564 FROM CANTONMENT STEVENS TO OLYMPIA. 
forth that he was the best of Indians, and others that he was a most arrant scoundrel. It 
wis 1 p.m. when we were packed up and ready for a start. My guide said it would be mid- 
night before we reached a place to encamp, but, being determined to leave this barren place, I 
pushed on rapidly over a high-rolling prairie, bounded on the south by a range of mountains of a 
peculiar blue color verging upon a purple tnt, and at 8 p.m. reached the Touchet river. A clear 
night and a full moon enabled us to find a good encamping ground a mile below where we first 
struck the river. The night was the coldest we have had this season, and we were not sorry to 
find sufficient drift-wood to make a comfortable fire. 
October 7.—The morning was clear and frosty. The Touchet river is about twelve yards 
wide, and quite deep. The valley is narrow, and is overflowed at high water. About three miles 
below our camp is a better encamping ground, especially for a lage train. In three miles we left 
the river, which bends 1o the south, while our course is southwest by west over a level sandy 
plain, producing but little grass and an abundance of sage of small growth, indicating a poor 
soil. The trail then leads on a course south 60° west, true, direct to Fort Wallah-Wallah. At 
3 p. m. obtained my first view of the Columbia river, for which I had departed from the Father 
of Waters more than a year ago. We hailed this glad sight as almost the termination of our 
long journey, and quickening our pace, reached the little Wallah-Wallah one mile above the fort; 
and at 4 p. m. entered its gates, and were hospitably received by Mr. D. Pambrun, the gentleman 
in charge. The fort is situated in the midst of desolate sand-hills, and there is no timber within 
sight. Our tent was pitched near the fort, and Mr. Pambrun supplied the men with wood, 
fresh meat, vegetables, &c., while I accepted the offer of a sojourn in his house during my stay. 
October 8, Sunday.—Remained in camp awaiting the arrival of Lieutenant Mullan, according 
to our appointment to rendezvous at this point. The day passed pleasantly in reading and con- 
versation. 
October 9.—Morning cloudy, with a little rain. About 4 p. m. Lieutenant Mullan and party 
came in, having been twenty-one days from Cantonment Stevens, and experienced an uupleas- 
ant journey, owing to a difficult road, straying of the animals, &c. 
October 10.—The day was chiefly employed in making preparations for a start to-morrow ; 
Lieutenant Mullan proceeding to the Dalles, while I shall go up the Yakima, and, via the Sno- 
qualme Pass, to Puget sound, if it is possible to procure a good guide. 
October 11.—The animals were brought in, and after making the necessary exchanges, Lieu- 
tenant Mullan bade me farewell and started for the Dalles at noon. Soon afier, we commenced 
crossing the packs, and at 5 o’clock had everything, including the animals, safely on the north 
bank of the Columbia, and the tents pitched. Taking leave of my kind entertainers, Mr. and 
Mrs. Pambrun, I crossed, and, seated at my camp fire, feel once more at home. 
October 12.—A_ clear morning, with a cold north wind. As usual, on starting from a post, we 
made a late start. We travelled along the bank of the Columbia, up the stream, through a 
sandy barren sage plain of one to two miles in width, bounded by high ridges of basaltic rock 
parallel to the river. In eleven miles we passed the mouth of Snake river, coming in on the 
opposite side; and in thirteen miles more, struck the Yakima at its first crossing; and here we 
encamped, where the grass was excellent, but no wood, excepting some small willows. 
October 13.—Made a late start. Crossed the river, and passing up six miles, crossed it again 
at an extensive fish weir. Here the river makes an extensive bend to the east, and, taking a cut- 
off, we struck the river again in seven miles, and continuing up seven miles farther, encamped. 
October 14 and 15.—Continued up the river over the same route surveyed by a party under 
Captain McClellan, U, 8. A.- 
October 16.—In three miles from camp we reached the mouth of the At-tah-nam, a small 
stream coming in from the west; and ascending it fourteen miles, reached a small Catholic mis- 
sion, pleasantly situated in a grove of small white-oaks, the first I have seen since leaving Fort 
Union, on the Missouri. 
