Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/425



DOCUMENTARY 417

10th. Commenced early and finished my letters to wife and others. Broths Lee and Perkins came over and took break- fast with us ; we then commended each other to God, in prayer, took the parting- hand, while the former returned to take care of their Mission, the latter bent his course to the W. for his wife, and we pursued our way up the Columbia.

13th. Reached Wallawalla, with less fatigue, and better health than I expected.

14th. Went to Dr. Whitman's. The water was high in the streams. Overtook Mrs. Pamburn and daughters, and a very old woman, who crossed the mountains with Mr. Hunt,* and a grown daughter. We were obliged to cross on small trees, which bent and trembled with us so as to make it difficult to keep the center of gravity.

I thought a man who was with us and I should have enough to do to cross all stuff. I took a little girl in my arms and started across, and to my astonishment was followed by the females with larger loads than I should probably have ven- tured with, consisting of children, saddles, bridles, blankets, saddle bags, dogs &c., and all came safe over. The Dr. came and conducted us to the house.

Mrs. W. met us at the door, and I soon found myself seated and engaged in earnest and familiar conversation, as if we were old acquaintances.

15, Sab. Had a very interesting time preaching to the In. while the Dr. interpreted.

16th. Visited the In's [Indians'] Farms and was surprised that they had done so much in the absence of almost every tool necessary to do with. Some had two or three acres, wheat, peas, corn & potatoes.

17. Started J/ past 8 o'clock A. M. on horse back, with two In. for Mr. Spalding's, a distance of a 100 mi. and ar- rived at y 2 past 3 P. M. on the 18th.


 * Wilson Price Hunt in 1811.