Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/364

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358
James W Nesmith.

Monday, October 16.—In four miles' travel we the Deschutes River. Hired two Indians to conduct us across the ford, which we crossed without difficulty. Just below we passed the Dalles, quite a waterfall on the Columbia. Arrived at the Methodist Mission in the evening.

Tuesday, October 17.—Remained at the Mission all day. Otey and I looked for canoe timber. Weather drizzly.

Wednesday, October 18.—Ground some wheat in the evening. Some five or six arrived from above. I swapped my horse for a Chinook canoe.

Thursday, October 19.—Made some arrangements and started about two o'clock with an Indian pilot. Went five miles and camped. Weather fine.

Friday, October 20.—Paddled down the river all day; scenery wild and romantic. Encamped at night on the north side of the river with some Indians.

Saturday, October 21.—Made an early start with two Indian canoes in company. Arrived at the Cascades about ten o'clock. Spent the balance of the day in making the portage. On each side of the river at the Cascades are high mountains covered with dead timber, killed by a fire.

Sunday, October 22.—Got breakfast and started in good season with our pilot and another young Indian. They ran the rapids, which were rough in consequence of wind, and we walked around. Pulled down the river about eight miles and were obliged to encamp in consequence of headwind, which made rather too much swell for our canoe to ride in safety. We encamped on the north side of the river. The boys killed two pheasants. Weather fine and pleasant.

Monday, October 23.—The wind high this morning from the Southeast. Hoisted a sail on our canoe. We all got out to walk around a point while the Indians should run the canoe through, which they did and landed. The other boys missed the trail and kept back in the bluffs. I came to the canoe and waited for them until nearly sundown. Passed off the time in reading Shakespeare's "Merry Wives of Windsor." The wind continued high. I started at an hour