CHAPTER XIX

WIDESPREAD EXPLORING PARTIES

Gathering information--Lieutenant Grover to Bitter Root valley--Lieutenant Mullan to Muscle Shell River--Lieutenant Donelson to examine Cadotte's Pass--Mr. Lander to Marias Pass--George W. Stevens describes outfitting war parties--Funds fall short--Governor Stevens takes responsibility of incurring deficiency--Starts to visit main Blackfoot camp--Chiefs join the party--Culbertson's defense of Fort McKenzie--Death of Rotten Belly--Reaches Marias River--Express brings report from Lieutenant Saxton that mountains are impassable for wagons-- Returns to Fort Benton--Lander ordered back--Want of harmony in his party--Stanley proceeds to Piegan camp--Lieutenants Saxton and Grover meet on summit of Rocky Mountains--Tinkham returns from Three Buttes and Marias River--Outfitting with pack animals--Lieutenant Saxton, with Culbertson and twenty-eight men, descends Missouri in keelboat--Doty stationed at Fort Benton--Lander's insubordination curbed--Stanley returns with thirty chiefs--Talk with Blackfeet--Their dress--Peace advocated--Chief Low Horn--His good faith 364