Chapter 31 - Page 2

The travellers followed, with

gladdened hearts, but at a snail's pace; for their poor horses

could scarcely drag one leg after the other. Captain Bonneville,

however, experienced a sudden and singular change of feeling.

Hitherto, the necessity of conducting his party, and of providing

against every emergency, had kept his mind upon the stretch, and

his whole system braced and excited. In no one instance had he

flagged in spirit, or felt disposed to succumb. Now, however,

that all danger was over, and the march of a few miles would

bring them to repose and abundance, his energies suddenly

deserted him; and every faculty, mental and physical, was totally

relaxed. He had not proceeded two miles from the point where he

had had the interview with the Nez Perce chief, when he threw

himself upon the earth, without the power or will to move a

muscle, or exert a thought, and sank almost instantly into a

profound and dreamless sleep. His companions again came to a

halt, and encamped beside him, and there they passed the night.

The next morning, Captain Bonneville awakened from his long and

heavy sleep, much refreshed; and they all resumed their creeping

progress. They had not long been on the march, when eight or ten

of the Nez Perce tribe came galloping to meet them, leading fresh

horses to bear them to their camp. Thus gallantly mounted, they

felt new life infused into their languid frames, and dashing

forward, were soon at the lodges of the Nez Perces. Here they

found about twelve families living together, under the

patriarchal sway of an ancient and venerable chief. He received

them with the hospitality of the golden age, and with something

of the same kind of fare; for, while he opened his arms to make

them welcome, the only repast he set before them consisted of

roots. They could have wished for something more hearty and

substantial; but, for want of better, made a voracious meal on

these humble viands. The repast being over, the best pipe was

lighted and sent round: and this was a most welcome luxury,

having lost their smoking apparatus twelve days before, among the

mountains.

While they were thus enjoying themselves, their poor horses were

led to the best pastures in the neighborhood, where they were

turned loose to revel on the fresh sprouting grass; so that they

had better fare than their masters.

Captain Bonneville soon felt himself quite at home among these

quiet, inoffensive people. His long residence among their

cousins, the Upper Nez Perces, had made him conversant with their

language,