200 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



at least four times as mucli water as there is in the Thames ; the general 

 course east. Twenty-five miles from its junction with the Columbia from 

 an undulating dry, barren country it changes to high rugged mountains, 

 and not a blade of grass to be seen except in the valleys or near the 

 springs, where a little withstands the intense heat. Rose always at day- 

 break and camped about 10 a.m., and rested till 3 or 4 p.m., the heat being 

 too great for any exertion in the middle of the day, when we made generally 

 fifteen or twenty miles further in the cool of the evening. Some idea may 

 be formed of fatigue experienced on this voyage, when the thermometer 

 frequently stood from 98° to 106° of Fahr. in the shade, destitute of a screen 

 from the scorching sun. The only thing I might say that renders it 

 superior to the deserts of Arabia is abundance of good water enjoyed in 

 inland voyages. That excepted, there is but little difference. Salmon 

 are caught in the river and in some of its branches near the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, but by no means so plentiful as in the Columbia nor of such good 

 quality. We obtained occasionally a few of them from the Indians, but 

 their extreme indolence prevents them from catching barely what serves 

 themselves. Our general fare was horse-flesh cooked by boiling, and 

 sometimes roasted on the point of a spike before the fire. I learn that the 

 wants of the natives are simple and they require but little to support life 

 in original simplicity. From the oppressive heat I found great relief 

 by bathing morning and evening, and although it causes weakness in 

 some degree, I have some doubt if I had not I should not have been able 

 to continue my trip. On Monday arrived at the branches of the river at 

 dusk, where was a camp of three different nations, upwards of five 

 hundred men able to bear arms. One called Pelusbpa, one the Pierced 

 nose (Chawhaptan) and Chamuiemuch. The chiefs or principal men came 

 and stayed with us till bed-time and presented some favourite horses. 



Tuesday 25th till Monday 3lst July. — As I understood from my 

 companions that their stay would be for a few days, I was desirous of 

 making a trip to the mountains, distant about sixty miles, the same 

 ridge I visited last month further to the south-east ; but as they had not 

 yet made any arrangement with the natives, it was not thought prudent 

 to go from -the camp, so I was guided by their advice. On Wednesday a 

 conference was held and ended favourably and with great splendoux by 

 dancing, singing, haranguing, and smoking. All were dressed in their 

 best garments, and on the whole presented a fine spectacle and certainly 

 a new one to me. On Thursday at daylight — ^Mr. McDonald having been 

 so kind as to send one of his men (Cock de Lard) with me, more as a 

 companion than guide, for he was as much a stranger as myself — ^we set 

 out in a south-easterly direction, the country undulating and very barren. 

 In the course of the day passed only two springs, and as I was uncertain 

 if more were near and the day far spent, I camped at four o'clock in the 

 afternoon. Found only one species of Pentstemon and a few seeds. 

 Very warm. On Friday reached the mountains at nine o'clock and 

 took my breakfast (dry salmon and water) among some very large trees 

 of Thuya occidentalis, the spot pointed out to me by the Indians where 

 Lewis and Clarke built their canoes, on their way to the ocean. 



