returned, leading the frightened horse; but though they had scoured the
country, and looked out and shouted from every height, they had seen
nothing of his rider.

As Captain Bonneville knew Tom's utter awkwardness and inexperience,
and the dangers of a bewildered Irishman in the midst of a prairie, he
halted and encamped at an early hour, that there might be a regular hunt
for him in the morning.

At early dawn on the following day scouts were sent off in every
direction, while the main body, after breakfast, proceeded slowly on its
course. It was not until the middle of the afternoon that the hunters
returned, with honest Tom mounted behind one of them. They had found him
in a complete state of perplexity and amazement. His appearance caused
shouts of merriment in the camp,--but Tom for once could not join in
the mirth raised at his expense: he was completely chapfallen, and
apparently cured of the hunting mania for the rest of his life.




5.

Magnificent scenery--Wind River--Mountains--Treasury of
waters--A stray horse--An Indian trail--Trout streams--The
Great Green River Valley--An alarm--A band of trappers--
Fontenelle, his information--Sufferings of thirst--
Encampment on the Seedskedee--Strategy of rival traders--
Fortification of the camp--The--Blackfeet--Banditti of the
mountains--Their character and habits