Tim] 196 
The camp Was now oecupled it at the necessary ‘preparations for 
our homeward journey, which, though homeward, contemplated a new 
rontesand a great circuit to the ‘south and southeast, and the exploration 
of the Great Basin between the Rocky mountains andthe Sierra Nevada. 
Three principal objects were indicated, by report or by maps, as being on 
- this route; the character or existence of which I wished to ascertain, “and 
which IF assumed as landmarks, or leading points, on the projected line of: 
return. The first of these points was the Tlamath lake, on the table 
land between the head of Fall river; which comes to ‘the Columbia, and 
the Sacramento, which goes to the bay of San Fran¢iseo ; and from. 
lake a river of the same name makes its way westwardly direct bg , 
Scan This lake and river are often called K/amet, but I hav: d 
Oy 
its name aecording to the Indian pronunciation. _The positic of — 
This (ieee on the line of inlal nde and Pali. 
fornia ; its proximity to the demarcation boundary ‘of aut ye its im- 
puted» “double. character of lake, or meadow, accordin: the season of 
the. year; and the hostile and warlike character Dacitieesd to the Indians 
abege ‘it—all made it a desirable object to Visit andexamine. From this 
lake our course was intended to be about southeast, to a reported lak 
called Mary’s, at some days’ journey in the Great Basin; and thence, still 
on.southeast, to the reputed Buenaventura river, Se A has had a place 
in so. ade natal and the “Rocky tanta the belief of of existence of a hoa 
of Shel a region, and witha party consisting Joly of veredinc hue persons, 
and. they of many nations—American, French, German, Canadian ,Indian,, 
and colored —and most of them young,’ ‘several being” ‘under twenty-one 
pha * of ee aa All knew that a strange country was to be explored, and 
dane 
hardships to be encountered ; but no one blenched at the ee 
"On the contrary, ry, courage and co confidence at im: ated the w ole party. — 
a: ae 
margin, three ri . ctions—one west, to the ; 
. north, to the Columbia; the third south, to California. see 
eo ‘is = 
