1826, NOVEMBER. SANDIAM RIVER 237 



independent. Camped on the edge of a small lake, where there was abun- 

 dance of wildfowl. Country open, rich, level, and beautiful. Marched 

 thicty-four miles. Frequent hail and showers during the day. 



Monday, IStA.— During last night four geese were killed by random 

 fihots, they sitting in thick shoals on the lake. Our firing and the smoke 

 from our fire attracted several Indians to our camp belonging to the 

 Calapooia tribe, who had very little food and had come to beg a little. 

 I was glad in being able to relieve them, and as none of us knew the way 

 one of them undertook to guide us to the crossing-place and to procure 

 for us a canoe at the same time. As both my horses were unable to 

 proceed further, I resolved to leave them with the Indians until the men 

 should return. At the crossing-place the river is about 150 yards wide, 

 deep, and very rapid, and occupied two hours crossing with the horses and 

 property. Continued our northerly course- over an extensive plain inter- 

 sected by narrow belts of wood and groups of low oaks : soil deep rich 

 alluvial deposit, on a bottom of clay and gravel. At mid-afternoon we came 

 to a small stream flowing in a westerly course to the Multnomah, banks 

 thickly covered with alder, poplar, ash, and willow, very steep, with deep 

 water. Spent the remainder of the day looking for a crossing-place, but 

 found none ; camped on the south bank. Drizzly rain in the morning, 

 ■cloudy and dull throughout. 



Titesday, Uth. — Early this morning two Indians fortunately came to 

 our camp and informed us that we could cross the river on a fallen tree and 

 the horses could swim at an old traverse, a little below. This we found 

 correct and they for a small compensation assisted us. Continued our 

 journey through the same sort of country as yesterday, and as usual put 

 up at dusk near a small rivulet on a rocky bottom of fine white sandstone, 

 near which is to be seen the channel of a river of large dimensions. Rainy 

 all day. 



Wednesday, 15<A.— Light rain. In the morning I left the camp at 

 daylight in search of game, leaving the men with the horses and being 

 scarce of them and at the same time weak, I chose to walk. On arriving 

 at Sandiam River, which falls in the Multnomah, a stream of considerable 

 magnitude, we found the village deserted and no canoes. A raft could soon 

 have been made, but from the rapidity of the current we could not guide 

 it across. Therefore we looked up and down for the most suitable place 

 to swim. The men chose to swim on their horses, I alone. Fannaux in the 

 midst of the stream, in spurring on his horse, imprudently gave the bridle 

 a sudden jerk, when rider and horse went hurling down before the current • 

 fortunately he extricated himself from the stirrups, and of course had to 

 adopt my plan of swimming alone. I had articles of my clothing and my 

 bedding drenched, but what gave me most pain was the whole of my 

 collection being in the same state. Proceeded on and found an Indian 

 village only two miles further on, with plenty of canoes. Camped about 

 three o'clock, being fain to give my collection and clothing time to dry, 

 which employed me all the evening. Killed no game ; gained about 

 «ighteen miles. To-night, from constant exposure to the wet and cold, 

 my ankles are swollen, painful, and very stiff. 



