Three Forks of the Missouri — Patrick Gass: July 26, 1805

course through the mountains. There are some cedar and
spruce trees on the shores; but very little of any kind on the
mountains. About 11 o’clock we got through this range into
a valley: About 2 came to a large island and halted on it for
dinner. A rattle-snake came among our canoes in the water,
of a kind different from any I had seen. It was about two
feet long, of a light colour, with small spots all over. One of
our hunters went on ahead in the morning, and at this place
killed 4 deer. While we remained here it became cloudy and
some rain fell. At 4 o’clock we proceeded on through the
valley; passed a creek on the south side, and having gone 18
miles and an half encamped on the same side, where a small
mountain comes in to the river.