Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/262



254 JASON LEE

Columbia. Overtook the Indians and a small party sent out by Capt. McCay who are on their way to Wallahwallah. Came 15 mi. Camped on a large brook good water.

Sun. 24. Camped before 11 o'clock A. M. Thinking it best to rest on the Sabbath as we expect to reach W. in six days. The holy and thrice blessed Sabbath which in Christian lands is hailed as the prototype of the saints eternal rest above which brings with it an anticipation a fore[t]as[t]e of the extatic joys of heaven and fills the pious soul with high and holy emotions which causes him to pant more vehemently for more of God and for a preperation for the enjoyment of the now inconceiveable raptures of that glorious and eternal city.

"Where congregations ne'er break up and Sabbath never end," this holy Sabbath has been to us pilgrims little els[e] for four months but a day of labour, toil, and fatigue but far be it from me to murmur or complain. All is right. All is as it should be.

Mon. August 25, 1834. Traveled over hills and moun- tains as usual say 20 mi. Camped on a cold stream or rivulet, grass good. Some part of the way the dust flew in such quan- tities as nearly to suffocate one and the slow monotony of cow-driving is indeed very wearisome. And the quart of milk which they afford us now per day is a small compensa- tion for this labour but we hope to reap much benefit from them hereafter. Read Lord Byron's Sardinappollas [Sarda- napalus] but do not think that sort of writing will tend to better the heart or mend the life though it may inform the head. And he who could write such stuff as his "Vision of Judgment 7 ' must be I think, if not infidel in principle (which is most probible) a total stranger to all vital experimental religion.

Tues. 26. Started 6 o'clock 30 m. with the cows and ar- rived at camp at 3, distance 25.

The hills over which we came are not nearly so high as those we have been wont to pass of late. They are covered with scattering grass which is now dry and turned white for want of rain.