Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-09-20
by the newcomer, we resumed our

and putting one Of them on horse, we enjoyed
the unusual sight of an Indian who could not
ride. lie could not even guide the animal, and
appeared to have no knowledge ofhorses The
snow was three or four feet deep in the sumnit
of the pass; and from this point the guide point.
ed out our future road, declined to 90 any fur.
Their"
On the 2Sth, Cooley, who was little dis.
,ance from the camp, had sat down to tie his
moccasins, when he heard low whistle near,
and looking up, saw two Indians half hiding be-
hind rock about fifty yards distant; they would
not allow him to approach. but, breaking into n
laugh, skinned off over the snow. seeming TO
have no idea Of the power OF fire arms, aud think
ing themselves perfectly safe when beyond
arms length"
On the 3lst, says Capt. F.. tive gathered to.
re,her few of the most intelligent of the In.
dians, and held this evening an interesting
council. told them that we had come from
very far country, having been travelling now,
nearly year, and that we were desirons simp-
ly 10 90 across the mountain into the country of
the other whites.-There were two particular
ly intelligent-one, somewhat old man. He
told me that, before the snow fell, it was six
! sleeps to the place where the whites lived, but
that now it was impossible to cross the noun.
tain on account Of this deep snow =; and showing
US, as the others had done, thai it was over our
heads. he urged us strongly to follow the course
OF the river, which he said would conduct us to
lake in which there were many large fish.
| There he said were many people; there was
no snow on the ground 4; and we might remain
there until the spring. From their descriptions
we were enabled to Judge that we had encamp.
ed on the upper water of the Salmon Trout RI
yer. II was hardly necessary to say that our
communication was only by signs as we under.
stood nothing Of their language; but they spoke,
notwithstanding, rapidly and vehemently, ex.
planning what they considered the folly of our
intentions. and urging US TO 60 down the lake.
I'ah &c, word sgnitying now, we very soon
learned, from its frequent repetition. told
him that the men and the horses were srong.
and that we would break road through the
|
scarlet cloth and trInkets, showed him what we
would give for guide. |, was necessary 10
obtain one if possible; for had determined here
to attempt the passage of the mountain. Pal.
ling a bunch Of grass from the ground after ,
short discussion among themselves, the Old ma Il
made us comprehend that if we would break
through the snow, at the end Of three days We
would come down upon grass, which he showed
us would be abou, six inches high, and there the
ground was entirely free. So far, ne sud, he
had been in hunting for elk but, beyond that
(and he closed his eyes,) he had seen nothing
but there was one among them who had been Il
the whites, and going out Of the lodge, he retur
. ned with Young man of very intelligent ap
pesrance. Here, said he, is young man wht
, has seen the whites with his own eyes and ht
swore, first by the sky, and then by the ground
2 that wha, he said was true With large pre-
D sent of goods, We prevailed Upon this young
: man TO be our guide, ard he acquired among III
2 the name OF Meo-a word signfying friend
a which they used very frequently. He wa
thinly clad, and nearly barefoot, his moccasn
f beng about worn out. We gave him skim
form his undertaking to u.s. The Indians re
NAMED in the camp during the night, and w
kept the guide and two others 10 sleep with II
Carson lying across the door, and havIn
made them comprehend the use ofour fire arm.
p, Tie snow, which had intermiited in the ever
, ing, commenced falling again in the course
Z, the night, ard i, snowed steadily all day.
e "ln the morning acquuinted the men wit
n my decision, and explained to them that nece
"a sliy required us 10 make great effort to Gle,
!, the mountains. reminded them Of the beat
Of tltui Wiley of the Sacramento. with whic
W they were familiar from the descriptions Of Ca
:. son, who had bern there some fifteen years ag
=. and who, in our last privarions, had delight
ht us in speaking Of i,s rich pastures and aboun
IN ing game, nhd drew a vivid contrast betwet
"A. its summer climate, less than hundred mil
i, distant, and the falling snow around US. |
es formed them land long experience had Civ
them confidence in my observations and 60
ri. ins,rnments) that almost directly west, and or
be about seventy miles distant, Was the grea, Tar
as ing establishment Of Captain Sutter--a gent
ct; man who had formerly lived in Missouri. a
,od emgrated to this country, had become The p
ear sessor of principally. assured them II
be. from the heights of the mountain belere us
ns, should doubtless see the valley OF the Sacram
he TO river, aud with one effort place ourselves
4