ROUTE ACROSS THE CONTINENT. 



225 



come is much greater, amounting to 6000 feet. ^ There 

 are likewise two ridges to be passed, which fact would 

 form a very strong objection to this pass. 



"The Vermilion Pass, which was traversed by Dr. 

 Hector, presents on a whole the greatest natural facilities 

 for crossing the mountains without the aid of engineering 

 work, as the rise to the height of land is gradual from 

 both sides, a feature which seems to be peculiar to this 

 pass. It would thus be impossible to diminish its summit 

 level (which is less than 5000 feet), as is proposed in the 

 case of Kananaskis Pass, but on the other hand it would 

 be the most suitable for the construction of an easy 

 waggon road. 



" This, like the other two passes I have mentioned, 

 also strikes the Kootanie Eiver close to its source ; but 

 last summer Dr. Hector crossed the mountains by another 

 pass from the head of the north branch of the Saskatche- 

 wan, directly to the Columbia Eiver, in the vicinity of 

 the boat encampment. 



" Although I consider this fact established, viz., that a 

 line for a route has been discovered from Eed Eiver 

 Settlement to the west coast of the continent, and that 

 line moreover entirely within British territory, yet I 

 wish distinctly to be understood that I think it far from 

 being the best that could be discovered. Time did 

 not admit of a series of attempts in a more northerly 

 direction. 



" Dr. Hector's explorations, when within sixty miles of 

 his exit on Thompson's Eiver, were prematurely closed by 

 the advance of winter and the absence of provisions, 

 while forcing his way through timber so thick that he 

 could not penetrate faster than from three to four miles a 



VOL. II. Q 



