MOUNT RAINIER 



during the heat of the day, and the drive was then con- 

 tinued seven miles farther, to the Lacamas, an irregular- 

 shaped prairie two miles in length by half a mile in 

 breadth. Here live two of Mr. Longmire's sons. 

 Their farms form the last settlement, and at the gate 

 of Mr. Elkane Longmire's house the road ends. A 

 wooded knoll overlooking the prairie, with a spring of 

 water at its foot, was selected as the camp-ground. 

 Some of the party stretched a large sail between the 

 trees as a tent, others watered and fed the horses, and 

 others busied themselves with the supper. Two eager 

 sportsmen started after grouse, while their more prac- 

 tical companions bought half a dozen chickens, and 

 had them soon dressed and sputtering over the fire. 

 The shades of night were falling as the party sat down 

 on the ground and partook of a repast fit for the Olym- 

 pians, and with a relish sharpened by the long journey 

 and a whole day's fast. 



Early in the morning Mr. Longmire arrived in camp 

 with two mules and a pack-horse, and our mountain 

 outfit was rapidly made up into suitable bales and 

 packed upon the horse and one of the mules, the other 

 mule being reserved for Longmire's own riding. We 

 assembled around the breakfast with spirits as gay and 

 appetites as sharp as ever. Then, with many good-bys 

 and much waving of handkerchiefs, the party broke up. 

 Four roughly clad pedestrians moved off in single file, 

 leading their pack animals, and looking back at every 

 step to catch the last glimpse of the bright garments 

 and fluttering cambrics, while the carriages drove rap- 

 idly down the road and disappeared in the dark, sullen 

 forest. 



We stepped off briskly, following a dim trail in an east- 

 erly course, and crossing the little prairie entered the tim- 

 ber. After winding over hilly ground for about three 

 miles, we descended into the Nisqually bottom and 

 forded a fine brook at the foot of the hill. For the next 

 ten miles our route lay across the bottom, and along 



