252 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



rays now and then seen through the shady forests, imparts a melancholy 

 sensation of no ordinary description, filling the mind with awe on beholding 

 this picture of gloomy wildness. At the head of this (I would almost 

 say subterranean) passage there is a very dangerous rapid, where the 

 water falls 9 feet over large stones, to pass which took all our united 

 strength : two in the boat guiding her with poles and seven on the line. 

 Carried all my articles, lest evil should overtake them. Here it becomes a 

 little broader, the shores also rocky, and owing to the deep snow is dangerous 

 and fatiguing to walk. In the narrows the rocks are micaceous granite, 

 blue limestone, and white marble with red veins. Camped two miles higher 

 up and being still in the midst of rapids were obliged to camp on the right 

 side, among large stones and snow. Morning mild ; noon calm and 

 warm, 65 in the shade ; evening fine but chilly. This night from exertion 

 I can hardly write. No new plants to-day. Progress, twenty-eight 

 miles. 



Tuesday, 24th. Scarcely anything worthy of notice occurred this day, 

 the country wearing the same mountainous appearance as yesterday. 

 Started at daylight, the river flowing from west of north, shoally and very 

 rapid. Gained eight miles before breakfast. Continued through the same 

 sort of country throughout the day. Camped on the right-hand side, on 

 the edge of the thick wood, where we had some trouble in finding a dry 

 spot from the melting of the snow. Morning mild and cloudy ; light 

 drizzly rain at noon which still continues (now half-past seven). Progress, 

 twenty-three miles. The only plants of to-day are the species of 

 Shepherdia found last year at Kettle Falls of diminutive growth, and the 

 same Aralia or Panax found on the Cascade Mountains. Saw two beavers 

 in the water, neither of which could be killed. Likewise a few geese and 

 some ducks of two species, both plentiful on the coast. 



Wednesday, 25^.-|-The rain 'last night ceased about twelve o'clock. 

 Morning dull but pleasant ; the mornings and evenings appear long. 

 The high mountains on the banks of the river screen the sun's cheering 

 influence from us until eight A.M. which is withdrawn shortly after four P.M. 

 Stayed for breakfast at nine at the foot of the Dalles des Morts ;| gained 

 eight and a half miles ; general course, west of north. Here the river is 

 confined to the space of 35 to 50 yards broad, the current exceedingly 

 rapid and obstructed by large stones ; one place in the middle of the 

 narrows it is dashed over the shattered rocks, which it leaves in foam for 

 the distance of 40 yards below. Reached the head of the Dalles, about a 

 mile and a half long, shortly after noon, but not without much labour 

 and anxiety. Carried all my valuables (seeds and notes) on my back along 

 the rocks ; my other articles brought by one of the men. | This place, 

 which is looked on -as one of the most dangerous parts of the whole river, 

 derives its name from a melancholy circumstance which occurred a few 

 years ago to a party of men who were ascending as we now are. They had 

 the misfortune to have their craft dashed to pieces among the rocks when 

 by a supernatural exertion all escaped to shore, where they endured a short 

 respite from death, more unsupportable than immediate death itself : 

 without food, without arms, scarcely any clothing, being stripped, and three 



