TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 15 
the eastward, on the southern slope of the Snowies. We also heard that a fight had taken place 
two nights before between the Crows and a party of Sioux, and that a war-party of one hundred 
Sioux had passed subsequently through the gap, going northward. 
Emerging from the gap, the road led west and south over a dry, sterile, and dusty prairie, in the 
teeth of a blistering southwest gale, across Hoppley’s Hole and Haymaker’s and Daisy Dean Creeks, 
iuto the valley of the Mussellshell, whose freshness and greenness and abundance of timber afforded 
the strongest coutrast to the country behind us. The hired teams were mortally weary, and had 
been with the greatest difficulty urged all day against the strong, hot wiud. Released from har- 
ness, they ran to the bank and leaped bodily into the stream, thrusting their muz- Camp on Mussel- 
zles deep into.the cool water with great contentment. The river is twenty-five or 4! Kiver. 
thirty feet wide, and on the average seven or eight inches deep, of clear, rapid flow, over a gravelly 
bottom ; the valley level, wide, fertile, and richly grassed, with heavy clumps of timber ou the low 
banks of the stream. 
August 5.—Made an early start, aud at two or three miles from camp came to the “ forks” of the 
Musselshell, where the north and soutb branches unite. Here a ranchman had Forks of the Mus- 
established himself, raising cattle, and, by means of an irrigating-ditch, cultivating  **!sbe!- 
some seventy-five or eighty acres in oatsand wheat. Throughout Montana, owing to the very thor- 
ough drainage, the general altitude above the sea, and the prevailing dryness of the atmosphere, 
irrigation is essential to successful agriculture. 
A stage-station of the Carroll road is made at this ranch, sixty-five miles from Lewis and fifty- 
six miles from Baker. 
The road followed west and north up the North Fork, passing through arocky, wooded cajfion of 
considerable beauty. Here the road, overlooking the stream, whose windings it North Fork of the 
followed, and deeply shaded by pines, made a very agreeable drive, the more so Musselshell. 
that we were now beyond any danger from Indians. Emerging from the caiion, the road led west 
and south over a high, rolling, and hilly prairie. At the foot of a long down-grade lay Copperop- 
olis, which was found to consist of a mining-shaft and a deserted shanty. The Norte Pbeka Deep 
North Fork of Deep Creek was reached at 4 p.m. and camp made. The creek Cte 
abounded with trout, and the wood, water, and grass were plenty and good. 
August 6.—The road led down the valley of Deep Creek west and south to Brewer’s Springs, 
where the luxuries of a hot bath, followed by a generous breakfast, were enjoyed. The waters well 
up freely, strongly impregnated with sulphur, from several springs, with temperatures varying from 
105° to 115° Fahrenheit. They are taken up-in wooden pipes, and introduced into Brewer's Hot Sul- 
the bathing-houses. The odor is at first unpleasant, but the water is soft and  Pbur Springs. 
thoroughly delightful to the skin. The color is a milky, cloudy blue, and soft, delicate filaments 
of sulphur adhere to the sides of the bath and stream from the mouths of the supplying-tubes. A 
small hotel has been built for the accommodation of visitors. At this point unite the two forks of 
Deep Creek, which, bearing the name of Smith’s River, flows here north and west past Camp Baker 
to join the Missouri. The Carroll road bifurcates, one branch going west over the _gifareation of the 
mountains, the other following the rich and fertile river-valley, which supports C@rtel! read. 
thousands of cattle on its lush pasturage, until at sixteen and three-fourths miles from the springs 
the road reaches Camp Baker, where it deflects to the west, toward Helena. 
The post is an irregular-looking cluster of buildings planted in the midst of a level and stony 
plain, surrounded by mountains, upon which frequent patches of snow appear. 
An irrigating-ditch brings a current of water through the garrison, but hardly 
appears able to vivify the arid soil. The troops at Baker are two companies of the Seventh Infan- 
try, Major Freeman commanding. I found here my party awaiting me, and without loss of time 
made preparations for the trip to Ellis. The transportation and escort which had hitherto accom- 
panied the party had returned to Ellis, and as the road to that point was considered comparatively 
safe, a small force only was needed. 
August 7.—Pulled out at 8 a. m., with transportation consisting of two six-mule teains and a 
four-mule ambulance, with saddle-horses for the party, and a sergeant and two men for guard and 
camp duty. There are two routes from Baker to Ellis: one, called the Duck Creek Two voutes from 
route, via the Missouri and Gallatin Valleys, is perfectly safe, being within the set- Baker te Fort Ellis. 
Camp Baker, Mont. 
