[14 J | 240 
depended on finding it to-night. They were in just such a condition that 
grass and repose for the night enabled them to get on the next day. Every 
hour we had been pen out before usthe valley, which, from. 
the mountain above, seemed slentae atour feet. A new and singular shrub, 
which had made its appearance since crossing the mountain, was very fre- 
quent to-day. It branched out near the ground, forming a elump eight to 
ten feet high, with pale-green leaves of an oval form , and the body and 
branches had a naked appearance, as if stripped of the bark, which is very 
smooth and thin, of a chocolate color, contrasting well with ‘the pale green 
of the leaves. The day was nearly gone ; we had made a hard day’s march, 
and-found no grass. Towns became light-headed, wandering off into the 
woods without knowing where he was going, and Jacob brought him back. 
Near night-fall we descended into the steep ravine of'a handsome creek , 
thirty feet wide, and I was engaged in getting the horses up the opposite 
hill, when I heard ashout from Carson, who had gone ahead a few hun-, 
dred yards—“ Life yet,” said he, as he came up, “ life yet ; I have founda 
hill side sprinkled with grass enough for the night.” We drove along our 
horses, and encamped at the place about dark, and there was just room 
enough to make a place for shelter on the edge of the stream. Three 
horses were lost to-day—Proveau ; a fine young horse from the Columbia, 
belonging to Charles Towns; and another Indian horse which carried our 
cooking utensils ; the two former gave out, and the latter strayed off into 
the woods as we reached the camp. 
’ February 29.—We lay shut up in the narrow ravine, and gave the ani- 
mals a necessary day ; and men were sent back after the others. Derosier 
volunteered to bring up Proveau, to whom he knew I was greatly attach- 
ed, as he been my favorite horse on both expeditions. Carson and I 
climbed one of the nearest mountains ; the forest land still extended ahead, 
and the valley appeared as far as ~ The pack horse was found near 
the camp, but Derosier did not get in. 
March 1.—Derosier did not get in wdatiay the night, and leaving him to 
follow, as no grass remained gine we mecerortt on over the u range ov 
ing many small streams, and camped again on the river, having made 
miles. Here we found the hill side covered (although lightly) with fresh 
green pats and from this time forward we found it Sha improving 
and abunda 
We sates a , pleasant eamp on the river hill, where were some beautiful 
specimens of the chocolate-colored shrub, which shee a ost? ¥ diameter 
near the ground, and fifteen to twenty feet hi idge runs 
Teatinnonely along, unbroken by streams. cota [y descending into 
ee spring; — we are leaving our; snowy a ; every thing is 
rous bugs are creeping out, 
2st flowers are coming into 
eg a n to be uneasy at 2 tthe cnier’ s absence, fearing he might have 
ered inthe woods. Charles Towns, who had not yet recovered 
his mind, went to swim in the river, as if it were summer, and the stream 
placid, when it was a cold mountain torrent foaming among rocks. We 
were happy to see Derosier appear in the evening. He came in, and, sitting 
down by the fire, began to tell us where he had been. He imagine 
ae een. gone several — and gee we were still at the camp whewe , 
4 > 
