Wishing to avoid the _Blackfeet_ Indians, a warlike and ferocious tribe, who put to death all the strangers that fall into their hands, they directed their course southwardly, until they arrived at the 40th degree of latitude.

Thence they turned to the northwest, and arrived, by-and-by, at an old fort, or trading post, on the banks of a little river flowing west.

This post, which was then deserted, had been established, as they afterward learned, by a trader named Henry.

Our people, not doubting that this stream would conduct them to the Columbia, and finding it navigable, constructed some canoes to descend it.

Having left some hunters (or trappers) near the old fort, with Mr.Miller, who, dissatisfied with the expedition, was resolved to return to the United States, the party embarked; but very soon finding the river obstructed with rapids and waterfalls, after having upset some of the canoes, lost one man by drowning, and also a part of their baggage, perceiving that the stream was impracticable, they resolved to abandon their canoes and proceed on foot.