ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 179 



willing to submit to proper restrictions during the time of admi- 

 nlsterino; medicine. 



Captain Lambert informs me that on his first landing here the 

 Indians studiously avoided his vessel, and all kind of intercourse 

 with his crew, from the supposition, (which they have since ac- 

 knowledged) that the malady which they dread so much was thus 

 conveyed. As in a short time it became desirable, on account 

 of procuring supplies of provision, to remove this impression, 

 some pains were taken to convince the Indians of their error, and 

 they soon visited the ship without fear. 



Mr. N. and myself have been anxious to escape the wet and 

 disagreeable winter of this region, and visit some other portion 

 of the country, where the inclemency of the season will not inter- 

 fere with the prosecution of our respective pursuits. After some 

 reflection and consultation, we concluded to take passage in the 

 brig, which will sail in a k\v weeks for the Sandwich Islands. We 

 shall remain there about three months, and return to the river in 

 time to commence our peregrinations in the spring. 



2Sd. — At Fort Vancouver. A letter was received yesterday 

 by Dr. McLoughlin, from Captain Wycth, dated Walla-walla, 

 stating that the twelve Sandwich Islanders whom he took with 

 him a week since for a journey to Fort Hall, had deserted, each 

 taking a horse. They had no doubt heard from some of their 

 countrymen, whom they met at the fort, of the difficulties of the 

 route before them, which were probably very much exaggerated. 

 Captain W. is on the alert to find them, and is sending men on 

 their trail in every direction, but it is more than probable that 

 they will not be overtaken, and the consequence will then be, that 

 the expedition must be abandoned, and the captain return to the 

 fort to spend the winter. 



December Sd, — Yesterday Mr. N. and myself went down the 

 river to the brig, and this morning early the vessel left her 



