Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/251

Rh azure hue, which were frequently washed on the main-yard by the spray breaking over the vessel.

At last, on the morning of the 7th. a favorable wind rising, we were within forty miles of the entrance to the harbour, and joy and expectation sat on every countenance, all hands endeavoring to make themselves useful in accomplishing this wished-for object. Dr. Scouler and I kept the soundings, and safely passed over the sandbar, where many vessels have been injured and others lost. We happily gained the much desired harbor, and anchored in Baker's Bay, on the northside of the Columbia, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Several cannon shots wore immediately tired to announce our arrival to the establishment seven miles up the river, but they were not answered. Thus terminated my long and tedious voyage of eight months and fourteen days. The joy of viewing land, and the hope of being able, in a few days, to range through this long-desired spot, and to resume my wonted pursuits and enjoyments, may be easily imagined. We spent the evening in great mirth, and went to rest early at night, happy to be able to sleep without the noise and motion and other disagreeable attendants of a long sea voyage. I think I may truly reckon this as among the happiest moments of my life.

The following day. April 8, was so rainy and cold that we could not leave the ship, but the next morning Dr. Scouler and I went ashore on Cape Disappointment. On stepping out off the boat we picked up Rubus Spectabilis (B. Reg. t. 1444) and Gaultheria Shallow, with several other plants which, had only been known to us in the Herbaria, or by name. Many species of Vaccinium, not however yet in flower, with Tiarella and Heuchera, both in full blossom, grew in the woods. In a few hours we returned to the ship, amply gratified. We found that during our absence a canoe with one Canadian and several Indians had been sent from the fort, bringing fresh provisions, potatoes and butter. The latter also offered game, dried salmon and fresh sturgeon, with dried roots and preserved berries of several kinds, for barter, and as they put many questions to us, by the aid of