NARRATIVE OF 1853. 131 
country, with several patches of prairie, one of which, two and a half miles long, and containing, 
probably, 1,000 acres, was covered with an excellent growth of grass, and at its western border 
‚ was wooded. Here we met a band of about fifty Nez Percés Indians going to hunt, (see sketch.) 
They have from 250 to 300 horses, most of them splendid animals, in fine condition, and with 
perfectly sound backs. Women and children helped to compose the band, and babies of fifteen 
months old, packed in a sitting posture, rode along without fear, grasping the reins with their tiny 
hands. We met them in the entrance to a narrow place, a mile in length, leading along the 
water’s edge; and wishing to have a talk with them, but unwilling to lose the time in returning 
to the open ground, I invited them to turn around to the first prairie, which Antoine assured me 
was not more than a mile or two beyond. Тһе prairie we found to be well grassed, open and 
wooded. We now made our halt, and while preparing for the talk with the Indians a band of 
Cœur d'Alénes joined us. They, too, were on their way to the hunt, and numbered about 
sixty—men, women, and children—and had 200 horses and colts. We had a long talk. I told 
them about the steps taken to meet in council at Fort Benton; dwelt particularly upon the 
prospect of the Blackfeet making peace with all the Indian tribes; upon the promise they had 
given that their war parties should be stopped; and told them that at Fort Benton and St. 
Mary's I had left men who would interfere, unless these war parties ceased. This intelligence 
was most gratefully received. They tell me that they return from the hunt in March, going 
home by the Pend d'Oreille route. We parted with them at two o'clock, and at six made a 
good camp near the ford by which we mean to cross to the left bank of the Bitter Root river, upon 
whose northern bank we have been travelling. "The road has been better this afternoon, not 
as hilly and more open. Two miles from camp we met two Pend d' Oreilles, who turned around 
with us. At the camp we found a mother and daughter, who had just crossed the river and 
pitched their lodge. They had eight pack and as many spare animals, and were on their way 
to join the Indians we met this morning. We gave all the Indians coffee, and the women in 
return gave us some cooked kamas root. It is of a dark color, small, between the pear and 
onion in shape, and of a sweet, agreeable flavor. The Pend d'Oreilles say that they have 
found four horses left by Lieutenant Saxton upon Horse plain, and promise to return them to 
Lieutenant Mullan. One of the Indians, an old man, knows the Bitter Root river well, but is 
not able to act as guide to Dr. Suckley. He thinks, however, that the father of one of his 
companions, also a good guide, will go; and he promises to get him and take him to the doctor. 
I wrote by them to Mullan and Suckley. During the night oné of my best riding horses was 
strangled, his lariat being improperly tied around his neck. i 
October 9.—We started at 8 a. m., and crossed the ford.—(See sketch.) The ride of to-day 
has been rather tedious. We left the valley to get rid of the undergrowth of bushes, and took 
à trail over the side-hill, which carried us up and down hill successively, and in some instances 
through woods, occasionally obstructed by fallen timber. At noon we halted at a creek, whére 
we found a single Indian family drying venison. For a little tobacco they gave us some fresh 
meat and trout, which we roasted before the fire, and which made us a substantial lunch; after 
Which, pursuing our course, we fell upon a stream flowing from the dividing ridge, and continuing 
Up it some six miles, made a camp, where we found ап abundance of grass. Distance to-day nine- 
teen miles, | e 
October 10.—We continued in the valley about ten miles, the road leading through wood. 
Larch and spruce and inexhaustible supplies of limestone and marble were met hio за the 
latter we afterwards found in large quantities all through the mountains. At this point the 
