Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 11.djvu/235

Rh was scarce and muddy—over a dreary, desolate country, soil sandy and stony. Horses suffer from thirst.

6 A.M. N.N.E. over stony road. At 3 P. M. reached camp of last November, to the great joy of all, and now that we know where we are, we must look for beaver. To return to Ft. Vancouver with our present returns will be most galling.

Did not camp until we reached the end of Salt Lake seen last fall. The water is very high. The waters of Sylvailles river and lakes discharge into it. The stench of the lake is terrible.

From illness unable to leave my bed and so continued to 22nd. During my illness the trappers have not been idle, collecting 74 beaver; but the Snakes are most numerous and daring, determined to steal horses. The natives have destroyed in this region upwards of 60,000 [?] beaver, not one of which reached our forts.

Reached Sylvailles River and crossed; one horse stolen.

Reached the source of River Malheur. Took 81 beaver, all in prime state, which I cannot explain except on account of moist climate. The trappers have not averaged 100 beavers each this year.

Seven trappers left for upper part of Sandwich Island river.

Three of Payette's men back—seven men about 100 beaver; others are at Snake river, having crossed Frazer's [?] river. We have taken 300 beaver in the same time. The heat is terrible and all are short of food.