Page 102 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

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98 WISCONSIN III~YORICAL COLLECTIONS.

party was at the same time dispatched by sea to co-operate with
HUNT and his adventurous band in establishing a trading post
at the mouth df the Columbia River.
The sufferings and hardships encountered on this expedition,
baffle description. For over three years, from the departure of
CROOKS and his companions from St. Louis until his return, did
these adventures and privations continue; traversing as they
did, by their circuitous route, going and returning, about seven
thousand miles, over horrid mountain passes, along wild streams
and over dangerous cascades, through deep snows, and constn,ntly
running the gauntlet, as it were, of savage and hostile tribes.
On one occasion, when Cnooxs was dispatched with a few men
from the main party, he and his companions were reduced
almost to starvation. "For the first eighteen days," says
IRVING, leaving the Caldron Linn, he and his mcn had
"after
been confined to half a meal in twenty-four hours; for three
days following, they had subsisted on a single beaver, a fev
wild cherries, and the soles of old moccasins, and for the last
six days, thcir only animal food had been the carcass of a dog;"
and thus they became "so feeble as to walk with di5culty." In
this condition, when they rejoined the main party, they were
not long able to keep up with the others, all living on a scanty
supply of horse flesh, when CROOKS and his emaciated compan-
ions were left behind to recruit, and then to follow the trail of
the advanced party. When CROOKS and his men ventured to
renew their 'weary journey, in the midst of winter, they at length
reached the Wallah Wallah Indians, who relieved their immedi-
ate necessities; but in the spring they were robbed of their
rifles and clothing, by less friendly savages, and driven off with
not so much as a flint and steel with which to make an evening
fire. After much suffering and many wanderings, they were
overtaken by another party of whites, and at length, on the 11th
of May, 1812, reached Astoria.
On the 29th of June, following, CROOKS with his adven-
turous companions started on their return over the mountains to
the Atlantic States-one soon gave out, his mind becoming