who could not escape, they got some small presents but none of them returned to the camp.
Wednesday 7 Frost in the night, fine weather during the day. Con-
tinued our journey 10 miles S.S.W. down the river and across a point to head of an extensive plain^^. The road hilly & very stony the most of the day. Crossed the river twice & cut across the part which considerably shortened our road. Came upon some Indians before they were aware. They fled, but some of the young men came up with them & when they saw that no harm was intended they became less alarmed. A man & a boy were brought to the camp and received presents of some small articles. At the station we left a number of Indians assembled on a hill beyond the river opposite to us but did not return to the camp until we had left it. There is the appearance of a chance beaver, a few traps were set, but the people are afraid that the people [Indians] will steal them. The river here is of a considerable size and appar- ently well suited for beaver.
Thursday 8 Frost in the night, thick fog in the morning, fine
weather afterward. Continued our journey 10 miles S.W. to the lower end of the plain at the entrance of the fork^^. There are the recent tracks of a great many Indians but they fly at our approach. One beaver was taken & Pichette had two of his traps stolen. L. Rondeau's wife has again fallen ill with the fever & could with difficulty be got up to the encampment. Two of the men A. Longtain & J. Toupin are recovering but very slowly.
Friday p Frost in the night, fine weather during the day. Proceeded
on our journey down the river 12 miles S.W., the road very stony and hilly and in places lay through thickets of underwood. The horses are becoming lame, their hoofs are worn down with continual marching [on] stony road. Numbers of Indians all the way along the river. Some of them returned to the camp in the evening and received a few trifles as presents. C. Plant lost one of his horses with a load upon him & was not able to find him, his being left on the way was a piece of great negligence.
Saturday i o Frost and fog in the morning, fine weather afterwards.
Did not raise camp in order that Plante might return in quest of his horse, but he did not find him, probably the Indians picked him up shortly after he was left. Some of the Indians visited us during the day & received some trifles as presents. They also traded a few pieces of dry salmon with the people.
Sunday 1 1 Fine weather. Left the river which takes a turn to the
Westward & proceeded across the woods 10 miles S. by W. to a plain on a small river near the foot of the Mountains^^. The hunters were again out but without success. Today we fell in with the tracks of a party with horses who may have passed this way in the spring. Who they are we cannot con- jecture^^.
Monday 12 Sharp frost in morning, fine weather afterwards. Pro-
