as
its characteristics are so vividly painted in his reports, it is
superfluous to add our attempt to the same task. Having arrived at the
lake already mentioned, he there awaited the arrival of Talbot. It
was three days before the command was again united. They, however,
remained together only one night. Early the following morning they
separated once more. This time, Talbot's instructions were, to find a
certain pass which would bring him out in the vicinity of the Sierra
Nevada Mountains, which he was to cross, and then keep on his course
for the waters of the San Joaquin. Fremont, with his division,
journeyed up the Carson River, and after traversing the Sierra Nevada
Mountains, he arrived safe at Sutter's Fort, without meeting with any
incidents that were not to be expected on such a trip. Captain Sutter,
with his usual urbanity of manner, kindly received them, and supplied
their wants. Of him, Fremont purchased forty head of cattle and a few
horses, with which he set out to look for Mr. Talbot. In doing so, he
traveled up the valley of the San Joaquin, and forded that river at
about where it is ushered forth from the mountains. Mr. Talbot was not
to be found in this direction, so the party went to Kings River, and
journeyed up it to its head waters. It now happened that the cattle
belonging to the party began to grow foot-sore and weary from travel
over rocky trails and through deep snows. It became evident that the
looked-for men were not in that quarter; therefore, Fremont returned
to the prairies near by, in the hopes of saving his cattle; but, when
he arrived there, he was destitute of these animals, for they had all
given out and died. The party had, previous to this misfortune, killed
some of the best of the oxen, and prepared the meat to carry along
with them; but, in no great quantities, as their riding animals were
not strong enough to bear heavy burdens. The command had hardly left
the mountains and succeeded in reaching the prairies, before they were
obliged to submit to further trials and losses. After going into camp
one night, the men, tired and worn out by much labor, had lain down
to rest. As a guard had been posted, they gave themselves but little
concern about danger. Their sentinels were not on the look-out as
sharply as they might have been. The consequence was, that some
hostile Indians crept within their lines and killed two mules, which
depredation was not discovered until the next morning.