NARRATIVE OF 1853. 147 
Columbia just above the junction of the Snake river and pursue the trail to Vancouver on the 
northern bank of the river; Lieutenant Hodges, with the remainder of McClellan's party, to 
go directly to Walla-Walla and thence down the Columbia. Lieutenant Donelson, with a select 
party, to go to the Coeur d'Aléne Mission, and thence take the trail to Walla-Walla, and the 
train to go to Walla-Walla under the direction of Dr. Hodges and Osgood. 
THE PARTY LEAVE COLVILLE. 
October 21.—The instructions referred to yesterday for Lieutenant Arnold and Dr. Suckley 
were left with Mr. McDonald. Supplies, particularly flour, were purchased for thé prosecution 
of our future operations. We also purchased goods to pay the guides of Donelson and 
Tinkham ; those for the latter to be sent to St. Mary's by Mr. Owens, should we meet him, as is 
most probable. We then moved off, McDonald presented us with a keg filled with cogniac to 
cheer the hearts of the members of all parties, and obliged us also to take a supply of port wine. 
We passed his grist mill on Mill river, the only one in the neighborhood.—(See sketch.) A 
march of twelve miles brought us into camp, McDonald accompanying us. We had a glorious 
supper of smoking steaks and hot cakes, and the stories added to the relish with which it was 
eaten. McDonald again charmed us with a recital of his thrilling adventures, and expressed 
much regret that the expected arrival of the Hudson Bay express from Canada obliged him to 
return the next morning. ' 
October 22.—We got off early, and at Brown’s we stopped to purchase horses, and succeeded 
in obtaining two, one for McClellan and the other for myself. McDonald accompanied me 
some distance further, when, bidding each other adieu, I pushed ahead, and reaching a small 
stream I found that McClellan’s party had taken the left bank, and that the captain, who came 
up afterward’s with Mr. Stanley, had gone on to join them. We took the right, and thus 
avoided a bad crossing in which McClellan’s party became involved. We encamped upon the 
borders of the stream. Our train is now larger and more heavily ladened than heretofore, in 
consequence of the increased supplies. To-day we have thirteen packs. At night we killed 
a cow, purchased of Brown, and we still have an ox in reserve, to be killed when we meet 
Donelson. The air is cool and fresh, and our appetites keen. I may say here that two pounds 
of beef and half pound of flour per man is not too much for a day’s allowance. 
October 23.—Snow is falling this morning, and it has cleaned our beef admirably. Ireceived 
a note from McClellan just after setting out saying that in consequence of yesterday’s difficulty 
with the train he thought that he had better remain with his own train. He afterwards, at my 
request, joined me, leaving the train under the charge of Duncan. We journeyed but ten miles, 
encamping near where we had seen Antoine’s family in going to Colville. The snow ceased 
falling about noon, with five inches upon the ground. Itis light, and we think it will disappear 
їп а few days. The Indians inform me that we shall not probably find it south of the ood 
Ф Aléne river; and from their statements it would seem that this river is a dividing line as 
regards climate. 
October 94.— We started this morning with the intention of reaching the appointed place of 
meeting to-night. 
McClellan, Minter, Osgood, Stanley, and myself, pushed ahead, and at noon we жн an 
old Chemakane Mission, (see sketch,) so called from a spring of that name near by. The жил 
-was occupied by Messrs. Walker and Eel; but, in 1849, in consequence of the сею difficul- 
ties, it was abandoned. These gentlemen labored ardently for the good of the Indians. Walker 
