320 NISQUALLY AND COLUMBIA RIVER. 



hension of disaster. The Indians said that many canoes had been 

 lost, and after I became acquainted with this part of the river, I no 

 longer wondered at their objections to pass over it at night; for if 

 there is any wind it becomes exceedingly rough, and dangerous for 

 their canoes. 



We found the water quite smooth, and glided on hour after hour 

 without any appearance of a landing. I was at a loss to account for 

 the length of our passage, until I found the tide had been against us. 

 We at last reached what Plumondon called Tongue Point, and after- 

 wards kept skirting the shore for so long a time that I began to have 

 misgivings that we should pass Astoria, and began firing muskets, the 

 usual signal of an arrival. They were immediately answered by others 

 just behind us, and the loud clamour of about forty yelping dogs. 

 These sounds, although discordant, gave us the delightful assurance 

 that we had reached our destination, and might now make our escape 

 from the confined and irksome position we had been in a whole day. 

 Mr. Birnie, the agent of the Hudson Bay Company, met us at the 

 landing, with lanterns and every assistance, and gave us a truly Scotch 

 welcome. We soon found ourselves in his quarters, where in a short 

 time a fire was burning brightly, and his hospitable board spread with 

 good cheer, although it was past midnight. After partaking of the 

 supper, blankets were furnished us, and we were made exceedingly 

 comfortable for the night. 



In the morning we had a view of the somewhat famous Astoria, 

 which is any thing but what I should wish to describe. Haifa dozen 

 log houses, with as many sheds and a pig-sty or two, are all that it can 

 boast of, and even these appear to be rapidly going to decay. 



The Company pay little regard to it, and the idea of holding or 

 improving it as a post, has long since been given up. The head- 

 quarters of their operations have been removed to Vancouver, eighty 

 miles further up the river, since which Astoria has merely been held 

 for the convenience of their vessels. It boasts of but one field, and that 

 was in potatoes, which I can, however, vouch for as being very fine. 

 In former times it had its gardens, forts, and banqueting halls ; and 

 from all accounts, when it was the head-quarters of the Northwest 

 Company, during their rivalship with the Hudson Bay Company, there 

 was as jovial a set residing here, as ever were met together. I have 

 had the pleasure of meeting with several of the survivors, who have 

 recounted their banquetings, &c. 



In point of beauty of situation, few places will vie with Astoria. It 

 is situated on the south side of the Columbia river, eleven miles from 

 Cape Disappointment, as the crow flies. From Astoria there is a fine 



