NARRATIVE OF 1853. 107 
in battle. On reaching the rocks and seeing the Gros Ventres, he said: “Неге I will die 
to-day, you have brought me to this," and rushing upon his enemies he killed two, and then 
received his death wound. Before his death he advised his people to be the friends of the 
whites, saying it was their only chance to escape defeat and utter ruin. 
Kept on through the afternoon, passing over a rolling country, tolerably grassy, occasionally 
crossing hollows where water runs in the spring, and reached the Marias about half-past four 
o'clock, when we camped. This stream at our crossing was about fifty yards wide, one foot 
deep, and of somewhat rapid current, and the river valley was about a mile wide. There 
was plenty of cottonwood, and we had a most excellent camp. Spent the evening in con- 
versation with the Indians who accompanied us. 
EXPRESS FROM LIEUTENANT SAXTON. 
September 11.—We were off about seven o'clock, and after travelling until near noon, halted 
at a spring, where we procured a small supply of water. Here I lost my pistol, (Colt’s revolver.) 
Continuing on without unsaddling, in less than an hour I was overtaken by Baptiste Champagne 
with an express from Lieutenant Donelson, enclosing a brief report from Lieutenant Grover, to 
the effect that Lieutenant Grover met Lieutenant Saxton near the dividing ridge, and that they 
were returning together to Fort Benton.—(See sketch.) Lieutenant Grover intimated in his 
brief letter that Lieutenant Saxton reported the route could not be traversed by wagons. This 
changed the aspect of affairs, and I determined to send Mr. Stanley to the Piegan camp with 
the interpreter, Hammell, and to return immediately with Mr. Culbertson to Fort Benton. I 
determined also to defer the examination of the Marias Pass to another season. There was not 
that harmony in Mr. Lander’s party which I deemed indispensable to making the examination 
which I had intrusted to him. Accordingly I ordered him to return with me. Stanley continued 
on to the Piegan camp, and I started back on my way to Fort Benton. It made along march 
for us, for to get a good camp it was necessary to reach the Marias. Our Indian guide, 
however, made his way pretty directly to the camp; one hour and a half we travelled in the 
dark. The descent to the river was somewhat steep and difficult. We succeeded in getting 
into a good camp about 8 o’clock, when we all came together. 
It may be remarked that, before starting on my return, I despatched an express to Donelson 
to push on with his advanced party, but to keep the track of the main train till my arrival. My 
purpose being, in the event the information brought by Saxton was different Lop ный I 
expected, to leave the wagons behind and goon with packs, and 1 wished the train in a 
position to make the change with ease and despatch. 
September 12, 1853.—Started early and pushing rapidly reached Fo 
Here I learned that, on the arrival of my express this morning, Lieutenan 1 
delayed moving since the 10th, had sent forward a small advance party, and remained in camp 
himself with the main train, in conformity with my instructions. Lieutenant Saxton arrived at 
Vancouver June 27, having been delayed at San Francisco since the first of that month, 
procuring supplies and assistants. On July 2, Lieutenant Arnold, who had volunteered to 
accompany the expedition, left Vancouver with most of the stores destined for нт, depot et the 
Bitter Root valley, with twenty-one men as packers, &c. On account of the high water in the 
Columbia, he had much difficulty in passing the Cascades, and although everything had to be 
carried around them on the men’s backs, he succeeded, after a week's hard labor, in landing ы рез 
at the Dalles. Five days after Lieutenant Saxton also reached there, having completed his 
Fort Benton about 30 clock. 
t Donelson, who had 
