Milton Sublette was the Pelorus of this adventurous bark; being somewhat experienced in this wild kind of navigation.  It required all his attention and skill, however, to pilot her clear of sand-bars and snags of sunken trees.  There was often, too, a perplexity of choice, where the river branched into various channels, among clusters of islands; and occasionally the voyagers found themselves aground and had to turn back.

It was necessary, also, to keep a wary eye upon the land, for they were passing through the heart of the Crow country, and were continually in reach of any ambush that might be lurking on shore.  The most formidable foes that they saw, however, were three grizzly bears, quietly promenading along the bank, who seemed to gaze at them with surprise as they glided by.  Herds of buffalo, also, were moving about, or lying on the ground, like cattle in a pasture; excepting such inhabitants as these, a perfect solitude reigned over the land.  There was no sign of human habitation; for the Crows, as we have already shown, are a wandering people, a race of hunters and warriors, who live in tents and on horseback, and are continually on the move.  At night they landed, hauled up their boat to dry, pitched their tent, and made a rousing fire.  Then, as it was the first evening of their voyage, they indulged in a regale, relishing their buffalo beef with inspiring alcohol; after which, they slept soundly, without dreaming of Crows or Blackfeet.  Early in the morning, they again launched the boat and committed themselves to the stream.

In this way they voyaged for two days without any material occurrence, excepting a severe thunder storm, which compelled them to put to shore, and wait until it was passed.  On the third morning they descried some persons at a distance on the river bank.  As they were now, by calculation, at no great distance from Fort Cass, a trading post of the American Fur Company, they supposed these might be some of its people.  A nearer approach showed them to be Indians.  Descrying a woman apart from the rest, they landed and accosted her.  She informed them that the main force of the Crow nation, consisting of five bands, under their several chiefs, were but about two or three miles below, on their way up along the river.  This was unpleasant tidings, but to retreat was impossible, and the river afforded no hiding place.  They continued forward, therefore, trusting that, as Fort Cass was so near at hand, the Crows might refrain from any depredations.

Floating down about two miles further, they came in sight of the first band, scattered along the river bank, all well mounted; some armed with guns, others with bows and arrows, and a few with lances.  They made a wildly picturesque appearance managing their horses with their accustomed dexterity and grace.  Nothing can be more spirited than a band of Crow cavaliers.  They are a fine race of men averaging six feet in height, lithe and active, with hawks’ eyes and Roman noses.  The latter feature is common to the Indians on the east side of the Rocky Mountains; those on the western side have generally straight or flat noses.