FROM CANTONMENT STEVENS TO FORT DALLES. 531 



ninety yards wide, flowing, with an exceedingly rapid current, over a rocky, stony bed. Tt is 

 bounded on each side by high, steep, rugged pine-clad mountains. Crossing the Koo&amp;gt;kooskia, 

 we began the ascent of another very steep mountain, the road, in addition, being obstructed by 

 fallen timber. For eight miles we continued up and along steep mountains, thirkly timbered 

 with the spruce and hacmatack. At the end of this distance our course tended for six miles 

 more to the north, leaving the river at a distance of four miles to our left our road still winding 

 along and up steep, high, and rugged mountains. At a distance of four miles we reached the 

 top of the mountains, where we could see in every direction, and nothing met our view but one 

 immense bed of pine-clad mountains. There was a ridge to our south and ea^t that had a gene 

 ral direction of northeast and southwest, presenting a series of high jogged peaks, all destitute of 

 timber. Having travelled a distance of twenty-five miles, we encamped on the top of a high 

 mountain, where we found a spring of water on the trail. We found no grass for our animals, 

 and were compelled to tie the most of them without grass or water. We found growing along 

 the sides and tops of the mountains to-day a great abundance of the bear-grass, which grows 

 in large, long bunches, and retains its beautiful green color throughout the whole year. It is 

 never eaten by the animals, however hungry they may be. We met to-day for the first time the 

 mountain ash, growing in great abundance on these mountains in a bush form, and bearing a 

 bright red berry. The tree is fifteen feet high. Towards evening our guide became embar 

 rassed as to the route, as we came to a point of the mountains where the road forked. We, 

 however, took the right-hand trail, which proved to be the present one travelled. When Cap 

 tains Lewis and Clark crossed these mountains, they took the left-hand trail, which proved, by 

 their description, as difficult, if not more so than the one we followed. At sunset, after a long 

 and fatiguing march, we encamped on the summit of a high mountain, where we found a 

 spring of clear pure water. The night was cold and windy, and on the following morning we 

 experienced great difficulty in finding our animals ; most of them broke loose during the night, 

 and strayed off many miles into the thick timber, while some took the back track to our camp of 

 lust night. We sent two men on the trail, who found ten, and, having searched through the 

 dense forest, we found them all by 11 o clock. They presented a meagre and gaunt appearance, 

 and showed the effects of the want of grass. At 12 in. we resumed our march. When at a dis 

 tance of two miles we saw a deep hollow, with good grass. Here I sent one of the men to see 

 if there was water. On his finding water, I concluded to encamp, although not midday, rather 

 than travel with the prospect of finding no grass at our night camp. At this place we found an 

 excellent spring of pure water, and an abundance of rich, green buffalo-grass. Towards sunset 

 it began to rain heavily, with wind from east southeast, and continued with great force through 

 out the whole night. We had to-day a commanding view of the mountains, and took a sketch 

 of the prominent ridge running northeast and southwest, it forming the great landmark of this 

 region. 



September 26. Commences mild and pleasant, having rained heavily throughout the night. 

 The atmosphere this morning was pure and pleasant. We resumed our journey at an early hour, 

 our animals having fared well on the rich grass of last night. Our trail during the earlier part of 

 the day lay up the sides and over steep mountains; but towards noon the road became per 

 ceptibly better, the mountains lower, and the trail easier travelled. We still had a commanding 

 view of the mountains during the whole day, some of the higher peaks of which were covered 

 with snow, especially the peaks of the prominent range referred to yesterday. To-driy the 

 mountains towards the north appeared very high arid rugged, while those to our front and south 

 still retained their rugged features. At a distance of fourteen miles from our camp we reached 

 a spring of clear water on a bare mountain, having a beautiful southern exposure. Here we 

 observed fresh tracks of horses probably the Indians hunting. Six miles farther we saw a 

 small lake. It was midway of a high, bare, steep mountain, on the southern side. A short dis 

 tance farther we struck a small creek, running towards the north; and as we had travelled some 



