ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 147 



feelings, and trotted on briskly, as though they too rejo iced in 

 the opportunity of escaping the dreaded hills and rocks. To- 

 wards evening we crossed a single range of low hills and came 

 to a small round prairie, with good water and excellent pasture. 

 Here we found a family of Kayouse Indians, and encamped 

 within sight of them. Two squaws from this family, visited us 

 soon after, bringing some large kamas cakes and fermented roots, 

 which we purchased of them. 



31sf. — Our route this morning, was over a country generally 

 level and free from rocks ; we crossed, however, one short, and 

 very steep mountain range, thickly covered with tall and heavy 

 pine trees, and came to a large and beautiful prairie, called the 

 Grand ronde. Here we found Captain Bonneville's company, 

 which has been lying here several days, waiting the arrival of 

 its trapping parties. We made a noon camp near it, and were 

 visited by Captain Bonneville. This was the first time I had 

 seen this gentleman. His manners were atfable and pleasing, 

 and he seemed possessed of a large share of bold, adventurous, 

 and, to a certain extent, romantic spirit, without which no man 

 can expect to thrive as a mountain leader. He stated that he 

 preferred the " free and easy" life of a mountain hunter and 

 trapper, to the comfortable and luxurious indolence of a dweller 

 in civilized lands, and would not exchange his homely, but 

 wholesome mountain fare, and his buffalo lodge, for the most 

 piquant dishes of the French artiste, and the finest palace in 

 the land. This came well from him, and I was pleased with it, 

 althoush I could not altogether agree with him in sentiment, 

 for I confess I had become somewhat weary of rough travelling 

 and rough fare, and looked forward with no little pleasure to 

 a long rest under a Christian roof, and a general participation 

 in Christian living. 



With the captain, came a whole troop of Indians, Kayouse, 



