In the meantime Fremont, with Preuss and two of the other men, had gone down to Fort Vancouver in canoes.

This was the headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company for the West.

Here supplies for the return journey were obtained.
Having transported these supplies up to the Dalles in barges propelled by Indians, he was ready to take up the final preparation for the homeward journey.

It is best to let him describe these preparations in his own words.

He says: "The camp was now occupied in making the necessary preparations for our homeward journey, which, though homeward, contemplated a new route, and a great circuit to the south and southeast, and the exploration of the Great Basin between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada.
"Three principal objects were indicated, by report, or by maps, as being on this route, the character or existence of which I wished to ascertain, and which I assumed as landmarks, or leading points, on the projected line of return.