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first across the continent-第53部分

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inside of two of them。  They did not eat any of them perfectly raw; but the entrails had very little cooking; the fawns were boiled whole; and the hide; hair; and entrails all consumed。  The Shoshonee was offended at not having as much venison as he wished; and refused to interpret; but as we took no notice of him; he became very officious in the course of a few hours; and made many efforts to reinstate himself in our favor。 The brother of Twisted…hair; and Neeshnepahkeeook; now drew a sketch; which we preserved; of all the waters west of the Rocky Mountains。〃

They now met Twisted…hair; in whose care they had left their horses and saddles the previous fall; and this was the result of their inquiries:

〃Between three and four o'clock in the afternoon we set out; in company with Neeshuepahkeeook and other Indians; the brother of Twisted…hair having left us。  Our route was up a high steep hill to a level plain with little wood; through which we passed in a direction parallel to the 'Kooskooskee' River for four miles; when we met Twisted…hair and six of his people。 To this chief we had confided our horses and a part of our saddles last autumn; and we therefore formed very unfavorable conjectures on finding that he received us with great coldness。 Shortly afterward he began to speak in a very loud; angry manner; and was answered by Neeshnepahkeeook。  We now discovered that a violent quarrel had arisen between these chiefs; on the subject; as we afterward understood; of our horses。 But as we could not learn the cause; and were desirous of terminating the dispute; we interposed; and told them we should go on to the first water and camp。  We therefore set out; followed by all the Indians; and having reached; at two miles' distance; a small stream running to the right; we camped with the two chiefs and their little bands; forming separate camps at a distance from each other。 They all appeared to be in an ill humor; and as we had already heard reports that the Indians had discovered and carried off our saddles; and that the horses were very much scattered; we began to be uneasy; lest there should be too much foundation for the report。 We were therefore anxious to reconcile the two chiefs as soon as possible; and desired the Shoshonee to interpret for us while we attempted a mediation; but be peremptorily refused to speak a word。 He observed that it was a quarrel between the two chiefs; and he had therefore no right to interfere; nor could all our representations; that by merely repeating what we said he could not possibly be considered as meddling between the chiefs; induce him to take any part in it。

〃Soon afterward Drewyer returned from hunting; and was sent to invite Twisted…hair to come and smoke with us。  He accepted the invitation; and as we were smoking the pipe over our fire he informed us that according to his promise on leaving us at the falls of the Columbia; he had collected our horses and taken charge of them as soon as he reached home。 But about this time Neeshnepahkeeook and Turmachemootoolt (Broken…arm); who; as we passed; were on a war…party against the Shoshonees on the south branch of Lewis' River; returned; and becoming jealous of him; because the horses had been confided to his care; were constantly quarrelling with him。  At length; being an old man and unwilling to live in perpetual dispute with these two chiefs; he had given up the care of the horses; which had consequently become very much scattered。 The greater part of them were; however; still in the neighborhood; some in the forks between the Chopunnish and Kooskooskee; and three or four at the village of Broken Arm; about half a day's march higher up the river。  He added; that on the rise of the river in the spring; the earth had fallen from the door of the cache; and exposed the saddles; some of which had probably been lost; but that; as soon as be was acquainted with the situation of them; he had them buried in another deposit; where they now were。 He promised that; if we would stay the next day at his house; a few miles distant; he would collect such of the horses as were in the neighborhood; and send his young men for those in the forks; over the Kooskooskee。  He moreover advised us to visit Broken Arm; who was a chief of great eminence; and he would himself guide us to his dwelling。

〃We told him that we would follow his advice in every respect; that we had confided our horses to his care; and expected he would deliver them to us; on which we should cheerfully give him the two guns and the ammunition we had promised him。 With this he seemed very much pleased; and declared he would use every exertion to restore the horses。 We now sent for Neesbnepahkeeook; or Cut Nose; and; after smoking for some time; began by expressing to the two chiefs our regret at seeing a misunderstanding between them。 Neeshnepahkeeook replied that Twisted Hair was a bad old man; and wore two faces; for; instead of taking care of our horses; he had suffered his young men to hunt with them; so that they had been very much injured; and it was for this reason that Broken Arm and himself had forbidden him to use them。 Twisted Hair made no reply to this speech; and we then told Neeshnepahkeeook of our arrangement for the next day。 He appeared to be very well satisfied; and said he would himself go with us to Broken Arm; who expected to see us; and had TWO BAD HORSES FOR US; by which expression we understood that Broken Arm intended to make us a present of two horses。〃

Next day; the party reached the house of Twisted…hair; and began to look for their horses and saddles。  The journal gives this account of the search:

〃Late in the afternoon; Twisted…hair returned with about half the saddles we had left in the autumn; and some powder and lead which were buried at the same place。  Soon after; the Indians brought us twenty…one of our horses; the greater part of which were in excellent order; though some had not yet recovered from hard usage; and three had sore backs。 We were; however; very glad to procure them in any condition。 Several Indians came down from the village of Tunnachemootoolt and passed the night with us。  Cut…nose and Twisted…hair seem now perfectly reconciled; for they both slept in the house of the latter。 The man who had imposed himself upon us as a brother of Twisted…hair also came and renewed his advances; but we now found that he was an impertinent; proud fellow; of no respectability in the nation; and we therefore felt no inclination to cultivate his intimacy。 Our camp was in an open plain; and soon became very uncomfortable; for the wind was high and cold; and the rain and hail; which began about seven o'clock; changed in two hours to a heavy fall of snow; which continued till after six o'clock 'May 10th'; the next morning; when it ceased; after covering the ground eight inches deep and leaving the air keen and cold。  We soon collected our horses; and after a scanty breakfast of roots set out on a course S。 35'0 E。〃

They were now following the general course of the Kooskooskee; or Clearwater; as the stream is called; and their route lay in what is now Nez Perce County; Idaho。  They have passed the site of the present city of Lewiston; named for Captain Lewis。  They have arrived in a region inhabited by the friendly Chopunnish; or Nez Perce; several villages of which nation were scattered around the camp of the white men。 The narrative says:

〃We soon collected the men of consideration; and after smoking; explained how destitute we were of provisions。  The chief spoke to the people; who immediately brought two bushels of dried quamash…roots; some cakes of the roots of cows; and a dried salmon…trout; we thanked them for this supply; but observed that; not being accustomed to live on roots alone; we feared that such diet might make our men sick; and therefore proposed to exchange one of our good horses; which was rather poor; for one that was fatter; and which we might kill。 The hospitality of the chief was offended at the idea of an exchange; he observed that his people had an abundance of young horses; and that if we were disposed to use that food we might have as many as we wanted。  Accordingly; they soon gave us two fat young horses; without asking anything in return; an act of liberal hospitality much greater than any we have witnessed since crossing the Rocky Mountains; if it be not in fact the only really hospitable treatment we have received in this part of the world。  We killed one of the horses; and then telling the natives that we were fatigued and hungry; and that as soon as we were refreshed we would communicate freely with them; began to prepare our repast。

〃During this time a principal chief; called Hohastillpilp; came from his village; about six miles distant; with a party of fifty men; for the purpose of visiting us。  We invited him into our circle; and he alighted and smoked with us; while his retinue; with five elegant horses; continued mounted at a short distance。 While this was going on; the chief had a large leathern tent spread for us; and desired that we would make it our home so long as we remained at his village。  We removed there; and having made a fire; and cooked our supper of horseflesh and roots; collected all the distinguished me

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