按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
d； ash； and willows。 On the northwest was a low； level plain； and on the southeast some rugged hills； on which we saw； without being able to approach them； some bighorns。 Buffalo and elk； as well as their pursuers； the wolves； were in great numbers。 On each side of the river there were several dry beds of streams； but the only one of any considerable size was one to which they gave the name of Ibex River； on the right； about thirty yards wide； and sixteen miles from their encampment of the preceding night。 The bear； which had given them so much trouble at the head of the Missouri； they found equally fierce here。 One of these animals； which was on a sand…bar as the boat passed； raised himself on his hind feet； and after looking at the party for a moment； plunged in and swam towards them； but； after receiving three balls in the body； he turned and made for the shore。 Towards evening they saw another enter the water to swim across； when Captain Clark directed the boat towards the shore； and just as the animal landed shot it in the head。 It proved to be the largest female they had ever seen； and was so old that its tusks were worn quite smooth。 The boats escaped with difficulty between two herds of buffalo that were crossing the river； and came near being again detained by them。 Among the elk of this neighborhood they saw an unusual number of males； while higher up the herds consisted chiefly of females。〃
It is almost incredible that these wild animals should have been so nearly exterminated by hunters and other rovers of the plains； very soon after travel set in across the continent。 The writer of these lines； who crossed the plains to California so lately as 1856； saw buffalo killed for the sake of their tongues； or to give rifle practice to the wayfarers。 After the overland railroad was opened； passengers shot buffalo from the car…windows； well knowing that they could not get their game； even if they should kill as they flew by a herd。 There are no buffalo nor elk where millions once roamed almost unmolested。
Early in the afternoon of August 3； the party reached the junction of the Yellowstone and the Missouri； and camped on the same spot where they had pitched their tents on the 26th of April； 1805。 They were nearing the end of their long journey。
But their troubles thickened as they drew near the close of their many miles of travel。 The journal for August 4 has this record：
〃The camp became absolutely uninhabitable in consequence of the multitude of mosquitoes； the men could not work in preparing skins for clothing； nor hunt in the timbered low grounds； there was no mode of escape； except by going on the sand…bars in the river； where； if the wind should blow； the insects do not venture； but when there is no wind； and particularly at night； when the men have no covering except their worn…out blankets； the pain they suffer is scarcely to be endured。 There was also a want of meat； for no buffalo were to be found； and though elk are very abundant； yet their fat and flesh is more difficult to dry in the sun； and is also much more easily spoiled than the meat or fat of either deer or buffalo。
〃Captain Clark therefore determined to go on to some spot which should be free from mosquitoes and furnish more game。 Having written a note to Captain Lewis； to inform him of his intention； and stuck it on a pole at the confluence of the two rivers； he loaded the canoes at five in the afternoon； proceeded down the river to the second point； and camped on a sand…bar； but here the mosquitoes seemed to be even more numerous than above。 The face of the Indian child was considerably puffed up and swollen with their bites； the men could procure scarcely any sleep during the night； and the insects continued to harass them next morning； as they proceeded。 On one occasion Captain Clark went on shore and ascended a hill after one of the bighorns； but the mosquitoes were in such multitudes that he could not keep them from the barrel of his rifle long enough to take aim。 About ten o'clock； however； a light breeze sprung up from the northwest； and dispersed them in some degree。 Captain Clark then landed on a sand…bar； intending to wait for Captain Lewis； and went out to hunt。 But not finding any buffalo； he again proceeded in the afternoon； and having killed a large white bear； camped under a high bluff exposed to a light breeze from the southwest； which blew away the mosquitoes。 About eleven o'clock； however； the wind became very high and a storm of rain came on； which lasted for two hours； accompanied with sharp lightning and loud peals of thunder。
〃The party rose； next day； very wet； and proceeded to a sand…bar below the entrance of Whiteearth River。 Just above this place the Indians； apparently within seven； or eight days past； had been digging a root which they employ in making a kind of soup。 Having fixed their tents； the men were employed in dressing skins and hunting。 They shot a number of deer； but only two of them were fat； owing probably to the great quantities of mosquitoes which annoy them while feeding。〃
On the eleventh of August the Clark party came up with the two white traders from Illinois； of whom we have already made mention as having been met by the Lewis party on their way down the river。 These were the first white men they had seen （except themselves） since they parted with the three French trappers； near the Little Missouri； in April； 1805； From them the wayworn voyagers received the latest news from the United States。 From them they also had some unfavorable tidings。 The journal says：
〃These men had met the boat which we had despatched from Fort Mandan； on board of which； they were told； was a Ricara chief on his way to Washington； and also another party of Yankton chiefs； accompanying Mr。 Durion on a visit of the same kind。 We were sorry to learn that the Mandans and Minnetarees were at war with the Ricaras； and had killed two of them。 The Assiniboins too are at war with the Mandans。 They have； in consequence； prohibited the Northwestern Company from trading to the Missouri； and even killed two of their traders near Mouse River； they are now lying in wait for Mr。 McKenzie of the Northwestern Company； who has been for a long time among the Minnetarees。 These appearances are rather unfavorable to our project of carrying some of the chiefs to the United States； but we still hope that； by effecting a peace between the Mandans； Minnetarees； and Ricaras； the views of our Government may be accomplished。〃
Next day； August 12； 1806； the party； slowly descending the river； were overjoyed to see below them the little flotilla of Captain Lewis and his men。 But they were alarmed when they discovered that Lewis was not with them； as the boats landed at the shore； the captain was not to be seen。 Captain Clark's party； on coming up with their friends； were told that Lewis was lying in the pirogue； having been accidentally wounded。 The whole party were now happily reunited； and they were soon joined by the two Illinois traders whom they had met up the river； these men wished to accompany the expedition down the river as far as the Mandan nation； for the purpose of trading； they were more secure with a large party of white men than they would be if left to themselves。
Chapter XXVI
The End of a Long Journey
The reunited party now set out for the lower river and proceeded rapidly down…stream； favored with a good wind。 They made eighty…six miles on the first day； passing the mouth of the Little Missouri early in the forenoon； and camping at Miry River； on the northeast side of the Missouri。 On the second day they arrived at the principal village of the Minnetarees； where they were received with cordial welcome by their old friends。 The explorers fired their blunderbuss several times by way of salute； and the Indian chiefs expressed their satisfaction at the safe return of the white men。 One of the Minnetaree chiefs； however； wept bitterly at the sight of the whites； and it was explained by his friends that their coming reminded him of the death of his son； who had been lately killed by the Blackfoot Indians。
Arriving at the village of the Mandans； of which Black Cat was the chief； a council was cal