FROM CANTONMENT STEVENS TO OLYMPIA. 561 



considerable train. Pushing on five miles more we encamped at sundown, having made by esti 

 mate 22 miles for the day s march. 



September 28. The morning was clear and warm. Made an early start, and pushed on as 

 rapidly as a road much obstructed by fallen timber and a dense undergrowth would permit. 

 The valley is widening, and the timber more open and of smaller size. Having crossed the river 

 sixteen times, the trail led over some low hills on the north side for five miles, and afforded a 

 very good road. Recrossing the stream, which is here twenty yards wide and three feet deep, 

 and passing through a fine prairie two miles in extent, we came to a wheat- field, which we 

 gladly hailed as a sign of our near approach to civilization. 



Following an old trail leading through open pine woods, in one mile more we crossed to the 

 north side of the river, and emerging from the woods, stood upon the edge of a beautiful prairie. 

 Near to us was a large field, well fenced and cultivated, and near its centre, upon a fine rise of 

 ground, stood a handsome church, surrounded by a group of small houses, giving to the scene 

 quite a village-like air. It was a pleasant sight to us, who for so long a time had not looked upon 

 the slightest evidences of civilization. This is the Catholic Cceur d Alene mission. Passing by 

 the mission, we encamped one mile beyond, on a small lake near the river. Many of the Coeur 

 d Alene Indians were encamped near us, and several voluntarily assisted in unpacking the mules 

 and arranging the camp, and seemed desirous of manifesting their friendship in various ways. 

 Towards evening I walked up to the mission, and was most hospitably received by the Rev. Father 

 Rovallie, the missionary in charge. He is an Italian by birth, has resided here ten years, and is 

 a well-informed, intelligent gentleman. 



With very limited means this mission has done much to civilize these Indians, and develop the 

 agricultural capacities of the country. They now have some fifty acres under cultivation, and have 

 succeeded in raising fair crops of wheat, oats, peas, potatoes, turnips, carrots, and hemp. The 

 latter succeeds admirably, and might be made an important article of export from Washington 

 and Oregon Territories. 



A fine garden affords a supply of excellent vegetables. The climate, owing to the proximity of 

 a lofty mountain range, is very cold during the winter, and even during the summer the nights 

 prove too cold for the successful cultivation of Indian corn. Hay is requisite for stock through the 

 winter, and is easily obtained from the prairies along the river. 



Father Rovallie gave me an urgent invitation to remain with him several days, and also wished 

 to accommodate my party at the mission; but it not being necessary to remain here long, and not 

 wishing to break up the routine of camp life, I declined his kind offer. I, however, sat at his hos 

 pitable board during my short sojourn here, and for the first time in a year and a half enjoyed the 

 luxuries of civilized life. 



September 29. To-day we remained in camp to repair pack-saddles, recruit the animals, and 

 select some fresh ones from the few left here by Lieutenant Mullan. 



September 30. Made a late start, owing to trouble in catching the animals. Travelled down 

 the river, which now bends to the south ; traversing a succession of low prairies separated by 

 thickets of scrub-pines, and climbing two hills to avoid dense undergrowth in the bottoms, in four 

 miles we reached the crossing of Cceur d Alene river. Here two Indians, with small bark canoes, 

 awaited us. An hour was consumed in crossing, another in packing, and we then pushed on 

 through a fine prairie stretching six miles down the river, and three or four in breadth, possessing 

 an excellent soil. On the opposite side, lofty hills, wooded with pine, come down to the water s 

 edge. We encamped at the lower end of the prairie, where a deep creek enters, having made 

 to-day ten miles. The wagon road from the mission to this point is good, by bridging the Coeur 

 d Alene ; which can easily be done, as the stream is narrow. 



October 1. The morning was clear and warm. The horses having strayed, we were unable to 

 start before Ha. m. Passing up the creek one mile, we crossed it where it debouches from a 

 lake one mile in diameter, near which is another small one. 

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