Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 37.djvu/110

 landmark well known during covered wagon days. The trail did not pass through the city of Baker, as laid down on some maps.

Mrs. Whitman resumes her story:

"26th Friday. On account of our worn out cattle & horses it was thought best to seperate from Mr McLeod party at least some of us & travel more deliberately. Two mules & a horse have almost entirely given out, having been very much hurt in packing. It is also necessary that some of our party go to Vancouver immediately for supplies & to see Mr. Parker before he leaves. It was thot best for my Husband & Mr Gray to go. As Mr McLeod intended to make but a day stop at W W we came on with him leaving Mr & Mrs S the hired men with the most of our baggage, & the Nez Perces Chief Rottenbelly to pilot them in. We parted from them about three O'clock P M. & came on as far as the Lone Tree. The place call'd lone Tree is a beautiful valley in the region of Powder river, in the centre of which is a solitary tree quite large, by the side of which travelers usually stop & refresh themselves. We left our tent for Mrs S expecting to be out only a few nights while she might be many. Mr McLeod kindly offered his for my use & when I arrived in camp found it piched and in readiness for me. This was a great favour, for the wind blew quite hard & the prospect was for a cool night. Took tea with Mr McLeod.

"27th Came in sight of the hill that leads into Grand Round & should have come quite to it, had it not been for a circumstance that occured during the day This morning Mr McLeod remained behind in persuit of game, & did not come into camp untill we had made a long nooning. Began to feel a little concerned & it was proposed to send back in persuit of him when about three o'clock P M he came into camp loaded with wild ducks, having taken twenty two. Now Mother he did just as he always did, during the whole journey sent me nine of them. Here also Richard caught a fresh Salmon which made us another good meal & if we had been out of provisions we might have made a dinner upon fresh water clams for the river was full of them where we nooned. We left at four o'clock P M and rode untill seven o'clock. Felt exceeding languid & worn out with fatigue