Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/153



DIARY 145

force and more constancy and when my foot was removed the grass was instantly raised.

These waters have evidently flowed out in many different places where large quantities of very curious rock has been formed by its precepitations upon moss grass &c. One place I noticed very particularly. The rock at the base is several yards in diameter and rises in a circular form to the height of say 5 ft. and is about that distance across the top the incrusta- tion is a few inches thick at the top and the hollow is filled nearly up with earth. I have no doubt and am persuaded that no person who visits it can have doubt but that water once boiled from this chaldron but has long since found some other place for discharging itself.

Thirs. July 10. Left Bear R. and pursued a north course over the hills and soon reached a small prairie, crossed some small streams or brooks. Passed Boniville's Camp. He is making meat. The country presents many volcanic appear- ances all the stone appear to have been burned. The Company killed a large griz[z]ly bear. I think there were twenty guns fired but know not how many balls hit him. They are a very hard creature to kill.

Fri. July 11, 1834. Encamped last night on a small stream called Black Foot. The [stream] is very muddy and difficult to cross. Capt. McCay [Thos. McKay] formerly of the Hud- son's Bay Company joined us on the 9th and intends to go with us to the place where the Capt. is to build his fort and there wait for his party. Saw a large band of buf. and rode up to them full speed but the dust flew in such clouds that I could not see to shoot with any accuracy and hence killed noth- ing but pursued and overtook three bulls one of which Cool- cooly shot and we took part of it to camp.

Sat. 12. Encamped on the headwaters of Ross Fork. Dan- iel caught a fine string of trout.

Sun. 13. Traveled only a short distance. Was glad to get a little rest on the Lord's day. The [men] are engaged playing