NARRATIVE OF 1855. 207 
abutments and in throwing an arch along the line of the river from the northern to the 
southern end of this bluff, and therefore a heavy bridge structure along the bank of the river 
will enable you to pass these bluffs. It would require but а single arch ; so whenever the bank 
shelves again it will pass under the arch, and it may do so repeatedly without interfering at all 
with the structure. In one quarter of a mile from the end of these bluffs we come to a creek 
which will have to be bridged, and in a quarter of a mile further we come to the plateau. 
This last half mile will require some side cutting. We then continue for three miles and 
three-quarters over an open prairie, with a somewhat hard soil, better adapted to grazing than 
farming, and which can easily be adapted to grades. At the end of this distance is a fine 
mountain stream which must be bridged. The whole distance is in a large re-entering. An 
almost straight line can be laid all through this distance. The prairie is characterized by 
plateaux, which run obliquely to һе river, and which will have to be handled with some little 
care in order to reduce grades, as well as excavations and embankments. I will here observe, 
speaking of these plateaux, that in a careful examination of the country, simply with reference 
to its practicability for a railroad line, they hardly come into the account at all; they are 
simply matters of detail; and I have gone into these details with great particularity on the 
present occasion, because in 1853 I reported in regard to this route difficulties which, on a 
review of the route in 1855, I found to be much exaggerated. In one mile there is a slight 
change of level, for the plateau rises twenty feet, but the road should still keep on the river 
side. For one mile further there will be some side cutting for half the distance. In three 
miles and a half, gaining gently from the last distance the prairie of our camp, we lay the 
road in a straight course. Неге is a fine prairie of two to three thousand acres of excellent 
grass and watered by several streams. Our route to-day enabled us to view the opposite side 
of the river. Half a mile before reaching camp a stream flows into the Bitter Root from the 
opposite side, and three miles and a half before reaching camp a larger stream flows in. The 
first stream is about ono-half and the latter stream about three-fourths the size of the St. Regis 
de Borgia. I will observe that just after leaving camp this morning we met a Flathead Indian, 
with a note from Mr. Adams, saying that the Indians were patiently waiting for my arrival. 
The Indian was sent back with a note saying that I would be there the next day. 
Friday, July 6.—Before entering upon the details of this day’s journey I will state that, on 
leaving my camp on the right bank of the Bitter Root river, I pushed forward with a small 
party, leaving our packmaster, Higgins, in charge of the supply train to cone mp a day later 
than myself. It was always a favorite plan with me to have a trustworthy man in charge of the 
train and animals, and let him have his own way, under general instructions, so as to leave me 
free to devote my whole time to the examination of the country. Starting пою our morning’s 
mile takes us to the end of the plateau, where the river can be crossed 
to a plateau on the opposite side ; but continuing on this side one-eighth of a mile further involves 
side hill work, with a curvature of two thousand feet. For a mile and one-eighth further 
the plateau is from thirty to seventy feet above the water level of the Bitter Root ; but a 
grade of forty feet could be adjusted to the ground without heavy лыска туной For two 
miles more the plateau is still generally followed. Two bridges in this distance will be required 
The excavation and embankment for this distance will average about 
six feet. Five-eighths of a mile further on we come to somewhat difficult work ; the banks 
are bluff, presenting steep natural rock embankments, and making it necessary to take the 
railroad line close to the water’s edge. At two points, in order to avoid sharp curvature, we 
must enter somewhat upon the river itself: but there will be no difficulty in the structure, as 
camp, three-quarters of a 
to cross mountain streams. 
