Thebeverageworkedtoacharm；thecancirculatedmerrily；thefirstdeepdraughtwashed
　　outevery
　　carefromthemindoftheveteran；thesecondelevatedhisspirittotheclouds。Hewas，infact，a
　　boon
　　companion；asallveteranCanadiantradersareapttobe。Henowbecameglorious；talkedoverall
　　hisexploits，hishuntings，hisfightingswithIndianbraves，hisloveswithIndianbeauties；sang
　　snatchesofoldFrenchditties，andCanadianboatsongs；drankdeeperanddeeper，sanglouder
　　and
　　louder；until，havingreachedaclimaxofdrunkengayety，hegraduallydeclined，andatlengthfell
　　fast
　　asleepupontheground。Afteralongnapheagainraisedhishead，imbibedanotherpotationofthe“sweetandstrong，“flashedupwithanotherslightblazeofFrenchgayety，andagainfellasleep。Themorningfoundhimstilluponthefieldofaction，butinsadandsorrowfulcondition；
　　sufferingthe
　　penaltiesofpastpleasures，andcallingtomindthecaptain”sdulcetcompound，withmanyaretch
　　and
　　spasm。Itseemedasifthehoneyandalcohol，whichhadpassedsogliblyandsmoothlyoverhis
　　tongue，wereatwarwithinhisstomach；andthathehadaswarmofbeeswithinhishead。Inshort，
　　sohelplessandwoebegonewashisplight，thathispartyproceededontheirmarchwithouthim；
　　thecaptainpromisedtobringhimoninsafetyintheafterpartoftheday。Assoonasthispartyhadmovedoff，CaptainBonneville”smenproceededtoconstructand
　　filltheir
　　cache；andjustasitwascompletedthepartyofWyethwasdescriedatadistance。Inamomentall
　　wasactivitytotaketheroad。Thehorseswerepreparedandmounted；andbeinglightenedofa
　　great
　　partoftheirburdens，wereabletomovewithcelerity。Astotheworthyconviveofthepreceding
　　evening，hewascarefullygatheredupfromthehunter”scouchonwhichhelay，repentantand
　　supine，
　　and，beingpackedupononeofthehorses，washurriedforwardwiththeconvoy，groaningandejaculatingateveryjolt。Inthecourseoftheday，Wyeth，beinglightlymounted，rodeaheadofhisparty，andovertook
　　Captain
　　Bonneville。Theirmeetingwasfriendlyandcourteous；andtheydiscussed，sociably，their
　　respective
　　fortunessincetheyseparatedonthebanksoftheBighorn。Wyethannouncedhisintentionof
　　establishingasmalltradingpostatthemouthofthePortneuf，andleavingafewmenthere，witha
　　quantityofgoods，totradewiththeneighboringIndians。Hewascompelled，infact，tothis
　　measure，
　　inconsequenceoftherefusaloftheRockyMountainFurCompanytotakeasupplyofgoods
　　which
　　hehadbroughtoutforthemaccordingtocontract；andwhichhehadnoothermodeofdisposing
　　of。
　　HefurtherinformedCaptainBonnevillethatthecompetitionbetweentheRockyMountainand
　　AmericanFurCompanieswhichhadledtosuchnefariousstratagemsanddeadlyfeuds，wasatan
　　end；
　　theyhavingdividedthecountrybetweenthem，allottingboundarieswithinwhicheachwasto
　　tradeandhunt，soasnottointerferewiththeother。IncompanywithWyethweretravellingtwomenofscience；Mr。Nuttall，thebotanist；the
　　samewho
　　ascendedtheMissouriatthetimeoftheexpeditiontoAstoria；andMr。Townshend，an
　　ornithologist；
　　fromthesegentlemenwemaylookforwardtoimportantinformationconcerningtheseinteresting
　　regions。Therewerethreereligiousmissionaries，also，boundtotheshoresoftheColumbia，to
　　spreadthelightoftheGospelinthatfarwilderness。Afterridingforsometimetogether，infriendlyconversation，Wyethreturnedtohisparty，
　　andCaptain
　　Bonnevillecontinuedtopressforward，andtogainground。Atnighthesentoffthesadlysober
　　and
　　moralizingchiefoftheHudson”sBayCompany，underaproperescort，torejoinhispeople；his
　　route
　　branchingoffinadifferentdirection。Thelattertookacordialleaveofhishost，hoping，onsomefutureoccasion，torepayhishospitalityinkind。Inthemorningthecaptainwasearlyonthemarch；throwingscoutsoutfarahead，toscour
　　hilland
　　dale，insearchofbuffalo。Hehadconfidentlyexpectedtofindgameinabundance，onthehead-watersofthePortneuf；butonreachingthatregion，notatrackwastobeseen。Atlength，oneofthescouts，whohadmadeawidesweepawaytothehead-watersofthe
　　Blackfoot
　　River，discoveredgreatherdsquietlygrazingintheadjacentmeadows。Hesetoutonhisreturn，
　　to
　　reporthisdiscoveries；butnightovertakinghim，hewaskindlyandhospitablyentertainedatthe
　　camp
　　ofWyeth。Assoonasdaydawnedhehastenedtohisowncampwiththewelcomeintelligence；
　　andaboutteno”clockofthesamemorning，CaptainBonneville”spartywereinthemidstofthegame。Thepackswerescarcelyoffthebacksofthemules，whentherunners，mountedonthe
　　fleetesthorses，
　　werefulltiltafterthebuffalo。Othersofthemenwerebusiederectingscaffolds，andother
　　contrivances，forjerkingordryingmeat；otherswerelightinggreatfiresforthesamepurpose；
　　soon
　　thehuntersbegantomaketheirappearance，bringinginthechoicestmorselsofbuffalomeat；
　　these
　　wereplaceduponthescaffolds，andthewholecamppresentedasceneofsingularhurryand
　　activity。
　　Atdaylightthenextmorning，therunnersagaintookthefield，withsimilarsuccess；and，afteran
　　intervalofreposemadetheirthirdandlastchase，abouttwelveo”clock；forbythistime，Wyeth”s
　　party
　　wasinsight。Thegamebeingnowdrivenintoavalley，atsomedistance，Wyethwasobligedtofix
　　hiscampthere；buthecameintheeveningtopayCaptainBonnevilleavisit。Hewasaccompanied
　　byCaptainStewart，theamateurtraveller；whohadnotyetsatedhisappetitefortheadventurous
　　life
　　ofthewilderness。Withhim，also，wasaMr。M”Kay，ahalf-breed；sonoftheunfortunate
　　adventurer
　　ofthesamenamewhocameoutinthefirstmaritimeexpeditiontoAstoriaandwasblownupin
　　theTonquin。HissonhadgrownupintheemployoftheBritishfurcompanies；andwasa
　　primehunter，andadaringpartisan。Heheld，moreover，afarminthevalleyoftheWallamut。Thethreevisitors，whentheyreachedCaptainBonneville”scamp，weresurprisedtofindno
　　oneinit
　　buthimselfandthreemen；hispartybeingdispersedinalldirections，tomakethemostoftheir
　　present
　　chanceforhunting。Theyremonstratedwithhimontheimprudenceofremainingwithsotriflinga
　　guardinaregionsofullofdanger。CaptainBonnevillevindicatedthepolicyofhisconduct。He
　　never
　　hesitatedtosendoutallhishunters，whenanyimportantobjectwastobeattained；andexperience
　　hadtaughthimthathewasmostsecurewhenhisforceswerethusdistributedoverthe
　　surrounding
　　country。Hethenwassurethatnoenemycouldapproach，fromanydirection，withoutbeing
　　discoveredbyhishunters；whohaveaquickeyefordetectingtheslightestsignsoftheproximity
　　ofIndians；andwhowouldinstantlyconveyintelligencetothecamp。Thecaptainnowsettoworkwithhismen，toprepareasuitableentertainmentforhisguests。
　　Itwas
　　atimeofplentyinthecamp；ofprimehunters”dainties；ofbuffalohumps，andbuffalotongues；
　　and
　　roastedribs，andbroiledmarrow-bones：allthesewerecookedinhunters”style；servedupwitha
　　profusionknownonlyonaplentifulhuntingground，anddiscussedwithanappetitethatwould
　　astonish
　　thepunygourmandsofthecities。Butaboveall，andtogiveabacchanaliangracetothistruly
　　masculinerepast，thecaptainproducedhismellifluouskegofhome-brewednectar，whichhad
　　been
　　sopotentoverthesensesoftheveteranofHudson”sBay。Potations，pottledeep，againwent
　　round；
　　neverdidbeverageexcitegreaterglee，ormeetwithmorerapturouscommendation。Theparties
　　were
　　fastadvancingtothathappystatewhichwouldhaveinsuredamplecauseforthenextday”s
　　repentance；andthebeeswerealreadybeginningtobuzzabouttheirears，whenamessengercame
　　spurringtothecampwithintelligencethatWyeth”speoplehadgotentangledinoneofthosedeep
　　and
　　frightfulravines，piledwithimmensefragmentsofvolcanicrock，whichgashthewholecountry
　　about
　　thehead-watersoftheBlackfootRiver。Therevelwasinstantlyatanend；thekegofsweetand
　　potent
　　home-brewedwasdeserted；andtheguestsdepartedwithallspeedtoaidinextricatingtheir
　　companionsfromthevolcanicravine。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter43[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter43Arapidmarch——Acloudofdust——Wildhorsemen——“HighJinks“——Horseracingand
　　rifle-shooting——
　　Thegameofhand——Thefishingseason——Modeoffishing——Tablelands——Salmonfishers——
　　The
　　captain”svisittoanIndianlodge——TheIndiangirl——Thepocketmirror——Supper——Troublesofanevilconscience。“UPandaway！“isthefirstthoughtatdaylightoftheIndiantrader，whenarivalisathand
　　and
　　distanceistobegained。Earlyinthemorning，CaptainBonnevilleorderedthehalfdriedmeatto
　　be
　　packeduponthehorses，andleavingWyethandhispartytohuntthescatteredbuffalo，pushedoff
　　rapidlytotheeast，toregaintheplainofthePortneuf。Hismarchwasruggedanddangerous；
　　through
　　volcanichills，brokenintocliffsandprecipices；andseamedwithtremendouschasms，wheretherocksroselikewalls。Onthesecondday，however，heencampedoncemoreintheplain，andasitwasstillearly
　　someof
　　themenstrolledouttotheneighboringhills。Incastingtheireyesroundthecountry，they
　　perceived
　　agreatcloudofdustrisinginthesouth，andevidentlyapproaching。Hasteningbacktothecamp，
　　they
　　gavethealarm。Preparationswereinstantlymadetoreceiveanenemy；whilesomeofthemen，
　　throwingthemselvesuponthe“runninghorses“keptforhunting，gallopedofftoreconnoitre。Ina
　　littlewhile，theymadesignalsfromadistancethatallwasfriendly。Bythistimethecloudofdust
　　hadsweptonasifhurriedalongbyablast，andabandofwildhorsemencamedashingatfull
　　leap
　　intothecamp，yellingandwhoopinglikesomanymaniacs。Theirdresses，theiraccoutrements，
　　their
　　modeofriding，andtheiruncouthclamor，madethemseemapartyofsavagesarrayedforwar；
　　but
　　theyprovedtobeprincipallyhalf-breeds，andwhitemengrownsavageinthewilderness，who
　　wereemployedastrappersandhuntersintheserviceoftheHudson”sBayCompany。Herewasagain“highjinks“inthecamp。CaptainBonneville”smenhailedthesewild
　　scamperersas
　　congenialspirits，orratherastheverygamebirdsoftheirclass。Theyentertainedthemwiththe
　　hospitalityofmountaineers，feastingthemateveryfire。Atfirst，thereweremutualdetailsof
　　adventuresandexploits，andbroadjokingmingledwithpealsoflaughter。Thencameonboasting
　　ofthecomparativemeritsofhorsesandrifles，whichsoonengrossedeverytongue。Thisnaturally
　　ledtoracing，andshootingatamark；onetrialofspeedandskillsucceededanother，shoutsand
　　acclamationsrosefromthevictoriousparties，fiercealtercationssucceeded，andageneralmelee
　　was
　　abouttotakeplace，whensuddenlytheattentionofthequarrellerswasarrestedbyastrangekind
　　of
　　Indianchantorchorus，thatseemedtooperateuponthemasacharm。Theirfurywasatanend；a
　　tacitreconciliationsucceededandtheideasofthewholemongrelcrowdwhites，half-breedsand
　　squawswereturnedinanewdirection。Theyallformedintogroupsandtakingtheirplacesat
　　the
　　severalfires，preparedforoneofthemostexcitingamusementsoftheNezPercesandtheother
　　tribesoftheFarWest。Thechoralchant，infact，whichhadthusactedasacharm，wasakindofwild
　　accompanimenttothe
　　favoriteIndiangameof“Hand。”Thisisplayedbytwopartiesdrawnoutinoppositeplatoons
　　before
　　ablazingfire。Itisinsomerespectsliketheoldgameofpassingtheringorthebutton，and
　　detecting
　　thehandwhichholdsit。Inthepresentgame，theobjecthidden，orthecacheasitis
　　calledbythe
　　trappers，isasmallsplintofwood，orotherdiminutivearticlethatmaybeconcealedintheclosed
　　hand。Thisispassedbackwardandforwardamongtheparty“inhand，“whiletheparty“outof
　　hand“
　　guesswhereitisconcealed。Toheightentheexcitementandconfusetheguessers，anumberof
　　dry
　　polesarelaidbeforeeachplatoon，uponwhichthemembersoftheparty“inhand“beatfuriously
　　withshortstaves，keepingtimetothechoralchantalreadymentioned，whichwaxesfastand
　　furious
　　asthegameproceeds。Aslargebetsarestakeduponthegame，theexcitementisprodigious。Each
　　partyinturnburstsoutinfullchorus，beating，andyelling，andworkingthemselvesupintosuch
　　a
　　heatthattheperspirationrollsdowntheirnakedshoulders，eveninthecoldofawinternight。The
　　betsaredoubledandtrebledasthegameadvances，thementalexcitementincreasesalmostto
　　madness，andalltheworldlyeffectsofthegamblersareoftenhazardeduponthepositionofastraw。Thesegamblinggameswerekeptupthroughoutthenight；everyfireglareduponagroup
　　thatlooked
　　likeacrewofmaniacsattheirfranticorgies，andthescenewouldhavebeenkeptupthroughout
　　the
　　succeedingday，hadnotCaptainBonnevilleinterposedhisauthority，and，attheusualhour，
　　issuedhismarchingorders。ProceedingdownthecourseofSnakeRiver，thehuntersregularlyreturnedtocampinthe
　　evening
　　ladenwithwildgeese，whichwereyetscarcelyabletofly，andwereeasilycaughtingreat
　　numbers。
　　Itwasnowtheseasonoftheannualfish-feast，withwhichtheIndiansinthesepartscelebratethe
　　first
　　appearanceofthesalmoninthisriver。Thesefisharetakeningreatnumbersatthenumerous
　　falls
　　ofaboutfourfeetpitch。TheIndiansflanktheshallowwaterjustbelow，andspearthemasthey
　　attempttopass。Inwidepartsoftheriver，also，theyplaceasortofchevaux-de-frize，orfence，of
　　polesinterwovenwithwithes，andforminganangleinthemiddleofthecurrent，whereasmall
　　openingisleftforthesalmontopass。AroundthisopeningtheIndiansstationthemselveson
　　smallrafts，andplytheirspearswithgreatsuccess。Thetablelandssocommoninthisregionhaveasandysoil，inconsiderableindepth，and
　　covered
　　withsage，ormoreproperlyspeaking，wormwood。Belowthisisalevelstratumofrock，riven
　　occasionallybyfrightfulchasms。Thewholeplainrisesasitapproachestheriver，andterminates
　　withhighandbrokencliffs，difficulttopass，andinmanyplacessoprecipitousthatitis
　　impossible，
　　fordaystogether，togetdowntothewater”sedge，togivedrinktothehorses。Thisobligesthe
　　travelleroccasionallytoabandonthevicinityoftheriver，andmakeawidesweepintotheinterior。ItwasnowfarinthemonthofJuly，andthepartysufferedextremelyfromsultryweather
　　anddusty
　　travelling。Thefliesandgnats，too，wereextremelytroublesometothehorses；especiallywhen
　　keepingalongtheedgeoftheriverwhereitrunsbetweenlowsand-banks。Wheneverthe
　　travellers
　　encampedintheafternoon，thehorsesretiredtothegravellyshoresandremainedthere，without
　　attemptingtofeeduntilthecooloftheevening。Astothetravellers，theyplungedintotheclear
　　and
　　coolcurrent，towashawaythedustoftheroadandrefreshthemselvesaftertheheatoftheday。
　　Thenightswerealwayscoolandpleasant。Atoneplacewheretheyencampedforsometime，theriverwasnearlyfivehundredyards
　　wide，and
　　studdedwithgrassyislands，adornedwithgrovesofwillowandcotton-wood。HeretheIndians
　　were
　　assembledingreatnumbers，andhadbarricadedthechannelsbetweentheislands，toenablethem
　　tospearthesalmonwithgreaterfacility。Theywereatimidrace，andseemedunaccustomedto
　　the
　　sightofwhitemen。Enteringoneofthehuts，CaptainBonnevillefoundtheinhabitantsjust
　　proceedingtocookafinesalmon。Itisputintoapotfilledwithcoldwater，andhungoverthe
　　fire。Themomentthewaterbeginstoboil，thefishisconsideredcooked。Takinghisseatunceremoniously，andlightinghispipe，thecaptainawaitedthecooking
　　ofthe
　　fish，intendingtoinvitehimselftotherepast。Theownerofthehutseemedtotakehisintrusion
　　in
　　goodpart。Whileconversingwithhimthecaptainfeltsomethingmovebehindhim，andturning
　　roundandremovingafewskinsandoldbuffalorobes，discoveredayounggirl，aboutfourteen
　　years
　　ofage，crouchedbeneath，whodirectedherlargeblackeyesfullinhisface，andcontinuedto
　　gaze
　　inmutesurpriseandterror。Thecaptainendeavoredtodispelherfears，anddrawingabright
　　ribbon
　　fromhispocket，attemptedrepeatedlytotieitroundherneck。Shejerkedbackateachattempt，
　　utteringasoundverymuchlikeasnarl；norcouldalltheblandishmentsofthecaptain，albeita
　　pleasant，good-looking，andsomewhatgallantman，succeedinconqueringtheshynessofthe
　　savagelittle
　　beauty。Hisattentionswerenowturnedtowardtheparents，whomhepresentedwithanawlanda
　　littletobacco，andhavingthussecuredtheirgood-will，continuedtosmokehispipe，andwatch
　　the
　　salmon。Whilethusseatednearthethreshold，anurchinofthefamilyapproachedthedoor，but
　　catchingasightofthestrangeguest，ranoffscreamingwithterrorandensconcedhimselfbehind
　　thelongstrawatthebackofthehut。Desiroustodispelentirelythistimidity，andtoopenatradewiththesimpleinhabitantsof
　　thehut，
　　who，hedidnotdoubt，hadfurssomewhereconcealed，thecaptainnowdrewforththatgrandlure
　　intheeyesofasavage，apocketmirror。Thesightofitwasirresistible。Afterexaminingitfora
　　long
　　timewithwonderandadmiration，theyproducedamusk-ratskin，andoffereditinexchange。
　　The
　　captainshookhishead；butpurchasedtheskinforacoupleofbuttons-superfluoustrinkets！as
　　theworthylordofthehovelhadneithercoatnorbreechesonwhichtoplacethem。Themirrorstillcontinuedthegreatobjectofdesire，particularlyintheeyesoftheold
　　housewife，
　　whoproducedapotofparchedflourandastringofbiscuitroots。Theseprocuredhersometrifle
　　in
　　return；butcouldnotcommandthepurchaseofthemirror。Thesalmonbeingnowcompletely
　　cooked，theyalljoinedheartilyinsupper。Abounteousportionwasdepositedbeforethecaptain
　　by
　　theoldwoman，uponsomefreshgrass，whichservedinsteadofaplatter；andneverhadhetasted
　　asalmonboiledsocompletelytohisfancy。Supperbeingover，thecaptainlightedhispipeandpassedittohishost，who，inhalingthe
　　smoke，
　　puffeditthroughhisnostrilssoassiduously，thatinalittlewhilehisheadmanifestedsignsof
　　confusionanddizziness。Beingsatisfied，bythistime，ofthekindlyandcompanionablequalities
　　ofthecaptain，hebecameeasyandcommunicative；andatlengthhintedsomethingabout
　　exchanging
　　beaverskinsforhorses。Thecaptainatonceofferedtodisposeofhissteed，whichstoodfastened
　　at
　　thedoor。Thebargainwassoonconcluded，whereupontheIndian，removingapileofbushes
　　underwhichhisvaluableswereconcealed，drewforththenumberofskinsagreeduponastheprice。Shortlyafterward，someofthecaptain”speoplecomingup，heorderedanotherhorsetobe
　　saddled，
　　and，mountingit，tookhisdeparturefromthehut，afterdistributingafewtriflingpresentsamong
　　its
　　simpleinhabitants。Duringallthetimeofhisvisit，thelittleIndiangirlhadkeptherlargeblack
　　eyes
　　fixeduponhim，almostwithoutwinking，watchingeverymovementwithaweandwonder；and
　　as
　　herodeoff，remainedgazingafterhim，motionlessasastatue。Herfather，however，delighted
　　with
　　hisnewacquaintance，mountedhisnewlypurchasedhorse，andfollowedinthetrainofthe
　　captain，
　　towhomhecontinuedtobeafaithfulandusefuladherentduringhissojournintheneighborhood。Thecowardlyeffectsofanevilconsciencewereevidencedintheconductofoneofthe
　　captain”s
　　men，whohadbeenintheCaliforniaexpedition。Duringalltheirintercoursewiththeharmless
　　peopleofthisplace，hehadmanifesteduneasinessandanxiety。Whilehiscompanionsmingled
　　freelyandjoyouslywiththenatives，hewentaboutwitharestless，suspiciouslook；scrutinizing
　　everypaintedformandfaceandstartingoftenatthesuddenapproachofsomemeekand
　　inoffensive
　　savage，whoregardedhimwithreverenceasasuperiorbeing。Yetthiswasordinarilyabold
　　fellow，
　　whoneverflinchedfromdanger，norturnedpaleattheprospectofabattle。Atlengthhe
　　requested
　　permissionofCaptainBonnevilletokeepoutofthewayofthesepeopleentirely。Theirstriking
　　resemblance，hesaid，tothepeopleofOgden”sRiver，madehimcontinuallyfearthatsome
　　among
　　themmighthaveseenhiminthatexpedition；andmightseekanopportunityofrevenge。Ever
　　after
　　this，whiletheyremainedinthisneighborhood，hewouldskulkoutofthewayandkeepaloof
　　when
　　anyofthenativeinhabitantsapproached。“Such，“observedCaptainBonneville，“istheeffectof
　　self-reproach，evenupontherovingtrapperinthewilderness，whohaslittleelsetofearthanthe
　　stings
　　ofhisownguiltyconscience。”[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter44[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter44Outfitofatrapper——Riskstowhichheissubjected——Partnershipoftrappers——Enmityof
　　Indians——Distantsmoke——Acountryonfire——GunCreek——GrandRondFinepastures——Perplexitiesinasmokycountry——Conflagrationofforests。IThadbeentheintentionofCaptainBonneville，indescendingalongSnakeRiver，toscatter
　　his
　　trappersuponthesmallerstreams。Inthiswayarangeofcountryistrappedbysmall
　　detachments
　　fromamainbody。Theoutfitofatrapperisgenerallyarifle，apoundofpowder，andfour
　　pounds
　　oflead，withabulletmould，seventraps，anaxe，ahatchet，aknifeandawl，acampkettle，two
　　blankets，and，wheresuppliesareplenty，sevenpoundsofflour。Hehas，generally，twoorthree
　　horses，tocarryhimselfandhisbaggageandpeltries。Twotrapperscommonlygotogether，for
　　the
　　purposesofmutualassistanceandsupport；alargerpartycouldnoteasilyescapetheeyesofthe
　　Indians。Itisaserviceofperil，andevenmoresoatpresentthanformerly，fortheIndians，since
　　they
　　havegotintothehabitoftraffickingpeltrieswiththetraders，havelearnedthevalueofthe
　　beaver，
　　andlookuponthetrappersaspoachers，whoarefilchingtherichesfromtheirstreams，andinterferingwiththeirmarket。Theymakenohesitation，therefore，tomurderthesolitary
　　trapper，and
　　thusdestroyacompetitor，whiletheypossessthemselvesofhisspoils。Itiswithregretweadd，
　　too，
　　thatthishostilityhasinmanycasesbeeninstigatedbytraders，desirousofinjuringtheirrivals，
　　butwhohavethemselvesoftenreapedthefruitsofthemischieftheyhavesown。Whentwotrappersundertakeanyconsiderablestream，theirmodeofproceedingis，tohide
　　their
　　horsesinsomelonelyglen，wheretheycangrazeunobserved。Theythenbuildasmallhut，dig
　　out
　　acanoefromacotton-woodtree，andinthispokealongshoresilently，intheevening，andset
　　their
　　traps。Thesetheyrevisitinthesamesilentwayatdaybreak。Whentheytakeanybeaverthey
　　bring
　　ithome，skinit，stretchtheskinsonstickstodry，andfeastupontheflesh。Thebody，hungup
　　before
　　thefire，turnsbyitsownweight，andisroastedinasuperiorstyle；thetailisthetrapperstidbit；it
　　iscutoff，putontheendofastick，andtoasted，andisconsideredevenagreaterdaintythanthetongueorthemarrow-boneofabuffalo。Withalltheirsilenceandcaution，however，thepoortrapperscannotalwaysescapetheir
　　hawk-eyed
　　enemies。Theirtrailhasbeendiscovered，perhaps，andfollowedupformanyamile；ortheir
　　smoke
　　hasbeenseencurlingupoutofthesecretglen，orhasbeenscentedbythesavages，whosesense
　　of
　　smellisalmostasacuteasthatofsight。Sometimestheyarepounceduponwhenintheactof
　　setting
　　theirtraps；atothertimes，theyarerousedfromtheirsleepbythehorridwar-whoop；or，perhaps，
　　haveabulletoranarrowwhistlingabouttheirears，inthemidstofoneoftheirbeaverbanquets。
　　In
　　thiswaytheyarepickedoff，fromtimetotime，andnothingisknownofthem，until，perchance，
　　their
　　bonesarefoundbleachinginsomelonelyravine，oronthebanksofsomenamelessstream，
　　which
　　fromthattimeiscalledafterthem。Manyofthesmallstreamsbeyondthemountainsthus
　　perpetuatethenamesofunfortunatetrappersthathavebeenmurderedontheirbanks。AknowledgeofthesedangersdeterredCaptainBonneville，inthepresentinstance，from
　　detaching
　　smallpartiesoftrappersashehadintended；forhisscoutsbroughthimwordthatformidable
　　bands
　　oftheBanneckIndianswerelyingontheBoiseeandPayetteRivers，atnogreatdistance，sothat
　　they
　　wouldbeapttodetectandcutoffanystragglers。Itbehoovedhim，also，tokeephisparty
　　together，
　　toguardagainstanypredatoryattackuponthemainbody；hecontinuedonhisway，therefore，
　　withoutdividinghisforces。Andfortunateitwasthathedidso；forinalittlewhilehe
　　encountered
　　oneofthephenomenaofthewesternwildsthatwouldeffectuallyhavepreventedhisscattered
　　peoplefromfindingeachotheragain。Inaword，itwastheseasonofsettingfiretotheprairies。
　　As
　　headvancedhebegantoperceivegreatcloudsofsmokeatadistance，risingbydegrees，and
　　spreadingoverthewholefaceofthecountry。Theatmospherebecamedryandsurchargedwith
　　murkyvapor，parchingtotheskin，andirritatingtotheeyes。Whentravellingamongthehills，
　　they
　　couldscarcelydiscernobjectsatthedistanceofafewpaces；indeed，theleastexertionofthe
　　vision
　　waspainful。Therewasevidentlysomevastconflagrationinthedirectiontowardwhichthey
　　were
　　proceeding；itwasasyetatagreatdistance，andduringthedaytheycouldonlyseethesmoke
　　rising
　　inlargeranddenservolumes，androllingforthinanimmensecanopy。Atnighttheskieswereall
　　glowingwiththereflectionofunseenfires，hanginginanimmensebodyofluridlighthighabovethehorizon。HavingreachedGunCreek，animportantstreamcomingfromtheleft，CaptainBonneville
　　turned
　　upitscourse，totraversethemountainandavoidthegreatbendofSnakeRiver。Beingnowoutof
　　therangeoftheBannecks，hesentouthispeopleinalldirectionstohunttheantelopeforpresentsupplies；keepingthedriedmeatsforplaceswheregamemightbescarce。DuringfourdaysthatthepartywereascendingGunCreek，thesmokecontinuedtoincrease
　　so
　　rapidlythatitwasimpossibletodistinguishthefaceofthecountryandascertainlandmarks。
　　Fortunately，thetravellersfelluponanIndiantrail。whichledthemtothehead-watersofthe
　　Fourche
　　deGlaceorIceRiver，sometimescalledtheGrandRond。Heretheyfoundalltheplainsand
　　valleys
　　wrappedinonevastconflagration；whichsweptoverthelonggrassinbillowsofflame，shotup
　　everybushandtree，roseingreatcolumnsfromthegroves，andsetupcloudsofsmokethat
　　darkened
　　theatmosphere。Toavoidthisseaoffire，thetravellershadtopursuetheircourseclosealongthe
　　footofthemountains；buttheirritationfromthesmokecontinuedtobetormenting。Thecountryaboutthehead-watersoftheGrandRondspreadsoutintobroadandlevel
　　prairies，
　　extremelyfertile，andwateredbymountainspringsandrivulets。Theseprairiesareresortedtoby
　　smallbandsoftheSkynses，topasturetheirhorses，aswellastobanquetsuponthesalmonwhich
　　aboundintheneighboringwaters。Theytakethesefishingreatquantitiesandwithouttheleast
　　difficulty；simplytakingthemoutofthewaterwiththeirhands，astheyflounderandstrugglein
　　the
　　numerouslongshoalsoftheprincipalstreams。Atthetimethetravellerspassedoverthese
　　prairies，
　　someofthenarrow，deepstreamsbywhichtheywereintersectedwerecompletelychokedwith
　　salmon，whichtheytookingreatnumbers。Thewolvesandbearsfrequentthesestreamsatthisseason，toavailthemselvesofthesegreatfisheries。Thetravellerscontinued，formanydays，toexperiencegreatdifficultiesanddiscomforts
　　fromthis
　　wideconflagration，whichseemedtoembracethewholewilderness。Thesunwasforagreatpart
　　of
　　thetimeobscuredbythesmoke，andtheloftiestmountainswerehiddenfromview。Blundering
　　alonginthisregionofmistanduncertainty，theywerefrequentlyobligedtomakelongcircuits，
　　to
　　avoidobstacleswhichtheycouldnotperceiveuntilcloseuponthem。TheIndiantrailsweretheir
　　safestguides，forthoughtheysometimesappearedtoleadthemoutoftheirdirectcourse，theyalwaysconductedthemtothepasses。Onthe26thofAugust，theyreachedtheheadoftheWay-lee-wayRiver。Here，inavalley
　　ofthe
　　mountainsthroughwhichthishead-watermakesitsway，theyfoundabandoftheSkynses，who
　　wereextremelysociable，andappearedtobewelldisposed，andastheyspoketheNezPercelanguage，anintercoursewaseasilykeptupwiththem。Inthepasturesonthebankofthisstream，CaptainBonnevilleencampedforatime，forthe
　　purpose
　　ofrecruitingthestrengthofhishorses。Scoutswerenowsentouttoexplorethesurrounding
　　country，andsearchforaconvenientpassthroughthemountainstowardtheWallamutor
　　Multnomah。Afteranabsenceoftwentydaystheyreturnedwearyanddiscouraged。Theyhad
　　been
　　harassedandperplexedinruggedmountaindefiles，wheretheirprogresswascontinually
　　impeded
　　byrocksandprecipices。Oftentheyhadbeenobligedtotravelalongtheedgesoffrightful
　　ravines，
　　whereafalsestepwouldhavebeenfatal。Inoneofthesepasses，ahorsefellfromthebrinkofa
　　precipice，andwouldhavebeendashedtopieceshadhenotlodgedamongthebranchesofatree，
　　fromwhichhewasextricatedwithgreatdifficulty。These，however，werenottheworstoftheir
　　difficultiesandperils。Thegreatconflagrationofthecountry，whichhadharassedthemainparty
　　in
　　itsmarch，wasstillmoreawfulthefurtherthisexploringpartyproceeded。Theflameswhich
　　swept
　　rapidlyoverthelightvegetationoftheprairiesassumedafiercercharacterandtookastronger
　　hold
　　amidthewoodedglensandravinesofthemountains。Someofthedeepgorgesanddefilessent
　　up
　　sheetsofflame，andcloudsofluridsmoke，andsparksandcindersthatinthenightmadethem
　　resemblethecratersofvolcanoes。Thegrovesandforests，too，whichcrownedthecliffs，shotup
　　their
　　toweringcolumnsoffire，andaddedtothefurnaceglowofthemountains。Withthesestupendous
　　sightswerecombinedtherushingblastscausedbytherarefiedair，whichroaredandhowled
　　through
　　thenarrowglens，andwhirledforththesmokeandflamesinimpetuouswreaths。Everandanon，
　　too，
　　washeardthecrashoffallingtrees，sometimestumblingfromcragsandprecipices，with
　　tremendoussounds。Inthedaytime，themountainswerewrappedinsmokesodenseandblinding，thatthe
　　explorers，ifbychancetheyseparated，couldonlyfindeachotherbyshouting。Often，
　　too，theyhadtogropetheirwaythroughtheyetburningforests，inconstantperil
　　fromthelimbsandtrunksoftrees，whichfrequentlyfellacrosstheirpath。Atlength
　　theygaveuptheattempttofindapassashopeless，underactualcircumstances，and
　　madetheirwaybacktothecamptoreporttheirfailure。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter45[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter45Skynses——Theirtraffic——Hunting——Food——Horses——Ahorse-race——Devotionalfeelingof
　　theSkynses，NezPercesandFlatheads——Prayers——Exhortations——Apreacheronhorseback——Effectofreligiononthemannersofthetribes——Anewlight。DURINGtheabsenceofthisdetachment，asociableintercoursehadbeenkeptupbetween
　　themain
　　partyandtheSkynses，whohadremovedintotheneighborhoodofthecamp。Thesepeopledwell
　　aboutthewatersoftheWay-lee-wayandtheadjacentcountry，andtraderegularlywiththe
　　Hudson”s
　　BayCompany；generallygivinghorsesinexchangeforthearticlesofwhichtheystandinneed。
　　They
　　bringbeaverskins，also，tothetradingposts；notprocuredbytrapping，butbyacourseofinternal
　　trafficwiththeshyandignorantShoshokoesandToo-el-icans，whokeepindistantand
　　unfrequented
　　partsofthecountry，andwillnotventurenearthetradinghouses。TheSkynseshuntthedeerand
　　elk
　　occasionally；anddepend，forapartoftheyear，onfishing。Theirmainsubsistence，however，is
　　upon
　　roots，especiallythekamash。Thisbulbousrootissaidtobeofadeliciousflavor，andhighly
　　nutritious。Thewomendigitupingreatquantities，steamit，anddeposititincachesforwinterprovisions。Itgrowsspontaneously，andabsolutelycoverstheplains。Thistribewascomfortablycladandequipped。Theyhadafewriflesamongthem，andwere
　　extremelydesirousofbarteringforthoseofCaptainBonneville”smen；offeringacoupleofgood
　　runninghorsesforalightrifle。Theirfirst-ratehorses，however，werenottobeprocuredfrom
　　them
　　onanyterms。Theyalmostinvariablyuseponies；butofabreedinfinitelysuperiortoanyintheUnitedStates。Theyarefondoftryingtheirspeedandbottom，andofbettinguponthem。AsCaptainBonnevillewasdesirousofjudgingofthecomparativemeritoftheirhorses，he
　　purchasedoneoftheirracers，andhadatrialofspeedbetweenthat，anAmerican，anda
　　Shoshonie，
　　whichweresupposedtobewellmatched。Therace-coursewasforthedistanceofonemileanda
　　halfoutandback。ForthefirsthalfmiletheAmericantooktheleadbyafewhands；but，losing
　　his
　　wind，soonfellfarbehind；leavingtheShoshonieandSkynsetocontendtogether。Foramileand
　　ahalftheywentheadandhead：butattheturntheSkynsetooktheleadandwontheracewith
　　greatease，scarcedrawingaquickbreathwhenallwasover。TheSkynses，liketheNezPercesandtheFlatheads，haveastrongdevotionalfeeling，which
　　hasbeen
　　successfullycultivatedbysomeoftheresidentpersonagesoftheHudson”sBayCompany。
　　Sunday
　　isinvariablykeptsacredamongthesetribes。Theywillnotraisetheircamponthatday，unlessin
　　extremecasesofdangerorhunger：neitherwilltheyhunt，norfish，nortrade，norperformany
　　kind
　　oflaboronthatday。Apartofitispassedinprayerandreligiousceremonies。Somechief，whois
　　generallyatthesametimewhatiscalleda“medicineman，“assemblesthecommunity。After
　　invokingblessingsfromtheDeity，headdressestheassemblage，exhortingthemtogoodconduct；
　　tobediligentinprovidingfortheirfamilies；toabstainfromlyingandstealing；toavoid
　　quarrelling
　　orcheatingintheirplay，andtobejustandhospitabletoallstrangerswhomaybeamongthem。
　　Prayersandexhortationsarealsomade，earlyinthemorning，onweekdays。Sometimes，allthis
　　is
　　donebythechieffromhorseback；movingslowlyaboutthecamp，withhishaton，anduttering
　　his
　　exhortationswithaloudvoice。Onalloccasions，thebystanderslistenwithprofoundattention；
　　and
　　attheendofeverysentencerespondonewordinunison，apparentlyequivalenttoanamen。
　　While
　　theseprayersandexhortationsaregoingon，everyemploymentinthecampissuspended。Ifan
　　Indianisridingbytheplace，hedismounts，holdshishorse，andattendswithreverenceuntilallis
　　done。Whenthechiefhasfinishedhisprayerorexhortation，hesays，“Ihavedone，“uponwhich
　　thereisageneralexclamationinunison。Withthesereligiousservices，probablyderivedfromthewhitemen，thetribes
　　above-mentioned
　　minglesomeoftheiroldIndianceremonials，suchasdancingtothecadenceofasongorballad，
　　whichisgenerallydoneinalargelodgeprovidedforthepurpose。BesidesSundays，they
　　likewiseobservethecardinalholidaysoftheRomanCatholicChurch。Whoeverhasintroducedthesesimpleformsofreligionsamongthesepoorsavages，has
　　evidently
　　understoodtheircharactersandcapacities，andeffectedagreatmeliorationoftheirmanners。Of
　　this
　　wespeaknotmerelyfromthetestimonyofCaptainBonneville，butlikewisefromthatofMr。
　　Wyeth，
　　whopassedsomemonthsinatravellingcampoftheFlatheads。“DuringthetimeIhavebeen
　　with
　　them，“sayshe，“Ihaveneverknownaninstanceoftheftamongthem：theleastthing，eventoa
　　bead
　　orpin，isbroughttoyou，iffound；andoften，thingsthathavebeenthrownaway。NeitherhaveI
　　knownanyquarrelling，norlying。Thisabsenceofallquarrellingthemoresurprisedme，whenI
　　cametoseethevariousoccasionsthatwouldhavegivenrisetoitamongthewhites：the
　　crowding
　　togetheroffromtwelvetoeighteenhundredhorses，whichhavetobedrivenintocampatnight，
　　to
　　bepicketed，tobepackedinthemorning；thegatheringoffuelinplaceswhereitisextremely
　　scanty。Allthis，however，isdonewithoutconfusionordisturbance。“Theyhaveamild，playful，laughingdisposition；andthisisportrayedintheircountenances。
　　They
　　arepolite，andunobtrusive。Whenonespeaks，therestpaystrictattention：whenheisdone，
　　another
　　assentsby”yes”ordissentsby”no；”andthenstateshisreasons，whicharelistenedtowithequal
　　attention。Eventhechildrenaremorepeaceablethananyotherchildren。Ineverheardanangry
　　word
　　amongthem，noranyquarrelling；althoughtherewere，atleast，fivehundredofthemtogether，
　　and
　　continuallyatplay。Withallthisquietnessofspirit，theyarebravewhenputtothetest；andare
　　anovermatchforanequalnumberofBlackfeet。”