FROM THE COLUMBIA VALLEY TO FORT OWEN. 2 
stood upon that eminence facing the setting sun, and made the hills and valleys echo with 
their wild music, the scene was strikingly grand and imposing. 
I left three disabled horses with the chief of the tribe, which he promised to keep until my 
return. The Indians passed the night with us, and in the evening danced a war-dance, in which 
some of our men joined, and manifested decided talent for that sort of gymnastics. I gave them 
a few presents, informing them that they were sent by their Great Father at Washington. We 
parted in the morning well pleased with each other. 
At this place I met Mr. Owen, who, with his brother, had spent several years at St. Mary’s 
valley, engaged in raising stock and trading with the Indians. They have at length abandoned 
the place, deeming it unsafe to remain longer on account of the Blackfeet Indians. ‘They are en- 
camped about fifteen miles from us, with all their stock, on their way to Oregon, having left 
their goods and other property to the mercy of the Indians. Our coming will enable them to 
return and re-establish their trading-post. 
Sunday, August 7—Thermometer, 59°; barometer, 28.825. Marched twenty miles, to Camp 
Owen, on the borders of Coeur d’Alene prairie. Passed through a fine country, well adapted to 
cultivation, and by the falls of the Spokane, where the whole river pours over the rocks in a 
single sheet, and forms a beautiful cascade. This region belongs to the Painted Heart Indians, 
whose lands adjoin those of the Spokanes. The Indians we have met for the last few days are 
much superior to those nearer the coast ; neater in their persons, and not beggars. 
Up to this point we have had an abundance of fine salmon; but the falls of the Spokane arrest 
their progress beyond. An abundance of trout, almost equal to the salmon, compensate for their 
loss. 
Tuesday, August 9.—Thermometer at sunrise, 52°; barometer, 28.64. We were occupied all 
yesterday in repacking our provisions and reducing our packs to the smallest possible size, in 
order to avoid difficulty in passing through a densely-timbered region, the trees in many places 
being so close as scarcely to admit an animal, without a pack, between them. Mr. Francis B. 
Owen goes back with us, glad of an opportunity to again take possession of his fort. We started 
early this morning, and continued our march until night through a dense forest of pines and firs. 
We were much annoyed by yellow wasps and hornets, with which the forest is filled. They 
stung our animals, who, maddened by the pain, dashed off with their loads among the thick trees. 
There is a lake at the right of our camp, but the shores are so marshy that the water is difficult 
of access. It was dark before our animals were taken care of. 
Wednesday, August 10.—Therimometer, 44° ; barometer, 28.605. Lefi camp early to avoid the 
yellow wasps, and to obtain grass. Marched ten miles, over a very bad road; part of the way 
through an almost impassable marsh, and obliged to cut our way through the thick under- 
growth. Encamped in a pretty meadow of excellent grass, on Clark’s fork of the Columbia, at 
the outlet of Pend d’Oreille lake. The river is about a third of a mile wide, and too deep 
to be forded. Found an old bateau, belonging to the Hudson’s Bay Company, in a very leaky 
condition ; all hands at work caulking it. 
Thursday, August 11.—Thermometer, 34°; barometer, 28.635. We succeeded in fitting up 
the boat and crossing the bulk of our stores yesterday. Finished crossing this morning, with the 
loss of several horses. To relieve some of the weaker animals, Lieutenant Arnold proceeded to 
the upper end of the lake in the bateau with the bulk of the heavy articles, driving the animals 
along without their loads. 
We had great difficulty in cutting our way through the thick timber. We met a party, num- 
bering at least a hundred, of Pend d’Oreille Indians, just returning from a hunting excursion on 
the Missouri. All—men, women, and children—were mounted on fine horses, and were bound 
on a trading expedition with the tribes nearer the coast. They had at least 300 horses, and 
were loaded with buffalo robes and dried buffalo meat. They were perfectly civil, and seemed 
to feel proud, rich, and independent. They report that a large party of white men are coming 
33 f 
