628 LETTER OF A. W. TINKHAM. 
day in the course of the week, the trail being very hilly and tiresome. Striking the more level 
country of the Nez Perces, we found the labor of travelling very much diminished. 
Arriving among the Nez Perces, we here emerged from the snow. With the Indians I spent 
several days, finding in their hospitable lodge an agreeable contrast with the discomforts of a 
camp in the snow, with our somewhat tame fare. At Mr. William Craig’s I spent Christmas. 
From him and the Indians I hired horses to come on here; he received us very cordially, and 
promptly supplied our wants. 
As already stated, I reached this post December 30th, having been forty-two days on the road 
from St. Mary’s. 
Notwithstanding the amount of snow on the mountains, the weather was not severe, and milder 
than we experienced on the eastern side of the mountains between October 20th and Novem- 
ber 10th. 
Here there is no snow, and at no place between here and the mountains (165 miles) was there 
over eight inches, and that for a short time only. 
To-morrow I hope to get away from here, and am waiting only for the gathering in of the ani- 
mals. I shall take ten fresh animals with me (obtained from Mr. Pambrun and the Hudson’s Bay 
Company,) to be used only after arriving at the mountains. From here to the mountains I shall 
use the animals of the expedition, and return them to this post. 
Mr. Pambrun has promptly aided me in fitting out. Of course, being bare of everything— 
saddles, bridles, mess-kit, and the variety of little conveniences which one gathers around him 
in regular camp—our fitting out is one of unusual trouble. We have learned, however, to dis- 
pense with some things once thought necessary. In place of a beef, Pu-pu-mux-mux supplies 
us with a horse, which I shall take with me, as easier to be driven, and kill when necessary. 
He will probably go with me for a short distance, but is unable to attend me throughout the trip. 
I hope to be able to cross the mountains with horses according to your expectations. Should I 
not succeed, it is my intention to come through on snow-shoes. I greatly regret that I shall be 
able to make but a very barren survey. Our fine barometer, brought in safety by Wilson, had 
three times crossed the Rocky mountains, and in the Bitter Root mountains was cached in perfect 
order. It was impossible to send it back to St. Mary’s. The thermometer Wilson attempted to 
take along, but lost it within a day or two after starting. My prismatic compass was sent back 
to St. Mary’s. Ihave with me only a pocket-compass. All geological specimens which had 
been collected were left in the mountains, none of them having any special importance, and being 
only interesting as showing the general geological features of the country passed over. Having 
a somewhat limited wardrobe, although sufficiently warmly clad, we shall arrive at the sound 
somewhat “rusty.” I cannot do otherwise than gratefully mention the members of my party, 
particularly. Wilson, Agnew, and Bracken, as being very deserving of your commendation. 
They have discharged their duties well and cheerfully, and cheerfully respond to my decision 
to pass this the Cascade range, although prior to our arrival here we anticipated other instruc- 
tions; and supposing that you would send parties from the main train over this route, I had 
assured them that it was altogether improbable that we should have any further mountain work, 
Learning from Mr. Pambrun that no parties went through from here, I decided at once to take 
the mountain route, and indeed, under existing circumstances, give it the preference. 
As I said before, your express arrived very seasonably. I have confidence in the realization of 
your expectations, that the pass will admit of the passage of animals in the winter, and have a 
wish to see the winter character of the country bordering on the railroad line. Your instructions 
enjoin upon me to fit out more thoroughly than I had done; and, indeed, I just doubled the 
amount of rations which I had made ready, besides adding one or two comforts, such as coffee 
and sugar. 
Should I leave my animals, which is of course possible, as even on the plains they are some- 
times lost, I shall not feel that they were brought into the mountains on my own responsibility, 
