Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 15.djvu/18



10 JUDGE WILLIAM C. BROWN

to a tune of a mild song which they sang. When close to the men an old man directed them to sit down all around the men on the outside, with the children etc. Then in place they smoked with the men. Having smoked awhile I ex- plained to the chief by means of the Sempoil my intention on going to the sea to open a road to bring merchandise to trade with them, which they thankfully received and wished a good voyage. They said the river was tolerably free hence to another (branch of) this tribe and that they would inform me of some distance beyond again, as their knowledge reached no further. Having accepted of the presents they brought, 3 roasted salmon and about half a bushel of arrowroot berries, I made them a present of two feet of tobacco, 6 rings, 6 hawks bells and two awls and 4 in. (tobacco) to the chief. At noon we left these friendly people and went down S. 46 E. 2 M. ^2 M. Put ashore on the right. The Indians brought us horses and the chief with four young men came with them and brought part of our goods to the foot of the rapids, the rest was run down in the canoe on the right for 1 M. The rapid is very -strong but good in the middle to near the end, then on the right. Gave chief 2 feet of tobacco, and each of the young men 1 & ^ feet for their trouble and they thankfully left us. At 1 :10 P. M. embarked canoe. (Here follows several lines of courses and distances as they proceed down stream, then journal continues.) At 2:30 P. M. saw the first sheep, Michel went after it, but the wind had started it. At 2:52 P. M. a cliff. Killed two rattle snakes. Co. 1 M. S. 20 W. 1 M. S. 56 W. 1 M. End of course S. R. (strong rapids) and islands, good between the isle on the left. Course S. 65 W. 1 M. S. 55 W. 2 M. The country is now very rude and mountainous but bare of wood, except on some of the heights. N. 75 W. 1 & Y-2. M. A very strong head wind most of the day. (More courses and distances, then journal continues.) We saw moun- tains before us whose tops have much snow in places, S. 33 W. 1 & y> M. S. 5 W. 1 & y, M. y 2 M. of Co. gone. Put up at 6 P. M. on the left among high rude lands. Steep to the right. The early part of the day was strong rapids, walked part of the way up a high bank etc. Part fine current, latter part again very strong R. current and strong whirlpools. Ob- served for latitude, longitude, etc."

This is the record of Saturday, July 6th, 1811, left us by Thompson as he noted it down that day. It shows that they were making excellent time, almost steamboat time of today.