210 MOUNTAIN PASSAGE. The whole journey, to-day, from the time we arrived at the heights, until we had crossed the mountain, has been a most fearful one. For myself, I might have diminished the danger very considerably, by adopting the plan pursued by the rest of the company, that of walking, and leading my horse over the most dangerous places, but I have been suffering for several days with a lame foot, and am wholly incapable of such exertion. I soon discovered that an attempt to guide my horse over the most rugged and steepest ranges was worse than useless, so I dropped the rein upon the animal's neck, and allowed him to take his own course, closing my eyes, and keeping as quiet as possible in the saddle. But I could not forbear starting occasionally, when the feet of my horse would slip on a stone, and one side of him slide rapidly towards the edge of the precipice; but I always recovered myself by a desperate effort, and it was fortunate for me that I did so. Late in the afternoon, we completed the passage across the mountain, and with thankful MALLADE RIVER. 211 hearts, again trod the level land. We entered here a fine rich valley or plain, of about half a mile in width, between two ranges of the mountain. It was profusely covered with willow, and through the middle of it, ran a rapid and turbulent mountain torrent, called Mallade river. It contains a great abundance of beaver-the young dams being seen in great numbers, and in the night, when all was quiet, we could hear the playful animals at their gambols, diving from the shore into the water, and striking the surface with their broad tails. The sound, altogether, was not unlike that of children at play, and the animated description of a somewhat similar scene, in the "Mohicans," recurred to my recollection, where the single-minded Gamut is contemplating with feelings of strong reprobation, the wayward freaks of what he supposes to be a bevy of young savages. 212 MALLADE RIVER. CHAPTER IX. A party of Snake Indians-Scarcity of pasture-Another Banneck camp-" Kamas prairie"-Indian mode of preparing the kamas-Racine blanc, or biscuit root-Travelling over the hills-Loss of horses by fatigue-Boisée or Big-wood river-Salmon-Choke cherries-A substitute for game, and a luxurious breakfast-Expectations of a repast, and a disappointment-Visit of a Snake chief-His abhorrence of horse meat-A band of Snake Indians-Their chiefTrade with Indians for salmon-Mr. Ashworth's adventure. 14th. We travelled down Mallade river, and followed the Indian trail through the valley. The path frequently passed along near the base of the mountain, and then wound its way a considerable distance up to avoid rocky impediments and thick tangled bushes below, so that we had some climbing to do; but the difficulties and perils of the route of yesterday BEAUTIFUL VALLEY. 213 are still so fresh in our memory, that all minor things are disregarded, at least by us. Our poor horses, however, no doubt feel differently as they are very tired and foot sore. The next day we came to a close, and almost impenetrable thicket of tangled willows, through which we had great difficulty in urging our horses. The breadth of the thicket was about one hundred yards, and a full hour was consumed in passing through it. We then entered immediately a rich and beautiful valley, covered profusely with a splendid blue Lupin. The mountains on either side are of much less height than those we have passed, and entirely bare, the pine trees which generally cover and ornament them, having disappeared. During the morning, we ascended and descended several high and stony hills, and early in the afternoon, emerged upon a large, level prairie, and struck a branch of Mallade river, where we encamped. While we were unloading, we observed a number of Indians ahead, and not being aware of their character, stood with our horses sad 214 SNAKE INDIANS. dled, while Captain W. and Richardson rode out to reconnoitre. In about half an hour they returned, and informed us that they were Snakes who were returning from the fisheries, and travelling towards the buffalo on the "big river," (Shoshoné.) We, therefore, unsaddled our poor jaded horses and turned them out to feed upon the luxuriant pasture around the camp-while we, almost equally jaded, threw ourselves down in our blankets to seek a little repose and quiet after the toils and fatigues of a long day's march. Soon after we encamped, the Snake chief and two of his young men visited us. We formed a circle around our lodge, and smoked the pipe of peace with them, after which we made them each a present of a yard of scarlet cloth for leggings, some balls and powder, a knife, and a looking glass. Captain W. then asked them a number of questions, through an interpreter, relative to the route, the fishery, &c. &c.,—and finally bought of them a small quantity of dried salmon, and a little fermented kamas or quamash root. The Indians remained |