Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/378

 370 JOURNAL OF JOHN WORK end of the mountain. These men are all half Indians. The two roads meet at the end of a few day's march, the road thro the pass is hilly, and uneven (depth) of snow 2 ft. Horses gave out on the way. Excellent feeding at camp half way. Herds of buffalo observed in the valley. Dec. 9, Thursday. Crossed plains to a dry branch of God- din's River. Friday 17th. Arrived ( ? ) of Snake River lower end of Blackfoot Hill. Found good feeding for horses and a great many Snakes are encamped around. Loss of horses alto- gether crossing plains 26. Cold caused the loss. The Ameri- cans hunted this quarter summer and fall. Lately a party of them crossed the mountains to White River to winter. We found poor L'Etang's rifle among the Snakes, picked up in bushes where Blackfeet had camped. Tuesday, 21 Dec. Clear and cold. Large party of Snakes paid us a visit on horseback as a mark of friendship passed 3 times round our camp firing volleys. They were well armed and wore the scalps and mangled remains of the 2 Blckft whom they killed 2 days ago suspended from their horses' bridles. January, 1831. New Year's day. None of the people went hunting. They endeavored to regale themselves. Each man was treated with a dram of rum and some cakes. 2nd Sunday. Foggy late last night 16 Flathds and Nez P came from the American camp 20 at White River on the E. side of the waters. They are afoot. Have been 10 days on the journey. They sold their horses to the Americans at high prices and now wear blankets of blue green and white besides having guns, rifles and beads. The Americans are to come this way in spring to form a post among the Flatheads. The Americans have 2 parties 6 chiefs and a great many men. March, Thursday 17. Cloudy rain cold. The Snakes are 20 Probably this refers to the vicinity of Ft. Bridger on a branch of Green River and to the trappers of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, the partnership of Fitzpatrick, Jackson and Sublette. This was the company with which Meek, Newell and Gale were associated. Arrowsmith shows a White Mud River, which would be our Bear River.