THE MOUNTAIN DISCOVERED AND NAMED, 1792 



from whose summit mount Rainier rose conspicuously, 

 and seemed as much elevated above them as they were 

 above the level of the sea ; the whole producing a most 

 grand, picturesque effect. The lower mountains, as 

 they descended to the right and left, became gradually 

 relieved of their frigid garment ; and as they ap- 

 proached the fertile woodland region that binds the 

 shores of this inlet in every direction, produced a pleas- 

 ing variety. We now proceeded to the N. W. in which 

 direction the inlet from hence extended, and afforded 

 us some reason to believe that it communicated with 

 that under the survey of our other party. This opinion 

 was further corroborated by a few Indians, who had in 

 a very civil manner accompanied us some time, and 

 who gave us to understand that in the north western 

 direction this inlet was very wide and extensive ; this 

 they expressed before we quitted our dinner station, by 

 opening their arms, and making other signs that we 

 should be led a long way by pursuing that route ; 

 whereas, by bending their arm, or spreading out their 

 hand, and pointing to the space contained in the curve 

 of the arm, or between the fore-finger and thumb, that 

 we should find our progress soon stopped in the direc- 

 tion which led towards mount Rainier. The little 

 respect which most Indians bear to truth, and their 

 readiness to assert what they think is most agreeable 

 for the moment, or to answer their own particular wishes 

 and inclinations, induced me to place little dependance 

 on this information, although they could have no motive 

 for deceiving us. 



About a dozen of these friendly people had attended 

 at our dinner, one part of which was a venison pasty. 

 Two of them, expressing a desire to pass the line of sep- 

 aration drawn between us, were permitted to do so. 

 They sat down by us, and ate of the bread, and fish 

 that we gave them without the least hesitation ; but on 

 being offered some of the venison, though they saw us 

 eat it with great relish, they could not be induced to 



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