Thatnightthecaptainencampeduponthebattleground；thenextdayheresumedhis
toilsomeperegrinationsthroughthemountains。Forupwardsoftwoweekshecontinued
hispainfulmarch；bothmenandhorsessufferingexcessivelyattimesfromhungerand
thirst。Atlength，onthe19thofSeptember，hereachedtheupperwatersofSalmonRiver。Theweatherwascold，andthereweresymptomsofanimpendingstorm。Thenightset
in，butBuckeye，theDelawareIndian，wasmissing。Hehadleftthepartyearlyinthe
morning，tohuntbyhimself，accordingtohiscustom。Fearswereentertainedlesthe
shouldlosehiswayandbecomebewilderedintempestuousweather。Thesefears
increasedonthefollowingmorning，whenaviolentsnow-stormcameon，whichsoon
coveredtheearthtothedepthofseveralinches。CaptainBonnevilleimmediately
encamped，andsentoutscoutsineverydirection。AftersomesearchBuckeyewas
discovered，quietlyseatedataconsiderabledistanceintherear，waitingtheexpected
approachoftheparty，notknowingthattheyhadpassed，thesnowhavingcoveredtheirtrail。Ontheensuingmorningtheyresumedtheirmarchatanearlyhour，buthadnot
proceededfarwhenthehunters，whowerebeatingupthecountryintheadvance，camegallopingback，makingsignalstoencamp，andcryingIndians！Indians！CaptainBonnevilleimmediatelystruckintoaskirtofwoodandpreparedforaction。The
savageswerenowseentroopingoverthehillsingreatnumbers。Oneofthemleftthe
mainbodyandcameforwardsingly，makingsignalsofpeace。Heannouncedthemasa
bandofNezPercesorPierced-noseIndians，friendlytothewhites，whereuponan
invitationwasreturnedbyCaptainBonnevilleforthemtocomeandencampwithhim。
Theyhaltedforashorttimetomaketheirtoilette，anoperationasimportantwithan
Indianwarrioraswithafashionablebeauty。Thisdone，theyarrangedthemselvesin
martialstyle，thechiefsleadingthevan，thebravesfollowinginalongline，paintedand
decorated，andtoppedoffwithflutteringplumes。Inthiswaytheyadvanced，shouting
andsinging，firingofftheirfusees，andclashingtheirshields。Thetwopartiesencamped
hardbyeachother。TheNezPerceswereonahuntingexpedition，buthadbeenalmost
famishedontheirmarch。Theyhadnoprovisionsleftbutafewdriedsalmon，yetfinding
thewhitemenequallyinwant，theygenerouslyofferedtoshareeventhismeager
pittance，andfrequentlyrepeatedtheoffer，withanearnestnessthatleftnodoubtof
theirsincerity。TheirgenerositywontheheartofCaptainBonneville，andproducedthe
mostcordialgoodwillonthepartofhismen。Fortwodaysthatthepartiesremainedin
company，themostamicableintercourseprevailed，andtheypartedthebestoffriends。
CaptainBonnevilledetachedafewmen，underMr。Cerre，anableleader，to
accompanytheNezPercesontheirhuntingexpedition，andtotradewiththemformeat
forthewinter”ssupply。Afterthis，heproceededdowntheriver，aboutfivemilesbelow
theforks，whenhecametoahaltonthe26thofSeptember，toestablishhiswinter
quarters。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter9[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter9Horsesturnedloose——Preparationsforwinterquarters——Hungrytimes——NezPerces，
theirhonesty，piety，pacifichabits，religiousceremonies——CaptainBonneville”s
conversationswiththem——TheirloveofgamblingITWASGRATIFYINGtoCaptainBonneville，aftersolongandtoilsomeacourseof
travel，torelievehispoorjadedhorsesoftheburdenunderwhichtheywerealmost
readytogiveout，andtobeholdthemrollinguponthegrass，andtakingalongrepose
afteralltheirsufferings。Indeed，soexhaustedwerethey，thatthoseemployedunderthesaddlewerenolongercapableofhuntingforthedailysubsistenceofthecamp。Allhandsnowsettoworktoprepareawintercantonment。Atemporaryfortificationwas
thrownupfortheprotectionoftheparty；asecureandcomfortablepen，intowhichthe
horsescouldbedrivenatnight；andhutswerebuiltforthereceptionofthemerchandise。Thisdone，CaptainBonnevillemadeadistributionofhisforces：twentymenwereto
remainwithhimingarrisontoprotecttheproperty；therestwereorganizedintothree
brigades，andsentoffindifferentdirections，tosubsistthemselvesbyhuntingthebuffalo，untilthesnowshouldbecometoodeep。Indeed，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletoprovideforthewholepartyinthis
neighborhood。Itwasattheextremewesternlimitofthebuffalorange，andthese
animalshadrecentlybeencompletelyhuntedoutoftheneighborhoodbytheNez
Perces，sothat，althoughthehuntersofthegarrisonwerecontinuallyonthealert，
rangingthecountryround，theybroughtinscarcegamesufficienttokeepfaminefrom
thedoor。Nowandthentherewasascantymealoffishorwild-fowl，occasionallyan
antelope；butfrequentlythecravingsofhungerhadtobeappeasedwithroots，orthe
fleshofwolvesandmuskrats。Rarelycouldtheinmatesofthecantonmentboastof
havingmadeafullmeal，andneverofhavingwherewithalforthemorrow。Inthisway
theystarvedalonguntilthe8thofOctober，whentheywerejoinedbyapartyoffive
familiesofNezPerces，whoinsomemeasurereconciledthemtothehardshipsoftheir
situationbyexhibitingalotstillmoredestitute。Amoreforlornsettheyhadnever
encountered：theyhadnotamorselofmeatorfish；noranythingtosubsiston，
exceptingroots，wildrosebuds，thebarksofcertainplants，andothervegetable
production；neitherhadtheyanyweaponforhuntingordefence，exceptinganold
spear：yetthepoorfellowsmadenomurmurnorcomplaint；butseemedaccustomedto
theirhardfare。Iftheycouldnotteachthewhitementheirpracticalstoicism，theyat
leastmadethemacquaintedwiththeediblepropertiesofrootsandwildrosebuds，and
furnishedthemasupplyfromtheirownstore。Thenecessitiesofthecampatlength
becamesourgentthatCaptainBonnevilledeterminedtodispatchapartytotheHorse
Prairie，aplaintothenorthofhiscantonment，toprocureasupplyofprovisions。When
themenwereabouttodepart，heproposedtotheNezPercesthatthey，orsomeof
them，shouldjointhehunting-party。Tohissurprise，theypromptlydeclined。Heinquired
thereasonfortheirrefusal，seeingthattheywereinnearlyasstarvingasituationashis
ownpeople。Theyrepliedthatitwasasacreddaywiththem，andtheGreatSpiritwould
beangryshouldtheydevoteittohunting。Theyoffered，however，toaccompanythe
partyifitwoulddelayitsdepartureuntilthefollowingday；butthisthepinchingdemandsofhungerwouldnotpermit，andthedetachmentproceeded。Afewdaysafterward，fourofthemsignifiedtoCaptainBonnevillethattheywereabout
tohunt。“What！“exclaimedhe，“withoutgunsorarrows；andwithonlyoneoldspear？
Whatdoyouexpecttokill？“Theysmiledamongthemselves，butmadenoanswer。
Preparatorytothechase，theyperformedsomereligiousrites，andoffereduptothe
GreatSpiritafewshortprayersforsafetyandsuccess；then，havingreceivedthe
blessingsoftheirwives，theyleapedupontheirhorsesanddeparted，leavingthewhole
partyofChristianspectatorsamazedandrebukedbythislessonoffaithand
dependenceonasupremeandbenevolentBeing。“Accustomed，“addsCaptain
Bonneville，“asIhadheretoforebeen，tofindthewretchedIndianrevellinginblood，and
stainedbyeveryvicewhichcandegradehumannature，Icouldscarcelyrealizethe
scenewhichIhadwitnessed。Wonderatsuchunaffectedtendernessandpiety，where
itwasleasttohavebeensought，contendedinallourbosomswithshameand
confusion，atreceivingsuchpureandwholesomeinstructionsfromcreaturessofar
belowusintheartsandcomfortsoflife。”ThesimpleprayersofthepoorIndianswere
notunheard。Inthecourseoffourorfivedaystheyreturned，ladenwithmeat。Captain
Bonnevillewascurioustoknowhowtheyhadattainedsuchsuccesswithsuchscanty
means。Theygavehimtounderstandthattheyhadchasedthebuffaloatfullspeed，
untiltheytiredthemdown，whentheyeasilydispatchedthemwiththespear，andmade
useofthesameweapontoflaythecarcasses。Tocarrythroughtheirlessonstotheir
Christianfriends，thepoorsavageswereascharitableastheyhadbeenpious，and
generouslysharedwiththemthespoilsoftheirhunting，givingthemfoodenoughtolastforseveraldays。AfurtherandmoreintimateintercoursewiththistribegaveCaptainBonnevillestill
greatercausetoadmiretheirstrongdevotionalfeeling。“Simplytocallthesepeople
religious，“sayshe，“wouldconveybutafaintideaofthedeephueofpietyanddevotion
whichpervadestheirwholeconduct。Theirhonestyisimmaculate，andtheirpurityof
purpose，andtheirobservanceoftheritesoftheirreligion，aremostuniformandremarkable。Theyare，certainly，morelikeanationofsaintsthanahordeofsavages。”Infact，theantibelligerentpolicyofthistribemayhavesprungfromthedoctrinesof
Christiancharity，foritwouldappearthattheyhadimbibedsomenotionsofthe
ChristianfaithfromCatholicmissionariesandtraderswhohadbeenamongthem。They
evenhadarudecalendarofthefastsandfestivalsoftheRomishChurch，andsome
tracesofitsceremonials。Thesehavebecomeblendedwiththeirownwildrites，and
presentastrangemedley；civilizedandbarbarous。OntheSabbath，men，women，and
childrenarraythemselvesintheirbeststyle，andassembleroundapoleerectedatthe
headofthecamp。Heretheygothroughawildfantasticceremonial；strongly
resemblingthereligiousdanceoftheShakingQuakers；butfromitsenthusiasm，much
morestrikingandimpressive。Duringtheintervalsoftheceremony，theprincipalchiefs，
whoofficiateaspriests，instructthemintheirduties，andexhortthemtovirtueandgooddeeds。“Thereissomethingantiqueandpatriarchal，“observesCaptainBonneville，“inthis
unionoftheofficesofleaderandpriest；asthereisinmanyoftheircustomsandmanners，whichareallstronglyimbuedwithreligion。”Theworthycaptain，indeed，appearstohavebeenstronglyinterestedbythisgleamof
unlookedforlightamidstthedarknessofthewilderness。Heexertedhimself，duringhis
sojournamongthissimpleandwell-disposedpeople，toinculcate，asfarashewas
able，thegentleandhumanizingpreceptsoftheChristianfaith，andtomakethem
acquaintedwiththeleadingpointsofitshistory；anditspeakshighlyforthepurityandbenignityofhisheart，thathederivedunmixedhappinessfromthetask。“Manyatime，“sayshe，“wasmylittlelodgethronged，orratherpiledwithhearers，for
theylayontheground，oneleaningovertheother，untiltherewasnofurtherroom，all
listeningwithgreedyearstothewonderswhichtheGreatSpirithadrevealedtothe
whiteman。Noothersubjectgavethemhalfthesatisfaction，orcommandedhalfthe
attention；andbutfewscenesinmyliferemainsofreshlyonmymemory，orareso
pleasurablyrecalledtomycontemplation，asthesehoursofintercoursewithadistantandbenightedraceinthemidstofthedesert。”Theonlyexcessesindulgedinbythistemperateandexemplarypeople，appeartobe
gamblingandhorseracing。Inthesetheyengagewithaneagernessthatamountsto
infatuation。Knotsofgamblerswillassemblebeforeoneoftheirlodgefires，earlyinthe
evening，andremainabsorbedinthechancesandchangesofthegameuntillongafter
dawnofthefollowingday。Asthenightadvances，theywaxwarmerandwarmer。Bets
increaseinamount，onelossonlyservestoleadtoagreater，untilinthecourseofa
singlenight”sgambling，therichestchiefmaybecomethepoorestvarletinthecamp。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter10[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter10BlackfeetintheHorsePrairie——Searchafterthehunters——Difficultiesanddangers——A
cardpartyinthewilderness——Thecardpartyinterrupted”OldSledge“alosinggame——Visitorstothecamp——Iroquoishunters——Hanging-earedIndians。ONthe12thofOctober，twoyoungIndiansoftheNezPercetribearrivedatCaptain
Bonneville”s
encampment。Theywereontheirwayhomeward，buthadbeenobligedtoswervefromtheir
ordinary
routethroughthemountains，bydeepsnows。TheirnewroutetookthemthoughtheHorse
Prairie。
Intraversingit，theyhadbeenattractedbythedistantsmokeofacampfire，andonstealingnear
to
reconnoitre，haddiscoveredawarpartyofBlackfeet。Theyhadseveralhorseswiththem；and，as
they
generallygoonfootonwarlikeexcursions，itwasconcludedthatthesehorseshadbeencaptured
inthecourseoftheirmaraudings。ThisintelligenceawakenedsolicitudeonthemindofCaptainBonnevilleforthepartyof
hunters
whomhehadsenttothatneighborhood；andtheNezPerces，wheninformedofthe
circumstances，
shooktheirheads，anddeclaredtheirbeliefthatthehorsestheyhadseenhadbeenstolenfrom
that
veryparty。Anxiousforinformationonthesubject，CaptainBonnevilledispatchedtwohuntersto
beat
upthecountryinthatdirection。Theysearchedinvain；notatraceofthemencouldbefound；but
theygotintoaregiondestituteofgame，wheretheywerewell-nighfamished。Atonetimethey
were
threeentiredayswith-outamouthfuloffood；atlengththeybeheldabuffalograzingatthefoot
of
themountain。Aftermanoeuvringsoastogetwithinshot，theyfired，butmerelywoundedhim。
He
tooktoflight，andtheyfollowedhimoverhillanddale，withtheeagernessandper-severanceof
starvingmen。Amoreluckyshotbroughthimtotheground。Stanfieldspranguponhim，plunged
his
knifeintohisthroat，andallayedhisraginghungerbydrinkinghisblood：Afirewasinstantly
kindled
besidethecarcass，whenthetwohunterscooked，andateagainandagain，until，perfectlygorged，
theysanktosleepbeforetheirhuntingfire。Onthefollowingmorningtheyroseearly，made
another
heartymeal，thenloadingthemselveswithbuffalomeat，setoutontheirreturntothecamp，to
reportthefruitlessnessoftheirmission。Atlength，aftersixweeks”absence，thehuntersmadetheirappearance，andwerereceived
withjoy
proportionedtotheanxietythathadbeenfeltontheiraccount。Theyhadhuntedwithsuccesson
the
prairie，but，whilebusydryingbuffalomeat，werejoinedbyafewpanic-strickenFlatheads，who
informedthemthatapowerfulbandofBlackfeetwasathand。Thehuntersimmediately
abandoned
thedangeroushuntingground，andaccompaniedtheFlatheadstotheirvillage。Heretheyfound
Mr。
Cerre，andthedetachmentofhunterssentwithhimtoaccompanythehuntingpartyoftheNezPerces。Afterremainingsometimeatthevillage，untiltheysupposedtheBlackfeettohaveleftthe
neighborhood，theysetoffwithsomeofMr。Cerre”smenforthecantonmentatSalmonRiver，
where
theyarrivedwithoutaccident。TheyinformedCaptainBonneville，however，thatnotfarfromhis
quarterstheyhadfoundawalletoffreshmeatandacord，whichtheysupposedhadbeenleftby
some
prowlingBlackfeet。AfewdaysafterwardMr。Cerre，withtheremainderofhismen，likewise
arrivedatthecantonment。Mr。Walker，oneofhissubleaders，whohadgonewithabandoftwentyhunterstorangethe
country
justbeyondtheHorsePrairie，hadlikewisehisshareofadventureswiththeall-pervading
Blackfeet。
Atoneofhisencampmentstheguardstationedtokeepwatchroundthecampgrewwearyof
their
duty，andfeelingalittletoosecure，andtoomuchathomeontheseprairies，retiredtoasmall
grove
ofwillowstoamusethemselveswithasocialgameofcardscalled“oldsledge，“whichisas
popular
amongthesetrampersoftheprairiesaswhistorecarteamongthepolitecirclesofthecities。
From
themidstoftheirsporttheyweresuddenlyrousedbyadischargeoffirearmsandashrill
war-whoop。
Startingontheirfeet，andsnatchinguptheirrifles，theybeheldindismaytheirhorsesandmules
alreadyinpossessionoftheenemy，whohadstolenuponthecampunperceived，whiletheywere
spell-boundbythemagicofoldsledge。TheIndianssprangupontheanimalsbarebacked，and
endeavoredtourgethemoffunderagallingfirethatdidsomeexecution。Themules，however，
confoundedbythehurly-burlyanddislikingtheirnewriderskickeduptheirheelsand
dismountedhalf
ofthem，inspiteoftheirhorsemanship。Thisthrewtherestintoconfusion；theyendeavoredto
protect
theirunhorsedcomradesfromthefuriousassaultsofthewhites；but，afterasceneof“confusion
worseconfounded，“horsesandmuleswereabandoned，andtheIndiansbetookthemselvestothe
bushes。Heretheyquicklyscratchedholesintheearthabouttwofeetdeep，inwhichthey
prostrated
themselves，andwhilethusscreenedfromtheshotsofthewhitemen，wereenabledtomakesuch
use
oftheirbowsandarrowsandfusees，astorepulsetheirassailantsandtoeffecttheirretreat。Thisadventurethrewatemporarystigmauponthegameof“oldsledge。”Inthecourseoftheautumn，fourIroquoishunters，drivenbythesnowfromtheirhunting
grounds，
madetheirappearanceatthecantonment。Theywerekindlywelcomed，andduringtheirsojourn
made
themselvesusefulinavarietyofways，beingexcellenttrappersandfirst-ratewoodsmen。They
were
oftheremnantsofapartyofIroquoishuntersthatcamefromCanadaintothesemountainregions
manyyearspreviously，intheemployoftheHudson”sBayCompany。Theywereledbyabrave
chieftain，namedPierre，whofellbythehandsoftheBlackfeet，andgavehisnametothefated
valley
ofPierre”sHole。ThisbranchoftheIroquoistribehaseversinceremainedamongthese
mountains，
atmortalenmitywiththeBlackfeet，andhavelostmanyoftheirprimehuntersintheirfeudswith
that
ferociousrace。SomeofthemfellinwithGeneralAshley，inthecourseofoneofhisgallantexcursionsintothewilderness，andhavecontinuedeversinceintheemployofthecompany。AmongthemotleyVisitorstothewinterquartersofCaptainBonnevillewasapartyofPends
Oreilles
orHanging-earsandtheirchief。TheseIndianshaveastrongresemblance，incharacterand
customs，
totheNezPerces。Theyamounttoaboutthreehundredlodges，arewellarmed，andpossessgreat
numbersofhorses。Duringthespring，summer，andautumn，theyhuntthebuffaloaboutthe
head-watersoftheMissouri，Henry”sForkoftheSnakeRiver，andthenorthernbranchesof
SalmonRiver。
TheirwinterquartersareupontheRacineAmere，wheretheysubsistuponrootsanddried
buffalo
meat。UponthisrivertheHudson”sBayCompanyhaveestablishedatradingpost，wherethe
PendsOreillesandtheFlatheadsbringtheirpeltriestoexchangeforarms，clothingandtrinkets。Thistribe，liketheNezPerces，evincestrongandpeculiarfeelingsofnaturalpiety。Their
religionis
notameresuperstitiousfear，likethatofmostsavages；theyevinceabstractnotionsofmorality；
a
deepreverenceforanoverrulingspirit，andarespectfortherightsoftheirfellowmen。Inone
respect
theirreligionpartakesofthepacificdoctrinesoftheQuakers。TheyholdthattheGreatSpiritis
displeasedwithallnationswhowantonlyengageinwar；theyabstain，therefore，fromall
aggressive
hostilities。Butthoughthusunoffendingintheirpolicy，theyarecalleduponcontinuallytowage
defensivewarfare；especiallywiththeBlackfeet；withwhom，inthecourseoftheirhunting
expeditions，theycomeinfrequentcollisionandhavedesperatebattles。Theirconductaswarriors
iswithoutfearorreproach，andtheycanneverbedriventoabandontheirhuntinggrounds。Likemostsavagestheyarefirmbelieversindreams，andinthepowerandefficacyof
charmsandamulets，ormedicinesastheytermthem。Someoftheirbraves，also，who
havehadnumeroushairbreadth”scapes，liketheoldNezPercechiefinthebattleof
Pierre”sHole，arebelievedtowearacharmedlife，andtobebullet-proof。Ofthese
giftedbeingsmarvelousanecdotesarerelated，whicharemostpotentlybelievedby
theirfellowsavages，andsometimesalmostcreditedbythewhitehunters。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter11[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter11Rivaltrappingparties——Manoeuvring——Adesperategame——Vanderburghandthe
Blackfeet——Desertedcampfire——Adarkdefile——AnIndianambush——Afiercemelee——Fatal
consequences——FitzpatrickandBridger——Trappersprecautions——MeetingwiththeBlackfeet——Morefighting——AnecdoteofayoungMexicanandanIndiangirl。WHILECaptainBonnevilleandhismenaresojourningamongtheNezPerces，onSalmon
River，wewillinquireafterthefortunesofthosedoughtyrivalsoftheRockyMountainsandAmericanFurCompanies，whostartedoffforthetrappinggroundstothenorth-northwest。FitzpatrickandBridger，oftheformercompany，aswehavealreadyshown，havingreceived
their
supplies，hadtakenthelead，andhopedtohavethefirstsweepofthehuntinggrounds。
Vanderburgh
andDripps，however，thetworesidentpartnersoftheoppositecompany，byextraordinary
exertions
wereenabledsoontoputthemselvesupontheirtraces，andpressedforwardwithsuchspeedasto
overtakethemjustastheyhadreachedtheheartofthebeavercountry。Infact，beingignorantof
the
besttrappinggrounds，itwastheirobjecttofollowon，andprofitbythesuperiorknowledgeof
theotherparty。NothingcouldequalthechagrinofFitzpatrickandBridgeratbeingdoggedbytheir
inexperienced
rivals，especiallyaftertheiroffertodividethecountrywiththem。Theytriedineverywayto
blind
andbafflethem；tostealamarchuponthem，orleadthemonawrongscent；butallinvain。
Vanderburghmadeupbyactivityandintelligenceforhisignoranceofthecountry；wasalways
wary，
alwaysonthealert；discoveredeverymovementofhisrivals，howeversecretandwasnottobeeludedormisled。Fitzpatrickandhiscolleaguenowlostallpatience；sincetheotherspersistedinfollowing
them，they
determinedtogivethemanunprofitablechase，andtosacrificethehuntingseasonratherthan
share
theproductswiththeirrivals。Theyaccordinglytookuptheirlineofmarchdownthecourseof
the
Missouri，keepingthemainBlackfoottrail，andtrampingdoggedlyforward，withoutstoppingto
set
asingletrap。Theothersbeatthehoofafterthemforsometime，butbydegreesbegantoperceive
thattheywereonawild-goosechase，andgettingintoacountryperfectlybarrentothetrapper。
They
nowcametoahalt，andbe-thoughtthemselveshowtomakeupforlosttime，andimprovethe
remainderoftheseason。Itwasthoughtbesttodividetheirforcesandtrydifferenttrapping
grounds。
WhileDrippswentinonedirection，Vanderburgh，withaboutfiftymen，proceededinanother。
The
latter，inhisheadlongmarchhadgotintotheveryheartoftheBlackfootcountry，yetseemsto
have
beenunconsciousofhisdanger。Ashisscoutswereoutoneday，theycameuponthetracesofa
recentbandofsavages。Therewerethedesertedfiresstillsmoking，surroundedbythecarcasses
of
buffaloesjustkilled。ItwasevidentapartyofBlackfeethadbeenfrightenedfromtheirhunting
camp，andhadretreated，probablytoseekreinforcements。Thescoutshastenedbacktothecamp，
and
toldVanderburghwhattheyhadseen。Hemadelightofthealarm，and，takingninemenwith
him，
gallopedofftoreconnoitreforhimself。Hefoundthedesertedhuntingcampjustastheyhad
representedit；therelaythecarcassesofbuffaloes，partlydismembered；therewerethe
smouldering
fires，stillsendinguptheirwreathsofsmoke；everythingboretracesofrecentandhastyretreat；
and
gavereasontobelievethatthesavageswerestilllurkingintheneighborhood。Withheedless
daring，
Vanderburghputhimselfupontheirtrail，totracethemtotheirplaceofconcealment：Itledhim
over
prairies，andthroughskirtsofwoodland，untilitenteredadarkanddangerousravine。
Vanderburgh
pushedin，withouthesitation，followedbyhislittleband。Theysoonfoundthemselvesina
gloomy
dell，betweensteepbanksoverhungwithtrees，wheretheprofoundsilencewasonlybrokenby
thetrampoftheirownhorses。Suddenlythehorridwar-whoopburstontheirears，mingledwiththesharpreportofrifles，
anda
legionofsavagessprangfromtheirconcealments，yelling，andshakingtheirbuffalorobesto
frighten
thehorses。Vanderburgh”shorsefell，mortallywoundedbythefirstdischarge。Inhisfallhe
pinned
hisridertotheground，whocalledinvainuponhismentoassistinextricatinghim。Onewas
shot
downscalpedafewpacesdistant；mostoftheotherswereseverelywounded，andsoughttheir
safety
inflight。Thesavagesapproachedtodispatchtheunfortunateleader，ashelaystrugglingbeneath
his
horse……Hehadstillhisrifleinhishandandhispistolsinhisbelt。Thefirstsavagethatadvanced
receivedthecontentsoftherifleinhisbreast，andfelldeaduponthespot；butbefore
Vanderburgh
coulddrawapistol，ablowfromatomahawklaidhimprostrate，andhewasdispatchedby
repeatedwounds。SuchwasthefateofMajorHenryVanderburgh，oneofthebestandworthiestleadersofthe
AmericanFurCompany，whobyhismanlybearinganddauntlesscourageissaidtohavemadehimselfuniversallypopularamongthebold-heartedroversofthewilderness。Thoseofthelittlebandwhoescapedfledinconsternationtothecamp，andspread
direfulreportsoftheforceandferocityoftheenemy。Theparty，beingwithouta
head，wereincompleteconfusionanddismay，andmadeaprecipitateretreat，without
attemptingtorecovertheremainsoftheirbutcheredleader。Theymadenohaltuntil
theyreachedtheencampmentofthePendsOreilles，orHanging-ears，wherethey
offeredarewardfortherecoveryofthebody，butwithoutsuccess；itnevercouldbefound。InthemeantimeFitzpatrickandBridger，oftheRockyMountainCompany，faredbutlittle
better
thantheirrivals。Intheireagernesstomisleadthemtheybetrayedthemselvesintodanger，and
got
intoaregioninfestedwiththeBlackfeet。Theysoonfoundthatfoeswereonthewatchforthem；
but
theywereexperiencedinIndianwarfare，andnottobesurprisedatnight，nordrawnintoan
ambush
inthedaytime。Astheeveningadvanced，thehorseswereallbroughtinandpicketed，anda
guard
wasstationedroundthecamp。Attheearlieststreakofdayoneoftheleaderswouldmounthis
horse，
andgallopofffullspeedforabouthalfamile；thenlookroundforIndiantrails，toascertain
whether
therehadbeenanylurkersroundthecamp；returningslowly，hewouldreconnoitreeveryravine
and
thicketwheretheremightbeanambush。Thisdone，hewouldgallopoffinanoppositedirection
and
repeatthesamescrutiny。Findingallthingssafe，thehorseswouldbeturnedloosetograze，butalwaysundertheeyeofaguard。Acautionequallyvigilantwasobservedinthemarch，onapproachinganydefileor
placewhereanenemymightlieinwait；andscoutswerealwayskeptintheadvance，oralongtheridgesandrisinggroundsontheflanks。Atlength，oneday，alargebandofBlackfeetappearedintheopenfield，butinthe
vicinityofrocksandcliffs。Theykeptatawarydistance，butmadefriendlysigns。The
trappersrepliedinthesameway，butlikewisekeptaloof。AsmallpartyofIndians
nowadvanced，bearingthepipeofpeace；theyweremetbyanequalnumberofwhite
men，andtheyformedagroupmidwaybetweenthetwobands，wherethepipewas
circulatedfromhandtohand，andsmokedwithalldueceremony。Aninstanceof
naturalaffectiontookplaceatthispacificmeeting。Amongthefreetrappersinthe
RockyMountainbandwasaspiritedyoungMexicannamedLoretto，who，inthe
courseofhiswanderings，hadransomedabeautifulBlackfootgirlfromabandof
Crowsbywhomshehadbeencaptured。Hemadeherhiswife，aftertheIndianstyle，andshehadfollowedhisfortuneseversince，withthemostdevotedaffection。AmongtheBlackfeetwarriorswhoadvancedwiththecalumetofpeacesherecognizeda
brother。
LeavingherinfantwithLorettosherushedforwardandthrewherselfuponherbrother”sneck，
who
claspedhislong-lostsistertohisheartwithawarmthofaffectionbutlittlecompatiblewiththereputedstoicismofthesavage。Whilethisscenewastakingplace，Bridgerleftthemainbodyoftrappersandrodeslowly
toward
thegroupofsmokers，withhisriflerestingacrossthepommelofhissaddle。Thechiefofthe
Blackfeetsteppedforwardtomeethim。FromsomeunfortunatefeelingofdistrustBridger
cocked
hisriflejustasthechiefwasextendinghishandinfriendship。Thequickearofthesavagecaught
theclickofthelock；inatwinklinghegraspedthebarrel，forcedthemuzzledownward，andthe
contentsweredischargedintotheearthathisfeet。Hisnextmovementwastowresttheweapon
from
thehandofBridgerandfellhimwithittotheearth。Hemighthavefoundthisnoeasytaskhad
nottheunfortunateleaderreceivedtwoarrowsinhisbackduringthestruggle。Thechiefnowsprangintothevacantsaddleandgallopedofftohisband。Awild
hurry-skurryscene
ensued；eachpartytooktothebanks，therocksandtrees，togainfavorablepositions，andan
irregular
firingwaskeptuponeitherside，withoutmucheffect。TheIndiangirlhadbeenhurriedoffby
her
peopleattheoutbreakoftheaffray。Shewouldhavereturned，throughthedangersofthefight，to
herhusbandandherchild，butwaspreventedbyherbrother。TheyoungMexicansawher
struggles
andheragony，andheardherpiercingcries。Withagenerousimpulsehecaughtupthechildin
his
arms，rushedforward，regardlessofIndianshaftorrifle，andplaceditinsafetyuponherbosom。
EventhesavageheartoftheBlackfootchiefwasreachedbythisnobledeed。Hepronounced
Loretto
amadmanforhistemerity，butbadehimdepartinpeace。TheyoungMexicanhesitated；heurged
tohavehiswiferestoredtohim，butherbrotherinterfered，andthecountenanceofthechiefgrew
dark。Thegirl，hesaid，belongedtohistribe-shemustremainwithherpeople。Lorettowouldstill
havelingered，buthiswifeimploredhimtodepart，lesthislifeshouldbeendangered。Itwaswiththegreatestreluctancethathereturnedtohiscompanions。Theapproachofnightputanendtotheskirmishingfireoftheadverseparties，andthe
savagesdrew
offwithoutrenewingtheirhostilities。Wecannotbutremarkthatbothinthisaffairandthatof
Pierre”sHoletheaffraycommencedbyahostileactonthepartofwhitemenatthemomentwhen
theIndianwarriorwasextendingthehandofamity。Inneitherinstance，asfarascircumstances
have
beenstatedtousbydifferentpersons，doweseeanyreasontosuspectthesavagechiefsof
perfidy
intheiroverturesoffriendship。TheyadvancedintheconfidingwayusualamongIndianswhen
they
bearthepipeofpeace，andconsiderthemselvessacredfromattack。Ifweviolatethesanctityof
this
ceremonial，byanyhostilemovementonourpart，itiswewhoincurthechargeoffaithlessness；
and
wedoubtnotthatinboththeseinstancesthewhitemenhavebeenconsideredbytheBlackfeetastheaggressors，andhave，inconsequence，beenheldupasmennottobetrusted。AwordtoconcludetheromanticincidentofLorettoandhisIndianbride。Afewmonths
subsequent
totheeventjustrelated，theyoungMexicansettledhisaccountswiththeRockyMountain
Company，
andobtainedhisdischarge。Hethenlefthiscomradesandsetofftorejoinhiswifeandchild
among
herpeople；andweunderstandthat，atthetimewearewritingthesepages，heresidesata
trading-houseestablishedoflatebytheAmericanFurCompanyintheBlackfootcountry，where
heactsas
aninterpreter，andhashisIndiangirlwithhim。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter12[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter12Awintercampinthewilderness——Medleyoftrappers，hunters，andIndians——Scarcityof
game——New
arrangementsinthecamp——Detachmentssenttoadistance——CarelessnessoftheIndianswhen
encamped——SicknessamongtheIndians——ExcellentcharacteroftheNezPerces——TheCaptain”s
effort
asapacificator——ANezPerce”sargumentinfavorofwar——Robberies，bytheBlackfeet——Long
sufferingoftheNezPerces——Ahunter”sElysiumamongthemountains——Morerobberies——TheCaptainpreachesupacrusade——Theeffectuponhishearers。FORthegreaterpartofthemonthofNovemberCaptainBonnevilleremainedinhis
temporarypost
onSalmonRiver。Hewasnowinthefullenjoymentofhiswishes；leadingahunter”slifeinthe
heart
ofthewilderness，withallitswildpopulacearoundhim。Besidehisownpeople，motleyin
character
andcostume——creole，Kentuckian，Indian，half-breed，hiredtrapper，andfreetrapper——hewas
surroundedbyencampmentsofNezPercesandFlatheads，withtheirdrovesofhorsescovering
the
hillsandplains。Itwas，hedeclares，awildandbustlingscene。Thehuntingpartiesofwhitemen
and
redmen，continuallysallyingforthandreturning；thegroupsatthevariousencampments，some
cooking，someworking，someamusingthemselvesatdifferentgames；theneighingofhorses，the
brayingofasses，theresoundingstrokesoftheaxe，thesharpreportoftherifle，thewhoop，the
halloo，andthefrequentburstoflaughter，allinthemidstofaregionsuddenlyrousedfrom
perfect
silenceandlonelinessbythistransienthunters”sojourn，realized，hesays，theideaofa“populoussolitude。”Thekindandgenialcharacterofthecaptainhad，evidently，itsinfluenceontheopposite
racesthus
fortuitouslycongregatedtogether。Themostperfectharmonyprevailedbetweenthem。The
Indians，
hesays，werefriendlyintheirdispositions，andhonesttothemostscrupulousdegreeintheir
intercoursewiththewhitemen。Itistruetheyweresomewhatimportunateintheircuriosity，and
apt
tobecontinuallyintheway，examiningeverythingwithkeenandpryingeye，andwatching
every
movementofthewhitemen。Allthis，however，wasbornewithgreatgood-humorbythecaptain，
and
throughhisexamplebyhismen。Indeed，throughoutallhistransactionsheshowshimselfthe
friendofthepoorIndians，andhisconducttowardthemisaboveallpraise。TheNezPerces，theFlatheads，andtheHanging-earspridethemselvesuponthenumberof
their
horses，ofwhichtheypossessmoreinproportionthananyotherofthemountaintribeswithinthe
buffalorange。ManyoftheIndianwarriorsandhuntersencampedaroundCaptainBonneville
possessfromthirtytofortyhorseseach。Theirhorsesarestout，well-builtponies，ofgreatwind，
and
capableofenduringtheseveresthardshipandfatigue。Theswiftestofthem，however，arethose
obtainedfromthewhiteswhilesufficientlyyoungtobecomeacclimatedandinuredtotheroughserviceofthemountains。Bydegreesthepopulousnessofthisencampmentbegantoproduceitsinconveniences。The
immensedrovesofhorsesownedbytheIndiansconsumedtheherbageofthesurroundinghills；
whiletodrivethemtoanydistantpasturage，inaneighborhoodaboundingwithlurkingand
deadly
enemies，wouldbetoendangerthelossbothofmanandbeast。Game，too，begantogrowscarce。
It
wassoonhuntedandfrightenedoutofthevicinity，andthoughtheIndiansmadeawidecircuit
throughthemountainsinthehopeofdrivingthebuffalotowardthecantonment，theirexpedition
was
unsuccessful。Itwasplainthatsolargeapartycouldnotsubsistthemselvesthere，norinanyone
placethroughoutthewinter。CaptainBonneville，therefore，alteredhiswholearrangements。He
detachedfiftymentowardthesouthtowinteruponSnakeRiver，andtotrapaboutitswatersin
the
spring，withorderstorejoinhiminthemonthofJulyatHorseCreek，inGreenRiverValley，
whichhehadfixeduponasthegeneralrendezvousofhiscompanyfortheensuingyear。Ofallhislateparty，henowretainedwithhimmerelyasmallnumberoffreetrappers，
with
whomheintendedtosojournamongtheNezPercesandFlatheads，andadopttheIndianmodeof
movingwiththegameandgrass。Thosebands，ineffect，shortlyafterwardbrokeuptheir
encampmentsandsetoffforalessbeatenneighborhood。CaptainBonnevilleremainedbehind
for
afewdays，thathemightsecretlypreparecaches，inwhichtodepositeverythingnot
requiredfor
currentuse。Thuslightenedofallsuperfluousencumbrance，hesetoffonthe20thofNovember
to
rejoinhisIndianallies。Hefoundthemencampedinasecludedpartofthecountry，attheheadof
a
smallstream。Consideringthemselvesoutofalldangerinthissequesteredspotfromtheirold
enemies，theBlackfeet，theirencampmentmanifestedthemostnegligentsecurity。Theirlodges
were
scatteredineverydirection，andtheirhorsescoveredeveryhillforagreatdistanceround，
grazing
upontheuplandbunchgrasswhichgrewingreatabundance，andthoughdry，retainedits
nutritiouspropertiesinsteadoflosingthemlikeothergrassesintheautumn。WhentheNezPerces，Flatheads，andPendsOreillesareencampedinadangerous
neighborhood，saysCaptainBonneville，thegreatestcareistakenoftheirhorses，thoseprime
articles
ofIndianwealth，andobjectsofIndiandepredation。Eachwarriorhashishorsetiedbyonefoot
at
nighttoastakeplantedbeforehislodge。Heretheyremainuntilbroaddaylight；bythattimethe
youngmenofthecamparealreadyrangingoverthesurroundinghills。Eachfamilythendrives
its
horsestosomeeligiblespot，wheretheyarelefttograzeunattended。AyoungIndianrepairs
occasionallytothepasturetogivethemwater，andtoseethatalliswell。Soaccustomedarethe
horsestothismanagement，thattheykeeptogetherinthepasturewheretheyhavebeenleft。As
the
sunsinksbehindthehills，theymaybeseenmovingfromallpointstowardthecamp，wherethey
surrenderthemselvestobetiedupforthenight。Eveninsituationsofdanger，theIndiansrarely
set
guardsovertheircampatnight，intrustingthatofficeentirelytotheirvigilantandwell-traineddogs。Inanencampment，however，ofsuchfanciedsecurityasthatinwhichCaptainBonneville
foundhisIndianfriends，muchoftheseprecautionswithrespecttotheirhorsesareomitted。They
merelydrivethem，atnightfall，tosomesequesteredlittledell，andleavethemthere，atperfectliberty，untilthemorning。OneobjectofCaptainBonnevilleinwinteringamongtheseIndianswastoprocurea
supply
ofhorsesagainstthespring。Theywere，however，extremelyunwillingtopartwithany，andit
was
withgreatdifficultythathepurchased，attherateoftwentydollarseach，afewfortheuseof
someofhisfreetrapperswhowereonfootanddependentonhimfortheirequipment。InthisencampmentCaptainBonnevilleremainedfromthe21stofNovembertothe9th
of
December。Duringthisperiodthethermometerrangedfromthirteentoforty-twodegrees。There
wereoccasionalfallsofsnow；butitgenerallymeltedawayalmostimmediately，andthetender
bladesofnewgrassbegantoshootupamongtheold。Onthe7thofDecember，however，thethermometerfelltosevendegrees。Thereaderwillrecollectthat，ondistributinghisforceswheninGreenRiverValley，
Captain
Bonnevillehaddetachedaparty，headedbyaleaderofthenameofMatthieu，withalltheweak
and
disabledhorses，tosojournaboutBearRiver，meettheShoshoniebands，andafterwardtorejoin
himathiswintercamponSalmonRiver。Morethansufficienttimehadelapsed，yetMatthieufailedtomakehisappearance，and
uneasiness
begantobefeltonhisaccount。CaptainBonnevillesentoutfourmen，torangethecountry
through
whichhewouldhavetopass，andendeavortogetsomeinformationconcerninghim；forhis
route
layacrossthegreatSnakeRiverplain，whichspreadsitselfoutlikeanArabiandesert，andon
which
acavalcadecouldbedescriedatagreatdistance。Thescoutssoonreturned，havingproceededno
furtherthantheedgeoftheplain，pretendingthattheirhorseswerelame；butitwasevidentthey
hadfearedtoventure，withsosmallaforce，intotheseexposedanddangerousregions。Adisease，whichCaptainBonnevillesupposedtobepneumonia，nowappearedamong
the
Indians，carryingoffnumbersofthemafteranillnessofthreeorfourdays。Theworthycaptain
acted
asphysician，prescribingprofusesweatingsandcopiousbleedings，anduniformlywithsuccess，
if
thepatientweresubsequentlytreatedwithpropercare。Inextraordinarycases，thepoorsavages
calledintheaidoftheirowndoctorsorconjurors，whoofficiatedwithgreatnoiseandmummery，
butwithlittlebenefit。Thosewhodiedduringthisepidemicwereburiedingraves，afterthe
manner
ofthewhites，butwithoutanyregardtothedirectionofthehead。Itisafactworthyofnotice
that，
whilethismaladymadesuchravagesamongthenatives，notasinglewhitemanhadtheslightestsymptomofit。AfamiliarintercourseofsomestandingwiththePierced-noseandFlatheadIndianshad
now
convincedCaptainBonnevilleoftheiramicableandinoffensivecharacter；hebegantotakea
strong
interestinthem，andconceivedtheideaofbecomingapacificator，andhealingthedeadlyfeud
betweenthemandtheBlackfeet，inwhichtheyweresodeplorablythesufferers。Heproposedthe
mattertosomeoftheleaders，andurgedthattheyshouldmeettheBlackfeetchiefsinagrand
pacific
conference，offeringtosendtwoofhismentotheenemy”scampwithpipe，tobaccoandflagof
truce，tonegotiatetheproposedmeeting。TheNezPercesandFlatheadsagesuponthisheldacouncilofwaroftwodays”duration，
in
whichtherewasabundanceofhardsmokingandlongtalking，andbotheloquenceandtobacco
were
nearlyexhausted。Atlengththeycametoadecisiontorejecttheworthycaptain”sproposition，
anduponprettysubstantialgrounds，asthereadermayjudge。“War，“saidthechiefs，“isabloodybusiness，andfullofevil；butitkeepstheeyesofthe
chiefsalwaysopen，andmakesthelimbsoftheyoungmenstrongandsupple。Inwar，everyone
is
onthealert。Ifweseeatrailweknowitmustbeanenemy；iftheBlackfeetcometous，weknow
it
isforwar，andweareready。Peace，ontheotherhand，soundsnoalarm；theeyesofthechiefsare
closedinsleep，andtheyoungmenaresleekandlazy。Thehorsesstrayintothemountains；the
womenandtheirlittlebabesgoaboutalone。ButtheheartofaBlackfootisalie，andhistongue
is
atrap。Ifhesayspeaceitistodeceive；hecomestousasabrother；hesmokeshispipewithus；
but
whenheseesusweak，andoffourguard，hewillslayandsteal。Wewillhavenosuchpeace；let
therebewar！“WiththisreasoningCaptainBonnevillewasfaintoacquiesce；but，sincethesagacious
Flatheadsandtheirallieswerecontenttoremaininastateofwarfare，hewishedthematleastto
exercisetheboastedvigilancewhichwarwastoproduce，andtokeeptheireyesopen。He
representedtothemtheimpossibilitythattwosuchconsiderableclanscouldmoveaboutthe
country
withoutleavingtrailsbywhichtheymightbetraced。Besides，amongtheBlackfeetbraveswere
severalNezPerces，whohadbeentakenprisonersinearlyyouth，adoptedbytheircaptors，and
trainedupandimbuedwithwarlikeandpredatorynotions；thesehadlostallsympathieswith
their
nativetribe，andwouldbepronetoleadtheenemytotheirsecrethaunts。Heexhortedthem，
therefore，tokeepuponthealert，andnevertoremittheirvigilancewhilewithintherangeofso
crafty
andcruelafoe。Allthesecounselswerelostuponhiseasyandsimple-mindedhearers。Acareless
indifferencereignedthroughouttheirencampments，andtheirhorseswerepermittedtorangethe
hillsatnightinperfectfreedom。CaptainBonnevillehadhisownhorsesbroughtinatnight，and
properlypicketedandguarded。Theevilheapprehendedsoontookplace。Inasinglenighta
swoop
wasmadethroughtheneighboringpasturesbytheBlackfeet，andeighty-sixofthefinesthorses
carriedoff。Awhipandaropewereleftinaconspicuoussituationbytherobbers，asatauntto
thesimpletonstheyhadunhorsed。