be procured in sufficient quantities.

The ahsahta, argali, or bighorn, on the contrary, has short hair like a
deer, and resembles it in shape, but has the head and horns of a sheep,
and its flesh is said to be delicious mutton. The Indians consider it
more sweet and delicate than any other kind of venison. It abounds in
the Rocky Mountains, from the fiftieth degree of north latitude,
quite down to California; generally in the highest regions capable of
vegetation; sometimes it ventures into the valleys, but on the least
alarm, regains its favorite cliffs and precipices, where it is perilous,
if not impossible for the hunter to follow.




4.

An alarm--Crow--Indians--Their appearance--Mode of approach
--Their vengeful errand--Their curiosity--Hostility between
the Crows and Blackfeet--Loving conduct of the Crows--
Laramie's Fork--First navigation of the--Nebraska--Great
elevation of the country--Rarity of the atmosphere--Its
effect on the wood-work of wagons--Black Hills--Their wild
and broken scenery--Indian dogs--Crow trophies--Sterile and
dreary country--Banks of the Sweet Water--Buffalo hunting--
Adventure of Tom Cain the Irish cook

WHEN ON THE MARCH, Captain Bonneville always sent some of his best
hunters in the advance to reconnoitre the country, as well as to look
out for game. On the 24th of May, as the caravan was slowly journeying