nch of the Lewis or Snake River, a branch of the
Columbia River, where we found another Indian village, with some
Mexicans, and about three hundred of the most beautiful Rocky Mountain
horses. We passed the village and stopped to bait on the side of the
hill, where we found good spring of water. We here had a pail full of
punch made, cooled with a lump of snow from a deep snow bank a few rods
from our camp, to celebrate our National Anniversary. Having drank our
punch, and given three cheers for our glorious Union, we resumed our
march. Soon after starting we came to where we had to descend a very
bad hill, where we found one company with their wagon broken down, who
were about to take to packing. Soon afterwards we came to another
considerable stream which we traveled down a few miles and camped. We
found plenty of grass on the stream and caught some fine trout.

25 miles.

5th. Passed several streams to-day, and some good springs. Roads good
but somewhat hilly; plenty of grass; passed a brook about night, camped
on a hill side by a spring of water. This is the most beautiful country
that I ever traveled in; stupendous mountains, the bald peaks covered
with snow, rearing their lofty heads far into the skies. The lesser
hills green to their tops, and the valleys rich with vegetation, wild
wheat, clover and oats, whilst the clear, pure, invigorating atmosphere
renders it the paradise of the mountaineer in summer. It is well worth
a trip to California for the slothful, ease-loving denizen of lower
countries, to see the country, and recover their manhood.

23 miles.

6th. Drove about 11 miles and stopped to bait at a pretty little brook.
We should have taken in water at this place, as we had to drive 18
miles to get water again. After baiting we entered a canon which we
followed about eight miles to the top of a mountain. It furnished us
with an excellent road, although so narrow that but one wagon could
pass for most of the way, the walls rising on either side hundreds of
feet. The ascent is gradual, so much so that the traveler hardly
perceives any. We called this the Emigrant's Pass. It seems as if
nature constructed this inclined plain expressly for the benefit of us
poor mortals, but if dame Nature was moved by any such kindly feelings
towards us when she was engaged on this excellent natural road, she
must have got sadly miffed when she got it completed to the top of the
mountain, for we had one of the most t