MEDICINE BUTTE — BEAR RIVER. 77 



CHAPTER IV. . 



FROM FORT BRIDGER TO GREAT SALT LAKE CITY. 



Monday^ August 20. — We followed the Mormon road for several 

 miles, and then took a " cut-off" leading more to the north, crossing 

 the dividing ridge between the waters of Muddy Fork, an affluent 

 of Green River, and those of Bear River, which falls into the 

 Great Basin. We crossed the broad valley of Tar-Spring Creek, 

 a tributary of Bear River, where the two roads join. The " cut- 

 off" has been abandoned on account of an almost impassable hill 

 at the dividing ridge. This, and another almost equally steep, are 

 the only objections to this route, the rest of the way being excel- 

 lent. Leaving the Mormon road at the crossing of Bear River, 

 we followed down its valley six miles, as far as Medicine Butte, an 

 elevated knob in the valley. This is a spot well known among the 

 Indians, as that to which they were formerly in the habit of re- 

 pairing to consult their oracles, or "medicine-men," who had lo- 

 cated their "medicine lodge" in the vicinity of this little mountain. 

 The route of a road to reach the north end of Salt Lake should 

 pursue a nearly west course from Bridger's Fort to this Butte, a 

 distance of about thirty miles ; the country, according to the 

 representations of our guide, who has passed over it many times, 

 being extremely favourable. 



At our encampment on Bear River, near this Butte, abundance 

 of speckled trout were caught, resembling in all respects the brook 

 trout of the States, except that the speckles are black instead of 

 yellow. An ox, which had strayed from some unfortunate emi- 

 grant, was found on the bank of the stream, in such capital condi- 

 tion that he was shot for food, and such portions as we could not 

 carry with us were most generously presented to a small encamp- 

 ment of Shoshonee Indians, whose wigwams were erected among 

 the bushes on the opposite side of the stream. It was curious to 

 see how perfectly every portion of the animal was secured by 

 them for food, even the paunch and entrails being thoroughly 

 washed for that purpose. The squaws acted as the butchers, and 

 displayed familiar acquaintance with the business, while the men 



