Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 11.djvu/233

Rh missing no doubt stolen as tracks have been discovered. Shd, the thieves be Snakes we may find a guide. Mr. McKay with 12 men pursued the tracks 5 of them were returned with word the thieves had gone east, then turned back on their tracks west taking stony ground to conceal their course. They followed to Upper Salt Lake River which they crossed thothe water had risen 4 feet. Mr. McKay was the first to plunge in and 7 followed, the other 5 returned.

At 8 A. M. 2 of McKay's men arrived with 2 of the stolen horses. The thieves from some high hill had seen the pursuit, and these horses being fatigued abandoned them. At 1 P. M. another man arrived with another horse. He left Mr. McKay at dawn of day with full hope of rescue.

At 12 A. M. Mr. McKay and rest of his men arrived with 2 more of the horses. The thieves escaped with 2 only, and this owing to the cowardice of the 5 men who turned back, the thieves' camp consisted of 14 tents. I have done my duty examining this barren country, but our loss has been greater than our profit. The horses that pursued as well as those that were stolen can scarcely crawl.

Proceeded along the border of Salt Lake east, then S. E. over a hilly country to a small fresh lake. The country appears to be a level plain covered with worm wood. The lake is 15 miles long, the south bank high and rocky, the east low and stony which lamed our horses so they can scarcely crawl. An Ibex killed to-day, and a young one taken alive. I shall feed it with mare's milk till we reach Ft. Vancouver.

Rain all night; our course southeast over a level plain; I sent 3 men off in advance; they report no appearance of water; this is critical. I have no cause to complain of the conduct of the