Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/404

 396 DIARY OF ASAHEL HUNGER AND WIFE.

came boldly into camp to look for him. Mr. Ermitinger watched for him and saw him. When the man saw Mr. E. he cocked his gun to shoot him (the gun he had stolen also). He did not shoot but turned and ran off. This is a specimen of similar occurrences which are quite common in the mountains at this time. The men are most of them out of business and know not what to do. Bought meat today 10 called jurk [ jerked J. Wed. Today we start for fort Hall drove only 3 hours, camped on account of Mr. Ermitinger. The scene we have left is really distressing. Those poor mountain men are receiving payment for labor in alcohol at an enormous price. These men must now scatter off, with their little tobacco and coffee & the like things which were the principal commodities except alcohol which were brought up this year from the States for the men, and seek a home and employment where they can. many of them aie so poor they cannot go down to the States what to do they know not. July 11 Thurs. Today we moved on rapidly fast enough to injure our pack horses hard for our wives. We are now beginning to travel over hills some high and steep, narrow trails or paths through shrubs and trees camped in a deep valley. I here hired a horse of an Indian to 12 ride to Ft. Hall. Frid. started early. Indians appear very friendly. Mrs. G's ho;se in passing a side hill which was very steep and danger- ous slipped, and came near going down to the bottom of the hill, she partly fell, but her clothes caught on the horse and held her. She was very much frightened, though not injured, about 10 o,c we passed up a very steep hill, which was very hard for our horses, and our wives as they walked up. Passed on 2 miles & camped on account of 13 a hail storm. Sat. our way today very hilly, we pass over places on side hills and among trees that appear almost impassible [sic], in some places the road is on the side hill, some 30 feet, and sometimes as high as 60 ft above the level, and on an angle of 40 to 60 degrees from a horizontal, in a narrow path where two horses could not pass with their packs, and exhibit no marks of fear, over such places we have all passed within a few days, not enough grass for our encampment, left part of our Co. a mile back. I discovered 5 or 6 Buffalo near us. 14 Mr. Kichardson shot one. Sab. Traveled on, until we came to the place where the missionaries spent the Sabbath last year, and camped. 15 Monday Today found our way better than we anticipated; yesterday all the Co. except myself gathered salt. It was very good found it on the ground though very pure and clean. We camp on Bear river This river runs into the Salt lake which has no outlet. Found open level prairy today, quite cheering to find such a road after its being so hilly have not seen any snow for several days. Straw berries 16 ripe, though we have not had any. Tues. warm pleasant road ex- cept a little side hill made for the soda springs, arrived about 10 o'c.