Chapter 21

21.

Schemes of Captain Bonneville The Great Salt Lake Expedition to

explore it Preparations for a journey to the Bighorn

CAPTAIN BONNEVILLE now found himself at the head of a hardy,

well-seasoned and well-appointed company of trappers, all

benefited by at least one year's experience among the mountains,

and capable of protecting themselves from Indian wiles and

stratagems, and of providing for their subsistence wherever game

was to be found. He had, also, an excellent troop of horses, in

prime condition, and fit for hard service. He determined,

therefore, to strike out into some of the bolder parts of his

scheme. One of these was to carry his expeditions into some of

the unknown tracts of the Far West, beyond what is generally

termed the buffalo range. This would have something of the merit

and charm of discovery, so dear to every brave and adventurous

spirit. Another favorite project was to establish a trading post

on the lower part of the Columbia River, near the Multnomah

valley, and to endeavor to retrieve for his country some of the

lost trade of Astoria.

The first of the above mentioned views was, at present, uppermost

in his mind--the exploring of unknown regions. Among the grand

features of the wilderness about which he was roaming, one had

made a vivid impression on his mind, and been clothed by his

imagination with vague and ideal charms. This is a great lake of

salt water, laving the feet of the mountains, but extending far

to the west-southwest, into one of those vast and elevated

plateaus of land, which range high above the level of the

Pacific.

Captain Bonneville gives a striking account of the lake when seen

from the land. As you ascend the mountains about its shores, says

he, you behold this immense body of water spreading itself before

you, and stretching further and further, in one wide and

far-reaching expanse, until the eye, wearied with continued and

strained attention, rests in the blue dimness of distance, upon

lofty ranges of mountains, confidently asserted to rise from the

bosom of the waters. Nearer to you, the smooth and unruffled

surface is studded with little islands, where the mountain sheep

roam in considerable numbers. What extent of lowland may be

encompassed by the high peaks beyond, must remain for the present

matter of mere conjecture though from the form of the summits,

and the breaks which may be discovered among them, there can be

little doubt that they are the sources of streams calculated to

water large tracts, which are probably concealed from view by