229. - [ 174] 
gentleman who had formerly lived in Missouri, and, emigrating to this 
country, had become the possessor of a princip ality. T assured them that, 
from the heights of the mountain before us, we should doubtless see the 
valley of the Sacramento river, and with one effort place ourselves again 
in the midst of plenty. The people received this decision with the cheer- 
ful obedience which had always characterized them ; and the day was im- 
mediately devoted to the preparations necessary to enable us to carry it into 
effect. Leggings, moccasins, clothing—all were put into the best stateto ~ 
resist the cold. Our guide was not neglected. Extremity of sufferi g 
might make him desert ; we therefore did the best we could for him 
gings, moccasins, some articles of clothing, and a large green blanket, In 
addition to the blue and scarlet cloth, were lavished upon him, and to his 
great and evident contentment. He arrayed himself in all his colors ; and, 
clad in green, blue, and scarlet, he made a gay-looking Indian ; and, wi 
his various presents, was probably richer and better clothed than any of 
his tribe had ever been before. 
I have already said that our provisions were very low; we had neither 
tallow nor grease of any kind remaining, and the wan t of salt became one 
of our greatest privations. The poor dog which had. been found in the 
Bear river valley, and which had been a compagnon de voyage ever since, 
had now become fat, and the mess to which it belonged requested permis- 
sion to kill it. Leave was granted. Spread out on the snow, the meat 
looked very good ; and it made a strengthening meal for the greater part 
of the camp. Indians brought in two or three rabbits during the day, 
which were purchased from them 
he river was 40 to 70 feet wide, and now entirely frozen over. It was 
wooded with large cottonwood, willow, and grain de boeuf. By observa~ 
tion, the latitude of this encampment was 38° 37’ 18". 
February 2.—It had ceased snowing, and this morning the iva - * 
was clear and frosty; and six or seven thousand feet above, the peaks of 
the Sierra now and then appeared among the rolling clouds, which were — 
rapidly dispersing before the sun. Our Indian shook his head as he pointed ~ 
to the i pinta shooting high up into the sky, and seeming ose im- 
ceabiately above us. Crossing the river on the ice, and isting it imme- 
diately, we commenced the ascent of the mountain along the valley of a 
tributary stream. The people were unusually silent; for every man knew 
that our enterprise was sera ti and the i issue doubtful. 
The snow deepened rapidly, and i 
For this service, a party of Hen was formed, mounted on. ihe strongest 
horses ; each man in succession opening the road on foot, or on ho 
until himself and his horse became fatigued, when he stepped aside ; and, 
the remaining number passing ahead, he took his station in the rear. Leay- 
ing oe and pene a very direct course, we passed over an inter- 
vening to the river we had left. On the way we passed two low — 
huts entirely ‘eovered ith. snow, which might very easily have es a 
observation. A family was living in each ; and the only trail I saw int ie 
ep 
plied _ with food and fuel. We found twos 
where we next arrived ; and, travelling a little hi, 
banks i in aecnat four feet d of snow. Carsop fou 
side, where the wind and the sun had melted t 
sufficient bunch grass for the sdishdts to-night. 
