CHAPTER XXXIV.

Meek's Party--Precautions against Indians--Meeting with Bannacks--White Lies--Fort Hall--Deep Snows--Horses Abandoned--The Mountain Spirit Returning--Meeting with Peg-Leg Smith--A Mountain Revel--Meeting with An Old Leader--Reception at Fort Laramie--Passing the Sioux Village--Courtesy of a French Trader--Reflections on Nearing the Settlements--Resolve to Remain Joe Meek--Reception at St. Joseph--"The Quickest Trip Yet"--Arrival at St. Louis--Meek as Steamboat Runner--Interview with the Stage Agent at Wheeling--Astonishing the Natives--The Puzzled Conductor--Arrival at Washington, 368