206 FORT HALL, ETC. 



It produces in such immense quantities, that the parent bush is not unfre- 

 quently flattened with its superincumbent weight. 



The grizzly bear delights to revel among the thickets of this his favorite 

 berry, and is almost certain to make from it his last autumn meal ere he re- 

 tires to winter quarters and commences the long fast that follows. 



The valley of Bear river presents to emigrants many advantages. Pos- 

 sessed not only of a rich soil, well adapted to cultivation, and vast mineral 

 resources, with natural curiosities that must ever make it a central point of 

 attraction, but situated in the immediate vicinity of the prospective popula- 

 tion of the Great Salt Lake and upon the the direct line of over-land inter- 

 course between the United States, California, and Oregon, it must command 

 for its future inhabitants a sure source of prosperity and wealth. 



There is little doubt of its eventually becoming the most important sec- 

 tion of Southeastern Oregon. 



In descanting upon the natural curiosities of this valley, the trappers ac- 

 companying me spoke of a spring further to the northward, which constantly 

 emits a small stream of mineral tar, from the mountain-side, in no respect 

 inferior to the manufactured article. However, I am not certain in regard 

 to the locality of this interesting phenomenon. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



Fort Hall; its history, and locality.— Information relative to Oregon.— Botwidaries 

 and extent of the territory. — Its rivers and lakes, with a concise description of them 

 severally. — Abundance and variety of fish and water- fowl. — Harbors and islands. — 

 Oregon as a whole ; its mountains and geographical divisions. — Eastern Divison ; 

 its wild scenery, valleys, soil, and timber ; volcanic ravages ; country between 

 Clarke's river and the Columbia.— North of the Columbia ; its general character.— 

 Middle Division ; its valleys, prairies, highlands, and forests. — Western Division ; 

 a beautiful country ; extensive valleys of extraordinary fertility ; productive plams ; 

 abundance of timber, its astonishing size and variety. — A brief summary of facts. 



Our journey from the Uintah to Fort Hall occupied twelve days, and took 

 us a distance of about two hundred miles. Most of this time the weather 

 continued mild and pleasant; the only interval of inclemency was a single 

 bleak and cloudy day, succeeded by a slight fall of snow during the night, 

 which the bright sunshine of the ensuing morning dissipated in a few mo- 

 ments. 



Along the entire route w^e found an abundance of green grass at sheltered 

 places in the valleys, and also large quantities of game, especially black- 

 tailed deer, bear, and elk. Bear are more numerous in this section tlian in 

 any other I am acquainted with. 



Fort Hall is located upon the left bank of Snake river, or Lewis' Fork of 

 the Columbia, in a rich bottom near the delta formed by the confluence of 

 the Portneuf with that stream, in lat. 43*^ 10' 30" north, long. 112° 20' 

 64" west. 



