Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 7).djvu/228

 we had better be off immediately. Taking the hint, we lost no time. Tents were struck; some had breakfasted, some not—kettles and dishes were all huddled together and bundled into the canoe, and, embarking pell-mell, we pushed with all haste from the inauspicious shore. We pushed our way down the current, passing the falls, the narrows, and the cascades, without the least interruption, and arrived safe at Astoria on the 14th day of June. And here we shall leave the party to recount to each other their various exploits, while we take up the thread of Mr. Stuart's adventures from Columbia to St. Louis.

{227} CHAPTER XIV[79]

Mr. Stuart—Snake River—Trappers—Joyous meeting—Trappers' resolution—Crow Indians' troubles—Horses change masters—Mr. Stuart on foot—M'Lellan left alone—Hardships of the party—Famine—Le Clerc's horrid proposition—The old bull—The old horse—Pilot-knobs—Winter quarters—Unwelcome visitors—Change of quarters—Spring—Travelling at random—An Otto Indian—River Platte—Two traders—News of the war—The Missouri—The old horse given for an old canoe—St. Louis—Mr. Astor—Wallamitte—Falls—Scenery—Habits of the Col-lap-poh-yea-ass tribes—Concourse of savages—M'Dougall's letter—M'Kenzie's stratagem—Indian disappointment—The ship Beaver—Coasting voyage—Mr. Astor's policy—Captains—Their instructions—Mr. Hunt baulked in his plans—The Boston merchants—Mr. Astor's conduct—Difficulties of Mr. Hunt's situation—The ship Albatross—All the parties at headquarters.

When we left Mr. Stuart on the 31st of July last, he