22 Expedition^ £s?c. 



Peak." It appeared about twenty miles distant, towards the 

 northwest; our view was cut off from the base, by an inter- 

 vening spur of less elevation, but all the upper part of the 

 Peak was visible, with patches of snow, extending down to 

 the commencement of the woodv region. 



At about one o'clock P. M., a dense black cloud was seen 

 to collect in the southwest, and advancing towards the Peak, 

 it remained nearly stationary over that part of the moun- 

 tains, pouring down torrents of rain. The thunder was loud 

 and frequent, and though little rain fell near our camp, the 

 creek soon began to swell, and before sunset it had risen 

 about six feet, and again subsided nearly to its former level. 

 When the stream began to rise, it was soon covered with 

 such a quantity of bison's dung, suddenly washed in from the 

 declivities of the mountains and the plains at its base, ihat 

 the water could scarcely be seen. 



As one of the objects of our excursion was to ascertain 

 the elevation of the Peak, it was determined to remain in our 

 present camp for three days, which would alFord an oppor- 

 tunity for some of the party to ascend the mountain. 



