Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/117



n the 19th day of April, 1845, we left Oregon City, for the United States. Our company, consisting of twelve persons, proceeded, a part by land, with the animals, and a part by water, with the baggage and provisions. And as the Cascade Mountains were yet impassable, on account of the snow, it was necessary for those who went by land, to follow the Columbia River: to do this, they were compelled to cross over to the North side at Vancouver, and a part of them re-crossed above the Falls of the Columbia. They had only a dim Indian trail to follow, which frequently wound along between rocky precipices and the river; it was sometimes covered with water, and a great portion of it was over loose fragments of rock, and along the sides of very steep hills and mountains. The streams which empty into the Columbia, were full, and all conspired to make the way through the Cascade Mountains, by land, very difficult. The passage by water was, likewise, somewhat impeded by high winds, strong currents, and the portage around the Falls. We arrived at the Wascopin Mission on the 1st of May, where we left our canoes, and packed the baggage upon our horses. We remained here one day, during which time Mr. Brewer and his lady, who are connected with the Mission, did every thing in their power to asist us, and make our stay agreeable. From the Mission, we followed the South bank of the Columbia to Fort Walawala.