234 DOUGLAS" JOURNAL 



mountains the fine-smelling tree is more plentiful than on this river, that 

 it takes the place of the pines : he measured some 12 feet round, and 

 70 to 100 feet in length, and the lightest breath of wind to stir the leaves 

 sends a fragrance through the whole grove. All the natives like those here 

 had never before seen such people as we are, and viewed him narrowly and 

 with much curiosity ; but hospitable and kind in the extreme. Kindled 

 his fire, assisted in making his encampment, glad and pleased beyond 

 measure on receiving a bead, ring, button, in fact the smallest trifle of 

 European manufacture for their services. Have the same clothing and 

 houses as those in this neighbourhood. Mr. McLeod tells me that two of 

 his men are going to Port Vancouver with a despatch on Monday morning, 

 and as the season is far spent and the rainy weather set in, and at the same 

 time doubtful if he wiU have any more communication before I should start 

 on March 1st for the other side of the continent, I have made up my 

 mind to return, and shall retain a grateful recollection of the kindness 

 and assistance I have uniformly had from this gentleman. (RecoUect on 

 your arrival in London to get him a good rifle gun as a present.) 



Sunday, 5iA.— Morning dull and cloudy, heavy rain at noon. Tied up 

 my little parcels in bear-skin to preserve them from the rain. 



Monday, Gth. — Heavy rain until noon, with a high westerly wind 

 detained all day in consequence of it. 



Tuesday, 7th.— The rain last night fell in torrents but moderated at 

 daybreak. As good weather could not be looked for at this late season of 

 the year, I resolved on beginning my march. Started at ten o'clock a.m. 

 with John Kennedy, an Irishman, and Fannaux, a Canadian, and nine 

 horses. Mr. McLeod expressed his regret to see me leave him with such a 

 small stock of food and that not of the best quality : a few dried salmon- 

 trout, which were purchased of the Indians, and a small quantity of 

 Indian corn and rice mixed together, which was brought from Fort Van- 

 couver. In all, a week's food for two persons ; but at this season I hope 

 to find abundance of wildfowl, failing meeting with small deer, so that 

 there is little to be feared as to starving. As the late rains had rendered 

 the high hill impassable for bonded horses, we were under the necessity of 

 carrying our baggage up the river in three small canoes. Camped twelve 

 miles up the river near two Indian lodges and had from the Indians some 

 salmon-trout. Towards dusk it became fine and fair, with clear moon- 

 light, which gave us an opportunity of drying our clothing. 



Wednesday, 8th.— Cold and chiUy during the night, thick fog in the 

 morning. Went out on the chase before daylight, returned at ten o'clock 

 unsuccessful. Detained waiting for the canoes till twelve o'clock, when 

 we had the horses caught, loaded, and proceeded on our journey. Were 

 much annoyed by the lacing of the saddle-bags stretching and becoming 

 slack ; every three or four hundred yards had to be tightened. Passed 

 our first encampment on the Umpqua at two o'clock, when I took my 

 deer horns and specimens of wood which I had left three weeks ago. 

 Camped in a small low circular plain at the commencement of the wooded 

 hill ten miles from the Umpqua, our horses much fatigued and scarcely 

 any grass for them to eat. As we were all unsuccessful to-day, we cannot 



