ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. Ill 



fired by the men, who, according to orders, assembled around it. 

 AH in camp were then allowed the free and uncontrolled use of 

 liquor, and, as usual, the consequence was a scene of rioting, 

 noise, and fighting, during the whole day ; some became so 

 drunk that their senses fled them entirely, and they were there- 

 fore harmless ; but by far the greater number were just suffi- 

 ciently under the influence of the vile trash, to render them in 

 their conduct disgusting and tiger-like. We had "gouging," 

 biting, fisticuffing, and " stamping" in the most " scientific" per- 

 fection ; some even fired guns and pistols at each other, but 

 these weapons were mostly harmless in the unsteady hands 

 which employed them. Such scenes I hope never to witness 

 again ; they are absolutely sickening, and cause us to look upon 

 our species with abhorrence and loathing. Night at last came, 

 and cast her mantle over our besotted camp ; the revel was over, 

 and the men retired to their pallets peaceably, but not a few of 

 them will bear palpable evidence of the debauch of the 5th of 

 August. 



The next morning we commenced packing, and at 11 o'clock 

 bade adieu to " Fort Hall." Our company now consists of but 

 thirty men, several Indian women, and one hundred and sixteen 

 horses. We crossed the main Snake, or Shoshone river, at a 

 point about three miles from the fort. It is here as wide as the 

 Missouri at Independence, but, beyond comparison, clearer and 

 more beautiful. 



Immediately on crossing the river, we entered upon a wide, 

 sandy plain, thickly covered with wormwood, and early in the 

 afternoon, encamped at the head of a delightful spring, about ten 

 miles from our starting place. 



On the route, our hunters killed a young grizzly bear, which, 

 with a few grouse, made us an excellent dinner. Fresh meat is 

 now very grateful to our palates, as we have been living for 

 weeks past on nothing but poor, dried buffalo, the better, and 



