overtaken by their pursuers near Rock Independence, in the valley of the
Sweet Water; but his skill and resolution saved them from surprise; and,
small as his force was; they did not venture to attack him openly. Here
they lost one of their party by an accident, and, continuing up the
valley, they came suddenly upon the large village. From these they met
with a doubtful reception. Long residence and familiar acquaintance had
given to Mr. Fitzpatrick great personal influence among them, and a
portion of them were disposed to let him pass quietly; but by far the
greater number were inclined to hostile measures; and the chiefs spent the
whole of one night, during which they kept the little party in the midst
of them, in council, debating the question of attacking them the next day;
but the influence of "the Broken Hand," as they called Mr. Fitzpatrick,
(one of his hands having been shattered by the bursting of a gun,) at
length prevailed, and obtained for them an unmolested passage; but they
sternly assured him that this path was no longer open, and that any party
of the whites which should hereafter be found upon it would meet with
certain destruction. From all that I have been able to learn, I have no
doubt that the emigrants owe their lives to Mr. Fitzpatrick.

Thus it would appear that the country was swarming with scattered war
parties; and when I heard, during the day, the various contradictory and
exaggerated rumors which were incessantly repeated to them, I was not
surprised that so much alarm prevailed among my men. Carson, one of the
best and most experienced mountaineers, fully supported the opinion given
by Bridger of the dangerous state of the country, and openly expressed his
conviction that we could not escape without some sharp encounters with the
Indians. In addition to this, he made his will; and among the
circumstances which were constantly occurring to increase their alarm,
this was the most unfortunate; and I found that a number of my party had
become so much intimidated, that they had requested to be discharged at