JOURNAL. 
Thursday \7th. We remained here all day for the 
purpose of taking an observation. We got a num- 
ber of dogs from the natives. Salmon are very 
plenty but poor and dying, and therefore not fit for 
provisions. In the plains are a great many hares 
and a number of fowls, between the size of a phea- 
sant and turkey, called heath hens or grons. Wc 
killed a great many of these fowls which are very 
good eating. The small river, which we called 
Flathead and afterwards Clarke's river, is a branch 
of the Great Columbia, and running a northwest 
course, falls into it a considerable distance above this 
place ; we therefore never passed the mouth of that 
river. 
The Columbia here is 860 yards wide, and the 
Ki-moo-ee-nem (called Lewis's river from its junc- 
tion with the Koos-koos-ke) 475 yards. They arc 
both very low at this place. Our course since we 
took water has been a few degrees south of west s 
here the Columbia turns to the east of south. 
Friday 18^/2. This was also a fine day and we re- 
mained here till after 12 o'clock. In the forenoon 
« 
oyer hills and mountains. He depicted tlie lands of three 
other tribes in succession who spoke different lang-uag-es- 
Beyond them he knew nothing of the river or country, only 
tliat it was still a long way to the sea ; and that, as he had 
heard, there was a lake before tliey reached the water, 
which the natives did not drink. ■ 
" The more I heard of the river," says Mr M'Kenzie, 
*' the more I was convinced it could not empty it5?elf into the 
ocean to the north of what is called the river of the West, 
$0 that with its windings the distance must be very great.'^ 
It is not improbable that the distance by water, from the 
place Mr. M'Kenzie struck this river, to its mouth (suppo- 
sing* it to be the Columbia, Oreg-an or Great river or the 
West) is upwards ol'KXiO miles, and its whole course from 
its source 150Q. By the lake mentioned by the Indian-chief 
is no doubt meant the bay at the month of the Columbia, 
and wide part of the river where the title water ascends an^ 
i-eaders the whole unfit to drink* 
