COLUMBIA RIVER. 
143 
as we did. The Cowlitz is not navigable, except at high water during 
the spring and fall; and even then it is difficult to ascend, on account 
of the strength of its current. 
We had now overtaken the sounding parties, and, aided by the 
boats of the brig, were enabled to push the work towards a close. 
Having reached the influence of the tide below Oak Point, all fears of 
the ague and fever vanished: we had indeed been extremely fortunate 
in exemption from this disease, and only those suffered from its attacks 
who had been before exposed. Those affected belonged chiefly to the 
Peacock, and the larger portion were Sandwich Islanders. The crew 
of the Porpoise were generally exempt from it: all recovered from the 
slight attacks under a simple treatment. I felt not a little satisfaction 
at disappointing the knowing ones, who had prognosticated the cer¬ 
tainty of my having all hands sick and dying by attempting the survey 
in the unhealthy season. When we reached Astoria, we had nearly 
all hands on duty. 
On the 26th, we had again reached Katalamet Point, the lower end 
of Puget Island. The brig passed down the usual channel on the 
south side, while I surveyed the northern passage. The latter is about 
four miles in length. 
Puget Island affords no land fit for cultivation, and during the season 
of freshets is overflowed. It is fringed around its borders with cotton¬ 
wood, willow, pine, and hazel, &c. ; but it may be considered valueless. 
At this anchorage I was joined by Michel La Framboise, who brought 
a supply of fresh beef for the crew, which they were in much need of. 
Since I had first seen Michel, I had learned more of his history and 
the cause which led him to complain of a want of advancement. I 
regret to say, that, like too many others, he ought to look to himself as 
the cause of his misfortune, instead of indulging in complaints. 
He confirmed much of the information I had received, and gave me 
full statements of the population, which I found to agree with what he 
had already imparted to officers belonging to the Company, as well as 
the Expedition. 
I questioned him relative to the stories respecting the shooting of 
Indians, on the route to and from California, and he told me they had 
no battles, but said it was necessary to keep them always at a distance. 
On my repeating the question, whether the reports we had heard of 
several being killed during the late expedition were true, he, French¬ 
man-like, shrugged his shoulders and answered : “ Ah, monsieur, ils 
sont des mauvaises gens: il faut en prendre garde et tirer sur eux 
quelquefois.” 
On the 29th of September we again reached the Pillar Rock, and on 
