river, and down the latter to Jefferson Fork which they descended to the junction of the Three Forks where the Missouri proper takes its source; August 21st.
After a brief sojourn here, he bade adieu to the Indians, and with a small escort, started August 27th on his return to St. Louis - Ascended the east fork of the Gallatin ; crossed what is now called Bozeman Pass, between the valleys of the upper Missouri and Yellowstone; descended the Yellowstone along the left bank and met the Crow Indians in the Big Horn valley, some distance above the mouth of that stream-After some delay he pursued his journey down the Big Horn to the Yellowstone and down the latter stream to the mouth of the Rosebud where he crossed to Fort Alexander - Bidding good-bye to the inmates of the fort and to the Indians, he and a single companion set out down the Yellowstone along the left bank; crossed the Missouri at the mouth of the Yellowstone and arrived at Fort Union.
Leaving Fort Union September 23d, he made his way by land down the Missouri, visiting Forts Clark, Pierre (October 17th) and Vermillion - At Vermillion he took a canoe but was stopped by ice at St. Joseph Mission near Council Bluffs - Thence (December 14th) he traveled by horse back to Independence, and thence to St. Louis by stage, arriving December 31st.
Distance traveled, 4,814 miles.
1841.
Father De Smet left St. Louis April 24th for the Rocky Mountains, accompanied by two fathers and three brothers of the Society - Left Westport May 10th - The route followed was practically the same as that of 1840 as far as South Pass (July 7th)- Thence they followed the route of the Oregon trail via Bear river, Soda Springs (August 13th), across the dividing ridge and down the Portneuf river to Fort Hall on the banks of the Snake.