Chapter 31

31.

Progress in the valley An Indian cavalier The captain falls into

a lethargy A Nez Perce patriarch Hospitable treatment The bald

head Bargaining Value of an old plaid cloak The family horse

The cost of an Indian present

A TRANQUIL NIGHT'S REST had sufficiently restored the broken down

traveller to enable him to resume his wayfaring, and all hands

set forward on the Indian trail. With all their eagerness to

arrive within reach of succor, such was their feeble and

emaciated condition, that they advanced but slowly. Nor is it a

matter of surprise that they should almost have lost heart, as

well as strength. It was now (the 16th of February) fifty-three

days that they had been travelling in the midst of winter,

exposed to all kinds of privations and hardships: and for the

last twenty days, they had been entangled in the wild and

desolate labyrinths of the snowy mountains; climbing and

descending icy precipices, and nearly starved with cold and

hunger.

All the morning they continued following the Indian trail,

without seeing a human being, and were beginning to be

discouraged, when, about noon, they discovered a horseman at a

distance. He was coming directly toward them; but on discovering

them, suddenly reined up his steed, came to a halt, and, after

reconnoitring them for a time with great earnestness, seemed

about to make a cautious retreat. They eagerly made signs of

peace, and endeavored, with the utmost anxiety, to induce him to

approach. He remained for some time in doubt; but at length,

having satisfied himself that they were not enemies, came

galloping up to them. He was a fine, haughty-looking savage,

fancifully decorated, and mounted on a high-mettled steed, with

gaudy trappings and equipments. It was evident that he was a

warrior of some consequence among his tribe. His whole deportment

had something in it of barbaric dignity; he felt, perhaps, his

temporary superiority in personal array, and in the spirit of his

steed, to the poor, ragged, travel-worn trappers and their

half-starved horses. Approaching them with an air of protection,

he gave them his hand, and, in the Nez Perce language, invited

them to his camp, which was only a few miles distant; where he

had plenty to eat, and plenty of horses, and would cheerfully

share his good things with them.

His hospitable invitation was joyfully accepted: he lingered but

a moment, to give directions by which they might find his camp,

and then, wheeling round, and giving the reins to his mettlesome

steed, was soon out of sight.