Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/431



DOCUMENTARY 423

15. Forded Rock Creek and halted for breakfast a few mi. above. Generally breakfast about 11 o'clock and take no din- ner. Had a violent storm of rain and hail. Put my baggage under a shelving rock for safety and got under another myself. The water run in brooks in a few minutes. When it slacked a little I examined the baggage and found it nearly swimming in water. Our sugar was mostly wet, of course some wasted. Camp did not move, but we came on and slept a little above the American Fall.

16. Started early, went several mi, up in order to ford Portneuf and came to F. Hall, a little post now.

17, Sun. The camp arrived and it was a day of business; but I think no grog given. The musketoes were indeed dread- ful. It was almost impossible to read at all, or even sit to eat. I expected an invitation to preach in the Fort, but no intima- tions of the kind being given, I requested one of the men to inform the people that if they would assemble upon the bank of the river I would preach to them; and I believe nearly all about the fort assembled in a few minutes, except, the gentle- men, so called, belonging to the company. Had a good deal of liberty in speaking, but was obliged to fight musketoes the whole time; and they were so thick that I could not see the countenances of the congregation distinctly ; and it aston[ished] me to see the attention given while they must have suffered so much torment. Was thankful, for the privilege, of giving one faithful warning to these people, many of whom, perhaps, have not heard a sermon for many years, and some doubtless will never hear another. God alone can give the increase. The manner of life is such in these mountains that to hope to do them good is to hope against hope; all things are possible with God.

18, 19 & 20th. The liquor rolled freely and I need say nothing of the scene that followed, for there is no danger of forgetting it. I will however say, that it was no worse, and hardly so bad as I expected. Was able to write a little by