Rogers and I went ahead with our guns to look out the way and find a good camping place.  After a few miles we got out of the snow and out upon an incline, and in the bright clear morning air the foot of the snowy part of the mountain seemed near by and we were sure we could reach it before night.  From here no guide was needed and Rogers and I, with our guns and canteens hurried on as fast as possible, when a camp was found we were to raise a signal smoke to tell them where it was.  We were here, as before badly deceived as to the distance, and we marched steadily and swiftly till nearly night before we reached the foot of the mountain.

Here was a flat place in a table land and on it a low brush hut, with a small smoke near by, which we could plainly see as we were in the shade of the mountain, and that place lighted up by the nearly setting sun.  We looked carefully and satisfied ourselves there was but one hut, and consequently but few people could be expected.  We approached carefully and cautiously, making a circuit around so as to get between the hut and the hill in case that the occupants should retreat in that direction.  It was a long time before we could see any entrance to this wickiup, but we found it at last and approached directly in front, very cautiously indeed:  We could see no one, and thought perhaps they were in ambush for us, but hardly probable, as we had kept closely out of sight.  We consulted a moment and concluded to make an advance and if possible capture some one who could tell us about the country, as we felt we were completely lost.  When within thirty yards a man poked out his head out of a doorway and drew it back again quick as a flash.  We kept out our guns at full cock and ready for use, and told Rogers to look out for arrows, for they would come now if ever.  But they did not pull a bow on us, and the red-man, almost naked came out and beckoned for us to come on which we did.

We tried to talk with the fellow in the sign language but he could understand about as much as an oyster.  I made a little basin in the ground and filled it with water from our canteens to represent a lake, then pointed in an inquiring way west and north, made signs of ducks and geese flying and squawking, but I did no seem to be able to get an idea into his head of what we wanted.  I got thoroughly provoked at him and may have shown some signs of anger.  During all this time a child or two in the hut squalled terribly, fearing I suppose they would all be murdered.  We might have lost our scalps under some circumstances, but we appeared to be fully the strangest party, and had no fear, for the Indian had no weapon about him and we had both guns and knives.  The poor fellow was shivering with cold, and with signs of friendship we fired off one of the guns which waked him up a little and he pointed to the gun and said “Walker,” probably meaning the same good Chief Walker who had so fortunately stopped us in our journey down Green River.  I understood from the Indian that he was not friendly to Walker, but to show that he was all right with us he went into the hut and brought out a handful of corn for us to eat.  By the aid of a warm spring near by they had raised some corn here, and the dry stalks were standing around.