They seemed kind and friendly, and willingly shared with us berries and roots, which formed their sole stock of provisions.

Their only wealth is their horses, which are very fine, and so numerous that this party had with them at least five hundred." These Indians were on their way to join the other bands who were hunting buffalo on the Jefferson River, across the Great Divide.

They set out the next morning, and the explorers resumed their toilsome journey, travelling generally in a northwesterly direction and looking for a pass across the Bitter Root Mountains.

Very soon, all indications of game disappeared, and, September 14, they were forced to kill a colt, their stock of animal food being exhausted.

They pressed on, however, through a savage wilderness, having frequent need to recur to horse-flesh.