where we found barely enough of water for the horses. This was a fatiguing day both on horses & people. The sick men continue ill. Another, T. Tevat- con who had recovered has also relapsed.
Tuesday 18 Sharp frost in the morning, fine weather afterwards.
Proceeded on our journey 2 Vz hours 10 miles S.S.E. to the S. fork of Day's river where we encamped near a party of Kaiouse [Cayuse] & Walla walla Indians. The men out setting the traps. The sick men recovering very slowly.
Wednesday 19 ... Did not raise camp in order to allow a little
repose to the sick men. Our horses are also in need of a day's repose and to feed. The traps which were set yesterday produced ten beaver & one otter. Some more of the people were out setting traps. The Indians visited us, a little fresh meat was obtained from them. The people traded six horses from them & exchanged several. One of the men J. S. LaRocque caught one of his horses, the cord became entangled about his arms, & the animal ran of and dragged him a considerable distance among his feet, the poor man is very much bruised about his head and arms, it is a wonder he was not killed.
Thursday 20 Frost in the night fine weather afterwards. Raised
camp & proceeded 4 hours 1 5 miles S.E. up the river. The men out with their traps 1 3 beaver taken. Some of the Indians visited us in the evening.
Friday 21 ... Continued our journey 4 hours 15 miles S.E. up
the river to where we have to leave the river and strike across the mountains to the S.E. Commenced night watch last night as we are now coming among the mountain Snakes who are notorious thieves and would no doubt steal our horses should they find a chance. It was three individuals, a father & two sons, of these people on the east side of the mountains on the head of burnt river who murdered our man Soteaux in July last, and it being deemed absolutely necessary to punish the murderers if possible but at the same time not just to punish the innocent for the guilty, it is arranged that should any article belonging to the deceased be recognized the Indians in whose possession it may be are to be punished instantly. These villains live in detached families & seldom assemble except during the salmon season when a few of them sometimes collect together to make fishing wears [weirs] . Did we even know the family who committed the murder we might almost as well go after elk or deer as pursue them into the mountains. The people out with their traps, 9 beaver taken.
Saturday 22 Fine weather. Did not raise camp. The men out with
their traps, four beaver taken. One of the men's J. S. LaRocque's wife re- mained behind in the sulks yesterday, he went back for her & brought her up today.
Sunday 2^ Sharp frost, in the night, fine weather afterwards. Raised
camp & proceeded across the mountains to the head of Sylvaille's river^^ 5 hours 1 8 miles S.E. Two of the men L. Quintall and J. Rocquebrin went to
