Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/128



120 JASON LEE

Wedn. 7. Came safe to camp on the little Vermillion which is what I should call a large brook.

Thurs. 8. Milton Sublet [Sublette] returned this morning on account of lameness which detained us till 10 o'clock. Wrote a few words to D. Patten Middleton. Was very sorry to have him leave us for he is a clever man and far better acquainted with the route and with Indians' character and customs than any man in company.

Are now on a stream about as large as the little Vermillion and I think is called black Vermillion.

Friday 9. Encamped on a brook in a beautiful place. Here the first deer was killed.

Sat. 10. Got out of the trail, dined on the Big Vermillion went back about a mile crossed came about 4 m. and camped on the Prairie.

Sun. 11. Decamped early this morning but lost the trail came to a stop about 11 o'clock. Capt. Thing took an obser- vation and found we were 40 18' N. Lat. This has been spent in a manner not at all congenial with my wishes.

Traveling, labouring to take care of the animals by all and cursing and shooting &c by the Com.

Read some of the Psalms and thought truly my feelings in some measure accorded with David's when he longed so much for the House of God.

I have found very little time for reading, writing or medi- tation since reached Liberty for I was almost momentarily employed in making preparations previous to leaving the civ- ilized world and we now find constant employment from daylight till it is time to decamp and then I am engaged in driving cows till we camp, to pitch our tent and make all necessary arrangements for the night fills up the residue of the day.

But still we find a few moments to call our little family together and commend ourselves to God.

May. Mon. 12. This morning the Capt. commenced mending hobbles and we did not expect to decamp till towards