Viii. CONTENTS. 



aries and extent of the territory. Its rivers and lakes, with a concise descrip- 

 tion of them severally. Abundance and variety of fish and water-fowl. 

 Harbors and islands. Oregon as a whole ; its mountains and geographical 

 divisions. Eastern Divison ; its wild scenery, valleys, soil, and timber ; 

 volcanic ravages ; country between Clarke's river and the Columbia. North 

 of the Columbia; its general character. Middle Division ; its valleys, prai- 

 ries, highlands, and forests. Western Division ; a beautiful country ; ex- 

 tensive valleys of extraordinary fertility ; productive plains ; abundance of 

 timber, its astonishing size and variety. A brief smnmary of facts. 206 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



Climate of Oregon ; its variableness ; its rains ; a southern climate in a north- 

 ern latitude. Productiveness ; grain, fruits, and flowers, wild and culti- 

 vated. Geological characteristics. Soils and prevailing rock. Minerals, 

 &c. Variety of game. Wolves. Horses, and other domestic animals. 

 Population, white and native ; Indian tribes, their character and condition. 

 Missionary stations, and their improvements. Present trade of Oregon. 

 Posts of the Hudson Bay Company. Settlements. Oregon City, its situa- 

 tion and advantages ; about Linnton ; about Wallammette valley, Fualitine 

 plains and Umpqua river ; Vancouvre, and its superior advantages. lOnd- 

 ness of Hudson Bay Company to settlers. 217 



CHAPTER XVII. 



The manufacturing facilities of Oregon. Commercial and agricultural advan- 

 tages reviewed. Rail Road to the Pacific. Route, mode of travelling, and 

 requisite equipment for emigrants. Importance of Oregon to the United 

 States. Incident in the early history of Fort Hall. Why the Blackfeet are 

 hostile, and bright spots in their character. Mild weather. Leave for the 

 Platte. Journey to the Yampah, and sketch of the intermediate country. 

 New Park. Head of Grand river. The landscape. Difierent routes to 

 Fort Lancaster. Old Park. 225 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



From Grand river to Bayou Salade. Observations by the way. Description of 

 the Bayou. Voracity of magpies. Journey to Cherry creek. Country en 

 route. Crystal creek. Abundance of game. Antelope hunting. Remark- 

 able sagacity of wolves. Snow storms and amusement. Ravenn. Move 

 camp. Comfortable winter quarters. Animal food conducive to general 

 health and longevity. A laughable instance of sound sleepmg. Astonish- ' 

 ing wolfine rapacity. Beaver lodges and all about beaver. Hunting excur-^ 

 sion. Vasques' creek, its valleys, table lands, mountains, and prairies. 

 Camp. Left alone. Sensations, and care to avoid danger. A nocturnal 

 visitor. Thrilling adventure and narrow escape. A lofty specimen of 

 "gettin down stairs." Geological statistics. 233 



