YAMPAH RIVER. 



285 



Nov. 20ih. Yielding to the solicitations of my comrades demontes, I 

 am again journeying for the Platte. During the brief period of our stay at 

 Fort Hall, we enjoyed mild and agreeable weather, as a general thing ) 

 only one inconsiderable fall of snow having occurred meanwhile, and tlie 

 grass, even yet, in many places, is green and fresh. 



Notwithstanding the lateness of the season, we anticipate but httle diffi- 

 culty in crossing the mountains, via New Park and Grand river pass, as the 

 journey has been performed on several occasions in the dead of winter. 

 But, a further stimulant to our hopes is the possession of good mules and 

 horses, which are every way competent to the task before them ; my two 

 companions are, also, intimately acquainted with the mountains, and well 

 Know how to shape our course to advantage. 



For the first few days our progress was rapid and uninterrupted. Fol- 

 lowing the regular trail by way of Bear river, on the 24th we struck 

 Black's fork, a considerable tributary of Green river, and one of several in 

 its neighborhood. dov\^n which we continued to its confluence with tlie main 

 stream ; thence, crossing to the east bank, we kept its general course, some- 

 Jimes by its valley, then again by long detours among the hills, owing to 

 the rugged nature of the country, and in three days subsequent, reached 

 the Yampahj or Little Snake, an affluent from the left. 



The intermediate country from Fort Hall to the Yampah has been par- 

 tially noticed in connection with Oregon and California, and for that reason 

 it will not be expected of me to waste time in repetition. 



I need only add, that among the hills we noticed much nude sterility, in- 

 termingled with frequent clusters of absinthe, aretmisia (or grease wood, as 

 it is familharly called,) and bunch-grass, with occasional groves of pine, 

 cedar, and balsam. 



In the valleys the grass was yet green, and indicated the presence of 

 winter only by its withered tops. Snow was seen only upon the hills and 

 mountains, and even there in no great quantity. Game appeared plentiful 

 for most of the distance, particularly black-tailed deer and sheep. 



The section of country hereabouts is inhabited by the Snake Indians, 

 from whom the river above referred to derives its name. 



This stream heads in the New Park Mountains, and pursues a south- 

 west course for about one hundred miles, recieving in that distance seve- 

 n\ large tributaries from the east, when it finally discharges itself into 

 Green river, near lat. 41° North. 



Crossing the Yampah, we soon struck the Elk Head, or Little Bear, a 

 principal affluent from the right, and continuing our course up its valley. 

 After passing a small ridge, on the .30th Nov. v/e found ourselves upon the 

 head waters of the Platte. 



iron twice spoke the death- word, and at the same time ; then vdth his pipe-stem h» 

 bade a third one go to the Spirit Land ; and, as he drew forth his butcher- knife t« 

 •hoot me, I had fled beyond reach, tliat I might tell you how to escape ! Haste, ye 

 €ee ! It is the Big Medicine that comes from yon ! Flee, lest he kill us all !" 



Following his advice, the astonished savages immediately fled with the greatest 

 aonstemation, fully persuaded it wa,s their only mode of escaping from c«rtam d^ 

 Aruction at the hands of the Big Medicine ! 



