MAKING ARRANGEMENTS. 239 



CHAPTER XIX. 



FROM NISQUALLY TO COLUMBIA RIVER, BY LAND. 



July 17th. I received orders to-day, to join Mr. Eld in 

 an expedition, which has for its object, the exploration and 

 survey of Chickelees River and Grey's Harbor. These 

 orders came rather unexpectedly, and at a very late hour. 

 The ship was already under-way, and I was at my station, 

 when I received them. It seems, that when the expedition 

 was first planned by Captain Wilkes, he designed having Lieu- 

 tenant Johnson take charge of it, and Mr. Eld to accompany 

 him as his assistant ; but Mr. Johnson found fault with his 

 written instructions, whereupon Captain Wilkes took the com- 

 mand from him, and gave it to Mr. Eld, and I am ordered 

 to fill Mr. Eld's former place. 



As soon as I was able to get together my instruments and 

 bedding, we shoved off from the ship, and landed on the beach 

 at the foot of Nisqually Hill, where we pitched our tents for 

 the night, as it was almost sunset before we left the vessel, 

 and we had considerable to do before we could proceed on our 

 journey. Among other things, it was absolutely necessary 

 we should see Mr. Anderson, as he was to supply us with the 

 " trade" which we required, to make our purchases from the 

 Indians. Indeed, our instructions do not require us to leave 

 Nisqually before the 19th instant. The following are the 

 other individuals composing the party : — Mr. Brackenridge, 

 assistant botanist, sergeant Stearns, two marines, named 



