The fort had a very cool and clean appearance. The great entrance, in
which I found the gentlemen assembled, and which was floored, and about
fifteen feet long, made a pleasant, shaded seat, through which the breeze
swept constantly; for this country is famous for high winds. In the course
of the conversation, I learned the following particulars, which will
explain the condition of the country. For several years the Cheyennes and
Sioux had gradually become more and more hostile to the whites, and in the
latter part of August, 1841, had had a rather severe engagement with a
party of sixty men, under the command of Mr. Frapp of St. Louis. The
Indians lost eight or ten warriors, and the whites had their leader and
four men killed. This fight took place on the waters of Snake river; and
it was this party, on their return under Mr. Bridger, which had spread so
much alarm among my people. In the course of the spring, two other small
parties had been cut off by the Sioux--one on their return from the Crow
nation, and the other among the Black hills. The emigrants to Oregon and
Mr. Bridger's party met here, a few days before our arrival. Divisions and
misunderstandings had grown up among them; they were already somewhat
disheartened by the fatigue of their long and wearisome journey, and the
feet of their cattle had become so much worn as to be scarcely able to
travel. In this situation, they were not likely to find encouragement in
the hostile attitude of the Indians, and the new and unexpected
difficulties which sprang up before them. They were told that the country
was entirely swept of grass, and that few or no buffalo were to be found
on their line of route; and, with their weakened animals, it would be
impossible for them to transport their heavy wagons over the mountains.
Under these circumstances, they disposed of their wagons and cattle at the
forts; selling them at the prices they had paid in the States, and taking
in exchange coffee and sugar at one dollar a pound, and miserable worn-out
horses, which died before they reached the mountains. Mr. Boudeau informed