SNAKE COUNTRY EXPEDITION, 1824 377
Friday 2nd (April) Today I was surprised by the return of Laurent. He says he went as far as Hell's Gate but finding no beaver came back. The truth is, he saw the Piegans, got a fright and came back.
Monday 5th. Were visited by fifty Nez Perces just arrived from buffalo country loaded with provisions. Our people com- menced a trade with them so brisk that hardly a ball was left among the freemen nor a mouthful of provisions amongst the Indians. When these people meet Indians, a frenzy siezes them. What madness in them, and what folly in the company to be furnishing such people with means. It was now we learned the truth of Laurent's trip back. He was sent by the Iroquois to get these Indians to trade with us. This visit has left our people almost naked and cost 100 balls to send our visitors off pleased.
Wednesday 7th. Nez Perces went off.
Friday 9th. After a pause of twenty-six days we shifted quarters two miles ahead.
Saturday 10th. This morning none of the freemen would work on the road except old Pierre, who alone went and alone worked. A novel trick brought about a change. Old Cadiac dit, Grandreau having made a drum and John Grey a fiddle, the people were entertained with a concert of music 17 . Taking advantage of the good humor, I got all to consent to go to the road tomorrow.
Wednesday 14th. This morning on going to my lodge in camp, I could muster only seven persons with twenty horses to finish the last mile of the road. In the evening we raised camp and moved to the foot of the mountain at the source of Flathead River, 345 miles from its joining the Columbia. The river is navigable for 250. miles.
Thursday 15th. This day we passed the defile 18 of the mountains after a most laborious journey both for man and beast. Long before daylight, we were on the road, in order to profit by the hardness of the crust. From the bottom to
1 7 The first vaudeville performance in Ravalli County, Montana, of which we have record.
1 8 Gibbon's Pass across the continental divide.
