Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/258



250 JASON LEE

horses. The uncles did not object and they were man and wife.

Surely these Indians must be very desirous to adapt the customs of the white people when they so readily yield [in] a matter of so much interest for a female sells for a pretty large sum.

Thirs. 14, August. Some very good looking Indians came to camp last night and this morning but they are poor having scarcely a knife among them. Cows very weary walked very slow made a shorter march than usual camped on an island excellent grass. Thus far we have had plenty of food and though it has not been such as we have been accustomed to eat in times past yet it has sometimes been very excellent and always wholesome for me, though some of it has not always agreed so well with others.

Fri. Aug. 15, 1834. We are still upon the Island and do not move camp to-day. The animals will be glad of rest. Some of the Capt's men are gone 6 or 8 mi. to a little river to trade with some Indians.

I have been looking over the letters that I have received since my departure from the land that gave me birth and I find them very encouraging for they assure me that God's people in every direction are offering fervent supplication for our prosperity and the success of our Mission. And this causes me to rejoice when I reflect that the fervent effectual prayer of the righteous availeth much. O that I may so live that I may ensure the blessings which are so earnestly solicited in my behalf. In the evening and morning we discovered that when walking through the grass our shoes became wet through there is no dew in this country and on examination we discovered that it was salt. It is deposited on the low grass in fine powder and tastes as strong and good as manu- factured [salt].

Sat. August 16, 1834. Capt. McCay sent word to me to send a bag to him for flour and if he had anything else that we wanted to let him know and we should have it. While