Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/283

 John Work's Journey to Umpqua River, 1834 261 both sides places clear & covered with verdure. The soil more gravelly than we have seen for some time. June 22. Fine. Continued our route 10 miles N down the river where we camped in order to send the hunters in quest of deer. The hunters had no success. June 23. Fine. One of the men who was out hunting lost his horse & it was late when he found him, so that we could not raise camp. One deer. June 24. Fine. Continued our route 16 miles N to the main or middle fork of the Willamet at the commence- ment of the mountains, or end of the plains or clear ground where we camped. The river here is 80 to 100 yds wide. From Indian information the upper part of this fork has never been visited by whites and beaver [212] are said to be numerous within a few days march of this place beyond the first range of mountains, where there is a valley, but from the mountainous nature of the country, thickly wooded, little or no grass, it would be very difficult to get to with horses & though the naviga- tion is difficult, it is said to be practicable to ascend the river in canoes. I have determined therefore to send the people to try what can be done that way. The men were off & selected cedar trees to make canoes for the purpose and were afterwards getting their tools in readiness to commence making canoes tomorrow. June 25. Fine. The men busy at the canoes. The Comments June 21. The route crossed the divide between Elk Creek of Umpqua River and Coast Fork of Willamette, to a camp south of the site of Cottage Grove. The party had crossed this same divide, more to the westward, on June 7. June 22. Camp was near the site of Saginaw. June 24. Camp was near the site of Springfield. John Work proceeded to build canoes so as to enable members of his party to ascend Middle Fork in quest of beaver.