A JOURNEY TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER, BY J. K. TOWNSHEND, ESQ. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1840. CONTENTS THE FIRST VOLUME. 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 Page -Procure a supply of horses-Encampment of the sequences. CHAPTER II. Departure of the caravan-A storm on the prairie-Arrangement of the camp-The cook's desertion-Kanzas Indians-Kanzas river-Indian lodges-Passage of the river-Buffalo canoes-Kanzas chief-Costume of the Indians-Upper Kaw village-Their wigwams-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 deserted camp-Lurking wolves. 33 CHAPTER III. Arrival at the Platte river-Wolves and antelopes falo-Visit of two spies from the Grand PawneesForced march-A herd of buffalo-Elk-Singular conduct of the horses-Killing a buffalo-Indian mode of procuring buffalo-Great herd-Intentions of the men to desert-Adventure with an Indian in the tent -Circumspection necessary-Indian feat with bow and arrow-Notice of the Pawnee tribes-Disappearance of the buffalo from the plains of the PlatteA hunting adventure-Killing a buffalo-Butchering a bull-Shameful destruction of the game-Hunter's mode of quenching thirst. . 61 CHAPTER IV. Change in the face of the country-Unpleasant visitation-Its effects-North fork of the Platte-A day's journey over the hills-Wormwood bushes and poor pasture-Marmots-Rattlesnake and gopher-Naturalist's success and sacrifices-A sand storm-Wild horses-Killing of a doe antelope-Bluffs of the Platte -The chimney-" Zip Koon," the young antelope-Birds-Feelings and cogitations of a naturalist—Arrival at Laramie's fork-Departure of two " free trappers" on a summer "hunt"-Black Hills-Rough travelling-Red butes-Sweet-water river and Rock Independence- Avocets Wind river mountainsRocky Mountain sheep-Adventure of one of the |