Objects of American enterprise--gold hunting

and fur trading--their effect on colonization-

early French Canadian settlers-Ottowa and

Huron hunters--an Indian trading camp-

couriers des bois, or rangers of the woods--

their roaming life-their revels and excesses--
licensed traders--missionaries-trading posts
-primitive French Canadian merchant--his
establishment and dependants British Ca-

nadian fur merchant — origin of the North-
west Company its constitution its in-
ternal trade-a candidate for the company
-privations in the wilderness northwest
clerks northwest partners--a northwest nabob
-feudal notions in the forest--the lords of the
lakes-Fort William-its parliamentary hall
and banqueting room-was sailing in the wil-
derness,

302

305

CHAPTER III.

Fur trade in the Pacific--American coasting voy-

ages--Russian enterprises-discovery of the

Columbia River-Carver's project to found a

settlement there-Mackenzie's expedition--

Lewis and Clarke's journey across the Rocky

Mountains Mr. Astor's grand commercial

scheme -- his correspondence on the subject

with Mr. Jefferson--his negotiations with the

Northwest Company-his steps to carry his

scheme into effect,

CHAPTER IV.

.

Two expeditions set on foot-the Tonquin and

her crew-Captain Thorn, his character-the

partners and clerks Canadian voyageurs,

their habits, employments, dress, character,

songs--expedition of a Canadian boat and its

crew by land and water-arrival at New York

--preparations for a sea voyage-northwest

braggarts underhand precautions - letter of

instructions,

CHAPTER V.

Sailing of the Tonquin--a rigid commander and

a reckless crew-landsmen on shipboard-

fresh water sailors at sea-lubber nests--ship

fare a Labrador veteran literary clerks-

curious travellers-Robinson Crusoe's Island

--quarter-deck quarrels-Falkland Islands-

a wild goose chase-Port Egmont-epitaph

hunting-Old Mortality-penguin shooting --

PAGE

307

310

Opposition of the Missouri Fur Company

Blackfeet Indians Pierre Dorion, a half-breed

interpreter old Dorion and his hybrid

progeny-family quarrels-cross purposes be-

tween Dorion and Lisa -- renegadoes from

Nodowa perplexities of a commander -

Messrs. Bradbury and Nuttall join the expedi-

tion-legal embarrassments of Pierre Dorion-

departure from St. Louis-conjugal discipline

of a half-breed--annual swelling of the rivers

-Daniel Boon, the patriarch of Kentucky--

John Colter his adventures among the In-

dians--rumors of danger ahead--Fort Osage--

an Indian war-feast-troubles in the Dorion

family-Buffaloes and turkey-buzzards, .

--

CHAPTER XVI.

--

Return of spring--appearance of snakes--great

flights of wild pigeons--renewal of the voyage

--night encampments. - Platte River - cere-

monials on passing it--signs of Indian war

parties magnificent prospect at Papillion

Creek-desertion of two hunters-an irruption

into the camp of Indian desperadoes--village

of the Omahas--anecdotes of the tribe--feudal

wars of the Indians-story of Blackbird, the

famous Omaha chief,

CHAPTER XVII.

Rumors of danger from the Sioux Tetons--ruth-

less character of those savages--pirates of the

Missouri-their affair with Crooks and M'Lel-

lan--a trading expedition broken up- M'Lel-

lan's vow of vengeance- uneasiness in the

camp-desertions--departure from the Omaha

village--meeting with Jones and Carson, two

adventurous trappers scientific pursuits of

Messrs. Bradbury and Nuttall zeal of a

botanist-adventure of Mr. Bradbury with a

Ponca Indian--expedient of the pocket com-

pass and microscope-a messenger from Lisa

-motives for pressing forward,

335

339

.

342

CHAPTER XVIII.

Camp gossip --deserters recruits - Kentucky

hunters a veteran woodman-tidings of Mr.

Henry-danger from the Blackfeet--alteration

of plans-scenery of the river-buffalo roads-

iron ore country of the Sioux-a land of dan-

ger-apprehensions of the voyageurs-Indian

Scouts- threatened hostilities - a council of

war-an array of battle-a parley-the pipe of

peace-speech-making,

· 345

An Indian horse fair-love of the Indians for

horses-scenes in the Arickara village-Indian

hospitality-duties of Indian women-game

habits of the men-their indolence-love of

gossiping - rumors of lurking enemies

scouts-an alarm-a sallying forth-Indian

dogs-return of a horse-stealing party-an In-

dian deputation-fresh alarms-return of a

successful war party-dress of the Arickaras

-Indian toilet-triumphal entry of the war

party-meetings of relations and friends-

Indian sensibility--meeting of a wounded

warrior and his mother-festivities and lamen-

tations,

.

--

CHAPTER XXVI.

The Black Mountains-haunts of predatory In-

dians-their wild and broken appearance-

superstition concerning them-thunder spirits

singular noises in the mountains secret

mines--hidden treasures--mountains in labor

-scientific explanation-impassable de files--

black tailed deer--the bighorn or ahsahta-

prospect from a lofty height-plain with herds

of buffalo-distant peaks of the Rocky Moun-

tains--alarms in the camp--tracks of grizzly

bears-dangerous nature of this animal--ad-

ventures of William Cannon and John Day

with grizzly bears, .

PAGE

360

cessful-further disappointments--the Devil's

Scuttle Hole, . .

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Determination of the party to proceed on foot-
dreary deserts between Snake River and the
Columbia--distribution of effects preparatory
to a march-division of the party-rugged
march along the river-wild and broken scene-
ry-Shoshonies-alarm of a Snake encamp.
ment-intercourse with the Snakes-horse-
dealing-value of a tin kettle--sufferings from
thirst--a horse reclaimed-fortitude of an In-
dian woman-scarcity of food-dog's flesh a
dainty-news of Mr. Crooks and his party--
painful travelling among the mountains-snow-
storms a dreary mountain prospect-a bi-
vouac during a wintry night return to the
river bank,

CHAPTER XXXV.

.

An unexpected meeting-navigation in a skin

canoe-strange fears of suffering men--hard-

ships of Mr. Crooks and his comrades--tid-

ings of M'Lellan--a retrogade march--a wil-

low raft--extreme suffering of some of the

party-illness of Mr. Crooks--impatience of

some of the men-necessity of leaving the lag-

gards behind,

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Mr. Hunt overtakes the advanced party-Pierre

Dorion, and his skeleton horse-a Shoshonie

camp-a justifiable outrage-feasting on horse

flesh-Mr. Crooks brought to the camp-un-

dertakes to relieve his men - the skin ferry-

boat-frenzy of Prevost--his melancholy fate

-enfeebled state of John Day-Mr. Crooks

again left behind-the party emerge from

among the mountains-interview with Sho-

shonies--a guide procured to conduct the

party across a mountain--ferriage across Snake

River--reunion with Mr. Crooks's men-final

departure from the river,

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Departure from the Snake River--mountains to
the north-wayworn travellers--an increase of
the Dorion family--a camp of Shoshonies--a
New-Year festival among the Snakes--a win-
try march through the mountains--a sunny
prospect and milder climate-Indian horse-
tracks-grassy valleys--a camp of Sciatogas--
joy of the travellers-dangers of abundance-
habits of the Sciatogas--fate of Carriere-the
Umatalla-arrival at the banks of the Colum-
bia-tidings of the scattered members of the
expedition--scenery on the Columbia-tidings
of Astoria--arrival at the falls,

-

-

CHAPTER LIII.

Departure of Mr. Hunt in the Beaver-precau-

tions at the factory-detachment to the Walla-

mut gloomy apprehensions arrival of

M'Kenzie-affairs at Shahaptan-news of war

-dismay of M'Dougal determination to

abandon Astoria-departure of M'Kenzie för

the interior-adventure at the rapids-visit to

the ruffians of Wish-ram-a perilous situation-

meeting with M Tavish and his party-arrival

at the Shahaptan-plundered caches--deter-

mination of the wintering partners not to leave

the country-arrival of Clarke among the Nez

Percés-the affair of the silver goblet-hang-

411

412

ing of an Indian-arrival of the wintering

partners at Astoria, .

CHAPTER LIV.

The partners displeased with M'Dougal-equivo-

cal conduct of that gentleman-partners agree

to abandon Astoria-sale of goods to M'Tavish

-arrangements for the year-manifesto signed

by the partners-departure of M'Tavish for the

interior,

CHAPTER LV.

Anxieties of Mr. Astor-memorial of the North-

west Company--tidings of a British naval ex-

pedition agaist Astoria-Mr. Astor applies to

government for protection-the frigate Adams

ordered to be fitted out-bright news from As-

toria-sunshine suddenly overclouded, .

CHAPTER LVI.

Affairs of state at Astoria-M'Dougal proposes

for the hand of an Indian princess-matri-

monial embassy to Comcomly--matrimonial

notions among the Chinooks-settlements and

pin-money-the bringing home of the bride--a

managing father-in-law--arrival of Mr. Hunt

at Astoria,.

CHAPTER LVII.

Voyage of the Beaver to New Archangel--a Rus-

sian governor--roystering rule--the tyranny

of the table--hard drinking bargains--voyage

to Kamschatka--seal-catching establishment

at St. Paul's--storms at sea-Mr. Hunt left at

the Sandwich Islands-transactions of the

Beaver at Canton--return of Mr. Hunt to As-

toria, .

CHAPTER LVIII.

Arrangements among the partners-Mr. Hunt

sails in the Albatross--arrives at the Marquesas

-news of the frigate Phoebe--Mr. Hunt pro-

ceeds to the Sandwich Islands-voyage of the

Lark-her shipwreck--transactions with the

natives of the Sandwich Islands-conduct of

Tamaahmaah, .

CHAPTER LIX.

Arrival of M'Tavish at Astoria-conduct of his

followers negotiations of M'Dougal and

M'Tavish--bargain for the transfer of Astoria

--doubts entertained of the loyalty of M'Dou-

gal, .

CHAPTER LX.

Arrival of a strange sail--agitation at Astoria-

warlike offer of Comcomly--Astoria taken

possession of by the British-indignation of

Comcomly at the conduct of his son-in-law,

CHAPTER LXI.

Arrival of the brig Pedler at Astoria-breaking
up of the establishment--departure of several
of the company-tragical story told by the
squaw of Pierre Dorion-fate of Reed and his
companions--attempts of Mr. Astor to renew
his enterprise - disappointment--concluding
observations and reflections,

APPENDIX.

Draught of a petition to Congress, sent by Mr.

Astor in 1812,

PAGE

Letter from Mr. Gallatin to Mr. Astor,

Notices of the present state of the Fur Trade,

chiefly extracted from an article published in

Silliman's Journal for January, 1834,

Height of the Rocky Mountains,

Suggestions with respect to the Indian tribes, and

the protection of our trade,