which I found would be necessary to relieve my horses. In a military point
of view, I was desirous to form some opinion of the country relative to
the establishment of posts on a line connecting the settlements with the
south pass of the Rocky Mountains, by way of the Arkansas and the South
and Laramie forks of the Platte. Crossing the country northwestwardly from
St. Vrain's fort, to the American Company's fort at the mouth of the
Laramie, would give me some acquaintance with the affluents which head-in
the mountain between the two; I therefore determined to set out the next
morning, accompanied by four men--Maxwell, Bernier, Ayot, and Basil
Lajeunesse. Our Cheyennes, whose village lay up this river, also decided
to accompany us. The party I left in charge of Clement Lambert, with
orders to cross to the North fork; and at some convenient place, near to
the _Coulee des Frenes_, make a cache of every thing not absolutely
necessary to the further progress of our expedition. From this point,
using the most guarded precaution in his march through the country, he was
to proceed to the American Company's fort at the mouth of the Laramie's
fork, and await my arrival, which would be prior to the 16th, as on that
and the following night would occur some occultations which I was desirous
to obtain at that place.

5th.--Before breakfast all was ready. We had one led horse in addition to
those we rode, and a pack-mule, destined to carry our instruments,
provisions, and baggage; the last two articles not being of great weight.
The instruments consisted of a sextant, artificial horizon, &c., a
barometer, spy-glass, and compass. The chronometer I of course kept on my
person. I had ordered the cook to put up for us some flour, coffee, and
sugar, and our rifles were to furnish the rest. One blanket, in addition
to his saddle and saddle blanket, furnished the materials for each man's
bed, and every one was provided with a change of linen. All were armed
with rifles or double-barrelled guns; and, in addition to these, Maxwell