FIRST APPROACH TO THE MOUNTAIN, 1833 



ments were left in a wood at the river's brink. Started 

 now on foot for a house Nuckalkut knew, and after 

 traversing woods and twice crossing the torrents "on 

 the unsteadfast footing" of a log, arrived at the house, 

 which was a deserted one, and encamped on the dry 

 part of river's bed, along which our course lies to- 

 morrow. The Poyallip flows rapidly and is about 10 

 or 12 yards broad. Its banks are high and covered with 

 lofty cedars and pines. The water is of a dirty white 

 colour, being impregnated by white clay. Lachalet 

 has tonight been trying to persuade me from going to 

 the snow on the mountain. 



Aug. 3 1 . Slept well, and in the morning two salmon 

 were caught, on which we are to breakfast before start- 

 ing. After breakfast Quillihaish stuck the gills and 

 sound of the fish on a spit which stood before the 

 fire, so that the next comer might know that salmon 

 could be obtained there. Have traveled nearly the 

 whole day through a wood of cedar and pine, surface 

 very uneven, and after ascending the bed of river a 

 couple of miles are now encamped about ten yards 

 from its margin in the wood. Find myself very in- 

 ferior to my companions in the power of enduring 

 fatigue. Their pace is a smart trot which soon obliges 

 me to rest. The waters of the Poyallip are still of the 

 same colour. Can see a short distance up two lofty 

 hills covered with wood. Evening cloudy and rainy. 

 Showery all day. 



Sunday, Sept. i. Bank of Poyallip river. It has 

 rained all night and is now, 6 A.M., pouring down. 

 Are a good deal sheltered by the trees. My com- 

 panions are all snoozing. Shall presently arouse them 

 and hold a council of war. The prospect is very dis- 

 couraging. Our provisions will be expended today and 

 Lachalet said he thought the river would be too high 

 to be fordable in either direction. Had dried meat 

 boiled in a cedar bark kettle for breakfast. I got 

 rigged out in green blanket without trousers, in In- 



