As they crept cautiously on, leading their
solitary pack-horse along these giddy heights, they all at once came to
where the river thundered down a succession of precipices, throwing up
clouds of spray, and making a prodigious din and uproar. The travellers
remained, for a time, gazing with mingled awe and delight, at this
furious cataract, to which Mr. Stuart gave, from the color of the
impending rocks, the name of "The Fiery Narrows."
CHAPTER XLIX.
Wintry Storms.--A Halt and Council.--Cantonment for the
Winter.--Fine Hunting Country.--Game of the Mountains and
Plains.-Successful Hunting--Mr. Crooks and a Grizzly Bear.--
The Wigwam.--Bighorn and Black-Tails.--Beef and Venison.--
Good Quarters and Good Cheer.--An Alarm.--An Intrusion.--
Unwelcome Guests.-Desolation of the Larder.--Gormandizing
Exploits of Hungry Savages.--Good Quarters Abandoned.
THE travellers encamped for the night on the banks of the river below
the cataract. The night was cold, with partial showers of rain and
sleet. The morning dawned gloomily, the skies were sullen and overcast,
and threatened further storms; but the little band resumed their
journey, in defiance of the weather. The increasing rigor of the season,
however, which makes itself felt early in these mountainous regions,
and on these naked and elevated plains, brought them to a pause, and
a serious deliberation, after they had descended about thirty miles
further along the course of the river.
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