27.
Route Toward Wind River Dangerous Neighborhood Alarms And
Precautions A Sham Encampment Apparition Of An Indian
Spy Midnight Move
A mountain defile The Wind River
valley Tracking a party Deserted camps Symptoms of Crows Meeting
of comrades A trapper
Entrapped Crow pleasantry Crow spies A
decampment Return to Green River valley Meeting with
Fitzpatrick's party Their adventures among the Crows Orthodox
Crows
ON THE 18TH of September, Captain Bonneville and his three
companions set out, bright and early, to rejoin the main party,
from which they had parted on Wind River. Their route lay up the
Green River valley, with that stream on their right hand, and
beyond it, the range of Wind River Mountains. At the head of the
valley, they were to pass through a defile which would bring them
out beyond the northern end of these mountains, to the head of
Wind River; where they expected to meet the main party, according
to arrangement.
We have already adverted to the dangerous nature of this
neighborhood, infested by roving bands of Crows and Blackfeet; to
whom the numerous defiles and passes of the country afford
capital places for ambush and surprise. The travellers,
therefore, kept a vigilant eye upon everything that might give
intimation of lurking danger.
About two hours after mid-day, as they reached the summit of a
hill, they discovered buffalo on the plain below, running in
every direction. One of the men, too, fancied he heard the report
of a gun. It was concluded, therefore, that there was some party
of Indians below, hunting the buffalo.
The horses were immediately concealed in a narrow ravine; and the
captain, mounting an eminence, but concealing himself from view,
reconnoitred the whole neighborhood with a telescope. Not an
Indian was to be seen; so, after halting about an hour, he
resumed his journey. Convinced, however, that he was in a
dangerous neighborhood, he advanced with the utmost caution;
winding his way through hollows and ravines, and avoiding, as
much as possible, any open tract, or rising ground, that might
betray his little party to the watchful eye of an Indian scout.
Arriving, at length, at the edge of the open meadow-land
bordering on the river, he again observed the buffalo, as far as
he could see, scampering in great alarm. Once more concealing the
horses, he and his companions remained for a long time watching
the various groups of the animals, as each caught the panic and
started off; but they sought in vain to discover the cause.
They were now about to enter the mountain defile, at the head of
Green River valley, where they might be waylaid and attacked;
they, therefore, arranged the packs on their horses, in the
manner most secure and convenient for sudden flight, should such
be necessary. This done, they again set forward, keeping the most
anxious look-out in every direction.
It was now drawing toward evening; but they could not think of
encamping for the night, in a place so full of danger. Captain
Bonneville, therefore, determined to halt about sunset, kindle a
fire, as if for encampment, cook and eat supper; but, as soon as
it was sufficiently dark, to make a rapid move for the summit of
the mountain, and seek some secluded spot for their night's
lodgings.
Accordingly, as the sun went down, the little party came to a
halt, made a large fire, spitted their buffalo meat on wooden
sticks, and, when sufficiently roasted, planted the savory viands
before them; cutting off huge slices with their hunting knives,
and supping with a hunter's appetite. The light of their fire
would not fail, as they knew, to attract the attention of any
Indian horde in the neighborhood; but they trusted to be off and
away, before any prowlers could reach the place. While they were
supping thus hastily, however, one of their party suddenly
started up and shouted "Indians! " All were instantly on their
feet, with their rifles in their hands; but could see no enemy.
The man, however, declared that he had seen an Indian advancing,
cautiously, along the trail which they had made in coming to the
encampment; who, the moment he was perceived, had thrown himself
on the ground, and disappeared. He urged Captain Bonneville
instantly to decamp. The captain, however, took the matter more
coolly. The single fact, that the Indian had endeavored to hide
himself, convinced him that he was not one of a party, on the
advance to make an attack. He was, probably, some scout, who had
followed up their trail, until he came in sight of their fire. He
would, in such case, return, and report what he had seen to his
companions. These, supposing the white men had encamped for the
night, would keep aloof until very late, when all should be
asleep. They would, then, according to Indian tactics, make their
stealthy approaches, and place themselves in ambush around,
preparatory to their attack, at the usual hour of daylight.
Such was Captain Bonneville's conclusion; in consequence of
which, he counselled his men to keep perfectly quiet, and act as
if free from all alarm, until the proper time arrived for a move.
They, accordingly, continued their repast with pretended appetite
and jollity; and then trimmed and replenished their fire, as if
for a bivouac. As soon, however, as the night had completely set
in, they left their fire blazing; walked quietly among the
willows, and then leaping into their saddles, made off as
noiselessly as possible. In proportion as they left the point of
danger behind them, they relaxed in their rigid and anxious
taciturnity, and began to joke at the expense of their enemy;
whom they pictured to themselves mousing in the neighborhood of
their deserted fire, waiting for the proper time of attack, and
preparing for a grand disappointment.
About midnight, feeling satisfied that they had gained a secure
distance, they posted one of their number to keep watch, in case
the enemy should follow on their trail, and then, turning
abruptly into a dense and matted thicket of willows, halted for
the night at the foot of the mountain, instead of making for the
summit, as they had originally intended.
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