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