The Expedition of the Donner Party and its Tragic Fate | Page 9

the next afternoon, she was buried at the foot of a monarch oak,
in a neat cottonwood coffin, made by men of the party, and her grave
was marked by a headstone.
[Illustration: GOVERNOR L.W. BOGGS]
[Illustration: CORRAL SUCH AS WAS FORMED BY EACH
SECTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF ITS CATTLE]
The craft being finished on the morning of the thirtieth of May, was
christened Blue Rover, and launched amid cheers of the company.
Though not a thing of beauty, she was destined to fulfil the

expectations of our worthy Captain. One set of guide-ropes held her in
place at the point of embarkation, while swimmers on horseback
carried another set of ropes across the river and quickly made them fast.
Only one wagon at a time could cross, and great difficulty was
experienced in getting the vehicles on and off the boat. Those working
near the bank stood in water up to their arm-pits, and frequently were in
grave peril. By the time the ninth wagon was safely landed, darkness
fell.
The only unforeseen delay that had occurred was occasioned by an
awkward slip of the third wagon while being landed. The Blue Rover
groaned under the shock, leaned to one side and swamped one of the
canoes. However, the damage was slight and easily repaired. The next
day was Sunday; but the work had to go on, and the Rev. Mr. Cornwall
was as ready for it as the rest of the toilers.
Much anxiety was experienced when the cattle were forced into the
water, and they had a desperate struggle in crossing the current; but
they finally reached the opposite bank without accident. Each family
embarked in its own wagon, and the last was ferried over in the rain at
nine o'clock that night. The ropes were then detached from the Blue
Rover, and she drifted away in the darkness.
Captain Russell had despatched matters vigorously and tactfully, and
when the labors of that day were completed, still had a word of cheer
for the shivering, hungry travellers, whom he led into camp one mile
west of the memorable Big Blue. Despite stiff joints and severe colds,
all were anxious to resume travel at the usual hour next day, June the
first.

CHAPTER III
IN THE HAUNTS OF THE PAWNEES--LETTERS OF MRS.
GEORGE DONNER--HALT AT FORT BERNARD--SIOUX
INDIANS AT FORT LARAMIE.

We were now near the haunts of the Pawnee Indians, reported to be
"vicious savages and daring thieves." Before us also stretched the
summer range of the antelope, deer, elk, and buffalo. The effort to keep
out of the way of the Pawnees, and the desire to catch sight of the big
game, urged us on at a good rate of speed, but not fast enough to keep
our belligerents on good behavior. Before night they had not only
renewed their former troubles, but come to blows, and insulted our
Captain, who had tried to separate them. How the company was
relieved of them is thus told in Mr. Bryant's Journal:
June 2, 1846, the two individuals at variance about their oxen and
wagon were emigrants to Oregon, and some eighteen or twenty wagons
now travelling with us were bound to the same place.
It was proposed in order to relieve ourselves from consequences of
dispute in which we had no interest, that all Oregon emigrants should,
in respectful manner and friendly spirit, be requested to separate
themselves from the California, and start on in advance of us. The
proposition was unanimously carried; and the spirit in which it was
made prevented any bad feeling which otherwise might have resulted
from it. The Oregon emigrants immediately drew their wagons from
the corrals and proceeded on their way.
The Oregon company was never so far in advance that we could not
hear from it, and on various occasions, some of its members sent to us
for medicines and other necessaries.
Our fear of the Pawnees diminished as we proceeded, and met in their
haunts only friendly Indians returning from the hunt, with ponies
heavily laden with packs of jerked meats and dried buffalo tongues. At
least one brave in each party could make himself understood by word
or sign. Many could pronounce the one word "hogmeat," and would
show what they had to exchange for the coveted luxury. Others also
begged for "tobac," and sugar, and generally got a little.
A surprising number of trappers and traders, returning to the United
States with their stocks of peltry, camped near us from time to time.
They were glad to exchange information, and kept us posted in regard

to the condition of the migrants, and the number of wagons on the road
in advance. These rough-looking fellows courteously offered to carry
the company's mail to the nearest post-office. Mr. Bryant and