40 
THROUGH WONDERLAND. 
The mountains, so goes the story, becoming angry with each other, threw 
out fire, ashes and stones, and so demolished the bridge, choking the river, 
which had previously been navigable. The present remoteness of the mountains 
is attributed to the anger of the Great Spirit, who hurled them thus far asunder. 
Both, in common with other peaks of the Cascade Range, are extinct volcanoes; 
and the Indian tradition may have its origin either in some great eruption, or 
in some sudden movement of what is known as the sliding mountain, an im¬ 
mense mass of basaltic rock gradually wearing its way toward the river. 
After gazing in admiration at the fine scenery surrounding the Cascades, the 
tourist will scarcely be prepared for the announcement that the grandest of all is 
yet to come. But, after leaving Bonneville, not only is the general effect grander 
and more imposing, but the objects of special interest are more numerous. 
Here it is that the advantage of making the trip by steamer is most apparent; 
for, let the train travel ever so slowly, it is impossible for even the most quick- 
sighted traveler to take in all the points of interest that crowd one upon another. 
On the north side is Castle Rock, rising abruptly from the water’s edge a 
thousand feet or more. Farther down the river, also on the north side, is Cape 
Horn, an imposing basaltic cliff projecting into the water. On the south side 
there descend from the lofty perpendicular walls that frown upon the river for 
many miles, numerous waterfalls, of indescribable beauty. Here is the lovely 
Oneonta, 600 feet of silver ribbon, floating from the dizzy height. A few 
moments more, and we are opposite the still more beautiful Multnomah Fall, 
which has a descent of no less than 820 feet. At this point the train stops 
fifteen minutes to enable passengers to ascend to the rustic bridge, there to 
enjoy the best possible view of this incomparable fall, and its wondrously 
beautiful setting, contrasting so strikingly with the wild scenery around it. 
At the Pillars of Hercules, two gigantic columns of rock, one on either side 
the track, and forming, as it were, the western gateway to this marvelous 
region, the railroad leaves the river, and runs right on to Portland. The 
steamer continues its course, past the beautiful city of Vancouver, to the 
mouth of the Willamette river, by which great tributary of the Columbia, 
it soon reaches 
PORTLAND. 
Its phenomenal growth, its commanding position on one of the great water¬ 
ways of the continent, its wealth, commerce and enterprise, and the singular 
natural beauty of its situation, render the capital of the Pacific Northwest one 
of the most attractive cities on the American continent. 
Fifteen years ago Portland contained a population of 1,103. By 1880 the 
construction of the western section of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and the 
approaching completion of the great transcontinental system, had so stimulated 
the growth of the city that its population had increased to 17,577. To-day it 
is estimated at 30,000, or, including the suburbs of East Portland and Albina, at 
40,000, and a handsomer city of its size can not be found in the United States. 
In everything that distinguishes a great metropolitan city, the progress of 
