fit for only horse and foot, as far as the captain had gone.
"We had an old Injun for guide who'd been living in another village further west," related John. "He says we can't go to the south'ard, for the land's bare rocks and high mountains without game, and the horses' hoofs'd be cut to pieces, and the Broken Moccasin Indians would kill us. 'Tisn't the direction we want to go, anyhow. The Injuns we met said winter was due, with big snows, and soon the salmon would be leaving for lower country. So the captain decided to turn back and advise Captain Lewis that we'd better tackle another road he'd heard of from the guide, farther to the north, into the Tushepaw country on the big river. After we'd struck the big river, which like as not is the Columby, we could follow it down to the Pacific. Anyhow, the Tushepaws might know."
Captain Lewis immediately began to bargain for twenty horses. The prices were being raised, so that soon a young horse cost a pistol, 100 balls, some powder and a knife.
Sergeant Pat arrived from Captain Clark's camp below, to ask how matters were shaping.
"'Tis a hard road ahead, lads," he confirmed. "Cruzatte will tell you that. Sure, wance he was almost lost, himself. I was sint up here to inquire about the prospect of hosses; but what I want to learn, myself, is: are we have the pleasure of the comp'ny of the little Bird-woman?"
