42 NARRATIVE OF 1853. 
Simpson. A very severe thunder storm, with heavy rain for about five hours, occurred at 
night, amounting in the rain-gauge to 6; inches. 
My acquaintance with the voyageurs, thus far, has impressed me favorably. They are 
thorough woodsmen, and just the men for prairie life also, going into the water as pleasantly 
as a spaniel, and remaining there as long as needed; stout, able-bodied, and willing to put 
their shoulders to the wheel whenever necessary; no slough or bog deters them. 
Pierre Boutineau, engaged as our guide, I find a most useful man, to whom all the voyageurs 
look up with great confidence. 
June 11.—A very busy day in camp. Engaged in making arrangements for pushing forward 
detachments next Monday. Lieutenant Grover was directed to be in readiness to take charge 
of an advance party. Ordered an inspection of camp, personal baggage, and property of all 
descriptions, by Lieutenant Du Barry.* The rear of the train, in charge of Mr. Everett, 
arrived within ten miles of the Rapids, and will cross to-morrow. 
June 12.—Messrs. Osgood and Kendall reached camp this morning, with the barometers and 
India rubber boats. This mission had been performed with exemplary promptitude and suc- 
cess. At St. Louis, I was telegraphed that many of the barometers had been broken, and they 
could not be supplied short of New York. They were absolutely indispensable. I sent Mr. 
Kendall there immediately, and in thirty days the boats and instruments were made and brought 
to my camp, eighty miles on our way. Mr. Everett also arrived about noon to-day, having left 
Camp Pierce on the 8th instant. I regretted to observe, that many of his animals were in very 
bad condition. Of our whole number some forty were disabled, and eight or ten so much so, 
as to give very little hope that they could do any further service. I refused, however, to sell 
even these to the many applicants who expressed a willingness to take them off our hands, 
below the cost of purchase. Assembling both officers and men to-day, I caused to be read the 
camp regulations which I had prepared for the government of the party, and made a short 
address, in which I informed them that every man would be expected to look to the safety of 
his comrades; that all alike, whether soldier or civilian, would be expected to stand guard, and 
in case of difficulties to meet them promptly. I exaggerated the difficulties which lay before 
us, and represented that the country through which they would pass was intersected by bogs, 
marshes, and deep morasses; that rivers were to be forded and bridged, mountains and valleys 
to be crossed; that the first 180 miles of the journey was reported to be through a continuous 
marsh, barely practicable, where every man would have to go through mud and water, and 
apply his shoulders to the wheel; that in ten days we would reach the Indian country, where 
көзе guard duty would have to be performed to protect property and preserve lives; that still 
farther 98 we уо probably be compelled to force our way through the country of the Black- 
foot Indians, a tribe proverbially treacherous and warlike; that then the snows of the mountains 
would have © ai overcome, and that everyman would be expected to follow wherever he might 
be led; that no one would be sacrificed, nor would any one be subjected to any risk, which I 
would pi freely incur; and oa whoever was not willing to co-operate with us had better at ' 
diee retire. eri these remarks the camp regulations were read by Mr. Kendall, and my 
views were €— арргоуен- I despatched Lieutenant Grover, with a picked party of some 
fifteen men, with instructions to reconnoitre carefully the country north and in the vicinity of 
9 See Order No. 6, vol. I, р. 46. 
