Allbeingseated，theoldseneschalpreparedthepipeofceremonyorcouncil，andhavinglitit，handedittothechief。Heinhaledthesacredsmoke，gaveapuffupwardtotheheaven，thendownwardtotheearth，thentowardstheeast;afterthisitwasasusualpassedfrommouthtomouth，eachholdingitrespectfullyuntilhisneighborhadtakenseveralwhiffs;andnowthegrandcouncilwasconsideredasopenedindueform。
Thechiefmadeanharanguewelcomingthewhitementohisvillage，andexpressinghishappinessintakingthembythehandasfriends;butatthesametimecomplainingofthepovertyofhimselfandhispeople;theusualpreludeamongIndianstobeggingorhardbargaining。
Lisarosetoreply，andtheeyesofHuntandhiscompanionswereeagerlyturneduponhim，thoseofM’Lellanglaringlikeabasilisk’s。Hebeganbytheusualexpressionsoffriendship，andthenproceededtoexplaintheobjectofhisownparty。Thosepersons，however，saidhe，pointingtoMr。Huntandhiscompanions，areofadifferentparty，andarequitedistinctintheirviews;but，addedhe，thoughweareseparateparties，wemakebutonecommoncausewhenthesafetyofeitherisconcerned。
AnyinjuryorinsultofferedtothemIshallconsiderasdonetomyself，andwillresentitaccordingly。Itrust，therefore，thatyouwilltreatthemwiththesamefriendshipthatyouhavealwaysmanifestedforme，doingeverythinginyourpowertoservethemandtohelpthemontheirway。ThespeechofLisa，deliveredwithanairoffranknessandsincerity，agreeablysurprisedanddisappointedtherivalparty。
Mr。Huntthenspoke，declaringtheobjectofhisjourneytothegreatSaltLakebeyondthemountains，andthatheshouldwanthorsesforthepurpose，forwhichhewasreadytotrade，havingbroughtwithhimplentyofgoods。BothheandLisaconcludedtheirspeechesbymakingpresentsoftobacco。
Theleft-handedchieftaininreplypromisedhisfriendshipandaidtothenewcomers，andwelcomedthemtohisvillage。HeaddedthattheyhadnotthenumberofhorsestosparethatMr。Huntrequired，andexpressedadoubtwhethertheyshouldbeabletopartwithany。Uponthis，anotherchieftain，calledGrayEyes，madeaspeech，anddeclaredthattheycouldreadilysupplyMr。
Huntwithallthehorseshemightwant，since，iftheyhadnotenoughinthevillage，theycouldeasilystealmore。Thishonestexpedientimmediatelyremovedthemaindifficulty;butthechiefdeferredalltradingforadayortwo;untilheshouldhavetimetoconsultwithhissubordinatechiefsastomarketrates;fortheprincipalchiefofavillage，inconjunctionwithhiscouncil，usuallyfixesthepricesatwhicharticlesshallbeboughtandsold，andtothemthevillagemustconform。
Thecouncilnowbrokeup。Mr。Hunttransferredhiscampacrosstheriveratalittledistancebelowthevillage，andtheleft-
handedchiefplacedsomeofhiswarriorsasaguardtopreventtheintrusionofanyofhispeople。Thecampwaspitchedontheriverbankjustabovetheboats。Thetents，andthemenwrappedintheirblanketsandbivouackingonskinsintheopenair，surroundedthebaggageatnight。Foursentinelsalsokeptwatchwithinsightofeachotheroutsideofthecampuntilmidnight，whentheywererelievedbyfourotherswhomountedguarduntildaylight。Mr。LisaencampedneartoMr。Hunt，betweenhimandthevillage。
ThespeechofMr。Lisainthecouncilhadproducedapacificeffectintheencampment。Thoughthesincerityofhisfriendshipandgood-willtowardsthenewcompanystillremainedmatterofdoubt，hewasnolongersuspectedofanintentiontoplayfalse。
Theintercoursebetweenthetwoleaderswasthereforeresumed，andtheaffairsofbothpartieswentonharmoniously。
CHAPTERXXI。
AnIndianHorseFair-LoveoftheIndiansforHorses-ScenesintheArickaraVillage-IndianHospitality-DutiesofIndianWomen。GameHabitsoftheMen-TheirIndolence-LoveofGossiping-RumorsofLurkingEnemies-Scouts-AnAlarm-A
SallyingForth-IndianDogs-ReturnofaHorse-StealingParty-
AnIndianDeputation-FreshAlarms-ReturnofaSuccessfulWarParty-DressoftheArickaras-IndianToilet-TriumphalEntryoftheWarParty-MeetingsofRelationsandFriends-IndianSensibility-MeetingofaWoundedWarriorandHisMother-
FestivitiesandLamentations。
ATRADEnowcommencedwiththeArickarasundertheregulationandsupervisionoftheirtwochieftains。Lisasentapartofhisgoodstothelodgeoftheleft-handeddignitary，andMr。HuntestablishedhismartinthelodgeoftheBigMan。Thevillagesoonpresentedtheappearanceofabusyfair;andashorseswereindemand，thepurlieusandtheadjacentplainwerelikethevicinityofaTartarencampment;horseswereputthroughalltheirpaces，andhorsemenwerecareeringaboutwiththatdexterityandgraceforwhichtheArickarasarenoted。Assoonasahorsewaspurchased，histailwascropped，asuremodeofdistinguishinghimfromthehorsesofthetribe;fortheIndiansdisdaintopracticethisabsurd，barbarous，andindecentmutilation，inventedbysomemeanandvulgarmind，insensibletothemeritandperfectionsoftheanimal。Onthecontrary，theIndianhorsesaresufferedtoremainineveryrespectthesuperbandbeautifulanimalswhichnatureformedthem。
ThewealthofanIndianofthefarwestconsistsprincipallyinhishorses，ofwhicheachchiefandwarriorpossessesagreatnumber，sothattheplainsaboutanIndianvillageorencampmentarecoveredwiththem。Theseformobjectsoftraffic，orobjectsofdepredation，andinthiswaypassfromtribetotribeovergreattractsofcountry。ThehorsesownedbytheArickarasare，forthemostpart，ofthewildstockoftheprairies;some，however，hadbeenobtainedfromthePoncas，Pawnees，andothertribestothesouthwest，whohadstolenthemfromtheSpaniardsinthecourseofhorse-stealingexpeditionsintoMexicanterritories。Theseweretobeknownbybeingbranded;aSpanishmodeofmarkinghorsesnotpracticedbytheIndians。
AstheArickarasweremeditatinganotherexpeditionagainsttheirenemiestheSioux，thearticlesoftrafficmostindemandwereguns，tomahawks，scalping-knives，powder，ball，andothermunitionsofwar。Thepriceofahorse，asregulatedbythechiefs，wascommonlytendollars’worthofgoodsatfirstcost。
Tosupplythedemandthussuddenlycreated，partiesofyoungmenandbraveshadsalliedforthonexpeditionstostealhorses;aspeciesofserviceamongtheIndianswhichtakesprecedenceofhunting，andisconsideredadepartmentofhonorablewarfare。
Whiletheleadersoftheexpeditionwereactivelyengagedinpreparingfortheapproachingjourney，thosewhohadaccompanieditforcuriosityoramusement，foundamplematterforobservationinthevillageanditsinhabitants。Wherevertheywenttheywerekindlyentertained。Iftheyenteredalodge，thebuffalorobewasspreadbeforethefireforthemtositdown;thepipewasbrought，andwhilethemasterofthelodgeconversedwithhisguests，thesquawputtheearthenvesseloverthefirewellfilledwithdriedbuffalo-meatandpoundedcorn;fortheIndianinhisnativestate，beforehehasmingledmuchwithwhitemen，andacquiredtheirsordidhabits，hasthehospitalityoftheArab:neverdoesastrangerenterhisdoorwithouthavingfoodplacedbeforehim;andneveristhefoodthusfurnishedmadeamatteroftraffic。
ThelifeofanIndianwhenathomeinhisvillageisalifeofindolenceandamusement。Tothewomanisconsignedthelaborsofthehouseholdandthefield;shearrangesthelodge;bringswoodforthefire;cooks;jerksvenisonandbuffalomeat;dressestheskinsoftheanimalskilledinthechase;cultivatesthelittlepatchofmaize，pumpkins，andpulse，whichfurnishesagreatpartoftheirprovisions。Theirtimeforreposeandrecreationisatsunset，whenthelaborsofthedaybeingended，theygathertogethertoamusethemselveswithpettygames，ortoholdgossipingconvocationsonthetopsoftheirlodges。
AstotheIndian，heisagameanimal，nottobedegradedbyusefulormenialtoil。Itisenoughthatheexposeshimselftothehardshipsofthechaseandtheperilsofwar;thathebringshomefoodforhisfamily，andwatchesandfightsforitsprotection。Everythingelseisbeneathhisattention。Whenathome，heattendsonlytohisweaponsandhishorses，preparingthemeansoffutureexploit。Orheengageswithhiscomradesingamesofdexterity，agilityandstrength;oringamblinggamesinwhicheverythingisputathazardwitharecklessnessseldomwitnessedincivilizedlife。
AgreatpartoftheidleleisureoftheIndianswhenathomeispassedingroups，squattedtogetheronthebankofariver，onthetopofamoundontheprairie，orontheroofofoneoftheirearth-coveredlodges，talkingoverthenewsoftheday，theaffairsofthetribe，theeventsandexploitsoftheirlasthuntingorfightingexpedition;orlisteningtothestoriesofoldtimestoldbysomeveteranchronicler;resemblingagroupofourvillagequidnuncsandpoliticians，listeningtotheprosingsofsomesuperannuatedoracle，ordiscussingthecontentsofanancientnewspaper。
AstotheIndianwomen，theyarefarfromcomplainingoftheirlot。Onthecontrary，theywoulddespisetheirhusbandscouldtheystooptoanymenialoffice，andwouldthinkitconveyedanimputationupontheirownconduct。Itistheworstinsultoneviragocancastuponanotherinamomentofaltercation。
“Infamouswoman！“willshecry，“Ihaveseenyourhusbandcarryingwoodintohislodgetomakethefire。Wherewashissquaw，thatheshouldbeobligedtomakeawomanofhimself！“
Mr。Huntandhisfellow-travellershadnotbeenmanydaysattheArickaravillage，whenrumorsbegantocirculatethattheSiouxhadfollowedthemup，andthatawarparty，fourorfivehundredinnumber，werelurkingsomewhereintheneighborhood。Theserumorsproducedmuchembarrassmentinthecamp。Thewhitehuntersweredeterredfromventuringforthinquestofgame，neitherdidtheleadersthinkitpropertoexposethemtosucharisk。TheArickaras，too，whohadsufferedgreatlyintheirwarswiththiscruelandferocioustribe，wererousedtoincreasedvigilance，andstationedmountedscoutsupontheneighboringhills。This，however，isageneralprecautionamongthetribesoftheprairies。Thoseimmenseplainspresentahorizonliketheocean，sothatanyobjectofimportancecanbedescriedafar，andinformationcommunicatedtoagreatdistance。Thescoutsarestationedonthehills，therefore，tolookoutbothforgameandforenemies，andare，inamanner，livingtelegraphsconveyingtheirintelligencebyconcertedsigns。Iftheywishtogivenoticeofaherdofbuffalointheplainbeyond，theygallopbackwardsandforwardsabreast，onthesummitofthehill。Iftheyperceiveanenemyathand，theygalloptoandfro，crossingeachother;atsightofwhichthewholevillagefliestoarms。
Suchanalarmwasgivenintheafternoonofthe15th。Fourscoutswereseencrossingandrecrossingeachotheratfullgallop，onthesummitofahillabouttwomilesdistantdowntheriver。ThecrywasupthattheSiouxwerecoming。Inaninstantthevillagewasinanuproar。Men，women，andchildrenwereallbrawlingandshouting;dogsbarking，yelping，andhowling。Someofthewarriorsranforthehorsestogatheranddrivetheminfromtheprairie，somefortheirweapons。Asfastastheycouldarmandequiptheysalliedforth;someonhorseback，someonfoot。Somehastilyarrayedintheirwardress，withcoronetsofflutteringfeathers，andtheirbodiessmearedwithpaint;othersnakedandonlyfurnishedwiththeweaponstheyhadsnatchedup。Thewomenandchildrengatheredonthetopsofthelodgesandheightenedtheconfusionofthescenebytheirvociferation。Oldmenwhocouldnolongerbeararmstooksimilarstations，andharanguedthewarriorsastheypassed，exhortingthemtovalorousdeeds。
Someoftheveteranstookarmsthemselves，andsalliedforthwithtotteringsteps。Inthisway，thesavagechivalryofthevillagetothenumberoffivehundred，pouredforth，helter-skelter，ridingandrunning，withhideousyellsandwar-whoops，likesomanybedlamitesordemoniacsletloose。
Afterawhilethetideofwarrolledback，butwithfarlessuproar。Eitherithadbeenafalsealarm，ortheenemyhadretreatedonfindingthemselvesdiscovered，andquietwasrestoredtothevillage。Thewhitehunterscontinuingtobefearfulofrangingthisdangerousneighborhood，freshprovisionsbegantobescarceinthecamp。Asasubstitute，therefore，forvenisonandbuffalomeat，thetravellershadtopurchaseanumberofdogstobeshotandcookedforthesupplyofthecamp。
Fortunately，howevercharytheIndiansmightbeoftheirhorses，theywereliberaloftheirdogs。Infact，theseanimalsswarmaboutanIndianvillageastheydoaboutaTurkishtown。Notafamilybuthastwoorthreedozenbelongingtoit，ofallsizesandcolors;someofasuperiorbreedareusedforhunting;
others，todrawthesledge，whileothers，ofamongrelbreed，andidlevagabondnature，arefattenedforfood。Theyaresupposedtobedescendantfromthewolf，andretainsomethingofhissavagebutcowardlytemper，howlingratherthanbarking;showingtheirteethandsnarlingontheslightestprovocation，butsneakingawayontheleastattack。
Theexcitementofthevillagecontinuedfromdaytoday。Onthedayfollowingthealarmjustmentioned，severalpartiesarrivedfromdifferentdirections，andweremetandconductedbysomeofthebravestothecouncillodge，wheretheyreportedtheeventsandsuccessoftheirexpeditions，whetherofwarorhunting;
whichnewswasafterwardspromulgatedthroughoutthevillage，bycertainoldmenwhoactedasheraldsortowncriers。AmongthepartieswhicharrivedwasonethathadbeenamongtheSnakenationstealinghorses，andreturnedcrownedwithsuccess。Astheypassedintriumphthroughthevillagetheywerecheeredbythemen，women，andchildren，collectedasusualonthetopsofthelodges，andwereexhortedbytheNestersofthevillagetobegenerousintheirdealingswiththewhitemen。
Theeveningwasspentinfeastingandrejoicingamongtherelationsofthesuccessfulwarriors;butthesoundsofgriefandwailingwereheardfromthehillsadjacenttothevillage-thelamentationsofwomenwhohadlostsomerelativeintheforay。
AnIndianvillageissubjecttocontinualagitationsandexcitements。ThenextdayarrivedadeputationofbravesfromtheCheyenneorShiennenation;abrokentribe，cutup，liketheArickaras，bywarswiththeSioux，anddriventotakerefugeamongtheBlackHills，nearthesourcesoftheCheyenneRiver，fromwhichtheyderivetheirname。Oneofthesedeputieswasmagnificentlyarrayedinabuffalorobe，onwhichvariousfigureswerefancifullyembroideredwithsplitquillsdyedredandyellow;andthewholewasfringedwiththeslenderhoofsofyoungfawns，thatrattledashewalked。
ThearrivalofthisdeputationwasthesignalforanotherofthoseceremonialswhichoccupysomuchofIndianlife;fornobeingismorecourtlyandpunctilious，andmoreobservingofetiquetteandformalitythananAmericansavage。
TheobjectofthedeputationwastogivenoticeofanintendedvisitoftheShienneorCheyennetribetotheArickaravillageinthecourseoffifteendays。TothisvisitMr。Huntlookedforwardtoprocureadditionalhorsesforhisjourney;allhisbargainingbeingineffectualinobtainingasufficientsupplyfromtheArickaras。Indeed，nothingcouldprevailuponthelattertopartwiththeirprimehorses，whichhadbeentrainedtobuffalohunting。
AsMr。Huntwouldhavetoabandonhisboatsatthisplace，Mr。
Lisanowofferedtopurchasethem，andsuchofhismerchandiseaswassuperfluous，andtopayhiminhorsestobeobtainedatafortbelongingtotheMissouriFurCompany，situatedattheMandanvillages，aboutahundredandfiftymilesfurtheruptheriver。Abargainwaspromptlymade，andMr。LisaandMr。Crooks，withseveralcompanions，setoutfortheforttoprocurethehorses。Theyreturned，afterupwardsofafortnight’sabsence，bringingwiththemthestipulatednumberofhorses。Stillthecavalrywasnotsufficientlynumeroustoconveythepartyandbaggageandmerchandise，andafewdaysmorewererequiredtocompletethearrangementsforthejourney。
Onthe9thofJuly，justbeforedaybreak，agreatnoiseandvociferationwasheardinthevillage。ThisbeingtheusualIndianhourofattackandsurprise，andtheSiouxbeingknowntobeintheneighborhood，thecampwasinstantlyonthealert。AsthedaybrokeIndiansweredescriedinconsiderablenumberonthebluffs，threeorfourmilesdowntheriver。Thenoiseandagitationinthevillagecontinued。Thetopsofthelodgeswerecrowdedwiththeinhabitants，allearnestlylookingtowardsthehills，andkeepingupavehementchattering。PresentlyanIndianwarriorgallopedpastthecamptowardsthevillage，andinalittlewhilethelegionsbegantopourforth。
Thetruthofthematterwasnowascertained。TheIndiansuponthedistanthillswerethreehundredArickarabraves，returninghomefromaforay。TheyhadmetthewarpartyofSiouxwhohadbeensolonghoveringabouttheneighborhood，hadfoughtthemthedaybefore，killedseveral，anddefeatedtherestwiththelossofbuttwoorthreeoftheirownmenandaboutadozenwounded;andtheywerenowhaltingatadistanceuntiltheircomradesinthevillageshouldcomeforthtomeetthem，andswelltheparadeoftheirtriumphalentry。Thewarriorwhohadgallopedpastthecampwastheleaderofthepartyhasteninghometogivetidingsofhisvictory。
Preparationswerenowmadeforthisgreatmartialceremony。Allthefineryandequipmentsofthewarriorsweresentforthtothem，thattheymightappeartothegreatestadvantage。Those，too，whohadremainedathome，taskedtheirwardrobesandtoiletstodohonortotheprocession。
TheArickarasgenerallygonaked，but，likeallsavages，theyhavetheirgaladress，ofwhichtheyarenotalittlevain。Thisusuallyconsistsofagraysurcoatandlegginsofthedressedskinoftheantelope，resemblingchamoisleather，andembroideredwithporcupinequillsbrilliantlydyed。Abuffalorobeisthrownovertherightshoulder，andacrosstheleftisslungaquiverofarrows。Theyweargaycoronetsofplumes，particularlythoseoftheswan;butthefeathersoftheblackeagleareconsideredthemostworthy，beingasacredbirdamongtheIndianwarriors。
Hewhohaskilledanenemyinhisownland，isentitledtodragathisheelsafox-skinattachedtoeachmoccasin;andhewhohasslainagrizzlybear，wearsanecklaceofhisclaws，themostglorioustrophythatahuntercanexhibit。
AnIndiantoiletisanoperationofsometoilandtrouble;thewarrioroftenhastopainthimselffromheadtofoot，andisextremelycapriciousanddifficulttoplease，astothehideousdistributionofstreaksandcolors。Agreatpartofthemorning，therefore，passedawaybeforetherewereanysignsofthedistantpageant。Inthemeantimeaprofoundstillnessreignedoverthevillage。Mostoftheinhabitantshadgoneforth;othersremainedinmuteexpectation。Allsportsandoccupationsweresuspended，exceptingthatinthelodgesthepainstakingsquawsweresilentlybusiedinpreparingtherepastsforthewarriors。
Itwasnearnoonthatamingledsoundofvoicesandrudemusic，faintlyheardfromadistance，gavenoticethattheprocessionwasonthemarch。Theoldmenandsuchofthesquawsascouldleavetheiremploymentshastenedforthtomeetit。Inalittlewhileitemergedfrombehindahill，andhadawildandpicturesqueappearanceasitcamemovingoverthesummitinmeasuredstep，andtothecadenceofsongsandsavageinstruments;thewarlikestandardsandtrophiesflauntingaloft，andthefeathers，andpaint，andsilverornamentsofthewarriorsglaringandglitteringinthesunshine。
Thepageanthadreallysomethingchivalrousinitsarrangement。
TheArickarasaredividedintoseveralbands，eachbearingthenameofsomeanimalorbird，asthebuffalo，thebear，thedog，thepheasant。Thepresentpartyconsistedoffourofthesebands，oneofwhichwasthedog，themostesteemedinwar，beingcomposedofyoungmenunderthirty，andnotedforprowess。Itisengagedinthemostdesperateoccasions。Thebandsmarchedinseparatebodiesundertheirseveralleaders。Thewarriorsonfootcamefirst，inplatoonsoftenortwelveabreast;thenthehorsemen。Eachbandboreasanensignaspearorbowdecoratedwithbeads，porcupinequills，andpaintedfeathers。Eachboreitstrophiesofscalps，elevatedonpoles，theirlongblacklocksstreaminginthewind。Eachwasaccompaniedbyitsrudemusicandminstrelsy。Inthiswaytheprocessionextendednearlyaquarterofamile。Thewarriorswerevariouslyarmed，somefewwithguns，otherswithbowsandarrows，andwarclubs;allhadshieldsofbuffalohide，akindofdefensegenerallyusedbytheIndiansoftheopenprairies，whohavenotthecovertoftreesandforeststoprotectthem。Theywerepaintedinthemostsavagestyle。Somehadthestampofaredhandacrosstheirmouths，asignthattheyhaddrunkthelife-bloodofafoe！
Astheydrewneartothevillagetheoldmenandthewomenbegantomeetthem，andnowasceneensuedthatprovedthefallacyoftheoldfableofIndianapathyandstoicism。Parentsandchildren，husbandsandwives，brothersandsistersmetwiththemostrapturousexpressionsofjoy;whilewailingsandlamentationswereheardfromtherelativesofthekilledandwounded。Theprocession，however，continuedonwithslowandmeasuredstep，incadencetothesolemnchant，andthewarriorsmaintainedtheirfixedandsterndemeanor。
Betweentwooftheprincipalchiefsrodeayoungwarriorwhohaddistinguishedhimselfinthebattle。Hewasseverelywounded，soaswithdifficultytokeeponhishorse;buthepreservedasereneandsteadfastcountenance，asifperfectlyunharmed。Hismotherhadheardofhiscondition。Shebrokethroughthethrong，andrushingup，threwherarmsaroundhimandweptaloud。Hekeptupthespiritanddemeanorofawarriortothelast，butexpiredshortlyafterhehadreachedhishome。
Thevillagewasnowasceneoftheutmostfestivityandtriumph。
Thebanners，andtrophies，andscalps，andpaintedshieldswereelevatedonpolesnearthelodges。Therewerewarfeasts，andscalp-dances，withwarlikesongsandsavagemusic;alltheinhabitantswerearrayedintheirfestaldresses;whiletheoldheraldswentroundfromlodgetolodge，promulgatingwithloudvoicestheeventsofthebattleandtheexploitsofthevariouswarriors。
Suchwastheboisterousrevelryofthevillage;butsoundsofanotherkindwereheardonthesurroundinghills;piteouswailingsofthewomen，whohadretiredthithertomournindarknessandsolitudeforthosewhohadfalleninbattle。Therethepoormotheroftheyouthfulwarriorwhohadreturnedhomeintriumphbuttodie，gavefullventtotheanguishofamother’sheart。HowmuchdoesthiscustomamongtheIndianwomanofrepairingtothehilltopsinthenight，andpouringforththeirwailingsforthedead，calltomindthebeautifulandaffectingpassageofScripture，“InRamawasthereavoiceheard，lamentation，andweeping，andgreatmourning，Rachelweepingforherchildren，andwouldnotbecomforted，becausetheyarenot。“
CHAPTERXXII。
WildernessoftheFarWest-GreatAmericanDesert-ParchedSeasons-BlackHills-RockyMountains-WanderingandPredatoryHordes-SpeculationsonWhatMayBetheFuturePopulation-
ApprehendedDangers-APlottoDesert-RosetheInterpreter-HisSinisterCharacter-DepartureFromtheArickaraVillage。
WHILEMr。Huntwasdiligentlypreparingforhisarduousjourney，someofhismenbegantoloseheartattheperilousprospectbeforethem;butbeforeweaccusethemofwantofspirit，itispropertoconsiderthenatureofthewildernessintowhichtheywereabouttoadventure。Itwasaregionalmostasvastandtracklessastheocean，and，atthetimeofwhichwetreat，butlittleknown，exceptingthroughthevagueaccountsofIndianhunters。Apartoftheirroutewouldlayacrossanimmensetract，stretchingnorthandsouthforhundredsofmilesalongthefootoftheRockyMountains，anddrainedbythetributarystreamsoftheMissouriandtheMississippi。Thisregion，whichresemblesoneoftheimmeasurablesteppesofAsia，hasnotinaptlybeentermed“thegreatAmericandesert。”Itspreadsforthintoundulatingandtreelessplains，anddesolatesandywasteswearisometotheeyefromtheirextentandmonotony，andwhicharesupposedbygeologiststohaveformedtheancientflooroftheocean，countlessagessince，whenitsprimevalwavesbeatagainstthegranitebasesoftheRockyMountains。
Itisalandwherenomanpermanentlyabides;for，incertainseasonsoftheyearthereisnofoodeitherforthehunterorhissteed。Theherbageisparchedandwithered;thebrooksandstreamsaredriedup;thebuffalo，theelkandthedeerhavewanderedtodistantparts，keepingwithinthevergeofexpiringverdure，andleavingbehindthemavastuninhabitedsolitude，seamedbyravines，thebedsofformertorrents，butnowservingonlytotantalizeandincreasethethirstofthetraveller。
Occasionallythemonotonyofthisvastwildernessisinterruptedbymountainousbeltsofsandandlimestone，brokenintoconfusedmasses;withprecipitouscliffsandyawningravines，lookingliketheruinsofaworld;oristraversedbyloftyandbarrenridgesofrock，almostimpassable，likethosedenominatedtheBlackHills。BeyondtheserisethesternbarriersoftheRockyMountains，thelimits，asitwere，oftheAtlanticworld。Theruggeddefilesanddeepvalleysofthisvastchainformshelteringplacesforrestlessandferociousbandsofsavages，manyofthemtheremnantsoftribes，onceinhabitantsoftheprairies，butbrokenupbywarandviolence，andwhocarryintotheirmountainhauntsthefiercepassionsandrecklesshabitsofdesperadoes。
SuchisthenatureofthisimmensewildernessofthefarWest;
whichapparentlydefiescultivation，andthehabitationofcivilizedlife。Someportionsofitalongtheriversmaypartiallybesubduedbyagriculture，othersmayformvastpastoraltracts，likethoseoftheEast;butitistobefearedthatagreatpartofitwillformalawlessintervalbetweentheabodesofcivilizedman，likethewastesoftheoceanorthedesertsofArabia;and，likethem，besubjecttothedepredationsofthemarauder。Heremayspringupnewandmongrelraces，likenewformationsingeology，theamalgamationofthe“debris“and“abrasions“offormerraces，civilizedandsavage;theremainsofbrokenandalmostextinguishedtribes;thedescendantsofwanderinghuntersandtrappers;offugitivesfromtheSpanishandAmericanfrontiers;ofadventurersanddesperadoesofeveryclassandcountry，yearlyejectedfromthebosomofsocietyintothewilderness。Wearecontributingincessantlytoswellthissingularandheterogeneouscloudofwildpopulationthatistohangaboutourfrontier，bythetransferofwholetribesfromtheeastoftheMississippitothegreatwastesofthefarWest。Manyofthesebearwiththemthesmartofrealorfanciedinjuries;
manyconsiderthemselvesexpatriatedbeings，wrongfullyexiledfromtheirhereditaryhomes，andthesepulchresoftheirfathers，andcherishadeepandabidinganimosityagainsttheracethathasdispossessedthem。Somemaygraduallybecomepastoralhordes，likethoserudeandmigratorypeople，halfshepherd，halfwarrior，who，withtheirflocksandherds，roamtheplainsofupperAsia;butothers，itistobeapprehended，willbecomepredatorybands，mountedonthefleetsteedsoftheprairies，withtheopenplainsfortheirmaraudinggrounds，andthemountainsfortheirretreatsandlurking-places。HeretheymayresemblethosegreathordesoftheNorth，“GogandMagogwiththeirbands。”thathauntedthegloomyimaginationsoftheprophets。“Agreatcompanyandamightyhost，allridinguponhorses，andwarringuponthosenationswhichwereatrest，anddweltpeaceably，andhadgottencattleandgoods。”
TheSpaniardschangedthewholecharacterandhabitsoftheIndianswhentheybroughtthehorseamongthem。InChili，Tucuman，andotherparts，ithasconvertedthem，wearetold，intoTartar-liketribes，andenabledthemtokeeptheSpaniardsoutoftheircountry，andeventomakeitdangerousforthemtoventurefarfromtheirtownsandsettlements。ArewenotindangerofproducingsomesuchstateofthingsintheboundlessregionsofthefarWest？ThatthesearenotmerefancifulandextravagantsuggestionswehavesufficientproofsinthedangersalreadyexperiencedbythetraderstotheSpanishmartofSantaFe，andtothedistantpostsofthefurcompanies。Theseareobligedtoproceedinarmedcaravans，andaresubjecttomurderousattacksfrombandsofPawnees，Camanches，andBlackfeet，thatcomescouringuponthemintheirwearymarchacrosstheplains，orlieinwaitforthemamongthepassesofthemountains。
Wearewandering，however，intoexcursivespeculations，whenourintentionwasmerelytogiveanideaofthenatureofthewildernesswhichMr。Huntwasabouttotraverse;andwhichatthattimewasfarlessknownthanatpresent;thoughitstillremainsinagreatmeasureanunknownland。Wecannotbesurprised，therefore，thatsomeoftheresoluteofhispartyshouldfeeldismayatthethoughtsofadventuringintothisperilouswildernessundertheuncertainguidanceofthreehunters，whohadmerelypassedoncethroughthecountryandmighthaveforgottenthelandmarks。TheirapprehensionswereaggravatedbysomeofLisa’sfollowers，who，notbeingengagedintheexpedition，tookamischievouspleasureinexaggeratingitsdangers。Theypaintedinstrongcolors，tothepoorCanadianvoyageurs，therisktheywouldrunofperishingwithhungerandthirst;ofbeingcutoffbywar-partiesoftheSiouxwhoscouredtheplains;ofhavingtheirhorsesstolenbytheUpsarokasorCrows，whoinfestedtheskirtsoftheRockyMountains;orofbeingbutcheredbytheBlackfeet，wholurkedamongthedefiles。
Inaword，therewaslittlechanceoftheirgettingaliveacrossthemountains;andeveniftheydid，thosethreeguidesknewnothingofthehowlingwildernessthatlaybeyond。
Theapprehensionsthusawakenedinthemindsofsomeofthemencamewell-nighprovingdetrimentaltotheexpedition。Someofthemdeterminedtodesert，andtomaketheirwaybacktoSt。
Louis。Theyaccordinglypurloinedseveralweaponsandabarrelofgunpowder，asammunitionfortheirenterprise，andburiedthemintheriverbank，intendingtoseizeoneoftheboats，andmakeoffinthenight。FortunatelytheirplotwasoverheardbyJohnDay，theKentuckian，andcommunicatedtothepartners，whotookquietandeffectualmeanstofrustrateit。
ThedangerstobeapprehendedfromtheCrowIndianshadnotbeenoverratedbythecampgossips。Thesesavages，throughwhosemountainhauntsthepartywouldhavetopass，werenotedfordaringandexcursivehabits，andgreatdexterityinhorsestealing。Mr。Hunt，therefore，consideredhimselffortunateinhavingmetwithamanwhomightbeofgreatusetohiminanyintercoursehemighthavewiththetribe。ThiswasawanderingindividualnamedEdwardRose，whomhehadpickedupsomewhereontheMissouri-oneofthoseanomalousbeingsfoundonthefrontier，whoseemtohaveneitherkinnorcountry。HehadlivedsometimeamongtheCrows，soastobecomeacquaintedwiththeirlanguageandcustoms;andwas，withal，adogged，sullen，silentfellow，withasinisteraspect，andmoreofthesavagethanthecivilizedmaninhisappearance。Hewasengagedtoserveingeneralasahunter，butasguideandinterpreterwhentheyshouldreachthecountryoftheCrows。
Onthe18thofJuly，Mr。HunttookuphislineofmarchbylandfromtheArickaravillage，leavingMr。LisaandMr。Nuttallthere，wheretheyintendedtoawaittheexpectedarrivalofMr。
HenryfromtheRockyMountains。AstoMessrs。BradburyandBreckenridge，theyhaddepartedsomedayspreviously，onavoyagedowntherivertoSt。Louis，withadetachmentfromMr。Lisa’sparty。Withallhisexertions，Mr。Hunthadbeenunabletoobtainasufficientnumberofhorsesfortheaccommodationofallhispeople。Hiscavalcadeconsistedofeighty-twohorses，mostofthemheavilyladenwithIndiangoods，beavertraps，ammunition，Indiancorn，cornmealandothernecessaries。Eachofthepartnerswasmounted，andahorsewasallottedtotheinterpreter，PierreDorion，forthetransportationofhisluggageandhistwochildren。Hissquaw，forthemostpartofthetime，trudgedonfoot，liketheresidueoftheparty;nordidanyofthemenshowmorepatienceandfortitudethanthisresolutewomaninenduringfatigueandhardship。
TheveterantrappersandvoyageursofLisa’spartyshooktheirheadsastheircomradessetout，andtookleaveofthemasofdoomedmen;andevenLisahimselfgaveitashisopinion，afterthetravellershaddeparted，theywouldneverreachtheshoresofthePacific，butwouldeitherperishwithhungerinthewilderness，orbecutoffbythesavages。
CHAPTERXXIII。
SummerWeatherofthePrairies-PurityoftheAtmosphere-
CanadiansontheMarch-SicknessintheCamp-BigRiver-
VulgarNomenclature-SuggestionsAbouttheOriginalIndianNames-CampofCheyennes-TradeforHorses-CharacteroftheCheyennes-TheirHorsemanship-HistoricalAnecdotesoftheTribe。
THEcoursetakenbyMr。Huntwasatfirsttothenorthwest，butsoonturnedandkeptgenerallytothesouthwest，toavoidthecountryinfestedbytheBlackfeet。HisroutetookhimacrosssomeofthetributarystreamsoftheMissouri，andoverimmenseprairies，boundedonlybythehorizon，anddestituteoftrees。Itwasnowtheheightofsummer，andthesenakedplainswouldbeintolerabletothetravellerwereitnotforthebreezeswhichsweptoverthemduringthefervoroftheday，bringingwiththemtemperingairsfromthedistantmountains。Totheprevalenceofthesebreezes，andtothewantofallleafycovert，maywealsoattributethefreedomfromthosefliesandotherinsectssotormentingtomanandbeastduringthesummermonths，inthelowerplains，whichareborderedandinterspersedwithwoodland。
Themonotonyoftheseimmenselandscapes，also，wouldbeaswearisomeasthatoftheocean，wereitnotrelievedinsomedegreebythepurityandelasticityoftheatmosphere，andthebeautyoftheheavens。TheskyhasthatdeliciousblueforwhichtheskyofItalyisrenowned;thesunshineswithasplendorunobscuredbyanycloudorvapor，andastarlightnightontheprairiesisglorious。Thispurityandelasticityofatmosphereincreasesasthetravellerapproachesthemountainsandgraduallyrisesintomoreelevatedprairies。
Ontheseconddayofthejourney，Mr。Huntarrangedthepartyintosmallandconvenientmesses，distributingamongthemthecampkettles。Theencampmentsatnightwereasbefore;somesleepingundertents，andothersbivouackingintheopenair。TheCanadiansprovedaspatientoftollandhardshiponthelandasonthewater;indeed，nothingcouldsurpassthepatienceandgood-humorofthesemenuponthemarch。Theywerethecheerfuldrudgesoftheparty，loadingandunloadingthehorses，pitchingthetents，makingthefires，cooking;inshort，performingallthosehouseholdandmenialofficeswhichtheIndiansusuallyassigntothesquaws;and，likethesquaws，theyleftallthehuntingandfightingtoothers。ACanadianhasbutlittleaffectionfortheexerciseoftherifle。
Theprogressofthepartywasbutslowforthefirstfewdays。
Someofthemenwereindisposed;Mr。Crooks，especially，wassounwellthathecouldnotkeeponhishorse。Arudekindoflitterwas，therefore，preparedforhim，consistingoftwolongpoles，fixed，oneoneachsideoftwohorses，withamattingbetweenthem，onwhichhereclinedatfulllength，andwasprotectedfromthesunbyacanopyofboughs。
Ontheeveningofthe23dJulytheyencampedonthebanksofwhattheytermBigRiver;andherewecannotbutpausetolamentthestupid，commonplace，andoftenribaldnamesentailedupontheriversandotherfeaturesofthegreatWest，bytradersandsettlers。Astheaboriginaltribesofthesemagnificentregionsareyetinexistence，theIndiannamesmighteasilyberecovered;
which，besidesbeingingeneralmoresonorousandmusical，wouldremainmementoesoftheprimitivelordsofthesoil，ofwhominalittlewhilescarceanytraceswillbeleft。Indeed，itistobewishedthatthewholeofourcountrycouldberescued，asmuchaspossible，fromthewretchednomenclatureinflicteduponit，byignorantandvulgarminds;andthismightbedone，inagreatdegree，byrestoringtheIndiannames，whereversignificantandeuphonious。Asthereappearstobeaspiritofresearchabroadinrespecttoouraboriginalantiquities，wewouldsuggest，asaworthyobjectofenterprise，amap，ormaps，ofeverypartofourcountry，givingtheIndiannameswherevertheycouldbeascertained。Whoeverachievessuchanobjectworthily，willleaveamonumenttohisownreputation。
Toreturnfromthisdigression。Asthetravellerswerenowinacountryaboundingwithbuffalo，theyremainedforseveraldaysencampeduponthebanksofBigRiver，toobtainasupplyofprovisions，andtogivetheinvalidstimetorecruit。
Ontheseconddayoftheirsojourn，asBenJones，JohnDay，andothersofthehunterswereinpursuitofgame，theycameuponanIndiancampontheopenprairie，neartoasmallstreamwhichranthrougharavine。Thetentsorlodgeswereofdressedbuffaloskins，sewntogetherandstretchedontaperingpinepoles，joinedattop，butradiatingatbottom，soastoformacirclecapableofadmittingfiftypersons。Numbersofhorsesweregrazingintheneighborhoodofthecamp，orstrayingatlargeintheprairie;asightmostacceptabletothehunters。Afterreconnoiteringthecampforsometime，theyascertainedittobelongtoabandofCheyenneIndians，thesamethathadsentadeputationtotheArickaras。Theyreceivedthehuntersinthemostfriendlymanner;
invitedthemtotheirlodges，whichweremorecleanlythanIndianlodgesarepronetobe，andsetfoodbeforethemwithtrueuncivilizedhospitality。Severalofthemaccompaniedthehuntersbacktothecamp，whenatradewasimmediatelyopened。TheCheyenneswereastonishedanddelightedtofindaconvoyofgoodsandtrinketsthusbroughtintotheveryheartoftheprairie;
whileMr。Huntandhiscompanionswereoverjoyedtohaveanopportunityofobtainingafurthersupplyofhorsesfromtheseequestriansavages。
Duringafortnightthatthetravellerslingeredatthisplace，theirencampmentwascontinuallythrongedbytheCheyennes。Theywereacivil，well-behavedpeople，cleanlyintheirpersons，anddecorousintheirhabits。Themenweretall，straightandvigorous，withaquilinenoses，andhighcheekbones。Somewerealmostasnakedasancientstatues，andmighthavestoodasmodelsforastatuary;othershadlegginsandmoccasinsofdeerskin，andbuffalorobes，whichtheythrewgracefullyovertheirshoulders。Inalittlewhile，however，theybegantoappearinmoregorgeousarray，trickedoutinthefineryobtainedfromthewhitemen;brightcloths，brassrings，beadsofvariouscolors;
andhappywashewhocouldrenderhimselfhideouswithvermilion。
ThetravellershadfrequentoccasionstoadmiretheskillandgracewithwhichtheseIndiansmanagedtheirhorses。Someofthemmadeastrikingdisplaywhenmounted;themselvesandtheirsteedsdecoratedingalastyle;fortheIndiansoftenbestowmorefineryupontheirhorsesthanuponthemselves。Somewouldhangaroundthenecks，orratheronthebreastsoftheirhorses，themostpreciousornamentstheyhadobtainedfromthewhitemen;othersinterwovefeathersintheirmanesandtails。TheIndianhorses，too，appeartohaveanattachmenttotheirwildriders，andindeed，itissaidthatthehorsesoftheprairiesreadilydistinguishanIndianfromawhitemanbythesmell，andgiveapreferencetotheformer。YettheIndians，ingeneral，arehardriders，and，howevertheymayvaluetheirhorses，treatthemwithgreatroughnessandneglect。OccasionallytheCheyennesjoinedthewhitehuntersinpursuitoftheelkandbuffalo;andwhenintheardorofthechase，sparedneitherthemselvesnortheirsteeds，scouringtheprairiesatfullspeed，andplungingdownprecipicesandfrightfulravinesthatthreatenedthenecksofbothhorseandhorseman。TheIndiansteed，welltrainedtothechase，seemsasmadastherider，andpursuesthegameaseagerlyasifitwerehisnaturalprey，onthefleshofwhichhewastobanquet。
ThehistoryoftheCheyennesisthatofmanyofthosewanderingtribesoftheprairies。TheyweretheremnantofaoncepowerfulpeoplecalledtheShaways，inhabitingabranchoftheRedRiverwhichflowsintoLakeWinnipeg。EveryIndiantribehassomerivaltribewithwhichitwagesimplacablehostility。ThedeadlyenemiesoftheShawaysweretheSioux，who，afteralongcourseofwarfare，provedtoopowerfulforthem，anddrovethemacrosstheMissouri。TheyagaintookrootneartheWarricanneCreek，andestablishedthemselvesthereinafortifiedvillage。
TheSiouxstillfollowedwithdeadlyanimosity;dislodgedthemfromtheirvillage，andcompelledthemtotakerefugeintheBlackHills，neartheupperwatersoftheSheyenneorCheyenneRiver。Heretheylosteventheirname，andbecameknownamongtheFrenchcolonistsbythatoftherivertheyfrequented。
Theheartofthetribewasnowbroken;itsnumbersweregreatlythinnedbytheirharassingwars。Theynolongerattemptedtoestablishthemselvesinanypermanentabodethatmightbeanobjectofattacktotheircruelfoes。Theygaveupthecultivationofthefruitsoftheearth，andbecameawanderingtribe，subsistingbythechase，andfollowingthebuffaloinitsmigrations。
Theironlypossessionswerehorses，whichtheycaughtontheprairies，orreared，orcapturedonpredatoryincursionsintotheMexicanterritories，ashasalreadybeenmentioned。WithsomeofthesetheyrepairedonceayeartotheArickaravillages，exchangedthemforcorn，beans，pumpkins，andarticlesofEuropeanmerchandise，andthenreturnedintotheheartoftheprairies。
Sucharethefluctuatingfortunesofthesesavagenations。War，famine，pestilence，togetherorsingly，bringdowntheirstrengthandthintheirnumbers。Wholetribesarerootedupfromtheirnativeplaces，wanderforatimeabouttheseimmenseregions，becomeamalgamatedwithothertribes，ordisappearfromthefaceoftheearth。Thereappearstobeatendencytoextinctionamongallthesavagenations;andthistendencywouldseemtohavebeeninoperationamongtheaboriginalsofthiscountrylongbeforetheadventofthewhitemen，ifwemayjudgefromthetracesandtraditionsofancientpopulousnessinregionswhichweresilentanddesertedatthetimeofthediscovery;andfromthemysteriousandperplexingvestigesofunknownraces，predecessorsofthosefoundinactualpossession，andwhomustlongsincehavebecomegraduallyextinguishedorbeendestroyed。Thewholehistoryoftheaboriginalpopulationofthiscountry，however，isanenigma，andagrandone-williteverbesolved？
CHAPTERXXIV。
NewDistributionofHorses-SecretInformationofTreasonintheCamp-RosetheInterpreter-HisPerfidiousCharacter-HisPlots-
AnecdotesoftheCrowIndians-NotoriousHorseStealers-SomeAccountofRose-ADesperadooftheFrontier。
0NthesixthofAugustthetravellersbadefarewelltothefriendlybandofCheyennes，andresumedtheirjourney。Astheyhadobtainedthirty-sixadditionalhorsesbytheirrecenttraffic，Mr。Huntmadeanewarrangement。Thebaggagewasmadeupinsmallerloads。Ahorsewasallottedtoeachofthesixprimehunters，andothersweredistributedamongthevoyageurs，ahorseforeverytwo，sothattheycouldrideandwalkalternately。Mr。
Crooksbeingstilltoofeebletomountthesaddle，wascarriedonalitter。
Theirmarchthisdaylayamongsingularhillsandknollsofaninduratedredearth，resemblingbrick，aboutthebasesofwhichwerescatteredpumicestonesandcinders，thewholebearingtracesoftheactionoffire。IntheeveningtheyencampedonabranchofBigRiver。
TheywerenowoutofthetractofcountryinfestedbytheSioux，andhadadvancedsuchadistanceintotheinteriorthatMr。Huntnolongerfeltapprehensiveofthedesertionofanyofhismen。
Hewasdoomed，however，toexperiencenewcauseofanxiety。Ashewasseatedinhistentafternightfall，oneofthemencametohimprivately，andinformedhimthattherewasmischiefbrewinginthecamp。EdwardRose，theinterpreter，whosesinisterlookswehavealreadymentioned，wasdenouncedbythissecretinformerasadesigning，treacherousscoundrel，whowastamperingwiththefidelityofcertainofthemen，andinstigatingthemtoaflagrantpieceoftreason。InthecourseofafewdaystheywouldarriveatthemountainousdistrictinfestedbytheUpsarokasorCrows，thetribeamongwhichRosewastoofficiateasinterpreter。Hisplanwasthatseveralofthemenshouldjoinwithhim，wheninthatneighborhood，incarryingoffanumberofthehorseswiththeirpackagesofgoods，anddesertingtothosesavages。HeassuredthemofgoodtreatmentamongtheCrows，theprincipalchiefsandwarriorsofwhomheknew;theywouldsoonbecomegreatmenamongthem，andhavethefinestwomen，andthedaughtersofthechiefsforwives;andthehorsesandgoodstheycarriedoffwouldmakethemrichforlife。
TheintelligenceofthistreacheryonthepartofRosegavemuchdisquiettoMr。Hunt，forheknewnothowfaritmightbeeffectiveamonghismen。Hehadalreadyhadproofsthatseveralofthemweredisaffectedtotheenterprise，andloathtocrossthemountains。Heknewalsothatsavagelifehadcharmsformanyofthem，especiallytheCanadians，whowerepronetointermarryanddomesticatethemselvesamongtheIndians。
AndhereawordortwoconcerningtheCrowsmaybeofservicetothereader，astheywillfigureoccasionallyinthesucceedingnarration。
Thetribeconsistsoffourbands，whichhavetheirnestling-
placesinfertile，well-woodedvalleys，lyingamongtheRockyMountains，andwateredbytheBigHorseRiveranditstributarystreams;but，thoughtheseareproperlytheirhomes，wheretheysheltertheiroldpeople，theirwives，andtheirchildren，themenofthetribearealmostcontinuallyontheforayandthescamper。Theyare，infact，notoriousmaraudersandhorse-
stealers;crossingandre-crossingthemountains，robbingontheoneside，andconveyingtheirspoilstotheother。Hence，wearetold，isderivedtheirname，giventothemonaccountoftheirunsettledandpredatoryhabits;wingingtheirflight，likethecrows，fromonesideofthemountainstotheother，andmakingfreebootyofeverythingthatliesintheirway。Horses，however，aretheespecialobjectsoftheirdepredations，andtheirskillandaudacityinstealingthemaresaidtobeastonishing。Thisistheirgloryanddelight;anaccomplishedhorse-stealerfillsuptheirideaofahero。Manyhorsesareobtainedbythem，also，inbarterfromtribesinandbeyondthemountains。Theyhaveanabsolutepassionforthisnobleanimal;besideswhichheiswiththemanimportantobjectoftraffic。OnceayeartheymakeavisittotheMandans，Minatarees，andothertribesoftheMissouri，takingwiththemdrovesofhorseswhichtheyexchangeforguns，ammunition，trinkets，vermilion，clothsofbrightcolors，andvariousotherarticlesofEuropeanmanufacture。Withthesetheysupplytheirownwantsandcaprices，andcarryontheinternaltradeforhorsesalreadymentioned。
TheplotofRosetorobandabandonhiscountrymenwhenintheheartofthewilderness，andtothrowhimselfintothehandsofsavages，mayappearstrangeandimprobabletothoseunacquaintedwiththesingularandanomalouscharactersthataretobefoundabouttheborders。Thisfellow，itappears，wasoneofthosedesperadoesofthefrontiers，outlawedbytheircrimes，whocombinethevicesofcivilizedandsavagelife，andaretentimesmorebarbarousthantheIndianswithwhomtheyconsort。RosehadformerlybelongedtooneofthegangsofpirateswhoinfestedtheislandsoftheMississippi，plunderingboatsastheywentupanddowntheriver，andwhosometimesshiftedthesceneoftheirrobberiestotheshore，waylayingtravellersastheyreturnedbylandfromNewOrleanswiththeproceedsoftheirdownwardvoyage，plunderingthemoftheirmoneyandeffects，andoftenperpetratingthemostatrociousmurders。
Thesehordesofvillainsbeingbrokenupanddispersed，Rosehadbetakenhimselftothewilderness，andassociatedhimselfwiththeCrows，whosepredatoryhabitswerecongenialwithhisown，hadmarriedawomanofthetribe，and，inshort，hadidentifiedhimselfwiththosevagrantsavages。
Suchwastheworthyguideandinterpreter，EdwardRose。Wegivehisstory，however，notasitwasknowntoMr。Huntandhiscompanionsatthetime，butasithasbeensubsequentlyascertained。EnoughwasknownofthefellowandhisdarkandperfidiouscharactertoputMr。Huntuponhisguard:still，astherewasnoknowinghowfarhisplansmighthavesucceeded，andasanyrashactmightblowthemeresmoulderingsparksoftreasonintoasuddenblaze，itwasthoughtadvisablebythosewithwhomMr。Huntconsulted，toconcealallknowledgeorsuspicionofthemeditatedtreachery，buttokeepupavigilantwatchuponthemovementsofRose，andastrictguarduponthehorsesatnight。
CHAPTERXXV。
SubstituteforFuelonthePrairies-FossilTrees-FiercenessoftheBuffaloesWheninHeat-ThreeHuntersMissing-SignalFiresandSmokes-UneasinessConcerningtheLostMen-APlantoForestallaRogue-NewArrangementWithRose-ReturnoftheWanderers。
THEplainsoverwhichthetravellerswerejourneyingcontinuedtobedestituteoftreesorevenshrubs;insomuchthattheyhadtousethedungofthebuffaloforfuel，astheArabsofthedesertusethatofthecamel。ThissubstituteforfuelisuniversalamongtheIndiansoftheseupperprairies，andissaidtomakeafireequaltothatofturf。Ifafewchipsareadded，itthrowsoutacheerfulandkindlyblaze。
Theseplains，however，hadnotalwaysbeenequallydestituteofwood，aswasevidentfromthetrunksofthetreeswhichthetravellersrepeatedlymetwith，somestillstanding，otherslyingaboutinbrokenfragments，butallinafossilstate，havingflourishedintimeslongpast。Inthesesingularremains，theoriginalgrainofthewoodwasstillsodistinctthattheycouldbeascertainedtobetheruinsofoaktrees。Severalpiecesofthefossilwoodwereselectedbythementoserveaswhetstones。
Inthispartofthejourneytherewasnolackofprovisions，fortheprairieswerecoveredwithimmenseherdsofbuffalo。These，ingeneral，areanimalsofpeacefuldemeanor，grazingquietlylikedomesticcattle;butthiswastheseasonwhentheyareinheat，andwhenthebullsareusuallyfierceandpugnacious。Therewasaccordinglyauniversalrestlessnessandcommotionthroughouttheplain;andtheamorousherdsgaveutterancetotheirfeelingsinlowbellowingsthatresoundedlikedistantthunder。Hereandtherefierceduellostookplacebetweenrivalenamorados;buttingtheirhugeshaggedfrontstogether，goringeachotherwiththeirshortblackhorns，andtearinguptheearthwiththeirfeetinperfectfury。
Inoneoftheeveninghalts，PierreDorion，theinterpreter，togetherwithCarsonandGardpie，twoofthehunters，weremissing，norhadtheyreturnedbymorning。Asitwassupposedtheyhadwanderedawayinpursuitofbuffalo，andwouldreadilyfindthetrackoftheparty，nosolicitudewasfeltontheiraccount。Afirewasleftburning，toguidethembyitscolumnofsmoke，andthetravellersproceededontheirmarch。Intheeveningasignalfirewasmadeonahilladjacenttothecamp，andinthemorningitwasreplenishedwithfuelsoastolastthroughouttheday。ThesesignalsareusualamongtheIndians，togivewarningstoeachother，ortocallhomestragglinghunters;
andsuchisthetransparencyoftheatmosphereinthoseelevatedplains，thataslightcolumnofsmokecanbediscernedfromagreatdistance，particularlyintheevenings。Twoorthreedayselapsed，however，withoutthereappearanceofthethreehunters;
andMr。Huntslackenedhismarchtogivethemtimetoovertakehim。
AvigilantwatchcontinuedtobekeptuponthemovementsofRose，andofsuchofthemenaswereconsidereddoubtfulintheirloyalty;butnothingoccurredtoexciteimmediateapprehensions。
Roseevidentlywasnotafavoriteamonghiscomrades，anditwashopedthathehadnotbeenabletomakeanyrealpartisans。
Onthe10thofAugusttheyencampedamonghills，onthehighestpeakofwhichMr。Huntcausedahugepyreofpinewoodtobemade，whichsoonsentupagreatcolumnofflamethatmightbeseenfarandwideovertheprairies。Thisfireblazedallnight，andwasamplyreplenishedatdaybreak;sothatthetoweringpillarofsmokecouldnotbutbedescriedbythewanderersifwithinthedistanceofaday’sjourney。
Itisacommonoccurrenceintheseregions，wherethefeaturesofthecountrysomuchresembleeachother，forhunterstolosethemselvesandwanderformanydays，beforetheycanfindtheirwaybacktothemainbodyoftheirparty。Inthepresentinstance，however，amorethancommonsolicitudewasfelt，inconsequenceofthedistrustawakenedbythesinisterdesignsofRose。
Theroutenowbecameexcessivelytoilsome，overaridgeofsteeprockyhills，coveredwithloosestones。Thesewereintersectedbydeepvalleys，formedbytwobranchesofBigRiver，comingfromthesouthofwest，bothofwhichtheycrossed。Thesestreamswereborderedbymeadows，wellstockedwithbuffaloes。Loadsofmeatwerebroughtinbythehunters;butthetravellerswererendereddaintybyprofusion，andwouldcookonlythechoicepieces。
Theyhadnowtravelledforseveraldaysataveryslowrate，andhadmadesignal-firesandlefttracesoftheirrouteateverystage，yetnothingwasheardorseenofthelostmen。Itbegantobefearedthattheymighthavefallenintothehandsofsomelurkingbandofsavages。ApartynumerousasthatofMr。Hunt，withalongtrainofpackhorses，movingacrossplainsornakedhills，isdiscoverableatagreatdistancebyIndianscouts，whospreadtheintelligencerapidlytovariouspoints，andassembletheirfriendstohangabouttheskirtsofthetravellers，stealtheirhorses，orcutoffanystragglersfromthemainbody。
Mr。HuntandhiscompanionsweremoreandmoresensiblehowmuchitwouldbeinthepowerofthissullenanddaringvagabondRose，todothemmischief，whentheyshouldbecomeentangledinthedefilesofthemountains，withthepassesofwhichtheywerewhollyunacquainted，andwhichwereinfestedbyhisfreebootingfriends，theCrows。There，shouldhesucceedinseducingsomeofthepartyintohisplans，hemightcarryoffthebesthorsesandeffects，throwhimselfamonghissavageallies，andsetallpursuitatdefiance。Mr。Huntresolved，therefore，tofrustratetheknave，diverthim，bymanagement，fromhisplans，andmakeitsufficientlyadvantageousforhimtoremainhonest。
Hetookoccasion，accordingly，inthecourseofconversation，toinformRosethat，havingengagedhimchieflyasaguideandinterpreterthroughthecountryoftheCrows，theywouldnotstandinneedofhisservicesbeyond。Knowing，therefore，hisconnectionbymarriagewiththattribe，andhispredilectionforaresidenceamongthem，theywouldputnorestraintuponhiswill，but，whenevertheymetwithapartyofthatpeople，wouldleavehimatlibertytoremainamonghisadoptedbrethren。
Furthermore，that，inthuspartingwithhim，theywouldpayhimahalfayear’swagesinconsiderationofhispastservices，andwouldgivehimahorse，threebeavertraps，andsundryotherarticlescalculatedtosethimupintheworld。
Thisunexpectedliberality，whichmadeitnearlyasprofitableandinfinitelylesshazardousforRosetoremainhonestthantoplaytherogue，completelydisarmedhim。Fromthattimehiswholedeportmentunderwentachange。Hisbrowclearedupandappearedmorecheerful;heleftoffhissullen，skulkinghabits，andmadenofurtherattemptstotamperwiththefaithofhiscomrades。
Onthe13thofAugustMr。Huntvariedhiscourse，andinclinedwestward，inhopesoffallinginwiththethreelosthunters;
who，itwasnowthought，mighthavekepttotherighthandofBigRiver。ThiscoursesoonbroughthimtoaforkoftheLittleMissouri，aboutahundredyardswide，andresemblingthegreatriverofthesamenameinthestrengthofitscurrent，itsturbidwater，andthefrequencyofdrift-woodandsunkentrees。
Ruggedmountainsappearedahead，crowdingdowntothewateredge，andofferingabarriertofurtherprogressonthesidetheywereascending。Crossingtheriver，therefore，theyencampedonitsnorthwestbank，wheretheyfoundgoodpasturageandbuffaloinabundance。Theweatherwasovercastandrainy，andageneralgloompervadedthecamp;thevoyageurssatsmokingingroups，withtheirshouldersashighastheirheads，croakingtheirforeboding，whensuddenlytowardseveningashoutofjoygavenoticethatthelostmenwerefound。Theycameslowlylaggingintocamp，withwearylooks，andhorsesjadedandwayworn。Theyhad，infact，beenforseveraldaysincessantlyonthemove。Intheirhuntingexcursionontheprairiestheyhadpushedsofarinpursuitofbuffalo，astofinditimpossibletoretracetheirstepsoverplainstrampledbyinnumerableherds;andwerebaffledbythemonotonyofthelandscapeintheirattemptstorecalllandmarks。Theyhadriddentoandfrountiltheyhadalmostlostthepointsofthecompass，andbecametotallybewildered;nordidtheyeverperceiveanyofthesignalfiresandcolumnsofsmokemadebytheircomrades。Atlength，abouttwodayspreviously，whenalmostspentbyanxietyandhardriding，theycame，totheirgreatjoy，uponthe“trail“oftheparty，whichtheyhadsincefollowedupsteadily。
Thoseonlywhohaveexperiencedthewarmcordialitythatgrowsupbetweencomradesinwildandadventurousexpeditionsofthekind，canpicturetothemselvestheheartycheeringwithwhichthestragglerswerewelcomedtothecamp。Everyonecrowdedroundthemtoaskquestions，andtohearthestoryoftheirmishaps;
andeventhesquawofthemoodyhalf-breed，PierreDorion，forgotthesternnessofhisdomesticrule，andtheconjugaldisciplineofthecudgel，inherjoyathissafereturn。
CHAPTERXXVI。
TheBlackMountains-HauntsofPredatoryIndians-TheirWildandBrokenAppearance-SuperstitionsConcerningThem-ThunderSpirits-SingularNoisesintheMountains-SecretMines-HiddenTreasures-MountainsinLabor-ScientificExplanation-
ImpassableDefiles-Black-TailedDeer-TheBighornorAhsahta-
ProspectFromaLoftyHeight-PlainWithHerdsofBuffalo-
DistantPeaksoftheRockyMountains-AlarmsintheCamp-
TracksofGrizzlyBears-DangerousNatureofThisAnimal-
AdventuresofWilliamCannonandJohnDayWithGrizzlyBears。
MR。HuntandhispartywerenowontheskirtsoftheBlackHills，orBlackMountains，astheyaresometimescalled;anextensivechain，lyingaboutahundredmileseastoftheRockyMountains，andstretchinginanortheastdirectionfromthesouthforkoftheNebraska，orPlatteRiver，tothegreatnorthbendoftheMissouri。TheSierraorridgeoftheBlackHills，infact，formsthedividinglinebetweenthewatersoftheMissouriandthoseoftheArkansasandtheMississippi，andgivesrisetotheCheyenne，theLittleMissouri，andseveraltributarystreamsoftheYellowstone。
Thewildrecessesofthesehills，likethoseoftheRockyMountains，areretreatsandlurking-placesforbrokenandpredatorytribes，anditwasamongthemthattheremnantsoftheCheyennetribetookrefuge，ashasbeenstated，fromtheirconqueringenemies，theSioux。
TheBlackHillsarechieflycomposedofsandstone，andinmanyplacesarebrokenintosavagecliffsandprecipices，andpresentthemostsingularandfantasticforms;sometimesresemblingtownsandcastellatedfortresses。Theignorantinhabitantsofplainsarepronetoclothethemountainsthatboundtheirhorizonwithfancifulandsuperstitiousattributes。Thusthewanderingtribesoftheprairies，whooftenbeholdcloudsgatheringroundthesummitsofthesehills，andlightningflashing，andthunderpealingfromthem，whenalltheneighboringplainsaresereneandsunny，considerthemtheabodeofthegeniiorthunder-spiritswhofabricatestormsandtempests。Onenteringtheirdefiles，therefore，theyoftenhangofferingsonthetrees，orplacethemontherocks，topropitiatetheinvisible“lordsofthemountains。”andprocuregoodweatherandsuccessfulhunting;andtheyattachunusualsignificancetotheechoeswhichhaunttheprecipices。Thissuperstitionmayalsohavearisen，inpart，fromanaturalphenomenonofasingularnature。Inthemostcalmandsereneweather，andatalltimesofthedayornight，successivereportsarenowandthenheardamongthesemountains，resemblingthedischargeofseveralpiecesofartillery。SimilarreportswereheardbyMessrs。LewisandClarkeintheRockyMountains，whichtheysaywereattributedbytheIndianstotheburstingoftherichminesofsilvercontainedinthebosomofthemountains。
Infact，thesesingularexplosionshavereceivedfancifulexplanationsfromlearnedmen，andhavenotbeensatisfactorilyaccountedforevenbyphilosophers。TheyaresaidtooccurfrequentlyinBrazil。Vasconcelles，Jesuitfather，describesonewhichheheardintheSierra，ormountainregionofPiratininga，andwhichhecomparestothedischargesofaparkofartillery。
TheIndianstoldhimthatitwasanexplosionofstones。Theworthyfatherhadsoonasatisfactoryproofofthetruthoftheirinformation，fortheveryplacewasfoundwherearockhadburstandexplodedfromitsentrailsastonymass，likeabomb-shell，andofthesizeofabull’sheart。Thismasswasbrokeneitherinitsejectionoritsfall，andwonderfulwastheinternalorganizationrevealed。Ithadashellhardereventhaniron;
withinwhichwerearranged，liketheseedsofapomegranate，jewelsofvariouscolors;sometransparentascrystals;othersofafinered，andothersofmixedhues。ThesamephenomenonissaidtooccuroccasionallyintheadjacentprovinceofGuayra，wherestonesofthebignessofaman’shandareexploded，withaloudnoise，fromthebosomoftheearth，andscatteraboutglitteringandbeautifulfragmentsthatlooklikepreciousgems，butareofnovalue。
TheIndiansoftheOrellanna，also，tellofhorriblenoisesheardoccasionallyintheParaguaxo，whichtheyconsiderthethroesandgroansofthemountains，endeavoringtocastforththepreciousstoneshiddenwithinitsentrails。Othershaveendeavoredtoaccountforthesedischargesof“mountainartillery“onhumblerprinciples;attributingthemtotheloudreportsmadebythedisruptionandfallofgreatmassesofrock，reverberatedandprolongedbytheechoes;others，tothedisengagementofhydrogen，producedbysubterraneousbedsofcoalinastateofignition。Inwhateverwaythissingularphenomenonmaybeaccountedfor，theexistenceofitappearstobewellestablished。Itremainsoneofthelingeringmysteriesofnaturewhichthrowsomethingofasupernaturalcharmoverherwildmountainsolitudes;andwedoubtwhethertheimaginativereaderwillnotratherjoinwiththepoorIndianinattributingittothethunderspirits，ortheguardiangeniiofunseentreasures，thantoanycommonplacephysicalcause。
Whatevermightbethesupernaturalinfluencesamongthesemountains，thetravellersfoundtheirphysicaldifficultieshardtocopewith。Theymaderepeatedattemptstofindapassagethroughoroverthechain，butwereasoftenturnedbackbyimpassablebarriers。Sometimesadefileseemedtoopenapracticablepath，butitwouldterminateinsomewildchaosofrocksandcliffs，whichitwasimpossibletoclimb。Theanimalsofthesesolitaryregionsweredifferentfromthosetheyhadbeenaccustomedto。Theblack-taileddeerwouldbounduptheravinesontheirapproach，andthebighornwouldgazefearlesslydownuponthemfromsomeimpendingprecipice，orskipplayfullyfromrocktorock。Theseanimalsareonlytobemetwithinmountainousregions。Theformerislargerthanthecommondeer，butitsfleshisnotequallyesteemedbyhunters。Ithasverylargeears，andthetipofthetailisblack，fromwhichitderivesitsname。
Thebighornissonamedfromitshorns;whichareofagreatsize，andtwistedlikethoseofaram。Itiscalledbysometheargali，byotherstheibex，thoughdifferingfrombothoftheseanimals。TheMandanscallittheahsahta，anamemuchbetterthantheclumsyappellationwhichitgenerallybears。Itisofthesizeofasmallelk，orlargedeer，andofaduncolor，exceptingthebellyandroundthetail，whereitiswhite。Initshabitsitresemblesthegoat，frequentingtherudestprecipices;croppingtheherbagefromtheiredges;andlikethechamois，boundinglightlyandsecurelyamongdizzyheights，wherethehunterdaresnotventure。Itisdifficult，therefore，togetwithinshotofit。BenJonesthehunter，however，inoneofthepassesoftheBlackHills，succeededinbringingdownabighornfromthevergeofaprecipice，thefleshofwhichwaspronouncedbythegormandsofthecamptohavetheflavorofexcellentmutton。
Baffledinhisattemptstotraversethismountainchain，Mr。Huntskirtedalongittothesouthwest，keepingitontheright;andstillinhopesoffindinganopening。Atanearlyhouroneday，heencampedinanarrowvalleyonthebanksofabeautifullyclearbutrushypool;surroundedbythicketsbearingabundanceofwildcherries，currants，andyellowandpurplegooseberries。
Whiletheafternoon’smealwasinpreparation，Mr。HuntandMr。
M’Kenzieascendedtothesummitofthenearesthill，fromwhence，aidedbythepurityandtransparencyoftheeveningatmosphere，theycommandedavastprospectonallsides。Belowthemextendedaplain，dottedwithinnumerableherdsofbuffalo。Somewerelyingamongtheherbage，othersroamingintheirunboundedpastures，whilemanywereengagedinfiercecontestslikethosealreadydescribed，theirlowbellowingsreachingtheearlikethehoarsemurmursofthesurfonadistantshore。
Faroffinthewesttheydescriedarangeofloftymountainsprintingtheclearhorizon，someofthemevidentlycappedwithsnow。ThesetheysupposedtobetheBighornMountains，socalledfromtheanimalofthatname，withwhichtheyabound。TheyareaspurofthegreatRockychain。ThehillfromwhenceMr。Hunthadthisprospectwas，accordingtohiscomputation，abouttwohundredandfiftymilesfromtheArickaravillage。
Onreturningtothecamp，Mr。HuntfoundsomeuneasinessprevailingamongtheCanadianvoyageurs。Instrayingamongthethicketstheyhadbeheldtracksofgrizzlybearsineverydirection，doubtlessattractedthitherbythefruit。Totheirdismay，theynowfoundthattheyhadencampedinoneofthefavoriteresortsofthisdreadedanimal。Theideamarredallthecomfortoftheencampment。Asnightclosed，thesurroundingthicketswerepeopledwithterrors;insomuchthat，accordingtoMr。Hunt，theycouldnothelpstartingateverylittlebreezethatstirredthebushes。