StateofthefurtradeoftheRockyMountains——Americanenterprises——GeneralAshleyandhisassociates——Sublette，afamousleader——Yearlyrendezvousamongthemountains——Stratagemsanddangersofthetrade——Bandsoftrappers——Indianbanditti——CrowsandBlackfeet——Mountaineers——TradersoftheFarWest——CharacterandhabitsofthetrapperChapter2DeparturefromFortOsage——Modesoftransportation——Pack-horses——Wagons——WalkerandCerre；theircharacters——Buoyantfeelingsonlaunchingupontheprairies——Wildequipmentsofthetrappers——Theirgambolsandantics——DifferenceofcharacterbetweentheAmericanandFrenchtrappers——AgencyoftheKansas——GeneralClarke——WhitePlume，theKansaschief——Nightsceneinatrader”scamp——ColloquybetweenWhitePlumeandthecaptain——Bee-hunters——Theirexpeditions——TheirfeudswiththeIndians——BargainingtalentofWhitePlumeChapter3DeparturefromFortOsage——Modesoftransportation——Pack-horses——Wagons——WalkerandCerre；theircharacters——Buoyantfeelingsonlaunchingupontheprairies——Wildequipmentsofthetrappers——Theirgambolsandantics——DifferenceofcharacterbetweentheAmericanandFrenchtrappers——AgencyoftheKansas——GeneralClarke——WhitePlume，theKansaschief——Nightsceneinatrader”scamp——ColloquybetweenWhitePlumeandthecaptain——Bee-hunters——Theirexpeditions——TheirfeudswiththeIndians——BargainingtalentofWhitePlumeChapter4Analarm——CrowIndians——Theirappearance——Modeofapproach——Theirvengefulerrand——Theircuriosity——HostilitybetweentheCrowsandBlackfeet——
LovingconductoftheCrows——Laramie”sFork——FirstnavigationoftheNebraska——Greatelevationofthecountry——Rarityoftheatmosphere——Itseffectonthewood-workofwagons——BlackHills——Theirwildandbrokenscenery——Indiandogs——Crowtrophies——Sterileanddrearycountry——BanksoftheSweetWater——Buffalohunting——AdventureofTomCaintheIrishcookChapter5Magnificentscenery——WindRiverMountains——Treasuryofwaters——A
strayhorse——AnIndiantrail——Troutstreams——TheGreatGreenRiverValley——
Analarm——Abandoftrappers——Fontenelle，hisinformation——Sufferingsofthirst——EncampmentontheSeeds-ke-dee——Strategyofrivaltraders——Fortificationofthecamp——TheBlackfeet——Bandittiofthemountains——TheircharacterandhabitsChapter6Subletteandhisband——RobertCampbell——Mr。Wyethandabandof“down-easters“——Yankeeenterprise——Fitzpatrick——HisadventurewiththeBlackfeet——Arendezvousofmountaineers——ThebattleofPierre”sHole——AnIndianambuscade——Sublette”sreturnChapter7RetreatoftheBlackfeet——Fontenelle”scampindanger——CaptainBonnevilleandtheBlackfeet——Freetrappers——Theircharacter，habits，dress，equipments，horses——Gamefellowsofthemountains——Theirvisittothecamp——Goodfellowshipandgoodcheer——Acarouse——Aswagger，abrawl，andareconciliationChapter8Plansforthewinter——SalmonRiver——Abundanceofsalmonwestofthemountains——Newarrangements——Caches——Cerre”sdetachment——MovementsinFontenelle”scamp——DepartureoftheBlackfeet——Theirfortunes——WindMountainstreams——Buckeye，theDelawarehunter，andthegrizzlybear——Bonesofmurderedtravellers——VisittoPierre”sHole——Tracesofthebattle——NezPerceIndians——ArrivalatSalmonRiverChapter9Horsesturnedloose——Preparationsforwinterquarters——Hungrytimes——NezPerces，theirhonesty，piety，pacifichabits，religiousceremonies——CaptainBonneville”sconversationswiththem——TheirloveofgamblingChapter10BlackfeetintheHorsePrairie——Searchafterthehunters——Difficultiesanddangers——Acardpartyinthewilderness——Thecardpartyinterrupted”OldSledge“alosinggame——Visitorstothecamp——Iroquoishunters——Hanging-earedIndians。Chapter11Rivaltrappingparties——Manoeuvring——Adesperategame——VanderburghandtheBlackfeet——Desertedcampfire——Adarkdefile——AnIndianambush——A
fiercemelee——Fatalconsequences——FitzpatrickandBridger——Trappersprecautions——MeetingwiththeBlackfeet——Morefighting——AnecdoteofayoungMexicanandanIndiangirl。Chapter12Awintercampinthewilderness——Medleyoftrappers，hunters，andIndians——Scarcityofgame——Newarrangementsinthecamp——Detachmentssenttoadistance——CarelessnessoftheIndianswhenencamped——SicknessamongtheIndians——ExcellentcharacteroftheNezPerces——TheCaptain”seffortasapacificator——ANezPerce”sargumentinfavorofwar——Robberies，bytheBlackfeet——LongsufferingoftheNezPerces——Ahunter”sElysiumamongthemountains——Morerobberies——TheCaptainpreachesupacrusade——Theeffectuponhishearers。Chapter13StoryofKosato，theRenegadeBlackfoot。Chapter14Thepartyentersthemountaingorge——Awildfastnessamonghills——Mountainmutton——Peaceandplenty——Theamoroustrapper-Apiebaldwedding-Afreetrapper”swife-Hergalaequipments-Christmasinthewilderness。Chapter15Ahuntafterhunters——Hungrytimes——Avoraciousrepast——Wintryweather——Godin”sRiver——SplendidwintersceneonthegreatLavaPlainofSnakeRiver——Severetravellingandtrampinginthesnow——ManoeuvrsofasolitaryIndianhorseman——EncampmentonSnakeRiver——BanneckIndians——Thehorsechief——Hischarmedlife。Chapter16MisadventuresofMatthieuandhisparty——ReturntothecachesatSalmonRiver——BattlebetweenNezPercesandBlackfeet——HeroismofaNezPercewoman——Enrolledamongthebraves。Chapter17Openingofthecaches——DetachmentsofCerreandHodgkiss——
SalmonRiverMountains——SuperstitionofanIndiantrapper——Godin”sRiver——Preparationsfortrapping——Analarm——Aninterruption——A
rivalband——PhenomenaofSnakeRiverPlain——Vastcleftsandchasms——Ingulfedstreams——Sublimescenery——Agrandbuffalohunt。Chapter18MeetingwithHodgkiss——MisfortunesoftheNezPerces——SchemesofKosato，therenegado——HisforayintotheHorsePrairie-InvasionofBlackfeet——BlueJohnandhisforlornhope——Theirgenerousenterprise-Theirfate-Consternationanddespairofthevillage-Solemnobsequies-AttemptatIndiantrade-Hudson”sBayCompany”smonopoly-Arrangementsforautumn-Breakingupofanencampment。Chapter19Precautionsindangerousdefiles——Trappers”modeofdefenceonaprairie——Amysteriousvisitor——ArrivalinGreenRiverValley——
Adventuresofthedetachments——Theforlornpartisan——Histaleofdisasters。Chapter20GatheringinGreenRivervalley——Visitingsandfeastingsofleaders——Roughwassailingamongthetrappers——Wildbladesofthemountains——Indianbelles——Potencyofbrightbeadsandredblankets——Arrivalofsupplies——Revelryandextravagance——Madwolves——ThelostIndianChapter21SchemesofCaptainBonneville——TheGreatSaltLake——Expeditiontoexploreit——PreparationsforajourneytotheBighornChapter22TheCrowcountry——ACrowparadise——HabitsoftheCrows——AnecdotesofRose，therenegadewhiteman——HisfightswiththeBlackfeet——Hiselevation——Hisdeath——Arapooish，theCrowchief——Hiseagle——AdventureofRobertCampbell——HonoramongCrowsChapter23DeparturefromGreenRivervalley——PopoAgie——Itscourse——Theriversintowhichitruns——SceneryoftheBluffs——thegreatTarSpring——VolcanictractsintheCrowcountry——BurningMountainofPowderRiver——Sulphursprings——Hiddenfires——Colter”sHell——WindRiver——Campbell”sparty——Fitzpatrickandhistrappers——CaptainStewart，anamateurtraveller——NathanielWyeth——AnecdotesofhisexpeditiontotheFarWest——DisasterofCampbell”sparty——Aunionofbands——TheBadPass——Therapids——DepartureofFitzpatrick——Embarkationofpeltries——Wyethandhisbullboat——AdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleintheBighornMountains——Adventuresintheplain——TracesofIndians——Travellingprecautions——Dangersofmakingasmoke——TherendezvousChapter24Adventuresofthepartyoften——TheBalaamitemule——Adeadpoint——Themysteriouselks——Anightattack——Aretreat——Travellingunderanalarm——Ajoyfulmeeting——Adventuresoftheotherparty——Adecoyelk——Retreattoanisland——Asavagedanceoftriumph——ArrivalatWindRiverChapter25CaptainBonnevillesetsoutforGreenRivervalley——JourneyupthePopoAgie——Buffaloes——Thestaringwhitebears——Thesmoke——Thewarmsprings——AttempttotraversetheWindRiverMountains——TheGreatSlope——Mountaindellsandchasms——Crystallakes——Ascentofasnowypeak——Sublimeprospect——
Apanorama”Lesdignesdepitie，“orwildmenofthemountainsChapter26Aretrogrademove——Channelofamountaintorrent——Alpinescenery——Cascades——Beavervalleys——Beaversatwork——Theirarchitecture——Theirmodesoffellingtrees——Modeoftrappingbeaver——Contestsofskill——Abeaver“uptotrap“——ArrivalattheGreenRivercachesChapter27RoutetowardWindRiver——Dangerousneighborhood——Alarmsandprecautions——Ashamencampment——ApparitionofanIndianspy——Midnightmove——Amountaindefile——TheWindRivervalley——Trackingaparty——Desertedcamps——SymptomsofCrows——Meetingofcomrades——Atrapperentrapped——Crowpleasantry——Crowspies——Adecampment——ReturntoGreenRivervalley——MeetingwithFitzpatrick”sparty——TheiradventuresamongtheCrows——OrthodoxCrowsChapter28Aregionofnaturalcuriosities——Theplainofwhiteclay——Hotsprings——TheBeerSpring——Departuretoseekthefreetrappers——PlainofPortneuf——Lava——Chasmsandgullies——BannackIndians——Theirhuntofthebuffalo——Hunter”sfeast——Trencherheroes——Bullyingofanabsentfoe——Thedampcomrade——TheIndianspy——MeetingwithHodgkiss——Hisadventures——PoordevilIndians——TriumphoftheBannacks——BlackfeetpolicyinwarChapter29WintercampatthePortneuf——Finesprings——TheBannackIndians——Theirhonesty——CaptainBonnevillepreparesforanexpedition——Christmas——TheAmericanFalls——Wildscenery——FishingFalls——SnakeIndians——SceneryontheBruneau——Viewofvolcaniccountryfromamountain——PowderRiver——Shoshokoes，orRootDiggers——Theircharacter，habits，habitations，dogs——VanityatitslastshiftChapter30Temperatureoftheclimate——RootDiggersonhorseback——AnIndianguide——Mountainprospects——TheGrandRond——DifficultiesonSnakeRiver——A
scrambleovertheBlueMountains——Sufferingsfromhunger——ProspectoftheImmahahValley——TheexhaustedtravellerChapter31Progressinthevalley——AnIndiancavalier——Thecaptainfallsintoalethargy——ANezPercepatriarch——Hospitabletreatment——Thebaldhead——Bargaining——Valueofanoldplaidcloak——Thefamilyhorse——ThecostofanIndianpresentChapter32NezPercecamp——Achiefwithahardname——TheBigHeartsoftheEast——Hospitabletreatment——TheIndianguides——Mysteriouscouncils——Theloquaciouschief——Indiantomb——GrandIndianreception——AnIndianfeast——Town-criers——HonestyoftheNezPerces——Thecaptain”sattemptathealing。Chapter33SceneryoftheWay-lee-way——Asubstitutefortobacco——SublimesceneryofSnakeRiver——Thegarrulousoldchiefandhiscousin——ANezPercemeeting——Astolenskin——Thescapegoatdog——Mysteriousconferences——Thelittlechief——Hishospitality——Thecaptain”saccountoftheUnitedStates——HishealingskillChapter34FortWallah-Wallah——Itscommander——Indiansinitsneighborhood——ExertionsofMr。Pambrunefortheirimprovement——Religion——Codeoflaws——RangeoftheLowerNezPerces——Camash，andotherroots——NezPercehorses——Preparationsfordeparture——Refusalofsupplies——Departure——AlaggardandgluttonChapter35Theuninvitedguest——Freeandeasymanners——Salutaryjokes——A
prodigalson——Exitoftheglutton——Asuddenchangeinfortune——Dangerofavisittopoorrelations——Pluckingofaprosperousman——Avagabondtoilet——Asubstitutefortheveryfinehorse——Hardtravelling——Theuninvitedguestandthepatriarchalcolt——Abeggaronhorseback——Acatastrophe——ExitofthemerryvagabondChapter36Thedifficultmountain——Asmokeandconsultation——Thecaptain”sspeech——Anicyturnpike——Dangerofafalsestep——ArrivalonSnakeRiver——
ReturntoPortneuf——MeetingofcomradesChapter37Departurefortherendezvous——AwarpartyofBlackfeet——Amockbustle——Shamfiresatnight——Warlikeprecautions——Dangersofanightattack——
Apanicamonghorses——Cautiousmarch——TheBeerSprings——Amockcarousel——Skirmishingwithbuffaloes——Abuffalobait——Arrivalattherendezvous——MeetingofvariousbandsChapter38PlanoftheSaltLakeexpedition——Greatsandydeserts——Sufferingsfromthirst——Ogden”sRiver——Trailsandsmokeoflurkingsavages——Theftsatnight——Atrapper”srevenge——Alarmsofaguiltyconscience——Amurderousvictory——Californianmountains——PlainsalongthePacific——ArrivalatMonterey——Accountoftheplaceandneighborhood——LowerCalifornia——Itsextent——ThePeninsula——Soil——Climate——
Production——ItssettlementsbytheJesuits——TheirswayovertheIndians——Theirexpulsion——Ruinsofamissionaryestablishment——Sublimescenery——UpperCalifornia——Missions——Theirpowerandpolicy——Resourcesofthecountry——DesignsofforeignnationsChapter39GaylifeatMonterey——Mexicanhorsemen——Abolddragoon——Useofthelasso——Vaqueros——Noosingabear——Fightbetweenabullandabear——DeparturefromMonterey——Indianhorsestealers——Outragescommittedbythetravellers——IndignationofCaptainBonnevilleChapter40Traveller”stales——Indianlurkers——PrognosticsofBuckeye——Signsandportents——Themedicinewolf——Analarm——Anambush——
ThecapturedprovantTriumphofBuckeye——Arrivalofsupplies——Grandcarouse——Arrangementsfortheyear——Mr。Wyethandhisnew-leviedband。Chapter41Avoyageinabullboat。Chapter42DepartureofCaptainBonnevillefortheColumbia——AdvanceofWyeth——Effortstokeepthelead——Hudson”sBayparty——Ajunketing——Adelectablebeverage——Honeyandalcohol——Highcarousing——TheCanadian“bonvivant“——Acache——Arapidmove——Wyethandhisplans——Histravellingcompanions——Buffalohunting——Moreconviviality——
Aninterruption。Chapter43Arapidmarch——Acloudofdust——Wildhorsemen——“HighJinks“——
Horseracingandrifle-shooting——Thegameofhand——Thefishingseason——Modeoffishing——Tablelands——Salmonfishers——Thecaptain”svisittoanIndianlodge——TheIndiangirl——Thepocketmirror——Supper——
Troublesofanevilconscience。Chapter44Outfitofatrapper——Riskstowhichheissubjected——Partnershipoftrappers——EnmityofIndians——Distantsmoke——Acountryonfire——GunCreek——GrandRondFinepastures——Perplexitiesinasmokycountry——Conflagrationofforests。Chapter45Skynses——Theirtraffic——Hunting——Food——Horses——Ahorse-race——DevotionalfeelingoftheSkynses，NezPercesandFlatheads——Prayers——Exhortations——Apreacheronhorseback——Effectofreligiononthemannersofthetribes——Anewlight。Chapter46Scarcityinthecamp——RefusalofsuppliesbytheHudson”sBayCompany——ConductoftheIndians——Ahungryretreat——JohnDay”sRiver——TheBlueMountains——SalmonfishingonSnakeRiver——MessengersfromtheCrowcountry——BearRiverValley——immensemigrationofbuffalo——Dangerofbuffalohunting——AwoundedIndian——EutawIndians——A
“surround“ofantelopes。Chapter47Afestivewinter——ConversionoftheShoshonies——Visitoftwofreetrappers——Gayetyinthecamp——Atouchofthetenderpassion——Thereclaimedsquaw——AnIndianfinelady——Anelopement——Apursuit——Marketvalueofabadwife。Chapter48Breakingupofwinterquarters——MovetoGreenRiver——Atrapperandhisrifle——Anarrivalincamp——Afreetrapperandhissquawindistress——StoryofaBlackfootbelle。Chapter49RendezvousatWindRiver——CampaignofMonteroandhisbrigadeintheCrowcountry——WarsbetweentheCrowsandBlackfeet——DeathofArapooishBlackfeetlurkers——Sagacityofthehorse——Dependenceofthehunteronhishorse——Returntothesettlements。AppendixNathanielJ。Wyeth，andtheTradeoftheFarWest——WreckofaJapaneseJunkontheNorthwestCoast——InstructionstoCaptainBonnevillefromtheMajor-GeneralCommandingtheArmyoftheUnitedStates。Irving”sBonneville-IntroductoryNotice[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleIntroductoryNoticeWHILEENGAGEDinwritinganaccountofthegrandenterpriseofAstoria，itwasmypracticetoseekallkindsoforalinformationconnectedwiththesubject。NowheredidIpickupmoreinterestingparticularsthanatthetableofMr。JohnJacobAstor；who，beingthepatriarchofthefurtradeintheUnitedStates，wasaccustomedtohaveathisboardvariouspersonsofadventurousturn，someofwhomhadbeenengagedinhisowngreatundertaking；others，ontheirownaccount，hadmadeexpeditionstotheRockyMountainsandthewatersoftheColumbia。
Amongthesepersonages，onewhopeculiarlytookmyfancywasCaptainBonneville，oftheUnitedStatesarmy；who，inaramblingkindofenterprise，hadstrangelyingraftedthetrapperandhunteruponthesoldier。Ashisexpeditionsandadventureswillformtheleadingthemeofthefollowingpages，afewbiographicalparticularsconcerninghimmaynotbeunacceptable。
CaptainBonnevilleisofFrenchparentage。Hisfatherwasaworthyoldemigrant，whocametothiscountrymanyyearssince，andtookuphisabodeinNew-York。Heisrepresentedasamannotmuchcalculatedforthesordidstruggleofamoney-makingworld，butpossessedofahappytemperament，afestivityofimagination，andasimplicityofheart，thatmadehimproofagainstitsrubsandtrials。Hewasanexcellentscholar；wellacquaintedwithLatinandGreek，andfondofthemodernclassics。Hisbookwashiselysium；onceimmersedinthepagesofVoltaire，Corneille，orRacine，orofhisfavoriteEnglishauthor，Shakespeare，heforgottheworldandallitsconcerns。Oftenwouldhebeseeninsummerweather，seatedunderoneofthetreesontheBattery，ortheporticoofSt。Paul”schurchinBroadway，hisbaldheaduncovered，hishatlyingbyhisside，hiseyesrivetedtothepageofhisbook，andhiswholesoulsoengaged，astoloseallconsciousnessofthepassingthrongorthepassinghour。
CaptainBonneville，itwillbefound，inheritedsomethingofhisfather”sbonhommie，andhisexcitableimagination；thoughthelatterwassomewhatdisciplinedinearlyyears，bymathematicalstudies。HewaseducatedatournationalMilitaryAcademyatWestPoint，whereheacquittedhimselfverycreditably；thence，heenteredthearmy，inwhichhehaseversincecontinued。
Thenatureofourmilitaryservicetookhimtothefrontier，where，foranumberofyears，hewasstationedatvariouspostsintheFarWest。HerehewasbroughtintofrequentintercoursewithIndiantraders，mountaintrappers，andotherpioneersofthewilderness；andbecamesoexcitedbytheirtalesofwildscenesandwildadventures，andtheiraccountsofvastandmagnificentregionsasyetunexplored，thatanexpeditiontotheRockyMountainsbecametheardentdesireofhisheart，andanenterprisetoexploreuntroddentracts，theleadingobjectofhisambition。
Bydegreesheshapedhisvagueday-dreamintoapracticalreality。Havingmadehimselfacquaintedwithalltherequisitesforatradingenterprisebeyondthemountains，hedeterminedtoundertakeit。Aleaveofabsence，andasanctionofhisexpedition，wasobtainedfromthemajorgeneralinchief，onhisofferingtocombinepublicutilitywithhisprivateprojects，andtocollectstatisticalinformationfortheWarDepartmentconcerningthewildcountriesandwildtribeshemightvisitinthecourseofhisjourneyings。
Nothingnowwaswantingtothedarlingprojectofthecaptain，butthewaysandmeans。Theexpeditionwouldrequireanoutfitofmanythousanddollars；astaggeringobstacletoasoldier，whosecapitalisseldomanythingmorethanhissword。Fullofthatbuoyanthope，however，whichbelongstothesanguinetemperament，herepairedtoNew-York，thegreatfocusofAmericanenterprise，wheretherearealwaysfundsreadyforanyscheme，howeverchimericalorromantic。Herehehadthegoodfortunetomeetwithagentlemanofhighrespectabilityandinfluence，whohadbeenhisassociateinboyhood，andwhocherishedaschoolfellowfriendshipforhim。Hetookageneralinterestintheschemeofthecaptain；introducedhimtocommercialmenofhisacquaintance，andinalittlewhileanassociationwasformed，andthenecessaryfundswereraisedtocarrytheproposedmeasureintoeffect。OneofthemostefficientpersonsinthisassociationwasMr。AlfredSeton，who，whenquiteayouth，hadaccompaniedoneoftheexpeditionssentoutbyMr。AstortohiscommercialestablishmentsontheColumbia，andhaddistinguishedhimselfbyhisactivityandcourageatoneoftheinteriorposts。Mr。SetonwasoneoftheAmericanyouthswhowereatAstoriaatthetimeofitssurrendertotheBritish，andwhomanifestedsuchgriefandindignationatseeingtheflagoftheircountryhauleddown。ThehopeofseeingthatflagoncemoreplantedontheshoresoftheColumbia，mayhaveenteredintohismotivesforengaginginthepresententerprise。
Thusbackedandprovided，CaptainBonnevilleundertookhisexpeditionintotheFarWest，andwassoonbeyondtheRockyMountains。Yearafteryearelapsedwithouthisreturn。Thetermofhisleaveofabsenceexpired，yetnoreportwasmadeofhimatheadquartersatWashington。Hewasconsideredvirtuallydeadorlostandhisnamewasstrickenfromthearmylist。
Itwasintheautumnof1835atthecountryseatofMr。JohnJacobAstor，atHellgate，thatI
firstmetwithCaptainBonnevilleHewasthenjustreturnedfromaresidenceofupwardsofthreeyearsamongthemountains，andwasonhiswaytoreporthimselfatheadquarters，inthehopesofbeingreinstatedintheservice。FromallthatIcouldlearn，hiswanderingsinthewildernessthoughtheyhadgratifiedhiscuriosityandhisloveofadventurehadnotmuchbenefitedhisfortunes。LikeCorporalTriminhiscampaigns，hehad“satisfiedthesentiment，“
andthatwasall。Infact，hewastoomuchofthefrank，freeheartedsoldier，andhadinheritedtoomuchofhisfather”stemperament，tomakeaschemingtrapper，orathriftybargainer。
Therewassomethinginthewholeappearanceofthecaptainthatprepossessedmeinhisfavor。Hewasofthemiddlesize，wellmadeandwellset；andamilitaryfrockofforeigncut，thathadseenservice，gavehimalookofcompactness。Hiscountenancewasfrank，open，andengaging；wellbrownedbythesun，andhadsomethingofaFrenchexpression。Hehadapleasantblackeye，ahighforehead，and，whilehekepthishaton，thelookofamaninthejocundprimeofhisdays；butthemomenthisheadwasuncovered，abaldcrowngainedhimcreditforafewmoreyearsthanhewasreallyentitledto。
Beingextremelycurious，atthetime，abouteverythingconnectedwiththeFarWest，I
addressednumerousquestionstohim。Theydrewfromhimanumberofextremelystrikingdetails，whichweregivenwithmingledmodestyandfrankness；andinagentlenessofmanner，andasofttoneofvoice，contrastingsingularlywiththewildandoftenstartlingnatureofhisthemes。Itwasdifficulttoconceivethemild，quiet-lookingpersonagebeforeyou，theactualheroofthestirringscenesrelated。
Inthecourseofthreeorfourmonths，happeningtobeatthecityofWashington，Iagaincameuponthecaptain，whowasattendingtheslowadjustmentofhisaffairswiththeWarDepartment。Ifoundhimquarteredwithaworthybrotherinarms，amajorinthearmy。Herehewaswritingatatable，coveredwithmapsandpapers，inthecentreofalargebarrackroom，fancifullydecoratedwithIndianarms，andtrophies，andwardresses，andtheskinsofvariouswildanimals，andhungroundwithpicturesofIndiangamesandceremonies，andscenesofwarandhunting。Inaword，thecaptainwasbeguilingthetediousnessofattendanceatcourt，byanattemptatauthorship；andwasrewritingandextendinghistravellingnotes，andmakingmapsoftheregionshehadexplored。Ashesatatthetable，inthiscuriousapartment，withhishighbaldheadofsomewhatforeigncast，heremindedmeofsomeofthoseantiquepicturesofauthorsthatIhaveseeninoldSpanishvolumes。
Theresultofhislaborswasamassofmanuscript，whichhesubsequentlyputatmydisposal，tofititforpublicationandbringitbeforetheworld。Ifounditfullofinterestingdetailsoflifeamongthemountains，andofthesingularcastesandraces，bothwhitemenandredmen，amongwhomhehadsojourned。Itbore，too，throughout，theimpressofhischaracter，hisbonhommie，hiskindlinessofspirit，andhissusceptibilitytothegrandandbeautiful。
Thatmanuscripthasformedthestapleofthefollowingwork。Ihaveoccasionallyinterwovenfactsanddetails，gatheredfromvarioussources，especiallyfromtheconversationsandjournalsofsomeofthecaptain”scontemporaries，whowereactorsinthesceneshedescribes。
Ihavealsogivenitatoneandcoloringdrawnfrommyownobservation，duringanexcursionintotheIndiancountrybeyondtheboundsofcivilization；asIbeforeobserved，however，theworkissubstantiallythenarrativeoftheworthycaptain，andmanyofitsmostgraphicpassagesarebutlittlevariedfromhisownlanguage。
Ishallconcludethisnoticebyadedicationwhichhehadmadeofhismanuscripttohishospitablebrotherinarms，inwhosequartersIfoundhimoccupiedinhisliterarylabors；itisadedicationwhich，Ibelieve，possessesthequalities，notalwaysfoundincomplimentarydocumentsofthekind，ofbeingsincere，andbeingmerited。
ToJAMESHARVEYHOOK，Major，U。S。A。，whosejealousyofitshonor，whoseanxietyforitsinterests，andwhosesensibilityforitswants，haveendearedhimtotheserviceasTheSoldier”sFriend；
andwhosegeneralamenity，constantcheerfulness。disinterestedhospitality，andunweariedbenevolence，entitlehimtothestillloftiertitleofTheFriendofMan，thisworkisinscribed，etc。WASHINGTONIRVING[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter1[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter1StateofthefurtradeoftheRockyMountains——Americanenterprises——GeneralAshley
andhisassociates——Sublette，afamousleader——Yearlyrendezvousamongthe
mountains——Stratagemsanddangersofthetrade——Bandsoftrappers——Indian
banditti——CrowsandBlackfeet——Mountaineers——TradersoftheFarWest——Character
andhabitsofthetrapperINARECENTWORKwehavegivenanaccountofthegrandenterpriseofMr。John
JacobAstortoestablishanAmericanemporiumforthefurtradeatthemouthofthe
Columbia，orOregonRiver；ofthefailureofthatenterprisethroughthecaptureof
AstoriabytheBritish，in1814；andofthewayinwhichthecontrolofthetradeofthe
ColumbiaanditsdependenciesfellintothehandsoftheNorthwestCompany。Wehave
stated，likewise，theunfortunatesupinenessoftheAmericangovernmentinneglecting
theapplicationofMr。AstorfortheprotectionoftheAmericanflag，andasmallmilitary
force，toenablehimtoreinstatehimselfinthepossessionofAstoriaatthereturnof
peace；whenthepostwasformallygivenupbytheBritishgovernment，thoughstill
occupiedbytheNorthwestCompany。Bythatsupinenessthesovereigntyinthecountry
hasbeenvirtuallylosttotheUnitedStates；anditwillcostbothgovernmentsmuch
troubleanddifficultytosettlemattersonthatjustandrightfulfootingonwhichthey
wouldreadilyhavebeenplacedhadthepropositionofMr。Astorbeenattendedto。We
shallnowstateafewparticularsofsubsequentevents，soastoleadthereaderupto
theperiodofwhichweareabouttotreat，andtopreparehimforthecircumstancesofournarrative。InconsequenceoftheapathyandneglectoftheAmericangovernment，Mr。Astor
abandonedallthoughtsofregainingAstoria，andmadenofurtherattempttoextendhis
enterprisesbeyondtheRockyMountains；andtheNorthwestCompanyconsidered
themselvesthelordsofthecountry。Theydidnotlongenjoyunmolestedthesway
whichtheyhadsomewhatsurreptitiouslyattained。Afiercecompetitionensuedbetween
themandtheiroldrivals，theHudson”sBayCompany；whichwascarriedonatgreat
costandsacrifice，andoccasionallywiththelossoflife。Itendedintheruinofmostof
thepartnersoftheNorthwestCompany；andthemergingoftherelicsofthat
establishment，in1821，intherivalassociation。Fromthattime，theHudson”sBay
CompanyenjoyedamonopolyoftheIndiantradefromthecoastofthePacifictothe
RockyMountains，andforaconsiderableextentnorthandsouth。Theyremovedtheir
emporiumfromAstoriatoFortVancouver，astrongpostontheleftbankofthe
ColumbiaRiver，aboutsixtymilesfromitsmouth；whencetheyfurnishedtheirinteriorposts，andsentforththeirbrigadesoftrappers。TheRockyMountainsformedavastbarrierbetweenthemandtheUnitedStates，and
theirsternandawfuldefiles，theirruggedvalleys，andthegreatwesternplainswatered
bytheirrivers，remainedalmostaterraincognitatotheAmericantrapper。The
difficultiesexperiencedin1808，byMr。HenryoftheMissouriCompany，thefirst
Americanwhotrappeduponthehead-watersoftheColumbia；andthefrightful
hardshipssustainedbyWilsonP。Hunt，RamsayCrooks，RobertStuart，andother
intrepidAstorians，intheirill-fatedexpeditionsacrossthemountains，appearedfora
timetocheckallfurtherenterpriseinthatdirection。TheAmericantraderscontented
themselveswithfollowinguptheheadbranchesoftheMissouri，theYellowstone，and
otherriversandstreamsontheAtlanticsideofthemountains，butforboretoattemptthosegreatsnow-crownedsierras。OneofthefirsttorevivethesetramontaneexpeditionswasGeneralAshley，ofMissouri，
amanwhosecourageandachievementsintheprosecutionofhisenterpriseshave
renderedhimfamousintheFarWest。InconjunctionwithMr。Henry，already
mentioned，heestablishedapostonthebanksoftheYellowstoneRiverin1822，andin
thefollowingyearpushedaresolutebandoftrappersacrossthemountainstothe
banksoftheGreenRiverorColoradooftheWest，oftenknownbytheIndiannameof
theSeeds-ke-deeAgie。Thisattemptwasfollowedupandsustainedbyothers，untilin
1825afootingwassecured，andacompletesystemoftrappingorganizedbeyondthemountains。Itisdifficulttodojusticetothecourage，fortitude，andperseveranceofthepioneersof
thefurtrade，whoconductedtheseearlyexpeditions，andfirstbroketheirwaythrougha
wildernesswhereeverythingwascalculatedtodeteranddismaythem。Theyhadto
traversethemostdrearyanddesolatemountains，andbarrenandtracklesswastes，
uninhabitedbyman，oroccasionallyinfestedbypredatoryandcruelsavages。They
knewnothingofthecountrybeyondthevergeoftheirhorizon，andhadtogather
informationastheywandered。Theybeheldvolcanicplainsstretchingaroundthem，and
rangesofmountainspileduptotheclouds，andglisteningwitheternalfrost：butknew
nothingoftheirdefiles，norhowtheyweretobepenetratedortraversed。Theylaunched
themselvesinfrailcanoesonrivers，withoutknowingwhithertheirswiftcurrentswould
carrythem，orwhatrocksandshoalsandrapidstheymightencounterintheircourse。
Theyhadtobecontinuallyonthealert，too，againstthemountaintribes，whobeset
everydefile，laidambuscadesintheirpath，orattackedthemintheirnight
encampments；sothat，ofthehardybandsoftrappersthatfirstenteredintotheseregions，three-fifthsaresaidtohavefallenbythehandsofsavagefoes。Inthiswildandwarlikeschoolanumberofleadershavesprungup，originallyinthe
employ，subsequentlypartnersofAshley；amongthesewemaymentionSmith，
Fitzpatrick，Bridger，RobertCampbell，andWilliamSublette；whoseadventuresand
exploitspartakeofthewildestspiritofromance。Theassociationcommencedby
GeneralAshleyunderwentvariousmodifications。Thatgentlemanhavingacquired
sufficientfortune，soldouthisinterestandretired；andtheleadingspiritthatsucceeded
himwasCaptainWilliamSublette；amanworthyofnote，ashisnamehasbecome
renownedinfrontierstory。HeisanativeofKentucky，andofgamedescent；his
maternalgrandfather，ColonelWheatley，acompanionofBoon，havingbeenoneofthe
pioneersoftheWest，celebratedinIndianwarfare，andkilledinoneofthecontestsof
the“BloodyGround。”WeshallfrequentlyhaveoccasiontospeakofthisSublette，and
alwaystothecreditofhisgamequalities。In1830，theassociationtookthenameofthe
RockyMountainFurCompany，ofwhichCaptainSubletteandRobertCampbellwereprominentmembers。Inthemeantime，thesuccessofthiscompanyattractedtheattentionandexcitedthe
emulationoftheAmericanFurCompany，andbroughtthemoncemoreintothefieldof
theiranciententerprise。Mr。Astor，thefounderoftheassociation，hadretiredfrombusy
life，andtheconcernsofthecompanywereablymanagedbyMr。RamsayCrooks，of
SnakeRiverrenown，whostillofficiatesasitspresident。Acompetitionimmediately
ensuedbetweenthetwocompaniesforthetradewiththemountaintribesandthe
trappingofthehead-watersoftheColumbiaandtheothergreattributariesofthe
Pacific。Besidetheregularoperationsoftheseformidablerivals，therehavebeenfrom
timetotimedesultoryenterprises，orratherexperiments，ofminorassociations，orof
adventurousindividualsbesiderovingbandsofindependenttrappers，whoeitherhunt
forthemselves，orengageforasingleseason，intheserviceofoneorotherofthemaincompanies。TheconsequenceisthattheRockyMountainsandtheulteriorregions，fromthe
RussianpossessionsinthenorthdowntotheSpanishsettlementsofCalifornia，have
beentraversedandransackedineverydirectionbybandsofhuntersandIndian
traders；sothatthereisscarcelyamountainpass，ordefile，thatisnotknownand
threadedintheirrestlessmigrations，noranamelessstreamthatisnothauntedbythelonelytrapper。TheAmericanfurcompanieskeepnoestablishedpostsbeyondthemountains。
Everythingthereisregulatedbyresidentpartners；thatistosay，partnerswhoresidein
thetramontanecountry，butwhomoveaboutfromplacetoplace，eitherwithIndian
tribes，whosetraffictheywishtomonopolize，orwithmainbodiesoftheirownmen，
whomtheyemployintradingandtrapping。Inthemeantime，theydetachbands，or
“brigades“astheyaretermed，oftrappersinvariousdirections，assigningtoeacha
portionofcountryasahuntingortrappingground。InthemonthsofJuneandJuly，
whenthereisanintervalbetweenthehuntingseasons，ageneralrendezvousisheld，at
somedesignatedplaceinthemountains，wheretheaffairsofthepastyeararesettledbytheresidentpartners，andtheplansforthefollowingyeararranged。Tothisrendezvousrepairthevariousbrigadesoftrappersfromtheirwidelyseparated
huntinggrounds，bringingintheproductsoftheiryear”scampaign。Hitheralsorepairthe
Indiantribesaccustomedtotraffictheirpeltrieswiththecompany。Bandsoffree
trappersresorthitheralso，tosellthefurstheyhavecollected；ortoengagetheirservicesforthenexthuntingseason。Tothisrendezvousthecompanysendsannuallyaconvoyofsuppliesfromits
establishmentontheAtlanticfrontier，undertheguidanceofsomeexperiencedpartner
orofficer。Onthearrivalofthisconvoy，theresidentpartnerattherendezvousdependstosetallhisnextyear”smachineryinmotion。Nowastherivalcompanieskeepavigilanteyeuponeachother，andareanxiousto
discovereachother”splansandmovements，theygenerallycontrivetoholdtheirannual
assemblagesatnogreatdistanceapart。Aneagercompetitionexistsalsobetweentheir
respectiveconvoysofsupplies，whichshallfirstreachitsplaceofrendezvous。Forthis
purpose，theysetoffwiththefirstappearanceofgrassontheAtlanticfrontierandpush
withalldiligenceforthemountains。Thecompanythatcanfirstopenitstempting
suppliesofcoffee，tobacco，ammunition，scarletcloth，blankets，brightshawls，and
glitteringtrinketshasthegreatestchancetogetallthepeltriesandfursoftheIndians
andfreetrappers，andtoengagetheirservicesforthenextseason。Itisable，also，tofit
outanddispatchitsowntrappersthesoonest，soastogetthestartofitscompetitors，andtohavethefirstdashintothehuntingandtrappinggrounds。Anewspeciesofstrategyhassprungoutofthishuntingandtrappingcompetition。The
constantstudyoftherivalbandsistoforestallandoutwiteachother；tosupplanteach
otherinthegoodwillandcustomoftheIndiantribes；tocrosseachother”splans；to
misleadeachotherastoroutes；inaword，nexttohisownadvantage，thestudyoftheIndiantraderisthedisadvantageofhiscompetitor。Theinfluxofthiswanderingtradehashaditseffectsonthehabitsofthemountain
tribes。Theyhavefoundthetrappingofthebeavertheirmostprofitablespeciesof
hunting；andthetrafficwiththewhitemanhasopenedtothemsourcesofluxuryof
whichtheypreviouslyhadnoidea。Theintroductionoffirearmshasrenderedthem
moresuccessfulhunters，butatthesametime，moreformidablefoes；someofthem，
incorrigiblysavageandwarlikeintheirnature，havefoundtheexpeditionsofthefur
tradersgrandobjectsofprofitableadventure。Towaylayandharassabandoftrappers
withtheirpack-horses，whenembarrassedintheruggeddefilesofthemountains，has
becomeasfavoriteanexploitwiththeseIndiansastheplunderofacaravantothe
Arabofthedesert。TheCrowsandBlackfeet，whoweresuchterrorsinthepathofthe
earlyadventurerstoAstoria，stillcontinuetheirpredatoryhabits，butseemtohave
broughtthemtogreatersystem。Theyknowtheroutesandresortsofthetrappers；
wheretowaylaythemontheirjourneys；wheretofindtheminthehuntingseasons，and
wheretohoverabouttheminwinterquarters。Thelifeofatrapper，therefore，isaperpetualstatemilitant，andhemustsleepwithhisweaponsinhishands。Aneworderoftrappersandtraders，also，hasgrownoutofthissystemofthings。Inthe
oldtimesofthegreatNorthwestCompany，whenthetradeinfurswaspursuedchiefly
aboutthelakesandrivers，theexpeditionswerecarriedoninbatteauxandcanoes。The
voyageursorboatmenweretherankandfileintheserviceofthetrader，andeventhe
hardy“menofthenorth，“thosegreatrufflersandgamebirds，werefaintobepaddledfrompointtopointoftheirmigrations。Atotallydifferentclasshasnowsprungup：”theMountaineers，“thetradersand
trappersthatscalethevastmountainchains，andpursuetheirhazardousvocations
amidsttheirwildrecesses。Theymovefromplacetoplaceonhorseback。The
equestrianexercises，therefore，inwhichtheyareengaged，thenatureofthecountries
theytraverse，vastplainsandmountains，pureandexhilaratinginatmosphericqualities，
seemtomakethemphysicallyandmentallyamorelivelyandmercurialracethanthe
furtradersandtrappersofformerdays，theself-vaunting“menofthenorth。”Aman
whobestridesahorsemustbeessentiallydifferentfromamanwhocowersinacanoe。
Wefindthem，accordingly，hardy，lithe，vigorous，andactive；extravagantinword，and
thought，anddeed；heedlessofhardship；daringofdanger；prodigalofthepresent，andthoughtlessofthefuture。Adifferenceistobeperceivedevenbetweenthesemountainhuntersandthoseofthe
lowerregionsalongthewatersoftheMissouri。Thelatter，generallyFrenchcreoles，live
comfortablyincabinsandlog-huts，wellshelteredfromtheinclemenciesofthe
seasons。Theyarewithinthereachoffrequentsuppliesfromthesettlements；theirlife
iscomparativelyfreefromdanger，andfrommostofthevicissitudesoftheupper
wilderness。Theconsequenceisthattheyarelesshardy，self-dependentandgame-spiritedthan
themountaineer。Ifthelatterbychancecomesamongthemonhiswayto
andfromthesettlements，heislikeagame-cockamongthecommonroostersofthe
poultry-yard。Accustomedtoliveintents，ortobivouacintheopenair，hedespisesthe
comfortsandisimpatientoftheconfinementofthelog-house。Ifhismealisnotreadyin
season，hetakeshisrifle，hiestotheforestorprairie，shootshisowngame，lightshis
fire，andcookshisrepast。Withhishorseandhisrifle，heisindependentoftheworld，
andspurnsatallitsrestraints。Theverysuperintendentsatthelowerpostswillnotput
himtomesswiththecommonmen，thehirelingsoftheestablishment，buttreathimassomethingsuperior。Thereis，perhaps，noclassofmenonthefaceoftheearth，saysCaptainBonneville，
wholeadalifeofmorecontinuedexertion，peril，andexcitement，andwhoaremore
enamoredoftheiroccupations，thanthefreetrappersoftheWest。Notoil，nodanger，
noprivationcanturnthetrapperfromhispursuit。Hispassionateexcitementattimes
resemblesamania。Invainmaythemostvigilantandcruelsavagesbesethispath；in
vainmayrocksandprecipicesandwintrytorrentsopposehisprogress；letbutasingle
trackofabeavermeethiseye，andheforgetsalldangersanddefiesalldifficulties。At
times，hemaybeseenwithhistrapsonhisshoulder，buffetinghiswayacrossrapid
streams，amidstfloatingblocksofice：atothertimes，heistobefoundwithhistraps
swungonhisbackclamberingthemostruggedmountains，scalingordescendingthe
mostfrightfulprecipices，searching，byroutesinaccessibletothehorse，andnever
beforetroddenbywhiteman，forspringsandlakesunknowntohiscomrades，and
wherehemaymeetwithhisfavoritegame。Suchisthemountaineer，thehardytrapper
oftheWest；andsuch，aswehaveslightlysketchedit，isthewild，RobinHoodkindof
life，withallitsstrangeandmotleypopulace，nowexistinginfullvigoramongtheRockyMountains。Havingthusgiventhereadersomeideaoftheactualstateofthefurtradeintheinterior
ofourvastcontinent，andmadehimacquaintedwiththewildchivalryofthemountains，
wewillnolongerdelaytheintroductionofCaptainBonnevilleandhisbandintothisfield
oftheirenterprise，butlaunchthematonceupontheperilousplainsoftheFarWest。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter2[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter2DeparturefromFortOsage——Modesoftransportation——Pack-
horses——Wagons——WalkerandCerre；theircharacters——Buoyantfeelingsonlaunchingupontheprairies——Wildequipmentsofthetrappers——Theirgambolsandantics——DifferenceofcharacterbetweentheAmericanandFrenchtrappers——AgencyoftheKansas——GeneralClarke——WhitePlume，theKansaschief——Nightsceneinatrader”scamp——ColloquybetweenWhitePlumeandthecaptain——Bee-hunters——Theirexpeditions——TheirfeudswiththeIndians——BargainingtalentofWhitePlumeITWASONTHEFIRSTofMay，1832，thatCaptainBonnevilletookhisdeparturefromthefrontierpostofFortOsage，ontheMissouri。Hehadenlistedapartyofonehundredandtenmen，mostofwhomhadbeenintheIndiancountry，andsomeofwhomwereexperiencedhuntersandtrappers。FortOsage，andotherplacesonthebordersofthewesternwilderness，aboundwithcharactersofthekind，readyforanyexpedition。
Theordinarymodeoftransportationinthesegreatinlandexpeditionsofthefurtradersisonmulesandpack-horses；butCaptainBonnevillesubstitutedwagons。Thoughhewastotravelthroughatracklesswilderness，yetthegreaterpartofhisroutewouldlieacrossopenplains，destituteofforests，andwherewheelcarriagescanpassineverydirection。Thechiefdifficultyoccursinpassingthedeepravinescutthroughtheprairiesbystreamsandwintertorrents。Hereitisoftennecessarytodigaroaddownthebanks，andtomakebridgesforthewagons。
Intransportinghisbaggageinvehiclesofthiskind，CaptainBonnevillethoughthewouldsavethegreatdelaycausedeverymorningbypackingthehorses，andthelaborofunpackingintheevening。Fewerhorsesalsowouldberequired，andlessriskincurredoftheirwanderingaway，orbeingfrightenedorcarriedoffbytheIndians。Thewagons，also，wouldbemoreeasilydefended，andmightformakindoffortificationincaseofattackintheopenprairies。Atrainoftwentywagons，drawnbyoxen，orbyfourmulesorhorseseach，andladenwithmerchandise，ammunition，andprovisions，weredisposedintwocolumnsinthecenteroftheparty，whichwasequallydividedintoavanandarear-guard。Assubleadersorlieutenantsinhisexpedition，CaptainBonnevillehadmadechoiceofMr。I。R。WalkerandMr。M。S。Cerre。TheformerwasanativeofTennessee，aboutsixfeethigh，strongbuilt，darkcomplexioned，braveinspirit，thoughmildinmanners。HehadresidedformanyyearsinMissouri，onthefrontier；hadbeenamongtheearliestadventurerstoSantaFe，wherehewenttotrapbeaver，andwastakenbytheSpaniards。Beingliberated，heengagedwiththeSpaniardsandSiouxIndiansinawaragainstthePawnees；thenreturnedtoMissouri，andhadactedbyturnsassheriff，trader，trapper，untilhewasenlistedasaleaderbyCaptainBonneville。
Cerre，hisotherleader，hadlikewisebeeninexpeditionstoSantaFe，inwhichhehadenduredmuchhardship。Hewasofthemiddlesize，lightcomplexioned，andthoughbutabouttwenty-fiveyearsofage，wasconsideredanexperiencedIndiantrader。ItwasagreatobjectwithCaptainBonnevilletogettothemountainsbeforethesummerheatsandsummerfliesshouldrenderthetravellingacrosstheprairiesdistressing；andbeforetheannualassemblagesofpeopleconnectedwiththefurtradeshouldhavebrokenup，anddispersedtothehuntinggrounds。
Thetworivalassociationsalreadymentioned，theAmericanFurCompanyandtheRockyMountainFurCompany，hadtheirseveralplacesofrendezvousforthepresentyearatnogreatdistanceapart，inPierre”sHole，adeepvalleyintheheartofthemountains，andthitherCaptainBonnevilleintendedtoshapehiscourse。
Itisnoteasytodojusticetotheexultingfeelingsoftheworthycaptainatfindinghimselfattheheadofastoutbandofhunters，trappers，andwoodmen；fairlylaunchedonthebroadprairies，withhisfacetotheboundlessWest。Thetamestinhabitantofcities，theveriestspoiledchildofcivilization，feelshisheartdilateandhispulsebeathighonfindinghimselfonhorsebackinthegloriouswilderness；whatthenmustbetheexcitementofonewhoseimaginationhadbeenstimulatedbyaresidenceonthefrontier，andtowhomthewildernesswasaregionofromance！
Hishardyfollowerspartookofhisexcitement。Mostofthemhadalreadyexperiencedthewildfreedomofsavagelife，andlookedforwardtoarenewalofpastscenesofadventureandexploit。Theirveryappearanceandequipmentexhibitedapiebaldmixture，halfcivilizedandhalfsavage。ManyofthemlookedmorelikeIndiansthanwhitemenintheirgarbsandaccoutrements，andtheirveryhorseswerecaparisonedinbarbaricstyle，withfantastictrappings。Theoutsetofabandofadventurersononeoftheseexpeditionsisalwaysanimatedandjoyous。Thewelkinrangwiththeirshoutsandyelps，afterthemannerofthesavages；andwithboisterousjokesandlight-heartedlaughter。Astheypassedthestragglinghamletsandsolitarycabinsthatfringetheskirtsofthefrontier，theywouldstartletheirinmatesbyIndianyellsandwar-whoops，orregalethemwithgrotesquefeatsofhorsemanship，wellsuitedtotheirhalfsavageappearance。Mostoftheseabodeswereinhabitedbymenwhohadthemselvesbeeninsimilarexpeditions；theywelcomedthetravellers，therefore，asbrothertrappers，treatedthemwithahunter”shospitality，andcheeredthemwithanhonestGodspeedatparting。
Andherewewouldremarkagreatdifference，inpointofcharacterandquality，betweenthetwoclassesoftrappers，the“American“and“French，“astheyarecalledincontradistinction。ThelatterismeanttodesignatetheFrenchcreoleofCanadaorLouisiana；theformer，thetrapperoftheoldAmericanstock，fromKentucky，Tennessee，andothersofthewesternStates。TheFrenchtrapperisrepresentedasalighter，softer，moreself-indulgentkindofman。HemusthavehisIndianwife，hislodge，andhispettyconveniences。Heisgayandthoughtless，takeslittleheedoflandmarks，dependsuponhisleadersandcompanionstothinkforthecommonweal，and，iflefttohimself，iseasilyperplexedandlost。
TheAmericantrapperstandsbyhimself，andispeerlessfortheserviceofthewilderness。Drophiminthemidstofaprairie，orintheheartofthemountains，andheisneverataloss。Henoticeseverylandmark；canretracehisroutethroughthemostmonotonousplains，orthemostperplexedlabyrinthsofthemountains；nodangernordifficultycanappalhim，andhescornstocomplainunderanyprivation。Inequippingthetwokindsoftrappers，theCreoleandCanadianareapttopreferthelightfusee；theAmericanalwaysgraspshisrifle；hedespiseswhathecallsthe“shot-gun。”Wegivetheseestimatesontheauthorityofatraderoflongexperience，andaforeignerbybirth。
“IconsideroneAmerican，“saidhe，“equaltothreeCanadiansinpointofsagacity，aptnessatresources，self-dependence，andfearlessnessofspirit。Infact，noonecancopewithhimasastarktramperofthewilderness。”
Besidethetwoclassesoftrappersjustmentioned，CaptainBonnevillehadenlistedseveralDelawareIndiansinhisemploy，onwhosehuntingqualificationsheplacedgreatreliance。
Onthe6thofMaythetravellerspassedthelastborderhabitation，andbadealongfarewelltotheeaseandsecurityofcivilization。Thebuoyantandclamorousspiritswithwhichtheyhadcommencedtheirmarchgraduallysubsidedastheyentereduponitsdifficulties。Theyfoundtheprairiessaturatedwiththeheavycoldrains，prevalentincertainseasonsoftheyearinthispartofthecountry，thewagonwheelssankdeepinthemire，thehorseswereoftentothefetlock，andbothsteedandriderwerecompletelyjadedbytheeveningofthe12th，whentheyreachedtheKansasRiver；afinestreamaboutthreehundredyardswide，enteringtheMissourifromthesouth。Thoughfordableinalmosteverypartattheendofsummerandduringtheautumn，yetitwasnecessarytoconstructaraftforthetransportationofthewagonsandeffects。Allthiswasdoneinthecourseofthefollowingday，andbyevening，thewholepartyarrivedattheagencyoftheKansastribe。ThiswasunderthesuperintendenceofGeneralClarke，brotherofthecelebratedtravellerofthesamename，who，withLewis，madethefirstexpeditiondownthewatersoftheColumbia。Hewaslivinglikeapatriarch，surroundedbylaborersandinterpreters，allsnuglyhoused，andprovidedwithexcellentfarms。Thefunctionarynextinconsequencetotheagentwastheblacksmith，amostimportant，and，indeed，indispensablepersonageinafrontiercommunity。TheKansasresembletheOsagesinfeatures，dress，andlanguage；theyraisecornandhuntthebuffalo，rangingtheKansasRiver，anditstributarystreams；atthetimeofthecaptain”svisit，theywereatwarwiththePawneesoftheNebraska，orPlatteRiver。
Theunusualsightofatrainofwagonscausedquiteasensationamongthesesavages；
whothrongedaboutthecaravan，examiningeverythingminutely，andaskingathousandquestions：exhibitingadegreeofexcitability，andalivelycuriositytotallyoppositetothatapathywithwhichtheirraceissooftenreproached。
Thepersonagewhomostattractedthecaptain”sattentionatthisplacewas“WhitePlume，“theKansaschief，andtheysoonbecamegoodfriends。WhitePlume(wearepleasedwithhischivalroussoubriquet)inhabitedalargestonehouse，builtforhimbyorderoftheAmericangovernment：buttheestablishmenthadnotbeencarriedoutincorrespondingstyle。Itmightbepalacewithout，butitwaswigwamwithin；sothat，betweenthestatelinessofhismansionandthesqualidnessofhisfurniture，thegallantWhitePlumepresentedsomesuchwhimsicalincongruityasweseeinthegalaequipmentsofanIndianchiefonatreaty-makingembassyatWashington，whohasbeengenerouslydeckedoutincockedhatandmilitarycoat，incontrasttohisbreech-cloutandleathernlegging；beinggrandofficerattop，andraggedIndianatbottom。
WhitePlumewassotakenwiththecourtesyofthecaptain，andpleasedwithoneortwopresentsreceivedfromhim，thatheaccompaniedhimaday”sjourneyonhismarch，andpassedanightinhiscamp，onthemarginofasmallstream。Themethodofencampinggenerallyobservedbythecaptainwasasfollows：Thetwentywagonsweredisposedinasquare，atthedistanceofthirty-threefeetfromeachother。Ineveryintervaltherewasamessstationed；andeachmesshaditsfire，wherethemencooked，ate，gossiped，andslept。Thehorseswereplacedinthecentreofthesquare，withaguardstationedoverthematnight。
Thehorseswere“sidelined，“asitistermed：thatistosay，theforeandhindfootonthesamesideoftheanimalweretiedtogether，soastobewithineighteeninchesofeachother。Ahorsethusfetteredisforatimesadlyembarrassed，butsoonbecomessufficientlyaccustomedtotherestrainttomoveaboutslowly。Itpreventshiswandering；
andhisbeingeasilycarriedoffatnightbylurkingIndians。Whenahorsethatis“footfree“istiedtoonethussecured，thelatterforms，asitwere，apivot，roundwhichtheotherrunsandcurvets，incaseofalarm。Theencampmentofwhichwearespeakingpresentedastrikingscene。Thevariousmess-firesweresurroundedbypicturesquegroups，standing，sitting，andreclining；somebusiedincooking，othersincleaningtheirweapons：whilethefrequentlaughtoldthattheroughjokeormerrystorywasgoingon。
Inthemiddleofthecamp，beforetheprincipallodge，satthetwochieftains，CaptainBonnevilleandWhitePlume，insoldier-likecommunion，thecaptaindelightedwiththeopportunityofmeetingonsocialtermswithoneoftheredwarriorsofthewilderness，theunsophisticatedchildrenofnature。Thelatterwassquattedonhisbuffalorobe，hisstrongfeaturesandredskinglaringinthebroadlightofablazingfire，whileherecountedastoundingtalesofthebloodyexploitsofhistribeandhimselfintheirwarswiththePawnees；fortherearenooldsoldiersmoregiventolongcampaigningstoriesthanIndian“braves。”
ThefeudsofWhitePlume，however，hadnotbeenconfinedtotheredmen；hehadmuchtosayofbrusheswithbeehunters，aclassofoffendersforwhomheseemedtocherishaparticularabhorrence。Asthespeciesofhuntingprosecutedbytheseworthiesisnotlaiddowninanyoftheancientbooksofvenerie，andis，infact，peculiartoourwesternfrontier，awordortwoonthesubjectmaynotbeunacceptabletothereader。
Thebeehunterisgenerallysomesettleronthevergeoftheprairies；along，lankfellow，offeverandaguecomplexion，acquiredfromlivingonnewsoil，andinahutbuiltofgreenlogs。Intheautumn，whentheharvestisover，these；frontiersettlersformpartiesoftwoorthree，andprepareforabeehunt。Havingprovidedthemselveswithawagon，andanumberofemptycasks，theysallyoff，armedwiththeirrifles，intothewilderness，directingtheircourseeast，west，north，orsouth，withoutanyregardtotheordinanceoftheAmericangovernment，whichstrictlyforbidsalltrespassuponthelandsbelongingtotheIndiantribes。
Thebeltsofwoodlandthattraversethelowerprairiesandbordertheriversarepeopledbyinnumerableswarmsofwildbees，whichmaketheirhivesinhollowtreesandfillthemwithhoneytolledfromtherichflowersoftheprairies。Thebees，accordingtopopularassertion，aremigratinglikethesettlers，tothewest。AnIndiantrader，wellexperiencedinthecountry，informsusthatwithintenyearsthathehaspassedintheFarWest，thebeehasadvancedwestwardaboveahundredmiles。ItissaidontheMissouri，thatthewildturkeyandthewildbeegouptherivertogether：neitherisfoundintheupperregions。ItisbutrecentlythatthewildturkeyhasbeenkilledontheNebraska，orPlatte；andhistravellingcompetitor，thewildbee，appearedthereaboutthesametime。
Beallthisasitmay：thecourseofourpartyofbeehuntersistomakeawidecircuitthroughthewoodyriverbottoms，andthepatchesofforestontheprairies，marking，astheygoout，everytreeinwhichtheyhavedetectedahive。Thesemarksaregenerallyrespectedbyanyotherbeehunterthatshouldcomeupontheirtrack。Whentheyhavemarkedsufficienttofillalltheircasks，theyturntheirfaceshomeward，cutdownthetreesastheyproceed，andhavingloadedtheirwagonwithhoneyandwax，returnwellpleasedtothesettlements。
NowitsohappensthattheIndiansrelishwildhoneyashighlyasdothewhitemen，andarethemoredelightedwiththisnaturalluxuryfromitshaving，inmanyinstances，butrecentlymadeitsappearanceintheirlands。Theconsequenceisnumberlessdisputesandconflictsbetweenthemandthebeehunters：andoftenapartyofthelatter，returning，ladenwithrichspoil，fromoneoftheirforays，areapttobewaylaidbythenativelordsofthesoil；theirhoneytobeseized，theirharnesscuttopieces，andthemselveslefttofindtheirwayhomethebestwaytheycan，happytoescapewithnogreaterpersonalharmthanasoundrib-roasting。
SuchwerethemaraudersofwhoseoffencesthegallantWhitePlumemadethemostbittercomplaint。TheywerechieflythesettlersofthewesternpartofMissouri，whoarethemostfamousbeehuntersonthefrontier，andwhosefavoritehuntinggroundlieswithinthelandsoftheKansastribe。AccordingtotheaccountofWhitePlume，however，matterswereprettyfairlybalancedbetweenhimandtheoffenders；hehavingasoftentreatedthemtoatasteofthebitter，astheyhadrobbedhimofthesweets。Itisbutjusticetothisgallantchieftosaythathegaveproofsofhavingacquiredsomeofthelightsofcivilizationfromhisproximitytothewhites，aswasevincedinhisknowledgeofdrivingabargain。Herequiredhardcashinreturnforsomecornwithwhichhesuppliedtheworthycaptain，andleftthelatteratalosswhichmosttoadmire，hisnativechivalryasabrave，orhisacquiredadroitnessasatrader。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter3[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter3DeparturefromFortOsage——Modesoftransportation——Pack-
horses——Wagons——WalkerandCerre；theircharacters——Buoyantfeelingsonlaunching
upontheprairies——Wildequipmentsofthetrappers——Theirgambolsand
antics——DifferenceofcharacterbetweentheAmericanandFrenchtrappers——Agency
oftheKansas——GeneralClarke——WhitePlume，theKansaschief——Nightsceneina
trader”scamp——ColloquybetweenWhitePlumeandthecaptain——Bee-hunters——Their
expeditions——TheirfeudswiththeIndians——BargainingtalentofWhitePlumeITWASONTHEFIRSTofMay，1832，thatCaptainBonnevilletookhisdeparturefrom
thefrontierpostofFortOsage，ontheMissouri。Hehadenlistedapartyofonehundred
andtenmen，mostofwhomhadbeenintheIndiancountry，andsomeofwhomwere
experiencedhuntersandtrappers。FortOsage，andotherplacesonthebordersofthewesternwilderness，aboundwithcharactersofthekind，readyforanyexpedition。Theordinarymodeoftransportationinthesegreatinlandexpeditionsofthefurtraders
isonmulesandpack-horses；butCaptainBonnevillesubstitutedwagons。Thoughhe
wastotravelthroughatracklesswilderness，yetthegreaterpartofhisroutewouldlie
acrossopenplains，destituteofforests，andwherewheelcarriagescanpassinevery
direction。Thechiefdifficultyoccursinpassingthedeepravinescutthroughtheprairies
bystreamsandwintertorrents。Hereitisoftennecessarytodigaroaddownthebanks，andtomakebridgesforthewagons。Intransportinghisbaggageinvehiclesofthiskind，CaptainBonnevillethoughthe
wouldsavethegreatdelaycausedeverymorningbypackingthehorses，andthelabor
ofunpackingintheevening。Fewerhorsesalsowouldberequired，andlessrisk
incurredoftheirwanderingaway，orbeingfrightenedorcarriedoffbytheIndians。The
wagons，also，wouldbemoreeasilydefended，andmightformakindoffortificationin
caseofattackintheopenprairies。Atrainoftwentywagons，drawnbyoxen，orbyfour
mulesorhorseseach，andladenwithmerchandise，ammunition，andprovisions，were
disposedintwocolumnsinthecenteroftheparty，whichwasequallydividedintoavan
andarear-guard。Assubleadersorlieutenantsinhisexpedition，CaptainBonneville
hadmadechoiceofMr。J。R。WalkerandMr。M。S。Cerre。Theformerwasanativeof
Tennessee，aboutsixfeethigh，strongbuilt，darkcomplexioned，braveinspirit，though
mildinmanners。HehadresidedformanyyearsinMissouri，onthefrontier；hadbeen
amongtheearliestadventurerstoSantaFe，wherehewenttotrapbeaver，andwas
takenbytheSpaniards。Beingliberated，heengagedwiththeSpaniardsandSioux
IndiansinawaragainstthePawnees；thenreturnedtoMissouri，andhadactedbyturnsassheriff，trader，trapper，untilhewasenlistedasaleaderbyCaptainBonneville。Cerre，hisotherleader，hadlikewisebeeninexpeditionstoSantaFe，inwhichhehad
enduredmuchhardship。Hewasofthemiddlesize，lightcomplexioned，andthoughbut
abouttwenty-fiveyearsofage，wasconsideredanexperiencedIndiantrader。Itwasa
greatobjectwithCaptainBonnevilletogettothemountainsbeforethesummerheats
andsummerfliesshouldrenderthetravellingacrosstheprairiesdistressing；andbefore
theannualassemblagesofpeopleconnectedwiththefurtradeshouldhavebrokenup，anddispersedtothehuntinggrounds。Thetworivalassociationsalreadymentioned，theAmericanFurCompanyandthe
RockyMountainFurCompany，hadtheirseveralplacesofrendezvousforthepresent
yearatnogreatdistanceapart，inPierre”sHole，adeepvalleyintheheartofthemountains，andthitherCaptainBonnevilleintendedtoshapehiscourse。Itisnoteasytodojusticetotheexultingfeelingsoftheworthycaptainatfindinghimself
attheheadofastoutbandofhunters，trappers，andwoodmen；fairlylaunchedonthe
broadprairies，withhisfacetotheboundlessWest。Thetamestinhabitantofcities，the
veriestspoiledchildofcivilization，feelshisheartdilateandhispulsebeathighon
findinghimselfonhorsebackinthegloriouswilderness；whatthenmustbethe
excitementofonewhoseimaginationhadbeenstimulatedbyaresidenceonthefrontier，andtowhomthewildernesswasaregionofromance！Hishardyfollowerspartookofhisexcitement。Mostofthemhadalreadyexperienced
thewildfreedomofsavagelife，andlookedforwardtoarenewalofpastscenesof
adventureandexploit。Theirveryappearanceandequipmentexhibitedapiebald
mixture，halfcivilizedandhalfsavage。ManyofthemlookedmorelikeIndiansthan
whitemenintheirgarbsandaccoutrements，andtheirveryhorseswerecaparisonedin
barbaricstyle，withfantastictrappings。Theoutsetofabandofadventurersononeof
theseexpeditionsisalwaysanimatedandjoyous。Thewelkinrangwiththeirshoutsand
yelps，afterthemannerofthesavages；andwithboisterousjokesandlight-hearted
laughter。Astheypassedthestragglinghamletsandsolitarycabinsthatfringetheskirts
ofthefrontier，theywouldstartletheirinmatesbyIndianyellsandwar-whoops，or
regalethemwithgrotesquefeatsofhorsemanship，wellsuitedtotheirhalfsavage
appearance。Mostoftheseabodeswereinhabitedbymenwhohadthemselvesbeenin
similarexpeditions；theywelcomedthetravellers，therefore，asbrothertrappers，treated
themwithahunter”shospitality，andcheeredthemwithanhonestGodspeedatparting。Andherewewouldremarkagreatdifference，inpointofcharacterandquality，between
thetwoclassesoftrappers，the“American“and“French，“astheyarecalledin
contradistinction。ThelatterismeanttodesignatetheFrenchcreoleofCanadaor
Louisiana；theformer，thetrapperoftheoldAmericanstock，fromKentucky，
Tennessee，andothersofthewesternStates。TheFrenchtrapperisrepresentedasa
lighter，softer，moreself-indulgentkindofman。HemusthavehisIndianwife，hislodge，
andhispettyconveniences。Heisgayandthoughtless，takeslittleheedoflandmarks，
dependsuponhisleadersandcompanionstothinkforthecommonweal，and，iflefttohimself，iseasilyperplexedandlost。TheAmericantrapperstandsbyhimself，andispeerlessfortheserviceofthe
wilderness。Drophiminthemidstofaprairie，orintheheartofthemountains，andheis
neverataloss。Henoticeseverylandmark；canretracehisroutethroughthemost
monotonousplains，orthemostperplexedlabyrinthsofthemountains；nodangernor
difficultycanappalhim，andhescornstocomplainunderanyprivation。Inequippingthe
twokindsoftrappers，theCreoleandCanadianareapttopreferthelightfusee；the
Americanalwaysgraspshisrifle；hedespiseswhathecallsthe“shot-gun。”Wegive
theseestimatesontheauthorityofatraderoflongexperience，andaforeignerbybirth。
“IconsideroneAmerican，“saidhe，“equaltothreeCanadiansinpointofsagacity，
aptnessatresources，self-dependence，andfearlessnessofspirit。Infact，noonecancopewithhimasastarktramperofthewilderness。”Besidethetwoclassesoftrappersjustmentioned，CaptainBonnevillehadenlisted
severalDelawareIndiansinhisemploy，onwhosehuntingqualificationsheplacedgreatreliance。Onthe6thofMaythetravellerspassedthelastborderhabitation，andbadealong
farewelltotheeaseandsecurityofcivilization。Thebuoyantandclamorousspiritswith
whichtheyhadcommencedtheirmarchgraduallysubsidedastheyentereduponits
difficulties。Theyfoundtheprairiessaturatedwiththeheavycoldrains，prevalentin
certainseasonsoftheyearinthispartofthecountry，thewagonwheelssankdeepin
themire，thehorseswereoftentothefetlock，andbothsteedandriderwerecompletely
jadedbytheeveningofthe12th，whentheyreachedtheKansasRiver；afinestream
aboutthreehundredyardswide，enteringtheMissourifromthesouth。Thoughfordable
inalmosteverypartattheendofsummerandduringtheautumn，yetitwasnecessary
toconstructaraftforthetransportationofthewagonsandeffects。Allthiswasdonein
thecourseofthefollowingday，andbyevening，thewholepartyarrivedattheagency
oftheKansastribe。ThiswasunderthesuperintendenceofGeneralClarke，brotherof
thecelebratedtravellerofthesamename，who，withLewis，madethefirstexpedition
downthewatersoftheColumbia。Hewaslivinglikeapatriarch，surroundedbylaborers
andinterpreters，allsnuglyhoused，andprovidedwithexcellentfarms。Thefunctionary
nextinconsequencetotheagentwastheblacksmith，amostimportant，and，indeed，
indispensablepersonageinafrontiercommunity。TheKansasresembletheOsagesin
features，dress，andlanguage；theyraisecornandhuntthebuffalo，rangingtheKansas
River，anditstributarystreams；atthetimeofthecaptain”svisit，theywereatwarwiththePawneesoftheNebraska，orPlatteRiver。Theunusualsightofatrainofwagonscausedquiteasensationamongthesesavages；
whothrongedaboutthecaravan，examiningeverythingminutely，andaskinga
thousandquestions：exhibitingadegreeofexcitability，andalivelycuriositytotallyoppositetothatapathywithwhichtheirraceissooftenreproached。Thepersonagewhomostattractedthecaptain”sattentionatthisplacewas“White
Plume，“theKansaschief，andtheysoonbecamegoodfriends。WhitePlume(weare
pleasedwithhischivalroussoubriquet)inhabitedalargestonehouse，builtforhim
by
orderoftheAmericangovernment：buttheestablishmenthadnotbeencarriedoutin
correspondingstyle。Itmightbepalacewithout，butitwaswigwamwithin；sothat，
betweenthestatelinessofhismansionandthesqualidnessofhisfurniture，thegallant
WhitePlumepresentedsomesuchwhimsicalincongruityasweseeinthegala
equipmentsofanIndianchiefonatreaty-makingembassyatWashington，whohas
beengenerouslydeckedoutincockedhatandmilitarycoat，incontrasttohisbreech-cloutandleathernlegging；beinggrandofficerattop，andraggedIndianatbottom。WhitePlumewassotakenwiththecourtesyofthecaptain，andpleasedwithoneor
twopresentsreceivedfromhim，thatheaccompaniedhimaday”sjourneyonhis
march，andpassedanightinhiscamp，onthemarginofasmallstream。Themethodof
encampinggenerallyobservedbythecaptainwasasfollows：Thetwentywagonswere
disposedinasquare，atthedistanceofthirty-threefeetfromeachother。Inevery
intervaltherewasamessstationed；andeachmesshaditsfire，wherethemen
cooked，ate，gossiped，andslept。Thehorseswereplacedinthecentreofthesquare，withaguardstationedoverthematnight。Thehorseswere“sidelined，“asitistermed：thatistosay，theforeandhindfootonthe
samesideoftheanimalweretiedtogether，soastobewithineighteeninchesofeach
other。Ahorsethusfetteredisforatimesadlyembarrassed，butsoonbecomes
sufficientlyaccustomedtotherestrainttomoveaboutslowly。Itpreventshiswandering；
andhisbeingeasilycarriedoffatnightbylurkingIndians。Whenahorsethatis“foot
free“istiedtoonethussecured，thelatterforms，asitwere，apivot，roundwhichthe
otherrunsandcurvets，incaseofalarm。Theencampmentofwhichwearespeaking
presentedastrikingscene。Thevariousmess-firesweresurroundedbypicturesque
groups，standing，sitting，andreclining；somebusiedincooking，othersincleaningtheir
weapons：whilethefrequentlaughtoldthattheroughjokeormerrystorywasgoingon。
Inthemiddleofthecamp，beforetheprincipallodge，satthetwochieftains，Captain
BonnevilleandWhitePlume，insoldier-likecommunion，thecaptaindelightedwiththe
opportunityofmeetingonsocialtermswithoneoftheredwarriorsofthewilderness，
theunsophisticatedchildrenofnature。Thelatterwassquattedonhisbuffalorobe，his
strongfeaturesandredskinglaringinthebroadlightofablazingfire，whilehe
recountedastoundingtalesofthebloodyexploitsofhistribeandhimselfintheirwars
withthePawnees；fortherearenooldsoldiersmoregiventolongcampaigningstoriesthanIndian“braves。”ThefeudsofWhitePlume，however，hadnotbeenconfinedtotheredmen；hehad
muchtosayofbrusheswithbeehunters，aclassofoffendersforwhomheseemedto
cherishaparticularabhorrence。Asthespeciesofhuntingprosecutedbytheseworthies
isnotlaiddowninanyoftheancientbooksofvenerie，andis，infact，peculiartoourwesternfrontier，awordortwoonthesubjectmaynotbeunacceptabletothereader。Thebeehunterisgenerallysomesettleronthevergeoftheprairies；along，lankfellow，
offeverandaguecomplexion，acquiredfromlivingonnewsoil，andinahutbuiltof
greenlogs。Intheautumn，whentheharvestisover，these；frontiersettlersformparties
oftwoorthree，andprepareforabeehunt。Havingprovidedthemselveswithawagon，
andanumberofemptycasks，theysallyoff，armedwiththeirrifles，intothewilderness，
directingtheircourseeast，west，north，orsouth，withoutanyregardtotheordinanceof
theAmericangovernment，whichstrictlyforbidsalltrespassuponthelandsbelongingtotheIndiantribes。Thebeltsofwoodlandthattraversethelowerprairiesandbordertheriversarepeopled
byinnumerableswarmsofwildbees，whichmaketheirhivesinhollowtreesandfill
themwithhoneytolledfromtherichflowersoftheprairies。Thebees，accordingto
popularassertion，aremigratinglikethesettlers，tothewest。AnIndiantrader，well
experiencedinthecountry，informsusthatwithintenyearsthathehaspassedinthe
FarWest，thebeehasadvancedwestwardaboveahundredmiles。Itissaidonthe
Missouri，thatthewildturkeyandthewildbeegouptherivertogether：neitherisfound
intheupperregions。Itisbutrecentlythatthewildturkeyhasbeenkilledonthe
Nebraska，orPlatte；andhistravellingcompetitor，thewildbee，appearedthereaboutthesametime。Beallthisasitmay：thecourseofourpartyofbeehuntersistomakeawidecircuit
throughthewoodyriverbottoms，andthepatchesofforestontheprairies，marking，as
theygoout，everytreeinwhichtheyhavedetectedahive。Thesemarksaregenerally
respectedbyanyotherbeehunterthatshouldcomeupontheirtrack。Whentheyhave
markedsufficienttofillalltheircasks，theyturntheirfaceshomeward，cutdownthe
treesastheyproceed，andhavingloadedtheirwagonwithhoneyandwax，returnwellpleasedtothesettlements。NowitsohappensthattheIndiansrelishwildhoneyashighlyasdothewhitemen，and
arethemoredelightedwiththisnaturalluxuryfromitshaving，inmanyinstances，but
recentlymadeitsappearanceintheirlands。Theconsequenceisnumberlessdisputes
andconflictsbetweenthemandthebeehunters：andoftenapartyofthelatter，
returning，ladenwithrichspoil，fromoneoftheirforays，areapttobewaylaidbythe
nativelordsofthesoil；theirhoneytobeseized，theirharnesscuttopieces，and
themselveslefttofindtheirwayhomethebestwaytheycan，happytoescapewithnogreaterpersonalharmthanasoundrib-roasting。SuchwerethemaraudersofwhoseoffencesthegallantWhitePlumemadethemost
bittercomplaint。TheywerechieflythesettlersofthewesternpartofMissouri，whoare
themostfamousbeehuntersonthefrontier，andwhosefavoritehuntinggroundlies
withinthelandsoftheKansastribe。AccordingtotheaccountofWhitePlume，however，
matterswereprettyfairlybalancedbetweenhimandtheoffenders；hehavingasoftentreatedthemtoatasteofthebitter，astheyhadrobbedhimofthesweets。Itisbutjusticetothisgallantchieftosaythathegaveproofsofhavingacquiredsome
ofthelightsofcivilizationfromhisproximitytothewhites，aswasevincedinhis
knowledgeofdrivingabargain。Herequiredhardcashinreturnforsomecornwith
whichhesuppliedtheworthycaptain，andleftthelatteratalosswhichmosttoadmire，
hisnativechivalryasabrave，orhisacquiredadroitnessasatrader。[ReturntoContents]Irving”sBonneville-Chapter4[ReturntoContents]WashingtonIrving”sTheAdventuresofCaptainBonnevilleChapter4Analarm——CrowIndians——Theirappearance——Modeofapproach——Theirvengeful
errand——Theircuriosity——HostilitybetweentheCrowsandBlackfeet——Lovingconduct
oftheCrows——Laramie”sFork——FirstnavigationoftheNebraska——Greatelevationof
thecountry——Rarityoftheatmosphere——Itseffectonthewood-workofwagons——Black
Hills——Theirwildandbrokenscenery——Indiandogs——Crowtrophies——Sterileanddreary
country——BanksoftheSweetWater——Buffalohunting——AdventureofTomCaintheIrish
cookWHENONTHEMARCH，CaptainBonnevillealwayssentsomeofhisbesthuntersin
theadvancetoreconnoitrethecountry，aswellastolookoutforgame。Onthe24thof
May，asthecaravanwasslowlyjourneyingupthebanksoftheNebraska，thehunterscamegallopingback，wavingtheircaps，andgivingthealarmcry，Indians！Indians！Thecaptainimmediatelyorderedahalt：thehuntersnowcameupandannouncedthat
alargewar-partyofCrowIndianswerejustabove，ontheriver。Thecaptainknewthe
characterofthesesavages；oneofthemostroving，warlike，crafty，andpredatorytribes
ofthemountains；horse-stealersofthefirstorder，andeasilyprovokedtoactsof
sanguinaryviolence。Orderswereaccordinglygiventoprepareforaction，andevery
onepromptlytookthepostthathadbeenassignedhiminthegeneralorderofthemarch，inallcasesofwarlikeemergency。Everythingbeingputinbattlearray，thecaptaintooktheleadofhislittleband，and
movedonslowlyandwarily。InalittlewhilehebeheldtheCrowwarriorsemergingfrom
amongthebluffs。Therewereaboutsixtyofthem；finemartial-lookingfellows，painted
andarrayedforwar，andmountedonhorsesdeckedoutwithallkindsofwildtrappings。
Theycameprancingalongingallantstyle，withmanywildanddexterousevolutions，for
nonecansurpasstheminhorsemanship；andtheirbrightcolors，andflauntingand
fantasticembellishments，glaringandsparklinginthemorningsunshine，gavethemreallyastrikingappearance。Theirmodeofapproach，toonenotacquaintedwiththetacticsandceremoniesofthis
rudechivalryofthewilderness，hadanairofdirecthostility。Theycamegalloping
forwardinabody，asifabouttomakeafuriouscharge，but，whencloseathand，
openedtotherightandleft，andwheeledinwidecirclesroundthetravellers，whoopingandyellinglikemaniacs。Thisdone，theirmockfurysankintoacalm，andthechief，approachingthecaptain，
whohadremainedwarilydrawnup，thoughinformedofthepacificnatureofthe
maneuver，extendedtohimthehandoffriendship。Thepipeofpeacewassmoked，andnowallwasgoodfellowship。TheCrowswereinpursuitofabandofCheyennes，whohadattackedtheirvillagein
thenightandkilledoneoftheirpeople。Theyhadalreadybeenfiveandtwentydayson
thetrackofthemarauders，andweredeterminednottoreturnhomeuntiltheyhadsatedtheirrevenge。Afewdayspreviously，someoftheirscouts，whowererangingthecountryatadistance
fromthemainbody，haddiscoveredthepartyofCaptainBonneville。Theyhaddogged
itforatimeinsecret，astonishedatthelongtrainofwagonsandoxen，andespecially
struckwiththesightofacowandcalf，quietlyfollowingthecaravan；supposingthemto
besomekindoftamebuffalo。Havingsatisfiedtheircuriosity，theycarriedbacktotheir
chiefintelligenceofallthattheyhadseen。Hehad，inconsequence，divergedfromhis
pursuitofvengeancetobeholdthewondersdescribedtohim。“Nowthatwehavemet
you，“saidhetoCaptainBonneville，“andhaveseenthesemarvelswithourowneyes，
ourheartsareglad。”Infact，nothingcouldexceedthecuriosityevincedbythesepeople
astotheobjectsbeforethem。Wagonshadneverbeenseenbythembefore，andthey
examinedthemwiththegreatestminuteness；butthecalfwasthepeculiarobjectof
theiradmiration。Theywatcheditwithintenseinterestasitlickedthehandsaccustomed
tofeedit，andwerestruckwiththemildexpressionofitscountenance，anditsperfectdocility。Aftermuchsageconsultation，theyatlengthdeterminedthatitmustbethe“great
medicine“ofthewhiteparty；anappellationgivenbytheIndianstoanythingof
supernaturalandmysteriouspowerthatisguardedasatalisman。Theywere
completelythrownoutintheirconjecture，however，byanofferofthewhitemento
exchangethecalfforahorse；theirestimationofthegreatmedicinesankinaninstant，andtheydeclinedthebargain。AttherequestoftheCrowchieftainthetwopartiesencampedtogether，andpassedthe
residueofthedayincompany。Thecaptainwaswellpleasedwitheveryopportunityto
gainaknowledgeofthe“unsophisticatedsonsofnature，“whohadsolongbeen
objectsofhispoeticspeculations；andindeedthiswild，horse-stealingtribeisoneofthe
mostnotoriousofthemountains。Thechief，ofcourse，hadhisscalpstoshowandhis
battlestorecount。TheBlackfootisthehereditaryenemyoftheCrow，towardwhom
hostilityislikeacherishedprincipleofreligion；foreverytribe，besidesitscasual
antagonists，hassomeenduringfoewithwhomtherecanbenopermanent
reconciliation。TheCrowsandBlackfeet，uponthewhole，areenemiesworthyofeach
other，beingroguesandruffiansofthefirstwater。Astheirpredatoryexcursionsextend
overthesameregions，theyoftencomeincontactwitheachother，andthesecasualconflictsservetokeeptheirwitsawakeandtheirpassionsalive。ThepresentpartyofCrows，however，evincednothingoftheinvidiouscharacterfor
whichtheyarerenowned。Duringthedayandnightthattheywereencampedin
companywiththetravellers，theirconductwasfriendlyintheextreme。Theywere，in
fact，quiteirksomeintheirattentions，andhadacaressingmannerattimesquite
importunate。Itwasnotuntilafterseparationonthefollowingmorningthatthecaptain
andhismenascertainedthesecretofallthisloving-kindness。Inthecourseoftheir
fraternalcaresses，theCrowshadcontrivedtoemptythepocketsoftheirwhite
brothers；toabstracttheverybuttonsfromtheircoats，and，aboveall，tomakefreewiththeirhuntingknives。Byequalaltitudesofthesun，takenatthislastencampment，CaptainBonneville
ascertainedhislatitudetobe41°；47”north。Thethermometer，atsixo”clockinthe
morning，stoodatfifty-ninedegrees；attwoo”clock，P。M。，atninety-twodegrees；andatsixo”clockintheevening，atseventydegrees。TheBlackHills，orMountains，nowbegantobeseenatadistance，printingthehorizon
withtheirruggedandbrokenoutlines；andthreateningtoopposeadifficultbarrierinthewayofthetravellers。
