552 FROM FORT BENTON TO LATITUDE 49° 30’. 
Heavy rains have fallen here lately, and rendered the ground in some places very soft. Passed 
two considerable forks coming in on the opposite or north side of the river; one of them is called 
the Miry fork, and differs from the other streams in this region in having a muddy bottom, 
rendering it very difficult to ford. At 2 p. m. crossed a large, rapid, gravel-bottomed fork, com- 
ing in from the southwest, which must be formed by the two creeks nearest Sun river, crossed 
by us on the 19th May. Collected a specimen of the large crimson-colored prairie lilly, common 
to the western prairies. It stood alone, and after a careful search I could not find another. 
This familiar flower reminded me forcibly of home. Several deer were killed during the day, 
and we now have some fresh meat to carry to the fort, in addition to four bales of dried meat, 
made at Chief Mountain lake. . 
Noticed to-day the first prickly pear since leaving Sun river, on May 19th. None of this plant 
is found along the mountains, where the soilis fertile. Thickets of the black cherry and service 
berry bushes were seen along the river, and their fruit has now attained half of its size at 
maturity. A heavy rain coming on, we encamped early, in a fine point of timber, having made 
to-day 23 miles. 
June 16.—It rained all night, and continues this morning. The river valley is narrow, and 
timber scarce. The plain above the valley is higher, and the soil of poorer quality. In eight 
miles the river makes a great bend to the north, and we made a cut-off, crossing several bad 
coulées; following down a coulée, struck the river again where the valley widens, and there is 
plenty of wood. We now travel in the bottoms, crossing the points of the hills where they come 
to the river. Grass continues luxuriant in the bottoms, and the whole course of the river affords 
the finest grazing ground. We encamped early; it commenced raining soon after, and continued 
until sundown. 
June 17.—Continued down the river ; its character and that of the country continuing quite the 
same as yesterday. In twenty miles reached the ‘“ Big Bend,” where the river makes a long 
detour to the north. Took the cut-off, following a broad lodge trail, over a high table-land, and 
in six miles struck the river again. In three miles more we encamped in a fine grove of timber, 
near a thicket of rose-bushes, where millions of their blossoms perfumed the air. In many places 
the plain was covered with the large and beautiful blossom of the prickly pear ; it is of a delicate 
straw-color, veined with crimson and purple, and centre of deep chocolate-color. Also noticed 
a few blossoms of the small round pear, which grows under ground, showing no more than the 
crown and blossom above, which is of a deep scarlet color, of the size and form of the scarlet 
geranium. 
June 18.—Morning oppressively warm. Continued down the river, keeping generally on the 
. plain, and crossing many difficult coulées, rendering the road fatiguing to the animals. Nothing 
occurred during the day worth noting. Struck the river again at 4 p. m., and encamped in a fine 
point of timber, opposite the buttes called ‘‘ the Knees,” and distant fifteen miles. 
June 19.—Made an early start, taking the lodge trail leading directly to Fort Benton. At 1 p. 
m. reached camp Dobbin, and at 3 p. m. came in sight of the Missouri river, near Forts Benton 
and Campbell, with a number of Blackfeet lodges around them, and multitudes of horses grazing 
in the bottom. The Missouri, now full nearly to the level of its banks, appears a mighty stream 
in comparison with the little rivers we have crossed. Pushed on, and were soon within the walls 
of Fort Benton, and received a warm welcome from Mr. Rose, the gentleman in charge. 
Found all well at the fort, and the government horses and mules in fine condition. ‘They have 
had nearly a famine at the fort since we left: no coffee, tea, sugar, nor flour; and their hunters 
having been too lazy to procure meat, they had been compelled to eat dogs. 
Having unpacked the mules, turned them out to graze, and had the packs, specimens, &c. safely 
stored, I retired once more to my old room, and after an absence of forty-one days in the plains 
and mountains, it seemed to me quite like home. 
The general results of this reconnaissance have been, a thorough exploration of the country from 
