OVERLAND EXPEDITION TO SAN FRANCISCO. 283 



I 



On the 16th we encamped on the Elk River. This river 

 is so called because its banks abound in elk ; it is about one- 

 half of the size of the Willamette River, and has considerable 

 current. We had scarcely pitched our tents, when some of 

 the hunters succeeded in killing an elk and a deer. They 

 were brought into camp, and divided among the different messes. 



The following morning, Messrs. Emmons, Agate, and ser- 

 geant Stearns, with Boileau as a guide, left the camp for Fort 

 Umpquoa, for the double object of examining the country and 

 exchanging several of the pack-horses, which had nearly given 

 out. This fort belongs to the Hudson's Bay Company, and is 

 constructed after the manner of those of Nisqually and Van- 

 couver. It is situated on the Umpquoa River, a fine stream, 

 which empties into the ocean. 



The Superintendent of the establishment, Mr. Gangriere, 

 gave Mr. Emmons a very unfavorable account of the Indians 

 who inhabited this region. He stated that he had long before 

 heard of the intended journey, through the Indians, and that 

 the news had passed on to all the tribes, who were collecting 

 in large numbers, to oppose our passage. He also endeavored 

 to dissuade Mr. Emmons from proceeding any further, by 

 telling him that these Indians were a brave race, consequently 

 in the event of an attack, our party must be destroyed, for he 

 thought it was very small. 



According to our hunters, the Umpquoa country abounds in 

 beaver, deer, and bears. About dusk Mr. Emmons returned, 

 accompanied by Mesdames Boileau and Gangriere, who 

 wished to see the camp, and consult the doctor. He commu- 

 nicated to the party, what Mr. Gangriere had stated in rela- 

 tion to the Indians, and gave orders for increasing the number 

 of sentries about the camp, to make more cartridges, and to 

 put all the arms in the best fighting condition. 



