98 CASTLE AND CHIMNEY ROCKS. 



previously seen from the deck of the steamer, 

 Castle Rock and Chimney Rock black columnar 

 pyramids, which appear to have dropped down 

 upon the sandy plains, rather than to have been 

 upheaved from below bare and naked, without 

 even a coloured lichen to break their sombre 

 cinderous uniformity. These basaltic mountains 

 serve but to intensify the desolation of this inter- 

 minable wilderness. Our course is now along 

 the bank of the Columbia, that rushes on, muddy 

 and turbulent, to reach the Walla-walla, which 

 we follow up for about two miles, to meet our 

 party, that had been sent by steamer : find them 

 comfortably encamped, and enjoy a few days' 

 rest, after our sandy, frying, dismal trip. 



