Sunday, 8.  We set out early:  the snow-top’d hills on the left approach the river near our camp, but we soon reached a valley four or five miles wide, through which we followed the course of the river in a direction due north.  We passed three creeks on the right, and several runs emptying themselves into the opposite side of the river.  At the distance of eleven miles the river turned more towards the west:  we pursued it for twelve miles, and encamped near a large creek coming in from the right, which, from its being divided into four different channels, we called Scattering creek.  The valley continues to be a poor stony land, with scarcely any timber, except some pine trees along the waters and partially scattered on the hills to the right, which, as well as those on the left, have snow on them.  The plant which forces itself most on our attention is a species of prickly pear very common on this part of the river:  it grows in clusters, in an oval form about the size of a pigeon’s egg, and its thorns are so strong and bearded, that when it penetrates our feet it brings away the pear itself.  We saw two mares and a colt, which, like the horses seen yesterday, seemed to have lost themselves and become wild.  Our game to-day consisted of two deer, an elk, and a prairie fowl.

Monday, 9.  We resumed our journey through the valley, and leaving the road on our right crossed the Scattering creek, and halted at the distance of twelve miles on a small run from the east, where we breakfasted on the remains of yesterday’s hunt:  we here took a meridian altitude, which gave the latitude of 46 degrees 41’ 38” 9"’:  we then continued, and at the distance of four miles passed over to the left bank of the river, where we found a large road through the valley.  At this place is a handsome stream of very clear water, a hundred yards wide with low banks, and a bed formed entirely of gravel:  it has every appearance of being navigable, but as it contains no salmon, we presume there must be some fall below which obstructs their passage.  Our guide could not inform us where this river discharged its waters; he said that as far as he knew its course it ran along the mountains to the north, and that not far from our present position it was joined by another stream nearly as large as itself, which rises in the mountains to the east near the Missouri, and flows through an extensive valley or open prairie.  Through this prairie is the great Indian road to the waters of the Missouri; and so direct is the route, that in four days’ journey from this place we might reach the Missouri about thirty miles above what we called the Gates of the Rocky mountains, or the spot where the valley of that river widens into an extensive plain on entering the chain of mountains.  At ten miles from our camp is a small creek falling in from the eastward, five miles below which we halted at a large stream which empties itself on the west side of the river.  It is a fine bold creek of clear water about twenty yards wide, and we called it Traveller’s-rest creek; for as our guide told us that we should here leave the river, we determined to remain for the purpose of making celestial observations and collecting some food, as the country through which we are to pass has no game for a great distance.