boat he would be responsible for their safe arrival in a day or two. Accordingly we took what provisions and clothing were necessary and repaired on board the steamboat Allan, which was already crowded with passengers. It is a poor apology for a boat, very small, having no cabin, and we were obliged to seat ourselves as best we could on the floor or whatever we could find to sit upon. This is the only steam boat which plies between The Dalles and the Cascades. It was brought here last spring from the Sacramento, being the first steamboat which ever run on that river. Were about seven hours running down (50 miles). The scenery was very romantic indeed. The banks of the river are mostly perpendicular rocks from one to a hundred feet in height. This river is not so wide as the Ohio, but much deeper, and unlike that river, the waters of the Columbia are clear and pure. We landed on a stony beach after dark, but succeeded in finding a sandy place and made our camps. We had brought our beds but had no tents, so we made our beds under the star-spangled arch of heaven and thought none could wish a more magnificent canopy. The bluffs along the river are covered with fir trees, some dense and some very scattered.
9
Big Laurel Hill
By Mrs. Amelia Stewart Knight
Mrs. Amelia Stewart Knight ended her long covered wagon trip near Milwaukie, Oregon, on September 17, 1853. She was accompanied by her husband and seven children. At one time en route she counted as many as 50 wagons ahead of them.
September 8, 1853.
Traveled 14 miles over the' worst road that was ever made, up and down, very steep, rough and rocky hills, through mud holes, twisting and winding round stumps, logs and fallen trees. Now we are on the end of a log, now over a big root of a tree; now bounce down in a mud hole, then bang goes the other side of the wagon, and woe be to what ever is inside. There is very little chance to turn out of this
