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THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
at the lower brink of the Dalles—haul up our boat safe, tho’ it is rather 
a dangerous place—clear the Dalles about noon. While here en- 
deavoured to procure a piece of Rock Crystal, according to Dr. 
McLoughlin’s instructions, but not knowing the exact spot where it is 
said to be were unable to find any. Probably the great quantity of 
snow on many parts of the banks of the River concealed it from our 
view. River becomes more rapidous! as we ascend. Encamp about 7 
or 8 miles above Dalles des Morts at 4 past 7 p.m. 
Thursday, 26th.—Fine weather. Proceed at 5 a.m. Ascend many 
rapids. Breakfast above the Rapids Croches.? Afterwards less fre- 
quent. Pass several pieces of smooth current. Country very moun- 
tainous—snow deep. Encamp at the head of a small rapid at $ past 7 p.m. 
Friday, 27th.—Sharp frost in the morning—fine day. Proceed at 
+ before 5 a.m. and arrive at the Boat Encampment’ between 11 and 12 
o’elock. The most part of the distance we made up the river this day 
the current was strong but smooth with several steep Rapids. The 
remainder of the day we occupied in preparing our baggage for the 
journey across the mountains. The paper trunk‘ (which is very heavy, 
say upwards of 70 lbs.) is to be carried by 3 men alternately together 
with their provs. and private baggage. Our other baggage is divided 
among the remaining four men. 
Owing to the liberality of the gentlemen by whose posts we passed 
along the communication we were enabled nearly every night since we 
left Fort Vancouver to treat ourselves with potatoes at supper and 
finished the remains of our stock from Fort Colville to-day, probably 
the first ever eaten at this place. Fruits of attention to gardening. 
Our tent being dry, strike and pack it up—dry the main line’ as well 
as we can first by the sun and afterwards by the fire. Take an acct. of 
everything to be left en cache; kill 1 goose. 


1 A curious locution. 
* May be present La Porte rapid. Kane (p. 335) says that, about 1843, a boat 
containing twenty-two persons filled with water when descending it. Fourteen 
people, including a “gentleman sent into the interior for botanical research”. and his 
bride were drowned. The steersman’s daughter, ten years old, was saved. When 
the boat turned bottom upwards, she was “jammed in amongst the luggage and 
supported by the small quantity of air which had been caught in the boat when it 
turned over.” Ross says that rapide Croche is about 15 miles above what he calls 
Ross river, the Goldstream river of modern maps. 
5“ Boat Encampment”; at the most northerly part of the Columbia at the “ Big 
bend”’ where, after flowing northerly, it commences its southerly course. David 
Thompson wintered there from Jan. 22—April 17, 1811. On April 17, in a canoe, he 
started up the Columbia. Canoe river, which falls in at this point and ‘Boat Encamp- 
ment” commemorate the construction of his canoe and his winter camp. 
* Containing papers such as despatches, accounts, letters, ete. 
5 Presumably the line used in ‘tracking’ the canoes upstream. 
