158 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



I packed in a small tin-box 197 papers of seeds, being a portion of all 

 that have been collected, to be sent across the continent to Hudson's 

 Bay. Dry plants are too bulky to be sent over such a tract of 

 country, and indeed in my own opinion they will reach England 

 by sea in a better state than any other mode of conveyance, as all 

 the chests would require to be lined with tin or some such article 

 to preserve them against water, things which cannot be had in this 

 country. On the afternoon of Monday, the 20th, at four o'clock, I left 

 Fort Vancouver in company with John McLeod, Esq., a gentleman going 

 across to Hudson's Bay, and Mr. Francis Ermatinger, for the interior, 

 with two boats and fourteen men. i The day was very rainy, and we 

 camped on a low piece of ground among poplars and willows, on the 

 north side of the river, a few miles from the establishment, at dusk. 

 The following morning at daylight we proceeded up the river. As 

 there was a strong easterly wind against us, we only gained thirty- 

 five miles ; camped seven miles below the Grand Rapids ; continued 

 rain throughout. The following day made a portage over the 

 Rapids and camped on a small stony island ten miles above them. 

 Showery. At this season the Rapids are seen to advantage, the river 

 being low. The scenery at this season is likewise grand beyond descrip- 

 tion ; the high mountains in the neighbourhood, which are for the most 

 part covered with pines of several species, some of which grow to an 

 enormous size, are all loaded with snow ; the rainbow from the vapour of 

 the agitated water, which rushes with furious rapidity over shattered 

 rocks and through deep caverns producing an agreeable although at the 

 same time a somewhat melancholy echo through the thick wooded valley ; 

 the reflections from the snow on the mountains, together with the vivid 

 green of the gigantic pines, form a contrast of rural grandeur that can 

 scarcely be surpassed. 



Thursday, 23rd. Having a strong westerly wind, we proceeded on 

 our journey at daylight under sail and reached the lower part of The 

 Dalles at dusk 6 miles below the Great Falls ; camped in a small cove, 

 under a shelving rock. Fortunately the night was fine and pleasant, 

 clear moonlight, which was the more agreeable as our tent could not be 

 well pitched. As the natives had collected in greater numbers than 

 we expected, and showed some disposition to be troublesome on not 

 getting such a large present of tobacco as they wanted, we were under 

 the necessity of watching the whole night. Having a few of my small 

 wax-tapers still remaining, which I lay great value on, I wrote a short 

 note to Mr. Murray at Glasgow, and laid in paper a few Musci which were 

 collected the preceding day. 



Friday, 24th. After a tedious night, daybreak was to me particularly 

 gratifying, as might be well guessed, being surrounded by at least 450 

 savages who, judging from appearances, were everything but amicable.) 

 As no one in the brigade could converse with them better than myself, 

 little could be done by persuasion. However, finding two of the principal 

 men who understood the Chenook tongue, with which I am partially 

 acquainted, the little I had I found on this occasion very useful. We 



