COLUMBIA RIVER. 343 



Katalamet Range on the east ; and a high background, bristUng with 

 lofty pines, to the south. The ground rises from the river gradually 

 to the top of a ridge five hundred feet in elevation. This vi^as origi- 

 nally covered with a thick forest of pines : that part reclaimed by the 

 first occupants is again growing up in brushwood. From all parts of 

 the ground the broad surface of the river is in view. The stillness is 

 remarkable, and makes it evident that one is yet far removed from 

 civilized life : the distant though distinct roar of the ocean is the only 

 sound that is heard : this, however, is almost incessant ; for the stream, 

 though rushing onwards in silence to meet the ocean, keeps up an 

 eternal war with it on the bar, producing at times scenes of great 

 grandeur, but which, as we had already e.x;perienced, renders the bar 

 wholly impassable for days together. 



The magnificent pine, so often mentioned by travellers, lies pros- 

 trate near the tomb of the hospitable chief Concomely now in ruins. 

 The chief's skull, it is believed, is in Glasgow, having been long 

 since removed by Dr. Gardner. 



There were many things to remind us of home : among them was 

 a luxuriant sward of white clover, now in full blossom, and nume- 

 rous other plants that had found their way here : the trees were 

 also familiar, and truly American. I felt that the land belonged to 

 my country, that we were not strangers on the soil; and could not but 

 take great interest in relation to its destiny, in the prospect of its 

 one day becoming the abode of our relatives and friends. 



The Columbia, opposite to Astoria, is four miles wide, but in the 

 middle of the river is an extensive sand-bar, with only a few feet 

 water on it, and at extreme low tides it is bare : the channel is 

 very narrow on each side and difficult to navigate. At Astoria there 

 is only space for a dozen vessels to lie at anchor, and it would there- 

 fore be difficult to accommodate any extensive trade. The point of 

 land extends about half a mile below its site, where Young's river 

 joins the Columbia, and forms a bay, on the banks of which Lewis 

 and Clarke wintered. The position of their hut is still pointed out, 

 but the building has long since gone to decay. 



Plumondon, who, as I have before mentioned, is an expert trapper, 

 informed me that the country lying north of the Columbia, between 

 the Cowlitz and Cape Disappointment, is generally rough and rugged, 

 with numerous streams of water, and in many places a rich soil : it is 

 extremely well timbered, and is capable, when cleared, of growing 

 grain, and other agricultural produce. 



