ACROSS THE ROCKV MOUNTAIIVS, ETC. 121 



somewhat diminished by the road having been partially broken, 

 and we were enabled also to avoid many of the sloughs and pit- 

 falls which had before so much incommoded us. We have 

 named this rugged valley, " Thornburg's pass," after one of our 

 men of this name, (a tailor,) whom we have to thank for leading 

 us into all these troubles. Thornburg crossed this mountain two 

 years ago, and might therefore be expected to know something 

 of the route, and as he was the only man in the company who 

 had been here, Captain W. acted by his advice, in opposition to 

 his own judgment, which had suggested the other valley as af- 

 fording a m.ore probable chance of success. As we are probably 

 the only white men who have ever penetrated into this most vile 

 and abominable rcsion, we conclude that the name v/e have eiven 

 it must stand, from priority. 



In the bushes, along the stream in this valley, the black-tailed 

 deer (^Cervus macrouriis) is abundant. The beautiful creatures 

 frequently bounded from their cover within a few yards of us, 

 and trotted on before us like domestic animals ; " they are so un- 

 acquainted with man" and his cruel arts, that they seem not to 

 fear him. 



We at length arrived on the open plain again, and in our route 

 towards the other valley, we came to a large, recent Indian 

 encampment, probably of Bannecks,* who are travelling down to 



* We aftcpwanls learned, lliat only tliree (lavs before our arrival, a liard con- 

 tested, and most sanguinary battle, had been fought on this spot, between the 

 Bannecks and Blackfeet, in which the former gained a signal and most complete 

 victory, killing upwards of forty of their adversaries, and taking about three dozen 

 scalps. The Blackfeet, altliough much the larger party, were on foot, but the 

 Bannecks, being all well mounted, had a very decided advantage ; and the contest 

 occurring on an open plain, where there was no chance of cover, the Blackteet 

 were run down with horses, and, without being able to load their guns, were 

 trampled to death, or killed with salmon spuars and axes. 



This was not tlie first time that we narrowly escaped a contest with this savage 



16 



