FIRST APPROACH TO THE MOUNTAIN, 1833 



Aug. 28. A tremendous thunder storm occurred 

 last night, succeeded by torrents of rain. The thun- 

 der was very loud, and the lightening flashing com- 

 pletely enlightened my apartment. Have been chat- 

 ting with Mr. Herron about colonizing Whidby's 

 island, a project of which he is at present quite full 

 more anon. No horses have appeared. Understand 

 that the mountain is four days' journey distant the 

 first of which can only be performed on horseback. 

 If they do not appear tomorrow I shall start with 

 Lachalet on foot. 



Aug. 29. Prairie 8 miles N. of home. Sunset. 

 Busy making arrangements for journey, and while 

 thus occupied the guide arrived with 3 horses. 

 Started about 3, mounted on a strong iron grey, my 

 companions disposing of themselves on the other two 

 horses, except one, who walked. We were 6 in num- 

 ber. I have engaged Lachalet for a blanket, and his 

 nephew, Lashima, for ammunition to accompany me 

 and Nuckalkut a Poyalip (whom I took for a native 

 of Mt. Rainier) with 2 horses to be guide on the moun- 

 tain after leaving the horse track, and Quilniash, his 

 relative, a very active, strong fellow, has volunteered 

 to accompany me. The Indians are all in great hopes 

 of killing elk and chevriel, and Lachalet has already 

 been selling and promising the grease he is to get. It 

 is in a great measure the expectation of finding game 

 that urges them to undertake the journey. Cantered 

 slowly along the prairie a'nd are now at the residence 

 of Nuckalkut's father, under the shade of a lofty pine, 

 in a grassy amphitheatre, beautifully interspersed and 

 surrounded with oaks, and through the gaps in the 

 circle we see the broad plain extending southwards to 

 Nusqually. In a hollow immediately behind is a small 

 lake whose surface is almost one sheet of waterlilies 

 about to flower. Have supped on sallal ; and at dusk 

 shall turn in. 



Aug. 30. Sandy beach of Poyallipa River. Slept 



