216 DOUGLAS' JOURNAL 



at nine o'clock our Indian hunter returned witli one, Laving been out all 

 night. Morning raw and chilly, heavy showers during the day, which 

 obliged us to camp at one o'clock, having gained only nin e miles. Observed 

 a small hawk of a Hght mottled grey, neck and head bright azure. The 

 Large Buzzard, so common on the shores of the Columbia, is also plentiful 

 here ; saw nine in one flock. Gathered seed of a species of Gentiana, 

 leaves ovate, acute, entire ; 2 feet high, on moist black soil ; near springs. 

 Wednesday, ith. — The morning being cloudy and overcast, we did not 

 start so soon. As it cleared up about ten, the horses were saddled and we 

 proceeded on our route in a southerly direction. Passed in the course of the 

 day three small streams, which all fall into the Multnomah ten miles below 

 this place. As no place could be found fit for camping we were obhged 

 to go on until five o'clock, when we put up on the south side of a muddy 

 stream, banks covered with Fraxinus. No deer killed this day, although 

 several were seen. Nothing particular occurred. Marched twenty-four 

 miles ; somewhat fatigued. 



Thursday, 5th. — After a scanty breakfast proceeded at nine o'clock 

 in a south course. Coantry more hilly. At one o'clock passed on the left, 

 about twenty-five or thirty miles distant. Mount Jefierson, of Lewis and 

 Clarke, covered with snow as low down as the summit of the lower moun- 

 tains by which it is surrounded. About twenty miles to the east of it, 

 two mountains of greater altitude are to be seen, also covered with snow, 

 in an unknown tract of country called by the natives who inhabit it 

 ' Qamite.' On the low hills observed Pinus resinosa, of very large 

 dimensions, 4 to 6 feet in diameter, 90 to 130 feet long. Cones not 

 perfectly ripe. (Secure specimens on your return.) KiUed a very large 

 grey squirrel, 2 feet long from the point of the tail to the snout. Saw a 

 curious variety of the ground or striped, and also the flying, but could 

 secure neither. Camped on the side of a low woody stream in the centre 

 of a small plain — which, like the whole of the country I have passed 

 through, is burned. One of the hunters killed a small doe shortly after 

 leaving our encampment, which will provide an unexpected supper. 

 Day very fine, sky clear, with a strong north-west wind. Thermometer 

 at noon 74° in the shade. Marched nineteen miles. 



Friday, 6th. — Heavy dew during the night ; clear and fine at noon, 

 with a refreshing northerly breeze. Two of the hunters went out early in 

 the morning and killed three small deer, which were very acceptable, as 

 all we had killed before was cooked for breakfast. Started at nine o'clock 

 keeping our usual southerly course. Gathered a few seeds of what I take 

 to be a very fine species of Argemone, but as it was not in a perfect state, 

 and having no book, I cannot say. At noon we were joined by Jean 

 Baptist Mackay and two Iroquois hunters on their way to the Umpqua 

 River. Mackay informs me he had five days ago sent one of his people on 

 to collect the cones I spoke of to him last spring, lest the season should be 

 past before he would be there, he not knowing of our projected journey. 

 The day being very warm and the horses much fatigued, we were obliged 

 to camp earlier than usual, lest we should not get in time to a feeding-place. 

 Near our camp there is a long narrow lake, the margins covered with 



