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