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22

We continued our march and by perseverance we Succeeded at last in completing the road This was very difficult as the wind had drifted the snow and in many places had filled up the paths which we had made with so much labor. However we finally got across the waste and then commenced descending the mountain, then we left Fitzpatrick in charge of the main party, while Fremont myself and five or six more went ahead to Sutters fort for provisions. The second day after leaving Fitzpatrick, Mr. Preuss, Fremont's assistant got lost We made a search for him travelled slowly, & fired guns so that he might Know where we were but we could not find him, Four days afterwards the old man Succeeded in locating us. He had his pockets full of acorns having had no other food since he left us We were all greatly rejoiced at his return for he was much respected by the entire party. We reached Sutters fort Safely three days after the return to camp of Mr. Preuss. When we arrived at the fort we were nearly naked and in as poor a condition as men possibly could be We were received by Mr Sutter in a princely manner and were furnished every thing we required We remained at the fort for about a month & there made all the necessary arrangements for our return having found no difficulty in getting every thing that we needed. About the first of April 1844 we were ready to depart. During our stay at the fort two of our party became deranged I presume from the effects of starvation followed by the receipt of a too great abundance of food One morning one of them jumped up, was perfectly wild He enquired for my mule which had been tied close to him, but he started never-the-less for the mountains to look for it. After some time when his absence became