CHAPTER XLVIII. -- Spanish River Scenery.-Trail of Crow Indians.-A Snow- Storm.-A Rousing Fire and a Buffalo Feast.-A Plain of Salt.-Climbing a Mountain.-Volcanic Summit.-Extinguished Crater.-Marine Shells.- Encampment on a Prairie.- Successful Hunting.-Good Cheer.-Romantic Scenery-Rocky Defile.-Foaming Rapids.-The Fiery Narrows. CHAPTER XLIX. -- Wintry Storms.-A Halt and Council.-Cantonment for the Winter.-Fine Hunting Country.-Game of the Mountains and Plains.- Successful Hunting-Mr. Crooks and a Grizzly Bear.- The Wigwam.-Bighorn and Black-Tails.-Beef and Venison.- Good Quarters and Good Cheer.-An Alarm.-An Intrusion.- Unwelcome Guests.-Desolation of the Larder.- Gormandizing Exploits of Hungry Savages.-Good Quarters Abandoned. CHAPTER L. -- Rough Wintry Travelling-Hills and Plains.-Snow and Ice.- Disappearance of Game.-A Vast Dreary Plain.-A. Second Halt for the Winter.-Another Wigwam.-New Year's Feast.-Buffalo Humps, Tongues, and Marrow-Bones.-Return of Spring.-Launch of Canoes.-Bad Navigation.- Pedestrian March.-Vast Prairies.-Deserted Camps.-Pawnee Squaws.-An Otto Indian.-News of War.-Voyage Down the Platte and the Missouri.-Reception at Fort Osage.-Arrival at St. Louis. CHAPTER LI. -- Agreement Between Mr. Astor and the Russian Fur Company- War Between the United States and Great Britain.-Instructions to Captain Sowle of the Beaver-Fitting Out of the Lark.- News of the Arrival of Mr. Stuart. CHAPTER LII. -- Banks of the Wallah-Wallah.-Departure of David Stuart for the Oakinagan.-Mr. Clarke's Route Up Lewis River.- Chipunnish, or Pierced-Nose Indians-Their Character, Appearance, and Habits.-Thievish Habits.-Laying Up of the Boats.-Post at Pointed Heart and Spokan Rivers.-M'Kenzie, His Route Up the Camoenum.-Bands of Travelling Indians.- Expedition of Reed to the Caches.-Adventures of Wandering Voyageurs and Trappers. CHAPTER LIII. -- Departure of Mr. Hunt in the Beaver-Precautions at the Factory.-Detachment to the Wollamut.-Gloomy Apprehensions.- Arrival of M'Kenzie.-Affairs at the Shahaptan.-News of War.-Dismay of M'Dougal.- Determination to Abandon Astoria.- Departure of M'Kenzie for the Interior.-Adventure at the Rapids.-Visit to the Ruffians of Wish-ram.-A Perilous Situation.-Meeting With M'Tavish and His Party.-Arrival at the Shahaptan.-Plundered Caches.-Determination of the Wintering Partners Not to Leave the Country.-Arrival of Clarke Among the Nez Perces.-The Affair of the Silver Goblet.-Hanging of An Indian.-Arrival of the Wintering Partners at Astoria. CHAPTER LIV. -- The Partners Displeased With M'Dougal.-Equivocal Conduct of That Gentleman-Partners Agree to Abandon Astoria.-Sale of Goods to M'Tavish.-Arrangements for the Year.-Manifesto Signed by the Partners- Departure of M'Tavish for the Interior.