Theynowproceededonuntiltheydoubledthepointofthehill,
whenthewholepopulationofthevillagebrokeupontheirview,
drawnoutinthemostimposingstyle,andarrayedinalltheir
finery。Theeffectofthewholewaswildandfantastic,yet
singularlystriking。Inthefrontrankwerethechiefsand
principalwarriors,glaringlypaintedanddecorated;behindthemwerearrangedtherestofthepeople,men,women,andchildren。CaptainBonnevilleandhispartyadvancedslowly,exchanging
salutesoffirearms。Whenarrivedwithinarespectfuldistance,
theydismounted。Thechiefsthencameforwardsuccessively,
accordingtotheirrespectivecharactersandconsequence,to
offerthehandofgoodfellowship;eachfilingoffwhenhehad
shakenhands,tomakewayforhissuccessor。Thoseinthenext
rankfollowedinthesameorder,andsoon,untilallhadgiven
thepledgeoffriendship。Duringallthistime,thechief,
accordingtocustom,tookhisstandbesidetheguests。Ifanyof
hispeopleadvancedwhomhejudgedunworthyofthefriendshipor
confidenceofthewhitemen,hemotionedthemoffbyawaveof
thehand,andtheywouldsubmissivelywalkaway。WhenCaptain
Bonnevilleturneduponhimaninquiringlook,hewouldobserve,
“hewasabadman,“orsomethingquiteasconcise,andtherewasanendofthematter。Mats,poles,andothermaterialswerenowbrought,anda
comfortablelodgewassoonerectedforthestrangers,wherethey
werekeptconstantlysuppliedwithwoodandwater,andother
necessaries;andalltheireffectswereplacedinsafekeeping。
Theirhorses,too,wereunsaddled,andturnedloosetograze,andaguardsettokeepwatchuponthem。Allthisbeingadjusted,theywereconductedtothemainbuilding
orcouncilhouseofthevillage,whereanamplerepast,orrather
banquet,wasspread,whichseemedtorealizeallthe
gastronomicaldreamsthathadtantalizedthemduringtheirlong
starvation;forheretheybeheldnotmerelyfishandrootsin
abundance,butthefleshofdeerandelk,andthechoicestpieces
ofbuffalomeat。Itisneedlesstosayhowvigorouslythey
acquittedthemselvesonthisoccasion,andhowunnecessaryitwas
fortheirhoststopracticetheusualcrammingprincipleofIndianhospitality。Whentherepastwasover,alongtalkensued。Thechiefshowed
thesamecuriosityevincedbyhistribegenerally,toobtain
informationconcerningtheUnitedStates,ofwhichtheyknew
littlebutwhattheyderivedthroughtheircousins,theUpperNez
Perces;astheirtrafficisalmostexclusivelywiththeBritish
tradersoftheHudson”sBayCompany。CaptainBonnevilledidhis
besttosetforththemeritsofhisnation,andtheimportanceof
theirfriendshiptotheredmen,inwhichhewasablysecondedby
hisworthyfriend,theoldchiefwiththehardname,whodidallthathecouldtoglorifytheBigHeartsoftheEast。Thechief,andallpresent,listenedwithprofoundattention,and
evidentlywithgreatinterest;norweretheimportantfactsthus
setforth,confinedtotheaudienceinthelodge;forsentence
aftersentencewasloudlyrepeatedbyacrierforthebenefitofthewholevillage。Thiscustomofpromulgatingeverythingbycriers,isnotconfined
totheNezPerces,butprevailsamongmanyothertribes。Ithas
itsadvantagewheretherearenogazettestopublishthenewsof
theday,ortoreporttheproceedingsofimportantmeetings。And
infact,reportsofthiskind,vivavoce,madeinthehearingof
allparties,andliabletobecontradictedorcorrectedonthe
spot,aremorelikelytoconveyaccurateinformationtothe
publicmindthanthosecirculatedthroughthepress。Theoffice
ofcrierisgenerallyfilledbysomeoldman,whoisgoodfor
littleelse。Avillagehasgenerallyseveralofthesewalking
newspapers,astheyaretermedbythewhites,whogoabout
proclaimingthenewsoftheday,givingnoticeofpublic
councils,expeditions,dances,feasts,andotherceremonials,and
advertisinganythinglost。WhileCaptainBonnevilleremained
amongtheNezPerces,ifaglove,handkerchief,oranythingof
similarvalue,waslostormislaid,itwascarriedbythefinder
tothelodgeofthechief,andproclamationwasmadebyoneoftheircriers,fortheownertocomeandclaimhisproperty。Howdifficultitistogetatthetruecharacterofthese
wanderingtribesofthewilderness!Inarecentwork,wehavehad
tospeakofthistribeofIndiansfromtheexperienceofother
traderswhohadcasuallybeenamongthem,andwhorepresented
themasselfish,inhospitable,exorbitantintheirdealings,and
muchaddictedtothieving;CaptainBonneville,onthecontrary,
whoresidedmuchamongthem,andhadrepeatedopportunitiesof
ascertainingtheirrealcharacter,invariablyspeaksofthemas
kindandhospitable,scrupulouslyhonest,andremarkable,above
allotherIndiansthathehadmetwith,forastrongfeelingof
religion。Infact,soenthusiasticisheintheirpraise,thathe
pronouncesthem,allignorantandbarbarousastheyarebytheir
condition,oneofthepurestheartedpeopleonthefaceoftheearth。SomecureswhichCaptainBonnevillehadeffectedinsimplecases,
amongtheUpperNezPerces,hadreachedtheearsoftheircousins
here,andgainedforhimthereputationofagreatmedicineman。
Hehadnotbeenlonginthevillage,therefore,beforehislodge
begantobetheresortofthesickandtheinfirm。Thecaptain
feltthevalueofthereputationthusaccidentallyandcheaply
acquired,andendeavoredtosustainit。Ashehadarrivedatthat
agewheneverymanis,experimentally,somethingofaphysician,
hewasenabledtoturntoadvantagethelittleknowledgeinthe
healingartwhichhehadcasuallypickedup;andwassufficiently
successfulintwoorthreecases,toconvincethesimpleIndians
thatreporthadnotexaggeratedhismedicaltalents。Theonly
patientthateffectuallybaffledhisskill,orratherdiscouraged
anyattemptatrelief,wasanantiquatedsquawwithachurchyard
cough,andoneleginthegrave;itbeingshrunkandrendered
uselessbyarheumaticaffection。Thiswasacasebeyondhis
mark;however,hecomfortedtheoldwomanwithapromisethathe
wouldendeavortoprocuresomethingtorelieveher,atthefort
ontheWallah-Wallah,andwouldbringitonhisreturn;with
whichassuranceherhusbandwassowellsatisfied,thathe
presentedthecaptainwithacolt,tobekilledasprovisionsforthejourney:amedicalfeewhichwasthankfullyaccepted。WhileamongtheseIndians,CaptainBonnevilleunexpectedlyfound
anownerforthehorsewhichhehadpurchasedfromaRootDigger
attheBigWyer。TheIndiansatisfactorilyprovedthatthehorse
hadbeenstolenfromhimsometimeprevious,bysomeunknown
thief。“However,“saidtheconsideratesavage,“yougothimin
fairtrade——youaremoreinwantofhorsesthanIam:keephim;heisyours——heisagoodhorse;usehimwell。”Thus,inthecontinuedexperienceofactsofkindnessand
generosity,whichhisdestituteconditiondidnotallowhimto
reciprocate,CaptainBonnevillepassedsomeshorttimeamong
thesegoodpeople,moreandmoreimpressedwiththegeneral
excellenceoftheircharacter。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter33[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter33SceneryoftheWay-lee-way——Asubstitutefortobacco——SublimesceneryofSnake
River——Thegarrulousoldchiefandhiscousin——ANezPercemeeting——Astolen
skin——Thescapegoatdog——Mysteriousconferences——Thelittlechief——His
hospitality——Thecaptain”saccountoftheUnitedStates——HishealingskillINRESUMINGHISJOURNEY,CaptainBonnevillewasconductedbythesameNez
Perceguide,whoseknowledgeofthecountrywasimportantinchoosingtheroutesand
restingplaces。Healsocontinuedtobeaccompaniedbytheworthyoldchiefwiththe
hardname,whoseemedbentupondoingthehonorsofthecountry,andintroducing
himtoeverybranchofhistribe。TheWay-lee-way,downthebanksofwhichCaptain
Bonnevilleandhiscompanionswerenowtravelling,isaconsiderablestreamwinding
throughasuccessionofboldandbeautifulscenes。Sometimesthelandscapetowered
intoboldandmountainousheightsthatpartookofsublimity;atothertimes,itstretchedalongthewatersideinfreshsmilingmeadows,andgracefulundulatingvalleys。FrequentlyintheirroutetheyencounteredsmallpartiesoftheNezPerces,withwhom
theyinvariablystoppedtoshakehands;andwho,generally,evincedgreatcuriosity
concerningthemandtheiradventures;acuriositywhichneverfailedtobethoroughly
satisfiedbytherepliesoftheworthyYo-mus-ro-y-e-cut,whokindlytookuponhimselftobespokesmanoftheparty。Theincessantsmokingofpipesincidenttothelongtalksofthisexcellent,but
somewhatgarrulousoldchief,atlengthexhaustedallhisstockoftobacco,sothathe
hadnolongerawhiffwithwhichtoregalehiswhitecompanions。Inthisemergency,he
cutupthestemofhispipeintofineshavings,whichhemixedwithcertainherbs,and
thusmanufacturedatemporarysuccedaneumtoenablehimtoaccompanyhislongcolloquiesandharangueswiththecustomaryfragrantcloud。IfthesceneryoftheWay-lee-wayhadcharmedthetravellerswithitsmingledamenity
andgrandeur,thatwhichbrokeuponthemononcemorereachingSnakeRiver,filled
themwithadmirationandastonishment。Attimes,theriverwasoverhungbydarkand
stupendousrocks,risinglikegiganticwallsandbattlements;thesewouldberentby
wideandyawningchasms,thatseemedtospeakofpastconvulsionsofnature。
Sometimestheriverwasofaglassysmoothnessandplacidity;atothertimesitroared
alonginimpetuousrapidsandfoamingcascades。Here,therockswerepiledinthe
mostfantasticcragsandprecipices;andinanotherplace,theyweresucceededby
delightfulvalleyscarpetedwithgreen-award。Thewholeofthiswildandvariedscenery
wasdominatedbyimmensemountainsrearingtheirdistantpeaksintotheclouds。“The
grandeurandoriginalityoftheviews,presentedoneveryside,“saysCaptain
Bonneville,“beggarboththepencilandthepen。Nothingwehadevergazeduponin
anyotherregioncouldforamomentcompareinwildmajestyandimpressive
sternness,withtheseriesofsceneswhichhereateveryturnastonishedoursenses,andfilleduswithaweanddelight。”Indeed,fromallthatwecangatherfromthejournalbeforeus,andtheaccountsof
othertravellers,whopassedthroughtheseregionsinthememorableenterpriseof
Astoria,weareinclinedtothinkthatSnakeRivermustbeoneofthemostremarkable
forvariedandstrikingsceneryofalltheriversofthiscontinent。Fromitsheadwatersin
theRockyMountains,toitsjunctionwiththeColumbia,itswindingsareupwardofsix
hundredmilesthrougheveryvarietyoflandscape。Risinginavolcanicregion,amid
extinguishedcraters,andmountainsawfulwiththetracesofancientfires,itmakesits
waythroughgreatplainsoflavaandsandydeserts,penetratesvastsierrasor
mountainouschains,brokenintoromanticandoftenfrightfulprecipices,andcrowned
witheternalsnows;andatothertimes,careersthroughgreenandsmilingmeadows,
andwidelandscapesofItaliangraceandbeauty。Wildnessandsublimity,however,appeartobeitsprevailingcharacteristics。CaptainBonnevilleandhiscompanionshadpursuedtheirjourneyaconsiderable
distancedownthecourseofSnakeRiver,whentheoldchiefhaltedonthebank,and
dismounting,recommendedthattheyshouldturntheirhorsesloosetograze,whilehe
summonedacousinofhisfromagroupoflodgesontheoppositesideofthestream。
Hissummonswasquicklyanswered。AnIndian,ofanactiveelasticform,leapedintoa
lightcanoeofcotton-wood,andvigorouslyplyingthepaddle,soonshotacrosstheriver。
Boundingonshore,headvancedwithabuoyantairandfrankdemeanor,andgavehis
righthandtoeachofthepartyinturn。Theoldchief,whosehardnameweforbearto
repeat,nowpresentedCaptainBonneville,inform,tohiscousin,whosename,we
regrettosay,wasnolesshardbeingnothinglessthanHay-she-in-cow-cow。Thelatter
evincedtheusualcuriositytoknowallaboutthestrangers,whencetheycamewhither
theyweregoing,theobjectoftheirjourney,andtheadventurestheyhadexperienced。
Allthese,ofcourse,wereampleandeloquentlysetforthbythecommunicativeold
chief。Toallhisgrandiloquentaccountofthebald-headedchiefandhiscountrymen,the
BigHeartsoftheEast,hiscousinlistenedwithgreatattention,andrepliedinthe
customarystyleofIndianwelcome。Hethendesiredthepartytoawaithisreturn,and,
springingintohiscanoe,dartedacrosstheriver。Inalittlewhilehereturned,bringinga
mostwelcomesupplyoftobacco,andasmallstockofprovisionsfortheroad,declaring
hisintentionofaccompanyingtheparty。Havingnohorse,hemountedbehindoneofthemen,observingthatheshouldprocureasteedforhimselfonthefollowingday。Theyallnowjoggedonverysociablyandcheerilytogether。Notmanymilesbeyond,
theymetothersofthetribe,amongwhomwasone,whomCaptainBonnevilleandhis
comradeshadknownduringtheirresidenceamongtheUpperNezPerces,andwho
welcomedthemwithopenarms。Inthisneighborhoodwasthehomeoftheirguide,who
tookleaveofthemwithaprofusionofgoodwishesfortheirsafetyandhappiness。That
nighttheyputupinthehutofaNezPerce,wheretheywerevisitedbyseveralwarriors
fromtheothersideoftheriver,friendsoftheoldchiefandhiscousin,whocameto
haveatalkandasmokewiththewhitemen。Theheartofthegoodoldchiefwas
overflowingwithgoodwillatthusbeingsurroundedbyhisnewandoldfriends,andhe
talkedwithmorespiritandvivacitythanever。Theeveningpassedawayinperfect
harmonyandgood-humor,anditwasnotuntilalatehourthatthevisitorstooktheirleaveandrecrossedtheriver。AfterthisconstantpictureofworthandvirtueonthepartoftheNezPercetribe,we
grievetohavetorecordacircumstancecalculatedtothrowatemporaryshadeupon
thename。Inthecourseofthesocialandharmoniouseveningjustmentioned,oneof
thecaptain”smen,whohappenedtobesomethingofavirtuosoinhisway,andfondof
collectingcuriosities,producedasmallskin,agreatrarityintheeyesofmen
conversantinpeltries。Itattractedmuchattentionamongthevisitorsfrombeyondthe
river,whopasseditfromonetotheother,examineditwithlooksoflivelyadmiration,andpronounceditagreatmedicine。Inthemorning,whenthecaptainandhispartywereabouttosetoff,thepreciousskin
wasmissing。Searchwasmadeforitinthehut,butitwasnowheretobefound;andit
wasstronglysuspectedthatithadbeenpurloinedbysomeoftheconnoisseursfromtheothersideoftheriver。Theoldchiefandhiscousinwereindignantatthesupposeddelinquencyoftheirfriends
acrossthewater,andcalledoutforthemtocomeoverandanswerfortheirshameful
conduct。Theothersansweredtothecallwithallthepromptitudeofperfectinnocence,
andspurnedattheideaoftheirbeingcapableofsuchoutrageuponanyoftheBig-heartednation。
Allwereatalossonwhomtofixthecrimeofabstractingtheinvaluable
skin,whenbychancetheeyesoftheworthiesfrombeyondthewaterfelluponan
unhappycur,belongingtotheownerofthehut。Hewasagallows-lookingdog,butnot
moresothanmostIndiandogs,who,taketheminthemass,arelittlebetterthana
generationofvipers。Bethatasitmay,hewasinstantlyaccusedofhavingdevoured
theskininquestion。Adogaccusedisgenerallyadogcondemned;andadog
condemnedisgenerallyadogexecuted。Sowasitinthepresentinstance。The
unfortunatecurwasarraigned;histhievishlookssubstantiatedhisguilt,andhewas
condemnedbyhisjudgesfromacrosstherivertobehanged。InvaintheIndiansofthe
hut,withwhomhewasagreatfavorite,intercededinhisbehalf。InvainCaptain
Bonnevilleandhiscomradespetitionedthathislifemightbespared。Hisjudgeswere
inexorable。Hewasdoublyguilty:first,inhavingrobbedtheirgoodfriends,theBig
HeartsoftheEast;secondly,inhavingbroughtadoubtonthehonoroftheNezPerce
tribe。Hewas,accordingly,swungaloft,andpeltedwithstonestomakehisdeathmore
certain。Thesentenceofthejudgesbeingthoroughlyexecuted,apostmortem
examinationofthebodyofthedogwasheld,toestablishhisdelinquencybeyondall
doubt,andtoleavetheNezPerceswithoutashadowofsuspicion。Greatinterest,of
course,wasmanifestedbyallpresent,duringthisoperation。Thebodyofthedogwas
opened,theintestinesrigorouslyscrutinized,but,tothehorrorofallconcerned,notaparticleoftheskinwastobefound——thedoghadbeenunjustlyexecuted!Agreatclamornowensued,butthemostclamorouswasthepartyfromacrossthe
river,whosejealousyoftheirgoodnamenowpromptedthemtothemostvociferous
vindicationsoftheirinnocence。Itwaswiththeutmostdifficultythatthecaptainandhis
comradescouldcalmtheirlivelysensibilities,byaccountingforthedisappearanceof
theskininadozendifferentways,untilallideaofitshavingbeenstolenwasentirelyoutofthequestion。Themeetingnowbrokeup。Thewarriorsreturnedacrosstheriver,thecaptainandhis
comradesproceededontheirjourney;butthespiritsofthecommunicativeoldchief,
Yo-mus-ro-y-e-cut,wereforatimecompletelydampened,andheevincedgreat
mortificationatwhathadjustoccurred。Herodeoninsilence,except,thatnowandthen
hewouldgivewaytoaburstofindignation,andexclaim,withashakeoftheheadand
atossofthehandtowardtheoppositeshore”badmen,verybadmenacrossthe
river“;toeachofwhichbriefexclamations,hisworthycousin,Hay-she-in-cow-cow,wouldrespondbyagutturalsoundofacquiescence,equivalenttoanamen。Aftersometime,thecountenanceofthe-oldchiefagainclearedup,andhefellinto
repeatedconferences,inanundertone,withhiscousin,whichendedinthedeparture
ofthelatter,who,applyingthelashtohishorse,dashedforwardandwassoonoutof
sight。Infact,theyweredrawingneartothevillageofanotherchief,likewise
distinguishedbyanappellationofsomelongitude,O-pushy-e-cut;butcommonlyknown
asthegreatchief。Thecousinhadbeensentaheadtogivenoticeoftheirapproach;a
heraldappearedasbefore,bearingapowder-horn,toenablethemtorespondtothe
intendedsalute。Asceneensued,ontheirapproachtothevillage,similartothatwhich
hadoccurredatthevillageofthelittlechief。Thewholepopulationappearedinthefield,
drawnupinlines,arrayedwiththecustomaryregardtorankanddignity。Thencameon
thefiringofsalutes,andtheshakingofhands,inwhichlastceremonialeveryindividual,
man,woman,andchild,participated;fortheIndianshaveanideathatitisas
indispensableanovertureoffriendshipamongthewhitesassmokingofthepipeis
amongtheredmen。Thetravellerswerenextusheredtothebanquet,whereallthe
choicestviandsthatthevillagecouldfurnish,wereservedupinrichprofusion。They
wereafterwardsentertainedbyfeatsofagilityandhorseraces;indeed,theirvisittothe
villageseemedthesignalforcompletefestivity。Inthemeantime,askinlodgehadbeen
spreadfortheiraccommodation,theirhorsesandbaggageweretakencareof,and
woodandwatersuppliedinabundance。Atnight,therefore,theyretiredtotheir
quarters,toenjoy,astheysupposed,thereposeofwhichtheystoodinneed。Nosuch
thing,however,wasinstoreforthem。Acrowdofvisitorsawaitedtheirappearance,all
eagerforasmokeandatalk。Thepipewasimmediatelylighted,andconstantly
replenishedandkeptaliveuntilthenightwasfaradvanced。Asusual,theutmost
eagernesswasevincedbythegueststolearneverythingwithinthescopeoftheir
comprehensionrespectingtheAmericans,forwhomtheyprofessedthemostfraternal
regard。Thecaptain,inhisreplies,madeuseoffamiliarillustrations,calculatedtostrike
theirminds,andimpressthemwithsuchanideaofthemightofhisnation,aswould
inducethemtotreatwithkindnessandrespectallstragglersthatmightfallintheirpath。
TotheirinquiriesastothenumbersofthepeopleoftheUnitedStates,heassured
themthattheywereascountlessasthebladesofgrassintheprairies,andthat,great
asSnakeRiverwas,iftheywereallencampeduponitsbanks,theywoulddrinkitdryin
asingleday。Totheseandsimilarstatistics,theylistenedwithprofoundattention,and
apparently,implicitbelief。Itwas,indeed,astrikingscene:thecaptain,withhishunter”s
dressandbaldheadinthemidst,holdingforth,andhiswildauditorsseatedaroundlike
somanystatues,thefirelightinguptheirpaintedfacesandmuscularfigures,allfixed
andmotionless,exceptingwhenthepipewaspassed,aquestionpropounded,ora
startlingfactinstatisticsreceivedwithamovementofsurpriseandahalf-suppressedejaculationofwonderanddelight。Thefameofthecaptainasahealerofdiseases,hadaccompaniedhimtothisvillage,
andthegreatchief,O-push-y-e-cut,nowentreatedhimtoexerthisskillonhisdaughter,
whohadbeenforthreedaysrackedwithpains,forwhichthePierced-nosedoctors
coulddevisenoalleviation。Thecaptainfoundherextendedonapalletofmatsin
excruciatingpain。Herfathermanifestedthestrongestpaternalaffectionforher,and
assuredthecaptainthatifhewouldbutcureher,hewouldplacetheAmericansnear
hisheart。Theworthycaptainneedednosuchinducement。Hiskindheartwasalready
touchedbythesufferingsofthepoorgirl,andhissympathiesquickenedbyher
appearance;forshewasbutaboutsixteenyearsofage,anduncommonlybeautifulin
formandfeature。Theonlydifficultywiththecaptainwas,thatheknewnothingofher
malady,andthathismedicalsciencewasofamosthaphazardkind。Afterconsidering
andcogitatingforsometime,asamanisapttodowheninamazeofvagueideas,he
madeadesperatedashataremedy。Byhisdirections,thegirlwasplacedinasortof
rudevaporbath,muchusedbytheNezPerces,whereshewaskeptuntilnearfainting。
Hethengaveheradoseofgunpowderdissolvedincoldwater,andorderedhertobe
wrappedinbuffalorobesandputtosleepunderaloadoffursandblankets。The
remedysucceeded:thenextmorningshewasfreefrompain,thoughextremelylanguid;
whereupon,thecaptainprescribedforherabowlofcolt”sheadbroth,andthatsheshouldbekeptforatimeonsimplediet。Thegreatchiefwasunboundedinhisexpressionsofgratitudefortherecoveryofhis
daughter。Hewouldfainhavedetainedthecaptainalongtimeashisguest,butthe
timefordeparturehadarrived。Whenthecaptain”shorsewasbroughtforhimtomount,
thechiefdeclaredthatthesteedwasnotworthyofhim,andsentforoneofhisbest
horses,whichhepresentedinitsstead;declaringthatitmadehisheartgladtoseehis
friendsowellmounted。HethenappointedayoungNezPercetoaccompanyhisguest
tothenextvillage,and“tocarryhistalk“concerningthem;andthetwopartiesseparatedwithmutualexpressionsofgoodwill。ThevaporbathofwhichwehavemadementionisinfrequentuseamongtheNez
Percetribe,chieflyforcleanliness。Theirsweatinghouses,astheycallthem,aresmall
andcloselodges,andthevaporisproducedbywaterpouredslowlyuponred-hotstones。OnpassingthelimitsofO-push-y-e-cut”sdomains,thetravellerslefttheelevated
table-lands,andallthewildandromanticscenerywhichhasjustbeendescribed。Theynow
traversedagentlyundulatingcountry,ofsuchfertilitythatitexcitedtherapturous
admirationoftwoofthecaptain”sfollowers,aKentuckianandanativeofOhio。They
declaredthatitsurpassedanylandthattheyhadeverseen,andoftenexclaimedwhat
adelightitwouldbejusttorunaploughthroughsucharichandteemingsoil,andseeitopenitsbountifulpromisebeforetheshare。Anotherhaltandsojournofanightwasmadeatthevillageofachiefnamed
He-mim-el-pilp,wheresimilarceremonieswereobservedandhospitalityexperienced,asatthe
precedingvillages。Theynowpursuedawest-southwestcoursethroughabeautifuland
fertileregion,betterwoodedthanmostofthetractsthroughwhichtheyhadpassed。In
theirprogress,theymetwithseveralbandsofNezPerces,bywhomtheywere
invariablytreatedwiththeutmostkindness。Withinsevendaysafterleavingthedomain
ofHe-mim-el-pilp,theystrucktheColumbiaRiveratFortWallah-Wallah,wherethey
arrivedonthe4thofMarch,1834。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter34[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter34FortWallah-Wallah——Itscommander——Indiansinitsneighborhood——ExertionsofMr。
Pambrune
fortheirimprovement——Religion——Codeoflaws——RangeoftheLowerNezPerces——Camash,and
otherroots——NezPercehorses——Preparationsfordeparture——Refusalofsupplies——Departure——A
laggardandgluttonFORTWALLAH-WALLAHisatradingpostoftheHudson”sBayCompany,situatedjust
abovethemouthoftheriverbythesamename,andontheleftbankoftheColumbia。Itisbuilt
ofdrift-wood,andcalculatedmerelyfordefenceagainstanyattackofthenatives。Atthetimeof
CaptainBonneville”sarrival,thewholegarrisonmusteredbutsixoreightmen;andthepostwasunderthesuperintendenceofMr。Pambrune,anagentoftheHudson”sBayCompany。Thegreatpostandfortofthecompany,formingtheemporiumofitstradeonthePacific,is
Fort
Vancouver;situatedontherightbankoftheColumbia,aboutsixtymilesfromthesea,andjust
abovethemouthoftheWallamut。Tothispoint,thecompanyremoveditsestablishmentfromAstoria,in1821,afteritscoalitionwiththeNorthwestCompany。CaptainBonnevilleandhiscomradesexperiencedapolitereceptionfromMr。Pambrune,the
superintendent:for,howeverhostilethemembersoftheBritishCompanymaybetothe
enterprisesofAmericantraders,theyhavealwaysmanifestedgreatcourtesyandhospitalitytothetradersthemselves。FortWallah-Wallahissurroundedbythetribeofthesamename,aswellasbytheSkynses
and
theNezPerces;whobringtoitthefursandpeltriescollectedintheirhuntingexpeditions。The
Wallah-Wallahsareadegenerate,worn-outtribe。TheNezPercesarethemostnumerousand
tractableofthethreetribesjustmentioned。Mr。PambruneinformedCaptainBonnevillethathe
hadbeenatsomepainstointroducetheChristianreligion,intheRomanCatholicform,among
them,whereithadevidentlytakenroot;buthadbecomealteredandmodified,tosuittheir
peculiarhabitsofthought,andmotivesofaction;retaining,however,theprincipalpointsof
faith,anditsentirepreceptsofmorality。Thesamegentlemanhadgiventhemacodeoflaws,to
whichtheyconformedwithscrupulousfidelity。Polygamy,whichonceprevailedamongthemto
agreatextent,wasnowrarelyindulged。AllthecrimesdenouncedbytheChristianfaithmetwith
severepunishmentamongthem。Eventheft,sovenialacrimeamongtheIndians,hadrecentlybeenpunishedwithhanging,bysentenceofachief。Therecertainlyappearstobeapeculiarsusceptibilityofmoralandreligiousimprovement
among
thistribe,andtheywouldseemtobeoneofthevery,veryfewthathavebenefitedinmoralsand
mannersbyanintercoursewithwhitemen。Thepartieswhichvisitedthemabouttwentyyears
previously,intheexpeditionfittedoutbyMr。Astor,complainedoftheirselfishness,their
extortion,andtheirthievishpropensities。TheveryreverseofthosequalitiesprevailedamongthemduringtheprolongedsojournsofCaptainBonneville。TheLowerNezPercesrangeupontheWay-lee-way,Immahah,Yenghies,andotherofthe
streamswestofthemountains。Theyhuntthebeaver,elk,deer,whitebear,andmountainsheep。
Besidesthefleshoftheseanimals,theyuseanumberofrootsforfood;someofwhichwouldbe
wellworthtransplantingandcultivatingintheAtlanticStates。Amongtheseisthecamash,a
sweetroot,abouttheformandsizeofanonion,andsaidtobereallydelicious。Thecowish,also,
orbiscuitroot,aboutthesizeofawalnut,whichtheyreducetoaverypalatableflour;togetherwiththejackap,aisish,quako,andothers;whichtheycookbysteamingthemintheground。InAugustandSeptember,theseIndianskeepalongtherivers,wheretheycatchanddry
great
quantitiesofsalmon;which,whiletheylast,aretheirprincipalfood。Inthewinter,they
congregateinvillagesformedofcomfortablehuts,orlodges,coveredwithmats。Theyare
generallycladindeerskins,orwoollens,andextremelywellarmed。Aboveall,theyare
celebratedforowninggreatnumbersofhorses;whichtheymark,andthensuffertorangein
drovesintheirmostfertileplains。Thesehorsesareprincipallyoftheponybreed;butremarkably
stoutandlong-winded。TheyarebroughtingreatnumberstotheestablishmentsoftheHudson”sBayCompany,andsoldforameretrifle。SuchistheaccountgivenbyCaptainBonnevilleoftheNezPerces;who,ifnotviewedby
him
withtoopartialaneye,arecertainlyamongthegentlest,andleastbarbarouspeopleofthese
remotewildernesses。TheyinvariablysignifiedtohimtheirearnestwishthatanAmericanpost
mightbeestablishedamongthem;andrepeatedlydeclaredthattheywouldtradewithAmericans,inpreferencetoanyotherpeople。CaptainBonnevillehadintendedtoremainsometimeinthisneighborhood,toforman
acquaintancewiththenatives,andtocollectinformation,andestablishconnectionsthatmightbe
advantageousinthewayoftrade。Thedelays,however,whichhehadexperiencedonhis
journey,obligedhimtoshortenhissojourn,andtosetoffassoonaspossible,soastoreachthe
rendezvousatthePortneufattheappointedtime。Hehadseenenoughtoconvincehimthatan
Americantrademightbecarriedonwithadvantageinthisquarter;andhedeterminedsoontoreturnwithastrongerparty,morecompletelyfittedforthepurpose。Ashestoodinneedofsomesuppliesforhisjourney,heappliedtopurchasethemofMr。
Pambrune;butsoonfoundthedifferencebetweenbeingtreatedasaguest,orasarivaltrader。
Theworthysuperintendent,whohadextendedtohimallthegenialritesofhospitality,now
suddenlyassumedawithered-upaspectanddemeanor,andobservedthat,howeverhemightfeel
disposedtoservehim,personally,hefeltboundbyhisdutytotheHudson”sBayCompany,todo
nothingwhichshouldfacilitateorencouragethevisitsofothertradersamongtheIndiansinthat
partofthecountry。HeendeavoredtodissuadeCaptainBonnevillefromreturningthroughthe
BlueMountains;assuringhimitwouldbeextremelydifficultanddangerous,ifnot
impracticable,atthisseasonoftheyear;andadvisedhimtoaccompanyMr。Payette,aleaderof
theHudson”sBayCompany,whowasabouttodepartwithanumberofmen,byamore
circuitous,butsaferoute,tocarrysuppliestothecompany”sagent,residentamongtheUpper
NezPerces。CaptainBonneville,however,piquedathishavingrefusedtofurnishhimwith
supplies,anddoubtingthesincerityofhisadvice,determinedtoreturnbythemoredirectroute
throughthemountains;thoughvaryinghiscourse,insomerespects,fromthatbywhichhehadcome,inconsequenceofinformationgatheredamongtheneighboringIndians。Accordingly,onthe6thofMarch,heandhisthreecompanions,accompaniedbytheirNez
Perce
guides,setoutontheirreturn。Intheearlypartoftheircourse,theytouchedagainatseveralof
theNezPercevillages,wheretheyhadexperiencedsuchkindtreatmentontheirwaydown。Theywerealwayswelcomedwithcordiality;andeverythingwasdonetocheerthemontheirjourney。OnleavingtheWay-lee-wayvillage,theywerejoinedbyaNezPerce,whosesocietywas
welcomedonaccountofthegeneralgratitudeandgoodwilltheyfeltforhistribe。Hesoon
provedaheavycloguponthelittleparty,beingdoltishandtaciturn,lazyintheextreme,anda
hugefeeder。Hisonlyproofofintellectwasinshrewdlyavoidingalllabor,andavailinghimself
ofthetoilofothers。Whenonthemarch,healwayslaggedbehindtherest,leavingtothemthe
taskofbreakingawaythroughalldifficultiesandimpediments,andleisurelyandlazilyjogging
alongthetrack,whichtheyhadbeatenthroughthesnow。Attheeveningencampment,when
otherswerebusygatheringfuel,providingforthehorses,andcookingtheeveningrepast,this
worthySanchoofthewildernesswouldtakehisseatquietlyandcosilybythefire,puffingaway
athispipe,andeyeinginsilence,butwithwistfulintensityofgaze,thesavorymorselsroastingforsupper。Whenmeal-timearrived,however,thencamehisseasonofactivity。Henolongerhung
back,and
waitedforotherstotakethelead,butdistinguishedhimselfbyabrilliancyofonset,anda
sustainedvigoranddurationofattack,thatcompletelyshamedtheeffortsofhis
competitors——albeit,experiencedtrenchermenofnomeanprowess。Neverhadtheywitnessed
suchpowerofmastication,andsuchmarvellouscapacityofstomach,asinthisnativeand
uncultivatedgastronome。Having,byrepeatedandprolongedassaults,atlengthcompletely
gorgedhimself,hewouldwraphimselfupandliewiththetorporofananaconda;slowlydigestinghiswayontothenextrepast。Thegormandizingpowersofthisworthywere,atfirst,mattersofsurpriseandmerrimentto
the
travellers;buttheysoonbecametooseriousforajoke,threateningdevastationtothefleshpots;
andhewasregardedaskance,athismeals,asaregularkill-crop,destinedtowastethesubstance
oftheparty。Nothingbutasenseoftheobligationstheywereundertohisnationinducedthemto
bearwithsuchaguest;butheproceeded,speedily,torelievethemfromtheweightofthese
obligations,byeatingareceiptinfull。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter35[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter35Theuninvitedguest——Freeandeasymanners——Salutaryjokes——Aprodigalson——Exitof
theglutton——Asuddenchangeinfortune——Dangerofavisittopoorrelations——Plucking
ofaprosperousman——Avagabondtoilet——Asubstitutefortheveryfinehorse——Hard
travelling——Theuninvitedguestandthepatriarchalcolt——Abeggaronhorseback——A
catastrophe——ExitofthemerryvagabondAsCAPTAINBONNEVILLEandhismenwereencampedoneeveningamongthehills
nearSnakeRiver,seatedbeforetheirfire,enjoyingaheartysupper,theywere
suddenlysurprisedbythevisitofanuninvitedguest。Hewasaragged,half-naked
Indianhunter,armedwithbowandarrows,andhadthecarcassofafinebuckthrown
acrosshisshoulder。Advancingwithanalertstep,andfreeandeasyair,hethrewthe
buckontheground,and,withoutwaitingforaninvitation,seatedhimselfattheirmess,
helpedhimselfwithoutceremony,andchattedtotherightandleftintheliveliestand
mostunembarrassedmanner。Noadroitandveterandinnerhunterofametropolis
couldhaveacquittedhimselfmoreknowingly。Thetravellerswereatfirstcompletely
takenbysurprise,andcouldnotbutadmirethefacilitywithwhichthisragged
cosmopolitemadehimselfathomeamongthem。Whiletheystaredhewenton,making
themostofthegoodcheeruponwhichhehadsofortunatelyalighted;andwassoonelbowdeepin“potluck,“andgreasedfromthetipofhisnosetothebackofhisears。Asthecompanyrecoveredfromtheirsurprise,theybegantofeelannoyedatthis
intrusion。Theiruninvitedguest,unlikethegeneralityofhistribe,wassomewhatdirtyas
wellasraggedandtheyhadnorelishforsuchamessmate。Heapingup,therefore,an
abundantportionofthe“provant“uponapieceofbark,whichservedforadish,theyinvitedhimtoconfinehimselfthereto,insteadofforaginginthegeneralmess。Hecompliedwiththemostaccommodatingspiritimaginable;andwentoneatingand
chatting,andlaughingandsmearinghimself,untilhiswholecountenanceshonewith
greaseandgood-humor。Inthecourseofhisrepast,hisattentionwascaughtbythe
figureofthegastronome,who,asusual,wasgorginghimselfindoggedsilence。Adroll
cutoftheeyeshowedeitherthatheknewhimofold,orperceivedatoncehis
characteristics。Heimmediatelymadehimthebuttofhispleasantries;andcrackedoff
twoorthreegoodhits,thatcausedthesluggishdolttoprickuphisears,anddelighted
allthecompany。Fromthistime,theuninvitedguestwastakenintofavor;hisjokes
begantoberelished;hiscareless,freeandeasyair,tobeconsideredsingularly
amusing;andintheend,hewaspronouncedbythetravellersoneofthemerriestcompanionsandmostentertainingvagabondstheyhadmetwithinthewilderness。Supperbeingover,theredoubtableShee-wee-she-ouaiter,forsuchwasthesimple
namebywhichheannouncedhimself,declaredhisintentionofkeepingcompanywith
thepartyforadayortwo,iftheyhadnoobjection;andbywayofbackinghisself-invitation,
presentedthecarcassofthebuckasanearnestofhishuntingabilities。By
thistime,hehadsocompletelyeffacedtheunfavorableimpressionmadebyhisfirst
appearance,thathewasmadewelcometothecamp,andtheNezPerceguide
undertooktogivehimlodgingforthenight。Thenextmorning,atbreakofday,he
borrowedagun,andwasoffamongthehills,norwasanythingmoreseenofhimuntila
fewminutesafterthepartyhadencampedfortheevening,whenheagainmadehis
appearance,inhisusualfrank,carelessmanner,andthrewdownthecarcassofanothernobledeer,whichhehadborneonhisbackforaconsiderabledistance。Thiseveninghewasthelifeoftheparty,andhisopencommunicativedisposition,free
fromalldisguise,soonputtheminpossessionofhishistory。Hehadbeenakindof
prodigalsoninhisnativevillage;livingaloose,heedlesslife,anddisregardingthe
preceptsandimperativecommandsofthechiefs。Hehad,inconsequence,been
expelledfromthevillage,but,innowisedisheartenedatthisbanishment,hadbetaken
himselftothesocietyoftheborderIndians,andhadledacareless,haphazard,
vagabondlife,perfectlyconsonanttohishumors;heedlessofthefuture,solongashe
hadwherewithalforthepresent;andfearingnolackoffood,solongashehadtheimplementsofthechase,andafairhuntingground。Findinghimveryexpertasahunter,andbeingpleasedwithhiseccentricities,andhis
strangeandmerryhumor,CaptainBonnevillefittedhimouthandsomelyastheNimrod
oftheparty,whoallsoonbecamequiteattachedtohim。Oneoftheearliestandmost
signalservicesheperformed,wastoexorcisetheinsatiatekill-cropthathitherto
oppressedtheparty。Infact,thedoltishNezPerce,whohadseemedsoperfectly
insensibletoroughtreatmentofeverykind,bywhichthetravellershadendeavoredto
elbowhimoutoftheirsociety,couldnotwithstandthegood-humoredbantering,and
occasionallysharpwitofShe-wee-she。Heevidentlyquailedunderhisjokes,andsat
blinkinglikeanowlindaylight,whenpesteredbythefloutsandpeckingsof
mischievousbirds。Atlengthhisplacewasfoundvacantatmeal-time;nooneknew
whenhewentoff,orwhitherhehadgone,buthewasseennomore,andthevast
surplusthatremainedwhentherepastwasover,showedwhatamightygormandizerhaddeparted。Relievedfromthisincubus,thelittlepartynowwentoncheerily。She-wee-shekept
theminfunaswellasfood。Hishuntingwasalwayssuccessful;hewaseverreadyto
renderanyassistanceinthecamporonthemarch;whilehisjokes,hisantics,andtheverycutofhiscountenance,sofullofwhimandcomicality,kepteveryoneingood-humor。InthiswaytheyjourneyedonuntiltheyarrivedonthebanksoftheImmahah,and
encampedneartotheNezPercelodges。HereShe-wee-shetookasuddennotionto
visithispeople,andshowoffthestateofworldlyprosperitytowhichhehadso
suddenlyattained。Heaccordinglydepartedinthemorning,arrayedinhunter”sstyle,
andwellappointedwitheverythingbenefittinghisvocation。Thebuoyancyofhisgait,
theelasticityofhisstep,andthehilarityofhiscountenance,showedthatheanticipated,
withchucklingsatisfaction,thesurprisehewasabouttogivethosewhohadejected
himfromtheirsocietyinrags。Butwhatachangewasthereinhiswholeappearance
whenherejoinedthepartyintheevening!Hecameskulkingintocamplikeabeaten
cur,withhistailbetweenhislegs。Allhisfinerywasgone;hewasnakedaswhenhe
wasborn,withtheexceptionofascantyflapthatansweredthepurposeofafigleaf。
Hisfellow-travellersatfirstdidnotknowhim,butsupposedittobesomevagrantRoot
Diggersneakingintothecamp;butwhentheyrecognizedinthisforlornobjecttheir
primewag,She-wee-she,whomtheyhadseendepartinthemorninginsuchhighglee
andhighfeather,theycouldnotcontaintheirmerriment,buthailedhimwithloudandrepeatedpealsoflaughter。She-wee-shewasnotofaspirittobeeasilycastdown;hesoonjoinedinthemerriment
asheartilyasanyone,andseemedtoconsiderhisreverseoffortuneanexcellentjoke。
CaptainBonneville,however,thoughtpropertocheckhisgood-humor,anddemanded,
withsomedegreeofsternness,thecauseofhisalteredcondition。Herepliedinthe
mostnaturalandself-complacentstyleimaginable,“thathehadbeenamonghis
cousins,whowereverypoor;theyhadbeendelightedtoseehim;stillmoredelighted
withhisgoodfortune;theyhadtakenhimtotheirarms;admiredhisequipments;one
hadbeggedforthis;anotherforthat“——infine,whatwiththepoordevil”sinherent
heedlessness,andtherealgenerosityofhisdisposition,hisneedycousinshad
succeededinstrippinghimofallhisclothesandaccoutrements,exceptingthefigleafwithwhichhehadreturnedtocamp。Seeinghistotalwantofcareandforethought,CaptainBonnevilledeterminedtolethim
sufferalittle,inhopesitmightproveasalutarylesson;and,atanyrate,tomakehimno
morepresentswhileintheneighborhoodofhisneedycousins。Hewasleft,therefore,
toshiftforhimselfinhisnakedcondition;which,however,didnotseemtogivehimany
concern,ortoabateonejotofhisgood-humor。Inthecourseofhisloungingaboutthe
camp,however,hegotpossessionofadeerskin;whereupon,cuttingaslitinthe
middle,hethrusthisheadthroughit,sothatthetwoendshungdownbeforeand
behind,somethinglikeaSouthAmericanponcho,orthetabardofaherald。Theseends
hetiedtogether,underthearmpits;andthusarrayed,presentedhimselfoncemore
beforethecaptain,withanairofperfectself-satisfaction,asthoughhethoughtitimpossibleforanyfaulttobefoundwithhistoilet。AlittlefurtherjourneyingbroughtthetravellerstothepettyvillageofNezPerces,
governedbytheworthyandaffectionateoldpatriarchwhohadmadeCaptain
Bonnevillethecostlypresentoftheveryfinehorse。Theoldmanwelcomedthemonce
moretohisvillagewithhisusualcordiality,andhisrespectablesquawandhopefulson,
cherishinggratefulrecollectionsofthehatchetandear-bobs,joinedinachorusoffriendlygratulation。Asthemuch-vauntedsteed,oncethejoyandprideofthisinterestingfamily,wasnow
nearlyknockedupbytravelling,andtotallyinadequatetothemountainscramblethat
layahead,CaptainBonnevillerestoredhimtothevenerablepatriarch,withrenewed
acknowledgmentsfortheinvaluablegift。Somewhattohissurprise,hewasimmediately
suppliedwithafinetwoyears”oldcoltinhisstead,asubstitutionwhichheafterward
learnt,accordingtoIndiancustominsuchcases,hemighthaveclaimedasamatterof
right。Wedonotfindthatanyafterclaimsweremadeonaccountofthiscolt。This
donationmayberegarded,therefore,asasignalpunctilioofIndianhonor;butitwillbefoundthattheanimalsoonprovedanunluckyacquisitiontotheparty。Whileatthisvillage,theNezPerceguidehadheldconsultationswithsomeofthe
inhabitantsastothemountaintractthepartywereabouttotraverse。Henowbeganto
wearananxiousaspect,andtoindulgeingloomyforebodings。Thesnow,hehadbeen
told,laytoagreatdepthinthepassesofthemountains,anddifficultieswouldincrease
asheproceeded。HebeggedCaptainBonneville,therefore,totravelveryslowly,soas
tokeepthehorsesinstrengthandspiritforthehardtimestheywouldhaveto
encounter。Thecaptainsurrenderedtheregulationofthemarchentirelytohis
discretion,andpushedonintheadvance,amusinghimselfwithhunting,soas
generallytokilladeerortwointhecourseoftheday,andarriving,beforetherestoftheparty,atthespotdesignatedbytheguidefortheevening”sencampment。Inthemeantime,theothersploddedonattheheelsoftheguide,accompaniedbythat
merryvagabond,She-wee-she。Theprimitivegarbwornbythisdrollleftallhisnether
manexposedtothebitingblastsofthemountains。Stillhiswitwasneverfrozen,norhis
sunshinytemperbeclouded;andhisinnumerableanticsandpracticaljokes,whiletheyquickenedthecirculationofhisownblood,kepthiscompanionsinhighgood-humor。Sopassedthefirstdayafterthedeparturefromthepatriarch”s。Thesecondday
commencedinthesamemanner;thecaptainintheadvance,therestoftheparty
followingonslowly。She-wee-she,forthegreaterpartofthetime,trudgedonfootover
thesnow,keepinghimselfwarmbyhardexercise,andallkindsofcrazycapers。Inthe
heightofhisfoolery,thepatriarchalcolt,which,unbrokentothesaddle,wassufferedto
followonatlarge,happenedtocomewithinhisreach。Inamoment,hewasonhis
back,snappinghisfingers,andyelpingwithdelight。Thecolt,unusedtosuchaburden,
andhalfwildbynature,felltoprancingandrearingandsnortingandplungingand
kicking;and,atlength,setofffullspeedoverthemostdangerousground。Astheroute
ledgenerallyalongthesteepandcraggysidesofthehills,bothhorseandhorseman
wereconstantlyindanger,andmorethanoncehadahairbreadthescapefromdeadly
peril。Nothing,however,coulddauntthismadcapsavage。Hestucktothecoltlikea
plaister[sic],upridges,downgullies;whoopingandyellingwiththewildestglee。Never
didbeggaronhorsebackdisplaymoreheadlonghorsemanship。Hiscompanions
followedhimwiththeireyes,sometimeslaughing,sometimesholdingintheirbreathat
hisvagaries,untiltheysawthecoltmakeasuddenplungeorstart,andpitchhis
unluckyriderheadlongoveraprecipice。Therewasageneralcryofhorror,andall
hastenedtothespot。Theyfoundthepoorfellowlyingamongtherocksbelow,sadly
bruisedandmangled。Itwasalmostamiraclethathehadescapedwithlife。Eveninthis
condition,hismerryspiritwasnotentirelyquelled,andhesummonedupafeeblelaugh
atthealarmandanxietyofthosewhocametohisrelief。Hewasextricatedfromhis
rockybed,andamessengerdispatchedtoinformCaptainBonnevilleoftheaccident。
Thelatterreturnedwithallspeed,andencampedthepartyatthefirstconvenientspot。
Herethewoundedmanwasstretcheduponbuffaloskins,andthecaptain,who
officiatedonalloccasionsasdoctorandsurgeontotheparty,proceededtoexamine
hiswounds。Theprincipalonewasalonganddeepgashinthethigh,whichreachedto
thebone。Callingforaneedleandthread,thecaptainnowpreparedtosewupthe
wound,admonishingthepatienttosubmittotheoperationwithbecomingfortitude。His
gayetywasatanend;hecouldnolongersummonupevenaforcedsmile;and,atthe
firstpunctureoftheneedle,flinchedsopiteously,thatthecaptainwasobligedtopause,
andtoorderhimapowerfuldoseofalcohol。Thissomewhatrallieduphisspiritand
warmedhisheart;allthetimeoftheoperation,however,hekepthiseyesrivetedonthe
wound,withhisteethset,andawhimsicalwincingofthecountenance,thatoccasionallygavehisnosesomethingofitsusualcomiccurl。Whenthewoundwasfairlyclosed,thecaptainwasheditwithrum,andadministereda
seconddoseofthesametothepatient,whowastuckedinforthenight,andadvisedto
composehimselftosleep。Hewasrestlessanduneasy,however;repeatedly
expressinghisfearsthathislegwouldbesomuchswollenthenextday,astoprevent
hisproceedingwiththeparty;norcouldhebequieted,untilthecaptaingaveadecidedopinionfavorabletohiswishes。