This animal is commonly called the mountain sheep, and is often confounded with another animal, the “woolly sheep,” found more to the northward, about the country of the Flatheads.  The latter likewise inhabits cliffs in summer, but descends into the valleys in the winter.  It has white wool, like a sheep, mingled with a thin growth of long hair; but it has short legs, a deep belly, and a beard like a goat.  Its horns are about five inches long, slightly curved backwards, black as jet, and beautifully polished.  Its hoofs are of the same color.  This animal is by no means so active as the bighorn; it does not bound much, but sits a good deal upon its haunches.  It is not so plentiful either; rarely more than two or three are seen at a time.  Its wool alone gives a resemblance to the sheep; it is more properly of the flesh is said to have a musty flavor; some have thought the fleece might be valuable, as it is said to be as fine as that of the goat Cashmere, but it is not to be procured in sufficient quantities.

The ahsahta, argali, or bighorn, on the contrary, has short hair like a deer, and resembles it in shape, but has the head and horns of a sheep, and its flesh is said to be delicious mutton.  The Indians consider it more sweet and delicate than any other kind of venison.  It abounds in the Rocky Mountains, from the fiftieth degree of north latitude, quite down to California; generally in the highest regions capable of vegetation; sometimes it ventures into the valleys, but on the least alarm, regains its favorite cliffs and precipices, where it is perilous, if not impossible for the hunter to follow.

4.

An alarm—­Crow—­Indians—­Their appearance—­Mode of approach —­Their vengeful errand—­Their curiosity—­Hostility between the Crows and Blackfeet—­Loving conduct of the Crows—­ Laramie’s Fork—­First navigation of the—­Nebraska—­Great elevation of the country—­Rarity of the atmosphere—­Its effect on the wood-work of wagons—­Black Hills—­Their wild and broken scenery—­Indian dogs—­Crow trophies—­Sterile and dreary country—­Banks of the Sweet Water—­Buffalo hunting—­ Adventure of Tom Cain the Irish cook

When on the march, Captain Bonneville always sent some of his best hunters in the advance to reconnoitre the country, as well as to look out for game.  On the 24th of May, as the caravan was slowly journeying up the banks of the Nebraska, the hunters came galloping back, waving their caps, and giving the alarm cry, Indians!  Indians!

The captain immediately ordered a halt:  the hunters now came up and announced that a large war-party of Crow Indians were just above, on the river.  The captain knew the character of these savages; one of the most roving, warlike, crafty, and predatory tribes of the mountains; horse-stealers of the first order, and easily provoked to acts of sanguinary violence.  Orders were accordingly given to prepare for action, and every one promptly took the post that had been assigned him in the general order of the march, in all cases of warlike emergency.