Chapter 19 - Page 2

of the Nez Perce tribe,

came galloping up. She was mounted on a mustang or half wild

horse, which she managed by a long rope hitched round the under

jaw by way of bridle. Dismounting, she walked silently into the

midst of the camp, and there seated herself on the ground, still

holding her horse by the long halter.

The sudden and lonely apparition of this woman, and her calm yet

resolute demeanor, awakened universal curiosity. The hunters and

trappers gathered round, and gazed on her as something

mysterious. She remained silent, but maintained her air of

calmness and self-possession. Captain Bonneville approached and

interrogated her as to the object of her mysterious visit. Her

answer was brief but earnest -- "I love the whites -- I will go

with them." She was forthwith invited to a lodge, of which she

readily took possession, and from that time forward was

considered one of the camp.

In consequence, very probably, of the military precautions of

Captain Bonneville, he conducted his party in safety through this

hazardous region. No accident of a disastrous kind occurred,

excepting the loss of a horse, which, in passing along the giddy

edge of a precipice, called the Cornice, a dangerous pass between

Jackson's and Pierre's Hole, fell over the brink, and was dashed

to pieces.

On the 13th of July (1833), Captain Bonneville arrived at Green

River. As he entered the valley, he beheld it strewed in every

direction with the carcasses of buffaloes. It was evident that

Indians had recently been there, and in great numbers. Alarmed at

this sight, he came to a halt, and as soon as it was dark, sent

out spies to his place of rendezvous on Horse Creek, where he had

expected to meet with his detached parties of trappers on the

following day. Early in the morning the spies made their

appearance in the camp, and with them came three trappers of one

of his bands, from the rendezvous, who told him his people were

all there expecting him. As to the slaughter among the buffaloes,

it had been made by a friendly band of Shoshonies, who had fallen

in with one of his trapping parties, and accompanied them to the

rendezvous. Having imparted this intelligence, the three worthies

from the rendezvous broached a small keg of "alcohol," which they

had brought with them. to enliven this merry meeting. The liquor

went briskly round; all absent friends were toasted, and the

party moved forward to the rendezvous in high spirits.

The meeting of associated bands, who have been separated from

each other on these hazardous