Thecaptainwasnotamantorefuseassistancetoanyoneindistress，especiallywhenthere
　　wasa
　　womaninthecase；horseswereimmediatelydispatched，withanescort，toaidtheunfortunate
　　couple。Thenextdaytheymadetheirappearancewithalltheireffects；theman，astalwart
　　mountaineer，withapeculiarlygamelook；thewoman，ayoungBlackfootbeauty，arrayedinthetrappingsandtrinketryofafreetrapper”sbride。Findingthewomantobequick-wittedandcommunicative，CaptainBonnevilleenteredinto
　　conversationwithher，andobtainedfromhermanyparticularsconcerningthehabitsandcustoms
　　ofhertribe；especiallytheirwarsandhuntings。Theypridethemselvesuponbeingthe“bestlegs
　　of
　　themountains，“andhuntthebuffaloonfoot。Thisisdoneinspringtime，whenthefrostshave
　　thawedandthegroundissoft。Theheavybuffaloesthensinkovertheirhoofsateverystep，and
　　are
　　easilyovertakenbytheBlackfeet，whosefleetstepspresslightlyonthesurface。Itissaid，
　　however，
　　thatthebuffaloesonthePacificsideoftheRockyMountainsarefleeterandmoreactivethanon
　　the
　　Atlanticside；thoseupontheplainsoftheColumbiacanscarcelybeovertakenbyahorsethat
　　would
　　outstripthesameanimalintheneighborhoodofthePlatte，theusualhuntinggroundofthe
　　Blackfeet。
　　Inthecourseoffurtherconversation，CaptainBonnevilledrewfromtheIndianwomanherwhole
　　story；whichgaveapictureofsavagelife，andofthedrudgeryandhardshipstowhichanIndian
　　wifeissubject。“Iwasthewife，“saidshe，“ofaBlackfootwarrior，andIservedhimfaithfully。Whowasso
　　well
　　servedashe？Whoselodgewassowellprovided，orkeptsoclean？Ibroughtwoodinthe
　　morning，
　　andplacedwateralwaysathand。Iwatchedforhiscoming；andhefoundhismeatcookedand
　　ready。
　　Ifherosetogoforth，therewasnothingtodelayhim。Isearchedthethoughtthatwasinhisheart，
　　tosavehimthetroubleofspeaking。WhenIwentabroadonerrandsforhim，thechiefsand
　　warriors
　　smileduponme，andtheyoungbravesspokesoftthings，insecret；butmyfeetwereinthe
　　straightpath，andmyeyescouldseenothingbuthim。“Whenhewentouttohunt，ortowar，whoaidedtoequiphim，butI？Whenhereturned，I
　　methim
　　atthedoor；Itookhisgun；andheenteredwithoutfurtherthought。Whilehesatandsmoked，I
　　unloadedhishorses；tiedthemtothestakes，broughtintheirloads，andwasquicklyathisfeet。If
　　his
　　moccasinswerewetItookthemoffandputonotherswhichweredryandwarm。Idressedallthe
　　skinshehadtakeninthechase。Hecouldneversaytome，whyisitnotdone？Hehuntedthe
　　deer，
　　theantelope，andthebuffalo，andhewatchedfortheenemy。Everythingelsewasdonebyme。
　　When
　　ourpeoplemovedtheircamp，hemountedhishorseandrodeaway；freeasthoughhehadfallen
　　fromtheskies。Hehadnothingtodowiththelaborofthecamp；itwasIthatpacked
　　thehorsesand
　　ledthemonthejourney。Whenwehaltedintheevening，andhesatwiththeotherbravesand
　　smoked，itwasIthatpitchedhislodge；andwhenhecametoeatandsleep，hissupperandhis
　　bedwereready。“Iservedhimfaithfully；andwhatwasmyreward？Acloudwasalwaysonhisbrow，and
　　sharplightningonhistongue。Iwashisdog；andnothiswife。“Whowasitthatscarredandbruisedme？Itwashe。MybrothersawhowIwastreated。His
　　heart
　　wasbigforme。Hebeggedmetoleavemytyrantandfly。WherecouldIgo？Ifretaken，who
　　would
　　protectme？Mybrotherwasnotachief；hecouldnotsavemefromblowsandwounds，perhaps
　　death。AtlengthIwaspersuaded。Ifollowedmybrotherfromthevillage。Hepointedawayto
　　the
　　NezPerces，andbademegoandliveinpeaceamongthem。Weparted。OnthethirddayIsawthe
　　lodgesoftheNezPercesbeforeme。1pausedforamoment，andhadnohearttogoon；butmy
　　horse
　　neighed，andItookitasagoodsign，andsufferedhimtogallopforward。InalittlewhileIwasin
　　themidstofthelodges。AsIsatsilentonmyhorse，thepeoplegatheredroundme，andinquired
　　whenceIcame。Itoldmystory。Achiefnowwrappedhisblanketclosearoundhim，andbademe
　　dismount。Iobeyed。Hetookmyhorsetoleadhimaway。Myheartgrewsmallwithinme。Ifelt，
　　on
　　partingwithmyhorse，asifmylastfriendwasgone。Ihadnowords，andmyeyesweredry。As
　　he
　　ledoffmyhorseayoungbravesteppedforward。”Areyouachiefofthepeople？”criedhe。”Dowe
　　listentoyouincouncil，andfollowyouinbattle？Behold！astrangerfliestoourcampfromthe
　　dogs
　　ofBlackfeet，andasksprotection。Letshamecoveryourface！Thestrangerisawoman，and
　　alone。
　　Ifshewereawarrior，orhadawarrioratherside，yourheartwouldnotbebigenoughtotakeher
　　horse。Butheisyours。Byrightofwaryoumayclaimhim；butlook！”-hisbowwasdrawn，and
　　the
　　arrowready！-”younevershallcrosshisback！”Thearrowpiercedtheheartofthehorse，andhe
　　felldead。“Anoldwomansaidshewouldbemymother。Sheledmetoherlodge；myheartwas
　　thawedbyher
　　kindness，andmyeyesburstforthwithtears；likethefrozenfountainsinspringtime。Shenever
　　changed；butasthedayspassedaway，wasstillamothertome。Thepeoplewereloudinpraise
　　oftheyoungbrave，andthechiefwasashamed。Ilivedinpeace。“Apartyoftrapperscametothevillage，andoneofthemtookmeforhiswife。This
　　ishe。Iamveryhappy；hetreatsmewithkindness，andIhavetaughthimthe
　　languageofmypeople。Asweweretravellingthisway，someoftheBlackfeet
　　warriorsbesetus，andcarriedoffthehorsesoftheparty。Wefollowed，andmy
　　husbandheldaparleywiththem。Thegunswerelaiddown，andthepipewaslighted；
　　butsomeofthewhitemenattemptedtoseizethehorsesbyforce，andthenabattle
　　began。Thesnowwasdeep，thewhitemensankintoitateverystep；buttheredmen，
　　withtheirsnow-shoes，passedoverthesurfacelikebirds，anddroveoffmanyofthe
　　horsesinsightoftheirowners。Withthosethatremainedweresumedourjourney。At
　　lengthwordstookplacebetweentheleaderofthepartyandmyhusband。Hetook
　　awayourhorses，whichhadescapedinthebattle，andturnedusfromhiscamp。My
　　husbandhadonegoodfriendamongthetrappers。Thatishepointingtothemanwho
　　hadaskedassistanceforthem。Heisagoodman。Hisheartisbig。Whenhecamein
　　fromhunting，andfoundthatwehadbeendrivenaway，hegaveupallhiswages，and
　　followedus，thathemightspeakgoodwordsforustothewhitecaptain。”[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter49[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter49RendezvousatWindRiver——CampaignofMonteroandhisbrigadeintheCrowcountry——
　　WarsbetweentheCrowsandBlackfeet——DeathofArapooishBlackfeetlurkers——Sagacityofthehorse——Dependenceofthehunteronhishorse——Returntothesettlements。ONthe22dofJuneCaptainBonnevilleraisedhiscamp，andmovedtotheforksofWind
　　River；the
　　appointedplaceofrendezvous。InafewdayshewasjoinedtherebythebrigadeofMontero，
　　which
　　hadbeensent，intheprecedingyear，tobeatuptheCrowcountry，andafterwardproceedtothe
　　Arkansas。Monterohadfollowedtheearlypartofhisinstructions；aftertrappinguponsomeof
　　the
　　upperstreams，heproceededtoPowderRiver。HerehefellinwiththeCrowvillagesorbands，
　　who
　　treatedhimwithunusualkindness，andprevaileduponhimtotakeuphiswinterquartersamongthem。TheCrowsatthattimewerestrugglingalmostforexistencewiththeiroldenemies，the
　　Blackfeet；
　　who，inthepastyear，hadpickedoffthefloweroftheirwarriorsinvariousengagements，and
　　among
　　therest，Arapooish，thefriendofthewhitemen。Thatsagaciousandmagnanimouschiefhad
　　beheld，
　　withgrief，theravageswhichwarwasmakinginhistribe，andthatitwasdeclininginforce，and
　　musteventuallybedestroyedunlesssomesignalblowcouldbestrucktoretrieveitsfortunes。In
　　a
　　pitchedbattleofthetwotribes，hemadeaspeechtohiswarriors，urgingthemtoseteverythingat
　　hazardinonefuriouscharge；whichdone，heledthewayintothethickestofthefoe。Hewas
　　soon
　　separatedfromhismen，andfellcoveredwithwounds，buthisself-devotionwasnotinvain。The
　　Blackfeetweredefeated；andfromthattimetheCrowspluckedupfreshheart，andwere
　　frequentlysuccessful。Monterohadnotbeenlongencampedamongthem，whenhediscoveredthattheBlackfeet
　　were
　　hoveringabouttheneighborhood。Onedaythehunterscamegallopingintothecamp，and
　　proclaimedthatabandoftheenemywasathand。TheCrowsflewtoarms，leapedontheir
　　horses，
　　anddashedoutinsquadronsinpursuit。Theyovertooktheretreatingenemyinthemidstofa
　　plain。
　　Adesperatefightensued。TheCrowshadtheadvantageofnumbers，andoffightingon
　　horseback。
　　ThegreaterpartoftheBlackfeetwereslain；theremnanttookshelterinaclosethicketof
　　willows，wherethehorsecouldnotenter；whencetheypliedtheirbowsvigorously。TheCrowsdrewoffoutofbow-shot，andendeavored，bytauntsandbravadoes，todrawthe
　　warriors
　　Outoftheirretreat。Afewofthebestmountedamongthemrodeapartfromtherest。Oneoftheir
　　numberthenadvancedalone，withthatmartialairandequestriangraceforwhichthetribeis
　　noted。
　　Whenwithinanarrow”sflightofthethicket，heloosenedhisrein，urgedhishorsetofullspeed，
　　threw
　　hisbodyontheoppositeside，soastohangbyoneleg，andpresentnomarktothefoe；inthis
　　way
　　hesweptalonginfrontofthethicket，launchinghisarrowsfromundertheneckofhissteed。
　　Then
　　regaininghisseatinthesaddle，hewheeledroundandreturnedwhoopingandscoffingtohiscompanions，whoreceivedhimwithyellsofapplause。Anotherandanotherhorsemanrepeatedthisexploit；buttheBlackfeetwerenottobe
　　tauntedoutof
　　theirsafeshelter。Thevictorsfearedtodrivedesperatementoextremities，sotheyforboreto
　　attempt
　　thethicket。Towardnighttheygaveovertheattack，andreturnedall-gloriouswiththescalpsof
　　the
　　slain。Thencameontheusualfeastsandtriumphs，thescalp-danceofwarriorsroundtheghastly
　　trophies，andalltheotherfiercerevelryofbarbarouswarfare。Whenthebraveshadfinishedwith
　　the
　　scalps，theywere，asusual，givenuptothewomenandchildren，andmadetheobjectsofnew
　　paradesanddances。Theywerethentreasuredupasinvaluabletrophiesanddecorationsbythebraveswhohadwonthem。Itisworthyofnote，thatthescalpofawhiteman，eitherthroughpolicyorfear，istreated
　　withmore
　　charitythanthatofanIndian。Thewarriorwhowonitisentitledtohistriumphifhedemandsit。
　　In
　　suchcase，thewarpartyalonedanceroundthescalp。Itisthentakendown，andtheshagged
　　frontletofabuffalosubstitutedinitsplace，andabandonedtothetriumphandinsultsofthemillion。Toavoidbeinginvolvedintheseguerillas，aswellastoescapefromtheextremelysocial
　　intercourse
　　oftheCrows，whichbegantobeoppressive，Monteromovedtothedistanceofseveralmiles
　　from
　　theircamps，andthereformedawintercantonmentofhuts。Henowmaintainedavigilantwatch
　　at
　　night。Theirhorses，whichwereturnedloosetograzeduringtheday，underheedfuleyes，were
　　broughtinatnight，andshutupinstrongpens，builtoflargelogsofcotton-wood。Thesnows，
　　during
　　aportionofthewinter，weresodeepthatthepooranimalscouldfindbutlittlesustenance。Here
　　and
　　thereatuftofgrasswouldpeerabovethesnow；buttheywereingeneraldriventobrowsethe
　　twigs
　　andtenderbranchesofthetrees。Whentheywereturnedoutinthemorning，thefirstmomentsof
　　freedomfromtheconfinementofthepenwerespentinfriskingandgambolling。Thisdone，they
　　wentsoberlyandsadlytowork，togleantheirscantysubsistencefortheday。Inthemeantimethe
　　menstrippedthebarkofthecotton-woodtreefortheeveningfodder。Asthepoorhorseswould
　　returntowardnight，withsluggishanddispiritedair，themomenttheysawtheirowners
　　approaching
　　themwithblanketsfilledwithcotton-woodbark，theirwholedemeanorunderwentachange。A
　　universalneighingandcaperingtookplace；theywouldrushforward，smelltotheblankets，paw
　　the
　　earth，snort，whinnyandpranceroundwithheadandtailerect，untiltheblanketswereopened，
　　and
　　thewelcomeprovenderspreadbeforethem。Theseevidencesofintelligenceandgladnesswerefrequentlyrecountedbythetrappersasprovingthesagacityoftheanimal。Theseveteranroversofthemountainslookupontheirhorsesasinsomerespectsgiftedwith
　　almost
　　humanintellect。Anoldandexperiencedtrapper，whenmountingguarduponthecampindark
　　nights
　　andtimesofperil，givesheedfulattentiontoallthesoundsandsignsofthehorses。Noenemy
　　enters
　　norapproachesthecampwithoutattractingtheirnotice，andtheirmovementsnotonlygivea
　　vague
　　alarm，butitissaid，willevenindicatetotheknowingtrappertheveryquarterwhencethedangerthreatens。Inthedaytime，too，whileahunterisengagedontheprairie，cuttingupthedeerorbuffalo
　　hehas
　　slain，hedependsuponhisfaithfulhorseasasentinel。Thesagaciousanimalseesandsmellsall
　　roundhim，andbyhisstartingandwhinnying，givesnoticeoftheapproachofstrangers。There
　　seems
　　tobeadumbcommunionandfellowship，asortoffraternalsympathybetweenthehunterandhis
　　horse。Theymutuallyrelyuponeachotherforcompanyandprotection；andnothingismore
　　difficult，
　　itissaid，thantosurpriseanexperiencedhunterontheprairiewhilehisoldandfavoritesteedis
　　athisside。MonterohadnotlongremovedhiscampfromthevicinityoftheCrows，andfixedhimself
　　inhisnew
　　quarters，whentheBlackfeetmaraudersdiscoveredhiscantonment，andbegantohauntthe
　　vicinity，
　　Hekeptupavigilantwatch，however，andfoiledeveryattemptoftheenemy，who，atlength，
　　seemed
　　tohavegivenupindespair，andabandonedtheneighborhood。Thetrappersrelaxedtheir
　　vigilance，
　　therefore，andonenight，afteradayofseverelabor，noguardswereposted，andthewholecamp
　　was
　　soonasleep。Towardmidnight，however，thelightestsleeperswererousedbythetramplingof
　　hoofs；
　　and，givingthealarm，thewholepartywereimmediatelyontheirlegsandhastenedtothepens。
　　The
　　barsweredown；butnoenemywastoheseenorheard，andthehorsesbeingallfoundhardby，it
　　was
　　supposedthebarshadbeenleftdownthroughnegligence。Allwereoncemoreasleep，when，in
　　about
　　anhourtherewasasecondalarm，anditwasdiscoveredthatseveralhorsesweremissing。The
　　rest
　　weremounted，andsospiritedapursuittookplace，thateighteenofthenumbercarriedoffwere
　　regained，andbutthreeremainedinpossessionoftheenemy。Trapsforwolves，hadbeenset
　　about
　　thecamptheprecedingday。InthemorningitwasdiscoveredthataBlackfootwasentrappedby
　　one
　　ofthem，buthadsucceededindraggingitoff。Histrailwasfollowedforalongdistancewhichhe
　　musthavelimpedalone。Atlengthheappearedtohavefalleninwithsomeofhiscomrades，who
　　hadrelievedhimfromhispainfulencumbrance。TheseweretheleadingincidentsofMontero”scampaignintheCrowcountry。Theunited
　　partiesnow
　　celebratedthe4thofJuly，inroughhunters”style，withheartyconviviality；afterwhichCaptain
　　Bonnevillemadehisfinalarrangements。LeavingMonterowithabrigadeoftrapperstoopen
　　anothercampaign，heputhimselfattheheadoftheresidueofhismen，andsetoffonhisreturn
　　to
　　civilizedlife。WeshallnotdetailhisjourneyalongthecourseoftheNebraska，andso，frompoint
　　topointofthewilderness，untilheandhisbandreachedthefrontiersettlementsonthe22dofAugust。Here，accordingtohisownaccount，hiscavalcademighthavebeentakenforaprocessionof
　　tatterdemalionsavages；forthemenwereraggedalmosttonakedness，andhadcontracteda
　　wildness
　　ofaspectduringthreeyearsofwanderinginthewilderness。Afewhoursinapopuloustown，
　　however，producedamagicalmetamorphosis。Hatsofthemostamplebrimandlongestnap；
　　coats
　　withbuttonsthatshonelikemirrors，andpantaloonsofthemostampleplenitude，tookplaceof
　　the
　　well-worntrapper”sequipments；andthehappywearersmightbeseenstrollingaboutinalldirections，scatteringtheirsilverlikesailorsjustfromacruise。Theworthycaptain，however，seemsbynomeanstohavesharedtheexcitementofhismen，
　　on
　　findinghimselfoncemoreinthethrongedresortsofcivilizedlife，but，onthecontrary，tohave
　　lookedbacktothewildernesswithregret。“Thoughtheprospect，“sayshe，“ofoncemoretasting
　　the
　　blessingsofpeacefulsociety，andpassingdaysandnightsunderthecalmguardianshipofthe
　　laws，
　　wasnotwithoutitsattractions；yettothoseofuswhosewholeliveshadbeenspentinthestirring
　　excitementandperpetualwatchfulnessofadventuresinthewilderness，thechangewasfarfrom
　　promisinganincreaseofthatcontentmentandinwardsatisfactionmostconducivetohappiness。
　　He
　　who，likemyself，hasrovedalmostfromboyhoodamongthechildrenoftheforest，andoverthe
　　unfurrowedplainsandruggedheightsofthewesternwastes，willnotbestartledtolearn，that
　　notwithstandingallthefascinationsoftheworldonthiscivilizedsideofthemountains，Iwould
　　fain
　　makemybowtothesplendorsandgayetiesofthemetropolis，andplungeagainamidstthe
　　hardshipsandperilsofthewilderness。”WehaveOnlytoaddthattheaffairsofthecaptainhavebeensatisfactorilyarrangedwiththe
　　War
　　Department，andthatheisactuallyinserviceatFortGibson，onourwesternfrontier，wherewe
　　hope
　　hemaymeetwithfurtheropportunitiesofindulginghispeculiartastes，andofcollectinggraphic
　　and
　　characteristicdetailsofthegreatwesternwildsandtheirmotleyinhabitants——
　　WeherecloseourpicturingsoftheRockyMountainsandtheirwildinhabitants，andofthe
　　wildlife
　　thatprevailsthere；whichwehavebeenanxioustofixonrecord，becauseweareawarethatthis
　　singularstateofthingsisfullofmutation，andmustsoonundergogreatchanges，ifnotentirely
　　pass
　　away。Thefurtradeitself，whichhasgivenlifetoallthisportraiture，isessentiallyevanescent。
　　Rival
　　partiesoftrapperssoonexhaustthestreams，especiallywhencompetitionrendersthemheedless
　　and
　　wastefulofthebeaver。Thefurbearinganimalsextinct，acompletechangewillcomeoverthe
　　scene；
　　thegayfreetrapperandhissteed，deckedoutinwildarray，andtinklingwithbellsandtrinketry；
　　the
　　savagewarchief，plumedandpaintedandeverontheprowl；thetraders”cavalcade，winding
　　through
　　defilesorovernakedplains，withthestealthywarpartylurkingonitstrail；thebuffalochase，the
　　huntingcamp，themadcarouseinthemidstofdanger，thenightattack，thestampede，the
　　scamper，
　　thefierceskirmishamongrocksandcliffs——allthisromanceofsavagelife，whichyetexists
　　among
　　themountains，willthenexistbutinfrontierstory，andseemlikethefictionsofchivalryorfairytale。Somenewsystemofthings，orrathersomenewmodification，willsucceedamongthe
　　rovingpeople
　　ofthisvastwilderness；butjustasopposite，perhaps，totheinhabitantsofcivilization。Thegreat
　　Chippewyanchainofmountains，andthesandyandvolcanicplainswhichextendoneitherside，
　　are
　　representedasincapableofcultivation。Thepasturagewhichprevailsthereduringacertain
　　portion
　　oftheyear，soonwithersunderthearidityoftheatmosphere，andleavesnothingbutdreary
　　wastes。
　　Animmensebeltofrockymountainsandvolcanicplains，severalhundredmilesinwidth，must
　　ever
　　remainanirreclaimablewilderness，interveningbetweentheabodesofcivilization，andaffording
　　alastrefugetotheIndian。Hererovingtribesofhunters，livingintentsorlodges，andfollowing
　　the
　　migrationsofthegame，mayleadalifeofsavageindependence，wherethereisnothingtotempt
　　the
　　cupidityofthewhiteman。Theamalgamationofvarioustribes，andofwhitemenofeverynation，
　　willintimeproducehybridraceslikethemountainTartarsoftheCaucasus。Possessedasthey
　　are
　　ofimmensedrovesofhorsesshouldtheycontinuetheirpresentpredatoryandwarlikehabits，
　　they
　　mayintimebecomeascourgetothecivilizedfrontiersoneithersideofthemountains，asthey
　　areatpresentaterrortothetravellerandtrader。Thefactsdisclosedinthepresentworkclearlymanifestthepolicyofestablishingmilitary
　　postsand
　　amountedforcetoprotectourtradersintheirjourneysacrossthegreatwesternwilds，andof
　　pushingtheoutpostsintotheveryheartofthesingularwildernesswehavelaidopen，soasto
　　maintainsomedegreeofswayoverthecountry，andtoputanendtothekindof“blackmail，“
　　levied
　　onalloccasionsbythesavage“chivalryofthemountains。”[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Appendix[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleAppendixNathanielJ。Wyeth，andtheTradeoftheFarWestWEHAVEBROUGHTCaptainBonnevilletotheendofhiswesterncampaigning；yetwecannotclosethisworkwithoutsubjoiningsomeparticularsconcerningthefortunesofhiscontemporary，Mr。Wyeth；anecdotesofwhoseenterprisehave，occasionally，beeninterwovenintheparty-coloredwebofournarrative。WyetheffectedhisintentionofestablishingatradingpostonthePortneuf，whichhenamedFortHall。Here，forthefirsttime，theAmericanflagwasunfurledtothebreezethatsweepsthegreatnakedwastesofthecentralwilderness。Leavingtwelvemenhere，withastockofgoods，totradewiththeneighboringtribes，heprosecutedhisjourneytotheColumbia；whereheestablishedanotherpost，calledFortWilliams，onWappatooIsland，atthemouthoftheWallamut。Thiswastobetheheadfactoryofhiscompany；whencetheyweretocarryontheirfishingandtrappingoperations，andtheirtradewiththeinterior；andwheretheyweretoreceiveanddispatchtheirannualship。
　　TheplanofMr。Wyethappearstohavebeenwellconcerted。HehadobservedthattheRockyMountainFurCompany，thebandsoffreetrappers，aswellastheIndianswestofthemountains，dependedfortheirsuppliesupongoodsbroughtfromSt。Louis；
　　which，inconsequenceoftheexpensesandrisksofalonglandcarriage，werefurnishedthematanimmenseadvanceonfirstcost。HehadanideathattheymightbemuchmorecheaplysuppliedfromthePacificside。HorseswouldcostmuchlessonthebordersoftheColumbiathanatSt。Louis：thetransportationbylandwasmuchshorter；
　　andthroughacountrymuchmoresafefromthehostilityofsavagetribes；which，ontheroutefromandtoSt。Louis，annuallycostthelivesofmanymen。Onthisidea，hegroundedhisplan。Hecombinedthesalmonfisherywiththefurtrade。AfortifiedtradingpostwastobeestablishedontheColumbia，tocarryonatradewiththenativesforsalmonandpeltries，andtofishandtrapontheirownaccount。Onceayear，ashipwastocomefromtheUnitedStates，tobringoutgoodsfortheinteriortrade，andtotakehomethesalmonandfurswhichhadbeencollected。Partofthegoods，thusbroughtout，weretobedispatchedtothemountains，tosupplythetrappingcompaniesandtheIndiantribes，inexchangefortheirfurs；whichweretobebroughtdowntotheColumbia，tobesenthomeinthenextannualship：andthusanannualroundwastobekeptup。Theprofitsonthesalmon，itwasexpected，wouldcoveralltheexpensesoftheship；sothatthegoodsbroughtout，andthefurscarriedhome，wouldcostnothingastofreight。
　　Hisenterprisewasprosecutedwithaspirit，intelligence，andperseverance，thatmeritedsuccess。Allthedetailsthatwehavemetwith，provehimtobenoordinaryman。Heappearstohavethemindtoconceive，andtheenergytoexecuteextensiveandstrikingplans。HehadoncemorerearedtheAmericanflaginthelostdomainsofAstoria；andhadhebeenenabledtomaintainthefootinghehadsogallantlyeffected，hemighthaveregainedforhiscountrytheopulenttradeoftheColumbia，ofwhichourstatesmenhavenegligentlysufferedustobedispossessed。
　　Itisneedlesstogointoadetailofthevarietyofaccidentsandcross-purposes，whichcausedthefailureofhisscheme。Theyweresuchasallundertakingsofthekind，involvingcombinedoperationsbyseaandland，areliableto。Whathemostwanted，wassufficientcapitaltoenablehimtoendureincipientobstaclesandlosses；andtoholdonuntilsuccesshadtimetospringupfromthemidstofdisastrousexperiments。
　　ItiswithextremeregretwelearnthathehasrecentlybeencompelledtodisposeofhisestablishmentatWappatooIsland，totheHudson”sBayCompany；who，itisbutjusticetosay，have，accordingtohisownaccount，treatedhimthroughoutthewholeofhisenterprise，withgreatfairness，friendship，andliberality。Thatcompany，therefore，stillmaintainsanunrivalledswayoverthewholecountrywashedbytheColumbiaanditstributaries。Ithas，infact，asfarasitscharteredpowerspermit，followedoutthesplendidschemecontemplatedbyMr。Astor，whenhefoundedhisestablishmentatthemouthoftheColumbia。FromtheiremporiumofVancouver，companiesaresentforthineverydirection，tosupplytheinteriorposts，totradewiththenatives，andtotrapuponthevariousstreams。Thesethreadtherivers，traversetheplains，penetratetotheheartofthemountains，extendtheirenterprisesnorthward，totheRussianpossessions，andsouthward，totheconfinesofCalifornia。Theiryearlysuppliesarereceivedbysea，atVancouver；andthencetheirfursandpeltriesareshippedtoLondon。Theylikewisemaintainaconsiderablecommerce，inwheatandlumber，withthePacificislands，andtothenorth，withtheRussiansettlements。
　　Thoughthecompany，bytreaty，havearighttoaparticipationonly，inthetradeoftheseregions，andare，infact，buttenantsonsufferance；yethavetheyquietlyavailedthemselvesoftheoriginaloversight，andsubsequentsupinenessoftheAmericangovernment，toestablishamonopolyofthetradeoftheriveranditsdependencies；andareadroitlyproceedingtofortifythemselvesintheirusurpation，bysecuringallthestrongpointsofthecountry。
　　FortGeorge，originallyAstoria，whichwasabandonedontheremovalofthemainfactorytoVancouver，wasrenewedin1830；andisnowkeptupasafortifiedpostandtradinghouse。Alltheplacesaccessibletoshippinghavebeentakenpossessionof，andpostsrecentlyestablishedatthembythecompany。
　　Thegreatcapitalofthisassociation；theirlongestablishedsystem；theirhereditaryinfluenceovertheIndiantribes；theirinternalorganization，whichmakeseverythinggoonwiththeregularityofamachine；andthelowwagesoftheirpeople，whoaremostlyCanadians，givethemgreatadvantagesovertheAmericantraders：norisitlikelythelatterwilleverbeabletomaintainanyfootingintheland，untilthequestionofterritorialrightisadjustedbetweenthetwocountries。Thesoonerthattakesplace，thebetter。Itisaquestiontooserioustonationalpride，ifnottonationalinterests，tobeslurredover；
　　andeveryyearisaddingtothedifficultieswhichenvironit。
　　Thefurtrade，whichisnowthemainobjectofenterprisewestoftheRockyMountains，formsbutapartoftherealresourcesofthecountry。BesidethesalmonfisheryoftheColumbia，whichiscapableofbeingrenderedaconsiderablesourceofprofit；thegreatvalleysofthelowercountry，belowtheelevatedvolcanicplateau，arecalculatedtogivesustenancetocountlessflocksandherds，andtosustainagreatpopulationofgraziersandagriculturists。
　　Such，forinstance，isthebeautifulvalleyoftheWallamut；fromwhichtheestablishmentatVancouverdrawsmostofitssupplies。Here，thecompanyholdsmillsandfarms；andhasprovidedforsomeofitssuperannuatedofficersandservants。Thisvalley，abovethefalls，isaboutfiftymileswide，andextendsagreatdistancetothesouth。Theclimateismild，beingshelteredbylateralrangesofmountains；whilethesoil，forrichness，hasbeenequalledtothebestoftheMissourilands。ThevalleyoftheriverDesChutes，isalsoadmirablycalculatedforagreatgrazingcountry。Allthebesthorsesusedbythecompanyforthemountainsareraisedthere。Thevalleyisofsuchhappytemperature，thatgrassgrowstherethroughouttheyear，andcattlemaybeleftouttopastureduringthewinter。
　　Thesevalleysmustformthegrandpointsofcommencementofthefuturesettlementofthecountry；buttheremustbemanysuch，enfoldedintheembracesoftheselowerrangesofmountains；which，thoughatpresenttheyliewasteanduninhabited，andtotheeyeofthetraderandtrapper，presentbutbarrenwastes，would，inthehandsofskilfulagriculturistsandhusbandmen，soonassumeadifferentaspect，andteemwithwavingcrops，orbecoveredwithflocksandherds。
　　Theresourcesofthecountry，too，whileinthehandsofacompanyrestrictedinitstrade，canbebutpartiallycalledforth；butinthehandsofAmericans，enjoyingadirecttradewiththeEastIndies，wouldbebroughtintoquickeningactivity；andmightsoonrealizethedreamofMr。Astor，ingivingrisetoaflourishingcommercialempire。WreckofaJapaneseJunkontheNorthwestCoastTHEFOLLOWINGEXTRACTofaletterwhichwereceived，lately，fromMr。Wyeth，maybeinteresting，asthrowingsomelightuponthequestionastothemannerinwhichAmericahasbeenpeopled。“Areyouawareofthefact，thatinthewinterof1833，aJapanesejunkwaswreckedonthenorthwestcoast，intheneighborhoodofQueenCharlotte”sIsland；andthatallbuttwoofthecrew，thenmuchreducedbystarvationanddisease，duringalongdriftacrossthePacific，werekilledbythenatives？ThetwofellintothehandsoftheHudson”sBayCompany，andweresenttoEngland。Isawthem，onmyarrivalatVancouver，in1834。”InstructionstoCaptainBonnevillefromtheMajor-GeneralCommandingtheArmyoftheUnitedStates。
　　CopyHeadQuartersoftheArmy。
　　Washington29thJuly1831。
　　Sir，TheleaveofabsencewhichyouhaveaskedforthepurposeofenablingyoutocarryintoexecutionyourdesignsofexploringthecountrytotheRockyMountains，andbeyondwithaviewofassertainingthenatureandcharacterofthevarioustribesofIndiansinhabitingthoseregions；thetradewhichmightbeprofitablycarriedonwiththem，thequalityofthesoil，theproductions，theminerals，thenaturalhistory，theclimate，theGeography，andTopography，aswellasGeologyofthevariouspartsoftheCountrywithinthelimitsoftheTerritoriesbelongingtotheUnitedStates，betweenourfrontier，andthePacific；——hasbeendulyconsidered，andsubmittedtotheWarDepartment，forapproval，andhasbeensanctioned。
　　YouarethereforeauthorisedtobeabsentfromtheArmyuntillOctober1833。
　　ItisunderstoodthattheGovernmentistobeatnoexpence，inreferencetoyourproposedexpedition，ithavingoriginatedwithyourself，andallthatyourequiredwasthepermissionfromtheproperauthoritytoundertaketheenterprise。Youwillnaturallyinprovidingyourselffortheexpedition，providesuitableinstruments，andespeciallythebestMapsoftheinteriortobefound。ItisdesirablebesideswhatisenumeratedastheobjectofenterprisethatyounoteparticularlythenumberofWarriorsthatmaybelongtoeachtribe，ornationthatyoumaymeetwith：theirallianceswithothertribesandtheirrelativepositionastoastateofpeaceorwar，andwhethertheirfriendlyorwarlikedispositionstowardseachotherarerecentoroflongstanding。YouwillgratifyusbydescribingthemanneroftheirmakingWar，ofthemodeofsubsistingthemselvesduringastateofwar，andastateofpeace，theirArms，andtheeffectofthem，whethertheyactonfootoronhorseback，detailingthediscipline，andmanuversofthewarparties，thepoweroftheirhorses，sizeandgeneraldiscription；inshortanyinformationwhichyoumayconceivewouldbeusefultotheGovernment。Youwillavailyourselfofeveryopportunityofinformingusofyourpositionandprogress，andattheexpirationofyourleaveofabsencewilljoinyourproperstation。
　　IhavethehonortobeSir，YourOtStSignedAlexrMacombMajGenlComgToCap：B。LEBonneville7thRegtInfantryNewYork[ReturntoContents]