AtthisjunctureM。Cerrearrivedattherendezvousattheheadofasupplyparty，bringing
　　goods
　　andequipmentsfromtheStates。Thisactiveleader，itwillberecollected，hadembarkedtheyear
　　previouslyinskin-boatsontheBighorn，freightedwiththeyear”scollectionofpeltries。Hehad
　　metwithmisfortuneinthecourseofhisvoyage：oneofhisfrailbarksbeingupset，andpartofthefurslostordamaged。Thearrivalofthesuppliesgavetheregularfinishtotheannualrevel。Agrandoutbreakof
　　wild
　　debauchensuedamongthemountaineers；drinking，dancing，swaggering，gambling，quarrelling，
　　andfighting。Alcohol，which，fromitsportablequalities，containingthegreatestquantityoffiery
　　spiritinthesmallestcompass，istheonlyliquorcarriedacrossthemountains，isthe
　　inflammatorybeverageatthesecarousals，andisdealtouttothetrappersatfourdollarsapint。
　　Wheninflamedbythisfierybeverage，theycutallkindsofmadpranksandgambols，and
　　sometimesburnalltheirclothesintheirdrunkenbravadoes。Acamp，recoveringfromoneof
　　these
　　riotousrevels，presentsaseriocomicspectacle；blackeyes，brokenheads，lack-lustrevisages。
　　Manyofthetrappershavesquanderedinonedrunkenfrolicthehard-earnedwagesofayear；
　　somehaverunindebt，andmusttoilontopayforpastpleasure。Allaresatedwiththisdeep
　　draughtofpleasure，andeagertocommenceanothertrappingcampaign；forhardshipandhard
　　work，spicedwiththestimulantsofwildadventures，andtoppedoffwithanannualfranticcarousal，isthelotoftherestlesstrapper。Thecaptainnowmadehisarrangementsforthecurrentyear。CerreandWalker，witha
　　number
　　ofmenwhohadbeentoCalifornia，weretoproceedtoSt。Louiswiththepackagesoffurs
　　collectedduringthepastyear。Anotherparty，headedbyaleadernamedMontero，wasto
　　proceedtotheCrowcountry，trapuponitsvariousstreams，andamongtheBlackHills，andthencetoproceedtotheArkansas，wherehewastogointowinterquarters。Thecaptainmarkedoutforhimselfawidelydifferentcourse。Heintendedtomakeanother
　　expedition，withtwenty-threementothelowerpartoftheColumbiaRiver，andtoproceedtothe
　　valleyoftheMultnomah；afterwinteringinthoseparts，andestablishingatradewiththosetribes，
　　amongwhomhehadsojournedonhisfirstvisit，hewouldreturninthespring，crosstheRocky
　　Mountains，andjoinMonteroandhispartyinthemonthofJuly，attherendezvousoftheArkansas；whereheexpectedtoreceivehisannualsuppliesfromtheStates。Ifthereaderwillcasthiseyeuponamap，hemayformanideaofthecontemptfordistance
　　whichamanacquiresinthisvastwilderness，bynoticingtheextentofcountrycomprisedin
　　theseprojectedwanderings。Justasthedifferentpartieswereabouttosetoutonthe3dofJuly，
　　ontheiroppositeroutes，CaptainBonnevillereceivedintelligencethatWyeth，theindefatigable
　　leaderofthesalmon-fishingenterprise，whohadpartedwithhimaboutayearpreviouslyonthe
　　banksoftheBighorn，todescendthatwildriverinabullboat，wasnearathand，withanew
　　leviedbandofhuntersandtrappers，andwasonhiswayoncemoretothebanksoftheColumbia，Aswetakemuchinterestinthenovelenterpriseofthiseasternman，“andarepleasedwith
　　his
　　pushingandperseveringspirit；andashismovementsarecharacteristicoflifeinthewilderness，
　　wewill，withthereader”spermission，whileCaptainBonnevilleisbreakinguphiscampand
　　saddlinghishorses，stepbackayearintime，andafewhundredmilesindistancetothebankof
　　theBighorn，andlaunchourselveswithWyethinhisbullboat；andthoughhisadventurous
　　voyagewilltakeusmanyhundredsofmilesfurtherdownwildandwanderingrivers；yetsuchis
　　themagicpowerofthepen，thatwepromisetobringthereadersafetoBearRiverValley，bythetimethelasthorseissaddled。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter41[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter41Avoyageinabullboat。ITwasaboutthemiddleofAugust1833thatMr。NathanielJ。Wyeth，asthereadermay
　　recollect，launchedhisbullboatatthefootoftherapidsoftheBighorn，anddepartedinadvance
　　ofthepartiesofCampbellandCaptainBonneville。Hisboatwasmadeofthreebuffaloskins，
　　stretchedonalightframe，stitchedtogether，andtheseamspaidwithelktallowandashes。It
　　waseighteenfeetlong，andaboutfivefeetsixincheswide，sharpateachend，witharound
　　bottom，anddrewaboutafootandahalfofwater-adepthtoogreatfortheseupperrivers，which
　　aboundwithshallowsandsand-bars。Thecrewconsistedoftwohalf-breeds，whoclaimedtobe
　　whitemen，thoughamixtureoftheFrenchcreoleandtheShawneeandPotawattomie。They
　　claimed，moreover，tobethoroughmountaineers，andfirst-ratehunters——thecommonboastof
　　thesevagabondsofthewilderness。Besidesthese，therewasaNezPerceladofeighteenyearsof
　　age，akindofservantofallwork，whosegreataim，likeallIndianservants，wastodoaslittle
　　workaspossible；therewas，moreover，ahalf-breedboy，ofthirteen，namedBaptiste，sonofa
　　Hudson”sBaytraderbyaFlatheadbeauty；whowastravellingwithWyethtoseetheworldand
　　completehiseducation。Addtothese，Mr。MiltonSublette，whowentaspassenger，andwehavethecrewofthelittlebullboatcomplete。Itcertainlywasaslightarmamentwithwhichtorunthegauntletthroughcountries
　　swarmingwith
　　hostilehordes，andaslightbarktonavigatetheseendlessrivers，tossingandpitchingdown
　　rapids，
　　runningonsnagsandbumpingonsand-bars；such，however，arethecockle-shellswithwhich
　　these
　　hardyroversofthewildernesswillattemptthewildeststreams；anditissurprisingwhatrough
　　shocksandthumpstheseboatswillendure，andwhatvicissitudestheywilllivethrough。Their
　　duration，however，isbutlimited；theyrequirefrequentlytobehauledoutofthewateranddried，
　　topreventthehidesfrombecomingwater-soaked；andtheyeventuallyrotandgotopieces。Thecourseoftheriverwasalittletothenorthofeast；itranaboutfivemilesanhour，overa
　　gravelly
　　bottom。Thebanksweregenerallyalluvial，andthicklygrownwithcottonwoodtrees，
　　intermingled
　　occasionallywithashandplumtrees。Nowandthenlimestonecliffsandpromontoriesadvanced
　　upontheriver，makingpicturesqueheadlands。Beyondthewoodybordersroserangesofnakedhills。MiltonSublettewasthePelorusofthisadventurousbark；beingsomewhatexperiencedin
　　thiswild
　　kindofnavigation。Itrequiredallhisattentionandskill，however，topilotherclearofsand-bars
　　and
　　snagsofsunkentrees。Therewasoften，too，aperplexityofchoice，wheretheriverbranchedinto
　　variouschannels，amongclustersofislands；andoccasionallythevoyagersfoundthemselves
　　agroundandhadtoturnback。Itwasnecessary，also，tokeepawaryeyeupontheland，fortheywerepassingthroughthe
　　heartof
　　theCrowcountry，andwerecontinuallyinreachofanyambushthatmightbelurkingonshore。
　　The
　　mostformidablefoesthattheysaw，however，werethreegrizzlybears，quietlypromenading
　　along
　　thebank，whoseemedtogazeatthemwithsurpriseastheyglidedby。Herdsofbuffalo，also，
　　were
　　movingabout，orlyingontheground，likecattleinapasture；exceptingsuchinhabitantsasthese，
　　aperfectsolitudereignedovertheland。Therewasnosignofhumanhabitation；fortheCrows，
　　as
　　wehavealreadyshown，areawanderingpeople，araceofhuntersandwarriors，wholiveintents
　　andonhorseback，andarecontinuallyonthemove。Atnighttheylanded，hauleduptheirboattodry，pitchedtheirtent，andmadearousingfire。
　　Then，
　　asitwasthefirsteveningoftheirvoyage，theyindulgedinaregale，relishingtheirbuffalobeef
　　with
　　inspiringalcohol；afterwhich，theysleptsoundly，withoutdreamingofCrowsorBlackfeet。Earlyinthemorning，theyagainlaunchedtheboatandcommittedthemselvestothestream。Inthiswaytheyvoyagedfortwodayswithoutanymaterialoccurrence，exceptingasevere
　　thunder
　　storm，whichcompelledthemtoputtoshore，andwaituntilitwaspassed。Onthethirdmorning
　　they
　　descriedsomepersonsatadistanceontheriverbank。Astheywerenow，bycalculation，atno
　　great
　　distancefromFortCass，atradingpostoftheAmericanFurCompany，theysupposedthese
　　might
　　besomeofitspeople。AnearerapproachshowedthemtobeIndians。Descryingawomanapart
　　from
　　therest，theylandedandaccostedher。SheinformedthemthatthemainforceoftheCrownation，
　　consistingoffivebands，undertheirseveralchiefs，werebutabouttwoorthreemilesbelow，on
　　their
　　wayupalongtheriver。Thiswasunpleasanttidings，buttoretreatwasimpossible，andtheriver
　　affordednohidingplace。Theycontinuedforward，therefore，trustingthat，asFortCasswasso
　　nearathand，theCrowsmightrefrainfromanydepredations。Floatingdownabouttwomilesfurther，theycameinsightofthefirstband，scattered
　　alongtheriverbank，allwellmounted；somearmedwithguns，otherswithbowsand
　　arrows，andafewwithlances。Theymadeawildlypicturesqueappearancemanaging
　　theirhorseswiththeiraccustomeddexterityandgrace。Nothingcanbemorespirited
　　thanabandofCrowcavaliers。Theyareafineraceofmenaveragingsixfeetin
　　height，litheandactive，withhawks”eyesandRomannoses。Thelatterfeatureis
　　commontotheIndiansontheeastsideoftheRockyMountains；thoseonthewesternsidehavegenerallystraightorflatnoses。Wyethwouldfainhaveslippedbythiscavalcadeunnoticed；buttheriver，atthisplace，was
　　notmore
　　thanninetyyardsacross；hewasperceived，therefore，andhailedbythevagabondwarriors，and，
　　we
　　presume，innoverychoicelanguage；for，amongtheirotheraccomplishments，theCrowsare
　　famed
　　forpossessingaBillingsgatevocabularyofunrivalledopulence，andforbeingbynomeans
　　sparing
　　ofitwheneveranoccasionoffers。Indeed，thoughIndiansaregenerallyverylofty，rhetorical，and
　　figurativeintheirlanguageatallgreattalks，andhighceremonials，yet，iftrappersandtraders
　　may
　　bebelieved，theyarethemostunsavoryvagabondsintheirordinarycolloquies；theymakeno
　　hesitationtocallaspadeaspade；andwhentheyonceundertaketocallhardnames，thefamous
　　potandkettle，ofvituperatingmemory，arenottobecomparedwiththemforscurrilityofepithet。Toescapetheinflictionofanycomplimentsofthiskind，orthelaunching，peradventure，of
　　more
　　dangerousmissiles，Wyethlandedwiththebestgraceinhispowerandapproachedthechiefof
　　the
　　band。ItwasArapooish，thequondamfriendofRosetheoutlaw，andonewhomwehavealready
　　mentionedasbeinganxioustopromoteafriendlyintercoursebetweenhistribeandthewhite
　　men。
　　Hewasatall，stoutman，ofgoodpresence，andreceivedthevoyagersverygraciously。His
　　people，
　　too，throngedaroundthem，andwereofficiouslyattentiveaftertheCrowfashion。Onetooka
　　great
　　fancytoBaptistetheFlatheadboy，andastillgreaterfancytoaringonhisfinger，whichhe
　　transposedtohisownwithsurprisingdexterity，andthendisappearedwithaquickstepamong
　　thecrowd。AnotherwasnolesspleasedwiththeNezPercelad，andnothingwoulddobuthemust
　　exchange
　　kniveswithhim；drawinganewknifeoutoftheNezPerce”sscabbard，andputtinganoldonein
　　its
　　place。Anothersteppedupandreplacedthisoldknifewithonestillolder，andathirdhelped
　　himself
　　toknife，scabbardandall。ItwaswithmuchdifficultythatWyethandhiscompanionsextricatedthemselvesfromtheclutchesoftheseofficiousCrowsbeforetheywereentirelyplucked。Fallingdowntheriveralittlefurther，theycameinsightofthesecondband，andsheeredto
　　the
　　oppositeside，withtheintentionofpassingthem。TheCrowswerenottobeevaded。Some
　　pointed
　　theirgunsattheboat，andthreatenedtofire；othersstripped，plungedintothestream，andcame
　　swimmingacross。Makingavirtueofnecessity，Wyeththrewacordtothefirstthatcamewithinreach，asifhewishedtobedrawntotheshore。Inthiswayhewasoverhauledbyeveryband，andbythetimeheandhispeoplecameoutof
　　thebusy
　　handsofthelast，theywereeasedofmostoftheirsuperfluities。Nothing，inallprobability，but
　　the
　　proximityoftheAmericantradingpost，kepttheselandpiratesfrommakingagoodprizeofthe
　　bullboatandallitscontents。Thesebandswereinfullmarch，equippedforwar，andevidentlyfullofmischief。They
　　were，infact，
　　theverybandsthatoverranthelandintheautumnof1833；partlyrobbedFitzpatrickofhis
　　horses
　　andeffects；huntedandharassedCaptainBonnevilleandhispeople；brokeuptheirtrapping
　　campaigns，and，inaword，drovethemalloutoftheCrowcountry。Ithasbeensuspectedthat
　　theywere
　　setontothesepranksbysomeoftheAmericanFurCompany，anxioustodefeattheplansof
　　their
　　rivalsoftheRockyMountainCompany；foratthistime，theircompetitionwasatitsheight，and
　　the
　　tradeoftheCrowcountrywasagreatobjectofrivalry。Whatmakesthisthemoreprobable，is，
　　that
　　theCrowsintheirdepredationseemedbynomeansbloodthirsty，butintentchieflyonrobbing
　　thepartiesoftheirtrapsandhorses，therebydisablingthemfromprosecutingtheirhunting。Weshouldobservethatthisyear，theRockyMountainCompanywerepushingtheirwayup
　　the
　　rivers，andestablishingrivalpostsnearthoseoftheAmericanCompany；andthat，atthevery
　　time
　　ofwhichwearespeaking，CaptainSublettewasascendingtheYellowstonewithakeelboat，
　　ladenwithsupplies；sothattherewaseveryprospectofthiseagerrivalshipbeingcarriedtoextremes。ThelastbandofCrowwarriorshadscarcelydisappearedinthecloudsofdusttheyhad
　　raised，when
　　ourvoyagersarrivedatthemouthoftheriverandglidedintothecurrentoftheYellowstone。
　　Turningdownthisstream，theymadeforFortCass，whichissituatedontherightbank，about
　　three
　　milesbelowtheBighorn。Ontheoppositesidetheybeheldapartyofthirty-onesavages，which
　　they
　　soonascertainedtobeBlackfeet。Thewidthoftheriverenabledthemtokeepatasufficient
　　distance，
　　andtheysoonlandedatFortCass。ThiswasamerefortificationagainstIndians；beingastockade
　　ofaboutonehundredandthirtyfeetsquare，withtwobastionsattheextremecorners。M”Tulloch，
　　anagentoftheAmericanCompany，wasstationedtherewithtwentymen；twoboatsoffifteen
　　tonsburdenwerelyinghere；butatcertainseasonsoftheyearasteamboatcancomeuptothefort。Theyhadscarcelyarrived，whentheBlackfeetwarriorsmadetheirappearanceonthe
　　oppositebank，
　　displayingtwoAmericanflagsintokenofamity。Theyplungedintotheriver，swamacross，and
　　werekindlyreceivedatthefort。Theyweresomeoftheverymenwhohadbeenengaged，the
　　year
　　previously，inthebattleatPierre”sHole，andafierce-lookingsetoffellowstheywere；talland
　　hawk-nosed，andverymuchresemblingtheCrows。Theyprofessedtobeonanamicableerrand，
　　tomake
　　peacewiththeCrows，andsetoffinallhaste，beforenight，toovertakethem。Wyethpredicted
　　that
　　theywouldlosetheirscalps；forhehadheardtheCrowsdenouncevengeanceonthem，for
　　having
　　murderedtwooftheirwarriorswhohadventuredamongthemonthefaithofatreatyofpeace。It
　　is
　　probable，however，thatthispacificerrandwasallapretence，andthattherealobjectofthe
　　Blackfeet
　　braveswastohangabouttheskirtsoftheCrowband，stealtheirhorses，andtakethescalpsofstragglers。AtFortCass，Mr。Wyethdisposedofsomepackagesofbeaver，andaquantityofbuffalo
　　robes。On
　　thefollowingmorningAugust18th，heoncemorelaunchedhisbullboat，andproceededdown
　　the
　　Yellowstone，whichinclinedinaneast-northeastdirection。Theriverhadalluvialbottoms，
　　fringed
　　withgreatquantitiesofthesweetcotton-wood，andinterruptedoccasionallyby“bluffs“of
　　sandstone。Thecurrentoccasionallybringsdownfragmentsofgraniteandporphyry。Inthecourseoftheday，theysawsomethingmovingonthebankamongthetrees，which
　　they
　　mistookforgameofsomekind；and，beinginwantofprovisions，pulledtowardshore。They
　　discovered，justintime，apartyofBlackfeet，lurkinginthethickets，andsheered，withallspeed，
　　totheoppositesideoftheriver。Afteratime，theycameinsightofagangofelk。Wyethwasimmediatelyforpursuingthem，
　　rifle
　　inhand，butsawevidentsignsofdissatisfactioninhishalf-breedhunters；whoconsideredhimas
　　trenchingupontheirprovince，andmeddlingwiththingsquiteabovehiscapacity；forthese
　　veterans
　　ofthewildernessareexceedinglypragmatical，onpointsofveneryandwoodcraft，andtenacious
　　of
　　theirsuperiority；lookingdownwithinfinitecontemptuponallrawbeginners。Thetwoworthies，
　　therefore，salliedforththemselves，butafteratimereturnedempty-handed。Theylaidtheblame，
　　however，entirelyontheirguns；twomiserableoldpieceswithflintlocks，which，withalltheir
　　pickingandhammering，werecontinuallyapttomissfire。Thesegreatboastersofthewilderness，
　　however，areveryoftenexceedingbadshots，andfortunateitisforthemwhentheyhaveoldflintgunstobeartheblame。Thenextdaytheypassedwhereagreatherdofbuffalowasbellowingonaprairie。Again
　　theCastor
　　andPolluxofthewildernesssalliedforth，andagaintheirflintgunswereatfault，andmissedfire，
　　andnothingwentoffbutthebuffalo。Wyethnowfoundtherewasdangeroflosinghisdinnerif
　　he
　　dependeduponhishunters；hetookrifleinhand，therefore，andwentforthhimself。Inthecourse
　　of
　　anhourhereturnedladenwithbuffalomeat，tothegreatmortificationofthetworegularhunters，whowereannoyedatbeingeclipsedbyagreenhorn。Allhandsnowsettoworktopreparethemiddayrepast。Afirewasmadeunderanimmense
　　cotton-woodtree，thatovershadowedabeautifulpieceofmeadowland；richmorselsofbuffalo
　　humpwere
　　soonroastingbeforeit；inaheartyandprolongedrepast，thetwounsuccessfulhuntersgradually
　　recoveredfromtheirmortification；threatenedtodiscardtheiroldflintgunsassoonasthey
　　should
　　reachthesettlements，andboastedmorethaneverofthewonderfulshotstheyhadmade，when
　　theyhadgunsthatnevermissedfire。Havinghauleduptheirboattodryinthesun，previoustomakingtheirrepast，thevoyagers
　　nowset
　　itoncemoreafloat，andproceededontheirway。Theyhadconstructedasailoutoftheiroldtent，
　　whichtheyhoistedwheneverthewindwasfavorable，andthusskimmedalongdownthestream。
　　Theirvoyagewaspleasant，notwithstandingtheperilsbyseaandland，withwhichtheywere
　　environed。Whenevertheycouldtheyencampedonislandsforthegreatersecurity。Ifonthe
　　mainland，andinadangerousneighborhood，theywouldshifttheircampafterdark，leavingtheir
　　fire
　　burning，droppingdowntheriversomedistance，andmakingnofireattheirsecondencampment。
　　Sometimestheywouldfloatallnightwiththecurrent；onekeepingwatchandsteeringwhilethe
　　rest
　　slept。insuchcase，theywouldhaultheirboatonshore，atnoonofthefollowingdaytodry；fornotwithstandingeveryprecaution，shewasgraduallygettingwater-soakedandrotten。Therewassomethingpleasinglysolemnandmysteriousinthusfloatingdownthesewild
　　riversat
　　night。Thepurityoftheatmosphereintheseelevatedregionsgaveadditionalsplendortothe
　　stars，
　　andheightenedthemagnificenceofthefirmament。Theoccasionalrushandlavingofthewaters；
　　the
　　vaguesoundsfromthesurroundingwilderness；thedrearyhowl，orratherwhineofwolvesfrom
　　the
　　plains；thelowgruntingandbellowingofthebuffalo，andtheshrillneighingoftheelk，struck
　　theearwithaneffectunknowninthedaytime。Thetwoknowinghuntershadscarcelyrecoveredfromonemortificationwhentheywere
　　fatedto
　　experienceanother。Astheboatwasglidingswiftlyroundalowpromontory，thinlycoveredwith
　　trees，oneofthemgavethealarmofIndians。Theboatwasinstantlyshovedfromshoreandevery
　　onecaughtuphisrifle。“Wherearethey？“criedWyeth。
　　“There——there！ridingonhorseback！“criedoneofthehunters。
　　“Yes；withwhitescarfson！“criedtheother。Wyethlookedinthedirectiontheypointed，butdescriednothingbuttwobaldeagles，
　　perchedona
　　lowdrybranchbeyondthethickets，andseeming，fromtherapidmotionoftheboat，tobe
　　moving
　　swiftlyinanoppositedirection。Thedetectionofthisblunderinthetwoveterans，whoprided
　　themselvesonthesurenessandquicknessoftheirsight，producedaheartylaughattheirexpense，
　　andputanendtotheirvauntings。TheYellowstone，abovetheconfluenceoftheBighorn，isaclearstream；itswaterswere
　　now
　　graduallygrowingturbid，andassumingtheyellowclaycoloroftheMissouri。Thecurrentwas
　　about
　　fourmilesanhour，withoccasionalrapids；someofthemdangerous，butthevoyagerspassed
　　them
　　allwithoutaccident。Thebanksoftheriverwereinmanyplacesprecipitouswithstrataofbituminouscoal。Theynowenteredaregionaboundingwithbuffalo——thatever-journeyinganimal，which
　　movesin
　　countlessdrovesfrompointtopointofthevastwilderness；traversingplains，pouringthroughthe
　　intricatedefilesofmountains，swimmingrivers，everonthemove，guidedonitsboundless
　　migrationsbysometraditionaryknowledge，likethefinnytribesoftheocean，which，atcertainseasons，findtheirmysteriouspathsacrossthedeepandrevisittheremotestshores。Thesegreatmigratoryherdsofbuffalohavetheirhereditarypathsandhighways，worndeep
　　through
　　thecountry，andmakingforthesurestpassesofthemountains，andthemostpracticablefordsof
　　the
　　rivers。Whenonceagreatcolumnisinfullcareer，itgoesstraightforward，regardlessofallobstacles；thoseinfrontbeingimpelledbythemovingmassbehind。Atsuchtimestheywillbreakthroughacamp，tramplingdowneverythingintheircourse。Itwasthelotofthevoyagers，onenight，toencampatoneofthesebuffalolandingplaces，
　　and
　　exactlyonthetrail。Theyhadnotbeenlongasleep，whentheywereawakenedbyagreat
　　bellowing，
　　andtramping，andtherush，andsplash，andsnortingofanimalsintheriver。Theyhadjusttimeto
　　ascertainthatabuffaloarmywasenteringtheriverontheoppositeside，andmakingtowardthe
　　landingplace。Withallhastetheymovedtheirboatandshiftedtheircamp，bywhichtimethe
　　headofthecolumnhadreachedtheshore，andcamepressingupthebank。Itwasasingularspectacle，bytheuncertainmoonlight，tobeholdthiscountlessthrong
　　makingtheir
　　wayacrosstheriver，blowing，andbellowing，andsplashing。Sometimestheypassinsuchdense
　　and
　　continuouscolumnastoformatemporarydamacrosstheriver，thewatersofwhichriseandrush
　　overtheirbacks，orbetweentheirsquadrons。Theroaringandrushingsoundofoneofthesevastherdscrossingariver，maysometimesinastillnightbeheardformiles。Thevoyagersnowhadgameinprofusion。Theycouldkillasmanybuffaloesasthey
　　pleased，and，occasionally，werewantonintheirhavoc；especiallyamongscattered
　　herds，thatcameswimmingneartheboat。Ononeoccasion，anoldbuffalobullapproachedso
　　nearthatthehalf-breedsmustfaintrytonoosehimastheywouldawild
　　horse。Thenoosewassuccessfullythrownaroundhishead，andsecuredhimbythe
　　horns，andtheynowpromisedthemselvesamplesport。Thebuffalomadeprodigious
　　turmoilinthewater，bellowing，andblowing，andfloundering；andtheyallfloated
　　downthestreamtogether。Atlengthhefoundfootholdonasandbar，andtakingtohis
　　heels，whirledtheboatafterhimlikeawhalewhenharpooned；sothatthehunters
　　wereobligedtocastofftheirrope，withwhichstrangehead-gearthevenerablebullmadeofftotheprairies。Onthe24thofAugust，thebullboatemerged，withitsadventurouscrew，intothebroad
　　bosomof
　　themightyMissouri。Here，aboutsixmilesabovethemouthoftheYellowstone，thevoyagers
　　landed
　　atFortUnion，thedistributingpostoftheAmericanFurCompanyinthewesterncountry。Itwas
　　a
　　stockadedfortress，abouttwohundredandtwentyfeetsquare，pleasantlysituatedonahighbank。
　　HeretheywerehospitablyentertainedbyMr。M”Kenzie，thesuperintendent，andremainedwith
　　him
　　threedays，enjoyingtheunusualluxuriesofbread，butter，milk，andcheese，forthefortwaswell
　　suppliedwithdomesticcattle，thoughithadnogarden。Theatmosphereoftheseelevatedregions
　　is
　　saidtobetoodryforthecultureofvegetables；yetthevoyagers，incomingdownthe
　　Yellowstone，
　　hadmetwithplums，grapes，cherries，andcurrants，andhadobservedashandelmtrees。Where
　　thesegrowtheclimatecannotbeincompatiblewithgardening。AtFortUnion，Wyethmetwithamelancholymementoofoneofhismen。Thiswasa
　　powder-flask，
　　whichaclerkhadpurchasedfromaBlackfootwarrior。ItboretheinitialsofpoorMore，the
　　unfortunateyouthmurderedtheyearpreviously，atJackson”sHole，bytheBlackfeet，andwhose
　　boneshadbeensubsequentlyfoundbyCaptainBonneville。Thisflaskhadeitherbeenpassed
　　from
　　handtohandoftheyouth，or，perhaps，hadbeenbroughttothefortbytheverysavagewhoslewhim。Asthebullboatwasnownearlywornout，andaltogetherunfitforthebroaderandmore
　　turbulent
　　streamoftheMissouri，itwasgivenup，andacanoeofcottonwood，abouttwentyfeetlong，
　　fabricatedbytheBlackfeet，waspurchasedtosupplyitsplace。InthisWyethhoistedhissail，and
　　biddingadieutothehospitablesuperintendentofFortUnion，turnedhisprowtotheeast，andset
　　offdowntheMissouri。Hehadnotproceededmanyhours，before，intheevening，hecametoalargekeelboatat
　　anchor。It
　　provedtobetheboatofCaptainWilliamSublette，freightedwithmunitionsforcarryingona
　　powerfuloppositiontotheAmericanFurCompany。Thevoyagerswentonboard，wherethey
　　were
　　treatedwiththeheartyhospitalityofthewilderness，andpassedasocialevening，talkingover
　　pastscenesandadventures，andespeciallythememorablefightatPierre”sHole。HereMiltonSublettedeterminedtogiveupfurthervoyaginginthecanoe，andremainwith
　　his
　　brother；accordingly，inthemorning，thefellow-voyagerstookkindleaveofeachother。and
　　Wyeth
　　continuedonhiscourse。Therewasnownooneonboardofhisboatthathadevervoyagedonthe
　　Missouri；itwas，however，allplainsailingdownthestream，withoutanychanceofmissingtheway。Alldaythevoyagerspulledgentlyalong，andlandedintheeveningandsupped；then
　　re-embarking，
　　theysufferedthecanoetofloatdownwiththecurrent；takingturnstowatchandsleep。Thenight
　　was
　　calmandserene；theelkkeptupacontinualwhinnyingorsquealing，beingthecommencement
　　of
　　theseasonwhentheyareinheat。Inthemidstofthenightthecanoestruckonasand-bar，andall
　　handswererousedbytherushandroarofthewildwaters，whichbrokearoundher。Theywere
　　all
　　obligedtojumpoverboard，andworkhardtogetheroff，whichwasaccomplishedwithmuchdifficulty。Inthecourseofthefollowingdaytheysawthreegrizzlybearsatdifferenttimesalongthe
　　bank。The
　　lastonewasonapointofland，andwasevidentlymakingfortheriver，toswimacross。Thetwo
　　half-breedhunterswerenoweagertorepeatthemanoeuvreofthenoose；promisingtoentrap
　　Bruin，and
　　haveraresportinstranglinganddrowninghim。Theironlyfearwas，thathemighttakefrightand
　　returntolandbeforetheycouldgetbetweenhimandtheshore。Holdingback，therefore，untilhe
　　wasfairlycommittedinthecentreofthestream，theythenpulledforwardwithmightandmain，
　　so
　　astocutoffhisretreat，andtakehimintherear。Oneoftheworthiesstationedhimselfinthe
　　bow，
　　withthecordandslip-noose，theother，withtheNezPerce，managedthepaddles。Therewas
　　nothing
　　furtherfromthethoughtsofhonestBruin，however，thantobeataretreat。Justasthecanoewas
　　drawingnear，heturnedsuddenlyroundandmadeforit，withahorriblesnarlandatremendous
　　show
　　ofteeth。Theaffrightedhuntercalledtohiscomradestopaddleoff。Scarcehadtheyturnedthe
　　boat
　　whenthebearlaidhisenormousclawsonthegunwale，andattemptedtogetonboard。Thecanoe
　　wasnearlyoverturned，andadelugeofwatercamepouringoverthegunwale。Allwasclamor，
　　terror，andconfusion。Everyonebawledout-thebearroaredandsnarled-onecaughtupagun；
　　but
　　waterhadrenderedituseless。Othershandledtheirpaddlesmoreeffectually，andbeatingold
　　Bruin
　　abouttheheadandclaws，obligedhimtorelinquishhishold。Theynowpliedtheirpaddleswith
　　mightandmain，thebearmadethebestofhiswaytoshore，andsoendedthesecondexploitof
　　thenoose；thehuntersdeterminedtohavenomorenavalcontestswithgrizzlybears。ThevoyagerswerenowoutofrangeofCrowsandBlack-feet；buttheywereapproaching
　　the
　　countryoftheRees，orArickaras；atribenolessdangerous；andwhowere，generally，hostiletosmallparties。Inpassingthroughtheircountry，Wyethlaidbyallday，anddriftedquietlydowntheriverat
　　night。
　　Inthiswayhepassedon，untilhesupposedhimselfsafelythroughtheregionofdanger；whenhe
　　resumedhisvoyageintheopenday。Onthe3dofSeptemberhehadlanded，atmidday，todine；
　　and
　　whilesomeweremakingafire，oneofthehuntersmountedahighbanktolookoutforgame。He
　　had
　　scarceglancedhiseyeround，whenheperceivedhorsesgrazingontheoppositesideoftheriver。
　　Crouchingdownheslunkbacktothecamp，andreportedwhathehadseen。Onfurther
　　reconnoitering，thevoyagerscountedtwenty-onelodges；andfromthenumberofhorses，
　　computed
　　thattheremustbenearlyahundredIndiansencampedthere。Theynowdrewtheirboat，withall
　　speedandcaution，intoathicketofwaterwillows，andremainedcloselyconcealedallday。As
　　soon
　　asthenightclosedintheyre-embarked。Themoonwouldriseearly；sothattheyhadbutabout
　　two
　　hoursofdarknesstogetpastthecamp。Thenight，however，wascloudy，withablusteringwind。
　　Silently，andwithmuffledoars，theyglideddowntheriver，keepingcloseundertheshore
　　opposite
　　tothecamp；watchingitsvariouslodgesandfires，andthedarkformspassingtoandfrobetween
　　them。Suddenly，onturningapointofland，theyfoundthemselvescloseuponacampontheir
　　own
　　sideoftheriver。Itappearedthatnotmorethanonehalfofthebandhadcrossed。Theywere
　　within
　　afewyardsoftheshore；theysawdistinctlythesavages——somestanding，somelyingroundthe
　　fire。
　　Horsesweregrazingaround。Somelodgesweresetup，othershadbeensentacrosstheriver。The
　　red
　　glareofthefiresuponthesewildgroupsandharshfaces，contrastedwiththesurrounding
　　darkness，
　　hadastartlingeffect，asthevoyagerssuddenlycameuponthescene。Thedogsofthecamp
　　perceivedthem，andbarked；buttheIndians。fortunately，tooknoheedoftheirclamor。Wyeth
　　instantlysheeredhisboatoutintothestream；when，unluckilyitstruckuponasand-bar，and
　　stuck
　　fast。Itwasaperilousandtryingsituation；forhewasfixedbetweenthetwocamps，andwithin
　　rifle
　　rangeofboth。Allhandsjumpedoutintothewater，andtriedtogettheboatoff；butasnoone
　　dared
　　togivetheword，theycouldnotpulltogether，andtheirlaborwasinvain。Inthiswaythey
　　labored
　　foralongtime；untilWyeththoughtofgivingasignalforageneralheave，byliftinghishat。The
　　expedientsucceeded。Theylaunchedtheircanoeagainintodeepwater，andgettingin，hadthe
　　delightofseeingthecampfiresofthesavagessoonfadinginthedistance。Theycontinuedunderwaythegreaterpartofthenight，untilfarbeyondalldangerfromthis
　　band，whentheypulledtoshore，andencamped。Thefollowingdaywaswindy，andtheycamenearupsettingtheirboatincarryingsail。
　　Toward
　　evening，thewindsubsidedandabeautifulcalmnightsucceeded。Theyfloatedalongwiththe
　　current
　　throughoutthenight，takingturnstowatchandsteer。Thedeepstillnessofthenightwas
　　occasionallyinterruptedbytheneighingoftheelk，thehoarselowingofthebuffalo，thehooting
　　of
　　largeowls，andthescreechingofthesmallones，nowandthenthesplashofabeaver，orthe
　　gonglikesoundoftheswan。Partoftheirvoyagewasextremelytempestuous；withhighwinds，tremendousthunder，and
　　soaking
　　rain；andtheywererepeatedlyinextremedangerfromdrift-woodandsunkentrees。Onone
　　occasion，havingcontinuedtofloatatnight，afterthemoonwasdown，theyranunderagreat
　　snag，
　　orsunkentree，withdrybranchesabovethewater。Thesecaughtthemast，whiletheboatswung
　　round，broadsidetothestream，andbegantofillwithwater。Nothingsavedherfromtotalwreck，
　　but
　　cuttingawaythemast。Shethendrovedownthestream，butleftoneoftheunluckyhalf-breeds
　　clingingtothesnag，likeamonkeytoapole。Itwasnecessarytoruninshore，toilup，
　　laboriously，
　　alongtheeddiesandtoattainsomedistanceabovethesnag，whentheylaunchedforthagaininto
　　thestreamandfloateddownwithittohisrescue。Weforbeartodetailallthecircumstancesandadventuresofupwardofamonthsvoyage，
　　downthe
　　windingsanddoublingsofthisvastriver；inthecourseofwhichtheystoppedoccasionallyata
　　post
　　ofoneoftherivalfurcompanies，oratagovernmentagencyforanIndiantribe。Neithershallwe
　　dwelluponthechangesofclimateandproductions，asthevoyagerssweptdownfromnorthto
　　south，
　　acrossseveraldegreesoflatitude；arrivingattheregionsofoaksandsycamores；ofmulberryand
　　basswoodtrees；ofparoquetsandwildturkeys。Thisisoneofthecharacteristicsofthemiddle
　　and
　　lowerpartoftheMissouri；butstillmoresooftheMississippi，whoserapidcurrenttraversesa
　　successionoflatitudessoasinafewdaystofloatthevoyageralmostfromthefrozenregionsto
　　thetropics。ThevoyageofWyethshowstheregularandunobstructedflowoftherivers，ontheeastside
　　ofthe
　　RockyMountains，incontrasttothoseofthewesternside；whererocksandrapidscontinually
　　menaceandobstructthevoyager。Wefindhiminafrailbarkofskins，launchinghimselfina
　　stream
　　atthefootoftheRockyMountains，andfloatingdownfromrivertoriver，astheyempty
　　themselves
　　intoeachother；andsohemighthavekeptonupwardoftwothousandmiles，untilhislittlebark
　　shoulddriftintotheocean。AtpresentweshallstopwithhimatCantonmentLeavenworth，thefrontierpostoftheUnitedStates；wherehearrivedonthe27thofSeptember。HerehisfirstcarewastohavehisNezPerceIndian，andhishalf-breedboy，Baptiste，
　　vaccinated。
　　Astheyapproachedthefort，theywerehailedbythesentinel。Thesightofasoldierinfullarray，
　　with
　　whatappearedtobealongknifeglitteringontheendofamusket，struckBaptistewithsuch
　　affright
　　thathetooktohisheels，bawlingformercyatthetopofhisvoice。TheNezPercewouldhave
　　followedhim，hadnotWyethassuredhimofhissafety。Whentheyunderwenttheoperationof
　　the
　　lancet，thedoctor”swifeandanotherladywerepresent；bothbeautifulwomen。Theywerethe
　　first
　　whitewomenthattheyhadseen，andtheycouldnotkeeptheireyesoffofthem。Onreturningto
　　the
　　boat，theyrecountedtotheircompanionsallthattheyhadobservedatthefort；butwere
　　especially
　　eloquentaboutthewhitesquaws，who，theysaid，werewhiteassnow，andmorebeautifulthan
　　anyhumanbeingtheyhadeverbeheld。WeshallnotaccompanythecaptainanyfurtherinhisVoyage；butwillsimplystatethathe
　　made
　　hiswaytoBoston，wherehesucceededinorganizinganassociationunderthenameof“The
　　ColumbiaRiverFishingandTradingCompany，“forhisoriginalobjectsofasalmonfisheryand
　　a
　　tradeinfurs。Abrig，theMayDacres，hadbeendispatchedfortheColumbiawith
　　supplies；andhe
　　wasnowonhiswaytothesamepoint，attheheadofsixtymen，whomhehadenlistedatSt。
　　Louis；
　　someofwhomwereexperiencedhunters，andallmorehabituatedtothelifeofthewilderness
　　thanhisfirstbandof“down-easters。”WewillnowreturntoCaptainBonnevilleandhisparty，whomweleft，makinguptheir
　　packsand
　　saddlingtheirhorses，inBearRiverValley。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter42[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter42DepartureofCaptainBonnevillefortheColumbia——AdvanceofWyeth——Effortstokeepthe
　　lead——Hudson”sBayparty——Ajunketing——Adelectablebeverage——Honeyandalcohol——High
　　carousing——TheCanadian“bonvivant“——Acache——Arapidmove——Wyethandhisplans——Histravellingcompanions——Buffalohunting——Moreconviviality——Aninterruption。ITwasthe3dofJulythatCaptainBonnevillesetoutonhissecondvisittothebanksofthe
　　Columbia，
　　attheheadoftwenty-threemen。Hetravelledleisurely，tokeephishorsesfresh，untilonthe10th
　　of
　　JulyascoutbroughtwordthatWyeth，withhisband，wasbutfiftymilesintherear，andpushing
　　forwardwithallspeed。Thiscausedsomebustleinthecamp；foritwasimportanttogetfirstto
　　the
　　buffalogroundtosecureprovisionsforthejourney。Asthehorsesweretooheavilyladentotravel
　　fast，acachewasdigged，aspromptlyaspossible，toreceiveallsuperfluousbaggage。Justasit
　　was
　　finished，aspringburstoutoftheearthatthebottom。Anothercachewasthereforedigged，about
　　two
　　milesfurtheron；when，astheywereabouttoburytheeffects，alineofhorsemenwith
　　pack-horses，wereseenstreakingovertheplain，andencampedcloseby。ItprovedtobeasmallbandintheserviceoftheHudson”sBayCompany，underthe
　　commandofa
　　veteranCanadian；oneofthosepettyleaders，who，withasmallpartyofmen，andasmallsupply
　　of
　　goods，areemployedtofollowupabandofIndiansfromonehuntinggroundtoanother，andbuy
　　uptheirpeltries。HavingreceivednumerouscivilitiesfromtheHudson”sBayCompany，thecaptainsentan
　　invitation
　　totheofficersofthepartytoaneveningregale；andsettoworktomakejovialpreparations。As
　　the
　　nightairintheseelevatedregionsisapttobecold，ablazingfirewassoonmade，thatwouldhave
　　donecredittoaChristmasdinner，insteadofamidsummerbanquet。Thepartiesmetinhigh
　　good-fellowship。Therewasabundanceofsuchhunters”fareastheneighborhoodfurnished；andit
　　wasall
　　discussedwithmountainappetites。Theytalkedoveralltheeventsoftheirlatecampaigns；butthe
　　Canadianveteranhadbeenunluckyinsomeofhistransactions；andhisbrowbegantogrow
　　cloudy。
　　CaptainBonnevilleremarkedhisrisingspleen，andregrettedthathehadnojuiceofthegrapeto
　　keepitdown。Aman”swit，however，isquickandinventiveinthewilderness；athoughtsuggesteditselfto
　　the
　　captain，howhemightbrewadelectablebeverage。Amonghisstoreswasakegofhoneybuthalf
　　exhausted。Thishefilledupwithalcohol，andstirredthefieryandmellifluousingredientstogether。
　　Thegloriousresultsmayreadilybeimagined；ahappycompoundofstrengthandsweetness，
　　enoughtosoothethemostruffledtemperandunsettlethemostsolidunderstanding。