Chapter 23

23.

Departure from Green River valley Popo Agie Its course The rivers

into which it runs Scenery of the Bluffs the great Tar

Spring Volcanic tracts in the Crow country Burning Mountain of

Powder River Sulphur springs Hidden fires Colter's Hell Wind

River Campbell's party Fitzpatrick and his trappers Captain

Stewart, an amateur traveller Nathaniel Wyeth Anecdotes of his

expedition to the Far West Disaster of Campbell's party A union

of bands The Bad Pass The rapids Departure of

Fitzpatrick Embarkation of peltries Wyeth and his bull

boat Adventures of Captain Bonneville in the Bighorn

Mountains Adventures in the plain Traces of Indians Travelling

precautions Dangers of making a smoke The rendezvous

ON THE 25TH of July, Captain Bonneville struck his tents, and set

out on his route for the Bighorn, at the head of a party of

fifty-six men, including those who were to embark with Cerre.

Crossing the Green River valley, he proceeded along the south

point of the Wind River range of mountains, and soon fell upon

the track of Mr. Robert Campbell's party, which had preceded him

by a day. This he pursued, until he perceived that it led down

the banks of the Sweet Water to the southeast. As this was

different from his proposed direction, he left it; and turning to

the northeast, soon came upon the waters of the Popo Agie. This

stream takes its rise in the Wind River Mountains. Its name, like

most Indian names, is characteristic. Popo, in the Crow

language, signifies head; and Agie, river. It is the head of a

long river, extending from the south end of the Wind River

Mountains in a northeast direction, until it falls into the

Yellowstone. Its course is generally through plains, but is twice

crossed by chains of mountains; the first called the Littlehorn;

the second, the Bighorn. After it has forced its way through the

first chain, it is called the Horn River; after the second chain,

it is called the Bighorn River. Its passage through this last

chain is rough and violent; making repeated falls, and rushing

down long and furious rapids, which threaten destruction to the

navigator; though a hardy trapper is said to have shot down them

in a canoe. At the foot of these rapids, is the head of

navigation; where it was the intention of the parties to

construct boats, and embark.

Proceeding down along the Popo Agie, Captain Bonneville came

again in full view of the "Bluffs," as they are called, extending

from the base of the Wind River Mountains far away to the east,

and presenting to the eye a confusion of hills