1826, AUGUST. COLUMBIA RIVER 209 



ment, with much exertion he wrestled himself from his supposed grave. 

 The water was so bad that it was impossible for me to use it, and as I 

 was more thirsty than hungry I passed the night without anything 

 whatever. 



Tuesday, 22nd. — Last night being very warm, with the whole firmament 

 in a blaze of sheet hghtning, and parched to a cinder, I passed a few 

 miserable hours of rest but no sleep, and as usual set out before day ; and, 

 my road being less mountainous, with little exertion I found myself on the 

 Columbia at midday opposite the establishment. Seeing an old man 

 spearing salmon I had the horses watered and hobbled, and crossed in a 

 smaU canoe with my guide. Here I found my old friends Messrs. 

 McDonald and Ermatinger, who received me with every kindness. After 

 washing and having a clean shirt handed me, I sat down to a comfortable 

 dinner. I was glad to find the small box, which I thought might have been 

 overlooked in one of the portages, brought to this place by the former 

 gentleman and left until I should pass. As my time was of great conse- 

 quence I communicated to them my wish, and immediately they purchased 

 a smaU canoe for me, and hired for me two Indians to go with me to the 

 junction of Lewis and Clarke's Eiver. In the meantime I wrote to Mr. 

 Dease by my old guide, who behaved himself in every way worthy of trust 

 and is to make a stay of two or three days to rest, and I then put up a few 

 seeds and changed some plants collected on the journey. As I felt some- 

 what wearied I went early to bed ; the doors being left open by reason 

 of the heat, and the windows, which are made of parchments being by no 

 means close, gave the mosquitoes free access, I was under the necessity 

 of abandoning the house at midnight and took myself to a sort of gallery 

 over the door or ga,te, where I slept soundly. Before leaving this place 

 early in the morning after breakfast, I had a Kttle tea and sugar oSered me, 

 which I thankfully accepted, and a small tin pot made in the form of a 

 shaving pot, the only cooMng-utensil. They regretted the only provision 

 they had that would do for carrying was dried salmon, but as I stiU had, 

 through the goodness of Mr. D., my last host, a httle dried meal, in that 

 respect I was not so bad. Left at seven o'clock. In passing a long rapid 

 (two and a half miles) about ten miles below the house, I took the precaution 

 to take out my paper, seeds, and blanket, and was walking along the shore 

 with them while the Indians ran the canoe down. When in the middle of 

 the rapid a heavy surge broke over them and swept every article out of it 

 except the dry meat, which being weighty by chance was wedged in the 

 canoe, it being very narrow. The loss of the tea and sugar with the pot was 

 a great one in my present situation, but I considered myself happy, having 

 saved my papers and seeds. As I have said something of the river on my 

 ascent, I need only observe my encampments. Camped at the mouth of 

 the Piskahoas River at dusk. To-day, although I paddled all day — at 

 least served as steersman — I did not feel fatigued but my hands were much 

 bhstered. 



Thwsday, 2Uh. — By eight o'clock gained the Stony Islands, an 

 extremely dangerous part of the river where the channels are very narrow, 

 not more than 20 to 30 feet broad. As my guides were httle acquainted 



