ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 131 



In the afternoon, we observed a number of Indians on the oppo- 

 site side of the river, engaged in fishing for salmon. Captain W. 

 and two men immediately crossed over to them, carrying with 

 them a few small articles to exchange for fish. We congratu- 

 lated ourselves upon our good fortune in seeing these Indians, 

 and were anticipating a plentiful meal, when Captain W. and his 

 companions returned, bringing only three small salmon. The 

 Indians had been unsuccessful in fishing, not having caught 

 enough for themselves, and even the offer of exorbitant sums 

 was not sufficient to induce them to part with more. 



In the afternoon, a grouse and a beaver were killed, which, 

 added to the remains of the colt, and our three little salmon, made 

 us a tolerable supper. While we were eating, we were visited by a 

 Snake chief, a large and powerful man, of a peculiarly dignified 

 aspect and manner. He was naked, with the exception of a small 

 blanket which covered his shoulders, and descended to the middle 

 of the back, being fastened around the neck with a silver 

 skewer. As it was pudding time with us, our visitor was of 

 course invited to sit and eat ; and he, nothing loath, deposited 

 himself at once upon the ground, and made a remarkably 

 vigorous assault upon the mixed contents of the dish. He had 

 not eaten long, however, before we perceived a sudden and inex- 

 plicable change in his countenance, which was instantly followed 

 by a violent ejectment of a huge mouthful of our luxurious fare. 

 The man rose slowly, and with great dignity, to his feet, and pro- 

 nouncing the single word " shekum," (horse,) in a tone of 

 mingled anger and disgust, stalked rapidly out of the camp, not 

 even wishing us a good evening. It struck me as a singular in- 

 stance of accuracy and discrimination in the organs of taste. 

 We had been eating of the multifarious compound without being 

 able to recognise, by the taste, a single ingredient which it con- 

 tained ; a stranger came amongst us, who did not know, when he 



