The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-19

| 10 the nuO IN Inc OCCASIONAL WOrasStS net
with on the plains, or in the soft margins
Of streams. The Red River cart, which
can always be bought for $40, is much pre-
ferred, but wagon built for the purpose,
with the usual capacity Of the American
vehicle, but with wide wheels, would be far
better. The route presents smooth wagon
road the whole distance, the ascent to the
mountains being by gentle steppes, where
the increase of elevation is scarcely per-
ceptibe. In hundred miles the traveller
thus rises four thousand feet, when he
reaches a ridge Of more abrupt ascent,
rising 1000 feet higher. This is crossed,
by the route described, through the Koota-
nais Pass or Boundary Pass. The koota.
nais Pass is some forty miles north Of the
international boundary. The Boundary Pass
is SO called by Capt. BLAKIsroS, from the
fact that it crosses the boundary, its
eastern inlet being about FIVE miles north
Of the line, in the British possessions, and its
western.in American Territory. Neither Of
these passes was ever traversed by q white
man till they were explored by Capt. BLAK.
IsTos, though both are common summer
thoroughfares of the Kootonais who come
through them from their villages on the
Pacific slope to hunt Buffalo on the west
ern. The Kootonais Pass is not easily
passable in its present state by wagons
To pack horses it offers no obstacle. III
only fo,tye,ght miles through, from the
plains on one side Of the 1000 feet ridge
already.mentioned to the steppes on the other
side. This fact disposes at once Of any
question of the practicability Of the Pass for
Railroad purposes. The Northern Passes
the Captain describes as rendered very Diff
cult not only from the greater ascent but
from the impervious woods which there
clothe the mountain sides. All the sp.
proaches of the Northern Passes are covered
with thick forests, while verdant, grassy
plains stretch to the outlets Of the Southern
Passes offering. an exhaustless supply Of
game. 1t mustrnot be forgotten that the
Buffalo is the principal dependence of the
voyageur for food, and that in the wooded
districts where the Buffalo is not found,
game cannot be relied on. We present be-
low the valuable notes furnished as by Capt
| BIAKtsroS
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OVERLAND VOYAGE TO
FRAZER RIVER.
/. The Shortest Route is via Fort FL
lice the Qu'appelle Lakes, South Branch
Of the Saskatchewan, Belly River, either the
Kootonay or Boundary Passes and Colville.
2. The Time required for the journey,
travelling slowly with the same animals,
would be about six weeks to the mountains,
two weeks to Colville, and from two to
three weeks to the gold fields total two
and half months.
3. Measures required, are carts or wsg-
ons pack saddles, harness, horses or oxen,
provisions, and articles Of Indian trade
A. Means of 7ransport-Carts or wag-
ons can reach the entrance OF the passes,
of the mountains, after which pack animals
will travel without difficulty.
). PROVISIONS can be obtained from the
Indians, or killed by the party after reach.
ing the Quappelle Lakes to the foot Of the
mountains, after which nothing can be look.
ed for before Colville so that o party
should start with three weeks provisions
from Red River and on entering the noun.
tains it would be we'll TO have q months
supply. Dried meat and grease can always
be obtained from the plain Indians for to-
bacco or ammunition, at the rate of fftee.
pounds Of the former, or one bladder of the
latter for "a skin" the value of which is
ten charges Of ball and powder, or ! ID.
tobacco, lone Yard, or two cotton hsndker.
chiefs, or one common scalping knife, or one
bunch of beads moreover, the value Of one
dressed buffalo skin or common robe or
chewed horse line, is one skin.
3. In trGdiag hor~s-besdes anmuni.
ton and tobacco, guns, blankets, old clothes.
and knives will be found useful. II spirits
are ussd. the Indians may be inclined to
steal back the animals.
:. The Ind'ans-hkely to be met with
on the route are. Cree and Stone Indians,
as tar as the Elbow of the South Branch of
the Saskatchewan, higher up the river as far
on the mountains Blackfoot and Kooto-
nays on the West side. No danger need be
spprehended from any Of them, but the plain
Indians being inveters,e horse thieves. two
men should always be on watch at night,
keeping the animals in sight being par,icu-
larry vigllant 10 stormy weather. 1t is not