On Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, we left Astoria on our return. Although we had strong tide and heavy wind against us, we made good progress, and arrived at a point a few miles below the entrance of the Cowlitz, where we stopped for the night, and took o... l the wood that coul... procure... this place. Next morning we proceeded u... the mout... the Cowlitz river, where we were detained some hour... procuring wood. While wooding-up—som... the party wen... shore, and set about turning over stones, breaking them, and diggin... the dirt—when lo! very large specimen... gold, from 1% lbs.dow... a buck-shot, were exhibite... the gaz... the part... board. Col. Rich mond was apparently the lucky holde... the “big lump.” Some, for a time, gave credi... the idea that gold had ac tually been found there; bu... was more generally believe... ... good natured hoax—a... really was—the gold hav ing been hel... the hand while digging, and besmeared with dir... ... o have the appearanc... being foun... the spot... was finally conclude... all hand... ... fair offse... Gold Bluff and Klamath diggings; and thus ended a very good joke which furnished amusement while stopping to wood up.
From this place we made a quick passage to Fort Vancouver, where we arrived near dark, and stayed there over night... the evening mos... the party attended a ball give... the officer... the army which we heard spoke... i n high term... those who wer... attendance. We left this place earl... the mornin... the 30th, stoppin... Portlan... tak... freight and passengers. On coming up with the Bark Louisiana, two miles above Portland, she took her in tow and brought her up to Milwaukie, with ease, against a stiff current.
Of the speed of the boat—when timed at different points, she made good time. She made fourteen miles an hour up the Columbia against a strong current on one occasion. We understand that the proprietor is so well pleased with the
