COLUMBIA RIVER. 341 



specimens we had with us, I should say they were the merriest set of 

 fellows I ever saw, full of fun, and laughing all day long : I became 

 at last wearied with their incessant gaiety. 



The Columbia, where the Cowlitz joins it, is a broad flowing 

 stream, and was at this time much swollen. We had, after entering 

 it, about forty miles yet to make, and it was past noon ; but we glided 

 briskly on with the current, although it was by no means so rapid as 

 I had expected to have found it. Near the mouth of the Cowlitz is a 

 high conical hill, which has received the name of Mount Coffin, 

 from its having been a burial-place of the Indians ; and the remains 

 of many of their coffins were still to be seen scattered over it. On the 

 opposite side of the river is a high barrier of trap rocks, covered with 

 majestic pines. 



About ten miles lower down, we passed Oak Point, where the river 

 turns nearly at right angles, taking its course along a barrier of trap 

 rocks which it here meets on its west side, and which rises eight 

 hundred feet perpendicularly above its surface. On the other side of 

 the river is one of the remarkable prairies of the country, covered 

 with tall waving grass, and studded with many oaks, from which the 

 point takes its name. What adds additional interest and beauty to 

 the scene is Mount St. Helen's, which may be seen from the sea 

 when eighty miles distant: its height I made nine thousand five 

 hundred and fifty feet. 



In this part of the river, which I named St. Helen's Reach, we met 

 the brig Wave, that had brought our stores from Oahu. The master 

 informed me that he had landed them at Astoria, and placed them 

 under the care of Mr. Burnie, who had charge of the Company's fort. 

 The master of the Wave confirmed the report that the Peacock had 

 not arrived, and after a short delay we proceeded. By sunset we had 

 reached Termination Island, and had yet twenty miles to make in a 

 very dark night. We had already passed the only place where we 

 could have encamped, and the natives showed extreme reluctance to 

 go on. They soon desired to return ; saying that the night was very 

 dark, and that the bay would be dangerous. This request was over- 

 ruled, however, and we continued our course, though under appre- 

 hension of disaster. The Indians said that many canoes had been 

 lost, and after I became acquainted with this part of the river, I no 

 longer wondered at their objections to pass over it at night ; for if 

 there is any wind it becomes exceedingly rough, and dangerous for 

 their canoes. 



VOL. IV. 86 



