COLUMBIA RIVER. 333 



their only bridle is a single cord fastened to the lower jaw ; with this 

 they contrive to govern the most refractory animals, without the aid 

 of whip or spur, and will urge to speed an animal that has become 

 all but lifeless under our guidance. They practise great cruelty to 

 their horses, and pay no regard whatever to the state of their backs. 

 In travelling in this country, all scruples and feelings in respect to 

 sore backs, jaded, lamed, or half-starved horses, must be laid aside ; 

 and my advice is, keep away from your horses until they are saddled, 

 and leave this to your guides who own them. 



The direction of our route was nearly south over the plain, passing 

 occasionally a pretty lawn, and groves of oak and ash trees. At the 

 distance of nine miles we reached the river Nisqually, whose channel 

 is sunk three hundred feet below the plain, between almost perpen- 

 dicular banks. The ravine is about half a mile wide, and is filled 

 with a large growth of timber, which is occasionally uprooted by 

 the torrents that pass down, on the melting of the snows of the 

 mountains. The usual bed of the stream is about one hundred 

 yards wide, with a rapid current : its course in this place was north- 

 northwest, and its average depth at the ford about three feet. We 

 again ascended a similar bank on the opposite side to the plain. Our 

 route then continued through most beautiful park scenery, with the 

 prairie now and then opening to view, in which many magnificent 

 pines grew detached. The prairie was covered with a profusion of 

 flowers. 



After crossing Shute's river, in all respects similar to the Nis- 

 qually, we encamped, just before night, having travelled about 

 twenty-two miles. Our tents were pitched, and fires made; but 

 on examining our alforcas,* we were reminded that we were but 

 novices in such travelling, for we fouiid that all our small-stores 

 had been destroyed in fording the streams, the sugar being turned 

 into syrup, &c. This was a mishap over which we had a hearty 

 laugh ; it rendered the part that was saved doubly precious, and 

 made us enjoy our evening meal. After our tents were pitched, 

 one of our servants discovered a snake in the tent, which caused 

 him much alarm; but such a circumstance is considered so common, 

 that it excites but little or no surprise in those who have travelled in 

 Oregon. The abundance of such reptiles may be considered one of 

 the characteristics of the country, and if one is not bitten before the 



* A kind of saddle-bag. 

 VOL. IV. 84 



