550 FROM FORT BENTON TO LATITUDE 49° 30’. 
prairie; for in richness of soil, luxuriant vegetation, and bright-colored flowers, it greatly resembles 
the prairies of the Western States. 
On the Sth we started on the return trip, striking for the Cut Bank river, but taking a course 
farther from the mountains than when coming up. Crossed five fine creeks which are the sources 
of Milk river, and are formed by the spring-brooks we crossed near the base of the mountain. 
Noticed several ridges of soft sandstone in the plain, running for several miles north and south, 
with a nearly vertical dip, and resembling generally the roof of a house. Many antelopes, elk, 
and deer were seen, and I killed enough to supply my party with meat. 
On the 9th, left Cut Bank river and pursued the same route by which we came up, this being 
in fact the only route where the stream can be crossed in high water. Observed to-day great 
quantities of the camash, now in full bloom. It is a beautiful dark-blue flower, bell-shaped, and 
growing single on a stem ten to fifteen inches high. The camash is particularly abundant in the 
vicinity of Marias river, near the mountain. Crossed Clear fork, Middle fork, and Fall fork, and 
encamped on the latter at the Cascade. 
The next day was devoted to making further explorations of this pass. Following the old 
lodge trail, now no more than a narrow foot-path—although the decayed stumps and trunks of 
trees clearly indicated that a broad road had once been cleared—in two miles found that the 
stream forked: keeping the left-hand branch, came in six miles to where it forks in many branches, 
all heading in rugged mountains on the right hand, or northwest. Pursuing from this point a 
course due south, magnetic, or south 19° W. true, in 20 miles struck the main stream of Marias 
river, which is still a considerable stream, running ina defile or ravine 500 feet in width, and 
having banks of perpendicular limestone and sandstone rock; the bed of the stream being of the 
same material in huge fragments, and breaking the water into a continuous rapid. The trail 
continues up the river, sometimes over hills of moderate elevation, densely timbered with the 
narrow-leaved pine, and at others through small openings or prairies of rich soil, producing luxu- 
riant bunch-grass and a great variety of flowers. At a distance of four miles more I ascended a 
lofty hill, from the summit of which I obtained a commanding view of the pass and the course of 
the river for a long distance tothe southwest. 
The pass continued about fifteen miles in breadth; the country hilly and densely wooded with 
pine. The mountains on either hand are lofty and rugged, showing generally perpendicular rock 
from within 300 feet of their summits, and are covered with snow as in mid-winter. Snow-banks 
were also found on the north side of many hills in the pass. Up the pass to the southwest no 
mountains obstruct the view; and I am satisfied that Mr. Tinkham could not have passed over 
this trail, or he would not pronounce this portion of the pass so difficult as his report and topo- 
graphy represent it. This pass is not vouched for as a good railroad or pack-train route, yet it 
is believed worthy of further examination; and I only regret that I cannot make it, as your instruc- 
tions require me to be at Fort Benton in the last days of this month. The trail which I followed 
continues up the valley, and a deserted encampment of last summer indicates that this pass is 
occasionally frequented by the Flatheads or the Kootenaies, for the purpose of hunting elk and 
deer, which are numerous here. 
The day had been oppressively warm, and I returned to camp at sundown somewhat fatigued 
with a ride of sixty miles. One of the men had killed a deer, and we made a luxurious supper 
on venison and coffee. 
June 11.—To-day being Sunday, we remained in camp. The sand-flies and mosquitoes were 
very numerous, and annoyed our animals so much that we were compelled to make smokes for them. 
Collected here thirty-five new varieties of flowers, and noticed a plant said to possess remark- 
able qualities. The leaves are five or eight in number, and closely resemble the leaf of the pump- 
kin vine in shape and size. The stalk rises to the height of three or four feet; is cylindrical and 
hollow. This stalk is eaten by the Indians, and is cooked by throwing it on the coals for a few 
moments, and in taste slightly resembles cabbage ; in fact, the French and half-breed hunters 
