Chapter 48 - Page 2

pair, and solicited the loan of horses to bring them and their

effects to the camp.

The captain was not a man to refuse assistance to any one in

distress, especially when there was a woman in the case; horses

were immediately dispatched, with an escort, to aid the

unfortunate couple. The next day they made their appearance with

all their effects; the man, a stalwart mountaineer, with a

peculiarly game look; the woman, a young Blackfoot beauty,

arrayed in the trappings and trinketry of a free trapper's bride.

Finding the woman to be quick-witted and communicative, Captain

Bonneville entered into conversation with her, and obtained from

her many particulars concerning the habits and customs of her

tribe; especially their wars and huntings. They pride themselves

upon being the "best legs of the mountains," and hunt the buffalo

on foot. This is done in spring time, when the frosts have thawed

and the ground is soft. The heavy buffaloes then sink over their

hoofs at every step, and are easily overtaken by the Blackfeet,

whose fleet steps press lightly on the surface. It is said,

however, that the buffaloes on the Pacific side of the Rocky

Mountains are fleeter and more active than on the Atlantic side;

those upon the plains of the Columbia can scarcely be overtaken

by a horse that would outstrip the same animal in the

neighborhood of the Platte, the usual hunting ground of the

Blackfeet. In the course of further conversation, Captain

Bonneville drew from the Indian woman her whole story; which gave

a picture of savage life, and of the drudgery and hardships to

which an Indian wife is subject.

"I was the wife," said she, "of a Blackfoot warrior, and I served

him faithfully. Who was so well served as he? Whose lodge was so

well provided, or kept so clean? I brought wood in the morning,

and placed water always at hand. I watched for his coming; and he

found his meat cooked and ready. If he rose to go forth, there

was nothing to delay him. I searched the thought that was in his

heart, to save him the trouble of speaking. When I went abroad on

errands for him, the chiefs and warriors smiled upon me, and the

young braves spoke soft things, in secret; but my feet were in

the straight path, and my eyes could see nothing but him.

"When he went out to hunt, or to war, who aided to equip him, but

I? When he returned, I met him at the door; I took his gun; and

he entered without further thought. While he sat and smoked, I

unloaded his horses; tied them to the stakes, brought in their

loads, and was quickly at his