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CHAPTER XXIII.
Departure from Green River Valley—Popo Agie—its course—the rivers into which it runs—scenery of the bluffs—the great Tar Spring—volcanic tracts in the Crow country—burning mountain of Powder River—Sulphur Springs—hidden fires—Colter's Hell—Wind River—Campbell's party—Fitzpatrick and his trappers—Captain Stewart, an amateur traveller—Nathaniel Wyeth—anecdotes of his expedition to the Far West—disaster of Campbell's party—a union of bands—the bad pass—the Rapids—departure of Fitzpatrick—embarkation of peltries—Wyeth and his bull boat—adventures of Captain Bonneville in the Bighorn Mountains—adventures in the plains—traces of Indians—travelling precautions—dangers of making a smoke—the rendezvous.
On the 25th of July Captain Bonneville struck his tents, and set out on his route for the Bighorn, at the head of a party of fifty-six men, including those who were to embark with Cerré. Crossing the Green River valley, he proceeded along the south point of the Wind River range of mountains, and soon fell upon the track of Mr. Robert Campbell's party, which had preceded him by a day. This he pursued, until he perceived that it led down the banks of the Sweet Water to the southeast. As this was different from his proposed direction, he left it; and turning to the northeast, soon came upon the waters of the Popo Agie. This stream tales its rise in the Wind River Mountains. Its name, like most Indian names, is characteristic. Popo, in the Crow language signifying head; and Agie, river. It is the head of a long river, extending from the south end of the Wind River Mountains in a northeast direction, until it falls into the Yellowstone. Its course is generally through plains, but is twice crossed by chains of mountains; the first called the Littlehorn, the second the Bighorn. After it has forced its way through the first chain, it is called the Horn River. After the second chain it is called the Bighorn River. Its passage through this last chain is rough and violent; making repeated falls, and rushing down long and furious