4.
An alarm--Crow--Indians--Their appearance--Mode of approach
--Their vengeful errand--Their curiosity--Hostility between
the Crows and Blackfeet--Loving conduct of the Crows--
Laramie's Fork--First navigation of the--Nebraska--Great
elevation of the country--Rarity of the atmosphere--Its
effect on the wood-work of wagons--Black Hills--Their wild
and broken scenery--Indian dogs--Crow trophies--Sterile and
dreary country--Banks of the Sweet Water--Buffalo hunting--
Adventure of Tom Cain the Irish cook
WHEN ON THE MARCH, Captain Bonneville always sent some of his best
hunters in the advance to reconnoitre the country, as well as to look
out for game. On the 24th of May, as the caravan was slowly journeying
up the banks of the Nebraska, the hunters came galloping back, waving
their caps, and giving the alarm cry, Indians! Indians!
The captain immediately ordered a halt: the hunters now came up and
announced that a large war-party of Crow Indians were just above, on the
river. The captain knew the character of these savages; one of the
most roving, warlike, crafty, and predatory tribes of the mountains;
horse-stealers of the first order, and easily provoked to acts of
sanguinary violence. Orders were accordingly given to prepare for
action, and every one promptly took the post that had been assigned him
in the general order of the march, in all cases of warlike emergency.
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