LOSS OF THE PEACOCK. 479 



On the 15th of May, the Porpoise left Nisqually, and anchored the 

 first night near the point where the surveys were to begin, but outside 

 of the Narrows. 



The first bay at the bottom of Admiralty Sound was termed Com- 

 mencement Bay. Into this, the Puyallup, a small river, which, it will 

 be recollected, was passed by Lieutenant Johnson, ten or twelve miles 

 from Nisqually, falls. Commencement Bay affords anchorage, and a 

 supply of wood and water may be obtained. The Puyallup forms a 

 delta, and none of the branches into which it is divided are large 

 enough for the entrance of a boat. The Indians were at this season of 

 the year to be found on almost all the points, and were the same filthy 

 creatures that have been before described. 



The Porpoise was engaged until the 20th in surveying Admiralty 

 Sound to the end of Vashon's Island, and on the afternoon of that day 

 anchored in the Port Orchard of Vancouver. 



Port Orchard is one of the most beautiful of the many fine harbours 

 on these inland waters, and is perfectly protected from the winds. 

 The only danger is a reef of rocks, which is nearly in the middle of 

 the entrance. The sheet of water is very extensive, and is surrounded 

 by a large growth of trees, with here and there a small prairie covered 

 by a verdant greensward, and with its honeysuckles and roses just in 

 bloom, resembling a well-kept lawn. The soil is superior to that of 

 most places around the sound, and is capable of yielding almost any 

 kind of production. The woods seemed alive with squirrels, while 

 tracks on the shore and through the forest showed that the larger class 

 of animals also were in the habit of frequenting them. 



The next nine days were employed in surveying Port Orchard, 

 which consists of two inner and an outer harbours. The former, 

 although the entrance is by a strait not more than two hundred yards 

 wide^ is from two to six miles in width, and extends for a distance of 

 fifteen miles. The water was found deep enough for the largest class 

 of vessels, with a bold shore and good anchorage. Lieutenant-Com- 

 mandant Ringgold made a set of magnetic observations here. 



Near the anchorage were seen three canoes, propped on trees, con- 

 taining the bodies of Indians. These were visited by Dr. Holmes, 

 who procured a Flathead skull. The bodies were found wrapped 

 firmly in matting, beneath which was a white blanket, closely fastened 

 round the body, and under this a covering of blue cotton. Near by, 

 on stages, were boxes about three feet square, supposed to contain the 

 articles which are deposited by the Indians near the bodies of the 

 dead, and which were not disturbed. 



