They then proceeded toward the northwest "to appease the manes of their comrades by proofs that his death had been avenged, and they intended to have scalp dances and other triumphal rejoicings."

On the 26th, Bonneville's party camped at Laramie's fork "a clear and beautiful stream rising in the southwest, maintaing an average width of twenty yards, and winding through broad meadows, abounding in currants and gooseberries, and adorned with groves and clumps of trees.

Here Bonneville tells of his observations, and Irving includes the story of the building of Fort William. He tells also that in 1835, Robert Campbell descended the river in boats, thus proving what had always been in doubt, that the river was navigable. Of course this was Irving's opinion, but the facts have been related that fleets of boats had for years been descending the river, laden with peltries.

The boniface captain, the "bald chief." as the Indians called him, is now passing out of Scotts Bluff country, so wre will not follow his rambles in the wilderness.

In the spirit of fairness, one would think

that mention would have been made of wagons on the trail before Bonneville's party, for there must have been abundant evidences of the existence of Sublette's caravan, which had preceded them at the Laramie river only thirteen days.

But Bonneville was of French extraction, and the national characteristic is exaggeration and boast fulness. He was likely to omit anything that detracted from his glory. Bancroft is exceedingly severe in his criticism of Bonneville. Irving, who was Bonneville's chronicler of events, was a novelist. And one who has read Irving much is frequently amused at his exaggerations of the character of his heroes. Should his principal character, together with others, go on a spree, his would always "maintain the dignity of a gentleman, although intoxicated," while the other would be "beastly drunk."