198 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



before, with an assemblage of smaller plants. I have been continually on my 

 feet, scarcely three nights in one encampment. As I have accidentally met 

 with a Mr. McDonald on his return from a hunting excursion in the south, 

 and the same person I accompanied on a few days' march last August on the 

 Multnomah Eiver, he has kindly offered to take the result of my labours 

 for the last month, which I willingly accept. The collection consists of three 

 bundles of dry plants (ninety-seven distinct species), forty-five papers of 

 seeds, three Arctomys, and one curious rat, which I hope you will receive safe. 

 On the evening of the 9th of June, I received a letter from Mr. Goode, and 

 one from Mr. Booth by an Indian from the coast. Mr. McLoughlin did not 

 deem it safe to send what he conceived your letter, and very properly kept 

 it until his people should return from the ocean. I am just going down the 

 river, two days' march, in hopes of receiving yours, for my patience is 

 completely exhausted ; and as I am now ready to bend my steps again to the 

 upper country, I cannot well go without hearing from you. I have not a 

 moment to spare, as the people are starting. May I ask Mr. Goode to 

 make a note to Mr. Atkinson saying I am well, who wiU inform my brother, 

 as I have no time to write him ? I can only think of Mr. Turner, Lindley, 

 and Munro. It is impossible I can write them a single line. — I am. Dear 

 Sir, your obedient servant, D. Douglas. 

 To Joseph Sabuste, Esq. 



P.S. — July 11, on the Great Falls of the Columbia at sunrise : I arrived 

 here last last night and have secured your communication. To say I 

 am happy would only convey but a faint idea of the rapture I enjoy in 

 hearing from you. I have no time ; am just setting out again for the upper 

 country and am glad to think I may reach the coast before the ship sails 

 forEngland.— D. D. 



Embarked at 10 a.m. and proceeded with a speed not less than twelve 

 miles an hour, the river being at its greatest height. About two a strong 

 wind from the west set in, which greatly retarded our progress and obUged 

 us to put on shore an hour before sun-down. As no salmon could be 

 caught, there being too great a swell for the canoes to go out, and having 

 nothing to eat, a horse was killed, part of the flesh of which and a 

 mouthful of water I made my supper. Very warm during the day, 

 97° Fahr. in the shade ; thunder and vivid sheet-lightning during the 

 night. Having no tent, was dreadfully annoyed by mosquitoes. 



Monday, July 10th. — ^After a cheerless night and but little refreshed, 

 resumed my route at daybreak, the morning being calm and pleasant ; put 

 ashore at Day's Eiver, a southern branch of the Columbia, at eleven o'clock 

 to breakfast, which occupied an hour. As there was enough boiled last 

 night no fire was necessary except for smoking. This part of the river 

 being very rapid, gained already about fifty or fifty-five miles. WMle 

 eating my food an Indian who was standing alongside of me managed to 

 steal my knife, which was tied to my jacket by a string, and being the only 

 one used for all purposes I was loth to part with it. I offered a reward of 

 a little tobacco for its recovery, without effect. At last I commenced a 

 search and found it secreted under the belt of one of the knaves. When 



