APPENDIX Q Q. 1(599 



September 26. — With considerable difficulty and much delay, we succeed in reaching 

 the top of the high ridge, referred to as being north of the .Missouri and near our camp 

 of lasi night; the road is hard and gravelly and the ascents steep. Gradually descend- 

 ing, our course lies about 10 J to the west of north and through a beautiful valley one 

 and one-half miles in width, with a fine growth of luxurianl grass, and ranges of Low 

 hills on either side. Then moving over the foot-hills of a small divide and encounter- 

 ing not a few anovos we make camp at 3.30 p. m.. having marched a distance of 1 L76 

 miles. Bnnch and buffalo grass of a (inequality grows plentifully everywhere, inter- 

 spersed with the cactus and sage-bush. The latter we use for our fires, there being 

 no wood in camp, and for water the residue of the last lain that we lind in a few shal- 

 low water-holes, hut it barely suffices for the stock To the northwest the blue out- 

 line of the Little Rocky Mountains is seen. 



September 27. — Leaving camp at 5.30 a. m., for three miles we pass over a high roll- 

 ing country cut by an occasional arroyos. The Judith Mountains are here discernible 

 at a distance of 40 miles, and in direction to the southwest of our trail. Our road now 

 leads over a high rolling prairie where the soil is fertile and the grass luxuriant. To 

 the cast and west of US, as far as the eye can see, stretches a vast expanse of undulating 

 prairie land, with waving grasses that furnish food for the numerous herds of buffalo 

 and antelope that graze on every side. The course of the South Fork of Fourchette 

 (reck is traced by 1 he occasional cotton wood growing along its banks. We soonreach 

 the creek, and following it up for a mile encamp on its bank, it has (dear water, free 

 from alkali, gravelly bottom, is aboutl2 feel in width, with low cut hanks. Thecamp 

 is admirably situated, and wood, water, and grass are abundant. Distance traveled, 

 9.10 miles. While our stock is grazing, a few buffalo quietly join the herd, to seek the 

 refining influence of government mules. For fear that they may stampede nock, orders 

 are given to shoot them. This fork of Fourchette Creek heads to the north of cam]), 

 and at a distance of not more than 5 miles. Leaving our wagons in charge of the in- 

 fantry, with instructions to follow our trail in the morning, at 4. 15 p. m. we start out with 

 the cavalry, mounted infantry, and pack-train, and for 10 miles pass over a country 

 gentlyrolling and with the same general characteristics as that passed over during the 

 early part of the day. At this point, 4 miles totheeast of our train, two small lakes are 

 seen, the larger of which is probably = 500 yards in length, and permanent. The water is 

 clear and pure. Soon we enter the low foot-hills that break from the Little Rocky 

 Mountains, and picking our way through the darkness, at 9.15 p.m. encamp near a few 

 rainwater holes, where grass of a fair quality grows sparsely, and no wood is found. 

 The total distance marched during the day is 24.11 miles. 



September 28. — At 0.15 a. m. we continue through the rough and broken approaches 

 of the Little Rocky Mountains, and shortly after lea vine- camp came to the Dry Fork 

 of Heaver Creek, with alkaline running water and miry bottom. In its narrow 

 valley no timber is seen, and the grass, though fair, is choked by the growth of cactus 

 and sage-hushes. Taking its rise a few miles to the west of our trail, its course is north- 

 east to its junction with Beaver Creek. Our road now leads through a high rolling 

 country, and at 9.30 a. m. passes by a small lake of clear water, free from alkali, about 

 1 mile in length and half as wide. The flocks of duck and geese that circle above it 

 find a resting place among its tall grasses. We cross a fine stream of running water, 

 the South Fork of Beaver ( 'reek, and enter a fertile valley between the Little Rockies 

 and a high ridge to the east, on the summit and sides of which the gnarled roots of tall 

 pine trees spread under and over the huge masses of detached rock, and anchor their 

 trunks securely in the most exposed and perilous situations. We halt here a few hours 

 that the stock may graze on the buffalo and hunch grass that grows luxuriantly in the 

 valley. Continuing our march we reach the foot of the Lit tie Rocky Mountains, which, 

 rising to the height of nearly 1,000 feet, impress all with a lavish display of grand and 

 imposing scenery. The whitish precipitous rocky face of the range, checkered by the 

 sunlight and shadow, is relieved by the warm gray lichens which cover it in spots, 

 and the sparkle of tiny streams of water that trickle down its surface, 'flic hardy 

 pine crowns its sum nut and flourishes in the grand solitudes and silent wilderness of the 

 comparatively unknown region. To these Forests we are indebted for the clear cool 

 spring-water t hat everywhere is found here 1 in the streams. They attract and condense 

 t lie passing clouds, ami gather up the fleeting vapors until from hough and branch they 

 fall in fertilizing drops, are absorbed by the humid, mossy, soil, and accumulating in 

 secret springs and reservoirs, go forth through valley and glen to fertilize. Stretching 

 toward the north is a tine low rolling country, rich in grass, which reaches to the 

 British possessions, 60 miles distant. Milk River, well timbered, flows east ward through 

 the expanse, and is about 25 miles from our trail. This is probably an exceedingly 

 fertile seel ion of country, and would furnish pasture for large- herds of cattle. It is cer- 

 tainly a favorite grazing ground for buffalo and antelope, vast herds of which are seen 

 in e\ cry direction. At :; p. m. we cross i he North fork of Beaver Creek. No timber is 

 seen along its hanks, and over its gravelly bed Hows the (dear spring-water that comes 

 from the mountains. Our trail still clings closely to the northern side of the Little 

 Rockies, and at •!. 10 p. m. we cross People's ( 'reek ; it has a gravelly bed, running spring- 



