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Show 200 JOURNAL OF A VOYACH: we were not on the best understanding ; and to perform this journey, each had about ten pounds of venison ; only let me ask what would our soldiers generally think, on being ordered on such a tour, thus equipped? yet those men volunteered it, with others and were chosen; for which they thought thctnselves highly honored; we accmnpanicd thcn1 about six miles, pointed out the pass alluded to, in a particular n1anner, but the corporal rc. ported that the new one which I obligL:u ltitu tu take was impassable, having been three days in snows nearly middle deep. \V e then separated and having killed a deer, sent one of the men back to the fort with it. With the other two, f kept on my exploring trip down the river on the cast side, at son1e leagues fron1 its banks, intending to return up it; at nine o'clock at night, encamped on a small creek which ~mptied into the Tiver by nearly a due cast course. 20th February, Friday.-We marched down the river for a few hours, but seeing no fresh sign of persons, or any other object to attract our attention took up our route for the fort ; discovered the sign of horses and men on the shore. We arrived after night and found all well.. 21st February, Saturday.-As I was suspicious that possibly son1e party of indians 1night be harboring round, I gave particular orders to n1y n1en, if they discovered any people to endeavor to retreat undiscovered but if not, never to run, and not to suffer themselves to be disarmed or taken prisoners but conuuct whatever party discover· ed then1, if they could not escape to the fort. 22d J~~·bruary, Sunday.-As I began to think it was time we received a visit fron1 the Spaniards or their cmisa· ries, I establi~hed a look out guard on the top of a hill all day and at night a sentinel in a bastion on the land side i TO THE SOURCES OF TilE ARK ANSA \V, &c. 201 studying, reading &c. Working at our ditch to bring the river round the works. 2Sd February, Monday.-Reading, writing &c. the men at their usual work, &c. 24th February, Tuesday.-Took one man with me and ~Nent out on the Spanish road hunting; killed one deer and wounded several others; and as we were a great distance from the fort, we encamped ncar the road all night. Saw several signs of horses,. 25th February, vVcdncsday.-Killcd. two n1orc deer when we marched for our post. Took all three of the deer with us, and arrived about 9 o'clock at night, as much fatigued &c. as ever I was in my life. Our arrival dissipated the anxiety of the men, who began to be apprehensive we were taken or killed by some of the savages. 26th February, Tbursday.-In the n1orning was apprized by the report of a gun, fron1 n1y lookout guard ; of the approach of strangers. Immediately after two Frenchmen arrived. My sentinel halted thcn1 and ordered them to be admitted after some questions ; they informed me that his excellency governor Allcncaster had heard it was the in ... tention of the Utah Indians, to attack me ; had detached an officer with 50 dragoons to cotne out and protect n1c, and that they would be here in two days. To this I made no reply; but shortly after the party ccune in sight to the number of, I afterwards learnt 50 llragoons and .50 mounted militia of the province, armed in the same manner, viz : Lances, escopJ.tes and pistols. My sentinel halted them at the distance of about 50 yards. 1 had the works manned. l thought it 1nost proper to send out the two Frenchmen to inform the cmnmanding oHicer .that it was my request he ::;hould leave his party in a small copse of woods where he halted, and that l would meet him my- <\ c..: |