A winter camp in the wilderness Medley of trappers, hunters, and Indians Scarcity of game New arrangements in the camp Detachments sent to a distance Carelessness of the Indians when encamped Sickness among the Indians Excellent character of the Nez Perces The Captain's effort as a pacificator A Nez Perce's argument in favor of war Robberies, by the Black feet Long suffering of the Nez Perces A hunter's Elysium among the mountains More robberies The Captain preaches up a crusade The effect upon his hearers.
A familiar intercourse of some standing with the Pierced-nose and Flathead Indians had now convinced Captain Bonneville of their amicable and inoffensive character; he began to take a strong interest in them, and conceived the idea of becoming a pacificator, and healing the deadly feud between them and the Blackfeet, in which they were so deplorably the sufferers.
This they announced as the chief of the belligerent village, but as a great
pacificator. His people had been furiously bent upon the attack, and would have doubtless carried it into effect, but this gallant chief had stood forth as the friend of white men, and had dispersed the throng by his own authority and prowess.