Chapter 42 - Page 2

with alcohol, and stirred the

fiery and mellifluous ingredients together. The glorious results

may readily be imagined; a happy compound of strength and

sweetness, enough to soothe the most ruffled temper and unsettle

the most solid understanding.

The beverage worked to a charm; the can circulated merrily; the

first deep draught washed out every care from the mind of the

veteran; the second elevated his spirit to the clouds. He was,

in fact, a boon companion; as all veteran Canadian traders are

apt to be. He now became glorious; talked over all his exploits,

his huntings, his fightings with Indian braves, his loves with

Indian beauties; sang snatches of old French ditties, and

Canadian boat songs; drank deeper and deeper, sang louder and

louder; until, having reached a climax of drunken gayety, he

gradually declined, and at length fell fast asleep upon the

ground. After a long nap he again raised his head, imbibed

another potation of the "sweet and strong," flashed up with

another slight blaze of French gayety, and again fell asleep.

The morning found him still upon the field of action, but in sad

and sorrowful condition; suffering the penalties of past

pleasures, and calling to mind the captain's dulcet compound,

with many a retch and spasm. It seemed as if the honey and

alcohol, which had passed so glibly and smoothly over his tongue,

were at war within his stomach; and that he had a swarm of bees

within his head. In short, so helpless and woebegone was his

plight, that his party proceeded on their march without him; the

captain promised to bring him on in safety in the after part of

the day.

As soon as this party had moved off, Captain Bonneville's men

proceeded to construct and fill their cache; and just as it was

completed the party of Wyeth was descried at a distance. In a

moment all was activity to take the road. The horses were

prepared and mounted; and being lightened of a great part of

their burdens, were able to move with celerity. As to the worthy

convive of the preceding evening, he was carefully gathered up

from the hunter's couch on which he lay, repentant and supine,

and, being packed upon one of the horses, was hurried forward

with the convoy, groaning and ejaculating at every jolt.

In the course of the day, Wyeth, being lightly mounted, rode

ahead of his party, and overtook Captain Bonneville. Their

meeting was friendly and courteous; and they discussed, sociably,

their respective fortunes since they separated on the banks of

the Bighorn. Wyeth announced his intention of