FROM THE COLUMBIA VALLEY TO FORT OWEN. 
259 
We passed an American horse with two bullet-holes in his flank, and one in his head, and much 
torn and mangled by the wolves; the fate of the owner of the poor steed is still a mystery. 
Called this camp Camp Dismal. 
Thursday, August 18.—Thermometer, 42°.2 ; barometer, 2S.00-5. Marched ten miles in an 
easterly direction, and encamped in good grass. The route has been through a dense forest, either 
burning or just burned, the ground being very hot for the animals’ feet. 
Friday , August 19.—Thermometer, 47°.5 ; barometer, 28.2. We marched to Thompson’s 
prairie, a fine patch of high meadow land hemmed in by mountains. It is situated on Clark’s 
fork of the Columbia, and covered with excellent grass. This is a favorite camping ground of 
the Indians on their hunting expeditions to the plains of the Missouri, and is occasionally visited 
by the Blackfeet, from the east side of the Rocky mountains, on their marauding expeditions to 
steal horses from the Flatheads, Pend d’Oreilles, and Spokanes. 
The Hudson’s Ray Company had formerly a trading-post here, but it has since been abandoned. 
The whole region is abandoned by the Indians and the lew whites who have had trading-posts 
here, from fear of the Blackfeet. These renowned and formidable freebooters keep this whole 
region in terror during the summer season, as they come annually to steal horses and kill whom¬ 
soever they meet. The Flatheads and Nez Perces, in return, hunt the Blackfeet buffalo, and take 
life for life, with interest if possible. Thus a perpetual warfare is carried on between them. 
We passed over a very fine region—high pine forest, with grass of the very best quality grow¬ 
ing among the trees. From the top of a high mountain which we crossed we had a splendid view 
of the river, with its white banks of limestone winding among the trees. The whole country 
as far as the eye could reach was a dense forest. 
Two more horses gave out to-day, dying from the effect of the previous day’s labor without 
food. We had to take the greatest precaution to guard against fire; and notwithstanding our care, 
last night a quantity of provisions, saddles, &c., were burned. The grass and other undergrowth 
is so dry at this season of the year, that a spark is sufficient to set all on fire. 
Saturday, August 20.—Remained in camp to give the animals rest. They are in a sad con¬ 
dition; their feet worn to the quick upon the stones, and backs very much injured by the pack- 
saddles. Last night we had a heavy rain—the first since leaving the Dalles. 
Sunday , August 21.—Everything was wet last night, and our condition in camp was so uncom¬ 
fortable that we started at an earlv hour. Crossed Thompson’s river about a mile from camp, and 
marched southeast twenty miles to Horse Plains, a favorite camping ground of the Blackfeet 
Crossed the “Bad Rock,” so called by the trappers; it is a compound of a mass of sharp, flinty 
stones—the termination of a high mountain which rises almost perpendicularly from the bed of the 
river to a great height. The feet of our animals were much injured in crossing it. Two pack- 
horses tumbled over the precipice and rolled down fifty yards into the river: one, rolling side¬ 
ways, was but slightly injured; the other, going beels-over-head, was terribly cut and bruised. 
The men were about to put an end to his sufferings, but as he showed signs of life it was decided to 
give him a chance. Both followed on after the train, and will soon be able to resume their packs. 
Monday, August 22.—Thermometer at sunrise, 37°.S; barometer, 28.115. Marched fifteen 
miles to Kammas prairie, over a very rough road, through an open pine forest. Discovered in 
the sand many tracks of Blackfeet. Antoine, the guide, says there are large numbers of them 
about, watching an opportunity to steal horses. The Indians come here to dig kammas, which 
is an important article of food among them. 
The Blackfeet send war parties here to steal horses, and kill any whom they can take by 
surprise. As they are undoubtedly on our path, we keep strict watch by night. Lieutenants 
Arnold, Macfeely, and myself, alternate every two hours in keeping guard; not in the style of 
civilized strategy, but according to the aboriginal mode—hiding in a bush near the camp, 
ready to give a leaden challenge to any rash marauder who shall approach too near the horses. 
The Indians, seeing our vigilance, will probably let us pass unmolested. 
