Chapter 20

20

Gathering in Green River valley Visitings and feastings of

leaders Rough wassailing among the trappers Wild blades of the

mountains Indian belles Potency of bright beads and red blankets

Arrival of supplies Revelry and extravagance Mad wolves The lost

Indian

THE GREEN RIVER VALLEY was at this time the scene of one of those

general gatherings of traders, trappers, and Indians, that we

have already mentioned. The three rival companies, which, for a

year past had been endeavoring to out-trade, out-trap and out-wit

each other, were here encamped in close proximity, awaiting their

annual supplies. About four miles from the rendezvous of Captain

Bonneville was that of the American Fur Company, hard by which,

was that also of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.

After the eager rivalry and almost hostility displayed by these

companies in their late campaigns, it might be expected that,

when thus brought in juxtaposition, they would hold themselves

warily and sternly aloof from each other, and, should they happen

to come in contact, brawl and bloodshed would ensue.

No such thing! Never did rival lawyers, after a wrangle at the

bar, meet with more social good humor at a circuit dinner. The

hunting season over, all past tricks and maneuvres are forgotten,

all feuds and bickerings buried in oblivion. From the middle of

June to the middle of September, all trapping is suspended; for

the beavers are then shedding their furs and their skins are of

little value. This, then, is the trapper's holiday, when he is

all for fun and frolic, and ready for a saturnalia among the

mountains.

At the present season, too, all parties were in good humor. The

year had been productive. Competition, by threatening to lessen

their profits, had quickened their wits, roused their energies,

and made them turn every favorable chance to the best advantage;

so that, on assembling at their respective places of rendezvous,

each company found itself in possession of a rich stock of

peltries.

The leaders of the different companies, therefore, mingled on

terms of perfect good fellowship; interchanging visits, and

regaling each other in the best style their respective camps

afforded. But the rich treat for the worthy captain was to see

the "chivalry" of the various encampments, engaged in contests of

skill at running, jumping, wrestling, shooting with the rifle,

and running horses. And then their rough hunters' feastings and

carousels. They drank together, they sang, they laughed, they

whooped; they tried to out-brag and out-lie