The Washington Irving Library

In which the enterprising Mr. Astor anxiously navigates the turbulent waters of international rivalry and war, seeking government aid to defend his distant post at Astoria amidst British designs and naval threats. His hopes are briefly lifted by fortunate tidings from the far west, only to be clouded once more by unforeseen naval deployments and the perils of a blockaded harbour that imperil his v...

In which the partners at Astoria grapple with the troubling conduct of Mr. M’Dougal and, influenced by prevailing hardships and mistrust, resolve upon the reluctant decision to abandon the settlement within the year. A formal manifesto is drawn and dispatched, outlining their dire circumstances and setting the course for future departures and arrangements amidst a landscape fraught with uncertaint...

In which our narrative, turning to the distant and rugged regions beyond the mountains, follows the ventures of Mr. Robert Stuart’s scattered parties as they navigate encounters with the industrious yet thievish Chipunnish tribe, the wild roaming bands of restless Indians, and the misadventures of wandering voyageurs and trappers amid the caches of buried trade goods. In this chapter, the hardy me...

In which a diminished and watchful Astoria faces the uneasy presence of wary and sometimes hostile tribes, whilst the news of war and the hardships of the interior posts cast a shadow over the company’s prospects. The narrative gently unfolds the trials of the traders as they navigate perilous diplomacy, stolen goods, and stern justice, all amid a landscape both bountiful and fraught with uncertai...

In which Mr. Astor negotiates a pivotal agreement with the Russian Fur Company to secure the American fur trade along the Pacific coast, whilst war between the United States and Great Britain casts a shadow of uncertainty over his ambitious enterprise. Amidst fears of rival encroachment and perilous delays, his steadfast resolve is briefly brightened by the news of his agent's successful expeditio...

In which a hardy party endures the harsh winter landscape along the Platte River, contending with scarce game and the hardship of snow-clad prairies as they establish a winter encampment, celebrating modest festivities amid their toil. Their journey continues into spring, encompassing precarious canoe voyages and encounters with Native tribes, culminating in a welcome return to civilisation and th...

In which a band of hardy travellers brave the onset of winter and the perils of the wilderness, tracing the paths of wary Crow Indians, discovering salt plains, volcanic summits, and marine relics, and pursuing a rugged route marked by freezing winds and snow-storms. They find sustenance in the chase and shelter beside roaring rivers and precipitous passes, delighting in the fierce grandeur of unt...

In which a hardy band of travellers, encountering the early severity of winter amid lofty mountains and broad plains, take counsel and establish a snug camp, where the woodlands and rivers promise abundant game and material comforts. Their hopes of a serene season are abruptly disturbed by the unexpected arrival of a wary war party, whose voracious appetites and uneasy presence compel a wary retre...

In which a party of rugged travellers, suddenly bereft of their horses, must resolve to bear their burdens on foot through a formidable wilderness, contending with both the rigours of nature and watchful Indian eyes. As they navigate rugged mountains and icy rivers, their spirits are tested by isolation, harsh weather, and the ailing health of one of their number, all whilst one among them obstina...

In which the intrepid travellers, beset by hunger and the perils of the wilderness, encounter grizzly bears, harsh mountain landscapes, and signs of solitary wanderers, all whilst striving to sustain themselves amid the bounty and scarcity that nature affords. Their journey brings them momentary respite through a kindly encounter with a humble band of Snake Indians, forging a fragile alliance amid...

In which the resolute Mr. Stuart and his party traverse bleak and arid landscapes, contend with relentless thirst, encounter a treacherous Indian guide, and make the fortuitous discovery of old companions more worn by hardship than their surroundings. Their journey leads them to a thriving salmon fishery and the storied Caldron Linn, where provisions are gathered and new decisions forged amidst th...

In which a band of weary travellers, stretched thin across barren Snake River deserts and rugged mountainous terrain, encounters both the menace and cunning of Crow Indians whose bold stratagems test their vigilance and forbearance. Through tense exchanges marked by bluff and daring, the party navigates the precarious balance between open conflict and cautious diplomacy in a wild, watchful land.

In which the enterprising Mr. Astor, mindful of political and commercial interests, dispatches the ship Beaver to supply and reinforce the fur establishments on the northwest coast, with cautious instructions given to her commander amidst uncertain tidings. Upon the Beaver’s arrival off the Columbia, a tense waiting and wary signalling ensues, until finally friendly responses are received and the...

In which the arrival of reinforcements at Astoria invigorates the establishment’s enterprises, prompting the dispatch of several parties on perilous expeditions, notably one led by the young Robert Stuart entrusted with despatches to New York, amid challenges that include a companion's tragic mental decline and the treacherous navigation of river rapids teeming with opportunistic and hostile nativ...

In which a small but resolute band of pioneers at Astoria undertake perilous expeditions through treacherous river passages and hostile Indian tribes, daring to transport goods and dispatches despite frequent pilfering, attack, and stratagem. Their trials are marked by moments of daring, negotiation, and hardship, culminating in a fortunate reunion that enables their return to the settlement in sa...

In which the reader is presented with a discerning account of the neighbouring native tribes near Astoria, their appearance, customs, and social habits being laid bare with a gentle and respectful curiosity. The narrative further explores their singular modes of dress, religious beliefs, and singular customs, whilst noting their keen trading prowess and surprising self-restraint in the matter of s...

In which the passing winter at Astoria is marked by scant game and the hopeful return of plentiful fish, notably the uthlecan and salmon, upon which the local Indigenous peoples rely and furnish trade. The narrative unfolds with a detailed portrait of the rugged coast, its diverse flora and fauna, and the mild climate west of the mountains that together compose a land both rich and inviting, albei...

In which the shrewd yet dishonest inhabitants of Wish-ram exhibit their peculiar wooden dwellings and keen trading intelligence, while Mr. Hunt contends with their roguery and acquires sombre news of the Tonquin massacre. Following arduous struggles through rocky wilderness and scarce sustenance, Mr. Hunt and his scattered comrades are joyfully reunited at Astoria, where a heartfelt celebration ho...

In which a famished party, led by Mr. Hunt, encounters a Shoshonie camp and procures horses and a supply of meat by an act of necessity, before enduring further hardship in their attempts to cross the river and navigate difficult mountain terrain with dubious guidance. Despite their enfeebled state and gloomy forebodings, they manage a perilous ferrying of supplies and men across the ice-filled wa...

In which a weary party, fraught with hardship and scanty provisions, journey westward through wintry valleys and rugged mountains, finding solace and sustenance among various Indian tribes whose customs and dwellings are curiously observed. Their path leads at last to the majestic Columbia River, where the mild climate and whispers of distant settlements rekindle hope and anticipation for the jour...

In which the weary travellers, having covered many a dreary mile, encounter a famished yet familiar party whose plight confirms the cruel severity of their ordeal, compelling a choice betwixt perilous paths amid treacherous mountains and biting cold. Thus compelled, Mr. Hunt resolves upon a retrograde march to seek aid among wandering Indian bands, whilst his company dwindles with despair and impa...

In which a resolute band of travellers, pressed by advancing winter and scant provisions, embark on a rugged journey along the riverbank through barren deserts and mountainous defiles, encountering wary but occasionally generous native tribes and enduring severe hardships of thirst, hunger, and relentless cold. Their fortitude is tested by treacherous terrain and dwindling sustenance, yet they per...

In which a forlorn band of explorers contends with the forbidding and treacherous passage of a wild river, exploring uncertain paths and establishing secret caches as they seek relief amid the wilderness. Their spirits wane as fruitless expeditions return with disheartening news, and the river’s fury earns a grim sobriquet that bespeaks their growing despair.

In which a party of voyageurs embarks upon the hastily constructed canoes to navigate the wild and uncharted Snake River, meeting with the challenges of rapids, rocky straits, and the solitude of a rugged wilderness populated only by wary natives and silent beaver dwellings. The perils of the river culminate in a grievous accident at the fearful whirlpool known as The Caldron Linn, casting a sombe...

In which the company enjoys a fruitful respite in a verdant hunting ground, forging a cautious friendship with the native Snakes, whose buffalo meat and beaver skins promise mutual advantage. Their course then leads them to the lofty Tetons and the swift Mad River, inspiring hopes of an easier passage by water, though the wilderness ahead remains daunting.