. At the distance
of eleven miles the river turned more towards the west: we pursued it
for twelve miles, and encamped near a large creek coming in from the
right, which, from its being divided into four different channels, we
called Scattering creek. The valley continues to be a poor stony land,
with scarcely any timber, except some pine trees along the waters and
partially scattered on the hills to the right, which, as well as those
on the left, have snow on them. The plant which forces itself most on
our attention is a species of prickly pear very common on this part of
the river: it grows in clusters, in an oval form about the size of a
pigeon's egg, and its thorns are so strong and bearded, that when it
penetrates our feet it brings away the pear itself. We saw two mares and
a colt, which, like the horses seen yesterday, seemed to have lost
themselves and become wild. Our game to-day consisted of two deer, an
elk, and a prairie fowl.

Monday, 9. We resumed our journey through the valley, and leaving the
road on our right crossed the Scattering creek, and halted at the
distance of twelve miles on a small run from the east, where we
breakfasted on the remains of yesterday's hunt: we here took a meridian
altitude, which gave the latitude of 46 degrees 41' 38" 9"': we then
continued, and at the distance of four miles passed over to the left
bank of the river, where we found a large road through the valley. At
this place is a handsome stream of very clear water, a hundred yards
wide with low banks, and a bed formed entirely of gravel: it has every
appearance of being navigable, but as it contains no salmon, we presume
there must be some fall below which obstructs their passage. Our guide
could not inform us where this river discharged its waters; he said that
as far as he knew its course it ran along the mountains to the north,
and that not far from our present position it was joined by another
stream nearly as large as itself, which rises in the mountains to the
east near the Missouri, and flows through an extensive valley or open
prairie. Through this prairie is the great Indian road to the waters of
the Missouri; and so direct is the route, that in four days' journey
from this place we might reach the Missouri about thirty miles above
what we called the Gates of the Rocky mountains, or the spot where the
valley of that river widens into an extensive plain on entering the
chain of mountains. At ten miles from our camp