SPORTING EXCURSIONS

IN THE

ROCKY MOUNTAINS,

INCLUDING

A JOURNEY TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER,
AND A VISIT TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS, CHILI, &c.

TOWNSEND, JOHN KIRK

BY J. K. TOWNSHEND, ESQ.

CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

Arrival at St. Louis-Preparations for the journey-
Sâque Indians-Their appearance, dress, and manners
-Squaws-Commencement of a pedestrian tour-
Sandhill cranes-Prairie settlers-Their hospitality
-Wild pigeons, golden plovers and prairie hens-
Mr. P. and his daughters-An abundant repast-
Simplicity of the prairie maidens-A deer and tur-
key hunt-Loutre Lick hotel-Unwelcome bed-fel-
lows-A coloured Charon-Comfortable quarters-
Young men of the west-Reflections on leaving
home-Loquacity of the inhabitants-Gray squirrels
-Boonville-Parroquets-Embarkation in a steam-
boat-Large catfish-Accident on board the boat-

Page

Arrival at Independence-Description of the town

-Procure a supply of horses-Encampment of the

Rocky Mountain company-Character of the men-

Preparation for departure-Requisites of a leader-

Backwoods' familiarity-Milton Sublette and his band

-Rev. Jason Lee, the missionary-A letter from

home-Mormonites-Military discipline and its con-

Page

sequences.

. 1

CHAPTER II.

Departure of the caravan-A storm on the prairie-Ar-

rangement of the camp-The cook's desertion-Kan-

zas Indians-Kanzas river-Indian lodges-Passage

of the river-Buffalo canoes-Kanzas chief-Cos-

tume of the Indians-Upper Kaw village-Their wig-

wams-Catfish and ravens-Return of Mr. Sublette

-Pawnee trace-Desertion of three men-Difficulties

occasioned by losing the trail-Intelligence of Mr.

Sublette's party-Escape of the band of horses-Visit

of three Otto Indians-Anecdote of Richardson, the

chief hunter-His appearance and character-White

wolves and antelopes-Buffalo bones-Sublette's de-

serted camp-Lurking wolves.

33

CHAPTER III.

Arrival at the Platte river-Wolves and antelopes-