Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/251

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DIAXY 243

surrounded with sand which is sometimes driven before the wind in as great quantity as snow in the east

Left the Fort at 11 o'clock A. M. traveled S. crossed a beautiful stream of clear water and after a few hours march camped on Portneuf. Find myself weak and afflicted with a severe headache. But what child is there which the father chasteneth not? If therefore we receive not chastisement then are we bastards and not sons. Lord assist me with resignation to bear and profit by all these light afflictions.

July 31. Thurs. Was exercised with so much pain in my head and back that it was with difficulty that I could com- pose myself to sleep but find myself considerably rested not- withstanding. Made a short march and camped on Lewis' Fork. Grass very good.

Fri. August 1, 1834. How does the golden moments of time on their rapid wings flit almost imperceptably by ? They are apportioned to us moment by moment. We look for them they are gone they are not here. Another month has passed away and I have made little progress in my journey westward and I fear not so much as I might have done in my journey upwards. O Lord quicken me more and more. Amen. My head has been much more composed to-day and I have been able to enjoy the scenery which in some places has been rather beautiful and picturesque. The American falls are quite in- teresting. Mr. McCay judged the whole fall to be 50 ft. but the shoot itself is not more than 20 or 25 ft. Saw an eagle's nest on a rock which rose a few feet above the water in the midst of the river. As soon as we had camped most of the males went in to bathe and the females soon followed but a little distance from them. The grass is very poor.

Sat. Au. 2. Came 9 or 10 mi. and camped on a small stream with many beautiful cascades of a few feet. One of the men caught a beaver. Find I am still very weak but my appetite is good.

Sun. August 3, 1834. Made a march of 3 hours and camped on Raft River. It is a small stream and received its