450 PUGET SOUND AND OKONAGAN. 



had been in hopes of reaching the Little Prairie before night, but in 

 consequence of this delay, were forced to encamp before arriving there. 



The Indians complained much of the want of food : many of the 

 horses also were exhausted for the same cause, and exhibited their 

 scanty nourishment in their emaciated appearance. 



On the 26th, they reached the Little Prairie at an early hour, where, 

 after consultation, it was determined to wait a day to recruit the 

 horses, as this was the only place they could obtain food. It was also 

 desirable to ascertain the practicability of passing the mountain with 

 the horses, and at the same time to carry forward some of the loads, 

 that the horses might have as little as possible to transport. Mr. 

 Waldron and Pierre Charles were therefore sent forward with the 

 Indians, having loads of fifty pounds each, to ascend the mountain, 

 while Lieutenant Johnson remained with the camp to get observa- 

 tions. Dr. Pickering and Mr. Brackenridge accompanied the party 

 of Mr. Waldron to the snow-line. The prairie on which they had 

 encamped was about two and a half acres in extent, and another of 

 the same size was found half a mile farther east. 



The 27th was employed by Lieutenant Johnson in determining 

 the positions of this prairie, which proved to be in latitude 47° 05' 

 54" N., and longitude 120° 13' W. The variation was 19° 39' 

 easterly. At sunset, messengers arrived from Mr. Waldron, who 

 had reached the summit at noon, and was to proceed down to the 

 snow-line to encamp. The snow was found to be about ten feet 

 deep, and the party crossing sank about ankle-deep, for which 

 reason opinions varied as to the possibility of getting the horses 

 over ; but it was determined to make the trial. Lieutenant Johnson, 

 therefore, set out, leaving a supply of food with an old Indian and 

 a horse, both of whom were worn out, and unable to proceed. 



By eleven o'clock, they were met by Pierre Charles and the 

 Indians, who gave some slight hopes of accomplishing the task of 

 getting all over. Lieutenant Johnson determined to take only the 

 strongest horses to the edge of the snow. At half-past 6, p. m., they 

 reached the best practicable encampment, being a mile beyond the 

 place where Mr. Waldron had encamped two days before. The 

 snow having melted so rapidly. Lieutenant Johnson, taking all 

 things into consideration, determined, notwithstanding the forebodings 

 of failure held out by the party that had gone before, to make the 

 attempt. It now became necessary to push on with as much haste 

 as possible, on account of the state of their provisions ; for what with 



