256 FROM THE COLUMBIA VALLEY TO FORT OWEN. 



in his plan of financiering. He, however, soon brought us some corn and potatoes, and promised 

 that, when Governor Stevens should arrive, he would kill a fat ox for us. 



I found all the grass burned on this side of the Peluse river. 



The Indians told me that a Spaniard had been along a few days before, and told them that a 

 large body of American soldiers were coming to cut them off, and take possession of their homes. 

 I satisfied them that our mission was one of peace, and promised if they would show me the 

 persons who had endeavored to excite them to take arms against us, 1 would hang them on the 

 first tree. 



Wednesday, August 3. From Camp Peluse to Camp Spokane, twenty-eight miles, over a 

 better country than I have traversed since leaving the Dalles of the Columbia, I noticed a great 

 amount of carbonate of soda in locations where, in wet seasons, there had evidently been pools 

 of water. The ground in many places was perfectly white with it, and covered to the depth of 

 three-quarters of an inch. 



Last night an unfortunate accident occurred. Our only mercurial barometer was broken. 

 Up to this point a good barometrical profile of our route had been obtained. Now this interesting 

 and important part of the reconnaissance must be discontinued, or continued under great dis 

 advantages with the aneroid, which will give only approximate results. 



Thursday, August 4. Thermometer at sunrise, 41; barometer 28.89. Marched twenty miles 

 to the north, over the finest grazing country I have yet met with ; well watered, but destitute of 

 game and trees. Rattlesnakes are so numerous as to render it dangerous to walk about in the 

 grass. A Spokane Indian brought in four horses which he said had strayed from our last night s 

 encampment. Some of the party, thinking he had concealed the animals and brought them in 

 in order to claim the reward, were for having him tied up and whipped. But the man had 

 an honest-looking eye; I believed him to be so, and paid him well for his trouble. Had we 

 punished him unjustly, the whole Spokane tribe would have been our enemies, instead of being, 

 as now, our fast friends. 



The first forest trees I have seen since leaving the Dalles are in sight from our camp. 



Friday, August 5. Thermometer at sunrise, 40 ; barometer 28.7. We marched twenty-five 

 miles through a country of an entirely different character from any we have yet seen ; a dense 

 forest of pine and fir trees, many of immense size. We passed many beautiful ponds or lakes, 

 and are encamped on the banks of a pretty sheet of clear water amid pine trees; but its waters 

 are so strongly alkaline as to make them unfit for use, and very injurious to animals that drink 

 of them. The native animals will not taste the water; but American horses and mules will 

 when very thirsty, and unless speedily relieved by the administration of an acid, the consequences 

 are disastrous. There is a spring near our camp strongly sulphureous, and boiling temperature 

 fifty-one degrees. 



Saturday, August 6. Thermometer 58; barometer 28.435. Marched in an eastwardly direc 

 tion to Spokane river ; the rock formation is granite. Passed a beautiful lake on the left of 

 our trail ; crossed a branch of the Spokane about three miles from its junction with the latter. 

 At the ford where we crossed was an Indian village, and a wheat field of about an acre just 

 harvested, which showed a fine crop. 



Arrived on the banks of the Spokane at 12 m. As it was too deep to be forded, I hired the 

 Indians to take us across in their canoes, and succeeded in getting everything safely over by sun 

 set. The Spokanes are a noble specimen of their race, and are as yet too proud to beg. Their 

 chief, Garry, speaks tolerable English, having been educated by the Hudson s Bay Company. 

 He is rich, powerful, and owns a large number of horses. 



The Spokanes, as well as the other tribes we had encountered, had been told that we were 

 coming to make war upon them. They were delighted to find us friends, and came in great 

 numbers to welcome us. About thirty mounted warriors, in full costume, formed upon a high 

 hill overlooking our camp, and sang a song of welcome. It was just at sunset; and as they 



