CHAPTER XXI.
FROM THE COLUMBIA TO THE SOUND.
Supposing the tourist to have arrived in Oregon by the usual routes of sea or overland travel, he is sure to be carried to Portland; from which point radiation to all other parts of the north-west commences. We take a steamer at that place, and retrace our course to the Cowlitz River; taking six hours for the voyage, which ends at Monticello, in time for a one-o'clock dinner. Here we find one or more stages waiting to convey mails and passengers to Olympia; and if competition be strong, for very cheap fares. Our stage on this occasion, is a long, light, open wagon, well loaded down with mail matter before we take our seats. The first six miles are along the river-bank, in sand and dust, with very little open country in sight; this portion of the Cowlitz Valley being of no great extent. Then commences the crossing of the Cowlitz Mountains.
What strikes us most in this drive, are the magnificence of the timber on the mountain, and the roughness of the country for a highway. In this July weather it is well enough, jolting through the forest, over roots of giant trees, and into hollows between them; but, in the rainy season, it is a different undertaking. However, the North Pacific Railroad is to cure this evil, in another year, perhaps. We are glad that for once we had to come this way. Such a forest as this is something to remember having seen; and
