SOUTHERN OREGON. 251 



of brush, open on one side, and having a small hole through the 

 opposite side, into which they are driven. 



It was observed too that many of the pine trees had their bark 

 pierced in many places, with cylindrical holes about an inch and a 

 half deep. In some of these an acorn, with its cup end inwards, was 

 inserted, which was supposed to be the provision stored away by 

 some species of woodpecker. 



On the 28th, they advanced to the foot of the Boundary Range, 

 where they encamped. The soil and country resembled that passed 

 over the day before, and the wood was also of oak and pine, but none 

 of the Lambertiana. On the hills granite is seen to crop out, and in 

 the distance was observed a singular isolated rock, which stands like 

 a tower on the top of the ridge, rising above the surrounding forest 

 with a bare and apparently unbroken surface. This peak, according 

 to Lieutenant Emmons's observations, is on the parallel of 42° N. ; 

 from its top an extensive country is overlooked, and as soon as the 

 party came in sight of it a dense column of smoke arose, which was 

 thought to be a signal made by the Klamet Indians, to the Shaste 

 tribe, of the approach of our party.* 



On the way, they met an old squaw, with a large firebrand in her 

 hand, with which she had just set the grass and bushes on fire ; when 

 surprised, she stood motionless, and appeared to be heedless of any 

 thing that was passing around her. She was partly clothed in 

 dressed deer-skins, one around her waist and another thrown over 

 her shoulders, both fastened with a girdle, and having long fringes 

 made of thongs of deer-skins braided ; there were no other Indians in 

 sight. The party encamped in a valley among the hills, in which 

 were found many boulders of granite and syenite. 



The hostility of the Indians, and their having been successful in 

 stealing the horses of former parties, induced Lieutenant Emmons to 

 have an unusually strict guard kept during the night, f 



On the 29th, they set out to ascend the Boundary Mountains, 

 which separate Mexico from the United States. It is a range of 

 hills from twelve hundred to two thousand feet high, some of whose 

 summits have a mural front; the features of all the ridges wear a 



* This I have designated as Emmons's Peak, after the officer who had charge of this 

 party, as a memorial of the value ol his services in conducting it safely through this 

 hostile country. 



f The Klamet Indians took the pains to send word to Fort Umpqua, that they were 

 prepared to kill any whites who should attempt to pass through their country. 



