34 RECONNAISSANCE FROM CARROLL, MONTANA, 
hunters at first wished to accompany us, but were afterward deterred by reports of Indians near 
the mountains. I did not altogether regret this; for a small party entirely under control might be 
safer than a larger one withoutdiscipline. In orderto get the ambulance out of the boat, we dropped 
down stream a mile and a half to the “ point” below on the north bank, whence a hay-road led up 
the hill, climbing the 800 or 900 feet of ascent which was necessary to reach the prairie above, 
En rowe to Little (ence winding along narrow ridges formed by the deeply-penetrating coulés and 
Rocky Mountains. ravines setting back from the river-valley. Reaching the prairie, the Little Rockies 
were in full view, and we traveled rapidly toward them over a dry, stony, nearly level road, with 
a brief halt for water at a pool in an unnamed creek-bed. Reaching the margin of the high prairie 
overlooking Little Rocky Creek, the descent appeared precipitous and the valley below difficult 
to travel. We therefore proceeded directly toward the mountains, and took our chance of finding 
Camp near the Little Water. Approaching within three or four miles, a very good camp for our small 
Rocky Mountains. party was found near some springs. There was no wood, but we were fortunate 
enough to find a few pieces of drift brought down from the mountains during a freshet, and buffalo. 
chips were abundant. Two or three herds of buffalo were grazing witbin sight, 
gradually moving off as they became aware of our presence, and the antelope were 
more numerous than I had ever seen them. Soon after sunset, the harvest moon swung its broad 
disk above the eastern horizon, and flooded the yellow prairie with almost the light of day, shining 
brilliantly all night from a cloudless sky. The air was still, and the temperature mild and pleasant: 
About midnight, the snorting of the horses aroused me, and I found the men all up to keep the 
buffalo which surrounded the camp from coming so near as to stampede our cattle. They were 
approaching us to get water from the springs upon which we were encamped. The animals loomed 
up huge and black in contrast with the yellow prairie, and were evidently in great numbers, as their 
deep rattling snorts and snuffles could be heard in all directions. 
In the gray light of early dawn, an antelope, attracted by the white cover of the ambulance, 
walked nearly into camp, and furnished an excellent breakfast. It was a barren doe, very fat and 
tender, with small horns, an inch or two in length. 
September 16.—Mr. Dana spent the day exploring and examining the mountains. Camp was 
broken at 8 with the intention of finding another farther east in a sort of bay in the south side of 
the range, where wood would be more convenient, and which should offer better protection in case 
the Indians should discover us. 
The presence of buffaloin such great numbers, and the known propinquity of a large Indian 
Little Rocky Camp some twenty-five or thirty miles to the eastward, on Pouchette Creek, induced 
Mountains. me to believe that a more concealed camp would be much safer. The party was 
so small that it would be just as well to remain undiscovered. Entering the valley, it was found full 
of buffalo and antelope. The adjacent coulés and ravines were thoroughly examined for water 
without success, and I finally concluded to return to last night’s camp. This is ordinarily an inju- 
dicious thing to do; but the quiet demeanor of the buffalo induced me to believe that they had not 
recently been hunted. Sending the ambulance back to camp, I took one man, and entered a pass 
behind the prominent mountain, where a well-worn game-trail furnished a good path. The mount- - 
ains are well wooded and some 1,200 or 1,500 feet in height, apparently destitute of running water 
at this season. At a narrow place in the trail, a buffalo was encountered, who, after an instant’s 
halt, uttered a frightened snort, and whirlirg his huge bulk around with ludicrous suddenness, set 
off at full speed. A few deer were seen, but no elk or sign of any. The mountains, in fact, seem 
to be too destitute of water to abound in the ordinary game. Emerging from the pass directly north 
of and in view of camp, the bed of the stream which supplied the springs below was found to be dry 
and stony. High upon the mountain-slopesa herd of buffalo were grazing, and Mr. Dana was dis- 
tinguished approaching them with his carbine. His shots killed one, and started the herd at head- 
long speed down the mountain. Hastily concealing ourselves in the bed of the stream, the herd 
swept past, losing two more of their number. I endeavored to overtake on horseback a calf, the 
mother of which had been killed, but my horse developed no great amount of speed, and the calf 
certainly did, skipping away from me with the utmost agility. We returned to camp and had a 
quiet night, though unpleasantly cold without tents, water freezing in the buckets. 
Buffalo. 
