532 
FROM CANTONMENT STEVENS TO FORT DALLES. 
distance without water, our animals scented it from afar, and were nearly frantic when approach¬ 
ing it. Here we reached a series of springs issuing from the sides of the mountains. Five miles 
farther we reached a large and beauiiful prairie bottom, through which ran a pure mountain 
streamlet. Here the grass was most excellent and abundant, and formed a pleasant relief from 
our anxiety, as we fully expected to be compelled to encamp again without grass. The mount¬ 
ains to-day still continued covered with the white pine, mountain ash, alder, and balsam fir; 
though, as a general ihing, the timber was more sparse to-day than any day since leaving the 
Bitter Root valley, the mountains in some places being formed solely of rock, principally free¬ 
stone. We passed two creeks, to-day, on the second of which we encamped. 
September 27.—Commences clear, mild and pleasant. Having encamped high on the side of a 
mountain, we had a grand and pleasing view. The hills at our fe< t appeared swimming in lakes 
of mist, while the distant mountain-tops were lit up by the bright rays of a genial sun, and all 
nature seemed to wear a pleasing and smiling garb. We started at seven o’clock, our road 
during the whole day being along the sides and up the steep rugged mountains, the trail being 
obstructed by fallen timber, though not as difficult as yesterday and the preceding days. At 
fifteen miles from our camp we reached a large and bare mountain, where we found the grass 
most excellent, with several springs of clear pure water gushing from its side, affording an excel¬ 
lent camping ground. The mountains around still continued to be covered with the balsam fir, 
save those only which were formed solely of freestone. We observed to-day large numbers of 
the mountain grouse, the blue jay, and a species of the large rock squirrel, a specimen of which 
we preserved. After a march of twenty-five miles we encamped on the northern exposure of a 
mountain, where we found good grass and water. 
September 28.—Resuming our march this morning, we continued along the sides of the mount¬ 
ains, rendered difficult by the great quantity of fallen timber along the trail, which at times led 
over the steep and rugged mountains, which proved truly fatiguing and trying to our animals. 
We still continued to be surrounded by a labyrinth of mountains, all clad with pine, balsam fir, 
mountain ash, honeysuckle, cedar and willow, with much underbrush, and some of the higher 
peaks covered with perpetual snow; numerous springs of pure cold water were seen flowing 
from mountain sides. At fifteen miles from our camp of 27th we reached a small creek running 
towards the north; three miles farther we reached a second creek, also flowing towards the north 
and running through a small but beautiful prairie, with good grass, affording an excellent camp¬ 
ing ground. We had made only eighteen miles yet; the road had proved so fatiguing to our 
animals, that 1 concluded to encamp. The soil in this prairie we found most excellent, being of a 
rich dark-colored loam ; in fact, with but few exceptions the soil of the route to-day has been most 
excellent, especially in the narrow gorges and the small intervening valleys of the mountains, 
the soil in some places being formed solely of the decayed leaves and timber; but in these places 
the ground is forever shaded by the exceedingly large trees found along the whole route. Immense 
beds of freestone were to be seen along the sides of the mountains, the presence of which was 
indicated by the outcroppings in many places. We observed to-day two species of grouse; one 
with a red segment, and the second with a yellow segment of a circle above the eyes. The latter 
weighs from two to four pounds. The flesh of these last is very excellent, and when cooked is very 
white and not unlike the ordinary grouse of the mountains. They are quite tame, and remain 
sitting on the ground except when frightened, when they betake themselves to the trees; they are 
of a lead-gray color on the breast, the feathers near the tail being speckled white and black; they 
make a hooting noise, not unlike that of the owl. We observed also many blue jays, small rock 
squirrels, rabbits, and mountain weasel, or mink. 
September 29.—Commences bright and pleasant. We resumed our march at an early hour, our 
trail still leading over the high and rugged mountains, much obstructed by fallen timber. Gaining 
a high point of view, we caught a glimpse ot the distant prairies, which was a sight truly refresh¬ 
ing alter our rugged toiling through the mountains. The mountains to the north and south still 
