532 FROM CANTONMENT STEVENS TO FORT DALLES. 



distance without water, our animals scented it from afur, and were nearly frantic when approach- 

 in^ it. Here we reached a series of springs issuing from the sides of the mountains. Five miles 

 farther we reached a large and beautiful prairie bottom, through which ran a pure mountain 

 streamlet. Here the grass was most excellent and abundant, and formed a pleasant relief from 

 our anxiety, as we fully expected to be compelled to encamp again without grass. The mount 

 ains to-day still continued covered with the white pine, mountain ash, alder, and balsam fir; 

 though, as a general thing, the timber was more sparse to-day than any day since leaving the 

 Bitter Root valley, the mountains in some places being formed solely of rock, principally free 

 stone. We passed two creeks to-day, on the second of which we encamped. 



September 27. Commences clear, mild and pleasant. Having encamped high on the side of a 

 mountain, we had a grand arid pleasing view. The hills at our feet appeared swimming in lakes 

 of mist, while the distant mountain-tops were lit up by the bright rays of a genial sun, and all 

 nature seemed to wear a pleasing and smiling garb. We started at seven o clock, our road 

 during the whole day being along the sides and up the steep rugged mountains, the trail being 

 obstructed by fallen timber, though not as difficult as yesterday and the preceding days. At 

 fifteen miles from our camp we reached a large and bare mountain, where we found the grass 

 most excellent, with several springs of clear pure water gushing from its side, affording an excel 

 lent camping ground. The mountains around still continued to be covered with the balsam fir, 

 save those only which were formed solely of freestone. We observed to-day large numbers of 

 the mountain grouse, the blue jay, and a species of the large rock squirrel, a specimen of which 

 we preserved. After a march of twenty-five miles we encamped on the northern exposure of a 

 mountain, where we found good grass and water. 



September 28. Resuming our march this morning, we continued along the sides of the mount 

 ains, rendered difficult by the great quantity of fallen timber along the trail, which at times led 

 over the steep and rugged mountains, which proved truly fatiguing and trying to our animals. 

 We still continued to be surrounded by a labyrinth of mountains, all clad with pine, balsam fir, 

 mountain ash, honeysuckle, cedar and willow, with much underbrush, and some of the higher 

 peaks covered with perpetual snow; numerous springs of pure cold water were seen flowing 

 from mountain sides. At fifteen miles from our camp of 27th we reached a small creek running 

 towards the north ; three miles farther we reached a second creek, also flowing towards the north 

 and running through a small but beautiful prairie, with good grass, affording an excellent camp 

 ing ground. We had made only eighteen miles yet ; the road had proved so fatiguing to our 

 animals, that I concluded to encamp. The soil in this prairie we found most excellent, being of a 

 rich dark-colored loam ; in fact, with but few exceptions the soil of the route to-day has been most 

 excellent, especially in the narrow gorges and the small intervening valleys of the mountains, 

 the soil in some places being formed solely of the decayed leaves and timber ; but in these places 

 the ground is forever shaded by the exceedingly large trees found along the whole route. Immense 

 beds of freestone were to be seen along the sides of the mountains, the presence of which was 

 indicated by the outcroppings in many places. We observed to-day two species of grouse ; one 

 with a red segment, and the second with a yellow segment of a circle above the eyes. The latter 

 weighs from two to four pounds. The flesh of ihese last is very excellent, and when cooked is very 

 white and not unlike the ordinary grouse of the mountains. They are quite tame, and remain 

 sitting on the ground except when frightened, when they betake themselves to the trees ; they are 

 of a lead-gray color on the breast, the feathers near the tail being speckled white and black ; they 

 make a hooting noise, not unlike that of the owl. We observed also many blue jays, small rock 

 squirrels, rabbits, and mountain weasel, or mink. 



September 29. Commences bright and pleasant. We resumed our march at an early hour, our 

 trail still leading over tjie high and rugged mountains, much obstructed by fallen timber. Gaining 

 a high point of view, we caught a glimpse of the distant prairies, which was a sight truly refresh 

 ing after our rugged toiling through the mountains. The mountains to the north and south still 



