The Washington Irving Library

The Adventures of Captain Bonneville Chapter 49

In which Captain Bonneville and his brigade rendezvous at Wind River amidst the tumultuous conflicts between the Crow and Blackfeet tribes, witnessing the fierce warfare and the profound sagacity of horses vital to the trapper’s life. The narrative closes upon the trappers’ return to civilisation, meditating on the inevitable fading of the wild mountain life and the futurity of this vast, untamed wilderness.

The Adventures of Captain Bonneville Chapter 48

In which Captain Bonneville’s party breaks up winter quarters to move along the Green River, ever vigilant against lurking dangers, where they encounter a distressed trapper and his Blackfoot bride seeking aid. Through her vivid account, the narrative reveals the hardships and fierce loyalty endured by an Indian wife amidst the rugged life of the mountains.

The Adventures of Captain Bonneville Chapter 47

In which a winter in the wilderness is marked by plentiful game and lively camaraderie between rival tribes newly mingled in friendly sport and curious devotion, while visits from free trappers spark scenes of revelry and tender entanglements. Amidst this hearty conviviality, a delicate drama unfolds as old attachments and new passions stir, culminating in a daring flight and a rustic settlement of grievances between lovers and rivals.

The Adventures of Captain Bonneville Chapter 46

In which Captain Bonneville and his party, beleaguered by scarcity and denied aid by the Hudson’s Bay Company, traverse rugged mountains and rivers in desperate search of sustenance, finding relief among vast herds of buffalo and the abundance of salmon along the Snake River. Amidst harsh winter conditions, tensions between rival Indian tribes are delicately mediated by the captain, leading to a peaceful union and culminating in a remarkable communal hunt of antelopes known as “a surround.”

The Adventures of Captain Bonneville Chapter 45

In which the peaceful and industrious Skynses tribe, known for their remarkable horses and devout observance of a Sabbath blessed with prayer and reflection, engage in trade and community life under the kindly influence of Hudson’s Bay Company missionaries. The narrative paints a picture of their harmonious manners, religious ceremonies, and spirited recreations, alongside the subtle rise of new religious leaders who blend ancient custom with novel fervour.