Infact，thetradersoftheHudson”sBayCompanyhaveadvantagesoverallcompetitorsinthe
trade
beyondtheRockyMountains。Thathugemonopolycenterswithinitselfnotmerelyitsown
hereditaryandlong-establishedpowerandinfluence；butalsothoseofitsancientrival，butnow
integralpart，thefamousNorthwestCompany。Ithasthusitsracesoftraders，trappers，hunters，
and
voyageurs，bornandbroughtupinitsservice，andinheritingfromprecedinggenerationsa
knowledgeandaptitudeineverythingconnectedwithIndianlife，andIndiantraffic。Inthe
process
ofyears，thiscompanyhasbeenenabledtospreaditsramificationsineverydirection；itssystem
of
intercourseisfoundeduponalongandintimateknowledgeofthecharacterandnecessitiesofthe
varioustribes；andofallthefastnesses，defiles，andfavorablehuntinggroundsofthecountry。
Their
capital，also，andthemannerinwhichtheirsuppliesaredistributedatvariousposts，orforwarded
byregularcaravans，keeptheirtraderswellsupplied，andenablethemtofurnishtheirgoodsto
the
Indiansatacheaprate。Theirmen，too，beingchieflydrawnfromtheCanadas，wheretheyenjoy
greatinfluenceandcontrol，areengagedatthemosttriflingwages，andsupportedatlittlecost；
the
provisionswhichtheytakewiththembeinglittlemorethanIndiancornandgrease。Theyare
brought
alsointothemostperfectdisciplineandsubordination，especiallywhentheirleadershaveonce
gotthemtotheirsceneofactionintheheartofthewilderness。ThesecircumstancescombinetogivetheleadersoftheHudson”sBayCompanyadecided
advantage
overalltheAmericancompaniesthatcomewithintheirrange，sothatanyclosecompetitionwiththemisalmosthopeless。ShortlyafterCaptainBonneville”sineffectualattempttoparticipateinthetradeofthe
associated
camp，thesuppliesoftheHudson”sBayCompanyarrived；andtheresidenttraderwasenabledtomonopolizethemarket。ItwasnowthebeginningofJuly；inthelatterpartofwhichmonthCaptainBonnevillehad
appointed
arendezvousatHorseCreekinGreenRiverValley，withsomeofthepartieswhichhehad
detachedintheprecedingyear。Henowturnedhisthoughtsinthatdirection，andpreparedforthejourney。TheCottonoiswereanxiousforhimtoproceedatoncetotheircountry；which，theyassured
him，
aboundedinbeaver。ThelandsofthistribelieimmediatelynorthofthoseoftheFlatheadsand
are
opentotheinroadsoftheBlackfeet。Itistrue，thelatterprofessedtobetheirallies；buttheyhad
been
guiltyofsomanyactsofperfidy，thattheCottonoishad，latterly，renouncedtheirhollow
friendship
andattachedthemselvestotheFlatheadsandNezPerces。Thesetheyhadaccompaniedintheir
migrationsratherthanremainaloneathome，exposedtotheoutragesoftheBlackfeet。Theywere
nowapprehensivethatthesemarauderswouldrangetheircountryduringtheirabsenceand
destroy
thebeaver；thiswastheirreasonforurgingCaptainBonnevilletomakeithisautumnalhunting
ground。Thelatter，however，wasnottobetempted；hisengagementsrequiredhispresenceattherendezvousinGreenRiverValley；andhehadalreadyformedhisulteriorplans。Anunexpecteddifficultynowarose。Thefreetrapperssuddenlymadeastand，anddeclined
to
accompanyhim。Itwasalongandwearyjourney；theroutelaythroughPierre”sHole，andother
mountainpassesinfestedbytheBlackfeet，andrecentlythescenesofsanguinaryconflicts。They
werenotdisposedtoundertakesuchunnecessarytoilsanddangers，whentheyhadgoodand
securetrappinggroundsnearerathand，onthehead-watersofSalmonRiver。Asthesewerefreeandindependentfellows，whosewillandwhimwereapttobelaw——who
hadthe
wholewildernessbeforethem，“wheretochoose，“andthetraderofarivalcompanyathand，
ready
topayfortheirservices——itwasnecessarytobendtotheirwishes。CaptainBonnevillefitted
them
out，therefore，forthehuntinggroundinquestion；appointingMr。Hodgkisstoactastheir
partisan，
orleader，andfixingarendezvouswhereheshouldmeettheminthecourseoftheensuing
winter。
Thebrigadeconsistedoftwenty-onefreetrappersandfourorfivehiredmenascamp-keepers。
This
wasnottheexactarrangementofatrappingparty；whichwhenaccuratelyorganizediscomposed
oftwothirdstrapperswhosedutyleadsthemcontinuallyabroadinpursuitofgame；andone
third
camp-keeperswhocook，pack，andunpack；setupthetents，takecareofthehorsesanddoall
other
dutiesusuallyassignedbytheIndianstotheirwomen。Thispartoftheserviceisapttobe
fulfilledbyFrenchcreolesfromCanadaandthevalleyoftheMississippi。InthemeantimetheassociatedIndianshavingcompletedtheirtradeandreceivedtheir
supplies，
wereallreadytodisperseinvariousdirections。AstherewasaformidablebandofBlackfeetjust
overamountaintothenortheast，bywhichHodgkissandhisfreetrapperswouldhavetopass；
and
asitwasknownthatthosesharp-sightedmaraudershadtheirscoutsoutwatchingevery
movement
oftheencampments，soastocutoffstragglersorweakdetachments，CaptainBonneville
prevailed
upontheNezPercestoaccompanyHodgkissandhispartyuntiltheyshouldbebeyondtherange
oftheenemy。TheCottonoisandthePendsOreillesdeterminedtomovetogetheratthesametime，andto
pass
closeunderthemountaininfestedbytheBlackfeet；whileCaptainBonneville，withhisparty，
was
tostrikeinanoppositedirectiontothesoutheast，bendinghiscourseforPierre”sHole，onhiswaytoGreenRiver。Accordingly，onthe6thofJuly，allthecampswereraisedatthesamemoment；eachparty
takingits
separateroute。Thescenewaswildandpicturesque；thelonglineoftraders，trappers，and
Indians，
withtheirruggedandfantasticdressesandaccoutrements；theirvariedweapons，their
innumerable
horses，someunderthesaddle，someburdenedwithpackages，othersfollowingindroves；all
stretchinginlengtheningcavalcadesacrossthevastlandscape，makingfordifferentpointsofthe
plainsandmountains。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter19[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter19Precautionsindangerousdefiles——Trappers”modeofdefenceonaprairie——A
mysteriousvisitor——ArrivalinGreen
RiverValley——Adventuresofthedetachments——Theforlornpartisan——Histaleofdisasters。AStherouteofCaptainBonnevillelaythroughwhatwasconsideredthemostperilouspart
ofthis
regionofdangers，hetookallhismeasureswithmilitaryskill，andobservedthestrictest
circumspection。Whenonthemarch，asmallscoutingpartywasthrownintheadvanceto
reconnoitrethecountrythroughwhichtheyweretopass。Theencampmentswereselectedwith
greatcare，andawatchwaskeptupnightandday。Thehorseswerebroughtinandpicketedat
night，andatdaybreakapartywassentouttoscourtheneighborhoodforhalfamileround，
beatingupeverygroveandthicketthatcouldgivesheltertoalurkingfoe。Whenallwasreported
safe，thehorseswerecastlooseandturnedouttograze。Weresuchprecautionsgenerally
observedbytradersandhunters，weshouldnotsooftenhearofpartiesbeingsurprisedbytheIndians。Havingstatedthemilitaryarrangementsofthecaptain，wemayherementionamodeof
defenceontheopenprairie，
whichwehaveheardfromaveteranintheIndiantrade。Whenapartyoftrappersisonajourney
withaconvoyofgoods
orpeltries，everymanhasthreepack-horsesunderhiscare；eachhorseladenwiththreepacks。
Everymanisprovidedwith
apicketwithanironhead，amallet，andhobbles，orleathernfettersforthehorses。Thetrappers
proceedacrosstheprairie
inalongline；orsometimesthreeparallellines，sufficientlydistantfromeachothertoprevent
thepacksfrominterfering。
Atanalarm，whenthereisnocovertathand，thelinewheelssoastobringthefronttotherear
andformacircle。Allthen
dismount，drivetheirpicketsintothegroundinthecentre，fastenthehorsestothem，andhobble
theirforelegs，sothat，
incaseofalarm，theycannotbreakaway。Thentheyunloadthem，anddisposeoftheirpacksas
breastworksonthe
peripheryofthecircle；eachmanhavingninepacksbehindwhichtoshelterhimself。Inthis
promptly-formedfortress，theyawaittheassaultoftheenemy，andareenabledtosetlargebandsofIndiansatdefiance。Thefirstnightofhismarch，CaptainBonnevilleencampeduponHenry”sFork；
anupperbranchofSnakeRiver，calledafterthefirstAmericantraderthaterected
afortbeyondthemountains。Aboutanhourafterallhandshadcometoahaltthe
clatterofhoofswasheard，andasolitaryfemale，oftheNezPercetribe，came
gallopingup。Shewasmountedonamustangorhalfwildhorse，whichshe
managedbyalongropehitchedroundtheunderjawbywayofbridle。
Dismounting，shewalkedsilentlyintothemidstofthecamp，andthereseatedherselfontheground，stillholdingherhorsebythelonghalter。Thesuddenandlonelyapparitionofthiswoman，andhercalmyetresolute
demeanor，awakeneduniversalcuriosity。Thehuntersandtrappersgatheredround，
andgazedonherassomethingmysterious。Sheremainedsilent，butmaintained
herairofcalmnessandself-possession。CaptainBonnevilleapproachedand
interrogatedherastotheobjectofhermysteriousvisit。Heranswerwasbriefbut
earnest——“Ilovethewhites——Iwillgowiththem。”Shewasforthwithinvitedtoa
lodge，ofwhichshereadilytookpossession，andfromthattimeforwardwasconsideredoneofthecamp。Inconsequence，veryprobably，ofthemilitaryprecautionsofCaptain
Bonneville，heconductedhispartyinsafetythroughthishazardousregion。No
accidentofadisastrouskindoccurred，exceptingthelossofahorse，which，in
passingalongthegiddyedgeofaprecipice，calledtheCornice，adangerouspassbetweenJackson”sandPierre”sHole，felloverthebrink，andwasdashedtopieces。Onthe13thofJuly1833，CaptainBonnevillearrivedatGreenRiver。Ashe
enteredthevalley，hebehelditstrewedineverydirectionwiththecarcassesof
buffaloes。ItwasevidentthatIndianshadrecentlybeenthere，andingreat
numbers。Alarmedatthissight，hecametoahalt，andassoonasitwasdark，sent
outspiestohisplaceofrendezvousonHorseCreek，wherehehadexpectedto
meetwithhisdetachedpartiesoftrappersonthefollowingday。Earlyinthe
morningthespiesmadetheirappearanceinthecamp，andwiththemcamethree
trappersofoneofhisbands，fromtherendezvous，whotoldhimhispeoplewere
allthereexpectinghim。Astotheslaughteramongthebuffaloes，ithadbeenmade
byafriendlybandofShoshonies，whohadfalleninwithoneofhistrapping
parties，andaccompaniedthemtotherendezvous。Havingimpartedthis
intelligence，thethreeworthiesfromtherendezvousbroachedasmallkegof
“alcohol，“whichtheyhadbroughtwiththem。toenliventhismerrymeeting。The
liquorwentbrisklyround；allabsentfriendsweretoasted，andthepartymovedforwardtotherendezvousinhighspirits。Themeetingofassociatedbands，whohavebeenseparatedfromeachotheron
thesehazardousenterprises，isalwaysinteresting；eachhavingitstalesofperils
andadventurestorelate。Suchwasthecasewiththevariousdetachmentsof
CaptainBonneville”scompany，thusbroughttogetheronHorseCreek。Herewas
thedetachmentoffiftymenwhichhehadsentfromSalmonRiver，inthe
precedingmonthofNovember，towinteronSnakeRiver。Theyhadmetwith
manycrossesandlossesinthecourseoftheirspringhunt，notsomuchfrom
Indiansasfromwhitemen。Theyhadcomeincompetitionwithrivaltrapping
parties，particularlyonebelongingtotheRockyMountainFurCompany；andthey
hadlongstoriestorelateoftheirmanoeuvrestoforestallordistresseachother。In
fact，inthesevirulentandsordidcompetitions，thetrappersofeachpartywere
moreintentuponinjuringtheirrivals，thanbenefittingthemselves；breakingeach
other”straps，tramplingandtearingtopiecesthebeaverlodges，anddoingevery
thingintheirpowertomarthesuccessofthehunt。Weforbeartodetailthesepitifulcontentions。Themostlamentabletaleofdisasters，however，thatCaptainBonnevillehadto
hear，wasfromapartisan，whomhehaddetachedintheprecedingyear，with
twentymen，tohuntthroughtheoutskirtsoftheCrowcountry，andonthetributarystreamsof
theYellowstone；whencehewastoproceedandjoinhiminhis
winterquartersonSalmonRiver。Thispartisanappearedattherendezvous
withouthisparty，andasorrowfultaleofdisastershadhetorelate。Inhuntingthe
Crowcountry，hefellinwithavillageofthattribe；notoriousrogues，jockeys，
andhorsestealers，anderrantscamperersofthemountains。Thesedecoyedmostof
hismentodesert，andcarryoffhorses，traps，andaccoutrements。Whenhe
attemptedtoretakethedeserters，theCrowwarriorsruffleduptohimanddeclared
thedesertersweretheirgoodfriends，haddeterminedtoremainamongthem，and
shouldnotbemolested。Thepoorpartisan，therefore，wasfaintoleavehis
vagabondsamongthesebirdsoftheirownfeather，andbeingtooweakinnumbers
toattemptthedangerouspassacrossthemountainstomeetCaptainBonnevilleon
SalmonRiver，hemade，withthefewthatremainedfaithfultohim，forthe
neighborhoodofTullock”sFort，ontheYellowstone，undertheprotectionofwhichhewentintowinterquarters。Hesoonfoundoutthattheneighborhoodofthefortwasnearlyasbadasthe
neighborhoodoftheCrows。Hismenwerecontinuallystealingawaythither，with
whateverbeaverskinstheycouldsecreteorlaytheirhandson。Thesetheywould
exchangewiththehangers-onofthefortforwhiskey，andthenrevelindrunkenessanddebauchery。Theunluckypartisanmadeanothermove。Associatingwithhispartyafewfree
trappers，whomhemetwithinthisneighborhood，hestartedoffearlyinthespring
totrapontheheadwatersofPowderRiver。Inthecourseofthejourney，his
horsesweresomuchjadedintraversingasteepmountain，thathewasinducedto
turnthemloosetograzeduringthenight。Theplacewaslonely；thepathwas
rugged；therewasnotthesignofanIndianintheneighborhood；notabladeof
grassthathadbeenturnedbyafootstep。Butwhocancalculateonsecurityinthe
midstoftheIndiancountry，wherethefoelurksinsilenceandsecrecy，andseems
tocomeandgoonthewingsofthewind？Thehorseshadscarcebeenturned
loose，whenacoupleofArickaraorRickareewarriorsenteredthecamp。They
affectedafrankandfriendlydemeanor；buttheirappearanceandmovements
awakenedthesuspicionsofsomeoftheveterantrappers，wellversedinIndian
wiles。Convincedthattheywerespiessentonsomesinistererrand，theytookthem
incustody，andsettoworktodriveinthehorses。Itwastoolate——thehorseswere
alreadygone。Infact，awarpartyofArickarashadbeenhoveringontheirtrailfor
severaldays，watchingwiththepatienceandperseveranceofIndians，forsome
momentofnegligenceandfanciedsecurity，tomakeasuccessfulswoop。Thetwo
spieshadevidentlybeensentintothecamptocreateadiversion，whiletheirconfederatescarriedoffthespoil。Theunluckypartisan，thusrobbedofhishorses，turnedfuriouslyonhis
prisoners，orderedthemtobeboundhandandfoot，andsworetoputthemtodeath
unlesshispropertywererestored。Therobbers，whosoonfoundthattheirspies
wereincaptivity，nowmadetheirappearanceonhorseback，andheldaparley。The
sightofthem，mountedontheveryhorsestheyhadstolen，setthebloodofthe
mountaineersinaferment；butitwasuselesstoattackthem，astheywouldhave
buttoturntheirsteedsandscamperoutofthereachofpedestrians。Anegotiation
wasnowattempted。TheArickarasofferedwhattheyconsideredfairterms；to
barteronehorse，oreventwohorses，foraprisoner。Themountaineersspurnedat
theiroffer，anddeclaredthat，unlessallthehorseswererelinquished，theprisoners
shouldbeburnttodeath。Togiveforcetotheirthreat，apyreoflogsandfagotswasheapedupandkindledintoablaze。Theparleycontinued；theArickarasreleasedonehorseandthenanother，in
earnestoftheirproposition；finding，however，thatnothingshortofthe
relinquishmentofalltheirspoilswouldpurchasethelivesofthecaptives，they
abandonedthemtotheirfate，movingoffwithmanypartingwordsandlamentable
howlings。Theprisonersseeingthemdepart，andknowingthehorriblefatethat
awaitedthem，madeadesperateefforttoescape。Theypartiallysucceeded，but
wereseverelywoundedandretaken；thendraggedtotheblazingpyre，andburnttodeathinthesightoftheirretreatingcomrades。Sucharethesavagecrueltiesthatwhitemenlearntopractise，whominglein
savagelife；andsucharetheactsthatleadtoterriblerecriminationonthepartof
theIndians。ShouldwehearofanyatrocitiescommittedbytheArickarasupon
captivewhitemen，letthissignalandrecentprovocationbeborneinmind。
Individualcasesofthekinddwellintherecollectionsofwholetribes；anditisapointofhonorandconsciencetorevengethem。Thelossofhishorsescompletedtheruinoftheunluckypartisan。Itwasoutof
hispowertoprosecutehishunting，ortomaintainhisparty；theonlythoughtnow
washowtogetbacktocivilizedlife。Atthefirstwater-course，hismenbuilt
canoes，andcommittedthemselvestothestream。Someengagedthemselvesat
varioustradingestablishmentsatwhichtheytouched，othersgotbacktothe
settlements。Astothepartisan，hefoundanopportunitytomakehiswaytothe
rendezvousatGreenRiverValley；whichhereachedintimetorendertoCaptain
Bonnevillethisforlornaccountofhismisadventures。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter20[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter20GatheringinGreenRivervalley——Visitingsandfeastingsofleaders——Roughwassailing
amongthetrappers——Wildbladesofthemountains——Indianbelles——Potencyofbright
beadsandredblankets——Arrivalofsupplies——Revelryandextravagance——Mad
wolves——ThelostIndianTHEGREENRIVERVALLEYwasatthistimethesceneofoneofthosegeneral
gatheringsoftraders，trappers，andIndians，thatwehavealreadymentioned。Thethree
rivalcompanies，which，forayearpasthadbeenendeavoringtoout-trade，out-trapand
out-witeachother，werehereencampedincloseproximity，awaitingtheirannual
supplies。AboutfourmilesfromtherendezvousofCaptainBonnevillewasthatofthe
AmericanFurCompany，hardbywhich，wasthatalsooftheRockyMountainFurCompany。Aftertheeagerrivalryandalmosthostilitydisplayedbythesecompaniesintheirlate
campaigns，itmightbeexpectedthat，whenthusbroughtinjuxtaposition，theywould
holdthemselveswarilyandsternlyalooffromeachother，and，shouldtheyhappentocomeincontact，brawlandbloodshedwouldensue。Nosuchthing！Neverdidrivallawyers，afterawrangleatthebar，meetwithmoresocial
goodhumoratacircuitdinner。Thehuntingseasonover，allpasttricksandmaneuvres
areforgotten，allfeudsandbickeringsburiedinoblivion。FromthemiddleofJunetothe
middleofSeptember，alltrappingissuspended；forthebeaversarethensheddingtheir
fursandtheirskinsareoflittlevalue。This，then，isthetrapper”sholiday，whenheisallforfunandfrolic，andreadyforasaturnaliaamongthemountains。Atthepresentseason，too，allpartieswereingoodhumor。Theyearhadbeen
productive。Competition，bythreateningtolessentheirprofits，hadquickenedtheirwits，
rousedtheirenergies，andmadethemturneveryfavorablechancetothebest
advantage；sothat，onassemblingattheirrespectiveplacesofrendezvous，eachcompanyfounditselfinpossessionofarichstockofpeltries。Theleadersofthedifferentcompanies，therefore，mingledontermsofperfectgood
fellowship；interchangingvisits，andregalingeachotherinthebeststyletheir
respectivecampsafforded。Buttherichtreatfortheworthycaptainwastoseethe
“chivalry“ofthevariousencampments，engagedincontestsofskillatrunning，jumping，
wrestling，shootingwiththerifle，andrunninghorses。Andthentheirroughhunters”
feastingsandcarousels。Theydranktogether，theysang，theylaughed，theywhooped；
theytriedtoout-bragandout-lieeachotherinstoriesoftheiradventuresand
achievements。Herethefreetrapperswereinalltheirglory；theyconsidered
themselvesthe“cocksofthewalk，“andalwayscarriedthehighestcrests。Nowand
thenfamiliaritywaspushedtoofar，andwouldeffervesceintoabrawl，anda“roughandtumble“fight；butitallendedincordialreconciliationandmaudlinendearment。ThepresenceoftheShoshonietribecontributedoccasionallytocausetemporary
jealousiesandfeuds。TheShoshoniebeautiesbecameobjectsofrivalryamongsome
oftheamorousmountaineers。Happywasthetrapperwhocouldmusterupared
blanket，astringofgaybeads，orapaperofpreciousvermilion，withwhichtowinthesmilesofaShoshoniefairone。Thecaravansofsuppliesarrivedatthevalleyjustatthisperiodofgallantryandgood
fellowship。Nowcommencedasceneofeagercompetitionandwildprodigalityatthe
differentencampments。Baleswerehastilyrippedopen，andtheirmotleycontents
pouredforth。Amaniaforpurchasingspreaditselfthroughouttheseveral
bands——munitionsforwar，forhunting，forgallantry，wereseizeduponwithequal
avidity——rifles，huntingknives，traps，scarletcloth，redblankets，garishbeads，and
glitteringtrinkets，wereboughtatanyprice，andscoresrunupwithoutanythoughthow
theywereevertoberubbedoff。Thefreetrappers，especially，wereextravagantintheir
purchases。Forafreemountaineertopauseatapaltryconsiderationofdollarsand
cents，intheattainmentofanyobjectthatmightstrikehisfancy，wouldstamphimwith
themarkofthebeastintheestimationofhiscomrades。Foratradertorefuseoneof
thesefreeandflourishingbladesacredit，whateverunpaidscoresmightstarehimintheface，wouldbeaflagrantaffrontscarcelytobeforgiven。Nowsucceededanotheroutbreakofrevelryandextravagance。Thetrapperswere
newlyfittedoutandarrayed，anddashedaboutwiththeirhorsescaparisonedinIndian
style。TheShoshoniebeautiesalsoflauntedaboutinallthecolorsoftherainbow。
Everyfreakofprodigalitywasindulgedtoitsfullestextent，andinalittlewhilemostof
thetrappers，havingsquanderedawayalltheirwages，andperhapsrunknee-deepindebt，werereadyforanotherhardcampaigninthewilderness。Duringthisseasonoffollyandfrolic，therewasanalarmofmadwolvesinthetwolower
camps。Oneormoreoftheseanimalsenteredthecampsforthreenightssuccessively，andbitseveralofthepeople。CaptainBonnevillerelatesthecaseofanIndian，whowasauniversalfavoriteinthe
lowercamp。Hehadbeenbittenbyoneoftheseanimals。Beingoutwithapartyshortly
afterwards，hegrewsilentandgloomy，andlaggedbehindtherestasifhewishedto
leavethem。Theyhaltedandurgedhimtomovefaster，butheentreatedthemnotto
approachhim，and，leapingfromhishorse，begantorollfranticallyontheearth，
gnashinghisteethandfoamingatthemouth。Stillheretainedhissenses，andwarned
hiscompanionsnottocomenearhim，asheshouldnotbeabletorestrainhimselffrom
bitingthem。Theyhurriedofftoobtainrelief；butontheirreturnhewasnowheretobe
found。Hishorseandhisaccoutrementsremaineduponthespot。Threeorfourdays
afterwardsasolitaryIndian，believedtobethesame，wasobservedcrossingavalley，
andpursued；buthedartedawayintothefastnessesofthemountains，andwasseennomore。Anotherinstancewehavefromadifferentpersonwhowaspresentintheencampment。
OneofthemenoftheRockyMountainFurCompanyhadbeenbitten。Hesetout
shortlyafterwardsincompanywithtwowhitemenonhisreturntothesettlements。In
thecourseofafewdaysheshowedsymptomsofhydrophobia，andbecameraving
towardnight。Atlength，breakingawayfromhiscompanions，herushedintoathicketof
willows，wheretheylefthimtohisfate！[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter21[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter21SchemesofCaptainBonneville——TheGreatSaltLake——Expeditiontoexplore
it——PreparationsforajourneytotheBighornCAPTAINBONNEVILLEnowfoundhimselfattheheadofahardy，well-seasonedand
well-appointedcompanyoftrappers，allbenefitedbyatleastoneyear”sexperience
amongthemountains，andcapableofprotectingthemselvesfromIndianwilesand
stratagems，andofprovidingfortheirsubsistencewherevergamewastobefound。He
had，also，anexcellenttroopofhorses，inprimecondition，andfitforhardservice。He
determined，therefore，tostrikeoutintosomeofthebolderpartsofhisscheme。Oneof
thesewastocarryhisexpeditionsintosomeoftheunknowntractsoftheFarWest，
beyondwhatisgenerallytermedthebuffalorange。Thiswouldhavesomethingofthe
meritandcharmofdiscovery，sodeartoeverybraveandadventurousspirit。Another
favoriteprojectwastoestablishatradingpostonthelowerpartoftheColumbiaRiver，
neartheMultnomahvalley，andtoendeavortoretrieveforhiscountrysomeofthelosttradeofAstoria。Thefirstoftheabovementionedviewswas，atpresent，uppermostinhismind——the
exploringofunknownregions。Amongthegrandfeaturesofthewildernessaboutwhich
hewasroaming，onehadmadeavividimpressiononhismind，andbeenclothedbyhis
imaginationwithvagueandidealcharms。Thisisagreatlakeofsaltwater，lavingthe
feetofthemountains，butextendingfartothewest-southwest，intooneofthosevastandelevatedplateausofland，whichrangehighabovethelevelofthePacific。CaptainBonnevillegivesastrikingaccountofthelakewhenseenfromtheland。As
youascendthemountainsaboutitsshores，sayshe，youbeholdthisimmensebodyof
waterspreadingitselfbeforeyou，andstretchingfurtherandfurther，inonewideand
far-reachingexpanse，untiltheeye，weariedwithcontinuedandstrainedattention，
restsinthebluedimnessofdistance，uponloftyrangesofmountains，confidently
assertedtorisefromthebosomofthewaters。Nearertoyou，thesmoothandunruffled
surfaceisstuddedwithlittleislands，wherethemountainsheeproaminconsiderable
numbers。Whatextentoflowlandmaybeencompassedbythehighpeaksbeyond，
mustremainforthepresentmatterofmereconjecturethoughfromtheformofthe
summits，andthebreakswhichmaybediscoveredamongthem，therecanbelittle
doubtthattheyarethesourcesofstreamscalculatedtowaterlargetracts，whichare
probablyconcealedfromviewbytherotundityofthelake”ssurface。Atsomefutureday，
inallprobability，therichharvestofbeaverfur，whichmaybereasonablyanticipatedin
suchaspot，willtemptadventurerstoreduceallthisdoubtfulregiontothepalpable
certaintyofabeatentrack。Atpresent，however，destituteofthemeansofmaking
boats，thetrapperstandsupontheshore，andgazesuponapromisedlandwhichhisfeetarenevertotread。SuchisthesomewhatfancifulviewwhichCaptainBonnevillegivestothisgreatbodyof
water。Hehasevidentlytakenpartofhisideasconcerningitfromtherepresentationsof
others，whohavesomewhatexaggerateditsfeatures。Itisreportedtobeaboutone
hundredandfiftymileslong，andfiftymilesbroad。Therangesofmountainpeakswhich
CaptainBonnevillespeaksof，asrisingfromitsbosom，areprobablythesummitsof
mountainsbeyondit，whichmaybevisibleatavastdistance，whenviewedfroman
eminence，inthetransparentatmosphereoftheseloftyregions。Severallargeislands
certainlyexistinthelake；oneofwhichissaidtobemountainous，butnotbyanymeanstotheextentrequiredtofurnishtheseriesofpeaksabovementioned。CaptainSublette，inoneofhisearlyexpeditionsacrossthemountains，issaidtohave
sentfourmeninaskincanoe，toexplorethelake，whoprofessedtohavenavigatedall
roundit；buttohavesufferedexcessivelyfromthirst，thewaterofthelakebeingextremelysalt，andtherebeingnofreshstreamsrunningintoit。CaptainBonnevilledoubtsthisreport，orthatthemenaccomplishedthe
circumnavigation，because，hesays，thelakereceivesseverallargestreamsfromthe
mountainswhichboundittotheeast。Inthespring，whenthestreamsareswollenby
rainandbythemeltingofthesnows，thelakerisesseveralfeetaboveitsordinarylevel
duringthesummer，itgraduallysubsidesagain，leavingasparklingzoneofthefinestsaltuponitsshores。Theelevationofthevastplateauonwhichthislakeissituated，isestimatedbyCaptain
Bonnevilleatoneandthree-fourthsofamileabovetheleveloftheocean。The
admirablepurityandtransparencyoftheatmosphereinthisregion，allowingobjectsto
beseen，andthereportoffirearmstobeheard，atanastonishingdistance；andits
extremedryness，causingthewheelsofwagonstofallinpieces，asinstancedinformer
passagesofthiswork，areproofsofthegreataltitudeoftheRockyMountainplains。
Thatabodyofsaltwatershouldexistatsuchaheightiscitedasasingular
phenomenonbyCaptainBonneville，thoughthesaltlakeofMexicoisnotmuchinferiorinelevation。Tohavethislakeproperlyexplored，andallitssecretsrevealed，wasthegrandscheme
ofthecaptainforthepresentyear；andwhileitwasoneinwhichhisimagination
evidentlytookaleadingpart，hebelieveditwouldbeattendedwithgreatprofit，fromthenumerousbeaverstreamswithwhichthelakemustbefringed。Thismomentousundertakingheconfidedtohislieutenant，Mr。Walker，inwhose
experienceandabilityhehadgreatconfidence。Heinstructedhimtokeepalongthe
shoresofthelake，andtrapinallthestreamsonhisroute；alsotokeepajournal，and
minutelytorecordtheeventsofhisjourney，andeverythingcuriousorinteresting，makingmapsorchartsofhisroute，andofthesurroundingcountry。Nopainsnorexpenseweresparedinfittingouttheparty，offortymen，whichhewasto
command。Theyhadcompletesuppliesforayear，andweretomeetCaptainBonneville
intheensuingsummer，inthevalleyofBearRiver，thelargesttributaryoftheSaltLake，whichwastobehispointofgeneralrendezvous。ThenextcareofCaptainBonnevillewastoarrangeforthesafetransportationofthe
peltrieswhichhehadcollectedtotheAtlanticStates。Mr。RobertCampbell，thepartner
ofSublette，wasatthistimeintherendezvousoftheRockyMountainFurCompany，
havingbroughtuptheirsupplies。Hewasabouttosetoffonhisreturn，withthepeltries
collectedduringtheyear，andintendedtoproceedthroughtheCrowcountry，tothe
headofnavigationontheBighornRiver，andtodescendinboatsdownthatriver，theMissouri，andtheYellowstone，toSt。Louis。CaptainBonnevilledeterminedtoforwardhispeltriesbythesameroute，underthe
especialcareofMr。Cerre。Bywayofescort，hewouldaccompanyCerretothepointof
embarkation，andthenmakeanautumnalhuntintheCrowcountry。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter22[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter22TheCrowcountry——ACrowparadise——HabitsoftheCrows——AnecdotesofRose，the
renegadewhiteman——HisfightswiththeBlackfeet——Hiselevation——His
death——Arapooish，theCrowchief——Hiseagle——AdventureofRobertCampbell——Honor
amongCrowsBEFOREWEACCOMPANYCaptainBonnevilleintotheCrowcountry，wewillimparta
fewfactsaboutthiswildregion，andthewildpeoplewhoinhabitit。Wearenotawareof
thepreciseboundaries，ifthereareany，ofthecountryclaimedbytheCrows；it
appearstoextendfromtheBlackHillstotheRockyMountains，includingapartoftheir
loftyranges，andembracingmanyoftheplainsandvalleyswateredbytheWindRiver，
theYellowstone，thePowderRiver，theLittleMissouri，andtheNebraska。Thecountry
variesinsoilandclimate；therearevastplainsofsandandclay，studdedwithlargered
sand-hills；otherpartsaremountainousandpicturesque；itpossesseswarmsprings，andcoalmines，andaboundswithgame。ButletusgivetheaccountofthecountryasrenderedbyArapooish，aCrowchief，toMr。RobertCampbell，oftheRockyMountainFurCompany。“TheCrowcountry，“saidhe，“isagoodcountry。TheGreatSpirithasputitexactlyin
therightplace；whileyou-areinityoufarewell；wheneveryougooutofit，whicheverwayyoutravel，youfareworse。“Ifyougotothesouth，youhavetowanderovergreatbarrenplainsjthewateriswarmandbad，andyoumeetthefeverandague。“Tothenorthitiscold；thewintersarelongandbitter，withnograssjyoucannotkeephorsesthere，butmusttravelwithdogs。Whatisacountrywithouthorses？“OntheColumbiatheyarepooranddirty，paddleaboutincanoes，andeatfish。Their
teetharewornout；theyarealwaystakingfish-bonesoutoftheirmouths。Fishispoorfood。“Totheeast，theydwellinvillages；theylivewell；buttheydrinkthemuddywateroftheMissouri——thatisbad。ACrow”sdogwouldnotdrinksuchwater。“AbouttheforksoftheMissouriisafinecountry；goodwater；goodgrass；plentyof
buffalo。Insummer，itisalmostasgoodastheCrowcountry；butinwinteritiscold；thegrassisgone；andthereisnosaltweedforthehorses。“TheCrowcountryisexactlyintherightplace。Ithassnowymountainsandsunny
plains；allkindsofclimatesandgoodthingsforeveryseason。Whenthesummerheats
scorchtheprairies，youcandrawupunderthemountains，wheretheairissweetand
cool，thegrassfresh，andthebrightstreamscometumblingoutofthesnow-banks。
Thereyoucanhunttheelk，thedeer，andtheantelope，whentheirskinsarefitfordressing；thereyouwillfindplentyofwhitebearsandmountainsheep。“Intheautumn，whenyourhorsesarefatandstrongfromthemountainpastures，you
cangodownintotheplainsandhuntthebuffalo，ortrapbeaveronthestreams。And
whenwintercomeson，youcantakeshelterinthewoodybottomsalongtherivers；
thereyouwillfindbuffalomeatforyourselves，andcotton-woodbarkforyourhorses：oryoumaywinterintheWindRivervalley，wherethereissaltweedinabundance。“TheCrowcountryisexactlyintherightplace。Everythinggoodistobefoundthere。
ThereisnocountryliketheCrowcountry。”
SuchistheeulogiumonhiscountrybyArapooish。Wehavehadrepeatedoccasionstospeakoftherestlessandpredatoryhabitsofthe
Crows。Theycanmusterfifteenhundredfightingmen，buttheirincessantwarswiththeBlackfeet，andtheirvagabond，predatoryhabits，aregraduallywearingthemout。Inarecentwork，werelatedthecircumstanceofawhitemannamedRose，anoutlaw，
andadesigningvagabond，whoactedasguideandinterpretertoMr。Huntandhis
party，ontheirjourneyacrossthemountainstoAstoria，whocamenearbetrayingthem
intothehandsoftheCrows，andwhoremainedamongthetribe，marryingoneoftheir
women，andadoptingtheircongenialhabits。Afewanecdotesofthesubsequent
fortunesofthatrenegademaynotbeuninteresting，especiallyastheyareconnectedwiththefortunesofthetribe。Rosewaspowerfulinframeandfearlessinspirit；andsoonbyhisdaringdeedstook
hisrankamongthefirstbravesofthetribe。Heaspiredtocommand，andknewitwas
onlytobeattainedbydesperateexploits。Hedistinguishedhimselfinrepeatedactions
withBlackfeet。Ononeoccasion，abandofthosesavageshadfortifiedthemselves
withinabreastwork，andcouldnotbeharmed。Roseproposedtostormthework。“Who
willtakethelead？“wasthedemand。“I！“criedhe；andputtinghimselfattheirhead，
rushedforward。ThefirstBlackfootthatopposedhimheshotdownwithhisrifle，and，
snatchingupthewar-clubofhisvictim，killedfourotherswithinthefort。Thevictorywas
complete，andRosereturnedtotheCrowvillagecoveredwithglory，andbearingfive
Blackfootscalps，tobeerectedasatrophybeforehislodge。Fromthistime，hewas
knownamongtheCrowsbythenameofChe-ku-kaats，or“themanwhokilledfive。”He
becamechiefofthevillage，orratherband，andforatimewasthepopularidol。His
popularitysoonawakenedenvyamongthenativebraves；hewasastranger，an
intruder，awhiteman。Apartysecededfromhiscommand。Feudsandcivilwars
succeededthatlastedfortwoorthreeyears，untilRose，havingcontrivedtosethis
adoptedbrethrenbytheears，leftthem，andwentdowntheMissouriin1823。Herehe
fellinwithoneoftheearliesttrappingexpeditionssentbyGeneralAshleyacrossthe
mountains。ItwasconductedbySmith，Fitzpatrick，andSublette。Roseenlistedwith
themasguideandinterpreter。WhenhegotthemamongtheCrows，hewas
exceedinglygenerouswiththeirgoods；makingpresentstothebravesofhisadoptedtribe，asbecameahigh-mindedchief。This，doubtless，helpedtorevivehispopularity。Inthatexpedition，SmithandFitzpatrick
wererobbedoftheirhorsesinGreenRivervalley；theplacewheretherobberytook
placestillbearsthenameofHorseCreek。Wearenotinformedwhetherthehorses
werestolenthroughtheinstigationandmanagementofRose；itisnotimprobable，for
suchwastheperfidyhehadintendedtopracticeonaformeroccasiontowardMr。Huntandhisparty。ThelastanecdotewehaveofRoseisfromanIndiantrader。WhenGeneralAtkinson
madehismilitaryexpeditionuptheMissouri，in1825，toprotectthefurtrade，hehelda
conferencewiththeCrownation，atwhichRosefiguredasIndiandignitaryandCrow
interpreter。Themilitarywerestationedatsomelittledistancefromthesceneofthe“big
talk“；whilethegeneralandthechiefsweresmokingpipesandmakingspeeches，the
officers，supposingallwasfriendly，leftthetroops，anddrewnearthesceneof
ceremonial。SomeofthemoreknowingCrows，perceivingthis，stolequietlytothe
camp，and，unobserved，contrivedtostopthetouch-holesofthefield-pieceswithdirt。
Shortlyafter，amisunderstandingoccurredintheconference：someoftheIndians，
knowingthecannontobeuseless，becameinsolent。Atumultarose。Intheconfusion，
ColonelO”Fallansnappedapistolinthefaceofabrave，andknockedhimdownwith
thebuttend。TheCrowswereallinafury。Achance-medleyfightwasonthepointof
takingplace，whenRose，hisnaturalsympathiesasawhitemansuddenlyrecurring，
brokethestockofhisfuseeovertheheadofaCrowwarrior，andlaidsovigorously
abouthimwiththebarrel，thathesoonputthewholethrongtoflight。Luckily，asno
liveshadbeenlost，thissturdyribroastingcalmedthefuryoftheCrows，andthetumultendedwithoutseriousconsequences。Whatwastheultimatefateofthisvagabondheroisnotdistinctlyknown。Somereport
himtohavefallenavictimtodisease，broughtonbyhislicentiouslife；othersassert
thathewasmurderedinafeudamongtheCrows。Afterall，hisresidenceamongthese
savages，andtheinfluenceheacquiredoverthem，had，foratime，somebeneficial
effects。Heissaid，notmerelytohaverenderedthemmoreformidabletotheBlackfeet，
buttohaveopenedtheireyestothepolicyofcultivatingthefriendshipofthewhitemen。AfterRose”sdeath，hispolicycontinuedtobecultivated，withindifferentsuccess，by
Arapooish，thechiefalreadymentioned，whohadbeenhisgreatfriend，andwhose
characterhehadcontributedtodevelope。Thissagaciouschiefendeavored，onevery
occasion，torestrainthepredatorypropensitiesofhistribewhendirectedagainstthe
whitemen。“Ifwekeepfriendswiththem，“saidhe，“wehavenothingtofearfromthe
Blackfeet，andcanrulethemountains。”Arapooishpretendedtobeagreat“medicine
man“，acharacteramongtheIndianswhichisacompoundofpriest，doctor，prophet，
andconjurer。Hecarriedaboutwithhimatameeagle，ashis“medicine“orfamiliar。
Withthewhitemen，heacknowledgedthatthiswasallcharlatanism，butsaiditwasnecessary，togivehimweightandinfluenceamonghispeople。Mr。RobertCampbell，fromwhomwehavemostofthesefacts，inthecourseofoneof
histrappingexpeditions，wasquarteredinthevillageofArapooish，andaguestinthe
lodgeofthechieftain。Hehadcollectedalargequantityoffurs，and，fearfulofbeing
plundered，depositedbutapartinthelodgeofthechief；therestheburiedinacache。
Onenight，Arapooishcameintothelodgewithacloudybrow，andseatedhimselffora
timewithoutsayingaword。Atlength，turningtoCampbell，“Youhavemorefurswith
you，“saidhe，“thanyouhavebroughtintomylodge？“
“Ihave，“repliedCampbell。
“Wherearethey？“CampbellknewtheuselessnessofanyprevaricationwithanIndian；andthe
importanceofcompletefrankness。Hedescribedtheexactplacewherehehadconcealedhispeltries。“”Tiswell，“repliedArapooish；“youspeakstraight。Itisjustasyousay。Butyourcachehasbeenrobbed。Goandseehowmanyskinshavebeentakenfromit。”Campbellexaminedthecache，andestimatedhislosstobeaboutonehundredandfiftybeaverskins。Arapooishnowsummonedameetingofthevillage。Hebitterlyreproachedhispeople
forrobbingastrangerwhohadconfidedtotheirhonor；andcommandedthatwhoever
hadtakentheskins，shouldbringthemback：declaringthat，asCampbellwashisguestandinmateofhislodge，hewouldnoteatnordrinkuntileveryskinwasrestoredtohim。Themeetingbrokeup，andeveryonedispersed。ArapooishnowchargedCampbellto
giveneitherrewardnorthankstoanyonewhoshouldbringinthebeaverskins，buttokeepcountastheyweredelivered。Inalittlewhile，theskinsbegantomaketheirappearance，afewatatime；theywere
laiddowninthelodge，andthosewhobroughtthemdepartedwithoutsayingaword。
Thedaypassedaway。Arapooishsatinonecornerofhislodge，wrappedupinhis
robe，scarcelymovingamuscleofhiscountenance。Whennightarrived，hedemanded
ifalltheskinshadbeenbroughtin。Aboveahundredhadbeengivenup，andCampbell
expressedhimselfcontented。NotsotheCrowchieftain。Hefastedallthatnight，nor
tastedadropofwater。Inthemorning，somemoreskinswerebroughtin，andcontinued
tocome，oneandtwoatatime，throughouttheday，untilbutafewwerewantingto
makethenumbercomplete。Campbellwasnowanxioustoputanendtothisfastingof
theoldchief，andagaindeclaredthathewasperfectlysatisfied。Arapooishdemanded
whatnumberofskinswereyetwanting。Onbeingtold，hewhisperedtosomeofhis
people，whodisappeared。Afteratimethenumberwerebroughtin，thoughitwas
evidenttheywerenotanyoftheskinsthathadbeenstolen，butothersgleanedinthe
village。
“Isallrightnow？“demandedArapooish。
“Allisright，“repliedCampbell。
“Good！Nowbringmemeatanddrink！“
Whentheywerealonetogether，Arapooishhadaconversationwithhisguest。“WhenyoucomeanothertimeamongtheCrows，“saidhe，“don”thideyourgoods：trust
tothemandtheywillnotwrongyou。Putyourgoodsinthelodgeofachief，andthey
aresacred；hidetheminacache，andanyonewhofindswillstealthem。Mypeople
havenowgivenupyourgoodsformysake；buttherearesomefoolishyoungmenin
thevillage，whomaybedisposedtobetroublesome。Don”tlinger，therefore，butpackyourhorsesandbeoff。”Campbelltookhisadvice，andmadehiswaysafelyoutoftheCrowcountry。Hehas
eversincemaintainedthattheCrowsarenotsoblackastheyarepainted。“Trustto
theirhonor，“sayshe，“andyouaresafe：trusttotheirhonesty，andtheywillstealthehairoffyourhead。”Havinggiventhesefewpreliminaryparticulars，wewillresumethecourseofour
narrative。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter23[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter23DeparturefromGreenRivervalley——PopoAgie——Itscourse——Theriversintowhichit
runs——SceneryoftheBluffs——thegreatTarSpring——VolcanictractsintheCrow
country——BurningMountainofPowderRiver——Sulphursprings——Hiddenfires——Colter”s
Hell——WindRiver——Campbell”sparty——Fitzpatrickandhistrappers——CaptainStewart，an
amateurtraveller——NathanielWyeth——AnecdotesofhisexpeditiontotheFar
West——DisasterofCampbell”sparty——Aunionofbands——TheBadPass——The
rapids——DepartureofFitzpatrick——Embarkationofpeltries——Wyethandhisbull
boat——AdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleintheBighornMountains——Adventuresinthe
plain——TracesofIndians——Travellingprecautions——Dangersofmakingasmoke——The
rendezvousONTHE25THofJuly，CaptainBonnevillestruckhistents，andsetoutonhisroutefor
theBighorn，attheheadofapartyoffifty-sixmen，includingthosewhoweretoembark
withCerre。CrossingtheGreenRivervalley，heproceededalongthesouthpointofthe
WindRiverrangeofmountains，andsoonfelluponthetrackofMr。RobertCampbell”s
party，whichhadprecededhimbyaday。Thishepursued，untilheperceivedthatitled
downthebanksoftheSweetWatertothesoutheast。Asthiswasdifferentfromhis
proposeddirection，heleftit；andturningtothenortheast，sooncameuponthewaters
ofthePopoAgie。ThisstreamtakesitsriseintheWindRiverMountains。Itsname，like
mostIndiannames，ischaracteristic。Popo，intheCrowlanguage，signifieshead；andAgie，river。Itistheheadofalongriver，extendingfromthesouthendoftheWind
River
Mountainsinanortheastdirection，untilitfallsintotheYellowstone。Itscourseis
generallythroughplains，butistwicecrossedbychainsofmountains；thefirstcalledthe
Littlehorn；thesecond，theBighorn。Afterithasforceditswaythroughthefirstchain，it
iscalledtheHornRiver；afterthesecondchain，itiscalledtheBighornRiver。Its
passagethroughthislastchainisroughandviolent；makingrepeatedfalls，andrushing
downlongandfuriousrapids，whichthreatendestructiontothenavigator；thougha
hardytrapperissaidtohaveshotdowntheminacanoe。Atthefootoftheserapids，is
theheadofnavigation；whereitwastheintentionofthepartiestoconstructboats，andembark。