Longbeforesunrisethenewsofthiscalamityspreadlikewildfirethroughthedifferent
　　encampments。CaptainBonneville，whoseownhorsesremainedsafeattheirpickets，watchedin
　　momentaryexpectationofanoutbreakofwarriors，Pierced-noseandFlathead，infuriouspursuit
　　of
　　themarauders；butnosuchthing——theycontentedthemselveswithsearchingdiligentlyoverhill
　　and
　　dale，togleanupsuchhorsesashadescapedthehandsofthemarauders，andthenresignedthemselvestotheirlosswiththemostexemplaryquiescence。Some，itistrue，whowereentirelyunhorsed，setoutonabeggingvisittotheircousins，as
　　theycalledthem，theLowerNezPerces，whoinhabitthelowercountryabouttheColumbia，and
　　possesshorsesinabundance。Tothesetheyrepairwhenindifficulty，andseldomfail，bydintofbeggingandbartering，togetthemselvesoncemoremountedonhorseback。Gamehadnowbecomescarceintheneighborhoodofthecamp，anditwasnecessary，
　　accordingtoIndiancustom，tomoveofftoalessbeatenground。CaptainBonnevilleproposed
　　the
　　HorsePrairie；buthisIndianfriendsobjectedthatmanyoftheNezPerceshadgonetovisittheir
　　cousins，andthatthewhiteswerefewinnumber，sothattheirunitedforcewasnotsufficienttoVentureuponthebuffalogrounds，whichwereinfestedbybandsofBlackfeet。Theynowspokeofaplaceatnogreatdistance，whichtheyrepresentedasaperfect
　　hunter”s
　　elysium。Itwasontherightbranch，orheadstreamoftheriver，lockedupamongcliffsand
　　precipiceswheretherewasnodangerfromrovingbands，andwheretheBlackfeetdarenotenter。
　　Here，theysaid，theelkabounded，andthemountainsheepweretobeseentroopinguponthe
　　rocks
　　andhills。Alittledistancebeyondit，also，herdsofbuffaloweretobemetwith，Outofrangeofdanger。Thithertheyproposedtomovetheircamp。Thepropositionpleasedthecaptain，whowasdesirous，throughtheIndians，ofbecoming
　　acquaintedwithallthesecretplacesoftheland。Accordingly，onthe9thofDecember，they
　　struck
　　theirtents，andmovedforwardbyshortstages，asmanyoftheIndianswereyetfeeblefromthe
　　latemalady。Followinguptherightforkoftherivertheycametowhereitenteredadeepgorgeofthe
　　mountains，upwhichlaythesecludedregionsomuchvaluedbytheIndians。CaptainBonneville
　　haltedandencampedforthreedaysbeforeenteringthegorge。Inthemeantimehedetachedfive
　　of
　　hisfreetrapperstoscourthehills，andkillasmanyelkaspossible，beforethemainbodyshouldenter，astheywouldthenbesoonfrightenedawaybythevariousIndianhuntingparties。Whilethusencamped，theywerestillliabletothemaraudsoftheBlackfeet，andCaptain
　　BonnevilleadmonishedhisIndianfriendstobeupontheirguard。TheNezPerces，however，
　　notwithstandingtheirrecentloss，werestillcarelessoftheirhorses；merelydrivingthemtosome
　　secludedspot，andleavingthemthereforthenight，withoutsettinganyguarduponthem。The
　　consequencewasasecondswoop，inwhichforty-onewerecarriedoff。Thiswasbornewith
　　equal
　　philosophywiththefirst，andnoeffortwasmadeeithertorecoverthehorses，ortotake
　　vengeanceonthethieves。TheNezPerces，however，grewmorecautiouswithrespecttotheirremaininghorses，
　　driving
　　themregularlytothecampeveryevening，andfasteningthemtopickets。CaptainBonneville，
　　however，toldthemthatthiswasnotenough。Itwasevidenttheyweredoggedbyadaringand
　　perseveringenemy，whowasencouragedbypastimpunity；theyshould，therefore，takemore
　　than
　　usualprecautions，andpostaguardatnightovertheircavalry。Theycouldnot，however，be
　　persuadedtodepartfromtheirusualcustom。Thehorseoncepicketed，thecareoftheownerwas
　　over
　　forthenight，andhesleptprofoundly。Nonewakedinthecampbutthegamblers，who，absorbed
　　intheirplay，weremoredifficulttoberousedtoexternalcircumstancesthaneventhesleepers。TheBlackfeetareboldenemies，andfondofhazardousexploits。Thebandthatwere
　　hovering
　　abouttheneighborhood，findingthattheyhadsuchpacificpeopletodealwith，redoubledtheir
　　daring。Thehorsesbeingnowpicketedbeforethelodges，anumberofBlackfeetscouts
　　penetrated
　　intheearlypartofthenightintotheverycentreofthecamp。Heretheywentaboutamongthe
　　lodges
　　ascalmlyanddeliberatelyasifathome，quietlycuttingloosethehorsesthatstoodpicketedby
　　the
　　lodgesoftheirsleepingowners。Oneoftheseprowlers，moreadventurousthantherest，
　　approached
　　afireroundwhichagroupofNezPercesweregamblingwiththemostintenseeagerness。Here
　　he
　　stoodforsometime，muffledupinhisrobe，peeringovertheshouldersoftheplayers，watching
　　the
　　changesoftheircountenancesandthefluctuationsofthegame。Socompletelyengrossedwere
　　they，
　　thatthepresenceofthismuffledeaves-dropperwasunnoticedand，havingexecutedhisbravado，
　　heretiredundiscovered。Havingcutlooseasmanyhorsesastheycouldconvenientlycarryoff，theBlackfeet
　　scouts
　　rejoinedtheircomrades，andallremainedpatientlyroundthecamp。Bydegreesthehorses，
　　finding
　　themselvesatliberty，tooktheirroutetowardtheircustomarygrazingground。Astheyemerged
　　from
　　thecamptheyweresilentlytakenpossessionof，until，havingsecuredaboutthirty，theBlackfeet
　　sprangontheirbacksandscamperedoff。Theclatterofhoofsstartledthegamblersfromtheir
　　game。
　　Theygavethealarm，whichsoonrousedthesleepersfromeverylodge。Stillallwasquiescent；no
　　marshallingofforces，nosaddlingofsteedsanddashingoffinpursuit，notalkofretributionfor
　　their
　　repeatedoutrages。ThepatienceofCaptainBonnevillewasatlengthexhausted。Hehadplayed
　　the
　　partofapacificatorwithoutsuccess；henowalteredhistone，andresolved，ifpossible，torouse
　　theirwarspirit。Accordingly，convokingtheirchiefs，heinveighedagainsttheircravenpolicy，andurged
　　the
　　necessityofvigorousandretributivemeasuresthatwouldchecktheconfidenceandpresumption
　　of
　　theirenemies，ifnotinspirethemwithawe。Forthispurpose，headvisedthatawarpartyshould
　　be
　　immediatelysentoffonthetrailofthemarauders，tofollowthem，ifnecessary，intothevery
　　heart
　　oftheBlackfootcountry，andnottoleavethemuntiltheyhadtakensignalvengeance。Beside
　　this，
　　herecommendedtheorganizationofminorwarparties，tomakereprisalstotheextentofthe
　　losses
　　sustained。“Unlessyourouseyourselvesfromyourapathy，“saidhe，“andstrikesomeboldand
　　decisiveblow，youwillceasetobeconsideredmen，orobjectsofmanlywarfare。Thevery
　　squaws
　　andchildrenoftheBlackfeetwillbesetagainstyou，whiletheirwarriorsreservethemselvesfornoblerantagonists。”Thisharanguehadevidentlyamomentaryeffectupontheprideofthehearers。Aftera
　　short
　　pause，however，oneoftheoratorsarose。Itwasbad，hesaid，togotowarformererevenge。The
　　GreatSpirithadgiventhemaheartforpeace，notforwar。Theyhadlosthorses，itwastrue，but
　　they
　　couldeasilygetothersfromtheircousins，theLowerNezPerces，withoutincurringanyrisk；
　　whereas，inwartheyshouldlosemen，whowerenotsoreadilyreplaced。Astotheirlatelosses，
　　an
　　increasedwatchfulnesswouldpreventanymoremisfortunesofthekind。Hedisapproved，
　　therefore，ofallhostilemeasures；andalltheotherchiefsconcurredinhisopinion。CaptainBonnevilleagaintookupthepoint。“Itistrue，“saidhe，“theGreatSpirithas
　　given
　　youahearttoloveyourfriends；buthehasalsogivenyouanarmtostrikeyourenemies。Unless
　　you
　　dosomethingspeedilytoputanendtothiscontinualplundering，Imustsayfarewell。AsyetI
　　have
　　sustainednoloss；thankstotheprecautionswhichyouhaveslighted；butmypropertyistoo
　　unsafe
　　here；myturnwillcomenext；Iandmypeoplewillsharethecontemptyouarebringingupon
　　yourselves，andwillbethought，likeyou，poor-spiritedbeings，whomayatanytimebe
　　plunderedwithimpunity。”TheconferencebrokeupwithsomesignsofexcitementonthepartoftheIndians。Early
　　the
　　nextmorning，apartyofthirtymensetoffinpursuitofthefoe，andCaptainBonnevillehopedto
　　hearagoodaccountoftheBlackfeetmarauders。Tohisdisappointment，thewarpartycame
　　lagging
　　backonthefollowingday，leadingafewold，sorry，broken-downhorses，whichthefree-booters
　　had
　　notbeenabletourgetosufficientspeed。Thiseffortexhaustedthemartialspirit，andsatisfiedthewoundedprideoftheNezPerces，andtheyrelapsedintotheirusualstateofpassiveindifference。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter13[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter13StoryofKosato，theRenegadeBlackfoot。IFthemeeknessandlong-sufferingofthePierced-nosesgrievedthespirit
　　ofCaptainBonneville，
　　therewasanotherindividualinthecamptowhomtheywerestillmoreannoying。Thiswasa
　　Blackfootrenegado，namedKosato，afieryhot-bloodedyouthwho，withabeautifulgirlofthe
　　same
　　tribe，hadtakenrefugeamongtheNezPerces。Thoughadoptedintothetribe，hestillretained
　　the
　　warlikespiritofhisrace，andloathedthepeaceful，inoffensivehabitsofthosearoundhim。The
　　huntingofthedeer，theelk，andthebuffalo，whichwastheheightoftheirambition，wastootame
　　tosatisfyhiswildandrestlessnature。Hisheartburnedfortheforay，theambush，theskirmish，
　　thescamper，andallthehapsandhazardsofrovingandpredatorywarfare。TherecenthoveringsoftheBlackfeetaboutthecamp，theirnightlyprowlsanddaringand
　　successful
　　marauds，hadkepthiminafeverandaflutter，likeahawkinacagewhohearshislate
　　companions
　　swoopingandscreaminginwildlibertyabovehim。TheattemptofCaptainBonnevilletorouse
　　the
　　warspiritoftheNezPerces，andpromptthemtoretaliation，wasardentlysecondedbyKosato。
　　For
　　severaldayshewasincessantlydevisingschemesofvengeance，andendeavoringtosetonfoot
　　an
　　expeditionthatshouldcarrydismayanddesolationintotheBlackfeettown。Allhisartwas
　　exerted
　　totouchuponthosespringsofhumanactionwithwhichhewasmostfamiliar。Hedrewthe
　　listening
　　savagesroundhimbyhisnervouseloquence；tauntedthemwithrecitalsofpastwrongsand
　　insults；
　　drewglowingpicturesoftriumphsandtrophieswithintheirreach；recountedtalesofdaringand
　　romanticenterprise，ofsecretmarchings，covertlurkings，midnightsurprisals，sackings，burnings，
　　plunderings，scalpings；togetherwiththetriumphantreturn，andthefeastingandrejoicingofthe
　　victors。Thesewildtaleswereintermingledwiththebeatingofthedrum，theyell，thewar-whoop
　　andthewar-dance，soinspiringtoIndianvalor。All，however，werelostuponthepeacefulspirits
　　of
　　hishearers；notaNezPercewastoberousedtovengeance，orstimulatedtogloriouswar。Inthe
　　bitternessofhisheart，theBlackfootrenegaderepinedatthemishapwhichhadseveredhimfrom
　　araceofcongenialspirits，anddrivenhimtotakerefugeamongbeingssodestituteofmartialfire。ThecharacterandconductofthismanattractedtheattentionofCaptainBonneville，andhe
　　was
　　anxioustohearthereasonwhyhehaddesertedhistribe，andwhyhelookedbackuponthem
　　with
　　suchdeadlyhostility。Kosatotoldhimhisownstorybriefly：itgivesapictureofthedeep，strongpassionsthatworkinthebosomsofthesemiscalledstoics。“Youseemywife，“saidhe，“sheisgood；sheisbeautiful——Iloveher。Yetshehasbeenthe
　　cause
　　ofallmytroubles。Shewasthewifeofmychief。Ilovedhermorethanhedid；andsheknewit。
　　We
　　talkedtogether；welaughedtogether；wewerealwaysseekingeachother”ssociety；butwewere
　　as
　　innocentaschildren。Thechiefgrewjealous，andcommandedhertospeakwithmenomore。His
　　heartbecamehardtowardher；hisjealousygrewmorefurious。Hebeatherwithoutcauseand
　　withoutmercy；andthreatenedtokillheroutrightifsheevenlookedatme。Doyouwanttraces
　　of
　　hisfury？Lookatthatscar！Hisrageagainstmewasnolesspersecuting。Warpartiesofthe
　　Crows
　　werehoveringroundus；ouryoungmenhadseentheirtrail。Allheartswererousedforaction；
　　my
　　horseswerebeforemylodge。Suddenlythechiefcame，tookthemtohisownpickets，andcalled
　　themhisown。WhatcouldIdo？hewasachief。Idurstnotspeak，butmyheartwasburning。I
　　joined
　　nolongerinthecouncil，thehunt，orthewar-feast。WhathadItodothere？anunhorsed，
　　degradedwarrior。Ikeptbymyself，andthoughtofnothingbutthesewrongsandoutrages。“Iwassittingoneeveninguponaknollthatoverlookedthemeadowwherethehorseswere
　　pastured。
　　Isawthehorsesthatwereonceminegrazingamongthoseofthechief。Thismaddenedme，andI
　　sat
　　broodingforatimeovertheinjuriesIhadsuffered，andthecrueltieswhichsheIlovedhad
　　endured
　　formysake，untilmyheartswelledandgrewsore，andmyteethwereclinched。AsIlooked
　　down
　　uponthemeadowIsawthechiefwalkingamonghishorses。Ifastenedmyeyesuponhimasa
　　hawk”s；mybloodboiled；Idrewmybreathhard。Hewentamongthewillows。InaninstantIwas
　　on
　　myfeet；myhandwasonmyknife——Iflewratherthanran——beforehewasawareIsprangupon
　　him，andwithtwoblowslaidhimdeadatmyfeet。Icoveredhisbodywithearth，andstrewed
　　bushes
　　overtheplace；thenIhastenedtoherIloved，toldherwhatIhaddone，andurgedhertoflywith
　　me。
　　Sheonlyansweredmewithtears。IremindedherofthewrongsIhadsuffered，andoftheblows
　　and
　　stripesshehadenduredfromthedeceased；Ihaddonenothingbutanactofjustice。Iagainurged
　　her
　　tofly；butsheonlyweptthemore，andbademego。Myheartwasheavy，butmyeyesweredry。I
　　foldedmyarms。””Tiswell”saidI；”Kosatowillgoalonetothedesert。Nonewillbewithhimbut
　　the
　　wildbeastsofthedesert。Theseekersofbloodmayfollowonhistrail。Theymaycomeuponhimwhenhesleepsandgluttheirrevenge；butyouwillbesafe。Kosatowillgoalone。“Iturnedaway。Shesprangafterme，andstrainedmeinherarms。”No”shecried，”Kosato
　　shallnotgoalone！WhereverhegoesIwillgo——heshallneverpartfromme。“”Wehastilytookinourhandssuchthingsaswemostneeded，andstealingquietlyfromthe
　　village，
　　mountedthefirsthorsesweencountered。Speedingdayandnight，wesoonreachedthistribe。
　　They
　　receiveduswithwelcome，andwehavedweltwiththeminpeace。Theyaregoodandkind；they
　　arehonest；buttheirheartsaretheheartsofwomen。SuchwasthestoryofKosato，asrelatedbyhimtoCaptainBonneville。Itisofakindthat
　　often
　　occursinIndianlife；whereloveelopementsfromtribetotribeareasfrequentasamongthe
　　novel-readheroesandheroinesofsentimentalcivilization，andoftengiverisetobloodsand
　　lastingfeuds。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter14[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter14Thepartyentersthemountaingorge——Awildfastnessamonghills——Mountain
　　mutton——Peaceand
　　plenty——Theamoroustrapper-Apiebaldwedding-Afreetrapper”swife-Hergalaequipments-Christmasinthewilderness。ONthe19thofDecemberCaptainBonnevilleandhisconfederateIndiansraisedtheircamp，
　　and
　　enteredthenarrowgorgemadebythenorthforkofSalmonRiver。UpthislaythesecureandplenteoushuntingregionsotemptinglydescribedbytheIndians。SinceleavingGreenRivertheplainshadinvariablybeenofloosesandorcoarsegravel，and
　　the
　　rockyformationofthemountainsofprimitivelimestone。Therivers，ingeneral，wereskirted
　　with
　　willowsandbittercottonwoodtrees，andtheprairiescoveredwithwormwood。Inthehollow
　　breast
　　ofthemountainswhichtheywerenowpenetrating，thesurroundingheightswereclothedwith
　　pine；whilethedeclivitiesofthelowerhillsaffordedabundanceofbunchgrassforthehorses。AstheIndianshadrepresented，theywerenowinanaturalfastnessofthemountains，the
　　ingressand
　　egressofwhichwasbyadeepgorge，sonarrow，rugged，anddifficultastopreventsecret
　　approach
　　orrapidretreat，andtoadmitofeasydefence。TheBlackfeet，therefore，refrainedfromventuring
　　in
　　aftertheNezPerces，awaitingabetterchance，whentheyshouldoncemoreemergeintotheopencountry。CaptainBonnevillesoonfoundthattheIndianshadnotexaggeratedtheadvantagesofthis
　　region。
　　Besidesthenumerousgangsofelk，largeflocksoftheahsahtaorbighorn，themountainsheep，
　　were
　　tobeseenboundingamongtheprecipices。Thesesimpleanimalswereeasilycircumventedand
　　destroyed。Afewhuntersmaysurroundaflockandkillasmanyastheyplease。Numberswere
　　daily
　　broughtintocamp，andthefleshofthosewhichwereyoungandfatwasextolledassuperiorto
　　thefinestmutton。Here，then，therewasacessationfromtoil，fromhunger，andalarm。Pastillsanddangers
　　were
　　forgotten。Thehunt，thegame，thesong，thestory，theroughthoughgood-humoredjoke，made
　　timepassjoyouslyaway，andplentyandsecurityreignedthroughoutthecamp。Idlenessandease，itissaid，leadtolove，andlovetomatrimony，incivilizedlife，andthe
　　same
　　processtakesplaceinthewilderness。Filledwithgoodcheerandmountainmutton，oneofthe
　　free
　　trappersbegantorepineatthesolitudeofhislodge，andtoexperiencetheforceofthatgreatlaw
　　ofnature，“itisnotmeetformantolivealone。””AfteranightofgravecogitationherepairedtoKowsoter，thePierced-nosechief，and
　　unfoldedtohimthesecretworkingsofhisbosom。“Iwant，“saidhe，“awife。Givemeonefromamongyourtribe。Notayoung，giddy-pated
　　girl，that
　　willthinkofnothingbutflauntingandfinery，butasober，discreet，hard-workingsquaw；onethat
　　willsharemylotwithoutflinching，howeverharditmaybe；thatcantakecareofmylodge，and
　　be
　　acompanionandahelpmatetomeinthewilderness。”Kowsoterpromisedtolookroundamong
　　the
　　femalesofhistribe，andprocuresuchaoneashedesired。Twodayswererequisiteforthesearch。
　　Attheexpirationofthese，Kowsoter，calledathislodge，andinformedhimthathewouldbring
　　his
　　bridetohiminthecourseoftheafternoon。Hekepthisword。Attheappointedtimehe
　　approached，
　　leadingthebride，acomelycopper-coloreddameattiredinherIndianfinery。Herfather，mother，
　　brothersbythehalfdozenandcousinsbythescore，allfollowedontogracetheceremonyand
　　greetthenewandimportantrelative。Thetrapperreceivedhisnewandnumerousfamilyconnectionwithpropersolemnity；he
　　placedhis
　　bridebesidehim，and，fillingthepipe，thegreatsymbolofpeace，withhisbesttobacco，tooktwo
　　or
　　threewhiffs，thenhandedittothechiefwhotransferredittothefatherofthebride，fromwhomit
　　waspassedonfromhandtohandandmouthtomouthofthewholecircleofkinsmenroundthe
　　fire，allmaintainingthemostprofoundandbecomingsilence。Afterseveralpipeshadbeenfilledandemptiedinthissolemnceremonial，thechief
　　addressedthe
　　bride，detailingatconsiderablelengththedutiesofawifewhich，amongIndians，arelittleless
　　onerousthanthoseofthepack-horse；thisdone，heturnedtoherfriendsandcongratulatedthem
　　upon
　　thegreatallianceshehadmade。Theyshowedaduesenseoftheirgoodfortune，especiallywhen
　　the
　　nuptialpresentscametobedistributedamongthechiefsandrelatives，amountingtoaboutone
　　hundredandeightydollars。Thecompanysoonretired，andnowtheworthytrapperfoundindeed
　　that
　　hehadnogreengirltodealwith；fortheknowingdameatonceassumedthestyleanddignityof
　　a
　　trapper”swife：takingpossessionofthelodgeasherundisputedempire，arrangingeverything
　　accordingtoherowntasteandhabitudes，andappearingasmuchathomeandonaseasyterms
　　withthetrapperasiftheyhadbeenmanandwifeforyears。Wehavealreadygivenapictureofafreetrapperandhishorse，asfurnishedbyCaptain
　　Bonneville：
　　weshallheresubjoin，asacompanionpicture，hisdescriptionofafreetrapper”swife，thatthe
　　reader
　　mayhaveacorrectideaofthekindofblessingtheworthyhunterinquestionhadinvokedto
　　solacehiminthewilderness。“Thefreetrapper，whileabachelor，hasnogreaterpetthanhishorse；butthemomenthe
　　takesawife
　　asortofbrevetrankinmatrimonyoccasionallybestoweduponsomeIndianfairone，likethe
　　heroes
　　ofancientchivalryintheopenfield，hediscoversthathehasastillmorefancifulandcapriciousanimalonwhichtolavishhisexpenses。“NosoonerdoesanIndianbelleexperiencethispromotion，thanallhernotionsatoncerise
　　and
　　expandtothedignityofhersituation，andthepurseofherlover，andhiscreditintothebargain，
　　are
　　taxedtotheutmosttofitheroutinbecomingstyle。Thewifeofafreetrappertobeequippedand
　　arrayedlikeanyordinaryandundistinguishedsquaw？Perishthegrovellingthought！Inthefirst
　　place，shemusthaveahorseforherownriding；butnojaded，sorry，earth-spiritedhack，suchas
　　is
　　sometimesassignedbyanIndianhusbandforthetransportationofhissquawandherpappooses：
　　the
　　wifeofafreetradermusthavethemostbeautifulanimalshecanlayhereyeson。Andthen，asto
　　his
　　decoration：headstall，breast-bands，saddleandcrupperarelavishlyembroideredwithbeads，and
　　hungwiththimbles，hawks”bells，andbunchesofribbons。Fromeachsideofthesaddlehangsan
　　esquimoot，asortofpocket，inwhichshebestowstheresidueofhertrinketsandnick-nacks，
　　which
　　cannotbecrowdedonthedecorationofherhorseorherself。Overthisshefolds，withgreatcare，
　　a
　　draperyofscarletandbright-coloredcalicoes，andnowconsidersthecaparisonofhersteedcomplete。“Astoherownperson，sheisevenstillmoreextravagant。Herhair，esteemedbeautifulin
　　proportion
　　toitslength，iscarefullyplaited，andmadetofallwithseemingnegligenceovereitherbreast。Her
　　ridinghatisstuckfullofparti-coloredfeathers；herrobe，fashionedsomewhatafterthatofthe
　　whites，isofred，green，andsometimesgraycloth，butalwaysofthefinesttexturethatcanbe
　　procured。Herleggingsandmoccasinsareofthemostbeautifulandexpensiveworkman-ship，
　　and
　　fittedneatlytothefootandankle，whichwiththeIndianwomanaregenerallywellformedand
　　delicate。Thenastojewelry：inthewayoffinger-rings，ear-rings，necklaces，andotherfemale
　　glories，nothingwithinreachofthetrapper”smeansisomittedthatcantendtoimpressthe
　　beholder
　　withanideaofthelady”shighestate。Tofinishthewhole，sheselectsfromamongherblanketsof
　　variousdyesoneofsomeglowingcolor，andthrowingitoverhershoulderswithanativegrace，
　　vaultsintothesaddleofhergay，prancingsteed，andisreadytofollowhermountaineer”tothe
　　lastgaspwithloveandloyalty。”“Suchisthegeneralpictureofthefreetrapper”swife，givenbyCaptainBonneville；howfarit
　　applied
　　initsdetailstotheoneinquestiondoesnotaltogetherappear，thoughitwouldseemfromthe
　　outset
　　ofherconnubialcareer，thatshewasreadytoavailherselfofallthepompandcircumstanceof
　　her
　　newcondition。Itisworthyofmentionthatwhereverthereareseveralwivesoffreetrappersina
　　camp，thekeenestrivalryexistsbetweenthem，tothesoredetrimentoftheirhusbands”purses。
　　Their
　　wholetimeisexpendedandtheiringenuitytaskedbyendeavorstoeclipseeachotherindress
　　and
　　decoration。Thejealousiesandheart-burningsthusoccasionedamongtheseso-styledchildrenof
　　natureareequallyintensewiththoseoftherivalleadersofstyleandfashionintheluxurious
　　abodesofcivilizedlife。ThegenialfestivalofChristmas，whichthroughoutallChristendomlightsupthefiresideof
　　home
　　withmirthandjollity，followedhardupontheweddingjustdescribed。Thoughfarfromkindred
　　and
　　friends，CaptainBonnevilleandhishandfuloffreetrapperswerenotdisposedtosufferthe
　　festival
　　topassunenjoyed；theywereinaregionofgoodcheer，andweredisposedtobejoyous；soitwas
　　determinedto“lightuptheyuleclog，“andcelebrateamerryChristmasintheheartofthewilderness。OnChristmaseve，accordingly，theybegantheirrudefetesandrejoicings。Inthecourseof
　　thenight
　　thefreetrapperssurroundedthelodgeofthePierced-nosechiefandinlieuofChristmascarols，salutedhimwithafeudejoie。KowsoterreceiveditinatrulyChristianspirit，andafteraspeech，inwhichheexpressedhis
　　high
　　gratificationatthehonordonehim，invitedthewholecompanytoafeastonthefollowingday。
　　His
　　invitationwasgladlyaccepted。AChristmasdinnerinthewigwamofanIndianchief！Therewas
　　noveltyintheidea。Notonefailedtobepresent。Thebanquetwasservedupinprimitivestyle：
　　skins
　　ofvariouskinds，nicelydressedfortheoccasion，werespreadupontheground；uponthesewere
　　heapedupabundanceofvenison，elkmeat，andmountainmutton，withvariousbitterrootswhichtheIndiansuseascondiments。Afterashortprayer，thecompanyallseatedthemselvescross-legged，inTurkishfashion，to
　　the
　　banquet，whichpassedoffwithgreathilarity。Afterwhichvariousgamesofstrengthandagility
　　by
　　bothwhitemenandIndiansclosedtheChristmasfestivities。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter15[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter15Ahuntafterhunters——Hungrytimes——Avoraciousrepast——Wintryweather——Godin”s
　　River——Splendid
　　wintersceneonthegreatLavaPlainofSnakeRiver——Severetravellingandtrampinginthe
　　snow——ManoeuvrsofasolitaryIndianhorseman——EncampmentonSnakeRiver——BanneckIndians——Thehorsechief——Hischarmedlife。THEcontinuedabsenceofMatthieuandhispartyhad，bythistime，causedgreatuneasiness
　　inthe
　　mindofCaptainBonneville；and，findingtherewasnodependencetobeplaceduponthe
　　perseveranceandcourageofscoutingpartiesinsoperilousaquest，hedeterminedtosetout
　　himselfonthesearch，andtokeeponuntilheshouldascertainsomethingoftheobjectofhissolicitude。Accordinglyonthe20thDecemberheleftthecamp，accompaniedbythirteenstarktrappers
　　and
　　hunters，allwellmountedandarmedfordangerousenterprise。Onthefollowingmorningthey
　　passed
　　outattheheadofthemountaingorgeandsalliedforthintotheopenplain。Astheyconfidently
　　expectedabrushwiththeBlackfeet，orsomeotherpredatoryhorde，theymovedwithgreatcircumspection，andkeptvigilantwatchintheirencampments。InthecourseofanotherdaytheyleftthemainbranchofSalmonRiver，andproceededsouth
　　toward
　　apasscalledJohnDay”sdefile。Itwassevereandarduoustravelling。Theplainsweresweptby
　　keen
　　andbitterblastsofwintrywind；thegroundwasgenerallycoveredwithsnow，gamewasscarce，
　　so
　　thathungergenerallyprevailedinthecamp，whilethewantofpasturagesoonbegantomanifestitselfinthedecliningvigorofthehorses。Thepartyhadscarcelyencampedontheafternoonofthe28th，whentwoofthehunterswho
　　had
　　salliedforthinquestofgamecamegallopingbackingreatalarm。Whilehuntingtheyhad
　　perceived
　　apartyofsavages，evidentlymanoeuvringtocutthemofffromthecamp；andnothinghadsavedthemfrombeingentrappedbutthespeedoftheirhorses。Thesetidingsstruckdismayintothecamp。CaptainBonnevilleendeavoredtoreassurehis
　　menby
　　representingthepositionoftheirencampment，anditscapabilityofdefence。Hethenorderedthe
　　horsestobedriveninandpicketed，andthrewuparoughbreastworkoffallentrunksoftreesand
　　thevegetablerubbishofthewilderness。Withinthisbarrierwasmaintainedavigilantwatch
　　throughoutthenight，whichpassedawaywithoutalarm。Atearlydawntheyscrutinizedthe
　　surroundingplain，todiscoverwhetheranyenemieshadbeenlurkingaboutduringthenight；not
　　afoot-print，however，wastobediscoveredinthecoarsegravelwithwhichtheplainwascovered。Hungernowbegantocausemoreuneasinessthantheapprehensionsofsurroundingenemies。
　　After
　　marchingafewmilestheyencampedatthefootofamountain，inhopesoffindingbuffalo。It
　　was
　　notuntilthenextdaythattheydiscoveredapairoffinebullsontheedgeoftheplain，among
　　rocks
　　andravines。Havingnowbeentwodaysandahalfwithoutamouthfuloffood，theytookespecial
　　carethattheseanimalsshouldnotescapethem。Whilesomeofthesurestmarksmenadvanced
　　cautiouslywiththeirriflesintotheroughground，fourofthebestmountedhorsementooktheirstationsintheplain，torunthebullsdownshouldtheyonlybemaimed。Thebuffalowerewoundedandsetoffinheadlongflight。Thehalf-famishedhorsesweretoo
　　weak
　　toovertakethemonthefrozenground，butsucceededindrivingthemontheice，wherethey
　　slipped
　　andfell，andwereeasilydispatched。Thehuntersloadedthemselveswithbeefforpresentand
　　future
　　supply，andthenreturnedandencampedatthelastnights”sfire。Heretheypassedtheremainder
　　of
　　theday，cookingandeatingwithavoracityproportionedtopreviousstarvation，forgettingintheheartyrevelofthemomentthecertaindangerswithwhichtheywereenvironed。Thecravingsofhungerbeingsatisfied，theynowbegantodebateabouttheirfurther
　　progress。The
　　menweremuchdisheartenedbythehardshipstheyhadalreadyendured。Indeed，twowhohad
　　been
　　intherearguard，takingadvantageoftheirposition，haddesertedandreturnedtothelodgesof
　　the
　　NezPerces。Theprospectaheadwasenoughtostaggerthestoutestheart。Theywereinthedead
　　of
　　winter。Asfarastheeyecouldreachthewildlandscapewaswrappedinsnow，whichwas
　　evidently
　　deepeningastheyadvanced。Overthistheywouldhavetotoil，withtheicywindblowingin
　　their
　　faces：theirhorsesmightgiveoutthroughwantofpasturage，andtheythemselvesmustexpectintervalsofhorriblefaminelikethattheyhadalreadyexperienced。WithCaptainBonneville，however，perseverancewasamatterofpride；and，having
　　undertakenthis
　　enterprise，nothingcouldturnhimbackuntilitwasaccomplished：thoughhedeclaresthat，had
　　he
　　anticipatedthedifficultiesandsufferingswhichattendedit，heshouldhaveflinchedfromtheundertaking。Onward，therefore，thelittlebandurgedtheirway，keepingalongthecourseofastream
　　calledJohn
　　Day”sCreek。Thecoldwassointensethattheyhadfrequentlytodismountandtravelonfoot，lest
　　theyshouldfreezeintheirsaddles。Thedayswhichatthisseasonareshortenougheveninthe
　　open
　　prairies，werenarrowedtoafewhoursbythehighmountains，whichallowedthetravellersbuta
　　briefenjoymentofthecheeringraysofthesun。Thesnowwasgenerallyatleasttwentyinchesin
　　depth，andinmanyplacesmuchmore：thosewhodismountedhadtobeattheirwaywith
　　toilsome
　　steps。Eightmileswereconsideredagoodday”sjourney。Thehorseswerealmostfamished；for
　　the
　　herbagewascoveredbythedeepsnow，sothattheyhadnothingtosubsistuponbutscantywisps
　　ofthedrybunchgrasswhichpeeredabovethesurface，andthesmallbranchesandtwigsof
　　frozenwillowsandwormwood。InthiswaytheyurgedtheirslowandpainfulcoursetothesouthdownJohnDay”sCreek，
　　untilitlost
　　itselfinaswamp。Heretheyencampedupontheiceamongstiffenedwillows，wheretheywereobligedtobeatdownandclearawaythesnowtoprocurepasturagefortheirhorses。HencetheytoiledontoGodinRiver；socalledafteranIroquoishunterintheserviceof
　　Sublette，
　　whowasmurderedtherebytheBlackfeet。Manyofthefeaturesofthisremotewildernessare
　　thus
　　namedafterscenesofviolenceandbloodshedthatoccurredtotheearlypioneers。Itwasanactof
　　filialvengeanceonthepartofGodin”ssonAntoinethat，asthereadermayrecollect，broughton
　　therecentbattleatPierre”sHole。FromGodin”sRiver，CaptainBonnevilleandhisfollowerscameoutupontheplainofthe
　　Three
　　Butes，socalledfromthreesingularandisolatedhillsthatrisefromthemidst。Itisapartofthe
　　great
　　desertofSnakeRiver，oneofthemostremarkabletractsbeyondthemountains。Couldtheyhave
　　experiencedarespitefromtheirsufferingsandanxieties，theimmenselandscapespreadout
　　before
　　themwascalculatedtoinspireadmiration。Winterhasitsbeautiesandgloriesaswellassummer；andCaptainBonnevillehadthesoultoappreciatethem。Faraway，sayshe，overthevastplains，andupthesteepsidesoftheloftymountains，the
　　snowlay
　　spreadindazzlingwhiteness：andwheneverthesunemergedinthemorningabovethegiant
　　peaks，
　　orburstforthfromamongcloudsinhismiddaycourse，mountainanddell，glazedrockand
　　frosted
　　tree，glowedandsparkledwithsurpassinglustre。Thetallpinesseemedsprinkledwithasilver
　　dust，
　　andthewillows，studdedwithminuteiciclesreflectingtheprismaticrays，broughttomindthe
　　fairytreesconjuredupbythecaliph”sstory-tellertoadornhisvaleofdiamonds。Thepoorwanderers，however，nearlystarvedwithhungerandcold，wereinnomoodto
　　enjoythe
　　gloriesofthesebrilliantscenes；thoughtheystampedpicturesontheirmemorywhichhavebeenrecalledwithdelightinmoregenialsituations。EncampingatthewestBute，theyfoundaplacesweptbythewinds，sothatitwasbareof
　　snow，and
　　therewasabundanceofbunchgrass。Herethehorseswereturnedloosetograzethroughoutthe
　　night。Thoughforoncetheyhadamplepasturage，yetthekeenwindsweresointensethat，inthe
　　morning，amulewasfoundfrozentodeath。Thetrappersgatheredroundandmournedoverhim
　　as
　　overacherishedfriend。Theyfearedtheirhalf-famishedhorseswouldsoonsharehisfate，for
　　there
　　seemedscarcebloodenoughleftintheirveinstowithstandthefreezingcold。Tobeattheway
　　further
　　throughthesnowwiththeseenfeebledanimalsseemednexttoimpossible；anddespondency
　　began
　　tocreepovertheirhearts，when，fortunately，theydiscoveredatrailmadebysomehuntingparty。
　　Intothistheyimmediatelyentered，andproceededwithlessdifficulty。Shortlyafterward，afine
　　buffalobullcameboundingacrossthesnowandwasinstantlybroughtdownbythehunters。A
　　fire
　　wassoonblazingandcrackling，andanamplerepastsooncooked，andsoonerdispatched；after
　　whichtheymadesomefurtherprogressandthenencamped。Oneofthemenreachedthecamp
　　nearly
　　frozentodeath；butgoodcheerandablazingfiregraduallyrestoredlife，andputhisbloodincirculation。Havingnowabeatenpath，theyproceededthenextmorningwithmorefacility；indeed，the
　　snow
　　decreasedindepthastheyrecededfromthemountains，andthetemperaturebecamemoremild。
　　In
　　thecourseofthedaytheydiscoveredasolitaryhorsemanhoveringatadistancebeforethemon
　　the
　　plain。Theyspurredontoovertakehim；buthewasbettermountedonafreshersteed，andkeptat
　　awarydistance，reconnoitringthemwithevidentdistrust；forthewilddressofthefreetrappers，
　　their
　　leggings，blankets，andclothcapsgarnishedwithfurandtoppedoffwithfeathers，eventheirvery
　　elf-locksandweather-bronzedcomplexions，gavethemthelookofIndiansratherthanwhite
　　men，andmadehimmistakethemforawarpartyofsomehostiletribe。Aftermuchmanoeuvring，thewildhorsemanwasatlengthbroughttoaparley；buteventhen
　　he
　　conductedhimselfwiththecautionofaknowingprowleroftheprairies。Dismountingfromhis
　　horse，andusinghimasabreastwork，helevelledhisgunacrosshisback，and，thuspreparedfor
　　defencelikeawarycruiseruponthehighseas，hepermittedhimselftobeapproachedwithinspeakingdistance。HeprovedtobeanIndianoftheBannecktribe，belongingtoabandatnogreatdistance。It
　　wassome
　　timebeforehecouldbepersuadedthathewasconversingwithapartyofwhitemenandinduced
　　to
　　layasidehisreserveandjointhem。Hethengavethemtheinterestingintelligencethattherewere
　　twocompaniesofwhitemenencampedintheneighborhood。ThiswascheeringnewstoCaptain
　　Bonneville；whohopedtofindinoneofthemthelong-soughtpartyofMatthieu。Pushing
　　forward，
　　therefore，withrenovatedspirits，hereachedSnakeRiverbynightfall，andtherefixedhisencampment。Earlythenextmorning13thJanuary，1833，diligentsearchwasmadeaboutthe
　　neighborhoodfor
　　tracesofthereportedpartiesofwhitemen。Anencampmentwassoondiscoveredaboutfour
　　miles
　　fartheruptheriver，inwhichCaptainBonnevilletohisgreatjoyfoundtwoofMatthieu”smen，
　　from
　　whomhelearnedthattherestofhispartywouldbethereinthecourseofafewdays。Itwasa
　　matter
　　ofgreatprideandselfgratulationtoCaptainBonnevillethathehadthusaccomplishedhisdreary
　　and
　　doubtfulenterprise；andhedeterminedtopasssometimeinthisencampment，bothtoawaitthereturnofMatthieu，andtogiveneedfulreposetomenandhorses。Itwas，infact，oneofthemosteligibleanddelightfulwinteringgroundsinthatwholerange
　　of
　　country。TheSnakeRiverherewounditsdeviouswaybetweenlowbanksthroughthegreatplain
　　oftheThreeButes；andwasborderedbywideandfertilemeadows。Itwasstuddedwithislands
　　which，likethealluvialbottoms，werecoveredwithgrovesofcotton-wood，thicketsofwillow，
　　tracts
　　ofgoodlowlandgrass，andabundanceofgreenrushes。Theadjacentplainsweresovastinextent
　　thatnosinglebandofIndianscoulddrivethebuffalooutofthem；norwasthesnowofsufficient
　　depthtogiveanyseriousinconvenience。Indeed，duringthesojournofCaptainBonnevilleinthis
　　neighborhood，whichwasintheheartofwinter，hefoundtheweather，withtheexceptionofa
　　few
　　coldandstormydays，generallymildandpleasant，freezingalittleatnightbutinvariably
　　thawingwiththemorning”ssun-resemblingthespringweatherinthemiddlepartsoftheUnitedStates。TheloftyrangeoftheThreeTetons，thosegreatlandmarksoftheRockyMountainsrisingin
　　theeast
　　andcirclingawaytothenorthandwestofthegreatplainofSnakeRiver，andthemountainsof
　　Salt
　　RiverandPortneuftowardthesouth，catchtheearliestfallsofsnow。Theirwhiterobeslengthen
　　as
　　thewinteradvances，andspreadthemselvesfarintotheplain，drivingthebuffaloinherdstothebanksoftheriverinquestoffood；wheretheyareeasilyslainingreatnumbers。Suchwerethepalpableadvantagesofthiswinterencampment；addedtowhich，itwassecure
　　from
　　theprowlingsandplunderingsofanypettybandofrovingBlackfeet，thedifficultiesofretreat
　　renderingitunwiseforthosecraftydepredatorstoventureanattackunlesswithanoverpoweringforce。AbouttenmilesbelowtheencampmentlaytheBanneckIndians；numberingaboutone
　　hundredand
　　twentylodges。TheyarebraveandcunningwarriorsanddeadlyfoesoftheBlackfeet，whomthey
　　easilyovercomeinbattleswheretheirforcesareequal。Theyarenotvengefulandenterprisingin
　　warfare，however；seldomsendingwarpartiestoattacktheBlackfeettowns，butcontenting
　　themselveswithdefendingtheirownterritoriesandhouse。Aboutonethirdoftheirwarriorsarearmedwithfusees，therestwithbowsandarrows。