OVERLAND EXPEDITION TO SAN FRANCISCO. 293 



all directions, and the soil was dry and barren. At sunset 

 we pitched our tents on a spot of green grass, near the southern 

 branch of the Klamet River, which is likewise a beautiful 

 stream, and abounds in fish. 



The Indians found here were well disposed and better look- 

 ing than any we had seen before. They supplied us with 

 some salmon which were of a whitish color, and greatly iu- 

 ferior in flavor to those taken in the Columbia. They were 

 also willing to sell their bows and arrows, which were neatly 

 made, and several were purchased for the Government. 



October 2d, 9 A. M., we bade adieu to Klamet River, and 

 directed our steps to the southward. The country was now 

 more undulating, and apparently more fertile, than that we 

 passed over the preceding day. We did not meet with any 

 water till late in the day, in consequence of which, the poor 

 animals suffered excessively from thirst. Large herds of an- 

 telopes and mountain-sheep were seen ; the latter are of a 

 grayish color, have long spreading horns, and are much larger 

 animals than the ordinary sheep. 



From the 3d and up to the 10th, we were engaged in cross- 

 ing the Shaste Range. These mountains may be represented 

 as being a succession of a range of high hills, separated from 

 each other by narrow valleys, traversed by streams that are 

 fed by the melting snows which cover the tops of the highest 

 peaks. The path was serpentine and difficult, and several of 

 the horses broke down before the summit of the last range 

 could be gained. In the valleys the Pinus Lambertiana was 

 seen flourishing in all its glory ; several trees were measured, 

 and found to be three hundred feet in height. 



The day after we commenced to ascend these mountains, 

 we fell in with the head waters of the Sacramento, which flow 

 to the southward. At this point it was an insignificant 



