Capt. Biakiston’s Explorations in the Rocky Mountains. 337 
ere is sufficient crust on the deep 
snow of the mountains, on snow shoes, also for the purpose of 
pyeining provisions, for there is little or no game on the west 
side. 
On the 2d of September, I set out on my return journey across 
the mountains. The morning was clear and sharp, the ther- 
mMometer being two degrees below freezing. er I had lost 
sight of the Kootanie camp, and was riding ahead of my part 
on a S.S.E. course over undulating prairie, I felt satisfied that I 
had done all that came under the spirit of my instructions, and 
was happy to be able to recross the mountains by another unex- 
plored route; my only regret was that this time it was not my 
fate to see the Pacific. ° 
Leaving the Tobacco Plains at a point where they were pretty 
thickly wooded we followed a narrow trail, which, turning the 
the north end. We crossed a considerable mountain stream 
coming down a valley from the north, which as it may be of use 
‘0 the Boundary Commission, I have taken care to mark, a 
fitlen u 
y the next morning, Sunday, 
mand nearly all that day, giving 
