Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 14.djvu/413



SNAKE COUNTRY EXPEDITION, 1824 371

eral deer seen. Weather cold. Snow 15 inches, wind east. General course east by south, distance 12 miles.

Thursday 12th. Remained in camp on chance of killing deer people badly off for provisions. Murmuring among the Iroquois, but I could not learn the cause. High wind, heavy snow, wind east.

Friday, 13th. Early this a. m. the Iroquois asked to see their accounts. I showed them article by article and told them their amounts wh. seemed to surprise them not a little. Some time after leaving camp I was told that the worthy Iroquois had remained behind. I therefore went back, and true enough, the whole black squad, Martin excepted, had resolved to leave us, old Pierre at their head ! On being asked the cause Pierre spoke at length. The others grumbled, saying the price allowed for their furs was so small in proportion to the exorbitant advance on goods sold them, they were never able to pay their debts much less make money and would not risk their lives any more in the Snake Country. Old Pierre held out that Mr. Ogden last fall promised there would be no more N. W. cur- rency ; this they construed to be but paying half for their goods. I told them whatever had been promised would be performed. Although I had balanced their accounts, they could be altered if required. It was at headquarters accounts would be settled. They grumbled and talked, and talked and grumbled and at last consented to proceed. Thinks I to myself this is the be- ginning. Having gained the blacks, we followed and camped at the Traverse 4 plain covered with but 10 inches of snow weather fine, course S. E. Distance 10.

Saturday 14th. Early on our, journey except four lodges hunting deer. Proceeded to fork called Riviere aux Marons, 5 where many wild horses are said to be. Our horses are lean. Seeing the Iroquois apart from the whites I suspected plot- ting and sent for Pierre and Martin. Gave them a memo, im-

4 At Perma station of the No. Pac. Ry., where the trail again struck the Flathead River and crossed it; known later as Rivet's Ferry because a son of old Francois Rivet settled there.

5 A small stream entering the Flathead from the south near McDonald station of the No. Pac. Ry.