CHAPTER XXXIV.
Determination of the Party to Proceed on Foot .-- Dreary Deserts Between Snake River and the Columbia .-- Distribution of Effects Preparatory to a March--Division of the Party .-- Rugged March Along the River .-- Wild and Broken Scenery .-- Shoshonies .-- Alarm of a Snake Encampment--Intercourse with the Snakes .-- Horse Dealing .-- Value of a Tin Kettle .-- Sufferings From Thirst--A Horse Reclaimed .-- Fortitude of an Indian Woman .-- Scarcity of Food .-- Dog's Flesh a Dainty .-- News of Mr.Crooks and His Party .-- Painful Travelling Among the Mountains .-- Snow Storms .-- A Dreary Mountain Prospect .-- A Bivouac During a Wintry Night .-- Return to the River Bank.
THE resolution of Mr.Hunt and his companions was now taken to set out immediately on foot.

As to the other detachments that had in a manner gone forth to seek their fortunes, there was little chance of their return; they would probably make their own way through the wilderness.
At any rate, to linger in the vague hope of relief from them would be to run the risk of perishing with hunger.

Besides, the winter was rapidly advancing, and they had a long journey to make through an unknown country, where all kinds of perils might await them.

They were yet, in fact, a thousand miles from Astoria, but the distance was unknown to them at the time: everything before and around them was vague and conjectural, and wore an aspect calculated to inspire despondency.
In abandoning the river, they would have to launch forth upon vast trackless plains destitute of all means of subsistence, where they might perish of hunger and thirst.

A dreary desert of sand and gravel extends from Snake River almost to the Columbia.