NARRATIVE OF i853. rini 
possible. Dr. Suckley, at his own request, accompanied Mr. Lander for the purpose of making 
geological examinations and such collections in natural history as the route would afford. 
Paul Boulieau and Le Frambois were left at the Assiniboine camp. They were to remain 
there two days to collect statistical information of the traditions, habits, &c., of these Indians, 
and prepare a vocabulary of their language; the former, in charge of a barometer, was to bring 
a profile of the line he pursued to the Yellowstone. 
July 29.—The road to-day for about 20 miles was over a fine country, nearly level, with a 
marsh on the left, and beyond it two bluffs about 150 feet high. The last three miles was over 
a hilly, broken country, and we encamped on the bank of a small branch of Muddy river, near 
its source. Tinkham, Lambert, and Adams were sent out to sketch in the neighboring country; 
the former to go to the head of White Earth river and connect our route with Lander's. The 
two latter returned and reported the country good for grazing, with abundant water in ponds 
and streams—one pond being eight miles in circumference. The condition of our animals, as 
reported by Mr. Kendall, is so far excellent, and we have certainly achieved a triumph in 
making our first 100 miles with so little injury to them. 
July 30.—Mr. Tinkham returned this morning from an examination of White Earth river; 
no special matter of interest observed, except that the country was of the same general 
character as that passed over by the main train. The country throughout to-day has been 
rolling and hilly, with stony knolls. At 18 miles from camp we crossed a small tributary of 
Muddy creek, 15 feet wide and 2 deep. Scattered trees are to be found in the coulées near 
this stream. Several dry water courses were passed in the course of the day, which probably, 
in the times of freshets, are occupied by brooks connecting with Muddy creek. Camp, water, 
and grass good, but no wood. Distance made to-day 233 miles. 
July 31.—Before light an Indian arrived in our camp, bringing the intelligence that Mr. 
Culbertson was some distance to the south of us, somewhere on Muddy river, with a wagon 
and four men, sent out by Mr. Osgood to meet us. Our guidg assuring us that he thought we 
could not be over sixteen miles from Fort Union, I sent Mr. Tinkham out to say to him we 
would go into Fort Union to-night, and they need not go out of their way to meet us, as we 
would see them there. 
Started at 8o'clock. Our noon halt was made on Painted Wood creek, 101 miles from our 
camp. Here we were joined by two Indians of another Assiniboine camp on their way from 
the north to Fort Union to get tobacco, &c. 
About 16 miles of to-day’s march was over a most excellent, hard, prairie road, of gradual 
but steady ascent, when it began to assume the appearance of a rolling country, much broken 
up, in advance of us. 
When our odometer indicated we had made 20% miles’ march, being at a good camping place, 
although our two guides recognized two hills which marked the position of the Yellowstone, 
and thought them only about six miles off, we went into camp. We were soon joined by 
Tinkham, who had found the trail, but could find nothing of Mr. Culbertson’s party. Kendall 
went out two or three miles to the eastward, and came back with the intelligence that he had 
crossed the trail, and seen indications that the wagon had gone and returned over the same 
trail. There is here a great scarceness of buffalo chips, which were destroyed by fire last 
spring. I ordered the breaking of two or three boxes and the issue of pemmican, and sent off 
