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. 
