On the 28th, they came upon a small stream winding to the north, through a fine level valley; the mountains receding on each side.  Here their Indian friends pointed out a chain of woody mountains to the left, running north and south, and covered with snow, over which they would have to pass.  They kept along the valley for twenty-one miles on the 29th, suffering much from a continued fall of snow and rain, and being twice obliged to ford the icy stream.  Early in the following morning the squaw of Pierre Dorion, who had hitherto kept on without murmuring or flinching, was suddenly taken in labor, and enriched her husband with another child.  As the fortitude and good conduct of the poor woman had gained for her the goodwill of the party, her situation caused concern and perplexity.  Pierre, however, treated the matter as an occurrence that could soon be arranged and need cause no delay.  He remained by his wife in the camp, with his other children and his horse, and promised soon to rejoin the main body, who proceeded on their march.

Finding that the little river entered the mountains, they abandoned it, and turned off for a few miles among hills.  Here another Canadian, named La Bonte, gave out, and had to be helped on horseback.  As the horse was too weak to bear both him and his pack, Mr. Hunt took the latter upon his own shoulders.  Thus, with difficulties augmenting at every step, they urged their toilsome way among the hills, half famished and faint at heart, when they came to where a fair valley spread out before them, of great extent and several leagues in width, with a beautiful stream meandering through it.  A genial climate seemed to prevail here, for though the snow lay upon all the mountains within sight, there was none to be seen in the valley.  The travellers gazed with delight upon this serene, sunny landscape, but their joy was complete on beholding six lodges of Shoshonies pitched upon the borders of the stream, with a number of horses and dogs about them.  They all pressed forward with eagerness and soon reached the camp.  Here their first attention was to obtain provisions.  A rifle, an old musket, a tomahawk, a tin kettle, and a small quantity of ammunition soon procured them four horses, three dogs, and some roots.  Part of the live stock was immediately killed, cooked with all expedition, and as promptly devoured.  A hearty meal restored every one to good spirits.  In the course of the following morning the Dorion family made its reappearance.  Pierre came trudging in the advance, followed by his valued, though skeleton steed, on which was mounted his squaw with her new-born infant in her arms, and her boy of two years old wrapped in a blanket and slung at her side.  The mother looked as unconcerned as if nothing had happened to her; so easy is nature in her operations in the wilderness, when free from the enfeebling refinements of luxury, and the tamperings and appliances of art.