Chapter 16

16.

Misadventures of Matthieu and his party Return to the caches at

Salmon River Battle between Nez Perces and Black feet Heroism

of a Nez Perce woman Enrolled among the braves.

ON the 3d of February, Matthieu, with the residue of his band,

arrived in camp. He had a disastrous story to relate. After

parting with Captain Bonneville in Green River Valley he had

proceeded to the westward, keeping to the north of the Eutaw

Mountains, a spur of the great Rocky chain. Here he experienced

the most rugged travelling for his horses, and soon discovered

that there was but little chance of meeting the Shoshonie bands.

He now proceeded along Bear River, a stream much frequented by

trappers, intending to shape his course to Salmon River to rejoin

Captain Bonneville.

He was misled, however, either through the ignorance or treachery

of an Indian guide, and conducted into a wild valley where he lay

encamped during the autumn and the early part of the winter,

nearly buried in snow and almost starved. Early in the season he

detached five men, with nine horses, to proceed to the

neighborhood of the Sheep Rock, on Bear River, where game was

plenty, and there to procure a supply for the camp.

They had not proceeded far on their expedition when their trail

was discovered by a party of nine or ten Indians, who immediately

commenced a lurking pursuit, dogging them secretly for five or

six days. So long as their encampments were well chosen and a

proper watch maintained the wary savages kept aloof; at length,

observing that they were badly encamped, in a situation where

they might be approached with secrecy, the enemy crept stealthily

along under cover of the river bank, preparing to burst suddenly

upon their prey.

They had not advanced within striking distance, however, before

they were discovered by one of the trappers. He immediately but

silently gave the alarm to his companions. They all sprang upon

their horses and prepared to retreat to a safe position. One of

the party, however, named Jennings, doubted the correctness of

the alarm, and before he mounted his horse wanted to ascertain

the fact. His companions urged him to mount, but in vain; he was

incredulous and obstinate. A volley of firearms by the savages

dispelled his doubts, but so overpowered his nerves that he was

unable to get into his saddle. His comrades, seeing his peril and

confusion, generously leaped from their horses to protect him. A

shot from a rifle brought him to the earth; in his agony he

called upon the others not to desert him. Two of