Page:Journal of John H. Frost, 1840-42 part 1.pdf/14

 from Br. Abernethy by Mr. Sukley, who arrived from Walamette and takes passage on board of the Maryland for the States.

28. Since my last date my trials have been great. All that we have passed through since we left our native land has been nothing compared to this. The cloud is dark, intensely dark. My only hope is in God. Left Mrs. Frost and our little boy at Fort George, and set out for Willamette in a boat, in company with a young gentleman of the ship Forager, which has just arrived from England. My object in going to Willamette was to procure assistance to put up a house for myself, which was a very urgent matter, as the rainy season would set in soon, and we were wholly dependant on Mr. Birnie for a cover, who had, in fact no room to spare. In the afternoon after we left Fort George, we met Mr. Smith who was returning from Willamette; by whom I recd a letter from Rev. J. Lee. Mr. S. informed me that I had the privalege of employing him to assist me in building; but after consulting we concluded that it would be a very difficult task for us two to put up a house for my accommodation, especially as his own family was not provided for for the winter. Therefore I determined to proceed to Willamette and if possible obtain more help. Se we set out again, and on the next day but one, we arrived at Vancouver. The next morning I engaged two Indians to take me, in a canoe, to Champoag, which was 15 miles from the W. Mission. In the evening we arrived at the Willamette Falls, where Br. Waller was building a house, for the accommodation of his own and Br. Beer's family. Here the two Indians who came up with me became dissatisfied, and would go no farther unless I would give them more wages. I did not feel willing to comply with their avaricious requirements, however, and consequently permitted them to return. Here I was perplexed for some time before anyone could be obtained to convey me the remaining part of my journey by water; I succeeded at last, by taking Br. W's hired man and one crippled Indian, to get on as far as Obishaw's landing, which is a few miles below Champoeg, which occupied the whole day. Obishaw is a Canadian, he was not at home, but his In-