554 FROM CANTONMENT STEVENS TO OLYMPIA. 



Camash prairie of the Flatheads; and here they resort in early summer to dig their favorite root, 

 which is produced in the greatest abundance. Crossing the prairie, and passing through some 

 scattering pines, reached a small prairie, through which ran a spring-brook, and here we en 

 camped. 



July 14. Passing through pines of a large size and scattering growth, at 3. p. m. struck the 

 Blackfoot again, and crossed at a shallow ford. This cut-off which we have made affords a very 

 go )d road, and is said to avoid some very bad side-hill travelling on the main trail along the 

 Blackfoot. At 4 p. m. passed the junction of the Blackfoot with the Hell Gate; and at 6 p. m. 

 crossed the Hell Gate at its upper ford in the Bitter Root valley, and encamped. 



July 15. Started very early, and, passing up the Bitter Root river by the high-water trail, 

 leading in some places along a very steep side-hill road, at 2 p. m. reached Fort Owen, a 

 trading post owned by Mr. John Owen, who had started for Oregon yesterday. Pushed on up the 

 valley over an excellent road, and at 4 p. m. reached Cantonment Stevens, where I received 

 a most cordial welcome from Lieutenant Mullan. We were not sorry to find so comfortable 

 a resting-place, after travelling 256 miles in eight days across the mountains. 



July 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Remained at the Cantonment, enjoying myself much in the society 

 of Messrs. Mullan and Burr, to whom I am indebted for five of the pleasantest days I have passed 

 since leaving the Mississippi river. This beautiful valley seems almost a Paradise, in its strong 

 contrast with the brown and desolate plains to which my eye has been so long accustomed. Its 

 hills, meadows, and woods, clothed in the vivid green of midsummer, kept ever fresh and ver 

 dant by timely showers and mountain dews, and watered by the clear mountain stream rushing 

 through the valley, were exceedingly beautiful, and made it indeed a charming spot to look upon. 



A particular description of this valley is not deemed necessary, as Lieutenant Mullan will report 

 fully thereon; but it is proper to remark that, in my opinion, this is a most excellent locality for 

 farms and for grazing. Its rich soil, luxuriant grass, and abundance of wood, water, timber, and 

 stone, render it in all respects a desirable location, and when brought fully to the notice of emi 

 grants, will no doubt be speedily populated. 



From Lieutenant Mullan, although his supplies were limited, rations were obtained for my 

 party till September 1, and I take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of his kindness. 



July 21. Moved from the Cantonment, accompanied by Lieutenant Mullan, and encamped at 

 the Cold spring, six miles from the upper crossing of Hell Gate. Here a portion of the Flat- 

 heads were encamped ; but there being no interpreter, a &quot;talk&quot; was not held with them. 



July 22. Moved early, crossing Hell Gate at our former ford, and the Big Blackfoot near its 

 mouth, and followed up the Hell Gate by Lieutenant Mullan s wagon route. The valley of the 

 river is narrow, and somewhat thickly timbered with cotton-wood, willow, and pine, but by occa 

 sionally crossing the stream, a good wagon road is found at low water. The high-water trail 

 along the side-hill is not so favorable for a pack-train as that on the Big Blackfoot. In the after 

 noon we overtook a party of thirty Blackfeet, men, women, and children, who were returning 

 from a visit to the Flatheads. They expressed a desire to join my party, and accordingly we 

 travelled on in company. The road during the clay continued good, and we encamped at sun 

 down in a fine meadow on the main stream, at the fifth crossing, and estimated thirty-five miles 

 from the Cold spring. Just as we encamped, Gabrielle, Lieutenant Mullan s interpreter, and 

 twenty Flatheads, rode up, bringing me a note from Lieutenant M., saying that seven horses 

 had been stolen from the Flathead camp, and these Indians were in pursuit of them; he wished 

 me to do all in my power to recover them. Gabrielle and the Indians, instead of pushing on, as 

 they should have done, encamped near us, and passed the night in gambling. 



July 23. Morning clear and warm. Gabrielle and the Indians, who had gambled all night, 

 slept late, and they were still at the camp when we left. Continued up the river, making seven 

 crossings, and avoiding two by taking the side- hill. Alter crossing three small creeks, came to 



