Chapter XIV

Mr. Stuart—Snake River—Trappers—Joyous meeting—Trapper’s
resolution—Crow Indians’ troubles—Horses change masters—Mr.
Stuart on foot—M‘Lellan left alone—Hardships of the party—Famine—
Le Clerc’s horrid proposition—The old bull—The old horse—Pilot
knobs—Winter quarters—Unwelcome visitors—Change of quarters—
Spring—Travelling at random—An Otto Indian—River Platte—Two
traders—News of the war—The Missouri—The old horse given for an
old canoe—St. Louis—Mr. Astor—Wallamitte—Falls—Scenery—Habits of
the Collap-poh-yea-ass tribes—Concourse of savages—M‘Dougall’s
letter—{xiii} M‘Kenzie’s stratagem—Indian disappointment—The ship
_Beaver_—Coasting voyage—Mr. Astor’s policy—Captains—Their
instructions—Mr. Hunt baulked in his plans—The Boston merchants—
Mr. Astor’s conduct—Difficulties of Mr. Hunt’s situation—The ship
_Albatross_—All the parties at headquarters 222