MOUNT RAINIER 



ill last night, and as I dozed in the morning was 

 aroused by a stroke across the thigh from a large de- 

 cayed branch which fell from the pyie overshadowing 

 us. A drizzling rain fell during most of the night. 

 Got up about dawn, and finding thigh stiff and pain- 

 ful thought a stop put to the journey, but after mov- 

 ing about it felt easier. Started about sunrise, I 

 mounted on a spirited brown mare, the rest on passable 

 animals, except Nuckalkut, who bestrode a foal. 

 Made a northeasterly course through prairie. Break- 

 fasted at a small marsh on bread, sallal, dried cockels 

 and a small piece of chevriel saved from the last night's 

 repast of my companions (for I cannot call them at- 

 tendants). The points of wood now became broader, 

 and the intervening plain degenerated into prairions. 

 Stopped about i P.M. at the abode of 3 Tekatat families, 

 who met us rank and file at the door to shake hands. 

 Their sheds were made of bark resting on a horizontal 

 pole, supported at each end by tripods, and showed 

 an abundance of elk's flesh dried within. Two kettles 

 were filled with this, and, after smoking, my Indians 

 made a savage repast on the meat and bouillion, 

 Lachalet saying it was the Indian custom to eat a great 

 deal at once and afterwards abstain for a time ; he, 

 however, has twice eaten since. Traded some dried 

 meat for 4 balls and 3 rings, and mounting, rode off 

 in the midst of a heavy shower. Ascended and de- 

 scended at different times several steep banks and 

 passed through dense and tangled thickets, occasionally 

 coming on a prairion. The soil throughout was of 

 the same nature as that of Nusqually. After 

 descending a very steep bank came to the Poyallip. 

 Lashima carried the baggage across on his head. 

 Rode to the opposite side through a rich alluvial plain, 

 3 or 4 miles in length and f to I in breadth. It is 

 covered with fern about 8 feet high in some parts. 

 Passed through woods and crossed river several times. 

 About 7 P.M. dismounted and the horses and accoutre- 



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