NARRATIVE OF 1853. 55 
streams and the deposits on the route. During our march to-day we encountered a very severe 
storm, accompanied with thunder and lightning. Boutineau brought in an elk, which furnished 
about two pounds of excellent fresh meat to each man, and was much enjoyed. Kendall and the 
two Boulieaus overtook us to-day, bringing supplies and five Indian ponies. 
July 1.—I determined to push forward with the engineer party to the Shyenne, and, if I 
found it necessary, have it bridged. Smooth prairie extended all the way; road good, and the 
distance 261 miles. 
A very severe thunder-storm occurred this morning, lasting an hour, and wetting us thoroughly. 
At 11 а, ш. we met the train of. the Red river traders, in charge of Mr. Kittson, and visited 
their camp, six miles distant, in company with Dr. Suckley, Messrs. Stanley, Osgood, Bouti- 
neau, Menoc, and others. We were very hospitably received, purchased some pemmican, 
common moccasins, and articles of dress worked with porcupine T" Bought, also, some 
carts and oxen, being very deficient in transportation. 
The main train only proceeded 13 miles, and I returned to them about 3 p. m., accompanied 
by Kittson, Father Delacour, Roulet, and Cavilaer. Kittson and Roulet were members of the 
territorial legislature from Pembina; Cavilaer, the collector of customs; and Delacour is a 
very clever, shrewd priest. They are on their annual trip to St. Paul with robes, skins 
pemmican, and dried meat of the buffalo, collected by trading with the half-breeds of the Red 
river settlements. We found that they had bridged the Shyenne, saving us consi“crable 
trouble and delay. Their company proved very agreeable, and we were glad that пеауу 
thunder-storm coming on obliged them to be our guests for the night. 
July 2.—Struck camp at 7 o'clock and parted with our new friends, sending back with them 
Strobel and two teamsters, who proved inefficient. 
The whole train crossed the Shyenne bridge safely by noon, and camped on the other Xe. 
We had apprehended that possibly the heavy rain of last night would swell the river an arry 
away the bridge, but hurrying up the wagons. we made the crossing just before the water had 
risen sufficiently to flow over the bridge. I called this Camp McClelland, intending to 
halt here over Sunday and make up ыда for Washington. I sent Lar; ¥ and Tinkham 
to reconnoitre both up and down the river. 
July 3.—Sunday.—Lander came back from his reconnoissance, having been as "AN south as 
Dead Colt Hillock. ; 
He met with а singular adventure, which it may be well to chronicle, and which afforded usa 
great deal of amusement. Riding along with his four voyageurs, whom he used to call his 
‘‘men of iron," at some distance ahead they saw a skunk moving leisurely through the grass, 
with tail erect, and defying their approach. Lander levelled his glass at it, and satisfying him- 
self that it was an Indian watching their movements and trying to hide himself, gave the order 
for his gallant band to ‘‘charge.’’ . They did charge, and at the same time firing their revolvers, 
the poor skunk fell riddled with balls and weltering in his blood; when coming up, they dis- 
covered the extent of their bold exploit. Joking in camp is one of the pastimes to relieve the 
annoyances of the march, and every little thing is seized upon to feed the disposition. For the 
past few days the good idea of Mr. Everett, with his old black umbrella, the my arm he carries, 
has furnished the material for considerable merriment. 
Fourth of July.—The train star®d at 6 а. ш. I remained behind to get off a шай. and the 
