first across the continent-第48章
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party camped for the night within a few miles of the site of the present city of Missoula； Montana。 Here they were forced to part from their good friends and allies； the Indians； who had crossed the range with them。 These men were afraid that they would be cut off by their foes； the Pahkees； and they wanted to find and join some band of the Indian nation with whom they were on terms of friendship。 The journal gives this account of the parting：
〃We now smoked a farewell pipe with our estimable companions； who expressed every emotion of regret at parting with us； which they felt the more； because they did not conceal their fears of our being cut off by the Pahkees。 We also gave them a shirt； a handkerchief； and a small quantity of ammunition。 The meat which they received from us was dried and left at this place； as a store during the homeward journey。 This circumstance confirms our belief that there is no route along Clark's River to the Columbian plains so near or so good as that by which we came； for； though these people mean to go for several days' journey down that river； to look for the Shalees ＇Ootlashoots＇； yet they intend returning home by the same pass of the mountains through which they have conducted us。 This route is also used by all the nations whom we know west of the mountains who are in the habit of visiting the plains of the Missouri； while on the other side； all the war…paths of the Pahkees which fall into this valley of Clark's River concentre at Traveller's…rest； beyond which these people have never ventured to the west。〃
During the next day or two； Captain Lewis kept on the same general course through a well…watered country； the ground gradually rising as be approached the base of the mountains。 Tracks of Indians； supposed to be Pahkees； became more numerous and fresh。 On the seventh of July； the little company went through the famous pass of the Rocky Mountains； now properly named for the leaders of the expedition。 Here is the journal's account of their finding the Lewis and Clark Pass：
〃At the distance of twelve miles we left the river； or rather the creek； and having for four miles crossed two ridges in a direction north fifteen degrees east； again struck to the right； proceeding through a narrow bottom covered with low willows and grass； and abundantly supplied with both deer and beaver。 After travelling seven miles we reached the foot of a ridge； which we ascended in a direction north forty…five degrees east； through a low gap of easy ascent from the westward； and； on descending it； were delighted at discovering that this was the dividing ridge between the waters of the Columbia and those of the Missouri。 From this gap Fort Mountain is about twenty miles in a northeastern direction。 We now wound through the hills and mountains； passing several rivulets which ran to the right； and at the distance of nine miles from the gap encamped； having made thirty…two miles。 We procured some beaver； and this morning saw tracks of buffalo； from which it appears that those animals do sometimes penetrate a short distance among the mountains。〃
Next day the party found themselves in clover； so to speak。 Game was plenty； and； as their object now was to accumulate meat for the three men who were to be left at the falls （and who were not hunters）； they resolved to strike the Medicine； or Sun； River and hunt down its banks。 On that river the journal； July 10； has this to say：
〃In the plains are great quantities of two species of prickly…pear now in bloom。 Gooseberries of the common red kind are in abundance and just beginning to ripen； but there are no currants。 The river has now widened to one hundred yards； it is deep； crowded with islands； and in many parts rapid。 At the distance of seventeen miles； the timber disappears totally from the river…bottoms。 About this part of the river； the wind； which had blown on our backs； and constantly put the elk on their guard； shifted round； we then shot three of them and a brown bear。 Captain Lewis halted to skin them； while two of the men took the pack…horses forward to seek for a camp。 It was nine o'clock before he overtook them； at the distance of seven miles； in the first grove of cottonwood。 They had been pursued as they came along by a very large bear； on which they were afraid to fire； lest their horses； being unaccustomed to the gun； might take fright and throw them。 This circumstance reminds us of the ferocity of these animals； when we were last near this place； and admonishes us to be very cautious。 We saw vast numbers of buffalo below us； which kept up a dreadful bellowing during the night。 With all our exertions we were unable to advance more than twenty…four miles； owing to the mire through which we are obliged to travel； in consequence of the rain。〃
The Sun； or Medicine； River empties into the Missouri just above the great falls of that stream； and near here； opposite White Bear Islands； the expedition had deposited some of their property in a cache dug near the river bank； when they passed that way； a year before。 On the thirteenth of the month； having reached their old camping…ground here； the party set to work making boat…gear and preparing to leave their comrades in camp well fixed for their stay。 The journal adds：
〃On opening the cache； we found the bearskins entirely destroyed by the water； which in a flood of the river had penetrated to them。 All the specimens of plants； too； were unfortunately lost： the chart of the Missouri； however； still remained unhurt； and several articles contained in trunks and boxes had suffered but little injury； but a vial of laudanum had lost its stopper； and the liquid had run into a drawer of medicines； which it spoiled beyond recovery。 The mosquitoes were so troublesome that it was impossible even to write without a mosquito bier。 The buffalo were leaving us fast； on their way to the southeast。〃
One of the party met with an amusing adventure here； which is thus described：
〃At night M'Neal； who had been sent in the morning to examine the cache at the lower end of the portage； returned； but had been prevented from reaching that place by a singular adventure。 Just as he arrived near Willow run； he approached a thicket of brush in which was a white bear； which he did not discover till he was within ten feet of him。 His horse started； and wheeling suddenly round； threw M'Neal almost immediately under the bear； which started up instantly。 Finding the bear raising himself on his hind feet to attack him； he struck him on the head with the butt end of his musket； the blow was so violent that it broke the breech of the musket and knocked the bear to the ground。 Before he recovered M'Neal； seeing a willow…tree close by； sprang up； and there remained while the bear closely guarded the foot of the tree until late in the afternoon。 He then went off； M'Neal being released came down； and having found his horse； which had strayed off to the distance of two miles； returned to camp。 These animals are； indeed； of a most extraordinary ferocity； and it is matter of wonder that in all our encounters we have had the good fortune to escape。 We are now troubled with another enemy； not quite so dangerous； though even more disagreeable…these are the mosquitoes； who now infest us in such myriads that we frequently get them into our throats when breathing； and the dog even howls with the torture they occasion。〃
The intention of Captain Lewis was to reach the river sometimes known as Maria's； and sometimes as Marais； or swamp。 This stream rises near the boundary between Montana and the British possessions； and flows into the Missouri； where the modern town of Ophir is built。 The men left at the great falls were to dig up the canoes and baggage that had been cached there the previous year； and be ready to carry around the portage of the falls the stuff that would be brought from the two forks of the Jefferson； later on； by Sergeant Ordway and his party。 It will be recollected that this stuff had also been cached at the forks of the Jefferson； the year before。 The two parties； thus united； were to go down to the entrance of Maria's River into the Missouri； and Captain Lewis expected to join them there by the fifth of August； if he failed to meet them by that time； they were to go on down the river and meet Captain Clark at the mouth of the Yellowstone。 This explanation is needed to the proper understanding of the narrative that follows； for we now have to keep track of three parties of the explorers。
Captain Lewis and his men； having travelled northwest about twenty miles from the great falls of the Missouri； struck the trail of a wounded buffalo。 They were dismayed by the sight； for that assured them that there were Indians in the vicinity； and the most natural thing to expect was that these were Blackfeet； or Minnetarees； both of these tribes are vicious and rascally people； and they would not hesitate to attack a small party and rob them of their guns； if they thought themselves able to get away with them。
They were now in the midst of vast herds of buffalo； so numerous that the whole number seemed one immense herd。 Hanging on the flanks were many wolves； hares and antelope were also abundant。 On the fourth day out； Captain Lewis struck the north fork of Maria's River； now known as Cut…bank River； in the northwest corner of Montana。 He was desirous of following up the stream； to ascertain； if possible； whether its fountain…head was below； or above； the boundary between the United States and the British possessions。 Bad weather and an accident to his chronometer prevented his accomplishing his purpose； and； on the twenty…sixth of July； he turned reluctantly back； giving the name of Cape Disappointment to his last camping…place。 Later in that day； as they were travelling down the main stream （Maria's River）； they encountered the Indians whom they had hoped to avoid。 Let us read the story as it is told in the journal of the party：
〃At the distance of three miles we ascended the hills close to the river…side； while Drewyer pursued the valley of the river on the opposite side。 But scarcely had Captain Lewis reached the high plain when he saw； about a mile on his left； a collection of about thirty horses。 He immediately halted； and by the aid of his spy…glass discovered that one…half of the horses were saddled； and that on the eminence above the horses several Indians were looking down toward the river； probably at Drewyer。 This was a most unwelcome sight。 Their probable numbers rendered any contest with them of doubtful issue； to attempt to escape would only invite pursuit； and our horses were so bad that we must certainly be overtaken； besides which； Drewyer could not yet be aware that the Indians were near； and if we ran be would most probably be sacrificed。 We therefore determined to make the most of our situation； and advance toward them in a friendly manner。 The flag which we had brought in case of any such accident was therefore displayed； and we continued slowly our march toward them。 Their whole attention was so engaged by Drewyer that they did not immediately discover us。 As soon as they did see us； they appeared to be much alarmed and ran about in confusion； some of them came down the hill and drove their horses
