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　　Longbeforesunrisethenewsofthiscalamityspreadlikewildfirethroughthedifferent

　　encampments。CaptainBonneville，whoseownhorsesremainedsafeattheirpickets，watchedin

　　momentaryexpectationofanoutbreakofwarriors，Pierced-noseandFlathead，infuriouspursuit

　　of

　　themarauders；butnosuchthing——theycontentedthemselveswithsearchingdiligentlyoverhill

　　and

　　dale，togleanupsuchhorsesashadescapedthehandsofthemarauders，andthenresignedthemselvestotheirlosswiththemostexemplaryquiescence。Some，itistrue，whowereentirelyunhorsed，setoutonabeggingvisittotheircousins，as

　　theycalledthem，theLowerNezPerces，whoinhabitthelowercountryabouttheColumbia，and

　　possesshorsesinabundance。Tothesetheyrepairwhenindifficulty，andseldomfail，bydintofbeggingandbartering，togetthemselvesoncemoremountedonhorseback。Gamehadnowbecomescarceintheneighborhoodofthecamp，anditwasnecessary，

　　accordingtoIndiancustom，tomoveofftoalessbeatenground。CaptainBonnevilleproposed

　　the

　　HorsePrairie；buthisIndianfriendsobjectedthatmanyoftheNezPerceshadgonetovisittheir

　　cousins，andthatthewhiteswerefewinnumber，sothattheirunitedforcewasnotsufficienttoVentureuponthebuffalogrounds，whichwereinfestedbybandsofBlackfeet。Theynowspokeofaplaceatnogreatdistance，whichtheyrepresentedasaperfect

　　hunter”s

　　elysium。Itwasontherightbranch，orheadstreamoftheriver，lockedupamongcliffsand

　　precipiceswheretherewasnodangerfromrovingbands，andwheretheBlackfeetdarenotenter。

　　Here，theysaid，theelkabounded，andthemountainsheepweretobeseentroopinguponthe

　　rocks

　　andhills。Alittledistancebeyondit，also，herdsofbuffaloweretobemetwith，Outofrangeofdanger。Thithertheyproposedtomovetheircamp。Thepropositionpleasedthecaptain，whowasdesirous，throughtheIndians，ofbecoming

　　acquaintedwithallthesecretplacesoftheland。Accordingly，onthe9thofDecember，they

　　struck

　　theirtents，andmovedforwardbyshortstages，asmanyoftheIndianswereyetfeeblefromthe

　　latemalady。Followinguptherightforkoftherivertheycametowhereitenteredadeepgorgeofthe

　　mountains，upwhichlaythesecludedregionsomuchvaluedbytheIndians。CaptainBonneville

　　haltedandencampedforthreedaysbeforeenteringthegorge。Inthemeantimehedetachedfive

　　of

　　hisfreetrapperstoscourthehills，andkillasmanyelkaspossible，beforethemainbodyshouldenter，astheywouldthenbesoonfrightenedawaybythevariousIndianhuntingparties。Whilethusencamped，theywerestillliabletothemaraudsoftheBlackfeet，andCaptain

　　BonnevilleadmonishedhisIndianfriendstobeupontheirguard。TheNezPerces，however，

　　notwithstandingtheirrecentloss，werestillcarelessoftheirhorses；merelydrivingthemtosome

　　secludedspot，andleavingthemthereforthenight，withoutsettinganyguarduponthem。The

　　consequencewasasecondswoop，inwhichforty-onewerecarriedoff。Thiswasbornewith

　　equal

　　philosophywiththefirst，andnoeffortwasmadeeithertorecoverthehorses，ortotake

　　vengeanceonthethieves。TheNezPerces，however，grewmorecautiouswithrespecttotheirremaininghorses，

　　driving

　　themregularlytothecampeveryevening，andfasteningthemtopickets。CaptainBonneville，

　　however，toldthemthatthiswasnotenough。Itwasevidenttheyweredoggedbyadaringand

　　perseveringenemy，whowasencouragedbypastimpunity；theyshould，therefore，takemore

　　than

　　usualprecautions，andpostaguardatnightovertheircavalry。Theycouldnot，however，be

　　persuadedtodepartfromtheirusualcustom。Thehorseoncepicketed，thecareoftheownerwas

　　over

　　forthenight，andhesleptprofoundly。Nonewakedinthecampbutthegamblers，who，absorbed

　　intheirplay，weremoredifficulttoberousedtoexternalcircumstancesthaneventhesleepers。TheBlackfeetareboldenemies，andfondofhazardousexploits。Thebandthatwere

　　hovering

　　abouttheneighborhood，findingthattheyhadsuchpacificpeopletodealwith，redoubledtheir

　　daring。Thehorsesbeingnowpicketedbeforethelodges，anumberofBlackfeetscouts

　　penetrated

　　intheearlypartofthenightintotheverycentreofthecamp。Heretheywentaboutamongthe

　　lodges

　　ascalmlyanddeliberatelyasifathome，quietlycuttingloosethehorsesthatstoodpicketedby

　　the

　　lodgesoftheirsleepingowners。Oneoftheseprowlers，moreadventurousthantherest，

　　approached

　　afireroundwhichagroupofNezPercesweregamblingwiththemostintenseeagerness。Here

　　he

　　stoodforsometime，muffledupinhisrobe，peeringovertheshouldersoftheplayers，watching

　　the

　　changesoftheircountenancesandthefluctuationsofthegame。Socompletelyengrossedwere

　　they，

　　thatthepresenceofthismuffledeaves-dropperwasunnoticedand，havingexecutedhisbravado，

　　heretiredundiscovered。Havingcutlooseasmanyhorsesastheycouldconvenientlycarryoff，theBlackfeet

　　scouts

　　rejoinedtheircomrades，andallremainedpatientlyroundthecamp。Bydegreesthehorses，

　　finding

　　themselvesatliberty，tooktheirroutetowardtheircustomarygrazingground。Astheyemerged

　　from

　　thecamptheyweresilentlytakenpossessionof，until，havingsecuredaboutthirty，theBlackfeet

　　sprangontheirbacksandscamperedoff。Theclatterofhoofsstartledthegamblersfromtheir

　　game。

　　Theygavethealarm，whichsoonrousedthesleepersfromeverylodge。Stillallwasquiescent；no

　　marshallingofforces，nosaddlingofsteedsanddashingoffinpursuit，notalkofretributionfor

　　their

　　repeatedoutrages。ThepatienceofCaptainBonnevillewasatlengthexhausted。Hehadplayed

　　the

　　partofapacificatorwithoutsuccess；henowalteredhistone，andresolved，ifpossible，torouse

　　theirwarspirit。Accordingly，convokingtheirchiefs，heinveighedagainsttheircravenpolicy，andurged

　　the

　　necessityofvigorousandretributivemeasuresthatwouldchecktheconfidenceandpresumption

　　of

　　theirenemies，ifnotinspirethemwithawe。Forthispurpose，headvisedthatawarpartyshould

　　be

　　immediatelysentoffonthetrailofthemarauders，tofollowthem，ifnecessary，intothevery

　　heart

　　oftheBlackfootcountry，andnottoleavethemuntiltheyhadtakensignalvengeance。Beside

　　this，

　　herecommendedtheorganizationofminorwarparties，tomakereprisalstotheextentofthe

　　losses

　　sustained。“Unlessyourouseyourselvesfromyourapathy，“saidhe，“andstrikesomeboldand

　　decisiveblow，youwillceasetobeconsideredmen，orobjectsofmanlywarfare。Thevery

　　squaws

　　andchildrenoftheBlackfeetwillbesetagainstyou，whiletheirwarriorsreservethemselvesfornoblerantagonists。”Thisharanguehadevidentlyamomentaryeffectupontheprideofthehearers。Aftera

　　short

　　pause，however，oneoftheoratorsarose。Itwasbad，hesaid，togotowarformererevenge。The

　　GreatSpirithadgiventhemaheartforpeace，notforwar。Theyhadlosthorses，itwastrue，but

　　they

　　couldeasilygetothersfromtheircousins，theLowerNezPerces，withoutincurringanyrisk；

　　whereas，inwartheyshouldlosemen，whowerenotsoreadilyreplaced。Astotheirlatelosses，

　　an

　　increasedwatchfulnesswouldpreventanymoremisfortunesofthekind。Hedisapproved，

　　therefore，ofallhostilemeasures；andalltheotherchiefsconcurredinhisopinion。CaptainBonnevilleagaintookupthepoint。“Itistrue，“saidhe，“theGreatSpirithas

　　given

　　youahearttoloveyourfriends；buthehasalsogivenyouanarmtostrikeyourenemies。Unless

　　you

　　dosomethingspeedilytoputanendtothiscontinualplundering，Imustsayfarewell。AsyetI

　　have

　　sustainednoloss；thankstotheprecautionswhichyouhaveslighted；butmypropertyistoo

　　unsafe

　　here；myturnwillcomenext；Iandmypeoplewillsharethecontemptyouarebringingupon

　　yourselves，andwillbethought，likeyou，poor-spiritedbeings，whomayatanytimebe

　　plunderedwithimpunity。”TheconferencebrokeupwithsomesignsofexcitementonthepartoftheIndians。Early

　　the

　　nextmorning，apartyofthirtymensetoffinpursuitofthefoe，andCaptainBonnevillehopedto

　　hearagoodaccountoftheBlackfeetmarauders。Tohisdisappointment，thewarpartycame

　　lagging

　　backonthefollowingday，leadingafewold，sorry，broken-downhorses，whichthefree-booters

　　had

　　notbeenabletourgetosufficientspeed。Thiseffortexhaustedthemartialspirit，andsatisfiedthewoundedprideoftheNezPerces，andtheyrelapsedintotheirusualstateofpassiveindifference。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter13[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter13StoryofKosato，theRenegadeBlackfoot。IFthemeeknessandlong-sufferingofthePierced-nosesgrievedthespirit

　　ofCaptainBonneville，

　　therewasanotherindividualinthecamptowhomtheywerestillmoreannoying。Thiswasa

　　Blackfootrenegado，namedKosato，afieryhot-bloodedyouthwho，withabeautifulgirlofthe

　　same

　　tribe，hadtakenrefugeamongtheNezPerces。Thoughadoptedintothetribe，hestillretained

　　the

　　warlikespiritofhisrace，andloathedthepeaceful，inoffensivehabitsofthosearoundhim。The

　　huntingofthedeer，theelk，andthebuffalo，whichwastheheightoftheirambition，wastootame

　　tosatisfyhiswildandrestlessnature。Hisheartburnedfortheforay，theambush，theskirmish，

　　thescamper，andallthehapsandhazardsofrovingandpredatorywarfare。TherecenthoveringsoftheBlackfeetaboutthecamp，theirnightlyprowlsanddaringand

　　successful

　　marauds，hadkepthiminafeverandaflutter，likeahawkinacagewhohearshislate

　　companions

　　swoopingandscreaminginwildlibertyabovehim。TheattemptofCaptainBonnevilletorouse

　　the

　　warspiritoftheNezPerces，andpromptthemtoretaliation，wasardentlysecondedbyKosato。

　　For

　　severaldayshewasincessantlydevisingschemesofvengeance，andendeavoringtosetonfoot

　　an

　　expeditionthatshouldcarrydismayanddesolationintotheBlackfeettown。Allhisartwas

　　exerted

　　totouchuponthosespringsofhumanactionwithwhichhewasmostfamiliar。Hedrewthe

　　listening

　　savagesroundhimbyhisnervouseloquence；tauntedthemwithrecitalsofpastwrongsand

　　insults；

　　drewglowingpicturesoftriumphsandtrophieswithintheirreach；recountedtalesofdaringand

　　romanticenterprise，ofsecretmarchings，covertlurkings，midnightsurprisals，sackings，burnings，

　　plunderings，scalpings；togetherwiththetriumphantreturn，andthefeastingandrejoicingofthe

　　victors。Thesewildtaleswereintermingledwiththebeatingofthedrum，theyell，thewar-whoop

　　andthewar-dance，soinspiringtoIndianvalor。All，however，werelostuponthepeacefulspirits

　　of

　　hishearers；notaNezPercewastoberousedtovengeance，orstimulatedtogloriouswar。Inthe

　　bitternessofhisheart，theBlackfootrenegaderepinedatthemishapwhichhadseveredhimfrom

　　araceofcongenialspirits，anddrivenhimtotakerefugeamongbeingssodestituteofmartialfire。ThecharacterandconductofthismanattractedtheattentionofCaptainBonneville，andhe

　　was

　　anxioustohearthereasonwhyhehaddesertedhistribe，andwhyhelookedbackuponthem

　　with

　　suchdeadlyhostility。Kosatotoldhimhisownstorybriefly：itgivesapictureofthedeep，strongpassionsthatworkinthebosomsofthesemiscalledstoics。“Youseemywife，“saidhe，“sheisgood；sheisbeautiful——Iloveher。Yetshehasbeenthe

　　cause

　　ofallmytroubles。Shewasthewifeofmychief。Ilovedhermorethanhedid；andsheknewit。

　　We

　　talkedtogether；welaughedtogether；wewerealwaysseekingeachother”ssociety；butwewere

　　as

　　innocentaschildren。Thechiefgrewjealous，andcommandedhertospeakwithmenomore。His

　　heartbecamehardtowardher；hisjealousygrewmorefurious。Hebeatherwithoutcauseand

　　withoutmercy；andthreatenedtokillheroutrightifsheevenlookedatme。Doyouwanttraces

　　of

　　hisfury？Lookatthatscar！Hisrageagainstmewasnolesspersecuting。Warpartiesofthe

　　Crows

　　werehoveringroundus；ouryoungmenhadseentheirtrail。Allheartswererousedforaction；

　　my

　　horseswerebeforemylodge。Suddenlythechiefcame，tookthemtohisownpickets，andcalled

　　themhisown。WhatcouldIdo？hewasachief。Idurstnotspeak，butmyheartwasburning。I

　　joined

　　nolongerinthecouncil，thehunt，orthewar-feast。WhathadItodothere？anunhorsed，

　　degradedwarrior。Ikeptbymyself，andthoughtofnothingbutthesewrongsandoutrages。“Iwassittingoneeveninguponaknollthatoverlookedthemeadowwherethehorseswere

　　pastured。

　　Isawthehorsesthatwereonceminegrazingamongthoseofthechief。Thismaddenedme，andI

　　sat

　　broodingforatimeovertheinjuriesIhadsuffered，andthecrueltieswhichsheIlovedhad

　　endured

　　formysake，untilmyheartswelledandgrewsore，andmyteethwereclinched。AsIlooked

　　down

　　uponthemeadowIsawthechiefwalkingamonghishorses。Ifastenedmyeyesuponhimasa

　　hawk”s；mybloodboiled；Idrewmybreathhard。Hewentamongthewillows。InaninstantIwas

　　on

　　myfeet；myhandwasonmyknife——Iflewratherthanran——beforehewasawareIsprangupon

　　him，andwithtwoblowslaidhimdeadatmyfeet。Icoveredhisbodywithearth，andstrewed

　　bushes

　　overtheplace；thenIhastenedtoherIloved，toldherwhatIhaddone，andurgedhertoflywith

　　me。

　　Sheonlyansweredmewithtears。IremindedherofthewrongsIhadsuffered，andoftheblows

　　and

　　stripesshehadenduredfromthedeceased；Ihaddonenothingbutanactofjustice。Iagainurged

　　her

　　tofly；butsheonlyweptthemore，andbademego。Myheartwasheavy，butmyeyesweredry。I

　　foldedmyarms。””Tiswell”saidI；”Kosatowillgoalonetothedesert。Nonewillbewithhimbut

　　the

　　wildbeastsofthedesert。Theseekersofbloodmayfollowonhistrail。Theymaycomeuponhimwhenhesleepsandgluttheirrevenge；butyouwillbesafe。Kosatowillgoalone。“Iturnedaway。Shesprangafterme，andstrainedmeinherarms。”No”shecried，”Kosato

　　shallnotgoalone！WhereverhegoesIwillgo——heshallneverpartfromme。“”Wehastilytookinourhandssuchthingsaswemostneeded，andstealingquietlyfromthe

　　village，

　　mountedthefirsthorsesweencountered。Speedingdayandnight，wesoonreachedthistribe。

　　They

　　receiveduswithwelcome，andwehavedweltwiththeminpeace。Theyaregoodandkind；they

　　arehonest；buttheirheartsaretheheartsofwomen。SuchwasthestoryofKosato，asrelatedbyhimtoCaptainBonneville。Itisofakindthat

　　often

　　occursinIndianlife；whereloveelopementsfromtribetotribeareasfrequentasamongthe

　　novel-readheroesandheroinesofsentimentalcivilization，andoftengiverisetobloodsand

　　lastingfeuds。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter14[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter14Thepartyentersthemountaingorge——Awildfastnessamonghills——Mountain

　　mutton——Peaceand

　　plenty——Theamoroustrapper-Apiebaldwedding-Afreetrapper”swife-Hergalaequipments-Christmasinthewilderness。ONthe19thofDecemberCaptainBonnevilleandhisconfederateIndiansraisedtheircamp，

　　and

　　enteredthenarrowgorgemadebythenorthforkofSalmonRiver。UpthislaythesecureandplenteoushuntingregionsotemptinglydescribedbytheIndians。SinceleavingGreenRivertheplainshadinvariablybeenofloosesandorcoarsegravel，and

　　the

　　rockyformationofthemountainsofprimitivelimestone。Therivers，ingeneral，wereskirted

　　with

　　willowsandbittercottonwoodtrees，andtheprairiescoveredwithwormwood。Inthehollow

　　breast

　　ofthemountainswhichtheywerenowpenetrating，thesurroundingheightswereclothedwith

　　pine；whilethedeclivitiesofthelowerhillsaffordedabundanceofbunchgrassforthehorses。AstheIndianshadrepresented，theywerenowinanaturalfastnessofthemountains，the

　　ingressand

　　egressofwhichwasbyadeepgorge，sonarrow，rugged，anddifficultastopreventsecret

　　approach

　　orrapidretreat，andtoadmitofeasydefence。TheBlackfeet，therefore，refrainedfromventuring

　　in

　　aftertheNezPerces，awaitingabetterchance，whentheyshouldoncemoreemergeintotheopencountry。CaptainBonnevillesoonfoundthattheIndianshadnotexaggeratedtheadvantagesofthis

　　region。

　　Besidesthenumerousgangsofelk，largeflocksoftheahsahtaorbighorn，themountainsheep，

　　were

　　tobeseenboundingamongtheprecipices。Thesesimpleanimalswereeasilycircumventedand

　　destroyed。Afewhuntersmaysurroundaflockandkillasmanyastheyplease。Numberswere

　　daily

　　broughtintocamp，andthefleshofthosewhichwereyoungandfatwasextolledassuperiorto

　　thefinestmutton。Here，then，therewasacessationfromtoil，fromhunger，andalarm。Pastillsanddangers

　　were

　　forgotten。Thehunt，thegame，thesong，thestory，theroughthoughgood-humoredjoke，made

　　timepassjoyouslyaway，andplentyandsecurityreignedthroughoutthecamp。Idlenessandease，itissaid，leadtolove，andlovetomatrimony，incivilizedlife，andthe

　　same

　　processtakesplaceinthewilderness。Filledwithgoodcheerandmountainmutton，oneofthe

　　free

　　trappersbegantorepineatthesolitudeofhislodge，andtoexperiencetheforceofthatgreatlaw

　　ofnature，“itisnotmeetformantolivealone。””AfteranightofgravecogitationherepairedtoKowsoter，thePierced-nosechief，and

　　unfoldedtohimthesecretworkingsofhisbosom。“Iwant，“saidhe，“awife。Givemeonefromamongyourtribe。Notayoung，giddy-pated

　　girl，that

　　willthinkofnothingbutflauntingandfinery，butasober，discreet，hard-workingsquaw；onethat

　　willsharemylotwithoutflinching，howeverharditmaybe；thatcantakecareofmylodge，and

　　be

　　acompanionandahelpmatetomeinthewilderness。”Kowsoterpromisedtolookroundamong

　　the

　　femalesofhistribe，andprocuresuchaoneashedesired。Twodayswererequisiteforthesearch。

　　Attheexpirationofthese，Kowsoter，calledathislodge，andinformedhimthathewouldbring

　　his

　　bridetohiminthecourseoftheafternoon。Hekepthisword。Attheappointedtimehe

　　approached，

　　leadingthebride，acomelycopper-coloreddameattiredinherIndianfinery。Herfather，mother，

　　brothersbythehalfdozenandcousinsbythescore，allfollowedontogracetheceremonyand

　　greetthenewandimportantrelative。Thetrapperreceivedhisnewandnumerousfamilyconnectionwithpropersolemnity；he

　　placedhis

　　bridebesidehim，and，fillingthepipe，thegreatsymbolofpeace，withhisbesttobacco，tooktwo

　　or

　　threewhiffs，thenhandedittothechiefwhotransferredittothefatherofthebride，fromwhomit

　　waspassedonfromhandtohandandmouthtomouthofthewholecircleofkinsmenroundthe

　　fire，allmaintainingthemostprofoundandbecomingsilence。Afterseveralpipeshadbeenfilledandemptiedinthissolemnceremonial，thechief

　　addressedthe

　　bride，detailingatconsiderablelengththedutiesofawifewhich，amongIndians，arelittleless

　　onerousthanthoseofthepack-horse；thisdone，heturnedtoherfriendsandcongratulatedthem

　　upon

　　thegreatallianceshehadmade。Theyshowedaduesenseoftheirgoodfortune，especiallywhen

　　the

　　nuptialpresentscametobedistributedamongthechiefsandrelatives，amountingtoaboutone

　　hundredandeightydollars。Thecompanysoonretired，andnowtheworthytrapperfoundindeed

　　that

　　hehadnogreengirltodealwith；fortheknowingdameatonceassumedthestyleanddignityof

　　a

　　trapper”swife：takingpossessionofthelodgeasherundisputedempire，arrangingeverything

　　accordingtoherowntasteandhabitudes，andappearingasmuchathomeandonaseasyterms

　　withthetrapperasiftheyhadbeenmanandwifeforyears。Wehavealreadygivenapictureofafreetrapperandhishorse，asfurnishedbyCaptain

　　Bonneville：

　　weshallheresubjoin，asacompanionpicture，hisdescriptionofafreetrapper”swife，thatthe

　　reader

　　mayhaveacorrectideaofthekindofblessingtheworthyhunterinquestionhadinvokedto

　　solacehiminthewilderness。“Thefreetrapper，whileabachelor，hasnogreaterpetthanhishorse；butthemomenthe

　　takesawife

　　asortofbrevetrankinmatrimonyoccasionallybestoweduponsomeIndianfairone，likethe

　　heroes

　　ofancientchivalryintheopenfield，hediscoversthathehasastillmorefancifulandcapriciousanimalonwhichtolavishhisexpenses。“NosoonerdoesanIndianbelleexperiencethispromotion，thanallhernotionsatoncerise

　　and

　　expandtothedignityofhersituation，andthepurseofherlover，andhiscreditintothebargain，

　　are

　　taxedtotheutmosttofitheroutinbecomingstyle。Thewifeofafreetrappertobeequippedand

　　arrayedlikeanyordinaryandundistinguishedsquaw？Perishthegrovellingthought！Inthefirst

　　place，shemusthaveahorseforherownriding；butnojaded，sorry，earth-spiritedhack，suchas

　　is

　　sometimesassignedbyanIndianhusbandforthetransportationofhissquawandherpappooses：

　　the

　　wifeofafreetradermusthavethemostbeautifulanimalshecanlayhereyeson。Andthen，asto

　　his

　　decoration：headstall，breast-bands，saddleandcrupperarelavishlyembroideredwithbeads，and

　　hungwiththimbles，hawks”bells，andbunchesofribbons。Fromeachsideofthesaddlehangsan

　　esquimoot，asortofpocket，inwhichshebestowstheresidueofhertrinketsandnick-nacks，

　　which

　　cannotbecrowdedonthedecorationofherhorseorherself。Overthisshefolds，withgreatcare，

　　a

　　draperyofscarletandbright-coloredcalicoes，andnowconsidersthecaparisonofhersteedcomplete。“Astoherownperson，sheisevenstillmoreextravagant。Herhair，esteemedbeautifulin

　　proportion

　　toitslength，iscarefullyplaited，andmadetofallwithseemingnegligenceovereitherbreast。Her

　　ridinghatisstuckfullofparti-coloredfeathers；herrobe，fashionedsomewhatafterthatofthe

　　whites，isofred，green，andsometimesgraycloth，butalwaysofthefinesttexturethatcanbe

　　procured。Herleggingsandmoccasinsareofthemostbeautifulandexpensiveworkman-ship，

　　and

　　fittedneatlytothefootandankle，whichwiththeIndianwomanaregenerallywellformedand

　　delicate。Thenastojewelry：inthewayoffinger-rings，ear-rings，necklaces，andotherfemale

　　glories，nothingwithinreachofthetrapper”smeansisomittedthatcantendtoimpressthe

　　beholder

　　withanideaofthelady”shighestate。Tofinishthewhole，sheselectsfromamongherblanketsof

　　variousdyesoneofsomeglowingcolor，andthrowingitoverhershoulderswithanativegrace，

　　vaultsintothesaddleofhergay，prancingsteed，andisreadytofollowhermountaineer”tothe

　　lastgaspwithloveandloyalty。”“Suchisthegeneralpictureofthefreetrapper”swife，givenbyCaptainBonneville；howfarit

　　applied

　　initsdetailstotheoneinquestiondoesnotaltogetherappear，thoughitwouldseemfromthe

　　outset

　　ofherconnubialcareer，thatshewasreadytoavailherselfofallthepompandcircumstanceof

　　her

　　newcondition。Itisworthyofmentionthatwhereverthereareseveralwivesoffreetrappersina

　　camp，thekeenestrivalryexistsbetweenthem，tothesoredetrimentoftheirhusbands”purses。

　　Their

　　wholetimeisexpendedandtheiringenuitytaskedbyendeavorstoeclipseeachotherindress

　　and

　　decoration。Thejealousiesandheart-burningsthusoccasionedamongtheseso-styledchildrenof

　　natureareequallyintensewiththoseoftherivalleadersofstyleandfashionintheluxurious

　　abodesofcivilizedlife。ThegenialfestivalofChristmas，whichthroughoutallChristendomlightsupthefiresideof

　　home

　　withmirthandjollity，followedhardupontheweddingjustdescribed。Thoughfarfromkindred

　　and

　　friends，CaptainBonnevilleandhishandfuloffreetrapperswerenotdisposedtosufferthe

　　festival

　　topassunenjoyed；theywereinaregionofgoodcheer，andweredisposedtobejoyous；soitwas

　　determinedto“lightuptheyuleclog，“andcelebrateamerryChristmasintheheartofthewilderness。OnChristmaseve，accordingly，theybegantheirrudefetesandrejoicings。Inthecourseof

　　thenight

　　thefreetrapperssurroundedthelodgeofthePierced-nosechiefandinlieuofChristmascarols，salutedhimwithafeudejoie。KowsoterreceiveditinatrulyChristianspirit，andafteraspeech，inwhichheexpressedhis

　　high

　　gratificationatthehonordonehim，invitedthewholecompanytoafeastonthefollowingday。

　　His

　　invitationwasgladlyaccepted。AChristmasdinnerinthewigwamofanIndianchief！Therewas

　　noveltyintheidea。Notonefailedtobepresent。Thebanquetwasservedupinprimitivestyle：

　　skins

　　ofvariouskinds，nicelydressedfortheoccasion，werespreadupontheground；uponthesewere

　　heapedupabundanceofvenison，elkmeat，andmountainmutton，withvariousbitterrootswhichtheIndiansuseascondiments。Afterashortprayer，thecompanyallseatedthemselvescross-legged，inTurkishfashion，to

　　the

　　banquet，whichpassedoffwithgreathilarity。Afterwhichvariousgamesofstrengthandagility

　　by

　　bothwhitemenandIndiansclosedtheChristmasfestivities。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter15[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter15Ahuntafterhunters——Hungrytimes——Avoraciousrepast——Wintryweather——Godin”s

　　River——Splendid

　　wintersceneonthegreatLavaPlainofSnakeRiver——Severetravellingandtrampinginthe

　　snow——ManoeuvrsofasolitaryIndianhorseman——EncampmentonSnakeRiver——BanneckIndians——Thehorsechief——Hischarmedlife。THEcontinuedabsenceofMatthieuandhispartyhad，bythistime，causedgreatuneasiness

　　inthe

　　mindofCaptainBonneville；and，findingtherewasnodependencetobeplaceduponthe

　　perseveranceandcourageofscoutingpartiesinsoperilousaquest，hedeterminedtosetout

　　himselfonthesearch，andtokeeponuntilheshouldascertainsomethingoftheobjectofhissolicitude。Accordinglyonthe20thDecemberheleftthecamp，accompaniedbythirteenstarktrappers

　　and

　　hunters，allwellmountedandarmedfordangerousenterprise。Onthefollowingmorningthey

　　passed

　　outattheheadofthemountaingorgeandsalliedforthintotheopenplain。Astheyconfidently

　　expectedabrushwiththeBlackfeet，orsomeotherpredatoryhorde，theymovedwithgreatcircumspection，andkeptvigilantwatchintheirencampments。InthecourseofanotherdaytheyleftthemainbranchofSalmonRiver，andproceededsouth

　　toward

　　apasscalledJohnDay”sdefile。Itwassevereandarduoustravelling。Theplainsweresweptby

　　keen

　　andbitterblastsofwintrywind；thegroundwasgenerallycoveredwithsnow，gamewasscarce，

　　so

　　thathungergenerallyprevailedinthecamp，whilethewantofpasturagesoonbegantomanifestitselfinthedecliningvigorofthehorses。Thepartyhadscarcelyencampedontheafternoonofthe28th，whentwoofthehunterswho

　　had

　　salliedforthinquestofgamecamegallopingbackingreatalarm。Whilehuntingtheyhad

　　perceived

　　apartyofsavages，evidentlymanoeuvringtocutthemofffromthecamp；andnothinghadsavedthemfrombeingentrappedbutthespeedoftheirhorses。Thesetidingsstruckdismayintothecamp。CaptainBonnevilleendeavoredtoreassurehis

　　menby

　　representingthepositionoftheirencampment，anditscapabilityofdefence。Hethenorderedthe

　　horsestobedriveninandpicketed，andthrewuparoughbreastworkoffallentrunksoftreesand

　　thevegetablerubbishofthewilderness。Withinthisbarrierwasmaintainedavigilantwatch

　　throughoutthenight，whichpassedawaywithoutalarm。Atearlydawntheyscrutinizedthe

　　surroundingplain，todiscoverwhetheranyenemieshadbeenlurkingaboutduringthenight；not

　　afoot-print，however，wastobediscoveredinthecoarsegravelwithwhichtheplainwascovered。Hungernowbegantocausemoreuneasinessthantheapprehensionsofsurroundingenemies。

　　After

　　marchingafewmilestheyencampedatthefootofamountain，inhopesoffindingbuffalo。It

　　was

　　notuntilthenextdaythattheydiscoveredapairoffinebullsontheedgeoftheplain，among

　　rocks

　　andravines。Havingnowbeentwodaysandahalfwithoutamouthfuloffood，theytookespecial

　　carethattheseanimalsshouldnotescapethem。Whilesomeofthesurestmarksmenadvanced

　　cautiouslywiththeirriflesintotheroughground，fourofthebestmountedhorsementooktheirstationsintheplain，torunthebullsdownshouldtheyonlybemaimed。Thebuffalowerewoundedandsetoffinheadlongflight。Thehalf-famishedhorsesweretoo

　　weak

　　toovertakethemonthefrozenground，butsucceededindrivingthemontheice，wherethey

　　slipped

　　andfell，andwereeasilydispatched。Thehuntersloadedthemselveswithbeefforpresentand

　　future

　　supply，andthenreturnedandencampedatthelastnights”sfire。Heretheypassedtheremainder

　　of

　　theday，cookingandeatingwithavoracityproportionedtopreviousstarvation，forgettingintheheartyrevelofthemomentthecertaindangerswithwhichtheywereenvironed。Thecravingsofhungerbeingsatisfied，theynowbegantodebateabouttheirfurther

　　progress。The

　　menweremuchdisheartenedbythehardshipstheyhadalreadyendured。Indeed，twowhohad

　　been

　　intherearguard，takingadvantageoftheirposition，haddesertedandreturnedtothelodgesof

　　the

　　NezPerces。Theprospectaheadwasenoughtostaggerthestoutestheart。Theywereinthedead

　　of

　　winter。Asfarastheeyecouldreachthewildlandscapewaswrappedinsnow，whichwas

　　evidently

　　deepeningastheyadvanced。Overthistheywouldhavetotoil，withtheicywindblowingin

　　their

　　faces：theirhorsesmightgiveoutthroughwantofpasturage，andtheythemselvesmustexpectintervalsofhorriblefaminelikethattheyhadalreadyexperienced。WithCaptainBonneville，however，perseverancewasamatterofpride；and，having

　　undertakenthis

　　enterprise，nothingcouldturnhimbackuntilitwasaccomplished：thoughhedeclaresthat，had

　　he

　　anticipatedthedifficultiesandsufferingswhichattendedit，heshouldhaveflinchedfromtheundertaking。Onward，therefore，thelittlebandurgedtheirway，keepingalongthecourseofastream

　　calledJohn

　　Day”sCreek。Thecoldwassointensethattheyhadfrequentlytodismountandtravelonfoot，lest

　　theyshouldfreezeintheirsaddles。Thedayswhichatthisseasonareshortenougheveninthe

　　open

　　prairies，werenarrowedtoafewhoursbythehighmountains，whichallowedthetravellersbuta

　　briefenjoymentofthecheeringraysofthesun。Thesnowwasgenerallyatleasttwentyinchesin

　　depth，andinmanyplacesmuchmore：thosewhodismountedhadtobeattheirwaywith

　　toilsome

　　steps。Eightmileswereconsideredagoodday”sjourney。Thehorseswerealmostfamished；for

　　the

　　herbagewascoveredbythedeepsnow，sothattheyhadnothingtosubsistuponbutscantywisps

　　ofthedrybunchgrasswhichpeeredabovethesurface，andthesmallbranchesandtwigsof

　　frozenwillowsandwormwood。InthiswaytheyurgedtheirslowandpainfulcoursetothesouthdownJohnDay”sCreek，

　　untilitlost

　　itselfinaswamp。Heretheyencampedupontheiceamongstiffenedwillows，wheretheywereobligedtobeatdownandclearawaythesnowtoprocurepasturagefortheirhorses。HencetheytoiledontoGodinRiver；socalledafteranIroquoishunterintheserviceof

　　Sublette，

　　whowasmurderedtherebytheBlackfeet。Manyofthefeaturesofthisremotewildernessare

　　thus

　　namedafterscenesofviolenceandbloodshedthatoccurredtotheearlypioneers。Itwasanactof

　　filialvengeanceonthepartofGodin”ssonAntoinethat，asthereadermayrecollect，broughton

　　therecentbattleatPierre”sHole。FromGodin”sRiver，CaptainBonnevilleandhisfollowerscameoutupontheplainofthe

　　Three

　　Butes，socalledfromthreesingularandisolatedhillsthatrisefromthemidst。Itisapartofthe

　　great

　　desertofSnakeRiver，oneofthemostremarkabletractsbeyondthemountains。Couldtheyhave

　　experiencedarespitefromtheirsufferingsandanxieties，theimmenselandscapespreadout

　　before

　　themwascalculatedtoinspireadmiration。Winterhasitsbeautiesandgloriesaswellassummer；andCaptainBonnevillehadthesoultoappreciatethem。Faraway，sayshe，overthevastplains，andupthesteepsidesoftheloftymountains，the

　　snowlay

　　spreadindazzlingwhiteness：andwheneverthesunemergedinthemorningabovethegiant

　　peaks，

　　orburstforthfromamongcloudsinhismiddaycourse，mountainanddell，glazedrockand

　　frosted

　　tree，glowedandsparkledwithsurpassinglustre。Thetallpinesseemedsprinkledwithasilver

　　dust，

　　andthewillows，studdedwithminuteiciclesreflectingtheprismaticrays，broughttomindthe

　　fairytreesconjuredupbythecaliph”sstory-tellertoadornhisvaleofdiamonds。Thepoorwanderers，however，nearlystarvedwithhungerandcold，wereinnomoodto

　　enjoythe

　　gloriesofthesebrilliantscenes；thoughtheystampedpicturesontheirmemorywhichhavebeenrecalledwithdelightinmoregenialsituations。EncampingatthewestBute，theyfoundaplacesweptbythewinds，sothatitwasbareof

　　snow，and

　　therewasabundanceofbunchgrass。Herethehorseswereturnedloosetograzethroughoutthe

　　night。Thoughforoncetheyhadamplepasturage，yetthekeenwindsweresointensethat，inthe

　　morning，amulewasfoundfrozentodeath。Thetrappersgatheredroundandmournedoverhim

　　as

　　overacherishedfriend。Theyfearedtheirhalf-famishedhorseswouldsoonsharehisfate，for

　　there

　　seemedscarcebloodenoughleftintheirveinstowithstandthefreezingcold。Tobeattheway

　　further

　　throughthesnowwiththeseenfeebledanimalsseemednexttoimpossible；anddespondency

　　began

　　tocreepovertheirhearts，when，fortunately，theydiscoveredatrailmadebysomehuntingparty。

　　Intothistheyimmediatelyentered，andproceededwithlessdifficulty。Shortlyafterward，afine

　　buffalobullcameboundingacrossthesnowandwasinstantlybroughtdownbythehunters。A

　　fire

　　wassoonblazingandcrackling，andanamplerepastsooncooked，andsoonerdispatched；after

　　whichtheymadesomefurtherprogressandthenencamped。Oneofthemenreachedthecamp

　　nearly

　　frozentodeath；butgoodcheerandablazingfiregraduallyrestoredlife，andputhisbloodincirculation。Havingnowabeatenpath，theyproceededthenextmorningwithmorefacility；indeed，the

　　snow

　　decreasedindepthastheyrecededfromthemountains，andthetemperaturebecamemoremild。

　　In

　　thecourseofthedaytheydiscoveredasolitaryhorsemanhoveringatadistancebeforethemon

　　the

　　plain。Theyspurredontoovertakehim；buthewasbettermountedonafreshersteed，andkeptat

　　awarydistance，reconnoitringthemwithevidentdistrust；forthewilddressofthefreetrappers，

　　their

　　leggings，blankets，andclothcapsgarnishedwithfurandtoppedoffwithfeathers，eventheirvery

　　elf-locksandweather-bronzedcomplexions，gavethemthelookofIndiansratherthanwhite

　　men，andmadehimmistakethemforawarpartyofsomehostiletribe。Aftermuchmanoeuvring，thewildhorsemanwasatlengthbroughttoaparley；buteventhen

　　he

　　conductedhimselfwiththecautionofaknowingprowleroftheprairies。Dismountingfromhis

　　horse，andusinghimasabreastwork，helevelledhisgunacrosshisback，and，thuspreparedfor

　　defencelikeawarycruiseruponthehighseas，hepermittedhimselftobeapproachedwithinspeakingdistance。HeprovedtobeanIndianoftheBannecktribe，belongingtoabandatnogreatdistance。It

　　wassome

　　timebeforehecouldbepersuadedthathewasconversingwithapartyofwhitemenandinduced

　　to

　　layasidehisreserveandjointhem。Hethengavethemtheinterestingintelligencethattherewere

　　twocompaniesofwhitemenencampedintheneighborhood。ThiswascheeringnewstoCaptain

　　Bonneville；whohopedtofindinoneofthemthelong-soughtpartyofMatthieu。Pushing

　　forward，

　　therefore，withrenovatedspirits，hereachedSnakeRiverbynightfall，andtherefixedhisencampment。Earlythenextmorning13thJanuary，1833，diligentsearchwasmadeaboutthe

　　neighborhoodfor

　　tracesofthereportedpartiesofwhitemen。Anencampmentwassoondiscoveredaboutfour

　　miles

　　fartheruptheriver，inwhichCaptainBonnevilletohisgreatjoyfoundtwoofMatthieu”smen，

　　from

　　whomhelearnedthattherestofhispartywouldbethereinthecourseofafewdays。Itwasa

　　matter

　　ofgreatprideandselfgratulationtoCaptainBonnevillethathehadthusaccomplishedhisdreary

　　and

　　doubtfulenterprise；andhedeterminedtopasssometimeinthisencampment，bothtoawaitthereturnofMatthieu，andtogiveneedfulreposetomenandhorses。Itwas，infact，oneofthemosteligibleanddelightfulwinteringgroundsinthatwholerange

　　of

　　country。TheSnakeRiverherewounditsdeviouswaybetweenlowbanksthroughthegreatplain

　　oftheThreeButes；andwasborderedbywideandfertilemeadows。Itwasstuddedwithislands

　　which，likethealluvialbottoms，werecoveredwithgrovesofcotton-wood，thicketsofwillow，

　　tracts

　　ofgoodlowlandgrass，andabundanceofgreenrushes。Theadjacentplainsweresovastinextent

　　thatnosinglebandofIndianscoulddrivethebuffalooutofthem；norwasthesnowofsufficient

　　depthtogiveanyseriousinconvenience。Indeed，duringthesojournofCaptainBonnevilleinthis

　　neighborhood，whichwasintheheartofwinter，hefoundtheweather，withtheexceptionofa

　　few

　　coldandstormydays，generallymildandpleasant，freezingalittleatnightbutinvariably

　　thawingwiththemorning”ssun-resemblingthespringweatherinthemiddlepartsoftheUnitedStates。TheloftyrangeoftheThreeTetons，thosegreatlandmarksoftheRockyMountainsrisingin

　　theeast

　　andcirclingawaytothenorthandwestofthegreatplainofSnakeRiver，andthemountainsof

　　Salt

　　RiverandPortneuftowardthesouth，catchtheearliestfallsofsnow。Theirwhiterobeslengthen

　　as

　　thewinteradvances，andspreadthemselvesfarintotheplain，drivingthebuffaloinherdstothebanksoftheriverinquestoffood；wheretheyareeasilyslainingreatnumbers。Suchwerethepalpableadvantagesofthiswinterencampment；addedtowhich，itwassecure

　　from

　　theprowlingsandplunderingsofanypettybandofrovingBlackfeet，thedifficultiesofretreat

　　renderingitunwiseforthosecraftydepredatorstoventureanattackunlesswithanoverpoweringforce。AbouttenmilesbelowtheencampmentlaytheBanneckIndians；numberingaboutone

　　hundredand

　　twentylodges。TheyarebraveandcunningwarriorsanddeadlyfoesoftheBlackfeet，whomthey

　　easilyovercomeinbattleswheretheirforcesareequal。Theyarenotvengefulandenterprisingin

　　warfare，however；seldomsendingwarpartiestoattacktheBlackfeettowns，butcontenting

　　themselveswithdefendingtheirownterritoriesandhouse。Aboutonethirdoftheirwarriorsarearmedwithfusees，therestwithbowsandarrows。