Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/268



260 JASON LEE

followed us across the portage, and watched all our motions till we embarked. They are said to be a thievish set. In a small eddy just below where we embarked the salmon were leaping in great abundance. In the course of a few miles we saw scores of seal amusing themselves in the river which were the first I have seen and they were quite amusing. We are camped a few miles below the little Dells and at the head of the Big Dells. Here we have to make a portage of two miles. I find myself better the pain having left me in a great measure. Some Indians run the boat through the rapids and we carried the goods by land. Came a few miles left Capt. Wyeth to await the arrival of his company which came by land, and the wind was high we were obliged to camp.

Tuesday, September 9. Remained in camp, the wind being too high to move. Ascended a very high mountain, and amused ourselves by rolling great stones down the mountain. Our living is bread and fish.

Wednesday, September 10. Some Indians came to us and brought some sturgeon, one weighing probably 50 pounds. We embarked late and found the wind still so strong that we could make but little headway, and were forced to debark before night. It will be a long time before we reach Vancouver unless the wind abates. We have heard that Capt. Wyeth's vessel has arrived, hence I feel anxious to know if the goods have come safe.

Thursday, September 11. The wind prevented our moving today. For exercise and amusement Mr. Shepard and I climbed a hill high and precipitated large stones, some of them several tons weight, from a ledge several hundred feet high. There is no appearance of abatement of the wind and when we shall be able to reach Vancouver is hard to tell.