ProceedingdownalongthePopoAgie，CaptainBonnevillecameagaininfullviewof
　　the“Bluffs，“astheyarecalled，extendingfromthebaseoftheWindRiverMountains
　　farawaytotheeast，andpresentingtotheeyeaconfusionofhillsandcliffsofred
　　sandstone，somepeakedandangular，someround，somebrokenintocragsand
　　precipices，andpiledupinfantasticmasses；butallnakedandsterile。Thereappeared
　　tobenosoilfavorabletovegetation，nothingbutcoarsegravel；yet，overallthis
　　isolated，barrenlandscape，werediffusedsuchatmosphericaltintsandhues，astoblendthewholeintoharmonyandbeauty。Inthisneighborhood，thecaptainmadesearchfor“thegreatTarSpring，“oneofthe
　　wondersofthemountains；themedicinalpropertiesofwhich，hehadheard
　　extravagantlylaudedbythetrappers。Afteratoilsomesearch，hefounditatthefootof
　　asand-bluff，alittleeastoftheWindRiverMountains；whereitexudedinasmall
　　streamofthecolorandconsistencyoftar。Themenimmediatelyhastenedtocollecta
　　quantityofit，touseasanointmentforthegalledbacksoftheirhorses，andasa
　　balsamfortheirownpainsandaches。Fromthedescriptiongivenofit，itisevidentlythe
　　bituminousoil，calledpetroliumornaphtha，whichformsaprincipalingredientinthe
　　potentmedicinecalledBritishOil。ItisfoundinvariouspartsofEuropeandAsia，in
　　severaloftheWestIndiaislands，andinsomeplacesoftheUnitedStates。InthestateofNewYork，itiscalledSenecaOil，frombeingfoundneartheSenecalake。TheCrowcountryhasothernaturalcuriosities，whichareheldinsuperstitiousaweby
　　theIndians，andconsideredgreatmarvelsbythetrappers。SuchistheBurning
　　Mountain，onPowderRiver，aboundingwithanthracitecoal。Heretheearthishotand
　　cracked；inmanyplacesemittingsmokeandsulphurousvapors，asifcovering
　　concealedfires。AvolcanictractofsimilarcharacterisfoundonStinkingRiver，oneof
　　thetributariesoftheBighorn，whichtakesitsunhappynamefromtheodorderivedfrom
　　sulphurousspringsandstreams。Thislastmentionedplacewasfirstdiscoveredby
　　Colter，ahunterbelongingtoLewisandClarke”sexploringparty，whocameuponitin
　　thecourseofhislonelywanderings，andgavesuchanaccountofitsgloomyterrors，its
　　hiddenfires，smokingpits，noxiousstreams，andtheall-pervading“smellofbrimstone，“
　　thatitreceived，andhaseversinceretainedamongtrappers，thenameof“Colter”sHell！“ResuminghisdescentalongtheleftbankofthePopoAgie，CaptainBonnevillesoon
　　reachedtheplains；wherehefoundseverallargestreamsenteringfromthewest。
　　AmongthesewasWindRiver，whichgivesitsnametothemountainsamongwhichit
　　takesitsrise。ThisisoneofthemostimportantstreamsoftheCrowcountry。Theriver
　　beingmuchswollen，CaptainBonnevillehaltedatitsmouth，andsentoutscoutstolook
　　forafordingplace。Whilethusencamped，hebeheldinthecourseoftheafternoona
　　longlineofhorsemendescendingtheslopeofthehillsontheoppositesideofthePopo
　　Agie。HisfirstideawasthattheywereIndians；hesoondiscovered，however，thatthey
　　werewhitemen，and，bythelonglineofpack-horses，ascertainedthemtobethe
　　convoyofCampbell，which，havingdescendedtheSweetWater，wasnowonitswaytotheHornRiver。Thetwopartiescametogethertwoorthreedaysafterwards，onthe4thofAugust，after
　　havingpassedthroughthegapoftheLittlehornMountain。IncompanywithCampbell”s
　　convoywasatrappingpartyoftheRockyMountainCompany，headedbyFitzpatrick；
　　who，afterCampbell”sembarkationontheBighorn，wastotakechargeofallthehorses，
　　andproceedonatrappingcampaign。Therewere，moreover，twochancecompanions
　　intherivalcamp。OnewasCaptainStewart，oftheBritisharmy，agentlemanofnoble
　　connections，whowasamusinghimselfbyawanderingtourintheFarWest；inthe
　　courseofwhich，hehadlivedinhunter”sstyle；accompanyingvariousbandsoftraders，
　　trappers，andIndians；andmanifestingthatrelishforthewildernessthatbelongstomenofgamespirit。TheothercasualinmateofMr。Campbell”scampwasMr。NathanielWyeth；theself-same
　　leaderofthebandofNewEnglandsalmonfishers，withwhomweparted
　　companyinthevalleyofPierre”sHole，afterthebattlewiththeBlackfeet。Afewdays
　　afterthataffair，heagainsetoutfromtherendezvousincompanywithMiltonSublette
　　andhisbrigadeoftrappers。Onhismarch，hevisitedthebattleground，andpenetrated
　　tothedesertedfortoftheBlackfeetinthemidstofthewood。Itwasadismalscene。
　　Thefortwasstrewedwiththemoulderingbodiesoftheslain；whilevulturessoared
　　aloft，orsatbroodingonthetreesaround；andIndiandogshowledabouttheplace，asif
　　bewailingthedeathoftheirmasters。Wyethtravelledforaconsiderabledistancetothe
　　southwest，incompanywithMiltonSublette，whentheyseparated；andtheformer，with
　　elevenmen，theremnantofhisband，pushedonforSnakeRiver；keptdownthecourse
　　ofthateventfulstream；traversedtheBlueMountains，trappingbeaveroccasionallyby
　　theway，andfinally，afterhardshipsofallkinds，arrived，onthe29thofOctober，atVancouver，ontheColumbia，themainfactoryoftheHudson”sBayCompany。Heexperiencedhospitabletreatmentatthehandsoftheagentsofthatcompany；but
　　hismen，heartilytiredofwanderinginthewilderness，ortemptedbyotherprospects，
　　refused，forthemostpart，tocontinueanylongerinhisservice。Somesetoffforthe
　　SandwichIslands；someenteredintootheremploy。Wyethfound，too，thatagreatpart
　　ofthegoodshehadbroughtwithhimwereunfittedfortheIndiantrade；inaword，his
　　expedition，undertakenentirelyonhisownresources，provedafailure。Helost
　　everythinginvestedinit，buthishopes。Thesewereasstrongasever。Hetooknoteof
　　everything，therefore，thatcouldbeofservicetohiminthefurtherprosecutionofhis
　　project；collectedalltheinformationwithinhisreach，andthensetoff，accompaniedby
　　merelytwomen，onhisreturnjourneyacrossthecontinent。Hehadgotthusfar“by
　　hookandbycrook，“amodeinwhichaNewEnglandmancanmakehiswayallover
　　theworld，andthroughallkindsofdifficulties，andwasnowboundforBoston；infull
　　confidenceofbeingabletoformacompanyforthesalmonfisheryandfurtradeoftheColumbia。ThepartyofMr。Campbellhadmetwithadisasterinthecourseoftheirroutefromthe
　　SweetWater。Threeorfourofthemen，whowerereconnoiteringthecountryin
　　advanceofthemainbody，werevisitedonenightintheircamp，byfifteenortwenty
　　Shoshonies。Consideringthistribeasperfectlyfriendly，theyreceivedtheminthemost
　　cordialandconfidingmanner。Inthecourseofthenight，themanonguardnearthe
　　horsesfellsoundasleep；uponwhichaShoshonieshothiminthehead，andnearly
　　killedhim。Thesavagesthenmadeoffwiththehorses，leavingtherestofthepartytofindtheirwaytothemainbodyonfoot。TherivalcompaniesofCaptainBonnevilleandMr。Campbell，thusfortuitouslybrought
　　together，nowprosecutedtheirjourneyingreatgoodfellowship；formingajointcampof
　　aboutahundredmen。Thecaptain，however，begantoentertaindoubtsthatFitzpatrick
　　andhistrappers，whokeptprofoundsilenceastotheirfuturemovements，intendedto
　　huntthesamegroundswhichhehadselectedforhisautumnalcampaign；whichlayto
　　thewestoftheHornRiver，onitstributarystreams。Inthecourseofhismarch，
　　therefore，hesecretlydetachedasmallpartyoftrappers，tomaketheirwaytothose
　　huntinggrounds，whilehecontinuedonwiththemainbody；appointingarendezvous，atthenextfullmoon，aboutthe28thofAugust，ataplacecalledtheMedicineLodge。Onreachingthesecondchain，calledtheBighornMountains，wheretheriverforcedits
　　impetuouswaythroughaprecipitousdefile，withcascadesandrapids，thetravellers
　　wereobligedtoleaveitsbanks，andtraversethemountainsbyaruggedandfrightful
　　route，emphaticallycalledthe“BadPass。”Descendingtheoppositeside，theyagain
　　madefortheriverbanks；andaboutthemiddleofAugust，reachedthepointbelowthe
　　rapidswheretheriverbecomesnavigableforboats。HereCaptainBonnevilledetached
　　asecondpartyoftrappers，consistingoftenmen，toseekandjointhosewhomhehad
　　detachedwhileontheroute；appointingforthemthesamerendezvous，attheMedicineLodge，onthe28thofAugust。Allhandsnowsettoworktoconstruct“bullboats，“astheyaretechnicallycalled；a
　　light，fragilekindofbark，characteristicoftheexpedientsandinventionsofthe
　　wilderness；beingformedofbuffaloskins，stretchedonframes。Theyaresometimes，
　　also，calledskinboats。Wyethwasthefirstready；and，withhisusualpromptnessand
　　hardihood，launchedhisfrailbark，singly，onthiswildandhazardousvoyage，downan
　　almostinterminablesuccessionofrivers，windingthroughcountriesteemingwith
　　savagehordes。MiltonSublette，hisformerfellowtraveller，andhiscompanioninthe
　　battlescenesofPierre”sHole，tookpassageinhisboat。Hiscrewconsistedoftwowhite
　　men，andtwoIndians。WeshallhearfurtherofWyeth，andhiswildvoyage，inthecourseofourwanderingsabouttheFarWest。Theremainingpartiessooncompletedtheirseveralarmaments。ThatofCaptain
　　Bonnevillewascomposedofthreebullboats，inwhichheembarkedallhispeltries，
　　givingtheminchargeofMr。Cerre，withapartyofthirty-sixmen。Mr。Campbelltook
　　commandofhisownboats，andthelittlesquadronsweresoonglidingdownthebrightcurrentoftheBighorn。ThesecretprecautionswhichCaptainBonnevillehadtakentothrowhismenfirstinto
　　thetrappinggroundwestoftheBighorn，were，probably，superfluous。Itdidnotappear
　　thatFitzpatrickhadintendedtohuntinthatdirection。ThemomentMr。Campbelland
　　hismenembarkedwiththepeltries，Fitzpatricktookchargeofallthehorses，amounting
　　toaboveahundred，andstruckofftotheeast，totrapuponLittlehorn，Powder，and
　　Tonguerivers。HewasaccompaniedbyCaptainStewart，whowasdesirousofhavinga
　　rangeabouttheCrowcountry。Oftheadventurestheymetwithinthatregionofvagabondsandhorsestealers，weshallhavesomethingtorelatehereafter。CaptainBonnevillebeingnowlefttoprosecutehistrappingcampaignwithoutrivalry，set
　　out，onthe17thofAugust，fortherendezvousatMedicineLodge。Hehadbutfourmen
　　remainingwithhim，andforty-sixhorsestotakecareof；withthesehehadtomakehis
　　wayovermountainandplain，throughamarauding，horse-stealingregion，fullofperil
　　foranumerouscavalcadesoslightlymanned。Headdressedhimselftohisdifficultjourney，however，withhisusualalacrityofspirit。Intheafternoonofhisfirstday”sjourney，ondrawingneartotheBighornMountain，on
　　thesummitofwhichheintendedtoencampforthenight，heobserved，tohisdisquiet，a
　　cloudofsmokerisingfromitsbase。Hecametoahalt，andwatcheditanxiously。Itwas
　　veryirregular；sometimesitwouldalmostdieaway；andthenwouldmountupinheavy
　　volumes。Therewas，apparently，alargepartyencampedthere；probably，someruffian
　　hordeofBlackfeet。Atanyrate，itwouldnotdoforsosmallanumberofmen，withso
　　numerousacavalcade，toventurewithinsightofanywanderingtribe。Captain
　　Bonnevilleandhiscompanions，therefore，avoidedthisdangerousneighborhood；and，
　　proceedingwithextremecaution，reachedthesummitofthemountain，apparently
　　withoutbeingdiscovered。HeretheyfoundadesertedBlackfootfort，inwhichthey
　　ensconcedthemselves；disposedofeverythingassecurelyaspossible，andpassed
　　thenightwithoutmolestation。Earlythenextmorningtheydescendedthesouthsideof
　　themountainintothegreatplainextendingbetweenitandtheLittlehornrange。Here
　　theysooncameuponnumerousfootprints，andthecarcassesofbuffaloes；bywhich
　　theyknewtheremustbeIndiansnotfaroff。CaptainBonnevillenowbegantofeel
　　solicitudeaboutthetwosmallpartiesoftrapperswhichhehaddetached，lestthe
　　Indiansshouldhavecomeuponthembeforetheyhadunitedtheirforces。Buthefelt
　　stillmoresolicitudeabouthisownparty；foritwashardlytobeexpectedhecould
　　traversethesenakedplainsundiscovered，whenIndianswereabroad；andshouldhe
　　bediscovered，hischancewouldbeadesperateone。Everythingnowdependedupon
　　thegreatestcircumspection。Itwasdangeroustodischargeagun，orlightafire，or
　　maketheleastnoise，wheresuchquick-earedandquick-sightedenemieswereathand。
　　Inthecourseofthedaytheysawindubitablesignsthatthebuffalohadbeenroaming
　　thereingreatnumbers，andhadrecentlybeenfrightenedaway。Thatnighttheyencampedwiththegreatestcare；andthrewupastrongbreastworkfortheirprotection。Forthetwosucceedingdaystheypressedforwardrapidly，butcautiously，acrossthe
　　greatplain；fordingthetributarystreamsoftheHornRiver；encampingonenightamong
　　thickets；thenext，onanisland；meeting，repeatedly，withtracesofIndians；andnow
　　andthen，inpassingthroughadefile，experiencingalarmsthatinducedthemtococktheirrifles。Onthelastdayoftheirmarchhungergotthebetteroftheircaution，andtheyshotafine
　　buffalobullattheriskofbeingbetrayedbythereport。Theydidnothalttomakeameal，
　　butcarriedthemeatonwiththemtotheplaceofrendezvous，theMedicineLodge，
　　wheretheyarrivedsafely，intheevening，andcelebratedtheirarrivalbyaheartysupper。Thenextmorningtheyerectedastrongpenforthehorses，andafortressoflogsfor
　　themselves；andcontinuedtoobservethegreatestcaution。Theircookingwasalldone
　　atmid-day，whenthefiremakesnoglare，andamoderatesmokecannotbeperceived
　　atanygreatdistance。Inthemorningandtheevening，whenthewindislulled，the
　　smokerisesperpendicularlyinabluecolumn，orfloatsinlightcloudsabovethetree-tops，andcanbediscoveredfromafar。Inthiswaythelittlepartyremainedforseveraldays，cautiouslyencamped，until，onthe
　　29thofAugust，thetwodetachmentstheyhadbeenexpecting，arrivedtogetheratthe
　　rendezvous。They，asusual，hadtheirseveraltalesofadventurestorelatetothe
　　captain，whichwewillfurnishtothereaderinthenextchapter。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter24[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter24Adventuresofthepartyoften——TheBalaamitemule——Adeadpoint——Themysterious
　　elks——Anightattack——Aretreat——Travellingunderanalarm——Ajoyful
　　meeting——Adventuresoftheotherparty——Adecoyelk——Retreattoanisland——Asavage
　　danceoftriumph——ArrivalatWindRiverTHEADVENTURESofthedetachmentoftenarethefirstinorder。Thesetrappers，
　　whentheyseparatedfromCaptainBonnevilleattheplacewherethefurswere
　　embarked，proceededtothefootoftheBighornMountain，andhavingencamped，one
　　ofthemmountedhismuleandwentouttosethistrapinaneighboringstream。Hehad
　　notproceededfarwhenhissteedcametoafullstop。Thetrapperkickedandcudgelled，
　　buttoeveryblowandkickthemulesnortedandkickedup，butstillrefusedtobudgean
　　inch。Theridernowcasthiseyeswarilyaroundinsearchofsomecauseforthisdemur，
　　when，tohisdismay，hediscoveredanIndianfortwithingunshotdistance，lowering
　　throughthetwilight。Inatwinklinghewheeledabout；hismulenowseemedaseagerto
　　getonashimself，andinafewmomentsbroughthim，clatteringwithhistraps，among
　　hiscomrades。Hewasjeeredatforhisalacrityinretreating；hisreportwastreatedasa
　　falsealarm；hisbrothertrapperscontentedthemselveswithreconnoitringthefortatadistance，andpronouncedthatitwasdeserted。Asnightsetin，theusualprecaution，enjoinedbyCaptainBonnevilleonhismen，was
　　observed。Thehorseswerebroughtinandtied，andaguardstationedoverthem。This
　　done，themenwrappedthemselvesintheirblankets，stretchedthemselvesbeforethe
　　fire，andbeingfatiguedwithalongday”smarch，andgorgedwithaheartysupper，weresooninaprofoundsleep。Thecampfiresgraduallydiedaway；allwasdarkandsilent；thesentinelstationedto
　　watchthehorseshadmarchedasfar，andsuppedasheartilyasanyofhis
　　companions，andwhiletheysnored，hebegantonodathispost。Afteratime，alow
　　tramplingnoisereachedhisear。Hehalfopenedhisclosingeyes，andbeheldtwoor
　　threeelksmovingaboutthelodges，picking，andsmelling，andgrazinghereandthere。
　　Thesightofelkwithinthepurlieusofthecampcausedsomelittlesurprise；buthaving
　　hadhissupper，hecarednotforelkmeat，and，sufferingthemtograzeaboutunmolested，soonrelapsedintoadoze。Suddenly，beforedaybreak，adischargeoffirearms，andastruggleandtrampof
　　horses，madeeveryonestarttohisfeet。Thefirstmovewastosecurethehorses。
　　Someweregone；otherswerestruggling，andkicking，andtrembling，fortherewasa
　　horribleuproarofwhoops，andyells，andfirearms。Severaltrappersstolequietlyfrom
　　thecamp，andsucceededindrivinginthehorseswhichhadbrokenaway；therestwere
　　tetheredstillmorestrongly。Abreastworkwasthrownupofsaddles，baggage，and
　　campfurniture，andallhandswaitedanxiouslyfordaylight。TheIndians，inthe
　　meantime，collectedonaneighboringheight，keptupthemosthorribleclamor，inhopes
　　ofstrikingapanicintothecamp，orfrighteningoffthehorses。Whenthedaydawned，
　　thetrappersattackedthembrisklyanddrovethemtosomedistance。Adesultoryfire
　　waskeptupforanhour，whentheIndians，seeingnothingwastobegained，gaveup
　　thecontestandretired。TheyprovedtobeawarpartyofBlackfeet，who，whileinsearch
　　oftheCrowtribe，hadfallenuponthetrailofCaptainBonnevilleonthePopoAgie，and
　　doggedhimtotheBighorn；buthadbeencompletelybaffledbyhisvigilance。Theyhad
　　thenwaylaidthepresentdetachment，andwereactuallyhousedinperfectsilencewithintheirfort，whenthemuleofthetrappermadesuchadeadpoint。Thesavageswentoffutteringthewildestdenunciationsofhostility，mingledwithopprobrioustermsinbrokenEnglish，andgesticulationsofthemostinsultingkind。Inthismelee，onewhitemanwaswounded，andtwohorseswerekilled。Onpreparing
　　themorning”smeal，however，anumberofcups，knives，andotherarticleswere
　　missing，whichhad，doubtless，beencarriedoffbythefictitiouselk，duringtheslumberoftheverysagacioussentinel。AstheIndianshadgoneoffinthedirectionwhichthetrappershadintendedtotravel，
　　thelatterchangedtheirroute，andpushedforwardrapidlythroughthe“BadPass，“nor
　　halteduntilnight；when，supposingthemselvesoutofthereachoftheenemy，they
　　contentedthemselveswithtyinguptheirhorsesandpostingaguard。Theyhadscarce
　　laiddowntosleep，whenadogstrayedintothecampwithasmallpackofmoccasons
　　tieduponhisback；fordogsaremadetocarryburdensamongtheIndians。The
　　sentinel，moreknowingthanheoftheprecedingnight，awokehiscompanionsand
　　reportedthecircumstance。ItwasevidentthatIndianswereathand。Allwereinstantly
　　atwork；astrongpenwassoonconstructedforthehorses，aftercompletingwhich，theyresumedtheirslumberswiththecomposureofmenlonginuredtodangers。Inthenextnight，theprowlingofdogsaboutthecamp，andvarioussuspiciousnoises，
　　showedthatIndianswerestillhoveringaboutthem。Hurryingonbylongmarches，they
　　atlengthfelluponatrail，which，withtheexperiencedeyeofveteranwoodmen，they
　　soondiscoveredtobethatofthepartyoftrappersdetachedbyCaptainBonneville
　　whenonhismarch，andwhichtheyweresenttojoin。Theylikewiseascertainedfrom
　　varioussigns，thatthispartyhadsufferedsomemaltreatmentfromtheIndians。They
　　nowpursuedthetrailwithintenseanxiety；itcarriedthemtothebanksofthestream
　　calledtheGrayBull，anddownalongitscourse，untiltheycametowhereitemptiesinto
　　theHornRiver。Here，totheirgreatjoy，theydiscoveredthecomradesofwhomtheywereinsearch，allstronglyfortified，andinastateofgreatwatchfulnessandanxiety。Wenowtakeuptheadventuresofthisfirstdetachmentoftrappers。Thesemen，after
　　partingwiththemainbodyunderCaptainBonneville，hadproceededslowlyforseveral
　　daysupthecourseoftheriver，trappingbeaverastheywent。Onemorning，asthey
　　wereabouttovisittheirtraps，oneofthecamp-keeperspointedtoafineelk，grazingat
　　adistance，andrequestedthemtoshootit。Threeofthetrappersstartedoffforthe
　　purpose。Inpassingathicket，theywerefireduponbysomesavagesinambush，andat
　　thesametime，thepretendedelk，throwingoffhishideandhishorn，startedforthanIndianwarrior。Oneofthethreetrappershadbeenbroughtdownbythevolley；theothersfledtothe
　　camp，andallhands，seizingupwhatevertheycouldcarryoff，retreatedtoasmall
　　islandintheriver，andtookrefugeamongthewillows。Heretheyweresoonjoinedbytheircomradewhohadfallen，butwhohadmerelybeenwoundedintheneck。InthemeantimetheIndianstookpossessionofthedesertedcamp，withallthetraps，
　　accoutrements，andhorses。Whiletheywerebusyamongthespoils，asolitarytrapper，
　　whohadbeenabsentathiswork，camesaunteringtothecampwithhistrapsonhis
　　back。Hehadapproachednearby，whenanIndiancameforwardandmotionedhimto
　　keepaway；atthesamemoment，hewasperceivedbyhiscomradesontheisland，and
　　warnedofhisdangerwithloudcries。Thepoorfellowstoodforamoment，bewildered
　　andaghast，thendroppinghistraps，wheeledandmadeoffatfullspeed，quickenedbyasportivevolleywhichtheIndiansrattledafterhim。Inhighgoodhumorwiththeireasytriumph，thesavagesnowformedacircleroundthe
　　fireandperformedawardance，withtheunluckytrappersforruefulspectators。This
　　done，emboldenedbywhattheyconsideredcowardiceonthepartofthewhitemen，
　　theyneglectedtheirusualmodeofbush-fighting，andadvancedopenlywithintwenty
　　pacesofthewillows。Asharpvolleyfromthetrappersbroughtthemtoasuddenhalt，
　　andlaidthreeofthembreathless。Thechief，whohadstationedhimselfonaneminence
　　todirectallthemovementsofhispeople，seeingthreeofhiswarriorslaidlow，ordered
　　theresttoretire。Theyimmediatelydidso，andthewholebandsoondisappeared
　　behindapointofwoods，carryingoffwiththemthehorses，traps，andthegreaterpartofthebaggage。Itwasjustafterthismisfortunethatthepartyoftenmendiscoveredthisforlornbandof
　　trappersinafortress，whichtheyhadthrownupaftertheirdisaster。Theywereso
　　perfectlydismayed，thattheycouldnotbeinducedeventogoinquestoftheirtraps，
　　whichtheyhadsetinaneighboringstream。Thetwopartiesnowjoinedtheirforces，andmadetheirway，withoutfurthermisfortune，totherendezvous。CaptainBonnevilleperceivedfromthereportsoftheseparties，aswellasfromwhathe
　　hadobservedhimselfinhisrecentmarch，thathewasinaneighborhoodteemingwith
　　danger。TwowanderingSnakeIndians，also，whovisitedthecamp，assuredhimthat
　　thereweretwolargebandsofCrowsmarchingrapidlyuponhim。Hebrokeuphis
　　encampment，therefore，onthe1stofSeptember，madehiswaytothesouth，across
　　theLittlehornMountain，untilhereachedWindRiver，andthenturningwestward，
　　movedslowlyupthebanksofthatstream，givingtimeforhismentotrapashe
　　proceeded。Asitwasnotintheplanofthepresenthuntingcampaignstogonearthe
　　cachesonGreenRiver，andasthetrapperswereinwantoftrapstoreplacethosethey
　　hadlost，CaptainBonnevilleundertooktovisitthecaches，andprocureasupply。To
　　accompanyhiminthishazardousexpedition，whichwouldtakehimthroughthedefiles
　　oftheWindRiverMountains，anduptheGreenRivervalley，hetookbutthreemen；the
　　mainpartyweretocontinueontrappinguptowardtheheadofWindRiver，nearwhich
　　hewastorejointhem，justabouttheplacewherethatstreamissuesfromthe
　　mountains。Weshallaccompanythecaptainonhisadventurouserrand。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter25[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter25CaptainBonnevillesetsoutforGreenRivervalley——JourneyupthePopo
　　Agie——Buffaloes——Thestaringwhitebears——Thesmoke——Thewarmsprings——
　　AttempttotraversetheWindRiverMountains——TheGreatSlope——Mountaindellsand
　　chasms——Crystallakes——Ascentofasnowypeak——Sublimeprospect——A
　　panorama”Lesdignesdepitie，“orwildmenofthemountainsHAVINGFORDEDWINDRIVERalittleaboveitsmouth，CaptainBonnevilleandhis
　　threecompanionsproceededacrossagravellyplain，untiltheyfelluponthePopoAgie，
　　uptheleftbankofwhichtheyheldtheircourse，nearlyinasoutherlydirection。Here
　　theycameuponnumerousdrovesofbuffalo，andhaltedforthepurposeofprocuringa
　　supplyofbeef。Asthehunterswerestealingcautiouslytogetwithinshotofthegame，
　　twosmallwhitebearssuddenlypresentedthemselvesintheirpath，and，risingupon
　　theirhindlegs，contemplatedthemforsometimewithawhimsicallysolemngaze。The
　　huntersremainedmotionless；whereuponthebears，havingapparentlysatisfiedtheir
　　curiosity，loweredthemselvesuponallfours，andbegantowithdraw。Thehuntersnow
　　advanced，uponwhichthebearsturned，roseagainupontheirhaunches，andrepeated
　　theirserio-comicexamination。Thiswasrepeatedseveraltimes，untilthehunters，
　　piquedattheirunmannerlystaring，rebukeditwithadischargeoftheirrifles。Thebears
　　madeanawkwardboundortwo，asifwounded，andthenwalkedoffwithgreatgravity，
　　seemingtocommunetogether，andeverynowandthenturningtotakeanotherlookat
　　thehunters。Itwaswellforthelatterthatthebearswerebuthalfgrown，andhadnotyetacquiredtheferocityoftheirkind。Thebuffaloweresomewhatstartledatthereportofthefirearms；butthehunters
　　succeededinkillingacoupleoffinecows，and，havingsecuredthebestofthemeat，
　　continuedforwarduntilsometimeafterdark，when，encampinginalargethicketof
　　willows，theymadeagreatfire，roastedbuffalobeefenoughforhalfascore，disposed
　　ofthewholeofitwithkeenrelishandhighglee，andthen“turnedin“forthenightandsleptsoundly，likewearyandwellfedhunters。Atdaylighttheywereinthesaddleagain，andskirtedalongtheriver，passingthrough
　　freshgrassymeadows，andasuccessionofbeautifulgrovesofwillowsandcotton-wood。Toward
　　evening，CaptainBonnevilleobservedasmokeatadistancerisingfrom
　　amonghills，directlyintheroutehewaspursuing。Apprehensiveofsomehostileband，
　　heconcealedthehorsesinathicket，and，accompaniedbyoneofhismen，crawled
　　cautiouslyupaheight，fromwhichhecouldoverlookthesceneofdanger。Here，witha
　　spy-glass，hereconnoitredthesurroundingcountry，butnotalodgenorfire，notaman，
　　horse，nordog，wastobediscovered；inshort，thesmokewhichhadcausedsuch
　　alarmprovedtobethevaporfromseveralwarm，orratherhotspringsofconsiderable
　　magnitude，pouringforthstreamsineverydirectionoverabottomofwhiteclay。Oneof
　　thespringswasabouttwenty-fiveyardsindiameter，andsodeepthatthewaterwasofabrightgreencolor。TheywerenowadvancingdiagonallyuponthechainofWindRiverMountains，which
　　laybetweenthemandGreenRivervalley。Tocoastroundtheirsouthernpointswould
　　beawidecircuit；whereas，couldtheyforcetheirwaythroughthem，theymightproceed
　　inastraightline。Themountainswerelofty，withsnowypeaksandcraggedsides；itwas
　　hoped，however，thatsomepracticabledefilemightbefound。Theyattempted，
　　accordingly，topenetratethemountainsbyfollowinguponeofthebranchesofthe
　　PopoAgie，butsoonfoundthemselvesinthemidstofstupendouscragsandprecipices
　　thatbarredallprogress。Retracingtheirsteps，andfallingbackupontheriver，they
　　consultedwheretomakeanotherattempt。Theyweretooclosebeneaththemountains
　　toscanthemgenerally，buttheynowrecollectedhavingnoticed，fromtheplain，a
　　beautifulsloperising，atanangleofaboutthirtydegrees，andapparentlywithoutany
　　break，untilitreachedthesnowyregion。Seekingthisgentleacclivity，theybeganto
　　ascenditwithalacrity，trustingtofindatthetoponeofthoseelevatedplainswhich
　　prevailamongtheRockyMountains。Theslopewascoveredwithcoarsegravel，
　　interspersedwithplatesoffreestone。Theyattainedthesummitwithsometoil，but
　　found，insteadofalevel，orratherundulatingplain，thattheywereonthebrinkofa
　　deepandprecipitousravine，fromthebottomofwhichroseasecondslope，similarto
　　theonetheyhadjustascended。Downintothisprofoundravinetheymadetheirwayby
　　aruggedpath，orratherfissureoftherocks，andthenlaboredupthesecondslope。
　　Theygainedthesummitonlytofindthemselvesonanotherravine，andnowperceived
　　thatthisvastmountain，whichhadpresentedsuchaslopingandevensidetothe
　　distantbeholderontheplain，wasshaggedbyfrightfulprecipices，andseamedwithlongitudinalchasms，deepanddangerous。Inoneofthesewilddellstheypassedthenight，andsleptsoundlyandsweetlyafter
　　theirfatigues。Twodaysmoreofarduousclimbingandscramblingonlyservedtoadmit
　　themintotheheartofthismountainousandawfulsolitude；wheredifficultiesincreased
　　astheyproceeded。Sometimestheyscrambledfromrocktorock，upthebedofsome
　　mountainstream，dashingitsbrightwaydowntotheplains；sometimestheyavailed
　　themselvesofthepathsmadebythedeerandthemountainsheep，which，however，
　　oftentookthemtothebrinksoffearfulprecipices，orledtoruggeddefiles，impassable
　　fortheirhorses。Atoneplace，theywereobligedtoslidetheirhorsesdownthefaceofa
　　rock，inwhichattemptsomeofthepooranimalslosttheirfooting，rolledtothebottom，andcamenearbeingdashedtopieces。Intheafternoonofthesecondday，thetravellersattainedoneoftheelevatedvalleys
　　lockedupinthissingularbedofmountains。Hereweretwobrightandbeautifullittle
　　lakes，setlikemirrorsinthemidstofsternandrockyheights，andsurroundedbygrassy
　　meadows，inexpressiblyrefreshingtotheeye。Theseprobablywereamongthesources
　　ofthosemightystreamswhichtaketheirriseamongthesemountains，andwanderhundredsofmilesthroughtheplains。Inthegreenpasturesborderingupontheselakes，thetravellershaltedtorepose，and
　　togivetheirwearyhorsestimetocropthesweetandtenderherbage。Theyhadnow
　　ascendedtoagreatheightabovetheleveloftheplains，yettheybeheldhugecragsof
　　granitepiledoneuponanother，andbeetlinglikebattlementsfarabovethem。While
　　twoofthemenremainedinthecampwiththehorses，CaptainBonneville，
　　accompaniedbytheothermen[man]，setouttoclimbaneighboringheight，hopingto
　　gainacommandingprospect，anddiscernsomepracticableroutethroughthis
　　stupendouslabyrinth。Aftermuchtoil，hereachedthesummitofaloftycliff，butitwas
　　onlytobeholdgiganticpeaksrisingallaround，andtoweringfarintothesnowyregions
　　oftheatmosphere。Selectingonewhichappearedtobethehighest，hecrosseda
　　narrowinterveningvalley，andbegantoscaleit。Hesoonfoundthathehadundertaken
　　atremendoustask；buttheprideofmanisnevermoreobstinatethanwhenclimbing
　　mountains。Theascentwassosteepandruggedthatheandhiscompanionwere
　　frequentlyobligedtoclamberonhandsandknees，withtheirgunsslungupontheir
　　backs。Frequently，exhaustedwithfatigue，anddrippingwithperspiration，theythrew
　　themselvesuponthesnow，andtookhandfulsofittoallaytheirparchingthirst。Atone
　　place，theyevenstrippedofftheircoatsandhungthemuponthebushes，andthus
　　lightlyclad，proceededtoscrambleovertheseeternalsnows。Astheyascendedstill
　　higher，therewerecoolbreezesthatrefreshedandbracedthem，andspringingwithnewardortotheirtask，theyatlengthattainedthesummit。HereasceneburstupontheviewofCaptainBonneville，thatforatimeastonishedand
　　overwhelmedhimwithitsimmensity。Hestood，infact，uponthatdividingridgewhich
　　Indiansregardasthecrestoftheworld；andoneachsideofwhich，thelandscapemay
　　besaidtodeclinetothetwocardinaloceansoftheglobe。Whicheverwayheturnedhis
　　eye，itwasconfoundedbythevastnessandvarietyofobjects。Beneathhim，theRocky
　　Mountainsseemedtoopenalltheirsecretrecesses：deep，solemnvalleys；treasured
　　lakes；drearypasses；ruggeddefiles，andfoamingtorrents；whilebeyondtheirsavage
　　precincts，theeyewaslostinanalmostimmeasurablelandscape；stretchingonevery
　　sideintodimandhazydistance，liketheexpanseofasummer”ssea。Whicheverway
　　helooked，hebeheldvastplainsglimmeringwithreflectedsunshine；mightystreams
　　wanderingontheirshiningcoursetowardeitherocean，andsnowymountains，chain
　　beyondchain，andpeakbeyondpeak，tilltheymeltedlikecloudsintothehorizon。Fora
　　time，theIndianfableseemedrealized：hehadattainedthatheightfromwhichthe
　　Blackfootwarrior，afterdeath，firstcatchesaviewofthelandofsouls，andbeholdsthe
　　happyhuntinggroundsspreadoutbelowhim，brighteningwiththeabodesofthefree
　　andgenerousspirits。Thecaptainstoodforalongwhilegazinguponthisscene，lostin
　　acrowdofvagueandindefiniteideasandsensations。Along-drawninspirationat
　　lengthrelievedhimfromthisenthralmentofthemind，andhebegantoanalyzethe
　　partsofthisvastpanorama。Asimpleenumerationofafewofitsfeaturesmaygivesomeideaofitscollectivegrandeurandmagnificence。ThepeakonwhichthecaptainhadtakenhisstandcommandedthewholeWindRiver
　　chain；which，infact，mayratherbeconsideredoneimmensemountain，brokeninto
　　snowypeaksandlateralspurs，andseamedwithnarrowvalleys。Someofthesevalleys
　　glitteredwithsilverlakesandgushingstreams；thefountainheads，asitwere，ofthe
　　mightytributariestotheAtlanticandPacificOceans。Beyondthesnowypeaks，tothe
　　south，andfar，farbelowthemountainrange，thegentleriver，calledtheSweetWater，
　　wasseenpursuingitstranquilwaythroughtheruggedregionsoftheBlackHills。Inthe
　　east，theheadwatersofWindRiverwanderedthroughaplain，until，minglinginone
　　powerfulcurrent，theyforcedtheirwaythroughtherangeofHornMountains，andwere
　　losttoview。Tothenorthwerecaughtglimpsesoftheupperstreamsofthe
　　Yellowstone，thatgreattributaryoftheMissouri。Inanotherdirectionweretobeseen
　　someofthesourcesoftheOregon，orColumbia，flowingtothenorthwest，pastthose
　　toweringlandmarkstheThreeTetons，andpouringdownintothegreatlavaplain；
　　while，almostatthecaptain”sfeet，theGreenRiver，orColoradooftheWest，setforth
　　onitswanderingpilgrimagetotheGulfofCalifornia；atfirstameremountaintorrent，
　　dashingnorthwardoveracragandprecipice，inasuccessionofcascades，and
　　tumblingintotheplainwhere，expandingintoanampleriver，itcircledawaytothe
　　south，andafteralternatelyshiningoutanddisappearinginthemazesofthevast
　　landscape，wasfinallylostinahorizonofmountains。Thedaywascalmandcloudless，
　　andtheatmospheresopurethatobjectswerediscernibleatanastonishingdistance。
　　Thewholeofthisimmenseareawasinclosedbyanouterrangeofshadowypeaks，
　　someofthemfaintlymarkedonthehorizon，whichseemedtowallitinfromtherestoftheearth。ItistoberegrettedthatCaptainBonnevillehadnoinstrumentswithhimwithwhichto
　　ascertainthealtitudeofthispeak。Hegivesitashisopinionthatitistheloftiestpointof
　　theNorthAmericancontinent；butofthiswehavenosatisfactoryproof。Itiscertainthat
　　theRockyMountainsareofanaltitudevastlysuperiortowhatwasformerlysupposed。
　　Weratherinclinetotheopinionthatthehighestpeakisfurthertothenorthward，andis
　　thesamemeasuredbyMr。Thompson，surveyortotheNorthwestCompany；who，by
　　thejointmeansofthebarometerandtrigonometricmeasurement，ascertainedittobe
　　twenty-fivethousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea；anelevationonlyinferiortothatoftheHimalayas。Foralongtime，CaptainBonnevilleremainedgazingaroundhimwithwonderand
　　enthusiasm；atlengththechillandwintrywinds，whirlingaboutthesnow-cladheight，
　　admonishedhimtodescend。Hesoonregainedthespotwhereheandhiscompanions
　　[companion]hadthrownofftheircoats，whichwerenowgladlyresumed，and，retracing
　　theircoursedownthepeak，theysafelyrejoinedtheircompanionsontheborderofthelake。Notwithstandingthesavageandalmostinaccessiblenatureofthesemountains，they
　　havetheirinhabitants。Asoneofthepartywasouthunting，hecameuponthesolitary
　　trackofamaninalonelyvalley。Followingitup，hereachedthebrowofacliff，whence
　　hebeheldthreesavagesrunningacrossthevalleybelowhim。Hefiredhisguntocall
　　theirattention，hopingtoinducethemtoturnback。Theyonlyfledthefaster，and
　　disappearedamongtherocks。Thehunterreturnedandreportedwhathehadseen。
　　CaptainBonnevilleatonceconcludedthatthesebelongedtoakindofhermitrace，
　　scantyinnumber，thatinhabitthehighestandmostinaccessiblefastnesses。They
　　speaktheShoshonielanguage，andprobablyareoffsetsfromthattribe，thoughthey
　　havepeculiaritiesoftheirown，whichdistinguishthemfromallotherIndians。Theyare
　　miserablypoor；ownnohorses，andaredestituteofeveryconveniencetobederived
　　fromanintercoursewiththewhites。Theirweaponsarebowsandstone-pointedarrows，
　　withwhichtheyhuntthedeer，theelk，andthemountainsheep。Theyaretobefound
　　scatteredaboutthecountriesoftheShoshonie，Flathead，Crow，andBlackfeettribes；buttheirresidencesarealwaysinlonelyplaces，andthecleftsoftherocks。Theirfootstepsareoftenseenbythetrappersinthehighandsolitaryvalleysamong
　　themountains，andthesmokesoftheirfiresdescriedamongtheprecipices，butthey
　　themselvesarerarelymetwith，andstillmorerarelybroughttoaparley，sogreatistheirshyness，andtheirdreadofstrangers。Astheirpovertyoffersnotemptationtothemarauder，andastheyareinoffensivein
　　theirhabits，theyarenevertheobjectsofwarfare：shouldoneofthem，however，fall
　　intothehandsofawarparty，heissuretobemadeasacrifice，forthesakeofthat
　　savagetrophy，ascalp，andthatbarbarousceremony，ascalpdance。Theseforlorn
　　beings，formingamerelinkbetweenhumannatureandthebrute，havebeenlooked
　　downuponwithpityandcontemptbythecreoletrappers，whohavegiventhemthe
　　appellationof“lesdignesdepitie，“or“theobjectsofpity。”；Theyappearmoreworthyto
　　becalledthewildmenofthemountains。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter26[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter26Aretrogrademove——Channelofamountaintorrent——Alpine
　　scenery——Cascades——Beavervalleys——Beaversatwork——Theirarchitecture——Their
　　modesoffellingtrees——Modeoftrappingbeaver——Contestsofskill——Abeaver“upto
　　trap“——ArrivalattheGreenRivercachesTHEVIEWfromthesnowypeakoftheWindRiverMountains，whileithadexcited
　　CaptainBonneville”senthusiasm，hadsatisfiedhimthatitwouldbeuselesstoforcea
　　passagewestward，throughmultiplyingbarriersofcliffsandprecipices。Turninghis
　　faceeastward，therefore，heendeavoredtoregaintheplains，intendingtomakethe
　　circuitroundthesouthernpointofthemountain。Todescend，andtoextricatehimself
　　fromtheheartofthisrock-piledwilderness，wasalmostasdifficultastopenetrateit。
　　Takinghiscoursedowntheravineofatumblingstream，thecommencementofsome
　　futureriver，hedescendedfromrocktorock，andshelftoshelf，betweenstupendous
　　cliffsandbeetlingcragsthatspranguptothesky。Oftenhehadtocrossandrecross
　　therushingtorrent，asitwoundfoamingandroaringdownitsbrokenchannel，orwas
　　walledbyperpendicularprecipices；andimminentwasthehazardofbreakingthelegs
　　ofthehorsesinthecleftsandfissuresofslipperyrocks。Thewholesceneryofthis
　　deepravinewasofAlpinewildnessandsublimity。Sometimesthetravellerspassed
　　beneathcascadeswhichpitchedfromsuchloftyheightsthatthewaterfellintothe
　　streamlikeheavyrain。Inotherplaces，torrentscametumblingfromcragtocrag，dashingintofoamandspray，andmakingtremendousdinanduproar。Ontheseconddayoftheirdescent，thetravellers，havinggotbeyondthesteepestpitch
　　ofthemountains，cametowherethedeepandruggedravinebeganoccasionallyto
　　expandintosmalllevelsorvalleys，andthestreamtoassumeforshortintervalsamore
　　peacefulcharacter。Here，notmerelytheriveritself，buteveryrivuletflowingintoit，was
　　dammedupbycommunitiesofindustriousbeavers，soastoinundatetheneighborhood，andmakecontinualswamps。Duringamid-dayhaltinoneofthesebeavervalleys，CaptainBonnevillelefthis
　　companions，andstrolleddownthecourseofthestreamtoreconnoitre。Hehadnot
　　proceededfarwhenhecametoabeaverpond，andcaughtaglimpseofoneofits
　　painstakinginhabitantsbusilyatworkuponthedam。Thecuriosityofthecaptainwas
　　aroused，tobeholdthemodeofoperatingofthisfar-famedarchitect；hemovedforward，
　　therefore，withtheutmostcaution，partingthebranchesofthewaterwillowswithout
　　makinganynoise，untilhavingattainedapositioncommandingaviewofthewhole
　　pond，hestretchedhimselfflatontheground，andwatchedthesolitaryworkman。Ina
　　littlewhile，threeothersappearedattheheadofthedam，bringingsticksandbushes。
　　Withthesetheyproceededdirectlytothebarrier，whichCaptainBonnevilleperceived
　　wasinneedofrepair。Havingdepositedtheirloadsuponthebrokenpart，theydived
　　intothewater，andshortlyreappearedatthesurface。Eachnowbroughtaquantityof
　　mud，withwhichhewouldplasterthesticksandbushesjustdeposited。Thiskindof
　　masonrywascontinuedforsometime，repeatedsuppliesofwoodandmudbeing
　　brought，andtreatedinthesamemanner。Thisdone，theindustriousbeaversindulged
　　inalittlerecreation，chasingeachotheraboutthepond，dodgingandwhiskingabout
　　onthesurface，ordivingtothebottom；andintheirfrolic，oftenslappingtheirtailson
　　thewaterwithaloudclackingsound。Whiletheywerethusamusingthemselves，
　　anotherofthefraternitymadehisappearance，andlookedgravelyontheirsportsfor
　　sometime，withoutofferingtojoininthem。Hethenclimbedthebankclosetowherethe
　　captainwasconcealed，and，rearinghimselfonhishindquarters，inasittingposition，
　　puthisforepawsagainstayoungpinetree，andbegantocutthebarkwithhisteeth。At
　　timeshewouldtearoffasmallpiece，andholdingitbetweenhispaws，andretaining
　　hissedentaryposition，wouldfeedhimselfwithit，afterthefashionofamonkey。The
　　objectofthebeaver，however，wasevidentlytocutdownthetree；andhewas
　　proceedingwithhiswork，whenhewasalarmedbytheapproachofCaptain
　　Bonneville”smen，who，feelinganxiousattheprotractedabsenceoftheirleader，were
　　cominginsearchofhim。Atthesoundoftheirvoices，allthebeavers，busyaswellas
　　idle，divedatoncebeneaththesurface，andwerenomoretobeseen。Captain
　　Bonnevilleregrettedthisinterruption。Hehadheardmuchofthesagacityofthebeaver
　　incuttingdowntrees，inwhich，itissaid，theymanagetomakethemfallintothewater，
　　andinsuchapositionanddirectionasmaybemostfavorableforconveyancetothe
　　desiredpoint。Inthepresentinstance，thetreewasatallstraightpine，andasitgrew
　　perpendicularly，andtherewasnotabreathofairstirringthebeavercouldhavefelledit
　　inanydirectionhepleased，ifreallycapableofexercisingadiscretioninthematter。He
　　wasevidentlyengagedin“belting“thetree，andhisfirstincisionhadbeenonthesidenearesttothewater。CaptainBonneville，however，discredits，onthewhole，theallegedsagacityofthe
　　beaverinthisparticular，andthinkstheanimalhasnootheraimthantogetthetree
　　down，withoutanyofthesubtlecalculationastoitsmodeordirectionoffalling。This
　　attribute，hethinks，hasbeenascribedtothemfromthecircumstancethatmosttrees
　　growingnearwater-courses，eitherleanbodilytowardthestream，orstretchtheir
　　largestlimbsinthatdirection，tobenefitbythespace，thelight，andtheairtobefound
　　there。Thebeaver，ofcourse，attacksthosetreeswhicharenearestathand，andonthe
　　banksofthestreamorpond。Hemakesincisionsroundthem，orintechnicalphrase，
　　beltsthemwithhisteeth，andwhentheyfall，theynaturallytakethedirectioninwhichtheirtrunksorbranchespreponderate。“Ihaveoften，“saysCaptainBonneville，“seentreesmeasuringeighteeninchesin
　　diameter，attheplaceswheretheyhadbeencutthroughbythebeaver，buttheylayin
　　alldirections，andoftenveryinconvenientlyfortheafterpurposesoftheanimal。Infact，
　　solittleingenuitydotheyattimesdisplayinthisparticular，thatatoneofourcampson
　　SnakeRiver，abeaverwasfoundwithhisheadwedgedintothecutwhichhehadmade，thetreehavingfallenuponhimandheldhimprisoneruntilhedied。”Greatchoice，accordingtothecaptain，iscertainlydisplayedbythebeaverinselecting
　　thewoodwhichistofurnishbarkforwinterprovision。Thewholebeaverhousehold，old
　　andyoung，setoutuponthisbusiness，andwilloftenmakelongjourneysbeforethey
　　aresuited。Sometimestheycutdowntreesofthelargestsizeandthencullthe
　　branches，thebarkofwhichismosttotheirtaste。Thesetheycutintolengthsofabout
　　threefeet，conveythemtothewater，andfloatthemtotheirlodges，wheretheyare
　　storedawayforwinter。Theyarestudiousofcleanlinessandcomfortintheirlodges，
　　andaftertheirrepasts，willcarryoutthesticksfromwhichtheyhaveeatenthebark，
　　andthrowthemintothecurrentbeyondthebarrier。Theyarejealous，too，oftheir
　　territories，andextremelypugnacious，neverpermittingastrangebeavertoentertheir
　　premises，andoftenfightingwithsuchvirulenceasalmosttoteareachothertopieces。
　　Inthespring，whichisthebreedingseason，themaleleavesthefemaleathome，and
　　setsoffonatourofpleasure，ramblingoftentoagreatdistance，recreatinghimselfin
　　everyclearandquietexpanseofwateronhisway，andclimbingthebanksoccasionally
　　tofeastuponthetendersproutsoftheyoungwillows。Assummeradvances，hegives
　　uphisbachelorrambles，andbethinkinghimselfofhousekeepingduties，returnshome
　　tohismateandhisnewprogeny，andmarshalsthemallfortheforagingexpeditioninquestofwinterprovisions。Afterhavingshownthepublicspiritofthispraiseworthylittleanimalasamemberofa
　　community，andhisamiableandexemplaryconductasthefatherofafamily，wegrieve
　　torecordtheperilswithwhichheisenvironed，andthesnaressetforhimandhispainstakinghousehold。Practice，saysCaptainBonneville，hasgivensuchaquicknessofeyetothe
　　experiencedtrapperinallthatrelatestohispursuit，thathecandetecttheslightest
　　signofbeaver，howeverwild；andalthoughthelodgemaybeconcealedbyclose
　　thicketsandoverhangingwillows，hecangenerally，atasingleglance，makean
　　accurateguessatthenumberofitsinmates。Henowgoestoworktosethistrap；
　　plantingitupontheshore，insomechosenplace，twoorthreeinchesbelowthesurface
　　ofthewater，andsecuresitbyachaintoapolesetdeepinthemud。Asmalltwigis
　　thenstrippedofitsbark，andoneendisdippedinthe“medicine，“asthetrappersterm
　　thepeculiarbaitwhichtheyemploy。Thisendofthestickrisesaboutfourinchesabove
　　thesurfaceofthewater，theotherendisplantedbetweenthejawsofthetrap。The
　　beaver，possessinganacutesenseofsmell，issoonattractedbytheodorofthebait。
　　Asheraiseshisnosetowardit，hisfootiscaughtinthetrap。Inhisfrighthethrowsa
　　somersetintothedeepwater。Thetrap，beingfastenedtothepole，resistsallhisefforts
　　todragittotheshore；thechainbywhichitisfasteneddefieshisteeth；hestrugglesforatime，andatlengthsinkstothebottomandisdrowned。Uponrockybottoms，whereitisnotpossibletoplantthepole，itisthrownintothe
　　stream。Thebeaver，whenentrapped，oftengetsfastenedbythechaintosunkenlogs
　　orfloatingtimber；ifhegetstoshore，heisentangledinthethicketsofbrookwillows。In
　　suchcases，however，itcoststhetrapperdiligentsearch，andsometimesaboutatswimming，beforehefindshisgame。Occasionallyithappensthatseveralmembersofabeaverfamilyaretrappedin
　　succession。Thesurvivorsthenbecomeextremelyshy，andcanscarcelybe“broughtto
　　medicine，“tousethetrapper”sphrasefor“takingthebait。”Insuchcase，thetrapper
　　givesuptheuseofthebait，andconcealshistrapsintheusualpathsandcrossing
　　placesofthehousehold。Thebeavernowbeingcompletely“uptotrap，“approaches
　　themcautiously，andspringsthemingeniouslywithastick。Atothertimes，heturnsthe
　　trapsbottomupwards，bythesamemeans，andoccasionallyevendragsthemtothe
　　barrierandconcealstheminthemud。Thetrappernowgivesupthecontestof
　　ingenuity，andshoulderinghistraps，marchesoff，admittingthatheisnotyet“uptobeaver。”OnthedayfollowingCaptainBonneville”ssupervisionoftheindustriousandfrolicsome
　　communityofbeavers，ofwhichhehasgivensoedifyinganaccount，hesucceededin
　　extricatinghimselffromtheWindRiverMountains，andregainingtheplaintothe
　　eastward，madeagreatbendtothesouth，soastogoroundthebasesofthe
　　mountains，andarrivedwithoutfurtherincidentofimportance，attheoldplaceofrendezvousinGreenRivervalley，onthe17thofSeptember。Hefoundthecaches，inwhichhehaddepositedhissuperfluousgoodsand
　　equipments，allsafe，andhavingopenedandtakenfromthemthenecessarysupplies，
　　heclosedthemagain；takingcaretoobliteratealltracesthatmightbetraythemtothe
　　keeneyesofIndianmarauders。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter27[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter27RoutetowardWindRiver——Dangerousneighborhood——Alarmsandprecautions——A
　　shamencampment——ApparitionofanIndianspy——Midnightmove——Amountain
　　defile——TheWindRivervalley——Trackingaparty——Desertedcamps——Symptomsof
　　Crows——Meetingofcomrades——Atrapperentrapped——Crowpleasantry——Crow
　　spies——Adecampment——ReturntoGreenRivervalley——MeetingwithFitzpatrick”s
　　party——TheiradventuresamongtheCrows——OrthodoxCrowsONTHE18THofSeptember，CaptainBonnevilleandhisthreecompanionssetout，
　　brightandearly，torejointhemainparty，fromwhichtheyhadpartedonWindRiver。
　　TheirroutelayuptheGreenRivervalley，withthatstreamontheirrighthand，and
　　beyondit，therangeofWindRiverMountains。Attheheadofthevalley，theywereto
　　passthroughadefilewhichwouldbringthemoutbeyondthenorthernendofthese
　　mountains，totheheadofWindRiver；wheretheyexpectedtomeetthemainparty，accordingtoarrangement。