316 
FROM THE FLATHEAD CAMP TO ST. MARY’S VALLEY. 
Burr and an Indian guide, with directions to follow their trail a reasonable length of time, and if 
he met with the party, to warn its chief of his error; and in case he could not overtake them, to 
retrace his steps, and follow on our trail to the village of St. Mary’s. To this effect he and the 
Indian, mounted as well as the condition of our animals admitted, started at 12 m. on their trail. 
We passed to-day quite a large tributary to the Hell Gate river, coming in from the west-south¬ 
west, called the Flint creek, by following which, our Indians stated, led to a road of two or 
two and a half days’ journey to the St. Mary’s village, across the Bitter Root range of mountains, 
but by a much more rough and rugged trail than the one we were then travelling. They stated 
that the road was by the Gun Flint creek, and is the one travelled by the Blackfoot Indians in the 
spring, when visiting the Flathead country to steal horses. I thought it probable, therefore, that 
Mr. Lander’s party had taken this road across the mountains, and in that case Mr. Burr could not 
overtake them before reaching the village of St. Mary’s. 
Continuing our journey over a series of prairie hills till 2.30 p. m., we encamped on the west 
bank of the Hell Gate. Here the stream was well wooded; channel-water two feet deep, clear, 
and the current quite rapid; bottom stony and gravelly. 
The weather during this afternoon was cool and cloudy, which, towards the middle of the 
night, changed to a cold rain, rendering our overcoats very comfortable. Game during this day 
has been exceedingly scarce; one antelope was all that was seen during the day; at night, how¬ 
ever, one elk came near the camp, when three of the party started, one on horseback, in pursuit 
of him. They succeeded in wounding him, but not so badly but that he escaped. The Indians 
were exceedingly anxious to capture him, since they had nothing to eat, but were dependent on 
our bounty, which was necessarily small and limited. Here I am forced to mention the patience 
and fortitude of these Indians. Here they were, brought from their tribes and homes, and in the 
midst of their hunting season, to guide and accompany the whites across the Rocky mountains, 
and when without anything to eat they displayed a degree of Christian fortitude rarely seen 
among any other class of people; but willingly did we share our scanty fare with them. 
September 27, 1853.—Commences cool and cloudy, giving indication of rain; the thermometer 
at sunrise being 42°. We resumed our journey this morning at 6.30 a. m., continuing our course 
along the banks of the Hell Gate river, which we crossed five times during the day, finding a good 
ford at each crossing, with water about two feet deep; the current very rapid and bottom 
rocky. The stream continued to be well wooded ; the valley in places being a pine forest, the trees 
growing to a great height, and perfectly straight. We found the valley to-day running nearly 
west, but the stream itself very tortuous, and making large bends. We saw no game to-day. 
We saw on the road in abundance what is called by some the mountain apple, a small red 
berry, growing in bunches from six to nine feet high. They looked very much like the apple 
seen on the rose-bush when the flower has been plucked or withered. The taste is somewhat 
similar to that of the apple of the States, and when touched severely by the frosts are said to be 
very good. 
The mountains on each side of the valley are still clad with pine ; the valley itself being to-day 
very level, affording a beautiful road; the grass being very good. After a march of twenty- 
five miles, we encamped on the right bank of the Hell Gate river, finding good grass, wood, and 
water. 
About seven o’clock p. m. the Indian guide who had accompanied Mr. Burr returned, stating 
that Mr. Burr was back thirty or forty miles. I concluded, therefore, to remain in camp until he 
should return. The night of this day was mild and pleasant. We passed, about 10 o’clock a. 
m., a second trail leading to St. Mary’s village, which was to our right, being the one followed 
during the high-water seasons. 
September 28, 1853.—Commences cool and cloudy. At 8 o’clock a. m. it commenced raining, 
which continued during the day, though moderately. We remained in camp to-day; our Indians 
amusing themselves in fishing and arranging their trinkets, &c., as they were now approaching 
