Chapter 8

8.

Plans for the winter Salmon River Abundance of salmon west of the

mountains New arrangements Caches Cerre's detachment Movements

in Fontenelle's camp Departure of the Blackfeet Their

fortunes Wind Mountain streams Buckeye, the Delaware hunter, and

the grizzly bear Bones of murdered travellers Visit to Pierre's

Hole Traces of the battle Nez Perce Indians Arrival at Salmon

River

THE INFORMATION derived from the free trappers determined Captain

Bonneville as to his further movements. He learned that in the

Green River valley the winters were severe, the snow frequently

falling to the depth of several feet; and that there was no good

wintering ground in the neighborhood. The upper part of Salmon

River was represented as far more eligible, besides being in an

excellent beaver country; and thither the captain resolved to

bend his course.

The Salmon River is one of the upper branches of the Oregon or

Columbia; and takes its rise from various sources, among a group

of mountains to the northwest of the Wind River chain. It owes

its name to the immense shoals of salmon which ascend it in the

months of September and October. The salmon on the west side of

the Rocky Mountains are, like the buffalo on the eastern plains,

vast migratory supplies for the wants of man, that come and go

with the seasons. As the buffalo in countless throngs find their

certain way in the transient pasturage on the prairies, along the

fresh banks of the rivers, and up every valley and green defile

of the mountains, so the salmon, at their allotted seasons,

regulated by a sublime and all-seeing Providence, swarm in

myriads up the great rivers, and find their way up their main

branches, and into the minutest tributory streams; so as to

pervade the great arid plains, and to penetrate even among barren

mountains. Thus wandering tribes are fed in the desert places of

the wilderness, where there is no herbage for the animals of the

chase, and where, but for these periodical supplies, it would be

impossible for man to subsist.

The rapid currents of the rivers which run into the Pacific

render the ascent of them very exhausting to the salmon. When the

fish first run up the rivers, they are fat and in fine order. The

struggle against impetuous streams and frequent rapids gradually

renders them thin and weak, and great numbers are seen floating

down the rivers on their backs. As the season advances and the

water becomes chilled, they are flung in myriads on the shores,

where the wolves and bears assemble to banquet on them. Often