The Travellers Remained, For A Time, Gazing With Mingled Awe And Delight, At This Furious Cataract, To Which Mr. Stuart Gave, From The Color Of The Impending Rocks, The Name Of "The Fiery Narrows."

CHAPTER XLIX. Wintry Storms.- A Halt and Council.- Cantonment for the Winter.

- Fine Hunting Country.- Game of the Mountains and Plains.- Successful Hunting- Mr. Crooks and a Grizzly Bear.- The Wigwam. - Bighorn and Black-Tails.- Beef and Venison.- Good Quarters and Good Cheer.- An Alarm.- An Intrusion.- Unwelcome Guests.- Desolation of the Larder. - Gormandizing Exploits of Hungry Savages. - Good Quarters Abandoned.

THE travellers encamped for the night on the banks of the river below the cataract. The night was cold, with partial showers of rain and sleet. The morning dawned gloomily, the skies were sullen and overcast, and threatened further storms; but the little band resumed their journey, in defiance of the weather. The increasing rigor of the season, however, which makes itself felt early in these mountainous regions, and on these naked and elevated plains, brought them to a pause, and a serious deliberation, after they had descended about thirty miles further along the course of the river.

All were convinced that it was in vain to attempt to accomplish their journey, on foot, at this inclement season. They had still many hundred miles to traverse before they should reach the main course of the Missouri, and their route would lay over immense prairies, naked and bleak, and destitute of fuel. The question then was, where to choose their wintering place, and whether or not to proceed further down the river.

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