The Washington Irving Library

In which Mr. Hunt and his companions deliberate the merits of navigating a treacherous river versus traversing the rugged land, only to be convinced by various reports that the waterway is unfit for passage, leading them to seek a more promising location for their enterprise. Amidst preparations for continued trapping and trading, one member's unexpected decision to join the hunters on an uncertai...

In which the travellers traverse rugged mountain glens and form a temporary companionship with a wary band of Flatheads and Shoshonies, whose history and austere lives amid hostile foes are thoughtfully delineated. They press on through the challenging terrains of the Wind River and the Pilot Knobs, rejoicing at the sight of distant snowy peaks and finding solace in a verdant river valley abundant...

In which the travellers encounter the vigilant Crow Indians in the mountain region, navigating cautious exchanges tempered by mutual distrust and wary diplomacy. Their passage is marked by rugged equestrian displays, uneasy alliances, and a resolute pursuit through harsh terrain, all underscored by the ever-watchful threat of straying and misadventure.

In which Mr. Hunt and his party encounter the wild and rugged Black Mountains, home to predatory tribes, mysterious thunder-like sounds, and curious mountain fauna such as the black-tailed deer and the elusive bighorn. The travelers also face the alarming presence of grizzly bears, whose formidable nature and fierce encounters with hunters add a measure of tension and daring to their wilderness ad...

In which the travellers, traversing rugged and thirsty highlands, find relief and abundance along the banks of the Powder River amidst vast mountain vistas and the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. These towering and mysterious ranges inspire awe and Indian reverence, believed to be the abode of spirits and the gateway to the happy hunting-grounds beyond mortal sight.

In which the travellers make use of buffalo dung as fuel upon treeless plains, observe the fossilised oaks of a bygone era, and experience the restlessness of buffalo in their season of love. Meanwhile, anxieties mount over three missing hunters as signal fires are kindled to guide them home, and a scheme is devised to secure the loyalty of the troublesome Rose, culminating in a joyful reunion ami...

In which the travellers, having procured additional horses, continue their march through a strikingly rugged and fiery landscape, while a shadow of treachery is revealed within their midst, centred upon the dubious figure of Edward Rose, the interpreter. An account is given of the marauding Crow tribe and Rose’s desperado character, casting a sombre vigilance over the camp as Mr. Hunt wisely conce...

In which a party journeying across the vast and tree-less prairies encounters the clean and gallant Cheyenne tribe, whose admirable horsemanship and shifting fortunes are described with a touch of respectful curiosity and historical reflection. The narrative pauses also to lament the crude renaming of noble landscapes and to muse upon the melancholy and mysterious fate of the native peoples of the...

In which the steadfast preparations and grim anticipations of a daring expedition into the vast and desolate wilderness of the far West are delicately portrayed, revealing a land of parched plains, rugged mountains, and restless tribes, where the spirit of adventure is tempered by sobering challenges and uneasy alliances. The narrative gently unfolds the forebodings of the party, the murmurings of...

In which an Indian horse fair unfolds with vibrant scenes of Arickara hospitality, the social labours and amusements of men and women, and the mounting tensions wrought by rumours of lurking Sioux enemies. The narrative culminates in a solemn yet triumphant return of a war party, blending festal rejoicing with poignant lamentations that reveal the tender-heartedness beneath the fierce exterior of...

In which the riverbanks reveal a vast wilderness teeming with majestic herds of buffalo and fleet-footed antelopes, while the parties prepare with wary diplomacy to engage the Arickara village and its noble chiefs amid the ceremonials and trade negotiations of an ancient and honourable people. The uneasy rivalry between two trading companies is momentarily set aside as they share council smoke and...

In which the party, navigating the diverse and sometimes perilous landscapes along the Missouri River, encounters stirring news from veteran hunters that prompts a significant change in their planned route, and soon after confronts a formidable gathering of Sioux warriors determined to challenge their passage. Yet, through diplomatic parley and the ceremonial pipe of peace, hostilities give way to...

In which the explorers encounter old Indian foes and tense negotiations precede a narrow escape from a hostile war party, followed by a sharing of camaraderie and festivity with allied tribes. Yet, the arrival of a rival trader rekindles old grudges and brings about a stormy confrontation, threatening to disrupt the fragile peace of the expedition.

In which the expedition at the Omaha village receives troubling news of the menacing Sioux Tetons, known as fierce pirates of the Missouri, whose hostility threatens the traders’ progress, prompting unease, desertions, and a wary advance into perilous territory. Alongside the meeting of intrepid trappers and devoted naturalists, whose scientific pursuits offer a curious contrast to the surrounding...

In which the arrival of spring in the western wilderness brings forth a lively renewal of nature's wonders and the travellers resume their voyage with vigilance against warlike intrusions. The narrative further introduces the Omaha tribe, their customs, and the fierce yet poignant story of their celebrated chief, Blackbird, whose memory endures upon a solitary hill overlooking the Missouri.

In which the bustling frontier town of St. Louis unfolds with its diverse population of traders, hunters, and voyageurs, all converging on the lucrative fur trade amid the challenging navigation of the Missouri River. Mr. Hunt, assembling a hardy party of partners and skilled men, embarks upon a vigorous ascent of the river before winter's grip, pausing at Nodowa to prepare for the long journey ah...

In which Mr. Hunt encounters stiff competition and complications in securing loyal voyagers, notably the half-breed interpreter Pierre Dorion, whose familial and legal troubles add to the expedition's perplexities as they depart St. Louis amidst warnings of Indian hostilities and harsh wilderness conditions. Along the Missouri, the party meets venerable frontiersmen Daniel Boone and John Colter, t...

In which the settlers at Astoria, distressed by the loss of the Tonquin and surrounded by potential enemies, employ a clever ruse involving the dread of small-pox to maintain uneasy peace with the native tribes, while industrious efforts continue to build and equip their isolated outpost. As October’s rains signal the approach of winter, the arrival of hardy individuals from diverse backgrounds en...

In which we accompany a land-bound expedition led by the upright Mr. Wilson Price Hunt and his seasoned companion Mr. Donald M’Kenzie, as they navigate the trials of recruiting voyageurs and negotiating the lively, often unruly world of fur trading posts such as Mackinaw. The narrative delicately portrays the interplay of hardy adventurers, local colour, and the perils lurking in wilderness realms...

In which the settlers at Astoria, alarmed by rumours of a native conspiracy and preparations for hostilities, fortify their position whilst the ill-fated Tonquin ventures northward only to meet with a tragic and violent end amidst misunderstandings and mistrust. Captain Thorn's stern but impetuous conduct culminates in a deadly conflict, illustrating the grave perils of commerce and conquest on th...

In which the Astorians, upon hearing troubling reports of rival traders venturing within their domain, dispatch a party upriver to explore and establish a counterpost, encountering both the majestic natural scenery and solemn indigenous customs along the Columbia. Amidst these earnest preparations and cautious diplomacy, the narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of the river’s formidable rapid...

In which we are gently introduced to the intricate geography and the diverse native tribes inhabiting the mouth of the Columbia River, their piscatory lifestyle, skill in canoe navigation, and the curious custom of flattening the forehead as a mark of freedom and status. Our narrative follows the explorers’ earnest quest to select a trading site, their encounter with the hospitable and shrewd one-...

In which the foundations of Astoria are laid at Point George amidst the vigour of spring, with hopes and labours devoted to establishing a trading post and cultivating the land, even as the arrival of local Indigenous visitors stirs both curiosity and consternation among the settlers. The captain's stern measures to maintain order aboard the Tonquin and his diligent, albeit somewhat irritable, dev...

In which we visit the fertile and picturesque Sandwich Islands, observing the enterprising Tamaahmaah and his naval prowess, alongside the curious mingling of native customs and European influences, including the shrewd trade dealings that mark the islanders’ approach to commerce. The narrative follows the interactions between the American Fur Company’s representatives and the islanders, as they n...

In which the Tonquin departs the verdant Sandwich Islands amid growing mistrust between captain and crew, leading to tensions that colour the voyage to the wild and treacherous mouth of the Columbia River. There, the perils of navigating the stormy bar bring disaster to the boat crews and cast a sombre shadow over the enterprise, marked by loss and the simple but poignant burial rites of a loyal c...