The poor horses needed repose.
They had been urged on, by forced marches, over rugged heights, among rocks and fallen timber, or over low swampy valleys, inundated by the labors of the beaver.

These industrious animals abounded in all the mountain streams and watercourses, wherever there were willows for their subsistence.

Many of them they had so completely dammed up as to inundate the low grounds, making shallow pools or lakes, and extensive quagmires; by which the route of the travellers was often impeded.
On the 19th of September, they rose at early dawn; some began to prepare breakfast, and others to arrange the packs preparatory to a march.

The horses had been hobbled, but left at large to graze upon the adjacent pasture.

Mr.Stuart was on the bank of a river, at a short distance from the camp, when he heard the alarm cry--"Indians! Indians!--to arms! to arms!" A mounted Crow galloped past the camp, bearing a red flag.