118 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



struck again to the westward, and following a small 

 creek to its junction with the Green River, ascended 

 that stream, trapping en route to the Uintah or Snake 

 Fork, and arrived at Roubideau's rendezvous early in 

 the fall, where they quickly disposed of their peltries, 

 and were once more on " the loose." 



Here La Bonte married a Snake squaw, with whom 

 he crossed the mountains and proceeded to the Platte 

 through the Bayou Salade, where he purchased of the 

 Yutas a commodious lodge, with the necessary poles, 

 &c. ; and being now " rich " in mules and horses, and 

 in all things necessary for otium cum dignitate, he took 

 unto himself another wife, as by mountain law allowed ; 

 and thus equipped, with both his better halves attired 

 in all the glory of fofarraw, he went his way rejoicing. 



In a snug little valley lying under the shadow of the 

 mountains, watered by Vermilion Creek, and in which 

 abundance of buffalo, elk, deer, and antelope fed and 

 fattened on the rich grass, La Bonte raised his lodge, 

 employing himself in hunting, and fully occupying his 

 wives' time in dressing the skins of the many animals 

 he killed. Here he enjoyed himself amazingly until 

 the commencement of winter, when he determined to 

 cross to the North Fork and trade his skins, of which 

 he had now as many packs as his animals could carry. 

 It happened that he one day left his camp, to spend a 

 couple of days hunting buffalo in the mountains, whither 

 the bulls were now resorting, intending to " put out " 

 for Platte on his return. His hunt, however, led him 

 farther into the mountains than he anticipated, and it 



