Chapter 43

43.

A rapid march A cloud of dust Wild horsemen "High Jinks"

Horseracing and rifle-shooting The game of hand The fishing

season Mode of fishing Table lands Salmon fishers The

captain's visit to an Indian lodge The Indian girl The pocket

mirror Supper Troubles of an evil conscience.

"UP and away!" is the first thought at daylight of the Indian

trader, when a rival is at hand and distance is to be gained.

Early in the morning, Captain Bonneville ordered the half dried

meat to be packed upon the horses, and leaving Wyeth and his

party to hunt the scattered buffalo, pushed off rapidly to the

east, to regain the plain of the Portneuf. His march was rugged

and dangerous; through volcanic hills, broken into cliffs and

precipices; and seamed with tremendous chasms, where the rocks

rose like walls.

On the second day, however, he encamped once more in the plain,

and as it was still early some of the men strolled out to the

neighboring hills. In casting their eyes round the country, they

perceived a great cloud of dust rising in the south, and

evidently approaching. Hastening back to the camp, they gave the

alarm. Preparations were instantly made to receive an enemy;

while some of the men, throwing themselves upon the "running

horses" kept for hunting, galloped off to reconnoitre. In a

little while, they made signals from a distance that all was

friendly. By this time the cloud of dust had swept on as if

hurried along by a blast, and a band of wild horsemen came

dashing at full leap into the camp, yelling and whooping like so

many maniacs. Their dresses, their accoutrements, their mode of

riding, and their uncouth clamor, made them seem a party of

savages arrayed for war; but they proved to be principally

half-breeds, and white men grown savage in the wilderness, who

were employed as trappers and hunters in the service of the

Hudson's Bay Company.

Here was again "high jinks" in the camp. Captain Bonneville's men

hailed these wild scamperers as congenial spirits, or rather as

the very game birds of their class. They entertained them with

the hospitality of mountaineers, feasting them at every fire. At

first, there were mutual details of adventures and exploits, and

broad joking mingled with peals of laughter. Then came on

boasting of the comparative merits of horses and rifles, which

soon engrossed every tongue. This naturally led to racing, and

shooting at a mark; one trial of speed and skill succeeded

another, shouts and acclamations rose from the victorious

parties, fierce altercations