CHAPTER XXXIV.



  1848. MEEK'S party now consisted of himself Ebbarts,
Owens, and four men, who being desirous of returning to
the States took this opportunity. However, as thesnow
proved to be very deep on the Blue Mountains, and the
cold severe, two of these four volunteers became discour-
aged and concluded to remain at Fort Boise, where was a
small trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company.
  In order to avoid trouble with the Indians he might
meet on the western side of the Rocky mountains, Meek
had adopted the red belt and Canadian cap of the employees
of the Hudson's Bay Company; and to this precaution
was owing the fact of his safe passage through the coun-
try now all infected with hostility caught from the Cayuses.
About three days' travel beyond Fort Boise, the party
met a village of Bannack Indians, who at once made war-
like demonstrations; but on seeing Meek's costume, and
receiving an invitation to hold a 'talk', desisted, and re-
ceived the travelers in a friendly manner. Meek informed
the chief, with all the gravity which had won for him the
name of "shiam shuspusia" among the Crows in former
years, that he was going on the business of the Hudson's
Bay Company to Fort Hall; and that Thomas McKay was
a day's march behind with a large trading party, and
plenty of goods. On the receipt of this good news, the
chief ordered his braves to fall back, and permit the party
to pass. Yet, fearing the deception might be discovered,