CHAPTER XL. -- Natives in the Neighborhood of Astoria-Their Persons and Characteristics.-Causes of Deformity-Their Dress.- Their Contempt of Beards-Ornaments-Armor and Weapons.-Mode of Flattening the Head.-Extent of the Custom.-Religious Belief.-The Two Great Spirits of the Air and of the Fire.- Priests or Medicine Men.-The Rival Idols.-Polygamy a Cause of Greatness-Petty Warfare.-Music, Dancing, Gambling.- Thieving a Virtue.- Keen Traders-Intrusive Habits- Abhorrence of Drunkenness-Anecdote of Comcomly. CHAPTER XLI. -- Spring Arrangements at Astoria.-Various Expeditions Set Out.-The Long Narrows.-Pilfering Indians.-Thievish Tribe at Wish-ram.- Portage at the Falls-Portage by Moonlight.- An Attack, a Route, and a Robbery.-Indian Cure for Cowardice.-A Parley and Compromise.-The Despatch Party Turn Back.-Meet Crooks and John Day.-Their Sufferings.- Indian Perfidy.-Arrival at Astoria. CHAPTER XLII -- Comprehensive Views.-To Supply the Russian Fur Establishment.-An Agent Sent to Russia.-Project of an Annual Ship.-The Beaver Fitted Out.-Her Equipment and Crew.-Instructions to the Captain.- The Sandwich Islands.-Rumors of the Fate of the Tonquin.-Precautions on Reaching the Mouth of the Columbia. CHAPTER XLIII. -- Active Operations at Astoria-Various Expeditions Fitted Out.-Robert Stuart and a Party Destined for New York- Singular Conduct of John Day.-His Fate.-Piratical Pass and Hazardous Portage.- Rattlesnakes.-Their Abhorrence of Tobacco.-Arrival Among the Wallah- Wallahs.-Purchase of Horses-Departure of Stuart and His Band for the Mountains. CHAPTER XLIV. -- Route of Mr. Stuart-Dreary Wilds.-Thirsty Travelling.-A Grove and Streamlet.-The Blue Mountains.-A Fertile Plain With Rivulets.- Sulphur Spring-Route Along Snake River- Rumors of White Men.-The Snake and His Horse.-A Snake Guide.-A Midnight Decampment.-Unexpected Meeting With Old Comrades-Story of Trappers' Hardships-Salmon Falls-A Great Fishery.-Mode of Spearing Salmon.-Arrival at the Caldron Linn.-State of the Caches.-New Resolution of the Three Kentucky Trappers. CHAPTER XLV. -- The Snake River Deserts.-Scanty Fare.-Bewildered Travellers-Prowling Indians-A Giant Crow Chief.-A Bully Rebuked-Indian Signals.-Smoke on the Mountains.-Mad River.-An Alarm.-An Indian Foray-A Scamper.-A Rude Indian joke.-A Sharp-Shooter Balked of His Shot. CHAPTER XLVI. -- Travellers Unhorsed-Pedestrian Preparations-Prying Spies. -Bonfires of Baggage-A March on Foot.-Rafting a River-The Wounded Elk.-Indian Trails.-Willful Conduct of Mr. M'Lellan.-Grand Prospect From a Mountain.-Distant Craters of Volcanoes-Illness of Mr. Crooks. CHAPTER XLVII. -- Ben Jones and a Grizzly Bear.-Rocky Heights-Mountain Torrents.-Traces of M'Lellan.-Volcanic Remains-Mineral Earths.-Peculiar Clay for Pottery.-Dismal Plight of M'Lellan.-Starvation.-Shocking Proposition of a Desperate Man.-A Broken-Down Bull.-A Ravenous Meal.- Indian Graves- Hospitable Snakes.-A Forlorn Alliance.