Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/396

380 dimly discern some of the white-sheeted wagons on their dry and rugged way to the valley. I followed them as fast as I could at a brisk trot. At the distance of about eight miles I came to an immense mass of rock, which completely straddled the narrow ridge and totally obstructed the way. This huge obstacle could not be removed in time, and the wagons had to pass around it. They were let down the left side of the ridge by ropes to a bench, then passed along this bench to a point beyond the rock, and were then drawn up to the top of the ridge again by doubling teams.

I passed on about six miles farther, and came to another huge mass of rock entirely across the top of the ridge. But in this case the sides of the ridge were not so steep, and the wagons had easily passed across the ravine to the ridge on the right. Soon, however, the ridges sank down to the surface, leaving no further diffiultiesdifficulties [sic] in the way except the loose rocks, which lay thick upon the ground. These rocks were of all sizes, from that of a man's hat to that of a large barrel, and constituted a serious obstruction to loaded wagons. We could avoid the larger rocks, as they were not so many; but not the smaller ones, as they were numerous and lay thick upon the ground. In passing over this part of our route two of the wagons were broken down.

About noon I met one of our party who had been to the valley, and was on his return to the good camp, where his wagons and teams as well as mine were left. He reported to me that the route was practicable; and I sent word to my men to come on the next day.

I arrived at the camp in the valley, near a beautiful stream of water, a little after dark, having traveled that day about thirty-five miles. I could hear the wagons coming down that rough, rocky hill until midnight. Some of