(how ay] argonauts OF 1862 51 



had now been occupied and they were still in the mountains and 

 ignorant of the distance yet to be travelled or the dangers yet to be 

 overcome. 



The next day being Sunday they were compelled because of the 

 scarcity of food both for themselves and their animals to break their 

 established rule and continue their journey. They dined that day 

 upon what the diary describes as a perfect Epicurean dish — roasted 

 skunk — prepared by their guide in true Indian style. All voted it 

 most appetizing, and concluded that his skunkship was a much- 

 maligned animal. Along the shores of Moose Lake, which they followed 

 on the 25th, they killed porcupines; and that night their food was 

 roasted porcupine and stewed huckleberries. Pasture there was none; 

 the animals browsed from the trees and were in no condition to face 

 the hardships of the daily drive. Each day some were abandoned; 

 for facing starvation themselves the emigrants put forth every exertion 

 to reach civilization. After wading streams and climbing hills for 

 two days more the starving party found themselves on August 27th 

 at the place of which they had spoken so often. Tête Jaune Cache at 

 the Grand Forks of the Fraser. And none too soon! Their food was 

 exhausted and they were relying upon their rifles. Anything edible 

 they greedily seized upon. It is told that one man was found roasting 

 a lariat which though but a stiip of buffalo hide he regarded as suitable 

 for food. There they fortunately met Shushwap Indians from whom 

 they received dried and fresh salmon, and cakes made of huckleberries 

 and saskatoons. 



Deep in its rocky bed the Fraser rushed impetuously along; on 

 each side rose rounded mountains, tree-covered to their summits; 

 beyond them to the horizon snow-clad peaks upon whose sides as the 

 day waned the colours changed as in a vast kaleidoscope ; and towering 

 above all, the giant peak, Mount Robson, now Mount Cavell, a 

 magnificent white cone, silhouetted against the blue. 



The remainder of the route was unknown. Their guide could 

 give no information. The Indians whom they met were ignorant. 

 Below them lay the Fraser sweeping onward to the west. Should 

 they venture upon it ? Or should they continue overland to Kamloops ? 

 Earnestly these questions were debated. Ultimately the party 

 divided. Some twenty persons, including Mrs. Schubert and her 

 family, chose to try the unknown route by way of the North Thompson 

 to Kamloops; but the majority, of whom the diarist was one, deter- 

 mined to essay the Fraser. Hence we do not deal further with the 

 Kamloops party; a summary of their adventures will be found in 

 Milton and Cheadle's volume. 



