Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/127

Rh will wipe you from the face of the earth. Go away now, and come to-night if you wish. But remember; I have but one tongue. I talk straight.”

The Indians took him at his word. Our horses, excepting a few, were allowed to wander, unguarded, over the prairie, but none of them were disturbed. These people afterwards brought us fish, and whatever else they had to sell, and we traded with them. They appeared to have abandoned all idea of disturbing us, and we had no more difficulty with them.

On the 6th of June, we left Fort Boise, and traveled up Snake River, on the South side.

On the 8th, we noticed a Comet in the North West. We observed it with a common spy glass, and it was so distinct, that we could not be mistaken. It continued to appear, in the same quarter, for many days.

On the 10th, at the middle of the day, we came to the place, where emigrants generally cross over to the North side of the river. There was some demand in our camp for horse-shoes and horse-shoe nails, and one of the party, who reported himself to be an excellent swimmer, and at the same time, something of a brave, had been saying for several days previous, that he knew where a large lot of such articles had been buried on an island, at this crossing, and promised, besides, when we we came to the place, to swim over and get them. We now reminded him of his promise. He hesitated a little, but finally consented, by another person agreeing to accompany him. It was but a short swim to the island, and the person who went with him made it easily; but he, when he had got about two thirds of the way over, became frightened, strangled, and called for help. His companion in the enterprise, assisted him to the shore, and he began to search for the hidden treasures: but time had obliterated the marks, either from the place, or from his memory; and the search was in vain. His companion became satisfied, in a few minutes, and returned; but he who was the leader in the enterprise, and was such an excellent swimmer, and above all, who was so brave, shrank from the dangers of another voyage. He had now, neither confidence in his craft, nor crew. He was lame in his arm, subject to the cramp, short winded, and withal, a little afraid. He was in a sad condition, perfectly naked, while the rays of a mid-day sun, were pouring down with a withering intensity. In the shade, he was literally covered with hungry musquetoes; and out of it, he was blistered by the excessive heat of the sun. It was an hour, before an Indian could get horses to bring him off; and during this time, he enjoyed all the