Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/40

30 covered with Clouds; in the chance Intervals of fair Weather I geometrically measured the Height of 3 of those that were most eligible, @ found their perpendicular Height above their Bases, or the level of the Rivluet to be 4707 ft. 5200 ft. @ 5089 ft. The Peakes of a few Mountains rose ab*. 500 to 700 ft. above these; @ considering their elevated Situation on the Globe, they fall little short of the most celebrated in Height above the Level of the Ocean. Wearied with waiting @ anxious to proceed, contrary to the Opinion of every one, I set off with Bercier, my Guide, to examine if the Portage was passable/ We started very early on 2 good Horses @ by 10 A. M. we were at the Head of the Defile or Ravine, where the Springs send their Rills to the Pacific Ocean; I this Sight overjoyed me. We held our Route down along the Brook, which was continually increasing it's Stream, our Road was very bad: by 1 P.M. from a View of the Country; I considered that part of the Defile as passed in which the Snow was most likely to remain; my Giude affirmed not but as all the Snow that lay direct in our Road noways incommoded us, being only Patches, altho' every Thing was dreary Winter about us. I determined to return immediately @ send for the Men @ Horses from the Kootanae Plain— June 24 in the Evening all the Men @ Horses arrived. I separated to the Men the Horses @ Goods that each might be responsible for what was put under his immediate Care. The Merchandise Stores, &c, were equal to the Carriage of 18 Horses in this rugged Country @ we had only 10 Horses. I therefore left the Goods we could not take in charge of Mr. Finan McDonald who was thus obliged to remain all alone, till the return of the men a disagreeable work. Our whole Stock of Provisions now amounted to no more, than 220 lbs of Pemmican, @ we had no Hopes of adding to it, as the Country at this Time of year affords no Animals. June 25 Early we collected the Horses @ set off every Man on foot, their own Horses carrying their Baggage— At 2 P. M. we put up at the Scources of the Brook,