ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 249 



This Bird was formerly attached to the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany, and was made prisoner by the Blackfeet, in a skirmish 

 several years ago. He has since remained with them, and has 

 become a great chief, and leader of their war parties. He is said 

 to be a man of good education, and to possess the most unbound- 

 ed influence over the savage people among whom he dwells. He 

 was known to be a personal enemy of Goddin, whom he had 

 sworn to destroy on the first opportunity. 



We also hear, that three of Captain Wyeth's men who lately 

 visited us, had been assaulted on their way to Fort Hall, by a band 

 of Walla-walla Indians, who, after beating them severely, took 

 from them all their horses, traps, ammunition, and clothing. They 

 were, however, finally induced to return them each a horse and 

 gun, in order that they might proceed to the interior, to get fresh 

 supplies. This was a matter of policy on the part of the Indians, 

 for if the white men had been compelled to travel on foot, they 

 would have come immediately here to procure fresh horses, &c., 

 and thus exposed the plunderers. Mr. Pambrun is acquainted 

 with the ringleader of this band of marauders, and intends to 

 take the first opportunity of inflicting upon him due punishment, 

 as well as to compel him to make ample restitution for the stolen 

 property, and broken heads of the unoffending trappers. 



I have had this evening, some interesting conversation with 

 our guests, the missionaries. They appear admirably qualified 

 for the arduous duty to which they have devoted themselves, 

 their minds being fully alive to the mortifications and trials inci- 

 dent to a residence among wild Indians ; but they do not shrink 

 from the task, believing it to be their religious duty to engage in 

 this work. The ladies have borne the journey astonishingly ; 

 they look robust and healthy. 



3d. — Mr. M'Leod and myself embarked in a large bat- 



teau, with six men, and bidding farewell to Mr. Pambrun and the 



missionaries, were soon gliding down the river. We ran, to-day, 



32 



