Chapter VI: 39 (3)

{204} This immense tract of country has now become the theatre of American enterprise. There prevails amongst the natives west of the mountains, a spirit of wild adventure, which reminds us of the fictitious characters of Ariosto. The American hunters constitute a class, different from any people known to the east of the mountains. The life which they lead is exceedingly fascinating. Their scene ever changing--ever presenting something new. Confined by no regular pursuit--their labor is amusement. I have called the region watered by the Missouri and its tributaries, THE PARADISE OF HUNTERS; it is indeed to them a paradise. I have been acquainted with several, who, on returning to the settlements, became in a very short time dissatisfied, and wandered away to these regions, as delightful to them, as are the regions of fancy to the poet.

“Theirs the wild life, in frolick still to range,
From toil to rest, and joy in every change.”

[53] For a representation of painted robes, see
Smithsonian _Report_, 1885, part ii, pp. 397-406.
On picture-writing in general, consult Mallery,
“Picture-Writing of American Indians,” Bureau of
Ethnology _Report_, 1888-89.--ED.

APPENDIX[54]

[_I extract the following from the “Views of Louisiana,” to assist
the reader in forming a general idea of that interesting portion
of the American empire._][55]