Chapter 30 - Page 2

banks of Gun Creek, a stream

which flows into Snake River from the west; but were assured by

the natives that the route in that direction was impracticable.

The latter advised them to keep along Snake River, where they

would not be impeded by the snow. Taking one of the Diggers for a

guide, they set off along the river, and to their joy soon found

the country free from snow, as had been predicted, so that their

horses once more had the benefit of tolerable pasturage. Their

Digger proved an excellent guide, trudging cheerily in the

advance. He made an unsuccessful shot or two at a deer and a

beaver; but at night found a rabbit hole, whence he extracted the

occupant, upon which, with the addition of a fish given him by

the travellers, he made a hearty supper, and retired to rest,

filled with good cheer and good humor.

The next day the travellers came to where the hills closed upon

the river, leaving here and there intervals of undulating meadow

land. The river was sheeted with ice, broken into hills at long

intervals. The Digger kept on ahead of the party, crossing and

recrossing the river in pursuit of game, until, unluckily,

encountering a brother Digger, he stole off with him, without the

ceremony of leave-taking.

Being now left to themselves, they proceeded until they came to

some Indian huts, the inhabitants of which spoke a language

totally different from any they had yet heard. One, however,

understood the Nez Perce language, and through him they made

inquiries as to their route. These Indians were extremely kind

and honest, and furnished them with a small quantity of meat; but

none of them could be induced to act as guides.

Immediately in the route of the travellers lay a high mountain,

which they ascended with some difficulty. The prospect from the

summit was grand but disheartening. Directly before them towered

the loftiest peaks of Immahah, rising far higher than the

elevated ground on which they stood: on the other hand, they were

enabled to scan the course of the river, dashing along through

deep chasms, between rocks and precipices, until lost in a

distant wilderness of mountains, which closed the savage

landscape.

They remained for a long time contemplating, with perplexed and

anxious eye, this wild congregation of mountain barriers, and

seeking to discover some practicable passage. The approach of

evening obliged them to give up the task, and to seek some

camping ground for the night. Moving briskly forward, and

plunging and tossing through a succession of deep snow-drifts,