514 FROM HEADWATERS OF THE MISSOURI TO DALLES OF THE COLUMBIA. 
tion that covers the surface, except in a few more favored spots, is scrubby wormwood. The 
river is wide, and well stocked with ducks and geese, which congregate in great numbers on its 
sandy points and bars. 
At the end of about thirty-five miles we camped on the best point for grass that could be found, 
but it was still poor. Soon after, a canoe which was dropping leisurely down the river, with a 
load of whooping and singing Indians, approached the shore, and its variegated crew favored us 
with a visit. Being on their way to the Dalles, they were all dressed in their Sunday’s best— 
in old clothes, cast off probably by emigrants, which were so patched with different colors that 
it was difficult to see of what color the original garment had been. One of them, proud of his 
exterior, and wishing to show that in addition to his fine appearance he was a man of “means,’* 
pulled out a small piece of buckskin, carefully unrolled it, and produced two cents , which, after 
shaking with great complacency, he as carefully rolled up again and put back. Another small 
party from a camp near by looked in upon us about sunset. One of this band brought a pack of 
cards rolled up in a greasy rag, and was very solicitous to get up a game. 
Last night it rained till nearly morning, when it turned into sleet, and at sunrise discontinued 
altogether, though it remained damp and heavy this forenoon. 
On the 5th we travelled about 30 miles. The country was more broken and rocky than yes¬ 
terday, near the river, but the soil was about the same. On a shingle beach which we passed 
soon after noon, I picked up a few small pieces of agate, obsidian, onyx, and petrified wood. 
March 6.—Camped on the “Des Chutes” river. The banks have been high and rugged on 
both sides, but the soil on the flats has been much better. On some of them, grass of this year’s 
growth is several inches high and quite thick. 
The “ Des Chutes” river is about 12 miles from the Dalles, and after fording it on the morning 
of the 7th, it may be imagined that no time was lost till we jumped off our horses for the last 
time, and our feet again touched civilized soil. 
Temperature, &c. 
Date. 
Temperature. 
Remarks. 
At sunrise. 
At 12 m. 
At sunset. 
1854. 
o 
o 
o 
Jan. 2. 
3. 
+20 
+12 
—}”5d 
+ 6 
High SW. winds, and thick, heavy clouds. 
Wind a few points east of north; morning, overcast; at sunset, 
4. 
—12 
—10 
—16 
snowing. 
Morning, wind NNW., and snowing; at noon, breaking away; at 
5. 
— 11 
0 
+ I 
sunset, clear; wind west; slight breeze. 
Sunrise, wind SSW. strong; at noon, same ; sunset, S. 
6. 
+20 
+17 
+20 
At sunrise and noon, wind SW. 
7. 
+30 
+33 
+32 
Wind SW. all day. 
8. 
+36 
+51 
+46 
Wind SW. all day; nearly clear in morning, but overcast at night. 
9. 
+39 
+44 
+38 
At sunrise and noon, wind SW. 
10. 
+16 
+36 
+28 
Sunrise, clear; at noon and sunset, a slight breeze from SW.; at 
11. 
+32 
+32 
+32 
sunset, sky overcast. 
Wind from W. all day; at noon and sunset, stormy. 
12. 
—16 
*—21 
—18 
*The noon observation was taken on dividing ridge at 12 m.; and 
13. 
—24 
—19 
—23 
at sunset, wind NE. 
Stormy all dav, and wind NE. 
14. 
—25 
—15 
—16 
Light winds from NE. all day; morning cloudy; afternoon clear. 
15. 
—34 
— 1 
—18 
Clear, and without wind. 
16. 
—38 
— 1 
—21 
Do. do. 
17. 
— 8 
+ 8 
— 8 
— 1 
Cloudy all day; at noon, wind NE., and snowing; at sunset, clear. 
Fair; no wind. 
18. 
19. 
—13 
—16 
— 6 
—14 
20. 
—23 
— 2 
— 6 
At noon, wind SW.; snowing a little; at sunset, clear. 
21. 
1 
7 
9 
Sunrise, wind NE.; snowing; noon, wind SW.; at sunset, clear. 
22. 
30 . 
1 
7 
42 
39 
Sunrise, cloudy. 
Sunrise, wind SW.; noon, rainy; sunset, wind SW.; rainy. 
31. 
55 
52 
42 
