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76 1858 Across the Plains Nov 19 Friday.- The guide unclear some cause to us unknown is now taking us on a different course from S.S.W to N.N.W. Country unchanged-passed a beautiful lake-game in abundance, the country is literally alive with deer. Wood, water and feed plenty. The guide killed a deer at noon, but made sad work of it in cutting it up. He saved the entrails after stripping them, and cook them for his supper. Weather very cold. Traveled 12 miles. Nov 20 Saturday.- Traveled about fifteen miles-no changes in the features of the country. Crossed two streams, wood water and game plenty. Weather cold. 15 Nov 21 Sunday.- Traveled about fifteen miles and again entered the mountains at the [Koottonais] Pass and camped near the summit. We encountered snow from two to fifteen feet deep, the snow in many places had drifted to such a height that there was no telling what depth it was. We turned the horses out where the snow was not very deep, and we had to keep a constant watch to prevent them from going back. Where we pitched our camp the snow was about fifteen feet deep, we cut a large hole through, gathered a few days sticks and kindled a fire and although we had good shelter yet the cold was so intense that sleep was out of the question, and we hugged the fire as close as we could. We had to relieve guard about every fifteen minutes. The poor animals must have suffered, there was not a particle of vegetation visible, and then they stood shivering in the merciless wintry blast. We covered them with all we could spare, but it was not enough. The thoughts that passed through our minds in rapid succession during that fearful