144 NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY 



any way, and time is not allowed us to search the premises. 

 We cannot even question them concerning it, as our interpreter, 

 McCarey, left us with the trapping party. 



We bought, of this family, a considerable quantity of dried 

 choke-cherries, these being the only article of commerce which 

 they possessed. This fruit they prepare by pounding it with 

 stones, and drying it in masses in the sun. It is then good 

 tasted, and somewhat nutritive, and it loses, by the process, the 

 whole of the astrihgency which is so disagreeable in the recent 

 fruit. 



Leaving the valle)'^, we proceeded over some high and stony 

 hills, keeping pretty nearly the course of the creek. The tra- 

 velling was, as usual in such places, difficult and laborious, and 

 our progress necessarily slow and tedious. Throughout the day, 

 there was no change in the character of the country, and the 

 consequence was, that three of our poor horses gave up and 

 stopped. 



21th. — This.morning, two men were left at the camp, for the 

 purpose of collecting and bringing on, moderately, the horses left 

 yesterday, and others that may hereafter fail. We were obliged 

 to leave with them a stock of provision greater in proportion than 

 our own rather limited allowance, and have thus somewhat 

 diminished our chance of performing the remainder of the jour- 

 ney with satisfied appetites, but there is some small game to be 

 found on the route, grouse, ducks, &c., and occasionally a beaver 

 may be taken, if our necessities are pressing. We made a noon 

 camp on Brule, and stopped at night in a narrow valley, between 

 the hills. 



2Qth. — Towards noon to-day, we lost the trail among the 

 hills, and although considerable search was made, we were not 

 able to find it again. We then directed our course due north, 

 and at 2 o'clock struck Powder river, a narrow and shallow 

 stream, plentifully fringed with willows'. We passed down this 



