These people were well formed, and many of the women had exceptionally fine figures if the judgment of the trappers can be trusted in this respect.

When a gun was fired they either fell prostrate or ran away, so little did they know about firearms.

The chief had a feast of young dog prepared for his guests, who partook of it with reluctance.

All communication was by signs, and when the chief imitated the beating of surf and drew a cow and a sheep in the sand, pointing west, they thought they were at last nearing the longed-for Spanish settlements, and went on their way joyfully.

Little did they imagine that the settlements the chief described were far off on the Californian coast.
* The reader may think I introduce too many year-dates but I have found most books so lacking in this regard that I prefer to err on the other side.
The new year, 1828, came in and still they were going down the river, taking many beaver.