[34]Some writers tell that an early winter overtook him, and he was obliged to make snowshoes. This is probably an error. He undoubtedly secured a horse from the Yep-pe Indians.
[35]This particular story is verified by the fact that members of the Wilson Price Hunt Expedition called on Colter at his farm near St. Louis to get information upon this specific point. See Reuben G. Thwaites, "Bradbury's Travels in the Interior of America in the years 1809-1811," _Early Western Travels_, 1748-1840, V, xliv.
[36]The Map of 1814 does not disclose anything unusual. It merely designates "Boiling Spring" and "Hot Springs Brimstone," which were widespread and general.
[37]Washington Irving, _The Adventures of Captain Bonneville_ (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1843), p. 252. The first edition was entitled, _Rocky Mountain Scenes and Adventures_.
[38]It is a remarkable thing that historical research has not more satisfactorily probed the Colter problem. Obviously his journey is so obscure as to warrant scientific investigation.
[39]Its legend reads: "A Map of Lewis and Clark's Track, Across the Western Portion of North America, From the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean; By Order of the Executive of the United States in 1804, 5, 6. Copied by Samuel Lewis from the Original Drawing of Wm. Clark."
[40]There are two fictitious lakes on the Map of 1814 of such grotesque shape as to arouse one's skepticism. One of them has a shape that resembles a gargoyle.
[41]The date of this communication was December 20, 1810.
[42]Colter's first sheet is readily identifiable, and part of another sheet may be segregated with the use of imagination and understanding.
[43]Many writers have failed to identify Gap and Sage as the same creek. They also befuddle Wind and Shoshone rivers. There is no evidence that Colter ever heard the name Bighorn River.
[44]The figure eight results from the fact that he went to the Yep-pe camp, left it, came back, and left it again at the appropriate angles.
[45]In 1941, Paul J. Shamp, a U.S. forester, reported the discovery of numerous petrifications in the vicinity of Pass and Scatter creeks in the Thorofare country. This is the line of Colter's route.
[46]Colter did not see Southeast Arm of Yellowstone Lake. He probably supposed the Upper Yellowstone flowed into South Arm. Hence, his conception of Yellowstone River would have been ten miles farther west than it is. Neither could he have visualized the serpentine character of Snake River, since he knew it at only one place.