CHAPTERXLVII。
BenJonesandaGrizzlyBear-RockyHeights-MountainTorrents-
TracesofM’Lellan-VolcanicRemains-MineralEarths-PeculiarClayforPottery-DismalPlightofM’Lellan-Starvation-
ShockingPropositionofaDesperateMan-ABroken-DownBull-A
RavenousMeal-IndianGraves-HospitableSnakes-AForlornAlliance。
ASthetravellerswerenowinadangerousneighborhood，wherethereportofariflemightbringthesavagesuponthem，theyhadtodependupontheiroldbeaver-trapforsubsistence。Thelittleriveronwhichtheywereencampedgavemany“beaversigns。”andBenJonessetoffatdaybreak，alongthewillowedbanks，tofindapropertrapping-place。Ashewasmakinghiswayamongthethickets，withhistraponhisshoulderandhisrifleinhishand，heheardacrushingsound，andturning，beheldahugegrizzlybearadvancinguponhim，withterrificgrowl。ThesturdyKentuckianwasnottobeintimidatedbymanormonster。Levelinghisrifle，hepulledthetrigger。Thebearwaswounded，butnotmortally:instead，however，ofrushinguponhisassailant，asisgenerallythecasewiththiskindofbear，heretreatedintothebushes。Jonesfollowedhimforsomedistance，butwithsuitablecaution，andBruineffectedhisescape。
Astherewaseveryprospectofadetentionofsomedaysinthisplace，andasthesuppliesofthebeaver-trapweretooprecarioustobedependedupon，itbecameabsolutelynecessarytorunsomeriskofdiscoverybyhuntingintheneighborhood。BenJones，therefore，obtainedpermissiontorangewithhisriflesomedistancefromthecamp，andsetofftobeatuptheriverbanks，indefianceofbearorBlackfeet。
Hereturnedingreatspiritsinthecourseofafewhours，havingcomeuponagangofelkaboutsix。milesoff，andkilledfive。
Thiswasjoyfulnews，andthepartyimmediatelymovedforwardtotheplacewherehehadleftthecarcasses。TheywereobligedtosupportMr。Crooksthewholedistance，forhewasunabletowalk。
Heretheyremainedfortwoorthreedays，feastingheartilyonelkmeat，anddryingasmuchastheywouldbeabletocarryawaywiththem。
Bythe5thofOctober，somesimpleprescriptions，togetherwithan“Indiansweat。”hadsofarbenefitedMr。Crooks，thathewasenabledtomoveabout;theythereforesetforwardslowly，dividinghispackandaccoutrementsamongthem，andmadeacreepingday’sprogressofeightmilessouth。Theirrouteforthemostpartlaythroughswampscausedbytheindustriouslaborsofthebeaver;forthislittleanimalhaddammedupnumeroussmallstreams，issuingfromthePilotKnobMountains，sothatthelowgroundsontheirborderswerecompletelyinundated。Inthecourseoftheirmarchtheykilledagrizzlybear，withfatonitsflanksupwardsofthreeinchesinthickness。Thiswasanacceptableadditiontotheirstockofelkmeat。ThenextdayMr。Crookswassufficientlyrecruitedinstrengthtobeabletocarryhisrifleandpistols，andtheymadeamarchofseventeenmilesalongthebordersoftheplain。
Theirjourneydailybecamemoretoilsome，andtheirsufferingsmoresevere，astheyadvanced。Keepingupthechannelofariver，theytraversedtheruggedsummitofthePilotKnobMountain，coveredwithsnownineinchesdeep。Forseveraldaystheycontinued，bendingtheircourseasmuchaspossibletotheeast，overasuccessionofrockyheights，deepvalleys，andrapidstreams。Sometimestheirdizzypathlayalongthemarginofperpendicularprecipices，severalhundredfeetinheight，whereasinglefalsestepmightprecipitatethemintotherockybedofatorrentwhichroaredbelow。Nottheleastpartoftheirwearytaskwasthefordingofthenumerouswindingsandbranchingsofthemountainrivers，allboisterousintheircurrents，andicycold。
Hungerwasaddedtotheirothersufferings，andsoonbecamethekeenest。Thesmallsupplyofbearandelkmeatwhichtheyhadbeenabletocarry，inadditiontotheirpreviousburdens，servedbutforashorttime。Intheiranxietytostruggleforward，theyhadbutlittletimetohunt，andscarceanygameintheirpath。
Forthreedaystheyhadnothingtoeatbutasmallduck，andafewpoortrout。Theyoccasionallysawnumbersoftheantelopes，andtriedeveryarttogetwithinshot;butthetimidanimalsweremorethancommonlywild，andaftertantalizingthehungryhuntersforatime，boundedawaybeyondallchanceofpursuit。Atlengththeywerefortunateenoughtokillone:itwasextremelymeagre，andyieldedbutascantysupply;butonthistheysubsistedforseveraldays。
Onthe11th，theyencampedonasmallstream，nearthefootoftheSpanishRiverMountain。Heretheymetwithtracesofthatwaywardandsolitarybeing，M’Lellan，whowasstillkeepingonaheadofthemthroughtheselonelymountains。Hehadencampedthenightbeforeonthisstream;theyfoundtheembersofthefirebywhichhehadslept，andtheremainsofamiserablewolfonwhichhehadsupped。Itwasevidenthehadsuffered，likethemselves，thepangsofhunger，thoughhehadfaredbetteratthisencampment;fortheyhadnotamouthfultoeat。
Thenextday，theyrosehungryandalert，andsetoutwiththedawntoclimbthemountain，whichwassteepanddifficult。Tracesofvolcaniceruptionsweretobeseeninvariousdirections。
Therewasaspeciesofclayalsotobemetwith，outofwhichtheIndiansmanufacturedpotsandjars，anddishes。Itisveryfineandlight，ofanagreeablesmell，andofabrowncolorspottedwithyellow，anddissolvesreadilyinthemouth。Vesselsmanufacturedofitaresaidtoimpartapleasantsmellandflavortoanyliquids。Thesemountainsaboundalsowithmineralearths，orchalksofvariouscolors;especiallytwokindsofochre，oneapale，theotherabrightred，likevermilion;muchusedbytheIndians，inpaintingtheirbodies。
Aboutnoon，thetravellersreachedthe“drains“andbrooksthatformedtheheadwatersoftheriver，andlaterintheday，descendedtowherethemainbody，ashallowstream，aboutahundredandsixtyyardswide，pouredthroughitsmountainvalley。
Herethepoorfamishingwanderershadexpectedtofindbuffaloinabundance，andhadfedtheirhungryhopesduringtheirscramblingtoll，withthethoughtsofroastedribs，juicyhumps，andbroiledmarrowbones。Totheirgreatdisappointment，theriverbanksweredeserted-afewoldtracksshowedwhereaherdofbullshadsometimebeforepassedalong，butnotahornnorhumpwastobeseeninthesterilelandscape。Afewantelopeslookeddownuponthemfromthebrowofacrag，butflittedawayoutofsightattheleastapproachofthehunter。
Inthemoststarvingmoodtheykeptforseveralmilesfurtheralongthebankoftheriver，seekingfor“beaversigns。”Findingsome，theyencampedinthevicinity，andBenJonesimmediatelyproceededtosetthetrap。Theyhadscarcecometoahalt，whentheyperceivedalargesmokeatsomedistancetothesouthwest。
Thesightwashailedwithjoy，fortheytrusteditmightrisefromsomeIndiancamp，wheretheycouldprocuresomethingtoeat，andthedreadofstarvationhadnowovercomeeventheterroroftheBlackfeet。LeClerc，oneoftheCanadians，wasinstantlydespatchedbyMr。Stuart，toreconnoitre;andthetravellerssatuptillalatehour，watchingandlisteningforhisreturn，hopinghemightbringthemfood。Midnightarrived，butLeClercdidnotmakehisappearance，andtheylaiddownoncemoresupperlesstosleep，comfortingthemselveswiththehopesthattheiroldbeavertrapmightfurnishthemwithabreakfast。
Atdaybreaktheyhastenedwithfamishedeagernesstothetrap。
Theyfoundinittheforepawofabeaver，thesightofwhichtantalizedtheirhunger，andaddedtotheirdejection。Theyresumedtheirjourneywithflaggingspirits，buthadnotgonefarwhentheyperceivedLeClercapproachingatadistance。Theyhastenedtomeethim，inhopesoftidingsofgoodcheer。Hehadnonetogivethem;butnewsofthatstrangewanderer，M’Lellan。
Thesmokehadrisenfromhisencampmentwhichtookfirewhilehewasatalittledistancefromitfishing。LeClercfoundhiminforlorncondition。Hisfishinghadbeenunsuccessful。Duringtwelvedaysthathehadbeenwanderingalonethroughthesesavagemountains，hehadfoundscarceanythingtoeat。Hehadbeenill，wayworn，sickatheart，stillhehadkeptforward;butnowhisstrengthandhisstubbornnesswereexhausted。HeexpressedhissatisfactionathearingthatMr。Stuartandhispartywerenear，andsaidhewouldwaitathiscampfortheirarrival，inhopestheywouldgivehimsomethingtoeat，forwithoutfoodhedeclaredheshouldnotbeabletoproceedmuchfurther。
Whenthepartyreachedtheplace，theyfoundthepoorfellowlyingonaparcelofwitheredgrass，wastedtoaperfectskeleton，andsofeeblethathecouldscarceraisehisheadorspeak。Thepresenceofhisoldcomradesseemedtorevivehim，buttheyhadnofoodtogivehim，fortheythemselveswerealmoststarving。Theyurgedhimtoriseandaccompanythem，butheshookhishead。Itwasallinvain，hesaid;therewasnoprospectoftheirgettingspeedyrelief，andwithoutitheshouldperishbytheway;hemightaswell，therefore，stayanddiewherehewas。
Atlength，aftermuchpersuasion，theygothimuponhislegs;hisrifleandothereffectsweresharedamongthem，andhewascheeredandaidedforward。Inthiswaytheyproceededforseventeenmiles，overalevelplainofsand，untilseeingafewantelopesinthedistance，theyencampedonthemarginofasmallstream。Allnowthatwerecapableoftheexertion，turnedouttohuntforameal。Theireffortswerefruitless，andafterdarktheyreturnedtotheircamp，famishedalmosttodesperation。
Astheywerepreparingforthethirdtimetolaydowntosleepwithoutamouthfultoeat，LeClerc，oneoftheCanadians，gauntandwildwithhunger，approachedMr。Stuartwithhisguninhishand。“Itwasallinvain。”hesaid，“toattempttoproceedanyfurtherwithoutfood。Theyhadabarrenplainbeforethem，threeorfourdays’journeyinextent，onwhichnothingwastobeprocured。Theymustallperishbeforetheycouldgettotheendofit。Itwasbetter，therefore，thatoneshoulddietosavetherest。”Heproposed，therefore，thattheyshouldcastlots;
adding，asaninducementforMr。Stuarttoassenttotheproposition，thathe，asleaderoftheparty，shouldbeexempted。
Mr。Stuartshudderedatthehorribleproposition，andendeavoredtoreasonwiththeman，buthiswordswereunavailing。Atlength，snatchinguphisrifle，hethreatenedtoshoothimonthespotifhepersisted。Thefamishedwretchdroppedonhisknees，beggedpardoninthemostabjectterms，andpromisedneveragaintooffendhimwithsuchasuggestion。
Quietbeingrestoredtotheforlornencampment，eachonesoughtrepose。Mr。Stuart，however，wassoexhaustedbytheagitationofthepastscene，actinguponhisemaciatedframe，thathecouldscarcecrawltohismiserablecouch;where，notwithstandinghisfatigues，hepassedasleeplessnight，revolvingupontheirdrearysituation，andthedesperateprospectbeforethem。
Beforedaylightthenextmorning，theywereupandontheirway;
theyhadnothingtodetainthem;nobreakfasttoprepare，andtolingerwastoperish。Theyproceeded，however，butslowly，forallwerefaintandweak。Hereandtheretheypassedtheskullsandbonesofbuffaloes，whichshowedthattheseanimalsmusthavebeenhuntedhereduringthepastseason;thesightofthesebonesservedonlytomocktheirmisery。Aftertravellingaboutninemilesalongtheplain，theyascendedarangeofhills，andhadscarcelygonetwomilesfurther，when，totheirgreatjoy，theydiscovered“anoldrun-downbuffalobull;“thelaggardprobablyofsomeherdthathadbeenhuntedandharassedthroughthemountains。Theynowallstretchedthemselvesouttoencompassandmakesureofthissolitaryanimal，fortheirlivesdependedupontheirsuccess。Afterconsiderabletroubleandinfiniteanxiety，theyatlengthsucceededinkillinghim。Hewasinstantlyflayedandcutup，andsoravenouswastheirhunger，thattheydevouredsomeofthefleshraw。Theresiduetheycarriedtoabrooknearby，wheretheyencamped，litafire，andbegantocook。
Mr。Stuartwasfearfulthatintheirfamishedstatetheywouldeattoexcessandinjurethemselves。Hecausedasouptobemadeofsomeofthemeat，andthateachshouldtakeaquantityofitasapreludetohissupper。Thismayhavehadabeneficialeffect，forthoughtheysatupthegreaterpartofthenight，cookingandcramming，noonesufferedanyinconvenience。
Thenextmorningthefeastingwasresumed，andaboutmidday，feelingsomewhatrecruitedandrefreshed，theysetoutontheirjourneywithrenovatedspirits，shapingtheircoursetowardsamountain，thesummitofwhichtheysawtoweringintheeast，andneartowhichtheyexpectedtofindtheheadwatersoftheMissouri。
Astheyproceeded，theycontinuedtoseetheskeletonsofbuffaloesscatteredabouttheplainineverydirection，whichshowedthattherehadbeenmuchhuntingherebytheIndiansintherecentseason。FurtherontheycrossedalargeIndiantrailformingadeeppath，aboutfifteendaysold，whichwentinanorthdirection。TheyconcludedittohavebeenmadebysomenumerousbandofCrows，whohadhuntedinthiscountryforthegreaterpartofthesummer。
Onthefollowingdaytheyfordedastreamofconsiderablemagnitude，withbanksclothedwithpinetrees。AmongthesetheyfoundthetracesofalargeIndiancamp，whichhadevidentlybeentheheadquartersofahuntingexpedition，fromthegreatquantitiesofbuffalobonesstrewedabouttheneighborhood。Thecamphadapparentlybeenabandonedaboutamonth。
Inthecentrewasasingularlodgeonehundredandfiftyfeetincircumference，supportedbythetrunksoftwentytrees，abouttwelveinchesindiameterandforty-fourfeetlong。Acrossthesewerelaidbranchesofpineandwillowtrees，soastoyieldatolerableshade。Atthewestend，immediatelyoppositetothedoor，threebodieslayinterredwiththeirfeettowardstheeast。
Attheheadofeachwasabranchofredcedarfirmlyplantedintheground。Atthefootwasalargebuffalo’sskull，paintedblack。Savageornamentsweresuspendedinvariouspartsoftheedifice，andagreatnumberofchildren’smoccasins。Fromthemagnitudeofthisbuilding，andthetimeandlaborthatmusthavebeenexpendedinerectingit，thebodieswhichitcontainedwereprobablythoseofnotedwarriorsandhunters。
Thenextday，October17th，theypassedtwolargetributarystreamsoftheSpanishRiver。TheytooktheirriseintheWindRiverMountains，whichrangedalongtotheeast，stupendouslyhighandrugged，composedofvastmassesofblackrock，almostdestituteofwood，andcoveredinmanyplaceswithsnow。Thisdaytheysawafewbuffalobulls，andsomeantelopes，butcouldnotkillany;andtheirstockofprovisionsbegantogrowscantyaswellaspoor。
Onthe18th，aftercrossingamountainridge，andtraversingaplain，theywadedoneofthebranchesofSpanishRiver，andonascendingitsbank，metwithaboutahundredandthirtySnakeIndians。Theywerefriendlyintheirdemeanor，andconductedthemtotheirencampment，whichwasaboutthreemilesdistant。Itconsistedofaboutfortywigwams，constructedprincipallyofpinebranches。TheSnakes，likemostoftheirnation，wereverypoor;
themaraudingCrows，intheirlateexcursionthroughthecountry，hadpickedthisunluckybandtotheverybone，carryingofftheirhorses，severaloftheirsquaws，andmostoftheireffects。Inspiteoftheirpoverty，theywerehospitableintheextreme，andmadethehungrystrangerswelcometotheircabins。Afewtrinketsprocuredfromthemasupplyofbuffalomeat，andofleatherformoccasins，ofwhichthepartyweregreatlyinneed。Themostvaluableprizeobtainedfromthem，however，wasahorse;itwasasorryoldanimalintruth，butitwastheonlyonethatremainedtothepoorfellows，afterthefellswoopoftheCrows;yetthistheywereprevailedupontopartwithtotheirguestsforapistol，anaxe，aknife，andafewothertriflingarticles。
TheyhaddolefulstoriestotelloftheCrows，whowereencampedonariveratnogreatdistancetotheeast，andwereinsuchforcethattheydarednotventuretoseekanysatisfactionfortheiroutrages，ortogetbackahorseorsquaw。TheyendeavoredtoexcitetheindignationoftheirvisitorsbyaccountsofrobberiesandmurderscommittedonlonelywhitehuntersandtrappersbyCrowsandBlackfeet。Someofthesewereexaggerationsoftheoutragesalreadymentioned，sustainedbysomeofthescatteredmembersofMr。Hunt’sexpedition;otherswereinallprobabilitysheerfabrications，towhichtheSnakesseemtohavebeenalittleprone。Mr。Stuartassuredthemthatthedaywasnotfardistantwhenthewhiteswouldmaketheirpowertobefeltthroughoutthatcountry，andtakesignalvengeanceontheperpetratorsofthesemisdeeds。TheSnakesexpressedgreatjoyattheintelligence，andofferedtheirservicestoaidtherighteouscause，brighteningatthethoughtsoftakingthefieldwithsuchpotentallies，anddoubtlessanticipatingtheirturnatstealinghorsesandabductingsquaws。Theiroffers，ofcourse，wereaccepted;thecalumetofpeacewasproduced，andthetwoforlornpowerssmokedeternalfriendshipbetweenthemselves，andvengeanceupontheircommonspoilers，theCrows。
CHAPTERXLVIII。
SpanishRiverScenery-TrailofCrowIndians-ASnow-Storm-A
RousingFireandaBuffaloFeast-APlainofSalt-ClimbingaMountain-VolcanicSummit-ExtinguishedCrater-MarineShells-EncampmentonaPrairie-SuccessfulHunting-GoodCheer-RomanticScenery-RockyDefile-FoamingRapids-TheFieryNarrows。
BYsunriseonthefollowingmorningOctober19th，thetravellershadloadedtheiroldhorsewithbuffalomeat，sufficientforfivedays’provisions，and，takingleaveoftheirnewallies，thepoor，buthospitableSnakes，setforthinsomewhatbetterspirits，thoughtheincreasingcoldoftheweather，andthesightofthesnowymountainswhichtheyhadyettotraverse，wereenoughtochilltheirveryhearts。ThecountryalongthisbranchoftheSpanishRiver，asfarastheycouldsee，wasperfectlylevel，boundedbyrangesofloftymountains，bothtotheeastandwest。Theyproceededaboutthreemilestothesouth，wheretheycameagainuponthelargetrailofCrowIndians，whichtheyhadcrossedfourdayspreviously，made，nodoubt，bythesamemaraudingbandthathadplunderedtheSnakes;
andwhich，accordingtotheaccountofthelatter，wasnowencampedonastreamtotheeastward。Thetrailkeptontothesoutheast，andwassowellbeatenbyhorseandfoot，thattheysupposedatleastahundredlodgeshadpassedalongit。Asitformed，therefore，aconvenienthighway，andraninaproperdirection，theyturnedintoit，anddeterminedtokeepalongitasfarassafetywouldpermit:astheCrowencampmentmustbesomedistanceoff，anditwasnotlikelythosesavageswouldreturnupontheirsteps。Theytravelledforward，therefore，allthatday，inthetrackoftheirdangerouspredecessors，whichledthemacrossmountainstreams，andlongridges，andthroughnarrowvalleys，alltendinggenerallytowardsthesoutheast。Thewindblewcoldlyfromthenortheast，withoccasionalflurriesofsnow，whichmadethemencampearly，ontheshelteredbanksofabrook。
ThetwoCanadians，ValleeandLeClerc，killedayoungbuffalobullintheevening，whichwasingoodcondition，andaffordedthemaplentifulsupplyoffreshbeef。Theyloadedtheirspits，therefore，andcrammedtheircampkettlewithmeat，andwhilethewindwhistled，andthesnowwhirledaroundthem，huddledroundarousingfire，baskedinitswarmth，andcomfortedbothsoulandbodywithaheartyandinvigoratingmeal。Noenjoymentshavegreaterzestthanthese，snatchedintheverymidstofdifficultyanddanger;anditisprobablethepoorwaywornandweather-
beatentravellersrelishedthesecreaturecomfortsthemorehighlyfromthesurroundingdesolation，andthedangerousproximityoftheCrows。
Thesnowwhichhadfalleninthenightmadeitlateinthemorningbeforethepartyloadedtheirsolitarypackhorse，andresumedtheirmarch。TheyhadnotgonefarbeforetheCrowtracewhichtheywerefollowingchangeditsdirection，andboretothenorthofeast。Theyhadalreadybeguntofeelthemselvesondangerousgroundinkeepingalongit，astheymightbedescriedbysomescoutsandspiesofthatraceofIshmaelites，whosepredatoryliferequiredthemtobeconstantlyonthealert。Onseeingthetraceturnsomuchtothenorth，therefore，theyabandonedit，andkeptontheircoursetothesoutheastforeighteenmiles，throughabeautifullyundulatingcountry，havingthemainchainofmountainsontheleft，andaconsiderablyelevatedridgeontheright。HerethemountainridgewhichdividesWindRiverfromtheheadwatersoftheColumbiaandSpanishRivers，endsabruptly，andwindingtothenorthofeast，becomesthedividingbarrierbetweenabranchoftheBigHornandCheyenneRivers，andthoseheadwaterswhichflowintotheMissouribelowtheSiouxcountry。
Theridgewhichlayontherightofthetravellershavingnowbecomeverylow，theypassedoverit，andcameintoalevelplain，abouttenmilesincircumference，andincrustedtothedepthofafootoreighteenincheswithsaltaswhiteassnow。
Thisisfurnishedbynumeroussaltspringsoflimpidwater，whicharecontinuallywellingup，overflowingtheirborders，andformingbeautifulcrystallizations。TheIndiantribesoftheinteriorareexcessivelyfondofthissalt，andrepairtothevalleytocollectit，butitisheldindistastebythetribesofthesea-coast，whowilleatnothingthathasbeencuredorseasonedbyit。
Thiseveningtheyencampedonthebanksofasmallstream，intheopenprairie。Thenortheastwindwaskeenandcutting;theyhadnothingwherewithtomakeafire，butascantygrowthofsage，orwormwood，andwerefaintowrapthemselvesupintheirblankets，andhuddlethemselvesintheir“nests。”atanearlyhour。Inthecourseoftheevening，Mr。M’Lellan，whohadnowregainedhisstrength，killedabuffalo，butitwassomedistancefromthecamp，andtheypostponedsupplyingthemselvesfromthecarcassuntilthefollowingmorning。
ThenextdayOctober21st，thecoldcontinued，accompaniedbysnow。Theysetforwardontheirbleakandtoilsomeway，keepingtotheeastnortheast，towardstheloftysummitofamountain，whichitwasnecessaryforthemtocross。Beforetheyreacheditsbasetheypassedanotherlargetrail，steeringalittletotherightofthepointofthemountain。ThistheypresumedtohavebeenmadebyanotherbandofCrows，whohadprobablybeenhuntinglowerdownontheSpanishRiver。
Theseverityoftheweathercompelledthemtoencampattheendoffifteenmiles，ontheskirtsofthemountain，wheretheyfoundsufficientdryaspentreestosupplythemwithfire，buttheysoughtinvainabouttheneighborhoodforaspringorrillofwater。
Atdaybreaktheywereupandonthemarch，scramblingupthemountainsideforthedistanceofeightpainfulmiles。FromthecasualhintsgiveninthetravellingmemorandaofMr。Stuart，thismountainwouldseemtoofferarichfieldofspeculationforthegeologist。Herewasaplainthreemilesindiameter，strewedwithpumicestonesandothervolcanicreliques，withalakeinthecentre，occupyingwhathadprobablybeenthecrater。Herewerealso，insomeplaces，depositsofmarineshells，indicatingthatthismountaincresthadatsomeremoteperiodbeenbelowthewaves。
Afterpausingtorepose，andtoenjoythesegrandbutsavageandawfulscenes，theybegantodescendtheeasternsideofthemountain。Thedescentwasruggedandromantic，alongdeepravinesanddefiles，overhungwithcragsandcliffs，amongwhichtheybeheldnumbersoftheahsahtaorbighorn，skippingfearlesslyfromrocktorock。Twoofthemtheysucceededinbringingdownwiththeirrifles，astheypeeredfearlesslyfromthebrowoftheirairyprecipices。
Arrivedatthefootofthemountain，thetravellersfoundarillofwateroozingoutoftheearth，andresemblinginlookandtaste，thewateroftheMissouri。Heretheyencampedforthenight，andsuppedsumptuouslyupontheirmountainmutton，whichtheyfoundingoodcondition，andextremelywelltasted。
Themorningwasbright，andintenselycold。Earlyinthedaytheycameuponastreamrunningtotheeast，betweenlowhillsofbluishearth，stronglyimpregnatedwithcopperas。Mr。StuartsupposedthistobeoneoftheheadwatersoftheMissouri，anddeterminedtofollowitsbanks。Afteramarchoftwenty-sixmiles，however，hearrivedatthesummitofahill，theprospectofwhichinducedhimtoalterhisintention。Hebeheld，ineverydirectionsouthofeast，avastplain，boundedonlybythehorizon，throughwhichwanderedthestreaminquestion，inasouth-south-eastdirection。Itcouldnot，therefore，beabranchoftheMissouri。Henowgaveupallideaoftakingthestreamforhisguide，andshapedhiscoursetowardsarangeofmountainsintheeast，aboutsixtymilesdistant，nearwhichhehopedtofindanotherstream。
Theweatherwasnowsosevere，andthehardshipsoftravellingsogreat，thatheresolvedtohaltforthewinter，atthefirsteligibleplace。Thatnighttheyhadtoencampontheopenprairie，nearascantypoolofwater，andwithoutanywoodtomakeafire。Thenortheastwindblewkeenlyacrossthenakedwaste，andtheywerefaintodecampfromtheirinhospitablebivouacbeforethedawn。
Fortwodaystheykeptoninaneastwarddirection，againstwintryblastsandoccasionalsnowstorms。Theysuffered，also，fromscarcityofwater，havingoccasionallytousemeltedsnow;
this，withthewantofpasturage，reducedtheiroldpack-horsesadly。Theysawmanytracksofbuffalo，andsomefewbulls，which，however，gotthewindofthem，andscamperedoff。
Onthe26thofOctober，theysteeredeast-northeast，forawoodedravineinamountain，atasmalldistancefromthebaseofwhich，totheirgreatjoy，theydiscoveredanabundantstream，runningbetweenwillowedbanks。Heretheyhaltedforthenight，andBenJoneshavingluckilytrappedabeaver，andkilledtwobuffalobulls，theyremainedallthenextdayencamped，feastingandreposing，andallowingtheirjadedhorsetorestfromhislabors。
Thelittlestreamonwhichtheywereencamped，wasoneoftheheadwatersofthePlatteRiver，whichflowsintotheMissouri;
itwas，infact，thenorthernfork，orbranchofthatriver，thoughthisthetravellersdidnotdiscoveruntillongafterwards。Pursuingthecourseofthisstreamforabouttwentymiles，theycametowhereitforcedapassagethrougharangeofhighhills，coveredwithcedars，intoanextensivelowcountry，affordingexcellentpasturetonumerousherdsofbuffalo。Heretheykilledthreecows，whichwerethefirsttheyhadbeenabletoget，havinghithertohadtocontentthemselveswithbullbeef，whichatthisseasonoftheyearisverypoor。Thehumpmeataffordedthemarepastfitforanepicure。
Lateontheafternoonofthe30th，theycametowherethestream，nowincreasedtoaconsiderablesize，pouredalonginaravinebetweenprecipicesofredstone，twohundredfeetinheight。Forsomedistanceitdashedalong，overhugemassesofrock，withfoamingviolence，asifexasperatedbybeingcompressedintosonarrowachannel，andatlengthleapeddownachasmthatlookeddarkandfrightfulinthegatheringtwilight。
Forapartofthenextday，thewildriver，initscapriciouswanderings，ledthemthroughavarietyofstrikingscenes。Atonetimetheywereuponhighplains，likeplatformsamongthemountains，withherdsofbuffaloesroamingaboutthem;atanotheramongruderockydefiles，brokenintocliffsandprecipices，wheretheblacktaileddeerboundedoffamongthecrags，andthebighornbaskedinthesunnybrowoftheprecipice。
Intheafterpartoftheday，theycametoanotherscene，surpassinginsavagegrandeurthosealreadydescribed。Theyhadbeentravellingforsomedistancethroughapassofthemountains，keepingparallelwiththeriver，asitroaredalong，outofsight，throughadeepravine。Sometimestheirdeviouspathapproachedthemarginofcliffsbelowwhichtheriverfoamed，andboiled，andwhirledamongthemassesofrockthathadfallenintoitschannel。Astheycreptcautiouslyon，leadingtheirsolitarypack-horsealongthesegiddyheights，theyallatoncecametowheretheriverthundereddownasuccessionofprecipices，throwingupcloudsofspray，andmakingaprodigiousdinanduproar。Thetravellersremained，foratime，gazingwithmingledaweanddelight，atthisfuriouscataract，towhichMr。Stuartgave，fromthecoloroftheimpendingrocks，thenameof“TheFieryNarrows。”
CHAPTERXLIX。
WintryStorms-AHaltandCouncil-CantonmentfortheWinter-
FineHuntingCountry-GameoftheMountainsandPlains-
SuccessfulHunting-Mr。CrooksandaGrizzlyBear-TheWigwam-
BighornandBlack-Tails-BeefandVenison-GoodQuartersandGoodCheer-AnAlarm-AnIntrusion-UnwelcomeGuests-
DesolationoftheLarder-GormandizingExploitsofHungrySavages-GoodQuartersAbandoned。
THEtravellersencampedforthenightonthebanksoftheriverbelowthecataract。Thenightwascold，withpartialshowersofrainandsleet。Themorningdawnedgloomily，theskiesweresullenandovercast，andthreatenedfurtherstorms;butthelittlebandresumedtheirjourney，indefianceoftheweather。
Theincreasingrigoroftheseason，however，whichmakesitselffeltearlyinthesemountainousregions，andonthesenakedandelevatedplains，broughtthemtoapause，andaseriousdeliberation，aftertheyhaddescendedaboutthirtymilesfurtheralongthecourseoftheriver。
Allwereconvincedthatitwasinvaintoattempttoaccomplishtheirjourney，onfoot，atthisinclementseason。TheyhadstillmanyhundredmilestotraversebeforetheyshouldreachthemaincourseoftheMissouri，andtheirroutewouldlayoverimmenseprairies，nakedandbleak，anddestituteoffuel。Thequestionthenwas，wheretochoosetheirwinteringplace，andwhetherornottoproceedfurtherdowntheriver。Theyhadatfirstimaginedittobeoneoftheheadwaters，ortributarystreams，oftheMissouri。AfterwardstheyhadbelievedittobetheRapid，orQuicourtRiver，inwhichopiniontheyhadnotcomenearertothetruth;theynow，however，werepersuaded，withequalfallacy，byitsincliningsomewhattothenorthofeast，thatitwastheCheyenne。Ifso，bycontinuingdownitmuchfurthertheymustarriveamongtheIndians，fromwhomtherivertakesitsname。
AmongthesetheywouldbesuretomeetsomeoftheSiouxtribe。
Thesewouldappraisetheirrelatives，thepiraticalSiouxoftheMissouri，oftheapproachofabandofwhitetraders;sothat，inthespringtime，theywouldbelikelytobewaylaidandrobbedontheirwaydowntheriver，bysomepartyinambushuponitsbanks。
EvenshouldthisprovetobetheQuicourtorRapidRiver，itwouldnotbeprudenttowintermuchfurtherdownuponitsbanks，as，thoughtheymightbeoutoftherangeoftheSioux，theywouldbeintheneighborhoodofthePoncas，atribenearlyasdangerous。Itwasresolved，therefore，sincetheymustwintersomewhereonthissideoftheMissouri，todescendnolower，buttokeepupinthesesolitaryregions，wheretheywouldbeinnodangerofmolestation。
Theywerebroughtthemorepromptlyandunanimouslytothisdecision，bycominguponanexcellentwinteringplace，thatpromisedeverythingrequisitefortheircomfort。Itwasonafinebendoftheriver，justbelowwhereitissuedoutfromamongaridgeofmountains，andbenttowardsthenortheast。Herewasabeautifullowpointofland，coveredbycotton-wood，andsurroundedbyathickgrowthofwillow，soastoyieldbothshelterandfuel，aswellasmaterialsforbuilding。Theriversweptbyinastrongcurrent，aboutahundredandfiftyyardswide。Tothesoutheastweremountainsofmoderateheight，thenearestabouttwomilesoff，butthewholechainrangingtotheeast，south，andsouthwest，asfarastheeyecouldreach。Theirsummitswerecrownedwithextensivetractsofpitchpine，checkeredwithsmallpatchesofthequiveringaspen。Lowerdownwerethickforestsoffirsandredcedars，growingoutinmanyplacesfromtheveryfissuresoftherocks。Themountainswerebrokenandprecipitous，withhugebluffsprotrudingfromamongtheforests。
Theirrockyrecessesandbeetlingcliffsaffordedretreatstoinnumerableflocksofthebighorn，whiletheirwoodysummitsandravinesaboundedwithbearsandblack-taileddeer。These，withthenumerousherdsofbuffalothatrangedthelowergroundsalongtheriver，promisedthetravellersabundantcheerintheirwinterquarters。
Onthe2dofNovember，therefore，theypitchedtheircampforthewinter，onthewoodypoint，andtheirfirstthoughtwastoobtainasupplyofprovisions。BenJonesandthetwoCanadiansaccordinglysalliedforth，accompaniedbytwoothersoftheparty，leavingbutonetowatchthecamp。Theirhuntingwasuncommonlysuccessful。Inthecourseoftwodays，theykilledthirty-twobuffaloes，andcollectedtheirmeatonthemarginofasmallbrook，aboutamiledistant。Fortunately，aseverefrostfrozetheriver，sothatthemeatwaseasilytransportedtotheencampment。Onasucceedingday，aherdofbuffalocametramplingthroughthewoodybottomontheriverbanks，andfifteenmorewerekilled。
Itwassoondiscovered，however，thattherewasgameofamoredangerousnatureintheneighborhood。Ononeoccasion，Mr。Crookshadwanderedaboutamilefromthecamp，andhadascendedasmallhillcommandingaviewoftheriver。Hewaswithouthisrifle，ararecircumstance，forinthesewildregions，whereonemayputupawildanimal，orawildIndian，ateveryturn，itiscustomarynevertostirfromthecamp-fireunarmed。Thehillwherehestoodoverlookedtheplacewherethemassacreofthebuffalohadtakenplace。Ashewaslookingaroundontheprospect，hiseyewascaughtbyanobjectbelow，movingdirectlytowardshim。Tohisdismay，hediscoveredittobeagrizzlybear，withtwocubs。Therewasnotreeathandintowhichhecouldclimb;torun，wouldonlybetoprovokepursuit，andheshouldsoonbeovertaken。Hethrewhimselfontheground，therefore，andlaymotionless，watchingthemovementsoftheanimalwithintenseanxiety。Itcontinuedtoadvanceuntilatthefootofthehill，whenitturned，andmadeintothewoods，havingprobablygorgeditselfwithbuffaloflesh。Mr。Crooksmadeallhastebacktothecamp，rejoicingathisescape，anddeterminingnevertostiroutagainwithouthisrifle。Afewdaysafterthiscircumstance，agrizzlybearwasshotintheneighborhoodbyMr。
Miller。
Astheslaughterofsomanybuffaloeshadprovidedthepartywithbeefforthewinter，incasetheymetwithnofurthersupply，theynowsettowork，heartandhand，tobuildacomfortablewigwam。Inalittlewhilethewoodypromontoryrangwiththeunwontedsoundoftheaxe。Someofitsloftytreeswerelaidlow，andbythesecondeveningthecabinwascomplete。Itwaseightfeetwide，andeighteenfeetlong。Thewallsweresixfeethigh，andthewholewascoveredwithbuffaloskins。Thefireplacewasinthecentre，andthesmokefounditswayoutbyaholeintheroof。
Thehunterswerenextsentouttoprocuredeer-skinsforgarments，moccasins，andotherpurposes。Theymadethemountainsechowiththeirrifles，and，inthecourseoftwodays’hunting，killedtwenty-eightbighornsandblack-taileddeer。
Thepartynowreveledinabundance。Afterallthattheyhadsufferedfromhunger，cold，fatigueandwatchfulness;afteralltheirperilsfromtreacherousandsavagemen，theyexultedinthesnugnessandsecurityoftheirisolatedcabin，hidden，astheythought，evenfromthepryingeyesofIndianscouts，andstoredwithcreaturecomforts;andtheylookedforwardtoawinterofpeaceandquietness，ofroasting，andboiling，andbroiling，andfeastinguponvenison，andmountainmutton，andbear’smeat，andmarrowbones，andbuffalohumps，andotherhunter’sdainties，andofdozingandreposingroundtheirfire，andgossipingoverpastdangersandadventures，andtellinglonghuntingstories，untilspringshouldreturn;whentheywouldmakecanoesofbuffaloskinsandfloatthemselvesdowntheriver。
Fromsuchhalcyondreams，theywerestartledonemorning，atdaybreak，byasavageyell。Theystartedtipandseizedtheirrifles。Theyellwasrepeatedbytwoorthreevoices。Cautiouslypeepingout，theybeheld，totheirdismay，severalIndianwarriorsamongthetrees，allarmedandpaintedinwarlikestyle;
beingevidentlybentonsomehostilepurpose。
Millerchangedcountenanceasheregardedthem。“Weareintrouble。”saidhe，“thesearesomeoftherascallyArapahaysthatrobbedmelastyear。”Notawordwasutteredbytherestoftheparty，buttheysilentlyslungtheirpowderhornsandballpouches，andpreparedforbattle。M’Lellan，whohadtakenhisguntopiecestheeveningbefore，putittogetherinallhaste。Heproposedthattheyshouldbreakouttheclayfrombetweenthelogs，soastobeabletofireupontheenemy。
“Notyet。”repliedStuart;“itwillnotdotoshowfearordistrust;wemustfirstholdaparley。Someonemustgooutandmeetthemasafriend。”
Whowastoundertakethetask！Itwasfullofperil，astheenvoymightbeshotdownatthethreshold。
“Theleaderofaparty。”saidMiller，“alwaystakestheadvance。”
“Good！“repliedStuart;“Iamready。”Heimmediatelywentforth;
oneoftheCanadiansfollowedhim;therestofthepartyremainedinthegarrison，tokeepthesavagesincheck。
Stuartadvancedholdinghisrifleinonehand，andextendingtheothertothesavagethatappearedtobethechief。Thelattersteppedforwardandtookit;hismenfollowedhisexample，andallshookhandswithStuart，intokenoffriendship。Theynowexplainedtheirerrand。TheywereawarpartyofArapahaybraves。
Theirvillagelayonastreamseveraldays’journeytotheeastward。Ithadbeenattackedandravagedduringtheirabsence，byabandofCrows，whohadcarriedoffseveraloftheirwomen，andmostoftheirhorses。Theywereinquestofvengeance。ForsixteendaystheyhadbeentrackingtheCrowsaboutthemountains，buthadnotyetcomeuponthem。Inthemeantime，theyhadmetwithscarcelyanygame，andwerehalffamished。Abouttwodayspreviously，theyhadheardthereportoffire-armsamongthemountains，andonsearchinginthedirectionofthesound，hadcometoaplacewhereadeerhadbeenkilled。Theyhadimmediatelyputthemselvesuponthetrackofthehunters，andbyfollowingitup，hadarrivedatthecabin。
Mr。Stuartnowinvitedthechiefandanother，whoappearedtobehislieutenant，intothehut，butmadesignsthatnooneelsewastoenter。Theresthaltedatthedoor;otherscamestragglingup，untilthewholeparty，tothenumberoftwenty-three，，weregatheredbeforethehut。Theywerearmedwithbowsandarrows，tomahawksandscalpingknives，andsomefewwithguns。Allwerepaintedanddressedforwar，andhadawildandfierceappearance。Mr。Millerrecognizedamongthemsomeoftheveryfellowswhohadrobbedhimintheprecedingyear;andputhiscomradesupontheirguard。Everymanstoodreadytoresistthefirstactofhostility;thesavages，however，conductedthemselvespeaceably，andshowednoneofthatswaggeringarrogancewhichawarpartyisapttoassume。
Onenteringthehutthechiefandhislieutenantcastawistfullookattherafters，ladenwithvenisonandbuffalomeat。Mr。
Stuartmadeameritofnecessity，andinvitedthemtohelpthemselves。Theydidnotwaittobepressed。Theraftersweresooneasedoftheirburden;venisonandbeefwerepassedouttothecrewbeforethedoor，andasceneofgormandizingcommenced，ofwhichfewcanhaveanidea，whohavenotwitnessedthegastronomicpowersofanIndian，afteranintervaloffasting。
Thiswaskeptupthroughouttheday;theypausednowandthen，itistrue，forabriefinterval，butonlytoreturntothechargewithrenewedardor。Thechiefandthelieutenantsurpassedalltherestinthevigorandperseveranceoftheirattacks;asiffromtheirstationtheywereboundtosignalizethemselvesinallonslaughts。Mr。Stuartkeptthemwellsuppliedwithchoicebits，foritwashispolicytooverfeedthem，andkeepthemfromleavingthehut，wheretheyservedashostagesforthegoodconductoftheirfollowers。Once，only，inthecourseoftheday，didthechiefsallyforth。Mr。Stuartandoneofhismenaccompaniedhim，armedwiththeirrifles，butwithoutbetrayinganydistrust。Thechieftainsoonreturned，andrenewedhisattackuponthelarder。Inaword，heandhisworthycoadjutor，thelieutenant，ateuntiltheywerebothstupefied。
TowardseveningtheIndiansmadetheirpreparationsforthenightaccordingtothepracticeofwarparties。Thoseoutsideofthehutthrewuptwobreastworks，intowhichtheyretiredatatolerablyearlyhour，andsleptlikeoverfedhounds。Astothechiefandhislieutenant，theypassedthenightinthehut，inthecourseofwhich，they，twoorthreetimes，gotuptoeat。Thetravellerstookturns，oneatatime，tomountguarduntilthemorning。
Scarcehadthedaydawned，whenthegormandizingwasrenewedbythewholeband，andcarriedonwithsurprisingvigoruntilteno’clock，whenallpreparedtodepart。Theyhadsixdays’journeyyettomake，theysaid，beforetheyshouldcomeupwiththeCrows，who，theyunderstood，wereencampedonarivertothenorthward。Theirwaylaythroughahungrycountry，wheretherewasnogame;theywould，moreover，havebutlittletimetohunt;
they，therefore，cravedasmallsupplyofprovisionsfortheirjourney。Mr。Stuartagaininvitedthemtohelpthemselves。Theydidsowithkeenforethought，loadingthemselveswiththechoicestpartsofthemeat，andleavingthelateplenteouslarderfargoneinaconsumption。Theirnextrequestwasforasupplyofammunition，havingguns，butnopowderandball。Theypromisedtopaymagnificentlyoutofthespoilsoftheirforay。“Wearepoornow。”saidthey，“andareobligedtogoonfoot，butweshallsooncomebackladenwithbooty，andallmountedonhorseback，withscalpshangingatourbridles。Wewillthengiveeachofyouahorsetokeepyoufrombeingtiredonyourjourney。”
“Well。”saidMr。Stuart，“whenyoubringthehorses，youshallhavetheammunition，butnotbefore。”TheIndianssawbyhisdeterminedtone，thatallfurtherentreatywouldbeunavailing，sotheydesisted，withagood-humoredlaugh，andwentoffexceedinglywellfreighted，bothwithinandwithout，promisingtobebackagaininthecourseofafortnight。
Nosoonerweretheyoutofhearing，thanthelucklesstravellersheldanothercouncil。Thesecurityoftheircabinwasatanendandwithitalltheirdreamsofaquietandcozywinter。Theywerebetweentwofires。Ononesideweretheiroldenemies，theCrows;ontheotherside，theArapahays，nolessdangerousfreebooters。Astothemoderationofthiswarparty，theyconsidereditassumed，toputthemofftheirguardagainstsomemorefavorableopportunityforasurprisal。Itwasdetermined，therefore，nottoawaittheirreturn，buttoabandon，withallspeed，thisdangerousneighborhood。Fromtheaccountsoftheirrecentvisitors，theywereledtobelieve，thougherroneously，thattheywereupontheQuicourt，orRapidRiver。TheyproposednowtokeepalongittoitsconfluencewiththeMissouri;but，shouldtheybepreventedbytherigorsoftheseasonfromproceedingsofar，atleasttoreachapartoftheriverwheretheymightbeabletoconstructcanoesofgreaterstrengthanddurabilitythanthoseofbuffaloskins。
Accordingly，onthe13thofDecember，theybadeadieu，withmanyaregret，totheircomfortablequarterswhereforfiveweekstheyhadbeenindulgingthesweetsofrepose，ofplenty，andoffanciedsecurity。Theywerestillaccompaniedbytheirveteranpack-horse，whichtheArapahayshadomittedtosteal，eitherbecausetheyintendedtostealhimontheirreturn，orbecausetheythoughthimnotworthstealing。
CHAPTERL。
RoughWintryTravelling-HillsandPlains-SnowandIce-
DisappearanceofGame-AVastDrearyPlain-A。SecondHaltfortheWinter-AnotherWigwam-NewYear’sFeast-BuffaloHumps，Tongues，andMarrow-Bones-ReturnofSpring-LaunchofCanoes-
BadNavigation-PedestrianMarch-VastPrairies-DesertedCamps-PawneeSquaws-AnOttoIndian-NewsofWar-VoyageDownthePlatteandtheMissouri-ReceptionatFortOsage-
ArrivalatSt。Louis。
THEintervalofcomfortandreposewhichthepartyhadenjoyedintheirwigwam，renderedtherenewaloftheirfatiguesintolerableforthefirsttwoorthreedays。Thesnowlaydeep，andwasslightlyfrozenonthesurface，butnotsufficientlytobeartheirweight。Theirfeetbecamesorebybreakingthroughthecrust，andtheirlimbswearybyflounderingonwithoutfirmfoothold。Soexhaustedanddispiritedwerethey，thattheybegantothinkitwouldbebettertoremainandruntheriskofbeingkilledbytheIndians，thantodragonthuspainfully，withtheprobabilityofperishingbytheway。Theirmiserablehorsefarednobetterthanthemselves，havingforthefirstdayortwonootherfodderthantheendsofwillowtwigs，andthebarkofthecotton-woodtree。
Theyall，however，appearedtogainpatienceandhardihoodastheyproceeded，andforfourteendayskeptsteadilyon，makingadistanceofaboutthreehundredandthirtymiles。Forsomedays，therangeofmountainswhichhadbeenneartotheirwigwamkeptparalleltotheriveratnogreatdistance，butatlengthsubsidedintohills。Sometimestheyfoundtheriverborderedwithalluvialbottoms，andgroveswithcotton-woodandwillows;
sometimestheadjacentcountrywasnakedandbarren。Inoneplaceitranforaconsiderabledistancebetweenrockyhillsandpromontoriescoveredwithcedarandpitchpines，andpeopledwiththebighornandthemountaindeer;atotherplacesitwanderedthroughprairieswellstockedwithbuffaloesandantelopes。Astheydescendedthecourseoftheriver，theybegantoperceivetheashandwhiteoakhereandthereamongthecotton-woodandwillow;andatlengthcaughtasightofsomewildhorsesonthedistantprairies。
Theweatherwasvarious;atonetimethesnowlaydeep;thentheyhadagenialdayortwo，withthemildnessandserenityofautumn;then，again，thefrostwassoseverethattheriverwassufficientlyfrozentobearthemupontheice。
Duringthelastthreedaysoftheirfortnight’stravel，however，thefaceofthecountrychanged。Thetimbergraduallydiminished，untiltheycouldscarcelyfindfuelsufficientforculinarypurposes。Thegamegrewmoreandmorescanty，and，finally，noneweretobeseenbutafewmiserablebroken-downbuffalobulls，notworthkilling。Thesnowlayfifteeninchesdeep，andmadethetravellinggrievouslypainfulandtoilsome。Atlengththeycametoanimmenseplain，wherenovestigeoftimberwastobeseen;
norasinglequadrupedtoenliventhedesolatelandscape。Here，then，theirheartsfailedthem，andtheyheldanotherconsultation。Thewidthoftheriver，whichwasupwardsofamile，itsextremeshallowness，thefrequencyofquicksands，andvariousothercharacteristics，hadatlengthmadethemsensibleoftheirerrorswithrespecttoit，andtheynowcametothecorrectconclusion，thattheywereonthebanksofthePlatteorShallowRiver。Whatweretheytodo？PursueitscoursetotheMissouri？Togoonatthisseasonoftheyearseemeddangerousintheextreme。Therewasnoprospectofobtainingeitherfoodorfiring。Thecountrywasdestituteoftrees，andthoughtheremightbedrift-woodalongtheriver，itlaytoodeepbeneaththesnowforthemtofindit。
Theweatherwasthreateningachange，andasnowstormontheseboundlesswastesmightproveasfatalasawhirlwindofsandonanArabiandesert。Aftermuchdrearydeliberation，itwasatlengthdeterminedtoretracetheirthreelastdays’journeyofseventy-sevenmiles，toaplacewhichtheyhadremarkedwheretherewasashelteringgrowthofforesttrees，andacountryabundantingame。Heretheywouldoncemoresetuptheirwinterquarters，andawaittheopeningofthenavigationtolaunchthemselvesincanoes。
Accordingly，onthe27thofDecember，theyfacedabout，retracedtheirsteps，andonthe30th，regainedthepartoftheriverinquestion。Herethealluvialbottomwasfromonetotwomileswide，andthicklycoveredwithaforestofcotton-woodtrees;
whileherdsofbuffalowerescatteredabouttheneighboringprairie，severalofwhichsoonfellbeneaththeirrifles。
Theyencampedonthemarginoftheriver，inagrovewherethereweretreeslargeenoughforcanoes。Heretheyputupashedforimmediateshelter，andimmediatelyproceededtoerectahut。NewYear’sdaydawnedwhen，asyet，butonewalloftheircabinwascompleted;thegenialandjovialday，however，wasnotpermittedtopassuncelebrated，evenbythisweatherbeatencrewofwanderers。Allworkwassuspended，exceptthatofroastingandboiling。Thechoicestofthebuffalomeat，withtongues，andhumps，andmarrow-bones，weredevouredinquantitiesthatwouldastonishanyonethathasnotlivedamonghuntersorIndians;andasanextraregale，havingnotobaccoleft，theycutupanoldtobaccopouch，stillredolentwiththepotentherb，andsmokeditinhonoroftheday。Thusforatime，inpresentrevelry，howeveruncouth，theyforgotallpasttroublesandallanxietiesaboutthefuture，andtheirforlornwigwamechoedtothesoundofgayety。
Thenextdaytheyresumedtheirlabors，andbythe6thofthemonthitwascomplete。Theysoonkilledabundanceofbuffalo，andagainlaidinastockofwinterprovisions。Thepartyweremorefortunateinthis，theirsecondcantonment。ThewinterpassedawaywithoutanyIndianvisitors，andthegamecontinuedtobeplentyintheneighborhood。Theyfelledtwolargetrees，andshapedthemintocanoes;and，asthespringopened，andathawofseveraldays’continuancemeltedtheiceintheriver，theymadeeverypreparationforembarking。Onthe8thofMarchtheylaunchedforthintheircanoes，butsoonfoundthattheriverhadnotdepthsufficientevenforsuchslenderbarks。Itexpandedintoawidebutextremelyshallowstream，withmanysand-bars，andoccasionallyvariouschannels。Theygotoneoftheircanoesafewmilesdownit，withextremedifficulty，sometimeswadinganddraggingitovertheshoals;atlengththeyhadtoabandontheattempt，andtoresumetheirjourneyonfoot，aidedbytheirfaithfuloldpack-horse，whohadrecruitedstrengthduringthereposeofthewinter。
Theweatherdelayedthemforafewdays，havingsuddenlybecomemorerigorousthanithadbeenatanytimeduringthewinter;butonthe20thofMarchtheywereagainontheirjourney。
Intwodaystheyarrivedatthevastnakedprairie，thewintryaspectofwhichhadcausedthem，inDecember，topauseandturnback。Itwasnowclothedintheearlyverdureofspring，andplentifullystockedwithgame。Still，whenobligedtobivouaconitsbaresurface，withoutanyshelter，andbyascantyfireofdrybuffalodung，theyfoundthenightblastspiercingcold。Ononeoccasion，aherdofbuffalostrayingneartheireveningcamp，theykilledthreeofthemmerelyfortheirhides，wherewithtomakeashelterforthenight。
Theycontinuedonforupwardsofahundredmiles;withvastprairiesextendingbeforethemastheyadvanced;sometimesdiversifiedbyundulatinghills，butdestituteoftrees。Inoneplacetheysawagangofsixty-fivewildhorses，butastothebuffaloes，theyseemedabsolutelytocoverthecountry。Wildgeeseabounded，andtheypassedextensiveswampsthatwerealivewithinnumerableflocksofwater-fowl，amongwhichwereafewswans，butanendlessvarietyofducks。
Therivercontinuedawindingcoursetotheeast-north-east，nearlyamileinwidth，buttooshallowtofloatevenanemptycanoe。Thecountryspreadoutintoavastlevelplain，boundedbythehorizonalone，exceptingtothenorth，wherealineofhillsseemedlikealongpromontorystretchingintothebosomoftheocean。Thedrearysamenessoftheprairiewastesbegantogrowextremelyirksome。Thetravellerslongedforthesightofaforest，orgrove，orsingletree，tobreaktheleveluniformity，andbegantonoticeeveryobjectthatgavereasontohopetheyweredrawingtowardstheendofthiswearywilderness。ThustheoccurrenceofaparticularkindofgrasswashailedasaproofthattheycouldnotbefarfromthebottomsoftheMissouri;andtheywererejoicedatputtingupseveralprairiehens，akindofgrouseseldomfoundfarintheinterior。Inpickingupdriftwoodforfuel，also，theyfoundonsomepiecesthemarkofanaxe，whichcausedmuchspeculationastothetimewhenandthepersonsbywhomthetreeshadbeenfelled。Thustheywenton，likesailorsatsea，whoperceiveineveryfloatingweedandwanderingbird，harbingersofthewished-forland。
Bythecloseofthemonththeweatherbecameverymild，and，heavilyburdenedastheywere，theyfoundthenoontidetemperatureuncomfortablywarm。Onthe30th，theycametothreedesertedhuntingcamps，eitherofPawneesorOttoes，aboutwhichwerebuffaloskullsinalldirections;andtheframesonwhichthehideshadbeenstretchedandcured。Theyhadapparentlybeenoccupiedtheprecedingautumn。
Forseveraldaystheykeptpatientlyon，watchingeverysignthatmightgivethemanideaastowheretheywere，andhowneartothebanksoftheMissouri。
Thoughtherewerenumeroustracesofhuntingpartiesandencampments，theywerenotofrecentdate。Thecountryseemeddeserted。TheonlyhumanbeingstheymetwithwerethreePawneesquaws，inahutinthemidstofadesertedcamp。Theirpeoplehadallgonetothesouth，inpursuitofthebuffalo，andhadleftthesepoorwomenbehind，beingtoosickandinfirmtotravel。
ItisacommonpracticewiththePawnees，andprobablywithotherrovingtribes，whendepartingonadistantexpedition，whichwillnotadmitofincumbranceordelay，toleavetheiragedandinfirmwithasupplyofprovisionssufficientforatemporarysubsistence。Whenthisisexhausted，theymustperish;thoughsometimestheirsufferingsareabridgedbyhostileprowlerswhomayvisitthedesertedcamp。
Thepoorsquawsinquestionexpectedsomesuchfateatthehandsofthewhitestrangers，andthoughthelatteraccostedtheminthekindestmanner，andmadethempresentsofdriedbuffalomeat，itwasimpossibletosoothetheiralarm，orgetanyinformationfromthem。
Thefirstlandmarkbywhichthetravellerswereenabledtoconjecturetheirpositionwithanydegreeofconfidence，wasanislandaboutseventymilesinlength，whichtheypresumedtobeGrandIsle。Ifso，theywerewithinonehundredandfortymilesoftheMissouri。Theykepton，therefore，Withrenewedspirit，andattheendofthreedaysmetwithanOttoIndian，bywhomtheywereconfirmedintheirconjecture。Theylearntatthesametimeanotherpieceofinformation，ofanuncomfortablenature。
Accordingtohisaccount，therewaswarbetweentheUnitedStatesandEngland，andinfactithadexistedforawholeyear，duringwhichtimetheyhadbeenbeyondthereachofallknowledgeoftheaffairsofthecivilizedworld。
TheOttoconductedthetravellerstohisvillage，situatedashortdistancefromthebanksofthePlatte。Heretheyweredelightedtomeetwithtwowhitemen，Messrs。DorninandRoi，IndiantradersrecentlyfromSt。Louis。Ofthesetheyhadathousandinquiriestomakeconcerningallaffairs，foreignanddomestic，duringtheiryearofsepultureinthewilderness;andespeciallyabouttheeventsoftheexistingwar。
Theynowpreparedtoabandontheirwearytravelbyland，andtoembarkuponthewater。AbargainwasmadewithMr。Dornin，whoengagedtofurnishthemwithacanoeandprovisionsforthevoyage，inexchangefortheirvenerableandwell-triedfellowtraveller，theoldSnakehorse。
Accordingly，inacoupleofdays，theIndiansemployedbythatgentlemanconstructedforthemacanoetwentyfeetlong，fourfeetwide，andeighteeninchesdeep。Theframewasofpolesandwillowtwigs，onwhichwerestretchedfiveelkandbuffalohides，sewedtogetherwithsinews，andtheseamspayedwithunctuousmud。Inthistheyembarkedatanearlyhouronthe16thofApril，anddrifteddowntenmileswiththestream，whenthewindbeinghightheyencamped，andsettoworktomakeoars，whichtheyhadnotbeenabletoprocureattheIndianvillage。
Oncemoreafloat，theywentmerrilydownthestream，andaftermakingthirty-fivemiles，emergedintothebroadturbidcurrentoftheMissouri。Heretheywerebornealongbrisklybytherapidstream;though，bythetimetheirfragilebarkhadfloatedacoupleofhundredmiles，itsframebegantoshowtheeffectsofthevoyage。Luckilytheycametothedesertedwinteringplaceofsomehuntingparty，wheretheyfoundtwooldwoodencanoes。
Takingpossessionofthelargest，theyagaincommittedthemselvestothecurrent，andafterdroppingdownfifty-fivemilesfurther，arrivedsafelyatFortOsage。
HeretheyfoundLieutenantBrownsonstillincommand;theofficerwhohadgiventheexpeditionahospitablereceptiononitswayuptheriver，eighteenmonthspreviously。Hereceivedthisremnantofthepartywithacordialwelcome，andendeavoredineverywaytopromotetheircomfortandenjoymentduringtheirsojournatthefort。Thegreatestluxurytheymetwithontheirreturntotheabodeofcivilizedman，wasbread，nothavingtastedanyfornearlyayear。
TheirstayatFortOsagewasbutshort。Onre-embarkingtheywerefurnishedwithanamplesupplyofprovisionsbythekindnessofLieutenantBrownson，andperformedtherestoftheirvoyagewithoutadversecircumstance。Onthe30thofApriltheyarrivedinperfecthealthandfinespiritsatSt。Louis，havingbeentenmonthsinperformingthisperilousexpeditionfromAstoria。Theirreturncausedquiteasensationattheplace，bringingthefirstintelligenceofthefortuneofMr。HuntandhispartyintheiradventurousrouteacrosstheRockyMountains，andofthenewestablishmentontheshoresofthePacific。
CHAPTERLI。
AgreementBetweenMr。AstorandtheRussianFurCompany-WarBetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritain-InstructionstoCaptainSowleoftheBeaver-FittingOutoftheLark-NewsoftheArrivalofMr。Stuart。
ITisnownecessary，inlinkingtogetherthepartsofthisexcursivenarrative，thatwenoticetheproceedingsofMr。Astorinsupportofhisgreatundertaking。HisprojectwithrespecttotheRussianestablishmentsalongthenorthwestcoasthadbeendiligentlyprosecuted。TheagentsentbyhimtoSt。Petersburg，tonegotiateinhisnameaspresidentoftheAmericanFurCompany，had，undersanctionoftheRussiangovernment，madeaprovisionalagreementwiththeRussiancompany。
Bythisagreement，whichwasratifiedbyMr。Astorin1813，thetwocompaniesboundthemselvesnottointerferewitheachother’stradingandhuntinggrounds，nortofurnisharmsandammunitiontotheIndians。Theyweretoactinconcert，also，againstallinterlopers，andtosuccoreachotherincaseofdanger。TheAmericancompanywastohavetheexclusiverightofsupplyingtheRussianpostswithgoodsandnecessaries，receivingpeltriesinpaymentatstatedprices。Theywerealso，ifsorequestedbytheRussiangovernor，toconveythefursoftheRussiancompanytoCanton，sellthemoncommission，andbringbacktheproceeds，atsuchfreightasmightbeagreedonatthetime。Thisagreementwastocontinueinoperationfouryears，andtoberenewableforasimilarterm，unlesssomeunforeseencontingencyshouldrenderamodificationnecessary。
ItwascalculatedtobeofgreatservicetotheinfantestablishmentatAstoria;dispellingthefearsofhostilerivalryonthepartoftheforeigncompaniesinitsneighborhood，andgivingaformidableblowtotheirregulartradealongthecoast。
ItwasalsotheintentionofMr。Astortohavecoastingvesselsofhisown，atAstoria，ofsmalltonnageanddraftofwater，fittedforcoastingservice。These，havingaplaceofshelteranddeposit，couldplyaboutthecoastinshortvoyages，infavorableweather，andwouldhavevastadvantageoverchanceships，whichmustmakelongvoyages，maintainnumerouscrews，andcouldonlyapproachthecoastatcertainseasonsoftheyear。Hehoped，therefore，graduallytomakeAstoriathegreatemporiumoftheAmericanfurtradeinthePacific，andthenucleusofapowerfulAmericanstate。Unfortunatelyforthesesanguineanticipations，beforeMr。Astorhadratifiedtheagreement，asabovestated，warbrokeoutbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritain。Heperceivedatoncetheperilofthecase。TheharborofNewYorkwoulddoubtlessbeblockaded，andthedepartureoftheannualsupplyshipintheautumnprevented;or，ifsheshouldsucceedingettingouttosea，shemightbecapturedonhervoyage。
Inthisemergency，hewrotetoCaptainSowle，commanderoftheBeaver。Theletter，whichwasaddressedtohimatCanton，directedhimtoproceedtothefactoryatthemouthoftheColumbia，withsucharticlesastheestablishmentmightneed;andtoremainthere，subjecttotheordersofMr。Hunt，shouldthatgentlemanbeincommandthere。
Thewarcontinued。NotidingshadyetbeenreceivedfromAstoria;
thedespatcheshavingbeendelayedbythemisadventureofMr。
ReedatthefallsoftheColumbia，andtheunhorsingofMr。
StuartbytheCrowsamongthemountains。Apainfuluncertainty，also，prevailedaboutMr。Huntandhisparty。NothinghadbeenheardofthemsincetheirdeparturefromtheArickaravillage;
Lisa，whopartedfromthemthere，hadpredictedtheirdestruction;andsomeofthetradersoftheNorthwestCompanyhadactuallyspreadarumoroftheirhavingbeencutoffbytheIndians。
Itwasahardtrialofthecourageandmeansofanindividualtohavetofitoutanothercostlyexpedition，wheresomuchhadalreadybeenexpended，somuchuncertaintyprevailed，andwheretheriskoflosswassogreatlyenhanced，thatnoinsurancecouldbeeffected。
Inspiteofallthesediscouragements，Mr。Astordeterminedtosendanothershiptothereliefofthesettlement。HeselectedforthispurposeavesselcalledtheLark，remarkableforherfastsailing。Thedisorderedstateofthetimes，however，causedsuchadelay，thatFebruaryarrived，whilethevesselwasyetlingeringinport。
Atthisjuncture，Mr。AstorlearntthattheNorthwestCompanywerepreparingtosendoutanarmedshipoftwentyguns，calledtheIsaacTodd，toformanestablishmentatthemouthoftheColumbia。Thesetidingsgavehimgreatuneasiness。AconsiderableproportionofthepersonsinhisemploywereScotchmenandCanadians，andseveralofthemhadbeenintheserviceoftheNorthwestCompany。ShouldMr。HunthavefailedtoarriveatAstoria，thewholeestablishmentwouldbeunderthecontrolofMr。M’Dougal，ofwhosefidelityhehadreceivedverydisparagingaccountsfromCaptainThorn。TheBritishgovernment，also，mightdeemitworthwhiletosendaforceagainsttheestablishment，havingbeenurgedtodososometimepreviouslybytheNorthwestCompany。
Underallthesecircumstances，Mr。AstorwrotetoMr。Monroe，thensecretaryofstate，requestingprotectionfromthegovernmentoftheUnitedStates。Herepresentedtheimportanceofhissettlement，inacommercialpointofview，andtheshelteritmightaffordtotheAmericanvesselsinthoseseas。AllheaskedwasthattheAmericangovernmentwouldthrowfortyorfiftymenintothefortathisestablishment，whichwouldbesufficientforitsdefenseuntilhecouldsendreinforcementsoverland。
Hewaitedinvainforareplytothisletter，thegovernment，nodoubt，beingengrossedatthetimebyanoverwhelmingcrowdofaffairs。ThemonthofMarcharrived，andtheLarkwasorderedbyMr。Astortoputtosea。Theofficerwhowastocommandhershrunkfromhisengagement，andintheexigencyofthemoment，shewasgiveninchargetoMr。Northrup，themate。Mr。NicholasG。Ogden，agentlemanonwhosetalentsandintegritythehighestreliancecouldbeplaced，sailedassupercargo。TheLarkputtoseainthebeginningofMarch，1813。
Bythisopportunity，Mr。AstorwrotetoMr。Hunt，asheadoftheestablishmentatthemouthoftheColumbia，forhewouldnotallowhimselftodoubtofhiswelfare。“Ialwaysthinkyouarewell。”saidhe，“andthatIshallseeyouagain，whichHeaven，I
hope，willgrant。”
Hewarnedhimtobeonhisguardagainstanyattemptstosurprisethepost;suggestingtheprobabilityofarmedhostilityonthepartoftheNorthwestCompany，andexpressinghisindignationattheungratefulreturnsmadebythatassociationforhisfrankandopenconduct，andadvantageousovertures。“WereIonthespot。”
saidhe，“andhadthemanagementofaffairs，Iwoulddefythemall;but，asitis，everythingdependsuponyouandyourfriendsaboutyou。Ourenterpriseisgrand，anddeservessuccess，andI
hopeinGoditwillmeetit。Ifmyobjectwasmerelygainofmoney，Ishouldsay，thinkwhetheritisbesttosavewhatwecan，andabandontheplace;buttheveryideaislikeadaggertomyheart。”ThisextractissufficienttoshowthespiritandtheviewswhichactuatedMr。Astorinthisgreatundertaking。
Weekafterweekandmonthaftermonthelapsed，withoutanythingtodispelthepainfulincertitudethathungovereverypartofthisenterprise。Thoughamanofresolutespirit，andnoteasilycastdown，thedangersimpendingoverthisdarlingschemeofhisambition，hadagradualeffectuponthespiritsofMr。Astor。Hewassittingonegloomyeveningbyhiswindow，revolvingoverthelossoftheTonquinandthefateofherunfortunatecrew，andfearingthatsomeequallytragicalcalamitymighthavebefallentheadventurersacrossthemountains，whentheeveningnewspaperwasbroughttohim。Thefirstparagraphthatcaughthiseye，announcedthearrivalofMr。StuartandhispartyatSt。Louis，withintelligencethatMr。HuntandhiscompanionshadeffectedtheirperilousexpeditiontothemouthoftheColumbia。Thiswasagleamofsunshinethatforatimedispelledeverycloud，andhenowlookedforwardwithsanguinehopetotheaccomplishmentofallhisplans。
CHAPTERLll。
BanksoftheWallah-Wallah-DepartureofDavidStuartfortheOakinagan-Mr。Clarke’sRouteUpLewisRiver-Chipunnish，orPierced-NoseIndians-TheirCharacter，Appearance，andHabits-
ThievishHabits-LayingUpoftheBoats-PostatPointedHeartandSpokanRivers-M’Kenzie，HisRouteUptheCamoenum-BandsofTravellingIndians-ExpeditionofReedtotheCaches-
AdventuresofWanderingVoyageursandTrappers。
THEcourseofournarrativenowtakesusbacktotheregionsbeyondthemountains，todisposeofthepartiesthatsetoutfromAstoria，incompanywithMr。RobertStuart，andwhomheleftonthebanksoftheWallah-Wallah。Thosepartieslikewiseseparatedfromeachothershortlyafterhisdeparture，proceedingtotheirrespectivedestinations，butagreeingtomeetatthemouthoftheWallah-WallahaboutthebeginningofJuneinthefollowingyear，withsuchpeltriesastheyshouldhavecollectedinthewinter，soastoconvoyeachotherthroughthedangerouspassesoftheColumbia。
Mr。DavidStuart，oneofthepartners，proceededwithhismentothepostalreadyestablishedbyhimatthemouthoftheOakinagan;havingfurnishedthiswithgoodsandammunition，heproceededthreehundredmilesupthatriver，whereheestablishedanotherpostinagoodtradingneighborhood。
Mr。Clarke，anotherpartner，conductedhislittlebandupLewisRivertothemouthofasmallstreamcominginfromthenorth，towhichtheCanadiansgavethenameofthePavion。Herehefoundavillageorencampmentoffortyhutsortents，coveredwithmats，andinhabitedbyNezPerces，orPierced-noseIndians，astheyarecalledbythetraders;butChipunnish，astheyarecalledbythemselves。Theyareahardy，laborious，andsomewhatknavishrace，wholeadaprecariouslife，fishinganddiggingrootsduringthesummerandautumn，huntingthedeeronsnow-shoesduringthewinter，andtraversingtheRockyMountainsinthespring，totradeforbuffaloskinswiththehuntingtribesoftheMissouri。InthesemigrationstheyareliabletobewaylaidandattackedbytheBlackfeet，andotherwarlikeandpredatorytribes，anddrivenbackacrossthemountainswiththelossoftheirhorses，andofmanyoftheircomrades。