PUGET SOUND AND OKONAGAN. 423 



form a bridge to transport the baggage, by cutting down trees. The 

 current was found to run 6-2 miles per hour. They 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 desira- 

 ble 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 Lieu- 

 tenant Johnson remained with the camp to get observations. Dr. 

 Pickering and Mr. Brackenridge accompanied the party of Mr. Wal- 

 dron 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 5 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 conside- 

 ration, determined, notwithstanding the forebodings of failure held out 

 by the party that had gone before, to make the attempt. It now be- 

 came necessary to push on with as much haste as possible, on account 

 of the state of their provisions ; for what with the loss sustained in 



