CHAPTERXLIII。
ActiveOperationsatAstoria-VariousExpeditionsFittedOut-
RobertStuartandaPartyDestinedforNewYork-SingularConductofJohnDay-HisFate-PiraticalPassandHazardousPortage-Rattlesnakes-TheirAbhorrenceofTobacco-ArrivalAmongtheWallah-Wallahs-PurchaseofHorses-DepartureofStuartandHisBandfortheMountains。
THEarrivaloftheBeaverwithareinforcementandsupplies，gavenewlifeandvigortoaffairsatAstoria。Theseweremeansforextendingtheoperationsoftheestablishment，andfoundinginteriortradingposts。TwopartieswereimmediatelysetonfoottoproceedseverallyunderthecommandofMessrs。M’KenzieandClarke，andestablishpostsabovetheforksoftheColumbia，atpointswheremostrivalryandoppositionwereapprehendedfromtheNorthwestCompany。
Athirdparty，headedbyMr。DavidStuart，wastorepairwithsuppliestothepostofthatgentlemanontheOakinagan。Inadditiontotheseexpeditions，afourthwasnecessarytoconveydespatchestoMr。Astor，atNewYork，inplaceofthoseunfortunatelylostbyJohnReed。Thesafeconveyanceofthesedespatcheswashighlyimportant，asbythemMr。Astorwouldreceiveanaccountofthestateofthefactory，andregulatehisreinforcementsandsuppliesaccordingly。Themissionwasoneofperilandhardshipandrequiredamanofnerveandvigor。ItwasconfidedtoRobertStuart，who，thoughhehadneverbeenacrossthemountains，andaveryyoungman，hadgivenproofsofhiscompetencytothetask。Fourtrustyandwell-triedmen，whohadcomeoverlandinMr。Hunt’sexpedition，weregivenashisguidesandhunters。ThesewereBenJonesandJohnDay，theKentuckians，andAndriVallarandFrancisLeClerc，Canadians。Mr。M’LellanagainexpressedhisdeterminationtotakethisopportunityofreturningtotheAtlanticStates。InthishewasjoinedbyMr。
Crooks，-who，notwithstandingallthathehadsufferedinthedismaljourneyoftheprecedingwinter，wasreadytoretracehisstepsandbraveeverydangerandhardship，ratherthanremainatAstoria。Thislittlehandfulofadventurousmenweproposetoaccompanyinitslongandperilousperegrinations。
Theseveralpartieswehavementionedallsetoffincompanyonthe29thofJune，underasaluteofcannonfromthefort。Theyweretokeeptogetherformutualprotectionthroughthepiraticalpassesoftheriver，andtoseparate，ontheirdifferentdestinations，attheforksoftheColumbia。Theirnumber，collectively，wasnearlysixty，consistingofpartnersandclerks，Canadianvoyageurs，SandwichIslanders，andAmericanhunters;andtheyembarkedintwobargesandtencanoes。
Theyhadscarcelygotunderway，whenJohnDay，theKentuckyhunter，becamerestlessanduneasy，andextremelywaywardinhisdeportment。Thiscausedsurprise，foringeneralhewasremarkableforhischeerful，manlydeportment。Itwassupposedthattherecollectionofpastsufferingsmightharasshismindinundertakingtoretracethesceneswheretheyhadbeenexperienced。Astheexpeditionadvanced，however，hisagitationincreased。Hebegantotalkwildlyandincoherently，andtoshowmanifestsymptomsofderangement。
Mr。CrooksnowinformedhiscompanionsthatinhisdesolatewanderingsthroughtheSnakeRivercountryduringtheprecedingwinter，inwhichhehadbeenaccompaniedbyJohnDay，thepoorfellow’switshadbeenpartiallyunsettledbythesufferingsandhorrorsthroughwhichtheyhadpassed，andhedoubtedwhethertheyhadeverbeenrestoredtoperfectsanity。Itwasstillhopedthatthisagitationofspiritsmightpassawayastheyproceeded;
but，onthecontrary，itgrewmoreandmoreviolent。Hiscomradesendeavoredtodiverthismindandtodrawhimintorationalconversation，butheonlybecamethemoreexasperated，utteringwildandincoherentravings。Thesightofanyofthenativesputhiminanabsolutefury，andhewouldheaponthemthemostopprobriousepithets;recollecting，nodoubt，whathehadsufferedfromIndianrobbers。
Ontheeveningofthe2dofJulyhebecameabsolutelyfrantic，andattemptedtodestroyhimself。Beingdisarmed，hesankintoquietude，andprofessedthegreatestremorseforthecrimehehadmeditated。Hethenpretendedtosleep，andhavingthuslulledsuspicion，suddenlysprangup，justbeforedaylight，seizedapairofloadedpistols，andendeavoredtoblowouthisbrains。Inhishurryhefiredtoohigh，andtheballspassedoverhishead。
Hewasinstantlysecuredandplacedunderaguardinoneoftheboats。Howtodisposeofhimwasnowthequestion，asitwasimpossibletokeephimwiththeexpedition。FortunatelyMr。
StuartmetwithsomeIndiansaccustomedtotradewithAstoria。
TheseundertooktoconductJohnDaybacktothefactory，anddeliverhimthereinsafety。Itwaswiththeutmostconcernthathiscomradessawthepoorfellowdepart;for，independentofhisinvaluableservicesasafirst-ratehunter，hisfrankandloyalqualitieshadmadehimauniversalfavorite。ItmaybeaswelltoaddthattheIndiansexecutedtheirtaskfaithfully，andlandedJohnDayamonghisfriendsatAstoria;buthisconstitutionwascompletelybrokenbythehardshipshehadundergone，andhediedwithinayear。
Ontheeveningofthe6thofJulythepartyarrivedatthepiraticalpassoftheriver，andencampedatthefootofthefirstrapid。Thenextday，beforethecommencementoftheportage，thegreatestprecautionsweretakentoguardagainstlurkingtreachery，oropenattack。Theweaponsofeverymanwereputinorder，andhiscartridge-boxreplenished。Eachoneworeakindofsurcoatmadeoftheskinoftheelk，reachingfromhisnecktohisknees，andansweringthepurposeofashirtofmail，foritwasarrowproof，andcouldevenresistamusketballatthedistanceofninetyyards。Thusarmedandequipped，theypostedtheirforcesinmilitarystyle。Fiveoftheofficerstooktheirstationsateachendoftheportage，whichwasbetweenthreeandfourmilesinlength;anumberofmenmountedguardatshortdistancesalongtheheightsimmediatelyoverlookingtheriver，whiletheresidue，thusprotectedfromsurprise，employedthemselvesbelowindraggingupthebargesandcanoes，andcarryingupthegoodsalongthenarrowmarginoftherapids。Withtheseprecautionstheyallpassedunmolested。Theonlyaccidentthathappenedwastheupsettingofoneofthecanoes，bywhichsomeofthegoodssunk，andothersfloateddownthestream。Thealertnessandrapacityofthehordeswhichinfesttheserapids，wereimmediatelyapparent。Theypounceduponthefloatingmerchandisewiththekeennessofregularwreckers。Abaleofgoodswhichlandedupononeoftheislandswasimmediatelyrippedopen，onehalfofitscontentsdividedamongthecaptors，andtheotherhalfsecretedinalonelyhutinadeepravine。Mr。RobertStuart，however，setoutinacanoewithfivemenandaninterpreter，ferretedoutthewreckersintheirretreat，andsucceededinwrestlingfromthemtheirbooty。
Similarprecautionstothosealreadymentioned，andtoastillgreaterextent，wereobservedinpassingtheLongNarrows，andthefalls，wheretheywouldbeexposedtothedepredationsofthechivalryofWish-ram，anditsfreebootingneighborhood。Infact，theyhadscarcelysettheirfirstwatchonenight，whenanalarmof“Indians！“wasgiven。“Toarms“wasthecry，andeverymanwasathispostinaninstant。Thealarmwasexplained;awarpartyofShoshonieshadsurprisedacanoeofthenativesjustbelowtheencampment，hadmurderedfourmenandtwowomen，anditwasapprehendedtheywouldattackthecamp。Theboatsandcanoeswereimmediatelyhauledup，abreastworkwasmadeofthemandthepackages，formingthreesidesofasquare，withtheriverintherear，andthusthepartyremainedfortifiedthroughoutthenight。
Thedawn，however，dispelledthealarm;theportagewasconductedinpeace;thevagabondwarriorsofthevicinityhoveredaboutthemwhileatwork，butwerekeptatawarydistance。Theyregardedtheloadsofmerchandisewithwistfuleyes，butseeingthe“long-beards“soformidableinnumber，andsowellpreparedforaction，theymadenoattempteitherbyopenforceorslypilferingtocollecttheirusualtoll，butmaintainedapeacefuldemeanor，andwereafterwardsrewardedfortheirgoodconductwithpresentsoftobacco。
Fifteendayswereconsumedinascendingfromthefootofthefirstrapidtotheheadofthefalls，adistanceofabouteightymiles，butfullofallkindsofobstructions。Havinghappilyaccomplishedthesedifficultportages，theparty，onthe19thofJuly，arrivedatasmootherpartoftheriver，andpursuedtheirwayupthestreamwithgreaterspeedandfacility。
TheywerenowintheneighborhoodwhereMr。CrooksandJohnDayhadbeensoperfidiouslyrobbedandstrippedafewmonthspreviously，whenconfidingintheprofferedhospitalityofaruffianband。Onlandingatnight，therefore，avigilantguardwasmaintainedaboutthecamp。OnthefollowingmorninganumberofIndiansmadetheirappearance，andcameprowlingroundthepartywhileatbreakfast。Tohisgreatdelight，Mr。Crooksrecognizedamongthemtwoofthemiscreantsbywhomhehadbeenrobbed。Theywereinstantlyseized，boundhandandfoot，andthrownintooneofthecanoes。Heretheylayindolefulfright，expectingsummaryexecution。Mr。Crooks，however，wasnotofarevengefuldisposition，andagreedtoreleasetheculpritsassoonasthepillagedpropertyshouldberestored。Severalsavagesimmediatelystartedoffindifferentdirections，andbeforenighttheriflesofCrooksandDaywereproduced;severalofthesmallerarticlespilferedfromthem，however，couldnotberecovered。
Thebandsoftheculpritswerethenremoved，andtheylostnotimeintakingtheirdeparture，stillundertheinfluenceofabjectterror，andscarcelycreditingtheirsensesthattheyhadescapedthemeritedpunishmentoftheiroffenses。
Thecountryoneachsideoftherivernowbegantoassumeadifferentcharacter。Thehills，andcliffs，andforestsdisappeared;vastsandyplains，scantilyclothedhereandtherewithshorttuftsofgrass，parchedbythesummersun，stretchedfarawaytothenorthandsouth。Theriverwasoccasionallyobstructedwithrocksandrapids，butoftenthereweresmooth，placidintervals，wherethecurrentwasgentle，andtheboatmenwereenabledtolightentheirlaborswiththeassistanceofthesail。
Thenativesinthispartoftheriverresidedentirelyonthenorthernside。Theywerehunters，aswellasfishermen，andhadhorsesinplenty。Someofthesewerepurchasedbytheparty，asprovisions，andkilledonthespot，thoughtheyoccasionallyfoundadifficultyinprocuringfuelwherewithtocookthem。Oneofthegreatestdangersthatbesetthetravellersinthispartoftheirexpedition，wasthevastnumberofrattlesnakeswhichinfestedtherocksabouttherapidsandportages，andonwhichthemenwereindangeroftreading。Theywereoftenfound，too，inquantitiesabouttheencampments。Inoneplace，anestofthemlaycoiledtogether，baskinginthesun。Severalgunsloadedwithshotweredischargedatthem，andthirty-sevenkilledandwounded。Topreventanyunwelcomevisitsfromtheminthenight，tobaccowasoccasionallystrewedaroundthetents，aweedforwhichtheyhaveaveryproperabhorrence。
Onthe28thofJulythetravellersarrivedatthemouthoftheWallah-Wallah，abright，clearstream，aboutsixfeetdeep，andfifty-fiveyardswide，whichflowsrapidlyoverabedofsandandgravel，andthrowsitselfintotheColumbia，afewmilesbelowLewisRiver。Herethecombinedpartiesthathadthusfarvoyagedtogetherweretoseparate，eachforitsparticulardestination。
OnthebanksoftheWallah-WallahlivedthehospitabletribeofthesamenamewhohadsuccoredMr。CrooksandJohnDayinthetimeoftheirextremity。Nosoonerdidtheyhearofthearrivaloftheparty，thantheyhastenedtogreetthem。Theybuiltagreatbonfireonthebankoftheriver，beforethecamp，andmenandwomendancedroundittothecadenceoftheirsongs，inwhichtheysangthepraisesofthewhitemen，andwelcomedthemtotheircountry。
Onthefollowingdayatrafficwascommenced，toprocurehorsesforsuchofthepartyasintendedtoproceedbyland。TheWallah-
Wallahsareanequestriantribe。Theequipmentsoftheirhorseswererudeandinconvenient。Highsaddles，roughlymadeofdeerskin，stuffedwithhair，whichchafethehorse’sbackandleaveitraw;woodenstirrups，withathongofrawhidewrappedroundthem;andforbridlestheyhavecordsoftwistedhorse-hair，whichtheytieroundtheunderjaw。Theyare，likemostIndians，boldbuthardriders，andwhenonhorsebackgallopaboutthemostdangerousplaces，withoutfearforthemselves，orpityfortheirsteeds。
FromthesepeopleMr。Stuartpurchasedtwentyhorsesforhisparty;someforthesaddle，andotherstotransportthebaggage。
Hewasfortunateinprocuringanobleanimalforhisownuse，whichwaspraisedbytheIndiansforitsgreatspeedandbottom，andahighpricesetuponit。Nopeopleunderstandbetterthevalueofahorsethantheseequestriantribes;andnowhereisspeedagreaterrequisite，astheyfrequentlyengageinthechaseoftheantelope，oneofthefleetestofanimals。EvenaftertheIndianwhosoldthisboastedhorsetoMr。Stuarthadconcludedhisbargain，helingeredabouttheanimal，seeminglothtopartfromhim，andtobesorryforwhathehaddone。
AdayortwowereemployedbyMr。Stuartinarrangingpackagesandpack-saddles，andmakingotherpreparationsforhislongandarduousjourney。Hisparty，bythelossofJohnDay，wasnowreducedtosix，asmallnumberforsuchanexpedition。Theywereyoungmen，however，fullofcourage，health，andgoodspirits，andstimulatedratherthanappalledbydanger。
Onthemorningofthe31stofJuly，allpreparationsbeingconcluded，Mr。Stuartandhislittlebandmountedtheirsteedsandtookafarewelloftheirfellow-travellers，whogavethemthreeheartycheersastheysetoutontheirdangerousjourney。
Thecoursetheytookwastothesoutheast，towardsthefatedregionoftheSnakeRiver。Atanimmensedistanceroseachainofcraggymountains，whichtheywouldhavetotraverse;theywerethesameamongwhichthetravellershadexperiencedsuchsufferingsfromcoldduringtheprecedingwinter，andfromtheirazuretints，whenseenatadistance，hadreceivedthenameoftheBlueMountains。
CHAPTERXLIV。
RouteofMr。Stuart-DrearyWilds-ThirstyTravelling-AGroveandStreamlet-TheBlueMountains-AFertilePlainWithRivulets-SulphurSpring-RouteAlongSnakeRiver-RumorsofWhiteMen-TheSnakeandHisHorse-ASnakeGuide-AMidnightDecampment-UnexpectedMeetingWithOldComrades-StoryofTrappers’Hardships-SalmonFalls-AGreatFishery-ModeofSpearingSalmon-ArrivalattheCaldronLinn-StateoftheCaches-NewResolutionoftheThreeKentuckyTrappers。
INretracingtheroutewhichhadprovedsodisastroustoMr。
Hunt’spartyduringtheprecedingwinter，Mr。Stuarthadtrusted，inthepresentmorefavorableseason，tofindeasytravellingandabundantsupplies。Onthesegreatwastesandwilds，however，eachseasonhasitspeculiarhardships。Thetravellershadnotproceededfar，beforetheyfoundthemselvesamongnakedandaridhills，withasoilcomposedofsandandclay，bakedandbrittle，thattoallappearancehadneverbeenvisitedbythedewsofheaven。
Notaspring，orpool，orrunningstreamwastobeseen;thesunburntcountrywasseamedandcutupbydryravines，thebedsofwintertorrents，servingonlytobalkthehopesofmanandbeastwiththesightofdustychannels，wherewaterhadoncepouredalonginfloods。
Foralongsummerdaytheycontinuedonwardwithouthalting，aburningskyabovetheirheads，aparcheddesertbeneaththeirfeet，withjustwindenoughtoraisethelightsandfromtheknolls，andenveloptheminstiflingclouds。Thesufferingsfromthirstbecameintense;afineyoungdog，theironlycompanionofthekind，gaveout，andexpired。Eveningdrewonwithoutanyprospectofrelief，andtheywerealmostreducedtodespair，whentheydescriedsomethingthatlookedlikeafringeofforestalongthehorizon。Allwereinspiredwithnewhope，fortheyknewthatonthesearidwastes，intheneighborhoodoftrees，thereisalwayswater。
Theynowquickenedtheirpace;thehorsesseemedtounderstandtheirmotives，andtopartakeoftheiranticipations;for，thoughbeforealmostreadytogiveout，theynowrequiredneitherwhipnorspur。Withalltheirexertions，itwaslateinthenightbeforetheydrewneartothetrees。Astheyapproached，theyheard，withtransport，theripplingofashallowstream。Nosoonerdidtherefreshingsoundreachtheearsofthehorse，thanthepooranimalssnuffedtheair，rushedforwardwithungovernableeagerness，andplungingtheirmuzzlesintothewater，drankuntiltheyseemedindangerofbursting。Theirridershadbutlittlemorediscretion，andrequiredrepeateddraughtstoquenchtheirexcessivethirst。Theirwearymarchthatdayhadbeenforty-fivemiles，overatractthatmightrivalthedesertsofAfricaforaridity。Indeed，thesufferingsofthetravellerontheseAmericandesertsisfrequentlymoreseverethaninthewastesofAfricaorAsia，frombeinglesshabituatedandpreparedtocopewiththem。
Onthebanksofthisblessedstreamthetravellersencampedforthenight;andsogreathadbeentheirfatigue，andsosoundandsweetwastheirsleep，thatitwasalatehourthenextmorningbeforetheyawoke。TheynowrecognizedthelittlerivertobetheUmatilla，thesameonthebanksofwhichMr。HuntandhisfollowershadarrivedaftertheirpainfulstrugglethroughtheBlueMountains，andexperiencedsuchakindreliefinthefriendlycampoftheSciatogas。
ThatrangeofBlueMountainsnowextendedinthedistancebeforethem;theywerethesameamongwhichpoorMichaelCarrierehadperished。TheyformthesoutheastboundaryofthegreatplainsalongtheColumbia，dividingthewatersofitsmainstreamfromthoseofLewisRiver。Theyare，infact，apartofalongchain，whichstretchesoveragreatextentofcountry，andincludesinitslinkstheSnakeRiverMountains。
ThedaywassomewhatadvancedbeforethetravellerslefttheshadybanksoftheUmatilla。TheirroutegraduallytookthemamongtheBlueMountains，whichassumedthemostruggedaspectonanearapproach。Theywereshaggedwithdenseandgloomyforests，andcutupbydeepandprecipitousravines，extremelytoilsometothehorses。Sometimesthetravellershadtofollowthecourseofsomebrawlingstream，withabroken，rockybed，whichtheshoulderingcliffsandpromontoriesoneithersideobligedthemfrequentlytocrossandrecross。Forsomemilestheystruggledforwardthroughthesesavageanddarklywoodeddefiles，whenallatoncethewholelandscapechanged，asifbymagic。Therudemountainsandruggedravinessoftenedintobeautifulhills，andinterveningmeadows，withrivuletswindingthroughfreshherbage，andsparklingandmurmuringovergravellybeds，thewholeformingaverdantandpastoralscene，whichderivedadditionalcharmsfrombeinglockedupinthebosomofsuchahard-heartedregion。
EmergingfromthechainofBlueMountains，theydescendeduponavastplain，almostadeadlevel，sixtymilesincircumference，Ofexcellentsoil，withfinestreamsmeanderingthroughitineverydirection，theircoursesmarkedoutinthewidelandscapebyserpentinelinesofcotton-woodtrees，andwillows，whichfringedtheirbanks，andaffordedsustenancetogreatnumbersofbeaversandotters。
Intraversingthisplain，theypassed，closetotheskirtsofthehills，agreatpoolofwater，threehundredyardsincircumference，fedbyasulphurspring，abouttenfeetindiameter，boilingupinonecorner。Thevaporfromthispoolwasextremelynoisome，andtaintedtheairforaconsiderabledistance。Theplacewasmuchfrequentedbyelk，whichwerefoundinconsiderablenumbersintheadjacentmountains，andtheirhorns，shedinthespring-time，werestrewedineverydirectionaroundthepond。
Onthe10thofAugust，theyreachedthemainbodyofWoodvileCreek，thesamestreamwhichMr。Hunthadascendedintheprecedingyear，shortlyafterhisseparationfromMr。Crooks。
Onthebanksofthisstreamtheysawaherdofnineteenantelopes;asightsounusualinthatpartofthecountry，thatatfirsttheydoubtedtheevidenceoftheirsenses。Theytriedbyeverymeanstogetwithinshotofthem，buttheyweretooshyandfleet，andafteralternatelyboundingtoadistance，andthenstoppingtogazewithcapriciouscuriosityatthehunter，theyatlengthscamperedoutofsight。
Onthe12thofAugust，thetravellersarrivedonthebanksofSnakeRiver，thesceneofsomanytrialsandmishapstoallofthepresentpartyexceptingMr。Stuart。Theystrucktheriverjustabovetheplacewhereitenteredthemountains，throughwhichMessrs。StuartandCrookshadvainlyendeavoredtofindapassage。Theriverwasherearapidstream，fourhundredyardsinwidth，withhighsandybanks，andhereandthereascantygrowthofwillow。Upthesouthernsideoftherivertheynowbenttheircourse，intendingtovisitthecachesmadebyMr。HuntattheCaldronLinn。
Onthesecondevening，asolitarySnakeIndianvisitedtheircamp，atalatehour，andinformedthemthattherewasawhitemanresidingatoneofthecantonmentsofhistribe，aboutaday’sjourneyhigheruptheriver。ItwasimmediatelyconcludedthathemustbeoneofthepoorfellowsofMr。Hunt’sparty，whohadgivenout，exhaustedbyhungerandfatigue，inthewretchedjourneyoftheprecedingwinter。Allpresentwhohadborneapartinthesufferingsofthatjourney，wereeagernowtopressforward，andbringrelieftoalostcomrade。Earlythenextmorning，therefore，theypushedforwardwithunusualalacrity。
Fortwodays，however，didtheytravelwithoutbeingabletofindanytraceofsuchastraggler。
Ontheeveningofthesecondday，theyarrivedataplacewherealargerivercameinfromtheeast，whichwasrenownedamongallthewanderinghordesoftheSnakenationforitssalmonfishery，thatfishbeingtakeninincrediblequantitiesinthisneighborhood。Here，therefore，duringthefishingseason，theSnakeIndiansresortfromfarandnear，tolayintheirstockofsalmon，which，withesculentroots，formstheprincipalfoodoftheinhabitantsofthesebarrenregions。
OnthebankofasmallstreamemptyingintoSnakeRiveratthisplace，Mr。StuartfoundanencampmentofShoshonies。Hemadetheusualinquiryofthemconcerningthewhitemanofwhomhehadreceivedintelligence。Nosuchpersonwasdwellingamongthem，buttheysaidtherewerewhitemenresidingwithsomeoftheirnationontheoppositesideoftheriver。Thiswasstillmoreanimatinginformation。Mr。Crooksnowhopedthatthesemightbethemenofhisparty，who，disheartenedbyperilsandhardships，hadpreferredtoremainamongtheIndians。OthersthoughttheymightbeMr。MillerandthehunterswhohadleftthemainbodyatHenry’sFort，totrapamongthemountainstreams。Mr。Stuarthalted，therefore，intheneighborhoodoftheShoshonielodges，andsentanIndianacrosstherivertoseekoutthewhitemeninquestion，andbringthemtohiscamp。
Thetravellerspassedarestless，miserablenight。Theplaceswarmedwithmyriadsofmosquitoes，which，withtheirstingsandtheirmusic，setallsleepatdefiance。Themorningdawnfoundtheminafeverish，irritablemood，andtheirspleenwascompletelyarousedbythereturnoftheIndianwithoutanyintelligenceofthewhitemen。TheynowconsideredthemselvesthedupesofIndianfalsehoods，andresolvedtoputnomoreconfidenceinSnakes。Theysoon，however，forgotthisresolution。
Inthecourseofthemorning，anIndiancamegallopingafterthem;Mr。Stuartwaitedtoreceivehim;nosoonerhadhecomeup，than，dismountingandthrowinghisarmsaroundtheneckofMr。
Stuart’shorse，hebegantokissandcaresstheanimal，who，onhispart，seemedbynomeanssurprisedordispleasedwithhissalutation。Mr。Stuart，whovaluedhishorsehighly，wassomewhatannoyedbythesetransports;thecauseofthemwassoonexplained。TheSnakesaidthehorsehadbelongedtohim，andbeenthebestinhispossession，andthatithadbeenstolenbytheWallah-Wallahs。Mr。Stuartwasbynomeanspleasedwiththisrecognitionofhissteed，nordisposedtoadmitanyclaimonthepartofitsancientowner。Infact，itwasanobleanimal，admirablyshaped，offreeandgenerousspirit，gracefulinmovement，andfleetasanantelope。Itwashisintention，ifpossible，totakethehorsetoNewYork，andpresenthimtoMr。
Astor。
Inthemeantime，someofthepartycameup，andimmediatelyrecognizedintheSnakeanoldfriendandally。Hewas，infact，oneofthetwoguideswhohadconductedMr。Hunt’sparty，intheprecedingautumn，acrossMadRiverMountaintoFortHenry，andwhosubsequentlydepartedwithMr。Millerandhisfellowtrappers，toconductthemtoagoodtrappingground。ThereadermayrecollectthatthesetwotrustySnakeswereengagedbyMr。
HunttoreturnandtakechargeofthehorseswhichthepartyintendedtoleaveatFortHenry，whentheyshouldembarkincanoes。
ThepartynowcrowdedroundtheSnake，andbegantoquestionhimwitheagerness。Hisrepliesweresomewhatvague，andbutpartiallyunderstood。Hetoldalongstoryaboutthehorses，fromwhichitappearedthattheyhadbeenstolenbyvariouswanderingbands，andscatteredindifferentdirections。Thecache，too，hadbeenplundered，andthesaddlesandotherequipmentscarriedoff。
HisinformationconcerningMr。Millerandhiscomradeswasnotmoresatisfactory。Theyhadtrappedforsometimeabouttheupperstreams，buthadfallenintothehandsofamaraudingpartyofCrows，whohadrobbedthemofhorses，weapons，andeverything。
Furtherquestioningbroughtforthfurtherintelligence，butallofadisastrouskind。Abouttendayspreviously，hehadmetwiththreeotherwhitemen，inverymiserableplight，havingonehorseeach，andbutonerifleamongthem。TheyalsohadbeenplunderedandmaltreatedbytheCrows，thoseuniversalfreebooters。TheSnakeendeavoredtopronouncethenamesofthesethreemen，andasfarashisimperfectsoundscouldbeunderstood，theyweresupposedtobethreeofthepartyoffourhunters，namely，Carson，St。Michael，Detaye，andDelaunay，whoweredetachedfromMr。Hunt’spartyonthe28thofSeptember，totrapbeaverontheheadwatersoftheColumbia。
Inthecourseofconversation，theIndianinformedthemthattheroutebywhichMr。HunthadcrossedtheRockyMountainswasverybadandcircuitous，andthatheknewonemuchshorterandeasier。
Mr。Stuarturgedhimtoaccompanythemasguide，promisingtorewardhimwithapistolwithpowderandball，aknife，anawl，somebluebeads，ablanket，andalooking-glass。Suchacatalogueofricheswastootemptingtoberesisted;besidesthepoorSnakelanguishedaftertheprairies;hewastired，hesaid，ofsalmon，andlongedforbuffalomeat，andtohaveagrandbuffalohuntbeyondthemountains。Hedeparted，therefore，withallspeed，togethisarmsandequipmentsforthejourney，promisingtorejointhepartythenextday。Hekepthisword，and，ashenolongersaidanythingtoMr。Stuartonthesubjectofthepethorse，theyjourneyedveryharmoniouslytogether;thoughnowandthen，theSnakewouldregardhisquondamsteedwithawistfuleye。
Theyhadnottravelledmanymiles，whentheycametoagreatbendintheriver。HeretheSnakeinformedthemthat，bycuttingacrossthehillstheywouldsavemanymilesofdistance。Therouteacross，however，wouldbeagoodday’sjourney。Headvisedthem，therefore，toencamphereforthenight，andsetoffearlyinthemorning。Theytookhisadvice，thoughtheyhadcomebutninemilesthatday。
Onthefollowingmorningtheyrose，brightandearly，toascendthehills。Onmusteringtheirlittleparty，theguidewasmissing。Theysupposedhimtobesomewhereintheneighborhood，andproceededtocollectthehorses。ThevauntedsteedofMr。
Stuartwasnottobefound。Asuspicionflasheduponhismind。
SearchforthehorseoftheSnake！Helikewisewasgone——thetracksoftwohorses，oneaftertheother，werefound，makingofffromthecamp。Theyappearedasifonehorsehadbeenmounted，andtheotherled。Theyweretracedforafewmilesabovethecamp，untiltheybothcrossedtheriver。ItwasplaintheSnakehadtakenanIndianmodeofrecoveringhishorse，havingquietlydecampedwithhiminthenight。
NewvowsweremadenevermoretotrustinSnakes，oranyotherIndians。Itwasdetermined，also，tomaintain，hereafter，thestrictestvigilanceovertheirhorses，dividingthenightintothreewatches，andonepersonmountingguardatatime。Theyresolved，also，tokeepalongtheriver，insteadoftakingtheshortcutrecommendedbythefugitiveSnake，whomtheynowsetdownforathoroughdeceiver。Theheatoftheweatherwasoppressive，andtheirhorseswere，attimes，renderedalmostfranticbythestingsoftheprairieflies。Thenightsweresuffocating，anditwasalmostimpossibletosleep，fromtheswarmsofmosquitoes。
Onthe20thofAugusttheyresumedtheirmarch，keepingalongtheprairieparalleltoSnakeRiver。Thedaywassultry，andsomeoftheparty，beingparchedwiththirst，leftthelineofmarch，andscrambleddownthebankoftherivertodrink。Thebankwasoverhungwithwillows，beneathwhich，totheirsurprise，theybeheldamanfishing。Nosoonerdidheseethem，thanheutteredanexclamationofjoy。ItprovedtobeJohnHoback，oneoftheirlostcomrades。Theyhadscarcelyexchangedgreetings，whenthreeothermencameoutfromamongthewillows。TheywereJosephMiller，JacobRezner，andRobinson，thescalpedKentuckian，theveteranoftheBloodyGround。
ThereaderwillperhapsrecollecttheabruptandwillfulmannerinwhichMr。Millerthrewuphisinterestasapartnerofthecompany，anddepartedfromFortHenry，incompanywiththesethreetrappers，andafourth，namedCass。HemaylikewiserecognizeinRobinson，Rezner，andHoback，thetrioofKentuckyhunterswhohadoriginallybeenintheserviceofMr。Henry，andwhomMr。HuntfoundfloatingdowntheMissouri，ontheirwayhomeward;andprevailedupon，oncemore，tocrossthemountains。
Thehaggardlooksandnakedconditionofthesemenprovedhowmuchtheyhadsuffered。AfterleavingMr。Hunt’sparty，theyhadmadetheirwayabouttwohundredmilestothesouthward，wheretheytrappedbeaveronariverwhich，accordingtotheiraccount，dischargeditselfintotheoceantothesouthoftheColumbia，butwhichweapprehendtobeBearRiver，astreamemptyingitselfintoLakeBonneville，animmensebodyofsaltwater，westoftheRockyMountains。
Havingcollectedaconsiderablequantityofbeaverskins，theymadethemintopacks，loadedtheirhorses，andsteeredtwohundredmilesdueeast。HeretheycameuponanencampmentofsixtylodgesofArapahays，anoutlawedbandoftheArrapahoes，andnotoriousrobbers。Thesefelluponthepoortrappers;robbedthemoftheirpeltries，mostoftheirclothing，andseveraloftheirhorses。Theyweregladtoescapewiththeirlives，andwithoutbeingentirelystripped，andafterproceedingaboutfiftymilesfurther，madetheirhaltforthewinter。
Earlyinthespringtheyresumedtheirwayfaring，butwereunluckilyovertakenbythesameruffianhorde，wholeviedstillfurthercontributions，andcarriedofftheremainderoftheirhorses，exceptingtwo。Withthesetheycontinuedon，sufferingthegreatesthardships。Theystillretainedriflesandammunition，butwereinadesertcountry，whereneitherbirdnorbeastwastobefound。Theironlychancewastokeepalongtherivers，andsubsistbyfishing;butattimesnofishweretobetaken，andthentheirsufferingswerehorrible。OneoftheirhorseswasstolenamongthemountainsbytheSnakeIndians;theother，theysaid，wascarriedoffbyCass，who，accordingtotheiraccount，“villainouslyleftthemintheirextremities。”
Certaindarkdoubtsandsurmiseswereafterwardscirculatedconcerningthefateofthatpoorfellow，which，iftrue，showedtowhatadesperatestateoffaminehiscomradeshadbeenreduced。
Beingnowcompletelyunhorsed，Mr。Millerandhisthreecompanionswanderedonfootforseveralhundredmiles，enduringhunger，thirst，andfatigue，whiletraversingthebarrenwasteswhichaboundbeyondtheRockyMountains。AtthetimetheywerediscoveredbyMr。Stuart’sparty，theywerealmostfamished，andwerefishingforaprecariousmeal。HadMr。Stuartmadetheshortcutacrossthehills，avoidingthisbendoftheriver，orhadnotsomeofhispartyaccidentallygonedowntothemarginofthestreamtodrink，thesepoorwanderersmighthaveremainedundiscovered，andhaveperishedinthewilderness。Nothingcouldexceedtheirjoyonthusmeetingwiththeiroldcomrades，ortheheartinesswithwhichtheywerewelcomed。Allhandsimmediatelyencamped;andtheslenderstoresofthepartywereransackedtofurnishoutasuitableregale。
Thenextmorningtheyallsetouttogether;Mr。Millerandhiscomradesbeingresolvedtogiveupthelifeofatrapper，andaccompanyMr。StuartbacktoSt。Louis。
ForseveraldaystheykeptalongthecourseofSnakeRiver，occasionallymakingshortcutsacrosshillsandpromontories，wheretherewerebendsinthestream。IntheirwaytheypassedseveralcampsofShoshonies，fromsomeofwhomtheyprocuredsalmon，butingeneraltheyweretoowretchedlypoortofurnishanything。ItwasthewishofMr。Stuarttopurchasehorsesfortherecentrecruitsofhisparty;buttheIndianscouldnotbeprevailedupontopartwithany，allegingthattheyhadnotenoughfortheirownuse。
Onthe25thofAugusttheyreachedagreatfishingplace，towhichtheygavethenameoftheSalmonFalls。Herethereisaperpendicularfalloftwentyfeetonthenorthsideoftheriver，whileonthesouthsidethereisasuccessionofrapids。Thesalmonaretakenhereinincrediblequantities，astheyattempttoshootthefalls。Itwasnowafavorableseason，andtherewereaboutonehundredlodgesofShoshoniesbusilyengagedkillinganddryingfish。Thesalmonbegintoleapshortlyaftersunrise。AtthistimetheIndiansswimtothecentreofthefalls，wheresomestationthemselvesonrocks，andothersstandtotheirwaistsinthewater，allarmedwithspears，withwhichtheyassailthesalmonastheyattempttoleap，orfallbackexhausted。Itisanincessantslaughter，sogreatisthethrongofthefish。
Theconstructionofthespearsthususedispeculiar。Theheadisastraightpieceofelkhorn，aboutsevenincheslong，onthepointofwhichanartificialbarbismadefast，withtwinewellgummed。Theheadisstuckontheendoftheshaft，averylongpoleofwillow，towhichitislikewiseconnectedbyastrongcord，afewinchesinlength。Whenthespearsmanmakesasureblow，heoftenstrikestheheadofthespearthroughthebodyofthefish。Itcomesoffeasily，andleavesthesalmonstrugglingwiththestringthroughitsbody，whilethepoleisstillheldbythespearsman。Wereitnotfortheprecautionofthestring，thewillowshaftwouldbesnappedbythestrugglesandtheweightofthefish。Mr。Miller，inthecourseofhiswanderings，hadbeenatthesefalls，andhadseenseveralthousandsalmontakeninthecourseofoneafternoon。Hedeclaredthathehadseenasalmonleapadistanceofaboutthirtyfeet，fromthecommencementofthefoamatthefootofthefalls，completelytothetop。
Havingpurchasedagoodsupplyofsalmonfromthefishermen，thepartyresumedtheirjourney，andonthetwenty-ninth，arrivedattheCaldronLinn，theeventfulsceneoftheprecedingautumn。
Here，thefirstthingthatmettheireyeswasamementooftheperplexitiesofthatperiod;thewreckofacanoelodgedbetweentwoledgesofrocks。Theyendeavoredtogetdowntoit，buttheriverbanksweretoohighandprecipitous。
TheynowproceededtothatpartoftheneighborhoodwhereMr。
Huntandhispartyhadmadethecaches，intendingtotakefromthemsucharticlesasbelongedtoMr。Crooks，M’Lellan，andtheCanadians。Onreachingthespot，theyfound，totheirastonishment，sixofthecachesopenandrifledoftheircontents，exceptingafewbookswhichlayscatteredaboutthevicinity。Theyhadtheappearanceofhavingbeenplunderedinthecourseofthesummer。Thereweretracksofwolvesineverydirection，toandfromtheholes，fromwhichMr。Stuartconcludedthattheseanimalshadfirstbeenattractedtotheplacebythesmelloftheskinscontainedinthecaches，whichtheyhadprobablytornup，andthattheirtrackshadbetrayedthesecrettotheIndians。
Thethreeremainingcacheshadnotbeenmolested;theycontainedafewdrygoods，someammunition，andanumberofbeavertraps。
FromtheseMr。Stuarttookwhateverwasrequisiteforhisparty;
hethendepositedwithinthemallhissuperfluousbaggage，andallthebooksandpapersscatteredaround;theholeswerethencarefullyclosedup，andalltracesofthemeffaced。Andherewehavetorecordanotherinstanceoftheindomitablespiritofthewesterntrappers。NosoonerdidthetrioofKentuckyhunters，Robinson，Rezner，andHoback，findthattheycouldoncemorebefittedoutforacampaignofbeaver-trapping，thantheyforgotallthattheyhadsuffered，anddetermineduponanothertrialoftheirfortunes;preferringtotaketheirchanceinthewilderness，ratherthanreturnhomeraggedandpenniless。AstoMr。Miller，hedeclaredhiscuriosityandhisdesireoftravellingthroughtheIndiancountriesfullysatisfied;headheredtohisdetermination，therefore，tokeeponwiththepartytoSt。Louis，andtoreturntothebosomofcivilizedsociety。
Thethreehunters，therefore，Robinson，Rezner，andHoback，werefurnished，asfarasthecachesandthemeansofMr。Stuart’spartyafforded，withtherequisitemunitionsandequipmentsfora“twoyears’hunt;“butastheirfittingoutwasyetincomplete，theyresolvedtowaitinthisneighborhooduntilMr。Reedshouldarrive;whosearrivalmightsoonbeexpected，ashewastosetoutforthecachesabouttwentydaysafterMr。StuartpartedwithhimattheWallah-WallahRiver。
Mr。StuartgaveinchargetoRobinsonalettertoMr。Reed，reportinghissafejourneythusfar，andthestateinwhichhehadfoundthecaches。Aduplicateofthisletterheelevatedonapole，andsetitupneartheplaceofdeposit。
Allthingsbeingthusarranged，Mr。Stuartandhislittleband，nowseveninnumber，tookleaveofthethreehardytrappers，wishingthemallpossiblesuccessintheirlonelyandperiloussojourninthewilderness;andwe，inlikemanner，shallleavethemtotheirfortunes，promisingtotakethemupagainatsomefuturepage，andtoclosethestoryoftheirperseveringandill-
fatedenterprise。
CHAPTERXLV。
TheSnakeRiverDeserts-ScantyFare-BewilderedTravellers-
ProwlingIndians-AGiantCrowChief-ABullyRebuked-IndianSignals-SmokeontheMountains-MadRiver-AnAlarm-AnIndianForay-AScamper-ARudeIndianjoke-ASharp-ShooterBalkedofHisShot。
0Nthe1stofSeptember，Mr。Stuartandhiscompanionsresumedtheirjourney，bendingtheircourseeastward，alongthecourseofSnakeRiver。Astheyadvancedthecountryopened。Thehillswhichhadhemmedintheriverrecededoneitherhand，andgreatsandyanddustyplainsextendedbeforethem。Occasionallytherewereintervalsofpasturage，andthebanksoftheriverwerefringedwithwillowsandcottonwood，sothatitscoursemightbetracedfromthehilltops，windingunderanumbrageouscovert，throughawidesunburntlandscape。Thesoil，however，wasgenerallypoor;
therewasinsomeplacesamiserablegrowthofwormwood，andaplantcalledsaltweed，resemblingpennyroyal;butthesummerhadparchedtheplains，andleftbutlittlepasturage。Thegame，too，haddisappeared。Thehunterlookedinvainoverthelifelesslandscape;nowandthenafewantelopemightbeseen，butnotwithinreachoftherifle。Weforbeartofollowthetravellersinaweek’swanderingoverthesebarrenwastes，wheretheysufferedmuchfromhunger，havingtodependuponafewfishfromthestreams，andnowandthenalittledriedsalmon，oradog，procuredfromsomeforlornlodgeofShoshonies。
Tiredofthesecheerlesswastes，theyleftthebanksofSnakeRiveronthe7thofSeptember，underguidanceofMr。Miller，whohavingacquiredsomeknowledgeofthecountryduringhistrappingcampaign，undertooktoconductthemacrossthemountainsbyabetterroutethanthatbyFortHenry，andonemoreoutoftherangeoftheBlackfeet。Heproved，however，butanindifferentguide，andtheysoonbecamebewilderedamongruggedhillsandunknownstreams，andburntandbarrenprairies。
AtlengththeycametoariveronwhichMr。Millerhadtrapped，andtowhichtheygavehisname;though，asbeforeobserved，wepresumeittobethesamecalledBearRiver，whichemptiesitselfintoLakeBonneville。Upthisriveranditsbranchestheykeptfortwoorthreedays，supportingthemselvesprecariouslyuponfish。Theysoonfoundthattheywereinadangerousneighborhood。
Onthe12thofSeptember，havingencampedearly，theysalliedforthwiththeirrodstoanglefortheirsupper。Onreturning，theybeheldanumberofIndiansprowlingabouttheircamp，whom，totheirinfinitedisquiet，theysoonperceivedtobeUpsarokas，orCrows。Theirchiefcameforwardwithaconfidentair。Hewasadarkherculeanfellow，fullsixfeetfourinchesinheight，withamingledairoftheruffianandtherogue。Heconductedhimselfpeaceably，however，anddespatchedsomeofhispeopletotheircamp，whichwassomewhereintheneighborhood，fromwhencetheyreturnedwithamostacceptablesupplyofbuffalomeat。HenowsignifiedtoMr。StuartthathewasgoingtotradewiththeSnakeswhoresideonthewestbaseofthemountains，belowHenry’sFort。Heretheycultivateadelicatekindoftobacco，muchesteemedandsoughtafterbythemountaintribes。Therewassomethingsinister，however，inthelookofthisIndian，thatinspireddistrust。Bydegrees，thenumberofhispeopleincreased，until，bymidnight，thereweretwenty-oneofthemaboutthecamp，whobegantobeimpudentandtroublesome。Thegreatestuneasinesswasnowfeltforthesafetyofthehorsesandeffects，andeveryonekeptvigilantwatchthroughoutthenight。
Themorningdawned，however，withoutanyunpleasantoccurrence，andMr。Stuart，havingpurchasedallthebuffalomeatthattheCrowshadtospare，preparedtodepart。HisIndianacquaintances，however，weredisposedforfurtherdealings;andaboveall，anxiousforasupplyofgunpowder，forwhichtheyofferedhorsesinexchange。Mr。Stuartdeclinedtofurnishthemwiththedangerouscommodity。Theybecamemoreimportunateintheirsolicitations，untiltheymetwithaflatrefusal。
Thegiganticchiefnowsteppedforward，assumedaswellingair，and，slappinghimselfuponthebreast，gaveMr。Crookstounderstandthathewasachiefofgreatpowerandimportance。Hesignified，further，thatitwascustomaryforgreatchiefswhentheymet，tomakeeachotherpresents。Herequested，therefore，thatMr。Stuartwouldalight，andgivehimthehorseuponwhichhewasmounted。Thiswasanobleanimal，ofoneofthewildracesoftheprairies;onwhichMr。Stuartsetgreatvalue;he，ofcourse，shookhisheadattherequestoftheCrowdignitary。Uponthisthelatterstrodeuptohim，andtakingholdofhim，movedhimbackwardsandforwardsinhissaddle，asiftomakehimfeelthathewasamerechildwithinhisgrasp。Mr。Stuartpreservedhiscalmness，andstillshookhishead。Thechiefthenseizedthebridle，andgaveitajerkthatstartledthehorse，andnearlybroughttheridertotheground。Mr。Stuartinstantlydrewforthapistol，andpresenteditattheheadofthebully-ruffian。Inatwinklinghisswaggeringwasatanend，andhedodgedbehindhishorsetoescapetheexpectedshot。AshissubjectCrowsgazedontheaffrayfromalittledistance，Mr。Stuartorderedhismentoleveltheirriflesatthem，butnottofire。Thewholecrewscamperedamongthebushes，andthrowingthemselvesupontheground，vanishedfromsight。
Thechieftainthusleftalonewasconfoundedforaninstant;but，recoveringhimselfwithtrueIndianshrewdness，burstintoaloudlaugh，andaffectedtoturnoffthewholematterasapieceofpleasantry。Mr。Stuartbynomeansrelishedsuchequivocaljoking，butitwasnothispolicytogetintoaquarrel;sohejoinedwiththebestgracehecouldassumeinthemerrimentofthejoculargiant;and，toconsolethelatterfortherefusalofthehorse，madehimapresentoftwentychargesofpowder。Theyparted，accordingtoalloutwardprofessions，thebestfriendsintheworld;itwasevident，however，thatnothingbutthesmallnessofhisownforce，andthemartialarrayandalertnessofthewhitemen，hadpreventedtheCrowchieffromproceedingtoopenoutrage。Asitwas，hisworthyfollowers，inthecourseoftheirbriefinterview，hadcontrivedtopurloinabagcontainingalmostalltheculinaryutensilsoftheparty。
Thetravellerskeptontheirwaydueeast，overachainofhills。
Therecentrencontreshowedthemthattheywerenowinalandofdanger，subjecttothewideroamingsofapredacioustribe;nor，infact，hadtheygonemanymilesbeforetheybeheldsightscalculatedtoinspireanxietyandalarm。Fromthesummitsofsomeoftheloftiestmountains，indifferentdirections，columnsofsmokebe-antorise。ThesetheyconcludedtobesignalsmadebytherunnersoftheCrowchieftain，tosummonthestragglersofhisband，soastopursuethemwithgreaterforce。Signalsofthiskind，madebyoutrunnersfromonecentralpoint，willrouseawidecircuitofthemountainsinawonderfullyshortspaceoftime;andbringthestragglinghuntersandwarriorstothestandardoftheirchieftain。
Tokeepasmuchaspossibleoutofthewayofthesefreebooters，Mr。Stuartalteredhiscoursetothenorth，and，quittingthemainstreamofMiller’sRiver，keptupalargebranchthatcameinfromthemountains。Heretheyencamped，afterafatiguingmarchoftwenty-fivemiles。Asthenightdrewon，thehorseswerehobbledorfettered，andtetheredclosetothecamp;avigilantwatchwasmaintaineduntilmorning，andeveryonesleptwithhisrifleonhisarm。
Atsunrise，theywereagainonthemarch，stillkeepingtothenorth。Theysoonbegantoascendthemountains，andoccasionallyhadwideprospectsoverthesurroundingcountry。NotasignofaCrowwastobeseen;butthisdidnotassurethemoftheirsecurity，wellknowingtheperseveranceofthesesavagesindogginganypartytheyintendtorob，andthestealthywayinwhichtheycanconcealtheirmovements，keepingalongravinesanddefiles。Afteramountainscrambleoftwenty-onemiles，theyencampedonthemarginofastreamrunningtothenorth。
IntheeveningtherewasanalarmofIndians，andeveryonewasinstantlyonthealert。TheyprovedtobethreemiserableSnakes，whowerenosoonerinformedthatabandofCrowswasprowlingintheneighborhoodthantheymadeoffwithgreatsignsofconsternation。
Acouplemoreofwearydaysandwatchfulnightsbroughtthemtoastrongandrapidstream，runningduenorth，whichtheyconcludedtobeoneoftheupperbranchesofSnakeRiver。ItwasprobablythesamesincecalledSaltRiver。
Theydeterminedtobendtheircoursedownthisriver，asitwouldtakethemstillfurtheroutofthedangerousneighborhoodoftheCrows。TheythenwouldstrikeuponMr。Hunt’strackoftheprecedingautumn，andretraceitacrossthemountains。TheattempttofindabetterrouteunderguidanceofMr。Millerhadcostthemalargebendtothesouth;inresumingMr。Hunt’strack，theywouldatleastbesureoftheirroad。Theyaccordinglyturneddownalongthecourseofthisstream，andattheendofthreedays’journeycametowhereitwasjoinedbyalargerriver，andassumedamoreimpetuouscharacter，ragingandroaringamongrocksandprecipices。Itproved，infact，tobeMadRiver，alreadynotedintheexpeditionofMr。Hunt。Onthebanksofthisriver，theyencampedonthe18thofSeptember，atanearlyhour。
SixdayshadnowelapsedsincetheirinterviewwiththeCrows;
duringthattimetheyhadcomenearlyahundredandfiftymilestothenorthandwest，withoutseeinganysignsofthosemarauders。Theyconsideredthemselves，therefore，beyondthereachofmolestation，andbegantorelaxintheirvigilance，lingeringoccasionallyforpartofaday，wheretherewasgoodpasturage。Thepoorhorsesneededrepose。
Theyhadbeenurgedon，byforcedmarches，overruggedheights，amongrocksandfallentimber，oroverlowswampyvalleys，inundatedbythelaborsofthebeaver。Theseindustriousanimalsaboundedinallthemountainstreamsandwatercourses，wherevertherewerewillowsfortheirsubsistence。Manyofthemtheyhadsocompletelydammedupastoinundatethelowgrounds，makingshallowpoolsorlakes，andextensivequagmires;bywhichtherouteofthetravellerswasoftenimpeded。
Onthe19thofSeptember，theyroseatearlydawn;somebegantopreparebreakfast，andotherstoarrangethepackspreparatorytoamarch。Thehorseshadbeenhobbled，butleftatlargetograzeupontheadjacentpasture。Mr。Stuartwasonthebankofariver，atashortdistancefromthecamp，whenheheardthealarmcry-
“Indians！Indians！-toarms！toarms！“
AmountedCrowgallopedpastthecamp，bearingaredflag。Hereinedhissteedonthesummitofaneighboringknoll，andwavedhisflaringbanner。Adiabolicalyellnowbrokeforthontheoppositesideofthecamp，beyondwherethehorsesweregrazing，andasmalltroopofsavagescamegallopingup，whoopingandmakingaterrificclamor。Thehorsestookfright，anddashedacrossthecampinthedirectionofthestandard-bearer，attractedbyhiswavingflag。Heinstantlyputspurstohissteed，andscouredofffollowedbythepanic-strickenherd，theirfrightbeingincreasedbytheyellsofthesavagesintheirrear。
Atthefirstalarm，Mr。Stuartandhiscomradeshadseizedtheirrifles，andattemptedtocutofftheIndianswhowerepursuingthehorses。Theirattentionwasinstantlydistractedbywhoopsandyellsinanoppositedirection。
Theynowapprehendedthatareservepartywasabouttocarryofftheirbaggage。Theyrantosecureit。Thereserveparty，however，gallopedby，whoopingandyellingintriumphandderision。Thelastofthemprovedtobetheircommander，theidenticalgiantjokeralreadymentioned。HewasnotcastinthesternpoeticalmoldoffashionableIndianheroism，butonthecontrary，wasgrievouslygiventovulgarjocularity。AshepassedMr。Stuartandhiscompanions，hecheckedhishorse，raisedhimselfinhissaddle，andclappinghishandonthemostinsultingpartofhisbody，utteredsomejeeringwords，which，fortunatelyfortheirdelicacy，theycouldnotunderstand。TherifleofBenJoneswasleveledinaninstant，andhewasonthepointofwhizzingabulletintothetargetsotauntinglydisplayed。“Notforyourlife！notforyourlife！“exclaimedMr。Stuart，“youwillbringdestructiononusall！“
ItwashardtorestrainhonestBen，whenthemarkwassofairandtheinsultsofoul。“0，Mr。Stuart。”exclaimedhe，“onlyletmehaveonecrackattheinfernalrascal，andyoumaykeepallthepaythatisduetome。”
“Byheaven，ifyoufire。”criedMr。Stuart，“I’llblowyourbrainsout。”
BythistimetheIndianwasfaroutofreach，andhadrejoinedhismen，andthewholedare-devilband，withthecapturedhorses，scuttledoffalongthedefiles，theirredflagflauntingoverhead，andtherocksechoingtotheirwhoopsandyells，anddemoniaclaughter。
Theunhorsedtravellersgazedaftertheminsilentmortificationanddespair;yetMr。Stuartcouldnotbutadmirethestyleandspiritwithwhichthewholeexploithadbeenmanaged，andpronounceditoneofthemostdaringandintrepidactionshehadeverheardofamongIndians。ThewholenumberoftheCrowsdidnotexceedtwenty。Inthiswayasmallgangoflurkerswillhurryoffthecavalryofalargewarparty，forwhenonceadroveofhorsesareseizedwithpanic，theybecomefrantic，andnothingshortofbrokenneckscanstopthem。
NoonewasmoreannoyedbythisunfortunateoccurrencethanBenJones。Hedeclaredhewouldactuallyhavegivenhiswholearrearsofpay，amountingtoupwardsofayear’swages，ratherthanbebalkedofsuchacapitalshot。Mr。Stuart，however，representedwhatmighthavebeentheconsequenceofsorashanact。LifeforlifeistheIndianmaxim。Thewholetribewouldhavemadecommoncauseinavengingthedeathofawarrior。Thepartywerebutsevendismountedmen，withawidemountainregiontotraverse，infestedbythesepeople，andwhichmightallberousedbysignalfires。Infact，theconductofthebandofmaraudersinquestion，showedtheperseveranceofsavageswhenoncetheyhavefixedtheirmindsuponaproject。Thesefellowshadevidentlybeensilentandsecretlydoggingthepartyforaweekpast，andadistanceofahundredandfiftymiles，keepingoutofsightbyday，lurkingabouttheencampmentatnight，watchingalltheirmovements，andwaitingforafavorablemomentwhentheyshouldbeofftheirguard。ThemenaceofMr。Stuart，intheirfirstinterview，toshootthegiantchiefwithhispistol，andthefrightcausedamongthewarriorsbypresentingtherifles，hadprobablyaddedthestimulusofpiquetotheirusualhorse-
stealingpropensities。AndinthismoodofmindtheywoulddoubtlesshavefollowedthepartythroughouttheirwholecourseovertheRockyMountains，ratherthanbedisappointedintheirscheme。
CHAPTERXLVI。
TravellersUnhorsed-PedestrianPreparations-PryingSpies-
BonfiresofBaggage-AMarchonFoot-RaftingaRiver-TheWoundedElk-IndianTrails-WillfulConductofMr。M’Lellan-
GrandProspectFromaMountain-DistantCratersofVolcanoes-
IllnessofMr。Crooks。
FEWreversesinthischangefulworldaremorecompleteanddishearteningthanthatofatraveller，suddenlyunhorsed，inthemidstofthewilderness。Ourunfortunatetravellerscontemplatedtheirsituation，foratime，inperfectdismay。Alongjourneyoverruggedmountainsandimmeasurableplainslaybeforethem，whichtheymustpainfullyperformonfoot，andeverythingnecessaryforsubsistenceordefensemustbecarriedontheirshoulders。Theirdismay，however，wasbuttransient，andtheyimmediatelysettowork，withthatpromptexpediencyproducedbytheexigenciesofthewilderness，tofitthemselvesforthechangeintheircondition。
Theirfirstattentionwastoselectfromtheirbaggagesucharticlesaswereindispensabletotheirjourney;tomakethemupintoconvenientpacks，andtodeposittheresidueincaches。Thewholedaywasconsumedintheseoccupations;atnight，theymadeascantymealoftheirremainingprovisions，andlaydowntosleepwithheavyhearts。Inthemorning，theywereupandaboutatanearlyhour，andbegantopreparetheirknapsacksforamarch，whileBenJonesrepairedtoanoldbeavertrapwhichhehadsetintheriverbankatsomelittledistancefromthecamp。
Hewasrejoicedtofindamiddle-sizedbeaverthere，sufficientforamorning’smealtohishungrycomrades。Onhiswaybackwithhisprize，heobservedtwoheadspeeringovertheedgeofanimpendingcliff，severalhundredfeethigh，whichhesupposedtobeacoupleofwolves。Ashecontinuedon，henowandthencasthiseyeup;headswerestillthere，lookingdownwithfixedandwatchfulgaze。AsuspicionnowflashedacrosshismindthattheymightbeIndianscouts;and，hadtheynotbeenfarabovethereachofhisrifle，hewouldundoubtedlyhaveregaledthemwithashot。
Onarrivingatthecamp，hedirectedtheattentionofhiscomradestotheseaerialobservers。Thesameideawasatfirstentertained，thattheywerewolves;buttheirimmovablewatchfulnesssoonsatisfiedeveryonethattheywereIndians。Itwasconcludedthattheywerewatchingthemovementsoftheparty，todiscovertheirplaceofconcealmentofsucharticlesastheywouldbecompelledtoleavebehind。Therewasnolikelihoodthatthecacheswouldescapethesearchofsuchkeeneyesandexperiencedrummagers，andtheideawasintolerablethatanymorebootyshouldfallintotheirhands。Todisappointthem，therefore，thetravellersstrippedthecachesofthearticlesdepositedthere，andcollectingtogethereverythingthattheycouldnotcarryawaywiththem，madeabonfireofallthatwouldburn，andthrewtherestintotheriver。TherewasaforlornsatisfactioninthusbalkingtheCrows，bythedestructionoftheirownproperty;and，havingthusgratifiedtheirpique，theyshoulderedtheirpacks，aboutteno’clockinthemorning，andsetoutontheirpedestrianwayfaring。
TheroutetheytookwasdownalongthebanksofMadRiver。Thisstreammakesitswaythroughthedefilesofthemountains，intotheplainbelowFortHenry，whereitterminatesinSnakeRiver。
Mr。StuartwasinhopesofmeetingwithSnakeencampmentsintheplain，wherehemightprocureacoupleofhorsestotransportthebaggage。Insuchcase，heintendedtoresumehiseasterncourseacrossthemountains，andendeavortoreachtheCheyenneRiverbeforewinter。Shouldhefail，however，ofobtaininghorses，hewouldprobablybecompelledtowinteronthePacificsideofthemountains，somewhereontheheadwatersoftheSpanishorColoradoRiver。
Withallthecarethathadbeenobservedintakingnothingwiththemthatwasnotabsolutelynecessary，thepoorpedestrianswereheavilyladen，andtheirburdensaddedtothefatiguesoftheirruggedroad。Theysufferedmuch，too，fromhunger。Thetrouttheycaughtweretoopoortoyieldmuchnourishment;theirmaindependence，therefore，wasuponanoldbeavertrap，whichtheyhadprovidentiallyretained。Whenevertheywerefortunateenoughtoentrapabeaver，itwascutupimmediatelyanddistributed，thateachmanmightcarryhisshare。
Aftertwodaysoftoilsometravel，duringwhichtheymadebuteighteenmiles，theystoppedonthe21st，tobuildtworaftsonwhichtocrosstothenorthsideoftheriver。Onthesetheyembarkedonthefollowingmorning，fourononeraft，andthreeontheother，andpushedboldlyfromshore。Findingtheraftssufficientlyfirmandsteadytowithstandtheroughandrapidwater，theychangedtheirminds，andinsteadofcrossing，venturedtofloatdownwiththecurrent。Theriverwas，ingeneral，veryrapid，andfromonetotwohundredyardsinwidth，windingineverydirectionthroughmountainsofhardblackrock，coveredwithpinesandcedars。ThemountainstotheeastoftheriverwerespursoftheRockyrange，andofgreatmagnitude;
thoseonthewestwerelittlebetterthanhills，bleakandbarren，orscantilyclothedwithstuntedgrass。
MadRiver，thoughdeservingitsnamefromtheimpetuosityofitscurrent，wasfreefromrapidsandcascades，andflowedoninasinglechannelbetweengravelbanks，oftenfringedwithcotton-
woodanddwarfwillowsinabundance。Thesegavesustenancetoimmensequantitiesofbeaver，sothatthevoyagersfoundnodifficultyinprocuringfood。BenJones，also，killedafallowdeerandawolverine，andastheywereenabledtocarrythecarcassesontheirrafts，theirlarderwaswellsupplied。Indeed，theymighthaveoccasionallyshotbeaversthatwereswimmingintheriverastheyfloatedby，buttheyhumanelysparedtheirlives，beinginnowantofmeatatthetime。Inthisway，theykeptdowntheriverforthreedays，driftingwiththecurrentandencampingonlandatnight，whentheydrewuptheirraftsonshore。Towardstheeveningofthethirdday，theycametoalittleislandonwhichtheydescriedagangofelk。BenJoneslanded，andwasfortunateenoughtowoundone，whichimmediatelytooktothewater，but，beingunabletostemthecurrent，driftedaboveamile，whenitwasovertakenanddrawntoshore。Asastormwasgathering，theynowencampedonthemarginoftheriver，wheretheyremainedallthenextday，shelteringthemselvesaswellastheycouldfromtherainandsnow-asharpforetasteoftheimpendingwinter。Duringtheirencampment，theyemployedthemselvesinjerkingapartoftheelkforfuturesupply。Incuttingupthecarcass，theyfoundthattheanimalhadbeenwoundedbyhunters，aboutaweekpreviously，anarrowheadandamusketballremaininginthewounds。Inthewilderness，everytrivialcircumstanceisamatterofanxiousspeculation。
TheSnakeIndianshavenoguns;theelk，therefore，couldnothavebeenwoundedbyoneofthem。TheywereonthebordersofthecountryinfestedbytheBlackfeet，whocarryfire-arms。Itwasconcluded，therefore，thattheelkhadbeenhuntedbysomeofthatwanderingandhostiletribe，who，ofcourse，mustbeintheneighborhood。Theideaputanendtothetransientsolacetheyhadenjoyedinthecomparativereposeandabundanceoftheriver。
Forthreedayslongertheycontinuedtonavigatewiththeirrafts。Therecentstormhadrenderedtheweatherextremelycold。
Theyhadnowfloateddowntheriveraboutninety-onemiles，whenfindingthemountainsontherightdiminishedtomoderatesizedhills，theylanded，andpreparedtoresumetheirjourneyonfoot。
Accordingly，havingspentadayinpreparations，makingmoccasins，andparcelingouttheirjerkedmeatinpacksoftwentypoundstoeachman，theyturnedtheirbacksupontheriveronthe29thofSeptemberandstruckofftothenortheast，keepingalongthesouthernskirtofthemountainonwhichHenry’sFortwassituated。
Theirmarchwasslowandtoilsome;partofthetimethroughanalluvialbottom，thicklygrownwithcotton-wood，hawthorn，andwillows，andpartofthetimeoverroughhills。Threeantelopescamewithinshot，buttheydarednotfireatthem，lestthereportoftheirriflesshouldbetraythemtotheBlackfeet。Inthecourseoftheday，theycameuponalargehorse-track，apparentlyaboutthreeweeksold，andintheeveningencampedonthebanksofasmallstream，onaspotwhichhadbeenthecampingplaceofthissameband。
OnthefollowingmorningtheystillobservedtheIndiantrack，butafteratimetheycametowhereitseparatedineverydirection，andwaslost。Thisshowedthatthebandhaddispersedinvarioushuntingparties，andwas，inallprobability，stillintheneighborhood;itwasnecessary，therefore，toproceedwiththeutmostcaution。Theykeptavigilanteyeastheymarched，uponeveryheightwhereascoutmightbeposted，andscannedthesolitarylandscapesandthedistantravines，toobserveanycolumnofsmoke;butnothingofthekindwastobeseen;allwasindescribablysternandlifeless。
Towardseveningtheycametowheretherewereseveralhotsprings，stronglyimpregnatedwithironandsulphur，andsendingupavolumeofvaporthattaintedthesurroundingatmosphere，andmightbeseenatthedistanceofacoupleofmiles。
Neartothesetheyencampedinadeepgully，whichaffordedsomeconcealment。Totheirgreatconcern，Mr。Crooks，whohadbeenindisposedforthetwoprecedingdays，hadaviolentfeverinthenight。
Shortlyafterdaybreaktheyresumedtheirmarch。Onemergingfromtheglen，aconsultationwasheldastotheircourse。Shouldtheycontinueroundtheskirtofthemountain，theywouldbeindangeroffallinginwiththescatteredpartiesofBlackfeet，whowereprobablyhuntingintheplain。Itwasthoughtmostadvisable，therefore，tostrikedirectlyacrossthemountain，sincetheroute，thoughruggedanddifficult，wouldbemostsecure。ThiscounselwasindignantlyderidedbyM’Lellanaspusillanimous。
Hot-headedandimpatientatalltimes，hehadbeenrenderedirasciblebythefatiguesofthejourney，andtheconditionofhisfeet，whichwerechafedandsore。Hecouldnotenduretheideaofencounteringthedifficultiesofthemountain，andsworehewouldratherfacealltheBlackfeetinthecountry。Hewasoverruled，however，andthepartybegantoascendthemountain，striving，withtheardorandemulationofyoungmen，whoshouldbefirstup。M’Lellan，whowasdoubletheageofsomeofhiscompanions，soonbegantolosebreath，andfallintherear。Inthedistributionofburdens，itwashisturntocarrytheoldbeavertrap。Piquedandirritated，hesuddenlycametoahalt，sworehewouldcarryitnofurther，andjerkedithalf-waydownthehill。Hewasofferedinplaceofitapackageofdriedmeat，butthishescornfullythrewupontheground。Theymightcarryit，hesaid，whoneededit;forhispart，hecouldprovidehisdailybreadwithhisrifle。Heconcludedbyflingingofffromtheparty，andkeepingalongtheskirtsofthemountain，leavingthose，hesaid，toclimbrocks，whowereafraidtofaceIndians。
ItwasinvainthatMr。Stuartrepresentedtohimtherashnessofhisconduct，andthedangerstowhichheexposedhimself:herejectedsuchcounselascraven。Itwasequallyuselesstorepresentthedangerstowhichhesubjectedhiscompanions;ashecouldbediscoveredatagreatdistanceonthosenakedplains，andtheIndians，seeinghim，wouldknowthattheremustbeotherwhitemenwithinreach。M’Lellanturnedadeafeartoeveryremonstrance，andkeptonhiswilfulway。
Itseemedastrangeinstanceofperversenessinthismanthustoflinghimselfoffalone，inasavageregion，wheresolitudeitselfwasdismal，andeveryencounterwithhisfellow-manfullofperil。Such，however，isthehardnessofspirit，andtheinsensibilitytodangerthatgrowuponmeninthewilderness。
M’Lellan，moreover，wasamanofpeculiartemperament，ungovernableinhiswill，ofacouragethatabsolutelyknewnofear，andsomewhatofabraggartspirit，thattookaprideindoingdesperateandhair-brainedthings。
Mr。Stuartandhispartyfoundthepassagesofthemountainsomewhatdifficult，onaccountofthesnow，whichinmanyplaceswasofconsiderabledepth，thoughitwasbutthe1stofOctober。
Theycrossedthesummitearlyintheafternoon，andbeheldbelowthem，aplainabouttwentymileswide，boundedontheoppositesidebytheiroldacquaintances，thePilotKnobs，thosetoweringmountainswhichhadservedMr。Huntaslandmarksinpartofhisrouteoftheprecedingyear。Throughtheintermediateplainwanderedariveraboutfiftyyardswide，sometimesgleaminginopenday，butoftenerrunningthroughwillowedbanks，whichmarkeditsserpentinecourse。
Thoseofthepartywhohadbeenacrossthesemountains，pointedoutmuchofthebearingsofthecountrytoMr。Stuart。TheyshowedhiminwhatdirectionmustliethedesertedpostcalledHenry’sFort，wheretheyhadabandonedtheirhorsesandembarkedincanoes，andtheyinformedhimthatthestreamwhichwanderedthroughtheplainbelowthem，fellintoHenryRiver，halfwaybetweenthefortandthemouthofMadorSnakeRiver。Thecharacterofallthismountainregionwasdecidedlyvolcanic;andtothenorthwest，betweenHenry’sFortandthesourceoftheMissouri，Mr。Stuartobservedseveralveryhighpeakscoveredwithsnow，fromtwoofwhichsmokeascendedinconsiderablevolumes，apparentlyfromcratersinastateoferuption。
Ontheirwaydownthemountain，whentheyhadreachedtheskirts，theydescriedM’Lellanatadistance，intheadvance，traversingtheplain。Whetherhesawthemornot，heshowednodispositiontorejointhem，butpursuedhissullenandsolitaryway。
Afterdescendingintotheplain，theykeptonaboutsixmiles，untiltheyreachedthelittleriver，whichwashereaboutkneedeep，andrichlyfringedwithwillow。Heretheyencampedforthenight。AtthisencampmentthefeverofMr。Crooksincreasedtosuchadegreethatitwasimpossibleforhimtotravel。SomeofthemenwerestrenuousforMr。Stuarttoproceedwithouthim，urgingtheimminentdangertheywereexposedtobydelayinthatunknownandbarrenregion，infestedbythemosttreacherousandinveteratefoes。Theyrepresentedthattheseasonwasrapidlyadvancing;theweatherforsomedayshadbeenextremelycold;themountainswerealreadyalmostimpassablefromsnow，andwouldsoonpresenteffectualbarriers。Theirprovisionswereexhausted;
therewasnogametobeseen，andtheydidnotdaretousetheirrifles，throughfearofdrawinguponthemtheBlackfeet。
Thepicturethuspresentedwastootruetobecontradicted，andmadeadeepimpressiononthemindofMr。Stuart;buttheideaofabandoningafellowbeing，andacomrade，insuchaforlornsituation，wastoorepugnanttohisfeelingstobeadmittedforaninstant。HerepresentedtothementhatthemaladyofMr。
Crookscouldnotbeoflongduration，andthat，inallprobability，hewouldbeabletotravelinthecourseofafewdays。Itwaswithgreatdifficulty，however，thatheprevaileduponthemtoabidetheevent。
