight，anddreadedtodispleasesoomnipotentandvindictiveabeing;andtheBlackbirdenjoyedawideandundisputedsway。
Itwasnot，however，byterroralonethatheruledhispeople;hewasawarriorofthefirstorder，andhisexploitsinarmswerethethemeofyoungandold。Hiscareerhadbegunbyhardships，havingbeentakenprisonerbytheSioux，inearlyyouth。Underhiscommand，theOmahasobtainedgreatcharacterformilitaryprowess，nordidhepermitaninsultoraninjurytooneofhistribetopassunrevenged。ThePawneerepublicanshadinflictedagrossindignityonafavoriteanddistinguishedOmahabrave。TheBlackbirdassembledhiswarriors，ledthemagainstthePawneetown，attackeditwithirresistiblefury，slaughteredagreatnumberofitsinhabitants，andburntittotheground。HewagedfierceandbloodywaragainsttheOttoesformanyyears，untilpeacewaseffectedbetweenthembythemediationofthewhites。
Fearlessinbattle，andfondofsignalizinghimself，hedazzledhisfollowersbydaringacts。InattackingaKanzavillage，herodesinglyroundit，loadinganddischarginghisrifleattheinhabitantsashegallopedpastthem。Hekeptupinwarthesameideaofmysteriousandsupernaturalpower。Atonetime，whenpursuingawarpartybytheirtracksacrosstheprairies，herepeatedlydischargedhisrifleintotheprintsmadebytheirfeetandbythehoofsoftheirhorses，assuringhisfollowersthathewouldtherebycripplethefugitives，sothattheywouldeasilybeovertaken。Heinfactdidovertakethem，anddestroyedthemalmosttoaman;andhisvictorywasconsideredmiraculous，bothbyfriendsandfoe。Bytheseandsimilarexploits，hemadehimselftheprideandboastofhispeople，andbecamepopularamongthem，notwithstandinghisdeath-denouncingfiat。
Withallhissavageandterrificqualities，hewassensibleofthepoweroffemalebeauty，andcapableoflove。AwarpartyofthePoncashadmadeaforayintothelandsoftheOmahas，andcarriedoffanumberofwomenandhorses。TheBlackbirdwasrousedtofury，andtookthefieldwithallhisbraves，swearingto“eatupthePoncanation“-theIndianthreatofexterminatingwar。ThePoncas，sorelypressed，tookrefugebehindarudebulwarkofearth;buttheBlackbirdkeptupsogallingafire，thatheseemedlikelytoexecutehismenace。Intheirextremitytheysentforthaherald，bearingthecalumetorpipeofpeace，buthewasshotdownbyorderoftheBlackbird。Anotherheraldwassentforthinsimilarguise，buthesharedalikefate。ThePoncachiefthen，asalasthope，arrayedhisbeautifuldaughterinherfinestornaments，andsentherforthwithacalumet，tosueforpeace。ThecharmsoftheIndianmaidtouchedthesternheartoftheBlackbird;heacceptedthepipeatherhand，smokedit，andfromthattimeapeacetookplacebetweenthePoncasandtheOmahas。
Thisbeautifuldamsel，inallprobability，wasthefavoritewifewhosefatemakessotragicanincidentinthestoryoftheBlackbird。Heryouthandbeautyhadgainedanabsoluteswayoverhisruggedheart，sothathedistinguishedheraboveallofhisotherwives。Thehabitualgratificationofhisvindictiveimpulses，however，hadtakenawayfromhimallmasteryoverhispassions，andrenderedhimliabletothemostfurioustransportsofrage。Inoneofthesehisbeautifulwifehadthemisfortunetooffendhim，whensuddenlydrawinghisknife，helaidherdeadathisfeetwithasingleblow。
Inaninstanthisfrenzywasatanend。Hegazedforatimeinmutebewildermentuponhisvictim;thendrawinghisbuffalorobeoverhishead，hesatdownbesidethecorpse，andremainedbroodingoverhiscrimeandhisloss。Threedayselapsed，yetthechiefcontinuedsilentandmotionless;tastingnofood，andapparentlysleepless。Itwasapprehendedthatheintendedtostarvehimselftodeath;hispeopleapproachedhimintremblingawe，andentreatedhimoncemoretouncoverhisfaceandbecomforted;butheremainedunmoved。Atlengthoneofhiswarriorsbroughtinasmallchild，andlayingitontheground，placedthefootoftheBlackbirduponitsneck。Theheartofthegloomysavagewastouchedbythisappeal;hethrewasidehisrobe;madeanharangueuponwhathehaddone;andfromthattimeforwardseemedtohavethrowntheloadofgriefandremorsefromhismind。
Hestillretainedhisfatalandmysterioussecret，andwithithisterrificpower;but，thoughabletodealdeathtohisenemies，hecouldnotavertitfromhimselforhisfriends。In1802thesmall-pox，thatdreadfulpestilence，whichsweptoverthelandlikeafireovertheprairie，madeitsappearanceinthevillageoftheOmahas。Thepoorsavagessawwithdismaytheravagesofamalady，loathsomeandagonizinginitsdetails，andwhichsettheskillandexperienceoftheirconjurorsandmedicinemenatdefiance。Inalittlewhile，twothirdsofthepopulationweresweptfromthefaceoftheearth，andthedoomoftherestseemedsealed。Thestoicismofthewarriorswasatanend;theybecamewildanddesperate;somesetfiretothevillageasalastmeansofcheckingthepestilence;others，inafrenzyofdespair，puttheirwivesandchildrentodeath，thattheymightbesparedtheagoniesofaninevitabledisease，andthattheymightallgotosomebettercountry。
Whenthegeneralhorroranddismaywasatitsheight，theBlackbirdhimselfwasstruckdownwiththemalady。Thepoorsavages，whentheysawtheirchiefindanger，forgottheirownmiseries，andsurroundedhisdyingbed。Hisdominantspirit，andhisloveforthewhitemen，wereevincedinhislatestbreath，withwhichhedesignatedhisplaceofsepulture。Itwastobeonahillorpromontory，upwardsoffourhundredfeetinheight，overlookingagreatextentoftheMissouri，fromwhencehehadbeenaccustomedtowatchforthebarksofthewhitemen。TheMissouriwashesthebaseofthepromontory，andafterwindinganddoublinginmanylinksandmazesintheplainbelow，returnstowithinninehundredyardsofitsstarting-place;sothatforthirtymilesnavigatingwithsailandoarthevoyagerfindshimselfcontinuallyneartothissingularpromontoryasifspell-
bound。
ItwasthedyingcommandoftheBlackbirdthathistombshouldbeonthesummitofthishill，inwhichheshouldbeinterred，seatedonhisfavoritehorse，thathemightoverlookhisancientdomain，andbeholdthebarksofthewhitemenastheycameuptherivertotradewithhispeople。
Hisdyingorderswerefaithfullyobeyed。Hiscorpsewasplacedastrideofhiswar-steedandamoundraisedoverthemonthesummitofthehill。Ontopofthemoundwaserectedastaff，fromwhichflutteredthebannerofthechieftain，andthescalpsthathehadtakeninbattle。WhentheexpeditionunderMr。Huntvisitedthatpartofthecountry，thestaffstillremained，withthefragmentsofthebanner;andthesuperstitiousriteofplacingfoodfromtimetotimeonthemound，fortheuseofthedeceased，wasstillobservedbytheOmahas。Thatritehassincefallenintodisuse，forthetribeitselfisalmostextinct。YetthehilloftheBlackbirdcontinuesanobjectofvenerationtothewanderingsavage，andalandmarktothevoyageroftheMissouri;andasthecivilizedtravellercomeswithinsightofitsspell-boundcrest，themoundispointedouttohimfromafar，whichstillinclosesthegrimskeletonsoftheIndianwarriorandhishorse。
CHAPTERXVII。
RumorsofDangerFromtheSiouxTetons-RuthlessCharacterofThoseSavages-PiratesoftheMissouri-TheirAffairwithCrooksandM’Lellan-ATradingExpeditionBrokenUp-M’Lellan’sVowofVengeance-UneasinessintheCamp-Desertions-
DepartureFromtheOmahaVillage-MeetingWithJonesandCarson，twoAdventurousTrappers-ScientificPursuitsofMessrs。
BradburyandNuttall-ZealofaBotanist-AdventureofMr。
BradburywithaPoncaIndian-ExpedientofthePocketCompassandMicroscope-AMessengerFromLisa-MotivesforPressingForward。
WHILEMr。HuntandhispartyweresojourningatthevillageoftheOmahas，threeSiouxIndiansoftheYanktonAlmatribearrived，bringingunpleasantintelligence。TheyreportedthatcertainbandsoftheSiouxTetons，whoinhabitedaregionmanyleaguesfurtheruptheMissouri，werenearathand，awaitingtheapproachoftheparty，withtheavowedintentionofopposingtheirprogress。
