1826, NOVEMBER DECEMBER. CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT 239 



of tea, which lie had brought from Fort Vancouver. Having had no tea 

 for some time before, it prevented me from sleeping. 



Sunday, \$ih. At four in the morning I started with the guide and 

 seven men in a boat, and by a hard day's work arrived at Fort Vancouver 

 at eight in the evening, having been absent two months. 



Monday, 20th. Keceived by the express across the continent letters 

 from Jos. Sabine, Esq., dated February 20, Mr. S. Murray of Glasgow, 

 and my brother. In the list of my acquaintances are a Mr. Simpson, 

 a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, who left London in February, and a 

 Mr. McMillan, one of the resident partners of the Fur Company, who gave 

 me a friendly welcome. Keceived a very punctual note from Mr. J. G. 

 McTavish, Chief Factor, York Factory, Hudson's Bay, acknowledging the 

 safe arrival of my tin box of seeds sent last spring by Mr. McLeod, and at 

 the same time informing me that it should be duly forwarded to England 

 the same season by the return of their ship. Learned with regret that my 

 box containing the remainder of the collection made during the summer 

 and left at Kettle Falls in August had been omitted to be sent down ; 

 hope that it is safe. Remainder of the day employed drying seeds, papers, 

 and clothing. 



2\st to 3Qth. From fatigue and constant exposure to the rain and cold, 

 my ankles, which were slightly inflamed, swelled accompanied by an 

 acute pain, and obliged me to remain within doors for nine days. Arranged 

 what plants I had collected, dried and put up seeds, made a small packing- 

 box, and repaired some of my shoes. Weather mild but very changeable, 

 generally rainy ; failing that, cloudy heavy weather, westerly winds 

 prevailing. 



Friday, December 1st to the 8th. Being a little recovered, I employed 

 myself forming a collection of the various timbers that compose the 

 forests, at the same time gleaning a few Cryptogamic plants. 



December 9th to 25th. My time lying heavy on my hands, I resolved 

 on visiting the ocean in quest of Fuci, shells, or anything that might present 

 itself to my view. Hired a canoe of some Chenooks who were here on 

 a trading excursion. Mr. McLoughlin sent one of his men with me, who 

 with two Indians formed my party. Two days took me to Fort George, 

 the old establishment, where I slept and waited until the wind abated, 

 before I could cross the river to the north side. Scarcely had I been ashore 

 when the wind began to blow a strong gale from the south-west and the rain 

 falling in torrents ; one of the most dreadful nights I ever witnessed. 

 About midnight I was awakened by the breaking of the surge on the shore 

 and the crashing of the drift-wood pile above pile ; and the sea rising so 

 suddenly and so unusually high, in an instant dashed my canoe to pieces 

 and obliged me to strike my tent at midnight and re tire back into the wood, 

 In the morning when the storm abated I went to the house of Cassicass, 

 son of the chief Com Comly, and borrowed a canoe and proceeded along 

 Baker's Bay ; crossed the portage over Cape Disappointment to the 

 bays near Cape Shoalwater of Vancouver, which I gained in two days' 

 march, both rainy. Another short day's march took me to the house of my 

 old Indian friend, Cockqua, who greeted me with that hospitality for which 



