326 NISQUALLY AND COLUMBIA RIVER. 



apart from the rest, who continued their merriment, and paid no regard 

 whatever to his movements. To judge from his expression of counte- 

 nance, I should say he was much grieved ; but the next day he was as 

 merry as any of the others. After being a week with these natives, I 

 never saw any flagging in their spirits, for with this exception, all were 

 gay and lively at their work. They are not strong, and have an 

 effeminate look, of which their manners also partake. 



The scenery before reaching the lower mouth of the Willamette, is 

 diversified w T ith high and low land, which, together with three lofty 

 snowy peaks, afford many fine views. The country begins to open 

 here, and is much better adapted to agriculture than that lower 

 down. 



At Warrior Point we entered the Callepuya, for the purpose of 

 avoiding the current of the river. At this time of the year this branch 

 forms an extensive range of lakes, which reaches to within a mile of 

 Vancouver. The river was now high enough to make it convenient 

 for us to take this route. Shortly after entering the Callepuya, we 

 were obliged to encamp, which we did in rather an inauspicious-looking 

 place ; but the bank had not yet absorbed sufficient moisture to make it 

 even wet or damp. Mr. Drayton having shot a pigeon, we had some- 

 thing for supper, otherwise we should have gone without, for we thought 

 when we left Astoria, we should reach Vancouver many hours before 

 we actually did. On the approach to Vancouver, we passed one of 

 the dairies, and some rich meadow-land, on w 7 hich were grazing herds 

 of fine cattle. We afterwards saw some flocks of sheep of the best 

 English and Spanish breeds. 



It becoming necessary to make a short portage within a mile of 

 Vancouver, we concluded to walk thither by the road. In this march 

 we first entered a wood of large pines, which had an undergrowth of 

 various flowering shrubs. The old stumps in the road were overgrown 

 with the red honeysuckle, in full blossom. Lupines and other flowers 

 grow even in the roadway. 



We came in at the back part of the village, which consists of about 

 fifty comfortable log houses, placed in regular order on each side of 

 the road. They are inhabited by the Company's servants, and were 

 swarming with children, whites, half-breeds, and pure Indians. The 

 fort stands at some distance beyond the village, and to the eye appears 

 like an upright wall of pickets, twenty-five feet high : this encloses the 

 houses, shops, and magazines of the Company. The enclosure con- 

 tains about four acres, which appear to be under full cultivation. 

 Beyond the fort, large granaries were to be seen. At one end is Dr. 

 M'Laughlin's house, built after the model of the French Canadian, of 



