120 NARRATIVE OF 1853. 
In the pass, which may be considered some eight or nine miles long, there would have been 
some work, for many coulées run down into the tributaries of the Missouri, whose general 
valley we pursued, which would have to be bridged, or the banks on either side slightly dug 
away and improved; but even this amount of work, to parties experienced in encountering the 
difficulties of the prairies, would have been of trifling consequence. We were twenty minutes 
simply descending on the western side, which was somewhat more steep than the eastern. 
Continuing on, we followed the valley of the Blackfoot river some ten miles, and camped in 
good grass, with excellent water and abundance of wood. It may be generally remarked that, 
since leaving Sun river, no difficulty has occurred in finding excellent camps, with plenty of 
wood, water, and good grass. Shortly after getting into camp it commenced raining, and con- 
tinned steadily all night; the weather being raw and cold. 
September 25.—Raining hard. this morning. The animals having strayed some distance, we 
were detained until 8 a. m. The first fourteen miles were through an open, wide and beautiful 
prairie, after which much of our way was through wood, where fallen timber offered serious 
impediments to our rapid progress. At times through the river bottom, the low brush and 
willow growing around us made it necessary to use our arms to open the brush in po our 
way through it. 
At 1 o’clock Stanley and myself, having gone rapidly ahead, had a AUR fire built to receive 
our party as they came up. Here we lunched. By 3 o'clock the clouds were breaking away 
and the rain had ceased. Crossed several hills to-day, travelling on the sides of some of them. 
Just before we came out on the prairie on which we found Lieutenant Donelson and the main 
party encamped, we were three hundred feet above the level of the river. On the sides of the 
hill below us was growing the mountain pine; in the valley beneath, right at the base of this 
hill, was the clear, rapid stream; beyond was the foliage of the trees growing in the bottom. 
The tops looked like a green, rich carpet; further on were wide prairies, all bounded by a high 
ridge of beautiful hills, altogether forming a scene of surpassing beauty. At 5 p. m.e reached 
Lieutenant Donelson's camp, and found we had travelled about one hundred and forty-four 
miles since leaving Fort Benton. 
LIEUTENAN T DONELSON'S САМР. 
I conferred this evening with Lieutenant Donelson in regard to the continuation of the 
survey through the Bitter Root valley. He was exceedingly desirous to despatch Antoine 
Plante aeross the low divide lying between us and the Hell.Gate fork of the Bitter Root, to 
search for the gold mine which was known to exist on one of the tributaries of the latter river. 
It was well known to us that the Indians of that country reported very rich gold mines at 
different points; and our guide, Antoine, was of opinion that he would have no difficulty in 
finding the place. But it seemed to me, the season being late, that it would be better that 
this examination should be made by Lieutenant Mullan, who would have ampler opportunities 
and more time to do it thoroughly; and accordingly I directed Antoine to accompany me to the 
Bitter Root valley. Near our camp, the Blackfoot fork branches, the valley is very wide and 
open, and the лысы in view теа us and the Hell-Gate is generally a rolling, well-grassed 
prairie. 
Mr. Tinkham had been дн by lends Donelson, on reaching the Sun river. to 
make an examination of its upper valley, and the country thence under the base of the moun- 
tains. to Cadotte's Pass, with a view of laying down a line of easy grades to the mountains. 
