Oct. 3. Party moved on as usual. Started with Capt Featherstone Sappers Quint & Wilson, Gillot & a Scout on a trip through Turtle Mt. Capt F. put in tablets at Mounds. The object to see nature of country & especially to visit a locality where an exposure of limestone reported to exist? [Dawsonís ?] Plan to enter the Mountain from US. Astron. Station at W. end, follow US. cutting & trail to its E. end. Cross or get around Farquar lake. Strike British line cutting & trail & follow out to Turtle Mt DepÙt. There to meet the main body again.

Rode about 25 miles across the prairie to the US. Station. Bond bringing the baggage along on a buckboard. Arrived at Station before noon. & halted for lunch & to let the horses feed. Day rather cloudy & doubtful. Wind S. Easterly but clouds coming up from the S.W. Wind strong & chilly. After lunch saddled up, put grub &c on a pack animal & entered the cutting. Trail only used as a pack trail a few times & very poor. BrulÈ & windfall, stumps & brush rendering progress slow. Found the first mound but in poor condition. Only about 2' 6" high diffuse, not ditched round & altogether a very shabby piece of work.

Stopped about 5 P.M. at Summit Lake a pretty little sheet of water with high wooded banks. Organized camp by building a couple of good fires & choosing sleeping places. Usstrapped blankets from saddles & after a hearty supper turned in. Night very fine wit[h] brilliant aurora.