On our way across, we had set on fire several broken stumps and dried trees, to melt holes in the snow for the camp.

Its general depth was five feet; but we passed over places where it was twenty feet deep, as shown by the trees.
"With one party drawing sleighs loaded with baggage, I advanced today about four miles along the trail, and encamped at the first grassy spot, where we expected to bring our horses.

Mr.Fitzpatrick, with another party, remained behind, to form an intermediate station between us and the animals.
"Putting on our snowshoes, we spent the afternoon in exploring a road ahead.

The glare of the snow, combined with great fatigue, had rendered many of the people nearly blind; but we were fortunate in having some black silk handkerchiefs, which, worn as veils, very much relieved the eye.
"In the evening I received a message from Mr.Fitzpatrick, acquainting me with the utter failure of his attempt to get our mules and horses over the snow--the half hidden trail had proved entirely too slight to support them, and they had broken through, and were plunging about or lying half buried in snow.

He was occupied in endeavoring to get them back to his camp; and in the mean time sent to me for further instructions.