NARRATIVE OF 1853. 67 
We purchased from the train a supply of pemmican, dried meat, sugar, and other things, 
some of the men buying moccasins, whips, and other necessaries. 
I engaged the service of Alexis Le Bombard, who was in company with this encampment, 
as guide to the Yellowstone. Не is represented as having a thorough knowledge of the country, 
which was apparent from his conversation. He came from the Yellowstone this season, and 
the impression gathered from my interview with him, as well as the representations of others. 
satisfied me that he will be extremely valuable as a guide. 
Shortly after the Indians left, Governor Wilkie and several of the principal men came over to 
my tent. I had a very pleasant conversation with them in regard to the Indians, hunting, «с. 
During the conversation, I made some iuquiries as to their views concerning the establishment 
of a military post in this vicinity, say at Lake Miniwakan. The suggestion met with their 
hearty approval, and Governor Wilkie assured me that were one located there, the people 
would remove and settle near it, cultivating sufficient land to keep the post supplied with 
vegetables and provisions. Governor Wilkie dined with us, after which the train prepared to 
move, and at 21 p. m., accompanied by our new guide, Le Bombard, we bade adieu to our Red 
river friends and moved forward on their trail. Our guide avoided crossing the Shyenne by 
going around one of its bends, and after travelling ten miles, which we accomplished with ease 
in two hours and a quarter, we reached a good camping place on the side of a lake where the 
grass was excellent. : 
Sergeant Lindner and Mr. Bixby followed our compass course as far as the Shyenne river, 
which they crossed forty rods from the compass line, finding a good ford for wagons, the water 
being not more than eighteen inches or two feet deep, On either side, the banks were of 
gradual declivity, and the country afforded a good road for wagons, although there was some 
high land. 
July 18.—Started a few minutes before 7, still following the trail of the Red river train. 
The odometer wagon and meteorological party follow the compass line. About 8 o'clock we 
crossed a branch of the Shyenne, flowing through a deep valley with an extended plateau, 
bounded on both sides by the high céteau. This stream appears to take its rise in a number 
of small lakes, and the branch crossed this morning is slightly brackish. Many of the lakes are 
very salt. These appear to have no outlet, and their saline qualities are accounted for by the 
fact that they are never washed out, and consequently retain the salt deposits and incrustations. 
We often notice in this region that lakes lying very close to each other, in some cases not more 
than twenty yards apart, one will be so saline as to be offensive, while the water of the other 
will be excellent to the taste. 
This morning Mr. Lander and private Lawless were sent to the northward of the compass 
line, with instructions to proceed until they reached the Shyenne river, thence to pursue a 
course in the general direction of the odometer line, about the usual march, and then join us 
in camp. 
Mr. Tinkham, accompanied by Corporal Rummell, was directed to go southward some five 
or six miles, and then pursue a line of reconnoissance nearly parallel to the travelled route 
to-day, keeping in sight of the train. He would strike the Shyenne above the P forded 
by the train and join the camp at night. 
We passed to-day a narrow lake, some three miles in length, somewhat таманы а canal. 
