We already knew
that to wait till the snows of the mountains had dissolved,
so as to enable us
To distinguish the road, would defeat
our design of returning to the United States this season.
We now found also that as the snow bore our horses very well,
travelling was infinitely easier than it was last fall,
when the rocks and fallen timber had so much obstructed our march.
But it would require five days to reach the fish-weirs at the mouth
of Colt [-killed] Creek, even if we were able to follow the proper
ridges of the mountains; and the danger of missing our direction
is exceedingly great while every track is covered with snow.
During these five days, too, we have no chance of finding either
grass or underwood for our horses, the snow being so deep.
To proceed, therefore, under such circumstances, would be to hazard our
being bewildered in the mountains, and to insure the loss of our horses;
even should we be so fortunate as to escape with our lives,
we might be obliged to abandon all our papers and collections.
It was therefore decided not to venture any further; to deposit here
all the baggage and provisions for which we had no immediate use;
and, reserving only subsistence for a few days, to return while our
horses were yet strong to some spot where we might live by hunting,
till a guide could be procured to conduct us across the mountains.
Our baggage was placed on scaffolds and carefully covered,
as were also the instruments and papers, which we thought it safer
to leave than to risk over the roads and creeks by which we came."
There was nothing left to do but to return to Hungry Creek.
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