Chapter 15 - Page 2

in the coarse gravel

with which the plain was covered.

Hunger now began to cause more uneasiness than the apprehensions

of surrounding enemies. After marching a few miles they encamped

at the foot of a mountain, in hopes of finding buffalo. It was

not until the next day that they discovered a pair of fine bulls

on the edge of the plain, among rocks and ravines. Having now

been two days and a half without a mouthful of food, they took

especial care that these animals should not escape them. While

some of the surest marksmen advanced cautiously with their rifles

into the rough ground, four of the best mounted horsemen took

their stations in the plain, to run the bulls down should they

only be maimed.

The buffalo were wounded and set off in headlong flight. The

half-famished horses were too weak to overtake them on the frozen

ground, but succeeded in driving them on the ice, where they

slipped and fell, and were easily dispatched. The hunters loaded

themselves with beef for present and future supply, and then

returned and encamped at the last nights's fire. Here they

passed the remainder of the day, cooking and eating with a

voracity proportioned to previous starvation, forgetting in the

hearty revel of the moment the certain dangers with which they

were environed.

The cravings of hunger being satisfied, they now began to debate

about their further progress. The men were much disheartened by

the hardships they had already endured. Indeed, two who had been

in the rear guard, taking advantage of their position, had

deserted and returned to the lodges of the Nez Perces. The

prospect ahead was enough to stagger the stoutest heart. They

were in the dead of winter. As far as the eye could reach the

wild landscape was wrapped in snow, which was evidently deepening

as they advanced. Over this they would have to toil, with the

icy wind blowing in their faces: their horses might give out

through want of pasturage, and they themselves must expect

intervals of horrible famine like that they had already

experienced.

With Captain Bonneville, however, perseverance was a matter of

pride; and, having undertaken this enterprise, nothing could turn

him back until it was accomplished: though he declares that, had

he anticipated the difficulties and sufferings which attended it,

he should have flinched from the undertaking.

Onward, therefore, the little band urged their way, keeping along

the course of a stream called John Day's Creek. The cold was so

intense that they had frequently to dismount and travel