Here they found traces of the band of Indians who had hunted them in the defile towardthe head waters of Wind River. Having lost all trace of them on their way over themountains, they had turned and followed back their trail down the Green River valley tothe caches. One of these they had discovered and broken open, but it fortunatelycontained nothing but fragments of old iron, which they had scattered about in alldirections, and then departed. In examining their deserted camp, Captain Bonnevillediscovered that it numbered thirty-nine fires, and had more reason than ever tocongratulate himself on having escaped the clutches of such a formidable band offreebooters.
He now turned his course southward, under cover of the mountains, and on the 25th ofOctober reached Liberge's Ford, a tributary of the Colorado, where he came suddenlyupon the trail of this same war party, which had crossed the stream so recently that thebanks were yet wet with the water that had been splashed upon them. To judge fromtheir tracks, they could not be less than three hundred warriors, and apparently of theCrow nation.
Captain Bonneville was extremely uneasy lest this overpowering force should comeupon him in some place where he would not have the means of fortifying himselfpromptly. He now moved toward Hane's Fork, another tributary of the Colorado, wherehe encamped, and remained during the 26th of October. Seeing a large cloud of smoketo the south, he supposed it to arise from some encampment of Shoshonies, and sentscouts to procure information, and to purchase a lodge. It was, in fact, a band ofShoshonies, but with them were encamped Fitzpatrick and his party of trappers. Thatactive leader had an eventful story to relate of his fortunes in the country of the Crows.
After parting with Captain Bonneville on the banks of the Bighorn, he made for thewest, to trap upon Powder and Tongue Rivers. He had between twenty and thirty menwith him, and about one hundred horses. So large a cavalcade could not pass throughthe Crow country without attracting the attention of its freebooting hordes. A large bandof Crows was soon on their traces, and came up with them on the 5th of September,just as they had reached Tongue River. The Crow chief came forward with greatappearance of friendship, and proposed to Fitzpatrick that they should encamptogether. The latter, however, not having any faith in Crows, declined the invitation, andpitched his camp three miles off. He then rode over with two or three men, to visit theCrow chief, by whom he was received with great apparent cordiality. In the meantime,however, a party of young braves, who considered them absolved by his distrust fromall scruples of honor, made a circuit privately, and dashed into his encampment.
Captain Stewart, who had remained there in the absence of Fitzpatrick, behaved withgreat spirit; but the Crows were too numerous and active. They had got possession ofthe camp, and soon made booty of every thing --carrying off all the horses. On theirway back they met Fitzpatrick returning to his camp; and finished their exploit by riflingand nearly stripping him.
A negotiation now took place between the plundered white men and the triumphantCrows; what eloquence and management Fitzpatrick made use of, we do not know, buthe succeeded in prevailing upon the Crow chieftain to return him his horses and manyof his traps; together with his rifles and a few rounds of ammunition for each man. Hethen set out with all speed to abandon the Crow country, before he should meet withany fresh disasters.
After his departure, the consciences of some of the most orthodox Crows pricked themsorely for having suffered such a cavalcade to escape out of their hands. Anxious towipe off so foul a stigma on the reputation of the Crow nation, they followed on his trial,nor quit hovering about him on his march until they had stolen a number of his besthorses and mules. It was, doubtless, this same band which came upon the lonelytrapper on the Popo Agie, and generously gave him an old buffalo robe in exchange forhis rifle, his traps, and all his accoutrements. With these anecdotes, we shall, forpresent, take our leave of the Crow country and its vagabond chivalry. [Return to Contents].
