The Indians were right in declaring the way difficult, for the road led over a path so strewn with broken and sharp bits of rocks that in the course of time had fallen down the mountains, that all feared the unshod horses would be too injured to travel. But, to the pleased surprise of everyone, no trouble of the kind appeared. Men and boys walked most of the time, and the animals kept pace with them.
Had the little company failed to provide themselves with fishing tackle they would have suffered for food, for day after day passed without gaining a shot at any kind of game. The streams, however, abounded4 with salmon, which were easily caught and much relished5. It was oppressively warm during the middle of the day, but as the sun went down a rapid lowering of temperature followed, and in the morning frost whitened the vegetation and needles of ice put out from the shores of the streams.
You have heard something of the Shoshone or Snake Indians with whom our friends had had an interesting experience. This tribe a hundred years ago embraced the Indians of the southern ranges of the Rocky Mountains and of the plains on both sides. A village of Shoshones, where the explorers halted, contained hardly a hundred warriors7 and two or three times as many women and children. Regarding these people some noteworthy facts were learned. They formerly8 lived on the prairies, but were driven to take refuge in the mountains from a band of roving Pahkees, who came down from the Saskatchewan country and attacked them with great ferocity. From the middle of spring until the beginning of autumn these Shoshones lived around the headwaters of the Columbia, where they were not molested9 by the Pahkees. Through these months the Indians depended mainly upon salmon, but the fish disappeared with the approach of cold weather, and other means of subsistence had to be found.
This little fraternity of Shoshones then made their way over the ridge10 to the waters of the Missouri, down which they cautiously moved until they were joined by other bands, either of their own people or of Flatheads. Thus strengthened, they had little fear of the Pahkees, and were not afraid to hunt the bison to the eastward11 of the mountains. They remained till the salmon returned to the Columbia, when they migrated to that section. Nevertheless, the dread12 of their enemies was so great that the Shoshones never left the mountains till impending13 starvation drove them out.
These people displayed some excellent qualities. Lewis and Clark reported them frank, fair and honest, and he and his men received generous hospitality at their hands. As with most of their race, war was the most exalted14 occupation, and no warrior6 could look for preferment until he earned it by some daring exploit. The triumph of killing15 an adversary16 was not complete if the victor failed to wrench17 the scalp from his head. If he neglected to do this and some other warrior secured the scalp, all the honor went to him, since he had brought away the trophy18 of victory.
After parting with the Shoshones, who showed regret at losing the company of the explorers, the latter began their final journey across the mountains. The first camp was on the southern bank of Lemhi River. Here Zigzag19 showed signs of slight lameness20. He could be ill-spared, and it was deemed best to run no risk with him. His load was therefore distributed among Jack21, Bug22 and Prince. It was not thought well to make Whirlwind a beast of burden. His proud spirit was likely to rebel and there was no necessity for offending him.
Early the next day Zigzag was better, but the other three horses retained his load, while he plodded23 to the rear of them. Men and boys remained afoot. The Blackfoot took the lead, for though he had never been through this country, he had met some of its inhabitants, and their accounts gave him a more extended knowledge than any other member of the company could possess.
Victor declared that Zigzag was shamming24, for though he limped slightly most of the time, now and then he seemed to forget it, but then Victor never had much respect for that particular horse. It was deemed best to humor him, however, and perhaps because he was ashamed to keep up the deception25 he was soon so far recovered that he walked without trouble after the burden had been replaced upon his back.
Beaver26 dams were often passed, but, singular as it may seem, nothing was seen of the animals themselves. Their rounded, cone-like dwellings27 extended long distances, and many proofs of their skill in cutting down and preparing wood were observed. These sagacious creatures will cut up the limbs and trunk of a large tree as smoothly28 and evenly as a professional woodchopper could do the work, and in constructing their dams, some of which are of great extent, they display astonishing skill. No freshet is strong enough to break down these dams, and the architects provide for the overflow29 as men provide sluiceways and gates to set free the surplus of ponds and lakes. The doors of their houses are generally under water, and the structures themselves are often two or three stories high. They generally have sentinels on duty, and the slaps of their tails on the surface of the water never fail to warn their comrades in time to seek shelter.
These tails, it may be said, are quite a delicacy30. When boiled or prepared by cooking they suggest buffalo31 or beef tongue, and are nourishing and palatable32. A meal on beaver tails is always welcome to the traveler through any region where the animals make their home.
There is one accomplishment33 possessed34 by beavers35 not generally known, and of which I have never heard the explanation. Sometimes after cutting a large limb into the right length to be used in the construction of a dam, the animal, finding he does not need it immediately, floats it out into the middle of a stream and sinks it to the bottom. If the water is clear you may see a number of such sticks lying here and there ten or fifteen feet below the surface. When the material is needed the sticks are released, rise to the top, and are transported whither they may be wanted.
Now, how is it the beaver sinks the buoyant wood? How he makes it stay on the bottom is, so far as I have ever been able to learn, beyond explanation. The most experienced trapper will tell you he doesn’t understand it. More than once one of these men has pushed the pieces of wood loose. The moment he did so they would come to the surface and stay there. By no trick or device could he make them sink again, unless by attaching a heavy weight. That, however, does not solve the difficulty, for any substance can be sunk by such means, which is not the one the beaver employs.
As the party advanced deer began to show themselves again. It was no trouble to bring them down, and when the chance did not offer the fish always remained, so it will be seen that the food question gave the explorers no concern. The grass at times was not as plentiful36 as they wished, but take it altogether the horses had no reason to be dissatisfied and the journey went promisingly37 forward.
The next important stopping place of the explorers was in the country of the Chopunnish Indians, who lived along the Clearwater and Lewis or Snake Rivers, which you will remember were both tributaries38 of the Columbia. The Chopunnish Indians were known as Pierced Noses, though it is difficult to understand why this name was given, since, so far as known, they never pierced their noses. The name was changed to Nez Perces by the French voyageurs, and has so remained ever since. You may have heard of Chief Joseph, who some years ago made his remarkable39 retreat northward40 to Canada, and repeatedly outwitted the United States regulars sent against him. Joseph was one of the most remarkable Indians that ever lived. He was the friend of the white people, and was held in great respect as the head of the Nez Perce tribe.
Our friends were impressed by these red men, who were large, fine-looking and of dark complexion41, and whose women had attractive features. All were fond of ornaments42. They wore buffalo or elk-skin robes, decorated with beads43, and the hair, which was plaited in two queues, hung in front. Seashells fastened to an otter-skin collar were displayed as belonging to the coarse black hair, and feathers, green, blue and white, were plentifully44 seen. In cold weather each man wore a short skirt of dressed skins, long painted leggings and moccasins, and a braid of twisted grass around the neck. The women used a long shirt of bighorn skin, without a girdle, and reaching to the ankles. Bits of brass46, shells and small ornaments were tied to this shirt, but the head showed nothing except what nature had furnished.
The Nez Perces had a hard time of it. They were forced to toil47 during the summer and autumn to gather salmon and their winter supply of roots. In winter they hunted deer on snowshoes, and at the approach of spring crossed the mountains to the headwaters of the Missouri to traffic in buffalo robes. Added to this unceasing labor48 they had many fights with enemies from the west, who often killed members of the tribe, stole horses and drove the owners over the mountains.
The Nez Perces showed a very friendly disposition49 to our friends, who visited their village and were invited to partake of their hospitality for a long time. Although the Indians had a scant50 supply of food, they offered the visitors all they wished. Deerfoot and Mul-tal-la, out of courtesy, partook of salmon, but would not consent to deprive them of anything further when the travelers felt fully45 able to provide for themselves.
The visit to the Nez Perces solved a problem that had given the Blackfoot and Shawanoe no little concern. The party had progressed so far that the remainder of the journey could be made much more readily by water than by land. All they had to do was to descend51 the river in canoes to its mouth, or tidewater, or at least far enough to gain the coveted52 view of the Pacific Ocean. They would have to make a few portages and exercise skill and care in shooting some of the rapids, but the road was open and they could not go astray.
The question was as to what should be done with their horses. These could continue toiling53 forward as before, but the way was rough and tortuous54, and would occupy a much longer time than the water route. It would wear upon the animals, all of which, with the exception of Whirlwind, showed signs of the draught55 already made on their strength and endurance. If they could be left behind, the rest would do them a world of good, and they ought to be in prime condition when their masters returned to them.
Deerfoot and Mul-tal-la discussed the plan of leaving their animals with the Nez Perces. These Indians, like all their race, are exceedingly fond of horses, and the fear of our friends was that when they came back their property would be gone beyond recovery. While the warriors might not openly steal them, they could frame ingenious excuses for their absence. The loss of the four ordinary horses might not be so serious, for Mul-tal-la was sure he could replace them from among his own people, but the real problem was the black stallion. He was such a superb steed, so superior in beauty, strength and speed to any of his kind in that region, that wherever he appeared he attracted admiration56 and envy. But for the watchfulness57 of his owner he would have been stolen long before crossing the Divide. To part company with Whirlwind in what may be called a hostile country looked like voluntarily giving him over to the spoiler. No sum conceivable would have induced the Shawanoe to sell Whirlwind. He was ready at any moment to risk his life for the animal who was equally ready to die for his master.
This was the situation when, as the party were about to resume their journey, they were approached by a tall, handsome warrior, whose dress, more gaudily58 ornamented59 than the others, showed that he was one with authority. He was absent while the visitors were receiving the hospitality of the Nez Perces, and now hastened forward to pay his respects while the opportunity remained.
The moment he drew near, Deerfoot and the boys saw from the expression of his face and on that of Mul-tal-la that the two were old acquaintances.
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1
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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relished
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| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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8
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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10
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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13
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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15
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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18
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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19
zigzag
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| n.曲折，之字形；adj.曲折的，锯齿形的；adv.曲折地，成锯齿形地；vt.使曲折；vi.曲折前行 | |
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20
lameness
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| n. 跛, 瘸, 残废 | |
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21
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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22
bug
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| n.虫子；故障；窃听器；vt.纠缠；装窃听器 | |
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23
plodded
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| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
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24
shamming
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| 假装，冒充( sham的现在分词 ) | |
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25
deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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26
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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27
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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29
overflow
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| v.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出 | |
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30
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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31
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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32
palatable
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| adj.可口的，美味的；惬意的 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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35
beavers
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| 海狸( beaver的名词复数 )； 海狸皮毛； 棕灰色； 拼命工作的人 | |
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36
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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37
promisingly
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| （通常只是开头）给人以希望地，良好地 | |
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38
tributaries
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| n. 支流 | |
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39
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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40
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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41
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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42
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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43
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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44
plentifully
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| adv. 许多地，丰饶地 | |
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45
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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46
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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47
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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48
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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49
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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50
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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51
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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52
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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53
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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54
tortuous
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| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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55
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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56
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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57
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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58
gaudily
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| adv.俗丽地 | |
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59
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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