Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/230

220 for abandoned establishment at Spokane that he might meet there a Canadian who possessed extensive knowledge of the country and its productions, and who, Douglas wished, should repair his gun. On the 13th he goes back to Kettle Falls. Botanizes the surrounding country. June 5 starts for Walla Walla. From the 17th to the 24th makes first excursion to the Blue Mountains. Between June 26 and July 3 makes second trip to the Blue Mountains. On the 10th starts down the Columbia to meet company bringing letters. Anxiety much allayed on receiving letters, read and reread. On the 18th goes with a party up the Snake to "its forks" (150 miles). On the 25th makes side trips into the Blue Mountains. On the 31st starts overland to Kettle Falls via Spokane. In crossing Cedar River loses seeds, notebook and knapsack. From August 7 to 15 busy collecting plants. Hearing of chance to send collections by last direct vessel to England for some years, he prepares to start for Vancouver. Troubles between Indian parties prevent his securing a guide. On the 19th sets out with one Indian. On the 23rd arrives at Okanogan settlement. Meets there McDonald and Ermetinger. "At noon of the last day of August, the day previous to that (the 1st of September) on which the ship was fixed to sail, landed at Point Vancouver, whence in poor plight, weary and travel-soiled, glad at heart, though possessing nothing but a shirt, leather trousers and an old hat, having lost my jacket, neck-kerchief and worn out my shoes, I made my way to the fort, having traversed 800 miles of the Columbia Valley in twelve days, unattended by a single person except my Indian guide." September 1 gets chests into boat leaving for the Dryad. September 2 to 15 gleans seeds of species of plants collected the year before.

On the 20th of September starts on an expedition to the Umpqua, "or Aguilar River," to procure cones of "gigantic pine." On the 22nd arrives at McLeod's encampment at McKay's abandoned establishment on the Willamette. Country having been burned over, conditions are very unfavorable for botanizing. Adventure with "grisly bear" in the upper