628 LETTER OP A. W. TINKHAM. 



day in the course of die 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 clays, rinding 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 &quot;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 tha for a short lime 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. Fambrun 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. I have 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 &quot;rusty.&quot; 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 vrery 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 &amp;gt; 



