he journey
together. After leaving the Bear River Valley they crossed over to
Lewis's Fork of the Columbia. At night the camp fires of the Indian
twinkled like so many stars along the mountain side; but they were all
friendly and the tired explorers slept peacefully.

Pushing onward they reached the upper waters of Lewis's Fork, where
snow began to fall. However, they were quite near Fort Hall and they
therefore went into camp, while Fremont rode to the fort and procured
several horses and oxen.

The weather continued severe, but Fremont determined to push on, despite
the hardships which he knew awaited them all. As a matter of prudence,
however, he sent back eleven of his men, leaving about twenty with which
he pursued his journey down the river valley in the direction of the
Columbia. The Dalles was reached in safety where Kit Carson was left in
command of the party, while Fremont with a few companions pushed on to
Vancouver Island, where he procured some provisions. On his return, the
whole party united and made their way to Klamath Lake, in what was then
Oregon Territory. When their observations were completed, they took up
their march in the direction of California.

After a long and wearisome journey, attended by much suffering for the
lack of food, they came in sight of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which
were seen to be covered with snow. The men were in a sorry plight. The
provisions were nearly gone; they could not turn back, and there seemed
but two alternatives before them: to push on through the mountains or
remain where they were and starve to death. Such men were not the ones
to fold their hands and lie down in helpless despair. Accordingly, they
made their preparations for the terrible venture.

The snow was so deep that it was impossible to get forward without
the aid of snowshoes. Devoting themselves to the manufacture of these
indispensable articles, a few were sent ahead to learn how far it was
necessary to break a path for the animals. After a laborious passage,
it was found that nine miles would have to be prepared in that fashion.
Carson was with this advance and when they halted, he saw in the
distance the green Sacramento Valley. Although nearly twenty years had
passed since he visited that section, he recognized it at once. Away
beyond towered the white peaks of the Coast Range. Carson was the only
man in the party who really knew where they were.

This passage of Fremont and his men throug