548 IROM FORT BENTON TO LATITUDE 49 30 . 



than twenty miles south of the locution given this river by Mr Tinkham. JNo gnme was killed 

 to- day, hut \ve have an abundant supply of trout. 



Mai/ 2-3. This morning found that the horses had taken a stampede, and crossed the river in 

 the night; and, as none of my men can swim, I am compelled to cross the river myself and bring 

 them back. In returning they evinced much sagacity in selecting a place where it was just possible 

 to ford. Packed up, crossed safely, and, passing over a high level prairie, in two and a (juarler 

 miles were brought to a stand by the large fork noticed as coming in at our first camp on the 

 Marias. 



This stream here, and below to its mouth, is completely hemmed in by banks of perpendicular 

 rock, from 100 to 300 feet in height, and is, at this stage of water, swift and deep. Found it 

 impossible to cross, or even to get down to it with the pack-animals. I therefore directed my 

 men to encamp at a small lake surrounded by groves of poplars, while I took Monroe and went 

 up the river to find a ford. Passing through dense pine woods for three miles, came to where 

 this branch forks. The left-hand fork flows through a tine valley, and no mountains are visible 

 in the west. This is the proper route through the Marias Pass, as is evidenced by the fact that 

 an old lodge trail passes up this branch, and it must have been considerably used bv the Koote- 

 naies and Flatheads thirty or fifty years since. This spot was also once a favorite camping and 

 hunting ground of the Blackfeet; but they seldom visit it now perhaps no more than a dozen 

 lodges in the course of a year, for the purpose of hunting elk and moose. The pass is seldom 

 or never used by the Blackfeet. My interpreter informs me that the Indian who came as Mr. 

 Tinkham s guide from St. Mary s said, that after reaching Fort Benton they came through the 

 pass at Cut Bank river, a branch of the Marias twenty-five miles north of this, and thus my 

 conjectures that Mr. T. could never have seen the Marias Pass are confirmed. 



Moy 26. Killed two geese this morning; and they are in good time, as we are destitute of 

 meat. Passed up this stream, which I have named &quot;Rocky fork,&quot; and crossed it just above a 

 cascade of ten feet. Our course then lay over a rolling prairie, with many small lakes sur 

 rounded by poplar thickets. Soil, rich loam. Crossed another fine creek, and in seven miles 

 came to another large fork, too deep to ford where we struck it. Travelled up the stream, 

 following an old Indian road cut out through a dense pine forest, which led to a tolerable ford. 



At \h. 40m. p, m. there was a total eclipse of the sun, which terminated at 3h. 20m. p. m. 

 Encamped at the river crossing. 



May 27. Last night there was a heavy frost, arid the morning is cold. Our course lay close 

 to the base of the mountains, which are becoming more rugged in character, loftier, and covered 

 with snow three hundred feet below their summits. The country is considerably broken by high 

 hills and narrow valleys of spring-brooks filled with thickets of poplar and willow, and flooded by 

 beaver dams. In twelve miles came to a fine stream, which is a branch of Cut Bank river; and 

 in sixteen miles reached the Cut Bank itself, the most northerly fork of Marias river. It is a 

 rapid stream, fifty feet wide, and flows through a rich valley. Its banks are of yellow clay and 

 marl, in some places perpendicular, but generally low and sloping. Upon the headwaters of 

 this stream is the pass through which Mr. Tinkham came from St. Mary s, and his report renders 

 any further examination unnecessary. A broad lodge trail leads up the valley, indicating that 

 the pass is considerably used probably by the Pend d Oreilles and Kootenaies, who come 

 through to hunt buffalo. Crossed at a good ford ; pushed on over a range of high hills, and 

 encamped on a small stream, eight miles from Cut Bank river, and which is no doubt one of the 

 sources of Milk river. A cold northwest wind blew violently during the afternoon, and it. is 

 snowing in the mountains. 



May 2S. Morning cold, and the hills are white with snow. The country is quite flat, and full 

 of springs and spring-brooks, which are the sources of Milk river. On our left is a heavy forest 

 of pine timber fifteen miles in length, and extending into the plain eight miles from the base of 

 the mountains. Immediately after passing this point, we obtained a view of the chief of King 



